This chapter is rewritten.

Disclaimer: Me no own.

Compromise... Or not

"And you punched him, why, Ms. Haruno?" Dean Tsunade Senju, a busty woman with blonde hair, hazel eyes and an unfriendly reputation, demanded from the young lady who sat in a heap of pure unadulterated rage beside the university's basketball team captain.

Yesterday evening, she had received a call from Coach Haruno's wife explaining that he would not be available and why. Given that she could not really do anything about it, she let him off, but didn't fail to ask if he was sending a substitute. Thankfully, he was. Un-thankfully, said substitute was a student – a female student even – and that was unallowable. She tried going against the proposal at first, but after discussing the matter for thirty whole minutes, she gave in – considering that she wouldn't be able to get anyone else in such short notice, and that she needed to cure her worsening headache with a bottle of sake.

To her utter dismay, the effects of the alcohol were short-lived, and she couldn't bring any inside the campus. What would that say about her? Too bad, she badly needed one right now because these brats were already in each other's throats!

"He was being an irrational sexist!" Kizashi's daughter barked with fire in her eyes and a promise of eternal damnation in her voice. Nice, Tsunade thought. He was right about her; maybe she does fit the job. She didn't seem to be intimidated by the young Uchiha. She'll like this girl.

"And you're being an annoying woman," the Uchiha spoke in a seemingly bored tone that only infuriated Sakura more. Tsunade realized he was doing it exactly for that, but Sakura was too angry to notice.

"Really? Annoying woman? S'that the best you got, pretty boy? I expected more from you, Captain." She spat the word like it was the most disgusting thing she's ever uttered in her life.

If Tsunade's hearing weren't so keen, she would have missed the low growl that escaped Sasuke Uchiha's lips. She smirked; this girl was breaking his much esteemed resolve. The throbbing in her head wavered as amusement danced in her eyes. She'd like to see more of these two.

Sakura couldn't believe this guy. They hadn't even properly introduced themselves and he's already on her last nerve. He won't let her on the team because she's a girl. How eighteenth century was that?!

So she punched him. Hell yeah, she punched the bastard right in the fucking mouth! And she didn't care if she got suspended or maybe even fired. She didn't accept this job just to have her whole person put to shame because of her damned gender. To hell with this Uchiha person. So what if he was their best player? She could train some random guy from the Mathletes Org and achieve the same results.

So, okay, maybe her anger was boosting her self-esteem, but whatever. She didn't need this ego-filled six-foot-whatever doughnut to validate her capabilities. Her dad trusted her with this job and damn well was she going to do it.

Right before this whole fiasco in the dean's office, one of the team's coaching staffs walked into the gym and met the sight of a bloody-faced Sasuke Uchiha holding his dripping nose and pulling a smug-looking little (compared to the gargantuan players he's always with) pink person by the wrist.

To say that he was confused was an understatement. Muttering a 'what the hell,' he skeptically approached the two squablings and held them separately at both his arms' lengths. Thankfully, they recognized his presence and halted their movements.

Sakura was embarrassed to say the least. But she had her explanations ready, and adrenaline was still coursing through her. With her brows still furrowed, she turned to the staff and opened her mouth to react. But before she could, she saw the man's eyes crinkle that indicated a smile. She wasn't sure, though. The mask he wore made it difficult to tell.

"Explain yourselves," he had demanded in a surprisingly calm tone.

Kakashi Hatake – the staff who was a silver-haired man with a vertical scar on his left eye and a mask covering half of his face – brought the two teenagers to the dean's when they refused to act civil. He thought that maybe a higher authority would get them to suck their tempers for a minute. Man, was he wrong.

Tsunade leaned back on her chair as she rubbed at her temples again. Moments ago, Kakashi saw that the whole thing was beginning to amuse her. However, the lack of good sake was taking its toll on her.

"Sasuke," he began, seeing as Tsunade was not in the mood for this. "As the team captain, you were the first to be informed about Coach Haruno's condition. This little missy over here," he lifted a hand to pat Sakura's head and winced when she swatted it away with a glare. Nonetheless, he continued, "– is his daughter, and she was requested by our very own Coach to substitute for him. Now, I understand that you are a proud nitwit and you most certainly will not take orders from a lady, but I'm afraid that you can't do anything about this matter."

