Rivalry by Any Other Name

A SasuSaku Oneshot

In Lee's POV!

'"'"

This is horrible!

This is shocking!

I cannot allow it!

Sasuke Uchiha, the former number one rookie when we were all Genin, is in love with my beautiful cherry blossom, Sakura Haruno!

I cannot let him defeat me!

He will be my rival for love!

Of course…I am not sure if he will even remember his admitting that he is in love with Sakura.

Come to think of it…I do not think anyone but I will remember this.

…Everyone is drunk…except me…they would not allow me to drink for some reason….

'"'"

"Heh, hey Teme – hic – didn't Saku – hic – ra…look pretty today?" Naruto asked his teammate and best friend, Sasuke. This is how the story began.

I looked over at Sasuke, who had his head laid down on the countertop at the bar all of us sat at. He looked up at Naruto.

"Sakura…look pretty?" For a moment I had prepared myself to defend Sakura from any form of insult the Uchiha may say about her. "She's not pretty"–I readied myself—"she's beautiful."

I could not believe what I had just heard him say; whatever sober part to the guys around us couldn't seem to believe it either.

Naruto fell against Sasuke and laughed loudly.

"T-T-Te – hic – me actually – hic – has hormones for – hic – girls!" Naruto chortled, and put an arm around Sasuke, who looked slightly angry at Naruto's proximity, to hold him up.

"I always have, Dobe." Sasuke responded. I found it surprising how Sasuke could be drunk, yet still talk normally. He shoved the giggling blond off him, and Naruto tipped out of his chair and hit the ground, he still laughed profusely.

Sasuke laid his head back onto the countertop, but raised it up to glare at the guys that surrounded us.

"What're you looking at?" Sasuke growled.

"Heh, heh, we just never – hic – thought you were the kinda guy to take a – hic – interest in girls." Kiba replied.

"Yeah, Teme," Naruto agreed, somehow back up on his chair. "I remember – hic – when I used to think – hic – you had an interest in me."

"Keep your gay remarks to yourself." Sasuke responded. "I only have an interest in Sakura."

Naruto mouth hung open for a moment, and then he fell forward onto the countertop, he shook with laughter.

"Then why don't y – hic – you ask her out?" Neji questioned from the other side of me.

"Don't wanna…." Sasuke answered, and poked at the empty shot glass in front of him.

"Awe, he's – hic – scared!" Naruto stated, before he fell to the ground again by Sasuke shoving him.

"Am not," Sasuke retorted.

"Am too!" Naruto declared defiantly at the Uchiha, but didn't bother to pick himself up off the ground.

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

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

"I bet – hic – not!" Naruto exclaimed as he clambered back into his seat. "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."

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

I had started to feel very uncomfortable at this point. I could not let Sasuke take away my cherry blossom!

All of the guys started to press on Sasuke to go for Sakura. Sasuke appeared to finally have enough of it.

"Alright, I'll go!" He shouted over their comments. He slammed his palms against the edge of the counter for emphasis, and to give him a boost out of his seat. But the force combined with his drunken state just caused him to fall backwards and onto the floor. The guys all started to laugh insanely at Sasuke's motion.

Sasuke stood up, grumbling, and walked towards the exit; he ran into the doorframe before he clambered outside. I took a moment just thinking on the fact that while you can't really tell he's drunk from his talking, he sure is obvious when you put him on his feet. The guys raise in the level of their laughter drowned out the rest of my thoughts.

I pushed myself up from my chair, and all the guys turned to look at me.

"Awe, you're – hic – leaving?" Naruto asked.

"Uh…yes…I have some things I must do." I answered.

"Okay, bye Shino! We love you!" Naruto called after me as I left. I sighed at how drunken Naruto was, and felt slight pity for what Hinata would have to deal with later.

I walked outside and only took about three steps before I fell to the ground.

"Ow, something has tripped me." I muttered. I pushed myself up and, through the darkness of the night, tried to make out what it was I had tripped on.

