The Notebook

What was it that she was watching? The feel of the game wasn't the same. It wasn't, couldn't, wouldn't be football to her anymore. She wrapped Naruto's jacket around her tighter, wind biting through her body and making her toes curl. She wouldn't be able to watch until she was watching Sasuke. It might as well had been complete strangers playing catch on a barren, green, over-expanded playground.

She flickered her eyes down and heard the muted sounds of cheers. Sai must've done something that Sasuke would have done better. Sasuke would have made it look easy, made it seem so elegant, simple, and eloquent. He would have made it look so natural that she could pretend to halfway understand.

Sakura couldn't cry anymore. Her eyes were too raw. They were probably red. She didn't know. She wouldn't even dare look into a mirror. She couldn't ask for one; her throat was too parched, scratched from her screams and salty from tears. They'd pulled her away from him, straight out of her grasp and placed him on a stretcher. The ambulance sirens had blared in the background and she heard the doctors whispering. "Definitely the knee," one paramedic murmured as the other put an arm of a barrier between her and the Uchiha.

He agreed, nodding, watching some other people lift the gurney into the blaring truck with a huff. Sasuke was still. "Exhaustion? Dehydration?"

"We'll test for it. Miss?"

They'd asked her relationship to him and she hesitated. She didn't know. She didn't know her title but she knew how she felt but these hardened men wouldn't have understood. Her tears had dried by then. Her eyes were out of the salty liquid. They gave her a once over, spoke some things about how she could follow them to the hospital if she so wished, but that only family members were allowed in their vehicle. She wondered now if she would've, could've, lied if she knew that before. Would Itachi had backed her up?

Sakura flinched when a huge gray, Sound Hound mass tumbled off the field, in her direction, pummeling and knocking down the milling Konoha trainers and the ten-yard post. She halfway wanted him to be hurt as bad as Sasuke, as Neji, vengeful thoughts pouring into her mind and heart. She wanted to spit and yell at him when he stood, shook back into full consciousness, and jogged back onto the field, returning into the game.

He was perfectly fine.

Neji was not.

Sasuke-kun was not.

The paramedics had barely made it to the hospital with Neji when they got called back for Sasuke, and not once had even one player from Sound so much as limped.

"You look mad," Shikamaru noted, sliding onto the cold metal bench beside her. He held a transparent red clipboard in his hands, a dry erase board covered in half-erased X's and O's on it. He stared at her sullen face, one that hadn't reacted to his voice, and sighed. "People get hurt all the time, Sakura. It's in the sport."

She tightened her jaw. "So?" she pulled Naruto's jacket up higher on her shoulders. "They weren't hurt because of sport. They were hurt because they were the best on our team and they wanted to win."

Shikamaru sighed, "That's ridiculous."

"No, it's not. It's plausible and you know it and you just don't want to admit it. We don't need offense right now. Sai has us winning," she locked eyes with him, her own apple green eyes cold. "We need them to stop scoring."

"You can't make the other team-"

She cut him off, irritated. "Yes, you can. It's called defense. Tell Morino-sensei to put in some big bodies next chance. Injuries are part of the game so give them some, too."

Shikamaru stilled, words shriveling and dying in him. He wasn't defensively minded. He just wasn't. He didn't understand how to design defensive tactics. He couldn't grasp it and, yes, he saw what his stepsister saw.

He saw the exhaustion lamenting everyone; they were tired from carrying the loads that were once shouldered on Hyuuga and Uchiha. Sound was only benefitting. They seemed to take advantage if their sluggishness on defense. It was his fault for not noticing earlier, not bringing the idea up to Morino before tonight.

He bit the inside of his cheek, shrugging. "I'll see what I can do, Sakura. You should go help Choji or something. It's warm in the concession building and, well, your toes are blue."

Sakura smiled lightly, face hardening into a line when she slid out of Naruto's coat, standing. "Try, Shika; I'm serious," she said, voice cutting through the loud cheers roaring. Kiba had just gotten an interception. Ibiki called a timeout seconds later. "Now's your chance."

