Welcome to a new Kagome-H fanfic! I really hope you all enjoy this fic that I completely forgot about until today. I might split it up after this posting, with enough comments saying so. I use the comments to improve the work and I appreciate the reviews.

A/N: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters, which is owned by Masashi Kishimoto. I only own my charas.

Pairing: Sakura/Sasuke

Ages: Sakura 20
Sasuke 20

A New Start

Chapter One: The Unveiling

The forest was quiet except for the birds and occasional grunts from a pink-haired woman that was under watch from a blonde-haired woman nearby. Haruno Sakura was training her chakra control with the former Hokage of Konohagakure Village, Tsunade.

"Perfect, Sakura. I knew I chose a great student for my training. Kakashi was right; you have excellent control of your chakra." Tsunade stated. "How about we call it a day and go get some barbeque?"

Sakura grinned. "Yes, Sensei." She flipped her hair back. Sakura was now 20 years old and had matured over the six years of her training. She became a Jounin shortly after completing the Chuunin exams. Her side rank was a medical nin, due to her training under Tsunade. Her good friend/rival Yamanaka Ino also was a medical nin from learning under her and Tsunade.

The new Hokage of the Hidden Leaf Village was Uzumaki Naruto, Sakura's best friend and former team member. When he obtained the title, he was excited that his goal was realized and that he was like his father. She smiled at how mature he had become since the Academy days, back when he always said he 'would become Hokage, believe it!' and now he only said his two favorite words when issuing a mission or addressing issues. He, Sakura and another classmate named Uchiha Sasuke were part of squad 7, with Hitake Kakashi as their leader.

Sakura stopped and motioned for Tsunade to go on ahead. "I'm not hungry at the moment, I'll see you tomorrow!" She waved and turned to look around the forest, knowing that Orochimaru was hiding in the shadows somewhere. She remembered that today was the day she would have to fight him over Sasuke. Not Naruto, not Kakashi, no one but her. Following the presence to a field where she, Sasuke and Naruto once trained, Sakura stopped near the logs that still stood there. "I know you're there, come on out of hiding!" She called out.

Out of a puff of smoke came a tall, pale man with anothe man, less pale and slightly shorter. Orochimaru had a sick grin on his face while the black haired man next to him appeared emotionless in his black eyes. Sakura recognized him as the very same Uchiha Sasuke that she loved all these years ago. Only Hyuga Hinata knew of the fact that she loved Sasuke.

"So, our dear 'blossom tree' has grown very well and shown up to meet us, Sasuke. She is more beautiful, aside from that rather large forehead, than she was years ago. Unfortunately, I have to end her beauty short. Stay and watch, Sasuke-san." He explained, stepping forward. "I know that your final words are going to be 'Give back Sasuke-kun, Orochimaru!' and 'I'll do anything for Sasuke-kun's release!'." His long tongue reached out and sampled her neck. "Mmmm. She tastes even better."

Sakura held still, knowing to hold still otherwise she would die before saving Sasuke. "You swear to free Sasuke from you if you kill me?" She demanded, looking straight at Sasuke when she said that.

Orochimaru snickered. "My dear Pinky, I never go back on words I promise.."

When Sakura looked at him, Sasuke mentally froze. She would give her life for someone like him, that betrayed his village and his friends just to find out his brother never meant what he did? His hand silently went to his pouch holding his kunais and pulled one out. Sure, when they were in the Academy, she was annoying and weak. Now, seeing what the years have done to her, physically and strength wise, he knew he'd rather have a living angel than to actually have an angel.

Her green eyes had darkened to a deep emerald with wisdom she had probably obtained over the years. Her body had filled out perfectly, giving her the curves that he had never thought a woman could have. Even Karin was plain compared to Sakura. Her height also was noticeable, she was only three inches shorter than Orochimaru, making her 5'7" to Orochimaru's 5'10". Sasuke was 6'1" now, so there still was a difference between him and her. To put it simply, Sasuke knew that Sakura was beyond beautiful. He also was witness to seeing what Orochimaru did to his victims that he promised the same thing. He knew Orochimaru raped them then killed them without a second thought. He wasn't worth Sakura's virginity and life, was he?

Sakura kept her eyes on Sasuke as she felt her body get constricted by Orochimaru. Her body was lifted so that she dangled over the ground by a foot. She glanced and saw that his arm had turned into a snake to hold her still. Her eyes returned to Sasuke's, knowing that he probably wouldn't help her. But, when she looked, he wasn't there and she fell into the thought that he left her to fend against Orochimaru by herself. Just before her legs were parted, Sakura dropped to the ground as the snake exploded, covering her entire outfit in blood. She looked up from her clothes to see Sasuke standing in front of her, holding a bloody kunai out as a defense. "Sasuke...kun..?" She whispered before standing up and putting on her glove that Tsunade gave her.

Orochimaru gaped and looked at his protege. "Sasuke? Wha? I can give you the power to defeat Uchiha Itachi! Why guard someone that is worthless?" He asked.

Sasuke just smirked.

Well, talk about a cliffy! = ) I hope you enjoyed this chapter!

~Kagome-H.