Chapter 11

Sakura groaned as Kabuto poked and prodded her. His face was composed with deep curiosity as he examined her.

"I have to admit, I am extremely jealous of the power that you are receiving from Lord Orochimaru."

"You can have it then." Sakura spitted darkly.

Kabuto chuckled as he pulled his rubber gloves off his hands.

"Even his attitude is wearing off on you."

Sakura glared at him darkly as he walked over to his computer that was sitting on his desk.

"So, what's wrong with me?" she asked, annoyed.

Kabuto looked up at her from over the computer screen.

"Nothing horrible if that's what you're wondering. I'll have to do some test on the blood sample I took from you but we should have the results in a few hours."

Sakura nodded her head as she stood up from the table she was sitting on.

"Do you need anything else from me?" she asked coldly.

Kabuto shook his head, "Not for the moment. You may go now. I realized that I took too long and now you're late for your training with Sasuke. Have fun with that, but take it easy, you're still very weak from the events that took place last night. Who knows what could happen if you exhausted your own chakra."

Sakura held up her right wrist to show the bracelet.

"Well that wouldn't be my fault, now would it?"

"Ah I see you are still upset about having to wear the bracelet, do not worry, Lord Orochimaru is considering taking it off. He said you showed improvement last night." He replied with a smirk on his face.

Sakura turned away from him as she stormed out of the office. Her anger flared as she neared the training grounds. She had no idea why she was so angry but—she was. When she entered the room her eyes gazed around the vast space in front of her. Sasuke was nowhere to be seen.

"Hmph, and he gets irritated when I'm late. Now looks like he's the late one."

There was a soft voice that spoke from behind her. How had she missed this person's presence?

"Are you looking for Sasuke-sama?"

Sakura swiftly moved so she was facing the pink faced girl. Who was this girl anyway?

Sakura had never seen her here before.

The girl flinched at the sudden movement from Sakura. Sakura starred deeply at the girl, trying to look into her soul.

"Do you know where he is?" she asked slowly.

The girl nodded her head, her light blue hair cascading down her shoulders. Sakura never took her eyes off the girls light red ones.

"Why don't you tell me?"

"I don't know if I should trust you." The girl mumbled lowly.

'Trust me? What could she be hiding?'

Sakura eyes narrowed in thought.

The girl's vision clouded as she looked into Sakura's alarming green eyes.

"I'm the only one he trusts with this information but…he's…not himself right now. I'm worried…" her small voice trailed off.

"Why are you worried about him? I promise you he'd never be worried about you, it isn't in his abilities." Sakura scoffed.

The girl tilted her head downward.

"Even if Sasuke-sama could never show his emotions I know deep down that he cares…"

Sakura was intrigued by this girl and what she was saying. Why would she be saying such things about Sasuke of all people?

"Why don't you tell me where he is and I'll see if he's okay. We used to be old friends."

Sakura reasoned calmly, the anger leaving her expression.

The small girl's eyes turned to look into Sakura's. They stayed that way for a while, simply trying to read what the other was trying to hide under the surface.

"Whenever Sasuke-sama gets stressed or upset he gets away from the base…he goes outside and he has this certain spot that no one has been able to find."

"Even when we switch bases?" Sakura prodded.

The girl shook her head.

"Only when we are here…when we move there are other places."

Sakura nodded her head once indicating that the girl should go on.

"Go out through the left entrance into the hideout walk a few paces until you reach a river that runs softly. Once you arrive at the river turn left and follow the river bank. You will see a grove of trees and above it will be a mountain pass. He goes up there to think…that's where you'll find him." The girl closed her eyes as the information left her lips.

Sakura could feel the worry wash over the small girl that had to have been no older than 7.

"Thank you…what's your name?"

The girl opened her light red eyes as she looked up at Sakura; she opened her mouth to speak but was cut off by a stern voice.

"Yuki! What are you doing out here? You know that you aren't allowed out of your room unless I come for you."

Sakura glared as Kabuto came into view. Yuki spun around on her hills so she was facing Kabuto.

"I-I'm sorry Kabuto-sama…I…"

"No need to come up with excuses, come, it's time we had your medical treatment."

Kabuto turned around and began to walk down the hall way. Yuki followed him as she looked over her shoulder to look at Sakura. Then as in slow motion she turned her gaze away from her as she faded into the darkness of the hallway.

Sakura had this sinking feeling in the bottom of her stomach. What kind of treatment would Kabuto be giving to a young child? She shook her head as she filed away the new information. She didn't have time to be worrying about that. Right now she had to find Sasuke and give him a piece of her mind.

Huff…Huff…Huff…

"Why did he have to choose a place that is so high up?" Sakura wined softly so no one would hear. Her gaze fell upon all the beautiful trees as she walked. It wasn't like Sasuke to enjoy the scenery, most of the time he just walked past it, not even caring about it.

