Sakura's hands flew to her mouth as she watched the horrific wreckage of Hinata's Ferrari onscreen. Tears poured down her face, her voice trembling as she mumbled incoherently. "No… no, this can't be happening… not Hinata…" Her legs wobbled, barely supporting her as Sasuke quickly pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.
"She'll be fine, Sakura," Sasuke said, his voice calm yet strained. He wasn't sure if he was reassuring Sakura or himself. "She's tough… she's tougher than this."
Shisui stood beside them, his face pale, fists clenched tightly at his sides. He shook his head, trying to suppress his own disbelief. "Come on, Hinata… You've survived worse," he muttered under his breath, though his own confidence wavered. His gaze darted between the track monitor and the medevac helicopter rushing to the scene.
The announcer's voice boomed overhead, grim yet professional. "The medics are en route to the crash site. Both drivers involved—Team 7's Hinata Hyuga and Akatsuki's Pain—are receiving emergency attention. Their conditions remain unclear."
Sakura sobbed against Sasuke's chest, her body trembling. Sasuke gently stroked her hair, watching the screen intently. The camera zoomed in on the helicopter lowering to the track as medics rushed toward the crumpled Ferrari.
"I should've stopped her," Sakura whispered. "She was pushing too hard… I should've said something…"
Sasuke tilted her chin up, his dark eyes steady. "Stop. This isn't your fault. Hinata knew what she was doing."
Shisui exhaled sharply, his tone bitter. "None of us knew it would go like this. Let's wait for the medics. She's stronger than she looks."
Sasuke gently removed the headset from Sakura, who was still too shaken to speak. Sliding it over his head, he adjusted the mic and spoke into it. "Hinata? Can you hear me? This is Sasuke. Say something."
Static.
He swallowed hard and tried again. "Hinata… if you're there, let us know you're okay." His voice cracked slightly, betraying his calm façade.
Still nothing.
The tension in the booth was suffocating. The team members and the audience alike were glued to the screen, waiting for any updates. The medevac helicopter lifted off with the drivers aboard, but no news came in. Shisui's hand hovered over the laptop's screen, shaking slightly. "Come on… give us something…"
On the track, Naruto's grip on the wheel tightened as his Chevelle thundered forward. His heart pounded like a war drum, drowning out the roar of his engine. His vision blurred with the image of Hinata's car flipping, the violent crash replaying in his mind on an endless loop.
"HINATA!" he yelled into the empty cab, his voice breaking. His throat felt tight as tears pricked his eyes.
The Charger ahead of him swerved slightly, and Konan took the lead. Naruto didn't even care. His focus was gone, replaced by a suffocating sense of dread.
"Hinata…" he whispered, shaking his head. "Please be okay…"
Static crackled in his headset. He ignored it, lost in his turmoil, but the voice came again, more insistent this time. "Naruto! Hey! Snap out of it!"
He blinked, snapping his head to the side. A white Porsche 918 Spyder zipped into view, adorned with a floral vinyl and a sleek black bull logo on the side. The driver's voice came through clear now.
"Get your head in the game, Uzumaki!" Ino's sharp tone cut through his haze. "You're losing position!"
Naruto sighed heavily, his voice devoid of emotion. "What's the point, Ino?"
Ino growled audibly. "The point? Are you serious right now? You're just going to throw away everything Team 7 worked for? Everything Hinata worked for?"
Naruto didn't reply. His grip on the wheel loosened slightly.
Ino's frustration boiled over. "Hinata wouldn't want you to quit, you idiot! She fought her heart out for this. Don't you dare disrespect her like this!"
Naruto snapped, his voice shaking with anger. "You don't get it, Ino! Hinata—she… she could be dead, and you're telling me to focus on a race? What's wrong with you?"
Ino's voice softened, but it remained firm. "She's alive, you moron. The medics pulled her out. They're treating her right now, and from what I hear, even Pain's walking away from this mess. Miracles do happen, Naruto."
Naruto froze, her words hitting him like a lightning bolt. "She's… she's alive?" His voice trembled, disbelief and relief flooding his tone.
"Yes!" Ino shouted. "Now stop sulking and start driving like you mean it!"
Naruto glanced at his radio, realizing it was still tuned to Hinata's frequency. That's why he hadn't received any updates. His hands tightened on the wheel, determination sparking in his eyes. "Alright… alright! I'm back. Let's finish this."
"Good," Ino said, her smirk audible. "I'm looking forward to crushing you on this track."
Naruto chuckled faintly, his confidence returning. "Don't count on it, Ino. Thanks… for snapping me out of it."
"Save the gratitude for after I win." Her Porsche swerved in front of him. "Slipstream behind me. Let's catch up to Konan and finish this."
Naruto nodded, bringing his Chevelle into position behind her car. Their engines roared in tandem as they barreled through the next few curves, the Charger ahead of them still holding the lead.
Back in the team booth, Shisui leaned closer to the monitor, his brow furrowed. "What are they doing?"
Sasuke watched intently, adjusting the headset. "Working together," he said, his tone unreadable. "It's unprecedented… but it might work."
Sakura, still trembling but calming down, looked at the screen. "Naruto and Ino… teaming up?" She wiped her tears. "If anyone can do it, it's them."
The announcer's voice rose with excitement. "And here we have Team 7's Uzumaki and Matador's Yamanaka seemingly working together! What a spectacle! Could they be planning to dethrone Akatsuki's Charger?"
