This way to the stars

AN:
Alright, so before you guys read this and start harping on me... ^^ I know your probably gonna hate me for this- but please be patient!! This chappie is dreadfully important! I'd just like to remind everyone that Naruto is NOT the weak, defenseless uke I may portray him to be. Give him time folks! ^_^

With that said- I hope your all ready for some angst scene!
Cheers!!

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~~Redirect me
This way to the stars
You told me where to go but please tell me how far
Tell me what should I do
If I reach the stars but get you
And what if I make it there
Will my heart still be loney and bare
Will the darkness wrap me in tight
Our will my heart be the star that shines so bright
This way to the stars
If only I knew how far
-poem so sweetly given to me by Sora Jr... Thank you darling!!

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"BOY!!"

Naruto slammed his books shut. Oh no.

"What the hell is it now??" Naruto whispered to himself, paling. He heard heavy footsteps padding up the stairs, and he realized with a panic that Sakura's father was coming up his room.

And he didn't sound too happy.

"YOU!"

His door slammed open, and Mr. Haruno stood by the door, his face screwed up in anger, his hands balled to a fist. Naruto knew by the looks of it that he was going to get beaten. And badly.

"What did I do now?" Naruto murmured, honestly having no idea.

"How DARE you?" the man snarled, his face a deep purple. The man was heavily built, with a squarish jaw and a large forehead. His eyes were deep set, giving him a closed look- but Naruto knew what those eyes were capable of. They were cruel eyes. Cold. Heartless.

"Learn your PLACE, boy!" He continued yelling, practically spraying Naruto with spit. "Have you no sense of gratitude at all you ungrateful brat?! We took you in, we fed you, we made sure you stayed ALIVE- the least you could do is give some form of respect to us!"

Naruto remained silent. He learned this was the best way to deal with these situations. And though he still wasn't sure what this was all about, he had a suspicion...

"If I hear you bullying Sakura in school again, I will make sure that you do not get out of this house to see the light of day- EVER!"

Naruto balled his fists. Sakura. It figured.

"Is that what she said?" Naruto coldly said.

The Haruno's face stilled with barely controlled fury. Naruto immediately realized his mistake.

"No- wait-"

"YOU USELESS BOY! YOU UNGRATEFUL LITTLE RAT- I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!"

Naruto quickly swallowed a pained cry as a heavy fist landed on his left cheek. Another blow hit him somewhere in his stomach. He doubled up in pain.

"I'VE NEVER SEEN SCUM LIKE YOU- HOW DARE YOU SHARE THE SAME ROOF WITH MY FAMILY AND NOT BE THANKFUL???!!" Naruto's knees gave out as a particularly harsh blow gutted him on the abdomen. He gritted his teeth and swallowed his cries. He would satisfy the man by crying out in pain- he'd rather bite his tongue. "HOW DARE YOU HURT SAKURA?!!!"

Naruto could not comprehend anything anymore after that. All he could understand was the hundreds of fists raining down his body, and the pain that ripped through him like a thousand knives tearing at his flesh. He prayed for a black out so he would not feel the pain any longer- but God was not merciful.

He shut his eyes and lay very still, praying that it would end soon. It didn't matter if he died. His ears were ringing with mixed cries- he didn't know which voices he was hearing anymore. There was one female's one that he fancied to be screaming out his name... but he couldn't be sure. Darkness began creeping into his vision... licking at his sight. Naruto raised his arms to embrace it.

Then the world stopped.

Well, at least it seemed that way.

Naruto moaned inaudibly. His body, which had seemed numb and unfeeling for the past moments- it was retaliating. Viciously. Pain racked his body and it was all the blonde could do not to cry out. He wouldn't. Not now...

Biting back a pained sob, Naruto struggled to his feet, ignoring the pounding ache that was coursing through his head. Sakura's father was gone, disappearing as quickly as he had appeared. Wobbling unsteadily, he grabbed at his door knob- his aim? To get away. He had to run, or he wouldn't be able to-

He let out a strangled yelp as he bolted out of his room, tumbling down the stairs, not really seeing where he was going. All he knew was that he had to GET AWAY.

