"I met Sasuke when I was 15."
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Chapter 2: Prodigal
[Two years ago: Naruto, age 15]
The charity line was long.
It extended all the way to the second alley from where Naruto was currently sitting. It didn't matter what day it is – rain or shine. For as long as Naruto can remember, the line of people waiting for free food had always been long. In fact, it kept on growing every year. More and more people must have been burying themselves in debt, or being affected by the worsening recession. Not that Naruto cared. He'd been poor since birth.
This dirty, damp alley had been his neighborhood ever since. His only refuge. The food line on the other hand, had been his convenient last resort, his version of a complimentary not-so-fancy restaurant. It sated his hunger, when the food in the orphanage proved insufficient, or when the caretakers of the orphanage simply ignored him.
He sighed. It's no use thinking of these things.
He brought the half-burning cigarette in his mouth, pausing before inhaling the damaging smoke. He closed his eyes, reveling in the heat that embraced his lungs. It was cold and his extremely thin, tattered fleece jacket wasn't helping one bit. He counted in his mind, a bit hesitant in letting go of the only heat in his arctic system. But it's quite stupid, as he needed to breathe.
He then slowly released it, watching the smoke as it formed various shapes in his line of sight. From his cloudy vision, he imagined the smoke forming his favorite food. He smiled. He must be really stoned to appreciate these things.
"Damn old fart."
Naruto gnashed his teeth, unintentionally massaging his swollen wrists. The wounds will heal soon, he knew. And the memories of that night will be forgotten like all the rest. He could not even remember half of the ordeal, really. Everything… everything was vague and literally misty. Like they did not happen and it was all just a dream. Naruto scoffed to himself, knowing full well that it did happen. His aching back and his swollen wrists can attest to that.
And… he's still 'high'. Fortunately so. Because if he wasn't, the bone-chilling cold of the November afternoon would be too much to handle – even for him. For one of the rarest moments of his life, he was actually thankful that the old fart he shared the night with has been very generous in upping the dosage. The three emptied syringes in his gut could last him for the rest of the day.
He leaned back, continuing to watch the dissipating number of people from the food line. Naturally, he let his mind wander, perfectly comfortable in his vantage point. A few minutes passed and his eyelids began to drop. He hugged his threadlike jacket for additional warmth and re-positioned his body so he can comfortably sleep. But before he dozed off, he heard a car stop nearby, followed by a car door opening, then steady footsteps approaching him. A shadow loomed over his body. Naruto felt vulnerable but defensive.
Without opening his eyes, Naruto spoke, mild irritation obvious in his tone. "Whoever you stinking-old-geezer are, I'm not interested. Go away."
There was silence. Then a quiet clearing of throat. The shadow remained in his spot, and Naruto's discomfort rose. Naruto finally opened his eyes and glared at the annoying intruder. Well at least, he tried to, as his intimidating line of sight was met by an equally scathing glare.
His mouth slightly open in disbelief, Naruto could only utter, "…You again?"
"Hm."
The Uchiha advanced forward, invading Naruto's personal space. "What do you want?" Naruto almost spat, feeling like a cornered cat. His back pressed against the wall. For some reason, he couldn't stand this guy. That annoying perfect face and composure grated on his nerves.
"Iruka told me you ran away again."
"…So?"
"We do not tolerate that behavior in the Center. I hope you know that."
"Again… so?" Naruto countered boldly.
The Uchiha stopped moving, his eyes focused on the blond, his lips pressed thinly – clearly displeased.
Naruto gradually stood, his eyes defiant. He could not understand the issue here. Orphans flee all the time. What makes his case different? "I'm not going back to that hell-hole. Tell that to your fancy little caretakers and leave me the hell alone."
Someone from the back retaliated. "You punk." It was then that Naruto noticed them.
There were three uniformed personnel at the back. Two were clearly bodyguards. The other one whose hair was shockingly silver, a mask on his face and differently dressed – he doesn't know. Or care. It's just that, all of a sudden, he felt caged and a little intimidated. Why can't these people leave him alone? Who does this pompous, pretentious bastard think he is – suddenly making an appearance and forcing him to live in an equally pompous, pretentious place? Naruto gritted his teeth.
Sasuke raised his palm, a mute command for non-interference.
"I suggest you return. The Center is a better, safer place for orphans like you."
