A World Less Ordinary
Sakura sighed. Another big day.
Its days like this that Sakura wished, with every fiber of her being, that she was a part of her favourite anime.
Naruto.
She let out a grumble of frustration and collapsed on her bed, bubble-gum pink hair splaying out beneath her. The anime Naruto is 13-year-old Sakura's life. She lives and breathes Naruto. Every night, without fail, she would sit down and watch it. And no matter how many times she'd seen an episode, she would still be surprised at the identity of an unknown enemy, she'd still cry when a main character died (or supposedly died) and she would still laugh until it hurt when Naruto slipped up and said something funny.
Sakura sighed once more and slowly dragged her tired body off her bed. 'There's no point thinking about it,' she chastised herself, 'Naruto's NOT real, and never will be.'
Kicking off her converses, she walked slowly down the stairs to their living area. Sakura lived in a three-story mansion with her family of 4. Her two parents had the top floor as their master bedroom, while Sakura and her little brother Ryu (10 years old) had the second floor all to themselves. On the second floor there were 5 rooms; two bedrooms, one study, one bathroom and one rumpus room. Sakura spent most of her time in the rumpus room watching anime on their theatre screen or slouching on the couch reading her romance novels. The bottom floor was their normal housing area that consisted of a dining room that they hardly used, a lounge room that only Sakura's parents occupied, a large kitchen, and laundry area and bathroom.
Sakura snuck past her parents, who were heatedly discussing something. A foreboding feeling caught in Sakura's chest- for some reason, she felt as if it had something to do with her. Not that Sakura had anything to worry about. She hadn't done anything wrong.
"Sakura, come in here we want to discuss your school report."
Except for that.
Sighing she swallowed her pride and decided to act dumb, "What? What report?" Her father gave her a look that clearly said he wasn't buying it and Sakura, irritated by her father's persistence said, "Oh that, well you see-"
"We don't want to hear your excuses young lady. Did you really think that we wouldn't find out?" 'Ahh yes, and now for mothers lecture' thought Sakura, internally rolling her eyes. 'Good old mum, an hour long lecture over something so small.'
"Well if you didn't want to hear my reasoning as to why I failed English-"
"And Maths, and History AND GEOGRAPHY! DAMNIT SAKURA WHY CAN'T YOU BE MORE LIKE RYU!?"
That did it.
"More like Ryu?" Sakura said quietly. Sakura's mother nodded angrily before opening her mouth to continue her insults but Sakura cut her off, "More like Ryu?" She stated once more, a little louder this time.
"Oh I'm sorry. I'm sorry I'm not a spoiled little brat who gets away with everything and acts as if he is better than everyone! I'm so sorry, that I don't have a big head like Ryu, who has it because you feed him with compliments! Don't you see?! You insulting me and comparing me to RYU doesn't help! I AM NOT RYU. I AM SAKURA." And with that she stomped away from her bewildered parents and over to the fridge. Tearing the door open she grabbed a cup of package noodles and shot up the stairs before her parents could call her back.
Walking over to her room, she slammed the door. Her head was reeling. True, what she said was not entirely fair. Sakura wasn't one to talk; she hardly had a life apart from Naruto and her love stories. But she was just so sick of her parents putting Ryu, her YOUNGER brother on a podium and saying how magnificent he was. Truth was that he was actually a horrible, arrogant, annoying, little…what's the word… oh yes. Shit. Ryu was a horrible, arrogant, annoying, little shit that deserved a good spanking for his lack of manners.
Sakura hates school. Ryu loves school. Therefore her highly academic parents love Ryu and hate Sakura. Out of both her parents, Sakura's father was the most reasonable. He at least understood that not everybody is good at scool.
The problem for Sakura wasn't that she was stupid. No, in fact the problem was that Sakura simply couldn't give two shits about how she did at school.
Sakura shook her head as if to clear it of her thoughts before regarding her package noodles groggily.
Beef flavoured.
Hm.
Not her favourite.
Sticking her tongue out, Sakura blew a raspberry, not at all pleased with her dinner. Just as she was about to rip the package open, she heard her phone go off in her bag.
'Dynamite' by Tao Cruz started playing and her cell vibrated accordingly. Ditching her pathetic dinner she stomped to her bag and extracted her mobile. After identifying her next kill, Sakura answered with a moody, "What the hell do you want?!"
