The Jealousy Game

By Ava (who was up until 5am writing this btw… SO APPRECIATE IT)

Featuring -

Naruto as Jealous/an idiot/socially blind (no surprise there)

Sasuke as Slightly jealous/freakishly calm (srsly wtf, how does he do that)

Gaara as Surprisingly/not-so-surprisingly mischievous and cunning

Sakura as Pink haired

And Ino as Hilarious/sexist but probably my favorite (after Gaara of course because he's freaking awesome)

It was Autumn. The air was brisk, it was the kind of day where you could smell winter coming. Naruto strolled down the stretch of sidewalk leading up to Oakwood high school (idk needed a name). He laughed as Sasuke rolled his eyes, watching Sakura and her new boyfriend, Jamie (OC) flirt and cuddle.

"Ew." Sasuke said, wrinkling his nose.

Naruto bubbled up in giggles, he just couldn't help it. "Dude," he said, "you are so whipped."

Sasuke elbowed him sharply, "Oh shut up."

Naruto watched as Jamie pulled Sakura closer and whispered something in her ear. She blushed and giggled, putting a hand over her mouth.

"I really don't know what she sees in that guy."

Naruto caught a glimpse of Gaara, who was holding hands with his girlfriend, Mai (another OC). "I know what you mean." He muttered.

Sasuke bumped him lightly with his shoulder as he shoved his hands into his pockets. "What's up? Something wrong? You look a little pale."

Naruto managed to tear his eyes away from Mai and Gaara, and grinned forcedly at Sasuke. "Amazing."

"Naruto…." Sasuke looked down at Naruto. "It's okay to still be hurting from your break up with Gaara." Naruto glanced uncomfortably at said boy. "But," Sasuke added, "you may want to remember that you're the one who broke up with him."

Naruto crossed his arms. "You know, I didn't even know he was bi until now? He never told me, clearly I broke up with him for a good reason!"

"Naruto."

"Ah!" Naruto jumped, turning to see Ino and Sakura, fortunately for Sasuke, without her new boy toy. "Don't do that Sakura, Ino, you two scared me half to death!"

Sakura rolled her eyes. "This from a boy who swears he'll be in the Marines someday." She rolled her eyes again, just to make her point. "Anyway," she continued, "can't you see what he's doing?"

"Who?"

"Gaara." Ino said, "Keep up." She turned to Sakura. "I swear to god, boys are so blind."

Sakura nodded with a knowing smile, and the two girls not-so-subtly glanced at the red haired boy. "He's totally playing you. He's started it."

The blonde boy crossed his arms and glanced at Sasuke, who was apparently just as mistified as Naruto. "Seriously Sakura, you're gonna half to just flat out tell us, we're not as mischievously cunning as girls, no offense."

This time, Sakura and Ino simultaneously rolled their eyes. Ino stepped forward and flicked Naruto in the forehead. "Idiot," she said, heavily emphasizing the word, "he's started the jealousy game. He doesn't actually like that girl he's with, he's just trying to get your attention. He wants you back."

Naruto turned his head to the side, uncertain. "Are you sure?"

Sakura and Ino took up twin positions, probably without even meaning to. Arms crossed, hip popped, eyes rolling. "Yes. Idiot." Sakura said, echoing Ino. "We're girls, we know the jealousy game when we see it. Boys just don't see it because they're socially blind. Except Gaara, apparently."

Ino smiled. "Because we're masters at it." She glanced sideways at Sakura, smirking slightly, but Sakura elbowed her in the ribs and Ino quickly resumed her glare at Naruto.

Sasuke, who had been watching all this with an increasingly puzzled expression finally said "Girls are so weird, I still don't get it. Later." He shoved his hands into his pockets and began walking towards the doors of the school.

"Yeah, I'm not sure I get it either." Naruto said, still confused.

Ino turned, crossing her arms in frustration. She let out an angry sound. "Ugh. Boys are so clueless. Okay, so you broke up with Gaara. Gaara got a new girlfriend within weeks. There is absolutely no way that Gaara got over you that quickly, because I know Gaara and God knows why but he actually liked you, so there are only two possible scenarios that could be happening here." Ino held up two fingers, always a fan of emphasization (you know that's actually a word). "Number one, that girl, Madeline is it?"

"-Mai." Sakura corrected.

"Mai." Ino said, as if she'd known all along. "is a rebound, just some arm candy to distract him from the heart break you put him through slash a way to get over you, although that's unlikely because I'm ninety percent sure Gaara doesn't play for that team. So number two, the more likely possibility, is that he's only dating Mackenzie-"

"Mai." Sakura said again.

"Whatever." Ino said. "Because he wants to make you jealous so you'll go back to him."

Naruto was silent for a moment. "Oh, I get it now."

"Took you long enough." Sakura said.

"But the question is," said Ino, "what are you going to do about it?"

Naruto gave Ino a puzzled look. "What do you mean what am I gonna do about it, obviously I'm gonna go get him back."

"NO!" Ino exclaimed. "I will not be friends with someone who grovels and begs to get his boyfriend back. You have to fight for him. He's made you jealous, so make him jealous back!"

"How?"

Sakura cut in. "Ino, let me handle this." She stepped forward, made a show of clearing her throat, and smacked Naruto in the back of the head. Ino giggled as Naruto's hand flew to the back of his head. "OW! What the hell was that for?"

"IDIOT!" Sakura almost yelled. Students around the courtyard turned towards them, including Gaara and Mai.

"Sakura," Naruto squeaked. "Not sure what I did wrong, but I'm sorry. Just, keep your voice down. Gaara looked over."

"IDIOT!" Sakura yelled louder. "He's already been sneaking peeks at you every like two minutes since got here!"

"He has?"

"YES IDIOT!" Sakura closed her eyes and took a deep breath, apparently calming herself down. "Okay." She said. "Here's the plan. I have someone who just so happens to be trying to make someone jealous, so you and her are going to pretend to date."

"Who?"

Sakura smirked. "You'll see her. She'll find you at lunch."

Sakura grinned at Ino and the two girls scurried off, leaving Naruto dumbfounded, and staring after them.

(A/N) Hey Guys... So I'm a fan of this unusual ship called GaaNaru. And I know not a lot of people ship them... but I hope you liked this anyway. Thanks!

-Ava