Assist

Chapter One, Part One

Watch Me

"Some people want it to happen, others wish it would happen, others make it happen."

"Saki wake up, it's your first day at school!" came my brothers deep voice and a monstrous pounding sound from the door. I groaned and groggily pulled myself up. I blinked a few times and briskly ran a hand through my tangled hair. I yawned and observed my room and the boxes all around me.

We'd moved again, nothing new for my family. We were constantly on the move with dad's profession. It didn't affect my older brother as much as it affected me. I was still in high school, my junior year in fact. Kayato Haruno, my older brother by three years. He attends Firestone University just like my father did. The main reason is the basketball team. The Fire Annihilators, they were college basketball. That's where my father started out.

Takashi Haruno, one of the greatest basketball players to ever live. Takashi had gone to Firestone, there he got drafted into the NBA. He played for the Konoha Ninja, which is why we're in the fire country. More specifically, why we're in Konoha. My father is now in his early thirties, and my brother and I follow in his footsteps. We travel a lot and I don't stay at the same school for long. The paparazzi typically find me or my brother and we move again.

My father became famous in 2000 when the Konoha Ninja went to the championship and won against Suna's NBA team. Enough about me and my complicated life. I jumped up and looked around my room. My eyes skipped pasted my emerald green curtains, and over my silver vanity. The pink, green, and silver flashed before my eyes before I saw my clock. 6:45. A small scream escaped my voice, I only had an hour before school started, and only thirty minutes until I needed to leave.

I sprinted into the shower, a small smirk making its way on my face. This was my new start, maybe I should throw on my leather jacket and play the bitchy bad girl, or maybe I should thrown on a flowery dress and spew compliments, or maybe I should wear athletic clothes and show everyone how fit I really am, or I could go the casual fashionable route and let my mouth run wild.

Maybe I'd play them all, or maybe I would be real. It all depended on today and if I made friends. It was a private school, with rich stuck up snobs, then again so was I, maybe I'd fit right in? Or maybe I'd stand out. I was nervous but I also didn't care to as much as I should have. I stepped out of the shower, I grabbed a towel and dried my body off.

I looked in the mirror and saw my reflection staring back at me, I had abnormal hair that was to say the least. My hair was a beautiful, little above medium colored pink, some strands were darker than others. My hair flowed an inch past my waste, it wasn't to thin or two thick, just right. My emerald eyes we're fierce, I applied little make up and no foundation. My eyebrows were shaped perfectly and I had a strong jaw line and high cheek bones, I would admit I was very beautiful. Anyone with eyesight could tell you that.

I didn't boast like other girls, I kept to myself but I was confident, but more confident in my ability than in my looks. I was smart, I'd gotten all A's sense I was a freshman, I was in an advanced class, like math and language arts, I was in a Pre AP science. History was my weaker point so I was in a normal class. I had previously been in basketball clubs and played constantly, I wanted to see their team and how good they were.

Ketio had said Konoha was good, but he only spoke of the boys team, not the girls. Ketio had been my boyfriend for a little under a year, he was amazing at basketball, I played with him a lot. He attended Suna, my brother didn't care for him but we made him one of our 'Not discussed' topics.

I finished applying my extremely light mascara and looked at myself for a moment. My hair was completely straight, and my eyes jumped out, a mischievous glint shinned in them, my lips had a natural glow to them and as many modeling agencies had stated were perfect. My skin was acne free, occasionally I got a bump or two but besides that I did my best to wash my face and keep it clean.

My fair skin was still tanned from the spring, but it turned paler by the week. I quickly grabbed my designer skinny jeans and pulled them on, I rolled the ends so I didn't step on them inside my black two inch high heeled boots. I wasn't the tallest but I wasn't short either. I was a good five eight, I had some growing to do, I hoped, but for high school I was fine. I pulled on a red V-neck and grabbed my black leather jacket. I pulled my hair out underneath the jacket and examined myself.

A sexy smirk creeped on my lips and I ran a hand through my now dry hair before I grabbed my duffle bag. The previous night I had stuffed my black and pink Nike basketball shoes, some nike elite socks, black running shorts, and a gray, black, and pink graphic-T that said 'I'm a player' in it, into my bag. Along with a basketball, and some hair ties, and sunglasses.

I ran out of my room and checked my iPhone, it was twenty minutes past seven and I only had twenty-five until school started. My brother laughed as I ran past him, I sprinted into the kitchen and grabbed a banana before I turned to see my father and brother looking at me with curious eyes.

"Someone's in a hurry?" Kayato teased and I glared at him.

"Are we meeting for lunch or not?" I asked him, my tone softer but still had a light snap to it.

"Sure, I'll pick you up. Just text me in your class before." Kayato suggested and I nodded.

"Sakura," My dad addressed and I looked at him with a curious stare. "Have fun, basketball try outs are this week and the first game is Friday night. It's Wednesday." Takashi stated and I gave him an excited smile. Believe me dad, I'll check into basketball.

