-1Hey guys! Thanks for all of the reviews…I'm glad that you guys like my story!

Question: What does AU stand for?

Okay, I just want to clarify something. I know that in the manga and anime the names have -kun or -san or -chan or whatever, and that their names start with their last and end with their first, but in my English-ified version I'll just say their names and the names like English-speaking (not that I'm being racist or stereotypical or anything; it's just easier that way for me)…kay? PS. Please don't take offense at this…

To all you wonderful reviewers:

FaitaGirl- Yah I know what you mean by poorly written stories (not that I'm saying mine are any better either) And no offense taken as the summary for the story kind of sucked but that was because I ran out of room so I had to shorten it up…sorry about that! Wow I'm really glad that you like it though! I hope you're not disappointed with this chapter!

sasusakufaves- I'm glad that it sounds really cool! Sorry I didn't update sooner but the last story I wrote I updated pretty fast, and the chapters were short, so I want to try and make these ones longer and better. I'll try to anyways!

M Warrior- I'm glad that you think it's cool…

TinhThuyVan- I'm glad that you love it and I will always continue my stories (well…until they're completed of course!)

UchihaSakura87- I'll let you in on a little secret…the reason I did such a good job recreating it was because I was looking at the manga while I wrote it…otherwise I would've screwed everything up. I know I know…how sad. But what can I say? And I had to make Sakura kick some booty because she never does in the anime and it just makes me mad! Yah, Sasuke knows that Orochimaru is up to no good…and of course he's going to get her the antidote, but he's not going to take her back to Konoha just yet. I have things in mind…Mwahahahahaha! Okay, enough with the sadistic laughter now. : ) Well I try to write good stories anyways… (watch out or I might start blushing) : )

Wrath-of-the-ebil-phoenix- I agree that the manga should've done this plotline instead (that's why I'm writing it!) Thanks for the compliment! Makes me feel special! Hmmm….is that a promise on the waffle and three cookies? My stomach is rumbling in anticipation…

Egustogustason- Glad you love it and I will try to keep it up!

BlondeKell- Don't worry Sakura will be okay! (oops…did I just reveal something important???)

Ur2tRoUbLeSoMe90- Don't worry there will be sweet moments and (not to spoil the story) but he will eventually come to understand what he feels for her…although it might be too late…(sorry about that just didn't want to reveal too much…like to keep y'all on your toes with suspense…or hopefully anyways!)

InuyashaLover167- I love Inuyasha too! Anywho…you really think I'm an amazing writer??? Well thank you! Well I'm glad that you want to know what happens…means I'm doing my job well! (hopefully!)

Neko's Snow- Well I hope it's as good or even better than my last story! It's good to know that you're keeping track of what I write though…thank you!

rebel-girl- I try to always make them in character (but if you want to involve Sasuke in a romance he has to be OOC…how unfortunate!) And I know what you mean…the manga made me mad because she didn't get to fight! On the other hand, she was the only one of her team to not be hurt by Sasuke….and what does that tell you????? Hopefully something good for Sasuke and Sakura! (Although knowing my luck I doubt it…)

Rakero-chan- Well I'm glad that you found it nevertheless! I hope you are too!

Sparklestar330- Glad that you love it and here's your update!

C.A.M.E.O.1 and Only- Ummm...I'm not really sure what you meant by your review…perhaps you could clarify it for me? Was that an "Oh crap" this story sucks or "Oh crap" what's going to happen? Or maybe "Oh crap" I clicked the wrong button and now I have to do these stupid reviews…well anyways clarification would be nice please!

Seiya-lost-in-the-darkness- Glad you love it and I'm continuing (as you can see)!

karehiro- Thanks! I only wish it really did happen in the manga! But unfortunately it didn't, so I made my own story! (well duh you're reading it!) : ) I hope I continue to do a good job so as not to disappoint you!

FYI: When I say "chest" towards the middle of this chapter I do not mean boobs! Okay? So Sasuke's not being perverted! Just wanted to let you perverts know that!

Okay guys on with the story!

Chapter Two: Captive

Sakura awoke slowly. Her body felt numbness, and when she tried to move her body groaned in protest as she shifted her wounds. She blinked a few times to allow her jade eyes to adjust to the darkness.

Where am I? she thought as she looked around the small room. It was a very plain room, with only a small cot, which she was laying on, and a dresser in the corner. There was a small wooden door opposite the wall she was against.

Then memories flashed inside her head. Tears pooled in the corners of her eyes when she remembered what had transpired on this fateful day.

"Sasuke…" she whispered in the darkness, knowing that he was near, yet so far away.

