Chapter seven: the man in the mirror


Fourteen days, six hours, twenty-four minutes and seven seconds. Too long it had been since Sasuke had spoken to Naruto. But had they had made no effort whatsoever to contact each other.

Who was to make the first move? Was he going to suck it up and be the bigger man? Would Naruto ever know how he really feels?

Probably not.

So, instead of putting on his big boy pants, he went to work, had occasional lunches with Shikamaru, Temari, and Lilly, went home, had dinner by himself, called Itachi and went to bed. The next day, he would do the exact same. (Minus the e-mail from Lee, whom he'd only met once, inviting him to his wedding to a girl named Sakura, who just so happen to be Ino's best friend).

Fourteen days. Six hours. Twenty-eight minutes. Twelve seconds.

This was unbearable. He was miserable. He longed for the warm embrace and Naruto brought him. He yearned to hear his voice, his laugh and see that brilliant crooked smile. To think that this idiot would make him so crazy; make him fall so easily…

Then rip him apart like a fallen twig from a stable tree.

Was this love, or was it some kind of movie? Why am I asking myself so many stupid questions about my own senselessness rather than finding him and kicking his ass for acting like that night, fourteen days, six hours, twenty-nine minutes and forty seconds ago, never happened?

"Hey, Sasuke?"

"Yeah?" It was Orochimaru, his disturbing boss. He was an old man of at least sixty, about to retire and get his grubby white hands on a younger man, whom he'd been dying to sleep with since he laid squinty eyes on him.

Sasuke was aware that Orochimaru had a thing for him, but he was in denial when he said he didn't think Orochimaru would go to that extreme.

"Could you come to my office before you get leave tonight?"

"Yes, sir. Of course."

"Excellent." He slithered away.

Moments passed until Sasuke actually came back to his senses. Orochimaru made an in-person appearance to ask Sasuke to see him after work. That never happens!

However, Sasuke made his way up to the top floor, fourteen days, ten hours, nine minutes and four seconds later.

Orochimaru was waiting for him, dressed in this slacks, with a button up and a few buttons undone and his jet black hair let down from its normally tied back position. He was certainly up to something.

"Come in, Sasuke. Have a drink."

Sasuke obeyed, not once questioning his boss. He sat in one of the leather chairs in front of the oak work desk. This room is different… Sasuke thought.

"Sir, did you have this room remodeled?"

"You noticed? How delightful. Yes, I hired Kakashi and his company to repaint and decorate in here. It was so… dull. It had been for as long as I've run this company. But it opens up the space, don't you think?"

"Yes sir." Indeed it had. Sasuke remembered seeing some of the men from Naruto's work in the building weeks ago. So this is what they were up to. The walls were painted in an avocado green color. There was a hazelnut color leather love seat and two matching air chairs on both sides and an oak coffee table in the middle. A bear skin rug lie underneath the table. Across from the sitting arrangement was Orochimaru's desk, in front of the large window that had a spectacular view of Boston.

Naruto was capable of making an old, trashy office into a comfortable work place. It was so open and relaxing.

Orochimaru went on about the room, how it used to be and how he wanted it to be more welcoming. Small talk, but not Sasuke's cup of tea. He had a phone call to make.

Sasuke took his last gulp of whatever was in the tea cup and asked, "Sir, what was it you needed?"

"Ah, I was just getting to that. You see, Sasuke, I'm going to be retiring from the business very soon."

Where are you going with this, you senile oaf…

"I have no spouse or offspring of my own. No legacy to carry on my life's labor."

And…

"So, I was willing to offer you, Sasuke Uchiha, the position. You, the one who'd call all the shots and bring in the load of money. No more worries of making house payments or not having electricity in your home."

"Sir, I… I don't know what to say." That's right. Sasuke was completely baffled. He hadn't been working for Orochimaru for more than two years, and he was being offered the job that so many of his co-workers had dreamed of obtaining! "Is there a catch to all this? I mean, it's an honor to be offered this post, but why me?"

"Oh, Sasuke, I think you know exactly why I'm offering you this station." Orochimaru got up from his chair and sat on the arm of Sasuke's.

"Sir, I uh, I'm not sure I'm following." Orochimaru gently cupped Sasuke's chin with him left hand, bringing his gaze to meet his sly grin.

"'Sir'." He mocked."You don't have to call me that, if you accept the terms." Sasuke stared in response. Reflexes told him to get the hell out of there, but the rest of his body wouldn't respond, as if Orochimaru's touch actually paralyzed him. "If I give you this position, then I get you."

Damn pedophile!

"That… that is unprofessional!" Sasuke pulled away from the hand that had his face. He tried to stand up and make for the door, but his knees buckled and he fell to the floor, looking down at the skinned bear. "What's going on?" he whispered aloud. His head started aching, like his brain was rattling inside his head.

