This time it felt wrong all of it. Naruto knew he shouldn't have stayed out so late, as the street lights flicker on just like they had many times before; However, this time around even the dark vacant sidewalk he turned down did not help ease the feeling he got as if he was being watched. Subconsciously, Naruto hugged Sasuke's leather vest closer to his body as a chill crept down his spine.
The temperature had dropped dramatically to point to where he could visibly see his own breath coming out in short frequent puffs, like that of a steam engine. He thought, at the time, it was such a good idea to walk and clear his head that was until the sound of hurried footsteps on the asphalt had jerked him from his reverie.
Just as he turned.
He found himself facing three fairly large individuals they wore black bandanas around their mouths and nose hindering him from ever recognizing them.
"I've kept an eye on you," the biggest said.
"We been patiently waiting for the opportunity where nobody could help you and look at cha now. Alone."
Naruto had frozen as dread began to overshadow all senses. They had pinned him in a corner now. He released a shaky breath as the three swooped in on him. It felt as if he had swallowed a dry pill.
It was the largest of the three who struck first. He punched the youth square in the gut, with enough force to send him tumbling over that was when the other two swooped in kicking and punching him while the one who laid the first punch went through his pockets.
The only thing the blonde could do was curl up into a ball using his arms to shield his head. The other larger guy had laughed enjoying the sight. "Strip him," the largest of the three yelled. As they ripped his shoes from his feet and began to remove his pants. Naruto held back tears he would not give them the satisfaction.
By now, the blows were so fluent that his body became numb to the punts and kicks.
He got a good swift kick to his temple, by a solid steel toe boot, and then another he felt that unmistakable woozie feeling overflowed all sensation. His mouth filling with a metallic taste as his lower lip split in half. He could not safeguard his head anymore. It was the closing stomp to his temple that had done him in. It had been a patron walking his Pitbull who had spooked the thugs. The hoodluims had quickly scurried off, back from the darkness which they came from.
"Hey kid, you alright?" That was the last thing he remembered before consciousness slipped way.
Pain immense pain circulated through his body when Naruto awoke.
He was in bed? Subconsciously, he reached his arm up to his face but then paused once he realized his arm was heavy and constricted. What the hell? His appendage was nestled in a dense white cast. He watched the cast at a complete loss for words. His blonde brows drawing together to create a confused crease. Did I get slipped a roofy?
He tried recalling the events prior to this. Abruptly, an image of a large sole coming towards him flashed across his mind. He leaped out of bed back up against a wall before sliding down it curling his legs up to his chest, he rested the crown of his forehead on his knees, while wrapping one lithe arm around his legs. He did not remember much, but it was enough to lock him up.
"Naruto?"
His head shot up. Jiraiya was kneeling in front of him with both hands hovering dangerously close to his shoulders.
"I'm fine."
"Like hell you are! It sounded like you were trying to break your way through the bedroom wall." His guardian did not mean for his tone to come out so harsh. He was angry. He wanted whoever did this to his foster child to pay dearly. "Your physician told me to call when you woke up. He had you on so many pain killers you resembled that of a dope fiend. Whoever did this, messed you up pretty good kid."
"You should see the other guy." He joked in hopes of lighting the mood. It was hard seeing Jiraiya face all pinched with worry.
The appeared to have done the trick. "C'mon get back in bed. I'm going to call Tsunade, so she can come and have a look at you the pain medication will kick in soon."
"Okay." Reluctantly, the blonde allowed Jiraiya to help him on his mattress.
"I'll be right outside this door if you need me, kid."
Naruto nodded forcing a smile. He watched as his foster father reluctantly exited his room, before jumping out of his bed. Hastily, he searched his room for his shoes. He was beginning to recall that night, and those damn douchebags had stolen Sasuke's vest from him.
He found his black and white vans by his bed post, it was awkward just trying to put his sneakers one with one hand but he managed.
He rushed over towards his bedroom window popping the screen out and setting it beneath the windowsill. Quietly, he jumped out his bedroom window as soon as his soles touched the earth was when he began to hightail it out of there, whatever pain killers he was on, made him feel as if he was the incredible Hulk. He was going back to the scene of the crime maybe there was something there to help him remember.
Once he reached the desired block did he start to retrace his footsteps. He turned down the same sidewalk where he was ambushed, pausing right in the spot he that they surround him. Now that he thought about it this was a grave mistake he saw the blood blotches on the sidewalk, which instantly triggered the same amount of anxiety he was feeling that night.
His breath hitching as he fought to calm his nerves. It felt like the place was spinning around him and gradually closing in, clamping his eyes shut hoping the feeling would ebb away, both his regular and cast hand drifted up to his temples as he tried in vain to get a reign on himself.
You gotta gain control Naruto. No one is coming to hurt you, but what if they live in this area and just so happen to stroll by at this exact moment… What if they are watching right now just like last night? Shit…Shit…Shit. Not helping… Not helping.
Vaguely, he heard the ear-piercing screech of tires. "Naruto!" There was a loud slam followed shortly after, but he couldn't bring himself to look.
"Oh my... Who did this to you!" Her bright emerald green orbs widening as she surveyed the teen. He had a black eye busted lip and a thin split across the bridge of his nose. Moreover, the cast on his arm stood out like a sore thumb he looked like shit. Her shock and bewilderment abruptly turned into anger and disgust. It was Sakura, and by sheer coincidence, she had been shopping in town normally she wouldn't be caught dead in these parts. Gently, the girl with rose colored hair placed a hand on the teen's shoulder, in return making him jump slightly. Finally, he allowed himself to open his eyes instantly burying his face into Sakura's shoulder.