Sakura came to a halt when she saw a figure in front of her. He was sitting with his back against a big oak tree. His eyes were closed and he seemed to be meditating.

A small smile formed on her lips as she stood still, gazing at him. The wind blew in his raven locks making her jealous. She wanted to be the one that was blowing through his hair, her fingers curling around each strand…

Shaking her head she began to walk towards him. She knew without a doubt that he knew she was present and yet that didn't stop her. In fact she thought it was odd that he hadn't said anything by now.

"Sasuke…what are you doing out here?"

He didn't move a muscle; he just stayed in the same sitting position.

Sakura sighed as she lowered herself on the ground next to him. His eyebrow rose at this but he still didn't open his eyes. She reached down and started to pull at some of the grass.

"You know you're going to kill the grass if you keep doing that."

Sakura's head snapped up to look at Sasuke. His eyes were still closed but there was a smirk present on his face.

"It'll always grow back." She mumbled.

Sasuke with his eyes closed responded, "So why are you here? I'm guessing Yuki told you where I was, otherwise you wouldn't have been able to find me."

"About Yuki…why are you so nice to her?" Sakura asked softly, her hair falling in front of her face.

Sasuke opened his eyes slowly and looked at her from the corner of his eye.

"Who says I'm nice to her?"

Sakura shrugged her shoulders.

"She told me that you did. I was just wondering how she was able to get…you to care about her." Sakura finished lamely.

Sasuke let a sigh escape his lips. Everything with Sakura was drama; there was never a moment when there wasn't any.

"We need to talk about it Sasuke…the kiss."

He stiffened visibly next to her. Why did she have to bring this up? Hadn't he made it clear to her that it didn't mean anything?

"I know it didn't mean anything to you but…last night when Orochimaru came into my room…and while he was kissing me…all I could think of was you and the way it felt when you were kissing me."

Sasuke turned his head so he was looking at her fully. Did he just hear that right? Was he going deaf? Did she just say she thought of him while she was kissing the freak Orochimaru?

"I don't know if that's a compliment or not." He stated.

Sakura's eyes widened as she turned her gaze to his cold one.

"No, it's good I promise. I…I guess it helped me to get through the night."

"You gave into him last night."

"Wha--?"

Sasuke smirked as he leaned his head against the tree.

"I heard you guys, you were moaning in pleasure and so was he."

Sakura closed her eyes as she took deep breaths.

"The only reason why I was doing anything of the sort was because I was thinking of it being you. I know that's wrong but I couldn't help it. But yes, I did give in because after the kiss…and after you made it something that didn't mean anything I just…I gave up. I've been holding on to you forever and…I need to let you go, since you're never going to let me in."

Sasuke turned his gaze in front of him.

"Good."

Sakura lowered her head towards the ground.

"I'm sorry that I attacked you yesterday…I was just so…furious."

"No need to apologize, it isn't your fault that your getting new power you can't control." Sasuke stated simply.

Sakura began to fiddle with her hands. She was nervous, Sasuke could tell.

"Will you…still be my friend?" she asked awkwardly.

Sasuke closed his eyes for a moment and opened them again.

"No."

Sakura bit her lip as she fought the anger that was suddenly rising inside of her.

"Is it because of the way I attacked you?"

Sasuke ran his hand through his hair.

"I'm sure you'd rather it have it be that reason. But no, the reason why is because you need to learn not to rely on people. No one can help you but yourself."

Sakura smirked, "Funny, you should have listened to your own advice instead of leaving the Hidden Leaf to work with Orochimaru."

Sasuke stood up and walked a few steps away from her.

"You really think I like being here, don't you?"

Sakura gazed up at his back shocked. What other reason would he have?

"Uhm…well—you stay here so yeah."

Sasuke was silent for a few moments. When he opened his mouth he sighed.

"That's not the reason why I stay. Yuki…she's the only one that really knows."

Sakura looked down at the ground to his feet. She was memorizing the way his sandals clung to his ankles.

"I can't believe I find myself jealous of a little child. She must really be something special if you turn to her."

Sasuke closed his eyes wanting the feelings to fade away that were coming out of his cold heart. Why had she come here?

"Orochimaru and Kabuto have been testing on her. She has a rare ability and they have been trying to hone it so they can possess it."

Sakura gasped as she bounced up on her feet. Her hands where clenched into fists.

"Why? Why would they do something like that?"

Sasuke turned around to look her in the eye.

"Orochimaru wants to learn new Jutsu so it requires sacrifices."

"How can you just stand by and watch it happen? Letting Orochimaru have his way with me is one thing but letting him torture an innocent child, it's unbearable!"

Sasuke shrugged his shoulders.

"I don't really care what he does."

