Disclaimer: I totally do not own Naruto. This is all just for fun.

So here starts the cheerleading fun... of course like an idiot I decided to add cheerleading in this story although I know nothing about it... so if anything is wrong, feel free to point it out. I actually researched a few things and watched some cheerleading videos online to get an idea. If you have no idea what the terms I used mean, check them on youtube!

Thanks to all your wonderful reviews so far. This chapter is dedicated to BlueSakuraLauren for reviewing all three chapter so far! You rock! :)

Enjoy!

Chapter 4

..~**~..

PE was an interesting class… Gai-sensei was what made it interesting. Sakura could not seem to stop staring at her new teacher's outfit, which consisted of a tight green jumpsuit.

"Alright my youthful students," he announced while making them run ten laps around the gym. "Today is volleyball!"

Fortunately, the class was split into several teams and Sakura didn't have to deal with Sasuke again as she found herself teamed up with Ino, Hinata and Naruto. Her blond friend had barreled towards her at the start of class asking her if she was okay and Sakura had smiled telling him not to worry, that she was a tough girl.

"You sure put Teme in his place," he told her, a grin splitting his face. "It was totally awesome."

Sakura giggled and together they helped put up the net for the game.

"Naruto," she spoke up, stopping him before he went to get a ball. "I'm staying after class for the try outs."

"That's great, Sakura-chan."

"Do you guys have practice after this?"

"Yeah, Gai-sensei's got us training everyday after school to get back in shape."

"Oh my God, Gai-sensei is your coach?" she asked in horror, before turning around to see the green-clad man demonstrate his volleyball skills to Tenten. He was currently striking a pose giving her a thumbs up and a wink and Sakura noticed Tenten's face turn slightly pale.

"Yeah, he's not as bad as he looks. He's only a goof during PE," Naruto explained to her, wincing at his coach's antics. "Trust me, he drives us pretty hard during practice."

"Right," Sakura continued, her eyes flicking back to him. "Any chance you can drop me home after practice then?"

"Sure, no problem."

"Thanks."

Class went by pretty quickly and Sakura could feel the tension growing among the girls as cheerleader try outs came up next. The class bell rang and as everyone filed back to the locker rooms, Naruto wished her good luck.

She nodded and followed Ino, Tenten and Hinata to another part of the school, still wearing her cotton shorts and black T-shirt. Several other girls were following them too and once they reached the school's dojo, Sakura was surprised to see dozens of girls already waiting inside. She recognised a few girls from various classes and spotted at the back, standing straight and glaring at no one in particular, Karin with a couple of girls, who seemed to be her close friends.

Note to self, avoid the school bitch, Sakura thought before quickly pulling out her phone and texting her mom.

Mom, I think I've gone crazy. I'm trying out to be a cheerleader!

Her phone vibrated within seconds.

Don't worry, do your best and I'm sure you'll make it. And you're not crazy! Love you

Immediately, Sakura texted back.

You do realise cheerleading involves wearing skimpy outfits, right?

Her phone vibrated again, just as the new coach walked in the dojo.

As long as you're okay with it. But don't mention anything to Jiraiya when he comes over to dinner tonight!

Sakura grinned before putting her phone away just as the room suddenly fell quiet. She looked up towards the cheerleading coach and felt her jaw drop.

She was gorgeous!

She was taller than Sakura but not excessively so. She was slim and wore tight-fitting black pants and a matching black sports bra. Her purple hair was long, more half-way down her back and she had almond-shaped brown eyes.

Sakura quickly realised she wasn't the only girl staring at the new coach in awe.

"Right, gather around quickly!" she shouted and the group moved closer around her. "My name is Uzuki Yuugao, you may call me Yuugao-sensei. I will be the new cheerleading coach for Konoha High this year. I am the best and I expect the best, which is why everyone will be trying out again today no matter whether you were a cheerleader or not last year."

Sakura heard Ino gasp next to her. The blonde opened her mouth ready to complain but the coach silenced her with a look.

