After leaving Sai, Neji drove to the rundown end of town to a dilapidated looking apartment complex, where his current goal resided. The streets were littered with trash, buildings were vandalised and tagged and homeless crowded the alleys. He really didn't want to leave his car on the street, he had rims so he didn't have to worry about hubcaps being stolen, but that didn't deter hoodlums from vandalising a luxury vehicle.

Reluctantly exiting the vehicle, he locked his car twice, just to make sure the locking sound wasn't all in his mind. Once convinced his precious car was locked, he made his way towards the building, a look of utter disgust on his face. The putrid smell of piss and trash wafted, embedding themselves so far into his sinuses that he's sure he'll be smelling the foul stench for weeks.

Walking up to the building he looks and finds the name of the person he'd come to see, memorising the floor and apartment number. Using his sleeve to prevent his skin from possibly contracting something, he presses the button of the girl he was there to see. For the last year he's been getting his drugs from her, but has never met at her place. The only reason he was here was to hopefully manipulate another person into allying with him. If it weren't for trying to rid Sasuke of Uzumaki, he'd never show his face on this side of town.

"Hello?" A staticky female voice came through the old intercom.

"It's Neji, can we speak?" The teen answers, trying not to touch anything else in fear of catching something, disease, or possibly poverty.

"Uhhh, sure I guess." She answered hesitantly.

The buzzing sound of the door unlocking signalled Neji to enter. The Hyuga walked up three flights of stairs, feeling lucky to be alive. The building permeated the scent of mold and rodents, nicotine clung heavily, leaving everything with a thick, tacky, yellow coating. There were questionable stains everywhere, and Neji needed no imagination to figure out where they'd come from. He didn't even know places like this truly existed.

Using his sleeve again, he opens the third floor door, stepping out, he walks directly down the centre of the hall to prevent further contact. Reaching apartment 309 he knocks. Pitter patter of feet make their way towards the door before the clicking sound of a lock is heard.

With a chain lock in place, a short, red haired female looks up and the brunette with hesitant grey eyed. "Hey" Neji greets, giving her the eyebrow when he notices her looking behind and around him hesitantly.

"Hey." She greeted, looking satisfied as she closed the door to unlock the chain lock.

Opening the door all the way this time she motions for the Hyuga to enter. She was in an oversized, very worn jersey and shorts so short you could hardly tell she was wearing them to begin with.

The apartment, if Neji dared to be generous enough to call it that, was more of a closet. A small room with a bed, a sink and a hot plate. There was one door which he assumed was the washroom. Neji was appalled, he didn't belong here. With how small the space was it didn't take long for him to see the half naked blue haired male on the redheads bed.

"Hey James, you mind taking off for a bit?" She asked, her eyes urging him to dress and leave. She wasn't sure why the Hyuga was here, but she knew he wouldn't want an audience.

"Uh sure. Text me?" The man named James awkwardly asked.

"Sure," She gives him a small smile.

Neji stands still, desperately trying not to touch anything as the male dresses and proceeds to leave. Neji never thought of himself as a germaphobe, but being in this building was definitely taking its toll on his psyche.

When the blue haired male left, The red head finally asked, "so, what can I do for you Neji? You haven't placed an order and- "

Neji cuts her off. "I need your help."

She bows her brows, not understanding how she could possibly help someone like Neji Hyuga. "Help with what?"

Neji pulls his phone out, unlocking it. Tapping and scrolling he then holds the screen up for her to see. "These are with you, correct?"

Looking at the pictures he's showing her, the female was obviously shocked, but nodded. "Yeah, they're me. How did you g-"

"Do you have a relationship with him?" Neji asks, ignoring the girl's half formed question.

She snorted. "That's funny."

"What is?" Neji asked curiously, locking and pocketing his phone.

"He, Naruto doesn't do relationships. Always just sex." She huffed, remembering the fight they had when he turned friends with benefits to just friends.

Neji smirked fiendishly. "And that's exactly what I need your help with."

Pieces of Neji's plan were coming into place. Neji began explaining his lie, how Naruto has convinced his best friend they're in a relationship just so he can sleep with him. The short female had a hard time believing him. "Naruto would never do that!"

"You said so yourself, Naruto doesn't do relationships. Besides," Neji takes a scrutinising look around her place. "If you help me free my friend Sasuke from the blonds grasp, I can help your... situation."

She snorted. "I don't know if you've noticed, but I can't be bought."

"Ah, maybe. But...it would be unfortunate for the police to get waft of your side income wouldn't it?" Neji gleams, the smile on his face sadistic.

"Yo-your gonna blackmail me?" She asked, horrified.

"All I'm saying is we can either help each other, and your life can get better. Or it can get much, much worse for you." Neji snickered.

"You can't, you can't do that!" She shouts somewhere between panic and hate.

"Ah, but I really can." Neji's voice was laced with false sweetness. Pulling out his phone again he dials a number, finger leering over the call button. "So, what's it going to be? Help both of us? Or do I need to call the police for you attempting to sell me drugs? Because let's face it, we both know there's drugs in here and they'll always believe me over someone like you." He looks her up and down with disgust and superiority.

She felt trapped, she adored the blond, but she was also angry at him. He wouldn't sleep with her anymore, but that pale teen she remembered meeting was all of a sudden better than her? She felt sick and terrified from this situation, but also betrayed by her friend. Her whole life has been a fight, she knew she wouldn't stand a chance against someone like Neji, and that pissed her off even more. She had no other options though, it was either Naruto or her, and she learned she had to look out for herself first.

"Fine, I'll do it." She barely whispered.

Neji exits the pending call, smirking triumphantly. "Excellent choice, Izuki."


The next morning Sasuke woke up to his alarm and a blown up group chat.

Neji:

Check your emails.

Sakura:

Disgusting. And he called me a slut?

Sai:

Well you kind of are.

Sakura:

Am not! Pervert!

Sai:

That's not the census around school.

Sakura:

You're dead.

Neji:

Stop antagonising her Sai.

Ino:

Holy shit, who knew he could get around like forehead?

Sakura:

At least my name doesn't have anything to do with swine!

Ino:

Oh please, at least my parents didn't give me a name to distract everyone from a giant forehead!

Neji:

ENOUGH!

If you're going to fight, do it on your own.

Shino:

Finally something I can agree with.

Sakura:

But!

Ino:

But

Neji:

Nope, enough.

Sasuke groaned, it was way too early to deal with them. He was curious about this email though. Who was almost as slutty as Sakura? Opening his emails he noticed one that somehow came from himself? 'Odd..'

Sasuke was not ready to see his boyfriend in a variety of compromising positions with a dozen different people. Immediately he felt a sense of anger and jealousy. Seeing his boyfriend with all these people he realised just how little experience he had. How could he ever compare? This left him feeling very inadequate, and admitting that to himself ultimately hurt his pride.

The one saving grace was that he didn't know any of these people, so at least he wouldn't have to face any of them except Naruto. Sasuke knew he should have stopped, after all he knew the blond had experience, he'd never lied about it, but there was something different about seeing it for yourself. Just before he was about to exit the email he saw it.

'No! Not that fucking clingy...no wonder she's all over him.' Sasuke was disgusted and horrified at the picture of a certain clingy redhead making out with his boyfriend against some clunky old car. Sasuke could look past all the other pictures, but this one did something to him. He wasn't sure why this bothered him more than the others, but somehow meeting this girl and seeing how she acted, Sasuke felt sick knowing Naruto could fool around with such a person. How could Naruto want to stick his dick in that?

Another question was posed, who sent him these images? That's when he realised that if he received this email who else did? Panicking, he quickly looked through all the recent news feeds. 'Phew, nothing there.' He allows himself to feel grateful for a moment. At least Itachi doesn't have another mess to clean up.

What was he going to do? The logical part of his brain knew that he didn't really have a reason to be mad, but he was, he was furious. Sasuke didn't know if he wanted to talk to the blond or straight up ignore him until he calmed down. Just then a text came through.

Dobe:

Hey, Shika texted me about some email. I just wanted to know if you're okay?

Sasuke:

I don't know, you try seeing for your own eyes just how slutty your boyfriend is and tell me if you'd be okay.

Dobe:

Wow.

Really, you're calling me a slut now?

Sasuke:

What else do you call a person that sleeps with dozens of people?

Sasuke's phone began to ring. Hesitantly he picks up. "What?!"

An empty sound Naruto was on the other end. "Really? "What?!" That's how it's going to be?"

"Yeah, well...you try seeing your boyfriend with a dozen different people, then tell me how you feel." Sasuke spit back.

"I'd be fine, as long as it was before we were together." Naruto angrily defended.

"Oh I'm sure. I bet you even stuck your dick in that clingy redhead whore!" Sasuke gritted out, he was pissed.

"You're acting like I lied to you. I never lied to you Sasuke!" Naruto delivered just as heated. He couldn't change his past.

"Yeah, well, you certainly didn't tell me everything. For all I know you were never working, maybe you were out fucking the population of Konoha!" Sasuke's voice was dangerously low. He just couldn't get the image of that fucking redhead with his Naruto!

"How could you ever think I'd chea-"

Sasuke hung up, he was too angry to have a conversation right now. Did he know he was being unfair? Of course he did. Did that make him feel like he was in the wrong? Nope, he was too livid to listen to reason right now.

One ignored call, two ignored calls and Sasuke still refused to answer. A text came through immediately after the second ignored call.

