What if…?

A/N:

'...' Thinking

"..." Speaking

'Inner Sakura'

NEL:

Thank you all once again for tuning in for the next chapter! We are so excited to present our very first-time skip. It is nothing special, but now that we are a tiny bit past introductions and plot setting, we can get into the real juicy stuff! I apologize for the wait!

HANA:

I-If you would like something to happen in the story that you would like to see please notate it in a review and w-we can c-consider adding it, if it compliments the story's direction o-of where w-we are trying to take it.

KAGUYA:

Without any more delay, here is the next chapter.

WARNING: This chapter may be deemed inappropriate for those under the age of 18. Read with caution! Explicit Sexual Content Ahead!

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. I only own my own OCs whom mean the world to me. Thank you.

It had been five years since Sasuke and Sakura's defection from Konohagakure. By now it seemed as if their presence had been nothing more than a plague just passing through. Like any plague, it was not easy to rid the mind of its memory. In the many years that had passed, not once had their friend Naruto given up the search, but everyone knew if someone wanted to stay away from prying eyes, they would do everything in their power to stay hidden.

It was late in the afternoon when Naruto Uzumaki got summoned to the Hokage Godaime's office. He wasn't used to seeing Tsunade with such a serious face, "I hope I didn't interrupt anything important?"

"Grandma Tsunade! Cut the crap! You have something important to tell me, then spit it out! You rarely call me here. Is it even worth my-"

"SHANNARO!" Instantly her perfectly manicured fist slammed on the table causing it to break in half and the liquor to spill. Quickly her new assistant ran to clean everything up, frantic that she would get yelled at again by the Godaime if she was not quick enough.

"Never mind that Shiva! Just get out! Ugh…" Tsunade rubbed her forehead as she acquired yet another migraine, things just weren't the same after her precious apprentice, Shizune got taken right out from under their noses. They had yet to find her in the five years that passed. She was beginning to give up hope while other ninjas continuously told her to give up the search and stop wasting useful resources. How could she move on when her deceased lover's niece was out there with that snake. Damn that Orochimaru, what could he possibly use Shizune for?

Naruto frowned as he saw how the assistant got treated, he went over to her and kneeled down offering a hand, "Don't worry about this…I'll clean it later. Go ahead and get some ramen at Ichiraku's! Say Naruto sent you!" Her beautiful purple hues shined with a new admiration for this knucklehead ninja. Never had she been treated with such kindness, so she was very thankful for his words. Quickly Shiva brushed herself off and bowed to the Godaime before taking her leave.

Naruto stared at the door for a while before facing her and glaring. "Hey Grandma Tsunade! You can't just go being mean to everyone! She was only trying to help! What's got your knickers twisted?"

Tsunade's eye twitched, she should have figured his lewd language would come from that damn perverted sage, "I see you're still the same little knucklehead ninja from before. Regardless, I do hope your training has been more fruitful than your speaking etiquette. I called you here because there is a mission I wanted to discuss with you and I need your utmost attention, got it?"

Naruto's eyes widened as he hadn't expected this. After the defect of Sasuke and Sakura, Tsunade made it a goal to give him as little missions as possible. She didn't want him to get any ideas and leave them too. After all they needed the sage-apprentice in the village, if they lost him…there would be no hope left.

"What, is the mission?"

"Very well, listen closely-"

In a room immersed in total darkness stood a man and a woman. Before them was a prisoner covered in wounds and chained to a wall. Upon closer examination her captors could see that her once fair colored skin was now bruised and infected. She was once of average height, but being chained up for so many years took a toll on her back. The jailor, a female, kneeled and took the prisoner's wrist, checking her pulse to make sure she wasn't going to die on them anytime soon. Her victim's eyes were void of any emotion as hopelessness settled in long ago.

"You have done well to impress me Sakura. You have mastered every technique I have thrown your way and then some. It seems your reputation at the academy precedes you." Kabuto seemed to look very pleased with his apprentice, even more so now that he knew he would get praise from Orochimaru for turning innocence into a tool that could be used to carry out his every command.

