Disclaimers: Naruto isn't mine. This is purely a fanfic using someone else's characters.

Warnings: This story includes strong language, violence, sexual assault, suicide, angst, & sexual content (yaoi)

For Whom the Bell Tolls

Chapter 32: Hearing Your Sad Song

"Tell the truth, or someone will tell it for you."

-Stephanie Klein

- - -

"Do you.. remember me telling you about Itachi?" he asked, his voice cracking over the name of the person he had come to despise.

Naruto stared at him, noticing the pain in his eyes but not yet understanding why. "Well, you haven't really said much about him.. That's your brother right?"

The Uchiha nodded.

"I think you mentioned that he's in prison."

He nodded again. "He's.. the reason Minato is dead."

Naruto's eyes widened. "What? Did he.." -kill him? No, Sasuke said that he killed himself. So, then what does that mean..?

"I don't understand" he admitted.

Sasuke took a deep breath. He didn't want to talk about this. It was hard enough thinking it, but saying it out loud..

It still hurt just saying his name.

But talking about what happened, what Itachi did, how he couldn't save Minato from that pain.. from himself- that was much worse.

"Sasuke?" Naruto said softly. "Are you sure you're ok talking about this?"

No.

Sasuke bit his lip, debating whether or not he should tell him the truth- whether or not he should tell him just how much he didn't want to tell him. But he knew he had to. Besides, Naruto had opened up to him. "You told me about your mom.." he thought aloud.

Naruto flinched.

"Sorry" Sasuke said quietly, regretting bringing it up. "Anyways, the least I can do is repay the favor."

Naruto didn't know what to say so he simply waited for Sasuke to keep going.

"Minato and I went to the same middle school" Sasuke continued. "We were friends in seventh grade, and we realized around the beginning of eighth grade that we.. liked each other."

He felt awkward talking about this with his current boyfriend, but there was no avoiding it. Not if he was going to tell him what happened. Falling in love with Minato was part of what killed him- he was well aware of that. It's why Gaara's accusations hurt so much.

He wasn't completely wrong.

"We kept it a secret at first, but it was hard to hide it after a while. He spent a lot of time at my house, and we just got so comfortable with each other that we didn't feel the need to hide it anymore. People at school didn't really care. Well, except for a few chicks who were still chasing after me. And Gaara. He confessed to Minato, but he told him he didn't feel the same way. When Gaara found out we were dating he was pissed, and they got pretty distant with each other." Sasuke shoved his hand through his hair, pushing back dark strands and insistent guilt.

"I don't totally blame him for being angry with me. Minato pushed him away because he didn't want me to be jealous. And they were friends a lot longer than we were."

"Doesn't give him the right to talk to you like that" Naruto muttered.

Sasuke looked away. "He can say what he wants to me" he said, "but I'm not ok with him going after you."

Naruto gave him a sad look. "You don't have to be strong all the time you know. I know you were hurt by what he said."

"I know." Sasuke sighed. "Anyways, Gaara was pissed and Minato and I were.." in love, "really close."

He didn't say the words, but the look on Naruto's face told him he knew. And that he was uncomfortable thinking about his boyfriend with someone else.

"I told you that my parents died in a car accident" he said, trying not to think about the pain he was causing his blonde, "and that my brother raised me instead."

Naruto nodded.

"Well, he didn't know about me and Minato for a long time. He just assumed we were close friends. He.. umm.." fuck, how do I say this, "he caught us.. together.."

Naruto bit his lip, his gaze dropping to the floor. He tried not to picture it, tried not to think about Sasuke being intimate with someone else, but the thoughts kept creeping in, the images insistent. "I'm guessing he didn't handle it well" Naruto said quietly.

"No. He didn't. He's homophobic, but I didn't know that at the time. He didn't say anything to me about it, he actually went out of his way to not bring it up, but it wasn't the same for Minato."

He could feel tears fill his eyes and quickly blinked them away. "I didn't know how awful he was to him until.. until the end."

