Chapter 15: Willpower

xXx

The pink haired kunoichi took a deep breath as she zipped her pouch up, filled with all her weapons. She only wished that her comrades wouldn't notice her disappearance for a while. Sakura checked all of her items and made sure she was ready when she glanced at the clock. 11:48pm. she figured it was time to leave.

Shutting the door behind her, she tucked her key in her pocket and glanced around warily, making sure no one can spot her. It was quiet outside, giving her the sign that mostly everyone in the village was asleep. She leaped up into the air and landed on top of a nearby roof, glancing over her shoulder now and then as a precaution.

She glanced up at the Hokage tower's windows and spotted that there were already a couple people in there, the lights shining brightly from inside. Picking up the pace, she landed in front of the entrance to the tower and brushed the dust from her skirt, heading up the stairs.

Stepping into her Master's office, she saw that Guy, Kurenai, and Asuma were already there. No Kakashi. She assumed that Tsunade told them about her predicament. Suppressing a sigh, she came up beside the three Jounin and gave the Fifth Hokage a glance. Tsunade simply replied back with a shrug, her eyes wandering over to the clock.

"He better be here," She muttered under her breath, ready to beat the living shit out of him if he didn't come. Suddenly there was puff of smoke next to Sakura who had raised her arms up to protect her face. As the smoke cleared, Sakura opened her eyes to see her former sensei standing there with that usual grin on his face.

"Yo."

"Ah, Kakashi my eternal rival you finally made it on time!" Guy energetically greeted, putting his fist in the air. Kurenai and Asuma both visibly sagged as their fellow Jounin went off on his rants. Sakura glanced over at Kakashi to see him rolling his eye at Guy's forever speeches about youth.

"Okay!" Immediately, Guy's rant ceased and everyone came to the Hokage's attention. They all stood up straight with their hands by their sides.

"We're a bit early but that's fine, the sooner the better. Now, Sakura, I want you to fight against the control as much as you can alright? We will all protect this village together. As soon as you all leave I will call all the other Jounins to help assist in guarding the village from Miu if she comes-which she will. Yamato should be at the mountain by now so you should go now. Good luck to you all." Tsunade explained as they all replied, "Hai," and stepped out of the office.

Sakura remained quiet as the four Jounin surrounding her followed her out of the Hokage tower. It was going to start soon. She clenched her fists and reminded herself that she needed to be strong, for the sake of the village. She vowed to herself that she wasn't going to be taken over by the curse mark. She'll do her best to fight it. To protect the ones she cared for.

"Sakura, do your best." Asuma quietly said to her right, giving her a glance as he lit a cigarette in his mouth. The pink haired kunoichi nodded silently as she felt Kurenai's gaze on her as well.

She's grown, the red eyed Jounin thought as she noticed how the teen picked herself up, how she radiated with a new courage, one that she didn't have back then. They were about to make their way out of the village when she heard someone call her name. She whirled around, stopping everyone else in their tracks.

"What's wrong, Sakura?" Guy asked as he looked into the distance, scanning for any signs of someone following them.

"I thought I heard-"

"Sakura-san!" She jolted at the sound of his voice, and instantly, the other four Jounin moved closer to her, a serious look on all their faces. Guy moved to the front of group and stopped the running Lee telling him something quietly.

Sakura looked down at her feet, trying not to meet Lee's confused gaze. She wouldn't know what to say if he asked her. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned her head to see Kakashi with a solemn look in his eye. She moved to the back of the group as Lee's protesting voice resounded in her ears.

"But Guy-sensei, why is she leaving with you? It's late out." Lee asked in that voice of his, making the green spandex Jounin stiffen slightly.

"Ah that Lee is confidential. But we'll be back before you know it!" He said before giving him a thumbs up. Sakura knew that Lee was now suspicious; there was a wavering look in his eyes as they finally met her own.

"Okay, Guy-sensei." He softly said as his teacher joined the group of Jounin's once more. The five of them left the village quietly, Lee's figure slowly becoming smaller as they leaped into the trees. They were heading towards the mountain.

"Sakura, are you-"

"I'm fine, Kurenai-sensei. Don't worry about me." She interrupted as she gave her a small smile.

"They'll be alright," Kurenai replied as they increased their pace. Sakura nodded and merged into the middle of the circle of Jounin's, guarded at all sides.