The crowd roared in approval, cheering on the unexpected alliance.
Back on the track, Ino's voice came through. "Just one left. Let's lose her on the next turn."
Naruto smirked, his confidence fully restored. "Let's do this."
Their cars roared down the track, poised for a final showdown.
The overhead helicopter circled low, capturing breathtaking footage of the roaring race below. The black Dodge Charger held its ground fiercely, sandwiched between two relentless challengers: the sleek black-and-white Chevelle SS and the stunning white Porsche 918 Spyder with its floral vinyl and striking bull emblem. The announcer's voice crackled with excitement over the airwaves, broadcasting to an audience that could barely contain its cheers.
"This is unprecedented! Two cars from opposing teams seem to be working together against the Dodge! This is shaping up to be a nail-biting finale!"
Ino's hands gripped the steering wheel tightly, her eyes darting between the Dodge and the track ahead.
"Come on, come on…" she muttered under her breath, looking for the perfect opportunity to make her move. Her car was positioned on the inside of the Dodge, while Naruto's Chevelle hovered dangerously close on its outside.
Naruto's voice crackled in on the radio, breaking her focus. "You good over there, Yamanaka?"
Ino scoffed. "I'm better than good. Focus on your lane, Uzumaki, and let's get this done."
Naruto's muscles tensed as he leaned into the curve, his Chevelle hugging the edge of the track. His car rattled slightly under the strain, but his resolve didn't falter.
Sakura's voice came through his headset. "Naruto, what the hell are you and Ino doing out there? You're supposed to be rivals!"
"We've got it under control," Naruto replied with a smirk, his tone calm despite the chaos around him. "Any updates on Hinata?"
"She's okay," Sakura replied, relief evident in her voice. "It's a miracle she survived such a nasty crash. Apparently, her roll cage saved her."
"Roll cage, huh? What the hell was it made out of?"
"Plot armour," Sakura deadpanned.
Naruto blinked. "What?"
Sakura's voice shot back. "Just focus, Naruto!"
Before he could retort, Ino's voice interrupted on the general frequency. "Uzumaki, it's time."
Naruto gritted his teeth, now on the inside of Konan's Dodge as they exited the curve. With a burst of speed, he surged ahead, inching past her. In a well-coordinated maneuver, Ino capitalized on the moment, sliding her Porsche past the Dodge as well.
As Naruto took the lead, he subtly tapped his brakes, forcing Konan to slow down behind him. The Dodge struggled to regain momentum, and Ino took advantage, pushing into first place with ease.
"Nice work," Naruto muttered into the radio.
Ino chuckled. "Don't get cocky yet."
Suddenly, the hood of Naruto's Chevelle broke loose, flying up into the air.
"Shit!" Naruto cursed, watching in the rearview mirror as the hood hurtled toward Konan's Charger.
The Dodge swerved violently, spinning out onto the rough terrain just off the track. Konan lost control, her car grinding to a halt in a cloud of dust and debris.
Naruto radioed to Ino. "Charger's out. It's just us now."
"Good," Ino replied coolly. "Let's finish this."
Sakura's voice came back into Naruto's ear. "Naruto, you've got four kilometers left. The road is pretty straight, but there's a tricky curve just before the finish line. Be careful."
Naruto nodded. "Got it."
He glanced at Ino's Porsche ahead of him. "Ino," he said over the frequency, "it's time."
Ino's voice was laced with amusement. "About damn time. I've been waiting for this."
Naruto chuckled. "Why do you hate me so much, anyway?"
"Oh, shut up," Ino snapped. "Get ready. Don't disappoint me now."
Naruto couldn't help but grin. "Barebones then? No radio spotter, no GPS. Just us."
Ino smirked from her car, turning off her radio. "Fine by me."
Naruto did the same, reaching for his headset. "Sakura, I'm going dark. Gotta settle this one-on-one."
"Wait, what?" Sakura exclaimed, but Naruto had already cut the comms.
As the two cars coasted side by side, Naruto adjusted his gloves and steadied his breathing. His heart pounded in anticipation. Glancing at Ino's car, he teased, "Alright, backup driver, let's see what you're made of."
Inside her Porsche, Ino adjusted her ponytail and swapped her pink driving gloves for a fresh pair. She checked her dashboard to ensure her car was in peak condition.
She shot a glare at Naruto through her window. "Can't wait to wipe that smug grin off your face."
Naruto chuckled. "Bring it on."
Ino pointed ahead to a cactus in the distance. "That's our starting point."
Naruto nodded. "Works for me."
As they neared the cactus, both drivers leaned forward, readying themselves for the showdown. The crowd in the stands roared in anticipation, and even the announcers fell silent, waiting for the climax.
Former teammates turned fierce rivals, the final stretch was set. Naruto's last hurdle to victory was none other than Ino Yamanaka herself.
The instant they passed the cactus, Naruto and Ino floored their accelerators. Both engines screamed in unison, drowning the afternoon in a symphony of raw, unrelenting power. The Chevelle's roar was deep and guttural, a beast unleashed, while the Porsche's scream was sharp and cutting, a razor slicing through the air.
Naruto's cockpit rattled from the sheer force of the speed. The dashboard lights reflected in his narrowed blue eyes as he focused solely on the path ahead. The straightaway stretched like an endless ribbon of asphalt, and his foot pressed the pedal down as if it were an extension of his will. Next to him, Ino's white 918 Spyder clung to his side, refusing to yield even an inch.
