Dark Personality

I really shouldn't be starting another story, but I couldn't help it. There are just so many idea's going through my thick head that feel like they're going to burst out. So here's a different story and I hope you enjoy and it happens after Sasuke returns… again… --sigh--

Ch 1: Infected

There was an explosion and two undistinguished figures emerged from the bright light. One lunged at the other – who quickly parried, grabbing its arm and throwing the person to the other side of the clearing before charging. As the body landed it hastily moved to evade the oncoming ninja. "I have to admit, you're pretty good." Sasuke said as he stared down at the rouge ninja.

"Likewise," the man answered, again jumping at him. Now, both shinobi had engaged in taijutsu. Sasuke blocked a punch and grabbed his arm as it came flying forward. Giving it a twist, breaking it, the man gave a small cry and thrust his leg forward, colliding with Sasuke's stomach. He let go and staggered back a bit and reached to draw his katana. He had had enough of this; his teammates were fighting on their own. Then with a quick swing forward, the man's decapitated body fell. Light glistened along its blade as the fresh blood dripped from it.

Sasuke snapped his head to the side as he heard metal clash against each other. Naruto was occupied with six ninja who had decided to gang up on him. The boy smirked as he looked at them. "Rasengan!" he yelled, his right hand coming in contact with the enemy. His Rasengan had become more powerful and he was now able to perform it without the help of his shadow clones.

The large blast created a path of destruction as trees fell over for miles. Sasuke stared in awe; Naruto had truly come a long way when he was gone. He again felt the need to keep himself ahead of his rival. Perhaps Naruto's progress would have been enough to keep his mind focused to gain the power he had wanted to defeat his brother, Itachi. That goal was a success, Itachi no longer breathed and the rest of the Akatsuki were no more (No Itachi no!! Sorry XD). Finally, none hunted Naruto for the Nine-tailed fox that resides inside him. Orochimaru and Kabuto were also no longer a threat to Konoha. But there were of course the neighboring countries.

The blonde, future Hokage stood up straight, looking at the destructed path that was now part of the landscape. Kakashi walked up, his hands actually in his pockets and Sai appeared out of thin air beside their sensei. "Well, that was tougher than I thought it would have been." Naruto scratched his head.

"Well, what did you think, Loser, that they were gonna let us leave so easily?" Sasuke asked, the tone in his voice told you that he was annoyed.

"Now, now you two," the scarecrow said in an attempt to stop the argument before it began.

They would have continued until they heard Sai ask, "Where's Ugly?"

Everyone looked behind each other, suddenly concerned then looking at each other before nodding and spreading out, to search for their missing female comrade.

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'This looks like a good spot,' Sakura thought, she walked behind a large fallen tree and kneeled down. She moved her hands to her left side and pulled her shirt up to inspect her injured side. As she looked, she winced. 'Eww, for being a medic this is pretty gross.' There was a fairly large gash from the front of her stomach to her side, but instead of it being lined with a pinkish-red, it was greenish-yellow and a yellow pus was seeping from it as well. 'This is odd; I've never seen something like this before.' Placing right hand to her injury, she let green chakra flow through her body. With every feeling of her gash being healed, she sighed relieved to have her flesh mend itself together. 'After I heal myself I'll go heal my team if they need it.'

Just as she lowered her shirt she stood up, turning to see Sasuke stop and look at her. "We've been looking for you," he stated, bluntly.

"I had to heal myself, sorry if I worried all of you." Sakura smiled innocently. "While you're here, do you have any wounds that need healing?"

He shook his head, "The other's look a little worse than I do, so don't waste your chakra on me." His face was covered lightly with dirt and his clothes were slightly torn. Other than the few bruises he had acquired, it didn't look like he had any major injuries.

"If you say so, but I am a medic for my team, which also means you," the female said about to start walking, that is until, Naruto popped into view.

"Sakura! Sakura, are you alright?" he ran up and threw himself at her, embracing her in a tight hug.

