Disclaimer: still don't own anything but the plot
Warnings: gore, violence and sexual situations
Rated: 15 again I'd say.
Chapter 3
'He knows'
Naruto stared blankly at a fold in the crumpled sheets. He was sat cross-legged, slumped over in misery.
'He knows…Soon everyone will know…it will happen again. They'll start to hate me, fear me, call me a freak.
Then he'll come…
Naruto clenched his fingers tightly, welcoming the pain of nails biting into flesh
'I'll have to move, I have to go' He started to get up, only to sink back down again in defeat.
'Where could I go? I can't just disappear, they'll search for me. Heck, Jiraiya will tear this place apart to find me. Then everyone will know… Then it's only a matter of time…'
Naruto couldn't remember it, but he had first met Kyuubi when he was nearly a year old.
His small body was convulsing feebly, the shrill wails audible even over the unbroken wave of sound from the nearby car horn; crushed into life by the dead weight of a lifeless body. Six long scratches, three on each cheek were the only testament to his escape from the wreckage of a car barely feet away.
Miraculous, one could say, considering he was thrown through the jagged remains of a smashed windscreen.
The collisions had happened so fast, a truck loaded with thin steel tubing, had suddenly braked on the motorway. The male driver was killed instantly, but his female front passenger was impaled, screaming hysterically. The car was then struck from behind, a motorist caught by surprise at the sudden stop desperately floored the squealing brakes.
But there was no time
The car was tossed to the side, the strength of the impact forcing the steel pipes to cut through screeching metalwork.
The screaming stopped
A baby was thrown from the car, the force of the lurch sending the child clear onto the grassy bank.
There was a moment of pure silence when the world stopped...
The baby wailed
Footsteps, voices, sobbing, screaming
Two bodies were pulled from the wreckage, unrecognisable as human beings. The bluntly serrated ends of the tubes had gouged holes inches deep into flesh. You could see sunlight through one head, the pulpy soup of grey matter inching down the ruined face to collect on the warm tarmac. Chunks of bleeding meat stopped the ends of the hollow pipes. An arm had been left behind in the driver's seat, three fingers, a hank of hair.
People screamed, sobbed, paced, and cried. Yet in all this noise and confusion the baby had fallen silent. He was sleeping, snuffling fitfully; clutching something. His tiny fist was slightly open, and if you looked closely, you could see the plump fingers indented with the force of their grip.
Almost as if he were holding a hand
Kyuubi had appeared that day, he always came to special occasions such as these. The bloodier the better, and this was a very nice one.
He was not a man, yet held the likeness of one, a better word to describe him would be a demon. Kyuubi had no body, but liked to share, to leech off the souls of others. He was the voice that whispered in the ear of murderers, rapists and torturers. He loved his job; it always brought such entertainment, watching the inventive ways humans had learnt how to kill. Knowing he had caused it.
That day Kyuubi took an interest in the small baby with blood whiskers, he reminded Kyuubi of a little fox cub he'd once toyed with. He'd ordered it to lay down in front of oncoming traffic to amuse himself, business was slow that day. Five, six cars swerved past the crouching fox in a roar of fumes and hot metal then something happened which had never happened before, the animal sat up, stretched and walked away. In pure astonishment the demon watched it reach the grassy bank and sink to the floor panting, nose snuffling inquisitively, then it's heart burst.
It was almost a shame that he had to die
Kyuubi had the power to stop human hearts, to block the flow of rich blood, to starve the organ until it simply ceased to function. The humans had a word for it he recalled, a 'heart attack'.
Very fitting
There was no logic to the demons life work, simply the pleasure to perform. A life was a life after all; they would believe the baby died from shock. It happened all the time.
Kyuubi reached for the child, feeling for the tiny heartbeat
Strangely enough, the baby gurgled happily and Kyuubi was intrigued. No one had ever smiled at him before, but this child was obviously different. There was …something. Something strange about this child.
But what?
Kyuubi had never seen the swell of human life so bright.
It blinded him
Disturbed him
He craved it
It had started out with little incidents, at the foster home kids would tease Naruto, hiding his toys, pinching, calling names. He would always ignore them, never giving them the satisfaction of seeing his bright smile fade.
Later he'd cry himself to sleep under the bedcovers
Naruto was 4 years old.
Kyuubi was always around at that time, no one suspected that he was quite real; they thought Naruto just had an imaginary friend.
Kyuubi pleaded with Naruto to retaliate, those ruby eyes flashing in anger at his kit's treatment, but Naruto wouldn't, he couldn't hurt other people, it was wrong.
Kyuubi stopped asking, he disappeared
Those long months were so desperately lonely; there was no one that didn't laugh derisively when Naruto tried so hard to be liked, so he stopped talking. He didn't utter a word for two months and the sad thing was, no one noticed. No one cared like Kyuubi did, no one listened when he spoke, no one even called him by his real name. It was either 'boy', 'it' or 'freak'.