"I have to go, or I'll be late." I stated with a small smile. I looked at my brighter for a moment and was about to turn away when he picked me up and I squawked. Soon my father grabbed me as well and we had a small family hug.

"T-Thanks... " I said with a huge smile and tinted cheeks! I recovered and glared at my two boys. "I really needed my hair messed up before I go to school!" I addd with sarcasm.

I threw a smirk over my shoulder before I bounded down the stairs and into the large garage. Our house wasn't really a house, more like a mansion. It was cozy though, and we had many kind butlers and maids that loved to talk. I had everything I could possibly want, we'll besides a mother and friends. Our mother had left shortly after I was born, it was harder on Kayato than me, but because of her absence I grew up like a tomboy.

I didn't play to well with others, and I wasn't set on being the quiet, pretty mouthed and minded girl. I was opposite of that actually, yeah I was very pretty and had a killer body but if you angered me heaven help you because hell is breaking loose, I speak the way I want to and when I want to, especially how I want to.

I was an open book, I didn't have many secrets. One that I didn't count as a secret but others would, I don't tell my friends about my father, and sometimes brother. Most people try to befriend me because I'm Takashi Haruno's daughter and they want to meet him, and try to make themselves famous. I had four female friends that traveled with me most of the time, they'd been at this school for the last four months awaiting my arrival.

Ino, she was drop dead gorgeous, she had long blonde hair, her eyes were pools of blue and she applied her make up perfectly and with meaning. She was a basketball player, all of us are. They've always been my team. Ino was my first friend I'd ever made, and the first friend I'd introduced to my dad and brother, without her flipping out and trying to bribe the paparazzi or seduce my brother. She was my fashionista, the one that gave me a girly taste and sexy spin on appearances. Ino was our center.

Hinata, she had black hair that seemed to glow a navy color, she had the most beautiful pearl eyes and button nose, she was adorable. She was more composed and collected unlike the rest of us. She had her head on her shoulders and her feet planted on the ground. She Is incredibly smart but also shy. She blushes whenever boys approach or speak with any of us, especially this blonde headed idiot at our school. Hinayana was fashionable but not a daring to show skin as Ino, Temari, and I were. Hinata was the best when she played power forward, because she was great at defending.

Temari, she always wore her dirty blonde hair in four buns, and spiked her hair for an extra tough look. She was gutsy and was a lot like me with her mouth and fierceness. We are both the most determined and have the biggest tempers. Temari was beautiful in her own ways, she was cunning and smart. She despised men, but had her fair share of flirting. Temari was a genius when it came to computers and hacking or unlocking anything. Temari excelled at shooting forward.

Tenten, she like Temari wore her hair up. Tenten had two brunet buns on top of her head. Tenten was loud just like Ino, Tenten probably was the most ridiculous and playful of all of us. She was extremely competitive and more boy like. She loved sports and got average grades. Tenten could be kind sometimes but she liked to joke around a lot. Tenten was our small forward.

I was the point guard, the main player, the strategic one, and the logical one. My skill and independence was rare for a point guard but after we'd all played the positions, we just felt right where we were. The five of us fit together like a puzzle, if one players gone it's not right. I was happy that my friends had already been accustomed to the school and had informed me of the cool people and the assholes. I was still nervous though.

I saw the school a few blocks ahead. It was huge, there was even to separations of it. I saw five outdoor basketball courts and students flooding inside. I parked my black Pagani Zonda F and exited the expensive, sleek car. I listened to the comforting sound of my heels clicking on the pavement as I walked I to the school, my head tilted up slightly, and my Gucci sunglasses in place.

I heard boys whisper or whistle, and I heard girl whisper with envy in their voices. My eyes glanced to the side and saw a particular interesting group of boys. A blonde had his tongue hanging out of his mouth, a brunet with his dog stared in awe beside him, and a composed man with long brunet hair had a tint of pink on his cheeks. Then a man with his hair tied up raised an eyebrow, finally there was a gorgeous man with black hair that had a piercing gaze on me.

I looked directly at him, before I entered the building I sent the group of boys a smirk. I heard boys sigh in content and then I couldn't hear anything.

"SAKURA!" A loud voice echoed down the hallway and everyone that had already been staring at me, looked at the blonde and then back at me. I gave a small smile, unaware of the group of boys that I'd smirked at, that had sneaked in behind me and watched the scene with curious eyes.

"No need to yell, I'm right here." I stated cooly and watched Ino run over to me with the three other girls trailing behind her.

"Whatever, forehead don't give me that 'too good for you' tone!" Ino ranted and I pulled my sunglasses off, much to the watchers pleasure.

"I am too good for you." I stated, a sexy smirk creeping on my face. Ino was about to explode to my response when a boy approached.

"Hey cutie, haven't I seen you around somewhere?" The guy started a pick up line and I heard a lot of other boys sigh and look around disappointedly. I looked at him and looked away with a cute flattered smile.

