IT LIVES! Hello to my faithful followers and Welcome to any new to my prolonged typing experience. Things have been busy, BUT since you didn't lose patience WE'RE BACK on with the next installment. Just to warn you all of this chapter bounces back and forth between pov of Naruto and Sasuke. Make sure to review and please enjoy!

Chapter Seven

"I'll be back soon. I need to get some more stuff from my dads' house!" I called up the stairs.

"Okay!" Sasukes' voice echoed from the upper hall.

"If I'm not back in an hour, call 911." I joked about Ibiki all the time now, but I still worried something might happen. Shaking my head, I closed the door behind me and headed back to get my stuff.

"Welcome home Naruto." I knew that voice; my entire body froze as I realized who it was coming from. I turned slowly to see him leaning against the doorjamb behind me, his hand on the deadbolt. "About time you get here. I've been waiting." The calm look of rage in his eyes terrified me.

"How did you know I was coming?" Had he been following me?

"I'm not stupid Naruto. I knew you would have to come back here eventually. Good news for you though, I haven't been waiting long." The seconds felt like years as he moved slowly toward me – a predator stalking his prey. I turned toward the kitchen so I could get to the stairs, needing to get into my old room. "Don't you walk away from me." His voice was furious; though the usual stench of alcohol wasn't surrounding him. He grabbed my arm, the pain of his fingers digging into the muscle shocking my system. "Is Itachi back?"

"Don't talk about him – he is not your concern." I hate the way he talks about Itachi.

"I'll take that for a no. Good." He threw me over the back of the couch, re-bruising my ribs. He laid on top of me before I'd had a chance to move. He crushed his lips onto mine, forcing the air from my body. His hand moved down toward the button on my jeans. I pulled my hands up into my chest and pushed against him with all my weight. He toppled off of me onto the floor, fury filling his face.

He returned to his feet, glaring at me. "You little Bitch!" I got up – running for the door. My fingers brushed the cold metal of the doorknob as I felt Iruka's soap-stone hit me hard on the base of my neck. I fell forward, landing hard, hearing my wrist snap. I laid there briefly, just long enough for Ibiki to catch up to me with a swift kick to my right hip; his steel-toed boot tearing into the muscle.

"No!" I didn't mean to scream but the pain had overwhelmed me. I could feel the warmth of blood leaking from my neck. He kicked my shoulder and rolled me onto my back. I cried out sharply.

"More?" the fury in his eyes terrified me, but I couldn't give in to him again.

"Never." I spoke through gritted teeth, my eyes glaring into him.

"Don't talk back to me Bitch!" I lifted my hands to protect my face from his blows – an action that only worsened his anger. He showered me with hard blows to my head and chest, kicking and punching in a painful rhythm. I could feel the bones shattering, skin ripping, beneath his blows. My body was heating up but I was far from warm. I'm bleeding. I tried to get up and was stopped by a heavy boot to the chest.

"Let me go Ibiki!" I tried to push his leg off of me but he only stepped harder.

"I'll kill you for taking Iruka from me."

"Hello?" he hadn't expected his phone to ring. Maybe Naruto needed help carrying boxes or something.

"Kounichiwa Otoutou. How is everything?" Itachi's voice sounded hoarse over the phone; he must be yelling a lot in America.

"Everything is fine. Naruto moved into your room about three weeks ago – couldn't take life at home anymore."

"Is he there? I called his phone but he didn't pick up." His voice was thick with worry which only strengthened my guilt for taking advantage of his lover.

"That's odd. He's not here; he went to Iruka's almost an hour ago to pick up some more stuff. He's probably busy looking for something." Not answering his phone was extremely unusual for Naruto.

"Get someone over there Sasuke. I don't want him anywhere near that property alone; what if Ibiki shows up while he's alone?" my eyes widened; why hadn't I thought of that?

