A few weeks before I ran across a story that had Sakura drugging and then raping Sasuke before she turned herself in and went to jail. It was an okay story, but I though more could be done with it. I fell the author missed an opportunity to drive home the seriousness of Sakura's crime and I personally did not like that had a happy ending with her reconciling with her former teammates after her brief stint in jail. That just set something in my craw that wouldn't come lose.

*Rape is the perpetuation of an act of sexual intercourse with a person against his or her will and consent, whether his/her will is overcome by force or fear resulting from the threat of force, or by drugs administered without consent or when, because of mental deficiency s/he is incapable of giving consent or when s/he is below the arbitrary age of consent.

*Child abuse is a heinous crime. This trauma damages the developing psyche. There is nothing beautiful about pedophilia. If you are victim or suspect that another is harmed in this manner, contact the proper authorizes immediately. You are not just saving one life, you are saving hundreds other.

I am not bashing Sakura; I don't see the purpose for doing something so pointless. I am, however, using her as the main antagonist for this story. Her character will revert to the slavishly devoted obsessive girl who is relentless in her pursuit of Sasuke.

I do apologize to all Sakura fans for this portrayal of their favorite character.

I don't own Naruto, I am just a fan.

No Matter How You Look At It

It was a well know and widely accepted fact that Uchiha Sasuke was the most sought after bachelor in all of Konoha since he was eight years old. Women had gone out of their way, had done strange and unspeakable things to capture his attention with little to no regard for how this would affect this little boy all in the effort to be the next Lady Uchiha.

By the age of ten, Sasuke was afraid of women. He had learned not trust their smiling faces and avoided their tender caresses or their sweet expressions. Before his mother's death such sweetness had been welcomed by him and taken for granted since these were things a child became used to receiving from his maternal parent. Yet from the women in village their smiles, their touches, and sweet expressions had nothing to do with being a mother to the little Uchiha prince.

They would use soft words to lure the child into their homes, in the shadows they touched him in places they should not touch him and then tell him that it was okay when he said it felt bad, and that he should not tell anyone about these touches because they were secrets.

Itachi had told him long ago if it felt wrong and another wanted him to lie about it then Sasuke should tell him immediately. Only Itachi wasn't there, neither okasan nor Otosan were there to stop the bad things from happening from happening to him. In those two terrible years, Sasuke learn just how alone he was after he had gone to the Hokage.

The old man did not say anything to comfort the frightened child and Sasuke knew for a fact that he didn't do anything since he saw the same women still walking about the village with their soft smiles and gentle expressions. They were still there trying to lure him into their homes and into their clutches. What they had done to him was wrong and for them to do so without shame or reprisal was just another reason Sasuke would never trust a woman within his village.

Things did not change much as he grew older. The only thing that changed was that the girls in classes at the Academy stopped believing that boys were ugly and disgusting. And too many of them were looking at him much like the women of the village did and Sasuke found himself in a horrid position.

He didn't like the girls clamoring over him, interrupting him, or just touching him. He went to the teachers and complained about the harassment only to later hear the sarcastic comments about how he should relish the attention and live it up. Sasuke learned then just to keep his silence and to endure. He was counting down the years to his graduation and when would become a Chunin.

The Hokage and the Elders viewed this as something else. Young Sasuke had so many potential brides to choose from, all the clans were vying to have him and they fought bitterly to have him placed a squad with their daughters. There was a hint of amusement that followed these meeting even though the Lord Hokage found them somewhat vexing. He sought to stow all arguments by placing the boy a team with a girl from a rather common family along the orphaned son of the Yondaime Hokage.

All parties concerned were rather pleased with grouping. The girl-child was intelligent though a somewhat awkward, who was not especially pretty, nor was she a particularly skilled fighter. She was easily over looked since she did not hail from any of the Shinobi clans in fact the girl, Haruno Sakura, was the first of her family to enter the Shinobi Academy.

