Surfs Up / SasuSaku

Things Are Different

Two days prior to the competition.

What the hell was going through his mind?

It's not like he was anywhere near as skilled as Hidan. In fact, he didn't even realize he had it in him. He had only ever seen Hidan either completely wasted or... well, that was pretty much it.

The idea just popped into his head out of nowhere. Sasuke couldn't stand the thought of seeing Sakura's face filled with sadness when she found out she couldn't take part in the competition anymore. He knew how much she wanted it and how hard she had worked for it. Especially considering the grand prize... it was too devastating for Sakura to even think about losing that opportunity.

The difference between him and Sakura was that he didn't really need the money. No... if he were in Sakura's shoes, he wouldn't have cared about missing out on the winning prize. He understood that it had to do with the fact that he had been raised in a privileged manner. Sakura needed the money more than anything, and Sasuke was well aware of that.

When he first met Sakura, surfing was just something he did to add some excitement to his otherwise dull and unfulfilling life. It was something he grew to love, and he never would have imagined in a million years that he would have the chance to break free from his boring routine. It was also one of the reasons why he fell in love with her.

As Sasuke watched Sakura's face fall upon learning that she couldn't participate in the competition, a wave of guilt washed over him. He knew how much this opportunity meant to her, and he couldn't bear to witness her dreams being shattered.

Sasuke had a sudden crazy idea that crossed his mind. What if he decided to take Sakura's place in the competition? It was a risky thought, considering his lack of skill compared to Hidan, but he couldn't ignore the determination he saw in Sakura's eyes. She deserved a chance to compete, and he wanted to make that happen for her.

Deep down, Sasuke might have always been a bit of a thrill-seeker, always craving excitement and adrenaline in his life. Surfing was the one thing that truly made him feel alive, and he owed it all to Sakura. She had introduced him to the sport and sparked a passion within him that he never knew existed.

But this was unlike anything he had ever experienced before. It was a complete departure from his comfort zone, a leap of faith that Sasuke was willing to take. He knew that he would face tough competition, but he was ready to risk it all for Sakura's sake. He wanted to prove not only to himself but also to his family, especially his father, that he was capable of more than just being a privileged, bored rich kid.

With his mind made up, Sasuke prepared himself for the challenging journey ahead. He knew it wouldn't be easy, but the thought of seeing Sakura's smile as she watched him surf made it all worthwhile. As the sun began to set, Sasuke found himself lost in his thoughts, only to be abruptly brought back to reality by a powerful wave that knocked him off his surfboard. He fought against the current, desperately swimming to the surface while holding onto his board. Through the chaos, he caught a glimpse of Sakura waiting for him on the shore.

Taking a deep breath, Sasuke felt the refreshing ocean breeze on his face. He knew he had to stay focused and not let anything distract him. The crashing waves mirrored the pounding of his heart, reminding him of the upcoming day that would change everything. With determination shining in his eyes, he climbed back onto his surfboard and paddled out into the vast ocean.

There was no room for doubt now; he had to give it his all.

...

Sakura watched from afar observing Sasuke. Apart of her started to feel guilty as she realized that Sasuke was participating in the competition just for her. It took hours of convincing that his was something he wanted to do for her, and that he was going to be okay.