Rivalry by Any Other Name

A SasuSaku Oneshot

Rewritten in Sasuke's POV

'"'"

I can remember the night at the bar in a blur. I remember the feeling of being completely drunk with the guys, anger at Naruto on a few occasions, and something about Sakura….

"Heh, hey Teme – hic – didn't Saku – hic – ra…look pretty today?" The blond Dobe who sat next to me asked.

"Sakura…look pretty? She's not pretty. She's beautiful." I responded, not exactly caring for what the guys would hear.

Naruto fell against me and laughed drunkenly. He said something to me, but I couldn't really tell what it was through his hiccups. I think he said "I can't believe you like tomatoes".

"I always have, Dobe." I responded, and shoved the blond away. He hit the ground, and I put my head back on the countertop.

Everyone stared at me. I lifted up my head and questioned them.

The dog boy laughed a little. "Heh, heh, we just never – hic – thought you were the kinda guy to take a – hic – interest in girls."

I was going to respond to him, but then Naruto suddenly appeared next to me again. He spat out a few words, and I couldn't really catch what he said at the beginning since I didn't pay much attention, but I was pretty sure at the end he said "I thought you had an interest in me".

I rolled my eyes at the blonds' statement. "Keep your gay remarks to yourself. I only have an interest in Sakura."

Naruto's mouth hung open stupidly for a moment until he doubled over onto the counter with laughter.

"Then why don't y – hic – you ask her out?" Hyuga questioned a couple seats down.

"Don't wanna." I stated simply, and started to poke at my empty shot glass.

"Awe, he's – hic – scared!" Naruto exclaimed by my ear. I muttered some curses at him and shoved him out of his chair again.

"Am not," I retorted.

"Am too!" the Dobe responded defiantly from the floor.

"But I – hic – thought she liked you." Kiba announced.

"After leaving like I did…I bet she hates my guts." I answered.

"I bet – hic – not!" The Dobe replied as he pulled himself back into the seat I felt I was just going to push him out of once again. "I bet she'd looove – hic – it if you got that – hic – pole outta your ass and gave her a – hic – big kiss!"

"Or I really will get a pole up there." I grumbled. I knew Sakura definitely had the strength to do it after all that medical training.

"Come on, Teme! We all – hic – know you waaant her! Now get off your – hic – ass and go kiss her!" Naruto taunted.

A lot of the guys around me started to tease and provoke me to go with what Naruto had said. I considered it for a moment, but it was the guys incessant teasing and remarks that finally made me make up my mind. I would try to win the pink-haired kunoichi over.

"Alright, I'll go!" I declared over the guys voices. I shoved myself back when I slammed my hands against the countertop, and I fell backwards out of my seat.

I hit the ground hard, and all the guys just roared with laughter. I picked myself up and hazily made my way out of the bar. I planned to go right to Sakura's house and confront her.

I rammed into the doorframe when it seemed to magically move in front of my face. I could have sworn I just walked out the door. The laughter only increased after the action, and I finally managed to make it out of the bar and into the night.

…And that's where my memory trailed off.

'"'"'"'"

I unwillingly opened my eyes. My head pounded like the Dobe was beating on it and yelling in my ears. I saw I was inside someone's house, and for a moment I thought I had made it to Sakura's house and had passed out. I then realized, however, that Sakura's walls weren't painted green, and a big portrait of that weirdo Might Guy wasn't on her walls. I pushed myself up into a sitting position and whipped my head around. I had no idea where I was.

I finally glanced to the side and saw that bushy brow kid, Lee, in a chair across the room.

"Bushy Brow…?" I groaned as my hangover pounded through my head harder from my rapid motions. "What the hell are you doing here? Where the hell am I?"

"You are at my house." He answered. "I found you passed out a couple steps away from the bar, and carried you here last night."

I moaned, annoyed, as everything came back to me. "The bar…I am going to kill that Dobe…."

"Would you like something to help your hangover?" Bushy Brows asked as I rubbed my temples to help the pain in my head.

"No…I'll go to the hospital. I need to talk to Sakura, anyway." I declined. I could distinctly remember I had made plans to ask Sakura out. I couldn't remember the details that lead up to it, but I could remember my determination to do so.

