Previously: Angered by the passing of their friend, the Ninjas of the Village Hidden in the Leaves try to attack the Shaman, who duped them in the first place. Meanwhile, Cora told them that they're might be a way to save Sakura's soul... By going inside the Kuroryuukouseki itself!

With Naruto agreeing to the task, he enters the Black Dragon Crystal to save the soul of the girl he loves. Meanwhile, the Shaman, wanting to take back the jewel, is confronted by Konohamaru and Moegi...

Naruto: From Promises To Wishes

Chapter Nine: When If & What If

Opening his eyes, Naruto was surrounded by empty, dark space. He looked around in all directions to see if there was a speck of light anywhere near him. He found nothing. He started to think to himself afterwards. 'Am I really inside the Kuroryuukouseki?' he thought. 'Then there's nothing here! Nothing at all...Nothing!' Then, Naruto started to remember what Cora said...

"Whatever you may see, it's nothing more than an illusion..." That sentence echoed throughout his mind as Naruto tried to regain his composure. 'Calm down...' he thought again. 'Now is NOT the time to get rattled! I have to find Sakura's soul, before morning!' Steeling his resolve, Naruto began running through the deep, dark space. "Hang on, Sakura!" he then said, "I'm coming!"

Konohamaru stood tall as he ripped the sling from his right arm. "Well?" he then said, "Shall we get started?" "Even though I don't have any information on you," the Shaman said, "you're still no match for me! So, why don't you go home, little boy?" "I told you before, my name is Konohamaru Sarutobi, grandson of the Third Hokage. Not to mention, I'm Naruto Uzumaki's apprentice!"

"Is that right?" the Shaman said, "So, you're the descendant of that cripply old man! And, as for Naruto's apprentice, he's about to realize that he chose a failure!" "Why don't you save that talk after you have beaten me!?" Konohamaru shouted.

"I'm must admit," Kakashi replied, "Konohamaru is putting on a good act, but this won't last forever." "You're right," Shikamaru said, "I'm mean, he did well against one of Pain's incarnations, this is different!" "We need to do something soon!" Cora said, "If the Shaman tries to grab the Kuroryuukouseki at anytime, the portal will close! Naruto won't have anyway of getting out!" "It's okay," Moegi spoke, "I trust Konohamaru. Let him do what has to do..."

(Flashback)

[A few Days Ago]

An explosion came from the Training Grounds as Moegi observed Konohamaru's progress. "That's enough, Konohamaru!" Moegi shouted, "Any more and I'll have to call the Medical Ninja!" "Just..." Konohamaru said, "...one more!" Before he could say anything, he fell out on to the ground. Moegi, seeing this, quickly rushed his side trying to wake him up.

[Earlier Today]

Konohamaru was sitting on his bed with a frustrated look on his face. "Did you hear?" Moegi asked. "I heard," he said, getting more frustrated, "This can't be happening!" "I feel the same way, Konohamaru. Sakura was definitely like a big sister to us..."

Kononhamaru was about to shed tears. "I wonder if Naruto is feeling this pain too..." Seconds later, a Medical Ninja passed by the room. Moegi turned around and saw a few more pass by. She ran outside in the hall and grabbed one of them. "What's going on?" she asked. "The Hokage has assigned all Medical Ninja to be on standby for the next twenty-four hours," the Medical Ninja said, "He had some crazy idea about bringing Sakura Haruno back to life..."

Moegi was in disbelief after the Med-Nin ran to join the others. 'Bringing Sakura...back to life...' she thought. 'Is it what Naruto told us...Edo Tensei...' Worried, she ran back into the room. "Konohamaru, we got trouble...! Huh?" Moegi stopped when she saw Konohamaru remove the sling from his arm. "What are you doing? The doctor said to keep that sling on for another day!" "Moegi..." Konohamaru said, "Tape up my arm... The whole arm!" "Konohamaru..." "It's about time I do something to help out Naruto and Sakura..."

(End Flashback)

Konohamaru looked at his taped arm. "Kakashi-sensei," he then said, "No matter what, do not get involved."

Kakashi looked at Naruto's pupil, seriously. "Very well," he said, "Good luck, Konohamaru." The Shaman laughed as he said, "That makes things easier! Once I'm through with you, I can get the jewel with no problem." "That portal is staying open, whether you like it or not!" Konohamaru said, performing several handsigns, "As for you and me... Fire Style: Burning Ash!"

