Grinning Grimace

Italics represents flashback


It was cold, clotted and viscid. It tasted rusty and metallic. He tried spitting it out, but the taste persisted. He could feel it drying, stiffening his pristine clothes. He tried to breathe, to be calm, but it was clogging his nose and sliding down his throat. He tried to scream, but his voice was overwhelmed by the outrageous cries. A crowd of faceless villagers surrounded him, each holding a cackling torch, screaming and gesturing angrily. Suddenly, his vision was narrowed to the slits of a wooden mask. The stale musk of the mask mingled with his own erratic breath. Prickly splinters stabbed his pale porcelain skin.

A rock struck his shoulder. A tickling pain rolled down his arm. Another rock ricocheted off the wooden mask. He remained motionless as the villagers jeered. He received every stinging blow numbly. A particularly angry gray stone struck the center of his mask. He choked as the mask filled with a foul coppery stench. He began clawing at the edges, shredding his fingernails to the quick. Desperate, he ripped his skin and tore his hair. The mask finally split in half as he wrenched his head back and forth.

He fell, exhausted, to his knees, gasping for breath. The broken mask clattered to his lap. Gently, he pressed both halves together, examining the strangely familiar face. It was smooth and well crafted. The mouth was wide and stretched into a harsh unnatural smile. The eyes were hollow and blank. The deformed face dissolved in his hands, leaving behind warm, sticky, glossy, red blood.

Sasuke flailed his arms and kicked his legs violently in the air. He jerked from side to side and toppled to the floor. Rubbing the back of his head, Sasuke moaned tiredly, opening one coal colored eye to scan his darkened room. The moon shone brightly through his window, illuminating the white sheets still tangled around his waist and the beads of sweat glistening on his forehead. Wearily, he untangled himself and hobbled back into bed. He groped for his lamp, and winced as the light flooded his room. For a moment he let his eyes adjust, and then looked to the clock on his dresser. It read 4:00 AM exactly. Feeling sick, Sasuke massaged his temples. Pinching the bridge of his nose he fell back onto the bed. He fought back waves of nausea as he suppressed the memories of his nightmare.



The rising sun bade good morning to bleary blue eyes. Naruto cursed as a scintillate string of light flickered through his flimsy curtains. The sun, affronted, obstinately rose higher to flood his small apartment with wry light. He flung his blanket to the floor as he stumbled uneasily from his threadbare armchair. He grimaced as a metallic odor wafted from his bedroom. Entering the modest room he contritely eyed the still-made bed and rank laundry hamper. Wearily, he rubbed his aching eyes. Vicious memories cavorted through his mind. He shuddered.

Grabbing a fresh set of clothes, Naruto hurried out of the room, slamming the door. Safe in his plain tiled bathroom, he stripped and stepped into the shower. Too anxious to wait for the water to warm, he cursed his way through a cascade of icy water. He relaxed as the water warmed, and stayed in a bit too long. His cheeks were flushed, and his hands had begun to prune, but he sighed contentedly, drying off with a once white towel.

Tentatively, Naruto pulled on his clothes, yelping in surprise as a delicate twinge of pain pricked his side. Ignoring the pain, he carefully slid on his black undershirt and baggy orange pants. Staring into the cracked and spotted mirror, he examined his fatigued features. His sleepless eyes were bloodshot and underlined by severe, dark circles. His ordinarily tan skin was oily and pale. If he was cheerful enough though, he thought, no one would notice his sickly appearance. He forced his lips into an earsplitting grin with a lamented sigh, but whimpered when the pain in his side erupted.

Sasuke jumped as a knock on the door interrupted his morning meditation. Muttering under his breath he stood slowly and walked to the door. Recognizing Kakashi’s chakra outside, he wondered briefly whether he should ignore him or not. Resigning himself, he opened the door with a roll of his dark eyes. Predictably, Kakashi’s nose was buried in a dirty book.