Kyuubi cared, Kyuubi wanted him, Kyuubi gave him a real name.
Later that day, three children ran back to the Children's Home in tears, holding bruised and bloodied noses.
Kyuubi didn't come, but Naruto kept faith.
A week later one boy was sent to hospital, arm snapped in three places. Four other children had multiple bruises and slashes.
Kyuubi didn't come. So Naruto tried harder.
Two children were found beaten unconscious, one needed 38 stitches.
Naruto grew increasingly violent toward the people who had made his life a misery, who had driven Kyuubi away. But he was careful, always careful not to get caught. Kyuubi had always expressed a great need for secrecy; no one could prove a thing if there was no evidence. Yet, people started looking at him differently, speculating, suspecting. They avoided his gaze, fear forcing a long awaited civility.
And Naruto began to understand
The boy was sobbing, smeared with mud from where he had fallen. The child gripped a torn sleeve, bright blood running down from a grinning slash in his arm. Naruto advanced slowly, smiling widely.
He had finally realised something; it felt great to be in control, to be feared instead of fearing others.
Naruto understood why Kyuubi had abandoned him; he had been so pathetic before, believing that people could change, that he'd be accepted one day. If people hurt him, then they must expect to be hurt back eventually. It all made such sense
The boy screamed shrilly, stumbling backwards as Naruto grabbed the fabric of his soaked shirt. He pressed the warm blade of his stolen penknife against the unprotected throat.
Hurting other people felt so good, how could he have ever thought it was wrong.
He dragged the blade across
That night the boy didn't come home… but Kyuubi did.
Naruto still remembers that dark, smooth voice praising him for his actions, for finally realising that it stopped hurting when you were the one inflicting the pain.
It was the happiest day of Naruto's young life, and that night they went out to 'celebrate'
They returned at dawn
A steady staccato of dripping blood accompanied the young boy's soft footfalls, but most chilling of all were his eyes, such lively, cheerful blue eyes beaming through a sliding mask of gore.
Naruto shuddered as he clutched the bedcovers, remembering the cloying smell of blood, its sharp metallic taste as it dribbled into his mouth. The bubbling glee and excitement, the dark satisfaction.
He had murdered so many that night, anyone who had ever ignored, mocked or hurt him… Naruto remembered how he had giggled all through it, Kyuubi giving him the strength he needed, handing him the tools, the pointy knives the jagged edges.
It had all been so easy, so much fun.
Naruto was 7 years old
He ran then. Hiding out in sheds, behind bins, whatever he needed to do to survive. He was caught three months later, but they didn't make the vital connection between this weak, starved child and the ruthless murderer of so many. They put him into another home.
And so it began again.
The taunting, the hate, but this time Naruto was smarter, stronger. People left him alone after the sudden spate of mysteriously broken bones, and that was that.
But Kyuubi wanted more.
He wanted blood
Naruto struggled fiercely against the barbed presence of the demon, he didn't want to. He didn't want to go back to spending freezing nights outside, shivering in dank alleys, fighting for half chewed, rotten scraps. Never again.
Kyuubi's soothing voice weaved its path of pretty lies around Naruto, lulling and persuading. The struggle to resist almost cost the child his sanity.
So whilst he was weak, the demon took his body.
He'd woken up surrounded by the dead, clothes splattered with dark blood. They all seemed to be accusing him with lifeless eyes, blaming him, cursing him.
One was still alive, clutching at a jagged tear in his chest. When he saw the child staring he gasped hoarsely, bloody grip tightening. As Naruto shuffled forward trying to help, he weakly clawed at the floor dragging himself backwards. Naruto stopped; he couldn't do anything except cause more distress in the man's last moments. The young boy watched as his eyes glazed over into oblivion.
"Demon" he hissed venomously. His heart slowed and finally stopped.
Numbly, the small blonde looked down at the still body catching his reflection in that sightless gaze.
Red eyes
The boy cried out in pain
Betrayed
Once again, he ran.
Kyuubi tried to talk to him, to distract him. Naruto ignored him, locking his best friend away into a dark corner of his mind.
It was the hardest thing he ever had to do. And it hurt, it hurt so much
Naruto was 10 years old
A week later Jiraiya was astonished to find a small boy lying asleep in his flower beds.
A month later saw Naruto with a new family, a new father.
Kyuubi retreated into the shadows.
That was the last time Kyuubi had appeared…until now.
It was getting dark fast, the bland room swiftly disappearing into gloom. Naruto undressed slowly before slipping between the covers, he lay awake mulling over possible solutions to this sudden complication to his life.
He barely noticed Neji slip into the room a few hours later.
A soft click of the closing bathroom door prodded him back to reality, as the dulled roar of water sounded in small room. When the water ceased, and the bathroom handle turned, the blonde quickly shut his eyes, evening out his breathing to feign sleep. Soft footsteps approached his bed. Naruto felt warm breath against his face as the other teen brushed a lock of hair away from his forehead.
