Naruto POV

Three days. Three days of me hiding in my sister's room unable to leave because of how broken and ashamed I feel. I never thought this would be me again. Pining after the straight guy, getting involved with the very clearly straight guy or being played again by said guy's obnoxious twisted brother. I've had a lot of time to think (mostly wallowing) and I still can't figure out how to get out of this mess. Anyone can get their rocks off if they're stimulated in the right way, I'm not delusional enough to believe that I had any real effect on Sasuke or that he has any sort of feelings beyond friendship for me. That's some sort of alternate reality bullshit right there and I don't believe in any sort of God working for me in my favor. So logically (via sleep deprived process of elimination) I was possessed. And Sasuke was very clearly drugged. Which technically makes all of this assault, and I'm just too pretty for prison. Not to mention the fact that if this gets out I'll have to deal with everyone at school, and Sasuke will more than likely never speak to me again. It nearly killed me the first time, but this time it's my fault. Or Itachi's fault. Probably both. Either way, I could probably do with some actual sleep and a little more self-loathing before facing the proverbial music and the rest of this...holiday.

"Alright, that's enough now. We are going to talk about this or so help me I'm going to stuff you down the service shoot Naruto!"

And shit, there goes that plan. If I wanted coddling I probably should have gone to see mom or dad. Know Kyuubi she'll actually do it too.

"B - b - but I'm not ready. And it's not like Itachi's come back with a solution to his massive fucked up part in this!"

Yes, whining. Because that always works. Good job me, we're on the right track. Especially if my goal is to get my ass kicked and be thrown out in my underwear by my sister. That'll make for superbly smooth sailings.

"Whether he's back yet or not doesn't matter. He has his own broken little brother to fix. You just so happen to be mine. Now from your...enthusiastic blubbering over the last few days, there was clearly an incident. One that you think bad enough to run from and hide with me. Care to explain?"

"Not particularly. If I did, I'm pretty sure that just means it's a confession and you're eligible to testify in court."

Ever the drama queen, although I still think I'm right, Kyu threw a bloody book at my head (she missed, which is a first, but the sentiment was still there). She looks downright ferocious right now, a lot like mom too actually. Which is scary enough on its own.

"Naruto Uzumaki, we may not always see eye to eye but I will always be on your side. And no one is going to jail. Clearly, Itachi meddled where he shouldn't have, he likes to play puppets and strings when he thinks he's right. In this instance even I think he's right but he went about it all wrong. And Sasuke, no matter how misguided would never intentionally hurt you. He's confused and angry. Most importantly, he's repressed and unsure how to deal with it. Now the real question is, are you going to swallow your whatever and help him through it? Or are you going to be a coward and hide in your big sister's room while your friendship implodes?"

Have I mentioned hating Kyu before? Because sometimes I do. Like now. Now I hate her. All I want to do is curl up in a dark hole and stay there. Pretend none of this has happened and live my life out as some sort of gay hermit under a rock. I mean let's be honest, a guy can only take so much rejection and humiliation from the same person. But I also know that she's right (another reason to hate her). Sasuke is important to me. And I'm not usually one to run from a fight. But...this one is just so much more frightening than the others. If I'm being honest...I'm not ready to let him go yet.

"I know you're right, but in this moment, just know that I hate you. I'm gonna go shower."

"Love you too little bro."

Sasuke POV

So far I've ripped the room apart (kindly ignoring Naruto's everything) and thrown everything I can at Itachi. That weasley scheming little bastard! How dare he do this to me! And how dare he put Naruto in this sort of position! I can't even think clearly through all of this outrage flooding my system.

'It was always just a matter of time. At least now you can admit to how you feel and stop being so pathetic about it. Honestly, even I'm getting bored of mocking you for this.'

'Shut up! I wasn't talking to you! And you've done enough thanks. I don't need any more of YOUR "help"!'

And to top it all off, I'm very clearly going insane. I could blame Itachi drugging me, but he only did it the one time. And he's apologized, which is weird in and of itself. I suspect a certain Uzumaki's involvement in that. But the rest of what's been going on just doesn't really make sense. Itachi goes on and on about watching how stifled I've been, unable to grow and truly be me. Who the hell does he think he is? I answer to no one, and I play by my own rules. Stifled and repressed. He's treating me like I'm some sort of….I don't even know. Basket case? Struggling confused youth? Either way, I didn't ask for this. And I certainly don't want it.