He dragged his fingers through his hair again, trying to get his emotions under control. "Minato didn't want to get inbetween us, but he should have. I never would have sided with Itachi. But he never said anything."

"What.. what did Itachi say to him?" Naruto asked, hesitant to pry but unable to keep his curiosities to himself.

"He made him hate himself for being with me" Sasuke said. "Told him that he was ruining my life, that he was repulsive, that he should be ashamed of what he was doing. After a while, I guess he started to believe him."

Naruto felt his stomach tighten. It was starting to make sense.. and he didn't like where this was going. "That's why he-"

He couldn't say it- could see in Sasuke's haunted eyes that he didn't want him to say it. He closed his mouth, waiting for him to tell him the rest.

"The harassment got bad. Minato was afraid of Itachi and he started pushing me away, but I didn't understand why. I.. I was upset with him."

He looked away, his face reddening with shame. "I felt like he was lying to me. That he was hiding something. I just made it worse. Eventually he couldn't stand it. Itachi's emotional abuse, my anger- it made him feel isolated. Hated. Itachi told him he should do it, that I.." he swallowed, "that I would be better off if he was dead. He made him believe it. And I didn't notice. I didn't show him that Itachi was wrong. So he.. he-"

Tears silently slipped down his cheeks, despite how badly he had fought to keep them from falling. Seeing Sasuke like that- so broken, so vulnerable- tore at Naruto's heart. He rose to his feet and went to him. He slowly wrapped his raven in his arms, and Sasuke dropped his head in his hands as the tears steadily fell.

"I'm sorry, Sasuke" he murmured softly, "I'm so sorry."

The raven shook his head. "It's my fault" he choked. "I should've seen what was happening. I was just so fucking selfish. I accused him of lying, of cheating, because he kept getting more and more distant. But it was my own brother-"

A sob broke free and he couldn't say more. He didn't need to. Naruto understood what happened to Minato. In fact, he understood something Sasuke clearly didn't. "This isn't your fault, Sasuke."

His eyes hardened.

"You know who's to blame."

Naruto paused, not sure how much he should say, how much Sasuke could handle hearing. But he felt like he needed more from him. "Minato obviously loved you" he said, ignoring the sharp pang in his chest. "That's not something to be ashamed of or regret. I know it hurts you to think about his pain, but you can't keep blaming yourself for it."

"I'm sorry" Sasuke said, his voice strained. "I know you don't like hearing about me with someone else."

Naruto kissed the top of his head and pulled his raven closer. "Don't apologize. I wanted to know. And I'm glad you feel like you can trust me with this."

Sasuke raised his head, finding those beautiful blues filled with so much love. Too much love.

"I really don't deserve you, Naruto."

"That's not true, 'Ske" he said quietly.

"You deserve so much more."

- - -

They held each other close that night, trying not to think about Sasuke's past but unable to do anything else. Sasuke's anguish was palpable, and Naruto was desperate to help. He wanted to do something for him, but he didn't know what more he could do.

At first.

Then he realized that what Sasuke really needed was to be close- closer than they already were. He needed to be embraced, to forget in the arms of someone else. Naruto was still afraid to do those things, still traumatized by what happened to him in that cave, but he was willing to subject himself to fear if it meant he could take away his boyfriend's pain. Even if just for a little while.

He lifted his head and peered up at him, wondering how far he could go before someone else's touch filled his mind.

"Sasuke..?"

The raven looked down. "Hm?"

You can do this, he told himself. You need to do this.

For Sasuke.

He lifted his face and found his boyfriend's soft, unsuspecting lips. Sasuke froze, shocked to feel his blonde kissing him. He expected it to take a lot longer for Naruto to be receptive to any kind of intimacy. He felt like he should question it, knew he should, but he couldn't deny how good it felt to touch him. He wanted to lose himself in the feel of him and hoped that Naruto wanted the same.

