Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Taking Your Life Back ❯ Finding A Way Out Of This Mess ( Chapter 24 )

Yo! Sorry for not posting for weeks on end. If you really want to know what's going down, I'm making a cosplay costume for the Phoenix Anime Fest. Any of you Arizonians going? I might see you there! I'm going to be Akito from Air Gear (Look it up on Google, he's a cutie). I only started the costume a week ago, and it's really hard. Akito's jacket doubles as a straightjacket, so I have to measure the sleeves perfectly, and apply snaps at the hem. Uggh. But OMFG it looks so awesome. I think I'll take pictures. : D

Also, this chapter is the longest I've ever written, almost twice the regular length. So I hope that satisfies you. ONLY ONE MORE CHAPTER UNTIL IT'S DONE OMG. Aw, Naruto :3 And some Gaara Lee for those who asked. I'll get to all those secondary pairings later! Enjoy, and please, if you wish to send me a review, make it a review, not an “awesome” or “cute! Update soon!” because I'd really like to hear from you guys as to what I'm doing right and wrong. Please, constructive criticism, and please, make it longer than 3 words. Thanks.

---

 

Light filled my eyes, and I squeezed them tight in my sleep. Crumpled paper slapped me in the face, waking me officially. I sat up; eyes drooped to see my next victim in my homicidal spree, only to see my sister flipping through the magazine she had just hit me with.

 

“...You fell asleep with this on your face...And why is it always porn?” her deep voice chimed out. I closed my eyes and furrowed my nonexistent eyebrows.

 

“Because I'm a teenage boy, Temari.” My voice cranked out hoarsely, and I heard her hum in understanding, how she understood, I'm not sure. I fell back onto the bed, twirling the sand colored sheets around me tightly. She laughed as she tackled me, the springs of my mattress creaking loudly in protest as we tussled.

 

“Get off!” I screamed, squirming under her bosom. She laughed loudly and tickled me like what she should have done when I was little. It was not wise to bring up such a topic, and soon, I had found myself face down in my pillow, as she straddled my back. I could hear her muffled laughing, holding my wrists behind my back.

 

“Now's not the time, squirt! Your boyfriend's here! I believe he has quite the proposition for you,” she purred loudly. I turned my head so I could glance at her with trouble.

 

“...What?” I called out. What was she speaking with that forked tongue?

 

“Lee's here, and he looks nervous, more than usual...Why isn't he on the bottom?”

 

I glared at the last statement, shoving her off me and standing, working the wrinkles from my clothes.

 

“...He's afraid of screwing it up, no surprise there...And I don't know what you mean, `bottom'. We haven't gotten that far.”

 

She whistled at me now, her now crossed legs showing off more thigh than necessary, if necessary at all.

 

“...No wonder Lee's so jittery all the time. You're letting the poor kid die from sexual frustration! Let him get in a hump or two, baby!”

 

I threw a pillow at her, but she dodged with a tilt of her head.

 

“...I've only been dating him for a month. I'm not like you, and I'm not going to just let some guy into my pants, unlike this ONE GIRL I KNOW!”

 

The pillow was tossed at me this time, and it hit dead on. I watched as she fumed, and her spiked pigtails just got a little pointier.

 

“Shut up, pipsqueak. I'm not letting anyone into my miniskirts except for one boy, and that's Shikamaru. Sure, I barely know the guy, but he's the best character I've met in my oh-so short life. I'm sure he has SOME moral. Atleast I'll let him into my panties when he wants, unlike you, letting poor Lee have to take care of himself, he might cheat on you for it.”

 

I put a hand to my face, rubbing circles in my temples and closing my eyes soothingly. Of course I get advice from my sister. None of it is ever good now useful, so I gave up on asking. A deadly silence filtered through the vents, and all secrecy and patience left me. Sighing, I whispered out to her.

 

“...I'm afraid it will go too fast, and I'll regret it all. He'll regret it too...Toss me aside...I want to keep him...”

 

Temari was standing now, taking my hand away from my forehead and into her strong palms. Her sincere blue eyes gleamed beautifully, and she let out a long sigh.

