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DISCLAIMER: I do not own Naruto or any other characters from the series.

"Talking"

'Thinking'

RECAP:

"Lost in your thoughts about me, yeah?" he asked with a smile, sensing her unhappy mood.

She snorted and looked up at him, not caring about the limb around her waist, "In your dreams."

"You know what else happens in my dreams, yeah?" he asked as he pulled her over to the dance floor

"Hm?"

The blonde smiled, "You dance with me, yeah."

'Maybe I'll let is charm work just this once.'

"That happens in Tobi's dreams to Sakura-chan!" the masked boy announced.

"Tobi," Sasori stated, "Stop talking."

"Hn."

'Or not…'

Ch.4 Band is life and life is a competition

"I swear to god if you don't drink this water, I'll shove it down your throat."

The busty blonde looked like she was about to burst more than usual, if that was at all possible.

Naruto laughed nervously and scratched his head, trying to shy away from the scary chaperone.

"Really granny," the not so ecstatic blonde began, "I don't need any water."

"You're going to drink the water and like it young man," she told him as she attempted to force water down the blonde's throat, "Then you're going to put on some more sunscreen!"

"And that, my dear friends, is what happens when you don't listen to Tsunade," Sakura explained jokingly as she sat in a circle with her friends before morning practice.

The sky was still dark and light had just begun to show across the horizon while the members sluggishly made their way onto the field.

Day three was usually the point in time when some of the younger members began to lose their enthusiasm either due to lack of sleep or just no longer finding practices 'fun'.

Not that they're really much fun in the first place.

Itachi blew the whistle signaling members to get into their spots, which they lazily replied to.

"GOOOOOOOOOOOD MORNING BAND!" Kakashi greeted from his podium, actually being on time to practice, "Let's start learning some more new drill!"

Sakura felt a bit of pity for the band members. While they were cramming new music and drills into their minds, she got to sit on the sidelines and watch.

But at the same time she thought they should pity her because she had to spend that time with Itachi and Deidara.

"I don't understand how someone can be this stupid," Sakura mumbled from her normal spot under the tree as Deidara hung from one of the branches, like usual.

"Aw don't be so mean to me Sakura-Chan, yeah," he told her with a fake pout as hung a few feet away from her, "We all know that you secretly love me."

"Yes," the pinkette answered sarcastically, "Secretly would love to hurt you. Oh wait, that's not a secret."

Itachi chuckled, "A bit harsh, wouldn't you agree?"

Sakura snorted and laid back in the cool grass, "Hardly. I think he deserves it."

Deidara smirked as he jumped down from the tree, "You're words cut me deep, yeah."

The female assistant rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to Itachi, "So what do we have to do today?"

"Kakashi would like to finish the next drill by the end of the day," The eldest Uchiha began, "We also have the drum line performing cadence which means we will be teaching that s well. As for events the university is showing a movie in one of the lounges and there is some type of game tournament in one of the other lounges."

"I guess that means we have to attend one of those events tonight then, doesn't it?" she asked, already knowing the answer.

"Hn."

"Woo," Sakura answered with laced sarcasm.

"Well since they're learning the drill for 'Sing Sing Sing' today we should work on that dance we talked about before, yeah," the blonde suggested.

"I talked to Kakashi about that as well," Itachi told the assistants, "He liked the idea and would like you two to perform the dance."

"Awesome, yeah!" Deidara declared triumphantly giving Sakura a lopsided grin.

Sakura sighed, "Great."

The blonde stood up and walked over to Sakura, holding out a hand for her to take, "Shall we start practicing now then, yeah?"

"I guess I don't really have a say in the matter," she answered with a groan as she took the offered hand.

After morning practice the band was dismissed to breakfast.

Once breakfast was finished they only had a short period of time before they had to be back out on the field for another practice.

But on her way to the field Sakura saw someone approaching her that she didn't enjoy seeing.

"Good morning Sakura," Kimimaro greeted crossing his arms over his chest with a smirk.

"And what do I owe the displeasure of your company," the pinkette scoffed.

His grin widened, "Am I not allowed to say hello when I see you?"