After a brief moment of doubt, Sasuke's mind thawed. He wrapped his arms around him and pulled him closer, sinking his hand into his hair as he deepened their kiss. Naruto's eyes fluttered closed, but he could feel terror stirring in his gut and quickly slammed them back open. He stared at Sasuke's face, reminding himself that it was his boyfriend's lips kissing him, his boyfriend's hands on his body, his boyfriend's length hardening against him.

It's Sasuke.

A tongue ran across his bottom lip, and he hesitantly opened his mouth to welcome it. Their tongues battled for dominance and Sasuke easily won.

It's just Sasuke.

He explored every inch of Naruto's warmth, his heart hammering against his chest as he forced his way further inside.

Just Sasuke.

He grabbed Naruto's waist and rolled his hips, rubbing his straining want against him, a deep moan falling from his mouth and into Naruto's.

Just Sasuke.

A hand reach past the blonde's hip and to his ass, giving it a firm squeeze.

Just Sasuke.

Naruto finally got his hips to move with him and a primal growl responded. Desperate to be closer, to feel more, Sasuke shoved his boyfriend back onto the bed and lowered himself on top of him. He rubbed his core against him, his thrusts slow at first then getting faster, more rhythmic. Naruto gasped in pleasure and fear as his cock strained against his zipper, eager for an escape. Irritated with the rough barrier, Sasuke reached down and yanked their zippers free, then shoved their pants down mid thigh. Naruto opened his mouth, ready to protest, but Sasuke was on him before he could, rubbing their wants together, thin boxers the only thing separating them.

"Ahhhh! Nnn- 'Ske.. I- I don't know if I can-"

But Sasuke didn't hear him. Lust consumed his mind, fogging his thoughts. He couldn't think past the feeling building in his length. His throat went dry, his toes curling, and he moved faster, fighting for a climax.

He was close, but it wasn't enough. He bent his head and licked up his blonde's neck. He found his lobe and teased it, waiting for Naruto to moan before making his next move. Keeping his blonde distracted, Sasuke reached between them again and shoved their boxers down, just enough to release their pulsing wants. Sasuke moved against his and Naruto threw his head back, nearly cumming on the spot. His eyes slammed shut and the hands on his body changed. He could feel the men pinning him down, the guy on top of him moving against him, forcing his cock against his, moving lower to rub his tip against his hole. Panic set in fast and Naruto flinched like he had been slapped. Thinking Naruto was thrusting back, Sasuke kept going. He slammed their lips together and groaned as he moved faster.

"Hmmph" Naruo whimpered. "Hmmmpphhh!!"

Sasuke froze. He realized then that Naruto wasn't responding to pleasure. He was shaking in fear. He pulled back and looked down at his tearful blonde, eyes filled with concern.

"Hey.. hey, it's ok. Naru, it's just me."

"I need to stop" he choked. "Please, Sasuke. I need to stop."

It was hard. God, it was so fucking hard.

He was so close, and their bodies were still pressed firmly together. And his blonde- with his disheveled bed head, flushed cheeks, and kiss-swollen lips- was unbelievably tempting. But he knew what Naruto had gone through, and he knew what it meant to hurt the person closest to you. What it could do to them.

It wasn't worth the risk.

"Ok" he said, his voice low with pent up, unsatiated desire. "Ok, we can stop." He bit down on his lip as he sat up, pulling his boxers back in place. Naruto quickly did the same, but not before Sasuke got a delicious peek.

One he would be picturing in the bathroom very, very soon.

"Are you ok?" he asked, knowing it would have to wait. At least for a little while.

Naruto nodded, but it wasn't convincing.

"I'm.. sorry if I went too far."

Naruto shook his head. "Don't. I.. I did want to." He gave Sasuke a sad look before looking away. "I wish I could."

"I know."

"I.. umm.. I'm going to go to the bathroom" Naruto said quickly. "I'll be right back."

He rushed off and Sasuke stared after him, surprised. After the fear he just saw, he was shocked that Naruto could jack-off.

It wasn't until he came back later that he realized he didn't go to the bathroom to pleasure himself.

He went there to cry.

