Chapter 11: Exciting Senior Year…?

A few weeks later, summer break ended and a new school year began. Everyone returned to attend classes. Naruto was very happy to be back in school because it was their final year and he wanted to make their only time left be special before graduation. In comparison, Ino wanted to make school events very memorable with friends together.

In contrast, Sakura was looking forward for senior year because she is ready to face extra hard work and pass all her classes with good grades. She was also ready to start applying colleges where she would study medicine. It made her feel a little sad because she only has a year left to be with her family before she will leave for college. Yet, she will do her best to make them proud. Sasuke, however, was feeling confident that he will ace all his classes as usual and not worrying about the moving clock. He was pretty concern about the long distance he will face with his girlfriend, mostly with Naruto.

On the other hand, there were familiar faces, such as Karin and her friends. They were still upset from their long-summer detention and have resentment toward Sakura, also to her father. So, Sakura was watching over her back and keeping her senses on them. For that situation, she was safe with Sasuke being close and Ino accompanying her so that she wouldn't be alone. That was one conflict unsettled, except for one.

Neji approached to Naruto and gave him his gem necklace back in a perfect condition. He must have had a professional craftsman to repair the damage. It was a surprise to Naruto, and Neji apologized for wrong actions toward him and Hinata, and false accusations to his late father. Without questioning, Naruto easily forgave him and welcomed him as his new friend. Rock Lee cried tearfully from Neji's emotional amends and was also welcomed in Naruto's friendship. Neji really must have turned his way around and changed his personality after he learned the truth about his father's death.

Furthermore, there were three new students in one of their classes. Gaara was a junior and a loner; his face looked scary to everyone so that no one wanted to be near him. In spite of his expression, Naruto and Sakura could see the pain he was suffering from loneliness and desperately wanted a friend. He came with his older sister, Temari, with him who was a senior and Shikamaru's girlfriend. Lastly, an orange-haired guy named Jugo who seemed to be strange and antisocial; Sakura considered that he was just a shy, decent person and spotted his ability to communicate with his birds. She believed that he was a bird whisperer, and she treated him nicely.

It appears that senior year will be very interesting, Sakura thought.

Four months later:

The second semester started and graduation was around the corner. There have been some events that brought changes in the school. Firstly, Jugo became friends with Karin and Suigetsu. However, Karin was considered the loudest and annoying whiner to them both; they have learned to overcome her attitude. He and Suigetsu often talked with Sakura during after-school tutoring, and they both liked her so much but prevented being closer to her for her relationship with Sasuke.

Secondly, Naruto developed two new friends, Gaara and Kiba. He approached to Gaara, welcoming him into the group as his friend, who was shocked by his approach but felt happy to have a friend for the first time. Another, Kiba came up to apologize for his wrongful actions he did to him and Hinata at the art exhibit, but he was forgiven and set their differences aside. Shikamaru also joined in for Naruto's insistent, What a drag.

Lastly, Sakura and Sasuke remained as the two top students and became closer in a serious relationship, spending so much time together in school and each of their houses. They have studied taking college exams and helped searching many colleges around Japan and the US. Moreover, Sakura became friends with Tenten and Temari. Meanwhile, Sasuke still haven't recovered things with Itachi; he kept distance from him and always acted so cynical to him. She foresaw their broken bond, but she couldn't do anything to help for not wanting to go against her boyfriend's will. She often has a small conversation with Itachi, and they both have hope for the revival of brother bond eventually.

On the other hand, there were two things that haven't changed. For instinct, Karin held her grudge on Sakura and cursed her whenever she sees Sasuke with her every day. She turned angrier when her two girl friends tell her about finding them on dates in various places; thus it was making her wanting to crush her so badly, but she can't do anything. She, however, spread rumors about the couple and mostly about her enemy as usual. If she does something else more badly, she will face more serious punishment from teachers and Kizashi-san.

Nonetheless, something was about to happen…very soon.

(~~~~~~)

Naruto was still holding back in all his classes for his…memory loss. "EH?!" he yelled after Kakashi-sensei announced the exam. "We're having a test today?! How come I don't know anything about it?!"

"You forgot, Naruto?" Kakashi-sensei glared with irritation. "The grade of this test and the other counts highly on your GPA! How many times do I have to repeat myself to you?!" Naruto gulped in fright from his teacher's angry face. "Remember, this is your last chance!"

