The Curse

Chapter Two: Team Seven

"Our first Team Seven Mission in months!!! Aren't you excited?!"

Uzumaki Naruto grinned jubilantly as he flew through the forest, feet pushing off with practiced ease against the thick branches of the trees, spiky, blonde hair shifting wildly against the wind, and sapphire eyes alight with obvious eagerness.

"I wouldn't call it too exciting, Naruto…One day of traveling together before we split off? Some Mission…"

Naruto's smile slowly faded into a pout as he looked over his left shoulder, catching as Haruno Sakura rolled her viridian orbs with her statement, one hand pushing her waist-long pink tresses from her vision while the other readjusted the strap of the Medical Bag on her shoulder.

"Hn…"

The Kunoichi laughed lightly, "See? Even Sasuke-kun agrees with me."

The blonde-shinobi whipped his head around to face over his right shoulder, cobalt eyes glaring disappointedly at his other comrade, Uchiha Sasuke, who was quietly resuming his calm pace through the trees, dark obsidian eyes portraying both aloofness and boredom. His lips were set into a slightly downward curve, his gaze briefly sliding to the left at their female companion when she continued to chuckle.

With a huff, Naruto returned his gaze forward, pout persistent on his features, "It's better than nothing, right? Come on Sakura-chan! Sasuke-teme! You're bringing my good mood down!"

"But it's true Naruto," Sakura admonished as she picked up her pace so she could run side-by-side with her sulking teammate, a smile on her lips, "Do you really want our first Mission in months to be something as boring as escorting me to a small village in Rain before setting off to do a routine check-up in Earth Country with Sasuke-kun? Let's just save the excitement for a more interesting Mission…S-Ranked or something."

"But we're always too busy to do S-Ranked Missions together!!" Naruto whined, his peripherals catching as Sasuke matched his and Sakura's speed too, "You're always working in the Hospital, Sakura-chan!! Sasuke-teme's still getting back in Konoha's good graces!" A snort was heard at his right, "And I'm mostly training to be Hokage!"

Sakura laughed, her green eyes bright as she comfortingly pat Naruto on the shoulder, "Which is why Tsunade-shishou is sending us on this simple C-Ranked Assignment. We, as Squad Seven, need to find our team dynamic again; we're going to slowly but surely work our way up from here. Alright? No worries Naruto, we'll be taking more Missions together in the future; I mean, we're only eighteen years old!"

Naruto's frown only deepened as he directed his glare at the dark-haired male beside him, "I blame this on you, Teme!"

Sasuke scowled, glower returned just as heatedly, "Why?"

Azure eyes rolled in exasperation, Sakura watching the exchange with concealed amusement, especially having been deprived of it for some time, "You only came back to Konoha two years ago! We've wasted all this time getting you back in our Shinobi Ranks when we could have already been taking Team Seven S-Ranked Missions! Now we're stuck on boring C-Class!"

The ex-Avenger scoffed, "Speak for yourself, dobe. It's not my fault you're slow at things, at least I'm already in ANBU."

"Who needs ANBU? I'm going to be Hokage!!" Naruto countered with energized challenge, a smirk on his lips, "And when I am, I'm going to demote you!"

Sasuke smirked snidely back, clearly accepting the provocation, "Whatever, idiot."

"Boys," Sakura immediately cut in with a sigh, a small smile tugging at her lips as she watched her two companions continue to glare at one another, even as they jumped effortlessly through Fire Country Forests, "As much as I miss these Team Seven fights, I don't miss breaking them up. If you start brawling, I'm not going to heal you up."

"But Sakura-chan!" Naruto cried out pleadingly, turning away from Sasuke, "We're trying to make it like old times! Don't you miss it?!"

"Of course I do!" Sakura answered with a grin, her stare trained ahead of her even as her viridian orbs glazed over in reminiscence, "Ramen at Ichiraku's everyday after Training, stupid D-Ranked Missions, taking the Jounin Exams together and passing!" She turned her head to glance at her male comrades, smiling when she found both their attention on her, "Yes, I miss it! But we're older now; Team Seven still remains strong but as individuals we're going to be busy, changes will happen."

"Which is why I'm excited for this plain C-Ranked Mission," Naruto responded simply, deep blue eyes turning forward with renewed determination, "We're still Team Seven and every Mission together counts, even the small ones, because we know we won't be getting as many Team Seven Assignments as we used to…"

A small smile lifted at the corners of Sakura's lips, her expression softening as she absorbed Naruto's words, "…I guess you're right Naruto. We should make the best of this simple C-Class Mission…"

"…Hn…"

Naruto beamed, eyes closing briefly in comfort as he felt the wind whip passed his face and felt the familiar presence of his two teammates – best friends – beside him.

