Prologue

{Naruto's P.O.V}

Our little 'vacation' was almost over. Since Sakura-chan, Kakashi-sensei and I didn't bring Sasuke back to Konoha (again), Tsunade-baachan decided to give a break for a few days. (Six days to be exact.) Sadly, it was the fifth day and I didn't spend my time off doing a lot of relaxing. Actually, I barely relaxed at all. I spent as much time as I could doing anything I possibly could trying to get my mind off of 'things.' Luckily for me, Shikamaru, Kiba, Bushy Brows and the others came over to my place to cheer me up. They're really good friends.

The Next Day

Since today was my last day to relax before new missions came up, I decided to go to my favorite place in the world, Ichiraku's. I'm always when I'm eating the world's best ramen. I went in there to find Iruka-sensei. I sit down on the stool next and tap him on his shoulder.

"Hmm? Oh, hey Naruto," he says smiling.

"Iruka-sensei, what's up?"

"Not much," he starts. "How have you been?"

"...I've been ok..." I try saying that through a smile. The concerned look on Iruka-sensei's face shows that he's clearly not buying it.

"Look, Naruto, I know things haven't been going so good for you lately..." he starts before he gets interrupted.

"Oi, Naruto-kun," Bushy Brow says panting.

"Whoa, Bushy Brow, what is it?"

"Naruto-kun, Tsunade-sama wanted to see you in her office immediately."

'Great,' I thought. 'I couldn't even eat yet.' I started to walk away right when Iruka-sensei called me. I turn around.

"Yeah, Iruka-sensei?"

"Keep your head up, Naruto," he says with a smile. "I believe in you." That last statement really made my day. I don't know what I'd do without Iruka-sensei. I wave goodbye to him and run towards Hokage tower.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~In Tsunade's office~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I walk in with a soft smile, only to find Tsunade-baachan and Sakura-chan glaring at me, hard. Uh-oh...

"Uh, hey g-" I couldn't finish my sentence before Sakura-chan came up to me and punched me in the back of my head. "What was that f-" I couldn't get that sentence all way the out before Tsunade-baachan started yelling at me.

"Why are you late?" I didn't even realize I was late, to be honest. "And you come in here smiling as if nothing's wrong?"

"Well...you see...I...uh.." I start, trying to think of a good excuse for my inexplicable latenes..

"You know what..." Tsunade says. "Don't even tell me. I'll just let it go for now." I let out a sigh of relief. I walk over to Sakura-chan and Kakashi-sensei were standing.

"Anyway," Tsunade-baachan starts. "I have a new mission." Damn, that's just what I wanted. She starts pulling out some papers.
"There's an assasin from the Hidden Mist Village. She's said to have-" I cut her off.

"Whoa...you're telling me that this assasin is a girl?" Sakura-chan starts choking me. "Would you shut up?"

"Anyway," Tsunade continues. "This assasin's known for her nickname as 'The Slayer.' Anyone and everyone she ever took on is dead. She's one of the toughest opponents many shinobi have taken on. To add on to that, there have been rumors of her power."

Kakashi-sensei speaks up now. "Rumors?"

"Well, there have been many things said about her jutsu. Some people say that she use jutsu to read minds, use telekinesis, even silence people." I could tell the silencing part was directed to me. She continued. "Her actual skills are still unknown. What's also unknown is what she's actually doing now and what she plans on doing in the future."

"What do you mean, Tsunade-same," Sakura-chan asked.

"Well," she replies. "There are also rumors that she's 'retired.' Some say that she's been wandering around from country to country for no particular reason...no real agenda. She's just 'looking for a place to stay' as the story goes. Some say she also has no intention on being 'The Slayer' anymore. For the safety of Konoha and all the other villages, we need to know what she's up to. That's where you guys come in. I need you guys to go and investigate what exactly she's up to." We all nod.

She hands us a picture of this 'assasin.' Amazingly, just by her picture, I would have never thought she would be an assasin. Just by looking at this picture, she looks like a such a good girl-long, curly raven hair, tan skin, bright violet eyes, and a big, bright, white smile. I gotta admit, she's kinda cute-for an assasin, that is.

"Don't be fooled by her picture," Tsunade-baachan continues. "She's a lot more crafty and sneaky than she appears. For this girl, you have to be even more careful than usual." We nod again. "Well then, with that said, you guys leave first thing tomorrow morning. Make sure you get plenty of sleep tonight. You're definitely going to need it." We nod again. "Alright, that's all." We all turn around to leave. Baa-chan calls me.

"Hmm," I ask, turning around.

"Naruto, take your mind off of Sasuke for a little while, ok? For now, just stay focused on this mission."

"Ok, baa-chan," I say, earning a glare from her. I start smiling nervously, then I turn around and run away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~At Naruto's place~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I start packing as soon as I get home. 'Assasin, huh?' I think. 'She didn't even look that bad.' I couldn't help but wish this did take my mind off of Sasuke for a while. I pick up the Team 7 picture while I'm packing. 'I will bring you back Sasuke,' I proclaim inwardly. When I get done packing, I take a shower and decide to go to bed early. 'If she's as bad as Tsunade-baachan says she is, then I might as well get as much sleep as I can.' With that, I just close my eyes and mind and let sleep take over me.

Author's Notes: This is my first fanfic. I have many big plans with this fanfic. I really hope you all like it. Sorry for the OOC-ness. I tried as best as I could. I also apologize for the crappy beginning. I again tried as best as I could. Please review. No flaming or anything as such. I'd dearly appreciate. Special note: this assasin is very important towards the story plot just to let you know. Ok...that's it. 'Til next time...bye!