A/N: First try in making a multi-chaptered fic! This takes place in a college setting, because (1) I am a college student, and it seems more appropriate so I can describe everything as if fresh out of my memory, (2) College is more liberated than high school. My characters would be more mature than highschoolers, I think.

Another thing: thank you so much for those who read All Too Well, especially those who took their time to review my story. To Shattered Glass Doll, this chapter is dedicated to you for your very sweet comment.

Shannaro!

Edit: Okay, so I know I said (and emphasized) that I was just planning on rewriting this one, but I kinda thought that if I were to continue it, better improve it now before adding more chapters, ne?

Edit 2: I decided to take down the unedited chapters because it might disturb the story flow and spark up confusion. Sorry, but I promise that it's for the best. :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Hate at First Sight

"Hey Forehead," It was a whisper at first. But Sakura knew that it wouldn't be for long.

The girl in question groaned, turned away from the voice and pulled her apple green duvet over her head. Her best friend rolled her eyes. "Don't be a pissbaby, Forhead. Wakey wakey!"

Ino was shaking her now, the volume of her voice increasing as Sakura held on to her resolve of wanting to sleep some more. It was a Tuesday, but school wouldn't start until an hour or so. Her alarm hadn't even rung yet. Whatever Ino wants with her could wait.

"Sakura fucking Haruno, would you just wake up already!" Ah, the wonderful music of the early morning. She could get the hang of this – not. Well, this isn't really an uncommon happening in their household considering that she lives with Konoha's loudest blonde a.k.a. her best friend. And said best friend makes it a point to wake up two hours before Sakura's own alarm because 'beauty takes time' – which was fine with her, really. She couldn't care less if Ino was so intent on sacrificing some good z's just so she could perfect that foundation routine or whatever, just as long as she didnot wake. Her Up.

Sakura ground her teeth. Ino knows how important it is for her to get as much sleep as she could get, seeing that pre-med isn't at all a field of roses. Heaving a sigh, she threw the duvet to the side and mustered a glare that she hoped wasn't so bloodshot from sleep deprivation.

"What," she spat.

She was met with the sight of her best friend looking down at her with her hands on her hips. Sakura would never admit it, but she wished she could look as perfect as Ino at seven in the freakin' morning. Blonde hair, blue eyes, and a killer figure complimented by her flawless fashion sense. KU's most popular without even trying, that's her alright. Her features were nothing out of the ordinary, but she sure as hell made the most of it. Sakura, who was exotic with her natural pink hair and emerald eyes, was a direct contrast of her best friend. If Ino was the face in the crowd, at least Sakura was someone you'd easily spot in it.

She loved Ino to bits, she just wished that maybe Ino could try being less pretty sometimes, so she wouldn't look like a potato next to her.

Setting the envy welling up in her chest aside, she said, "What is so important that it couldn't wait until I've slept enough to be functional, Warthog?"

To her surprise, Ino didn't match her glare, and instead met it with a concerned gaze that sent Sakura's emotion into anxiousness. Did something happen?

"Your parents are here," in direct contrast to her speaking volume just minutes ago, Ino spoke in a grim voice that did nothing but worsen Sakura's anxiety.

She's got to kidding, right? Sakura didn't live with her parents – well, not currently. They let her live with her friends in an apartment that let them practice independence and was convenient for them, taking into account that they were all college students.

"What? Why? I swear, Ino, if you are kidding the shit out of me,"

"Good morning to you, too, Forehead," Ino cut her off before she could finish her threat. Her tone was sarcastic, but humorless. "And I'm not kidding. They're downstairs. Now, come on."

With a pounding heart, Sakura got up and thought of all the reasons why her parents would be visiting her. Don't get her wrong, she loved them and appreciated it whenever they took the time to visit her in their apartment, but recently, they never had that luxury. Their lives pretty much revolved around their careers, and that's okay. Sakura understood.

But the question is what's up?

She made a quick trip to the bathroom and washed the sleep out of her eyes. When she emerged from it, she found Ino by her door, the concerned look in her eyes never wavering. Wordlessly, they walked out of her room and down the stairs.

It was halfway down the stairs that she got her answers. The opening in the living room showed her father sitting on a wheel chair with a pained look on his face, and her mother adjusting something in his arm. Sakura saw that the rest of her friends were also awake, sitting quietly in the living room with them. In an instant, she dashed down the last flights, sleep and annoyance completely vanishing.

"What happened?" she demanded as soon as she was by her father. "Oh, my God. Dad, are you okay?"

She was frantic. She couldn't comprehend the state he was in; this is the worst she'd seen her father. Kizashi Haruno was a healthy man. He helped out in their family business, but he mostly coached for their home team in KU. Coaching also gave him the opportunity to be fit, so he rarely got sick, much less crippled. Sakura couldn't even remember the last time he was unwell.

Her hysteria worsened when she was answered by his groaning. He couldn't speak.

"He had a mild stroke," her mother explained. Sakura fought the urge to cry when she saw her mother on the verge of it. She was a tough woman, and seeing her like this was breaking her heart. It was that bad?

