A/N: Recently, I didn't really know how the heck I should continue this. At first I had a nice little 6 chapter story all figured out...but the ploy demanded much more. At the moment I'm still working on what the exact climax will be...but I promise that I'll try to think of something very different from what you normally read in fanfiction, which is what I always try to stand by. If I'm going to post something I'm going to break a few fandom rules. (As you'll see in this chapter!)

Visit me at myspace, yo! www myspace com luckie lindsay (add dots and slashes where needed.)

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. : M O N S T E R : .

T H E S I X T H C H A P T E R

False Prophet

Authored By: Lin West

Erratically drumming my pen I sit in homeroom waiting for announcements. If there had been anyone in the room I would've been yelled at for being an annoyance. The intercom begins to blare with the morning announcements, as they conclude I am called down to the office. Technically I'm not supposed to be unsupervised anyway.

As I step out of the classroom I notice that the buzz of students and teachers in clas is missing; it's as if class isn't in session. I figure there's probably an assembly I missed or something along those lines. And just as I reach a comforting conclusion the lights start to flicker and fade the halls to black. Panicked, I start to run towards the dean's office. However, as I pull open the glass doors I don't hear the sound of teachers debating or students arguing. I hear nothing. I try to yell for somebody but my throat is stuffed with cotton. I continue to scurry looking for someone until I open a door that leads to the teacher's lounge, there I see Naruto standing by the empty water dispenser.

Thank god I finally found someone.

Once again, I try to call out but to no avail. Naruto turns around noticing my entrance and I realize something is off. His eyes are red and his pleasant open-expression has mutated to that of an arrogant leer. He hands are folded across his chest and as he shifts his weight the sharpshooter in his hand waves to me.

"Hey, Sasuke." He strides closer. "How are you doing?"

I try to scream but my throat is hoarsed, I try to run but my legs are lead weights. I feel Naruto's cold hands bind around my neck, his nails grinding against my skin. I gag, wheezing for breath. He grins and I try to pry him off, but in return he brings the gun to my abdomen. I shake my head and through a guttural cry I plead, "Naruto..."

He smiles and pulls the trigger. The passing-period bell screams. Naruto grins, licking the blood from my cheek, "It's time to go to class, Sasuke." All fades to black.

"RIIIIIIIIIIIIING!" I flutter my eyes open and see the sun torrenting through the curtains, I switch my alarm off. I start to shake, he killed me. He fucking killed me. Naruto murdered me.

No, I'm still breathing; my heart is still beating.

I can feel his hands choking me; I can feel his searing, sticky breath blowing raggedly against my neck. I start to quiver, "But he really did try to kill me. Naruto really tried to murder me. Oh dear god." My voice comes out in squeaks as I try to choke my sobs. Even if, even if that was an alternate personality that monster was still a part of Naruto. He tried to kill me; Naruto would've thrown me in a landfill. "I would've been rotting in a fucking landfill." I start to picture horrible headlines accompanied by grotesque images, "Oh God, oh God." I pull myself up and slowly walk across the hallway. "I-Itachi? Are you there?"

No one answers.

"Of course you aren't, you're never home...are you?" I fall to floor. "You are never here."

I was able to pull myself together and go to school like a good like boy, however I looked like I had caught some horrible disease, and quite frankly, I felt like it too.

He's late again, Itachi told me he'd be back by nine and it's a quarter-past ten. And wouldn't you know it! He doesn't have his cell on; he should at least call me. Then again, Itachi never really paid attention to me, so why on earth should he start now?

Even after our parents were murdered he offered no console, I was eight at that time. But what disturbed me wasn't so much his ignoring me, it was that my parent's death seemed to have no affected on him what so ever. It was as if he didn't even care that they were dead.

Which is why I wonder if he didn't come when he did with Kyuubi, would he have cared? Would he have cried for me? Would he have cried for the severed body of his only brother? I remember he was…concerned when he found me. Did he actually care? Deep down am I still his little brother? The phone ringing brings me back, "Hello?"

"This is Itachi, I know I'm late but I thought I'd go talk to Naruto to see how he was doing."

"And what did he say?" I feel my heart race.

"I don't how to say this but-"

"But what?"

"Sasuke, Naruto said he didn't he want to see you again."

"You're lying!"

"He told me it would be best for the both of you, and I think I agree."

"You really think I care what you think! I don't care what Naruto thinks either; he's not driving me away so easily!"

"Sometimes its best if-"

"When are you coming home?"

"Soon."