Sakura sighed with a sweat-drop, and Sasuke groaned while rubbing his ear from the loud scream. Sai chuckled under his breath. Ino whispered, "This is unbelievable, Hinata. You told him about the test only yesterday and he forgets it today. In what world his mind is living in?"

Instead, Hinata laughed shyly for feeling sorry for her boyfriend's memory loss, "Naruto-kun…"

.

After the test, break time started. Naruto gloomed in a depressed aura, thinking that he didn't do so well on today's test. Hinata wrapped her arms behind his neck, "Naruto-kun, are you alright?" Sai and Ino laughed while holding onto each other.

He muttered, "Just let me suffer in defeat. I'm going to get a serious lecture at home today." Hinata held him tightly and told him to don't give up yet. She still has faith in him.

"The test wasn't so bad," Sai commented. Naruto groaned helplessly, hearing the term 'exam' gives him the chills about failing class.

"Yeah, it wasn't," Ino agreed. "You know, Naruto. You should be reviewing notes right now so that you keep on with your studying hours before the other test." She may find him funny in depression, but she would want him to do his best.

She next added, "Hey, have you guys noticed something odd from Sakura and Sasuke?"

"Now that you mentioned it," Naruto answered, "I have noticed the big changes in them for months, mostly in Sasuke. He stopped hitting me on the head, that's not normal at all." Hinata nodded because she had seen the head hitting before she and Naruto were together.

Sai uttered, "Sakura-san has gotten more attractive with a face glow and feminine with some guys staring at her." Ino groaned, staring with a glare at her boyfriend, and he laughed with a sweat-drop. "I have seen her very busy with preparing herself for her future, and Sasuke seemed to have something that is keeping him focus."

Hinata asked, "I wonder what it is they are doing?" That was the other's question, and they hoped that it was nothing bad happen to them.

To sasusaku:

Sakura and Sasuke were walking in the halls to relieve their mind and muscle from their class test. They started feeling relaxed, but where they were walking gave them an unpleasant feeling. They were hearing loud whispers from freshmen and sophomores, talking about them. The girls were blushingly eyeing at Sasuke with infatuation, and the guys were checking at Sakura's body. Tsk! It was making them angry from their annoying fan club.

"Hey, look! It's the seniors!" a sophomore boy whispered to his friend.

"Oh!" the friend said, "It's Uchiha Sasuke…and *drool with a blush* Haruno Sakura!"

A sophomore girl looked up and down at Sakura, "Haruno is indeed beautiful and…so smart! She is my senpai for helping me with math." The others all liked her because they attend her after-school's tutoring class.

"Sakura-senpai is always together with Sasuke-kun," a second sophomore commented. "They are the top students, but they seemed to be a competitive duet in all their classes."

"Kawaii!" Another sophomore girl said, "They are an inseparable duo."

A third sophomore boy said, "Sakura ojou-sama's father is my long-time hero. Kizashi-sama is my reason of going to the police academy after senior year."

A freshmen boy spoke out, "I heard so many great stories of Kizashi-sama. I even collected so many newspaper and magazine articles about him in my scrapbook."

"Yeah, man!" a second freshmen boy said, "When I find the chance to meet him, I'm going to ask him for a signature and take a photograph with him."

A freshmen girl clasped her hands with red cheeks, "Kizashi-sama is so manly and handsome!"

"Oh, you like Kizashi-san?" a second freshmen girl said, "I think Sasuke-kun is more gorgeous." She eyed at her crush bashfully.

Then, some juniors came passing by and spotted the couple, "Hey, look who is here!"

A junior boy uttered, "It's Sakura-sama! She is looking gorgeous with those slender legs every day!"

"You like her?" a junior girl asked, "Why don't you go ahead and ask her out?"

"No one can go near her," a second junior boy answered instead. "Uchiha Sasuke is always with her 24/7."

A second junior girl wondered, "I want to know what Sasuke-kun sees in her." Everyone nodded with that question. "Is he with her just because she is Kizashi-san's daughter?"

"That could be the reason," a third junior boy answered. "Don't forget that he is the nephew of the police chief. I heard that his father was a cop, just like Kizashi-san."

"Ah!" an annoying junior fangirl cried, "I want to date Sasuke-kun! Why does it have to be Sakura?"

"I wish I have Sakura-chan as my girlfriend!" a junior fanboy cried in anime tears, "I had my chance of asking her out, but she turned me down…in a kind way!"

