Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto for it belongs to Masashi Kishimoto. I don't own 13 Reasons Why by, Jay Asher. I own this remix of the book(my version) and a copy of the book.


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The Dark Truth

Chapter 2

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Inazuka Kiba

We don't leave the park. We don't eject the tape. We sit there staring at the cassette player. I don't know what to say. I want to kill Uchiha Itachi though. He did that to her and she didn't deserve it okay? To boost his ego even if it was already boosted... that's crap right there. I don't even want to look at him. Sasori gets up and grabs the cassette.

"What are you doing?" Naruto asked in a small voice. That was a first.

"Turning it over baka... 'sides you want to go to the house or not?" Sasori scowled and turning the tape over with out Naruto speaking. He got up with Deidara behind him. One by one each of the guys fallowed towards the house... her old house... the one where I meet her. Where I saw her. Where I actually talked to her without him there... Where I felt like I closer with her more than before. It was quite all the way to the house. No one spoke. No one dared. No one would... for a reason... her.

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It wasn't till we were at least five minutes or so that someone spoke. That person was none other than... Haku. Now, Haku he wasn't the one who barely talked to anyone at the most part. No of course not. This was Haku and he was actually going to speak up. I never expect him to be the one though...

He ran to Itachi grabbed him by the shirt and pushed him down on the ground. He threw a punch and Itachi blocked the first blow with his arms and just laid there defending himself. Haku hit Itachi's stomach making him suck in air. So enough Sasori and Neji acted quickly. Right when Itachi was about to hit Haku's face Neji grabbed Haku by the arms and Sasori pulled his friend up and held his arms back. Haku looked down and then back up with fury in his eyes. With a straight face he snarled towards Itachi, "Why damn it... just why? ITACHI! WHY!"

Itachi looked at him with no emotion and said, "Why what?"

"You know why," Haku shook his head. "Why did you do it to her? Why did you just have to ruin it for her? Why? If you didn't do what you did a couple years ago then-"

"Then what?" Itachi raised his brow. "Huh? What? You know better than me that you did something to, so don't go all high and mighty on me okay. If you didn't then why are here? So shut up, Haku and back off." Itachi rolled his eyes and sip towards the ground.

"Why back off," Haku snarled. "If you didn't start any of this, what I did wouldn't have done any affect on her! You started all of this-"

"Your an annoying brat you know that?" Sasori releases his grip and Itachi steps forward to Haku. "I hate people like you. You try to defend people and fight for what you believe in... well you know something. Shut up because you don't have any idea what position I was in back then. You don't know me so you have no right to tell me what to do. Got that?"

"Ass whole..." Everyone turns their head. They look to the voice who said it. Itachi sucks in his breath and looks irritate, mad and so much more. Who ever thought so much emotion can come from one person in only seconds. And none of them were sad nor happy. All were with rage and then some.

"What did you just say Sasori?"

Sasori

That bastard. That fuckin' bastard. How dare he, to think I try to defend him and then he goes off. What's his problem?

"You hear me," I stayed strong and held my ground. "I was there when you told all the guys what you and Sakura were doing when you dated. Hell! I was there when you were telling us what you did with her. So what position were you in exactly when you said it, huh?" I stepped forward until I was right in front of him and pushed his shoulders. He grunted.

"Don't push me, Sasori. You know better." He tells me in a cold voice. Is he trying to calm me down? He is the reason what happened to Sak... her. Yet he tells me what to do. I watch him date her and make her laugh. I never got my chance did I?

"Or what Itachi." I changed him and pushed his shoulders on more time. He pushes me back.

"You know what."

"No I don't buddy," I sneer and push one more time. He catches my arms and pushes me down. My back hitting the grass floor, his fist his my face. I catch the next punch and kick him. He rolls over on the ground and I punch him in the face... sweet pay back. "Sorry pal." I whisper and then hit face.

For the first time ever, me and my best friend were fighting with our fist against each other.

And for one reason...

Sak... Sakura Ha... Haruno.

Inazuka Kiba

No one will stop them. No one will dare. This is a test of faith and trust. How far will they go? We will only know.

Sasuke steps forward but Deidara pulls him back telling him this is Itachi and Sasori's fight and they cannot be stopped until they wish to be. He steps back and doesn't say a word. Gaara and Haku say no words nor do they blink. Zaku doesn't even pitch a bet with me. Sai, Kimimaru, and Neji just stand there watching... it's late at night and no one can see it.

It's too dark and no one can wake up even with the noise we make. We watch in silence as two best friends from kindergarden exchanges punches and blows.

He hits him.

He kicks him.

They get up and start doing it over again.

Bam...

