Chapter 4

Panic began to elevate in his chest. They had been searching hours for Sakura and so far there was no luck in finding her.

"Kakashi, I thought you said your dogs would find her in a heartbeat. So far all they've done is declare that she is no longer in Konha." Naruto wailed profusely.

Kakashi scratched the back of his head. Everything about this situation was very unnerving. Even Sasuke had dropped out of the village limits, which was not a good sign.

'Looks like I was right, he was after Sakura, but why? He never wanted anything to do with her, so why take her?'

"Kakashi Sensei, what are we going to do?" Naruto asked worriedly.

Kakashi sighed as he turned his attention to the blonde haired boy.

"We have no other choice but to report her as a missing Ninja."

"But she wouldn't just leave! She had to have been kidnapped! I'm not going to think that she'd go with Sasuke willingly. All right, she likes him and all that but there's no way she would turn her back on us." Naruto said gruffly while folding his arms across his chest.

"I'm not saying she willingly turned her back on the village, but I am saying that her feelings for Sasuke could sway her in the other direction. Did you ever truly realize how much she cared about him? As I recall she was in love with him before and even after he left the village. That girl has never given up on him, which puts us in a pickle." Kakashi stated as he adjusted his headband to more fully cover his left eye.

Naruto looked behind him once again, wanting nothing more than to see her running up behind him with a big grin spread across her beautiful face.

"Naruto--you need to realize that maybe, just maybe, she isn't coming back."

Naruto closed his eyes in pain as he let the thought wash through him.

'Sakura never coming back...I can't let myself believe that. No matter what she's always been loyal to the village, and to her friends. Sasuke couldn't have that strong of a hold on her, could he? Why would she drop everything she's ever known for him? I know what it feels like to lose something so precious to you that you're afraid it'll never come back, and yet I'm still here. I'm not running away to get the strength that I think will help me. I can find everything I need here. Why Sakura? Why would you leave me like this? Haven't I been there for you through all the tears and struggles?'

Naruto winced inwardly. That wasn't true; he left her just after he'd gotten better from his fight with Sasuke. He left her to keep her promise to her to bring Sasuke back. He had to leave to train--to get stronger so he had a fighting chance against his rival.

Turning back towards Kakashi he had the look of utter defeat on his face.

"I'm not going to go after her. At least not yet, I have something to ask though."

Kakashi inclined his head, indicating for Naruto to continue.

"I need you to train me harder than you have before. I need to get that extra strength so when I do see Sasuke I can fight him and win. I'll do anything to get Sakura back."

"Does that mean you'll kill him if it comes down to it?" Kakashi asked thoughtfully.

Naruto bit his bottom lip and clenched his hands into fists.

"You're the closest thing I've had to a brother, that's why I'm not going to let you give yourself to that creature. No matter what, I'm going to save you, even if that means saving you from yourself."

Naruto couldn't stop the flash back from happening. He had promised himself that he would bring Sasuke back. Yes, he had promised Sakura as well but he had made a promise with himself that he swore never to break. He brought his blue eyes up to Kakashi.

Kakashi took an involuntary step back from the intense look in Naruto's eyes.

"I will not kill him, Kakashi Sensei. Nothing Sasuke does can bring me to kill him. Like I told you before, he's my brother and I won't kill my family."

'Well, well, it does appear that Naruto has grown up after all. I wonder though, will his compassion be his downfall?'

"That's fine Naruto, if you insist you wont kill him than I believe you. Now, we can't waste anymore time. We have to get back and tell the Hokage what has happened."

Naruto nodded his head glumly and followed Kakashi out of the forest of death. 'Sakura...please keep yourself save until the time I can come for you. I promise to find you, I promise to save you.'

A groan escaped her lips as her eyes started to open. Her head felt like it was going to explode any moment.

'What happened to me? One second I was waiting for Orochimaru to attack and the next...Sasuke. He, he knocked me out. Why would he want me taken by his master? None of this makes any sense.'

Sakura slowly sat up, which did not help her head any. She reached up and placed her hand on her forehead.

"Owww."

There was a chuckle from behind her and she gasped as she turned her head quickly. Too quickly, as stars enveloped her vision.

