Unseen Consequences

C h a p t e r 1 – A New Mission

"All that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that." -Baltasar Gracian

It hurts.

It hurts so much.

Fingers clenched tightly together, eyes squeezed shut, a single unwanted tear slid down the blond's tanned cheeks.

"S-Sasuke...," Naruto managed to grunt out, sweat breaking across his face. The window was closed and the sun was beating down harshly upon the window pane. It was a very hot day.

"I-It hurts." The blond male bit down hard on his lips. Opening his eyes, bright sky blue hues gazed pleadingly at the Uchiha before him. He blamed his action all on the heat. It was just so unbearably hot. "No more..." The words came out as a mere whisper though and the other male paid no heed to it.

"Come on, Naruto," the ebony haired male grunted back, feeling just as hot as his blond friend, a look of deep concentration on his face. "Just.. a.. little.. more."

"But it hurts!"

"Deal with it!"

"But—"

"No buts!"

"Ugh..." Naruto winced in pain.

"Che. Almost there..."

"Really?" Naruto's tone held a hint of hopefulness.

"Yes-- a little more-- ah- there!" There was a moment of silences before he spoke again. "I'm taking it out now, okay?" The blond nodded his head.

Slowly pulling it out, Sasuke let escaped an exhausted sigh before glancing up at Naruto. A smirk graced his lips as the Uchiha noted the pained look on Naruto's face ebbed away to reveal a look of relieved satisfaction. Lips parting to speak, Sasuke was cut short as a knock came from the door.

Sasuke frown at the interruption but said naught of it and instead pushed himself up off the floor of Naruto's apartment and made his way to the door. The knock coming again, Sasuke opened the door to reveal a blushing jounin.

"Hn?" A single brow rose as Sasuke gazed inquiringly at the other. The jounin seemed to shrivel under the Uchiha's hard stare. Placing a fist to his lips, the jounin coughed, his face darkening as he saw Naruto appearing behind Sasuke, head leaning over the Uchiha's shoulder as the blond peered out to see who it was.

Seeing the jounin, Naruto offered his trademark grin to the visitor and waved. Said jounin glance from Sasuke's stoic face to Naruto's cheerful one and then coughed again. An awkward silence ensued a moment before the jounin remembered why he had come.

"L-L-Lady T-Tsu-Tsunade wants to see you!" That said, the jounin immediately disappeared, leaving Naruto blinking in mild surprise and Sasuke with a curious look upon his face.

'What was that about?' both thought simultaneously. Naruto, oblivious that he was, inwardly shrugged and headed back inside so he could readied himself to go and see the Hokage. Sasuke, on the other hand, slowly closed the door but remain where he was, that look of concentration still upon his face before everything then dawn upon the Uchiha and a wide devilish like smirk appeared upon his lips.

Unfortunately, Naruto appeared before him then, jolting the Uchiha out of his thoughts. Sasuke cooled his feature so none of his thoughts were shown.

"Osh! Let's go Sasuke bastard!" the hyperactive blond exclaimed. Opening the door, he stepped out but stopped before he could take another and turned to give Sasuke a sheepish grin. "Um.. thanks for taking out that splinter for me." Said in a rush, Naruto flushed in embarrassment a moment before he then quickly turned away and left, not bothering at all to see if the Uchiha followed. He was, of course, following closely behind while that smirk from before had now returned.

Why was he smiling? Well, the Uchiha was in a very- very -happy mood today.

-x-x-x-x-x-

The current Hokage of Konohagakure had been debating whether to sleep or drink her distill sake (of which was given by Shizune) when her attention was drawn by the clacking sound from behind her. She had ignored it at first but when it came again, her lips twitched in annoyances. She hated to be distracted after all. Then again, if whatever it was, was able to get the load of paperworks off her shoulders, she would gladly welcomed it. Slowly turning around in her blue chair, Tsunade turned to face the window behind her and was quite surprised to see an owl perched there. Growing rather curious, she stood and went to open the window. Watching the owl hopped inside and placing the envelope it carried down, the creature cooed, as if telling her to pick it up.

"Well," Tsunade began. "What do you have there?"

Reaching to pick it up, Tsunade's eyes widen in surprise as she witnessed the marvel that was happening before her. Across the rough parchment of the envelope, the foreign words that was there swam about in sea of green, rearranging itself a moment before it slowly settled and then completely stopped. The words before her were now readable.