...Pow

Pain. Hurt. And not regrets.

Could you do it too? Fight against someone you knew for a very long time and not even think about that. It was only you, your fist, and your oponet. All the reason for this simple fight was a girl. A simple girl that had the strangest hair but the biggest smile. Who would probably have stop the fight even if it was two people she could never forgive in it. She hated violence and yet she had to resort to it to save herself from pain.

I suck it in and blink twice. Hold the tears... not for her... not for her... not now...

I stare at the two and no one stops them they yell out words of hatred towards each other.

"You freaking teme... I can't believe you!"

"Believe me? Where were you mister I'll comfort any girl but her!"

"Shut up! I was going to but you know why I didn't?!"

"No and I don't want to know! Because your nothing but a coward!"

"Coward? Me? Coming from the guy that doesn't show emotion to anyone!"

"Nice words... were did you get them? From a calender or something, huh?"

Kick where it hurts. Sasori give him a blow and Itachi goes down. He bits his lip and doesn't say a word. He's strong enough for that.

"You don't get it do you?" Sasori mumbled. He takes a hankie from his back pocket and throws it in front of Itachi. He wipes the blood on his face with his sleeve. "The only reason why I didn't go up to her was because of two reasons." He pauses. "One is because of her and the other is because of you... best friend." He looks at Itachi who looks up and they both have no emotion. Sasori walks away with Itachi getting up and grabbing the hankie.

Fights over but the night isn't... great.

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Nara Shikamaru

Troublesome... this girl is troublesome. So troublesome I can't sleep and I have to keep walking to her old house. At night none the less, the time I should be sound asleep in my bed dreaming. Sigh. As always this girl is keeping me up all night... just like... like old times...

"Nara, get walking." I only nod and don't even look up to see who just spoke to me. It doesn't matter really, we all are here for one reason and one only reason, for her.

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It took us about three to four minutes just to walk to her old house. The family that lives here now, is out on vacation this week. So we sit down, all thirteen of us, on the curb of the house. The street lights and few houses are the only source around the street. We all sit down on the curb or the lawn in front of the house and we turn to Sasori who takes the player out of his bag.

He opens it and turns it over... then hits the button that made us all alert and awake.

Play

Welcome back and arrigato for stay with me for part number two.

Sasori puts the player down on the lawn and turns up the volume louder. I watch and still listen. Her voice is so calm... how can she be? She was about to kill herself right before this ever happened. There she goes making it seem so small, so little.

Well now that all you lovely boys just heard about what Itachi did; you're going to hear what another one of your little friends did or enemy take your pick. Really to be totally honest right after Itachi's little stunt people began to say somethings they shouldn't. To be honest I took it in the first day and the second I want to crack. Too much. I saw stuff online on myspace about it, it's like no one knew when they went to far. Because no one really told them that it was enough, well someone who had power.

Someone like one of us guys. We were popular and we were feared by. People wanted to know us and be known by us. They wanted to jump when we jumped. So why didn't we tell them to stop for her? Answer... we don't do it just for anyone.

Sadly as much as I wanted to tell people to stop I couldn't do that for her. Looking back, I could have. But why didn't I?

Everyone knows that once every year or month or every other month a group of boys get together and make alittle list for the whole school to read. They send it to a group of friends and they read and somehow people end up making copies and everyone gets it. Everyone will see it. Those who read the list might love it or will be affected. Guess what... I was somewhat entertained by those pieces of papers but... well it ended shortly.

Who knows why? Come on... Sh...

What?

Shikamaru you got to figure it out. Your smart why do you think... I stopped liking those papers. You got to know who was in there and what happened... because I ran to you but Shika this tape isn't for you dear. It's for the boy who worked on that paper. Who put my name on it. Come on boy tell them who it is.

Slowly... and slowly... the answer came. I know. I will kill him that idiot, that big idiot. She did run to me and slowly her reputation was catching up to her. The reputation she didn't deserve or want. The reputation I could of stopped from getting to her...

And slowly the boy's name came out of my mouth.

Well...

"Naruto."

Naruto you wrote my name on that list.


Cassette One: Side B

Naruto


I must say I don't blame you for anything Naruto.

The minute she mention the list; when she mention running to Nara, well it was the minute I knew it was me. It had to be me.

You were a great friend from the start. So nice and kind. Tell me what happened?

That I can't answer, cherry.

Come on Naruto you probably think you didn't do anything. I mean you voted me Best Ass of the Whole School. Why should I be mad? I should be greatful right? Wrong, just wrong.

So, listen, very well.

I know now. I'll listen Sakura.