"Oh God; I'll call you back Itachi – I'll call Gaara and get over there immediately." I was worried now, Naruto would never ignore Itachis' call; no one ever did.

"Hn." He spoke only one word before the line went dead. Without pause I dialled Gaara.

"Hello? Sands residence."

"Neiji? It's Sasuke. I need to talk to Gaara."

"Gaara is busy; can I get a message and have him call you back?" I could feel the anger welling up inside me.

"Damn it Neiji it's an emergency! Let me talk to him NOW!" I didn't mean to yell but worry was gripping my heart with every passing moment.

"Fine – hurry though. GAARA! SASUKE'S ON THE PHONE!" I heard the scratching sounds of the phone switching hands.

"What's up Sasuke?"

"I'll explain later. Meet me at Iruka's house immediately. I needed you there ten minutes ago."

"On my way." I barely heard Gaara speak before I ended the call, grabbed my keys and left the house. Please let him be okay.

Cold. I was so cold. Ibiki continued kicking me and throwing me every time I dared to attempt standing. I'd finally given up trying a few moments ago – he was somewhat kinder when I didn't move. I couldn't feel the individual blows anymore, only felt the lack of heat in my body. How could I have let this happen again? I thought it was finally over. I shuddered as I felt the hot breath on my face; Ibiki had finally stopped beating me. He kissed me hard, bruising my lips further, and whispered in my ear.

"Now you lay here to die, a worthless pile for Iruka to find." He spit my father's name as if it had burned his tongue, "I want him to see you as you take your last breath and know he could have avoided your death with loyalty." He dropped something heavy onto my head – I could hear the bones fracture and break but could not feel it. I watched him thrust my father's favourite sword into my abdomen then spit on me before he walked through the front door. I heard the wood slam heavy against the doorframe; I heard the sharp click of the latch locking into place; I saw Itachi's worried face flash through my memory and everything went black.

I was pacing back and forth in front of Iruka's house when Gaara finally arrived. "What's going on Sas?" Gaara had grown up with Naruto and I – he'd always been there for both of us if we ever needed anything.

"I'm not sure; Naruto came back to get some of his stuff about two hours ago and he won't answer his phone. The door is locked and he won't answer the doorbell – I'm worried he's hurt."

"Why would he be hurt?" the look in his eyes showed me that he thought I was nuts. I'd have to explain about Ibiki.

"Please just get a view inside to make sure he's okay. I'll explain while you look around." While Gaara looked around the house with his "Sand Eye Jutsu" I explained about the abuse.

"Oh God!" his concentration broke even before the words had formed on his tongue.

"What? What's in there?" I'd never seen that much worry on his face before.

"Call 911!"

"Why?" What happened?

"NOW!" No one dared raise their voice to an Uchiha and this urgency terrified me more than the look on his face.

I stared at Narutos' limp body lying there almost dead. The doctors said he would go into a coma if he didn't wake up before morning. Iruka had come in earlier to see him but hadn't stayed long – he said the guilt was too much and he had something important he needed to do. Gaara had left only a few moments ago and had only left to pick up Neiji. He should be back soon; I hope.

I've been sitting here, watching my best friends' mangled body hoping for some sign of movement, for nearly six hours now. Kisame told me to go home and rest but Naruto would need someone to be here when he woke up. My voice has been the only human sound filling this empty room; I speak hoping to get a reaction. Why didn't I go with him? If he doesn't make it through this . . . I don't know what . . . I – I –

"S-Sas?" the painfully heavy voice caused my head to jerk up.

"Naruto? You're awake!" I was so happy to see those beautifully cerulean eyes finally open.

"W-where am I?" he looked utterly confused.

"The hospital. It's okay – the doctor said you'd be fine as long as you woke up, and you did! I'll be right back; I've got to find your doctor." I pushed the button to call the nurse and raced into the hallway to find the doctors.

Well, there you have it. More on the way soon since I've got the typing of chapter 8 almost complete. Please review!