My jaw nearly dropped as I saw Sasuke on the ground, passed out from the effects of the alcohol. I crouched down next to him and gave him a poke.

"Sasuke…Sasuke are you alright?" I called.

I could just hear Sasuke's light snoring. I sighed and, deciding I couldn't just leave him there, picked him up piggyback and continued on my way.

"Is this the reason no one will let me drink? Am I possibly just as bad, or worse, than everyone else when they get so intoxicated?" I thought.

I sighed again and blew it off as I sauntered through the village with the unconscious Uchiha on my back.

'"'"'"'"

Sasuke woke up at around nine the next morning. He whipped his head around, slightly frantic, as he realized he wasn't where he remembered. He finally glanced to the side to see me sitting in a chair across the room.

"Bushy Brow…?" Sasuke groaned as what were obviously the effects of a hangover pounded through his head. "What the hell are you doing here? Where the hell am I?"

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

Sasuke moaned in annoyance. "The bar…I am going to kill that Dobe…."

"Would you like something to help your hangover?" I offered as Sasuke rubbed his temples.

"No…I'll go to the hospital. I need to talk to Sakura, anyway." Sasuke replied.

I remembered what had happened at the bar, but I wanted to check and make sure that was why he planned to go. "Are you sure? I could relay a message for you so you can rest."

"No, I need to do this personally." Sasuke declined as he began to stand up.

"Uh…one question…." Sasuke looked at me in an indication to continue. "Do you remember what happened at the bar?"

Sasuke gave me a questioning look. "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."

I stood up abruptly. Sasuke looked slightly surprised at my motion, but didn't say anything and started to walk towards the door.

I did the first thing that came to my mind. I grabbed Sasuke's arm and swung him onto my shoulder.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Sasuke snarled through his teeth.

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

Sasuke hit me a couple times, but his current state made the hits weak. I ran out the door towards the hospital.

"I am going to try all I can to defeat Sasuke! He will not have Sakura before I do! He is now my rival in love!"

'"'"'"'"

We reached the hospital fairly quickly. I entered and luckily was immediately greeted by Sakura.

Sakura looked up from some paperwork when we entered and nearly dropped it.

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

Sasuke groaned and tried to hit me again. "Put me down, you bushy browed bastard."

Sakura seemed to understand the situation once Sasuke spoke. "You went to a bar? I can't believe you! You passed out didn't you? I can't believe how irresponsible you are!" The whole time she spoke she motioned for me to follow her down the hallway to an open room.

We entered a vacant room and Sakura told me to place Sasuke on the bed. I did so and she began to fuss over him. Sasuke looked like a real mess. He still wore the clothes he had on yesterday, his hair was all over the place from jostling around as I ran, and even though he had been unconscious for several hours, he still looked as though he had been up all night.

"When did you find him, Lee?" Sakura asked.

"Oh…uh…well…actually I was at the bar as well…with everyone else." I admitted.

Sakura looked me over and raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Oh, they would not let me drink for some reason." I added.

Sakura nodded her head comprehendingly. "So he passed out in the bar?"

"Oh, no, actually he had left. I left not long after and found him passed out a few feet away from the entrance."

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

"Hn, yeah, yeah, you can get out of here Bushy Brows." Sasuke announced, and looked at me as though he expected me to remember he wanted to speak with Sakura and so I would leave.

I swallowed; I wasn't going to give up so easily. "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."

Sasuke glared at me like he was prepared to jump and pummel me. I held my ground and Sakura smiled at me.

"That'd be great. Thank you, Lee." Sakura beamed.

I did a mental happy dance as I scored a point on Sakura's good side. Sasuke didn't understand my true intentions yet, and simply glared at me as Sakura checked him over to make sure that the hangover was the worst of what he suffered.

Sakura looked over at me. "You can take a seat if you want, Lee." I offered. "I have to go get some medicine for Sasuke, so I'll be right back."

"Thank you for your kindness, Sakura." I bowed and took a seat.

Sakura smiled at me again and left the room. Just as the door closed I could feel Sasuke's deathly aura trying to strangle me.

