Hi! I'm back with a new story!!! I hope you guys like it!! I've had it one my mind for awhile and I thought it was time to write it down! This first chapter is basically Naruto centered, but there will be more Sakura and Sasuke in the future! Hopefully, the grammar isn't too bad, but I'm willing to bet there are mistakes all over the place! I need a beta!!! Enjoy!!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto!


THUMP

Naruto pushed off the branch with sickening force. He had been traveling for days and still, he had yet to reach his destination. His sharp blue eyes scanned the forest in which he was currently traveling. Many had told him that he was following a rabbit trail, but his ever present determination willed him to continue his current mission. Slowly, his focused eyes dulled and his body took over the repetitive motion of jumping from branch to branch. His mind flashed through memories of years past.

He was covered from head to foot in bandages. And even though the white linen securely covered the wounds that probably no longer existed, they could never cover the wounds so crudely etched in his heart. He had failed, as a friend and as a brother. Sasuke had left to quench his heart's dark desire for power. And he had been unable to stop him. Yes, he had indeed failed. He remembered the pleading look in Sakura's eyes as she begged him to bring Sasuke back. He had promised he would and he failed. Sakura would surely hate him.

A knock broke through his pity party and the girl of his thoughts came through the door. He expected to see anger and betrayal in her emerald eyes, but none seemed exist. He at least expected her to look sad and broken, but her confident strides suggested other wise. They had exchanged few words, most being his own blubbering about keeping his promise. But she had just smiled and said it was ok. She always smiled. A sweet beautiful smile that was able to light even the darkest of souls. But this time he could tell that sweet smile of hers was forced. More forced then he had ever seen it. And it hurt to think that behind that beautifully fake smile she was trying her hardest to pick up what was left of her heart.

And it was after that day that Sakura's beautiful smile became less beautiful. Because now he could see the lies that she hid behind, the fake mask that everyone seemed to believe in. And as time passed, nothing he did seemed to be able to stop the spark in her eyes from going out. When he was called away for training it broke his heart to say goodbye to her. He was no better then Sasuke, but instead of crying or looking the least bit sad, she just smiled and waved as he walked out the gates. And he knew then, that he would never forgive himself.

Over the course of training he had tried his hardest to keep in touch with Sakura, through letters and the like. He had to keep her believing that everything would be ok and their family would be back together soon. At first everything seemed to be going well, she had told him she was training under Tsunade and was getting stronger, but soon her replies took longer to reach him until they just stopped all together. He thought she might have gotten caught up in training and was too busy to write him, but little had he known he would be in for a horrible surprise. Weeks turned into month and months into years and still he received no reply came. The day finally came when it was time to head home. After two, long, vigorous years of training, he was finally headed back to the place he loved. Back to Sakura.

When he arrived, he was welcomed back by many old friends, all of which had grown and changed just like he had, but he saw not a glimpse of his pink haired konochi. When he asked, the happy looks on his friends' faces seemed to disappear. He was told to go speak with the Hokage and she would explain all that Naruto had missed.

Once he reached the place of his desires he practically yelled for Tsunade to tell him what was going on. Tsunade calmly looked at Naruto before letting her eyes drop back to her desk.

"Naruto, you have to understand that over time, people grow and change. Sakura grew greatly over the past two years, in fact, you would hardly recognize her, but Sakura's heart never quite got over losing Sasuke. Then when you left, Sakura broke apart. She came to me and begged for training and I gave it to her. With speed which I have never seen, Sakura grew stronger and stronger, until she learned all I had to teach. She could heal even the most fatal injures and make mountains crumble in her path, but still she seemed haunted. She trained all the time, so much so she hardly ate. After she ended up in the hospital from malnutrition, I banned her from training for a month. I've never seen her so angry before Naruto. Over the time I trained her she kept her emotions in check. Never let them show. I asked her why this was and she said that all her emotions ever did for her was get her into trouble, but when she got angry. Naruto..."

Tsunade locked eyes with him and the sadness in her eyes was enough to unnerve him.

"What…what happened after that?" His voice shook. All this time, Sakura was hurting and he wasn't even around to help her.

Tsunade's eyes darkened.

"…She left."

There. She said it. Now she had to ready herself for the out burst. Three…Two…One…

"What! No! Y-you're…you're lying! Sakura-chan, she…she wouldn't leave! She was always happy hear, sure she was sad, but why would she leave?!? WHY?!?"

Understandably, Naruto was not taking this well. And she still had yet to tell him the part that would surely break him.

"About two months after Sakura left, we found out that she was being swayed by an outside force, much like Sasuke had been. I had Jiraiya research farther into the matter; he found that it was not Orochimaru that was after Sakura, but something much worse-"

"And all this time you didn't think it important to tell me!?! You let me remain unaware that my only other team mate was missing?!? Do you even know where she is?!? Or are you gonna keep that from me too?!?"

"ENOUGH! Naruto, I understand you anger right now, but you have to understand that I wouldn't let Jiraiya tell you because if you knew you would have been out in grave danger! Sakura left of her own free will to join with the likes of criminals! She after something and I'm still not sure what it is, but you going after her by yourself would have cost you your very life! After months of searching we found out where Sakura was and I decided it was in your best interest to keep unaware until you returned! She-"

"Where?" This time it was cold and focused and surprisingly, calm. Naruto truly had grown up.

"Naruto…" She knew what she was about to say would tear him up inside, but he had a right to know. "Naruto, we found that Sakura has joined with one of the most feared organizations in all the countries…"

"Naruto, Sakura has joined with the Akatsuki."


Whew! That was crazy! I do know not all of it is exactly like the anime, but I had to twist a little to go with the story. Anyways, I'm in desperate need of a beta!!! Preferably someone who is good with grammar! I have a nasty habit of not re-reading and I'm in need of someone who is willing to fix my mistakes!

Also, which pairing? NaruSaku or SasuSaku? I think I'm gonna make it NaruSaku, but I'm not sure...You should tell me what you think!

Please review!! I need to know if I should keep this up!