A/N: Hey all. I love this story with all of my heart and as I try to put the finishing touches on the final chapters, I find myself realizing there is so much more I wanted for this fanfiction. I am revamping every chapter of this story so that it may represent its best form before concluding it. You will know when each chapter has changed because I will update the date in each note. Chapter 1 - Updated December, 2021.
I love all of my fan base. Please enjoy and let me know what you think/feel about the adaptions.
000
Will I make it through
This treacherous situation
I'm living my life
Surrounded by temptation
I'm addicted
I'm giving in to you
I'm addicted
I need another hit of you
"The Addict, by Papa Roach"
000
Chapter 1:
~Meticulous Me~
000
"All men are tempted. There is no man that lives that can't be broken down, provided it is the right temptation, put in the right spot."-Henry Ward Beecher
000
Sasuke leaned up against the wall of the bar for a smoke. He knew it was a bad habit and a potentially dangerous one at that, but the negligence that he put his body through never truly concerned him. The rush of the nicotine always seemed to calm him when the stress and chaos of life seemed to bear down on him. He wouldn't trade his little pack of wonders for the world. It was his only form of escape and relief from the nonsense of the real world. His philosophy: Who cared what was going on inside his body as long as the outside looked good?
He shifted his feet and lifted himself from the wall. Using his thumb, he flicked the burning ash onto the ground, took one last deep drag, and the pitched the bud to the ground, smashing it into the pavement with his foot.
He wanted another one.
Sasuke grabbed the pack of smokes from his shirt pocket and shook it a couple times before pitching it to the ground. It was empty.
Luckily, he had still had a special smoke to finish off the night with a bang. Sasuke dug in his shirt pocket and pulled out his homemade blunt. He inhaled deeply, returning to his leaning against the outside of the bar.
Darkness had already begun to spread through the small town, and Sasuke watched with some sort of odd satisfaction as he exhaled, the puff of grey smoke filling the night air above him. He inhaled again, holding his breath for a bit this time, enjoying the tingle and soon following that the burn, knowing his lungs were screaming at him to stop.
He didn't.
He always enjoyed smoking and getting high. It was a cheap drug with quick effects. Plus, something about the drug seemed to calm him.
He sighed and turned back to face the diner, indecisive on whether he should stay for another drink. It was his favorite restaurant, as it had all of the beverages an alcoholic like himself could ever wish for. And what made it better was that he knew he wouldn't have to pay for anything; the drinks were constantly purchased for him. It was if the women couldn't resist.
He smirked at the thought. He was, in fact, a sex machine, one that shouldn't be tampered with, unless of course, you wanted a good time.
The doors to the place burst open, and a petite red-headed waitress came rushing out. He remembered her staring at him the whole time he was inside. She was cute. There was nothing truly special about her, but she had a decent body with a nice rack. He was in the process of checking her out when she spun around hastily in his direction. Upon seeing him, she blushed and took a startled step backwards.
He smiled, meeting her bewildered gaze. "Can I help you?" He purred.
She gushed and fidgeted, nervously twirling a piece of hair around her perfectly manicured finger. "Umm, you left a wad of cash on the t-table." She spoke so quietly, he almost didn't catch it.
"Uh..." She thrust the huge amount of money towards him when he didn't say anything. "Here."
Though a small amount of fog was covering his brain from the weed, he was able to take the few steps towards the timid young woman. He reached out as if to take the money from her, but only let his fingers brush the top of her hand.
"But I left this for you," He answered. "It's a tip."
Her face almost grew as crimson as her hair from the contact. "N-No sir, this is way too much money for a t-t-tip..."
He shrugged and winked at her. "This is a fabulous place. I only tipped the amount I felt was worthy."
Yeah right. This diner was a hole in the wall. Filled with the types of people he was used too: Drug addicts, sex fiends and brawlers. He'd be lying to say he wasn't looking for a woman to screw. It gets boring, being a wealthy member of a high-class clan. The Uchiha's were a very rich family, it was only natural for him to want to spend. How else was he supposed to throw his money around? He didn't understand nor care about the value of a dollar. He got what he wanted. Always.
The red head kicked up some dust with her shoes and still persisted to hand him the money. "Umm, please take it."
He stared at her for a moment before taking a finger and pushing the wad closer to her. "Why do you keep insisting on giving this back to me? I don't want it."
"I will not be giving you anything special for this money, sir!" She shouted, her form shaking.
The comment took him off guard; he hadn't expected that. The weed was taking him to higher places now. What a boring little girl. Sasuke scrutinized her. She looked as though she was going to run from him. He scowled inwardly. He would never force a woman into relations. He didn't need to be aggressive with people; he had other ways of getting what he wanted. Usually the women in these establishments recognize him and see his large tips as kind gestures. Then they fall into his lap. This one was either terrified or playing a game of hard to get that he was not interested in.
He sighed in slight annoyance and touched the girl's shoulder. "Hey, listen," He spoke softly as so not to scare her. "I only wanted to spend a little extra tonight. I don't expect any services from you, okay?"
She was quiet, but nodded slowly.
A few moments passed.
Was she still standing there?
Sasuke blinked at the woman. She looked as though she was still very uncomfortable, and yet, was not making any move to return back inside the bar. "Listen, if you think the money is too much, then I will take it back. Will that make you feel better?" He reached his hand towards her.
She fingered the wad of cash, studying it and his outstretched hand. After a moment she finally said, "Well, if you're sure it wasn't for something else-"
He let his hand fall as he cut her off, "It's not." It could have been, but you're a boring bitch.
"Then...I suppose I'll keep it." She let out a sigh of relief and he resumed leaning against the cool brick of the building. He was definitely not going back inside.
"Fine with me." He muttered, taking another drag.
He waited for her to leave, but she didn't, only continued to stand there and look nervous.
What do you want?
"What?" He asked, trying to keep his irritation from completely flooding into his tone. He gestured towards the blunt. "Want a hit or something?"
"Uh, no," She mumbled. "I just- … s-sorry for the trouble..."
"No problem." God, go away, you persistent female.
"And, um, thank you..."
He waved her off. "Don't worry about it."
She took a deep breath and turned her back to him. For a moment, she stood still as if she was contemplating on returning to talk with him again, but then walked briskly back into the bar.
Thank God.
He knew it was rude to wish that people would vanish, but that woman was really beginning to get on his last nerve.
So, taking another long hit from his blunt, he decided to leave before she thought about returning.
Sasuke decided to head home instead of another bar like he usually did. Maybe it was his high, but for some reason he chose to take a back way, one that he seldom crossed. Perhaps, by taking this little shortcut, he could reach his destination faster.
He knew allies were a dangerous place a night time, especially around the bars, but something was telling him that he should take this path.
He shrugged it off as nothing. As long as he got home, none of it really mattered to him. It's not like he was looking for trouble; he just sort of attracted it. In fact, in a way, he almost felt a rush from putting himself into potentially dangerous scenarios. That feeling of hairs rising on the back of his neck, never knowing what might happen when he turned a corner – he lived for those feelings. Almost like a shot of heroin – you never know if that can be your last glorious high. Sasuke was a man of solitude, except when it came to risk and daring situations. He was a magnet for all things sinful and he was learning to love it.
As if on cue, a group of three men turned around the corner at the end of the alley. Sasuke thought nothing, except that he could hear them talking, and let the mist cloud his brain and fry the cells. He pressed on forward without looking up once.