- - -

The two got ready in silence the next morning, both dreading the day. Another confrontation with Gaara was pretty likely, and neither had the mental fortitude to deal with it.

Naruto woke up screaming in the middle of the night- his horrid mind forcing him back into the cave, into a reality where Sasuke never showed up, never stopped them from finishing what they started. Sasuke knew that the nightmare stemmed from how far he had gotten with him and couldn't help but feel guilty for it. The guilt festered and his own mind decided to torment him soon after- with images of Minato on the edge of a cliff, his face changing to Naruto's just before he jumped.

It was already a bad day and it hadn't even started yet.

Exhausted and uneasy, the two walked to school and into their homeroom without speaking a word to eachother. For a moment there Naruto had forgotten that Gaara was also in that class, but was quick to notice the redhead as soon as they stepped inside. He looked away fast, but not before meeting his hazy green gaze. He regretted it. Gaara didn't look at him with the same anger and disappointment that he had yesterday. On the contrary, his eyes were full of a deep longing, resparking the fear that had finally begun to settle.

Sasuke seemed to notice too, and was immediately pissed by it. He pushed the blonde down onto his chair, then marched over to the attentive redhead. He slammed his palms on his desk and leaned in. "Stop looking at him like that" he growled.

"Like what?" Gaara asked, head tilted to the side with innocent confusion- though the expression didn't reach his eyes, which were glinting with devilry.

"You know what I'm talking about, Gaara."

"You two might be together now" he said slyly, "but that doesn't mean he won't leave you for someone else."

Sasuke ground his teeth together, anger coursing through him. "Don't count on it."

Gaara's eyes shifted over to the blonde. "I don't know, Sasuke. I can be quite persuasive." He looked back up at the aggravated raven, a smile in place. "Maybe it didn't work with Minato, but like you said- Naruto isn't the same."

Sasuke's control snapped. He grabbed the redhead by the throat and forced him close. "If you try anything I will fucking kill you."

Gaara's smile widened. "Is that so.." His eyes slid back to his new interest and he licked his lips. Sasuke's grip tightened.

"Sasuke! Let him go!"

A hand clamped down on his shoulder and jerked him away from the redhead, spinning him around. He looked up and found his teacher's angry face glaring down at him. "What the hell do you think you're doing?!"

Sasuke glared back. He had no intention of explaining himself. Gaara deserved it; he wouldn't be apologizing for it.

"To the principal" Jiraiya grated out, "now!"

Sasuke glanced over at his blonde. He didn't want to leave him, but it looked like he didn't have a choice. "Fine" he snapped. He moved past his teacher and stormed through the classroom, slamming the door on his way out.

Jiraiya turned back to the redhead, brows furrowed with concern. "Are you ok, Gaara?" he asked. "If you need to go to the nurse you can."

Gaara looked over at the blonde, knowing an opportunity when he saw one.

He absolutely refused to miss it.

"That won't be necessary, sir."

Jiraiya looked doubtful. "You're sure?"

Gaara nodded.

"Ok. Well, let me know if that changes."

Gaara assured him that he would, and watched the man walk to the front of the classroom before returning his attention to his new interest. He dropped his head in his hands and openly stared. He didn't care that other people noticed and had already started whispering about what it meant. Didn't care that Naruto had noticed and looked extremely uncomfortable with his newfound attention.

No. None of that mattered.

All that mattered now was taking the blonde for himself, just like Sasuke had done to him.

He deserved a chance at happiness- deserved to be loved by someone with that face, with those eyes.

Fuck Sasuke, he thought.

I won't let him have another one.

- - -

The bell rang and Sasuke still hadn't returned.

Naruto was extremely anxious about that for a lot of reasons. For one, he didn't like being apart from him. Ever since the attack, he felt this intense compulsion to stay by his side. It made him feel safe, made him feel like no one would ever be able to hurt him again. And he desperately needed that peace of mind. Plus, Gaara was suddenly paying way too much attention to him, and he didn't like the idea of being alone with him.

The redhead seemed.. unpredictable.

