A/N: First off, thank you to the members: xxxILY,NetteMarie, xxkaylaa, Lady Rini and earthbender for your messages regarding new places for my stories. I have seen your e-mails but have yet to respond to them. This is simple a, "Thank You," from me. I really do appreciate the time you take to send me this information. (: I hope you all enjoy this long awaited chapter.
000
I'm all yours, just take me now
I'm all yours, just take me now
Ill rip out your heart and your eyes until,
you see the love I have inside,
for you carry on this way,
and I will go and learn the truth.
I will go and let this down for me,
and it's all for you,
take me never let me go,
take me, I'll go and seek the truth
I cannot live without you near,
I can't go on without you here,
you're the reason why,
Simply because you're everything,
I want and more.
Dr. Shavargo Pt. 3 by Attack Attack!
000
Chapter 14:
The Inevitable Noise
000
The world was standing still when Itachi had come to remove Sasuke from the hospital.
He had vaguely remembered trudging out of the clinic; the first clear memory was being placed in the back of the limo with his brother at his side. He had fallen asleep for the rest of the ride home.
Then he saw it. The mansion.
Home sweet home, he thought bitterly. Oh how he longed for those white walls back at the hospital instead of the dark lonely hallways he was being reunited to.
"I want to talk to Sakura." He remembered blurting out to Itachi on the way to his freshly made bed. It looked as if he hadn't touched it in years.
His brother said nothing as he tucked Sasuke in like a child. Finally, he received a, "Rest, Sasuke.", before his brother left him alone.
Sasuke closed his eyes again, thinking of her beautiful face, wondering why she hadn't been there for his release from the hospital. He longed for the moment when he could see her again, touch her and kiss her pink lips. These images hushed his wandering mind into a deep slumber, caressing his subconscious with Sakura filled dreams.
He hadn't felt this sort of happiness since the innocence of his short childhood.
It was a rush, as if his heart were pumping out spurts of bliss instead of blood. He felt, even as he slept, that this was something he never wanted to lose. His broken heart had never been so warmed by a smile, never been so moved by words in all of his existence. For once, he couldn't believe his luck. Everything seemed to be slowly turning towards better, which had never been an option in his life before. There was always either bad or worse; his hardships usually consisting of worse.
But this…
He could feel himself smile in his sleep.
This was something different.
The thought both frightened and excited him that perhaps Sakura could be his. A thought of her running towards him enlightened him in his drifting slumber. He told himself that when all of the medicine was out of his system, he was going to march straight to her house and ask her out properly.
Make it official. That's what his mother had always advised him, but he had never listened. He had never had someone he thought he would ever want to be with forever.
A spark of fear hit him. Could Sakura really be his forever? Or had the toxins of lust reached his brain too quickly?
He couldn't understand what he was feeling; all he knew was that he loved it. He never wanted it to go away; the feeling that made him think all of his problems were being suddenly washed away for good. Every day seemed brighter and better and he couldn't help but feel anxious and hopeful towards the future.
He assured himself that he was going to ask her out the right way. He wanted to go everywhere with her, have endless moments of happiness with her.
Be with her.
His heart catapulted.
000
Itachi sat down with his mother that evening after putting Sasuke to bed.
"You wanted to speak with me, sweetheart?" She asked with a smile, pouring both of them a cup of tea before seating herself down next to him.
"Mother," Itachi started off softly, lightly sipping from the heat of his cup. "Something happened with Sasuke's friend Sakura."
Mikoto's eyes widened slightly. "Is she alright?" When Itachi didn't answer, her mouth dropped slightly. "Please tell me nothing has happened to that poor girl now."
"Mom," Itachi stressed, rubbing his temple with two of his fingers. "She told me she never wants to see Sasuke ever again."
000
Sakura hadn't told Ino anything about the past nights events. Even when her best friend proclaimed that she was entitled to the "goods" (which referred to the information about why Sasuke's shirt had been left at their home), Sakura refused to tell her anything. She simply stated that she wouldn't be dating Sasuke any longer, and that Ino could keep the shirt if she wanted, she didn't care. This seemed to trigger the best friend instinct in Ino. She finally quit pestering Sakura for details, touched her shoulder and explained that if Sakura felt better later, then maybe they could talk about what was wrong. Sakura agreed, but had absolutely no intention of telling her the truth.
About how she had been played. How she had been deceived and tricked in the worst way possible.
She seethed, tossing the stupid shirt into the garbage. She didn't care how expensive it was, she didn't want anything remaining in the house that reminded her of him. It had been three days since Fugaku had talked to her outside of the hospital, and not once had Sasuke tried to contact her. "Good," she growled.
