Well, that was quick...I was excited about this chapter. I have waited anxiously to introduce Sasuke's family since the beginning! : ) And for those of you who might upset that Sasuke still has a family, I needed them for the story later on. Having them alive is very important to the plot.

Again, I apologize for any mistakes. This was written and checked in one setting!

Please enjoy!


Naruto stared at the Uchiha house with amazement. The place was like a mansion! Sasuke acted like he was well-off, but he had not expected that he lived in such a beautiful building. "Dobe, stop staring, it is just a house." Naruto turned to Sasuke and managed to stutter, "J-just a house?" He recovered after a moment and continued in a steady voice. "It's a mansion!" He got out of the car slowly, ignoring the eye rolling that the raven was doing. His amazement, however, faded when he saw other cars in the driveway. His tan face paled considerably and he swallowed hard.

"Are you trying to freeze?" Naruto turned his gaze to Sasuke, who was now standing on the front porch with the door open. Naruto realized that he was still standing in the rain and hurried to join Sasuke under the awning. He entered the home after Sasuke and copied the other boy in taking off his shoes. "Wait here." Naruto obeyed, feeling nervous and a bit scared. The cars in the driveway meant that there were others in the house, most likely adults. Naruto imagined a long-haired female Sasuke and an older, taller Sasuke. He snorted to himself and then buried his thoughts as Sasuke returned with a towel that was promptly thrown at his face.

Naruto dried himself off the best he could before he followed Sasuke through the entry hall. "Is that you, Sasuke?" Naruto tensed at the sound of the feminine voice from the room they were approaching. "Yes, Mother." Naruto was a bit surprised by the polite tone of voice that the other boy used in addressing his mother. He addressed his mother in that way, but none of his friends did so. As they entered the kitchen, Naruto stopped in the doorway for a moment. His jaw dropped a few inches as he took in Sasuke's mother. She was beautiful, with long, black hair that shimmered in the fluorescent light. Her pale skin was lightly flushed from standing over a hot stove and her lips were pulled back in a sweet, gentle smile. Her dark eyes filled with surprise as she stared back at Naruto. "Well, this is a surprise. Sasuke, why didn't you tell me we were having a guest for dinner?"

"I apologize, Mother. It was a surprise to me as well." Naruto snapped out of his stupor and walked to stand beside Sasuke at the kitchen counter. Extending a hand, Naruto smiled at the woman, surprised that she had not said something about his bruised face. "I'm Naruto, ma'am, sorry for intruding!" The woman giggled and took the hand, shaking it lightly. "So polite! Are you a friend from school?" Naruto glanced at Sasuke, unsure of how to answer the question. Thankfully, Sasuke answered for him, "An acquaintance from school." Sasuke's mother nodded, "Oh, and you can call me Mikoto, Naruto. Goodness, you are soaked! Sasuke, get him some of your clothing and show him the bathroom, will you?" She rummaged through cupboards and set a place for Naruto as she spoke. Sasuke led him up the steps where he left him in the bathroom and quickly returned with a change in clothing. Naruto inclined his head in thanks before shutting the door to change. The shirt was a bit big on him, but the pants fit and Naruto was glad for anything dry.

Stepping out of the bathroom with wet clothing in hand, Naruto almost ran into Sasuke who standing in front of the door. Sasuke growled and took the clothing before disappearing down the steps. Naruto followed after him, but waited by the kitchen doorway as Sasuke threw the clothing in a dryer. Sasuke brushed past him and entered the kitchen, sitting down at the table. Naruto hesitated before sitting down across from the raven. It appeared as if Mikoto had set a fifth place at the table while they were upstairs.

He fiddled with the hem of his sweatshirt as he stared down at the table. He had no idea why he was there and he was nervous about eating a meal at someone else's home, especially as an uninvited guest. He glanced up at Sasuke to find that the other boy was watching him. He quickly ducked his head again and tried to relax. Naruto managed to relax slightly, but then the front door opened and shut with a gentle thud. "Ah, your father is home. Good, dinner is done." Naruto swallowed hard again and bit the inside of his lip as a tall man entered the room. He looked similar to his son, with dark hair and pale skin, but Naruto decided that Sasuke got most of his looks from his mother. The man moved to his wife and gave her gentle hug and kissed her lips softly, much to Naruto's embarrassment. He lowered his head again and hoped the man would not notice him.