"Goodnight Naruto"
Naruto waited, listening for the slight shift of springs and even breathing, before opening his eyes. Surprisingly Neji's presence calmed him, made him feel safe. Naruto tucked a hand under his cheek, letting dreamless sleep gather him into its arms.
One week later
Neji leant against the low wall panting slightly, his breath forming wisps of cloud in the chill air. It was a ritual of his to engage in a little martial arts to calm the mind and body. The exercise also had the additional benefit of keeping him healthy and limber.
Presently, he was idly watching the window of his shared bedroom from his lofty perch.
Earlier on those new acquaintances of his roommate had burst through the door, engaging in laughter and frivolous actions. Almost at once a meeting had begun, taking the form of a close huddle in the centre of the room. Obviously, they were either plotting or sharing secrets.
Neji squashed the slight flutter as jealously bitterly reared its ugly head. Naruto had spoken to him on many occasions, but as of yet, the blonde had failed spectacularly in detecting the subtle hints his roommate constantly dropped. And when those attacks had begun, Neji was always there warning them off, even engaging in the occasional bout of physical combat.
All of that to protect his angel; and yet he still seemed not to notice.
Releasing this sudden bout of unnecessary annoyance with a calming breath, the brunette pillowed his head on his arm. Trailing his fingertips lightly over the gritty brickwork, he allowed rebellious strands of jet to drape lazily over the side of the building.
Neji twitched slightly inhaling suddenly; in that moment of calm a burning image drifted to the front of his mind. Supple, tan flesh glowing softly in the weak sun, the smooth valley of that curved spine, those slender hips. The alluring slight of a shirtless Naruto, sprawled out, intertwined with the sheets. It had almost driven him mad.
For this past week now, he'd been coming up here before dawn. More and more often his urges would swell up like a tidal wave, threatening to overwhelm his judgement, every time he would grip his arm tightly.
Red crescents served him as faithful reminders.
His dreams were painfully erotic, shifting scenes, heat desire, needy whimpers, and blinding sparks. Then the reality of harsh daylight. Every time Neji was tempted, control stretching to new heights as he battled the relentless sea of lust drowning him.
The worst part was not the dreams, nor the feeling of losing control; it was having the blonde nymph bare feet away. So blissfully unaware of the sinful desires of the one lying near him.
So close and yet so far
All he longed for was to know Naruto, to discover and learn all about his infatuation.
Neji wanted to be able to treat the blonde like the Aphrodite he was. The dark haired teen wasn't one to lose control often; Hyuugas were infamous for the steely grip on their emotions. But Naruto had disrupted Neji's perfect world. As it was, this only served to prove that his world was never perfect to begin with, but include his angel's divine presence, and it soon would be.
There was movement in the room as the group disbanded; obviously they had come to some form of conclusion. The brunette watched as the boys playfully shoved each other whilst leaving the room, the door was slammed shut. Neji rose, grimacing at the small pieces of gravel embedded in his trouser fabric. Swiftly, he brushed them down, reaching for his bag for a fresh shirt. Slipping his arms into the sleeves, he walked to the roof door.
"I will begin my courtship of him tonight".
"If you follow me in here, I'm definitely going to file for a restraining order!"
"Oh but Sasuke darling!
The bathroom door was hastily dragged shut. The frustrated teen sighed against the welcome coolness of the bathroom tiles. For a few minutes he just concentrated on breathing deeply, regaining control over the frayed edges of his sanity.
Those parasites were getting clingier by the day.
"Oh Sasuke honey, do you want to go somewhere tonight? I know this really great place…"
He winced at the simpering voices floating through the door. It was almost as of something had changed recently, as if he'd encouraged them somehow… That aggressive blonde and her pink sidekick were especially resilient, constantly hanging around him, smothering him in sugary compliments and begging to walk with him. These were only a few of the not so subtle and completely unoriginal ways they displayed their obsession.
Checking his appearance in the badly lit mirror, the brunette scrubbed at the cold spot on his forehead, frowning at the beginnings of a headache. A quick ear to the door assured him that the girls were still there twittering on like horribly shrill birds.
Sasuke climbed carefully onto the damp sink, and from there, hoisted himself through the tiny bathroom window.
Landing catlike in the corridor, he smiled grimly, taking an unholy amount of pleasure from the brief thought of them waiting out there for a few hours… Yeah right, they'd probably barge through the door in a few minutes claiming that they were worried that he'd drowned or something.
Sasuke headed to his room, feeling the vice-like pressure of a bad headache starting up behind his eyes. The brunette moved through the corridors, avoiding all gazes, giving no one the opportunity to get between him and the bottle of pills in his bathroom cabinet.
The headache was spreading, carving a path of agony into his face. The pain was making him very tense; Sasuke barely noticed the wary looks he was being given as he swept past.
