Interpretations.
Naruto is © Masashi Kishimoto/Shonen Jump™/TV Tokyo.

Chapter Two; The Patient.


Sitting there in the waiting room, Sasuke couldn't help but wonder why he had been so foolish. Looking back, it almost seemed as id everyone he had met has been out to get him – wanted to ruin him, break him, deceive him. They used his on weaknesses against him, and had gained some sort of sick pleasure from doing so. Even his own family had been no different.

Growing up, Sasuke didn't have many friends, and the ones he did have were too snooty and uptight for him to get along with. Or maybe it was the fact that they were the ideal upper-class children that bothered him the most. They were the very things his own parents wished he could be.

Disappointing his parents was something Sasuke had hated doing. He was angry because he couldn't be the perfect son, even though he tried endlessly to make them proud... especially his father.

Fugaku Uchiha had to have been the most unsociable man in all of Japan. He was strict, formal, and blunt; the perfect businessman. There were very few things Fugaku was proud of. One being his business – built from the ground up and still going strong. Another was his wife, Mikoto. She was a beauty in all aspects, and was every male Uchiha's dream. The third – and last – item on that list was his eldest son, Itachi.

Itachi was no ordinary Uchiha. He had twice the smarts as the most experienced businessman did (even his own father), was extremely sufficient and the pride of his father's life. At sixteen not only did he managed to singlehanded-ly prevent the company from losing millions, he had been the only one to spot the major accounting error. Amidst all of the complicated equations and numbering, Itachi could sniff out a fault as if it were nothing, and as is it wasn't as hard as people were making it out to be.

That being said, it was common opinion that Sasuke would never amount to be a fourth of the man Itachi was. Due to that speculation, his father didn't think it was too important that he teach Sasuke about the business, since Fugaku figured that with Itachi around, there was little need for Sasuke in the business at all.

Without having to go through immense teaching lessons, Sasuke had a lot of free time. Of course, he still had home-schooling, and little time to 'go out on the town' as his mother and her friends like to put it, but he found ways to enjoy himself nonetheless. And on of the things he did that immensly pleased him was to draw.

Whether it was sketching, inking, or painting, Sasuke adored art. His uncle, Kakashi Hatake, was the only one who saw how talented Sasuke really was. Everyone else was too interested in the marvel that was Itachi to notice that Sasuke was a mini-Van Gogh, perhaps even better at the raw age of eight.

Sasuke could turn the simplest sketch into a masterpiece within hours, and when he painted the result was far greater. Kakashi would always bring the young Uchiha pictures of places he would travel to, and had traveled to, so as to ignite inspiration in him. Whenever Sasuke would need any sort of art supply, the gray-haired man would have no problem getting it for him.

He would, Kakashi admitted to himself, do and buy anything Sasuke needed, just for the chance to see him draw or paint or whatever Sasuke felt like doing art-wise. The two grew really close through Sasuke's practice, and it was as if Kakashi was Sasuke's father, and not Fugaku.

It got to a point where Sasuke would unconsciously slip and call the man his father, and all Kakashi would do was smile behind the scarf he always wore and ruffle Sasuke's hair. Sasuke was happy; not having to constantly be bombarded with the success of his brother and people's disappointing opinions of him was Sasuke ended up taking for granted, though he tried vigorously not to.

But eventually, Fugaku found a way of ending that happiness, like he always did. Unknown to Sasuke, Itachi was having doubts about being a permanent part of the business's future, and hadn't let it slip his father's notice. Not only that, but apparently, Itachi had personal choices that didn't sit well with Fugaku. No one knew that they were at the time.

So as a way of creating a Plan B – or safety net in case Itachi actually did leave the business – he decided to start preparing Sasuke for it as well, like he hadn't planned on doing at all. Sasuke was unsure how to act around his father, since Fugaku was always off and obsessing with Itachi that he had pretty much forgotten Sasuke had existed except for when dinner rolled around – and even then he may as well have been invisible. For the most part he kept quiet and followed his father's teachings. It was easy to see that Fugaku was also uncomfortable around Sasuke, and kept the lessons short and to the point.

