Hello~!

It's been awhile, hasn't it? First new story of the year and it's Naruto~ I've recently gotten back into Naruto and Bleach and when I first saw Sai I knew I had to write about him. The fangirl me loves him dearly. So I'm writing this for the SaiNaru love. 'Cause after I caught up to the anime and manga...or rather during the anime viewing, I read TONS of fanfics. A TON of Naruto fics. I hope you guys enjoy this. So let me go ahead and put generic warnings.

Obvious, the plot bunny is mine. The characters all belong to Kishimoto.

This fic here will contain Boy Love. It's a yaoi fic with slashy-ness in the future. And Angst. 'Cause I love~ the angst. And it's AU. Almost forgot to add that in here.

So, please enjoy and review~

0o0o0o0o0o0

"We will begin the test at exactly four o' clock." The professor stated as he stood by the door. It was currently 3:55pm and Sakura looked out the door with a worried expression. Two chairs to her left sat Sai, and while he didn't look concerned, he rarely displayed anything that wasn't his neutral expression, she could tell he was. He kept looking at the door as well, wondering where Naruto was. The trio knew the professor well. Every student at Konohana University was familiar with Ibiki. As soon as the clock hits four, he would close and lock the door and any unfortunate student who came late were going to fail the exam. He gave no exception hence why Professor Ibiki was greatly considered one of the toughest professors in the University. Ibiki stared at the clock, there was one minute left.

Sakura and Sai shared a glance. Something must've happened to Naruto. That was the only reason any of them could think of. Naruto knew how important this exam was. The trio had studied together for the past two weeks in preparation. Something must've happened. Ibiki grabbed the doorknob and he started to close the door.

"You will have two and a half hours to finish the test. Write your answers clearly and—"

"WAIT!" Before the door could click close, Naruto burst into the room, entirely out of breath. The entire class watched as he bent over, bracing his hands against his knees to catch his breath. Ibiki glanced at the clock. The kid actually made it on time. Naruto straightened up, now with some composure.

"Hurry and take your seat." Ibiki said as he walked towards his desk. Naruto nodded and bounded up the row of chairs. His seat was the chair at the third row next to the aisle. Sakura, two seats over, glanced at him and grinned with a thumb up. Naruto beamed back at her and sat down. Seeing Sakura smile definitely made it almost worth being locked out. He sat down, taking out his pen as the proctors passed out the papers. He glanced at Sakura again and this time her brow was furrowed. She point to her neck. Was she curious about his neck? There was nothing wrong with his neck. He made sure to wear a scarf to hide-

His hand wasn't touching a scarf. Naruto quickly broke his gaze with Sakura. She could see the bruises. He'd thought he had grabbed the scarf on the way out. Then again, he left his apartment in a mad rush to get to class on time. Naruto sighed as a proctor handed him the exam papers to pass down the row. He grabbed one for himself and passed the rest down without making eye contact with Sakura. She could see them, the strangled bruises left by him. Naruto shook his head and cleared his mind. He had no time to waste his precious thoughts on him.

0o0o0o0o0o0

"Alright, pens down." Ibiki shouted, startling several students who were still writing. Naruto sighed in relief, dropping his head down on the table. The exam nearly sucked his entire soul out and he was sure he wouldn't even be conscious if it weren't for those study sessions with Sakura and Sai. He was grateful towards that and was probably the reason why he was still sane. At least the damned thing was done and over. The proctors collected each exam individually. As soon as the papers were collected and when Ibiki gave the word to leave, the room was quickly abuzz with conversation. Naruto kept his head down; even talking was an effort for his brain at the moment.

"How'd you think you did?" Sakura asked, walking over to Naruto. The blond quickly lifted his head up. He was never too tired to speak to Sakura.

"I probably aced it!" Naruto said, grinning.

"If you did, it was only because of me." Sai said, walking around Sakura. Naruto's face quickly turned sour as he glared at his pale-skinned classmate.

"What was that?" He yelled. "If anything, Sakura helped me more than you did."

"And who was the one that kept asking me to explain when Sakura did try to explain a concept to you." Sai replied, walking down the aisle. That quickly shut Naruto up. Sakura chuckled and followed Sai. Naruto grumbled and followed behind Sakura, stuffing his hands in his pocket and mutter something or another about Sai being a know-it-all-asshole. As they left the room, Naruto walked on ahead, passing Sakura, and she noticed how Naruto had his shoulders hunched. She quickly remembered the strangulation marks and started to speak up when Kiba's loud voice echoed around the corner.