"Sasuk- Oww!, an unmanly squeak of indignation came from behind him, the unfortunate fellow student had borne the brunt of a vengeful elbow as the Uchiha ploughed through him.
Sasuke kneaded his forehead, willing the muscles to relax. This week had been hell and the massive head trauma didn't help. For now Naruto hadn't shown any sign of acknowledging his actions let alone repenting for them. This little mystery was frustrating to say the least; Sasuke knew something was going on but what?
That day, after the blonde had suddenly left, his fan club had come flocking in their droves, twittering and flittering about the room, arranging, touching, tweaking.
It made his skin crawl.
Then came the questions, who, what, where, when, why. So Sasuke told them, if Naruto was so adamant that it wasn't him, then he had nothing to worry about. It wasn't Sasuke's problem if they chose to interpret as it sounded, Naruto deserved everything he had coming to him.
"Acting like a little bitch does not become you"
The Uchiha clenched his fist, 'How dare he' No one had ever treated him with such insolence, such blatant disrespect. The teen stopped outside his room and turned the handle.
"We'll see Naruto"
"And now my friend, watch and learn! Today's episode of 'The amazing and wonderful life of Naruto' features the natural habitat of the teme, and how it reacts to extreme changes of environment."
Naruto paced the roof, dramatically holding out his invisible microphone.
"Observe the expensive furnishings and spotless surroundings, what flawless décor, such a shame, such a terrible shame!"
"Shut up Naruto" The blonde stopped suddenly wailing theatrically as he topped to the ground clutching his chest.
"Oh how you wound me!"
Despite himself, Kiba grinned wolfishly. "Just shut up and be quiet, or we'll get caught- Look, he coming in!"
Naruto and Kiba were watching from the roof, it had taken a few days since their first meeting to find a decent view of the Uchiha's room, but this was perfect. They watched as Sasuke headed straight for the bathroom, pulling a small bottle from the cabinet suspended over the sink. Shaking it slightly he fiercely unscrewed the lid before upending it and flinging the bottle against the wall, obviously it was empty.
"Oooh look who's in a bad mood" Naruto sang happily under his breath.
The brunette ran himself a glass of water walking back into the main room. The two friends held their breath as Sasuke sat down at the end of his bed, carefully setting the glass down on the floor.
Just a little more, come on, so close.
The teen raised his arms over his head, back arching a little as he stretched slowly.
Just get on with it!!
He flopped backwards, sinking into the heaped pillows.
Sasuke was slowly calming down, taking deep even breaths.
Ok, so there was no paracetamol left it was not the end of the world, water would have to do for now, and a couple of hours sleep. Sinking slightly into the soft duvet he stretched, feeling the tense muscles in his shoulders and back loosen a little. Eyes lidded he flopped back onto his pillows kicking off his shoes.
The sound of metal on metal above his head caused his eyes to fly open, just in time to see the torrent of black paint heading right for him. There was only enough time to throw an arm over his face before it hit.
When the flood stopped Sasuke lifted his arm feeling the sticky paint slide up his sleeve, the cool trickle raising hairs on his arm. As he sat up, he winced at the twin unpleasant sensations of rivulets of liquid sliding down the back of his shirt, and his hands landing in the puddles of paint forming in the sheets.
Numbly he looked around at the transformed room. Glossy black paint completely soaked the silk sheets, growing puddles of it collected in the ruined cream carpet. Even the walls were splattered with spidery patches as if a demented paintbrush had decided it hated the wallpaper and gone crazy.
His clothes… they were ruined. The wet paint was now slipping in between his buttons, gliding wetly over his chest. A large drop of paint dripped from his plastered hair, smearing itself down an already black smudged cheek.
He twitched.
Sasuke Uchiha slid easily across the sodden sheets flinching at the wet squelch as his feet found the carpet. Slightly unsteady, he stumbled toward his double wardrobe, the overwhelming urge to put on some dry clothes propelling him forward. Pulling open the door, a wave of black sloshed over his feet along with the sodden remains of what used to be his wardrobe. Thousands of pounds worth of clothes.
His clothes.
The shock was wearing off now, giving way to burning seething anger, which was growing into a tight knot of hatred.
Raven eyes swirled red
Suddenly calm, he wiped his dripping hands on the mainly untouched curtains. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a mobile, dialling numbers in quick succession.
"It's me...I'm calling in a favour"
Naruto and Kiba looked at each other, worried expression mirrored on both faces. Kiba was the first one to break the silence.
"Who do you think he's calling?" The blonde shrugged and they both turned back to the window. Sasuke was pacing the room speaking quietly into the receiver. 10 minutes later and he was still talking.
"Come on, let's go" Kiba dragged his friend away by the arm.
"He's probably just calling 'daddy' to complain, let's get out of here already!"
Naruto allowed himself to be pulled toward the roof door, missing the cold smirk that appeared on the Uchiha's face as he slipped the phone back into his pocket.