As their paths began to cross, one of the men's shoulders knocked into his own, catching him off guard. His senses perked awaiting a potential alley brawl. As he let his eyes drift up, he caught the penetrating gaze of someone he recognized. He placed his blunt between his lips, the thin line of smoke twisting up and above his head. Neji Hyuuga stood before him, the young heir to his family's rival clan. Neji's eyes were white and burning, like fire, just looking into them gave Sasuke the delicious feeling of being high. He smirked.
"Hello, Hyuuga."
"Uchiha." Neji inquired with a little nod before reaching out and taking Sasuke's hand, lifting it to his mouth so that he could take a long drag from the blunt.
Sasuke watched as he inhaled and exhaled, the same look of satisfaction on his face that he surely displayed at the moment. Neji's hand still encased his own, dexterous in nature, holding a history of callouses, despite his upper-class status. Someone of Neji's stature would be thought to have smooth hands, silky, those of the unworked and overpaid. But Sasuke was aware of Neji's past, and his history of fighting. He had a knack for getting into trouble, and perhaps, this is why they both got along, despite their families' being at odds with each other.
Neji was the rich nephew of the infamous business mogul, Hiashi Hyuuga, who owned more than half of companies in the surrounding area. Neji was set to inherit the entirety of the corporations owned by Hiashi upon his death and assume a role as head of the family. Sasuke, on the other hand, was son to an equally wealthy and prominent family, whose father was commander of the police force. Needless to say, Neji's family was always "complicating" things for his father's work force, and their constant run ins with the law kept both families clashing frequently.
"How are you?" Sasuke asked before bringing the smoke back to his own lips, noticing how the Hyuuga's fingers lingered a little too long on his own. As he took the puff, he knew he shouldn't have many more; his weed in addition to his earlier drinks were a dangerous combination. His vision was already starting to blur; one more inhale and he would plunge into the darkness of his own mind. Honestly, he contemplated. Probably not a bad idea to forget this night all together. How boring and uneventful it had been.
Until now.
"I've been better." Was the answer he received from the headstrong male. Sasuke chuckled and handed the joint over to the awaiting Neji.
He watched Neji take his fill and flick the still burning bud to the ground, blowing the smoke to the side of him. He secretly admired his attributes while the darkness shaded the direction of his eyes. Neji was built, and handsome; his long, flowing, chocolate hair contrasting beautifully with his pale skin. His angelic grey-white eyes were probably the most defining quality about him; despite their kind, pure color, they were filled with evil, deep pools of the finest sin. Neji hardly ever exposed what he was feeling, though Sasuke had been aware for the longest time that the wealthy Hyuuga had had a crush on him, although he knew that he would never admit it.
At least, in public.
Ever since they were preteens, Sasuke understood that Neji was different. It was something unspoken, but always known. Neji was orphaned at a young age and essentially adopted by his uncle. Both his and Sasuke's lives were fucked up beyond speaking and both of them turned to drugs, sex, and alcohol to get by as they aged. Sasuke never judged. He understood being fucked up. In fact, if his life was a book, the title would read as such: The Incredibly Fucked Life of Sasuke Uchiha. However, in his mind, sex was sex, no matter who it came from, but as for Neji, Sasuke was highly aware of what he preferred. So here they were: Alone, except for the two thick idiots that Neji had brought along with him, nobody else was here to see.
Their eyes locked, and Sasuke decided to test the waters.
"And what would make you feel better?" Sasuke questioned, fingering the buttons on Neji's shirt.
Neji's eyes shifted to the idle pace of his wandering fingers, his pale orbs igniting. "I wonder… what you are thinking, Uchiha?"
Sasuke licked his lips flirtatiously. "You tell me."
Neji growled and roughly grabbed his hair, yanking his head upwards to crush their lips together. Sasuke pushed open Neji's mouth with his tongue and was rewarded with a strangled moan as their tongues twisted and turned together, the sweet fragrance of weed still staining their breath.
The waters were boiling.
The two behind them chuckled. "Dude, they are totally faded."
Perhaps the men were right. Sasuke was feeling the effects of all his choices, his head was light and he felt as though he were watching his body from above. His whole body tingled. However, both Sasuke and Neji knew what they were doing. Sasuke still knew of their surroundings as they ended up crushed against the smooth wall of cinder block that Sasuke knew so well. The cold concrete sent a shock into Sasuke's back and Neji's chest pressed hard against his own. Their bodies entangled and meshed, and Neji's kisses grew more demanding, more aggressive. Sasuke could feel his hand sneak behind his head and grasp on tightly to his hair. He bit his bottom lip like an animal, drawing blood. Sasuke could feel his heart quickening, letting out an almost inaudible gasp when he did so. His mind began to take him elsewhere, and suddenly, Sasuke was very aware of the darkness outside, the silence of the world around him, the roads void of cars and sounds. The street lamp in the alley way was the only current source of light, and the encounter began to make Sasuke feel suffocated. Neji's hand gripped Sasuke's hair tighter, yanking his head back to attack his neck with his mouth. Sasuke could feel Neji's erection pressing through his jeans. His eyes shot open like someone had pulled a trigger and abruptly, he pushed away.
"Enough." Sasuke ordered, his hands pressing firmly against Neji's shoulders. He kept his arms pressed outward, keeping the Hyuuga at bay.
Both of their breaths were ragged and shallow filling in the silence of the night around them. Neji's eyes were wide with shock at his words, one of his hands still held onto the back of Sasuke's neck and the other, on his left wrist, and Sasuke was finding it more and more difficult to pull away from the strong grip.
"Enough?" Neji whispered.
Sasuke nodded, trying to maneuver out of Neji's grasp as he did so. His heart was pounding. The space between them felt too small. He clenched his eyes shut forcing himself to forget the memory that creeped in the back of his mind. The memory that haunted him. Neji had… triggered it somehow. "I have to go..." He murmured softly, eyes darting from side to side as though he could find a way out.
Neji growled and slammed him back into the wall, chips of the hard slab flaking off and falling into his hair from the force of it. He groaned in pain, and the air shot out of his lungs.
"You have to go...and leave me so unsatisfied?" Neji hissed into his ear.
The world spun slightly, but Sasuke managed not to slip into the murkiness of his mind. The emptiness in his pockets where he would reach to at times like this was uninviting; he suddenly wished he had another smoke.
"I could take you right here, right now." Neji threatened. "And you'd enjoy it."
Sasuke smiled. Neji didn't have the balls to rape him, even if it was in a dark secluded alley. It wouldn't be good for his reputation if it got out, and by the look in his blazing eyes, he knew it too. All he wanted was to seduce Sasuke into going home and sleeping with him.
And it wouldn't work.
Sasuke could feel himself coming back to Earth, back into his body, back in control. He wanted to be in control in this moment. So, he breathed in deeply, once. Twice. He opened his eyes and locked them with Neji's.
Fine, you want to play? He thought. Let's play.
Sasuke had to admit, normally, this intimidation act would be fucking sexy as hell, but as for the moment, he just wanted to hold the power.
Sasuke let out a quiet moan, enjoying the dumbfounded expression he received from the Hyuuga. The two thugs behind Neji had already grown uncomfortably quiet and were mumbling to each other, looking to each other and back to them hastily. They shifted nervously, unsure of where to place their gaze, but all too understanding that they looked completely out of place here in the alley behind the bar. Sasuke smirked and pulled Neji closer until their groins were touching, and placed his lips to the other's neck, dragging his tongue across the pale skin. "Do it then, Neji." He whispered.
