/ ANGEL ON MY SHOULDER / 8
After Iruka's class was over, Naruto shoved his books back into his bag, he was still feeling sick to his stomach like something was wrong but he didn't know what that was. He didn't like that feeling though, and he wondered if anyone else was feeling like there was going to be something that was going to happen.
"What's wrong?" Sakura asked, frowning at Naruto's nervous behavior.
"I feel like something is going to happen." Naruto explained. "I just don't know how to explain it, it's just a feeling;."
"Maybe you're just nervous about Asuma's class because that's where you get picked on almost more than you do in this class." Sakura told him. Naruto shook his head, he didn't think that was it. He always dreaded Asuma's class, because it was worse than Iruka's class, but Naruto didn't think that was it.
"Something is going to happen, I just don't know what that is." Naruto told her as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He wanted to make sure Sasuke was doing okay before he went on to that class.
Naruto
Are you doing okay?
Sasuke
I'm doing as well as can be expected. Aren't you supposed to be in class?
Naruto
Getting ready to head to Asuma's class, I just wanted to make sure you were doing okay. I know you're by yourself while your brother is at work.
Sasuke
It sucks to be by myself, but I'm doing okay. I'm not going to hurt myself you know, that first time wasn't intentional.
Naruto wasn't sure that he believed that. Shortly after he had found his parents, Itachi had found Sasuke unconscious with his wrists slashed. Sasuke tried to say that he hadn't been trying to kill himself but Naruto hadn't been sure about that.
Naruto
I hope not. You're my best friend, and I can't imagine this life without you. Sakura and I both miss you.
Sasuke
I'll be there tomorrow. I'm getting bored sitting here by myself.
Naruto
I'll be glad to see you. I'll still bring your homework by and hope that Itachi doesn't kill me for it.
Sasuke
He'll be glad that I'm doing my schoolwork. I haven't felt like it. I haven't really cared about what happens to me for that matter.
Naruto
I guess I should get going to class. I don't want to be late.
Sasuke
If they pick on you remind them that I'll be back tomorrow, and they'll have to deal with me.
Naruto appreciated that, people seemed to be fear Sasuke and Naruto wasn't sure why, Sasuke wasn't a bully, but he didn't put up with people's shit either. Sasuke couldn't stand people picking on anyone else, especially if it was over something that they had no control over.
Naruto
I don't know but I feel like I should tell you thank you for being the best friend a guy could ask for. I appreciate everything that you've done for me and I wish I could repay you somehow.
Sasuke
What are you talking about? Why are you talking like this?
Naruto
It's a feeling that I have. I can't put my finger on it.
Sasuke
Well stop talking like that you are scaring me.
That hadn't been Naruto's intentions, but he has to let Sasuke know how much he appreciated the efforts Sasuke went to make sure that Naruto was okay.
Naruto
I'm probably just projecting my nerves I don't know. I just have a weird feeling.
Sasuke
If it's because of how people treat you because you struggle with reading, I'll kick their ass when I get back. You don't make fun of someone for having a learning disability.
Naruto
I agree but what the hell do I know. I just go to a school that doesn't give a damn if all of their students succeed or not.
Sasuke
That's something that needs to be brought up to the Board of Education. The teachers can't keep getting by with just passing you because that's easier than finding a way to teach you that you can understand.
Naruto
Whatever happens, I'm grateful to have you for a friend. Now and forever.
Sasuke
Don't talk like that I'll be seeing you when you get out of school today. Don't let the assholes get you down.
Naruto
I promise I'll be there as long as it's just nerves that I'm feeling right now.
Sasuke
You'll be fine. I think you're just worried. Did you talk to Iruka about getting tested?
Naruto
I did. But he needs my parents permission. I don't know when I would have the time to get it because Mom and Dad are almost always working and they are never home.
Sasuke
I'm sorry, maybe you can use Itachi? You're at my house often enough, he might as well be considered your guardian as well.
Naruto
I'm not sure that would work legally.
Sasuke
We'll figure out a way to get you tested. Just give me some time to come up with a plan.