First of Naruto, if you think I am one of those girls who get all drama queen on you for doing a small thing then your wrong.

She's over reacting, can't she take a joke?

I don't get my panties in a bunch really, I mean after Itachi got all the boys to think I was that easy... why would you add to the fire? I thought you were my friend and you just, blew it. I heard whispers behind me saying that Naruto Uzumaki "hit" Sakura Haruno because he knows so much about my "fine" ass. But do really?

I...

You don't because I never let you touch me. I never let anyone touch me the wrong way. The only time you touched me was when you hugged me or swung your arm around my shoulder.

That's true.

You don't have to listen to me Naruto. I might be pressuring you with the other set of tapes, but who cares if people around town know what you think about my ass. right?

Wrong. It's humilating and I want to listen.

I can name a whole list of people who would care if all of the tapes got out. The one with you boys and so many others. And some of them are right next to you.

Oh kami.

Let's begin shall we?

Her voice not as harsh as before. Though you can hear a hint of anger if you listen very well.

Let's head down memory lane, once again. Second period your little list came out to the whole school. Boy did it make alot of noise, who knew what I was going to be in when I read it. Our teacher did have a great weekend because she didn't have any homework plan this week lucky us. Just to think when my day could of gotten so better I heard laughter.

Not just any kind of laughter, laughter behind me. When I looked up from my work, whispers and laughs stop. Do you get that feeling people are talking about and not in a good way? Well I felt that right now, and I'll feel it again don't worry. Alot of time, sadly.

I know Sakura. I hear rumors all the time. Sadly they involved you alot.

The people that were once looking at me avert their eyes. How nice of them to look away when I know that I wasn't beening made fun of. I am not stupid people. Except they weren't making fun of me they were doing something else. They were examining me. Want to know why? Well let's ask Jungo, shall we?

Jackass Jungo. That retard probably said something to her.

He didn't really tell me but I read it. You see he said those oh so faithful words as a whisper. He said, "Oh you bet it is..." I turn around he smiles and I look at the paper infront of him. It's upside down but I can read.

Someone whispers, "You Jackass." His nickname.

He gives them a glare. No one wants me in on the joke. Of course Jungo really likes getting attention from any girl. He'll drink it up dry until they get annoyed by him. "Baka," Someone nearly yells.

I wrote that because I was pressured. I was mad, too. I couldn't believe Sakura would do something with Itachi after I told her not to. I believed in a rumor when half of me told me that I was crazy and it wasn't true. I am an idiot and if Sasuke heard me he'll be shocked I accepted it. For her I will. I was mad because I liked her but did she care? No she was being a tease, yes a tease. She was a tease, like all the boys at school said.

"Your nuts! I am not, stop thinking that!"

Sakura's voice comes into my head. I freeze. Sakura...? I remember those words, the day she said it. Was the day I said she was...

I am building a reputation in a short amount of time. One I never thought I would get. One I don't want. Again to some of the boys I became friends with that are here now listening. Can I tell you something. I told you each that I didn't want my reputation, you saw I wasn't what the rumors said I was. So why didn't you speak out for me? You know my voice will never be heard in that FUCKED UP, FUCKING SCHOOL... because all that shit people do to me. So why didn't you?

And as for you Naruto and so many other boys, why did you pretend to be my friend?

I never did Sakura... I just... I don't know.

I read those words on that paper. KONOHA HIGH- WHO'S HOT/WHO'S NOT. Our teacher was coming I could hear the foot steps. I don't really care where my name was at the time. But out of curiosity I searched for my name anyways. There is just something about what people agreeing on something, espeically something about you that gave me butterflies in my stomach.

Where is my name? Where is it? FOUND IT!

That day my guy friends read the list. I saw all of them look back when they saw Sakura. I knew they had to agree. Sasuke even texted Neji saying it was somewhat true.

The teacher grabs the list and I turn to the front of the room. I turned my head to the side and I found out my answer. She was mad really mad. Not mad, she was freaking pissed.

The girl opposite of Sakura probably. Who was it again?

You see the girl that was pissed was the opposite of me on the paper. Her pencil was tapping like mad. She was way prettier than me so I didn't know why she was the opposite of hot.

I beg to differ Sakura.

Everyone knows that the Worst Ass of Konoha High was a lie and a fake.

"Oh how wrong..." Kiba whispers. A few cough. Sakura you can't think your ugly?

Except everyone didn't seem to act like it. When I walked down the halls that day. Every single guy that I past probably looked back. They probably were having a perverted dream about me. Which is very wrong I may add. I think you wrote my name for revenge.

Of course this tape isn't what your motive was. This tape is about what people think about you when they see you on a retarded list like yours. It's also about...