"Are you sure? I could relay a message for you so you can rest." Lee offered.

I thought he was just trying to be kind, but I didn't want to spend much longer in his house. Besides, I had to ask Sakura out personally, and I doubt Lee, who I distinctly remembered liked Sakura as well, would ask her for me, and I just didn't want him to. I would look pathetic getting a guy like Lee to ask Sakura out for me.

"No, I need to do this personally." I told him, and stood up so I could leave.

"Uh…one question…." Lee spoke up. I looked over at him as an indication to continue. "Do you remember what happened at the bar?"

I felt slightly suspicious of him at that moment. "Not entirely…but I'm pretty sure I made up my mind about something while I was there. That's why I need to see Sakura."

Lee stood up abruptly. I was slightly surprised with his action, but blew it off and started to walk towards the door.

Lee's next actions were a complete shock. He grabbed my arm, pulled me towards him, and threw me over his shoulder. I felt confused, surprised, pissed, and just plain mortified at the same time.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I snarled through my teeth.

"I am going to help you to the hospital. You are in no condition to go on your own." Lee clarified.

I hit him a couple times, but due to my current state, I could tell I had little effect. Lee opened the door and started to run towards the hospital.

'"'"'"'"

We arrived at the hospital fairly quickly, of course being jostled around like a ragdoll, especially with a hangover, made the trip feel like forever.

We entered the hospital, and ironically Sakura was in the front. She nearly dropped some paperwork in her hands when she saw us.

"Sasuke, Lee, what happened!" She asked.

I groaned in pain and annoyance and tried to hit Bushy Brows again, but again, it didn't do much. "Put me down you bushy browed bastard."

Sakura seemed to understand the situation, because she started to go on a big rant. It was something about not being able to believe me, and irresponsibility, but I wasn't really listening. I was too busy looking at how good she looked with the doctor's coat she had on.

Lee started to move as Sakura spoke, and we entered a vacant room. I was finally put down onto a comfortable bed, and instead of having to look at Bushy Brows I got to look at Sakura as she checked me over. She fussed over my state, and I realized I probably looked like a mess.

Sakura turned and started to ask Lee some questions about what happened. He explained how he found me passed out a few feet from the bar.

Sakura looked over at me. She huffed. "Of course…Sasuke, you should count yourself lucky Lee found you and not some crazed fangirl."

While I couldn't argue with the fact that Lee finding me was an upgrade from some fangirl, it didn't mean I wanted him around. I needed to do my work.

"Hn, yeah, yeah, you can get out of here Bushy Brows." I announced, and looked at Lee in hopes he'd remember what I said and he'd leave.

Lee swallowed and looked up at Sakura to avoid my gaze. "Actually, if you do not mind, I will stay. Then once you are healed I can take you to your house so Sakura will not have to worry and can continue her work."

I wanted to stab Bushy Brows repeatedly with a kunai. I was trying to ask Sakura out, and I didn't need him around. Lee had a determined look on his face, and suddenly something clicked. He remembered what happened at the bar! I must have said something that told him what I planned to do, and he, being the annoying guy he is who unfortunately also likes Sakura, wasn't going to let me get a chance!

Sakura thanked him and accepted his help. He caught my glare, but I don't think he was aware that I knew what he was up to. I was going to strangle him later.

My glare remained trained on Lee as Sakura approached me again and did a check up to make sure the hangover was the worst of my sufferings.

Sakura looked over at Lee and told him he could take a seat. Then she said that she had to go get my medicine, and she left the room, which just left me and Lee. At that moment I wished the death aura I sent out would kill him. It just made it worse when he looked at me so innocently. I knew what really went on in his mind.

"Why don't you just get out of here? I can take care of myself." I told him.

"I am being a good person." He responded. "And I have not seen Sakura lately because of her work. I wish to speak with her as well."

My glare intensified tenfold. "Can't you talk to her at some other time?"

"Oh, is there something that you wish to discuss with her in private?"

"Something like that." I grumbled.

"Well, you do not have to worry. Just pretend that I am not even here." Lee grinned.

"I'd prefer if you weren't here at all." I muttered.

Just as I finished my statement, Sakura walked in with a bottle of medicine and a glass of water. I glared at the ceiling.

