Euphoria Chapter 3, a naruto fanfic

Euphoria Chapter 3:

Hi guys. I'm so so so sorry about that little mishap earlier with the story not uploading properly. I'm typing this on my IPod Touch and still learning to write fanfics. I'm also so sorry for the 6 month hiatus of the story; I was going through some personal problems and needed time away. I also want to address the question if Sakura's hair was long. Yes, for the time being her hair is long; she'll eventually cut it off for reasons I can't disclose right now without ruining the story. Alright, enough with the talk. I now present to you (for a second time) Chapter 3 of Euphoria!

A/N: I do not own Naruto. All credit for the original manga/anime goes to its creators and Masashi Kishimoto. The plot for this story, however, is originally mine.

"Okay, we're here. Now why did you drag me out of bed?" Tsunade said, slighty irritated. It was an early Saturday morning at 6 am and she and Sakura were at the studio. She was irritated for the fact that it was way too early in the morning for the woman and tonight she had bingo with Jiraiya and she'd be damned if she let him beat her due to sleep deprivation. Sakura had showed up at her doorstep and her only explanation was that she need to 'show' her something. Sakura finished lacing up her pointe shoes and stood. "I brought you here, Sensei because I've been practicing a routine and...I'm finally ready to show you it."

Tsunade sighed, "Are you stretched?"

Sakura nodded. "Alright then, let me see."

She was wearing a cream leotard with a pale pink skirt and pastel pink pointe shoes made of silk; they cost her a fortune, but were worth it for the purpose.

Sakura nodded again and strode over to the far right corner of the room. She kneeled to the black CD player that sat on the paneled oak floor. She rummaged through her bag until she found the item she was looking for. She popped the CD in the player and hit 'play'.

Instantly, sweet, melancholy music filled the room as Sakura positioned herself in the middle of the floor and in front of a mirror. She bowed slightly before beginning.

With grace, she strayed from first position, to passé and into seven pirouettes. She began to feel herself slip, like her soul was literally departing from her body. The song was "Alice" by the Cocteau Twins and from the first time she heard it on The Lovely Bones, Sakura had fallen in love with it. Her arms fanned at her sides as she walked en pointe.

When I lost him ache

Shudder shock of pale

My, my true love

Nicolo Donati, these days are

Smoking days, though he won't see

Sakura let the music bear her wait, as she no longer felt chained to her reality. She had no father that neglected her for nearly 8 years, a stepmother that wished no more than her demise, or a tarnished reputation resulted from the poison of everyone's lies. She was air and was silent and still...

The song was entering its last chorus when Sakura jumped arabesque to 34 pirouettes.

Alice, Alice, Alice, Alice, Alice, Alice

She landed the pirouettes still in her stupor with so much grace a dove would envy her. She finished off her number by caressing her face and looking up into the mirror. She curtsied and for a small second, a crack of a grin appeared on her face. She had failed to recognize Tsunade was still in the room with her until she jumped at slow, distant clapping. "Wow, that was...superb," Tsunade said, partly astonished. Partly because she had no idea Sakura possessed such skill, but then again, she was being trained by the best.

Sakura looked surprised herself, "R-really? I think I could have hit my pirouettes sharper and I wobbled on the-"

"No, no, Sakura, it was perfect," Tsunade assured her. Tsunade's heart wanted to explode when she saw Sakura smile. She so rarely saw her do it nowadays that she thought the girl forgot how. "We'll that's all I wanted to show you. I'll get out of your hair so you can go back to bed." "Sakura, you say that like your a bother..."

"No, it's just...nothing," Sakura silenced and began to collect her items and equipment. Tsunade had suddenly thought of something. "You know Sakura, you should go down to the theatre and perform that number. You're destined to be picked up by a sponsor."

Sakura chuckled. "Tsunade-Sensei, you know I don't have time for things like that. Besides, out of all of the auditioners I'll probably stand out the least to the judges."

"Sakura, you have pink hair for fucks sake."

"Tsunade-sama!" Sakura yelled, alarmed at her mentor's use of profanity. "Oh Sakura, stop being so square. Class isn't officially in session and you know we'll enough to know my speech patterns." Sakura shook her head at the moment of humor and headed out the door. "Domo Arigato, Tsunade-sama!" She called out as she departed down the sidewalk.

Tsunade watched the girl with warm eyes, nostalgia kicking in as she remembered the first time they met...

"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU ALL! Do you not know the difference between allegro and allongé! Do I have to spell it out to you like toddlers! Uh, take five."

The dancers quickly got out of their positions from cowering in the corner and gladly scattered out of the room. Tsunade was more than pissed with her junior dancers. They had been practicing a routine since March and still acted like they were children, wandering aimlessly through the choreography. Tsunade owned on of the top dance studios in Konoha, Rising Stars dance studio. Most of the time she was content and agreeable, but she could be pissy and just plain monstrous if pushed; today was one of those days.

Tsunade rubbed her temples when, simultaneously, she heard a door squeak open. "Whoever you are, go away. We're on break." She heard no sound of departion and felt her forehead begin to throb. "Did you not just-huh?"

She came face to face with a small, cherub faced little girl. The girl looked about 9 years old, but the oddest thing about her was her green eyes and startling pink hair. "I'm looking for Tsunade," the young girl said with clarity despite her age.

Tsunade recovered from her surprise and answered, "Well, you've found her, young lady. Now how may I help you?"

"I want to become a ballerina and I need a teacher."

"Okay, just go get you parents and-"

The child shook her head, "No, I mean NOW." Tsunade furrowed her eyebrows. "Sweetheart, I can't just teach you everything now; that's impossible. You have to have years of training. Also, for a ballerina, you're a tad bit late. Most girls start at the age of five."