And so he ran.

He ran down the hall and out of the house, tripping down the last few steps and skidding down the porch way.

He ran.

To where, he wasn't exactly sure. But his feet had led him down winding streets and into an alley out to a secluded neighborhood. His throat was burning, his heart was pounding- but he didn't dare stop.

But then his legs had decided he had escaped far enough, and collapsed by a grassy area. It was a park, but more importantly- it was a deserted one. Naruto stumbled towards a dome-shaped alcove and crawled inside, seeking comfort. He curled up to his knees, the sand crunching beneath him. He stayed still for a few minutes, listening to his heart pound and his breath steady.

It was so quiet.

Naruto could hear soft trills of summer birds. But they were sad. The birds were crying for him. The blonde felt his eyes start to water, as his throat constricted. He bowed his head to his arms, and finally gave in.

He cried.

Hot tears seemed to run down in his cheeks in endless rivers, stinging his swollen cheeks. The blonde tried to wipe them away- but it hurt too much to do so. So he gave up and allowed the wetness to wash away his pain, watching through blurry eyes as his bitterness drenched the cold sand. Who knew how long he stayed curled up like that. But it had been a long time since he cried so much. It had been a long time since he was BEATEN so much. The last time he was beaten like this- he shuddered. He did not want to remember it. Naruto wondered bitterly what exactly Sakura told her father for him to merit such harsh blows. No doubt she had faked tears to add fuel to the fire. Bitch.

"Oi."

Naruto blinked through his tears, confused for half a second. His ears were playing tricks on him again... he thought he heard-

"Why are you crying?"

How cruel.

Naruto slowly, so slowly, raised his eyes to look at the God who dared to intrude hell. Whoever it was- he will burn. The flames of hell were not forgiving. Never forgiving.

"I said, why are you crying?"

The blonde raised a shaky hand to hide his eyes from the warm yet blinding rays of the setting sun. Why wasn't he burning?! Why was he still here?!

"Go away." Naruto whispered. He hated his voice. It was so broken.

"..."

Naruto heard footsteps shuffle, and he bowed his head once again in defeat. Everyone leaves him alone... No one stays in the end. It was the same. Always the same.

"You were beaten."

Naruto's head snapped up, and he was met with a pair of intense green eyes, the color of the crying sea. The blonde's jaw slackened. He opened his mouth as only one coherent thought formed in his mind.

"Gaara?"


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It was not a happy place to be.

Gaara scowled as another empty bottle crashed from the living room. They were fighting. Again.

"Gaara..."

The redhead looked up from his magazine to frown at whoever intruded into his room.

"Temari."

The older girl bit her lip, and Gaara noted she was fighting back tears. What had his bastard father done now?

"They're fighting..." Temari murmured.

"They're always fighting." Gaara reminded her.

"It's my fault." She whispered fearfully, clutching the doorknob in a white-knuckled grip. "They're fighting because of me."

Gaara gazed at her levelly. "They fight because of a lot of things."

Temari shook her head. "Not this time. This time... this time..."

"They always fight." Gaara repeated firmly. "Inevitable. You have no fault."

Temari shifted guiltily. "I... I came home late last night." She confessed. "Father- h-he caught me, and Mother-"

"It doesn't matter now." Gaara interrupted. "Let them kill each other, I don't care."

"Gaara..."

The red head started to feel annoyed. Temari was usually a logical person, and fairly tolerable. But then again- she was a girl. Gaara realized that he would never appreciate women. They were too emotional and too troublesome.