A cloud of black smoke came out of Konohamaru's mouth hitting the ground instantly, blocking the Shaman's sight. "I've got you now!" he shouted, grabbing the Shaman, rushing him to another area of the Training Grounds. "Come on!" Shikamaru exclaiming, running to follow him, "We need to make sure that he will be okay!" Everyone, except for Ino and Cora raced to find the young Ninja.

In a spacey area, Konohamaru and the Shaman broke apart from each other and began a stare down.

"Well," the Shaman said, "It's looks like you have been doing more than twiddling your thumbs after your fight with Pain." "I've done a lot more than what you can imagine," Konohamaru said, "So, if you're done talking..." Without finishing his sentence, he got into his fighting stance. The others got there seconds later. Continuing to laugh, the Shaman transformed back into Namahs. "Well, it looks like you got yourself an audience," he said, getting into a fighting stance as well, "You're overconfidence, aren't you?" "That word applies to you, too. Coming from a guy who uses another man's face as his own."

"This Namahs form that I have taken," Shaman/Namahs began, "is only one of the hundred souls that has been devoured by the Kuroryuukouseki. I have made a pact with the crystal, itself, to manifest the souls." "Well, I hope you enjoy that form. Because, you're not getting another soul!"

Shaman/Namahs rushed in as Konohamaru blocked both punches. However, a second one came out of nowhere, hitting him in the face knocking him back. "Another Konohamaru?" Tenten asked, "When did he perform a Shadow Clone?" The two Konohamaru lunged in to attack again, as Namahs was reeling. "Why you...!" he shouted performing a spin maneuver, attacking both of them. The two Konohamaru turned into clouds of smoke as a third appeared underneath him, kicking him in the back, sending him into the air. Namahs tried to recover as he saw another Konohamaru up in the air. "Earth Style: Ground Needle! (Doton: Daichi Hari!)" Sharp, jagged edges of earth rose and passed Namahs, rushing towards Konohamaru, who was performing handsigns as well. "Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu! (Katon: Hosenka no Jutsu!)"

Numerous, but small fireballs appeared hitting the Earth Style Jutsu, cancelling it out. Namahs was in shock as the young Sarutobi launched a heavy right punch, forcing him to the ground. He then reappeared in front of Namahs, who was wiping the blood off his face. "Amazing!" Chouji said, "Konohamaru is just amazing!" "I had my Byakugan on him the whole time!" Hinata said, "I didn't see him perform any Shadow Clones at all!" 'Incredible...' Shikamaru thought. 'I knew that he grew when he fought Pain, but I had no idea that he was this strong...' 'Looks like I owe that kid a rematch one day...' Temari thought.

"I don't understand it!" Shaman/Namahs said, "Your moves are so completely erratic! How are you able to do all of this!?" "It's thanks to all of the training Naruto has put me through all throughout the years!" Konohamaru answered, "I've always considered him a brother to me! You see, even if you manage to copy a person's abilities and personality, it's still doesn't compare to hard work!" Namahs started to get frustrated. "Helpless?" "What?!" "Now, imagine... All those souls, you talked about, you're using... Just imagine how they felt since you're using them as a host! As a matter of fact, how do you think Naruto felt when Sakura died and he couldn't do anything about it...?"

"You little brat!" Shaman/Namahs said. "Now," Konohamaru said, performing a handsign, "It's over! Shadow Clone Jutsu! (Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!)" Two replicas of the young Sarutobi appeared beside him as he continued to speak, "Now, allow me to introduce you... To my... Ultimate Rasengan...!"

Konohamaru started to create his Rasengan as Namahs started to created; however, he still has a frustrated look on his face. "Is that?" Kiba shouted. "It can't be...!" Kakashi said, "The Shaman is using Naruto's Rasenshuriken!" Flying up in the air, Namahs maniacally laughed, with the Rasenshuriken above him. "No matter how hard you improved...!" he said, "You're no match against the Rasenshuriken when it is at full power!" "Oh no!" Shikamaru exclaimed, "Kakashi, if that thing gets thrown..." "The damage would be catastrophic!" Kakashi answered.

"Don't worry," Moegi said, staring at Konohamaru, "Konohamaru won't let anything bad happen..." Still preparing, red shockwaves were coming from the Rasengan as the wind picked up. "What's that heat?" Chouji asked. "I don't know," Tenten said, "But the air, itself, is burning..." "I can barely keep my eyes open!" Kiba shouted. "Moegi!" Kakashi said, "What is going on?!" "This is...what Konohamaru said been perfecting!" Moegi answered, "He was trying to master this move for months now; Naruto and I are the first ones to witness this. This is Konohamaru's Ultimate Rasengan!"

