There is only one happiness in life - to love and to be loved."
George Sand
1804-1876, French Novelist
Authors Note: Thanks to Hinami-chan for proofreading all the chapters! So this is the re-write version of The Promise with the help of my new Beta we furnished this first chapter for you guys! Hope you all like this one compare to my first attempt to re-write this story with the help of my former Beta before.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, it belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. The plot line through is based on Katorse (Fourteen) a Filipino Drama Series
Beta: Akahane-Scarlet Feather
CHAPTER ONE
HOME COMING
"Naruto-chan, let's play!" The nine year old Sasuke pulled her along.
"Okay let's go!" The cheerful seven year old Naruto agreed, letting her friend drag her to their playground at the Uchiha Farm. The Uchiha's were the richest family in the country, having multi-million dollar businesses and commercial establishments all over the country. They were all famous, especially Sasuke's older brother Itachi. Itachi was considered the golden boy of the family, leaving Sasuke as the underdog.
"And I pronounce you as man and wife! You may kiss the bride." The other kid chortled while playing the priest at the wedding ceremony. Little Sasuke kissed Naruto on her cheek lightly.
Naruto giggled lightly. "Ooooh! I had enough! I want Naruto to be my wife too!" The 11 year old Itachi whined. Sasuke turned to give a look at his brother, glaring. "No way, Naruto-chan is mine so go and get your own wife!" Sasuke shouted.
"That is so unfair!" Itachi exclaimed.
"Sasuke-kun...Itachi-kun…Please d-don't argue!" Naruto stuttered while removing her made up veil. Itachi smiled at Naruto, making Sasuke fume in jealousy.
"Don't worry Naruto-chan, my little brother here is just jealous." he said, teasing his otouto.
"I'm not jealous!" Sasuke protested.
"Yeah, sure Otouto, sure…" Itachi said with smirk.
"Itachi-kun you're always teasing Sasuke-kun!" Sakura proclaimed loudly, clinging to Itachi's arm.
"Sakura-chan," Naruto mumbled under her breath.
Eight Years Later
"Naruto! Hurry up you'll be late for school!" Kushina yelled out towards the bathroom.
"Yes, mom, I'll be there!" Naruto shouted back, washing away the bubbles on her long, Blonde hair.
Kushina, Naruto's mother was the caretaker of the Uchiha Mansion, while the Uchiha's were out of the country for business overseas. She also started to control Naruto's studies since her father's death.
"Kaa-san I'm going now!" Naruto said before shutting the front door and running outside. Before going to school, Naruto's hobby was to visit the gazebo at the inner green fields. Doing this made her remember her childhood memories with Sasuke, and her other playmates. She gently touched the brick stones of the gazebo, where the four of them used to always play.
Flashback
"I promise you, Naruto-chan, I will come back and when I do...I will marry you," Sasuke said, putting the ring on her finger. The ring was not fancy or expensive; it was just a simple silver ring with no gems but for Naruto it was the most beautiful ring in the world.
"Sasuke-kun, promise me you'll come back!" she said with tears running slowly down her flushed cheeks.
Sasuke wiped the tears away gently while his other hand caressed hers with his thumb. "I promise Naruto I'll come back." Looking into his eyes, Naruto believed him, because she knew Sasuke always kept his promises.
Naruto smiled softly, remembering Sasuke's promise to her. Then she gently touched her ring, still on her finger after all these years. I'll always remember your promise to me Sasuke-kun. Naruto thought.
I'm still waiting for you.
The Next Day
Naruto's deep sapphire orbs looked up into the blue sky with glee. She stretched her arms fully into the air as she felt the soft breeze of wind brushing over her skin. She was so happy because of the news she had heard from her mother last night at dinner.
Finally, in almost 8 years, Sasuke was coming back with his family. She was excited to see her childhood friend, playmate and the love of her life. Uchiha Sasuke, the one who promised her that he would marry her when the time came. Naruto looked down at the ring on her finger and softly touched it. All these years she had held onto his promise. That was the sole reason why she rejected every boy in the village who attempted to court her. She rejected them all because her heart was already taken by the only man she desperately remembers in her past.
"Naruto! Hurry and help me here," Kushina called for her daughter. Naruto immediately stood up as she heard her mom's voice. After dusting off her clothes, she hurriedly went to mother's side to help her with the last minute tidying of the mansion.
