A/N: Another chapter for y'all :P Next chapter is a special treat!! No, it's NOT a lemon, you silly pervs.. you still have to wait a bit longer for THAT :D Just.. read on, and make sure to review!!

Disclaimer: I do not, in any shape or form, own or associate with the author of, the publishers of, or anything else to do with the series Naruto. If I did.. well, I probably wouldn't be stuck writing fanfics now, would I?

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"He raped me.."

Those words echoed softly off the walls, both boys gone uncomfortably silent. Black eyes met blue, locked, watching for any sort of reaction other than the initial surprise and discomfort. Naruto was the first to look away.

"So.. you thought.. I'd think you pathetic if you told me the truth? Maybe even hate you?" The brunette nodded "yes" to both questions, staring at the ground in shame. A loud "thunk" noise made him look up. Naruto had punched the wall, a peculiar mix of anger, hurt, and-- something else-- in his eyes. "God!! What d'you think I am? Stone?" Naruto shook his head, trying to sort out the thirst for vengeance against this "Itachi" and these odd, confusing feelings towards the boy in front of him. Finally the blonde spoke up again.

"... How long?" Sasuke looked confused at the newest question, so Naruto elaborated. "How long has.. this.. been going on?"

Sasuke thought back, shying away from the actual rapes but concentrating on what happened other than those-- atrocities. ".. Since that day I left school early.. it's been happening almost every night." His voice broke, but the brunette still tried desperately not to lose his composure. He already had today, but he refused to do it again.

"Kami!! That was the first day of school!! it's been-- what-- three weeks?" Naruto looked horrified. "No wonder you reacted so badly when I kissed you.." Sasuke nodded slowly, looking away. The room once again settled into silence. The door to the bathrooms slammed open, startling Naruto and Sasuke as three guys came walking in.

The three (loudmouthed, Sasuke thought somewhat crossly) strangers came and went, not even noticing the two who were in the biggest stall. As soon as they left, Naruto looked over at the brunette and smilinged slightly. "I have an idea." Sasuke looked up, obviously questioning the smile on the blue-eyed boy's face. "To keep you away from that bastard. How'd you like to come stay with me? I'm sure my brother Kyuubi wouldn't mind."

"You'd do that for me?" Sasuke looked surprised as the blonde stood up and offered him a hand. The dark-eyed boy took the hand and let himself be hoisted to his feet.

"Sure!!" Naruto grinned, letting go of the slightly shorter boy's hand as soon as he regained his balance. "I mean, that's what friends are for, right? To help you when you're down?"

".. I wouldn't really know.." A sad look settled on the brunette's features. "Itachi's never let me keep friends for very long. We almsot always ended up moving before I could really settle in."

The blonde chuckled. "Well, he can't force you to leave if he can't find you, ne? You can stay at my house for as long as you want. We could even have one of my friends go break into your house and steal your stuff and bring it over to my place, if you'd like." Sasuke's eyes widened slightly, and he nodded.

"S-sure.." Several emotions, none of which he could understand, were running through Sasuke's head. He finally settled on bewilderment, and left it at that as they walked out of the bathroom together. ".. Thanks, Naruto.." the brunette said awkwardly, his cheeks turning a light shade of pink.

Naruto smiled, noticing the blush but choosing not to say anything about it. "No problem."

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As soon as the bell sounded for the end of last period, Sasuke grabbed his stuff and raced over to the spot where Naruto had told him to meet him. If he takes too long, Itachi might show up to pick me up!! the brunette looked around worriedly, trying not to jump when Naruto popped up behind him.

"Ha!! did I surprise you?" Sasuke glared at the taller boy, then decisively smacked him on the side of the head. "Oww.. be nice, or maybe I won't let you stay at my house!!" the brunette snorted, knowing Naruto was too good a person to go through with the threat. They walked towards the parking lot. Following the blonde, Sasuke half expected them to stop in front of the bright orange car (it matched Naruto's jacket) three spaces from the entrance, but instead Naruto led him further. Finally, they stopped. Right in front of a black Kawasaki Ninja-- a motorcycle.

The brunette's jaw practically hit the ground, looking from a smug Naruto to the bike and back. "This.. is yours??" He squeaked out finally.

"Yup!!" The grinning boy gazed proudly at what must have been the most expensive thing he'd ever bought. But, judging by the look on Sasuke's face, it was worth every single penny. "Took me three years to pay off, but it's ALL mine. Nobody, not even my brother, is allowed to use it but me."

Sasuke looked suspiciously at the blonde. "Are you even old enough to ride it?"

"Not really, but who's gonna do anything about it?" Naruto grinned. "I mean, I look old enough, so as long as no one blows my cover, I'm perfectly fine!! Kyuubi doesn't care, as long as I stay out of his way and don't cause trouble." He grabbed the helmet hanging on the handlebars and another out of a specially-built compartment on the back of the bike. One was orange, the other blue. Naruto offered the latter to the brunette, figuring Sasuke wouldn't want to wear the former. He was right.

"We should probably head straight to my house. It'd be bad if your brother caught us out and about, so.." Sasuke nodded in agreement, putting the helmet on and fastening its strap. "We've got plenty of food at my house.." The taller boy grinned sheepishly, sliding the orange helmet into place. "But we go through ramen at a rediculous rate. I could practically live on ramen!!." Sasuke snorted, waiting for the blonde to get on the bike so he could, too. Naruto shook his head, still smiling behind the faceguard of his own helmet. "Alright, alright. You obviously don't want to chat, so let's go."

Both boys got on the bike, Sasuke behind Naruto. He fastened his arms around the blue-eyed boy's stomach, a little nervous. He didn't exactly trust Naruto's riding skills, but it couldn't be helped. Sasuke squeezed his eyes shut as the blonde started up the motor and they drove off. The warmth of the person in front of him was a comfort against the chill of the wind whipping past them.

Naruto smile to himself, at the arms clutching his waist. It was probably the closest to a hug he'd ever get out of the other boy, unless Sasuke could get over his trauma.. The smile disappeared at that thought. Naruto didn't care if Itachi had killed people before. That he'd hurt Sasuke so much, made him so afraid to feel.. that was unforgivable. Anger burned brighter every time the blonde considered how long Sasuke had been suffering in silence. There was no doubt, Naruto would make the older Uchiha pay for everything he'd done.

If only he had a chance to do so soon...

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Itachi smirked as he watched the motorcycle grow smaller and smaller. Silly little brother.. He thought, shaking his head. He'd gotten to Sasuke's school several minutes before the bell rang. Itachi had seen it all-- the blonde boy, the smiles and happy quarreling, the way Sasuke had held onto the other's waist for "dear life" as they rode off. It was enough to make Itachi sick. He turned the key and started up his car, debating what he should do about this new development. Finally, he decided.

I won't do anything for now, otouto.. But how will you react when this little romance of yours comes toppling down?