The Triumvirate Game: Trilogy to The Dare Chapter 10: Part Four, a naruto fanfic

The Triumvirate Game: Trilogy to The Dare

By: Unknownred

Summary: Sakura is tired of it all, the dares, the revenge, and the on and off paybacks between herself and Sasuke. She plans to end it, for once and for all— so, one more game wouldn't hurt, right? What will the game be? Who will win? Find out! RxR!

A/N: We're at the end of this tedious trilogy! This is the last chapter of TTG, so I hope everyone enjoyed reading from The Dare to The Perfect Revenge and The Triumvirate Game.

Rated: T

Genre: Romance/ General

Part Four

It was on their way home that Ino and Temari were teasing Sakura about her and Sasuke's early disappearance the day before. Sakura had shrugged it off, not wanting to worsen her situation she was in after they had reached the hotel nearing the curfew their teacher had told in the beginning of class.

Their homeroom teacher was shocked that Sakura and Sasuke were capable of handling themselves even without assistance because of their bounded wrists. Miss. Akamiki, on the other hand wasn't as surprised— not that she didn't care for Sasuke and Sakura but it seemed that while everyone went their separate ways, she had a little reunion with her childhood sweetheart, Officer Adam and managed to get Naruto off easy. Thankful and relieved, Naruto offered Miss. Akamiki to ramen who politely declined and instead, Hinata decided to go in replace of her teacher.

Ah, spring is blossoming. With high school sweethearts reuniting and new buds blooming, why was it that everyone could get away with that and yet, have suspicions that the two rivals are undeniably in love with each other and to make every matter clear, Sakura and Sasuke were deeply in denial.

Sakura sat at the window, watching the clouds fade away as they ascended higher into the sky. She wondered if what everyone thought critically of her and Sasuke had some truth in it. Sure enough, the more she thought about her and Sasuke's 'date'; the quicker she realizes that she had forgotten about the love game between her and him. So, she thinks, was it really a date as Sasuke proclaimed? Is he falling for her? Is she falling for him?

They had entered a small amusement park, way different than Far, Far Away. Sakura sighed in relief as she and Sasuke made their way into the mini golf area for families. Paying for two players, they grabbed their clubs and golf balls and headed to level one.

Level One:

Sakura placed the ball on the bottom tee and got into position. Just as she was calculating her swing, Sasuke watched from behind and grunted in approval. Sakura glances behind her and then at her ball. Confused, she straightened up and raised a brow at him. "What?"

He smirked, "What?"

Licking her lips, she shot him a glare and rolled her eyes. She got back to focusing on her golf ball and swung her club back, out of Sasuke's way and swung forward, hitting the ball off the tee and letting it fly midway through the air only to hit the obstacle and bounce back at her.

Of course, having quick reflexes, she ducked out of the way and heard a surprise grunt. Turning around, her eyes widen as Sasuke's face twitched in annoyance. Bewildered at her golf skills, she questions Sasuke, worriedly. "What happened?"

"You suck." He growled; his lips managing to lift but failed and he frowned instead.

Sakura pouted and stood back up, "Where's my ball?"

Sasuke bit his lip and tossed her his golf ball, "Use mine instead. Be gentle though since you're a beginner."

Level Seven:

Sakura was beating Sasuke by two points. She was in the win and couldn't help but gloat. Waiting patiently for his turn, it was finally Sasuke's turn to go. Rubbing away a small headache forming, he got in position and swats the ball into the small tunnel of the obstacle, hitting the sides and rounding into the hole. Quick win Sasuke had.

"Lucky teme." Sasuke heard her mutter under her breath. He snorted; she's been hanging too much around Naruto to use that nickname on him.

What she didn't know was whenever he had to attend one his father's meetings, it would always either be at an office or a golf course. He'd sometimes get so bored or frustrated, that he'd take it out on each and every golf balls in a cart.

Snorting, he shook his head at her accusation and retrieved his ball then leading her to the next level. "Luck is for amateurs."

After having their small tournament of golfing, Sasuke had let Sakura win for the sake of their 'date' and possibly his manhood. Feeling bored and weary from their day of events, he led her through the park where a water fountain sat in the middle and tourists were walking around, taking pictures of each other or playing games at each of the entertainment booths.

So since when did they start holding hands? Sakura thinks, turning her head from the window to see the top of Sasuke's head from the seat in front of her. Blinking, she tunes out everyone's chatter out and focuses her attention on Sasuke. What is he thinking of right now? Did he realize that he brought her along so they can hang with her friends, for the sake of their love game? Funny, they did hang with each other's friends but they didn't have the least thought of continuing the game.

Sighing, Sakura leans her side temple against the small window and feels the short vibration as the plane shifts lower in altitude.

"Hey, we're almost home!" Naruto shouts over everyone from across the aisle.

"Shut up Naruto, some people are trying to sleep!" Shikamaru growls and hits Naruto upside the head. Naruto yelps.

Sakura smiles absentmindedly.

"Unlike you, everyone is wide awake!" Naruto's voice enters Sakura's mind, drawing sleep.

Shikamaru scoffs and groans aloud. Naruto's voice starts to fade as Sakura's eye lids fall close. Sighing albeit she feels the irony of Naruto's shouts making her sleepy, a change of scenery consumes her to silence.

She was lying on the edge of his bed, half trying to keep herself up and somewhat falling to the floor as Sasuke hovers her, their lips connected. Sakura moves, hoping that he didn't think she was encouraging him to deepen the kiss. Shaking off the feeling of closing her eyes, Sakura squeals into the kiss, her arms knocking onto Sasuke's shoulder. But he doesn't budge from her attempts. His lips move slowly with rhythm, his tongue licking her bottom lip.

Feeling her cheeks tinge with heat, Sakura lies uncomfortably on the arch of the bed, Sasuke's close body not helping her defense. Breathing through her lips, she yanks her head to the side, letting heavy breaths flow from between them. Sasuke doesn't seem faze, as if he was experienced with stealing kisses from girls by force. Although she's sure most of the girls from school that adore Sasuke wouldn't mind having their first kiss stolen by the Uchiha.