"Oh, it's nothing. Detectable, at least. Did I mention this room is sound proof? Perfect for making secret deals and… other things." Orochimaru grabbed Sasuke by the hair and forced him up on his knees. He maneuvered so quickly that Sasuke didn't even blink before he saw that his boss's pants were undone, revealing a fully erect and pale penis in front of him. "You see, I can give you the good life," he said casually. He forced Sasuke's mouth open and shoved his cock inside. Sasuke's head bobbed and he choked on it. He couldn't control body. He was numb, limp and helpless. Orochimaru kept talking and grunting and groaning about how good he could make Sasuke feel and how he could give him things he never dreamed of having, all for the price of sexual release.

"Oh, yes, that's it Sasuke, swallow my dick, you've done this before…" Orochimaru moaned. Sasuke tried to free himself from his grip, only to be unsuccessful. The old man's grip tightened and he pushed himself up so he could properly fuck Sasuke's mouth. Sasuke whimpered like a child, tears falling down his cheeks – from pain, from humiliation, from that fact that he was betraying himself and the man he cared so much for by being stupid and naïve. Every time he mustered strength to pull away, his rapist's grip tightened and his thrusts became deeper.

Orochimaru moaned his name, "Sasuke, Sasuke, Sasuke!" in the most disturbing manner he'd ever heard. He came in Sasuke's mouth, forcing him to swallow it all. When he pulled out, Sasuke fell to the floor gasping, coughing, hacking, and breathing heavily. Trying to regain his strength. He couldn't move. He could hardly open his eyes. But, though it was slurred, he managed to say, "I don't accept you're offer, you sick scum bag."

Orochimaru looked baffled at first, but smirked and grabbed Sasuke's face in one hand and licked it all over. "By the way, that drug is untraceable, so don't bother going to the police. And if you do decide to tell someone about this, well, use your imagination."

"You're a businessman, not a gang leader." Sasuke spat, still lying on the floor.

"Business is business, Sasuke. How you handle it is up to the one in charge. And as far as I'm concerned, it's still me. Thanks for the good time." He laughed menacingly and slammed the door as he left.

Sasuke lie there, glued to the carpet as we wept, unable to do anything else. So weak, so destitute, a puppy left on the sidewalk and no home to run to.

Move. He told himself, over and over. You have to move, you piece of shit!


Naruto sat in the car, windshield wipers on high, music on low, waiting. He got a call from Sasuke – how wonderful! That bastard finally came to his senses. He thought, finally, after two weeks of waiting for this! However, when he answered, the Sasuke he knew was not on the other line.

His voice was raspy, dry and low. He could barely understand him at all. Sasuke managed to say, "Come get me at work, I need you." That was all it took. Naruto was in his car so fast; he was like Speedy from Teen Titans. He forgot his shoes, wallet and rain coat, but in this time of need, they were the least of his worries.

He didn't go in the building, in fear that it would set off an alarm or something, but it sure took Sasuke a long time to get out. Why did he wait until after dark to call him, and why was Sasuke the only one still in the office? He didn't want to imagine anything remotely bad happening to him.

He sent Sasuke a text a few moments ago, asking when he'd be out, but his reply didn't come until he realized Sasuke was unable to reply, for he was walking out from a side door, unsteady and a hand holding his throat. As he got closer, he walked slower, until he was so drained that his shoulder hit the brick wall and he slid down, rain pouring over his body.

Naruto opened his door and rushed to him, calling his name, even though he knew Sasuke couldn't answer. He was hurt; he had bruises around his cheeks, and his eyes had dark circles underneath.

"It's okay, I've got you." Naruto slid his arms around Sasuke's hips and hoisted him up. He tried to stand him upright, but Sasuke's knees wouldn't lock. He'd have to carry him to the car. "I'm taking you to the hospital."

"No!" Sasuke gasped. He wrapped his arms around Naruto's neck as tight as he could to help carry the weight. "Just take me home, please." That was the last Naruto heard from Sasuke until the morning.

It didn't take long to get to Sasuke's house, although it was hard to get inside because the door was locked and Sasuke didn't have any of his things when he left his work. Naruto sat Sasuke down on the porch and went around the house to every single to see if it was open, until he finally got to the back door. Thank goodness, it was a sliding door. Locked, but certainly breakable, and undoubtedly fixable… in the future. He wiped his wet hands on his jeans, attempting to dry them (with hardly any luck) and gripped the handle as tightly as possible, and pulled. It took a few tries before Naruto actually got the door to come off the hinges. He went in, through the kitchen and living room and to the front door. He lifted Sasuke up and carried him on his back to the bedroom.

