Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Façade ❯ Chapter 3 ( Chapter 3 )

Title: Façade
Author: Illuma
Fandom: Naruto
Feedback: Feedback is always welcome!

Sasuke: I fucking hate you.
Dream: I love you to.
Sasuke: You enjoy torturing me don't you.
Dream: Do you even have to ask?
Sasuke: -Glares at her before storming away-
Dream: -Sniggers at looks at Naruto before saying “dramatically”- Go to him. He needs you.
Naruto: -Laughs and runs after Sasuke-
Itachi: You are kind of being mean to him. Did you really have to do that this chapter?
Dream: Uh huh.
Itachi: Why?
Dream: Couldn't be helped. Besides. It's moving the story along the way I want it to so deal with it. N-n
Itachi: -Sighs and shakes his head- He's going to kill you one of these days.
Dream: Yeah probably. Oh well. Warnings and disclaimer. Enjoy! And dear god please review fanfiction. net readers. I'm begging you!

Warnings: Mmm. I said some things in Russian but I've got the translation at the end... And what else... Oh! Sasuke break down! That should be fun right?
Disclaimer: Don't own Gravitation. If I did there would be more man sex.

Chapter 3
- - - - - - - - - -

The following morning Sasuke was seated at the back of the room, drawing away and ignoring everyone around him.

“Yamanaka back to your seat or it's detention for you!” Iruka said loudly over the dull chattering of his students.

“I was going to talk to Sakura though, Iruka-sensei,” she replied, turning to look at the man from where she stood.

“Haruno sits behind you. Go back to your seat. Now.”

Ino mumbled something and turned around, going back to her seat.

“I've told you this once before, and I will only say it once more. To all of you. Refrain from bothering Uchiha Sasuke. I will not tolerate it if I find you are doing so.”

“What the hell is it about Uchiha that has all the teachers protecting him?” Naruto whispered to Shikamaru.

Said brunet only shrugged. “I can't say for sure, but it might have something to do with his mother. Probably.”

“You really think so?”

“Yes. Now shut up so I can go back to sleep.”

Naruto grinned and rose from his seat, glancing warily at Iruka as he made his way to the back corner near the window. When Iruka didn't say anything, he grinned triumphantly inward and sat down in the vacant seat in front of Sasuke's desk, turning to so he could could lean against the wall. For a few minutes he sat in silence, watching Sasuke.

“Wow,” he said. “You're good. Who is that?”

“My okasan,” Sasuke replied, grabbing his eraser and removing some lines from the sheet.

“She's beautiful.”

Sasuke nodded as he resumed drawing, setting the the eraser aside.

“Is she your real mom?”

Sasuke shook his head. “My biological mother died when I was eight.”

“Oh. Sorry. I didn't know.” Well. That was a lie. No one could really forget about what had happened to the Uchiha family eight years ago. They'd been betrayed by a family friend, and everyone but two young boys had been murdered.

“Don't lie,” Sasuke murmured. “Everyone knows what happened. How could they not?”

“Sorry,” Naruto grumbled. “I didn't want to bring up any painful memories.”

Sasuke looked up at him, his hand stopping. He shook his head slowly. “It's not that they're really painful anymore, I just don't like to remember them. It hurts to think about what happened.”

Naruto nodded, deciding firmly to get the Uchiha's mind off of that particular subject. “So what's she like?” he asked, gesturing at the sketch.

Sasuke looked down and frowned. “She's nice once you get to know her.”

“Eh?”

Sasuke looked up at the blond again. “Ah. She's usually a bit cruel to people when she first meets them. Well. Actually only when I'm around. She doesn't trust other people being around me.”

“Ah. Can I ask a question?”

“You just did.”

“You know what I mean,” Naruto said, scowling at him. Sasuke smirked and shrugged.

“Um. This might be a bit personal but ah.... Do you have trust issues?”

Sasuke stared at him before looking down. “Ever since that day I've always found it hard to let myself trust anyone, or let anyone else get close to me. Okasan and aniki are the only ones I believe I can really trust, because I know they won't hurt me. Okasan knows this and she does everything she can to protect me.”

Naruto nodded. “Hey. Um. I was only wondering, but would you like to hang out with me and my friends at lunch today?”

Sasuke hesitated before looking away. “I don't know,” he whispered. “I mean I saw you yesterday with all of your friends, and I don't feel comfortable in large groups.”

Naruto nodded. “Well then how about just me? They'll understand. Probably.”

