Disclaimer: Think about it. If I owned ANY manga... WHY would I be writing fan fiction? Exactly.
A/N: Originally, this was supposed to be a one-shot. But... it seems to be stretching itself into 2 chapters.
Sasuke jumped backward, landing in a crouched position, one hand planted firmly on the ground ahead of him. Panting slightly, he looked at the smoldering crater he had created, tempted to be awed by its sheer dimensions. Silently, he thanked Kakashi for teaching him Chidori. But, even paired with the Sharingan, was it strong enough?
He could feel it deep within his bones. He wasn't sure what it was exactly, just that it was an unsettling sensation of forewarning that couldn't be ignored. Interpreting this as a sign that he needed to train more, he had heeded it and started working harder. Hopefully, it wouldn't all be wasted in the end.
"Sasuke-kun!" Someone called out cheerfully, making him jump in surprise. A female Shinobi with pink hair came into view, waving her arm in greeting. Haruno Sakura. Behind her, a short blonde-haired boy wearing all orange, gaped openly at the hole at the younger Uchiha's feet, at the same time, trying pointlessly to hide his amazement. Uzumaki Naruto.
"Hey, Sasuke. Teme. You're supposed to be at training." Naruto said pointedly, tearing his eyes from the destruction caused by Chidori.
Standing up, Sasuke gestured at the hole in the ground. "What do you think I was doing before you interrupted me, idiot?"
Naruto blinked. "Oh. Yea."
Sakura looked at him, her cheeks tinted pink. "But...we're all supposed to be training with Kakashi-sensei right now."
It was Sasuke's turn to blink. "We are? Guess I lost track of the time. C'mon."
The orange clad Shinobi rolled his eyes in what was clearly a 'noooooo... Really?' gesture and started walking back to the bridge, eager to start his training for the day.
Shoving his hands in the pockets of his white shorts, Sasuke followed the Kyuubi and the pink-haired girl, quickly becoming lost in his own thoughts once more
Cell 7's white haired sensei smiled, closing his one visible eye.
"You're all here." He stated, nodding at Sasuke, "Good."
"Sensei! Kakashi-sensei! Are you happy because you weren't the late one for once? I mean, you were still late, but not the last one to come!" Naruto interjected, beaming.
Sasuke let out a frustrated breath, trying to calm himself. Screw it, he thought and wound his fist back.
Kakashi stepped in between him and Naruto, intercepting his punch. "Sasuke." He said warningly, "Can we just get through one day without any fighting? Or at least until I explain this missions?" He let go of Sasuke's arm.
Sasuke crossed his arms and glared, his eyes momentarily converting to Sharingan, convinced he should have skipped out on today's mission to be by himself. Maybe he should just leave. That sounded like a good idea. Besides, it always seemed to benefit him more if he was either training solo or one-on-one with Kakashi.
"...so we'll be leaving Konoha for awhile today." Catching Sasuke's attention, he tuned back in, no longer lost to his own dark thoughts.
"What?" He asked, turning to look at Kakashi.
The Sensei shook his head. "Off in your own world, were you?"
Seeing no point in denying it, Sasuke nodded slowly.
Kakashi grinned evilly, a sarcastic edge to his voice. "Luckily for you, you didn't miss anything to important." He held up a compact, thick milky white envelope. "From Tsunade-san. Something like a dossier on a missing Shinobi." At this point, Sasuke's eyes widened, startled. "No. I don't know much about it, but I don't believe it concerns him." The Sharingan-wielder's eyes narrowed, his arms still crossed. "We are instructed to meet two Shinobi who are coming back here, and give this to them. We are NOT to read it. That's pretty much it."
Something about this sounds off, Sasuke thought suspiciously. But why? His instinct told him it might be a trap, but Tsunade wouldn't do that, she was Hokage. So if that wasn't it, why did this whole affair make him feel uneasy? It wasn't possible that both Kakashi and Tsunade could be tricked, was it?
"Why doesn't Tsunade or somebody just give it to them when they come here? I mean, they are Konoha, aren't they?" He pointed out, running one hand through his black hair thoughtfully.
Kakashi shook his head, appearing slightly troubled. "Out of you three, Sasuke, you're the only one to have pointed that out. That's the problem. We're not sure exactly who they are. Just that this information was requested. The Godaime is cautious. She believes that we're competent enough to judge character, so she wants us to meet them out there, instead of them coming here."
Sakura caught on and shook her head, her shoulder-length hair waving back and forth on her shoulders. "No way. You're saying we're being sent out to meet two Shinobi, both of which are unknown? That's... Kakashi-sensei, I refuse this mission. I'm not saying I'm scared, or doubt Hokage-san's judgement, but what if this was a trap and they were stronger then us? "
Supporting his friend, Naruto nodded. "Sakura-chan's right. Shouldn't we at least have some kind of back-up?"
Kakashi and Sasuke were both taken aback. Neither had thought of that idea. Imagine, Naruto actually putting thought into something like this. There was definitely hope for him yet. "You know what Naruto? I think you're right. Though I'm pretty sure I could handle it, an Anbu or two to back us up if things went awry would be a good idea."