Sakura eyed him one last time, long and unwavering, refusing to turn and walk away before Shikamaru went to talk to the coach. She released a long string of breath she didn't know she was holding as she turned her back, preparing to walk toward the concession's building. She was so tired. Her legs felt like jelly, her head was as heavy as a boulder, and her feet were like weights. She wondered how TenTen felt; Neji was actually her boyfriend, and they'd been together since the beginning of sophomore year.

"Sakura-chan!"

It was Lee.

Sakura turned her head to see if her ears had connected the voice to the correct face, but was bombarded by bright red jerseys, sweaty arms, and tight grasps around her waist and shoulders. "Are you okay?" one voice yelled above the others. "We're so sorry, Sakura-chan!"

"Guys," she mumbled against the huge group embrace, rising her arms up and pushing against the widest chest to make space. She inhaled the freshest air she had in what felt like years and smiled. "Ibiki didn't call a timeout for you guys to glomp me."

Sai's eyes locked onto hers as he apologized. "We're very sorry, Sakura-san."

Lee, Naruto, Kiba and Sai all surrounded her, concern laced in their eyes. She couldn't help the smile rising to her face. "Why're you sorry? It's not your fault."

A brief sense of hypocrisy flooded her but she washed it away when Kiba wrapped an arm around her shoulder. She banished the warm feeling, because, one he was Ino's boyfriend last she checked, two, she had Sasuke, and three, she had Sasuke! Kiba smiled, shaking her arm lightly, "It is our fault. But, hey, shit happens. I just want to make sure that a pretty girl like you was okay."

She blushed and was glad for the cold she could blame, however she still dipped her head in embarrassment. Sakura smiled politely, "Thank you. You guys should go see what your coach is saying. You can still win this."

Sai reached for her hand, squeezing it and making her woozy. "We are, Sakura," he promised, tone determined, eyes lit like fire. "We can. Are you staying?"

Sakura bit the inside of her lip, letting her hand fall gracelessly to her side. She looked into Naruto's oceanic eyes, Lee's chocolate, Kiba's honey and Sai's coal. They all wanted her to stay. They didn't have to say it. She groaned, rocking on her heels, "I can't. I have to go see if Sasuke is okay. TenTen and Hinata are leaving at halftime; I was just going to go with them."

"Is he like your boyfriend or something?" Kiba muttered, making Sakura's heart jump and her eyes widen. All the other boys narrowed their eyes and sent him the hardest, harshest, judgmental look. Did he really just ask that? Sakura's face lit redder and redder with the growing silence, neck hot even though the breeze was freezing. And he had the balls to act like his question was justified, arms crossed against, face unbothered. He scoffed, "Don't act like any of you didn't want to know."

The longer the silence stretched, the wider Kiba's proud grin became.

Sakura wanted to leave. She didn't like the way their eyes now dodged hers adamantly. She did not. And the fact that Kiba had brought it up, Kiba, her best friend's boyfriend, made her even more unnerved. Add to that the fact that she hardly knew Sai, let alone his name until Jiraiya actually took attendance yesterday, and he seemed to make her feel...different. She didn't like it. She wanted Sasuke. Here. Anywhere around her.

Naruto took one look at her face and stepped closer to Kiba, face hardening. "I don't want to know, Kiba. And even if I did I wouldn't ask like that, right now. Now let's go; Morino'll be screaming like a bitch any second."

The tanner of the two grumbled, slapping his helmet on. Sakura could've sworn she heard him sneer a, "Whatever," paired with very decorative four letter words before he turned on the ball of his foot, following Naruto. Lee trailed shortly after, hugging her again quickly. Sai flashed her a smile that she couldn't help but return, "I'll see you, Sakura-san."

She waved and watched them all leave. And then she was alone. Truly, whole fully, alone. She bit her lip and headed toward the food stand. She was sure Choji would love to have someone who would willingly share snacks with him. Sakura was beyond ready to pig-out. She needed it.

