Chapter 1—Sasuke's Troubles

AN: Hey! My second fanfic is finally completed happy tears. The time comes for Sasuke to finally get tortured so…if you love cute romance/comedy. Here it is…

Disclaimer: No don't worry; I don't own Naruto or Sasuke or anyone. I luv to draw them, but still won't be a while before I come to that age.

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"Even in the Wizarding world. Dreams aren't a good sign."

Hermione Granger-

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows

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All was still in the village of Konoha.

Mist had drifted from the distant mountains and now clinging onto the dark shadowy trees swaying gently against the morning wind.

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He needed a new plan today, just in case little Ms. Ino pops up for a visit. He was used to being hugged, not that he liked it much. Girls were girls.

Maybe I should have a race with her, and then I'll lead her to somewhere near a cliff and chase her off the edge. Great, and feed her to the sharks…sure.

It's way too earlyhe thought vaguely now sitting up to gaze outside the window, his shirt open enjoying the mild morning from the window of the Uchiha mansion.

He had too much dreams lately. Anyone knew that even in the Shinobi world, it was abnormal to have the same one every night.

Flashback: Itachi's eyes were looking away from the young ninja, although clearly uninterested he spoke in a serene yet hateful voice, "You cannot defeat me, foolish little brother, you do not have enough power to surpass me and after all that is too late."

Sasuke looking angrily up at him took a shuriken from his back pouch aiming it at his brother and at the same time shouting at the top of his lungs.

"Shut up ni-san, father and mother could have lived," he glared at Itachi, ready to defend if he was to retaliate, however the older Uchiha dodged the weapon easily.

"I will avenge for them, no matter how hard it takes!"

Itachi barely smirked vanishing into midair, he couldn't see anything nor feel when the chilly wind whirled around his face.

All he knew was that he was running helplessly.

I must catch up to him; I must have this chance to… Then all the images of him would blur, and then fade and the blue haired Uchiha would find himself awake in the complete darkness of his room knowing that it was all a dream.

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Was Itachi in Konoha lately?

Slipping quietly out of his own bed, Sasuke changed quickly hoping to meet Lee for another match before training begun.

It was only a few minutes when he had finished changing and stepped out the door of the Uchiha mansion when he noticed a white piece of parchment. That was usual.

The young ninja turned staring blankly down at the white parchment that was folded neatly and placed at the foot of the steps.

Surprised he quickly unfolded the paper, still drowsy but very much aware that it was addressed to him.

He was quite clueless until he had seen the signature near the bottom, which read Tsunade.

He had read the letter several times before leaving the pavement in front of his door and heading out onto the sidewalk.

What was Tsunade-Sama up to?

It had stated clearly that this would be important yet urgent for him to know right away.

What would be so important that he would pass training for the day? Could it be a mission?

After all it had been a while since he was assigned to his last mission with Shino and Kiba.

He didn't have much of a hint either. Silently he hurried around the corner and heading directly for the Konoha building where Tsunade worked everyday. Half way he heard a familiar voice calling behind him.

He didn't turn around but kept walking.

"Konnichiwa, Sasuke-Kun!" The pink haired konoichi replied looking delighted to see him again, without doubt it was his former team mate.

Huff, huff! She halted beside the Uchiha boy panting awkwardly trying to keep up with his pace.

She had a habit of speaking Japanese around her friends, but Sasuke merely nodded, looking away.

She was quiet for a while and could see that Sasuke was trying to ignore her completely, however that wasn't going to work (sigh).

Looking intensely at him she questioned suddenly, "Why are you here so early in the morning?"

Sasuke stopped, staring at her as if puzzled over what she had said.

Then a moment later came Sasuke's cold voice, "That's my line, Sakura you shouldn't be here."

For a brief minute, his words seemed to have upset the young konoichi who looked rather disappointed gazing off into the distance.

"I understand," she said softly. "Its Kakashi sensei, he offered me extra training so I was going to pick these books up from the book store."

Sakura held her two books a little higher up in the air for him to see.

Sasuke didn't say anything, but his gaze fell directly onto the two books, a red covered one, which read: Improved taijutsu skills and the other which was printed in small bold letters: Healing Techniques.

Sasuke smirked quietly to himself then continued to hurry toward the opposite end of the street, with Sakura following closely behind.

"What's your story?" There was a pause.

"Hokage sama wanted a word with me." The intelligent konoichi nodded knowingly at him, then waving a short goodbye she hurried off to her training with Kakashi…

Meanwhile Sasuke climbed wearily up the stairs, disappearing through the sliding doors of the Konoha building.

