OK, so this is my first fanfiction, and I am a little new to trying to get all this formatting together so bear with me for a while. this first chapter will probably be edited later on. But yeah reviews would be much appreciated.

Authors notes: I'm writing this after posting chapter 12. This chapter has some errors that need to be addressed, but if you can power through them in this chapter they stop. I promise.

Disclaimer: I obviously dont own Naruto otherwise I wouldnt be wasting time writing fanfiction id be publishing new manga chapters

Another Authors Note: Seriously This first chapter is kind of dreadful and I seriously want to rewrite the whole thing, but if you can bear through it, this story apparently gets pretty dang fantastic according to my many many fans. There's a crap ton of grammar issues that I really should fix, so if you see them, point them out and I'll fix them. So please don't let this first chapter deter you from a great story. I had literally never written anything before this first chapter, so again, it's bad. So please point out stuff regardless of the chapter. By PM preferably. Thanks, InsomniaOfWritiing.

Convince Me

"Sakura," His breath hit her neck, it was slightly warmer than the summer night air. "Thank you."

I woke up, but not on the bench like the time that he left, but still with the same sense of panic. Soon enough my surroundings took back over, and so did my routine. The monotony was almost mind numbing. The only thing that broke the haze of days, were the occasional missions with what remained of team seven. Kakashi, still lead the missions, but the team was just slightly different. Since Root was disbanded after the death of Danzo and the older elders, Sai was now a legitimate member.

It had been a few years since he had joined their team. His social skills were, for a lack of a better word "improved." Once he learned that nicknames (well his nicknames) weren't really appropriate, he became much more tolerable. He did learn the hard way though, he insulted my chest and I punched him so hard he spent nearly two weeks in the hospital mending a set of broken ribs.

Who could forget the noisy ex-teammate Naruto? Who spent the first few weeks of his job realizing that being the Hokage wasn't as much fun as he thought it was going to be. Paper work and sitting in an office for most of the day definitely didn't suit his style or personality at all. Still, it was literally his dream job. His rise to the title of Hokage wasn't an easy battle. Ironically enough he owed his title to Sasuke. Sasuke managed to kill off everyone involved in the incident involving his brother. Many of those people were strongly opposed to Naruto ever being Hokage.

Danzo especially, but his death brought on the last time I even saw Sasuke. That was almost two years ago. He was alive though, or at least a month ago he was. That was when he managed to assassinate the last two feudal lords involved with Itachi. With the older generation out of the way Naruto easily gained approval. After all he did save thousands upon thousands just a few short years ago. Not to mention he was just amazingly strong, no one could protect the village or dare go toe to toe with him. Still he had one more enemy to defeat.

XXXXXX

The recurring dream of Sasuke leaving me there on that bench always seemed to bring me to tears. I went through my usual routine of hiding them in the shower. Ino couldn't hear me over the sounds of the water flowing that way. Sometimes it would last until the hot water turned as cold as her tears, but it was funny how I could always tell the difference between the two.

I wiped the steam clear off the mirror even though it would return momentarily. It wasn't really necessary to get so cleaned up before a mission. Still I had time though; the day Kakashi was on time would be the day the Ino-pig would fly. Still be the time I was finished with my hair and getting dressed the recently humid room had nearly calmed down to its normal state. I walked quietly as I could to my room to grab my bag that I had prepared the night before, and then made my way to the front door. I had to chuckle a little at Ino's snoring before heading out the door to the village gates.

Sai was already there, no surprise. His head buried in the same book he was reading on the last mission. For someone who seemed to read a lot he didn't seem to read very fast or he read intentionally slow. I managed to get there nearly twenty minutes late, but there was still no sign of Kakashi. I had seriously thought about sneaking into his home a few times over the many years I had known him, and adjusting all his clocks.

"He would catch me" I mumbled just in time for his classic "Yo!"

