Your Choices, My Pain

Your Choices, My Pain Ch. 4

MAJOR WARNING!!!! Very violent and horrible abuse in this chapter so if you really don’t want to see Naruto get beaten up, don’t read this one!!! I WARNED YOU!

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A month had gone by since Sasuke had seen Naruto last. He had to admit that it hurt a bit, knowing that Naruto was willing to give up their friendship when he fought so hard to save it. He had to admit that he had feelings for the blonde, and knew that he would treat him right; not like that fucker, Sai.

Sasuke had finally accepted his feelings for Naruto that went deeper than friendship pretty much once he decided to come back to Konoha. The blonde had always been there for him, even if the raven hadn't wanted to accept it at the time; the blonde had always had his best interests in mind.

The spiky haired raven lay in bed, thinking about his friend; something he tended to do recently. He couldn’t get the man out of his head. All he wanted to do was confess his feelings but he wasn't good at that kind of shit but he'd do anything to get Naruto away from Sai... he'd even kill the bastard if he were still considered a shinobi... not that he couldn't kill him with his more than capable skills, but tit would look really bad in the eyes of the Hokage and Naruto... So he wouldn't kill the abusive scum-bag.

No, he'd do better... He'd intimidate him, make him feel like a piece of shit and then eventually drive him away, it was risky but it could work.

He wanted to talk to Naruto again, but he'd have to come up with a way to see the blonde without him freaking out. He decided to wait until Sai's next mission. He'd talk to the Hokage and tell her about his suspicions about Naruto and Sai and... No, that wouldn't work, She didn’t trust him anyway. He'd just have to go to the blonde's apartment when Sai was on his next mission. He knew someone who'd give him that information. Kakashi was always sympathetic when it came to abuse. He'd just ask his former teacher about the mission schedule...

With that plan in mind, the raven decided to get up and spend his day off trying out new recipes for his restaurant. He wished he had someone else to taste his food besides him; he had a biased palate when it came to his own cooking.

With a sigh, Sasuke rolled out of bed and headed for his kitchen.

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Things between Naruto and Sai were better...as long as the blonde didn't see Sasuke and didn't even mention him at all Sai was affectionate and loving as usual. He didn't feel so on edge around him like before though he was still careful about what he said. Though that didn't mean that Naruto was necessarily happy. He did his best to be cheerful around Sai and not let on what he was really feeling. He was sure he was doing a good job of it. But inside was a different story, he was utterly depressed when nobody was around. He missed Sasuke so much. He thought that by this time it would be easier to not see him but it wasn't. It seemed to be worse as time went on. But he should have known that it would be this hard to give up the Uchiha. He'd suffered every bit as much when Sasuke left as he was now. It was worse now because he was so close.

Even when he went to the market and crossed by Sasuke's sushi shop he didn't try to spare a passing glance in the raven's direction, choosing to walk behind the place rather than in front. He couldn't bear even looking at Sasuke for those fleeting moments when he couldn't walk up to him and talk to him. Today however he knew that Sasuke had the day off so on his way to the market he took the usual route and glanced towards the sushi place as he walked by. He was making a quick trip to pick up a few ingredients he needed for the supper he had planned for Sai when he got home.

He arrived at the market a few minutes later and quickly picked out some fresh veggies and some lean meat to make a stir fry for Sai. He paid for the ingredients and then started on his trek back home; eager to get back and limit the risk that he might run into Sasuke as he walked.

Sai was so happy to be going home. He had spent the entire day training with his team and he was exhausted. He said his goodbyes to his team-mates before heading off home to his wonderful boyfriend.

The raven knew that Naruto was having a hard time, even if the blonde tried to seem happy. It wasn't that Sai wanted to control the blonde, he just didn't like Naruto seeing Sasuke. He knew Sasuke had feelings for Naruto and if the blonde knew that... well needless to say he's leave in a heartbeat.

