I do not own Naruto. I didn't earn money to write this story. Masashi Kishimoto created Naruto. This is...I donlt really know...a continuation of the story, a new chapter, a sequel?
Remember this is semi AU or alternate timeline. It doesn't fit in with cannon, I know. Hope you enjoy it anyway.

Naruto snuck to the training fields. He was fairly sure Neji wasn't stalking him right then. Even if Neji didn't realize it, Naruto knew he had been keeping tabs on him. He knew. It only bothered him a little. Throwing some knives and surikun might help him clear his head. And the afternoon air was pleasant, especially in the shaded training area Naruto frequented.

Naruto knew that it was only a matter of time before he'd have to sit Neji down and have a talk but he just wasn't ready yet. Neji would probably figure things out for himself anyway. He knew there weren't many truly kept secrets within the village. Too many liked to gossip; even Ninja could be guilty of it inside the village.

To an enemy, not one nin would give up Konoha; nor a comrade's secrets. Regardless of torture, death, threats to teammates or loved ones. Nothing would be given. Still a primary function of any healthy nin was information gathering. It would only be a matter of time until Neji confronted either Sakura or Kakashi. God he hoped Neji went to Kakashi first.

She would blurb out whatever she knew. Sakura's heart would be in the right place. She really did care about him, despite her rough treatment of him, and her short temper. She did care about him, as he did her. Sure his crush had waned as he grew and realized she would never care for him. He nearly blushed thinking of how he had behaved as a bratty cadet, and even his early years as a genin.

Then his thoughts turned toward a different member of old team 7. Sasuke. He was confused still. At the ripe old age of 16 he was still clueless. He and Sasuke had become something more than teammates. Sasuke, retaining his stoic persona, had lightened up on the insults a bit. Heck dope, idiot, and moron had become more like pet names. Naruto still got a bit hot under the collar when he was called out on his stupidity, but his retorts had softened too. Bastard had been more of a chummy term. Naruto really cared for Sasuke. He had been sure Sasuke had felt the same way. If Sakura knew that Naruto considered Sasuke a friend before her she'd probably scoff citing his crush on her. Even she could be that dense.

Sasuke had changed after "the unpleasantness" in Snow Country. He was more touchy feely sure, but not like Ryuu had been. Sasuke was always touching him, it wasn't uncomfortable or scary though because he was a friend. Sasuke could never have done those kinds things to him. Even now with their friendship withering Naruto knew that at least Sasuke would never try anything like that.

He didn't know why imagining Sasuke kissing him made him blush. They had been kids, they had a connection sure but not anything romantic. Sure Naruto realized it was perfectly natural to have urges. Hell he was a healthy teenager he had urges. Same sex couples were less common than boy girl couples, but not looked down upon in a village where one might die on any given day. People deserve to be happy and if it makes them happy its not hurting anyone.
Then Neji confessed...now he was back on the subject he wanted to avoid. His mind never did know when to shut up. Neji kissed him. It had been gentle, he felt the care behind it. It wasn't the Hyuuga's fault Naruto was a bit skittish of love confessions. The last one to do it was a total psycho. Sure all nin are a bit crazy, look at Kakashi.

However, Ryuu had been a million degrees crazier than the average nin. Naruto felt his skin crawl and his ring finger ached. He noticed a throbbing pain would run through his hand every once in a while. He tried not to think about it.

Naruto flexed his hand and threw his kunai at t he tree stump he's been using as a target. It whizzed past, "Damn." He rubbed his hand a bit harder. Hissing he lifted his hand and noticed a dark bruise forming around his finger. He growled and ran to get his equipment. He was going to put some ice on his hand and take a break.

Naruto walked past the entrance to the marketplace and his stomach gave a rumble. When was the last time he had visited Ichiraku? Not since Neji had bought him lunch. Again Naruto cursed his mind for wandering into dangerous teritory. His stomach gave another even louder protest. Well he supposed it was worth the risk of running into him to get a hot steamy delicious bowl of those heavenly noodles.

His feet lead him automatically down the walkway to the restaurant. He could find his way blindfolded walking backwards. His stomach gurgled and she sweet savory scent of his favorite food beckoned him forward. Someone stepped up beside him and he bit his cheek and rolled his eyes.

"Hey Sai," At lease it wasn't Neji. Naruto looked over and nearly snorted. There was a red hand print across his face. Naruto chortled, "Talk to Sakura lately?"

"I saw her a little while ago," Sai smiled that fake smile of his.

"I see," The blond teen hurried his pace. Sai matches his stride.

"I was wondering if you would like to spar," Sai asked.

Naruto's stomach growled loudly and Naruto blushed, 'I guess that's your answer," He answered with a slight blush.
"May I join you for dinner then?" Sai asked.

Naruto shrugged, "Whatever."

Sai followed him as the entered the ramen stand and took a seat, "i see you are still avoiding Hyuuga." He blurted out in his customary manner.

"Ugg," Naruto rolled his eyes but otherwise ignored the comment.

Sai just smiled as he read the menu.

"The usual Naruto?" The man behind the bar asked.

"Sounds good," Naruto offered a smile.

He looked to the other Ninja sitting next to Naruto, "How about you son?"

"I'll have the same as Naruto." Sai offered his creepy grin to the man.

The man tried to supress a shudder and nodded whispering a, "Sure."

