Tension

Naruto's POV

Naruto woke up in his bed, feeling sore but not as numb as before. He had spent the night alone, suffering in fever, cough and a closed throat but what was even worse than the physical pain , was his emotional one. Even if Sasuke hadn't come back to Naruto with a definite answer yet about the kissing event, his actions spoke louder than any words ever could. What Naruto had felt ever since the day they kissed was rejection, rejection, rejection.

Only no one of them had had the courage to address the matter openly, and the words hanged somewhere in the air, threatening to blow their ties up and rip them apart for good. And this was worse than setting it clear even if the outcome was different from what Naruto wanted.

Because even if Sasuke told Naruto he didn't feel the same way for him, it would still be better than him ignoring and avoiding the blonde all the time as if he was an annoying pest he was trying to get rid off. At least, giving him a proper answer would make it feel as if Sasuke still held some respect for Naruto, or at least that's how it was in Naruto's hurting mind.

Naruto sat straight on his bed and slammed his shaking hand against the clock that kept going off, screaming infuriated to alert him that it was time to go for training. He sighed and rubbed his forehead, then eyes and fell back on his bed, weak and sleepy.

The worse had gone, Naruto had experience with getting by the flu, since he lived alone and more than often he had to take care of himself all alone. It was very hard at start but then he got used to it. He knew that all he had to do when this happened was to stay inside the heavy covers of his bed and sleep sleep sleep till he felt better.

He had no clue if that's what ill people were supposed to do but it was what worked for him and since he was weakened by the flu , he didn't have the power to even make soup for himself, so it wasn't like he had many options. Therefore, he still survived so it meant his technique worked somewhat.

Absent mindly, he wondered what Sasuke did when he was down with the flu. He lived alone, as well. Did he do the same things Naruto did when this happened? Did he sleep the way Naruto slept, in the exact position Naruto did, thinking the same things he did, getting up at the same times to go to toilet, recovering in the same period of time he did? Did Sasuke feel as brave as Naruto felt even if flu felt like flaming cancer in his body?

Did the loneliness of his empty room make this feeling ten times worse, knowing there was no one there to take care of him, even if he was as weak to even shake a finger? But did he as well, in the same time, feel so strong , so powerful inside him, just because even despite knowing all that, he was determined to get through it at all costs?

Naruto couldn't help but wonder for all these things. The light fever that was starting to fade away seemed to make him think of trivial things as those harder. Taking a decision on the spot, he pushed himself up on the mattress and stood up, making some shaky steps away from his soft bed.

He walked towards his bathroom to wash his face off the fever and the illness. Normally, when he was sick he didn't feel like being around anyone, but he did catch himself longing for Sasuke's presence. But all this Sasuke obsession made him feel like an lost stray puppy that was revolving around the first random person that showed any kind of kindness to it but then ignored it and kept walking. The person kept kicking the puppy away but he would always recover the initial hurt and follow back, with unwavering faithfulness, sure in his desperation that he had nowhere else to go to.

His feelings for Sasuke blinded him. And what was worse was that he knew that and he couldn't do anything to change this fact. He felt as if he had chained his soul willingly to Sasuke's existence and maybe only death could undo this very devotion.

It was just a feeling he had, and it felt too much since he and Sasuke sure had a close bond-even if no one of them would admit it out loud for their life-but he felt as if he had known Sasuke all his life. He wondered if the depth of their bond was really that big, given the superficiality of their every day interaction of if his crush on the raven just blinded him to the core.

What am I thinking? He will never feel the same way for me. Dwelling in such thoughts is so not like me! It's Sasuke we're talking about! Why do I let that bastard affect me so much?

Naruto thought ,as he splashed cold water on his face. The cold feeling against his heated up skin made him cringe in reaction. He looked at his face in the dirty mirror.

He felt surprised when he noticed how it seemed as if a tear ran down his left cheek on his reflection. Then again, it could have been the water he had thrown at his face.

It was impossible that he might have been crying without having noticed.

Right?

Sasuke's POV

The random meeting with the dobe was very awkward. I can't keep on skipping, though. Nor can he. It's funny how he's the one avoiding me when he was the first to do the move that day. As expected, he doesn't have what it takes for this. But nor do I. That's why I have to avoid this, at all costs. That ass clown is making me feel so embarrassed about that event that I can't even talk openly about it. I should never have asked him to kiss me. The thing is though that I never thought he would actually do it. But what's the real mistake here is that I didn't pull away when he did. And I don't know why…

Anyways, if he wants a war, he will have one. It's an Uchiha he's messing with, afterall.

