The pressures of college weighed heavily on Sakura, making it difficult for her to concentrate on her studies. Seeking solace, her friends suggested a different kind of remedy – finding intimacy. Fueled by stress, Sakura decided to follow their advice, turning to online platforms to connect with people in Ome.
University / Modern AU
I don't own Naruto and the characters; but aren't we just blessed that Sasuke and Sakura ended up together?
SasuSaku/SasuxSaku/SasukexSakura forever
Sakura let out a frustrated sigh, her eyes glued to the same page for what felt like the hundredth time in the last half hour. Not a single word seemed to register. She closed the book with an exasperated thud, earning a hushed reprimand from a nearby library-goer. Blushing, she leaned back, her gaze fixed on the ceiling.
As the semi-finals loomed closer, anxiety coursed through her veins. She was just four short months away from graduation, and she couldn't afford to be tripping over senseless hurdles.
Determined, Sakura rose from her seat, returned the book to the librarian, and neatly signed her name in the logbook. Stepping out of the library, she leisurely strolled back to her dorm. The ten-minute walk provided a welcome opportunity to clear her thoughts. Saturdays were her sanctuary on campus. The atmosphere was serene, with only a handful of students scattered about; most courses didn't convene on this day, save for the Business Department.
Passing the grounds, the bell's chime signaled the conclusion of classes. Sakura glanced toward the building, observing business students streaming out. A group of girls gathered at the entrance, eagerly eyeing a dark-haired young man beside a tan, blonde companion. The girls seemed smitten, a reaction she might have shared if she were still a teenager. At twenty, with graduation on the horizon, such infatuations held less sway.
Though she couldn't deny the guy's appeal, his brooding demeanor added to his charm. Rumor had it he was exceptionally intelligent, even bordering on genius, as Tenten claimed. His wealth only added to his allure, seemingly corroborating the tales of his gentlemanly conduct. Sakura vividly remembered watching him play soccer during her sophomore year, especially when he scored against Suna's team.
Shaking off her reverie, Sakura entered her dorm's common room. There, she found Ino, Tenten, and Hinata huddled on the couch, engrossed in a chick flick that she didn't recognize.
" Surprised to see you early, did something happen in the library? ", Sakura sighed and plopped on the couch and leaned on Ino's arm.
" Yes, this semifinal shit is stressing me out. "
" Are you sure it's the semifinals? Or is it the thought that Dr. Tsunade Senju offered you to work with her, but the result would matter by the end of the school year. ", Sakura groaned even louder at Tenten who snorted at her.
" Well shouldn't it be a motivation for you to work hard even more? ", Hinata asked. Sakura sighed and shook her head.
" I don't know what to do. ", Ino just patted her head.
" Why don't you get laid? It helps. ", Sakura smacked Ino's arm.
" I'd rather die. "
" I'm dying! ", Sakura let out a dramatic groan, her body slumping over the table. She and her friends were nestled in the gardens, savoring delectable treats from a nearby dessert stand. Ino, unfazed, rolled her eyes and took a leisurely sip of her smoothie.
Tenten offered a comforting pat on Sakura's shoulder, taking a casual bite of her carrot.
"Cheer up, Sak. It's not that bad, right?" Tenten chimed in after swallowing.
Hinata, playing with her gelato, added, " You'll make up next time."
Sakura sighed, lamenting, "I scored 75 out of 100. Even Ino and Karin did better than me."
Ino nodded with a smirk. "Oh, yeah. But she did mention she'd rather face death, so there's that, bestie."
"Give me some genuinely helpful advice, please?" Sakura groaned.
"Well, sex is a stress reliever," Ino suggested, her voice lowering.
Tenten chimed in, "She's got a point, you know."
Hinata, offering a soft smile, comforted Sakura, "Talking helps too."
" And adding more problems as we listened? No thanks," Ino interjected, earning a glare from Sakura.
" I've read that talking to strangers can reduce stress," Tenten added, backing up Hinata's point.
Ino couldn't resist adding, "Yeah, and then you two might decide to meet up and... well, you know." She received a smack from Tenten for her remark.
"What?" Ino shot a glare at Tenten, who glared right back.
"Can we be serious, please?" The two continued to bicker, leaving Hinata to sigh in exasperation.
"Why not give it a try? There's an app called Ome; I've heard there are nice people on there," she suggested.
"Fine," Sakura relented, sighing as she reached for her phone and began to download the app.
Sakura lay on her bed, her gaze fixed on the app. Here, she was an anonymous entity, a stranger among strangers. It was a place where conversations with random individuals unfolded. As she entered the app, a helix of DNA materialized, spiraling until it finally dissipated, revealing the Ome messaging platform. From there, the conversation would commence, initiated by either party. The exchange would persist for a mere two hours before vanishing, leading to a fresh encounter with a different person.
Sakura anxiously nibbled on her lip, her eyes fixed on the twirling DNA. She was nearly drifting off when the app chimed to life. Startled, she glanced down and found a message waiting for her.
Sakura's Message
Stranger's Message
Hi
Hey!
How are you?
School is stressing me out, you?
School's easy
Oh, it is easy, my head's just being stupid right now
Doesn't look like it
Shut up
No, whats the point of logging in the app
I'm not stupid you know, smartass
Thanks?
Welcome
Sakura couldn't help but giggle at the person she had been conversing with. They had been engrossed in their conversation for so long that she hadn't realized how quickly time had flown. It was only when Ome sent her a notification, reminding her they had a mere 10 minutes left before the app would reset. She gasped in surprise, quickly shifting the topic of their conversation.
Do you maybe want to swap numbers?
Hope you realized, Ome doesn't allow numbers.
What really?
?
Here's mine, RIWWUEOTW
What?
Oh okay, got it! RIWIURQUU
Smart girl
Geez, thanks babe!
Careful-
Sakura's cheeks flushed crimson at her own words. Fortunately, she had the foresight to capture a screenshot of their conversation, including the phone number. As the screen refreshed, a new message appeared. Sakura promptly responded, though after an hour of chatting, she decided to swipe left. The person was a bit too chatty for her liking, but then again, this was a messaging app.