The two cars raced neck and neck, their bodies mere inches apart. The black and white Chevelle growled as it surged forward, but the Porsche responded with a whine, matching its rival's aggression. Naruto gripped the wheel tighter.
Ino wasn't just good; she was flawless. Every gear shift, every movement of her car was deliberate. Her ability to adapt was unmatched. Naruto knew this wasn't just a race; it was a battle of wills.
But she had a flaw. Ino's drive to win could become her downfall. Hyper-focused and relentless, she sometimes forgot to think ahead. Naruto smirked. He just had to wait for the right moment to capitalize on her singular obsession: beating him.
The first curve approached like a dark shadow, and Naruto's heart surged. He held the inside lane, the Chevelle hugging the corner tightly. He caught a glimpse of Ino in his side mirror. Her Porsche had dropped behind him slightly, her strategy clear: slipstream.
Naruto grimaced as her car darted closer, its sleek white body tucked directly behind his, stealing the air his car displaced to reduce drag. His speedometer climbed steadily, the Chevelle roaring as it hit 350 km/h, then 380. The road began to slope downward, and the engine screamed louder still.
The numbers on the dash blurred. 390 km/h.
Behind him, Ino's Porsche gained, her headlights now filling his rearview mirror. The straight stretched endlessly ahead, but Naruto's instincts screamed danger. Something was off.
The curve appeared without warning.
"Damn it!" Naruto cursed under his breath, yanking the wheel hard. The Chevelle screeched as its tires clung desperately to the asphalt.
But it wasn't enough.
Ino darted to the inside, her Porsche slipping ahead in one fluid motion. Naruto caught sight of her taillights, then her smirking face in her side mirror as she overtook him.
His teeth clenched.
"I've got to get her on the next straight," he muttered, slamming the accelerator again.
The next stretch of road was an electrifying blend of strategy and raw power. Naruto's Chevelle surged forward, closing the gap between them. Ino glanced in her mirror, her smirk fading as Naruto pulled alongside her.
Their cars jostled for dominance, side by side, the roar of their engines overlapping in a chaotic crescendo. Naruto edged ahead for a moment, but Ino countered quickly, weaving just enough to reclaim her lead.
The next curve loomed, and this time Naruto was ready. He dove to the inside, forcing Ino to brake earlier than she wanted. The Chevelle tore past her, its black body glinting in the sparse light.
But Ino wasn't done.
Her Porsche hugged the corner perfectly, using every ounce of her handling advantage. By the time they hit the exit, she was alongside him again.
Naruto's knuckles were white on the wheel, sweat dripping down his temples. His heart pounded in rhythm with the roar of the engine. "She's good," he admitted begrudgingly. "But I'm better."
Another curve came and went, and Naruto found himself trailing again. The Chevelle's raw speed couldn't match the Spyder's precision in the corners. But he wasn't giving up.
His speedometer climbed again. 400 km/h. 415.
There's a saying among racers: when you hit a certain speed, everything else falls away. The car doesn't feel like it's touching the ground anymore. It feels like flying.
Naruto had reached that point.
The world around him blurred into streaks of black and gray, the road ahead the only thing in focus. The Chevelle howled as it pushed toward its limit, the hood rattling violently.
435 km/h.
Ahead, Ino's Porsche still held the lead. But Naruto's Chevelle was closing in.
Inside the Porsche, Ino's eyes darted between the road and her mirror. The gap between her and Naruto was shrinking. Her breath hitched.
Her hands gripped the wheel tighter, sweat beading on her brow. The finish line had to be close, but she couldn't see it yet. She could feel the black Chevelle looming behind her, its presence like a predator stalking its prey.
Naruto, meanwhile, was locked in. His vision tunneled, focused solely on the Porsche ahead. He didn't dare glance at the speedometer again. All that mattered was the gap, shrinking inch by inch.
"I'm coming for you, Ino," he whispered, his voice drowned out by the roar of the engine.
The two cars hurtled down the stretch of road, locked in a high-speed dance of precision and daring. Inches apart, both drivers pushed their machines—and themselves—to the absolute limit.
And neither was willing to back down.
Naruto's knuckles turned white as he gripped the steering wheel, the Chevelle inching closer to Ino's Porsche. The roar of his engine filled the cockpit, a primal growl echoing his determination. His blue eyes stayed locked on her taillights, the distance between them shrinking by the second. Just a few more feet… just a little more…
Suddenly, Ino's Porsche veered sharply to the right.
Naruto's eyes widened. "What the—?!"
The curve appeared out of nowhere, a wicked bend in the track that had been hidden by the darkness. Beyond it, jagged rocks jutted up from the side of the road like silent sentinels, waiting to punish any misstep.
Naruto yanked the wheel hard, his tires screeching in protest as the Chevelle fought against inertia. The weight of the muscle car shifted violently, threatening to pull him off the track. His breath caught in his throat as the rocks loomed closer.
"Turn, damn it!"
The car obeyed, barely clinging to the tarmac. He managed to stay on the outside lane through the curve, but the effort cost him precious time. By the time he emerged, his tires kissing the edge of the road, Ino's Porsche was already pulling ahead, her taillights mocking him.
Naruto slammed his hand against the wheel, frustration bubbling up inside him. He had one last play to make, one final gamble. His eyes flicked to the silver canisters of nitrous bolted securely in the passenger seat.
