Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto… I own Sasuke! hides from Japanese lawyers who are pulling out their pretty black guns Fine! I don't own anything okay! Oh yeah I don't own the song either. It's done by Smile Empty Soul. Great band, yup.

Warnings: AU. Child abuse. OOC? Hints of shonen-ai so if you don't like it don't read it! Not a happy Sasuke family fic, so if you want them to be happy get lost! Angst! You have been warned so don't flame. -

It always looked so good


'I'm sick of all the heat
you can taste the hate in the air
running through this family, uncomfortably
it's burning me
is anybody there
in your eyes there's nothing to see
just because your dreams have died
don't drag me down, I've still got mine'

Sasuke gazed in a stupor after his brother, wanted to run after him but didn't move. In his state of trance he didn't sense the hostile being creeping up behind him. Harsh hands snatched his wrists from behind and sharply pulled him backwards, causing him to stumble. He winced slightly and by instinct struggled to twist his wrists free. Grinding his teeth, he turned his head up to glare at the aggressor. However Sasuke froze when he saw who had him by the wrists; two sharingan eyes glowered down him.

"D-dad." He stammered nervously, silently cursing himself for how weak that sounded.

"Where did your brother go?" His father asked him, barely contained rage seeping into his voice.

"I don't know…"

Sasuke, who had been staring down at the wooden floor, glanced up at his father to see how he took this. His face looked even madder, as if all his frustration and fury were slowly escaping the dam inside of him. Sasuke felt the grip on his wrists tighten until it was painful; he stared up at his dad with wide eyes. Whenever his father got this livid it never meant anything good for him. Fear clenched at Sasuke's heart, a terror that a child should never have towards their parent.

"Where did he go!" His father demanded again, practically screaming the words.

Sasuke was shaking now, he didn't know where his brother went and even if he did he wouldn't tell. He wouldn't betray his brother like that, but… his father was so terrifying. He had to be brave, he was not a coward, and he could face his own dad. The young Uchiha took a deep breath as if to steady his racing heart.

"I don't know." He repeated, almost desperately.

Seconds after the words left his mouth a sharp pain snapped across his cheek and his head was thrown to one side. He bit his bottom lip to stop himself from crying out. Only the bright red mark on his cheek lamented the pain the hard slap gave him.

"This is your fault." The leader of the Uchiha clan whispered in a deadly voice; words that sent poison into Sasuke's veins.

Sasuke felt his self confidence stumble downwards and in replace a boiling anger advanced. Why does it always have to be my fault? He asked himself heatedly. I always try so hard, but for him it's never good enough. The forbidden indignation overpowered him, driving sensibility away.

"It not my fault you're such a fucking freak!" Sasuke shouted the words droplets of tears forming at the edges of his glazed eyes. "You're the one who is obsessing constantly over power like some-"

His words were cut off as a fist slammed into his stomach; his eyes parted in shock and his knees gave way. Blood rose into his throat as he coughed from the impact. He hugged his throbbing stomach, wincing in pain. He fought to get back on his feet; he could feel his father looking down at him.

"Useless boy," his father muttered, watching his son struggle to compose himself.

Sasuke swallowed, his expression going blank and he forced himself to look the man in the eye. His face fell into shadow as he clenched and unclenched his fists. "You're wrong…" he whispered.

As soon as the words left Sasuke's lips, hot piercing pain erupted in his skull. Hands seized his shoulders in a death grip and slammed him against the wall. He slid to the floor, nothing but a shaking heap at his father's feet. A foot swung out and collided against his side, causing him to yelp. Kicks and punches rained down upon him and he threw his arms over his head in a vain attempt for protection. Suddenly it halted and Sasuke cracked his eyes open to see his father's face right in front of his own. He closed his eyes again. He would not cry.

"Never again will you speak against me." His father whispered dangerously and Sasuke could feel his father's breath against his face. "If I say you're useless, then you are. And if I ask you something, you will answer. Do you understand!"

Sasuke didn't reply, didn't move, and didn't push away from the man that was kneeling by him much to close for comfort. His unresponsiveness was a mighty mistake. Fingers snaked up his pale throat and squeezed ruthlessly, causing his eyes to fly open in panic. Sasuke thrashed madly, twisting under the hold, but the fingers only tightened. Tears welled up in his grey eyes as all the fight was being drained out of him. It was only then that the fingers finally released their hold, leaving him coughing violently.

Tears cascaded down the boy's face, the dam that held them back completely destroyed. Sasuke buried his face in his knees as his shoulders shook with sobs. The pride he once had died, leaving only torment and shame. He was weak, the runt of the clan, unworthy, he didn't even deserve be called a ninja.

"I'm sorry," he gasped between the sobs. "I'm so sorry…"

His father left, saying only one word as he shut the door; "Pathetic."