The raven made it to the apartment in record time and went inside quietly, already smelling his favorite meal. Thoughts of Sasuke though tainted the good feeling he usually got upon arriving to a well cooked meal and he felt anything but happy at the moment.

He bypassed the kitchen and slammed the door to the bedroom intending to take a shower before dinner.

Naruto was just about finished cooking his and Sai's dinner when he heard his lover come in. He had planned on greeting Sai as he came into the kitchen like he usually did but Sai didn't even bother to do so, heading straight to their bedroom instead. He frowned lightly, wondering if Sai had had a bad day perhaps. He'd let him be for now while he added the finishing touches to their dinner.

He left it to simmer on the stove for a bit while he set the table for him and Sai, making sure everything was ready for his lover when he emerged to eat, wanting to keep Sai happy.

The pale raven exited the shower feeling a little better, still a bit irritable but not likely to do anything. He dressed in comfortable clothing and made his way into the kitchen and couldn't help but let his anger kindle at the look of loneliness on the other's face. Of course Naruto didn't know Sai was in the room; but Sai saw nonetheless.

He wrapped his arms around the tanned man and kissed his cheek, feeling like he needed to distance himself a bit. He sat down at the table and waited for the blonde to sit as well before speaking. "How was your day?"

Naruto blinked lightly and blushed softly when he felt arms wrap around him before he smiled as Sai kissed his cheek. “Hmm...Hello love," he said softly before Sai pulled away and sat at the table.

He brought their dinner to the table and served his lover his food. " Oh, it was quiet...I wandered about the place and a few hours ago I went to the market to buy things I needed to make dinner for you.." he said softly and smiled lightly at his lover, "How was your day?"

"Tiring…" was all Sai said with a shrug. He didn't like the sadness that had adorned the blonde's face earlier. "What are you so sad about?" He asked conversationally as he took a bite of his food, savoring the taste.

Naruto paused and gave a soft sigh as he served himself before sitting down, not looking at the raven. He was sure Sai knew full well why he was sad...yet he insisted on asking him. He already knew the outcome of this and it wasn't a very good one. He guessed he wasn't as good at hiding it as he thought he was. “You...know why...” he said softly, pushing his food around lightly on his plate before glancing up at his lover.”Do...I really need to say why?" He wasn't trying to talk back to his lover or disrespect him in any way with his words, he just didn't want to even mention Sasuke's name in front of Sai.

The raven nodded. "Yes I know why... That doesn't mean you don't have to answer..." He paused to take a bite of his food. "But fine... If you don't want to say it, we'll just eat. I don't want to ruin dinner." He continued chewing as he looked at his lover throughout the meal, his anger rising. Naruto wasn't supposed to be sad... he was supposed to be happy, with him.

It was true there wasn't really any more he could do about it... There was always room for friendly reminders of course, but that could wait until later. "Thank you for dinner... It's wonderful." Get him comfortable first... it always worked.


Naruto frowned somewhat and looked down once again, knowing that Sai was getting angry again and he really couldn't do anything about it. He did as he promised and he tried incredibly hard to keep himself from being depressed.at least when Sai was around.

He glanced at his lover lightly before he nodded and began to eat though the food lost all flavor and his stomach only churned as he ate. “I...I'm glad you like it...I...worked hard on it for you…" he said softly. He hoped that perhaps Sai would let it go and he'd try harder to hide what he was feeling.

"It shows." Sai continued to eat and then suddenly looked up at Naruto. "I bet Sasuke's cooking is amazing... what with him running a restaurant..." He raised an eyebrow at Naruto, waiting for the reply.

Naruto felt his stomach do a flip flop at Sai's words and his mention of Sasuke. He sighed lightly before he stopped eating, putting his fork down. He didn't think he could eat anymore anyhow. “I...wouldn't know...I...haven't eaten there..." he said softly before he shook his head a bit, “I guess...that's what he enjoys..."