Dobe:

I get you're upset, but I'd never cheat.

Can we please just talk about this?

For the first time since they met, Sasuke ignored the blond. He didn't know if he could talk to him without saying something he'd truly regret. He already felt bad for calling him a slut, but his pride cheered him on, telling him it was in his right.

Sasuke could feel his old, guarded self coming back. Was the only reason Naruto told him he wanted to wait, to lure him into thinking he cared? It really got him thinking, what if Neji was right all along? Naruto wouldn't really cheat on him right? But that little seed of doubt had already been planted and nurtured by the Hyuga.

Sasuke absently drifted through his morning. Itachi wasn't home which was good for two reasons. One, he wasn't there to pry into Sasuke's brooding and two, it proved that he had no damage control to do. If something like this got out, Itachi would have been home, warning his brother of their next several moves.

Before long Sasuke was parked at school, not early for a change. He really didn't want to see the blond today, but all the school he'd already missed prevented him from skipping. By the time Sasuke had coaxed himself out of his car and inside, the warning bell was sounding. It was strange, he was used to being stared at and talked about, but everyone seemed to be occupied.

As soon as Sasuke opened the door that leads into the English pod an abundance of chatter could be heard. The closer he got, the clearer he could hear the voices of two irritating females.

Sasuke walked into class just as Sakura snickered. "And you called me a slut?"

Naruto just kept his head down, ignoring everything taunted his way.

"Come on Sakura, leave him alone." Shikamaru stepped in, his friend just got back to school, it wasn't fair for him to be thrown to the wolves again.

"But out Nara, this doesn't concern you." Ino snaps back, her face far too pleased with herself.

Shikamaru straightened himself. "Now you wa-"

Naruto stops him, never raising his head. "Leave it Shika. It's not with it."

Nara frowns. "But Naruto-"

"Don't worry about it, too troublesome, yeah?" Naruto looks up, sending the Nara a forced smile. Noticing Sasuke standing in the doorway, everyone turns towards the raven. Noticing Sasuke avoiding his gaze, Naruto takes the time to rest his head down again.

'So much for flying under the radar today.' Sasuke mused as the final bell rang.

In half a second, both females are clamped onto him, one on each arm. "I'm so sorry you had to find out about him this way, Sasuke-kun!" Sakura fake pouts, pushing her chest into his arm.

"We tried to tell you." Ino clumsily twirls her bangs around her finger, failing at flirtation.

Sasuke grumbles, pulling his arms away. "Just let go of me!"

"But Sasuke-" Both females begin.

"No!" Sasuke cuts them off, not in the mood for their loud shrieking voices. Quickly he turns to address the room full of eyes that are on him with a glare. "And all of you, stop fucking looking at me!" He growled.

That one snap was all it took for everyone to quickly avert their eyes. Sasuke sighed internally as he stalked over to his desk. Naruto didn't look up at him, didn't speak to him, he didn't so much as twitch. Sasuke was both relieved and irritated. He didn't want to be here beside the blond, but now that he's sitting there Sasuke was pissed that he was seemingly being the one ignored. That was unacceptable, he wasn't the one sticking his dick in everything that moved!

Sakura walked over, standing in front of the two teens and sneered at the blond. "So Naruto, you gonna to tell Sasuke how much of a whore you are?"

Nothing.

"Come on, speak up, everyone's already seen the pictures by now." She taunted.

Still nothing.

Sakura looks at Sasuke with a maddening grin. "What do you think of him not defending himself, Sasuke-kun?"

"Leave him out of this Sakura." Naruto warns, finally speaking up. Turns out bringing Sasuke into the mix was his limit.

"Don't you think it's a little late to leave me out of it?" Sasuke spit out before he even committed to speaking.

Naruto snorts sardonically. "Oh now you're going to speak to me?"

"Hn." Sasuke grunts, he didn't mean to speak in the first place. Nothing good could come of them speaking right now. Now if only he could get his emotional teenage brain to agree.

"Hn," "that's all you're going to say?" Naruto asks phlegmatically.

"Shut it slut, leave Sasuke-kun alone!" Sakura yapped.

Sasuke shot the female a glare. "Sakura just go, I don't need you speaking for me."

"Hmph, fine. I only hope you don't catch something sitting next to him." The female pouts and storms away.

"You ready to talk yet?" Naruto mumbles.

"Am I ready to talk to the town's bicycle? Hm let me think about it and I'll get back to you." The raven hisses.

"Excuse me?!" Naruto whips his head up, glaring at the raven.

"You. Heard. Me." Sasuke glowered frigidly. "Were you even actually working all those times? Or just fucking that redheaded bimbo?'

'Fuck, shut up Sasuke, what are you doing?' Sasuke chastised himself.

No matter how much he tried he couldn't shut up. "You know, now it all makes perfect sense why you always just took her shifts, no questions asked. You've been fucking her the whole time."

That final jab sent Naruto's body trembling with anger, betrayal and hurt. "Wow, and here I thought you weren't like everybody else. I thought you knew I'd never lie to you, Guess I was the fool."

"Oh sure, play the fucking victim!" Sasuke shouts under his breath. He knew he was being a bastard right now, but he didn't care, his pride was getting the best of him.

Naruto's laughs pitifully. "The victim? The fucking victim? I don't know if you've noticed but this isn't the first time I've been publicly humiliated! Do I not deserve the same rights and privacy as everyone else? I mean for fucks sakes Sasuke I just got reinstated to school yesterday. Do I not deserve a fucking break? When is it enough huh?"

Sasuke was dying inside, he wanted to apologise, he wanted to bring the blond into his arms, but the petty part of him wouldn't allow it. "Tch, couldn't have had too hard of a time if you've managed to fuck half the town. Tell me, do I need to get tested?"

Naruto's face fell, his eyes emptier than Sasuke had ever seen them "You know what? Fuck you Sasuke." Naruto stands up, kicking his chair back and storms out of the class, never looking back at the deadly silent class that was trying to figure out what the hell they'd just witnessed.

'Fuck, what did I just do?' Sasuke mentally panics. How could he have been such a fucking asshole? So caught up in how insecure the photos made him feel, he didn't even think about everything Naruto's been through over the last year. His mouth just wouldn't shut up, it's like his pride needed to dish out more pain then he felt, to compensate for his own insecurities.

Realising everyone is still staring at him he quickly gives them his best glare. "Shows fucking over!" Once his glare worked it's magic he mumbled, "fucking vultures."

Naruto never came back to class, nor was he in any other classes. Shikamaru was also absent from math, though that was nothing new for the lazy genius. Sasuke only hoped that the brunette was with the blond. He was feeling terrible, Naruto had just come back to school yesterday and here he was chasing him off. He didn't know if skipping would invoke consequences.

By the time lunch came around, Sasuke was forced to sit with his group. All the false sympathies he was getting were making him sick. It was like they all really thought he'd believe their "I'm sorries" even though he knew how much they detested Naruto. What he wouldn't do to spend his lunch with the blond right now.

'Fuck.' he sighed.

Neji had been unusually quiet, but upon receiving a message he quickly looked over at Sasuke. "You need to come with me after school."

Sasuke raised an unimpressed eyebrow. "Why?"

"Because, I need you to meet someone." Neji said seriously.

"Whatever." The raven grumbled. All he wanted to do was go the fuck home an brood. He'd sulk, but Uchihas don't do that.


Naruto didn't care much about anything at the moment. He felt rather betrayed. This was why he didn't do relationships, too fucking stressful. Sasuke was supposed to be different, he was supposed to be on his side. But the moment something pops up he jumps on the blame Naruto bandwagon.

The bond knew that wasn't really the case, after all, he stuck with him throughout the whole expulsions debacle, but why couldn't he believe him now? Naruto never lied, he may have skirted around the truth a few times, but never lied.

Having Sasuke call him a slut, insinuating he cheated on him and possibly gave him some STD made him feel nauseous. If only he knew that his sexual escapades were all in hopes of reclaiming his body, but how could he ever tell him that? When he confided in him about his first time, that was the most open he'd ever been with anyone, he couldn't imagine saying any more.

How would that conversation go? "Oh hey, I've been raped and my dads sold my body because he hates me and the only way I can look at myself in the mirror is by choosing who else I sleep with." He could just imagine the look of disgust on the raven's face.

Naruto sighed, he really was just beginning to think he could love and be loved by Sasuke. Even now with how much he felt destroyed by his looks and words, he wanted to be cuddled up with him in his cosy bed right now. 'Pathetic.'

How was he supposed to go about this? Were they still together? Did Sasuke just need to calm down? Did Naruto even want to see Sasuke once he calmed down? What about Itachi? He had gotten so close with the older brother that something else ached when he realised he wouldn't just be losing Sasuke if they broke up, he'd be losing something akin to his own brother.

These were all thoughts going through Naruto's tormented mind as he swung on the old swing set. The blond didn't know how long he'd been there, but time seemed to merge as December's first snow began to gently fall. The cold white flakes softly swayed to the ground, melting as soon as they landed. The ground wasn't frozen enough for the crystalized water to remain.

Narutos jacket and beanie were getting wet, but he remained slightly swaying on the cold swing, oblivious to his approaching friend.

"Thought I'd find you here." Shikamaru gently stated.

Naruto looks up and nods but doesn't say a word.

"Are you okay?" The Nara goes against his better judgement and takes a seat on the adjacent swing. The rubber seat was wet, and the metal chains were freezing.