A mocking laugh resounded in the area, prompting some passers-by to look at the unusual crowd. Naruto clutched his stomach, seemingly very impressed at something. He rose to his full height and walked towards the pale boy. Still looking at the Uchiha, Naruto picked a cigarette from his pocket and lit it with his near-empty lighter. He put the cigarette between his lips and inhaled deeply.
Naruto waited for a few more seconds before he released the smoke – right at the Uchiha's face. He blew until his mouth is thoroughly empty of the smoke, licking his lips after in relish.
Through the haze of the smoke, Naruto could see the slight widening of the pale man's eyes, as if he could not believe what was happening. The blond grinned, his eyes squinting in pure childish delight as he watched the other tightly clenching his fists, his face contorted in barely controlled annoyance.
The bodyguards advanced, their steps angry and loud. "Why you – !"
Sasuke raised his hand again. "Don't." He commanded in a cold, impatient voice and the guards immediately stopped.
"Uzumaki." The Uchiha spoke. "This is the last time I will ask this. I do not like repeating myself. This place is unfit for individuals like you. The Center provides a better residence, a safer, more secured home for people like you."
"Like me? What do you take me for, you bastard!" Naruto shouted, uncaring that their faces are mere inches apart. "This is my home. This is where I live. You people are the ones not welcomed here. You don't own this place –"
"Apparently we do. This whole district is government-owned."
"Wha-. Tch, fuck if I care. All those public property-shit, who gives a damn about those, you friggin' bastard! We were all born here. We live here all our lives and we will die here. And no matter what you do, you can't make us leave this place. You can't make me leave this place! So why don't you just shove your projects, your pretty little Center up your pretty little asses and leave us the hell alone!"
"…."
The thick, uncomfortable silence was a resounding "no", as if implying that Naruto was not worth the answer.
"Tch." Naruto angrily tore his eyes away, breathing deeply. He felt a sudden ache in his temple.
Feeling unusually nauseous, he swallowed the bitter bile rising in his throat. He was wrong. The dosage would not last after all – and the withdrawal symptoms were starting to kick in. it would be an incredibly painful night. "Fuck." He brought his hand to his mouth and felt the world slowly spin.
One tan hand suddenly clutched the Uchiha's shoulder, unconsciously clinging for support. The fine smooth fabric felt good under his calloused fingers. He slowly gripped it, finding satisfaction at the creases he's producing.
The Uchiha figure tensed.
Naruto could feel it but he didn't care and he leaned further, smelling the perfume lingering on the Uchiha's clothes. It smelled clean. It smelled like –
And Naruto vomited. Right then and there. At the Uchiha's side, missing the Uchiha's fancy polished shoes but doing irreparable damage at the raven's clothes nonetheless.
Naruto licked his lips and swallowed hard.
"Oops."
He heard a loud gasp and knew at once where it came from. Naruto raised his face to look at the Uchiha's guards and sure enough, they're all stunned, incredibly so. Naruto smiled despite his dizziness, feeling immensely proud of himself. It was vulgar and dirty – but goddamned it, he's enjoying this.
He did not bother to look at the Uchiha and just struggled to stand up straighter. He patted the raven's shoulder twice and mock-saluted his security, before finally leaving the aghast group.
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From the back, Kakashi watched the disappearing blond with vague amusement. That was a rather… interesting encounter, he mused. The white-haired adviser then fixed his line of sight to his superior. Sasuke's pale countenance gave nothing away, just a thin pressing of lips. The Uchiha's fists were still clenched tightly at his sides, but they were no longer trembling. And his back was still as straight as ever. The guards, on the other hand, looked positively livid.
Kakashi advanced toward his boss. "Uchiha-sama, your jacket."
"No need." Sasuke unbuttoned his tailor-made Cashmere coat. He looked briefly at the vomit marring the side of the expensive coat, then threw it away. There was no expression on his face, Kakashi noted. Not even a hint of disgust or slight anger.
"Kakashi."
"Hai."
The Uchiha looked introspective then fixed his gaze at his adviser. "That orphan. I want you to find out where he lives."
Quite surprised, Kakashi just nodded. "…Got it." He proceeded to open the car door for his boss. As Kakashi glanced back, he found the Uchiha smelling the stain on his cuffs – a hint of something glinting in his eyes. It might have been his imagination, but for some reason, the white-haired adviser felt a little disturbed.
.
