*A smell of fresh cookies and hot coco wafts through the house as you come in, welcomed by Gaara, who quickly returns to the couch, hopping over the back to cuddle up next to Neji. The movie playing is One Piece Strong World. Kiba, sitting on the floor, tugs on Shika's sleeve entusiastically. The lazy teen looks down from the other couch, peeking open an eye. Seeing you, he pauses...you nod, and he looks away again*

Kiba- Look at that awsome lightning bird! And the ship flies! Look, Shika!

Shika- Cool. *he glances to satisfy his lover, before closing his eyes again. Kiba shrugs, and turns back to watching. You ask where you can find Lawlie. Neji raises a hand and points towards the back*

Juura-Thanks.

*You head to where he pointed, and the smell of chocolate chip cookies gets stronger. Grinning, and walking faster, you round the corner in the darkened hallway, unable to see the pictures hanging on the wall as you head upstairs and past the kitchen. As you pass, you pause, inhaling the heavenly scent and listening to both the voice actors and Kiba wooting from the living room, and the faucet dripping water. Then, grimming wider, you head up.*

*Making it to the top of the staircase, you glance around and hear a few voices coming from the last door on the left. A dim yellow light is pouring into the hall, illuminating a group picture of the RECon group, before Sparkle and Shino died. Heading into the room, you pause and look over it, guilt gnawing you for a moment, before you shake your head and go into the room, knocking and hesitating once inside. You aren't sure if you deserve to be here.*

Lawlie- *looks up from her laptop and pulls back before smiling cautiously* Hey, Juura...didn't we have a talk about you breaking into my house?

*Sasuke sits up and puts an arm around his boyfriend, Naruto, who is watching you from beside Lawlie. They're all sitting in a mound of blankets in the bed, and Kakashi is laying down on the couch beside it, reading. He glances at you from behind it and nods agreeably.*

Sasuke- Oh, she didn't. We gave her a key.

Lawlie- WHAAA? *She slams her laptop shut and pouts at him.* Well you can for-get about having any say in my next chapter then, mister I Give Keys To Crazy Glompers! Screww that.

*You stand, feeling a bit lost, in the doorway, until Iruka, laying on the opposite couch, stands and comes over, pulling you down on the bed too. You wait, as the arguement dies down.*

Juura- Sorry about this. I just...

Lawlie- *sighs but smiles wearily* It's fine. But I have to warn you. No speak peeks at my stories, kay?

Juura- Fine.

(Maybe there's some forgiveness there? Ne? Sorry for de uber-long intro guys! Enjoy de rest! This chappie is going to be all Naru!)

I walked further down the hallway, and rounded the corner, heading for our next classroom, since Sasuke was late to 'pick me up'. But just as I turned into the next hall, something covered my eyes and mouth. I screamed into the hand, and struggled, shocks of raw fear joining through me.

"Got you, Na-ru-to!" a husky voice slithered into my ear. I stiffened, and struggled more in the iron grip I didn't know was very gentle.

Tears welled up and spilled over. But suddenly, the hands were spinning me around, and I was shaking, as I looked into Kiba's face.

"What the-dude, are you alright? Geez, I was only kidding!" he tried to pull me into a hug, and normally, I wouldn't have minded, but he wasn't who I needed.

"Sasuke," I murmured, and pulled away, running off.

"Naruto!" the brunette called out, still worried. He tried to follow, but I sped out of his sight soon, still sobbing.

But...we're in school now. He won't be able to hold you...

I stopped and felt my heart drop to the floor. That damned voice was right. I..I couldn't go to him. I was lost.

I stumbled out of all the other students' way, and into a broom closet, sliding against the wall to sit down. Pulling my legs to my chest, I let my tears fall. But it wasn't just because of Kiba's retarded joke. It was because I needed him, but couldn't go to him and just hold him anymore. I wanted to feel his warm, safe arms surround me. His deep, gentle voice that he uses only for me telling me that it'll be okay because he won't let anything happen to me. That he'll always be there.

-Kit? You okay?-

I don't know what to do anymore, Kyu. I need him. But...

-Why do you care so much what other people think? The only one that matters is your mate, anyways.-

You don't understand. You weren't there all my life. I didn't want to be this way! But...after so long, with people saying horrible tings, and nobody telling me it wasn't true, it hurts. Not on the outside, for awhile, but somewhere so deep inside you you didn't know it could hurt so much until it starts to burn and shrink, pulling your heart into itself and making you want to scream in agony...

More tears welled up, and I gasped, burying my head in my arms and sobbing as quietly as I could.

-Kit...-

Just go away..

-But...?-

LEAVE!

I felt his prescence fade, and felt even emptier and more alone, crying harder.

"Sasuke...help..." I choked out, sensing that I was about to let go of myself.

"Naruto!" I heard in the hall. I froze, stopping the tears for a moment, only to recognize Kakashi and Kiba.

It's not him. Not him.

Collapsing again, I sobbed, not bothering to hide it. I heard footsteps, and the door of the closet was yanked open.