"Oi, Naruto! You down for some drinking?" He asked, waving madly to the blond.

"Hell yeah!" Naruto yelled as he ran towards him. Sakura's question died on her lips as she watched him leave.

"Hey, Sai, you're invited to!" Kiba shouted.

"Hey, don't go inviting that jerk." Naruto said, sending another glare towards his friend.

"What? Still mad he can hold his liquor better than you can?" Kiba taunted. Naruto took that as a challenge.

"Oi! Sai! Meet us at eight o' clock at the usual bar. It'll be me, you, and Kiba! Don't you dare skip out!" Kiba laughed as the pair walked off. Sakura sighed and shook her head but she chuckled. Sai glanced over at Sakura until she turned towards him.

"You saw, didn't you." Sai said, staring down the hallway. The soft smile disappeared on Sakura's features. Of course she saw. They were as clear as day. She could make out the grooves of nail marks of whoever had strangled Naruto. And she knew who it was.

"He's pretty sly for being a ditz." She said, trying to lighten the heavy mood that settled between them.

"Do you think he is okay?" Sai asked.

"I really hope so." Sakura said after awhile. It's only been six month since the break up but it was a three-year long relationship. Six months wasn't enough. Not with the type of relationship they had and he didn't take too well to the break up.

"Sai, please keep watch over him." Sakura asked. She always asked him of that. Sai recently joined their group a year ago and he already felt like a dear childhood friend despite his blunt ways. He had been there through that horrible last six months of Naruto's relationship. While Naruto acted defensive around Sai, Sakura knew the blond regarded Sai as a dear friend. Once, there was a time when Sakura was sure she could be the one that Naruto could rely on but that wasn't meant to be. She knew it and so did Naruto. Sakura clenched her books to her chest. Meanwhile, Sai was watching Sakura, glimpsing the various emotions flittering through her sea-green eyes.

"I'll make sure he makes it home tonight." Sai said. "I'm sure he will have forgotten about the challenge with Kiba around." That earned a soft chuckle from Sakura.

"He's never going to learn, no matter how many times he gets completely hammered." Sakura said. "Thank you, Sai." Sakura smiled then glanced at her watch. "Oh, I start my shift soon at the hospital. I'll talk to you later." She said as she started to jog away. Sai stood there, watching her leave until she disappeared around the corner.

"I'd better go with Naruto."

0o0o0o0o0o0

"I…I can so go…for like…another THREE…hours?" Naruto yelled to the night sky, a silly grin plastered on his face. It was a little after two at night and they had left the bar. As Sakura perfectly guessed, Naruto ended up completely drunk. So drunk he couldn't walk straight without the help of Sai. He had his arm around Naruto's waist to help him stay upright. The blond drunkenly chuckled as he leaned heavily against Sai. He glanced at the sky, squinting at the bright full moon.

"Why's sun so bright…?" Naruto asked, looking away.

"That's the moon, Naruto." Sai said with a tone used on small children who asked obvious questions to obvious answers.

"So…" Naruto began. He yawned and tried to walk on his own but found that he couldn't step away from Sai. His brow furrowed in thought before he dismissed the idea. "They both 'round." Naruto yawned and his feet dragged.

"Sai…Sai…Sai?"

"I'm right beside you Naruto." Sai said. Naruto glanced up at him. He looked away then glanced back. He stopped walking, halting Sai as well. They stopped underneath a flickering lamppost, casting the pair into poor lighting. Naruto was being unusually quiet and he wasn't meeting Sai's gaze. Sai began to wonder if this was a new part of Naruto's drunkenness. Usually the blond was the talkative loud drunk. "Naruto?"

After what seemed like forever, Naruto looked up at him. He pristine blue eyes were complete unguarded. Naruto clutched Sai's shirt as he leaned against his pale classmate.

"…him."

"What?"

"You look like him but not really." Naruto said. "…similar but not really."

"Are you talking about Sas-"

"NO!" Naruto shouted as he pushed Sai away. "Don't say his name. I can't...I don't even…" Naruto's hand gingerly touched his neck. "..he…him…" Naruto's eyelids began to droop. He swayed and his eyes closed after a few second of a losing battle to keep them open. Sai rushed forward to catch the blond from hitting the ground. Naruto was fast asleep, the alcohol finally catching up to him. Sai sighed and shook his head.