She heard a distant giggle before her best friends voice emanated from the phone Sakura was seriously considering throwing out the window, "Hey Saky, me and the girls are having a girls night with lots of yummy food and movies, wanna join?"
Sakura considered her choices, she could hang up now and subject her self to rigorous hours of Naruto, or, she could take the offer and walk the 30-minuet distance to Ame's house and have a decent meal.
Her stomach won and she answered with a weak, "Sure. See you in 30, don't eat all the good food without me."
Not waiting for an answer she flipped her cell shut, and walked over to her drawer.
After packing the essentials she ran to the bathroom and chucked in her hairbrush, tooth brush and facial creams. Satisfied with her pack, Sakura ran to the front door ignoring her parent's questions of, "And where do you think your going?"
Throwing on her coat, she jogged down the steps and through the well-manicured front lawn. Flying out the gates she set off at an easy pace.
Taking the rout through the town, Sakura passed the main square that had all the shops. Sakura often came here as a child, just so she could sit in the library and read all sorts of adventure novels. Her favourite ones were when the stories main characters fell in love.
She knew this square inside out, better then she knew the back of her hand.
And that's why, when Sakura came to the end of the town square, she stopped dead in her tracks. Her emerald eyes widened and she was immediately pulled in by this strange addition. As she approached the self proclaimed 'World's Best Magic Shop' a man excitedly ushered her in.
"Welcome to the Magic shop of wishes. What can I get you? A potion to make any man fall in love with you?" Sakura shook her head, at a loss for words.
The shop was chock-a-block full of an assortment of supposed magic items. Purple curtains shrouded the windows and the walls were painted the same deep, royal purple. The floor was polished red Ceder that made no sound when you moved.
Sakura was almost instantly drawn to a glass cabinet containing trinkets of all kinds.
"Wow…" She breathed entranced by the silver shining necklaces. Each one was in the shape of a different flower. Sakura could identify a daisy and one that looked like a rose. But the one that caught Sakura's attention was a cherry blossom. It's thin petals curved gently up, before arching down subtly. Its rounded shape greatly highlighted the flowers centre that was crafted out of rose quartes. The gem in the middle caught the light and made Sakura sigh in longing.
It was beautiful. And not to mention it was her namesake.
The man instantly perked up when he realised her fascination with the necklace and quickly said, "Ahh yes, the Sakura blossom necklace. It is over 400 hundred years old and originates from Japan . A magician who was deeply in love with a Princess supposedly made it. Their love was all for naught, for she was already promised to another man as a peace treaty of sorts. And so the magician, wrought with sorrow, poured his power into this necklace. He fashioned it into a Sakura blossom because it was the Princess' namesake. The night it was completed, he stole into the castle and to Princess Sakura's room. Together they wished with all their might, that they would marry and be together. The next day they married and together, they ruled a happy Kingdom free of plague and sorrow. But their selfishness had a price. Because Sakura didn't marry the Prince from the enemy kingdom, the peace treaty wasn't established. And so, their happy, equal kingdom was plunged into darkness and war. After months of the seemingly endless war, Sakura's kingdom was buried beneath stone and mud. Sakura and the Magician were filled with guilt and to find solace, they begged the necklace to take back time and fix it. But the necklace didn't budge, and that's how the two lovers died. Clutching each other's hands around the necklace, eyes squeezed shut, praying. The stone was lost for a 100 years, before it was found by a small child. It went from person to person, granting their wishes and bringing chaos to the world. It is said that if you hold it in your hands, close your eyes and wish, it will come true."
Sakura had barely listened to his tale. 'What a load of bull crap,' Sakura thought, 'I'm not going to fall for his sales pitch. Although…' Sakura couldn't deny that she really loved the necklace; the pink stone would go lovely with her coral hair. And so, before she knew it, she had whipped out her wallet and was already handing over the $50 (5000 yen).
The brown haired, blue-eyed man smiled brightly, accepting the money and gently placing the necklace on her outstretched palm. Sakura didn't believe in magic or supernatural things such as aliens-even if she secretly wished they were real- and didn't even spare his tale a second thought.