Another heartfelt crash echoed from the sala, and Temari winced. Their mother was now screaming obscenities. It seemed they were both drunk. Gaara silently stood up and walked towards the doorway. Temari unconsciously stepped back. Gaara ignored her and went out the room, closing the door behind him with a firm click of the lock. Without sparing his sister a glance, the redhead continued down the hallway, and went down the stairs. He gracefully sidestepped a wrecked and legless chair that was barring the hall and stepped out of the house- ignoring the shrieks that were ensuing just a room away.

The house was ugly.

Gaara glared at the magnificent white mansion with deep utmost loathing. He hated it. Snarling, he sharply turned his back to the building and made his way down the empty streets. His mind wandered as he walked around aimlessly. There was no point. He had no destination. The redhead frowned. It had always been that way. He never had a destination; he never had a place to go. No where at all.

Gaara silently padded over to a deserted park where he sometimes spent his time alone. No one ever came here anymore, mainly because a newer, nicer park with large slides and better swing sets had been built somewhere else. It was fine. Gaara preferred the area presently, than it was before.

He shuffled along the grassy area, watching his shadow flit through the seesaws. It was nearing sun set- and the sun had cast an orange glow on the park, making it seem like it was on fire.

Wait.

Gaara's brow furrowed as his sensitive ears picked on faint sounds.

Sadness.

He could hear sadness. And loneliness. The redhead looked around, trying to pinpoint where the sounds could be coming from. Someone was crying.

Gaara narrowed his eyes as he spied a form curled up under the shelter of a dome. Without realizing it, his feet had started moving towards the shaking figure, and soon enough he was standing in front of said shaking figure. It was a boy. Gaara raised a non-existing eyebrow. He recognized the sun kissed blonde hair.

"Oi."

Gaara's mouth opened on its own accord. Before he knew it, he was addressing the blonde.

"Why are you crying?"

Gaara watched in quiet fascination as the blonde froze, seeming to have an internal battle with himself. "I said, why are you crying?"

The blonde head slowly raised, and Gaara confirmed that it was indeed the blonde idiot from class who stole his seat from him. What was his name... Naruto. Naruto Uzumaki.
It was him, but at the same time, it wasn't. Indeed, the same impossibly blue eyes looked up to him from under the blonde head... but they held something that Gaara found unnervingly familiar.

They had the same eyes.

"Go away."

Gaara felt a vein in his temple twitch. He was about to turn around and leave- it wasn't his business after all- but then he caught sight of the bruises that were forming on the blonde's arms and eye. He paused. This too, he recognized.

"You were beaten." Gaara curtly said. It wasn't a question.

Finally, the blonde looked up to take in his face. Gaara kept his face stony as recognition flitted through Naruto's eyes.

"Gaara?"

Gaara cautiously kneeled beside the boy and stayed there. They stared at each other for a few minutes.

"What are you doing here?" Naruto asked, his voice lacking its usual venom. He was too tired to be angry.

"I should ask you the same thing." Gaara shrugged.

"It's none of your business." Naruto managed to snap a little. "Go away, you freak. Leave me alone."

Gaara surprised himself when he didn't feel a twinge of annoyance. He found that he understood the blonde. He would have said the same thing.

"You were beaten." Gaara repeated.

Naruto tensed.

"I know you were beaten." Gaara interrupted before the blonde could deny the claim. "It shows."

Naruto gritted his teeth. "So yes, I was beaten. What's it to you?" his voice broke. "I know- you're going to make fun of me aren't you? You're going to tell everyone that the blonde idiot from 1-D gets physically abused and cried like a baby. Huh? Arent you?! You selfish, arrogant bastard-"

"I know you were beaten," Gaara continued, ignoring the hysterical blonde. "...Because they beat me too."

Naruto shut his mouth. His eyes widened a fraction as he took this in. The redhead was looking anywhere but at him. Naruto let out a breath as he unwound his legs a little.

"W-what?"

Gaara shrugged. "They beat me too. My father. Mostly when he's drunk."

Naruto stared at him, forgetting his own plight for half a moment. The redhead looked anything but the abused boy he claimed he was. But then again-

"So that's why your eyes are so sad."

