The prison cell was quiet and plain. Four walls encased its prisoner, who slumped over in the middle of the cold floor. His dark eyes were dazed and unfocused on his bare feet and the specialized shackles around his wrists. They were plain, made of some kind of metal he assumed to be the same kunai were made of. However, the difference between his and any normal cellmates was: the black markings carved into his that were absent from anyone else's.

It had been six days; he counted, since anyone had come to bring anything besides his meals from the door on the wall behind him. Beside the plain, pale door was a window that could be seen out of both ways. The criminal facing his back to it only glanced at it once, when he had arrived, to see the faces of his friends turned enemies.

Their disappointed glances had barely fazed him. Barely. Only one face had stood out amongst the others, and it seemed the most saddened of all, as well as the most battered. The life had been drained from the ocean blue eyes of the person he'd long since attempted to forget. The one he'd tried to kill those years ago. The one he'd forcefully broken the bond with. The one person who, no matter the obstacles, persevered. The one who vowed to bring him home no matter what, and had succeeded. And the one person that smiled at him in the end; softly, deftly, sorrowfully… And in forgiveness.

It sickened him. The fact that no matter what he did, or what he said, that one person still pined for him. It was pathetic on so many different levels. And, he hated that the simple, childish smile, and vow to retrieve him, got his heart to beat every time from within the cold, dead insides of Uchiha Sasuke.

The door behind him opened. He assumed another ANBU black ops was coming in to retrieve his un-touched tray of shit made to keep some prisoners alive. The last remaining Uchiha was only half right.

Everyone who had entered had simply approached, did their job, and left. No words were exchanged. The occasional drop of the slop, instead of it being placed on the small table three feet in front of him out of disdain for the only living Uchiha. This time, however, the ANBU in charge of his not-to-be-eaten-meal stood behind him. Not moving or saying anything for several minutes.

Finally, the person spoke.

"Teme…" the voice whispered.

Suddenly, Sasuke's dark eyes widened in surprise. His senses became as astute as they could - considering the lack of nourishment. Now his eyes narrowed on the ground before him. His legs were lazily crossed, and his bound hands rested in fists on the ground between his thin, muscular, albeit, bruised and scratched, pale legs. As if he were an animal. Honestly, that's how majority of the villagers would see him, and probably already did. But… Why was he here?

Still, Sasuke remained silent, not moving an inch like he had with everyone else. Had that dobe made it this far? All the way to ANBU? It couldn't be. He was too loud and impatient for that particular level.

"Hey," the cerulean eyed shinobi verbally prodded as his foot gently met with the Uchiha's back. "At least look at me when I talk to you, Sasuke."

His name. From everyone else's lips, it sounded like poison. Coming from the blond ninja, it sounded like home. Home… What a funny thought. Sasuke no longer had a home. He'd given up his home for power, and where had it gotten him? In jail, without a family, and without a home.

'Itachi… You were such an idiot,' he inwardly mused, 'Naruto… You're just as bad as he was…'

Sasuke's attention was brought back to reality as the shinobi behind him spoke.

"I won't ask why you did it. I already know why," the blond jinchuriki stated from behind. The former Team 7 Uchiha shook his head inwardly.

'You'll never know why if you don't ask, Uzumaki Naruto…' He thought in the darkest recesses of his mind.

"But why… Why did you return? Why, after we gave you so many chances?" The fox growled a bit, letting his emotions slip out. Whether on purpose or not was undecided, though the snake user guessed it was the latter.

'And sometimes when you ask, Naruto, you still won't find the answer handed to you on a silver platter.'

The former member of Team 7, no, more importantly, Naruto's best friend, hadn't moved. It aggravated him to no end, not being able to see his face. Even if it were devoid of emotions, he wanted to see it. He needed to know if he had gone mad for coming back, or if he had a specific reason. Was Sasuke a spy for someone else? He was unnerved.

Once again, the blond growled. "Fine, don't answer me! But, you hurt a lot of people when you left! Now, coming back with no explanation!? See how well you fair on trial!" He hadn't meant it. He wanted Sasuke to be able to come back to the village, but it may or may not happen. Most likely the negative.

Naruto dropped his plate beside the Uchiha and stomped out. Dammit! They both shouted in their heads. As Naruto passed the window, Sasuke turned to catch sight of the Kyuubi Host. He took in every detail he could, from the rage gleaming in his always--usually always-- energetic and determined eyes. Like six days ago, it was not so. He seemed tired and paler than usual. But it could just have easily been his shitty window.

