Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Blind Faith

Chapter Five: Blind Faith in What Once Was

I stood outside of Sakura's cell for about a half hour, trying to decide on what to say to her. She probably hated my guts now, so I definitely could not just go in and say, "You're going to train under me for a year, have a kid with me and/or my boss, and kill your boyfriend for his power." Oh yeah, she would totally agree to that. Sigh. Why could things not be like when we were kids, and she would do anything for me? Why?

After that scintillating inner debate, I finally gave in to myself and walked into her cell. Sakura hung like a rag doll from the wall, tied up only by chakra-chains around her wrists. Her head lolled uselessly down, her bangs covering her face.

Something inside of me throbbed painfully as I looked at Sakura. My body was not injured, but I still felt hurt. Nausea engulfed me, and I thought I was going to be sick. How could something as insignificant as Sakura in pain incite such a reaction in me? Could it possibly be that I cared for Sakura, liked her, even?

"Oh, look. The dolt's back," she yawned as she woke herself up.

Nope, she was just as annoying as ever.

"And here I came to spring you. Too late now," I grumbled, edging closer to her.

She snorted once. "Yeah, right. What do you really want with me, blockhead?"

My eyes narrowed into tiny slits. I was used to being made fun of by Kabuto, but not by someone who used to love me.

"Sakura, would you prefer to be raped and killed or safe and alive?"

Sakura gulped audibly, a chill running down her spine. "Why are you 'saving' me? The last time you came for a visit, you tortured me. Why the sudden change of heart?"

If Sakura didn't shut up, I was going to kill her way before Madara got the chance. "I was told to make you a suitable Akatsuki member by next year, else surrender you for execution. Which will it be?"

Her face became hard again. "No. I'd rather die than attack Naruto and other innocent people."

My teeth ground together as I slammed my fist into the wall next to her head. The stone cracked like drywall. "Who cares about that freak? You'd give up your life for someone that would kill you if you made him mad?" I yelled.

"Wouldn't you?" she screamed back.

"No! I would let him die and save my own skin like a sane person!"

"And where has that mindset got you?"

I glared at her for a solid minute before I calmed down enough to notice that she still was not looking at me. All I could see were her eyelids, which had multiple scars running across them.

"Don't tell me you gave up your sight for him."

Sakura stuck up her chin and opened her eyes, which were nothing more than black orbs. "Of course I did. Unlike some 'sane people,' I did what was necessary to protect the person I love."

Bile rose in the back of my throat. Was she being serious? Why would anyone go so far for an idiot like Naruto? "Don't make me laugh. You merely tolerate him just same as the rest of us."

"How would you know? Have you been around us for the past seven months? Huh? You have no idea what my feelings are for him!" she shouted.

That was my breaking point. I reached up and grabbed her chin harshly, her head hitting the wall behind her. "No one deserves to love him! He's done nothing to gain anyone's favor! Naruto has no right to take your life from you, Sakura, and I won't let him. You are mine." And without thinking, I lurched forward and forced my lips onto hers.

Sakura squirmed desperately and tried to get away, but she was too weak. Being chained to the wall didn't help, either. I paused for a second to figure out exactly what I was doing when her sudden scream interrupted my thoughts.

I tightened my grip around her throat and whispered, "That won't do you any good, you know."

She knew she was not strong enough to fight me, so she settled for begging. "Please, Sasuke, stop," she whimpered.

"Not unless you agree to train under me," I murmured, letting my lips slid down her exposed neck. Something in my brain was starting to click. Maybe Karin was not as crazy as I thought she was. This form of love was quite enjoyable.

"Then you have return to Konaha," she bargained.

I froze for a second before coming to a simple conclusion. After the year was up and she was an Akatsuki member, I would return her safely to Konaha and leave her there.

"Fine." I let go of her throat and reached for my katana. After one quick swipe, her chains fell in pieces to the floor.

She landed on her hands and knees like a cat before standing. Once she caught her breath, she asked, "Do you really promise to come back?"

I ran one hand through her soft hair, liking the way it felt between my fingers. "As long as you hold up your end of the deal."

"Then can I suggest something?"

Curious, I hesitantly murmured, "Yes…"

Suddenly, Sakura whipped her hand back and slapped it across my cheek. "Don't ever kiss me again!"

Shock overwhelmed me for a second as I thought of how almost ironic this was. Was I just making memories up or had she not once swore that she loved me? Could I possibly be getting old and loosing my mind? Go figure; I kill Itachi and then I go crazy.

I grabbed her wrists. "You're my student now. You do what I say whether you like it or not."

"Try me," she growled.

I yanked her arms around my neck, and started to kiss the inside of her forearm. As I did so, I noticed something faint on her wrists. They looked like faint scars, but not like the others on her body. They were all cut in a uniform fashion as if done on purpose. I suddenly understood. I looked up at Sakura, at her beautiful face that I never once recognized until it was too late. How could someone so loved and cared for do such a thing?

I let go of Sakura. "Come on. We need to set up your room and then start your training. I have a feeling that we have a long way to go in one year." And with that, I walked out of the cell, in a much different mood than when I entered.

"Naruto? Naruto, where are you?" Hinata asked, forcing herself to speak up.

Said boy, who was in close hearing range, quickly scrubbed the tears off of his face and stood up. "Hey, Hinata! What's up?" he asked with fake enthusiasm. Unfortunately, she was the one person he could not fool.

"It's going to be okay, Naruto. We'll find her," she whispered, moving close.

Wordlessly, Naruto wrapped his arms around the girl's petite frame and tucked his face into her shoulder, silent tears coursing down his cheeks. "I hope so."

A/N: Hey guys! Sorry it took so long to write this! I had no idea how to write my thoughts out in this chapter. I will be taking a little break from Blind Faith and starting How to be an Akatsuki Member. It follows Sakura through her year of training with Sasuke and how he develops as a man. It'll be much more funny fluffy. ^.^ After Sakura's year is up, I will finish the last chapter of Blind Faith. So don't think this story only has seven chapters, because it'll really have about twenty. Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter!