Wahoo! I'm done… oh, in case you don't know what I'm talking about… I'll tell you!

I went back and read the previous chapters of this story and decided they were… horrible. So, I redid them all. Yeah, I actually twea ked a few things. Don't worry. Overall, it's still the same, but you might want to go back and reread it. Lol. Chapter nine coming soon. I promise!

Story: When Is Rape Consensual?

Ch 8: Sleepovers

Warnings: profanity, yaoi, and cheddar cheese… yum.

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"Do you know what's wrong with him?"

"Naruto's been under a lot of stress lately… he's probably just tired."

"…just stress? Well… are his parents going to pick him up?

"Um…" Iruka began. He never liked telling people sad things. It always made for a depressing conversation.

"What? Are they at work or something?"

"Naruto… lives alone."

"Oh. But can't they pick him up?"

"Not exact—"

"My parents are dead."

Iruka and Neji looked up at the figure in the adjacent room's doorway. His rumpled hair covered his eyes.

"What?"

Naruto licked his chapped lips and stared out the window behind Iruka.

"You asked about my parents. They're dead. My mother died giving birth to me and my father…my fath… he… never mind. They're both dead."

"Oh. I-I didn't know. I'm sorry."

"It's fine. I'm used to it. What… what happened to…?"

A laugh replayed in Naruto's head. He felt the pieces click.

Itachi had done this. He'd made Naruto pass out in class. He'd said something… about Naruto telling everybody… Was he afraid Naruto would find out something? Or was it the other way around? It didn't matter. What really bothered Naruto was how Itachi knew what he'd been saying in class. There was no way in hell that he'd just happened to be 'in the area'. He'd been watching Naruto.

Someone's voice floated into Naruto's ears.

"…you okay? Do you want to lie down again? I can take you home if you like."

The blond boy looked up. Iruka was staring at him, concern clouding his eyes.

He thought about the offer for a second. He didn't mind Iruka taking him home usually, but the possibility that Itachi was still around stopped him cold.

"Yeah, I really don't feel well today. I would like to go home."

He managed a smile and walked back into the other room to find his missing shoes. Apparently, someone had taken them off when he'd fallen asleep.

"So, do you want me to take you?" Iruka called to the other room.

"NO!" he yelled, immediately regretting how it sounded. "I-I mean…. No, it's fine, sensei. I just haven't had a good sleep in a while. Besides, you're working right now. I don't want to bother you." Naruto felt the memories of a few nights ago return.

A warm hand patted his shoulder. Startled, Naruto jumped back and stared into the eyes of his hurt friend.

"You wouldn't be bothering me. It's fine, Naruto. You should know that!"

Naruto moved back into the main room where Neji sat, watching the two of them curiously.

"It-It's okay, Iruka-sensei. I can take care of myself,"

"Hmm…" Iruka mumbled before following Naruto back into the room, "If you say so, Naruto." He scribbled down a pass for Naruto to leave before saying, "But be careful and don't stress yourself out so much. It wasn't your fault, you know."

"Huh?"

Naruto looked over at Iruka. What was he talking about?

Iruka didn't say anything. He just smiled sadly at Naruto and handed him the pass. Naruto glanced at Iruka, but didn't ask what the man had meant. He knew Iruka wouldn't tell him.

Quietly, he exited the room and headed back to the classroom for his bag. Neji and Iruka sat alone in the room, watching him leave.

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Iruka glanced over at the boy for the first time since Naruto had woken up. He'd never seen him before, but the boy had suddenly appeared in Iruka's doorway carrying an unconscious Naruto in his arms, out of breath and frustrated. It had made Iruka's hearts skip a few beats. No one had ever been so nice to Naruto. Maybe he'd finally made a friend. Iruka couldn't wait to talk to him.

"So… how do you know Naruto?" Iruka asked, flashing his friendliest smile.

"Oh…" the boy had said, almost as if just remembering he wasn't alone. "Right! My name is Neji Hyuuga. I'm a new student. I saw Naruto sitting by himself in class, so I decided to sit by him."

"Really. So what do you think of him?"

"Naruto? I haven't known him long, but he's really nice so far."

"That's good… you thinking he's nice and all… um… I know this is kind of unexpected but… could you… follow Naruto for me?"

"Okay."

"I know it's a lot to ask since you're new and have a lot of catching up to do and all but—what? You'll do it?"

"Sure. I don't really know him yet, but Naruto seems like a nice guy. I'm worried about him, too. And, it sounds fun."

"Okay…" he said, taken back by the boy's willingness to follow a stranger for him. "Well, let me write you a pass, too… but don't let him know you're following him. He hates being treated like a kid."

"Sure, but… uh, what exactly do I do with the pass?"

"Oh! You just show it to your teacher and drop it off at the main office when you're leaving. Do you know where that is?"

"That place where you first walk in, right?"

"That's the one."

Neji took the pass and headed the same way Naruto had gone a few minutes earlier. Iruka sighed and laid his head on the wooden desk.

"It really wasn't his fault," he mumbled into his arm before slipping into a light sleep.

