Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

Welcome to the world of Naruto Elseworlds, a look at Naruto's life in an alternate universe where even the smallest of changes have the greatest of consequences. Sasuke Uchiha once said he had spared Naruto's life at the Valley of the End "on a whim", leaving him and Konoha far behind. But what if he chooses to take Naruto with him to Sound? What would the consequences be for both Sasuke and Naruto? What plans does Sasuke have for his teammate and how will Naruto and the others react? What if Sasuke took Naruto with him to Sound, on a whim?

Naruto Elseworlds: On A Whim

Prologue

A pair of eyes gazed up at a full moon, a few wisps of pink hair dancing across her face under a gentle breeze, eyes pink and puffy from the tears that fell until her body was bled dry of them. She had spent the late hours of the night recalling the day, aware that she would probably be doing so for many more sleep deprived nights to come.

Flashback

She had confronted Sasuke, poured her heart out to him and in return she received a thank you and a chop to the neck. She remembered rushing to the gates to find Naruto, to beg him to bring Sasuke back. She saw the hurt in his eyes as he told her that she must really like Sasuke, only for it to blink away, hidden behind a smile and few boisterous words. It made her sick that her only thoughts were for Sasuke to return, knowing that if he did, it would only crush Naruto's heart. A small part of her feared that Naruto might just let Sasuke go so he would have a chance to win her heart. The very idea a thought like that could ever cross her mind made her throw up. Washing her mouth out in the sink, she looked into the mirror, only to turn away in disgust.

"You don't deserve his love," she bitterly thought.

She had arrived at the hospital lobby later that day to find Shikamaru, Temari and Shikamaru's father talking with Tsunade who had a smile on her face as she spoke with the three. It seemed that Choji was stable and he would make a full recovery. Shizune burst out of the operating room, informing that Neji Hyuga was stable and that the surgery was a success.

"It seems like they ran into some serious trouble if those two were in such bad shape," Sakura thought nervously, "I wonder if the others are in the same condition."

Tsunade was about to say something to Shikamaru when Kakashi arrived.

"Lady Tsunade," Kakashi said bowing, "I'm here to report."

"What's happened Kakashi," Tsunade asked hesitantly.

"I am sorry to report that Sasuke Uchiha has escaped and is unable to be tracked at this time," Kakashi said lowering his eye.

"Kakashi," Tsunade said a small feeling of dread welling inside her, "where is Naruto?"

"Naruto…Naruto is missing and we have been…unable to find him," Kakashi solemnly said.

A gasp was heard, Kakashi turning to see Sakura standing there shaking, mentally kicking himself for not noticing her sooner. He didn't want her to find out this way, not like this.

"Do…do you believe he is…," Tsunade began trying to maintain her composure.

"Lady Tsunade, perhaps here is not the best…"

"Answer the question jonin," Tsunade ordered angrily, Kakashi stole a glance at Sakura who seemed dazed before continuing.

"We did not find a body, but there were signs of a battle and blood," Kakashi explained keeping one eye on his remaining student, "I've brought back a sample so we can run a test to see if it's Naruto's or Sasuke's."

"Do you believe that Sasuke and Naruto ended up fighting one another," Tsunade asked lowering her head.

"Their scents were the only ones my tracker dogs could find in the area, whatever happened there happened between the two of them."

"I see," Tsunade said too calmly, "thank you Kakashi, I'll need a more in depth report from you later."

"Of course Lady Tsunade," Kakashi said bowing.

"Shikamaru Nara," Tsunade said turning to the young chunin, "you're mission will be listed as a failure. I will need a written report of what transpired on my desk by tomorrow."

Without waiting for a response, she turned and left, Shizune following wiping tears from her eyes. The hall was quiet as those present stood in a stunned silence. Shikamaru turned to see Sakura staring at nothing and visibly shaking. He went to her, placing a hand on her shoulder as he tried to console her.

"Sakura, I'm sorry this happened but I promise we'll try and look for…"

Shikamaru was cut off as a hand slapped him across the face sending him stumbling back.

"You're sorry? You're sorry! Is that all you have to say for yourself! Why did you let him go off alone! Why weren't you there?"

Sakura sent a punch flying at Shikamaru who deflected the blow and quickly wrapped Sakura in a tight embrace pinning her arms to her sides.

"Let me go! Don't touch me you piece of shit," Sakura screamed.

"Please…Sakura…I'm sorry," Shikamaru said choking.

Feeling the tears on her neck, anger gave way to grief as she emptied her soul into Shikamaru's shoulder.

"Sasuke…Naruto…oh god why," she wailed, those around her cursing such a god that would allow something like this to happen.

Flashback End

The chill of the air sent a shiver through her body as she sat on her roof looking at the night sky. She had lost both of her teammates today, one abandoning the village for power, the other falling at the hands of the boy she thought she loved. She had been weak and it was because of her weakness she had to rely on Naruto to bring Sasuke back. Now he was gone and the pillar she once relied on would never again be there to support her.

