chapter Eleven

Aiko's Pov

It's been a week since the little Sasuke occurrence and so far, the days that have passed went by normally. It was like nothing really happened that night. I've been trying to take off the thoughts in my mind. Thoughts like...everything that happened that night....were they really all just a prank? It was just to serious to even call it one. But Sasuke, with wearing a straight face all the time makes him unreadable.

I guess it doesn't matter anymore. Everything's gone back to the way it was. Okay, but there was one thing though. I don't know if it's just me but I think Sakura's having way too much time with Sasuke. It hurts but I know I shouldn't think that way. We're just best friends. Yeah..... But it seems, how do I put it? Hmm... Inconvenient. What's even worse is that he's not even answering our calls or even texts.

I mean what's up with him all of the sudden? What happened to bros before hoes? Okay, I'm a girl so I may or may not be considered to be considered a bro, literally. But you get what I mean, right?

Ever since then, our little group of three turned into a group of two. Naruto and I. And speaking of that little ball of sunshine, well, I guess I can't really call him that anymore. He seems to be really bothered by something, of course, I could tell what was fretting him. From the corner of my eye, I saw Naruto with his lips pushed forward, "What's wrong Naruto?" I asked, thinking that it could be another reason.

His blue eyes averted from the floor to me. Even a stranger could tell that something's troubling him. It took him longer to reply me than usual, "Sasuke's been M.I.A for too long. He barely even hang out with us anymore."

Oh.... So i was right and I guess it wasn't just me. I can't blame him for thinking that way, cause it's true. He hasn't been going out with us as much as possible but, "I think we should be happy for him. I mean, I think he's seeing Sakura, right? I guess we could finally say he's growing up to be a man." I smiled at him, stopping  bit on my tracks for him to catch up.

We haven't been with our raven haired buddy for some time, we do cross paths but a simple nod of acknowledgement is only what we exchange to each other as if....as if he's not really our best friend! As if he's just an acquaintance. He doesn't ride with us anymore, instead, he takes his car with him. During lunch breaks, Naruto and I would spot him with pinkette. The two of them seem to be having fun. I guess I was right, they do look better off together. And as a friend, I should be happy for him.

But even so, my lips would form into a frown instead of a smile. I missed him, his presence. It just not the same without him, "Hey Naruto, what do you say we get some ramen, yeah?" Thinking about how I feel alone sounds so selfish of me. I'm not the only one who's affected by his absence. I thought with that he'd be happy, but I thought wing. His eyes didn't even show a glint of contentment. "Just the two of us?"

I sighed in defeat. Of course he would ask that. "Sasuke's.... Well, Sasuke's with Sakura now. I wouldn't be surprised if one day he'd waltz in saying that they're already together."

Naruto stopped on his tracks right beside me. He looked up with sad eyes and heaved a sigh, "That may be so."

"But anyway, if you don't like the idea of just the two of us, we could always invite Lee, Kiba, Chouji. You know, the gang? It's a Friday, so they're probably free." I gave him a weak smile which he finally returned. Well at least he looks assured now.

With a few invitations sent out buddies, we were now gathered to say we would've been complete if Sasuke was here is a fact. Nevertheless, to see Naruto happy right now is why really matters. He's been awfully crestfallen with the Uchiha over the past days.

"You alright?" A deep and husky, familiar voice piped, a hand placed on my back as he sat beside me. His long hair flowed down to his knees as he slumped down with his head tilted to face me. "With a face like that, I believe that I don't think so."

"Neji..." I was a bit confounded. Last time I checked, he was absolutely occupied with Lee and Naruto's gabfest. Although, it's not like I have a problem with. The pleasure of being with him is all. "I- uh, it's nothing really. Just you know mid term's like around the corner and unlike you- one heck of a genius, I'm a total knucklehead. Especially when it comes to calculus. How do you even get those things with ease?" It wasn't a lie. It's one of my problems out of a thousand. I can't exactly speak up saying that it's about Sasuke.

