To Untangle A Web Of Lies

Chapter 3

TIMESKIP

The engagement and its explanation weren't the only surprises Sasuke had gotten for his birthday. Apparently Naruto had also threw the raven haired a party to celebrate his birthday as well as his return with their, mostly Naruto's, friends.

It would have been okay if it wasn't for the fact Sakura's absence was hugely noticed by everyone, mostly Ino. That and it was full of alcohol. After last night, Sasuke wanted to stay clear of it. Thankfully no one questioned why he wasn't drinking and Naruto decided not to drink himself so he wasn't the odd one out.

"Thank you all for coming again." Naruto said as they left the restaurant and Sai smiled.

"No need to thank us Naruto." He said and Choji nodded in agreement.

"Yeah, we're all friends." He chimed in and Shikamaru crossed his arm.

"Acquaintance, I still don't like him. But I'm not going to say no to free food." He remarked, earning a scolding from his bestfriend.

"Honestly Shikamaru, Sasuke is doing a lot of good work for the village! And it's his birthday, how can you be so-!" Naruto's rant was stopped by Sasuke gently resting a hand on his shoulder.

"Naruto, it's fine. He doesn't have to like me, the feeling is mutual anyway." Sasuke remarked.

"Sasuke." Naruto warned while Shikamaru glared at him muttering insults toward the Uchiha, Ino sighed.

"I still can't believe Sakura couldn't make it." She commented once again as she had done so through the entire evening, getting the males' attention. "It's weird, she had known about this for weeks, I was sure she would have taken the day off."

"I thought so as well." Sai agreed. "Work is work, but it's her beloved's birthday." Sasuke frowned at that because it wasn't true. But it's not like he could say that. Everyone thinks Naruto and Hinata are together and he said he would keep their, fake, marriage a secret.

"There's nothing she could do about it, so stop talking about it." Sasuke answered, getting irritated at the constant mentioning of the pink haired kunoichi since he wants to forget the night between them.

The blonde woman smirked. "My, my, Sasuke-kun~ There's need to be defensive, I wasn't trying to insult your girl." She teased. "I'm just sayin-" Shikamaru groaned.

"Cut it out Ino, this is exactly why we don't like to drink with you. You turn everything into drama, it's such a drag." He remarked.

"Shikamaru!" Sai grabbed Ino by the waist, preventing her from hitting her former teammate.

"Now now, Gorgeous calm down." Sai cooed, instantly calming the raging woman. "It's late, we should all get going." He suggested and everyone nodded in agreement, giving their goodbyes to the secret couple who gave their goodbyes back.

Sasuke turned to Naruto, who he noticed was unusually silent. "Is something wrong?" He asked and Naruto shook his head with a smile.

"It's nothing." He said as they started walking away from the restaurant. "But you seem upset about Sakura-chan not coming." Sasuke groaned, another mention of Sakura. It's not really her, but hearing her name reminds him of the fact that he slept her and he just feels guilty.

"I'm not, I'm just sick of everyone thinking that we're together just because she likes me." Naruto nodded in agreement. "Honestly I don't know how that guy Sai deals with Yamanaka." Naruto shrugged.

"I'm not sure myself, but I think they make a good couple." Naruto commented and Sasuke only hummed in response, the two of them walking to Naruto's house in a warm silence.