"Come on though, did you see his face! That must have been the funniest thing I have ever seen, his mouth was open for at least a whole minute" Naruto choked on his laughter as Kiba began to describe in minute detail, the look on Sasuke's face when the paint hit.
"I thought his eyes were going to pop right out" Kiba shuddered shaking his head solemnly, before breaking out into song.
"Pop-eye the sailor man, he lived in a ca-ra-van"
This was too much for Naruto, the blonde fell to his knees gasping with laughter, as he tried, and failed, to catch his breath.
"S-stop please, I think… I b-broke a rib"
Breathe Naruto, just breathe!" Kiba wailed pretending to slap him, pulling him up by the wrists and laughing just as hard. They stumbled into the common room earning many an irritated look, as the pair laughed even louder at the black marks on the door and carpet. Obviously, Sasuke had been through here. By time they had reached the top of the stairs both boys could only manage to gasp and wipe away the tears.
"That was a great prank; we've really got to do this again sometime." Kiba leant heavily against the wall "Pity the others didn't want to really get involved, but they did help with planning and supplies"
Naruto managed a grin; his face muscles were aching after all that laughter. "Lucky we have a genius on our team. Shikamaru really knows his stuff, and Chouji was no slouch either."
"Yeah, Shino thought it was a bad idea; the guy just thinks too much that's all" Kiba pushed himself off the wall. "Well worth missing chemistry for though"
"Don't I know it" The blonde turned to his door "See ya later man"
"Yeah, later"
Naruto pushed open the door, going straight for the kettle he'd smuggled in from home and digging underneath the bed for his emergency stash of instant ramen. He'd missed breakfast this morning just to perfect the prank, and he was hungry.
Neji had been nice enough to let him keep the bed, instead moving his things across the room. Life was good when you had a roommate who was nice, as well as being nice looking. Switching on the already full kettle, Naruto peeled off the tinfoil lid and took out the sauce packet.
He giggled as he jumped onto the bed with the hot cup of noodles, that prank still fresh in his mind. That bastard deserved everything he had coming to him, what was with setting half the school on him anyway? If he had a problem he should come out and deal with it himself, instead of getting other people to do his dirty work for him.
Right now Naruto was happy, he had friends, somewhere he was actually happy to come back to at night, and hot food.
Life was good
A week ago he'd been a lot less happy though.
The day after the Kyuubi incident Sasuke had cornered him. At first he was friendly and flippant, but when Naruto refused to admit that anything was wrong, that's when he got violent...
Last week
"What is your problem? Sasuke hissed shoving the blonde up against the wall.
"Why do you keep lying?"
He reached up, closing unforgiving fingers around Naruto's neck.
"Just say it dammit!"
His eyes swirled red, rotating fiercely, and for the first time Naruto felt truly afraid of the raven haired teen. But it wasn't enough, he'd rather take whatever Sasuke could deal out, than go back to that lonely place were everyone hated him. Where they all looked at him like that, with such cold eyes.
"No" Naruto managed to gasp out.
The grip tightened.
Deep down, he fought the growing presence of Kyuubi, urging him to finish this; to get rid of the Uchiha brat once and for all.
"What's going on here?!"
A teacher emerged from a nearby classroom, and Naruto found himself sliding slowly down the wall when his legs refused to support him.
"What is the problem?"
"No problem sir, Naruto here was just feeling unwell" The Uchiha was instantly the model student, patting the blonde's shoulder looking concerned.
Yeah right
"Well, I'll take it from here then, go on to your next lesson Sasuke" His voice was slightly sharp as he dismissed the Uchiha with a questioning look.
Sasuke bent down, his mouth close to Naruto's ear, hand clamped down on his shoulder, slyly digging his nails in.
"Later, Naruto." He moved swiftly away as the blonde aimed a fierce kick at his legs.
"Don't touch me"
Sasuke's eyes widened in a parody of hurt "But Naruto, I'm only trying to help. I'm sorry you're not feeling well, but please don't take it out on me" With a mock salute he turned and strode leisurely down the corridor.
Naruto felt sick, all of that was said in such a disgustingly sweet and convincing voice. Who would ever question Sasuke's word? Mr Perfect aka Sex God. Hero of the entire female population, and a lot of the male population too. Anyway, his extensive experience of teachers had taught him one thing, don't trust them.
"Naruto, is it? I'm guessing you're new here then" The teacher's voice was kind as he crouched down next to the motionless boy.
"Hi I'm Iruka, English teacher at your service". He laughed a little, the thin scar over the bridge of his nose broadening slightly. "So what's the real problem here, was he bothering you?" Lightly touching the boy' shoulder, he smiled warmly giving off an aura of gentle comfort. Only to recoil a little as the boy startled him with a huge sunny smile and boundd to his feet.
"I'm ok now, was just feeling a bit sick before. Sorry to worry you" Iruka noticed that the boy's voice was a little hoarse.
"Gotta run!"