“Yo.” Kakashi said, without glancing up from Come, Come Paradise. Sasuke nearly groaned.

“What do you want?” He half growled.

“As irritable as ever I see.” Kakashi chuckled. He closed his book, and tucked it neatly into his vest. “You and Naruto have been assigned a delivery mission.”

“Just Naruto and I?”

“Yes. Due to Sakura’s medical talent-“

Sasuke snorted.

“-Tsunade requested she train at the hospital. You and Naruto shall go alone.”
Sasuke withheld a curse. “To where?” he asked quietly.

“To the watch tower bordering fire country. It will take approximately four days to travel there and back. You leave this afternoon.”
Sasuke felt a rush of exasperation. “What will we be delivering?”

“Medical supplies. Please inform Naruto, I have, uh, business to attend to.” Kakashi pulled his book back out and began reading.
Sasuke slammed the door. “Damn pervert.” He murmured, pulling on his sandals.

“Fuck…” Sasuke cussed realizing he didn’t know where Naruto lived, “Kakashi!” he yelled wrenching open the door.

Naruto collapsed on the couch, uncharacteristically exhausted from his morning workout. He smothered a yawn, forcing his eyes to stay open. His body begged for sleep. His eyes itched and watered. His muscles burned. His mind drifted. He felt himself sinking.

“Filthy Demon!”

“Monster!”

“Damn fox!”

Naruto walked past the malicious crowd of villagers, head down, vision blurring.

“Idiot.” A familiar cold voice drawled.

“Sasuke?” Naruto looked up, hopefully. Sasuke’s black eyes regarded him with disgust.

“Sasuke, I-” Naruto wheezed as Sasuke’s knee connected sharply with his stomach, knocking him to the ground.

“S-Sasuke, stop...” he whispered between coughs. Sasuke spit on him. “Weakling.” he growled, towering over Naruto.

He laid his foot on Naruto’s cheek and ground his heel against it.

“Stop it!” Naruto screamed, trying to pull Sasuke’s foot away from his awkward position.

“Sasuke!” Naruto cried, squirming desperately.

“You are a monster.” Sasuke spat, twisting his foot with each word.

Blood slowly seeped into Naruto’s eyes, turning the world red before they shut.

Sasuke laughed, kicking him hard in the stomach.
The world around them faded.

“No!” Naruto screamed awakening from the horrible dream. ‘W-what the hell?’ He shuddered, drawing his legs to his chest and lay with his arms wrapped around his stomach. His cheek was throbbing. Woozily he got up and stumbled to the bathroom. He examined his face in the bathroom mirror.

He ran a shaky hand over the dark bruise forming on his cheek. “It was just a dream.” He reminded himself. “Sasuke is not that cruel.”
Naruto took a deep calming breath, ignoring the pain in his side. He trudged to the kitchen, gratefully finding an ice pack in the freezer.



Sasuke slithered through the crowded Konoha streets. Kakashi had disappeared. “Damn pervert” he growled, “he did this on purpose.” He accidentally elbowed a man in the stomach causing him to spill the mound of teetering paper he’d been balancing. “Sorry” Sasuke grunted, bending down to gather the school papers.

“Oh, good afternoon Sasuke” Iruka smiled taking the papers.

“Iruka!” Sasuke half yelled “can you tell me where Naruto lives?”

Iruka stared at him.

Feeling embarrassed Sasuke mumbled “It’s for a mission.”

“He lives just south of the school.”

Sasuke grunted his thanks.

“Tell him I said hello!” Iruka yelled after him.

Naruto walked unsteadily back to the bathroom and peeled off his sweat-soaked shirt. An angry array of colors splotched his chest. Gingerly, Naruto prodded his side. He felt a sizeable lump, guessing it was a broken rib. The rest were either cracked or bruised. He tore his shirt in half and bound it tight around his chest. Feeling sick, Naruto laid the ice pack against his swollen cheek. As he leaned against the wall he sensed someone’s chakra outside.

