Hello again, everyone!
Okay, so this chapter, you see what happens next from the main character, Naruto's perspective, as Sasuke flees from the apartment buildings. And in this chapter is when you figure out where he got his wounds from.
And just for future reference, Naruto's mother calls him Naki.
I've been a lot happier lately. It's noticeable, isn't it?
Anyway, I hope you enjoy chapter 4.
Until next time, namaste!
Chapter 4: Broken Home
Naruto walked into his apartment slowly, the blinds closed on every window making for a shadowy entrance. He closed the door behind him, trying to avoid a slam or loud noise, but to no avail.
"Naki? Is that you?" A course, labored, female voice echoed from the living room. Naruto walked down the short hallway, appearing in front of a pale, bleach blonde short-haired woman. She was fairly skinny, with dark, clouded indigo eyes, and her lips curled into a sour frown.
"What the hell are you doing home early…?" The woman's voice grew lower, harsher, as it slurred a tad. Naruto was surprised she could even tell time in the drunk state she was in. The living room was littered with alcohol bottles, unlike the rest of the apartment, which was relatively tidy and clean. "Did you come home early because of your medical conditions…!?" Her voice became a loud hiss, Naruto took a slow, small step backward, hoping his mother wouldn't notice. The bright sunlight outside began to fog up with clouds, unable to be seen through the apartments.
"I…I'm sorry, mother… I really tried to convince them I was okay, but they wouldn't listen." Naruto lied, struggling to come up with a straight story.
"I don't want to hear it!" she screeched, slowly getting up from the couch, where she slept, her hair was in a tangled mess, reaching her waist. Naruto took two more steps back, big ones this time, colliding into the wall.
Naruto's mother reached down as she took step after step towards him, wobbling, and picked up an alcohol bottle. Naruto's eyes widened as he saw what was in her hand.
Glass.
"Mother…I…I…" Naruto tried to drum up more words, but they only provoked her.
"Shut your mouth and bite your tongue! I don't need your e-excuses! I'm sick of you, and your stupid little medical conditions!" she shouted, her voice rang in Naruto's ears.
He watched her lift her arm high above her head, his eyes wide in horror. He felt a slurry of emotions wash over him once again. Only one person came to mind, only one name he wanted to call, but he stopped himself, refusing to give up his pride and call for him.
"YOU….YOU FAILURE, GO TO HELL!" The woman's voice broke an octave so high, Naruto felt as if his ears would bleed. She swung her arm down, the glass was a blur as Naruto opened his eyes at the last second to see the bottle racing toward his head.
Naruto's wail of agony echoed through the surrounding area, but no one came to his aid. He heard a loud shattering sound just before the glass struck him, and now he heard the soft clatters of glass against the floor as a warm liquid slid down his face. Naruto slumped, sliding against the wall and hitting the floor with a thud.
"I'll call the hospital, Naki… even if you don't deserve it. My own son… you'll never amount to anything! Isn't it enough that I raised you!?" she scolded, scoffing as she turned on her heel to get the phone. "And once more… not a word of this to the doctor. Or you'll be in much more pain than that."
Naruto heard every word, but never responded. He lay on the floor, feeling his blood pool around him. He was afraid, his heart beating faster, only shedding more blood. Naruto was afraid to close his eyes, afraid to lose himself in the darkness.
'I can't… I won't sleep…' Naruto tried to speak, but he couldn't hear his voice. He could only hear the voices of the paramedics around him as his mother explained what happened. More like lied, really.
"Please, help him, he tripped and sliced his head on the side of our glass coffee table! I'm so worried, will he be alright?" she pleaded fakely, Naruto knew she was lying, but the paramedics believed every word.
"We'll get right on it, Ms.Uzumaki." A young, yet deep voice emitted from above him, familiar, the voice was friendly and soft. "Hello Naruto. Are you still awake?" the voice questioned. Naruto opened his eyes slowly, only to see his uncle Iruka standing over him.
"Uncle…? I'm glad I got your paramedic vehicle…It's good to see y- ouch…!" Naruto winced, a sharp pain interrupted him.
"You've got to keep still, Naruto, your wound is pretty deep, but you'll be okay. I'm sad to say you'll have to miss school tomorrow." Iruka explained, his voice calm and soothing. Naruto could always confide in his uncle, he was almost like a father. Naruto nodded and closed his eyes, feeling his body being lifted into the ambulance.
Naruto listened to the wailing sounds of the vehicle, the sounds beginning to fade. He felt himself drifting into a sleep as Iruka stuck the IV into his arm. The morphine began to take effect. He once again felt as if he was slipping into darkness, the same darkness he'd been in for his entire life, he was afraid again, but he could do nothing to save himself.
'Isn't there anyone that will save me…?' Those were Naruto's last thoughts before he fell into a deep sleep, finally engulfed into darkness once more.
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Naruto could hear voices again, but they were familiar, stronger, kinder. He heard them echo around them. 'Kiba…? …Shikamaru…? Rock…Lee…?' Naruto thought, trying to identify the voices.
"Hey, look, he's waking up!" Kiba announced, a smile spread across his face. The others gathered around, Shikamaru, Kiba, Rock Lee, and all the others from their group.
Naruto scanned among them, unsure of what face he was searching for, only to be disappointed that it wasn't there. A look of pain clouded his azure eyes, he curled his lip, biting it for only a brief second before he smiled, hiding his pain.
"Well, aren't you a sight for sore eyes! Last time we saw you, you were promising you'd be a little less clumsy on your way to the nurse. Next thing we know, you're in the hospital!" Kiba roared a laugh, everyone else either rolled their eyes or chuckled.
Naruto chuckled half-heartedly. "Thanks Kiba, I feel so much better now." He said sarcastically, giggling a little afterwards.
"Well, you can't blame me for the state you're in, I mean, just look at you!" Kiba retorted, scoffing a little. Shikamaru nodded, agreeing.
Naruto looked himself over as Kiba said, and he looked fine from the neck down. He took a mirror that was on the mahogany table on his left and looked at his head. Naruto's eyes widened, he felt as if he'd throw up. He saw bandages wrapped around his entire head, his spiky blonde hair poked out of several gaps, the bandages were mildly stained with blood.
"Told you." Kiba snickered, putting on a smug face, along with his matching smug smile. "Well, look, we have to get going. It's near night time, you were out all day, you lucky dog." Kiba pouted as the others followed him out.
"See you later!" Naruto shouted after them, the others waved good-bye. Naruto looked around, knowing his mother was at home, he felt free to let the tears shed now that he was alone. He sniffled curling up into a little ball, despite the sharp pains occurring upon his head. Naruto felt warm tears slip down his dry cheeks, sniffling, he found himself thinking of Sasuke again. "Dammit…! Why…? Why do I keep thinking of him every time I need someone…?! What's wrong with me? I hate that guy! But… every time I feel pain… or feel cold… he's my light. Why…?" Naruto questioned himself over and over, biting his lips as tears streamed down his face.
"Who could you possibly be talking about?" That voice. It couldn't be. Naruto looked over to the door to his room. There he was, in all his god-like glory, with his pale, almost white skin and his beautiful, onyx eyes. Sasuke.