With business lessons, home schooling, and trips to the office with Fugaku, Sasuke had little to no time to devote to art. It upset him, but he figured that making his father proud of him was the least he could do, seeming that he practically had it all growing up.

He knew that there were hundreds of kids who would eagerly take his place, so he made sure to give it his all; maybe even make his father proud of him to some degree. But he also knew that Itachi was still in the picture, and that Fugaku was still betting on the eldest taking over.

At night, Sasuke would lay awake in bed, listening to his parents argue – mainly about him, and how Fugaku could have cared less about him, and was too fixated on Itachi, as well as what Itachi's "choices" meant for the future of the company. He hated it when the argued; hated it when they would keep him up at night yelling, cursing, and on rare occasions, even screaming at one another. It was times like there when Sasuke felt truly alone.

When his parents did fight, Sasuke would normally call Kakashi in the early hours of the morning, crying for him to take him away from his home. End every time, no matter how late or how early, Kakashi would do as Sasuke wished, write the young child's parents' a note, and hold him as a comforting father would while the young boy wept.

Sasuke didn't truly understand why his parents had to fight. He didn't understand why he felt so helpless. He didn't understand why he couldn't do anything to help and make the fighting stop.

But this time, to Sasuke's dismay, Kakashi wasn't there. His father figure had left with his life partner to visit family in the States, and wouldn't be back for at least another month. There was always one other person Sasuke knew he could seek comfort from, and that was his brother. He was unsure about whether or not Itachi would appreciate being woken up early in the morning. Regardless, Sasuke crawled out of bed, making sure to emit as little noise as possible.

When he arrived at Itachi's room (which was on the other side of the estate man house, away from Sasuke and his parents' rooms), Sasuke was disappointed to find that his brother's room light was off, meaning that the man inside was asleep.

Or, so he thought.

Sasuke stood in front of Itachi's door that night, and couldn't help but get a sense of unease in the pit of his stomach. He creaked the door open enough to see inside, and he noticed that his brother's bedside candle was lit. He heard deep, ragged pants coming from inside the room. This made Sasuke's brows knit together in confusion.

I something wrong with Aniki? He had thought. Is he hurting or something? So – due to his curiosity – Sasuke opened up the door the rest of the way, and there he had seen his brother: naked, sweating, and panting.

At first, he was frozen, but when he turned to leave, Itachi had spotted him.

"Sasuke?" he had questioned.

"Yes, Aniki?" Sasuke didn't want to upset him by not answering. He averted his eyes.

"You are supposed to be in bed, little brother."

"I... I know," the youngest replied shakily. "It's just that... Mother and Father are arguing again."

Itachi glanced down at what he was holding – his mother hadn't given Sasuke specifics about them due to his age – and then looked back up at Sasuke. "Come here, little brother."

He hesitated at first, but Sasuke had eventually obeyed. He stood at the side of his brother's bed and then crawled to sit next to him. He tried not to look down, for he knew he shouldn't. His mother had taught him that those places were private.

"Do you know what I'm holding?" Itachi asked casually.

Sasuke slowly nodded. "Y-Yes. Mother said that those places were private."

"Have you ever felt one? Have you touched yours?"

Sasuke had a feeling that they shouldn't have been talking about things like that. "No, brother."

"Do you want to feel mine?"

That made Sasuke pause. He had always wondered what one felt like, and would always wonder why his mother would talk about them with her friends. He was curious...

"You love me, right?" At Sasuke's nod, Itachi took his little brother's hand. "Don't shake, Sasuke. It's okay; you won't get in trouble."

At that reassurance, Sasuke let his brother guide his hand to his groin. It was warm, Sasuke noted. It feels... all rough. Like wood or something. In his amazement, he had forgotten that it was his brother that he held in his tiny hands.

"Wrap your hand around it... good, Sasuke. Now, move it up and down..."

The little boy did as he was told. He watched as Itachi threw his head back and groaned. This had been going on for about five minutes before Itachi stopped him. "Did I do it wrong?" the nine year old asked.

Itachi shook his head. "I want you to put it in your mouth now."

Sasuke looked up at him, confused. "My mouth?"

