Confession.

Chapter 10.

Neji.

It is a well known fact that Konoha High's basketball team is at its strongest this year. Don't get me wrong, the fact that we bagged first place in last year's Inter-High Tournament, a battle between the schools in the City, is enough proof that Konoha High is going to be tough to beat, if not impossible. But this year, things would be different. Of course, becoming the city's top team and entering the National Tournament months after are still on our list, though instead of landing on eight place in the National Tournament like we did last year, I'm aiming for a much higher prize. Number one in the country.

Time is running out. I glanced over to the game clock mounted on the gym's wall. Barely fifteen seconds left. It's surprising how Naruto's too tensed to make a move. By the look of desperation on his blue eyes, I guess he's finally aware of the fact that there's a very slim chance of his team winning this practice game. Hn. I can't believe I haven't seen this weakness of him before.

Naruto was breathing heavily. Turns out his stamina isn't infinite after all. His arms were raised in defensive position, desperately trying stop his opponent from scoring.

Sasuke looked at Naruto for a brief moment and then suddenly slows down his dribbling. Naruto, expecting Sasuke to drive the ball closer to the basket before making a shot, was caught unaware.

"Naruto! What are you doing?", Inuzuka Kiba yelled, causing Naruto to flinch, returning him to reality. I guess he'd been too worried about scoring that he wasn't paying attention anymore.

Sasuke then stepped back, just past the three point line and then took wing. His shooting form is excellent, I'll give him that. The ball flew in an arc and made its way into the basket. It was as if the fifteen-point lead they have wasn't enough. Naruto falls in to the hardwood floor. Then the buzzer sounded. That ends the first ever practice game where Naruto wasn't teamed up with Sasuke.

"We'll get them next time. ", Kiba said as he helped Uzumaki stand up.

"Hn. Get up, Baka.", Sasuke too grabbed on to Naruto's unoccupied hand and pulled with Kiba.

Uchiha Sasuke. Clearly, he is a very gifted player. Able to make impossible plays. Shoots at an incredible accuracy. He is evidently far beyond his years. Uzumaki Naruto on the other hand, may not be as great a player as Sasuke, is well aware of his teammates' strengths, making him an excellent point guard.

Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki Naruto. One passes and the other one shoots. The greatest tandem there is. Together, almost unstoppable. Separately, though, it's another issue.

I stood up from the bench I was sitting on and approached Naruto. "I can't see how you got beaten there.", I said, even though I was well aware of the fact that not having Sasuke as a teammate, and having him as an opponent instead, was his downfall.

He turned his blue eyes on me. "I don't know either, Captain. I play fine even if I don't have Teme here on my team."

Well, this was a first. Naruto isn't really one who admits short comings. Usually, he'll just brush it off, and say that he wasn't in his best condition.

"Maybe Sasuke's just too tough to play against.", we all turned towards the direction of the voice.

"Tenten! You're back!", Naruto's face breaks into a grin and goes over to Tenten. She had her hair untied, which makes this the first time I see her like this. She almost looks like a lady.

"Captain, sorry for bailing yesterday. I had to go somewhere. Sorry.", she lowered her head in my direction for a brief moment and then looked back at me.

"It's fine.", I answered evenly.

"I assume practice is over. I'll clean up then. But starting tomorrow, I'll clean up in the mornings, so I won't be a nuisance here while you guys are practicing.", And then she turned away.

So we were back to square one. No more flirting, no more smiles. Blank stares, and all that formality. It's kind of amazing what a mere phone call could do. The only thing she did was set things straight, right? Everything was my fault to begin with. Actually, I found it nice of her to talk to me properly, like a civilized person would, after everything I've done.

"I know what you're doing here, Hyuga-san. Please stop it.", she said after I asked her about what she's up to.

To think that she already knows the reasons behind the moves I pulled on her these past few days. Apparently, she over heard me talking to Sai down the hallway.