Glancing at her phone, she sighed. It was already 1 a.m., and she still needed to rise early for her Monday classes, which started at 8 a.m., earlier than most of her friends.
Sakura powered down her phone and cast a weary gaze at her roommate, Ino, who was snoring away. Rolling her eyes, she knew it was going to be a long night, especially with the mounting stress creeping back into her system.
Sakura made her way to the café just in front of their building, craving the pick-me-up of a tall caramel macchiato. She'd had little sleep, having grown accustomed to Ino's snoring, but last night was particularly rough. Stress about today had kept her eyes wide open.
Today held special significance as Tsunade Senju, a prominent figure, was set to visit the school. Word had it that she would make an appearance during the first subject of the day, which happened to be one of Sakura's major courses.
While glancing through her notes on her phone, a notification caught her attention. It was from the app she'd used the previous night. She took a screenshot, initially contemplating deleting it, but changed her mind. Sakura glanced at the café's computer keyboard, mentally aligning the letters with the corresponding numbers as she typed it into her phone. When her name was called, she returned to the counter and thanked the barista.
With a contented smile, she saved the number, labeling it with a tomato emoji. She recalled from their conversation that the stranger had a fondness for tomatoes—the one personal detail they had shared.
Sakura
Tomato
Rise and shine, tomato
Who's this?
Ouch, you're hurting me, especially after last night.
Wtf are you talking about?
Really? How dare you forget me?
Who are you?
Deeply hurt. QnQ
Again. Who are you?
Geez, it's like a stab!
Do you want me to block you?
Hey hey, it's the person in Ome
Ah, study-stressed person
Definitely shows, I was the only person who you talked to last night.
Are you introverted?
No
Sounds like it
Sakura pouted when she realized 10 minutes had passed and the person still did not reply.
Hey hey, does it really take time for you to reply?
Hope you realized it's 7am
So, mornings are great. You hate mornings then?
Ugh
Omg, you do.
Get up and help your mom in the kitchen or something
Geez, lazy ass
Are you this talkative in the morning?
Are you boring?
Definitely gonna block you
Hey!
Sorry!
Geez, don't block me.
Babe doooon't-
Sakura pouted, disappointed that the person hadn't responded. Maybe they had decided to block her. Probably a female since she sounded like she's on her period. She groaned and slid her phone into her pocket, heading towards her class. She was impressively early, with at least 20 minutes to spare, and she still needed to charge her laptop and tablet - something she had forgotten to do the night before.
Her class went smoothly, thankfully. She managed not to embarrass herself in front of Tsunade. In fact, Tsunade approached her and praised her for her grades. Afterward, she returned to the cafeteria to grab breakfast before her next subject. Sakura left her belongings at her table and went to get a tray. That's when she spotted the dark-haired business student entering the cafeteria. What was his name again? Sauce cakes?
Names were never her strong suit, so she brushed it off. She smiled at the server, picking up a serving of tomato soup, cheesy garlic bread, a blueberry muffin, and a bottle of milk. She adored the rainy season; the cafeteria always served the most delicious meals and snacks during this time.
She felt grateful that her parents could afford the school, thanks in part to the full scholarship she received. This allowed them to focus on covering her dorm rent and meals. Additionally, Sakura had a substantial amount saved up in her bank account from her summer jobs, so she never worried about running out of spending money.
Returning to her table, she pulled out her phone to let her friends know she was already in the cafeteria. It was then that she noticed a notification from Tomato.
I didn't block you
Sakura smiled at the message and giggled. She then decided to take a picture of the tomato, probably save it, and send it later to her.
Really? Now?
What did you do then?
Hmmmmm?
You are weird
Hey hey, I am so not.
I was just asking, geez
Just wanna know what you were doing in the morning.
You don't ask guys those questions in the morning.
You're a guy?
Yes
Geez, sorry, I thought you were a girl or something.
Is this the reason why you call me 'babe'?
Yes! You sounded like a girl on period!
You really love to insult people
SORRY!
Ey, don't get mad at me
Hey hey
Babe
What
OwO
You want me to call you babe?
No, I was eating
Oh, okay, you should probably know I am a guy
You're too obvious, you sounded like one of those annoying females.
Omg, are you a sexist?
No
What makes us annoying then?
Idk, tho you are the most annoying of them.
Geez, thanks!
Anyways- What are you eating?
Let me guess tomato?
Yes
Wow, your obsession is really something.
Shut up
Block?
What's wrong baby boy, can't take a tease?
HAHAHA
Kidding kidding
Funny
Ha-ha-ha
Sakura burst into giggles, ready to playfully tease Tomato some more, when her friends called out to her. She quickly stowed her phone in her bag and waved at them. Her gaze flicked to Sasuke, who was holding a phone and regarding her with an odd expression from his table across the way. She blushed, worried she might have been giggling too loudly or strangely. She flashed him a smile before turning back to her friends.
"Wow, did you have a wild night or something? You're positively glowing," Ino teased, prompting Sakura to roll her eyes and make room for her friend to join.
"Oh, absolutely! I was up all night," Sakura replied, dripping with sarcasm. Her eyes darted back to Sasuke for a moment, who arched an eyebrow at her. She figured it was probably just a strange coincidence.
"What? " Ino's tone held genuine surprise, causing the three girls to burst into laughter.
"Yeah, with your snoring," Sakura retorted, making the blonde girl pout and groan.
"Goodness, I actually thought my bestie got laid," Tenten quipped, rolling her eyes and tossing a piece of candy at Ino for her comment.
"Keep your wild imaginations to yourself," Sakura muttered, prompting Hinata to laugh and nod in agreement.
Sakura
Tomato
Did ya miss me?
We just talked yesterday.
I know, but 24 hours is a bit long.
1 day sounded too short.
Really? Yeah, I guess so, we should talk for years then :P
No
Sooooooooo
How's your day?
Annoying?
Cause of me?
Yeah and all other females
Sexist
Again, no
Then why hate females then?
Weird and crazy
Oh, crazy ex then?
