I stood backstage, nervously plucking the strings on my violin. It was the day of my big audition to the school of my dreams and I couldn't let anything distract me. Unfortunately, my emotions were already running high.

"You're going to do great." My mom had driven me to my audition - the school had auditions all over the country, it was crazy. She was my number one supporter.

"Thanks Mom," I took a deep breath. Out of all the days for me to get stage fright, why did it have to be today?

"I'm so proud of you," she continued. I could see tears in her eyes. "You're so much like your father."

Those were her last words to me before I had to leave her. Anxiously, I listened to the other candidates - students my age who also had the dream to go to Konoha University and attend its prestigious music program. I took a few more deep breaths in an attempt to calm down. I had already made it this far in the process, I thought to myself. Everyone who wanted to audition on violin had to submit a recording online. It gave me hope that someone had seen my audition and decided that I was good enough to move forward with the process.

I listened to the music that was coming from the stage, hoping to distract myself from the sudden onslaught of nerves. The girl before me was playing her Paganini caprice at record-breaking speeds. Show off. Or maybe she was just nervous.

I didn't have much time to think about it. The girl stepped off stage (were there tears in her eyes?) and it was my turn.

I could barely see anything when I stepped on stage. I tried not to think about the fact that my fate was sealed by the few people in the audience. No, I couldn't think of that if I wanted to succeed. Instead, I pictured myself in the living room, practicing for my mom like always.

"Sakura Haruno," a voice called out from the audience, making me jump. "We're ready when you are."

I nodded, hoping that I wouldn't start shaking when I was performing. Slowly, I raised my violin in position and gave my accompanist a nod. The piano started immediately, playing the first few measures of the concerto that I had been perfecting for months.

When I started to play, the feelings of insecurity left me immediately. I was the music. Everything was almost second nature to me when I was on stage performing. It was something that I lived for. When I was a child, I would always listen to my dad practice the violin. There was something in the way that he played that made me feel like I was observing something reverent - almost private. The passion that he exhibited in his playing was so amazing, I knew I had to play myself.

I started playing violin as soon as we could find an instrument small enough for me. Practicing was never a problem for me, I couldn't wait to get my hands on my instrument everyday. There was something about music that I couldn't get enough of. I could experience every emotion, anything I wanted, just by picking up my violin.

The audition passed by in a blur after the first piece. It was like a dream, really.

When it was over, I could hear the hurried writing of the few audience members. "Thank you." It was a different voice that spoke this time. "You will have your results in soon."

I left the stage, running into my mom almost immediately after I exited the stage door. "You were incredible," she beamed. "I'm so proud of you."

"Thanks." I grinned back at her. Although I would have to wait a month or so before I found out whether or not I made it into the music school, I knew that I had performed my best.

The news came exactly a month later:

Dear Sakura Haruno,

Congratulations! It is my great pleasure to inform you that the Konoha University Strings Faculty and the Board of Admissions have granted you acceptance into the Classical Music - Performance program at the University of Konoha for the following school year.

You have been assigned to study with Dr. Tsunade, our violin professor and artist-in-residence at Konoha University.

We look forward to hearing back from you!

Sincerely,

Hiruzen Sarutobi
Dean of the College of Music

Author's Note: This is a different sort of story from what I'm used to writing, so I hope you like it! The Sasuke/Sakura drama will come later in the story, I promise. :) Please let me know what you think, the first chapter will be up sometime this week hopefully!

For anyone who might be wondering where the next chapter of All Good Things is, I promise it's coming soon and I haven't been neglecting it!