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

Warnings: This story includes strong language, violence, angst, and (of course) beautiful yaoi love.

A Death to Escape

Chapter 14: Facing- The Truth

"Chaos is the only sure thing in this world."

-Lulu Miller

--

"Blondie. You look.." pale green eyes ran down his body, then back to his face. ".. not great."

Sasuke glared over at the impertinent redhead as he locked up their dorm. "Shut up, Gaara", he growled. "No one asked you."

"So.." Gaara twirled his keys around on his finger, eyes gleaming with mischief, "should I assume this has something to do with you, Uchiha? You weren't too rough on Blondie, now were you?"

Naruto turned bright red and quickly looked away, letting long blonde bangs hide his embarrassment. Avoiding Gaara's questioning gaze, he walked stiffly down the hallway towards the elevator.

Gaara stared after him, eyes widening as he watched the blonde stagger away. "No way.." Green orbs shot over to the raven casually walking by.

"Did you..?"

Sasuke stopped, then turned to glare over his shoulder. "What I do is none of your business."

Gaara watched with growing understanding and horror as Sasuke strolled down the hall, easily catching up with the blonde to walk by his side.

"Gaara?" Lee hesitantly placed a hand on his shoulder. "Are you.. ok?"

"Why wouldn't I be ok.." he whispered, staring after the pair, watching their hands intertwine between them. "This is how it was always going to be.."

Gaara locked their door, then veered off- heading for the stairs.

"You're not going to eat?"

"Maybe some other time.." he mumbled.

Lee watched him disappear behind the stairway door, wishing that Gaara would just turn back and see him.

Then maybe he would be able to see how well Lee understood what it felt like to want something completely out of reach..

--

"Where's Gaara?" Naruto asked as the three stepped into the elevator.

"He's.." Lee looked down. He was a terrible liar, and didn't want to give away what was really going on with his roommate. That was his business. "He's not hungry."

"Oh."

The three stayed quiet the rest of the way, and continued their uncomfortable silence to the dining hall. Lee, feeling like a third wheel without the redhead, decided to break the awkwardness first.

"Umm.. Naruto?" he asked, mindlessly stirring the oatmeal in front of him. "Last night.. those guys.." he looked up and watched Naruto's huge blue eyes give him away, "why did they come after you like that?"

The blonde's fork slipped through his fingers and slammed loudly against the table, startling him out of his daze. "Oh, umm.. I'm- I'm not sure. Maybe they were just really drunk." Naruto laughed and scratched the back of his head.

Lee eyed him for a moment, then nodded and dropped his gaze back down to his breakfast. "Right.."

Naruto and Sasuke exchanged a look, which Lee caught out of the corner of his eye. "You know.. I can help you, Naruto."

The blonde smiled softly. "I know."

Lee stood and collected his food. "I think I will head out then."

"Lee- you don't need to leave. You haven't even eaten yet."

"It's fine. Besides, it seems like you two have things you need to talk about."

Sasuke eyed the brunette closely. Hmm.. perceptive. He glanced over at Naruto. I wonder how much he's told him..

"I think I'll go look for Gaara. Naruto, do you still want to train with me later?"

The blonde grinned and gave a thumbs up. "Definitely!"

Lee smiled back. "Alright, see you then."

The two watched the green-clad teen walk away with mixed feelings, waiting until he was out of ear shot before turning to one another. "Are we still going to report everything that's happened?" Naruto asked quietly.

Sasuke nodded. "We have to. Before things go any further."

Naruto chewed on his lip, feeling anxious. Would anyone even believe them? It had taken a while for Sasuke to- what were the odds that complete strangers would..?

The Uchiha noticed his doubt. "We at least have to try, Naruto."

"I know."

The two finished their breakfast without another word, then set off, hand in hand, to face their newest challenge.

--

"So, you want us to believe that some lunatic in an insane asylum has a group of triplets working for him. And they are trying to make you look suicidal to trick people into putting you in there with him. Is that the gist of it?"

"I know it sounds crazy" Naruto replied, his patience wearing thin, "but it's the truth!"

"Uh huh.."

"Why the hell would we make this up?!" Sasuke shouted, his patience long since expired.

The burly cop glanced over at his partner, a thin man with a judgmental face. "I don't know. Maybe to keep your friend from being admitted to the crazy house."

"Obviously!" Sasuke snarled. "Because he doesn't fucking belong there!!"

"Watch it, kid."

"This is such bullshit" Sasuke griped. "Will you at least write this down in case something else happens?!"

"Why don't we start with a psych evaluation first.." Burly Cop said.

"Are you working for him too", Sasuke snarled, "or are you just shitty cops?"

The officers' eyes flared. "I said watch it!" Burly Cop snapped.

"Maybe you need some time in our holding cell," Skinny said. "It'll give you a chance to cool off."

"Please" Naruto quickly cut in, placing a hand on Sasuke's chest to try to calm him down, "we have no one else to turn to."

Burly sighed and dragged his fingers through his hair. "Fine. We'll fill out a report. But that doesn't mean we can do much about this. You have no proof, no witness- doesn't really give us much to go off of."