Naruto watched the flakes melt as they land on his denim lap, his face impassive. "I don't know Shika. I don't know how much more I can take."

Shika's face softens. "I'm sorry this shit always seems to happen to you."

"None of it's your fault Shika, you don't have anything to apologise for." Naruto turns to his friend, a sad smile barely pulling at his lips.

"Still, this shit shouldn't be happening." The genius huffs in frustration, more animated than ever.

"Maybe it's better this way. I always thought I'd be better alone anyways." Naruto shrugs.

Shikamaru hops off the swing and stands in front of his friend, stopping his swing. In an unusual display of affection, the Nara brings the blond into a tight embrace. "Naruto, you deserve happiness. You don't deserve to be alone, not now, not ever. We're going to get through this, with or without Uchiha, alright?"

Naruto slowly brings his arms up, wrapping them around his friend with matching strength. It ached the blond to picture his life without the feisty raven, but ultimately he had no control over it. "Alright."

After a moment the two teens pulled apart. "Now, what do you say we get out of this troublesome snow?"

"Sure." Naruto nodded. The weather didn't bother him, though he was pretty much a natural furnace. The same couldn't be said for his lazy companion.

The two ended up at a small pizzeria, it was tucked away like a little hidden gem. Choji was initially the one who found it and they'd been going there ever since. The other pizzerias in town could never compare. The smell was phenomenal, they made both their own mozzarella and tomato sauce in house, you couldn't get fresher in Konoha.

The owner Gino was a short bald man with a magnificently sculpted moustache. He was a man with a heavy Italian accent, and a face friendlier than a puppy. "Ah, Shikamaru, Naruto, it's been a long time! What can I get for you?"

The teens politely greet the man before placing their order. "Just the usual Gino, thanks."

"You got it. One large classic pie coming right up!" The man smiled brightly. "That will be about a twenty minute wait, can I get you something to drink in the meantime?"

Naruto looked at Shikamaru, who nodded like they were speaking telepathically, before turning back to the twirly moustache man. "Two iced teas, please."

"Of course, take a seat and I'll have Gina bring them over to you right away!" The man bids before walking off towards the back.

It wasn't quite mid day yet, so the place hadn't hit its lunch hour rush yet, rendering the restaurant rather quiet. The duo picked their usual table and waited for their drinks. They chatted idly about Naruto's tattoo and how work was going. They tried to keep it light.

Not even twenty minutes later their classic pizza was delivered. What more could a couple of growing teenagers boys ask for than the freshest cheese pizza they could get?

As they dug in, Shika finally asked, "so, you know who did it this time right?"

Naruto snorted, trying not to choke. Answering after he finally swallowed his mouthful of saucy, cheesy goodness. "Of course I know. Judging by your tone you do as well."

Stabbing the ice with his straw, Shikamaru smirked. "Of course I do. I know both of them."

Naruto's smirk mirrored the Nara's. "I'd expect nothing less from you. I'm guessing you have a plan?"

Shika looks momentarily stunned which is saying something for the slack faced teen. "You're not gonna object?"

Naruto shrugs. "Nah, what else do I have to lose?"

The lazy teen was quiet for a moment, taking in the words his friend just said. "Naruto, you-"

Naruto waved him off. "Yeah yeah, let's just hear this plan of yours."

Taking another gooey bite, Shika nods." Let's just say Sai's not as thorough as Neji thinks he is."


Sasuke was exiting the school, Naruto never showed up to PE either. The raven was starting to worry. He may have been pissed this morning, but he knows how seriously the blond takes his studies, and for him to just blow off the day, he knew his words must have hit him harder than he initially thought.

Outside leaning against his car was Neji. Sasuke had forgotten about agreeing to tag along with him.

"You ready?" Neji's flatly asked.

Sasuke shrugged. "Where are we going anyways?"

Neji was about to answer but his phone went off. "Give me a sec, this is them."

"Who?" Sasuke frowned as Neji walked away, answering his phone. Nobody ignores an Uchiha.

'Tch, some manners Hyuga.' Sasuke rolled his eyes, mentally grumbling.

Sasuke crossed his arms over his chest and tapped his foot impatiently. It was after school and they had no meeting today, he just wanted to get the fuck away from this building. Sasuke was ten seconds from saying "fuck it" and leaving the Hyuga behind.

Just as Sasuke's countdown ended, Neji came walking back over. "Okay, change of plans. I'm going to pick them up and meet you at your place."

"Who? I don't let strangers into my home." Sasuke scowled, not liking Neji a whole lot right now.

Neji rolled his eyes and huffed. "Just stop your broody grumbling and get a move on. Believe me, this is going to straighten everything out for you once and for all. Promise."

"What the fuck does that mean?" Sasuke scrutinised, his face skewed suspiciously.