She turned on her heel and began to walk over to the door. Just as she swung it open and the welcome bells chimed the man said, "Be careful what you wish for. Children have a habit of saying things they later wish to take back." Sakura rolled her eyes and grunted in response before walking out into the frigid air. Slipping on the necklace, Sakura continued her journey, scolding herself for getting distracted.
Before she knew it, she was in front of her friend Ame's house and knocking on the door. Sakura could hear Ame's voice then running footsteps. The door flew open to reveal an obviously excited 13-year-old girl. She had long blond hair that reached her waist, while her bright hazel eyes greatly complemented her tresses. Ame let out a squeal of excitement before lunging at Sakura, crushing her in a tight hug.
Sakura giggled and returned the hug while saying, "Hi Ame, I hope I didn't miss much?"
Ame shook her head vigorously, releasing Sakura, "No, no, we were just about to dig in! You made it in perfect time!"
Sakura, inwardly relieved, walked into the house, dumping her bag at the bottom of the stairs before charging up to Ame's bedroom. It seemed Ame's parents went on another holiday leaving Ame and her 18-year-old brother Takeshi home alone. Ame had taken advantage of this, and invited all her friends over.
"Hi Takeshi." Sakura said running past the shirtless big brother and into Ame's room.
"Hi Sakura." he said distractedly already halfway down the stairs.
In Ame's room, 3 other girls perched on her bed, all talking animatedly about the latest juicy gossip. On the floor there were piles of junk food and movies.
"Haru," Sakura said nodding to a girl with short black hair and dull grey eyes.
"Keiko," She inclined her head to the next girl who was splayed out on the bed face upward. Sparkling blue eyes smiled at her before flicking back to the other girls. Keiko's long brown tresses shined as light hit them and moved slightly with her head.
"Mai!" Excited to see her primary school friend, Sakura jumped on the Brunette, making her topple to the floor.
"Sakura!" Mai gasped as her back hit the carpet floor. Sakura laughed lightly, sheepishly rubbing the back of her head. Mai's dark-brown-almost-black eyes softened after the initial shock.
Sakura got up and extending a hand to the fallen girl said, "Wow, it's been ages since I've seen you guys!"
All of the girls nodded and a voice rang out behind them, "Your damn right it's been ages! Almost a month! Come on Saky! What happened?" Ame entered the room and collapsed on the bed on top of Keiko. Keiko let out a grunt of pain but otherwise didn't protest.
Accusing eyes stared at Sakura all round the room and just, as she was about to explain another voice said, "Yeah I was wondering about that. It's almost impossible to see little Ame running around the house without you. Where have you been?" Takeshi leaned against the doorframe, waiting for Sakura to answer.
'Oh great,' Thought Sakura, 'First my parents interrogations and now this. God damnit!'
Sakura sighed, slightly feeling like a deer caught in the headlights.
"I was grounded." The accusing looks immediately turned into concern.
"Really why?" Keiko asked while everyone nodded his or her approval to the question.
Chuckling slightly she rubbed the back of her head, "It may have had something to do with me accidentally pushing Ryu down he stairs," Gasps were heard throughout the room, "And maybe something to do with the fact that I failed 4 subjects. Heheh…yeah…"
Wide eyes observed her as Sakura uncomfortably fidgeted underneath their scrutiny.
"Why on Earth would you push your younger brother down the stairs?" Oh yes that's right. Takeshi didn't know about Ryu.
"Hey, hey, I said accidentally. It totally was not my fault."
Five pairs of eyes regarded her tiredly, clearly not buying it. Sakura sighed before giving in. "Okay, okay. Ryu thought it would be funny to steal my current reading material. Fortunately, (or more like unfortunately for Ryu) I caught him as he was trying to sneak it down the stairs. Ordinarily I ran at him and we started having a sort of… Tug-A-War? Anyway I let go and he overbalanced and… fell."
"Okay, that's all well and good. But why did he take your book in the first place?" Takeshi asked still confused.
"Because he is an arrogant, opinionated, horrible little fuc-"
"What Sakura means," Ame said giving Sakura a sharp glare, "Is that her brother is, to put it nicely, full of himself. He does really well at school and because of that Sakura's parents have practically deemed him a god. After years of all the attention and special treatment, Ryu has become… undesirable." Sakura huffed, not satisfied with Ame's description of him.