"…Is there something I'm missing?" She asked. I silently cursed at Lee; he must have given something away.

"No." We both answered simultaneously. Now I was annoyed.

Sakura was silent for a moment. "Alright then, Sasuke, just take some of this right now, and if you start to feel bad later take some more." Sakura instructed as she placed down the glass of water and popped open the bottle.

I decided to mess with Bushy Brows and show him who was boss. Sakura helped me sit up and got me everything I needed. I accepted her help kindly, and smirked with subtle triumph as Lee gave me a jealous look.

Sakura left for a moment, and all was silent between the two of us until Sakura came back in and said we could leave.

Sakura looked over at Lee. "Thanks again for your help, Lee. And could you go by the bar and make sure none of the other guys are passed out on the floor or something after you drop off Sasuke?"

"I would be glad to." Lee answered happily. His joy annoyed me, and so did his stubbornness for Sakura's affection that will be mine!

Then there were a couple of reluctant minutes of trying to get me onto Lee's back. Not one of my best moments. Especially since Sakura said I was being stubborn like a two year old. Would you willingly jump onto a guy like Lee's back?

'"'"'"'"

After having to waste my breath to give Bushy Brows the directions to my place, we finally arrived. He put me down and the first thing I did was glare at him.

"What the hell was that about?" I growled.

Lee looked at me, confused. "What are you talking about?"

"I wanted to talk to Sakura."

"I told you to act as though I was not there."

I looked away from the irritating boy. "Acting as though and really being gone are two different things."

"What, it is not as though you wanted to discuss something embarrassing, right?"

No, I just wanted to ask her out in front of you so you could probably blow your top and retort. I waved a hand in a gesture for him to leave. He started to exit the house, and then a thought occurred to me.

"Lee," I called.

"Uh, yes, Sasuke?" Lee responded, and turned to face me.

"Do you…still like Sakura?" I asked, looking away from him.

Lee took a second to respond. "Why, yes, why do you ask?"

I pressed my lips together into a fine line, displeased. "Just wondering, that's all."

"Oh, alright, and just to let you know, I think I shall try to ask her out again the next time I see her." Lee suddenly stated. My body went rigid at his comment. "I actually may see her in a little bit if someone is still passed out in the bar."

I tried my best not to show any emotion, but I think I failed slightly. "Okay…. Mind if I come with?" I wasn't going to allow Lee to get to Sakura before I could.

"But what about your rest? I think Sakura would prefer you to stay at home."

"It's just like a headache now, I can deal with it." I retorted.

"I never knew you to be one to help out so willingly."

"I feel willing today."

Lee disappeared for a moment. I knew he ran off to laugh. I couldn't believe myself…I sounded like an idiot.

Lee returned, and I still awaited his answer.

"I suppose you may come with. But I am still unsure how Sakura will react if you are with me if we have to bring in anyone." Lee had a point…but I wouldn't let that stop me.

"I'll come up with something." I responded, and had already started down the road. No way I'd let Bushy Brows show me up.

'"'"'"'"

When we arrived at the bar I wasn't too surprised to see Naruto and Kiba shoved up against the walls, passed out from their night of alcohol. We picked them both up and made our way to the hospital.

Just as predicted, Sakura wasn't too happy to see that Lee let me come with him, but I was happy to see her scolding him over it. Score for me, she cares more about me. Of course I got a lecture, too, but it wasn't like I was paying much attention with her being there. I had more important matters on my mind, and at least she didn't catch me staring at anything while she talked. Then we had to carry the two drunken boys into a vacant room so they could rest and eventually wake up.

Lee and I both sat in Naruto and Kiba's room. We didn't do anything in particular; we just stared at different things. At least it was quite, and it gave me some peaceful time to let the last of my hangover pass.

"Heh, heh, heh…another round…another round…." Naruto laughed lightly in his sleep.

"Dobe," I huffed.

"Naruto is quite a character." Lee stated.

"No kidding…." Anyone could tell that.

"…Did he not also like Sakura in the past?" I don't like where this is going….

"Yeah…until he realized Hinata liked him."

"Oh, do you think Sakura would have ever considered him?" Now I want to punch Lee.

My hand balled up into a fist. "I doubt…." Like Sakura would ever like someone like Naruto.

