A/N: Last chapter was about two months ago. I'm so sorry..I've wanted to write but I like to do my stories in an order and those others ones I may have had some writer's block. ^^; But this one has some key story points in it!
Naruto POV
(Monday—11:30 am)
"Dattebayo! I've never seen guys in jackets like that before, but it seemed like a gang to me." I cross my arms as I finish telling the group about the attack on Friday. Although they all look appalled, it was Sasuke's expression that caught my attention. I've never known him to be afraid of anything, but the look in his eyes is of anxiety and nervousness. This is his weakness..? I decide to mention it later in a non-group setting.
Kiba nods his head knowingly. "Hinata came over to my house to hang with my sis and I, and she told me what happened. Glad you were there, fox." His jealous tone says otherwise, but I dismiss it as I feel a hollowness in my chest. I had forgotten that she was with him Friday. I swallow back this weird feeling and try to jump into a conversation with Shikamaru and Choji instead.
The only words I catch are barbecue and chips because I suddenly hear a soft giggle close by and whip around to find the source. A few tables away, I see long violet hair that belongs to the one girl I want to talk to—Hinata Hyuga. At her table are Ino Yamanaka, Sakura Haruno, Temari, and Tenten, who surprisingly isn't with us today. Hinata is slightly turned to Tenten, and seems to be laughing at something she has said. The two blondes look animated at whatever was said, but the pinkette is absent to their antics and has her head down in a book. Without thinking, I stand up and walk over to their table.
"Hey, Hinata-chan!" I wave as I come closer, and all of their attention is turned to me. Tenten has a mischievous look on her face and I assume is thinking of the stupid dare. Ino and Temari both have their mouths open, and Hinata has a pink blush on her face. She waves slightly back, "Ah, hello, Na-Naruto-kun."
"Did you tell them about what happened Friday?" I ask. She nods her head and the other girls's look distressed. Tenten reaches her hand out and pats Hinata's shoulder. "We're glad you kept our Hina safe, Naruto!" Hinata gives me an embarrassed look and I feel my own face become red. "I—uh—well I would have done that for anyone. But Hinata-chan was brave and I'm proud of her reaction, too! Dattebayo!"
They all smile, and then wave Hinata away. "We'll see you later, Hina-chan!" She stands up and awkwardly waves goodbye to her friends, then I motion for her to follow me to class. I slow my stride to match hers and we walk in silence to our literature classroom. Then I remember her tryouts and snap my fingers.
"Ah! Hinata-chan, how was your tryouts? Did you get in?" Her eyes widen in surprise at my sudden outburst, but nevertheless she calms down and gives me a warm smile. "Yes, I did Naruto-kun." Instinctively I wrap my arms around her and give her a tight hug. "I knew you could do it!" I exclaim. I feel her delicate arms wrap around me in response, then we part. She has a dazed look on her face and the weird feeling in my chest appears again. After a second I clear my throat.
"Sorry about that. But seriously! I can't wait to hear you sing, Hinata-chan!" I grin at her and she smiles back with a cute head tilt. Wait. Cute?! I shake the thoughts out of my head and am given a few confused looks from other students as I whip around. "Uhm, Naruto-kun?" Her confusion drips from her sweet voice which makes it even cuter. I feel my face heat up and decide to deal with this somewhere else.
"Go ahead to class, Hinata-chan. I have something I have to deal with. Dattebeayo!" Without waiting for a reply I turn around and speed down the hallway. I keep going until I reach an empty corridor and decide to sit by the wall to think. Looks like I'll be skipping class, I think as the bell rings. Ugh, Tenten's dare is getting to me. It's not my fault Hinata is so..so..so cute! How did I never notice this before! What is my problem? I can't do this every time I see her...I need to talk to someone about this!
I stand back up and decide to talk to the one girl who can answer my questions—Sakura.
Sasuke POV
(Monday—1:45 pm)
I spin the pencil in between my fingers until I get bored of the movement. My class—accounting—is one that takes a longer amount of time but only requires basic skills. Unlike the others slaving away, I have already finished our work for the day. I look out the window and stare out at the street just beyond the parking lot.
Somewhere past all the winding roads, bustling stores and restaurants is my brother. I close my eyes and picture him in the hoodie that Naruto described at lunch. This is the jacket he wears when torturing me. I feel my self start to tremble out of fear and anger so I try to stop it. No one else can see me so weak.
Just then the bell rings, and I grab my bag and sling it over my shoulder. As I walk out of the classroom, I notice the pinkette walk down the halfway to the left. I immediately follow her to discuss the situation.
