What if...?

A/N:

'...' Thinking

"..." Speaking

'Inner Sakura'

NEL:

Dearest readers,

This story was written back in 2010 when I was much younger. It has been seven years since then and I have realized that my writing was complete and utter shit, but the ideas were creative and had potential. I do apologize for the unintelligible grammar and punctuation that was used. However, we tend to let our colorful minds wander during youth. Our brain thinks far too fast for us to get out all the words we wish to convey. I am currently in the process of correcting each of my fan fictions one by one. I am starting with "What if…?" since it was the first story I ever wrote for the Naruto series. Thank you all for the encouragement and reviews you have provided me over the years. I will take what has been offered and use it to the best of my abilities as a writer. You all have kept me going for so long and I hope you will continue to stick with my stories in the long run.

HANA:

Y-Yes we hope you like it! This special story will eventually have many OC's and different pairings than w-what the actual show depicts. Please keep in mind we are not following the current storyline of the Naruto Shippuden series nor the B-Boruto Next Generations series. This is a plot c-created completely on our own, however we will utilize certain events of the show.

KAGUYA:

Onward….to the story.

Disclaimer: The characters of the Naruto franchise are copyright to Masashi Kishimoto. I do not own any of them. I am a mere fan who wishes to utilize his characters for my own stories. I will be borrowing one scene from "Naruto" Episode 109 when Sasuke leaves the village and adding my own thoughts to give the story more of an effect. All other credits go to their original owners/creators. I only own my own OCs whom mean the world to me. Thank you.

Amidst the stone cold walkway exiting the Village Hidden in the Leaves, came a soft breeze. Carried within its wind was the sound of light footsteps trudging against the concrete. It was nights like these that were so calm, with no enemies in sight, however there was no room for peace. Not for this avenger...

The young man was traveling out of Konoha with his hands shielded inside of his pockets. The breeze rustled his unusually chicken shaped hair, while the moonlight highlighted his onyx colored eyes. He passed by multiple places that once held such high significance in his life, including the Uchiha District where he used to call home, but it was only filled with despair and emptiness now. As he made his way to the main entrance of Konoha, he saw pink from the corner of his eye. It was his teammate, Sakura Haruno.

"It's the middle of the night. What are you hanging around here for?"

"This is the only road out of the village." She replied with sorrowful eyes. Sasuke would not be swayed, it was futile to even try, in a way Sakura knew that. Her friend had made up his mind and she had no choice but to accept that...right? Shaking his head he began walking again, slowly passing her. Almost instantly he smelled her cherry blossom fragrance, she smelled nice.

"You should go to bed."

"Why Sasuke?" His name, the name his father Fugaku Uchiha, gifted upon him the moment he was born into the world. "Why won't you ever tell me anything?" She questioned frantically. "Why is it always silence with you? You never shared a single th-"

Damn she was persistent, he was starting to get annoyed, "Why should I have to tell you anything? Just keep your nose out of my business. It's...none of your concern!" He shouted, suddenly cutting her off.

The tears slowly trickled down her pale cheeks. Her frown turned into a smile of bitterness, "I know you hate me. Even in the beginning you could never stand me. Remember back when we made Genin and we were assigned to our three-man squads? We were alone together for the first time, right here on this very spot. You, you got so mad at me that day."

God did she have to go on and on like this? Why couldn't she just leave him be? She was only making it harder for herself.

"I...don't remember that."

"Ah...y-yeah, sure. I mean it was so long ago r-right? Still that's the day when it all began. It was the start of you, me, Naruto and Kakashi-Sensei. The four of us started to go on missions. It was rough back then everyday was such a challenge!" More and more of her tears continued to fall down her now rosy cheeks, Sakura must have tried so hard to keep it together, he had to have known that, "but more than anything, it was so much fun. I know about your clan Sasuke. I do, but seeking revenge...that won't bring anyone happiness. Nobody at all, not you and not me."

Suddenly Sasuke clenched his fists and smirked to himself. He was silent at first before a small sigh was heard, "I knew it…"

"Eh?"