Sasuke didn't look at him. He refused to lift his head. Pale fingers clenched the dark blue sweatshirt he was wearing, hands lifting to tug at the strings. “I-I'll think about it,” he replied.

“Okay. Just let me know before lunch period okay?”

Sasuke nodded and continued fiddling with the strings, dark eyes watching as the blond walked away from him.

'What the hell?' he asked himself, turning back to the sketch of his mother. What had prompted him to actually even speak to the blond? He looked down at his desk, tuning out the sound of the bell. Around him his classmates were gathering their things and leaving.

Only when he noticed Iruka standing by his desk did he realize he was alone.

“Sasuke? is something wrong? Naruto didn't upset you did he?”

Sasuke looked up at the man and shook his head. “No nothing like that. I was just thinking and I spaced out.”

“Ah. Okay then. You should get to class though okay?”

Sasuke nodded and grabbed his things, pushing his sketchbook into his backpack. He rose from the chair and quickly left, not looking back.

“So nice of you to join us,” Asuma said as Sasuke slid the door open and stepped inside.

Sasuke shrugged and replied, “I figured I might as well grace you with my presence today as well.”

Asuma laughed as the pale teen made his way to the back of the class towards the window. Class would begin in a few minutes. As he took his seat, he realized that Shikamaru and Naruto had taken the seats beside and in front of him. Shikamaru was sleeping and Naruto was speaking animatedly with his friends. Apparently they had taken it upon themselves to claim that corner and surround the Uchiha, protecting him from the inevitable.

He didn't have to look up when the voices suddenly stopped to know something was happening.

“What do you want, Sakura?” Naruto asked bitterly, glaring at the pink haired menace known as Haruno Sakura,

“None of your business, Uzumaki,” she spat back at him.

Believe it or not, once upon a time Naruto and Sakura had been good friends. They'd had a falling out in eighth grade. Naruto had remained friends with Ino, who unlike Sakura hadn't taken it upon herself to willingly attempt to vie for the Uchiha's attention. She may have wanted to get to know him yes, but she wasn't interested in the way Sakura was and she was already spoken for. It was all Sakura, pushing her to do things that she didn't want to do and getting on Sasuke's bad side.

At the moment though, Sakura was on her own. Ino was speaking with her boyfriend. One of those other believe or not moments. Her boyfriend was the black hole also known as Akimichi Choji, who mind you, was munching away with a bag of chips in his hand.

“If you're over here it is my business,” Naruto growled.

“Shut up, Naruto,” she replied, stepping over his raised leg. She stood beside Sasuke's desk, smiling down at him. She couldn't see the look on his face, nor did she see the knowing look he gave the blond in front of him.

“Iruka-sensei told you to stop bothering him.”

“No he told Ino-pig that. Besides. I'm not bothering him.”

“We both know he really meant you, forehead-girl. Iruka-sensei knows I wouldn't mindlessly hit on someone when I'm already taken.”

“Then why'd you tell him you were going to talk to me, huh?”

“First name that popped into my head.”

“Whatever,” she said, turning back to Sasuke.

“Sakura, leave him alone,” Naruto said. “He doesn't want you bothering him. Just go away.”

“Shut up!” she growled, lifting a hand to hit the blond.

“Haruno! Outside, now!” Asuma said loudly over the dull hum of his students voices.

Sakura froze, hand halfway to Naruto. When she didn't move the man spoke again.

“I said now.”

Sakura hurried to obey. She scurried past Sasuke, nearly tripping over her feet to get out into the hallway through the back door. Asuma left through the door at the front of the class, the door slamming shut behind him. The class watched through the windows as the teacher approached Sakura and started berating her, though they had no idea what he was saying. The voices were muffled somewhat.

“Hey, Sasuke?” Naruto said, turning in his seat to face the Uchiha.

“What?”

“Where is your mom? How come your brother was here instead of her yesterday?”

“She's in Russia,” he replied, pulling his sketchbook and a pencil from his backpack and setting them on the desk.

“Why?”

Sasuke shrugged as he flipped to the page, continuing Sakaye's image. “She didn't say why she was going.”

“Oh. Does she know people there?”

“She has relatives living in Russia.”

“Really?”

Sasuke nodded. “She's half Russian, so it would make sense for her to have relatives there. Her mother was Russian and came to Japan during her college years. I think that's how it went anyways. I can't remember.”

“That's cool. So do you know Russian?”

“A little. I never really had any interest in learning. My brother speaks it fluently though.”

