Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Save me ❯ Pain from within ( Chapter 1 )

Hi people! I'm back! Yay! Here is a new fanfic from me, and it's a Naruto one! Please keep in mind that I'm dutch, so forgive me if you see any errors.
I'm searching for someone to Beta this, so if you would like to become a beta for this story, please mail me!

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Disclaimer: Naruto is not mine, and it never will. Okay? Good, now read.

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Save me ~ Written by Callisto

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consuming
Another rainy day, and another day without a mission. Uzumaki Naruto was sitting on a chair next to the window. The blonde was at home after getting injured by a mission, and Kakashi had forbidden him to go out of the house. Normally Naruto wouldn't listen to him, but this time it was much more different.

Naruto had died during that mission…

Kakashi, Sakura and Sasuke… all three of them had heard him blowing out his last breath. The trio had sat next to the blonde, all of them were breathless. However four minutes later his pulse came back, and he began to breathe again. Without saying anything, Kakashi had him brought back to his home and then he left to finish the mission with Sakura and Sasuke. It was now three days after that incident, and normally Naruto would've recovered by then.

But this time, it wasn't the case.

Naruto was skinny, really skinny. His normal clothes were now way to big for his small body. So he walked around in the house with only his boxers and a black shirt that was too large. His normal brown skin was as almost as white as Sasuke's and huge black rings were imprinted underneath his eyes.
For some reason he couldn't even perform a single seal. He felt like all the chakra in his body had left him, and he didn't dare to ask Kyuubi for some.
The young boy watched with blood red eyes how the villagers tried to escape from the falling rain. He should go to the fridge and grab something to eat, but his body was to exhausted to even move. Naruto just wanted to sit here, and stare the whole day outside without a single worry on his mind. The young boy was tired of all the fighting, and tired of all the killing. He looked to the right and saw his kunai on the table, stains of old blood were still visible on it from previous fights. He was wondering how many lives he had taken with that kunai, how many lives he had destroyed. The boy banged once with his head against the window and tears streamed down his face. Why was his body like this? Why did he feel like he was a good for nothing?
A door from downstairs got opened and Naruto looked up with his swollen red eyes. He tried gliding off his chair to see who it is, but he simply didn't had the strength to do it. Instead he kept staring to the door of his room and awaited for the person to come in. And indeed, a few second later a dark figure entered the room. He was carrying a bag full of vegetables and medicine, and in his free hand he was holding some clothes. The blonde blinked a few times with his tired eyes and then he looked outside, again.

It was Sasuke.

Sasuke stood there with the bag of food in one hand, and clothing in the other. Without saying anything he placed some fruit on the overfull basket. The raven haired boy looked at it, and then he let his eyes fall on Naruto.

” You haven't eaten your fruit “ Said the boy as soft as a whisper.

The blonde didn't say anything and Sasuke did the same. The raved haired walked to Naruto's bed and placed the clothing on a chair standing next to it.

” I've brought you some new clothes… please do try them on, if they don't fit you I will get you some other clothes “

Naruto frowned and with an annoyed sigh he turned his head to face Sasuke. Sasuke did almost a step backwards when he saw the tired face of Naruto. ` He looks so worn-out ` Thought Sasuke shocked.

” Can you… help me out of my chair? “

Naruto's voice was soft and hoarse, just like an old man's. Sasuke looked with his pitch-black eyes to his friend and gave a faint nod. He helped Naruto out of his chair and brought him to his bed. ` He's so light…` Then, Sasuke handed the blonde his clothing and luckily everything fit him just right. After that, Sasuke began to peel and apple for the skinny youth and put it next to him.

” You better eat it “ Snorted the raven haired.

The blonde didn't even look to the fresh peeled apple and Sasuke had enough. He took some clothing off the ground and realized that Naruto hadn't done the laundry at least for a week now.

” I'll be back tomorrow “ Sighed Sasuke and he headed for the door.

” Why… are you taking care of me? “

Sasuke stood with him back exposed to the sick and tired youth. He shook faintly his head and opened the door.

” Is it because they ordered you to do it? Am I a nuisance? “

” I'll do it because I feel like it's my duty. You saved me three days ago by jumping in front of me when the enemy threw a kunai towards my heart. I've would've died if it weren't for you. “

” I died… “

” I know, but you got revived by Kyuubi isn't it? He saved your life, not me. So this way I am repaying my debt. “ Sasuke walked through the door opening, and looked one last time to the blonde who sat like a bag of sand on his bed.