For now, the Uchiha would retire to sleep. He wondered if it were morning, noon or night, but figured it to be the beginning of the night, seeing as he was just barely drowsy.

As his body twisted back to its normal slouch, he noticed the food was not slop. It was decent, and a scroll had been placed on it. He decided not to touch it at all, and pulled a knee up to rest his forehead against as he thought something before forcing sleep onto himself. Naruto… I didn't come back for you to forgive me… I couldn't stand myself if you did. Naruto… Just… Let them kill me…

With that last thought in mind, Sasuke slipped into his usual nightmares, with some twists, including random ninja from the village. Or, perhaps they were not so random?

_________________________________________________________________________________

At the same time Naruto Uzumaki had entered the prison, the sun began to set, while the moon fought to replace in the darkening sky.

As the moon took it's rightful place in the night sky, it's luminous image reflected in a secluded lake in an oasis, surrounded by patches of green and shade from a few trees. The wind softened into nonexistence. The ripples on the water's surface also ceased. The sight was beautiful to say the least.

The lake held a haunting beauty that was alluring and mystic. It seemed as though it would come to life at any second. And as it had seemed, it also became.

Three ripples formed the corners of a triangle, all about four feet away from each other, and all moving in perfect unison. As the ripples spread out to touch one another, the center of each began to rise. They grew into human shapes and sizes, then froze over, only to be shattered.

There, standing in the center of the lake, were three cloaked figures. Two were about the same size and height-which was around 6 feet- while the last was about a head smaller than both. Their hoods covered their faces completely, and yet a long platinum ponytail protruded from the hoods of the two tallest members of the threesome.

They all looked at each other, nodded, then darted off to the North East; On to Sunagakure- The Village Hidden in the Sand.

The only feature that truly stood out was the shining metal that reflected the moonlight as they ran through the desert. Each of these metal plates were on a different location of their bodies, but they all held the same symbol- A full moon with only half colored in.

_________________________________________________________________________________

The number one knuckle head ninja had stomped out of his previous team mate's cell in anger, but it was short lived. He slowed to a sluggish walk and sighed in sorrow. The corridor he turned into was the last before he'd exit the building. The sooner, the better. He couldn't think of Sasuke the way he was now. No, he couldn't think of the Uchiha at all for now. It was too painful.

As the light of the next room reached his frail body, he cast his glance up, only to be met by the pink haired kounoichi's panting form. Great, all he needed was her shrill screaming and flying fists.

"Naruto, why didn't you tell me you were coming to see Sasuke?" she demanded, still panting heavily. She must have run there. It was a waste of time and breath because the blond shinobi wouldn't talk to anyone right now, much less her. Sasuke was the only one he wished to address at the moment, and since he couldn't, he would simply silence himself.

"Naruto, answer me!" the Haruno Kunoichi demanded once again as Naruto walked pass her, out of the building's front doors. "Naruto!" He just ignored her, a blank look still cursing his usually optimistic features.

"What's wrong with him?" Sakura mused to herself as she calmed herself and reached the guards of the recently installed holding chamber for prisoners of Konohagakure.

It wasn't too long until Naruto heard her frustrated scream. He turned near a tree and continued walking. Konoha just didn't seem like home now. It wasn't the same. He wasn't the same. He just couldn't go back the way everything was. He wouldn't. And so, he listened to the natural sounds of the forest, mixed with the shrill squealing of the vexed teenage fan girl.

_____________________________________________________________________

Dawn was now breaking over the mountains surrounding the desert. The sight of the sun peaking in over the tall inclines was a spectacular one to behold. Even the three figures had stopped to watch for a moment. They each raised an arm, took hold of their hoods, and freed themselves of it in order to watch properly.

The first was a man near six feet tall. His hair was long and blond, tied back into a tight, low ponytail, resting on his right shoulder. His eyes were icy blue, and full of a charismatic charm. His lips were quirked up into a cocky smirk that betrayed the gentle features of his eyes. His skin was just lightly tanned, but for the most part pale. He wore a long, brown cloak that now flew open from the wind, and revealed his lithe body structure. He was thin, but toned. His top was a black, sleeveless kimono with a gray collar and scarf. The was slightly open, revealing the center of his fine chest. His left arm was almost completely covered by white bandages, his hitai-ate was black and tied around his upper arm. The man's right hand held a similar bandage, but it stopped at his mid forearm. On each hand was a fingerless, black, leather glove. His pants were black and slightly baggy, with weapon pouches on either leg, and were tied at his knees. To top it all off were his black, open toed ninja sandals.