She rolled her eyes and continued to walk away, "I'd prefer you didn't."

The green eyed male didn't make a move to go after her, but settled with never taking his eyes off her form as she made her way to the rest of the band.

The now annoyed rosette moved to stand between the other two drum majors, who didn't dare ask her what was wrong.

"Today the drum line will be performing cadence for you," Itachi explained in front of the group, "Once they finish they will run through it again but the second time you will be circled up according to your sections and your section leaders will be explaining the motions."

Sakura moved up next to him, "So if you could all take a seat on the grass, the drum line will get started."

The drum cadence was always something that made the band excited when they heard it. Whether it was the intense solos or the sick rhythms, everyone just had a smile on their faces.

Except the drum line. Cadence, and every other performance for that matter, was supposed to be professional and no fun at all.

'Doesn't really mater, most of them act like they have sticks shoved up their asses anyway.'

Once the drums finished they moved to the center of the field while everyone else made separate section circles around them, leaving enough space to learn the moves.

It was the drum major's job, during this time, to walk around and supervise the learning of cadence.

Normally the drum majors are at the front of the block when cadence is going on and they don't usually hear and see the things that the band members are saying or doing since their so far ahead.

The people directly behind them happened to be the color guard and although they didn't say much during cadence, it was hard to hear anything over the sound of spinning flags.

The drummers started playing roll off and went into the beginning of cadence, putting most people in their element.

"Is there even a point in monitoring them?" Sakura asked Itachi loudly so she could be heard over the sound of the drums and yelling band members.

"Not really," he told her at a softer level than her own.

The pink haired drum major sigh then looked around the field. She then noticed a handful of people watching behind some of the trees at the back end of the practice field.

"Little fuckers!" she cursed angrily as she marched over to their spot.

Deidara shot a confused glance to Itachi who shrugged then noticed the people she was talking to.

"Let her take care of them," he mumbled as he turned his attention back to the band.

Deidara glared at them but continued with is duties, making sure they were always in his sight.

"You guys either suck terribly or just really want to get your asses kicked," she spat to the sound group as some looked shocked at her approach while others just smirked.

Kimimaro stood there with three other males. One she remembered seeing at the mixer with pointed teeth and light hair. Another was very tall with orange hair and the last had spiked black hair.

"Or we just want to see you, Sakura," Kimimaro replied quietly as he continued to lean against one of the trees.

"You were right when you said she had an attitude," a boy with white-ish blue hair and pointed teeth spoke.

The drum major glared at the male whose smirk only widened.

"How rude of me," Kimimaro spoke up as he pushed off the tree and stood in the middle of the group, "This is Suigetsu, Jugo, and Zaku."

"Like it matters," she told them with her continued glare and a hand on her hip, "The only thing I care about right now is you guys leaving our practice area. You have no reason to be here."

The one with the spiked hair laughed, "Now she's trying to be polite."

Her apple eyes moved over to him, "If you'd like me to be rude, that can be arranged."

He cracked wicked smile, one that could almost rival Hidan's, and looked over to Kimimaro, "She's a pistol."

"That's not all I'm going to be if you don't get your asses off my field," Sakura told them strictly.

"Your field?" the one named Suigetsu asked sarcastically.

She arched a pink brow at him, "Did I stutter? No I didn't think so. My field, go back to your own before I have to kick your asses back there."

The male chuckled but it was Jugo who spoke next.

"Let's go," he spoke calmly as he began to leave the other sound members.

Suigetsu gave the pinkette a sharp smile, "Until next time, pinky."

Zaku said nothing as he followed the other two.

"See you are Sakura," Kimimaro told her with a slight lift to his lips but before he could make his leave a pale hand grabbed the front of his shirt.

His body was pulled closely to the opposing drum major's face and he could smell her intoxicating scent.

His forest green met her angered emerald, "If I ever see you spying on our rehearsals again, I will personally beat you senseless and alert not only the director of this camp but have a personal conversation with your director. Don't even think for a second that I'm intimidated or afraid of confrontation."

His smirk grew as he looked at her beauty while his hand placed itself over the one she held his shirt with, "I understand completely."