Once I am closer, I stop short at the sight of the blond. Naruto. I grit my teeth and hide behind the corner. She crosses her arms as if annoyed at him, then he rubs the back of his neck. From my position, I can't hear them but they cannot see me. If I even try to get closer they will both realize my presence. After a minute, Sakura's body relaxes, making me conclude that it must be some stupid Naruto problem and not anything to do with me. Deciding not to sneak around anymore, I decide to go back the opposite direction.
I hear light footsteps behind me, and turn around to face pink hair and mirthful green eyes. Sakura's mood wavers slightly as she gives me a small smile. "Hello, Sasuke-kun." Our eyes meet for a second, and then her merriness is gone. "Sakura, can I talk to you?" Her eyes flicker to the crowded hallway and nod in response. I take the lead and we walk until we leave the building and are outside by the football field. The fall colors would be beautiful if either of us were paying attention.
"Did you hear about what happened Friday to Hinata?" Her eyes widen in memory, then she furrows her eyebrows. "Yes. You don't think—"
"I know. I know my brother is working with them." Shock spreads across her face, but then she shakes her head. "Sasuke-kun..." I look around to check to see if anyone is in ear shot, then solemnly say,"The jacket. Itachi has one. And the men Naruto described fit the description of two of the guys I've heard." Sakura sits down in the grass and I follow suit. She starts to twirl a piece of her hair and I am reminded of my mother the other night. I look away in resentment of myself and my own fear.
"Sakura, I...I don't want you to get involved. I just thought that you of all people would see this the way I see it." Her fingers stop and her eyes shoot up at me. Mixed emotions are swirling around her eyes, and I feel my own emotions starting to come through. "Don't do that, Sasuke-kun." Her eyes glaze over and she turns back to the ground.
I have no idea what she means, so I sit in silence, waiting for her explanation. After a minute, she loudly exhales. "You've hidden this hurt so long. We have to do something because it's not just you being affected now." I frown and close my eyes.
"That's why..." She cuts me off with a wave of her hand.
"Look, okay. We should at least tell your father. He is the head of police." I shake my head, fully knowing that he would tell Itachi and then I would be abused even more. "My Father would side with Itachi over me any day." Sakura gives me a pained expression and I look away, seeing my own pain mirrored in her. My heart starts to throb and I am reminded all the more of the pain.
The first time, it was the tears that had dried onto my cheeks as I was stripped and thrown into the van. Then it was the searing pain that shoots through my body as my chest and legs are being sliced by sadistic men. Sometimes it was the sneers from their vile mouths that have twisted up. Now, it is the throbbing of my heart that I focus on. This is what tells me that this broken and battered boy is still alive. It tells me not to become a monster like them.
As I'm being taken away again, I notice for the first time that they now have matching jackets. Black with red clouds splattered on, as if blood from my own body helped design the clothing. Four years into this and you would think I would have seen this detail sooner. My will to survive gives me the strength to smirk, but I am slapped by the orange haired man. He gets down to my level and grabs my collar. "What are you smiling at?"
"I just thought it was funny that you have matching jackets." I soon regret ever mentioning this fact. I regret acknowledging these men, because my pain becomes all the more real then. As my body is beaten and bruised, I think back to the beating of my heart, and I know I will someday escape this torment.
"Sasuke-kun?" I turn back to the pinkette. Worry is all over her face as she stares at me. I realize I have started sweating and wipe my forehead. I shake my head and the memories away. "Sakura, you can't protect me from them." I murmur. She grabs my hand and pulls me closer to her. "I know I can't protect you from the past. But I can stop it from happening again." My hand tightens on hers as I picture them doing the same things to her. My throat goes dry and I feel as if I will puke.
I stand up then, leaving her warmth for the cool air. This can never happen to Sakura. "I will be ready to fight when Itachi and the others come back around." I will keep you and everyone else safe, I think as I look back down at her determined face.
A/N: Thanks for reading. So there was a little flashback with Sasuke's past. Hope it wasn't too bad for ya. If it doesn't make sense, let me know so I can fix it! Please review because I love reviews almost as much as I love ice cream. And that's serious stuff for my family.
On another note, I have an idea for a SasuSaku fanfic that I really am excited about! I just want to finish one more fanfic first and I don't think I'm all that close to finishing one right now. Should I start it anyway or wait? Here's a summary of it (I have no name yet so I'll take suggestions):
Sasuke and Sakura were in a dating relationship their freshman year of high school, until he moved away. Now ten years later, Sakura has a husband and a child. Her husband is unfortunately killed while working as a police officer, and she has been left to take care of their two year old child by herself. One day while at the grocery store, her child gets away from her and bumps into a tall man who is none other than Sasuke. Both adults are in shock at seeing each other again, and it only worsens as the child calls him Daddy. Sasuke has moved back into town as one of the leading officers in the station, making Sakura relive the painful memories of her late husband. Will this accidental run-in rekindle their high school romance or will the scars in both of their lives be too much?