Anything, But Ordinary

Chapter Twenty-One:Emotions Don't Make You Weak.

Once Sakura was finally able to force herself into a standing position she grabbed a hold of Naruto's arm and pulled him up. There eyes met for a split second before Naruto found his wits and jumped from the balcony and to where Sasuke was. Sakura felt him tug her to come with him but she couldn't bring herself to follow him. Because somewhere in the back of her mind she knew this was the deciding factor. Tonight would be the last day that she would be considered their true team member.

She watched with sad green eyes and his bright blue eyes faded from her slight and then the orange jump suit faded all together leaving her to stand alone at the top of the stadium alone. She looked around to find that Itachi was gone and she was entierly alone. She turned around quickly kunia in hand only to be met face to face with her silvered hair teacher. She relaxed momentarily until she realized that everyone was under attack and brought her kunia back up.

"What was the prank that Naruto played on you when we first met?" She asked glaring.

"An eraser fell on my head from the door way," Kakashi answered. Sakura relaxed slightly before Kakashi threw a kunia past her head sending an enemy shinobi falling to his death. "Are you okay, Sakura?"

The pinkette stared at the sand dust before nodding and moving to stand closer to Kakashi. "I'm fine Kakashi-sensei," she whispered before looking back at the stadium she realized that most of the on lookers where asleep due to a genjutsu. It was amazing how so much had changed in a matter of seconds.

"Where's Naruto?" Kakashi asked. Sakura closed her eyes. Had she made the wrong decision in letting him go? She looked over the edge to realize that the lower area was completely empty. Sasuke and Naruto were gone along with the demon from Suna.

"They're gone. Sasuke and Naruto... they went after... him," she whispered. Kakashi sighed before making a few hand signs before a small poof sounded and a nin dog appeared.

"Then in can't be helped. Sakura, I need you to go after the boys. Pak-kun will go with you," Sakura looked at the small dog before nodding. "Sakura, be safe this is an A-rank mission."

Sakura nodded. She looked down at the nin dog. "Lets go,"

The two moved forward the sound of metal on metal made Sakura looked behind her to see Kakashi had already stepped in to make sure they could get away. She closed her eyes, even if these people weren't her family and had essentially taken her away from her original family she still cared for them as people and didn't want for them to hurt. "Sakura!" she turned around quickly to see the pineapple shaped head of Shikamaru.

"Shikamaru!" Sakura called. Pak-kun stopped Sakura from running to meet the brunette.

"Kakashi sent me," Shikamaru said. "Um... told me to mention strawberry shampoo?" he said awkwardly to the Pak-kun, who then nodded in return as the three continued on to catch up with the blonde knuckled-head ninja and of course the wonder boy avenger.
After making their way from the crowded streets and into the forest Sakura relaxed slightly until Pak-kun's voice broke their silence.

"We're being followed, four... no five," Sakura gulped. What were they going to do now?

"We need to make a distraction," Shikamaru said as if it was the most plain thing in the world. The three were silent for a moment before Sakura opened her mouth.

"I'll-"

"I'll stay behind," Shikamaru said cutting her off. Sakura turned and faced him her green eyes wide. "Pak-kun has to lead the way so he can't stay and with my family jutsu there's a good possibility of me... surviving,"

Sakura felt a sting in her eyes as tears slowly forced their way to the front. She bit her lip trying to force the tears away. Why did life have to be like this. Shikamaru didn't deserve this kind of life. She didn't want to see people hurt. Maybe it was because of who she was but she could never be a ruthless killer. Maybe she wasn't cut out to be a ninja.

Emotions don't make you weak Sakura, they make you stronger.

She could hear her father's words in her head so clearly. She smiled. He was right. "I have faith in you Shikamaru," The three stopped for a moment. Almost in a silent wait that this could be the last time that they would ever see each other.

"Stay safe," Sakura and Shikamaru said before Sakura and Pak-kun were on the move again. Sakura closed her eyes before glaring forward. There was no more second guessing. There would be no more second chances. What ever was happening right now... it was a war. And she wasn't sure what amount of it was... but a small part of a large part was because Orochimaru wanted her.

A/N

I know it's not very long and I apologize for that since you guys deserve way more then what I was able to give you. I am off of hiatus now so you can look forward to an update soon. I'm actually hoping to give you guys a longer chapter next week. I wanted this one to be longer but I couldn't think of what else to add and I need to get to bed. But I am back! I swear and I'm sorry for leaving you guys hanging where I did. I know you're thinking what kind of excuse is it to leave you guys like I had. Well for the past few months I've been going through a divorce and really deciding what I want in my life. I'm getting back to stable ground so I should be updating normally again. I hope you guys stick with me! Thanks for those of you who have personally been there for me through this whole ordeal. I thank you again! And I hope you liked the chapter but I'm sure you will like the next one I'm posting better. Also if you have any ideas for this feel free to let me know what you think or if there is a certain thing you'd like to see change let me know! Thanks again!