The team made it into the semifinals. Konoha High was in such high spirits; banners were all over the halls of the school. Everyone (maybe almost everyone if not all) talked about it, that Konoha could win the championship once again just like a year ago. There were days wherein both Naruto and Sasuke would be excused from going to class for them to be able to concentrate in their practice.
Sakura found it absurd at first. She felt that it was unfair, having been excused to do homeworks and other school stuff just because they are part of the basketball team. She witnessed how their entire school gushed over Sasuke; he had always been ambushed by a lot of girls.
It was stupid really, how suddenly everything is about the basketball team. However, thinking about Sasuke and Naruto and how they both worked hard to earn the spot in the final 4, made her change her way of thinking.
As she made her way in the gym, posters were held proudly by the fans, mostly girls screaming Sasuke's name all over. She also noticed Naruto's parents already seated behind the team's bench. Sakura looked around once again; almost everyone in the school was gathered in their school gym. Classes were even suspended as to make way for the first game of the semifinals.
She remembered a year ago; she had witnessed how Konoha won every game. She watched Sasuke from afar and how he looked happy at the moment. Now, everything was different. Two of the stars of their basketball team had become dear to her.
The way she looked at Sasuke changed. He was not the inspiration crush sort of thing anymore. She did not find him cool anymore. Instead, she could now see him as her friend. Not the cool basketball guy, but someone she could actually trust and confide in. She hoped that he felt the same.
She easily found Ino waiting for her in the middle of the crowd. The look she was giving Sakura suggested that the blonde was not happy for making her wait. The pink-haired girl hurried up and settled down to a seat next to Ino, offering some apologies and making an excuse of finishing her home work. Ino gave her an incredulous look.
"Seriously? Sasuke Uchiha, the boy you had crush on since I could remember is going to have one of the most important games in Konoha's history, and you care about a stupid school stuff?" Ino rolled her eyes, exasperated.
Sakura made a shushing noise. "Shhh! Ino, gosh." A clearly mortified Sakura looked around to make sure no one heard her best friend.
Ino snorted. "What? Sasuke probably knows it. He just doesn't want to compromise his friendship with Naruto."
Before Sakura could comment about what Ino said, a round of applause interrupted their conversation. Both of the players entered the court; the cheers had even become louder. The fans of both teams stood up from their seats and chanted their school cheers.
Unlike before, the pink-haired girl did not only focus her attention to Sasuke. She really did watch the game and she was beyond amazed how the teamwork, dedication, and effort his schoolmates shown throughout the game.
It was an easy win for Konoha against Suna. No one could argue that Sasuke was the best player of the game with 20 points that lead to a ten point win for Konoha. Unlike any other games, every basketball expert could say that the Uchiha had never been focused and determined to win.
The only thing that bothered Sakura was they had yet to face Iwa in the finals.
But she could not dwell to that fact any longer for Naruto did not even think twice before trying to drag her into the middle of the court. She protested many times and even sought out Ino's help, but the the way Naruto looked into her that afternoon had her shut up. Amidst the celebration, the crowd had even gone wilder as the fans cheered louder, delighted and ready to support the team into the finals.
Sakura did not see it coming before Naruto hugged her in front of thousands of people. She stood there, stupefied of what happened before the blonde loud-mouth had even pulled her childhood crush even closer. It was then that everyone had become silent to listen to one of the Konoha's rising stars.
"I did my best because I knew you were watching, Sakura-chan." Naruto said while still having the girl in his arms. It seemed that he did want to be taken seriously this time. He released her and placed both of his hands in either side of her shoulders.
"Now, in front of these many people, I want to tell you how you mean to me. Not just a friend. I want us to be so much more. Sakura-chan, I did not do this to pressure you. I just want to let everyone know how serious I am. You don't have to respond in any way right now. But please think about what I just said to you. My feelings never changed." He continued on as he looked right into the emerald eyes of hers.
