A/N: Hello everyone! Welcome to Ash's First Naruto Fanfic! Yes, I know I haven't posted in a while. Yes, I know I usually write HP. But I've decided to take a break from that and write this fic. And I hope you'll be pleased to hear that this one won't be stopping soon-I already have the first eight chapters typed up. I'm waiting to write the next few after I see the reviews. It's a Sakura/Sasuke pairing, because they WILL END UP TOGETHER. If you're a Naruto/Sakura shipper, you might want to take two steps back and run, because Naruto is with Hinata in the fic, because THEY WILL END UP TOGETHER ALSO. For those of you who like Sakura/Sasuke fics, I hope you guys enjoy it!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. But I do own all the new characters, the ones you've never heard of. I'll givre you a list when they're all here. )

Prologue

"Sakura! Sakura! SAKURA!"

Sakura spun mid-throw, barely catching her flying kunai with the tips of her fingers. When she saw who was calling her, she sighed, putting away her equipment as he raced towards her.

"What is it, Naruto?"

"Tsunade-sama…wants to…see you…right away!" The blond ninja said between gasps.

"What? Why?"

"I…don't…know." He gulped in air, exhausted from his run. Realizing that it was important enough for Naruto to come at full speed, she nodded and took off into the trees, running as fast as her feet could carry her.

The guards at Tsunade's offices didn't even bother to ask Sakura if she had an appointment. They simply opened the doors, their faces grim. Then again, that was pretty normal. They shut the doors tightly behind her, and she stood at attention, noticing her mentor facing the window.

"Tsunade-sama? You wanted to see me?"

Tsunade didn't look at Sakura. She just stayed silent. Sakura had never seen her like this before, but she knew better than to say anything. Instead she stood silently, waiting for Tsunade's response. Finally, the Hokage turned, a grim frown on her face.

"Sakura, I'm going to do something that I would normally never do."

"Tsunade-sama?"

Tsunade held up a hand for silence. "I'm going to ask you to go on a solo mission that could very well ruin your life, maybe even end it. I would not ask you if I thought you were not capable-mind you, I believe you to be the only ninja for this mission. It is extremely dangerous however, and if you choose not to accept it, I will not think less of you. I myself would not take this mission if told to. But don't decide now. Let me explain first.

"Have you heard of Satoya Ankoku?"

Sakura stood bolt upright when she heard the name. "The religious leader?"

"The same."

Sakura's eyes widened. "What does the mission have to do with him?"

Tsunade sighed, sitting down and motioning for Sakura to do the same. When Sakura was seated, she began again.

"As you have most likely noticed, his numbers are growing by the thousands. He has over one million members in the area as of the last report. Our informants, however, has some very bad news. It seems that he has begun sacrificing his members 'to the cause'."

"What?" Sakura asked, but Tsunade held up her hand and continued.

"Yes, human sacrifices. It's been said that at least twenty people are being sacrificed every day. I won't go into the details-if you take this mission, you might find out for yourself.

"But that's not the half of it. Rumors are that he's building an army. An army of ninjas, trained in the ways of the Village Hidden in the Leaves."

"What?" Sakura gasped. "But-"

"I know. I believe he intends to use his army and whatever techniques he's using to gain members to take over our village. And from there, who knows what else he might try? He must be stopped. And that's where you come in.

"Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to go undercover as a rogue assassin. You must become part of the close circle around Satoya Naminach. And eventually, you must assassinate him."

"What? Me? I…"

"Sakura, don't protest. I told you, you don't have to take this mission. I won't think less of you. But please, only ask questions that you really need answered. We don't have a lot of time."

Sakura nodded, carefully reviewing what she knew, then asking, "How long will I be gone?"

Tsuanade turned away from her. "Two years, at the least."

Sakura gasped in disbelief. "Two years?"

Tsuanade sighed. "I told you this wouldn't be easy. Should you accept the mission, we have a note for you to leave stating that you've run away. You would be declared a missing-nin, and I might have to send ninjas out to capture you or kill you to keep up appearances. I won't send the best, but you still will have to disguise yourself well enough that one of your friends doesn't recognize you should I send one after you."

"How would I communicate with you?"

"I have a bird for you, a nightingale. She is trained not only to pass messages, but also to kill if needed. She would both help you and keep you in touch with me."

Sakura nodded, thoughts zipping through her head. All those people dying at the hands of someone they trusted-she had to help them. She wanted this mission, for sure.

But…what about Sasuke? She wondered. What if he comes back and I'm gone? She shook those thoughts from her head. She had to help those people. She had to.

"I'll do it."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

Tsuanade nodded. "All right then. You leave tomorrow morning before dawn. Meet me at the front gate. Bring everything you will need. You won't be able to come back for a long while. I'll keep the rest of your possessions in a storage area."

Sakura nodded, standing. "Thank you. I'll meet you in the morning."

An hour before dawn, Sakura met her mentor in front of the front gates. Her possessions were packed, her weapons at her side. The nightingale that Tsuanade had brought for her had taken quickly to the pink-haired girl, lighting happily on her shoulder. Sakura was dressed to travel. She was ready.

The night before she had had dinner with her friends from the Rookie 9, now the Rookie 8, as well as Rock Lee and Ten Ten. She had wished them all good night without hinting anything, knowing that by the next day she would be declared missing and her life in The Leaf Village would be on hold.

Tsuanade gripped her protégé by the shoulder, looking her straight in the eyes. "Good luck, Sakura. Remember your training. Be observant. Disguise yourself well. And, if you are ordered to kill someone you know…you must contact me immediately so we can take him or her into hiding. We are the only two people who know where you are now. And after today I cannot even help you with that. So take care of yourself, Sakura. And be careful!"

Sakura nodded. "Thank you. I will." She took a deep breath, turned away from her mentor, and walked out of the gates, ready to face her mission.

And that was the last anyone saw of Sakura Haruno.

A/N: So, have I caught your intrest? I certainly hope so! I think the first chapter (this is the prolouge) will be up in about a week. So review away! Also, next chapter, you will be exposed to my favorite pastime-ranting about whatever catches my fancy! Yay for ranting! See you then!

Ash