A/N: ever wonder what would happen if Sasuke started to think about Sakura in Konoha while he was forced to do every ounce of Orochimaru's will? What would happen if he came in contact with her after so many years of not seeing her? Even more, what would happen when he discovers that she wishes to fly away from the binds that tie her to Orochimaru in ways Sasuke can never understand
Chapter 1
"Ahh Sasuke, just who I wanted to see, I wish for you to track down and bring me the pink haired shinobi Sakura. Rumor has it she has surpassed even Tsunade and I find that she may be willing to undo the jutsu on my arms that Sarutobi placed." Orochimaru rasped out, fighting against the spasm pain coursing through his arms. He merely g runted before turning and taking his leave, the door slamming behind him.
"Do you think he will bring her back Lord Orochimaru?" Kabuto asked, smirking at his lord's nod. He knew that Sasuke wouldn't wish for Orochimaru to send another and risk roughing her up, not when he could go and take her, bringing her back in one piece.
MEANWHILE
Sakura stopped at the spring on her way home from a mission. She hated herself, she was an exact replica of Orochimaru and no matter how hard she fought to avoid it, it was in clear sight without her jutsu to cover it up. She hadn't realized that in the days it took her to reach the spring, Sasuke had caught up and was watching her like a predator watches his prey.
"I follow the night
Can't stand the light
When will I begin to live again
One day I'll fly away
Leave all this to yesterday
What more could your love do for me
When will love be through with me
Why live life from dream to dream
And dread the day when dreaming ends"
She stared at her reflection before slapping the water, distorting her image and catching a flare of chakra making her whirl around anticipating a fight. She dropped her kunai when she saw Sasuke step into the clearing, "What do you want Sasuke?" She sheathed her kunai before turning to drink from the spring, only to find his hand on her wrist.
"You need to come with me Sakura, now. I wish to seek your safety, Orochimaru knows of your skill and wants to manipulate you into doing his will. I will not allow that to happen. You once asked me to think of you Sakura, I am doing that now." Sasuke said, his onyx eyes burning into hers.
His hand tilted her face up before she found her lips caught by his own, taking her hand and pulling her into the cover of the dark forest, his eyes narrowed while his hand quickly covered her mouth to silence her. Sakura watched as Kabuto landed right where she and Sasuke had been standing, "There is no sign of them Kabuto. Shall we head back to Lord Orochimaru and tell him of Lord Sasuke's betrayal and disobedience?" a backup shinobi from the sound asked. Kabuto shook his head and traced a small line of chakra before his eyes narrowed at its sudden disappearance.
"No, We return back and inform him that Sasuke will continue to lead us in the pink haired medic's direction and it is a matter of time before we get her ourselves. Then we will no longer have a need for the Uchiha brat" Kabuto stated before they took off. Sasuke lowered his hand and quickly moved through the forest, Sakura behind him. He stopped at the gates of Konoha and turned to take her hand, pushing her closer to the gates before making to l eave.
Sakura grabbed his hand, halting his movement. "Sasuke, come back to Konoha. I know that you haven't achieved your revenge yet, but Orochimaru will kill you when he discovers you had me and let me go. Lady Tsunade can guarantee your safety for the time being, please…let us help you for once." She said softly. Sasuke looked at her and wished he hadn't, her emerald eyes so full of sorrow he couldn't deny her. With a sigh, he let her lead him to the Hokage tower to wait for his punishment.
Tsunade sighed, she was faced with a dilemma, Choice A. Protect the Uchiha brat even though he deserves punishment for his actions. Or Choice B. For Sakura's sake, protect the Uchiha and sort it out later. She rubbed her temples. "This is quite the spot you stuck me in Haruno. For the sake of the village, I will have to guarantee Uchiha's safety. I cannot allow you to be distracted and lose your head over the well-being of the Uchiha. Genma, Take him to Kakashi and have him watch him for now until we are sure he won't try anything funny." Genma nodded and escorted Sasuke to Kakashi. The minute the door shut, Tsunade landed into Sakura.
