Mute? Chapter 1: A bond, a naruto fanfic

Hey guys! Me and My cousin wrote this together and yes it is in POvs you'll figure out whos who by reading!

(o) R&R please! Have a happy read!

Crystal blue eyes stared blankly out at the play ground. He sat on the swing swaying softly back and forth. He was always alone. Tears usually streaked his face in wet columns. Starting today he was a mute. A flash of screams and terrorizing pictures came flooding back into Naruto's mind. He only stared blank faced and quiet.

Sasuke Uchiha sighed, his eyes shut to block out the annoying cooing of the girls surrounding him. His expression was that of a bored and annoyed boy that wished to be alone. He opened an eye and glanced across the play ground. A small blond haired boy sat silently on the swing, his eyes lowered to his feet. Sasuke got up and pushed gently past the girls. He made his way through the other children and stood above the sullen looking boy. "Uzumaki...Naruto right? Keh...you look really pathetic just sitting there, how come you aren't being loud and noisy like you always are?" he asked as he quirked an eyebrow quizzically. He had seen the boy around the academy but he never really acknowledged him...he was loud and annoying and too much trouble for sasuke.

Naruto flinched slightly as a raven haired boy approached him, He looked up slightly his eyes eventually landing on the Uchiha's knees. He felt weak, sullied, and pointless. He didn't feel the will to live anymore. 'I'm worthless.' The blonde thought to himself as the young Uchiha started talking, "Uzumaki Naruto, right? Keh, you look so pathetic sitting there, how come your not being as loud and annoying as usual?" The raven asked outwardly. The blonde shook his head in the negative. He looked down pathetically. a tear slide down his cheek and he reluctantly wiped it off, looking away from the Raven haired boy.

Sasuke bent down and looked at the boy with a feeling of slight discomfort. He never really cared if anyone cried, he simply shrugged it off and judged them as weak. But the boy that was sitting on the swing, silently shedding his tears sort of tugged at sasuke's heart. He rolled his eyes and grabbed the boy's hand that was wiping the tears away and offered a small smirk. "Hang out with me...maybe then you'll actually talk...you talked before...I heard you...but...whatever just follow me" he said as he tugged the boy's arm, making him stand up. He saw the scared look in Naruto's eyes and it made him wonder what exactly happened. '...something must have happened to him...He's always so damn loud. Come to think of it...I kinda wanted to hit him the other day' sasuke thought, a smirk lifting the corners of his mouth. He looked back at Naruto, his head slightly turned over his shoulder. "hurry up, we don't have all break to mope around like a dumb ass" he said impatiently as he dragged naruto across the play ground.

Naruto was now practically being dragged across the school yard by the dark haired boy. His tear weren't flowing as hard anymore. He wanted to say something and talk to the boy, but it felt as though a thick branch was stuck down his throat. The young blonde followed the Uchiha to where ever he was bringing him. He didn't like being called an idiot, but this was the first time anyone asked to hang out with him. He didn't want to blow it. He slightly tugged at the Uchiha's hand slowing him down a little bit. When the Uchiha turned around he tilted his head to the right a little And shyly looked at his feet again.

Sasuke stopped walking and turned around when he felt the gentle tug of the smaller boy's hand. "What is it?" he muttered this question even though he knew he wouldn't get any response. he rolled his eyes and slightly bent forward so he could meet the timid gaze of the smaller boy. "Kmf...you seem even more pathetic up close. I dunno where we can go but I can make sure you won't be bothered if that's what you want. The others make fun of you don't they? yeah...I bet they do...I would but you aren't worth it. How about we go behind the building? no one really goes there" he said nonchalantly as if the boy was responding and replying to everything Sasuke said. He smiled and tightened his grip around the boy's hand slightly, he felt obliged to stick up for this kid, no matter how pathetic or annoying he was. 'I feel as if I'm an older brother...Kmf! though I don't know what an older brother is like...seeing that Itachi never wants anything to do with me. he's such a bastard' he thought miserably as he slowed his walk and dragged the boy behind him a little less roughly. A battle was brewing inside of his mind as they progressed across the pavement. 'Why am I even wasting my time with this kid when I should be training? I feel so dumb...But this kid is even dumber, I guess I should help him a little bit' he furrowed his brow slightly but then forcefully shrugged the feeling off, leaving it alone for another time.

