Title: Covenant

Author:bubblytokki

Rating: PG-13

Special thanks to pyr00tje for beta-ing for me! :) and to tormz for being so critical with my work.

Disclaimers:I do not own Naruto or any of the characters in this story.

AU.

Pairings: Probably none. I find that pairings or focusing on them hinder my stories… so gomen nasai.

AN: First of all, I'd like to thank those of you who reviewed my story. They really mean a lot to me. I apologize for not updating in a very long time. I was bombarded with school work, the office, and applying for a second job to supplement my income. And as I write this, technically I'm supposed to be studying for my finals and preparing for the last speech of the semester. But, I missed the story and it was nagging at me to finish it. Soo… I'm back. I'll try to finish the last two chapters as soon as I can, because I left everyone with a nasty little cliffhanger that made a number of you wonder what will happen in this chapter. So… please enjoy and if you have any questions, I'll hopefully answer them in the AN at the bottom of this chapter. Thanks for reading!

Chapter 11 - Disillusioned

"Ah… I see that you have finally returned. What is the status of your report, Itachi?" A cool, seductive voice asked calmly.

Itachi's face was unreadable as he answered, "Everything is going according to plan. He will follow me blindly."

There was a soft chink of ice settling in the wineglass as the other person smirked. Itachi was a reliable boy. The young genius was resourceful and accelerated what would normally take five years into one. "Bring him to me. After all, we do not wish for him to die in the battle now… after all the trouble you went through to retrieve him."

He narrowed his eyes in speculation as Itachi's eyes softened before answering. "It was not that much trouble at all. He is an eager pupil. I was able to accomplish much because he was emotionally needy due to the ill treatment he received from the village."

The boy had obviously become Itachi's weakness. He quietly contemplated weeding out the weakness before shrugging lightly. It seemed that even the icy Itachi was not immune to the desire to have companionship. It would be interesting to see this all played out.

"As long as he does not interfere with your assignments," he said finally after a moment of silence.

Itachi kneeled before him and bowed his head, "He will not, I will make sure of that."

Silence reigned in the small throne room as he gazed at Itachi's bowed head steadily. This humility from Itachi was a novel idea and he was bemused at the unspoken request to keep the boy alive. He let the silence drag on for a few minutes before he deigned to answer again, "Retrieve him. I wish to see this child who has softened you."

Itachi stiffened before looking up to him. Uncertainty flashed in Itachi's crimson eyes and had he not been superior vision, he would have missed it. Itachi's voice had a tiny inflection of hesitation as he complied, "Hai…"

"Do not let your emotions cloud your thoughts," he advised coolly as he leaned against the armrest of the extravagant throne. He furrowed his brow as he formulated more factors in his ambition. Itachi would take a while to return, so he would have to assign several missions to his accomplice… or more accurately, his subordinate to complete during his absence. "Your little brother is still alive isn't he?"

Indifference flashed in Itachi's eyes as he answered, "I have no use for that weakling."

He tone was amused as he continued, "I have heard he has awakened his Sharingan. Perhaps someday he will be a challenge?"

Itachi gracefully stood up as he replied scornfully, "The boy has more potential than my little brother. Sasuke is too pitiful to kill."

"Isn't it interesting to note that you are both of the same blood?" He questioned, his voice as smooth as honey, yet as sharp as a fine katana.

"The clan was a bitter disappointment. They were weak when I challenged them," Itachi stated factually. "My foolish little brother is the same."

"Then kill him nonetheless. End his pitiful existence."

"I will not," Itachi adamantly answered, his eyes flashing wildly in anger as he started at him.

"You are protecting him," came his discerning reply, the calm before a terrifying storm.

Itachi looked steadily at him before turning away. "Perhaps I am. He may be of use yet, although he is pitiful."

He noted that Itachi was agitated from the tightly clenched fists, carefully concealed in Itachi's overbearing cloak. "Then you will reveal yourself to him. Break his world… have the boy destroy your little brother's faith in people and his teammates. Have the boy kill one that your little brother considers precious. He will be an avenger and I want him mindless."

Itachi stilled in surprise. "Mindless? He is weak and will bend easily for strength and power. Why go to the extreme of having him kill a teammate?"