I heard my english teacher speak, but couldn't understand him. Looking up, my eyes widened, and I jerked back. One of the men was standing there, frantic for some reason. I shrieked, scrambling backwards and bumping into boxes. I turned up, watching as they began thier descent. The man yelled and reached for me, and I huddled back, pulling into myself at last completely.

"Naruto!" a voice echoed and faded.

I was back in the alleyway, looking fearfully up into the man's eyes as he stood over me, sneering. More figures began to emerge from the fog, and I tried to backk up further, hitting the bricks behind me. Gasping and feeling the tears well up again, I shut my eyes tightly, whispering softly, words drowned by the churning waters, "Please...someone help me."

The men laughed, and I cowered, backing up and pulling my legs up, trying to make myself as small as possible. Curled into the fetal position and having the stinging rain pelt on me, I cried, knowing I was about to die for sure.

"Naruto!"

I stiffened, glancing around, but the rain kept coming down, blinding me to all else except the threatening figures getting nearer.

"Damn bastard," one of said figures cursed, throwing down a beer bottle. I flinched as it shattered, glass sprinkling the concrete as the brown liquor ran into the rain.

He bent down in front of me, grabbing my hair and tugging me upright again, slurring, "You'll pay! You're nothing but a friggin' demon spawn! Die!"

He smacked me, letting me fall again as the blow connected, and knocked me into the bricks, kicking my side as I dropped to the already flooding ground, water coming up to my eyes as I flattened and gasped in pain, trying to scoot back again.

"Snap out of it! Naruto!"

I stiffened again, the man pulling up by my hair again. I tried to look through the agony and rain that lept crashing down around me, but as the next swing hit me, I choked and coughed up blood, my stomach coiling. The fist withdrew, and slammed into me again, drawing a screech.

"What's wrong with him?"

Another voice. It yelled as I did, water blowing both our words into nothing. The thunder crackled above, and I shrieked, another hand reaching me. For an impossible moment, the rain slowed and quieted. I looked around, in slow motion it seemed. I felt a hand on my face, gentle and calloused. It was familiar. I leaned into it, tears still streaming down my cheeks.

"Naruto. Dobe. What happened? Come back to me."

But I can't go to him. I have to keep it a secret, I whispered in my mind. The rain slammed back down and the touch vanished. I screeched again. The fist had connected.

"You fucking monster! Just go to hell!"

Held up only by my soaked hair, I sobbed, trying to get free, but I couldn't get loose. The other men were closing in. I knew one they did, I would be gone forever.

"Dobe! I said come back to me! Naruto!" The rain halted again, as if commanded by the oh-so-deep voice, but then the mysterious hand came back, another joining it. They held my sobbing face and stroked me lovingly.

Lovingly? Me?

"Yes you, idiot. Wake up. Just open your eyes and come back to me already."

Blinked, and shuddered, trying to do as it said.

Wake up? A dream?

I was sobbing still, but opening my eyes was okay. I cracked them open and was pulled into a warm chest. I cried, and clutched him desperately, weeping into his soft shirt.

"Sasuke! Is he awake?" I heard Gaara yell from somewhere else.

"Yeah!" my savior yelled back, voice cracking. I looked up, teary eyes wide. My boyfriend held me tight, preventing me from seeing the tears in his eyes.

People flooded the room, and I tried so hard not to cry, finally succeeding after about ten minutes. I knew I was alright now, but I couldn't get that sound out of my head.

That rain.

That constant beat of drumming rain.

"You idiot. Why didn't you come find me?" He choked out, still holding me tightly.

"S-Secret. Us," I murmured, my own voice cracking a bit. He looked confused, be realization dawned on him. He pinched my cheek, scowling.

"It doesn't matter in that kind of situation. Of course it wouldn't!" I looked away, ashamed I hadn't thought of his opinion. He would feel this way now, but I still couldn't. He would regret it eventually. Everyone did in the end.

"I don't care what it is. If you need me, you find me. And I'll save you, no matter what. You got that? I will never regret being with you. Ever," he murmured into my hair, tugging me close again. My eyes widened, but I quickly closed them, a single tear falling. I nodded, wanting so badly to believe him. Maybe I did...

-Kit...-

"Hey! Sasuke!" Sakura ran in, stopping at our expressions. She frowned, but hesitated, waiting for one of us to explain.

She'd been in class when it'd happened. She was younger than everyone but Ino and Hinata, Neji's cousin. They were still sophmores. Everyone else was a junior. (1)

Sasuke squeezed me and let me lie back on our bed, where I had realized we were, a few moments ago.

"Yeah?" he said, monotone back full strength. His eyes were puffy, but Kami be damned if he was gonna show he'd been upset-to anyone to me. I couldn't bite back a smile of warmth at the thought that only I knew his real smile.

Sakura glanced at me, before leaning in a muttering, "Lady Tsunade told me to come get you as fast as possible. It's your brother."

(1)- sorry if I said senior earlier. They are actually juniors. One, for the sequel Im planning...maybe, and two, it fits my plans.