Naruto dashed off leaving an extremely unconvinced Iruka behind, who stood up quickly calling after the boy.
"If you want to talk, I'm in room 12, ok?"
Sighing deeply at the bright figure disappearing around the corner, Iruka turned back to the empty classroom where he'd been marking papers before he heard the disturbance.
"Yo" A face framed with wild silver hair appeared not two inches away from him.
"Kakashi, don't do that!" he shrieked, clutching at the other man.
"Do you want to give me a heart attack?" The other man looked properly chastised for almost a whole second before closing his mouth around the stern finger pointed directly at his face. He sucked the digit delicately, swirling a warm tongue expertly about its length making sure to take it in all the way to the base.
"Kakashi! The brown haired man squeaked, blushing furiously. "Stop it right now, we can't dooo- mmmh"
Kakashi clamped a hand around his wrist pulling Iruka to him, he drew in another finger, sucking hard this time. He reached down to cup that firm ass, squeezing it playfully as the teacher squirmed against him panting.
"Why don't we take this inside" He gestured to the conveniently empty classroom. "I know you don't have a class till after lunch" he teased whilst nipping at a tanned ear. The brunette seemed perfectly willing to go anlong with this suggestion, when suddenly he backed up, breaking away from the heated grip. He looked incredibly pissed off as he put as much distance between himself and the silver haired man as possible, folding his arms firmly.
"I don't think so, Kakashi." His voice lowered dramatically, barely higher than an icy whisper.
Naruto leant in to catch the faint words. He was waiting around the corner, having realised that his next class was actually the other way, and he still didn't know the place well enough to find an alternative route. This Kakashi person had turned up and then all this; there was no way he could've snuck past without being noticed anyway.
Naruto watched as Kakashi backed away, looking incredibly guilty and a more than little scared, then the tidal wave hit.
"Do you honestly think I'm some cheap whore, here for your every convenience?!"
Iruka's voice rose with every word until he was almost screaming at the other man.
"What do you think I am Kakashi? You haven't even begun to make it up to me properly and you think you can still come to me whenever you want some?!" The angry brunette bore down on Kakashi, genuine hurt in his eyes, whilst Kakashi flinched at every cutting word.
Iuka's eyes were bright now as his voice softened. "You don't know what you meant to me, what I thought I meant to you."
"You promised me Kakashi, and I believed you...I can't believe I believed you" Forcefully he dashed the tears aside angry at himself for showing such weakness in front of his ex lover, his voice steadied. "I thought I could trust you" He looked imploringly at Kakashi, wanting to understand what went on in his head, how he could ever trust the man again.
"I...I'm sorry Iruka"
Kakashi sounded like a broken man as he stepped forward hesitantly, holding out a hand to the brunette. "Just this once" he said whispered hoarsely, "Can I hold you... please"
Iruka hesitantly stepped into his arms, sobs dying down to occasional hiccups. "Don't take this the wrong way, I haven't forgiven you, Kakashi." He murmured into the warm, slightly damp fabric of the shirt pressed into his face. This was what he really missed, the comfort, the way Kakashi made him feel worshipped and loved beyond a doubt. This was what he needed to heal.
They stayed that way for long minutes, Iruka's head resting on the other's shoulder, both men swaying slightly to a rhythm only they could feel.
"Riiing"
The shrill summons of metal on metal, called for the next lesson and both men broke apart. Iruka turned away not looking back as he disappeared into his classroom. Kakashi watched the retreating back lingering until the door closed quietly, cutting off his view. He stood motionless for a moment before the thud of many approaching students seemed to snap him out of it. Shoving his hands deep into his pockets he assumed his usual slouch and began walking unhurriedly up the corridor towards Naruto's corner.
Quickly, the blonde walked around the corner, avoiding the surprised glance of the silver haired man who shrugged and walked on, instantly forgetting about the sudden appearance of the boy. Naruto continued on slowly, mulling over everything he'd just heard and seen. Even thought they weren't a couple any more, they still supported each other.
'Must be nice though, having someone who cares'
Naruto smiled wryly at the thought of him ever having someone who wanted to hold him like that, who would be there for him, not for anything else. Someone who truly loved him for himself, Kyuubi and all. Now that would require a miracle.
But miracles could happen, and anything really was possible.
He pushed open the classroom door, ready to finally meet new people, and hopefully make some real friends.
That's when he discovered how far Sasuke's influence really stretched.
The moment he entered the classroom, he noticed the silence. And it wasn't just a 'Look, there's a new kid' silence either. Naruto's half smile fell when he caught sight of the malicious glares and disgusted glances. Nameless faces sniggered behind their hands and pointed as Naruto moved further into the room. He felt the familiar leaden weight of dread sink to the bottom of his stomach, the deadweight feeling that told him things would never change.
Not for him, not ever.
