Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. If I did, Naruto would be a BAMF and the seme of a relationship.

"speaking"

'thoughts'

[flashback]

I'll Bleed For You

Chapter 1: Roses Within My Eye

A single dull blue eye stared into the mirror. Cold and calculating it held no emotion, but a raw deadliness. His other eye was covered by damp hair; but from beneath the golden strands blood slowly flowed. The red liquor dripped into the sink to splash against the white ceramic and trickle helplessly down the bowl to the drain. Yet it was stopped by the crust of old blood, forever pasted around that seemingly bottomless pipe; a tribute to his pain. Not that he cared. Pain meant nothing to him; it was only a mere hindrance. Slowly he reached up and brushed back his hair to stare at the oozing slash. It was across his eye, from eyebrow to cheekbone. The eye was also slashed and becoming a pale pink.

The eye had been a hideous red. A color he despised and had been made fun of for. Yet as he stared at the light rosy color he bared his teeth and snarled deeply.

"Father… Mother… I hate you." He hissed at his image.

They had left him… cold and abandoned on the front steps of the local orphanage. He spent six hateful years in the place, given nothing but scraps and threadbare clothes and blankets. The attic was his bedroom and at that age he fell asleep with tears on his lashes. And on the days that people came to find a child to adopt he would be locked away and forgotten until the events were over. He didn't have friends, nor did he have something to call his own. The only reason they let him stay was because he cleaned and cooked quite well.

Coughing slightly, he put a hand to his mouth to muffle the noise. He couldn't let his guardian hear that he was up and about at three in the morning. The man would have a heart attack at the sight of him bleeding and no doubt give him a lecture over hurting himself once again. Gazing back into the mirror as his vision blurred to gray, he remembered the day that Iruka had walked into the building.

[The rain splashed harshly against the window as the wind rattled it in its hinges. But the window hung on as if trying to protect him from the cold that the storm carried with it. As the day finally started to darken he heard a soft click as the door to the attic was unlocked. He was allowed out now. All of the adults must've left by now with their newly adopted children in tow. The small seven year old rubbed at his eyes, determined not to let the hot liquid trail down his cheeks and give the many caretakers satisfaction.

"Come on you little heathen. You gotta clean the mess they left behind," a deep voice behind him growled.

Gulping silently he looked up into dark eyes surrounded by gleaming white hair. It was Mizuki. That man was his constant tormentor. Everyday he beat him for no other reason then the fact that he existed and had different colored eyes. It was a birth defect though, something that his parents hadn't expected. From what he heard the caretakers say it was because his parents had worshipped the devil and in turn sent a demon to reside within his body to cause the red eye. But he didn't believe it. He wouldn't believe it. They weren't devil-worshippers. They couldn't be.

Suddenly he felt a stinging pain in his cheek as Mizuki backhanded him. "Get down there, Demon, before I call upon the Master. Hmm?"

The 'Demon' nodded and hurried downstairs all emotion leaving his body as he heard the footsteps of the other children pattering around. It wasn't just the caretakers that abused him… Quickly he went to the supplies closet to grab a bucket and mop before hurrying to the kitchen to fill it up with hot water. Once finished filling the bucket the small, underweight child dragged it to the foyer, water slopping over the rim as he struggled to pull it. As he practically waddled past the other orphans they pointed and laughed at him. Slowly bit by bit he died inside. This was not the life a child should live… Was it? Keeping his eyes down he made it to the front door and put the bucket down to the side before sinking the ragged old mop into the steaming waters to pull it out and slop it onto the floor sending tendrils of hot water over his bare feet.

Biting his lip he denied the small smile that wished to show itself at the feeling of warmth. With practiced ease he moved the mop from side to side washing a large spot before putting back into the water once more. He repeated this process several times until he was halfway to the stairs.

That was when his life turned around. There was a great flash of light followed by an earthshaking rumble of thunder and the door opened with a bang freezing the little blond boy to the spot. Inside hurried two males. One with silvery hair flopped over into his eyes and a brunette whose hair was pulled back into a hectic ponytail. The two seemed harried and rushed; most likely because of the thunderstorm outside.