"Sorry I'm late. There was this dog…"

"Lies!" Sai and I both cut him off. I only think Sai did it because Naruto and I did it every time he showed up. He scratched the back of his head like usual. Kakashi hadn't really changed in any way that stood out to Sakura. She still had never seen his face, and never learned anything of particular importance about him in general. She rarely ever saw him outside of a mission and it was usually at the grocery store.

"Well then shall we get going" he smiled through his mask. Ever since Sai's addition to the team I wondered if the mask was just meant to hide his emotions, and his smiles were forced like Sai's. There was one time I did find him just staring at the Memorial Stone. The one that paid homage to the hero's of the village that died protecting it. It was raining then, but I could see his tears. I was sure he knew I was there, maybe then he just needed someone to talk to.

"Hello? Sakura?" I snapped back to reality at the sound of Kakashi's voice. "We're all leaving for this mission are you?"

"Oh sorry" I gave a quick apology and caught up with the other two. Our mission was another cut and dry escort mission. A "S rank" escort mission. These escort missions were becoming more common now that the feudal lords all needed to have escorts to and from the village. Still the latest Intel hinted at the fact that Sasuke in theory should be finished but it was new information.

The two lords already were waiting at the gate. Their escort of a small group of ANBU departed after we relieved them. The lords' residence was only a few miles north of the village. The two never spoke and simply climbed into their cab. It was a dull day with the three of us on watch

It was hot out. Typical weather for this time of year. A bead of sweat moved into my eye. No sooner though had I went to wipe it off did I sense something off. An odd sense of something cold, even in this heat.

"Kakashi do you sense anything out there?"

"No, I'm fairly certain it's all clear out here, we should be at the mansion here shortly. Don't get jittery everything should be fine…" Those almost became his famous last words when a blur of darkness flew by me, straight for Kakashi. Sasuke! His speed never ceased to amazed me. Though Kakashi didn't even seem to flinch from the blinding attack and easily dodged the swing of Sasuke's katana.

"I'll be taking what doesn't belong to you" Sasuke spat coldly. He was clearly here for Kakashi's left eye.

"You seem to forget that it was a gift, Sasuke." He replied calmly. "Taking it from me won't be so easy, even for you."

"If they interfere I won't hold back on them." He hinted about Sai and me. Once again he didn't even count me in as a threat, or Sai apparently. There was truth to that; in eye techniques alone he could defeat the both of us. Even Sai, emotionless Sai. Told a tale of the things that Sasuke was capable of with just a look.

"I won't let you hurt them." Kakashi's tone became more serious. "Sai! Send for Naruto! Sakura…stay out of this." I was being ignored. Counted out by my teacher and former friend.

"Am I that weak?"

Sasuke clearly was not going to waste time for reinforcements to show up. The air seemed to change around him. Again he was going to use the Susano'o. The last time they encountered him was shortly after he'd killed Danzo. Even then, in his weakened state he forced Kakashi to use his mangekyou sharingan.

"Sakura, get out of here!" Kakashi yelled

"He doesn't even acknowledge me"

"Why are you just standing there? Run Aw…" His voice was cut off as one of Sasuke's blows managed to graze him. A non-fatal blow from what she could tell, but the next blow would not miss. Sasuke's Susano'o drew in its next attack

"Sasuke no!" I suddenly reacted off instinct and raced towards Sasuke. Time seemed to slow as I neared him, instinct said to avoid the situation, but my emotions said I had to try. I doubted if my attack would do anything, but I couldn't just let Kakashi die.

"I told you not to interfere." His words were cold. My fist made contact with his technique first. The pain of several of my knuckles breaking spiraled up my arm. His counter was unforgiving and the blow that hit me made the broken knuckles look fun. As I tried to get back up I felt myself slipping back into the darkness.

XXXXXX

Waking up after being beaten down was never a fun experience. Luckily I somehow managed not to have this happen very often thanks to a brutal teacher.