Itachi positioned Sasuke and held his erection in front of the little boy's face. "Like you would candy."

Eying it, Sasuke frowned. "It's big... it won't fit!"

"It will," Itachi assured.

Sasuke then shook his head. "No. I don't think we should be doing thi–"

"Sasuke," Itachi said sternly. "You told me you loved me."

"I do, but Aniki–"

"Put it in your mouth. Now."

Sasuke gulped at his brother's tone. He didn't want to make the other mad at him... so he did what he was told to do. His eyes started to water as his brother's shaft made its way into his mouth. He quickly lifted his mouth back up, whimpering, "No. I don't want to do this. It hurts."

But Itachi had none of that. He put his member back into Sasuke's mouth and all the little boy wanted to do was puke. He could feel the sides of his mouth tear a little, and then begin to sting at the friction.

It was Hell to him, and he had even tried to use his tongue to force it back out. That made Itachi pound his erection into his mouth even more. When Sasuke felt something creamy hit the back of his throat, he was ordered to swallow it.

The taste was vulgar to his taste buds, and when Itachi let him go, he had thought that the worst was over... at least, until Itachi gripped the back of his neck and pulled him into a kiss. He whispered, "I love you, Sasuke," before falling back limp on his bed, almost immediately falling asleep.

… And then Sasuke ran.

/

Sasuke was never quite the same after the incident with Itachi on that cold winter night. He wasn't as happy-go-lucky as he had been prior, and was more secretive and walled of as ever. Even Kakashi, who was the closest to than anyone, could hardly get Sasuke to open up. The eight-year-old just wasn't himself, and Kakashi was at a loss as to what could have happened while he was away in America.

He remembered receiving a voice mail that he checked one morning, and he was sure that it had sounded as though Sasuke was distressed. But what really confused him was why the young Uchiha sounded as though he swallowed sandpaper, when it was clear that Sasuke wasn't ill – his immune system might as well have made Sasuke sick-retardant.

What had made Sasuke call him? Why did he sound do distressed and at a loss of what to do? Of course, he tried asking Sasuke about it, but he would just stare blankly in front of him and leave the topic and question unanswered.

The impromptu father of the youngest Uchiha was worried as to what could have changed Sasuke's demeanor to this extent, and in such a short amount of time. He knew that getting answers from Sasuke himself was futile, and he didn't want to press him about things he obviously didn't want to talk about.

Was it because of his parents fighting? Had it gone too far? He couldn't be sure. One thing Kakashi was positive about, and that was making sure he found out what happened to Sasuke, and possibly why. He couldn't stand seeing the once carefree boy so shut off and secluded by his own will.

So one night, when Mikoto had personally invited him to have dinner with her family, he immediately accepted, hoping that maybe he could talk to his parents and see if perhaps they knew something about what changed Sasuke.

The dinner itself was nothing too spectacular. Itachi had stopped eating with them a couple of weeks after Kakashi returned from America, and since then has kept to himself and hadn't made contact with anyone, unless necessary. From what Kakashi gathered, Itachi was either out somewhere unknown, or locked in his room. Sasuke on the other hand continued to eat with his parents, but wasn't talkative like he used to be. He ate his meal in silence, quietly thanked his mother for the meal, say his good-nights, and retreated to his room.

When it was just Kakashi, Mikoto, and Fugaku at the dinner table, Kakashi couldn't have been presented a better time to start prodding. Just as he was about to open his mouth to ask, Mikoto had seemed to beat him to it.

"I thank you for taking time out of your night to come eat with us," she started, trying to be polite. "I never did ask how you and Iruka were doing. How was your trip?"

"It was fine," he answered calmly, just wanting to get to the root of his visit. "Iruka and I had an enjoyable stay in the States. It was good to see my family again."

She nodded, obviously bothered by something she wanted to say, but didn't know how to say it. "The thing is... Sasuke hasn't been acting himself for a few months now, and it's starting to worry me. He acts like a completely different person, and this behavior just came out of nowhere."

The gray-haired man nodded, agreeing. "I've noticed that as well. I was actually hoping that we could talk about this, seeming that it isunlike Sasuke to be acting like this. It's gotten me questioning what may have brought it about." Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that Fugaku's gaze on him had narrowed.