"You shouldn't sit up so quickly, especially after you were knocked out a few hours ago."

She closed her eyes, trying to make the stars leave.

"I don't understand; why would you want him to take me? Why would you let him have me, Sasuke?"

The stars cleared from her vision and she was able to see Sasuke huddled in the darkness a few feet away from where she was sitting.

He looked at her and shrugged his shoulders.

'No answer, just like him. He's really starting to get on my nerves.' Sakura fumed.

"You know what? You're just totally full of yourself aren't you? I can't believe I let myself think that you were still the same boy I knew back when you were with us. You have no feelings at all, just as he told me you didn't."

Sasuke pushed himself from the wall and walked towards her. Her words affected him in a way he wasn't familiar with. She cringed away from him as he came near her. The look in his eyes must have expressed the feelings that were clashing inside him.

"I don't have to explain myself to you." He hissed.

Sakura was scared by the way his eyes flashed with emotions she had never seen before. She brought her knees up to her chest and held them tightly against her.

"What did he do to you?" She whimpered, trying hard to control her emotions that were waging out of control.

Sasuke smirked at her question.

"He helped me to become stronger, helped me to realize how futile it was for me spending so much time with you three as I did."

Each word he said was like a slap to her face.

"Not to mention he's taught me a lot of what it means to be a full ninja. You wouldn't believe the things he's taught me."

"I don't want to know." She whispered.

Sasuke saw how the light from her eyes began to fade away. A part of him found that unnerving. He'd never seen Sakura so...defeated before. He quickly shook his head and pushed those feelings away; locking them back in the spot he created for them.

"Hmnh," he turned his back to her, walking away from her.

She hid her eyes from the darkness that was sure to wash over her once he left her alone.

"By the way," Sasuke said over his shoulder, "Orochimaru will be seeking you out soon. Don't keep him waiting."

Sakura lifted her head to look at him; she looked back down at her knees when his eyes met hers.

"What is he going to do with me?"

'She's vulnerable right now--I haven't seen her like this since...' He rubbed his forehead to stop his train of thought.

"Probably something you won't think is very pleasant."

Sakura became numb.

'He's going to hurt me...he's going to make me do things with him...I can't--this isn't right. Why Sasuke? Don't leave me to this--creature!'

She so desperately wanted to scream out to him but she bit her tongue. Already she was beginning to form plans in her mind, ways to get out of this situation that she was placed in.

Sasuke could read the look on her face.

"You aren't going to be able to get away. He's a lot stronger than you and he can make you do anything."

Sakura's eyes hardened as he spoke. She brought her eyes up to look at him.

"I'm not going to stay here like a whimpering child."

"Ironic, since you were just doing that." Sasuke commented with a slightly humoring smile.

Heat raised on her cheeks. There was no way she was going to let him see her like that again. No longer would he see the sad little girl that he had become so accustomed too.

"Just get out and leave me alone!" she snapped, her eyes blazing.

Sasuke's smirk grew wider.

"All right, have fun." Then he turned and was gone. Sakura immediately felt the coldness that soon washed over her. She had to stop this infatuation she had with him, it was too dangerous to carry those feelings with her. He had been the reason why she let her guard down, that was a mistake she wasn't going to make again.

Just then the door swung open and shut again. Sakura's heart rate began to race as she realized there was only one other person it could be.

"Don't you look just as lovely as ever?"

Chills ran down her spine as the face that went with the voice appeared in front of her. She pulled her knees closer.

"And you look even more attractive when you are frightened. Tell me, did Sasuke scare you? He's clearly changed, hasn't he?"

'Just don't answer him, don't look him in the eyes. He can't make you do anything as long as you don't respond to him.' Sakura chanted her herself.

Orochimaru snickered as he watched the emotions come over the pink haired girl's face.

"He doesn't have any feeling at all. In fact when I passed him in the hall he told me to have fun and not to hold anything back. Did you say something to irritate him? I haven't had him so...understanding before. Usually he hates it when I do this." He said thoughtfully.

Sakura unwillingly brought her green eyes to rest on Orochimaru's face. Had he just said that Sasuke doesn't like whatever he does? Maybe...just maybe there was hope.

