Heya readers! Wow, chapter ten! Now, a few things; the ending is quite abrupt so I'm sorry about that but I need to include everything that happens in the next chapter all together to make it make more sense. And also, there are several letters in this chapter – I may as well just name it letters! I don't think that the chapter is very exciting, but, hope you enjoy the read and updates will hopefully be soon! xx

Chapter 10

Naruto awoke early in the morning and felt the pain reverberate through every part of his head. He reached up and grabbed his hair, pulling slightly on it to ease the pain away with more pain. It didn't help like it did before – it only made it worse. Naruto turned over in his bed and in to the school bag next to it; he pulled out some paracetamol and his bottle of water and knocked back two tablets. He got up and turned off his alarm clock before it made a sound. As he began to make his bed he heard the sound of the phone go off. He ran and collected the phone before it could wake Shizune – or Orochimaru.

When he answered the phone with a greeting, it was a voice he recognised.

"Don't say anything, and pretend I'm a salesperson or something. Say, we don't want a cable update or something as soon as Shizune comes and don't speak to me at all", Sakura said, worriedly, "But it's nice to hear your voice it assures me you're still alive at least. I just wanted to let you know that I'm well enough so I will be at school today and I wanted to phone to tell you – I was also getting really worried as I hadn't heard from you in a while. I'm sorry I know you asked me not to but the paranoia was killing me inside. Don't do anything to hurt yourself anymore please. Come stay with me if you have to, Sasuke, Deidara, anyone, I don't want you in that house anymore".

Naruto looked around to see if Shizune was coming and he whispered in to the phone, "I'll talk to you about this at school okay Sakura. Don't worry I'm still in one piece".

"Oh good, thank you, I'll see you at school okay?"

"No we don't want a cable update for the TV, I'm sorry you wasted your time, thank you anyway". Naruto put the phone down and stared at Shizune as she looked at him suspiciously.

"Go get ready for school brat; I want you out of here as quick as possible".

"Sure".

"Don't back chat me brat".

Naruto stared at her blankly. She stared back, her gaze faltering under the intensity of impassiveness in his eyes.

"Go on, go get ready, you don't want to be late", she said. And then she walked in tot eh kitchen and didn't look back. Naruto walked in to his room, feeling slightly confused. She did it again; it wasn't a one time thing. She actually sounded like she cared. Naruto dismissed the thoughts again and started getting ready for school. He left, leaving a quickly scribbled note saying he had gone to school on the table. He set off to go to Deidara's shop when he spotted Deidara around the corner.

"Deidara?"

"Yes it's me, it's me".

"What are you doing here?"

"Checking you're here and well. Sakura and I are really worried about you so I'm going to walk you to school every day and if you aren't here at the same time every morning, I'll be in your house as quick as possible to take you away. I also thought I'd save you the hassle and bring your goodies to you instead", he said, holding up a plastic bag containing various foods that Naruto had bought in the morning.

"But, you don't need to do all this, Deidara, you and Sakura and Sasuke and Sasori to. I'm fine".

"Naruto, we care and we're not going to let you get away with doing something like that to yourself again". Deidara looked slightly sad as he stared at Naruto's bandaged wrists.

"Hey, did you change your bandages; it thought you were supposed to do it today".

"Well, I split some water from the kettle on me, and no it wasn't Shizune, she was drinking in the living room before you do anything", Naruto said, raising his hands in a pushing gesture – to push Deidara away, "Let's just go shall we?"

"Well, I don't like to hear you got injured so soon after returning back with the bitch", Deidara muttered. Naruto smiled at him.

"Don't worry it really was an accident".

Deidara looked at Naruto and saw a slightly sad look in his eyes. Something about it made Deidara not believe him – he was very good at suppressing his emotions after all – but decided not to press on it.

"Well, as well as goodies, I also have a letter for you".

"Oh cool, who is it from? Tsunade doesn't know your address does she?"

Deidara handed the letter over silently and Naruto looked at the front. The writing wasn't hers, nor was it writing he could recognise. Curiously, Naruto opened the envelope and read the letter as he walked along.

Naruto,

I want you to meet me outside the library on Minas Street at half past eleven tomorrow. I know you have school to go to but call in sick. You are coming to meet me whether you like it or not. Deidara will make sure you get here as well so if you have any questions and want answers, Deidara is not going to answer them so give up.

