A very Happy New Year to everyone! Although we're already past half of January, I still wanna greet everyone after my long leave from writing.

I really really wanted to write during those months of no updating. But work leaves me mostly tired by the time I get home. And during weekends, I must tend to my family in terms of chores. Ehehehe, can't let my brothers do all the work. I'm a Big Sister after all.

This will be my first post for this year 2018 :)

I have a lot of pending chapters already. But I see that this one's good to go. Don't worry for those who reads Triple T n' F. Its next chapter's under development as well. Just so happens that there's no chapter goal yet. But Stay tuned!

Happy reading!

Chapter 3

"Enjoy the little things in Life.

For one day, you'll look back and realize they were the big things that are to come."

…

Mrs. Yamanaka invited the girls over to have breakfast at their place today. No one could ever resist free food, so they came as early as 5:30am. Ino's mom makes the best sunflower pancakes. It's amazing how she used her knowledge in flowers with her cooking. Ino should be proud, and proud she is.

The girls went to school together this morning after that delicious meal. Ino's house was only 2 blocks away. Lucky for her, she never has to get out of bed so early and can arrive at school before the bell rang. Sakura would give anything to have that kind of luxury.

Time for her is very precious. She wakes up at four to take a bath, get dress, then checks up on Setsu to see if she's awake at the other room, prepare breakfast for the family and her lunchbox. She wouldn't want her grandma to wake up for her when she could still sleep, while her mom was often overseas or late coming home from work at the office. Her father is out of the question for Kizashi has no skill in cooking whatsoever. Mrs. Haruno would always apologize how she couldn't even fix her daughter a meal before she goes, but Sakura understands. Parents work hard for their child, and she's already grateful for that.

Now at Kasai, the girls went over to their lockers and began wearing their indoor-school shoes. Ino stated. "Well girls, it's Thursday today, and you know what that means." She lifted a brow. All she received were groans from the two. Does she even have to remind them?

They were not thrilled to be reminded of what today was. Hinata and Sakura dreaded Thursday due to their Gym class with none other than Mitarashi Anko. That woman will make you bleed to death before you pass out of exhaustion. Last time, she asked them to do the 100-count rule.

100 push-ups. 100 jumping-jacks. 100 run-in-place. 100 Everything!

Hinata's face paled. She was certainly not expecting a good time in that class. Not only were the workouts a living pandemonium, but also were the uniforms. Those bloomers, she thought dryly. She shuddered afterwards, not caring whether her friends saw that or not.

Ino on the other hand was okay with this. After all, she did want to stay in shape. Also, hearing that Anko's the cheerleading squad's coach? It just screams for her to mentally and physically prepare herself to whatever hellhole the woman has in store for her girls.

The blonde turned her head when she heard the boys coming inside. "Hey guys." She smiled at them as she fixes her shoes. They greeted her in return.

Naruto spotted Hinata looking a bit under the weather. She was clutching at her bag a bit tight over there. "Ohayou Hinata!" he specifically greeted her with his usual happy self. He was expecting that blush she wears on her face every time he was near her, yet she turned her head slightly and forced a smile, face still a bit drained.

"Ohayou..." was all she said. Naruto blinked in surprise. He nudged Sasuke who was in front of him and whispered. "Dude, is she okay?"

Sasuke shrugged and went over to Sakura who just finished putting her shoes on. His locker faced hers. They would sometimes see each other in the morning when they do, and needless to say, it was always a good day when that happens.

Yet since last week, they've both been coming to school and going home together now. Sasuke says that is was more logical since they go the same way and that they practically live at the same place.

He walks over behind her and says as he opens his locker, "You weren't there at the corner this morning."

"Hm? Oh. Ino's mom invited us over for breakfast today. We usually can't say no to her since we've been doing that since grade school."

Sasuke twisted a bit as he puts his shoes on. "Doesn't Ino live just 2 blocks away from here?"

"That's right. We left at 5am to get there on time." He furrowed his brows.

"Hang on," he closes his locker and faces her completely. "The train station doesn't open until 6am. How in the world did you got there then?"

"Ino's mom drove us." She answered and he 'Hn's in return.

Shikamaru stoop up and asks. "And Hinata's looking like she wants to throw up all of a sudden, because?"

"Gym day…" the girls say deflatingly.

"Ah." Shika nods. Just the answer he needed.

On the other hand, Sakura doesn't really have a problem with either of the two mentioned (warm ups and uniform), though Anko's loud voice makes her want to scream back at her. Yes, she understands that this was her class and her rules that needs to be abide on. But not everyone has the same amount of stamina. And for goodness sakes, does she not notice every girls' boobs bouncing every time they do their rounds? And has she forgotten that they share the same Gym with the boys of three sections with theirs combine?! It was a Nightmare!