Sakura squeezed her eyes shut to prevent the flow of tears down her cheeks. She wasn't going to cry. She'd spent the last two and a half years becoming stronger, training not to show any weaknesses. She clenched her jaw. And she wasn't going to start now.

Sakura took a moment to assess the damage that had been done to her body. There was nothing she could do for mental and emotional pain right now. The wound from Kusanagi in her shoulder was hurting like hell. Sakura found that was completely out of chakra, thanks to her jutsu that she Tsunade had taught her. Unfortunately it would take at least three days to regain all of her chakra, since it was in such abundance after she had become Tsunade's apprentice. Sakura sighed. She would have to deal with her wounds for at least a day, until some of her chakra returned so that she could attempt to heal herself.

Sakura found herself barely able to move. It must be the poison Kabuto injected in me, she thought. Sakura swallowed a sob. She couldn't move. Her body was numb, but she still felt the pain of her injuries. Hmph. They could've at least numbed my injuries, she thought bitterly.

Her thoughts swiftly traveled to Sasuke. She hadn't seen him for almost three years. He…he had almost killed her with his Kusanagi. But Sakura had seen him hesitate. It was only for the barest of seconds, but she had seen something in eyes as he saw his sword rip through her shoulder. She wasn't sure what it was, but Sakura knew that it was a good sign that he was returning to his old self.

"Sasuke…" Sakura whispered as remembered the last time that she had seen him. He had betrayed Konoha and all of the shinobi, but the thing that hurt worst was that he had done it so easily. He wasn't even going to say goodbye to anyone on that night…she thought that he had finally found a family in her, Naruto, and Kakashi. Her heart started to hurt when she remembered that night. She had poured out her heart to him, and he had cruelly and so hurtfully rejected it, like she meant nothing to him. She would have believed that he felt absolutely nothing for her had he not said those last three words: "Sakura…thank you."

Sakura still didn't understand what he had meant by those words. What was he thanking her for? Why would he want to be alone after telling her how hurtful it was to be alone? Didn't he realize how much it had hurt everyone? Didn't he know how evil Orochimaru really was? Did he know that Shikamaru, Neji, Kiba, and Choji had put their life on the line to bring him back simply because he was a Konoha shinobi? How could he hurt Naruto like that? There were so many questions…all of them left unanswered.

Sakura made a resolve that the next time she saw Sasuke (if she ever did see him again, that is; but something told him that she would) that she would ask him those questions. And she wouldn't take a "Hn" for an answer, either.

For the next five minutes Sakura just lay there, staring at the dirty ceiling. She wondered when someone would show up to interrogate her. Or at least tell her why the hell she was here!

After a half an hour passed, Sakura began to grow worried. Did they plan just to leave her here to die? She could feel her body start to fail as the poison began to attack her body systems. Her heartbeat sped up rapidly, so fast that she thought it would burst. Then it slowed, to where it was hardly beating at all. She felt a pain in her abdomen, that was slowly starting to spread to all areas of her body. She began to sweat heavily.

Is this really it? Am I going to die in this dirty room, helpless and weak? Damnit! I thought I was stronger than this! I'm a medic-nin for God's sake!

She gritted her teeth as her insides felt like they were on fire. Despite her intentions she cried out, helpless against the onslaught of the burning sensations coursing through her body.

Her eyes began to blur, but not from tears. No, Sakura had made a vow to never cry again. Never to be weak again. And she intended to keep it, even if her life was to be short-lived.

………………………………...

Sasuke walked silently down the corridor. He swore. Where was Kabuto? He needed to get that stupid antidote before Sakura died. Not that he cared; it was Orochimaru who wanted her alive. Or so he tried to tell himself.

His thoughts went back to yesterday. He hadn't expected his teammates, especially Naruto, to give up searching for him so easily. It had surprised him that they had found their hideout, but was even more disturbing was how much things had changed. Despite not wanting to, Sasuke found himself growing bitter that his place had been taken on the team. And where the hell was Kakashi? Sasuke was sure Kakashi wouldn't have missed this opportunity to get him back.

And what the hell was up with Sakura? He didn't know she was capable of such strength…or power. What had happened since he'd been gone? The last time he'd seen her she was weak and helpless. Naruto and Sasuke had always protected her.

Just then an agonizing scream pierced his musings. Sasuke instantly ran in the direction of it. It was coming from his bedroom.

"Sakura…" he whispered. He was about to go in when he remembered that he didn't have to antidote.

He cursed Kabuto, and then calmed down and concentrated. He closed his eyes and searched for his chakra. A few moments later he found it in the laboratory. Sasuke ran all the way there, her screams echoing in his mind as he faced Kabuto.

