Disclaimer: Don't own Naruto.. man, I'd own you all if I did, you'd be my creepy army of darkness.

Warning: Spoilers for latest chapters, semi-OOC, partially AU, posted without beta reading

Production Time: Approx. 30-40 minutes ( Yeah, I don't put a whole lot of effort into my work )

Summary: Naruto lost to Kimimaro. After regrouping with the others, they returned to Konoha. Skip a week into the present, and Naruto receives a visit from the other Uchiha, for a different reason than one would think. No pairings unless I find them necessary, fun idea on my part.

Note: I'm not really planning on explaining how the fight with Kimimaro went, or how the Tayuya/Shikamaru and Sakon/Kiba fights went. I'm too lazy for that. Kiba's supposed to have new techniques, and Shikamaru's a real genius, which I am not.. so I won't write that those in. I may do so in flashbacks, but for now, assume the two nearly got their asses kicked but revealed amazing prowess in their battles and ended up winning, with enough strength to recover the rest of their team.

Also, I just happened by this site -- fanfiction.net -- and as I was browsing, I happened across a story titled Gone. It was NOT my intention to copy this story in the least, and I didn't bother to read it because of the summary. I just want it be known that this MY idea, and I don't care what you have to say. Read on, but if you flame, keep in mind the warnings I put up.

Chapter 1: The Visit

Uzumaki Naruto lay quietly in his bed, the failure of his mission still stinging freshly in his mind. Though everyone but him had succeeded in their matches, they were all gravely wounded, and even his abnormally high healing prowess didn't help all that much. Chouji and Neji were almost dead when they found them; they now rested in medical beds similar to his own. Shikamaru had sustained the least damage, followed by Kiba and then Naruto himself, though he was almost healed.

But despite having taken out the entire team of the Four Sound-nin, he couldn't shake the feeling of failure. They had failed in the original mission, and that was to return Uchiha Sasuke to Konoha and prevent Orochimaru from getting him. Now, he had him. Kimimaro had beaten him senseless, taken Sasuke's body, and crossed the border. Shikamaru had found him a day later, and reasoned they returned. Tsunade-baba was displeased when they told her everything that had happened, but that was to be expected.. she would send ANBU as soon as she was ready, and they would be led by none other than Kakashi-sensei himself.

Even then, something didn't feel right..

---

It was later that night that Naruto was awakened by an ominous presence. Sitting up in his bed and rubbing the sleep from his eyes, he barely noticed the alarmed clock next to him which read 3:34 A.M. At first he didn't notice the figure sitting in the single chair in this hospital room, but as his senses came back to him, he suddenly felt the presence of him.

That terrifying presence, that reminded him both of Orochimaru and Sasuke. Those eerie, red sharingan, that black cloak.. Uchiha Itachi was sitting in a chair, in his room... and he was.. asleep?

Naruto slid out of the bed in a painstakingly quiet manner, and moved slowly over to the silent form of the slayer of the Uchiha clan. He could have easily kidnapped him while he slept, yet instead he sat there, for no apparent reason, and napped. His fears coming to mind, as Naruto reached Itachi's still form, he suddenly put both hands out before him, his chakra molding visibly inbetween the hands.

'This is my best move.. while he's asleep, I can end it now! Even if this is Sasuke's revenge.. I won't get anoth--' His thoughts were cut off as Itachi's hand suddenly clamped down on his wrist, the formation of chakra suddenly halted and dispersed.

"What.. what do you want, huh?! You won't get me to go with you, there's no way you can stop me--!" He remembered his defeat from Kimimaro almost instantly, and regretted choking out those words.

"Uzumaki Naruto, urusai.. I am not here to take you.. If I wanted that, I would already have you.. This is about my brother."

The words hit Naruto, and boy did they hit him hard. He was speechless. Itachi was wondering about Sasuke?! Why would he care? Didn't Itachi know that Sasuke wanted nothing more than to kill his older brother? Those cold, red eyes.. they pierced his vision even in the darkness. He knew he was as good as dead if Itachi willed it.

Before Naruto could realize it, Itachi had moved from the chair before him and had stopped next to the small dresser that served as a night stand for Naruto. A gasp choked from his throat as he turned around. Naruto could almost clearly see Itachi's cold, emotionless face now, thanks to the light of the moon that filtered through the curtains. Those flaming red sharingan were clearly visible now.. it was horrible. He was paralyzed with fear. HIM. Uzumaki Naruto! Again! After a few miniscule moments, Itachi spoke again.

"I've left an address here for you.. meet me there tomorrow, even if they tell you not to leave the hospital. This is very important.. Orochimaru must not interfere with my brother any more. Do not tell anyone about this." And with that, he disappeared from the room, as quickly as he had moved just moments ago from the chair.

'Anou.. what just happened? Should I.. should I trust him?!' Naruto questioned himself, as he sat down where Itachi had previously been seated.

'Chikushou..'