“That's awesome,” the brunette sitting in front of Naruto said.

Sasuke only shrugged. “I suppose.”

“So when is she coming back?” Naruto asked, ignoring his friends outburst.

“She promised to be home before Christmas.”

“Have you ever been to Russia?”

Sasuke nodded. “Several times. After we moved she took us there on many occasions. She'd take us to visit her grandmother most of the time.”

Sasuke's hand froze when a sudden realization hit him, eyes widening. 'Can't be,' he told himself. 'She visits Nana more than anyone. She wouldn't go for so long if something wasn't wrong!'

“БабуÑ 10;ка(1),” he whispered, leaving the others confused. “БабушÐ& #186;а,” he said again, his hand suddenly leaving the desk, the pencil rolling off the desk. He pulled out the black cell phone, flipping it open as his thumb searched for the right speed dial. He held it to his ear when it started ringing.

“Sasuke? Honey shouldn't you be in class? Is something wrong?”

“БабуÑ 10;ка,” he said quietly.

“Oh god. Honey you-”

“What's wrong with her?” he managed to say, interrupting her.

“I didn't want to tell you. I didn't want you to be sad.”

“Please tell me,” he begged, needing to know.

“Sweetie. Nana's dieing.”

“No,” he whispered. “It's not true. Please don't lie to me, okasan. She can't be dieing.”

“I'm so sorry honey,” Sakaye was saying, her words going unheard as Sasuke dropped the phone and buried his face in his hands.

He didn't want it to be true. It couldn't possibly be true. She had to be lying. Nana couldn't leave them.

“Sasuke? Sasuke answer me honey. Please say something!”

When Sasuke didn't move to pick up the phone, Naruto grabbed it and put it to his ear. “Usami-san?”

“Who is this?”

“I'm Uzumaki Naruto, Sasuke's classmate.”

“What's he doing?”

“He's just sitting there. His face is covered by his hands and... shit. He just started crying.” Naruto moved from his seat and went to Sasuke's side, arms wrapping around the shaking teen.

“Fuck,” Sakaye swore. “Tell someone to get Umino and have him contact Itachi. He'll know what to do.”

Naruto looked up. “Kiba, go get Iruka-sensei.”

“Huh? Why?” Kiba asked.

“Just do it!” he snapped, head turning back to Sasuke.

Kiba nodded and bolted from his seat to get out of the room.

“What's going on?” Asuma said, having seen Kiba leaving the class room.

“I don't know,” Naruto said. “We were talking and all of a sudden out of nowhere he calls someone.”

“Give me the phone.”

Naruto handed it over quickly.

“Who is this?” he demanded.

“Asuma?”

Asuma paused. “Saka? What did you tell him? The kid's freaking out here.”

Sakaye sighed. “I told him the truth.”

“What are you talking about?”

“My grandmother is dieing. He called me and demanded to know if the reason I'm Russia is because of her.”

Asuma sighed. “I can't believe it.”

“How do you think I feel? You're not the one sitting next to a woman you've known for thirty one years and there's nothing you can do to help her. He wasn't supposed to know until I got back home. I wasn't going to tell him until then.”

“Naruto take him outside,” Asuma said to the blond. “Saka, what do you plan to do now?”

Sakaye sighed. “I wish I could go back to Japan right now, but I can't. I've got to much to do still.”

“Like what?”

“What do you think?”

Asuma sighed again and watched as the blond pulled the silent Uchiha from his seat and dragged him out into the hallway. He turned around and watched Iruka approaching, following Kiba. He scratched his chin and followed them out, sliding the door shut behind him.

“Sakaye? What are we supposed to do?”

When she didn't respond, he shrugged helplessly and handed the phone over to Iruka. The brunet put it to his ear, listening to the muffled voices in the background. He couldn't understand what they were saying, so he remained silent.

“Asuma?”

“No.”

“Iruka. Shit hold on.”

Iruka heard more muffled voices, a dim beeping sound echoing through the line.

“Give the phone to Sasuke.”

“Why?”

“Just do it will you? Nana wants to talk to him.”

“Alright,” Iruka said, pulling the phone away and approaching Sasuke, holding the phone out to him. When he didn't take it, Naruto grabbed it from him and held it to the Uchiha's ear.

He choked back a sob when he heard her voice coming through the line, Sakaye's voice in the background translating the Russian words being said to him.

