Disclaimer: The usual

Chapter 3: The Game is Set

The rest of the year was followed by countless attempts to ignore Sasuke. It was more so trying to run away from him, though; I couldn't help it when my face threatened to blush every time he came near me.

Then, I was fortunate enough to be in completely different classes for the next few years. My heart skipped a beat whenever I caught his raven hair as I passed through the hallways, but I always made sure to avert my eyes; my childish shyness and helplessness threatened to overpower me.

Four years later, I came face to face with Sasuke once again. We were in the same homeroom.

. . .

"A new round is starting! I'll go over the rules before we figure out the players." The boy in glasses spoke aloud.

Most of the guys had flocked over to the back to start continuing a recently popular game of theirs.

"Well, first off, last round was Shikamaru, right? How did it go?"

Shikamaru let out a weary sigh.

"She was so nagging – just like my mom."

"What? Shikamaru – are you trying to call me old?" Ino started flaring before the girls around her calmed her down.

"W-well, anyway, I guess it's Naruto's turn now. Go ahead and pick a paper."

Kabuto spoke, trying to bring their focus to the game. Meanwhile, Naruto reached his hand over to the basket, his stupid grin hanging loosely on his face. Inside the basket were papers that contained all the names of the girls in class – and thus, they were crowded around as well, many crossing their fingers hoping they wouldn't get picked by Naruto.

With surprising concentration, Naruto reached over for one. While, Hinata looked hopeful, blush decorating her face as she held her hands together.

"Sakura."

Sasuke wasn't paying attention, but he perked up at the mention of Sakura's name. Sakura, at that time, had quickly gone to get her books before the break ended.

A pale hand reached over to the hands that held the piece of paper. Naruto looked up, as did everyone else, and the whole class was swept into a huge wave of confusion.

"It's a game, right?" Sasuke spoke with little hesitation, "I'll be the player instead."

'This would be a good chance to talk to her,' a brief thought passed inside Sasuke.

His last several words were played out like a command, and many found themselves nodding.

Naruto, on the other hand, was maintaining his grin – which had only grown wider – as he agreed.

"Sure. Oh! Here she comes now. Go ask her."

Sasuke looked back blankly.

"Go ask her what?"

"Ask her out for a DATE, of course!" with that, Naruto broke into a snicker.

Kabuto quietly added, as he readjusted his glasses, "It must go on for at least three days. Game rules."

"Tch"

It was clearly annoyance.

That was all Naruto needed before he sauntered over to Sakura.

"Sakura-chan, let's go over to Ichiraku's after school for a date!"

Naruto stole a glance at the annoyed Sasuke, who was busy piecing in the situation.

"What? Naruto, you're just going to make me pay for it, aren't you?" Sakura replied dryly, trying to brush him away.

"But, Sakura-chan – "

"Wait, Naruto."

Sakura felt the sudden overpowering presence of Sasuke standing in front of her. After all these years, she still couldn't stop letting it get to her.

Sasuke gave an obvious hesitation, while the class didn't dare let out a single whisper to the silence.

He was standing in front of her, window pouring light from behind and shading away Sasuke's face – again.

'I can't let these things get to me – especially after all I've declared years ago.' Sakura thought furiously, as the memories rushed in easily. 'And this, this silence. Not again…"

"Sakura"

She kept her head down, so it made it fair that he couldn't see her face either.

"Would you go out with me?"

"WHAT?"

Sakura's reaction was immediate and her surprise wasn't concealed in any way.

As the red swept her whole, the class relaxed from seeing Sakura blushing madly.

'Despite having imagined words like that coming from Sasuke… Somehow, it doesn't seem right.' Sakura thought in a full mix of confusion and embarrassment.

The class broke into their usual chatters again, and here and there, the truth was voiced aloud.

"It's just a game, Sakura. You still not over your love, yet?"

"Man, he's cruel. Is Sasuke trying to have Sakura relive her humiliated moment?"

The girls piped in, too.

"Stupid boys. Why don't you show them Sakura?"

"Yeah, make him totally fall in love with you or something – then no one would be able to speak up!"

What the girls forgot for the briefest moment as those words left their mouths, however, was that it was Uchiha Sasuke Sakura had to deal with. For the class, it was as clear as a sunny day that if somebody were to fall in love, it'd be Sakura – all over again if she had managed to get over it.

Sakura clenched her fists harder. That did it.

"OKAY, FINE. I'll…"

She tried to contain her creeping blush as she took one glance over at Sasuke. Her eyes darted back quickly.

"I'll date Sasuke."

… And the game was set.

A/N: That was shorter than I wanted to be, but oh well... I should write as much as I can while I still hold on to the idea.. Finish it before another idea overtakes me, you know?