I hear the background. She grabs a paper and opens it. It's crumpled probably.

Okay. I just got out the list of so many names. Names the complete these set of tapes, only you boys could complete. And guess what, Naruto. Just guess for me. If you didn't write my name on that list, everything else before you wouldn't have happened. All of what these people with you did, it wouldn't happen. My choice...

... I...

Funny. A lot wouldn't have happened.

Her voice is quite. She laughs gently in the beginning of her words.

It wouldn't have happened. I'm not mad at you Naruto. I am way past mad now... I'm sorry. Yeah, that's right; I, Sakura Haruno, am sorry. I'm sorry for not loving you the way I should have and the way I couldn't. I'm sorry that I got you so mad, over me saying "no" to someone like you.

But I'm not sorry that you had to go be an idiot and do that to me. I'm disappointed in the boy who made me laugh, who was so open to others, who may act gross and weird but was still awesome, and with his smile it made a room light up. What to that boy? I don't know but that boy turned out to be, as I said, a disappointment.

She's disappointed in me, the nuckle head blond. She's sorry that she couldn't love me the way I wanted her to.

For that, I'm sorry I hurt her this much. It's more than Itachi's fault... it's mine. All me. I did it all. She's not blaming me but I know she should.

I don't even have a right for her to say sorry.

You need a name oppsosite of me. So why not take the other blond, huh? The blond who depened on her looks so much. Who wants to everyone to love her and some hated her. The one who always thought she was beautiful and she was.

After Itachi's little number, every boy got that perverted image of me. So why not Sakura, right?

...right.

Thank you, Itachi, again.

So, in short Naruto this tape is about the repercussions of what you did. What those reprecussions did to me. What you couldn't have done, and what was done. The things you couldn't have planed, the ones you didn't plan.

Oh dear kami-sama.

Pause

I look to Sakura's house behind me. My eyes don't fall on the front door or the steps or the windows, they fall on a tree. Our tree. The tree where I cut myself trying to carve our names into the bark. Sakura freaked out that day.

That day...

"Naruto are you mad!" She yelled at me. My hand was bleeding.

"I am bleeding! This is real blood... oh shit." I wasn't going to panic, real men don't panic. She ran out of the yard and went inside. "Sakura, are you going to leave me here?" I yelled.

She came back runing with a first ad kit and told me to sit down or she would make me. That was the day fathers I got on the tree was "Sakura and Naruto Best Frien-" she wouldn't dare let me write anymore.

...

I wonder... I got up from the grass and walked to the tree. It was dark but the street light helped. I searched the bark... found it. What I saw made me smile but at the end I was shocked, not sad. Why? Because of what was on the bark.

"Sakura and Naruto Best Friends Forever." She finished it. And slowly that big grin of mind, the shock on my face, it all went down to a frown. I have no right to be on that tree.

I walk back and the tape starts up again.

Play

The day your list came out, Naruto, it wasn't that bad. I survived. I survived the boys that I saw looking back as my... ehem, ass. Those who huddled around others with a copy. They know it's a joke. I know it's one big fat, ugly joke.

What does it feels like when your named the best ass in the whole school? Let me tell you boys, it gives others a right to treat you like your just a prize. A thing to win. And for all you perverts out there, it gives you a right to have a dream about my ass. To let others think your just a body part to look at.

Want an example? Fine. B-3 on your map. The local drug store, Mercury.

Only a few blocks away. We went there for random candy drives.

Who knows why it's called that but hey it's a cool name. I loved sweets. So I went there everyday to get candy. Not only did I get candy but those pills that will kill are from that store. Let's not forget that those who went with me to buy sweets on certain weekends. Naruto, do you remember?

Yes I do.

That places isn't really busy. When I am there, it's me, the register person, and the pharmacy person. They usually had a two other workers there but other than that the places wasnt really big. Four people to keep each other company and me.

We all get the picture. We get up, say our good byes to her house and walk. Walk to the twenty-four hour pharmacy/mini-mini store.

Right in front of the register was this rack of all the candy you could ever dream over. The best were there. My favorite was chocolate pandas. Those little boxes filled with biscites that had pandas on it and then when you take one bite, chocolate center. The taste, great!

Everytime I went to buy candy. The cashier never says "hi" or "hello." People say he doesn't talk to anyone, well your right he doesn't. Though he just smiply grunts when he sees someone. And when he sees me he just nods. That's the only reaction I got from him until one day.

That one day I heard him make a sound. That day was all thanks to you, Naruto. What a great friend you are!

She's sarcastic. I look down at my shoes as I walk. I hear here voice again, Why didn't you buy orange Vans? I mean it looks good on you. I didn't because... I don't know why.

