Ages: Sasuke Uchiha - 18 / Sakura Haruno - 16 / Shikamaru Nara - 18 / Ino Yamanaka - 17 / Naruto Uzumaki - 17 / Hinata Hyuuga - 16 / Neji Hyuuga - 18 / Tenten Kaname - 18/ Suigetsu Hozuki - 17 / Karin Horiwa - 17.
Pairings:SasukeSakura / ShikamaruIno/ NarutoHinata / NejiTenten / SuigetsuKarin.
Summary: "I'm an alcoholic." "I'm a cutter." "I'm a drug addict." "I'm an abused child." "I'm an orphan." "I'm a victim of rape." "I am suicidal." "I am bulimic." "I have depression." "I'm bisexual." It was just High School. It was meant to be easy. But why is it this hard?
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Ten teens in high school. All have secrets. It's high school. Just high school. It should be easy, right? Then why is it this hard? SasuSaku, ShikaIno, NaruHina, NejiTen, SuiKari.
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Chapter Two. The Beginning.
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"Why?" Sasuke glared up at his mother.
Her black eyes were bloodshot, she had been crying for hours. Sasuke tried to pretend it didn't hurt him to know that he had cause his mother this pain.
But he couldn't seem to lie to himself.
"Because I love you, Sasuke! You need to do this. Please, for me." She was on her knees, begging her son to take the help he needed. She couldn't stand it if she lost him. Itachi had grown up too fast, she needed a son she could still talk to.
Sasuke wanted to say no, he really wanted to.
"Okay, mom." He looked at the ground, it was suddenly so interesting.
Her warm arms encircled his broad shoulders as she sobbed hysterically.
"Thank you, Sasuke! Thank you, thank you!"
He hugged his mother back slowly.
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"Your name is Sakura Haruno, correct?" The tall busty blonde asked the pink haired girl.
She was definately the cheerleader type. Her attire consisted of a grey tube top with an open black hoodie over it (a few sizes to big and obviously a males), faded blue denim mini skirt, and black open toe, strappy Jimmy Choos. Her make up was dark around the eyes.
"Yes. Who are you?" Sakura enquired.
"My name is Tsunade." Tsunade informed her, before handing her a piece of paper. "Now sign this."
Sakura quickly scanned the paper. "Who the fuck do you think you are?" She asked Tsunade calmly. Then something seemed to click in her head. "You're the woman who found me, right?" She let out a bitter laugh. "What a fucking cliche. You're a councilor? Great." The sarcasm was just dripping from her voice.
She could definately tell Sakura had the attitude of a cheerleader. Albeit, a little more dark.
"Sakura, sign the paper. I can and will make your life a living hell if you don't." Tsunade threatened, expecting the girl to be frightened. Instead, she was met by a laugh.
The pinkette had to admit, she now had a respect for the older woman. She knew what she wanted and didn't care what she had to do to achieve that goal. Threats involved or not.
"Thanks, but I don't need this." She handed the paper back to Tsunade, who gracefully swept the paper back.
"That's okay, pinky. You're rather light. It's very easy to just pick you up and carry you. You will be attending those sessions. With or without force. You're choice."
Sakura glared at the woman. While she was not happy with the circumstances, her respect was ever growing.
"Give me the damn pen."
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Shikamaru stared at the paper.
"Seriously?" He asked his father. Shikaku only sighed.
"Why didn't you come to me with this problem?"
Shikamaru just shrugged. "Too troublesome."
Shikaku glared, but nodded in understanding. Feelings were rather troublesome, after all.
"So, will you attend?" He asked his only son.
Shikamaru nodded. It would just be a big drag if he didn't. Then he'd have to fight his parents. It would take to much effort.
Signing his name on this paper was enough of an effort.
"I'm going to take a nap now."
"Alright, son. Thank you," He whispered the last part. But Shikamaru smiled a little anyway.
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"Ms Yamanaka, correct?"
"Y-yes." The blonde stuttered, shrinking further down in her hospital bed.
"My name is Shizune. I need to ask you a few questions, if you are feeling up to it, that is."
The woman seemed so nice, so calm. She had an aura about her that Ino liked. She found herself relaxing a little.
When Ino nodded, Shizune asked the first question.
Ino, having seen a lot of movies expected the first question to be dramatic. Maybe - Have you been raped? Or even - Did someone you know do this to you? Or just hit the nail on the head right away - Did your father do this to you?
"Are you in any pain? That bed looks awfully stiff." Shizune asked, concerned.
Ino couldn't help but smile and giggle a little.
"I'm fine, thank you." She smiled at Shizune, an indication for her to continue.
"Would you like a glass of water?" Ino smiled larger, she liked this woman. She wasn't straight to the point, but she liked her.
"It was my father, you know. You don't have to be afraid to ask. I have nothing but my life to lose."
