Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Sasuke decided to get rid of Karin first because she was clinging to him and smiling pathetically so he headed to where Team Eight used to train. To his delight, he could hear the barking of a dog as they neared the clearing.
"Yo, Sasuke!" a boy with red marks on his cheeks shouted, running over to the Uchiha with a massive white dog in tow. Karin screeched and hid behind Sasuke.
"Relax, Karin," he said, annoyed. "Good to see you to, Kiba."
"Sasuke Uchiha," a young man with dark glasses and a thick cloak said by way of greeting. A bug crawled over the thick hood. Karin shuddered.
"S-s-sasuke-k-kun..." she stuttered. "I-is this m-my new sq-squad?"
"Shino," the Uchiha said, ignoring her.
"You sound like Hinata," a dark haired kunoichi said, walking up to her with a baby in her arms.
"H-hinata?" Karin asked.
"She's not normally this shy," Sasuke said. "She's usually very loud and obnoxious, like you, Kiba." Karin pouted. "Let's go, Suigetsu, Juugo." The two shinobi nodded and followed Sasuke away from the clearing, leaving a dismayed kunoichi behind. They headed towards Team Gai's training area.
"Uchiha." Neji spoke before they could see each other.
"Hyuuga." Sasuke waited until he could see him before responding.
"Sasuke! Have you found the power of love yet?" a loud boy with a bowl haircut shouted.
"No," Sasuke said shortly. The shinobi looked down.
"That is very unfortunate," he said. "I cannot imagine what that must be like. But still. I will fight you for Sakura's hand." Sasuke looked disgusted.
"No." He turned to Juugo. "Do us all a favour and keep your temper under control," he said.
"No! Temper is a part of youth!" the ridiculous sensei protested. Sasuke ignored him.
"Hyuuga. If he loses his temper stop his chakra points and get me."
The powerful shinobi nodded in understanding.
"Let's go, Suigestu," Sasuke continued. The water ninja nodded, grinning smugly, which made Sasuke feel uneasy. When they were out of earshot of the training spot, Suigetsu spoke.
"What did old bushy brows mean when he said that he'd fight you for Sakura's hand?" he asked, grinning. Sasuke scowled.
"Do I have to answer?"
"Yes. Spill it."
"When we first met, it was the Chuunin exams. He asked Sakura out on sight, but she turned him down. She then grabbed my hand and dragged me away, giving him the wrong idea. A few minutes later, he challenged me to a fight, and defeated me easily in midair. Sakura caught me when I fell awkwardly, making him very jealous – even though she's just as nice to him," Sasuke explained. "And he's got it into his head that I love her."
"And are you?" Suigetsu asked snidely.
"No," he denied. "Here we are... oof!"
"Sasuke-kun!" Ino shouted, hugging him tightly. "Are you in our team?"
"No he's not," Kakashi said. "We've got Suigetsu." Suigetsu grinned.
"Sorry I'm not Sasuke," he said sarcastically. Ino hit him. "Oww."
"You rejoining Naruto and Sakura?" Chouji asked.
"Duh," said Shikamaru.
"Sasuke?" Kakashi said. "Yamato's nice – he gets on with Sakura and Naruto well. And he never seems to get delayed – unlike me." Sasuke smirked.
"I still haven't forgiven you for making me late for the final Chuunin exam," he said. "Get off, Ino." Grudgingly, she released him. "Suigetsu – don't wind her up – her temper's worse than Karin's."
"Advice for you, Sasuke," said Kakashi. "Don't make Sakura mad unless you've got a death wish." Sasuke stared at him before leaving. He made his way to where Team Seven used to train. He found it and stood by a tree, waiting for them to notice him.
"Come on out, Sasuke," Naruto said. Smirking, Sasuke emerged.
"You've gotten good, Naruto," he said.
"Sasuke – Lady Tsunade finally let you out?" Sakura said. "This is Yamato-sensei," she added, gesturing towards a Jounin he didn't recognise. He nodded.
"We're going to Ichiraku to meet up with the other squads," Yamato said. "Come on."
Team Seven made their way towards Naruto's favourite ramen stand, where the other squads were waiting. They stood, making polite conversation for ages until Naruto spoke up.
"Are we ever going to order?" he demanded. "I'm getting hungry here!" They all laughed and sat down. Quite possibly, the ramen stand had never been so full before.
As they ate, Sasuke noticed that Karin wasn't watching him for once in her life. She seemed to be more focused on... Naruto. Naruto? Looking round, he could see that he wasn't the only one that had noticed. Hinata was glaring at the redhead's back, not touching her ramen. Has Karin finally gone off of me? he wondered, pleased. He glanced at Kiba, who looked back at him. For once, they understood each other, and the dog boy moved closer to Hinata, talking to her softly. The Hyuuga heiress looked away from Karin and concentrated on the boy and his dog instead. Neji looked at Sasuke with what looked a tiny bit like gratitude. They both rose and walked out of earshot.
"Maybe Hinata will finally realise that dog-boy loves her," the Hyuuga said. Sasuke nodded.
"She's never had a chance with Naruto – it's about time she realised that. To be honest, I'm not complaining. Karin's fawned over me for too long," he said.
"Sasuke! Neji!" Sakura called. "Naruto's had enough so we're going back to train!" The two genii looked at each other one last time before heading towards their squads.
"Don't forget what I told you about Juugo," Sasuke muttered. Neji nodded.
Thanks for reading!
Tsari