"A medical ninja must never be hit by the enemy." That was what Tsunade would always say during her early training. I sure did suck at it back then and woke up sore a lot, but this was even more painful.

Things continued to get worse for my scenario. I'd obviously been captured, which meant Kakashi was most likely dead. I could feel the tears starting to swell up in my as the emotions started overcoming the physical pain I was in. I forced them down, I had to focus. Sasuke was obviously behind this, so he had to be around here somewhere.

"A few years ago I once woke up in a similar way you are right now." Sasuke's voice echoed through the room. Even in the darkness I could tell he was close. "Tied up" The sound of a match being struck overtook his voice. My eyes strained against the new light. "And forced to listen."

"Listen?" my voice was dry and hoarse.

"Don't interrupt!" he spat. "Kakashi and Sai ditched you." Not really a surprise from Sai, but Kakashi? Sai had a history of not being a team player. Kakashi on the other hand did take a few things in life seriously, and at the top of that list were his comrades.

"He wouldn't do that you of all people should know"

"He took off the first chance he got, leaving a shadow clone behind when I knocked you out" His words were obviously meant to cut to the heart. Though it was apparent that he wasn't lying. Otherwise I wouldn't be here with him. "Even I couldn't face off with the type of reinforcements that he would bring"

"So why take me, if you're so bent on revenge why not just kill me?"

"Collateral." He said bluntly "At least that way you may prove useful." Those words stunned me for a moment; he probably could read it all over my face. My inferiority complex with the rest of the team was apparent to him.

"What do you want to make a deal for?" I questioned him. "Not like you could get one even for my life."

"You're wrong, the idiot would do anything for you, even go against the wishes of the entire country if he had to. He may have become the Hokage, but I'm willing to bet that he would give that up for your life."

He was right about Naruto. He would do that for me regardless of the repercussions.

"You still never said what exactly you would trade me for" A deadly question, that I might not like the answer to.

"I have two goals left." His eyes drifted away from mine. "Either kill Kakashi, or at a minimum his sharingan eye. Then I plan to revive my clan." I was right I wasn't going to like the answer. He was going to trade my life for Kakashi's.

"How exactly do you plan to resurrect your clan?"

"Honestly Sakura, as a medical ninja, don't you think that that question is a bit self-explanatory?" He sat up and headed for me pulling out a kunai. "Try anything and I won't hesitate to kill you." He droned as if he had rehearsed it. He cut the ropes off, and pulled them off me. "Fix yourself up, we have business tomorrow."

XXXXXX

I could hear the faint sounds of her chakra flowing from her medical jutsu as I closed the door behind me. No sense locking it, she could bring the whole place down if she wanted. Not that she could escape in her current condition. Even with her abilities. Still she was a necessary component for his plans. A Hyuuga girl would be ideal. The sharingan is descendent of the byakugan. Sakura wouldn't be worth that kind of weight. The Hyuuga also had a lot of pull in politics even against the Hokage.

Naruto would have next to no choice; his bonds would get me what I wanted. Sakura would just have to do; her genetics were a blank slate. Even if her offspring had half her chakra control talent they would surpass my own. Even with all the training I've had I still waste chakra, I doubt if she's wasted any her entire life. Still she's a gamble and hot headed. She better be worth the risk.

XXXXXX

I finally collapsed again. This time from exhaustion. Healing took a lot out of everyone who did it. It took large amounts of chakra to forcibly sow organs and tissue back together. Bones were the worst and I had several broken ones. The knuckles on three fingers and four ribs. Getting to all of that in one sitting took a lot of you.

Still it was easy to fall asleep beyond the fact that she was a prisoner in an unknown location. Though the morning came amazingly fast with the sound of the door being opened. I forced my eyes open in time to have a small bag thrown my way. Reflexes kicked in and I managed to catch it before it landed on my face.

