Sakura threw open the door of her house, "whoa slow down there" her mother called as
she was half way up the stairs. "I need to call Ino" Sakura said.
"Wasn't she at school today?"
"Well yes but-"
"you cant call her later then, in the mean time I need you to take Minku to basket ball
practice, I have to go for my four month check up" her mother patted her growing
stomach, "We get to find out if it's a sister or brother" Minku said dribbling the basket
ball and eating an apple, "Yo dude kill the ball" Sakura's mother said.
"Mom taking him to practice and sitting on the benches is the pits" Sakura said, her
mother raised an eye brow, "You don't say."
"She's driving me? Mom she drives like and old lady and coach makes us do laps and
push ups if were late"
"Good then hitchhike" Sakura said.
"Look you two I have an appointment in an hour and it's a forty five minute drive to the
hospital so get moving so I can get out of here." Sakura grabbed her keys grumbling all
the way out the door.
The smell of the gym was atrocious and the noise level in the gym was so deafening
Sakura could barely hear herself think 'so much for my calculus homework' she thought.
Sighing she rested her elbows on her knees, "So how are you doing" Sakura turned to see
three benches above her none other then Sasuke Uchiha, she hoped that it would have
been Itachi that took Toji to practice, but in the back of her mind she knew Itachi had
work after school today, 'still' she thought 'a girl can hope.'
"How's Ino" she finally said.
"Mad at me"
"No joke"
"Alright" he said sheepishly, "I admit I lost it back there with her." Sakura was silent,
"You don't like me very much do Sakura? You seem to like my brothers just fine."
"Maybe I just don't like the way you treat Ino" she said looking forward.
"You know I love her very much right"
"Why you telling me?"
"Because you're her friend and she listens to you…..could you tell her I love her?" 'Ino
don't listen to me' Sakura thought, 'if she did she would have dumped Sasuke a long time
ago'
"Would you also tell her not to go to the Sand Village." He sounded solicitous as if he
really wanted this favor from her. "Sasuke, it's a great opportunity for her."
"But if she stays here then we can be together." Sakura sighed, "Sasuke maybe you
should think a little more about Ino and a little less about yourself." She paused. "Sasuke
she wants this. She needs this. If you love her let her go"
Sasuke glared at her, "Do think of her and I cant, and wont let her go, she's all I have." he
said in clipped words then stomped down the bleachers making a loud clatter behind him.
On Saturday Ino talked Sakura into going with her to the mall after her track meet, Itachi
got sick on Friday and was unable to make it, so Sakura took his place in the twenty five
meter sprint. After the meet coach Orochmaru called Sakura over, "as you know I used to
run for sound village college." He began, "I also know that you have applied there and
with your grades most likely you'll be accepted, so as a favor to you I sent in your
progress from the last four years of track, and I have been able to procure you a track
scholarship your going to be able to run in college, as I've told you since freshman year;
you're my best runner Haruno keep up the fine work, and before we know it the finals
will be here" he smiled and walked away leaving Sakura soaring with hope, track was her
dream her passion, she couldn't believe this was happening. Changing out of her running
uniform she eagerly told Ino the news. Ino smiled and congratulated her. "So how's sand
village coming along?" Ino's smile faded, "My parents want me to do it but Sasuke
doesn't I'm torn." Sakura sighed, "You shouldn't have to be Ino, and you should be able
to do what you want and maybe there's a better guy for you in the sand village that won't
make you so miserable." Ino was silent a moment, when she spoke her voice was low, "I
think about that too. When Sasuke's nice to me he makes me feel better then anyone in
the world. I can't imagine a day going by without him in it; he knows what I'm feeling
what I'm thinking with just one look" Sakura thought Ino's explanation sounded creepy
and unnatural. "Just make the right choice. Not for me. Not for your parents. Not for
Sasuke. For you. Do what Ino wants to do and whatever Ino wants to do she should do"
Ino gave Sakura a smile, "have you and my mother been talking?" Sakura shrugged, "you
never know Ino."