Naruto
I hope that we can. Unfortunately, I'm not sure that there's anything anyone can do without my parents permission.
Sasuke
The school has to have a way for everyone to learn. They can't just let you fail without trying to help you.
Naruto
I wouldn't put it past them. They don't care as long as they make their money who cares if their students are suffering.
Sasuke
It won't be that way forever. There is someone out there that is willing to help you, it's just a matter of finding them. Although I don't think you should have to fight so hard to get anyone to help you.
Naruto
You would think, but I guess I'm just another student that doesn't matter in the grande scheme of things.
Sasuke
Everyone matters, no matter what or who they are. Learning disabilities don't make you less of a person.
Naruto
Sakura said the same thing.
Sasuke
She is right, you are a great person, don't let anyone tell you any differently.
Naruto would forever be grateful that Sasuke seemed to know what to say to get through his depressive state when things were going well for him. He just hoped that the two of them would be friends for the rest of their lives.
Throwing his backpack over his shoulder, Naruto started for the door, he didn't want to go to his next class, but he would get in trouble for skipping if his parents found out and the last thing he wanted to do was to disappoint them. He felt like if he was dyslexic and he felt that he was, that his parents would be disappointed about that even though it wasn't his fault. He knew both of them thought that Naruto would end up in medical school to become a doctor like them. He didn't want to tell them, that wasn't what he wanted to do with his life, he wasn't sure what he wanted yet, but he did know he didn't want to spend his entire life working so that he would never have time for his family if he had one.
Naruto wanted more out of his life, he wanted to be able to enjoy life without constantly being called in to work. He knew his parents loved their jobs, they would do anything for their patients, including sacrificing time with their only son. Naruto sighed, he wished he had a brother so that he would at least have company and wouldn't be so lonely all the time. If it hadn't been for Sasuke's family, Naruto wasn't sure where he'd be. They had stepped in to help his parents when they had to go into work. Now that they were gone, Naruto doubted that he would be going over to Sasuke's very much just because of Itachi's dislike for him.
"You know maybe you shouldn't worry so much." Sakura said as she followed behind him out of the classroom. "It might not be as bad as you fear it to be."
"I don't know about that, this class never goes as well as I hope it will." Naruto replied. "No one else seems to realize how much trouble I have. I don't think it's fair to treat someone badly because they struggle differently than you do."
"I agree." Sakura replied. "But I believe that you are going to get the help you need, and you will find a way that's going to help you learn. You'll get to move on to the next grade with the rest of us."
"I wish I could believe that, but I don't think the teachers even consider the possibility that I have a learning disability and they need to change how they teach." Naruto pointed out as the two of them entered their next classroom. He was grateful that he shared all of his classes with Sasuke and Sakura, he would be in serious trouble if he didn't have them helping him out.
"I don't think Mr. Umino believed me when I told him that I had trouble seeing letters in the correct positions." Naruto told her. "Truth be told, I don't think he cares period."
"I don't know what's going on with him." Sakura admitted. "There has to be reason that he's unwilling to help you learn, when he cares about what happens to his other students."
"I don't know that there is an excuse good enough for not being willing to help a student find a way that easier for them to get the same education that everyone else gets." Naruto told her.
"I agree, but someone has to be willing to help." Sakura told him. "I'll help you find someone, and I'll tutor you in the process if I need to. I won't let you fail this grade, and I won't let you just pass because that would be easier for the teachers."
"I appreciate it, it's like only you and Sasuke want to see me succeed." Naruto told her. "I wish I could just get homeschooled, but my parents don't have the time for it."
"I hope you can get their permission to get tested so that we know for sure that dyslexia is what you are doing with and not some sure of other health issue." Sakura said as they took a seat at the front of the room.
"I do too, but considering their work, I wouldn't hold my breath." Naruto replied.
"I don't think they would want you to suffer or struggle as much as you have been." Sakura pointed out. "If you just talk to them perhaps they would be willing to get you some help."
"I'm sure they would. I know they love me, but I also know that they love their jobs just as much." Naruto replied. "Sometimes I miss having them around, that's usually were Sasuke's parents stepped in. They were there for me more than my own were. I miss them and I know Sasuke misses them even more. I can't believe they were murdered in their own home."