"Then why are you being so nice to her? You realize that once Orochimaru has what he wants from her he's just going to kill her, why get close to her?" Sakura was shaking with uncontrolled anger.

Sasuke looked up at the leaves that swung in the wind.

"I may be heartless but I believe that even someone that is going to die young should be able to have some good in its life."

Sakura fell silent as her arms fell to her side. She gazed at Sasuke and didn't hold herself back from walking towards him. Once she reached him she stretched out her hand and placed it on his shoulder. Sasuke turned his eyes so he was looking at her; he had a look of uncertainty.

"You're really still there, aren't you?" she whispered in awe.

Sasuke didn't say anything but he couldn't help the reflex to pull away from the contact. Sakura left her hand outstretched as he pulled away. She was smiling softly as he glared at her.

"You need to stop having faith in me. I'm long lost, so just forget it."

Sakura shook her head as her hand fell to her heart. She was fiddling with something that was around her neck. Sasuke couldn't stop his eyes from traveling to what she was fiddling with. He stumbled backward when he realized what it was.

"When did you—"

Sakura glanced down at the object she held in her hand that was hanging off a silver chain.

"I knew you'd be angry if you found out I went snooping…but…when you left the village 3 years ago—I couldn't stop myself any longer. I had to know what you felt," she took a deep breath as she prepared herself for his wrath that was sure to come, "So when you were gone and after Naruto came back…I went to the Uchiha mansion…"

Sasuke gulped as he leaned against the tree. Why would she be bringing this pain back to him? Wasn't it enough pain with her just here with him, knowing he couldn't have her?

Her emerald eyes left what she was looking at so she could gauge his reaction.

"While I was in the mansion I came across the room I guessed was your parents. Walking inside it I knew this was one of the rooms you refused to enter, everything was left untouched—dust was gathering on everything and the bed was still left unmade."

Sasuke closed his eyes as he lowered his head towards the ground. Sakura's heart quenched at the pain she was causing him just by talking about his parents. Her eyes began to fill with tears but she shook her head, making the tears vanish, she had to finish what she was telling him.

"I began to thumb through the dresser that must have been your mothers. While I was looking I came across something that made me gasp. It was so beautiful…everything about it. And the best part was…it was a part of you."

She noticed when he clenched his hands at his sides into fists. Closing her eyes she wished that he would understand.

"I picked it up and when it caught the moonlight I knew I had to have it. I realize it was wrong to take it in the first place but let's be honest. Do you have any intentions of going back to the village?"

When Sasuke didn't move or say anything her mouth formed a straight line.

"I didn't think so," glancing down once again at the necklace she smiled, "I've worn it ever since that day I took it. Your mother…she must have been a really great person."

Slowly she let her hand fall down from the necklace.

"Sasuke…please look."

When he didn't move his head she took a few steps so she was standing beside him. Reaching out she took his chin in her right hand, forcing him to lift his eyes from the ground. Sasuke looked into her emerald eyes as she held his chin.

"Even if you're angry with me it's better than not knowing what's going on through your head." She stated softly.

Sasuke eyes drifted down, tracing the silver chain. When it landed on the charm that was hanging off the end he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He had a feeling it was that but he was hoping beyond all belief that it wasn't. Opening his eyes again he lifted his hand and reached out to grasp the small locket.

It was a simple round silver locket with the Uchiha symbol in the middle made of red rubies and diamonds. He flipped it over in his hand to look what was inscribed on the back of the locket.

With lots of love, Fugaku, Itachi and Sasuke.

Sakura watched Sasuke's reaction intensely. She didn't flinch when his gaze turned hard; she figured it turned hard once he read his brother's name on the locket.

Reaching up with his other hand he took the locket between the two and opened the clasp gently, almost reverently. The clasp opened with a click and he folded it out in front of him like a book. Sitting in the two sides of the locket were pictures. One of Sasuke's father and his mother, the other one of Sasuke and Itachi. Itachi was gazing up at Sasuke who was on his back with a huge grin on his face.

Sakura watched as Sasuke put his mask back on. Her heart slowed as she realized he was locking that part away from her, again.

"We gave that to my mother…and then the next day Itachi…" his gaze hardened once again, his eyes filling with hate, "killed them."

Sakura half closed her eyes as Sasuke shut the locked softly. He let his hands fall back down to his sides.

"Can't you see why I have to kill him?"

Sakura shook her head as she answered his question, "No, revenge isn't going to make the pain go away…it isn't going to make everything go back to the way it was before the massacre happened. It won't fix anything."

Sasuke smirked as he gazed into her eyes once again.

"We're still so different."

Sakura reached out and grasped onto his shirt desperately.

"But it doesn't have to be that way. Why can't you just come back with me? Why can't you let everything go and come back to the village? Everyone back there would welcome you back…"she was beginning to get desperate and she knew it.