"You are more trouble than you seem." Sai said. To which Naruto replied with a snort. He was going to have to carry the blond home now. He hoisted Naruto into his arms, carrying him like a bridal. For a twenty year old male, Naruto didn't weight much. The blond snored loudly, his head turning towards Sai's chest. Sai knew Naruto would vehemently object to being carried, especially being carried bridal-style but Sai thought he was rather cute. He looked relaxed. After many nights of taking a drunken Naruto home, Sai knew the way to the blonds' apartment. A light night breeze passed by and Naruto shivered. His arms found their way around Sai's neck, huddling closer. Walking out of the park, Sai saw Iruka and Kakashi walking towards them.

"Oh, thank goodness I found you." Iruka said, rushing ahead of Kakashi. He stopped in front of Sai and glanced down at Naruto.

"Iruka? What're you doing out late this night?"

"Looking for this one," Iruka said. "I'll take him from you now." Sai nodded and passed along Naruto to his guardian. The older man gently smiled and he relaxed when he had Naruto in his arms.

"Iruka, what is going on?" Iruka's smile faded. It wasn't in his place to say. Kakashi stepped forward and placed a reassuring hand on his partner's shoulder.

"Things are a bit complicated at the moment, Sai," Kakashi said, speaking for Iruka. "But things should turn out okay."

"Does it have to do with that guy, with Sasuke?" A pained expression crossed Iruka's face.

"I'm sorry Sai but it's not in my place to say." He said. Sai glanced at Naruto's sleeping face then to Iruka.

"So it was Sasuke who strangled him?" Sai asked.

"Strangled?" Iruka turned towards Kakashi and handed Naruto over. In Kakashi's arms, Iruka tilted Naruto's head to the side and he could just barely see the purple finger-like bruises around the blonds' neck underneath the moonlight. Iruka whispered to Kakashi and the white-haired man started to walk away with Naruto. Iruka turned to Sai and the younger man could clearly see sadness in those dark eyes.

"Thanks for telling me about the bruises, Sai. And it is unfair to keep you in the dark but as much as I hate to say it, this is something between Sasuke and Naruto." He looked over his shoulder, anxious to be by Naruto's side. Sai wasn't dense. He knew when the conversation was over.

"I understand. Have a good night, Iruka." Sai said. Iruka nodded and he jogged after Kakashi. Sai stood there in the middle of the path for a moment. He could see Iruka's worried expression as he fussed over a sleeping Naruto. Iruka was right. It didn't concern him at all. He knew it was between Sasuke and Naruto. But he wanted to know what exactly that relationship was. He did have some idea from what he seen during their last six months but it was merely speculation. Sai turned around and began walking the way to his apartment. Sai was still a stranger. There wasn't much he could do.

o0o0o0o0o0o

"…nnng…" Naruto's head was pounding. It wouldn't stop, no matter how hard he pressed his head against the cool pillow. He turned around in his bed, slowly becoming conscious and the pounding kept increasing. He cracked open his eyes but quickly shut them against the harsh sunlight. "…my head is killing me…" He uttered, his throat parched.

"It's what you get for drinking." A cool voice said. Naruto heard the sounds of blinds shuttering close and he attempted to open his eyes again. The room was gratefully dark now that the sunlight was blocked. He slowly propped himself on his hands, leaning back against the headboard for support. Kakashi was leaning against the door frame with his arms crossed. The blond groaned as another pulsating wave hit him. He leaned his head back, tilting his head up.

"What time is it?" He asked.

"Twelve in the afternoon," Kakashi replied. "Iruka heard he was back in town so he was worried. We finally found you, drunk and unconscious." Naruto groaned again. He didn't remember that. He remembered Kiba and his damned taunts. Somewhere after ten cans, things began to get fuzzy. He heard footsteps and looked to see Iruka walking past Kakashi.

"Good, you're awake." The scarred man said with a relieved smile. Naruto chuckled then winced as yet another painful pulse racked his brain. Iruka sat down on the bed and handed Naruto hangover pills. He took them and popped them into his mouth, chasing it down with the glass of water Iruka had.

"Where did you meet him?" Iruka asked, taking back the empty glass. Naruto avoided Iruka's glance. He knew Iruka wouldn't like the answer. Hell, he himself didn't like it. Naruto took a deep breath before he answered.

"…just outside the town." He could hear the collective sighs from Iruka and Kakashi. He knew what the next question was.

"Why?"

And Naruto couldn't answer. He didn't know why. He knew he shouldn't have and rational told him it was a bad idea but he couldn't stop himself from going to see him. And what did that bring him? He raised his to his neck and was surprised to feel gauze. He looked up at Iruka.