Sasuke was a lord of all intents and purposes. He would want to continue his line with a daughter from one of the more influential clans within the village. The Hokage doubted that Sasuke would look at the Haruno chit as anything more than a teammate and some day a boon companion, but never a potential mate. It had been same with his own students the Tsunade-hime of Shinju Clan. She never turned to either of teammates as potential lovers. She had instead chosen her only love from one of the noble clans within the village.

The Noble families did not marry beneath them, Sasuke was had been taught that by his clan, therefore Sandaime did not worry nor did the other clans about any attachment being formed by Sasuke for this unknown girl.

Pleased with themselves, the Council as always in their judgment failed to see beyond their own greed and desires. Like they failed to understand the two boys they placed in a cell with a broken Shinobi, they failed to recognize the desperation that was driving the Haruno family. All their hopes for social connections, wealth, and prestige had been forced on young Sakura's shoulders. Her marriage to Uchiha-sama that would move the Haruno Clan into the higher echelons of village society as her parent told her every day.

This would be so easily accomplished, the Harunos reasoned. They only saw what they wanted to see. They demanded that Sakura bring the boy home, to be show that she would a good wife and a proper lady. She was to be quite and demure when in his presence. She would always defer to Sasuke's will and opinions, as he was already her lord and husband. She had to believe that in order for Sasuke to accept that this was his destiny.

Only Sasuke never gave the girl on his team much thought. He rarely though of either of his teammates—except when the little idiot with shocking blue eyes would demand some sort of attention from him.

Uzumaki Naruto was a rather strange individual. He was loud, brash, madly ingenious, and talented as hell. Sasuke had been declared a prodigy since his first days at the Academy, but he knew he was not one, he was just incredibly smart, and it paid off that he had studied under his brother briefly. He was five years behind the genius of his clan, in talent and skill. He knew what a prodigy was and as far as he could tell the Uzumaki boy was one of the rarest in the select field of genius.

For Sasuke this was both a positive and a negative. Training along side Uzumaki accelerated his own learning rate and growth. He was determined to close that gap between he and his brother to one day be able to defeat that man he long felt that if he was chasing a phantom. Going so long without a proper challenge or a teacher beyond his own scrolls and the memories of his brother, Sasuke felt as he had become stagnate. Itachi was so far from him and Sasuke felt like he was just spinning in the wind.

By eight, Itachi had developed his Sharingan. Sasuke was thirteen when his pinwheel vision developed. Sasuke knew that it was because the forgotten little boy had been at his side. Naruto demanded attention and respect. He was a maelstrom in the midst of Sasuke's ordered life. He was a challenge that Sasuke looked forward to taking on each day.

They developed a bond through their fists and harsh words. Their easy camaraderie, silent communication, and the peace he found through Naruto's acceptance was all hard earned and that was why it hurt so damn much when for the first year that he was with Orochimaru.

He was alone, this time by his own choosing, but he was free of Konoha and his days were devoted to the Art of Death.

Orochimaru had an idea of how his new body would look, the level of strength physical he wanted, and the many skills he would possess in this new frame thus he drove Sasuke relentlessly and without mercy, training to boy's body to be at the peak physical perfection. In the three short years that Sasuke spent as Orochimaru's student were intense years of pure training and shinobi combat. Everyday was a battle, each moment was physical and mental hell that broke him and left him bleeding on the floor until he was strong enough to pull himself up and was able to fight back and step out of his brother's shadow. But Sasuke did not care for this was first time since the murder of his clan that Sasuke was free of the nightmares of that place. And when he had dispatched his despot of a master and survived his battle with his brother did he feel free of that accursed village. All of his shackles to Konoha and horrible things it represented fell from him…

He was going to burn it to the ground.

Of course, things did not turn out the way Sasuke though or how he had wanted then Uzumaki Naruto was the most unpredictable shinobi of all the hidden villages. Though he was loathed to admit it, Sasuke knew he never really stood a chance of escaping Naruto.