The Hyuga laughed lightly and moved his hands on my head, "Oh come on. I know you can do it Aiko. However, I could always give you some pointers."

I looked at him blissfully, "Really? That would be awesome!" I earned a smile from him as he retrieved his hand back only to put it around my shoulders. "Sasuke used to tutor you, right?"

"Well, it wasn't just me. Naruto too, you know." I remember those times when we'd pull an all nighter because with Naruto's think skull, it's not easy for Sasuke's words to get in his brain. If his best friend's lectures don't work on him, how much more the teachers?

Neji and I went on and on, taking about random topics and before we knew it, it was already getting late. Though, we still didn't part. We thought it'd be nice to have some time spent together, just relieving from our stress, especially with the fact that midterms week start next week.

Everyone exited the ramen shop and formed into a circle, thinking about what to do next. Some suggested to go and take a walk in the park, which wasn't really a bad idea, but half of the group were tired. Either way, no one wanted to go home considering the fact that it's been so long since we've all gathered up.

Then an idea came up in my head, "What about a sleepover? It's a Friday, anyway." I recommended, shoving my hands inside my blazer's side pockets. I looked over Shino with kept a straight face but nodded anyway. Tenten and Lee agreed after awhile.

"Geez...I don't know. My mom's a bit strict." Shikamaru groaned, flipping his bag on his back to hang. Naruto blew a raspberry at him saying how he's such a coward his mother. As a response, the Nara rolled his eyes and and said, "But I'll try anyway."

I mentally squealed in excitement and looked over to Hinata who had a hopeless look Inger face. Knowing her father, Uncle Hiashi, he won't permit his daughter to attend such activities. The make Hyuga placed a hand on his cousin's shoulder, giving her a reassuring smile, "Don't worry. I'll my father to inform uncle we'll be joining a study night with our friends. No harm will be done." Hinata looked at him radiantly, putting him in an embrace and muttering a bunch of 'thank you'.

"It can't be helped. I'm in." Kiba piped in cheekily, placing his elbow on Shikamaru's shoulder. Chouji chuckled, "I'm in too! I'll bring some food."

"Sai and I are in!" Ino piped, wrapping her arms around her lover. "We're in too!" Temari declared, resting her hands on both her little brothers' heads.

"In on what?"

That voice. The voice that I haven't heard for so long. Everyone whipped their heads to my direction. My heart pounded hard, once.... twice.... thrice. I looked back to see Sasuke with an inscrutable look on his face. His eyebrow raised and looked at me longingly with a firm line forming his lips. I couldn't get myself to speak up as I opened my mouth to answer his question.

Just then, an arm wrapped around my shoulder tightly and responded to his interrogated for me instead, "Aiko's inviting us for a sleepover." It was Naruto. His voice sounded cold. I averted my gaze from Sasuke to the blond who was starring at him with a fever demeanor. There was a tense vibe enveloping us and I couldn't do anything about it. Not that I can.

The raven hired guy did not even spare him a doleful impression. But the blond didn't mind him and looked back to the gang, "Alright, let's go. Everyone pack up and see you in Aiko's in a few." Naruto announced, taking his arm off me.

With those words, everybody slipped out the dark aura and left, mumbling a few 'see ya' and 'byes'. I was left alone to face the Uchiha whose expression changed into a despondent one. I just want to say something but it felt like my words got stuck in my throat. I got slack jawed by his presence with the moonlight emphasizing his every feature.

"Aiko! Are you coming or what? Naruto's voice boomed from a distance, making me snap out of my trance. Sasuke looked away with a straight face, not uttering another word as well. I sighed and spared him a little 'farewell'.

I walked back to Naruto, leaving the Uchiha behind. My heart tightened.... Is this it? Will our friendship end like this? Naruto's really not like this, however, he's sad by the fact that Sasuke has Sakura wrapped around his finger and also because he hadn't been keeping in touch.

Naruto and I walked ahead in silence, with Sasuke following shortly behind. I know Naruto's beginning to be ticked off by his presence as I glanced towards him, seeing his lips pursed, eyebrows creasing and eye twitching every five minutes. He kept walking straight trying to ignore his existence. I could barely hold my giggles in.