"Time to risk it all," he muttered through gritted teeth.
He flipped the cover and pressed the button.
A sudden burst of power surged through the Chevelle's engine. The roar transformed into an earth-shattering scream as the nitrous kicked in, pushing the car forward with ferocious speed. Naruto's back slammed against the seat, the sheer force almost overwhelming. The scenery around him blurred, the road narrowing into a tunnel of adrenaline and velocity.
Inside the Porsche, Ino caught a glimpse of the black Chevelle tearing alongside her. Her heart skipped a beat, but she kept her cool.
"He's using his nitrous," she thought, her fingers tightening on the wheel. "He's desperate."
She hoped Naruto had activated it too early. If he ran out before the finish line, the race was hers. But her confidence wavered as she glanced at her speedometer. He was closing in—fast. She had the advantage in corners, but on this straight, she could feel the tide turning against her.
Naruto grinned as he pulled ahead, his car roaring with triumph as he passed her. The nitrous fizzled out, but the damage was done. He was in the lead. Relief flooded through him. Now, all he had to do was maintain his position until the finish line.
Then he saw it.
A triangle road sign ahead, its reflective surface flashing ominously in the sun, marked the approach of a sharp bend. Naruto's stomach dropped. He didn't need to check his speedometer to know he was going too fast.
"Damn it!" he shouted, slamming the brakes.
The Chevelle groaned, its tires protesting violently. But it was too late for the brakes to do anything meaningful. Naruto had one last option, a move as risky as it was desperate.
He yanked the E-brake.
The heavy muscle car swung into a wild drift, the rear tires skidding across the tarmac as he fought to keep control. The world spun for a fraction of a second as Naruto's hands flew over the wheel, countersteering to avoid disaster. The car sliced through the sharp bend, the Chevelle's bulk barely making it through without slamming into the guardrail.
Naruto's heart raced. He felt the strain in every muscle as he corrected the car's trajectory, pushing it back onto the track.
Then he saw her.
A white blur darted past him on the inside. Ino.
Naruto cursed furiously as her Porsche reclaimed the lead, gliding through the curve with practiced ease. He slammed the accelerator, pulling back into the straight. This was his chance. The Chevelle's raw power came alive once more, inching closer to the Porsche ahead.
But just as he began to make progress, he caught sight of blue flames erupting from her exhaust.
"No way…"
Ino activated her nitrous, her car surging forward with an explosive burst of speed. Naruto's heart sank as the distance between them grew.
Panic set in. He scrambled for anything he could do, but there was nothing left. His nitrous was gone, his car was maxed out, and the finish line was approaching fast.
And then he saw it.
Fireworks shot into the sky, bright bursts of red and gold illuminating the ground below. The track ahead was lined with brilliant flashes, marking the end of the race.
Naruto gritted his teeth, slamming the accelerator to the floor. The Chevelle roared one last time, a final desperate push. The gap between them narrowed slightly, but it wasn't enough.
Ino's Porsche screamed across the finish line, the digital counter clocking her speed at 402 km/h.
Naruto's Chevelle followed a heartbeat later, flashing 419 km/h.
He eased off the throttle, his car gradually slowing. The engine's roar faded into a low growl, and silence enveloped the cockpit. Naruto's hands trembled on the wheel, his chest heaving.
It was over.
His heart felt hollow, disbelief washing over him like a cold wave. He had lost.
2 weeks later...
The garage smelled like motor oil, burnt rubber, and faintly of Sasuke's cologne—an odd blend that Naruto had come to associate with his friend. As he stepped inside, he saw Sasuke lounging in a beat-up chair, legs stretched out, phone in hand. The dim lighting cast shadows over the Chevelle, which still sat in the corner, its battle scars from the tournament gleaming like badges of honor.
Naruto smirked as he called out, "Yo, Uchiha! Still mourning our glorious defeat?"
Sasuke didn't even look up from his phone. "What do you want, loser?"
Naruto rolled his eyes and let the door shut behind him. "Good to see you're as charming as ever."
The Chevelle caught his eye as he walked over. Hiashi hadn't reclaimed it yet, though he'd made it clear he wanted the car as a trophy of Team 7's "almost victory." Naruto chuckled under his breath. The tournament hadn't exactly gone to plan, but Hiashi seemed oddly proud of their performance. Rich people were weird like that.
"Man, these past two weeks have been nuts," Naruto said, flopping into the chair next to Sasuke.
Sasuke glanced at him briefly, then back to his phone. "Yeah, wild. You lost the tournament and still managed to piss off Hinata's dad. Impressive, even for you."
Naruto groaned, running a hand through his hair. "Don't remind me. Hiashi's probably plotting my demise as we speak."
"Wouldn't blame him," Sasuke muttered, smirking slightly.
Naruto ignored him and stretched out, his legs sprawled. "At least Hinata's okay. Doctors said she's lucky she installed that 'plot armor' roll cage."
"That's a stupid name for a roll cage," Sasuke said, finally putting his phone down.
"Hey, it worked, didn't it?" Naruto shot back. "She walked away with just a few bruises. Meanwhile, I'm the one getting the death glare from her dad for not winning."
"You've always been a disappointment," Sasuke quipped, folding his arms.
Naruto snorted. "And you've always been an ass. Speaking of disappointments…" He leaned forward, a teasing grin spreading across his face. "You still moping over Sakura?"
