Lady Rine Says: woo! only 2 more chapters guys! and this fic will end.

I hope you guys like this chapter. It has a slow start... but the end of this act is quite interesting (evil grin).

tee hee

ENJOY!

(I don't own naruto...cry...i own jin though...cry)

(heart) always

Lady Rine


Act 28: Competition!

The tea ceremony for both Ino and Sakura was a breeze. And they weren't cut after the first round. Sasuke watched in the distance. He knew how Sakura was when something like earlier that day with Jin happened. And his presence would only make her nervous… so nervous that she would screw up. He didn't want that at all. So he watched her from afar. Dressed in his dark blue yakuta (thanks for the heads up ppl!) with a black obi and strange swirl kind of designs at the bottom, Sasuke decided that he'd make an appearance during the talent competition. "She looks really good…" Sasuke thought to himself as he saw Sakura step up, smiling her beautiful smile. Even from the distance, Sasuke could see that her jaded eyes weren't shinning. That was his fault. He'd just have to fix it now wouldn't he?

"So there they are ladies and gentlemen, boys and gals. The remaining contestants in this year's Spring Queen Competition." Kakashi, who was this year announcer much to his disapproval and protest, said.

The 16 girls behind him glowed with happiness. Now only 16 contestants remained from the original 26 that the competition opened with. Both Sakura and Ino had made it. The 16 girls left the stage to change their attire.

"Please stand by ladies and gents, the competition has only begun! Next category will be evening wear! And the contestants will have to answer honestly to 3 truth seeking questions!" Kakashi said mentally cringing at the crappy script he had to recite.

"Ino I'm nervous…" Sakura stammered. She watched the other girls go out onto the stage; answer the questions, although she couldn't hear them. The crowed applauded loudly after each contestant. She didn't feel like competing anymore since her encounter with Jin. Ino had convinced her to do it for herself; it would make her feel good.

"Don't worry Sakura! I'm pretty sure you'd make it to the final round." Ino said smiling her brilliant smile. Her blue eyes shinning in the sunlight. Ino had decided on a dark navy blue dress. It was a strapless and the back was backless. The navy silk material flowed down to her ankles showing off her crystal heels. She was wearing elbow high evening gloves and even had a crystal tiara with three rather large diamonds and matching diamond choker around her neck. She was stunning. Sakura became insecure when she saw her friend. "Oh it's my turn. Good luck forehead girl" Ino said rushing to the wings of the stage.

"Next contestant: Yamanaka Ino." Kakashi called.

Ino made her way onto the stage, flashing her smile. The guys in the crowed were swooning over her. Ino glanced at them trying to find Shikamaru. She spotted her rather annoyed looking boyfriend with a chip-munching Choji beside him. Shikamaru was glaring at the guys who had hearts in their eyes. This made Ino giggle. She'd give him a huge hug for that later.

"Ino-chan." Kakashi began. "You have to answer the following questions as honestly as possible."

"Hai!" Ino nodded.

"Question one: Where do you see yourself in ten years?"

"Humm… Actually I'd like to settle down. Have a family. So in ten years, I'd like to be taking care of my children. Or at least be getting married." Ino answered confidently.

"Right. Question two: Since you are a female Shinobi, what is more important to you? The mission? Or the Team?"

"The mission." Ino said without hesitation. "The mission is for Konoha. As shinobi, we are to serve Konoha with our lives."

"Okay. And question 3: Define happiness."

"Happiness?" Ino was kind of taken back by this question. "Happiness is a feeling you get when you've achieved something. Or when you're with someone. It's a wonderful thing."

"Hai. Thank you Ino-chan."

Ino smiled, waved to the audience and walked off the stage.

"And the last, but not least, contestant. Haruno Sakura." Kakashi called.

Sasuke's ears perked up.

Sakura took one last glance at Ino who was already changing. Ino gave her a thumb up and mouthed "Good luck!" Sakura smiled and walked on stage. She, like Ino had a long silky dress that flowed to her ankles. It had a slit on its right, up to her mid thigh showing off her long legs. It was a halter. Which was perfect. It was fitted, showing off all of her curves. It showed off her strong shoulders and long lean slender arms. Not to mention her beautiful neck. She had her hair up in a messy top bun, with, once again, curls framing her face. She had white heels that clicked when she walked. The dress was also backless, she had a smooth back, and the spinal line defined and drew down her creamy skin. She had decided not to wear any jewelry, she like it simple. She was stunning. More guys cheered for her than any other contestants.

