Anything, But Ordinary

Chapter Twenty: Moving Forward.

Sakura looked around the crowded area. A ball of nervousness swam around in her stomach making her feel as if the whole world was coming down around her. She had held back the urge to throw up for a few hours, and now that she was standing here it was harder and harder for her to hold it in. Naruto and Sasuke stood on either side of her, she could only guess they thought they needed to be supportive of her, and in truth she really did need them.

Green eyes darted around trying to find her mom and dad. She sighed deeply not being able to find a trace of them anywhere. She couldn't even find her Uncle or the blonde member. The only person who was near was Itachi and from where she stood it felt like he was all the way on the other side of the world. Did he know where everyone was positioned, or was he like herself and just guessing.

She glanced down at her hand where the ring her father had given her earlier that morning sat. The pink looked back at her and she couldn't help but smile. The kanji for beauty stared back at her. She closed her eyes feeling tears prick at them, she forced the tears back before opening her eyes again.

She side glanced to Sasuke looking him over. Her eyes wondered down to his neck line where she got a slight glimpse of the curse mark. Where Orochimaru had bitten him. She slowly reached up and touched her own neck, if Itachi hadn't shown up when he had she would have the same bite mark. She closed her eyes. Orochimaru… What was he planning?

She looked down at the arena area that sat under them. A single man stood in the middle of it. He was talking loudly but she couldn't hear anything other than the loud beating of her heart. She was nervous. She was scheduled to be the last to fight. Her dad had told her it was more than likely that Orochimaru would make his move before then but none the less the pinkette was on edge. She side glanced at Itachi but found him staring off.

She followed his eyes until she landed on the Kage's who were sitting further up then everyone. She looked back to Itachi. Did Itachi hold a grudge to the Hokage for demanding he kill his clan? "You okay Sakura-chan?"

Sakura looked up to meet Naruto's eyes. There was something different about the blonde. He had changed slightly from the last time she had seen him. He had somehow grown over the three months that they had been training. She nodded subconsciously before turning to look back down. Somehow without realizing it, a lot had changed over the three months between herself and her two teammate.

"And now we will begin out first fight!" Sakura jumped hearing the announcement. "Hyuga Neji and Uzumaki Naruto!"

"Wooh!" Sakura let out a scream as Naruto jumped off the railing. "Kick some ass Naruto!" the pinkette yelled before throwing a few punches into the air. Sakura leaned back taking in a deep breath. Okay, she really needed to calm down. Her body was on overdrive and that wasn't good. She needed to try and calm down or else she wouldn't be of any help when the time came.

She looked up to meet Itachi's eyes. She smiled and he smiled back at her. She calmed slightly she needed that. Itachi quickly looked away and Sakura looked up to find Sasuke glaring at him. "Sasuke?" she asked waving a hand in front of his face.

"What?" Sasuke asked before glaring down at the pinkette. Sakura stared at him confused for a moment. "What's up with you and that boy from Ame?"

"What?" It was Sakura's turn to play dumb now.

"You know, that boy?" Sasuke asked signaling towards Itachi. Sakura glared at Sasuke.

"Nothing is up with me and him," Sakura said quickly. "Besides shouldn't you be watching Naruto kick that Hyuga's ass." Sasuke scoffed before turning to face the fight.

"Like that dobe could beat anyone," Sasuke said, just as Naruto shot out of the ground knocking Neji clear on his ass. Sakura let out a loud scream before jumping up and down excitedly. Sasuke stared shocked at the scene that sat in front of him.

"What was that Sasuke?" Sakura asked causing Sasuke to roll his eyes.

"The dobe got lucky," Sasuke commented.

"The winner is Uzumaki Naruto!" Sakura laughed as Naruto ran around the arena blowing kisses at the crowed. Sasuke shook his head as if h was embarrassed for the blonde's actions. It wasn't long until Naruto was walking up them he grinned and waved at the two.

"Did you see that Sakura-chan! I kicked ass!" Naruto grinned walking up to her. Sakura smiled.

"I saw Naruto. You did so good!" Sakura hugged the blonde causing him to blush madly. Sasuke glared at the two.

"It wasn't that good…" Sasuke mumbled causing the blonde to glare at him. Sakura rolled her eyes.

"Don't listen to Sasuke, he's just jealous," Sakura stared causing Sasuke to 'humf' at them.

"Next up! Is Uchiha Sasuke and Gaara,"

An overwhelming force of dread filled the pinkette's body as she watched the two move to the battle area. She didn't know what had come over her but all of a sudden she was on high alert. Her mind was reeling and she could feel her breakfast trying to rise out of her stomach. All types of static and noise rang through her mind. And then finally her father's distinct voice rang through her mind.

"It's now!" Her eyes widened in fear, her body frozen and she found herself unable to move from the spot. A loud explosion shook the stadium and she fell to her knees. She looked up to find that the Kazekage was really Orochimaru in disguise. Her mouth hang open in shock as she watched a barrier formed around Orochimaru and the third Hokage.

A loud scream erupted from the stadium floor where Sasuke was. Looking down her eyes widened even larger at the monster that was growing. She looked up at Naruto who was frozen like herself. Her ring pulsed bringing her from her shock. She looked down at it once more before it pulsated again. She clenched her fist together.

"Get up… Sakura. Get up!" She yelled at herself. "MOVE FORWARD!" and with shaky legs she forced herself to stand up.

A/N

Chapter twenty! Wooh! This is looking like it's going to be one of my longest fics cause I have not a clue when this is going to end lol. Anyway. I am back from vacation, I hope you all didn't miss me too much. I hope you guys liked the chapter. I'm sorry it's not that long. I have the hardest time writing long chapters. I guess it's a good thing I update quite often. Anyway. Thank you for all of your reviews! I look forward to hear what you thought of this chapter! Thank you for reading and reviewing!