Chapter VI: The Result

.‘Flashback”’

‘S...Sakura-chan,’ Naruto managed, wincing in great agony as pain assaulted his injured ribs. The kyuubi’s malicious chakra was already beginning to work at healing his wounds, but he still felt as though he had been crushed by a giant meteor.

Pein was a formidable enemy. Naruto’s initial fury at finally encountering the self-proclaimed ‘god’ who had killed his beloved sensei Jiraiya had quickly given way to the sinking realisation that his foe was beyond anything he had ever faced before.

He had left Naruto’s beloved home in ruins and killed many villagers and ninja along his path of rampant destruction. Now he was targeting the blond kyuubi vessel himself, and somehow, in her desperation to put distance between Naruto and Pein, Sakura had become entangled in the fray.

Kakashi was now buying them time, receiving back up in the form of Gai. Tsunade was doing her best to protect whatever remnants of Konoha remained standing and had assured Sakura that she would join the fight against Pein as soon as she was sure that the rest of the village had been secured.

Naruto knew there was only so much time-out he could afford to take. His elders needed help, and fast. But his first priority was to get Sakura far away from a menacing danger that she couldn’t handle alone.

He had thought that she had been at the hospital, and she had been. But on learning that her team-mate had returned, she had left the healing to others, and had arrived on the scene just in time to destroy one of Pein’s monstrous summonings with a single chakra charged punch. She had taken it out before it could sneak up on an occupied Naruto.

This unexpected display of power had caught Pein’s attention. He had silently labelled the pink-haired little girl an obvious nuisance, and reacted accordingly. Naruto had dived to protect his precious team-mate before his foe’s crippling long-range attack could reach her.

They had both been flung back by a particularly violent attack before Kakashi and Gai had stepped in to distract Pein’s attention away from the two teenagers. Sakura was doing her best to heal, but she had expended much chakra already and was starting to run on reserve.

She was gripping onto his arm with her un-gloved left hand. Her hold was tight, unconsciously betraying her fear and anxiety.

Naruto’s concern for her wellbeing began to bubble almost hysterically within his chest. This was a real fight, more treacherous than any other he had ever encountered before. He had to put his Sage training to use if he wanted to stand any chance of salvaging the battle. But he couldn’t concentrate if Sakura was in danger. Just the thought of anything happening to her struck fear into his heart.

‘Let go!’ He urged her. ‘Y...you have to get away!’

Sakura’s head snapped around, and she met his blue eyes with angry, apple green ones.

‘Idiot!’ She gasped, her own limbs screaming from over-exertion. ‘We’re a team-!’

Naruto shook his head, too afraid for her to notice her uncharacteristic and open display of loyalty toward him. ‘But Sakura-chan, there’re other people who need your help-’

‘I won’t stand back and watch you fight alone anymore!’ She retorted angrily, her stubborn spirit shining through brilliant, bright eyes. 'This time we fight together!'

He met her gaze directly, and a silent look of understanding passed between them. In that fleeting instant, he suddenly thought that he finally understood the dynamic of their relationship. If their bond of friendship had been a loose yarn before, it now became a mighty rope knotted in a hundred places.

It was then that they both felt an ominous tremor in the already cracked ground.

Sakura’s breath hitched and Naruto’s eyes widened. The ground beneath their feet was shifting, and with a horrible suddenness, began to crumble.

‘Shit!’ Naruto swore loudly, clamouring for something to hold onto, but he could already feel the earth beginning to sink. Sakura’s grip on his arm tightened. She was a master at chakra control. She knew that it was up to her to get Naruto out of his current predicament; their current predicament.

‘Hold on, Naruto!’ She called back to him. Stationed just ahead of him, she was on slightly raised ground, and waited for the right moment to take a daring leap toward stable ground. The problem was finding a stable landing place, as all around them yawning, splintering chasms were materialising, breaking into abysses that provided a first class ticket to the black unknown below.

She thought she saw the earth ahead stabilise from the receding tremors, and lunged forward, using her inhuman, chakra regulated strength to drag Naruto with her. She threw Naruto forward and he managed to catch hold of the edge of ground that had broken apart. He scrambled, struggling to find a foothold to save himself from a deadly fall that didn’t look as though it had an end. Next to him, Sakura was using chakra control to save herself from an equally premature demise, hanging off the edge with her glowing left hand gripping tightly onto a jagged protrusion of rock.