"Who is the guest, Mikoto?" The rough voice made Naruto tighten his grip on the hem of his sweatshirt. "Sasuke brought him for dinner." Naruto decided to look up at the man as he moved to sit down at the head of the table, which was thankfully at the other end of the table. "My name is Naruto, sir." He offered a very small smile and was relieved to see the man nod in reply. After Mikoto placed steaming pots on the table, she went to the doorway and called towards the stairs, "Itachi, dinner is ready!" She sat down in the chair beside Naruto at the other head of the table, opposite of her husband. Naruto licked his lips nervously. He had not realized that there was yet another person in the home. It was then that he noticed the place set between Sasuke's father and his own seat.

Thuds sounded on the steps and an older Sasuke with lines on his face appeared in the doorway. "Father, Mother, and...Well, who do we have here?" The man sat down in the chair beside Naruto. "Naruto." Itachi smiled slightly and nodded, "An acquaintance from school, I presume, Sasuke?" Naruto heard a grunt from the raven across from him. The meal began with the customary thanking for the food and then the head of the household served food. Naruto accepted his food with a murmured thank you and politely began to eat. The food was delicious and made Naruto hum happily to himself.

"So, Naruto, what is your last name and how old are you?" Naruto glanced at Sasuke's father and then replied, "Uzumaki, sir, and I am seventeen." He wondered if there was something familiar about his last name to the man as dark eyebrow raised a centimeter. "Fugaku, you're making the poor boy nervous!" Mikoto said, lightly scolding her husband. Naruto returned to his food in embarrassment until he felt a nudge to his arm. Glancing up in surprise, Naruto looked at Itachi who was looking at him. "What's up with your face?" Naruto immediately tensed and his hands froze above his plate, clenching his fork and knife. He had hoped that the question would not come up. He disliked having to repeat lies that made him seem weak, especially to strangers.

He opened his mouth to speak, but Sasuke spoke before he could get a syllable out. "He got pushed into a fight at school." Naruto's face burned and he lowered his hands and head. It sounded worse when Sasuke said it, though he was glad that other boy did not say that he was beat up. "You didn't start, did you, Naruto?" Naruto was surprised by the gentle question from Mikoto and he glanced in her direction, taking in her concerned expression. "No, ma'am."

"Good. I dislike students that fight in such vulgar ways. I am glad you are not one of them." She smiled at Naruto, who returned her smile. However, when he returned his gaze to his food, he could have sworn that Mikoto and her husband shared a knowing glance. No one addressed him for the rest of meal, but Mikoto and Fugaku, as he found that Sasuke's father was called, talked about their days. Naruto started to relax and let himself smile slightly as he finished his dinner. He forgot about his curfew and the pain that he would receive when he got home. He helped Mikoto clear the table and talked with her about simple things as they washed dishes. Sasuke, Itachi, and Fugaku sat around the table, occasionally exchanging words. Mikoto noticed Naruto's gaze and laughed, "I sometimes wonder how I manage to live with three indifferent men, but they are more caring then they let on." She smiled as Naruto turned back to the dishes.

"Sasuke has never brought anyone home before." Naruto jerked his head up and raised his eyebrows. "You are the first." Mikoto smiled again, "I think I understand what drew him to you." Naruto felt his cheeks heat up and he scratched at the back of his head. This caused the woman to giggle, "You are so cute!" She reached up quickly to grasp his face, but stopped when Naruto tensed and flinched away. Her smile faltered and she lowered her hands to his shoulders with a gentle touch, "I am sorry, did I frighten you some how?" Naruto realized how he had reacted and shook his head. "No, I...well, it is nothing." He smiled at her. "I don't think Sasuke is drawn to me for anything beyond for rivalry. We aren't friends."

"I thought otherwise, you two seem very close. Sasuke has never acted the way he is today." Naruto was again surprised by Mikoto's words. He shrugged and put the last clean plate on the rack beside the sink. He stepped back and then saw the dishwasher that Mikoto was standing in front of. He glanced from the freshly washed dishes to the dishwasher with one raised eyebrow. Mikoto noticed and smiled, "I don't like using this thing. I prefer to wash by hand. It annoys the men of this household, but if they want the dishwasher to be used, maybe they should do the dishes." Her eyes sparkled good-naturally and Naruto could not help but smile in return.