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "Shut up."
"Oh, come on!" Naruto laughed, slapping his knee. "She's just going to Konoha State, dude. It's not like she's moving to another continent."
Sasuke shrugged, his expression cool. "Whatever. Not like I care."
"Uh-huh." Naruto leaned back, crossing his arms. "Sure you don't. You're totally not sitting here, looking like a sad puppy because your girlfriend's going off to college."
Sasuke's lip twitched, but he stayed silent.
Naruto pressed on, grinning wickedly. "You're so pathetic, man. What's next? Gonna write her sappy love letters? Maybe serenade her under her dorm window?"
Finally, Sasuke smirked. "Says the guy who fumbled Hiashi's daughter so bad, you lost a tournament and her respect. Smooth move, Romeo."
Naruto groaned loudly, covering his face with his hands. "I hate you."
Sasuke chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "What can I say? I'm a natural."
Changing the subject, Naruto gestured toward the Chevelle. "At least I got something out of it. Temari's Corvette is pretty nice."
Sasuke scoffed. "Yeah, and we lost all the prize money to Shikamaru's team. That one still stings."
Naruto shrugged. "We might've lost the money, but we gained something way more valuable."
Sasuke glared at him, his tone flat. "If you say some Disney Channel, power of friendship bullshit, I'm going to kill you."
Naruto hesitated, chuckling nervously. "Uh… never mind."
"Smart choice."
Naruto stood, stretching lazily. "Well, I'm heading home to grab lunch. Try not to cry too hard over Sakura while I'm gone."
"Don't you have a life, Naruto?"
"Not really." He flashed Sasuke a grin. "See ya, lover boy."
As Naruto headed out, Sasuke shook his head, smirking to himself. Life had been chaotic lately, but moments like this reminded him why Team 7 always felt like home—even if Naruto was a pain in the ass.
Naruto shoved his hands into his pockets as he walked down the bustling street. The faint scent of ramen wafted from a nearby stall, but even his favorite food couldn't distract him from his thoughts. The tournament had been a hell of a ride—so close, yet so far. He sighed, kicking a stray can down the sidewalk.
The truth was, the best team won. Shikamaru and Ino had outplayed them, plain and simple. Naruto smirked to himself, remembering how Ino had been surprisingly cool about it afterward. Maybe it was out of respect. After all, Hinata had been hospitalized because of her efforts in the race, and that wasn't something anyone could brush off.
The thought of Hinata made him smile. She'd been discharged a week ago, and the doctors said she was lucky to walk away with just minor injuries. That damn roll cage really was plot armor. He chuckled to himself, then sighed again.
"Idiot," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
It still hurt that she'd dumped him, but he couldn't blame her. He'd screwed things up, putting his own ambition ahead of their relationship. And now, he was stuck in this limbo—still liking her, still wanting to fix things, but too damn scared to try.
As he walked, Naruto cursed under his breath. "Dumbass. You had something good, and you fucked it up."
Still, despite the hurt, he was happy for her. She deserved to be happy. They hadn't talked much since the tournament—between her hospital stay and everything else, the opportunity just hadn't come up. But he wanted to do something. Maybe get her a souvenir or a small gift. Something to say, "Thanks for putting up with my dumbass."
He paused outside a shop window, catching his reflection. "At least we're still friends," he mumbled. "That's something, right?"
He sighed again and kept walking, trying to shake off the thought.
Then his phone buzzed in his pocket.
He pulled it out, frowning when he saw the name on the screen.
Ino calling...
"What the hell does she want?" he muttered before answering. "Yo, Ino?"
"Hey, dipshit," Ino's voice snapped, sharp as ever. "You busy?"
Naruto scratched his head, confused. "Not really? Why?"
"Good. You need to head over to Sasuke's house. Hinata left something there for you."
Naruto blinked, confused. "Uh… why?"
"Hinata left you something there. It's a gift or whatever. Don't ask me why she didn't just give it to you directly—she's weird like that."
His heart skipped a beat. "Wait. Hinata left me something? Why are you telling me this?"
Ino sighed, and he could almost hear her rolling her eyes. "Because I want what's best for Hinata. And for some asinine reason, it's looking like it's you. God knows why."
Naruto scratched the back of his head. "What do you mean me?"
"Yes, you, dumbass," Ino snapped. "Look, for the brief time you two were together, she was actually happy. Like, weirdly happy. And now that she's recovering and getting ready to leave, I want her to be happy again."
Naruto stopped in his tracks, his stomach twisting. "Wait. Leave? What do you mean, 'leave'?"
Ino hesitated for half a second before answering, "She's going to college abroad, dumbass. She's leaving soon."
Naruto felt like the wind had been knocked out of him. "She's… leaving?"
"Yes, Naruto. That's why she caved and decided to leave you a gift before she goes."
Naruto's mind raced. Hinata was leaving? He hadn't even known she was planning to go abroad. "Why would she leave me something if she's leaving?" he asked, his voice low, unsure.
"Oh, for fuck's sake!" Ino exploded. "Because she has feelings for you, you moron!"
Naruto's jaw dropped. "Wait, wait, wait. You're saying—"
"Yes, Naruto," Ino cut him off, her voice dripping with exasperation. "She likes you. She still likes you. For some ungodly reason, that girl is head over heels for the broke, walking piece of disappointment that is you."