But not even once? Was he that inconsiderate to have his father tell her the truth and not even call to apologize for all of the suffering he put her through? Not even one call to try and explain the reasoning behind all of the lies?
Fuck him. She cursed inwardly. Inner Sakura snidely remarked that she did, in fact, already do that. Sakura huffed in disappointment. How could she have been so stupid?
And then came the sadness, following shortly after the many questions all proceeding with: Why? Which none of them she had answers for.
At around eight Ino left for college, and Sakura was left alone to sit and ponder the misery of her life. She didn't have school until two in the afternoon, anyways.
She was just deciding that this whole melancholy recap would go better over a stomach of chocolate chip ice cream when there was a hard, determined knock on the door. Assuming it was Ino having forgotten one of her notebooks for school, Sakura dropped the ice cream onto the table and rushed over to the door to unlock it.
"What did you forget this time InoPig? Your lip-gloss?" Sakura swung the door open with a smile, the joke still unsullied on her lips.
The grin fell promptly afterwards.
There, Sasuke Uchiha stood before her, an enormous bouquet of roses in his hands.
000
He didn't want to call her; the surprise had seemed so much more delightful. Furthermore, he hadn't planned on three dozen roses but the flower shop had an expert haggler working for them. It didn't help that he didn't know what color she would want. Since she reminded him of all beautiful colors, he ended up buying twelve red, six white, yellow, pink, and orange.
But the real present, he thought to himself as he smiled to her, was in his shirt pocket. It wasn't anything too grand, just a diamond bracelet he thought would fit her most perfectly. He planned to offer it to her once he asked her to be his girlfriend, to take this new next step with him, to thank her for everything she had done.
The look on her face was priceless when she saw the flowers.
"They're for you, Sakura." He spoke sweetly.
She was stunned to silence.
"I missed you." He added, wondering why her look was changing from shock to confusion.
"What are you doing here, Sasuke?" She finally spoke, her question terse in its manner. Her eyes found his, and if he didn't know better, he would say that they were glaring at him.
"I'm sorry I d-didn't call sooner, but I wanted to s-surprise you." He stuttered, his confidence fluctuating from its original high. He clenched his eyes closed and reopened them, trying to calm his nerves. Don't mess this up now.
"Sakura," He swallowed. "Sakura, I have something I want to ask-"
"What are you even doing here?!" She screamed, causing him to jolt, the bouquet slipping from his fingers. "Didn't your brother tell you?!"
Sasuke's eyes widened. He didn't know what was going on, but he knew now that something was really wrong.
"No, Sakura. Itachi never-"
She threw her hands in the air. "I didn't want to do this! I don't need this!" Her eyes turned on him once again. "What's your game, huh? What bull shit are you pulling on me now?"
"Game?"
Panic was slowly rising. "Sakura, what are you talking about?" He reached out. "What's wrong?"
The pink haired beauty wrenched back as if he were carrying a disease. Her formerly peaceful meadow eyes were all ablaze. "Don't touch me." She spat.
Sasuke was frozen with his arms extended outwards. He was absolutely clueless.
Sakura gestured snidely to the fallen roses. "Why did you bring all this stuff? Trying to get me to believe that you're not gay anymore?"
"Gay? Sakura, I told you long ago-"
And then finally the solution.
"I talked to your father, Sasuke!" Sakura's eyes were rimmed with tears. "He told me everything about you and Neji. Everything."
Sasuke was speechless. The person he was staring at wasn't his Sakura. His flower, his sunshine, had been replaced by a cold stare and a rising pot of fury and he could do nothing about it.
"Why didn't you tell me that you two were sleeping together?" She questioned. "Do you even care how that makes me feel? He's a rapist." She grit her teeth together.
Sasuke couldn't believe what he was hearing. The image of his father's disgusting smile was running rampant through his mind.
How dare he. Sasuke thought.
This wasn't the way she was supposed to find out. He was going to sit her down, tell her everything. He was going to start with his past and work up to the present day, hoping that she would learn more about why he was so messed up and how she was his angel who repaired it all.
How he finally sees that she is what he needs to survive.
"Sakura please," He begged. He had no idea how to repair this damage that was so greatly dealt. "Let me explain."
Sakura shook her head fiercely. "I don't want to hear anything from you! I don't want any of your petty gifts or roses because you feel guilty-"
Sasuke stepped forward. "That's not it at all! I brought you these because-"
"Because what?!" She shouted. Sasuke wondered if the neighbors could hear the commotion between the two of them.
