Disclaimers: Naruto is someone else's, this is purely a fanfic using someone else's characters.

Warnings: This story includes strong language, graphic adult themes, violence, angst, a good friend, and eventually yaoi love. This chapter references rape. Please do not read if that is at all triggering.

Hard to Read:

Chapter 2

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Eyes looked down at him, hungrily. He tried to move, but he couldn't get away. He tried to scream, but a hand slammed down over his mouth, muffling his cries. A cruel smile stretched and hands moved to his body, his clothes. He begged for him to stop, to let him go, but his pleading went ignored. In fact, it seemed to excite him. He struggled, tried to fight back, but his efforts were useless. His arms were tied down, clothes torn. He could feel fingers at his waist, moving down, and he flinched as fear and revulsion rushed through him.

"NO!! Let me go! Stop- STOP!!"

The man ignored him, fingers continued to explore, clothes continued to be removed, fear continued to grow. "Ple-please don't do this." Tears fell from horrified blue eyes, but the smile above him stayed.

"Stop! PLEASE!!" He sobbed. But the man didn't.. he wouldn't. Not until he..

"Why- why are you doing this?" his voice cracked, his body shook with terror. "What do you want?!"

The man leaned close, his mouth brushing against his ear, as he whispered- "You."

Naruto shot up, a scream tearing out of his throat. Disoriented he whipped his head around as he scanned the darkness around him, but he was in his own room, and he was alone.

He ran shaky hands through his hair as he tried to ground himself, but he couldn't get the images out of his head. They just kept playing on repeat over and over. He gripped his hair in tight fists, pulling, desperate to just get them out!

Tears started to fall, and once they did he couldn't get them to stop. Naruto pulled his legs close and dropped his head down on his knees and cried- alone, with nothing but pain and nightmares to keep him company.

"You look like shit, Naruto." Sakura stated bluntly. "What happened?"

The blonde dropped his head, letting long bangs hide most of his face from her scrutiny. "Nothing.." he muttered, "just couldn't sleep."

"You know- I could probably give you something for that." She tapped her chin, flipping through her medical knowledge. "Oh! I know just the thing! It's a remedy I've used in the past, has a concentration of chamomile flower in it. The stuff is strong though- it'll definitely keep you asleep for the whole night."

Naruto's eyes widened as fear raced through him. The idea of not being able to wake up from a nightmare, or worse- from an intruder, was horrifying. "Uhhh.. that's ok, Sakura. I'll just tire myself out today with extra training. That should help."

For a moment it looked like she was going to say something else. Naruto held his breath, hoping she wouldn't continue to pry, but she seemed to change her mind and decided to drop the subject. At least he could count on her to.. not give a shit. Not exactly the most reassuring thing ever, but right now it's what he needed. Unlike Sai. The guy was way too fucking observant.

Speaking of which..

"Hello Naruto, Sakura."

"Hey Sai!" Sakura greeted him happily, apparently he doesn't look like shit, Naruto couldn't help but think. Naruto kept his head low as he greeted the brunette, still not ready to have Sai attempt to read him again.

My eyes show too much right now. I know they do.

"Naruto, is something the matter?"

I told him to fucking drop it. But does he listen to me? No. Of course he doesn't.

"I'm. Fine. Sai." he ground out, his tone definitely angrier than what was called for.

Sakura noticed too. "Naruto- calm down. He's just trying to help."

Naruto's head shot up, eyes burning with rage. "And who said I wanted anyone's fucking help?!!"

They stared at him, mouths open, completely in shock at his sudden not-Naruto-like outburst. He was their enthusiastic, confident friend. He was the energy of the group. This - this wasn't the Naruto they knew.

To be fair, he didn't recognize himself now either.

"Yo.." Kakashi stepped forward, his one uncovered eye scanning the group. He noted Sakura's shock, Sai's concerned look, and Naruto quickly turning away, hiding his face. He raised an eyebrow. "Am I.. missing something..?"

Sakura looked up at her old sensei, unsure of how to answer, but it was clear she wanted to say something. Sai, on the other hand, would not take his gaze off of the distraught blonde. Instead, he took a step towards him, hand reaching out. "Naruto.."

He slapped Sai's hand away, shoved past the group, and left without another word.

The three looked at each other. "Anyone want to explain to me what's going on?" Kakashi asked. Sakura looked at Sai, watching him slowly shake his head. "I don't know. But something is not right." He looked up at the silver-haired jonin. "He won't talk about it with me though."

Sai paused, then asked- "do you think he would have told me.. if I was Sasuke?"

Sakura looked away, and Kakashi's surprise shifted into a deep sadness- for Sai and for Naruto. He clapped his hand on the shinobi's shoulder, "you are a good friend to him, Sai". The brunette looked up, eyes wide as he absorbed every word. "All you can do is continue to be his friend. He might not be ready to see it yet, but he will."

Sai nodded. "I think I understand."

"In the meantime, let's just give him some space." The group nodded and agreed to save their team meeting for tomorrow. One more day couldn't hurt..

Right..?

Author Note:

So I have a lot of ideas for this story, but I'm going to be super honest- I haven't completely figured it all out yet. I'm kind of just.. writing. Then rereading & revising until something clicks. It's worked in the past, so I'm hoping it works for this one too.

I would love to hear your thoughts, and maybe even ideas, as I figure this one out for you :)

And thank you so much for reading! I hope you're enjoying what I have for you so far! Take care ~ Xoxox