Disclaimers: Naruto is not mine, sadly. This is purely a fanfic using someone else's characters.
Warnings: This story includes strong language, violence, sexual assault, torture, sexual content (yaoi), & angst.
It's All In Your Head
Chapter 6: Break
--
Naruto- can you hear me? Sasuke tried for the umpteenth time, hoping that the jutsu was still working, that the blonde was just far enough away to be out of reach.
That he was home safe, away from anyone else intent on hurting him.
Come on, Naruto. Will you just wait a second? he tried again.
Goddamnit- just talk to me!
No response.
"Fuck.."
Sasuke ran through the sketchy streets that led the way to Naruto's apartment, keeping his eyes peeled for a mess of blonde hair in case he was stopped along the way. He knew how to get there from the few times he had sent over to check in when he missed training. He had never been invited inside. Every time he showed up, Naruto was always very careful to block his view of the place, clearly embarrassed by it.
Sasuke didn't exactly know his situation, but he did know that Naruto was an orphan, that he lived alone, that he had little to nothing as far as possessions, food, and money, and that- for some reason unknown to the Uchiha- he was utterly despised by the villagers. He had inquired about the specifics before, but the citizens of Konoha were very tight-lipped on the matter. Almost as if they were all sworn to secrecy.
It made him wonder if Naruto knew.
He already keeps so much to himself, he thought. Maybe this is just one more thing he's keeping from everyone.
That he's keeping from me.
--
Naruto raced past hateful eyes- desperate to keep his distance from Sasuke, to keep him out of his head. He didn't know how far he had to be for the jutsu to stop working, he just knew he had to get away. Before he accidentally shared any more than he already had. He channeled as much chakra into his legs as he could and didn't slow down until he was at the foot of the stairs that led up to his door.
When he was finally in front of his apartment again it was with a sense of utmost relief. The place was small and pitiful, but it was his. His depressing little sanctuary- the only place he could truly be himself. He rushed in and quickly locked the door behind him. Then leaned back against it as he fought to catch his breath.
"Ahhhh.. made it."
When he could finally breathe normally again, the blonde headed over to his sorry excuse for a kitchen, filled his only glass, and drank deeply from it. He repeated those steps two more times before moving on to the main part of his studio apartment. He slipped free of his shoes and collapsed on his bed.
He sighed as exhaustion settled deep into his marrows and weighed heavy in his mind. Should've just stayed home in the first place.
The sudden pounding on his door tore him away from his thoughts. He opened his eyes and glared at his ceiling. Great. He shouldn't be surprised that Sasuke would follow him home and, truth be told, he wasn't. But that didn't mean he was thrilled that he had.
Why can't he ever just leave me alone…
Naruto tried to ignore it, but the pounding quickly built to a deafening crescendo- one he could no longer tolerate. "Fucking Teme..." He got to his feet and stomped over to the door. He unlocked it and threw it open. "I thought I told you to-"
His breath caught in his throat, fear constricting it. Panic quickened his pulse, but he couldn't move. All he could do was stare in horror.
Dark familiar eyes roamed over him with interest and malice. "Ahhh.." the man breathed, "there you are."
No. No, this can't be happening, this can't be happening, they can't-
Fuck! Do something!! Naruto's body suddenly shot into overdrive. He tried to shut his door, but a hand lurched out and slammed against it- forcing it back open.
"Oh, I don't think so" the man said, his voice sly and sickeningly sweet. Naruto could feel bile rise up his throat as he took a predatory step towards him. As he forced himself into his apartment and back into his life.
"You're not getting away from us that easily." A smile pulled taut across his face, cruel humor reaching his eyes- making them gleam like sharpened kunai.
"Not this time."
--
As Sasuke ran forward, he could make out the staircase that led to Naruto's front door, and the men stepping inside. What the hell is going on? Did he invite them? Is he in trouble?
He focused on channeling chakra to his legs, quickening his pace.
I have a bad feeling about this…
--
Naruto stumbled away from the group as they pushed their way inside. "W-why are you-" He swallowed down the rest of the question. The look in their eyes, their matching malicious grins.
He knew why they were here.
Just like the man had threatened the last time he had cornered Naruto- they wanted to finish what they started.
"St-stay away from me" Naruto choked out. He hated the way his voice trembled. He didn't want to seem so vulnerable, didn't want to come off as an easy victim for them to prey on. He wanted to keep his fear hidden, to feel enraged and act on that instead. But he couldn't seem to get his mind to cooperate. Not here, not now. Not with them closing in on him like this.
