I have no rights to Naruto.

I cried writing this…..so good luck.

x-x-x-x

"Are you sure about this?"

Folding his hands under his chin Naruto gave the scroll and the name written on it a final glace before looking at the man in front of him.

"There is no one better suited."

Naruto raised his hand, a small smile on his lips as he confessed. "I agree and I am not arguing your choice, – are you sure?"

With a smile the uniformed but maskless ANBU bowed his head. "Yes Hokage-sama, apart from Morino-sama I am the longest continuous serving ANBU."

With a wide smile the Rokudaime Hokage, agreed. "Then its settled."

Pausing the ANBU looked his Hokage in the eye, face betraying no emotion, but his voice was quiet, "Is there any word?"

"No, none." Naruto sighed. "The team are back today, it's only a matter of time."

Nodding the ANBU bowed and left the tower, quickly returning to ANBU HQ, a raised eyebrow at the quartermaster garnering the response he had hoped for as he strode down the hall. Knocking on a non-descript door to allow its occupants time to cover up if needed he stuck his head in and spied the ANBU he needed.

"Dragon, my office asap."

The female stiffened, every muscle tensing as the two ANBU beside her took a step closer, hands clenching.

Shaking his head the man felt like an idiot. "Not that, no change as far as I'm aware." His words brought instant relief, the air lightening in the room as the Dragon masked female nodded her agreement, her teammates reaching to rub her shoulders.

A few minutes later Dragon curled her hand around the doorknob of a very familiar door, pushing it open at the softly spoken 'enter'. The room was so similar but different now, but it still made her relax.

"Angel."

With a smile Kaida removed her mask, attaching it to her belt and gave Squirrel a small smile. "Commander."

Sitting at his request, Kaida met his smile with a softer one, taking the scroll he handed her with a raised eyebrow.

"We will have the official ceremony in a few days….if you agree."

Emerald eyes widened and hands tore open the scroll in disbelief, lips opening and closing as she read the information and held it's contents. "This is… this is…no….it;….."

"It's right. Morino is synonymous with ANBU, but your name isn't the reason, you earned it. Squirrel spoke softly knowing the effect his words would have on the ANBU before him, the young woman he had watched grow and protect biting her lip as her eyes filled with tears. "Seko and Juca are probably waiting for you outside the door, and we might be able to surprise them for a second time."

Swallowing Morino Kaida stood and gave her Commander a deep bow, a smile on her lips as she turned and opened the door, giving Squirrel a glimpse of her two men waiting outside. He watched as she showed them the scroll and let them wrap their arms around her before the door closed with a click.

Barely an hour later, mission report handed in and clothing changed, Kaida made her way through the hospital, her two ever present shadows by her side. The trio were simply extensions of each other, moving seamlessly together they were one of the most, if not the most effective team of their generation. Garnering looks of both respect and resentment as they passed through the halls, their names were spoken with the same awe and fear as had been those of Hatake Kakashi, Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke, The Kazekage, and most importantly Morino Ibiki and Morino Sakura.

Reaching the white door at the end of the ANBU patrolled corridor Kaida took a deep breath, straightening her jacket and adjusting the pin that was only ever worn for official occasions. Blinking her eyes rapidly Kaida reached back and squeezed the hands that reached out to her instantly.

"We got you Angel."

"Always and forever."

Breathing deeply and straightening her spine Kaida let go and opened the door, smiling softly as Sakura looked up with a tired smile, eyes lighting up as she saw the pin on her jacket. "Oh Angel."

"Hi Mom….hi Dad."

Kaida whispered sitting beside the hospital bed, Seko and Juca standing behind her as she clasped Ibiki's out reached hand in hers, tears filling her eyes as he squeezes it tightly. Dark eyes full of pride, the once larger than life former ANBU Commander reached up with a shaky hand and pulled down his oxygen mask. The pain was obvious in his voice but so was the pride, the love, as he spoke.

"Commander Morino."

It was only several hours later, surrounded by his wife, his daughter and the two men that were his sons in all but blood, that Morino Ibiki took his last breath.

A near lifelong career as ANBU, most as its Commander had the current ANBU patrolling the halls and perching on the rooftops holding vigil as he died. The Rokudaime Hokage woken from his slumber closed his eyes in pain for his friends, quickly writing a letter that his so called gentle wife added an amendment; threatening any that dared to interfere on the day of the funeral, that made him pause but with a teary laugh nod his head in agreement.

It rained for his funeral, ANBU past; the few that remained and present flocked like a murder of crows around the ceremony, the Kazekage standing next to Thieves and Lords as they bid Morino Ibiki farewell. His family front and center, the outline of his mask, Death carved onto his headstone, Sakura holding onto her daughter as Kaida was braced by Seko and Juca. No tears were shed, but if they were they were washed away by the rain. They stood strong, proud and determined, as the man known as Morino Ibiki had for years as he protected Konoha.

But time waits for no man, woman or ANBU and only days later after saying her final goodbye and at the urging of her mother and partners, Morino Kaida stepped into the ANBU Commander's office.

Her Dad's office.

Her office.

Outside Konoha, Morino was synonymous with fear and death.

In Konoha it was known, protecting their beloved Konoha and eliminating any threats to her.

Morino was synonymous with ANBU.

x-x-x

Dia Duit,

The end of an era?

This made me cry when I thought of it, I cried writing it, but it fit. By my rough recollection I have Kaida about 23/25 years – non war time no emergency promotions, probably in ANBU since 17 most likely so 7 ish years experience or so he,e so Sakura is about 45 making Ibiki over 60, old for all the damage he went through, torture etc, I can imagine Sakura healing him on and off for years helping him manage pain. Dying with his family by his side sounds like a dream for many shinobi with such a young death rate.

I don't know if I will post on this again but for now it's finished. Thank you to everyone for sticking with me on this journey. I started this in 2010 and those that have read my stories know I got married , my husband had cancer and we went through a very tough period, but I write this in 2020 saying the end of a journey with my Unexpected series as I look at my six month old daughter napping. Unexpected but wanted, dreamed of and loved beyond reason.

Here's to more stories, to be read and written…if I ever have time again.

Lots of love,

The Rose and the Dagger x x x