As the raven haired boy talked and asked questions, Naruto just stared at him, silence as an answer. His tears were almost completely gone. 'I'm not worth it?' Naruto looked at this boy, he was starting to seethe with anger. 'If I'm not worth it then why?! WHY ARE YOU TRYING TO GET ME TO FOLLOW YOU?' Naruto thought angrily. 'Am I just someone to toy with, am I that stupid? Am I that pathetic?' Naruto thought getting less angry and drifting to a state of depression. He continued letting himself get dragged behind the school, like the 'toy' he was. Tears filed along the lining of his eyes, dropping without a moments warning. He hastily pulled his hand away from the raven haired boys hand. He collapsed to his knees, now letting the tears roam free. Some fell onto his hands and others soaked into the ground. 'WHAT DO YOU WANT WITH ME?' Naruto asked mentally to Sasuke. He looked up at the boy. Pain surrounded his body, another memory. ' it's just a memory.. It's not real!' Naruto thought to himself.

Sasuke turned and glanced at the boy from the corner of his eye. He saw tears start to form from the boy's eyes and fall to the ground. The boy pulled his hand out of Sasuke's and dropped to his knees in a helpless manner. Sasuke furrowed his brow slightly and bent down, sitting in front of the crying boy He placed a hand on the boy's shoulder and lifted his chin with his other hand. "Don't cry dobe. You look like a girl when you do that!" he said, offering what seemed like a comforting smirk. He locked his obsidian eyes with the scared, timid eyes that belonged to uzumaki. He almost jerked back when he saw the anger and hurt in the boy's eyes. Something in the back of his mind pushed him forward. He felt his arms wrap around the boy's fragile back tightly and securely. 'What the hell have I got myself into...' he thought as he embraced Uzumaki in a reassuring hug. "From now on...I won't let any of the others bother you...I dunno why but you seem less annoying and stupid when you're quiet. i kinda like you" he said as he pulled away from Uzumaki and smiled all the while giving a thumbs up sign. He felt like an older brother, as if he was the one that had to stick up for the kid when others would discourage and belittle him. "Stick with me and you'll do alright!" he said as he grabbed the boy's hand and started off towards his secret place.

-00-

Sasuke pushed the branches away from them as they trudged through the woods nearby the academy. He turned around and smiled brightly at Naruto, who was timidly following along. he turned around and stood before a small clearing that included a small tree stump and a brook. "This is where I go when I wanna get away from all those idiotic girls. I thought you might like it..." he muttered stupidly as he smirked proudly at Uzumaki. He led the boy towards the stump and sat down, bringing Uzumaki with him. "It's kind of nice here..." he said as he looked up at the sky. A graceful hawk swooped over them, it's melody mesmerizing Sasuke. He didn't know it but a strong bond between the two was forming, whether Sasuke liked it or not.

When Naruto had cried he hadn't hit him or beat him into the ground. 'He hugged me..' Naruto thought following him willingly now. 'He'll protect me?' Naruto was blushing as they started to dodge tree branches and prickle bushes.

When they arrived at the place Sasuke told him about, the Uchiha smiled at him widely. "I go here when I want to get away from those Stupid fangirls. I thought you might like it..." He said oddly. 'Where's he bringing me now?' Naruto thought as the dark haired boy pulled him gently to a stump. He sat down pulling Naruto onto the giant stump. Naruto had an almost invisible smile plastered on his face. Sasuke spoke again looking towards the sky, "It's kind of nice here." Naruto smiled nodding. He liked this boy, he wondered why he was determined to get this boy's approval of his existence. Naruto lightly tugged at the sleeve of the Uchiha's shirt. When Sasuke looked at him he Smiled softly at first and then his smile grew as bright at the sun. He leaned towards Sasuke and hugged him lightly, tears of happiness were there in his eyes. He was truly happy he didn't care about what had happened the night before anymore he wanted to keep living, now he had a reason.

