Summary: Fighting Sasuke, Naruto nearly dies. However, the Mangekyou Sharingan isn't the only thing that gets awakened.

I'm doing this story for the fun of it. I've read a lot of stories. This is an idea I got from reading those. You know the 'what if Naruto has a bloodline' stories. However, as I wrote I went off to the direction of 'what if he had no influence from the Kyuubi' direction. But, I got bored and went in the direction of 'what if the impossible happens, "Kyuubi's killed," and is replaced with a more powerful creature who even the "Lord of the Bijuus" fears.'

I don't know where I'm going in this story. Don't care about direction. Just writing.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Naruto: Choosing 'To Be My Companion'

Chapter 8: The Mission

We have all heard the saying, "With great power comes great responsibility."

(However one must realize that those that walk on the path of light are vulnerable to being blinded by this very light they seek and end up straying onto the path of darkness. For we are not meant to become the light but be guided by it. Neglect, Anger, Hurt, and Hatred are few of the many forms that makeup the darkness within us.)

The weary old man is slouched over the desk. His stamina has long since been depleted and he is near chakra exhaustion. He is a broken man. He, "The Professor," the Third Hokage, acclaimed to have the tools of knowledge to defeat any foe and if it doesn't exist he'll go out and be the first to find it has lost another battle to the never ending war against the horrible, malicious, and most dreaded thing ever to come into existence, "PAPERWORK!"

It is in this situation that Tokubetsu Jounin Anko Mitarashi and the newly instated anbu captain for 2 months Itachi Uchihia found themselves waiting to be briefed about their new mission.

The third lets out a deep breadth and pouts now refusing to let his eyes continue to roam over the depressing sight of all that paperwork.

Itachi grabs his attention with the clearing of the throat.

The Hokage turns and fines a stoic Uchihia and a smirking amused Mitarashi.

He throws an accusing glare at the two before stating, "You two have been selected to perform together on a special mission. This is an intelligence gathering mission. At the end of this mission you may find that there was either nothing to report and end up just wasting your time or may discover something crucial for the safety of this village. There will be a two month trial period in which you two will work together. If you find that all this was just some big red herring then consider this the completion of your B rank mission."

"B RANK!!!!!!!!!!" yells Anko. "I don't want some puny B Rank!"

Itachi remains silent narrowing his gaze, already convinced that this is just another weak mission like the one that he has been receiving lately to promote "Trust," "Teamwork," and "Leadership." 'God damn it, when am I ever going take the good ones?'

The Hokage continues, "As it stands this mission is ranked as a B class. Once the two of you submit your reports to me, directly, will I decide if it will be necessary on reevaluating the classification of this mission." He hands over to them each four folders. Three red folders filled to the point of explosion and a single white folder with only two sheets of paper in it. "The white folder contains the mission's specifics. And the red folders are information on someone indirectly associatted with the mission. Remember this, it is imperitive that no one other than ourselves know of this mission so excersice extreme caution. Also the leaf prouds itself in two things, possessing 'the WILL of FIRE' and the ability to 'look UNDERNEATH the UNDERNEATH.' It may be necessary for this mission to look even further beyond that. This mission may be the hardest you will ever come across. Dismissed."

The two Jounin disappear in a puff of smoke.

The Hokage turns to the picture of the Fourth Hokage and sighs, "I sincerely hope that in two months time this mission will be completed with nothing to report. I sincerely hope I did not make the mistake in putting the glory of the village as my prerogative and ended up unintentionally feeding the darkness within it. I sincerely hope not."

I know its short but I didn't feel like writing much. Also would like your responses on several things.

1) Is the mission as obvious to you as it is to me?

2) What do you think on how the Hokage is acting in regards to wishing to know the truth?

(Come on, I know some of you want to see him dealing with the anbu, but he's the Third. I don't see him taking that approach. That is something the Fourth might have done but not the Third.)

3) Do you like the idea of having Anko and Itachi work together on this particular mission? This is not a couple's question. More like a work partner question.