Entry 82

Title: Last Minute Changes

Written By: PurplePenguin18

So. Ino made us take out the easiest part of our routine, AKA our breather, and is replacing it with roulette layouts.

I'm pretty sure that doesn't even match the count in the song! We're going to look crazy. At least we all know what she meant when she blared her fucking insane improvisation, but still. It doesn't match the song.

A part of me is actually a happy camper because we're not doing the breather anymore because I heard that that was when Sasuke was going to ask that little pink haired freak to Homecoming. It was going to be a big thing and whatnot. I don't believe it, though. I just don't see Sasuke-kun as that type of person that'd do something like that for someone like her.

You know, Sakura is actually a huge slut, and the worst kind. Do you know how many guys want to hookup with her? She refuses to do it. The prude slut. Ugh, it's like, honey, face it, you're a whore.

There's no way she has just ignored all the stares she's been garnering lately. I know she's noticed Kiba. They were talking earlier. Hugging actually. She was all on his chest and everything. What makes it worse is that doggy boy is her best friend's boyfriend. Even if Ino is planning on breaking it off with him, you shouldn't molest him with your almost nonexistent breasts.

Urgh. Hoes these days.

Just embrace it.

Penguin

Entry 83

Title: u suck

Written By: _SmoothBlu

i was actually gonna congratulate u all on a good performance but no.

not no more.

ur a hater and ur hating on sakura of all ppl. she's really nice. she doesn't deserve it and you're just mad sasuke thinks u are a fat, ugly, std whale.

go suk a dick or somethin.

anyway, we are winning. it looks like we can hold on to it, actually. hopefully. it'd really suck to lose something else. i mean, it's already rough as a patch to lose two people but the game, too?

that'd be shitty.

Blu

Entry 84

Title: Unfortunate

Written By: The-Sand-Man

Well, I came to see Konoha when and I guess I am but it isn't as cheerful as I'd thought it'd be.

Itachi had to leave as soon as I got here, his 'prolific' brother is nowhere to be seen, and the fans all have this dismayed almost sad aura about them. I couldn't say for sure but I think he got hurt.

Unfortunate.

Gossip?

Deidara hooked up with Pein's girlfriend last week. I know you guys don't care but I think its pretty funny.

Sand

Entry 85

Title: Um False.

Written By: BIGbang_Theory

That's not true at all.

That is nothing but a filthy lie you redhead's, doll-playing, action-figure collecting douche.

Bomb

Itachi was very intrigued. Truly, he was. It wasn't a negative form of interest, and it wasn't stemmed from any particular action.

Ugh.

That was a lie. He didn't like watching his little brother canoodle. It felt invasive and yet he wanted to still feel proud that, hey, he had hormones and emotions and had obviously put them to good work, but, ah...and the source of his nausea. It was all too much for Itachi.

He watched his brother interact with the little rosette girl and was confused. This wasn't his younger brother. He knew he would hate him eternally if he was ever to say it aloud, but Sasuke was a baby when it came to pain. If he was hurt, he normally let everyone know. Repeatedly. As a child, he whined, pouted, and cried. When his age climbed higher, tears grew rarer, however the did exist. With an injury as terrible as what he had to have suffered, Itachi fully expected salty liquid streaming down porcelain cheeks.

But Sasuke was just short of smiling, cotton balls taped by bandages on his cheeks probably stopping him from doing so. He had even offered the girl part of his small bed, just so she could sit as close to him as possible. They talked in whispers, huddled into each other.

Itachi felt like vomiting. This was not his Sasu-chan.

He plopped his hand on his head, elbow resting on the too-clean gray desk of the absent doctor. He'd excused himself to examine the x-rays they'd just taken prior to Sakura's entrance. Luckily, his brother had only fainted of slight dehydration and an even slighter case of exhaustion. With bottles and bottles of water empty on the floor, he was already working on the least of his problems.

The biggest was propped up on a couple of pillows, temporarily wrapped in bandages, and numbed by a huge ice pack. There was no way Sasuke's nerves were halfway working with such a constant chill.

