A Shadow Darkly

IX

It continued for months. Each time Sasuke was violated a little more of him broke inside. Oh he didn’t show it. He couldn’t show it, because it would become another knife to pierce his brain. His psyche was already broken as it was. He knew the Rules by heart and he was always made sure he was clean down there. He never answered to a human name and only called himself ‘Sasuke’ in his head. He was broken and Sasuke knew it.

Kakashi knew it.

Each verbal knife, each rape, each beating drove home just how weak Sasuke really was. He was broken, just exactly like Kakashi had intended.

It had taken longer than Kakashi had anticipated, though. Sasuke had fought back during the first few months, showing resistance each moment he got.

So Kakashi became more brutal. And it worked. The resistance – and Sasuke’s sensibilities – became less and less noticeable until there was none at all. Sasuke soon was just a pet, unable to even think for himself without being given a thought to think first. It wasn’t an existence that Sasuke would have enjoyed had he any real indication of what the existence was actually like. But it wasn’t all bad, because Kakashi let Sasuke wear clothes like a human and Sasuke was allowed to exercise. He did chores while his master was away, always knowing where NOT to go.

But Sasuke soon found himself quite bored – even though “bored” never seemed to be in his vocabulary. The laundry was done, the dishes were clean and put away, and the floors and windows were scrubbed to the point Kakashi would be able to use them as mirrors. This left Sasuke with nothing to do but sit and stare at the outside world and harbor whishes that he could go out there. Since he couldn’t, he explored Kakashi’s apartment, careful not to touch anything.

This was how he found the boxes of scrap paper and pencils. With no other option left to him, Sasuke began to draw. He wasn’t very good (Kakashi said so at one point, but let him keep drawing anyway) but he kept practicing. He would sit at the balcony window and draw the people passing below, the buildings, whatever he could see. Then he began drawing from memory.

He drew his brother and Kisame. He drew Iruka. He drew the Sandaime and the Godaime. He drew Orochimaru and Kimimaru. Anything he remembered, he drew. Anyone he remembered, he drew.

One Christmas, Kakashi gave him a sketchbook all his own. It was Sasuke’s treasured possession and he didn’t cry when Kakashi fucked him that night.

Then, one day, Kakashi came home early, startling Sasuke to the point the young man almost had a panic attack. But it was all right, Kakashi assured his frantic pet. The Hokage only had a mission for him to do and – as having no other choice – was going to let him stay with the Hokage.

“You remember the Rules, yes?” Kakashi asked Sasuke as they walked to the Tower. Sasuke nodded mutely. “Recite them.”

“Do as told right away. Do not touch anything. Do not look at anyone unless told to. Do not speak unless told to.” Sasuke continued for minutes, speaking softly as he clutched his satchel to his chest. He waited for the eye twitch, the one that meant Kakashi was smiling, before he fell quiet again.

“Good dog,” Kakashi muttered, rewarding his pet with a simple pat on the head. Sasuke silently rejoiced and bowed his head, stepping carefully, always three steps behind and to Kakashi’s right, a sign of his submission.

The ANBU guards let them through, murmurs washing through the ranks at Sasuke’s physical appearance. None thought much of it, all ninja from that generation or younger knowing the Uchiha’s history. No one had much sympathy for the nukenin.

Kakashi knocked on the office door and walked in when allowed, glancing once at the orange-haired man reclining on the couch, watching the shinobi like a particularly satisfied cat. Naruto seemed just as pleased, smiling up at Kakashi. The silver-haired jounin just looked over his shoulder at his pet and then back to the Rokudaime.

“He’ll behave himself this time,” Kakashi said. “I’ve taken precautionary measures, however, and should he cross those lines,”

Sasuke hoped his flinch hadn’t been noticed. The threat was an open reminder and Sasuke just kept his head down as Kakashi passed by, leaving him alone in the office with Naruto and Kyuubi.

“Have a seat, Sasuke.” Naruto said kindly.

It took Sasuke a moment to react, so unused to being called by his name, but he sat down in a chair in the far corner, eyes locking with the Kyuubi’s. The orange-haired man’s face never changed, but his eyes sharpened considerably. Sasuke hurriedly dropped his gaze and immersed himself in sketching. Kyuubi languidly stretched and looked toward his vessel, who was watching the nukenin with the same intensity with which he stared at the children of the new genin class. It was a gaze that pierced your soul, making you feel as if Naruto knew every dark secret you held in your heart.

- Naru-kun? – Kyuubi called, using the pet name to get his lover’s attention. – What is it? -

- Something is wrong. –

- Like? – Kyuubi’s gaze went to Sasuke, watching that pencil make short strokes over paper. – He’s behaving. –

- Sasuke doesn’t draw. When I called him by name, it was as though he’d forgotten who he was. – Naruto frowned and looked to Kyuubi, blonde head tilting. – Go ask for Sakura. I want her to do a psych evaluation on him. –

- Are you thinking foul play? –

Naruto’s jaw worked. Kyuubi felt the kit’s frustration and knew if Kakashi had had anything to do with Sasuke’s emotional and behavioral turn-around, Naruto would be upset. More over, he’d be upset that he hadn’t seen Kakashi’s treatment of Sasuke, and upset he hadn’t stopped it before it got this far.

- Naruto, - Kyuubi said. – you can’t blame yourself. It may not be too late. I’ll get Sakura, and you and she can deal with this together, all right? –

Electric blue eyes shone bright, but he nodded, and Kyuubi unfolded himself form the couch, long legs carrying him past Sasuke. The demon had to admit to himself though, that Sasuke could give even the best artist a run for their money.

He moved quickly, reflexes and sense honed by his vessel’s own training, and hurried without hurrying to the hospital. He stood patiently, waiting for Sakura to appear before he approached her. Even after all these years around him, Kyuubi still made Sakura jump.

“What are you doing here?” Sakura asked in a low hiss. Kyuubi managed to look properly offended.

“I am here for you. Naruto wants you to do a psych eval on Sasuke.”

“Sasuke hasn’t been seen since-“ her teeth clicked shut and Sakura took a deep breath. “Fine.”

“Get your shit and let’s go.”

Sakura rolled her eyes. “I see where Naruto gets his patience from. Kimie, please let Tsunade-sama know I’m going to visit Naruto.”

The nurse behind the desk gave a little nod, and Sakura went to get her things before allowing herself to be escorted to the Hokage’s Tower. Naruto was waiting for her, and allowed her to peek into the office at her patient. She looked from Sasuke to Naruto and back to Sasuke. Finally, she withdrew from the room, her face set in a frown.

“Is that really Sasuke?”

Naruto nodded, lips in a thin line. “He was like that when Kakashi brought him in. Hasn’t said a word.”

“I’d like to be alone with him, if you don’t mind.”

Naruto’s frown grew sharper. “If you think it’s necessary.”

“Just keep Kyuubi at the door,” Sakura said as she slipped into the office, closing the door behind her. She took a breath and looked toward the nukenin, stepping carefully and with purpose.

“Hello, Sasuke,” Sakura said in the same voice she’d use to address a child. “How are you today?"