” Try and get some sleep, dobe “

He closed the door quietly behind him and left Naruto's house.

” S-Sasuke-kun… “ Said a girly voice, and Sasuke found Sakura standing next to the front door of Naruto's home. “ How is he? “ Asked the girl, her voice trembling.

” The same “ Replied the raven haired, and he began to walk to his dorm. Unfortunately, Sakura ran after him and began to walk next to him.

” Shouldn't we do something? Tell the Hokage? “

” No “

” Then shouldn't we go at least to Kakashi? “

” No “

” But-“

” Shut up! “ Growled Sasuke harshly. “ There is no single thing we can do for him! You want to know what's wrong with him? It's that damned demon inside of him that makes him look like this! “

” I-I don't know what you are talking about “ Whispered Sakura, a little frightened.

Sasuke stopped walking, and stared angrily into the grass green eyes of the girl next to him.

” Dead people don't come back to life, but Naruto did. In my opinion is that cursed animal trying to get a hold of Naruto. If that happens, the Naruto we know will disappear and Kyuubi will take the lead. Catch my drift?! We are loosing Naruto!! “

The girl placed her hands before her mouth. She looked in terror from Naruto's house to Sasuke, and then back to he house. She wanted to come up with something, maybe something to make Naruto feel a little bit better, but she couldn't think of anything. For the first time in her life she couldn't help her friend, and it made her feel desperate.

” What… if Kyuubi will take the lead, what will happen then? “

” Then we have to kill him “ Replied Sasuke with venom in his voice. He continued the walk to his dorm, and left Sakura alone - completely lost within her own thought.
The rain was still falling out of the clouds and splashed roughly on the ground. Sasuke was soaked wet, and droplets fell out of his raven black hair. But he ignored the wetness and he ignored the cold that made him shiver wildly. Naruto's laundry which he had dragged along this whole time, were wet and a weird scent came off of it. Normally Naruto's clothing would smell like peaches and strawberries, but instead it smelled like death. The raven haired boy stopped walking when he felt the presence of an acquaintance and looked left into an alley. He saw a boy standing with his back against a wall, his eyes closed and his arms crossed.

” How long have you've been following me? “ Growled Sasuke nastily.

” Long enough to learn what's wrong with Naruto “

” That's not like you, Neji “

Neji let a soft smirk escape his lips and opened his eyes.

” Shouldn't it be wise to go to the Hokage? Naruto's in a bad shape now, and if we don't do anything… you get the picture “

” Why would you care! “

” I care because Naruto is my friend - a precious friend. When I had only rage and anger in my heart, HE was the one to show me the light. Naruto changed me, and I will be forever indebted to him for that. For that reason I can't abandon him, and you shouldn't neither. If you don't go to the Hokage I will. It's up to you, Sasuke “

Immediately, Sasuke glared daggers to his teammate, but Neji kept staring his famous concentrated look to the raven haired.

” What use is it to tell the Hokage about Naruto's condition? He might-“

” -Give someone the order to kill Naruto? Is that what you are afraid for Sasuke? “

Sasuke opened his mouth to give him a replay, but the words inside his head couldn't be said by his lips. He was lost with his words. Neji was right - Sasuke was afraid that the Hokage might give someone the order to kill his best friend, and he didn't want that to happen. Naruto was a strong person! Sasuke knew that he could get through this, he just had to.

” Sasuke… You know the Hokage better than I do. He would never give someone the reason to assassinate Naruto, unless there are no other options “

” There are always other options “ Sasuke continued his walk, again, only to escape from Neji's harsh reality. “ And if there aren't, I make them “

A few minutes later he finally made it back to his own dorm. He entered the huge wooden building and stared silently to a drunk student, that laid wasted on the stairs. Sasuke sighed and stepped carefully over the drunk ninja - carefully not to wake him up - and walked to the third floor. He put his keys in the keyhole and with a loud crack he swung his door open. It was a complete mess in his room. Kunai's, scrolls and shuriken laid everywhere on the ground, mixed with pieces of clothing. His bed however was still clean since he didn't use that very often. Sasuke would normally sit down on the windows-ledge and drift quietly into a light sleep. The raven haired closed the door of his room and let himself fall on his knees. His heart was aching and his eyes were burning.

All of this was his fault.