Damn. No. "No. Let's go. We can handle this. At least I can." This was starting to sound suspiciously like... something...they might do. Was this his chance?
The three people surrounding Sasuke stared, slightly stunned, half believing he might be crazy.
Naruto grumbled, wishing someone would explain to him why it was Sasuke that was favored. It was always, ALWAYS, Sasuke this, Sasuke that. One word from the idiot Uchiha and Kakashi had agreed-maybe they didn't need Anbu. If he, Sasuke thought he could do it- then they all could. Was that Kakashi's reasoning? Sasuke opens his mouth and, inexplicably, they were all suddenly preparing to travel out of Konoha-unescorted.
Throwing some food into his backpack ('just in case' Kakashi had advised. Besides, what if he suddenly needed a ramen fix and couldn't get it? That. Was. A. Frightening. Thought...), and a few extra kunai into his holster, Naruto slung the one strap over his shoulder, locked the door to his place, and headed out to meet the rest of his cell.
Half an hour after explaining the mission, two of the four required Shinobi had reconvened at Konoha's entrance gate.
Sakura and Naruto looked at one another and sighed, sharing a rare moment where their thoughts were the same. Where were Sasuke and Kakashi?
As if hearing their thoughts, Sasuke strolled up to the pair, his hands shoved deep in the pockets of his white shorts so only the tops of his ivory and blue wristbands showed. Pulling one hand out, he raised it in greeting. "Yo. Where's Kakashi?" He said, seemingly in a better mood then earlier.
"Not here, obviously. Dumass" Naruto returned in the form of a greeting.
Fifteen minutes later, Kakashi popped up. The three gaped at him-you knew something was important when Hatake Kakashi showed up reasonably around the given time. Holding up the envelope, he smiled grimly at his three subordinates. "Remember. This is your mission. Unless you can't handle it, then I step in. Ready?" All three nodded. "Ok then-let's go." Kakashi pushed open the heavy wooden gate, leading the way.
Vaguely, over the crest of a small hill, Sasuke saw the silhouette , probably both tall men, standing idly. Raising one eyebrow questioningly in Kakashi's general direction, he gestured toward the two.
"Is that who we have to meet?" Naruto turned around, walking backwards so he could talk directly to the group.
Even against the bright glare of the sun, both men remained veiled in darkness. Gradually their figures lightened until some details were distinguishable, yet still dark. It appeared that the two were wearing identical black cloaks, with some sort of red design on them.
Thumbing his kunai holster open, Sasuke cautiously pulled out his weapon, but kept it at his side. Following his lead, Naruto and Sakura did the same, also keeping their weapons out.
Clouds. Red Clouds. Sasuke's grip tightened on the knife until his nails bit into his palm, drawing blood. Now that they were close enough, some facial features could be identified. Both had black hair. One wore it short and high, while the other -the one Sasuke's eyes were currently fixated on- wore his longer hair in a ponytail.
"Sasuke." Kakashi whispered while they were still out of the hearing range of the two foreign Shinobi.
Sasuke glanced long enough at his leader to raise a questioning eyebrow. "Hmm?"
Kakashi pulled the envelope out of a pocket on his pants and gestured at the pair ahead of them with it. "They can't have this." He gave Sasuke brief look with a clear order in it-walk ahead of me. Understanding what he meant, Sasuke quickened his pace and stuck on hand out behind him, twirling the kunai in his left hand to distract anyone who might be watching him. When he felt the sharp point of the envelope on his palm, he took it from the Jounin and cautiously put it in his back pocket.
Falling into step with him again, Kakashi winked at him and made the sign of the tiger with his hands. Burn it. This order was one the young chuunin understood without question. When you get the chance, incinerate it. He also understood however, that such a mission would be risky. He would have little chance to do this- he had no way of foretelling how the enemy would react if he destroyed the information they had desired before their cold eyes.
Even Naruto, who had been whispering to Sakura, fell silent as they approached their opponents.
At the top of the small foothill, the party of four halted, awaiting the first move.
The eeriest of the pair, who had a greyish-blue tinge lurking under his skin, spoke first.
"You came." That was it. No welcome. Just two coldly spoken words that failed to hide his doubt that they would remain absent.
Kakashi nodded curtly. "Akatsuki...bastards..." He muttered under his breath.
Itachi shifted, impatient. "Where is it?"
Sasuke shook with hatred. That bastard! He doesn't even acknowledge me! I'll show him... Kunai holster flipped open, Sasuke drew four kunai, one between each finger. He flicked his hand and sent them flying toward his brother. As if in slow motion, Sasuke watched Itachi blink, unafriad. You showed me this one, Oniisan. Sasuke drew four more, throwing them into his first set,each kunai connecting with a previously thrown one, effectively causing them to change course in mid-flight. You showed me how. Thanks.
The mission forgotten, he watched, willing his attack to strike perfectly.
A/N: Uh.. I guess thats the first chapter. How is it for length? To short? That's what it seems like to me...
I have no problem if your going to flame my work. But DON'T just say 'it sucks'. Give me a reason. I guess thats more like constructive critism...