Super nervous right now. Okay. Haven't posted in a very long time. So this story deserves a brief introduction because it will most likely consume me until I complete it – yes, I have the full intention if finishing and the plot line is already created, which is good news!

My fiancée challenged me to make a VERY believable Sasuke x Naruto story of their blossoming relationship because he personally favors Sasuke x Sakura – can't blame him, he is a fanboy after all. But my corrupt inner fangirl took his challenge and came up with this AU (alternate universe) where our cast and crew – you will meet lots of characters inside – are in a sports academy/high school. Yay, so original right? You'll see. That is just the backdrop. The focus is on Naruto and Sasuke – rivals in the art of kendo. I do not claim that any of my information in regards to kendo is correct, (such as tournament/championship information) I have seen a million animes and so battle sequences are just too much fun not to write. It'll all make sense soon – my only spoiler is that I'm already five chapters in. This is just a sample. Remember, this is also a romance between two fifteen year old guys. There's also some Kakashi x Iruka as well. More pairings to come.

Please read and review. Your encouragements will get chapters updated sooner. I need motivation. Any idea or suggestions, feel free to let me know. I want this to be amazing for everyone. This is supposed to be plausible and realistic without losing the feel and style of a manga universe/storyline.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, its characters, or its universe.

-=Chapter 1 – The decision is made=-

This story begins with a decision. And what may have spurred such an astonishing moment in time?

The way he smiles at me.

Sasuke now knows that the next conversation he is going to have with Naruto will change the dynamics of their relationship for the remainder of their lives.

The doubts began early in his mind. As he softly kissed Sakura's forehead, then her cheek, and finally her delicate, glossy lips, the spark between them disappeared in a whisper. It felt listless, clumsy, and retreating; Sasuke hurried his goodbye. The flame went out, he realized as he told her that he loved her and her heart, even to this day, flutters at the memory. It is the last time she will hear them… and believe them genuinely. Sasuke knows that he loves Sakura, she is one of his closest friends, and now he anguishes in silence over this decision.

Young love. So promising. She is the best female student in their elite private school. He is an Uchiha. Her genius and gene pool were also very promising, albeit stemming from a lower social circle. His father Fugaku, nonetheless, approved of his selection. Although she is funded by scholarships and student loans, Haruno Sakura is a top student, fiercely motivated with drive and intelligence to succeed. Sasuke hears his father describe her mechanically; he highlights her unprecedented grades and humble beginnings. The perfect woman to mold. A woman who will appreciate wealth but not abuse it in her future. One who will know her place.

These speeches disgust him; across the table, Itachi deftly changes the conversation to business matters. His mother, Mikoto, gently nods her head at Sasuke to reassure him. His grip on the table cloth loosens. This is the Uchiha family. His father is shallow, conceited, and arrogant – his mother, ever calm and placid to the tense bonds they all share. She is malleable and cushions the blows of disappointment. But she is very soft with her children and listens to their concerns in private.

''Mother, I… I know that father enjoys Sakura very much''

''I do too,'' Mikoto interrupted her son.

''I am not in love with Sakura. There is no spark between us anymore. She is more like a sister, or…mother.''

''There is no attraction, then, I assume?''

Sasuke scoffed, albeit, embarrassed by his mother's braise comments. ''Sakura is gorgeous. Hundreds of my classmates ogle her. Naruto loves her too.''

''Sasuke, your decisions must always be made from within your heart.'' Mikoto placed a hand on her son's chest and kissed his forehead. ''You're 15, Sasuke, you are allowed to be unsure of yourself. You do whatever your heart tells you. One day, I promise, it will tell you the truth.'' Her smile was coy and her laughter mirthful.

Sasuke loved his mother; she guided him with disguised wisdom and absolute diligence. She never pushed his buttons or yelled. The voice of reason, he mused. She always helped and always would without question. They understood one another. That was their bond. Her relationship with his father baffled him though. Even his mother was flawed to some extent. His once childish eyes asked her why, why did they have to put up with his anger? She told him that he did not understand his father and when he finally did, it would all make sense to him.

This decision took two weeks to make; he told his parents, right before their trip to Dubai, that he and Sakura were only good friends now. The disappointment in his father's eyes shunned his son into silence, as they departed for their vacation.

Itachi offered Sasuke a fine dinner and good conversation to clear his mind of that distasteful happening. They ended up dining at his favorite restaurant but even the amazing food tasted bland. There it was again – that word kept echoing in his brain – his father said that he had failed.

''So, what went wrong, Sasuke?''

The younger Uchiha sighed.

''I felt like I was lying to her and to myself. I didn't want to lose my friend, but I did. I could not give her what she wanted.''

