After going back through this, I am warning you now that this story will be dark. Not exactly light hearted, so if you are in the mood for that, read something else. Sorry.

Summary: Something's going around, and it's not the flu and it's not herpes, it's a rumor. This rumor could change everything in Sasuke's life, is he ready for it? AU

Warnings!: Yaoi goodness, the usage of the word 'soccer' instead of 'football', seriousness, crappy writing, also, there are likely rape scenes. Once again, that is why it is under Mature.

Enjoy. Just warning you, it's not juicy or anything, more...realistic is not really the word but I'll go with it.

The meaningful glares and angry stares say it all. Their eyes are non-welcoming and harsh, something Sasuke has never seen before. He shudders reflexes to the offending cold around him as he moves to the bench where his things are laid down. Sasuke shrugs into his thin jacket, regretting not heeding his mother's advice that morning about his clothing choice.

He regrets many things, far too many to name.

He breathes out through his nose, creating a thick cloud of mist. The shorts and shirt he wears are completely soaked from the rain, as is his hair. He gives a fleeting glance toward the now closed door to the locker room and shakes his head, making a decision. He won't trek through that minefield, not today. His coach eyes him through the thickening deluge and Sasuke can feel it.

"Night, coach." He murmurs as he passes him, heading in the direction of the parking lot. The coach stops Sasuke by setting a hand on his shoulder.

"It gets better, Sasuke." He says in a soft tone, one different from the one he takes during practice. Sasuke cannot bring himself to say anything even though he is seen as one of the more mature boys. Talking about a particular play or how to improve form is different than speaking about personal issues. He only nods awkwardly and moves away, the wet turf field squeaking underfoot.

The parking lot is empty, save the arriving cars. They idle by the curb, holding loving mothers, anxious fathers, or annoyed siblings. Sasuke is waiting for his older brother without high hopes. He flips up the collar of his jacket, covering the bottom of his ears. He steps from one cleated foot to the other for warmth. Cutting droplets of rain slip from his black hair down his back, causing him to shake.

The boys are exiting the building now. Their jovial attitude cools upon seeing Sasuke shaking in the rain. They mutter indistinct goodbyes before slipping into their cozy cars. Before one can close the door, his mother squeezes her head out to smile at Sasuke.

"Does Sasuke need a ride, honey?" she asks her son, not taking her eyes off Sasuke. The boy peeks wearily out at his friend, a pained look on his face. Sasuke sees this and feels as if he has been kneed in the solar plexus. Suddenly, everything is painfully real to him and he turns from the car and its occupants. His brother is not coming to get him, no one is going to give him a ride, this is the aching truth and Sasuke knows it. His steps are uneasy as he walks on his cleats on the slick pavement. His parents would shriek at the sight of this, but they would only wail harder if he went home.

Sasuke does not know where to go. Not home, his parents will likely know by now. Calling a friend is out of the question. The last option is Sasuke's shining beacon of hope, of possible salvation.

Naruto lies on the couch in his living at an odd angle. His legs are up over the back of the sofa, his head upside down as he watches the television. An elongated yellow dog with joules and a boy with a green backpack fill the scream, lighting the darkened room. Naruto wears pajama pants he got when he was young. They are too tight around the crotch and end at mid-calf. He has been wearing them for the past few days during his quarantined existence. The green shirt he wears hangs down, nearly over his eyes, but he stops it by biting onto it. He is sixteen years old.

The show morphs into a commercial about fluffy toys and Naruto's interest is lost. He feels the pumping of the veins in his forehead and his suddenly curious about how he got into this position. He enjoys it and remains inverted in that oddly comfortable posture. The advertisement is a new one, this time urging the youthful audience to buy a CD by third-rate artists imitating the popular songs of the moment. Naruto scrunches his nose in distaste.

After three days of sick, fevered house arrest, Naruto feels he has been disconnected from the world. This could have to do with the fact that he has not seen his cell phone in all that time. He privately likes this, relishing in his alone time. It gives him a while to think, to think about a particular person. 'I wonder how Sasuke's doing?' He absently wonders to himself, instantly dismissing the idea of Sasuke being out of sorts without him. It makes him sad how distant Sasuke is. He almost wishes the guy would come crying to his doorstep.

Yet another thirty-minute interval has passed and the next episode of the outrageous show begins again. Naruto's attention is diverted as he mumbles along about Jake the dog and Finn the hu-man.