"In all do time. Now go, scram." Neji uses his hands to mock shoo him.

Sasuke scoffs but leaves, the sooner he's away from school the better. Driving home, he needed some music to help soothe the irritation of the day. He wasn't sure how he felt when Wish You Were Here By Pink Floyd came on. The song was too mellow for him to read into it right now though.

Everything passes as sort of a blur to the raven, he could tell you he was home, but not when exactly he got there. Apparently this argument with Naruto was getting to him more than he cared to admit.

Engrossed in a book, it was around 5pm when Neji informed him that he's driving up to the manors gate. Immediately after, Izumo calls asking if he's expecting company. The man was used to Naruto coming and going now, but it was strange for the younger Uchiha to have other visitors.

Sasuke reluctantly admits that he was expecting Neji and whoever else is with him. The raven contemplated going down and meeting them, or calling Lana to bring them up for him. Feeling petty from Neji ignoring him earlier he decided on the latter.

After calling Lana, he informs her that she's to bring his company to his room. Five minutes later there's a knock on his door, accompanied by a muffled, "young master, your guests are here."

Sasuke scoffed and rolled his eyes. He really hated that the staff were so formal around guests. "Come in."

The door opens, but Sasuke doesn't look up from the book he's reading. "Neji." He greets.

"Sasuke." The Hyuga greets back.

"Hello." Said an awkward female voice.

Sasuke froze, before slowly looking up with a scowl. When he saw that red headed bimbo in his room he seethed. Of all the people this world could throw at him today, why was it her?

"What the fuck if she doing here?!" Sasuke snarled, tossing his book aside.

Neji throws his hands up in a show of surrender. "Calm down. She's seen the pictures and has something to tell you."

"How the fuck do you even know her?" Sasuke demanded, his anger boiling over.

"Izuki's who I get my party favours from." Neji's calmly stated.

Izuki elbows him in the side. "Mind not blabbering that around to everyone?!" She grumbled.

Sasuke snorted sarcastically. "Oh, that makes everything so much better."

"Listen, I get you don't like me. From the way you talk, I'm not too fond of you either." Izuki pouted, crossing her arms.

"Oh, how will I ever live with myself? A drug dealer doesn't like me? Boo hoo." Sasuke's sarcasm reaches a level he didn't knew he possessed.

"Listen prick, I'm here to let you know your little lover boy's been playing you." She finally shouted. She hated being talked down to.

Sasuke's face dropped. "You're lying."

"Let me tell you a little something about Naruto. He doesn't do relationships hunny. If he's convinced you you're in one, you better live off your looks because your brain's pretty fucking stupid." She smirked victoriously.

Neji takes a step back, watching his plan slowly unfold. The Hyuga was feeling like a master of the goddamn universe right now.

Sasuke is quick to put up his stoic mask. "You're lying. No way Naruto would lie to me."

"So then you knew about him fucking me last week?" She asked sweetly, trying to get under the raven's skin. She knew she was lying and that she should feel bad, but she still couldn't believe Naruto denied her for some trust fund prick.

That accusation snapped Sasuke's restraint. "YOU'RE FUCKING LYING!" He snarled, jumping towards and pointing a finger at the female.

Neji quickly jumps between them. "Sasuke, stop. She's not. She has videos."

"BULLSHIT!" Sasuke bellows. Right now he wasn't an Uchiha, he was just an emotionally hurt teenager.

"I'm not lying." Izuki barely whispers, refusing to make eye contact with the raven. "Naruto's always been pretty chill with me taking videos of us together as long as they're only for me."

"I don't believe it, where's your proof?" Sasuke snarled.

Izuki takes her phone out, quickly going through it she brings up a video she took using the mirror's reflection over the summer. It showed Naruto taking her from behind in the staff washroom. Having the decency to blush, she hands the phone to Sasuke. "This was last week at work."

Watching the video, something in Sasuke broke. At that moment he believed Naruto played him. Neji couldn't be more pleased with his plan coming to fruition.

"Is Itachi home?" Neji asked.

Not able to look away from the video, Sasuke shakes his head, quickly sending himself the video to use against the blond later. The raven's face was flat, not giving anything away. His eyes however told a different story. They showed a heart broken teenager.

"Good, because I'm taking her home then I'm coming back and we're drinking." Neji smirked.

Sasuke was about to protest, but Neji interrupted him. "I'm not taking no for an answer."

Feeling like his world just fell apart, Sasuke relented. After all, nothing seemed to matter anymore.


Naruto ended up going home after spending the afternoon with Shika. They discussed his plan briefly before dropping it in favour of ignoring everything and enjoying the day together.

Naruto spends his evening doing laundry. When he was going through his jean pockets he came across the drive from Shisui and he froze. 'So much for ignoring the day.' Naruto frowned.