Kakashi even looked over at his ex-student and watched her flash one of her amazing smiles to the public. She walked up to the spot beside Kakashi marked with an "X".

"Hello Sakura-chan." Kakashi began.

"Hello Kakashi-kun." Sakura smiled. (Cue screaming fan boys.)

"You know what you have to do?"

"Hai." She answered confidently.

"Yosh. Okay let's begin. Question 1: where do you see yourself in 10 years?" Kakashi asked.

"Humm. I'd be 29… Like every other girl, I want to start a family." Sasuke leaned in closer to hear her answer. "But there are certain things preventing that right now." She continued. "So in 10 years, I can still picture myself doing missions for Konoha." Sakura finished.

"Okay then Sakura-chan. Next question. Since you are a Konouchi. What is more important? The mission? Or the team."

"Eh." Sakura paused for a moment. Then smiled again. "I can't pick one. The mission is important because it is important for Konoha. And it must be completed by any means necessary." Sakura tucked a loose strand of her hair behind her ears. Her green eyes glowed in the light. (Cue screaming fan boys.) "Demo… my comrades are important to me. Without them, the mission would fail. They are even more than comrades, they are more than partners… they're my friends. My precious people. And I would do anything for them. So Kakashi-kun, I can not choose between the mission and my team… I'd die before loosing either of them." She smiled content with her answer. The crowd applauded. Kakashi's eye twinkled and she knew he was smiling under that mask of his.

"Good." He replied. "Last question Sakura-chan." Sakura listened carefully. "Define happiness."

Sakura froze momentarily. She was surprised by the question. "Happiness to me… it's… it's…" She stammered. Kakashi looked at her worriedly. "Happiness to me is indescribable." Sakura managed to pull herself together; she had to answer the question. "There are not enough words to describe it. The feeling you get when you've achieved something like respect or admiration or acceptance… or even." She paused and looked out over the crowd scanning for a certain face. "Love." She mentally sighed when she couldn't find him. "You know you're the happiest, when you're in love. The one person who makes your heart smile and cry, the person who makes it beat fast and slow at the same time. With one look, all your troubles disappear and you feel nothing but warmth." Sakura closed her eyes remembering the warmth Sasuke had given her that night. "You want it so much you'd even be willing to get hurt. And become stubborn chasing after that warm dreamy feeling." She opened her jade eyes and looked at the crowd whose mouths were open from shock. "That's happiness." Sakura finished.

Kakashi looked at his ex-student, pride swelling up inside of him. "Thank you Sakura-chan." She smiled contently and walked off stage waving to the audience as she left.

The contestants walked out onto the stage, and one by one, they stepped forward. These were the ladies who made the cut.

Sakura thought about her answer to the last question. She had been thinking of Sasuke that entire time. She smiled. "I know he hurt me… I know I'd be a fool to try again. Demo… he made me so happy. Just being near him. Just seeing him. I still love him. Feelings don't' die. Love doesn't die!" She told herself as she heard her name and stepped forward.

"Okay, 10 ladies left. Prepare yourself for volleyball!"

The girls slipped into their swimsuits. And rushed over to the fake beach volleyball set up. Ino stretched her arms up.

"Neh Sakura this'll be fun!" Ino said fixing the strap of her purple string bikini.

"Yup." Sakura just nodded. It's been a while since she had played. She made sure the knot of her jaded halter bikini was tight enough to endure the game.

Many males blushed at the sight of her body. Even Sasuke took note of her tight tummy. But then again he's already slept with her. So he knew what was underneath the skimpy cloths hugging her body. He blushed slightly thinking about it.

They were split up into teams of 5. And the game began slowly. Ino and Sakura were on the same team. And were pretty good together.

The game progressed on. The sun was beating high in the Konoha sky above. The girls were glistening with sweat and determination.