-----------------------------Ten minutes later------------------------

"Uchiha Sasuke, am I correct?"

Sasuke entered glancing around the room and the table where she had always sat.

But now in front of him the table was so crowded with layer after layer of hardcover books and papers piled up to a size taller than him that made it impossible for him to see her hidden behind them.

"Hai, I received your message," he answered promptly while Hokage shoved an enormous pile of books aside to look closely at him.

She looked rather pale this morning and (like him) tired with swollen eyes, when Sasuke took a few steps forward, she gave him a weak smile then began.

"Of course, this is about your brother."

Sasuke surprised looked deeply into her eyes, unsure of what to say looking blank as he thought furiously.

Can it be true? That she already knows about this?

She shook his head to clear all his wild thoughts, and then responded in an eager tone.

"My brother," he continued quickly. "Is he in Konoha now?" That was all he could think of at the time.

At first he had thought that it was a rather stupid question because Itachi was never seen even though he was here.

Tsunade looked distantly away at the window, and then sighed, "He's dangerous you know, but I'm sure he'll be here once in a while to check on you."

Sasuke was quiet now giving a small tremor at her words, what did she mean checking on me?

Was he here every night?

Thinking carefully at what that might have meant, Tsunade replied, "I have a special order for you Sasuke," she began patiently looking sorrowfully into his eyes.

"For the safety of all of us here in Konoha you will be sent on a mission in search of your brother Itachi, I believe."

When Sasuke had said nothing she continued again even more softly this time.

"Because you cannot handle this alone without help, therefore I have sent three companions."

"I don't need anyone to come with me, it's my brother, I will-" He ended there, his voice trembling just a bit, but forcefully knowing that he had gone too far. She probably knew he was going to object sometime during their conversation

Tsunade winced, focusing her gaze on the blue haired ninja, clearly worried that in a few more days he would be dead before returning to Konoha.

She didn't want that. Sasuke was strong yet a valuable ninja to keep around, besides he haven't even graduated from being a ginin!

"You will be going as a team, both you, Neji and Hinata. Neji and his high taijutsu skills can master most of the work, however if there is need for others you are in charge. Hinata on the other hand will be useful with her Byakugan. Before you begin, I would like to remind you that this is an A ranked mission."

Sasuke was about to protest about sending a Jounin along with them, but Tsunade only shook her head thoughtfully at him.

"You will be sent as a bodyguard for Hinata Hyuuga, she will need you."

"I'm not protecting anyone." Tsunade however didn't seem to be very concerned. Sasuke wasn't thinking anymore, now looking rather confused standing there with wide eyes, extremely surprised at the new command.

Why Hinata?

He wanted to ask, but knew that Tsunade Sama wouldn't be too pleased if he put his thought into words.

Great he was now paired up with the weakest ginin in the village, maybe in the universe. Besides it would be troublesome for her to come along with them.

Everything was happening so quickly that it was hard to concentrate, one part of him was more than willing to go and avenge for his parents and the other part wished he was back in the village, because this was no ordinary mission.

If Itachi had killed him, this might be the last time he ever gets to stay in the village.

"I will only say this once so pay close attention," she described in a quiet tone that didn't sound at all like the Hokage he once knew.

"Itachi is strong, if you were to fight, fight the way a Shinobi would. Don't send yourself there to die willingly."

Sasuke nodded with an expression of complete hate for his brother.

He wanted to kill him that very night in the dream, make him realize what he had already done wrong.

"You will have 10 days; you will all leave tomorrow at noon. During this time you are to stay at the Hyuuga mansion, no where else."

Now it was Sasuke's turn to blink in amusement, "At the mansion Tsunade sama? I don't have a reason to."

But she ignored his words not glancing down from her paperwork, then confirmed in a serious tone, "No, Sasuke."

She alleged sternly shifting her gaze from her paperwork to her books, still avoiding his bewildered looks.

"It is not the best way; however it will deepen your relationships with your new comrades."

Sasuke had less idea of what she meant; now closing his eyes to have a moment of peace.

Living in that mansion?

After all he had never thought of sleeping in it, with all those white eyed freaks keeping an eye on him, it would be even more difficult.

There was a long pause.

Sasuke finally realizing the time bowed expressionlessly then left the room.

Without a single look at the young ginin she turned to her paperwork and closed the door sadly when Sasuke was gone.

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Author's Note: This is the prologue. Just to explain the main stuff happening. I promise once he meets Hinata, it's different. So…how was that? GOOD? BAD? REVIEW!!