"We still have a few minutes before second period starts," Naruto began once the intimate kiss was over. "Do you want to talk a bit?"

Sasuke understood the moment Naruto glanced at his arm. He nodded before heading to the bleacher's making his way to the top.

Naruto followed closely behind him, shoving his hands casually into his jean pockets. "So where should we start?" He looked at the raven who sat in the row above him.

"The bruises," Sasuje quickly spoke up, not wanting to beat around the bush. "They've been happening for as long as I can remember. What's happening?"

Naruto let out a sigh. "Well, as you know, my dad was abusive and then when I went into the foster system, a lot of the homes I was at were abusive too.

But then I was placed in a group home where I was just constantly after getting beaten up or starting fights to let out frustration." He let out a sigh before giving Sasuke a nervous smile. "What about your cuts?"

Sasuke rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, I started that once my mom's health began to go downhill." He shook his head. "I don't remember exactly why I went to that but it eventually became a distraction from how alone I felt."

The boys were silent before Naruto stood up. Sasuke raised an eyebrow in question but was then surprised when the blonde leaned down and wrapped his arms around his neck. Sasuke slowly embraced back, encircling Naruto's waist.

"And now you don't have to feel alone, you got me." Naruto lowered himself onto the raven's lap, staring at him with half-lidded eyes. He closed the distance between them, pressing their lips together. Just as Sasuke began to kiss back, Naruto slowly pulled away, causing the raven's eyebrows to furrow. Naruto rested his forehead against the raven's and gave him a smile. "And I'm not going to let you feel alone, so sorry to say, you're stuck with me." His grin grew wider.

Sasuke rolled his eyes and chuckled. "I don't think I'd want it any other way."

Naruto reluctantly stood up and held out his hand for the raven. "Come on, let's go back before the bell rings . I just know Kiba's gonna be bothering us about where we've been."

Sasuke grabbed onto the blonde's hand and pulled himself up. "Yeah. Sounds like Kiba. Let's go." He gasped Naruto's hand tighter and led them down the bleachers and back to the school building.

The two walked through the halls, hand in hand. Many people stopped to stare at the couple who were both confident, Sasuke smirking while Naruto sported a large, toothy grin.

They reached their next class where Kiba and Neji were already sitting in their usual seats.

"Hey!" Kiba shouted once he spotted them. "Where were you guys?! I didn't do the math h-," he stopped midsentence as they stood in front of them. He stared at their interlocking hands. "Why are you guys holding hands?"

Neji rolled his eyes and let out an exaggerated sigh. "Are you really this dense, Kiba?"

Kiba threw him a glare. He looked back at Naruto and Sasuke who were also giving him looks of disbelief. "Did you guys also get in a fight? You both have black eyes too."

"Oh my god." Naruto groaned, pulling his hair with both hands, Sasuke giving him a sympathetic look. "We're soulmates, dumbass!"

"You're what?" Kiba gave them a confused look before looking to Neji who shook his head and muttered an 'idiot' under his breath. He looked to Naruto. "So all this time you were being;" he trailed off.

Naruto shook his head. "Mostly fights. Especially nowadays."

Kiba studied him carefully before giving him a toothy grin. "At least we finally found Sasuke's mystery girl, and she's a fighter!" He snickered as Naruto let out a growl.

"I'm not a girl, dog breath!"

"Oh yeah?"

Neji and Sasuke both rolled their eyes at the pairs bidding.

"I'll prove it to you right now, mutt face!"

"Alright, let's see it then, fox boy!"

Sasuke glared at Kiba before reaching for Nauto's arm and pulling him possessively to his side. "Not a chance. Sit down, Naruto."

Neji snickered at the dumbfounded, but slightly terrified look on Kiba's face.

Naruto reluctantly obeyed, mumbling as he sat down. The raven shot him an annoyed look as the phrase 'possessive bastard' came out of the blonde's mouth. "Just stating facts!" He gave Sasuke a bright grin as all he could do was shake his head.

"Naruto?"

The blonde looked up from his painting to see Sakura standing beside him. He sat up straighter, putting down his brush and giving the pinkette his full attention. He coughed lightly clearing his throat. "Hey Sakura."

She furrowed her eyebrows at him, carefully mapping his face. "I heard you and Sasuke have been holding hands all day today."

Naruto tilted his head, waiting for her to continue. He let out a nervous chuckle when it seemed clear that she wasn't going to say more. "Uh, yeah. We were "

Her frown only seemed to deepen. "Why?"

Naruto was slightly taken aback by the question. "What do you mean, why? I would think it'd be obvious why."

Sakura's gaze got dark as she heatedly glared at the blonde. "No. No it's not obvious, when just the other day you asked me out on a date. Are you trying to make me jealous for getting back at me for using you to make Sasuke jealous? Because your plan isn't going to work."

Naruto looked at her with disbelief before letting out a scoff. "Man, I wished I listened to the guys about you sooner. For your information, Sakura, not everything revolves around you. I wasn't thinking about you at all when I found out Sasuke was my soulmate."