"Set INO!" Sakura volleyed the ball to Ino who was playing front centre.

"Hai!" Ino volleyed the ball up high in the air. Sakura jumped up, her back arcing slightly and her right arm extended. The crowed gawked in amazement. Volleyball wasn't that popular in Konoha. Gee, wonder why? Sakura landed a smashing spike and it darted to the foot of the girl opposite of Sakura.

"AHH!" The girl shrieked as the ball landed and skidded in the sand.

"GAME!" Kakashi called.

Sakura and Ino's team cheered! They had won.

--

"Oi Sasuke." Sasuke turned to find Naruto who had went to get some cotton candy. "Why are you watching Sakura-chan from all the way back here?"

"…" Sasuke couldn't say anything.

"She's good at volleyball eh? I'm not surprised. Sakura-chan's strength scares me… so her spikes must be hard to return." Naruto said walking up beside Sasuke, stuffing some candy in his mouth. "Right?"

"Aa…" Sasuke had turned to watch the competition once more. They were cutting people to the top 5 now. He saw Sakura step forward and grinned. "She made it." He smiled slightly.

"She looks good in that bikini too eh bastard?" Naruto grinned mischeviously trying to the get the Uchiha to blush. Which he did. "Aww… Are you blushing Sasuke?"

"NO!" Sasuke snapped. Naruto burst into laughter. Sasuke realized what Naruto had done and glared at him. When the blonde had calmed down Naruto looked at Sasuke again and sighed.

"You haven't talked to her yet have you?"

Sasuke shook his head.

"Baka…" He sighed. "Oh well, there's a break after the next compartment. They're going to continue at sunset. That gives the girls a good…4 hour break." Naruto said stuffing cotton candy in his mouth.

Sasuke cocked an eyebrow. "What are you implying?"

"It's your chance. Take it." Naruto said walking away chomping on his cotton candy.

Sasuke watched Naruto make his way back to Hinata so smiled sweetly at his return. Naruto pulled a piece of his blue cotton candy and fed it to Hinata. Sasuke smirked at the deed. He too wanted something like that. "Those two are definitely in love." He thought. He wanted that with Sakura.

--

The cooking competition went well for Sakura. She was luck that the judge who was assigned to this event, his favorite food was tempura. She felt some glares from a few of the other contestants. Unfortunately for Ino, cooking was not one of her specialties. And she was cut. Ino sighed. Disappointed. When the girls left the stage for their 4 hour break Sakura ran after Ino.

"INO!"

"Sakura…" Ino said in a low voice.

"Are you ok?" Sakura was worried. She was not one for competitions, but Ino was.

"Yeah." Ino nodded. "I should have practiced more in the kitchen."

Sakura hugged her friend. "It's ok Ino."

"You better win hah!" Ino cheered. Going back to her lively state.

Sakura smiled slightly at her friend, and nodded. She could feel Ino's disappointment in herself.

"I'm going to go find Shika-kun." Ino winked. "I owe him a big hug." Ino smiled.

"Well she doesn't seem to mad about being cut. Shikamaru must have really done a number on her." Sakura thought smiling watching her friend run off to find Shikamaru.

--

Sakura sighed. She had spent the last 2 and a half hours in the woods on the other side of Konoha practicing her surprise for the last category… talent. She had been wondering around now for a good 30 minutes. She found herself on the bridge where she and Jin had talked that morning. The place where she had met up with her team when she was 12.

"This is where we met…." Sakura pondered. She didn't know why she had wondered over here. This spot held both good memories of the days where she could be carefree. The days where she dreamed. The days when even Sasuke would dream. But she had stopped dreaming. They had drifted apart. It pained her to think of him. And it pained her too look at him. She hated the distance between them and wanted nothing more than to run up and grab his arm like she had done when they were 12. But then again… he had always pushed her away. He had stopped smiling, stopped smirking. She remembered it all. Those 5 years away from him. What good did it do? It nearly killed her spirit. But she loved him anyway.

"Sakura?" Sakura turned.

"Sasuke!" She was surprised to see him there. On the other end of the bridge. He was dressed in his yakuta. "He looks so good…" She remembered the day when he had worn a yakuta to help her with her tea ceremony… it lead to other things. She blushed and looked away from him.