"That's why I don't go there anymore." I stated as he was looking at his friends with a thumbs up, I briskly walked away. Ino and the girls followed after me, we laughed lightly and everyone stared after me with a question in their heads. Who's the new girl?

"So this school is full of pricks and assholes but we made some cool friends, we'll introduce you!" Tenten said happily.

"But the girls here are terrible, all they do is fangirl over this group of guys and pour their hearts out! It's pathetic. " Temari stated and glared at a fan girl that walked by.

"The girl population hates us because... The friends we were.. Er.. Telling you about... They're the group, of guys all the girls fangirl." Hinata stated awkwardly, I nodded.

"We'll, let's meet em', shall we?" I said with a Mischievous look, and a sexy smirk. Ino returned the smirk and Hinata rolled her eyes.

"This is going to be interesting..." Tenten muttered.

"Sure will be." Temari said and followed after her own lazy smile turning heads in the hallway.

I entered the biology classroom and the room and silence reigned over. My eyes scanned the class, boys were shifting and looking at me hungrily. Girls sent envious glares and some scooted closer to their boyfriends. Ino cut in front of me and set her backpack down at a desk, she threw a glare at the boy beside her. I dropped her bag beside Ino's.

I saw Tenten already talking to one of the mysterious boys. I walked beside Ino as I observed them. Some of them looked extremely happy while others looked annoyed. I shrugged it off and glanced at Tenten, Hinata, and Temari before I looked over each if the boys.

"This is Sakura, the girl we've mentioned and talked about sense we got here." Ino stated, her blue eyes shinning with happiness. I gave a small genuine smile to the group.

"Sakura Har- Harieh, nice to meet you." I said with confidence and inwardly patted myself on the back the smooth cover.

The boys seemed to relax and I realized why. "Don't tell me you were expecting me to scream over you? I'll admit your not terrible looking but you're not the best I've seen either." I said with a slight glare of offense and annoyance.

"Thank god you're not a fangirl!" The boy with the dog said in excitement and pounced over to me, he held his hand out and shook my hand.

"I'm Kiba, and this is akumaru. I'm the center." Kiba announced and I nodded my head. He's a little short to be a center... Isn't he?

"I'm Naruto! The best of the best, I'm Teme's best friend and one day I'm going to be the principal, believe it! I'm the power shooter, and sometimes point guard, when the teme is angry or slacking." Naruto bragged, I smirked at him, he was very friendly and a little loud.

"Who is this Teme?" I asked curiously and Naruto lite up, and chuckled.

"The teme is S-" Naruto began but was cut off when a thump echoed through the room and he fell to the ground. Sakura laughed lightly at his expression, as did the other girls and a few chuckles from the boys.

"Dobe." The raven haired teenager muttered as his hand returned to his side. He was perched on top of the desk.

"He's the teme..." Naruto accused and stood behind Me for a shield and pointed at The man accusingly.

"Oh, I kind guessed seeing as he looks like he has a stick shoved up his ass." I muttered to Naruto who busted out laughing. Everyone looked at us curiously and I just shrugged lightly and gave a sexy smirk before I sat on the desk beside Ino. I crossed my legs and put my hands at an angle behind me.

"I'm Neji Hyuuga. Small forward, and an alternator of positions." Neji stated and I nodded in interest and looked over Tenten's small blush and Neji's glances.

""I'm Shikamaru. Shooting forward, but I prefer to sit on the sidelines and make strategies. " He states and went back to sleeping, I nodded and looked over at the last person, the teme.

"Do I get a name? I mean I'm fine with calling you Teme, bu-" He cut me off and I looked at him with an expectant gaze and a small smirk.

"My name is Sasuke Uchiha. Point guard, and team captain. " He stated and observed me with a persistent and hard gaze. Waiting for a reaction.

"Oh my god! THE Sasuke Uchiha, no fucking way!" I pretended to be shocked and made my voice higher by a few octaves.

"I'm not your fangirl, Uchiha." I stated with a expressionless face and cold eyes. Ino stifled her laugh and Naruto just burst out laughing. The other girls giggled lightly and Hinata rolled her eyes.

The girls chatted lightly and Naruto paid Sakura a lot of attention as did Kiba. Sasuke listened along with Neji not adding much. Two other basketball players entered and introduced themselves to Sakura, she smiled and talked easily sigh them. It was Sai and Shino.

"What are we going to do...? We don't have a full team, we need a point guard substitution. Even if we do move up the JV player then who's to fill in for him?" Kiba asked Sasuke and Neji, and shook Shikamaru awake. The girls stopped their small conversation.

"He's not that good anyways. No one is good enough for the spot, or to even rotate with us, you know, to keep us alive out there." Sai stated.

"Troublesome." Shikamaru added.

"The games Friday, it's Wednesday." Naruto stated with depression.

"You don't think I know that!" Sasuke hissed and glared at all the guys before he glared at the ground.

"There's only one option left." Shikamaru growled lightly.

"Try outs." Neji stated and Sasuke's glared hardened.

Perspective Shift: Sasuke

"We've been here for over an hour?" Naruto whined.

