Author's Notes: Hello and welcome to Enter. This is not going to be a psychological thriller or anything exciting like that, I apologize if I misled you. Those who are not particularly disappointed, thank you for reading, and please do review once in awhile!
Disclaimer: Naruto does not belong to me. Not the storyline, the characters, the jutsus, nothing. :(
Chapter One
A malicious smirk, carved into the male's stunning countenance.
"No..."
A pale hand, smeared with crimson.
A blade, held almost lovingly.
"Please, don't..."
Dark hair, brushing against bound wrists.
"Sasu-"
"-Ruto! Naruto!"
Naruto jerked awake, cold sweat running down his neck.
"Just a dream, huh?" he mumbled, running his scarred fingers through already messy blonde hair.
He took a moment to come back to his senses before his thoughts strayed back to his unwanted guest.
"Sakura-chan?" an exaggerated gasp seemed to escape him, "Wha- What are you doing here? Wait! A date? You want to-"He cut himself off and turned slowly towards Sakura, terrified of what he might see.
"What are you still doing in bed?" Sakura growled, cracking her knuckles threateningly.
"Uh, sleeping?" Naruto stated, bewildered.
Sakura's glare intensified as her hands trembled from the effort of holding off her blows.
"...And does the meeting with Tsunade-sama seem like something you can just skip?" she spoke through gritted teeth.
Naruto's eyes widened, blue orbs darkened with worry and fear.
"Oh no! The baa-chan's going to kill me!" he screeched before grabbing his clothes, not sparing Sakura a glance as she hurried out of the apartment, deciding that she did not want to see Naruto strip.
Naruto slowed to a stop as the door slammed behind the raging pink haired girl. He let out an almost weary sigh, before directing his gaze to the cracks in his ceiling.
Sasuke... You idiot...
The Hokage glared at the door, fingers tapping impatiently on the wooden surface that held the piles of paperwork that had contributed to her current irritation. Not to say that Naruto's absence was helping.
Her student gazed at her apprehensively, emerald eyes darting to the door every so often. It might have been her imagination, but the door had seemed to quail under the Hokage's fierce gaze.
"Sakura," Tsunade snapped, not removing her glare from its unfortunate victim.
Sakura stood at attention, nervous smile marring her attempts at cool professionalism.
"Y-yes, Tsunade-sama?" Sakura stammered.
"Where is he?" she could barely suppress a shiver at the barely concealed anger in her teacher's voice.
"W-well, I-"
"BAA-CHAN!"
Tsunade's eye twitched as a familiar voice carried through the thin door as sandals slapped against the floor, announcing Naruto's arrival even before he could be seen. It was a wonder he had survived this long.
The door flew open to admit the blonde, who sported a sheepish grin.
"Eh, sorry baa-chan, I-"
Tsunade sighed before waving him in.
"Just get in here."
Naruto walked towards the Hokage, hands clasped behind his head.
"Ne, baa-chan! Is there another mission? Like an S-classed one? Is there? Is there?"
Tsunade sighed as she massaged her temples. She was getting too old for this. There was a sudden rush of air as another presence made itself known.
"Kakashi."
"Hokage-sama."
Tsunade stood and took in a deep breath.
"As you may know, we are uncertain as to what Sasuke's intention is in joining Orochimaru,"
She ignored the sudden gloom that surrounded the group.
"So we need to find out, or at least guess at his plans. Knowing Orochimaru, we may have to defend Konoha against any attacks. We'll need to take care of any shinobi that will be aiding him in Konoha's destruction, most of which will be relatively skilled. We'll need to find out their weaknesses, their strengths, anything and everything about them," She levelled a cool gaze at Naruto and Sakura, "Including Sasuke."
Tsunade was unmoved neither by the intensity of Naruto's glare, nor by the tears that pooled in Sakura's eyes. She moved her gaze to Kakashi, who nodded in assent.
"A psychological profile then." He stated, almost a question.
"That's right. We'll need people who were important to him, or rather, those who were around him on a regular basis. This leaves you three. "Tsunade paused and glanced at Naruto, who seemed unsure of how to react.
"Sasuke would never-"Naruto began, eyes narrowed.
"Can you be sure of that?" Tsunade stated, voice void of any warmth.
Naruto growled, eyes flashing red.
"Naruto, stop it! Tsunade-sama is only doing what should be done." Sakura placated, even as her eyes betrayed her anger.
Naruto ignored her and began advancing towards the Hokage.
"Enough, Naruto," Kakashi spoke, "If you are so certain of his innocence, this job would be the best way to prove it," He placed his hand on Naruto's shoulder.
Naruto tensed, before sighing and straightening up.
"You're right, Kakashi-sensei. I'll just have to show them," he muttered the last few words before retreating to his original position.
Tsunade watched the exchange, eyebrows raised.
"Then if everybody is agreeable?" she asked.
"Ah, just a moment, Tsunade-sama," Sakura broke in, "How would we be going about this?"
Tsunade sighed before leading them out of her office, "You'll find out soon enough,"
Naruto and Sakura exchanged glances, both uneasy about what lay before them.
Naruto glanced around the room they were led into. The walls were bare, the floor was tiled. It was all so impersonal, and cold. Like something you might have found in a hospital. Their footsteps echoed, making Naruto shiver. It was too lonely.
Tsunade turned towards them and seemed to be gauging their reactions.
"Well," she started, "This is where you will be spending most of your week in."
Naruto's eyes widened.
"What? But why, baa-chan? Can't we have it in a better place? Like, like... Like a place with more ramen?" he whined.
Tsunade sighed and ignored him.
"And this is Yamana Hiro. He will be accessing your memories of Sasuke and we'll use them to compile the profile," Tsunade stated, gesturing to a previously unnoticed man who was standing in a corner.
"Accessing our... memories?" Sakura questioned. She did not like where this was going.
"Yes. He will be entering your mind-"
"I refuse."
"What?" Tsunade snapped, glaring at the interrupter.
"I'm not doing it,"
"I'm sorry Naruto, you have no choice." She said, glaring at Naruto.
Naruto shook his head. She would not force him. He had had enough of unwanted intruders in his head, and he would not-
Darkness.