What if...?

A/N:

'...' Thinking

"..." Speaking

'Inner Sakura'

NEL:

Well hello again! ^^ I am so excited to continue with this second chapter! It took awhile to write it, but I am confident it will get this plot rolling! E-Eh? Hana-Chan what's the matter?

HANA:

I r-really hate snakes...can't we l-leave this to Kaguya-San?

KAGUYA:

Last time I checked I was always in charge of the pedo-snake's chapters since obviously I am into this creepy shit.

NEL:

Ehehe…r-right well don't let Hana and I stop you…

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. All other credits go to their original owners/creators. I only own my own OCs whom mean the world to me. Thank you.

After a long journey and a few days rest Sasuke and Sakura stood before the snake king, Orochimaru of Otokagure. The legendary sannin sat upon his sinister throne, illuminated by the torches surrounding the dimly lit room.

The two noticed just how inhuman Orochimaru truly looked. He had very pale skin almost white as snow, while his golden eyes had slit pupils that paralyzed enemies with fear. His snake-like appearance allowed many to believe he was a whole other species of human. On the other hand many got confused over his androgynous face since they could never tell his true gender identity. Despite this Orochimaru took great pride in his appearance and used it as a stepping stone to finding true immortality regardless of how he had to look to get it.

"Welcome Sasuke...it is such a pleasure to have you here. However, I do believe I said only you were allowed to come. So I can only assume you have brought us a test subject-" Rising from his throne he gestured towards the pink haired girl who was hiding behind Sasuke. "Who or what I bring along with me is really none of your concern. I came here for power, nothing more. Are you going to give it to me or not, it's real simple."

Hearing his answer Orochimaru smirked allowing them to see his pronounced cheekbones, "a bit testy are we? No matter I shall put you in your PLACE-"

With amazing speed Orochimaru appeared before Sasuke and had him in a choke hold up against the wall. His long pink tongue sneaked out and licked all around his lips, "Oh I am going to enjoy training you my pet." Punching him in the stomach Sasuke's body slammed against the stone causing cracks to spread throughout the wall as well as his ribs.

Sakura gasped as everything happened in front of her so quickly. It was obvious she felt scared, but she shouldn't have been considering she wanted to come with Sasuke. She had to have known that an encounter like this was bound to happen in their travels. Oh just what had she gotten herself into?

Regardless! There wasn't much time to just stand around and think, so she let her body do the talking. Even if she knew she wasn't a match against a legendary sannin, it brought her a great deal of comfort to know her distraction could give Sasuke enough time to recover, even if it cost her life.

Without a moment to spare and a look of determination, Sakura took off running towards both ninjas with her fist held out. A blue aura built around her flesh, but disappeared the moment it made contact with Orochimaru. Not expecting a weakling to defy him, he had no choice but to take the attack full-on. Underestimating her strength he skidded backwards a few feet and rubbed his dislocated jaw. It was then that he noticed with some training she could hone her skills to get monstrous strength.

'I got him!' Knowing that her attack didn't miss she smiled in relief, but it was soon diminished by Orochimaru's right hand man, Kabuto Yakushi.

"Bad move little girl-" Suddenly he had her arms pinned in a painful angle causing her to cry out in pain. His onyx eyes remained solely on her agony while an evil smirk creeped its way unto his face.

Once his master recovered he forced her on her knees to look up into the eyes of the snake, "it seems Tsunade has taught you well even if you only just started learning-" Suddenly she felt a sting on her cheek as he backhanded her causing a red welt to appear.

"That should put you in your place insolent child. You, however have intrigued me...I am quite curious to see how you shall benefit me. As you already know that tricky old Hiruzen sealed my arms away and I have limited mobility, but this potion I created gives me the ability to move for a short amount of time. It was the only cure I could come up with for the time...however, I did believe at one point Tsunade could heal me if I were to...compensate her with the revival of her loved ones. I do believe I have gained a treasure even greater than what I hoped for."

Sakura kept her mouth shut as she was too scared to even move. Turning her cheek, Orochimaru licked the wound he created causing it to slightly heal, "Mmm I look forward to having you here. Now...heal him. Let us see what you can do."

He tilted his chin towards the injured genin. For a moment she hesitated before slowly moving past him afraid he would hit her again. Kneeling by Sasuke's side she combined her chakra-enhanced fists with her medical ninjutsu to heal the cracked ribs that Orochimaru's attacks caused.

"Lord Orochimaru...perhaps it would be best If I took Sakura on as my apprentice. I could use her abilities to your advantage. Think about it she could be a better healer in time, even more so than I. It would be as you said, she could heal your arms. Imagine your endless power if you were healed!"

"Hmmm you're making a good point. Are you sure you want this responsibility Kabuto?"

"I take care of you, don't I? Yes, I am sure my lord- Sakura, Sasuke come with me." Orochimaru chuckled and shook his head, "pesky child."

Kabuto kneeled on the floor and extended his hand towards Sakura, who in turn smacked it away, "Don't touch me! We can get up just fine on our own."

He smiled and stood up dusting his pants off, "Good then let us go."

The halls he guided them through were cold and dimly lit causing Sakura to shiver, but the smell of sawdust and hazelnut gave her a comforting feeling regardless of how small it was. As they made their way to the living quarter of the hideout they began to see multiple doors appear.

"We are nearly there. Keep up."

'Easy for you to say. You weren't the one who got his ribs cracked. SHANNARO!'

At the end of the corridor they reached two doors. One of which had the Uchiha symbol and the other a snake.

"If you need me my room is two halls down, last door to the left. I assume you both are capable enough to see which room is yours? Anyways I'll let you clean yourselves up, you'll find clothing in the drawers along with tools. Sakura, your training starts tomorrow at sunrise in my studies. Don't be late."

She shivered at thought of the two of them being alone in a room together, but she responded nonetheless, "a-alright…"

"Sasuke, Lord Orochimaru informed me that your training will be held at the same time, but he wants you to report to his lab." With that Kabuto turned and slid his hands in his pockets disappearing into the darkness of the hall.

'I don't even want to think about what Orochimaru is going to make Sasuke do in that lab.'

Sakura waited until Kabuto was completely out of sight before turning towards Sasuke's room, "come on Sasuke...let's get you inside."

The lone Uchiha remained silent, his pride slightly hurt that he had to depend on Sakura this much, the reason for him leaving that damn village was to gain power. How he was now? Would never cut it for when the time came to defeat Itachi. No...he had to become stronger than the snake, smarter than his genius sensei Kakashi, more powerful than any opponent Itachi had ever faced before he would even be considered a challenge to his brother.

'Mark my words Itachi...I have awakened and I am coming to kill you.'