Stubbornly ignoring the hostile stares burning holes into his body, he trudged past the first few rows heading pointedly for the few empty seats at the back. If he wasn't within eyeshot, then people should eventually ignore him. Also, it made it a lot easier to avoid any missiles thrown at him, physical or verbal. It was standard stuff, that's the way it worked in all schools.
A swift foot flew out as he walked past, and suddenly the floor was rushing up to meet him.
Desperately he grabbed out at the nearest desk, the edge of the desk driving hard into his ribs. Barely managing to stop his fall, Naruto lifted himself gingerly wincing at the sharp pains that came with every breath. He flushed hotly, biting back his anger, before turning to face the owner of that foot. A sneering boy who hid his eyes behind dark glasses and was wearing a blue bandanna.
"What did I do?" Naruto's voice was cold as he moved closer.
"Do you even know me?" as he spoke, cerulean eyes flashed red, but he kept his voice level. The boy looked slightly uncomfortable, even uncertain for a second, before seemingly gaining back his confidence. He tossed his head in distain.
"Oh please, were not in the slums over here, you knew perfectly well what would happen if you messed with one of us, and now-' he smirked '-you're reaping the consequences".
He sat back, satisfied.
Naruto laughed shortly, earning him a confused look from the boy.
"Pretty little speech you had going there, but understand this." He moved closer. " That bastard can fight his own battles, he doesn't need a snobby suck up to do it for him. Especially not one as pathetic as you." The boy's mouth fell open, but Naruto wasn't finished. "If you personally have a problem with me, then come and say it to my face."
As Naruto turned away from the boy doing a very unattractive impression of a goldfish, applaud sounded from the back of the room. A spiky haired brunette came bounding from his seat, grinning fiercely. He grabbed the blonde's arm, dragging him towards the back of the room and ignoring the glares from his classmates.
"Bravo! Nicely done, Ebisu's had it coming for years" He introduced himself. "I'm Kiba" pointing at the row along, he introduced his friends as well.
"Shino, Chouji, Shikamaru" Two guys raised their hands in welcome, the other one snored steadily.
"Don't mind Shikamaru, resident genius, never awake but somehow manages to get straight A's." Kiba gestured to the seat next to him. "So are you going to sit down or what?"
And that was when karma finally gave something back.
Naruto had friends.
Present day
The rest of the day passed pretty uneventfully for Naruto, sure there were a few nasty looks and the odd comment, but since Kiba was in most of his classes he really didn't notice too much. He was much too busy having fun just being a normal teenager for once.
Sasuke didn't show up for the rest of the day, and there were rumours flying about the hallways about Sasuke changing rooms. Naruto had passed plenty of hysterical girls in the corridors between classes, crying over Sasuke moving in with a demonic schizophrenic.
Naruto wished him all the luck in the world with that.
Naruto yawned widely as he headed for bed, he was exhausted, but in a good way. Today he'd been laughing on and off, whenever someone mentioned anything to do with paint the two would share a look and burst out laughing again. Unfortunately, that meant that he'd been thrown out of 3 classes today.
Hopefully they wouldn't put that in his school report, although Jiraiya would probably make him read an Icha Icha for punishment. The perverted millionaire knew about Naruto's preferences and often slipped the crudest, most indecent heterosexual porn he could write, under his adopted son's pillow in an attempt to de-gay him.
Didn't work, but no one could say he hadn't tried.
However, Naruto had gotten quite a few good tips about certain 'special' places around the body that he could get quite a few reactions from if triggered properly.
See, having a paid pervert for a parent sometimes had its uses.
Giggling, quite tiredly now, the blonde stumbled through his door and collapsed onto the bed before he noticed something strange.
"Good evening Naruto" The warm, sophisticated voice raised hairs on the back of Naruto's neck, he turned over.
"H-hi, Neji"
His roommate was actually here, Naruto hadn't seen him properly for almost a whole week, only catching brief glimpses at lunch and between classes. He almost always came in when Naruto was sleeping and left before he woke. The only sign Naruto had Neji even came back at nights was the lingering scent of vanilla, and steamed mirror in the bathroom every morning.
"So, what's up Neji? I haven't really talked to you properly for ages!" Naruto kicked off his shoes pummelled his pillow and hugged it to his chest, before looking back across the room.
Neji smiled fondly before rising smoothly and seating himself next to Naruto's extended form.
"I hope you do not mind me taking this liberty" Neji opened the small box in his hand pulling out a single exquisite bloom, delicate blue and abundantly adorned with rich petals which he set beside the blonde's head.
"Would you do me the honour of accompanying me to dinner?"
Naruto sat up quickly, he was speechless, and the silence dragged on for agonising seconds before he finally spoke.
"What do you mean, 'dinner'?" his voice was curiously expressionless and Neji began to feel the first swooping flutters of doubt.
"A meeting of two close acquaintances for the purpose of engaging in conversation to better their relationship" he tried again.
"...Do you mean, a date?"