"Well I- that's what I was hoping you could tell me," Mikoto said, a little disappointed. "Even we don't know. He hasn't been as bright as he was before, or even eager to take up his hobbies. He just goes about his day doing what is needed, then just stays in his room, away from everyone."

Kakashi put his hand on his chin. "Something just doesn't sit right with me about all of this," he said slowly. "He was perfectly fine one moment, and then the next I see him he is this gloomy secluded child, someone the exact opposite of who he used to be, and what he used to act like." Not to mention that voice mail, he thought to himself.

Fugaku, who had stayed quiet, finally spoke up. His voice held an icy edge that Kakashi didn't care too much for. "What exactly are you beginning to imply? That what has changed his behavior has something to do with us?"

"Now I didn't say that." Kakashi was sure to be careful with his words. "It's just that there have been numerous times when Sasuke has told me that he's not exactly happy, even before his mood change. A possibility could be that he just got tired of it and stopped trying to act like it doesn't affect him."

"Just what doesn't affect him?" Fugaku's tone raised in defense. "If you are implying what I think you are, then you are mistaken, as well as disrespecting my parenting and my home."

Kakashi resisted the temptation to roll his eyes. He didn't exactly care for Fugaku – in fact he'd go so far as to say he didn't like the man, and that went both ways. To choose one child and act like another doesn't exist just didn't seem right to Kakashi. Fugaku was lucky to even have such talented sons, one who had a remarkable talent in the arts that Fugaku wasn't even aware of. "I'm sorry if you feel that's what I was implying; I'm not really implying anything. I just want to find out why Sasuke is acting the way he is – it pains me to see him act like someone I know he's not."

"As much as we appreciate your concern, whatever it is that it bothering Sasuke, we will handle it. This is a family issue, and will stay and be handled like a family issue. I'm sure that whatever petty incident is bothering him, he'll get over." Fugaku didn't seem too amused that Kakashi was prodding; maybe it was because he knew that Kakashi knew that they weren't being very secretive with his and his wife's fights. Maybe it was because he was taking it as an insult to his parenting, which Kakashi would find funny, seeming as how Fugaku wasn't involved with Sasuke growing up at all.

"I care for Sasuke," Kakashi said seriously. "I care for him as if he were my own, and he means a lot to me. So seeing him so down and depressed like this is something I can't stand. Now, you may not see how big of a problem this is, but I do. Whatever changed him must have been serious, or else the result wouldn't be what we are facing now."

Abruptly, Fugaku rose from his chair, the legs screeching against the hard-wood floor. "Sasuke is myson, so I think I can discern how big of an issue this is for myself. He's an Uchiha, and he'll get over it. If not, what good is he in the real world if he can't man-up and deal with his own problems?" Without another word, he left the table, and the slamming of a door could be heard a few moments later.

The air between both Mikoto and Kakashi was tense, yet gloomy. "I don't mean any disrespect," Kakashi said softly. "I just... I love him, you see? He is such a bright boy, and is just so talented. I have never seen him like this, and want to try and fix what is causing him this pain."

"I understand, but you must also see it from our point of view. As Fugaku said, Sasuke is our son, so we'll handle it the best way we can. We were just hoping that you would have some insight, since you are close."

He wasn't getting anywhere with this conversation, and Kakashi knew it. So instead of arguing it out further, he simply nodded. "Thank you for the invite, the dinner was lovely."

"Don't mention it. Regardless of how Fugaku may be acting, you are always welcome here; you and Iruka both."

Before Kakashi got up to leave, he turned to her one last time, remembering something. "If it isn't too much trouble, do you think that I can drop by Sasuke's room before I leave? I have something I would like to give him."

Mikoto hesitated, but allowed him nonetheless. When he made it to Sasuke's room, he gently knocked on the door, and frowned when he was met with silence. "Sasuke?" He said, hoping to get some sort of response. When he got none, he continued, "Now, I know you aren't sleeping. You were never one to sleep before 10pm."

