My first fic... ever. Please be gentle, "If you cut me do I not bleed?"

Some SasuSaku interaction here inspired by a number of fics I've read on FF. I always thought a Sasuke vs. Sakura rivalry started a better relationship than a silly drooling fangirl Sakura.

Enjoy! (I hope :D)

Happy Fourth of July everyone!

Chapter 1: Shoes

Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto

Sakura panted heavily, her breathing ragged and short as her tired legs punched the ground beneath her. She had wanted to try out her new track shoes, but the run proved more taxing than she had expected. Breaching another hill, she found herself overlooking her home village, Konoha. In the distance, she could discern the last few workers and shoppers making their way back to their homes.

Pausing to watch the last struggling rays of the setting golden-hued sun, she sighed contentedly. 'A good run does wonders for a troubled mind,' she thought, recalling the disturbing events of last week. The woman's voice, whoever she was, had finally left her. For now at least, she could enjoy the peace of mind that every other sane person has, without the mysterious voice that plagued her conscious mind.

"If I am going to start hearing you in my dreams, too, I might as well commit suicide right now. Long way down those stone stairs." she muttered angrily to herself.

"Something bothering you, Sakura?" a male voice behind her mused sarcastically.

Desperately trying to hide her surprise and fear, Sakura rounded on the dark-haired man. "Since when did you give a damn!? Find another person to piss off, Uchiha, I'm not in the mood."

Sasuke smirked, his onyx eyes twinkled with pleasure. "Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you. I wondered if you were alright, since you were talking to yourself."

Sakura snorted, her good mood fully dissipated. Sasuke Uchiha was the most pig-headed, egotistical, and self-centered man to be born on the face of the earth, and she had no qualms reminding him of this. "Yeah, sure. Thanks for the concern, you arrogant jerk. Please excuse me while I puke."

Sasuke smirked cruelly. He found Sakura's utter disgust to be highly amusing. Once childhood playmates, the two had quickly become fierce competitors and bitter enemies over their successes in school and sports. Now in their junior year of high school at Konoha Academy, both had achieved varsity track positions, as well as the same recommendations for their Advanced Placement classes. The fire fueled long ago in Leaf Village Junior High escalated into a full-scale inferno, with both Sasuke and Sakura seeking to destroy each other by any means necessary. Both were athletic, smart, and cunning, and their psychological and physical warfare stopped just short of actual fist-fights. Brutal sparring in Karate class was just an added bonus.

Sakura turned on her newly-outfitted heel, furiously intent on leaving. A strong, tanned arm shot out and caught her by the waist, arresting her movement. Though Sakura was fit and muscular, she was no match for Sasuke. She once held the upper hand against her dark-haired nemesis, beating him soundly in their evening Karate lessons as kids. However, time took its toll, and now a grown up, womanly-figured Sakura was helpless against her testosterone-filled rival.

Sasuke snickered at her attempts to shove him away. She was strong for sure, and if he got careless he knew fully well that he would end up hospitalized for a few days. Leaning close, he whispered in her ear hotly, "Race you back to my house, Pinky!" In the blink of an eye he had cleared the steps, with Sakura's enraged cussing ringing in his ears.

A/N: Holy crap, it's mad short! It looked so much longer in my notebook. oO Short intro chapter... I guess. I have the next chapter or so written, and it's longer. Just hoping to get some feedback first. Thanks for reading!