Gaara's head snapped back as he raised his eyes to the blonde. "What?"

Naruto looked at him closely, his head inching closer to the redhead to gaze into his eyes. "Your eyes..." he repeated. "When we first met- I thought you looked so sad."

"..."

Naruto took in a shuddering breath. "...It hurts, Gaara. I know I'm supposed to get used to it- but it hurts."

Gaara felt his mask crack a bit. It was the same. They were the same. The blonde knew of the unspeakable loneliness that ate at his being. The unbearable sadness of the world. The demon that threatened to overwhelm him.

"I know." Gaara whispered.

Naruto felt his heart ease somewhat of the pain. There was someone who actually understood- who understood the nothingness that was everything. No words were exchanged, but Naruto knew that he had just bared his soul to the red head. But Gaara had not run away at the glimpse. He barely flinched.

That was because he was the same.

"...Are you going to tell anyone?" Naruto quietly asked.

"They wouldn't understand."

Naruto agreed. "But you do."

Gaara raised his green eyes and met the blonde's own sapphires. He nodded. "I do."

Naruto felt the corner of his lips curl up into a smile. He sighed and leaned his head on the redhead's shoulder. Gaara tensed a bit, but relaxed almost immediately.

"I'm glad." Naruto sighed.

Darkness settled around them, but neither boy moved. Gaara silently reached into his pocket and pulled out his white handkerchief. He offered it to the blonde.

"No..." the blonde hesitantly shook his head. "I might dirty it."

The redhead ignored him and grabbed Naruto by the chin. Slowly, with gentleness he didn't know he possessed, he wiped at the drying tears and lightly caked blood on the blonde's left cheek. Naruto sighed again and closed his eyes, enjoying the light touches. Like this, it was almost like being taken cared of. He liked it.

"Who did this to you?"

Naruto opened his eyes, a bit surprised at the edge in the redhead's tone. "No one important..."

Gaara growled. "I told you mine."

Naruto sighed. "Really. It was no one important."

Gaara paused. "Was it your father?"

"I have no father."

"Your mother then."

"I have no mother."

Gaara furrowed his brows. "You have no parents?"

Naruto shrugged. "Ever since I was three."

Gaara frowned at the blonde skeptically. If he had no parents, who had beaten him up so badly? Abusive relatives?

"Can we just let this go, Gaara?" Naruto tiredly sighed. "I really don't want to talk about it."

Gaara didn't want to, but he nodded. It wasn't right for him to push the blonde to tell him something so ridiculously personal.

"Fine. But you have to tell me someday." The redhead said. It was only fair after all. He had told Naruto something about himself.

Naruto nodded. "Deal."

Comfortable silence fell.

"How are you going to cover up your bruises?" Gaara suddenly asked, eyes falling to the visible black and blues on his arm.

Naruto shrugged. "I'll think of something."

"Wear eyeliners."

The blonde raised a brow. "Is that what you call those ridiculous rings on your eyes?"

"They're perfectly logical." Gaara defended.

"What- looking like a raccoon is logical?" Naruto teased.

Gaara scowled at him. "They hide well."

Naruto immediately sobered.

"I see... I'm sorry, I didn't realize-"

"Now you do."

Naruto looked down at his hands. Gaara watched him a bit impatiently.

"So are you going to use it?"

"What, and look like a raccoon?" Naruto's lip quirked once again. "I'll pass."

The red head rolled his eyes.

Naruto raised his hand and slowly brought it up to Gaara's face. The red head instinctively flinched- but stayed still enough to allow the questing hands to rest on his face. Naruto traced the heavy black rings around the red head's eyes, his touch wondering... worshipping.

"Does it hurt?"

Gaara knew what he meant.

"I'm used to it." The red head murmured.

Naruto looked sad. "No one should get used to loneliness."

"You must, if you want to survive."

Naruto sighed. "I know."

