House of Cards Ch.4: Broken


Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, anime or manga, nor do I profit from this work.

(I merely abuse its characters for my own personal enjoyment.)

You may have noticed some reoccurring devices in my works…

…one is metaphors (especially the ice/winter thing)…

…and another is a general lack of plot…

…I'm sorry about this…trust me, I'm working on it…

…the plot, I mean, not the metaphors…the metaphors stay…


The walls of the Uchiha manor were extremely well built, thick and strong, made to last, designed to withstand enemy assaults, sieges, extreme weather, and, perhaps, generations of despondent young heirs bashing their heads against them.

It was a good thing, too.

Three weeks after the 'incident' with Naruto, and Sasuke still had never really apologized to the blonde. Hell, I've barely spoken to him…damnit, damnit, damnit.

Thud, thud, thud…Sasuke was in his room, sitting on his bed, leaning against the wall and periodically banging his forehead into it. I've really hit…a low point…in my life…

He was stuck, stuck in a vicious cycle of his own making: when he was around Naruto, he'd become withdrawn and cold, he'd 'freeze' over, and because he didn't know how to say the right things, he'd only say the wrong ones. Somehow, he always ended up hurting the blonde, roughly pushing him away. It was obvious now to Sasuke that he had to do something…because the more he hurt Naruto, the more he ached inside, and the more he'd try to hide behind an icy facade. I can't keep going like this…I can't keep hurting him like this…I can't keep doing this to him…to myself…I need to stop it…I need to do something…I…just…don't…know…how…


Half-way across town, Naruto was resting his head against a much less abrasive surface; Iruka's knee. The blonde had developed a close bond to his former teacher over the years, and always turned to him whenever troubled or upset. That was why Naruto was currently sitting on the floor, back against the couch Iruka was on, leaning against his sensei's legs.

"…Naruto?" Iruka's worried voice broke into the blonde's reverie, "Naruto, are you all right? You've been acting really strange lately……you know you can come to me if anything is wrong, Naruto. I'm always here for you."

Naruto smiled, or at least the corners of his mouth turned up. He did know he could trust Iruka with anything; Iruka, who had been there for him, who had been like a mother to him, who had truly cared when no one else seemed to. It was just…how can I tell you what's wrong…how can I make you understand…how can I explain what's the matter……when I don't even know…

"Nothing," he lied, stretching his mouth wider, knowing he wasn't fooling Iruka. "Everything's fine, really. Maybe I'm just a little bored. 'Nade and everybody have been so busy with that silly diplomacy stuff that there haven't been any missions lately, so there hasn't been much to do."

"Silly diplomacy stuff…Naruto, sometimes I really wonder about you. And you really ought to call her Tsunade-sama." Iruka knew his former student too well, knew Naruto wasn't telling him everything, but also knew when not to push it. If Naruto wanted him to believe it was just boredom causing those long sighs, the deep troubled looks, and the unusual silence, then Iruka would believe that. Sometimes being a true friend meant accepting the lies.

Naruto laughed at that, a genuine smile flashing across his face, "No one calls her that. Really, she doesn't care."

"That's not the point. It's a—"

"Diplomacy thing, I know." Resting his head back on the sofa, Naruto let his eyes unfocus, lids drooping, and lapsed back into a silent contemplation of the floor. Looking down at the blonde ninja, Iruka sighed and placed a hand on the unruly locks, trying to comfort but not knowing the source of the wound. However, instead of leaning closer, Naruto flinched away, unconsciously recoiling from the friendly touch, remembering…

drifting in and out of consciousness…aware of a room, curtains drawn to keep out the light…and bed, that faced the door. He tried to keep still…moving hurt too much…feigning sleep was the only way to avoid the pain…it was easier…easier than having to look…at him. Someone coming in…walking to the bed…sitting down…a hand resting on his head…someone leaning over him…warm breath on his cheek…someone trying to talk…fingers curling in his hair…something warm and wet falling on his throat…someone by his side…staying like that for hours…finally turning away…leaving him. It was so hard…pretending to sleep…he wanted to grab the other one by the shoulders…shake him…hold him…hit him…kiss him…something…anything…

…his body suddenly going tense, shoulders hunching slightly. Iruka really looked worried now, sliding down to kneel beside the blonde, trying to catch Naruto's eyes, the pained blue orbs turning away. "Na—"

"Look, I…really need to go. Now. Uh…thank you for your time." With that, Naruto stood abruptly and was out the door, but not before Iruka saw his face, saw the tears welling and the way he bit his lip to stop himself from crying, leaving the older ninja to wonder and worry even more.

Naruto sped over the rooftops, not caring where his feet took him, just trying to escape, trying to run; from the past, from himself, from Sasuke, from everything…I want to get away…I need to…I can't keep living like this…I have to get rid of my problems… leave them behind…but…how can I…when the real problem…is…myself?


Sasuke tensed suddenly, sensing Naruto's chakra approaching. He had been wandering restlessly again, a pastime he had never allowed himself to indulge in before…before Naruto came. It was in one of the smaller side hallways off the main hall that he was pacing when the blonde walked in, heading upstairs.

Not wanting to, not knowing how, Sasuke found himself, back pressed against the wall, shadowed by the angle from the blonde's view. He was not hiding from Naruto…he was not hiding from Naruto…he was just…just…argh…stupid…stupid…how can it be…so hard…just to meet someone's eyes…how can…just seeing him…just knowing he's near…make my heart ache so…how can…I not…form the words I want to say…when he's around…why is it so hard…to say…

Naruto became aware of Sasuke standing off in the shadows up in front, and something slowed his pace, dragged at his feet, added reluctance to his step. He continued, coming abreast of Sasuke but resisting the urge to look, too afraid of what he'd see, turning his head away, fists clenched and muscles tense as he began to hurry, walking faster and finally running until he reached his room…'forgive me'…

As he felt Naruto near, Sasuke had turned away, unable to face the blonde, unwilling to look, fearing what he'd see, not wanting to know. He cringed further as he sensed the blonde speeding up, flinching at the muffled slam of the door, trying to close his ears to the sound of Naruto throwing himself on the bed, trying not to listen, wanting not to hear, knowing he had to…'I'm sorry'…

Staring at the cards wouldn't rebuild the house, but Sasuke just couldn't do anything to begin. All he could do was sit on the ground, stirring the dust of their shattered friendship with trembling fingers, knowing what to do but unable to do it, knowing what to say but unable to say it…'I love you'…


Review…please…I beg of you…don't leave me to flounder in the doubtful uncertainty of my abilities…I may not be able to continue…

Seriously, review.

Coming up next…

House of Cards Ch.5: Better?

Naruto seems fine, but is he really? Something about the way he smiles is off, and Iruka isn't the only one who's noticed.

Stay tuned!