Mixing pain with pleasure was the best discovery the 13 year old pink haired, green eyed girl could've possibly made. As the two were repeatedly reminded of during their weeks of "training", Sakura's body began associating certain kinds of torture methods as pleasurable experiences and Sasuke grew nearly addicted to watching her in such a state. Knowing what kind of power he held, knowing just how much she truly belonged to him without having to break her down. He was winning with the entire situation. He didn't have to hurt her mind, cause her pain, yet when she walked out his family would only see her covered in sweat, bruises, cuts and lashes. He surely wasn't about to correct them about what truly happened in that basement.

On one particular Thursday morning, the young heir decided he was going to strap her onto a metal bondage horse and bind her so she would be completely trapped. Maybe he was a bit of a sadist, but he did love watching her squirm. He helped her into position, tying her arms above her hand and latching her ankles down with 5 pound weights. She was flexible, he didn't want her swinging free. He then ordered her to open her mouth and gagged her, blindfolded her, and hopped down from her side. She heard him continue to rustle around somehow, someplace, but she was clueless as to what he was getting.

Then, the clothespins found her. He had three. One for each nipple, and another for her clit. The two had yet to try it, but dammit, Sasuke wanted to experiment. She whimpered and squirmed when he placed it on her.

"I've got my studies, Sakura. I'll be back in 2 hours." She nodded. Being unable to speak made her feel helpless. Being alone without him terrified her. However, she trusted him with her life and she'd not move until he returned. Being petrified like this, being alone and unable to comprehend how much time passed was worth the anxiety in her mind. She knew soon her darling would return and make her feel safe again. So she waited. Every day, for 1 to 3 hours while Sasuke worked on his studies. She'd asked him about them before, her only education had been what he taught her. However she didn't know much- between his duties as an heir to the Uchiha clan, his duties to her, and her duties to him and his family, there wasn't much time for the two of them two get any real work done. After she'd asked a few times she gave up. A child who couldn't read or write truly didn't have a chance at understanding the political standings of his family.

Sasuke appreciates how thoughtful she was. How many times she inquired the same thing, how passionate she was to learn. He wanted to teach her. But he was fearful, she couldn't let his family know she was smart otherwise they'd send her to a brothel. Sasuke would never forgive himself then.

Today his studies focused on maintaining good relationships between the high class families. Since they were children, Sasuke and his brother had been forced to show the other children they interacted with nothing but respect. Wait your turn. Be a gentleman. Be dignified. A woman is to be treated like a fragile creature. A man is to be treated as an esteemed colleague. Sasuke couldn't keep an obnoxious snort to himself. He'd been wrestling with the truth of what he'd found out about his family for weeks. Normally, he would tell Sakura the truth. But he didn't want to burden her with that. He loved her smile too much to bring it down.

"What are you laughing at, Sasuke?" Itachi asked. To Sasuke though, it felt more like his brother was scolding him.

"Nothing, Nii-san." He wouldn't bother to explain how the hypocrisy in his studies were so outlandish he couldn't help but find it amusing. He turned back to his book, trying especially hard to finish his studies and return to his pretty little pinkette, all tied up and waiting for him. He felt Itachi's eyes bore into the back of his head. Had he set off a red flag? Was Itachi suspicious of him? He felt his heart pounding. He couldn't make out the words in front of him as his mind raced a mile a minute, immediately going to the possibility of Sakura being sent away.

"That's time, Sasuke. Sakura still needs to be sculpted." His brother reminded him.

"Oh, you're right. I did leave her tied up down there." He closed the book and rose to his feet.

"Tomorrow's her first inspection, don't forget." Sasuke's heart dropped into his stomach. Inspection? He didn't recall any inspection. He heard his brother's voice distantly once more. "Father and I have to make sure you're sculpting her properly, Sasuke. After all, you are new at this." The boy simply nodded and left the study, quickly he padded down the hall and made his way to the basement. There he found her, a writhing, wiggling mess, squirming on the metallic point that was now heavily soaked with her bodily fluids. Drool dripped down her chin. He quickly approached her, untying her arms and unfastening her ankles, allowing her body to fall into his arms.

"We have a problem." He said. He untied the gag, allowing her to catch her breath.

"What problem?"

"My brother and father are coming in to inspect you tomorrow." Instinctively, Sakura covered her body.

"I don't want them to see me like this..." Sasuke wrapped his arms around her. He agreed, he was the only one who deserved to see her in such a wretched state. He was the only one who could appreciate it, who deserved to see it.

"If you do well... then I don't think they'll inspect us again for a while at least." Her eyes beamed with determination.

"What do I have to do?"