A/N: I am and always will be a standard Naruto disclaimer
Chapter 10 – Tryouts
Hinata on the other hand was lying face down on her bed with a pillow on top of her head. Sasuke picked up the book that had fallen on the floor when she ran after Naruto.
His eyebrows rose up and a smirk came to his face when he saw the title of the book:
"Guide for a Pleasurable and Steamy Sex" then again there were knockings on the door "the dobe has recovered quickly?"
But it's not Naruto. It was Neji "Sasuke can I come in?"
He nodded and let him in. Neji went to Hinata's bed and pulled the pillow of her head
"What?" she turned to her back "Neji nii-chan! Did he send you to talk to me saying that he's sorry?"
He shakes his head and she sat up "I can't believe them, the nerve to do this to me!"
"Them?"
She nodded "Naru and the brat"
"What had she to do with Naruto?"
"Those damned books of his packed along with mine. Hanabi was asked by him to do it since he doesn't have any space on his bag"
"How did you know?"
"She called me"
Somebody gave a cough and both turned to Sasuke "I believe this is yours"
Neji took it and Sasuke went back to his bed and laid down not minding them
"What's this?" then he saw the title and narrowed his eyes on Hinata
"I thought you didn't like this kind of topic?"
"Do I look like I wanted that?"
"Then why did you have this?"
"Open the book and read it"
He opened it and was surprised "Hanabi gave you this? When did she…? If uncle ever found out about this, he'll skin her alive!"
"Naru probably is the cause after all she's the one who packed them. You know how curious she can be. I remember one time when she tried to nick the one that uncle Kakashi's reading because she saw him giggling"
Neji swore "Damned brat, I'll strangle her one time"
"I might beat you onto it" they both shared a grin
"ne nii-chan"
"Hmm...?"
She beckoned him closer and whispered on his ear "can you ask uncle Kakashi to allow me to bathe in his bathroom everyday? And one more thing, I want to have a divider here so that I can change without worrying that he (pointing to Sasuke) may found out that I'm a girl"
"Don't worry about it. Consider it done"
"ne, you're the best!"
"feh" and he stood up ruffling her hair. He called out to Sasuke and bid them goodbye. Sasuke just held up a hand and Neji left.
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On the next day, Naruto apologizes to her the next day and he thanked her for not throwing away the book that she received from the brat. Neji came then with the divider and told her that Kakashi had agreed. The divider only took a little space and it made Sasuke puzzled to see it but then he shrugged it off.
Saturday came and the start for the try outs has come.
8:00 am
"Naru, we'll just meet later ok? Got to find the tennis area and it's time to meet Haku in person" he nodded and they went on their separate ways.
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Tennis area
Hinata was dressed in her own tennis outfit and brought along her Mizuno tennis racket which was given to her by Kurenai, the one she used a year ago in a championship match. She saw that it's not that many who will be trying out compared to soccer and basketball. After a few moments, a man who looks like Rock Lee emerges and introduced himself.
"I'm the tennis coach Maito Gai. I welcome you all!" and did a cool guy pose
Hinata sweat dropped "I wonder what Kurenai-sensei's going to say if she saw him" then she got distracted when Haku came out. She caught her breath at how beautiful he really is. "Hanabi is the duck and he's the swan. What a laugh" then a big question mark appears on her head "if they ever get married, whose going wear the wedding dress?" then she noticed his face had a solemn look on them "could it be because of Hanabi?"
He walks in front of them "my name is Yukino Haku, the tennis club team captain. This try out is organized in order for me to select my new team. I'm expecting all of you to give your best. The rules are simple; all of you will be divided into 4 groups: A, B, C.D and each of you will have a match that will run for 15 minutes. There will be 2 winners in each group, the chosen 8 must also prepare for a match with me in order to determine whose going to be my vice captain. This is a serious sport needing your skills, determination, stamina and presence of mind. Good luck to all"
Gai then produced a box "all of you 32 come here and pick a paper inside. Each paper has a corresponding number that will determine which group you'll belong to" and they all did. A (1-8), B (9-16), C (17-24), D (25-32). Hinata got the number 31-group D. She walked to where the bench of group D is located when Haku turns around and bumped into her
"Sorry" he said in a mellow voice
"It's okay" and their eye's met. Surprise registered on his face "Hyuuga!" she nodded and smiled
"What's your name?"
"Hikaru, Haru for short"
"Relative of Neji?"