"So with that said, let's start, shall we?" she started, walking among the crowd and looking hard at the girls around her. "The squad will contain 15 girls, I'll be looking for 3 flyers only and will divide the rest of you between bases and spotters. However, you must all be able to dance. Cheerleading is not only about cheering for your team, it is not only jumps, tumbles and stunts, it is also about dancing. And if you can't show me those sexy moves, then you might as well leave now."

Sakura's eyes unconsciously searched for Hinata, wondering if the girl would be comfortable enough to be a cheerleader under this new coach.

"Now another couple of things and we'll get started," she added, turning her back to the group before facing them again, her face serious once more. "We will be aiming for the annual international cheer competition being held in Tani this year. This will thus require cheerleaders that are dedicated to their squad and school and ready to train four times a week and perform during games but also during pep rallys and other school events."

The crowd broke out in whispers and Sakura winced. Four times a week, that was a lot of time – a lot of commitment. Did she really want to spend that much time practicing for cheerleading?

"I know it is a lot of responsibility but do not forget the rewards. Thanks to our principal and our sponsor's support, I have managed to get you girls new outfits – sexy outfits might I add, but also the right to use all kind of music for our performances and of course a new name – the Konoha Kunoichi."

All the girls suddenly seemed thrilled again and eager to join the squad.

"And now onto the second thing," Yuugao stated sharply. "Those who simply cannot do the splits or hold an arabesque, please leave now."

More than ten girls picked up their bags and left the dojo.

Sakura stayed on.

"Right, now let's get down to business," the coach announced. "We'll leave the paperwork for when I've made the final list. For now we will do a usual warm-up session and those of you who cannot keep up will have to leave."

After 20 minutes of running in laps around the dojo, followed by warm-ups and stretches, Sakura noticed the group was smaller than to start with.

"Right well since there are a more reasonable number of you, let's see what you girls can do!" Yuugao announced asking them to get in line at one end of the tatami. "We're going to do running tumbles, girls, so show me what you got."

Lady Gaga's Poker Face suddenly came on loudly and Sakura couldn't help but laugh at how crazy it all seemed. Tenten gave her an encouraging nod before standing in line behind Ino. Yuugao-sensei nodded her head and Ino launched off, tumbling across the tatami with a round-off, double backhand spring and a tuck.

From the look on some of the girls' faces, they wouldn't be able to repeat Ino's tumbling performance. A couple of girls even left. Tenten quickly followed Ino, adding more backhand springs and a whip.

Sakura watched ahead as the girls went by one by one, showing off their skills as best they could. She was surprised to find out that Hinata was just as good as her friends. Finally, her turn was nearly up and she took a deep breath wanting to show exactly what she could do.

She knew nothing of cheering, basket tosses or dance routines, but tumbling – now that was her thing. She was a gymnast, she was flexible, she could do the splits and a backhand spring since she was in elementary school. And if she wanted to be on the squad, she knew now was the best time to impress.

She watched as one of Karin's friends put too much power in her tumbling pass and ended up falling backwards, arms flailing about instead of finishing with a layout. Yuugao's face scowled before jotting down notes of her pad.

Then it was Sakura's turn. Letting the music fill her on, she went for it. Starting with a run, she kicked into a front walkover and a round-off, followed by tucks, backhand springs, a double full and then reversed the flow with a front tuck before finishing with a split.

The music stopped and Sakura heard clapping behind her. Yuugao-sensei seemed impressed and Sakura couldn't help but smile.

"Very nice," the coach told her as she finished clapping.

She spotted Ino with her mouth slightly open in shock whilst Tenten and Hinata grinned at her.

"That's awesome, girls," the coach continued, whilst moving over to the mirror wall, ordering them to follow. "Now onto the next part of the try outs. I'm going to teach you a short cheer routine and then you will have fifteen minutes to prepare it individually before performing once more before me altogether. Ready?"

