See, I haven't abandoned my story! I don't do that kind of things. Lately I've been busy with studies, SAT and work so…you get the point. Here is chapter seven with a big SORRY for the long delay. Please enjoy!

Chapter 7-Hating the Truth

.o.O.O.o.

Hunger… anger… it was all he knew and it drove him insane. He needed to feed, he needed to unleash his anger on something, or rather someone…if only there was someone here…! But the only being inside the small room was him and his poor host who had fallen asleep by now. His poor host…he let out a short raspy chuckle and looked down at his host's hands-his hands. They were pale and colorless; he needed to see some red. He slammed his fists on the wall until blood prickled down his fingers and on his palms. Oh… it felt so nice! Seeing the red liquid excited him even more and his hunger grew immediately. More…more…he slammed his fists on the mirror and watched, captivated, as the glass shattered and the amazing feeling in his hands grew stronger.

Hurts…

Oh no. His vessel was waking up! Must have been the pain. Stupid humans, they don't see the pleasure in it. He couldn't let his vessel get back the control on his body, not yet. He was still angry- his vessel was still angry and hurt therefore he was too. What was it that made his vessel so angry? He could remember cold dark eyes and words…hurtful words. He didn't care, if he were free he would've laughed at his vessels' foolish reactions but since he wasn't free and was bound to his vessel he was forced to feel whatever his vessel felt. He hated it. Being forced to feel these ridiculous emotions was horrible and he cursed whoever trapped him inside a human's flesh. Who was it…? Oh that person looked so much like his vessel, only older and more mature. It doesn't matter now. He could still feel great anger boiling inside of him as his vessel's anger became his. Someone had to pay, he would make someone pay, preferably that dark-eyed person.

Help…

No you foolish human! Don't fight me! He straightened his back and slammed his fists against the mirror again. He laughed maniacally as his vessel cried in pain.

"Naruto!"

Damn stupid brother… he could smell his scent behind the closed door and also that dark-eye's horribly nice scent. Good. He needed more blood.

"Naruto! Are you in there?" Gaara kicked the door open and stopped. He could feel Hyuuga and the bastard tense behind him. "Don't look," he ordered them, surprisingly calm. "Naruto…" he called to his brother.

~o~o~o~o~

Sasuke swallowed when Gaara left and ran in the direction he had pointed. Something wasn't right; he knew it because of Gaara's eyes. He felt horrible. He was horrible. But what could he do now?

"What did you do Sasuke?" Neji asked calmly.

"I am stupid," Sasuke said. Neji rolled his eyes. "Tell me something I don't know…"

"I'm going after him," Neji said after a moment and turned, "I think something's not right, I'm going to check it out."

"I'm coming with you."

They followed Gaara and found him outside the men's room.

"Naruto!" Gaara ignored them and called to his brother. "Naruto! Are you in there?" Gaara suddenly kicked the door open-how did he know Naruto was in there, Sasuke had no idea-and stopped mid-track. Sasuke immediately knew something was wrong when Gaara said: "Don't look." Don't look? Why? What was in there? What was Naruto doing? He was too curious to listen to Gaara's order. He craned his neck and peered inside the room. It was definitely Naruto standing there, with his back to the door and his head hanging low. But what was it about him that made Sasuke suddenly feel such great anxiety?

"Naruto…" Gaara called to him once again and finally, to Sasuke's horror, the boy turned around.

"Hello Shukaku," Naruto said, but it wasn't his voice. It was raspy and thick; it made Sasuke tremble in fear. He wanted to close his eyes but it was as if he was enchanted. He could not divert his gaze away from the figure of Naruto. And it was all because of his horrible eyes. They were not sky-blue anymore; they were red, like the blood on his hands and shirt.

"Kyuubi…" Gaara said and tensed. Naruto chuckled.

"We meet again, finally…" Sasuke cringed at that voice. What was wrong with Naruto? What was going on here?

"Let go of him, Kyuubi," Gaara demanded in a calm tone. "You're hurting him." Naruto, or Kyuubi for the matter, laughed again. "Aren't I? This is so nice! I haven't been set free for so long! And I'm hungry; you have no idea how hungry I am. I bet Shukaku can tell you how it feels."

"Shukaku is dead. Release him Kyuubi."

"Not yet. Not yet brother. Not before dark-eyes pays," Kyuubi said and turned his gaze over to Sasuke. Sasuke felt those red eyes piercing his soul and he couldn't hide. Neji gasped beside him.

"Leave him out of this, don't hurt anybody," Gaara said.