"I understand" Naruto said quietly.

Skinny argued with his partner, but apparently Burly made up his mind. He wasn't going to do much, but he would write a formal report and keep it on record.

"Thank you."

Burly eyed the blonde. "Don't" he said roughly. "This doesn't mean I believe you."

Naruto looked down, his eyes heavy, his face pale.

This might still blow up in my face.

He swallowed.

These could be the very cops that take me away from Sasuke.. that lock me up.. with him.

Sasuke glanced over at his blonde, obsidian eyes filled with concern for him. He hated seeing him like this. So sad, so.. lost.

"Let's go" he said gently. He grabbed his hand and pulled him away from the place that had turned out to be no help at all.

We don't need those assholes. Sasuke gave his hand a squeeze. He has me.

And I will be the one to protect him.

--

"Well.. they were fucking useless" Sasuke muttered as they walked away from the station, his irritation slowly returning as the further they got.

Yes. He has me. But that doesn't mean they should spit in our fucking faces.

They wouldn't even listen.

"It's ok, Sasuke. Really. We did what we needed to."

The raven stopped and turned to face his blonde. He gently cupped his face. "It's going to be ok, Naru."

Naruto covered his hands with his own. "I know. Don't worry, Sasuke."

The Uchiha clenched just jaw. Don't worry?

Yeah. Unlikely.

"Anyways" Naruto stepped away from the raven, forcing a smile, "I should probably get going."

Sasuke's eyes darkened. "Absolutely not."

"Sasuke, I have a class."

"Skip it."

"I'm not going to skip." Sasuke opened his mouth to argue, but Naruto quickly cut him off. "It'll be fine. It's just one class, and those guys aren't in it."

Sasuke looked at him doubtfully, but Naruto looked utterly unswayed. "I'm not going to change my mind. Besides, I'm pretty sure you have one too."

"Damn stubborn dobe.." he growled. "Fine. But I'm walking with you. And I want you to wait for me before you leave."

The blonde sighed, but nodded before leading the way across the quad. Sasuke's anxiety grew with every step, and quickly transformed into anger.

Anger he was having a hard time getting under control.

When they reached their destination, Naruto gave a small wave and started up the steps, but Sasuke's hand shot out and grabbed his wrist, stopping him.

Naruto turned to look at him with wide surprised eyes.

"Don't go."

"Sasuke, I told you-"

The grip on his wrist tightened. "And I'm telling you" he growled. "You're not going."

"Let go."

Sasuke yanked him towards him, eyes burning with rage. "You. Are Not. Going!"

Naruto glared back. "Sasuke, stop!"

"You heard him, Uchiha. Back off." The two turned and found Gaara approaching them, his eyes narrowed on the raven, his anger transparent.

"This doesn't concern you."

Gaara clenched his jaw and grabbed his wrist. "Let go of him, Uchiha."

Sasuke turned and shoved the redhead back. "You're not his fucking protector, Gaara. He doesn't need you!"

Gaara glanced over at the blonde. "Maybe not. But I promised to stay by his side. And I have kept that promise."

His face darkened as he turned his attention back to the raven. "Can you really say the same, Sasuke?"

The raven ground his teeth, but Naruto could see the hurt in his eyes. Because.. Gaara was right.

And Sasuke hated that about himself.

Naruto knew that, but he couldn't bring himself to comfort him about it. He didn't know if he ever could..

No. Enough. I don't want to be in the middle of their petty fighting anymore.

Naruto yanked his arm free and took a step back. "You want to fight, then fight. But leave me out of it."

Before either of them could stop him, Naruto rushed up the steps and pushed his way into the building, leaving the two to stare after him, filled with love and anger and concern. And a desperate need to keep him safe.

To keep him close.

Naruto rushed through the halls, relieved that he didn't run into any orange-haired villains. Thankfully, he made it to class without any other obstacles. Unfortunately, the class was a complete drag, though that wasn't exactly surprising.

Probably shouldn't complain though. Things have been so chaotic lately, it's probably a good thing that I'm bored.

So,

so..

bored..

Naruto suddenly jolted awake awake and shot up out of his seat, feeling confused. "Wha-?"

Shit. I fell asleep!

He scrambled to grab his things in the empty classroom, still feeling disoriented. He hurriedly stuffed his supplies in his bag and rushed from his seat, which suddenly left him feeling light headed.

Naruto stopped and gripped the table, waiting for the dark splotches in his vision to pass.

After a moment, he took a deep calming breath, steadied himself, and stepped forward, weaving his way past the maze of chairs on his way to the exit.

The doors had already been closed, the lights dimmed. Seriously, NO ONE noticed that I was still here..?

He rolled his eyes at the thought, grabbed the door handle, and pulled it open.

Then froze.

"No.." he breathed. Fear constricted his throat, cutting off anything else he might say. All he could do was stare in horror, his body rigid with terror.

He finally managed to take a shaky step back, but he didn't get very far.

This.. this can't be happening.

A cruel grin stretched wide. Then another, and another as they moved towards him.

"Hello, Naruto."