 

“...Little brother, you are being timid. He is too, and that's why you're both so perfect. Why don't you try being forward, and see how he takes it? If he doesn't take nicely, try a different approach. Don't think that you're going fast, or you'll really be going too slowly. If you want to keep him, show it through actions, sweetie.”

 

She leaned in slowly to kiss my cheek, and I closed my eyes to take it. Slipping her hands from mine, She smiled.

 

“...Don't think he wouldn't like it that way either,” she said. “You'll be sadly mistaken.”

 

She stepped out of my room and into the living room, her finger curling for me to follow. I did hesitantly, and I found Lee sitting on the overstuffed brown sofa, his feet twitching nervously. Seeing me, he immediately jumped to his feet and dropped the green scarf he had been fiddling with, his fingers trembling still. I softened at the site, and turning to Temari, she was already on her way out, a smile on her perfect lips.

 

“...I um...Was just w-wondering if you'd...P-Please...Come to the dance with...me...” his voice became softer and softer, until his last words were nothing but a mumble. I frowned, and he noticed, his trembling starting up in a new wave of intensity.

 

“I'm sorry! I didn't mean to...I'll j-just go then,” he was barely able to get out, practically running to the front door. I stopped him however, my hand on his. He turned to only glance at me, but I turned him all the way around, my hands on his trembling shoulders. He cleared at least 7 feet, if not more. It was strange to see such a shorty like me date a basketball player like Lee. I was only maybe 2, 2 and a half, feet shorter than him, but it seemed like worlds apart.

 

“...Don't be nervous...Stay here,” I whispered. He flinched, and I thought about taking back my efforts. But leading him to the couch, I forced him to sit down, and I immediately took advantage of the height shift, kissing him tenderly. He trembled no longer, and he made no protests. His hands found my hips, and clenching them tightly in his grip, pulled me down to his lap. I pulled away to gasp out in surprise at my position, and the strange smile growing across his lips.

 

“...What are you doing?” I asked quietly. He only smiled and leaned forward to suck harshly at the skin of my neck, leaving a pinching pain and a bright purple mark. I pushed him off, but his hands held me down to him tightly. I was so shocked of the character change; I was shaking...That, or the fact that he couldn't take the hint.

 

“...Stop it,” I growled out. My eyes narrowed dangerously to him, and I feared my fingernails were biting into his thighs now. He smiled again.

 

“...Which one do you like better?” he asked, void of all twittering, nervousness, or anything that seemed hesitant. I dug my nails in further, but he didn't flinch.

 

“...What are you talking about?” my voice was quiet, gruff, and growing more sinister by the second. His fingers danced up to my waist, playing upon the indent.

 

“...Timid Lee, or dominant Lee?”

 

“...Are you joking?” I asked, eyes still angry. Why hadn't he stopped, why do this?

 

“Nope, I'm serious. I heard you and your sister talking.”

 

I frowned, knowing I had lost. My legs, still provocatively positioned over Lee's, twitched nervously, in which he took hold of them gently, still smiling at me.

 

“...I'd like to keep you too,” he whispered, leaning slowly in to take my lips to his. My hands, limp at my side, took up the slowly rising passion, hooking them around Lee's neck tightly and crashing my body to his torso dramatically. He let out a gasp, hands gripping my thighs tighter. He looked up at me and quirked an eyebrow. I was taking to his newly found character quickly; finding myself in my very own redeemed self. Breathing softly on his cheek, I smiled.

 

“...What was this dance you spoke of?”

 

Lee grinned widely, sparkling teeth something I would need to get used to.

 

“...You're speaking my language, love.”

 

---

 

I practically flew down those stairs, the way I ran like a banshee. Skipping every other step, I made it down to ground floor in 5 seconds flat. Standing in the main building gallery, I stared across the room to the only other person present.

 

I don't know who was happier, me, or him. Seeing each other must have been uplifting, I know I felt so. He stared at me widely, while I stared just as widely at him.

 

Catching a new breath, I found myself sprinting towards him, in which he was doing the same; arms open as he ran to me. I'm not sure who was the victor in this race to meet each other, probably me, seeing as I was running faster and farther. But we collided loudly, even though we didn't care for the ache. I held him tightly to me, rocking him against my chest as I breathed in his hair. His small arms wove around my torso to lock into my shirt, sunshine head hidden under my chin. My arms did not move to let him go, and I wasn't planning on doing so at all. I wasn't going to let him run away, or be cold, or alone, or sad, or unloved, ever again. I nuzzled his soft hair, my hand reveling in it as well while the other held his waist firmly.

