Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto.

So, here I am writing another AU fic~ This time it's high school themed and I'm writing in Naruto's POV rather than third person since it's hard for me to write third person haha. Also, I come from writing offensive South Park fics, so it's hard to get into the swing of writing Naruto fics. Forgive me for all the ooc behaviour that will ensue. Sasuke is going to be especially ooc because of reasons. So, if you hate the idea of Sasuke being an emotional mess, then this might not be the fic for you! Naruto is kind of mean in the start because he doesn't understand what's going on.

Warnings: suicide mentions, mental illness, blood, violence, noncon

It's Thursday and here we are once again: I'm sitting on Sasuke's chest, locking his arms to his side with my knees. He's squirming and I'm whirling punches at him, knowing the girls are gonna hate me for harming his pretty face. "Stop it, Naruto, you stupid brute!" my cousin Karin wails at me like this is all my fault. She kicks me in the back with her stiletto heel and I let out a groan. Yeah, that's definitely gonna bruise.

"Fucking hell, stay out of this!" I shout at her. While I'm yelling, Sasuke manages to wriggle an arm free, using it to punch me in the gut. I fall backwards and he stands up. Angrily, I do the same and we're once again on equal footing. He's in front of me and I'm in front of him. However, before either of us can make another move, Kiba arrives on scene and grabs me under the armpits, dragging me away from Sasuke.

"Dammit, Naruto, you idiot," he mutters. "The principal is going to murder you two."

Sasuke wipes his bloody nose and his eyes narrow at me. "Fucker," he spits.

"Right back atcha," I say, flipping the bird in his direction. When I turn to leave, I pale, noticing Tsunade standing with arms crossed and an explosive expression. "Shit," I mutter under my breath.

"Sasuke! Naruto! My office, now!" she demands.

I cross my arms, slumping in the seat in front of the principal's desk. Sasuke is seated next to me, looking stoic as ever. What a smug bastard. I just wanna keep punching him, but unfortunately that's the reason we're here in the first place. Across from us, Tsunade rubs her temples. "I swear…" she mutters. "You two need to stop fighting – you're nearly eighteen years old and this has been going on for as long as I've known the two of you… which, may I add, has been since you guys were born."

I roll my eyes, but I know she's right. Tsunade is like the grandmother I never had – or maybe more like a crazy aunt. She hates being reminded of her age, though she looks damn good for an old lady. She's married to my godfather, Jiraiya. He's a writer. My dad named me after the protagonist in one of his books. Fortunately, it wasn't one of the pervy ones!

Me and Sasuke never got along, but the fights only started after we turned twelve. Sasuke used to have the upper hand, but after a series of rather intense growth spurts, I can top him easily… Okay, that came out wrong. I didn't mean top him like that. It's fair game since we're the same height, but Sasuke is slim while I'm broader.

We've known each other since we were born. There are pictures of us together as babies in old photo albums in my living room. There are even some hung on the walls. Why? Because our fathers work together in the same office. Just my luck. Our mothers met at a work event while they were both pregnant – having that in common, they've been best friends ever since. His dad is a bit of a jerk off. I guess that explains where Sasuke gets it. I think our parents wish we would get along, but I can't really see that happening… ever. Not that it matters. Their friendship isn't going to be ruined by the fact that their sons don't get along.

Sasuke's mom is a nurse. I can't begin to explain how many times she's patched me up throughout the years. I'm sure she's done the same for her own sons. My mom, on the other hand, doesn't work. She used to be a secretary, though. I think it's how she met Dad. She quit after they had me. They both agreed I was going to be a handful and didn't want to leave me alone. I don't mind that.

"Naruto," Tsunade continues, staring me dead in the eye, "If this persists, I'll be forced to remove you from the soccer team."

"What?" I gape. "No…!"

"Better work on that temper then," she smiles sweetly before turning to look at the bastard. "And same for you, Sasuke."

"I didn't even start it this time," Sasuke mutters, crossing one leg over the other.

"This time," she repeats, reading between the lines, "but you've started it on other occasions, I'm sure."

"Yeah!" I add. There's no way this prick is worming his way out of getting punished.

Tsunade groans. "One more time, boys. I swear. Sports are a privilege at this school and your popularity with the other students is not going to get you special treatment."

"Tsk," I click my tongue. This is bullshit.

"Detention tomorrow," Tsunade finishes wearily. "You can do circulation in the library after school."

"Ugh," I moan. Friday detentions are the cruellest. "Are we done, then?"

"Yes," she sighs, waving us out of her office. "Go."

In unison, me and Sasuke stand. I shove past him and leave the room to find Sakura waiting for me. She looks angry. "Naruto," she growls my name, pulling on my ear.

"Ow," I moan as she drags me down the hallway. "Stop it, Sakura! This is boyfriend abuse!"

"You deserve it!" she exclaims, finally letting go of me. "You're the worst boyfriend ever!"

"Hey, that's not true!" I protest. Who am I kidding? It probably is.

"It is true!" she insists. "We don't even go on dates!"

I wrinkle my nose. "I'm broke," I tell her.

"You're always broke," she mutters.

"Sorry," I apologize. "All my money goes towards gas…"

She lets out a soft sigh. "It's fine," she says gently.

Me and Sakura began dating at the start of the school year. I think she finally realized Sasuke wasn't going to reciprocate her feelings, and she settled with me instead. Knowing that doesn't make me feel too great, but I'm just being honest with myself. I don't get why Sasuke wouldn't want to be with a pretty girl like Sakura. Sure, she's got some temper issues just like the rest of us… but she cares, deep down. It only feeds my suspicions that he's secretly gay. I mean, he looks like a girl… But every time I express these thoughts, Sakura gets outraged. I've already come to the conclusion that she's still in love with him. That's okay, though… because I think I'm slowly falling out of love with her but we're going to keep this relationship going until we're both tired of it. Besides, she only likes him for his looks. It'll never fucking happen. It's lust, not real love. It's shallow attraction.

When we were fourteen, Sakura asked me what Sasuke looks like without clothes. I wanted to puke…! Like hell I'd know the answer to that. It's not like I pay attention to the sausage fest going on in the locker room after practises. I don't want to get near another dude's naked body. No fucking thanks.

The majority of our clique has coupled up this year, so it seems… Ino and Sai finally hooked up, much to Sakura's chagrin. She once pined after him because he looked like Sasuke, but unfortunately she was only greeted with an insult to her looks in return. Shikamaru and Temari finally got exclusive, though it's long distance since she's off in university in her hometown. Kiba and Hinata got together a few months back and they seem pretty happy. Sasuke, on the other hand, has never even had a girlfriend. I don't know why, but he's got this NO-GIRLS zone up.

"Stop fighting with Sasuke," Sakura suddenly requests, almost as if she's been reading my thoughts.

"Uh, yeah, not gonna happen," I tell her flat out.

"I don't get it," she says with a sigh.

"You don't get what?" I ask her, eyebrow raised in question.

"You claim not to like Sasuke… yet, you're always thinking about, always talking about him, always fighting with him…" she murmurs. "Why is that?"

"Uh, he pisses me off? Duh," I say with attitude.

"Why don't you just try and ignore him instead of acting out?" she suggests.

"It's not possible," I mutter. "I see him too much. Ignoring him isn't even an option."

After school, I drive Sakura to her house and then go home. "I'm here!" I holler, kicking off my shoes.

"Welcome back!" my mom calls from the kitchen.

I follow the sound of her voice and then ask, "What's for supper tonight?"

She smiles slyly at me. "We're having the Uchihas over. Me and your dad are going to be making –"

"Damn it!" I interrupt. "I've seen enough of that tool today!" It sucks that our parents are so close because me and Sasuke are forced to see a lot of one another. Too much.

"Naruto," Mom growls. "Behave yourself! You're such a good kid; you get along with everyone so why can't you get along with Sasuke? You could hurt him, you know. You're not kids anymore and these fights often get out of hand. Your principal called. I know you got into it with him again today. He's such a bright boy; you should try and be his friend."

I roll my eyes at the last statement. Sure, he's bright… about as bright as a fuckin' raincloud. He treats everyone like they're shit on the bottom of his shoes. That's a fact. He's awful good at putting on a happy face for parents and authority figures but when it comes down to it, he's an ass! People only like him because he's pretty – something nice to look at. Whatever, I'll even admit it. The bastard is a good looking guy, but that never stops me from punching him when he deserves it. He's got the emotional range of a brick. "Hell no," I say simply.

