A little over a week but hey at least it wasn't two months. Several times over the last week I've tried to sit down and continue on but first there was my cat... stupid cat, then Canada Day, then my friend Schemilix with roleplaying which actually gave me some ideas so don't be too mad at her and then my bestfriend wanted to go for several walks. So... with all those distractions aside it was basically less than a week so you all should be proud of me lol. Of course I did neglect my writing a few times to read this really enticing fanfiction... it just hooked me in and all of a sudden I was at chapter 14... eheh... I'm sorry, please forgive me. And so... now I'd like to say that the next chapter may take some time because I've entered this writing contest which I'm summiting both a fanfiction and a fiction. They're due on July 26th but I hope to have them done sometime before then so I can get the next chapter of this up.

I'd also like to say that in the last chapter I forgot to thank dramagirl725, your PM was definitely a major part of getting me to sit down and write chapter 3. Thanks .

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Concrete Angel

Chapter Four:

Going to second period monday morning Sasuke passed by Naruto which was unusual. He didn't have time to think about why he was walking this way anyhow because the blond's newly forming black eye was all he could focus on. Sasuke cursed inwardly, he was going to talk with him soon, he had too.

"Sasuke-kun. How are you this morning?" Ino Yamanaka's face cut off his view of Naruto and he almost scowled... almost. "You have Bio don't you? You're so smart taking an eleven's course when you're only in grade 10. I'm taking an eleven's course too you know, unlike Sakura who is sticking to ten's courses only. So immature wouldn't you say? I mean, sure some guys find that cute but you're the type of guy who'd want a mature girl who takes courses beyond her actual grade level, right?"

The raven sighed inwardly, damn these fangirls and their mindless chatter. It was enough to make a man go insane, especially a gay man. Sasuke had a working tactic however... ignore them. It kept him sane and it's not like they cared if he listened or not, how would they tell? Even if they did know he wasn't listening they'd probably still be happy to be seen talking to him.

"Oh well I go down this hallway, would you like to walk me to class?" She asked sweetly, flipping her hair flirtatiously.

"No, my class is the other way." Sasuke said briefly without much emotion.

"Oh. Okay then Sasuke-kun, I'll see you around then!" Trying not to sound too disappointed she took off with a toss of her hair and into the path-like crowd heading to the left.

The raven turned to the right and headed two doors down before walking into his Biology class, taking his seat near the middle. He didn't like the back nor the front. He'd be too close to the teachers in the front, and near the back he would never learn anything, that's where the slackers who talked constantly sat. So he had no where to go but the middle. Sitting in his seat near the window he gazed out, blocking the students now piling into the classroom. From the window he had the perfect view of the soccer field and beside that stood Naruto's tree. He wondered if the blond would be there at lunch, though after what had happened last Saturday he highly doubted it. He probably wouldn't be in the hall either, unless of course Naruto either forgot everything or just let it go, then he'd be in a place that was easy for the raven to find him.

A few pieces of paper slid onto his desk and Sasuke looked up to see who placed them there. Shino Aburame simply nodded a thanks and took his seat near the front. Putting the notes he had lent Shino after he returned from his illness back in their rightful place inside his binder Sasuke looked up the front where Anko-sensei begun her lesson. Many students were afraid of her attitude, saying that she should be in the military rather than a high school, which is why they quit the class. However those that stayed realized she was an easy-going teacher who'd only turn drill sergeant if they'd act up. Most regretted leaving her class and taking Chemistry taught by Orochimaru-sensei, not a favorite teacher for anyone since he was harsh, cruel and strict. Sasuke had his class last semester, not much fun but he was one of the few who passed, with a good grade at that.

The class went by at a fairly good pace, no interruptions, just continuous notes along with questions, easy enough. Sasuke finished them before the end of class and passed them in. He was usually one of the first to get done all of his work but in this class he had to compete with Shino in handing in things first. Even though to them it wasn't a competition, it was to some of the bored kids sitting in the back. A while back they had started betting to see who would hand in their work first, neither boy cared but they didn't spoil the morons' fun.

"Damnit! I'm late! Really late!" Naruto repeated over and over in his mind as he ran full speed down the road. This morning had been hell for the blond. He woke up to Emi standing over him, she'd sobered up and somehow remembered everything from last night. She didn't think she got her point across so she picked up where she had left off. Subconsciously he put him hand over his black eye, she'd punched him square in the face and despite her small size... Emi had some strength in her. Of course it wasn't that bad, she'd only thrown him around for a while before throwing him out onto the front porch, telling him to get to school. Sure he had to sneak back in the basement window to grab his clothes but at least he hadn't gotten another injury. His elbow was still sore, but he had protected it well during Emi's attack so no more damage was inflicted upon it. She did however delay him from getting to school in time and by now it was almost halfway through 1st period, he'd get to school just in time for second period though. He'd never once been late however and that hurt him a bit. What would people think about him being late? Would the people in his English wonder where he was, thinking he was finally dead, or would they not even notice? All these questions filtered through his head as he ran full speed with his pathetic looking worn-down book bag on his back.

At school Naruto heard the bell ring, he wouldn't need to bring a late slip since he wasn't late for second period, he'd only missed first. So he headed past the office, up the stairs and to his classroom in a different way then he was used to. Passing through the hallways he kept his head low but he couldn't help but see Sasuke out of the corner of his eyes. He looked concerned for a moment but then ignored him to talk to one of his many adoring fans. He sighed, Sasuke didn't care. He was probably just going to ease him into a false sense of security and then him and his friends would jump him or do something horrible to him. Quickly he vanquished those thoughts, continuing down the hallway to his Academic Math class.

