Breaking The Habit

CHAPTER 1


Mere days ago the school had started once again after three months of summer vacation but for many students the few days already felt like months. Teachers piled up homework like there's no tomorrow and everyone was clearly getting exhausted and were already waiting for Christmas holidays.

The signs of fall were becoming more evident as the days pass by: the leaves in trees has started their transformation from deep green to different shades of yellow and brown. The growing decrease of daylight did nothing to help the moody teenagers as they curse their teacher for drowning them in homework so soon after school started.

Like everyday students filled the school's yard and halls with their loud chatting and laughter and playful screams as they try to do anything to forget the soon starting morning classes.

Few teachers walk lazily around, observing and prevention fights with just their presence when things might seem like a fight is about to start.

Fortunately not many fights erupt since this day causes everyone to be more excited and happy, because today is the day when different try-outs for different school's clubs start. You can feel the giddy feeling as everyone expects the school to end for the try-outs to begin.

The calm atmosphere is broken soon enough when few students cause a trouble only few minute before the school bell is about to ring. The teacher observing the school yard is quick to break up the ruckus after the friendly squabble turned into a more serious fight. The two persons behind this commotion were not fighting for the first time and as the teacher scolded them they lowered their heads' and rubbed their neck seemingly being embarrassed.

Naruto Uzumaki and Kiba Inuzuka were the two boys' right now apologizing from each other. Both boys are known for being in the school's football team and many knew they could cause some serious damage to each other if they got into a real fight. Naruto is the real epitome of a jock: 17-year-old muscular body and fairly tall - standing 6'2 - with bright blond hair sticking lazily in every direction and eyes as blue as the clear summer sky but instead of stuck up attitude he's the kind of guy to be friend's with everybody. His happy demeanor lighting people's day like sun shine or then just making them even more annoyed than before just like often happens with Kiba.

Kiba doesn't differ much from Naruto except with his looks and attitude. He's more of a laid back kind of guy who likes to flirt with women and is as tall as Naruto but with brown eyes and hair and he's not as tan as his blond friend. And definitely neither is he as friendly with everyone as the blond one. The biggest thing in common with these two is football - and both of them love it! Naruto first joined the team in his freshman year with few of his other friends when Kiba joined in his sophomore year last year.

It's clear for the entire school how much these two wanted to get into the team and they were ready to do anything for it. One of the school's rules is that you won't be allowed on any contact sports if you have a history of violence and teachers and coaches are very strict with this rule. Every year there's a student who's not allowed on a team because of a mistake he made but there's nothing you can do at that point the submit to you destiny. Grades are also a big part of being in teams. You need to have a certain average to be on the team and both Naruto and Kiba are not the sharpest tools in shed which means they really need to work for they spots in the team.

From near the school entrance this entire event was watched by a certain student. She couldn't help the smile that spread to her face as she looked at the annoyed and apologetic looks on Naruto's and Kiba's faces as they walked back to their other friends. Luckily she wasn't the only one holding in the laughter since it was obvious that the whole student population outside had witnessed the commotion and so had their friends.

Since the moment their fight started Sakura - the girl near the school entrance - knew who caused the fight and the guilty one was standing among their friend snickering to herself keeping a hand before her mouth not to let them see her smile. This wasn't the first time Ino Yamanaka had started a fight between two or more boys as she was the 'man-eater' of the school.

Sakura is known to be relatively observant and the two years she already has been to this school there was no doubt that she would notice these small gestures Ino made every time she caused a fight that involved Kiba. The twinkle in her eyes was not too evident but for someone it could be too evident.

Sakura shook her head in light amusement and turned back to her biology book to reread the chapter they were currently working on. In five minutes the bell would ring alerting the students that it was time to get to class but that was enough time for her to finish reading and to get there. And no less then two minutes she was done with the text and shoved the book into her messenger bag before heading for her biology class. Being one of the first ones to enter the school building she was also first one in class and had enough time to settle on her seat and greet the teacher.

As the bell ringed the room started to get filled with students and soon they were ready to start with a pop quiz. She thanked her interest in biology that she had read the chapter about how cells divide and the test was easy. As she placed her pencil on the table she showed the teacher that she was done and he came to take the paper from her table.