He looked back to the blond and smiled repeating his words, "Sure, I'll get those bowls right out to you."

"Thanks Teuchi," Naruto chimed in. He was feeling a little better as he inhales the scents of delicious noodles.

Teuchi handed them their bowls and Naruto dug right in.

The mood was quickly ruptured like a delicate bubble popping in his face and he felt Sai staring at him.

"What Sai?" Naruto exhaled slowly, before slurping some noodles up slowly. He was damn well going to enjoy his food. Sai was still starting ignoring his own food.

"I saw him talking to Sakura," Sai stated blandly. He broke his chopsticks apart and stirred his bowl of noodles before selecting morsel to slip into his mouth. he chewed and swallowed it carelessly.

Naruto frowned but took another bite chewing listlessly.

Sai swallowed his bite and spoke up once more, "I happened to be on my way to the Hokage tower when I saw Hyuuga stop her the other day. She dragged him to a tea house. I was curious why they would dine together. I followed them," Sai pinned him with a blank look, "I never knew you had been captured when you were a genin," Sai continued.

Naruto choked on his ramen. He sputtered and coughed.

"Were you raped?" He asked and before Sai knew what happened he had a scalding bowl of broth and noodles dripping on his head.
Naruto's face was red with fury. Stood. Turned and walked out. "You can pay for the food Asshole."

Teuchi turned from his kitchen to see the mess. Sai was picking ramen out of his hair, "I suppose I need to pay for this." He fished out his wallet and paid.
The man chuckles inspite of himself, "It looks like you did."

Ryuu coughed hard and struggled to get off his face. He was bound and gagged with an unknown number of other men. The room was putrid and damp. Someone was moaning painfully in the dark room.

That somebody started retching and he realized it was his neighbor vomiting. The bile rose in his throat and warm sticky fluid oozed toward his face. He frantically tried to turn Succeeding only in smearing his face into the sick.

There were muffled voices coming from above. Damn it was worse than prison. at least they had hadn't been kept piled together like fodder back there.

He heard voices growing louder.

"Boss wants to see the feisty one," That oily voice from before spoke.

The door opened and Ryuu was blinded by daylight. He blinked frantically. Before he could get a bearing on his surroundings a sack was pulled over his head and tied chokingly tight. He gagged hard and felt a hard belt to his head.

"Don't you dare vomit," The man growled.

"Get him hosed off before we take him up," That deep slimy voice rumbled in his ears and he wanted so badly to tear into his juglar and spill his blood all over the floor.

"What the boss want to fuck him?"

"Not your concern Toju," Ryuu felt the man holding him stiffen. it only lasted for a second before he felt himself hoisted over a broad shoulder. The man must be huge. He's scared of this boss then guy must be impressive.

He felt himself suddenly plunged in an icy vat of water. the sack clings to his head suffocating.

"I'll take the bag of your head if you behave," The man pressed his lips against the bag. Ryuu held still gasping for breath and the bag slid off his head. He inhaled raggedly, only to swallow a bunch of water as he was roughly pushed under.

"You're caked with shit," The man cackled and dunked him again.

The process of being sloshed in water like a dirty sponge lasted probably two minutes but it felt like forever.

Then hands were on him rubbing his skin and ripping his ragged clothes off. He started to fight but found the wet bag back on his head and pulled even tighter. He tried to reach up to tug at the rope around his neck.

"What'd I say about behaving?" A hand snaked between his legs and squeezed his crotch painfully. He screamed as he was pushed under the water again and hands were parting his cheeks and a finger started probing him.

Then he was tipped into the water completely his hands bound he was trapped drowning.

Things were going black, his lungs burned with the need for air. He was pulled up out of the water. The strangling rope cut loose and the bag pulled off his head once again.

Ryuu shook his head and took several fast breaths.

He looked down and found the man who had been molesting him with a Kunai in his neck. His hands still twitching as his life essence slipped all over the bath house floor.

The man who had captured him was there. He took a grim look at the dead man, "Toji knew better. Don't damage the merch," He pulled a towel around Ryuu's shoulders a started drying him.

"He did a terrible job cleaning you up too. No matter. Boss is tired of waiting," He ruffled Ryuu's hair with the towel and then turned him around Ryuu felt the bonds on his wrists cut.

"You know better than to fight?" The man asked and then said, "I'm Takata, your name?"

Ryuu coughed and sputtered. He shook his head, but a strong hand grabbed his chin.

"Listen now, I know you aren't stupid," Takata said in a calm voice, "You have no choice in this. You are lucky we don't just give you a name. I'm sure the boss could give you a real pretty name. I think you look like a Haruko. Maybe, Ai. Yes a sweet little girl like you should have a lovely name."

Ryuu tried to turn his head and grunted as the fingers pressed harder. He managed to growl his name out, "Ryuu."

"Mmmm," The thug nodded and smirked. Ryuu's eyes hardened like diamonds, "A tough name. You're a fighter aren't you? Even now I can see in your eyes. You're thinking of a way to kill me. Slowly. Painfully. Cutting me to pieces and burning the body." His sharp looking teeth gleamed as he smiled. He let go of Ryuu and the younger man spat in his face. The older man wiped it away and licked the saliva off his hand.

"Get up sweetheart," He ordered, but didn't give Ryuu a choice. He grabbed the young man under his arm and dragged him out of the bath.