It was an easy clamber to reach safety. But then another violent quake came, and with it a flaming trail of combusting matter.

Sakura’s heart leapt as she instinctively manoeuvred toward Naruto. As she did so, she concentrated just enough chakra into her right hand to provide it with the task of keeping them both gripping onto whatever they could. But Naruto was unable to avoid a particularly large fragment of rock in time and the foothold beneath his feet crumbled. He lost his grip, yelling as he fell. Adrenaline fuelled Sakura’s veins and she pushed herself away from the cliff-like formation and lunged toward her friend.

Although she managed to grab his right wrist, her own right arm betrayed her as she caught hold of a protruding rock, the already pulled muscle twisting in agony.

She cried out as blinding pain shot through her. Her concentrated chakra faltered as her fingers crinkled together in anguish. Her medical mind instantly knew that her muscle was torn. Naruto’s additional weight meant that there was nowhere else to go but down. Sharp rock edges sliced into her body, grazing and cutting as she slipped down the face of uprooted ground.

‘Sakura-chan!’ Naruto shouted, more afraid for her than for his own safety. He saw that she was injured and yanked his wrist out of her hand, kicking against a large piece of falling broken rock and diving to his right with arms outstretched, meaning to catch her.

But Naruto had never been the one to catch Sakura, and a greater piece of burning rock conspired against him, intercepting and making him lose momentum as he was forced to shield his face.

‘Damn it! SAKURA-CHAN!’ He yelled, his arms flailing with panic in a desperate attempt to fight away the burning debris and somehow catch his team-mate.

A sudden, strong hold on his left wrist pulled him back, and his screaming shoulder almost dislocated from the abrupt change in fall direction. His head snapped up and his eyes widened until they became as round as saucers. An astonished splutter escaped the blonde’s lips. He was too shocked to feel relieved, or angry, or any of the other things he would have otherwise felt on more stable ground.

Piercing crimson eyes stared back down at him, and Naruto’s relief was significantly numbed by surprise when he heard Sakura release a strange half-gasp, half-whimper beside him as she tilted her face up in turn to gaze upon the person who had securely caught the wrist of her aching right arm.

The face was painfully familiar. The form of Sharingan was not.

Caught in a cruel state of stupor, Sakura could not tear her eyes away from the figure standing in perfect balance over them. His form cast a shadow down upon them, a shield from the glare of the sun high up behind him. Blindly, she reached out and clutched onto the only thing she knew to be real at that moment - Naruto’s unoccupied right hand. In an automatic and thoughtless reflex his fingers closed around hers.

This gesture of unity did not escape the notice of their saviour. His eyes momentarily broke away from Naruto’s and glanced briefly, unreadably, at Sakura. They flickered back to the blond boy mere seconds later, and he surprised them both further by speaking.

Although his words were sardonic, his tone of voice and face remained expressionless.

‘Hn. Still weighing me down.’

Naruto and Sakura’s respective feelings of betrayal, hurt and fury were rendered mute by the sheer magnitude of their mutual confusion. They stared stupidly up at the person who maintained a firm hold on both their wrists; the individual who had saved them both from what would have otherwise been a crippling fall.

Their former team-mate. Their long-lost friend. An Akatsuki-cloak clad, stoic faced, Uchiha Sasuke.

.‘End/Flashback”’

With the last remaining Uchiha’s sheer speed, there was never any doubt that they would cross the finish line first. Sasuke and Sakura came to a smooth stop before Gai, promptly inflicting the undesirable condition known as ‘a hanging jaw’ on the unfortunate and odd-looking man. Kakashi, standing beside him, crinkled a lone eye shut, giving his life-long rival and friend a commiserating slap on the back.

‘Ah. Looks like I won the bet. Better luck next time, eh?’

‘DAMN YOU HATAKE KAKASHI!’ Gai managed to curse (through floods of tears).

Sasuke’s arm loosened and slipped away from Sakura’s midriff. He quickly stepped back, and an odd sense of relief flooded through him as he restored a more familiar and comfortable distance between them. Letting her go made him realise just how closely he had been holding her throughout the entire duration of the race.

