The day was cold and the wind whipped around the dark and looming castle. Up in the highest and most formidable of the tall black spires that protruded from the dark stronghold stood a small but intimidating creature dressed completely in black. The animal had large floppy ears and her sharp teeth stuck out unevenly from her under bite. Further inspection showed the beast to be a dog covered in short brown fur. It's power ful haunches flexed as it rand down the narrow winding stairs.

The stairs ended in a set of large black double doors. Solid cast iron with large twisting spike coming of the front and a black snake shaped handle. The animal slipped through a small opening in the bottom of the door , a dog door. The dog then on the other side of the door walked across a, at one time imaculently decorated banquet hall, that has since become dirty and dilapidated. The dog (which was a she) took her seat next to her master. She laid herself delicately on a silk and satin cushion the color of blood with black embroidery. The dogs master sat on a decrepit golden thrown and reached out a pale hand and stroked the animals head. "Soon Lord Pickles, soon we will get out revenge on those blasted ninja. Naruto Uzumaki , Sasuke Uchiha Prepare to die."said the man as he pet the dog whose name was now revealed t be Lord Pickles. Pein the former leader of the Akatsuki snappe his fingers the dog rose to its feet and lunged into the shadows. It's small body lashed out in the darkness and Pein saw a splatter of crimson blood against the already filth covered walls. The dog walked out of the shadow in its jaws hung the remains of the spy sent to inform on him to the hidden leaf village Sakura Haruno was dead. Her throat had been ripped out and her left arm and leg badly mangled by his pet. With one quick motion he sliced the head off of the pink haired girl and a large raven swooped down to grab it.

"Take this to the ones who destroyed my minions and my empire. Take it to the ones who ultimately sent this poor girl to her death." the raven took of into the dark frigid night. A cruel smile spread across Pein's face his lap dog licked its bloodied mouth. His revenge was now in full swing and this was just the beginning

*******************************************************************

It was a warn day in the Leaf village. Naruto stretched and walked across his apartment and nudged his companion awake. " Sasuke you loser wake up! You passd out on my floor!" Sasuke blinked his eyes groggliy.

"Shut up Naruto you make it sound dirty.... all I did was give you the most fun and pleasure you'll ever know your entire life." he said with a small crooked grin on his face.

Naruto punched him in the face lightly "Shut-up you bastard all you did was bring over you Playstation2 and we played video games till we fell asleep. Oh and if you eat my food again I will kick your ass!! Last time you had breakfast here I had to restock my entire fridge. I'm going to take a shower"

Sasuke got up and shrugged the wrinkles out of his navy blue clothes. Things had been so peaceful with Haruno gone for two weeks on that special mission Tsunade gave to her. He did not particularly like the pink haired girl she made lots of fu of his best friend Naruto and he had caught her repeatedly spying in his window and digging in his garbage. That is why he like to spend so much time with Naruto because he radiated his almost Sakura repellent. Naruto got out of the shower he was wearing a black t-shirt and faded blue jeans.

"Uh hey Naruto can I use your shower and borrow some clothes?" asked Sasuke.

"Sure , the you know where the bathroom is and the towles are in the closet. And I rearranged my dresser the shirts are in the top drawer and the pants in the third and the more personal items are in the second." yelled Naruto from the kitchen his mouth already full of ramen. A little later both of the boys were dressed and sitting on Naruto's mottled patchwork couch watching TV when suddenly Naruto's front door burst open. It was Kiba Inuzuka.

"Guys!! Something awful has happened Tsunade wants to see you right now!"

The boys rushed to the house of the Hokage. As they passed they both wondered what had happened that was so bad. As they walked into Tsunade's office they saw something gruesome and bloody laying on the desk. Shizun was in the corner crying.

Tsunade through a fit of sobs explained.

"It was delivered earlier this morning. It was delivered by a summons a large black crow. It came with a note all it said was one word."

With a confused look Sasuke asked "What? What did it say??"

Tsunade with tears still steaming down her face said one word in a coarse voice strained by crying "DEATH". Both boys looked shocked as they both looked upon the severed head of their childhood friend Sakura Haruno. Immediately Sasuke felt bad for every mean thing he had ever thought about the pink haired girl. HE hugged his best friend he knew that Naruto had a crush on the girl and he would take this hard. He felt Naruto convulse with fits of tears beneath his arms. HE instantly had a looming sense of dread in the pit of his stomach he knew this was just the beginning.