Today is the day. It is the day of a new path...a change in personality...change of the environment...
Today is the day...where a new chapter of my life begins and the old one fades away.

Chapter 3: A New Beginning

"How's the curse mark coming along?"

"It's...fine, I guess."

"Does it have at least two tomoe already?"

"How would I know? I can't even see the back of my neck!"

"Okay, chill man. Let me check it for you."

Saying so, Sakon reached for her neck and glance at the mark. Sakura tilted her long and elegant neck to let him have a better view of the mark. She could feel his hot breath on the spot where she was injected. Blushing slightly, she drew in a ragged breath while willing herself to rid of the dirty thoughts plunging her mind.

"My my, pinky is thinking dirty." Upon seeing her embarrassed face, Sakon could not help but smirked.

"Shut up."

"Stop being such a moron and tell us her progress." Tayuya snapped.

"Just as we had predicted, she has already two tomoe. I checked her pulse and it was slightly faint, but she'll manage."

"Now that her health check is good, I guess we can speed up our pace." Kidomaru muttered, and five of them sped off.

"Damn, they're getting further away." Kiba cursed, while Akamaru whined.

"then there's nothing we could do but to catch up with them." Shikamaru murmured.

Sasuke glanced at the lazy genius in front of him. He had felt a little respect for their leader when he had mapped out their positions when on the move.

Flashback:

"So here's the plan. Kiba and Akamaru will take the lead. With their sharp sense of smell, they will lead us to where our opponents are. Next in line will be me. Being second, I'll be able to direct everyone behind easily and also communicate with Kiba. Third, we will have Naruto and Chouji. They'll be focusing on attack should we ... . Fifth, Sasuke. With his Sharingan he can detect any chakra that might pose a danger to us. Being the second last he can have a wider view of the surroundings around four of us. Neji will be the last and have the most difficult task. With his Byakugan he'll be on the lookout of any dangers behind us. So I'll wrap up our discussion now. Kiba and I will be on the lookout of wherever we're heading. Naruto will take the left. Chouji will take the right. Sasuke will take the 180 point in front of him, and Neji 360, which includes the back.

Kiba felt the same way. He's better than I thought. Just then, he sensed something.

"Hey guys! They have stopped!"

Shikamaru signalled everyone to stop and take cover among the bushes. Once hidden, he began to think of an attack.

"Now that we have a plan, firstly we'll have to move with caution. These people won't let down their guard so easily. Therefore, they must have planned some surprise traps around this area. Be on the lookout for these traps and be careful not to fall for them. You heard me, Naruto?"

"What? Shikamaru, are you doubting my abilities? How could you–"

"Shut up, dobe."

"Hmph. I'll prove you guys wrong!" Saying so, Naruto stood up and stepped forward with cautious steps.

Heaving a sigh, Shikamaru motioned the others to move as well.

For the next few minutes the air was thick with uneasiness and tension, each of them afraid to make a wrong move that might put their mission in jeopardy. Beads of perspiration trickled down their cheeks as they move forward with small, deliberate steps. Just as Shikamaru had said, they did encounter some booby traps, which they all manage to avoid with ease...until now.

Naruto had just crossed over another booby trap and had sighed with relief, but he failed to notice a strand of wire in front of him.

"Wait, Naruto! There's a wire in front—"

"What? Where?" Oh great, I'm staring to lose my balance...help!

The next thing he knew, Naruto stood rooted to the spot, his body froze completely.

"You nearly got us killed Naruto!" "Woof!"

"Be more careful next time, dobe."

"What a drag."

"Gee, thanks Shika. If won't for your shadow jutsu I would have stepped on the wire."

"Don't be too happy yet guys, we are just halfway through the danger zone...wait, I can see them with my byakugan."

"What are they doing?"

"Resting."

"Sakura?" (A/N: Didn't the Uchiha just said he doesn't care about her anymore? :P)

"She's with them, but her chakra circulatory system seems to be...irregular, just like when you first awoken with the curse mark Uchiha."

Neji's words hit him. "It..can't be..."

"Curse mark? You mean..."

"Sakura-chan's got the curse mark too? But how?"

"That's what we're going to find out."

A/N: looks like the boys finally realise the turn of events. How will they face off in the short battle that follows? Here's a short preview:

"Why, Sakura-chan? You don't have to do this..."

"Shut up! You don't even know what I've suffered all this time...so don't act as if you know everything!"

0.0 Why has Sakura's past led her to making the decision of betraying Konoha? Anyway, I'm extending my sincere apologies to you guys...I know I haven't been updating for a VERY long time...yes, I'm a procrastinator... also very sorry that this chapter is so super duper short! I very very very very very SORRY! I deserve a slap -.-lll