Konohamaru used his left arm to hold his right arm as his Rasengan was completely dark red; the heat waves continued to spread across the area. "Fire Style: Super Heat Rasengan! (Katon: Chou Netsu Rasengan!)" he shouted. "What is that?!" Namahs said. One of the young Sarutobi's Shadow Clones grabbed the real one by his left arm as they both nodded. Full of steam, Konohamaru was sent flying into the air towards Namahs, who launched the Rasenshuriken. Both Rasengan collided, but Namahs was engulfed into the flames. Kiba rushed in, grabbed him, and covered him.

The Shaman/Namahs started screaming in pain as the Super Heat Rasengan exploded in midair. The explosion occurred three more times as the body, engulfed in flames, crashed to the ground. The flames died down afterwards. "Wow!" Kiba said, uncovering Konohamaru, "And here, I thought Naruto's techinque was nothing to sneeze at!" "Yeah," Konohamaru said, "It's still incomplete, but it was definitely enough." Then, he looked at he taped up arm; the flames, themselves, were burned. "Lucky for me, the tape held up!" 'Unbelievable!' Kakashi thought. 'An incomplete Super Heat Rasengan did that much damage... Just imagine the explosion if it was fully completed...'

A frail cough came out of the flames as Namahs, who was still on the ground, turned back into the Shaman. "I..*cough*...understand..." he said with a raspy voice, "...How could...have...beaten...arrgggh!" "I guess you never took chemistry..." Kiba said, "...But wind helps fire grow hotter!" "Even I don't need a Sharingan to know that you don't have much time to spare," Kakashi said, "You'll be dead momentarily..." The Shaman started to laugh again. "It doesn't matter now..." he said, "...Even if I'm gone, the Spirit of the Ancient Black Dragon... will devour both souls of Naruto Uzumaki and the girl... I have won..."

Before he could finish, the Shaman died the very moment his mask broke, reveal the old man's shriveled face.

[Somewhere Else]

A pair of eyes started to stir open.

"Sakura...Sakura...HEY, SAKURA!"

Sakura jumped awake as she looked up and saw Ino over her. "Ino?" she breathed. "Good Lord! That's the third time you dosed off during this mission!" Ino said. "Mission?" Sakura said, sitting up, "What mission?" "Is your brain somewhere else, forehead? We've been on this mission for three days now. The Akatsuki are at it again!" "The Akatsuki?"

Ino turn around and stared at a rock monolith. "One of them has been up there for quite sometime," she said, "Sasuke and the others should be here soon to scope out the place." 'Sasuke's here?' Sakura thought. She then stood up and started walking towards the monolith.

"Wait a minute!" Ino said, stopping her, "Where are you going? The others will be here...!" "Don't worry, I'll be alright!" Sakura said, "Just let me know when Sasuke and Naruto get here..."

As Sakura went inside, Ino questions herself. 'Naruto? Who is Naruto...?'

Several minutes passed as Sakura made it up the monolith, making sure that she moved quietly as possible. Hiding behind a rock, she got a glimpse of a person wearing an Akatsuki outfit. 'This doesn't make sense though...' she thought. 'I thought the Akatsuki were gone... Are their more running around?' Ready to attack, Sakura pulled out a kunai knife and came out of hiding.

"Whoever you are...!" she shouted, ready to attack, "Turn around so I can see you face!" Hearing her voice, the Akatsuki member turned around slowly. Showing his face, Sakura's eyes began to grow larger. The shock of seeing her enemy's face forced her to drop the kunai on the ground. "It can't be...!" she whispered, "Naruto...?"

The person wearing the Akatsuki outfit was definitely Naruto Uzumaki, except that his eyes were red instead of blue. "So," he said, "One of the lackeys of the Leaf Village decided to show up." "Naruto...?" Sakura asked in a frantic, "What are you doing with the Akatsuki?" "Don't speak my name so casually, girl!" Naruto said. The hatred of his voice alone was enough moved Sakura back a few steps. Clearly enough, this was not the same Naruto she knew growing up; the person she was looking at had NO positive emotion. Not even a smile crept up. Sakura was too scared to look him in the eyes.

"Sakura!" a voice said, "Ino told me that you were up here!" The person behind her finally showed and stared at Naruto with contempt. "Sasuke..." Sakura said, "...What are you doing here?" "So," Naruto said, "the problem child of the Uchiha Clan has finally shown up." "Looks like I got here just in time!" Sasuke said, "Naruto Uzumaki! You're under arrest for conspiracy in connection with the Third Hokage's murder!" "What?!" Sakura shouted. "Now, I finally got you!" Naruto just smirked and said, "Sasuke, we have been doing this song and dance for many years now! Everytime we fought, you have come any closer to defeating me. Why should today be anything different?"

