《 Every face wears a mask 》

♧ Chapter 16: Frustration♧

Sasuke, do you know who did this to Naruto?"

"Yes. I am sure that it was ...."

...................................................

Itachi POV:

"I'm sure that it must have been Sakura. Today we've only been at home and at her place. And I am 1000% sure that you didn't do this to Naruto and I didn't either."
"Who's Sakura? A classmate?"
"My most annoying fangirl."
"And why would she do it? Think carefully Sasuke this is a serious accusation and we need evidence."
Sasuke hesitated at first but then he realized that it got too serious. He can't allow this to go on.
"Onii- san...Naruto is being bullied at school...and it is Kiba's gang doing...and Sakura is a part of it and I'm sure that she tried to win Naruto's trust over and-"
"Ototou...slow down. Why would Kiba do this to Naruto? Does it have something to do with the past of the two of you?"
"I don't fucking know. Naruto just became their target as soon as this school year started. I don't think that there was a reason because Naruto and I weren't friends when they started picking on him and Naruto didn't want me to tell you. They even created an anti page and I tried to talk to someone and shut it down but he wasn't able to trace the user down or find any evidence that led to him. I know that it is Kiba and the rest of his gang's but I don't know how to prove it and I'm just so worried. I don't want anything bad to happen to him and I tried to protect him but I fucking failed again. I'm so lost, onii-san."

While I was listening to Sasuke I tried to analyze the situation. I know that it is too early for me to interfere as a police officer but I could intervene as his guardian.

"Calm down, Sasuke. Naruto is going to be okay. As you know we can not overlook this stuff. On Moday I'll go with the two of you to the principle and we are going to discuss this matter and find a solution. Maybe it really was intented to be just a joke...we have to-"

"Are you for real Itachi? You don't believe me?"

"It's not that I don't believe you Sasuke but it is my duty to view this situation as a police officer as well and-"

"I don't need you to be a police officer I need you to be my older brother." he said and that's when I realized I messed up and expressed myself wrongly. I could hear that he was hurt.

"Sasuke-"

"Just nevermind. Do whatever the fuck you want. I am going to go see Naruto now." he turned around and just walked away. I tried calling for him but he must be mad at me right now. I took a sit on a chair and started thinking about my next move.

3rd Person POV:

Sasuke walked into the room. He hesitated at first. Even though Naruto's life is not in danger he can't help but feel angry and frustrated with himself. He was not even mad with Itachi, just with himself. The raven-haired boy took a seat by Naruto's bed. The blonde was sleeping. Sasuke looked at him...at his bandaged arms...skinny figure...blonde hair. He scanned his body and realized that he had never asked Naruto how he got those scars on his face that look like whiskers. Something was missing.
Naruto's deep blue ocean eyes and his heart-warming smile. It was too quite. Sasuke started wondering why and how did this boy became so important to him. Suddenly Naruto's phone biped. Sasuke looked at the display and noticed that it was a message from Gaara. He found it funny how the blonde has such a basic password like 1234.

Naruto?

No, Sasuke.

Huh?

Naruto is in the hospital right now. He is asleep.

What happened with him?

Long story.

What hospital are you at ? Konoha hospital?

Yeah. Why?

After that Sasuke got no more replies.
'Did the guy fall in the toilet or something?" he thought. Around 20 minutes later there was a knock on the door. Sasuke thought that it was Itachi but the door opened revealing Gaara.

"What are you doing here?"

"What happened?" Gaara asked a little concerned.

Sasuke didn't know how to react at first but then he explained the situation.

"I see. But he's okay now, right?"

"Yeah, tomorrow morning he can go home. But why are you here?"

"I...I...wanted to thank you two, anyways I am glad that he is okay. I should go."

"You can stay if you want."

Gaara thought about it a little and then nodded. Sasuke took a seat on the couch and shortly after Gaara did the same. At first there was an awkward silence.

"Don't blame yourself."

"What? How-"

"It's not your fault."

"But I should have known that Sakura was up to something..."

There was an awkward silence again until Itachi and a nurse came to announce that the visits hours are over.

"But what if Naruto wakes up or what if somebody will-" Sasuke tried to argue.

"Please don't worry Mr. Uchiha, Mr. Uzumaki won't be up until tomorrow morning due to the strong sedative."

Since they didn't have a choice they had to leave.

"So Gaara was it? We could drive you home if you want." Itachi said

"No need to. I'll walk. "

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah."

Sasuke and Gaara nodded at each other as good-bye before Gaara left.

Gaara POV:

I don't know why but I found myself texting Naruto. As soon as I found out that he was in the hospital I went to see him. This is weird. Why am I acting like this. I hate everything and everyone, yet why don't I hate those two? Is it because our eyes are the same? Is it because we share the same pain? After the visits hours were over and went home. I was about to go upstairs when something caught my attention.

"Why are you so moody, Sakura?" my brother asked

"My plan failed."

"What plan?" Kiba asked confused.

"Well...Sasuke-kun and Naruto came over for a project and I had the idea of putting something like laxatives in Naruto's food and drink so he will have to go home earlier and then Sasuke-kun and I could have enjoyed each others company and ....yeah the plan failed. They didn't kick in soon enough. I am so annoyed."

Everyone started laughing while I resumed climbing the stairs. So Sasuke really was right.

I have to let him know.

....