Sasuke reached up and placed his hands on her hands, slowly he began to pull at them, trying to get her hold to loosen.

"If I go back they'll kill me. You know that, I know it. So there's no point in going back even if I wanted to."

"I'll…I'll talk to Tsunade—she's my mentor and she listens to me. I'll get her to understand."

"You can't fix this Sakura. Its time you really gave up on me."

Sakura shook her head again.

"No Sasuke, I gave up on you once and here I am again, asking you to reconsider. Asking you…to let me in…even if I have to go with you to kill Itachi…just please—don't leave me behind again."

Sasuke smirked at the spark of an old memory.

"Are you going to make me knock you out again?"

Sakura stiffened at the horrible memory that surfaced in her mind, lowering her gaze she looked at his chest.

"I don't want to relive that…" she mumbled.

"Then let me go Sakura."

Her hands began to tremble as she bit her lip. Sasuke had to fight back the urge to reach out and engulf her in his arms. It was better for her this way.

'Better if she doesn't know…doesn't see, how much she means to me.'

Sakura let her hands leave the folds of her shirt but before Sasuke could move away she had her arms around his neck, bringing him down to her level.

"I'm not letting you get away this time." She whispered, the hotness of her breath hitting his lips. Sasuke was in shock and couldn't react.

Before he could regain his composure she crashed her lips to his. Sasuke's eyes widened as she moved to deepen the kiss. Right now Sasuke had one of two options…push her away, or give in and completely get blown away by what was happening.

"I forgave you this time…but next time I might not be so forgiving." Orochimaru's voice entered his head making him close his eyes. Giving into his desires would cause her death.

After a few moments of kissing he reached out and pulled her away from him. They were both breathless and she was currently as red as a tomato.

"Sakura…"

"No, don't say it." Sakura whispered urgently. She was backing away from him as she spoke. Sasuke watched as her back hit a tree.

"You have to see that…we can't…"

"Why can't we?!" she shouted, "I don't see what could be stopping us."

Sasuke ran his hand through his hair.

"For one I'm not good at this kind of thing. Another thing is Orochimaru." He put in before she could utter her reply.

At the mention of Orochimaru Sakura looked at the ground.

"He's already told everyone that you are his and his alone." Sasuke continued, "If I did anything…anything at all to make him think that I was—with you he would…he would kill you."

Sakura turned her head so she was looking at a small pink flower that was growing in the grass.

"Besides if those weren't reasons enough there is still the whole thing with me killing Itachi. I'm telling you right now that I will not come back to the village until that is finished, if I even come back at all."

Sakura was biting her lip as he gave her all the reasons why they couldn't let anything happen between them.

"What about your other dream?" her voice was so low that Sasuke barely caught on. He smirked when she asked this.

"That is a dream that is going to have to be put on hold until I finish off Itachi. I can't be restoring my clan while he is still alive and roaming the earth. He'd just come back and kill…you."

Sakura snapped her eyes back up to his. Did he just really say that?

"So…you'd only be with me because I'm the only girl you can actually stand to bear your children?"

Sasuke shrugged his shoulders.

"Would that be such a bad reason? What, do you expect me to fall in love with you or something?" he seemed amused by the idea.

Sakura smiled sadly as she looked up at the sky, it was now beginning to darken.

"I guess I'll take what I can get. But—Sasuke…I'm not afraid of Orochimaru. It's not like he's always around anyway…"

"What are you saying?" Sasuke asked suspiciously as he raised an eyebrow.

She began to blush as she played with her fingers.

"Can't we…you know, when he's not around?"

Sasuke couldn't stop the chuckle that left his mouth. This girl must really want his attention or something if she was willing to run the cost of Orochimaru finding out.

"Hmn."

Sakura smiled shyly at him as her cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink.

"Can I take that as a yes?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes as he turned around and headed down back towards the base.

"Whatever."

Sakura smiled as she jogged to keep with his big strides. She gazed up at his stone face and couldn't help but giggle.

'I guess our Sasuke really does still have his old self in there. It just took a little digging but I have a feeling he'll be much more open with me from now on. I can't believe how happy he made me; even if his answer was tainted it still wasn't a no. I'm one step closer to having him come home.'

When Sakura wasn't looking at him Sasuke gazed at her from the corner of his eye.

'What have you gotten yourself into? Being with Sakura won't be such a bad thing but…if Orochimaru finds out it's just something he could use to his advantage. It's time to take care of him…and soon.'

A/N: Hey everyone! I'm so sorry it took me so long to update, there was a problem with my internet and my Beta, Silver, didnt' recieve my email from last week. But no worries, I sent it to her today and she got it back to me, see how amazing she is?!?!

So not much else to ramble about so please review!! I love hearing what you guys think. Okay, well, push the review button, until chapter 12 is finished, which should be in a few days, tatta!