Sasuke stopped advancing, and shakily took the box out of his secret pocket. "Because, I-I want us to be…together."
Sasuke looked into her eyes and did not find comfort or forgiveness. Instead, the emotion he saw was one all he knew too well. Disgust. Repulsion. He felt as though he were being thrown back into the abyss of his old life just by the hate behind her emerald eyes.
"You're comical. You really are." She said with a purse of her lips.
Sasuke's mouth dropped.
"In case your brother decides not to tell you out of the goodness of his heart, and bless his heart," She paused as if thinking Sasuke were going to interject once more.
"I never want to see you again, Sasuke Uchiha."
And with that the door was slammed in Sasuke's face. He was finally alone, utterly and truly, to the very core.
And he had no one but himself to blame.
000
For a moment, he had just stood there, hoping no, praying, that she would open the door and leap into his arms. Once her words had settled in, he left the porch, and stood in the front yard of Ino's home, waiting for something. But what?
The end of the world? That's what it felt like.
He put his head in his hands. What just happened?
"I never want to see you again, Sasuke Uchiha."
He could feel the tears shamelessly coating his cheeks. God, what a weakling he had become.
He marched back onto the porch, kicked the flowers, sending them sprawling all across the lawn. How could this happen? Everything had seemed so perfect.
And now…
Sasuke looked out to the sky. What was left for him?
"God dammit!" He slammed his fists against the door, pressing his forehead into the smooth wood.
"Sakura," He whispered. "Please open the door."
No response. But he knew that she wouldn't come back. She was gone.
Forever.
He stepped back away from the house, tempted to barrel through the door and force her listen. He knew that it wouldn't work though. The determination and anger in her eyes said it all.
She was done with him.
And he could do nothing.
He took one last look at the collage of roses on the ground, and set the bracelet down on the porch.
He had no place for it. It belonged with her, whether she accepted it or not.
Sasuke ran out of the yard, leaving it with a bitter taste in his mouth.
He wasn't coming back.
000
He took his limo straight to the bar and began the slow process of drowning himself in his alcohol. After the seventh shot the bartender, now a tall, gray haired man instead of the usual young redhead, reached out to block the fresh glasses of beer on the counter.
"Son," He asked softly. "What are you doing here?"
Sasuke stared up at the elder man through glazed eyes. He had only begun to feel the tipsy effects of the shots. He wanted more. "Getting wasted." He answered with a bark.
A few drunks sitting at a table behind him got a hoot out of that one. The bartender simply glared at them until they quieted their guffaws down. He quickly turned his attention back to Sasuke, who was staring miserably into the glasses of beer in front of him, willing away the distorted reflection that looked back and hoping that he could soon drink them all to the bottom.
"I'm afraid I can't serve you anymore," The bartender said as he shook his head. "Until you show me some ID and I make sure you have a safe ride home."
Sasuke clenched his fist. He had finally had it with people trying to control his life. He was going to do what he wanted, when he pleased, and no one had any right to persuade him otherwise. "Just who do you think you are?" He hissed almost silently, watching as the man in front of him removed the alcohol from his line of sight. "Do you knowwho I am?" He asked harshly, knowing that his last name has earned him many benefits over the years.
The bartender shrugged, and proceeded with cleaning his empty glasses. "I really don't give a shit who you are," His eyebrows furrowed. "I'm just here to make sure that you drink in moderation and use precautions to insure the safety of yourself and others."
Sasuke groaned, placing his face in his hands, wanting to gag. What a fucking buzz kill. He wasn't sure if the wretched feeling in the pit of his stomach was from the bartender's disgustingly caring tone or the booze. "You're high old man." He managed to growl out.
The bartender chuckled. "No, actually, I'm Isao." He stuck out his hand. "And you are?"
"A customer." Sasuke purred, hungrily reaching for a shot of what he presumed was vodka.
Isao yanked the glass from his fingers, and raised a brow as if to challenge him to try that again.
Sasuke seethed and the man chuckled. He thought this whole scenario was funny. "A real name, please?" He asked with a smirk.
"Who gives a shit what my name is?!" Sasuke's words came out slurred, broadcasting the fact that he was very much under the influence. Although, for Sasuke, it was never enough until his world turned black.
"I do." Isao said firmly. "And I am not allowing you to drink anymore tonight, sir."
"I am Sasuke Uchiha!" Sasuke yelled, finally snapping totally, toppling over his bar-stool as he jumped up. "And I'll be damned if you don't serve me!"
