Lose Yourself ｜ Sasunaru

Chapter 9

Breathing Underwater - Hollywood Principle (Ether remix)

Shikamaru and the others waited outside the school for Naruto, Ino waiting with them. She spotted Sai coming out of the building by himself. "Sh-Shikamaru!" she gasped, pointing in Sai's direction.

Shikamaru took off in a sprint, startling them but Ino soon sprinted after him. The others stayed behind simply because they didn't know what was wrong. Shikamaru knew he could trust Ino with Naruto's situation with Sai because she was once in his place. The two ran around the school in search of the blond boy. "Naruto!?" they both called, making their way down the halls, checking in empty classes until it dawned on Shikamaru to check the men's bathroom. The two ran into the restroom, even Ino.

"Are you alright?" The Nara asked, kneeling down in front of Naruto who was seated up against the wall, holding his side in pain.

"Y-Yeah, just a little pain,"Naruto replied, standing up with the help of Ino and Shikamaru. "What are you doing in the men's room anyway?" he asked Ino.

"Making sure you're okay," she replied easily, pulling on of his arms around her shoulders. His other arm wrapped around Shikamaru's shoulders, both of their arms around Naruto's torso to help him walk.

"Thanks," he muttered, sighing softly as he walked with them out of the building. They were all startled at the sight of Naruto needing help to walk, especially Sasuke.

Sasuke ran over. "What happened?" he asked worriedly, all of them noticed his uncharacteristic reaction.

"It's nothing Sasuke," the blond boy replied, not wanting the boy to worry.

"You unable to walk by yourself is not nothing!" Sasuke hissed then said and turned away from the three, bending down. "Get on," he sighed.

Naruto blinked before smiling, with the help of all three, he managed to get on Sasuke's back without falling. The raven carried Naruto back to his house, some of them going their parting ways since they houses were in other directions. It was eventually down to just Naruto and Sasuke walking in silence. That unnerved the blond to no end.

Finally, Sasuke decided to speak up. "Who hit you?" He asked, wanting to know who he was going to have to beat up tomorrow.

"No one important," Naruto replied, not wanting to get Sasuke involved.

"No one important my ass!" The Uchiha hissed. "They hurt you,"he reasoned, trying to get a response out of him.

"Why do you care so much?" The blond asked.

Sasuke's anger flared at the question. "What do you mean, 'why do you care so much'?!" He growled, glaring in front of him since he couldn't look back and glare at Naruto. "You're my best friend! Of course I care!" Friend-zoned. Naruto's eyes watered as he laid his head down Sasuke's back, not liking to think about his unrequited love with Sasuke. He sniffled and Sasuke immediately felt bad. "Why are you crying?" He sighed.

"It's nothing," the blond sniffled, Sasuke's anger flaring up again.

"Why do you always brush things off?! Why do you let people walk all over you and pretend you're okay?!" The raven growled, not liking how Naruto brushed everything off.

Naruto bit his bottom lip. "Can we not talk right now?" He muttered softly. "Can we at least wait until we get to the house?" He asked.

Sasuke sighed once again. "Fine," he muttered, returning back to their silent walk.

Their walk came to an end too fast for Naruto's liking. It felt like seconds when it was actually minutes. The blond was no longer crying but it was a bit puffy around his eyes. "Tsunade won't be home for another hour or so, she's usually tied up with work," he explained as the two took their shoes off and set their bags at the door.