 

“...Naruto,” I whispered in his ear, “...Where have you been?”

 

“...I'm not sure myself, Shika,” he replied shakily, voice cracking with emotion. His knees were buckling under him, but I wasn't going to let him down, I was going to force him into my embrace, which he made to protest to anyway. I closed my eyes to cherish his presence, his touch. I had never held him like this, and for as long as I could, I enjoyed it. His cheek against my chest shifted, and I felt his hands threaten to tear away the fabric, the strength his grip held against it, trembling. His tiny frame shook in my arms, and choking sounds emitted from his fragile throat.

 

“...I...He...I couldn't...” his broken speech erupted pathetically from his pale lips, and I frowned further. From what I heard from Kiba, this was all that stupid Uchiha's fault. Stupid, stupid, STUPID UCHIHA!

 

“...Shh, I know, Naruto...” I calmed. He was not crying; He was only confused, desperate.

 

“...I...Don't have...A-Anywhere to go...” he cried out loudly. I tightened my embrace, and he hiccupped out a gasp. Will you ever settle Naruto? You've never had a real home, have you? You've never even had a significant other to truly love you the way you deserve...This was your first time...

 

...And that stupid Uchiha ruined it all...Stupid, stupid...

 

“Sh-Shika!” he burst out, clinging to me and shaking violently. I laced fingers through his hair, nose buried in his sunshine while I continued rocking him in his place.

 

“...Shh, shh, calm down,” I whispered. I didn't know how to comfort him; anything I said would be turned around to form something hurtful anyway. I had never seen him this way before, and I knew he had good reason. Why was he not crying? I had seen him cry over almost nothing, and now, one of the greatest things one could cry over, and I haven't seen him shed a tear. His desperation shone through to me as he tilted his head up to look at me through big blue eyes. I cringed at that look, of what had he done wrong? Of why did this happen to him? Of how wasn't he good enough? Of he's never good enough for anything!

 

“...What did I do?” he cried out quietly, strong voice I had come to know gone without a trace, replaced with this feeble excuse for vocals. I held him close still, grip not wavering, as my head fell to his shoulder.

 

“...You didn't do anything,” I answered softly. He shifted.

 

“But-”

 

“...Sasuke's taking Sakura to the dance...” he looked further on the verge of tears as I said this, but grabbing his shoulders and pressing his forehead to mine, I assured.

 

“...So she'll take back the rumor.”

 

He looked awestruck for a long while, blue teary eyes wide with understanding, of Sasuke's behavior, his reasoning. But quickly following the insight, he grabbed my forearm and tugged roughly, meeting me with a once-again frightened expression.

 

“...You're lying! He...She took...I...I thought...” he crackled out as his throat grew heavy and his eyes grew only more moist. I closed my eyes in a long thoughtful blink, taking it all in quietly. The hand on my arm was trembling with newfound weakness.

 

“...Then...” he whispered, “...I can...F-Fix this?” His eyes were wide with desperation, now, hope flooding his pre-depression.

 

“...Yeah,” I put quietly. His face held no lies as his moist cold eyes gradually became bright baby blue and his pale lips becoming rosy warm with determination. Instead of running off to devise his plan, he leaned against me, chest meeting mine. I twitched at the feeling, that feeling I had had for him since we had only first met. His breath was in my ear, and I believed my kneecaps had just melted fluidly. His warm lips pressed against my cheek tenderly yet quickly, a light click heard from the release.

 

“...Thank you, Shikamaru...” he purred quietly. His hand left my arm, now feeling cold, and he was gone before I got handle of the situation. My legs had already collapsed under me, and there was no hope of rising any time soon.

 

---

 

My wrist shot out in front of me so I could check the time. 4:48, it said. The dance was starting at 7, and I had plenty of time to devise a way out of this. Currently, my breath was huffed loudly from my lungs as I ran for the love of god, which I heard wasn't so special. I let out a fit of coughs as I slowed, stumbling lightly before pressing my clammy palms to my knees to catch myself.

 

Stupid, stupid, stupid!

 

My mouth was dry from the winter wind, and my lungs were no acceptation to the climate. I straightened to my normal height before carrying on my way.

 

Where was I going?

 

Nowhere, really.

 

I had been sulking for hours, and felt the need to get out for fresh air. My cheeks were red from the cold, and so was the rest of me. But at least running was better than crying over spilt milk.

 

If that's what you could even call the situation.

 

I ran until I took glimpse of the first to arrive, sparkling and shimmering jewels and satin silk adorning their perfect figures. Their dates held to their arms handsomely, formality shown in casualty. I had stopped to admire the beautiful people, and as they did not see me, they did not look hateful or ugly with angry wrinkles of disapproval. They smiled at the anticipation, the excitement and entertainment expected of this special night.

 

“YOU!”

 

I turned sharply only to have a senior grab my arms and twist them with unbearable pain. I cried out, in fact, my head raised to the sky and eyes squeezed tight as my constricted shoulders threatened to shatter.

 

“What are you doing here?” the shrill voice screeched loudly at me. I knew it was Sakura, expected Sakura, even. Creaking open an eyelid, I spotted her senior lackeys. Her slender arms were crossed angrily over her ample chest; dress sparkling as the others had. White flowers were adorned her bright pink held-up hair, and her lips were rosier than usually thanks to beauty products.

 

“...A school is one place I can be...”

 

The remark cost me the feeling of my arms as the senior twisted them again, and I choked back a sob as the ache spread to my spine, his other hand clenched around my neck. She let out an ignorant huff of laughter, and I gritted my teeth in pain.

 

“Is that so?” she purred, “Well, while you can be here, it's not like anyone wants you here.”

Quickly blowing off the subject of my unpopularity, I grimaced without opening my eyes still. “...Where's Sasuke?”

 

“...He went home to get ready. He should be back in a while, and it's not really like he wanted to part ways with me for even a second.”

 

The earlier me would have grimaced and cried out the pain of loneliness, but the new Naruto had grown independent, as I had been when I was young. It wasn't like I had a youth anyway, no parents to hold me or care for me, no children who could befriend such a lonely annoying pest as myself. All I had was myself.

 

“...I know that's a lie and so do you,” I whispered with a smile. Sakura gasped quietly, and with the sound, I could now officially declare I could not feel my arms. I let out a loud cry as they were finally squeezed to their limits without breaking anything.

 

“...How'd you find out?” she screamed. I opened my mouth, but I needed to catch my breath first. Finding it, I answered.

 

“...A friend.”

 

She growled before I heard a ruffling of cloth, and I was being hauled away by my arms. My feet dangled inches form the ground as I squirmed to get out of the painful grasp. Coming quite a ways, I heard her voice from behind me.

 

“Throw him in and lock the door!”

 

I would have protested in thrashing about, but there was no time. I was finally released, and I toppled onto the cold tile floor. My body skidded before finally stopping, and my aching arms no longer constricted, I got used to the feeling of them. A door slammed shut, and I opened my eyes to find myself in the janitor's closet. I quickly scrambled to a stand, and shaking out my arms, I just as quickly bolted to the nearby door to jerk the handle and find it locked.

 

Stupid, stupid, stupid!

 

I leaned against a mop and closed my eyes to clear up my rampaging thoughts. Stay calm, stay calm! This is nothing to worry about; I can easily get out of here. I can easily save Sasuke.

 

...Or was I the one who needed saving?

 

I huffed a long and frustrated sigh as I combed a hand through messy blonde hair. What was he thinking? I could have taken the insults, the rumors. Why'd he have to make such a stupid and painful deal with her of all people? Why couldn't he just think I was strong and I'd just laugh them off like I would have, at any other time? Why couldn't he just listen to me for once?

I felt my eyes water, but I quickly tilted my head so the tears wouldn't break free. I breathed out deeply to get rid of my constricting throat and sniffling nose, but it didn't help much as those twin tears rolled slowly down my face. I made no movement of wiping them away, and cried no further tears. This was all I would cry, forever more.

 

I took a seat, now, legs crossed as well as arms, leaning against a cold wall.

 

...This was going to be while.