So he accepted his fate by laying down his sword and taking his friend's offered hand. His nightmares, his fear, his hatred, he saw them reflected in Naruto's stead gaze. However, there was also hope, courage, and wisdom along the solemn promise that Sasuke would never stand alone again.

They shared a past of being hurt, Naruto acknowledged this yet he could a future that offered them peace and acceptance through their friendship. With a carefree smile and the hold tighten on his hand Sasuke followed Naruto into a new future.

At seventeen, he was an assassin, a killer, an avenger, and a destroyer, but he was still a boy and still alone even with people around him. In Naruto he had a chance for redemption, hope, and maybe a chance to be happy again.

…just maybe…

II

He did not recognize the room he woke up in.

Sasuke stared at the cream coloured walls of foreign bedroom, for the moment ignoring the nasty headache pounding behind his eyes and the foul taste in his mouth as he stared at the cream coloured walls. The bedroom smelled strongly of perfume, a scent that he vaguely recognized but in his sluggish state, his mind was slow in recalling from where or from whom. The pale peach sheets and matching comforter was draped over his sweat covered body was sticking to him in the most unpleasant manner. The weave of the sheets and detergent were irritated his sensitive skin and the foreign, cloying scent of the perfume was making his headache worst.

Groaning weakly, Sasuke moved to rise from this strange bed. His only thoughts were of getting out there as quickly as he could and going home.

It was morning, meaning that he never made it home last night. Naruto was coming home today and he had to be there lest his lover became worried. Focused on that though, Sasuke eventually managed to roll out of the bed on his trembling legs. The world lurched violently when he finally managed to stand up causing his stomach to heave, but he fought back the rising tide of nausea to search for his clothes.

His trousers and shoes at the foot of the bed but he couldn't find his shirt or underwear. Damn it that was his favorite shirt, it was the colour of Naruto's eyes and he always wore it when he was missing him.

What had happened to him last night? He wondered; where the fuck was he?

He didn't know but that wasn't important now. Right now, he just wanted to get home. Hurriedly, Sasuke tugged on his trousers and slipped in feet into his shoes. He felt the familiar weight of his wallet and keys in his back pocket before going to the open window and slipping out. He had not been robbed at least, but he still did not know what had happened to him.

In his haste, Sasuke missed the sundress lay in a small puddle next to his clothes. He didn't care he just wanted to go home and go back to sleep in his and Naruto's bed. Everything else could wait until then.

Despite his condition Sasuke leapt out of the open bedroom window and land shakily on the overhanging porch below. Even halfway dead, Sasuke managed to return to Konoha before collapsing in Naruto's arms and he would return to him now. He was stumbling over the rooftop of the next apartment building when door to the strange bedroom creaked open. Had he stayed, Sasuke would have seen a small woman dressed his in missing clothing enter the room carrying a tray laden with a teapot, two porcelain cups, and traditional breakfast wearing a happy smile on her lovely face.

But he was gone. The only sign of him once being there was rumpled bedclothes on the left side of the bed.

"Sasuke-kun," Haruno Sakura sang out sweetly. "Darling, are you awake yet?" When she looked up all she saw was an empty bed.

A slight frown turned down her lips as she placed the tray on the unmade bed. She had wanted to present her future husband with his first breakfast in bed. Well, she was certain that she could coax him back into bed and maybe after a hearty breakfast he would like to resume their activities from last night.

A small tremble went down her spine at the though of Sasuke bedding her once more. He had been a practical beast so forceful and demanding as he claimed her body…The thought of the many bruises that decorated her elegant waist and inner tights made her body ache in anticipation.

She was somewhat miffed that Sasuke obviously had sexual experience. She had always imagined that they would lose their innocence to each other, and it would be a tender, romantic culmination of their confessed love. Oh well, the purity of their gentle affections would soon wash away the taint of whatever faceless women that dared to corrupt Sakura's beloved she was sure of it.

Maybe their second joining would be that sweetly passionate moment that she dreamed of since she became of aware of sexual relations between men and women. But if she was honest with herself, Sakura could admit that she would enjoy a repeat of last night untamed affair.