The annoyed looks and scratching of heads around her were proof of that no one except her had made the homework and if they had done it than maybe it wouldn't bee as hard for the as it is. She smiled to herself and turned her attention back on the teacher who was checking her test and if she saw right he scribbled an A on the paper with pleased look before putting it aside and turning his attention to check on the others still doing their tests.

Sakura thought of her teacher as a nice guy. He wasn't too old nor too young and not too laid back. He was just perfect as he knew that Sakura was the top student of the class. It was obvious he like to ask questions from her concerning biology since no one else seemed to be as enthusiastic to learn it as she was. He also often gave her extra assignments which she made happily

The rest of the class passed by rather quickly and soon it was time for her next class. She quickly marked down her homework and left the room to go to her next class which was chemistry. As she made her way across the hall dodging the other teenagers around her she was stopped by a gentle tap on her left shoulder. Just as she was about to turn around to see the person behind the gesture a loud "Umph!" made her turn more quickly just to see that her brow-haired friend was shoved to the ground like a sack of potatoes.

A freshman boy - alerted - turned around with a look of horror as he realized what he had just done and dropped the football in his hands out of pure shock and fear. Well, no wonder since Tenten was giving him the coldest glare she could muster as she stood up and took a threatening stop towards the guy who backed away immediately holding hands in the air in surrender. The guy must have been showing his football gifts to his friends when he accidentally bumped on Tenten.

Dusting herself off she frowned and made her away to Sakura who looked sympathetic at her, "Are you okay?"

"Of course." Tenten beamed to obviously and Sakura able to see through her immediately but decided not to comment about it anymore.

"So what do you have next?"

"Chemistry."

"Surprise.." she replied with sarcasm before dodging a football thrown their way to two boys standing behind them, "Man, I hate this."

"Luckily it's only for one day a year," Sakura smiled pulling her bag closer to her body to squeeze through a small gab between two people Tenten closely after.

"Luckily," she mumbled, "Even though I'm excited for the cheerleading try-outs that doesn't mean I do flips in the middle of a hallway."

"You know you can't compare yourself to a teenage boy whose hormones are five times bigger than a bitch in heat." Sakura giggled as Tenten shrugged her shoulders, "I guess I can't."

They arrived at the chemistry class in which Tenten bid her goodbyes and they agreed on meeting her at lunch after the third period.


The lunch - to be honest - was chaotic. Boys ran everywhere as if once again showing their skills and for Tenten and Sakura the whole cafeteria was one big obstacle: you need to be cautious all the time or you might get a football in your face.

It seems that almost everyone wants to get into the team but no wonder since Konoha High's football team has won almost every match for the fast four years. So it's only natural for everyone to want to get into the so-called "star team". And as an extension to that almost every girl wants to join the cheerleading team mostly because they get to cheer sweaty guys without shirts.

Tenten fortunately doesn't do it just because of good looking guys but also because it's good exercise and her mom made her join a team when she was seven so it became a habit for her.

Sakura wasn't even worried whether Tenten would make into the team or not since she's been in the team from freshman year so it's only natural for her to get into the team unless she hurts herself and is unable to participate in the try-outs.

Both of the girls were expecting the entire lunch to be trying to dodge and protect their lunch from balls and everything but the moment they were settled on their table a loud whistle ran across the room silencing every sound and movement. Everyone's attention was turned to the cafeteria's front doors where a group of people was standing.

The silence was some what creepy but welcomed since the last five minutes they've spent in the crowded room was filled with shouts and yells from every possible direction causing Sakura a slight headache from the loud noise. Another sound that caught Sakura's attention aside from the whistle was when Tenten dropped her fork from a small shock and as Sakura noticed the person behind the small shock Sakura smiled to herself: Tenten's crush was standing among the group and every time Tenten's eyes landed on the Hyuga boy she makes an awkward reaction which usually is a sound but lucky for her this time it was her fork falling on her plate since the room is so silent she would draw everyone's attention to them.

Naruto stepped forward from next to his a bit taller friend who had whistled to shut everyone up and a frown marred his face.

"You can't wait till the try-outs?" he asked with a slightly annoyed tone and when no one answered back to him he continued, "Safe your energy for the try-outs since it seems you're going to need it, all of it." The remark in his sentence was meant for everyone to hear since not everyone got into the team. The most likely option was - like Naruto hinted - that Naruto and his friends got into the team and less than 10% percent were new ones.