Sasuke shuffled back, trying to get away from Naruto's approaching embrace. He rolled his eyes and let sigh escape his lips. 'I guess it can't be helped..' he said as he let the boy's arms wrap around his waist. He was frozen for a moment, but then his arm seemed to move all by itself as it draped lightly over Uzumaki's shoulder. Naruto looked up at Sasuke with glassy eyes and a wide grin. Sasuke quirked a brow as he removed his arm from the boy's shoulder. The boy looked deeply hurt when Sasuke just stared at him with a stern expression. Tears swam on his lashes, threatening to fall. "I told you not to cry..." he said softly, giving the boy a reassuring smile. He wiped the unshed tears away with the pad of his thumb and placed his arm around the boy once again. "Heh...I like you" he said, his eyes closing as a wide smile crossed his lips. He had never felt so content in his life. He wondered why he felt so happy as he stared down into Naruto's deeply shining eyes. He raised a brow and smirked as he punched the boy softly on the chest. He slumped down onto the bushy grass and sat down next to Uzumaki. His arm still slung over his shoulder, Sasuke let out a content sigh as a light breeze whispered through the trees. "I always liked spring..." he said softly as he glanced at the boy from the corner of his eye. He could have sworn he saw a slight nod and a small smile radiate from the boy, but he wasn't sure. He closed his eyes and let his head rest on the top of stump, his heart beating softly as the warmth of the other boy's body leaned against his own.

Listening to Sasuke talk as if he was his friend made Naruto feel at peace and content with life. 'Someone cares...' Naruto smiled looking at Sasuke again. He rest his head against the older boy. 'Why do I feel this way? I feel more alive than I usually do.' Naruto closed his eyes for a moment listening to Sasuke breath. 'I like you too, you may not ever know that though, unless...' Naruto thought realizing for the first time he had a pen in his pocket with a blank piece of paper that was supposed to be an assignment. He pulled them out secretly with out Sasuke noticing, and wrote, "You're Sasuke right? yeah my name is Uzumaki Naruto, I am not an idiot! I also do NOT look like a girl when I cry, thank you for everything, I feel much better. I like you too! Thank you for showing me this spot. Did you really mean it when you said that you'd protect me though?" Naruto blushed reading the note over, he nudged Sasuke lightly and placed the now neatly folded note into his hands. He leaned back on his shoulder, tears brimming the edges. He was hoping to god that Sasuke wouldn't push him away now.

Sasuke breathed in deeply before puffing his cheeks out and letting the air escape his lungs. It was so peaceful and calm, 'I could stay...' Sasuke let out a soft yawn. 'I could stay here forever.' he thought sleepily as a small smile crept across his lips. He glanced down at the boy that rested his head against sasuke's shoulder. Sasuke felt his throat become dry and a small lump forming. He shook his head lightly and furrowed his brow. 'heh...this kid, he makes me feel...calm and kind of happy' he smiled brightly as he watched two hawks soar above them. He looked down at Naruto with a slightly surprised expression when the silent boy placed a small piece of paper in the palms of Sasuke's open hands. He glanced down at Naruto questioningly. Naruto only blushed and turned his eyes away from Sasuke's. He grabbed the piece of paper as if it were fragile glass. He opened it up slowly, his eyes going over the words carefully. He smiled when he finished. 'Haha! even on this paper he sounds annoying' he thought as he turned to Naruto, who's face was turned away from his own. he tapped the boy lightly on the shoulder and waited for Naruto to turn around. "Uzu..maki...N-a-r-u-t-o. Yeah I already knew your name. And I did mean it..." he said awkwardly as he tightened his grip on Naruto. "But I gotta say...you do kind of look like a girl when you cry" he added playfully as he rustled the blonde hair. He let out a soft chuckle as he rested his head on Naruto's. 'Why do I feel so...different. I never felt this kind of feeling...before...' he thought as he slowly drifted into a restful sleep. Forgetting his deep worries and secret agony for now.