Feeling her stomach do a flip, Sakura slows her breath and glares at Sasuke. "You- won't get- away- with this!"

Sasuke crushes his chest against her, pushing her back down on the bed and yanking her wrists up and over her head. He smirked as Sakura's eyes widen a fraction before it was covered with Sasuke smothering her with butterfly kisses down her chin to her neck and across her collarbone. She held her breath, trying to yank her hands away from his grasp. "Get off me!"

She jerked her knee up but Sasuke seemed to be smarter in these types of situations; he blocked her legs by pushing his own knee in between her thighs. Sakura screams in frustration, "This is rape, Sasuke!"

"It's not." He muttered, pausing from planting another kiss on her neck. Of course it wasn't rape unless you enjoy it. In this case, this kiss was a gentle one like an actual butterfly landing on her skin. No, wait, what was she thinking! She didn't like him or his experience with kisses— there was no way she'd give him the satisfaction of giving in.

"Forced rape!" She shouted but before she could continue her defense, Sasuke captures her lips in another deep kiss, preventing her to make anymore noises. His lips were smacking against hers; where is Naruto when she needed him? Wait; then again if he comes and sees this— she'll never live it down. "Mm." She hums into the kiss, feeling the breath knock out of her. She swears her face was winning against her hair color before he gives her a break for air.

Turning her face away, her chest heaving for oxygen, she glares at him as his other hand starts caressing her cheek. WHOA, HOLD UP! Since when did he let go of one of her wrists? Why didn't she notice that one of her arms was slacking or free? This was her chance, she swiftly moved her arm but it too was surprisingly locked in his other grip. No! Huffing, she narrows her eyes in slits and threats him, "I'll scream."

"I'm sure you will." He lifts his face and smirks at her choice of words, nonetheless a weak threat that has failed even before she had the chance to blink. She gaped at his perverted thoughts started to surface. Was this his true colors? Mad that he was underestimating her, she opened her mouth to hack out a scream but again— to prevent his amusement from ending too soon, he bit down on her bottom lip.

She bucked her hips up, regretting as soon as she did it. His eyes widen, surprised at her actions as his grip on her loosened. This was her chance! She swallowed and quickly pushed him off, her hand covering her mouth. She scrambled away from him and ran out his bedroom, slamming his door with immense strength she can muster.

"Sasuke- swear- Sakura's face- cherry bomb- whimper- sleep!" Voices piled on top of each other. Sakura's eyes flung open at the sight of her girl friends hovering around her seat and Sasuke sitting adjacent to her.

"What?" Sakura announced to everyone she's awake, "What's going on?"

Ino stuck her tongue out at Sasuke and reached over the seat Sasuke had preoccupied earlier and patted Sakura's head, "That's what we want to know."

Raising a brow in confusion, Sakura brushes Ino's hand off her head and turns to Sasuke and the rest of her friends. "Huh?"

"Well, Sakura chan, you were whimpering in your sleep like you were having a nightmare." Hinata chimed in, her face filled with concern for her pinkette friend.

"What is it, Saks?" TenTen blinked hovering over the middle of Sasuke and Sakura, "Do you remember still?"

Sakura's lips parted in realization that she's been reacting consciously than in her reverie. Oh, kami! She gulps and averts her gaze from Ino who had a determine face of wanting to know the truth, next to her sat Temari with a curious expression, her brows raised in suspicion, to Hinata who sat across the aisle, her face filled with concern and adjacent to her Sasuke, paying no mind to her and TenTen who was hovering over her seat, anxious to know what she was thinking of. "Uh… no."

Ino narrows her eyes at Sakura, not believing her, "Are you sure?"

Sakura blinks and nods, shaking the feeling of Sasuke's lips lingering on hers, "Definitely."

Hinata sighs in relief and smiles softly at Sakura, "That's good. I was really worried."

Sasuke slumped in his seat, pulling his iPod out of his pocket and scrolled through his playlist. Temari sighs and turns back around in her seat. TenTen pouted, "Bummer, Sakura, you're a party pooper!"

"Sorry, Ten," Sakura shifts and sits on one leg, turning her attention to TenTen, "I'd remember if I didn't wake to loud noises, debating my sleep-talk."

TenTen laughs nervously and nudges Sakura's back, "Sorry Sakura."

Sakura glances at Hinata whose attention was now focused on a loud, snoring blond. Sweat dropping at the irony, she turns back to Ino who deepens her frown at her, her eyes averting from Sakura's to Sasuke's then back. She wasn't convinced, Sakura knew, but this was something she couldn't tell Ino no matter what. It was just too embarrassing, too deep for her to spill.

Once Ino and TenTen goes back to what they were doing in their own appropriate seats, Sakura found out that Sasuke got kicked out from his seat so that Ino could sit to Temari and TenTen switched seats with Hinata so that she could sit with Naruto and Ten could sit with Hinata's cousin, Neji. It was a good match.

So here Sasuke sat beside her, listening to his music while Sakura sat there quietly, her ridden reverie still in her mind. She blushed madly at the thought of, what if she really did enjoy his lips on hers? It was sort of in a way, erotic how he kissed her. She never been kissed before, by any guy except Sasuke, and the way he kissed was new to her. That brought up the question, did he kissed before? If so, who? Who would be daring to kiss Uchiha Sasuke?

"Sakura, stop raping me with your eyes."

Sakura blinks, breaking her gaze in space and sees Sasuke's hard gaze on hers, a smirk planted on his lips. Sakura's face brightens. She gasps, surprised. "W-who would want to rape you… stupid Sasuke?"

Widening his smirk, he leans forward on the arm rest towards Sakura's face. Feeling her face glow red, she held it back as her eyes searched Sasuke's onyx eyes for some weakness that he was playing with her. He moves forward, his hand against the side of her cheek bringing it forward past his face as he chuckles into her ear, "You."

