She would never hurt 'him' like this. He thought bitterly.
Naruto groaned in pain as he lifted up his shirt exposing ugly, dark bruises spotting his back to himself in the mirror. He gently poked at one and winced. That hadn't been his brightest idea. He turned to look at his goggles laying in pieces on his floor. They were the only gift from his father, a man who he had vague memories of. A man who had better things to do then be a husband and father. He thought of all the insults the man would be throwing at him, if he had stuck around because he always believed the man who obviously did give a shit about him would only insult him.
You're only a punching bag to her… a way for her to release her frustrations. You honestly don't think she would like you? You're her puppet. His imaginary father would laugh then. He was slightly happy the girl had used the goggles on him to release her frustrations.
Carefully he removed his shirt and slipped on a looser T-shirt and removed his jeans for bed. He could take a few bruises on the back anyway. The girl always wounded him deeper with her words. This was only a rare occasion that had turned physical. She had been drinking and sad… It was his own fault for not recognizing that before he opened his stupid trap. He honestly believed that.
He quietly slipped into his bed and closed his eyes. His phone vibrated and he quickly snatched it up. She hated it when he was slow to answer. He found himself sighing in relief when he realized it was only a text.
I'm sorry, Naruto.
That was all. A simple I'm sorry, but it made him feel better. He texted her back a generic reply before moving the cell away from him. He was happy for the apology. He usually didn't get one. He curled himself up under the covers and closed his eyes again. His phone vibrated again.
Don't forget, you're my ride in the morning.
Naruto quickly sprang up then a smile on his face. That's right… Finally school was starting up again after a long break. He could finally see his friends again after being isolated from them for so long. The thought over- joyed him just as much as it made a heavy feeling settling in his stomach. Would they see the cracks and red flags in the relationship they had all said wouldn't work. Of course they would. Another thought made him feel a little nauseous. He would be there. The very source of all his girlfriend's anger and stress, the very reason he had this girl as his girlfriend. His phone buzzed again longer this time telling him she was calling. He ignored it even though he understood as a fact it wasn't a good idea. His mind was too much of a mess to handle her in the delicate way she needed.
The next morning Naruto ran his fingers subconsciously over his steering wheel as his pink haired girlfriend got into his car. She was wearing pretty expensive as always, a name-brand, pink T-shirt and black shorts. Her face was set in a scowl but not a word escaped her lips. Naruto backed out of her drive way. Out of the corner of his eye he could see her pick up the coffee he already had waiting for her and take a sip. "How are you, Sakura?" He took a gamble and asked.
She held up the coffee cup almost blocking his view of the road. "Taste that."'
He gave her a suspicious glance before taking it and taking a sip. "What?" He handed it back to her. "That's how you like it, right?" She made a face before seeming to ignore his question.
"Why didn't you answer my call last night?"
Naruto moved around in his seat his eyes remaining on the road. His fruitless hope that she would forget, crushed. "I fell asleep." He lied.
"That fast?" He could hear the mockery in her voice.
Naruto ran a hand over his mouth. He could tell how this was going to turn out, and he wanted none of it now. Not when he was less than five minutes away from school. He wanted to be in a good mood for his first day back at school, not feel like crap.
"Sakura…" He trailed off.
"You didn't wanna talk then, don't even try now." She crossed her arms and stared forward.
Naruto only sighed happy it hadn't malformed into an argument crossover insult conversation. As soon as they arrived at Hollywood Arts, Sakura had jumped from the car and stormed off. He very slowly entered school taking in everything going on around him with a dimmed out grin. He walked over to his locker and opened it.
"Naruto!" A voice very loudly squealed making him turn around. He grinned as Ino made her way towards him followed by Hinata. The blonde hugged him laughing like the air head she wasn't the whole time before moving back looking hurt. "You ignored all of our phone calls over break." The girl pouted. Who would of ever believed that the girl hated him throughout grade and middle schools, only growing fond of him when he grew five inches freshman year.
Naruto laughed forcefully. "My bad, Ino. I was really busy, life and stuff, you know."
"With Sakura," Hinata cut in looking at him worriedly. "You spent all your time with Sakura right?"
Naruto gave a careless shrug. What had she expected? Sakura is his girlfriend.
"Wait," Ino yelled scaring them both. "What happened to your goggles?" The pretty girl stood up on her tip toes to stare at his head and running her fingers through his hair as if the things had somehow gotten lost in his mound of blonde hair.