No
Crazy gf?
Omg, are you dating someone, I just thought ur single
No and yes, I am single
Wooh, you had me there.
So single ey?
Don't plan to date
Asexual? Aromantic?
No and probably?
Omg, damn, so do you ever get happy?
Cause you sounded like an unhappy person to me.
Ah
Whats that?
I'll take that as a yes then.
Ah
Okaaaaaaaaay.
How's your day?
You asked that twice.
I know, :P
Do you go to school?
Why?
Nothing, just wanna know, if you're young or old.
You could be 30 years older than me.
No
Younger than me?
Idk, I don't even know your age.
Oh, I'm 20 years old. You?
Secret
You are a traitor
Unfair! I hate you!
Can you?
No :
You're fun to tease and talk
Lol, 'fun'
Really, but do you go to school?
Be honest
Secret, do you?
Yeah, I go to school
Piece of advice, don't share anything about yourself to strangers
Uh, why? You're not a stranger to me
Whatever
Sakura chuckled as she tapped away on her phone, waiting for the next teacher to enter the room. Since her friends hadn't arrived yet, she took the opportunity to browse the university's website, where all things related to the school were posted.
While scrolling through, she paused when she came across a photo of the hot guy - 'Sasuke,' she recalled. She stared at his image, captured mid-jog around the campus, his figure outlined by a snug black shirt, muscles clearly defined. She even zoomed in on his face, and despite the sweat, he remained undeniably good-looking.
"Oh, and here I thought you were Sasuke-proof," a voice chimed in, and Sakura turned to find the fiery red-haired girl, Karin, standing behind her.
"Sasuke-proof?" Sakura questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, like—"
"I know what it means. What I'm asking is, why Sasuke-proof?" Sakura interjected. Karin nodded in understanding.
"Well, for those who are immune to Sasuke Uchiha's charm," Karin explained.
"I actually find him quite cute," Sakura admitted with a mischievous smile. Karin stared at her strangely, then smirked.
"As a member of the 'Lord Sasuke' club, do you want me to remove your name from the Sasuke-proof list? I'd do it, but you'll probably get harassed by fans—"
"You wouldn't," Sakura interrupted, glaring at the red-haired girl.
"Nah, it's too much hassle. I'd have to submit proof or witnesses to do that," Karin justified, pulling out her tablet and stylus.
"Why?" Sakura asked, puzzled.
"Because I need friends in the medical departments," Karin replied, her expression turning serious as she looked away.
"Well, the girls and I were planning to attend Tenten's swimming competition. Do you want to—"
Karin smiled and nodded. Then, abruptly, her expression shifted as she shot Sakura a glare for a moment.
"Fine, you don't have to beg or anything," Karin added, before returning to her notes.
"What's up with her?" Ino asked, sliding into the seat beside Sakura, who giggled.
"A new friend I managed to convince to come with us next weekend," Sakura explained, nodding towards Karin, who gave Ino a curious look.
"Are you sure? I thought she despised you," Ino whispered. Sakura just shrugged and took out her laptop.
Sakura
Tomato
It's been a whole day, since we last talked.
Did you miss me, babe?
No
I missed you though.
Careful
Lol, I'm not, definitely will not.
Just saying.
As if, I'm just teasing you.
I'm just here to have fun and all, no falling in love
Just need someone who I can talk to.
Yeah, about what this time?
Well, like where do you go to? Maybe live?
Secret
Okay, I live in Fire, if you want to know.
This girl-
What? It's not like we're on the same continent or city.
Loosen up dude.
Seriously, you're stressed out.
No, I'm not
Well, I am
and my friends say I need to get "laid"
What are you implying?
Nothing, just sharing,
it's getting on my nerves sometimes
I don't need a good fuck to loosen up
What do you need then?
A good talk buddy
No
Yes, I mean you. You're fun to talk to
You mean tease.
Right? I think we're going well so much.
Say, Tomato-
Uhhhhh
Hnmmmm
Just spit it out woman
In a scale of 1-10
Well-
I'm just asking this to know more about you.
What?
How good looking are you?
10
Damn, I love the confidence.
But seriously though,
4
Okay
Disappointed?
Nope, how smart are you?
1-10?
No give me your last GPA
4
Straight A's?
Damn dude, now that's my type
Lol, and you believed me?
Oh, yeah, the way you talk
makes you sound like a smartass!
Ass, 1-10?
Not gonna have this conversation with you.
Whyyyyy?
It's getting weird and next question you have would be
Yeah, no
EWE
HELL NO
I'D RATHER DIE
Would you?
Shut up-
Ugh, stop teasing me.
That's what she said...
Ugh, ewe stop it dude
Lol
Hate you-
Do you?
No
Sasuke chuckled, shaking his head at the girl. They had been talking for a week, not obsessively, but they made time for one or two hours of conversation. It seemed like she was busy with her studies and other commitments. He slipped his phone into his pocket, lifting his bag as he headed towards the university's pool area.
This week, he was assigned as the pool watcher. He couldn't really refuse Kakashi, their teacher, considering he was a family friend and close to Obito, Sasuke's uncle. Obito was incredibly annoying and wouldn't let Sasuke hear the end of it if Kakashi reported anything even remotely ridiculous.
"So, I heard the medical students will be assigned as medics later. Not just those old school nurses," Naruto mentioned, slinging his arm around Sasuke's shoulder.
"You're starting to sound like Jiraiya," Sasuke retorted, earning a playful whine from the blond.
"And aren't you getting close to Neji's cousin?"
"Yeah, we just had our first date. You know, gotta do some collecting and selecting."
"You're hopeless," Sasuke sighed as they entered the pool area, which was currently occupied by a lot of students. It was an inter-department competition, so not many were interested. Sasuke looked around and spotted Suigetsu waving at him. He grunted in acknowledgment and headed over to his friend.
"Wish me luck, dude," Suigetsu said. Sasuke rolled his eyes, dropping his bag onto a chair and removing his shirt, revealing his well-built physique, complete with a six-pack. He could hear whispers from the onlookers, but he paid them no mind. He made his way to Kakashi, Naruto, and a few others he barely knew.
