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Note that I do not own Naruto or any of the characters. All that belongs to Masashi Kishimoto.

Chapter 8

"Ladies and gentleman, the last rounds are about to begin for the girls, and the games of the top 8 will begin on court 1 and court 2, you are welcomed to sit and watch on courts 3 and 4 but please do not bother those playing on the last 2," the announcer said.

The final round was about to begin and the warm ups of both Ten-chan and mine, and Ino and Hinata has already finished, which meant the real game starts soon.

"Court 1 start, Tenten Uzumaki serves to Sakura Haruno," our ref said.

We began as Ten-chan served high in the air. I moved back as I dropped the shot at the opposite direction (cross drop). In return Ten-chan looked as though she was going to net the shot, but instead she lifted, so as I ran to the front I halted for a bit before changing directions and moved backward to clear the shot all to the back in order to limit her tricks. When I did this I saw her smirk… this made my eyes widen and it turned out that by doing so, I fell in her trap. I was about to run towards the front when she cross-smashed towards my backhand. I was shocked… watching from the side was so much different than going against her first hand. She was good. Her tricks were so perfect it was beyond amazing… But I have tricks of my own… I have my own secrets and strengths that has made me the way I am, and I knew I would have to use at least a few of them in order to win.

Tenten served again and this time I was serous. I sliced an overhead shot and made it into a cross-drop that was hard to get no matter who you are… that was ONE of the many strengths that I have. I have some shots that are so sharp and dead on the lines that it can sometimes confuse the other player. With that I was able to win the second point of the game. I served the shot and when I thought she was going to clear straight towards me forehand, but she hit the other way towards my backhand. I had ran the already started to move the other direction already so when she hit it was already too late for me to get it. But we're talking about me. I turned around with my right leg stepping backwards in order to face the back of the shuttle and I tried to reach for it to hit. When I got it I smirked and hit it as hard as I can to the backcourt, since Ten-chan didn't expect that so she wasn't ready for it. For the next few tricks she tried to do I was able to get with my footwork that I trained so hard for in the past few years in Teiko. Like that I was able to complete the first game without much problems and the score was 21-8.

Xx Sasuke's P.O.V xX

…That was amazing. I knew she was good, but she was able to hit most of the trick shots that Tenten hit. And her shots were so beautiful and just so perfect, it is always right on the line. Her footwork was no slouch either, she was fast and she was also able to change her direction without hesitation allowing her more than enough time to get to the shots. The most important thing was that she only allowed Tenten to a little more than eight points. And the thing is that Tenten isn't that easy to beat… Is this how strong the people of Teiko are?

The second round was about to start already and it was pretty obvious that Sakura was going to have the upper hand of this fight. I'm pretty sure she hasn't used al of his tricks and still has plenty left… How strong can this girl get? Hn. But I guess that's what makes her different and special. Maybe because of this strength I she has to change in order to protect herself in a way.

I continued to watch as she now was able to finish the game much easily. She even did plenty of her own trick shots that were much different from Tenten's but also much more useful. You couldn't even see the shuttle, its as if disappeared. But somehow I'm not surprised and it looks as if this was just simple tricks for her. I cant wait until we train together and we are able to see what she can really do. By the end of the game the two were smiling, and everyone else was clapping at the good game despite Tenten becoming completely crushed at the second half.

"Good game," Neji said as they walked to us. Hinata and Ino was still playing, they were more evenly match despite not being as strong as Tenten and Sakura. But their skill would be perfect for doubles. But we can think about roles next time.

"Thanks," they said at the same time.

"Ne, Sasuke-kun when is your match against Shikamaru?" Sakura asked.

"Around 5, so I still have plenty of time," I replied. "Good game by the way."

"Hmmm, thanks by the way," she said smiling. This made me smirk. She was so god damn cute when she smiles!... Damn now I feel like a creep. But really, now that I understand my feelings for the girl I'm not sure as to what I should think. We were now all watching the last of Ino and Hinata's game that was coming close to an end with Ino in the lead. But I'm amazed at their endurance, this is already the 3rd game. I stuck to watching their long play in order to get my mind off of her.

Xx Sakura's P.O.V xX

I cant get Sasuke's smirk out of my mind. It was in a way so cute! I want to hug him like a pillow. I know its weird but I cant help it, I love cute things.

…Not that I'm saying that Sasuke looks like a doll or some sort of cute object. Really! And I'm also not saying that I love all cute guys. Its just that Sasuke looked so adorable and- whatever now I'm confused too. Gahh… it's so confusing… my feelings for him that is.

But the thing is, is that I know that I like Sasuke… but I'm not so sure if it's right to feel this way about some guy I met a day ago. I barely even know him, and yet I can't control these feelings for him… What in the world am I supposed to do?...

I looked at him from the corner at my eye, he was watching Ino and Hinata's eye with calculated eyes. But in the end I have no idea what he's thinking. I wonder if he even feels the same way about me. But that's probably very unlikely. After all I'm just another girl and I don't even have anything that makes me stick out from the other girls. Am I even supposed to try to get his attention… If you weren't able to tell before you should now, I'm not exactly good at feelings and these things.