'No! Get that out of your head. Sasuke is long gone and there's nothing you can do to bring him back. The Sasuke you knew is no longer there...he's dead, gone, never coming back.'

Orochimaru raised his hand and reached out to touch her. She pulled away from him, not wanting any part of his icky body coming in contact with her.

His eyes flashed with anger and then quickly faded away.

"There is two ways we can do this. You follow my demands or, I'll take it from you."

Sakura glared at him. He really had the nerve to threaten her. How dare he?!

"You keep your slimy hands to yourself, you snake!"

Orochimaru sighed, "Oh well, I tried."

Then he lunged at her and caught her in his arms, making it so she had no way to move.

"Let's see, I should save myself from that super strength of yours so," he caught hold of her right wrist and snapped a metal bracelet around it. Sakura gasped as it began to glow a pale shade of green. All the energy she had seemed to fade away.

'He's taking all my chakra...this isn't good.'

"I'm sure you know what is happening, you are a medic after all. This is a new invention Sasuke helped me with. Although, he doesn't even know how to get it off. I'm the only one that knows how to remove them."

Sakura glared up into his evil, snakelike eyes.

"You're eyes are very beautiful." Orochimaru purred as he allowed his hands to roam over every curve of her body. Sakura thrashed against him, trying to get him away from her. But all it seemed to do was make him press himself against her more harshly.

'Great, knowing my luck it's turning him on even more.' Sakura groaned.

Orochimaru caught her completely off guard as his lips smashed against hers. Vomit wanted to come out of her mouth but she wasn't able to throw up. Everything about the way his lips meshed against hers made her sick.

A single tear rolled down her cheek as she stopped fighting.

Sasuke swung his leg off his bed, not really caring about what was going on down the hall. At least, that's what he was trying to convince himself of. Why did he care if Sakura was one of Orochimaru's pets? He hadn't seen her in years and he certainly didn't have any feelings for her. Maybe it was the whole idea that she was becoming one of those girls Orochimaru kept around for his own sick pleasure. Yes, that was what was bothering him the most.

There were a lot of things that didn't bother him but the fact that Orochimaru kept women around to mess with was one thing he never was able to accept.

His door opened and Orochimaru stood in the doorway.

"Well that was rather exciting."

Sasuke lazily brought his onyx eyes to meet Orochimaru's. Sasuke noticed the sick grin that was spread across his face. Something about it made him want to punch the day lights out of him.

"Do you think she's the one?"

Orochimaru let his smile fade into a frown. He shut the door behind him and leaned against it, folding his arms across his chest.

"I believe that she has a good chance of being the one I've been looking for, which means we're going to have to change her to our side."

Sasuke stiffened.

"We? I never said I'd help you more than get her here."

Orochimaru smiled, "You will help me Sasuke, amazingly after all the things you've done to her she still cares about you. Why she even bothers is beyond me, as it is, she still cares about you deeply."

'Not after what you did to her.' Sasuke thought as he looked back up at the ceiling.

"I don't care about her petty feelings for me. Those feelings make her weak, causing her to lose her focus."

"This is why you will be the one to help train her, help her to become stronger. You will change her; she needs to be as evil and contorted as you." Orochimaru explained with a wave of his hand.

Sasuke's jaw clenched. There was no way he could train her, if anything he needed more training.

"Of course you will get trained even more by doing this. Don't you think I forgot about your little revenge you want to seek. I will continue to teach you and the fighting with Sakura will help you practice the skills I will be teaching you." Orochimaru continued easily. "Anyway, I will leave you, I'm rather tired. In a few hours you will be the one to retrieve Sakura from her room. Please make sure she wears the cloths I bought for her that are in the closet. She really needs to learn to follow orders. You may threaten her if necessary." Orochimaru said off handedly.

When Sasuke didn't answer he smiled. Then without another word he turned and left Sasuke alone with his thoughts.

'She deserves what happened to her. I told her not to follow me, why didn't she listen?'

Because she has feelings for you, a small voice whispered in his head. Sasuke shook his head.

'She needs to lose those feelings for me. If anything Orochimaru will get them out of her, and it will be the best thing for her.'