Sakura's eyes widened fractionally before averting her eyes elsewhere. She searched for Ino into the crowd, and not only did she realize that everyone had stopped cheering, but Sasuke was only a few meters away from them.
Before she could process what was going on, she sprinted towards the nearest exit and did not look back.
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Sakura just wanted to die right now rather than go to school. She clutched her bag tightly as she could feel that all eyes were on her as she entered the school gates. Whispers and rumors spread like a wildfire. It had even turned worse when she decided to go to the girls' comfort room.
"How awful. She could have just said yes to him and break up afterwards. She had made Uzumaki into a laughing stock." Sakura heard as she was passing by the restrooms.
"I know. I feel sorry for Naruto. Yes, the guy is funny and all, but she doesn't have to do that. He was just being romantic, the least she could do was to spare him from embarrassment. How could she be so heartless."
"Oh my God, not to mention, Uzumaki's parents were there in the game, right?"
Sakura had immediately turned around, ready to go back home and cry her heart out. She knew before going to class what could happen if she showed up right after what happened last time, but she certainly did not expect it to be this bad.
She tried to hold onto her tears before bumping into her bestfriend near the lockers. Ino stiffened at the sight of Sakura. The blonde opened her mouth to say something, but Sakura did not let her for she had already excused herself and run faster.
She wanted nothing but confide with Ino right now, but she also knew that she would be dragging her closest female friend into her mess. And that was the last thing she wanted to happen.
She was a few meters before reaching up the school entrance when from a distance she had already caught a glimpse of the ones she wanted to avoid the most. Walking side by side were none other than Sasuke and Naruto.
A feeling of panic grew in her when Naruto's eyes found hers. Her pulse had even quickened more when she saw him walking fast towards her. Abandoning her earlier plan, she rushed back to the school once again, trying to avoid a confrontation with a certain someone.
What Sakura did not see was how Naruto's shoulders slumped at the sight of her in such a mess.
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Sasuke had no idea how to react. Naruto had been quiet..and this was a side of his best friend he had not seen yet. Earlier in the morning, coincidentally and due to the fact that they were neighbors, it was not surprising when Sasuke had caught up to Naruto who was already closing their gate.
Not only the usual loud-mouth early that day but he had also not uttered a single word to him. But still, Naruto had stopped in his tracks as he waited for his best friend to catch up to him. If this was one of the ordinary days, Sasuke would try to avoid Naruto and walk faster.
But not this time.
After Sakura had left the gymnasium during the game, the raven-haired boy watched as everyone fell into a deeper silence that made the atmosphere even more awkward. Sasuke could actually say that he was the one that broke the spell as he clamped Naruto's back and gestured for the blonde to head to the dugout.
And since then, Naruto did not bother him like the usual. He had kept his thoughts to himself. Sasuke found him staring into a void space more than usual, as if still processing if what happened really happened.
Back to the present, he watched as Sakura had fled once again. This time, Naruto did not even look back to his companion and walked into the opposite direction.
Sakura did not bother to show up in class.. Naruto did not either.
Sasuke sighed for the nth time that day. With the basketball season still ongoing and the finals in a week, the more girls had bothered him and tried to ambush him. He cursed both of his usual companions under his breath for leaving him to deal such a mess.
Irritated and exhausted from dealing with a crowd of girls everywhere, he went to the gym expecting to see his best friend there. He figured out that Naruto may had come there to release his stress and avoid people. Sasuke had even planned on knocking sense into his teammate to the extent that he would beat the shit out of him so that Naruto could put his act together. However, a certain pink-haired girl was already there in her usual spot in one of the benches, sobbing.
One thing was how to act around Naruto, but this..a crying girl had always made him uncomfortable. Not to mention this was Sakura. She's… different.
He was fully aware of what was Naruto's intentions as soon as he saw his teammate dragging the poor girl into the court. And despite the fact that he had kept silent the entire time, Sasuke felt uneasy at the sight of his best friend confessing his feelings to the annoying girl.