-FLASHBACK-

She felt her obi loosen around her waist. She felt it fall to the floor. His hands teased her body underneath the cloth. It made her squeak in pleasure. She could feel his grin at the nape of her neck where he had gently left red marks from his lips. The both of them were breathing hard.

"Sasuke…" She whispered. He stopped kissing her neck and lifted his head to look into her eyes. He smiled. She smiled back at him. He kissed her lips, and she his. Letting their tongues into each other's mouths.

The next thing she knew she was naked on his bed. A naked Sasuke bent over on top of her. She tangled her fingers in his hair as they continued with their passionate kiss. Sasuke's hands caressed her bare body. Sliding lower… and lower… and lower…

Sakura gasped as she felt two fingers inside of her. His thumb rubbed against her opening. She gasped again as she felt him push two more of his fingers inside of her. It hurt a little bit. But his smell, his kiss, his warmth… she didn't want it to stop. It felt too good.

Sasuke moved from her lips to her neck… down her collar bone to her chest.

"Sakura…" He whispered her name and licked one of her nipples. It stiffened. Just like his member. She felt his hardness against her inner thigh. She had unconsciously opened her legs to him. His fingers pulsed in and out of her, stretching her. The pain has subsided and all that was left was pleasure. Sakura lifted her head and stole a glance at Sasuke's lower body. He was huge… no wonder he was stretching her. She blushed deeply. She wouldn't say it. But she wanted him inside of her.

Sasuke lifted his head from teasing her nipples with his tongue. He peered into her jaded orbs, and looked back into his onyx ones. She smoothed his hair with her hand and touched his cheek. She smiled. And he kissed her again. Sakura felt his fingers pull out of her. But they were replaced by something longer, larger and harder. Her eyes widened. She knew what it was. He had granted her wish.

"Uhh…" Sakura moaned. Sasuke had entered her. "Don't leave me…" Sakura thought over and over again in her head. He grunted leaving her lips and caressed her collar bone again. He picked up the pace ramming in and out of her.

"Sasuke…" She moaned. Her fingers gripping his back. She wanted to be closer to him.

Sasuke took this as an invite to go faster. So he did. Going faster…and faster… he went deeper and deeper into her. He felt pressure build up inside of him.

"Uhh…" She moaned again into his ear. He was driving her crazy. The sensation was remarkable. She couldn't hold on anymore. She couldn't suppress the pressure building up down there. It was too hot. Too much for her to handle.

"Sasuke!" She cried his name and let herself go. Warm sticky liquid oozed out of her innocence all over her inner thighs and Sasuke's shaft. He didn't stop pulsing, it became harder and he went deeper. His grunts becoming louder and breaths shorter. Sakura gripped the bed sheets at her side.

He kept going. Faster. Faster. Deeper. Deeper. Then he found it. He hit the spot just right.

"UHH!" She screamed in pleasure as she came again. She felt him release himself inside of her. And he collapsed on top of her.

It took a while for Sakura to process what she had just done. She just had sex with Sasuke… and it felt great.

"Sakura…" He whispered in-between breaths.

"Aa?" That's all she could get out. She was breathing heavily and her chest was heaving up and down.

"I love you…"

Sakura smiled. A tear trickled down her cheek. She was so happy.

-END FLASH BACK-

"What are you doing here?" Sakura found herself asking him. She stared at the water beneath her trying not to blush. She was failing at that.

"I said I was going to go… so I came."

"Oh…" Sakura said.

Just then there was an announcement. It was Kakashi's voice. Crackle "Would all final Spring Queen Contestants please return to the backstage tent." Crackle.

Sakura heard the announcement and pushed herself off the railing she walked calmly passed Sasuke. And continued back to the festival.

"Sakura!" Sasuke called.

"Yes?" She replied not turning around because she was still as red a tomato.

"Good luck…" Sasuke said in a low voice.

"Thanks…" She said briefly darting off. Her heart was beating so fast.

The image of him on top of her still fresh in her mind. She would do anything to feel his warmth again. She decided. "I'm not giving up!"