Sasuke sat up; running his hand through is spiky hair. Slowly he got off the bed and walked to the wall that held all his weapons. Could he really see Sakura holding these, wielding them at her command? A chill ran down him involuntary. No, Sakura was too nice, too innocent to use these. She was never one for fighting...always in the background protecting their charge, she never really wanted to take part in the fight.

Sighing he traced his fingers against the cold metal of one of the weapons. Having Sakura here, just down the hall from him, was causing him unease. He never felt like he had to protect someone here before. Everyone at the Sound village was evil, all having their own agendas to attend to. No one ever treaded across his path though, they were all afraid of Orochimaru's successor. They all had good reason to be so but something about the way they followed his orders without complaint made him nervous.

It annoyed him to no end. There was no one here willing to give him a fair fight when it came to training. They were all afraid that if they did anything to hurt him that they'd lose their life's. Turning his back to the weapons he walked to the door. He leaned his head against the door, collecting himself and his thoughts. Sakura wasn't going to be a pretty sight when he saw her. He had to prepare himself for the worst. Turning the door knob he walked out and shut it behind him.

Sakura looked up from the darkness as he entered the room. She was huddled in the black blanket that was thrown over her bed. Her hair was tangled and matted and her eyes were dead. Sasuke shut the door behind him and stood there, just gawking. The change in her appearance was vital.

"What do you want?" she accused flatly.

Sasuke rolled his eyes as he forced himself to walk to her small form. He looked at the ground and saw her cloths scattered and torn. Her gaze followed his and she shuddered. Sasuke's eyes flashed red for an instant as his fury erupted inside him, but just as quickly as it came it was gone. His Sharingan was put back behind his black eyes.

"Orochimaru told me I had to get you ready for whatever he has planned for you." His voice was emotionless as he spoke.

Sakura squirmed when she heard the name he spoke.

'I don't want to see that bastard ever again.'

Sasuke saw the hate that filled her eyes. He smirked as he walked to the closet and began to sort through the cloths that filled it.

"It's good that you hate him, you'll need that hate to survive."

Sakura was startled as she looked at his back. Hatred, the thing that she shouldn't allow herself to feel especially in this place, with these people.

He came back with black material in his hands. His eyes fell on her bare shoulders as the blanket fell down slightly. He noticed the faint marks of fingers and claws that were now beginning to show. He had to fight back the urge to throw up everything he had just eaten. Sakura looked up innocently at him, startled again by his reaction. Then her eyes turned hard.

"You could have stopped it from happening, and all you did was hide away in your little hole until it was finished. You're stronger than him, you could have stopped him from..." She trailed off not trusting her voice to continue.

Sasuke glared down at her.

"I'm not your protector anymore, I haven't been for years. Why would you expect me to protect you from the man that is training me? He's the one that wants you and he can have you."

She turned her head away from him sharply.

"Besides, weren't you the one telling me in the village that you didn't need protection anymore? That you were strong enough to take care of yourself?" Sasuke taunted.

Sakura held up her right wrist to show the bracelet that still was faintly glowing.

"I can protect myself but not when he's forcing my chakra to be sealed." She snarled, rage completely taking over her face.

Sasuke found himself smiling at her rage. This was a side of Sakura he'd never had the pleasure of seeing.

"Apparently you can't. You didn't stop him from putting that on you; therefore, you cannot protect yourself."

Sakura glared up at him, her grasp on the blanket tightening.

'He's so arrogant! Look at him just smiling like everything is all fine and dandy. How dare he? He has no reason to be smiling, I want nothing more than to smack that smile right off his face.'

She let go of the blanket with her right hand and swung herself up and around him, all this happened in about a second and it took him less than that to have her back on the bed with him on top of her, pressing her into the mattress, making it so she couldn't move from his body weight.

"You're easy to read, and I wasn't even using my Sharingan." Sasuke stated amused.

Sakura snarled as she struggled to get out from under him.

"One day I'm going to smear that smile off your face." She vowed.

"Hmph."

She groaned.

"Now you're going back to sounding like a mumbling idiot."

Sasuke pulled away from her like she instantly burst into flames. His glare was full of hatred and Sakura couldn't help but feel a part of her break by the way he was looking at her. Her eyes never backed down, the hardness never leaving.

