Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto...or shikamaru...or sasuke...

So this is my first fanfic and I hope you all like it. I really hate how Sakura is so weak and whiny in the show. I wanted her to be herself but tougher. I hope it works...

Chapter 1

Sakura waited patiently on her branch. It was quiet, too quiet. She couldn't hear any birds or squirrels. Someone was in the forest with her. She was being followed. Tsunade had given her a mission to retrieve an ancient scroll form ruins just outside of Suna. If the scrolls fell into the wrong hands it would give the user infinite power. Sakura was to protect the scroll with her life.

Sakura smiled. There it was. Barely visible, as a genin she wouldn't have been able to detect the transformation but as an advanced jonin she could see through the transformation. It was performed very well she had to admit. She had almost missed it. But the bush a few feet behind her was definitely a ninja. She pulled out a kunai and hurled it at the bush. "Did you honestly think you could fool me with that trick? A genin could have done better."

"Hand over the scroll" stated the masked warrior as he transformed back to his original form. The ninja was dressed in all black and had his face covered up to his eyes.

"If you want it so badly come and get it from me. Or are you scared??" Sakura tuanted.

"Little girl I'd be terrified if I were you. Hanuro Sakura...Tsunade's apprentice... one of the best medic-nins. Hah! That's supposed to be you?? You look like you should be at home arranging flowers. Just hand over the scroll and I promise I won't hurt you."

Sakura's emerald eyes flared but she smiled. "You're right. Against someone so strong and able like you, I wouldn't stand a chance. Tsunade-sama should have never chosen me for this mission. Here take the scroll." She held out the scroll.

He reached out to take the scroll from her hand. Four kunais barely missed his head as he leaped out of the way. He returned the kunais with two of his own and the shadow clone disappeared. Two more kunai came from behind him and four more form each side. Sakura had cornered the ninja. She smiled "Sorry but I don't care much for arranging flowers"

"Not so fast. Don't make another move." He growled as he appeared behind Sakura. He pressed a kunai to her throat. "I warned you. Now you're gonna die." And with that the ninja fell over.

The shadow clone in front of him disappeared. And Sakura walked out of the forest behind him. "Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. You underestimated me. You think you know everything about me?" she gave him a sad smile, "Those needles that I just inserted into you contained a deadly poison that will devour your chakra and then your flesh will slowly decay until you die. But if you tell me who sent you I might give you the antidote" she smirked, leaving no trace of the sad look she had just a second ago.

"Never. You'll pay for this. My death will be avenged." he spat. He tried to stand but fell over.

"Then die." Sakura turned and left, leaving the ninja to die.

It was true she wasn't who she was before. Before Sasuke left Sakura was a love sick girl. She would do anything to try to impress him. Things were different now.

--------------------------------------------------flashback---------------------------------------------

"Oh! Sasuke-kun. You're back! I'm happy you're home to stay. Maybe...maybe now we can go out some time?" Sakura asked hopeful. She had been delighted to learn that Sasuke had returned from his personal mission. He had been victorious in his attempt to kill Itachi and even Orichimaru and he came back more powerful than ever.

"Hn." He glared at her, "You don't get it do you. You're annoying. Stop hovering around me all the time. If you'd use half the time you're hovering around me maybe you wouldn't be such a weak ninja. Go be useful for a change.

---------------------------------------end flashback----------------------------------------------------

Sakura had been hurt by his words again. She had taken his words to heart and she decided that if she really wanted his love she would have to gain his admiration first. But now she didn't care. After being shot down so many times she had given up. Her heart had become hard and all the feeling of love she had towards him were gone.

Sakura had arrived in Kanoha and went to Tsunade's office and presented her with the scroll.

"Good job Sakura. You did well."

"Thank you sensei. Is there any thing you would like me to do for you right now/"

"No go rest. But meet Kakashi at your old meeting place. I have a mission for the old Team 7. You won't have to leave until two days form today so I trust that you will be at your best?

"Of course. But if I may ask, what mission is so difficult that it would take all three of us to complete?

"It is a rather difficult task. But you will understand better tomorrow. Right now I want you to rest. If you don't have anymore questions you are dismissed."

"Haii" Sakura turned and left.

What the hell!! I haven't even seen Sasuke for months and she expects me to work with him. At least Naruto still comes by. CHA Well aren't they in for a surprise. If they think that I'm gonna slow this mission down they're gonna have to think twice. HA! I'll show them. I've gotten stronger.

So...??? what did you all think?? This is my first fanfic ever so please read and review. Im really bad at fight scenes but I tried my best tho. Any suggestions on how to make it better? Also I apologize for the way some of the characters address each other. Im not very familiar with Japanese formalities... hehe sorry. No flames please but constructive criticism is welcome. Oo and any ideas on how the rest of the story should go are also welcome.