A weight fell off his chest as Sasuke playfully rustled a hand through his blonde locks. He smiled a little, letting happiness overwhelm him. He felt Sasuke's head rest on his own. He blushed, he listened to the world of Nature, he then heard Sasuke's breath even, He had fallen asleep. Naruto lifted his head slightly letting Sasuke's head fall onto his shoulder, he squirmed a bit to get comfortable, he felt the dark headed boys breath on his neck, He shuddered slightly. Naruto looked at Sasuke again he placed a hand on his head and gently raked the raven colored hair with his fingers. 'I feel as though I could live through anything right now.' Naruto soon too, fell asleep. He had curled up beside the boy bringing both of their heads down using his orange jacket as a pillow for the both of them.

-00-

Iruka called in the students for the next class, he waited outside for Naruto and Sasuke whom hadn't returned yet. He waited at least 20 minutes, the class getting rowdy for the long wait. Iruka sighed it couldn't be helped in this situation, he had to make all the children go home. "All right class I'm sorry for the delay, but I have a bit of a situation, and in which, this case would seem you all have to go home early!" The class only cheered because for them this was great news. "I have a note ready for all of you to take home to your parents! Haruno Sakura, please stay after class! I wish to ask you something, maybe you can help me." Iruka said pointing at the pink haired kounichi. She nodded lightly. "Now. Hmm, Sakura do you know where Sasuke goes during lunch break?" He asked leaving out Naruto because he knew where Naruto went when he didn't come to school the Ichiraku ramen stand.

Sakura shook her head no. "I have no idea where he goes, He tells all of us to go away. So we do!" Sakura smiled lightly. "Why?"

"Ohh, know reason I was just wondering.." Iruka said smiling. He couldn't let her think there was anything to worry about, for all he knew they were skipping together.

Sasuke shivered slightly as a cold dusk breeze flowed through the trees. He grabbed at his shirt and pulled it inwards to his chest as he tried to warm himself up. 'Why is it so cold...' Sasuke asked his brain that was still partially asleep.

He opened his eyes slowly as if they were weighed down with a forceful energy. He looked around slowly, slightly confused for a split second before he realized he was still with Naruto at his favorite spot. He glanced down tiredly at the peaceful looking boy that slept beside him.

Sasuke smirked and nudged him lightly, waking him up. "Naruto-kun. We fell asleep for a long time. I have to go home for dinner or my mom will freak out. Iruka-sensei probably told my mom that I didn't come back to the academy so I bet I'll be in for it.

but chances are my father will be too busy with my brother..." he was rambling on as the blue eyed shinobi stared at him awkwardly. Sasuke's eyes widened in an embarrassed realization. "Oh right anyway I guess I gotta go. I'll see you at school tomorrow" he said as he stood up and stretched.

Naruto was still looking questioningly at him as he turned his back and started off for his home. He turned back and stared at him warily. "Aren't you going to go home? Won't your mom be upset?" Sasuke asked as he furrowed his brow with

unspoken questions. He closed his eyes and let out a sigh.

'he probably forgot the way out...' Sasuke thought as his legs moved automatically towards Naruto. He smirked down at the boy that sat before him, staring up at him with an innocent but clearly damaged spirit.

He bent down and gently grabbed Naruto's hand and lifted him up. "I can bring you back to the village but I got to be home" He said as he glanced up at the full moon. It was dark now, the sun had fully set behind the carved stones.

He saw the look in the boy's eyes and rolled his own obsidian ones. "I can't always be with you. I'll bring you to...Uhm well Ichiraku is closest to my house...I can bring you there and then you can walk home" sasuke gave him his final word as he gently pulled Naruto away from their new shared spot. "You can come here anytime...but if you show anyone else...I swear I'll kill you" he said darkly although a smile was clearly across his lips.