Sakura hears him chuckle again and she curses the fact that she had released her immense blush. He probably felt the heat radiating off her cheeks against the palm of his hand or he could probably see her ears turning bright red.

"Eh! Hey, Sakura, your face is redder than a tomato!" Naruto announces, apparently had woken up since she was in a daze, maybe.

At this, Sakura fumes in embarrassment as Sasuke draws back at snickers at her reaction. She turns away, her bangs falling in her face to hide her discomfort. "Baka, he was just telling me a joke."

"Oh? I want to hear it teme!" Naruto jumped in his seat, his voice booming as a couple students yelled at him to shut up. "Tell me later then, teme and don't forget!" Naruto shouts before sitting still and keeping quiet to everyone's amazement.

Sasuke snickers and slumps in his seat. Sakura sighs and lifts a hand to her face. "Joke huh?" Sakura hears Sasuke laugh quietly, "Psh, not if it's true."

Kami must have some grudge against her or something.

Kami must really have some grudge against her because when Sakura got home, Tsunade was furious from her unexpected leave and grounded her that whole week.

"Do you know how worried I was?" Tsunade barked loudly at Sakura, pulling her aside. Sakura jerked away and crossed her arms. "I was looking frantically for you; I thought you ran away or something!"

Sakura rolled her eyes, "You're overreacting again."

"And so if I am?" Tsunade knitted her brows together. She stepped towards Sakura who took a step back, "I'm your guardian and I have a right to overreact when I find a child I'm entrusted to, disappear! How does that make me feel?! And what about your parents, what will they think, say?"

Sakura licked her lips and glared at the floor, "Nothing if you don't tell them."

"Oh gladly," Tsunade scoffed, placing her hands on her hips and glare at Sakura sternly, "If they didn't already get suspicious. They were calling all weekend for you— oh kami, for crying out loud, Sakura! Why can't you be a good, obedient child and just tell me what you want!"

Sakura snaps her attention up, "Space, I want space! Stop bringing up my parents during dinner or whenever I'm alone with you. Stop criticizing about my friends—"

"Since when have I-" Tsunade interrupted, gaping at her accusations against her.

"I want privacy! Space, privacy, understanding?" Sakura shouts, her hands raised in frustration. "What more can I want?"

"Love?"

Sakura doesn't speak as the word 'love' sinks into her head, her heart. What nerve! She shakes her head, angry that her parents were evolving around this argument, like usual.

"My friends…"

"Your friends will leave you in the end… they can't love you like your parents do-" Tsunade speaks, her voice mild with emotion.

"Like my parents left me all those years ago?" Sakura spoke up above a whisper, "They never came back here…just once to visit me… why now?"

Tsunade steps forward, gripping Sakura's shoulder and shook her so that she can look up at her. "They might not have showed it over," "No, let me go-!" "Over the years because they were extremely busy. They trust you still to love them," Sakura struggles against her godmother's hold. "To support them while they build a new foundation for you- listen to me! So when they come for you, their love and your love will intertwine again."

"I don't want their love!" Sakura shouts but is silenced by a loud slap.

"Don't say that!" Tsunade yells at her, her hand in mid air, "Don't ever say that!"

Sakura touches the sting on her cheek, her eyes widen at the fact that her godmother had just slapped her! She swallows and realizes late that tears sprung from her eyes and was sliding down her face.

"You have no idea, NO IDEA how much they struggled for you!" Tsunade shouted, her voice ringing through the house. "Working all those years just so you can live a fruitless life so that you won't have regrets later in life; they only want the best for you!"

Sakura tears away from her hold and hugs herself, "Not good enough."

What about her feelings? Did her parents consider her feelings? No, so why should she consider theirs? They already lost her trust in them, their love, what more can they offer? Money, she doesn't need. Family, she already has seeing that her friends are accountable for her ex-parents. She doesn't need them! She doesn't want their love! Turning on her heel, she stomps out of the room she and Tsunade was in.

"Where are you going now, Sakura?!" Tsunade raises her voice filled with frustration and exhaustion from arguing with her god-daughter. "Do not walk away from me when I'm talking! Do have respect for your elders, Saki!"

Sakura stomps her foot on the first step of the staircase. She swiftly turns and glares at Tsunade, "Don't call me that! I'm not a child anymore; I can take care of myself!"

"You are still a child in this house, throwing tantrums and acting immature!" Tsunade yells from below the stairs.

Sakura screams loudly in frustration, her voice bouncing off the walls and echoing through the staircase. "You're provoking me!"

"I don't want to hear this!" Tsunade argued, raising her hand and pointing to the ceiling, "Go to your room, you're grounded for a month! I want you to think about what we discussed and when you're ready to come down, by then you'll reconsider."

Locking her jaw, Sakura stomps up the stairs, "To sum it all up, I'll be grounded 'a week' since my parents will be coming to pick me up after the school's festival!" Sakura makes it to the top step and shouts down to her guardian, "And by then, I'll be out of your hair and won't be under your jurisdiction!"

"I have no time for this; to your room!" Tsunade yells to Sakura. Sakura rolls her eyes and stomps away. "Learn some respect while you're at it!"

Sakura groans loudly and slams her bedroom door close.

The days fly pass since Tsunade grounded Sakura from doing pretty much anything, outing with her friends— to be precise, that isn't school related. Finally, it's the start of a new day, the start of KLH Spring Festival that Sakura's class decided on a maid café for the theme of France. Since Sasuke was in a different class, his class's theme was displayed around cosplay.

The school gates opened early that morning and all the students involved had prepared all the booths and flyers for customers and families to enter.

"Welcome!" Students buzzed, greeting people that come to visit KLH's festival. "Please enjoy; we have refreshments, entertainment, and activities to share with everyone!"