Sasuke wanted to scowl as well for he too was reminded how ludicrous Gym can be. The girls may have Anko as their teacher, but the boys' luck just have to be ten times worse with Gai-sensei.

No way in hell are we wearing that tight spandex. He shudders. Good thing they have uniforms, or else...

….

Today, since they can't fit three sections at the Gym, it was the boy's turn.

Over there, the guys from sections 1-A, 1-B and 1-F all wore their P.E. uniform and gathered at the center waiting for their sensei. The Girls were given to use the courtyard today and were scheduled to have their runs while the guys have the very thing they've been waiting.

Basketball. Kasai High's pride sport.

"Yosh, minna! Time to show me what you've got. Bring out that fiery youth spirit buried within you!" Gai encouraged everyone as they all comically sweat dropped at his strange behavior with matching nice guy poses.

Apparently, Gym isn't all that bad with their overly-eccentric of a teacher. The first 10 minutes, he challenged the boys with suicides to test how far they can go. Half of the class barely made it on the first 2 minutes. Luckily, Sasuke and the rest made it and almost beaten the record time. Almost 25 laps. Not bad. Gai noted.

The sound of his whistle echoed throughout the area. Cupping his hands together, he shouted, "Nice work gentlemen! I must say, not bad for first years. But we're far from reaching our goal for today!"

Everyone was practically breathing big ounces of air. Looks like Gai was doubling their work for them. And to think that was only suicides.

Sasuke wiped the corner of his lips from sweat, determined to press onwards with today's activities. Looking behind, he saw Naruto and Shikamaru looking winded as well and gave them a thumbs-up. His friends smirked and mirrored his action. If they all want to get into this school's team, then this exercise should be nothing but a cinch. Gai-sensei called them all to gather once again, unaware of a few eyes observing them near the bleachers.

….

Anko blew her whistle. Seeing her girls' performance with the hurdles, she was satisfied to say that about wraps up today's class. "Alright ladies, 5 minutes then hit the showers. You all did great today."

Happy to hear that from the famous monster-of-a-coach, the girls cheered and gave each other high fives in celebrating.

Sakura's day was good so far. With all that running, it made her forget for a moment that English homework regarding Helen Keller's background was due next week, to which she has yet to begin. She just shrugs it off.

"I wonder how the boys are doing?" Sakura asks. Hinata handed her and Ino two bottled waters, the girls thanked her in return and quickly opens the caps for them to drink. They vaguely remember the boys who were also feeling a bit wary with Gym class with Gai as their teacher and his, errr, 'youthful' spirit.

Wiping away her sweaty face with a towel, Ino answered, "I'm sure they're doing fine. They're boys after all." Sounding like the logical thing to say, they all nodded at Ino's words.

"How 'bout we all take a look then?" Hinata suggested. "Gym's still not over for them anyway. That way, we can see how they're doing ourselves."

"That sounds good to me. How 'bout you Ino?"

Ino grins at this. "Sure you're not just eager to see a sweaty, out-of-breath Naruto, Hinata?"

Said girl's face going beet red was the only answer the blonde needed. The two can't help but giggle at her. Hinata's just such a sweet really. "Well we better hurry over there so we could still have time to shower before lunch." Sakura says.

Their class dispersed and the three headed over towards the gym along with some other girls from class. As they went near, some of their classmates squealed in excitement when they saw a group coming out of the building.

"It's Kasai High's famous five!" one of them yelled and soon everyone did. Going 'Kyaah! Kyaah! Kyaah!' as the group passes through what seem to be their fans. The three friends turned their heads to see the school's star players: the ever mysterious, small forward Aburame Shino; cunning center player Sabaku no Kankuro; hot-headed, ace of the team Inuzuka Kiba, and passionate, power forward and vice-captain Rock Lee;

Just then, another one yelled and gasps the last member's name. "Kyaah! It's Neji-taichou!" (Captain) Hyuuga Neji. Team's keen-eyed point guard, star player, and honorary captain. Together, they are Kasai High's and Konoha's pride. Making them one of the most well-known respected teams in Japan.

"Hey Hina, isn't that your cousin?" Ino whispered.

As if sensing their presence, the captain turned his head towards their direction. Each of them flinched when he spotted them while the other girls squealed in delight when the captain turned to look their way.

Rock Lee, who was always by his side, stopped walking and asked, "What is it Neji?" He, too, turned to see what he was looking at, searching from the small crowd of girls that caught his friend's attention. But Neji quickly looked away and started walking, saying it was nothing. Kasai's famous five all headed back to the main building, with a few fans hot on their tails.