-00-

As the two new companions pushed past the tangles of the forest, Sasuke glanced back at Naruto with a smirk. "Your mom's probably worried about you. i bet you do this alot..." he said as he turned his attention back towards the trail. He smiled to himself as a mental picture of Naruto's silent smile flashed across Sasuke's mind. 'I'm glad I decided to talk to this kid...' he thought happily as they made their way back to the village.

Naruto was woken up by a soft touch, He felt safe and comfortable, though cold... 'Am I still outside with Sasuke?' The blonde asked him self inwardly his eyes groggily opening. He was huddled close to something or someone warm. A terrifying heated flashback filled his mind, 'I won't be able to go back to sleep tonight.' He looked up at the one who he was snuggled with. "We fell asleep for a long time Naruto-kun. I have to go home for dinner or my mom will freak. Iruka-sensei probably told my mom that I didn't go back to the class, so I bet I'll be in for it. Chances are my father will be too busy with my brother..." He heard the older boy say. He nodded and sat up, Sasuke's eyes widened for a moment and he spoke again, "well I should be going, I'll see you at school tomorrow!" Naruto watched as the Uchiha turned to leave. The black haired boy asked, "Aren't you going home? Won't your mom be worried?" Naruto looked at him akwardly and thought 'I don't have a mom... I wish I did, one that cared, I wish I had a father too!' When Sasuke offered to bring him as far as the ichiraku, for some reason he didn't mind that Sasuke had made the mistake that he had a mother. He only let himself be dragged around by the taller boy again.

When they had reached the Ichiraku ramen stand Naruto smiled and let go of Sasukes hand. He tilted his head to the side like he had done earlier in the day then he smiled brightly again, 'Sasuke is one of the only people I've smiled for in a while!' thoughts about that fact rumble through his head. Sasuke was waving goodbye and leaving for home now. Naruto waved back ecstatically. And after Sasuke was out of sight, he went into the Ramen shop. He pulled out his wallet, it had some cash in it enough to pay for a couple bowls of Ramen. He gave the shopkeeper a small shy smile.

"What will it be for you today Naruto?" the shopkeeper asked smiling widely when he saw his favourite customer. Naruto just smiled and pointed to the beef tariyaki ramen. The shopkeeper gave Naruto a small frown, Is your throat sore or something? You haven't spoke a word since you came in!" He handed the hot and ready to be eaten bowl of Ramen to the small boy. "Here free of charge! But Is your throat sore?" Naruto shook his head no. That was defiantly not the reason.

"Then what's the matter why won't you talk? Don't you like us anymore?" Ayame asked concerned for her fathers favourite customer. He looked at her for a moment and shook his head, and made a hand gesture acting like he was writing. Ayame smiled and grabbed a piece of paper out from under a desk and pulled out a pen aswell. "Here you go! Tell us everything!" Naruto nodded and told them Almost everything, except that part, where they hurt him, Naruto Shuddered. 'I will keep that secret until I feel confident enough to talk again.' He thought to himself. On the note he wrote he had recently become a mute.

Iruka had looked everywhere, up in trees, the outskirts of the village, he was scared he hadn't found Naruto yet or Sasuke! 'If either of them gets hurt, I swear I'll kill the person who hurt them.." He thought, mostly thinking of Naruto. He sighed and walked into Ichiraku Ramen, A little blonde sat there in his usual chair. "B-But I... I already looked here!" Iruka stuttered tears coming to his eyes. He hugged the blonde from behind holding him tightly against his chest. "WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN?" Iruka yelled towards Naruto. The boy sat there and looked at him dumbly.

"Iruka don't yell at him he just got here and he won't talk we can barely get him to smile!" The ramen vender said, patting the dolphin lad on the shoulder.