"See you then, warm up dinner yourself," I hang up. Naruto doesn't mean it, does he? He's probably just upset. Or is Itachi trying to lie to me? He hasn't had the most honest track record with me or sometimes he only discloses what is convenient.

Or does Naruto simply not want to see me?

Today Kiba is back in school, he has succeeded in throwing the entire football team against me. I woke up this morning to find my house egged and tee-pee-ed, was tripped multiple times on the stairs, and have been the victim to numerous spitballs. I probably would've been beat up as well if it weren't for the fact that I can run faster than anyone in the entire school. I've noticed people seem to act more distant towards me; I'm not approached as much as I was before. Fewer eyes flirtatiously run across me, and the flair that drew others towards me has seemed to dissipate.

Probably because of the fact that I've buddied up with a murderer.

God, let this day just end. I just want to go home and sleep and just forget. But when the day ends and my opportunity arrives, sleep evades me. Shivering I lay not able to close my eyes. I fear that the comfort curtain of rest will strangle me, however, exhaustion and turmoil brings upon rest.

I began snooping around my brother's room and scourging the Caller ID in hopes of Naruto's location, but my attempt is in vain. I have never been one to lightly dance around a subject too long, it eventually bores me. I decide that I will directly confront Itachi.

Without introduction or so much a polite greeting I demand, "Where is Naruto staying?"

With his head buried in a report he doesn't even attempt, or bother, meet my eyes as he counters, "What prompts you to ask?"

"Concern is what prompts me, dearest brother."

He scoffs as brushes me off as he daintily turns the page, "You need to gain control of that mouth of yours, or you'll never make it anywhere."

"I didn't ask for personal criticism, I asked where Naruto, my friend, is!"

Itachi doesn't answer, he is either too absorbed in his papers or doesn't feel he needs to grace me with an answer. Of course its probably a mix of the two.

He never paid that devoted attention and loyalty to me, a book has beaten me, it has won over my brother affection. An inanimate object. I resist the urge to rip the book from his hands, I instead growl impatiently, "Hello?"

Still not looking up he answers, "Christ, he's currently at Christ Hospital."

"OK." I simply respond, and lamely add, "Thanks." See? That's all it takes to be rid of me, just give me what I want and you and your report can spend all the quality time you desire.

As I approach the doorway I hear him call out to me, "You don't plan to go visit him do you?"

"Eventually."

"He doesn't want to see you, you know. And you've both have been through a rather," He pauses, "Difficult experience. It might be best if you wait it out."

"It's none of your business." Go back to your report, since when have you ever cared what was best for me?

"As a matter of fact, it is. I'm your guardian. I am your father-figure."

I turn to face him. How dare he compare himself to dad! How dare he even talk about my parents in front of me! "You aren't my dad! I'll never listen to what you have to say or value your opinion."

"I feed and house you. I am your older brother, be more gracious."

I leave, there's no use arguing. He will never speak on an equal level with me. He will always criticize, he will always be distant and unsupportive. My words receive an automated response, and he acts as if I should be grateful for him gracing with that alone. He will never be my father-figure, no matter what he thinks or deludes himself to believe.

I descend to the kitchen to go look up Christ Hospital in the phonebook.

Yes brother, I am very grateful for the fact that you return home late, so that I may do whatever I please during the daylight hours. I am very grateful for my car that will drive me to Christ Hospital to reunite me with Naruto. That I am very grateful indeed. And he says I'm a prude, spoiled little boy. In the middle of the intersection my cell rings Madeline in her coffin. "Hello?"

"Sasuke, where are you?"

"Driving."

"You're not going to Christ are you?"

I could have easily lied, very easily. However, I want to see how he'll respond, He will yell at me and try to make me come back. And then I'd hang up and there'd be nothing he can do. "Yes, as a matter of fact I am."

"Come back home."

"Why should I?" Chuckling, I reply.

Itachi pauses for a moment then answers, "He's not at Christ anymore."

"Was he transferred?"

"He was discharged."

I u-turn, "Discharged! Why didn't you tell me?"

"I was going to when you came home, but someone decided to run off irrationally."

"Sorry. Is Naruto back at his house?"

"No, actually, he came here to see you."

"He did? When did he leave?"

"He's still here right now," Itachi becomes amused, "Shall I send him home?"

"No! Don't send him home! Tell him I'll be there in a couple of minutes!" I click END.

Grinning, I hit the accelerator. I try to run conversations through my head, but what should I say to him? How stable will he be after that? Speaking of which, why is he be discharged so early. I feel myself swallowing a bottle of dread; it begins to sit in the bottom of my stomach. How could he have been discharged so early after...after what happened? Did the doctors make a mistake or did Naruto simply recover quicker than average?

