My good for nothing

DISCLAIMER: Don't own, don't profit.

WARNING: angst, violence.

A/N: There will be some mentions of heaven and hell in this chapter. These descriptions are purely my opinion and I hope I don’t offend anyone with these religious views. It’s all for the plot. Please excuse all grammatical errors I really am hopeless with self editing. I like reviews and critiques -hint- ^^

I must say this chapter turned out quite well. And for me to say that… Well I’ll see what you guys think. (:

Chapter 2: The problem with being born

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It wasn't that Naruto Uzumaki had never had any happy moments in his life. It was just that he couldn't remember them. Or maybe it was because all the 'happy' times had been fantasies. Sleep was the only time he didn't feel it. He didn't dream when he was sleeping like most people.


"Monster"


Alone, abandoned, betrayed.


Uzumaki Naruto didn't have nightmares. He was living one. What was there to have nightmares about, when you couldn’t even imagine a worse scenario from what you were living? Naruto almost wished he could have nightmares, then he might be able to be grateful for what he had. To know there were people or situations that were worse.


He wanted to be free of it all. To make the never ending black void that was his soul disappear. His eyes once so brilliant and blue had dulled over the years as his innocence was lost, in almost every possible way. It was hard to be hopeful when you were living in a cage. Watching all the happy people pass you by, wishing you could join them.

But he was a slave. He would never be able to join in the happy banter and affectionate caresses humans were always bestowing upon each other. If he were to engage in any type of those activities, he would be labeled unfit and disgusting. Even being completely submissive was disgusting, to the humans. There was absolutely nothing he could do to please. He would always be behind bars.


"Don't look at it"


"Monster"


"Filthy demon"


Of course he hadn't always lived in a cage. At one point he had even had a mother and a father. People who had loved and accepted him as a whole. Though he couldn't remember them. Couldn't conjure up their faces in his mind. Just fuzzy lines and dim voices. That hurt, not being able to remember the only people who had ever really loved you. Once upon a time Naruto Uzumaki had been happy. Once his heart had been whole.

It didn't look like it but he was bleeding from a wound that never closed.

Someone had once told him that a wounded heart was the hardest to mend. But he had been told many things. Most of them lies. He often wondered if everything was a lie. Maybe he had been lied to that time too. Maybe his heart could be mended. But he was probably just deluding himself. Being stupid and naive again. Too optimistic for his own good. For his own sanity.

Not that anyone wanted to heal the fox furry that had brought 'misfortune' to the lives of all the normal 'innocent' people of this fucking god forsaken city. He was even different from the other furries. People didn't like different. Different was uncertain. Different was dangerous. People were almost entirely incapable of submitting themselves to change. Their minds were to closed off, too used to the things that were.

There were very few fox furries in the world. The ones that came about from the human demon matings were kept in the demon forests. Fox were sly and clever animals. They were affectionate creatures and made sure that no harm could come to those close to them. It didn't matter if the humans wanted to keep their children in the cities. Fox were smarter than people gave them credit for. They knew of the slavery that took place in the cities. At least the forest was safe from that. Although in that place predators lurked everywhere. Contempt wasn’t expressed by harsh words. Rather with sharp teeth and slashing claws. Yet fast and quick was better than this slow festering wound of the soul.

Naruto had lived there once, until THAT tragedy struck.

The tragedy. The one that had ever branded him a cruel blood thirsty demon. Gods it hadn't even been him that had done it! Not that the humans cared about that. They only cared about their petty hurts. Who cared about a fox furries feelings anyway? Furries didn't have feelings. So the general consensus said. The humans had to have something to lash out at anyway. It didn’t matter that it hadn’t been his fault. That he’d had nothing to do with it.

A bitter smile tugged at his lips, as he shifted restlessly. There was nothing he could do, he had come to accept that fact. Though it didn't mean the rest of the world needed to know. If he was going to go down he was gonna fight till the end.

Naruto was not like most slaves. He was not docile or beholden to his masters every whim. What point was there in that? They masters would always hate the slaves. Why not give them a reason for doing so? Being submissive may save some from being beaten as often, but he felt no need to shirk away from it. Being beaten was proof that someone saw you. That someone was acknowledging.