The crowd started to enlarge after an hour or so and each classroom was themed differently, competing against other student's classes— tallying how popular each theme class was.

"Ino!" TenTen retorted, pulling away from Ino, "Stop, I am not going outside in this outfit!"

"Looking good, TenTen!" A sophomore from one of TenTen's classes complimented while walking by.

Ino had made most of their class's preparation for the festival like renting forty eight hours of café costumes. Ino was wearing a shimmer of baby blue dress that stopped at the thigh, a white heart shaped apron over her dress and her blond hair was let down complimenting her sea blue eyes. On the other hand, Temari who was dressed in a similar dress but purple and Hinata in an orange clad dress with a black belt had to force down TenTen while Ino dressed her in a red-knee length dress and a white lace apron over it. Ino made sure that Ten's hair was let down also, but curled on the side over Ten's shoulder.

"Come on, Teni!" Ino pulled Ten's arm as she rounded the corner, bumping into a group of seniors. "Sorry."

"No way!" TenTen gripped her hands into fists, her face blazing with embarrassment as they did cat calls at them.

"I'd tapped that." Another senior announced in his supposed 'sexy' voice. TenTen stomped her foot and glared at the senior before getting up— well down in his face.

"What was that pipsqueak?" TenTen growled, holding up a fist, her eye brow twitching. Ino gasp and encourages her not to do anything rash.

He held up his hands and smirked, eyeing ten from her face and down her dress, "Feisty, I like that about girls."

"Hey! Face up here!" Huffing, Ten was about to launch a punch but before she could, a tall mass of long brown hair blocked her vision and a voice she grown so familiar with threatened the senior. She watched as the senior scurried off, scared.

"Uh, thank you, Neji." TenTen spoke in defense.

Neji turns and nods at her, having the chance to eye her outfit but kept his opinions to himself. "Ten, you are requested to assist Sakura and Shikamaru at room 3."

She then notices him dressed as a general, something like that officer from Okinawa. She nods slowly and turns to go voluntarily, leaving Ino and Neji to make sure she goes where she goes.

"You got the hots for her." Ino taps her chin, thinking aloud. Neji flinches and glares at Ino. "Even I couldn't get her to be obedient." She giggles and runs after TenTen, leaving Neji to fend for his self.

Naruto slowly retreats from the puff of smoke that wafted in the culinary room. He done it again, pranking people that challenged his smarts. He grinned from ear to ear and skipped towards the stair case that led to his class. Humming happily, he almost didn't see the flustered Hyuuga whom was dressed in an orange maid dress with a black belt complimenting her petite waist and was carrying a tray with three bowls of ramen on it.

"Eh, Hinata chan?" Naruto rounded beside her, "Where are you carrying those to?"

Hinata bit her lip in surprised and glanced up at her blonde crush. "Um, to room three; Sakura needs assistance."

Naruto nods like he understood but his mind was clearly clouded with the smell of ramen, "But that's ramen noodles you're carrying."

"Oh, uh yes." Hinata breathed slowly, feeling her chest tighten at the close proximity Naruto was beside her. "A party of ten entered, asking the special order on the menu."

"Ramen?" Naruto walked her down to room three, "Why ramen? I thought everyone agreed ramen was banned."

Hinata smiled softly at him, "Yes, well I offered that our customer service had to be satisfactorily."

Nodding seriously, they stopped outside the room where Hinata was heading to. "Well, maybe when you're free, you and me can eat some ramen?"

Hinata's face flushed at his offer and nodded slowly, "S-sure."

"Great!" Naruto grins, sliding open the door for Hinata to walk through. "Oh and you look really cute in orange, Hinata chan." He said before walking away.

"Ehh!" Hinata's face blew up, her tray teetering if it wasn't for TenTen appearing and catching the tray with her quick reflexes.

"Great timing, Hinata!" TenTen smiled, holding the tray in one hand and glancing at the flush Hyuuga, "Whoa, Hinata, why is your face red?"

"Troublesome," Shikamaru sighs and throws his uniform coat off and loosening his tie that Temari had tied professionally for him. "When did I ever agree to this?"

"Oh stop your complaining." Temari stood up from picking up the broken glass that a senior had dropped earlier. "You're not really doing anything, to be exact."

Shikamaru sighs again and takes the shards from Temari and dumps it into the trash. She leans back onto the wall and watches as the lazy guy walks over to the window and sits at a desk. Pressing her lips in a firm line, she makes her way to him.

"Hey, what's wrong?" She asks, her brows furrowing. She leans against the window and peers down at him.

"I'm bored." He speaks, rolling his eyes stubbornly. "How long do we have to keep this up?"

Temari licks her bottom lip, "One more day left and it'll be all over and then you can go back to your old habits again."

Clearly, she didn't catch what he was referring to. Shaking his head, he takes her wrist and pulls her over the desk. Gasping at the pull, her lips brushed passed his cheek. Breathing heat in her ear made her shiver. "Shika-"

"Temari, let me just have this moment." He rests his head on her shoulder, making her tense up at his actions.

Feeling that something was up, she looks around the room, the clock ticking slowly. The others might be wondering where she's at— hopefully they won't come looking for her and finding this. Swallowing, Temari realizes Shikamaru has been a little too quiet since he last spoke. "Uh, Shikamaru?"

Grabbing his arm, she pushes him slightly away and letting his head roll forward. His eyes were closed and a small snore erupted through his lips. Sweat dropping, Temari gazes down at the tired, lazy boy. "Ugh… troublesome."

"Welcome to our KLH Spring Festival!" Kiba announced in his dog trainer's suit.

The couple smiles gently at the boy and greeted him with a flyer. The man had maroon; slightly silver (due to old age) hair shaped like a star— as if he got out of bed and walked out the door without fixing it. Kiba snickers inwardly, almost like Sasuke's hair. Beside him, the woman giggles at her husband; she had golden blond hair, short and easy to manage. "Sorry, my husband is a bit excited. Can you please direct us to Principal Tsunade please?"