"We don't need her. We're perfectly good on our own." This little boy just wouldn't give up, huh?

"You might be surprised on how quickly you'll take that back once she's with you in the court." Well, that was some comment. Sakura made a mental note to apologize later to this silver masked man for slapping his hand away.

In response, Sasuke exhaled sharply as if this was the hardest decision he had ever had to make. He closed his eyes and rubbed them with his thumb and index finger. He raised his hand in submission. He'd given up.

Fucking finally. Sakura thought. Oh, sweet victory.

"Finally," Tsunade breathed, echoing Sakura's thoughts minus the profanity. "You may return to you practice, and oh," she turned to Sasuke. "You might want to wash the blood from your face, Uchiha."

"Yeah, we wouldn't want to prove Naruto right about his PMS jokes." Kakashi's statement earned him a blazing glare from Sasuke and a light-hearted laugh from Sakura.

"I think I'm gonna like this Naruto dude."

"Hn," Sasuke grunted, deciding it would take more of his energy to entertain them, but he complied with Tsunade's orders anyway. He shot up from his seat and, in three long strides, was out the door.

"Nice to meet you, Ms. Haruno," Kakashi turned to Sakura then. "I've never actually seen you inside the court, but your father speaks highly of your skills. I expect that you'll take care of the team." His eyes crinkled again before he waved her goodbye. Sakura saw him pull out an orange pocketbook before he, too, was out the door.

Her dad had been blabbering too much. She felt that Kakashi trusted her, but she also felt the weight of expectations in his words. She still wasn't sure if she could pull this off. But hopefully, the team would help her along. Silently, Sakura prayed that the rest of them didn't get their captain's arrogance disease.

Sakura bowed down in respect to the dean before walking out herself. Training wasn't over yet, so she needed to go back to the court, which took a few moment of walking from the dean's office. She liked that. At least it gave her time to cool off from the heated events that just occurred.

It was when she entered the pavilion when a tall orange figure presented itself in her face that her soul was almost sent out of her body.

"Holy shi –"

"Hi! I'm Naruto Uzumaki, Konoha Twelve's number ten, and the most awesomest person you'll ever meet, believe it!" the orange bundle of what Sakura assumed to be caffeine (there's no way a person is naturally this energized) offered his hand to her. She sweat-dropped at his antics but took his hand nonetheless.

Naruto Uzumaki, huh? He was that guy Kakashi was talking about, the one who made PMS jokes about Sasuke. Sakura suppressed her laughter, and instead put on a warm smile. "Sakura Haruno," she said, silently celebrating that her prayers were answered. If she was even luckier, maybe it was only Sasuke who had the Prick Syndrome.

"Wow, nice name! It definitely matches your hair! You're hair is real right? I mean, it's pink. So weird. But in a good way. It suits you, Sakura-chan!"

Sakura marveled at how fast the words were coming out of this Naruto person's mouth. What was this guy on? Seriously. Having him around felt like having her own sun – so much energy in a single body. He seemed like the type of person who got happy with even the littlest things – like Hinata, but much, much, much louder.

"Wow, aren't you a breath of fresh air? That captain of yours had a blinking 'JERK' sign on his forehead. Please tell me the others are more like you than him."

Naruto's roaring laughter echoed through the half-empty halls of the pavilion. "Man, I like you already, Sakura-chan! Don't mind the Teme, he's just upset that a girl has to order him around – well, not that I'm insulting you for being a girl or anything! No, no, no. Girls are really cool, and nice, and a little bit scary, but that's beside the point! You know what, nevermind, Sasuke-teme's born upset. Nothin' you should worry about."

Naruto's laughter was reduced to a nervous chuckle as he scratched the back of his head. He was about to start up a conversation again, but before he could utter a word, a few other freakishly tall men came pouring out of the gym doors.

"Hey Naruto, introduce us to the babe." The one who spoke was a rugged looking brunette with red triangular tattoos on both his cheeks, and – wait, are those canines?!

"Uh, yeah. Sakura-chan, this is–"

"Kiba Inuzuka. Single." The canine-guy – Kiba – said with a wink, ignoring the annoyed look Naruto sent him for cutting him off.

Sakura smiled politely and introduced herself in return. Naruto muttered a 'man-whore' under his breath which did not go unheard by Kiba. This led to the both of them tearing each other's dignities with insults that mostly didn't even make sense to Sakura.