"You need more ice," Sakura said suddenly, straightening her back and shooting toward the cabinet the nurse had fiddled in before. She retrieved an ice pack, and smiled at the blank expressions of the Uchiha brothers. Sakura shrugged, grabbing Sasuke's old, melted pack carefully with her forefinger and thumb. She mindfully avoided looking at the black, yellow, green bruising covering his knee. She laughed, "They can't lock those. Legally."

She tossed the useless bag in the big, brown cardboard toxic disposal box. It fell to the bottom with a ruffled plop. "Can you put it on yourself?" she asked carefully, trying to gauge his condition more than anything else. Sasuke nodded, reaching over to take the blue, frozen block. He hissed in pain as soon as he shifted. Sakura sent him a harsh look, though her eyes softened at the thought of him possibly over exerting himself, "Guess you can't."

Sasuke grumbled and laid back down.

Itachi couldn't help the grin that tipped his lips upward when he saw Sasuke flinch, heard him cry a moan when Sakura placed the ice pack on his knee. The girl flicked her head in his direction as soon as she heard the sound and Sasuke flattened his face, burying his previous expression quickly.

The elder of the two Uchiha snickered.

He was still the same.

"I'm going to go see if Kaa-san is here yet," he announced, standing from his chair. Itachi knew Sasuke wouldn't be paying full attention to him, not with the rosette around, but received a grunt of acknowledgment before the door fully clicked behind him nonetheless.

Entry 86

Title: Whoops

Written By: RedHot4

I may've accidentally told Ino that Kiba was hitting on Sakura. Whoops. I mean, okay, it was totally on purpose and he kind of wasn't 'flirting' with her, more...being himself and she wasn't flirting back (like she even knows how, the loser) but it'll get Ino riled up and that is always fun.

:)

I wonder what that will do to all of Ino's new great, fantastic, supportive relationships that she totally booted us out for?

I'd absolutely love to watch it play out.

Red

"What did it feel like?"

Sasuke wanted nothing more to turn his body to face Sakura, but couldn't. He couldn't feel anything waist down but numbing cold battling searing hot pain. Both feelings were nullified by the way it felt to be so close to her and know that she wanted to be close, too. He extended his arm, brushing a stray piece of her hair behind her ear. His heart turned into a cloud when she shivered under his touch. His hand rested on her neck for a moment, feeling her pulse pumping faster as each second passed.

"Like you're on fire," Sasuke answered, recalling the contact with vivid imagery and recollection. His eyes flashed into hers. "Ripped right in half; from under your feet. I blacked out and all I saw was orange, red and white. It felt like I was cracking," he licked his lips, moved his hand back to his side.

"Have you ever thrown paper in your fireplace?"

Sakura exhaled, green eyes skittering away from his, returning after she inhaled again. "Yeah, of course."

Sasuke smirked ruefully. "I felt like that piece of paper."

"Ouch," Sakura laughed, knowing that it wasn't a laughing matter at all but finding it hard to keep a straight face when Sasuke didn't have one. She suddenly became aware of how close she was to him; she was practically plastered to his side. And yet, she wanted to be closer. The emotions pooled over her, and for once, not caring whether Sasuke noticed wasn't a negative. She wanted him to be able to read the emotion in her eyes. She watched his eyes flicker to and from her lips, and the thought passed her mind. What would it be like, feel like, taste like? It was hot. Just hot everywhere and she wondered if the only way for her to cool down was to...

The air tightened. Since when was she so comfortable with the notion, the idea that she had a chance? That the chance was in her hands?

Sakura's throat started to collapse, along with her confidence. Sasuke's eyes were away from her's too quickly. It was too cold again too quickly. It was her imagination. She sat up, scooting her legs up until they were against her chest. "The dance," she bit out. "You said something about asking me to Homecoming before you passed out."

"Ino's idea," he mumbled in a reply, rubbing a hand over a bandage that kept on irritating him on his arm. He wished he could just rip it off.

