The Guardian

Thank you Zrina for beta-ing this!! I love you!!

oh and upto chapter ten this story is done, so updates will be fast. i'm still working on chapter 11...so that will take time!

Chapter 8:

The sunlight fell across his face warming him as he sat up in bed. His eyes were shut and his head tilted back like a dark flower about to bloom. Though people always compared Sasuke to the night, the morning sunlight really made him look ethereal. For a moment Naruto couldn’t take his eyes off him, that beautiful upturned face and the slender neck. He caught himself and cleared away those thoughts. Sasuke was his ward…he had to stop thinking things like that.

“Sasuke?”

The dark haired boy turned, his face completely set in that emotionless mask, the relaxed position of moments before gone. “What?”

“I’ve made breakfast…miso soup, rice and egg. A complete Japanese meal, so why don’t you clean up and come eat?” Naruto gave him a smile, the best he could manage under these circumstances.

Sasuke contemplated it for a moment. “I’m not hungry. I’ll eat later…” he wished he could go out, but the nurse at school had informed Naruto, that he was to stay in for a while…so now he was stuck in the same house as the blond, since he was only starting university next week.

“Come down anyway. We need to talk. I want to consult you about some decisions I’ve made. Kakashi is out and will be back in an hour or so and I want to get this done by then.” He turned around and walked away, Sasuke heard his footsteps as he went down the stairs.

The raven felt his stomach plummet. By decisions did Naruto mean he was going to be sent away? A part of him wished he could be, but another part didn’t want to. He had never been treated with this much care before, not even at Nawaki-san’s house. He brushed his teeth and washed his face before going downstairs. Naruto was sitting at the dining table, an open book propped next to him, reading as he ate his soup. He looked up at Sasuke and gestured to the chair opposite him.

The moment Sasuke sat down; Naruto placed a bowl of soup, a bowl of rice and a plate of egg. “You can eat it if you want, if not you can heat and eat it whenever you want.” Then he sat down in front of his own breakfast. His blue eyes were serious. “Sasuke…”

The raven looked up trying not to show any nervousness though he really wanted to bite his lip right now. “Tell me…” he was glad his voice came out emotionless and cold. This wasn’t the time to show any emotions.

“All right. Sasuke, we…I’ve decided that I’m taking you out of school…”

Sasuke sighed; he wasn’t being sent away….wait what? “What do you mean? My education…” His voice came out more sharply than he’d intended it to; there was a flash in Naruto's eyes.

“I am your guardian, Sasuke…I’m not an idiot. Listen to me; I want to take you out of that school. I think home schooling would be a better option for you. At least for a while. After all you’ve missed so much this semester and the last what with all the suspensions and what not…” Naruto stated and then sat back waiting for a reaction. Somehow he knew it wasn’t going to be good.

“Home schooled? I don’t want to be home schooled! I am happy in that school, okay? Just let me be; I don’t want to stay here all the fucking time.” Sasuke hated this. Home school was for weaklings in his opinion and he could take anything that was meted out to him.

“Mind your language.” Naruto glared at the boy. Why were they back to square one? He’d thought they’d reached a point where they could finally work it out. “It’s the best solution. A few months of home schooling and I’ll put you back into normal school. We need to bring you up to notch, Sasuke.”

“No!” he said vehemently. “No, I do not want to be stuck in this bloody house all day…”

“I’ve made up my mind. If you continue to behave like this, you’re just making me surer of this venture.” Naruto took a bite of rice and chewed. “It’s a compromise…you stay here and catch up and you’ll be back in school. You can say you had to take some time off, you don’t have to tell them you were home schooled. And now let’s move onto the next matter…”

Sasuke scowled at him. But Naruto refused to pay any attention. “The second matter. What happened yesterday and who did this to you?”

Sasuke’s eyes widened. He felt so ashamed about yesterday. Stupid yesterday had been one of the worst days in his life. “That’s none of your business…”

Naruto's eyes narrowed. “It is my business. I am going to see that guy or guys expelled. If you are not going to tell me then I’m going to call Temari and speak to Gaara. She said he knew who it was and I can ask him. I’d rather hear it from you.”

“WHY? WHY WON’T YOU LEAVE ME ALONE?” Sasuke stood up slamming his hands on the table. “You don’t even care! You don’t fucking care! It’s my life! Why the fuck are you making life changing decisions for me? You’re not even an adult yet! You’re only nineteen! So stop acting like you know what’s good for me! All you want is to make my life miserable!” He punctuated every word with a slam of his fist until the bowl of soup fell to the ground and shattered. He paused…”AND I don’t fucking want breakfast!” The rest of the food followed the soup with the bowls smashing to pieces.

They were childish words. If Naruto was in his right mind he’d have dismissed them. But to see his mother’s favorite china bowls fall to the ground and break made something snap in him. He was out of his chair in a second, Sasuke’s collar in his fist, slamming the boy against the wall.