If Naruto hadn't jump before him, then he wouldn't have all this suffering. Why did Naruto jump in front of him anyway? Sasuke and Naruto hated each other - they were rivals that hated to breathe in the same air. Then why did he do it? Sasuke didn't mind dying since there was nothing left for him in this world, but Naruto on the other hand had all of his friends that cared about him.
The raven haired let his eyes fall on the desk next to him and saw his forehead protector. For some reason he couldn't find the urge to take that thing and wear it. A forehead protector is something that ninja's get when they complete the test for becoming a ninja. Sasuke should've been proud that he had this thing, but strangely enough he wasn't. Ever since that day that his brother Itachi has killed off his whole clan he lost the urge to wear the forehead protector. Every time he put it on it would remind him of his brother, and of his cowardly towards him.
Sasuke watched with narrowed eyes to the dark grey clouds and sighed deeply. What was he supposed to do now? Was he supposed to explain to the Hokage what was happening with Naruto? Should he go? Well, he had to but his consciousness told him not to. But if he wasn't going to do it, then Neji would.

” Damn that Neji “ He smashed his fist onto the ground. “ Damn him to hell! “ And he wanted to smash his other fist in the ground. However when he saw Naruto's dirty clothing in his hand he halted. Right, he had to do the laundry. He stared for a moment to the wrinkled and smelly clothing, until he threw it away to the other side of the room. He stood up and walked out of his dorm, and finally out of the huge building. Sasuke walked with his hands in his pockets to where his heart would lead them. He just couldn't sit home, not now. He had to walked around a bit to clear his mind a bit. However, half an hour later he halted in front of the Hokage's house.

His heart told him to tell the Hokage everything.

Sasuke bit his lower lip and knew that he was out of options, he had to go no matter what. But before he could set foot him the enormous house, he saw Neji leaning against the building with a smile on his face.

” I figured out that you would go eventually, it just took some time “

The raven haired ignored Neji completely and entered the building. And Neji, already used to being ignored by Sasuke, followed him closely. On the second floor they got stopped by a number of ANBU, but since they recognized Neji they could continue. The two youths didn't say a single thing to each other. Sasuke was pissed off because of Neji's presence, and Neji had to much fun seeing the other boys' annoyed face.
The two stopped walking when they stood in front of a large door. The two boys stared at each other for a while, and finally they opened the door. The Hokage was sitting in his chair behind his desk, and was reading several scrolls. However, when the two ninjas entered he stopped reading and a smile came upon his face when he realized who it was.

” Neji, Sasuke… What a pleasant surprise! Can I help you two with something? “

Sasuke opened his mouth, but once again the words didn't come out. Luckily, Neji took over the lead and began to tell the Hokage what was happening. He told how Naruto was being consumed by the creature within him, and that Kyuubi might take control of him someday.
The third Hokage that has listened closely, placed his chin on the back of his hand and sighed.

” I know what has been happening to him “ Said the old man with a serious tone in his voice. “ Kakashi came by yesterday and he informed me already “

” Then why hasn't anything happened yet? “ Snarled Sasuke. “ If you know what is happening, and that Naruto might change in Kyuubi anytime soon then we have to do something quick! “

” That's not entirely true, we have been busy… however we are having some troubles at finding an option to save Naruto “

” Troubles? “ Asked Neji with crossed arms.

” Yes. It seems that the seal within Naruto has been damaged when he died during the mission. We already knew it was weakening because the fourth Hokage is no longer with us, but now it's going with an alarming speed. To be honest, there is little time left for Naruto “

” I- “ Began Sasuke

” Let me finish “ Said the Hokage still serious. “ Yesterday we found a spot where we can recharge the seal. But we made one terrible discovery… that area belongs to Orochimaru. The five ANBU who where send there to investigate the spot were attack by unknown henchmen from Orochimaru. Only one ANBU came back to inform us what has happened, after he was done talking he died “

Neji and Sasuke both stood there in fear. Afraid of what the Hokage might say. He was going to tell them that they couldn't help Naruto, Sasuke was sure of it.

” We all want to help Naruto, but this is impossible “ The Hokage's face looked terribly old when he said that.

When the raven haired boy heard those word his turned around, showing his back to the Hokage.

” You are not going Sasuke, I know what you are plotting but you are forbidden to leave your room for at least one week “

” That's what you are thinking! “ Scowled Sasuke, and he walked out of the Hokage's room.

~To Be Continued~