Ms. Tsunade, Fifth Hokage
Uppermost floor of Hokage Tower
Konohagakure no Sato
Land of Fire

'What the hell is this?' Tsunade thought, quite bewildered then as she returned her gaze to the owl.

Tsunade was surprised, yes, but she was also growing quite curious and as the look of wonder appeared upon her face, she gazed back to the envelope in hand and flipped it over to the other side. A large purple wax seal enclosed it. The pictures engraved there were very finely made, detailed in every aspect as she looked form the lion to the eagle to the badger and then to the snake. A shiver of apprehension ran down her body then as she studied the last creature and she wonder if mayhap that was a bad omen. The feeling lasting only a moment though, delicate fingers peeled back the seal to reveal a bundle of thick folded parchments inside. Pulling it out and opening it, she watched again as the words upon the paper began to move and rearranged itself into understandable kanjis.

She began to read...

To the Fifth of Hokage of Konohagakure, Princess Tsunade- I apologize deeply for the suddenness of this letter but it is of dire urgency that I send this to you and ask for your help. I understand that you may now be feeling that of doubt, wondering whether to trust such a forebroding letter or not, but I do sincerely hope that when you finish reading this letter, you will take my words into considerations. The problem that is to be stated within this letter deals not with me alone but for you and your village as well. If that was not enough to get your attention then I know of not what else to say but only hope that you have yet to put this paper down.

If you are reading this, then I see that you haven't. Good. I hope that such a sign is in my favor.

Now, where to begin. Oh yes- I believe an introduction is very much so, needed.

I am Albus Dumbledore, headmaster to a school known formally as Hogwarts: School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Do not be in disbelief for I know that you are. Witches. Wizards. Magic. Existing? You are thinking 'Impossible!' no doubt but I can clearly say that it isn't so for we are people just like you and the concept of magic is no different than the chakra that you use. Magic is maybe weaker, I will undauntedly admit, but that is just how it is and I have no say in such worldly matters. My world is similar to yours as well. We, witches and wizard, live in concealment and although certain reasons are different, our wish to be undisturbed and to live in peace is the same.

Things that humans cannot explain, things that humans cannot fathom- those are the things that humans fear and so, we are force to become so. A life of secrecy is a hard one but none to hard to accept and manage.

Ah, I believe that I have drown on enough of that. Such can be of mention later. I write now is of the situation that I am in.

There is an evil among my people. A monster who has no bound and will kill any that gets in his way. Voldemort is his name. To be rid of such evil as he, it could be said to be a blessing. However, that is not what I have wish of. My proposition is for you to grant me your finest ninja in order to protect my school and to guard one of my student by the name of Harry Potter. In the plays of event that are to come, this young boy will plays an important role in the upcoming story and must be protected at all cost. In the sense of why I ask thus is that I have great trust for your people and also for the former Hokage, Sarutobi. A great man he was and a great friend as well. I grieve his untimely death.

Now- of how my problems plays a role into your lives. It all comes down to a person going by the name of Orochimaru. This man has made known his presences and proves to be a great threat for the wizardry world as he has join force with the Dark Lord Voldemort. I sense an oncoming danger in the far distant and ever so slowly, this evil approaches, wishing to wreck destruction across the land. Since it is not in me to beg, I shall humbly wish instead that you take what you have read so far and truly consider the choices. That is all I have to say.

If you choose to agree to this mission, the following papers enclosed within the envelope are further details of the mission along with other important information dealing with our society. Other necessity will arrive later on if you choose to accept.

I now await your reply. Please give it to Estrol, the owl, and she will deliver it to me.

Yours sincerely,

Albus Dumbledore

Albus Dumbledore,
Headmaster

Tsunade did not know when she had sat down but she couldn't have cared much for it and was only glad that she was. Staring intently at the paper she held, she reread it again and again until each words were ingrained into her head. She felt confusion, amazement and anger boiling within her but calming herself, Tsunade knew she had to think this through thoroughly before making any decision.

A hidden society she knew not of. A world where magic exist, an entity that was similar to that of chakra. This confused and amazed her at the same time. However, it seem to be more of a wonder that the former Hokage had knowledge of these people yet told no one of it.