Neji barely made a sound. "W-What?" He stammered.
Sasuke sighed and pressed feather light kisses to Neji's jaw. "Take me; I want you to. Here. Now." Sasuke rather enjoyed playing games like this, especially noting the two men behind them begin to back away uneasily. Now he could feel the control coming back to him. It was his game now. He called the shots.
He could hear Neji's nervous swallow, and see the beads of sweat beginning to form on his brow. Neji's eyes darted to the two men behind him. "But-" He began with a shaky breath.
Sasuke let out a chuckle, and raised his eyebrows. "Are you scared of what they would think? Maybe we could all just fuck out here, huh?" He angled his head over Neji's shoulder, catching the eyes of one of the men. "What do you two say?" Sasuke called out with a sarcastic tone, "Interested in an alley way gang bang?"
One man remained silent and looked away while the other man's eyes flared with rage and his lips curled, into a snarl. "Never in a million fucking years."
Sasuke flinched and looked back to Neji, "Ooh, guess I offended them." He said with a little lift of his shoulders.
"Fuck you, Uchiha." Neji said through clenched teeth. He was embarrassed and flushed, but he didn't pull away. His eyes showed his anger flaring and mixing with the desire that Sasuke knew all too well. Sasuke could feel him tensing against him, the grip on his hair weakening, his heart pounding louder and louder through his chest.
Now, I have you.
Sasuke shrugged lightly, "Well, if you insist."
Without thinking any longer, Sasuke grabbed the back of Neji's neck and locked him into another kiss, forcing his mouth open and claiming every part of it with his tongue. The Hyuuga didn't resist; Sasuke had no doubt that he would, as they continued this forbidden, lustful dance with their lips.
Without warning, Neji spun Sasuke around with a swift motion. He let out a grunt as his right hand and cheek met the cool, brick wall, Neji's chest and body pinning him from behind. His head was still swimming from the kiss as he felt rough and fast hands moving around his waist. Sasuke looked down to see that Neji had already began undoing his own pants and was now removing his belt.
Ah, fuck.
He inhaled sharply. This was not as he planned, he never thought the Hyuuga would go this far, considering the audience.
"Wait, wait-" He couldn't breathe as he felt Neji's hands slip down his pants, the belt thrown to the ground with a sharp clang as it hit the asphalt beneath them.
It was all going so fast.
He was affixed between Neji's body and the wall, one of his arms caught behind him as if he was being arrested or about to be placed in handcuffs and his other feebly scratched for traction against the wall. Sasuke was unable to move. He could feel Neji's knee forcing his legs apart from behind, his chest anchoring into his back to keep him immobile.
"Are you scared, Uchiha?" Came the sinister and mocking tone from behind. He shivered at the feel of Neji's hair tickling his ear. His arduous breathing cascaded down Sasuke's neck leaving goose bumps in its wake.
He was, but only a little. This was the kind of danger that he lived for, the physical highs and pain he craved. The idea of not know what would happen next, or how this would end up, the second guessing, the regret, the desire all mixed up together with his drug and alcohol induced high – and it was glorious.
Sasuke's breath hitched and he arched backward as Neji's hand slunk into his pants and ran a slender finger over his length through the cotton of his boxers. He grits his teeth in a pathetic attempt to keep himself from getting turned on.
It didn't work.
"You want this." Neji disclosed proudly. Sasuke retched at the thought of how big his ego was growing; however, he knew he was right. He had urges. Desire. Need. Fuck, half the time he wished he could just fuck all of his pain away. But it didn't work like that. Life was never that fucking easy.
"And... if I do?" The words came out slow as Sasuke tried not to focus at the jolts of pleasure shooting up his body at Neji's touch.
All he received in return was a soft groan of approval as Neji began to slide his hands into his boxers to grab him fully.
By this time Sasuke had already made up his mind that he was going to have sex with Neji Hyuuga in the desolate alley way. He gave up, allowing the sensations to rock his body back and forth, he was quiet about nothing, making sure each moan, each sigh, was twice as loud as it should be. He was coming undone.
"You're...going to...regret this..." Sasuke rasped out.
"Oh yeah?" Neji questioned huskily, his voice deep.
Sasuke rested his head on Neji's broad shoulder, and smirked at him. In this moment he knew exactly what to say to enrage him. "I can't wait to see this on the front page, tomorrow."
Neji snorted, his concentration breaking momentarily to humor him. "Who's going to know?"
Sasuke let his gaze wander to the two men standing even further behind them. They looked petrified, their eyes as round as saucers, their mouth's slightly hanging ajar in disbelief. It looked as though they had tried to give the two some space, but just couldn't figure out exactly what to do with themselves, as they couldn't leave without their boss.
A deadly silence came over the Hyuuga, and Sasuke could feel his muscles tense.
"You really think they'll keep full blown sex a secret?" Sasuke whispered tauntingly. "You'll be lucky if this doesn't get out." Sasuke winked back at the one man he pissed off earlier, enjoying the way his eyes narrowed in disgust.
"They won't say a word." Neji said, his voice cracking. It sounded as if he was trying to convince himself more than anyone else.
Sasuke laughed loudly. "We'll see."
With a snarl, Neji released him from the terrifying binds and began to readjust his pants. Sasuke stretched out his arm and rubbed his wrist. After a moment, Neji marched over to the two frozen sidekicks.
"Stop standing there like a bunch of idiots!" He shouted as he pushed them, effectively breaking their trans that was on Sasuke. Sasuke grinned and bent down to pick up his belt from the ground. He loved being a tease. And more so, he loved being the one thing Neji Hyuuga could never have.
"Let's get out of here." Neji commanded after making sure that he had full attention over his groupies. He took two long strides back up to Sasuke and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, pulling him up until they were face to face.
"Ooh, strong man," Sasuke cooed at his obvious power play to impress his lugs. He raised his hands up in surrender.
"This isn't over, Uchiha." Neji promised, venom flowing out through his words. Sasuke rolled his eyes. The Hyuuga was making it seem as though Sasuke brought on all of this attention. Sasuke would have been perfectly content with flirting and continuing his walk home, but the Hyuuga had to stop him and make everything more serious than it needed to be. Neji obviously didn't like his smugness because the glints in his eyes were menacing, creating a sense that Sasuke should be afraid.
He was not. He had danced with the Devil before. Neji Hyuuga was just a demon.
"I wouldn't wish it to be." Sasuke flashed him a crooked grin. Neji's eyes sparkled.
"You should kick his faggot ass." One of his men whispered darkly from behind Neji's shoulder. Sasuke raised an eyebrow at Neji. Clearly, Neji's kinfolk didn't approve – nor did they know, of Neji's affairs and interests.
Neji slowly released him, smirking, "Nah, he'd probably like that." He said, shoving Sasuke one last time before turning to leave back down the alley.
He didn't look back once.
Sasuke sighed and took a moment to catch his breath and check his watch. It was one in the morning, and he knew that his mom must literally be going crazy with worry. The fact that he was eighteen didn't seem to matter; his mother made it clear after his high school graduation that he would still be her baby boy, always and forever.
His dad, on the other hand, couldn't care less where he was or what he did. Fugaku gave up on him so many years ago, when he realized that he wasn't a genius or good in school. Sasuke's grades were never perfect, unlike his brother Itachi's grades. His father managed to squeeze a 4.0 GPA out of Itachi his whole life, making Sasuke's grades look less than pitiful in comparison. His father's disdain only increased when the mediocre grades took a larger than usual nosedive his 7th grade year in middle school. Sasuke remembered that he never once had a passing grade for the next two years or so. He didn't stop failing until he made new friends.