Naruto would keep up this angry at the world act for the rest of his life. No matter how tired he got. No matter how much he wanted to lay his tired head down, and let fate take it's course. Most people hid behind a mask. Naruto was no exception. Even though he was a...

"Disgusting Monster!"

…with a life that wasn’t worth living.

And why did people call him disgusting? Because he had been born? Because he looked a little different than most humans? It wasn't like he had had a choice in the matter. You didn't choose who you were born to. At least there damn well better not have been, cause he sure as hell wouldn’t have signed up for this. He could not stop the way he was. Who he was. They say that blood meant nothing when it came to achieving your goals. Whoever had come up with that had been stupid, naïve and most certainly human. Blood was everything. It was all people really saw. The outer image.

Why did he have to be plagued by the memories anyway? But there really was nothing else to think about. Nothing to do. Nowhere to go or hide. He was drowning in a sea of dark memories. And it was slowly driving him insane. Going over the same black thoughts was bound to crack any person. Only being able to dwell on the bad things in life and having nothing to look forward to. No hope for the future. It was a wonder he still had any will left in him.

Chains kept him tightly in his place. Chakra controlled so that he couldn't use his powers. He couldn't escape the growing insanity. The last time he'd tried to form a ball of chakra he had been unconscious for over a week due to his own power being forced back through his body. He couldn't leave this hell no matter how hard he tried. It was getting harder and harder to even think to try.

Running away was no longer an option after the last time. The last time he had been completely broken. Left to realize just how cruel the world was. How bleak his outlook on life really was. That he was alone in a haunted cold world. No one wanted him. And certainly no one needed him.

At least in the last place he'd had some friends. But then he'd been betrayed. Sold out.

'Happiness is something you will never achieve Naruto-kun, you are alone.'

...But he wasn't going to think about that. That one memory was too painful. Naruto clutched his chest, clawed fingers fisting into the material of the overlarge blood stained shirt he wore. Remnants of his misbehavior, his hate and the hate of the outside world. Mental pain was physical pain in the worst form. His chest throbbed and he whimpered softly. His blonde bangs covered eyes that were now a permanent red.

He wasn't the same trusting kid anymore, his keepers had made sure of that. How could you be trusting when everyone you had ever given it to threw it back in your face?

Some days he would sit on the floor of his cage with blank eyes and wish for death. Wished for the blackness that would take him away from this place. To a place where words were meaningless. A place he would be loved and wanted. But then he would remember the words of his mentor.

"Naruto, this world may be cruel and unkind. It may be harsh, and unforgiving but its the only one we have. You only have one life to live. Live it well and to the fullest have no regrets. This world may not be perfect but there is a far more sinister place."

Hell. That was the one thing Naruto truly feared. It was hard to imagine any place worse than this. But his precious mentor had said there was. So even if it was only an evil assumption humans had, he would believe it. The only person he had ever really loved had assured him it was real. That was one of the few things that kept him going these days. He didn't want to leave this place only to end up in a worse predicament.

Because he was sure he would never reach the place humans praised and worshipped. The place he could grow wings and fly free of all the hate and injustice. Naruto would never grow wings. He would stay firmly grounded in a dark place called reality. No matter how much he fantasized.

The fox stared dejectedly at his feet, watching them curl and flex on the floor. He wished he could get out. At least to just stretch and feel the wind in his face. The tickle of cold grass on his bare feet. The smell of flowers and tress. The feel of sunshine. To know that he was still alive. How long had he been in this cage? Seven months? He hadn't been outside in seven months. The thought made his ears droop, and his neck slouch. Fox were known to have a great love for the outdoors. For running wild in the wind. Keeping them locked up was the worst torture imaginable. But maybe that was the reason he was being kept here.

The blonde fox's ears twitched suddenly, and his posture that had been relatively relaxed stiffened, hearing footsteps coming closer to his cage. He crouched on all fours, his bare feet sliding against newspaper that littered the bottom of his cage. It was probably keeper.

He snarled softly and crawled warily to the front of his cage to peer through the bars. Was keeper coming to beat him? But what met his eyes was not the face of his master but of another.

