The internet was wrong.

That was the only coherent thought buzzing around Tenten's brain right now. The other thoughts were either hysterical laughing or uncontrollable urges to shake her roommate sitting beside her hard until an explanation fell out.

Since she was sitting in a public gym right now, with at least half the crowd sneaking glances at her aforementioned roommate and the guy sitting next to her, she did neither of those things.

But she really wanted to.

(＠_＠)

"Hey, hey - that's Uchiha-senpai, right? THE Uchiha senpai?"

"Omg, I haven't seen him in person until now. I get the hype, he's SO hot."

"Too bad it's the last game. Still glad we came, though."

"Who's he sitting next to? Is she his girlfriend?"

"No way! Isn't Uchiha-senpai supposed to be everyone's idol who's never shown an interest in the opposite sex?"

"I mean, he could just not be straight."

"Maybe, but there's never been anything."

"He's just sitting next to someone. Don't let your imagination get ahead of you."

"If he was going to go out with anyone, I would've expected it to be the campus beauty."

"Who? Yamanaka Ino?"

"Yeah!"

"She's not all that. I mean, the girl next to him is so much prettier. Look at her hair!"

"Do you think it's natural?"

"That shade? No way! I wonder which salon she goes to."

"Oh shit, look behind you!"

Behind them, Ino's face was stony as she pretended not to notice the girls in front of her flinch away like she was some kind of demon yaksha. Hard not to, when Kin keeps trying to make me look with that infernal arm shaking.

"Kin, stop." She hissed out of the corner of her mouth. She was getting a headache from the whole situation.

"Ino-chan! You gotta do something!" Kin didn't let up as she hissed into Ino's ear. My arm's about to fall off. "That bitch's going to steal your man!"

"He's sitting beside her, it doesn't mean anything. They probably know each other from somewhere."

"Yeah but Uchiha-senpai never pays anyone any attention."

"So what? I'm not about to slink off with my tail between my legs. Now stop shaking my arm, or someone's going to think I'm giving up or something."

As Kin finally gave her some relief and sat back in her seat grumbling, Ino stared straight in front of her, trying desperately to squash the nasty, niggling feeling in her heart. No matter what she'd said to Kin, she'd seen Uchiha-senpai's expression when he'd been talking to Haruno-san - and she already knew.

(￣ヘ￣)

"Wow...."

"That's three in a row..."

"I-I don't think I've ever seen that before..."

"They suck," Temari said baldly, her brows furrowed.

"Uh huh," Sakura agreed, "Even when Uchiha-senpai wasn't there at all-" She cut herself off as she remembered the man himself was sitting beside her. Go ahead and freak the guy out by just showing him exactly how much of a fangirl you are. He's going to think you turned up at every game hoping he'd be there, even though you weren't!

"They'll start winning again once they stop looking here and start paying attention," Uchiha-senpai said. He didn't seem to have noticed Sakura's slip of the tongue.

Sakura silently breathed a sigh of relief.

"C'mon CS!" Tenten cupped her hand around her mouth to amplify her cheering. "Stare at the hot girl after the game!"

Sakura elbowed her, but Tenten dodged nimbly, having anticipated her move. Luckily for both of them, Tenten hadn't shouted those last lines; otherwise, Sakura might've gone up in flames from sheer embarrassment.

Uchiha-senpai tore his eyes away from the game to look at the two of them, one eyebrow raised. He was obviously waiting for something - it took Sakura a minute to realize she'd never introduced her roommates to him, even though he'd already asked them all to move.

"Uchiha-senpai, these are my roommates. Higurashi Tenten, Kazekage Temari, and Hyuuga Hinata. Guys, this is Uchiha-senpai."

"Nice to meet you," Uchiha-senpai actually nodded to them. Sakura was amazed that he'd deigned to respond. I wonder who he's trying to impress.

Hinata only smiled and returned his nod, but Tenten was about to open her fat mouth when Temari grabbed them both all of a sudden, her eyes glued on the court.