"Liar..." was all Sai said before standing up and rounding the table. "You are such a little stupid liar." He made the blonde stand by grabbing the front of his shirt and pulled the scared looking man up. "I know he's given you food before.. now tell me... did you just throw it away?" When Naruto didn't answer, Sai gave him a harsh shake, "Well?"

Naruto trembled as his lover grabbed him. " P..please Sai....I..I'm sorry, I didn't mean too..." he said quickly as he looked fearfully at his angry lover, his blue eyes wide and pleading. He flinched as Sai shook him, " N...no I...I didn't throw them away…" It was an accidental slip up, he hadn't been thinking about the lunches Sasuke had given him but the damage was done now...Sai wouldn't believe him that he hadn't meant to lie

A smack was heard throughout the apartment as Sai's knuckles collided with the side of the blonde's face. The hit was so hard that Sai could feel the cheekbone splinter with the force but he didn't care; he did it again, and again, and again.

The raven had no idea how many times he had hit his lover, and he really didn't care. After the final blow was administered Sai spoke once more, his voice a harsh whisper. "Get out... Get the fuck out of my apartment right now and don't come back until you can go for at least a month without lying." He dropped Naruto where he was and swept his arm across the table, knocking everything off it, the crash of dishes loud in the otherwise quiet room. And he left the kitchen, wanting nothing to do with Naruto for the moment, disgusted by his presence.

Naruto grunted as Sai's knuckles collided with his cheek, pain exploding through his face from the force of the hit and his ears rang. Though he had no time to recover or even realize what had just happened before Sai's fist repeatedly pounded into his face and by the time Sai was finished with him he was barely conscious, blood running from his nose and mouth. Though he registered Sai's voice as the other told him to leave before his lover let go of him and he collapsed to the floor in a heap. He was coughing up blood onto the floor before cringing as dishes and such came crashing to the floor from the table.

The room was then quiet again when Sai left the kitchen, save for Naruto's soft whimpers and the sound of him spitting blood up. He was shaking and all he really wanted to do was curl up into a ball but he didn't want to be around if Sai came back to continue his assault.

He tried to push himself up off the floor though his arms shook and he felt weak. His head was pounding and his vision blurred, nausea and dizziness hitting him as he struggled to stand. From the feel of it he had a concussion and he really didn't want to move, but through sheer willpower he managed to stand up on his two feet though rather wobbly and made his way to the door.

He managed to get outside the apartment building and stumbled away though during the time that Sai had come home and beat him senseless it had started to rain quite heavily which soaked him through his clothes rather quickly. He managed to make it maybe 10 feet from the apartment building before his legs buckled from beneath him and he collapsed against the wet, muddy ground and there he would stay. He hadn't the energy to get himself back up and moving again so he just lay there, trembling violently.

He couldn't really see much anymore as he wavered between consciousness and unconsciousness, his blood beginning to spread through the puddles left behind from the rain, tingeing them with red as he lay curled up on the ground.

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Sasuke's eyes snapped open as a roll of thunder resounded through his apartment and lightning could be seen illuminating the otherwise dark room. The spiky haired raven had been asleep, trying to rid himself of his migraine that he had had to suffer through ever since the day began. He wasn't sure, but he had been getting them a lot recently. The doctor he went too said that they were most likely from stress and that he should get a lot of rest if one happened to occur, but Sasuke rarely did that, never one to let his headaches deter him from whatever he was doing. Today however was a particularly painful one and he did end up laying down, not really wanting to do anything.

Sitting up slowly he noted the time; about six thirty in the evening and he held his head as he stood up. He steadied himself after the initial feeling of dizziness subsided and made his way to the bathroom to get him some form of pain relief; only to find none.

"Great." he muttered as he started looking throughout the cabinets of every room in his apartment and coming up fruitless. He really didn't want to go out in the rain just to get some pain killers, but since his head was increasing in pain, he figured he might as well.