Outside, the rain is pounding on the roof hard enough to bounce back off. Sasuke is steaming with boiling rage as he trudges up the pathway to Naruto's front door. He wonders why he is here, but he resolves it to be that Naruto has been out of the loop recently and does not know. He is thankful for the cover over the door and notices the darkness of the window next to it. Sasuke's anger is shining hotter at the thought of Naruto not being there. 'He had better fucking be here.' He thinks with irritation as he leans to peek into the dimmed living room. A bright screen shines in the murkiness and relief spread through Sasuke.

He pounds on the door, musing about what his explanation will be. What can he say? He wants to sleepover? Sasuke thinks this is an awkward thing to say, even for himself. He looks over his shoulder into the sheets of rain for no reason while he waits for the door to open. As the moments pass, Sasuke is beginning to get angry again.

"Naruto!" He yells as he bangs his fist on the door. Naruto is so startled he slips from the couch to the hard ground with an "oof". He rubs his blond head as he gets to his feet.

"Who the hell?" He murmurs, shuffling to the door. As he opens it his breathing heart drops into his stomach. He has to force himself from slamming the door shut for fear but holds it open wide. "Sasuke, hey." He says in an embarrassed tone. Sasuke picks up on and looks at him strangely, hoping Naruto is not aware. Taking in Naruto's welcoming atmosphere and usual look of confusion on his face, Sasuke sees this as a good sign. He steps loudly into the house, rain dripping down from his sodden clothing to the floor. Naruto looks him up and down, worried. "Are you okay?"

"Nope. Can I use your shower?" Sasuke asks, dropping his sports' bag to the ground with a clunk and turns interested toward the television. "Adventure Time, really Naruto?" He says, a tinge of condescension to his tone. Naruto shrugs.

"Sure, use mine." Naruto scoops up the bag and leads Sasuke down a dark hall, the only sound is intense rain and the loud clacking of Sasuke's cleats. Naruto wants to ask but he doesn't, knowing Sasuke's reply would be a swift appearance of the middle finger. And that was just Naruto's favorite part of Sasuke's body. He opens the door to his room, not feeling even an ounce of discomfort. The two stand in middle of the mess of a room for a moment. "I'll loan you a pair of pants and a shirt." Naruto says, seeing how soaked both Sasuke's backpack and sports' bag are.

"Just nothing like that."

"What?" Naruto has no idea what he is talking about for a moment. Then he glances down at his fashionably atrocious pants. He reddens slightly and nods in assent. "You couldn't handle this." He says sarcastically, setting the bag on his unmade bed. An awkward moment passes, during which Naruto's eyes fix on the window above his bed. It is so late in the year that the sky is dark even though it is early in the evening. His face takes on a pensive look and Sasuke is transfixed by it. Never has he seen Naruto's brilliant eyes so somber.

"So," Sasuke says. "The clothing?" Naruto nods slowly and he steps over the crumbled shirts and pants strewn about the floor. As he feels around in his closet, Naruto speaks quietly over his shoulder, "What happened?" Sasuke tenses, not surprised Naruto has picked up on his mood. Sasuke can't bring himself to talk about it. 'No, not to him.' Naruto is turning around, holding out a nicer pair of jeans and a black v-neck shirt. "I'll be out there." He says in a quiet tone, exiting the room. Sasuke is overwhelmed with annoying gratitude toward him and watches Naruto slowly close the door behind him.

Sasuke lets out a low sigh and tightens his grip on the clothing in his hands. He brings the linens to his nose, breathing in deep. Sasuke tells himself he is only doing this to confirm that the clothing is actually clean. But the scents that belong solely to Naruto fill Sasuke's lungs and he is reminded of late nights of dreaming for the future and playful fights for bragging rights. 'Shit, if he only knew.'

Naruto listens for the running water of the shower and calms when he hears it. His face is painted by worry. Sasuke has not arrived at Naruto's house in years like this. He is convinced something has happened but a part of him doesn't want to know the truth. The truth will do something to the already degraded fragments of their friendship he is sure. The happy music of the show and elated chortles of the characters suddenly seems annoying and Naruto kills the power, darkening the room. He falls back on the couch, sinking into its tender caress. The light reflected on the ceiling from the porch light outside is flickering with the shadows of dripping rainwater. He watches its orange light with unbound interest, wondering if it will ever stop raining. Hoping it won't, because then Sasuke will not have a reason to leave.