Drugs and Alcohol. The only true friends one could ask for.
Sasuke couldn't pinpoint the exact day that he started to get high, but he knew he had to have been around fourteen years old or so. Somehow, the drugs put an ease on the world of school and Sasuke was able to get by. He didn't know why they seemed to help him, but they did. Maybe it was the confidence or the chill nature that his drugs would provide him. Whatever it was, Sasuke knew that without the satisfaction the drugs brought him, he probably wouldn't have ever overcome some of his other, more serious issues.
Besides, he could stop whenever he felt like it.
But he didn't want to stop.
In the end, Sasuke graduated from high school as a nothing. The teachers were just happy that they didn't have to deal with his attitude and attraction skills for another year. To say that he "whored around" was an understatement. He would have probably seduced the staff too, if he had gotten any opportunities to get at them. When the day arrived, there weren't many family members there for him. He didn't really have what you would call a big support system, but he didn't mind. His mom and Itachi were the only two Uchihas that attended the ceremony. Fugaku was not present. He remembered having that feeling of butterflies in his stomach when he strode onstage. He could still imagine the feeling of grasping hold of his diploma as an uproar from his classmates began ringing through his ears.
That was one of the only moments of his youth that he remembered being truly happy.
He had kept thinking to himself: I've finally done it. I've finally accomplished something good.
But then he looked into the crowd of people and didn't see the person he wanted to see most. His father, the person he had been trying to impress, looked up to his whole life, was not there. The feeling of happiness vanished, and he shrank into himself with disappointment and anger. Bitterness. Resentment. Hatred.
Throughout his entire youth, Sasuke would nearly kill himself with difficult tasks and work to try and impress Fugaku. Even when he knew that Fugaku had given up on him, he never stopped trying to please him and do right by his family. He was a stupid and naïve child, and as most children do, he craved his father's approval, acceptance and love.
Which he never received. Even on the most important day of his life.
So, he stopped trying. He emotionally detached himself from his own family so that he would not care anymore. He especially distanced himself from his brother, for he was a mirrored reflection of what he could never become.
Fugaku had been unfazed by Sasuke's distance from the family, in fact it probably helped their relationship some, if you could call it that. Sasuke wondered at times if he even remembered that he had two sons, not just one.
Sasuke knew that he was never really worth his father's love, anyway. Sasuke was content with knowing that he was pretty much the biggest disappointment in Fugaku's life. He would happily fade into the background just so that he could be unbothered and his father could just continue on being the heartless bastard he wanted to be. Sasuke could care less. He just couldn't stand watching his father train Itachi to act and follow him like a lap dog so that he may one day, follow in his god forsaken footsteps.
And of course, Itachi didn't understand him either. He was a golden boy, perfect in every aspect of his being and character. "He's going to be something one day", the neighbors would excitedly tell his mother. "Such a great man", others would croon. And Itachi sucked all of the love and praise up like a sponge and then craved more.
Sasuke was sickened by it.
Sasuke's lips curled in disgust at the memories. He was sure that it was the drugs making him think about all of this. He just didn't want to think about it anymore. He couldn't stand his father and sometimes, he couldn't stand Itachi. The only one he truly cared about was his mother.
Sasuke fingered the cell phone in his back pocket, considering the possibility of calling his mother. He truly loved his mom, and he hated worrying her. His mother was the best part of his childhood after Itachi got lost in the attention that the public rewarded him with. She was the only one that treated him and his brother as equals, even though he was nowhere near as special as Itachi. He would do anything for her, no matter how silly the request because she was the one he loved the most.
They tell you not to pick and choose favorites.
But that's just too damn bad.
Finally deciding, he pulled out the phone and dialed the number to his house. His mom didn't carry her own phone, she wasn't allowed. He ran a hand through his hair as it rang. He never knew what it was about the ringing of a phone that unnerved him. Maybe it was the fact that he never knew who was going to be on the other end when it stopped.
"Hello?"
Relief. "Mom."
"Sasuke?" She sounded groggy. Now he felt bad for waking her.
"Yeah." He murmured.
"My god, I was so worried!" Her voice cracked, "Dear, I swear you will be the end of me. Where in the heck are you?"
He kept it short and sweet, "Out," he said.
She huffed. "Well, please get home soon. It's dangerous outside at this time of night, you know that."
"Mom, I'm eighteen." He reminded.
"I know, I know, but it's really late..."
He smiled. "I just called to tell you that I'm on my way."
A sigh. "Oh, good."
She was silent for a moment before asking. "Are you...okay?"
His eyes narrowed, a brief image of his encounter with the Hyuuga played like a movie across his mind. "I'm fine. Are you okay?"
He knew that she understood his question. Fugaku could be abusive at times, especially when he and Itachi weren't there to stick up for their mother. Sasuke couldn't fathom why she hadn't left him yet, but when he ever asked she would simply shrug and state that love could do strange things to people.
And he remembered his answer to her after she spoke those words to him. "If turning into a monster in front of my wife and children is the definition of love, than I want to take no part in having it."
And it was the truth. Because of his fear that he would become like his dad, he hadn't had a steady relationship with a girl since he was in elementary school. Which even thinking about was an absolutely ridiculous concept that probably consisted of hand holding and lunch sharing. He vaguely remembered exchanging bracelets and holding the girl's hand as they walked from lunch to class. But even that didn't really count; they were only little children.
Innocent and unaware of the world's cruelty.
And the evil that lurked beneath the surface.
"Of course, I am, sweetheart. Of course." His mother murmured into the phone quietly.
Sasuke continued walking, his mind uneasy. "Is Itachi there?" Typically, either of the brothers made sure to be at the house when Fugaku was home from work. Sasuke hated leaving his mother alone because that was when his father would drink the most and act the worst. Truthfully, he was a fucking slob with no morals. Sasuke had considered fighting him, and if he had the physical strength against him, he would, but Fugaku was about a foot taller than him and twice his weight, so it wouldn't end well. But if it meant protecting his mom, he would place himself in harms way in a heartbeat.
Silence, returned him from the receiver.
He swallowed nervously. "I'll be there soon."
"I love you, Sasuke." She barely whispered it.
"You too."
He clicked the phone shut and placed it back into his pocket, quickening his walking pace so that he could get home faster. He was exhausted and his mind was still muddled from all of the drinks and weed he had consumed earlier, but he continued on. He feared that something bad would happen to his mother if he wasn't there. He did not trust his father alone with his mom. He always took advantage of her kindness when no one was there to stop him, and if he didn't get what he wanted, he would take it by force. He was cruel and cold; his wrath was unforgiving.
To many a time did Sasuke come home to see his mother being thrown across the room, fresh purple splotches covering her cheeks and arms, his father so drunk that he wouldn't even remember beating her when he woke up. And then his mom would treat the situation like nothing, smiling at him in the morning and cooking him breakfast all the while knowing that he could have killed her the night before. She never complained, never cried in front of them, never raised her voice. Never stopped him. In reality, what could she do? She was married to one of the most powerful monsters in this city, and he oversaw law enforcement. She couldn't seek help, couldn't run. She wasn't ever going to escape him, not until he died.
Or until I kill him, Sasuke thought bitterly.