"Even the junior varsity look like armatures compared to Chouji." Shino said with disappointment.

"Isn't Chouji the worst on varsity? No offense..." Kakashi asked as he sat beside the frustrated Uchiha.

"Yes." Sasuke growled out, as all the boys moaned and groaned like the work out was terrible, it wasn't half as bad as a real Varsity conditioning practice.

"ENOUGH!" Sasuke's voice boomed a crossed the gym, all their heads snapped to the terrifying Uchiha.

"Try outs have ended, we will contact you tomorrow if you are to be on the team. If you don't hear from one of us five." Sasuke motioned to the five standing around him. "Then drop it, your not on the basketball team." The Uchiha stated and all the boys ran I to the locker room to change.

"What the hell do we do now?" Naruto demanded, his temper slowly slipping.

"Our first game is against, Wave, they're somewhat difficult!" Sai pointed out.

"Plus we need practice with the newbie!" Kiba growled and looked around in anger.

"I don't fucking know!" Sasuke snapped, and silence fell in the gym.

They all looked at the floor or at each other until the gym door opened. Their heads snapped up and they watched Sakura walk in, a basketball in her hands and her basketball gear on. She walked over to them and dropped her duffle bag beside them.

"Sakura, long time no see!" Kakashi greeted with a smile, and a affectionate hair ruffle.

"Kakashi, I saw you a week ago..." She deadpanned and pulled her hair into a high pony tail.

"Girl basketball try outs are in the south gym, I can show you if you like?" Kakashi offered and she smirked at him.

"I already tried out." She stated, a smirk crawling its way on her face, a glint caught in her eyes.

"How did you do? Make the team?" Kakashi asked with a knowing smile.

"Yeah, Varsity." She said and looked at us and our somewhat shocked faces. "Captain." She finished and watched as my head snapped up and stared at her for a moment. I had a cold gaze on her, my eyes narrowed and frustrated. Had she only come to brag?

"Wow, really Sakura-chan! That's awesome, you must be really good." Naruto said and gushed over her.

"You have no idea." Kakashi said with a small smile. We all looked at him as did Sakura.

"Though I would like to believe you came to visit me, I doubt that. And I doubt you're lost So why are you here?" Kakashi asked and She sent him a smile as She tightened her long pony tail.

"You're right, I'm not really here to.. Er.. Visit you, nor am I lost. Actually I heard the boys basketball team was in trouble and were having try outs? Thought I might be able to solve the problem." Sakura stated and Kakashi smirked at her with interest and understanding.

"Really Sakura-chan! You have someone in mind? A friend? Classmate?" Naruto asked as I bit my lip, and looked down at my shoes for a minute considering who she might be thinking of.

"No Naruto, my idea is... me." She stated, and opened my arms with a shrug, all the boys looked at her with confusion and curiosity. I looked at her with hard and disbelieving eyes.

"You're a girl." Shikamaru stated, as if that would answer everything.

"Yeah, and you're a boy, and he's an idiot, and the sky is blue." Sakura pointed out with my eyebrows knitted in frustration. "Thank you captain obvious! Your point is?" She snapped and glared as Kakashi smirked.

"There's a girls basketball team for a reason, you're already captain of it." Neji pointed out slightly coldly.

"Play me, test me, I guarantee I'm not going to waste your time." She snapped, my voice going harder and colder.

"Ha, I'd like to see you beat a single one of my varsity players!" I said, my onyx eyes piercing her emerald ones, I glared at her as she twirled the basketball on her finger for a moment before She responded.

"Bring it, unless you're to scared a girl will beat you?" Sakura challenged, her eyes cold and voice dangerous.

"Beat, by a girl? Yeah right." I spat coldly. My spiky hair swaying lightly as I mocked her.

Perspective shift : Sakura

He was very handsome, I'd admit that but he had a terrible personality. He was cold, uncaring, and mean. But he also offered a challenge, and I couldn't wait to see his handsome face in shock when I beat his best players.

He stood and looked me over once and then smirked. I, being very sassy, looked him over, put all my weight on my back leg and extended my right leg out, then placed my hands on my hips and cocked an eyebrow at him, with my lips pushed out, an unimpressed look plastered on my face and in my pose.

He growled, "You're going to wish you never walked through those gym doors." He spat in fury. I gave him a beautiful smirk.

"You're going to wish you never said those words to me." I retorted haughtily and Naruto let out a low whistle.

"Now are you going to stand and stare at me, or are you going to back up your words and test me?" I mocked, and finished with cocky smile, and hard emerald eyes.

"Wait!" Shikamaru called and I looked at him, a lighter look compared to my last.

"It's BOYS basketball, even if you are somehow better, it won't matter! You can't play in a real game." Shikamaru stated and all the guys nodded, slightly disappointed.

"Actually Shikamaru, that's false. In high school, women can play on male teams, when and if they are the same level. Only then. It can be a co-ed team." Kakashi stated and gave Sakura a wink.

