*UNBEATED*
SAKURA AND VERSACE
11
HIT A HOMERUN
Nervousness was rolling in his stomach like tumbleweeds, this was it. The last game of his senior year, the most important of his senior year. Naruto had been on edge the last week because of it. And though he was sure he would do amazing on the field, there was a nagging feeling in the back of his mind that maybe he wouldn't. There was always a small amount of doubt that plagued him in these moments.
But he was going to go out on that field and do amazingly, he was the captain for a reason. For the last week, he'd been putting extra hours into practicing and training and now it was time for it all to pay off. The locker room was a mix of excitement and hysteria. The team chants their soon-to-be victory like they are manifesting their win.
Next to him, Sasuke laces his cleats, "They're going to be scouts in the bleachers."
"Are you trying to impress one specifically?"
His best friend shrugs, "A scout from Amegakure, I've already applied but if the scout can recommend me, that seals the deal."
Naruto hums in understanding, his friend was keen on getting into the Rain city's college. It was one of the top five in the country and had an amazing international baseball program. While Naruto wasn't interested in the program and he also knew that Sasuke's girlfriend was in one of the American cities that the program touched down in. It was a bonus, to say the least.
"You're gonna knock his socks off," Naruto encouraged, "And you'll be in America before you know it." He was teasing now and Sasuke knew it because he scoffed but a smile pulled at his lips regardless.
Their team coaches enter the locker room then, Kakashi and Guy with the playbooks in their hands. "Our youthful players, tonight is the night!" Guy says excitedly, next to him Kakashi nods, "This game is gonna be a tight one."
Though they'd already played against the Mt. Myoboku high team earlier that year and beat them, the team had made an effort to double down and get to the championships. And they had, the cloud wearers had made it known they would be their biggest rivals as they made their way to the top, and now they were finally going head to head. Either refusing to back down to the other.
"You know how the Akatsuki are, they refuse to take their loses with any grace." Neji said to which Lee added, "They think their eternal flame glows brighter than ours!"
"They've been particularly vicious these last few weeks." Kakashi says, "It's obvious they were trying to prove a point and we have to show them that it's invalid."
Naruto cuts in loudly, "We've all gotten better, we were marginally ahead of them before that hasn't changed! Just because they've finally gotten their shit together doesn't mean we haven't improved on ours!"
"Your captain is right," Guy spurs on, "We've improved, we've grown, and we're the best for a reason! It's time to remind them of that!" The team applauds and shouts in agreement. Outside, there's a distant blaring of a horn, it's time for them to get on the field.
"Let's get out there and prove why we're on the top!" There's another round of shouts as they make for the door. Naruto wrings and shakes his hands out despite the fact they're bone dry, it's time to get on his A-Game.
Sasuke bumps his shoulder with his own, understanding on his face, "We've got this."
Naruto nods, "We've got this."
The Akasuki have the nerve to try and act smug as they walk on the field. Naruto has to snort at the audacity, he'd had to give them that. At least they had the gall to act the way they did.
The crowd is a mix of everyone from Konoha to Myoboku. Reds and blacks, oranges and blacks. The clash is evident even there. From his spot in the dugout, Naruto can't see Sakura but he had when he first came out on the field. She was on the lowest row of bleachers above him, a blend of orange and pink glitter as she stood with her friends cheering him on. Naruto had made it known it would be ok if Sakura wasn't comfortable around all of these people but she'd been adamant that she wasn't going to miss out on this chance to cheer him on. And there she was, being a beacon as she held up the poster with his name on it and cheered him on. It filled him with pride and happiness, he wouldn't let her down. She'd be proud to show off his name.
Turning to his teammates in the dugout, he'd already given his speech back in the locker room so he could only say so much, "Let's kick their asses."
MOON RIVER
Sakura's heart was in her throat, she was shaking. They were in the last innings -Suigetsu had taught her that word- and it almost seemed like everyone was holding their breath. The Myobaku team was in defensive positions while their team was offensive.
Kiba was stuck at third base and Neji at second. Naruto was at home plate and the ball thrower was the other team's captain, Pein.
If nervousness was taking over her body like this, Sakura could only imagine how her boyfriend felt. He was the one under the pressure. From what Suigetsu had told her, while Naruto didn't necessarily have to hit every base, but Kiba and Neji did.
"Or he could hit a home run and the game would be done. If he strikes out, Akatsuki wins. If only one of them can hit home base. we'll have to go into overtime." Suigetsu explained. Next to him, Karin huffed at the thought of overtime, "I suggest he hits a home run then, it's getting late and I'm ready to go home!"
At the mention of time, Sakura glanced at her phone. It was nearly nine-thirty and though it was the weekend, she was getting tired too.
"We're not gonna have to wait much longer." Suigetsu motioned to the field where Naruto was knocking the dirt off his cleats with his baseball bat. "Cross your fingers!" Sakura encouraged her friends.
On the field, Naruto readied the bat over his shoulder and Pein tossed the ball between his hands.
Sakura holds her breath as Pein's arm swings back and the ball leaves his hand faster than her eyes can keep up with it. Maybe she needs glasses because she misses Naruto's swing, but the impact of the bat hitting the baseball and the distinct whoosh the ball makes up for it.
"Holy shit." Suigetsu mumbles while Karin gives a whoop of happiness, "Freedom here we come!"
Kiba, Neji, and Naruto hit the bases in quick succession as the crowd jumps up in elation. That's it, that's game. And the Konoha Foxes take the crown once again.
MOON RIVER
Sakura was screaming his name he noticed as he ran towards the dugout where his teammates were in a mass of elated hysteria.
He'd go meet with her in a moment, for now, Naruto was going to celebrate his last win and game with his friends