''At least you are truly honest with yourself, little brother. Perhaps one day, she will become your friend again. Best friends that escalate their relationships often find it difficult to return to a platonic one immediately. I hope that you do.''

''I hope that you're right.''

''And there's no one else, Sasuke? Dad assumes that your hormones are making your dark eyes wander somewhere else.'' Itachi laughed to himself, because Sasuke was not amused by the undertones of the statement.

''Of course not. My decision is based solely on my heart, as Mother would say.''

Itachi, however, did not believe Sasuke. He smiled and dismissed the topic though; his little brother was allowed to have secrets. He did, nonetheless, want to see Sasuke happy as opposed to dismal looking.

''You are not a failure, Sasuke. You should not be judged on your decisions about love, when you have barely felt it enough to know what it is you want.''

The younger brother nodded. Itachi was the stoic voice of logic in the family. It reassured him but the damage was done regardless by the cruel undertones of his father's statement.

''Your decisions continue to disappoint me – they are failures.''

Sasuke liked Naruto – his best friend. The foreigner, as his father often said, the foreigner with amazing skills. Uzumaki Naruto, pupil of Jiraiya-sama, the number one ranked kendo master of Japan for a decade. Jiraiya is Naruto's grandfather. Albeit long retired, his legend is infamous. The man now, Naruto laughs, is an old pervert that runs an international printing company. Sasuke Uchiha is a kendo prodigy. Fugaku was a renowned trainer – a strict disciple of martial arts and kendo. His children were forced to continue his teachings and Sasuke will compete in the championships; he is expected to win. Itachi retired, undefeated, and after five years, a new Uchiha is fit to compete for gold. The first international tournament in exactly four years.

They are rivals and best friends. And if they were anything else, to his father, Sasuke would be a failure.

Their relationship began in kindergarten; Naruto arrived from America with his uncle Iruka and began school in Japanese. He immediately showed no progress or ease for school, whereas Sasuke excelled far beyond his class and was placed on the proverbial pedestal of perfection. By mid school year, an unruly and untamed five year old Naruto punched Sasuke in the nose and the Uchiha retaliated by shoving Uzumaki into the mud and kicking him hard in the side. They were not friends.

Naruto was transferred within the year. Sasuke never seen him again, until he began his first year of junior high. The bright blonde with big blue eyes was but a distant memory, a fleeting thought, and yet on his first day, they announced the arrival of a new student, Uzumaki Naruto and it all came flooding back to him.

By noon, Naruto put the pieces together as well and his cocky smile disgusted Sasuke instantly.

''I punched you in the face, in kindergarten, didn't I?'' Naruto asked and Sasuke, seated behind him, narrowed his eyes at the blonde boy.

''And I threw you in the mud.'' He said through grit teeth.

''Oh yea, I remember, and you kicked me, what an asshole you are.''

Their conversation drew the attention of their peers. Pale green eyes watched the bickering begin from across the classroom. Haruno Sakura stood up and stormed over to the commotion. Instantly, they discovered that this young woman was their class president. Her words stung like the bitterness of the artic. But her eyes and mouth spewed fire and brimstone.

''I was also in that very same classroom gentlemen, and if I recall correctly, you both cried like little babies and your mothers made you hug after class and apologize to each other.''

They immediately diverted their eyes to the interfering presence. Their faces were suddenly horrified. Naruto gawked and pointed profusely, while a disgruntled Sasuke dropped back into his seat in defeat.

''Next time you two act up in my classroom, I'll make you hug after class.''

Their colleagues roared with laughter. Sakura felt faint on her feet. Sasuke, she sighed dreamily, was still gorgeous. They were in every grade together, henceforth, until the Uchiha family moved away for two years, for "business". It has been seven hundred and thirty eight days since she has seen him. Her studies have paid off; for the next three years, she will be studying at this prestigious academy through a scholarship.

If only to see him…

Sakura has always loved telling people the story of how they met and fell in love. The best of their class – Sakura excelled in biology, chemistry, and science – and Sasuke was a genius in mathematics, business, and commerce. On her fourteenth birthday, he gave her a cherry blossom necklace, and they became the perfect young couple for almost a full year.

Naruto was bitterly jealous. He pinned over Sakura for months, trying desperately to reenter her good graces, after his first stunt with Sasuke. His grades were low and attendance shoddy, but Sakura, he insisted, would become his best friend. She would grow to love him. And she did. Naruto was very loveable. Sakura drowned in the innocence of his blue eyes and accepted his blameless flaws. They made him unique. No one could ever question Naruto's skills at kendo – he was astounding. Everyone believed in Naruto – especially his rival, Sasuke. Under their talented mentor, Hatake Kakashi, both young men became the school's most prominent stars. Sakura was proud of her friends for their outstanding achievements and she was rewarded with her dream – Sasuke Uchiha.

