It had been three years since he had left Konohagakure.

Three long years.

During those years, he had been training with Orochimaru, as creepy as the snake was.

Heck, sometimes Orochimaru really freaked him out.

It was…disturbing.

But he had to ignore that. He came here so he could gain enough power so he could kill Itachi.

Itachi…

He hated that name. Just mentioning it made his insides boil with anger. And the fact that they were brothers? Shameful.

He thought that he left everything behind, and he did, but that didn't seem the case.

For those three long years, Sakura and Naruto had been chasing him.

Enraged, he had tried to kill them several times. Why couldn't they just let him be?

Yet, Naruto and Sakura chased after him. No matter what he did, no matter what he tried, they kept coming back.

The guilt he was bearing struck him once again. They were trying to save him. Make him go back to Konoha.

As much as he wanted to, he couldn't do that. Not until he killed Itachi.

The last time he saw them was three years ago. But they had gotten so strong in those three years.

Sakura had the strength of Lady Tsunade, and Naruto?

Naruto was way stronger than he ever imagined him to be. How did he get so strong in only three years, while he was still trapped here because he wasn't strong enough?

Envy started to boil in the pits of his stomach, and it increased once he found out he bore the Kyuubi. Why did Naruto have so much power, and he didn't?

What did he have?

Nothing.

He was alone.

He abandoned everything.

So what was this pain in his chest? This miniscule ache that kept bugging him.

Was this…regret?

No, no! There was no time for regret. He had chosen this path. He wanted power!

Just kill them already! He mentally cried out. They needed to be removed. They were in the way.

He was an avenger. There was no room in his heart for friends or family. The only thing that was in his heart was hate.

Before he had to departure once again, he stole one last glance at the two.

Secretly, he thanked them for still caring.

(A/N: Sorry if this was one was a little short! I promise that the next chapter will showcase more SasuSaku. Thank you, and please remember to review!)