Fox Quest

Prologue: Promise Me

I'm tired of this. All this hate. I didn't ask to be born. I didn't want any of this. These villagers treat me like I'm a nobody. Like my life matters any less than theirs.

I barely make it throughout the day because I know, my team is counting on my stupidity and determination.

I've saved so many lives during the Chūnin Exams, and people still hate me.

So I'm leaving.

Goodbye Ichiraku, Goodbye Sakura, Goodbye Sasuko, Goodbye what ever I could call my home, goodbye everything I have ever known.

I told no one of my leavings. I've just wanted to feel at home. My team did that for me.

Like I said, I have told no one of my leavings. But somehow, they knew I was gonna leave.

Sasuko. My squad mate I'm just glad Kakashi didn't come. Or he didn't care, like everyone else didn't.

"U-usaratonkachi.. please.. don't go." She said with tears forming in her eyes. "I have too..."

"No-no you don't. You have a team who cares for you. Friends who adore you. An Uchiha who loves you..."

My ears had to be deceiving me. "W-what?" I thought Sakura had manipulative tactics. Not Sasuko.

No. This couldn't be. Sasuko doesn't manipulate people. She takes what she wants by force.

"Please, Naruto.. if you go.. let me be with you..." She said as she pulled me into a hug. "I don't wanna lose you too!"

I let her sobb into my shirt. I put my arms around her. "You won't lose me.." She looked up at me. "W-what do you mean?" She sniffled.

"I'll be the one losing you. You and Sakura were the only ones who kept me from losing it. So it'll have to be me from keeping you guys from the same."

"I want you to come with me Sasuko. I really do. But you'll be considered a Missing Nin."

"So to prevent that from happening I need you to promise me something. Promise me you won't come after me."

Sasuko started to bawl again. I knew this was gonna hurt. it was gonna hurt like hell for her. It hurt me too.

If anything, the only person that I truly know wouldn't care, would be Sakura. It hurt, just not as much as it would knowing Sasuko was gonna hurt for ever. Especially if I never came back.

"Are you okay now?" I asked her. She nodded, but I knew she was lying. I wiped the tears from her eyes.

"Now, I need you to promise me. Please."

"Don't do anything stupid Usaratonkachi." She said while smiling and a tear flowing down her face.

That was the promise right there. "I won't."

"Goodbye, Teme."