Okay guys, this is my very first time writing a fanfic, so be nice.

I swear to you all that it will be a fantastic read! So subscribe and review, please! Oh, and if you choose to read this story, please read all of it. Otherwise, don't, okay?

When a mysterious woman, Kaiya, tracks down Sasuke and asks for his help, what will he do? Can he help her? What will Sasuke do when he realizes he is in love with this beautiful, sparkling emerald eyed girl? How will he cope when Kaiya's past demons arise from within her and threaten to tear them apart, and maybe even kill them both? Is Kaiya really worth it? Can he rescue her in time before her demons devour her soul and all Sasuke has come to know? Read to find out!

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any part of the Naruto series, although I do own Kaiya; she is of my own creation.

EPISODE 1 – CONFRONTATION:

"I don't like this…" Sakura whispered to Naruto. She cowered behind him a little, her hood shrouding her pale face and short pink hair.

Sakura and Naruto wore ankle-length, brown hooded capes to keep from being recognized by any unwanted passer-bys.

In front of them stood a small café that was basically situated in the middle of nowhere, shrouded by tall, green willow and sycamore trees just a few meters off a traveller's dirt path. The hot sun shone brilliantly through the tall forest that surrounded them. A soft breeze billowed gently at their capes as they hesitated.

I know that Sasuke's in there… Sakura thought to herself.

The pain yet again flooded back to her and tightened in her chest, along with all the heartbreaking memories that accompanied it. She had tried to keep it dormant until the day where it would all vanish from her forever, but this was impossible to do; how could a girl who had loved a boy with so much of her being just simply forget about him? He was the only boy she'd ever loved, and not even her passionate confession could sway him the night he left all those years ago.

She wishes she could rid herself of these terrible memories, the anger and the burning pain. He left her with nothing. Even the encounters since then have not been pleasant. Seeing him again since the night he had left had brought back the dormant memories and the forever present pain. She had tried to attack him that time in order to save Naruto, but she knew as well as anybody else that she did not possess the heart to do so.

Naruto glanced over his left shoulder at Sakura. He could not see her eyes, but he knew that Sakura was still dealing with the pain of Sasuke's departure. Seeing Sakura upset had hurt Naruto greatly; he had failed at saving his best friend and the boy Sakura loved.

But that was all in the past. Naruto took a deep breath and strode towards the café. Sakura followed close behind.

"Be strong, Sakura," Naruto whispered. But he was in no order to give this advice as he clearly needed it as much as Sakura.

Naruto slowly pushed open the woven door of the shack of a café. This place was small and hot; there were only four tables, with three chairs at each, a counter and a small kitchen around back. A weak fan turned slowly overhead, but didn't provide much cool air.

The sun shone through the tiny cracks in the walls; this whole place was made of chunks of woven straw. There was no flooring either, just dirt underneath their feet.

"Good afternoon!" the dirty, skinny woman at the counter said cheerfully.

Naruto ignored her and gazed around the café. Only four people were present; two men at a table, the woman at the counter, and a familiar, hooded figure seated at the table in the back corner drinking tea.

Sasuke.

Naruto pointed out the hooded tea drinker to Sakura. She nodded; she knew it was him too.

They slowly walked over to the table at the back and carefully sat down.

Even though Sasuke's clothes weren't visible due to the cape he wore, Naruto and Sakura could still tell it was him.

Sasuke hoped they couldn't. He pulled his hood even further over his eyes with his free hand and pretended to not notice his two former friends sit down in front of him.

He continued to sip his tea.

"I'm sorry," he muttered, "but I don't have any spare change for travellers, ask—"

"Cut the shit, Sasuke, you know it's us." Naruto grunted.

Sasuke stopped drinking, but did not lower his cup.

"I have no business with you kids anymore, so leave," Sasuke grunted back, and went back to sipping his tea.

"We have grown up just as much as you, mister big-shot, so cut the shit, got it?" Naruto growled, trying to keep his voice down.

Sakura quickly placed her hand on Naruto's to keep him focused. She immediately felt him relax a little and so removed her hand.

Sasuke continued to sip.

The fan overhead continued to creak and spin feebly.

"We need your help," Sakura muttered in a tiny voice, shifting uncomfortably in her spot. She was afraid to speak anymore words; the tension was so thick! Naruto and Sasuke could snap at the drop of a hat and kill each other in a matter of seconds, without breaking a sweat.

"Why?"

Sakura refused to speak anymore.

"We need your help for a mission," Naruto said bluntly. "And you're the only one—"

Sasuke stood up hastily, brushed himself off and headed toward the door, cutting Naruto midsentence.

Without warning, or knowing what she was doing, Sakura shot out her hand and clasped it tightly around Sasuke's. The familiar touch of his skin sent a shock of hope and pain up her arm and down her spine. His touch is just as she remembered it. He hesitated, but pulled away and headed for the door.

Naruto hastily headed after him, but Sakura did not follow right away. Sasuke angrily pushed open the door and walked out to the clearing out front of the shack, closely followed by Naruto.

"Wait!" Naruto called desperately.

Sasuke stood with his back to Naruto, prepared to make a quick escape.

"I'm sorry, Naruto," Sasuke said softly, and disappeared in a flash.

Naruto uttered an exasperated sigh and hung his head in defeat.

Why do they want me? Sasuke thought. His hair and robe fluttered sharply in the warm breeze as he leapt up and down from branch to branch. Why would they ask, of all people, for his help? It was peculiar because Sasuke thought he'd severed all ties with them long ago; hence they would cease trying to convince him to leave Orochimaru and come back to live at the village.

Maybe it's another trick; maybe they're giving it one last shot to try and bring me back! …Hn, it doesn't make any sense. There's gotta be a reason why they want me for a mission…

Sasuke was indeed baffled, but continued on his way back home to Orochimaru's laboratory.

"Ah, I was afraid this might happen," Lady Tsunade sighed, taking a sip of her much loved sake. She raised her left hand and rubbed her temple. The stress, and alcohol, had taken its toll. Naruto and Sakura sat in her office, tired and frustrated from the tracking, and the rejection. Sakura sat tensely in a chair in the far corner of the room, clasping her hands tightly in her lap, her expression also tense. Naruto was slumped in the chair beside her, his expression tired and frustrated.

"Is there anyone else who can undertake this mission?" Sakura questioned hopefully. Lady Tsunade shook her head.

"A fully qualified jonin could, but half are out on A-Rank missions, and the other half are guarding the village and training new recruits," she explained.

Naruto grunted. "What's so important about this stupid escort mission anyways?" he asked bitterly, slumping even lower in his chair.

Lady Tsunade flashed him a glare; she hated being questioned, especially for the missions she assigned. "The escortee is offering a substantial amount of money if we are to complete this mission. And as you all know, our village has lost some of its popularity lately, and therefore there is less money coming into the village than there is going out of the village; we need to complete this mission as soon as possible!"

Naruto just grunted. Lady Tsunade continued to rub her temples in frustration and exhaustion. It was tough running a village, let alone one that is going through an economic crisis.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door.

"Come in," Lady Tsunade groaned.

The door swung open confidently, and a girl, a young woman, strode into the Hokage's office. She was of average height, and was extremely beautiful. She had tanned skin and sparkling emerald eyes. She wore black shorts and a black long sleeved bare midriff top that flared out at the sleeves; black high heel ankle boots and a black facial mask, exactly like Kakashi's, that covered her face up to the bridge of her nose. She had long, black hair, fashioned in an half-up half-down style, her ponytail held up with a hairtie and two large hair needles. Her hair flowed gracefully behind her as she approached Lady Tsunade.

"Did your two genin track down my escort?"

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