He felt a rush of relief to see her. "I don't know what's wrong with me…" He whispered honestly.
"It's okay." She could not hide the annoyance in her tone. Somebody was going to pay that being one thing that got underneath her skin, seeing good people get hurt. She gave him a soft embrace before leading him toward her Toyota. She helped him into her truck closing the door behind him.
"You're coming with me." He nodded in agreement as she started the engine and took off in the direction towards the other side of town.
Once Naruto stepped out of her pickup he began to survey the dirt lot, in the front of the saloon, for one particular bike. Alas, there was no sign of Sasuke which might be a blessing in disguise. He did not want the raven-haired biker to see his battle scars not yet anyway. Sakura and the teen made their way into the saloon. Once inside he saw Ino there she was talking to Hinata over two cool beers. Abruptly, their conversation stopped as both women blinked owlishly at him.
"Wha… what the hell happened to you, kid?" Ino had cocked a brow at him. Usually, when the blonde was under a large amount of stress he would use his sense of humor to help cope with those feelings or help halt unwanted questions like right now.
"I walked into a door." It could have been from the alcohol or the sheer randomness of it all, but both women chuckled despite being upset by his outward appearance.
"Walked into a door? It looks more like that door beat your ass! Pft. When Sasuke sees this, he's going to tear that door down."
"Why would he?" Now that he thought about it, maybe he ought to have Sakura drop off at home before Sasuke showed up. Without warning the teen was jerked from his reverie at the sound of Sakura's voice. She was on her mobile phone. Her voice rang out as she cut across the smoky saloon.
"I don't care if you're fishing! It's going to have to be cut short… I have somebody you might want to see. Hold on-" She then lowered her voice turning her back at Naruto and the rest of them as she stepped through the back door of the Saloon.
Ino smiled, "Twenty bucks says Sasuke will be here in 30 minutes."
"It's an hour and a half drive back. How about you make it fifty and I just might consider it." Hinata returned the bleached blonde's smile.
"You're on!"
There was nothing that could compare to the tranquil sound of water overlapping, there Sasuke sat on one of those fold-out chairs by the lake. He had the handle of his fishing pole buried deep in the sand, a cold beer in one hand and a cigarette in the other.
"I thought you quit." Sasuke's ebony orbs connecting with Neji's pale ones the raven with waist length hair had returned from his pickup with another case of beer catching Sasuke in the act.
Neji Hyuga was the polar opposite from his cousin Hinata. His personality type matching Sasuke's own that's why the pair got along famously. Neji did not ask questions or pry he was just along for the ride.
"Well, with a family like mine you'd smoke too." Neji had occupied the folding chair next to him.
"You have a point," He cracked open an ice cold can, taking a large swig. Neji knew all too well about their family business. Hell, their dads were the founding fathers to the vastly growing biker gang. The two ravens had been at the fishing spot since this morning. It was a tradition they shared it was a way to escape their personal hell. Since they were both the sons of demons.
The pair let the serene atmosphere consumed them as they stared out at the murky lake. This was what Sasuke would describe as a perfect day and then his repose interrupted as his cell started to vibrate in his back pocket. He moved his body at an odd angle grasping his cell he saw that it was Sakura phoning, and would have opted to ignore it that was until Neji chimed in.
"You should answer; nobody ever calls when we are on a fishing trip. It could be an emergency."
Though Sasuke did not want to admit his kin had a valid point. He cursed beneath his breath before answering.
"Hello? Sasuke?"
"What is it Sakura? We are fishing at Neji's grandparent's cabin, so you are well aware that Neji and I are an hour away."
"I don't care if you're fishing! It's going to have to be cut short… I have somebody you might want to see. Hold on-"
Sasuke faulted the urge to roll his eyes. "Okay, I'm somewhere where no one can hear me- "
"Get to the point!" He did not mean to snap at her but his patience was wearing thin.
"It's about Naruto… The kid got messed up pretty bad I'm worried about him it looked like he was in a car accident. He was wandering the streets looking lost he barely recognized me."
"…"
The only thing to come to mind was his brother's harsh words. He hoped not he kept his distance hell he was going to spend several days in Hyuga's grandparent's cabin a sort of unofficial retreat. So he could wrap his head around everything.
He just wanted a few days to forget about Itachi and Kakashi it took him a minute to realize who the silver-haired man was. Kakashi was indeed tied to Sasuke's family. He helped provide and sell high power assault rifles, but then one evening he just vanished.
"I need you here Sasuke! I'm sorry for ruining your trip. I know it means a lot to you, but if you see him then you'll understand why I'm concern. Sasuke? Hello? Are you there? Answer me damn it!" He had no time to respond. The raven was already packing his shit.
" Did something transpire?" Neji said from his seat oblivious to Sasuke's urgency.
"Yeah, let's go and this time I'm driving. No offense but my grandmother can drive faster than you Hyuga." Neji smirked beside the blatant insult. Neji knew Sasuke would be going 120 down the freeway.
Both men were placing the cooler and fishing poles in the back of Neji's pickup when the raven with waist-long locks decided to say something that had been plaguing his mind for a couple days now.
"That night during your birthday there was more than a couple people who took notice to your friend. Normally, I wouldn't give unwanted advice, but just be careful who you bring around. Our people don't take too lightly to newcomers. I overheard your brother talking to someone about taking care of a problem."
Sasuke jawline had clenched, so that clarified Sakura's emergency call. If his brother just so happens to show up at Sakura's family saloon.