Releasing the grip on his shirt, she pushed him back and began to walk away but she didn't get very far as his hand grasped her wrist.

She turned back to him with a harsh glare.

"I may understand, but I'm not making any promises."

Tearing her hand away from his grip she made her way back over to her fellow drum majors.

All the while with Kimimaro's gaze glued to her back until she reached her destination.

"How'd it go, yeah?" Deidara questioned as he looked at the peeved pinkette.

"Well I got my point across but I think he's just trying to piss me off," Sakura huffed crossing her arms across her chest, "I don't think we've seen the last of them."

Itachi's hands placed themselves onto her shoulders as he moved his mouth to her ear, "It's nothing you need to worry yourself with, Sakura."

His hot breath fanned her neck, but it wasn't making her feel uncomfortable. It was actually quite calming to say the least.

The head drum major felt his assistant relax under his touch and let a ghostly smirk appear on his lips.

Sakura exhaled deeply then turned her head to give Itachi a smile, "Thanks, but I'm going to go take my remaining anger out on Hidan."

The green eyed girl gave them a wave as she walked over to the foul mouthed tenor player and his unruly section.

"She's really something else, yeah," Deidara murmured as he watched her retreating form.

"Hn."

As cadence was continually played, new members started to get the hang of the movements and became more confident in what they were doing.

"Aw come on bitch," Hidan complained as Sakura stood in front of him with a petite hand on her hip, "Why can't I fucking say that as a part of god damn cadence?"

The petal haired girl rolled her eyes at the male, "Hidan, yelling 'on my dick' is in no way appropriate and isn't part of cadence."

"Fuck that, cadence is meant to be changed," he told her with a smirk, "And I'll change it for the fucking better."

The drum major snorted, "Yeah because adding lines like 'On my dick' and inappropriate jesters are really going to impress bystanders as we march by."

He laughed, "I don't give a shit about impressing fucking strangers. I just want them to see how bad ass we are."

"Yeah, because the previous foul ideas are going to make people think your bad ass," Sakura retorted with amusement evident in her voice.

"Seriously Hidan, all you're doing is making yourself sound like an idiot," Temari added from her spot in the circle.

"Shut the fuck up bitch!"

The two girls only laughed in reply at the flustered male.

"Take it out and we won't have any problems," Sakura told him as she turned to walk away.

Hidan snorted, "Take it off and we won't have any fucking problems."

Sakura waved her middle finger at the man who smirked as she walked away.

Once the early afternoon practice wrapped up the bad was dismissed to lunch.

"I really don't understand how college kids live off this food," Ino murmured as she pushed the food on her plate around with her fork.

"Seriously, it looks like it could get up and crawl away any second," Tenten added as she eyed the food.

"I don't know what you guys are talking about," Chouji retorted as he stuffed his face, "I think it's all delicious."

"That's because you'll eat pretty much anything," Ino added as she poked her boyfriend's shoulder.

"It's troublesome," Shikamaru added lazily.

"Speaking of troublesome," Temari added looking over to Sakura, "Do you realize that an entire sound table has been staring at you the whole time you've been here?"

"I've been trying to ignore it," she responded as she mimicked Ino's action of playing with her food.

Sasuke snorted from his spot at the far end of the table, "Why would they want to look at you anyway?"

"I ask myself the same question when girls talk about how 'good looking' you are," the pinkette replied simply without even sparing him a glance.

"Hn," he grunted giving her a smirk, "You know you want me Haruno."

"Only in your dreams Uchiha," she retorted blandly as she stood from the table, taking her tray in the process.

"You ok Sakura-Chan?" Naruto asked the quiet pinkette with concern.

Sakura sighed, "I'm fine. I'm just tired and people are really getting on my nerves today. I think I just need a break."

"She's probably just PMSing," Sasuke replied with his oh so cocky attitude evident in his voice.

The girl gave a short laughed and turned to look at the Uchiha, "Ya know Sasuke, why do you even sit over here let alone hang out with us? No one really likes you because you act like a total ass hole all the damn time."

Everyone that was sitting in close enough range to hear them stopped what they were doing to look at the argument taking place.