"Shika's just made a shot!" She exclaimed.

Tenten winced, "Yes, that's what's supposed to happen in basketball. Let go of my arm, woman!"

"No, you don't understand, Shika never shoots - he thinks it's too troublesome, so he just sets up shots for other people," Temari explained.

"That should wake everyone up," Uchiha-senpai murmured in her ear. His breath made all the little hairs at the back of her neck stand up. "Do you know what happens when Nara has to shoot during a game?"

"Hmm?" Sakura resisted the urge to smooth down her goosebumps.

"He makes the offenders play Shogi with him until they win a game before he'll come back to practice."

"Isn't Shikamaru-senpai a U-19 champion Shogi player?"

"Hn. In second year, it took Naruto four weeks to win a match."

"Who's that?"

"The blond idiot with the ball."

"Still, it only took him four weeks to learn enough Shogi to beat Shikamaru-senpai... he doesn't seem to be the type."

"No, it took him four weeks to learn how to cheat."

That startled a snort-giggle out of her. She blushed, a bit nonplussed at the undignified sound, but relaxed when she caught Uchiha-senpai watching her out of the corner of his eyes, a tiny smirk on his face. He didn't seem to mind, thank goodness.

"Is Naruto-senpai part of your static?"

"Uzumaki."

"Hm?"

"His last name is Uzumaki. Yes, he's Old Ramen Man. The one with the triangles on his face is Beowulf."

"Ah, I see. What about Roll Out-san?"

"You'll get a chance to meet him later."

"Ah? Should I introduce myself after the game?"

Uchiha-senpai looked like he was going to refuse until something made him reconsider. He nodded, "Hn. They're the roommates I mentioned before."

They watched the rest of the match in comfortable silence, as Sakura got swept back up in the rhythm of the game. She didn't notice that Uchiha-senpai watched her more closely than he watched the court, but to the hundreds of eyes in the crowd sneaking peeks at them, his attention was obvious. That day, many handkerchiefs and fingernails were sacrificed at the altar of fangirl consternation.

When the game finally ended, Uchiha-senpai turned to her and raised an eyebrow. Sakura nodded and got up, ready to muscle her way through the inevitable crush, when she realized that the staircase was totally clear - every eye was looking at them to go first.

Not us, Sakura realized, him. They're waiting for Uchiha-senpai. Am I going to get used to this?

"Come," Uchiha-senpai very casually took her hand and gently led her down the stairs, ignoring the stares. Sakura was too preoccupied with his hands - surprisingly rougher than she'd expected, for someone who probably spent most of his time in front of the computer - to notice her roommates behind her.

The rest of the computer science department basketball team were already waiting for them. Half of them were grinning like maniacs, and the other half were gawking at their joined hands.

Self-conscious, Sakura quickly withdrew her hand from Uchiha-senpai's and tucked them behind her back like a guilty child. She looked back at her friends, either for moral support or to beg them to rescue her, but Temari only had eyes for Shikamaru-senpai and Tenten and Hinata only stood back, grinning at her.

Well, they're no help. Shannaro!

"Finally!" The particularly energetic blond player who Uchiha-senpai had pointed out as Old Ramen Man slung his arm around Uchiha-senpai's neck. "So this is your daaaaaaaate?" He drew out the last word like he was in middle school.

He's really this goofy IRL. Sakura had thought his gamer persona was just overly enthusiastic.

"Heyyyy," the senpai with the triangles on his face that Uchiha-senpai had pointed out as Beowulf moved as if to stretch. Sakura was too busy trying to summon her friends to notice Uchiha-senpai's laser glare, but Kiba obviously caught it.

He hastily withdrew his arms, smirking exaggeratedly at Sasuke.

"Hello senpai, it's nice to meet you. I'm Sakura-" Uh, hang on. How exactly am I supposed to introduce myself? Is it weird to use my gamer handle? But it's too late to give my full name, like a normie. Ahhh Shannaro! Dammit Sakura, why don't you think before you open your big mouth?