"Give me the antidote." He said, his voice emotionless.

Kabuto turned around from his experiments and smiled. "Ahh…Sasuke. I was wondering when you would show up. I told you not to be late. Sakura's probably in tremendous pain right now. In fact, you have about roughly five minutes before her organs fail completely." He said all of this in such a cheerful tone that disgusted Sasuke. He despised the medic-nin, and would just as soon kill him if he had the chance.

Sasuke held out his hand for the antidote. Kabuto hesitated before putting it in his hands. "So Sasuke…why do you want to save Sakura so much? Weren't you always complaining about how annoying and weak she was when you were twelve? If I remember correctly-"

"Kabuto, shut up and give it to me."

Kabuto hesitated for another second before dropping it in Sasuke's hand. Sasuke turned around and headed for the door. Before he left the room, Sasuke turned around.

"For your information, I could care less if she died. She's nothing to me." He shrugged his shoulders. "It's Orochimaru's orders. Nothing more."

After Sasuke left Kabuto smirked and pushed up his glasses. "We'll see, Sasuke. We'll see."

………………………………...

Sakura could barely breathe now. Each breath felt like she was inhaling daggers, and each heartbeat etched a little more of her life away. But Sakura refused to cry.

Another spasm of pain traveled through her body, and her body convulsed. She screamed again. Her head was throbbing, and felt like it was going to explode.

Faintly she heard the door open, and someone walk in. She turned her head and tried to make out the dark figure. As he neared, Sakura's eyes went wide.

"Sasuke…you came. I-"

"Shut up. I just came to gave you the antidote. But only because Orochimaru wants to keep you around."

Sakura flinched, then turned away. Of course he wouldn't be here because he wants to save you. Stop being so stupid Sakura! Get a grip! This guy will never care about you!

Sakura convulsed again, and Sasuke waited until she was done.

"Sakura….this is going to hurt."

Sakura nodded briefly. Sasuke took a deep breath and plunged the six-inch needle straight into her heart. Sakura screamed and started thrashing, but Sasuke held her down with one arm while injecting the solution with the next. Once he was done he threw the syringe to the side and held Sakura down while her body tossed and turned. After a minute Sakura finally stopped.

Sakura looked at Sasuke. She smiled at him. "Thank you, Sasuke."

Then her jade eyes closed, and her heartbeat suddenly stopped. When he didn't hear a heartbeat, Sasuke's heart nearly stopped as well.

"Sakura!" he started to shake her. Not getting a response, he slapped her face, trying to wake her up. "Sakura!" he yelled. Sasuke cursed. Am I too late? Still she didn't wake up. Sasuke cursed Kabuto and Orochimaru for putting her in this position in the first place. And then he cursed himself for being too late. If he hadn't taken so long to get here, and then to get the freaking antidote Sakura would be okay!

Wait a minute…why do I care whether she lives or dies? Good riddance to her! She was annoying after all…But am I really okay with never seeing her smile again? Her pink hair blowing in the wind? Her warm voice that could melt any cold heart?

While Sasuke was battling with himself he failed to notice that Sakura's color was coming back to her. Suddenly Sakura's eyes shot open, and she gasped as her heart started racing.

Sasuke jumped as she shot up, trying to breathe. Sasuke stood there for a moment, too shocked to do anything else. Then he went up behind her and put his hands on her chest. For a moment Sakura was too stunned to do anything. Then he started massaging the spot where her lungs were. At first it did nothing but speed up Sakura's heart. But after a few moments she could feel him sending his chakra through his hands, so that he was basically massaging her lungs. Soon she started to breathe normally (although her heart rate didn't go down). Then Sasuke's warmth left her as he pushed her back down on the bed. When he met her eyes he noticed that her face was the same color as her hair.

Sasuke repressed a smirk. It wouldn't do for her to actually think he enjoyed helping her. After all, she meant nothing to him. Sasuke ignored the little voice in the corner of his mind that told him otherwise. As he turned to go he heard Sakura whisper.

"Sasuke…" Her voice was raspy. "Thank you."

Sasuke turned and met her eyes. "Don't leave this room. I'll bring you your food and water. If you choose to disobey my orders I will kill you."

Sakura's eyes widened, but she said nothing. She gulped and nodded. When he left the room Sakura touched her chest. It was warm, and was about the only part of her body that wasn't sore or didn't hurt in some way. Too bad she couldn't say that for her heart.

