Behind the Mask

Chapter 1

3rd person

Naruto walked into the Hokage's office, his hands on his head and a wide grin on his face ready to receive his first mission after three years of training with the Pervy Sage. There stood Sakura and Sai- she seemed to be scolding Sai for something he'd said while baa-chan sat at the her desk staring at them with an annoyed expression.

"If you continue to stare like that you'll get wrinkles, baa-chan" Naruto said as he laughed and Tsunade's eye twitched a bit. Even though he'd not seen his comrades for three years, his attitude and respect had not improved in anyway. He was still the same old Naruto, except he was a little taller now.

"Baka- Naruto!" Sakura said before hitting the back of his head. He winced and gave her a sorry look as he rubbed the spot. Before Sakura could start to scold him also Kakashi entered through the door, an orange book in his hand and light blush that showed at the edge of his mask.

"Sorry for coming late- there was a black cat on my way here" he said walking up next to Naruto and put his book away.

Tsunade sighed intertwining her fingers and leaned on them before she announced their mission.

"Your mission is the investigate a hideout thought to belong to Orochimaru." The air became still as an unusual silence settled over.

"Does that mean t-that..."Sakura stuttered. 

"Yes, it is likely that Uchiha Sasuke is there." Tsunade said with no emotion in her voice. The uncomfortable silence settled again but Kakashi broke it this time.

"We'll meet at the AN gate in an hour"

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NARUTO

After I got my things, I left home and made my way to the gate walking slowly as I had enough time to arrive, considering Kakashi-sensei would be late. It had been three  years since I'd last seen Sasuke. Even though he betrayed the leaf and left with Orochimaru, i still feel obligated to bring him back. Even though we fought most of the time we were together, I've always thought of him as....a friend.

 Yes, he was an entitled Uchiha brat who thought he could get whatever he wanted and that he was better than everyone, still I can't help but want to save him especially after I made a promise to Sakura-chan. I just wish that idiot would recognize his mistake and come back so we could help him. 

I was so lost in thought that I did't notice I had reached the gate. There waiting were Sakura-chan, Sai and... Kakashi-sensei. How did he manage to get here on time? I thought to myself.

"Ho-" before i could get a word out Kaskashi-sensei turned and started walking. 

"Our mission starts now"

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(At Hideout Location)

Kakashi-sensei had located the entrance to the hideout and got us inside without tripping any other the alarms. We walked around the halls together at first but when the corridor split into two paths , Kakashi-sensei decided it would be better to split up into two groups- Kakashi-sensei with Sakura-chan and Sai with me. So here we are walking and checking through he infinite number of doors. 

Behind most of the doors were rooms and the others seemed to be storage rooms with clothes, water and food rations. We both went through door by door until we were greeted by the door corridor splitting into two again. "I'll take the right" I nodded at Sai and watched as he took the right corridor and I walked through the left. 

Where are they. Naruto thought as he opened door after door only for them to reveal  empty rooms. He was starting to get annoyed when he opened up one of the rooms and caught a faint scent of soap. Slowly, he walked into the room with a kunai in one of his hand ready to strike. The room had a small lantern on a table in the corner as lighting. Next to it was a bed and at the back of the room was a door. Naruto walked slowly to the door and placed is ears on it. He could hear water falling and he assumed that whoever it was, was probably taking a bath. Just then the shower stops. Naruto could hear the person walking towards the door. Naruto stood ready, Kunai in hand and he waited until he heard the door handle twist.

The door opened and someone stepped out only to be met by a kunai to their throat. The steam from in the bathroom flowed out through the door so Naruto couldn't see who it was, but if someone was taking a leisurely bath in a hideout, they had to be working with Orochimaru.

"Your interrupting my alone time." the figure said and Naruto's eyes widened as he recognized the cold deep silky voice as the steam started to clear to reveal the face of his old 'friend' and rival, Uchiha Sasuke.

SASUKE

I watched as his eyes widened in shock and his hand holding the kunai twitched ever so slightly as if he was trying to choose between attacking me or convince me to come back to the leaf.

Tch. No wonder he's so weak if he cant even make quick decisions. I though as I folded my arms and  stood there in my towel as he contemplated what he was going to do. I couldn't help but notice how much he'd changed since I'd last seen him. He was taller than before but still shorter than me. His blond hair was tossed in such an imperfectly perfect way and his eyes- my thoughts were cut short as I turned to see someone standing by the door.

"Naruto, is this Sasuke?" the boy that was standing by the door asked. I noted he had pale skin, a black crop top and black anbu pants and his hair and eyes were dark. I scoffed.

"So you're my replacement?" The boy nodded before he smiled but I could tell that it was a fake one.

"I'm Sai the newest member of Team 7. So yes, I am your replacement" Well they sure did a good job of trying to replicate me. A smile tugged the corner of my lips. Even if they had tried to replace me, the shoes that I left to fill were just too big.

"Shut up, Teme" I froze. I felt a tug at my heart after hearing Naruto call this person, teme. I could feel my blood boiling. What was this sensation? How could he call anyone else what he used to call me, their special names for each other used for another. My heart sank as i came to the worst possible conclusion. Had he....

Moved on? 

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Heyy thanks for choosing this book to read<3

I am a student but will try my best to continue to update this story as often as possible:)

If you spot any mistakes just let me know and I'll fix them. And yes this is my first fanfic, though I have been thinking about writing this for a while....

I got inspiration to write this book from another author who didnt complete thier story, but instead of copying that im going to write this as an original

Anywayssss that's all for now have a good week;)

~Alex

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