"I believe it is time we rid ourselves of this woman. It seems there is nothing else she can teach you. Such a shame that you had to drain the chakra out of her, now she is just a fragile little thing." Of course, he would pull that card on Sakura it was the easiest way to make her feel guilty, also a reminder that she was the one who suggested they go forth with this plan in the first place.

Yet, it was very clear that Kabuto was the one who did most of the torture to this poor woman. He tended to play his little game often, it was a way he could release his anger and frustration out on people who were praised by Orochimaru that wasn't himself, clearly this man had issues.

"Please…let…me…go." The prisoner's pleas echoed throughout the cold basement as she struggled weakly against her iron clad binds. All she wanted was to go home to her village, back where the people loved and needed her.

"Oh, I want nothing more than to return you safely to your village Shizune-San, however you have used up all your worth. I believe I would be doing your village a favor of disposing you…right? Anyways Sakura, clean this mess up, she reeks. You know how Orochimaru gets when his experiments are…. dirty."

With no hesitation at all Sakura kneeled in front of the woman and sighed, "forgive me…Shizune."

In a split second Shizune found herself with a gaping hole in her chest as Sakura stabbed her through the heart with her chakra filled fist. The apprentice watched as the kunoichi's body went limp, a puddle of blood beginning to form at her feet.

She heard Kabuto's annoyed sigh and turned to meet his gaze, "what now?"

"I said to clean up, not dirty the place more. Regardless, dispose of the body and meet me in the throne room, I believe Lord Orochimaru has a task for you and…. Sasuke-Kun." She winced when she heard the venom in his voice as he uttered the Uchiha's name. Kabuto must've greatly disliked Sasuke, for reasons she assumed were his own.

She waited until he left before breaking Shizune's bindings and carrying her body to the operating table. Her torso soaked in blood, but the wound had already healed. By transferring her own regenerating chakra cells into Shizune's open wound, she allowed it to heal in mere seconds of inflicting it on her, but that didn't mean Shizune couldn't feel the pain. It was always a fascinating site to see the student surpassing the master.

'Shizune…...your suffering ends today, but I need you to stay asleep awhile longer until I can move you from here.'

Why was Sakura showing such mercy? You'd think five years with Orochimaru and Kabuto would harden her heart, but she was known as an innocent blossom with a kind spirit in her village. Would she ever be able to place a seed of darkness in her heart? One thing was for certain, if her master ever found out what she did today, she would be severely punished.

A few moments later, she was making her way to the throne room where Kabuto was waiting for her by Orochimaru's side. It had been a long time and she changed, both in body and mind. She was eighteen now and grew into her looks, in fact she was the epitome of beauty according to Orochimaru's assessment. Currently she was wearing a zip up crop-top that was dark purple with her clan symbol embroidered on the back. Underneath she had on a mid-rift fish net shirt that showed off her stomach. To compliment her outfit, she had on black low-heel, knee-high boots, with black mini-shorts underneath a dark purple mini-skirt with slits on both sides. The cloth of her forehead protector was black and adorned on top of her head with the village's symbol crossed out showing she was defected ninja.

It was true Orochimaru wanted her only for her abilities and knowledge about the leaf, but everything else that came with her was a major bonus. He would enjoy using this to his advantage if it meant progressing in his research for immortal life.

As Sakura and Kabuto locked gazes she could see annoyance in his onyx hues, "nice of you to finally join us Sakura, you know Lord Orochimaru hates tardiness."

"Kabuto I do believe I am capable of voicing my own opinions. Pay him no mind my dear Sakura…"

"L-Lord Orochimaru I didn't mean- "Orochimaru cut him off with a wave of his hand.

"Silence. Now then…Sakura, Sasuke. We have to leave for a while to make some preparations for further experimentation with this new batch of experiments coming in." Sakura smirked as Kabuto bit his tongue to hold back any further protests against Orochimaru.

'She thinks this is funny…I'll teach her.'