Sakura knew that he had just saved his life. And she also knew, without a doubt, that Sasuke never did anything that he didn't want to do. So that meant…that he had actually wanted to save her life. At least…Sakura hoped so.

But if he didn't care then why was he so tender when healing her lungs? She didn't even know that he knew how to do that. Kabuto had probably taught him how to heal wounds.

Sakura sighed. Only a small amount of chakra had returned to her. Not even enough to heal a paper cut. She closed her eyes and willed herself into a blissful state of numbness, so that maybe she wouldn't feel any pain. Her body minded her, but her mind didn't. She dreamt of obsidian eyes and broken hearts.

………………………………...

Sasuke was angry. No, he was more than angry. He was pissed. He was beyond pissed. If anyone looked at him right now he would kill them on sight. No one messed with an Uchiha when they were on the rampage. And everyone knew it. Apparently though, one didn't.

Sasuke entered the lab and blew the door right off its hinges. It flew across the room smashed into all sorts of vials and bottles, shattering the glass and the substances spilling everywhere, giving off a foul odor.

Kabuto turned around and grinned at Sasuke.

"Well, did it work?"

Sasuke ignored him as he stalked up to Kabuto and grabbed him by the neck. Sasuke slammed him against the wall repeatedly. Kabuto made no move to try and defend himself. The last thing Orochimaru would want is a fight between the two. So Kabuto let Sasuke take out his anger and frustration on himself.

After awhile Sasuke held Kabuto by the neck, and dangled him off the ground. Sasuke's Sharingan bore into Kabuto's eyes. "Why didn't you tell me it would stop her heart?"

Kabuto grinned, despite the blood running down his face. "You didn't ask."

Sasuke glared at Kabuto as he snapped his neck, then threw him across the room. Kabuto started healing himself as soon as Sasuke stalked out of the room, cursing all the while.

After Kabuto was done regenerating himself he rubbed his neck. He swore. That hurt, damnit! Kabuto narrowed his eyes as he observed the damage the Uchiha had inflicted. He's going to pay. Kabuto knew that Orochimaru would kill him if he physically hurt the Uchiha. Kabuto smirked. He said nothing about hurting his heart, however.

………………………………...

Sasuke couldn't stand being inside. It felt like the walls were suffocating him. He had to get out and unleash the fury that had been building inside of him. Kabuto had helped to relinquish some of it, but Sasuke wouldn't be satisfied until he was out in the open and able to do as he freely wished, on whatever he wished.

He stepped out into the sunlight. He let it rain down upon for a moment, and then his eyes turned blood red once again, with three markings forming a circle inside of them.

He could feel the chidori build up inside of him on impulse. He let it race through his system, the feeling of power exhilarating. He sighed in content. This is what he had betrayed his village and his friends for. Power. The seductive, ever-present power.

Sasuke couldn't imagine his life without power. It was a part of him, just like his Sharingan. Sasuke started reminiscing about the past, with Team 7 and Konoha. Sasuke knew on that fateful night when he had left that he had a decision to make. Power or emotions. He couldn't have both. He figured since emotions only hindered him on his quest for power that he should just rid himself of them.

But for some reason he thought the exact opposite of what he had just thought. He replayed in his head the Second Exams of the Chuunin Exams, in the Forest of Death. He had woken up and saw Sakura beaten, her hair chopped off. He had reacted instantly, the sight of her bloody face giving him added strength.


Could it be said that emotions make you stronger as well? Sasuke mused. Then he chidoried the hell out of the unsuspecting trees.

………………………………...

Sakura awoke when she heard the door open and close swiftly.

She slowly opened her eyes. She sensed a comforting chakra.

"Sasuke…"

"Here. Eat it. This is all you're getting for now." Sasuke was about to turn to leave when Sakura called out.

"Wait!"

Sasuke stopped and turned to look at her.

"Sasuke, I need to ask you something. Well, more like some things."

Sasuke said nothing. Nor did he move.

Sakura sighed. She knew this wasn't going to be easy. She struggled to sit up. The wound in her shoulder reminded her that moving wasn't such a good idea, but Sakura hated to be in such a vulnerable position. She slowly sat up and leaned her back against the wall. That small action made beads of sweat form on her forehead, and she lay panting for a few moments.

Sasuke started to move towards the door once again.

"Sasuke…if you don't answer my questions I won't eat."

"Hn. If you don't eat you'll die."

"And if I die Orochimaru wouldn't be too happy, would he?"

Sasuke glared. Would she really refuse to eat if I don't answer her stupid questions? Sasuke took a look at her determined gaze. Yes, he mentally answered himself.

