Monday, Ashten awoke peacefully, much to his surprise. He knew that usually his nightmares would make him scream out. But not today, he looked down and realized that his body was wrapped in Itachi's jacket. Ashten blushed hotly, smiling happily. Itachi let him use his jacket to help him sleep for the night…
That was so nice!
Leaping out of bed, Ashten made his way to his bathroom and started his shower. He looked down at his wrist to the already healed scars. Did he feel like cutting today?
…
No, he didn't.
Ashten smiled, maybe… He could be happy with his life after all. He stripped out of his clothes and hopped into the shower, singing a song and dancing to the words.
Naruto listened to his brother in the shower, he sounded so happy. He wanted to cry!
(00000)
Ashten checked his watch. It was almost time for them to go to school! He sighed, Naruto always checked something at the last minute!
"Naruto hurry up! We're going to be late!" Ashten yelled out to him.
"I'm coming!" Naruto shouted, running down the stairs.
He stopped in his tracks at the sight of Ashten. Usually, he wouldn't care about getting dressed but…
He looked amazing.
Ashten wore an emerald half shirt and a white vest and skinny jeans with green combat boots. He finally let his intricate markings on his arms show and he even put his snake bite piercings back in. He looked light a ray of sunlight and best of all, his eyes blazed so bright that Naruto thought he would be blinded.
"Wow…" Naruto whispered.
Ashten blushed. "Oh stop, I don't look that good, it's just some things Itachi said withered a part of me away, though I hate to admit it"
"No Ashten that's a good thing! Come on let's speed to school"
(000000000000)
Ashten and Naruto laughed as they pulled up at school, whipping into the parking lot with 'Take off' by 2PM blasting. Ashten parked the car in his usual spot and killed the engine. Getting out, the two got their things and locked the car doors, running into the building.
"Alright, you know where to go?"
"Iruka-sensei, you?"
"Kakashi-sensei"
Ashten and Naruto hugged and kissed each other's cheeks quickly before racing to their classes. Sometimes, having demons living inside of you was amazing. With a minute to spare, both Ashten and Naruto made it to their classes.
Naruto walked into his classroom and sat down in his usual seat, right beside Sasuke. Sakura turned to Naruto and smiled.
"Hey Naruto! I didn't think you would be here! How's Ashten?"
"Ashten is amazing! But yeah we got here with a minute to spare" Naruto smiled.
He then checked his watch. It was about that time.
"3…2…1" Naruto counted.
Right on cue, Sasuke walked into the classroom and clenched his jaw as the ear shattering screams of his groupies assaulted him. Naruto held back his laughter and watched as Sasuke sat beside him. He immediately glared at Naruto.
"Stop laughing, loser" he hissed.
Naruto growled. "Stop being a whore teme!"
The two glared before they broke into smiles.
"Ugh, I can't imagine being you right now" Naruto said.
Sasuke sighed. "It's a tough job to be me"
"I bet!" Naruto giggled.
Ashten strolled into class with a bright smile, waving at a surprised Kakashi-sensei. He walked to his seat and placed his book bag down, then realized why he never bothered to dress like he normally would. He turned to see everyone staring at him.
"Damn can I have my face back?" he asked incredulously, making everyone turn back to their own devices.
He sat down and pulled out his journal, reading the vampire story he was currently working on. When he got to the scene he stopped at, Ashten grew excited as he began to write more.
'Sebastian moaned as he clutched Ethan to his heating body, relishing the cold sensation on his skin. It did nothing to cool his heating body, it accelerated his arousal. Ethan scratched his fangs along Sebastian's neck, puncturing it a bit and sucking on the lovely red liquid.
"Ah…" Sebastian moaned, moving his hips against Ethan's feverishly.
Ethan growled, thrusting up roughly. Their erections rubbed together, creating a friction that had Sebastian shuddering with excitement-
Ashten gasped as a hand snatched his journal away and he looked up at a smirking Itachi. Ashten blushed a deep red as Itachi read the particular scene in his journal.
"Hm, sexy, you wrote this?" he asked.
Ashten nodded, watching Itachi read.
"It's really good, you should finish it… By the way, you look great"
"Thank you…"
Itachi noticed the locket from yesterday hanging around Ashten's neck and a growl escaped his lips before he could stop himself.
"Hey Ashten I got something for you" Itachi told him, pulling out a box and handing it to him.
Ashten smiled, he learned a long time ago that whenever someone gave him a present, to just accept it. Ashten lifted the top and gasped, pulling out the diamond heart-shaped necklace.
"Itachi… This is beautiful…" Ashten sighed.
The girls in the class watched with envious eyes. Who did he think he was!? Accepting gifts from their Itachi!
Itachi smiled and took the necklace. "Here, I'll put it on you"
Ashten nodded, lifting his hair so that Itachi could place the necklace on him. Itachi removed the locket and replaced it with the necklace. Ashten blushed, lifting the diamond up to gaze at it. It was so beautiful, and Ashten sighed contently. No one had ever gotten him something so beautiful before… And he felt strange at receiving such a gift. Ashten stood and kissed Itachi's cheek timidly, smiling with a blush and sitting back down.