Sakura glared at the wall across from them shortly. It was a split second that she was angry. She was mad that she cared so much that she ran across a fucking football field, lost her shoes, ruined her makeup, and cried over someone that was only asking her to a dance because it was her best friend's idea. She wanted to spill everything that was kept in the organized cabinets, wanted to tip Sasuke out of this small ass bed that was made, obviously, for one person. Not two.

Sanity mellowed back into her when his hand brushed through her hair again, landed on her shoulder, instantly relaxing the muscles she didn't know she'd tensed. "I was," he started, stopping so abruptly that hope spurred in Sakura's heart and she had to glance at him. Had to look him in the eye. For politeness's sake. "I wanted to ask you."

"So do it now," she replied, wanting to sound harsher and meaner, but a smile lifting to her face anyway at his abashed expression. A blush dashed across her cheeks as she completely abandoned her anger. She couldn't stay mad at him, not when he was hurt. "I don't need fancy theatrics in front of the whole school. I probably would've fainted if you did something Ino-inspired for me anyway."

Sasuke smirked, a glint in his eye. She smiled and giggled when he urged her closer, waving two fingers in his direction. She leaned in, resting her hand on his chest and shuddering when he cupped her ear, mouth millimeters away from the tender skin. "When my brother isn't listening outside the door," he whispered. "I'll come up with something."

Sakura felt like she had died and gone to heaven. Twice.

"What would that be, Sasuke-kun?"He laughed, the rumbling sound vibrating from his chest under her palm. She would have never guessed that was what it sounded like. So happy. She had to be one of the few people that saw him smile, heard him laugh, got him to talk so openly and honestly. "You're flirting," he murmured.

Sakura tingled down to her toes. "No, I'm not," she sung.

"Yes, you are," he replied, burying his head in the crook of her neck. She smelled like warm cinnamon and vanilla, and as he spoke his lips danced on her pulse, so close to the sensitive skin.

"I don't flirt," Sakura denied, placing her hand over his heart, over the strong pectorals. The pace raced. "And now you're lying? Sak...shame, shame."

Sakura couldn't help the laugh that rolled out of her mouth as she laid her head on his chest. She listened to his heartbeat. "If I weren't mistaken, Sasuke-kun," his arm snaked around her waist pulling her closer. She was surprised at good he managed to smell after playing a whole half of football. "I'd say you were flirting with me."

"I am," he replied easily, playing with her hair and smirking when she realized that, yes, he actually had said that and, yes, he really did mean it because what was the point of beating around the bush now?

Sakura died again, face too hot and body too charged. She was smiling too hard; she couldn't even try to hide it. "You're ridiculous," she mumbled, mind railing. This was not happening to her. It was like a movie. She pressed some space between them, air so she could breathe. "I hear the doctor coming. He's talking with Itachi."

Sasuke nodded, removing his arm and letting her get off the little bed. The paper crinkled as she got off. He wanted her back as soon as she left.

As soon as the knob twisted and clicked open, Sakura was sitting in a uncomfortable chair, far away from him. Sasuke wanted to get up and walk over there so badly. Instead, he just turned his head and watched his brother stroll in with a relatively young doctor, discussing politics...as usual. Sasuke sighed, trying to get comfortable.

"Hello, Sasuke-san," the doctor greeted, reaching out a hand. Sasuke stared at it. "I'm Hiroshima, I'll be doing your procedure. We took a look at your screenings and it doesn't look very good."

Sasuke stiffened. It didn't feel very good, either.

He reached for the folder that the man in the white coat handed him and opened it. Three snapshots of his bones lay in the Manila. Hiroshima wheeled over in his stool, shoulder to shoulder with him. He pointed to an area. "The first is an x-ray of your injured knee and also of the non-injured. The similarities are misleading. There was obviously something wrong. The second is an MRI."

Sasuke sifted past the first sheets and cringed.

"Doesn't look good, does it?" Hiroshima agreed.

Sasuke growled. It didn't feel good, either.

