Chapter 4 --- Rivals

A/N: Phew, so far so good. I would get worried because when I suffer from writer's block I end up not being able to continue the fic. ;; But I already have an idea for an ending for this one (I just hope I don't forget it..) so I'll keep moving on. For those of you who wrote me reviews: Thanks so much!

rouken-chan: There will be Naru/Saku in the next few chapters, but not only that. I intend on making a love polygon. Who're involved? Well, keep reading to find out!

pbjsandwhich: Of course, as promised Sasusaku will be my main pair. No worries there.

And for all of you who are waiting for the next few chapters. I will be on a trip for a week so I won't be updating until then. ;; But I'll have the story ready, I promise!

During Math class, Asuma-sensei's classroom was misty with smoke. The students sitting in front were trying not to gag as he was discussing his lessons. Some of the students near the window were opening them in full and it wasn't enough to get all of the cigarette smoke out of the classroom. Asuma-sensei had finished writing their homework and Sakura wasn't feeling so good. In fact, she felt so drained. She was staring at the whiteboard but none of the words were getting to her.

All she wanted to do was get out of this school and forget about everything that happened. Ever since she got back with Hinata, Gaara and Shino none of them had spoken a word to each other. Sakura wasn't in the mood to talk anyway. She was grateful for the silence. She put a hand to her face and rubbed her temples, what did she do to deserve this...?

"Okay, class dismissed!"

Sakura's eyes snapped open. The class was over already? She was thinking too much that time flew by and she didn't get a word Asuma-sensei said. Embarrassed, she approached Hinata, "Uhm, Hinata... c-can I borrow your notebook for a second?"

"Sure, Sakura-san." Sakura took it from her hands and flipped it open. "Umm... okay... page 20 on the textbook, thanks a lot, Hinata." Sakura said gratefully.

"No problem." Hinata was so nice, Sakura wanted to just tell her everything she was feeling about the school of the moment, just to get some of the burden off her, but she couldn't. She couldn't bear telling Hinata that she was leaving the school. Just when she had finally made a friend...

As hours passed, Sakura felt like she was trapped in the school for eternity. Her eyes were focused on the clock until it struck 5:00 and the school bell rang again.

"Alright, that's all for today, class." Kurenai-sensei said as she began erasing the board. "Remember, we'll be having a test on our discussion for today so be sure to study up."

Tests, tests, tests. This school was full of exams and homework. Sakura thought dreading the thought of it. "Umm..I have to go now. My cousin's waiting for me by the front gate. I'll go ahead of you guys. Bye!" Hinata said as she disappeared in the crowd of students. "..." Gaara said nothing but raised a hand motioning he was going as well leaving Shino and Sakura.

The two of them were walking together when surprisingly it was Shino who broke the silence, "Hinata's so happy that you've become her friend." Sakura stopped walking but her companion didn't. "Goodbye." was all that followed as he stepped into a car and drove off leaving Sakura there alone to contemplate on whathe just said.

"Tadaima..." Sakura said gloomily as she walked into the living room but was suddenly surprised when she saw that her mom had prepared a special dinner that night.

"Okaerinasai, Sakura-chan!" her mom greeted her and hugged her. "Your father just got promoted today!"

"Really? Wow!" she forced a smile, she was happy for her father but she just wasn't feeling it right now. "Congratulations, dad!"

Mr. Haruno smiled warmly and hugged both of them. "I know. All that hardwork has finally paid off. Hey! Guess what? I invited to boss to a home-cooked meal at our place!"

Sakura tried to keep her sadness from her parents, she didn't want them to worry, especially now that they were so happy. "Oh...t-that's nice." Her mom ruffled her hair a bit, "They're even bringing their son, he's about your age, I think. I've met the charming boy, I'm sure you'll both get along quite well."

"Uhmm.. to tell you the truth, mom, I'm a bit tired from school..." Sakura said apologetically. She wasn't in any mood to entertain visitors or her parents' visitors' son for that matter. "Our teacher gave us loads of homework and tomorrow I have three quizzes to study for."

"Come on, Sakura." her father patted her on the shoulder. "At least just join us for dinner, you can rest in your room afterwards, please? This is important to me."

How could she refuse...? "Alright dad."

"That's my girl." another bear hug.

BING BONG!

"Oh! That must be them now. Get dressed quick and I'll introduce you." Mrs. Haruno ushered Sakura out of the den and into the room. "Wear that adorable red dress you wore on your birthday, honey."

"Okay, mom..." Sakura shut the door behind her slowly before collapsing on her bed. 'What a day...' but she shouldn't be selfish. This was her dad's day and she didn't want to ruin it. Just for one night...