Ame shook her head a small smile playing at her lips, "You haven't changed a bit." Sakura chuckled before sitting at the end of Ame's bed. "I mean honestly, has it never occurred to you that he does it to provoke you?"
"'Course, I just choose to ignore that fact. Anyway, it seems my parents found my report that I hid in my desk. Damn nosy mum." Keiko broke out into laughter.
"You hid your report?" She managed to force out between chuckles.
"Hmph. Well yes. I didn't want to have to endure another one of mother's lectures. I swear she yells my ear off, God." Mai and Ame chuckled while Keiko and Haru roared with laughter.
A 'tsk tsk' was heard from the door and Sakura's gaze snapped up to Takeshi.
"Yes Takeshi? Got something to say about my hiding abilities? Oh wait no, your right. I should have gone all out and burnt it." The girls were thrown back into laughter while Sakura smirked at the disapproving glance she got from Takeshi.
"I never understood why Sakura. You're so smart. Why waste it?" And with that Takeshi turned and left the now quiet room.
"Just because I can't be bothered doing the tests, doesn't mean I waste my intelligence*!" Sakura yelled out, not one to give up the last word.
"Any way. Just before you called me Ame, my mother was discussing my report and decided to have a 'chat' with me about it." Sakura said, grumpily.
"How'd it go?" Ame asked already knowing the answer.
"It ended with me reminding them of my identity before storming out of the house." And as an after-thought Sakura added, "And me buying a new necklace."
Ame looked at Sakura curiously, not expecting that announcement. Ame shrugged, it was just like Sakura. She (Sakura) didn't believe in comfort food. No instead she got comfort jewellery to cheer her up.
"Oh yeah? How much did it cost?" Ame asked distractedly as she walked over to the movie pile. Holding up one movie at a time to see people's nods or shakes, Ame kept her eyes on the sheepish Sakura.
"50." (5000 yen)
"50?! Sakura!" Ame exclaimed dropping the chick flick 'She's a Man' back on the pile.
"What?" Sakura asked defensively, "My parents are rich, they'll cope." Ame merely gaped at her.
"Can I see it?" Haru asked while Mai and Keiko nodded their heads in agreement.
"Sure," Sakura chirped. Reaching beneath her coat and shirt Sakura withdrew the silver chain. Mai gasped while Haru and Keiko squealed.
"It's beautiful," Ame whispered, obviously entranced by the silver and pink Sakura blossom.
Sakura nodded her head happily and said, "Yeah I know right? Psshh, you should have heard the sales pitch the man used." Sakura rolled her eyes at the memory.
"Really was it that bad?" Haru asked, also not one to fall for a salesmen's tales.
"Yeah! He started babbling on about this ridiculous story of 400-year-old lovers. Something about a Magician and a Princess called Sakura. Any way they made their wish to be together and then the kingdom went to war. God the story didn't even make sense. But anyway apparently this stone grants wishes. I also think its supposed to be alive…"
Haru chuckled and said, "What utter nonsense."
"Psshh, what is wrong with people these days?" Keiko added rolling her eyes.
However, Mai and Ame exchanged glances before Mai said, "You know Sakura, I have heard a story similar to it before. I think-"
"Oh you have to be kidding me! It was just a stupid story to make me want to buy it!" Sakura said disbelieving of what her friend was saying.
"Yes but-" Ame said while tapping her chin in thought.
"No buts," Sakura snapped irritably, "It was a sales pitch nothing more. You can no more say that magic exists then there is a nice side to my brother." Keiko and Haru laughed but Ame and Mai simply frowned.
"Come on," said Sakura, "Lets watch 'She's a Man'." Keiko and Haru cheered at the mention of their favourite chick flick.
Sakura got up from her position on the floor and picked up the fallen movie. She put it in the DVD player and just when she was going to sit down Ame said, "Sakura I know it's just a sales pitch. But is there really any harm in trying?"
Sakura sighed. Ame would just keep nagging and nagging until Sakura gave in.
"Fine." Sakura said aggravated. She turned and as she was falling through the air to the floor to sit down, Sakura thought with all her might, 'I wish I was a part of Naruto!'
"You really are just one big problem," The raven-haired boy said, smirking.
The blond boy, currently being held up by the onyx eyed prodigy growled in annoyance before pushing himself away from Sasuke.