"Never again," Sakura said rising, "never again will those close to me die because of my weakness. I swear by pain of death," Sakura said raising a fist defiantly to the heavens, "I will become strong and bring Sasuke back myself. And he will pay for the pain he has caused in blood," Sakura whispered to the night.

Somewhere in the forest of Sound Country

The crackling of the fire was the only sound present in the forest as Sasuke Uchiha sat on a log staring into the flames. Despite his calm exterior, his mind was racing as the events of the day played over and over in his mind. He had left early that morning, only to be confronted by Sakura who had tried desperately to make him reconsider his plan to join Orochimaru.

She had pleaded, begged and cried for him to stay, going as far as to say she loved him and would do anything to make him happy. But happiness would not be in his future, not so long as Itachi roamed the earth unpunished, if the blood of his clan remained yet to be avenged. Still, he knew that she truly did mean what she said and it wasn't a ploy or some empty confession. But how could he love and settle down with her, with anyone if it meant pushing his clan's justice aside. She didn't understand how could she?

When her attempts failed she turned to the only one left, the one she felt could make him see the light as if he was blind to what he was doing. He was well aware of the risks and he knew that Orochimaru was hardly to be trusted. He would be the means to an end, but that in no way meant that Orochimaru was his master. Orochimaru wanted his body, so he knew that no harm would come to him, he would learn and when the time was right he would kill his new sensei. After all, Itachi had defeated the man years ago, so if he couldn't keep the snake from possessing him, there was no way he would be ready to defeat his brother. No, Orochimaru would be the final test to see if he was ready.

A slight shuffling caught Sasuke's attention as he glanced down to the bound and gagged prisoner at his side. He was unconscious and had been so since the end of their fight in the valley. It had been tiring lugging his dead weight through the woods, trying to keep a steady pace in order to elude any pursuit. The rain had probably washed away any scent trails, but he did not feel like risking detection and had traveled a good twenty miles from the valley before collapsing from exhaustion. Had it just been himself, he probably would have made it to the Sound base that he was told he would be meeting Orochimaru.

Rising, he walked over to his teammate and pulled back his jacket to inspect the wound on his shoulder. He had quickly placed a quick bandage over the wound made from his hand wrappings trying to stop the blood loss and to eliminate any trail it might leave behind when he first left the valley. He was amazed to see that wound had already closed and scabbed over, the raw pink and burnt flesh seeming to slowly begin to fade.

"How is that possible," Sasuke wondered as he took Naruto's pulse, which he found to be strong despite the boy's condition.

Convinced Naruto's life was not in any immediate danger; Sasuke settled back on the log and wondered why he had taken Naruto in the first place. At the time it seemed like a good idea, but for the life of him he couldn't remember why.

"I am not interested in you," Sasuke heard echo in his head. It was what his brother had said before he began to torture him. Whoever Itachi worked for wanted Naruto and wherever Naruto went, there was a good chance Itachi would come for him.

"Why would anyone want an idiot like you," Sasuke scoffed as Naruto's unconscious form shifted, "why are you so special?"

Knowing he would not be getting any sleep, Sasuke stared up at the moon through the trees. It was full and bright, a "hunter's moon" some might call it. A smirk crossed Sasuke's lips as he turned his attention back to Naruto.

"In order to entice his prey, a hunter must sometimes use bait," Sasuke thought, "for the bait will lead the prey right to him."

His mind began to formulate a plan as Sasuke sat in the quiet of the forest, the only sound, the crackling of the fire.

A hidden base somewhere near the Land of Lightning

Zetsu took his place on the stone finger, concentrating his chakra into a seal that sent a signal to their leader. A few moments later, the ghostly form of the chakra hologram shimmered into existence, the swirling rings of the leaders eyes bearing down on him.

"What do you have to report Zetsu," Pein asked looking down on his spy.

"The Kyubi container has been captured by Sasuke Uchiha and is currently being moved to Sound," his dark half explained.

"You remember," his lighter half chimed in, "that little bitty village Orochimaru founded."

"Do not mention that traitors name in my presence," Pein said sternly.

"I apologies but do you think he is aware of our plans? Killing the boy would certainly disrupt them," Zetsu reasoned.

"That snake is a fool who is after petty things such as personal power and jutsu. He would not pass up the opportunity to harness the boy's power for his own. He is safer locked away in Sound than doing missions for Konoha where he could be killed. We are not yet ready to move, but I will have Sasori have his spy keep a watchful eye over the boy. Who knows, perhaps he can be persuaded to offer his life to our cause like the six tail was so willing to do."

"Not very likely my lord," Zetsu's lighter half snickered, "kids got spunk."

"Indeed," Pein said dryly, "inform Sasori to contact his spy within the snake's ranks and see to it my orders are carried out."

The hologram faded leaving Zetsu alone with himself.

I know this wasn't a choice in my poll, but I had this idea rattling inside my head lately and decided to do it. I've seen a couple of fics where Naruto goes to Sound for one reason or another and thought this might be an interesting story to tackle. Hope this gets you guys interested so tell me what you think. I'll be jumping between this and my other story I guess whichever I get inspiration for first. Until next time, read and review people.