When the coast was clear, the three friends whose arms were locked onto one another's all sighed in relief. Her cousin's penetrating gaze never changed throughout the years.

"Come on, let's head over to the Gym now." Sakura encourages her friends and began their walk again.

Neji's inexplicable aura of just truly makes him one of the feared but respectable students here at Kasai. Sakura, Ino and Hinata all grew up together, meaning that they know each other's families very well. Neji was out of the question. Her cousin would always come to visit during the holidays. They were brought up by a very distinctive family, where even though status pays no big deal to them, it is their honor as Hyuugas that pressures them as they grew up.

Hinata wished he could've played more with him back as children, but Neji had other things in mind. Her cousin wanted to be an example for her and her sister Hanabi for they were the only generation of their clan's current line. Is it because he was the only male born? Maybe that could be a reason.

He trained and studied immensely even at such a young age to prove he can be a worthy Hyuuga in the making. Though her Uncle told her that he and his wife never pushed him to reach such heights for they love him for who he is, all their son would do was look at them with his calm eyes before resuming to his activities. They never bothered with the topic since. But makes sure to express their support in any way they can. They're just thankful that he never takes things for granted and remained humble all the same.

She remembers her friend's first impression of him back as a child as well. Hinata was relieved to know they weren't intimidated nor scared to say the least. Yet they admitted how nervous they get when he's near. Being around Neji does make you feel that way, that she can relate.

Though to be honest, Hinata admires her cousin very much. It just so happens that she cannot think of a good way on how to approach him. Especially when he's always busy with that tight schedule he creates for himself. Nervous as she is, it mixes with her shy behavior to step up to her 'big brother'. If only… she could let him know of how much of an inspiration he truly is. Maybe not today, or tomorrow.

But someday.

"Here we are."

All girls stood at the entrance as they watched the boys in Gai-sensei's class all panting for air. Everyone was sweating like crazy their skins can be seen through their shirts. Most of them had their backs lying on the floor, some about to pass out, while others try remain standing. And they were none other than their friends.

"Good Kami, what have they been doing for the last 2 hours?" Ino can't help but mutter.

Sakura tried to look at each of their faces. Naruto was lying down, Shikamaru was sitting with his chin up while Sasuke has his hands on his knees. All three trying to catch their breath. But one thing made her green eyes wide in surprise.

Those three are smiling.

"Yosh! You did well today minna. Truly I've underestimated your strengths."

Their teacher complimented as he eyes his deflated students. "Today's session was twice as hard than our last meetings. Wasn't it?" They and the girls could only sweat-drop at his sentence. Isn't it obvious enough? Not a minute later, he made a big announcement to everyone present.

"Well as far as you know, that was actually this term's first year try outs for the school's basketball rookies." Cue the crickets whistling in the background.

Gai turned his heel and waved as he leaves. "Results will be posted next Monday morning. Gambatte to whoever gets in!" (Good luck)

Sasuke and boy's eyes instantly snapped open. Their smiles breaking like shards of glass.

Is he for real?!

…

Thirty minutes later. At their usual spot, the gang all finished rinsing off and are now fresh from head to toe. Sakura and the girls helped prepare their food while the boys were still staring of to space. Naruto's eyes were lifeless. Hinata was surprise to hear how he didn't feel like eating, but she tried convincing him while she can. They were burned out, and their body needed food to help them rejuvenate.

She held out a piece of her packed food for him to eat. The moment a piece of omelet roll touched his tongue had him out of his reverie and started chugging down the food given to him. Hinata blushed at this. Happy he liked the bento she prepared. Thankful she packed a spare with her. Ino elbowed her while Sakura winked.

Shikamaru was lying down the grass. Knowing the lazy bum too well, they've all let him sleep for a while to rest his tired self. But he was just silently staring at the sky as the clouds floated by. He ate his lunch just a minute ago. So he's all good.

"Guys, you need to eat up. Class starts in 20 minutes." Sakura beckons the others who have yet to start. Like a certain someone.

Glancing at her right where the Uchiha normally sits, Sasuke sat with his eyes cast down. Sakura waited for a sec before calling out to him. "Sasuke." His eyes that were being hidden by his bangs came to life and quickly looked at her direction. She looks back at him earnestly, softly saying, "You have to eat."

Looking down, he saw her bento and a pair of chopsticks between them, coaxing him to take at least a portion to fill his stomach. She knows how he only eats sandwiches most of the time. But today's P.E. certainly took a toll on them. He's going to need a lot of energy he can get to withstand the rest of the day.

