A/N: This is my first attempt at Fanfiction. I feel pretty passionate about the series and thought I'd offer up my own take on what happened after the war. Hope the use of Japanese terms so loosely isn't a turn off lol. As for the story itself, it's just a prologue for now. Very much in the early stages. Still working out some kinks in Chapter Two at the moment. Anyway, hope you enjoy :)

Also, just to clarify, Yoha translates to Aftermath in Japanese.

CHAPTER ONE

Parched throats. Hollow stomachs.

These discomforts were nothing new for the elite spies of Konohagakure no Sato: ANBU.

On this particularly cold night in Kagi no Kuni, a team of four shinobi lay in wait. A Rabbit sat at the forefront. A Badger to his rear. A Sloth flanking his left. And an Owl to his immediate right. They sat in dead silence; the occasional breeze acting as the only source of sound for hundreds of miles. The quartet, known in secretive circles as Bu-han, laid in wait amongst the tall stalks of corn, hands rested on their sword hilts, anticipating the arrival of their target. Despite the cold, the three youngest members of Bu-han were drenched in sweat. Yet no words of comfort were offered. Unlike missions that they took part in as normal shinobi, ANBU operations, whether they were reconnaissance, surveillance, or combat oriented, were purely political. Any mistake could lead to serious consequences. The famed covert operations unit had the ability to topple governments and cause unrest, but also had the potential to save countless lives and prevent catastrophe. With so much riding on every movement, the pressure was mounting. One rookie however, was unwavering. His calm presence came as no surprise to his senpai; the captain of Bu-han. Looking back at his three subordinates, all veterans of the great war, he grinned beneath his mask - an all white clay mask modeled after a Rabbit. Leaving the village, he expected them to be nervous. So far they had been exemplary

His team was spread out in an anchor formation, each separated by fifteen yards.

The four men had been crouched in the corn field for well over an hour, some choosing to pass the time through meditation and others mentally walking through the key steps to the strategy they had gone over before leaving their village.

Although they each chose different methods of leisure, all four members were unified in one line of thinking. It centered around a word that had been stressed through the entirety of their six months of intense training:

Patience.

Reacting on impulse was nearly the worst thing an operative could do, outside of desertion. Such selfish actions threatened to put not only an end to the operatives life, but also left it open to chance that the Nation's secrets would be exposed. Although every other nation knew the existence of their enemies - now allies, supposedly - spy networks, any actual exposure could ignite another International fiasco; and potentially another war. It had been nearly a year since the end of the last war effort, and negotiations had been intense.

Since then, communications had soured. ANBU, which at one point was considered unnecessary by the Five Great Nations collectively, were now being re-established as the "peacekeepers". Reports on espionage, plots of murder and kidnap, and even plans to colonize villages in other Nations brought a halt to all talks about continued peace. Previously, they had all fought under the same banner against a universal threat. But the end of the war brought about accusations and calls for reparations.

A sad reality indeed, thought the captain. I witnessed many die on the battlefield. Who would have thought that a war would be looming so soon after the end of the last?

His grey eyes remained on his kouhai. Noticing their discomfort, he signaled them. Holding up his hand, he extended his middle, ring and pinkie fingers. Relax. They responded, each holding five fingers up, letting him know that they were okay. The young captain had spent nearly his entire life in ANBU. Introduced to key members at an early age, he had decided that pursuing a Jonin rank and leading a group of genin was far less exciting a life to live, and less valuable to the village. Knowing that Jonin team leaders were the Hokage's fist, he found purpose serving as the eyes and ears of the village. Enlisting gave him a purpose. The members were professional and exemplary. Rank meant little to nothing among such talented ninja.

Ironically enough, he had been made a captain of his own team within two years. Since his "promotion', he had been through three groups changes already. His first group of comrades had perished in a high risk mission - a scar that covered his torso served as a constant reminder - and his second trio had left him eight months ago to pursue careers outside of ANBU. He chose to remain, knowing that peace was always temporary, and that his skills were best suited for this specific profession.

Schhh schhh schhh

What's that! the captain exclaimed internally.