Sasuke clenched his fists and turned the corner onto the street. Except for the occasional car that passed by, it was empty and quiet. The only sound he could hear was the insane beating of his own heart, like a drum. The street lamp flickered when he passed, as if it could feel the anger that radiated off of him and was affected by it. His past a few stores and shops that had no lights on, the "Closed" sign hanging ominously in the window frame. The streets were silent.
The Uchiha mansion wasn't that far from here, and yet it seemed like miles until he would reach it. He should have just called his fucking limo but it was such an odd hour, he doubted they would reach him any faster.
Suddenly, a shrill, "Let me go!"
The streets had been so undoubtably silent and at first, the scream had no effect on him. He immediately presumed it was his insanity playing with the strings of his mind, so he kept on walking, thinking nothing of it at all.
"NO!"
But when he heard it the second time, he stopped, his curiosity making him wonder where it was coming from, and why the person sounded like they were in distress. His eyes darted back in the direction of the bar, now about three blocks away.
He was still, breathing slowly and listening intently. He waited for it or any sound to penetrate the silence once more, but it did not. He shook off the ominous feeling and continued on, needing to get home and check on his mom.
"Somebody help me!"
He halted and his ears were tingling at attention. He hadn't imagined it after all. The scream sounded like a female's voice, coming from the alley, back the way he came.
"Please!" The voice in question was begging, screaming in a way that made the hairs raise on the back of his neck and his skin crawl.
It was none of his business.
Sasuke was not one to put himself into the center of a stranger's drama. He was like a piece of scenery, only good for the background, meant to stay out of everyone's way. Just look pretty and do nothing else of value, bare minimum; that was him. He played by his own rules and he chased danger in the way that he wanted to, not the other way around. This person, whoever they were, sounded as though they might be in an altercation. He didn't have time for it. He got into enough fights on his own accord, he didn't need to be showing up to a random alley brawl.
"It's not my problem." He said aloud, hoping that hearing it would make him feel better about leaving the woman. It didn't. His feet didn't budge and his stomach was in knots.
He swallowed. He had promised his mom that he would be home soon. He couldn't keep her waiting.
"PLEASE DON'T DO THIS!"
He couldn't help but wonder why she was screaming so loud. Was someone hurting her? Someone else must have heard the distressed woman by now.
Someone will help her…right?
And then a thought made Sasuke's blood run cold.
What if he was the only person that could save her?
Was it his duty to step in?
The answer was no.
It was not his duty.
He went stiff. Memories once again assaulting him and his head pounded.
"Stop it, Fukagu! The children will see!"
"Fuck them. It's you and me right now, baby."
"God, please stop this! You're hurting me!"
He had been seven the day he and Itachi saw their mother raped. He hadn't been able to do anything, but watch in horror as his father overtook their mother in the dining room. He hadn't wanted to wait before he was served dinner.
Without wasting another second, he turned on his heels and sprinted back the way he came.
He hoped he wasn't too late.
000
"I told you, Ino. I didn't want to come here." Sakura whispered to her blond friend harshly as they entered the bar. It was shabby, dark and not at all Sakura's scene. A few older men sat scattered about the room, eyeing them both hungrily as they walked in. Ino scowled and flipped her long locks over her shoulder.
"Oh hush, and have some fun will you? We're only eighteen once."
Sakura looked nervously around the place. There weren't that many people, considering how late it was, but the idea of being in a bar underage scared her to no end. She was not a rule breaker.
She didn't even like to drink. The whole concept of alcohol was some kind of vexatious brat to her. She hated the idea of letting yourself go in front of others, hooking up in public places, and overall acting like a complete idiot and allowing your best friend to drag you out of the house for a night of partying. She considered herself mature and put together, and this was the exact opposite of what a mature, organized and put together young lady should be doing.
She knew she shouldn't have told Ino that her parents were out of town. The second the cat was out of the bag, Ino was at her house demanding that she get dressed so that they could have some girl time. Ino was constantly telling her that she too frequently refuses to "have fun" or do anything "exciting". Well, drinking and acting like a complete fool was not Sakura's definition of girl time, nor did it seem to sound exciting. She scratched the tops of her hands nervously. They were going to end up in a jail cell for breaking the law and then her parents were going to kill her. What a fun way to spend the night.
"This is ridiculous." She persisted in telling Ino after the prissy blond put in their orders for food and drinks with only so much as an eye roll at them. "What if we get caught?" She whispered.
Ino waved her hand through the air as if she was swatting a fly. "Oh, who cares? And shut up, we're twenty-one tonight remember?" She winked and Sakura slapped her forehead.
Who knows? This could be great! Inner Sakura chimed in unexpectedly.
Hush. She told herself. This is a bad idea, and nothing more than that.
The drinks came no sooner than a few minutes, and Ino raised her glass, a huge grinned plastered across her features.
"To luck." She declared.
"Yeah, sure." Sakura's turn to be sarcastic.
Sakura unenthusiastically tapped her glass to Ino's and then took a sip of the strong liquid while Ino finished hers in one gulp, and started on the second.
"Ah, the burn." Ino purred. "I love it."
Sakura shrugged, unimpressed, and gradually sipped her drink until the glass was half empty. She pushed the rest forward. "That's it for me."
Ino choked and Sakura watched in slight amusement on how she tried to get a hold of herself before the most likely expensive beverage was spit everywhere.
After she swallowed, Ino slammed her fist down on the table. "What? I don't think so! I brought you here to have a good time, and even if it kills me, you are going to drink more than one!" She growled, beckoning the server back over for another order.
Sakura giggled and shook her head, her cheeks reddening when she saw a couple behind them turn to look at the commotion Ino was creating. "Someone has to drive you home, Ino. And you've already had two." Sakura tried to explain calmly.
Ino laughed, as the server brought four more shots to the table. "WhatEVER. We'll call a taxi or something." She pushed Sakura's half sipped drink forward, plus a shot of something clear. "Now drink it, or I'll force you too."
Sakura sighed and picked up the drink once more. Maybe, she thought, if she waited long enough, Ino would get so drunk that she would just forget about the whole alcohol thing.
"DRINK IT!"
But that was doubtful.
So she drank the remainder of what was in the glass, appeasing Ino for the time being. She gave permission to her eyes to wander from face to face in the bar, when the front door slammed open, instantly absorbing hers and Ino's attention.
Three men marched in and collapsed at a table, the one in the middle shouting at the waitress for drinks. She watched, knowing that she shouldn't stare because it was rude and very unattractive, but did it anyway.
Her eyes lingered on the man with long, dark brunette hair, and she couldn't help but notice how young and attractive he was. The most enthralling part about him were his eyes. They were a piercing white color, something she had never seen before. And the more she studied him, the more she noticed was off about his behavior. She could see his jaw clenching and unclenching beneath his skin, his arms rigid. His fists were clenched into tight balls and his eyes stared straight at the table, unwavering. He seemed angry about something, and gave off the aura that he was not one to be messed with. Unapproachable. Perhaps even dangerous?
"Someone's got an attitude problem." Ino snorted as she reached for another cup, trying to be inconspicuous about jerking her head in the direction of the man with the white eyes.
She wasn't.