"Kiss and make up," Mom jokes.

I roll my eyes. "Hilarious." Me and Sasuke had the unfortunate experience of touching lips on one occasion when we were twelve and it will never happen again. NEVER! Sakura was so mad I thought she was going to kill me… and all because some little asshole decided to nudge me when Sasuke and I were mean mugging one another. Jeez. Our parents caught wind of it and it's become a story they enjoy reminding us of. Oh, well. First kisses are rarely magical.

I grab a ramen cup from the cupboard and peel back the cover, filling it with hot water. "Don't eat too much before supper," Mom warns.

"I won't," I assure her. I've got a pretty healthy appetite so this won't fill me up. "Hey, Mom?"

"Yes?" she asks.

"Why doesn't Itachi ever come around anymore?" I always liked him a hell of a lot more than Sasuke. I've asked this question about a hundred times, but I never get an answer. My mom smiles somewhat bitterly and shrugs. "I know Mikoto told you," I state flatly as I eat. "Why can't you tell me?"

"Naruto, sweetie, don't take this the wrong way… but I don't want to tell you because it's not yours to know," she says. "You and Sasuke don't get along and I don't want you to use this against him."

"I wouldn't do that!" I protest.

"Sometimes, in fits of anger, words slip out when you don't want them to," she reasons.

I let out a sigh, relenting. Itachi stopped coming around when me and Sasuke were fourteen. Sasuke was always a tool, but he was even worse after that. No one at school knows what happened. Mikoto and Fugaku kept it under wraps. I don't even think my dad knows – just my mom. My theory is that he's a nutter. As he got older, he began to say some pretty bogus stuff – I mean it, really weird shit came out of his mouth. It was like he couldn't help it, or maybe he didn't know what he was saying. I always humoured him, but Sasuke wouldn't. One day, Itachi just stopped existing. No one said his name and there were no longer photographs of him in the Uchiha house. After that, Sasuke missed two weeks of school. When he returned, he was even angrier than usual and our fights just got worse.

"If you were Sasuke's friend," Mom starts, "then he might tell you why – he might tell you what happened."

"Yeah, that's not ever gonna fly," I admit. "Besides, he has friends-ish and I doubt he's told any of them. He doesn't talk to people. If they know any of his secrets, it's probably because they did some snooping."

"How sad," Mom murmurs sympathetically. "Why can't you at least try?"

"I have," I admit. I've tried so many damn times to be nice to him. He doesn't make it easy, but I've still tried… I'm just tired of trying. "I've realized it's not worth the trouble."

After eating, I retreat to my bedroom to work on a couple of assignments for tomorrow. I'm not that great when it comes to school. I try, but I still maintain only a C average. Sasuke gets straight A's, naturally. "Ugh," I sigh to myself. Research papers are the worst. Our history class wants us to write papers on the old wars that happened in Konoha between neighbouring countries. I open my laptop and begin to gather sources. Usually, Sakura helps me with this part because I'm basically challenged when it comes with everything to do with school. I'm more of a hands-on kind of guy – all this book learning doesn't do much for me.

After choosing a few articles, I close my laptop. "That's enough for one day," I say to myself. Besides, it's almost 5PM and that means the bastard Sasuke and his parents will be here soon.

I run back downstairs and into the kitchen, where my parents are cooking dinner and just like that – the doorbell ring. "Tsk," I click my tongue.

"Be on your best behaviour tonight, Naruto," my dad gently warns as he goes to answer the door.

"Yeah, yeah," I say dismissively.

A minute later, he returns to the kitchen with Sasuke's parents, but Sasuke himself is nowhere in sight. "Hi, Mikoto. Hi, Fugaku," I greet, trying to sound polite. "Where's Sasuke?"

"Oh, he has appointments on Thursdays, remember?" Mikoto tells me with a forced smile, handing my mom a dessert tray. "We made a cake."

"How nice!" Mom exclaims, thanking her.

"Appointments… right," I mutter. It's been brought up before, but I never ask questions. He's probably mental or something. Maybe he's a sociopath – I wouldn't be surprised.