To his right was a girl, shorter than himself, with onyx hair in a similar ponytail that trailed down her back.. Her eyes were a deep shade of violet, and slightly covered by her bangs. Her cloak covered everything from her mid drift and up. Her hands rested at her sides though, revealing that she had black, fingerless gloves on, with small silver diamond-shaped plated on each knuckles and her left wrist was encased by a thick metal bracelet. Her waist held a purple hitai-ate similar to the same color as her eyes, and acted as a belt for her black shorts. Like her partner, a weapons pouch was strapped to both legs, with bandages beneath them, and black covered ninja shoes were on her feet. On the back of her leather shorts was a skirt that reached her mid-calves, made of the same fabric.

And last but not least, to the female's right, was a man almost identical to the first. He had the same height and stature, along with identical hair, eyes, and flesh. His kimono top however, had long sleeves that stopped near his mid-thighs, with a black base and white trim, similar to the other man's. His scarf was identical, but his pants were a bit longer, and also black. The looseness of it was for easier movement, as well as comfort. Like his companions, a weapons pouch was strapped to both legs. Bandages were securely wrapped around the remainder of his legs, and he opted for the same open-toed sandals as the other man. Like his comrades, his long blond hair was tied back into a ponytail at the nape of his neck and resting on his left shoulder.

By now, the sun had risen high enough into the sky that it lost it's value to them, so they'd begun their journey once more, their hoods once again draped over their faces. The destination had come in to sight, and they silently cheered in their minds. It hadn't been an excruciatingly hard or long journey, but the temperature did a 180 in under a minute, and these three were most accustomed to a cool and wet climate.

As they approached the front gates of Suna, a man in a green vest with most of his head covered approached them. He seemed to be a high ranking ninja, seeing as a whole horde of shinobi were laying low, ready to pounce if necessary.

The trio simply stated their business, not loud enough for the others to hear, and were escorted into the village by the man, whom they soon learned was named Baki. The other nin were very curious to know who these three intruders were, but it was obvious they'd have to wait.

The three travelers took in the sight of the village. The streets were so busy, the food smelled terrific, and the people didn't seem too bad. The stomach of the dark haired female began to grumble, resulting in the chuckles of her allies.

"Hey, hurry up now. If you want to see Kazekage-sama, you'd best move your feet," the man grumbled. Groaning, they followed, but not before the two males showed of their ability to make stupid faces in order to cause their short companion to laugh. Baki looked back at them and frowned. His expression was cross, his lips shut tightly.

"Perhaps he doesn't have anything nice to say?" the violet eyed female began. "Then he's not saying anything at all."

"Why yes, that could indeed be so, my little minx," her male companions replied in unison. They were obviously twins, but one of their voices was a bit lower pitched than the others. It held more of a seductive tone, laced with the experience of a fighter. The voice of the man with no sleeves held an even tone, although it was a bit more playful then his brother's. It was a bit higher, but not feminine, simply that of a maturing man.

Sighing, their guide shook his head. If this was what the new village had to offer, then the future of the shin obi villages was looking bleak.

As the foursome approached their destination to the center of the desert village, their eyes widened. The buildings and homes they'd passed were very well crafted, but the largest building was the center of it all. The Kazekage's office. A true artist would be able to appreciate this place, and the twins knew that their female companion's mind was running wild with thoughts of it. Her eyes darted everywhere, just taking it all in. It was obvious she intended to do something about these sights later.

They'd entered the building now, which simply looked like the interior of an office. It was disappointing to say the least. With such a gorgeous exterior, they expected the same, fabulous interior. But alas, they were sorely mistaken.

The man lead them to up a flight of stairs and toward a plain door that was marked "Kazekage" in kanji. He glanced at them once more and ordered them to wait in a gruff voice.

"So…" began the man with long sleeves.

"What are we to do?" finished his look-alike.

Frowning, the young woman brought her hand to her chin in a thoughtful manner. "Well… Like Buyoukage-sama said, we can inform the Kazekage of our goal, but no one else in this region. If we were to somehow leak information, intentionally or by secondhand, it might jeopardize the mission." She looked up at her team mates with a solemn expression, her hood still hiding most of her features. "The shinobi nations might very well be on peaceful terms, but there are those who would turn rogue for the just the wrong reasons."