"Thank you…" he squeaked.
Itachi touched his cheek where Ashten had kissed him and smiled, sitting in his seat beside him. Kakashi-sensei strolled in then, and everyone stopped their chatter to face him.
"What's so great about him!?" one girl hissed, and the others nodded.
"He's just a common slut! Not worth the attention of our beloved Itachi" another chimed.
Ashten heard the comments that were made, and was about to say something when a hand touched his shoulder. He looked up to see Kakashi-sensei, who looked at him from his book.
"What a nice necklace you have there, may I see it?" he asked.
Ashten went to remove the necklace Itachi had just given him when Kakashi shook his head, pointing to the discarded necklace. Ashten picked it up and handed it to Kakashi, who examined it.
"Mhm, as I thought, Ashten. This particular necklace is designed to drain its wearer of their chakra and life force, killing them rather quickly. Have you been feeling weak lately?"
Ashten thought about it, Saturday, he wouldn't have been so tired. In fact, he wasn't until that guy slipped the necklace on. Ashten paled, looking up at Kakashi with fearful eyes.
"Naruto-
Kakashi lifted the second locket that belonged to Naruto, Ashten sighed gratefully. He knew he shouldn't have taken those lockets, but Naruto wanted them so bad… He already ruined his life, why reject him anymore? Why hurt him anymore? He just wanted Naruto to be free of his depression and shame... Forever. But he was a walking reminder of their misfortune, and the sooner Naruto left, the sooner Ashten would be able to fix the problem.
Ashten looked to the dangling necklaces in Kakashi's hand, and his eyes widened.
(Flashback)
Ashten sat on the cold floor, beaten and trembling. Orochimaru stood over him, laughing at his pain. He looked over to Naruto, who was unconscious beside him. Thank God, whatever they did to him, he wouldn't have to see.
"I think Ashten needs to be drained again" Orochimaru grinned manically.
Ashten whimpered painfully, wanting to get away, but his body was too injured to obey him. Kabuto grabbed that cursed necklace, bringing it over to Orochimaru, who let it dangle in his face. A golden, beautiful locket with ruby studs…
(End Flashback)
The sounds of the desk let Ashten know that he was trembling, staring into the necklace with fear so raw it gripped his very heart. Kakashi noticed this and hid the necklaces from his view, then he wrinkled his brow.
"You know the effects of these items don't you?"
Ashten simply nodded, trembling harder. Hands wrapped around him, and a calming scent hit his nose.
Itachi…
Ashten sighed, inhaling deeply and letting his scent slowly calm him. His eyes were closed, but he opened them to look not at Kakashi… But Orochimaru was standing there. His pale skin and gold snake eyes, he was holding the necklaces out to him, laughing…
Ashten's stomach sank…
Naruto cringed as a bloodcurdling scream echoed to his classroom. He knew that cry anywhere. He rushed out of the classroom and into Ashten's, where he found his trembling brother curled in a corner, holding his ears and shaking his head. Kakashi looked ashen as he and Itachi gently called to him. That wouldn't work. Ashten was passed that phase. Naruto held out his hands and walked slowly over to Ashten, who shot into his arms like a bullet. He held Naruto tight, trembling even harder than before. Naruto sighed, he knew Ashten wasn't ready for a social environment.
"Ashten…" Naruto cooed, stroking his hair gently.
"I-I-I-I… S-s-s-saw him… I-I-I-I-I S-s-saw h-h-h-him…" Ashten whispered in terror.
Naruto shushed Ashten gently, walking him out of the class and sitting down in the hallway. Itachi and Sasuke walked out and sat beside him. Ashten held his eyes clenched shut, trembling as he clutched onto Naruto like a lifeline. Naruto didn't mind, he remembered the times Ashten would hold his trembling body and tend to his wounds. Ashten was the whole reason why Naruto made it out halfway decent. But he let Ashten drown being his anchor.
"Ashten… I'm sorry… I should have been strong enough to keep you from drowning…" Naruto whispered, clutching Ashten tightly.
Itachi helped Ashten up, and Sasuke helped Naruto to stand as well. The two hugged their soon-to-be ukes, clutching their bodies tightly. Ashten was still trembling, and he wouldn't show his face to anyone.
"Ashten… You should go home before you have another episode"
Ashten shook his head. "They follow me… Everywhere I go… I'm safe here… And now they've even gotten to me here… I-I can't escape… It'll never stop…"
"No Ashten, it's all in your head" Itachi told him.
Ashten shook his head again. No, it wasn't, he knew it wasn't. Orochimaru managed to torture him even in his death…
Naruto took Ashten's hand and began to leave the school, stopping when they heard Sasuke's voice.
"Can we come over after school?"