Sakura chuckled to try and divert her friend's behavior, but really her focus was on observing this strange character. She watched intently as the man received his drinks, without saying a word to the waitress for his rude behavior, and began to chug them down. The two guys that had accompanied him said nothing and drank nothing, they merely sat adjacent to him at the table, looking oddly uncomfortable. As for the brunette, he looked rigid, as though he may snap at any moment. His presence caused a tension within the room, that Sakura felt, but which was seemingly unnoticed by the other patrons in the building. A knot began to form in the pit of Sakura's stomach. The man's head snapped towards her suddenly, as if he sensed her staring at him. His eyes captured her gaze directly, piercing her with an intensity that Sakura couldn't even describe in words. She didn't even know this person, but the cold, ferociousness of his eyes gave off the impression that he absolutely despised her. A cold chill ran up her spine, and the knot in her stomach twisted and pull at her, and her heart began pounding in her ears. There wasn't something right about that guy, she thought, and immediately she began wishing that she had stayed home tonight instead.
"Ino," She said, breaking the trans and looking to the clock above brass counter near the front of the bar. "It's nearly two thirty in the morning. Let's get out of here."
Ino snorted and gently pushed two little shot glasses in front of her with her index finger. "No. You. Drink." She slurred.
Sakura sighed, impatiently. "No, Ino."
"DO YOU WANT ME TO YELL?" Ino yelled, pounding her fist against the table, causing some of the drink to spill over the top of the shot glass.
Sakura inhaled sharply at the outburst, fidgeting in her seat at the unwanted attention they were now receiving from the people in the room. The brunette's crystal eyes remained on her still, and now, the other two men at his table were staring in her direction as well. She smiled and lifted her hands up slowly to grasp the overflowing drinks, desperately trying to appease her friend and keep her quiet. "Please don't make a scene, Ino." She grounded out through clenched teeth. Ino raised an eyebrow and swiped her hand through the air, obliviously to the small audience her tantrum had attracted. "Well?" Ino cooed, a little too loudly. Sakura exhaled the breath she had been holding in, and chugged the first shot down. "Look, I'm drinking them," she said. "You see?" At this point, she just wanted everyone to stop staring at her. Ino was so embarrassing and she couldn't wait to leave and put some distance between them. She made a mental note to never go out with her again until she apologized for her ridiculous behavior.
Ino clapped and continued her parade of alcohol fun. "The other one too, pinkie!" She demanded as she took three more shots of her own.
Sakura could sense her head spin from the intake. She was never a big drinker. The most she ever had was one, maybe two glasses of wine in a sitting, and now she couldn't even remember how many shots she had drained down to keep the annoying blond content.
She twitched, the feeling of being watched causing her continuous unease, and she turned to see that same man was still staring at her, eyes deadlocking yet again onto hers. His hand held a half empty whisky glass and for a split-second Sakura thought she might have been seeing things as it vanished with shatter. Her eyes widened as fragments of glass shot out, hitting the floor with a sound like specks of rain hitting a roof. She visibly flinched and the bar grew deadly silent. The liquid that had partially filled the glass began its slow spread across the wood table. The man's companions rushed to give him a napkin, though he didn't seem to care. He was gazing at his hand and the several pieces of glass that protruded outward from his palm. He blinked, apparently fascinated by it, twitching only slightly as small beads of red began flowing from two diagonal gashes under the fractured crystal.
Sakura's breath hitched in her throat. It was as if he had loved the sight of his own blood. Pain didn't faze him in the slightest. Violence and misery radiated from him, and this terrified her. Sakura had never felt this sort of fear before, only heard about it in movies or books.
Her mouth dropped and he caught her reaction from the corner of his eyes, sneering. Upon seeing him smirk at her horror, she downed the rest of her drinks in one draft, now feeling the need to be as drunk as Ino.
She shuddered and looked away, desperate to redirect her attention. However, she was shocked to realize that Ino was no longer sitting across from her at the table. She sighed in frustration and spied around, but saw nothing but the curious onlookers, and couldn't help but wonder how she didn't notice her leave the area.
Just her luck that Ino probably saw and followed a man out of the bar and she would have to go searching for her. Or even worse, Ino might have tried to drive away with the guy, and they were both drunk.
What did either of those scenarios equal?
Disaster.
Shit, now would have to play babysitter, which she knew was going to happen, except she had ended up drinking much more than her tolerance would allow. If Ino had ended up ditching her, she was going to need to find an alternative way home. Wonderful. She thought bitterly. She stood up, a bit unsteady on her feet, and reached into her purse to pull out some cash for their server's tip. She was about to leave when a waitress waltzed up to her table with a bottle of red wine clasped between her hands. "Here you go." She said, ushering the bottle towards Sakura.
"Oh, no. I didn't order this." Sakura tried to explain through her slurring words.
The waitress laughed and handed her the brand name bottle anyway. "No, miss. This was ordered for you."
Sakura's first thought: Damnit, Ino-Pig. How much more money was that idiot blond going to senselessly spend?
"It was that man over there." The waitress pointed to the white eyed male. He was laughing with the two men who accompanied him, carefully wrapping his injured hand with a piece of cloth brought to him by the bartender.
Second thought: Shit.
"Well, I'm sorry but I'm leaving now." She declared, perhaps a little too loudly, and marched out the backdoor of the place, making sure to leave the drink on the table.
She stumbled out the back door and found herself in an alley way. It looked gross and deserted, as most places would be this late. Her eyes fell upon a rusted, blue dumpster and her stomach twisted from the smell it emitted. Was there a dead animal in there?
She walked no more than five steps before her stomach lurched and she ended up emptying herself all over the ground next to the filthy dumpster. She knew it was coming, and that was exactly what she deserved for drinking.
Yeah, but it was worth it! Screamed Inner Sakura.
"Ugh..." She dragged the back of her hand across her mouth and took a few steps down the lonely alley, creating an elaborate plan to find a ride home and be safe in bed by no later than three o'clock. She would probably have to just call a cab.
Her head was pounding and she tripped once, catching herself on the side of the building before her face met the jagged ground. The world was turning too fast. Holy fuck, what have I done to myself?
The sound of a door slamming shut, and then a deep countenance penetrated her clouded mind. "So, you didn't want the drink, huh?"
She lifted herself up and spun around towards the voice, falling flat on her ass when she did so. Looming above her, she saw the white eyed man from inside the diner. The other two men stood behind him, like they were his body guards. Maybe they were his body guards. She didn't care.
"I'm going home." She said drunkenly, stupidly, as though he had asked her. She stiffly pointed down the alley, towards the street.
"So soon?" He questioned, taking a step closer.
She stumbled to her feet, using the cement wall as support and to a few steps away from them. The look in his eyes and his abnormal actions had made her incredibly nervous the entire time in the bar. Her gut was inwardly churning; an outcry for her to stay away from him.
"Umm, yeah. It's really late..." She whispered, looking over her shoulders for a clear path in case she had to run. She wasn't thinking straight. Her safest bet would have been to re-enter the bar and try to locate Ino, so they could leave together, but instead she continued to take a step backwards mirroring each step the man made towards her.
But now, her retreat and his calm approach had effectively created a barrier between her and the bar's back door. She was finding herself further from the bar and more towards the center of the alley way. The smell of expired, rotting food from the dumpsters nearby infiltrated her nose and her stomach somersaulted. She cupped her hand over her mouth to try and hold in another wave of nauseousness.
"Would you like a ride home?" He asked.
He has no car. She thought hastily, searching to where he would have left it. He marched in angry, with looks that could kill. Her eyes flew down to his scantily wrapped hand, which seemed closer to her now, and noticed blood seeping through the cotton wrapping.
She took another step back.