As Sasuke stepped away from her, Sakura suddenly became terribly conscious of the stares from the watching crowd of villagers.

Some middle-aged women were whispering to each other, pointing and shaking their heads at her. A sinking feeling filled her stomach. What if her parents had decided to come along? They had never approved of Sasuke and his actions, and her father would give her an earful if he saw that she had teamed up with the former nukenin.

She turned her eyes away, frustration welling up deep within her. Most of the villagers were blinded by misconceptions and prejudice toward Sasuke solely because he was an Uchiha. According to their simple philosophy, Uchiha were powerful and therefore unstable and unpredictable. The villagers hadn’t bothered to head to the library and brush up on their history. They hadn’t made an effort to understand Sasuke and the reasons behind all his actions. They merely labelled him a former-nukenin and traitor, even though he had never truly sided with the enemy.

Sakura often felt like the only people who understood the raven-haired shinobi were Naruto, herself and Kakashi. She briefly wondered if Sasuke felt the same, or if he still considered himself alone in the world.

She desperately hoped that he did not. It had been difficult rebuilding their fragile bonds of friendship with him, but she, Naruto and Kakashi were doing their best. She hoped that Sasuke noticed and knew that they were there for him.

But of course, it was always impossible to predict what Sasuke was thinking. His bottomless black eyes were as cool and unreadable as ever.

‘GYAH!’ A mighty shout snapped the rosette haired kunoichi out of her thoughts. Lee came skidding over the finish line, carrying a very nauseous looking Tenten on his back. The lanky, black-haired boy released his team-mate, dropping her less than gracefully onto the floor. From the sidelines, Neji positively glared at his friend’s ungallant behaviour. But Lee took no notice, triumphantly holding up arms that were laced with many ribbons.

‘Gai-sensei!’ He proudly addressed his role-model with wide (and sparkling) eyes. ‘We have surely collected the most ribbons! Youth has prevailed!’

‘Lee!’ Gai roared at his student. ‘You came second-!’ (Here he pointed animatedly toward Sasuke and Sakura) ‘To Kakashi’s team!’

Lee blinked, finally noticing the competition. Sasuke stared back at him blankly, whilst Sakura looked almost apologetic. Lee’s odd eyes promptly began to fill with tears and disappointment caused his shoulders to drop.

‘Beaten by Sasuke! And Sakura-san! Oh, Gai-sensei!’

‘Oh, Lee!’ His teacher echoed in dismay.

‘Oh, Gai-sensei!’

‘Oh, LEE!’

Sasuke shifted his head, trying to recall if it were indeed possible that the two had always been that weird.

‘I have failed you Gai-sensei!’ Lee cried. ‘What form of punishment could possibly compensate for the shame of my failure?!’

Gai considered, and then raised a fist, decreeing loudly,

‘Five thousand and one press-ups!’

Lee gasped, star-struck.

‘Amazing, Gai-sensei! Only you would know the correct amount needed!’

What a pair of idiots, Sasuke thought.

A flash of yellow, orange, purple and black streamed past the finish line, as Naruto and Hinata clocked in at third place.

The blond haired young man was breathless as he set a tomato faced Hinata down. He then noticed that both Lee and Sasuke had returned before him.

‘Aw, no!’ He whinged. ‘Third?!’

Sasuke directed a mocking smirk at his best friend. The Dobe was still as slow as ever.

Naruto glared. Then his anger rapidly drained away, and was replaced by a small, wicked smile.

Both Sakura and Sasuke stared at their Team 7 team-mate suspiciously.

‘Eheh heh heh...you haven’t won yet Teme. Look what I’ve got!’ He whipped out the Golden Ribbon and waved it tauntingly before Sasuke.

Sasuke was annoyed, but played it cool.

‘That won’t be enough, Dobe.’

Naruto chuckled.

‘We’ll just see about that!’

‘Now, now.’ Kakashi cut in, lone eye all smiles as he rounded his three star students together. ‘I think it’s safe to say that at least one member of Team Kakashi will be crowned the winner, eh?’

‘Yeah, yeah Kakashi-sensei – me!’ Naruto grinned.