Sakura rummaged through her closet and found the dress her mother told her to wear and held it up. It was probably the only fancy dress she wore because she wasn't really fond of dresses. Her mother explains that she's not of age to be wanting to dress pretty and look good for boys. After finally putting it on, she examined her face, to make sure she looked decent at least. "Okay.. here goes..." she took a deep breath and stepped outside.

She heard the tinkling of plates which indicated that they already started without her. When she turned to the corner, she saw the back of the heads of their guests and her father and mother conversing with the two figures. Her mother spotted her first, "Oh.. honey. Come here please. There are some people I'd like you to meet."

Sakura took a deep breath and stepped into the kitchen, "Konbanwa minna..." her eyes slightly widened. Where has she seen this face before? Raven hair, onyx eyes... "..san.." she finished her sentence, her eyes never leaving his.

He also looked faintly surprised when he saw her and they both remained where they were. Sasuke peered at her, "You look familiar..."

She wanted to scream out and shake the life out of him. 'WHAT THE HELL IS HE DOING HERE!' She felt her head spin. 'WHY IS HE EVERYWHERE! I DON'T UNDERSTAND IT!' She felt like she was going out of her mind.

"Ah, this is my pride and joy, Haruno Sakura." her father motioned for her to sit and she smiled faintly as she was made to sit across Sasuke. "She has just been accepted in Konoha Highschool." Mr. Uchiha looked at her with interest, "Ahh.. you mean the one across City Hall?"

Sakura's cheeks tinted red. Mr. Uchiha thought that she studied in the public Konoha Highschool. Sasuke turned his eyes slightly. "She's my classmate, dad."

"Oh. Really?" Mr. Uchiha scratched his chin. "Pray tell me, Mr. Haruno how you got the money to allow your daughter to attend this private school?"

"Well... our Sakura-chan's been accepted through scholarship." Sakura felt that same feeling of wanting to sink into the floor. Now Uchiha Sasuke knew that she wasn't like them. What would he think of her now...? 'Oh wait, since when did I start caring about that?'

Mr. Uchiha's eyes widened. "That school doesn't just accept any students. Your daughter must be very intelligent."

"Actually, yes. I'm quite proud of her." Sakura smiled at her dad, feeling a little bit better about herself.

After dinner, Sakura followed her mother to wash the dishes. No words were exchanged between her and Sasuke and he seemed to be avoiding her also. While her father and Mr. Uchiha were talking, Sasuke was nowhere to be found. 'Like I care wherever he is... he could jump off the fire escape if he wants to.'

"Sakura."

She paused as she turned to him. "What?" Was he going to laugh at her for being a simple girl? Or tell the whole school about it... gods... tell Ino about what he saw? "Go on, you can laugh at me. I won't get mad. I already get enough from your finance anyway, one more won't hurt me."

"Why would I laugh at you?" he asked plainly. "I just wanted to ask if you were finished with your homework."

"...Sorry, I'm.. I'm just not feeling well." she lied. "No, I haven't even started. My family doesn't own a car, as you can see we don't even have a garage. I walk home."

He was quiet for a moment before saying, "Anyway, I just wanted to compare notes."

Sakura felt irritated at this point. "What is with you and your obsession with your homework anyway?" she snapped, but remembered to keep her voice low so that their parents don't get a word of what they're saying.

"..." Sasuke looked uncomfortable as he shifted slightly. "...Do you want to walk outside for a bit?"

"I guess..." Sakura didn't know what possessed her to agree but there was something intriguing about Sasuke wanting to tell her something, not that she wanted to admit it to the world but... whenever she sees him, he would usually be alone. She wondered why he never really mingled with their classmates seeing as Hinata described him as one of the most 'sought-after males' in their school.

When they were on the rooftop, Sasuke broke the silence by starting, "My father expects me to take after the company. I can't let his expectations down. He expects me to be... the best in class. To be the best and to be..." he had gripped his hands tighter. "...like my brother." there was a drip of hatred in the way he pronounced the last word.

"I can't think about other things than being the best in class and so I must always be the best until my father acknowledges me... as Uchiha Sasuke and not as my brother's shadow..." suddenly the wind started picking up before he faced her directly. "And I won't settle for second best."

"Haruno Sakura," Sakura remained silent but felt a tingling running up her spine as he fixed his dark, unwavering gaze on her.

"You're my rival."

A/N: Tcha-da! What do you think? Not what you expected eh? XD Review and tell me! I'll work on the next chapter!