⏪ Back in Time! (HELP!) [Sakura Timetravel AU]

30: Can't Deny (SasuSaku)

(Are you ready for some SasuSaku stuff.... because I'm not.)
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The Preliminaries have concluded.
After an entire day of watching people brawl Sakura felt like her bottom was going to fall apart on the seat. She sighed in relief as the announcer declared the end of the Preliminaries. The announcement advised that the remaining Genin should stick around for the short intermission.

"Hey! Sakura-Chan! The Preliminaries were awesome! I beat Kiba into a freaking pulp, 'ttebayo!" Naruto puffed out his chest full with pride and crossed his arms as he greeted her.

Sakura leaned back in her seat and stared straight ahead, "Hm....yeah, woohoo~..."

Naruto's cheeks puffed, "What's with that reaction? Were you even watching?!" Sakura reached out and pinched his cheeks. "Ow!!"

"Of course I did. You did great. Now let's get out of here." Sakura smiled and stood up in her seat, Naruto followed. Sakura looked around the stadium as many other people started moving out down towards the exits. She turned back to Naruto to ask where Sasuke was, only to almost bump into Sasuke. Sakura stumbled back and tripped on her feet. Now she was falling backwards.
Damn.
A hand gripped her by the arms and stabilized her. Sasuke stared at her with slight concern.

Sakura laughed awkwardly and waved her hands around, "I didn't see you there, we were just about to come looking for you.." She looked to the side to evade his piercing stare that looked right through her.

Sasuke spoke up, "Did you hear the announcements? We're being told our finals opponents.."

"Oh. Yeah! Let's go." Sasuke nodded and then went ahead to join the crowd of people gathering around the podium. Sakura sighed and turned around to talk to Naruto, but he was long gone. Surprised to be divided from her teammates so fast, she rushed after Naruto who was already making his way to the middle. For a moment she lost him and had to stand on her tip-toes to search the crowd for him. With a scowl, she got behind him and caught his hand, "Don't leave me behind, Naruto!"

Naruto tightened his grasp around her hand and dragged her to his side, "You've gotta hurry up if we wanna see who's up next!"

Sakura sighed, "Right."

When they got to the podium, the chatter and the crowd size had increased. Two minutes before the second announcement. Skimming the crowd, Sakura caught sight of Sasuke who was watching from another part of the stadium. His arms were crossed and he was standing tall with that recognizable blank expeession. As if he sensed her, his eyes darted directly to hers, startling Sakura, but he merely glanced away. Just as he did that, the announcer appeared and walked up to the podium.

"Thank you for waiting, I have been informed about the matches! I will read the list of Genin who will be each other's opponents!"
Cheering intensified and then it dropped down.. The speaker cleared his throat.
"Ahem! The finals combatants will be!

Naruto Uzumaki vs. Neji Hyūga!   
Gaara vs. Sasuke Uchiha!
Kankurō vs. Shino Aburame!   
Temari vs. Shikamaru Nara!
And Sakura vs. Hiroe!"

The crowd fell into hushed whispers and people were already making bets about who would win. Sakura let out a cold puff and rubbed her palms together. As the day passed, the temperature grew more chilly. The Genin were filing out of the center, brushing past Sakura. "So, Naruto, you're up against Neji-", she paused. It wasn't Naruto, but Sasuke standing by her side. "Sasuke?" She peeked around and saw Naruto sauntering up to Neji. Judging by his expression, it looked like he was ready to squabble. Sakura shook her head and face palmed, "That boy..." Sakura was getting tired of handling Naruto's shenanigans, but it seemed to be happening whether she liked it or not. Before she could intervene, she was halted when a hand took hold of her arm. She tensed and found herself coming face to face with Sasuke.