"Of all the irresponsible, inconceivable things for you to do Haruno. It is AGAINST shinobi conduct to show mercy to a rogue shinobi, you know better than this….." she slowly cut herself off when she saw Sakura's eyes sadden as tears spilled down her cheeks. Tsunade sighed again and made way to have her sit down. "I am not saying that you should cross him off forever, in fact I know you love him still Sakura"
"I do Lady Tsunade. Despite all odds, I do love him still." Sakura cried as she realized she would never have her dream, no matter what she did to attempt to make it come true there was something always in the way. Tsunade contemplated before summoning Kakashi to bring Sasuke in, she would do this for Sakura. Tsunade knew how it felt to lose the one you love forever and never have a chance to experience everything with that loved one. Within Moments, Sasuke stood before her in silence.
"Listen up Uchiha, this deal will be extended but ONCE and one time only, If you can enlist your aid to Konoha against Orochimaru….you will be reinstated as a shinobi of the Hidden Leaf and all charges will be cleared. I do not make this offer lightly, I do this for the sake of Sakura, she loves you and I don't know why" Tsunade stated, she watched Sasuke's eyes widen as he flashed a glance in Sakura's direction, his eyes flickered back to Tsunade and she understood immediately and left the room. Sasuke moved to kneel in front of Sakura, taking her face in his hand before caressing her cheek.
He felt regret for the first time, a pain he thought he had long forgotten as he watched the strong Sakura who had taken his rejection repeatedly rather well falling apart in front of him. He pressed his lips to her forehead and whispered an apology to her, making her eyes meet his in surprise. "I shall agree to her terms Sakura, I may not be able to…..Love the way you wish me to, but for you I will try" he whispered before turning to meet the gaze of Tsunade when she entered the room.
"I agree to your terms on one condition." He stated, at her nod, he continued "I wish to be able to have Sakura Haruno as my Wife once this is all over. Once I pledge my loyalty and services to Konoha once more this is the only thing I ask and I will forever remain a Konoha Shinobi regardless of my ambitions."
Tsunade thought carefully for several moments. "Done. However, Treat her well Uchiha, for if you hurt her in ANY way, I will break every bone in your body and make you regret the day you laid eyes on her" Sasuke nodded in agreement and turned to leave, pausing at the door to wait for Sakura, smirking when she ran after him once again. Sakura felt him take her hand in his to maintain the same pace.
As the days passed by, Sasuke began to see the affectionate exchange between a lot of couples in Konoha, such as Ino and Sai, Naruto and Hinata, Temari and Shikamaru, and Neji and Tenten. He began to wonder why Sakura had not expected such actions from him and never said a word, decided to get to the bottom of it, he tracked her down in the hospital while she walked down an empty hallway.
Grasping her hand he pulled her into the shadowed section and pinned her to the wall. "Why is everyone around Konoha so affectionate? And yet you never said a word to me about wanting it for yourself" he asked, her eyes widened as she looked down quickly. "What is this 'Kissing' that everyone says is so divine? Even the human robot Sai knows about this kissing topic and yet my own girlfriend sees fit to keep it from me" he whispered harshly.
Sakura found her hand caressed his cheek gently, her face leaning forward. "I will show you Sasuke." She said softly before Sasuke found her lips softly moving on his, coaxing his own lips to move against hers. Sasuke closed his eyes and kissed her back before his hands wove into her hair, his body pressing her to the wall as his lips took over and deepened the kiss. Sakura pulled back slightly and turned her face to the side. "Too fast Sasuke, I am not ready yet" she said, and he understood that kissing was more than an action, it was a means of communication between loved ones wordlessly.
He kissed her forehead and took her hand as they walked down the corridor to go to lunch. Sasuke knew then that they were going to be just fine.