The girls spread out before Yuugao-sensei and Sakura groaned. Now this part, she knew, was going to suck.

..~**~..

Almost an hour later, Sakura sat down on the bench in front of the school car park, pulling her ipod out of her bag. The cheerleader try outs was over and Yuugao-sensei had promised to post the results on the school's bulletin board the next day. Since the basketball practice hadn't finished yet, Sakura decided to wait for Naruto outside.

The last part of the try outs had been hard, but Sakura had been able to follow most of Yuugao's dance routine and had memorised the cheers as well. Her friends had been awesome, but then again they already had experience in being cheerleaders. However, there had still been more than twenty-five girls by the end of the try outs and Sakura had a feeling she just wouldn't make the cut.

As she flicked through her song list, ready to put her earphones in, she suddenly heard heeled footsteps behind her.

"Oi, new girl!" a high-pitched voice called out and Sakura tensed at the unfriendly tone before turning around.

She immediately recognised the three girls standing before her from the cheerleader try outs. They had been rather good at dancing and cheering, but not so much with the tumbling. The girls stood before Sakura, scowling down at her.

"Um… yes?" Sakura asked, realising she was trapped sitting on the bench.

"I don't know how things went in your old school, but here things work in a different way," the dark-haired girl snapped, looking down at her. "You can't just expect to be friends with the clan heirs on your first day. As the new girl here, you're at the bottom of the social food chain around here so know your place and stay away from Sasuke-kun and his friends."

"Yes, thank you, I already got the memo," Sakura bit back, glancing towards the school entrance, wondering what the hell Naruto was doing.

The other girl's brown eyes narrowed down into slits. "And just so we're clear," she hissed. "Nobody wants you on the squad. So if your name shows up on that list tomorrow, you better give up your place or you might end up getting your ass kicked."

Sakura didn't bat an eye. She had been on the receiving end of threats almost every day during her last month at Suna High.

And if three skinny fangirls think they can scare me away, then they're in for a surprise.

Sakura slowly stood up and smiled to herself as she noticed the other girls take a step back.

"Okay, let's get one thing straight," she began, her green eyes glinting dangerously. "I tried out for the cheerleading squad just like every other girl. So if Yuugao-sensei puts me on the team, then I'm fucking staying on the team. You and your friends will just have to deal with it."

The girl's face turned so red, Sakura thought she might explode. However, the girl to her right suddenly put a hand on her shoulder, signalling somebody coming their way.

Looking away for a second, Sakura noticed a dark silhouette in front of the school entrance headed towards them.

It was Sasuke.

Oh God, just kill me now, Sakura thought watching him approach and then spotting the large smile appearing on the girl's face. The school king arrives to defend his bitchy fangirls.

"You're in for it now, new girl," the dark-haired girl smirked, before turning towards Sasuke and giving him a warm smile. "Sasuke-kun, what a nice surprise."

Sasuke looked pissed.

"Leave," he ordered and Sakura was stunned when she realised he meant the three girls and not her.

Immediately their smiles disappeared. "But Sasuke-kun, we —"

"Go, now."

His voice left no room for discussion and glancing once more at him then at each other, the girls turned and left in a huff.

So long, suckers.

However, Sakura was now left alone with the Uchiha, who was staring at her.

"You didn't have to do that," she told him, picking up her shoulder bag on the bench.

He merely raised a brow.

"But thanks, anyways," she blurted out. Why am I thanking him?

"Hn."

Silence stooped upon them and Sakura shifted nervously, not knowing what to say. What is he waiting for? Why isn't he leaving?

"I'm sorry about earlier," she heard herself speak again before she could stop. She could feel his eyes glance towards her. "I shouldn't have shouted at you in class – it was wrong."

Why the hell are we apologising to this bastard? Inner Sakura screamed at her.

Sasuke seemed surprised by her words, although it was hard to tell since his dark eyes guarded his emotions so well.

"What did they want?" he finally asked and Sakura took a moment to figure out he meant the three girls.