Naruto liked math, he understood it quite well and there wasn't much talking since the teacher was pretty strict when it came to that. This was a class that he never needed anything from the teacher, he'd just write as many notes as he could so that if he didn't understand it he could just study everything until he did. That way he wouldn't have to wait for the teacher to just glare at him or be too 'busy' helping the other students.

Today it was pretty quiet, although he did get a stare from one boy who was also in his English class. Obviously he had noticed the blond to be absent last class and now he could feel the penetrated gaze set directly on his darkened eye. Naruto lowered his head, trying to ignore the eyes boring into him and started with the assigned pages for work written in black marker on the white board in front of them.

Later in the hallway, Naruto overheard that same boy talking arrogantly to his friends. Naruto wouldn't have portrayed him as an individual with arrogance since he was obviously a nerd who possessed very little popularity if not none. But everyone was higher up than the Uzumaki kid, since he was the bottom of the barrel... either that or he wasn't considered worthy enough to even be in the barrel. The boy spoke of his black eye, saying that even though his aunt was scum just like the rest of the family it was good to see someone without respect for Yondaime so they were able to beat the shit out of Naruto unlike the rest of them.

Instantly he hid the hurt from such familiar words and continued down the hall to his third period class. All through Junior High he'd heard comments like that behind his back or right in front of him. Not many people ever said it directly to his face at that grade level, and before in Elementary School children didn't talk like that, they only knew to stay away from him from what their parents had told them. In high school was when the blond confronted most insults, equally to his face and behind his back.

Lunch, finally. Was Sasuke's only thought. All day the vision of Naruto's face from both this morning and the other day haunted him. He just wanted to speak to him. It would obviously be too forward to confess his love for the solemn blond but he could at least befriend him. Work his way up until trust was earned, then maybe take it to the next level. Making his way to the bleachers, he saw at first glance that the tree was empty. But as he moved closer the blond's figure came into place. Naruto was on the other side of the tree, hidden by the trunk of the tree being as large as it was. His pale, scared face was titled up towards the sun which glared down onto his closed eyelids, giving him an angelic quality. Sasuke's breath caught in his throat as he gazed upon what seemed like a fallen angel, cast out from heaven for his beauty which the other jealous angels tried to mask with bruises. Luckily the raven could see through the scars and bruises, seeing right through to the inner and outer beauty which beamed like a ray into his dark eyes.

Suddenly noticing Sasuke's presence Naruto's cerulean eyes fluttered open to see the Uchiha standing close to the tree, staring at him. The blue eyes narrowed slightly in suspicion and the boy moved to sit upright. So the inner him had been right. Here he was, ready to trick him into thinking everything was going to be all right. "What do you want Uchiha?"

The dark-haired was almost taken aback by the bitterness in the other's voice but he calmed himself, letting the words just come in a kind voice. He had to be patient and firm, he couldn't help Naruto if he got nervous. "I just wanted to talk. After the other day... I shouldn't have grabbed you like that. I didn't hurt you did I?"

"No," Naruto answered a little too quickly, seeming defensive.

"But you winced." The raven pressed on despite himself.

"I was surprised."

"But-" Naruto's intense glare caused him to stop. Sasuke sighed, this wasn't going as planned. He'd only managed to get Naruto even more mad at him. There was no way he'd earn his trust if he barged into his personal life, even though that was the thing he was most concerned about. "Look, I'm sorry. The other day I just wanted to let you know that I'm not like the others. I want to be your friend Naruto."

Again the use of his name made the blond falter, but that persistent and distrusting voice at the back of his mind was still there and as loud as ever. "You don't mean that."

"Yes I do. Ever since I saw you I knew you were only misunderstood. I've never gotten the feeling that you were... what everyone said you were."

Again he glared suspiciously, the voice telling him it was all just a way to lure him in... but you know what... it was working. The more Sasuke spoke, the more he gazed at him with those dark depths, the more he wanted to believe every word escaping from his perfect lips. "So after all those years of knowing about me you just figured I wasn't like my mother?"

The raven smiled inwardly, his voice wasn't as defensive anymore. He was starting to get through to him and that brought Sasuke some hope. "I heard the rumors, like everyone else. But I didn't focus on your mother. You aren't just her son, you have a father as well. An honorable father who deserves to have his son treated like any other human being."

These words shocked the blond nonetheless but he kept up his wavering glare. "So you only want to talk to me to honor my father in some way?" He asked, with a slight accusative tone hindering his voice.

This was unexpected to say the least, Sasuke didn't see this outcome. "No! I want to talk to you because you are you. You deserve to be treated like a human being regardless of who either of your parents were. You should know that, because I do. People say all these cruel things about you, and I can barely stand to hear them saying these things without getting to know you. So... will you allow me to get to know you?"

Naruto's glare had fallen halfway through his speech and now his blue eyes were blinking back tears. How could someone speak this way to him? The voice which intruded his thoughts, telling him it was a trap was now blocked out. The blond could care less if this were a trap. After those words he had to have good intentions.

To the raven's approval Naruto nodded and looked at him with gentle eyes. Sasuke smiled, "You want to come over to my house after school? We could study and I could make supper." He added, hoping to lure him in with the promise of food. Sasuke could always tell that he was hungry and knowing his aunt she never cooked him edible food.
Despite the sparkle in his eyes at the mention of food, the fair-haired boy lowered his gaze, shaking his head. "I don't think that's a good idea."

Sighing Sasuke realized he'd have to take things slow. "That's okay then, how about I just walk you home?"

Naruto's lifted his head to look back at the Uchiha, nodding once again. "Sure."

Okay, just so you guys know. I know that Yondaime isn't his actual name and that it means The Fourth, so please no lectures about that. Thanks.