“ÐœÐ¾Ñ Ð¼Ð°Ð»Ð¾ Sasuke. Я знаю, что Ñто трудно Ð´Ð»Ñ Ð’Ð°Ñ, но мое Ð²Ñ€ÐµÐ¼Ñ Ð¼ÐµÐ´Ð»ÐµÐ½ 08;½Ð¾ подход&# 208;¸Ñ‚ к концу, и. Мне хотело& #209;ÑŒ бы видеть Ð²Ð°Ñ Ð² поÑледÐ
89;ий раз, но Ñ Ð·Ð½Ð°ÑŽ, он будет разорв& #208;°Ñ‚ÑŒ Ñвое Ñердце, чтобы увидет&# 209;Œ дороги&# 208;µ Ñтарые бабушк 08;¸, как Ñтот. было мое пожела 08;½Ð¸Ðµ, чтобы вы не пришла. Ðо мой дорого&# 208;¹ мальчи&# 208;º, Ñ Ð¾Ð´Ð¸Ð½ поÑледÐ
89;ий подаро&# 208;º Ð´Ð»Ñ Ð²Ð°Ñ. Ваша мать будет, когда она возвра&# 209;‰Ð°ÐµÑ‚ÑÑ Ðº вам. Я люблю тебÑ, Sasuke. Я люблю Ð’Ð°Ñ Ð¸ Itachi Ñто очень много. Он груÑтнÐ& #190; мне знать, Ñ Ð±Ð¾Ð»ÑŒÑˆÐµ не попаÑÑ‚Ñ&# 338; на ваши улыбаю&# 209;‰Ð¸ÐµÑÑ Ð»Ð¸Ñ†Ð°, но не забыва&# 208;¹Ñ‚е, Ñ Ð²Ñегда буду ÑледитÑ&# 338; за вами.(2)”

Tears were streaming down his face as he pulled his head away from Naruto's hand and the phone he held. He sank out of the blond's grasp to the floor, thin arms wrapping tightly around his body as he sobbed. He could feel those arms around him again, but he didn't care. He was losing his Nana. He couldn't lose her too. It was to much. His eyes were clenched tightly shut, tears still finding their way out to rush down his cheeks, pooling by his chin and dripping onto his thighs.

He didn't move when a swear echoed loudly from the phone. Naruto's thumb had pressed against the speaker button. Sakaye's voice could be heard, yelling something in Russian as other voices joined hers, the sound of a flat lining monitor heard beneath her voice. They could all hear the choked back sobs from the woman still on the phone, he voice screaming for them to do something, or they thought so anyways.

Sasuke's body trembled in Naruto's arms as he was racked with sobs, the tears coming full force from his eyes in an endless stream. How could this have happened?

“Бабу ;шка!” Sakaye screamed. “Бабуш 8;ºÐ° нет! Ðе! Ð’Ñ‹ не можете!( 3)”

Silence. Silence followed her outburst. They could hear her muffled sobs as she desperately tried to collect herself.

“She's gone,” Sakaye murmured. “She's really gone.” There was a pause as someone said something. Sakaye cried and replied.

“Sasuke?” she whispered. “Nana's gone. I'm sorry sweetheart.”

No one moved for what seemed the longest time until Iruka's shaking hand reached for the phone, taking it from the unmoving Naruto still holding onto the sobbing Uchiha.

“Sakaye? What do I do?”

“Call Itachi. Please. He needs his brother now more than ever. Tell him for me what happened. I... I have calls to make. Inform Tsunade he'll be going home.”

“I understand. Goodbye Saka.”

“Goodbye Ruka.”

He listened as the call ended, the annoying tone sounding in his ear before he pushed end, his fingers moving to locate the contact list and Itachi's phone number.

“Take him to the office, Naruto,” Iruka said. “Kiba get his things.”

The two boys nodded, Kiba hurrying into the classroom to grab the Uchiha's things while Naruto slowly coaxed Sasuke to his feet.

“Hello?”

“Itachi-san?”

Itachi paused. “Umino-sensei?”

“Yes. I'm afraid you need to come to the school and get Sasuke.”

“What happened?”

“I don't know all of the details, but... Sakaye's grandmother she... she just passed away. We heard everything over the speaker.”

Itachi sighed heavily. “I was afraid her trip would be something like this. I'll be there as soon as I can. Thank you for calling me.”

“Of course,” Iruka said, walking behind the slow moving teens towards the main office. He would need to tell Tsunade what happened.

“See ya,” Itachi muttered, ending the call.

-

“What are you saying, Sakaye?”

