It's been couple of months since I update this story. Hope you guys enjoyed. :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

For the first time ever in her own history she went to school earlier than usual. She engraved her footsteps lazily to her classroom. Sakura sighed deeply as the sudden image struck her mind. She recalled the previous incident she had with that brat.

'Ugh! That chicken-butted-haired man, who did he really think he is! All I want to do is to thank him, but then the way he treated me was really un-human!' She was mad as hatter- her fist curled into ball as they faithfully stand by her side. She could feel her nails digging her tender flesh. But she just didn't care anymore!

' You just wait and see, I'll make you regret for making me like th- ' Sakura's thought were interrupt when someone called out her name.

''Yo! Sakura-chan!''

Upon recognizing the voice Sakura's footsteps abruptly stop itself from moving. Sakura turned her head at the back to see Naruto standing–waving at her with a sheepish smile on his face.

''Narut-You bastard!'' Sakura growled as she ran towards him.

Naruto sweat drop at this, ''Oh, shit!'' Naruto cursed. ''I better ran before she knuckled my pretty head. No kidding it hurts like hell,'' Naruto started to flee his feet but then Sakura launched at him both fall on the ground.

''..ugh..''

''S..Saku..ra, yo- you're hea..vy,'' Naruto said in unrestricted voice while trying his best not to pry off her. But then, Sakura hugged him tightly. She really did miss him. Even though his bright personality sometimes gave her headache but then, it's good to see him back right before her.

Unfortunately, Sakura's gripped on him was a little more tightly which caused Naruto's face turned to the shade of purplish-blue.

''Sak..I-I ne..ed a..air''

''Oh!'' Immediately Sakura let go of her hand, giving Naruto the space for he to inhale the air. He needs it crucially which she can see Naruto gasping like a fish out of water perilously. Within a minute Naruto regained his composure his breathing become more even. His deep ocean blue eyes looking up at Sakura suspiciously- was she really trying to kill him? Umm..Yeah, she did.

''Hey, what was that all about?'' Naruto asked her questioningly. Both stood up and face each other.

''I missed you,''

Naruto frowned at her statement, he asked in disbelieved, his eyes wide open, ''What?! r..r..Really?'' Finally…

''Does that mean yo-you changed your min-?'' his mid-sentence was hang in the air when a fist made its way to meet his face.

''..you baka!''

Thud!

''Ow!''

That should do it.

''..WHY the hell did you do that for?'' Naruto growled in pain, all the way stroking his now to be swollen head. It was the same damn spot she hit him again. Damn, that strength! Sakura just smack him with a quite powerful punch. No wonder any guy did not take a chance on her. She's so feisty!

Sakura gave a sinister smile on her face. Both hand at the back while looking back at him.

'' I just know what are you going to say..''

With conviction Sakura said that to Naruto who look dumbfounded.

''Which is…?''

Sakura sighed deeply, ''I'm sorry Naruto, but my answer is still the same. After all, you already have Hinata.''

His eyes widen for split seconds before they narrowed a bit. Naruto lowered his head in an attempt to hide his emotion.

Sakura knows that Naruto still loves her when they were younger but she didn't feel the same the way he did. Even so, Sakura admits that Naruto is really a great guy, but she doesn't want to toy with his feelings. It's just that it wasn't the right thing to do even though Naruto doesn't want to give up on her. Yes, she admits that she loves him, but it's more to brother and sister's love.

An awkward silence filled in the air as no one wanted to start another conversation.

Sakura stared at the floor for a moment before he met his ocean blue eyes.

''… you know, Hinata is really a great girl, she understands you more than I did and besides, you know me too well that I'm not ready to fall in love. Hinata loves you more than you ever know.'' Sakura said truthfully. Naruto never knew that Hinata had a crush on him. He was actually quite surprised when the shyest girl in their school (as they all know) had a gut as she confessed her feelings to him several months ago. It took all her strength just to tell him that.

''And all you need to do is to give her the chance, Naruto.'' Sakura took his hands; ''Just trust me on this,'' and she squeezed lightly, as she gave a reassuring look at him.