Cursing his luck, Naruto pulled on his oversized jacket. He threw the rest of his shirt into the hamper, gagging at the sight, and hobbled to the door. He waited for a knock, forced his lips into a strenuous smile, and flung open the door.

“Sasuke? What are you doing here?” Naruto asked, surprised.

“Mission.” He grunted, “not only do I have to play messenger boy, but I also spent half a fucking hour trekking through the Konoha slums to find your damned apartment.”

“S-sorry.” Naruto mumbled, embarrassed. “So, uh, what’s the message?”

“We are-What did you do to your face?” Sasuke pointed to the ice pack.

“Oh, uh,” Naruto panicked, “The usual, you know, being clumsy and all.” He faked a laugh, rubbing the back of his head lamely. Sasuke rolled his eyes.

“Whatever, idiot.”

Naruto chuckled, eyeing the floor.

“Yeah, so about the mission?” he asked after an awkward pause.

Sasuke sneered, “We are delivering medical supplies to Fire Country.”

“Aw, damn it!” Naruto whined loudly. “That’ll take at least four days!”

Sasuke nodded. Toeing off his sandals, he followed Naruto inside.



Sasuke glanced around. The tiny apartment was shabby, but well kempt. The faded wall paper clung to the wall in tattered strips. The carpet, although vacuumed, was covered in yellow, gray, and brown stains. A ratty couch stood in the living room, accompanied by an old beaten arm chair. A half eaten package of Ramen rested on a rickety, polished coffee table. Sasuke sat down on the couch. Naruto had disappeared into the kitchen. There was not a single picture or decoration adorning the apartment, save for a calendar hung on the wall.

Curious, Sasuke thumbed through the calendar. Little notes were scrawled on the dates, such as “Beat Sasuke today,” and, “Buy Ramen”. His, Kakashi’s, and Sakura’s birthdays were all marked in red. Sasuke frowned. Strangely, Naruto’s birthday wasn’t marked. Naruto tapped his shoulder. Sasuke turned, quickly.

“Naruto, why isn’t-“

Naruto shoved a hot cup of tea into his hands, cutting him off.

“Thank you,” Sasuke mumbled, staring at him. He’d taken off the ice pack, revealing a dark, generous bruise on his cheek.

“What the hell did you do?” Sasuke asked. Without thinking he brushed his hand against Naruto’s cheek.

“Nothing!” Naruto snapped, jerking away from Sasuke. The sudden movement caused his side to protest. Intense, nauseating pain jolted through his body. Nearly crying out Naruto grimaced.

“It’s nothing, Sasuke.” He said shakily, half limping to his room.

Taken aback Sasuke followed him silently, sipping his tea. Naruto began stuffing a weeks worth of clothes into a small travel bag.

“When do we leave?” Naruto asked, breaking the silence.

“This afternoon.”

“Great.” He feigned excitement. Sasuke leaned against the wall, frowning. He sniffed the air. “What’s that smell?” he asked, pinching his nose.

Naruto didn’t answer; he’d gone to the bathroom to pack his toothbrush.



Sasuke walked toward the familiar metallic scent. Holding his breath, he lifted the hamper lid. Sasuke’s eyes widened, horrified. Blood caked Naurto’s discarded clothes. His usually vibrant orange jacket was covered in dry reddish-brown blood and ripped in the middle.

“What are you doing?” Naruto snapped, nervously.

“Whose blood is this?” Sasuke demanded, jerking the bloodied jacket from the hamper.

He stared hard at the floor.

“Naruto!”

“It was an accident.” Naruto whispered

“It was an accident, I’m sorry.” Naruto apologized; backing away from the huge man he’d bumped shoulders with in the dark alley.

“Don’t touch me you filthy, disgusting demon.” He spat in a foul, raspy voice. His mean black eyes regarded Naruto with disgust. “They are as black as Sasuke’s” he thought.

“It was an accident.” Naruto muttered, turning quickly. A larger man blocked his way. The man shoved him to the ground.