Silence fell over the gym and Sakura tapped her foot impatiently. She looked over everyone and then looked Sasuke right in the eye, she cocked her eyebrow at him and then gave him a half smirk, immediately he was egged on and he turned around. "First round, speed. Kiba." Sasuke growled.

Kiba hesitantly walked out on the court and awkwardly stood beside me. "Ten suicides." Sasuke instructed with a smirk. I walked on the black line and observed Kiba quickly, he was unsure. That was obvious. I waited for the whistle and when the shrill noise sounded I took off, Kiba had hesitated for a few seconds, by the time he realized the whistle blew I was already half way to her first line.

One, two, three, four. By four we were tied. I took the chance to glance at him, and realized that on the last suicide I would need to step up.

I huffed out breath and shuffled my feet, putting myself ahead of Kiba as he ran further than needed. Six. Seven. By the time I hit eight I would be almost a complete suicide ahead. He pumped up his speed, as did I. Nine. He was three steps behind me, but I only had one. Ten. I'd won.

I turned around and caught my breath as I looked at the shocked team, and at Kiba who had found the floor quiet comfortable. I offered him a hand and he happily accepted it.

"She won fair and square." Kiba announced and threw his arm around my shoulders. I shrugged his arm off as he shook his sweaty hair, I gave him a disgusted face and he laughed before he started to shake his hair again, his sweat sprayed out like little droplets of rain. I squeaked and shoved him away.

I glared as he stopped and wiped my face off. "That is completely disgusting!" I said and then smirked at him.

"Next test!" Sasuke barked, obviously furious.

"Strategy, Shikamaru." Sasuke stated and the varsity team went against the JV that had just gotten done conditioning.

"Sakura, you have JV. Shikamaru you have Varisty. Go" Sasuke said as he took the court with the varsity players that looked confused.

"That's hardly fair, Varsity hasn't even practiced today and JV has been conditioning for the last two hours! Not to mention the difference is a whole skill level!" I yelled out at the arrogant son of a bitch.

"You said you could take it! Didn't you?" Sasuke asked with a smirk, I glared and considered punching his angelic face all the way to the nurses room.

"Bring it!" I furiously yelled back. JV followed me to the side real fast, I gave them a pissed off smile. While I talked with the JV members the varsity members bickered amongst themselves.

"Sasuke, she's right it's unfair that she has an exhausted JV team and we have a perfect Varsity team." Naruto stated and looked at his best friend with confusion and anger.

"I agree." Neji said and looked at the Uchiha with questioning eyes.

"I don't care." Sasuke snapped and looked over to see her smile lightly while a JV member told her a joke. He grew angry that despite the challenge she still had a smile on her face and was winning everyone over. She would just prance in here and take his team, she was just a useless whore.

"Shikamaru, strategy." Sasuke demanded and Shikamaru looked at his board.

"Troublesome, give me a few minutes." Shikamaru stated and Sasuke growled.

"Look I don't expect you to win, because you're tired and no offense but you're JV and you're going against Varsity!" I stated and looked at them with soft eyes and a genuine smile.

"There is one strategy I have. The game is only eight minutes, we'll be playing defense, and have two thirty second time outs." I stated and looked at all the nervous and eager players.

"They are missing a player, their system in messed up. They don't have solid positions. So when you have the ball make the opposite moves than what you'd normally do, it will make an offense player, play defense. It confuses themselves and their game." Sakura stated and showed them her line up.

"Good luck, don't be afraid to be aggressive. If it gets to hectic I'll pull you guys out!" I stated and smiled at them.

The JV players waited a minute and huddled together on the court.

"Look, she's trying and I think she can do it! She beat Kiba! Let's do our best for eight minutes and help her, we can do it. Remember do the opposite!" A junior with brown hair and blue eyes said as he looked at Sakura who was staring at the ground. He quickly ran over to her and put his hand on her shoulder Her head snapped up.

"Huh?" She asked confused.

"You got this! We got this!" He stated and she gave him an honest smile, he stared at her for a moment before he heard the whistle and ran back to the court. This was his chance to show Sasuke up, and in front of Sakura.

"Akane, don't bother with Sakura. She won't be with the basketball team for long." Sasuke growled and looked at the pinkette who looked at him with cold eyes. He didn't mind her looking at him like that, he did mind the spark of anger he felt when Akane made her smile, twice, and when he comforted her. He felt a small pit form and spin in his stomach.

"We'll see." Akane growled back and the game begun. The first three points were Varsity, then Akane got the ball and tricked the defenders with the technique Sakura talked about. The score was tied. The game went back and forth between varsity scoring and then JV scoring, Eventually Sasuke ran back and stopped their tricks, Akane only managed to get past him once. The score was 18-15. Varsity favoring.

Junior Varsity was ecstatic with their score. Sakura gave them a small smile, and they looked at her with sad eyes, she'd helped them get that score and now she was just gone, it wasn't right.

"What's next, teme?" Naruto asked with excitement.

