Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
Warning: I rated this M for a reason. Also, none of the comments said by the characters reflect opinions of the author, or of the creators of Naruto.
Threadbare
By Cosmogyral
Thread 5:
"Well, looks like no one else is coming today. I better start cleaning up," Naruto eagerly lifted the pot of leftover spaghetti and started towards the kitchen. His enthusiasm brought a soft giggle out of the female Hyuuga next to him.
"Naruto, you're so impatient," Hinata teased in her quiet way.
"Heh heh." Scratching the back of his head, Naruto looked embarrassed as he turned to face his pale-eyed friend. "Well, what do you expect?" Naruto smiled and lowered his hand, "Sasuke said he had a surprise for me," A mischievous twinkle shone in his eyes, "And I love surprises." Hinata smiled. She was glad something, or someone, was able to make Naruto this happy. "He said he would meet me here, but I think I'll give him a surprise of my own and get to him before he even leaves the door."
"Hold on, lover-boy," Sakura tugged on a strand of Naruto's untamed hair. "You still have to help wash the dishes."
"Awwww! Sakuraaaa!" Naruto whined. Hinata hid another smile under her elegant hands.
Naruto had all saved them somewhat as he stepped into their lives, that's why they all cared so much for him—and tried to look out for him. His optimism and perseverance were impossible to push away. Although it was a wonderful gift to possess, it was a double-edged sword. As he gave strength to those he loved, they all gradually moved away—leaving him behind.
Except Sasuke.
Sasuke was the exception. He didn't say much, but being one for few words herself, Hinata could read between the lines. It was all in the eyes. Naruto might not have been able to read it, but Hinata could see the nuances.
"Okay, okay, you two," Iruka stepped in. "You guys are acting like an old married couple." The two in question stopped mid-rant and gaped at the older man. Then, slowly looking at each other the two scrunched their faces in disgust.
"We seem to be seeing less and less of you these days, Naruto," the tan man commented.
"What do you mean, Iruka," Naruto almost sounded offended. "I still come here every day!"
"You just seem to be leaving earlier and earlier now-a-days," was the wistful response. A gloomy silence settled on the group before Naruto decided to lift it.
"Don't worry. I'll always come back." That brought a smile to Iruka's face as he patted the boy's shoulder.
"Get out of here, Blondie!" Kiba strode from around the corner and snatched the pot out of Naruto's hand. "Me and Hinata have got some cleaning to do." Winking at Naruto, Kiba went over and relieved Hinata of her own kettle. Blushing, the two made their way back to the sinks.
Grinning like a mad man, Naruto chuckled and shook his head. "I'll see you guys tomorrow. If I leave now, hopefully I'll get home before Sasuke comes to get me." Hanging up his apron, Naruto spun on the balls of his feet and jogged towards to door.
"See ya!" he shouted. Sighing, Sakura waved good-bye while Iruka shook his head and turned back to the kitchen.
Pushing open the glass door, Naruto started whistling as he turned into the direction of their townhouse.
He didn't make it ten steps before a bundle of shabby clothing ran into him.
"Hey! What was that—?!"
"Are you Naruto?" the dirty man hurriedly asked. Naruto thought that he recognized the pale-haired man from a couple of times at the soup kitchen.
"Who wants to know?" Naruto hesitantly ventured.
"A man, uh…" the homeless man's hands waved around frantically, like his mouth wouldn't keep up with his mind. "Black hair! Black eyes…uh…pale…tall!"
Naruto's heart stopped. "Sasuke…?"
"Yeah! That's him!" The man's eyes glittered in victory. "He's in an alley just down here. He needs help. It looks like they really did a number on him…"
Flashes of the first night Sasuke stayed with him almost made Naruto's knees give. He had to force himself to breathe, force himself not to start gasping. Sasuke wouldn't let that happen again…would he?
"Where?!" The blonde shouted. Running, the other man led Naruto further down the street. The man ran fast, and Naruto struggled to keep up. Finally, turning into an alleyway, Naruto heaved for air and looked for Sasuke.
"Sasuke!" He screamed, walking deeper into the alley. "Sasuke!" He frantically hollered. Turning on his guide, Naruto demanded, "Where is he…?"
Surprise softened the intensity of Naruto's question. His one guide had tripled into three shady men.
"Hello, Naruto," the tallest man greeted, a long tongue coming out to lick the man's colored lips.