Smiling and blushing prettily at her own imaginations, Sakura practically danced her way to the other close door in the master suite. She knocked tentatively at the bathroom door before singing out Sasuke's name only to be met by silence. Concerned, Sakura opened the door thinking that maybe Sasuke had fallen or…and found the room empty.

Sasuke was gone.

But how? Why would her soon-to-be husband leave her after their passionate night together?

Had she done something wrong? Had she not pleased him? Did he not want her anymore?

Of course not, she scoffed at her silly fears. Last night had been perfect! Sasuke-kun would never leave her over something as trivial. He was mostly likely ashamed by his ungallant behavior in bedding his wife before their actual wedding night. Such traditional ideas were dear and quaint, something that was completely expected from her love since he was a true gentleman. Sasuke must have felt that she had been frightened or disgusted by his lack of control during their lovemaking. He had always treated her delicately and Sakura did appreciate his tender regard but the man would have to accept that she wasn't a delicate flower. She was strong and capable of protecting herself and would be strong enough to protect their children. She also accepted the fact that she would have to work to teach Sasuke-kun to relax around her as well as learn how to express himself in a positive and loving environment.

After making sure he understood that it was not considered polite to run out on his lover without a word or a kiss good-bye.

"Men!" She grumbled to herself as she stomped back into kitchen pour out cold breakfast. "Who needed them anyway?"

Even though she was disappointed with her first morning after with her beloved had turned out, Sakura could not fight the silly grin that graced her lips when she caught sight of herself in Sasuke's clothes. She grabbed the front his button down dress shirt and buried her nose in the sapphire cloth. It smelled of Sasuke's favorite cologne and him. Her eyes drifted close as she imagined what it would have been like to have Sasuke slowly peel the shirt off her body just before he threw on the bed…

Oh, she had best stop before her imagination overcame her sensibilities forcing her to restore to less than gentile manners to rid her body of this wild passion.

Oh, if only he was here with her now, it would have all be perfect. It would be perfect next time, she promised herself. It would be the fairy-tale come true and soon she would be in her loves arms once more. Sasuke would come back to her, he would. There was no way he could deny his feelings for her after the night they shared.

She just had to wait her husband returned until then like the proper Uchiha wife her mother had trained her to be. Sakura would wait for her husband to come home to her.

..sn..

Someone had drugged Sasuke.

Naruto had stopped screaming and crying and thankfully he did not hit him because Sasuke collapsed right as Naruto drew his fist back.

All thoughts of an infidelity fled when Sasuke started to have a seizure. He stopped being a broken-hearted lover going to a capable ANBU Captain in two seconds flat. A kunai was quickly shoved between Sasuke's clenched teeth and he was rolled on his side to prevent him from swallowing his own tongue. One handed, Naruto summoned a clone, he snapped off orders to call for an ambulance and to warn the Hokage of a possible security breach. Someone had gotten to Sasuke through nefarious means, most likely a kunochi due the overly flora scent that clung to Sasuke body and the width of the scratch marks on his back.

Shame and horror were warring for attention within him but Naruto firmly pushed feeling aside as he focused his attention on the dying man on the floor. Help arrived within a matter of minutes. Medic nins from the ANBU corps had come instead of the regular EMTs because of who the victim was. Sasuke was quickly stabilized enough for transport then they all vanished from the bedroom reappearing in the Konoha military hospital ER.

The Hokage was already there waiting for them along with a toxicologist and two members from the ANBU investigation unit. This was as bad as it could get. Someone had gotten into the village and took down an ANBU captain, but not just any captain, it was a Sannin.

Not since learning of both her former teammates deaths had the Godaime felt this type of terror. It was not that she had a great affection for the Uchiha brat, theirs was a peculiar kinship brought about by who they were. No Sannin went down easily and Uchiha proved that he, especially, was damn hard to kill.

The bounty on his head was substantial; sending him out into the field without his mask was asking Hunter nins to claim their prize. Tsunade invested a great deal in keeping this brat alive because of what he meant to village and most importantly, what he meant to Naruto.