"hai. He's my cousin" he nodded "what group are you in?"
"Group D"
"Well, good luck" she nodded and left him "it seems like he wanted to ask more question about my relatives. Hanabi perhaps? Hmm…never thought he'd fall for my brat of a sister. Oh well, life really is unpredictable"
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Soccer Field
Naruto together with Neji and Sasuke as well as the rest of the guys who'll be trying out were already on the field warming themselves up after they had finished their application.
The others are getting impatient "where the hell is that new coach?"
Kiba turned to Naruto "he's your uncle isn't he? Where is he? The try outs should have started 30 minutes ago"
Neji sighs "Kakashi-san is usually late"
"What kind of a coach is he anyway with this kind of behavior he has?" Chouji asks when someone spoke from their back
"He's the kind of coach who will come if he feels like he's very much needed" Kakashi said. They jumped in surprise and sweat dropped.
"Sorry that I am late, I just over slept" Naruto and Neji shared the same thought "it's because you're reading the Icha Icha book until past midnight" Kakashi turned to them "why isn't that you haven't started yet?"
"Well you see uncle, we're waiting for you"
He looked at Sasuke "you're the new captain right? It is you're responsibility to get your team going even without me. And you too Neji, as a former captain turned assistant coach should know that. I'm only here to supervise your play. All of you, use your brains, understood?"
The team was shocked, never expecting a reprimand on their first day. They nodded and Sasuke thought "he's tough, unlike the former coach. This is going to be good after all; I've heard that he's a former star player that played in the nationals"
"Get moving you lot" Neji declared
Sasuke then assembled the team and the new applicants were divided into two groups. a match is to be held. Kakashi, Neji with Shikamaru who's the team manager will scout those who have the potential to be on the team. The winner of the match will have a match with the original team consisting of sophomores and seniors. And the match begins.
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Hinata had already won her 2 matches. The other winner from her group is Seiji Takano; now they are just waiting for their match with Haku. She's been using her left hand since the match even though her right is more powerful. Ambidexterity is one thing that Kurenai had taught her since her specialty is the kick serve. She's not even tired thanks to all her years of playing soccer, her stamina had built up. She really wants to play soccer but she had to sacrifice it since Haku isn't a soccer player and another thing is that she had to consider the binding in her chest. She cannot let herself to be burnt out or she'll have a difficulty in breathing given her well endowed chest.
And now she watches as Haku made it to the court and started playing "he's fast and very much in control. Left handed too like Kurenai-sensei" the more she analyzes him, the more serious she becomes "a true tennis prodigy. He's got it all; looks, skills, stamina, determination and what's more frightening is that you cannot predict what he's going to do next. All in all, he's the epitome of a very dangerous opponent"
After his match, Haku approached her. He looks kind of uneasy so she gave him a comfortable smile in return. He sighs as he sat beside her
"Are you close to Hyuuga Hanabi?"
She nodded "why?"
"I just wanted to know how she's doing these past months"
"She's fine" he smiled "that is good to know"
Then a shadow crosses his face "Hanabi told me about the two of you"
"Huh?"
"She said she cannot get out since her father had her guarded"
"I had a feeling it would be like that. I really wish to talk to her"
"You can"
"How? Our communication was cut off"
Her father is not here. Don't worry; I'll arrange it for you guys"
He smiled at her "thank you"
"Don't thank me yet. You have to meet her elder sister first before you can see Hanabi again"
"Yes, she told me about her. She said her one-chan is sweet and kind"
"Oh really?"
"We don't want her getting broken hearted"
"Why do you say that?"
"You're popular and handsome. It makes a pretty lethal combination for girls"
"I'm not interested in them. Hanabi is different though"
"That is good to hear. Can I keep your word in that?"
He nodded and both shared a grin
A/N: hi everyone. It has been a long time ne? First I wanted to apologize for the long delay of update on my fics. Major writers' block, personal and health problems had forbidden me to continue them. I got lost so to speak. No direction, no inspiration. I guess I got tired of chasing my dreams but my friends told me to be myself again. Do the things that I want to do and live with it. So little by little, i started to remember my fics again, what I wanted to write and post it for you guys. After all, I have to be responsible right? That is all. Your reviews are greatly appreciated. Pardon the grammatical errors, for I am only human. I'll update again soon with all of my fics and I will post along them the new ones that I had written years ago.