A/N: I had this chapter completely done and ready to upload and then my computer crashed before it save and it was unrecoverable- so much for my previous authors note. So with that being said, I did promise another chapter, so I rewrote this entire thing- you're welcome. I don't know if it will be as good as before, but I am hoping so. As always thanks for reading! Sending lots of love from somewhere on the sea 3
Disclaimer- Naruto and it's characters are the property of Masashi Kishimoto- this particular storyline is my own. Any similarity to other stories is a mere coincidence.
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Sakura turned down the hall and headed toward the second gym with Itachi close behind her. She stopped when they got to the door and pulled it open.
"This gym is specifically for the martial arts classes Gai teaches. It has padded flooring for when we spar." Sakura smirked. "The guys locker room is over there- you'll want to change into something more comfortable. If you don't have anything, I'm sure Gai Sensei will let you borrow a spandex leotard." Sakura smirked at Itachi before turning and entering the girls locker room. His face didn't waver but he sighed as he turned to enter the men's.
When Sakura entered the girls locker room, she was pleased to see that all of her girl friends, or rather, her only girl friends, were already getting changed. Tenten, an ace at Kendo, was the first to greet her as she entered. A master at all types of weapons and swordplay, Tenten was taking Taijutsu at the request of her father. She wasn't too shabby at hand to hand combat either. She was just finished retying her hair up in its signature matching buns hairstyle. In the corner of the locker room Hinata smiled gently at her, her lavender eyes reflecting the dim light of the over head lamps. She too was taking the class at the request of her father. He hoped that the class would give her the skills not only to protect herself, but also to get a strong backbone. She was very shy, and Taijutsu was helping….sorta.
As she approached her locker she was intercepted by Ino who gave her a big bear hug.
"Hey Forehead! What's this I hear about you and your new man candy? I mean Itachi! Like how did you get stuck with such a hot guy..and for a punishment?" Ino pushed her long blonde hair out of her face as she leaned over to get her clothes out of her gym bag.
"Trust me Pig, I didn't want this at all. Ugh, not only to I have to attend all of his classes with him, now we have to raise a kid together too!" Sakura held up Satou to show the girls, and they all giggled.
"Damn, Sakura. Maybe if I got into half the trouble you did, Tsunade would pair me up with a hot guy too. Hopefully someone like Neji?" Ino smirked as she finished pulling on her tank top.
Hinata stared at Ino with her mouth slightly agape, a flaming blush at the mention of her older cousin as being hot. Tenten glared daggers at the girl for mentioning her longtime crush in such a way.
"Zip it Ino-" Tenten said hotly.
"Yeesh! Where's the lie though I mean Neji is a tota-"
"INO!" The girls yelled at her.
After that, Sakura pulled up her yoga pants and finished changing quickly. Together with the other girls they exited the locker rooms and headed to the middle of the mats. Sakura walked side by side with Ino, removing her high ponytail, and braiding it back as they walked.
"I mean it could be worse, Itachi has some damn fine genes. Who better to be a baby daddy?" Ino laughed a she dodged a punch to the shoulder from Sakura.
Sakura separated from Ino to go sit next to both Naruto and Lee on the mats. Next to them was Kiba and Shino, and further down was Neji. And all the way at the very end was Itachi. It looked like he had brought a change of clothes with him. Too bad- he would have looked hilarious in spandex, Sakura smiled to herself. Instead he wore a pair of athletic shorts with the school logo, and a white v-neck tee shirt.
Naruto then, leaned into Sakura and very loudly whispered "Where is Shika?" The boy had no concept of volume control.
"He bailed because he already attended more classes than he normally does, to make sure I wasn't alone with Itachi. Don't worry he will definitely meet up with us at lunch, speaking of- I am so freaking hungry. I'm glad today is the only day of the week that we have this class before lunch." Sakura's stomach grumbled in agreement and Naruto laughed with a wide smile.
"The most wonderful of mornings to all of you!" Gai said posing proudly in his horrid suit, "I have something new and exciting for us to try today! But first to keep us youthful and fresh lets take 10 laps around the gym!" He took off running as if it were a race. Though no one would compete with him except for occasionally Lee.
Everyone pulled themselves up off of the mat and started to begin their laps around the gym.