"Oh, but it's all because of him! My vessel is so angry and hurt and you know how your pain becomes ours. His pain is driving me insane! I hate you humans more than anything else for doing this to me, forcing me to feel so much pain and these useless emotions. I will kill you all!" and with that said, Kyuubi charged.

Sasuke had no time to move a finger before Naruto reached him in an inhuman speed and his hand closed around his throat.

"Stop it!" Gaara called but Naruto's other hand shot forward, seized Gaara's throat and pinned him to the wall with superhuman strength.

"Don't get in my way or I will kill you!" Kyuubi warned dangerously. "As for you," he turned back to Sasuke. "Oh I'm so fucking hungry!" without a warning Naruto lifted Sasuke and threw him against the wall. Sasuke fought back a cry of pain. Naruto laughed. "I'll break you bone by bone and then I'll savor your vey soul out of your useless broken body. Wouldn't that be great? I'm so thrilled!" Sasuke groaned. Somewhere beside him Neji stepped back in fear but Naruto, or Kyuubi, ignored him. His prey was Sasuke. Naruto picked Sasuke off of the floor just to slam him against the wall again. "You made my vessel so hurt and it's driving me crazy. I'll kill you." He was about to deliver a punch when something suddenly stopped him. Stop! Stop! Please stop! His vessel was fully awake.

Naruto struggled to seize back the control over his mind and body and when he finally succeeded he was too exhausted to move a finger. He let go of Sasuke and collapsed on the floor beside Sasuke. When he opened his eyes he met Sasuke's own dark ones. They were shocked, filled with fear.

"I-it wasn't me, I swear…" was the only thing he managed to say before his mind drifted into darkness.

~o~o~o~o~

By the smell that penetrated to his nose Naruto immediately knew he was in a hospital. And by the all too familiar voice above him he knew it was Konoha's Medical Center. He tried to pretend that he was still asleep but he could never fool his mother, the all mighty Tsunade.

"Cut the crap kiddo, I know you're awake."

With a disappointed sigh he finally opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was Tsunade's face hovering above him. "M-mom! Don't scare me like that damn it!" he cried, startled. She only said: "language brat." Then, she checked him-did something with some unknown devices- and spoke again.

"So, is it true what Gaara told me?"

Naruto just knew that would come and he dread it. He didn't want to let her know how weak and pathetic he was, how he let his anger get the better of him. He was too ashamed of himself but he knew he would have to answer her, nevertheless.

"I guess," he said almost inaudibly. He couldn't look her in the eyes. She said nothing. "Aren't you… angry?" he tested his luck. She immediately turned to him with furious eyes. "Can't you tell?!" she fumed, her nostrils flaring. Naruto flinched. "I'm sorry…" he mumbled. Realizing what she did, Tsunade sighed and ruffled his mane of blond hair. "Don't be," she said softly. "I know it's hard to keep that demon under control and you're doing a great job. I was just worried because of you. It wasn't your fault honey." Naruto nodded but said nothing. The problem was that it was partially his fault. He was being too emotional while talking to Sasuke. He should've known better. After all, Sasuke was the cause of Kyuubi's awakening in the first place. He felt so stupid and horrible. Finally recalling his and Sasuke's conversation, he mentally smacked his forehead. How could he let Sasuke anger him so much? Hadn't he decided many years ago that Uchiha Sasuke was a thing of the past? That he would not let anything Sasuke-related to make him lose control of his calm, of his emotions? But he did lose control and he hated himself for that.

"Don't look so pitiful Naruto," Tsunade's voice pulled him back to the present. "Cheer up, your brothers and sisters are here to see you."

"Why am I in here anyway?" he asked, confused. "I don't remember being hurt."

"Even so, I had to make sure you were indeed alright and that you had no injuries. Besides, Gaara made up a nice story to cover up what truly happened so in order to stick to the plotline we had to bring you here." Oh. Now all was crystal clear. At that moment the door flung open and in walked Gaara, rather calmly-considering he probably just kicked the door open- followed by Ten-Ten, Temari and Kankuro.

"Aren't ya looking good brother!" Kankuro said, grinning from ear to ear and Ten-Ten giggled. "Nii-chan did Kyuubi chan really beat Sasuke sempai like a useless rug?" she asked. Naruto shot a very smug Gaara a glare. "I guess I did," he finally said when Gaara refused to look at him. To that Ten-Ten laughed and said it was a pity she wasn't there to watch. Naruto still wondered why she referred to the demon as 'chan' if Kyuubi knew he would probably kill her.