"Too bad Kakashi-sensei couldn't make it; he's missing out on all the fun!!"

Darkness had already taken the land, the sky partially covered by grey rain clouds, the full moon reflecting its soft light onto the quiet forests below. The small fire crackled harmlessly in the center of a small clearing, burning embers escaping the flickering flames, rising into the air before succumbing to the cool winds and turning to ash. The smoke plumed a thin trail above the treetops, however unnoticeable against the night's obscurity.

Team Seven was spread comfortably apart from one another, silent and absorbed with their own thoughts. Naruto was happily enjoying the Instant Ramen he had packed away for the journey, blue eyes trained on the fire as he consumed his savory meal. Sasuke sat at his left, dark eyes trained on his Kusanagi, focusing on the blade as he meticulously polished the weapon, his posture relaxed among his company. Sakura, who sat on the opposite side of the fire from Sasuke, was completely immersed in her scroll, green eyes scanning the scrawled reports, lips curved downward in concentrated thought.

Absently, Naruto flickered his gaze between his two teammates, a curious look crossing his features as he studied the pink-haired Medic, "…Something wrong Sakura-chan?"

The break in silence snapped Sasuke and Sakura from their reveries; the ex-Avenger looking up to eye his two comrades before setting his sights on Sakura, expecting her to answer Naruto's inquiry. Still a little surprised, the Kunoichi glanced curiously at the two males before the question fully sunk in and she let out a sigh, leaning her chin against her palm, elbow resting on her thigh.

"I'm fine," She assured, her response sounding a little tired, distant even, "Just looking over my Mission Reports."

Naruto put down his Ramen Cup, his interest captured as he turned to face the female Jounin more fully, "What do you have to do on your Mission Sakura-chan? Why do the Teme and I have to escort you to Rain Country?"

Sakura shook her head dismissively, waving her free hand before beginning to roll up her scroll, "A Border Village of Rain is in need of a Medic; apparently they've had some casualties lately. It's nothing exciting…Just perplexing."

"Perplexing?" Sasuke asked, obsidian orbs probing through emerald as he watched Sakura's features become thoughtful again, her eyes narrowing as the fingers near her chin began to tap her cheek distractedly, her intelligent mind probably whirring with possible scenarios he had no care for.

Sakura finally shrugged, connecting her gaze with both her teammates momentarily, "Well, Rain isn't in a Civil War anymore now that the Akatsuki has been taken care of…I'm just curious as to why they've called for Hidden Leaf's help…They have their own Shinobi and Medics."

"It didn't say in the Scroll?" Naruto asked, concern washing over his expression, "Is it a good idea for you to be going there alone when you think something doesn't seem right?"

The Medic shook her head, "I don't think there's anything to worry about, Naruto, really. I'm just a little confused with the circumstances of the wounded. And no, there wasn't any explanation in the Scroll but Rain is our ally and we won't turn them away if they need help, especially when there are injured Shinobi that I am capable of healing."

"Who sent the call for help?" Sasuke asked, dark eyes returning to his task of sharpening his weapon.

"The Village's Clinic," Sakura answered, moving to pack away her things, green eyes obviously showing her fatigue, "Though I should meet with the Village's Leader…Get some answers. When things don't seem right, I just feel I should investigate, specifically when it comes to Leaf's Allies," She then shrugged, "Or maybe I'm overreacting, perhaps they just need more help in the repercussions of the Civil War with Akatsuki…"

"Maybe we should go with you Sakura-chan," Naruto offered, clearly expressing his own growing unease of the situation.

Sakura smiled, waving him off as she began to snuggle into her sleeping roll, "Don't worry about me Naruto, I am an ANBU Medic after all," A teasing glint shined in her jade eyes, "Besides, I'm sure you and Sasuke-kun want to get your Earth Country Mission over and done with as soon as possible."

"Aa," Sasuke snorted with agreement, a frown of disappointment on his lips with his given Assignment.

"I guess," The blonde-Shinobi replied, scratching the back of his neck as he thought about his task, "Tsunade-baa-chan wants me to work on my interaction with Alliances for when I become Hokage."

Sasuke smirked, "I'm there to make sure he won't screw up and doesn't provoke them into another Ninja World War."

"Hey!"