"The marks are very much visible," Iruka said. "Sai mentioned it to me."

"Sai?"

"He was the one taking you home after you fell unconscious." Kakashi spoke up. A grainy memory of Sai flashed though his mind before it disappeared. "You should thank him."

"I will," Naruto said. "I hope I didn't say anything…"

"Iruka, we should get going now that he's awake." Kakashi said. Iruka nodded.

"Wait, I want to have a few moments with Iruka." Naruto said. Kakashi nodded and left, closing the door behind him. In the darkened room, Iruka waited as Naruto gathered his thoughts. His hands were slightly shaking and he could see Naruto clench his teeth. Iruka smiled sadly and placed his hands over Naruto's.

"I can already image what happened." Iruka said. He had taken a look at Naruto's torso last night and he could see various fresh bruises along the blonds' hips.

"Iruka…when he called me he said he changed. He sounded sincere. I wanted to believe him. I really did." He couldn't stop his hands from shaking. He could still recall his voice, the words he spoke that made Naruto foolishly believe he had changed. He gritted his teeth. He was a fool to believe him. Angry tears spilled over his eyes. He was either a fool or a masochist; maybe both. Iruka consoled him, the one thing he could do for Naruto and the only person Naruto willing let himself feel vulnerable in front of. He leaned his head against Iruka's shoulder, gripping Iruka's shirt.

"…I really thought he changed…" Naruto's voice sounded thick. Iruka stared at the wall before his eyes, feeling the slight tremble in the younger man's body. He couldn't find the right words to say, to help make Naruto feel better, if only a little. He pulled away and smiled gently, brushing back those blond bangs.

"Whether he's changed or not, it doesn't matter. Right now, you take it easy and rest. I'll come back around dinner time." He said. Naruto nodded and rubbed his eyes dry.

"Alright." Naruto said. Iruka nodded and stood up. He said goodbye and left the room, closing the door behind him, leaving Naruto in the cool darkness of his room. The blond sighed as he laid back down and stared at the ceiling. He let his fingers graze the gauze around his neck. He closed his eyes, recollecting the bitter reunion. Sasuke hadn't changed much except his hair was longer. He still looked handsome even with that smirky smile. He also seemed to have gotten taller but it was hard to tell when Sasuke had pushed him down on the grass, tearing off his shirt. That brute strength of his hadn't changed, still reckless with it as ever.

Beside him on his bedside table, his cellphone rang. He quickly grabbed it to shut the noise off. His head was still pounding but to a much lesser degree than when he first woke up. He flipped open the phone and mumbled a disgruntled hello.

"You sound horrible." The voice said. Naruto's body went cold quickly.

"…what do you want?" Naruto replied, keeping his voice as monotone as he could. On the other line, Sasuke chuckled.

"Are you seeing anybody?" He asked.

"…huh?"

"Dating, idiot," Sasuke said. "Are you dating anyone?"

"Shut up," Naruto said. "I don't have to tell you shit."

Sasuke chuckled, "It's a no then. Figures."

"Listen you; unless you're calling to apologize, I'm hanging up the phone." Naruto said.

"Apologize?" Sasuke questioned. "The other day…that was consensual."

"The hell it was!" Naruto yelled, sitting up. He immediately groaned and clutched his head. The room was starting to spin. He breathed in deeply, waiting for the dizzy spell to end. Naruto dropped the phone on his lap and pressed the speaker button.

"Stop lying to yourself." Sasuke's voice seemed to reverberate through the entire room. "You enjoyed it just as much as I did…"

"I didn't!" Naruto yelled. He grabbed his phone and ended the call, tossing it aside. He calmed his breathing and kept still until he couldn't feel the room spinning. He laid back down once he felt like he wouldn't need to throw up. He opened the drawer on the bedside table and took out a small packet of sleeping pills. He grabbed the bottle of water from the drawer and took the pills. Naruto waited to fall into a dreamless sleep. And while he waited he couldn't stop one single thought that kept running through his head.

Deep down, Naruto knew it was consensual. And he hated himself for it.

So, like it? Hate it? Plot bunny be generic? Please, do tell. Also, extra warning, things might get f**ked up, in Naruto and Sasuke's case, depending on how I portray Sasuke. I have a general idea...but I'll be adding more jerkass-ness to him. I don't hate Sasuke as a character...I just like to mess with him a bit. Or a lot.