There was a pregnant pause filled in the atmosphere as he swallowed the whole things in his mind before he let out an exasperated sigh, ''Alright, I'll trust you but it doesn't mean that I stop lo-''

'' Well, well, well.. look who's here getting all lovey-dovey..'' The person came out of nowhere greeted them uncassualy.

Her eyes snapped opened, she turned to the side; one of the situations she really wanted to avoid the most which is - meeting Uchiha Sasuke again.

''Sakura-chan, who's that guy?'' Naruto elbowed Sakura, demanding for an answer. He never seen him before this, is he a new guy here?

Sasuke's footsteps echoed throughout the hall, he stop two feet away from them. Hands pocketed at his sides.

'' New T-transferred student, a.k.a arrogant bastard.'' Sakura replied quietly.

''W-wha? I don't get it..'' Naruto asked dumbfounded.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow at Sakura. Did she just give a new nick-name for him? His eyes then turned to Naruto who look guard up by his presence. He looked quite protective over her.

Sakura's head twitched in annoyance, and tried her best to remain calm. Why was he even here? Don't tell me.. he was trying to pick up a fight with her again? Sakura thought.

''If it isn't Mr. Uchiha again-'' she purposely mimicking her voice without looking at him.

''..I'm sorry but I have an important things to deal with so I have no time for you.'' Sakura said trying to recoil him and at the same time she turned her head and faced Naruto.

''Naruto, I'll catch up with you later..''

''Yeah, sure..''

After Naruto said that, Sakura left the spot- leaving Sasuke and Naruto behind. Both watching her silently, until she disappeared from their sight.

''So, what was that all about? What is your relationship with Sakura-chan?'' Naruto asked curiously. His blue ocean eyes stayed at the spot where Sakura just drop out of sight.

Truly, he was a bit frustrated with the whole situations. He just came back from that pain-in-the-ass-school-camp-alongwith-PERVY-SAGE-as-his-mentor-since-no-one-wanted-to-replace-him-so-he-had-no-choice-but-to-joined-in. It was against his will! He had no choice if, not.. he will be banned from joining any basketball practice or upcoming tournament for the whole month. As for the result, a lot of things had happened since he was away. One of it was like this situation. He doesn't know what Sakura had been throughout his absence. Naruto really cared about her, not as much he cared for Hinata.

''It's none, of your business,'' Sasuke answered harshly. Naruto looked at him in disbelieved. 'This guy is really something..'

Sasuke decided to leave when the blond shouted at him.

''Wait a sec!''

Sasuke ignored the loud blonde and proceeded on walking, but to his dismay what Naruto said next-really caught his attention.

''…I maybe don't know what was this all about, but I just hope you're not like Toru..''

''…what about him?,'' Unexpectedly he stopped himself and asked expressly. He demanded for an answer which bugging him for quite some time.

'gotcha..' Naruto smile sheepishly.

''… I will provide you an answers if, you're win against me,''

''What are you talking about?''

''How about we play one-on-one basketball game? Like I said if you win the challenge, I will give you the answer. And if, you're not, I will ask you the same thing.'' Naruto explained patiently while looking up at Sasuke who seeming distraught.

''..then, meet me at the basketball court this evening after school ended.''

''Fine.''

''Then we're all set. I'm soo ready to kick your ass off!'' Naruto said enthusiastic-a big grin plastered on his face.

Sasuke got out from the class earlier, since the teacher had urgent things to do and did not entered the class.

He walked into the gym with POLO beg slung on his left shoulder. He looked around and noticed that the gym was big and the infrastructures were well conserved for students to use. Then he saw Naruto five meters away, shooting an orange ball with confidence.

Sasuke studied the way he played for a while before he greeted himself.

''Naruto.''

''Bastard, so you're ready?'' Naruto asked.

''Hn.''

''…then what are you waiting for, let's rolled it!'' Naruto said out loud-unaware by the presence who eavesdrop their conversation.