"Oh sure!" Kiba grinned and bowed respectively to the couple, "While heading to our headmaster's office, would you like me to give you a small tour around?"

"Sure!" The man offered, smiling at the boy. Kiba then started on their small tour around the festival, explaining to the couple why their school decided to do its theme on France.

They headed straight into the east wing of the school where Kiba accidentally bumped into Sasuke who was dressed in a black butler suit. "Whoa, Uchiha watch your step, okay?"

Sasuke grunted and nodded respectively at the couple who smiled at him. "Aa; excuse me."

"SASUKE!" Ino's loud voice shouted from above the stairs. The couple and Kiba looked up at the caller. "Don't think you can escape me!"

Sasuke bowed at the couple and started out the door just when Ino reached the bottom step. Kiba, blinking at the confusion stood with the couple and stared at Ino in her blue maid outfit. "Ino, what's wrong?"

Ino blinks, realizing her boy friend standing there and smiles at him, "Oh, you know Sasuke… thinking this is a waste of time."

"Ha, sounds like Shikamaru." Kiba chuckles and gasps, turning to the couple, "Sorry, I was momentarily distracted."

"Mrs. Haruno? Mr. Haruno?" Ino exclaims, her mouth dropping from seeing Sakura's parents standing before her, "What are you doing here?"

"You know them, Ino?" Kiba let on surprised and confused. "Now, that you mentioned it… their last name sure does sound like Sakura's…"

Mr. Haruno sweats drops as Mrs. Haruno simply smiles. Ino stood there giving Kiba a dull look with one arm on her hip. "Kiba," She spoke, making Kiba raise a brow at her, "They are Sakura's parents. DUH!"

"Oh, Ino chan, you've grown!" Mrs. Haruno smiles, reaching out and taking Ino's hands into hers, "How are you?"

"It sure has been awhile, I'm fine." Ino smiles and winks at Mr. Haruno, "Gee, Mr. Haruno, you seem not as tall as I remember you used to be."

Mr. Haruno snorts, "That's because you shrunk early, kiddo."

Ino scowls, "Ha-ha, you were always the joke of the family."

Mr. Haruno's eyes flashed at Ino, his temper flaring. Before he could retort, Mrs. Haruno jumped in, breaking the feud between her husband and Ino. "Right, let us introduce ourselves! My name is Haruno Mebuki and this is my husband, Haruno Kizashi— nice to meet you Kiba."

Kiba bows his head shooting them a smile, "Nice to meet you too. Sorry for earlier, as you can see everyone is busy to prepare but we're almost to Principal's Tsunade's office."

Ino's smile slacks at the mention of their principal, "Oh! She's making rounds but you can wait in her office, I'm sure she'll be back before you can say Naruto's whole name."

"Naru-" Kiba started.

"NARUTO UZAMAKI! WHAT DID YOU DO?!" Tsunade's loud voice echoed through the corridors, almost shaking the whole school grounds.

Everyone sweat drops. Mebuki laughs nervously, "That's our Tsunade…" Ino shakes her head slowly and sighs, "Spoke too soon… shall we?"

Meanwhile, on the west side of the school where room three was located, Sakura was cleaning tables, bending over to pick up scraps on the floor and throwing them in the trash behind her. A whistle is heard behind her, "Pink panties ten o'clock!"

Sakura rolls her eyes, not looking at the pervert. He didn't have to say it out loud because clearly he's a fool and the panties she was wearing today was not matching her hair color. Continuing on her way, Sakura goes through the door and walks down to the culinary room looking for more jobs to take on. On her way, she spots Sasuke strolling towards her, a tomato in hand.

As she got closer, she snatches the tomato from his hand, making him turn on his hand and glare at her. She paused mid step and swirls around, grinning at him. "Slacking on the job, eh?"

"No Sa-ku-ra," Sasuke's eye catches Sakura's black maid outfit with a white heart shaped apron, "I'm on break."

Rolling her eyes, she slides her thumb on the tomato. "Hm, where'd you get the tomato?"

It was Sasuke's turn to roll his eyes as he takes a step forward towards Sakura, "Home. And no, I did 'not' slack off by going home to get one tomato and head back to school."

Sakura closes her mouth after he finishes. She lifts the tomato to her lips, huffing hot breath on it. "Looks good, I think my break's coming up."

Sasuke takes another step towards Sakura, his cheek twitch as he watches Sakura brush her lips on his fruit. "Get your own."

Sakura grins against the fruit and flutters her eyes at him, "What are you going to do butler boy? Scream bloody murder?"

Sasuke steps closer, nearing Sakura's personal bubble. "I think that's your job."

Sakura narrows her eyes and purses her lips. Glaring at Sasuke, she took a bite out of the tomato just to intimidate Sasuke. She smirked as her lips fell close.

Before she could blink or even chew, Sasuke pounced on her, grabbing her hand that held the fruit and capturing her lips with hers. Surprised, Sakura gasped, feeling stupid that her plan backfired. Taking advantage of her stun state, Sasuke deepens the kiss and slips his tongue in and only to scoop the bite of tomato and insert it in his mouth before chewing.

Her eyes widen at his sudden action and she was sure he could literary feel her blushing hard. She felt him smirk against her lips and before she could breathe a second too soon, Sakura punched Sasuke's chest making him flinch.

Sasuke glares at Sakura and grabs her flailing arms, "Stop, Sakura."

"Why should I? You owe me this for- for taking away another kiss!" Sakura turns her face away.

Sasuke locks his hands around her wrist and takes a closer step towards her. Sakura narrows her eyes up at him, "And this isn't about the game either… I don't know… what game? We haven't been playing the love game recently, haven't you noticed?"

Sasuke sighs and rests his head on her forehead, "I wouldn't say that. We still have one more rule to play."

Sakura blinks, "What, the kiss that already counted long ago? Which reminds me, who was your first kiss?"