Was eternity passed in silence? Maybe it was so- at least, it was to Naruto. Sitting here, with Gaara, was strangely peaceful and comforting. If eternity would begin- he wouldn't mind that much. Not really.

"Do you have a place to go back to?" Gaara looked at the blonde.

Naruto shook his head. "I've never had a place to look forward to."

Gaara felt another crack in his mask. Yes. Exactly the same.

"How about you?" Naruto cocked his head.

Gaara gazed at him silently. "What about me?"

"Do you have a family?" Naruto cautiously asked.

"Define family."

The blonde blinked. "You know, people who make you feel happy. And warm."

Gaara shrugged. "No."

"I see." Naruto sighed, swirling the sand with a finger. "You're really brave, Gaara."

The red head suppressed a growl. "I'm not."

"You are." Naruto insisted. "Look at me. Weak. Absolutely worthless." He smiled wryly. "I can't even keep from crying."

Gaara chose to keep silent.

"I hate it sometimes- when this happens..." Naruto smiled weakly, swiping at his wet cheeks. "It just falls you know?"

Gaara silently handed him the hanky. This time, Naruto didn't refuse.

"You- don't you dare tell anyone about this." The blonde sobbed, burying his face into his hands. "'m- g-gonna k-kick your ass!"

"..."

The redhead offered nothing but his silence. Gaara stayed absolutely still and watched the blonde cry earnestly into the darkness. Naruto didn't hold back- couldn't hold back. Gaara let him drown- the blonde needed it. Besides, he would be there to pull him back up for air.

And so eternity passed.

With no one but the stars to witness it.


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Review replies!!!!

idiot_lord: *laughs hysterically* Darling, you are too cute for words!! Thanks for reviewing!!
MultifacedTune: Thank you!!
losthimagain: Darling, can i ask a bigggg favor?? i want an honest opinion from you.. how do you find Sasuke in TWTS? ^_^
Lost Shinobi: Thank you! And i do hope you wont be lost for long.. tell me once you've found your way! Here you are, a sign just for you: ---> This way to the stars... ^_^
Akina: Haha! Thanks!
Niiro_Yuuyake: Thanks darling... ^_^
masako: i hope to dear.. be patient.. ^_^
Jadejj: Yup. What Sasuke wants, Sasuke get! ^_^
MeeraMeerluv: Thank you!
annabellemanix: Thank you for the sweet review!! ^_^
rachi: *feels very warm* Darling, that cheered me right up.. i'll be honest alright? I'm feeling a bit down that i seem to have a lot of disappointed readers. Maybe the poll wasnt such a good idea, ne? But i strive to continue!! ^_^
ShadowofLight: I'll think about it.. ^^ But i'm not sure i can pull it off.
digi-girl: *cries* are you disappointed as well??? I'm sorry!!!!!!!!! *runs away sobbing*
scottishfae: Yes, i knew.. ^_^ And i thought i'd make Sasuke the clever bastard he is and look specifically for that poem to read! haha.. Do you want help in cleaning?? I've got a broom somewhere here... ^^
chi no hana: Aww, me too!
the_True_Silver: Patience is a virtue! ^^
Trekiael: *amazed* Darling, are you psychic or something?? *laughs* those were the very scene's i've been toying in my head for a while now... maybe i'll give it more thought and it would come to life... ^_^ Thanks for the ideas!!
vox: *shrugs* You think so??
Kativachan: Thank you!!!! The chorus just struck me sooo much that i HAD to put it in.. And about the poetry- that particular one is one of my favorites! ^_^ ...'Dead poets society'? Sorry, never heard of it.. :(
moi: *hugs you* oh! You DO appreciate your poetry!! Shall i compare thee is one of my favorites too!
yukiko: thanks darling. ^^
mieran: Darling, i cant spill out the plot, can i?? ^^ But i CAN assure you of one thing though- i have no intention in hurting our favorite boys.. you can take that to the bank. ^^
BlacKat: Ino WAS there! *snickers* but she's a GIRL... Naruto's the only GUY blonde.. ^_^
Saki: *death hug* You're too cute! I wanna huuugggg!!!!!
sansty: *pats you on head* Thank you for waiting oh so patiently!! This is for you!!!!
Iishtafreakyo: *small voice* do you really think so?? I'll admit that i'm not very confident about my writing style- and this is the first time i've written for an audience. I write mostly for myself so this is a big first! And so i'm a bit reluctant to have a beta... cuz i know i'd just be intimidated and i wont write as well. But i'm thinking long and hard about your offer- thank you!!!
himeyume: *cries* b-but N-naruto said Cliffhangers were f-fun!! *wails*
Lulu: yay!! Star!!!
Briryan: Ahahaha!! Me too!
Camui: *eyes widen* toaster?!!!!
Stupidity Unleashed: *laughs hysterically* Oh god- me too!!! I had to read that bloody poem in front of a hundred sixy students and made a total fool of myself!! ^_^
seph: *hugs all of you* You sweet, sweet darlings!! I'm sorry for making you feel lonely.. but i updated now, ne??? Cheer up!!!! Thanks soooo much darlings!!!
Tamara: *cries* Dont gooooooooooooo!!!!!!!
Neko_O: Thank you!!!!
Looli 115 XD: Yay!! Thank you!!!! I hope i dont disappoint.. i'm really curious about your name though.. is your name really looli?? ^_^
kitsunenagisa: ...dude... nyah.. i like it!!! ^_^ Thanks for reviewing!!!!!!
mgp: that's fine i suppose... *sighs* I'm sorry..
Ltf: ^________^
sapphirexkat2: Yep, Gaara's in that class.. but he's not much of a poetry guy, is he?? He was probably minding his own business the whole time! ^_^
Mochi~: cookieS!!! yum... ^_^ you DO know how to make me happy!!!
krickets: ah, darling, the pains of finals.. sigh!! But unlike you lucky darling, i wont be escaping them any time soon... :(
april: *squeals* Aww!! I love you too!!!!
rei: dont worry, Neji's still not outta the picture.. be patient.. ^^
mitchy: darling girl!! You finally came to read this!!!! ^_______^ I hope you like how this goes!!!