The man continued swiftly, "Well, I can stretch this out but it seems as if you have a torn anterior cruciate ligament. An ACL tear. Luckily it is only partial and-"

"How long will I be out?" he interrupted, face placid. He was too enraged to look like it. His face couldn't handle the expression he had in his mind's eye. His body couldn't handle what he wanted to do to this too-happy doctor. Couldn't dream of being able to do what he wanted to do to Zaku for giving him an ACL tear. His mouth tightened when Hiroshima looked lost, confused about his question. "How long until I can play again?"

The man's eyes flew to the floor as he grabbed his folder, scooting away. He cleared his throat. "I'd say six to ten months, Uchiha-san," he replied, voice quiet but not meek. He understood the emotions that had to be coursing throughout the young man's veins. He sighed, hating to bear bad news. "You also have a couple of broken fingers."

Sasuke snickered, his patience pail tipping and spilling. "Oh, great, all I've ever wanted was broken fingers!" he exclaimed, sarcasm heavy in his voice. It was like an acid. Anger boiled in him. Six to ten months for a tear and, oh wait, don't forget the broken fingers that he couldn't even feel. That explained it.

His smile twisted into a grimace.

And then a frown.

And then nothing.

Nothing.

He couldn't finish out the season, couldn't play in the playoffs his senior year. They probably wouldn't even make it without him. The people, the scouts and colleges that had seen him tonight would probably revoke all of their decisions. They'd call him injury prone now. They'd say he'd never recover, never be able to preform to the same level with a knee that wouldn't be as strong. Ever.

He couldn't try out for basketball in the winter. Hell, he couldn't even dribble. He wondered if he'd be condemned to crutches or a wheel chair. Maybe a walking boot? Do they even make them big enough to help a torn ACL? His heart clenched.

So much for track season. So much for the athletic scholarship. The full-ride to wherever he wanted. Oh well to playing in the pro-leagues. Forget about becoming a great at anything athletic.

"Tou-sama wa tadashikatta," he murmured, not caring, the words just coming out of him naturally. His father was right. The thoughtless words were truer than anything he could've ever said. He didn't know what to do now, what he could do. He wouldn't be walking normally for at best half the year. He wanted to punch something. He wanted to be alone.

His vision had started to blur had his throat started to close, grow salty. What? What did he do that made him so bad? What made him deserve this? His whole life was thrown away now and he had to throw it away because of an injury he didn't even cause.

"Sakura-chan, Hiroshima-sama," he heard Itachi call, but it wasn't completely Itachi's voice. There were too many any his head already telling him that he was going to be a failure, that he was meant to be a failure and that this was only proof of it. Always, always, always falling just short. "Can I be in here alone with Sasuke for a moment?"

"Of course," Sakura chirped. She was too happy. She was faking it for him. That helped a little, he supposed, it helped if he disregarded the fact that he felt comfort in false, faked emotions that were supposed to make him feel better. He'd rather her cry if she felt like that was what she needed to do. Rather her tell Itachi no so she could stay. So she could stay with him.

But within minutes the room was empty and his head was pressed against his brother's shoulder, wrapped in his arms like he was a child, and he couldn't help the year's worth of tears that slipped out of his eyes, choked sobs escaping his throat.

"Sh...sh, sh," Itachi murmured, rocking him gently.

This was his big brother and he was letting it out.

Entry 87

Title: It's a W!

Written By: RamenGod_10

So I think this is the first time ever that Konoha will be celebrating a close win in a hospital lobby. ...I mean that's just a guess.

RamenGod

A/N: That was quick. I guess I'm good at writing sad stuff right now. Haha. This was pretty filler, too, anyway. Next chapter is Homecoming! WOOT!

I have a question, though. Do you rather a really long story, or sequels and trilogies? I have like...two, maybe three more major events that I want to happen with this story at this point. I just don't know how I should wrap this big event up.

Opinions?

And...yes...that does mean that things are winding down. Possibly. Either winding down to wind back up into another mountain, or down and wrapping up but leaving loose ends to be tied in a sequel. Lemme know how you feel.

~Hot