Chapter 2

The Call To Action

Sasuke sprung across the rooftops wondering why on earth Tsunade had called him. His probationary month wasn't up yet, and there was no way she would end it early. If anything it would be extended. Until then he was not to be assigned in ninja duties.

The rooftops of Konoha flew past him, and he landed gracefully at the front of the Hokage's headquarters. Unlike Naruto, he tended to do things by the book, and announce himself before attending very important meetings. Speaking of Naruto, he was glad at least to have a break from his thoughts about the blond ninja. A day had passed since their troubling run in.

He was ushered quickly to Tsunade's door, the guards giving him sideways glances. A month was not a long time to forget or forgive his betrayal.

He walked into the large room. The hokage was standing with her hands behind her back looking out the large windows in the direction of the hokage mountain. Although she said nothing to him as he entered, he knew she was aware of his arrival.

"Uchiha" Stated the guard shortly, with a quick bow of acknowledgement to the hokage.

"Leave us - thank you"

The guard nodded shortly and backed out of the room. Sasuke was sure he was dying to know why the traitor had been called to the hokage, but the guard acted as formal as possible and removed himself without a second glance.

Tsunade finally turned her head to look at Sasuke, her eyes roving up and down, assessing.

Finally she broke the silence. "Sit down Sasuke. Please."

He moved forward and sat down. His face betraying nothing.

"I'm sure you are wondering why I called you here. I also wonder if this is a mistake." She sighed, before sitting down herself and leaning forward.

"Let me end your impatience now." Sasuke opened his mouth to protest the accusation of impatience, but she raised her hand for silence.

"I know you want to return to life as normal- we have a chance for you to return to active duty. To the southwest, beneath the Country of Rain, there have been attacks for many months. We are not sure who the perpetrator is. However, they have no regard for who they attack, and have often targeted merchants and villagers."

Sasuke kept his eyebrows in check, although they threatened to lift to his hairline in surprise. This was not a high profile mission, however, this was a very real threat, and he was surprised that it had not been dealt with earlier. Sensing his feelings Tsunade continued.

"I put off an investigation at first, because I thought the attacks were isolated incidents. However, the increasing frequency and locations of the attacks suggest otherwise. I believe it is wise to send a scout forward to find information about these attacks."

"Right now, these attacks have not been large in scale, and it is hard to assess the true power of the aggressor. With your unique abilities with the Sharingan and in tactics I think you would be a good choice to gather information."

"However, you are not to engage with the enemy, unless defensively." Predicting the irritation from the black haired shinobi she stared at him with eyes of steel. "Under, ANY, circumstances. That is an order, Uchiha."

He nodded. He wasn't going to be an idiot about this. If she wanted him on active duty, then he would take what he could get.

"Will I be given the capability to fight?" He said, referring to the necklace restricting his chakra. Then added quickly "if necessary, for defense."

She smiled, as though amused. "I'm glad you reminded me. The chakra bracelet will be instilled with a lock that can be turned on and off with the right command. You will be accompanied of course by someone who has the ability to turn this lock on and off. Of course the tracking bracelet will be removed, as the technology only works within Konoha anyways."

Sasuke tilted his head. "Who is…?"

She frowned. "We considered several alternatives. I have decided the best choice would be Pakkun."

Sasuke's mouth hung open. "Pakkun, Kakashi's summons…?"

"Yes, his nose will aid in the mission, he will be able to report directly to Kakashi about your activities, and he is very loyal in tight situations."

Not to mention annoying though Sasuke, his eyebrow twitching. He refused to think that his feelings of disappointment stemmed from the fact that Naruto would not be joining him.

The two sat for a moment in silence.

Finally Tsunade broke it. "Look Sasuke, maybe it is unfair.." her eyebrow twitched. "...but I don't trust you. I want to believe I am wrong about you, because Naruto believes I am." She stared at him, as though searching for something that would put her at ease.

"I believe in Naruto, and his judgment in people. I also believe that sometimes Naruto is too...forgiving. I hope in your case I am wrong." She sighed and closed her eyes, and crossed her arms in front of her.

"One more thing. Should you be successful, and return to us I will allow you to be released from the constant surveillance. I hope this will incentivize you to return. Should you find some way to escape despite Pakkun you will most certainly regret it. You will not be so readily accepted back to Konoha the next time. Despite what Naruto says."

Sasuke knew the threat was real, her icy glare spoke volumes. It seemed he really did owe Naruto for the tolerant way Tsunade had treated him up to this point. .

"Thank you Hokage. I accept the mission."

Within only a week Sasuke was ready to leave. He had been given time to train and re-sharpen his skills before the journey west.

Although he had been allowed to train previously, the chakra blocker, coupled with his time off from real missions had made him rusty. He didn't like to think about it, but the time he had spent in Konoha since returning really had weakened him. Just thinking about it made his whole body itch with irritation.

Tsunade had allowed him to lift the blocker in order to practice. Therefore, for the past few days all he had done was eat, sleep and train. He spent each morning working on his endurance, running laps and completing taijutsu exercises. He had even found his way to the obstacle courses set up in the forests for the resident ninja. Half the time there he spent punching a dummy he imagined to have Tsunade's annoying face.

He would then return to the Uchiha compound for lunch before setting out again, this time to work on his jutsus, and more importantly the Sharingan. He practicing activating and using the Sharingan in the practice fields, especially while watching other ninja fight. However, the Sharingan was best practiced in combat with another ninja, as its primary use was to predict movements and see clearly.

Therefore Sasuke had challenged as many people as possible in the training grounds. At first, he had lost almost every round, due to his rustiness. However, Sasuke was not considered a genius for nothing, and quickly Sasuke learned to compensate for his weaknesses as he simultaneously overcame them.

Soon he was beating practically every opponent he came across.

One ninja that was conspicuously absent from the list of opponents was Naruto. Sasuke was avoiding Naruto like the plague, knowing that the other would only distract him from his mission. He refused to believe there may be another reason he would avoid the blond ninja. He knew the other would be a valuable training partner, but could not afford to waste emotional reserves and mental energy on him. He had not even told Naruto he had been assigned a mission, although he was sure the news of his training would spread soon.

Soon, Saturday was almost upon him, the day he was scheduled to leave. He went home to his compound and made the richest fish stew he could, knowing it would be a long while until he ate non campground food.

He laid his pack out before him. Black clothes folded in small stacks on the bed, next to an array of shuriken and kunai. His hand strayed to a small leather bound journal, an item that had once belonged to his brother but was now his. He quickly grabbed the item and added it his pack, along with a small necklace with a fish hook attached, another gift from his childhood days. Sasuke wasn't overly sentimental, but he enjoyed well crafted items.

Looking around at his room, which he had felt claustrophobically small for the last month, he sighed. Time to go.

He headed out to the meeting point at the bridge on the outskirts of town. Here the Hokage and Kakashi both met him. He was given Pakkun (who protested greatly), and the remaining information and maps he would need to find the latest attacks location. Tsunade formally bowed as left, but Kakashi was a bit warmer and gave him a characteristic half smile and small hair ruffle.

"We hope to see you soon."

Then he was off.