“Monster.” The black-eyed man spat.

“What happened?” Sasuke asked, grabbing Naruto’s shoulder.

Naruto stood, carefully, brushing the dirt off his pants.

“Stay where you belong.” The man hissed, back handing him. Naruto stumbled to the ground. The men laughed.

“Stop.” Naruto yelled, as the larger man grabbed a fist full of hair. He yanked Naruto to his feet.

“I said sto-“

The black-eyed man slapped him.

“Shut up.”

Enraged, Naruto lunged, clawing the air. He managed to gash the man’s cheek before the larger man bent his arms painfully behind his back.

“You fucking demon!” The man screamed.

“Nothing!” Naruto yelled, shoving Sasuke away.

Naruto wheezed, as the black-eyed man pummeled his stomach.

“I am not a demon.” He rasped between blows.

The black-eyed man laughed, drawing a silvery, glittering object from his vest.

“You are a demon.” He cackled, “A monster. Do you know what you did?” his echoing laugh stopped suddenly as his eyes darkened, "You attacked my parents and my little sister. You killed my family."

A glaring blade caught Naruto’s gaze. The black-eyed man laughed. Naruto screamed as a savage pain spilt his stomach open. His eyes lolled to the back of his head and his mouth hung open. He writhed as the blade wormed deeper into his abdomen. The black-eyed man cackled, jerking the dagger out with a twist. Naruto fell limp. The men threw him to the ground. The black-eyed man kicked his ribs and the larger man ground his foot against his cheek.

Sasuke glowered at him. “I am trying to help you.”

A reverberating ‘crack’ spilt the air as the black-eyed man crushed one of his ribs.

“I’ll kill them.” A hungry voice growled. Naruto’s vision reddened.

“No.” he whispered. A violent, swirling crimson chakra erupted around him, hurtling both men backwards. Thick red ribbons of chakra laced his torn, bleeding stomach. His flesh hissed as the wound seared shut. His teeth and nails elongated. Wide, diamond-slit eyes focused on the two cowering men. He smiled through a pair of jagged, protruding fangs.

“I do not need the help of a traitorous bastard, who couldn’t even protect his family!” Naruto yelled, horrified of his words as he spoke them.

Naruto reeked of blood. It was cold and sticky. It was in his mouth, his nose, and matted in his hair. It was tightening his skin, like drying paint. He felt cold congealed clumps sliding down his skin. He ran to the bathroom, ripped off his blood-soaked clothes and jumped into the shower. He scratched and scrubbed his blood-stained skin raw. He didn’t stop until the soap burned his skin so badly he trembled.

“Fuck you, you pathetic coward.” Sasuke spat, throwing the bloody jacket at him. He stormed out, purposefully ramming Naruto’s shoulder hard as he passed.

“I’m sorry.” He mumbled, sliding down the wall. His cruel words echoed scathingly inside his head.
Sasuke slammed the door. He covered his ears, shaking slightly.

“It was an accident.”

Stumbling from the shower, Naruto wiped the foggy mirror. His skin was grated and red. His lips were stretched into a harsh unnatural smile. His eyes were hollow, and blank. He was tired, letting his eyes slide shut.

Sick images danced before his minds eye; a sliver knife gutting the belly of a black-eyed man; a cruel demon ripping the flesh of his screaming prey; a glossy, black, dismembered eye.

“I am a demon.”

He bent over the porcelain sink, quivering. Uprising vomit burned his throat and nostrils. He puked up blood, hair and pallid shreds of skin. A hysterical anguish overwhelmed him physically, mentally, and emotionally. His resilient smile faltered. He broke. His mask had split in half. He knelt over the bathroom sink and cried.

“I am a monster.”

~Thanks for reading! It will be a long time before the next chapter due to work etc. Update: Ha I'm smart, I just figured out the italics. Again, thanks for reading and tolerating my constant updates. The reviews have really inspired me to write and my beta is hard at work.