"Are you alright Naruto?" Temari stepped closer to him and examined his face. "Sure I am," he assured her. She smiled and ruffled his hair. God, he thought, sometimes she was so much like Tsunade, what did those two have with his hair?

"I'm glad to hear," she continued. "I went to see how Sasuke is doing-"

"Sasuke? He's here too?" Naruto hadn't thought of that. He swallowed, dreading the answer and also longing to hear it.

"Yes. I'm afraid he is," Tsunade answered instead of Temari. "The brat is in quite the condition, at least three broken limbs, a hole in his left lung due to one of the ribs penetrating it and a serious internal and external bleeding. Yes, he's quite hurting."

Naruto hid his face in his palms. How horrible…all those injuries… and he was the one who responsible for all of them! He felt like vomiting. His stomach twisted just at the thought of what he had done to Sasuke. He was a horrible person because he couldn't control his emotions; he was unable to control the Kyuubi.

"Did you have to elaborate so much?" he heard Temari's concerned voice.

"Yes," came the reply from his mother. "He needs to know it. He needs to know what that demon is capable of-"

"He didn't mean to release it!"

"Nevertheless, it happened. Just because of one slip-up we can't have Naruto to get used to losing control of the demon. I'm saying this not because it's dangerous to anyone around him but because it's also dangerous for him himself! The Kyuubi's energy is negative; it hurts the vessel more than you can tell so as far as I'm concerned no stupid fucked up demon is going to hurt any of my kids!" Naruto opened his eyes in surprise just to find out Tsunade stormed out of the room muttering something about checking up on the Uchiha. After the door was once again closed, an awkward silence filled the room. For some reason nobody agreed to look at Naruto who was gradually becoming more and more uncomfortable with the situation.

"Ok, will you stop that?!" he said. Ten-Ten stared at him.

"Kaa-chan can be so scary…" she said, truly amazed. That broke the ice and they all laughed.

"So, Gaara, mom said you came up with a nice cover-up story…" Naruto said, eyeing his brother in suspicion. Gaara smirked. "You're a gay guy with a very weak heart. Some bullies picked up on you because of that and then right when they were about to beat you, your love of life and secret crush came to your rescue. Of course he got all the beating and shit but he managed to scare them away. Then he confessed his love to you and you fainted in his arms."

Gaara could be seen running down the corridors, laughing maniacally whilst a very mad Naruto tried to fight Kankuro restraining him so he could catch Gaara and unleash Kyuubi's energy on him.

~o~o~o~o~

To say he felt like shit was an understatement. Everything hurt; even the mere task of breathing was painful. Well, his lung did get pierced. By his broken rib. Damn it! If he knew that Naruto was…no. he shouldn't be thinking of that-that monster right now. He should try to relax, calm himself and try to get better as soon as possible. But hell it was so hard to calm down when his whole body ached so much! From head to toe he felt like he'd been crushed under an elephant's foot and then ran over by a herd of zebras. What's more, his pride's been damaged. Badly. No one ever made fun of him, no one ever dared to lay hands on him and no one ever put him in such a…pathetic state! Naruto… Naruto was responsible for everything. He was the reason why Sasuke was bound to this damned cheap bed and he was the one who damaged his pride! But as hard as he tried, Sasuke couldn't bring himself to hate the blonde boy. The words he said right before fainting still echoed inside his head like a damaged CD. "It wasn't me, I swear…" and Sasuke believed him. He believed him, and he didn't know why. He should hate him, shouldn't he? He should despise and abhor him for what he did to him, shouldn't he? Logic said that, yes, he should indeed hate him but for some reason logic wasn't dominant in his mind anymore. What ruled his mind instead was the thought of how he should talk to the boy once he gets to see him again? He didn't think too much of his injuries, all he seemed to care about was the fact that he had hurt Naruto's feelings, once again. And the worst part of it all was that he knew what he was doing, he knew his words would hurt the boy and still, he couldn't stop.

"I see you're awake, that's good," he heard a voice and soon enough he saw a big breasted woman approaching him. She was blonde with honey-colored eyes and of course-huge boobs. There was no way he could miss them. "I thought you were gay, but with the way you stare at them I'm beginning to doubt it," she teased. Sasuke blushed deeply and looked away. The woman gave a short chuckle and proceeded to check him up. He watched in silence as she examined the monitors and played with the buttons that only god knew what they did and scowled when she turned to face him once more. "Aren't you a grumpy one…smile brat. Life's too short to live in grief." She eyed him in a way Sasuke didn't like. "You're done with the check up, why don't you leave me alone?" he asked, irritated by her piercing gaze. She merely raised one fine brow. "That's not a way to talk to the head of KMC, Uchiha," she said and smirked when Sasuke's eyes widened in realization. "You're his mother," he stated. She looked surprised but nodded. "I am his mother." Sasuke felt his guts turning upside down. What the hell? This-this woman was Naruto's mother?! They were so not alike! He would've never imagined her to be so…bold. When people talked about the great doctor Tsunade he imagined her as an elderly woman with soft white hair tied in a bun and a face full of wrinkles. The real Tsunade was nothing like that. She was, first of all, much younger than his imaginary Tsunade and obviously prettier. Also, she seemed proud and scary unlike the Tsunade in his head who was nice, gentle and amiable.

