CHAPTER ONE
THE BEGINNING
"Something is wrong with Naruto." Sakura says. Kakashi looks up from his book to see Sakura has a very worried look on her face and is watching Naruto. Kakashi looks over at him and notices that the normal determined look is not present. Naruto's form has gotten better but the boy himself seems off. He resolves to talk to him later. To Sakura he says, "Not to worry he's been training really hard and is probably just exhausted." Sakura nods and returns to her meditation. Kakashi pretends to go back to his book, but is watching Naruto closely.(Naruto's thoughts) "I can't seem to master this stupid thing. He told me to focus on the form and not the actual jutsu. Well it's not working, damn it. Wish he would come back, I really want to see him again."
FLASHBACK
Naruto is at the training practicing the newest jutsu that appeared in his apartment last week. He has been having way too much trouble with it. Yelling out his frustration he kicks a nearby tree and drops to the ground to sulk. After a few minutes he senses another chakra getting close. Instantly alert he pulls out a kunai and prepares himself. "I mean you no harm Naruto, I just wanted to see how you are fairing with that forbidden jutsu I left for you." Naruto looks around for the source of the voice but can't find it. "Where are you show yourself." He says as he continues to look for the voice. "I cannot do that just yet, I don't think you are ready to know who I am yet." The voice says. "Why is that? Are you afraid I might recognize you? You have been helping me for almost five years that I know of. I think it's time you reveal yourself." Naruto says with a sigh. "Are you sure you want to know, because once you do you will have to make some very hard choices and a promise or two." The voice says. "Yes I do really want to know, what kind of choices and promises?" Naruto asks. After a minute of silence the voice says, "Once I reveal myself to you, you must promise two things. The first must be made before I reveal myself to you… You must promise not to be afraid of me." After a small pause the voice continues, "The second is you must promise not tell anyone at all of my presence here. Can you do that Naruto? Can you make those promises?" Naruto doesn't respond right away as he considered the terms. A few minutes of silence later Naruto puts away his kunai and nods saying, "Yeah I promise to do my best not to fear you and I promise to not to tell anyone about your being here." He squares his shoulders and prepares to meet his mysterious benefactor. A second later a tall man drops out of the tree in front of him. At first he thought his eyes were deceiving him, as he is now eye to eye with Uchiha Itachi. Naruto stood there in complete shock, not knowing how to respond. Itachi is looking into the shocked eyes of the only person other than his brother that means something to him. He can see that Naruto is doing his best to abide by his promise and it kills him to see the struggle on his face.
END FLASHBACK
The sun has almost set and Kakashi has already sent Sai and Sakura home for the night. He approaches Naruto and waits for him to notice. A few minutes later Naruto turns to face Kakashi, "I know the sun is almost gone Sensei, but I really need to work on this." Kakashi knows for sure now that there is something wrong with Naruto. "What is bothering you Naruto, you have been avoiding your teammates and I alot lately. You've been training alone more and more lately. Other than missions you avoid us all together and you seem utterly depressed." Kakashi say with concern. "I'm sorry Sensei, I have been in my own world lately, I have been questioning my life alot lately. I have been wanting to go off on my own for awhile now, but know I can't." Kakashi stares at the boy he watched grow up in utter shock. "Why haven't you said anything?" He asks growing more concerned. "Well after Sai was promoted to Anbu and Sakura started training under Lady Tsunade, I didn't want to cause anymore trouble for the team. So that's why I have been so distant, I've been left behind." He says as he looks down at his feet. Kakashi has no idea how to respond to that. He stares at Naruto as though he doesn't recognize him. "And you say you've been feeling like this for awhile now?" Kakashi asks. "Yeah I know I should have said something, but as you know as Kyuubi's vessel I am feared and hated so most people don't want me running around on my own." Naruto says still looking at his feet. "I don't know how to help you Naruto, but there might be something that Hokage-Sama can do. You should talk to her soon." Kakashi didn't miss the look of scepticism on the boy's face, but reserved comment. Naruto nodded and turned and went on his way. Kakashi watched the boy leave more concerned than ever. Sighing heavily Kakashi turns and heads off for parts unknown.
THREE HOUR TIME SKIP
It is now almost midnight and Naruto is sitting under what he has come to call his "Itachi" tree. He has been terribly depressed the past few days, he keeps finding himself missing Itachi. He is not sure what he is expecting Itachi to do for him but he wants his company nonetheless. As if summoned by his thoughts Itachi drops from his tree in front of Naruto. "Hello Naruto-kun, how have you been?" Naruto doesn't look up or answer right away and that bothered Itachi more than he cared to admit. Itachi moved closer and dropped to his knees in front of Naruto and puts his finger under his chin and gently lifts his face. "What is wrong?" He asks. "I don't want to be here any more, I want you to take me away from here." Naruto says blushing scarlet. Itachi was stunned into silence, that was not what he expected to hear. Choosing his words carefully, "You know that if you leave here, they will come after you, that will be a complicated set of affairs." He says releasing Naruto's chin. Naruto nods still red faced, "I know but that doesn't change how I feel. I told Kakashi-Sensei earlier that I have been questioning my life and what I want from it alot lately. I also told him that I've wanted to leave for awhile now, but what I didn't say was I've wanted to leave my whole life. I've tried to convince myself that I could stay here and learn to be happy but I realize now that isn't going to happen." Realizing he said way too much his face goes impossibly red and his gaze drops to his lap. Itachi who was quiet the whole time was struggling internally with himself. "Do I take him now or wait for the order? Maybe I can convince… No I can't save him… but I want…. Oh hell what is wrong with me… Get it together Uchiha…" Itachi leans forward and gently lifts his chin again,"Are you sure this is what you want, because it might be rocky for a bit after I take you. You have to be strong for a while with little help from me…" With tears streaming down his face he says,"Anything would be better than this so long as I know you are near…" Nodding Itachi says, "OK it will take me three days to set up your escape, but fear not I will take you away from here." Itachi says barely audibly.