The closing of the door had alerted Sakura of Sasuke's presence. Sakura, in return, had her eyes widened while Sasuke decided to approach the girl silently, sitting down a couple of chairs away from her.
When the girl had seemed to calm herself, she had let out an incoherent excuse to leave. But before she could even stand up, Sasuke's voiced echoed throughout the gymnasium.
"Are you running away again?"
That made the trick. Sakura tensed up and avoided his peering eyes. "Sasule-kun..I.. I'm sorry. I just..I was too shocked. I don't know wh-"
"I did not ask you to explain. Nor you have to apologize of what happened. Naruto should have known that before he did that in front of many people." He immediately cut her off. He eyed her discreetly, gauging her reaction. He noticed her disheveled locks, her tear-stained cheeks, and her uneasiness around him.
"If you let every single word bother you, it will not lead anywhere but destroy everything around you."
With her mouth agape, she turned her head towards the raven-haired guy. Feeling her eyes on him, he had also inclined his head in her direction. "What? You must think I'm comforting you. But I'm not."
She was quick to avert her eyes and looked down. Sasuke had not also missed how she gripped the hem of her skirt.
"You might be wondering why I am wasting my time here while that idiot is nowhere to be found." He turned his head away this time, looking straight into the basketball ring. "I couldn't care less what will happen between you and Naruto. But the finals will be within a week. And he will drag us all down with him. I don't usually interfere with this sort of thing. Don't get me wrong; I'm not asking you to humor him and pretend around him. I know him better than anyone to force you into anything. What's bothering him the most is how you reacted and how he caused you all this trouble. That's all."
"Sasuke-kun…"
"Just talk to him. He may be one clueless idiot, but I know he would listen to what you had to say to him."
Sasuke had walked her home that day. But what she didn't see coming was it even lead to a much worse scenario.
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Sakura had not even noticed that it had already been a week since the incident and she had not had any opportunity to talk to Naruto. More rumors had even spread since then; she had also avoided practically everyone in their class save for Sasuke, who most of the time couldn't care less and still approached her first.
Of course, he was doing it because Naruto must have told Sasuke to look after her. That's the only logical explanation she could come up. But her over dramatic and psycho of a best friend had teased her nonstop for the last week.
And just like the last time, Sakura had insisted for Ino to take a seat first in one of the benches and told her to reserve a seat. And although Ino had always had Sakura wanting to bang her head due to the blonde's gossips and the like, Sakura could count on her whenever she needs a friend.
And even if the teasing did not stop, Ino had been supportive the entire week. She had attentively listened to every word Sakura had told her. And just like what had Sasuke told her, Ino had also advised her best friend to clear things up with Naruto. From what Ino had recalled during that conversation, the pink-haired girl had totally agreed. However, she had also told Ino that she needed time to think through of what she had to say.
It may be unthinkable for her to face Naruto at this time..with a few minutes away of him going to the game 1 of the finals. Nevertheless, Sakura also knew that if she did not seek him right now, she would chicken out once again that would even lead to a more damage in their friendship.
She headed to the dugout and surprisingly, she had found his target easily. Naruto was already wearing his jersey uniform, tying his shoes just right outside of the team's locker room. She had exhaled heavily before approaching his childhood friend.
"Naruto?"
At the sound of his name, Naruto had whipped his head into the familiar voice's direction. There she was, the girl he had always longed for ever since. She was playing with the hem of her blouse; Naruto could easily tell how nervous she was.
"Sakura-chan.." He started as he slowly closed the distance between them. He had stopped a few meters away from her, afraid he would make her feel uncomfortable again.
"You don't have to apologize..if that's what you are going to say to me. I get it. All I wanted is for us to go back to the way it is. I can accept that you don't feel the same way towards me, but if our friendship will suffer because of this, then forget it."
Sakura opened her mouth to reply, but the rest of team had interrupted their conversation when they made their presence known. One of them even reminded Naruto that they already have to go to the court to do warm-ups.
"We'll talk later."
