Here's the next chapter; It's earlier than I was planning because I still feel guilty about the really long wait! So here's chapter 15. I'm busy working on chapter 24 at the moment and I'll probs aim to have the next chapter out in the next two weeks or so.

Enjoy! :D

Chapter 15. Naru POV

Friday night.

"Naru, you can leave now. I'll clear up here." I wipe my hands on my tea towel.

"Okay. I'll just go collect some glasses in first." He sighs, but lets me anyway. I walk through the door onto the floor; Asuma had finally got the door replaced, and start stacking glasses into my crate. I use my hand to cover my yawn. I've been working at the bar every night this week, apart from Wednesday, because the Old Lady's closed for a month or so for her refurbishing. Plus I need the money for the rent, which is already late, and to go towards Sasuke's re-sits...

Sighing, I dump the crate behind the bar and say good night. Pulling my jacket on, I head outside and high five both bouncers.

"Naru." I turn to see Kiba heading towards me.

"What's up Kibbles?" He grins before putting his arm around my shoulders and walking with me.

"Didn't I tell you to stop calling me that?" I lace my arm around his waist, grateful for the body heat. It's really cold tonight.

"Why? I like it." He shakes his head, squeezing my shoulder.

"I wish I'd never taken you to meet my sister." We head to my place; he'd been at the bar earlier drinking with Neji and his cousin, Hinata. I think Kiba has a thing for her.

"So how come you're walking me home?" He just shrugs his shoulders. "You don't usually hang around to escort me back."

"Just felt like it I guess." We don't say anything else until we reach the apartment. Walking up to the door I notice a bit of paper stuck to the door.

'Pay your rent tomorrow or else you're out.'

"Ah, shit." I pull it down and let us in.

"Are you having money problems?" I shake my head, and kick my trainers off.

"Not as such. You staying?" I pull my money box out from under the couch, unlocking it with the key on my apartment keychain.

"Sure." I pull my pay out from this week; Asuma always pays me on a Friday. There was some mix up with the money I received last year at college and they only realised it a few weeks ago so I have to pay them back which is where most of my student finance has gone. But I still owe them money so I've got to split any money I get from work into four; Sasuke's re-sits, rent money, paying them buggars back and food every now and again. The latter pile not being very big; I've not eaten properly for a while now...

"Pass me an envelope. They should be on top of the microwave." I quickly put £30 into an envelope in the box labelled Sasuke before hiding it beneath another one. He comes over and hands me the new envelope. "Thanks." I count out £150 and put it in for my rent; I'll take it to the Landlady in the morning. The £150 includes my gas and electric bills as well as rent; the Landlady got free wi-fi installed for residents a while back because she houses a lot of students so I don't have to pay for my internet, thankfully. I put some money to one side to pay to the bastards who screwed my finance up last year; I've got to pay it into the bank tomorrow or they'll charge me extra. Which leaves me about £10 for food to last me until next week...

"Are you sure you're okay for money? I can borrow you some if you want..." I shake my head before locking the box and hiding it back under my couch.

"I'm fine, honest." I place the £10 odd and rent money next to the photo of my parents so I know where it is in the morning. "Why don't you go to bed? I'll be there soon, I just need to finish the exercise assignment."

"You sure? Won't Itachi be mad if I'm in your bed..."

"I don't care what Itachi thinks." I turn my back on him and switch my laptop on.

"Sure you don't." I sit down, trying to ignore him. "You should talk to him." Opening the exercise document, I start looking through my notes and type a few sentences. "Naru..." I turn round quickly in my seat to glare at him.

"Drop it, Kiba. I don't want to talk to him." He walks over and bends down in front of me.

"Yes you do. Come on, just admit it. He's your best friend. Just kiss and make up already." I turn back around, staring at my computer screen.

"No way. Not after what he said."

"Naruko. Just forget about it. He didn't mean it, okay, and you know it. Sasuke means so much to him, he was just looking out for him. Stop being such a girl and talk to him." I know he's right. He's always right. But it just hurt so much. I hate the person I became after my parents died... but Itachi was the one who helped me when I got back...

"Whatever." I hear him stand up and he ruffles my hair. "Now buggar off, I need to get this work done." He laughs before heading towards my room.

"G'night, blondie."

Sasu POV

"So, why am I here?"

"Because she might not go crazy if you're there."

"And why's that?" I look out of the window as we near her apartment.

"She's not angry with you, that's why. She might try to be calmer in front of you."

"Sure." Kiba rang earlier, apparently he copied Itachi's number when Naruko wasn't looking, and told Itachi to call round; that she was willing talk to him. "About what you said to her..."

"We're not talking about this, Sasuke."

"But..."

"What the..." He didn't say anything else as we pull up beside a police car outside her apartment. Two policemen exit her apartment and get into the car before driving away. Her door is still open and looks a bit bashed; looking at two apartments either side of hers, so do they...

I follow Itachi out the car; he locks it and my phone starts vibrating. Taking it out we both look at the name: Naruko.

"Nar..."

"Sasuke, thank God! I didn't know who else to call. None of the lads are answering and neither is Itachi." She sounds so frantic... I head up the steps, Itachi trailing behind trying to listen in to the conversation. "I didn't want to bother anyone at work or from the school. Can you come over? I don't want to be alone..." Reaching the door, I see her pacing back and forward near her couch, her hand shaking slightly as she runs it through her hair.

"Naruko." She turns around to look at me, tears covering her cheeks. I barely blink before she's dropped her phone on the couch and practically jumped on me. Her arms lace themselves around my back so I place one hand on her lower back and the other on the back of her head, my phone falling to the floor, as she buries her face in my chest. Her legs give way, and I go with her so that we're kneeling on the floor. I look up at my brother, his face cold but I can see the worry in his eyes.

"I can't... I can't stay here." She sounds so weak as her body shakes in my arms. "What if it's them? Oh God, they've found me. They took my money, the savings for your re-sits," I hope Itachi didn't hear that bit, "my laptop. They've gone through all my stuff!" She mumbles on, but I don't know what to say. Who are they?

"Naruko." Itachi bends down beside us, resting his hand on her shoulder. "Look at me." She slowly moves her head, hiccupping slightly. "There's no way they could have found you. You're friend took care of that didn't they?" She nods slightly but she still looks so scared as she clenches my t-shirt in her hands. "Come on. I'll take you to ours. Pack what you need." We help her up and she runs into her bedroom. I look at Itachi and realise there is still so much I don't know about her. And for some reason I want to know everything about her...

"I'm ready." She comes out with a backpack on one shoulder and follows us out. I notice how she's walking extremely close to me...

Itachi unlocks the car, but before I can get in the front she grabs hold of my hand lightly and tries to smile. "Sit with me..." It comes out as barely a whisper but she's standing so close that I can hear it clearly. I nod and get into the back with her. We drive in silence as she holds onto my hand. When we near the house I notice she's fallen asleep as her head rests on my shoulder. I can't help but smile slightly at how peaceful she looks now...

Poor Naru :( Let me know what you think!