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"Let's begin class, shall we?" Kakashi asked.

"Sensei, this is an English class. Why are we going outside?"

"You'll see. Grab a notebook and pencil, and come on! I can't start the class until you get out."

The class stood up and filed out the door; Kakashi led them out the back doors of the school.

"Where are we going?"

"You guys were still on poetry when Mrs. Mitarashi left, right?"

"Um… yeah."

"Well, we're going to be creating poetry today."

"Why are we outside then?"

Kakashi smiled and kept walking. He'd gotten the idea when the principal had told him what the class was currently studying. She thought it was a good idea, too.

When the students reached a creek, Kakashi stopped them.

"Get out your pencils. We're about to create some poetry."

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Naruto stared at his apartment building. He felt like passing right by it and going somewhere else… but there was nowhere to go. So, he walked inside the building and headed up to his room, holding his breath at every turn. By the time he got to his door, he was paranoid that someone was following him, no matter how many times he looked at the empty hall behind him.

Naruto jammed the key into his door and slammed the door behind him. Sweat began to drip down his neck. What if Itachi was there? Was he doing this just to mess with Naruto?

'Kit! Someone's at the door!'

Naruto's eyes widened and he spun around to peek out of the keyhole, expecting to see blazing red eyes, but instead, he saw a brown-haired boy kneeling to tie his shoe.

Naruto sighed.

'God, Kyuu! You scared me! I thought it was him.'

'You scared me first with all your paranoia crap! Who is it anyway?'

'That guy from school… Neji. How did he get here?'

Naruto opened the door just as Neji was attempting to knock.

"How did you find me?" he asked, his hand feeling for a metal bat leaning against the wall beside him.

Neji stared at Naruto. "I was just about to knock. How are you feeling?"

"You didn't answer my question."

"I… followed you."

"How did you get out of scho…? Iruka! I should have known he'd make you do that."

"He didn't make me. I agreed. I was worried about you."

"Worried? You don't even know me."

"But I will soon. That's what friends do. They get to know each other."

"Friends?"

"Yeah!"

Naruto felt a lopsided grin creep onto his face despite the weirdness of being followed home by a stranger. He liked the sound of being someone's friend… someone his own age. But he squashed the smile immediately. He didn't think Neji would be calling him 'friend' when he found out about Kyuu.

Naruto opened the door for Neji and disappeared into his kitchen. Neji followed.

"What was really wrong with you in class, Naruto?"

The blond reached for two small packs of instant hot chocolate from his cupboard. It was one of the few things he actually had in his kitchen.

"What are you talking about?"

"In class, you were really distant, and when you started to say something, you just… passed out. What were you going to say?"

The laughter echoed in Naruto's head again. He decided to lie.

"I-I don't remember. Do you want some?"

He gestured to the warm milk he was heating on his stove.

"Sure."

Naruto poured the scalding milk into glasses and stirred the hot chocolate mix into both; he handed one to Neji. Both boys sipped at their cups in silence for a few minutes.

Naruto felt a hand trailing down his inner thigh and gasped. But when he looked down, all he saw was the faded black cloth of his jeans… no hand attached.

"Something wrong?"

Naruto snapped back from his thoughts when Neji spoke.

"Uh… can you excuse me? I need to take a shower."

"Um… sure. Mind if I watch TV?"

Naruto glanced at his living room. The old television set just sat there, but at least it worked.

"Sure."

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Naruto danced around his bathroom trying to stay warm while the water heated up. He could hear the TV from the other room. Neji was watching some kind of action movie.

Steam embraced Naruto's skin and he quickly jumped into the tub. The warm water seemed to wash away his troubles with every drop of liquid. His head lolled lazily against the wall, letting the warmth surround him and weave his troubles away like a dream catcher.

A knock sounded at the door, pulling Naruto out of his own little world.

"Yes?"

"Naruto… do you want to come over to my house today?" Neji asked through the door.

"What?"

"I asked if you want to come over to my house… you know, for dinner."

Naruto stopped the faucet and pushed back the curtain. He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist. "Sorry, but I couldn't hear you. You can come in now."

Neji opened the door. He averted his eyes at the sight of Naruto's half naked form.

"I- I'm sorry. I didn't know you weren't dressed. I'll wait."

"It's fine. What were you saying?"

"I asked if you wanted to come over for dinner… at my house."

Naruto gave Neji a surprised look.

"Why all of the sudden?"

"I don't know. I just don't like the idea of people being alone, especially at night. You never know who's lurking around, you know?"

Naruto chuckled nervously. A blur of sharp nails and red eyes passed through his mind.

"Y-yeah… all kinds of creeps."

There was a chance that Itachi would come today considering he'd been watching Naruto earlier. But if Naruto was with somebody, Itachi wouldn't mess with him because he'd be found out. And judging by today, he didn't want that.

"If you don't mind, I'd like that."

Neji smiled. "I'll call and get someone to pick us up. My house is a pretty far from here."

"Okay."

Neji turned to close the door but paused as something caught his eye. He gasped before he could stop himself.

"What happened to you?"