When Kakashi saw him, he began explaining the duties of the group in charge of maintaining safety during the competition.
"Which of you medical students know how to swim?" Kakashi inquired, turning to the females gathered to his left.
"Me," a pink-haired girl with bright green eyes, named , raised her hand.
"Ah, yes, Haruno. How about you, Karin?" The red-haired girl shook her head.
"Okay, well, I have my boys here. Sakura, you can choose one to assist you in case something happens with our contestants. They'll help you with whatever you need while you tend to any first aid needed," Kakashi explained, gesturing towards the group. Some of the guys smirked and winked at her, but she paid them no attention. Her eyes scanned the line, and she bit her lip in contemplation. Her gaze lingered on Sasuke's for a moment longer.
"Uh," Sakura stammered, quickly redirecting her attention with a smile, pointing towards him. "He would do."
"Sasuke?" Kakashi sought confirmation, earning a shake from the pinkette.
"Naruto?" Sakura nodded, still smiling.
"Oh, uh, Naruto, you can assist Ms. Haruno throughout the day," Kakashi assigned, and Naruto nudged Sasuke before leaving with Sakura and Karin to their designated area.
"That's a first," Kiba whispered beside him. Sasuke nudged him in return.
"Sasuke-proof," Kakashi teased him. Sasuke didn't get a chance to glare because the man turned away, dismissing them.
Nerd
Tomato
Did you miss me?
Is this always the opening spiel?
LOL yes
Making sure one day you'll miss me.
I doubt
Really? Just wait, I'll make you miss me
You're making it sound like you're dying
Maybe I am
But definitely, not
Not gonna manifest that
I want to liiiive
Really now
Oh yeah, I still need to live
I've got a lot of assignments on my table
So, I can't quit
Who'll answer this for me?
( Sent a photo )
You're at the library?
Yeah, the school lib.
Sasuke glanced up from his screen, his gaze sweeping across the familiar surroundings of the library. It had been over a week since he started communicating with the mysterious nerd he had met through texting. She occasionally sent him pictures of places that looked incredibly similar to where he was, which led him to realize that she attended the same school as him, completely unaware of his identity.
His eyes roved over the expansive library, searching for signs or people engrossed in their phones. The nerd girl had shared a photo of a sign that currently hung overhead, reading "Please Be Quiet." However, that particular sign was a common sight throughout the vast expanse of the library. He continued scanning the room, seeking any hint of someone engrossed in their phone.
What are you reading?
Some medical text book
Sasuke's eyes then flitted over the books that every one used in their respective table, there were a bunch of them who were reading it
Are you learning stitches or something?
Or something?
Yes, I am.
Trying to know more about it.
Why? So you can be seamless?
Sasuke's eyes shot up as he made his joke, and sure enough, he heard a snicker and a giggle. To his surprise, it was the pink-haired girl seated two tables away from him, sitting alone with a massive medical textbook in front of her. The book was ina standing position discreetly hiding her phone, though the soft glow of the screen was still evident.
LOL
Nice joke,
Trying to make laugh and all
It didn't though
I tried
A bit sew-cially awkward but tried
Just as his text was sent, the pink-haired girl burst into laughter, struggling to contain it. The librarian quickly hushed her, prompting the girl to look up with an apologetic expression. She was wearing large black glasses, confirming Sasuke's suspicions. He observed as she closed her book, took it to the counter, and then left the library.
Sasuke spent the entire week as the watcher for the swimming competition, and he was reluctantly dragged to the afterparty by the outdoor pool after Suigetsu emerged victorious in the small school competition. It was organized by the business and marine departments, given Suigetsu's history with the business program. He had started out there as a freshman before switching courses in his sophomore year. He still kept in touch with some of the business students, which was why he found himself at the center of the celebration. In truth, he had been involved with quite a few of the female business students.
Meanwhile, Sasuke had been acting a bit strange lately. His friends noticed he was constantly on his phone, but they had no inkling of the real reason. All they knew was that Sasuke seemed occupied with someone.
For the past week, Sasuke made an effort to wake up early and head to the cafeteria, hoping to catch a glimpse of the nerd girl. To his pleasant surprise, hidden beneath those glasses were a pair of striking green eyes. Sasuke would easily rate her a perfect 10/10. She was undeniably beautiful, yet she carried herself with a certain understated grace. The weight of academic stress was evident on her face, but it did nothing to diminish her charm.
Sakura
Sasuke
Did you miss me now?
No
Ugh, anyway, why are you still up?
Why are you still up?
Oh! I'm going out
I met a nice dude and asked me to go to a me party.
That's nice. Have fun.
Jealous?
Come on babe, don't be like that.
No
Also, stop with the babe.
LOL
Really don't care what you do.
Oh, okay then!
Take care
Thanks.
Sasuke was clearly irritated by the situation, though he couldn't quite put his finger on why. Naruto snatched his phone and tossed it onto his bed.
"Get up, we're supposed to be at the party. Hinata's already getting prepped," Naruto urged. Sasuke rolled his eyes, retrieved his phone, and headed out of the room.
Sakura pouted as she stared at his messages. "Well, he doesn't care anyway," she thought, deciding to turn off her phone without any intention of reading a reply. Ino entered their room along with Tenten and Hinata, all dressed casually.
"Are you ready?" Ino asked, looking at Sakura's sad expression.
"Aww, come on babe. I told you to just have fun, no strings attached," Ino consoled her, embracing her best friend. Sakura let out a sigh, burying her face into Ino's chest.
"You're right. It was wrong of me to push his boundaries. I just didn't realize... now I like him too much," Sakura mumbled.
"Hey, remember, you said he's a 4/10, right? What's there to lose?" Tenten pointed out as she gently pulled Sakura to her feet.
"He's smart and sometimes funny, but he always makes sure to reply to me," Sakura replied.
"Sakura-chan, all men reply to women. Just let him be," Hinata comforted her, reaching out to hold her hand.