“What do you think I'm saying? If that bastard finds out my grandmother died, he'll know I'm not in Japan with the boys. You know damn well he wants to finish them off.”

“So what the hell am I supposed to do, huh?”

“Call Zabuza.”

“What? Why?”

“Because he's still my partner, and he'll know what to do. I have to tie up some loose ends before I can go back to Japan. I'll do what I can to shorten the time, but I can't guarantee anything. You have to keep them safe.”

“I know that,” Tsunade growled into the phone. “I'll never let that bastard get them. Not after all of things he's done. Why haven't you guys caught him yet?”

“Because he's one slippery bastard. Every fucking time we get close enough to apprehending him, he slips out of our grasp and gets away. All of this god damn evidence we have isn't doing us any good. When I get back, we're taking it up a notch.”

“What are you planning, Sakaye?”

“You know I can't tell you. You're no longer one of my superiors, so I can't involve you. Only Jiraiya.”

“Maybe I'll just get the information from him.”

“You know he won't tell you. He may be the unofficial leader, but like the rest of us he's sworn to secrecy. Please don't ask anything of him. Just keep my boys safe. And call Yuri for me.”

“Why?”

“Remember what I told you about wanting to have a child of my own?”

“Of course I remember.”

“Yuri agreed to be a surrogate carrier since I no longer have the option of having children myself. I can't take the time off, and my life is always in danger. Hell I'm surprised I'm even still alive now.”

Tsunade sighed heavily. “Alright. I'll call her. Any idea who the father is going to be?”

“Of course, but that's a secret.”

“Come on tell me!”

“No way!”

“Why not?”

“Because I don't want you to know.”

“Tch fine. Be that way,” Tsunade grumbled, reaching for an unlabeled bottle sitting on her desk. “Come back soon. Sasuke needs you. I already know that.”

“I know,” Sakaye said. “I'll be home as soon as possible.”

“Good,” Tsunade said, taking a drink from the bottle. “See you then.”

“See ya,” Sakaye said, both women ending the call at the same time someone knocked on the door to Tsunade's office.

“Come in,” Tsunade said. “What can I do for you Umino-san?”

“I just wanted to let you know that Uchiha Sasuke is going home for the rest of the day.”

“Why?”

“He um... he found out his grandmother died.”

Tsunade nodded sadly. She already knew of course, but that didn't mean she was going to say anything. “Give me a moment and I'll be right out.”

“Eh? Why?”

“I have to speak with his brother when he arrives.”

Iruka nodded and turned to go, closing the door behind him. Tsunade sighed heavily and took another drink from the bottle before hiding it from Shizune. She couldn't have the woman finding out she'd been drinking at school. Wouldn't turn into a situation in her favor.

“Jesus Sakaye. Get this shit over with already,” she grumbled, picking up her cell phone sitting on the left side of the desk, thumb moving to dial Yuri's number and tell her the news.

“Hello Yuri,” Tsunade said, rising from her seat and moving around the desk to the door.

“Eh? Sanada-san?”

“Usami wanted me to call you and tell you she wants to go through with it,” she replied, opening the door and leaving her office.

“Ah. Ok then. Tell her to call me as soon as she can okay?”

“I have to ask though. Do you know who it is?”

“I have an idea, but I can't tell you.”

“Why not? I promise I won't tell her I know.”

Yuri laughed. “She'll find out and you know it. I'd rather not be killed before I can make her wish come true. I'll be seeing you Sanada.” The call abruptly ended, the dial tone sounding in Tsunade's ear before she snapped it closed.

She muttered something under her breath as she passed the empty desks, most of the teachers either in their classrooms or bothering some teacher or other. She found Sasuke and Naruto sitting by the door leading out to the hallway. The black haired student hunched over in the blonds arms not moving aside from the occasional shake of his shoulders. She sighed softly and moved past them, opening the door and stepping out into the hallway to wait for Itachi. She needed to speak with him.

TBC...

(1) “Grandmother.”

(2) “My little Sasuke. I know this is hard for you to accept, but my time is slowly coming to and end. I wish I could see you one last time, but I know it would break your heart to see your dear old grandmother like this. it was my wish that you did not come. But my dear boy, I have one last gift for you. Your mother will have it when she returns to you. I love you, Sasuke. I love both you and Itachi so very much. It saddens me to know I will no longer get to see your smiling face, but remember I will always be watching over you.”

(3) “Grandmother! Grandmother no! Don't go! You can't!”