Frenemies? Chapter 20: Objectives, a naruto fanfic

Previously on Frenemies:

After ending the call with the pinkette, Sasuke had to suppress the smile creeping onto his face. He couldn't help but feel eager to have his arms around her again, was this how it felt to be 'whipped'?

The dobe had joked about Sakura having him wrapped around her finger, but he had always brushed him off, thinking it wasn't that deep.

Were those butterflies fluttering in his stomach?

Of course not, he thought in denial, but the smile only seemed to become harder to suppress.

His phone buzzed, and he quickly looked at it, maybe Sakura forgot to tell him something.

From: Unknown

[press to play audio]

Sasuke stared at the ominous text message.

He was about to delete it, he didn't need any type of virus infiltrating his phone, plus he was almost sure it was one of his fangirls professing their love for him as usual. But the unknown source sent a follow up text.

From: Unknown

Play it, if you dare

He rolled his eyes. His gut told him to ignore it and block the number, but his curiosity got the best of him.

To: Unknown

Who is this?

Unbeknownst to him, he had just fallen into their game.

From: Unknown

Someone doing you a favor, Uchiha. Play the audio if you want to know the type of tramp you have as arm candy. You're welcome.

His eyebrows furrowed, Sakura?

Sasuke blamed it on his inquisitive persona when he decided to listen to the audio.

Putting his music on pause, he pressed play.

He heard the sound of rustling, probably someone adjusting their position. And then he heard her.

Sakura's unmistakable timbre.

"I can't date Sasuke because I love Itachi... I hate Sasuke and don't really care for him...You of all people should know how obnoxious Sasuke is... He is such a pest...I can't say I like him because I have feelings for Itachi...I totally snogged 'Tachi and went all the way with him."

The grip on his phone had progressively gotten tighter with every word that left her mouth.

The blonde decided to go grab dinner after texting the girls to steer clear of the room for the next hour or so and wishing Sakura luck with Sasuke.

She only hoped things would end well. Sure Sasuke was a bit difficult and hard-headed, but surely he would see that Sakura didn't do it with malicious intent, right?

As Ino approached the cafeteria, Hinata came into view, sitting on one of the tables at the far end, overlooking the pond, looking deep in thought.

The blonde quickly grabbed a to-go salad and took as seat next to Hinata.

Something must have really been on her mind, because Hinata didn't even notice Ino sitting down at her table.

"Hina?" she called out.

The dark-haired heiress nearly jumped out of her seat when she found the blonde sitting next to her, "Ino-chan! I-I didn't even n-notice y-you."

"I figured as much," she said, "Why were you so spaced out like that? Is everything okay?"

Hinata looked like she was going to cry after Ino finished asking, "Or we don't have to talk about it if you're not ready to share-"

"I-I'm conflicted." Hinata whispered.

"Is it that idiot Naruto? He better not be pressuring you into-"

"N-no!" Hinata quickly cut her off, turning beet red, leave it to Ino to completely change the atmosphere in a matter of seconds, "I just don't know if I should share a piece of information with a friend," She explained, "If I do, I'll be the one hurting her, but if I don't she'll get hurt by someone else."

Ino sighed, what's up with people keeping other's secrets these days?

"From my experience, I've found that most of the times its better for the person to find out for themselves, why? Because that way only those with the issue will be involved, but its a case by case basis, so I wouldn't be able to tell you, unless you tell me."

Ino had experienced the backlash of trying to protect her friends by telling them what she knew but also the backlash of staying quiet. So quite frankly, she couldn't tell unless she knew the specifics.

Hinata shook her head, she didn't want to involve more people, she promised Naruto. And he had also promised her that Sasuke would tell Sakura so she just had to be patient and let time work its magic, "I-I wouldn't want to get a-anyone else i-involved."

Ino nodded, usually she would pry, but she trusted Hinata to be able to handle the situation, "No worries, I trust your judgement." She smiled.

Sakura looked at the time, checking the time she ended the call with Sasuke, it had been at least an hour and he hadn't texted her or called her that'd he was back on campus.