Inevitably, Fugaku took an interest in the bespectacled events of his son's school.

''You should keep you friends close, Sasuke and keep your enemies closer. If no one else compares to you and your rival, then you should stand alone on that platform with him. Know him. Know his weaknesses. Know when he is vulnerable. This boy should be your best friend and then and only then you will be able to defeat him.''

Not all advice, Itachi told Sasuke one day, is wanted or desired. But that is exactly what Sasuke did. He and Naruto became best friends, despite the numerous yelling matches, punches, and sore egos. They trained together, fought, screamed, and defeated each other, countless times. They were brothers now. Kakashi taught them the value of friendship and encouraged them to accept one another, regardless of the other's imperfections. Naruto was selfless and easily manipulated. Sasuke was introverted and distant but possessed great leadership skills. They finally understood each other and that was rare. Not only could they fight one another but together they were harmonious in their techniques.

And all of that fell apart when Sasuke asked Sakura to be his girlfriend.

Sasuke never asked if this would bother Naruto – Sakura was their unspoken truce. She was never mentioned and off limits to both friends. Or so he thought. Naruto drowned in these thoughts for several days – over the first weekend in March, he remembers it so well, and the following Monday, he dried his tears and faked a smile for all to see.

Sakura loved to see Naruto smile and made it her mission to see those blue eyes light up in joy again. It did not take long for her to sit by Naruto's side, hold his hand, and tell him that nothing will ever change between them. She thinks that her presence will alter his friendship with Sasuke and she is determined to prevent that from happening. Naruto accepts her attempts at consolation but only Sakura leaves the conversation feeling satisfied with the results. The blonde is not mad at Sakura – he loves her, yes, and it hurt, but he is mad at Sasuke now. He smiles sadly at her back as she walks away. Would she ever love him in that way?

The rift in their friendship began the next day, at first practice, almost immediately. Naruto arrived early – this was a rare occurrence. Sasuke was already inside and warming up. Their meet only started at 7am. But Naruto knew that he would find Sasuke here.

''Good morning, Sasuke'' Naruto grit through his teeth, as he brandished his weapon and took a fighting stance.

''Go change first and get warmed up, then I'll take you up on a quick spare.''

But Naruto charged. He promised Iruka he would not. He promised Jiraiya he would not. And yet it happened. This needed to happen. Naruto roared as he struck the first blow, as hard as he could swing. He instantly broke through Sasuke's defensive stance and the Uchiha's eyes narrowed, as he stumbled to the floor, on his ass.

''Naruto, what the hell was that?'' he spat at his adversary but the blue eyes staring back at him were seeing red.

Sasuke stood up cautiously. He was serious now.

''You're a fucking asshole, Sasuke.'' Naruto seethed. A growl erupted from his chest and he struck at Sasuke with another set of vigorous blows. ''You didn't even ask if it was okay – how dare you!"

Sasuke escaped the relentless attack and put space between the two of them. He was caught completely off guard. That look in Naruto's eyes – Anger. Hate. Betrayal.

It was because he decided to ask Sakura to be his girlfriend.

His father was upset about Itachi's medical condition. Furious. The results came in. Only Sasuke would be able to produce grandchildren. His announcement to the family pleased his Father greatly and appeased the household stress. Itachi was then able to mourn, Sasuke assumed, in silence, until that rage crept up from the shadows again, in a few days. Their father's attention desperately needed to be redirected elsewhere and Itachi had yet to open up about these matters.

Decisions, Sasuke realized, can and will alter the course of life without any warning. Certain things are not considered in the seconds leading up to the decision. Right now, he could lose Naruto forever. In the dojo that morning, Sasuke was terrified that Naruto would abandon their friendship for this. He had never realized how important that it was to him. But it was. And this was his fault. He deserved to feel Naruto's mistrust, anger, and disappointment. His decision was selfish to him and selfless for another. He made it because he felt that it was his responsibility to openly reciprocate Sakura's advances and fulfill his father's wishes, to grant Itachi privacy in his personal life.

That day, Naruto beat up Sasuke and screamed at him about respect but they still somehow managed to shake hands and shrug it off before their practice began. Sasuke now knew what it meant to have a best friend stand beside you no matter what – even after that. His eyes watered and Naruto tried to conceal his own tears with a sheepish grin.

Now here he was, almost a year later, ready to ask his best friend out on a date.

Sasuke did not want to ruin their friendship. It was happening again; he felt as if he could lose it all, in just one second, like back then…

He knocked on Naruto's apartment door and unceremoniously, a familiar voice from inside lazily called out, "Come in!" from the couch in the living room.

The usual sight greeted Sasuke. Naruto was playing video games. The second controller was seated on top of his pile of homework. Sasuke grabbed it and joined the game. It calmed his nerves. Naruto was making funny sounds as his character repeatedly died. He could not help but smirk.