Sasuke watched in amusement, blinking twice as Sakura sighed and gave a smile before prying her friend off of her. "I'm fine, Naruto." Kakashi and Sai appeared and walked calmly over to the three. The medic looked over Naruto and the others, "Let me look over your wounds. Naruto's fine though, the nine-tails is helping with its share, but I need to look at yours."

"I'm fine, Sakura," Kakashi smiled from under his dirty black mask, she crossed her arms, obviously not buying it. Her gaze turned to Sai, the emotionless expression on his face was ever present.

"You guys," she sighed, glancing at each of them sternly then it returned to the Jonin.

He exhaled, "Fine." The copy-nin sat down as Sakura advanced toward him. There were cuts throughout his vest and sleeves.

"You're going to have to take off your vest and shirt in order for me to get a better look and to heal them properly."

Kakashi sighed again and did as she ordered. As he took off his shirt, everyone could see that there were fresh cuts and bruises all over his body. Sakura analyzed his injuries carefully, not to overlook anything that could be fatal. Afterward, she placed her hands on his muscled chest and began healing. The healing process went quickly for the highly skilled medic. Kakashi's wounds were nowhere on his body, old or new, she had healed them.

"Sai," Sakura looked at him.

"You don't need to worry about me, Ugly," the ANBU replied. "Besides, I'm not injured."

"Very well," Sakura turned to Sasuke again. "You said you also had no major injuries."

"Only flesh wounds," Uchiha answered.

"Have all your wounds healed, Naruto?"

The blonde nodded, wildly. "What about you?"

"I already healed myself," the kunoichi responded.

"Well," the leader broke in, "if we're all done, perhaps we should get back to Konoha."

Everyone nodded, ready to walk forward. Sakura was already ahead of them since she was closest in Konoha's direction. All of them were wary after their mission. They were on an assignment in Sand that would help them between their peace treaty and as they entered the Land of Fires borders they were ambushed by a group of rogue ninja. Most of their charka was depleted after the battle. It was surprising that Sakura was walking faster than all of them and she was completely drained due to the jutsu she used and healing her teammates. The path was growing wider as they neared the Village Hidden in the Leaves.

Suddenly, Sakura started veering to the left, stopping to lean against a tree with her back still toward her companions. "Sakura?" her breathing became labored with every passing second.

Her four male friends quickened their pace to catch up with her. "Sakura? What's wrong?" Naruto's voice sounded as if it were on the verge of panic.

"What is it?" Kakashi asked, concerned, his arm was now on her shoulder to let her know they were right there with her.

"Sakura…" her lungs started working harder and harder with the moments that continued to pass.

She started gasping, "I… I… can't… breathe… I… don't know… what's… going…" before she could finish, she took one last deep inhale prior to falling backward. However, Sasuke was behind her in time so she wouldn't hit her head on the ground.

"Sakura!" Naruto was now frantic. Sasuke knelt down with the medic in hand. The other three hovered above them. "Sakura! What happened, what's wrong with her?!"

"Calm down, Naruto." Kakashi was trying to keep himself composed, but the fact that they had no idea what was going on was also nerve-racking. "We'll have to get her to Tsunade, fast. Sasuke, you carry her. The rest of us will guard you incase if there's another ambush. Copy?" the boys nodded and Sasuke situated her in his arms before breaking off into a quick sprint, in the center of a triangle formation. Her chest was barely moving but there were a few gasps as she took a breath every once in a while.

However, unknown to the men, it would only continue to get worse.

Well, the first chapter done so I want to know what you all thought, remember, honesty is appreciated as well as criticism. How did it go? Hmm… what's wrong with Sakura? You'll all have to continue to read if you want to find out. Please review, they motivate me and I almost have chapter 5 for "Festering Hate" done so that will be updated next to those of you who read that are reading this, so keep your eyes open and don't forget to review. Thanks for reading.