This was not how Sakura had expected this game training game to go. Not in the least. Sure she had expected some change mind you that was the whole point of inviting Gaara and Itachi into the training. It had started out simple, she let everyone know she had invited the two and nobody had any complaints, not even Sasuke, meaning this change was really welcome. They had all taken their points and entered the forest alone at their own posts. The rules were fairly simple: enter at the same time from your own point, do not kill anyone however dangerous weapons were allowed but not jutsu, teaming up was perfectly allowable however be wary you could be back stabbed, everyone met up at sun set at the main entrance.

So how she had managed to enter and come first thing into a flurry of traps was beyond, up until she realized it was all sand and then everything became clear. Damn he moves fast for somebody carrying a ton of sand! She cursed and leapt clear of a sand tendril. Gaara could be anywhere nearby; at least she assumed he had to be nearby. To loose meant you had to be caught and she refused to lose so soon.

She pressed her back to the tree she stood on and looked around, surveying the area, to the left was a stream and her right was more woods, straight ahead was a clearing. Her brain scrambled devising a plan of action. Water weighed sand down so that was a valid option but it also meant that his attacks would hit harder. The clearing gave her plenty of room to move but open area meant she was in plain daylight for anyone to see. The woods depth sounded like a good idea but sneak attacks for him were still easy. She looked down to see her options and nearly squealed when she saw a rush of sand coming right at her, leaping off the branch in time to make the sand miss her. She created 2 shadow clones and the 3 of them rushed to different places, the normal and real Sakura going to the water.

Gaara had been on the other side of the tree from her and pondered which one to follow, he hadn't seen her use the shadow clone, nor was he aware she had learned the jutsu. He took a wild guess and followed the one going to the water, should it be the real one the wet sand would make it harder to escape.

When Sakura landed at the stream she went knee deep into the water. She saw a flicker of red and grinned, he was coming her way. Her plan was to drench his sand, heavier weight meant it was slower and if she could soak his sand armor he'd be a lot slower in moving. Speed would be the decider of this competition.

Just as she predicted she saw the sand at her feet try to swallow her legs. She leapt out and hit the ground with a heat bomb, the explosion meant steam and mist, her cover. Dashing across the water she headed for where she last saw him and leapt up, she grinned when he came into view and he looked up. His face showed Gaara's monotone version of surprise and she nearly landed a punch to his face except a wall of wet sand made it in front of him with 3 inches to spare. Not wasting time she leapt back to avoid the slowed sand spikes.

Upon landing she grabbed her hand, the density of the sand meant hitting it with her punches hurt her too. Recoil was no joke and could break concentration fairly easily. She pondered her next move while watching him. He had taken a defensive stance, his armor most likely soaked at least at his knee's meaning it would be hard for him to move. However his shield meant she couldn't get in close. She'd have to get in close and somehow capture him.

It was then it dawned on her she didn't HAVE to catch him. Escaping was a valid option as the main point was survival and capture. It stung her pride but she couldn't take Gaara on alone. She didn't have the chakra reserves nor the skill set needed to catch him. But one person she might be able to recruit..

Gaara noticed her change of perspective, it was clear as day and for the umpteenth time he wondered how she became a ninja, much less one so powerful. Her thoughts and emotions danced on her face as clear as day, even Naruto was better at hiding his emotions when it came right down to it. It's not that he minded though, it was refreshing to interact with somebody who wasn't afraid to show emotion in front of him that wasn't Temari.

Still, he was a trained ninja, he'd be a fool to let this moment go to waste. While she was distracted his sand came up behind her. He hesitated in confusion when she got a sinister grin when she looked at him. She was up to some thi-

He felt an impact hit the sand shield behind him and turned to see her shadow clones. While he was distracted Sakura performed the hand seals for a substitution Jutsu and escaped his rear sand attack. Much to his annoyance he looked around for where she was. He had been blindsided and bested by the simplest of combinations. He smiled and couldn't help but feel a bit proud. The memory of a scared pinkette defending Sasuke in a moment of weakness crossed his mind. And then another of her, grown up and a promising kunoichi, and now here she was. Quick witted and sharp when she seemed so novice, a recipe for deadly deception. He was proud of her, and liked to think he had some influence in her growth, but he knew it was really all thanks to Naruto and, as much as he didn't like to admit, Sasuke in a way.

From a distance Sakura slipped away, surprised that her last minute plan worked. She hopped from tree to tree looking for somebody to partner up with, anyone would do really. Her first thought had been Naruto, they made a splendid team. Naruto supplied a lot of raw power and they had trained together before so they knew how to best assist each other. It was also a safer route as he was the least likely to back stab her.

She snapped out of her thoughts by a glint in her eye. Kicking back from the branch she landed on she flipped clear of a log trap. Looking around she tried to catch who the source was and saw a black blur before substituting. It failed though when she barely dodged a shower of kunai. It was the clue that dawned in the possible candidates.

"Release!" she yelled holding up the hand sign and the genjutsu scattered. The forest reformed, the kunai shower having been an illusion. She felt her back pressed to something firm, and breathing. A kunai to her neck she could only tell the identity of the person by their height and the sleeve of their shirt.

"Hello Itachi," she said turning her head to look up into red sharingan "Fancy meeting you here."

"It would appear you've lost Sakura." He said, his voice and breath on here ear caused her to shiver. His voice was like hot honey in her ear if that made sense. She didn't really know as it had the effect of scrambling her brain.

"Not quiet.." she said and her arm shot out grabbing his arm with the kunai. Twisting it behind his back with her inhuman strength. Itachi twisted with her though and got his arm around her waist. Electricity running up her back from the contact, and a faint blush on her cheeks. Damn Uchiha's and their sex appeal. She cursed.

A smash drew both their attention to an approaching wave of sand and they leapt clear of each other to avoid it. Sakura landing on the ground and Itachi in a tree. Gaara not far behind it took a stance on the ground too.

"You've got timing." She said looking over at him and trying to keep both individuals within her view.

Gaara looked at her then at Itachi, while Itachi really showed no sign of differentiating who he was looking at. A benefit of having the high ground.

A three way fight…I can't tell if this is good or bad. Both if these guys have kekkei genkai, I can defend against Gaara mildly but Itachi's is not so easy to defend against… Her decision was made for her when both males went for each other, almost forgetting she was there. She watched on and felt..

Insulted.

Her brow's knit in annoyance, they had just forgotten her? How dare they! Sure she might not have fancy jutsu but she wasn't somebody you just forget is there! She ground her teeth and ran at them, chakra infused fist reeled back and ready she swung at them. Both males saw her coming and leapt clear of her, the ground shattering upon impact. Dust flying in the air and rubble she looked at them both "Forget about something?"