"There isn't a next, she lost." Sasuke said with a smirk. I glared at him my eyes burning holes in his chest.

"But you lost the first time!" Kiba protested.

"Doesn't matter, she lost, she's out." Sasuke stated in a harsh growl.

"Enough!" Kakashi lashed out at Sasuke. "Sasuke you are team captain and you're a damn good one at that, but your anger is clouding your judgment. The rest of your team is asking you to try her out completely. So do so, at the end make a decision, you at least have to complete the try out!" Kakashi stated.

"Offense, Neji." Sasuke stated his voice monotone.

Neji stood beside Sakura and picked first. "Sasuke." Neji stated.

"Naruto." I stated.

"Kiba."

"Akane." I said with a small smile.

"Shikamaru."

"Sai." I spoke with a smirk.

"Shino."

"Lee." I said easily.

The game began, I stood to the left of Akane, opposite of me was Naruto, I gave him a confident smirk and tingled with adrenaline as Kakashi through the ball and Akane and Sasuke jumped for it. Imminently I was behind Sasuke and dribbling the ball through the defenders.

I stopped at the three point line and pivoted to avoid Shino's snatch. I excelled and pushed all my energy into the shot, it arched through the air and swished through the net. I turned and was met with a few shocked stares and Naruto's loud voice in my ear.

"Sakura-chan, you're good!" He stated in shock. I moved passed him and set up for defense.

I steadied myself and emptied my mind, focusing solely on basketball. I moved as the ball moved, I got out of the players box-out and intercepted the ball from Sasuke, he looked surprised but I didn't stick around long enough to see. I dribbled with exceptional skill and pushed the ball in and out if my legs before I caught it and tossed it over Neji's head and slipped behind his back.

I then proceeded a lay up and landed on my feet lightly. I smiled and saw Naruto jumping for joy and Akane smirking. Neji looking like he'd been slapped and Sasuke furious. We started again. Sasuke and I both taking the ball from each other and then stealing it back, we didn't get far in either direction, I had to up my game.

I jumped backwards, Sasuke froze in surprsie. I pivoted and cocked my elbow and brought the ball up, Sasuke sprung up to stop my shot, in that instant I bounced the ball under his feet and darted around him. I stopped, planted my feet, and threw my momentum into the shot, earning a satisfying swish and a whistle blown.

"Times up." Kakashi said, I hesitantly looked at the scoring. 27-27. I couldn't believe it. I looked at Kakashi in confusion.

"one on one." Sasuke stated before Kakashi could.

I nodded and stood in the middle. I wasn't a center, I knew that. I was a lot shorter than Sasuke. My head met his collarbone. I had no chance of taking the ball normally, so I'd made my own way. Instead of our hands smacking the ball and it going one way or the other, or middle, I let his overpower mine, or stepped aside. He would hit it right to me and if he hit it behind him, I'd get there.

I pretended to jump, but my feet never left the ground, I jumped backwards and caught the ball Sasuke had shot at me. I dribbled once and took a step back as Sasuke swiped for the ball. I moved the the left with a shuffle, so did Sasuke.

I did a Euro-step. I took a step to the right and then bounced backwards and spun to the left. Sasuke followed my right step and moved for the second one. I now stood beside him for a second, my emerald eyes wide, that was all I needed to make my next move.

I ran forward, I'd made it to the three point line and watched as a blur jumped in front of me and tried to snatch the ball, I bounded back, my eyes focused on Sasuke.

I had two options, a tear drop shot or a out back and tip-in. The later was a little more showy but risky. I quickly moved three feet back, and got my body ready to shoot. Sasuke moved forward and began to block the shot. He'd already predicted me, but I was one step ahead. In that instant, as his glance was off I shot the ball to his left and moved to the right, he followed me.

His first mistake. I reached and grabbed the ball. I shot and hit the backboard, hard. The ball spun up and was a foot out in front of the basket, I pushed all my strength to my legs and jumped up, I grabbed the ball and angled it down into the basket, it easily went in and hit the gym floor just as I hit the gym floor. I stumbled for a second and then looked at the score and time.

27-29. Eight seconds left. Seven. Six. Sasuke's head snapped up and saw the score and time, he grabbed the ball, instantly I jumped in front of him, my stance in and my eyes wide. He turned around and came face to face with me. His face was less than a inch away from my face. We stood for two seconds, I leaned in, just when our lips were going to meet I grabbed the ball, and twisted out of his blocking area.

I shot at the free throw line, the buzzer sounded and my shot was arching higher into the air, completing its full cycle. It hit the backboard and fell into the net. 27-30. I let out a sigh of relief, I'd won. Both defense and offense. I smile, and looked at my hand selected team. They were ecstatic. I started toward them when I was cut off by a toned chest, I followed the chiseled muscles up and saw Sasuke. He was towering over me, and it stepped back.

"Last test." Sasuke's booming voice called and everyone looked at him in surprise.