"Neither can I." Sakura admitted. "I wonder if Itachi is close to finding out who killed them?"
"Probably considering how much he works." Naruto replied. "He kind of reminds me of my parents in that way."
"He probably works to distract himself." Sakura told him.
"But he's forgetting that he has a grieving little brother who needs him too." Naruto replied.
"That's where you step in. You are there for Sasuke for pretty much everything." Sakura commented.
"He's my best friend, I will help him with anything." Naruto replied. "There's nothing I wouldn't do for him. Well, unless it's illegal, then I wouldn't but you know what I mean."
"I do." Sakura frowned, before turning her head to look at the classroom door as she heard something that sounded like fireworks in the hallway. Turning her head she looked at Naruto, she didn't know what was going on but she was starting to think that there was something seriously wrong and that Naruto had been right about there being something bad that was going to happen.
#
"What was that?" Naruto asked. "That sounded like a firecracker?"
"I don't know but why would anyone be letting those off in the school hallway?" Sakura wondered, as a kid hurried into the room, a large red spot on his shoulder.
"Gaara Sabaku has a gun! And he's shooting everybody in sight!" The kid called out before collapsing onto the floor. Naruto leaped to his feet, and hurried over to the kid, pressing two fingers to his neck. Thankfully, the only kid was only unconscious, but Naruto feared that wouldn't be the case for much longer if he didn't end up getting some help.
"Where is Sarutobi sensei?" Naruto asked. "He's usually in class by now?" It was true Asuma was never late for his own class, even if he'd been visiting with his girlfriend beforehand. Why would he start being late now, unless he had first hand knowledge about a shooter being on campus. Naruto didn't believe that was the case because that would mean he was in on it, and Naruto knew that Asuma Sarutobi loved teaching his students.
"He's late." Sakura said as she kneeled down beside Naruto and pressed her hands down on Kiba Inzuka's shoulder blade. Kiba wasn't the friendliest student at KMS, in fact he tended to bully those he deemed as weaker than him. Which meant that he tended to make fun of Naruto all the time for his lack of ability to read out loud in class. Sakura didn't like Kiba, but that didn't mean that she wanted to watch him die either.
"What should we do?" Sakura asked Naruto. "We can't just leave him here. He's going to end up bleeding out. I want to know where Mr. Sarutobi is too."
"I don't know. We need to call the police, do you think you can do that?" Naruto asked. "I'll try to keep Kiba from bleeding too much."
"I think calling the police is the least we can do. I just don't want Gaara to come in here and come after you." Sakura told him. "I don't want you to end up being the next victim."
"I'm not worried about that." Naruto told her. "I don't want anyone to die because Gaara hates everyone more than Kiba does."
"I'll go ahead and call the police." Sakura told him before turning to the few students that were in the classroom.
"Find somewhere to hide." She told them. "I'm not sure if he's coming in here or not, but I don't want him to be able to find anyone." She stood up and hurried over to the door, and flipped the light switch on the wall. She couldn't do much but she could make sure that Gaara had a hard time seeing the other students.
Once the other students were under their desks, Sakura pulled her phone out and dialed the police. She hoped she would be able to get Itachi Uchiha, he was great at his job and if he ended up coming to the school, Sakura knew that he would be able to put Gaara down.
Suddenly the door was thrown open and Gaara entered the room, a pistol held tightly in his grip.
"Get out of here!" Sakura called out, knowing that Gaara's attention had immediately fallen on Naruto, who was still trying to keep Kiba from bleeding out.
"Kiba deserves to die." Gaara said coldly. "And so does anyone that helps him."
"I know he's a bully," Naruto said quietly, looking up at Gaara. "He picks on me more than anyone else, I know he's a jerk. But killing him isn't going to solve anything."
"He deserves to die, and both you are going to die too. I know you're calling the police by the time they get here it's going to be too late." Gaara said, turning and raising the gun towards Sakura. He didn't see the blonde flash that hurried across the floor and slammed into Sakura, knocking her to the floor, just as Gaara started pulling the trigger.
