Ｕｃｈｉｈａ

XXIV

"Fuck off, Sai." I could hear Sasuke say behind the partition while Ibiki drove back to the house.

That's Sasuke for you, always getting mad about being forced out of his house. Well, not exactly forced. One look at Ibiki's annoyed face and he knew there was no escaping unless he turned himself in.

Yup, this was almost like a ritual by now to him. If Ibiki was at his door step, it could only mean two things: one, dad wanted to do some more foolish investigation, or two, he just came by to check if he was up to anything suspicious.

Though, usually the second option would include dad walking behind Ibiki and a fully equipped search team so Sasuke knew what was going to happen as soon as he saw Ibiki alone.

Now my poor baby sat in the back with Sai, whom he had not expected. Ibiki kept looking at me as he drove, from time to time shaking his head at every statement made by the bothered Uchiha in the back.

I mostly kept quiet.

"Come on, Uchiha. You can't possibly tell me you're not jealous?" Sai asked, sounding like he was having fun in the back. "Be glad he forgot about you, or at least, is trying."

"Sai, I'm in no mood to talk about how your relationship with Naruto is going. The sooner I'm done with this, the sooner I can get back to get ready. I have a date with Sakura tonight."

Ibiki looked at me as I looked away to stare out the window. This was a bad idea. I shouldn't have tagged along. I want out.

"Drop me off at Kiba's." I whispered over to Ibiki and he only nodded in response. My heart seemed to want to jump out of my throat and I scolded myself mentally for ever being this stupid.

"Sakura, Sakura." Sai mocked. "Is that all you really care about?"

A silence followed.

"Come on, Uchiha. Since Naruto isn't here, let me be the one to ask: do you even know for sure you don't have any feelings towards him?"

I perked up, hoping Sai would get a different answer than the ones Sasuke usually gave me. I knew raising my hopes  was the wrong thing to do, but— why am I a masochist for getting my feelings hurt?

"Why do you care?" Sasuke replied.

"Oh, you know." Sai responded. "Should the fox and I want to take things seriously, I wouldn't want you coming between us."

There he goes again with the whole 'Naruto and I are a thing.' It was genius— trying to make Sasuke jealous but at this point, something told me Sai was either getting too delusional or he was legit thinking we were a thing. Oh god, is that why he keeps throwing his arm around me?! If I remember right, he kept acting annoyed by Sasuke the other day! Was Sai really thinking we were going out? More importantly, did Sasuke believe him?

"Are you always this delusional? Naruto has zero interest in you, what part of that don't you get?" Sasuke answered.

"Of course I know." Sai replied. "But like I said: we are transferring. Not only does that mean you won't be around, but I'll have more time with him and with that being said, there's no mistaking he might fall for me. Are you sure that wouldn't bother you?"

"I am Sasuke Uchiha, a hundred percent straight and I love Sakura." I heard Sasuke say. "What part of that do the both of you not understand?" He asked, and Sai said nothing in response. "Do whatever you guys want, it's no business of mine."

Ibiki made a sharp turn— intentionally— because when does Ibiki ever make sharp turns aside from when we're being chased? I looked at him and I could only read his face as stoic but deep down, I guess he must've been bothered. "We're here." He whispered over to me. He kept his gaze fixed ahead as Sai and Sasuke continued talking in the back.

"Last chance, Uchiha." I heard Sai say. "I'm not one to take anyone if the other loves him back. Are you sure?"

I got out and closed the door before Sasuke could answer. Stepping out into the curb, I looked back over towards Ibiki and mouthed a 'thank you' before walking over to knock on Kiba's door as Ibiki left.

"Oh!" Kiba answered, opening the door to let me in. "Finally, someone sane!"

Confused, I mustered up a smile. "Since when do I come off as sane?"

Kiba frowned annoyingly, crossing his arms and glaring at me. "This was your doing, right? Or was it Sai?" The hell was this guy going on about? "That." He pointed. "Get them out of my house, Naruto, my mom is going to be home soon and if no one moves from their spot, I swear I will set this house on fire with all of you in it and I'll have no regrets pleading guilty in court!"

Ah, Kiba. Always the over-exaggerating, angry and lovable grump. Either way, I sighed, following his finger until I came upon an even sadder sight.

"And you guys are here because...?" I looked around, eyeing closely as each and every member of the Uzumaki fan base sulked in Kiba's living room. Yes, every single one of them. "Wait a minute, where's Haku?"

"They abandoned us." One of them sadly lifted their head. "We're lost. Cold. Without purpose."

Oh my god, these poor souls.

"Get them out of here, Naruto. Before you even start relating to them." Kiba demanded. "I have stuff to pack still and they're getting in my way!"

"But ask yourself, Kiba." One of the sulking teenagers spoke up. "Isn't everything always in your way of life?"

Kiba groaned as he pulled on his hair while I raised my eyebrows.

"You know, Kiba, he's got a point." I agreed, taking a seat next to one of them. "There's always something in the way. Physically, spiritually, literally, figuratively... metaphorically."

"Naruto, please don't do this." Kiba begged.

"No, really, Kiba. If something's always in your way, what do you do? Do you kick it out of your way the easy way or overcome it the hard way?" Kiba buried his face in his hands, completely annoyed. "Why do things get in our way? Surely there must be a reason."

"Is it a test from life?" One of the guys asked me and I grabbed their hand, gripping it.

"And if it is, what purpose does it serve? Is it good? Or will it be a major turning point that sends us all to ruin?" I added.

"That's it! I'm burning the house down!" Kiba screamed, stomping over to the lit chimney and preparing to burn a magazine when the door bell rang.

"Ah, yes. The chimes sing as someone enters thy threshold." I sighed, leaning my head on one of the guy's shoulders while Kiba stomped like a mad man over towards the door. "Wait, did Haku really abandon you guys?"

"Well, not exactly... they didn't let us follow them to the library."

"Oh, so what, they're just not letting you near them or..."

"I don't like the new boss." One of the other guys said. "They get mad easily."

"They get mad out of love." I commented, patting the nearest one near me on the back. "Trust me."

"Naruto." Kiba once again stepped into the living room, this time serious, calm, and somewhat looking nervous. "Someone's here to talk to you."

"Sasuke?" I immediately asked, though it was probably impossible since he was with Sai and Ibiki.

"Actually," a view of pink hair came into view. "It's me."