Shades Of Grey

A/N: Thankies much to all who have been reading! I’m taking some advice, seeing as how I’m very VERY new to posting fanficion as it is. So I’ll be moving the story to the Male/Male section tomorrow afternoon and looking into a Beta by the end of this week. I warn now the posting will take a bit longer for the next two days (getting a job is unfortunately a necessity *cry*) but I’ll try not to disappoint. Now, off we go to see what Sasuke does next! =^^=


Chapter7


Naruto leaned on the counter at the register. He watched the boy next to him stare at the machine like it was some sort of evil incarnate. He had to choke back laughter as the boy then bent over to glare at it a little closer. The boy studied the machine a few more moments, before straightening with a sigh, and glancing to a bag of chips longingly.

"Don’t suppose I could have a few while no one is around?" The boy raised an eyebrow to Naruto.

"Nope. Iruka-san is pretty strict about that one. Sorry Chouji."

The boy sighed. He waved to the register.

"This thing has got to be evil. All the buttons, and figure discounts. I don’t get it."

"Well, lucky you, Iruka-san put me up here with you for the next few sales. Its pretty complicated but you’ll get it in time. Hey, it’s not like you’ll be up here all the time, either! At least there’s that, ne?"

Chouji smiled and nodded. The day was dragging on slowly. Iruka was not with the register much himself, and had opted to let Naruto train the new boy as he finished the stocking. A customer entered a Naruto stood up and grinned. He waved as they entered and started off to look. Naruto elbowed Chouji lightly.

"Smile and wave when people enter. You don’t always have to say something but act friendly."

Chouji nodded and plastered a smile on his chubby face. The lady that had entered took her time but approached the counter with several books. Naruto announced that Chouji was new, and was being introduced to the front of the store, and that he would be ringing her up with help. She made small talk as they went through the process, Naruto explaining every step clearly. The lady was nice and complimented Chouji, encouraging him. She left minutes later, bidding the boys farewell. Chouji’s face was flushed with triumph.

"See, not so bad."

"Not at all! You explained the damn thing a lot better than Iruka did."

"Yeah, he’s kind of stiff every now and then."

Naruto passed the last few hours teaching Chouji about the rest of the store, and the routine he had set out for himself since his first day. Walking home that night, he found that Chouji did not live very far from him. Iruka watched the boys leave and let them walk each other home, closing up the store by himself. As he started down the street two hours after the boys, something hit the back of his head, and his vision went black before he could even manage an "ow."

~Next morning~

Naruto sped through his morning routine, toast hanging from his mouth. He stopped long enough to lock the bottom lock on his door, and rushed off down the shortcut to school. His eyes were slightly red and puffy, and the area under them was a little darker than normal. He had stayed up watching a movie and paid dearly for it with only four hours of sleep after doing his homework. He was positive the homework marks would be low, but it would be better than a zero. Sliding to a halt in front of his locker, he did not notice the folded paper on his books. He crammed his books into his bag and sped to his class. His foot entered the door with the bell. The teacher shot him a glare as he sighed and fell into his place behind Sasuke. Pulling out the books, he saw the paper.

‘He’s back.’

Naruto’s face drained of color. He knew the writing on the paper. Digging for his phone, he found himself wondering why he had not been texted instead. Much to his dismay, he found several messages from the previous night. Naruto slammed his head into his desk at his own stupidity. He kept his head down and checked the messages, all from the number listed under Sasu-kun.

‘Naruto, where are you? You aren’t at home.’

‘Naruto, Itachi came home. I need somewhere to stay.’

‘Dobe! Dammit, if he hurts me I fully blame you.’

Naruto shuddered in fear. Looking up to the back of Sasuke’s head, he felt tears well up. Wiping his nose on his jacket sleeve, he went back to his phone.

‘Please forgive me. I was working. I didn’t check my phone. Did he touch you? I’ll kill the sick bastard if he touched you. I’m taking you home with me. End of discussion.’

Sasuke jumped a little as his phone went off in his pocket. Internally praising himself for setting in on silent just before class, he pulled it out. Reading the message, he sighed. He would not tell Naruto what he had done that night. He would not tell Naruto why he could hardly keep his eyes open. He responded with an okay. His head promptly hit his desk and his eyes closed. Naruto was seconds from being on his feet as the boy’s head dropped. Coming to his senses, he made himself believe that Sasuke had found a hiding place and had just gotten as little sleep as he himself had. Naruto took notes in all his classes. He watched Sasuke’s head hit the desk in every class. One look at the boy’s eyes told Naruto he had been through something similar to a night in hell. When lunch came, Naruto pulled Sasuke into a broom closet, unseen with the mass of people. He shook Sasuke’s shoulders.

"Where did you go? Why are you so scared of Itachi? What did he do?" Naruto growled.

"None of your business," Sasuke muttered.

Naruto shook him again.

"Yes it is. Tell me."

Sasuke smacked Naruto’s hands away and stepped back. For a moment, Naruto could have sworn the Uchiha boy’s eyes flashed red.

"I found a place on the estate he didn’t know about. I spent half my night hiding in the shadows, waiting. Every time I dozed off, it would not be for long. He tried to find me. He’s in the house now."

Naruto waited for more. Seeing the anger and fear in Sasuke’s eyes, he chose to let the rest go… for now. He pulled Sasuke into his chest and held on tight. Sasuke tensed. He pushed his arms against Naruto’s chest. Testing a little effort to see if the boy would let go, Sasuke found himself quite stuck. He swallowed hard and grasped Naruto’s shirt. He pushed himself into the warm embrace.

"It won’t happen again, I promise Sasuke. I won’t leave you alone again."