"Look, I'm not going to quit okay. I promise, I'll be out of you way. To be honest, I'm already trying to avoid you."

Something I decided to forget about ever since I had noticed my longing for her, since I have finally admitted that I was attracted to her. Just when I decide to make this game of mine real, she comes up on me like that. Telling mo to get off her back. Not that I could blame her. I was playing with her, dammit. I was acting like that to make her fall for me, and then, I'll break her little heart. That way, she'll be desperate to get away from me. Now that I think about it, that desperate plan of mine was an all-time low. She has every right to hate me.

And I thought I had a solid chance at her. I'm such a jerk.

Tenten.

He stared at me blankly. His face was unmoving and emotionless, well, except for his eyes.

That look in his eyes. It almost looks like he's upset and I can't help it but feel guilty. Was it so wrong for me to draw the lines? Because, frankly, before that phone call last night, the lines were such a blur that I kept getting my feelings confused with the truth. He was playing me, trying to make me quit. Heck, I don't even know how he plans on making me quit by being all flirty and nice to me.

I used to think that I could play along with him.. But then, I found myself somewhat confused.

After a long debate with my conscience, I finally arrived at a solid conclusion. I figured that I can't take playing with him too. Because, guess what? I kinda, sorta, already fell for his stupid game. I was actually starting to like him, I believed that he really thought I was different.. The things he said in the gym before... And playing with him, talking to him, even looking at him makes me feel.. kind-of hurt. That's why I started avoiding him at all costs.

Yes, I know that I could just quit this job to make things easier, but that would mean giving up the Taekwondo tournament this winter. The same tournament I worked hard for the past years. So I just went on with avoiding him.

Yesterday, I found everything to be alright. I left basketball practice to attend Taekwondo training. I asked Naruto to pass on my message, and apparently, it worked. I'll be able to attend practices, and I'll just clean up the gym in the morning, so that it'll be spotless by the time the team arrives. So yes, I get to keep the job, my tournament, and avoid Neji.

I only went here this afternoon to extend my apologies for leaving without notice. Well, not really. I don't know the reason really. I just.. had to come by.

Not wanting to remain staring at Captain, I turned away and went towards the supply closet in the locker room.

"Tenten.", he called out in that monotone voice of his.. the tone he used back then. I turned around and looked at him.

"PRACTICE DISMISSED.", Neji yelled at particularly no one and soon, every player was out of the gym.

"See yah later, Tenten, Captain.", Naruto waved over with a grin and the left with Sasuke and the others behind him.

And in just a few minutes, we were alone. Just the two of us. We were about two meters apart. He stood his ground, not leaving that spot of his.

This is not good. No, this is bad. Far worse than bad. This is.. just.. so..

"Tenten.", now he was walking towards me while staring me right in the eye. I tried to avoid his gaze, but there was something about his eyes that made me want to look at them all day.

"Yes, Hyuga-san?", I asked, trying to keep myself from stammering.

"No formalities needed Tenten. I just need to..", we were about an arms length apart when he stopped. "I just need to say something."

He averted his gazed and looked at the basket to the other side of the gym instead. "Are.. are you mad at me?", he asked with a voice that was almost.. gentle. I sat down on the hardwood floor. If only that gentle tone of his didn't leave me weak in the knees. And to my surprise, he sat down too, crossed legged, facing me now.

"No.", I answered and stared at my palms, avoiding his eyes. It caught me completely off guard when I felt a hand cupping my chin.

"Look.. I'm sorry..", he said, making me look at him. I didn't respond. He continued anyway.

"I know.. I may not be the nicest guy around.. Hell, I didn't even know I had a heart until last night.", you got that right. Wait. What?

"I just, desperately wanted to get rid of you.", his right hand now on my cheek, caressing it. "You wanna know why?"

I knew I would just stammer if I attempted to verbally answer, so I just nodded.

"You distract me.", he smiled and then leaned closer. "It's like, I can't get you off my head. Let me show you how much, okay?"

Then he kissed me. And I let him.