Sasuke lets go one of her wrists and wraps his arm around her petite waist and sighs, "That doesn't matter. What matters is that I'm going to show you a special way to kiss someone."

Sakura presses her lips together, so that Sasuke wouldn't get a chance to show her. He holds back a chuckle and reaches up to caress her porcelain face. "In a way, if you think about it, you stealing my tomato… is sort of a provocative way in making me… kiss you more."

Sakura furrows her brows, "I p-provoke you?"

Sasuke uses his index finger to tilt her chin up so that her emerald eyes locked onto his onyx eyes. "Aa." He leaned down, her lips looking vulnerable and plush pink.

Since when, she wondered, did she intimidate him? Was he doing this on purpose to make her fall in love with him more? Wait, no— she doesn't love him! But the flutter in her chest tells her otherwise as their lips are a few inches away from each other. "I- Sasu-," He probably wanted her more than she wanted him, oh heck— when will their stupid game end?

Suddenly standing on her tip toes, her lips smacked into his. Widening his eyes in surprised, Sakura quickly closed her eyes— not wanting Sasuke to see the desperation in her jade orbs. Fisting her hands on his chest, she pulled him down to her height so that she didn't have to strain her toes.

She was taking action now, making the initiation to silence Sasuke speechless. Indeed he was and yet as he moved his lips against hers, she couldn't help but melt into their kiss— his arms bringing her closer and her own arms wounding around his neck, her hands raking into his dark, jet black hair.

Time was passing, wind rushed past her neck as Sasuke leaned against the wall adjacent to the window. Sakura opens her eyes to see Sasuke's eyes closed in return. She smiled inward as she noticed he had long black eye lashes which seemed lovely to her.

She wondered if anyone was questioning about them, where were they when they needed help? Here on the top floor of the west wing, right in the middle of the corridor between room three and the culinary room… which reminded her, where were people crossing them? Not one of them haven't come out or walked past them for the last ten minutes they stood there.

"Sakura…" He moaned into the kiss, startling her. What was that sound he made? Did he really enjoy the kiss she planted on him? He licked her lip, asking for entrance. Did she want him to? Yes. She slowly parted her lips and he took the opportunity to search her heated cavern.

They breathed roughly against each other's faces as he pulled her any closer he can get, tongue battling against hers, his hands rubbing against her lower back. Grabbing his hair in fists, he arched her neck and breathed through her nose. Smack noises were heard as their kiss became intense. When she opened her eyes for a split second, she thought this moment was a mere dream, everything was going bleary and the scenery outside the window was fading— a maroon star shape object passed by the court yard, something unclear was knocking on the door of Sakura's mind.

Finding it slightly funny, Sakura couldn't help but chuckle into their kiss as she thought more on the start shape object. What could it be? Why maroon? It almost reminded her like someone she knew or something… almost peculiar like… dad.

As if she was in outer space, with no oxygen to save her, Sakura's eyes snapped open. Was the world tilting or did she really see her dad outside the window? She looked again and for sure, she saw a man with maroon star shaped hair.

"Sasuke?" Sakura lowly gasps against his lips. She jerked her grip around his neck down as they slid to the ground, below the ledge of the window, out of sight. "Kami, Sasuke!"

If that was really her parents below, then they must be looking for her! Why are they here, early, in a matter of fact? Didn't her godmother say that they were coming to get her after the school's festival? What about the game— now that she thought about it, will this be the end? She fell for Sasuke; she lost the love game! And now that her parents are here to take her away, she won't ever come back to see her friends or even Sasuke. She swallows.

Startled at her outburst, Sasuke peers at Sakura in concern, "What is it?"

Sakura clenches his costume in fists as she glares unsurely at his chest, "I- My parents are here."

Sasuke takes a breath, confused. What did her parents have to do with stopping her from kissing him? Sakura lets out a shaky breath, "I don't want to… but… they'll be looking for me."

"Sakura, slow down." Sasuke exhales and places a reassuring hand on Sakura's fists, "What's going on?"

Sakura shakes her head and feels her chest tighten as her eyes start to water, "I- I can't. The ga-game— I forfeit, surrender, white flag!"

What? What is she talking about? Is she breaking the game? What does this have to do with the game anyway? He didn't care about the game right now; all he cares about is why Sakura was making a big deal out of this. "Sakura, I don't understand, what is going on?"

"I love you." She burst, tears running down her face.

"Mebuki," Kizashi tapped his wife's shoulder, bringing her attention from Tsunade to him.

"What is it, Kizashi?" Mebuki blinked, curious to her husband's behavior.

"I thought I saw our daughter." Kizashi spoke; turning back to the window he was looking previously and saw no one there. Sighing, he turned back to Tsunade, "Our daughter didn't dye her hair a different color did she, Tsunade?"

"If she did, I'd know." Tsunade chuckles at the couple, giving Kizashi a weird look. "Well, Sakura is working in room three, the west wing building you were staring at."

"I see!" Kizashi nodded, noting he wasn't going crazy. He reaches up and rakes his mustache as he smiles at his wife and friend.

"But, Sakura likes to be a little over achiever and helps out with anything she can take on." Tsunade states stubbornly, knowing that Sakura wants to avoid her as best as possible. Sighing, she rubs her temple, "She can be anywhere in the school, but don't worry, I can send someone to get her or just call her to my office."

Mebuki nods understanding, "I'm sure she'll be happy to see us again."

"Yes," Tsunade agrees, thinking back to her and Sakura's latest argument, "This time you'll be together once again."

Kizashi pouts, "I miss my baby girl!"

Mebuki snorts, "She not your baby girl no more, from the pictures Tsunade sent us, she has grown into a beautiful young lady."

Young lady my foot! Sakura is beyond a lady, Tsunade thinks, smiling instead of speaking her mind.

"Mind you, it's been awhile since you last spoke to her. She might not show her… happiness upfront, but deep down, she's ready to burst." Tsunade lied, smiling at Sakura's parents.