"Sure" Naruto replied, turning around and giving Sasuke a smile that didn't touch his eyes.
Ashten kept his head down, too self-conscious to even look back as Naruto dragged him out of the school. No one said anything as they left the school grounds and walked to Ashten's car.
"Where are your keys?" Naruto asked.
Ashten silently reached into his pocket and gave him the keys. They looked up to laughter in the distance. It was Kiba and his pack of idiots, walking towards them. Naruto's eyes widened and he quickly put Ashten in the back seat before Kiba could get close enough to harass him. Ashten trembled as he lied in the back seat of the Ashton Martin, listening to the conversation happening outside.
"Hey, where's your brother?" Kiba asked Naruto, who glared daggers at him.
"He's sick, I'm taking him home." Naruto deadpanned.
Ashten could tell by his voice that he wasn't in the mood to deal with anyone. It was always like that where Ashten was concerned, Naruto played no games when it came down to his battered brother.
Kiba smirked. "Aw, I wanted to introduce him my friends, have a little fun"
Naruto's eyes widened before he slammed his fist into Kiba's face harshly. Kiba reeled back, but Naruto didn't give him a chance to recover before he tackled him to the ground and began to pummel him. One of Kiba's friends tried to grab Naruto of, but in a flash Ashten's fist connected harshly.
"Nobody… Touches my brother" he growled savagely.
Ashten's eyes had gone a deep red, and he started for the two friends with a gleam in his eye. This would be fun…
(Major ass beating scene, too gruesome to put into words)
Ashten looked to his bloodied hands, smirking as his eyes changed back to their sapphire. He looked to Naruto, who had just gotten up. One thing about Ashten and Naruto, they knew when to stop.
"Hey, you wanna take these idiots to the nurse now? Or let them bleed out a bit?"
Naruto sighed before he leaned against the car nonchalantly with a shrug.
"Nah, let 'em bleed for just a bit"
Ashten nodded and leaned beside Naruto, looking into the sky with sad eyes.
"Do you think… Their watching us?"
Naruto nodded, sometimes, it was like he was the older brother instead of Ashten. But since the Ashten he knew had retreated to the recesses of his mind, he was the older brother for a moment.
"Yeah, I think mom and dad are watching over us…"
"I'd give anything to see them again…" Ashten whispered wistfully, closing his eyes at the thought of ascending into the sky to see his beloved parents.
"I miss them Naru"
"I miss them too Ash, but we have each other"
"No… You have a simple shell of your brother…"
"But you are still my big brother Ashten, and I love you no matter what" Naruto said, turning to him.
Ashten looked to him with a smile that didn't touch his eyes, they never did anymore. A pained groan escaped Kiba's lips, alerting the Uzumaki brothers that they were indeed still alive.
"Oh, let's get them to the nurse now"
Ashten grabbed Kiba by his bloodied neck collar while Naruto pulled the other two and strolled into the school. The bell had just rung, and everyone was socializing at their lockers when they walked. All talking ceased as they saw the beat up form of Kiba and his group. Ashten and Naruto moved through the crowd silently, dragging the also dead trio with them. Blood trailed behind them as they walked into the nurse's office, where Tsunade gasped.
"Oh my God, what happened to them!?" Tsunade asked, running over and putting the three boys in the infirmary beds.
Ashten shrugged. "They fucked with us. That's what happened"
Ashten simply turned and walked out after that, Naruto following close behind. Suddenly a group of girls stopped them, glaring daggers at Ashten and Naruto. Ashten groaned in absolute rage. He took a deep breath, turning and pinching the bridge of his nose. He did the only thing that stopped him from killing or fighting people. He sang the first thing that came to mind.
"I'm about to whoop somebody's ass
Ohh, I'm about to whoop somebody's ass
Ohh if you don't leave me alone,
They gonna have to send me home
'Cause I'm about to whoop somebody's
Ass"
Naruto laughed, grabbing Ashten's hand and starting off, but one of the girls grabbed him.
"Hey! Who do you think you are!? Taking to Itachi and Sasuke! They're ours!"
"Who are we?" Ashten asked, his eyes glowing red again. He glared at all of them.
"We're the guys who punch bitches." Ashten said simply, smirking at the way they immediately moved.
Naruto grabbed Ashten's hand and strolled out of the school. They got into the car and Naruto put the key in the ignition. Ashten sighed.
"Take me home, and then go back to school ok? I'll stay home a couple of days"
Naruto pulled off and stopped at a stoplight before he glared at his brother.
"Do you really think I'd be stupid enough to leave you home?"
"No, but you need to get your work. I already have all of my credits to graduate"
"I'll text Sasuke and ask him to get my work for me. I can't imagine coming home to find you dead and a letter"
Ashten's body flinched.
He knew…
"Of course I know! I can see it in your face Ashten! I'm not losing my brother!"
Ashten placed his head on his car's window. He suddenly felt exhausted, his demon must have taken over. His eyes rolled in the back of his head as unconsciousness swept him away.