You probably don't know who this is but I bet you'll know when you meet me again.

See ya then.

There as no signature.

"Deidara?"

"Yes?"

"Who is this from?"

"It's a surprise". Deidara was smiling.

Naruto stared expressionlessly at him; Deidara was very good at keeping secrets – him being the first person he confessed to about being gay – but he didn't like surprises; in fact, he hated them.

But who was the letter from? Naruto hadn't many special people in his life who would go out of their way to meet him; Sakura, Deidara and Sasori – and then there was Sasuke. Who else? Tsunade and Jiraiya maybe but it wasn't them. Kurenai was nice enough but not special. Who was it?

As Deidara walked with him to school and tried to take Naruto's mind off of the letter, Naruto continued to wonder who the sender was. They eventually reached the school and Deidara waved goodbye to Naruto.

He walked off to the registration room and over to Sakura who was already sat down. He sat down next to her and she looked very relieved to see him.

"What happened to your arm?" she asked, "I got a text from Deidara saying you hurt your arm".

That sneaky conniving...

"I accidentally spilt hot water on my arm whilst making tea and instant ramen with the kettle. And this was a true accident; she was no where in sight. I promise", Naruto smiled at her and she nodded in reply.

"How long are you in for today? Have you got an appointment today or anything?"

"I'm not sure – Sasuke usually tells me and takes me to them but I haven't heard from him – he didn't get in touch with me at all yesterday despite school being cancelled. Well not, that he could anyway but you know what I mean".

"Well, Hinata overheard Neji and Shino; apparently they met him and were talking in the street somewhere near school. Sounded like he was in a rush to get to somewhere though".

"Really?"

Sasuke walked in at this point; he walked past Naruto's desk to his locker and dropped a note slyly on the table. Naruto equally as slyly picked it up and read it under the table.

Sorry I couldn't see you yesterday, I was visiting my grandmother. She knows about our relationship and she's fine with it – would you like to come and see her after school with me today? She lives close by and also I want to talk to you about something I kind of lied about. I'm sorry I did but if you would let me explain first; it's something that's been hard for me to deal with. I hope you understand, as it is really important. Give me your answer sometime today.

Naruto looked over to see Sasuke looking slightly sad and miserable – there was definitely something on his mind. Naruto pocketed the note, feeling slightly confused. What did he lie about? Then again, he wasn't being honest with Sasuke either nor Sakura nor Deidara and Sasori and he was not one to judge. He saw Sasuke look over to him and Naruto smiled, nodding slightly in reply. Sasuke smiled slightly at him back and then returned to stare in to space and look miserable. Iruka walked in to the class, glaring at Naruto who starred bored back at him; he took the register and then walked over to Naruto.

"Uzumaki, you have to report to the headmaster at the beginning of first lesson. No doubt you're in trouble for something". Naruto stared at him, not showing any emotion. Iruka, not sensing any reaction walked off without saying anything else.

As soon as first bell rang, Naruto got up and left the classroom with out a word to anyone. It wasn't for several seconds when he realised that Sakura was next to him.

"Sakura?"

"I'm seeing you off so you don't get hurt. One week without me and look at you! I'm fed up of people abusing you – it's wrong, you don't deserve it and it's stopping now. I'm not taking anymore chances. Me and Dei have already decided; Sasori said he would help but he has work but on his days off, he's going to be just as annoying!"

Naruto looked surprised and then smiled sweetly at him. When they reached the offices, she waved and walked off as Naruto knocked on the door. He heard a faint 'Come in' and opened the door.

Sarutobi-sensei sat behind his desk, smiling, yet looking solemn in his comfy leather chair.

"Good morning Sarutobi-sensei", Naruto said politely.

"Good morning Naruto", he replied, "Have a seat; I think you know why I called you here".

Naruto sat down in the chair in front of the desk that the headmaster was pointing to.

"Well, we don't tolerate bullying in this school at all. But unfortunately Mr Aburame and Mr Hyuuga along with several others run the school and I can't do anything about the decisions they make. That is why Neji and Shino are back in school again".

Naruto stayed silent; his face paled. Sarutobi seemed to notice and sighed sadly.

"I'm sorry Naruto; there is nothing I can do. I wish I could prevent it somehow. Actually I can: how about I send you someone to accompany you around school? A bodyguard and a friend to make sure Neji and Shino don't try to bully you".