"I told you it was going to rain, Kakashi! Why don't you ever listen to me?" The brunette growled softly.

The other man chuckled light-heartedly. "Because, I've learned to tune out your ranting, Iruka-koi."

The brunette blushed fiercely as his equally brown eyes gazed about. It was at that moment that the blond let the mop drop with a clack he took off running, knowing that if the people saw him he'd be in trouble. Some of the other children rushed forward to help the two out. Quickly he spread down the corridor to rush through the door to the stairs that led to the attic. He tripped over the last step and crashed into his room to skid over the worn panels of wood; clenching his teeth as skin was rubbed raw. Within his head he repeated his mantra.

'Silence becomes me. Silence becomes me. Silence becomes me...'

But his eyes flashed wide as he heard footsteps coming up the stairs and voices arguing.

"Sir, there is nothing up here but boxes. Please there's no need to come up here, its quite drafty and there's a hole where the birds and bats come there. It really a big mess in the attic," he heard Mizuki say, pleading for whoever was coming up to turn around and go back downstairs.

"No! I will not go. I saw blond hair amongst a sea of darkness." He heard the voice of the brunette and quickly got to his feet to dive under a pile of threadbare pillows and blankets that had been tossed up here earlier that day.

He couldn't be seen. The man just seeing his blond hair would give cause for the Master to lock him in his room for a solid week… if not two. Possibly three. Biting into his hand he slowed his breathes and curled up in a small ball. Then he heard the door creak softly as it was pushed aside and the floor seemed to dip under him as someone walked pass. He closed his eyes tightly wishing for the man to leave quickly.

"If there are nothing but boxes and birds and bats up here then why are there signs that somebody also lives up here with them?"

Footsteps approached to stop right in front of him as Mizuki's voice flowed from overhead. "Well… I do not know why, Sir. Maybe one of the children…"

"Shut your mouth."

"Iruka… Please calm down. That temper of yours. Remember."

"No, Kakashi. I know something's going on and I will find out. There was no child standing by the bucket and mop and I know I heard the mop fall."

Mizuki chuckled. "The child cleaning had run off to the bathroom, leaning the mop against the wall."

"Maa, maa, now even I know that the mop was no where near the wall when it fell. Was it a ghost maybe?" He heard the other man, Kakashi, say in an amused tone. "You might as well show us the boy that you're so desperately hiding from us before my dear Iruka-koi blows a gasket."

There was silence reigning above at that statement. Nothing but an angry breath puffed out. Finally the silence was broken by a disgusted growl.

"You wanna see the boy? Fine, you'll see him." Mizuki hissed. "Boy! Get out here. I know you're up here."

Hesitating, he bit his lip. Did Mizuki really want him to reveal himself? Or…

"See? I told you there wasn't anyone up here," that awful, mean voice that he hated so much drawled.

There was a deep sigh. "I'm sorry then. I just thought. I guess I'll look at the other children."

They were looking to adopt? This… this could be his chance. They had come up here to find him. Maybe it was a sign? Biting his lip so hard it drew blood he steeled himself.

"Yes, yes, this way. We have plenty of children hoping for a happy home."

Footsteps walked back by him, leaving. He had to do it. He just had to. But he was so scared. Scared that they wouldn't accept him. Scared they would abuse him like the orphanage had. Just as he heard the door start to creak close he leapt from the pile of softness and dashed for the brunette that he saw just past Mizuki. Mizuki's dark eyes caught sight of him and he quickly tried to close the door, but to no avail. The little 'Demon' slipped through the narrow opening and crashed into the brown haired man. The two almost went down if it wasn't for the brunette's companion steadying them.

He buried his face into the coat before him, shivering violently at what might happen as he wrapped his arms around the man, refusing to let go.

"So… No one was in there, hmm?" He heard Iruka hiss vehemently.

Mizuki grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and pulled him away with ease. "He's a hellion, pardon my manners. He's done no one any good. He lives up here for the other's safety. You see, we believe him to be the spawn of the devil."

Wiggling he tried to get out of Mizuki's grasp but kept his eyes down.