'OH NO! This is bad.. I have to tell them before it's too late!' the girl cried as she dozed off to her classroom.

''Hinata! Hinata!''

''Y-yes?''

''There's something you must see right now!'' Tenten holding Hinata's arm- telling her to come with her.

''Tenten relax, you almost out of your breath. Is something wrong?'' Ino asked worriedly.

''There's no time to waste! I saw Naruto and Sasuke are at the basketball court. They are going to kill each other!''

''W-what?!'' The whole class gasped.

As they were about to start the door shot out opened-revealed people barge in.

''What the hell, is going on in here?'' Sasuke asked Naruto in a low voice.

''I don't know. Wait! did you called them to get here?'' Naruto just shrugged and asked Sasuke curiously. Sasuke just rolled his eyes at the blonde.

''No.'' Sasuke stated.

''Na..Naruto-kun!''

''Hinata?'' Naruto turned himself and saw Hinata running towards him.

''A-are you alright? I m-mean you didn't h-hurt y-yourself are y-you?'' Hinata aksed meekly and her eyes examined her boyfriend carefully but she didn't found any injuries on him. Naruto stood still, letting her to check on him. She really cares for him.

''Relax Hinata, I'm fine.. really.'' Naruto said and patting her head gently. Hinata's face flushed with embarrassment.

''B-but I thought y-you two are going to k-kill each other?'' Hinata asked innocently.

''Ehh? Who said that? We're here just to play basketball that's all.''

''W-well..'' Hinata tapping her fingers nervously when Ten-Ten suddenly barge in from the crowd and stood between them, ''…it was me who said that,'' she raised her hand and panted for air, ''I thought both of you are going to kill each other!'' Ten-ten explained. Both Naruto and Sasuke sweat drop on Ten-Ten's comment.

''That's explain why the people are here.'' Sasuke said motionlessly as his eyes watching their faces -look a bit clueless including Neji, Shikamaru, Kiba and the others from different classes. His onyx orbs spotted at the side of pink haired girl behind those crowded who looked a bit worried of her childhood best friend. And it irks him somehow, although in reality he would not admitted it.

''W-well, that's a r-relieved. C-can we w-watch y-you guys?''

''Whatever.'' Sasuke muttered coldly. His eyes still attached to Sakura and back to them again.

Instantly, Ten-Ten and Hinata back away, Ten-Ten made a short explanation to the crowds and apologized for the news they had heard.

The game started as the people stared at the both of them especially on Sasuke.

Sasuke dribbled the ball from left to right, with Naruto guarded while eyeing him intensely. It seems he knows to play the game. Immediately, Sasuke makes a move to the right and break Naruto's defense as he shooting the ball in the ring earning 2 points. Naruto cursed. He was 3 points behind Sasuke.

''Wow! He's good!''

''He got the techniques,''

''He's so masculine,'' girl sigh dreamily.

''…he is soo cool!'

''..and fast too!'' another girl squealed. The guys just frowned when they heard their girl's comments.

Naruto wipe the sweat out from his face. He was getting worn out by the time. Naruto took the ball and ran towards the basket, Sasuke trying his best to prevent Naruto from scoring. He dribbled faster and attempt to break Sasuke's defense. The ball sent flying in the air heading towards the goal, when unexpectedly Sasuke jumped catching the ball in time and toss it into the basket. It went straight in.

''Dammit! I didn't expected that!'' Naruto scowled, looking up at Sasuke, thinking for new strategies.

''Oh my god! Wasn't that Uchiha Sasuke?''

Immediately, everyone turned to the owner's voice strangely except Sakura who ignore it. '' What, kind of question is that? Of course he is Uchiha Sasuke, he is the most popular guy in the school! Duh,'' Ayaka said her hands on her hips with a furrowed expression on her face.

It sounded pretty weird in their head when someone didn't know who Sasuke really is especially when he is now the new hot guy in school where every girl would die to be his girlfriend and most of the guy would want to be in his shoes.

''Of course we all know, he is the one who blew away my chances to get a girl! Right guys?'' Kiba said sarcastically where all the other guys nodded as they to felt the same.