Boys, she thought as she blew a few strands of pink hair away from her face.

Having had enough, and seeing that none of the other guys were planning on stopping it any moment soon, she decided to step in.

Placing each of her hands on their chests, she nudged them apart. They didn't budge. Rolling her eyes, she removed her hands and placed them on her hips. They had yet to know her. Fuming and considerably on her last nerve, she yelled, "Yo!"

That got their attention.

"For crying out loud, enough already. I have been in a foul mood since five fucking am, okay? It would be better for all of us if you'd just be good little boys and take your wimpy little bottoms inside the gym, so we could properly get acquainted with each other. Capisce?"

Her explosion was uncalled for, she knew that. But she was just so done, and it's been a long day that's getting even longer. There's nothing more she wants to do than get the hell out of KU, get to bed, and sleep it all off.

For a few seconds, Naruto, Kiba, and the two guys whose names she didn't know yet stared at her like she'd just transformed into their worst nightmare. Well, what did they think – that just because she was not her dad they could boss her around and treat her substitution as a walk in the park? Not in this lifetime.

They continued to gape at her like she'd just grown a basketball for a head. Sakura exhaled and closed her eyes in frustration. "Capisce?" She repeated calmly, but with each syllable enunciated threateningly. Wisely enough, they snapped out of it and scurried off into the gym. They didn't look scarred by her little outburst; they looked rather… impressed? Their gestures made it seem like it. They were chuckling to themselves, but not the kind that made her feel uneasy.

They met with the others inside. Sakura guessed they were having a water break because none of them were doing the drills anymore. Some were decent enough to sit on the bleachers, but most were just sprawled on the floor, looking as if life was drained out of them.

Must be some tough training. She smirked. She was gaining confidence; maybe it wouldn't be that hard at all.

As soon as Kakashi saw her, he gave a levelled command to the resting men. She didn't make out all the words, since lip-reading was impossible to a man wearing a mask, but she did hear him say something about being appropriate.

Sakura watched as they scrambled to take their seats on the bleachers. Kakashi walked to her, eyes crinkling – the only indication of his smile – as he handed her a clipboard.

"Don't worry about going too tough on them," he said. She grinned.

"I'm not."

Konoha Twelve assembled in front of her and Sakura was surprised to find that she wasn't at all that nervous anymore. Meeting Naruto and Kiba made her anxiety almost comedic. They're just a bunch of vertically blessed testosterones with legs that rocked at playing ball. She could handle that.

She cleared her throat.

"I'm Sakura Haruno, and I will be your coach until, well, I don't really know for how long. Don't even try to complain, you have no choice. Yes, I am aware that I am a girl, a girl who's gonna coach a bunch of six-foot-whatnot guys. This isn't the eighteenth century, get over it." Naruto shot his hand up and Sakura rolled her eyes, knowing full well what he's going to ask. "Yes, Naruto, my hair's pink, and no, I did not dye it. Put your hand down." Said boy complied with a glint of amazement in his blue eyes. She got this a lot.

"Anyway," Sakura continued when there were no more distractions. "Let me get one thing straight," her gaze roamed as she looked each of them dead in the eye. "You will not underestimate me. I'm new to this kind of thing, but I'm not an idiot. I wouldn't have agreed to this if I had zero knowledge about basketball and coaching."

"Tch."

It was a small noise, but that didn't stop Sakura from hearing it and knowing exactly what, or rather who made it. Twisting her head to the side, she saw him standing by the locker room door in all his now-non-bleeding glory.

He dared 'tch' her?! Really? Didn't this guy learn? Did he want other body parts broken?

Sakura narrowed her eyes. "Why hello, Captain. You finally decided to grace us with your presence? Wonderful. Come, sit. I was just talking about how you have absolutely no choice about me being your coach."

"Don't get too cocky, Pinky. You haven't proven anything yet."

"So haven't you," she retorted. He smirked.

"Not to you. And it's not like I need to anyway."

"Why you –"

"Hey, hey," some guy with silver hair reaching just above his shoulders and a crooked grin spoke up. "I know you both probably want to spend the day basking in each other's verbal abuse, but we'd really appreciate it if you got a room instead."

The team broke out in laughter. Even Kakashi had amusement dancing in his eyes.