It was reasonable for her to text him right? After all, she remembered him telling her his community service site was near school for timing purposes, so why was he taking so long?

To: Sasuke

Hey, are you on your way?

She sat at the edge of her bed and waited for a response that never came.

Naruto smiled sheepishly at Sasuke when he entered their dorm, "Ah, teme I have this really funny story to tell you," he laughed nervously.

Sasuke didn't spare him a glance and climbed the stairs of their dorm to their closet.

Naruto trailed after him, maybe the stupid bastard has his airpods in.

Usually, he wouldn't think twice about yanking them off to get his attention, but since he needed Sasuke in the best mood he could be in, he didn't want to test his patience.

"Oi, did you hear me?" he chose to call out instead.

Sasuke continued to ignore him, grabbing a pair of joggers and a dri-fit shirt.

"You're going on a run?" Naruto asked, finding it a perfect opportunity to ease out his little slip, "I'll join you!"

Sasuke finally looked at the blonde, sending a murderous glare his way, daring him to continue annoying him.

"O-or not! I respect you want to work out alone," he laughed nervously, Geez, did someone already tell him? "Erm, Sasuke-teme, is everything okay?" Gosh, it's like I'm stepping on eggshells.

Sasuke was back to ignoring him, focusing on changing out of his school clothes and into his work out gear.

"Oh for crying out loud, I told Hinata-chan everything!" He burst out.

Sasuke turned to acknowledge the blonde's outburst.

"I'm sorry! I swear I didn't want to but I- She was just looking at me with her beautiful eyes and I couldn't keep lying to her!"

Naruto finally noticed that Sasuke's eyes weren't just glaring daggers at him, they were bloodshot red. Has the teme been crying?

Sasuke finished putting on his running shoes and before Naruto could question him, he pushed past him and headed for the door.

Naruto debated on following him or just being thankful Sasuke hadn't unleashed his wrath on him.

He decided on the latter. Knowing Sasuke, he probably had some sort of confrontation with his father or worse, Itachi.

Either way, he knew it was best to let the Uchiha cool down before questioning him. Chances are, Sasuke will open up to him after his extreme run (Naruto learned not to follow Sasuke on his 'cool-down' runs).

Sakura received no reply from Sasuke and she was growing worried by the minute, was he okay? Had he gotten in accident?

Maybe his phone died and he's in his room, she tried to reason, deciding to check on him.

She walked to his dorm, hoping he really was there.

The door opened a few seconds after she knocked, revealing a slightly surprised Naruto.

"S-Sakura-chan, what are you doing here?" He asked cautiously, maybe Hinata had told her and she was there to beat him into a pulp for being involved in the whole bet thing.

"Hi Naruto, is Sasuke here?"

The blonde noticeably relaxed, "No, he went out a couple minutes ago actually. Why, date night?"

Sakura's eyebrows furrowed, "Something like that," she replied a bit confused, "did you say he went out?"

The blonde nodded, "Yeah, I don't think he's going to be emotionally available tonight, not that the teme ever is, but especially not tonight." He joked.

Sakura's eyes widened slightly, had Karin talked to him?

She shook her head slightly, No, Ino said Karin wasn't going to.

"W-what happened?"

Naruto shrugged, "Beats me, I think something with his dad or Itachi," He noticed Sakura's slightly panicked expression, "But don't worry, he's usually fine after his cool-down workout routine," He explained, "Which is where he went." he added.

Sakura nodded, she hoped Sasuke was okay.

He didn't respond to her text that night.

She closed her eyes against her pillow, Maybe he didn't want to worry me.

Naruto watched as Sasuke made his way into the room, passing him without looking at him and going up to the stairs again.

Deja vu much? Naruto thought, rolling his eyes.

"Oi! I'll admit, I'm glad you didn't go off on me for telling Hinata-chan about the bet, but this is way worse. What's up with you, bastard?"

Sasuke gritted his teeth, throwing his phone at the blonde.

Naruto caught it just before it hit his face, "What the fuck Sasuke!?"

Sasuke didn't retort and continued to look for his clothes, he needed to shower.

