Disclaimer: I do not own "Naruto"

Chapter 9: Forsaken

Sasuke couldn't believe it. And though he couldn't believe it, an arrogant smirk pulled at the corners of his mouth. He hadn't intended on eavesdropping, he had merely been passing by the half shut door when he heard his name. Of course, Orochimaru hadn't been speaking to him, but to Kabuto about him. Sasuke pressed his back against the wall and listened. Orochimaru was, for lack of a better term, boasting about his pupil's progression. He said that he was impressed with the growth and strength of the Uchiha boy. Sasuke recalled their last training session. The new skills had come naturally and easy to him and, for the first time since joining Orochimaru, he saw his master strain. Yes, the cruel teacher had actually strained to defeat Sasuke. Not much, but just enough to be noticed by the genius Uchiha. He couldn't conceal the smug look on his face. And then Orochimaru's voice cut in again. He said he was pleased with the hatred that Sasuke was emitting.

His smirk faltered at the words. Itachi had said that he didn't have enough hate and that he never would. It was the whole reason he had left Konoha… to increase his hate and gain more power so he could kill his treacherous brother. Orochimaru was pleased with the hate he was releasing. Sasuke's eyes narrowed a fraction. He didn't understand why it made him uneasy. Now that Orochimaru acknowledged him, he wondered why he felt suddenly empty.

"He's forsaken everything for you." Kabuto stated.

"Not for me," Orochimaru reprimanded. "For my power."

Sasuke's mouth tightened. At least his intentions were clear. He could care less about the snake of a man that slithered in the darkness of this hell hole. If Orochimaru gave him the power to defeat Itachi, then it was all worth it.

"He'll make a fine vessel." Kabuto suggested.

"In due time…" Orochimaru purred.

Sasuke's brows furrowed as an unpleasant scowl formed on his face. He hated that Naruto was right. He had known all along that this was Orochimaru's intention, but he had never truly heard his master say it. He wouldn't linger and increase the possibility of getting caught eavesdropping. So he continued down the hall until he reached his room. He let himself drop onto the bed and considered everything he had just heard. Naruto had warned him and he had replied that it didn't matter. Was that still true? His face remained as stoic as ever as he considered what his future might be. What if Orochimaru acted upon his intentions before Sasuke got the chance to avenge his clan… before he could kill Itachi? What if he took Sasuke's body before he had accomplished his goals? The whole reason he had joined Orochimaru would become null… everything would be in vain. He was beginning to realize just how weak Orochimaru was. Always needing a vessel, a new body… he didn't have power without powerful servants.

Sasuke smirked. A plan began to form in his mind.

He glanced over at his desk. And before he could control it, a small frown formed at his lips. He hadn't received a letter from Sakura in quite a few days. He was… surprised. He had told her not to write any more, it was shocking to see that she had obeyed him. Sasuke wondered then if she would forget about him like he had told her to. Would she obey? Did he really want her to obey him? He had told himself he would forget about her, but her jade eyes haunted his dreams. They were critical and scrutinizing… or perhaps that's what he chose to see, for he couldn't allow himself to think that instead she understood and felt compassion for him. It was in the midst of these thoughts that his charcoal eyes noticed a scroll lying on the floor.

The frown on his mouth turned upward in an arrogant smirk. He knew she couldn't do it.

"Annoying," He said, but the smirk remained.

He picked the scroll up from the ground and wondered where the familiar hawk was. He unrolled the parchment and read the letter as a sense of ease came over him.

Dear Sasuke,

I know you told me not to write you, but I can't. I'm sorry if you think that I'm lecturing you, that's really not my intention. I just want you to know that I still care and I'm not ready to give up on you yet. That may sound stupid to you—

Sasuke rolled his eyes and continued reading.

—but I now know that you aren't ready to give up either. There's something special about you, and I know that you aren't going to let Orochimaru take that from you. I believe that with all my heart.

I have something I wanted to tell you about. I just returned from a mission with Kaka-sensei, it was a success. I can't tell you the details, for obvious reasons, but I was able to put my training to good use. Shishou is very proud. I sincerely hope, for all that you must be going through, that your teacher is proud of you too. Anyway… what I wanted to tell you is: on our way home, I thought I saw you.

His eye twitched slightly. So she had seen him in the forest.

I know it's impossible. My mind must be playing tricks on me. It got me to wondering if you ever see Naruto… or me. Does your mind play tricks on you too? I suppose not.

He could imagine the sad smile that must have graced her lips when she wrote the letter.

You've always had a strong mind; you're far too smart to let that happen. I miss that about you. I miss everything about you. To everyone else, it would appear that you've forsaken us. I know that you have your reasons. After all, it was obvious your drive was different from Naruto's and mine from that first day of training. I just hope that perhaps you haven't truly forsaken us, that maybe… that maybe you care so much about us that you couldn't allow us to help you.

Be safe, Sasuke. And please, don't allow him to destroy you.

I miss you.

All my love,

Sakura

Sasuke rolled the scroll up and placed it in his desk drawer along with the others. He felt very calm, almost nostalgic as thoughts of Team 7 wafted through his mind. And then a sudden determination filled him. He would continue his training. He would continue to grow more powerful. He would continue to prove himself to Orochimaru. He would continue until his heart was hard and his goal complete. He would forsake his ex-team mates. He would forsake Sakura.

A hardened glare stayed on his face as he sharpened his katana. One day… this would all be over.

A/N Just want to thank everyone who's been leaving me reviews, it means so much to me! You are too kind.

So this chapter was a little different, did you like it? I was intending to put in Sakura's half, but for some reason, I felt the chapter was complete with only focus on Sasuke. What do you all think? Good, bad? Let me know. I love to see reviews! Thanks again everyone.