Isao's facial expression didn't sway. "Nice to meet you, Sasuke Uchiha. Would you happen to have your ID on you?"
Sasuke pushed his hair from his eyes. "Oh, fuck you." Sasuke knew very well he wasn't going to get anywhere with this man; this is what frustrated him to no end. He had no proof of his age, and even if he did it would only show the bartender that he was eighteen, and therefore not old enough to purchase a drink. He stumbled toward the door, cursing the old coot that was preventing him from blocking out the world with his beloved drinks.
Jesus Christ, he sounds like someone's-
Sasuke paused mid thought.
Father.
But he had no way of knowing that for sure. One thing he did know, the irritating adult sounded like Itachi when he was in one of his, "I will always know what's best for you", moods.
Speaking of Itachi, Sasuke wondered why in the hell his brother hadn't warned him about Sakura's newfound hatred for him. He could have used a, "Hey brother, that girl you like called today and said to never bother her again." or, "Hey Sasuke, might not want to waste your money because that pink headed girl hates your guts now." Of course, his brother had no idea that he was going to buy all of those things for Sakura, so how could he have stopped him?
Dammit.
And why was he still thinking of her?
"Do you have a safe ride home, son?" The old man called out to him before he exited the bar.
Just as Sasuke opened the door to the outside he saw what might be his salvation.
The white limo.
"Mind your own business, old man." Sasuke replied coldly.
He slammed the bar door shut.
000
The driver's eyes narrowed when Sasuke climbed into the limo, but this time he said nothing.
Neji looked better, still bruised badly, but now coherent and seemingly well. His nose had been fixed at the hospital and the many stitches used for the cuts on his face had faded immensely. There were still visible scars, including the large one directly above his right eye, trailing down to his cheek bone. Sasuke had forgotten how he received that one.
"How are you feeling?" Sasuke whispered, hoping that the leery driver wouldn't hear.
Neji must have read his mind because the black screen rose up slowly, blocking the view and of their driver and preventing his listening in on their conversation.
"I've been feeling better." Neji answered, leaning his head back to rest on the cushion behind him. "And you?"
Sasuke cringed inwardly. He couldn't forget.
"Peachy." He replied with a scowl. Neji chuckled.
"I could have told you that being without me for a long period of time is no good." Neji said with a smirk, his hand sliding across the seat towards Sasuke.
Sasuke expected to feel the warmth of the Hyuuga's hand rest on his thigh, like before, but was startled when it came to curl around his own hand instead. Sasuke frowned in the darkness of the backseat. The feeling of their hands entangled was a strange one.
"I can't be with you now." Neji said suddenly, causing Sasuke to jolt.
"What do you mean?" Sasuke asked, thinking that the Hyuuga was abandoning him as well. He wouldn't be able to deal with it now.
"Now," Neji said, "I have been called for a meeting at my summer home, but I could come by to get you later."
Sasuke was silent. "Oh."
Neji stared at him. "What's troubling you, Sasuke?"
Sasuke could feel the thoughts of her penetrating the inner sanctum of him mind. He couldn't shut her out.
"I need you now, Neji." Sasuke whispered. He knew the only way to get rid of his thoughts of her was to block them with someone else. With something else. "It can't wait."
He could see the heat behind the Hyuuga's eyes begin to ignite. "This is an important engagement, Sasuke-kun." He said huskily. It was easy to see that Neji had no desire to go to this importunate arrangement. Sasuke knew if he pushed a little further than the Hyuuga would break.
He would get what he wanted.
Sasuke inched closer, the calidity in his own eyes boiling over. "I don't care."
A hostile battle between their gazes began. Neji's was hot and faltering but Sasuke had no idea how his red eyes must look like in the partial lighting of the backseat.
Suddenly, Neji's grasp around his hand tightened and he turned the intercom back on.
"Pull into the estate." He ordered.
The driver's voice was desperate. "But sir, your family is at the summer home waiting for you."
"Looks like we are going to have to be a little late then." Neji said back with a lift of his eyebrow.
Their eyes locked.
In that moment, Sasuke knew he had won.
000
They hadn't been out of the limo for very long before Sasuke could feel the atmosphere in the air around them shift upwards. The Hyuuga's breath had escalated, causing Sasuke's excitement to peak harshly. The heat that surrounded both of them was only growing hotter by the minute, and Sasuke was finding it difficult trying to keep professional on the long walk up to the mansion doors.
Neji, on the other hand must have not been so worried. As soon as the limo was far enough away, the Hyuuga ripped Sasuke into his arms, kissing him with such intensity that Sasuke thought he might shatter from the force of it.
They whirled up the steps, still crushed together, their mouths only parting to gasp in a taste of the sticky air that surrounded them.
The door clicked open and they stumbled inside, refusing to remove their hands from one another's bodies. Sasuke didn't break from the kiss even as he slid Neji's shirt from his shoulders, exposing the pale white skin he longed to feel rubbing against his own.
Suddenly they broke, and with a shuddering groan Neji pushed away so that he could close the front door. Sasuke backed himself into the wall, hot sweat already pooling on the back of his neck. He removed his shirt before Neji could turn back around.
He mauled him. Their mouths left room for no breath as they attacked each other; wild animals until the very end.
And though they continued, Sasuke could feel nothing but the warmth of another's skin. He was numb on the inside.
Dead.
He wanted to fuck all of his problems away, until he could no longer see her beautiful face in his mind. Until he could hear her name without tearing up inside because he knew that this, this sickening problem, was the reason for her departure.
He hated himself.
But he couldn't stop.
He rocked against Neji, his body desperate for traction.
In fact, this feeling was stronger.
They ended up against a wall, Neji's hot breath leaving goose bumps along Sasuke's neck. Amazing how this turned out.
Pure sex. Now this was something that Sasuke could get used too. Forget all feelings and emotions; all he cared about was getting his brains fucked out. All he wanted was the unbelievable high that came from his climax, the sizzle and sting of the biting on his mouth and throat, the fighting as they tried to decide who would dominate their next game.
With a coy bite to the lip, Sasuke gave, not caring either way who was fucking who.
He just wanted it. He wanted to fuck until her face was gone out of his sight and he saw nothing but stars. Colorful, blinking stars.
Neji ripped the rest of their clothing away, and it was like before, skin against skin. Heat merging.
But for some reason he couldn't get rid of Sakura's face. He still remembered how it looked last: Unforgiving and repulsed, as though the mere sight of him made her want to vomit.
Neji thrust into him violently and Sasuke moaned at the long lost sensation.
She was still there, looking upon the two of them with disdain. He closed his eyes, wishing her beautiful face gone. Wishing that she would no longer haunt him and his breaking heart.
He kissed Neji roughly, encouraging the brutal and sadistic thrusts, moaning and whispering for him to continue. All Sasuke wanted was to purge his mind of the pink headed angel. If he had to fuck Neji twenty times in a row to do that, he would.
His mind was clearing from the little amount of liquor he had drunk earlier, and he wasn't enjoying it. He regretted not asking Neji for some kind of drug before they started to have sex.
They slammed into something on the far wall, and it clattered around them without their notice. Sasuke pushed Neji towards the living room area, their bodies parting in the midst of the animalistic struggle. They tumbled into the large couch that was situated in the middle of the grand room and Sasuke couldn't help but smirk at their clumsiness.
"Lost your footing sweetheart?" Sasuke asked tauntingly, roughly pulling the long strands of the Hyuuga's hair until their mouths were brushing. "Can you even handle me?" He purred into the others ear.
Neji growled, and seconds later Sasuke was bent over the arm of the couch, his face pressed into the soft fabric of the furniture.
"Come on, Neji." Sasuke rasped out. "Fuck me hard."
Neji willingly obliged, driving himself inside of Sasuke with such force it caused the couch to lurch forward. Sasuke's knees nearly gave way and he was lost in the sensations assaulting his body. He could feel his member begging for attention, to the point where pain was rushing through him instead of pleasure. The mixture of Neji's moans and the pain combined somehow only brought Sasuke closer to the brink, and the moment Neji's heated, sweaty hand found Sasuke's erection, everything broke into a sickeningly sadistic culmination.
After receding back into his own self, Sasuke found that he was holding onto the couch for dear life, his knees quivering against the mahogany wood floor. Neji slumped against him from behind, his breathing coming out in hoarse rasps.
They stayed in this position for a few fleeting moments; Neji's head came to a rest upon Sasuke's shoulder. Sasuke pressed his face into the smooth comfort of the couch, trying to recollect his thoughts.
"Tell my driver to take you home." Neji finally spoke, his voice cracking into Sasuke's ears.
Sasuke blinked, suddenly realizing that nothing had changed. The moment Neji opened his mouth about home, Sakura rushed back into his thoughts. He fought the urge to cry; he would never stop thinking of her. He ruined her and she would never forgive him for that. But he couldn't blame her; he was a lost cause anyhow. Worthless.
"I don't want to go back there." Sasuke nearly whimpered the words.
Neji was silent for another moment.
"I have to leave now, Sasuke." He spoke, his tone somewhat sympathetic. "I don't want anyone coming here and finding you."
Sasuke's thoughts flashed back to that bloody night, the night he and Neji shared the bruising pavement together after the ruthless beating from his family.
"You have to go," Neji said with a sigh. "I need to take a shower, and then gather my things to go to that dreadful meeting."
Sasuke closed hi s eyes once more. He never wanted to see Fugaku's face again, and it was most definite that his father would be home at this hour. He knew that he could never escape from that devil's grasp.
Sasuke stood up slowly, feeling Neji mirror him from behind. He pulled his pants back up around his waist, and proceeded to straighten his horrifically maimed shirt. Neji watched him closely.
"I will be back here early tomorrow morning. So I can come pick you up."
Sasuke nodded his head in agreement and headed through the living room and to the door. Neji followed; oddly quiet.
Before Sasuke could leave the Hyuuga Estate, Neji spoke. "Sasuke? May I ask you something?"
Sasuke didn't speak but turned back to face him, acknowledging his request.
Neji's lips were in a still, firm line. "You haven't spoken about the pink headed girl. Is there a reason as to why this is?"
Sasuke almost broke into a million pieces. "She just," He had to pause to keep from screaming. "She doesn't really want anything to do with me anymore."
Surprisingly, Neji didn't gloat. In fact, his eyebrows furrowed slightly, stating his confusion.
Sasuke put his head down and left before any more words could be exchanged between the two of them.
000
As Sasuke entered the mansion, he found to his delight that the dining room was lit up even at the late hour. Itachi sat at the table, surrounded by paperwork, deep in thought. Sasuke crossed the room and pulled out a chair to sit. His brother regarded him swiftly.
"What's all this for?" Sasuke asked, chancing a quick glimpse over something marked in big, red letters "CONFIDENTIAL".
Itachi sighed and gazed upwards from his clutter. "Didn't you hear? Father is resigning."
Sasuke eyebrows rose. "No, I didn't."
Itachi nodded. "It has a lot to do with the masquerade we held a while back. His wounds weren't fatal, but apparently he feels that after twenty five years of service, he is finally been pushed to his limit and is ready to pass on the title a more able candidate."
Sasuke caught his brother's eyes immediately. "To you?" He questioned, and Itachi nodded slowly.
"I know it's a lot to take in with such short notice," Itachi spoke, running his fingers through his hair as he did so, "but, I know that everything will finally work out for the better." Itachi finished his sentence with a broad smile. It was a rarity to see one that big and true on his face.
Sasuke nodded in agreement. He knew that his brother had been employed underneath Fugaku for years now; he just didn't ever see his father forfeiting the title of, "Chief of Police" to anyone. The thought of the title less and worthless sack of bones made Sasuke smile as well.
Itachi stood up from the table and began to sort all of the loose sheets of information. "I received a phone call from your professor this morning." He said suddenly.
Sasuke squirmed from beneath the biting sound in his tone. He had begun to wonder whether or not the college would just up and forget about him. It had been so long since he had gone to any classes.
"I haven't been attending any lectures." He responded honestly, knowing that Itachi would have just sucked the truth from him sooner or later.
Itachi paused momentarily. "If this is about that girl Sakura, I apologize."
Sasuke was taken aback.
"I know that you cared for her, Sasuke." The elder Uchiha shook his head solemnly. "But you should not let this sadness affect your education. You must prepare for your future."
Itachi looked at him intently. Sasuke could see the disappointed look that seemed to be a permanent formation on his features. If only you knew, Sasuke thought bitterly. All he could think to do was put his head down, out of respect and out of embarrassment. He never thought that his brother could bring him to feel so ashamed. On the inside, he knew that he shouldn't be missing school. But now that his brother had brought this to his attention, the thought of going to college and seeing Sakura there ever day would be dreadful.
He would never be able to shake the last look he saw on her face. He couldn't believe how badly he had destroyed her. He would never forgive himself for it.
"You should try and get some sleep," Itachi suggested. "Because we are going by the college tomorrow to get you caught up on everything that you have been missing."
Sasuke nodded, head still hanging.
"Hey," Itachi called. Sasuke peeked up at him carefully. His brother smiled. "Try not to look so down, Sasuke. Just remember to finish what you start, and never give up. I believe in you."
Something bloomed within Sasuke at that remark. Something warm bubbled up and penetrated through the darkness that had been so obscure inside his head.
"Thanks." He replied with a jovial tone.
