Chapter 1: The Mission

"Naruto, Sakura, Sai, and Kakashi; you will all be going on a mission together. It is a simple mission, but it may prove difficult to complete. It is a B-ranked mission. A few rogue ninja have been terrorizing a small village right outside of the Fire Country's border. There have also been reports that several Jounin-class ninja are leading the group." Tsunade explained while sitting at her desk, her head resting on intertwined fingers and studying the group. Kakashi was standing impatiently with an emotionless expression, no doubt wanting to read the new Icha Icha Paradise book that he recently bought. Sai also was standing with an emotionless expression, although more patient that the previous, and Sakura, although patient, was excited to go on a mission with her comrades and friends, and then finally Naruto… she smiled.

"ALRIGHT!" Naruto was jumping up and down with a huge grin. "Ne ne… when do we leave?"

"Tomorrow morning. Report to the gate in the morning to start your mission, good luck."

The three left without another word to go pack, and one to read an adult-only book.

Later that night…

Sakura, Sai and Naruto were at the training grounds practicing a new move that Kakashi-sensei had been teaching them. They had been practicing for almost two hours now and it was starting to turn dark. Both Sakura and Sai were completely drained and Kakashi sat up in a nearby tree reading his Icha Icha Paradise book.

"Just one more time, we almost had it perfect last time. I know we can do it this time!" Naruto pleaded while displaying huge azure eyes and a quivering lip.

BAM! "That's what you said last time Naruto! Why don't you take a break?"

"G-gomen, that hurt Sakura-chan." Naruto rubbed his head frowning like a little boy. 'Sakura-chan can be so mean, even if she is exhausted she can still manage to throw a punch that hurts!'

Kakashi jumped from his lofty seat to stop further arguing, "Ah, let's go get some ramen – my treat."

"ALRIGHT, YOU GOT IT!" Naruto jumped up and started running to Ichiraku's Ramen Stand chanting along the way, "Ramen, ramen, ramen!" Kakashi, Sakura and Sai followed.

Naruto walked home after eating with his team. It was dark out and nobody was out on the streets. He quickly walked home and went to bed thinking, 'I need to sleep so I can be rested for tomorrow's mission!'

He was all alone, standing in darkness. He could not see anything nor hear anything. The only thing he felt was a hot, burning wind across his face, blowing his hair around his eyes. His eyes, there was something different…strange about his eyes, but he could not see them; there was only darkness, an eternity of burning darkness.

Edited

Thanks to my new Beta Reader Anieca Sophistica for beta reading this story!

A/N:Sorry that its such a short chapter, im just getting started and I couldnt think of anything else to add to this chapter. But most chapters are going to be longer thatn this, im sure of it. Anyways review and tell me how im doing!!