"Soulmate?" She looked at him, her eyes widened in shock. After a moment, her eyes narrowed and her mouth curled in disgust. "There's no way in hell you're Sasuke's soulmate. He deserves so much better than you. You know what kind of hell you put Sasuke in with all those bruises? I knew it had to be some brute! Sasuke deserves the gentle touch of a woman!"

Naruto watched with a frown as Sakura's anger ran down her face with tears. He watched as she panted heavily after yelling. He continued to watch as she let out a frustrated cry and ran out of the art room.

The room of students looked at him, waiting for his reaction.

He gave them a large grin. "Good thing my soulmate ended up being a guy and I don't have to deal with that."

The class erupted with laughs and giggle and Naruto let out a breath of relief as the tension left the room. He shook his head and continued his painting.

After saying his goodbyes to Kiba and Neji, Naruto walked with Sasuke to his bus.

Sasuke chuckled. "I want to hear about that argument you had with Sakura, it sounds hilarious."

Naruto gave him a childish pout and stopped in front of Sasuke's bus. He crossed his arms over his chest and stomped. "It wasn't funny. It was embarrassing."

"Whatever you say." Sasuke chuckled again before leaning down and placing a chaste kiss on the blonde's lips.

Naruto turned bright pink at the public display. Sasuke smirked at him as he pulled away. "Talk to you later." The raven gave a wave as he climbed onto the bus.

"B-bye!" Naruto quickly shouted after him. He shook his head before letting out a shaky breath and making his way back into the school.

He began to make his way to Iruka's classroom and he couldn't help but smile the entire way.

"Hey Naruto, you look to be in a good mood today." Iruka commented as Naruto walked in the door.

Naruto threw his bag onto seat of the desk next to the one that Kakashi was occupying. He jumped onto the desk, letting his legs dangle freely. "Yeah, I have some news to tell you!"

"That's perfect because we have some news as well, kiddo." Kakashi gave him a smile.

Naruto's curiosity was piqued and he looked at Kakashi, with excitement. "Really?"

Iruka chuckled. "Yes, but we want to hear yours first."

"Okay." The blonde nodded, not being able to contain his excitement anymore. "Today I found out that Sasuke and I are soulmates."

Iruka's eyes widened considerably. "Really?"

"Mhm!" Naruto nodded.

"I always thought Sasuke might've been gay." Kakashi inquired as he got up from the desk.

"That's what I said!" Naruto grinned.

"I'm so happy for you!" Iruka smiled proudly. Kakashi wrapped his arm around Iruka's shoulder. "Congratulations on finding him."

"Thanks." Naruto scratched at his cheek. "So what's your news?"

Kakashi and Iruka gave each other a look before smiling back at him. "We're going to officially adopt you!" They said in unison.

Naruto's eyes widened in shock and hope. "Wait, really?"

Both of them nodded. "We have a court date to go to make it official." Kakashi stood up from leaning on the desk to walk over to Naruto, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Welcome to the family."

Naruto felt tears sting his eyes and he wiped at them with the back of his hand.

Iruka stood up abruptly, clapping his hands together. "Let's celebrate! Why don't you ask Sasuke and his brother if they want to join us in going out to dinner?"

Naruto grinned brightly at them. "Alright, sounds like a plan!"

Sasuke smiled to himself as he hung up the phone and pulled out his keys to the house.

As soon as he got off the bus, his phone rang with Naruto's number appearing on the screen. The blonde excitedly told the news of his adoption and he couldn't help but to smile. Naruto then asked if he and his brother would join them for a celebratory dinner. Sasuke agreed and told him he'd confirm whether Itachi would join them.

He unlocked the front door and made his way up the stairs and towards his mother's room.

As he entered the doorway, he stood frozen as he was looking at his mother sitting up right in her bed. "Mom?"

She turned to look at him and she gave him a smile. "Sasuke."

"You're sitting up?" Sasuke scrambled to grab the chair to sit beside her.

She nodded her head. "The nurse helped me sit up and I've been feeling good all day."

"Really? No going out of consciousness? No loss of time?"

Mikoto giggled and gently placed her hand on Sasuke's knee. "Nope. I've been lucid all day. But enough about me, how was your day?"

Sasuke smiled at her and placed his own hand on top of hers. "I found my soulmate today."

Mikoto gasped in shock. "Oh really? I'm so happy for you, Sasuke!"

Sasuke's cheeks tinted a light pink. "Thanks. I'm really happy too."

"So, who is it?" She gave him a curious look.

"It's actually Naruto."

Mikoto's eyes widened before her smile grew wide, her eyes glittering with happiness. "Oh, Naruto? He's such a warm soul. You two will be happy together, I'm sure."

"I was actually shocked at how relieved I was that it was him and not some random girl." Sasuke began to admit his feelings. "And everything seemed to make more sense. I easily befriended him, and brought him here, Kiba and Neji haven't been to my house until years after I met them. I just trust him." He looked up at her to see her watching him, a knowing look on her face.