Naruto wasted no time in answering. "Sasuke Uchiha".

"Really? I was under the impression that that boy never talked to anyone".

"He's my music partner and Neji and Shino admire him so they won't do anything when he's around. I think it will make me safer – I'll certainly feel safer at any least".

"Alright, I'll call him up here and talk to him. Though he isn't the most willing student – not after what happened to his brother".

"What happened?" Naruto asked interestedly.

"I'm not sure it's my place to say anything, but, his brother got in to an accident not too long before you came here to this school. Sasuke hasn't been the same since. Neither has his brother; they're have been all sorts of rumours that Itachi Uchiha is no longer 'alright' in the head – rumours have also been spreading that he has been disowned as he is no longer fit to inherit the company. That's put a lot of pressure on Sasuke. Of course, they're just rumours of course".

"Oh I see", Naruto said sounding slightly upset. He looked at the headmaster blankly. Sasuke had never mentioned his brother had gotten in to an accident; and what did the rumours mean not 'right' in the head?

"I never knew that about him".

"Are you okay? You look slightly put out", Sarutobi asked.

"Oh! Oh no, sorry, that's not it. No, I'm just thinking about something that's all".

"Well, I'll get in touch with Sasuke anyway and await his answer. For now, do your best to stay out of their way. I know it's biased and unfair but I can't change the situation. I hope you understand".

"I understand perfectly sir. It's okay, I get it", Naruto smiled sadly.

"I'm really sorry again Naruto".

The intercom suddenly burst in to life. "Sir I'm sorry but I tried to stop him but he just walked in anyway and I..."

The door banged open and there stood Sasori. He walked over and sat down in the chair next to Naruto. He looked sternly at the headmaster who stared back surprised.

"I am here for Naruto; I would like to take him off of school premises for a few hours".

"Who are you?"

"Sasori – I'm a friend of Naruto's. Your school is obviously oblivious to everything that the boy has gone through so I'm taking him away for a bit".

"I beg your pardon, we aren't incompetent".

"Well, you are though or Naruto wouldn't have to continue to face that the people bullying him keep on getting away with hurting him".

The headmaster stared at Sasori and narrowed his eyes slightly before relaxing them and sighing.

"Do you have a valid reason?"

"Organised psychiatric meeting – the details, you do not need to know about".

"Well, Naruto can go then. I'll fill out the slip for him".

Sasori stood up and Naruto followed him. Naruto followed him to his car and got in. they drove off for a few minutes before Naruto started talking.

"Sasori, there is no way you and Dei would let me near a psychiatrist so what is this really about?"

"I want to take you to meet someone at a certain place I think you'll remember. It's not to meet the person in the letter that Dei gave you this morning; that is someone different. I'm beginning a special program for you to help you face your past. It may seem cruel but Deidara, Sakura, Tsunade and even Jiraiya and I agree that you are to do this. It will help you in your recovery. Which reminds me, Jiraiya asked me to give you this".

Naruto took the letter – what was it with him getting letters today? He opened it up and read it.

Naruto,

I'm coming home. I've finished my work and I'm so worried about you. Unfortunately it will take about a week but I just wanted to let you know the good news so you can prepare everything for when I get back, you can come live with me again and I will sort out that stupid bitch you're living with once and for all. I also want to know what has happened to you recently as Jiraiya said something had happened and I'm worried as I don't know what it is. He said he didn't want to write it and send in a letter but something he is going to talk to me about face to face so I can ask you about it as well. I hope you're okay. You didn't have to go to hospital or anything did you? Jiraiya should know that you don't like other people treating you and that I'm your doctor. Then again, with me out here, I guess it can't help it. I just hope you haven't been hurt.

Hope to see you soon and I love you very much. I just wanted you to know that.

Love from

Aunt Tsunade x x x

Naruto re-read the latter and closed it, placing it in to his pocket. He was confused and happy at the same time. No more, Shizune, no more Orochimaru and no more home from hell. He could finally be in peace again in one aspect of his life. He turned to look at Sasori and smiled slightly – that was until he saw the place he was going to visit.

"Sasori, not there, please not there".

"I'm sorry Naruto but you need help and this is the first place we're going to get it".

- - - - -

Reviews please! (Craving...craving...need more!) xx