I AM SO SORRY THIS TOOK SO LONG! The schedule has gone to absolute shit, and I'm just going to throw it to the wind. *sigh* I'm really sorry guys. This chapter's really short too... UGH! I suck... I'll try to pick the pace up, but I guess you know to expect anything from me huh? Oh, and, I'm no longer posting the survey at the end of the chapters! That's right! I'm sticking with the current winner, so look forward to that ;)

Anyway, ON WITH THE TORT- STORY!

The three sat at Guy's kitchen table, steaming bowls of ramen before them. Guy and Sasuke sat watching the blonde through their peripheral as they ate. They were worried. Naruto had been sat staring at his bowl for about five minutes, not even attempting to eat it. They both saw the small winces he gave at random intervals as well.

Naruto watched blankly as the broth in his bowl swirled around, the noodles and other ingredients going from a nice wetness to a disgusting sogginess as they sat waiting for him to eat them. He didn't feel hungry. Not with the images that continued to barrage his mind.

With a defeated sigh, he pushed the bowl away and got out of his seat. Sasuke and Guy looked at him immediately, panic settling on Sasuke's chest when he spotted the untouched ramen.

"Thank you for the food Guy-Sensei. I think I'm just going to go to bed."

Without a glance to either ravens, he left the room. Sasuke watched with a saddened gaze, and Guy with a concerned one. Neither could know what he was thinking if he didn't tell them, but they can't force it. Still, doing nothing didn't seem to be doing anyone any good.

"I should-"

"Don't."

Guy interrupted, shocking Sasuke. The younger raven looked at the older with wide eyes as Guy shook his head.

"It's been a rough day, leave him alone for a while."

Sasuke grit his teeth. He wanted to help his brother but… Wasn't he strong enough? How much stronger does he have to get?! No, that's not the problem. He will train until no one is a threat to either of them again, so that's not the problem. The problem, is that Naruto might not be willing to accept his help. If he continues as he is now, he'll go back into the darkness and never come out! That absolutely cannot happen!

Still, maybe this time, Guy is right. With a frustrated growl, Sasuke sits back down and carries on with his meal. Guy joining him after a quick glance in the direction of their room. He hopes he made the right call…

Naruto changed into his night wear and climbed into their bed. He tentatively reached for Sasuke's pillow, but recoiled as another image flashed through his mind. Instead, he pulled the covers up and curled into a ball under them.

Darkness enveloped him as he hugged his knees to his chest. His face scrunched in pain and fear as another wave of memories flashed before him. He doesn't understand. He was so close to locking them away forever. So why? Why have they come back?

There's a deep rumbling in his head and he whines in realisation. Of course, it was the damn fox. Yet, he can't feel angry at it. The only things he can feel right now, is sadness and fear.

The clear image of blood red eyes flash before his vision again and he can't help but clench his eyes shut. He vaguely hears a gravelly chuckle, but is too afraid to open his eyes and look for the source.

"Go away! Leave me alone!"

"Kit, he's not the only one with those eyes. You know that, don't you?"

Wide blue eyes snap open at the voice. Tears begin to stream down his face as his body trembles in fear. He clenches his teeth together and responds internally.

"Shut up! Be quiet! There's… There's no way!"

"You know it's only a matter of time! As soon as he knows exactly what you are, he'll look at you like that too!"

"NO!"

He curls in tighter and grips his hair in a vain attempt to shut the nine tails up. Memories resurface of everyone who scowled at his mere presence. Then of his clan being wary of him, and untrusting. Blood red exploded in his vision as the compound came back littered with the same bodies. His beloved big brother stood in the middle, blood caking his clothes and skin as he glares at his 'little brothers'.

The tears come quicker and fiercer as the pictures keep coming, a personal show of what being alive brings the people around him. When he thinks it can't get much worse, it does. His breath hitches as new scenarios play out before his eyes.

He stands watching as people, the villagers, crowd around him and call him names. Demon. Monster. Murderer. He can feel sadness and anger build until he physically can't contain it anymore.