He reached into his jacket front pocket, pulling out pictures he had taken during his trip. "I brought some pictures for you," he said. "I can see that you want to be left alone for now, so I'll just slip them under your door." Doing so, he straightened back up. "Sasuke... whatever happened, I want you to know that you are welcome to stay with me whenever you feel that you need to. You are..." he paused, making sure no one was listening in, "you might as well be my son, and I see you as it. All I want for you is to be happy, and not down."

Kakashi cleared his throat. "Well, I guess that about does it for me. I'll see you later." Just when he turned around to leave, he heard the door to Sasuke's room crack a little. He turned around to see Sasuke half in the hall and half in his room, the pictures in hand. His eyes were so dull, and his tone so flat. It was as though he was a completely different person, and the Sasuke he knew didn't exist.

It was too much to watch and bare. Sasuke was just an innocent eight-year-old who shouldn't have a care in the world right now. It broke his heart.

"Thank you, for what you said," Sasuke told him. "I don't think relocating would make much of a difference, whether it's a night or a week, or a month. It's not something I can run from."

"What isn't, Sasuke?" He asked softly.

Sasuke just shook his head. "No one will do anything. I'm just little Sasuke, who can't even bee seen past Ita-" He stopped abruptly. "... Who can't even be seen past hisshadow."

Kakashi noticed the hesitance in the name that was spat with such malice and hate, but didn't say anything. He was lucky Sasuke was even telling him about it in the first place, let alone wanting to ask him more questions about something he seemed to want to forget. Cautiously, he walked toward Sasuke, and the young boy flinched as Kakashi held him in his arms. "You're a good kid, Sasuke. It makes me happy to know that I can consider you as my son, biological or not. Whatever this is, I know you'll come to me if you need to, and I'll always be here." He let go of the young boy, and turned to leave. "Enjoy the pictures," he said with a smile.

And just like that he was gone.

/

Sasuke sat in the waiting room for about fifteen minutes before he started to get irritated. Wasn't that so-called therapist of his supposed to be on time so they could get these useless two hours done and over with? Of course, it was about ten minutes before two – when his session officially started – but he figured getting there a bit early would hurt much, but to his dismay his therapist wasn't even in yet.

He gave a quick look around the room, and a woman – who was his therapist's secretary – cause his eye. She smiled apologetically and said, "Normally he isn't late for his a-appointments," she said softly. "I-I'm sure he'll be here any moment."

Sasuke let his gaze linger before turning away and deciding to stare at something else. He didn't like the waiting, mainly because it gave him time to things about all the wrong things he had done in his past, among other incidents he didn't care thinking about, as well as people he wished he could just forget.

It was about another two minutes after that when a blond, young man elegantly bolted from the elevator. "I'm so sorry I'm late, Hinata," the man said, somewhat breathless. It sort of irked Sasuke that he was apologizing to her rather than him, but just sat back and didn't comment. Obviously the blond hadn't noticed him yet. "I stopped by the cafe for a quick coffee, but it was more packed than I thought is was."

The woman nodded. "Well, you aren't l-late, if you are w-worrying about that."

A look of relief flooded the young man's features. "Great! I was hoping I'd get here on time. So is he here yet?"

"Y-Yes, he's actually sitting o-over there." She pointed in his direction, and within seconds he was met with a pair of the most breathtaking blue eyes he had ever seen. He made sure to keep his face emotionless, but he would be lying if he said that the brighter-than-the-sun grin he received didn't stir what he refused to call butterflies in the pit of his stomach.

"So you're Mr. Uchiha!" The therapist said happily. "I'm Naruto, it's great to finally meet you!"

"Hn." Sasuke slowly stood and saw that 'Naruto' had outstretched his hand. He stared at it for a second before lifting his gaze to Naruto's.

Naruto sheepishly withdrew his hand and used it to scratch the back of his head with a nervous smile. "Ahaha, well, if you would like, we could head on over to my office, and get this started!"

Reluctantly, Sasuke followed. The room itself was nothing too spectacular, and it was extremely modest. The blond's awards were in a glass cabinet in the corner of the room behind his desk, and a couple were framed on the walls – most likely his most treasured. They were settle, and almost blended into the rest of the office. There were three picture frames on the desk, but Sasuke couldn't see the front to see what they were of.