They all soon came to a stop at a large clearing where Yamato was already standing, a cabin built behind him. He saw Sakura and smiled as they approached, glad to see that they were alright. They all knew how Sakura felt, how much pressure was placed upon her at this moment.

"Alright, let's head inside and we'll start the barrier soon." Yamato instructed as he opened the door for all of them.

Sakura sat down in a chair next to a table and thought to herself, wondering exactly how things were going to play out. Kakashi gave her a concerned glance but she shook her head, giving him a sign not to worry about her. She'll be fine, hopefully.

"So, is anyone going to be staying here to watch over me?" She asked as she stood up, giving all of them a curious look. Kakashi put a hand to his chin and hummed to himself, thinking.

"I think that was Yamato," He replied as he gestured to the wood user to the side. Sakura nodded and sat down on the bed, wrapping her arms around her knees.

"Okay, let's get the barrier started." Yamato said as they all stepped out of the cabin, shutting the door behind them. Once they all left, Sakura sighed and lay down on the bed, her hands behind her head as she looked at the ceiling.

Hopefully no one in village suffers any harm. I'll do my best to fend off the curse mark, but if I lose, it'll be all up to my friends to stop me. She thought to herself as she closed her eyes, the crescent curse mark throbbing painfully. She could tell that it was almost time.

Suddenly, all the sound around her muffled and she widened her eyes as she felt the presence of the barrier surround itself around the cabin. Just how long was this going to last? Someone has to keep it going.

The Jounin then came back into the cabin quietly and grabbed their things as they prepared to head back to the village. Sakura watched as the expressions on their faces were filled with apprehension and anticipation. This certainly wasn't going to be a good time for all of them.

"Sakura, when we get back to the village, Tsunade should've been able to tell the news to everyone so they'll be on the lookout for Miu. We put our trust in them that they will not approach you in case the curse mark reacts." Kakashi said as he neared her lying figure, a sad look in his eye. He didn't want to put his former student in danger but, this was her choice. The pink haired kunoichi nodded and sat up as they all were about to leave.

"Good luck," She softly said as they all nodded in return, heading out the door. Kakashi gave her one final glance and put a hand on her shoulder before dashing out as well. Yamato stepped into the cabin and shut the door behind him, placing a seal. He sat down in the chair where she sat before and sighed in exhaustion, putting his head in his hands.

"Things are going to get tougher from here on out." He said to her, knowing that for a fact.

"Yes," She replied quietly as she shut her eyes, trying to get some sleep. She would need all the rest she can get if the curse mark were to react soon.

Little did she know that this would become one of the darkest days of her life.

xXx

"Why? Why would you do that Tsunade-baachan?" Naruto exclaimed as he stood in front of the Hokage, his friends surrounding him with the same emotion that filled his whole being.

"So that is why they were leaving," Lee vaguely muttered, his eyes downcast. The blonde caught this and whirled around, taking him by the shoulders.

"Lee, what do you know? What did you see?" He asked, shaking him with worried eyes.

"I saw Sakura-san leaving with the other Jounins. She did not look too happy, but she was determined." Rock Lee replied, nodding as Naruto released him, a look of shock displayed all over his face.

"Naruto, calm down, Sakura's in safe hands." Tsunade reassured with a distant look in her eye. Sasuke clenched his fists silently as he looked down at the ground, his eyes displaying an emotion not seen in a while.

Why did she have to go alone? We were right here, where we could help! Just what was she thinking, going off by herself! He thought to himself as the Hokage continued you explain what was going to happen. Just what would she earn giving her life away? That curse mark is so close to taking over her entire being!

"You all must find a way to defeat Miu. I think that because she is controlling Sakura, everything will stop if you defeat her." She said to all of them, a determined look in her eyes.

"If you all work together, I'm sure you'll be able to handle it. The other Jounin and Chuunin will help defend the village. Now, go!" She exclaimed as she thrust her hand forth, making all of them jump.

"Hai!" All of them said in unison before making their way out of her office.

"Oi, Naruto," Sasuke said as he fell behind, stopping as the others went ahead of him.

"What is it?" Naruto asked as he turned around, a hand behind his head. Sasuke kept his head lowered as he clenched his fists once more.

