Chapter 1: Kuromane Danjo
Konoha was as cheerful as ever. People were busy preparing for the upcoming festival of Fire, a bittersweet festivity in which all victories were celebrated, and all losses mourned. Heroes both living and fallen were remembered on that day.
Amongst all the people walked a now twenty year old Sasuke. Heads turned, and people pointed at him, but he didn't care. He was used to it by now.
Even though his punishment was done, his probation over, and his status as jounin reinstated, people didn't trust him. He would always be the village traitor. He sighed. All he wanted was to be alone and in peace.
After turning on the corner, he arrived to the Hokage tower. He greeted the two guards standing outside and climbed up the stairs. He knocked on the door, and waited until the 'come in' command was given.
Inside, he was met by the Hokage, Tsunade, who gave him a small smile, her brown eyes giving him a kind look, which looked almost motherly.
-Sasuke! Good thing that you're here! I have a mission for you! - Tsunade greeted him and handed him a scroll. Sasuke nodded. – Your mission is to escort our client back to his village and protect him until the town festivities and elections are over. You are to leave this afternoon.-
-Sounds fair enough, how long will this take? - Sasuke asked.
-About a month – Tsunade said – It takes a week to get to your destination, Tsuba, at civilian speed, the festival begins the week after you arrive, and the elections will be held in three weeks' time. All details are in the scroll so make sure you read it before the mission begins –
-Is there anything else I should know of? – Sasuke asked
Tsunade smirked – Yes, but that you will find out when you meet our client – Sasuke scoffed, Tsunade keeping him in the dark until he got tired of asking, and today he wasn't in the mood to ask.
-Very well- Sasuke bowed – I shall take my leave then. He turned to leave the room as Tsunade's voice stopped him.
-Wait! Naruto and Sakura will be going with you! Go and brief them in for me, will you? - Sasuke's shoulders dropped.
-Fuck no… Is this a joke? - He gave Tsunade a hopeful look. Tsunade's smile beamed.
-I'm sorry, but this isn't a joke. Now GET OUT! – Tsunade dismissed him and threw him a couple of scrolls – Give one to Naruto and one to Sakura, they are copies of the scroll you have!-
-Alright, alright – he gave her a defeated look as he walked out – old hag…- he muttered as he left.
-I HEARD YOU, UCHIHA!- Tsunade's voice boomed through the Hokage building. Sasuke smirked. He also knew how to get under her skin.
Over time, Tsunade and Sasuke came to understand one another, and developed a bond that made Sasuke feel that at least someone undertood and respected him in the whole damn village.
Sasuke took his time on his way to Naruto's place, he wasn't really in the mood to talk to the blonde guy, but, was he ever? Sasuke sighed and picked up his pace. The sooner he met him, the sooner he could go home.
In a few minutes he was climbing the stairs that lead to Naruto's apartment. Not even bothering to knock, Sasuke just kicked the door open and made his way in. But…
…Maybe he should've knocked.
The sight he was welcomed with was one that he found absolutely disgusting.
There was Sakura seating on top of Naruto, both in the middle of an intense fuck session. Sakura noticed him, but Naruto was too far on his pleasure world to notice him. Annoyed, Sasuke spoke.
-Dumbass, if you're bringing your fuck home remember to lock the fucking door, will you? -
Naruto immediately jumped up, pushing Sakura off of him.
-TEME! What are you doing here? – Naruto hastily asked as he pulled his pants up.
- I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for the fact that we have a mission, dumbass…- Sasuke glared at him. –Can you please tell your whore to cover up? – He asked as he pointed at Sakura, who threw him a flirty look –The sight of her is revolting, and I wish to keep my breakfast in my stomach –Sakura visibly flinched, and slowly put her clothes back on.
Naruto gave Sakura an apologetic look -Sorry Sakura-
-Shut up Naruto! - She interrupted him. Sasuke glared at her
-You're also on the mission, go home and pack- Sasuke told Sakura, he then turned to Naruto – You pack, too. We will be gone for a month. We depart today at 4pm. See you at the gates. – Sasuke threw them the scrolls Tsunade had given him – Don't be late - he said and then was gone from the apartment.
Finally at home, Sasuke sat on his bed and read the scroll. His mission was to escort a priest back to his home, a temple located in the town of Tsuba, which was a day's walk further from Suna. There, they are supposed to protect the priest, who was a member of the council which is supposed to choose the new major, from any threats until the elections were over. During this time they will be residing in the priest's home, located inside the temple.
Sasuke memorized the scroll and then burnt it, as part of procedures, and then started to pack. He had a good feeling about the mission, and it didn't seem to be very complicated. He felt his mood lighten a bit.
Just as he was done, he heard a knock on his door. Surprised, he made his way to the door and opened it.
He was greeted by a bald man in priest's robes, a white messenger bird resting on his shoulder. The man looked at him and gave him a kind smile.
-You must be Uchiha Sasuke-san- Sasuke nodded –Good. You must be wondering who I am. My name is Danjo and I am your client for your current mission- Danjo took a letter from the bird's leg and handed it to him. Sasuke took it and read it. It confirmed the man's identity, and Tsunade's seal was on it.
-Danjo-san- Sasuke greeted him – Please come in -
-Thank you, my boy- Danjo said as he was led into the small living room in Sasuke's apartment.
-What brings you here, Danjo-san? - Sasuke asked as he offered the priest a seat. Danjo smiled and looked at him.
- I wanted to get to know my protectors beforehand. I went to Naruto's apartment first, but I heard some noises that made me think I was unwanted at that moment – the priest laughed and scratched his neck. Sasuke sighed.
-I understand – Sasuke said – Those two are hopeless –
Danjo laughed. –Let them be! They are young and should enjoy life!-
Sasuke gave him a look and then offered him tea. Just out of courtesy for the client. Danjo graciously declined, stating he had had some with Tsunade just moments earlier.
They spoke about the mission for a few minutes before leaving to meet with the rest of the group.
The walk to the gates was silent until they both saw Naruto there waiting. Or more like Naruto saw them.
-Yo, Teme! About time you got here!- Naruto said, annoyed, which earned him a smack on the head from Sakura – OWW! What was that for, Sakura-chan? – Naruto whined as he rubbed his soon to be bruised head.
Sakura scoffed –Stop whining, will you? We just got here! - Sakura looked at Sasuke and the man standing next to him. – Is this our client? – She asked. Sasuke nodded and the priest smiled.
-My name is Kuromane Danjo, and you are? – The priest asked. Sakura gave him a small smile.
- I am Haruno Sakura, it is nice to meet you Danjo-san- She then pointed to the blond next to her – And this here is Naruto – Naruto jumped up
-Uzumaki Naruto! Nice to meet you Danjo-san! - The blonde said
-It is nice to meet you both as well – Danjo smiled – Now, shall we depart? I am very eager to get home – Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura nodded.
They picked up their backpacks and walked out of the village.