That was the last thing Naruto told her before running to catch up with his teammates. And before she could completely lose sight of him, she shouted a good luck, to which Naruto raised his hand in acknowledgement.
What Sakura failed to notice was Sasuke still in the team's locker room.
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It was the most physical and intense game the entire season. Every one was on their feet whenever there was a hard foul committed by the other team. Iwas had been getting on Konoha's players. It was pretty obvious how dirty they play.
And due to the immense frustration, Sasuke had even pushed one of the players that resulted to a brawl in court. And if weren't for the referees, it would surely turned into an uglier scene.
With the pressure and exasperation they were feeling, Sakura was not surprised that they had lost their first game (although it was a close game, with Iwa only winning by four points).
She had also took notice of Sasuke's injured hand in the third quarter because of a hard foul committed by number 8 once again. He must had been enduring it the entire time just to win and act out as the leader of the team.
She did not even respond to Ino's shouts as she headed straight into the dugout, not caring that the guards were trying to stop her. But to her shock, the Iwa players had found her first instead. Han, the player number 8, gave her once over before snickering.
"Oh, worried about Uzumaki?" The players started to corner her in the nearby wall. But Sakura knew better than to let them push her over.
"Get out of my way!" She tried to push them, but logic says she could not possibly get past five tall and bulky guys.
"Woah! Calm down, Pinky. Come to think of it, we did not even corner that blonde idiot that much. Afterall, Uchiha carries the team." Han raised both of his hands in mock surrender while the other players laughed.
She glared at him in return. "If you could not even fight fairly, you are nothing but a coward."
Then as if in a slow motion, Han pinned both of her arms in the either side of her head. Her eyes widened fractionally ready to fight back when he had even tried to get closer to her. "Oy Han! We'll get in trouble!" One of his teammates reminded the Iwa's team captain, but did nothing to interfere.
"You're pretty. Say, let's have a date?" He had even inhaled her scent. The alarms in Sakura's head kept on ringing to do something, anything.
Out of the blue, the strong grip that was keeping her in place was gone and the next thing she knew, Han was already on the floor, clutching his bruised cheek. And due to her shock, she lost her footing and merely stared in disbelief. The other players had also been pushed to the side.
"Stay away from her. Or the next time, I will not hold back."
Sakura did not even protest as her savior pulled her up and dragged her away from the scene.
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"You are so damned annoying!" Sasuke shouted as soon as he locked the door of an empty classroom. He was basically panting and his right hand was already bleeding. He was already too irritated from what happened earlier and when he came back from the clinic, what he had seen had made him see red.
Sakura did nothing but stare in horror; never had she seen Sasuke this angry. "What do you think you're doing! Were you even watching the game?! Those were not ordinary high school players!" His eyes furrowed; she could see how he was trying calm himself down by clenching and unclenching his fists.
Sasuke was once again to lash out at her when her sniffs echoed the entire room causing him to swallow the insensitive words he was about to say. She stood there unmoving; her tears dropping in the floor. Sasuke slammed his right hand in the wall once again in pure frustration.
The impact of his fist connecting to the wall had worsened his already bleeding injury in his right hand. By then, the bandages wrapped around his right hand had completely turned red.
And before Sakura could even think, she had put her arms around his waist. His back had been drenched by her tears in a second. The hand that was once again a second away from slamming the wall paused mid air. The fury he had been feeling vanished into thin air as he tried to catch his breath. He had slowly put his hands on top of hers, trying to disentangle them.
"I'm sorry..I'm sorry." She repeated nonstop, burying her face further into his back. The pink-haired girl must had been too stressed for her own good she couldn't care less about their close proximity.
In contrary to what he would normally do whenever a girl would attach to him like a leech, he did not exert much effort for her to let go. They even stayed like that for like an eternity, with his back facing her and her tears never stopped flowing.
However, the worst is yet to come.
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A/N: Sorry for the delay. There's just too much going on in my life. This will probably end in 5 or 6 chapters. Editing and slight changes will probably done the next weekend.
Thanks for reading!