Hearing all the whispers, Sakura and Sasuke gritted teeth and closed both fists in fury. More whispers spread and their nerves popped out. They wanted their fans to stop before they bring the worst out of them.

Another sophomore girl spilled out, "I heard rumors that they are living together." Everyone gasped in surprise.

Another freshmen girl asked, "Is that true? Then, could it be that they are…doing it?" All the fans cried in heartbreak and despair.

"Really, what is it that Sasuke-kun is attracted in Sakura?" another junior girl asked. She and the other girls want to know so badly.

"Along with her intelligence and feminism," a junior boy started clarifying, "she somehow has something else. Not only she is with Sasuke, I also see her with Kizashi-san almost every day going somewhere."

Another freshmen boy said, "I also heard from someone that the Uchiha is part of the Yakuza. I think the police are linked with them, so Sasuke-san and Sakura ojou-sama are tied in an arranged marriage."

His friend tensed with fright, "If they get married, then the Yakuza will conquer all Japan and the police will destroy the whole city!"

That ticked the couple off bad for having such assumptions about their relationship and family. So, they gave their fans the scariest glare to stop all their gossips. Everyone jumped from the scary glare and grew chills down their spines, so they realized that they have caused such offense to them.

Another junior girl finished, "We better stop gossiping while they are here, but I must admit that Sasuke-kun has the sexiest glare ever." The fangirls agreed and heard a crack of knuckles coming from Sakura, so they all grew afraid from her dark angry look.

.

Finally, everyone walked away and carried on with their personal business, talking about something else. Sasuke groaned annoyingly, "Well, that was…disturbing." He has been enduring that daily in every break time.

Sakura sighed while rubbing her forehead, "I hope that will be the last of them. Every day like this is giving me a headache." She really wanted the annoying fanclub to end their gossips and leave her and her boyfriend in peace.

"Sasuke!" they both heard someone calling. They turned to see and saw their other teacher, Shizune.

"Shizune-sensei?" he asked. "Is there something wrong?"

"No," Shizune answered, "I got notified that your uncle is here to pick you up early."

"Oh, alright, thank you." She nodded and left. He turned to Sakura, "Well, I'm leaving early than usual today, so I'll see you later then."

Sakura nodded smiling, "Yeah, sure!" She turned around before she leaves, "I won't forget to talk to Ino, see ya!"

He grabbed her wrist, stopping her. "Where do you think you're going?" he asked and she raised a confused eyebrow.

"I just told you." She asked, "Why are you asking me that?"

"Yes, I heard you." He explained, "I meant my real question, 'Have you forgotten something?'"

"Forgot something?" she asked, "What is it I forgot? What are you trying to say?" She wanted to know what he was asking for.

"So, you forgot?" He pulled her closer and said, "The very thing what we always do every time before we say our goodbye?"

That was what hit her, so she smiled with a small laugh. "Oh, that! I thought we agreed…*whisper* not in public." Last year after the whole school found their relationship, they both agreed to be seen together out in public, except doing lovey-dovey. They believed that it will cause a big fuss to their jealousy minions.

"I know," he said, "but just this once. I promise, no more after this." He held her tightly so that she wouldn't deny him and leave him empty-handed.

She looked at him blankly as he looked at her seriously. She noticed his expression, so she had no choice but to comply what he wants. "Alright," she answered, "just this once." He smirked in success.

She leaned up toward and gave him a quick speck, "There you go, now you can leave." She was about to pull away, but he didn't release her and glared at her. "Now what?"

"That wasn't a real kiss," he said. "Are you teasing me, or are you trying to bring the worst of me?"

"Maybe…" she giggled, "but you just didn't specify how you want it? So, I gave you a quickie." She still sees him with that glare, but she knew that he was serious. "Alright, alright! I'll give it to you."

She leaned toward him and gave him a real kiss, and he held her cheek. They shared such passion, but they ended it quick. Afterwards, she asked him, "Is that better?"

He smiled and touched forehead, "Yeah, so I'll see you later." She nodded and gave him another short kiss. They both left, turning away. As they were walking, they noticed some fans glaring with jealousy and crying with heartbreak. They ignored them and continued on walking, and they both sighed with expectation.

While Sakura was heading back to her classroom, she grew concerned about her boyfriend. He is so calm, she thought. Seeing him like this also helps me calm down, but I can't help feeling that something…isn't right. I hope that I am wrong. She sighed and shook her head to put that thought aside for now.