Kiba waited for a beat before he whispered out of the side of his mouth at Sasuke, "Is she giving us permission to use her first name, just like that? That's kind of forward... but I kind of like it." He grunted when Sasuke elbowed him.

"Hi Sakura-chan, nice to meet you," Old Ramen Man managed to conceal his surprise a bit better, but when Sakura saw the awkward but polite grin on his face, she knew she had to just go for it, no matter how dorky she was going to look.

"No, I don't think you understand - I'm Sakura," She said in one last-ditch effort not to have to admit her gamer tag out loud. Like a typical, well-socialized person. When the three of them continued to stare, she finally gave up and just said it very, very quietly, "I'm SakuraBlossom."

She nearly burst out laughing as Wulf and Old Man's mouths fell open, and they gaped at her like fish. She could actually see the gears turning in their heads as they tried to form words, looking first to Uchiha-senpai and back to her, then back to Uchiha-senpai and then her, Uchiha-senpai - her - Uchiha-

"WHAT THE EVER LOVING FUCK!" Wulf grabbed his hair and pulled straight up.

"TEMEEEEEEE!" Old Man went for violence and tried to choke Uchiha-senpai, who brushed him off again by dumping him onto the gym floor on his ass.

Apparently the magnitude of the situation did not leave him enough brain power to stand up again, so Sakura reached out to help him out. However, Uchiha-senpai accidentally stepped into the path of her hand, startling her into withdrawing.

"We're going to go for a team dinner soon, so I won't be online tonight."

"Hey Sakura-chan, you should come with us," Old Man called from the floor.

The other members of the basketball team started chiming in, but Sakura quickly shook her head to refuse, "I have a lot of revision so I wasn't planning on going online today anyways. Thank you for the invite, though." Who do they think they're kidding - I recognize a bunch of gossipmongers when I see them!

In fact, Sakura had just enough of the entire gym staring at them like they were a freakshow. She still hadn't fully wrapped her head around Uchiha-senpai being Meister, never mind the implications of dating a campus idol like Uchiha-senpai. Are we dating? Is there a "we"?

Since she didn't want to think anymore, Sakura wanted to escape to the safety of her friends. Before she could flee, though, someone stopped her by grabbing her hand.

I recognize that hand. So what if she'd managed to memorize his calluses? Sakura was, in her heart of hearts, a proper fangirl with a terrifying memory.

Slowly, hesitantly, unbelievingly, she turned to look at Uchiha-senpai, who was holding her hand.

"Don't forget about tomorrow. Studying?"

"Studying?" Sakura was still trying to process the whole Uchiha-senpai was holding her hand thing to realize she sounded like an idiot.

"Remind me where and when?"

"Library? 8 am?"

Uchiha-senpai was holding her hand!!!

"Save me a seat?"

"Ah?"

"Actually, I'll pick you up."

"Uh-"

"In front of your building?"

"Hah?" Sakura's brain was still stuck at everyone is staring at THE Uchiha-senpai holding her hand.

Uchiha-senpai gave her hand a little tug so he could whisper in her ear, "Say yes."

Her ear felt hot and itchy, "O-Okay."

Finally, he let go of her hand and gave her a triumphant smirk that was so damn hot Sakura couldn't handle it. So she did the only thing she could think of.

She ran.

(￢‿￢ ) ─=≡Σ((( つ＞＜)つ

Sasuke watched Sakura go, still smirking. She's cute when she's embarrassed.

He was already used to ignoring the whispers and speculation around him as the crowd dispersed.

"Chouji! You're late!" Naruto called, beckoning him over to join the team.

Chouji strolled over nonchalantly, an open bag of chips in his hand and a large bag on his elbow, "I had to grab snacks. Besides, it's just a basketball game. What's the big deal?"

"Welllllll...," Kiba stretched out the word like taffy, trying to build the suspense.

Naruto had no such qualms and blurted out, "Shikamaru made a shot!"