Tsunade felt her heart crack as she watched the girls face fall sullen, "Oh. Thanks anyway," and began to head out the door when Tsunade called after her. Tsunade didn't know what it was, but something was odd about the child. "Honey, what's your name?"

"Haruno, Sakura Haruno," Sakura replied. "Okay, Sakura, bring in your parents and we'll discuss your training personally."

"I can't do that, Tsunade-sama."

Tsunade raised an eyebrow, "Why not?" "Because they don't know I'm here."

"Well, where on Kami's Earth do they think you are?!" Tsunade replied, shocked. "At school," Sakura said passively. "Why are you here when you're supposed to be at school?! Are you trying to cause trouble?"

Sakura shook her head, "No, ma'm. I drive by this building everyday on my way to school and I just had to come. I didn't mean to be of disturbance, so I'll be on my way."

The child had went through the trouble, no need to waste it. Tsunade waved her back, "Come here, do you have any prior experience with ballet?"

"Nope."

"Fine, show me what you can do," Tsunade sighed. Sakura nodded and instantly, began leaping across the wood paneled floor like she was a senior dancer. There was no way in hell this child hadn't been trained before. The junior dancers stood outside the door and watched in awe. Sakura was in third position when Tsunade halted her.

Tsunade kneeled and took Sakura by the shoulders. "Are you sure you haven't been taught this before? Are you positive?"

"Yes, ma'm. I only copy what I see the pretty ladies on TV do."

Tsunade smiled. She knew could possibly get into a heap of trouble and even a kidnapping charge, but something about the girl made her want to try, deep beneath those emerald eyes Tsunade saw a fire waiting to be sparked...

"Can your parents know about this?" Tsunade asked. "No, they'll get mad at or they won't pay attention. Either isn't very pleasant." Tsunade pondered for a moment, ignoring the second to last part of comment. "Well I'll tell you what; meet me here at the studio AFTER school and show you some techniques."

Sakura's eyes grew to the size of globes. "Really! You'd really do that?" Tsunade nodded. Sakura threw her arms around the honey haired woman, "Oh thank you, thank you, thank you!"

"Yes, yes. But Sakura, you have to promise me that after a month, you'll tell your parents. It's the only way I can continue training you."

Sakura nodded her head so hard it looked as if it were to fall off. "Yes ma'm, I promise!" Tsunade smiled, "Good, now go to class before I change my mind."

Sakura ran out of the studio like she was on fire and Tsunade watched from a distance, wondering what the hell she just got herself into.

Tsunade flashed back to reality and realized that Sakura was atleast 3 blocks away now. She ran by her desk, grabbed one of the fliers and sped after the teenager.

"Sakura! Sakura!"

Sakura turned around to see her teacher racing after her, flustered. "Tsunade-sama, are you all right?" Tsunade had finally caught up with the pinkette though she felt her lungs might explode. "Whew, I (gasp) mean't (gasp) to give you this form. Oh Kami, I feel like I'm going to effing fallout." Tsunade handed Sakura a lime green sheet. It read:

To all it may concern, there will be an audition held at Konoha theatre on December 17th through 3pm - 6pm for gymnast, talentos, and dancers. This is an open call audition and if chosen, the selected few will represent the upcoming S&U Academy of the Arts. All auditioners should bring needed equipment and materials for audition. All attending audition and plan to perform shall need a recommendation letter from a trustworthy sources. Failure to comply to these expectations protest for immediate expulsion from audition and theatre. If there are any questions or concerns, please email me at WeaselSan . Pleasant day and good luck.

Sakura continued to stare at the flier. "But Tsunade-Sama, I don't have a routine."

"Do the one you just performed in the studio. Trust me, you'll knock 'me dead," Tsunade tryed to say quite heartily, but came out more due to her recovering from her morning run. Tsunade positioned her hands behind her back, wincing from the pain. "Sakura, I know society likes to exaggerate big breast, but be thankful for a small bust. Let me tell you, these puppies are like Playdough- fun to play with, not to sprint down three effing blocks with." Sakura burst into a fit of laughter at her mentor's antics; sometimes she could be just like a child. Sakura concealed her giggles long enough to look back at the flier. "Do you really think I can do it, Tsunade-sama?"

Tsunade, now adjusting to the mood, replied, "Yes, yes I do. The real question is do you?"

"Well, um-" Tsunade frowned at the girl. "Sakura, it's time to stop hiding behind walls. I see you in the studio nearly everyday and you're the beat among your class. I see potential inside you, just waiting for you to let it out. But I also see a girl scared of life. Dancers are artist and every artist must have a muse and tools. You already know your muse and these-"

She pointed to Sakura's feet. "-these are your tools. Now go out there and create art. Go out there Sakura,-" Tsunade grabbed Sakura's wrist. "-and shine."

Sakura fought back the tears in her eyes as she felt something bud inside her, something she thought she lost so long ago. She looked back at the flier and noticed the date. "Tsunade-sama, this is tomorrow!"

"Exactly, so if I were you, I'd hurry home and start rehearsing."

Sakura grinned, an action she hadn't done in nearly eight years.

"Thank You, Tsunade-Shisou. I won't let you down!" Sakura yelled behind her as she raced home.

Sakura didn't know what lay ahead of her, but in the moment she knew she would be successful under any circumstances.

She also did not know that that audition would be the catalyst for the events that followed and how her life would be turned upside down.

That day in the cold marked the beginning of the end...

A/N: DONE! It took me nearly all day, but I'm done. I promise to have a longer chapter for you all tomorrow, but I had to catch you up so we can get to the juicy Madara/Sakura drama. That's all for tonight! Thank you for staying faithful in this story and expect more to come! See ya.