He sighed in mock exasperation as he leap smoothly to his feet to pace around Itachi, muscles coiled for action like a reclining panther. "It is more fun. Besides, a tool is better when he lacks emotions… right?"

"He will be consumed in hatred and then he will lose his sanity. A broken toy is so much more entertaining than a lively rebellious one… is that what it is…?"

He paused in front of Itachi, hands clasped to his back as he stared down at the younger man. "Betrayal is not possible when the mind is too turbulent. I am beginning to think I am too soft on you, Itachi." His voice was heavy with leashed menace before he winningly smiled at Itachi's unease. "I know you will not betray me Itachi… you have too much at stake after all. Including the boy…"

Itachi did not answer as he gazed warily at him.

"Tsk tsk… so tense. Relax, I need the boy alive and in control of the demon inside him to fulfill my plans. Retrieve the boy, show yourself to your little brother, and kill Orochimaru. He is a nuisance. That is all, you are dismissed," he said abruptly as turned back to lounge on his throne.

The water in the pool where the throne resided rippled softly as Itachi teleported out. Despondently, he gazed at his spiky blond headed reflection and his crystal blue eyes. His face looked young for his age and he sighed as he whispered to no one in particular, "It's been over thirteen years… I wonder if the boy can forgive me."

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Naruto yelled out harshly as he cut through another Sand shinobi. He had lost sight of his comrades a while ago, and for a brief moment, concern flickered in his eyes before bloodlust replaced it. Hesitation would mean death and he would not die until he saw Itachi again. His hair was caked in other people's blood and some of it ran down the sides of his face. His black cloak was in tatters and he was hungry, but there seemed to be a never-ending tide of enemy shinobi as he hastily sliced and dodged the enemy attacks.

After a few moments, silence reigned as he noticed that most of the invaders were dead. Bodies littered the arena and he shook his head to clear out the bloodlust. He could feel his skin sizzle as the shallow wounds healed itself and he sighed. None of the battles had been satisfying. All of his opponents had been weak and he lightly walked over bodies as he searched for his teammates, swallowing his disappointment.

"Oy!!" He yelled as he waved his hands when he spotted his pink-headed teammate. She looked up in surprise and brightened.

"Naruto! I'm glad that you're all right! Do you know any healing jutsus? Sasuke-kun is... hurt," her voice wavered as she managed to finish her sentence. She gestured toward the body that she was kneeling next to... it was an unconscious Sasuke.

"How bad is it?" Naruto asked quietly as he kneeled down to absently check Sasuke's injuries.

"I don't know. I saw him fall and I was so scared!" she sobbed as she clung to Naruto's torn clothing. Naruto gently patted her on the head as he searched for the source of his other teammate's injuries.

"Hmm..." he felt for Sasuke's pulse and was a little relieved to find it steady. There were no other visible wounds. "His vitals weren't hit... so he should be allright. He probably exhausted his chakra."

"Is there anything we can do to wake him up?" she queried plaintively, worry clouding her eyes as she spoke into his cloak.

Naruto gamely nodded and gathered chakra in his palm and then pushed it into Sasuke's chest. Sasuke's body trembled a little before dark eyes opened blearily.

"Where...?" Sasuke asked in a raspy voice as struggled to sit up.

"Che... you fell asleep," Naruto scolded as he pulled Sasuke up to his feet. "You should be more careful with chakra control, some straggler may kill you."

"Shut up!" His other teammate growled in response, pulling away his hand harshly.

"So ungrateful."

"You... I will kill you someday!" Sasuke declared hotly before stumbling in weakness.

"Sasuke-kun! Naruto-kun please stop! You shouldn't be fighting one another!" Sakura yelled as she stepped in between them. "Please... all of us almost died..."

"Hmph," Sasuke responded as he coolly turned his head to look elsewhere.

Naruto smiled and turned to walk away. "I need to find Kakashi-sensei for more missions. Talk to you guys later!"

He dashed away before he paused when he heard his name.

"Naruto."