‘BAKA!’ Sakura hit him lightly over his head. ‘Just wait for the results!’

The remaining teams were arriving. Ino and Shikamaru secured fourth place, followed closely behind by Kiba and his partner. Chouji rolled in at sixth place. The last to cross the line were the team with the red-haired boy and the black-haired girl.

Sasuke noticed that the purple-haired girl and the brown-haired boy responsible for Sakura’s fall were not present (wisely so).

Ino observed that Sakura had reached the finish line before her, and screeched at her friend.

‘Forehead! You better not have the Golden Ribbon!’

Naruto waved said item pointedly, relishing the annoyed look on both Ino and Shikamaru’s faces.

Tsunade’s voice crackled over the microphone once Yamato had informed her that all the competing teams had returned.

‘All teams submit your ribbons to Shizune!’

Naruto rushed around, comparing ribbon count with the other teams before submitting his own. Chouji had already shrugged his obvious defeat off and moved away to grab an energy compensating snack. Shino joined Kiba, regarding his ribbons analytically behind black-tinted glasses.

‘You will not win.’ He stated.

‘Huh?!’ Kiba glanced up from where he was greeting Akamaru.

‘How do I know? Because you have not collected enough ribbons.’

‘Geez, shut up!’ Kiba glared at his friend. ‘Whose side are you on, anyway?!

‘I am on nobody’s side, because nobody is on my side.’ Shino lamented matter-of-factly.

Kiba sweat-dropped.

‘Right.’ He muttered, and left his strange friend to submit his ribbons.

‘All teams standby. We are now calculating the results!’ The Hokage barked into the microphone, as Shizune promptly began to confer with the referees.

Naruto rubbed his hands together in anticipation. Surrounded by miniature, adoring fans, he was very much in his element.

‘If that idiot wins, we’ll never hear the end of it.’ Shikamaru muttered to Ino, who was still distraught at having lost out on the Golden Ribbon.

‘If he wins, it’s your fault for not running fast enough!’ She admonished him. The poor young man sighed tiredly. It wasn't as if she had done much during the race, and still she expected instant victory? Why were women so troublesome?

Meanwhile, Sasuke was just about to move away from Sakura when he noticed that Lee had approached her. The Uchiha decided to stay put. Although his head was turned disinterestedly away from the two, he silently waited to hear what the lanky youth had to say.

‘Sakura-san!’ Lee addressed the pink-haired medic nin with big, round eyes. He raised his right hand and placed it over his heart. Sakura shifted on her feet, becoming rather embarrassed when Lee simply stared at her. Sasuke noticed the dragging silence, and turned his head, not quite looking at Lee. It was a wordless order, demanding that Lee either said what he had to say, or quit his shameless staring and moved away.

The subtle gesture worked. Lee piped up, voice passionate with emotion.

‘I wanted to let you know, Sakura-san, that I wish to win this race, but if I must lose it, then I would be honoured to finish second place only to you. I expect only greatness from the fairest, most beauti-’

He broke off abruptly as he felt the weight of an intense gaze on him. Sasuke was now staring at him. Although his face was neutral, his eyes were hard, as if daring Lee to complete his cheesy compliment in the mighty Uchiha’s presence.

Sasuke looked away nonchalantly a moment later, before Sakura could notice that he was responsible for cutting Lee off. Lee didn’t quite know why he always felt so uncomfortable talking to Sakura in Sasuke’s presence. Gai’s star pupil coughed, sensing a change in manner was in order, and then bowed politely.

‘May the best team win.’ He finished simply, and then turned away to rejoin a very irritated looking Neji and Tenten. The brown-haired kunoichi had just finished informing Neji that she was sure they would lose their crown this year.

Sakura shrugged off her confusion at Lee’s odd change in behaviour, and glanced to her right, just in time to see Sasuke stalk away from her. She sighed, shoulders dropping. She would be a fool if she denied that old feelings had begun resurfacing during the course of the race. Sasuke had been very protective of her; but then, he always had been when it came to Team 7.

And yet, every time she remembered the way he had carried her, and the way he had caught her when she had fallen at the very end...

Sakura put a hand over her face in dismay. She was beginning to think that teaming up with her childhood crush had been a mistake.

