A/N: Hello again. Finally, I have decided to release this new story just in time for Valentine's day. This is actually inspired by one of my favorite mangas which I have read when I was still in high school (i'm in post graduate classes now), but I could still remember the story so vividly, and how I wished for it to have a different ending. That's the reason why I came up with this fanfic using Naruto characters because I love that anime as well (haven't read the manga yet).

Other notes: Once again, this story is in modern AU with a little OOC on some of the characters. It is also rated M because future chapters may contain explicit sexual content and violent themes. All characters are in legal age, with Genma as the oldest at 25 years old, followed by Kakakashi at 23, and all the main characters at 18. Pairing is still undetermined. We'll soon see as the story goes. As for the venue, it was imperative that Sakura be a citizen of another country, so in this fic she'll be from Mist (this is due to personal reasons-I just love misty mornings), while the rest of them are from Konoha.

Updates: will be every Wednesdays unless there will be circumstances which will prohibit me to post on that day, or prompt me to post earlier than expected.

Disclaimer: This fanfic is inspired by Mayu Shinjo's Dragon Lord's Mistress as well as Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto.

I do not own the characters mentioned in this story unless otherwise mentioned. This work is a product of my imagination accompanied by the beautiful work of Shinjo-san. Any resemblance to real persons, places, events and circumstances are purely incidental.

Thank you for reading.

Enjoy the ride.

Chapter 1: The Cursed Seal

Somewhere in Kirigakure...

"Good job today as well, Oji-san. You had a lot of customers." Sakura answered with a smile as she kept the rags inside her apron before removing it from her body.

"Yes, yes. The shop wouldn't have survived without your help. Oh, and before I forget, take this home Sakura-chan. I've been making you work hard for the past few days; this is the least I could do for you until pay day comes up."

The old man held a bag of take out from his shop and handed it to Sakura. When she took a peek inside, there was a take-out bowl of ramen and other groceries that would last for a few days. This was indeed a great help as she was short on cash lately because school projects had been piling up.

"Thank you so much Oji-san! Will it be okay if I head home now? Need to study for a quiz tomorrow. Hehe." She requested, dragging the sole of her shoe on the ground whenever she was too embarrassed to say something.

"Of course! Of course! Go ahead, and take care, Sakura-chan."

"I'll head home then, Oji-san. See you tomorrow! You too Ayame nee-san!" Sakura called as she happily dashed outside the shop and on the streets.

Teuchi's gaze followed her out until he could no longer see her frame.

"She doesn't look like it but it must be hard for her." Ayame, the shop owner's daughter said while wiping her hands on a clean cloth after doing the dishes.

"Yes. That's why I'm going to help her in any way I can. Sakura-chan's like a second daughter to me. I know she's a strong girl, but I know she has it tough."

Three years had passed since Sakura considered herself an orphan. Her mother died of cancer while her father's whereabouts were unknown.

For years she had been living on her own. Getting herself into any job she could while studying just to pay for the house her mother tried so hard to keep, as well as the debts she incurred just to pay for her mother's hospital bills.

She was now in her senior year, and she was pondering on whether to stop studying for a year or two after she graduates so she'd be able to save money for a university education.

She really wanted to become a doctor ever since she was little, and her want for such a degree intensified when her mother became ill. However, in order to enter into a good medical school, she needed money, good grades, and a sparkling recommendation from her teachers.

Good grades, and recommendation, she could probably have, but money... She sighed.

Would she be qualified for another scholarship? How about the miscellaneous fees? Those were quite expensive, she thought again as another sigh escaped her lips. But she squared her shoulders and clenched her hands.

'Right. I've made up my mind. I'm going to work and save first, then I'll think of the next step. There's only a few months left, after all. I can do this. I've been doing this for the past three years. I can survive.' Sakura fiercely thought, fist gripping the bag she held as she started laying down her plans for the next two years of her life when suddenly, somebody bumped her side, sending the take out bag she was holding sprawling on the floor.

"Ow! That hurt...Oh no! My grocer—mfgh!" She gasped when a hand suddenly grabbed her from behind, covering her mouth, and dragging her in a darkened alleyway.

'Noooo! Oh my god, I'm going to die! Nooo!'

Behind that huge warm hand covering her mouth, she tried her best to groan and struggle her way free, tears slowly forming at the corner of her eyes when her efforts remained futile under such strong arms.

"Be quiet." The man ordered, stilling her movements by holding her close until she could feel the warmth of his breath on the back of her neck as well as the race of his heartbeat under his chest.

The man was also...what...afraid?

Sakura tried to take a peek at him, twisting her body ever so slightly to get a glimpse but she couldn't get a good look on his face. However, she was positive that he was hiding from someone because when she heard footsteps, he moved deeper into the alley and turned his body away from the opening.

Wait. Footsteps. People are coming!

"Mmmfdggdhh!" She screamed helplessly, trying to make a sound, hoping to be saved but the man suddenly turned her—changing her position so that her back was on the wall, and his face was hovering above hers.

She gasped upon seeing a glimpse of him.

Dark tresses covered his face and deep charcoal eyes bore on her green ones making her knees feel like jelly because of the intensity of his gaze.

She still heard the footsteps. They were growing louder by the second, and she knew there were several people looking for him.

If only she could find the strength in her to scream. Unfortunately, she started feeling dizzy.

Sakura began breathing harder, as the weight of his hand and his body over hers became heavier.

"Mmmmpff..." She helplessly tried. Not really wanting to scream any longer but to be released from his grip.

She felt her eyes starting to roll at the back of her head, hands falling lifelessly at her sides, and when she felt like she was about to collapse because of suffocation, the man removed his hand over her face and kissed her.

'Huh? What?'

With little consciousness left, she felt him grab her arms, draping it over his shoulders as he tilted her head to deepen the kiss, sweeping his tongue inside her mouth when she opened up to breathe.

'W-what is this feeling?'

Sakura heard the sound of footsteps and shouting voices just right outside the alleyway from where they were hidden, but her mind was already too preoccupied with this mind-blowing kiss.

She felt herself responding to him—unsure about her movements, but it was easy to replicate the way his lips moved over hers as she felt his hand slip under her shirt, holding her in place as he run a thumb below the underside of her breast.

She gasped, and then he released her—head rolling on the side of his neck as she tried to catch the breath she thought that was going to leave her until she saw a weird marking on his skin.

Is that a tattoo?

Sakura stared at the intricate markings in between the man's collar bone and shoulder. The markings seemed to glow even under dim light that she found her hand raising towards it, wanting to touch it—but he grabbed her hand and stopped her.

Then he fell on his knees, taking her with him when she realized that his beautiful face was contorted in pain.

Escape. Her mind whispered, and she was right. She needed to escape. But when she held onto his right arm, trying to break free from the way her own right arm was tucked under his left—he let out a painful hiss.

That's when she realized that the man was hurt. Even more so when she felt the dampness on her palm from the way she grabbed him, and when she raised her hand for her to inspect, she saw the dark liquid staining her hand.

It was blood.

TBC