Don't be a dumb broad. Walk away.
"No thanks, I'm fine." She smiled weakly, hoping her kind gesture would deter him.
He smiled too, and for a split moment, she felt that all might be okay. "That's too bad." He spoke.
She nodded her head politely and turned, instantly wishing she hadn't. Almost immediately she felt the grip of hands on her arms, spinning her forcibly back around. The other two men had grabbed her, each one had hold of one of her arms. She struggled hopelessly in their grasp.
Scream.
"Let me go!" She hollered, her throat burning from the force of her scream, as the two men drug her deeper into the alley way, further from the bar's doors.
Her scream was met with the silence of night around them. Crickets. No cars passed. The hum of the street lamp was the only response.
"You see," The cold-eyed man spoke softly, trailing them as they yanked and pulled her behind a revolting set of dumpsters. "I have a problem that was caused by an earlier incident. I want you to help me."
Sakura shook desperately with fear and tried to pull away from the other two, but their strength topped hers tenfold. "I can't help you with anything, really. I have to get home, or-"
The sound of a zipper made her throat close and any thought of making a noise was impossible. He was unzipping his pants. The man with the white eyes was going to defile her, right here in an alley, and his friends were going to help.
These things only happen in movies, she told herself. Not in real life. Not to me.
"NO!" She hollered and kicked. Her attackers held her back adequately, one of them hurriedly placing a hand over her mouth.
"Are you sure, Neji?" One of the men asked, clearly irritated. "She might tell..."
Now knowing him as Neji, she bit back her tears and was prepared to beg. His pants were all the way open now, giving her a perfect view of his erection through his underwear.
"Neji," She begged loudly through the man's hand. His fingers were covered in dirt and tasted of salt and alcohol. Disgusting. "I know that you don't know me," The tears fell shamelessly. "Please don't do this to me!"
Neji knocked his man's hand away from her mouth and she gasped for air. He grabbed her chin roughly, causing her to wince. His eyes penetrated hers and she could not look away. "I'm sorry dear, but I think you're confusing me with someone who actually cares about your wellbeing."
She didn't know if it was shock or fear, but for some reason when he ripped open her shirt like it was paper, she said nothing, didn't move at all, just stood totally petrified and unmoving.
But it was when his hands seized her waist and tugged at her pants, that her trans broke. She thrashed will all of the force she could muster, causing the two holding her down to have to work together to keep her still. When she couldn't move she screamed like there was no tomorrow.
And for her, there might not have been.
"Somebody help me!" She shrieked as the pinned her to the ground, Neji brutally yanking her jeans down to her thighs.
"Shut the bitch up." He hissed to the other two.
"But, Neji-" The other two complained. They looked scared. It was working. Her screams were getting to them and they knew that someone was going to hear her soon enough. She had to keep at it.
She focused her pleading gaze upon them both. "You don't have to do this. I know you two are good men, and-"
Her head snapped back from the force of Neji's hit. She was seeing stars, and not the kind you wish upon. She could only manage a groan of pain in response. He had hit her, hard. At that moment she knew, that this man could kill her. He didn't give a shit about her, or that she was a human being. A stranger. A woman. A person. Fuck, this man could kill her.
"I have to do everything myself, don't I?" Neji growled, kneeling to the ground next to her.
Sakura looked to the others, pleading with her eyes. "Please…" She choked.
They were silent, their hands only tightening on her wrists. "We're sorry about this..." One whispered.
"PLEASE DON'T DO THIS!" She closed her eyes and screamed, using the last remainder of her available breath.
Neji reeled back and hit her again, drawing blood from her lip and nose. She moaned in agony and her head lolled from side to side from the force of it. She couldn't help but speculate if they would leave her alive when they were done raping her. Would she at least be able to go home? If she continued to fight, would Neji kill her out of spite? He obviously wasn't afraid to rape her, and as far as she was concerned, death wasn't that far from being humiliated in the worst way.
"Please," She tried again as he pulled at her bra. "Please, don't-"
She immediately shut up when he pulled out a pocket knife, gently placing it against her mouth. Now she knew for sure: She would be taken, her virginity must not mean anything to this man, but maybe, if she went along with his incredulous and horrific demands, her life might.
Her heart clenched as he trailed the knife down her chest and cut off her bra. She was sure that they were all looking at her. She was exposed and helpless, and she couldn't help the uncontrollable sobs that wrenched their way from her throat.
Was there no one that would help her?
"Now, you just stay quiet, and I won't kill you, alright sweetie?" Neji smiled as if he had a heart before leaning in to press his lips to hers.
She did nothing when he licked the blood from her wounded lips, and tried to control her sobbing when he pulled her face to his and forcefully shoved his disgusting tongue into her mouth.
He smelled of alcohol and drugs, she thought when he put his hands on her breasts, touching her in every way that she had dreamed of being touched by her soul mate. But this was repulsive and unwanted. She hated herself for not being strong enough to fight back. She hated herself for not fighting more but she feared being hurt worse.
You tried. Inner said. You tried, and that's good enough. You'll be okay.
Her head was still spinning from the alcohol when he started at her panties. She couldn't help it; she cried out in fear.
Another slap was dealt to her and she coughed up blood and watched as it splattered from her mouth and onto the ground.
She had never known the definition of cruelty before.
She knew it now.
Her eyes stood still with Neji's, his gaze barbaric and wanton, his chest heaving with the excitement of hurting her. She knew, that he knew, he was completely in control.
She absolutely hated this man.
Before she had the time to think, she said it. "Fuck you." She seethed, spitting red across his face.
His flinched, and his eyes glinted in surprise and satisfaction, like he was amused by her words. It was not the reaction she had hoped for.
"If you insist." Smirking as he wiped his face on his sleeve.
She exhaled as he seized her once again, this time ready. She was ready for it to be over with. She was ready for the pain and she was ready to hate this man for the rest of her life.
She was so prepared.
But the despicable act never occurred, because Neji froze. His eyes were fixated on something behind her, the brutality vanishing into something else…confusion?
A warm surge of hope swelled through her entire being.
"Neji, you dirty, little punk." Came a voice as smooth as silk.
He was an angel, she thought. He had to be.
Sakura turned to look at the voice, hoping it belonged to the person who would save her.
000
As he bounded around the corner into the alley way, the sight he witnessed infuriated him.
It was as if the same scene playing before him like when he was a child. His mother was screaming, crying for help and he was able to do nothing but watch and cry with her when it was all over. He recalled her sobbing and rocking him in her arms once Fukagu had left the house. She was trying to calm him down when it was her that was suffering.
He would not stand by and watch that happen to another innocent being.
He could see the new girl of Neji's torment. She was already almost completely exposed, except for her underwear, everything else had been torn away from her body as if it were trash.
What made his eyes turn red and swirl was the fact that there was more than one of them; the other two shitheads from before were holding her down while Neji took her as he pleased. The poor girl didn't even stand a chance.
Neji froze at the sight of him, and the girl turned as well; that's when he was blessed with the first glimpse of her eyes. They were an emerald green; tear-streaked, alluring and beautiful. He couldn't help but admire her features.
She looked so relieved to see him, as if he were her savior or somebody really important. He thought of laughing at the absurdity of the notion. He was a drugged out nobody, and here this girl must consider him a hero. Right place, right time he guessed.
He took a moment to calm himself so that he wouldn't go crazy with anger. Neji always knew how to press all his buttons. Whether it be sexually, anger inducing, or perhaps to bring on devastation, he knew them all. Sasuke had no idea why or how, but he did.