Ever since Sasuke’s return to Konoha, she had worked very hard at making sure she showed no romantic interest in him. Her days as a love-sick, idolising fangirl had long since died away, but she had to admit that Sasuke still fascinated her. He was an intricate puzzle, and her intelligent, analytical mind couldn’t help but want to solve the mystery behind that chiselled, porcelain exterior.

Old habits died hard, she supposed.

As she was considering this, a slender, pale arm suddenly draped around her shoulders, and she turned her head to find Ino, with a very sugary, very worrying smile plastered on her glossed lips.

‘Oh Sa-ku-ra!’ She sang sweetly. ‘Are you going to fill me in now?’

‘Huh?’ Her pink-haired friend replied, clueless.

Ino’s smile was positively dripping with glee.

‘Oh, you know Forehead,’ She continued casually. ‘How you were clinging onto Sasuke-kun so tightly? How the front of your body was pressed against his? How he didn’t even seem to mind?!’ Her voice rose progressively until it finished with a shriek.

Sakura was furious at the tell-tale blush that blossomed to life in her cheeks. She glanced around, horrified at Ino’s shrill pitch, terrified that anybody might have overheard. Luckily, everybody else seemed occupied, and Sasuke had walked quite a distance away. She spied him now standing in silence beside Kakashi, way out of ear-shot.

‘Q...quiet Ino!’ Sakura hissed angrily at the gossip-loving blonde.

Ino’s baby-blue eyes twinkled. ‘There’s no way you’re over him, Forehead! Why don’t you just admit it?!’

‘We’re just friends!’ Sakura insisted.

Ino giggled. ‘Maybe for now. But not forever!’

Dread knotted deep within Sakura’s gut. What was Ino implying?

‘What do you mean?’ She managed to ask, not particularly wanting to know.

‘Oh, come on, Sakura! Get a clue!’ Ino sighed impatiently, resting the side of her blonde head against the top of Sakura’s pink one. ‘I found Shika-kun, and I grew up. But since you’re SO determined to live in the past, I suppose you need some EAF IAF!’

‘EAF IAF...?’ Sakura echoed blankly. It sounded like one of Akamaru's barking expressions.

‘Emergency Assistance from Ino and Friends!’ The taller girl declared, as if it were the most obvious fact in the universe. She regarded her polished nails, smiling in satisfaction. ‘You’re still so hopeless without me!’

Sakura began to panic. She should have known that Ino would make a mountain out of a molehill. Teaming up with Sasuke had definitely been a very, very big mistake. Were they all conspiring to make an absolute fool of her?

‘Please, Ino.’ Sakura pleaded with her friend. ‘I’ve worked so hard to keep everything normal. Don’t-’

‘Normal?!’ Screeched Ino. ‘You call Haruno Sakura standing frigidly next to Uchiha Sasuke normal?!’

Sakura considered this statement. She didn’t really stand that way next to him - did she?

‘It’s like you’re terrified of standing next to him for more than a minute!’ Ino continued. ‘He doesn’t bite you know. Well,’ She smiled suggestively. ‘If he does, I’m sure you’d enjoy it.’

In a flash, Sakura’s face went from pale pink to beetroot and she jerked away from her friend, waving a fist threateningly before her.

‘SHUT UP INO PIG!’

‘Make me, Forehead!’ Ino stuck out her tongue in response. Then her eyes brightened as she recalled something. ‘Oh, I almost forgot! Did you know? Naruto told us that Sasuke-kun was going to get the Golden Ribbon for sure. He practically had it! But then he heard a damsel in distress screaming, and forgot all about the ribbon, and went back for her.’ She gasped dramatically. ‘Isn’t that SO romantic?! Who would’ve thought that the Great Uchiha Ice Cube would do that for Little Forehead Girl?!’

She giggled again and then skipped away, long, silky, sunshine hair swirling behind her. Sakura gaped after her, shock rapidly beginning to replace her fury.

Had Sasuke really chosen her over the Golden Ribbon? Her over a guaranteed victory? It seemed impossible to believe considering how competitive the raven-haired young man was in general, especially when it came to bettering Naruto.