"Will she be alright, do you think?" He quietly inquired, lifting his eyes to meet his best friend's. At first they just stared but Naruto then burst out laughing, holding his stomach.

"Of course Sasuke! She's way different from before, you can tell that at least. Although I hate that they did that to her, I'm sure that she had a good reason right?" He asked with a smile on his face. Sasuke frowned and refused to answer, images of the pink haired teen's younger self reappeared in his mind. But then recent images of her smiling and pounding the ground piled itself on top of the old.

"And we're going to go after her right?" Sasuke asked as he straightened up to his full height, a new light in his onyx eyes. Naruto grinned and gave him a thumbs up, a bright look in his eyes.

"Yeah! We'll show her what Konoha can do!" He replied as he hooked his arm around Sasuke's neck, walking forward. The sun was slowly rising from the horizon as morning approached. However, Sasuke's thoughts were only thinking about the pink haired girl who was lying on top of a bed deep within the mountains. The only question that wouldn't stop coming to mind was: Will I see her again?

The Konoha Twelve were all ready, and anticipating for the attack. But…they just didn't know when.

xXx

"Orochimaru-sensei, are you going to come with us?" Miu asked as she strapped on her pack for the attack. The snake-like shinobi chuckled but shook his head, putting a hand on top of his apprentice's.

"You go have fun," He said, knowing exactly the outcome of her little 'attack'. He knew that it would fail, but he would be surprised if it didn't. But he knew that there was about a seventy percent chance it would fail. Still, he wanted to see his apprentice's progress. After all, the reason he decided to let her use that pink haired kunoichi as a test subject was to simply improve her technique making skills and become stronger.

As Miu walked off with a sulking Deidara and Hidan by her side, Orochimaru grinned at his new host. His apprentice was just like the other one, a simple host for him to take over. He knew that she wanted power, and she's gotten it, but she just didn't know the price of it.

Miu and the other two Akatuski members stepped out into the setting sun and breathed in the air. She turned to the other two and grinned as she put her hands behind her.

"Ready?" She asked as they gave her hesitant looks.

"I'm not sure I like being with this asshole here,"

"I don't like you,"

Deidara and Hidan simultaneously said with a look of major dislike on their faces. Miu scowled and whacked the two on the head, bumps rising from the top.

"Well deal with it because both of your partners refused to come with you!"

"We don't want to be here either!" Deidara yelled as he gestured to him and Hidan with a wave of his hand. Orochimaru's apprentice huffed and turned around as she crossed her arms in front of her.

"Too bad! You're stuck with me!" She said as she walked off, heading for Konoha. Deidara put a hand over his eyes, trying to refrain himself from making the girl blow up into smithereens. Hidan was suppressing every inch of anger he had with the grip he had on his scythe.

"I can't do this…" He muttered under his breath as a sick feeling came over him, shadowing his eyes. Deidara nodded in agreement and watched as the girl disappeared into the shadows.

"Let's not follow her…" The bomb user added with a twitch of his eye.

They both knew how this was going to end and really didn't want to be a part of it. Lord Pain was giving them new missions constantly and it was killing them both. So, going out to Konoha was just another waste of time for the both of them.

The two were about to turn around and walk straight back to the underground Headquarters when his presence made them both stop in their tracks. They turned their heads slightly and saw his yellow eyes flash dangerously.

"You will go with her." He hissed, making the two Akatuski members narrow their eyes.

"No way in hell," Hidan retorted as he was about to make his way back. Some large and white passed in front of him and in a second, a snake was wrapped around the man's arms.

"I need her back alive." Orochimaru whispered as Deidara crossed his arms suspiciously.

"What for your body switch technique? You really think she'll agree?" He asked as he tilted his head to the side with a smirk.

"Hey! Let me out of here you bastard!" Hidan yelled as he raised his fist in the air.

"She will agree." The Sannin replied before disappearing back into the shadows. Hidan huffed in anger as the snake went away and walked over to Deidara who had a calculating look on his face.

"Oi, are we leaving or not?" He asked as he took a step back towards the Headquarters. Deidara grabbed the scruff of his cloak and started walking to where Miu disappeared.

"Dude! You're really going after her?" Hidan asked as he tried to pull away. Deidara glared over at him with a scowl as they walked over a root.