A boy… No the human was older, showing only faint traces of the coltish years he had obviously only recently left. Naruto‘s own age then. The man was walking along the aisle looking into the cages with disinterest and at some moments pity and slight disgust. The stranger was relatively good looking (he thought absently) with pale skin, black hair with bangs that hung low on high cheeks to frame an angular face. The man looked to be about the same height as himself when he was upright maybe a little taller. He was well built and his stance screamed of arrogance and aloofness. But it also held something dark. Something sinister. It went along with the humans eyes. Black as a moonless night, black as despair. A swirling vortex of cold sadness and anger. It was strangely familiar.

Snarling Naruto turned away, going to the back of his cage to hide in the shadows. He didn't want this strangers pity. Didn't want to be looked at. Didn't want to be intrigued by those black eyes so much like his own. He loathed the people that came to buy the keepers 'merchandise.' He knew those people thought of the furries as scum. Dirt beneath their heals.

"Monsters"

It had never occurred to him that someone buying him would make his situation better. The only people who would even consider buying him would want him as a guardian. He doubted that he would be chosen as such. The keeper would see to that. Naruto was always attempting bodily harm on the humans that came to inspect him. He knew he was violent and uncooperative. Who would want a furry that wanted to sink its fangs into their neck? A furry that would turn on you wasn't desired by most.

He was too expensive anyway.

Hearing the soft shuffling of footsteps stop at his cage, he turned angry eyes on the arrogant bastard that dared look at him with that emotionless face. Hatred hissed in his veins at the thought of anyone seeing him like this. Caged like an animal. Helpless and defenseless. His entire body tensed as their eyes met. Inky black and fiery red. The look the human was giving him made his blood boil. Curiosity and pity. Naruto didn't need pity. He needed salvation. He wasn’t something to be ogled at like the animals in a zoo children were always gushing about.

Naruto could pity those animals and share their pain. The pain of people looking in at you. Living in a concrete cage. Amusing the ones that would have nothing to do with you. Only able to dream of a better life. Or worse yet remembering a free life and knowing you would never see it again.

He turned his eyes away attempting to ignore the human that was openly gaping at him. After a few more moments of the man just staring at him Naruto began to feel cornered.

Needless to say he didn't like to feel anymore cornered than he already was.

Feeling his muscles coil he readied himself. He would make this asshole regret ever setting eyes on him. For ever looking at him with pity. Snarling suddenly he twisted, and lunged at the cage door trying desperately to get his hand through the bars far enough to bury his nails into soft flesh. To feel the warm blood. The draining of the life he so desperately wanted. But the bastard moved away so that the tips of Naruto's claws snatched at air. He took in the look of surprise and confusion on the males face. It served the jerk right. Did he think he was so mighty?

"What the Hell are you staring at teme!?" he growled

He wasn't a mindless tool to use as others pleased. But just as that smug thought came it vanished, turning into a feeling of anxiety. His attack had missed and he would pay dearly for that.

Glaring defiantly at the keeper who was looking murderous beside the potential costumer, he braced himself, knowing what was coming. Through distant eyes he saw the hand of the keeper go towards the switch that controlled the chakra chains. It was almost like he was floating. An out of body experience. But he knew the pain would be unbearable. Had felt it before. It was cruel and unforgiving. It was like all the hatred was manifested into pain and thrust into his body. Curling in on himself he tried to escape the pain, and just as he thought he would die it was over.

Naruto slumped to his vision went white.

***

Groggily Naruto opened his eyes. He had only been in the black bliss for a few precious seconds. Damn his demon blood. It would not let him sleep too long if he had been through tremendous pain. It would think it was in grave danger and try it's best to heal quickly and be alert. He hurt all over, and loudly cursed the humans that had been standing in front of his cage moments before. Naruto half wanted to remain in a state of unawareness. The blonde knew it was giving up, but at times that seemed like the only option he had. The only thing he could do.

'Well that probably scared the bastard off, he won't be coming back to bother me.' he thought trying to give himself a small comfort.

Sadly for the half demon that would turn out not to be true.

Just a few moments after curling into a ball to try and sleep off the effects of the chakra burns, he heard footsteps again. Snarling he moved further into the cage a small pout on his face. Why couldn't he ever be left alone when he wanted to be? The keeper was probably coming to beat him for driving off yet another customer. He sighed and turned his face away from the opening in his cage. Maybe if he pretended to still be unconscious the keeper would leave him alone. But he had little hope for that. Keeper didn’t care about his state of consciousness. He would be beaten anyway.