His goggles were lying on his bedroom floor still in pieces. He obviously couldn't reveal that unless he wanted to reveal the reason why. "I'm having them cleaned. Professionally, you know how important they are to me." He lied. He turned around to close his locker for they couldn't read his face. When he turned back around he witnessed the most horrifying sight ever. Sasuke had just given Ino a hug in greeting causing the girl to moan inappropriately. He instantly thought of his green eyed girlfriend who for a fact wasn't over the boy with the jet black hair and good looks. It was a written in stone. Sasuke was the reason for all her rage filled outbursts and hysterical crying, so also apart of the reason for his bruises. Now that boy was open to date her sworn enemy. None of this could bode well for Naruto, her punching bag. He felt automatically sick and he barely greeted Sasuke when he threw him a greeting.
What's Broken, Make Whole
Naruto took a bit of his taco and glanced towards Sakura who was glaring daggers behind him. Her arms were crossed over her chest and her food was untouched. He quickly took a look behind him and mentally groaned once he realized what had caught her attention. His day was going particularly well too… Oh well.
"Why don't we go sit with the others?" She asked innocently enough. Way too innocently for Sakura. Before he could finish chewing his taco he was being tugged up and dragged towards the table his half eaten taco left behind.
"Hi guys." Hinata greeted awkwardly when they arrived. Ino and Beck instantly moved a few inches away from each other. He was thankful for that.
Naruto felt bad for Ino who currently was the victim of one of Sakura's glares. "Hey guys," he announced awkwardly trying to defuse a little of the ungainliness. He took a seat beside Hinata.
Silence fell over the table. "I'm going to get another Taco." Naruto announced standing wanting desperately to get away.
"I'll come with you." Ino announced also wanting to escape from Sakura.
Naruto looked towards Sakura who barely blinked. Of course, he wasn't Sasuke. She wouldn't be bothered by him going off alone with Ino.
Naruto crossed his arms and scowled as he waited in the long line for his Taco. It was taking too long. "I think you've been spending too much time with Sakura." The girl poked his cheek with a cool finger.
Naruto frowned. "What?"
"Only Sakura can scowl like that." Naruto took a step forward as the line moved. He nodded in understanding. "Are you alright?" Ino asked her face very serious now. "Sakura, she wasn't always like this, but she can be well… cruel, and we all can see you're sort of sensitive."
Naruto laughed a little bitterly. "Gee, thanks, Ino."
"I didn't mean it like that." She sighed, her face becoming thoughtful. "I understand why she hates me considering the whole bitch faze I went through in middle school. Any, I changed, right." Naruto hesitated before nodding quickly. Ino smirked. "Anyway, I wasn't there for her and I regret that. We were suppose to be best friends forever. I can't figure out why she's been so. Never mind, I'm getting out subject here, I worried about how she's treating you, Naruto."
Naruto gave her a smile to show he wasn't really bothered by her words much. He had heard worse recently. "Thanks for the concern, Ino. I'm fine though." He glanced at her nonchalantly. "So, what's going on with you and Sasuke?"
Ino laughed a little, oddly nervously. "Nothing really," Her face was a little red. "We got close over break, but we aren't really sure yet. He dated Sakura, and I don't really need her to hate me more. We all know she's not over him."
"Naruto!" Sakura's voice called from behind them.
Naruto huffed. "Great, I didn't get my taco…" He glanced towards Ino. "See ya, Ino."
(OOO)
She was ranting again.
They had just gotten out of school and Sakura was pacing back and forth in his bedroom. He was just happy her anger wasn't directed at him for once. Well sort of… he gently pulled off his coffee stained shirt. At least honestly this time her spilling coffee on him was an accident and it wasn't hot, just the cold coffee from that morning. He hadn't gotten an apology though.
He began to wonder then why he was even with her. Yeah, he was desperate for a girlfriend and he had always sort of been in love with Sakura, but was that enough to make him stay?
"Did I do that?" Her change in tone cut into his mind. He looked up and could see her in his mirror staring at his back. He was sure the bruise was an even uglier color today. He watched her walk towards him and ran her hand over his back gently. "I'm sorry." She sounded sincere. "It will never happen again." Her fingers ghosted over his back, sending chills racing down his spine.
