I'm so bitterly disappointed that it ends here! It's SO good.

So much happened in this chapter in terms of setting basis for the future plot (and further deviation from canon).

First of all, enter Karin. And becasue of Sakura's coincidental moral crisis and the fact that she sees her being brought in - a bond is formed. I was also low-key supporter of Sakura-Karin friendship (or maybe even, even lower-key, in some weird canon deviation, a SakuKarin ship). Now I am super curious how will Sakura-Karin and Sasuke-Karin dynamics develop. Will her obsession develop? Will Sakura so prominently in the picture, and being Karin's saviour change that? Very curious.

Sakura finally dares to voice her plea. And she backs it up with admission that she isn't able to heal Kimimaro... That was already a very strong plot-propelling point. And then Sasuke not only agrees without fight, but admits he never intended to give himself to Orochimaru...

Also: with Sakura's guilt you provided a good rationale for her insisting on taking Karin. Now I wonder why do you (author) need Karin so much down the line... Sakura is a medic enough.

Naruto being left so completely alone is an aspect of the 'sasuke takes sakura with hin to Orochimaru'-scenario that I never considered. It must have been horrible for poor Naruto, with all his rejection and abandonment issues.

A message via a snake... Aren't snakes loyal to Orochimaru?

When Sakura was watching sleeping Sasuke and wondering about his value and value of his eyes, and their ways out, something occurred to me. It is very morbid, but here we go: there is a way to keep Sasuke safe, and permanently so. Everyone is *just* after his eyes. Take his eyes out, blind him, and he is safe from Orochimaru, and safe from everyone else. The vengeance on Itachi goes out of the window but a) we know how well did this worked out, b) still the objective of security and survival of Sasuke is reached.

I love Sakura's signature black gloves. I'm glad that you gave them a cameo.
Great observation that Sakura's low self esteem is a thing holding her development back.

lol at how he was planning to go easy on her, and she shocks him. Also: great description of the fight. It was also so nice to see that they both derived pleasure out of that spar.
And then Sasuke's thoughts about pride and Sakura's own path - that had depth that I didn't expect and didn't think about it.

Good way to indicate them having already entered adolescence with that: ‘when did you grow this tall’. They are not kids anymore. And, adequately, they don’t act like ones. The road to intimacy can be fascinating and they are at the beginning of it. I wonder how will they navigate it, given their circumstances. In this setup, Sakura is much harsher that canon Sakura and Sasuke much milder than canon Sasuke. They can be very well matched up.

Interesting way of describing Sasuke’s reasons for kissing her: ‘because she was close and warm’. Well, I guess that’s what it boils down to him...

Interesting that Orochimaru want to cultivate independent thinkers... It kind of came back to bite him in the ass when a very much independent-thinker-Sasuke absorbed Orochimaru and not the other way around... Now he additionally has Sakura, and she is imo much smarter than Sasuke is.. I ‘m already wondering in glee how will she surprise Kabuto...

Kimimaro as eye-transplant receiver... Is it from canon? Do his abilities somehow support organ-grafting? It was always a mystery for me why was Kimimaro even considered as a vessel for Orochimaru. Ok, he had kekkei genkei, but it was purely offensive and rather non-versatile one. Why did Orochimaru want him so badly on the first place?
But, if you bind it to Sharingan somehow, you create a nice plot-path with Sakura having a goal in making Kimimaro fit. But where would the Sharingan transplant come from in such a case? From Sasuke? That’s also... hmm.. suboptimal.

Sakura daring a question - irl you only regret asking those kind of questions. Answers are never what you’d wish. But here the answer is ver positive. And they sleep together... I’m already waiting for how will their relationship develop physically as they grow up.

So I thought. Actually, in previous chapter I thought that it might be a test for Sakura.
Btw - this little sidetrack indeed costed Sasuke weeks worth of training. Of physical, combat training. About which Orochimaru doesn't care becasue he just wants a body with Sharingan to copy all jutsu. But combat training is what Sasuke is after. Clear proof of how their goals are divergent - that should be (yet another) warning call, or rather a reminder to stay alert, for Sasuke.

Actually, I always found the dynamic Sasuke-Orochimaru fascinating - they get together and cooperate with clear intention of clashing on a later date. They both know that the stronger one will get out of it alive (or maybe Orochimaru has tens of back-up plans in case he loses... Probably he does)

“How do we stop it?” WE, he sad WE!

Sasuke living in the future - great observation. Btw, that’s what many people do, and they lose their chance to really live through such attitude.

Sasuke’s is questioning Orochimaru ‘s decisions - that’s huge. When we see him at the beginning of Shippūden he is ready to kill him, and now is the first step on that way. He realizes he needs his own path. And oh boy does he also realizes stuff about Sakura. Really a lot of inner discoveries as for one chapter for poor Sasuke.

What kind of substances is Sasuke getting! If it’s kin of a doping, it’s not working too well, lol

Sasuke is worrying! And feeling responsible. Wow. Taking Sakura with him is already a game changer if only through that.

And Sakura has a power trip. Well, now she can understand Sasuke’s (and Naruto’s) fixation with power much better.
As expected, you’re starting to touch a lot of serious stuff connected to morality with Sakura’s training. No black and whites... - I only wonder how does one practices medicine in Konoha Interrogation Division...

They are becoming partners in his quest - the way he mentions his revenge to her and she doesn’t question it at all, speaks volumes. She supports not only him as a person, but his aspirations as well.
And - shockingly - Sasuke even listens to her.

Sasuke’s POV! I really love how Sakura means something for him. He even sorts of kinds of adits it in front of herself. This description that her warm weight was his only comfort was really beautiful. Also, the fact that he acknowledges all the misery and trauma of this journey makes him so human.
Idk, since Naruto’s plotline leaves Sasuke’s time at Orochimaru completely off-screen, I never thought much about his experiences. I mostly concentrated on Sakura’s feelings. Also, I have impression that more fics are written from Sakura’s POV than from Sasuke’s. So, reading this is very interesting and I’m looking forward to what you have in store, as you seem to balance out their POVs more less evenly.

Sasuke stands up for Sakura! I didn’t expect that!
Once again, this is a point of view of reader that have seen Sasuke’s downfall during Shippūden and my expectations are tainted with it. But indeed, younger, non-crazy Sasuke would have don it. It’s so heartwarming to see him like that. Truly a time-machine kind of a feeling.
Btw, I think you’re writing Sasuke really well, this overconfident and arrogant, but still insecure kid really comes of right.

“Sasuke takes Sakura with him” AU was my wish fulfillment when I first watched Sasuke’s defection scene back in 2008... Then I didn’t quite know how to navigate fanfiction, and never got to read any stories. Now, with canon long finished, those stories (that must have been crazy popular back in their day) are super hard to find.
I found yours through a rec list on tumblr, and read 4 chapters already and I’m digging it. I really enjoy the way you write, and I’m in for a ride :)

In this chapter I really like th rationale that leaving Sakura (or her corpse) behind would facilitate the pursuit. There is actual logic in Sound Four not getting rid of her.

I hope you continue soon. Love the story.

Hello dear Author,
I'm writing so happy these words hoping you could read them and receive my message of appretiation Your work is lovely, I'd love reading it and the enjoyment it gave me went beyond just the story, the message about solitud you are implying and growth while relying in each other is completely beautiful. Thanks for your hard work and sharing it to the world. Hope you someday can continue the story that really helped me through the darkest depression I've been swimming through.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart.