R&R
Roomies
The Realist: Blah, I'm horrible, I know. BUT, this is my longest chapter yet! Why do my Neji chapters end up being longer than planned? I'm kind of at odds, with this chapter, but I also like it, so I'll leave it up to you guys to decide!
Chapter Eleven
"What do you mean no one else can come in?" Ino was practically screeching into the phone, her face showing every ounce of irritation she was feeling from the unexpected call. Her foot tapped impatiently as she listened to the person on the other end.
"I told you I'm not available this weekend! Ughhh, you're killing me here."
Sasuke watched as the face of his girlfriend went from irritated to pained, as if the person on the other line had said something to make her feel guilty.
"I know I owe you and I know it's not your fault our manager sucks, but even if it's only for a few hours... I just..." Ino looked over to her boyfriend longingly, and Sasuke understood what she was silently asking.
Sasuke reached for his girlfriend's free hand from where they sat in the kitchen table and squeezed it lightly.
"It's okay, I can go visit you at work," he said.
The relief that seeped into her face was instant, and she looked back at him apologetically before offering him a small smile.
"Okay fine Umi, I'll come in and help you out, but I swear to Kami, you better give me half of your tips for this!"
Sasuke knew she wasn't serious, as unhappy as Ino might be to have to leave him for work, he also knew she wouldn't be happy if she was unable to help a fellow friend or coworker if she could for selfish reasons, and she wouldn't stoop so low as to take money for her actions. She only wanted to give her a hard time.
"Ughhh, this sucks! Why do I have to be such a good person!" Ino pouted before leaning against Sasuke's shoulder.
Wrapping his arm around her, he pulled her closer.
"Like she said, it's only a few hours, and I'll come visit you there. Will that make you happier?"
He felt her nod against his shoulder.
"Yes. But I rather do naughty stuff with you. And last I checked, a pub is not a good place for that..."
He chuckled lightly as Ino kissed his cheek.
"We can always do that after."
He turned his face to give her a kiss on the lips, and Ino eagerly responded, deepening the kiss that made him have to resist doing those naughty things right then. It seemed Ino must have thought the same, because with a groan and some effort she reluctantly pulled away.
"I have to get ready..."
"Hn."
"Alright, so feel free to come whenever. I trust you'll be able to find the place but if not ask anyone or use your phone. There's food and drinks in the fridge if you get hungry or thirsty. When you come, drinks are on me, and don't get jealous when men and women flirt with me and I flirt back. Remember I do it for the tips."
Sasuke had to resist the urge to raise an eyebrow as they stood at the door, Ino putting on her shoes. He felt like a child being left home alone for the first time.
"I'm still not happy about this, ugh."
Straightening up, Ino pulled her hair into its high ponytail before sighing and looking at Sasuke like a kicked puppy.
"You'll be fine, I'll be there before you know it."
Ino smiled before pulling him towards her, wrapping her arms around his neck and leaning up so that they were only inches apart.
"I love you."
The sincerity and warmth in her voice never failed to unnerve him, and he felt his heart do that weird thing it always did when it came to Ino, and as he felt the familiar warmth spread through his body, Sasuke sighed before placing a kiss on her forehead. He almost didn't want her to go to work anymore.
While it wasn't too late into the evening, Sasuke was aware that most of the occupants of the house had gone out, for reasons he wasn't sure of but didn't quite care for.
He had to admit that it felt odd, that for once he wasn't working in one way or another. It was times like these that reminded him just how much time he dedicated to his work and studies, and while he felt oddly uneasy about not working, he also had to admit that having a break every once in a while really was liberating. While he would have preferred to have Ino by his side in that moment, he could also appreciate time alone. And the weather of this time of year was a little nicer than back at his own university, the very reason why once again, he found himself in the backyard of the house Ino occupied.
He had to admit, the backyard was probably the best aspect of this home. He felt truly surrounded by nature despite the fact that this was a fairly populated neighborhood, but Neji's family had made sure to keep a slightly traditional theme with the Japanese garden and pond that adorned the majority of the yard. As he traveled beyond the garden however, he noticed that there stood a building that from outside looked to be a small dojo. As the sun was already beginning to set, it was easy to see that the lights within the building were on, and the outline of a figure could be seen, moving in a manner that showed the occupant to be practicing a sort of martial arts.
Immediately, Sasuke knew that said figure could be but one person that lived in this home. Having nothing better to do, he figured there could be no better way to kill some time than to catch up with his old rival before he went to see Ino.
After all, there were still things he was interested to know. Things Ino wouldn't be able to provide answers to, and things only her roommates would know.
Tap tap
He knew the light tapping would be more than enough for Neji to hear, and as he watched his silhouette pause in its actions, it wasn't long before he gave him permission to enter.
As he entered, he wasn't surprised to see Neji regard him with a slightly guarded expression.
"Uchiha," he acknowledged, to which Sasuke nodded in return.
"Where's Ino?" Neji asked, seeing as no one else walked in after him.
"She was called into work for a few hours. I figured I could kill some time with you," Sasuke tilted his head slightly and flashed Neji a smirk that caused the long haired man to narrow his eyes slightly.
"Hn. I'm afraid there's not much I can offer you in terms of entertainment."
Sasuke walked further into the room, and looked around to see that it was indeed made to be a small dojo. He knew he shouldn't be surprised, considering that the Hyuga possessed their unique martial arts that they saw as an important aspect of their long standing lineage. It was practically expected for every member to know it, and he knew Neji to be one of the members that excelled in it.
"I beg to differ, a friendly spar is more than a suitable form of entertainment for us, wouldn't you agree?"
This time, it was Neji that smirked in response to his challenge.
"Are you sure there will be anything friendly about it?"
Sasuke chuckled.
"Now that you mention it... adding some stakes sounds a little more interesting. Just like old times?"
Neji scoffed, but the amusement in his lavender eyes wasn't lost on Sasuke.
"You call those impromotu after school spars old times? Don't make me feel old now."
"Well, how else would I have found out about your secret obsession with Glee?"
At the reminder of said knowledge, Sasuke took great pleasure in the red tint to that adorned Neji's otherwise pale complexion.
"I believe the next spar made sure you would tell no one."
Sasuke chuckled.
"You know I'm true to my word. As I know you are, the only reason why I'm willing to stake on the results of our matches."
Neji took a moment to regard Sasuke with contemplative eyes, and Sasuke knew from the shift in his stance what his answer would be.
"Very well then. But I'll warn you, I haven't let university life dull my training."
Sasuke resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
"Seeing as you're training on a Saturday night, I believe you."
Not that Sasuke looked down on such habits. He knew if he was at his own university he would be working on something or other as well. Not like his roommates who would be at parties, hell, maybe even the ones hosting one. He wasn't ashamed to admit that he saw Neji's training a thousand times more productive than the parties most university students attended on a regular basis. It was more than he could say for his own martial arts skills.
"What stakes do you have in mind?"
Sasuke didn't have to ponder the question. As he moved to stand in front of Neji, he already knew the answer.
"Let's keep it simple and familiar. Whoever wins gets to ask 3 questions max, and the loser will answer them truthfully. Any objections?"
Neji smirked.
"None. The more baggage I have on you the better."
As Neji took on the familiar stance of his trademark fighting style, Sasuke took on his own defensive stance. Experience told him that any match with Neji was not an easy one, given that the man excelled in martial arts that focused on the offensive. His best course of action was to stay on the defensive until he saw gaps form in Neji's attack, not that those were easy to spot either. Although the two were almost evenly matched, he had to admit that if they truly kept score there was no doubt in his mind that Neji would have slightly more wins on his side.
Too bad they didn't live in a world where he could create fire balls and lightning attacks. He was sure in a world with supernatural abilities he would be the stronger of the two. Unfortunately, in this world he had only his body to rely on.
"Don't disappoint me... Uchiha!"
Sasuke saw as Neji's body tensed, and readied himself just as he sprung. He was glad to see that despite the time the two hadn't seen each other or sparred together, his body remembered the rhythm and patterns of Neji's attacks, and although he still struggled with the first few strikes, it took only a moment before he found his own rhythm.
He was able to counter almost every blow, but the blows that did reach him definitely stung. He hoped there would be no bruises to have to explain to Ino later. He was sure she wouldn't take kindly to the two sparring; despite how many times they had done it in the past.
"Looks like your skills haven't dulled either," Neji commented, just as Sasuke winced from a blow that made its mark.
Sasuke took the opportunity of Neji speaking to take to the offensive, feigning to one side before managing to land his own hits. Fortunately for him, Neji wasn't as good on defense as he was on offense. After all, it wasn't as if he had some sort of 360 degree rotation that he once said he wished he had.
"You're not the only one that likes to keep every weapon in their arsenal sharp, Hyuga," Sasuke hissed, just in time to block a punch and kick combo that pushed him to the side slightly.
As was characteristic of their matches, a long moment of the two alternating between defense and offense took place, until both were sweating and struggling to control their breathing from the drawn out fight. Their muscles were beginning to burn, but both tried to hide it as they continued. It was rare when one was able to gain the upper hand easily, unless one or the other was distracted. Which was the case when Sasuke took a misstep and was rewarded with a particularly hard blow.
"What's wrong Uchiha, suddenly thought of something better than our fight?"
Sasuke smirked, ignoring the new pain on his left side.
"Yeah actually, I'm thinking about how Ino must miss me right now."
Neji cocked an eyebrow, and Sasuke knew he was surprised by his comment. Sasuke never brought up Ino when it came to their interaction, or anything personal for that matter.
"I still don't see what she sees in you."
Neji replied, quickly executing another attack.
"What's there not to see? I have looks, brains, talent, and a successful family behind me."
At the answer, Neji smirked.
"Interesting... by that logic, she could be interested in me too then..."
At his words, Sasuke tensed.
"After all, I'm all those things you mentioned... and more. Did you know... that she often comes to me for help with her studies? I know her daily schedule, and we often go jogging. She hates it because I refuse to match her pace, but likes the challenge of keeping up."
Neji saw the look in Sasuke's eyes darken with an all too familiar emotion, and he felt himself smirk. It seemed even Sasuke Uchiha wasn't immune to some psychological attacks when it came to Ino.
"You know she's in a good mood when she cooks breakfast for everyone, and you know that school is taking its toll on her when she starts drinking my tea."
Sasuke lunged at Neji, renewed fire in his blood as something primal reared up inside of him, only increasing when Neji easily dodged him.
"Surprisingly, she doesn't get mad when someone forgets to leave the seat down in the bathrooms. She takes long baths before a test, but short showers on a normal basis."
Sasuke knew he was being goaded, that Neji was saying all he was because he knew that it bothered him. Neji was all too perceptive when it came to reading others, but even though this is what logic told him, something else just wanted to make him stop talking. The part of him that was suddenly reminded of the implications of his girlfriend living in a house with men that weren't him. The thoughts that had assaulted him for the first time when he saw who Ino's roommates were.
"I might invite her to spar with me sometime. It would be fun, to teach her something new. I'm sure she would be up to the challenge, and then I would have a reason to pin her down, and show her what she's missing."
Sasuke saw red.
Before his mind could catch up to his actions, his body was already in action, rage coursing through his veins and finding some hidden source of energy and power that gave him the push needed to send a barrage of attacks on Neji's person, managing to push him back until Neji lost his footing and Sasuke delivered the final blow, sending a powerful punch to his stomach, only to grab him and slam him down on the ground, pinning him harshly against the wooden floor.
As Neji sputtered and tried to ease the pressure from Sasuke pinning him with his arm against his throat, he knew he had crossed a line.
"You win."
Only once Neji admitted defeat did the red fade from Sasuke vision, and he reluctantly let go of the struggling Hyuga. If it weren't for what Neji has said, he might have apologized for the rough treatment as he watched the prodigy rub at the area around his throat where he had all but put his entire weight on.
"I hope you realize I wasn't serious, Uchiha."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes as he took a seat across where Neji was not sitting up.
"I didn't take you for the type to say things you don't mean, Hyuga."
Neji scoffed.
"Only if it's to get under your skin. Seems it worked, a little too well."
Sasuke took satisfaction in the displeasure on Neji's face, and folded his arms in front of him. Still, he didn't intend to waste time on idle chit chat. He had won, and he didn't intend to stay longer than necessary. He suddenly had an increased urge to see Ino.
So he asked his question.
"What's something only you know about Ino, that she might not want me to know?"
The way that Neji snapped his head to look at him, and the way his eyes narrowed and his lips pursed told Sasuke he had asked the right question.
"I forgot just how clever you can be... and why you're not my favorite person."
Sasuke didn't answer, and merely waited for Neji to respond. A stretch of silence passed, and Sasuke was able to see that Neji struggled with himself, that this was a question that he was not pleased to answer.
While at any other time he might have been pleased, the nature of this question only set Sasuke on edge, because it meant that Ino had kept something from him. Something that Neji knew. And if Neji looked so conflicted, then it wasn't something as simple as knowing Ino's routine.
Finally, Neji sighed.
"Of all the things you could have asked... you asked the one question that threatens my promise to Ino. I will answer it, but know that this is something Ino didn't want you to know, and asked me not to tell you. The only reason I will tell you, is because I believe you should know, and I know Ino might be too prideful and stubborn to tell you herself."
Neji's disclaimer only made Sasuke tense, and his hands clenched into fists as he continued to look at the man in front of him. He wasn't sure what to expect him to tell him. He didn't think Ino was the type to keep anything from him, and to hear that she had made alarms go off in his head.
"The first time I saw Ino here was at a party. I hadn't wanted to go but some friends dragged me there. She was a freshman and it was only a few weeks into the first semester. I saw her talking to several people, but she didn't look exactly happy to be there, so I didn't approach her. She didn't stay long. And since I was near the entrance of the place, I saw when she left. I was by a group of guys that I overheard talking about her. It was obvious that they were intoxicated, and I heard one tell the others that he was sure he could get lucky with her that night."
"I've known Ino long enough not to take kindly to the man's intentions, or be trusting of his inebriated state, so when he went after her, I followed them. The man seemed harmless at first, but when he pulled her through a park I became doubtful of any honest intentions he might have had. It was a good thing I did, because it wasn't long before he tried to force himself on her."
Neji could practically feel the temperature in the room increase, but looking the Sasuke, no one would know that the killing intent that suddenly radiated from him, anyone else would have missed the tenseness in his every muscle, and the barely restrained anger that flared only in his obsidian eyes.
"I stopped him immediately, and left him unconscious on the ground. I took Ino home with me, she was obviously shaken and upset, and I wanted to make sure she was okay before taking her back to her dorm."
Neji smiled, the sort of smile someone makes when they can't believe a situation, regardless of the enraged state he knew Sasuke to be in.
"That same night, she asked me to train her. Leave it to Ino to already search for a solution when she's feeling vulnerable. Anyone else wouldn't have wanted to talk about it that soon, but Ino looked as determined as the day she stood in front of the entire school and told everyone that nothing they tried would break you and her apart. So obviously I agreed. After all, it would be good for her to learn to defend herself, especially in a college campus when things of that nature happen more often than one would like."
"When I told her she should report the guy who assaulted her, she refused, claiming that starting her university career as a helpless victim was not what she wanted. She didn't want pity parties or any special treatment of any kind. So she made me promise not to tell anyone. I hated the idea of that man walking around freely of course, so I made sure to threaten him thoroughly after the fact. Still, seeing him pisses me off."
Sasuke found it hard to concentrate on the words that Neji spoke. The blood in his veins boiled and only one thing coursed through his mind.
Someone had dared to touch his Ino, in ways no one but him could touch her. They tried to do it against her will, in the middle of the night.
As he imagined the scenario in his head, his hands clenched tighter into fists, his nails digging into his palm.
How fucking dare they.
Sasuke was livid. He wanted nothing more than to find the man who did it and show him the true meaning of hell on earth. He wanted to break him piece by piece, tear every bit of his very being until there was nothing but the shell of a man in his worthless body.
But he wasn't the only one he was angry at.
"Why didn't she tell me?"
This time, Sasuke hadn't tried to hide the anger in his voice, his tone practically a hiss as he looked up at Neji, who sighed. He adjusted his hands in front of him, as he interlaced his fingers together and placed them on his lap.
"I tried to convince her to tell you, I felt that you deserved more than anyone to know. But she was insistent. I told her that if she didn't tell you, I would. When I said that, she was angry. But I was insistent too. I wanted her to tell you, but I would do it if I had to. When throwing a fit didn't work, she became panicked, and begged me not to tell you.
She said that she was ashamed, that she didn't want you to see her as weak and unable to take care of herself. That she wanted you to see her as the strong independent woman that she had always wanted to be, that she didn't want you to think any differently of her. I told her that was ridiculous, that you wouldn't see her any differently, that you loved her regardless.
She told me I didn't understand. That it was more than that. She said that if she told you, you would feel angry at yourself. That you would blame yourself for not being there when she needed you, and she wanted nothing more than for you to be able to focus on your goals. She said she didn't want to burden you with a problem that was solely hers."
Sasuke wanted to call her an idiot, but he knew she was anything but one. But it was ridiculous, for her to think that this was not a problem of his. Anything that affected her, anything that encroached on her happiness and well-being was his problem. Anytime she was anything less than happy, he wanted to know, because if she wasn't happy, than it was his duty as her partner to make sure she was. If there was anything he could do, he wanted to know, and he wanted to do it. He knew what that kind of assault could do to the psyche of a person, and he hated the fact that no matter how strong Ino was, this-this trash of a worthless human being, had on some level, made a kind of damage that he hadn't been there to help soothe or fix.
Once again, she proved to him how utterly selfless she could be when it came to him.
And that was probably what angered him the most. How could she be as selfless as putting him ahead of something like that.
"Thank you."
Neji wouldn't have been able to hide his surprise even if he wanted to. The killer intent that had radiated off Sasuke like a furnace on blast had died down to an amber glow, and the sincerity in his voice was genuine.
"Thank you for being there for her through it all."
For once, Neji felt uncomfortable. Their roles had always been rivals, and the words they said to each other were less than kind most of the time. They were rivals in every sense, from opposing families, with different ideologies, but in a way, they were more similar than he often wanted to admit. Both felt the need to overcome someone or something, both felt as if they had to work harder to prove their worth, even to each other. A part of him always knew that on a certain level, he respected Sasuke. After all, was that not in the very definition of a rival? To see someone as a rival practically demands that you see this person as an equal, someone that you must prove your worth to and work to keep up with and not to fall behind.
And if that realization and Sasuke's words told him anything, it was that the feeling was mutual.
"She's a good person."
Neji was putting it lightly of course. Ino was an amazing person. She had his respect and admiration. After all, Ino was a strong, hardworking individual who strived to be the best she could be, all the while helping others when she could. It was the very reason he lived in a house of an odd assemble of people that he had never thought he could grow to care for.
Sasuke sighed, and unfolded his legs from under him as he moved to stand up.
"Now if you recall, I have 2 more questions to ask."
Neji's eyes narrowed, but he nodded, already knowing what he would ask, and choosing to ignore the fact that Sasuke had actually asked a second question already, although he probably hadn't realized it.
"One; who was the scum responsible?"
He was right, but found that he had no qualms answering this question.
"His name is Zaku Abumi."
Sasuke found he already hated the sound of that name. Trash and piece of shit would be more accurate.
"Two; where can I find him?"
Neji smirked, and told him the most likely place on a Saturday night; his frat house.
"Do you want me to come with you? It would be easier to find it."
Sasuke shook his head.
"No thanks. I'll do this on my own. Besides, you already had your share. He's all mine now."
Neji nodded.
"Fair enough. You can take my car if you want. It'll be faster to get there, and it has a navigation system."
Sasuke looked at Neji, and found that any anger or resentment he had had with the knowledge that Ino had gone to the lavender-eyed man instead of him lessened. It was still there, but he knew that Neji was not at fault. And in that moment, he knew that there was something else they shared; their protectiveness of Ino and their hatred for the same scum on Earth who dared to touch her. And right now, he was doing him a great favor, the greatest favor he could ask in that moment.
"I'll take you up on that."
In that moment, they found common ground. Because he hadn't had to offer his car, and in reality, he hadn't had to answer his questions, especially knowing that it would mean breaking his own promise to Ino. Neither of them had ever truly been obligated to answer each other's questions or fulfill their dares, but they did, because at the end of the day, they respected each other enough to fulfill their end of the deals.
But also, he heard his silent request.
Make him pay.
Finding the frat house was easy, and he hoped that finding his target would be just as easy.
Many cars lined the street, some even parked on the lawn of the large frat house, so he knew that Neji had been right when he said the frat house that his target was a part of was hosting a party.
As he neared the front of the house, the anger that had calmed while he had talked to Neji resurfaced at just the knowledge of being closer to the piece of trash he wanted to eliminate.
As he got closer, and the sound of music drifted to his ears, he ignored the guy at the entrance asking for a cover charge, the look he sent his way enough to let the guy know he wasn't here to play games, making him successfully back off when he tried to grab his arm and prevent him from going in.
"Where's Zaku?" he asked, his voice dripping with promises of hurt if he didn't answer him.
"I think he's in the backyard…"
Sasuke nodded, and as he made his way through the halls of the house, ignoring the curious looks and advances others made to him, asking if he was new and if he wanted a drink. In the end, he only had to a few more people for Zaku before he was able to pick him out from the crowd in the backyard as the girl next to him pointed at him. He was in the middle of a game with sandbags, a drink in hand, and laughing.
He was fucking laughing, as if such a piece of shit like him deserved to laugh after what he had done.
The anger in his veins increased tenfold, and Sasuke clenched his hands into fists. He wanted to humiliate him, then and there, for all his friends to see.
But Sasuke was better than that. This was a private matter, and he would respect Ino's wishes for that privacy. He wouldn't want this to get out of hand and people asking questions and digging into the matter. But he was also a businessman, and these were too many people with the ability to spin too many stories, and cause problems he didn't want to deal with. He wanted only one thing, and he needed only Zaku for it.
So without pause, he walked right up to the black-haired man.
"Are you Zaku?" he asked, and the man paused from his game to look at Sasuke.
"Yeah, who are you?" Zaku looked back at him with suspicion and curiosity, clearly not recognizing the man in front of him.
"You're part of the Abumi family, who recently started doing well in the Wind Energy industry, correct?"
Zaku's eyes narrowed as his suspicion grew, and had the audacity to take a long drink from his cup before answering.
"Yeah, so?"
With every syllable that came out of his mouth, the more Sasuke had to restrain the boiling anger that threatened to show itself.
"My name is Sasuke Uchiha, and if you don't come with me, I will make sure the company your family has worked so hard for becomes just another asset for the Uchiha Corporation."
Zaku's eyes widened, and Sasuke knew he had reason to. Anyone in the business industry knew who the Uchiha Corporation was, and just how true on his threat he could be if he wanted to, specially toward a recent business that couldn't compare to the long-standing establishment that belonged to the Uchiha's.
Zaku pursed his lips, but reluctantly set his drink down, and Sasuke knew he was following when he turned around and started leading out of the frat house, leading him down a sidewalk away from it, not pausing to look back but knowing he was being followed by the sound of footsteps behind him.
He didn't talk as he made his way towards his destination.
"Can you just tell me what this is about man? What the fuck do you want? How do I even know you're telling the truth?"
The anger in his veins continued to grow hotter, how dare this man ask him questions as if he had such a right? But Sasuke did not answer, letting his anger build up for the perfect moment to unleash it. Now was not the time.
Sasuke felt his anticipation grow, as they turned onto the park that he had seen on his way to the frat house, and turned into it, enjoying the sound of Zaku's hesitation before he continued to follow after him.
When Sasuke deemed they were far enough in, he turned to face the man responsible for his current anger, and this time, he didn't hide it.
Zaku practically felt the animosity coming from the man, and he had to force his body to straighten and hold his own.
"Can you just fucking tell me what this is about?"
"Does the name Ino Yamanaka ring any bells?"
Zaku's eyes widened, before he quickly steeled his face into a neutral one, telling Sasuke everything he needed to know on the matter.
"Yeah, what about her?"
"She's my girlfriend. We've been together for almost four years now you see," he steeled his voice to sound calm, smooth, and languid, contrasting against the intense look in his eyes.
Zaku's eyes narrowed, but Sasuke didn't miss the way the man tensed.
"So you can imagine how I felt, when I heard that a piece of shit like yourself tried to rape her."
At his comment, Zaku laughed.
"You're kidding right? I think you have the wrong guy, I never did such a thi—"
But before he could even finish his sentence, Sasuke lunged and wrapped his hand around his neck.
"You're a terrible liar."
This time, Sasuke's voice dripped with hatred and malice, his grip tightening as the trash in his grasp struggled to free himself, but Sasuke placed just enough distance between them that his attempted kicks didn't reach him.
In a burst of speed, Sasuke slammed Zaku against a nearby tree with enough force to make the guy see spots dance against his eyes and lose his bearings. Not hesitating, Sasuke let his anger consume him, and a grin spread across his features at the prospect of what he was going to do to this piece of trash, his fist drawing back only to uppercut into Zaku's stomach.
Zaku doubled over against Sasuke, pain radiating throughout his body and his breath suddenly knocked out of his lungs. But before he could even gather breath in his lungs, Sasuke grabbed ahold of his face, and once more slammed it against the tree behind him, causing him to see more black spots.
Sasuke wanted to do more. He wanted to absolutely wreck him, to disfigure him with punches to the point no one would be able to recognize him, to the point that he would have to live as an invalid for the rest of his life, and suddenly nothing less seemed worthy enough of a punishment.
But he couldn't, because even that would be too merciful.
"You… can't do this… I'll sue you for assault…" as Zaku struggled to speak through coughs, Sasuke resisted the urge to laugh, instead, backhanding the man so that he was sent flying and rolling across the grass.
Making his way over to the cowering form, Sasuke harshly went down on him, digging his knee into his stomach and finding a form of satisfaction as Zaku spit up blood, only to kneel down next to him and grab him by the hair and dragging him up to his level.
"You can try me trash, but I can guarantee you, that no lawyer your family comes up with will stand a chance against the lawyers under my disposal. You see, I will never forgive you for daring to try and violate my girlfriend, and I will make sure that your every waking moment, you live looking over your shoulder, because I will do everything in my power to make sure that you lose everything. I will have people watching you 24/7, and at the slightest slip on your part, whether it be as small as jaywalking, you will be sent to jail to rot for ever trying to touch a girl that didn't want to be touched."
Sasuke looked at the way Zaku held onto his stomach and curled in on himself, as if that would be enough to protect him against him. If anything, it made him angrier, and he moved to grab each arm and pull it behind him, his foot pushing against his back.
"You seem very attached to these arms of yours. It would be a shame if you weren't able to touch anyone for a while…"
Zaku's eyes widened when he felt the man behind him tug at his arms, and realization sunk in.