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"I met Sasuke when I was fifteen. That was two years ago-
-when I watched the bastard's back… as he burned my house to the ground."
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And now, I still have nowhere else to go.
(Present: Naruto, age 17)
Naruto hugged his clothes for additional warmth. It's excruciatingly cold and he berated himself for not having the common sense to pick a thicker coat.
He didn't know why he's here. Of all the damn places, why did his feet drag him back here – at his old apartment? His old burnt down apartment. This was his former home, before the Uchihas took him in. His lips curved into a smile. He wasn't happy or nostalgic. That mocking smile was directed to himself, as if he himself was making fun of his situation. It was laughable really, how he got into this mess in the first place.
He looked around, wondering why there had been no development in this area. It has been two years since then. Wasn't the government supposed to develop this district? Wasn't that what Sasuke said?
"Sasuke."
He gritted his teeth, unable to ignore the sharp pain in his chest. His line of sight lingered a bit more to the abandoned, charred debris before he turned away. He could no longer ignore the insufferable chill stabbing his skin and decided that he needed to go – before he froze here to death.
"I knew you'd be here."
Naruto looked up, stunned. "…Neji." Then he frowned. "What are you doing here?"
"I was… searching for you."
"Huh?"
"He kicked you out, didn't he?" Neji asked, a tinge of complacency in his voice, but his face remained blank.
Naruto's anger boiled, but he shut his mouth. Shoving his clenched fists deep into his pockets, he started to walk away.
"This was your old residence."
It wasn't a question. Naruto abruptly stopped.
"That information," Neji continued, "is in your files too. Among other things."
Naruto glared back at Neji. "Oh yeah, I forgot to ask. Where did you get those files? Who gave them to you?" Naruto questioned, his voice loud. Deep inside, he's praying that the animosity he's showing can conceal the feeling of shame threatening to leak out. 'Fuck, he read my files. He read my files.'
"If you want a specific answer, I found your files on my father's desk. But I have no knowledge of the people who sent them."
Neji's dad worked as a Chief of the Tokyo Police Department which made it fairly understandable why the elder Hyuuga had those files. Neji must have discovered them and promptly used the information to blackmail him. Of all things. Though Naruto considered them as friends, Neji had always been oddly cold towards him. Neji was never mean but Naruto never knew the other hated him this much.
Well, shit.
'So, they're on to me, huh?' Naruto looked away, feeling the familiar sting of dread creeping up his system. 'They finally found me.' Naruto smiled bitterly.
"Burn them."
Neji's eyebrow rose. Naruto's voice was uncharacteristically deeper and his eyes were downcast.
"Burn those files, Neji." Naruto said. "Tell your dad to leave my case alone. He ain't gonna get anything from that. Just… leave it."
"Naruto…"
"You too. Don't associate yourself with me anymore." Naruto looked back at Neji again. "You've read my info. You… do know who I am, right?
…What I've done. And what I can do."
"Naruto." Neji's eyes widened. "They are all true then? All of them…?"
"…."
"Answer me."
Naruto sneered. "What do you think, Neji? Would you hate me less if they weren't?"
"I never hated –."
"Thank you." Naruto fixed his gaze at the ground. He smiled as he let himself be distracted by the snowflakes slowly pooling around his leather shoes. "You're still a jerk. And I'm still angry at you and I can't believe you did that. But I still want to thank you. If you haven't done that… I don't think I'd ever have the courage to…"
'Leave that place.'
"You have given me a way out." Naruto turned away. "I don't belong there."
-They can't fix me.
"…Naruto." Neji advanced. "What are you going to do now? Where do you plan to go?"
The blond shrugged. "…Well to be completely honest, I have no idea. I just have to… hide for now I guess. Make myself invisible for the meantime." Naruto glanced back, grinning at Neji. "Lie low. Heh. Figured I should have done this earlier."
Neji did not smile back, but his features softened a bit. "You idiot." The pale boy made a few steps towards Naruto, one pale hand extended. "Why don't you come with me? I can ask my father to take you in. We can aid you. We can give you protection."
Naruto chuckled softly. Though his smile remained intact, Naruto looked rueful. He bit his lower lip, suppressing a shiver. "I appreciate the concern, Neji…
…But I am not the one who needs protection here." With one last look at Neji, Naruto walked off, his hands still shoved deep in his pockets.