"Damn you!" Sasuke said, getting angry as he tried to attack. "Sasuke, wait!" Sakura said, stopping him, "Don't do anything rash!" "Sakura, what are you doing?! He needs to be stopped!" "Just give me a minute! I want to talk to him..."

Turning back around, Sakura started to walk towards Naruto. Looking into his red, Kyuubi eyes, she feared upon what she might say, but didn't back down. "Naruto..." she said. "I told you not to speak my name so causally!" Naruto said, with venom in his voice, "Who are you, anyway?" "Naruto, you know me!" Sakura said, pleading with him, "Don't you recognize me?" Naruto didn't say a word. "It's me... Sakura Haruno."

Naruto's expression as a flash of remembrance went through his mind. "I KNOW OF NO SAKURA!" he shouted, nearly scaring Sakura as Sasuke poised himself, "Those bastards at the Leaf Village drove me out the very moment the Kyuubi was implanted into me! I have been wanting to get my vengeance ever since... The only thing that has kept me going, was a girl who smiled at him when I ran away..." Sakura smiled a little as she said, "Naruto, I was that girl..."

"You were?" Naruto asked. Seconds later, everything went totally red. Naruto's eyes turned downward as he saw Sasuke stab him with his sword; the entire blade impaled through instantly. Sakura gasped in horror as the sky, itself, started to crack. "Sasuke..." she breathed, "How could you...? Naruto..." Without realizing it, she let out an earth-shattering scream as everything around her cracked and disappeared.

Naruto, who heard the scream, turned around as it echoed throughout the darkness. "Sakura?" he spoke looking around, "Hang on, I'm coming!"

Before he could move a single step, something grabbed. "What the...?!" she said. Two intangible hands grabbed his shoulders. Spirits came from both sides and looked at him with demonic faces. "Ghosts!?" he shouted. Then hundreds more came out of nowhere. "Of course! These ghosts must be the Lost Souls, Cora was talking about! Looks like they want be to a lost cause, too!" Naruto looked down to see a ghost grabbing on to his stomach. "More like they want to steal Kurama from me!" he shouted, "Sorry, but I don't have time for this!"

In a rush, he transformed into Kurama Mode as the ghosts backed away. On one knee, Naruto looked at his hands. "Looks like Kurama's chakra can do some damage to these spirits," he said, "Good! Maybe they'll leave me alone until I can find Sakura!"

All of a sudden, a demonic, sinister laugh came from the vast darkness. "What the hell was that?!" Naruto said looking around.

A large, mysterious creature with white pupils came out of nowhere and looked at Sakura, whose soul was tied up in bondage, with her eyes closed. "How nice your despair truly is, Sakura Haruno..." the creature said, "Your soul will be a tasty morsel, once I devour it..." "Who are you?" Sakura asked. "You'll come to know me well... I am the Spirit of the Ancient Black Dragon, living in the Kuroryuukouseki for many centuries now."

Sakura opened her eyes slowly as their were no pupils in her green-colored eyes. "You're a dragon?" she spoke. "Yes..." the dragon answered, "And your dispair is quite refreshing. How did like my genjutsu that you were put under?" "Gen-Genjutsu?" "You have experienced what would happen, if your most treasure person, Naruto Uzumaki, was a member of the Akatsuki and he was killed. Although, the real Naruto is somewhere inside the Kuroryuukouseki, it still won't matter. Soon, the moon will be in the midnight alignment; your despair will be its peak... Then, your soul will be devoured by me... Making yourself nothing more than just a distant memory inside the crystal!"

As the Ancient Black Dragon laughed, Sakura's tears started to flow from her face. 'Naruto...is inside the Kuroryuukouseki...trying to save me...' she thought, closing her eyes. 'But, it doesn't matter now... Very soon, my soul will be gone. Naruto, I'm so sorry...'

Continuing to plow through various ghosts, Naruto raced through the darkness trying to find the source of that laugh. "Sakura!" he shouted, "Don't listen to that voice! No matter what, I'll save you! Just don't give in yet!"

"SAKURA!"

Despair is what is keeping her soul hostage... Helplessness is what is keeping him from reaching her... With midnight looming, can Naruto and Sakura find the way to save each other from the Ancient Black Dragon's grasp? Most importantly, can they get out before the dawn of the new morning...?

A/N: Next Chapter: The One True Wish is granted... Please Review!