"You're right," Sakura sighed, straightening up and placing her phone on her bed. "Let's go."
"You're gonna need that, babe," Ino said with a knowing smile. Sakura chuckled awkwardly and picked up her phone before they all headed out.
Sakura had expected a wild pool party like the ones in movies, but she was pleasantly surprised to find that everyone was simply having fun without any drama or chaos in the pool. Tenten released her hand and congratulated Suigetsu with a warm hug.
"Can't really win against you, dude," Suigetsu chuckled, patting Tenten's back.
"Next time," Tenten retorted with a playful roll of her eyes, moving on to greet another friend.
"Ino Yamanaka, right?" Suigetsu inquired, making Ino giggle.
"Yes."
"Ah, just like how they described you. A beautiful blonde model," Suigetsu teased, eliciting a laugh from Ino.
"Nice try. Anyway, these are my friends: Hinata, Sakura, and Karin," Ino introduced, pointing to each of them. They waved and smiled, except for Karin, who simply rolled her eyes.
"You met Tenten. That you met at?" Ino looked a bit puzzled.
"We met in biology class and became good friends."
"Neji's cousin?" Suigetsu pointed to Hinata, who nodded shyly.
"Small world, huh? Sakura and Karin, pink and red, damn, you both look stunning," Suigetsu whistled, earning an eye roll from Karin and a laugh from Sakura. Soon, a blonde guy approached them, immediately embracing Sakura and kissing Hinata's cheek.
"Finally! You came! How'd you get her to leave her room, Hinata?" Naruto exclaimed. Hinata blushed in response.
"She... just decided she'd had enough," Ino chimed in, prompting a laugh from Sakura. Ino and Karin wasted no time, pulling Sakura into the crowd in search of drinks. The three navigated through the lively crowd until they spotted the bar.
"One blueberry mojito, please," Sakura requested, earning a laugh from her two friends.
"That's my girl!" Ino cheered, also placing orders for herself and Karin.
"Sak, I'm going into that sea," Karin shouted over the pounding music, gesturing towards the grinding bodies. They had been at the party for an hour, and the atmosphere was heating up. Everyone seemed to be making out, and most were clearly drunk. Karin pulled out her phone and set an alarm.
"If you don't see me back here in two hours, it means I'm getting laid, so you can head back first," Karin whispered to Sakura before grabbing the drink handed to her by the barista. She waved to the group and then disappeared into the sea of people.
"Well, you heard her. Two hours, right here. If not, please don't lock our dorm, Sak. I might forget my key," Sakura teased, rolling her eyes and giving Ino a gentle shove into the crowd.
" Careful and use protection! ", Sakura shouted over the loud music. Ino stumbled slightly but gave her a thumbs-up in response.
" Surprised you don't ditch friends. ", the soccer player remarked, smirking at Sakura. She gave a nonchalant shrug.
"I stick with my girls," Sakura mumbled, downing another shot.
"Hmm, and what about the guys? Are you one of the guys' girls too?" The man who approached her eyed her closely and rested his hand on her thigh.
Sakura blushed at the bold move, then averted her gaze. It wasn't embarrassment she felt, but rather discomfort. She cleared her throat and subtly shifted her position, attempting to free her thigh from his touch.
"Pretty in pink, huh? Is that true for all the way down there?" His breath grazed her neck, causing Sakura to tense up.
"I mean, who cares if you're not an airhead? And who actually dyes that area?" Sakura shot a glare at the man. Despite her determined response, she couldn't shake the unease she felt. She sensed his hand inching further up her thigh.
"Could you please remove your hand?" Sakura's words came out sharp and forceful.
"Alright," the man said, smirking, as he added another hand on her waist, moving closer from behind.
"I'm just here for a drink, so kindly back off."
"I do love it when women beg," he taunted, inching even nearer. She could practically feel his body against her back. Closing her eyes, Sakura fought back the tears threatening to well up. She felt vulnerable and trapped; she knew she was in no state to resist, being under the influence of alcohol. Fighting him off could potentially make things worse.
" You have enough drinks. Sasori. ", Sakura turned to her right in surprise, locking eyes with the university heartthrob, Sasuke, who was glaring at Sasori.
"Why don't you return to your corner, where women can admire you while you ignore them?" Sasori retorted, shooting a glare back at Sasuke.
"Beats pressuring women who have no interest, doesn't it?" Sasuke smirked, keeping hold of Sakura's hand and helping her to her feet, all while maintaining his unwavering gaze on Sasori.
"So, is stealing girls from friends a new trend now, Capt?" Sasori responded sarcastically, gripping Sakura's arm to prevent her from moving toward Sasuke.
"Is it a new concept for you to treat women with respect?" Sasuke pulled Sakura closer, causing her to bump into his chest. He wrapped a protective arm around her.
" Ey, ey, Sasori, why don't you cool off man, you're getting too drunk. ", Suigetsu and Kiba thankfully arrived in the nick of time, preventing Sasori from raising his fist at Sasuke. Kiba and Suigetsu held Sasori back, and the fiery redhead stormed off, giving them a defiant middle finger.
"Sorry about that, Capt. We both know how messed up he gets when he's drunk. Are you okay, Sakura?" Suigetsu patted her head and then went to follow Sasori, while Kiba gave them a reassuring smile before trailing after Suigetsu.
"Th-thanks..." Sakura mumbled, gently pulling away from Sasuke and putting some distance between them. She wrapped her arms around herself, feeling vulnerable in her thin dress, especially in the chilly air.
Sasuke looked down at her and took her hand. "Let's get you inside. It's cold out here."
Sakura glanced up at him with a mixture of surprise and uncertainty. "Don't worry, I won't do anything to you," he reassured her, his voice barely above a mumble.
"Isn't that what they all say before they do the opposite?" Sakura quipped, withdrawing her hand from his.
"Well, if you'd rather stay out here and risk getting caught in the chaos, be my guest. Someone's bound to go wild any minute now," Sasuke replied, sliding his hand into his pocket. He gave Sakura a small smirk.