"I could tell he was doing you good. Since you've met him, you seem to have more life to you. He brings out the best of you and you bring it the best in him."

He nodded his head.

There was a comfortable silence settling between them. Until his mother's demeanor seemed to take on a more somber tone. "I do want to ask though, Sasuke," she spoke up, breaking the silence.

Sasuke sat up straighter, giving her his full attention.

She looked at him with concern. "Is he safe?"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow in confusion until her words clicked in his head. "Yeah, he's safe now."

She let out a breath of relief. "Good. I'm glad. Now," she fidgeted in bed before looking at him and smirking. "Tell me all about how you found out you two were soulmates."

Sasuke began to tell her the story, leaving out the details of his cutting that he didn't want to worry her with.

They continued chatting, losing track of time. Neither of them heard the sound of approaching footsteps.

"Sasuke," Itachi's voice called out from the hall.

Both Mikoto and Sasuke directed their gaze to the door, waiting for Itachi to appear.

"I'm thinking take-out for dinner. What about y-" He stopped as he finally reached the doorway. The two pairs of eyes watched him carefully. "M-mom?"

Mikoto smiled at her oldest son. "Itachi."

The older raven was taken aback, surprised to hear the voice of his mother after all this time.

Sasuke scoffed. "I told you she was getting better." He crossed his arms over his chest.

Itachi stepped further into the room. He stood behind Sasuke and leaned against the back of the chair. "But how?"

"Sheer willpower." Mikoto proudly stuck out her chest.

Itachi finally allowed himself to believe that his mother was finally better. He let out a relieved laugh. "I'm so glad you're better, mom." He stepped up to the bed and leaned down, kissing the top of her head.

"And we can go celebrate with my soulmate." Sasuke spoke up.

Itachi quickly turned his head to look at him. "Your soulmate?"

"Yeah. I found out today."

"Who is it?"

"Naruto."

"Ah." Itachi smirked as he stood up straight. "So that's why you two seemed so close already."

"He's going to be adopted by Iruka and Kakashi, and they invited us to dinner. Do you want to go?"

"Of course. I have to get on Naruto's good side before he teams up with you to make my life miserable." Itachi chuckled as Sasuke rolled his eyes and sucked his teeth.

"You'll come too, right mom?" Both Sasuke and Itachi looked at her with hope.

She nodded. "It'd be my pleasure."

Naruto looked up abruptly from his menu at the sound of the restaurant door opening. He frowned in disappointment as an unfamiliar family walked in.

"Somebody's nervous." Kakashi teased the blonde.

Naruto blushed under the accusation. "I'm not nervous!"

The door opened once again and Naruto quickly turned to look.

Iruka chuckled at the anxious blonde. "Don't be nervous, Naruto. Sasuke will be here soon.

Naruto sighed as he turned back in his seat. "I know." He went back to looking at the menu.

The sound of the door opening came once again, but this time, Naruto fought the urge to look.

Kakashi grinned mischievously as he recognized Sasuke and his family walking into the restaurant.

"Hey Naruto." Sasuke greeted as he walked up to the blonde's seat. "Hello, Mr. Hatake, Mr. Umino."

"Please Sasuke," Kakashi spoke up. "Outside of school, you can use our first names." Iruka nodded, confirming his words.

"Alright, Kakashi." Sasuke tested it out. "You guys met my brother, Itachi." Itachi slightly bowed. "And this is my mother, Mikoto."

"Nice to meet you, Mrs. Uchiha." Iruka greeted as he gestured to the seats at the table. "Please guys, have a seat."

The three Uchiha's sat down.

Sasuke reached for Naruto's hand under the table and gave it a light squeeze. Naruto turned to him and gave him a smile, Sasuke returning it.

The families talked and enjoyed their meals, getting to know more about each other.

As they were saying their goodbyes in the parking lot, Naruto and Sasuke stepped away to get some privacy.

"I'm really glad we got to do this tonight." Sasuke looked down at him with a smile.

"Me too." Naruto grinned back up. He reached for Sasuke's hands, swinging them lightly. "I'll see you tomorrow?"

Sasuke smirked. "Of course."

Naruto nodded once before leaning up to kiss the raven. He pulled away quickly and let go of his hands. "See ya!" He waved before running over to Iruka and Kakashi.

Sasuke chuckled and shook his head. He then made his way to Itachi and his mother. Tomorrow couldn't come soon enough.

oOooOooo

Hey guys, so if you couldn't already guess, this is the last chapter of Cuts & Bruises. I hope you all really enjoyed the story and I'm so glad you guys stuck around to see it through to the end. I was thinking of eventually doing a second book for this, but I would like to know if you guys would want more or not, let me know what you think.

Again, thank you so much for sticking through this story with me, the love and support means so much to me.

As always, if you liked it, please favorite and review!

~tachiequillsluv