"Get dressed," he said harshly as he threw the clothes at her. They were about to smack her in the face when she caught them in her arms. That's when she noticed that her whole chest was showing. Sasuke didn't seem to notice though; he just turned around and stormed out of the room, leaving her alone again. A blush crept onto her cheeks.

'I was naked in front of Sasuke; he was on top of me...Wow.'

She shook her head. How could she think anything like that with him? She had just been completely violated by Orochimaru; she shouldn't want anything to do with men. And yet, she couldn't help but remember the electricity that fired through her as his body was pressed against hers. The blush deepened as she started to get dressed in the little clothing that Orochimaru had picked out for her.

She sighed as she looked down at herself. The black material clung to every curve she had, making it intensify the outward look. The neck line was low but not so low that her breasts were falling out, but low enough that she could move her neck freely. The skirt she was wearing was loose and only came down to mid thigh, underneath it she wore black spandex that she found in one of the drawers off on the side of the wall.

She glanced around the room wondering what shoes she was supposed to wear. She walked over to the closet and gasped at all the clothes that came into view. There were so many, most were black but there were some red ones along with pink.

'At least I have enough clothes to wear. But that must mean--he must plan on keeping me for a while.'

There was a knock at the door, causing her to fall back against the wall. The door opened slightly and Kabuto stepped inside.

"I'm the one that is to bring you to Orochimaru. We also have to do some medical tests to see how your body is doing."

Sakura took a deep breath.

"So you mean something bad could happen to me with Orochimaru taking advantage of me?"

Kabuto smiled evilly as he advance towards her, offering her his hand. She looked at him skeptically before giving in and allowing him to take her by the hand.

"There are many things that can happen with you being...involved with him. His body isn't like the regular human body, it is very complex and I suppose could cause some...discomfort." Kabuto explained as he led her down the hallway.

Sakura couldn't help but look at her surroundings, while she was doing so she thought of ways she could get out of here, getting back to Naruto and Kakashi Sensei.

"I'm sure it wasn't very pleasant for you the first time he went inside you. I need to check to make sure everything is all right."

That sent goose bumps down Sakura's arms. Why in the world would he want to check her? Why would he care? Unless there was a reason why, what could Orochimaru want from her?

"Needless to say, I won't cause you any harm."

'If I do then I'm sure to have my neck snapped before I can even blink' Kabuto thought darkly.

Sakura didn't trust him but she had no choice but to try. She was the one that was captive after all; her live might depend on her obedience.

They turned into an open corridor that was a bit chilly. Sakura shivered slightly at the cold but otherwise didn't let it affect her. Her blood froze when she saw the man she hated more than anything sitting in a chair, looking at her.

"You look..." he trailed off as he licked his lips, "Absolutely delicious."

Sakura turned her eyes away from him and saw Sasuke leaning causally against the wall to Orochimaru's right. Her heart started to pound in her chest as she gazed at him. Even though he was changed and not the same boy he used to be she couldn't help but feel pulled to him. Everything about him caught her in his trap. She shook her head trying to get herself back. Orochimaru followed her gaze and smirked.

'Just as I thought, she still cares about him. I wonder if she'll feel the same once they start training together.'

"I called you here to give you some information. You will be trained in my arts. You will learn all I have to give and you will use it when you are faced against an opponent."

Sakura looked at him like he was going nuts.

"I will never become one of your henchmen. In fact, I might murder you while you sleep, you vermin." She growled as her hands went into tight fists.

Orochimaru raised an eyebrow at her bold statement.

"Then the bracelet stays on. There is another thing I should tell you about it, once it absorbs all your chakra it will start to take your life force. Meaning, if it's left on long enough you will die."

Sakura stiffened as she realized what he was saying. This invention of his was truly evil; everything about it should be destroyed.

"If you agree to become one of us I will switch your bracelet for this one here." He indicated with a lift of his hand. In his hand was a similar one to the one she wore but it was smaller and seemed to weigh less. "This one will only control your chakra, nothing else will happen to you while you wear it. Once I'm satisfied that you won't leave I'll take this off as well."