'Damn geezer. How could you keep such a thing from us...' Shaking her head, she placed the letter atop her desk and lean back into her chair. Bridging her fingers together, her eyes narrowed then as she remember another person that was mention within the message. Orochimaru. Many questions arose within her then and she knew that the only way she would get any answers for them was to accept this request. Mind made, she quickly pulled out a brand new scroll and pen and began writing her reply. Once done, she stamped it with her seal and rolled it up. Securing it with a string, Tsunade approached the large owl that was still there and placed it before the creature. As if knowing what to do, the owl, Estrol, jumped into the air and grabbed the scroll with her sharp talons and flew out the window. Tsunade watched until the creature was out of sight before turning away and sitting herself down once more.

"Shizune!" the Hokage called out and a woman with short black hair immediately appeared, the door to her office being thrown roughly opened. Tsunade sighed exasperatedly as she noted the frantic look upon the girl's face.

"What is it, Lady Tsunade? Is something the matter?"

"Calm down Shizune," she order the woman and sighed again as she kneaded a hand to her aching temple. She could surely feel a migraine coming. "I need you to get someone to bring me Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura. Now." Comprehending, the woman gave a curt nod of her head and quickly left, leaving the Hokage alone again.

Turning around in her blue chair, she turned to face the window and stare off into the distance.

"This has turned out to be one hell of a day...," the Fifth Hokage of Konohagakure, Princess Tsunade, muttered aloud and let out a weary sigh.

-x-x-x-x-x-

Fifteen minutes later, Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura entered the room.

Sasuke was feeling- well, you really can't tell how he was feeling with his stoic face ever so emotionless as it was. Naruto, on the other hand, was grinning from ear to ear as he was excited. He knew, guessed anyway, that they were called here for a mission. It had been quite a while since all three of them had done a mission together as they all had their own priorities after all and thus the blond was really looking forward to this. Now, with Sakura, she look the same as she always did- prime and neat, body straight and looking very attentive.

"Good. You are all here," Tsunade said as she leaned forward in her chair and rested her arm atop her desk. "I'm guessing you've all figure already why you are here so I'll just get straight to business." Picking up a scroll that she had been writing on before the three arrived, she tossed it to Sasuke. Reflexively catching it, the Uchiha stared at it a moment before returning his gaze to the Hokage, a single brow rose as he gazed at her questioningly.

"Within are the detail of the mission that I am assigning you three. The mission itself can be rank as that of a C class mission as all you will be doing is acting as guards for a certain school and for a certain boy. However, as there will be a certain person involve within this mission, it can be upped to an A or S class at anytime." Gravely, Tsunade stare at them all, the seriousness in her tone left no room for any sort of objections or playful squabble of which Naruto would have usually done so right about now. The hyperactive ninja was, for the time being, being very attentive to the Hokage's words.

Leaning back into her chair, Tsunade crossed her arms loosely over her chest. Looking at each of their faces a moment longer and studying them all closely, she then continued, saying the one word- the one name- she had no wish of every saying again. It left a foul taste in her mouth.

"The man involve is Orochimaru." That one name alone had gotten all their attention more than anything she had just mention before. "If you wish to know more, read the scroll. You are now dismissed." The three bowed then and turned to leave. "Oh yes. I forgot to mention this," Tsunade said and they all stopped in their track but did not turn to face her. "Once you have read what is written within that scroll, you have a choice to either accept or reject this mission. I will not hold it against you if you do, but I commend that you think it over thoroughly before you make any major decision. This will not an ordinary mission after all." The three ninjas nodded their heads again before leaving the room.

Tsunade, alone once more, sighed heavily and couldn't help but wonder what their answer would be. If they chose to decline, she would have to find another three to take it instead. Somehow though, she felt that she already knew what their answer would be. She wouldn't have already sent her reply if she didn't. Shaking her head, her lips broke out into a weary smile.

-x-x-x-x-x-

The former Team Seven were gather together at their old training ground. Naruto had found a nice tree to sit upon while Sasuke had sat himself beneath it. Sakura was beside him as she was peering over Sasuke's shoulder to gaze at the scroll that was opened before him, following along as the Uchiha read it aloud.

Their reaction were all very similar to that of Tsunade's. Curiosity mixed with wonder and amazement. Anger filled whatever gap that was left as the mention of Orochimaru came up. Having finished reading, Sasuke rolled the scroll back up and lean back against the tree, head tilted upward as he stare at Naruto who was looking done at him as well. As if able to understand each other without words, they both nodded their heads, seemingly coming to an agreement with one another on a matter that Sakura new nothing of. Are they planning to accept the mission?