And Neji just stood there, rooted to the spot, unable to move as he watched Naruto's retreating figure. The cold bitter wind was unrelenting and the snowflakes kept on falling. His cellphone vibrated in his pocket but he failed to notice it. Unwittingly, his frown deepened.
Naruto poured a generous amount of liquid soap in his open palm. Satisfied at the amount, he spread the soap in his hair then down to his body, shivering at the cold feel. He let his eyes wander at the small cubicle. It was dirty, smelly and the tiles were grimy.
He used to do this when he was younger –sneaking at random restrooms for a quick relief or a free shower. That was the time when he ran away from the orphanage and started living in the streets. He enjoyed the freedom. He craved for independence since he was little, and when he finally had it, he treasured it.
However, like every good thing in his life, it was all short-lived as he eventually realized the unforgiving, violent nature of this kind of lifestyle.
It was solitary and unsafe. Nights were brutally cold and the days are a constant battle for survival. And he persevered – doing anything just to live. He wasn't completely innocent. He did things that can make even bad people… cringe.
monster
He stopped – momentarily distracted by the noise outside the restroom. There were surprised, panicking voices outside. Though the voices were muffled, Naruto has a pretty good idea what they were panicking about. The door was locked and it was a public toilet. Hence, he should hurry up.
He lifted the pail filled with water and poured all the contents on his soap-filled body. Mentally cursing himself for forgetting a towel, he took his blazer to dry himself.
In less than a minute, he was fully clothed and hurriedly opened the door. One hand at his nape, he grinned at the bunch of irate people outside, hair still dripping wet.
"Hehe. Took a long piss. Sorry 'bout that."
"Fuck blondie, get out of there." Some random, yakuza-looking man shoved Naruto at the side and ran inside, not even bothering to glance at him.
Naruto just smirked, picked himself up and arranged his crumpled polo. "Must be an emergency." He noticed a loitering woman staring at him and feeling a little gutsy, Naruto playfully winked at her. "Hi there… Miss?"
Naruto froze. She looked familiar.
Ah shit.
"…." The woman continued to stare at him, appraising him. And then, her red, thick lips opened. "I knew it. You look familiar, boy."
Before Naruto could even say anything, the restroom door burst open, and the creepy-looking man from earlier came out. The woman gave Naruto a fleeting look before she shifted his attention to the other guy. "Hey honey, look what I found. It's –"
Naruto backed away, his step faltering. He did not dare turn around. He knew he'd be recognized immediately. A sudden grab at his shoulders halted his movements. His eyes widened and he felt something trickle down his face. Something swelled in his chest – threatening to burst.
fear. panic
"—Where are you going?"
Naruto's clenched fist instantly flew and hit the man square at the jaw. He heard something crack as he withdrew his fist. The woman shrieked at the scene and lost her balance, falling on her rear. Naruto did not waste any more time and hurriedly gathered his bearings and ran away.
anger
Naruto ran until his knees gave out and he nearly collapsed on the pavement. He was on all-fours at the middle of the street, totally oblivious of the people staring at him. He's panting and sweating all over. His chest felt extremely heavy and he could barely breathe. He gripped his chest, willing his heart to stop beating in a maddening pace.
"That bastard." Naruto breathed, deep-seated anger still gripping his gut. "Should have… damn it, I swear, if I-"
In his dazed and exhausted state, Naruto barely heard someone move behind him. One hand suddenly gripped his arm and forcefully yanked him backwards. Naruto cried at the sudden pull, struggling to maintain his balance.
"Heh. Found ya, you punk. Think you can get away from us a second time?"
Naruto scrunched up his nose at the whiff of the man's breath. It smelled disgusting. He tried to jerk away, but the man tightened his hold, and snaked another arm to the other side of Naruto, securing the latter in place. "Get your filthy hands offa me, you asshole." Naruto spat.
The man chuckled in response. One of his teeth glinted proudly while he sneered at the blond. "Not before…we're even, you fucker. I haven't paid you yet, have I? Where have you been all this time, huh? Been searching for you ever since…" The man grabbed Naruto's throat. "You stinking pile of shit. You thought I forgot, huh? What you did to me. After every fuckin' thing I did for you."
The grip on his neck tightened. Naruto gasped for air.
"And now, you dare show your face to me again."
"Urgh… Off. Let me go, you-."