They remained there at the table for a few more fleeting seconds. Sasuke had no idea what was going on through his brother's mind, but he was able to appreciate the diminutive attempt to try and make him feel better. Every now and then, Itachi wasn't as unbearable as he came across to be.
The cordial silence was interrupted with a blare of noise both Sasuke and Itachi were all too familiar with.
It was like someone had set a teapot on the stove and forgotten it, the scream so loud that it was as if it were a piercing whistle shooting through their ears.
And then a crashing sound.
Followed by more screaming.
Sasuke knew immediately that the cry for mercy had been from his mother. He also instantly knew, who had caused the rupture of normality. He shot to his feet, lips curling in repulsion.
Itachi reached for him, but it was too late, Sasuke had already made a mad dash for the stairs. He was seeing red.
He couldn't take the stairs quickly enough, and with every sound and shriek his stomach twisted. The banging and horrific cries continued, and he could only assume Fugaku was doing his worst.
Somehow, Itachi passed him up. A black blur, he flew up the winding staircase launching himself in front of the door to Fugaku's master bedroom. Mikoto could be heard screaming from the other side.
"Open the door!" Sasuke almost squeaked in horror, his fist itching to put an autograph on Fugaku's face.
Itachi took up precious seconds to bore his now scarlet eyes into Sasuke's. "Stay out here." He warned.
Sasuke almost shouted with protest but was cut off from a dark and sadistic cackle from the other side. "I'm going to turn your fucking face black and blue!"
With that, Itachi disappeared through the doors of hell. Sasuke waited no more than two seconds to push his way through as well.
What he saw knocked the breath from his chest.
His mother was cowering, draped over her mahogany bureau, stripped of her clothing and bare to the world. The only covering offered to her slender body were freshly made purple splotches, swathing her skin like the spots of a Dalmatian. Fugaku stood himself righteously above her, a thick, leather belt held upwards to the heavens, ready to strike down upon her once again.
"Father," Itachi spoke calmly, so calmly, Sasuke had the urge to sock him as well. "Put that down right now."
Fugaku's eyes snapped to attention. It was as if he hadn't even seen them bust through the door. He had a crazed look upon his face, an almost amused sneer hanging on his mouth.
"Get out of my room Itachi. Don't you know how to knock?" He nearly whispered.
Sasuke's fists clenched so tightly that he could no longer feel them. He stepped to the right and Itachi instantaneously mirrored his motion, effectively blocking him from advancing forward.
"Leave the room, Sasuke." The sound left Itachi's mouth like a ghost crossing the ground. His eyes were locked onto Fugaku, his body a rigid stone wall.
"No." Sasuke growled.
All around them was silence. Sasuke could see his brother visible tense knowing that he was not going to remove himself from this equation. He stood his ground, his feet glued to the floor and his eyes cemented on the belt that the bastard still held high into the air. Itachi spoke once again, louder than the last time. "Father," He said. "You know that this is not the right way to handle an issue."
"What issue?" Fugaku asked with an almost homely chuckle. His eyes twinkled in a fatherly way toward Itachi. Sasuke felt like retching. "Don't worry yourself. Your mother was receiving a punishment that she rightfully earned." Fugaku finished with a small shrug of one of his shoulders.
At this comment Sasuke's mother whimpered, her form clutching to the dresser for dear life. Instantly, Fugaku's eyes shot to her helpless form, as if the sound she had made triggered him back into the red zone. Sasuke noticed the change immediately and shoved against his brother, shouting at the top of his lungs.
But it was too late.
The whip cracked down with a sickening snap. Screaming erupted.
Itachi lunged forward, crossing the room and flinging himself between Fugaku and Mikoto. Sasuke followed closely behind, and grabbed his father's once again raised arm.
"Stop!" He screamed.
Red eyes locked onto him.
"Sasuke?" Fugaku asked incredulously.
Itachi's chest was heaving as he continued to block their mother from harm. "Sasuke," He warned once again. "Get out of here."
Sasuke said nothing. He continued to glare into the eyes of this monster, wondering, how in the hell such scum could even exist. Fugaku's breath reeked of alcohol, no doubt the reason for his sudden attack. Sasuke knew that he was putting himself in the line of fire. He didn't give a shit.
The target had changed.
Fugaku laughed heartily. "You stupid bitch." He slurred. "Let go of m'arm."
"Put down the belt." Itachi ordered.
Sasuke glared daggers. "Make me you mother fucker."
Fugaku lost control, ripping into Sasuke with the belt like a lethal weapon. Sasuke was just glad that his mother was not the prey any longer.