"What?" Chouji raised his eyebrow, "Was it because it's the last game?"

"It's because this guy brought his date, and everyone got distracted," Shikamaru rolled his eyes in Sasuke's direction.

"Who?" Chouji turned wildly, looking for anyone besides Sasuke in that direction. "Him?!"

Naruto, Kiba, Shikamaru and the rest of the basketball team nodded together.

Chouji's mouth dropped open. The chip he was eating fell out of his mouth. He just barely managed to catch it. For once, he didn't care.

"S-Sasuke brought a date?!" Chouji goggled, "But what about- Weren't you and- I- What?!"

Sasuke smirked and patted him on the shoulder, "You'll have plenty of chances to meet her later. Let's go eat." He turned towards the exit, without checking if anyone followed him.

As the rest of the team trickled out behind him, Kiba and Naruto went to comfort Chouji, who was still standing there, shocked. Kiba patted him reassuringly, "I know. Shocking, isn't it?"

"But... but...," Chouji finally seemed to be coming to grips with the idea, when he and Kiba both jumped on the look on Naruto's face. He looked like he'd smelled a huge dump.

"Naruto, what the hell man?" Kiba asked him.

Naruto looked at them both mournfully, "You realize life is going to be insufferable if that asshole starts expressing happiness, right?"

(￣Д￣)

Sakura thanked her lucky stars that she managed to get to a private courtyard before her roommates caught up to her and mobbed her all at once.

"What the hell!" Tenten exclaimed, throwing an arm around her neck. "Haruno Sakura, get back here and explain yourself!"

Hinata was the last to catch up, out of breath, "S-S-Sakura-chan, are you and Uchiha-senpai-!?"

"You've been holding out on us!"

"I-I thought you and Smirk-san-"

"Yeah, what about this whole thing you've had with Meister?"

"W-was it because you didn't want to tell us-"

"You could've trusted us! You were holding out on us!"

"B-But Sakura-chan's not like that, Tenten. I think-"

"You're right but how else do you explain-"

The two of them looked at each other, then gasped simultaneously, "Is Uchiha-senpai Meister?!" Both of them turned to stare at her.

"I demand 10 minutes of uninterrupted talking so I can explain!" Sakura finally managed to get a word in as she raised her hand dramatically.

"Say it, then," Temari had caught up last, after saying goodbye to Shika. She looked amused at the whole scene.

"It was a dark and stormy night, and I needed to go to the bathroom-" Sakura yelped when Tenten started lightly hammering her with her fists.

"Speak seriously!" She demanded.

"I am!" Sakura protested, "I really did have to go to the bathroom!"

She told them the whole story from beginning to end, starting all the way back at FriesWithThat and UwuAmixx's wedding. Even Tenten and Hinata, who had started playing with her halfway through the semester, hadn't had the full picture of this relationship that was both a long time coming and a big surprise to Sakura.

Tenten whistled, "When Uchiha-senpai moves, he moves. Damn Sakura-chan!"

"I-It's so romantic," Hinata sighed, smiling, "Wh-What are you going to do now?"

"Hang on," Temari, no-nonsense as always, honed in on the important point. "What about that video? Wasn't there a deadline for that or something?"

Sakura gasped as she realized something very important, "We never talked about the video!

( ^ ___ ^ )

AN: Fufufu Sakura-chan~

*Coughs* Yes uh hello I am not dead, and I did not give up on this story - Just a rough couple of months. I'm back now! And hopefully mostly more or less back to normal. I hope everyone enjoyed alllll the reactions; I spent many untold hours of agony about the characterization. I did get told it was "very anime" lol. Thanks for stopping by and not abandoning me~ And yes, for those who are wondering - I was so pumped by the SasuSaku fumes in the latest Sasuke Retsudan chapter that I powered through and finished the chapter (BE STILL MY BEATING HEART). As always, reviews, comments, kudos, favourites, bookmarks, and gigantic middle fingers for assholes who don't respect copyrights always make my day~ Thanks for stopping by, and see you soon!