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The ocean waves were splashing against the dozens of rocks by the vast wind. The others were still discussing the match, whereas the red-haired Kazekage was a bit disconsolate.
"You think she's going to be well?" Choji wondered.
"I'm sure she's awake by now or maybe she's taking a rest," Tenten thought.
Then, they heard leaves of bushes rustling noisily behind them and turned around to see their two friends.
"Sasuke, Sakura!" Naruto exclaimed.
"How are you feeling?" Hinata asked beamingly.
"I'm fine. Don't worry about me," she chuckled slightly.
"Did you remember anything?" Kankuro interrogated.
Temari whipped her head and gave him a warning stare silently.
"Umm… Yeah. I actually did. I talked to Sasuke about it," the pink-haired kunoichi glanced at him and bit her bottom lip. She continued on, saying. "I was at the park, spending time with a boy, who I hardly can recognize and it turns out it was him."
Sasuke was staring at her ardently in the corner of his eyes.
"He was the one who protected me from those kids and I couldn't be more grateful-" Sakura didn't get to finish her sentence when somebody interrupted her.
"Do you even know what you're saying?" Kiba furrowed his eyebrows confusedly.
"Kiba!" Tenten scolded.
"What?! I'm just saying that it's impossible for a delinquent to rescue-"
"Quiet!" The others widened their eyes at the firm shout by the red-haired Kazekage, who closed his eyes and sighed exasperatedly.
"If it was Sasuke, then we should be happy that she still remembers…"
"Gaara…" Lee muttered with a frown.
"We should just resume with the match," he stated monotonously.
"Before that, I would like to share a drawing with you guys, but I don't want to be the one telling the news," a familiar voice spoke, which made them astonished.
"Sai? Where have you been?" Ino gawked dumbfounded.
"You disappeared out of the blue," Choji noted.
"I was finding extra parchments for me to sketch and I happened to see two…" he explained slowly.
"You heard our conversation?" Sasuke guessed correctly.
"Hmm," Sai hummed in response.
"Well, then. I guess it's time you all know," he said as he reached towards the pink-haired kunoichi's hand.
"Huh?" Tenten became puzzled.
"Everyone… I want to make an announcement. Sasuke and I are officially dating," she said as her fingers intertwined with his, whereas the others went completely shocked.
"No way…" Kiba dropped his jaw and fainted.
"Wha-!" Naruto's eyes were about to bulge out of his sockets vehemently.
The pink-haired kunoichi heaved her chest and smiled warmly at the dark-haired ninja. Once she took a step forward, she closed her eyes and pecked him on the cheek carefully.
Sasuke smirked at her until he didn't realize that he was shoved back by Gaara's arm. The two of them were transported to the other side of the trees, making their friends startled at the sudden motion.
"Hey, guys!" Kiba called out.
"Don't interfere… This issue stays between them," Shino advised as he and the rest of them watched them go back into the trees.
The two men had stood across from each other after the red-haired Kazekage placed him down on his feet.
"I'm honestly uncertain as to what is happening with you and Sakura. Are you being serious about your so-called relationship with her or are you only acting just to make it seem believable?" He questioned skeptically, crossing his arms.
Sasuke scoffed and answered. "That's what I'm trying to do. You don't trust me?"
Gaara didn't respond back and continued to glare at him.
Sasuke chuckled faintly and said sternly. "What if she doesn't remember? What then? Are you still going to keep your hopes up? What I'm saying that you shouldn't expect too much because otherwise, things will get worse and you will end up with nothing. Why can't you just let it be for once? This is all an act. Nothing else."
"Oh, really? Is it? It seems like you're enjoying it yourself," Gaara said sarcastically, yet calmly.
"That's your point of view, but for me, I know what my responsibility is," Sasuke stated and wipes off the dust from his collar. Then, he started to turn his back on him, saying. "Sometimes, we all have to accept reality."