"Fine," Sakura sighed, conceding, and followed him into the cozy student hall. It was a simple room filled with chairs, tables, couches, and coffee tables. She rarely visited this part of the campus, as it was typically occupied by jocks.
Sakura noticed Sasuke sitting on a couch, engrossed in a book. She joined him, glancing at his notebook.
"Studying?" she asked.
"No, just reading through profiles of our opponent in next week's game," Sasuke replied. Sakura nodded, then began fiddling with her hands. She considered texting tomato guy, but the lingering annoyance kept her from doing so.
"Shouldn't you be with a date or something?" Sasuke inquired without looking up from his notebook.
"Uhm, no. Naruto was the one who invited me here. We talked for a while before he went on a date with Hinata, somewhere," Sakura explained, her voice tinged with annoyance.
"So, Naruto asked you out on a date but disappeared with Hyuga Girl?"
"No, it wasn't a date. We just hung out. We became good friends during the swimming competition. He was funny and all."
"So that's your type?"
"What? No," Sakura laughed before covering her mouth.
"He's nice and all, but not my type. I can't keep up with his energy; my patience is too thin." Sakura shook her head.
"What's your type then?" Sasuke asked, preparing himself for another attempt at flirting.
"I really don't have one, but-" Sakura turned red and Sasuke was about to give up, if Sakura ever tried to flirt with him by saying he was her type.
"I've been talking to this guy, and I don't even know him. I haven't seen him or heard his voice, but I really like him." Sakura laughed, causing Sasuke to raise an eyebrow.
"God, I'm too drunk. I'm spilling my guts to a stranger," she said, her voice cracking slightly.
"He could be miles away from me, so why bother?" Sakura added, her words trailing off.
"Who's this guy?" Sasuke finally focused on her.
"Hmm, tomato guy," Sakura murmured, leaning back, her eyes closing as she felt the effects of the alcohol.
"You like him?"
"Yeah, so much." Sasuke let the information sink in. He was about to ask more when he heard her soft breath, signaling she had fallen asleep.
Sakura woke up the next day with a pounding headache. As she looked around, she found herself in her own room, tucked safely in her bed. The events of the previous night were hazy in her memory, with the last thing she could recall being a conversation with the school heartthrob after the unpleasant encounter with the redhead.
After a quick bath to freshen up, Sakura's stomach rumbled loudly. She found Hinata and Tenten in the common room.
"Girls? How did I get back here?"
"We took you. You fell asleep on the couches in the student hall," Hinata explained while her eyes would wander all over the room. Sakura nodded, grateful for their help, and accepted the cup of noodles Hinata offered.
"Thanks," she murmured, savoring the warm soup.
"Life saver," she added with a sigh.
Hinata chuckled at her and patted the spot beside her. Sakura glanced at her phone, hoping to find a message from him, but it was disappointingly empty.
"I'm not suggesting you should completely ignore him, but why not give it a couple of days before messaging him again? Make him realize that your absence might feel strange to him," Tenten suggested, breaking Sakura's reverie.
"If you like this guy as much as you say, give him a chance. But also, give yourself a chance," Hinata advised gently. Sakura looked up at them and smiled, a realization dawning on her.
"Yeah, you're right," she agreed, feeling a newfound determination settle within her.
Sasuke's frustration had been building up for five long days without a message from Sakura. He couldn't help but wonder if she had given up on their conversations. Her absence from the cafeteria and library only fueled his restlessness. His thoughts were consumed by that unpredictable pink-haired girl.
Distracted, he left his room and strolled down the hallways, his mind far from his studies. Eventually, he arrived at the soccer field for practice, a critical session for the upcoming game. As he reached the area, his eyes widened in surprise to find Sakura chatting with none other than Sasori.
Sasuke's jaw clenched, and he let out a low grunt. He turned away, refusing to look back even as he heard Sasori calling after him. The entire team could sense his anger, even if they weren't entirely sure of its source. It reflected in the intensity with which he played, the way he scrutinized every player's performance, and the extra drills he enforced before and after practice. The message was clear: something had gotten under Sasuke's skin.
Naruto collapsed onto the grass, his breath ragged and uneven. Kiba and Suigetsu joined him, sprawled out beside him. On the opposite side, Sasori, Neji, Gaara, and Shikamaru sat in a silent but tense tableau. The rest of the team watched from a safe distance, using Naruto as a shield, should their captain's temper ignite.
"What the hell, Sasuke?" Naruto's voice was a mix of disbelief and anger as he flung an empty bottle at Sasuke, who sidestepped it effortlessly.
"If you guys are going to be so incompetent, why don't you just quit instead of making fools of yourselves tomorrow?" Sasuke's voice dripped with frustration as he faced Naruto.
"What?! We were doing perfectly fine!" Naruto shot up, his face flushing with indignation, jabbing a finger at Sasuke.
"You all were slacking! And you call that 'fine'?" Sasuke slapped Naruto's hand away, closing the distance between them with an intense glare.
"Naruto, Sasuke's just worried about tomorrow's game," Kiba interjected, a voice of reason amidst the brewing storm.
"As captain, he should be, but that doesn't give him the right to punish us like this," Naruto retorted, his voice reverberating across the expansive field.
"As captain, I expect you all to help me, not slack off!" Sasuke shot back, his frustration boiling over.
" Wow! Is it us that you're mad or you're mad at other things?! ", Naruto added finally making Sasuke glare harder at the man.
"What is going on here?" Kakashi's voice cut through the tension as he stepped in, finding his star players locked in confrontation. Sasuke and Naruto froze, their eyes shifting to Kakashi, both still seething.
"I expect both of you to be in the right state of mind. Naruto, Sasuke is under a lot of pressure, from the students and teachers especially from the school board. Tomorrow's game against Oto is crucial, and you both know what happened last year. Sasuke, your pent-up frustration shouldn't be directed at your team. I thought I had taught you all about being teammates," Kakashi sighed, motioning for everyone to stand up.
"As a consequence for your actions, I want everyone on the field tomorrow at 4 am. I'll bring in Gai to train with us," Naruto gasped, stepping forward, ready to apologize.
