"...And furthermore I have decided to add Zakushi as a temporary member of team 7 while sai is away on his mission". Tsunade said as she sat at her desk in the hokage tower, A warm breeze blew through the window making her long blonde locks flow in the wind. It would almost be pleasant if not for Naruto

"YOU'VE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME GRANDMA" Naruto barked while shaking his fist violently

"Yesterday this guy was an S ranked criminal up for execution, and now you just expect us to accept him as a part of our team?!"

"Shut up!" Sakura shouted as she knocked him out cold with a swift punch to the face

"I mean honestly can't you ever stop talking for five seconds?"

"What are you talking about Sakura I was quiet for 15 seconds just now..."

Another punch and he was down again

Kakashi chuckled at the two young 'love birds' as he often considered them. He finally spoke up

"Anyyy ways, what was this about a mission lady Tsunade?"

"Yes I've been wondering the same thing" Zakushi said as he suddenly appeared out of thin air behind Sakura"

"You've gotta stop doing that! Can't you ever just use the door?!" Sakura said grimly

"I don't see the fun in..."

Naruto cut him off by springing to his feet and shouting

"YOU! Where do you get off sneaking up behind Sakura like that? I think its about time I taught you a less..."

"EVERYONE SHUT UP!" Tsunade screamed suddenly stopping Naruto in his tracks

"Hai!" they all shouted in unison. Except for Zakushi who just glared off into the distance nonchalantly

"Ahem. Now, your mission is to investigate a small town just a few miles outside of the village. There have been numerous reports of strange cloaked men attacking people, and we believe the Akatsuki may be involved."

Everyone became serious at the mention of the akatsuki

"Sasuke" Sakura murmered under her breath

"So then you believe these reports about Sasuke being in league with the Akatsuki than, sakura?" Kakashi said

"N-no! Of course not!" Sakura lied. The truth was that she knew he was, She knew he would do anything to achieve greater power.

Naruto's thoughts were similar, but a bit more optimistic. He believed he could bring Sasuke back. Even if it killed him.

"Very well then. Lady Tsunade we accept this mission, and will be leaving first thing tommorow morning" Kakashi explained

"Naruto, Sakura, Zakushi. I expect you to be packed and ready by the break of dawn"

Zakushi arrived back at his broken down apartment. he had only been given the basics since arriving in Konoha so he really didn't need to pack all that Much. Kunai, paper bombs, Shuriken, Some dried food and a Cantine of water were all he needed.

And then he just lied there alone with his thoughts

'The Akatsuki... After all this time I'll finally be able to avenge you mother. And ill be taking down that bastard of a father once and for all. He should have killed me that night, But he couldn't. Deep down inside he still wanted to cling to what little humanity he has left. And it was the last mistake he'll ever make'

He closed his eyes and nodded off into a deep slumber

Meanwhile Naruto was preparing his own things. Kunai, instant ramen, Paper bombs, More instant ramen, water, More instant ramen and and about 10 orange jumpsuits. Because wearing different clothes everyday was just too 'mainstream' for him

He finally finished packing and was left alone with his own thoughts

'Man who does this Zakushi jerk think he is? getting all close to sakura like that. Hmph Uchiha or not I could take him down any day. Still though he must have had a pretty rough life being abandoned by his father like that. And those eyes... No matter how much I try to ignore it, his eyes, they're just like Sasukes were... He seeks revenge' Naruto concluded

"Ahh well Grandma Tsunade trusts him and that's enough for me. Ill still be keeping my eyes on him though. Now where did I put that ramen..."

Sakura sat on her bed. Having already finished mission couldn't stop thinking about the events from the past few days

'What is the story with this Zakushi guy? The son of Madara Uchiha? He was supposed to have died years ago! And now all the sudden he's the leader of the Akatsuki? The world's gone mad I say.

She sighed and plopped down onto her bed, arms spread apart wide

'I miss when the world made sense. Back in the good old days when it was just me, Naruto and Sasuke going on missions. Sure Naruto was annoying as hell, but he always pulled through in the end. He still does. And Sasuke... Oh Sasuke, I know you could be mean to me and treat me like dirt, but you never really meant it did you? None of that matters anyway because through it all I still love you..."

About 10 miles outside of Konoha sat a lone cloaked figure perched upon a tree branch

Another cloaked figure landed beside him and began to speak in a low hoarse voice

"They've taken the bait, Naruto Uzumaki is on his way now, along with supposed Bastard son of Madara uchiha"

"Just as I expected. Besides the part about Madara's son.. Things could get very interesting." He chuckled as they leapt off into the darkness