His hands shifted beneath his cloak to the blade that rested on his right hip, clicking open the sheath to reveal it's razor edge. There had been no indication that there was anyone else in the area. In the distance, the four members of Bu-han heard the faint sound of feet shuffling. There was a thin layer of snow. A beat passed, and the sound of boots scraping continued. Responding immediately to the sudden appearance, he pointed at the shinobi who sat behind him and the other who flanked his left, motioning with two fingers toward the target. One second passed, and an insect - a kikaichu to be precise - emerged from the sleeve of the Sloth masked ANBU to his left, buzzing by the captain's ear. Behind the captain, a Badger masked ANBU raised his nose into the air, steadying his neck when he picked up the scent of the mysterious fifth person in the distance.

The next moment, the three rookies closed ranks around their team leader quickly.

Leaning forward and softening his voice, the Badger spoke first. "I detected immense chakra," he paused, taking a breath. "I confirmed that it is indeed, a man. It also appears that he's attempting to minimize his presence with some sort of anti-sensory type jutsu. I'm not sure."

"My Kikaichu picked up on the same immense chakra," echoed the Owl. "According to the information we were given during the brief, I estimate that there's a ninety seven percent of possibility that the man approaching is our target," he said confidently.

A man. He's barely that, thought the captain.

"How far ahead is he?" he asked.

"Thirty meters, approximately."

A voice interjected. "Taichou, I suggest we spread out into a pincer formation. Trapping the target and crushing him is the priority, right?" asked the fourth member of Bu-han. The composed rookie adjusted his mask, which was modeled after an Owl, and continued. "The best chance we have at cornering him is to cover both sides and apply pressure, pushing him towards the center." His head was dipped, avoiding eye contact with his comrades, who hid their surprised expressions and turned back to the Rabbit, awaiting their orders..

It wasn't often that he spoke up.

The captain nodded towards the Owl, acknowledging that given their very limited options, this seemed to be their only option that guaranteed safety. Not high risk, or careless. That's a first for him, he thought to himself snarkily. Refocusing, he contemplated their next move, taking all the gathered information into account. While he had no duty to protect his underlings, he wasn't keen on putting them into a position to be killed. Any losses taken here would not just affect the strategy in the immediate sense, it would also put unnecessary strain on headquarters to replace this squad, adding up to a potentially high number of casualties. A gust of wind whipped through the stalks.

SCHHHH SCHHH SCHHH

The shuffling was getting louder. What seemed odd was the fact that he was still not visible, yet he made no effort to be unheard. He knew.

Panic began to set in for the Bear, whose sweat was now leaking through his steel armor and cotton cloak, emitting a smell similar to that of a wet dog. Spending less than one minute doing the math and including every variable, the grey eyed ANBU reached his decision.

"Listen up," he said with authority.

"We will arrange ourselves in a pincer formation along the road ahead. Based on the sound, he's about twenty yards away now, and is aware that we are here."

The three rookies nodded.

"Chances are, he is using Kakuremino No Jutsu, in an effort to confuse us. Remember your training." He quickly unsheathed his katana, and stood.

"Sanpu!"

Bu-han scattered across the road, no longer concealing their identity, and stood parallel to each other with their weapons drawn. The sound of shuffling boots ceased. Moonlight illuminated the area. Four shinobi stood in its glow, their cloaks gently waving in the wind. As much as the captain had downplayed the stakes of this mission, the fact was, this came as a direct request from the Office of the Hokage. There was no label or folder. This was an S-Class Mission.

The captains voice was calm. "Identify yourself."

His eyes noticed that in the dirt road, two footprints were visible. Using his left hand, he snapped open the pouch on his leg and drew a kunai. Whirling the pointed dagger on his index finger, he threw it, marking the spot right in between the two footprints.

"Come forward, or we will be forced to engage," he said clearly. His subordinates recognized the change in his tone. He was bargaining with the target. It wasn't typical for operatives to offer options to their enemies. The Owl scowled. Our cover was blown. We could have taken him out easily if we'd been more vigilant, he thought.

To the team members surprise, the footprints shifted. The enemy was advancing.

In an instant, the four shinobi landed on the borders of the road; boxing the target into a tight perimeter. Each rookie member fought to control their breathing. Their chests began to constrict. Knees locked up. Hands clenched.

But their eyes remained glued on the new pair of footprints.

The captain had encountered this shinobi once before. On that day. He was instrumental in the near collapse of Konohagakure. He'd slain many members of ANBU. There's no way in hell you're escaping this time, you bastard, he threatened mentally.

His eyes widened at the thought of all the times this man had slipped through their fingers. Losing his patience, and forgetting a principle that he abided by his entire life, he brought his hands together, weaving together four seals. The trio of young shinobi leapt back, a fair distance away from the imminent combat.