Even though, no one could see the slightest hint of emotion on the raven's face as he walked silently on the street on his way to the training grounds, Sasuke couldn't calm down the inner storm going on inside him, as all those above thoughts flooded his head and pestered his mind ever since his last random encounter with Naruto.

It was weird how a small, tiny part of him longed to make up with his teammate and things to be normal again between the two boys but that other bigger part of him was furious and mad at the thought of Naruto avoiding him. He was torn in two parts, but as far as his self awareness went, only the latter existed for him. At least for the time being.

He unplugged his hands from his pockets lazily, as his face took on a pensive expression. He had seen Iruka earlier on his way, and the man hadn't missed the chance to tease him about his lie to skip the last mission. But Sasuke could read people very well and he could see that behind the friendly teasing, Iruka seemed kinda mad about it. It must have been the teacher side of his surfacing. His students must do this to him often, Sasuke thought, not without a hint of malicious sarcasm.

What he didn't know though was whether Iruka had told Kakashi about his lie or not.

And truth is, given the bad feeling he had, he wasn't looking forward to it.

Raising his gaze from the earth, he realized he had reached the meeting spot, already. He sighed silently and made his way towards Kakashi. Sakura was sitting on a rock, having her eyes closed softly and her left hand under her chin to support her sleepy head.

He averted his gaze from his pink haired teammate and focused on Kakashi.

''Hn.'' He muttered, not in the brightest of the moods.

''Ohayo, Sasuke. You showed up today.'' Kakashi said, faking a slightly surprised look.

Yup, news get around fast. Remind me to get back at that meddling Iruka bastard.

Sasuke thought in grudge at Kakashi's pun.

''Hn.'' Sasuke muttered, seemingly brushing it off. He just didn't feel like opening that theme, since it involved Naruto and he didn't feel like coming up with a good lie so early in the morning.

Plus, it was his way of showing Kakashi how ''much'' he counted him and his ironic hints. But Kakashi didn't take it well.

''Listen, Sasuke. I won't ask what's wrong with you and Naruto, nor do I care. But whatever it is, please, try to work it out. I don't want your personal quarrels to cause any trouble to my team.'' Kakashi whispered, taking Sasuke farther away from the sleeping Sakura.

''I know maybe I am asking too much from you, I know very well how immature Naruto can be. But that's why I ask this from you, since you are more mature. We have gone back with training and we skipped missions we shouldn't have. I can't have this going on.'' Kakashi said, his face taking in a serious expression as he studied Sasuke's emotionless face.

''I don't know what you're talking about.'' Sasuke said rather lazily.

Damn that wolf eye boy, he really has an eye for such stuff. Sasuke thought inside him rather angered. Having to deal with Naruto as it was was enough to drive him insane. He didn't need Kakashi meddling in, as well.

''Don't play fool to me, Sasuke. We both know what's going on between you two.'' Kakashi said, his face taking an expression Sasuke couldn't read.

For a second, the raven's heart beat in fear.

What does he really know?

''What's going on?'' Sasuke dared to ask, raising an eye brow, as he tried to suppress his inner storm that threatened to break the smooth lines of his perfectly pale face.

His voice came out as uninterested, at best.

And Sasuke was glad about it.

''Sasuke…don't tell me you're gonna deny now this antagonism thing going on with Naruto. Since day one you both have been trying to surpass each other. At first, I thought this was good to exist in my team, since it would force you both to become better but now…just…not to this extent. I don't want it causing problems like it has lately. So, whatever it is that made you both acting so weird, deal with it. Am I clear?'' Kakashi said, sighing tired.

Sasuke gave him a slightly surprised look but it was gone as fast.

So, he doesn't know.

He felt relieved Kakashi had no clue about the real matter. Nor like he could have anyway, but Sasuke was just being paranoid with everything going on.

''Fine, if that's what you want to hear. Speaking of the dobe, he is late, again.'' Sasuke said, rolling his eyes.

Kakashi gave Sasuke a long deep look but then his face brightened up.

''No surprise there.'' The silver haired man said, looking off in the distance.

An orange figure had started being visible in the horizon as both men looked at it, rather uninterested.

Or at least, that's what one of them let show. Sasuke felt his heart beating very fast and his anger returning when he saw Naruto approaching. He seemed his usual cheerful self too.

So, now he's gonna pretend nothing happened? He won't like the outcome, I can promise that. Sasuke thought, feeling the need to restore his hurt pride.

