Saku and Baki stood before one another in the middle of the gym. It was early Saturday afternoon and the citizens of Konoha were looking forward to seeing who would be the first boy to win this first ever tournament.
They had fans and they were split. Some of the young girls fancied Baki who was said to be quiet and mysterious. While the other young girls fancied Saku who was said to be ill tempered and smug.
The referee stood in the center then backed away. All in one, the crowd inhaled, excited for the fight about to start.
Baki placed his hand on his sword while Saku got into his fighting stance, no different than what he did yesterday when going against Boruto.
Clink, the sound of Baki's sword told the audience the fight had begun. They charged at one another and as Saku threw punches, Baki threw slices of his sword. Neither boy was making a hit on the other. They weren't taken aback by it, for they knew it was what was expected. To remain in jutsu, their goal was to block.
Standing with his back against the wall and arms crossed, Kakashi, who still remained in his costume, watched his 'sons'. He smiled knowing neither of them would be able to land a hit on the other. Whoever had the most stamina would win the fight and even still, that was a hard bet.
The chakra that flew from Baki's sword hit the walls and sliced the floor they stood on. It was an annoyance having to dogde from them but Saku hadn't figured out a way to parry them back at the boy. Without Saku paying attention, one of the slices actually hit Saku's shirt. Both Saku and Kakashi stood wide eye and then let out a sigh of relief. The fight would have been over if Saku had been found out. Saku paid no attention to the high pitch screams coming from the girls in the audience, excited his shirt was torn, and baring his chest.
Saku landed on Baki's sword and attempted to kick the brown hair boy, but Baki moved out the way and almost landed a kick to Saku's mid section. Saku twisted out the way and landed on his feet. In his right hand, he formed the chiori. The sound of a thousands birds filled the gymnasium.
From the audience, Boruto glared at the boy while Sakura shook her head from the other side of the bleachers. Ino only looked at her friend and gave a smile.
Saku did something no one expected him to do with the infamous chiori. He threw it. The ball left his hand and soared through the air. Baki threw his sword toward the electric current. The sword landed in between the sparking energy ball, both fell to the floor with the sword letting off the white current.
Saku's chakra plus Baki's chakra mixed into a bigger amount of chakra that created a force field. It eventually blew bigger and a gust of electricity mixed with blue chakra, pushed the two boys back to the point where they were both out of bounds, after slamming back first against the gymnasium walls.
The audience was silent and since both boys went out of bounds at the same time, it was uncertain who won. The crowd cheered and booed at the same time as the referee said the results. It would now have to be left in the hands of the three out of town judges. After waiting a few minutes, by unanimous decision, Baki was declared the winner. Disappointed, Saku threw his head back. He shrugged after a while and gave his 'brother' a hug. After all, he came to defeat Boruto and that... he did.
After the gymnasium had cleared and the audience dispersed, gathering outside to talk to their sons, Saku and Baki walked out with their dad. It was time for them to be leaving for home.
Cho-Cho ran up to the two boys and kissed each of them on the cheek, but it was Saku whom she wanted to speak further with.
With permission from his dad, Saku went off with Cho-Cho. They walked to the benches near the entrance of the gym near the ninja academy. Over by the tree, there was actually a swing, niether girl realizing Naruto, himself, swung from the vary swing when he too was lonely kid. It seemed odd and unsteady but the two of them made their way to it anyway.
Saku suggested for Cho-Cho to sit and Saku would push her. Cho-Cho sat upon the beige orange swing as Saku got behind her and pushed softly.
After a moment of still, Cho-Cho spoke. "Sarada..."
Saku stopped pushing the swing. Cho-Cho didn't turn to look at Sarada, a bit hurt the girl didn't tell her her plans to enter in this tournament.
"How'd you find out?"
Cho-Cho mentioned speaking to Sakura then putting two and two together.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Sarada shrugged. "I don't know...it was weird at first. I had this weird silicone suit and then I learned the sex transformation jutsu. Also it would have been risky if too many people knew."
Cho-Cho got off the swing and stood to face Sarada. "But I'm your best friend. Hell, I'm your only friend."
Probably for most kids that statement would have hurt but Sarada didn't mind having only one friend, two teammates, and ten associates. She was content with that; however, she was aware that as she got older, she may need to be more of a people person to be Hokage. Then again, Kakashi only had one friend too and he became Hokage. But Cho-Cho seemed upset by the way her eyes were watering.
"Cho-Cho, I'm sorry. I didn't know you'd be so upset by this." That was true. Sarada thought back to the words she said about Cho-Cho's appearance, suddenly becoming shocked. "I really don't believe all that I said to you..."
First, Cho-Cho didn't know what Sarada was referring to until she thought back to when they walked with one another under the lamp post. She blushed thinking of that moment. She simply shook her head.
"Saku!" Her father called. "Your mother is waiting!"
Saku nodded his head and looked back at Cho-Cho. She stepped forward and kissed Cho-Cho on the lips. A final departure as Saku. She watched as Cho-Cho's face became even redder.
She came to and smiled at Sarada. "Bye, Saku."
Saku waved and ran off to his dad. Once they 'left' town, she would meet with Cho-Cho that Sunday for their traditional movie watch of the afternoon. Maybe they'll talk about Saku or... maybe they won't.
Author's Note: This was a fun cute little story! I'll write more of this couple in the future if the sun don't set and the creek don't rise.