Toxicology had a sample of his blood and was running a trace to come up with an antidote. The investigative unit had his trousers, swabs were taken, his sedated body was picked over, and his and Naruto's home combed through. Sasuke suffered another seizure and went into cardiac arrest once. Naruto was trying desperately not breakdown in the face of this crisis, but his guilt was eating him alive.

He had been away for the last two days meeting with their surrogate mother while Sasuke had been on a mission. Naruto went because Ayame was having a monthly check up and having a sonogram of the baby. The fetus was now in the second trimester and they learned the sex of the child.

Naruto's hand went to the snapshot of the sixteen week old fetus, a little boy the doctor had told him. He and Sasuke were having a son…

A sob tore from his chest as Naruto finally broke down. He was losing his family before they could become one. If he didn't have Sasuke then he was good dead. Their baby was going to be an orphan because Naruto just could not bear to live without…he couldn't…he…

Tsunade had Naruto sedated to end his panic attack. It pained her to see the powerful man brought low by his own terror but she understood his fear because she had been in his position before. His only family was lying on hospital bed fighting for his life and she would do all that was in her power to save Uchiha for Naruto's sake.

The little boy that resided in her heart deserved his happiness and she would make sure that he would forever have it.

..sn..

The toxicology report found a mixture of a common stimulant, psychedelics, and an empathogenic-estactogens in Uchiha's blood sample. Combined with the Sildenafil citrate that had also been found, it became rather obvious what the spy had wanted: The Sharingan.

The common names for the nasty cocktail stewing the Uchiha blood stream was methylenedioxymethamphetamine and Sildenafil citrate had been used to subdue the him and arouse him…the Hokage drew a deep breath as she was put aside the second report of the regarding the drugging, kidnapping, and rape of Uchiha Sasuke.

Tsunade knew the man's history both the official and unofficial versions. His psychological evaluation after his return to the village revealed more of her sensei's faults and level of neglect when it came to the orphaned children of the village than the horror of Naruto's own life. The treatment that Naruto had received had horrified her, but what Uchiha revealed shook her to her very core.

He had gone to Sandaime, Uchiha had gone to his teachers, people of authority for help only to be ignored and mocked by those who should have done something, anything, to protect a nine year old little boy from his abusers. As a child, Uchiha had been raped by an older woman. That coupled with the years he endured the sexual harassment from female students at academy as well as non-shinobi females within the village proper until the day he left Konoha lead to his deep mistrust and contempt of women.

Yet for the same crime to have had happened to him again sickened and infuriated Tsunade. and occurred during her reign, no less! This crime would not go unpunished. She would make an example of the foreign kunochi to send a message to all the other hidden villages: The shinobi of Konoha were not chattel, they were respected and cherished by their Kage, and she would do all in her power protect them.

It had taken years of intensive therapy and his relationship with Naruto to see Uchiha start to heal from the trauma he had endured throughout his adolescent. Tsunade feared that this attack could cause him to relapse or worst. Though she loathed the idea of having to put down on her best and most brilliant ANBU captains it would be only option if Uchiha were to go on a rampage.

A tired sigh escaped Tsunade's lips as she reached for the report from the Investigation Unit as she rose from her chair. It had been twenty hours since Uchiha had been brought in, more than enough time for the methylenedioxymethamphetamine to have worked its way out of his system. She now had to work on repairing his left ventricle and his eyes.

She wanted to curse and spit at the dumb bitch for giving him that foul mix. Psychedelics could do some nasty things to those with a kekki-genki and worst to genjustu practitioners. The psychiatric ward of the military prison held several genjustu masters that had dabbled in illicit substances or were just victims of Orochimaru's experiments. Long term usage had eventually led to them loosing themselves or becoming trapped in their illusions. Eventually their minds just broke leaving them forever lost in whatever reality they mindscapes created. Thankfully Uchiha never developed a taste for illicit substances, the man didn't even like to take aspirin for a headache and she doubted that he had ever been drunk a day in his life.