Naruto's brain stuttered, trying to keep up. "But—"
"I'm not done!" Ino interrupted. "For some stupid reason, Hinata refuses to just call you up and tell you this shit herself. No, that airhead has to go through this convoluted process of dropping hints the size of fucking billboards because she thinks you've moved on."
Naruto blinked, stunned into silence.
"She's spent night after night crying to me about how much she still likes you but can't tell you because she's the one who dumped you," Ino ranted. "And she thinks it'd make her look desperate if she tried to rekindle things. Which, to be fair, it would. Seriously, I don't know what she sees in you."
Naruto opened his mouth, but Ino steamrolled over him.
"You know what? Fuck it. Let me spell it out for you. If you met Hinata on the street right now and asked her to fuck, she'd ask you which position."
Naruto nearly dropped his phone. "Ino! What the hell?!"
"You heard me!" Ino snapped. "She's just trying to play it cool because she thinks you're over her. But trust me, that girl is a wreck over you. And if I have to hear one more sob story about how 'all the guys at my new school aren't Naruto,' I'm going to lose my goddamn mind."
Naruto stood there, frozen on the sidewalk, his mouth dry. "So… she really…?"
"Yes!" Ino yelled. "Now, for the love of everything holy, do something! Because I cannot handle another sleepless night listening to her cry about how much she likes you!"
Naruto blinked, still struggling to process everything. "I… uh… Thanks, Ino. I think."
"Whatever," she muttered. "Oh, and one more thing. You'll be getting something from me soon. I was gonna donate it to charity, but you technically qualify as 'less privileged,' so…"
Before he could respond, the call ended.
Naruto stood there, phone in hand, staring at the screen. Hinata still liked him. After everything, she still had feelings for him.
His heart raced as he turned on his heel and started walking—no, running—toward Sasuke's house. He had to see her. Now.
Naruto burst into Sasuke's garage, bent over and panting heavily. His hands were on his knees, sweat dripping from his forehead.
Shisui sat comfortably in a folding chair, sipping coffee from a chipped mug with a smug grin. "Yo, Naruto. Did you sprint here or something? You look like you just outran a debt collector."
"Y-yeah," Naruto panted, still catching his breath. "I ran all the way from... downtown... it's a long story."
Shisui raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Dumbass. Ever heard of a taxi? Or better yet, your legs, but at a normal pace?"
Naruto ignored the snark, straightening up and wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. That's when he noticed it: the car.
Parked like royalty in the middle of the garage was a sleek, shiny, pearl-white Aston Martin DB11. It practically gleamed under the fluorescent lights, and Naruto could feel his heartbeat spike just looking at it.
"Wait a second... that's Hinata's car!" Naruto exclaimed, pointing at it.
Shisui glanced lazily over his shoulder at the car. "Oh yeah, she stopped by earlier. Nice wheels, huh? Bet it costs more than my rent for a year."
Naruto's eyes darted around. "Is she here? Where is she?!"
Shisui shrugged nonchalantly. "Dunno. She came, she went. Didn't exactly give me a play-by-play of her itinerary." He paused, snapping his fingers like he just remembered something. "Oh, right! Sasuke told me to give you this if you showed up."
From his back pocket, Shisui pulled out a plain white envelope and handed it to Naruto.
Naruto tore it open with all the finesse of a feral cat. Inside was a letter in Hinata's unmistakably neat handwriting.
Naruto,
I hope this letter finds you well. I just wanted to say thank you for everything during the tournament. Even though we didn't win, I still consider those days some of the best I've had in a long time.
Ino was happy, so I'm happy for her. And between you and me, she actually has a lot of respect for you. She won't admit it to your face, but she kept saying how impressed she was with your skills as a driver. I agree—she's right.
I'm recovering well and was discharged earlier today. Don't worry about me. I stopped by Sasuke's to leave you something as a thank-you gift. It's not much, but I hope it reminds you of the fun times we shared.
Take care, Naruto. I'll cherish the memories of our team forever.
Hinata
Naruto's hands trembled as he folded the letter back into the envelope. Something was still inside. He tilted the envelope, and out slid a single car key with a pink ribbon tied to it.
"Holy shit," he whispered, staring at the key.
Shisui smirked, sipping his coffee. "That's one hell of a souvenir, huh? You should've seen her face when she handed it over. Looked like she was giving away a kidney."
Naruto's mind raced as Ino's earlier call resurfaced in his memory. He clenched his fists, determination setting in. "I can't let it end like this."
"What're you talking about?" Shisui asked, watching Naruto with mild curiosity.
Naruto met his gaze, his blue eyes blazing. "I'm going to tell Hinata how I feel. Before she leaves."
Shisui raised an eyebrow. "Wait, what? You can't just—look, I get the whole dramatic love confession thing, but can't you just text her? Or, I don't know, call her like a normal person?"
Naruto shook his head firmly. "It's gotta be romantic. I have to do this in person."
Shisui sighed, rubbing his temples. "Okay, Romeo. Whatever floats your boat. She's probably heading home right about now. Better step on it."
Without another word, Naruto grabbed the car key and slid into the driver's seat of the Aston Martin. The engine roared to life with a growl that made Shisui whistle.
"Jesus, that thing purrs. Don't wreck it, dumbass!" Shisui yelled as Naruto sped out of the garage.
As the sound of screeching tires faded, Sasuke and Hinata stepped out from inside the house.