Iruka looked down at Naruto. "What do you mean won't talk? Can't get him to smile...?" Iruka said to himself. He was lightly stroking Narutos blonde locks of hair. trying to calm himself down, making sure this wasn't a dream. He sighed and kneeled down beside the blonde holding him gently. "You want me to treat you to a few more bowls of Ramen?" He asked softly holding back his tears. Naruto let a small smile almost a smirk, grace his lips, as he nodded his thanks. "Okay anything you want! Just take a pick!" Iruka said into Naruto's ear softly. 'Naruto's safe!' Irukas thoughts kept coming back to the same subject, Naruto.

-00-

After a few bowls of Ramen that being fifteen bowls, Iruka could tell the boy was getting tired. He picked him up after paying for the bowls. He said his goodbyes walking towards Naruto's home.

Iruka was carrying him he knew where they were going he couldn't help but wonder now, what Sasuke was doing. 'He looked up at Iruka who was about to steer towards his house, when he started to cry.

The cold night air nipped at Sasuke's nose as he turned the corner towards his clan's section of Konoha. He smiled to himself as thoughts of Naruto drifted into his mind. 'Yeah I'll protect you no matter what!' came the echo of sasuke's promise to protect the small boy. Ever since he was seven, Sasuke never felt any kind of protection from his own brother, so seeing how hurt and afraid naruto was made Sasuke feel as if he needed to do it. But it was odd, he didn't just feel as if he had to...but some where inside of him he really wanted to. He sighed, his eyes lowering to the ground. 'Itachi never wants to help me with my training...he doesn't want to do anything with me. Maybe he hates me...no he can't, I'm his brother after all' Sasuke thought as his foot kicked a small pebble to the side. he stopped and stared at it for a moment. The pebble being kicked aside reminded him of how his father preferred Itachi over Sasuke. Sasuke was always being pushed out of the way...'Sasuke can't you see we're busy training?! Your brother needs to work hard and I don't want you to pester him!' Sasuke's father always paid attention to Itachi. Itachi Uchiha- the genius child was something Sasuke heard alot. Although Itachi got all of the attention, Sasuke usually had the upper hand. He could sneak away without having dinner and go to his one place where he wasn't needled and scorned. Where he had brought Naruto.

Sasuke smirked as he tore his eyes away from the pebble and started off towards his home. 'I hope mom didn't bother to stay home today...or else I'll really be in for it' he said as he climbed up the short steps to the door. He slid it open quietly, his eyes searching the house for any sign of inhabitation.

"I-I'm home Mom...Dad.." he called out with a forcefully happy tone. He was never happy to come home. Every day he would hear the violent shouts of anger coming from inside of his parents' bedroom. he knew they always argued over him. About why he wasn't "as smart" or "bright" as Itachi was. He glared to himself, dwelling into his secret chambers of hate and resentment.

Sasuke turned abruptly as his father strode into the foyer of their home and stood before sasuke with his arms failing furiously. Sasuke felt anger boil beneath his skin as he listened to his father's angry words.

"Sasuke where have you been?! Umino-san came looking for you saying that you never showed up for class! what is the meaning of this laziness?! why can't you be more like-"

Sasuke had enough. He glared up defiantly at his father, locking his obsidian eyes with those of his father's. "What? be more like Itachi? Be a genius like your precious Itachi? Hah...that's one more reason for me to hate you. I get top grades in school and I excel in almost every sport but no it isn't ever good enough...nope, it's shit compared to what Itachi does! I can't believe I'm related to such a pathetic fool like yourself" sasuke exploded, his anger was seeping through his nerves and into his mind, where it brewed something poisonous and deadly.