Their differing options regarding proper social drinking aside, Tsunade understood the man's contempt for mind altering substances. Uchiha disliked not having control over his body, his mind, or his life. He had been used, lied to, and manipulated so many times in his short life that were bound to leave lasting scars that not even Uchiha was aware of. Absently Tsunade made a note to contact Uchiha's therapist while directed her attention back to Uchiha's optical surgeries and the best way to save his eyes.

Several major blood vessels had burst in Uchiha's eyes thus causing damage to his retinas and the delicate chakra pathways that fed his kekki-genki. Reattaching his retinas as well as repairing those minuscule blood vessels and chakra pathways would require a level precision and steady hand of gifted surgeon, everything that she had been before age and the alcohol decided to play catch up with her body.

No matter, she had deemed earlier that this would be an excellent case for Sakura, since she had never performed such delicate surgery on someone with an optical kekki-genki. She knew her student would appreciate the challenge of the surgery.

As she made her way to secured fourth floor where Uchiha and Naruto still slept, Tsunade stopped by the nurses' station to have them page her apprentice.

Sakura had been off the day before and Tsunade did not think it was necessary to have her come in until Uchiha was stabilized enough to withstand the double surgeries. Also, she did not want to worry Sakura. She knew that Uchiha still had a special place within Sakura's affections after all these years. She also wanted Sakura to have a clear head and well rested body before stepping into the OR.

While she waited for the head nurse to end her telephone call with another doctor, Tsunade opened the file and began to scan the documents.

And the ground opened right beneath her feet.

Her hands shook slightly as she forced herself to re-read the first paragraph because her brain just refused to process the information it was receiving. There was no change in her demeanor to show what was in her hands had made her blood run cold. Yamanaka Inoki would never lie about a crime as serious as this.

Uchiha was a member of the Council, a highly decorated ANBU Captain, and soon to be sworn in as Chief of the Military Police Force. He also one of the wealthiest lords in the Fire County, a crime done on a person of his standing would have the public crying out for blood.

Tsunade had been so certain that Sakura had out-grown her childhood infatuation with the Uchiha. In the nine years since his return, Uchiha had not shown the slightest romantic attachments towards anyone. She thought Sakura had let go of her obsession.

He lived with Naruto! What had Sakura been thinking?

Sasuke had rejected her once before. You little fool; do you even know what you've done?

He was in love with Naruto. I can't protect you from this.

Oh, Naruto, this will devastate him. Through your constant rejection of him, Naruto still cared for you.

Sakura assaulted another Shinobi of Konohakagure with malice of forethought and malicious intent. You betrayed your oath, to your friends, your teachers, and me.

The Council will demand the death penalty. Sakura, I cannot save you.

Sakura became a traitor the moment she put this strange plan into action. It was because of Orochimaru that I gave Uchiha my vow.

She would not raise a hand to save her apprentice.

The Godaime Hokage hid her heartache well. Calmly, Tsunade requested that Dr. Mou prep for surgery in Operating Room One. Sakura was pushed to the back of her mind until after the surgery.

III

It had been two days since she and Sasuke were together. Two days and she was yet to see her love and she was worried.

She had gone to his home a few times only to find the place empty. She knew Naruto had returned because his knapsack was on chair in the main room, but when she asked around town, no one had seen either him or Sasuke.

She chose to give it another day before she went to the Hokage, but the feeling that something was amiss constantly gnawed on her nerves that she rushed to her master's office to demand that her lover be found.

When she arrived at the tower, she found the Hokage draped carelessly over one of her the sofas in the room staring out at Hokage Mountain. A pot of tea sat on the low square table between the sofas and an untouched cup of tea rested near the pot. Concerned by this strange mood that seemed to fill the air, she softly called out the other woman's name.

