《 Every face wears a mask 》

♧ Chapter 3: The Bullies Are Back ♧

3rd Person POV:

Sasuke didn't even pay any attention to the blonde. He stared at the window and minded his own business.
The bell rang, the 3rd period was over.
Next class was gym. Naruto and Sasuke were the last ones in the locker room.
There was an awkward silence.
Sasuke changed quickly into his gym cloths. As he was changing he noticed something on the blonde's left arm. He had a few fresh scars...Sasuke knew that those were self-harm scars so his eyes widen a little.
Naruto felt a gaze on him and suddenly their eyes met. He followed Sasuke's gaze and realized that the black haired boy had seen his scars. The blonde quickly put a hoodie on and left the room.

Naruto POV:

Fuck...fuck. I'm so bloody stupid.
How could I forgot about that??
Oh well it's not like he would care...no one cares...but what if he'll tell it to other people? What if I will be bullied again?
But his eyes ...when our gaze met...our eyes were very alike...dead...cold...filled with pain. I might be wrong though...I mean he's an Uchiha, his life is perfect, isn't it?

Guy(Gai) sensei, the gym teacher, who blabbers too much about youth is actually quite nice. He greeted us as always...and welcomed us in the new school year. He assured us that he will make sure to keep us in shape and make us enjoy youth or something along the lines.
After his speech was over he divided us into teams of two.
Guess who I ended up with?
Sasuke...fuck.
"Hi..." I said shyly trying to start a conversation.
"Just don't drag me down..." he answered coldly.
Suddenly my stomach growled. He looked at me and his eyes widen again a little but then he quickly turned away.
"Sorry...um my stomach.." I said blushing a lot...I am so embarrassed. Stupid
"Tsch...whatever."
Guy(Gai) sensei gave each one of us a rope and we had to tie it around our ankles. I took the rope and awkwardly tied it around mine and Sasuke's ankles. Great now we are stuck together.

Sasuke POV:

Guy(Gai) sensei gave the signal and the competition started. Our teamwork was pretty bad. First of all he was shorter than me and more important slower.
"Can you move faster, usuratonkachi?"
"Oi, teme. I'm fucking trying."
"Tsch"
Suddenly he stopped, causing me to almost lose my balance. I was about to say something when I noticed that he was breathing heavily.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah yeah....sorry..I...just...have to...catch my..breath..."
He tried to start running again but his knees seemed like they were about to give up on him as I caught him.
"Nevermind...just let's take a break."
"Ok..ay"
We went and sat on a bench. Guy(Gai) sensei immediately came to us.
"You guys are disappointing me. Did you think I wouldn't notice you ?"
"Guy(Gai) sensei, Naruto needs a little break...he had a hard time breathing..."
"I see... that's good I knew that you guys aren't the type to let me down. Sasuke you're such a good classmate. Take care of him and if needed take him to the nurse."
After saying that he returned to the others.
Naruto started breathing normally again.
"Are you feeling better?"
"Yes, I'm sorry for dragging you down...I must be out of shape." He flashed me a goofy fake smile.
"You don't have to smile if you don't feel like it..."
That took him by surprise. His expression was a little shocked.
Soon after that the bell rang and we went back to the lockers to change. Again Naruto and I were the last ones.
I took my lunch box out of my backpack. I had two sandwiches...Itachi always puts two. I took one of them and handed it to him.
He looked at me a little confused.
"Thank you, but I'm not hungry..."
Just then his stomach growled.
He sighted.
"Just take it...the reason why you almost passed out earlier is obviously not eating.
You are thin enough don't starve yourself to death!"
I placed the sandwich next to him and left as he was about to say something...

Naruto POV:

Maybe I was wrong...maybe he is a nice person. At least until now the nicest person I know. Somebody acknowledged my presence.
I didn't want to accept his offer at first...but to be honest I'm so grateful. As I was about to thank him he left. I packed all of my stuff quickly and then ran after him. As I was about to walk up to him and thank him he was surrounded by his fangirls. Literally every girl had a crush on him. I guess I'll just thank him later.
It was lunch time. I don't like the cafeteria since it's so crowded and yeah I've no friends so I went on the roof to eat my sandwich.
As I stepped on to the rooftop I noticed Sasuke who was listening to music.
I thought about it a little and decided to go to him. I sat next to him. He must have felt my presence since he took his headphones out.
"Hi, do you mind if I sit here?"
"Nah, go ahead."
"Thanks for the sandwich. I really appreciate it." I said and smiled at him.
"Hn"
"What about you...aren't you going to eat?"
"I'm not hungry..."
"Come on...let's eat together..."
"Hn...fine."
Soon we were both eating our sandwiches.
"Stop" he suddenly said
"What?" I asked confused
"Cutting."
I chocked on my food. He handed me his bottle of water.
"Are you okay, dobe?"
"Yeah, umm...thanks. How do you..."
"I've seen your scars... I've been there, too. It's not okay so stop doing that to yourself."
"Oh, I'm sorry..."

3rd Person POV:

The bell rang and the boys headed to class.
It was their last period and it was with Kakashi.
After class was over, Naruto packed his stuff and left after saying bye to Sasuke.
As he was about to exit the school somebody grabbed him by the collar and pushed him againts a wall. Naruto fell on his knees. As he looked up he saw Kiba, Neji, Tenten, Shino, Sakura, Ino, Sai, Temari and Kankuro around him. The most popular group of the school...the bullies...
While Kiba, Shino and Kankuro surrounded him the others left while giggling and wishing them fun.
Naruto knew that he was done for. He's too weak to fight those three...wasn't his life hell enough. Why do people always bully him?
Kiba picked Naruto by the collar and was about to punch him in the face when somebody suddenly took a grip of his wrist.
"Let him go"
Kiba let go of Naruto, who fell back to his knees, and turned around to see who dared to stop him from having fun.
"Uchiha."
"Go deep throat a cactus, Kiba. You guys are pathetic."
Kiba turned to Naruto
"Luck was on your side this time you piece of shit." he threatened pissed before leaving, followed by Shino and Kankuro.
Sasuke rolled his eyes then knelt down before Naruto.
He was shaking uncontrollably. He was having a panic attack.
Sasuke didn't even have time to think as his body moved on its own. He wrapped his arms around Naruto and pulled him into a hug.

Sasuke POV:

As usual I was the last one to leave the classroom. Suddenly I noticed Naruto being bullied so I stepped in even though it's none of my business.
After dealing with that dog-breath, I noticed Naruto who was hyperventilating. As if my body moved on it's own I pulled him into a tight hug.
"It's okay Naruto, just breath. You are okay."
I noticed that his breathing started to become regulate. Suddenly I felt something wet on my shoulder then I heard silent sobs. I realized that he was crying. Naruto clung to me. I rubbed his back trying to comfort him. What in the hell is going on? The scars, he's starving himself and now he's being bullied. As I was hugging him I realized just how bloody thin he was. This is not okay.
After a while he calmed down and pulled away. He whipped away his tears and started apologizing like a hundred times.
"Naruto...calm down!"
"I'm sorry..."
"Stop being sorry for fuck sake!"
"Thank you for defending me..."

We stood up and started walking out of the school yard.
"I'll take you home."

...