"Hey," Sasuke said, frowning. "Did I just hear my garage door open? Where's Hinata's car?"
Shisui froze, his eyes darting between Sasuke and Hinata. "Uh... funny story."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "Shisui."
Shisui scratched the back of his head nervously. "So, um, I may have... accidentally sent Naruto on a dramatic, movie-style chase to confess his love to Hinata before she leaves for college."
Hinata gasped, her face turning bright red. "What?!"
Sasuke groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose. "You idiot. Why would you do that?"
"Hey, don't look at me like that! It might even end up being funny!" Shisui defended.
Hinata's voice wavered, a mix of shock and panic. "B-but I'm right here! What if he gets into an accident? What if he—"
Shisui waved a hand dismissively. "Relax, Princess. He'll figure it out eventually and come back. Probably after he realizes you're not at the airport or some shit."
"Call him back," Sasuke ordered, crossing his arms.
Shisui pulled out his phone and dialed. They all waited in tense silence as the line rang.
No answer.
Shisui shrugged, slipping the phone back into his pocket. "Guess he's too busy playing Fast & Furious to pick up."
Sasuke groaned again. "Unbelievable."
Hinata looked like she wanted to melt into the floor. Shisui sipped his coffee casually. "Eh, let's just wait it out. Worst-case scenario, he shows up on the wrong side of town and embarrasses himself."
Hinata buried her face in her hands. "Oh my god…"
"Yup," Sasuke muttered. "We're surrounded by idiots."
The garage hummed with quiet activity as Sakura tinkered with her laptop on a workbench while Hinata leaned against a car, chatting casually. The scent of motor oil mingled with the warm evening air, and their laughter filled the space.
"I still can't believe Naruto did all that today," Hinata said, shaking her head.
Sakura snickered. "I can. That idiot has the emotional subtlety of a sledgehammer. But you gotta admit, it's kinda sweet."
Before Hinata could respond, the distant roar of a car engine broke through the night. The sound grew louder, then louder still, until it reached an almost deafening pitch.
With a screech of tires, an Aston Martin pulled up outside the garage, its headlights cutting through the twilight.
The car door flew open, and out stepped Naruto, panting like he'd just run a marathon.
"Hinata!" he called, his voice tinged with urgency.
Hinata froze mid-laugh, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. "Naruto? What—"
He stormed over, still catching his breath, hands on his knees. "I… I need to talk to you. Now."
Sakura raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "Geez, what's with the dramatic entrance?"
Naruto ignored her, focusing entirely on Hinata. "Hinata, I'm sorry. For everything. I messed up, okay? I used you to get something I wanted, and I didn't realize how much I hurt you until it was too late."
Hinata opened her mouth to speak, but Naruto shook his head. "No, let me finish. Please."
Sakura blinked and muttered, "Maybe I should step out."
"No, stay," Naruto said without looking at her. "You can be our referee or something."
Sakura snorted. "Wow, romantic."
"But even after everything," Naruto continued, "I can't get over you. I've tried to move on, to focus on other things, but... you're always there. In my head. In my heart."
Sakura, who had been inching toward the door, froze. "Oh, damn," she murmured under her breath. "This is getting good."
Naruto pressed on, his gaze locking with Hinata's. "When I watched you crash in the race, I felt like my chest was caving in. Not because you were my teammate but because I care about you. A lot."
Hinata's lips parted, her expression unreadable.
"I don't just like you, Hinata," Naruto continued, his voice steady despite the emotion behind it. "I love you."
Sakura's jaw dropped, and she whispered an exaggerated, "Awwww! This is golden."
Hinata's eyes widened. "N-Naruto… you—"
"Wait, let me correct myself," Naruto interrupted. "I don't just think I love you. I know I love you. I haven't been able to stop thinking about you, about us, since we broke up. You're the only thing that matters to me, and I'll never forgive myself if I let you leave without telling you this."
Sakura fanned herself dramatically. "Oh my god, this is so cheesy, I'm gonna cry."
Naruto ignored her, stepping closer to Hinata. "I broke like five traffic laws just to get here, and I'm pretty sure I'm getting arrested tomorrow, but I don't care. You're worth it."
Hinata gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "You… you did all that for me?"
Naruto nodded, his face earnest. "And I'd do it again in a heartbeat."
Sakura whipped out her phone and started recording, grinning ear to ear. "This is pure content."
Hinata reached up, her fingers grazing Naruto's cheek. "Naruto, you idiot… you didn't have to do all that." She paused, a soft smile spreading across her lips. "But I'm glad you did."
Sakura squealed, clapping her hands. "Oh, just kiss already!"
Naruto grinned, glancing at Hinata. "Can I?"
Hinata nodded, her cheeks flushing.
Naruto cupped her face gently, his thumbs brushing against her skin as he leaned in. Their lips met in a soft, tender kiss that made the world seem to pause.
Sakura let out an audible sniffle, still recording. "This is so freaking adorable. I'm gonna tease the hell out of him later."
The kiss deepened, Hinata's arms wrapping around Naruto's neck as they leaned into each other. Naruto pulled back slightly, a cheeky grin on his face before he leaned in to kiss her again, more passionately this time.
Sakura's eyes widened. "Uh… okay. That's enough content for one night." She hit the stop button on her phone.
Naruto's hands slid to Hinata's waist, pulling her closer as she backed against the Chevelle. The kisses grew more fervent, their breaths mingling.