Once Sasuke was tucked in, he fell right to sleep. His rescuer buried him in blankets to keep him warm and lit a few candles so he could see. He helped himself to the refrigerator and its contents, having two strawberry flavored yogurts and an apple and a soda.

For a while he sat on Sasuke's side, watching him breathe slowly; his eye lids would twitch every so often. I wonder what he's dreaming about…

Before he knew it, he was asleep next to Sasuke, over the covers. Sometime during the night, while Naruto lay snoring, Sasuke's fingers tangled with his.


Sasuke woke to the sound running water and a faint aroma of bacon. His body was no longer numb, although it took him a second to stand up right and move his muscles around.

As he walked into his bathroom he saw Naruto, blonde and beautiful, in nothing but a short towel wrapped around his waist.

"Oh, morning." He said casually.

"Good morning," Sasuke replied slowly. He stretched and walked toward the bath tub. He sat on the ledge, dipping his hand in to feel the warmth of the water. It still had soap bubbles floating around.

"I hope you don't mind, I really needed a bath. You called right after I got off of work."

"I don't mind. Do you need to borrow some clothes?" What's with the formality all of a sudden?

"No, it's okay. I had a change in my trunk."

"Oh."

They remained silent for a moment. They didn't make eye contact. Naruto leaned against the sink and Sasuke played with the water in the tub.

Then, they spoke at the same time.

"So I –"

"I'm sorry –"

"Oh, you first,"

"No, you go ahead."

"I was just gonna tell you that I made you something to eat. In the kitchen."

"I…" Sasuke paused. He didn't like this Naruto. He was too polite and distant. Acting like nothing had ever happened between them during the past month. "Thank you. I appreciate it."

"Yeah." Naruto started for the door.

In this type of situation, you have one of two choices: first, you can stop the person from leaving, convince him or her to stay with you for a while and see where it goes. Or, second, you can let him or her leave, knowing deep down that you will never see him or her again. Sasuke knew that option one was the better choice. Yet, he couldn't decide. What if Naruto didn't want to stay? What if these two weeks apart symbolized the end of any relationship they had?

"Wait." Sasuke cocked his head to the side, sure not to meet Naruto's gaze. This was just too embarrassing to look in the eye.

Naruto's lips curved up as he turned to look at Sasuke, then turning into a full grin when he saw his cheeks redden. He decided to tease him a bit, to try and get him to say something he wouldn't normally say out of the blue. So, in a rather temperamental tone, he asked, "What?"

I want you to stay with me..

"Whatever happened at the bar before, I didn't mean… to make you mad, or push you away or –"

"What are you talking about?"

"Whatever happened that night, or whatever we did. I can't remember a single thing. Just don't ignore me, okay?"

Naruto stared, bewildered. "I have no idea what you're talking about. We didn't do anything that night."

Sasuke turned his head, wearing the same questioning expression as the blonde. "… Huh?"

"You and that guy with the long hair went to a back room." He said, matter-of-factly. Actually, he dragged you into a back room. You were so hammered. When Shikamaru and I went to check on you, you were naked from the waist down." He almost chuckled. "Heh, you're a horny drunk, you know. Once we got you in the car, you were like 'I didn't get a blow job yet!' when you clearly had. That guy just ditched."

Shit - he got a blow job from NEJI? Not good...

"I – uh, I…"

"It's okay, I won't say anything. I don't know about anyone else – although they know you're gay now."

"I… I normally don't…"

"Sasuke, seriously," Naruto sat next to him, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry about it. I haven't even… come out yet." That sounded as weird as it did saying it.

"It's not about that. I… I normally don't get that drunk. I know my limits, but I didn't handle it well, I guess." He leaned into Naruto's hand. "Neji and I aren't even together anymore. What we did, it didn't mean anything. I don't even remember it."

Naruto had nothing to say. What could he say? Sasuke was being so… weird. He really wanted to know what happened the previous night. He knew that Sasuke liked him. He just wanted to hear him say it aloud.

"Say something." Sasuke's face was so hot; he couldn't tell if it was because the bath water was too hot or because he was blushing.

Naruto smiled and brushed his lips over Sasuke's temple and slid off the bathrobe from his pale shoulders. "Get in the bath, eat your breakfast, and I'll see you after work."

"Could you pick up my things from the office on your way back? I'm not going back there."

"Sure. Are you going to tell me what happened?"

Well, he never wanted to relive that event, but if it meant keeping Naruto around longer, then he'd suck it up. "Yeah. But you have to swear not to say anything."

"Okay."

"Okay?" Sasuke cocked an eyebrow.

"I promise not to tell." Naruto kissed him again, this time on the mouth, and Sasuke kissed him back, though he held back. This could take some getting used to. "See you tonight."