It was a soft, enticing whisper of someone he desired to protect. His eyes darted wildly around, searching for the source. Itachi was here. Which meant that the mission was over, and then maybe, the two of them would travel around the world again. Where they wouldn't be tied to one village or a people. He jogged lightly around the perimeter, using his chakra finding senses to find Itachi. He saw the outline of a familiar black cloak billowing gracefully in the teasing wind standing behind a tree on the edge of the arena. He broke into a sprint, laughing without restraint as he dashed to find Itachi.

"Itachi-nii chan!" Naruto declared joyfully when his eyes verified that it was indeed Itachi.

Itachi tousled his head before pulling his hand away. His eyes were distant and a bit... resentful Naruto frowned, something had gone wrong. But what?

"Where is Sasuke?"

He was confused, but responded automatically. "He's over there with Sakura."

"Let's go."

He hesitated before asking, "Itachi-nii chan... what's going on?"

"Naruto, we have a mission you may not like..." Itachi said softly as he pulled Naruto's head closer and whispered the remaining of the mission. His eyes widened in surprise and shock. This one would be difficult... especially since he had become so attached.

He gazed steadily into Itachi's eyes before slowly nodding his head. "You know that I am loyal to you and you only..."

He walked with Itachi as if they were marching to a funeral knoll rather than joyfully reuniting once again with his teammates. His footsteps were heavy and measured. One thing for certain was that his boring, albeit peaceful life in Konoha was over and his steps became harder to place as his cheerful teammate came into view... closer and closer.

Sakura grinned at him before her eyes questioned who Naruto was walking with. Sasuke froze in hatred and anger.

"Oy!" Naruto greeted again. "I'm back."

"Uchiha... Itachi..." Sasuke bit out in hatred as he stepped forward unwillingly.

Naruto's smile was feral as he stepped in front of Itachi. "You want to get to him, you have to go through me," he declared coldly, his tone chilly enough to freeze hot springs.

Sasuke's eyes widened before they narrowed in bitterness, his tone was incredulous and full of disbelief, "You're allied with Itachi?!"

"So what if I am?" Naruto answered nonchalantly, examining his fingertips before glancing at Sasuke.

"You bastard! He killed my clan... my parents! And you're with someone who is as vile as that?!" screamed Sasuke as his eyes turned red, pinwheels swirling angrily. "I really will kill you!!"

"So what? He's infinitely stronger than you will ever be, Sasuke-kun."

"Die!" Sasuke roared as he charged toward Naruto, chidori tweeting as the electricity danced wildly.

Naruto smirked in response before he grabbed Sasuke's wrist in a painful grip, moving faster than Sasuke's Sharingan could see. "Do you want to know something Sasuke? You were never a challenge. Not even close to being my rival... because Itachi chose me to train and not you... poor pitiful Sasuke..."

Sasuke's eyes widened in horror as Naruto continued to squeeze his wrist tighter. There was a painful snap as Naruto broke Sasuke's wrists and he pulled back, watching as Sasuke curled up in agony.

"Sakura-chan... gomen," Naruto said kindly as he moved in front of her, too quick for her to realize that he moved at all.

"Naruto-kun... wha...?" she asked, trembling in fear, this was a side she never really saw up close before.

"Sayonara."

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AN: Okie… I know that was a bit weird and ambiguous. For those of who guessed who the mysterious person is… good for you! J There are two more chapters after this one, and I hope that people will continue reading on until they're finished, which will be soon, that I promise you! For those of you who wanted pairings…sorry, but I'm not really interested in Naruto pairings. I'd rather have them single and angsty… suffering in loneliness as their souls cry out for relief.

Ehehehehe.. maybe I'm a bit mean to them.. ;;;; Anyways… so there will be no pairings… another thing is that this story will probably end in tragedy.. so I understand if it may not appeal to a number of my readers. I apologize for that, but I will not change it, because I'm a sucker for sad endings. I think that is about it for the ANs for this chapter. Once again, thank you very much for reading, and if you like it.. or not.. please review!

Preview of next chapter:

Chapter 12 – Tension

Underneath the underneath. Pursuit, first meetings, uncertainty.

"Do you mean that all this time Itachi-nii chan, you lied to me?"

"He's your father… He never died."