Sakura cleared her throat loudly. "Alright, I'm just… gonna go now."
Neither of them seemed to notice her.
Hinata's fingers tangled in Naruto's hair, and the sound of soft giggles and muffled sighs filled the garage.
Naruto's hands slid daringly lower, settling on Hinata's butt, and Sakura's eyes went wide. "Oh god. Nope. I'm out." She spun on her heel and hurried out of the garage, muttering, "How does an innocent confession escalate to that in like two seconds?"
As she walked away, she couldn't help but smile. "Those two are ridiculous… but kind of perfect for each other."
The cool evening breeze swept through the neighborhood as Sasuke parked his car outside his house, the lights from the streetlamps casting long shadows across the driveway. The sun had long since dipped below the horizon, leaving the night calm and quiet, save for the muffled sounds of his garage.
Earlier that evening, he'd received a message from Naruto—something about sending him two million bucks. Sasuke's brows furrowed as he reread the text. Ino had apparently given Naruto her cut of the prize money from the race, and Naruto had decided to be generous enough to share it. He'd never expected a message like that, but hell, Sasuke wasn't about to complain. Two million was nothing to sneeze at, and it was probably the first time Naruto had given him something without a catch.
"Maybe he's finally growing up," Sasuke muttered to himself, pocketing the phone and strolling toward the house.
As he made his way past the garage, Sasuke heard muffled noises inside. At first, he didn't think much of it, but the noises were persistent. He paused, squinting toward the garage, puzzled.
He noticed the Chevelle gently shaking. His eyes narrowed as his ears picked up a low, familiar voice.
"Mmm...nghh…"
Sasuke froze, his heart rate quickening slightly. The voice sounded like…
No.
Then another voice, softer, almost a whisper.
"Shh…"
Sasuke took another cautious step forward, his curiosity getting the best of him. He glanced around the side of the car.
The shaking continued.
"No way…" Sasuke muttered, his eyes widening as realization hit him. He sighed deeply.
"In her dad's car is crazy," he murmured to himself, shaking his head in disbelief. He stood there for a moment longer, trying to process what he'd just heard. After all, he'd walked in on plenty of weird situations in the past, but this? This was definitely a new one.
He gave the garage one last look and then quietly turned on his heel, heading toward the house.
"God, I need some space," Sasuke muttered, walking inside.
The front door creaked open, and he made his way to the living room where his father, Fugaku, was sprawled out on the couch, lazily watching TV.
Fugaku looked up as Sasuke walked in. "Ah, my second favorite son returns," he said, giving Sasuke a casual nod. "How was your day?'
"Just great, Dad. You know, the usual," Sasuke replied, rolling his eyes as he dropped his keys onto the table.
Fugaku gave a nonchalant grunt and returned to the TV. "Good. Good."
Sasuke didn't even bother to respond. Instead, he made his way to his room, tossing his jacket onto his bed before sitting down to clean up. He grabbed his phone from his pocket, scrolling through his messages.
A new one from Sakura flashed on the screen.
Sakura: "Hey, wanna eat out tonight?"
Sasuke raised an eyebrow as he typed back.
Sasuke: "I'd love to, but unfortunately, I can't. Naruto and Hinata are still fucking in my garage, and I don't know how to get them to leave."
A few seconds passed before Sakura's reply came through.
Sakura: "Well, let them. She's leaving tomorrow, so they need to make it count, right?"
Sasuke snorted at the thought. "Yeah, no kidding…" he muttered, typing his response.
Sasuke: "Why didn't you stay over then? We could have done our own 'last tango."'
A beat passed, and Sasuke could almost hear Sakura's playful grin through the text.
Sakura: "I'll let you answer that question yourself."
Sasuke snickered, feeling a bit smug as he leaned back on his bed. He stared at the screen, waiting for her next message.
Sasuke: "Alright, alright. Well, I guess I'll be here, alone, in my room, doing nothing but thinking about how great your idea was."
He could practically hear Sakura's laughter in his mind as her message popped up.
Sakura: "Enjoy. I'm going to bed now. I'll talk to you tomorrow."
Sasuke hesitated, chewing on the inside of his cheek. He wasn't exactly the most vocal about his feelings, and moments like this… well, they were rare. He stared at the screen for a moment, unsure how to respond.
But as the silence hung in the air, one thought stuck with him: He didn't want to leave things unfinished.
Finally, his fingers moved on their own.
Sasuke: "Sleep tight."
He set the phone down on his bedside table and relaxed back onto his pillow, staring up at the ceiling. But just as he was about to close his eyes, his phone buzzed again.
Sakura: "I love you."
Sasuke's heart skipped a beat. He blinked, his chest tightening as the words sat in his mind, lingering there, almost impossible to process.
"Shit…" he muttered, sitting up and staring at the text. He had never been the type to wear his heart on his sleeve, and he had no idea how to respond. He had never really had to put those words into practice—especially not now, with everything that had happened between them.
But the longer he thought about it, the more he realized that... he couldn't let this go unsaid. He wasn't going to wait around, hoping for a perfect moment. This was it.
Sasuke took a deep breath, his fingers hovering over the screen. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, he typed out his reply.
Sasuke: "I love you too."
He hit send and sat back, feeling the weight lift off his chest as he laid down on the bed, a small, rare smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
As the light from his phone dimmed, Sasuke closed his eyes, allowing himself to relax for the first time in what felt like forever.