"Sasuke!" He yelled getting ready to leap at the Uchiha.
However an arm intercepted his jump and voice of their sensei said calmly almost bored, "That's enough, your supposed to be working on team work right?"
Naruto stepped forward, shaking a fist at Sasuke's retreating back before saying, "That's right! Our team works all messed up and it's all because of you, Sasuke! You think your better then everyone else?"
"Not everyone," Sasuke said calmly not stopping walking, "Just you. Face it I'm better and stronger than you are." At this he stopped before turning around and saying, "It's a fact. Unless you have what it takes to prove me wrong?"
Naruto, angered by what Sasuke said growled before his face set determinedly. The two team mates stared each other off before their sensei said, "All right guys, lets call it a day, you can beat each other to a pulp some other time. Anyway I have to file my report on this mission."
Sasuke relaxed and droned out, "Whatever, I'm outer here." Sasuke turned and left, walking away from the stumped Naruto. 'Hmph,' He thought, 'Sasuke's so full of himself. Just wait! I'll become Hokage!'
Naruto turned his big blue eyes on Kakashi and asked, "Hey Kakashi-sensei!"
Kakashi diverted his attention from his book to Naruto and said uninterestedly, "Yes Naruto?"
"Wanna go train with me?" Kakashi practically deflated. 'Did he not just here me say that I have to file a report?'
"Heheh… sorry Naruto. I have to file a report, maybe some other time." Naruto nodded disappointed.
Kakashi left Naruto alone in a puff of smoke. Well at least, he thought he did.
A box of fake rocks came crawling up behind Naruto before stopping when he turned around. 'Fake rocks? What's up with that?' Naruto's eye visibly twitched as he turned around and started walking away. The box shadowed his every movement, moving when he moved, and stopping when Naruto stopped. Naruto began to run in hopes of losing the obviously fake square rocks. However it matched his speed and Naruto, losing patience, turned on the rocks and stopped.
"That's the worst disguise of all time! There's no such thing as square rocks! It's completely obvious!"
"You saw through my camouflage again! Your slick boss just what I'd expect from my greatest rival."
The fake rocks began to shine before smoke bombs went of in three different colours; Purple, yellow and pink. At the base of the smoke sat three academy students, coughing from all the fumes.
"I think we used a little too much gunpowder, you guys," said the boy at the front who was wearing a cape. The student's attention was drawn to Naruto who was standing in front of them, looking at them unbelievingly.
"I'm Moegi the sexiest Konoichi in preschool, check me out!" Said the girl to the right of Konohamaru. She had her long orange hair in a gravity defying ponytails while her almond-shaped black eyes where accentuated by her rosy cheeks.
"I love algebra. Call me Udon," said the brown haired boy to Konohamaru's left. He had large round glasses and a seemingly permanent snot trail.
"And I'm the number one ninja in the village, Konohamaru! And when we're all together:"
In perfect unison the three students said, "We're the Konohamaru Ninja Squad!"
Naruto had already grown bored and was only half listening. He had his hand on the back of his head as he claimed, "Yeah, yeah I knew it was you Konohamaru."
"Well anyway!" Konohamaru said excited, "You said you'd play ninja with us today!"
"Sorry, no can do,' Naruto said pointing a thumb at himself, "I have to train! Believe it!"
Ignoring their crestfallen faces Naruto started walking away but was stopped by Konohamaru who said, "Fine! But we're coming to watch! And, as a challenge, lets have a race!"
"Whaa-" Before Naruto could protest, Konohamaru and his gang already took off up the street.
"Fine!" Naruto yelled, "But I'm going to win!"
With a yell and a resounding thud, Konohamaru ran into something solid, landing on his butt. Looking up surprisedly, Konohamaru was met by two, very unfamiliar Shinobi. On was wearing an all black Onesie that had cat ears on the hood. His face had purple make up on it and he carried a sort of bundle of rags on his back. The other one was female and had her hair in four ponytails, each one spiking out to the side. On her back was a long, thick, metal rod of sorts.
Konohamaru was drawn out of his musing by the male's voice, "Do you need something?"
Naruto gasped at their strange appearances before worriedly yelling out, "Konohamaru!"
Konohamaru was lifted up by his cape and dangled there in front of the Onesie wearing man.