"We will be returning on the next full moon one month from now. Until then, Sasuke see to it that no one finds this base. Sakura, you will oversee the current experiments and mark down any improvements or declinations in Kabuto's lab."

"Hn."

Just like Sakura had grown into her womanly looks, Sasuke had turned into a fine young man. He was leaning against the wall with his legs crossed and his eyes closed, as if focusing on being anywhere but there. His style changed immensely over the five years of being in Orochimaru's service. He wore dark blue pants, over which hangs a blue cloth that covers him from his abs to his knees, which he secures with a purple rope belt passed down to him from Orochimaru himself. His outfit consisted of a white long-sleeved shirt which was kept open at the chest to allow easier movement during combat, with black arm-guards for the most defense.

"I understand-ah!"

Her eyes widened when Orochimaru appeared in front of her and grabbed her chin. His snake-like eyes pierced her soul as if seeing right through her. His gaze was enough to paralyze anyone with fear, "you are becoming a real beauty Sakura. Perhaps I can make you my second most cherished experiment…remember dear if you lose your worth to me...you will be disposed of."

Of course, Sakura would be second Orochimaru only had eyes for one person and one person only…Sasuke Uchiha, his next vessel. She remained as still as a statue, not wanting to give any hint of emotion. Sasuke had taught her well not to show any emotion to the enemy as that only reveal weakness.

'I am going to kill him! How dare he! SHANNARO!' Sakura mentally tried to calm down Inner Sakura who was raging at the insult. Boy, did Orochimaru know how to pour salt into the wound. 'Calm down. You know we will escape before he could ever touch us or Sasuke for that matter.'

'Ahhhh Saku-Chan you're so strong!'

Kabuto cleared his throat and turned away, "My lord, it is time we left." Orochimaru scoffed and pushed her against the wall quite roughly finished toying with her. She knew better than to fight back as he could easily overpower her at her current strength, so she continued to stare at the floor, her bangs hiding her angered eyes. Turning his back on her he went over to Kabuto and took a traveling pack before disappearing in the darkness.

'Shannaro…' She slammed her fist against the wall causing it to shatter in mere seconds before noticing his eyes on her, had she…disappointed him to? Soon she became annoyed too.

"You got something to say? Go ahead say it! What else have I done wrong?"

"Hn."

"Is that all you can say!?"

"…. you're still too weak. If you let anyone get to you, even if only for a second. You have already failed by leaving yourself vulnerable and open." Her eyes widened, and her mouth parted slightly, how could he say that to her? After everything horrible she had done to get to this point, to become this powerful. It truly was a slap to her face.

However, before she could say anything she felt her lips being taken by his and her body got pushed up against the wall. His large hands glided all over her body caressing every curve she had and then some.

"Sas-"

"Shut up."

She struggled for a bit, still pretty pissed at what he said. Yet, it felt good to finally be held in his arms, lately it was so hard to see one another due to Orochimaru and Kabuto keeping them apart. Sometimes it was extremely difficult to stay in character as to not tip-off Orochimaru about their relationship.

When the two settled down, they began to walk down the hall to their rooms to retire for the night. The silence was comfortable since they had been used to keeping quiet while in Kabuto and Orochimaru's presence.

"How are you holding up?" Sasuke questioned while folding his arms across his chest and slightly tucking his hands inside his shirt.

"Mmm- "She walked ahead of him slightly, a little bounce to her step as being with Sasuke always put her in a good mood, "I'm…okay. It's a little hard being around Kabuto and living up to his impossible expectations, he is so demanding! Not to mention he has a thing for Orochimaru I don't think he knows I picked up on it." She giggled and stuck her tongue out at Sasuke in a playful manner causing him to raise an eyebrow, did he even want to know what that meant?

"How is your training with Orochimaru going?" Not that she gave a rat's ass about what the pedo-snake did, but she was curious to see how Sasuke felt on the matter, "it's going…"

"That bad huh?"