Until finally, Naruto had enough and swung back, facing Sasuke-  who had a bored look in rage, "Why are you following us, you jackass?! Will you please stop?" he snarled, pointing at him accusingly as he said those words before resuming on his path. The Uchiha did not even flinch but kept his straight face and continued to walk along anyway.

The Uzumaki's breathing started to go heavier and ragged, keeping his choleric expression. Despite that, he tried not to burst on him again. Yet, knowing him, he could simply do that. As a result, he faced the raven haired make once again, pointing his finger at him and yelling, "God damn, Sasuke! Quit it!"

The said guy had his attention taken by his best friend, "Stop what?"

"Stop following us!" Naruto responded to him saying if it was the most obvious answer in the world, rolling his eyes in the process. Sasuke stopped to give him a deadpan look before he smirked, scoffing at him. The next thing was, he walked right ahead of us, without sparing a single glance. Naruto's eye twitched at Sasuke's jeering actions towards him.

"I'm not following you," The Uchiha spoke, stopping on his tracks as he was in like approximately half a meter or so in front of us and continued, "I live right beside Aiko's, Naruto. You expect me to take a longer route home?"

Before Naruto could pounce on him with his hostile look, I manage to grab his arms and pull him back at me, my eyes directly covering his eye. His teeth were getting against each other, breathing overmuch still. "Calm down, Naruto." I cooed in his ear. Slowly, he did what he was told, taking in air and expelling them normally this time.

One by one, I took a finger out from his face unhurriedly. His long lashes brushed against my skin as he fluttered his eyes open. It's been like this whenever he's going to explode in a rampage, which helps, really. "Thanks, Aiko." I shrugged and hung my arm on his shoulder, leading our way back home. Trying to pay no attention to the Uchiha again.

"Hey, don't let him get to you." I say, ruffling his soft, bond hair. I earned a childish hug from him which I returned with a tight grin. "We're gonna have so much fun!"

Finally, my best friend chuckled, messing up my hair as well but then rested his hand on top of my head with his fingers playing, twirling it. "Thanks Aiko. You really know how to lighten things up."

Depite the fact that we heard someone scoff, Naruto gave me a tight smile, eye twitching once in annoyance. And by that someone I mean Sasuke. I patted Naruto's shoulder, hoping he'll get my message of him to calm down and not mind him.

When out house were in sight, we found everyone gathered around my porch, with bags and suitcases in hand. I may or may not have swear dropped when I saw Chouji holding two bags which I assume were filled with food. Well, that won't be a problem at least. As we neared them, everyone greeted excitedly as I tossed my keys to Hinata for her to open the door as I accompany Naruto to his house for him to pack some clothes good for a night as well.

From the corner of my eyes, I saw Sasuke pass by our houses, almost broodingly. I felt bad, my lips etched into a frown as I starred at Naruto who was having trouble zipping his bag. I gave him a quizzical look, "What's in your bag? Naruto you're only staying for a night and you're like packing clothes for a week."

"Nah, my bag's filled with video games." He explained, finally closing his bag successfully.

I smiled at him genuinely, but it turned upside down again as I thought about the raven haired guy, "Do you think we should.. you know... invite, uh- Itachi and... er, Sasuke?" I asked hesitantly, biting my lip then.

I expected him to look at me incredulously and maybe tell me stuff I don't need to hear but instead, he gazed at the ground, looking as if he's thinking about it. He scratched the back of his neck before he sighed and picked up his bag, slinging it in his shoulder. "Well," he began and I stood behind him as he opened the door.

"If he's good the guts to, then why not?" He grinned, making me leap in excitement and joy. I guess I was wrong. Knowing Naruto, he doesn't want to cut off his strong bond with Sasuke.

As Naruto locked the door behind him, he slung his hand around my shoulder and lifted his fist up in the air, exclaiming, "This would be the best night ever!!"