The guy who bumped into Tenten rose from his seat on the table and took few steps closer to face Naruto and his friends, "Cafeteria is for everyone. You can't-"

"Shut up." A deep voice commanded from next to Naruto. The guy who had whistled stepped forward and glared at the boy daring to open his mouth, "Cafeteria is a place where you eat and not play football so I suggest you take your game outside." His voice was full of annoyance as he motioned for the doors to outside with his head.

The boy lowered his head and quickly sat down to his seat not wanting to argue against something that's completely correct.

A grin spread to Naruto's face and started his characteristic blabbering, "Ooh! Sasuke-teme's gonna kick you ass in the field!"

The glare sent to the blond shut him up and Sasuke took his leave to go sit on their table the group following closely behind him Naruto gloating at the boy. For everyone that was a sign to continue what they were doing minus the ball throwing and yelling.

"Creepy," Tenten said under her breath so that Sakura was the only one able to hear as she meant the Uchiha.

The authority he had over everyone was amazing. Sakura understood it when he was the quarterback of the football team last year but now that the try-outs haven't been yet and he's not even in the team it truly amazes her. He doesn't need violence to solve his problems or threatening, all he needs is to raise his voice a little louder and a glare and everyone is under his control.

The Uchiha was slightly taller than Naruto with a slimmer figure compared to Naruto. But nonetheless he was still broad compared to some other boys. Also he was the most wanted guy in school. Every slut run after him like puppies and tried to get in his bed. Fortunately Sakura and Tenten didn't have any idea how many of the school's girls have been in his bed and they thanked the God for it.

The tall boy's looks were with no comparison. He was handsome with his sculpted face and pale skin. The epitome of dark, tall and handsome. His hair was dark as midnight and eyes onyx. He wasn't man to be messes with. And let's not forget that he is an A student as well.

'No wonder he was chosen to be the quarterback last year.' Sakura thought to herself as she resumed to eat her sandwich.

Rest of the lunch was more sedated for everyone was so cautious over what they were doing not to annoy probably the future quarterback. Of course there's a chance that he won't be chosen this year and Hyuga Neji is the one to be in that position once again. Last year Hyuga and Uchiha were the best candidates for the position but it was given to Sasuke.

Even though Sakura wasn't one to drool after those two boys she could easily understand why almost everyone else did, including Tenten. In Sakura's case when girls go out to 'find their man' Sakura goes home into her room to study. The concept of flirting was unfamiliar for her and maybe even a some sort of a taboo. Tenten like to go out to party since when is a cheerleader and many times she had tried to convince Sakura to come too but every single time she comes up with an excuse.

Same goes for her trying out on sports clubs. Sakura has a history of gymnastics and a slim frame which would be a perfect combination for cheerleading but no matter what the brunette tries nothing ever works since she's just plain stubborn. It was like fighting against a bull: a really stubborn and annoying bull.

But for Tenten's luck Sakura made a small promise when she declined to come to the annual school's out- party: she promised for her to come to a next event or party she asked and the small hints she's given to her pink haired friend show that she doesn't remember it. Never in hell is she going to allow her to slip out of this no matter if she remembers or not!

"Sakura," Tenten crossed her hands on the table and straightened her posture.

The mentioning of her name with such calmness and even with slight scolding tone Sakura involuntarily stiffened and slowly brought her attention from her lunch to Tenten who looked straight at her with her deep brown eyes.

"Eh?"

"Do you remember what you promised?" The cheeky smile brought goose bumps all over Sakura's body as Tenten used her 'business' voice but she didn't come up with anything she had promised and shook her head.

Tenten's smile only widened, "Do you remember before summer started and I was begging fo-" she wasn't even able to finish when realization hit Sakura whose eyes widened, "No way! I was just joking!"

"Well, you said 'I promise' and I took your words for serious so there's no backing now."

"That's not fair!" She pouted looking utterly shocked and a little annoyed.

"It is!" Tenten stammered back leaning closer to Sakura, "You promised, and also we're going to the skiing trip in two weeks because I signed us both!"

"N-no! Tenten!" But the subject was already done and the look Sakura was receiving from Tenten said it's final and there's nothing she could do to change the brunette's mind.

"Stop whining. You won't be going there alone, I'll be there with you just like I will be with you next weekend in Ino's party." Tenten patted Sakura's head across the table smiling now sweetly at her dumbfounded friend who was in clear shock.