"Understandable!" Mebuki and Kizashi smiles gently and continue on their way with Tsunade in the lead.

"I won't let you." Sasuke hugs Sakura from behind her. Sakura struggles against his hold.

"I- I have to…" Sakura cries, tearing away from Sasuke and turns around to him, her teary eyes searching his eyes. "It's over! Once I go with my parents overseas, I won't be coming back…"

"But you don't want to!" Sasuke snapped, digging his claws into Sakura's arm, "All those nights, crying in the bathroom and running the bath so no one will hear your cries? Or how loud you and Tsunade argue about your parents? Is that it? Because tell me I'm wrong, that you don't want to see your parents now!"

"I- I," Sakura stutters, seeing that Sasuke pointed out all the given truth she's been holding back all these years.

"Sakura?" Ino's voice rang through the halls and soon enough Ino and Kiba appear behind her.

"Uchiha, what's wrong with Sakura?" Kiba breathed hard from running all those steps, racing Ino to find Sakura.

Ino ran to Sakura's side, and placing her hand on Sakura's shaking shoulder, "Sakura, what happened? Did Sasuke hurt you? What's wrong?"

"It's over, Ino." Sakura purses her lips, tasting the salt from her tears, "The game is over."

"What?" Ino exhales a gasp, confused to what the hell was going on.

Sakura shakes her head and burst new tears. Kiba walked forward and knelt down to the trio's heights. "Sakura, your parents are here to see you."

Sakura hic cups and nods, "I know. I have to go, Sasuke."

Sasuke's grip didn't loosen as he glared at Sakura, wanting her to admit the truth. She was crying, for goodness sake! If she leaves with her parents, overseas, she's not coming back for a simple visit— he won't ever see her again… no, he can't let that happen, he'll see her in the future, he'll find her; he'll make sure of that. Locking his jaw, he clicked his tongue.

Not knowing what was going on, Ino and Kiba tried to free Sakura from Sasuke's grasp. Why was Sakura crying? Why isn't Sasuke letting go? Did he do something to Sakura to keep her silent? Sakura's parents are here, why doesn't she look relieved, happy? Why does she look like her world is coming to an end? "Sasuke, let go, man."

"No," Sasuke began, pushing Kiba off him and pulling Sakura in his embrace. He buried his face in the crook of her neck and shoulders, his voice muffled, "I lost, as well."

Sakura swallowed, ceasing her tears from falling, "W-what?"

Sasuke looks up and uses his thumb to brush a tear away from slipping down her eye, "I love you, Haruno Sakura."

Sakura sat there, stunned while their two friends sat back on their heels, dumbfounded by Sasuke's confession as well. Ino stands up immediately and speeds down the hallway out of sight. Kiba's eyes widen, what was that?

"The game has ended, our love rivalry has ended, and so will our newfound love." Sakura whispers disappointingly, "We followed all the rules in a completely different route but…" She shakes her head, trying to get her thoughts straight, "how is it that I've fallen in love with you?"

Kiba looks between the two rivals, well lovers, bewildered. Sasuke loosens his hold and chuckles, "That…if you look closely at the small print at the bottom of the contract, I added before signing the agreement; it says, 'Love Game' is voided only on weekends!"

Sakura blinks and stands, half bent because Sasuke still held onto her hands. "What?"

Now that she thinks about it, Sasuke didn't take her out that first time to the kiddie's park because of the game. Sasuke didn't walk her home, texted her each weekend because of the game either. How did she miss that? Did she not notice his true kindness outside of school, work, and her home? What about those times she cried alone at night, in the bathroom? He noticed and cared for her— by showing his façade in a rude way, getting her to forget her weak side. He knew, he noticed, he cared all that time?

"You knew, but you didn't say anything?" Sakura licked her lips, flabbergasted at Sasuke's previous behavior. She yanked her hands apart from Sasuke's and pulled away.

"Sakura…" Sasuke started, reaching forward.

"You knew…" Sakura whispered, "I- I have to go."

She spun on her heel and ran down the hall. Sasuke, getting up and about to run after her was tackled down by Kiba, "Let her go, she needs this!"

"You know nothing!" Sasuke yelled at Kiba, knocking him away, "She doesn't need this!"

Getting up, he sped down the corridor, his eyes searching rooms in which Sakura could have gone to. Feeling heartbroken, Sasuke growls loudly and kicks the wall, sending a few heads his way.

"Mother," Sakura knocks onto Tsunade's office door, wiping her tears away and entering, "Father?"

Three heads turned to see Sakura poking her head in Tsunade's office. Tsunade's smile slackens as she views Sakura's disheveled appearance. "Sakura, what happened to you?"

Sakura opens the door widely and steps in the room. She was catching her breath from running down the stairs of the west wing and running to Tsunade's office. Now standing in front of her parents, she was feeling overwhelm. Her parents weren't as young as they were before they left; they had wrinkles— maybe her godmother was right, they were struggling for her benefit. Should she give her the benefit of the doubt?

She leans weakly against the open door and forces a smile, "I… I'm- you're early."

Mebuki smiles at her daughter, a twinkle in her eye, "Surprise?"

Kizashi stands up and strolls to his daughter, taking her into a big bear hug, "We've missed you, Saki!"

"Did you miss me?"

"I t-thought you go-ot lost!" Her voice was muffled from his shirt.

Sakura heard a quiet snort that slipped from Sasuke lips, "Me? No need, I found you instead."

Sakura's arms were limp, her face numb from crying earlier. She felt another pair of arms wrap around her. "It's been so long since we've last held you in our arms like this; now that you're here, we're complete… we don't have to feel lonely anymore."

Sakura's eyes flickered, her gaze meeting Tsunade's hazel eyes and all the thoughts and arguments that they both shared ran through her mind.

"What, that you think your parents abandoned you?" Tsunade quirks a brow, giving Sakura a superior look.