In front of the desk was a medium-sized chair that looked extremely comfortable, and in front of that was a small loveseat that looked to be the same make of the chair. Naruto walked over to his desk, picking up a clipboard and pen, then moved to sit in the chair.

"If you would like, you can take a seat on the loveseat." Naruto said, smiling.

Sasuke slowly sat down in the middle of the couch, keeping their gazes locked. "I hope you're not expecting that I'm going to be some tremendous breakthrough," he said evenly. "I don't want to be here, let alone say anything to you like it would matter."

Naruto's smile didn't falter. "Well, I hope that will change as we do more of these sessions. I never expect people to just start unloading their life stories on the first day."

"Hn."

"But," Naruto said seriously, but keeping his tone light, "you do realize that we have to have some sort of progress before your year is up, or else you'll be sentenced regardless of attending sessions for the year."

"As if I don't know that. It's not like you actually want to help me. All I could possibly be to you is another step closer to an award or some other shit." Sasuke knew he was being vulgar, and quite possibly a little over the top, but the whole situation irritated him to no end, since the first time they had told him about it. "What could I possibly gain by talking to you about anything?"

At this Naruto's smiled dropped into a somewhat sad downwards turn of his lips. "I can see where you'd think that, but I truly do want to help you."

"Right. Just like everyone else who said they ever wanted to help me. What makes you think I'd see you as anything other than those who gave me that same empty promise?"

The room was filled with an awkward silence. Sasuke could tell that his actions and words were dampening the blond's once cheerful and enthusiastic mood, but for some reason, the words were slipping out before he could stop them. He couldn't count how many times people have told him how all they wanted to do was help, to get him to open up and fight withhim to get over his problems. He found it funny how every single time he let someone in and confided in them they ended up stabbing him in the back, in more ways than one. The most severe being the one person he thought he could trust, but ending up ruining his life, possibly beyond repair.

Naruto smiled again. "Hey, I'm not forcing you to do or say anything," he said. "If you want, we don't even have to touch on anything you don't want to." He crossed on leg over the other, in an attempt to get comfortable. "We can even start off with the bare basics."

"Hn."

"So I guess that means I'll go first!" Naruto said enthusiastically. "Alright so... my name Naruto Uzumaki! I'm 28 years old; turning 29 in October. My favorite food is ramen, although my boyfriend wishes I wouldn't eat as much of it as I do."

So, he had a boyfriend. Interesting. Sasuke smirked. "So you like men."

Naruto's eyes widened a fraction, but he quickly regained his composure. "Ah, well, I prefer men, but women are okay too – ah, I don't think this is exactly appropriate to be discussing, haha."

"And why's that? We're just getting to know each other a bit, right?" His tone held a hit of amusement.

"I mean, as far as you being my patient goes. Talking about my sexuality and so forth isn't exactly a topic we should be focusing on."

"I see. Does it go against some sort of code you therapists have?"

"Sort of," the blond said chuckling.

"Hm, then I guess talking about my sexuality would go against the rules?"

"Well I mean if you want, I can't really stop you –"

"I guess there's not really a point," Sasuke said teasingly, "since you must already know, judging from the paperwork I'm sure they gave you. A folder of all of my dirty little secrets for your reviewing pleasure. So you see," he continued, "I don't even have to 'open up' to you, because you already knoweverything I could possibly have to say."

"I do have a folder, yes, but it's bare basics information I can use to decide what to talk about and what needs to be touched on, nothing more. I prefer people to tell me the detailed specifics if they so choose, not by me having to resort to reading a folder."

Sasuke sat back on the couch. For some reason, he knew that Naruto was being sincere and genuine. What he couldn't get was why, and how. Either way, he couldn't trust him. Wouldn't trust him. He had let himself be conned by so many people that he just wasn't going to risk it anymore.

He let out an annoyed "Whatever." before the session continued in an awkward and tense atmosphere.


Note: Sasuke should have been 8 throughout the entire first half of the chapter. If you see that it is stated otherwise, please let me know so I can fix it to avoid confusion.