He had never been more afraid.
It was him. The man who had pulled him behind the bushes, the one who had told his friends to hold him down, the one who had climbed on top of him. The one who had.. touched him. And just like before, he was forced to face him alone.
The man glanced over his shoulder.
"Lock the door."
--
Sasuke finally made it to the base of the stairs and Naruto's thoughts filled his head. No. No, this can't be happening. He could sense him gathering chakra, preparing to do a jutsu. Could feel when it was suddenly cut off. His stomach dropped as Naruto's screams shot through the thin walls of his apartment.
"NO!! St-stop! LET ME GO!"
He raced up the stairs and grabbed the doorknob, but it was locked. "Fuck!" He backed up and kicked the door hard as images pierced through his mind. A man throwing Naruto down onto a bed. Another grabbing his wrists, tying a thick piece of rope around it. A third had his fist buried in the blonde's hair, forcing his head back. He said something, but Sasuke couldn't hear it past Naruto's screams and the sharp panicky thoughts racing through him.
Oh my god, he's really going to do this. I- I can't stop them. The rope tightened on his bruised wrists, and he screamed- pain and fear tearing out of his throat. Out of desperation, out of terror, Naruto cried out for the only person he could think of.
The only person he ever thought of.
Sasuke! Help me!!
Naruto!! A violent crack echoed through the apartment as he shot a handful of chakra against the doorframe. He leapt inside, crimson eyes filled with rage. The men looked caught off guard at first, but their alarm began to fade when they saw the dark-haired teenager rush in. Until, that is, they noticed the sharingan. They didn't exactly know what they were dealing, but they were starting to realize that they had underestimated him. And they definitely didn't anticipate how fast a Uchiha could move when you pissed them off.
Sasuke rushed in fast and grabbed the man kneeling over Naruto, slamming him to the ground. He grabbed his ankle, prepared to pull him down with him, but Sasuke wrenched it away and kicked him in the head hard. A satisfying crack pierced the room, and the man was unconscious seconds later.
"Get away from me!"
Sasuke looked up and saw Naruto fighting to regain control, but he was outmatched in his weakened state. The men were fighting to restrain his hands, and Naruto was desperately fighting to keep them free. He threw out a punch, but they had rope wrapped around that wrist and were able to easily yanked it back.
Sasuke's eyes flared as he narrowed in on his next target. He lunged towards one of Naruto's assailants and kicked him as hard as he could. His grip on the blonde slipped as his body went flying. He crashed into the wall and crumpled to the ground. Sasuke turned his sharingan on the last one. The man looked from the enraged raven, down to the terrified blonde, then back to the raven.
"Before I beat the shit out of you" Sasuke grated out, "tell me what you're doing here."
The man raised an eyebrow. "Isn't it obvious?"
Horrified blue eyes widened. No..
Sasuke shot a look over to him. What are you afraid that he's going to say?
Sasuke shifted out of view and reappeared inches from the man's face. He grabbed him by the collar of his shirt and yanked him close. "Tell me."
The man smiled. "You really think this is over?" His eyes slid over to the blonde. "Why would I stop before I got to have a turn."
Naruto flinched.
Sasuke gritted his teeth together hard, and drew up his knee, driving it into the man's gut. He gasped in pain, air spewing from his lungs. Before he could catch his breath, Sasuke grabbed his face and slammed him down to the ground, driving his skull into the floor. He didn't let go until darkness swept in and took care of the rest.
Sasuke looked up. Naruto was sitting on the bed, his eyes flitting from one man to another.
Are you ok?
Naruto flinched again. His head shot up to meet concerned eyes, watching the crimson in them slip away, leaving only black pools.
No.
"Y-yeah.. yeah, I'm ok."
Sasuke took a step towards him. "What's the point of lying when I can hear your thoughts."
Please don't listen. He choked back the tears gathering in the back of his throat. "Haven't you seen enough?"
Sasuke considered him as he slowly drew closer. Why do you think I'm here, Naruto?
"I don't know, Sasuke. But I can't-" Naruto shakily got to his feet. I can't face you right now. Not after-
His mind shot to the men grabbing him, forcing him down on the bed. Naruto slammed the door closed on the rest.
I think I've been humiliated enough today.
He got to his feet, unsteady but determined, and stepped around the Uchiha towards his splintered door.
Where are you going?
Naruto stepped past the wreckage of his apartment with nothing but the clothes on his back and the remnants of his broken mind. Unable to speak, to meet the Uchiha's concerned gaze, he had one last thought before forcing distance between them.
Anywhere but here.