The dark haired girl just ignored the comments. ''Didn't you guys know, he is the ex-captain from Otogakure High School?''

Upon hearing that, Sakura jaw dropped as she turned her head to the girl.

''What?!''

''…Wasn't that one of the top High School in Japan?''

''Yes-said that he was the legendary player of his school. They lost one of their precious ace player.'' The long dark hair girl explained.

''How did you, know any all of this?'' Shikamaru asked suspiciously.

''Simple. I got it from my cousin.''

Prrrrriiiittttt!

''…the winner is Sasuke!''

Everyone looked at Sasuke in amazed especially when they discovered Sasuke's abilities. He just not an ordinary guy, with a pretty face. Their heads then turned to Naruto who looked disappointed but was glad at the same time. He lost to him with two points behind.

''That was an interesting game to watch,'' Neji said as they approached Naruto and Sasuke with the guys trailing him behind.

''..we would like to make an offer to you. Would you care to join our basket ball team? It would be youthful if we have you.'' Lee said enthusiastically.

Sasuke looked at the fuzzy brows, he was deep in thought before he gave his answer. ''I'm not interested.'' Sasuke said coldly and the whole gang were taken aback by his unpredictable answer. Didn't see that coming.

''By the way dobe,'' Sasuke referring it to Naruto, who looked quite surprised by the nick-name he just called him. ''…since you already lost to me, I hope you'll keep your word.'' Sasuke packed his bag and left the court.

They all watch him as he walked away leaving them behind.

''What did he mean just now?''

''Nothing.'' Naruto said shortly, avoiding from answering the question.

''What are we going to do? It's a waste if we don't have him in our team.'' Kiba asked while trying to figure out at the same time.

''…there is an alternative solution.'' Sai said.

''..and what is that?'' Neji asked.

''We should ask help from our team-manager. That is her work right?''

''You mean asked help from Sakura?''

''Exactly.''

''This is so.. troublesome.'' Shikamaru muttered lazily.

''Please Sakura, you're our manager. You're the only person left that we can count on to.''

''My answer is still No!'' Sakura storm off but they block her way.

Sakura clenched her fist tightly, ''Guys.. I swear if you dared to..''

''Please do this, for the sake of us.'' Shino cried out this time. They could not stop from begging her. They never had been like this before. ''We never asked you to do something on our behalf, just this once. Please persuade Sasuke to join our team.'' It took all their pride just to say this thing to her as if she the last hope they can hope on. ''Sasuke would make a huge different if we have him. Our team would become stronger than ever.''

Heavy sighed escape her lips, ''I see what I could do. If he still refused, then there's nothing we could do about it.'' Sakura murmured and they nodded understanding.

''Thanks Sakura'' Kiba said while patting her shoulder. ''We would not forget your deeds.''

He looked at her sternly, arms crossed and the look said he wasn't going to back down. Sakura had the same expression only her hands on her hips as they had an intense glaring competition.

''I'm not going with you.'' Sakura said stubbornly. He just asked her to be his slave. Why in the hell did she have to do that? ''Hn. Then I would not join the team.'' Sasuke stated. If she refuse, then so be it.

Why does it need to be this way? It's just a simple thing yet they didn't come out with better agreement. She wasted for about 10 freaking minutes just to negotiate with him!

Sakura slapped her forehead and sighed in frustration. Eventually, she had had enough any of this messed, she sighed and muttered incoherent words under her breath. The team did put a huge pressure on her. They really count on her!

Sakura took a deep breath for couple of times and said ''Let me get this straight, I still hate you for what you've done to me and I'm definitely agreeing this madness just for the sake of the team. But there's one thing I would like to add and I need your own confirmation..''

Sasuke raised an eyebrow waiting for her to continue.

''…no matter what the circumstances are, we can't be together.''

''Deal.''

So yeah.. That's it! I didn't realize that I wrote for this chapter at almost 3000 words. Please leave some reviews or small comment. I command you, Do it now! HAHA Till next time.