"Are you surprised?" she asked. He didn't answer; it was kind of a rhetoric question. "I am surprised myself," she said after a moment. "I'm not exactly the mother-type woman." She chuckled, Sasuke listened. "People who used to know me would have never believed that I would be a mother to five kids, and in the past I wouldn't have either. It was just not me," she paused and for a brief moment Sasuke could see sadness in her eyes that wasn't there before. "But life and reality always keep changing us whether we like it or not, whether we notice or not. We are always changing; it's only up to us if for good or for bad." Then her eyes met his and Sasuke felt so small under her strong, determined stare. "Naruto is doing his best to fight his demon. It was sealed within him by his own father who died in the process, and ever since Naruto had to fight the demon for control over his very own body. It's not an easy task. Because of the demon inside of him, people are scared of him. They keep away from him and treat him as a monster. He was a threat to them and he will always remain a threat in their eyes because that's the nature of human beings. They are scared of what they don't know. I don't blame them, it's not their fault but neither is it my son's. Do you know how hard it is for a mother to know for a fact that her son will always be an outcast? Do you know how hard it is for a mother to not be able to protect her son from this cruel, hateful world? But Naruto is a good boy; he always tries to make me happy, always tries not to worry me. Tell me Uchiha, now that you're finally beginning to realize what he is and finally beginning to hate who he is, do you think it is fair?" Sasuke didn't know what to answer her. Fair? How could he tell what was fair and not? A couple of days ago he might have said that it wasn't fair that he's got the shit beaten out of him, but now… now he wasn't sure at all.

~o~o~o~o~

Sasuke was released from the hospital after two long horrible weeks and was ordered to rest for another one so that he could heal properly. However, he hated it. He hated being confined to a bed and do nothing. He had music, true, and books to read and things to eat but it was boring. He was stuck in the same place-the same bed!- and that was just it. He hated it. He wanted to be ok. And when he finally was allowed to be active again, the first thing he did was go jogging. He definitely needed it.

It was a nice day outside, considering it was winter, and he only needed a jumper to keep himself warm (well, jogging helped to). He started off from his house gates and jogged around the house and then went down the hill and to the park where people were enjoying their selves on that fine day. The sky was quite bright above him, with some clouds on the far horizon. A chilly wind caressed his cheeks and messed his black hair. It was so nice to feel his legs move! To feel his muscles work. He realized suddenly, that hadn't Naruto injured him so badly and force him to be confined to a bed for so long he would've never learned to appreciate his body and its abilities. And again… he was thinking of him. Uzumaki Naruto… the boy who hurt him, the boy who got him hospitalized for two weeks, the boy who, for some reason, Sasuke couldn't become mad at. It was weird, that new feeling, the feeling as if he was very enthusiastically expecting for something to happen. It made his stomach feel funny. But he didn't hate the feeling; it was nice in a strange way despite the face that it made him feel… well, funny. Why was he not mad at Naruto? Only god knows, and Sasuke was definitely no god. He was just a teenager trying to deal with his life. And Naruto was something in his life that he needed to deal with. He hasn't seen the boy for a month and as much as he didn't like it Sasuke knew that seeing the boy again was inevitable. It needed to happen sooner or later and he decided that sooner was better. When I get back to school tomorrow, he finally decided and made his way back home. Tomorrow will be the day that he would deal with Uzumaki Naruto, vessel of the nine-tailed fox demon, Kyuubi.

When Sasuke was back at home, Itachi was there, watching some odd series on the TV. Itachi has been there ever since he heard what happened. He missed the ROCK N' ROLL Day but he couldn't care less. He knew Sakura would fill him in with the details anyway.

"Sasuke, you're back." It wasn't a question. Itachi looked up and gave his little brother a soft smile. Sasuke smiled back and settled on the sofa beside his brother.

"What the hell are you watching?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Boys Over Flowers," was the answer. Sasuke choked.