"Itachi, why are you really here? Or is it just because you feel guilty for drugging your own brother and setting him loose in public?"

I mean honestly, he can't expect me to be nice after everything that's happened. However, his look of hurt still affects me. Makes me feel like I've done something wrong. Which I haven't. This is undoubtedly one hundred percent not my fault. Not to say that it's Naruto's fault either. He didn't know. And he was defending himself from me. Last I recall I'm the one who threw the first punch...er tackle? Hm, come to think of it my memory is a little foggy. The only clear thing I remember is the...incident after the fighting. And then a very concerned and disgruntled Itachi bursting in through my door.

"Otouto...I know that what I did was out of line. But surely you must understand, with you so actively pushing everything down...I didn't know how else to bring the subject to light for you. To give you a chance to see what you would do if you weren't so concerned with living up to everyone else's expectations. Including my own. All I want is for you to be happy. And I see you, you're drowning. Father has...what he has done now is irrelevant. I should have stepped in sooner. Should have protected you. Given you a safe space to sort it out. Which is what I'm doing now. Please let me."

Sort what out? It was just a stupid lapse in judgment encouragement by the drugs. Everyone is making too big a deal out of this. And I'm getting tired of these games.

'Oh joy. More denial. Let's think about this, shall we? Of all your "happy moments" in life, who's the key player? In all of the moments where you've truly felt yourself, who's been with you? When you were scared and alone, who did you call? More to the point who did you want there? It's not that difficult brat, you're supposed to be smart.'

'Again, no one asked you. And so what if my life is better with Naruto in it? That doesn't mean….I can live without him. I've done it before. It's not that hard.'

'You're right, to be miserable is easy. To be happy is hard. And you my friend are always miserable or indifferent. I'm tired of living that way. And seeing as how I am you, then you're tired of it too.'

'I am not always miserable. Indifferent yes but that's because none of this really matters. And I hate you.'

'That's part of your problem right there. Can you really hate yourself and not expect any consequences in return?'

"Sasuke? Will you let me help you? I promise, no more scheming. Just a safe space and helping hand if you want it."

How could he help? For so long...I don't even know where to start or how to begin sorting through this storm in my head. Blue eyes and blonde hair flash behind my lids. Even now, he would help. I'm angry with him, for what I have no clue. But he would still help. So what if having him around makes my life better? All that means is that our friendship is important. No big deal. Why does everyone else think otherwise? Dobe certainly hasn't said anything.

"Aniki...why do you think having Naruto in my life means more to me than I think it does?"

Genuine confusion. It's unsettling to see Itachi so unsure. Furrowed brow, slanted eyes, and a tight mouth. He clearly doesn't like my question. If I didn't know any better I'd think he was upset with me.

"Sasuke. I didn't realize father had affected you this much. Naruto...brings out everything good about you. You smile more, laugh and joke, you have fun. But you also enjoy the moment in front of you. The two of you were so tied at the hip growing up that mother and I had bets about if you'd end up the best man or the man at the altar. It's been clear since Naruto was 2 that he wasn't exactly straight edged. You...it took a little longer to see that you following him wasn't because you admired him. It was because you wanted him happy, and you were happy being his happiness. It's clear that you love him. Whether it's the way I think it is or the way you think it is, is what you need to figure out."

It's not like he's wrong. I'm grumpy about it but Naruto does indeed make life more...lifelike. Stupid movie cliche that it is. I wouldn't say that I love Naruto. I don't particularly love anyone, except of course my mother. But Naruto is definitely someone I'd rather have to be around than be gone. Whatever that's worth.

"I think I need to go for a walk aniki. I know you're trying to help but...you're not. And at this point, I don't know what will."

And with that, I left my room for the first time in three days. Definitely worse for wear. But it's suffocating in there. Remembering what happened, having Itachi watching me. I can't handle this right now. I don't know what I need, but I need to go and just be somewhere else alone. I'm always best on my own.

"Uh….hey 'Suke…"

Of course. Why be alone when I can be confronted with my problem and current bane of my existence. The universe clearly has it out for me. And this….whatever he is, is clearly as lost as I am. Goody.