"He'll come over when he's done," Fugaku says in a voice that's cold and stern. He's pretty intimidating. If he was my dad, I'd probably be just as emotionally challenged as Sasuke is.

"So," Mikoto starts with humor evident in her tone. "Your principal called today and told me that you and Sasuke got into another tussle in the schoolyard."

"Uh, yeah, we did…" I laugh sheepishly and my mom clicks her tongue at me.

"He came home with quite an impressive bruise," Fugaku adds, "but I see you've got one to match."

"Yeah," I mutter, rubbing my swollen cheek.

After supper, Mikoto helps my mom wash dishes while Fugaku and my father play cards at the kitchen table. I'm about to go upstairs when the damn doorbell rings.

"Naruto, answer that will you?" Mom asks. "My hands are full."

"It's probably Sasuke," Mikoto adds.

Oh, joy. I saunter down the hallway, taking my sweet time before opening the front door. I force myself to stay quiet, allowing Sasuke to step inside. I don't really want to make a scene in front of our parents. He removes his shoes and walks past me. I grind my teeth, shutting the door and following him back into the kitchen. I hover in the archway, watching them interact.

"Hi, everyone," Sasuke greets with a fake and overly polite smile.

"Hello, Sasuke," my dad replies.

"Hi, dear," my mom adds.

"So sorry I had to miss dinner," he says sweetly.

"Oh, don't worry about it." My mom is always charmed by him. Everyone is. It's fucking annoying. "It's so nice of you to stop by."

"My pleasure," Sasuke says. As soon as my parents turn away, he stops smiling. He glances at me, looking angry that we have to be in the same room.

"Sasuke," Mikoto waves her bastard of a son over. "How did it go?" she asks.

"Fine," he tells her. "As always."

I can't help but be a little curious as to what the hell they're talking about, but still, I don't ask questions. I pretend not to hear what they're saying as I watch our fathers' card game.

"Why don't you boys watch television?" Mom suggests.

I cringe at the idea while Sasuke crosses his arms and says, "No thanks."

"Do it," Mom demands in a shrill tone, "and if we hear fighting, I'm taking away your PlayStation."

"Ugh, hell," I mutter. Nonetheless, Sasuke and I exit the kitchen and turn down the hall, into the living room. Wordlessly, we flop onto the sofa. He sits on one end and I sit on the opposite end. I grab the remote and turn the television on. I aimlessly channel surf, trying to find something to watch but there doesn't seem to be anything good.

"Just pick a channel," Sasuke hisses.

"I don't care," I spit back, throwing the remote onto his lap. "You pick something."

"I don't care, either," he says, not bothering to touch the remote sitting on his thigh. I reach forward and snatch it back, putting it on some random sports game.

"Why are you even here?" I mutter.

"My parents wanted me to," he says.

"Why the hell does it matter?" I ask. "And where the fuck were you?"

"That's none of your business." He crosses his arms, staring at the television and away from me.

"Is that why your parents wanted you to come over here after? To check on you?" I start to ask more questions, but he cuts me off.

"Shut the fuck up, Naruto," he says harshly. "You never know when to stop talking. We hate each other and that means we aren't going to have conversations like this."

I can't help but smile at his anger. "You want to know something interesting?"

"What?" he bites.

"I don't hate you, Sasuke," I admit. "I pity you."

"Why's that?" he asks tersely.

"All you have are your looks," I start, "and that's why people like you – they like you because you're attractive… but guess what? Beauty fades. When you've lost your looks, you'll lose everything else because you didn't take the time to try and be a good fuckin' person."

He presses his lips together to form a thin line. He looks like he's trying hard to swallow his anger.

"What?" I ask lightly. "Can't handle the truth?"

"Shut up," he mutters.

"I try to be nice to you sometimes," I continue, "and in return, I get fed more of your insults and more of your angry, woe-is-me bullshit! I don't know why you're like this, but you need to get over yourself."

He swallows harshly, letting out a breath. He closes his eyes and for a few minutes, he doesn't say anything. "I hate you so much," he whispers after a long pause. His voice breaks as he says it. "Even if you don't hate me… it doesn't matter. I still hate you."