"No buts. If you lose the game because you're tired, so be it. You showed improper camaraderie in front of your juniors," Kakashi interrupted, his tone firm. Naruto fell silent, casting a glance at Sasuke, who was prepared to glare until Kakashi called him.
"Naruto, don't push it," Kakashi added sternly.
"Everyone is dismissed," Kakashi announced, and the team left the field, except for Sasuke, who remained with their coach.
"I'll take responsibility. It was my fault. I shouldn't have pushed them so hard," Sasuke admitted, his tone a blend of determination and sincerity.
"Sasuke, this is why I chose you as team captain—to push them to their limits. You're willing to shoulder the blame even when it's not entirely yours, and that's what makes a real captain. However, your pent-up anger is a problem. Find a way to release it before it consumes you, alright?" Kakashi advised. Sasuke sighed, nodding in agreement, and patted Kakashi on the shoulder.
"Are you staying?" Kakashi inquired. Sasuke nodded, watching as Kakashi departed, only to return a few minutes later with a bag.
"Here, you might forget this. I had the janitor lock the locker rooms; our uniforms are inside. We wouldn't want anyone tampering with them," Kakashi explained. Sasuke simply nodded, dropping his bag onto the grass and returning to the field.
For the next hour, Sasuke kicked the soccer balls relentlessly, striving to score. He managed to convert only about half of his attempts into goals. Despite the failed goals, his head cooled enough to get back to the dorm without strangling his best friend. As he was about to leave, his phone rang.
Snatching up his bag, Sasuke checked his phone and saw a missed call from Sakura. Opening the message, he found a note from her.
Sakura
Sasuke
Did you miss me?
Yes
Really? You do?
Yes
Are you drunk or something?
Lol
You said you didn't miss me a few texts ago.
I do now
Where are you?
Practice
Sasuke waited for her reply, but it never came though he heard someone call out to him.
"Shouldn't you be done?" Sasuke turned to find Sakura, holding her phone and a banner tucked under her arm.
"Are you even allowed in here?" he inquired, facing her fully. Sakura giggled and shook her head.
"No, but the janitor was nice enough to let me in."
"You're too trusting."
"I am," she admitted, making Sasuke smirk and shake his head. He proceeded to change into a clean, dry shirt, causing Sakura to blush and avert her gaze.
"Why are you even here?" Sasuke asked, stuffing his used shirt into his bag and grabbing a towel to wipe his face.
"Oh, uh, the medical department wanted to put this up to support Sasori, as a graduating medical student and ofc ourse, the team. Ino was supposed to do it, but she's out on a date with some art student. Thankfully, you're here. I didn't know where to hang it," Sakura explained. Sasuke sighed and signaled for her to hand it to him. She approached, crouching down to his level and passing it over.
"I'll put this up later," Sasuke decided. Sakura nodded, still crouching beside him. Instead of leaving, she had other plans. She reached for the towel from him, leaning in closer to wipe away the sweat on his forehead. Sasuke was taken aback.
"Sorry, you just missed a spot. Good luck with your game. I heard you're going against Oto?" Sakura inquired. Sasuke nodded, his gaze fixed on the girl.
"Great! You can definitely win against them this year. I heard they had a very great captain," she commented. Sasuke snorted, then stood up and offered a hand to help Sakura up.
"It's getting late. I should head back to my dorm," she whispered, then jogged towards the exit. Sasuke was left standing there, unsure of what to make of the encounter. He hung the banner in its designated spot and eventually made his way back to his dormitory.
He was just about to settle in and get some sleep when his phone chimed.
Sakura
Sasuke
Hey sorry, just went out for a bit.
How's your week so far?
Tiring
Had to practice all week
Really?
Yeah, you?
Had to submit all the projects I had a week early
since semi-finals is a few days away
Yeah
Are you stressed?
School? No? the game, yes.
Ah, what game?
Soccer
Mmhmm
honestly
I had no idea about it
my dad though is a fan of it.
Do you want to hop on a call?
Sasuke expected her to block him or something, but the next thing he knew, his phone was ringing. Sasuke smirked and answered the call.
"Did you miss me?" Sasuke could definitely recognize that voice, her soft, velvety tone.
"Ah," Sasuke could hear her giggle.
"Won't your roommate be complaining about you calling someone in the middle of the night?"
"Nah, she ditched me this week, she's been in this guy's dorm for days now. Didn't realize being alone is great." Sasuke chuckled.
"Don't you have classes tomorrow?"
"Nope, it's a Saturday." Sasuke hummed as he listened to her talk about her week, how she was piled with schoolwork. He felt stupid for actually thinking she ghosted him; he almost forgot the girl was an overachiever.
"I like your voice," Sakura suddenly said, earning a chuckle from Sasuke.
"You do?"
"Yeah, it sounds so calming. Hmm, wonder though if I will ever see you before whatever this is expires," Sakura said, her voice fading.
"You think this'll fade?"
"Could be, just want to be careful."
"You know what? I'll come to you." Sakura gasped on the other line.
"You will?"
"Ah."
"How will you find me?"
"You're not hard to miss."
"What do you mean?"
"Secret," Sasuke chuckled when he heard her sigh.
"I hate you," Sakura mumbled.
"Do you?"
"No, I think I wasn't being careful like I thought I would." Sasuke knew what she meant. Her recklessness had caused him to be involved in it as well. Though, he can't say it right now, right?
"Why don't you rest? I'm sure you're tired from all the schoolwork."
"How can you tell?"
"You sounded too tired." Sakura giggled at him, and sighed.
"Good night, tomato."
"Night babe." Before Sakura could respond, Sasuke had already dropped the call. He chuckled when he heard her gasp.
Sasuke was about to turn off the lamp and sleep when someone knocked on his door.
"Come in," he knew it was Naruto, probably trying to apologize. The blonde entered while scratching his head.
"Dobe."
"Sorry for earlier, I knew this game is stressing you, knowing the game would reflect on your image, rather in ours."
"Sorry," To Naruto, it was enough and it was genuine. They had been best friends since age 5; he knew Sasuke very well, like brothers.