Sakura looked down on her clipboard to match the guy's face with his profile. When she found it, she stared straight at him. "Hozuki Suigetsu, am I right?"

"That's me."

"50 push ups, now." No more horsing around.

"What? But Sakura-chan –"

"So it's Sakura-chan now? Nope. Get up and get down, Sharky." She didn't know where the nickname came from, but oddly enough, it suited him.

Sasuke snorted. "Sakura-chan?"

"What's it to you?" Why was this guy so intent on driving her insane?

"Hn," That's it – a grunt? One moment he seemed like wanting to start World War III with her, and the next he'd just dismiss her like some ghost of Christmas' past.

She rolled her eyes at him. She seemed to be doing that a lot in his presence.

Facing the team once more, she said, "That's about it. You may go proceed with practice again."

"Annoying," Sasuke muttered for the last time before he approached his team and started giving orders while moving along with them.

Bah, Sakura thought. He can comment all he wants; he's not getting rid of me.

Training went smoothly for the next two hours. Sakura found peace in the fact that Sasuke was too busy to spark any more fights with her. What was his deal anyway? That guy had issues. But at least he was a good captain – she won't deny that. He had leadership skills, and possessed pure talent in the sport itself. His money was where his mouth is; he wasn't all talk alright. Sakura just wished that maybe he was capable of constructing a statement that wasn't soaked in arrogance.

Since they began a little later than scheduled, Sasuke decided that they extend for another half hour. For the first – and probably only – time in history, Sakura agreed, but forgot to tell the girls. That's why when they came barging in the gym, Ino demanding that they give their friend back or she'd call the police, Sakura wanted to smack herself between the eyes.

"I'm serious, and I don't care if you're hot. Where's Sakura?!" Ino shrieked as her vision wandered frantically in search for a pink head.

"What the hell is this?" It didn't take long for Sasuke to react. So much for an agreement. He was instantly in her face – unintentionally hiding Sakura from Ino's view – and an annoyed look on his.

Exhaling loudly for the nth time that day, Sakura brushed past him. "Women, Sasuke," she said sarcastically. "You know, ones like me?" Not waiting for a reply, Sakura approached Ino who looked nothing but serious about her police threat.

"Calm down, drama queen. I'm alive. We just extended for a bit." Ino relaxed visibly when she saw Sakura.

"Gee, thanks for the notice, Forehead. Although, it would've been highly appreciated if you gave it half an hour ago!"

"I know, I'm sorry. But, you guys can't be here–"

"This is a closed door practice. Leave," Sasuke butted in, none too patient.

"Whoa he's even hotter up close," Ino commented, turning to Sakura. As if that gesture wouldn't allow Sasuke to hear her.

"He can hear you, Ino."

"Hello to you, too, Mr. Hotpants," Ino turned back to the tall brooding guy in front of them. "This is our friend. So I'm granting myself, and the rest of us, the privilege to watch y'all work your hot asses out."

I am so in trouble for this. Sakura wanted to do a face-palm.

As if on cue, the Uchiha turned to her with a glare. "You. Me. Outside."

"Ooh, sexy time!"

"Shut up, pig."

Sasuke led the way outside the gym, and Sakura followed suit. They stopped when they reached the spot where Naruto and Kiba had had a head on earlier.

Without a word, Sasuke turned to her with his arms crossed and a look far from amusement gracing his features. Now that she had the chance to look at him closely, Sakura realized that he was, indeed, a work of art.

He had envy-worthy, flawless pale complexion that contrasted with the night-sky-dark of his hair and eyes; high cheekbones, an aristocratic nose, full lips that didn't seem at all feminine. Add to that the air of regality that oozed out of him. And he didn't even look like he was trying too hard – or at all.

To give Sasuke Uchiha some credit, he didn't seem like the type of guy who fussed over his appearance – his unruly hair was a testament to that.

Realizing that she probably looked like an idiot for staring too long, Sakura snapped herself back to reality and began explaining. "Look, it was my fault. They were supposed to pick me up, and I forgot to tell them we extended. Don't look at me like I invited them," she said defensively.

Sasuke didn't answer, but his expression didn't change either. She tried again. "You must know Ino, right? You've even probably dreamt of her or whatever, considering half of the male population in this school has," the darkened look he sent her made her take it back. "…Or not. Anyway, I apologize for their intrusion, but Ino won't stop until she gets what she wants."

