A/N: This is more of a preview chapter. I usually write more content in a chapter so that department is covered.

Disclaimer: I obviously don't own Naruto. But it's stated anyway. :3

"Once upon a time, when the nations were in turmoil there lived a boy and girl. The boy, a lonely tortured soul who fell into the dark clutches of revenge. The girl, a naive youth who learned the hard way, that wisdom comes only with age and experience. As the world erupted in war, setting the skies aflame the Gods grew weary as they watched the way of the ninja become tainted with unnecessary bloodshed. They set forth a search for two beings, jaded but inspirited for a new dawn to their abused and belittled past. The Gods founded the two adolescents, indifferent in their views, stubborn in their friendship, but in the end willing to die for all they believed in. Including each other."

"Did they die, Okasan?" The four-year old asked with wide hopeful eyes as his mother grinned, brushing the dark locks shielding his eyes.

"I don't know." She paused, "It's only a fable, Yasuo." His mother smiled and pulled the sheets up to his shoulders.

"Okasan, tell me the whole story!"

She paused before flipping the switch on his rampu, "It's already past your bedtime, Yasuo. You have to help me and your father tomorrow morning, you need to rest."

"I promise I'll go to sleep right after." Yasuo let his bottom lip pucker out in a pout only his father could resist.

"We'll have to be quiet, your Chichi is asleep. Okay?" His mother rested her back against his headboard as he nodded with anticipation.

"Alright, this is how the story goes . . ."

Sakura was calm. Anger and anxiety feuding in her mind as she walked stiffly toward the village gates. She bit back the anger on her tongue and clenched the anxiety in her fists. She immediately winced as her fingers pressed into the two sores that had risen in the center of each of her palms. She'd been using more chakra than she'd anticipated, what with the city still in ruin and villagers that needed tending to.

The dust stirred beneath her steady footsteps as she drew nearer and nearer. Any second now she would be able to see through the crowd. Another stranger danger was something Konoha absolutely could not afford to have on it's shoulders. What the ruckus was all about was beyond her, she was merely doing her duty as a Leaf-nin, responding to a Level 3 emergency at the front gates. If the situation required a higher authority she was to call for backup. What surprised Sakura was the intensity of the crowd, silent to the core, stock still all save for the rustling of stray hair on their heads. She pushed her way through, most parting to let her by, the shuffling of feet the only sound. It was eery, unsettling, her stomach tightened. Then she saw red.

A pool of blood. And lying in it was Uchiha Sasuke, his body trembling in chronic bursts. Like seizing almost. She clenched her teeth, jaw popping at the sudden action as she pressed the button on her neck.

"Kakashi-sensei. Main gates, Level 5 response." She released the button and crouched beside the man before her. So familiar, but at the same time he was so unrecognizable. His hair, strewn about in every direction, much longer than it used to be with pieces sticking to his sweaty forehead. The curse mark gone, but it didn't really make a difference. He was still tainted with so much hatred and evil it had seeped into his bones and settled. The Uchiha she knew had been gone for a long time. His attempt on her life was proof enough.

"Sakura."

She stood; Kakashi looked down at his former student, his expression unreadable behind his mask. Neither spoke, but ran over a strategy in their minds over what course of action should be taken.

"Hokage-sama is still in meeting with the Kazekage?" Sakura asked without taking her eyes off of the familiar traitor.

"Hai, she's still in Suna." Kakashi hesistated. "Sakura, you can stand dow-"

"No." She said sharply, her sensei nodded in affirmation. "I won't stand aside on this one and I won't take any chances. I recommend we seal his chakra while he's unconscious then we'll set him up in the high security ward in the hospital. When Tsunade-sama returns, she'll decide what happens next. I'll go make sure Ibiki is prepared to interrogate him once he's topside."

With a silent nod of acknowledgement Kakashi sealed Sasuke's chakra through his forearms; two dark symbols appearing on his skin. The density of the atmosphere lifted as soon as they were out of sight and Sakura exhaled. As if it did anything at all.

This was just the start of something long and grueling, she could feel it.