"Why? He is not so bad." Is Lee off his rocker? Maybe a good hit will make him think straight…then another just to make me feel better.

I glared at the floor; I wouldn't be able to beat the crap out of Lee here. Sakura would kill me.

"She doesn't like guys like Naruto…like that."

"Do you know what kind of guy she does like?" Lee pressed. He was really overstepping his boundaries.

I really didn't feel inclined to answer, but Sakura walked in at that moment, effectively ending the conversation right where I wanted it. Great looks and timing.

"You two are still here?" Sakura asked when she entered the room.

Lee spoke up before I could. "Somebody will have to take them home eventually. And I am more than willing to stay here if it is for the sake of helping you."

Sakura looked over at Lee. "That's sweet of you, but we don't even know when they'll wake up."

"Then I am determined to wait here for as long as is necessary until both of them regain consciousness!" Lee exclaimed. He seriously laid on his determination too thick.

"You don't have to, really."

"I have nothing better to do." I sighed.

Sakura looked over at me; her look was grateful, yet perplexed. "Well, I'm glad even you are willing to give up some free time to help out, but you both must be really bored." Well, she could probably satisfy that boredom, but I won't say any more.

"Not at all, Sasuke is good company." Lee declared.

Sakura and I both looked over at Lee. Was he high or something?

"Hmmm, keep it down…." We all looked up and saw Kiba was awake.

"Oh, you're up, good." Sakura said happily. "I'll go get the medicine."

I stood up; this would be the perfect opportunity. "I'll go with you."

Lee stood up as well. "No, I will go."

"Why don't you just stay with Kiba?" I retorted. I had to get this chance.

Sakura looked at both of us. "Someone can come with, and someone can stay."

"I'll go." I insisted, and already started to head for the door.

Sakura didn't say anything and promptly left with me right behind her. I could just feel Lee's hope of winning Sakura over crushing into dust right in front of him. I had to contain my triumphant smirk until Sakura was officially mine.

We both walked down the halls in silence. I didn't want to make any sort of scene right there. You never knew how many gossip-loving nurses roamed the halls constantly. They would jump at what I planned to do.

Sakura led me into a small, secluded room filled with medicine. This would be perfect.

"Argh, someone keeps moving the stepping stool." Sakura grumbled. "Sasuke, do you see it anywhere?"

"Hn…no," I replied, and lightly shoved a little four-legged object farther under the table it was at.

Sakura cursed. "Oh, well, Sasuke, could you reach for the medicine then? It's the clear bottle of tablets on the top shelf there." Sakura pointed to the needed medicine bottle.

"Fine," I agreed, and walked over to the shelf. I reached up, grabbed the bottle, came back down, and handed it to Sakura.

She smiled at me. "Thanks, you know, you're being very generous today for some reason…."

I shrugged my shoulders. "What, I can't be a good person every once in a while?"

"Oh, no, no, that's not what I meant. I mean, it's nice you're helping but it's kinda…odd…as compared to your normal nature."

I smirked at her comment.

"I'm thankful that both you and Lee could be so kind today. Not that Lee's kindness is anything weird."

I scowled. Why did she have to mention Bushy Brow?

Oh well, I could use this to my advantage. "Who do you like better?"

Sakura gave me a questioning look. "Uh…if you mean whose help I like better, I'd have to say both. You've both been very helpful today."

"No, I mean who do you like better." I corrected. I planned to go for the frontal attack. If I didn't she may decide to leave and then I'll lose my chance.

My true meaning seemed to dawn on her. She turned away. "You probably don't care."

Well that was a burn…. "I do. I just want to know who the girl I like would choose."

Sakura's body whipped back around to face me. I thought she had understood what I meant, and now I was about to reap the bounty of my victory.

…But things are never that easy for me.

"So…there's some girl you like? Well…I'm thinking any girl would probably choose you over Lee. I mean…your looks are nothing to compare. …Do I know her?"

That's when it hit me. She thought I just confessed to liking some other girl! What does she take me for? I'm a faithful guy!

Sakura had turned away while I mulled all of this over. God, if she's crying things are going to get really complicated.

So what do I do? The one thing I can think of that'll make her get her facts straight.

