The Melody's Whispers

-o-o-o

Summary: Sasuke was called from Konoha to work on terraforming Sound. But when he does, he finds himself battling the unlikely rule that governs Sound's justice system. Then he met a jinchuuriki, a prisoner of Sound. What if he falls in love? SasuNaru

Inspired and loosely based on LamB by animax.

-o-o-o-

The year is now 3000.

Much time has passed since the unfortunate "Nuclear Tragedy" that befell mankind. And apparently, the world has already forgotten that incident that reshaped the evolution of humanity and the future history of this world.

How ironic it is to see such lively faces. As I looked down from this very observatory, I feel sick to the deepest pit of my soul. Just by peering through these black and white security camera reignite that uncontrollable rage within myself.

These people can never comprehend the pain that I went through. They can never comprehend the torture and the agony that I underwent. Although the incident is now nothing but a bad memory, the events that it entailed left me a scar- a scar so deep that sometimes, it feels as if I am haunted by a curse.

I grunted and pressed the red button, turning off the screens in front of me. Sinking deep into this soft chair of mine, I fell into one of my recent hobby.

Ever since the great Continental wars, the Earth had been steadily deteriorating. Wildlife is disappearing and the bodies of water are getting more and more unstable. And just as the situation was escalating out of control, three elemental nation breached the Treaty of Wave and launched their experimental Nuclear Missiles in hopes of gaining control of the situation.

But apparently, it didn't occur to their idiotic little minds that their actions would forever deface the history of this world. After that fateful day, nothing had been the same. Everything was changed- our way of living, the social system, even the politics. But that's not all, the great event also changed our perception.

A sigh escaped my lips, bringing me out of my pathetic sorry little state. If only I didn't allow him to go on that stupid diplomatic meeting then maybe I could have-

A knock brought me back to reality once more.

"Who is it?" I answered, my voice still bitter from my recent memory trip.

"Sasuke-kun, forgive me for interrupting but Tsunade-sama wants a word with you." I grunted and pushed myself off the chair. After grabbing my white lab coat, I slung it over my shoulder and made my way to the metallic door.

"What does she want this time?" I asked as I pressed in the security code and opened the door. I was faced by Shizune, the Hokage's personal assistant. Something big must be up if I'm being fetched by the Hokage's assistant, I mused to myself.

She looked irritated at my reply but her frame loosened before rearranging her glasses.

"Show some respect, brat." She grinned. "Because I'm bringing some good news."

I narrowed my eyes at her- a happy Shizune is rare, well unless she's drunk, which is most of the time.

"What is it? I have no time for your silly mind games."

She giggled despite my hostile tone.

"Lighten up, Sasuke-kun. Remember your proposal on that "Terraforming Proposal" of yours?" She grinned wider as my eyes widened.

I submitted that proposal months ago. The council is so against it that I stopped talking to the Konoha Elite for weeks.

"And what about it?" I asked coolly, despite the growing anticipation in my stomach and leaned against the wall next to the door.

She giggled some more before dragging me across the room.

"Just come with me."

-o-o-o-

She led me, just as I expected, to the council room. But to my surprise, it is empty. On closer inspection however, I saw the Hokage standing in her usual spot.

"Ahh... Nice of you to join me Sasuke. Shizune, would you kindly leave us alone?" After her assistant complied, she brought out a bottle of sake and giggled.

"Finally. It had been three days since I last had this one." Just as she brought the bottle to her lips, I gave out a small cough.

"Hokage-sama, just what is this about?"

She shook her head and came closer to me, inviting me to sit with her. Having no choice but to comply, I took her offer and waited for what it is that she has to say.

After a sip though, she inhaled deeply and her expression turned serious.

"Sasuke, I'm not going to beat around the bush. Though it is true that Konoha is ahead against the other five elemental colonies, our resources are dwindling. The other colonies are also slowly getting back on their own feet. It is only through the sacrifice of..." She paused, remembering something, which I feel is strangely connected to me.

She continued after taking another sip.

"You understand that the head start that we had ever since that incident is slowly disappearing. Konoha needs to reaffirm its power and position. To put it simply, I need you Sasuke."

I rose an eyebrow, knowing that it has something to do with my Terraforming Proposal. To my satisfaction, she continued.

"Do you remember that Terraforming Proposal you presented to the council months ago?"

I smirked. "How could I ever forget? I spent hours and days of research over it only to find it trampled by personal and selfish reasons."

She shook her head.

"Don't talk like that Sasuke. Can't you see what I'm doing here? The council rejected the idea. But I see the potential in it. With the data you presented in that project, we can reach new heights in development. And Konoha's power will be undisputed."

I was shocked at her words. I never knew she was this interested in power. The woman's ideals are always about the safety of her loved ones. But then again her visions could have stemmed from that too.

I wasn't about to throw away this opportunity though. I can sense that she's willing to see this project to completion. And with me as the primary proponent of the project, I will gain prestige without even sweating.

"Well, then, what "fortunate" site will be given the honors of this project?"

She heaved a sigh and leaned back on her chair.

"Sound." I gritted my teeth upon hearing the word. That country was one of the foolish ones who cost us everything. Not only that but it is our rival nation.

"Sound?" My voice might have come out as bitter because she was taken aback.

"Sasuke, despite the Sound's past mistakes, its people are getting desperate. The radiation level has increased to critical level. Their walls are not enough to protect them. And also..." She paused and wore that serious expression of her once more.

"There are rumors that my brother is there."

Upon hearing that sentence, all resistance within me vanished.

"Naruto, is there?"

She placed her bottle and tied its cover.

"Jiraiya's network had been hard at work ever since Naruto-kun's disappearance. There is a slight chance that Orochimaru had gotten hold of him during the confusion. It's only a slight chance though. And we need to lay low for a while so I don't want you doing anything drastic while there, understand?"

All of it is so much to take in. Naruto could be alive! And I might have a chance of finding him. Still unsure but with a new burning desire within me, I looked straight at the Hokage's eyes and gave her a real smile.

"Understood."

She smiled back. "Good. You will depart tomorrow at exactly five. And like every mission, the details will be outlined in this microdisk."

I immediately grabbed the small metallic storage device and moved toward the door.

"Thank you, Hokage-sama."

"I know, Sasuke."

With that, I closed the door and made my way back to the observatory. I have a lot of packing to do.

-o-o-o-

Meanwhile, in an undisclosed location...

"Kabuto, is everything taken care of?"

"Yes, Orochimaru-sama."

"Wonderful. Project Kyuubi is now in its first stage."

An eerie laughter surrounded the worn out yet fully functional laboratory.

-o-o-o-

To Be Continued...