''So what's up Sasuke, haven't seen you since Friday.''

Sunday night. Raining. Iruka was working late. Sasuke pushed aside Naruto's empty ramen bowl and set the controller down. He kept fidgeting. And sighing.

''Seriously dude, what's up? You look off.''

Sasuke nodded. Words were too hard right now. His voice sounded strained.

''Naruto, I've made a decision and I wanted to talk to you about it.''

''Hey hey! Did you meet a woman? Ouuuh, tell me!'' Naruto was grinning madly in anticipation.

This was exactly why Sasuke liked Naruto so much. His enthusiasm. His carefree demeanor. His motivation and honesty. It was written all over his face.

The way he smiles at me.

He was afraid to simply say "I like you" and see that smile fade away. Would he have to watch Naruto become confused and angry with him? This decision… was it… still… possible? How could they ever go back to being friends? Would these feelings disappear if Naruto rejected him? Even he and Sakura were still tense and uneasy most of the time now. Would he jeopardize this friendship as well?

''I have to tell you this, because if I don't, I'll continue to feel like I'm lying to you…Naruto – I like you.''

Sasuke sighed such a deep exhale of guilt, fear, and frustration that even though he felt empty, and completely open, no matter what, he would fix this.

Naruto blinked a few times and laughed awkwardly but kept his composure. He wanted to ask a million questions and yet his mouth produced nothing but moist air and saliva as it hung open. These questions were not easy to pronounce either.

''Okay, I know I shouldn't talk just so that this isn't awkward, but I am, and I'm going to ramble, or I'll stop talking, so I didn't want to be quiet and make you wait in silence for an answer that I can't seem to give you because I don't really understand it all yet and so… I'm going to have to ask you to elaborate some more for me.''

Sasuke was relieved that Naruto managed words so fluently, even if jumbled. He expected a lengthy silence and gawking for several minutes. He had played this event through in his mind a thousand times now. His words were shaky and scrambled but cautious. He felt as if Naruto was being gentle and amusing to ease the situation. That smile was there though, at the end of his sentence, pleading with Sasuke for the rest of the conversation.

''This is not a confession, Naruto. I'm not hiding anything from you. I'm trying to be as honest as humanly possible. I find myself staring at you sometimes and admiring you. That's not an easy thing to admit you know… I can't explain it simply for you. I can't make you understand me. I know that I like you, Naruto, because I like you more than I ever loved Sakura.''

''Is this a crush, then? Like, you think I'm so amazing you secretly admire me?''

Their eye contact broke as Sasuke shook his head in the beginnings of frustration.

''I don't fawn over you like I'm some mindless half-wit, you're my best friend and I respect you. I compete with you. I am proud to have you stand beside me, regardless of any of this…''

''Sorry Sasuke, you're being so serious and I'm being a clown. I know you're not a fangirl. And you are my best friend. This is just strange to me because you're my brother. You're like family to me. At least to me…''

''I know…''

That was the hardest part. Naruto had always felt like a brother, at first, but more like his counterpart now. They were opposites yet blended perfectly together. He felt balanced with Naruto. He was someone who lived life almost exactly as he did. Naruto's presence calmed his nerves usually; his lame jokes made him chuckle inside. There was something unspoken between them. Sasuke thought that perhaps those words were…

''I guess you saw past that, right? And that's why you're here now.''

Sasuke never needed a brother figure; Itachi always stood beside him with a guiding hand. Naruto was his vitality, his energy, his drive for success – competition, that thrive for glory. Their relationship was already complex; best friends andeach other's rivals in the kendo world. They fueled one another at practice every morning and began their days together. Had class together. Ate lunch together. Studied together.

''I get it, I'm your brother. I'm sorry. I really don't want this to ruin our friendship. I respect you too much for this to come between us.''

Naruto expected those words – Sasuke was retreating at the first possible exit. He was afraid of rejection. His fingers were twitching nervously at the cuffs of his navy sweatshirt.

''Don't blame yourself Sasuke, it just means you discovered something about yourself. I… I really don't know how I feel though. I'm sorta seeing Hinata tomorrow night – we have a date. Your decision is a really big one…there's a lot for me to consider.''

''I know.''

''Can I have some time to think about it?''

''Of course…I can go. I get it.''

Sasuke was up instantly, even before the sentence finished falling from his lips. This was fight or flight. Was this even a fight? Was there even a chance? He stood there, frozen in fear, a few steps away from the exit.

''Sasuke… thank you for your honesty.''

''Any time.'' It was sincere, but Sasuke said it abruptly. He headed for the door without even daring to look back. It would only hurt more.

The decision was made.

What would happen now?

-=TBC=-

And now we begin!