A Promise Fulfilled

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto!

Chapter One- Taking Leave

Early star lights glowed in the night eerily. It was like any other night, but something did not feel right. A blonde haired shinobi stood at the entrance of Konoha. Whiskers that looked like scratches on his face stretched across his cheeks. Azure eyes that once expressed joy looked saddened. Sasuke had left the village without even saying goodbye to him or Sakura. Of course, they would have stopped him.

He remembered the promise that he had told Sakura when she came up crying to him. He looked down in guilt, remembering he was not able to fulfill that promise. He gripped his hand in a fist in anger at himself. He had already tried to convince him, but he was not strong enough. Half of his teammates were close to death at the end of the mission, and some sustained injuries. Neji, Chouji, Shikamaru, and Kiba had risked their lives to try and bring him back, but they could not succeed.

"Well, I guess it's time to go." Naruto had said sadly.

It would be the last time he would see Konoha. He didn't even take the time to say goodbye to Sakura, because he did not want to worry her. He remembered she was taking lessons under Tsunade. He didn't take time to say goodbye to Kakashi either. He knew Kakashi would send an ANBU team after him to bring him back. He would find out soon enough.

He turned around to say goodbye to the village he hated, and respected.

"Goodbye, Sakura-chan." he said to the cold air.

He shivered; even his coat could not keep him warm. He shoved his hands in his pocket, trying to feel heat around them. He kept his head to his feet. He knew he had to hurry, before anyone caught him leaving. His legs beat in rhythm as he broke into a run. A dark voice all of a sudden interrupted in his head.

"So, you are finally, leaving are you, kit?" Naruto looked around, wildly wondering where the voice came from.

Naruto looked puzzled and the voice came back, "What about becoming Hokage, kit? Or that pink haired kunochi?"


Naruto just started to realize it was the Kyuubi speaking to him, but why would he choose now?

"What about them? I want to finish my promise to Sakura. I will bring Sasuke back for her. She said it would be the only favor she would ask of me, and I will not let her down." Naruto had said with determination in his voice, not even the Kyuubi could change his mind even if he wanted.

"Well then, if that is your choice, then where will you go?" the Kyuubi had pointed out bluntly to him. He really did not want to die over a stupid idea this boy had.

"…I don't know…" Naruto looked down, feeling dumber by the moment.

A man came into view wearing an ebony and crimson robe. Dark red eyes shone through the dark. Black bangs hung over his eyes. A smirk was plastered on his unemotional face, a face which would take a lifetime to gain.

"We meet again, Naruto. I have a proposition for you." Itachi had said to Naruto in a businesslike tone.

Naruto looked suspiciously at him. "What is it? Last time, you tried to kidnap me."

Itachi rolled his eyes. "I promise you that we will not 'kidnap' you, but I will tell you that we are inviting you to join the Akatsuki. We need someone, of your abilities. You are after my brother, correct? If you stay around long enough, I'm sure he will come after me. And all you have to do is wait and work for us. I'm giving you the bait; you just have to sit patiently and wait for him." He stated, continuing.

"He is connected to Orochimaru, correct? We have missions that require you to go there sometimes, and he is also bound to show up. Also, you are now a missing nin and you cannot and never will be able to go back to your previous life. If you do not join us, I'm sure a few of our members will kill you." Itachi smirked even more, watching Naruto's face turn into one of terror.

"So you really have no choice in this," Itachi pointed out to him.

Naruto clenched his jaw; he really did not have a choice in this, did he? He thought of how everyone would have thought of him if he joined, but he was also a missing nin now wasn't he, and wouldn't the Akatsuki kill him if he didn't join? Plus, this was the organization Sasuke's brother had joined, the one who had killed his whole family and left his brother clinging to life on hate and revenge. So what was his choice?

Naruto closed his eyes as dread overwhelmed him. "My answer is…"

Haha…I am so evil…I'm making a cliffhanger here on the first chapter to get you guys to review. xP If I can get five reviews, the fifth person gets a cookie! Tell me what you think of this, it's my first fanfiction under Naruto. I promise this one will be updated. Without You was unorganized and my first fanfic. I will leave it up so you can read it if you want. If you are interested in it, feel free to continue it, I do not mind. Just send me an email if you want. It's and tell me if you want to do Without You or not. My interest in Pokemon is gone, sorry guys. Next chapter will be in a few days or so, it may depend on how many reviews I get. –cough-