"Katon: Haisekishou!"

He arched his back, unleashing an ash plume from within. The cloud ensnared the target area, decreasing visibility. He clicked his teeth together and grinned. Gotcha. A spark appeared, igniting the ash and creating an explosion. It's radiating warmth brushed the heels of the retreating shinobis boots. Flames licked the area surrounding it's caster, turning the ground beneath it dry.

Within seconds, the heat expired. What was left was a thick haze. Weapons still drawn, the rookies awaited a command.

Not missing a beat, the captain wove together another pairing of seals. Five this time.

"Futon: Daitoppa!"

A gust of wind erupted from his mouth. It's blunt and powerful force chased away the remaining smoke. Soon, it's mass nearly blacked out the moon's glow. Through small cracks in the cloud of smoke, dozens of light beams shined through.

One beam rested on a toned muscular back.

Though the smoke had been cleared, fumes were still flowing off of the man's skin. The fumes created a barrier. It was difficult to see through. The ANBU team waited in tense anticipation. Trained eyes focused in on the haze. A silhouette formed. His location and appearance confirmed that the shinobi had indeed been affected by their captains jutsu. A moment passed, and Bu-han remained unmoved.

Cutting through the haze, a glimmer caught the eye of the captain.

Spectacles.

His stomach churned. The piercing light and eyeglasses brought back memories of deceit and manipulation. But at that exact moment, the only emotion that he could discern and set apart from the others was pure, unadulterated fury. His offensive maneuver had been vindicated. Or so it had appeared. Before carrying out another attack, he would have to first make an absolutely undisputed identification. He held up his hand again, extending his index and pinkie finger. He followed the signal up by retracting his fingers, making a fist.

Hold.

Now keen to the newly acquired threat, the three rookies each took on a traditional fighting stance, holding their katanas in a diagonal position; perfect for both defense and offense.

Breaking the tension, the cold night air finally lifted, revealing a shinobi of average height and weight. His shirt had been nearly incinerated, a small piece of the cloth hung around his neck. He had taken the brunt of the flame directly. In spite of all the danger.

Staring back at Bu-han was a pair of hollow black eyes, through glass lenses. The whites of his eyes were as bright as the moon. It's color was haunting, sending shivers down the backs of his adversaries.

The chief member however, remained unfazed, letting out a sharp exhale, his frosty breath wafting in the air around him. After five years of endless pursuit, the chase was over. There would be no escape this time.

"It's over," he said. His declaration was said quietly enough that it seemed to be more of a self comfort than a firm statement.

In the shimmering twilight, the enemies form began to change. The sound of wet paper being ripped in half carried across the dirt path. Soon, a low hissing sound joined in.

Emerging from his shoulders were two large snakes. His skin was being torn apart. The reptiles danced in waves above his head.

The confrontation was underway. Stepping forward to make first contact, the captain dug his boots in. He raised his sword hand, straightening his arm. Holding up a seal with his right hand, he began infusing chakra into his blade. It's bluish glow licked up against his cloak.

He swallowed before speaking, remembering for the first time that night that this was not a vendetta, but a mission. The safety and security of the people of Konoha rested on his shoulders. Fear began to creep in on his thoughts. Insecurity. He'd be quicker to embrace fury. But instead, he purged all emotion.

"You have committed crimes against the Land of Fire, and her peoples. As the chief subordinate to the missing-nin Orochimaru, and as a notorious war criminal yourself, you have been found guilty of four hundred and twenty one murders. Those deaths are only those that we have confirmed. Among the other crimes leveled against you; kidnapping, thievery, and illegal experimentation are the most serious," he stopped, gauging the reaction on his enemy. The only movement had been from his venomous counterparts.

Feet began to grind restlessly behind him. Typical rooks.

Relax.

The moment had come. He spoke calmly and clearly.

"Yakushi Kabuto. By order of the Daimyo and Hokage, you have been sentenced to death. Come quietly or you will die where you stand."

A/N: Ambiguous so far. Hope it wasn't too ambiguous. Lol. Chapter Two Coming Soon.

Jutsu Used:

Kakuremino No Jutsu - Cloak of Invisibilty

Katon: Haisekishou - Fire Release: Ash Pile Burning

Futon: Daitoppa - Wind Release: Great Breakthrough