'neighbor boy runs up to me, his eyes all black and blue
I say what happened to you boy, he said my daddy flew
off the hook cos I was playin' too loud
I guess he couldn't hear the TV
he said son I'm a teach you a lesson
and then he ... and then he...'

Naruto strode down the street with a gloomy look contorting his face and his hands shoved into his pockets. Just another day at the academy; a day of being ignored, scolded and hated. Needless to say he wasn't looking forward to his day at ninja school. He was taking the long rout there, who cares if he's late? It was much better than being there.

It was just his luck that'd he'd run into one of the very people he was trying to avoid. Sitting on a bench on the very street he was walking on was Uchiha Sasuke. Naruto contemplated the idea of crossing the street before actually going by Sasuke. He wasn't in the mood to deal with one of his classmates right now.

Personally Naruto didn't have much against Sasuke…yet. He wouldn't call him his friend, but they weren't enemies either. He didn't know much about Sasuke; all he really knew was his clan, that he got good grades, and that he had a genius elder brother. Like himself Sasuke didn't have any friends, it was odd because it seemed like most of the kids were more than ready to accept the Uchiha.

Getting too caught in his own thoughts, Naruto completely forgot about his plan on crossing the street to avoid the other boy. The next thing he knew he was standing right in front of him. Naruto glanced down at him, taking note to the fact that his eyes were closed. He was sleeping. Bruises littered the Uchiha's skin and shadows under his eyes spoke of sleepless nights, overall Sasuke looked rather ill.

Not that I care, Naruto told himself adamantly. But after taking another worried glance down at Sasuke, he instantly knew he was lying to himself. Naruto mentally sighed; he was either too nice for his own good or just too curious.

"Hey are you alive?" he asked loudly, prodding at Sasuke with a finger.

Sasuke's eyes snapped open with a jolt and for a second his whole body seemed to tense up. Then he spotted who it was who had awakened him and he visibly calmed. Naruto couldn't help but be slightly surprised at this reaction.

"What're you doing?" Sasuke asked after a moments pause.

"Seeing if you're okay you moron," Naruto snapped, slightly defensive. "You're the one lying on the bench as if you're dead."

"I'm fine."

"Yeah? That's why you're covered in bruises?"

"I….I fell while I was training."

Naruto didn't reply; his eyes were on the dark bruises around Sasuke's neck. No one got those from falling. Sasuke was so obviously lying, but why would he? What happened?

"Like hell you did," Naruto muttered under his breath.

Luckily Sasuke either didn't hear him or ignored him because he made no comment on it.

"Why aren't you in class?" Sasuke questioned, trying to turn the spotlight off him.

"Why aren't you?"

"…"

Naruto grinned, almost amused at Sasuke's obvious frustration. By trying to avoid the questions he just landed himself with more.

"Let's go to class," Sasuke said at last, avoiding Naruto's eyes.

Sasuke pushed himself off the bench, silently walking in the direction of the school with the other boy close behind. Naruto couldn't help but notice a limp in his walk. Sasuke was struggling with the simple task of walking. What could've happened for him to be in that state and why would he lie about it?

"I'm not buying your 'I fell' story," Naruto said suddenly.

"I did," was the evasive reply.

"That's bull, what really happened?"

A smirk crept across Naruto's face, "Don't worry I won't tell anyone."

To Naruto's surprise Sasuke abruptly turned around, facing him. A somewhat pained expression was on the usually stoic boy's face.

"You promise?" Sasuke asked, almost desperately. "You won't tell?"

Naruto blinked, a little taken aback. Something really bad must've happened to make Sasuke act like this. For the first time throughout the conversation he got truly serious.

"You have bruises all over you, you can't even walk properly." Naruto's vivid blue eyes searched Sasuke's stormy grey. "Who did that to you?"

Sasuke mouth opened and closed as he anxiously tried to think of some lie, something he could possibly say. All he could think of was the truth. He swallowed.

"My father…"

Naruto's eyes widened in shock, of all things he might've expected that wasn't one of them. He couldn't think of anything to say, his brain went momentarily numb. There he was thinking how great, how much better everyone had it when-when-

"Sasuke…" There was nothing he could say; no way could he find any word of comfort or solace. "…I'm sorry."

Sasuke was biting his lip; he wanted to say something, but didn't. He didn't need to. Naruto's arms wrapped around him, feeling as he tensed up in surprise, but then went limp. He didn't know how Sasuke ended up confiding in him or how he ended up holding the other boy in a soft hug. All he knew was the warmth of holding him close and the astounding feeling of comfort that filled him.

'maybe it's not so good on the other side
maybe it's not so good on the other side
but it always seems so good, on the other side
it always looks so good ... It always seems so good'