Sakura bit her bottom lip. She could never give in to this plan; she couldn't become one of the people he used to do his evil work. And yet, the offer seemed so tempting.

"Can I...have a little while to decide?" she asked softly, not meeting his eyes. Orochimaru smiled at her.

"Why of course you can. In the meantime I want you to watch Sasuke train. You can learn a lot from just observing."

Sakura nodded her head.

'Anything just let me out of this room and away from him.'

"Kabuto, take her to her medic checkup and then to the trainer grounds where Sasuke will be. Do not take long though; Sasuke doesn't like to be kept waiting."

Sasuke grunted from the wall and Sakura looked at him. He seemed so stern, so...mindless. Of course she knew that wasn't true; there were probably tons of things going through the darkness of his mind. She turned at the slight pressure that was inflicted on her back. Kabuto was pulling her towards the way they had entered. Sakura followed him back to the place she assumed was his medical study.

"Sit there."

He pointed indicating to a small bed that was in the middle of the room. Sakura pulled herself up on it and winced as she sat down.

"Looks like your sore in that sensitive area." Kabuto stated.

"Really? I didn't notice." Sakura answered sarcastically.

Kabuto had to fight back the urge to laugh. He began the inspection and Sakura clenched the paper that was lining the bed. She snapped her eyes shut as his hands touched her, prodding her. Once it was done she pulled her clothes back on. Kabuto was washing his hands.

"Well it seems like nothing is wrong, which is a good sign. Perhaps you'll last longer than the other ones."

"Other ones?" Sakura questioned.

Kabuto looked back at her and shrugged.

"It's not my place to explain things to you. You can either ask Lord Orochimaru or Sasuke."

Something flashed across her face when he mentioned Sasuke's name. Kabuto awed at it.

"So I see it's true. You do have feelings for the scum."

Sakura felt her protective side start to take over.

"You shut your mouth; you have no right to speak of him that way." She snarled.

Kabuto smiled as he dried his hands.

"On the contrary, I have all the right to speak this way. He's the one that took my place; I was supposed to be the next successor for Lord Orochimaru. Then the Uchiha got in the way." His glasses flashed from the light, hiding his eyes from her.

Sakura finished putting her boots on and placed her arms across her chest.

"I'd like it if you took me to Sasuke now."

Kabuto walked towards the door, expecting her to follow. She had to run up to catch up with him. While they walked through the hallways she pushed closer to him. There were a lot of Sound Ninja that were looking at her, staring at her, like she was something to devour. Once started to reach out to her as they reached what she thought to be the training ground. She tried to pull away when another hand shot out and smacked the Ninja's hand away.

"You touch her and you'll have to deal with Lord Orochimaru."

The ninja glared at the person standing next to her and then quickly left the area. The hand reached out and patted her shoulder.

"You'll get used to all the...animals."

Sakura sighed in relief as she let herself realize that she was finally safe. As long as Sasuke was nearby no one would dare touch her. Kabuto was still standing there, glaring at the Uchiha.

"You can leave now; we no longer have any use for you."

"Careful Uchiha, I might sneak up on you while you sleep." Kabuto threatened. Sasuke looked like he was bored as he shrugged his shoulders.

"Good, it'd give me something to do."

Kabuto stormed off down the way they had just recently come. Sakura looked down at her hands while Sasuke started to head to one of the training machines.

"He didn't hurt you did he?"

Sakura was shocked that he was talking to her. She fumbled anxiously as she ran to keep up with his big strides.

"N-No. He just...well its uncomfortable having someone touch and prod you with instruments that you know they shouldn't."

Sasuke turned on eye towards her and then looked ahead of him again.

"At least there's nothing wrong with you, you should be happy."

Sakura looked back down at the bracelet that was slowly started to dull from the glowing it was doing.

'My chakra is almost out...I have to make my choice soon, otherwise I'm going to be feeling sick.'

Sasuke followed her gaze and reached out to grasp her right wrist.

"You don't have much time, what are you going to choose?"

Sakura moved her right foot in the dirt.

"I don't know...what do you want me to choose?"

Sasuke snorted as he let her arm drop from his grasp. Sakura rolled her eyes and then crossed her arms.

"Would you kill me if I stayed?"