"Who are you?" The blonde hissed, his voice the opposite of his shaking extremities.
"Isn't that sad, Orochimaru," the third, white-haired man taunted, adjusting his round glasses, "the fag doesn't know us."
"Kuu kuu kuu, yes it is, Kabuto." Naruto now noticed the tallest man's slit-like eyes thickly ringed with eyeliner. "We'll just have to show little Naruto how sorry." Slowly advancing, Orochimaru gave a wicked smile. "Mizuki, Kabuto, why don't you go introduce yourselves to our little girl."
A mix of terror and adrenaline made Naruto run. Everything inside him was telling him to run away. If he broke passed the wall of three men he would be free. He could run back to the soup kitchen then wait for Sasuke. Then everything would be fine.
With a burst of energy, Naruto hurtled himself towards Mizuki and Kabuto. His smaller form slammed into hard bodies, and he felt like crying when his legs couldn't get past the weave of strong arms and shoulders. Naruto felt his eyes widen and bile rise to the back of his throat.
Struggling, Naruto bared his teeth, kicked and scraped, "No! Let me go! I've done nothing to you!" A punch to the blonde's gut silenced any further protest.
"Exactly," Orochimaru cooed into the shell of Naruto's ear. When had he gotten so close? "But you've done everything to save that Sasuke of yours." Looking up, Naruto glared into those ugly, slitted eyes.
"Were the rest of us not good enough for you, Princess?" Mizuki sniped, emphasizing his remark by pounding the blonde head into the brick wall. "I think I would have turned gay for you, too, if I was pampered like Sasuke."
"No! Sasuke's not like that!" Screeched Naruto, tears welling in his eyes. Renewing his efforts, the blonde managed to release an arm and smashed it into Orochimaru's face. "And don't ever call me, Princess!"
The world seemed to stop as, instead of wincing in pain, Orochimaru started cackling.
"Kuu kuu. Now, now, Naruto, don't get too excited." Rubbing his eye and then his mouth, the snake-like man slithered his hand out to wipe it on Naruto's face—smearing eyeliner and lipstick on Naruto's cheek. "The party is just beginning. We dressed up for you and everything." Leaning in, Orochimaru licked an acidy trail up Naruto's neck. The other two released sinister laughter.
Standing up, Orochimaru met eyes with his cohorts. "Let's show Naruto how to have a good time, boys."
Naruto fought with everything he could muster. But so did they. Limbs shot out and blurred, legs kicked and stumbled, and heads knocked together. Naruto didn't know how long the fight lasted, or how long it had been since his punches started consistently missing. He remembered throwing a few furious insults, but bruising an ego wouldn't work in this situation. Finally, a firm hook to his jaw sent him to the ground where the blonde couldn't get up.
Vision blurring and anger fading, Naruto was scarred, more than he had ever been in his life. Was this how it was going to end? His body would be found in an alley once one of the trio decided to pull a knife?
"NARUTO!" Huh…that voice was new. "NARUTO!"
"Oh look, if it isn't Sasuke," a greasy voice purred, Naruto couldn't tell which.
"What the hell did you do to him?!" That voice sounded so familiar to Naruto's fuzzy brain. Opening an eye, he let out a weak cry. There, between two of his attackers, was a figure that he would never mistake.
"We were just a little jealous, Sas-kay. Why do you get to have all the fun with the little princess?"
Everything after that was a blur. Naruto saw Sasuke lunge at all three men. Naruto couldn't follow the movements, but he could tell that Sasuke was winning. Letting out a hoarse chuckle, Naruto smiled. He could not see a hint of the old Sasuke in this man who was fighting with all he had. This Sasuke was not only fighting back, he was fighting for Naruto.
Smiling, Naruto let his eyes close. Sasuke would take care of him.
A/N: He he…I'm a little nervous about this chapter…I'm sorry if I offended anyone, but I needed the scene to be realistic, and in reality people aren't as nice as we would want. However, I thought that I should get this chapter posted since I'm going on a trip for a little bit. Don't fret, I won't be gone long, but just long enough for me to want to update beforehand. So, surprise me! Leave me lots of reviews. ^_^ I always love reading them. Also, I wanted the celebrate my last chapter breaking both the 1,000 hits and the 500 visitors mark. Yay! You like me, you really like me! Haha, sorry, getting a little over-dramatic there. Anyway, I hope you all liked the chapter!
That's it for now. Cosmogyral, over and out.