And most importantly, is Naruto OK? Something doesn't feel quite right.

Bringing the car to a screeching halt on the asphalt of our driveway I make a bee-line to the front door and jab the bell. About two minutes pass before my dear brother decides to let me in. How kind of him. "Welcome back."

"Where's Naruto?"

"He's waiting in the living room." Itachi closes the door behind me and clunks the lock.

With a smile, I turn for the living room, "Naruto!" Seeing the couches empty my eyes search for a mop of blonde. Did he wonder off someplace? "Naruto?" Itachi blocks the entrance of the living room leaning on the arch. I turn to him, "Where's Naruto?"

"Naruto's not here."

I pause for a moment, "Did he leave?"

Itachi sighs and advances towards me. "Come on Sasuke, surely you understand."

"What?" What is he implying?

"Naruto was never here."

I start to back away from him. Itachi has always been a straight-forward person, until this day I cannot recall a single instant when he has deceitful. Although he has never supplied adequate emotional support he has never manipulated me. So am I not worth it to him? He has to handle me as if I were a child? "You lied to me!"

With a snort, "Took you long enough," he arrogantly replies.

"Why did you lie?"

Itachi stalks closer; the vast difference in our height grows uncomfortably noticeable, I take a step backwards. "You are not to see Naruto, you hear?"

"You didn't answer my question!"

"You better do as I say."

Laughing, I smirk up at him, "Really, now?"

Returning the gesture with a cold stature, "Yes, Sasuke, really."

"You can not order me around! I am not your dog!" Stepping away further from him I turn, "I can't believe you lied to me like that!"

For a moment we just stare at each other, waiting for either to drop the next bomb. Itachi begins to tread across the eggshells, "I know what Naruto means to you."

What does he mean? He couldn't possibly know anything. To be able to know he would have to be here to witness, and if he is never here it is impossible for him to see any of the...incidents that occurred. Even though he did see Kyuubi with me he can't possibly make a conclusion off that. Blankly staring at him I try to search his face, I feel my heart pounding. Oh God, does he know?

Itachi cracks the shells, "I know about you and Naruto's involvement."

You have no clue what a horror it is to hear someone just blurt out a hidden, dark secret to your face while staring coldly and indifferently down at you, judging. "Y-yeah?"

"Yes, Sasuke."

My chest is screaming and convulsing but I'm frozen to the ground.

"I will not allow a brother of mine to become vermin. You bear my name and my blood; you will not be an embarrassment to me."

My temple pulsing and my hands shake, "So I'm vermin?"

"Unless you rid yourself of this...unnaturality."

"I don't understand? What is so filthy about it?"

"You don't seem to understand what you feel is only an act of lust. You cannot truly love another male."

"And why not?"

"It is not love but vanity."

"Vanity?" I laugh trembling laughs, "It's an act of vanity? How can it be when love is selflessness?"

"I will go into philosophy with you, but." He grabs my shoulder and for a brief moment I thought he was either going to kiss me or pull me into a headlock, neither sounds too pleasing. "No brother of mine will be a filthy AIDS host, a man-whore. You hear?"

I break away from him, "Do you hear yourself? How can you accuse me of such things! Your own flesh and blood! I do not fantasize of being fucked by men, I don't want to have massive orgies, and I don't care about them blowing me! I only care about Naruto! Don't you understand?" Shaking my head, I lean looking for the support of the wall, "It is nothing adult, it is innocent. It is pure."

"How can you possibly call it pure? It's defiance against nature!"

"How is it so filthy? It is not an act of hate! How can loving another human-being be a filthy act?" My throat begins to devour itself, my eyes burn.

Itachi grabs me by the collar, "I will lay it out simply: you either never see Naruto again or never see the insides of this house again. Is that simple enough for your feeble brain to comprehend?" He throws me backwards.

Finally choking on sobs I scream, "What would Mom and Dad think? What would they say to what you accuse me of?"

Coldly, he retorts, "They would side with me."

"When did I stop being your brother, Itachi! When did I stop being your treasured little brother that you would read to and kiss goodnight?" The tears begin to slip. "When did you stop loving me?"

Itachi turns from me.

"Answer me!"

Itachi does not oblige. I run to my room and empty my wallet and grabbing my CD case I leave the house to drive as far as I can. As far as I can getaway from him.

The empty husk of a human-body, my big brother.

T o B e C o n t i n u e d . . .

Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto 1999 - 2005