Naruto stared at the drive for what felt like hours. Eventually he got up and went to his room. Plugging the drive into his laptop he adds the song to his files and listens to the song he wrote for Sasuke for the very first time.

Hearing the song was surreal. Sure he'd heard himself in videos from small concerts in the past but that wasn't the same as this. To have the privilege of writing something then recording every single part of it to then have it put together into a fully formulated song was truly otherworldly.

This wasn't a song for him though, it was for Sasuke. This was what he was going to give the raven over the holidays, but that felt like it wouldn't happen now. Some crazy part of the blonds brain told him he couldn't wait, that Sasuke needed to hear this now. Maybe if he heard it he'd understand just how much he cared for him.

Feeling resolute, Naruto threw his winter gear on and set out. His phone read 8pm as he put on Paranoid By Black Sabbath, making his way out into the cold December night.

Naruto was greeted by Izumo when he reached the gates, the man looked like he wanted to say something but couldn't. The guard tried to get a hold of Sasuke but couldn't. Knowing the blond fairly well now he was trusted even by Itachi so the man informed Lana to make sure the door was unlocked and opened the gate letting the teen through.

Naruto all but runs up the driveway, he was on a mission and now that he was in the home stretch he needed to see Sasuke ASAP. The door was unlocked but Lana was nowhere to be seen. Naruto shrugged it off, it wasn't unusual, she lived in the house as well and usually kept to herself unless needed.

Naruto toes off his shoes, placing them neatly on the rack before hanging up his jacket and scarf. He kept his beanie on because it was pretty much his security blanket in all situations.

Naruto quietly made his way through the house but stopped as he was closing in on Sasuke's room. There were unmistakable sounds that made Naruto's stomach drop. 'That explains the look on Izumo's face.'

Steeling himself, Naruto takes the last few steps until he's standing outside of Sasuke's door. Now he just had to decide if he actually wanted to enter or not. Naruto took one deep breath before trying the door. It was unlocked.

The image Naruto saw was one that will forever be ingrained into his memory. There was a very naked Sasuke plowing into another male who was bent over the raven's bed moaning shamelessly.

"Well there's a sight." Naruto calmly states.

Sasuke jumps back, pulling out of who Naruto now knows is Neji. Neji quickly rolls over, covering himself in Sasuke's duvet.

"Na-naruto." Sasuke stutters, looking like a deer trapped in the headlights, before the look of hate takes over his glazed over eyes. Naruto could tell from the sound of his voice and his eye gloss that he'd been drinking, though he clearly wasn't nearly as far gone as he'd been that one night months ago.

"Oh don't stop on my account. And to think, you said I was cheating." Naruto chuckled darkly.

Sasuke plopped down on his bed. "Oh that's rich coming from a man-whore like you!" He shouted, his voice held nothing but abhor.

There it was again. Sasuke calling him slurs. "At least I've never cheated, which is obviously a lot more than I can say for you." Naruto somehow managed to keep his voice from breaking.

"Fucking liar! You fucked that red head druggy last week!" Sasuke roared, his dick now flaccid.

"I don't know what bullshit that fucker has fed you." Naruto uses his chin to signal to Neji. "But I haven't slept with her since at least a week before we got together." Naruto said dangerously low. Like hell he was going to be called a cheater. Sure he's had a lot of partners, but he'd never cheat.

"Nice fucking try but she was here and showed me the video of you guys last fucking week!" Sasuke snarled. The raven wasn't nearly drunk enough for this conversation. It hurt so much to know Naruto cheated on him.

When Neji offered to try sleeping with him to see if he was truly gay or not. The wine made him believe it was a good idea, but sitting here naked beside him as he sobered up some, he's already regretting it. The thought of Naruto walking in on them never crossed his mind, but seeing the hurt and betrayal in his boyfriend's eyes hurt. Sasuke internally scoffed at himself for such feelings, after all Naruto did this to himself right?

"What fucking video?" The blond demanded. "I haven't slept with her in forever, Sasuke. You're acting pretty fucking stupid for a genius. genius" Naruto sneered. Of all the people, Sasuke was the last person he thought would betray him. He really felt foolish now.

Sasuke got up, pulled a pair of boxers on and grabbed his phone from his nightstand. Unlocking it and going through it he quickly sends the video to the blond.

Feeling his phone vibrating he opens the video that was sent to him. It was definitely from Izuki, he was going to kill her. How could she be in on this too? She promised him to delete this video, guess today has taught him to never trust anyone ever again.

Narutos voice quivers with rage. "This was in fucking August Sasuke."

The smug looking Neji finally spoke up. "Sasuke's not going to listen to a pathetic nobody like you anymore! Fucking cheater."

Naruto snorted at the brunette. "I wonder what Tenten's stance on cheating is Neji?"

