Chapter 7: Naruto's Fear

Sasuke's P.O.V.

I woke with a sudden jerk. Naruto was still sleeping in my bed. It was around midnight I was thirsty, so I went downstairs to get me a glass of water. As I walked through the house I noticed Iruka and Kakashi weren't home yet.

"I wonder where they are?"

Just as I was about to finish my glass of water, I heard Naruto scream. I dropped the glass, not caring that it shattered, and ran to his side. I threw the door opened and tried to get him to calm down, but little did I know that things had gotten worst. He kicked, screamed, and tried to hit me, but I kept him in place.

"Naruto! You have to calm down! It's ok Naruto! I'm right here! Remember me! Sasuke?"

Once I mentioned my name he stopped all together. He gently pulled away from me to look at my face before he gripped the front of my t-shirt and cried into my chest. I wanted to cry too, but I didn't want him to have a weak support. When he's not around I'll cry, but for now… for the first time I have to be a man. I wrapped my arms around his waist and pulled him into my lap. I massaged circles into his back as he cried, not caring if my t-shirt was soaked with his tears, until he finally calmed down to small whimpers. His grip only tightened when I stopped rubbing his back and rested both hands around his waist. I rested my head on top of his head, and just stayed quiet. I wanted him to be the one who tells me instead of trying to push it.

"Sasuke…?" Naruto asked in a whisper.

"Yeah…?"

"What happened?"

"… … I found you… You were naked and covered in blood, tears, and cum… You were unconscious on the gym floor… I brought you home and cleaned you up…"

"… … Thanks… Sasuke… For saving me…"

"It's breaking my heart to see him so afraid and so fragile."

I just rubbed his back more to let him know I was here for him. This whole thing was nagging at my brain.

"Who would do this to Naruto…? I just have to ask…"

"Naruto…"

"Yes?" He whispered.

"… … Who did this to you…?"

"…"

"I already know that whoever it was raped you… I just wish you'd tell me who it was…"

"… … I can't…" He whispered more to himself then to me, but I still heard him.

"Why?"

"I just can't."

"That's not a reason Naruto."

His grip on my shirt tightened… that's when it dawned on me.

"Naruto… Are you that afraid?"

He slowly nodded.

"Why? I mean~"

"BECAUSE HE SAID "HE'D" KILL MY FAMILY, ME AND YOU!" He shouted as he pulled away from me and stared into my eyes with tear stained, red face as more tears rolled down his face. "He said *sob* that *sob* if I ever *sob* tell anyone *sob*… then he would kill you guys. *sob* I don't want to anyone I love get killed because I wasn't as strong as I want to be. *sob*" His voice was full of fear, certain, and disappointment as he tried to whip the tears away with his arm. I felt bad for him. I didn't think he was that afraid of this person. Even though I wasn't to terribly shocked as to who the culprit might be. I couldn't help myself as I brushed his bangs out of his face so I could kiss his forehead. I heard Naruto gasp as he gripped my semi-dry shirt even harder. When I pulled away, he had this adorable look of confusion on his face. "Sasu~"

"You don't have to worry about me. I can take care of myself. I worry about you more than anyone else. So if anyone upsets you then they upset me. If you want to be strong for yourself, then I won't stop you." He nodes a "thank you". "But if you want to be strong for me, Iruka, or Kakashi then I'll stop you. I want everything you do to be done by you because you want to do it. I'm already strong, so let me protect you until you're satisfied… ok?" He nodes again and then mumbles a "thank you" as he rested his head on my shoulder. We stay quiet for a few more minutes as I continuously massage his back. "Naruto…"

"Yeah?"

"… You know we have to tell~"

"NO! YOU CAN'T TELL IRUKA AND KAKASHI! PLEASE SASUKE! I'LL TELL THEM WHEN I'M READY, SO PLEASE… JUST KEEP THIS BETWEEN US! PLEASE?"

"Alright Naruto. I won't say anything. But when you can't move or go to school for a few days, what do we tell them?"

"I haven't figured that out quite yet." He said in a small whisper.

We both sit there holding each other as we tried to think of an excuse for Naruto's condition. Then it struck me. I gently moved Naruto out of my lap and onto the edge of the bed.

"Sasuke? Where are you going?"

"I got an idea. Just wait right there." I said as I walked to the hall closet to fetch a thing of bandages. Naruto had confused look on his face as I reentered the room. "Give me your foot." He didn't resist and watched as I wrapped a bandage around his foot and to his ankle.

"What are you doing?"

"Can you fake a limp for your right foot?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"Because I need you to be as convincing as possible for my plan to work." I said as I finished bandaging his foot.

"Right, so… what exactly is your plan?" He asked looking into my eyes.

"The story is… while we were playing a game, things got rough, I pushed you, you fell and hurt your ankle."

"Sasuke? That's stupid! You'll get in trouble! I can't~"

"If it means protecting your secret… I could deal with a few days of punishment." Just as I stopped talking, I heard Iruka and Kakashi come in. "Ok Naruto, I'm going to handle them. I want you to pretend to sleep." I tucked him into bed before I gently shut the door. I sighed as I leaned back on the door.

"I wonder what kind of punishment I'll get."