To Karin:

Karin watched the whole scene of Sakura and Sasuke, receiving such praise of their status and ranking, and it was really pissing her off that her enemy became so popular. She became angrier inside for watching her true love kissing his girlfriend. She really wanted to break them up so that she would have what she wants, but she can't do anything. Tsk, I will get a sermon, she thought.

"Hey, Karin?" Jugo called her. "It is wrong of you to spread rumors about Sakura-san. If Tsunade-sama or Kizashi-san finds out what you're doing this time, your punishment will expand to long term."

"Jugo has a point," Suigetsu agreed. "We know the reason of your actions. If you really love him, you should stop before you harm him." She looked down without replying, probably thinking about her love.

"You should forget about him," he advised, "and there are a lot of guys for you out there. You know, guys who aren't so self-absorbed and appreciate girl's feelings—"

"Alright, that's enough!" she stopped him, "I am flattered of your preaching, but I can sort this out on my own." She was about to leave, "I don't want to hear another word from you because you're getting so annoying sometimes."

She walked away as he watched her. He had a slight blush on his cheeks; he might possibly have hidden feelings for her. Jugo was explicitly observant on Suigetsu for having a soft spot for her because he has been watching him for months. For instance, he watched Suigetsu would give Karin a helping hand and reliables; he would keep company daily while her two other friends were busy, and he would calm her down whenever she gets angry about the same topic. So, he hoped that either Suigetsu would tell her how he feels, or Karin would turn herself around from her obsessive love…eventually.

To Sakura and the others:

"WWWWHHHHHAAAATTTT?!" Ino and Naruto shouted in either shock or surprise. "Are you serious?!" Sakura hushed them to keep it down, or they will cause a fuss from her fans and enemies if they hear.

Hinata stared in awe and grew a light blush, "Sakura-chan, isn't that too early…for that?"

"Please don't be so loud," Sakura pleaded lowly. "I really don't want anyone else to hear this!" She believed that it was a very bad idea to talk to Ino along with the others with her. She should have talked with Ino alone instead, but it was too late.

"Go on, Sakura!" Ino persuaded with excitement, "We must know every juicy detail of that very big decision."

Sai, however, didn't react as surprised as the rest did. He was clearly the calmest guy in the school, yet he was still learning about emotions. "This huge step…" he asked, "does it have to do with something, like a certain event is going to happen in months?"

Sakura nearly jumped that Sai was smart enough to think some clever ideas. So, she hurried to answer with a simple reason, "No, it's nothing like that, Sai. We just made a decision because we wanted to."

Next, she asked them, "Please, don't tell this to anyone else. Sasuke-kun and I don't anyone to say anything because they must not know. Keep it a secret, please for us."

Afterwards, they noticed her serious face and heard the desperation from her voice; they decided to keep her secret. "Don't worry, Sakura." Ino told her, "We'll keep your secret for the sake of our friendship. You can count on us." The others nodded with promise.

She smiled thankfully, "Thanks a lot." Behind her smile, she was sad. Sasuke-kun, I know we both promised that we wouldn't tell them the real reason…until the right moment. I can see that Naruto is really happy for us, but I can't help on wondering how he will react when he finds out.

To Sasuke:

While Sasuke was heading to the front doors with his backpack on, someone called him. "Sasuke-kun!" he stopped, "Before you leave, there is something I have to tell you!"

He looked behind and saw the person he least wanted to see, "Karin?" He didn't have the time to talk to anybody right now; he mostly didn't want to talk to her for causing so much trouble to him and his girlfriend. He, however, decided to hear what she wants to tell him if she hurries up, "Whatever it is you want to tell me, hurry it up. I'm in a hurry right now."

"I won't be able to, if you pressure me like that!" she snapped with frustration. "Now, just listen! I know I have done a lot of bad things to you and Sakura. I regret all of it, but I did it for a reason. I was trying to get you to notice me, so I did it with the wrong approach. I'm sorry for that."

She added, "Even though you are together with Sakura, I don't except an answer for this. I-I…really love you!" He widened his eyes in shock from her confession of reasonable action and love. "T-that's all I have to say…bye!"

She left running and he watched her go, until she was out of his sight. He didn't stay standing there long because he didn't forget his uncle was waiting for him outside. While he was walking, he started to have a lot in his mind—Sakura, the girl he loves and she loves him; and Karin, the girl who stalks him and professed her love for him. His life had to become so complicated, but he decided to push it aside for now before he gets a major headache.