A/N: Hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own the Nartuo series…unfortunately :..(

Italics like this mean its thoughts in a characters head

Link to Sakura's first outfit in ch.2

Link to Sakura's current outfit in ch. 10

Tell me which one you guys would like more

Suigetsu+Karin: 8 votes

Juugo+Karin: 0 votes

Pro-NejiTen: 5 votes

Anti-NejiTen: 0 votes

What If

Ch.21 Guilt

Sasuke ate silently next to Sakura and the others; he wouldn't even glance at any of them. Sakura ate slowly noticing his odd behavior; her mind kept bouncing back forth from Sasuke's colder than usual attitude and Suigetsu figuring out everything. She glanced over as Sasuke stood up quickly and walked into the boy's room without even sparing them a glance. Suigetsu leaned his palm into his cheek, "What's his problem?" Sakura lips shifted downward a bit as Suigetsu shoved food into his mouth. She kept glancing at the door to the boy's room while finishing her food; she didn't understand why he was behaving colder than normal. She set her chopsticks down and considered walking in there. "You probably shouldn't." Sakura shot her gaze up at Juugo in explanation. "He's been upset since he's woken up; he probably needs to let some steam off first." Sakura kept eye contact for a moment and then nodded lightly taking the advice. She cocked an eyebrow as Karin pushed a plate of vegetables towards her. Karin glanced at her seriously in the eye, "It's good for health." Sakura expression became slightly annoyed at Karin's stern voice; it's not like it would make a difference. They held as long silence as they stared into each others eyes. Sakura gave a silent huff as she gave in and ate a few pieces and stood up to take a bath. Karin glanced over in confusion as Suigetsu gave some small laughter after Sakura left. Karin tried waiting for an explanation but became irritated by the silence. She quickly stood up and headed towards the baths as well.

Karin slid the door shut behind her with a towel in hand and began walking down the hall. She tried to shriek as she was slammed against a wall but her mouth was being covered. Fear circled through her eyes as she saw Sasuke staring heavily into her eyes. "Tell me what you're hiding." Karin gulped at his menacing voice as he moved his hand to let her speak. Sasuke's irritation grew as Karin looked down in alarm and remained silent. He growled under his breath and activated his Sharingan, "Tell me!" She winced in fear and slammed her eyes shut, "I-I don't know w-what you're talking about." Sasuke's temper flared as she mumbled fearfully. He continued pressing her against the wall for a minute and suddenly let go and stormed off. Karin breathed heavily and leaned against the wall as she calmed down. Her knees finally stopped shaking as she opened her with Sasuke nowhere in sight. She began walking slowly towards the baths with her mind running wild. How'd he catch on?

_in the baths_

Sakura let out a small sigh as she slipped into the spring bath. She consciously leaned against the edge of the bath trying to hide her scar. Her hair was twisted in a bun making the scar very obvious if someone was behind her. She watched the steam rise off the water as thoughts of Sasuke's behavior clouded her mind. He seemed fine yesterday… She considered maybe some past memories came up about Kohona last night conflicting with the attack. She wouldn't admit it but she had dreamed about the past all night. Thoughts of her family, the times when she was naively happy had clouded her mind all night. She still wanted revenge for them tearing apart and killing off her family but hindering thoughts wouldn't stop crossing her mind. She shifted uncomfortably as some pain began spread through her body. She clenched her teeth as her hand glowed green under the water. She closed her eyes as she let the chakra numb and heal what it could. Her eyes dulled when she finished; she cut off about two weeks of her life from using that chakra during the Bee fight.

She shifted her gaze as she heard Karin walk in and shut the door behind her. Her eyebrows narrowed at Karin's nervous eyes wanting to know what happened. Karin twiddled her thumbs wrapped in a towel at the edge of the bath, "I…I think Sasuke is catching on…" Sakura's eyes went wide with alarm; she stared down at the water trying to contemplate what could have given her away. Karin slipped into the bath as Sakura's mind went on rampage. Her red hair was in a messy bun and her glasses were left on top of her folded towel. "How?" Karin looked over at Sakura's question, "I don't know but he asked me what I was hiding in the hall and…I thought he was going to kill me." Karin wrapped her arms around her self as a shiver ran up her spine despite being in hot water.

Karin watched Sakura's expression shift uncomfortably at the possibility of Sasuke finding out, "Maybe you should just tell him since he's catching on." Sakura shot her jade orbs towards Karin, "No! I won't, I…I can't tell him" Karin's expression saddened knowing she wouldn't get any further on the subject. Karin looked up at the blue sky, "I saw your scar…" Sakura flinched at the memory of getting it, she knew it made sense, nobody else but Karin could have changed her yesterday. Karin's expression dimmed, "It must've been painful." Karin's words made Sakura's expression tighten; she didn't want to think about that day. That was the day everything started to fall apart. Sakura lightly nodded trying to drop the subject. Her experimentation was one of the memories she hated to remember the most. Sakura squeezed her hand together. I guess that explains his behavior…but why's he so mad if he only knows I'm hiding something? Sakura pursed her lips in frustration; Sasuke wasn't the kind of person to let things go. She mentally sighed and sank deeper into the water, now she didn't want to get out.