"What?!"

"Oh, come on! Every year Ino arranges a party for the honor of the football team, and as I said before; you promised."

The bell finally rang and students got off from their seat to leave the cafeteria Tenten making the same move. As she took few steps away from the table she not too long ago sat by she didn't hear Sakura moving so she turned back to look at her friend sitting motionless on her seat.

Huffing a breath he quickly walked to Sakura's side, collected her things and swung her bag on her shoulder as she tugged the pink haired girl from her seat to her feet. "Come on." she ushered her nudging her on her back and like a robot she moved forward, Tenten humming happily behind her for her victory.

To put it bluntly, Sakura was in no good mood. Ever since the lunch her mood has gone down the hill and there didn't seem to be a stop for it. Every passing minute and second reminded her that the day when they were supposed to leave for the skiing trip, and not to mention the party, came closer and the thought annoyed her. Disturbed her mind.

She was no longer an athlete and neither was she interested in skiing. At times like these she wished she could keep her mouth shut or even better become a hermit with just her books keeping her company. Life would be so much easier that way but she doubted that Tenten would let that happen since she was Tenten's only real friend because according to Tenten you can count the polished, plastic cheerleaders which is kind of funny since she is a cheerleader.

As the final bell rang for the day she sluggishly made her way to her locker where she was meant to meet Tenten before they both headed to see the football try-outs. Sakura wasn't that interested in watching the guys run around in a grass field covered in sweat. She would have rather gone to the library for the time of the try-outs and then gone to watch Tenten's cheerleading try-outs but that wasn't an option. Tenten wanted to see was Neji going to be in the team and who was going to be the quarterback because every year the cheerleaders would drool after him like total idiots (except Tenten because of her crush on the Hyuga).

After the football try-outs there was the cheerleading try-outs and it was made this way because students wanted to see both of them. Why, you may ask. And the answer is simple: the football team wanted to know who are going to cheer for them in their games and the cheerleaders wanted to know who to cheer for.

Apparently this way both the cheer team and football team would get to know each other better if they were allowed to see them in act since the very beginning.

"You ready?" Tenten was suddenly next to Sakura who was startled for a moment before composing herself and giving Tenten on of her bored looks. Her friend smiled and grabbed her arm in her's ready to lead the way to the field.

"Can't I-" she started but Tenten cut her before she could finish, "Absolutely not!"

"Why?"

"Because I need you to be my support."

"Support? Since when I've supported you?" Sakura lifted one pink brow and looked at the brunette.

"You know very well why," she lowered her voice not wanting everyone to hear. She didn't want to embarrass herself like some of the other girls did: giving gifts to their crushed and declaring their undying love for them every day and giggling in corners when he passed by. She wasn't a girly-girl she was more tomboy styled and none of the said things fit her and Sakura knew that very well. Tenten's normally blushed slightly and backed away if Neji came too close. A defense mechanism if you think it thoroughly: by backing away she lessens the possibility of doing something embarrassing in front of him.

As they passed one of the benches near the bleachers of the field Tenten stopped in her tracks. Her face crunched in annoyance and she broke off from Sakura and walked to the bench. Sakura hadn't even noticed the boy laying on the wooden surface hands behind his back sleeping.

Tenten nudged his side few time not getting any reaction from the sleeping teenager who was snoring if you listened very carefully. His chest heaved as he took in a deep breath in his sleep and a vein almost popped in Tenten's head. She roughly grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him off the bench to the ground. He didn't seemed to be too fazed about that had happened and just continued to sleep now laying on his stomach hands once again supporting his head.

This time she kicked rather forcefully and he wailed in pain before rubbing the now sore spot and lifting his head to look at the angry girl, "What the heck?" he mumbled groggily.

"Aren't you supposed to be getting ready?" she asked pissed off and arms crossed over her chest.

As if he was in no hurry he turned to look at the watch around his wrist like he had all the time in the world before turning back to Tenten, "I still got five minutes." He made no move to get back on the bench and just continued to lay on the ground switching his position into better one before once again trying to fall asleep.

Tenten muttered few curses under her breath and frowned at him, "Stupid Shikamaru."

Just as she was ready to leave the poor boy alone she turned back, "Well then, I'll go get Ino." That seemed to spark something within him since her mutter something like 'troublesome woman' under his breath and slowly got up from the ground dusting the sand off of his clothes. Without a second glance at Tenten he shoved his hands in his pockets and headed towards the locker rooms.