With that conclusion, he hopped out of the area, leaving the red-haired Kazekage in silence and contemplation in his own mind.
He closed his eyes and sighed tiredly as he also transported back to the beach.
The night fell after Team 6 had won their match against Team 5. The girls were inside the tent and replayed the scene over in their heads. Their whispering and the number of giggles they had was resonating around them, but they were still aware that the guys might hear them.
"Your boyfriend surely never loses energy that easily," Tenten noted.
"Hehe. Naruto really outdid the ball up higher," Hinata grinned.
"Especially Lee. Girl, that guy never misses his chance to win," Ino said.
"What about the two? I mean, they've been locking their heads on each other," Tenten whispered carefully.
"I know! It gives me anxiety! I kind of think that their stares are kinda hot. No doubt about that," Ino stated, then added in. "However, Sai is very mysterious, which piqued my interest at some point."
"Phew. I'm glad you say that because otherwise, Sakura might have heard you," Tenten chirped.
"Oh my goodness. Did you honestly think I'm still into Sasuke?" Ino grimaced.
"Well, a girl can't lie about her feelings," Tenten shrugged.
"How can you say that? I'm over him and I'm moving on, anyways. I only compliment his looks, not because I still have a crush on him. Besides, I'm happy with Sai and I believe that Sakura will remember her relationship with Gaara," Ino said sincerely.
"You're right, but her memories have been mixed up of her seeing Sasuke as her childhood friend," Tenten explained.
"Isn't it strange that Sakura recalls her childhood memories being with Sasuke and not Gaara?" Hinata thought curiously.
"That's what I was also thinking. Even so, I don't particularly want to assume things that may lead to the wrong conclusion," Ino agreed as she placed her finger on her chin lightly. Then, she heard the flap of the tent open where she glanced at the two girls, huddling in.
"Hey, ladies."
"Temari, Sakura. Where did you two go off to?" Tenten asked.
"We had to set up the barriers, in case anyone tries to ambush us," Temari answered.
"The guys are already asleep, so we both had to take their roles instead," Sakura said as she giggled and sat down on her own mattresses.
Hinata began to discuss her and Naruto's upcoming engagement party that will be held by next month while the other girls were suggesting the outfits for her. She wanted it to be more simple, fun, and enjoyable, so she asked what kind of dress she should wear.
"Baby blue. That could work," Ino beamed.
"Yellow," Tenten said.
"Ew! That color?" Ino made a disgusting expression.
"What? Come on, that color is nice and it's bright. You know, full of sunshine," Tenten reasoned.
Sakura looked sideways before she stared at them, saying. "Lavender floral dress."
The two of them gasped in amazement and nodded in agreement.
"I was also thinking the same thing," Hinata said, smiling.
"Hmm. It suits the contrast of your hair," Sakura complimented.
"Thanks," Hinata said.
"Aww, man. I wish I could've thought of that color," Tenten groaned.
"Same," Ino pouted.
"No, no. All of your ideas are great. I'll consider them next time," Hinata waved her gesture at them gently.
"Let's head for sleep. We have activities to do," Temari smiled and pulled the blanket over her.
"Right right," Tenten yawned and headed for sleep, including Ino, Temari, and Hinata.
"Aren't you going to rest?" Temari hovered her blank gaze at the pink-haired kunoichi.
"Not yet. I need to refresh my mind for a little," she said.
"Okay, but be careful out there," Temari advised.
"No worries," Sakura grinned and went out of the tent.
She sighed as soon as she strolled down to the beach and placed her barefoot on the sand. The moon and the stars were lighting up and she was holding the flower in her hand. The one that Sasuke gave her as they had spoken about their past.
"Am I actually in a relationship with him? Why am I so unsure right now?" She questioned in mind, frowning.
Mentally slapping herself in the face, she decided to pluck the petals one by one as a way to determine if he really loves her or not.
Yet, she was not aware of the unusual presence behind her.
TO BE CONTINUED...