“Mind your language,” he snarled. Sasuke had never seen Naruto like this; he could physically feel the aura of rage around the man. “All I’ve been trying to do, asshole, is care for you! I do care for you, just because I refuse to sleep with you or be comfortable with sleeping with you doesn’t mean I don’t care. If I found the little shit who did that to you yesterday I’d kill him. I may be nineteen but I’ve learnt from my mistakes and I don’t want you making the same ones. I am your bloody GUARDIAN so I will and can make life changing decisions for you. I’ve dealt with your shit enough times, okay? I’m not making your life miserable it’s the other way round. I don’t have peace of mind anymore. I thought we were getting to understand each other, but it’s because you fucking want me isn’t it? All that niceness when I was sick was because you wanted me! You know I would have been okay with anything, but I’m not in the mood to take your bloody tantrums! So go to your room. You are grounded forever…you aren’t getting out of the house forever! DO YOU UNDERSTAND?”

He let go of Sasuke and backed away, turning around and beginning to clear his own breakfast away. He’d lost his appetite. Sasuke swallowed feeling the hurtful words wash over him, before he ran all the way up to his room and collapsed on his bed seething with fury. He wished he could hit Naruto, that he could punch the man. He’d just accused Sasuke of being selfish and shallow enough to care for him just because he wanted him.

“I hate you…I don’t want you…I wish you’d just be out of my life….” He lay here for an hour or so before he heard he doorbell. So Kakashi was back. He crept downstairs to see what was going on. He knew Naruto would complain to Kakashi about him. He knew this was childish, but he hadn’t been childish in such a long time that he didn’t think twice about indulging in it. After all, Sasuke was a fifteen year old. He got to the foot of the stairs and peeked in. To his surprise, Naruto was sitting next to the mess of broken ceramic and food on the floor.

The blond was holding one of the pieces of ceramic in his hands. His blue eyes looked lost, like he was somewhere else and not in that living room. Kakashi, who was on his way in, paused as he saw the blond and ran up to him. “Naruto! Naruto?” he caught the blond’s shoulder and shook him a bit.

The blond looked at him for a moment, before burying his face into Kakashi’s chest. Tears started to roll down his face and soft heart-rending sobs tore from him though he seemed reluctant to let them. Kakashi rubbed his back soothingly and paid attention to what he was holding.

“Naruto! That’s your mom’s china…what the hell happened?”

Sasuke felt his heart plummet. His mom’s china? He’s broken something Naruto had from his parents. He felt sick; he knew how much he treasured what his parent’s had given him. He hid further behind, so Kakashi wouldn’t catch sight of him.

Kakashi hugged Naruto closer. “It’s okay. I’m sure she wouldn’t have minded. Calm down, kiddo, let’s clean up and you can tell me what’s wrong. You haven’t cried since the time you got hit by that bike when you were in fifth grade and you had to stay in hospital for the next five days. Tell me about it, ne?”

Naruto quieted down and removed his face from Kakashi’s chest. Instead of going red and blotchy all over, he just had a tad red nose and tear streaks down his face. “I messed up…again.”

Kakashi raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean messed up again?”

“Sasuke…I argued with him and then I said so many hurtful things. I slammed him against a wall, Kakashi. I was really close to beating the shit out of him. I was just so angry…I’m still so frustrated that he’s pushing me out of his life.” He leaned against the table. “Why do I always mess up? I messed up when mom died…that was my fault, I messed up dad’s life…I messed up yours…and now Sasuke’s, why the fuck can’t I just be normal?”

Kakashi gripped his shoulders. “You didn’t mess up. You never messed up my life. Your parents’ deaths were not your fault; it’s time you realized that. You were a child, how could it possibly be your fault? You were only eight years old…and with Sasuke, it’s just a phase. You guys are going through a hard time and you’re going to have figure it out for yourselves.”

Before Naruto could answer though, Sasuke stepped out. He shot a look at Kakashi who moved away from Naruto at once mumbling something about calling Iruka. Sasuke waited till he heard Kakashi’s footsteps fade away, before he bent down and slowly began to pick up the pieces of china. He did so carefully, placing them on a folded bit of newspaper until Naruto decided what to do with them. Then he brought one of the plastic bowls and started collecting the spilled rice. Thankfully, the dining area had wooden floors and not carpeting like the rest of the house, making it easier to clean it up.

Naruto brought a wet rag to mop up the remains of the soup. They worked silently. Only when the floor was clean did they both sit down right there. Sasuke looked up at the tear stains running down Naruto's cheeks and softly wiped them away. “I’m sorry…I’m sorry I’m hurting you all the time or making you angry…”

Naruto shook his head. “No, I’m sorry…I didn’t know how to respond and I’m sorry for that. I’m older, I should know how to keep my temper.”

