Okay so this is my first fan fic for the anime/manga series "Naruto". I know it's very short but the chapters will get longer and more interesting further down the road. Please give this a chance! I'd be very greatful! Now on with the story.../

Red Ribbon Promise

Chapter 1

Before it All Happened

By: BlowxUpxYourxVideo

Ren ran past the koi pond moving her dark red hair from her eyes and continued onto the bridge. It was her old friend Itachi's thirteenth birthday and she wanted to see him and bring him something nice. Ren quickly ran into town and was then stopped by Sasuke Uchiha, Itachi's younger brother.

"You still can't find a good gift for my big brother right?" The young boy asked with a bored look on his face.

"Umm….Well…" Ren clearly did not satisfy Sasuke.

"Come on Ren." Sasuke sighed gesturing for her to follow him. She walked along with Sasuke through the village curious as to where he was leading her. Then she suddenly realized they were approaching the Uchiha buildings. She stopped and turned to stare at Sasuke in confusion.

"Sasuke, I've still got to get Itachi a gift. I can't just show up without anything." Sasuke then gave her a glare.

"Ren, Itachi has had his gift for years now…." The young boy waited to see if she was catching on now.

Itachi sat on a seat near the big window in his room reading a scroll. He had kind of a hard time concentrating on what he was reading though because he was too anxious to see Ren. Itachi had no idea why, but when Ren was around he felt, well, kind of good. He loved to look at her warm innocent smile whenever she saw him or met his eyes. Ren's magic never seemed to wear off on him. Even when Ren and Itachi were only little children he got the same feeling from her warm smile. Then Itachi clenched his fists in anger remembering how most of the Uchiha's looked down on Ren. And for what? Just because Itachi wasn't going for the girl they chose him to wed. That girl with the silky black hair and bright blue eyes. The only people who accepted Ren was Sasuke and Sasuke's and Itachi's mom. Itachi shook off the thoughts of anger towards the clan and tried to look forward to seeing Ren.

Ren gave Sasuke another confused look. Sasuke sighed and began to explain.

"Can't you see? And as corny and fake as this sounds, it's true. My brother, Itachi, has had everything he wanted since he met you." He gave Ren a little grin.

"What? Whoa….I never thought Itachi felt that way for me…Wait! How can you be so sure?" Ren asked with a little blush.

"Before Itachi met you and when he is away from you, he doesn't really laugh or smile at all. And not to mention the look in his eyes whenever he sees you. Oh! And all the art work he's tried to make of you in his drawing pad." Sasuke held back a laugh thinking of all of Itachi's failed attempts to create a perfect replica of Ren onto paper.

"Ah….I see what you mean now." Ren whispered while walking at a quick pace to Itachi's. She waved good-bye to Sasuke and slipped in between the trees that hid the path to Itachi's. Ren really trusted Itachi completely which angered her. What made her let her defenses down and allow her to get so attached to Itachi? Now she knew that Itachi had her fragile heart in the palm of his hands and could shatter it to little pieces at any moment. This worried her but when Ren finally opened the door to Itachi's, she felt relief come over herself when seeing his eyes glisten when he saw her. But even now Ren sensed something very cold and distant deep within Itachi. She shook the feeling off and made her way towards him. She sat down on the chair next to Itachi and began to feel very self-conscious when realizing that Itachi was staring at her with a grin. She felt her cheeks turn a bright pink. The two sat there for a moment in silence until Itachi grabbed her hand and slipped something on her ring finger. Ren held her hand up to her face and examined the little ring. The ring had a silver band with "Uchiha" engraved into it on the inside. On the ring sat a very deep red gem with a faint red glow coming from it that was barely noticeable. She looked up to Itachi with a questioning look in her emerald eyes.

"It's for you Ren."

"What?! But it's your birthday! You shouldn't give me things----I should give you things."

"Well, I want you to keep that for my birthday present." Itachi replied with a smirk.

"But why?" Ren whispered without realizing it. Itachi turned back to his scroll.

"I'll explain to you later." He said not looking up from his scroll but lifting his hand to play with a few strands of Ren's hair. Ren just lie down next to Itachi's arm in deep thought. Itachi smiled big and rested his hand lightly on Ren's head.