Sasuke nodded. He held on for another minute before forcing Naruto to let go. His eyes thanked the other boy and he slipped from the closet. Sighing, Naruto leaned against a wall and slid down it. He heard the footsteps of students die down.

‘I can’t beat myself up over this forever,’ he decided, standing and then exiting to get himself some lunch.

Sitting beside Sai just moments later, he had a cup of instant ramen steaming in front of him. He licked his lips and pulled apart his chopsticks. He slurped up the noodles happily. He subtly looked up to Sasuke as he ate and talked with his friends. He suppressed growls as the pink haired girl latched herself onto his Sasuke. He smirked as she tried to feed him and he stood up, shaking her off. She cowered for a moment and then laughed it off, asking him to sit again. Reluctantly, he took his seat. Ino was glaring daggers at the two the whole time. Secure in the fact that Sasuke could take care of himself, Naruto turned his attention to their own little couple. Hinata blushed as Kiba handed her a piece of chocolate.

"Aww~! Kiba got soft," Naruto laughed.

"Shut up!" Kiba yelled, his face stained in three shades of red.

Hinata smiled nervously and touched his hand to calm him. Naruto had to admit, they were fucking adorable together. Hinata shared the chocolate with Kiba, earning them another taunt from Naruto. The group was at its happiest, and they almost missed the fight that broke out. Ino was standing and screaming at Sakura, finally having snapped at the sight of her with Sasuke. Sakura tried to ignore it, but found herself hauled to her feet by her shirt. Naruto stood up and started for the fight. Curious, his friends followed him. Sai stood next to him, a smug look on his face.

"Hating not being in the fight for his attention?"

"’Course not," Naruto glowered at his friend.

Sai rolled his eyes. Sakura had pushed Ino off her shirt and was waving her finger at the blonde girl. Whatever Ino said next, she found herself regretting it. Sakura started to retort and stopped herself, instead pulling Sasuke into it. He was yanked from his chair roughly and in the blink of an eye found his lips being smothered by Sakura’s. Naruto’s chakra covered his hands. He took a step forward and was pushed to the side roughly.

Sasuke’s eyes flashed dangerously. He raised his hands to push the disgusting girl off of him. The entire school had stopped to watch the confrontation. Before anyone could blink, Sakura was torn form Sasuke, and was laying on the ground bleeding. Hinata stood over her, a fist straight out.

"Whore."

All talking ceased. Hinata appeared to be trying to kill the girl below her with a gaze. Sasuke stepped back, away from the fight he was certain would erupt. Sakura sat up, lifting a hand to her nose. Hinata’s foot pushed into her stomach, keeping her down.

"You don’t deserve him."

She pushed a little with her foot and released Sakura. She turned on her heels and returned to a shocked Kiba’s side. She looked meaningfully at Naruto as she passed him. Hinata took Kiba’s hand and pulled him from the cafeteria to explain herself. The rest of their friends followed, Naruto staying behind, still staring in shock at the scene. Sasuke knelt down and pulled Sakura into his arms. He picked her up gently and headed for the nurse’s office. He brushed by people. Only one person knew why his eyes shone with hatred. Naruto felt his body go numb as he started off to find Hinata.

"I’ve listened to Haruno and Yamanaka fight over that boy forever! I’m just so sick of those two getting everything. I guess… all the built up frustration at the two made me snap."

"So… you don’t like Uchiha?" Kiba asked with a shaky voice.

Hinata giggled, brining her hands to her mouth.

"Of course not! It’s those girls! They’re horrible."

Kiba relaxed and hugged his girlfriend. She smiled brighter than anyone could remember and hugged him back tightly.

"Hinata-chan! You lost your stutter," Naruto beamed.

"Yeah, I guess I did. I feel lot better now," she admitted.

Kiba led her off to class. Naruto followed them, deciding Sasuke would need notes from that one too. He felt strangely detached from his body. The day ended with no sign of Sasuke or Sakura. Naruto had work that night, but snuck off to the nurse’s office after the last bell. Iruka-san would understand if he was a little late. Peering in the door, he found Sakura talking to Tsunade. Alone. Stepping back, Naruto frowned and looked around. He had never taken the time to watch Sasuke go to his own locker, and therefore had no idea where to begin looking. He decided to check their last two classrooms. As he passed the closet from earlier, an arm reached out and pulled him into the dark space.

"I’ve been hiding," Sasuke whispered.

"Jeez! You scared me," Naruto huffed.

"What the hell did Hinata do?" Sasuke snarled.

"I-I don’t know. She’s telling everyone that Ino and Sakura-chan just pissed her off so much, she snapped. Years of being pushed around. No one has any idea," Naruto reassured.

Sasuke relaxed. He leaned against the same wall Naruto had only hours before.

"You work, right?"

"Yeah. Ne! I’ll give you my key. You can wait for me at home," Naruto suggested,

"I’m going to take Sakura to an early dinner. I’ll stay in your area," Sasuke said flatly.

Naruto’s face heated up.

"You won’t kiss her again will you?"

"She kissed me. Remember, you aren’t my boyfriend. You really have no say."

Naruto looked away, face still heated. Naruto was sure Sasuke would see his chakra threatening to spill over the closet.

"No, I won’t," Sasuke sighed.

He turned Naruto’s face to his, leading with the boy’s chin. He licked the whisker marks on Naruto’s cheek. Naruto returned the soft gesture. They shared a quick but passionate kiss.

"Dammit, Uzumaki. I’ll see you later. I’ll stay for the weekend, if it’s okay."

"Hn. It is, Sasuke-kun. With my bad marks on the assignments today, I can make an excuse for missing Lee’s get together. See ya later, teme!"

With that, Naruto was out of the closet and bouncing off to work.