Cursed

Chapter One

First Missions

Green on pale skin. Two lines were formed onto porcelain like skin, the ends curving slightly in almost a delicate form. One was on each side of his forehead, and in the middle was a small swerve of a design. Two green ex.'s were together, the ends curling and moving towards the other swirled ends of the ex. To Neji, it was a cursed sign that would forever stay with him.

White translucent eyes stared at the tattoo on his forehead, long strong fingers wrapped tightly around his bandages that always served to hide the mark on his pale skin. It was very rare to see Neji without anything covering his forehead. So rare, that nobody had ever seen him without it. It was a mark of disgrace, something he would never show anyone.

"Disgusting." Was all the young man said as he started to wrap the bandages around him. The only time he ever saw the cursed thing was after his shower, and even then he tried not to look at it, though it always failed, his eyes would always wonder to the mirror to look, remember and then become angry all over again.

Sighing, his hands fell back to his side as he observed himself in the mirror. He was no longer the boy he used to be, he had grown into a man now. His hair was longer, reaching all the way to the middle of his back. Right now, his hair fell in midnight curtains all around his shoulders and back. With his bangs framed around his white eyes and the paleness of his skin, he stood out more then most people.

Nimble fingers came up and wrapped around the brown elastic he always wore. Reaching behind him Neji started to tie the very back ends of his hair into a ponytail just to keep it from flying everywhere.

Sighing lightly, Neji took one more glance in the mirror and then turned away, his hands forming tight fists as he walked, a sure sign that he was upset. Within seconds he was out the door and heading to Tsunade-sama's house for another mission.

It was another bright sunny day. The birds were chirping, the kids were laughing, mothers and wives were cooking fresh bacon and eggs as they hummed happily as the smell of breakfast wafted through the house.

Though none of this helped a pink haired young kunoichi. A high screech could be heard from her apartment on the top floor and thundering footsteps that seemed to be running could be heard throughout the entire apartment complex causing the mothers and wives to bow their heads in shame at the pitiful girl. They knew, without a doubt that the kunoichi had overslept. Again. For the third time that week.

Haruno Sakura was late once again. Jade eyes were wide, as panic seemed to seep into her being. 'Tsunade-sama is going to butcher me!' She thought with certainy as she ran all about her apartment trying to find her other lost ninja shoe that she never could seem to find when she was in a hurry. But, atlas she saw a hint of black tucked away under her bed. Grinning, slender hands reached for it and grabbed it, her eyes scanning her room for the clock as she slipped the shoe on with ease.

Groaning, Sakura grabbed a banana as she ran out the door, her short pink hair flying behind her in her hurry. Sakura pumped her legs as hard as a girl could with her mouth full of food, which was an amazing feat for her that she didn't choke on her own food on the way.

Pink sugary strands of hair waved in dizzying motions behind her as she ran. Green jaded eyes narrowed as one of the strands came dangerously close to getting into her eyes. With a small sigh and a tug of the hair later, the strand was neatly placed behind her ear, where it stayed for the remainder of her run. Her hair was much longer now since the last time she cut it, which was during her chuunin exam when she all but butchered her hair with her kunai. That had been a long time ago.. Back when Sasuke-kun was on the team.

'Sasuke-kun..' Sakura thought as she munched on her banana. The name seemed almost foreign to her. It had been over a year since the last time she had even said his name out loud and another year since he had left.

Frowning, Sakura shook her head as if she could shake his picture out of her mind. She had decided long ago to give up on the dark haired man. He had betrayed Konoha. He betrayed his friends. Had betrayed Naruto. Betrayed her.

Sighing, the girl slowed in her run, letting her self go to a slow walk. She liked to think she was over him. But she had to wonder everynow and then what it would be like if he hadn't have left. Maybe they could have been together.

A scoff later and a roll of the eyes dismissed that thought. Sasuke-kun never liked her.

The girl heaved another sigh as she walked, trying to dismiss the thoughts of the Uchiha completely out of her mind. It didn't take to long as her jaded eyes caught sight of the office door to Tsunade-sama's office. Blinking, Sakura shoved the entire half of the banana that she didn't eat into her mouth in a quick way of eating, though she looked rather funny with her cheeks poking out like a chipmunk, though she didn't seem to mind to much as she strolled into the office.

Sakura was greeted with a sound, "Your Late." From her teacher, Tsunade-sama. Since Sakura was still working on getting the rest of her banana down, she simply brought one slender hand and waved slightly with an apologetic look on her face. Well, as apologetic as she could look with her cheeks puffed out.

Tsunade sighed lightly and waved a lazy hand at the seat beside her desk, issuing her to take her seat. Sakura swallowed the rest of her banana and grinned with victory over not having been punished. Still grinning, the lithe girl took her seat and crossed her legs. Cheerful jade eyes slowly started to narrow as she looked about the room, her light eyes observing everyone there. 'Must be a mission..' Sakura thought, feeling her heart skip a beat in excitement. She hadn't been on a mission since her Genin days. Now, she was a chuunin shinobi. A capable opponent that would not get in any of her friends way and could hold her own in the battlefield. She had been so into her training with Tsunade-sama though, that she never had time for missions.