"Huh?"

Neji gestured to his own neck under his shirt.

Naruto rubbed away the steam on the mirror and saw the healing wound from a few nights ago. He gasped and covered the cut.

"I-I was… being careless… and I slipped in my bedroom a few days ago… yeah. I've got this sharp corner on my dresser. Don't worry. It's fine!"

Neji stared at Naruto as if he knew Naruto was lying but said nothing. He'd been meddlesome enough for the day. He'd find out later.

The brunette nodded slowly before turning to close the door again. Naruto felt his towel slip just as the door finally closed. He didn't bother reaching for it. Instead, he stared at the traces of violently purple bruises on his legs.

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"Wow! You have a limo? That is so cool! I've never been in a limo."

Neji laughed and opened the door for Naruto to get in. He handed two bags to the driver to put in the trunk before gracefully sliding into the car after the blond and closing the door.

He watched as Naruto sat in awe. Neji reached for a wine bottle sitting in ice. He effortless unscrewed the cork and asked, "Want a drink?"

Naruto took a glass from Neji but only stared at it. He'd never had wine before. Would it make him pass out? Or drunk? Naruto lifted the glass to his lips and bittersweet nectar tickled his tongue.

He felt a smile on the brink of showing for the second time that day. He was sitting in a limo! A freakin' limo!

Neji smiled and sipped at his own glass. Naruto's reaction reminded him of a little kid in an amusement park. This must have been Naruto's first time trying wine, too, by the looks of it.

When the car slowed to stop, a man in a formal black and white suit opened the door.

"Good afternoon, Master Hyuuga. How was your first day at school?"

"Wonderful," Neji said as he stepped out the car. "This," he said, pointing towards Naruto, "is Naruto Uzumaki. He's the one joining me for dinner."

"Shall I prepare a room for our guest, sir?"

"Yes, go ahead."

Naruto almost didn't catch the conversation. "What? Me? I can't stay! I've got homework. I have to go home after this."

"Don't worry. The driver put your back in the car for me already. You can do your homework here."

A familiar voice whispered something to Naruto.

'What, Kyuu?'

'I like this guy.'

Naruto heard Kyuu yawn before drifting back to sleep. She must have been listening for awhile.

"Yeah, I think I do, too."

"What?"

Naruto looked up. He'd spoken out loud. "Uh… nothing… I was just talking to myself."

Neji smiled. "Come on. You're going to love what we're having for dinner."

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Naruto stared up at guest room he was supposed to be staying in. A beautiful carpet covered the floor and exotic furniture filled the room. If Naruto hadn't known any better, he'd say he was back in Kyuu's room. But this was Neji's house… mansion… palace. Whatever rich people called them these days.

The dining room had been enormous, too! There were butlers and maids everywhere. And they'd sat at one of those really long, red mahogany tables that he'd only seen in movies. A chandelier sparkled above them, reflecting on the dinner plates and silverware.

After dinner, Neji had introduced Naruto to his tutor. The man had helped Naruto with all his homework and even taught him some easier ways to do his math!

Naruto never knew someone could live this good. And Neji's parents were wonderful. They didn't mind at all that Naruto was here. They even wanted him to live here when they found out Naruto lived alone. They'd just met him, and already they were so kind to him.

Naruto wished his parents were here. He was sure they would like the Hyuugas. They'd probably be best fr—

Suddenly, Naruto's body shot forward as something rammed into his head.

"What the hell?"

He spun around to find a grinning Neji standing behind him, both hands behind his back.

"What are you doing?"

Neji pulled the pillow from behind and his grin widened. "What does it look like? I'm starting a pillow fight!

Naruto ducked before Neji could hit him with the pillow again. He rolled over to the king size bed and grabbed one of the fluffy pillows. Naruto had never had a pillow fight, but he knew what they were.

"Can you beat me?" Neji asked.

"Come on and find out," Naruto challenged.

He launched forward and hit Neji on the leg, causing the shocked boy to drop to the ground. Neji rolled into the fall and tried to hit Naruto again. Both boys laughed and ducked flying pillows until they couldn't breathe and collapsed to the floor.

"Just… for the record…" Neji gasped between each ragged breath, "I… totally kicked your butt!"

"In… your dreams!" Naruto wheezed back.

Neither boy had the energy to stand and quickly drifted to sleep.

A butler found them still sleeping at around eleven p.m. He carried them to the bed and pulled the cover up to their chins.

"I've never seen the young master laugh so hard. Maybe the move was better for him after all. Master Hyuuga was right. That place had too many bad memories anyway."

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Why… oh, why did I wait this long to update? I know. I'm sorry, but I was attacked by a murderous group of jelly beans who whisked me away to their island of Cavities. I fought for weeks and finally broke free a few days ago and have been writing this story ever since!

Shuichu: Are they buying it?

Shuichi: I don't know.

Shuichu: I think they are!

Random person: Who the hell would believe that? Honestly!

Shuichi: I have a feeling that they might be on to us, Shuu!

Shuichu: Nah, I think it's just gas.

Until next time! And that will be soon; I promise!