"SHUT UP!"

He roars, a burst of burning red chakra striking them down. The few left standing move to run, but he's faster. The first death is swift, as his sharpened nails pierce the man's heart. The villagers all scream in terror as he makes quick work of the rest.

He stands panting in the centre, blood pooling around him like it had that night. He's growling, but his rage is slowly dying down. When it finally leaves his body, he recoils in shock. His wide eyes looking over the devastation his anger wrought.

Behind him, there's a horrified gasp. Instantly, he turns and feels his heart shatter at the sight.

His brother stands behind him, hand covering his mouth as tears drip down his face. Black iris' move from the bodies to Naruto, pure fear emanating from his being. Naruto takes a step forward, only for Sasuke to take a step back.

"Nii-San, I-"

"NO! STAY BACK MONSTER!"

Naruto's eyes widen as he freezes in his movements. He stares the raven down a moment before running to do something. He can't let Sasuke leave! He has to explain!

As his hand comes in contact with Sasuke's wrist, he feels a fist connect with his face. Before he knows it, he's on the floor, bloodied hand cradling his bruising cheek. When he looks back up, his breath hitches before he begins to sob.

Sasuke stands above him, glaring at his 'brother' with blood red eyes. A sharp pain envelops Naruto's chest, and his breath comes out in short, fast puffs.

"Die."

As the vision ends, Naruto screams as loud as he can. His hands dart to his eyes and begin to scratch at them, hoping to scrape away the images plaguing them.

Guy sighs in mild content as he finishes his meal. He looks over to Sasuke, and finds him frowning into his own. They both felt terrible, and the strained atmosphere was not helping.

Guy was about to make a suggestion, when a loud, pained scream came from their room. The two shot out of their seats instantly. Sasuke a little ahead of Guy due to his position at the table. Sasuke almost tripped over his own feet in their haste, but Guy managed to catch him and continue to lead him to the boy's room.

When they arrived, Guy flung the door open.

"Naruto?!"

The two looked to the bed and saw the screaming blonde trying to gauge his eyes out. Sasuke ran over as soon as he saw, and grabbed Naruto's wrists. Guy ran over not too long after, and examined the boy's face.

His eyes were blood shot and wide in fear and panic. All around them, were deep scratch marks from longer than ordinary nails. If they had been a minute later, Naruto may have succeeded in his plan.

Despite wanting to know why, Guy understood that getting him medical attention came first.

"Sasuke, give him here!"

Sasuke nodded immediately, trusting Guy to not hurt the blonde further. With Naruto in his arms, he dove out of their window, Sasuke in tow.

The two ravens were waiting outside of a hospital room for the doctors to finish. Sasuke sat with wide eyes, brain trying to figure out why Naruto would do something like that. Meanwhile, Guy was pacing in front of the door, head lowered in thought.

When the doctor left the room, they both dove for him with panicked expressions. The doctor chuckled nervously as he tried to get them to settle down. When they did, though a tad reluctantly, he began to explain.

"His mind is in a fragile state. He can't stop seeing that night, and tried to remove his eyes so the images would leave him alone. Judging by the intensity, I'm willing to bet the boy has some form of PTSD."

Guy's heart clenched as Sasuke chocked on a sob. Sasuke was stood with his hands on his head, trying desperately to check if he knew what PTSD was. It sounded so familiar, so why wasn't it coming to him?! Guy grit his teeth, he knew it was still affecting the blonde, but not this bad. Momentarily, he wondered why it got so bad, until something more important came to mind.

"What about-"

"His eyes are fine. In fact, the right one is almost completely healed."

The doctor sounded baffled. Guy and Sasuke meanwhile, were a little confused.

"Only the right one?"

The doctor nodded glumly. After taking a closer look at them, it appeared that only the right was healing at all. As if, a mental barrier was stopping the left from healing itself. He relayed this to the two, and their stomachs dropped again.

