Hello once again readers. It's been a long time. I haven't posted on this site in a couple of years, and I decided it was time for me to get back in the game. In my time away I've taken writing classes, gone to college, and done many other things to improve my writing abilities Think of it like the way Naruto went on a two year training trip, similarly I went on my own training trip. Now that the excuses have been taken care of enjoy the story.

Disclaimer: Naruto is the property of another person.

To say Naruto was annoyed would be stating the obvious. First Jiraiya dragged him on this stupid trip to find a woman. Then he promised to teach him a new technique that would put the Chidori to shame. But just like last time he ditched him for a woman.

Naruto grumbled to himself about perverted hermits as he entered the room they were staying at. Naruto kicked off his sandals and dropped his bag at the foot of the bed. He flopped onto the bed and sighed loudly. It was clear he wasn't going to be learning any new techniques today so he resigned himself to practice molding his chakra.

"Alright this is the town. They should be here. I'll have to check every store in order to find them," Sasuke said to himself.

Sasuke dashed from store to store in search of his blond teammate. If he found Naruto, then Itachi would surely be nearby. He didn't know why his brother would want Naruto, but at the moment he didn't care. This was the moment he had waited for. This was why he had fostered his hatred; why he had trained to grow strong.

"Damn it, where the hell is Naruto?" Sasuke shouted angrily as he ran to the next store.

Naruto was interrupted from his practice by a knock.

"Did he get rejected already?" Naruto asked himself with slight amusement.

Naruto hopped off the bed and slipped on his sandals. He grabbed the keys to unlock the door. Another knock sounded.

"I'm coming. I'm coming," Naruto said slipping the key into the lock.

Naruto turned the key and opened the door to reveal a man in a black cloak with red clouds on it and red eyes to match.

"Sasuke? No, but he has the Sharingan just like Sasuke. Who is this guy?" Naruto wondered.

"Naruto, you're coming with us," the man stated.

It wasn't a request. It was a command. Naruto found himself complying out of fear. The man shut the door behind Naruto.

"To think that this brat has the Kyuubi sealed inside of him," another man said.

Naruto stepped back out of fear. The other man wore the same cloak as his partner. A large sword was strapped to his back and his skin was a strange blue color giving him the semblance of a shark.

"But it would be annoying if he tried to run away. Maybe I should cut off one of his legs. What do you think Itachi?"

The man identified as Itachi said nothing, as if he was contemplating whether or not he should let his partner cut off Naruto's leg. The shark man grinned at Itachi's silence and pulled his bandaged sword off his back. Naruto audibly gasped. He tried to run but he found himself frozen in fear.

"No, we wouldn't want his blood leaving a trail. I'll take care of it," Itachi finally said.

Naruto turned to face Itachi. That was a mistake. The moment he met Itachi's eyes, he felt himself grow heavy and fell forward, blacking out before he hit the ground.

"Come Kisame. Jiraiya will be here soon. Grab the boy and let's go," Itachi said before vanishing from the hallway.

Kisame picked Naruto up and tossed him over his shoulder before following suit.

A moment later Sasuke came rushing down the hall before stopping in front of the room he knew belonged to Naruto. The Uchiha threw the door open revealing an empty room. Sasuke's eyes widened. He was too late.

It didn't matter who it was, Itachi kept taking his important people from him. Overcome with emotion Sasuke threw back his head and shouted at the agony of losing someone else. His Sharingan inadvertently activated revealing two tomoes, soon followed by a newly formed third tomoe appeared.

"My Sharingan. I can feel it growing stronger."

At that moment he felt a presence behind him. Sasuke whirled around to see a tired looking Jiraiya.

"Jiraiya? What happened? Where were you? They took Naruto? We have to go after them," Sasuke said.

"You sure ask a lot of questions," Jiraiya chuckled lightly despite the situation. "I was tricked. Itachi slipped me a drug that's inhibiting my chakra control. If we go after them now, we'll surely die. It'll take a couple of days for this drug to get out of my system."

"Two days?! By then Naruto will be dead," Sasuke said in frustration.

"No he won't. They need him for something. I don't know what it is, but I do know they need him alive for it," Jiraiya said.

"What makes Naruto so special? Why is my brother after him?" Sasuke asked.

Jiraiya gazed at the Uchiha carefully. Naruto's Jinchuuriki status was an S-class secret. Even so it was certain that that was the reason for Akatsuki going after him. But this was Naruto's teammate, his involvement was a given, especially since a member of Akatsuki was also his brother.

"Itachi is a part of an organization called Akatsuki. It's comprised entirely of S-class criminals. They want Naruto for what he carries," Jiraiya revealed.

Sasuke said nothing. Jiraiya was surprised. Sasuke seemed to be taking the information quite well. Finally Sasuke responded.

"It's the Kyuubi isn't it. It's sealed in Naruto. Isn't it?"

"Very perceptive. I believe the Akatsuki wants to harness the power of the Kyuubi for their own purposes. When did you find out about the Kyuubi?" Jiraiya asked.

"I never knew for sure, I began to suspect in the Chuunin exams. When we were attacked by Orochimaru, Naruto went berserk. He attacked with strength and speed that was greater than anything I had seen from him. His eyes had turned red and he had a seal on his stomach that Orochimaru sealed over. After the exam I did a little research. The Kyuubi died on the day Naruto was born. It seemed a little coincidental to me," Sasuke explained.

Jiraiya strode over to the bed and laid down.

"What are you doing?" Sasuke questioned.

"With this drug I won't be at full strength for at least two days. While I get my strength back, we'll go track down the new Hokage. Then with her we'll go after Itachi. So you better rest up kid, we have a long day tomorrow," Jiraiya answered.

"You think I'll just go with you?" Sasuke retorted slightly irritated at his assumption.

"You will if you want to find Naruto," Jiraiya said.

The toad sage shut his eyes signaling the ending of the conversation. Sasuke grit his teeth frustrated that he was powerless to do anything. Despite his anger, eventually it gave way to reason. Blinded by his hatred for his brother, he had overlooked the fact that he wasn't strong enough to kill his brother. He had come a long way from the scared boy he was when Itachi murdered his clan but he still had longer to go before he could face Itachi in a one on one fight.

"You better not die Naruto," Sasuke thought.

This chapter was fairly short but considering it was introductory it couldn't be helped. I did take the liberty of changing a few things, which you likely noticed, but that's how it goes in fanfiction. Anyways, leave a review telling me your opinion, and if you like the story favorite it and follow.

Also, I will finish all of my other stories in due time, but this one will likely take precedence.