"Not necessarily. I expect to surpass him very soon and when that happens…get ready to leave this place." Her eyes widened at his response, her eyes also seemed to have a little spark in them, "you mean it!? We are really leaving this place?"

"Aa."

She squealed and hugged Sasuke more, smooching his lips. She was so excited, she didn't think she could handle another year in this hellhole. "When do you expect that will be?"

"Whenever it happens."

Sakura pouted as Sasuke gave such vague answers and short responses. She knew better than to keep asking, as he would grow annoyed with her and that was something she would never let happen again, not like before."

"Okay-Mmph!"

-GRAPHIC CONTENT STARTS HERE YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED-

When they were suddenly outside her room, he captured her lips again and pushed her up against the door. She knew better than to make such a tempting face in front of him.

The kiss was so rough, yet passionate as if she was the only person Sasuke ever cared about now. His hands slid down to her ass and squeezed it tightly before he hoisted her up on to his hips. Unbeknownst to everyone in the hideout, this was not the first time they had been together. In fact, they shared many passionate nights on days where the snake would leave. Could the same be said for Orochimaru and Kabuto? ^^

Sakura wrapped her arms around his neck, causing him to deepen the kiss by running his tongue along the bottom of her lip. God how he loved how plump they got after he kissed them, but what pleased him more was the way she sucked on his tongue as if it were a…different part of his body.

'Yeeeeee! Saku-Chan tag me in! I need me some Uchiha dominance!'

Sakura smiled against Sasuke's lips as she brushed off her inner self's comment. That girl was impossible, then again so was she as they were one in the same. As they entered her room he closed the door with his foot, carrying her to the bed. Her pale skin flushed red as she became shy when their clothes fell to the floor.

"I told you before. You never have to hide yourself from me…you are mine and mine alone."

It was with her, that he would give the smallest hint of emotion. She was probably the only person in this world who could do that to him. He spoke of weaknesses and not having any...what a hypocrite. One would beg to differ that Sasuke had weaknesses if they had seen how the two-shinobi intertwined their bodies as they made passionate love. One could argue and say Sasuke was just using her for enjoyment and sex, but the only opinions that really mattered were Sasuke and Sakura's.

As he hovered over her body his large hands gripped her wrists and held them above her head. She was short of breath from the passionate kisses he gave her in attempt to silence her from crying out his name too loudly, not that it wasn't a turn on but he didn't want them to get caught by a henchman of Orochimaru's. Sakura did her best to keep up with his movements as he thrusted himself in and out of her, but he was a very dominant man and preferred to take the lead. His hands left her wrists, causing some redness to appear; before moving his hands to her thighs and gripping them tightly to keep her in place.

Sakura's pleasure filled moans echoed throughout the room with each spank Sasuke gave her, having flipped her body around. This didn't bother her one bit as she knew his favorite position was to take her from behind. He lowered his lips to her shoulder and softly kissed the skin despite the rough rhythm of thrusting he was using on her. Before she could process his gentle touch, she felt her shoulder being bitten causing her to cry out in surprising pleasure.

It was that sound that sent him into overdrive. As if some invisible force charged him of stamina he began to pound away harder into her small frame. The stone headboard of her bed slammed into the clay wall causing cracks to spread in all directions. If someone did hear, they would think it was nothing more than personal 'training' happening in the room.

Sasuke could feel her walls tightening around his shaft as she drew nearer to her orgasm. He was near his limit too, but tried to make the feeling last a bit longer before he felt his seed shooting inside of her.

"Sas-ah…uke…mmn-"

Coming down from his pleasurable high, his onyx eyes locked with hers as he grabbed her hair and tugged on it gently. He could see her eyes spoke volumes of how she felt about him, and he knew that, but did his eyes show the same thing? One thing was for certain, nothing would tear them apart at that moment not even the Snake himself and maybe, just maybe she would be the most important person in the world to him instead of vengeance and at the moment his brother...Itachi Uchiha. For now, this would have to suffice. To Sakura, if she could stay by his side just like this…that's all that mattered.

'Sasuke-Kun…I love you.'