"This all goes back to you and the stick you have shoved so far up your ass that it's no longer within your reach," she added, her voice still calm and collected, "You should really look into getting it surgically removed. And while you're at it you can ask the doctor to give you a set of balls, since you're incapable of growing a pair."

The pinkette waited with her brows raised to hear a reply from the usually arrogant male. Surprisingly enough, he stayed silent.

Sakura shot him a smirk as she walked away from the table and out of the dining hall.

Naruto's laugh could be heard coming from the table, "You totally deserved that teme."

"Hn."

Sectionals and the rest of the practices went by quickly, which Sakura didn't mind at all.

She got to practice her swing dance with Deidara which involved a lot of touching, on which she couldn't decide if she liked it or not.

"Tonight there will be a movie showing in the east lounge and some sort of game tournament in the west lounge, yeah," Deidara mentioned to the group as they made their last announcements for the day.

"And like the last event, we will all be in attendance," Sakura added with a less than thrilled expression.

"Band dismissed."

The band broke off into their cliques as they walked back to the dorms, some more exhausted than others.

"Which event are you planning on attending Sakura?" Itachi asked smoothly, his voice reminding her of chocolate.

"I think I'm going to the tournament," she hummed as she followed him off the field.

"What a coincidence, yeah," Deidara began as he tried to catch up to the pinkette, "So am-"

"Deidara," Itachi's voice called deeply, "You'll be going to the movie."

The blonde wanted to argue his case but the death look Itachi was sending him made him rethink that idea.

"What was that Deidara?" Sakura asked as she turned around to face him, continuing to walk.

His blue eyes switched over to Itachi then back to Sakura. He sighed lightly, "I'll be going to the movie, yeah."

"That's too bad," she replied simply as she turned her body back around, "How bout you Itachi?"

"I'll also be attending the tournament," his profound voice replied.

Gazing from the corner or her green eyes she hummed, "Maybe we'll be on the same team."

"Perhaps we will."

Once they made their way over to the west lounge, and ditched Deidara, the Konoha drum majors walked over to the table set up in the front of the room.

Waiting at the table was Tsunade and Orochimaru, who looked like they had already met.

It only looked that way because when they walked in they were having a heated conversation but stopped when they came closer to the table.

At the moment Tsunade decided to keep a heated glare at the snake man's head, looking like she was trying to set it a flame.

"Hello Itachi, Sakura," Orochimaru greeted with his sickly sweet tone, "Glad you could join us tonight."

Sakura could relate with Tsunade to the point that she also wished his head would bust into flames, but she knew she had to set a good example.

"Wouldn't miss it," the pinkette replied simply to the snake man's comment.

The busty blonde removed her heated gaze from the opposing director and gave Sakura a smile, "Sakura, nice to see you. If you could go take a seat at table three, Itachi at table seven."

They both nodded at the nurse as they dismissed to their separate tables.

About five minutes later most of the tables had filled up with members from both bands.

"Alright everyone, listen up," Tsunade called from the front of the room, pulling everyone's attention to her and Orochimaru.

"As you've noticed you've been placed at tables of four," she explained as the tables band members looked around at each other, "That's because we will be playing Euchre."

"Psh, what about poker?" the familiar voice of Suigetsu spoke from the back of the room.

"Poker is overrated," the older blonde huffed with annoyance, "Now the person across from you will be your partner. Win and you move on to the next round and receive new opponents. Lose, and you sit at watch."

"So let's hope you don't lose," Orochimaru spoke almost in a teasing manner, "You may begin."

Sakura looked across to her partner and didn't recognize him from her band so she figured he must be from sound.

The opposing team at her table was members from her band, a sophomore and a freshman.

"Hey I'm Sakura," she greeted, holding out her hand for her sound teammate.

"Kidomaru," he replied shortly as he shook her hand.

"Well Kidomaru I hope you're good at this," she told him as she took her seat and began shuffling the cards, "'Cause I don't plan on loosing any time soon."

He let out a rough laugh and took his seat as well, "Just deal the cards pinky. I know what I'm doing."

A smirk played on her lips as she dealt the cards with ease.