"Hn. So you're saying I have to tolerate this crony of yours?" Leave it to Sasuke to use words like 'crony.'

"Oh, quit being a baby. They're no harm."

"I'm already tolerating you, and you want to add them to the equation? As if you aren't already a handful."

"Hey, stop treating me like I'm some child! I wasn't sent here for you to babysit."

"Good, 'cause I don't plan on doing that – not to you, and definitely not to your friends."

"Nobody's telling you to do that anyway."

"Then get rid of them."

"Some jerk you are. Come on, I promise to make them behave." The things she did for Ino. But Sakura knew she wouldn't hear the end of it if Sasuke didn't allow them in.

"Hn, you can't even behave yourself."

"I beg to disagree."

"Good, begging suits you."

Sakura's blood boiled. The nerve of this guy! She couldn't take it anymore; her hands were itching to punch something. Bringing her hands up, she clenched the collar of his shirt and brought him to eyelevel.

"When I'm done with you, you'll be the one begging."

She wanted to sound threatening, and she believed she did – until a corner of his mouth twitched. He was smirking at her!

"Then shall we begin, Sakura?"

The way he said her name sent volts of electricity down her spine. She tried very hard not to obviously shiver at that, but the blush that crept up her spine gave her away anyway.

Feeling her ears growing hot, she roughly pushed him away. She tried to discreetly regain her breathing. She was not going to give him the satisfaction of knowing he had an effect on her. "They can stay and that's final." Her words flowed out of her mouth robotically, but at least they didn't quiver.

Sasuke merely grunted as he turned his back on her, his hand waving dismissively. "You owe me one," he said.

"I will not submit into slavery, of that's what you'll ask of me, Uchiha," she hissed.

He stopped in his tracks and gave her a sidelong glance. "Don't worry; I'll come up with something better than that."

"Seriously, Sakura, what were you complaining about? They're all sweethearts!" Ino beamed as flipped another page of a magazine.

After practice, Sakura dragged her friends straight home. Yes, she had to drag them because they enjoyed the company of the team too much, and vice versa. That was good – that meant that if Sasuke wanted to get rid of them again, he'd have to go through the whole of Konoha Twelve.

More than that, they seemed to have found their types from her friends.

"You're only saying that because you had Kiba by the neck." Sakura teased, and it was true. Sure, Kiba looked like the biggest flirt of them all, but Ino was fickle, too – and picky. People like Kiba loved a good challenge, and people like Ino loved to think they're one.

"Please, I wouldn't be caught dead with that dog."

"I thought you said they were all sweethearts?"

"Well, there's always an exception, right?"

"And he's yours? That's real sweet, Ino."

"That's not what I mean!"

Sakura, Hinata, Tenten, and Temari laughed at their fuming friend. They were currently lounging in Sakura's room, so they could bond while doing their homework together. They'd been friends since they were little, but they never really get tired of each other's company.

"S-she's right, though, Sakura. They're not all that bad. N-Naruto-kun is really nice."

"I trusted you, Hinata." Sakura spoke, feigning hurt. But she knew Hinata wasn't lying. Sakura saw that even she had fun with the guys at training earlier.

"I'm on your side, babe," Tenten muttered with a dejected expression. "I tried talking to one of them and the rude shithead treated me like fucking air."

"I apologize for my cousin's behavior, Tenten." Hinata spoke, and Sakura turned to her with wide eyes.

"Cousin? What do you mean 'cousin'?"

"Did you even bother to read their profiles, Billboard Brow? Does Neji Hyuga ring a bell?"

Sakura's mouth formed an 'O' and her brow furrowed. She had to remind herself to go over their profiles. "Hm, that explains a lot. And okay, so they're really not at all that bad – except for Lord Scowlfard who seemed to have taken it upon himself to dutifully and habitually drive me insane."

"You're talking about Mr. Hotpants, right?" Ino inquired with a shit-eating grin on her face.

"It looks like someone's finally caught your attention, Sak." Temari followed with a wiggle of her brows.

"I bet he likes her," Tenten added.

"You're all crazy, right Hinata?" Sakura turned to the girl in question, hoping that maybe she'd see her point, but to her utter dismay, the shy girl was shaking her head with a devious smile of her own.

"Well, fuck you all." She declared, and they laughed in her face.