_in Kohona_

Hinata ran through the village as fast as she could, ignoring the smoldering heat. Her eyes brightened as she saw Naruto walking away from his apartment with his travel bag on his back. It's true! She heard that Naruto was leaving for some extensive training for a while and she really wanted to see him off. "Naruto-kun!" Naruto stopped and turned as Hinata got to him and stopped for a breath, "Hey Hinata, what's the rush?"

Hinata smiled the best she could and stared into his blue eyes, "I-I heard you were leaving to train and wanted to see you off." A big grin plastered itself onto Naruto's face as he let out a small laugh, "Well then let's go!" Hinata smiled and nodded as they began walking together towards the village gates. Hinata's eyes gleamed at the courage she'd gained over the years. When he left a few years ago she couldn't even get herself to say goodbye or show herself but now she was going to see him off herself. Hinata blinked her long lashes and glanced up at Naruto, "How long will you be gone this time?"

Naruto crossed his arms behind his neck and gave a goofy grin, "I don't know, the geezer frog said it'd be really intense but I bet I'll have it down easy!" Hinata giggled holding her hands behind her back, "I'm sure you'll do great." Naruto met his blue eyes with her lavender eyes and changed his expression to a soft smile, "Thanks…for last night."

Hinata blushed and averted her gaze towards the ground, "I-it's nothing, really. Besides I should thank you more…you're a-always the one helping me out." Hinata fidgeted her fingers behind her back as Naruto's smile brightened. Naruto watched her in the corner of his eye and observed her features, she really had grown beautifully. Naruto tilted his head away trying to ignore the warmth on his cheeks, "You're hair looks nice like that, long and everything." Hinata almost stumbled in surprise as her cheeks became hotter, "T-thank you."

They both nervously avoided each other's eyes to avoid blushing more. Tsunade turned as she saw the two teens walking towards the gate; she smirked at their blushing faces. Naruto looked up and saw Lord Fukasaku sitting on a chair strapped to a frog. Naruto walked over to him and turned to smile at Tsunade and Hinata. Tsunade crossed her arms and smiled, "Take care of him for me." The frog nodded and pulled out a scroll. Naruto bent down and looked at it in confusion, "What's that?" Hinata giggled at his cluelessness, "Bye Naruto-kun" By the time Naruto looked up for an explanation Lord Fukasaku and him vanished in a puff of smoke to Mount Myoboku. Hinata smiled and stared at the sky. Good luck

_in another country_

Sakura tied the dull blue rob tight around her waist and placed her towel around her neck. Her damp hair was still pulled up in a bun on top of her head and Karin was going to stay in the bath for a few more minutes. Sakura leaned against the wall regretting getting out so soon. She really didn't want to face Sasuke knowing he would eventually start questioning her. She clenched her abdomen in pain as horrifying pain circled through her body. She clenched her teeth hard to hold her composure and tried to squeeze out as much chakra as she could to numb her body. She cursed at having to heal herself only a mere hour from doing it previously…it really was getting worse. She wouldn't need to heal herself every hour she just didn't numb the pain enough because the pain had increased immensely.

She sighed after healing herself and walked out the door. She walked slowly back to the room hoping Sasuke wouldn't say anything when she got back. She held her breath and she slid open the door to only see Juugo and Suigetsu. She silently released her breath thankful that Sasuke wasn't there. She looked at Suigetsu's fully healed body as he smirked in her direction. Suigetsu's injuries were the main worry and now that he was healed they'd probably leave soon. She walked into Karin and her room and slid the door shut behind her. She let her long hair loose from its bun and used the towel around her neck to dry it the rest of the way. She let her robe slip away from her body and began putting on her normal clothes. Her hair was hanging over her shoulders letting the cool air hit her back. She had her biker shorts, buckled apron skirt, Uchiha necklace, and black strapless bra on when somebody slammed the door open.

_five minutes before_

Sasuke sat on the roof glaring at the world in front of him already dressed in his usual clothes. He was extremely displeased by Karin's lack of information. He tried questioning Suigetsu as well but all he did was smirk and keep silent. Sasuke growled under his breath. What the hell is she hiding? He stood up and began to pace in frustration. He stopped noticing her presence move to her room…she was alone. Sasuke clenched his fists impatiently trying to decide what to do. His consideration of figuring it out himself increased as he felt Juugo and Suigetsu leave the nearby room. His anger got the best of him as he transported himself into their living room and slammed the door open to Sakura's room. He was ready to yell but stopped as he saw her turn in shock with her shirt still in her hands and her back fully viewable.