"I don't think she knows exactly what Orochimaru wants. It would really ruin his plans if we told her huh?" He asked with a growing smirk. Hidan raised his eyebrows in curiosity and started walking next to the bomb user.

"Hell yeah it would! I really hate that bastard anyway," He muttered under his breath as he shoved his hands in his cloak pockets.

The two were soon caught up to Miu with a devised plan in mind. This would surely change her mind about a few things.

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Sakura opened her eyes when she felt the throbbing pain increase slightly. She sat up in her bed and held her shoulder to see Yamato looking out the window with a serious look on his face. He noticed her moving and turned his head with a raised eyebrow.

"Are you okay?" He asked as she got up to her feet and stretched her arms.

"Is it almost time?" She inquired, completely ignoring the question he just brought up.

"I believe so. The sky is darkening and your curse mark still hasn't been activated." Yamato replied as the girl came up beside him, a hand on her shoulder.

"I think that they're approaching. It just suddenly increased in pain just a second ago." Sakura said as she narrowed her eyes, looking out the window.

"Captain Yamato," She quietly uttered, gaining his attention.

"What is it?" He asked as he sat down in the chair. Sakura followed suit and sat across from him, her bangs covering her eyes.

"If…I can't fight against the curse mark, what will you do?" Yamato blinked and thought about it for a moment, knowing that she would ask this at some point.

"I'll do my best to restrain you from leaving."

"And if that doesn't work? What if I hurt you? What if you die?" She asked, worry etched all over her pale face. Yamato gave her a small smile and put a hand on her shoulder.

"If my technique doesn't work then it's up to barrier to keep you in here until I'm able to reach the village and warn them. But don't worry, the others will find Miu and defeat her before you know it." He reassured with a grin, getting Sakura to smile as well.

"There's just all the 'what if's." She mumbled to herself as she sat back in her seat, arms wrapped around her stomach. Yamato stayed quiet as he looked at the kunoichi for a moment. It seemed as though there was a huge weight that was placed upon her shoulders.

"I have another 'what if' question for you," She suddenly said, meeting his eyes. Yamato raised an eyebrow at this and propped his head up with the palm of his hand.

"Okay, go ahead." Sakura bit her lip in thought, wondering what response she'd receive.

"What if…they defeat Miu, the control disappears, and I'm still wreaking havoc?" Yamato's breath hitched in his throat in surprise at her question, not knowing how to answer it. Exactly what would happen?

"I-I'm not sure how to answer that Sakura," He replied as he scratched the side of his head with a small smile. Sakura chuckled in return and leaned her head back, staring up at the ceiling.

"I wouldn't either."

Suddenly the throbbing pain in her shoulder turned to the ice fire from before and she jolted in her seat, clutching her shoulder in pain. She fell off the chair and slowly rolled into a ball, trying not to writhe in pain. Yamato caught her in his arms and asked her what was wrong but she shook her head.

Sakura knew it wasn't time; otherwise the flames would've been spreading. What was it then? She wondered to herself as she gritted her teeth in pain, taking in even breaths.

"I think…they're getting closer," She gasped as she glanced over at the window, the sun setting slowly. Yamato looked out the window and back at her, a worried look in his eyes. The ebbed away but the throbbing remained as Sakura hesitantly stood up, dazed.

"Hopefully the others can get to Miu before I do anything horrible." She whispered as she used the table as a support. She clenched her fist and closed her eyes as she tried to push the pain away. Sakura sat down on the bed and put her hands together in a seal, gathering up as much as chakra as she could.

The struggle against the curse mark's control would be her most difficult fight ever.

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"W-wait are you saying you believe that he's using your body as a vessel?" Deidara inquired as they neared Konoha, the village's outline coming in the distance. Miu scoffed and turned her head to glare at the blonde.

"I've known all along. But I'm not planning to let him use me. I've always wanted to become strong, and being with Orochimaru was the only way. I admire his love for his experimenting, but I don't admire him enough to let him take my own body as his own." She replied as a cold emotion passed through her eyes. Deidara and Hidan exchanged looks and gazed back at her.

"You remind me of someone who goes by the name of Sasuke," Deidara said, catching her attention. Miu stiffened at the mention of the Uchiha's name and glared at him once more.