"Oh, they wanted me to make sure I knew where my rightful place was as the new girl and of course, they don't want me on the cheerleading team," Sakura answered with a hint of anger. She looked over her shoulder towards the school entrance, noticing Kiba and Shikamaru leaving but still no sign of Naruto. "I don't know what they're so worked up about anyway, I doubt I'll even make the squad."

"You'll make it," Sasuke spoke up beside her. "You're a good gymnast."

Sakura whipped her head around at his words.

"You won a regional award."

She felt her jaw literally fall open. "How did you —?"

"You said so," he replied shortly. "At the cinema."

At the cinema? Sakura repeated, completely confused. But then slowly she remembered her last encounter with Sasuke almost two years ago. She had visited Tsunade and Jiraiya for the weekend and had gone to the movies with Naruto. Sasuke had also been there. She could barely remember the whole thing, but she was sure she hadn't spoken to him then.

Did I even talk about gymnastics? She couldn't remember, but apparently Sasuke did.

Huh, interesting…

She closed her mouth, wondering why he was suddenly telling her this. Was this his way of apologising to her? She couldn't be sure - she hardly knew the guy. She did, however, notice that he was still looking at her, his dark eyes unreadable.

She took in the view and couldn't help but stare a little at the way his raven bangs framed perfectly his pale face. She felt memorised by the way they swayed in the wind, grazing the top of his blue collar. His eyes were like two bottomless pools of ink that she could easily drown in if ever she wasn't being careful enough…

"Sakura-chan!" A loud voice pulled Sakura from her thoughts and she turned around to see Naruto waving towards her while heading her way.

She smiled at him and turned back to face Sasuke again, only to realise that he had already left, heading for his car.

..~**~..

"Naruto, you have an orange car?" Sakura blurted out, looking at the Honda sports car. It was pretty fancy and looked incredibly expensive.

"Yeah, didn't I tell you I had a car?" Naruto asked, opening the door for her.

"You never said it was orange," Sakura retorted, slipping inside. She was surprised at how neat everything was inside. Apparently Naruto was taking extra care of it.

"I can't believe Jiraiya bought you this! You barely got your license as well," she told him as they sped out of the school car park.

"It's an early birthday present," he told her, grinning like a Cheshire cat. "So how did try outs go?"

Sakura shrugged. "Alright, I guess. The list will be posted tomorrow. How was practice?"

"Tiring," Naruto told her, taking a left through downtown Konoha. "The first game's in two weeks and we're up against a local team, but since we're aiming for the championship, Gai-sensei's trainings are relentless."

They neared Sakura's block of flats and Naruto pulled up in the common car park.

"What did Sasuke want earlier?" he suddenly asked her, turning to look at her. She noticed his blue eyes seemed worried. "Did he apologise to you?"

"Well not exactly, although I guess he did try in his own way to make things right," she reassured him. "You do know your friend has some serious trust issues, right?"

Naruto nodded. "Yeah, I know, but he's my best friend and so are you and I really want things to work out between us."

"I know," Sakura told him with a smile. "I heard you defended me earlier today and I'm glad you stuck by my side. You know after Kankuro and I broke up, things weren't easy for me at Suna, but I'm glad I have you now."

She knew he had picked up the underlying sadness in her voice, but was grateful when he didn't question her about it.

"I've got your back, Sakura-chan," he said lightly but the sincerity in his clear blue eyes sent a soft tingling through her skin.

Sakura tried to ignore it. "By the way, Jiraiya and Tsunade are coming over for dinner tonight, you're welcome to join us if you want."

"Thanks, but I'm just going to rest for the evening," Naruto answered, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand. "I'll see you tomorrow, Sakura-chan."

"Okay." She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek on an impulse before hopping out of the car. "Thanks, Naruto, drive carefully."

She didn't notice the way his blue eyes lingered on her as he started the engine again.

..~**~..

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Next chapter in a week!