I hurried over the three steps between us, grabbed her shoulders, spun her around, and kissed her. Sakura went rigid, as I expected, but she fell into it faster than I expected, and returned the kiss with enthusiasm.

I really didn't want to, since it felt so great, but I pulled away for air. I looked her over for a moment. She had the face I expected. Wide, wondering eyes, red cheeks, and slightly parted lips from which she panted lightly.

"I'm pretty sure you know her well." I stated.

Sakura raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

And I thought she was smarter than me. "I'm pretty sure you know the girl I like…very well."

Sakura's mouth formed around an "oh," and she looked slightly embarrassed from not catching that earlier.

"So…." I drawled.

Sakura looked up at me. "Yes?"

"I'm not sure if it's really necessary to ask but…do you want to go out some time?"

Sakura smiled happily. "Yes, of course, absolutely, hell yeah!"

I smirked. "I guess we better start getting back to Lee, but first I think you better take some time to gather yourself. He's just gonna get worried or suspicious if you walk into the room with a flushed face."

Sakura did what I didn't expect. She rolled her eyes, wrapped her arms around my neck, and kissed me. I returned her gesture immediately, and pulled her in from her waist.

Sakura broke the kiss and beamed at me. Her face looked normal. "I'll be fine. Let's head back now."

I nodded, and we walked towards the door. What I didn't expect, though, was to open the door and ram it into a nurse, who jumped like she was just zapped with electricity, and spun around to face us.

"…Hello." Sakura greeted, and looked at the nurse questioningly. "Can I help you?"

"Oh, no, I w-was just passing by." The nurse explained. She quickly bowed and took off down the hall.

"Should we be worried?" I asked. "I'm pretty sure she saw about everything."

"Well, if the hospital starts bustling about it I'll know the source. But people are going to know about us soon enough anyway." Sakura replied.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Hn, yeah, you're right. The whole village will know by nightfall if we let our blond best friends in on it."

Sakura giggled. "Yeah, Naruto and Ino have the biggest mouths. But at least it'll stop us from having to repeat ourselves about our status."

We didn't say any more and walked back to the room.

When we entered Lee stared at us intently. I knew he was probably scoping us for any hint that I had beaten him, but his sigh of relief told me he didn't have a clue.

The next couple minutes resulted in me being Kiba's carriage to his house. I didn't feel too bad about it, after all, Lee had lost, and there was nothing he could do.

I dropped off Kiba at his place and started to make my way back to the hospital.

I neared the building when I spotted Lee going full blast down the road. I smirked; I knew exactly what had happened.

"I'm guessing Sakura told you?" I inquired as he neared me.

What Lee did next surprised me. He bowed at the waist and just started shouting. "I admit defeat! Sasuke Uchiha, my rival in love, you have defeated me!"

"…Do you have to shout those sorts of things?" I grumbled. The village would know even before the two loudmouth blonds were in the loop.

"But it is true! You succeeded in capturing Sakura's heart when I could not! You were a worthy rival, and I am sad to say I have been beaten by you!"

A sinister thought crossed my mind. I was about to do the lowest thing of kicking Lee while he was down, but I just couldn't resist. "…When the hell did I become your rival?"

Lee raised his head to look at me. "I thought you knew…the two of us were rivals for Sakura's affection."

"Lee…you should know I don't even consider you a rival like that." I was speaking half the truth. I knew he wasn't Sakura's type, and he'd never win, but I still competed with him. Not that I'd say all of that to his face.

I knew I had kicked him hard. At least I knew my words would keep him from stalking after Sakura now. And of course, if I caught him near my girl, I'd put him back in his place.

I walked past Lee and patted his shoulder. "You're just like that weird teacher of yours against Kakashi. The rivalry was truly one-sided."

I continued to walk without giving a last glance at the rejected boy. Now I could smirk with triumph, because I won and he lost.

And that's just how I like it.

THE END

Hey, eh, sorry I'm late. I wanted to get this out earlier but, you know, got sidetracked with all my other stuff. This was even more fun than writing in Lee's POV! I got to unleash Sasuke's inner evil! (To an extent, it's the side of him that's evil towards anyone who tries to get at his Sakura.) Heh…well…not much to say now. I hope you people enjoyed the re-write!