Chapter One : Morning

Naruto yawned, stretching his arms and pulled his hat off, hurriedly getting dress into his orange outfit. He picked up his head protector, tying it across his forehead as he looked into the mirror, grinning with pride at his Konoha headband - the symbol of graduating from the Ninja Academy.

No time to think about this, I have to get back to training! Where is that Ero-sennin anyway!

He exhaled lightly, and quickly prepared himself instant ramen for breakfast. After he was satisfied, he headed outside. It was a fresh morning, and the birds were twittering in the clear sky as he walked toward the forest to wait for the perverted hermit.

Sakura woke up, rays of sunlight shining through her bedroom window. She had dreamt of the night when Sasuke left her. Why? she thought to herself.

... Sasuke, I swear I'm going to get stronger... then maybe, I might be able to bring you back.

She wearily got out of bed and slipped out of her pajamas and into her training gear. She hurried downstairs, grabbed some toast, and headed out the front door. Sasuke, she thought to herself sadly,

Where are you? Why did you follow Orochimaru?

She shook the thoughts of her head,

No, I have to focus on my training with Tsunade-sama... she thought with a determined look on her face. She ran out the door after slipping her training shoes on, and made her way towards the 5th Hokage's chambers.

I swear I won't be a hindrance anymore.

"Kabuto, bring Sasuke-kun to me...," Orochimaru said, sitting in a secluded corner, smirking behind his bandaged face.

"I want to test him and train him to become a stronger 'container.'"

"Hai, Orochimaru-sama." Kabuto bowed slightly. He headed out the room, walked up the cold dungeon steps, and barged into Sasuke's room. His room had only one small window for air to go in and out. His bed was next to the window. A desk sat at the foot of his bed.

"Get up. Orochimaru-sama has a word with you." Sasuke was sitting on his bed, already dressed in his daily clothing. He glared up at Kabuto, stood up and brushed past him in a cocky manner. Kabuto followed after him, balling a fist and quietly cursing him in his mind. Son of a..., thought Kabuto.

They approached Orochimaru, Kabuto standing off to the side as Sasuke analyzed Orochimaru's bandaged figure. He smirked.

"What a pitiful state you're in. Can you really give me power like this?" Sasuke asked haughtily.

Orochimaru chuckled evily, looking at the boy who had betrayed his friends for power.

"Sasuke-kun... I want you to complete a mission before I pass you any more power...," he said mischievously.

The side of Sasuke's eyes twitched with annoyance, but he replied with a forced calm voice.

"What is this mission?" he inquired.

"I want you to go back to Konoha tonight, and I want you to capture that Kyuubi... Naruto-kun... He will serve an important purpose for me... not to mention, it will prepare you well for gaining your next powers." He chuckled again, anticipating the thrills of his cruel plots.

Sasuke spat, hiding his concern about Orochimaru's plans.

"Naruto? That pathetic scaredy-cat is worthless. What would you need him for?" He recollected about his last fight with Naruto, a tiny sense of guilt rose. He ignored it, forcing the thoughts of betrayal back.

"Sasuke-kun, you will do as I say. Or are you not desperate for the power to defeat your dear older brother, the one and only Uchiha Itachi?" Orochimaru continued grinning behind his mask.

I can't wait to wipe that dirty smirk off his face! Sasuke thought with much hostility, biting his lower lip with agitation. "I will defeat him," he declared.

"Good, then you will do as I say and capture Naruto-kun for me."

"Fine!" he agreed through clenched teeth.

"Where is that lousy pervert!" Naruto kicked the closest tree in rage. "Stupid Ero-sennin. Said he'd train me today! Where is he?" He pulled out a kunai, attempting to pin a falling leaf to the tree trunk but failed miserably.

He growled, "I can't waste time like this! I have to bring Sasuke back. And besides that, what about Akatsuki? I need more training!"

He pulled out more kunais, practicing futilely at his accuracy.

"I bet he went out to 'research' for his stupid little dirty book!" he said in annoyance. He kicked the floor irritably.

"BAKA ERO-SENNIN!" He screamed, waiting endlessly for the perverted hermit to show up.

GOODNESS! Credits go to My dear friend, lilravenclaw,for editing this! x.x

Well, I hope my action part would copensate for.. well, the slow beginning.

Reviews would be awesome A little cheer, here and there.