"What do you mean?"

"Show 'em your eyes, Demon," Mizuki ordered, shaking him.

Blinking back tears he looked up sadly at the two men whose eyes went wide at the sight of his own mismatched ones; brilliant blue and rose red, the eyes that had condemned him to this pathetic existence. But as he looked away he noticed Iruka kneel down in front of him. Glancing back he saw a kind, warm expression in those orbs that were the color of chocolate that he had seen the other's eat.

"Little one, do you like it here?" He asked.

His gaze shot up at Mizuki, who narrowed his eyes in warning. As if telling him to keep his mouth shut. He wasn't going to miss out on this; he wanted to know what happiness was like. He shook his head no. Iruka smiled softly.

"That's all I need to know." He stood and glared at Mizuki. "Let him go. I wish to adopt him."

Mizuki sputtered in anger, but didn't unhand him. Iruka growled softly as Kakashi took a step forward to pry those chilling hands from around his thin neck. With gentleness that he'd never known Kakashi pulled him into his arms and picked him up, cuddling him against his broad chest.

"Now, we are going to act like civilized people and we are going to go over his papers and we are going to sign them. Got it?" Iruka said, threats hidden behind every syllable.

Mizuki nodded and turned to lead them back downstairs. Keeping his eyes down so he didn't see the stares of the other children the 'Demon' quivered slightly as they entered the head caretaker's office.

"Orochimaru-san, these people wish to adopt Demon."

The man behind the desk looked up from his papers with a livid stare. 'Demon' trembled all the more causing Iruka to notice and glare back at the pallid man's golden eyes.

"The papers for his adoption, Orochimaru-san," Iruka all but snarled.

With a huff the raven haired male stood and walked over to a filing cabinet to pull out a single file and walk back to his desk and pull out a couple of papers.

"So, you want to adopt the demon Uzumaki Naruto?" Orochimaru questioned.

Iruka all but went off at that statement. "He is not a demon you horrible excuse for a man! So I will not hear him called as such. Now let me sign these papers and we'll be leaving."

Within thirty minutes all the appropriate papers were signed and initialed. Iruka picked up the file labeled Uzumaki and bowed slightly.

"Good day to you, Sir."

Then he spun on his heel and walked out with his companion, plus one small frightened boy.]

Naruto shook his head at the memory as his vision cleared slightly. Maybe he had cut too deep he wondered as he gave a fleeting glance at his slashed wrist, he'd forgotten all about the real reason he was in the bathroom. Taking a deep breath he felt his legs tremble under his weight. Even at sixteen he looked slightly underweight even though he ate more then his weight in food. With a weak chuckle he let go of the sink's rim and allowed his knees to buckle beneath him. He had waited long enough. They wouldn't be able to save his eye. He felt himself tip backwards as his vision darkened to the extent where he only saw a pinpoint of light before his vision went black.

Iruka awoke suddenly as he heard a crash. Sitting up straight he looked about the darkened room trying to find the source of the noise. Yet he saw nothing in the dim light. Then what could it…

"Naruto!"

That woke Kakashi with a start, who only saw the door fling open and his boyfriend scramble frantically out of the room. With a sigh Kakashi got up and followed.

"What did that baka do this time?" Kakashi muttered softly to himself as he walked across the hall to see Iruka cradling an unconscious blond teen in his arms.

Iruka looked up when he heard Kakashi approached. He looked into those mismatched eyes. That brick red eye with its scar caused by a car wreck years ago when he'd been young; an accident that had taken the life of the man's best friend. It was because of that friend that Kakashi still had his full vision. But now, looking down to Naruto he choked back a sob, he realized that sometimes being different wasn't just a blessing… it was a curse.

Time and time again he'd told Naruto that it was just heterochromia iridum. A birth defect caused by an excess of melanin in his right iris tissues. Told him it wasn't because of his parent's religion, but because of genetics. Yet the child didn't seem to listen. Probably because his words never eased the fact that other's tended to cringe at the sight of the red color.

"Kakashi, call Tsunade. Tell her… Tell her its worse this time."