Neji's face paled for a moment before he growled. "You know nothing, Uzumaki! Besides, this is about you!"

Naruto raised his eyebrow at him, unimpressed. "What can't-" He began but was quickly cut off.

"Enough! He's right, this is about you, not him. You got caught and you lied to my face!" The raven bit out, tossing his phone aside in favour of picking up the wine bottle and taking the last swig.

"You fucking moron. I trusted you so much. I trusted you more than anybody!" The blond shouted in a hushed tone. Taking a deep breath Naruto locks his lifeless eyes with Sasuke's. "Guess I was right about you in the beginning huh? You really are just like all the others."

Before Sasuke could register what happened he had launched the wine bottle, hurling it at the blond's face. Naruto didn't flinch as the bottle broke across his face, gashing a vertical line above his left eye. Within seconds blood began to seep from the wound, Naruto simply closed his left eye.

Even Neji was silent, he couldn't believe Sasuke just threw a wine bottle at the blond's face. Sasuke stood there like a statue, it was like he was seeing life through someone else's eyes. He never meant to physically hurt the blond.

"See, just like everybody else." Naruto whispered as the last shred of emotion seeped from his face.

Knowing the things Naruto had been through, it stung Sasuke to the very core to be referred to as everybody else. When Sasuke hurts, he lashes out making sure to deliver blow for blow. "Fuck you Uzumaki! Go fuck yourself and your whores. Go back to your stock boy life. You think you'll ever be something?"

'NO, SHUT UP! SHUT UP!' Sasuke mentally fought himself, but he couldn't stop the venomous words from pouring out.

"You're nothing! You never were and you never will be. So just fuck off and stay out of my life! I don't want to fucking hear or see your lying, cheating ass ever again!" Sasuke was angrily panting by the time he finished shouting. He wanted to curl up into a ball and wake up with this all just being a really bad dream.

That was it, that was exactly Naruto's breaking point. Naruto looked down at the floor, holding his sweater up to his face to stop blood from leaking everywhere. "Is that what you really want? Me gone?" He asked flatly.

'NO!' Sasuke screamed in his head.

"Yes." Is what came from his mouth.

Neji was ecstatic, Naruto catching them was purely by chance, but it put the perfect cherry on top of his scheme. It was even better than he could have planned.

Naruto let out a defeated breath and turned away, his back to Sasuke as he dug something out of his pocket. "Very well. Goodbye Uchiha." Naruto tossed the drive on Sasuke's desk and calmly left the room. He'd never set foot in there again.

'Nononono, go after him! Don't stand here, go fucking after him!' Sasuke chanted in his head, but his body wouldn't move, he just stared at the drive that was tossed on his desk.

Still wrapped in the duvet, Neji stands and puts an arm around Sasuke. "It's okay, you'll get through this. You're Sasuke fucking Uchiha."

"Hn. I think you should leave."


As soon as Naruto exited the room, he picked up his pace. If he was to never see this place again, he wanted to get out as quickly as possible. Naruto didn't want to think about running into Itachi right now either, you never knew when or where he'd pop up. The thought would have made Naruto chuckle if he wasn't dying inside.

When he reached the front door he finally realised just how badly his head was bleeding. He was both physically and emotionally numb right now and had no sure way of knowing how badly he was hurt. He knew from experience that facial and head wounds tend to bleed like a bitch regardless of their severity so the blood really gave no indication. Holding his sleeve above his left eyebrow he chanced opening his left eye. 'Good I can still see.'

As soon as he put his gear on he was out the door. It was now past 9pm, Naruto could tell because the guard on duty was now Tenzo. A wave of sorrow washed over the blond. That information was now useless to him.

Naruto pulled down his beanie, and wrapped his scarf around his face like a mummy. He hoped with it being night time, it was enough to cover up the blood. Luckily Tenzo was engrossed in some wooden furniture magazine and didn't pay him too much mind. Naruto was both elated and doleful. His last conversation with the man was a series of grunts and waves, it was hardly memorable.

Naruto walked around for a while, he ended up wadding his scarf up and using it as a makeshift bandage. The blond was in no hurry to go home, even if there was a first aid kit there. His phone was useful to see the damage the kamikaze wine bottle caused his head. It wasn't a little gash, but luckily it missed his eye. It was definitely going to leave a scar. Lucky him, a permanent reminder of Sasuke and their downfall every time he looks at his goddamn reflection.

By the time Naruto got home he felt a sense of dread. All the walking hadn't done anything to calm his nerves or his soul down. And fuck, he still had laundry to do. Naruto takes his keys out and unlocks the door, debating on finishing laundry now or tomorrow.

As Naruto enters the house he hears a click and then the pressure of a cold metal barrel against his temple. "Welcome home. Now get in and shut up."