Sakura stared at Sasuke in almost fear as Sasuke stared jaw clenched hard at the large scar decorating her back. There was a tense silence and neither one of them moved. Sakura swallowed as Sasuke parted his lips. "Where did you get that?" Sakura's chest tightened at his harsh whisper; it was much more a demand than a question. Sasuke's irritation grew at her silence and he stormed over to her in two swift steps. He tightly grabbed one of her arms and stared with his Sharingan blazing, "Where did you get that!" Sakura's eyes widened at his deadly glare on her face and the painful grip on her arm. She turned her face away letting her hair finally slip from over her shoulders and cover her back, "Let go…"

Sasuke's temper boiled at her defensive whisper and refusing to make eye contact with him. He jerked her arm closer and grabbed her other arm making her body face towards him, "Look at me! Where did you get that scar?" His grip became harder as she still refused to look at him or say anything, "Tell me! Is this what you've been hiding from me?" Sakura shut her eyes tight trying to push away the memories he was forcing her to remember. Why did he have to see? She clenched her jaw hard also trying to ignore the painful grip on her arms.

Sasuke's anger overtook him as he slammed Sakura up against the wall, pinning her arms so she couldn't fight back. Sakura winced at the impact with the wall and the painful impact on her heart. Sasuke had never been this mad at her, never. She didn't know what to say either without exposing the fact that she was dying. Sasuke watched in fury as Sakura's head hung low still refusing to look at him, "Why won't you tell me!" Sakura opened her eyes at the hidden frustration in his voice. She bit her lip knowing he was angry at her secrecy, "I can't…"

There was another tense silence as Sasuke took in her words, "Why not?" Sakura heart tightened at his bitter voice. Sasuke's anger began to swell again at her silence, "Why not!" His yell stabbed Sakura's heart like a knife. She hated him being mad at her; he was her most important person and he was furious with her.

She looked up as Sasuke finally released her and turned to leave. She reached out and grabbed the edge of his sleeve in desperation. Please don't be mad…please Sasuke turned to glance in her direction and was taken aback by the painful expression held on her face. His temper finally lowered a bit at the open desperation showed on her face. He turned towards her and looked her in the eye, "Tell me."

Sakura's determination to stay silent wavered at his yearn to know deep in his black eyes. Her grip on his sleeve became tighter as she leaned her forehead against his chest, "Don't get mad…" Sasuke looked at the top of her head and nodded at her nervous whisper. The hidden fear in her voice almost made him regret asking; he could tell he wasn't going to like what he was going to hear.

They sat against the wall after Sakura put her shirt on and Sakura refused to look at his face while she spoke, "Do you remember that easy mission Orochimaru sent you on about a year and a half ago? You were gone for a week in the Iron country." Sasuke nodded apprehending the bad news. Sakura shifted uncomfortably pulling her knees close to her chest, "Orochimaru sent you…for a reason." Sasuke narrowed his eyebrows in uneasiness. Sakura clenched her hands around her knees harder, "He…he sent you because, " she shifted uncomfortably again, "he didn't want you…in the way when he…" Sasuke's chest tightened knowing he was going to hate what he was going to hear. "When he experimented…on me."

Sasuke's eyes widened in horror as her words echoed in his head. Everything began to make sense as the memories of her strange behavior started after he came back from that trip. Sakura held her breath as he stayed silent; she wouldn't tell him everything, she couldn't. There was no way she could handle telling him everything but she couldn't stand him being mad at her either. Sasuke clenched his fists around the fabric of his pants hating himself for not realizing it before, "What'd he do to you?"

Sakura's expression winced at the question as memories of that replayed in her mind, "That white chakra I use, I lied when I said it was a jutsu I learned…My clan sort of has a bloodline too, I didn't know about it…but he did." Sasuke could feel his mind going numb from shock. "That chakra is a clan enhancement…but it has to be released from experimentation, and the experimentation is…strenuous to complete and often…kills the patient."

Sasuke's ears rung at the word kill. He could've killed her… Anger began to boil in the pit of his stomach; he wanted to tear Orochimaru to pieces but he was already dead. Sakura shut her eyes as she heard Sasuke growl under his breath; he was furious. Sakura pressed her chin into her knees waiting for him to say something. After a tense moment Sasuke finally parted his lips, "I'm sorry" Sakura lifted her head in confusion at his bitter voice, "What?"

Sasuke glared at the floor, "I should've known. I should've been there to stop it." Sakura held her breath, he was blaming himself. Her eyes widened staring at the guilt in his eyes, "It's not your fault. There was no way you could've known." Sasuke's fists tightened, he couldn't believe after all this time he never noticed. After all the time they spent together he never knew how much hell she was going through, "This would've never happened if I didn't take you with me."