A resounding beep came Naruto's ears and he turned in the direction of the wash room that he could see it through the kitchen door. "Ah, your clothes must be dry." She looked at the clock and Naruto followed her gaze. "Time does pass quickly when you are having fun." Naruto tried to hide the horror that was washing over him in waves. It was already 9:45. Fear pooled in the pit of his stomach and he felt his palms grow sweaty. He had forgotten that it was Thursday and his father would be looking for something to beat. His eyes widened as he leaned against the counter behind him. Mikoto took a step towards him in worry. "Is everything alright, dear?"

Naruto nodded, "I just need to get home." Mikoto tilted her head slightly, "It is getting late, you can stay here, if you'd like. Call your parents on the home phone and ask." Naruto shook his head, "I can't, I'm sorry. I really need to get home. My mother will be worried." Or dead. He licked his lips and glanced at the clock again. He could imagine it...His father beating his mother and doing things that should be happening to him and not to his sweet mother. "Your hospitality has been amazing and I thank you for your kindness, but I must be getting home." He turned swiftly and hurried to the front door. The scrapping of a chair against the floor only partially registered in his mind. A hand on his elbow jerking him away from the door surprised him. "It is still raining and you are wearing my clothing, dobe."

Naruto took a deep breath and nodded as he turned to Sasuke. "Right. I'll change." He walked past the other boy and got his clothing out of the dryer. He shut the wash room door before changing quickly into his own clothing, folding Sasuke's neatly upon the washer. Exiting the room, he hurried to the door. Mikoto stood beside the door, smiling. He paused, but continued to the exit. He bowed to her and thanked her again. He went to leave, but was stopped as he was pulled into a hug. He got an odd feeling in his stomach and his eyes stung. He hugged her back and then left, hurrying down the steps. The black car that Sasuke drove was on and the passenger door was open. Naruto saw Sasuke in the driver's seat and he sighed, knowing that he was going to get a ride home whether he liked it or not.

The drive was quiet until they reached Victor and Sasuke did not stop the car. Instead, he kept on driving. "The address." Naruto glanced at Sasuke and bit his lip. Somehow he knew he wasn't getting out of this one either. He didn't understand why he wasn't willing to fight Sasuke about such things at the moment, but he didn't spend much time pondering it. He mumbled his address and received a grunt in reply.

As the sleek car pulled up to the house, Naruto swallowed hard. The upstairs lights were on. He clenched his jaw, knowing what that meant. He took a deep breath and exited the car with a mumbled thank you to the driver. He could have sworn that he heard Sasuke say, "See you at school." Ascending the steps to hell, Naruto opened the door with practiced movements and slipped his shoes off. Walking slowly up the steps to the second floor, he could hear the cries of his mother. Naruto felt sick, knowing that he could have prevented the abuse that she was receiving. Whatever his father was doing to her was meant for him and not his mother. He entered his bedroom quietly and did not close the door as he sat down on the bed. The screams stopped and he heard his parent's door open. He tried to calm his racing heart, to no avail.

Takeshi stormed into the room, livid. Shouts of anger echoed in Naruto's ears and insults pounded into his mind. He sat there with a bowed head, listening to each word that his father threw at him. He had to take it, he could not ignore it like he normally tried. This was his punishment for letting his mother suffer. His mother normally received only verbal abuse if Naruto kept his act together and let his father beat on him. Naruto bit his lip and wished that he could take away his mother's pain. He wanted to be the one being abused. The innocent woman who tried to protect him did not deserve the pain. He wished he had remembered the consequences of being home late on any day besides Wednesday. If he had, his mother would not have endured a beating. Tears started to fall from closed eyes and soft sobs racked his frame as the demon left his room. He buried his face in his pillow in shame and thought desperately, "What have I done?"


Please review. :) Also, I am still deciding on who should be the principal. I apologize to those who want Tsunade to be the principal, but I already used her as the head doctor at the hospital in a previous chapter.