Grabbing a rain coat and his umbrella, the Uchiha donned his shoes and grabbed his wallet and keys before making his way outside into the pouring rain.

He vaguely wondered how Naruto was doing as he walked along the road, passing by shops and restaurants, people huddled inside hiding from the downpour. Sasuke would have to pass by the blonde's apartment to get to the drug store and he thought about going over there and confronting Sai... The thought dropped from his mind as soon as it entered, he couldn't do that; it might get Naruto in even more trouble.

The lithe raven was about to think of another plan when he thought he heard something over the rain... whimpering maybe? He decided to check it out, thinking it may be a wounded animal or such. He made his way toward where he heard the sound and almost gasped out loud at what he saw....

Naruto, lying face down in a puddle of mud, beaten and almost unconscious. Sasuke rushed over to his friend but didn't dare move him, not knowing the extent of his injuries. He checked for breathing and almost collapsed with relief at seeing Naruto's chest rising and falling albeit raggedly, but he was breathing nonetheless. He leaned down and checked if the blonde was indeed conscious and found that he was, barely. He had to get him out of the rain...

He felt along the blonde's body and found no traces of broken bones except in his friend's face and knew it was safe to pick him up; which he did. Forgetting about his migraine, he quickly made his way back to his apartment with Naruto in his arms.

Naruto barely even registered who it was who found him. He may have been awake to some extent at the moment but he wasn't coherent, a rather dull and faraway look in his slightly opened blue eyes.

He did however utter a whimper as the stranger had to move his body slightly to check him out and when he was picked up he could still feel the pain even in his incoherent state which was a good sign though his body was completely limp in the man’s arms and he sank into the stranger’s body before finally passing out completely.

The youngest Uchiha quickly but clumsily opened the door to his apartment and hurried into his bedroom after closing the door once more. He didn't bother taking off his shoes, knowing he had to get Naruto coherent quickly. Laying the blonde on his bed, he noticed that the rain had washed away most of the blood but Naruto was still a mess, mostly covered in mud and soaked to the bone. He hesitated for a moment and then figured the blonde would understand and stripped him of his soaked clothing.

He made his way out into the hall and pulled out a thick blanket and grabbed a towel from the bathroom as well as the first aid kit before heading back in his room. Sasuke sat on the edge of the bed and began drying off Naruto's wet body, paying no mind to how sexy the man was, thoughts of that nature far from important.

He heard Naruto whimper as he began the task of cleaning the cuts on his face and he pulled back a bit, not sure how severe the injuries were. He whispered soothing words to his friend to try and calm the man as he continued to clean and disinfect as carefully as he could.

He eventually noticed that some bones in the blonde's face were indeed broken and he'd have to have Sakura come over and try to fix them, not wanting to take Naruto to the hospital in risk of Sai seeing them.

After Sasuke accomplished as much as he could for Naruto, he wrapped the blonde up in the warm blanket and sat by his side, making sure his friend was breathing consistently throughout the night. He knew Naruto had a concussion, the bump on the back of the head and the dilated pupils were only a couple indications and Sasuke knew that as long as the individual was breathing, they were ok and could sleep.

So Sasuke spent the remainder of his night awake, lying next to his best friend who was now beaten and probably broken to some extent. He held Naruto's hand and whispered to the blonde whenever he whimpered in the night, assuring Naruto that no one would ever hurt him again and making a silent vow to always protect him.

As Sasuke set on the task of cleaning up the cuts to his face, Naruto seemed to be able to sense that the raven was nearby and that he was somewhere safe. Though he whimpered in pain every so often and still shivered from the cold that seeped into his body but he still seemed more at ease as he was now then he had for quite a long time.


TBC

DON’T KILL US!!!! Or I guess don’t kill me since I RP as Sai… BUT I also RP as Sasuke who totally went all heroic and stuff XD So yes, there you have it! Next update will be done soon.