"Since he's fine, you can go in and see him. Though, I would like him to stay the night so we can see if his left eye begins the healing process."

Guy nodded as Sasuke went straight for the door and headed inside. A quiet greeting leaving his lips as the door closed again. Guy sighed in relief before turning to the awaiting doctor.

"Thank you doctor."

"It's no problem. Now go see to your son."

He smiled kindly before leaving. Once he turned the corner, Guy went inside as well.

When he got to the bed, he saw Naruto staring out of the window, pointedly avoiding Sasuke's presence. Said raven being sat in a chair to the side of the bed, tears cascading down his face.

"Naruto, why did you do it?! Answer me dobe!"

"Sasuke."

Sasuke looked at Guy, ready to argue, when he saw the elder's stern expression. He fell silent and went back to staring at his brother. Guy sighed and pulled a chair over so he could sit down too. Once he was comfortable, he analysed Naruto.

His posture was closed off and defensive, as if he was scared they would hurt him. His left eye was covered with a bandage, the material looking as if it itched his skin. His eyes were darker than usual, or at least, his right was. Bright, oceanic blue now resembling the darker depths of the sea. He was paler too. Guy frowned. This isn't how a child should look. Especially Naruto.

"Naruto, why did you do scratch your eyes like that?"

Naruto grimaced at the reminder, bottom lip being pulled back into his teeth as he debated answering. He didn't know what they would think. How they would act. What if they hated him now too? His gaze flicked to Guy, then Sasuke, then back to Guy again.

"I…"

He started, clearly uncertain whether to say it or not. He sent a meaningful look at Sasuke, and the raven understood immediately. Little did they know, Guy understood that look as well. But, he didn't call them out on it. He might not get an answer in that case.

"I couldn't stop seeing… them. Everyone just… blood and…"

He clutched the covers tighter, breathing quickening a little.

"Then, I saw Nii-San… He had the same eyes as everyone else. He… He hated me…"

"You wanted it to stop."

Guy finished. Naruto nodded, tears prickling his eyes again. Sasuke stood up instantly, fist clenched as if he wanted to punch a certain 'dobe' in the head.

"Like I would Usuratonkachi!"

Despite the truth in his words, they seemed to have a negative effect. Naruto lowered his head with a shaky frown, tears clinging to the corners of his eyes.

"Not yet…"

He mumbled just low enough that Sasuke didn't hear him. Guy did though, and he frowned at the thought. If that day ever did arrive, though he highly doubted it, Naruto would be crushed. Who knows what he would do. Or what he would unleash.

Shaking his head free from those dark thoughts, Guy grinned. He was hoping to release some of the negative atmosphere, and it worked, slightly.

"Don't worry Naruto! You'll be home tomorrow and my rival Kakashi can tell you both some stories!"

He laughed, the sound being strained even to his own ears. Still, Naruto gave him a small smile.

"Thank you, Sensei."

The next day, Guy did as he said he would. Before they went to pick Naruto up, Guy asked Kakashi to meet them at the apartment. However, no matter what they did, Naruto didn't seem like himself. He was closed off. Quiet.

Though he tried, Kakashi just couldn't make Naruto smile. Sasuke tried to help by laughing along, but his worry for his brother made the sound fake and meaningless.

In the evening, Kakashi left and the three attempted to eat together again. Guy stood cooking omelette's while Sasuke waved a few toys around to grab Naruto's interest. Blue, downcast eyes locked onto a dog plush. His gaze seemed saddened by the sight of the toy, and Sasuke wanted to recoil in guilt.

"We… lost Nii-San's cat…"

Realisation dawned on his face, before it dropped in sorrow. Why would he point that out? What was going through Naruto's head? Why couldn't he just talk to them? To him? He was his brother damn it! He had to do something!

Later, while Guy ate and Naruto stared at nothing, Sasuke made a plan. Despite his entire being telling him to not, he knew he had to. It was for Naruto, how could he just ignore that? Two bowls sat untouched that night. The two owners of them laid in bed awake side by side, thinking.