His father's face twisted in a livid expression. The next thing Sasuke knew he was on the floor, his mouth split open from the inside after the blow fro his father. "You dare talk to your own father like that you ungrateful brat. You should be proud of your brother but instead you're resentfulness has caused you to become jealous and shallow! you'll never surpass your brother Sasuke and that's what you can't handle!" Sasuke glared at the small puddle of blood that dripped from his mouth as he stood there on all fours. He hated it when his mother wasn't home. She was the only one that ever paid any attention to him and accepted him, even if his grades were less than Itachi's. "You're nothing but a pathetic bastard..." sasuke muttered under his breath as he stood up, not looking at his father. He could feel his father's eyes follow him as he dragged himself to his room. He wanted to turn around and beat his father senseless until the truth seeped in. But it was hopeless, his father would never accept Sasuke...Sasuke was simply cast aside, as if he was of no value . Sasuke opened his door and walked in silently, shutting it slowly so that it wouldn't wake his brother in the next room. It was midnight now and it had been five hours since Sasuke had dropped Naruto off at Ichiraku. 'I'm glad I didn't come home right away...the stupid idiots need to realize when someone is gone...though I'm sure they wouldn't care if a lesser child of the Uchiha clan dissapeared' sasuke said grimly as he fell onto his bed. He stared up at the ceiling without point and without meaning. He was thinking of ways to escape his home when a sudden idea came into his mind. 'Maybe I should go see naruto...' he thought, sitting up in his bed. It was settled. He was going to sneak out and find out exactly where Naruto lived. 'I hope his mother doesn't catch him...' he said as he strode across his room and opened the window quietly. He climbed out, looking back at the darkness of his room. 'They won't bother to look' he said to himself as he shut it silently and started off to Ichiraku, hoping Naruto was still there or if the chef or employees knew how to find him.

-00-

Itachi awoke suddenly as he heard his brother's window shut softly. He smirked up at the ceiling, sleep still in his eyes. 'He's sneaking out again and no one will notice..' he thought nonchalantly as he pulled the blankets up closer to his chin. Itachi was aware that their father ignored and neglected sasuke and he had tried to tell his father that even someone like Sasuke wanted attention. But his father would have none of it. 'You have to train and I'll be the one to do it' his father's voice ordered. Itachi shook his head slightly and turned on his side. 'Sasuke...please forgive me for what i am going to do...I will leave everything up to you' he said as he closed his eyes once more, his hand gripping his last shuriken tightly enough to draw blood. He brought his hand up to his mouth and suckled the blood off of his hand. He smiled contentedly as the metal like taste absorbed into the thick layers of his tongue. Itachi had a deep craving for blood lately and as he noticed the cravings more often, he became less and less sociable. He was planning his own ambush and he hoped that he would be able to accomplish it. He sighed and closed his eyes, ready to face another dream that would cause regular people to writhe. He liked those kind of dreams...the kinds that terrified people beyond imagination, the ones that could murder you ruthlessly if you weren't careful enough. He smirked as a gruesome image flashed before his mind.

'He was best friends with him...maybe he would know why Shusui-san would do such a thing' one voice asked.

'Maybe he drowned him...maybe Shisui didn't commit suicide after all'

'Maybe but Itachi-'

"Itachi is a suspect'

these voices flowed through Itachi's head, replaying and repeating over and over. Shisui had been found on the banks of one of the rivers dead. It was supposedly suicide. But Itachi knew very well that it was murderous intent. He let out a low chuckle as he remembered the thrashing of his best friend's arms, struggling to free himself from the watery coffin that Itachi drowned him in.

'Sasuke...forgive me...your suffering of neglect will be all over soon' Itachi thought as an insane cackle escaped his lips.