The man did let go. He kicked Naruto's back as hard as he could. Naruto tumbled a few feet forward. Regaining composure, he braced himself for incoming attacks. But there was none. The man continued to stare at him, brown eyes gleaming as he surveyed the blond. "Well lookie here, is that a uniform you're wearing? Fancy that. Now I'm really interested. Tell me, who is it this time?"
"...What?"
"Who? Who's the unlucky little sugardaddy now?"
Naruto gawked.
"The one paying for all your shit. You must be living the life now, ain't ya? How much for one night, eh?" Tilting his head to one side to show off the tattoo on his neck, the man licked his lips slowly. "I pity the fucker though. He's been cheated. You're already a damaged good."
come on, boy. suck it.
And that was it. Naruto saw red. He pounced at the tattooed man at such speed that the other just froze at the spot, literally unmoving.
The world suddenly seemed hazy and he couldn't feel anything. Couldn't hear anything. His clenched fist continued to travel down, hitting the soft flesh of the man's face. Again and again. He couldn't stop.
Couldn't.
His line of sight lingered from the man's tattoo on his neck, then to the patches of blood on the pavement. He felt sick, but he still couldn't stop.
blood. there's blood everywhere. it's your mess, boy. lick it
"Naruto-kun." One pale hand wrapped around his wrist. It was a gentle yet firm hold and Naruto immediately stopped. "You'll kill him if you continue." Naruto blinked… That voice? Slowly, he turned around to face the other.
For a second, Naruto gaped at the tall man, eyes squinting and confused. Then his eyes widened in recall…
"…A-
…aniki?"
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"I met him when I was thirteen.
He looked so hollow and unreal. His face so pale, his eyes so dark.
'--Sad. He looked so sad.'
Unwillingly, I stretched out my hand,
And I touched him...
.
.
It's hot.
Naruto felt dizzy. It was like his thoughts are swimming in a cloud of heated smoke and everything is misty and burning. So unreal. Everything felt so unreal. Like he's trapped in a dream. He's panting and gasping for air and he couldn't get out.
a dream. this must be a dream
"A—ahh…"
And there was pain. Dull, searing pain everywhere. Hands as cold as ice gripped his sides, blunt nails digging into the flesh. The rhythmic thrusts going deeper and deeper. His teeth clenched behind his lips, he gripped the sheets, struggling not to scream.
In a pace so maddeningly slow, it moves—and Naruto strains to follow, breathing in hollow gasps.
In his mind, he saw the bloodied pavement, the tattoo on the man's neck, those lifeless eyes – staring at him. His own image reflected in those terrified eyes. It's sick and Naruto suddenly felt nauseous. He caused that pain. In cold blood. Unfeeling. He shivered in disgust.
"Are you cold?"
A man's voice broke the silence of the dreary room. It was deep, a bit soothing. The tone is achingly familiar. Without opening his eyes, Naruto nodded in response.
A warm body hovered over his form before Naruto felt heat engulfed his body. The man wrapped his arms around the blond. It was mildly comforting, if it were not for that dull ache.
"Does it hurt?"
"…No." Naruto opened his eyes, blinked tiredly a few times, and stared at the endless pools of black in front of him—
Those eyes. The same black but…
—and suddenly, all the comfort and calm he felt earlier vanished into thin air. The eyes were blank, seemingly uncaring. Cold. Exceedingly different from the ones in his memory…
It's different. You're not… you're not him.
"It doesn't hurt." Naruto's words were strained, his voice hoarse. "Now move it, will you."
The other raised a brow. He stared at Naruto. And the other stared back defiantly, as if in challenge. Naruto could not hold back the sneer. "You're stopping? What, are you tired alrea—?"
A pale hand seized the blond's throat. Naruto winced. The grip tightened momentarily before the man eventually let go. "Insolence is a bad trait, otouto."
Naruto coughed a few times before he found his voice and put his mocking grin back in place. He licked his upper lip. "So is fucking your little brother, Itachi nii-san."
"We are not…" Unfazed, the older man lowered his lips to Naruto's jaw, and kissed the part gently, "real brothers, Naruto-kun." Naruto could feel the man's lips as they move slowly down his neck, mumbling words Naruto could not understand, leaving trails of saliva on his skin.
.
.
"I met Itachi when I was thirteen.
He looked so hollow and unreal. His face so pale, his eyes so dark.
I stretched out my hand, and touched him…
… his cold fingers met mine,
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.
And that is when everything starts crumbling down."
(TBC)
Part 2/6