"What ~cha ~thinking?" Ten-chan asked in a suspicious voice.

"Huh?!" I asked back shocked. I also blushed a little in embarrassment for getting caught while thinking about Sasuke. "Nothing," I quickly said.

"Hmm… if you say so," she said eying me from the corner of her eye before going back to watching the game. Before I could go back to my own little world to try and solve my own little problem, she smirked, "I know you're thinking of a little somebody," she chimed.

I couldn't control myself I probably turned as red as a cherry at her statement. How in the world did she know? Was I that obvious with how I felt for him? Did HE know? I was panicking and you couldn't blame me. I was in love with one of the guys from just yesterday, and that it self was weird. If somebody already found out about how I felt for him, the situation would be very strange and we're talking about one of his friends he was with for a long time… that made everything even more awkward. Before I could have attack, Ten-chan reassured me by whispering in my ear and telling me that she wouldn't tell him a word. Despite the fact that it makes me feel safer I was still wary and embarrassed about the situation. What the hell is wrong with me?! Why am I even that worried?

Soon the game ended and the two walked up to us. By now it was already 4:45 meaning that the guys only had around 15 minutes left. And as I suspected the guys went to go get their stuff.

"So… you got a thing for Sasuke, huh?" Ten-chan smirked as she questioned me.

"W-what? Really?" Hinata asked shocked from what Tenten said.

"S-," I haven't even said half a word yet and but I was interrupted yet again.

"I KNEW IT!" Ino yelled as if she won a lottery.

"Shut up Pig! Don't interrupt me!" I seethed angrily. I hated when people did that… more specifically I hated it when Ino does that. And what's ironic is that she does that almost every single time. I sighed, "So what if I do? It's not as if he feels the same way he just met me yesterday. Besides how did you find out? Was I seriously that obvious," I pouted. To be honest I really didn't want them to know about my silly little crush, because I don't even know how I really felt so it feels weird telling them about it, or having somebody figure it out.

"Nope it's not that obvious, but it was…obvious," Ten-chan said as she stumbled for words.

"That sure answers my question," I said sarcastically as I gave her a half hearted glare.

"I think what Tenny means is that it isn't obvious to other people including the boys of course, but it's pretty obvious to us two," Ino explained in her own calm voice.

"Whatever let's find a seat to sit in so we can watch the guy's games," I said as I turned around. It was only 5 more minutes until the game starts and they were already warming up.

"Ladies and gentleman, the boys final round of the top 8 is about to start on court 1 and 2. The rules are the same as before. So please mind that there are still others that are playing," the announcer said like when we were playing.

"Who do you want to win?" Hinata asked out of the blue.

"Naruto and Sasuke," was Ten-chan's reply.

As for Ino she said Neji and Shikamaru. Lastly, Hinata chose Neji and Sasuke. Then they all turned their heads towards me.

"What?" I asked taken aback.

They sweat dropped. "Who. Do . You. Want. To. Win?" they asked simultaneously while saying each word as clearly as possible. It was as if they were treating me as a kid.

"Naruto and Sasuke."

"Of course you cheer for Sasuke," Ino mocked suggestively. "After all…"

"That's not it!" I said shaking my hands that were in front of me frantically. "It's just I'm closer to those two than Shikamaru and Neji! Also it's more likely that they're gonna win."

"Say what ever you want," Ino smirked as she chuckled while the other two girls laughed slightly.

The game started and I paid close attention to the game on court 1 Sasuke versus Shikamaru. Right after Sasuke served, Shikamaru attacked. The game was so intense even though the game just started, but he way they played was so eye catching despite their styles being completely different. Sasuke was simply amazing. He looked so professional and elegant in a way, he was very quick and all his smashes were very strong and fast. As for his drops and nets, they were very light and soft making the shuttle tumble a lot… He was so good. He may be on par with the starting players of Teiko from the last 3 years. But the only problem was… he was like my level. The guys from Teiko were incredibly strong… even I cant beat the 5th seated of Teiko, which was also the 3rd best make starting player. But Sasuke still has lots of room to grow. If I remember correctly Naruto said that Sasuke started not very long ago. That meant he had lots of talent since he became a captain right off the bat and is THIS good. It was truly an amazing sight.

I was so deep in my evaluation I didn't even notice that they were already up to the second half of their second round. But the game was pretty fast. No matter how good Shikamaru was, he was no match for Sasuke. The score of the first game was 21-13 and now its 11-3.

Before I knew it the game ended. It really was astounding. The neighboring game had an unexpected turn of events and Naruto won after forcing his way through Neji's incredible defense. But what made the win a little pathetic was that Naruto had to break two racket strings in order to win. And it was pretty obvious that Neji was just toying with him, and yet that idiot couldn't even tell. In the end we sat at the bench where our bags were and stuck to chattering. We also decided that we would have a little sleep over at Ino's place this weekend.

By the time everyone's game was over the 8 of us went to change back into our uniforms. All of us went to get dinner together and when we finished we went our separate ways home.