Watching this exchange, Sakura could not help but feel a little resentment of it. Then again, she understood that the two had a bond with one another and she knew that she could never come between it. She would never understand it anyway, the friendship between two men and she really had no wish to know of it. She was a girl after all and she had her own priorities to deal with. Then again, they were her friends and Sakura would have love to know every once in a while what went on in their heads.

Watching them now though, Sakura could not help but think though of how amazing it was that the two males before her could even form such a close bond when in the past, the two had hated one another so much. You could suppose that the rivalry the two had played a major role in it all. Rivalry was a sort of acknowledgment, maybe? Acceptance of who they truly were and not of what they were? A Kyuubi vessel and the Uchiha heir? Sakura didn't know and that, in itself, annoyed her more than anything else. She had known the two the longest after all and she should have known all that there was to know about them.

Yet, many mystery are wrapped about them still.

At twenty, Naruto was quite the catch with his lithe and slender body and his long sun kissed locks that hung in a dishevel mess atop his head. However, Sakura did not know of what else to be said of him though. He has grown quite a bit and was not exactly the person she knew when they were all genins. Although there was still some aspect of that young boy within the other somewhere as Naruto was as hyperactive and rather unpredictable as ever, he has grown a more serious side to it all. She suppose that was because he was now a part of the ANBU operatives. The experiences gain had matured him but Sakura was glad though that Naruto could still be his playful self every now and then. It was refreshing, so to speak.

Sasuke, on the other hand, had not changed much- emotionally anyway. He was very much still that cold and emotionless person. If there were any changes, the feat were not hers but those of Naruto's. Less detach, he was, and on those really rare occasion, a smile could be seen on Sasuke's face. A rarity, but worth it as Sasuke was indeed a true beauty and said person knows it too but it is not like Sasuke loved having people tell such to his face. What sort of man would want to be called beautiful anyway? Well, at twenty-one in age, the lines of his face has become sharper, giving him a devilish look that was to die for. It was, really, as almost every girl in the village, from young to old, fawns over it still. Sakura had grown immune to it so it did not affect her and she did not care to be bothered by it. Old time crush do die away eventually after all.

Being part of the ANBU, a captain's rank at that, Sasuke was quite the deadly apparition as well. Dark, serious, and deadly, he was a force to be reckon with and such was quite fitting to his character.

'And look at me. I'm no longer the girl I was than either.' Yes. Sakura had change. As a fully establish Medic-nin, Sakura was quite the ninja that was on par, or mayhap even better, than Tsunade herself. She was no longer useless. There was something that she could do and be proud of it.

Sitting back against the tree as well, Sakura sighed then as she pushed those sudden thoughts away. This was not the time to be reminiscing about the past but of what was right before them now.

"I think we should take it," the pink haired konoichi said then, a small and yet weary smile gracing her lips.

The two male turn to face her. "You think so?" Naruto was the first to speak, a hint of worry in his tone. He was actually taking this mission very seriously. He could not explain it but the more he thought of the mission, a ominous foreboding sense lingered about his thoughts.

"Yeah. It will be a new experience for us," she said with a light shrug of her shoulders. "I believe that there will be something we can learn from these so called witches and wizards." Her light tone took on a deeper and more serious overture. "We can't leave it alone anyway. He is there after all."

Yes. Him. They all knew who 'he' was.

Orochimaru.

They had to know. They had to find out why he was there.

The three looked at one another then and this time, all three simultaneously nodded their heads.

In agreement with one another, they stood and headed back towards the Hokage tower.

TBC

Soifra's Ending Notes-

The story has been edited as of Apirl 10th, 2009

About this chapter: Yes- it was somewhat lewd and I bet most of you were thinking perverted thoughts! If you did, then I succeeded!To straighten things out however- if some of you are wondering why Naruto was in such pain from just a splinter and of where said splinter was- I will explain as I know that some are thinking that Naruto should be use to pain as he is always on the 'receiving end of a variety of sharp, pointy weapons' (as stated by frustratedfruitloops).

My opinion or theory or whatever- I was thinking on how people do not notice pain when they are fighting. They tend to block the pain out and would only think on winning and surviving. The pain they receive in a fight is literally forgotten for to think of such in the midst of battle is foolish and will only bring about death. However- when you are home and doing nothing, your body, no matter how skilled you are, will not be as alert as it is when in combat and when hurt or injured, a person thought is solely focus on said pain and not on anything else. Thus the rather exaggerated pain that Naruto is experiencing.

Well- did you get all of that? If not- (n-n;) --yeah. Just forget it then.