Shizune's eyes became pained.
"You know, I had an abusive father when I was younger." She started, closing her eyes and sitting on the edge of the bed, near Ino's feet. "I was far too scared to tell anyone. I wish I had the bravery you did," She smiled at the young girl. Even with bandages and band aids around her body, Ino seemed stronger than Shizune - even now.
Ino could already tell, just with this small piece of information that Shizune was a level-headed woman. She looked like the type to stress heavily about things too.
"Tsunade-sama, she's the head of the hospital here, found me one day as I was wandering the streets. She just seemed to have this air about her that made me confess everything to her." Shizune admitted sheepishly. "Not to long after that, she started seeing my uncle Dan. They were together for four years. Then my father came back and killed him.
"Tsunade-sama never once hated me for being the daughter of the beast that killed her husband. She still held me close to her, and protected me with her life. So when my father died we... Well," Shizune sheepishly grinned. "We kinda had a small party. I know it sounds horrible -"
"No, I completely understand." Ino interrupted. "I would be the same way."
Shizune smiled brightly. "Then I would like to extend, to you, an invitation to stay with my for a while. It's better than foster care, or returning to your father."
Ino paused. Was Shizune serious? She had only been talking to her for a few minutes.
"I would also like you to see Tsunade. She runs this counseling group for teens that have been abused, or have an addiction. Generally just any problems. Please, will you attend?"
Ino didn't need to think twice.
"I'd love to."
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"Hey Naruto! Here's a bowl of pork ramen for ya!" Teuchi grinned, shoving the hot bowl in front of Naruto.
"Wow! Thanks Old Man!" Naruto grinned, snapping his chop sticks apart, about to dig in.
"Wait!" Teuchi grabbed Naruto's hand. Naruto, confused, looked between the ramen and the Old Man.
"What's the big deal! The ramen wants me to eat it! Don't you ramen? Oh, yes you do! Yes you do!"
Teuchi felt a sweat drop gathering on the side of his head. Sometimes he wondered about Naruto's sanity. I mean, he was baby-talking to ramen.
"Naruto..." Naruto's blue eyes immediately snapped up to face Teuchi. The Old Man was never this serious.
'Oh, man.' Naruto thought sadly. 'Todays the day he finally asks me to leave, huh?' "Right. It's okay, Teuchi. I understa-"
"Naruto, it's not what you think. I just want you to go see this woman a few times a week and talk about things..." Teuchi stated.
"Huh?" Naruto was confused. "You want me to see a shrink? What for?" He didn't need a shrink. He had no issues. Nope, none at all.
'Accept you don't have a family, and you're so alone that you cry almost every night and try to get away from all that pain.' He ignored the voice in his head and instead stared at the Old Man in even more confusion.
"It's not because I think you're insane, blondie. I just think it might be good for ya." He handed a slip of paper to the blonde. "So, you go to this, and you get free ramen, as much as you want, for as long as you go."
"Free ramen?" He asked in a daze, a little drool forming on his lips. "As much as I want?" Teuchi nodded. Naruto immediately brightened, smiling a thousand watt smile that practically lit up the whole ramen bar. "Well, sure I'll go Old Man! For ramen!" He cheered, digging into his ramen and downing it in seconds.
"Another plase!"
Teuchi started to regret his decision.
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"Hinata," Hiashi called, lightly knocking on the door. Hinata softly answered, allowing her father to enter her room. He walked to the edge of her bed, but seeing her flinch and shrug back as far as she could from him, he raised his palms in a silent gesture of meaning no harm and took slow steps backwards.
"S-sorry f-f-father." She stuttered. Ever since the 'incident', she had developed a stutter around men. Hanabi informed Hiashi when she and Hinata were alone, she did not stutter, but she didn't like to be touched either.
Hiashi closed his eyes, feeling his daughter's pain and so desperately wanting to murder the disgusting creature that violated his sweet, innocent Hinata.
"Hinata, I know you are in pain," He started. He tried to make eye contact, but she would keep her eyes firmly on the ground, not daring to steal a glance at any male. "I wish for you to talk to someone,"
She wanted to yell that she didn't need to talk to anyone. She didn't want to have to remember what had happened. She didn't want to relive her thoughts during the process. The pain was still so fresh in her mind. Deep in her heart, she knew her father would never hurt her. But she still didn't speak, in fear of being wrong and being punished.
She shuddered.
Hiashi felt another stab pierce his chest. Maybe if he hadn't been so lenient, letting his children out so late at night, this would have all been avoided. Hinata wouldn't be tramutized. He fisted his hands in anger, but kept his face calm. He didn't want to give Hinata more of a reason to hate him.
"I'll leave this slip of paper on your desk, all you need to do is sign it. Please, give it some thought." He placed the paper down gently before walking to the door. "Goodnight, Hinata."