''Ohayo! I am here, safe and sound, believe it!'' the blonde ninja yelled causing Sakura to jump up from the rock she was sitting on in shock. Naruto's loud yells had awoken her.

''Naruto, you baka!'' Sakura yelled, feeling annoyed at the sudden awakening, already knowing it was him just by his characteristical voice.

Naruto's annoying loud tone wasn't the best way to wake up someone up, afterall.

'' Hai, Sakura-chan!'' Naruto grinned, trying to hide his inner sorrow.

Sakura made some steps towards the orange ninja, ready to punch the living day light out of him, but she noticed Sasuke middle way and stopped abruptly to greet her beloved one.

''Sasuke-kun! Are you okay? You didn't come yesterday, I was so worried.''she said timidly as she stood by the raven's side.

Sasuke gave her a soft nod, looking her way uninterested.

''I was feeling ill. I am fine now, don't worry.'' He whispered softly, his breath forming fog in the cold air.

Sakura suppressed herself from squeeling. Sasuke's whispering voice always got her thrilled. She couldn't explain why but it made her feel closer to him.

''Good to know, Sasuke-kun. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.'' Sakura said, placing a hand on Sasuke's shoulder.

Sasuke's eyes turned now to her, cold as ever. He caught her wrist, removing her hand from him slowly, but still having hold of it as he spoke.

''There's nothing I'd ever ask from you.'' He muttered, earning a surprised look from Kakashi. Now, that was weird. Even when Sasuke was in a bad mood, he rarely was that mean to Sakura.

Naruto stayed speechless, stunned as well by Sasuke's attitude.

Sakura looked at Sasuke frozen, tears starting to form in her eyes, as she tried to suppress them, as her body trembled in vain attempt.

Sasuke could feel her shaking in his hand, as her wrist was still encircled by his fingers, as if he had forgotten to let loose of her. Instead, he tightened the grip on it, making Sakura's eyes even more wide.

''It's ok, Sasuke-kun.'' Sakura said, breaking the akward silence, as she faked a cheery smile to the raven one. But her voice had sounded broken at the suffix.

Sasuke internally cringed, wondering what had caused him to snap like that to his teammate. Sure, he found her annoying at times, but it was a sure thing that he didn't hate her. Was Naruto's presence just having this effect on him? Things were getting worse.

He let loose on her wrist, his look now softer on her. It wasn't like him to apologize, so instead he went silent, averting his eyes somewhere else, wishing he hadn't hurt Sakura too much. If it was another girl, he normally wouldn't care, but with Sakura it was different. She always was being so caring with him, and this had got to him, even if he never let show to her.

He just didn't want them getting any closer than they already had.

Sakura turned around and started following after Kakashi in dwelling silence, who was making his way towards the forest.

Sasuke wondered if she was crying, her figure still seemed slightly shaky.

Before though he could have any time to observe her any more, he felt a punch colliding to his face. It was Naruto's. Holding his cheek, he looked at the furious blonde who seemed to have a hard time controlling himself at that point.

''Bastard! Don't talk like that to Sakura-chan!'' Naruto said furious, but fast pressed himself to calm down, still feeling akward with Sasuke.

Naruto turned around and started following after Sakura, trying to cheer her up.

Even if Sasuke was important to him, he loved Sakura and cared for her, and he couldn't forgive anyone hurting her, even if it was Sasuke.

But he couldn't help that little stinging feeling in his heart that he had just made things worse for him and the raven. Somewhere inside him, though he'd never admit it, he wished Sasuke would soon forgive him his violent outburst. And some other part of him hated him for putting his own interest over his friend, Sakura.

Sasuke sighed and brushed it off, following last. He didn't protest for several reasons. One, he felt like he deserved it. Two, he had agreed with Kakashi on not causing any more stir between Naruto and him. Three, it was part of his plan to ignore Naruto at all costs.

He walked off, kicking a tiny rock, frustrated. He was torn in half. One part of him was mad and bitter at Naruto, with his swollen pride screaming silently for ''justice''.

And the other part was feeling regrets for having gone off at Sakura like he had. Oh and a tiny smaller part felt bad for feeling regrets about that because… ''an Uchiha never felt regrets for anyone. ''

…Wait… Isn't that three? Sasuke and his multi personality disorders!

Terrible chapter I know! Sorry it took so much time to update. I am having health problems and not much time to write. Oh and the fact that I get barely any reviews on my stories isn't helping, either.

Well, boring chapter I know. But it's building up!

Also, I have to say here that this story might eventually turn out in a love triangle(Sasuke-Naruto-Sakura). I just decided this now, so yeah.

R&R

Haihai.