Naruto felt the bullets slam into him, and he wanted to cry out, but he wasn't going to let Sakura be killed because Sakura had decided to try and help him, help Kiba.
When it was apparent that Gaara had run out of bullet, Naruto lay gasping on the floor, struggling to breath, he felt like his chest was being crushed, it hurt even more every time he tried to take a breath. Suddenly, he felt a foot slam into his back and he couldn't help himself from crying out.
Crying out, Naruto closed his eyes as Gaara continued to kick him as hard as he could get.
"Naruto?" Sakura said quietly, "You don't have to protect me. I'll be okay."
"I won't let you be hurt." Naruto promised. "I don't think Sasuke would ever forgive me if I let anything happen to you." He cried out again, and coughed hard, blood coming from his mouth and dropping beside Sakura's head. He knew that wasn't a good sign, that he likely had internal bleeding, but he refused to pass out, he was going to protect Sakura even if it meant that he would end up dying. He had never told Sakura, but he was pretty sure that despite how Sasuke tried to deny it, he had a crush on Sakura. Naruto was going to make sure that Sasuke had the opportunity to date her, and not let her get murdered on the floor of the school.
"I promise everything is going to be okay." Naruto told her. "I'm going to keep you safe." Naruto winced as he felt something in his back snap, as Gaara finally stopped kicking him.
"This won't be the last time that you see me." Gaara hissed. "You're lucky, I'm out of ammo, I'll be back to finish the job." Naruto didn't see anything, he knew Gaara would do just as he said, but he refused to show weakness in front of the other teenager, he was going to stay strong and somehow get through this.
When Gaara stormed out of the room, Naruto gasped loudly as he slowly forced himself to roll off of Sakura and onto his back. Gaara had definitely broken something in his back, he just wasn't sure what.
"Get help." Naruto mumbled. He could feel the darkness creeping up and he could only hope that Gaara hadn't stored more ammo in his locker.
"Just hang on Naruto!" Sakura cried out as she sat up. "I'm not letting you die like this."
"I don't think you can stop it." Naruto gasped. He felt like a bullet had hit his lung, it was getting harder and harder to breathe. "If you see my parents tell them that I love them, and I didn't want this to happen."
"You're going to be able to see your parents soon. Your father will get you fixed up and you'll be as good as new as quickly as possible." Sakura told him, and Naruto felt a tear fall from Sakura's eye and hit his cheek.
"Tell Sasuke, that I tried to keep you safe. I didn't want any harm to come to you." Naruto gasped as the darkness got closer and closer.
"Tell him, that I'm going to miss him." Naruto mumbled. "I don't think I'm going to make it much longer."
"Just hang on Naruto, you can tell Sasuke himself." Sakura cried as her hands searched for a place amongst the blood to even apply pressure, she wasn't going to let Naruto die like this, he didn't deserve it.
"Why aren't the teachers doing anything?" Sakura cried. "They are letting their students get slaughtered." Naruto blinked slowly, Sakura's tear stained face was becoming a blur and he wondered just how much longer he was going to have.
"I think I'm dying." Naruto mumbled. "Maybe it's better this way, the teachers won't have to change the way they teach so that they can help one student get the same education as everyone else."
"Hang on, I promise help is on the way. You aren't going to die right here," Sakura cried. "Those teachers should have to change something so that you can learn just like everyone else, it's literally their job to teach you. I'll make sure changes are made one way or the other. I know my dad will help me figure out how to file charges against the school for allowing this to happen. For all the teachers thinking of their own safety before their students."
It was strange to Naruto that there wasn't a teacher in sight, had they allowed this to happen to get rid of students that they deemed a problem. It made Naruto sick to his stomach to think that they would allow a student to be murdered because it was easier than making a few adjustments for a student with a learning disability.
"Please hang on, Naruto." Sakura pleaded. "The police are coming and so are the paramedics. I'm not going to let you die." Naruto coughed, more blood spilling past his lips as he weakly raised a hand and touched Sakura's cheek, his fingers leaving blood in their place.