"Agreed," they said in unison.

"The only problem is, the Kazekage may not trust us," the sultry voice of the long sleeved twin interjected.

"He has no reason not to trust us," his other half declared childishly.

She shook her head. "But he also has no reason too, either. I mean, wouldn't you be suspicious if another village that was said to be lost thousands of years ago, suddenly resurfaced, and not a year later, asked you for help?" she whispered.

"Yeah, but isn't our mission justified? I mean, it isn't even about us! It's for-"

"Akito, keep your voice down bro," the long sleeved brother covered his twin's mouth with one sleeve, his voice laced with concern. The man in his arms nodded and was released.

The door that the Jounin from before entered now opened, catching their attention from the middle of the office. A blond woman had opened it. Her short hair was put up into four pigtails, and her skin was tanned from the desert sun. They noticed that her teal eyes seemed suspicious and untrusting of them, but the trio didn't really worry about it. She motioned for them to enter, and they stalked in, one by one, ready to face the monster of a Kazekage they'd been informed of by a ninja who'd informed them of all that had been happening outside of their village's protective barrier for the last 16 years.

What they found behind the desk was not what they had pictured. The image they formed in their minds changed daily, but it always involved a large, hairy man, with facial hair and dark, stern eyes. The youth of the Kazekage had never passed the lips of their mole. No. He was possibly the youngest man ever to be announced the overseer of an entire civilization.

The Kazekage was in his mid to late teens. Like most kages, he was dressed in white robes, but with a hint of blue beneath it. His hair was short and the color of blood, and his eyes a light shade of sky blue. A perfect contrast. His pale skin was different from those of the villagers too. On his forehead was what appeared to be a red tattoo in the form of kanji, meaning love. He was like a porcelain doll: shiny, new, and perfect.

The three foreigners stopped before him, a light blush on each of their faces as different thoughts of the young and handsome Kazekage's raced through their individual minds. It was unimportant at the moment though, for the eyes of Suna's leader were on them. But of course, being the rambunctious ragtag team they were, something stupid had to slip out, right?

"You're the Kazekage?" Akito, the short sleeved twin suddenly asked? The teenager sitting behind the desk simply nodded.

"But your so young," the female commented, her hand resting on the opening of her cloak at her neck. The red head glanced at her expressionless.

"And so cute," the final member said. The eyes of the Suna shinobi turned to him, as if he were holding a grenade and had lit the fuse. "W-what?" He backed up to stand closer to his team. "You guys think he is too, right? It isn't just me?"

"Oh yeah," Akito answered confidently.

"Well yes, Kazekage-sama is quite attractive… To say the very least," she whispered the last part shyly.

The twins grinned at the light blush on her tan cheeks mischievously. She was, after all, their best friend, and totally single… Well… Sort of…

She shot them a glare as if to silence them and began walking up to stand before the Kazekage's desk. Her violet eyes now determined and focused. It surprised the other six shinobi how quickly she reverted to this form.

"Kazekage-sama, have you received the scroll that the Buyoukage sent?" she asked.

The three shinobi behind him were shocked. They were not informed of a scroll from the new village. The tallest, Baki they remembered, looked down to his seated leader in confusion.

"Gaara," the man they'd just noticed began in a low growl. He was dressed fully in black, with a hood that seemed catlike, and purple kabuki painting drawn intricately on his face. "Why didn't you inform us of a scroll from Tsukigakure?"

So the Kazekage's name is Gaara, then? They thought in unison.

"Kankuro, Temari, Baki," they snapped to attention. "Don't dwell on that. It is none of your concern." He now turned to face the three humorless faces before him. This wasn't a matter to be toyed with. "As for you three, what have you to say?"

They all glanced at each other, then at the three ninja standing over the redhead. Their mission was clear, they'd discussed it before. Now was no time to be intimidated.

"Kazekage-sama, like the scroll stated, we wish to discuss this matter privately," Akito stated.

"No way!" the man in black said in a rough voice. It seemed he was quite protective; a trait that only came with a bond. A trait that the foreign shinobi knew all to well.

"Please hear us out Kazekage-sama," Akito's brother pleaded.

"We have no reason to trust you. Why should I?" the Kazekage questioned with hard eyes and an even tone.

"W-well," Akito faltered.