Once Naruto closed the door, Sasuke removed his rode and sat in the bath for about twenty minutes, letting the hot water kill all nasty germs left on his skin. His pruned feet slid across the floor as he faced the mirror; a Sasuke he didn't know looking back. This Sasuke had dark circles under his eyes. He had bruises on either side of his porcelain face. Handprints.

There were minor scrapes on his arms and a small cut above his lip; presumably from Orochimaru's long fingernails. Sasuke leaned against the counter, one hand holding him steady, the other he brought slowly to his face, feeling around for any unusual lumps or scabs. He found nothing – thank gods.

He knew immediately after the incident he'd have to file a lawsuit. He would be permanently recorded as a Boston rape victim. Everyone would know. The quiet life he previously sought would vanish and his reputation ruined. How could he have let this happen?

Of course, there were no signs that led him to an conclusions that Orochimaru had more than a crush on him. However, whatever he thought in the past was irrelevant. Who to tell and who not to was now the predicament he found himself in.

Naruto, of course. He'd be the first to know. Maybe Shikamaru.

No. No work friends. The news would spread through the floors like swine flu. Ino would definitely tell the whole world. Out of worry, he knew, but the world nonetheless. Temari would fear for the life of her family and probably kill Orochimaru to prevent him from hurting anyone else. But Ino and Shikamaru were his best friends. This man was dangerous. They should know the truth.

The other problem was his family.

Oh, fuck that. Mikoto and Itachi would freak out… but at that point, Sasuke knew he had no choice.

He'd have to call the authorities.

He pulled on a pair of sweats and a tee shirt, went back into the bedroom and found his phone in the pockets of his jeans. He dialed the nine. Then the one. Sasuke paused before pressing the second one, as if to second guess himself; sighed, and hit it again. The phone automatically sent the call and after one ring, a woman responded.

"911. What's your emergency?"


"You sound terrible."

"I feel terrible."

"At least you're not alone. That's the most important thing right now."

"Yeah," Sasuke sat in between Naruto's spread legs, his head resting against his shoulder. He held the phone down and let Itachi speak to the both of them. It was the first time Itachi had ever spoken to Naruto, although Sasuke had not meant for them to have a conversation such as this one, but thank the gods for this painter. He was really coming through for the brunette in need.

"Naruto, thanks for being there. I'd be down there but…"

"It's fine, really. Nothing is really going on right now so there's no need to fly down right now." Naruto said. He brushed his lips against the back of Sasuke's head, not truly kissing him, though.

"I'll be there when you go to court. But I'm debating bringing Mom." Itachi spoke slowly and somberly. It was too obvious that he was worried about Sasuke living on his own now. He was forever grateful that Naruto had agreed only moments ago to stay with Sasuke until everything was resolved (Sasuke was resentful at first, but the both of them insisted that he stay with company).

"Dear God, please don't." Sasuke said gruffly.

"She's been crying nonstop."

"I haven't, so tell her to stop."

"That's not nice, Sas. You're the baby. My mom cried when I got a job…" Naruto trailed off.

"He's right. She's worried as anything."

"Can I talk to her?"

"Not right now. She's talking with… a friend." What friend could his mother possibly be talking to at a time like this?

Come to think of it, Sasuke didn't think his mother had any friends to begin with! That was almost as strange as Orochimaru's eyeliner…

He disregarded the thought. "Oh, okay."

"Sorry."

"No worries. We're gonna turn in for the night though. I'll call you tomorrow night."

"If something comes up call me as soon as you can. I love you, little brother. Goodnight, Naruto."

"Love you too. Bye."

"Nice talking to you."

Sasuke shut the phone off and set it on the bedside table to the right – Sasuke's side. Naruto turned off the light on the left bedside table – his side. They scrambled under the blanket; Sasuke's arm resting on Naruto's chest and they drifted off to sleep together.

In the morning Sasuke would sleep in and Naruto would go to work. He would come… home for lunch and check on his… boyfriend of the sort, go back to work and return in time for dinner and comforting time.

Honestly Sasuke didn't need comforting. Sure, he was shaken up. He was embarrassed and he was nauseated. But he was glad that Naruto was by his side and keeping him warm at night.

Because that damn heating company still hadn't gotten their shit together.


So... it's been quite a while... hasn't it?

At lest the last line is full of all kinds of humour! 3

EDIT 12/14/11: I reuploaded chapters 5,6, and 7, because they didn't quite make sense. In chapter five or six, I don't remember, Shikamaru mentions his wedding to Lee and says that Naruto was the cause of his face landing in the cake. I changed it to Sai, because Shikamaru doesn't meet Naruto until they all get together. I also added a few things to this chapter, including the e-vite to the wedding which will occur in chapter 9.