AUTHORS NOTE:

As promised, another chapter posted in the same day. Like always please read and review.

I own nothing but this plot.

Chapter Fourteen: Sand Warriors vs. Konoha Leaf Ninjas

Today was the day. It was the game Sasuke had been waiting for. He knew his team was ready for this rematch. This was a rematch that wouldn t be taken lightly. He woke up especially early that morning and went to the balcony to watch the sunrise. When he got there, he found Sakura tracing her scars with her fingers.

"Hey Sakura, you okay?"

"Oh, what? Yeah, I'm good Sasuke. I just never mind, it's not that important. You ready for the game?"

"Yeah, I have a really good feeling that we're going to win."

"Hey, you need to watch out for a player named Sai. He plays dirty, but rarely gets caught. Not only that, but he's also been known to hurt players on the opposing team."

"And you let this happen while you were captain?"

"No. I removed him from the team after my first game as captain. He got really pissed off at me. But now that the girls and I have left, he s been placed on the team as their captain."

"Hey Sakura, I know that it's none of my business, but how did you and your friends get expelled from Sand?"

"I already told you. We got expelled for beating the crap out of some guys."

"Well that I know, but what's the whole story?"

"Oh, well the team and I just won the championships and we were having a pep rally in the auditorium. Sai and his Neanderthals, that he calls friends, came up to the us. Sai was saying how it was payback time for kicking him off the team. I told him to go fuck himself and leave me the hell alone. Next thing I know, he's throwing the first punch and we're in a huge fight. Then the teachers came. Apparently, there were some other students who saw the girls and I beating those guys up and told them. Since they didn't see Sai and his friends throwing any punches, we were expelled and they weren't. A week later I found out that Sai was made captain of the Varisty Basketball team, my team."

"So that's how it happened."

"Yeah, well let's talk about your strategy." Sasuke handed Sakura his playbook. She read them over, making some changes here and there, in order to increase the team s chances of winning. When she was finished, she handed it back to him and he looked over the changes.

"Brilliant! This should give us an edge."

"You're welcome. Look, we probably should be getting ready for school."

"Yeah, you're right, let's go."

The school day went by pretty fast and the game had finally approached. The Konoha Leaf Ninjas were all psyched. The games in the past were always pretty exciting, but none were as exciting as this one.

"Alright team, we're going to win this one! We're going to get what's rightfully ours! Our school's pride is at stake! Who are we?"

"The Ninjas!" chanted the team.

"What are we gonna do?"

"WIN!"

"Yeah, that's right! Alright, so look carefully at these two plays. Tenten, you see where you make that pass to Yuki?"

"Ah yes, that's brilliant! This is better than before."

"Yeah, well you can thank Sakura later. Alright team, let's go!"

"YEAH! WE ARE THE NINJAS! THE MIGHTY, MIGHTY, NINJAS!" chanted the team as they got out of the locker rooms. As they got closer to the court, their chants became louder and louder and their fans started to join in. Yes, this was their house and no Sand Warrior was going to win here. Not today, not ever.

The game was going pretty well. The Ninjas were giving the Warriors a run for their money. Sai, the Warriors team captain, was getting pretty upset. He needed a way to get rid of the Ninjas. He needed to put his team in the lead, even if that meant illiminating a key player.

There were thirty seconds left until half time and the Ninjas had control of the ball. Naruto passed it to Shikamaru, who faked right and tossed it to Gaara. Gaara in turn, dribbled it and got close to the hoop, but two Warriors were blocking him. He looked around and saw that Alice was free. He passed it to her, giving her the perfect chance to shoot. Alice dribbled the ball, positioned herself to shoot, the same way Sakura taught her. She released the ball and next thing she knew, she was down on the ground.

!

It was the end of the first half. Sai had run towards Alice and pushed her aside while he stole the ball. Alice's hand twisted some as she fell to the ground, yelling in pain. Sasuke stopped dead in his tracks and saw that his twin was hurt. He and Gaara quickly ran to her side to see if she was alright, while the team was calling foul on Sai.

"THAT'S A FUCKIN FOUL! HOW COULD YOU NOT HAVE SEEN THAT? THAT GUY THREW HER TO THE GROUND!" yelled Kiba.

"I'm sorry, but I can't help you. It was an innocent steal and she twisted around, lost balance, and fell. I call that the Warriors now have the ball."

"THAT'S BULL!"

"YEAH! GO WARRIORS!"

"BOO!"

"WARRIORS ARE NUMBER ONE!" Ignoring all the chants from the stands, Sasuke escorted his sister to the benches, where Sakura was.

"I ran down here as fast as I could. I told you that Sai plays dirty."

"Yeah. Hey Tsukiko, you think you can still play?"

"No Sasuke, my wrist, it s spained pretty badly. Someone needs to go in for me."

"No one can shoot like you though."

"Yes, but there is one person who can shoot better than I can." Alice turned towards Sakura, giving her a meaningful look.

"Me? Oh no, I'm not playing anymore. I quit the team, remember?"

"Yes, but Sakura, you said you'd go in if the team needed you. Well, the team needs you! Now's the time," said Alice. Sakura looked at Alice and then at Sasuke. Groaning, she finally gave in.

"Alight Sakura, let's get you suited up," said Sasuke.

"Yeah, yeah."

Half time ended and Sakura came out of the locker room with her Ninja uniform on. She adjusted her sweat bands on her arms and looked for Sai. When she found him, she called him out.

"I'm gonna make this hell for you, Bastard!"

"Ah, Haruno. How nice to see you again."

"Don't try and act all civil with me Sai! Let's do this."

"With pleasure." The buzzer sounded and the second half of the game began.

TIME SKIP

The score was now 20-20. There was one minute left on the clock. Sai was trying his best to block Sakura as many times as he could, but she was too quick for him. Sasuke now had possession of the ball. Running down the court, he faked right and left, passing different Warrior players. He then passed the ball to Naruto, who in turn ran towards the hoop. He saw that Hinata was open, so he passed it to her. She then, passed it to Ino, then Shikamaru got it from her, who lazily gave it to Neji. Neji then threw it to Tenten, who spotted Sakura at the hoop with the perfect spot to shoot. Tenten then gave Sakura the ball. At the same time, Sai came up to Sakura in a desperate chance to block her. Ten seconds were left.

"You're wasting your time Haruno. I'm going to take that ball from you."

"Dream on." They both jumpd at the same time and the ball released from her grasp.

8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1...BUZZZZ!

It was finally over. Konoha Leaf Ninjas had won 23 to 20.

"And that s how the game is played. Better luck next time Sai." She then ran and joined the rest of the team in celebration. Jumping up and down, she hugged Ino, Tenten, Hinata, and Alice. She and Sasuke spotted each other and smiled. They had truly done it. KLHS pride was back and bigger than ever.

Well that's chapter fourteen. Chapter fifteen in next! Stay tuned guys!

-Mariegurl