Naruto looked down at the phone screen, realizing it was on a text conversation. His eyes quickly scanned over the messages, "This is what's bothering you, rumors about Sakura-chan?"

Sasuke's frowned deepened, "Listen to the audio, dobe."

Naruto sighed, knowing whatever was in the audio had upset his friend.

He played it and listened in awe.

"I-is that Sakura-chan talking?"

Sasuke didn't answer, taking his phone from the gaping blonde and making his way to the shower.

Sakura told Ino about her failed attempt to tell Sasuke the truth and the blonde had played with the idea that maybe it was a sign and she didn't have to tell him.

"Ino, I have to tell him, you're the one who said I can't build a relationship based on lies."

Ino sighed, "I know, I'm right, but really what are the odds that he didn't show up because something came up? It's like the gods are saying don't do it, and he we are, defying them."

Sakura laughed lightly, "I don't think that's how it works."

They were nearing their classroom, standing just right outside of it.

"Ready?" Ino asked.

Right before Sakura could nod her head, she saw Sasuke appearing at the end of the hallway.

She noted how strange of him to arrive late when he was usually the first in the room, "I think I'll wait for Sasuke." she whispered to the blonde, nodding over to Sasuke making his way towards them.

Ino nodded, smiling at Sakura and wishing her luck again, "Call me if you need anything, okay?"

Sakura nodded, smiling back tightly.

She gulped, walking towards the Uchiha.

He seemed a bit different than the last time she saw him.

He already had his gaze set steady on her.

"Sasuke..." she greeted, reaching out to touch him, maybe to make sure he wouldn't slip out of her fingers this time. She didn't know.

She didn't miss the way he tensed under her fingers.

He stopped walking, his eyes boring into hers.

She felt a cold shiver jolt through her body. His eyes were not as responsive to her as they were. They were cold. Empty.

She knew something was wrong just looking at his unchanging expression.

"I-I missed you yesterday," she tried, but he didn't say anything, "Did you get my messages?" she asked and received no answer, "You probably didn't since you didn't reply," she added with a light laugh.

"I did." he answered shortly, challenging her to question him why he didn't respond.

"Oh, w-well that's okay, I fell asleep anyway-"

"What were you so eager to tell me last night?" he finally asked, his eyes testing her.

Progress, she thought, knowing that whatever happened with his family last night probably affected him badly and the fact that he was talking was progress.

"We can talk about it later, we have to go to class now," she told him, pulling him towards their classroom.

He didn't move for a second before pulling her towards the opposite direction.

"Sasuke! Class is that way!" She whisper-yelled.

He ignored her and turned the corner of the hallway.

She tried keeping up next to him, but his pace had increased and he was almost dragging her.

"Sasuke, wait! I'm getting annoyed!"

She was sure they had gone down at least two hallways and he only stopped to open the door to an empty classroom.

"What are we doing here-"

He pushed her against one of the desks, leaning down to capture her lips with his own in a firm kiss.

Sakura smiled softly into their kiss, I'll definitely miss this.

She rested her arms around his neck when he deepened the kiss, biting her lower lip to push his tongue in. One of his hands was holding her waist, keeping her in place while the other gripped her thigh. It felt different, he was rushing and his hold on her was anything but soft.

She tangled her fingers in between his soft locks, resting her forehead against his, "Sasuke-kun, what's wrong?"

He refused to respond, leaning down once again to kiss her.

She pulled away, this time she wasn't going to be convinced so easily.

Sasuke wasn't amused in the slightest, but he didn't try to kiss her again, sitting down on one of the desk's chairs instead.

The pinkette sighed, reaching out to hold his hands, eager to feel his warmth again, but Sasuke wasn't having any of it.

"Please talk to me," she whispered, leaning down to face him.

She reached out to cup his face, but he caught them swiftly before she could even lay a finger on him.

He looked at her intensely and she melted under his gaze.

"Tell me what's wrong. I can help you." she murmured.

"How, Haruno?" he bit out coldly using her surname to emphasize.