I walked into the store. The bell goes off and the register goes CHA-CHING. I pick up my panda box from the racket and pay. See the cashier already knew what I would get and just charged it already. I searched for money in my backpack. You see while I searched, someone came into the store. I can tell you that person's name but I rather not.

He's one of those jerks at school who I hate. His disgusting, horibble actions were all because of what you did, Naruto.

Who is he?

He threw open the door of Mercury. When he saw me he said my name. "Hey Sakura, didn't know you would be here." I gave him a small smile and gave my money to the cashier guy. The guy just nodded, as usual, and took the money and open the register.

"Hey dude guess what." The boy I knew said. With such arrogance like the cashier was beneath him. His breath right over my shoulder.

My backpack was on the counter as I zipped it up. The cashier's eyes looked down to where my waist was. I knew what was coming. The thing some boys wanted to do at school when they saw me or were near me. And one boy finally got to do it.

A cupped hand slapped my butt. Then he said those words. "Best Ass Of Konoha High right in front of you!"

Her voice, so harsh, mad and she is silent. I know Sakura, she's probably shutting her eyes.

Did it hurt? No. Does it really matter? Does he have the right to do that to my body? I hope you know the answer.

...I'll kill him.

I knocked his hand away as quick as you can bitch slap a boy. That's when it happened. The cashier mad a sound. He kept his mouth shut but he made a noise. He was mad. You see the guy at the cashier was probably from our high school. No ever really saw him but he was from our school. And let's just say he was full or rage.

I brought my bag over my shoulder and whispered, "Excuse me." When I moved I avoided his eyes. Now the guy he fallowed me out side the door. He grabbed my wrist when I yanked my arm away he told me, his grip was tight. He says my name. SCUM!

This guy... he's toying with her. He'll pay when I find out.

"I'm only joking, Sakura. Just relax." He says then lets go but put a hand on my shoulder.

Okay let's examine the boy's action shall we. First words, then actions.

Words 1: "I'm only joking."
Translastion: Your ass is my play thing. You may think you have the final say but you don't. Just as long as "I'm joking."

The answer I wanted to give him. "Joking? You got to be kidding me, get away from me."

That...

Words 2: "Just relax."
Translation. I just wanted to touch you. Even though I know you don't want me too. If it makes you feel better touch me anywhere you want."

Touch her like that...

Action 1: Grabs my ass.

This guy has plent of time to grab my ass at school. So why now? My pants weren't anything speical. They weren't overly tight. Sure they were alittle low but come on! He could of grabbed my hips instead but he didn't; my ass is what he wanted to grab.

Naruto, what I am saying is... your list let a whole bunch of guys to dream and have a reason to touch. But this guy was the first who touched me. It was an excuse for him to do so. That list. And that's all this guy and so many others needed.

Gomen, gomen... gomen... g-g-gome...

Action 2: He grabbed my wrist then put his hand on my shoulder.

This pisses me off. My butt has been grabbed before, but seriously what the heck! It is grabbed because of a little listed made by my best friend. I'm sorry not so best friend. He saw me mad, what did he do? Apologize? No. Except he became alittle pushy and then he puts his hand on his shoulder, as if touching me was good enough to say sorry.

Tip: Don't touch a girl, as if it was a joke and she pushes you off. Leave. Her. ALONE. Don't even touch her. It will only make her sick.

Good tip, even out of anger... I guess.

There are some sick and twisted people out there, Naruto. I might even be one of them. The point is, when you wrote that list you put people up as joke or as an object to be looked at with "aw."

Kami.

You didn't hold me up as a joke right? No you put me on the Hot Column. You made me seem like an obeject. You made me get touched by guys at school for who knows how long. On my ass none the less. You made people look back at me when I walked pass them. You made people think of me as less of what I am. You made others see a side of me that was made up. You helped the little reputation bigger.

For that, some friendships end, the best too. And also, you are one of the best asses I have ever meet. Now how do you feel?

Stop

As many times as I say sorry. She won't forgive me. Friendships do end, even the best. I could of... what could I have done?


Best of Who?
Of you? Of me?
There is no best...
no one is better than anyone
Though now, it seems
one list can change


Chapter Two done! Late but was it worth the wait? You tell me. REVIEW! R&R! I might jump to conclusions so press that review button.

I have an announcement. A few of my friends started this Naruto FanFiction Contest-thingy. Ninja Nonsense Awards, I believe. The link is, ninjanonsenseawards(dot)webs(dot)com. SO GO VIST and PM if you got some stories you might want to see in the round or if you want to be a memeber.

Ja-Ne!