"That's fine," I tell him carelessly. "I couldn't give two shits."

When he opens his eyes, they're glassy and I wonder if I'm the first person ever to call him out like this. Everyone else is either too scared to, or is blind to his bad side. Clearly, he can't handle it. He stands up and retreats to the kitchen. "Mom…?" I hear him say, voice wavering. As bad as it sounds, I kind of want him to start crying, but I know he won't.

"Honey, what's wrong?" I hear Mikoto asks sadly.

"I'm going home," is all Sasuke says in response. Without another word, he's gone and his mother enters the living room. Great. She's probably going to get sour at me for bitching at her precious baby boy.

Mikoto sits next to me, letting out a quiet sigh. "What did you say to him?" she asks gently. "I won't be angry."

"I didn't say anything mean," I tell her.

"Okay," she nods, urging me to continue.

"I told him I didn't hate him…" I start. "I told him I pitied him because he acts so cold and it's not gonna get him anywhere in life. Most of the kids at school like him for the wrong reasons. Girls like him because they think he's pretty and the guys like him because he's helped win a lot of soccer games… but no one knows him. I told him once he's older and his looks fade away, he won't have anyone because he's not a good person. He won't have any redeeming qualities left… Then I told him to get over himself." I pause and then add, "Okay, so I guess it was kind of mean, but I felt like I had to say it. I feel like I probably wanted to say all that for a long time. I don't know why the words came out now. Everyone's getting tired of our fights, so maybe I'm getting tired of them too…"

"Oh," Mikoto says quietly. "Is this all true?"

"Yeah," I murmur. "My girlfriend thinks she is in love with your son, y'know… and he treats her like shit, calls her annoying to her face… but I know she doesn't like him for the right reasons. She doesn't even know him and how can someone love a person they don't even know? She doesn't love him. She loves the idea of him. That's what she fell in love with – the idea of him…" I shake my head and sigh. "For a long time, I spited Sasuke for that reason because I wanted her so badly, but it's not like he could help it."

Mikoto smiles sadly, taking my hand. "Part of me is glad you said that to him," she says.

"Really?" I ask, mildly surprised. "Why?"

"You upset him," she adds. "I could see it – I haven't seen him like that in a long time. He's usually so…" she trails off.

"Apathetic? Numb? Uncaring? Stoic?" I finish, giving her a list. Then again, sometimes he's fucking crazy. I guess it depends what kind of day it is.

She nods, frowning. "Perhaps part of me hopes it will help him change and grow."

"Yeah, maybe," I mutter. For everyone's sake, I hope so… Hell, for Sasuke's sake, too. No one deserves to be alone, even a bastard like him. If he ever finds himself alone and in the dark, he'll probably become an even crueller guy.

She smiles sadly. "Deep down, however… I don't think it will happen. Sasuke can't help the way he is. It's not his fault."

"Really?" I murmur.

"Sasuke… he doesn't talk to me," Mikoto continues. "I wish he did, but he doesn't say a word. He was a sweet child… very loving. He always yearned for his father's attention and when he was praised he would absolutely beam." She talks so fondly, it makes me feel bad that she got landed with such a sour kid. "He always sought after Itachi's attention, too… They were so close."

"Yeah, I remember… What happened?" I ask.

She frowns solemnly. "A lot," she says vaguely, letting go of my hand. "Anyway, please be careful what you say to him."

"Right…" I murmur slowly.

"Thank you for being honest with me, Naruto… and with Sasuke, too."

"You're welcome…" I tell her, not sure of what else to say. I feel like she's thanking me for insulting her son to his face… but maybe she's just hoping something good will come from it. Probably not! I don't think Sasuke is going to learn that easily. He doesn't strike me as the kind of guy to learn a lesson without making a lot of mistakes first. He'll continue to learn things the hard way.

Oh, well! It's not my problem.

Mikoto pulls her cellphone out of her pocket a moment later and makes a call. "Sasuke ran off," she says into the phone receiver. "Yes… Please go check on him. He favours you. Yes. Wonderful, thank you again."

"Who was that?" I ask once she hangs up.

"Shisui," she says. "Sasuke's cousin."

"Oh," I mumble.

Jeez, Sasuke is such a loser.