"Mom, do you think Sasuke-kun and Itachi-kun will recognize me?" Naruto suddenly asked while washing the dishes at one of the many marble counters in the kitchen.
Kushina turned to look at her daughter with her eyebrows raised. "Maybe," she replied doubtfully, "But Naruto, eight years have passed and I'm sure that all three of you have changed somewhat from your childhood." She resumed thoroughly wiping off the water droplets from the plate she held in her hands.
I hope he can still remember me, as well as his promise to me. Sasuke-kun…
"Oh! Before I forget, Naruto…talk to the young masters with high manner. Even though you were once all friends, they are still your employers, understand?" Kushina reprimanded her daughter. Naruto nodded her consent; both her mother and she were just servants. And no one could ever change that fact.
Before sleeping, Naruto couldn't help but think of what would happen tomorrow. Tomorrow, she could finally see Sasuke.
She couldn't fall into a dreamless sleep because Sasuke was running around in her thoughts. Naruto couldn't help but to giggle and try to contain a squeal. She probably looked nuts to anyone who walked in on her, but she couldn't help it. Finally, after years she can see him again. Naruto hugged her pillow to her chest tightly, as she thought of what would happen when the two of them met. Eventually, she was able to drift away into a deep slumber.
When morning came, Naruto and her mother woke up early to prepare the welcoming feast for the Uchiha Family. Naruto couldn't help but have a smile on her face the entire time she was preparing the table, only minutes left until she could finally see Sasuke again! Less than a second later, they finally heard a horn from outside the doors.
"They're finally home! Come Naruto, let's welcome them," Kushina whispered excitedly to Naruto, who was frozen to the spot. This was the first time in years since she felt like this. What is happening to me…I can't move my legs or my hands! Naruto's hands were trembling.
Finally, she stiffly moved her two legs to open the door and peek outside. The first ones to hop out of the luxurious black car was the famous Hyuuga Couple. Uchiha Fugaku and Uchiha Mikoto. Both of them greeted her mom with warm smiles.
The second one was Itachi. God he became very handsome! He wore his shirt in a clean and sophisticated manner. Any girl, sane or not, would think that he was a complete refined gentleman, but when he sees Naruto he shoots her a warm, friendly smile.
The last person was the one she has waited to see the most. Naruto had waited for this moment to happen for years. It seemed like her world just started to move in slow motion when the man with raven hair and deep obsidian eyes left the car.
It's Sasuke!
He was wearing a black shirt, sleeveless so that the cloth exposed his broad shoulders. Silver dog tags hung from his neck to rest on his chest and he had chosen to wear a pair of blue faded jeans. A ruggedly handsome look. Sasuke smirks at Naruto when he caught her staring at him. Naruto could feel her heart beating so fast, faster than she could ever imagine. A blush began creeping onto her cheeks.
Naruto was brought back to reality when her mother called her to attention. "Naruto, help me in here!"
She quickly complied with her mother's command and hurriedly tried to help her to bring the luggage inside the house. However, Itachi beat her to the first faded brown suitcase.
"Itachi-kun…" she uttered softly. Itachi just smiled at her as he carried his own luggage away from her hands. "I never let girls hold my bags for me," he said, smiling at Naruto.
"No! I can't let you do that!" Naruto protested, attempting to take the bag from Itachi's hold. Much to her dismay, he raised the bag out of her reach. "Itachi-kun please! It's my duty to-"
"Na-ah Naruto-chan!" Itachi said while letting out a soft chuckle. Naruto glanced at her childhood friend with a big smile on her face.
"Stop flirting Itachi or else I'll tell Sakura," Sasuke said, breaking Itachi and Naruto's moment.
Itachi just looked at his little brother with an amused look on his face. "Why, is otouto jealous?" he teased.
"Why should I be?" Sasuke said with sarcasm in his voice, giving both of them a glare.
"It's because Naruto-chan is your wife, like old times," his brother replied, with his own signature smirk etched onto his face.
"Wife? Cut the crap." Sasuke put his hands inside his pockets and walked away, leaving Itachi and Naruto behind.
Naruto stared at Sasuke's retreating back.
Has he changed? Did he forget his promise to me after all of these years?
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