I looked over at the Uchiha innocently. He glowered angrily at me.

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

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

Sasuke's glare only seemed to intensify. "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." Sasuke grumbled.

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

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

Just as Sasuke finished his statement, Sakura walked in with a bottle of medicine and some water. She looked at each of us. I looked at Sasuke, and Sasuke glared at the ceiling.

"…Is there something I'm missing?" Sakura asked.

"No." Sasuke and I both answered simultaneously.

Sakura looked at the two of us again and shrugged her shoulders. "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 watched with slight jealousy as Sakura helped Sasuke sit up and handed him everything he needed. Sasuke accepted her help with a slight smugness after he caught the jealous look on my face.

Sakura left for a couple moments after Sasuke took his medicine. Things fell silent between the two of us, and when Sakura entered she said we could both leave.

Sakura looked over at me and smiled. "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." I answered happily.

Sakura helped get Sasuke onto my back, with much protest from the Uchiha, and I was off.

'"'"'"'"

After some directions from Sasuke we reached his home. I set him down and he glared at me.

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

I gave him a perplexed look. "What are you talking about?"

"I wanted to talk to Sakura."

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

Sasuke looked away from me. "Acting as though and really being gone are two different things."

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

Sasuke didn't say anything else, and waved me away. I started to leave.

"Lee," Sasuke called suddenly.

"Uh, yes, Sasuke?" I responded.

"Do you…still like Sakura?" He asked without turning to look at me still.

I had to hide the grin that reached my face. "Why, yes, why do you ask?"

Sasuke's mouth formed into a fine line. "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." I stated to see Sasuke's reaction. He tensed up. "I actually may see her in a little bit if someone is still passed out in the bar."

Sasuke's eyes widened very slightly. "Okay…."

Okay? I felt confused at Sasuke's reply. I didn't expect him to just say "okay".

"Mind if I come with?"

My grin broadened, but Sasuke didn't see it. "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." Sasuke retorted.

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

"I feel willing today."

I had to disappear for a moment to laugh at Sasuke's response….

I returned and saw Sasuke still waited on my answer.

"If I say yes, then he may get a chance to talk to Sakura alone. But then I will also be able to keep an eye on him if he comes, and all I will have to do is try to stay near him. I do not see too much harm in it."

"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."

"I'll come up with something." Sasuke responded, and had already started down the road.

'"'"'"'"

We arrived at the bar and, of the group that came, we only found Naruto and Kiba shoved up against the walls. We both picked one of them up and made our way to the hospital.

Upon arriving, Sakura was not too pleased that Sasuke had accompanied me, and she even scolded me over agreeing to let him come along in his condition. She then had us take the boys into a hospital room where they could sleep until they woke up.

Sasuke and I sat in the room Naruto and Kiba were in. We both sat in chairs opposite from each other, and stared at different things. It was extremely silent in the room.

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

"Dobe," Sasuke huffed.

"Naruto is quite a character." I stated.

"No kidding…."

"…Did he not also like Sakura in the past?"

"Yeah…until he realized Hinata liked him."

"Oh, do you think Sakura would have ever considered him?"

I could see Sasuke ball up his fist when I said this. "I doubt…."

"Why, he is not so bad?"

I couldn't see Sasuke's eyes, as his bangs covered them, but I could tell he glared at the floor.

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

"Do you know what kind of guy she does like?" I pressed.

Sasuke didn't really look inclined to answer, but Sakura walked in at that moment, effectively ending the conversation right where Sasuke wanted it.

"You two are still here?" Sakura asked when she saw the two of us.

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

Sakura gave me a light smile. "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!" I exclaimed.

"You don't have to, really."

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

Sakura looked over at him, so I couldn't see her expression. "Well, I'm glad even you are willing to give up some free time to help out, but you both must be really bored."

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

Sakura raised an eyebrow at my comment. Even I realized the oddness of stating that someone like Sasuke was good company in a place like this.

"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."

Sasuke stood up. "I'll go with you."

I stood up. "No, I will go."