"It hurts so much." Naruto mumbled. "I feel like I have an elephant sitting on my chest, I can barely breathe."
"I think you have a punctured lung." Sakura said. "I wish I could do something besides trying to keep your blood on the inside of your body."
"I don't want to die." Naruto mumbled. "I want to be able to be normal and be like other kids. I don't want to be labeled learning disabled because I have trouble reading."
"I'm sorry, you even think that. Those issues are not your fault and I hate that you feel like it's your fault or that you have something wrong with you. You are the kindest person I know." Sakura said softly. "Don't give up on me just yet, help is on the way. They can't be that much further away." Naruto blinked at her, he hoped that once he was gone that Sasuke and Sakura could find their happiness together without him dragging them down, and away from keeping up with their own classes because he needed a little extra help.
"Sasuke likes you, I mean he really likes you." Naruto mumbled. "Don't let him push you away because he's going to need you. He's already lost enough as it is."
"You aren't dying today." Sakura cried, her tears falling faster. She should go look for a teacher, but she didn't want to leave Naruto alone. What if Naruto took his last breath while she was out looking for help. The last thing she wanted Naruto to do was to die alone, and unfortunately if help didn't get here soon it looked like he would die no matter how much Sakura told him that everything was going to be alright.
"I'm sorry, Sakura. I don't think I'm going to make it. I feel like I'm going to pass out at any second." Naruto told her. "If I go to sleep, I don't think I'll be waking up again."
"Hang on for Sasuke, it's going to kill him not to be able to see you one more time." Sakura murmured. "You're the best friend he's ever had."
"He's going to need you to get him through this." Naruto mumbled. "I'm just sorry that things happened this way. He didn't deserve to have his parents murdered and then turn around and lose his closet friend in the same way."
"Justice will be served." Sakura promised. "I'll make sure the police know that Gaara is the one responsible for everything that's happened here." Naruto blinked, he hoped that some sort of justice would be served for all the pain that was caused here. He hoped that Gaara had to pay dearly for the pain that he had willingly chosen to cause. Naruto inhaled softly, and Sakura could hear the wheezing sound as Naruto slowly exhaled again.
"Hang on please, Naruto. Just keep fighting. I know it hurts right now, but help is coming. You aren't going to die like this right now." Sakura pleaded.
"I'm sorry," Naruto mumbled. "Don't let Sasuke go through this alone."
"You're dying and you're worried about Sasuke." Sakura shook her head. "I would be more concerned about myself right now."
"Sasuke has lost too much. He doesn't need to add another loss." Naruto mumbled. "I didn't want it to be me, but I guess that's just something that I had no control over."
"I'm sorry, Naruto. I wish I could do more." Sakura said helplessly. "I don't want to watch you die. You don't deserve this."
"Well, the teachers don't have to change their way of teaching for me." Naruto mumbled. "They can go on with their lives like normal."
"The teachers are to blame for this." Sakura mumbled. "Where are they when their students are being slaughtered?"
"Promise me, you'll make sure Sasuke is okay and that he won't do anything to harm himself." Naruto mumbled, as he drew in another shaky breath.
"I promise. I'll be there for him, just like you have always been there for him." Sakura reassured Naruto. Hearing footsteps behind her, Sakura turned to see Itachi standing in the doorway, wearing a bullet proof vest and aiming his gun into the room.
"I think he ran out of ammo." Sakura said. "He left."
"How is Naruto?" Itachi asked crossing the room, and kneeling down beside Sakura.
"He's dying. I don't know if he's going to make it, he just lost consciousness." Sakura told him.
"He's not going to die on my watch." Itachi murmured as he scooped the barely breathing Naruto into his arms and started hurrying towards the door. "Sasuke isn't going to lose his best friend like this." Sakura was glad that Itachi was able to put whatever grudge he had against Naruto to the side long enough to make sure that Naruto received the medical attention that he so desperately needed. Now she could only hope and pray that he made it to the hospital.
Thanks for reading and reviewing! Hope you enjoy the chapter Liz And I promise I am hard at work on the next chapter!)