After everything Naruto had gone through with the men who attacked him, and with Sai, he couldn't shake the feeling that Gaara would be next. It was that thought that made him jump to his feet the second the bell rang, and run from the room.

Just get to your next class.

As long as you just get to your next class, you'll be fine.

He could see the door, had nearly made it, but Gaara was apparently a faster runner. And had somehow learned the layout of the school better than he did. Out of nowhere the redhead appeared, and he was blocking the door.

Naruto came to a sudden stop, gasping as he fought to catch his breath. He swallowed back his nervousness but couldn't stop himself from taking an unsteady step back. He considered turning around and running again, but he had a feeling Gaara would still be able to find him. And at least now, in this hallway, there were still plenty of people around.

"What do you want?" he asked, trying to make his voice sound stronger than he felt.

Gaara took a step towards him. "The chance to get close to you" he said, his voice heavy with desire.

Naruto swallowed. "I'm with Sasuke."

"You don't have to be. Have you ever even tried being with someone else?"

Memories of his assault started to creep back into his mind, but he quickly forced them back. "That's none of your business."

Naruto tried to walk around him, but Gaara moved fast to stop him. He grabbed his arm and pulled him off to the side, pushing him up against the lockers. Naruto inhaled sharply as he leaned close. He tried to get away, but Gaara slammed a hand down next to him, barring his way.

Naruto could feel his pulse quicken, his mouth dry. "Let me leave" he breathed.

"Give me a chance" Gaara murmured. "I'll make sure you don't regret it."

Pained blue eyes shot over to him. Gaara could feel the weight of that look in his gut, but it didn't make him falter. Though, it did make him feel like an asshole. "I'm not trying to scare you" he said softly, "I just want to get to know you."

"No, you want to hurt Sasuke" Naruto snapped. "And I won't be a part of that."

Naruto knocked his arm out of the way and finally got away from his barricade, but he only managed two steps before being stopped again. Fed up with the harassment, Naruto whipped around and shoved Gaara hard. "Don't touch me!"

"Does Sasuke's touch scare you too?" Gaara asked. "Or is it just mine?"

He realized that he fucked up, again, as tears filled those cerulean eyes. He wanted to apologize, wanted to fix whatever pain he had clearly caused, but it was obvious that Naruto didn't want that. A tear slipped free as the blonde turned away, and Gaara's guilt doubled. "Naruto.."

"Just leave me alone, Gaara" he choked.

And he did. Because it was the same thing Minato said to him.

The last thing Minato said to him.

Suddenly overwhelmed by all of it, Gaara spun around and ran- desperate to escape the memories, the pain, the constant mistakes he made, himself. He wiped at his eyes, and in that moment slammed into something solid. He gasped as he lost his footing and fell forward. He managed to catch himself on his hands, but his feet got tangled and the rest of him fell flat. He expected to feel the cold, unforgiving tile beneath him and was surprised when he didn't. He opened his eyes and was even more surprised when he found someone groaning beneath him.

"Nnnn- dammit.. that hurt."

Jade eyes widened, locked on to the sight of a brunette with parted lips and an oddly enticing pained face. He could feel something stir in him, something unexpectedly intense, and he was suddenly tempted to kiss this stranger.

"What's your name?" he asked the pouty brunette, his body still pressed firmly against him.

Gaara watched his tanned face blush when he noticed the position they were in. Dark eyes widened soon after when he realized that the redhead on top of him had no intention of getting up just yet.

He pushed against his chest, trying to get more space between them, but it had absolutely no effect. Shit. "Umm.. can you get off of me?"

"Not until you tell me your name."

The brunette gave him a suspicious look before finally giving in to the redhead's demand.

"It's Kiba" he said.

"My name is Kiba."

Author Note:

That's right people! I'm shipping Gaara & Kiba. Learn to love it!! Because when you really let your mind picture it, it is actually pretty fucking adorable.

Hope you're still enjoying the drama, and that you felt both surprised and satisfied with Sasuke's traumatic back story.

Shall we continue? ;)