Sakura laughed, emerald eyes catching as Naruto glared at Sasuke, the latter only continuing to smirk, before she closed her eyes and allowed her muscles to unwind into sleep, her mind slowly drifting away into unconsciousness, even as it desired to continue its confused study towards Rain's predicament.

Naruto and Sasuke remained quiet and shared a short, challenging glance before returning to their own musings, Naruto getting ready to sleep and Sasuke prepared for the first few hours of night watch.

The Borders of Earth Country and Rain Country was a mixture of hot and cold. The sun, high in the sky, was shining heated rays on the land while grey clouds loomed, carrying the precipitation and wet that Rain Country was undeniably known for. It was already the afternoon, the run from the Borders of Fire and Grass Countries to the Borders of Earth and Rain about six hours long, Team Seven starting their journey again a few hours before the sun had risen.

"So this is where we part," Sakura sighed as she eyed her surroundings, the large mountains at her right signifying the entrance of Earth Country Land, not at all envious of the climb Sasuke and Naruto were going to have to endure; at her left were lush, green forests, the path she would be taking to get to Rain's Border Village, "So, I'll see you in a day or two?"

The Medic turned to eye her companions, a smile stretching across her face as Naruto gazed disdainfully at the tall mountains. Sasuke was quiet, his stare aimed at the forests behind her, onyx orbs narrowed with thought.

"How far away is the Village?" The ex-Avenger asked, eyes finally meeting hers.

Sakura shrugged, "I'd say about another three hours. The Village is within Rain Country but very close to the Borders of Earth and Bird Countries," She offered a teasing smile as she ruffled Naruto's blonde locks, the boy laughing lightly at the gesture, "As opposed to the day's travel you two will have to suffer to Iwagakure."

"I know!" Naruto whined as he looked back at the tall mountains, "And without your company Sakura-chan, it'll seem like forever!"

The Medic chuckled, readjusting her pack and gazing up at the partially covered sun, "Well, you two had better get going if you want to make it to Hidden Rock by nightfall. Contact via radio when you're within my distance again coming back?"

Sasuke nodded, beginning to head in the direction of Earth Country with Naruto reluctantly following after, the blonde waving sadly back at her, "We'll meet back here in thirty-six hours," He glanced at her over his shoulder, dark eyes completely serious, "Don't be late, Sakura."

Viridian orbs narrowed in response before Sakura crossed her arms at him, "Same goes for the both of you."

"We'll be fine!" Naruto assured happily, "Besides, we need to survive for future S-Ranked Missions, remember?!"

Sakura laughed and Sasuke turned back towards the mountains, "Of course, Naruto."

"Be safe!" Naruto called, azure eyes still bright as he continued to wave back at her.

"You too!" Sakura replied, waving herself as she turned her body towards the forests, "And no picking fights!"

"You got it!"

"Watch him Sasuke-kun!" Sakura laughed, earning a playful frown from Naruto and an agreeing wave from Sasuke.

With one last glance at her Team Seven comrades' backs, the Uchiha fan and Uzumaki swirl prominent on their backs, Sakura smiled and faced the green foliage of the forests, emerald eyes shining with determination to complete her Mission successfully as well as get some much needed answers from the mystery that seemed to be shrouding her erratic thoughts of the odd call for help from Rain.

"They have plenty of Medics in Rain Country…And trauma is to be expected after a War," Sakura murmured as she took to the trees, lithe form gracefully maneuvering through thick branches and thick canopies of leaves, "Why specifically call for me? I may be well-known in Fire Country but I'm not fully experienced in the field of mental instability…"

With a shake of her head, pink tresses dancing around her shoulders, Sakura picked up her pace, more curious of her Mission in Rain Country than ever.

A/N: So this is where Team Seven is finally introduced, and I really like this introduction a lot better than the last, it helps with the plot/mystery of the story. Next chapter, the horrors will most likely begin!! Thanks for reading and hopefully you stay tuned!!!

For readers of It All Started With I will be updating AS SOON AS I POSSIBLY CAN. Life is catcing up with me making it harder to update my stories. Hpefully a new update will be up this coming weekened. Stick around. And as for Forbidden Bonds that will be debuting next month!!

The Lord And The Leader readers, please be patient, I will finish, just a few more errors and tying up to fit into the ending!!!

THANKS AGAIN FOR READING!! And PLEASE REVIEW!!!!

Disclaimer: Sorry, I don't own Naruto...

LOTZA HUGZ!!!

Luvinukag83
aka Len83