"I would caution you with him. He doesn't like humans, and has been known to seriously hurt the few who have tried to use him in the past." Taro's voice came sounding happy.

Naruto felt cold dread settle in the pit of his stomach. Keeper wasn’t alone. He sounded happy and he was talking about…

"Tch it will be fine Taro san. I'm sure with...this..." there was a pause in the others voice until he started up again, disgust apparent. "restraining collar it won't be a problem"

Against Naruto's will his whole body twitched at the last phrase. Collar? Chains were bad enough, but a fucking collar? No, he couldn't handle that. Springing to his feet he backed into the other end of his cage. His feigned sleep forgotten, eyeing the two males in front of him with trepidation.

Panic settled in. A hot emotion, that made his heart pound and rational thought fly out the window. Thoughts of being left outside chained and bound. Left for dead. Panting he gripped the bars of his cage in fear. He had to escape. Damn the consequences, nothing was worse than a collar, worse than what he had endured with his last keeper.

The dark haired one, had a disgruntled expression on his face. His hand held a box that looked to have Naruto's few belongings, and the standard equipment for a purchase of a furry. The human was looking at Naruto with boredom and complete calm.

The keeper looked worried for a moment, before he spoke to Naruto.

"Don't resist demon, or I'll have you shocked to within an inch of your life!" he declared trying and failing to sound unafraid. Taro strode forward and produced a key from his pocket. Looking at the caged furry warily he opened the door.

Naruto who had kept still and silent lunged forward. Desperation driving him forward. Throwing an arm out he grabbed the Keepers shoulder and thrust him aside hearing the body hit the other side of the cage with a sickening crack! He had put enough force into the shove to send a normal person 20 meters from him. With the cage in the way, the impact was brutal. The master had probably broken several ribs and his shoulder.

Naruto was a few steps out of the cage, feeling the sweet taste of freedom, when he was abruptly pulled backwards. Falling onto his back he looked around bewildered. Until he regained the wits he had lost in his panic to escape.

He was still chained.

Damn.

His new master was giving him a funny look.

"You knocked him out idiot" the black eyed man said sounding bored.

"I know that bastard!" was Naruto's reply. He looked from the brunette to the lever and for a moment didn't know how to proceed. Would this man shock him as well?

There was a sigh from the human who had bought him. Setting the box to the floor he walked neatly and with precise steps toward Naruto, who flinched as he got closer. But was simply stepped around. Crouching next to the prostrate form of keeper the man carefully prodded the form with his foot, a disgusted look on his face. Seemingly spotting something he made a pleased sound in his throat and produced a set of keys.

"Now, lets get those off you and get the fuck out of this dump" he said eloquently

Naruto was frozen, he didn't respond or twitch when the chains came off his ankles. Though he did flinch when a set of pale hand touched his wrists. Why was this one willing to touch a furry but not a human like Taro? The mans hands were softly calloused and gentle. It was bewildering. There was no pain from the light touch. Naruto flinched again as the cuffs came off entirely.

"Scared of me dobe?" a mocking voice asked.

Anger returned in place of confusion and he bristled. "You wish asshole!"

The taller male only chuckled and flung the chains on his wrists away. Throwing the key carelessly behind him toward the end of the aisle, he turned to the fox furry.

"Well? Are you just going to sit there or are you coming?" He asked a cocky smirk on his face as he bent to pick up the box.

Stunned Naruto could only nod dumbly and stand. The other shut the cage door with a sinister look on his face. The furry could only stare. What was up with this human? Why was he treating keeper like a slave, but himself like a person? What trick was this? Why hadn’t he shocked him? Naruto watched as his new master turned his back on keeper and walked away.

"Well come on! I don't have all day Usuratonkatchi!" The human called over his shoulder.

The half fox demon gave one last bewildered look at the cage which now held a trapped Taro, and followed.

It wasn't until he was in the hover limo that he realized he had missed his chance to escape.

Damn.

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And so we see some of Naruto. Yes he's depressed and his outlook on life is a bit dark, but lets give him a break shall we? He at least still has some spark in him.

Naruto and Sasuke are not the type for love at first sight. It'll be more along the lines of dislike at first sight. They are both untrusting, and wary of others it will take awhile before they can come to like each other. So if you are into the fics with more sex than plot, well you are going to be disappointed.

Please review! It boosts my ego and helps me write faster!

Chishio