Over the years, Sakura learned just about everything there was to learn about Sasuke a Uchiha, and he learned just about everything there was to learn about her. The two had become inseparable, the time Sasuke spent away during his studies were absolute torture for the young girl. Though she found ways to keep herself busy during that time, she was extra careful with each of her chores. Doing them well, being praised by her beloved Sasuke, seeing that proud look on his face- they would all be worth the long hours he was away. In truth, Sasuke only spent 4 hours a day devoted to his studies. As he grew older, his schooling took up less and less of his time. It was still too long for the two of them. Izumi kept Sakura company whenever their schedules allowed, the two girls had become very close friends. Izumi would tell her stories of when she and Itachi were younger and how she loved Itachi so much. Sakura would reply with her own stories, how happy she was to belong to Sasuke Uchiha.

"Is it weird to phrase it like that?" She asked her superior servant one day as they stood outside, hanging laundry on some wire to dry.

"Not at all! He does, after all. Just like my Itachi owns me. I am his, and forever I will be." Sakura listened to the words she spoke, as if they'd been drilled into her head. Izumi seemed none the wiser to her strange speaking, instead having a gentle smile on her face as she pinned a pair of gloves onto the wire. Sakura was nervous to continue asking questions. She knew there was something that she hadn't yet been made aware of- these last few years it had felt like her and Sasuke had been best friends, he was her caretaker and she did some chores for him. But there was something more, she was starting to realize. What it could be however- she was clueless to that.

Clueless until it was time for her bath, later that evening. Dinner had been served and eaten, the chores on her schedule had all been finished, and Sakura was ready to scrub herself from head to toe. She had a full 30 minutes to shower, reflect on her day and relax before bed. She entered the bathroom, surprised to be greeted by her darling Sasuke. He clearly saw her shock, though he blew right past it.

"Is there something I've forgotten to do Sasuke-kun? Or is my shower scheduled for later?" The girl asked. Sasuke shook his head.

"No, Sakura. It's just time we took this relationship to the next level." She felt her face get hot. What did he mean by "next level"? He walked over to her, cupping her chin in his hand. "You're a smart girl- you must've started to have some questions about how Izumi behaves with my brother. Doesn't any of it strike you peculiar? Now's your only chance to ask me. So do it." He spoke with certainty, asserting his knowledge and power over her without a trace of arrogance. His dark eyes felt like they peered right through her and for the first time, she felt a slight fear of him.

"I.. I wouldn't know where to begin asking, Sasuke-kun." She confessed. It was hard to maintain eye contact, his body language was frighteningly relaxed compared to how much confidence he showed.

"Very well then. Phase two begins tonight." Her eyes widened. She didn't know what to think. "Strip down, let me see your body." She hesitated. He wanted to see her naked? She was overcome with a sudden, strong feeling of self-consciousness. Her figure wasn't exactly what one might call womanly, and she wasn't sure ifSasuke would be disappointed or not.

"Show me." He ordered again, his voice dropping low and commanding. She whimpered, but did what he said regardless. As she took off her pants and top, she felt exposed to his eyes, knowing he was memorizing every inch of her body.

"c-couldn't we do this after I'm clean? I've been working all day..."

"No. Finish." He answered shortly, still staring her down. She stripped her underwear off, standing completely exposed in front of him. Her arms instinctively covered her chest and her legs turned inwards.

"Move your arms. I want to see all of you." She hesitates a moment but did as he asked, her arms shaking a bit as she forced them down by her sides and stood with her legs straight. It felt like an eternity passed as he watched her, gesturing with slight of hand for her to spin. She did of course, that slight fear in the pit of her stomach wasn't going anywhere. He approached her.

"You're quite beautiful, Sakura." She didn't expect him to say that. Nor did she expect the next thing he did.

he kissed her. He had kissed her many times in the past, her cheeks were the most common spot of a Sasuke-kiss. They were the highest form of praise he'd give, and she was always so happy to have them. He kissed her forehead when she was sad, a reminded that everything would be okay. And on holidays, when there were guests and she was to be his date- a rare occurrence, but it had happened twice -he kissed her hand before the two were off to socialize. Socializing being her standing on his arm as he talked comfortably with adults and children his own age of things she knew nothing about. But it didn't bother her, she never learned about those things and she was happy to be with him. There had been one occasion where's another' boy had called her hot and asked her straight up to come home with him. Being taught never to be rude to someone superior to her, she had been unsure how to respond. Luckily for her though, Sasuke was quick to interfere.

"She belongs to me and only me. Ask again and you'll regret it." He then took the young Sakura- 12 at that time, to the other side of the party and continued socializing as if the incident hadn't happened. Sakura of course, couldn't stop thinking about it the entire night and into the following morning.

This was not one of those kisses. This time, he kissed her on the mouth. His hands holding her face as his lips brushed against hers, time stood still. Her hands rested against his arms and she returned his affections. Kissing, she found, was something she absolutely loved. She completely forgot that she was complefely naked in front of him while he stood fully clothed. Too soon for her liking, he pulled away. He was blushing too. Could he have enjoyed that kiss as much as she did?

"Um.. I have a question or two.. Sasuke-kun."

"Ask."

"That kiss... it was the beginning of the second phase you mentioned, isn't it?" He simply nodded his answer.

"Will we kiss again?" Again, he nodded his head.

"W-When?"

"When I want to kiss you, of course. These next few months will be much harsher. Your heart is already mine, but that was easy. Now your body and mind must follow suit." She felt her heart skip a beat- How was he to know her heart was his?

"Because mine is yours." She didn't hear herself ask that - but she was very happy with the answer. They were in love, Sasuke had freely admitted it to her. Part of her knew that this would likely be the only time their feelings to one another would be spoken of. She wanted to take advantage of the opportunity.

"Will our hearts always belong to each other?"

"Yes. Sakura, I'll only tell you this here and now. As long as you are mine, my heart will be yours. I will be faithful to you, I will pledge my loyalty to you, be your one and only for all time and hold you above all else in my heart and I ask that you honor me in the same way." She could keep the stupid grin off her face.

"Of course, Sasuke-kun! You've always been that to me- I mean... I've always intended to be all that you just said and-" He hushed her.

"I'll be conducting your baths during the second phase." He walked to the bathtub and turned on the water. She simply nodded, though she couldn't help feeling embarrassed. Not only did he see her body for the first time tonight, he was going to touch her body for the first time too.

"Sasuke-kun? I have one last question." He looked over from the bath, where he was checking to ensure the temperature was correct.

"Ask."

"A-are you as nervous for this second phase as I am..?" He took a moment to answer- she wasn't sure if yes or no was what she wanted to hear. Her stomach flipped around inside her.

"More so." Maybe he knew from the look on her face that she was perplexed, but he continued speaking. "It's my job to train your mind and body to become mine. My property. I've never done this before. I've only studied techniques that have proven successful and not successful in the past. But you, you are an entirely different person than the ones I've studied. As am I. I do not want to hurt you, ever. I don't want you to fear me. These next few months will be psychologically and physically draining on you. For me, I've been told that they'll be a test of my emotional strength. I will be the one to put you through this and ideally, we will both come out of this more devoted to one another than we are tonight." Sakura modded. She felt more nervous than she ever had before, he'd made it clear that the next few months were likely going to be a living hell for her- but he loved her. He didn't want to screw up. She hoped it wouldn't take too long for her mind and body to become his. She wanted to fully belong to him, to be his property. The thought of just that- as strange as she found it, made her smile with joy.