"Change." He demanded shutting the door behind him again. In the bag was a basic set of clothes that were all just slightly large on me. I stuffed my usual attire into the small bag and headed out of the door. Sasuke was leaning against the opposite wall as I closed the door.

"Lets go, I don't like to be late." He led me out of the building. The air was surprisingly cool for summer. This soon became no surprise when I found out where we were. The small building we were in was set high up on one of the largest trees I had ever seen.

"Get on." His voice brought me back from me scenic viewing, as he motioned to a disturbingly large hawk. "Stop staring already, he doesn't like to wait either." I climbed uneasily onto the large bird and settled in just in time for it to burst into flight. I had never flown before, and nervously grasped at some of the oversized feathers. Sasuke just stared off into space ignoring the fact that we were hundreds of feet above the ground.

The hawk explained how Sasuke managed to take off with me and not be tracked. Even Naruto's sage mode had its range, and that was enormous. "This definitely beats running through the trees, assuming you don't mind the height." I gulped as I looked down everything was a blur of green, aside from the occasional stream or river. Still I watched until finally, what seemed like hours some signs of civilization appeared. The closer we got I could tell what the place was. Konoha, I could just make out the outline of the Hokage memorial cliff.

XXXXXX

That ended up being where we landed, right on top of the fourth Hokage. Come to think of it Sasuke probably didn't know that this was Naruto's father. I surprised when I learned it too, but in the last few years the resemblance was really beginning to show. As we touched down the small thud of metal hitting the earth sounded near us. We both looked to see the oddest shape kunai just lying on the ground.

I just began to look at the seal on the weapon when Naruto suddenly appeared. It made me jump in surprise. Sasuke just stood there silently, unmoved.

"Sasuke" Naruto started, taking off the Hokage's hat. His tone sounded more serious than his usual self. He had changed so much since the last time the three of them were in the same place. No longer wearing that ridiculous orange attire. Not on the outside at least.

"You know what I'm here for, or should I kill her now?" In an instant he was behind me blade drawn and at my throat.

"No!" Naruto took a step forward. "I talked to Kakashi about your terms."

"And?" His voice rang in my ears

"He agrees to give it up." Naruto's voice wavered slightly

"What about the other part of the deal?"

"That part isn't so simple Sasuke." The katana moved ever so slightly making a small cut on my throat making a small cut. I winced a little at the new pain, but I could handle it. "I got it done though." The blade moved back away a little. "The ANBU will be on permanent watch of course." What were they talking about? What kind of deal did Sasuke manage to make exactly?

"So we can go now?" Sasuke inquired.

"Why am I going with him?" I asked Naruto cutting the two off.

"In exchange for not attacking the rest of the village, who had nothing to do with his brother. He gets to reclaim his clans' property, including Kakashi-sensei's sharingan. Along with someone to revive his clan with. Namely you" he rubbed the back of his head like nothing he said was a big deal. How was I not brought into this conversation?

"Naruto you have no right to do this!" I screamed at him. I had yelled at Naruto plenty in my life but this was different than him being an imbecile.

"I'm sorry Sakura, but I have to do what is best for the village now. This is the only way I could save you and Kakashi and everyone else that you know too." A tear fell down one of his cheeks.

"Let's go" Sasuke pulled me back onto the hawk. My anger left me in a stupor as he did so. I wasn't even mad at Sasuke. I've never wanted to seriously kill Naruto before. "I want that eye within the hour." We were in the air, and headed for the Uchiha complex.

With Naruto out of sight I broke the rest of the way down mentally. Tears flew of my cheeks as we rode through the air; so many thoughts flew through me faster than I could process them. It only took a few minutes to arrive at our destination. I composed myself and stepped down off the hawk which flew off on its own after we both got off.

I stared at what was apparently to become my new home, even Sasuke was staring uneasily. I still couldn't help but feel that this was way worse for him than me. I gave my eyes one last rub and turned towards the memorial where we just were.

"I hope you know what you're doing Naruto."