She could have easily handled the fall herself; after all, she was a healer, and any damage would have quickly been repaired. She knew that Sasuke knew it too and yet he had still chosen to return to her side.

Why, Sasuke-kun? She silently wondered, utterly confused.

If they finished second, then it meant that Sasuke had thrown the race away for her sake – willingly.

She prayed that they would not finish second. She would never hear the end of it from Naruto or Ino – and neither would Sasuke.

This is so embarrassing, she thought despairingly, wanting to disappear into a hole in the ground. Suddenly, just looking at Sasuke seemed like the most difficult thing to do in the world. Why had Ino told her? Why did things always have to be complicated when it came to the last remaining Uchiha?

Sighing heavily, she broke out of her troubled thoughts as Tsunade’s voice echoed through the microphone again.

‘The results have been calculated! All teams reassemble as we announce the winner of this year’s Ribbon Race!’

The teams congregated before Tsunade, who stood next to the King and Queen’s thrones. Yamato and Shizune held the King and Queen’s crowns, sceptres and cloaks, respectively.

Seeing the matching thrones and the crowns, Sasuke briefly and half-heartedly hoped that he would not be crowned winner.

‘Names will be listed in reverse order – from last, up to first place! But before I begin,’ The Hokage barked, ‘Let me remind you all that cheaters are not permitted in this contest! Therefore, Hoshino Sora and Yu Kimi!’

The two aforementioned individuals, who had been found and rounded up by Anko, gulped both from the furious tone of the Hokage’s voice and the discreet but positively murderous look directed their way by Sasuke.

‘For the foul play our referees witnessed you engaging in, your ribbon count has been nullified and you are therefore disqualified from the results count! Additionally! You will be disciplined in my office at 19:00 hours! Let this serve as a warning to any future competitors who think they can get away with any form of cheating and misconduct!’

As the crowd booed, Kimi burst into tears, and Sora looked equally as devastated. Personally disciplined by Tsunade herself? They would have bruises for weeks.

‘Now, to the results!’ The Sannin continued. ‘In seventh place – Akagi Lirith and Kasai Ryuto!’

The crowd clapped, although practically nobody had been supporting the unknown pair (apart from their parents and siblings). Kurenai stepped forth and placed a wreath of flowers around both contestants.

‘In sixth place – Akimichi Chouji and Koga Chika!’

Chouji blinked in surprise as he continued to munch on a handful of snacks. How had he managed to avoid last place? Fans of Team 10 cheered and Chouji blushed when Kurenai placed a light kiss on his forehead, as she settled the wreath of flowers over his head.

‘In fifth place –’ Tsunade continued. ‘Inuzuka Kiba and Ishino Hisae!’

Akamaru barked excitedly as his master was awarded a wreath of flowers. He glared across at Hinata, who twiddled her index fingers together and embarrasedly avoided his eyes at the knowledge that she had bettered him. Naruto however, pulled faces.

‘Eheh heh heh! Kiba!’ The blond couldn’t help but taunt. ‘What was that about you and Miss Nameless beating me and Hinata-chan?!’

‘Grrr...!’ Kiba growled, but felt a little better when Kurenai kissed his forehead too.

‘Naruto!’ Tsunade admonished at him. ‘You will be silent until all the results have been announced!’

Naruto rubbed the back of his neck, grinning apologetically.

‘In fourth place – Nara Shikamaru and Yamanaka Ino!’

The crowd cheered and booed in equal measures at the result.

Yes! Sakura silently celebrated. She had beaten Ino! That was a victory in itself. She peered around Sasuke, to where her blonde friend was looking distraught. She immediately met Sakura’s mischevous eye, and glared daggers when her pink-haired friend playfully stuck out her tongue.

‘Why you little Forehead!’ She shrieked, before turning and taking it out on poor Shikamaru, who could only sigh as Kurenai smiled sympathetically and placed the flowers around their necks.

‘In third place!’ Tsunade swiftly continued, ‘Rock Lee and Tenten! This means that Tenten has been unable to retain last year’s victory, and a new winner will be crowned!

‘NO! Gai-sensei, I have failed you!’ Lee howled. Neji and Tenten both glared at him, furious at having lost their title.