The first three hands of the game went by quickly with Sakura and Kidomaru taking all the points necessary. They even received four points for a loner.

Now the score was eight to zero and Sakura shot her fellow band members a sympathetic look. They really weren't that great at this game.

She gave credit to her opposing team though; she and Kidomaru were tough opponents. Especially to be starting out with.

And Kidomaru was very intimidating when you played against him.

The last hand was over before they knew it with Sakura's team raining supreme.

"Better luck next time guys," she told them with a sweet smile as the underclassman left with a defeatist attitude.

"For a girl with pink hair, you're pretty good at this," Kidomaru's coarse voice spoke as he watched her from the opposite end of the card table.

Sakura snorted as she stood from her seat at the table, "One, me having pink hair has nothing to do with my ability to kick ass at euchre. Two, I've been playing this for years."

His scratchy laughter rumbled from his chest, "Now I know why Kimimaro and Suigetsu are so interested in you."

The comment made her return her attention to her previous partner, "What have they been telling you?"

Kidomaru smirked at her sudden interest, "If you beat me in an upcoming round, maybe I'll tell you."

With green eyes rolling, she gave him a short wave and went to report the score to Tsunade.

Once the score was reported she had to wait around until everyone finished their rounds so she decided to scout out her competition.

She scoped out some familiar faces from her band, and from the other.

Out of her band she saw Shikamaru, Neji, Temari, Naruto, Kiba, Kankuro, Sai, Sasuke, Itachi, Sasori, Hidan, Kakuzu, Kisame, and a few underclassmen she didn't know to well.

Pein and Zetsu even made an appearance but weren't playing on a team.

From the sound band she recognized Zaku, Suigetsu, Jugo, and her least favorite person; Kimimaro.

Karin was also around, but she was awfully close to the sound musicians.

'Interesting.'

She went over to where her roommate for the week was playing.

From he looks of the score cards, she was winning.

"Temari, why can't you just let me win?" the panted male complained from the opposing team.

Temari snorted and played her card swiftly, "Its no my fault you suck at this."

"You're the one who taught me how to play," Kankuro muttered bitterly as he followed suit.

The game ended shortly after that with Temari taking the victory and leaving Kankuro depressed about his ability to play the game.

"I hate you stupid sister of mine," he murmured in defeat under his breath.

The blonde laughed and stood from the table moving over to her brother and slapping him on the back, "I know."

Before Sakura knew it the next round was about to start and she was placed at a new table.

Walking over to take her seat she noticed a familiar face was sitting in the seat across from hers.

"If you lose this for me, we'll have a problem," Kakuzu's rough voice spoke from his spot at the table, already shuffling the cards.

She cracked a smile as she went to take her seat, "I was going to say the same to you."

Their opponents were two members from sound, who continuously glared at them through out the entirety of the game.

Through this round Sakura's opponents were a little more skilled than the last but still didn't have enough knowledge of the game.

"Hearts," Sakura called as she organized her cards by suit.

"You stole my heart Sakura!" Kankuro called as he walked over to watch her game.

She spared him a glance with her brows raised, then turned back to her hand.

Two more hands went by and the score was looking better for Sakura and Kakuzu.

"This is pathetic," Kakuzu grumbled as he looked at the other teams score cards.

Sakura played the last card, taking the hand and the deserved points, "I would have to agree."

"That's because I have a life and don't spend all my time playing euchre," one of the sound members scoffed.

"Testy," Kakuzu replied with a small but evident smirk.

"That's ten," Sakura added with a smirk of her own as she turned her attention to her defeated opponents, "Don't be sour just because you got beat."

"Whatever," the other answered unintelligently as they left the table.

Sakura let out a light laughed as she watched them retreat.

"I'll have to say Sakura, you're not to bad at this," this stitched man admitted as he gathered all the cards.

She smiled at the male with a brow raised, "It's not like it's that hard in the first place."

"How right you are," he retorted as he went to report the score.

Rounds flew by with Sakura continuously ending victorious.

She reached the point was only one more round and then the final match.

Her current partner was Sasori who, beyond his quiet exterior, was actually quite the player when it came to euchre.