He didn't notice how his grip around her wrist had tightened, standing up from the chair and pulling her to her feet as well.

"Sasuke, you're hurting me," She winced, trying to free herself from his grasp. Really, the pain she felt was nothing compared to the way she felt when he didn't call her by her name.

His eyes had been cold the entire time until then when they seemed to soften for a second. The look of concern vanished as quickly as he released her from his hold.

"Tell me how you expect to help me." He challenged, taking a step towards her.

"I-I don't know, but we can figure it out together." She tried.

He seemed to find her answer humorous, "You don't know?" he asked, without expecting an answer, "Really, because it seems you have it all figured out."

Sakura's eyes visibly trembled, There's no way, she panicked, Th-there's no way he knows.

She frowned, if he didn't know then why was he being like this? His attitude was beginning to irritate her, "Maybe if you told me what's wrong, I would know."

"Give me a good reason to confide in you, Haruno."

He didn't know why he was pushing her so hard when he already knew the truth. Maybe he just wanted to hear it coming out of her own lips, face to face.

"Stop calling me that!"

He ignored her request, "Just one." he repeated.

Sakura clenched her hands into fists, "B-Because I care about you!"

Tch, please. He wanted to scoff.

"I know you think no one else beside your dad exists in this world," she started off sarcastically, "But there's a lot of people who care about you, and unfortunately, I happen to be one of them!"

"Tch, 'unfortunately'?" he frowned questioningly.

Of course, she only cares because she has to, he thinks, recalling that it was a task assigned to her by his very own brother.

She huffs, she had enough of his evasive attitude, "Yeah, you're not exactly easy to care for, but I don't mind because I..." she stopped herself before blurting out non sensical words that he didn't deserve to hear at the moment, "I-I just care for you, it shouldn't be that hard to understand!"

"You have an interesting way of showing it," He said through gritted teeth.

The pinkette scowled, "Then let me show you a better way." She walked up to him, pulling him down by the tie and kissing him softly.

Feeling his lips pressed softly against her made her stomach flutter, making her remember the first time their lips brushed against each other at the vacation resort.

Gosh, what I'd do to just go back to when things weren't so complicated. She thought as she squeezed her eyes shut.

But he didn't respond to her kiss, only seeming to tense under her touch.

When she opened her eyes, she found him staring back at her, "Sasuke-kun..."

"Are you done?" he bit out coldly, removing her hands from his body.

She felt her heart clench at the coldness of his tone, gulping down the lump that began forming in her throat, "I don't understand, did I do something wrong?" She hated how pathetic she sounded, when he clearly didn't care, "You're obviously mad about something."

"Annoyed." he corrected, his eyes darkened as they narrowed on her, "That this is taking longer than expected," he motioned between them, "I wouldn't have made a bet if I knew you would take this long to open your legs." He clicked his tongue before smirking smugly.

"W-what?"

Sakura felt like she couldn't breathe. Everything around her seemed to blur out into darkness, she could feel the ground beneath her feet begin to suck her in.

Sasuke's smirk nearly fell at the sound of her voice breaking, but he wouldn't fall for her act again, "Shouldn't come as a surprise, really," he bit out, "Did you really think Gaara and I didn't have an ulterior motive to chase after you?"

"You're lying," she stated in denial, "Sasuke, why are you pushing me away?"

Because I'm not going to be a part of your little game.

"I'm not, I'm being honest for once."

Sakura could feel her eyes sting now, but she didn't want to cry in front of him.

"Why now?" she asked, her voice shaking slightly.

"Would you have rather us wait until we reached our objective?" he asked innocently, as if he was the one having a special consideration with her.

As if he was doing her a fucking favor.

Objective, she thought with her heart clenching along with her fists, I should've known.

The sound of her hand coming into contact with his cheek echoed in the empty classroom.

His fingertips reached his cheeks, wincing slightly as he touched his stinging cheek.

"I-I hate you!"

He swallowed, It's better this way, he thought before returning back to his previous character, "Likewise."

A/N: Happy Holidays!

Ahhh, what'd y'all think? Let me know in the reviews, until next time!