Naruto turned to Kiba, Lee and Shino and yelled, "Last one to finish buys diner tomorrow night!" All the boys took off running. Sakura rolled her eyes at the boys antics. She knew how this would end. She ignored their hurried pace and kept her gait even.
She shortly caught up to Itachi who was just a little ahead of her and matched his strides. He kept a good pace and was in obviously good shape from soccer practice. They were both quiet for their second to last lap. Sakura then chose to break the silence.
"Decided who you're going to partner with for sparring match today? I think Hinata would be on your level." She jeered. He kept his face impassive, but replied.
"Actually, Neji agreed to spar with me." Sakura raised her eyebrows in surprise. "It will be a good match." He didn't look at her when he responded, but felt her surprise.
They finish their last lap with no words shared between them and join the others in the middle of the room. The last two to finish was Ino and a panting and out of breath Hinata.
Ino's eyes went from Sakura to Itachi and then back again. Sakura ignored the obvious looks and walked over to Naruto who was lying on his back near the other boys, gasping for air.
She leaned over his face with her hands on her knees so he could look up at her.
"So, who's buying me dinner tomorrow?" She asked as Naruto groaned and caught his breath.
"We all tied….again." Naruto said as he sat up and folded his legs into crisscross.
"That's why you don't place bets you know."
"Yeah, says you! You never participate!" Naurto whined as he scratched the back of his head.
"And you know what? I always get free food!" Sakura smiled good naturedly at Naruto, who only gaped at her as she walked over to sit with the girls for partner stretching.
Ino motioned to have her pair with her as they began their partner stretches. She pushed on Ino's upper back as she sat and bent over to touch her toes.
"So Forhead, what were you two talking about? Future babies?" Ino asked. Sakura pushed extra hard and Ino let out a small grunt of pain. Ad then got up off the floor to switch and help Sakura with the same stretch.
"No, Ino. I don't like Itachi like that. I'm just not interested." Sakura said reaching toward her feet.
Afterward, she flipped onto her back and grabbed her calf and pulled it towards her chest.
"But why? I mean he's gorgeous and sexy. That hair, oh and his body! Yum! Really though, why not?" She pushed on Sakura's foot and then the other after she switches legs.
"After Sasuke..."
"Sak, that was a year ago, you're still not over it?" Ino was now lying on her back getting helped by Ino. "I mean have you talked to him since?"
"No. After the breakup, he transfered to Otogakure High and we just stopped talking. It's for the best though, he and his friends still make me uncomfortable to be around." Sakura sat down to sit butterfly face to face with Ino. They started stretching their backs and cracking their shoulders.
"Well then if not Mr. Dark-and-broody, who?" Ino asked.
"Who, what?" Sakura replied, as she pushed down on her knees to open up her hips.
"Who do you like? You can't tell me that all the time with the boys ad you don't fin at least one of them cute? I mean Naruto is adorable." Ino countered as she crossed her right arm across her chest.
Sakura wrinkled her nose and looked with Ino over at Naruto. Naruto was currently squawking at Kiba and swatting at him as he bent his leg past what was obviously comfortable. They were laughing at something they couldn't hear across the gym.
"All I see is my normal goobery friend." Sakura sighed cracking her neck with a loud pop.
"Well I see a golden angel, beautiful ocean eyes, yummy tan skin and an infectious smile. Not to mention a good personality!" Ino said brightly. Sakura turned again to look but was stopped when Gai called them to the center of the mat.
"I'm feeling very invigorated after that run. I know I mention earlier we would try something new. I came up with this idea earlier when my esteemed rival passed me in the hall! A sparring tournament!"
Excited chatter arose from the small group.
"Now because of Shikamaru not being present, I will need someone to volunteer to sit out this time….anyone?" Hinata timidly raised her hand. "Most youthful! I love volunteers. You can help me judge the matches then Hinata." Hinata smiled a small embarrassed smile, but was obviously pleased with her role. "Please listen as I announce the matches. Firstly Kiba vs Naruto. The winner will fight whoever wins from the spar between Sakura vs Ino." Excited murmurs arose, and Ino and Sakura smiled at each other in anticipation. "The other fights include Lee vs Neji, the winner will fight the winner from the battle between Tenten and Itachi." Tenten turned to look at Itachi, but he didn't spare her a glance. Gai asked for them to clear the mat and make room for the first battle.
Kiba vs. Naruto.
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A/N: Stay tuned for our first two sparring matches in our next chapter!