"Sai. Most shots in a minute." Sasuke said and watched as my face fell and then went into an emotionless state. She moved away from him and turned toward the net. Naruto and Akane fed her the balls and she would shoot them into the basket. She had a minute to get as many in as possible. Sai was obviously their best shot.

Sai was at the opposite end, having Kiba and Neji feeding him balls.

"GO!" Sasuke said, and watched as she shot. Her stance was great, everything was perfect, she didn't have any obvious give always to shooting or faking. She obviously practiced a lot. It made him frustrated and relieved at the same time, he was confused.

I shot; shot after shot. Finally the clock ran out and my last balls issued through the net. Naruto grinned and told me I'd made 47. I nodded my head and numbly looked at Sai. He smirk and walked into the middle. He looked around and proclaimed "4...4" I stood in shock for a minute and then smiled and said "47." He looked at me in shock but I smiled at him, he smiled back. Then he shook my hand, much to my surprise.

"Dribbling." Sasuke demanded.

"Sasuke! You said that was the last test! And it should be, the rally already went over just one on one. Not to mention you were totally unfair with the strategic aspect of these tests." Kakashi stated, his patience wearing thin.

"Dribbling is fine with me. " I stated light heartily, not wanting another fight to outbreak. Naruto smirked weakly and tossed me a ball that had a nice bounce. I tossed it back to him.

"I prefer my own ball." I said with a sincere smile and grabbed my black and pink ball. I walked out into the circle once again and began dribbling the ball in between my fingers, this I bounced the ball off my toe, slowly falling into my routine, I easily hit the ball up to myself and started dribbling again.

I put spin on the ball and the dribbled some more, I dribbled in between my legs and slowly lost conscious of the commotion around me. I then dribbled the ball in a circle around my body and made an easy pattern yet a complicated breakage point, I followed that by juggling the ball around my body tossing it under an arm or around my head, between my legs and down my shoulder, easily within my control. Just as I moved the spinning ball from my left wrist, across my arm to my shoulder and then to my rig arm and wrist someone grabbed the ball.

I looked up in shock and anger. Naruto stood and stared at me, my ball in his hands. "Hey?" I asked and tried to grab my ball back.

I glanced over the basketball team sitting down and looking at me with interest. I looked back at Naruto to ask how long I'd dribbled because it only felt like minutes. He was staring at my ball in shock.

"Y-You have Takashi and Kayato Haruno's signatures!" Naruto said in surprise, and traced the signatures with his fingers, a lot of the basketball players marveled over the ball.

"Why on earth would you be playing with a ball that has these signatures on them!" Shikamaru asked and everyone looked at me.

"Because their signatures aren't a big deal." I stated and snatched my ball back.

"Are they fake? Like printed on the ball." Neji asked and I looked away for a moment. I didn't want them to figure out that my dad was a basketball pro, nor did I want them to figure out who my brother was.

"Yeah." I said before I thought, I didn't meet anyone's eyes I only stared at the ball for a moment. Then I looked up with a smirk.

"These balls are everywhere, I designed mine on the internet!" I said in a happy tone as I ignored my subconscious that yelled at me for lying and the other part of me for being happy that I did so. But I did design the ball on the internet, just not the signatures. Those were real.

"Team!" Sasuke called and the entire team ran over.

"She failed. She didn't pass the strategic test." Sasuke stated and was about to turn around when Naruto grabbed him.

"Teme you set her up for failure!" Naruto bellowed. "She would have passed if she would have had one or two varsity members! Hell she kicked all of our asses, even yours! Yet you can't suck up your damn pride, for the team, and say that we need her." Naruto said angrily and glared at his best friend.

"Some team captain." Kiba muttered.

"Yeah, JV's nerve been so close to winning before, even if it was a rally. If we wouldn't have had conditioning we could have totally won!" Akane stated.

"Anyone that actually has a valid opinion want to speak? One that isn't conflicted by a crush!?" Sasuke asked in a growl and everyone silenced.

"I don't have a crush on her!" Naruto growled out, but his eyes didn't meet Sasuke's.

"Ha, I don't believe that." Sasuke growled. "How can she help us? Flash the other team, leave them stunned for a few seconds, at max. Please she doesn't even have enough to do that!" Sasuke snapped louder than intended.

My head shot up as I heard his cruel words, I looked up at them. They were still discussing, their voices quiet now. I grabbed my duffle bag and silently went into the locker room.

When I came out they were still in their huddle, their voices ranging a good medium. I looked at them for a moment before I walked over to the large chalk board. I quickly wrote positions down, and three skills of each. It wasn't of Konoha though, it was of Suna. Their entire team listed out, just the names weren't there, a piece of the puzzle missing. The most important part. I dropped the marker and turned around to find the hurtle breaking up. I leaned against the white board.

I watched as they all observed the white board. They look curious and excited.

"Suna? Private Records." Sasuke said quietly and looked at them.

"Where are the names?" He demanded, I looked at him with blank eyes and an emotionless face.