Sasuke just fell into Naruto's arms and hugged him. “No, I was throwing a tantrum. I just wanted to hurt you because I was sore about yesterday. But Naruto, let’s not talk about it okay? I’ll tell you who it is.”

Naruto sighed. “Fine, as long as you’ll tell me, it’s fine. Listen, Sasuke, just tell me what you want to, I won’t force you again…”

Sasuke just let his head rest against Naruto's shoulder. “It was this guy called Kabuto. He keeps asking me out, but I’ve always said no. He kept trying to molest me…it…it brings back memories. I don’t want to talk about those yet…but yesterday he just started saying random stuff like he wanted to show me how good he was and shit. It pushed me into my past…I snapped. That’s it.”

“Kabuto, huh?” Sasuke looked up at the low growl. There was this light in Naruto's eyes which was unfamiliar. “I’ll kill the bastard. I’m glad you’re safe, Sasuke…well relatively. I’m really glad…”

Sasuke let his lips curve just a tad and went back to resting his head on Naruto's shoulder. “Naruto…?”

“Hmm…?”

“What happened to you? To your parents?” Sasuke pulled away and watched Naruto’s face. The blond seemed to pale slowly, his eyes gaining that far away look again. Sasuke’s fingers tightened of their own accord, in response to the feeling that he had to hold Naruto here that he suddenly felt. “I’m sorry, if you’re not ready…”

Naruto shook his head and sighed. “I guess I’m going to have to tell you sometime and what better time than now?” he shifted, which brought him closer to Sasuke. “I was six years old then…”

Naruto hummed the Beyblade song to himself as he walked down the path home. His house was only a few blocks away and he’d told his mother that he could do the walk on his own just for today. Everything seemed so much clearer that day, like the times when you’re free from the control of your parents and even the road seems a lot more interesting. A part of him was also keeping an eye out for strangers, since he’d promised his mother he wouldn’t speak to them.

He wondered if Kakashi-san would come home for dinner since it was an important day. He was his father’s student as well as their neighbour and his mother invited him over for some ‘proper’ food as she called it. Suddenly someone walked up to him with a smile. Naruto smiled back, it wasn’t a stranger not really. He was a man who’d come home with his dad quite a few times in the past few weeks. Naruto didn’t really like him, but he was a polite boy and keep the smile on his face.

“What are you doing all alone, Naruto-kun?” the man asked. Naruto didn’t remember his name too well…it was very long. Oro-something he thought it was.

“I asked mommy if I could walk home alone and she said yes. Why are you here?” he asked. Naruto was always extra innocent. This was the first time he had been given any freedom. He usually didn’t have too many friends and spent a lot of time studying.

“Well can you help me, Naruto? Your daddy’s birthday is today isn’t it?” Orochimaru patted the little boy on the head and smiled kindly.

“Yeah, it is. What do you want me to do?”

“Just put this in his bedroom and tell him about it when he comes back.” Orochimaru gave him a small package.

Naruto took it and then grinned. “Will you be coming home tonight …eh…I forgot your name…”

“Orochimaru.”

“Yeah, okay. Orochimaru-san, will you come home tonight? We’ll have a big cake.”

“No, Naruto-kun. But I’ll see you afterwards. When is your father coming home?”

“By six o clock.”

“Okay, thank you, Naruto-kun. You’re a very good boy.”

Naruto ran all the way home and put the present in his room. His mother called him in for a snack. She smiled at him; her pretty red hair framing her face in curls. “Naru-chan, let’s go get Daddy’s present, okay? Kakashi said he’ll drive us there.”

Naruto nodded. He loved Kakashi’s car. His mother called his father and informed him that they would be back after him, she told him to get ready for the dinner they were going to. Naruto got on the phone to tell him about the package Orochimaru gave him. Then they left to pick up the painting that his father had wanted.

Naruto remembered that day forever with clarity. They’d picked up the present and bought some of the wine that his dad liked so much. But when they drove up, a part of his house had blown up. Naruto remembered how his mother had dropped the painting and gone running up to the police officers standing there. The house had been taped off and an ambulance and a few police cars with their lights flickering were around the place. Kakashi had held Naruto's hand throughout as his mother had talked. She’d slipped under the tape and made her way to where the ambulance was.

The only thing Naruto remembered about that particular moment was his mother’s scream. Then she’d burst into tears. Naruto had broken away and run up to her only to be face with the charred mass of a human body. His mother was calling the corpse by his father’s name. It hadn’t taken long for Naruto to realize what was going on.