Sakura gets up suddenly, her chair screeching as it was pushed back. "Didn't they?" The proof, she was here and where were her parents? How long have they been overseas? Did they visit her on her birthdays? Did they attend her parents' conferences? No! Where were they when she needed them most?

"No child." Her godmother looked up at her, seeing that Sakura was holding back hidden tears, "They have business to take care of overseas and it's all for you. They're doing this for you."

So there's always two different parts to every story— it took her this long to realize that. Lowering her eyes, her parents finally let go and started discussing about their trip overseas and finally settling down with Sakura.

Sakura sat there, her head bowed, her eyes cast to her lap. She dug her nails into the palm of her hand, fisting, hoping that this was all just a dream. Wishing all those years ago she didn't wish to grow up faster, wishing that she could've met Sasuke earlier if she hadn't crumbled her Konoha Leaf Middle enrollment application, wishing- wishing- wishing… but she can't wish anymore, she can't change anything anymore now that her parents are here. They left her to do her bidding, creating a better life for her overseas and in return, she doesn't appreciates their hard labor and feels sorry for herself and more importantly, for them too.

"Sakura," Kizashi announced, catching Sakura's attention and points to his watch, "We have to get going now. Our plane comes in an hour and we have to beat the traffic."

Were they taking her with them? She didn't even pack her belongings yet, she didn't even say good bye to her friends, the people she's known most of her school life, and to Sasuke? What about Sasuke? Will she see him again? Will he still love her even when she's not living next door to him; have classes with him, teasing him, loving him back? She parted her lips but no words were audible to hear. She was speechless, stun and feeling weak all at the same time.

"Come on, hon," Mebuki motioned to the door. Sakura slowly stands her knees ready to buckle under her. "We have your ticket and passport ready."

Ticket and passport. They're prepared and there's nothing she can say to prevent her from leaving. She has to go with them; they are— after all, her parents. She caused so much trouble for Tsunade when she didn't believe that her parents were doing this only for her own good and now… she has to respect their decision, she has to obey because deep down, hidden and locked up was her heart knocking loudly at the door, screaming for longing and love. But is it for her parents? Or… is it for Sasuke?

She breathes out a heavy breath and nods, taking the first step towards the exit. They walked outside the room, outside the school and towards the school gates where a car was parked on the side; the same car Sakura's parents drove away in from when Sakura was little.

Kizashi walked to the side and opened the back door for Sakura to get in, "We're running out of time, Saki."

She felt like a prisoner, being handled and escorted into the police car. If life is going to be this cruel to her, what was she to offer? She nods sadly and silently gets in, her father closing the door after and getting into the driver's seat. Her mother smiles at her from the passenger seat; smiling weakly, she turns her attention out the window where Tsunade waves shortly as her dad starts up the car.

"Well, here we go." Kizashi announces and put the car to drive. The growling of the car reaches Sakura's ears and the jerk of it signals to her that they were moving, away from the gates and Tsunade and…

"SAKURA!"

Sasuke? Sakura turns her head and sees a figure in a black butler suit running after them, after her. "Sas- Dad, stop the car!"

"We can't, we'll be late." Kizashi stated, not noticing Sasuke running behind them.

"Kizashi, there's someone running behind us." Mebuki exclaimed, looking through her door's side mirror.

"Please dad, stop the car— I know him!" Sakura urged, unbuckling her seatbelt and ready to plunge out the car. With her phone in hand, she scrolls through the video options and selects record, one more video wouldn't hurt, right? A memorable video she can keep before she leaves… hopefully.

"Sak- what! Stop, what are you doing? We're still moving!" Kizashi stepped onto the brakes, slowing the car.

Once the car stopped, Sakura presses a button on her phone as she launches out the door, running half way to a hard breathing Uchiha and yet, to her surprise his suit wasn't drenched in sweat… which brings a memory in mind. "Sasuke?"

He stood up from where he was bent, catching his breath. Taking a step forward, he gave Sakura a crushing hug. "Wait for me, Sakura. That's all I ask."

Sakura tightens her arms around his back and buries her face in the crook of his neck and shoulders, "Of course!"

"Sakura, we're going to be late." Her dad called from the car, a frown replacing his previous mood.

"Be my girlfriend," Sasuke inhaled a huge breath and brushed his hand through her pink locks, "My real girlfriend."

Sakura's stomach does a flip and she can't help but feel her lips curving up. "Of course I will, Sasu-cakes!"

He chuckles softly, pulling his head away and gazing into her emerald-sea eyes. "I love you, Haruno Sakura."

Sakura smirks, "And I love you, Uchiha Sasuke."

"Sakura," Her dad's voice was stern now, "We're on a schedule you know." They could hear her mother cooing behind her and snapping at her father to quiet down.

Sasuke loosens his hold around Sakura's waist and kisses her forehead before replying quickly, "I'll come find you."

Sakura's eyes dazzled in adoration; this is how they're going to part, the end of every love story, huh? He, her prince riding his white stallion, proud and tall through a bloody battle field through hardships and burdens his family has cast upon him— being the mayor's son and all and then afterwards, he'll find her, the princess sleeping on a muddy hill, a tear ready to spill wondering when will she ever wake up from this never-ending dream. He'll awaken her with a kiss and then…

"We'll be the judge of that." Sakura laughs.

"It's a deal then." He smirks, knowing Sakura too well for her own good.

"As always." Sakura smiles up at him and then grabs his neck to bring him down so she could seal their deal with a kiss.

"I'll be waiting." Sakura whispered, breaking away and running back to the car her parents were in.

Sakura saves the video on her phone and smiles softly out the window of the plane as they ascended high above the clouds.

"Speaking of which," Sakura mutters aloud, "He never did tell me who his first kiss was."

End

A/N: I hope everyone enjoyed The Triumvirate Game: Trilogy to The Dare. Yes, I know it's over but remember what Sakura said in the story, "There's always two different parts of every story." So the question is, is this saga really over? Nah, it's just beginning.