"Why don't you just stay with Kiba?" Sasuke retorted.

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

"I'll go." Sasuke insisted.

Sakura didn't say anything and promptly left with Sasuke right behind her.

The moment the door closed my mind went into turmoil. Sasuke was with Sakura alone, and with the intent to make her his! I could not let my rival win!

…But there was nothing I could do at the moment…. All I could do was pray that Sasuke didn't take that moment to make a move. After all…we were in a hospital…there were many people walking around constantly…he still wasn't alone with her. I hoped my assumption was correct.

What felt like forever was actually only about five minutes. Sakura and Sasuke walked into the room, and both of them looked as normal as ever. I sighed with relief that Sasuke had not taken the opportunity.

Sakura gave Kiba the medicine he needed, and after he took it she asked if one of us could take him home. Neither of us volunteered, and after a couple minutes Sakura asked Sasuke to take him home.

I leapt for joy in my mind. I had all the time I needed now. Sasuke reluctantly agreed, picked up the dog lover, and walked out of the room, which just left me, Sakura, and an unconscious Naruto.

I decided it, now was the perfect time to ask.

"Well, I'll have to get back to some work. Just call if Naruto wakes up, okay?" Sakura instructed.

I had to take the opportunity right then. "Wait, Sakura."

Sakura turned to look at me. "What is it?"

"I…uh…." I summoned up the courage I had the first time I asked Sakura to be my girlfriend. I grabbed her hands. "Please, I would like you to go out on a date with me!"

Some color rose on Sakura's cheeks and she looked away. For a moment I was so happy.

"She's going to say yes!" I cheered mentally. "I have defeated Sasuke!"

"Uh…sorry Lee, you just missed me." She admitted.

"…What?" I asked.

"Sasuke…uh…he sort of asked me…while we went to go get the medicine. And I said yes."

I felt totally crushed. "W-What…but…it did not look like anything had occurred."

"Because we didn't want you to wonder about it," Sakura responded. "I know you like me and all but…I love Sasuke and always will. But we can still be friends."

I stood there, totally shocked, but inside of me I had fallen to the ground, kicked repeatedly by the victor of the battle, Sasuke, and left to mope, alone and crushingly still single.

Sakura pulled her hands away and waved one in front of my face. "Lee…are you alright?"

I pulled out of my trance and nodded. "I am alright…. I guess…I will leave now."

I left before Sakura could say anything else. I ran down the road from the hospital, and coincidentally met Sasuke going the opposite way, back to the hospital where Sakura, now his girlfriend, awaited him.

Sasuke smirked as I came his way. "I'm guessing Sakura told you?"

I stopped a few feet from him. I then decided to do what was right.

Sasuke gave me an extremely odd look as I bowed to him. "I admit defeat! Sasuke Uchiha, my rival in love, you have defeated me!"

"…Do you have to shout those sorts of things?" Sasuke grumbled.

"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!"

"…When the hell did I become your rival?"

I looked up at the Uchiha. "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."

Sasuke's statement was a very hard blow to my already weakened pride.

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

I turned to look at Sasuke as he continued on his way down the road. I contemplated what he said.

A one-sided rivalry…and I still lost…I could not believe my unfortunate luck….

Maybe next time I should choose something I am more confident I could be victorious in…like who could do 2000 squats….

THE END

Wow…by the end of this story I was really feeling pity for Lee…but not enough to affect SasuSaku! Never! He really needs to find a woman that'll suit him. Well, obviously this was the winner of the poll choice one-sided rivalry. And now that this is done I can focus on the one I had started to work on until this one took the lead! Well…I can't really say I'm as proud of this oneshot as I could be, but it was alright. I think my problem was that I really didn't do much planning. All I wrote was a little summary in my notebook, and then I had to rely on my brain to come up with the details. But I hope people will appreciate the work I put into this! (I spent most of my day working on it. It's been a bit since I wrote an entire oneshot in one day.) Well…till the next story!

And seeing as it's not a question anymore, next chapter has the story from Sasuke's POV!