"I'm very close with Suna's basketball captain. I've been to almost everyone of their games, and most of their practices. I know all the players very well, and almost every trick, talent, and move they have. Especially Ketio. " I said and looked at the white board.

"You're bluffing, the only person Ketio actually trusts is his girlfri-" Sasuke stopped and looked at her once more, not looking past or through her but actually at her. She was very beautiful, her eyes fierce and cold to him but warms and inviting to others. Just that morning she'd looked at him with kind eyes now she was a stone to him. She had an incredibly fit body and nice curves, she had above average breasts, and nice long legs.

Her abnormal yet beautifully unique hair caught his interest, but her eyes was where her emotions were and her mouth. Whether she speak them or smile through them, she showed them. He'd connected the dots, she was Ketio's girlfriend the one he boasted about, the one he loved, the one girl that had tamed him.

"You wouldn't date an asshole like that!" Naruto argued, she raised an eyebrow at him.

"Asshole, yes. Asshole to me? No." She stated her voice cold, her eyes dangerous, and her posture confident and sexy.

"So why would you give us this information and betray your boyfriend?" Sasuke hissed, not believing her.

"Because you'll need it at Finals, considering if you even get there. It's going to be hell for you guys. Ketio improves daily, and his team has new twists every few, they play dirty. They will be at the finals. You're missing a player, hopefully you find one before then. " I stated and glanced at them.

"I'm sure Shikamaru and Neji are smart enough to put name to qualities. It's not to hard." I called as I grabbed my basketball and duffle bag.

"WAIT, where are you going?" Naruto asked.

"Home." I said and looked at him with both eyebrows raised.

"Sakura, you made the team!" Naruto said happily.

"Even though you made the team, you will never be one of my players." Sasuke growled out and everybody looked at him in shock and anger. My smirk never fell from her face and Sasuks never looked away from my challenging emerald eyes.

"I don't want to be on the team." I stated and everyone looked shocked. A sassy tone plagued my voice and sent the team into quiet and surprised whispers.

"I mean seriously, why would I? All you did was prove that I'm better than all of the best. I beat Kiba at speed, I beat Sai at shooting, I beat Naruto at defense! I beat Neji at offense, I beta Shino at guarding, I beat Sasuke, the supposedly 'best there is' twice. If circumstances would have been different with JV and varsity I also would have won in that area. My brain is just as good as my skills." I stated.

"I beat all of you. There's no improvement for me here, I wanted a challenge, all I got was a waste of time. At least when I play Ketio and Suna, they give me something new and hard. Not to mention Suna offered me a spot on their team, injured player, I could be their fill in. So I guess I'll see you at the championship... Maybe." I called and started to leave when I was blocked by Sasuke, Naruto and Kiba.

"Grrrr...look, I acted badly. I was being an ass. Don't take it out on the team, they didn't do anything, I did. You know information about Suna, and you're a good player. Join the team." Sasuke said, his face and eyes giving away nothing. A puddle of guilt and regret bubbling inside of him.

He wasn't sincere.

"That wasn't an apology, that was a statement. And you ARE being an ass. You have made it clear that This is your team, I want no part in it. There's barely any team work here, everyone in here thinks independently. Everyone thinks it's their shot to take. You have no trust in each other, it's not even a team. It's a joke." I spat, and shook my head furiously. They're idiots, not to mention they're selfish.

I glared at everyone, I then stepped forward to move past the shocked three. Before I could get passed Naruto he grabbed my wrist and tugged me back. My eyes narrowed and a small growl escaped my mouth. Who the hell did he think he was.

"Sakura-chan, we need you if we're going to win!" Naruto cried out desperately.

"Didn't I say you'd regret saying that to me, Uchiha?" I mocked with a hard glare as I yanked my wrist trying to break Naruto's grip. I furiously tore my wrist back and took a step backwards. My eyes were cold and menacing.

The Uchiha's harsh words played in my head. "How can she help us? Flash the other team, leave them stunned for a few seconds, at max. Please she doesn't even have enough to do that!" A scowl over came her face, a newly found determination set in.

I shifted my bag on my shoulder and pushed between Kiba and Naruto it took them a few seconds before they realized I had gotten out of their three men barricade. I listened to my heels click and let a sassy smirk cross my face. I pulled my sun glasses out of my bag and easily placed them over my eyes. Then I pushed the gym doors open and ended the forever lasting silence in the gym.

I sent one last look over my shoulder, my smirk never falling. I knew they wouldn't be able to find anyone else to play on their team. They now only had tomorrow, they had to put in the name and jersey number. They would seek her out, they would beg, they would crawl and squirm and cry out. More specifically Sasuke Uchiha would, then and only then would she join the team.

They had no idea that she was just getting them to do what she wanted. She would be the first and only girl to play on and against all boy teams, she would go down in history, not just for being a Haruno, but for being a good basketball player. She'd also get her boyfriends attention more. Last but not least she'd get to prove Sasuke wrong. She'd show him how real basketball was played.

Please Review! How is it? Should I keep going? Tell me what you think!