"Because we want the same thing!" the violet eyed female said. Her voice was a little shaky, but it was simply a habit of hers.

"And what is that, exactly?" the Kazekage voiced everyone's question.

She stood tall now, her eyes fierce with determination. "To be able to protect: Our villages, the people we love- everything and everyone we cherish. We don't ask that you trust us, it's much too soon for that. But we do ask that you assist us in this one request. Our mission is vital to both our villages, as well as Konoha!" she exclaimed.

The twins gaze had traveled to her a long time ago. Their female companion was not one to speak up so suddenly. She was a silent fighter, who's actions usually spoke for herself. The dark hair that covered most of her eyes was pushed behind her ear so that she could stare down the crimson haired Kazekage. They noticed the other ninja had also gone rigid

Standing from his chair, the Kazekage never took his cerulean eyes away from her own violet ones. "Tell me," he began, crossing his arms across his chest. "Who are you three?"

The two males stepped up on either side of their young woman and fixed their eyes on the Kazekage as well.

"I am Akito. The oldest of the Ginhi Twins," the sleeveless blond answered first.

"And I am Akihiko. I am the younger of the Ginhi Twins," the long sleeved twin stated while flipping his cloak over his shoulders and crossing his arms as well.

Crossing her arms as well, the onyx haired female replied. "I am Shion. A kounoichi of the Tsukigakure: The village hidden in the moon. Currently a genin, and an ambassador, as well as a direct student of the Buyoukage."

"A genin?" the Kazekage questioned. She nodded in response and he in turn. "Baki, Temari, Kankuro…" they turned their eyes from Shion to their leader. "I want the three of you to wait outside."

"What?" Baki tensed and looked at the foreigners.

"B-but Gaara-" Kankuro began.

"Akito. Akihiko."

"Yes, Shion-chan?" they asked in unison as they wrapped their arms around her shoulders.

"You two should wait outside as well," she said, eyes never leaving the redhead.

"What?" Akito was shocked at the request.

"But why?" Akihiko questioned further.

"Simple," she said, turning to face her comrades with a small smile. "Because it's fair."

They were shocked to say the least, and responded in unison. "B-but Shion! He's the Kazekage! There's no telling what-"

"Don't worry," Shion soothed the brothers. "I'll be fine. Like you said, he is the Kazekage. I believe he'll hear me out on this matter. And besides," the violet eyed woman began pushing them to the door. "I have you two to protect me if I get in over my head.

The five shinobi who were ordered to leave now stood dumbfounded on the other side of the office door. They simply could not wrap their minds around this turn of events.

On the opposite side, Shion took a seat directly across of the young Kazekage.

"Your name was 'Shion,' was it not?" She nodded yes. "No surname?" She shook her head in response. "Then that's another thing we have in common. I am called 'Sabaku no Gaara.' You may call me Gaara. Now, if you wouldn't mind, elaborate."

"Hai, Gaara-sama." She liked the way his name fell smoothly from her lips. This man was not a monster, although his eyes and expression seemed some what cold. The more she took in of his expressions and reactions, the more confident she was in her suspicion. This man, a former bijuu, was not a monster. The only likeliness of a beast he held was the ferocious desire to protect his village and loved ones.

Sighing, she began her explanation…

_______________________

Okay, that's it. The first chapter of my Naruto story. It's set a couple years after Shippuden, when the original Naruto characters are about 18-19 years of age. So that would make Gaara 17, Naruto 18, and Neji them 19. Things have been settled, the ninja villages are at peace, and recently, a new village called Tsukigakure has arisen. More will be explained about that in later chapters, but it isn't that big of a secret, really.

I must say, this was an accomplishment for me. Never in my entire life, have I ever written anything in 10 pages! So Imma celebrate with a mud pie!

Anyways, are you wondering what their mission is? Well I know! Of course I know. And I gotta say, with these three characters, The Ginhi brothers, who I decided to name the Aki's/ Aki Bros, are my favorite characters. Don't ask why, cuz I won't tell you! Well, you could ask, but I'll probably only tell two people, and those people are Akito and Akihiko themselves!

Akito= Touya-Dono

Akihiko= SoubixLoveless

Love you guyz!!! And yes, yallz is blond!!! But pretty blonds!

Oh, right. So I promised three stories, right? Well the KH one will be out next. It won't take too long since I'm working on it now though, so I hope you read that when it comes out as well.