REYN: ^_________^ over HERE!!!!!!! I hope you found this fine!!!!! Thank you so much for reviewing- you made me laugh outta my seat when i realized that yeah- the replies ARE kinda hard to read since their all squished up like that... but that aint my fault! Blame Aff! ^_^

Sasu: *snaps fingers* oh YEAH!! I didnt think of that! ^_^ here, have a cookie!!!
tsusami: Yes, i am aware. ^_^
Seto's Darkness: THANK YOU!!! Darling, you comfort my heart! ^_^
SasuNaruFOREVER: Anou... am i boring you??? *looks up meekly* (Ho hum?)
Firestarburst: Thank you!!
SimoneV: Glad you liked it!!! I thought it would be funny.. ^^ So far though, your the only one who commented about it...
z: *looks interestedly at happy dance* Think i could learn a step or two?? ^_^
Tsunaide: And i you!!!
Kiba kun: Ash-chan!! ^_^ I'm glad you got yourself an account!
I'm just a baka: Awww!!!!!! Darling, you made my day!!!!! Hello Inuchi!! *waves* I'm glad to hear your liking this!!! Just dont fight with darling-baka over the computer- I'll give you a cookie!! ^_^
Sora Jr: Darling, i am sooooo touched.. I hope you like my little something *points at title poem* -It was too beautiful not to be shared!!! ^_^
diamon_princess2006: Thanks for the review!!!!!!
ErsajChronicles: *agrees* cliffhangers!!!!!!
blood water: Defenseless??? No darling, not defenseless. But as you see in this chapter- he cracked. ^_^ But dont worry! Blondie's stronger than that!!