Gai could merely sob in return, as Kakashi relished the fact that at least one member of Team 7 would indeed be crowned winner. He always did like to win a bet.

Naruto glanced at Sasuke, a huge grin plastered on his face.

‘This is it, Sasuke, Sakura-chan! The moment of truth! Either way, it’s a Team 7 victory, so no hard feelings-’

‘Don’t give us that, you baka!’ Sakura hissed across at him. ‘You’ll cry for a week if you lose!’

‘Aw, Sakura-chan, why do you always hurt my feelings?’ The blond pouted.

Sasuke was quite happy to listen to them bicker, but silently hoped that he hadn’t thrown victory away when he had chosen to catch Sakura.

If Naruto won, he would never hear the end of it. If Naruto won, he would be seriously annoyed.

‘In second place-!’ Tsunasde paused, eyes darting from Sasuke and Sakura, to Naruto and an anxious Hinata. ‘By a single point!’

‘Oooh!’ The crowd chorused at the close call.

Naruto was gripping poor Hinata’s wrist so tightly in nervous anticipation that her little bones were beginning to ache. Still, it stopped her from fainting on the spot.

Tsunade waited for dramatic effect. Everybody could practically hear the invisible drum rolls beating.

I can’t lose to that Teme, Naruto thought, blue eyes huge as he awaited the definitive verdict.

‘...’ Tsunade’s rosy lips pursed together tightly as she met Sakura’s eyes momentarily.

Her green-eyed apprentice's heart sank in understanding.

‘Uchiha Sasuke and Haruno Sakura!’

The crowd exploded. Naruto exploded. Sasuke’s bubble of arrogant self-confidence exploded.

Sakura’s head lowered in embarrassment as she heard Ino’s voice mock her.

‘Aw, Forehead! What a sacrifice!’

They had lost because of her. Sasuke had thrown victory away because of her. She could barely bring herself to glance up at her team-mate. He was ever the picture of stoic perfection; but she knew, deep inside, that he was disappointed at losing out to their fellow Team 7 member.

‘And in first place – this year’s champions by just one point! Uzumaki Naruto and Hyuuga Hinata! Congratulations!’

The crowd erupted once again.

Sasuke internally cringed at Tsunade’s announcement. This couldn’t be happening. Defeat was something he didn’t take well and finishing second to Naruto, his ultimate rival, was unbearable. He should have known better than to compete in such a silly race. What had gotten into him?

The answer came in the form of the soft, apologetic voice beside him.

‘Sasuke-kun.’ Sakura whispered, and strangely, for a split-second, her words reminded him of her younger, more vulnerable self; the old Sakura, who had only ever wanted to please him. ‘I’m sorry we didn't win.’

He briefly wondered what on earth she was apologising for. It was his fault they had lost. If he had only left her and gone for the ribbon...

In reality, he knew that option had always been out of the question, even when he knew that she was now more than capable of looking after herself.

Old habits died hard, he supposed.

Sasuke raised his head and with great pain glanced to his left, to where an ecstatic Naruto stood with a very breathless looking Hinata.

The blond boy’s face was about to crack from the sheer scale of his triumphant grin.

Sasuke’s eyebrow twitched in irritation as he met his best friend’s twinkling eyes.

Shit, he silently swore, as a sinking, impending feeling of doom settled in the pits of his stomach. Here came the dreaded gloating.

Author’s Note

Bwahahaha! Poor, poor Sasuke. But Sakura’s worth more than a silly victory neh? Hope you enjoyed the chapter! I made sure to fill it with SasuSaku moments. What will happen next now that Naruto and Hinata have been crowned winners?! Find out in the next instalment boys and girls!

I’m SO sorry for the huge wait between updates. I’ve been super busy with stuff. Thanks for being so patient everyone! And on that note, a heartfelt THANK YOU to each and every one of you reading and reviewing my story. I wish I could reply to all reader reviews but alas, I don’t have that sort of time these days. Heck, I’m struggling to find time just to sit and type up chapters but I am DETERMINED to finish this! I do want you all to know how much I’m appreciating all the feedback though. Please keep it coming!

If I don’t update before Christmas, I’d like to wish all of you who celebrate a very Merry Xmas and a fantastic New Year! See you next update! Toodles now ; )