"The ailment runs in the Haruno family, Sakura. And your father, well, he couldn't fight it no matter how healthy he tried to be."

"Is he gonna be okay?" Sakura choked. "Will he recover? I've learned about stroke, and – and not all are that bad."

"We're going for another check up today for that. Let's be hopeful, yeah?" Mebuki flashed her daughter a pained smile. "You won't be hearing about his lame jokes in a while." They all tried to laugh, and despite himself, Kizashi smiled.

"We dropped by because your father has something to ask of you," her mother continued, looking expectantly at her.

"Sure dad," she smiled at him. "Anything." Of course, she'll do it, whatever it is.

"He wants you to coach Konoha Twelve, dear."

On second thought…

"Mom," Sakura laughed. Unlike her dad, her mom didn't joke for fun. Her jokes were often ones that make people nervous. She can be scary when she wanted to be. You didn't think Sakura took after her father, right? "Okay, I'm not falling for this. Skip the theatrics, I've been anxious already."

It dawned on Sakura that they weren't laughing with her, as hers died down in her throat.

"Wait, you're serious?"

"Come on, Sakura. Cheer up. You're dad's a rock star; he'll get better in no time." Tenten's voice was cheerful as she patted her friend's back. She was good at this whole social interaction thing because she's simple and fun – her never-before-dyed coffee brown hair indicated her simplicity, and wearing them in two buns signified her being fun. Sakura tried to muster a smile at her.

They were inside Ino's car on their way to school. Her parents left moments ago, but the news they brought with them stayed on her shoulders, burdening them with more anxiety as it slowly sinks in a little more the closer they got to Konoha University's grounds.

"Tenten's right, Forehead," Ino chimed in. "Uncle's health is as good as a whole basketball team." That was what Sakura thought, too.

She trusted that her father will get better, so she shook all negative thoughts out of her head. But more than that, she was worried about the responsibility he left her. Not only was she blown by the news of her father's condition, but she was also knocked over by how fast everything was going.

Her mother explained that she'd be meeting the team later that afternoon because they couldn't afford to waste any more time. The season was starting in a week, and although Sakura knew enough about basketball to properly coach a team, she didn't have enough experience doing that. She used to come with her dad as a little girl, watching as he commanded men who seemed colossal to her due to their six-what-now height, but that was way before she got occupied with school. She didn't trust her credibility in the court as a temporary replacement for someone like her dad.

"That's not what I'm worried about guys," Sakura started, lifting her head and fighting the nervousness in her voice. "I mean, yes, of course I'm worried about him, but do you really think I can handle a bunch of testosterone with legs? Sure, I'd take them down if they ever dared try to lay a finger on me, but there's like, I don't know, twelve of them. And imagine me giving them orders! You know how I am when people don't follow what I want them to do. This is impossible! I'm not cut out for this."

Sakura saw that her girlfriends were fighting the urge to laugh, and it enraged her. Did they think this was all a joke?

"What's so funny?" Sakura seethed. There it is, her infamous temper. At this, Ino, Hinata, Tenten and Temari broke out laughing.

"Lighten up, Billboard Brow! You can do this," Ino said in between giggles, looking at her rearview mirror at Sakura who was seated between Temari and Tenten.

"And isn't that exactly what a team needs? Besides, I doubt your dad's any softer when dealing with them." Temari added while she mindlessly combed her sandy blonde hair into four sections.

"Yeah, and you might find someone who's invincible to your inhuman wrath." Ino wiggled her eyebrows suggestively at that. It was then followed by her squeals. "Just imagine all those cute, tall guys we could meet!"

"Ino!" Sakura couldn't believe they weren't even offering her their much-needed sympathy. What friends.

She really needed to stop feeling sorry for herself, though.

"Oh, boo you. You're no fun. What is it with guys that you don't want one?"

It's not that she didn't want one. It's just she didn't have the time. She'd always been so focused on her studies, and distractions were strictly unwelcomed. What good would getting a boyfriend do her? She was content with her friends and her family and her good grades. If the heavens decided to bless her with some tall, dark and handsome fellow, then so be it. But so far, that hasn't happened. No one has ever managed to steal her attention away from her text books.

Ino kept on lecturing the girls about guys and the effects of pent up sexual frustrations until they reached the university. Even after they got out and went inside the main building, she went on and on about how it'll be nice to have someone sweeping them off their feet. Sakura swore her ears were close to bleeding.

Thankfully, the bell rang and they all had to go to their separate classes.

"Lunch together, okay, guys?" Ino said after she gathered her stuff. The girls agreed and proceeded to their respective classes.

"I thought there'd be no end to it!" Tenten whined and rubbed her temples as soon as Ino was out of earshot. She had the same first period with Sakura and Hinata, and Sakura couldn't be happier it was them. She rarely had the patience to deal with Ino's rambling in the early mornings. At least with Tenten, she shared a tomboyish side and the dislike for mornings; so they were a lot quieter, respecting each other's cranky reaction to noise.