-00-

"Do you know an Uzumaki Naruto?" sasuke asked the chef at ichiraku eagerly. The chef looked at Sasuke as if he were partially retarded. "yes, why?" the chef asked uncertainly as he finished up the dishes and put them away. Sasuke smiled brightly. "Do yuo know where he lives?" he asked, ignoring the suspicious look from the chef. The chef nodded slowly. "I do..." the chef replied, dragging the sentence out long enough for Sasuke to get the hint. "I'll buy some ramen if yuo can tell me exactly where he lives" Sasuke offered, handing out a wad of crumpled ryou. The chef grinned slyly and took the money. He explained the directions on where to turn and how far to go. "Thanks sir" Sasuke mumbled as he left the ramen stand. Sasuke turned down an unfamiliar road, his eyes searching the many apartment buildings. 'I thought he'd have a clan section or something..' sasuke thought with a puzzled expression. He passed a few apartments that looked similar to the ones that the chef described but they all had the wrong name. Finally he turned around another corner and ran into a tall shabby looking building. He looked for the address and name of the building and spotted it almost immediately. 'Yupp this is where he lives' He thought as he turned the brass door knob and pushed the door open quietly. Once he was inside, Sasuke looked around for a stair case,. he spotted one down the hall so he quickly trotted towards it. he saw the sign that read all the room numbers in order with the last names of the occupants beside them. His eyes scrambled down the list until he came across "Uzumaki, Naruto". Room 408. Sasuke almost jumped up the stairs, his energy flowing through him excitedly. he thought of what Naruto was doing at one in the morning, maybe he was asleep. Sasuke shrugged carelessly as he bounded up the last of the stairs and skidded around the corner of the building. He smiled brightly as he spotted the golden numbers "408" on the second door to the right. He smiled and trotted to the door and knocked loudly. His smile faltered slightly after he waited for a few long seconds. 'I hope he's up...' he said to himself as he let his mind wander around.

Iruka sighed, bringing Naruto into more of an embrace, "What exactly happened to you?" The two entered Naruto's apartment building. Naruto just cuddled into Iruka's arms, he had never been held before, This was like having a father. Iruka tried to open the door but as of the moment it was locked. "Naruto? Do you have your keys?" Iruka asked tiredly. Naruto handed them to the older man the moment he asked. Iruka smiled gently and grabbed the keys out of the small child's hand, He couldn't see why everyone hated him. He never did anything to anyone. Unlocking the door, Iruka pushed lightly seeing the boy tense in his arms. He put Naruto down and told him to get ready for bed. Naruto only nodded.

Iruka looked through the house, it was defienatly lived in but not messy. He was in Naruto's room when the blonde boy came in with tears, barely visible in his eyes.

Iruka's eyes widened when he saw the tears in Naruto's. He kneeled close to the blonde, "What's wrong Naruto?" Iruka held Narutos head in his hands smiling, "You know can tell me anything." Naruto just shook his head in the negative Holding a piece of paper. It wrote 'Thank you Iruka for everything tonight, I can't tell you about what happened because its all over now! (U.U) I made a new friend today Iruka-sensei! His names Sasuke! ... We kind of went off and fell asleep earlier I can't tell you where because it's His secret spot, but He's really, nice! (o) I feel better because of him!

Naruto listened to the sounds of Iruka's retreating footsteps all the way to the outside of the building. 'He went home!' Naruto thought his hand starting to shake a little now that his sensei left. 'I wish someone were here with me' He pulled the covers over his body and just about to his chin. He heard a knock. He jumped from where he laid. He headed towards the door very stealthily, 'Who is it? Iruka wouldn't knock.' Naruto thought, laying down to the the crack in the bottom of the door. He saw small feet like his own. 'Who's that?' Naruto asked himself in wonder. He opened the door a crack and saw a familiar face. 'Sasuke!?' Naruto thought loudly remembering the last time he awoke form a nightmare with a scream, his neighbor complained and he had almost got kicked out when he could talk that is.. Naruto tilted his head to the side in Question. He smiled a little and lightly pulled Sasuek in to his house and shut the door quietly. he went to grab a piece of paper and a pen, he wrote down some questions for Sasuke. 'Hey Sasuke, Why are you here so late? How'd you find me? Isn't your mom going to worry?' Naruto wrote all of this with high spirits, Sasuke came to him for whatever reason instead of anyone else. He handed this piece of paper to him and offered a chair with a hand gesture.

What's going to happen next who knows? You'll have to R&R to get anywhere for this story I'm looking for at least 10 reviews!

Well chow for now!

kisa