Sasuke sighed, then walked over and sat on the edge of the bed. He rested his back against the wall and leaned back his head to stare at the ceiling. He had one knee propped up and the other leg straight out in front of him. His arm was resting on his knee, while his other arm was resting beside him. All in all his position looked relaxed, but Sakura knew that he was far from relaxed.

Sakura cleared her throat. "So…erm…Sasuke?"

"What?" he replied, not moving.

"The night you left Konoha, before you knocked me out, you said thank you. What were you thanking me for?" Sakura talked in a quiet voice, looking at her fidgeting hands. When he didn't answer she turned her emerald gaze to him, imploring him to answer.

Sasuke sighed. "I told you how I broke all of my bonds."

Sakura nodded.

"I felt that since I was breaking such a strong bond with you, I should at least give you something in return. In truth I really don't know what I meant, but it was the only thing I was able to say to you."

He turned his obsidian gaze to her. "But it meant nothing to me. I guess I was just too softhearted back then."

Sakura swallowed as a lump formed in her throat. She nodded slightly.

"Sasuke-"

"Hold on. It's only fair I get to ask you a question now."

Sakura didn't hide her surprise. "You want to ask me something?"

"Hn. Don't read anything in to it. I'm just curious."

Sakura nodded in agreement.

"How did you get so strong?" Sasuke asked, avoiding her eyes.

"You didn't know?" Sakura asked.

"Obviously not if I'm asking you," Sasuke snapped.

Sakura blew out a sigh of frustration. "Sorry," she mumbled. She cleared her throat and continued. "Well, after you left I felt so helpless to do anything. Especially when Naruto, Neji, Choji, Kiba, and Shikamaru came back after failing to retrieve you." Her gaze bore into him. "They almost all died trying to save you." Sasuke said nothing to this, so Sakura continued. "Well, I decided to go after you myself. Naruto found out and decided to tag along. Somehow Jiraiya found out, and convinced Tsunade to allow us to go on a mission to Sound village. Anyways, long story short, Naruto ended up saving me numerous times. When we came back to Konoha after not finding you, something inside of me snapped. I told myself that I wasn't going to be a weak little girl anymore, and so I asked Tsunade to train me to be a medic-nin. I knew that I could excel in that area, with my intelligence and my expert chakra control. Not that I'm trying to brag."

Sasuke took a moment to absorb all that she had told him. He didn't say anything, so Sakura went ahead with her question. "The first day that we became team 7 you told me something. I was going on about how annoying Naruto was, and then you said I was annoying. You said that you had no idea what it was like, being alone. You said it was painful. My question is: if being alone is so painful, then why would you choose to be alone?"

Sasuke sighed. "I already told you that. On the day I left. I'm an avenger. I have to place in my heart for someone else. All I have left is revenge."

Then Sasuke looked deep into her eyes. "Would you take that away from me, Sakura?"

Sakura wasn't sure what to say. So Sasuke went ahead with his question.

"What was that last jutsu you performed yesterday before you passed out?"

Sakura was about to remind him that she didn't pass out, she was poisoned, but refrained from doing so. She smirked. "So you liked me jutsu? I actually invented it. Tsunade just guided me through it. It takes perfect chakra control in order to do it. It's called "Nami no Katsuki". It's a very powerful jutsu. One that would even rival, if not beat, chidori, I would imagine."

"Hn. Whatever. Eat your food."

"Huh? Hey, wait Sasuke! I'm not done with my questions yet!" Sakura made a move to go after him, but her body wouldn't obey her. She groaned in frustration as Sasuke ignored her and quickly left the room. Sakura slumped her head in defeat.

Then the smell of food wafted to her nostrils, making her stomach growl in response. Sakura eagerly took the food, but before she bit into it (even though her mouth was watering) she sniffed it and examined it for poison. You could never be too cautious, she reasoned with herself. Then she devoured the meal in a matter of seconds.

Sasuke had also brought a cup of cool water, and Sakura tried her best to conserve the water, not knowing how long it would until her next meal. But her throat was so parched that she couldn't stop herself from drinking all of it.

After she was done she lay back down on the bed, and used the little blanket that was on it to keep warm. She suddenly realized how chilly it was in here. But despite the chill and the throbbing of her ever-present injuries she managed to fall into a deep slumber, one where she didn't dream at all.

Well please review! Sorry it took me so long to update but it was final week. But don't worry I'm done with finals so I will be updating within a few days! Oh, and I was wondering if anyone could tell me how to indicate a break in the story? You know, like the little line thingy? Because I have to idea…so kudos to anyone who can tell me! Did I mention to review? Because that would also be helpful…anyways TTFN!

belle2990