Itachi was on them in moments, chaos erupting. Sasuke suddenly found himself being pushed out of the room by his brother; he tried to fight back but it was useless. Fugaku was shouting something at him. Cursing. His mother was crying. Itachi had taken two hits while removing him from the bedroom.
And know he was in the hallway.
He screamed and pounded on the door.
Damn Itachi for caring about his well being.
Another loud thud caused Sasuke to sprint to his room.
He knew what had to be done.
Itachi was being hurt, his mother was ruined.
And it was time for him to own up and take responsibility.
Once back at the master bedroom door, he turned and slammed his shoulder into the door. It cracked after about three hits, the door shattering at the hinges. This was the one moment in his life that Sasuke had ever been proud to be among the police force.
Itachi was on the ground, in agony. His mother had slumped against a far wall and was being whipped relentlessly.
"Fugaku!" Sasuke screamed, claiming attention.
The beast turned slowly, his eyes black.
"What the fuck did I say, Little Bitch?" He roared. He knocked the belt against the mirror on the wall, and glass went soaring into the air. "Get the fuck out!"
Sasuke didn't flinch. He waited until his father could focus enough to see what he was holding in his hands.
His little silver box had finally come in handy.
The handgun was cocked, and filled with bullets. Five to be exact.
"If you hit her again," Sasuke hissed. "I will put a fucking bullet through you god damn brain."
Fugaku's rage faltered. "It's not loaded."
Sasuke crossed the room in stride. "Oh no?" He extended his arm so that the barrel of the gun was a foot from Fugaku's face. "Test me mother fucker."
"Sasuke…" Itachi coughed. "No."
"You shut up," Sasuke snapped. "I'm done with this disgusting piece of shit."
Mikoto's eyes fluttered open. "Sasuke, baby…"
It was as if Sasuke could feel the tears but was refusing to let them appear. He could sense freedom just over the horizon. He wanted to pull the trigger so badly. "It's okay Mom, we are going to be okay." He assured, inching the gun closer to Fugaku's now bewildered face.
"Hit her and you die." He growled, chancing another glance to his mother. His face was bleeding badly. She would have to visit a hospital.
The gun was shaking.
"I might just kill you anyway." He hissed and Fugaku jolted. Sasuke found himself lost in this world of redemption, his heart pounding wildly. How long had he waited for this moment? How much had he been put through because of this man?
"You told her," He spat out. "You destroyed any chance I would ever have with Sakura."
Through his fear, Fugaku smiled sickly. "What chance? You're not worthy of love."
Sasuke's eyes widened.
Itachi's voice hummed in the background and his mother rose from her position on the ground. "Please baby, don't."
"You were a revolting mistake!" Fugaku screamed.
Fugaku kept talking.
"You could never get her anyway. I did you a favor, cocksucker." At the word, "cocksucker", Fugaku raised his eyebrows and smirked.
And that was it.
Sasuke inwardly snapped. It felt as though his whole being had been ripped apart and rearranged and he had become a new, rage filled person. All he saw was death and salvation. All he wanted was to put that bastard six feet under; but even better would be to lead him to the gates of hell himself.
Fugaku knew the moment had come. His eyes widened. Sasuke wondered how menacing he must have looked. He didn't care.
He was going to kill him.
Somehow, Itachi had rose without him noticing. His brother wrapped around him from behind and a struggle ensued.
He could hear the screaming. His own, his mother's, his brother's, all mixed together in one twisted harmony of terror.
Sasuke was not going to let go of that gun until it fired into Fugaku's chest.
Itachi was not giving up, his strength nearly yanking the weapon from Sasuke's grasp. Sasuke pushed backwards, sending the two of them spiraling to the floor.
Still Fugaku was in his sights.
Sasuke tried to steady the gun before Fugaku made a run for it. He would see double, then somehow be aiming at the wall, and then be back to his father once again.
This was it.
"NO, Sasuke!"
The shuddering, blasting sound filled the atmosphere around him. He could only hear the sound of his own heavy breath.
The struggle had ended…
And a body slumped to the ground, unmoving.
The gun had fired twice.
And Fugaku still stood, unfazed and unharmed.
A/N: WOW. Shocker. So, who was shot? Sorry the update has taken so long. After my recent update, my computer malfunctioned and I was unable to post this. I hope it was worth the wait. Chapter 16 shouldn't take as long. (: And, "The Addict", will be coming to a close very soon. Thank you for your patience. I love you all.
R&R – I love the feedback and your reactions(:
Charlie