"Yes"
The Hyuuga answered simply looking down at his hands, and resisting the powerful urge to twist them anxiously whilst waiting for the deciding answer.
"Then, I'd love to"
Naruto smiled shyly lifting the flower gently. "Thank you, this is beautiful" Carefully he placed it on the nearby table, clearing a small space for it amongst the general clutter. Naruto stared at it, embarrassed at the mess surrounding such a gorgeous thing. Like a precious jewel amongst the trash.
Flushing brightly, he turned back to Neji. "Sorry about the mess" But the long haired teen wasn't listening; instead, he was gazing at him with what Naruto could best describe as an adoring look. Granted, on Neji, it looked more like he was fond of Naruto, but this was Neji, we were talking about. He barely showed any emotions really, just gave off a sense of calm confidence, as if nothing could faze him.
Realising he was being watched, Neji suppressed the colour which threatened to spill across his cheeks.
'Damn this accursed pale skin'
Swiftly gaining control back over the situation, Neji held out his hand to the blonde.
Curious, Naruto took it.
He watched with widening eyes as the Hyuuga slowly brought the hand up to his mouth, lips pressing a delicate kiss into each finger before turning it over to place a singular kiss on the smooth palm.
Neji smirked wickedly as Naruto released a breath he didn't know he had been holding, and the brunette turned to the small bathroom.
"Goodnight Naruto"
He closed the door turning on the shower, smiling broadly for the first time in a very long time.
Naruto lay back, looking up at the ceiling. Unable to contain it any longer, he pressed his face fully into the pillow, smothering a joyful shout. Neji had asked him out!! And if that wasn't cause for celebration, then nothing was. He was dying to tell someone, anyone.
Jiraiya
Naruto crawled to the edge of his be reaching out for the top drawer of his dresser. 'I know it's in here somewhere' He threw aside a few t-shirts. 'Aha!'
"Hey pervert"
"What's up brat?" The deep voice was playful as he teased Naruto
"Guess what?" Naruto adopted his favourite 'I've got a secret' voice.
"What is it?" Jiraiya asked wearily, secretly amused.
"Someone asked me out just now, and I said yes"
There was a pause, then a low chuckle.
"So, is she hot?"
"Ha ha, nice try" Naruto laughed. "Yes, he is hot, very hot. You know, tall dark and handsome type. Gorgeous, as well as being so big in all the right places".
There was an anguished scream form the other side of the line "My ears, my poor ears!"
"Just thought I'd tell you" Naruto half shouted over the loud wails of 'Get the bad images out of my head, someone please!!'
"Night, pervert"
Chuckling evilly, Naruto switched off his phone, chucking it back into the open drawer. This really was one of the best days of his life; he'd even managed to include Jiraiya, into his list of victories. He'd only ever gotten one over on Jiraiya once before, when he was caught making out with the stable boy last year. When the police arrived all they found was a gibbering Jiraiya, still screaming loudly about the pollution of his precious eyes.
Naruto had never let him live it down.
Undressing quickly, he threw on an old t-shirt and boxers snuggling into his warm covers whilst waiting for Neji to finish using the bathroom.
Barely 5 minutes later, Naruto was fast asleep.
For once Sasuke Uchiha was happy, actually, fucking ecstatic
Looks like Naruto did him a favour with that prank.
Oh yes, Sasuke knew it had to be Naruto. Who else would dare to pull something like that here?
Sasuke had spent the day ordering a new wardrobe, and had picked up some very nice pieces. Now all that was left was to move into his new room, with his new roommate.
He walked the few meters from his old room to his new residence. It was in the same dorm only because there was a spare bed in one of the rooms, and for once Sasuke didn't mind sharing.
Lifting a hand to push open the door, the raven haired teen, frowned at the scrubbed, raw skin of his knuckles.
That paint was a bitch to get off
But that didn't matter now anyway, it had been taken care of, and he had more important things to think about now.
He was going to share a room with the one he'd been trying to get close to for months, but who'd always either ignored the brunette or warned him off.
Not this time though
Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide
He gave the door a light tap, before entering.
Something flew towards his head, catching the light as it spun wildly. Sasuke ducked just in time to avoid the object which smashed into the doorframe, right where his head had been, showering the hallway with a thousand glittering pieces.
The Uchiha's smile was charming as he rose, surveying the impassive boy seated on the windowsill wearing mutinous expression
"Hello to you too, Gaara"
Okay, I managed to finally get this chapter down, after re-writing many many times and cutting bits, adding bits. Jeese, I'm just glad I can finally post it.
About Ebisu, he acts like such a child, I'm sure no one will mind if I really make him into one. No one minds do they?
About Itachi, so sorry, about him not being in this chapter, but with everything else going on, it just wouldn't go. Honest.
The next chapter will definitely have Itachi in it and more Gaara and more smut. Hope you can forgive me and wait a bit longer.
Reviews are like white chocolate Toblerone to me, so please let me indulge!!