"Boys." she huffed at Sakura who shrugged her shoulders.

They resumed their way to the field along with other students. Almost the entire school was witnessing the event even the teachers and the principal.

Sakura and Tenten took a seat from the middle but not too high to have a better vision on the field. Tenten was nervously wringing her fingers and shaking her leg.

The look Sakura gave her stopped her actions immediately and she lowered her gaze to her lad, "Sorry."

"If you're no nervous for him and got a thing for him why don't you ask him out?"

"And be like Karin?"

"You're nothing like Karin. Karin's a slut jumping from bed to bed."

"No thanks."

"You know, you're just like me." Sakura smiled with mischief. Tenten tilted her head to the side as she gazed at her friend.

"You're too stubborn," her smiled changed to a smirk, "I don't want to do sports and you don't want to ask a guy out. No wait correction the guy out because you're too stubborn and afraid just like me."

"You're afraid of sports?"

"Not afraid but they make me uncomfortable."

"And you count that as being afraid?"

"Well~"

"Oh, just forget it" Tenten waved her hand and resumed to watch as the boys gathered in the field around their coach, Asuma. The fairly sturdy man was as tall as an average man which means few of the boys around him towered slightly over him and neither was he the epitome of healthy lifestyle since he smokes even in the school ground even though it's forbidden in the rules.

The brown haired man with beard seemed to give some sort of directions and rules for the boys as they almost nodded in union every time Asuma said something close to "Am I clear?" Just before he was done with his talk he lit another cigarette and waved the boys away into their positions.

None of the boys were wearing the school shirts and were mainly dressed in casual sports wear such as shorts and T-shirts but few had jerseys of famous football teams from around the world.

In an hour the try-outs were finished. As always the whole event was full of running, throwing and tackles. Sakura felt bad for one freshman who was tackled on the ground, in a small friendly game after all of them were separated into two teams, by the Uchiha. The freshman looked so tiny along side him and the tackle made Sakura flinch ss he fell roughly on the ground. The tackle was legal in every way so the former quarterback didn't get scolded for it but rather pats on the back for saving their team.

Aggressive the football is and because of the powerful tackle on the young freshman, he needed to take a small break on the benches which eventually lead on him not getting in the team. It was sad but what can you do if there's better candidates.

All the pretty girls had crowded next to metal rail separating the benches from the field and and protecting people from not falling over as the bleacher was seven inches higher from the ground. They squealed like pigs at the new formed football team.

Tenten had clapped too but not enthusiastically since Neji wasn't picked as the quarterback but Sasuke was. Not that Neji looked jealous or anything: he was happy for his friend and it was shown on his face as he gave him a small smile and congratulated him. Naruto instead showed more happiness than anyone else: he jumped on Sasuke's back and hugged him from behind a grin on his face. Sasuke patted his hand telling him to get off before he throws him off and the blond male complied which was unusual for him.

The crowd started to dispatch slowly out of the exists and soon the remaining people were the football team getting info on when their first practice is and the cheerleading team that started to climb down the bleacher's stairs to get to the field to start their try-outs Tenten after them leaving Sakura sitting alone. The new football team left to get showered and the girls' gym teacher walked in declaring that they were to start the warm-up. They had time to warm-up until the boys returned to watch their try-outs. So this time it was boys turn to drool after the girls apparently except there just wasn't as much crowd as it was with the boys.

It took about ten to fifteen minutes the entire football team to return and the try-outs to begin.

Tenten did well with her stretches and was really flexible bending easily into a split and her flips were almost perfect with only one bad landing but nothing too serious happened that might affect her getting into the team. And get into the team she did! Few new ones also got in to the the team but mostly it was full of last years cheerleaders. Sakura gave high five to Tenten from the rail and as she bend to touch her friend she was unaware of the pair of eyes looking at her the entire time.


Hello! This is just something that popped out of my mind like a year ago? I probably wrote this then and haven't looked at it since but I guess I should post this for you to read.

I probably shouldn't have started this because I have so many stories still unfinished but I just felt like it. Also I'm not sure whether or not I should continue this at all so it completely depends on you readers. If I get a good response than I will continue so REVIEW because it makes the next chapter possible.

- Jakura