Their opponents were two sounds members recognizable by Sakura; Kidomaru and Jugo.

"We meet again pinky," Kidomaru mumbled with a smirk as he began to shuffle then deal out the cards.

"Yeah, but this time you won't be so lucky," the pinkette replied with confidence as she collected the dealt cards.

His rough chuckle sounded from deep in his chest, "We'll see."

"Spades," Sasori called swiftly as he organized his cards accordingly.

The game went by slowly because both teams were equally skilled.

When the last hand came around it was Sakura's turn to call suit.

"Diamonds," she choose quietly, "And remember our deal Kidomaru. When I win you have some explaining to do."

The dark haired male smirked, "That's if you beat me pinky."

Exhaling shortly she looked up at the group with emerald eyes shinning, "Well with the way my hand's looking, you and I will be having a nice conversation."

Sakura's prediction was correct, and she took all the points in that final hand.

"Alright!" Sakura cheered with a wide smile as she gave Sasori a high-five over the table.

He gave her a small smile as he left to report the score.

"Well pinky I guess I'll be talking to you after the final then," Kidomaru added as he gave her a final glance before leaving.

Sasori returned shortly after and stood next to her placing an arm around her waist lightly.

This wasn't really like Sasori but it wasn't as if she was uncomfortable in his grasp so she let it slide.

"Who are we playing against in the final round?" the female drum major asked as she peered up into his deep brown eyes.

'I could stare at his eyes for days…NO!'

He met her gaze and gave her a small smirk before looking over at the other table, "It seems they're both members of the sound band, Suigetsu and Kimimaro."

"Oh great," she moaned with annoyance as she caught the glance of the two mentioned males.

They both smirked.

"Let's kick their asses," she told Sasori as she glared at the sound members.

He tightened his hold on her and began to walk over to their new table.

"Sakura," Kimimaro greeted with a smile then looked to the male latched onto her waist, "And you are?"

"Sasori," he answered, uninterested.

Sakura swore that she felt his fingers twitch from their place on her waist.

Whether it was in protection or annoyance, she'll never know.

"Oi, pinky," Suigetsu called giving her a toothy grin that reminded her of Kisame, "Ready to get that cute little ass of yours beat?"

"Ready to loose all hopes of producing sperm?" she suggested as she cracked her knuckles.

He kept up his toothy grin as they all took their seats.

A crowd had gathered around to watch the final round. Friends were cheering on their fellow band members as Kimimaro passed Sakura the deck, letting his hand brush against her own.

"We'll let the lady deal the first hand."

Sakura rolled her eyes at his lame attempt at chivalry.

"Lets just get this over with," she replied as she shuffled the cards then passed the same amount to each person.

They all passed the first way through and Suigetsu called clubs the next way through.

"How about we make this more interesting," Kimimaro suggested as he laid down the first card.

"What did you have in mind?" Sasori asked as he followed suit.

If Suigetsu's smirk could have gotten any wider it would have, "Putting more at stake."

"Like what?" Sakura asked with peaked interest.

"Winner get whatever they want from the losers," Kimimaro answered looked at the pinkette from the corner of his eye.

"Don't do it Sakura-Chan!" Naruto interjected, "It's a trap!"

Sakura figured it would end horribly for her is she were to lose. Was it really worth it?

Sasori took the points for the first hand and sent a mild glare towards the white-haired male, "Within reason of course."

"Of course," Kimimaro replied shuffling the cards once more then dealing them.

"So what would we be looking at if we were to lose?" Sakura asked, almost regretting even uttering the words.

Suigetsu continued to smile at her interest, "Some time with you when you're not thinking of ways to brutally murder us in that pretty little head of yours."

Sasori, and most of the other males sitting around Sakura, glared at the male.

She wanted to gag, "And if you lose you never talk to me or stalk our practices again."

"Sounds fair enough," Kimimaro concluded as the next hand went to them.

"Well then I hope you're ready to lose," she told him with a smirk as Sasori played the first card.

Should she win or should she lose? YOU TELL ME! :]

So you should READ and REVIEW and tell me what the outcome should be.