So, he had to proceed carefully.
"Neji, you dirty, little punk." He chided like he was a small child. "Couldn't get enough of me, so you had to harass this innocent girl?"
The two bozos that were the sidekicks in crime released the girl and scurried to the other side of the alley way.
"Uchiha. Leave." Neji spat out, glaring daggers at his men.
The girl cowered away from his gaze and tried desperately to cover herself. She shot another pleading look to Sasuke. His heart almost gave out when she blinked those eyes at him and fresh tears fell down her cheeks.
That's when he noticed, her cheeks were bruised, her bottom lip had a thin line of blood leading down to her chin. The skin around her right eye was severely red and swollen, anything more and it would have ended up being blackened. He sucked in a deep breath.
They beat her.
He maintained composure and smirked. "Let her go, Hyuuga. You know she is not what you want."
Neji growled. "You didn't give me what I wanted." He grinned sadistically, and placed a tiny pocket knife at the girl's throat. She whimpered and froze. "I want you to tell this girl that it's your fault she's about to get raped or I'll slit her throat." Neji ordered.
Sasuke scoffed and rolled his eyes. Neji was always so fucking over dramatic. "You don't have the balls." He muttered, without thinking.
"Jesus!" The girl exclaimed, clenching her eyes closed as though she was bracing for impact. "Do you want him to fucking kill me?"
Sasuke raised an eyebrow. So, she speaks... If he wasn't concerned for her safety, he might have chuckled at her comment. Obviously, she was a complete stranger and clearly had no idea who they were, but imagine? The heir of the Hyuuga clan murdering a girl in a bar alley way? Please. This was beyond ridiculous, and Neji was behaving like a spoiled rich child who was having a breakdown because he couldn't get his way. Sasuke had enough.
Sasuke shook his head. "Tsk. Tsk. Neji. You know it's me you want. Just let the girl go, walk away, and I promise you that I won't tell my father to lock you up."
Neji let out a fake laugh. "Your dad can't do shit to me. He's a worthless drunk who beats his woman."
Beep. Button pushed. Sasuke's lip twitched. How did Neji know this?
"That may be," Sasuke whispered. "But he can still throw your ass in jail."
Neji looked amused. He twirled a piece of the girl's hair around his finger and she pulled her face away from him. "For what? Rape? I hear he does that to your mom all the time."
Beep.
Sasuke's eyes flared.
"Whoops," Neji feigned guilt. "Did I hit a nerve Sasuke-kun?"
Beep.
"Why don't we make a deal?" Sasuke suggested before his top officially blew off. His whole body was quivering with that pent up rage he never dealt with or got help for, and he knew that if Neji uttered one more word about his family, then he would explode.
Neji cocked his head to one side, intrigued. "What kind of deal?"
Sasuke sighed and walked towards them until he was a few feet away from the Hyuuga. At least he was willing to hear him out.
"Here's the deal," Sasuke began, "You let her go. I let you walk without worry of being thrown into jail with all of those butt-fuck buddies you would appreciate too well."
Neji raised an eyebrow, smiling slightly at the dig. "And?"
Sasuke licked his lips. "And," He held Neji's gaze firm. "You get me. Tomorrow night, as long as you want, whatever you want to do. Because-" He winked. "I know I'm the one you're truly after. And won't waiting until tomorrow just...intensify the pleasure?"
Silence. He could tell Neji was thinking about the deal. He only hoped he would take it, because he had nothing more to offer. Sasuke had always been the kind of person to fight with his words. He wasn't that strong physically, but when it came to sticky situations, usually he could worm his way out using his words, his drugs or … himself.
He took a quick look in the girl's direction. She was terrified. His only wish was to save her. He didn't want her to go through the horrors he remembered as a child. Rape was a sickening act.
An eternity passed before Neji slowly slipped the knife back into his pocket, pulling up his jeans at the same time. He stood and stepped to the side, causing a wash of relief to envelop the girl's face. She instantly started to gather her clothes and slip on what she could salvage with shaking fingers.
"You're on, Uchiha." Neji whispered huskily, before marching up to him, their faces now only inches apart.
Neji stood there for a moment, contemplating God knows what, eyes piercing into Sasuke's before whispering, "I accept your deal." Sasuke swallowed nervously. Sasuke was mesmerized as Neji leaned in, placing his mouth right by Sasuke's ear.
"Don't think you'll get out of this one, Uchiha. I'm holding you to it." He murmured low so only Sasuke could understand it as his cold breath brushed his ear lobe.
"Of course." Sasuke answered.
"And," Neji continued. "Don't think I'll go easy on you. Tomorrow, you're all mine."
"As promised." Sasuke spoke clearly and Neji pulled back until their lips were mere centimeters apart.
Sasuke abruptly leaned forward, having a strange urge to taste him again, only to be met with his finger pressed tightly to his mouth.
"But Sasuke," Neji exclaimed innocently, fire dancing behind his pupils. "Won't waiting until tomorrow just intensify the pleasure?"
Beep.
He pushed him away, rather roughly, and signaled to the guys behind him with two fingers. After a moment, they had all disappeared around the corner and were gone.
This left him all alone with the girl.
She was shivering and sitting helplessly on the ground, obviously still in shock about the whole situation. His sympathy went to her.
Shredding his button up shirt and leaving the tee underneath, he slowly walked up to her quivering form and placed the fabric around her shoulders. She jumped at the sudden contact.
"You're okay." He whispered, assuring her.
She stared at him blankly.
He bent down beside her, still leaving her some space in between them. He knew better than to touch her in this moment. She tensed briefly, then exhaled a long, slow breath. He just knelt there, at her level, hoping that his presence and security would somehow soothe her. He also didn't want to be looming over her. He needed her to know that he saw her, and that she wasn't alone anymore. He was going to help. "We're you at the bar with someone?" He asked, after a few moments, hoping to assess the situation.
She nodded slowly, sniffing. "Yeah, but... I think she's gone..."
He tilted his head, tried to smile. "Need a ride?"
She blinked, eyeing him carefully. Moments elapsed, and just when he thought he would have to ask her again, she nodded solemnly looking away in shame.
Poor girl. He could tell that she had no clue what to do, let alone who to trust. He was a stranger to her too, he realized. This position he was in currently placed him in a lot of power, and he knew that she was probably fearing he would do the same to her as Neji tried to do. Quickly, he reached into his back pocket and pulled out his cell. With only pressing one number he had the Uchiha limo driver on the line.
"I'm at the bar down the road, come pick me up." He shut the phone.
He looked back to her. "Hey," he said softly. "Ride is on the way."
The girl didn't budge.
Suddenly, she looked back up at him and their eyes met again. God, he thought, feeling the air vanish from his lungs. She was so beautiful. Instantly he felt guilt in thinking that because she was crying again. Had he done something wrong?
After a moment, her eyes closed and she smiled up at him. "Thank you, thank you." She said, wiping the tears from her cheeks.
What an extraordinary smile.
"No problem." He breathed, reaching out his hand to her, desperate to know her name. "I'm Sasuke Uchina."
She shakily placed hers in his own. He squeezed it, loving the warmth.
"My name is Sakura."
His smile grew and he cupped his second hand around hers, easing her to a stand. "Sakura," he repeated. "It's good to meet you." He couldn't imagine what would have happened had he not returned to the alley.
In this instant he knew, he was exactly where he needed to be.
000