After that there had been an investigation. Once they’d found out that there had been a bomb in the package Orochimaru had given him, it had been easy. Naruto testified and Orochimaru was jailed. But his mother couldn’t forgive him. Every time he looked into his mother’s eyes, they were cold. Sometimes the cold hid behind looks of happiness or motherliness…but it was always there. Sometimes they would go out and she’d make him feel loved but most times she went about her own work and stayed in her own room. Naruto could never get rid of the constant guilt that plagued him. Kakashi was the only one who didn’t blame him. His neighbours avoided him and their children hated him and picked on him. His life had continued like that for the next two years.

He looked forward to the times he spent with Kakashi. The man had actually moved into the house next door when they had moved. Most days, Kakashi was the one to help him with the homework and teach him new things he could do to keep himself busy.

It was another day he remembered with clarity…he had a portfolio of the clarity-days. He had gone over to a classmate’s home for a project. Instead of working on it they’d beaten him and bullied him. After they’d had their fun they’d thrown him out, leaving him to call his mother from a pay phone a few feet away. No one answered the phone. Finally he limped home by himself, his pride not letting him call Kakashi. Thankfully he’d taken his keys with him so he was able to slip into the house without disturbing his mother. He crept quietly up to her room and knocked. There was no answer. Naruto threw the door open in anger, wondering why his mother hated him the way she did when he’d stopped in shock.

All the rooms had hooks in the ceilings incase they need ceiling fans. Naruto's mother’s favourite pink scarf was tight around her neck as her body hung from the ceiling. Naruto stared for a few moments taking time to process it before he ran all the way to Kakashi’s house. His mother had left him too…he was all alone. Fitting for a murderer like himself, now he could go join them too. No, he would smile…his tears were gone.

He rang the door bell and waited until Kakashi opened the door. Then he gave the man a polite and beaming smile. “Kakashi-san, Mom hung herself in the bedroom. Her body keeps swinging,” he’d said before he burst into laughter.

Naruto sighed, Sasuke’s warmth in his arms felt nice. “And then I was put into a mental institution. They said I was mentally unstable. I guess I was; I laughed as I saw her dead. I was there for two years, until I was ten by then. The court allowed Kakashi to adopt me. So we moved to Konoha. Kakashi bought that small farmhouse so we could spend the weekends away from prying eyes and hired nice farm workers who wouldn’t care about my past. Those were the best times of my life. I never really made friends until high school where I met Kiba and Shika. That’s when I started to meet more people and the gang started. Before I knew it, I was popular. In university no one cared about my past.” He stopped and looked at Sasuke. ”Yeah, so that’s what happened…”

“Oh god, Naruto…” Sasuke buried his face in the crook of his guardian’s neck. “I’m so sorry…”

“No, it’s not your fault. You’d have only been two.” He smiled a small smile. “Anyway it’s the past right? I’m happy now; I’m over it…as much over it as I can be….”

Sasuke stared at him, before moving forwards to capture his lips in a tender kiss. “How can you be so happy? How can you trust other people after that? I used to envy the life you had.”

Naruto smirked. “That’s just how life is, Sasuke. You hurt and then you get back on your own two feet and move on. I like being optimistic and trusting people. When you let them in, even though some may hurt you, some will stick by you.”

Sasuke kissed him again before pulling back. “Naruto,” he whispered. “Naruto, I lo….” He was stopped as a finger came up to his lips.

“Stop. Don’t say it, Sasuke.” Naruto made some distance between them so he could look at Sasuke eye to eye. “Listen, I’m your guardian. We can’t do that. You’re only fifteen and you’re going to find someone else soon, all right? Please don’t ask this of me…anything but this…”

Sasuke sucked in a deep breath. He forced the words out. “Okay…I…I won’t…”

Naruto gaze at him for a moment before standing up. “So, you’re okay with that home school thing, right?” he asked changing the subject and speaking with a casual air.

Sasuke nodded. “Yeah, but only for a few months.” He saw Naruto smile and walk away. He hated how he had to pretend things were different. Pretend Naruto was like a relation and never voice his feelings. He wallowed in self pity for a while and then got up. No, he had to do something about this…he wouldn’t just let it go like that!!

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A/N: yeah so that’s it….Sasuke’s past will come later. He told me he isn’t ready for it yet. I had an accident today!! Fell off my bike with my friend and the brake on my bike broke so I couldn’t start it up again and stuff. So I had to drive to the service centre with one brake. It’s a gearless motor vehicle…if you want to see a pick type ‘TVS scooty pep plus’ and google it in google images!! Yeah well now we’re ok. My bike’s name is Kyuubi and he’s black and silver….don’t ask…ja ne

Taka

Itachi: Taka…my love you are fine!!

Taka: sweatdrop…

Itachi: oh…I’m ooc aren’t I?

Taka: nods…

Itachi: Hangs head before turning back into aggressive monotonous monster and carries her off!!

Please please please please please review…..(Naruto said that…I don’t beg…)