Sasuke didn't answer as he pulled his sword out of its holder. Sakura couldn't help but take a step back as lightening began to go down the blade.

"Are you doing that?"

"Hmph."

"Wow...that's amazing. What else can you do?"

Sasuke glanced at her and quickly looked away.

"Things that would make you tremble I'm sure."

Sakura set her mouth in a thin line.

"Bastard." She muttered darkly under her breath.

Sasuke swung around on her, catching her shoulders in his hands. Sakura squirmed slightly at the feeling of the electricity running through her body.

"Shut. Up."

Sakura looked him defiantly in the eyes.

"Why? Because it hurts your manly ego?"

Sasuke shoved her away from him; she noticed that he didn't use all his strength to do so. He turned his aggression to the person that was slightly shaking with fright. Sasuke raised his hand and motioned for the guy to attack him. The ninja set his eyes and flung himself at the Uchiha. Sasuke was quick as he dodge the head on attack and pushed the man to the side, much harder than he did with Sakura. The ninja stood back up and charged up his Jujutsu, which caused for everything in the room to explode with sound waves. Sakura covered her ears with her hands as she fell to the ground. She wasn't the one doing anything, so why was she being punished too?

Sasuke materialized behind the ninja and placed his hands on the ninja's neck. The electricity began to flow through his hands and into the man's head, causing him to go into shock. The noise stopped abruptly and Sakura looked up from the spot she was kneeling. Sasuke glared down at the now passed out ninja.

"Worthless. Pathetic."

"Why is it when you're the one attacking someone I'm always the one that gets hurt too?"

Sakura asked as she felt the blood running down from her earlobes. Sasuke snapped out of his thoughts by her voice. He walked over to her and knelt down beside her, examining her ears with a turn of her head in each direction.

"You'll be fine, he didn't have it activated enough to damage you."

Sakura's skin tingled from his contact with her skin. A bang came from the entry way and Sasuke snapped himself away from her. She slowly rose to her feet to see the most hated man stride into the room. His eyes landed on the ninja and tisked.

"And I really thought you'd be a challenge for him, apparently I was wrong. Now," he turned his attention back to the pink haired, green eyed girl in front of him, "What is your choice? The bracelet will start to take your life force in a few minutes, now is the time to make your decision."

Sakura twisted her fingers together as she contemplated.

'I could always say I'll do it, and then by the time I really learn anything Kakashi Sensei and Naruto will find me and get me away from here. But--what if they don't find me in time? Could I really live with myself if I lost my humanity?'

She gulped as she cleared her throat to answer. She glanced at Sasuke who seemed indifferent and then back to Orochimaru.

"I..."

Sooo....as you can see I have the newest chapter finished. I was not planning on having it done this quickly. But once i started writing on Sunday I just couldn't stop myself. I even put off homework so i could get all my thoughts down on Word. It was really annoying but I really like how this chapter turned out. I'm so sad...only like 3 people reviewed the last chapter... :( Oh well, hopefully more people start to read. I'll give you all chocolate chip cookies!! Yes, yes!

I wonder what Sakura will choose...hmm...will she stay with Orochimaru and risk the chance of losing herself along the way, or will she perish...or at least think she will??? So many choices...I can't help but wonder...

Guess you guys will have to wait until next chapter to find out. HAHAH, don't you all love cliffhangers. Personally they aren't my favorite but I just couldn't resist with this one. I have no clue when I'll have the next chapter up. this one by far has probably been the longest, when i wrote it in word it was 14 pages alone, so yeah. I have finals coming up next week so i really should focus all my free time on studying...but i don't know. If the story wants to be written I can't stop myself from writing it. Reviews help me write faster! ;)

Once again I've got to thank my most awesome beta Silver. I sent this chapter to her today and she got it back to me by tonight. Which is totally awesome! Thank you! She gets lots of Kuddos. :D :D

And I want to thank all you reviewers. Without you guys i don't know if I'd be able to finish this story. Thanks so much for using your time to read this story, it really makes my day. Give me advice on things, anything! Well this is all for now, i really need to do my math homework. I hoped you enjoyed! C'mon press the review button down at the bottom of the page, you know you wanna. ;)