He closed the door gently, walking down the long hallway.
Slowly, Hinata crept out of bed to inspect the form.
"Maybe it will help." She told herself, signing on the dotted line.
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Neji stared at the paper.
First of all, Hiashi took him away from his happiness. Second, he asks him to get 'help'. Then, he informs him that it will be group sessions and he would have to share his experiences with 'people like him'.
Pfft, as if there were people like him.
All he wanted to do was die.
Was that so hard?
Why did Hiashi have to make it seem like such a big deal?
"Neji," Hiashi's voice was stern. He had to be tough. Be strong. Being so nice was what got Hinata hurt in the first place. "You will be attending these sessions. If not for your sake, I ask that you go to protect Hinata."
Neji's pearl eyes widened a fraction. Hiashi had informed him of Hinata before this conversation started. He felt the same hate, hurt and sorrow that Hiashi did. He wanted to rip the lungs forcefully out of whatever filth violated his young cousin.
More than a cousin. She was almost his sister. He felt that protectiveness you would over a sibling.
For Hinata's sake, rather than his own, he signed his name in a neat print on the line.
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"I don't need help!" Tenten screamed at her family.
They all just ambushed her when she was about to do her usual binge-purge cycle.
"Tenten, please!" Tsunami pleaded with her only daughter. "This needs to stop!" She clutched at her heart, as if she were in physical pain. Ikuto, wrapped his arm around his mother's shoulders in comfort. In return, she turned herself and sobbed into him.
Tekushi folded his hands on his legs, his head hung low.
He couldn't help but think some of this was his fault. He would tease her and tickle her, calling her pet-names like 'monkey' or 'little-piggy' whenever she blushed. He sorely regretted it now, but then he thought she knew it was a joke.
"If I hadn't given you all those stupid magazine!" Tsuname wailed. She had a friend who was an editor of one of the leading magazine companies and would often bring Tenten home a magazine before it was released.
"Mom, it's not your fault." Ikuto tried to reassure her. He then looked at Tenten, his voice soft yet his eyes hard. "Just do it, Tenny. Look at what you're putting mom and dad through. They're hurting because you're hurting. They think it's them doing the wrong." He pleaded.
Tenten looked around. Her mothers face was completely hidden, her hands pulled up to cover it as she sobbed loudly, choking and sputtering a few times. Ikuto smoothed her hair, but she would continue shaking with the loudness of her sobs.
She turned her gaze to her father.
He wasn't crying, but his expression tore her apart. His eyes were closed, his brow furrowed and countless wrinkles formed around his forehead, showing how stressful the situation was to him. He usually had such a youthful expression. He was shaking, and now Tenten could see clearly; he was crying. Tears leaked from his closed eyes, but he did not sob.
He tried to control himself.
"I'll do it," She croaked, surprised to find that she herself was crying too. "I'll get help."
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"Maybe it's for the best," Suigetsu told himself, fidgeting with the blue ink pen in his hand. "Maybe it'll just make things worse.."
He made a mental pro's and con's list.
Pro: His mother would be happy he was talking about it.
Con: He would have to remember it.
Pro: Someone might actually understand his pain and guide him through it.
Con: He would have to remember it.
Pro: He wouldn't be cooped up in his room brooding all day, everyday.
Con: He would still have to remember it.
He sighed, when it all boiled down, the only thing stopping him was his fear.
"Maybe I'll go for a couple of sessions..." He signed part of his name before pausing. "No, I can't do this." He was about to cross his name out, but something made him stop.
You need this, his mind told him.
He unconsciously signed the rest of his name.
"I need this."
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Karin had already signed the paper. She didn't think she needed help. Or whatever the fuck this was.
But she steeled herself.
"Stupid fucking parents," She hissed. "Stupid fucking me for needing said stupid fucking parents." And she said she was so tough. She didn't need other's. She was such a fucking hypocrite.
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Sakura Haruno strutted down the halls of the high school. Her black mini skirt was several inches above her knees, a dark purple tank top with black words scribbled all over it clung to her like a second skin. She has a mini leather jacket over her, covering her arms, but stopping half way down her ribcage.
Her make up was perfectly applied. Her green eyes surrounded in black, her pale skin practically glowing with not a blemish in sight. Her black high heels took her up about 5 inches, but she was still short in comparrison to the people she was with.
Tayuya, her older senior sister was to her left. Her pinky-red hair long and bouncing with every step she took. She was dressed in blue skinny jeans and a grey singlet, showing every curve. Holding her head high, she still towered over her younger, smaller sister, even in flats.
Ami on her right, her short purple hair barely grazing her shoulders naturally spiking out. Brown eyes sparkling as she looked around for someone to torment. She wore a pink halter top, stopping just above her pierced belly button, and faded out skinny jeans.