He turned around to assure her it was alright, but it was impossible with her lips pressed to his. He eagerly kissed her back and wrapped his arms around her waist. She then pulled back leaving him breathless, his lips tingling and his heart pounding. A suggestive smirk appeared on her lips, and Naruto understood right than why he stayed. He couldn't get enough of Sakura Haruno. She was like strong liquor. Addictive and painful, but made him feel good even if it was only temporary…
They ended up on the bed kissing and groping each other. Naruto wondered would it happen again. He wondered would she let him have sex with her again. His jeans tightened more at the memory of the night he lost his virginity to Sakura. She must have sensed his thoughts because she stopped kissing him back. He moved from atop her without a word and disappeared out of the room.
He came back a few minutes later finding her still lying on his bed staring up at his ceiling. He awkwardly stood by the door getting ready to leave and go downstairs. She was obviously in deep thought and interrupting would be a bad idea. "Come lay with me, Naruto."
Naruto hesitated but got on the bed beside her. He tensed up when Sakura rested her head on his chest her arm over him. He wasn't use to this gently Sakura. His whole body shivered as she ran a hand down his arm.
She lightly smirked at his reaction. She began kissing his neck lightly to see what other reactions she could get from him. Why was she even dating Naruto? Honestly, because he was easy. It made her sound mean, but in reality she was. He never talked back to her. He never tried to control her. She controlled him. He was her out let of all the pain she felt about Sasuke breaking up with her.
Naruto grunted and pushed her off for he could lean over her. He began kissing her neck roughly. Sakura ran her hands over his back. He winced into her mouth when she touched the bruise but continued kissing her. Sakura frowned into his kiss. She hadn't meant to hit him with those stupid goggles. He had gotten in the way of her tantrum. It made her seem abusive and she hated thinking about herself like that. She wasn't abusive… she had never abused Sasuke. Then again Naruto and Sasuke were certainly different. Girls couldn't be abusive, though.
Naruto reluctantly pulled back. "Do you want me to stop?" He asked breathlessly when he realized she wasn't really kissing back. His eyes were pleading with her.
That was Naruto. Always wanting to be accepted, so much so he was willing to put up with a bitch like her. That idea pleased her for some reason. She wrapped her arms around him bringing him into a kiss.
(OOOO)
Naruto grinned openly as he brushed a few strands of pink hair from Sakura's pale shoulder. He was a fool, he got it. After last night he couldn't really bring himself to care. The boy didn't dare move in fear he would wake his sleeping beauty. Then everything would be ruined. Sakura would go back to being always angry and frustrated with him, and he would go back to always wanting to please her.
Her green eyes fluttered open and stared at him. He waited on her reaction; his whole body had gone tense. The girl smiled at him. A real smile that made his heart beat like crazy. He wondered could she hear it. Very slowly she moved over him and stood by the bed bearing all to him as she began looking for her cloths.
"Are you going to gawk at me all day?" She asked. "I need a ride home for I can change clothes for school."
Naruto nodded dumbly before getting out of bed dragging his sheet with him to cover up. Sakura rolled her eyes.
(OOOO)
Naruto took his eyes off the road every few seconds to look at Sakura. Her hand was clamped around his free one her thumb messaging his hand. She hadn't let go the since they left her house. He wasn't complaining. He wasn't really sure what had come over her though. All morning she had been acting strange.
Her strangeness wasn't only in the morning hours either. She was actually talking to him and laughing at his jokes. By lunch he felt as light as a feather at her sudden change. He was grinning like an idiot and everything was funny. He hadn't been insulted all day.
"You look happy today, Naruto." Ino appeared behind him.
"Ino," torn from his thoughts he yelped. "Why did you sneak up on me like that?"
The blonde gave him a funny look. "I di-"
Sakura exited the classroom and instantly rolled her eyes at Ino before taking Naruto's hand and dragging him away. "What's up with that girl and myboyfriends?" He heard her mumble.
"We were only talking…" He trailed off when he realized what she had said. She called him her boyfriend, out loud.
"That's why she was practically stripping you with her eyes." The girl sneered.
"She's only worried."
"Why would she be worried?" Sakura had stopped walking abruptly and glared at him. "What have you told her?" Her eyes narrowed and she removed her hand from his.
Naruto glanced around nervously. "Nothing, I don't know why she's worried either." He answered truthfully. Sakura obviously didn't believe him.
"Uzamaki…" She warned. "That was an accident; you didn't have to tell the queen of stealing everything mine."