"So," the stranger asked, "Does this hurt punk?" He jerked Konohamaru forward and Konohamaru let out a wail of pain.
"Put him down, Kankuro." The girl said looking away bored, "Or you know you'll pay for it later."
"Oi! Put him down right now!" Naruto yelled, stepping forward threateningly.
The man, Kankuro's attention was drawn to Naruto and when he saw his headband he thought amusedly, 'So these are the leaf villages genin.'
"We got a few minuets before he gets here, let's mess with these punks huh?"
"Let go of me you jerk!" Konohamaru said, attempting to kick Kankuro.
"Your feisty, but not for long" He said in a singsong voice as he tightened his hold.
Naruto growled and said, "Put him down!" But before he could charge at the stranger, a rock flew through the air and hit Kankuro's hand. Konohamaru dropped to the ground as Kankuro gripped his hand.
The Onesie wearer growled as he followed the path of which the rock came, to a tree nearby.
On a branch, throwing a stone up and down was Sasuke. "You're a long way from home, and your way out of your league."
Naruto fumed, 'Sasuke! You always try to make me look bad in front of everyone!'
"Oh, great another wimp to tick me off." Kankuro said, still nursing his injured hand.
Sasuke stopped his throwing and crushed the rock in between his fingers saying, "Get lost."
"Hey punk," Kankuro said, "Get down here. You're the pesky kind of snot I hate the most. All attitude and nothing to back it up." Kankuro's hand shot up to the strap holding the bundle on his back. Yanking on it, the bundle unravelled and fell on the floor.
"What! Are you going to use the crow for this?" The girl asked worriedly.
But before anything could happen, a cool voice that sent shivers down everyone's spine said, "Kankuro, back off."
Everyone jerked in surprise, no one had sensed or even seen him coming. But there, hanging upside down was the most peculiar looking boy Naruto had ever seen. He had blood red hair, and sea foam green eyes. His eyes were rimmed with black and the red Kanji tattoo for love above his left eye highlighted his hair. On the strange boys back, was a peanut shaped gourd. Containing what, Naruto had no clue.
"You're an embarrassment-" The rest of his sentence was cut of by a bloodcurdling scream that came from above them.
All eyes shot up and there, falling faster and faster, was a girl.
Sakura never made contact with the floor, instead, her butt fell through air and her torso was sent reeling backward. Sakura flipped through the air before she managed to catch her self so her stomach was facing the ground. It was only then that Sakura realised.
She was falling.
And falling.
And falling.
The wind whipped at her hair and tore at her clothes. Sakura's mind was going in overdrive. Nothing made sense. 'What's going on!?' Sakura thought franticly.
The ground was coming closer.
And closer.
As the ground drew near, Sakura put two and two together.
She was going to die.
She was about to die.
Sakura let out a loud scream that tore at her throat.
This was it.
She was going to die a crumpled, bloody heap.
The next thing she knew she was being held in warm arms, bridal style. She stopped screaming and jerked her head up to look at the person who caught her.
"Sas-Sasuke Uchiha!?" She shrieked, writhing in the raven-haired, boy's arms.
"What are you- stop moving!" Sasuke yelled. Sakura stopped her escape attempts and just collapsed in his arms.
'What the hell is going on?' Sakura asked not able to comprehend what was happening. One minute she's in her friend's house, then she's falling and the next? She's being held by a fictional character.
Sasuke placed her gently on the ground and helped her into a sitting position. Sakura realised she was probably hallucinating or even dreaming so she merely gave Sasuke a blank look before taking in her surroundings.
They seemed to be in some street, god knows where. A man holding a bundle was staring at her with wide eyes.
Sakura chuckled and decided to play along with her dream and said, "Why hello Kankuro, seems you did a good job with your make up today."
"And you Tamari, you look wonderfully bizarre, almost like you have a Porcupine on the back of your head."
"Sasuke, you look like you have a chickens tail on the back of your head, so I deem you 'Chicken Butt'."
"Naruto, the writer purposefully made you stupid so he could explain things."
"Moegi, what's with the hair style? Honestly."
"Udon, ever heard of a tissue?"
"Konohamaru, a cape, really? What are you, Batman?"
Sakura's gaze landed on a figure standing upside down on a branch.
"Gaara?" Was the last thing she said before everything went black.