"Sit down, Sakura." Tsunade ordered. Absently she reached out for her tea before taking a slip. It was hot and very bitter, just what she needed to brace herself for this moment. Inoki had left not too long ago with the warrant for Sakura's arrest bearing her signature and seals. Signing that form was one of the hardest things she had done as Hokage, letting Inoki walk out of her office without saying a word a testament to her strength.

Tsunade sipped her tea.

"Why are you here, Sakura?" Tsunade eyes never left the view beyond her window.

Perched delicately on the edge of the opposite sofa in a pretty blue sundress with little red and white flowers, Sakura looked as fresh and as lovely as any young woman did in the prime of her beauty. Her odd coloured hair was pulled back a messy ponytail with a few wisps framing her delicate oval face. She was a stunning example of a classical exotic beauty with her green eyes and rose-blonde hair. Men of all walks of life fell over themselves when in her presence, eager peacocks showing their best feathers, ready to give her anything her heart desired. Sadly there was only man that Sakura wanted, the only one she ever deemed worthy of having her delicate little hand was Uchiha Sasuke.

She had set her cap for him and nothing had turned her away from him obviously.

As of yet, Tsunade did not know what fueled this sudden attack on Uchiha, other than desperation. Sakura was now twenty-six, unmarried with no prospects since she refused anyone who wasn't Uchiha. All of her female friends were married and were starting or have started their own families, Tsunade did not know. That was Ibiki's job to find out.

Sipping her tea, a memory of a young Sakura teased her mind. Sakura had dreamed of being a spring bride. Tsunade had agreed that the season would best suit her as a virginal bride with Naruto as the handsome groom. They would have been perfectly suited for each other in her mind.

Tsunade's hand trembled slightly when she realized that this would be Sakura's last spring.

This beautiful girl's days were numbered in hours now. At this precise moment Inoki and the forensic unit were at Sakura's apartment collecting the physical evidence that would be presented at her trial. If she were smart, Sakura would have gotten rid of any evidence of her crime. Without evidence all the prosecution would have were the words of the Major Yamanaka and the rape kit. Uchiha's memory of that night was hazy at best. A good defense attorney would be able to discredit Uchiha, twisting the story around until Sakura was the victim. It all could be so easily accomplished it only took the right motivation…

Tsunade turned to face her apprentice to see Sakura was close to tears. Tsunade could see the worry etched on the girl's brow and it broke her heart as she forced herself not to tell the other woman to flee.

With the ANBU closing in on them, Tsunade closed her eyes and indulged in the nostalgia of yesterday. "You look troubled, Sakura." Tsunade said softly. "Come and tell me what has upset you."

..sn..

It took five ANBU to bring Sakura down.

She screamed and cried, crying out for her master, begging her to stop them. Please to make them stop. She had done nothing wrong!

The blue sundress was torn in a several places. Her hair was in disarray and she had lost her one of her flats in her desperate fight against the cloaked warriors. She reached out, crying for her master to end this.

"Take her away," cool and detached the Hokage ordered as she turned away from the scene, returning to her sofa to face her predecessors.

She had done what her own teacher could not until it was far too late to stop the monster Orochimaru had become.

She would make an example of Sakura, the same as she had done with Danzo and his cohorts. She would use the strength of her office to remind the village that none was above the law, not even the student of the Hokage.

The Shinobi Tribunal would meet in five days hence for Sakura's court martial proceedings. Sakura would be declared guilty of assault against a commanding officer and for the rape of a fellow shinobi. The later charge carried an automatic death sentence. Sakura would not be allowed to appeal. Her execution would be immediate, most likely within two months for Tsunade would not allow it to last longer than that. She would grant Sakura that much compassion.

Tsunade sat alone in her chamber, the tea had long gone cold, and night had settled over her village and her heart. Were she a fatalist, she would believe that it was her destiny to lose those closest to her and loved. Her gaze drifted over to the young Kage who died too soon and far too young. Had Danzo not been so corrupt, had not Sarutobi been more calculating, maybe, just maybe the world would have been much different place and these three young lives…

"Hokage-sama, Captain Uchiha is awake."

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