"Well, I'll see you tomorrow?"
"I'll be meeting Sakura tomorrow after the game," Naruto paused and looked back at him.
"She doesn't still know me, but I want to take it to the next level." Naruto smiled and winked.
"I got you, I'll let Hinata know to make her come to the event."
"That's not what I mean. I just want you to know." Naruto smiled brighter.
"I know."
Hinata convinced Sakura to join her at the soccer game, which was a surprise given Hinata's aversion to crowded places. She even gave Sakura one of the navy green jackets adorned with the school soccer team's logo and the number 23 on the back.
Sakura, however, didn't mind the borrowed jacket. Beneath its oversized fit, she wore a well-fitted white crop top with long sleeves, paired with low-waisted beige-black pants. She wasn't one to flaunt her figure, but she found the ensemble rather cute. Completing the look were her white, green, and black Autry shoes.
Upon their early arrival at the game, Ino and Tenten had already reserved seats for them. In a surprising turn of events, Ino even introduced her "boyfriend" Sai, which left the girls astounded, as Ino wasn't known for dating. Sakura, of course, congratulated her friend with a warm hug. Her eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for a familiar face she knew yet didn't know at the same time.
As the girls informed her that the team was being introduced, Sakura turned her attention to the field. The school's soccer team made their entrance, clad in identical jackets to the one she was wearing. She stole a glance at Sasuke, who was sporting a black version.
"Why is he wearing black instead of green?" Sakura inquired, her voice a hushed whisper to Hinata.
"You mean Sasuke? Not sure why, but maybe because he's the captain," Sakura mused, nodding to herself. Her gaze, however, continued to sweep the surroundings. Hinata shot her a secret smile and energetically rose to cheer on their soccer team. The collective roar of the crowd echoed, with a majority chanting Sasuke's name.
Once again, he was the star of the show. If she weren't preoccupied with her studies and feelings for someone else, she might have been cheering for him alone. But today, she was here to support the entire team.
Sakura avidly followed the game, with Tenten providing explanations for the plays and tactics. Soon, she was able to keep up and cheer alongside her friends. She observed Sasuke and Naruto scoring goal after goal, and it was now clear why Sasuke was the team captain. He was swift, agile, and remarkably skilled at the sport.
She learned that it was the University Year End Finals, marking the last game of the academic year. It was a prestigious competition where the top universities vied for the title of the best soccer team. Sakura also gathered that the upcoming Summer League would bring a fresh set of challenges, as teams would represent their respective regions.
Sakura observed Naruto receiving the ball from Kiba's pass, swiftly charging over the center line. He then delivered the ball to Sasuke, who executed a seamless maneuver, evading the defense. The opposing team, naturally, rushed to return to their side of the field in an attempt to thwart Sasuke. Despite the increasing number of opponents, Sasuke exhibited exceptional skill in dodging them. Naruto provided crucial support by allowing Sasuke to pass the ball to him before returning it to Sasuke once more.
Engrossed in the climactic game, Sakura scarcely noticed what was happening around her. When Sasuke secured the winning goal, she leapt from her seat in sheer joy. Green and gold confetti showered the stadium, creating a vibrant spectacle. She watched with elation as all the players rushed to lift Sasuke in celebration.
Sakura followed her friends as they made their way down to the field, scanning the surroundings in search of her mystery guy. She embraced Naruto with congratulations, she took the opportunity to continue her search. Hinata and Naruto shared an embrace, and Sakura's friends made sure to offer their congratulations to the entire team. The KU students swarmed around Sasuke, eager to extend their regards, but Sakura remained focused on finding her mystery guy.
Sasori approached her, and they exchanged congratulations. He had already apologized, explaining that he had been drunk, and Sakura understood. She waved at Karin, who was resplendent in her cheerleading outfit. Sighing, Sakura made her way back to her friends, only to bump into none other than Sasuke Uchiha.
"Oh, sorry! Congratulations!" Sasuke chuckled in response, offering his thanks. He knew he was being hailed by various people, with some waiting patiently for their turn to offer their regards. However, Sakura, clad in his jacket and on the hunt for her mystery guy, just looked too endearing to pass by.
"Did you miss me?" Sasuke asked, a mischievous smile playing on his lips.
"What?" Sakura blinked in surprise.
"I said, did you miss me?" His smile widened, prompting a smirk from Sakura.
"I hate you," she playfully retorted. Sasuke chuckled at her response.
"Do you?" he inquired.
"No." Without further ado, Sasuke pulled her into an embrace. Sakura reciprocated, holding him close. When he gently pulled away and met her gaze, she found herself already welling up with tears, her lips quivering.
"How did you know?" she asked.
"At the library," he confessed, brushing away the tears from her cheeks.
"Is this why you saved me from Sasori?" she inquired further. Sasuke shook his head, his expression sincere.
"No, I helped you because you needed it. I would have left you there, but, well, you're my nerd, so I had to carry you all the way back to your dorm," he admitted, his voice low. Sakura noticed how put emphasis on 'my nerd', triggering the butterflies in her stomach.
"I really do like you, Tomato," Sakura confessed, her voice gentle.
"Sasuke," he corrected her with a soft chuckle.
"I know, but I liked Tomato first," Sakura giggled, surprising Sasuke. He half-expected her to playfully push him away. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. He could feel the gaze of onlookers, but he couldn't afford to let this moment slip away.
Their first kiss was tender, leaving Sasuke yearning for more. Yet, he was also acutely aware of the audience around them. Glancing at Sakura, he saw her cheeks tinted with a delicate blush.
"Thanks for keeping my jacket warm, by the way," Sakura murmured, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. She shook her head, almost in disbelief. It seemed Hinata had been in on this plan too. Sakura hadn't imagined that the man she had been conversing with was the same one she had encountered a few times before. It was too early to make any definitive conclusions about their connection, but for now, they were both determined to let it flourish.
Perhaps their bond was meant to last,
Or maybe it was destined to fade away after graduation.
Thoughts?
Reviews would be perfect really!
Love
Luna
XOXO