Slowly, Sakura started to nibble on the flesh of her bottom lip as she observed all of the familiar faces in the room. The first person she noticed was Rock Lee. A small gentle smile came to Sakura's face as she saw her old friend. They had started out rather rocky. At the tender age of 11 having a guy that you classified as 'geeky' wasn't exactly the best thing in the world when all of their attention suddenly drifted to you in more then a friendly manner. Sakura grinned lightly as she remembered one of their first meetings. He was just being Lee, of course, blowing her invisible kisses from across the room. Of course, being the girl she was back then, she tried desperately to dodge all of the invisible kisses coming her way. In the end she had fallen over and got a rather large bruise on her forehead.

Though, Lee proved himself later during the Chuunin exams how great of a person he was. They've been friends ever since, and Sakura doubted she would trade him for anyone in the world, not even for Sasuke-kun.

The next person her green eyes spotted was her archenemy. Ino. Sakura's face immediately screwed itself into a look of anger as she looked at the pale haired girl. Ino looked at her in that moment, and full heartedly returned that look, not even noticing the roll of eyes of the hokage sitting in front of them all.

"Today's mission." Tsunade started, completely interrupting the girls before they started arguing. Her pale delicate features looked annoyed at the two, but in reality she was trying everything she could to not smile. Ino and Sakura was actually one of the closest people she had ever seen. Their dislike of each other was nothing more then a game to them. "You will go to the hidden Sand village. There you will meet up with the kazekage, Gaara-sama. He will give you a scroll that is the utmost of importance. You will get it and bring it here. Do not read the scroll." Tsunade said, her narrowed eyes scanning the faces in the room.

It was obvious that something vital of the mission wasn't being said, but nobody was going to ask, as they knew they would receive no answer.

"What is this mission ranked? Will we have pursuers?" A male voice asked that Sakura didn't recognize. Blinking, Sakura turned to see who had talked, only to see a pale-faced serious eyed Hyuuga staring intently at the hokage.

Jaded eyes widened upon seeing him. 'He's sitting right across from me and I didn't even see him?' She asked herself in disbelieve, thinking she was loosing her touch if she failed to notice him.

She hadn't seen Neji in a long time. Not that they were friends, they weren't. She would see him on occasion in the streets or they would accidentally bump into each other on her way out of Tsunade-sama's office while he was going in to receive a mission.

She had never spoken a word to him. In fact the only time she ever acknowledged him was when he fought with Naruto during the chuunin exams. She had a great dislike for him back then. But as with most people, Sakura grew up and offered the benefit of a doubt.. But only because Naruto said he was a nice person, even if he didn't show it.

Sakura blinked slightly when she realized that Tsunade-sama was talking, hoping she didn't realize she wasn't paying attention, Sakura turned her jaded eyes towards her and gave her complete attention.

"Hai. There is another group of shinobi also after this scroll. As of right now it is unknown who wants the scroll and what for. So use caution when traveling. This is a B rank mission. I expect you to be packed and ready to leave by tomorrow morning." The firm voice said, showing no room for questions or for anyone to get out of it. She did this partially for Sakura; she could already see the wheels turning in her head.

'To the Sand Village…it's going to take at least a week to get there!' The girl thought, her shoulders drooping slightly at the thought. 'And when we get there there's nothing but sand blowing everywhere. It's hard to see there which makes it almost a sure thing that we'll be attacked there.' Sakura sighed lightly. Slender hands placed themselves on her knees as she pushed herself up to her feet. 'My first mission in so long.. And I get the crappiest one!' She thought as she started to walk out the door.

Jaded eyes met translucent ones for a second as the two were the last ones to leave the office. Grinning slightly, Sakura turned away, walking in front of him as she started down the hallway of the building. 'On the bright side, I can get to know Neji. He does seem like an interesting person.. A bit quiet but nothing like the cold heartless person Sasuke-kun was.'

A small cough and a clear of a throat caught the girl's attention. Blinking in surprise, Sakura turned behind her to see Neji staring openly at her.

"Yes..?" She asked, her eyes wide as her head turned slightly to the side in curiosity. He did grab her attention purposely.

Slowly, the corners of Neji's lips turned upwards, not much, just enough. "Did you have problems getting dressed this morning, Haruno-san?" He asked, smirking at her. "I'm sure even a five year old wouldn't have made that mistake." He commented, his transparent eyes sparking with hidden laughter as he brushed past her without another word.

"Nani…?" Sakura mumbled as she looked down at herself to see what he was talking about.

And her eyes widened, her mouth falling open.

There, on her feet, was her old blue sandal from her genin days on her left foot.. And on her right was her usual boot. What she had thought was her boot shoved under her bed this morning.. Was really an old shoe! She had been in such a hurry she didn't even notice.

Slowly, Sakura's tiny hands formed little fists. 'I take back everything good I said about Neji. He's a cold heartless snake!'

And so, the mission began.

AN: First chapter! W00t! So, the first thing I wanted to say was.. I had no idea what to do about Neji's sign. I've seen two different versions, one with just a big bold ex. And the other that's all pretty and swerved.. So I went with the prettier one ;; Hope that doesn't bug anyone! XD!

I'm trying to keep them in char.. I could just see Neji having fun over Sakura's expense. ;;

Oh! Before I forget.. I kind of need a beta reader ; I dun have one so please excuse the mistakes in this chapter ;;

Anyway.. Please review! Pwease? ;