Kakashi nodded and disappeared down the hall to the home phone as Iruka slowly lifted Naruto from the cold linoleum tiled floor and carried him to where Kakashi stood waiting with the car keys in his hand.

"She said she'd meet us at the hospital."

Iruka nodded as he traded handed Naruto off to Kakashi and took the keys. "I'll drive," he said, no room for argument in his tone.

Kakashi nodded and silently followed Iruka out of their two bedroom apartment down the stairs and to the car in the parking lot. Gingerly he got in as Iruka started the vehicle and had just closed the door when his companion gunned the motor and peeled out of the lot like a maniac. Kakashi held on tight to Naruto as they turned sharply into the street, causing an oncoming car to swerve and honk the horn at them. Gritting his teeth he bit his tongue so he wouldn't reprimand Iruka on his hectic and dangerous driving. To this day he still wondered how the man didn't get a ticket with all the speeding he did. So, even though the hospital was usually about fifteen minutes away, Iruka, the crazed mother-hen that he was, got them there in less than ten. Also, somehow, someway, they had managed to avoid every red light and thankfully getting pulled over. As they pulled into the emergency entrance Iruka pulled into a spot with a maneuver that Kakashi couldn't help but wonder if it was legal.

Suddenly the Mother Hen Wonder was on his side of the car and opening the door. Kakashi could only stare in amazement.

"Well hurry up!" Iruka practically screeched before taking matters into his own hands and pulling Naruto out and carrying him through the automatic doors.

Kakashi followed behind in a loping gait. Inside everything was pristine clean and white. There were only a few people in the waiting room but none of them were as bad off as Naruto was at the moment, according to what Iruka was practically snarling at the nurse.

"My son is bleeding from his eye and may have a concussion! I need to see Tsunade!"

"Sir, please calm down. Tsunade-dono isn't here at the moment. So if you would please fill out these forms…"

The rest of her words were drowned out by Iruka's scream of rage, followed by a demanding yell.

"Iruka! Calm down!"

The three turned to see a well endowed woman walk through the doors, her honey blond hair was pulled back into low and loose pigtails. Iruka practically tossed Naruto at Kakashi who caught him with ease and without changing features as the brunette storm up to his own adopted mother. Yeah, though she appeared young she was actually hitting her mid fifties and had adopted Iruka when he was little and had just lost his parents in a shooting.

"That woman is telling me to sign papers! I don't have time for papers!" Iruka snarled, pointing an accusing finger at the dark haired woman.

Tsunade only sighed and walked past Iruka, beckoning the couple to follow her. As she passed the nurse she stopped.

"Remember his face. He's my son. And his son is my grandson. Said grandson has problems. Got it?" The nurse nodded glumly. "Good."

Then the trio walked through the swinging doors and down the hall to a surgery room. Kakashi, without being told, laid Naruto on the bed as Iruka went to one of the cabinets to pull out peroxide and bandages. Kakashi stepped back and allowed the two to do their work. Iruka cleaned and bandaged the boy's wrist while Tsunade prepared him for fixing his eye. Once he was finished he stepped back as Tsunade put a cover over Naruto's face that had a hole over where his eye was and she set about to fixing it. When she did what she could with the eye she closed the lid of it and stitched the slash that lay over it. Taking the cover of his face she wrapped bandages around his head and made sure there was plenty of gauze over his eye so he wouldn't open it.

Pulling away the two saw tears in her eyes. "I want to keep him here a few days. To make sure he's okay. Why don't you two go home and get some sleep. I'll stay here with him. But… he's going to be blind in his right eye. There was nothing I could do."

The two nodded and turned to walk out; Iruka quivering with grief while Kakashi was paler than usual. When she knew they were out of earshot she looked back at Naruto with a firm frown. This was not something she wanted to do… but it would have to be done. Reaching into her pocket she dialed a familiar number. When his voice drifted into her ear in a teasing manner she shot him down quickly.

"Jiraiya cut the crap. I need his number. And I need it yesterday," she growled softly.

A/N: I feel like as this chapter kept going it got worse and worse… Did it?