"You're so gay…!"

"Indeed, so are you."

"I'm a manly gay."

"Please… you're an uke gay."

"Like hell as if I'd be uke!"

"You are, Sas-UKE!"

"Shut up!"

"Speaking of which, do you have a boyfriend?" Itachi's question was met with silence. He glanced sideways at his little brother and was surprised to see the look of contemplation on his face. "You don't?!" he asked, astonished, "I can't believe it! You, with the whole I'm-so-perfect-go-screw-yourself attitude, no one agreed to go out with you? Or is it that you think no one's worthy of you?" Sasuke remained silent and refused to look at his brother. Itachi sighed and coiled an arm around his brother's shoulders, pulling him closer.

"You're acting like child Sasuke," he said softly, "you'll never find happiness if you don't come to terms with yourself."

"Like you know what it's all about," Sasuke muttered in annoyance.

"Well then what is it all about?"

"Nothing."

"See, that's what I'm talking about Sasuke. Obviously it's not nothing, and the way I see it it's actually far from 'nothing'. But unless you come to terms with yourself that you have a problem you won't be able to find the solution to it!"

"I know I have a problem! Do you think I'm that stupid?!" Sasuke was annoyed. "I fucking know I have a fucking fucked up problem!"

"Then, what is it?"

"Nothing."

Itachi released an exasperated sigh and uncoiled his arm from Sasuke's shoulders. "In that case little brother," he said as he got up, "I hope you'll be able to define what 'nothing' is." And he left to make himself a cup of coffee.

~o~o~o~o~

It felt kind of weird to be back in school after a long month of being far away from it, not even touching a single book or doing homework. Everyone was staring at him as if it was the first time they ever saw him. Apparently they had a vague idea of what truly happened and they were probably assuming other things, exaggerated things. They could all go to hell if it was up to him. Unfortunately it wasn't.

Neji was by his side all the time, following him around like a faithful dog. A sarcastic, full of venom, faithful dog. He never stopped teasing Sasuke about his weakened state and about him not doing homework or completing the assignments they were given. Sometimes Sasuke felt like shoving an iron stick up Neji's behind and make him dance samba. But he had to admit that it was nice to have Neji back, to be able to talk to him or anyone else. He never thought he'd miss the company of his friends this much, but he did. Hell he didn't even know he could miss school and classes but he did, a little.

What he dreaded the most, though, was meeting Naruto. He had decided that he would talk to the other boy but he was terrified of the mere idea of it. And he hated being afraid. He hated feeling like a fearful useless puppy. He wanted to hate Naruto for making him feel this way, but he couldn't bring himself to do so.

But Naruto was absent the day Sasuke came back and so Sasuke had to wait 'till Naruto decide to show up.

It happened to days later.

The classroom was empty except for a lone figure leaning on the desk in the back of the room. Sasuke could immediately tell who it was for only Naruto had such shocking golden hair. He noticed with concern that Naruto seemed a little thinner and paler. At that moment Naruto decided to look up. They both froze, staring into the other's intense filled eyes. For a moment that seemed like eternity they were just like that, Naruto half leaning on the desk, Sasuke standing dumbly at the entrance. And then Sasuke took a step forward. Naruto swallowed but refused to look away.

"Good morning," Sasuke's voice was indifferent.

"G-good morning," was Naruto's shaken reply. An intense silence followed as both of them wanted to say what was on their hearts but neither of them daring to. Sasuke felt utterly stupid as he tried to speak but failed miserably. The whole thing was absolutely ridiculous! He should feel that way, he was an Uchiha for god's sake! Uchihas were proud, aloof and…had the best masks. He sighed in defeat.

"Uzumaki-"

"Sasuke-"

Naruto chuckled. "You go first," he said but Sasuke shook his head seriously. "No, you go first," he told the blonde. Naruto looked into his eyes, searching for something and after a moment sighed deeply.

"I'm transferring to another school;" he finally said slowly, "My mother doesn't want me to continue in Konoha high. She says…that love is something I can learn all over again. She says that sometimes you have to let go of the past…"

.o.O.O.o.

I am truly sorry for the too long delay. I can only say I was experiencing what they call 'a writer's block'. Honestly I'm not very pleased with this chapter as I was forcing myself to write it. But I do hope you still enjoyed it.

I am kind of disappointed that Sasuke and Naruto were unable to go to the ROCK N' ROLL Day event but as compensation the next chapter will include Akatsuki (the band) members, so look forward to it! (Or don't, I really don't know how much my story will continue to defy me…). Anyway thanks a lot for reading!