Seeing as he has no way out of this, he sighs, picks up the chopsticks and lunchbox, and thanked her. "Arigattou Sakura." This made the pinkette smile, her worries lessening. Turning back to her own food, she was about to take a bite of het octopi when she saw the others gawking at them.

"Nani?" (What?)

"Since when have you two started calling each other's names?" Ino initiated.

The pinkette shrugs. "Since the other day."

Shikamaru sat up, twisting his torso a bit to face them. "Heh. So you finally noticed then?"

"Noticed what?" this time it was Sasuke.

"That you two are the only ones who haven't called each other's names." Ino explained.

"Yerh! Ish like yoh two are indiffwent with each ojer."

"Don't talk with your mouth full, baka." Shikamaru scolded the eating/talking Naruto. After being told, the blonde swallowed his food and pressed on, "You made us all worried into thinking you guys aren't that close or will never be." He picked up another omelet roll as he speaks. "For all we know, we thought you guys didn't like each other's company." And he chewed the yummy food afterwards.

Hinata turns to them and smiled. "What we mean is this: Sasuke? Sakura?"

Calling the attention of the two, they both looked at each other first before settling on a proper sitting and facing the Hyuuga.

"You don't hate each other. Do you?"

They received a sway of their heads, a 'No'. Good. She thought.

"Do you dislike each other then?

Another 'No'.

"If that's the case, then why no acknowledgement from neither of you two then?" Ino just had to ask. But all she got were soft chuckles from them.

Well would you look at that. And here they thought only Sakura and Sasuke noticed this little predicament of theirs. Their friends are more perceptive than they thought. Cheers for them. Bansai! (Cheers!)

"You guys were worried for nothing." Sakura giggled.

Sasuke simply smirks before adding. "True that Sakura and I haven't been calling each other what we're supposed to. But that doesn't mean we don't like being around each another."

"In fact, we've been going home together for a few weeks now." Sakura says.

"Ehh?!"

"That's right. Even coming to school. Just not today due to your mom's invitation for breakfast." She faced Ino for that one. Her best friend could only 'Ohh-ed' at that.

Sakura smiles at her friends. It was sweet of them to even worry for their sake. But it's good enough that they cleared this up before leading to a misunderstanding. Looking beside her, she gave Sasuke a smile which he gladly returns with a smirk of his own.

Finally, he separates his chopsticks and took a bite of the food offered to him. Observing the bento for a minute, he saw how well prepared it was. Not too fancy, but the feel of home was present as he looks at it. He grabbed a piece of stir fry veggies, took a bite and almost flinched in his seat, unknowing that Sakura was looking at him from the corner of her eyes. But after seeing he took another bite, she inwardly patted herself on the back.

Nice going Haruno!

Bite after bite, Sasuke was chewing moderately, yet deep inside he was holding himself back for how pleased he is with the taste.

Oishi.

….

Monday morning came fast, and the two Nagoya neighbors were now riding the train on the way to school. Sasuke made Sakura sit on a vacant seat while he stood in front of her, hand clutching on a handle, other inside his pocket. The pinkette was trying to keep calm, but at some point, she searches the Uchiha's eyes for any last-minute jitters. But only found his ever-calm obsidian's staring outside the moving monorail's window.

"Ano…" She calls out to him to which he answered by giving his attention. "You okay?"

The Uchiha merely raised his brows in mild surprise as he blinks at her. Hadn't they had this discussion last week before the week ended?

Well, it's not to say that the weekend itself went any easier either. Apparently, the gang were all nervous to what the results will be, especially the boys. They all believed they would get in, remembering how well they did during the sudden try-outs last Thursday. But it felt like they hadn't given their best yet.

All they remember before going home last Friday was hearing Sasuke's words of encouragement. If you can call it that way.

"We'll get in."

"I thought I said – "

"I know what you said." She sighed. "I just wanted to know if you were okay."

"I'm fine. Don't think too much." And the way to school went completely quiet from there.

….

"Really? That's all Sasuke said?"

"Uhuh. And the rest of our way here was utter silence."

Sakura was with Ino, accompanying her to the school's cafeteria. A big shock, yes, but the pinkette wanted to have a bit girl talk before heading over to the usual spot. Hinata volunteered in going first, else getting the place stolen by others if ever.

Sakura's shoulders slumped a bit with a sullen look, "I've never seen him so serious before."

Ino almost snorts. "Come on forehead. This is basketball we're talking about, and they're guys. You remember how much they wanted to get in this school's team. They're pride is on the line."

Even so, she can't help but worry. Sakura could only sigh. "I guess you're right Pig."

"I'm always right." Ino grins. "Now let's go! I bet everyone's there by now." And off they went.

Wonder what awaits the gang.

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