They walked like they owned the school, and in a way, they did. It was the cliche 'Everyone wants to be me or be with me' scene.
Tayuya raised her chin, walking with even more confidence. Sakura, seeing her sister's behaviour, straightened her posture, pushing her shoulders back and her chest out, she walked with the grace of royalty.
Ever since their mother's death, Sakura was always trying to be like Tayuya. She wanted to be like her, dress like her, talk and act and breathe like her. She needed someone to learn from, and Tayuya seemed to be that person.
"So, there's this seniors only party tonight, Saku. You coming?" Ami asked, nudging the shorter girl.
Sakura looked thoughtful for a moment before faking a smile. "Yeah. Definitely. Have you ever known m not to be there?" She laughed, causing Ami and Tayuya to laugh along with her.
"When I was your age, I could never get into senior-only parties." Ami pouted.
"That's because you weren't hot like Sakura. Not to mention the fact you were pretty much a prude." Tayuya sneered. She didn't really like Ami, but Ami seemed to want to live in Tayuya's shadow and be seen, so she followed her around everywhere, eventually befriending her little sister.
Ami's mouth set in a firm line, tears pricking at her eyes. "Hey, isn't that Kimimaro?" She asked as a distraction.
Tayuya's eyes lit up like a christmas tree, before she smiled widely. Sakura just continued staring ahead.
Kimimaro was a touchy subject for the two pinkettes. Sakura looked around frantically for a distraction. She almost cheered out loud when she saw Gaara's form standing next to that blonde boy with the whisker marks - what was his name again? She had talked to him before.
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Sasuke glared at Naruto. He laughed way too loud. And way too close to his ears.
"What was so funny, dobe?" Sasuke hissed. Naruto kept laughing, until he realized he had been insulted.
"Hey, teme! Shut the hell up! It was funny! Didn't you hear about Ami fucking a freshman? That's like rape, man!" He kept laughing.
Gaara looked to Sasuke, shifting his weight uncomfortably. "Well," He started to say but was cut off by a small hand tapping his arm. He reeled around, ready to strike whoever just touched him.
His fist was inches away from Sakura's face.
Sasuke and Naruto's eyes were wide. Naruto was already starting to yell. "Gaara! Gaar-"
Sakura stayed completely still before looking up into Gaara's teal eyes. He could read her own emerald so well.
'It's happening, again.'
He could communicate with his own too. 'It's okay'.
She smiled, wrapping her small arms around his waist.
Again, Sasuke and Naruto held their breath, waiting for the reaction that was sure to come.
Instead, Gaara carefully wrapped his arms around Sakura's shoulders, whispering comforts in her ear.
"What the hell?" Naruto nudged Sasuke. "He doesn't even talk about her, and he's hugging her?" He asked, dumbfounded.
Sasuke, the cold, stoic and emotionally retarded teenager was for once, finding himself agreeing with Naruto.
Gaara hadn't even uttered a word about Sakura Haruno. She was just the cheerleader who liked to whore around. But then that led Sasuke to think. Whenever he, Gaara and Naruto would hang out and Naruto would bring up Sakura, Sasuke would immediately push the subject away calling her a plastic whore. Gaara never spoke up, but Sasuke had always presumed he just didn't like talking.
"Gaara?" Naruto poked Gaara's back. Instantly, one of his arms had unwrapped itself from Sakura's small frame and had Naruto pinned against the lockers behind them by his throat, his other arm still around the girl.
Sasuke found himself trying to analyze what was going on. He had never seen Gaara with anyone. Or even touching anyone, unless it was a fight. He wasn't even nice to his siblings.
He looked at Sakura's face. Her foundation made her skin glow, and her dark green eyes were the colors of fresh leaves. She had long, thick eyelashes coated in mascara, and black eyeliner framing her eyes with a dark purple eyeshadow fading out to silver.
Her clothes were a little revealing, and it was easy to see why she was so sought after by almost every guy in the school. She had a petite frame, seemingly innocent. Her pink hair, unlike her sister's red-pink, was actually more of a pastel pink. He always thought she had dyed it in order to seek more attention. But now that he looked, her thin eyebrows were pink too.
She looked so small pressed against Gaara's frame, and Sasuke wondered why he'd never really seen her before. He just saw her with her sister and immediately categorized her as a whore.
"Gaara," She whispered, drawing in everyones attention. Gaara didn't turn his head, but shifted his eyes to give her the contact she wanted. She just shook her head, looking toward Naruto, who was starting to turn red.
Gaara released his grip, before fully turning to Sakura. He reached for her hand, pulling her along. "I'll walk you to homeroom."
They disappeared from sight.
"Ne... Teme. Did that really just happen?" Naruto asked, rubbing his sore throat.
Sasuke could only nod, thinking the same thing, much to his horror if he knew, as Naruto.
What the fuck was going on here?