"No… wait… what are you—ahhhh!"
The disgusting pop that followed was like music to Sasuke's ears, and the limpness that became the rest of Zaku's body.
It was only when Zaku fainted that Sasuke realized what he had done.
"Shit."
He muttered. Now what was he supposed to do with an unconscious beat up body? He was supposed to go to Ino's work, but he couldn't just leave him lying here and wait for him to be found either, as much as the idea appealed to him.
"Shit is right…"
Sasuke turned to the familiar voice only to see Neji coming towards them, eyeing Zaku's body on the ground with disgust.
"You might have gone too far," he said, and Sasuke knew that he was right, but refused to admit it.
"It's only dislocated shoulders. He won't die from it," Sasuke defended.
"But he might from head trauma or internal bleeding," Neji was quick to retort, and Sasuke frowned.
"So you saw everything?" he asked and Neji raised an eyebrow.
"You think I would actually let you go unsupervised in your state? Of course I followed you and made sure you didn't go too far, explaining to Ino why you were in jail wouldn't have been a pleasant experience at all. I should have stepped in earlier but, I admit it was too good to watch."
The two prodigy's shared a look of understanding and smirked. Sasuke was surprised when Neji knelt down and grabbed Zaku, hoisting him up but not very ceremoniously.
"I'll take him to the hospital and say I found him like this, but it's on you to keep his mouth shut, not that I think you'll have any trouble with that."
Sasuke felt his body relax with relief and gratitude.
"I owe you one."
Neji resisted the urge to roll his eyes, settling for a scowl instead.
"I hardly think that's enough. Just make sure not to cause any more trouble while you're here."
Sasuke smirked.
"I make no such promises. But for you, I'll try."
This time, Neji did roll his eyes.
"Just go see Ino, you took long enough as it is. Knowing her, she's either really worried or really angry, or both."
Sasuke frowned, realizing how true that was, and he wouldn't be surprised if he had several missed calls from her on his phone he left in the car.
"Thanks again, Neji."
"Don't mention it, Sasuke."
The Realist: Oh gosh I know it's been so long, but I promise you this story is not dead! It's just being a young adult means there's a lot to keep up with, and finding muse and time to write is reallllyyy hard. But I actually planned out the rest of this story so it's only a matter of waiting for muse to strike. Even as I rush to post this, I have to be at work in a bit, and I'm not even ready! But I really want to post this before I leave.
So anyway, here's Neji's chapter! I'm honestly not sure what I wanted to happen with them... and this kinda just took it's own route. I feel like this revolved more around Sasuke and Neji's relationship, and I noticed in past chapters that I wrote these two out to seem like they hated each other's guts, and this chapter was meant to kind of change that perspective I guess. I really do see them as rivals, and like I explained through them, having a rival means that you have to acknowledge them on some level, and this shows that they do have respect for each other, but as with every rivalry, there's competition and some animosity.
But either way, they both do care for Ino, and although I didn't touch on Neji being romantically interested in Ino, finding out that your girlfriend was almost raped and Neji saving her kinda trumps any insecurities Sasuke might have had about their relationship, when you think about it. So obviously Sasuke is gonna make beating the shit out of Zaku his priority, and how can he not be grateful towards Neji? In this universe, he's not that petty.
As you might have noticed, I love bringing in elements of canon Naruto into this world, so I had to add the scene when Sasuke goes curse mark with the fight against Zaku and the arms thing.
Also, I wanted to emphasize that at the very end, Sasuke and Neji's relationship really does turn for the better. Throughout the chapter, they refer to each other by last names, but at the end, they call each other by their first name. I guess this takes on the whole Japanese way of being familiar, and how being on a first name basis is a huge step in how close people can be. I'm sure Ino will be pleasantly surprised, and Sasuke will feel better knowing Neji is one of her roommates.
Ahh okay I'm done!
Up next: Deidara! And a plot twist you probably didn't expect!
Gotta rush to work now! Let me know what you thought of this chapter! :)