"I'm not the same as you. I'm traveling a path the rest of you can't follow. I know that the four of us have worked together and for awhile I thought I could take that road instead, but in the end I have decided on revenge. That's always been my reason for living. I'll never be like you and Naruto." He couldn't look back now not when he came so far. It was true that he never wanted to hurt her of all people, but this path was just too dark for someone so pure to take.

"Don't do this Sasuke! You don't have to be alone!" She suddenly screamed out which caused his eyes to widen in surprise. "You told me how painful a thing solitude can be. I understand that pain now. I have a family and friends, but if you were gone Sasuke it would be the same thing for me as being all alone!"

His eyes remained void of any emotion as he looked straight ahead, "this is a new beginning. Each of us has a new path before us-"

"Sasuke! I'm so in love with you I can't even stand it! If you would only be with me I promise I'd never let you regret it! Everyday will be a joy I can give you happiness! I'll do anything for you Sasuke! So please! I'm begging you, don't walk away!" Sakura held her tiny hands over her breaking heart and stepped forward, trying to call out to him, trying to reach him, convince him to stay. "I'll even help get your revenge! I'll do whatever it takes to make it happen, I swear! S-Stay here with me and if you can't then take me with you Sasuke…"

Soon she saw his crest disappear as he slowly turned towards her with a slight smirk. His cold gaze seemed to soften for a split moment, but the words he said couldn't be cushioned with a look like that...they were what hurt the most, "you haven't changed you're still annoying."

She gasped and stumbled back in shock. All she could do was plead and watch as the love of her life headed straight into the path of vengeance. "DON'T LEAVE ME!"

"If you go i-i'll scream and-" Suddenly Sasuke disappeared, only to reappear behind his pink haired companion. The silence between the two was almost deafening. Despite this she could hear her own heart beating, Sasuke's soft breathing, and the sound of the rain beginning to drizzle.

It took mere seconds to process what came out of his mouth next, but it was one sentence she would never forget….

"Sakura, thank you...for everything."

"Sa….suke….."

Slowly she fell forward losing consciousness from Sasuke's attack one she didn't expect, not even for one moment. Quickly he caught her and held her close to his heart, this was probably the first and last time he would ever be able to hold her like this. He brought Sakura over to the stone bench and began lowering her, but something made him hold on for a bit longer.

'What do I do? Someone like her has no place in my plans. She shouldn't have to see the path I must walk.'

It was an inner struggle he had to deal with and fast if he wanted to meet with Orochimaru's bodyguards on time. Knowing that Orochimaru wasn't the patient type.

Against his better judgement he lifted her on his back, careful that his backpack didn't disturb her and began to walk outside of the village gates, already taking care of those pesky watchdogs that the Hokage had stationed on patrol.

Once he made it out of the village undetected he met with four unknown ninjas a few miles out.

"We have been waiting for you...Sasuke."

"So what's with the change of attitude?"

A ninja with two heads looked up with a chilling smirk, "It has already been decided that the moment you abandoned the village you would become our new leader…please forgive the rudeness we displayed earlier-"

Sasuke watched as the four bowed their heads in respect, but he knew it wasn't genuine and had to have been Kabuto and Orochimaru's doing. Sasuke just closed his eyes and smirked, "Hn. Like I care."

The four watched as he began walking past them, but the spunky one didn't seem too pleased with Sasuke's response nor did she appreciate the excess cargo he carried on his back. Appearing in front of him she purposefully blocked his path and glared. He notated her appearance was similar to Sakura's as she was the shortest out of the four and had beautiful pink hair, but it was dark, wild, and untamed with two long strands framing either side of her fair-skinned face. "WHO THE HELL SAID SHE COULD COME?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes and simply knocked her arm away causing her to fume and draw her flute. Sakon jumped in front of her with an apologizing look to Sasuke that obviously didn't match his eyes.

"Doesn't matter...let's go."

"Ah yes, we shall go….Tayuya you must keep calm I believe our lord wanted him alive."

"Hmph!" When the quarrel ended, Sasuke glanced back to their village. This would be the last time they would see this place and the people within it...right?

Turning away he slowly disappeared with Sakura to Orochimaru's hideout where the rest of their teenage lives would be lived strengthening and gaining true power.