Naruto opened his mouth to refute that he had told Ino anything but was interrupted by Hinata. "Hey guys," She smiled softly. "Are you going to lunch?" She asked seemingly oblivious to the tension.
Sakura turned her icy glare on the unsuspecting Hinata before huffing and stalking away.
"What's wrong with her?" Hinata asked, wide eyed.
Naruto only shook his head. "Let's go to lunch, Hina."
"yeah," the girl said slowly.
(OOO)
He couldn't believe he was doing this. He ran a frustrated hand through his hair and looked at Sakura as he came to a stop. He was really dropping his girlfriend off at her ex-boyfriend's house. They apparently had a project.
Sakura quickly got from the car barely glanced back at him. He quickly sped off.
You're whipped.
The made up voice of his imaginary voice had appeared in his head. He let out a tired sigh; he guessed he could work on fixing his goggles. That's exactly what he did and it had taken all night. He removed his magnifying glasses, rubbing his forehead tiredly and looked at his handy work. His goggles were officially fixed.
He hoped he would stay that way. He yawned and made his way over to his bed and settled down for a much needed sleep. He was awakened by a really angry Sakura a few hours later when he was pulled from the bed. He winced as he landed on his left arm wrong.
"I was calling you for hours to come and pick me up." She hissed angrily.
Naruto very slowly stood looking the angry girl over judging her mood. She was obviously angry, really angry. "I thought you were going to get a ride home from Sasuke?" He made certain his voice was calm.
Her expression turned even more furious if possible. "If I call you, you're supposed to answer."
"I'm sorry, I was asleep." He replied helplessly. "It won't happen again."
She crossed her arms and nodded her head mockingly. "Yeah, you wanna find out why? Well, because you're pathetic, and this pathetic relationship is over." She scornfully said.
Naruto felt miffed. "Wait," he called after her moving to follow her. He reached out for her but found his bedroom door being slammed on his hand. He cried out in pain as sharp pain raced up his arm.
He looked at his hand and whimpered. Tears sprang up behind his eyes, and his thumb looked awkward. He looked up and found Sakura gone. He closed his eyes; she hadn't even bothered to stick around. Along with being in pain he felt beyond stupid.
He looked down at his hand again, and his legs wobbled. His mom was most likely working a long shift. Calling any of his friends would rise to many questions. He had no one to take him to the hospital. He would have to do it himself.
Somehow he managed getting to the hospital on his own. As soon as the receptionist had seen him she had called her mom who also worked there.
"How did this happen?" His mom asked sitting beside him and pressing a compress to his already swollen hand. She looked so tired, she always looked tired. He had heard stories from his mother's friends how she use to be loud, full of energy, and so much fun before his father left and she had him. He wondered how that would be, having a mother who was actually around and who wasn't so exhausted all of the time.
Naruto moved around uncomfortably in the waiting room chair. "I was being my usual clumsily self and slammed my hand in the bathroom door."
"How is that even possible?" She asked but he could tell she believed him. What other explanations could there be? That a girlfriend she had never met before had slammed his hand in his bedroom door in an angry rage? Would Naruto ever tell her that's what happened? No.
A few hours later he was sitting at a table in the hospital's cafeteria with an orange cast on his right arm. His fingers were red and swollen. Sakura had broken his wrist. His mom was currently sitting across from him and lecturing him about being more careful. He had zoned out a long time ago his mind on a certain green eyed girl who had broken his heart and his wrist.
His phone vibrated in his pocket and the boy struggled to get it out. He frowned when Sasuke's name appeared on his phone.
"Hey…" he uncertainly said into the cell.
"Hey man," Sasuke said. A long silence went on between them. "I have to tell you something."
Naruto waved his mother away as she handed him a bag with his pain medication in it. His mom mumbled something about getting back to work. "Go for it."
"I was going to tell you when you got here, but whatever." Sasuke coughed. "Sakura had tried to, uh, do something. I didn't let her and I kicked her out last night. Ino and I thought you should be aware of that." He announced. "I told her she was your girlfriend now and that I couldn't betray you like that."
Naruto blinked. That's why she had been so angry last night. Sasuke had rejected her… again. This time his name had come up. He thought about Sasuke's words. He couldn't betray him like that. He gave a mental snort. Why not? He had. He had broken one of the most important guy codes because he was so desperate for a girlfriend.
"Thanks, for the heads up, Sasuke." Naruto mumbled and hung up.