"Don't mention that failure to me." She growled, clenching her fists. She knew that Orochimaru wanted his body as well, but he refused and walked away, still holding the curse mark on his shoulder. He was a failure. But wasn't that what she was doing too? Walking away from the body switch technique? She lowered her gaze as she realized now wasn't the time to be thinking about that.

She looked up to see Konoha coming closer and grinned, the look of bloodlust obvious in her eyes. She made various hand signs, and cast the seal for the activation of the curse mark.

Now it was up to Sakura for the rest.

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Sakura widened her eyes as she felt the curse mark activate itself, sending searing pain throughout her entire body. She muffled out a cry of pain and fell to her knees, clutching the curse mark tightly.

"Captain Yamato…" She said through gritted teeth, her eyes squeezed shut. Yamato instantly saw that the curse mark's flames were slowly spreading and activated his Wood Release. A large cage grew from the wood and entrapped the teen inside, smaller restraints wrapping around her arms and legs for extra precaution.

"If…I break out of this…run…" Sakura managed to get out, her head starting to pound from the chakra that was begging her to use. The curse mark was coaxing her to let herself free and let it take over and do the work for her.

"Right," Yamato replied from the outside, a look of concentration on his face as he kept the jutsu going.

I'm not going to let you use me anymore! She shouted in her mind, summoning some of the chakra she had stored to try and repel the curse mark's chakra. Instantly, there was a battle of dominance within her, adding more pain and pressure to her entire system. She ground her teeth together as the dark chakra within her consumed the chakra she had let out, continuing to devour everything in its path.

I'm not finished yet! Chakra Enhancement! The rest of the chakra she had collected suddenly burst out from within her, covering half of her that wasn't affected by the mark. The dark chakra responded similarly, the black flames appearing and covering the other half that was covered with its flames.

Sakura furrowed her eyebrows in concentration as the two sides fought against each other, a never ending battle of pain and agony as her own chakra was damaged. She let out the breath she didn't know she was holding and gasped for air as the curse mark's flames spread to half of her face. This is bad! I won't be able to last much longer! C'mon!

She yelled as she pushed her own chakra to its limit, hoping that the battle would end here. This was a battle between the strength of her will and the persistency of the curse mark. She heard the crack of wood and opened one eye to see Yamato's prison filled with cracks in them. The curse mark's chakra was destroying everything around it! Dammit! She cursed as she shut her eyes tightly again and tried focusing her chakra once more.

Everyone…everyone's on my side! They're all here for me! I won't let them down with a simple fight like this!

"I won't!" She yelled out loud, her chakra suddenly bursting with energy. Yamato widened his eyes at what he saw. Her own chakra had built up to a large amount and was now pushing against the curse mark. The curse mark retaliated and pushed back, overpowering Sakura's own. He noticed the look of ferocity on her face and completely admired the sheer will she had. It would take all her will power to not let something like this win her over. But…He narrowed his eyes as he saw the black flames cross over to the other half of her face. This battle was far from over…

Just who would win in this fight?

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Sasuke widened his eyes as he felt something powerful appear. It was coming from behind…He whirled around in his spot to see a small dome in the distance. Was that were Sakura was? Was the curse mark activated?

He glanced at his best friend who noticed the change in the air as well and nodded. The Konoha eleven that were standing here on top of the Hokage Tower, they all wanted to protect what was important to them.

The Uchiha furrowed his eyebrows when he saw movement on top of the main gates. Neji used his Byakugan to check it out and gritted his teeth when he saw who it was.

"That person standing on top of the main gates is Miu! And it's not just her-there are two more people with her!" He said to everyone just as two more figures appeared beside her, eliminating the two guards that were staring up at them.

The people of Konoha were safely hidden away inside the side of the Hokage's stone carvings so there was no one in the village besides the ninja. The Konoha eleven tensed as they all met eyes with three figures that stood in their way.

"Let's go!" Naruto yelled as they dashed forward, the friends following suit, a determined look on their faces. The four Jounin who taught these teens came up behind them, a fighting aura around the lot of them.

"Bring it on Konoha!" Miu called out as she and her two companions dashed forward as well, poised and ready to attack.

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Author's Note: Hi guys! Just wanting to let you know that it's my birthday in two days so I thought I should give you this chapter! I worked so hard on it so I hoped you liked it! Sorry about the late-ish update!

Please do leave a review!