Sakura's eyes widened more and her heart stung, he would've rather left her in Kohona? Her chest tightened from the emotional pain, "I would go through that experiment a million times than have you leave me behind." Sasuke finally looked at her with shock and remaining guilt running through his eyes. Sasuke's lips fell at Sakura's hurt expression; did she really love him enough to not care what happened? He shut his eyes and hung his head as he lifted his arm and pulled Sakura's head into his chest. Sakura closed her eyes and took in his warmth knowing she wouldn't have many chances left to feel it. Sasuke rested his chin on her head as guilt flooded through his body, he never really knew how important she was to him until finding out she could've been killed because of his ignorance.

They sat there for some time. Even though it was such a small expression of love it was more important than anything. Sakura savored every chance she had to be near him knowing she wouldn't have much time left to keep doing it and Sasuke was trying to show all affection he never gave her and wished he did. After a long period of time Sakura fell asleep against his chest from the new damage to her body exhausting her. Sasuke continued to rest his chin on her head and began running his fingers through her hair.

_flashback_

Sasuke walked into Orochimaru's room annoyed that he wanted to see him while he was training, "What do you want?" Kabuto smirked, "Cold as always." Sasuke narrowed his eyes as Orochimaru let out a small laugh. "I have a little mission for you in the Iron country. You need to retrieve a scroll from an acquaintance of mine." Sasuke frowned, going that far and back would take about a week and it was such a simple mission, "Can't you send some servant for that?" Sasuke noticed Orochimaru's overly wicked grin. "No, it has to be you. Now go pack you need to leave tonight." Sasuke gave a displeased nod and left the room.

He walked down the hall to begin packing and saw Sakura when he opened the door. She gave one of her beaming smiles towards him when he walked in their room, "Good afternoon Sasuke-kun." He nodded back in response noticing she had been reading a healing scroll. They were fourteen now and her rosette hair was a few inches past her shoulder. She had grown a few inches since they Kohona and her body was finally starting to develop. Sasuke pulled out his travel bag and began placing his stuff inside, he noticed Sakura frown in the corner of his eye. "You're leaving?"

He nodded, "I'll be gone for about a week." Sakura nodded slowly and unhappily stared back at the medical scroll Kabuto gave her, she didn't like it when he went on long trips. Even though Sakura had become very close to Kabuto it got lonely when Sasuke was gone for a long time. Sasuke finished packing and turned to look at Sakura's face, for all he knew things were would be exactly the same when he got back. An hour later Sakura, Orochimaru, and Kabuto saw him off and he didn't think anything of it then but Orochimaru seemed a little too happy when he left.

_end of flashback_

Sasuke stared blankly at the wall, nothing was the same after he left and he was too stupid to figure out why. He looked down at Sakura's sleeping face, she had gone through so much since he left Kohona with her. He frowned; maybe he should've left her. He wondered if she would hate him for leaving her…but maybe that was worth it since she would have been safer. No matter what Sakura said he couldn't stop the guilt from haunting his mind. He would never stop thinking he could've done something to stop it. He glanced down at The Uchiha crest hanging around her neck he gave her; she was his only important person left. He glanced back up realizing looking at the necklace was making him look down her shirt. If he didn't have so much composure he would blush as the memories of walking in on her without her shirt on crossed his mind. He leaned his head against the wall trying to push the vision out of his head.

He mentally sighed that he couldn't get rid of the memory and his body began to get hot from embarrassment. He lips gave a small frown as he picked Sakura up and laid her in her bed so she could continue to sleep. Once he laid her down he pulled the blanket over her and stared at her face. Her sleeping face as so calm despite her harsh past. He brushed a few strands of hair off her face with her fingers and ran his fingers over her lips. He stared at her face another moment and began to slowly lean down. He calmly lowered his face towards hers without a thought in his mind.

He immediately teleported out of the room to outside when he heard the main door to the room next door be slammed open. He frowned hearing Suigetsu's obnoxious voice echo inside. Sasuke sat down and covered his face with his hand. He made an irritated expression as the back of his neck became hot. What was I doing?

_authors notes_

So forgive me this chapter a little awkward anywhere I've been kinda out of it since I'm sick. So I separated the dialogue a lot more due to request even though it actually bugs me not having it close together but I'll get used to it and care more about the readers. So you got a little NaruHina and a big revelation for Sasuke. Now that Itachi dies and everything the importance of people close to him has become a little stronger. And yes he ALMOST kissed her, I'll have them eventually kiss don't worry and they'll also be on their way to Kohona in the next chapter and the war will be soon.

Also I posted all the links on my profile to stuff I've mentioned in my fanfics (you should look) that way it's super easy to find.