As for Hinata, she just wasn't very loud. She'd talk a little and offer her opinions here and there, but mostly, she'd just watch them chitchat, pearly eyes brightening and darkening in reaction whenever their topic calls for it. And oh, she was a good hugger. She offered Sakura a good luck one earlier that morning.

She decided that Hinata was her favorite person today.

However, Sakura couldn't enjoy their company. She was still uneasy about meeting the team.

Tenten noticed the way she kept fiddling with the dog-ears on her thick text book. "Come on, Sakura, this is nothing you haven't done before." She tried cheering on her friend again. "On second thought, it is something you've never done before," and was failing. "But come on, I know you're gon' be a great coach. You know everything there is to know about basketball. You can strategize even when only watching from the TV. It can't be that hard."

"S-she's right, Sakura," Hinata joined in. "You're tough and I-I'm pretty sure they'd respect you because their coach is your dad."

Sakura wished she could share with their optimism.

The bell rang, and just like that, her final period was over. The day passed tauntingly quick and Sakura's nerves felt like they were being electrocuted.

You can do this, Sakura. She thought. Those guys have nothing on you. You can definitely beat the shit out of them if they ever have the balls to get you mad.

Her attempt to calm herself down was futile. For the last time, she examined herself on the mirror of the girls' bathroom. At least she didn't look like how she felt. Exhaling, she turned around and walked out.

After meeting up with the girls in the parking lot who wished her luck, and promised to pick her up later, she walked to the pavilion where the main basketball court was located. She had taken up PE there, so she had no trouble finding it. The sound of rubber hitting hardwood was not bad of a help either in reaching her destination.

The wide, painted halls led her to the center of the pavilion which was barricaded by a set of double doors. Here goes nothing. Breathing in deeply, she pushed one door open.

And there they were. Eleven Konoha hunks – er, players were doing their drills. They were sweating; some had their brows furrowed in concentration, while some were laughing goodheartedly at each other. But all motion immediately stopped as soon as a tall blonde guy – she recognized by his jersey number 10 that he was that Uzumaki guy – pointed at her and bellowed, "A chick!"

Sakura could have rolled her eyes if they weren't intensely staring at her as if they weren't able to comprehend her whole person, and she was sure she looked exactly like a deer caught on headlights.

Sakura gathered her nerves and walked closer to them. When they didn't budge, her temper immediately flared and she took a deep breath. "What? You're just gonna stand there all day like idiots? Resume practice."

Initially, she had been planning a more formal greeting like 'Hi, I'm Sakura Haruno, and since my father can't attend to you at the moment, I'd be taking his place. Please don't ravish me considering you're all filled with testosterone and I'm a girl. Thank you.' But that would be like a form of submission, and to hell with them if they think of her any less.

She was amazed by the hardness her voice had conjured. And seeing them break their gaze and follow her orders pleased her even more. What didn't please her was this one chicken-headed dickhead whose stare moved from her head to toe as if she was a half-eaten sandwich – which didn't make sense, just like his actions. Sakura narrowed her eyes, as she recognized him. Sasuke Uchiha. He was the team captain, and the best player that ever graced the Konoha University's court, or so she heard.

"Stop the drill," the bastard commanded in a deep velvety voice that made her week in the knees, not that she was ever going to admit that. "Go take a water break. You there," he called to her with a nod of his head. A hand was in the pocket of his jersey shorts, and even in his casual stance, he was intimidating – not that she was going to admit that either. Despite herself, Sakura's eyes narrowed even further but she complied anyway, marching to him with her own air of confidence and authority.

"This is a closed-door practice. You aren't welcome here." He said in an icy tone when she was near enough.

What crawled up and died in this guy's ass? Geez.

"I'm Coach Haruno's daughter –"

"I know who you are," he cut her off. "That still does not validate your presence here."

"Excuse me, Mr. Smartass," by this time, Sakura was already gritting her teeth. This prick! And she even thought he was cute. Cute schmute, he was one arrogant asshole! "Didn't your momma ever teach you that it's rude to interrupt someone while they're talking? Nah? Well, now you know, douchebag. And surely, you must have been informed about my father's condition, and why he can't be here to coach you."

"Hn. So, you're business is?"

Impatient mongrel.

"I am to be his replacement until he gets back." Sakura bit back with a smug look. Who does this jackass think he is? He's captain? Well, boo hoo, she's the coach now.

"No." In turn, he narrowed his eyes, his stare enough to send a shiver down to anyone's spine – anyone but her.

"And why the hell not?" She was fuming as she enunciated every syllable venomously. He better have his reasons straight because she will not be bossed around by some guy who thinks godly of himself just because he was almost a foot taller.

"First," he began in a matter-of-fact tone. "The school board will never allow it. Second, I will not have a girl on my team."

And all hell broke loose.

A/N: I really had no idea on how I'd end this chapter in a way that'd catch all your attention, but I did my best! I'm open for constructive criticisms, and please tell me what you think.

Edit: I think this is better. Don't you? I'm hoping to have everything edited by the time the second semester starts T_T Wish me luck!

With love,
Ayel