By the time Sasuke moves silently down the hallway, it is long past the time he should be getting home. He wonders if his parents are missing him, likely, his brother, could care less. He powers down his cell phone, wanting to lose it in the rain after all the texts he has received over the past few days. As he slips the metal devil into his pocket, Sasuke is struck by the darkness of the house.

"Naruto?" He says into the seemingly empty house. The black v-neck he is wearing is thin and is not keeping warmth for him. The hems of the jeans are dragging slightly on the wooden floor and Sasuke is puzzled. Last time they measured, Sasuke had been taller. That was four months ago during their boring summer of hot, lazy days. It lasted until the beginning of August when he began soccer again, spending less and less time with Naruto.

Sasuke sees Naruto's barefoot hanging over the edge of the couch and instantly knows he is sleeping. His first thought is to push him off the sofa but instead, he simply watches, taking in the image of his dormant friend. His blond hair is more of a tussled mess than usual, Sasuke appreciates it better this way, even though will taunt him about it when he wakes up. Sasuke watches as Naruto's pink, exposed stomach rises and falls. His shirt is hiked up over his arm, which rests on his chest. Sasuke squeezes in by Naruto's feet, resting them on his lap, not caring anymore. He peeks back at Naruto's face, it is peaceful and quiet. Sleeping, Naruto seems so much younger in Sasuke's eyes, he is that little boy alone at the swing set again and Sasuke frowns.

When was the last time he actually spent time with his best friend? Sasuke has to think about it for a long moment, saddened by the realization. Of course it was not Naruto who drifted away, ignored Sasuke's calls, or did not attend Sasuke's soccer games. Sasuke is filled with shame and regret, the same feeling that has been dragging him down all day. Another lengthy sigh leaves Sasuke's lips as a hiss and he stretches his arms up above his head just as Naruto stirs.

"Hey," Sasuke greets. "Didn't I was worthy enough to stay up for?" Sasuke thinks about the words he's just said, cursing himself. Naruto pulls his knees closer to him and he yawns an apology.

"So, are you staying the night then?" Naruto asks, looking through the blackness in Sasuke's direction

"Yeah, hope you don't mind." Sasuke knows he doesn't mind but says this to be kind. Naruto's exposed teeth soon glow in the night. Movement tells Sasuke he is reaching for a light. "No, don't."

"Okay…" Naruto returns to his position and sits quietly. "What do we want to do? Marathon of some kind. If we're doing that I vouch for Lo—"

"Actually, I'd like to sleep."

"Sleep?" Naruto asks in a baffled tone. "But it's only six!"

"Yeah, can I use your bed?"

"Are you okay?"

"Can I use your bed?" Sasuke repeats. Naruto gives up and answers, "Fine, but don't do any weird shit in it." Though this comment is harmless, Sasuke can't help but feel stung by it. He says nothing more and gets up. Naruto breathes in like he's going to say something and Sasuke freezes.

"Sasuke, what happened? Is it serious?"

"You can decide that for yourself, you'll find out soon enough." Sasuke replies without skipping a beat. Naruto stares quizzically after Sasuke's shadow as he disappears down the hallway. 'Sasuke…'

!

Clang! Clang! Clang! The morning bus ride to school. Naruto does not have a car and Sasuke's hair is now completely wet because of that. Clang! The only sound on the bus, next to Naruto banging his foot against the metal bar under the seat before him, are the voices of the courageous few who can utter a single syllable on four hours' sleep. Clang! Sasuke slowly turns in Naruto's direction, a mask of irritation and annoyance. Clang! Naruto pays no attention to him as he peers out the window, a thoughtful look on his features.

Resignedly, Sasuke looks away; he is not going to ruin Naruto's morning prematurely. He begins to wish he took the inside seat Naruto offered earlier as people begin to steal glances at him. Clang! Naruto's music is now a faint whining as he sheds his headphones, studying his seat partner. Sasuke is slightly unsettled by the intensity of the gaze.

"What?" Sasuke snaps, giving a fleeting look at Naruto.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry about whatever's made you feel this way." He says in a quiet, gentle voice.

"You fags getting off the bus or what?" An obnoxious boy asks impatiently, tapping his foot on the wet floor. Sasuke winces, a deadly look spreading across his face. As he brings his backpack up Sasuke is sure to hit the boy in the chest with it. A flicker of comprehension passes over his face and Sasuke fears he knows. 'Why worry, it's going to happen anyway.'

Sasuke's first period is not shared with his blond friend, instead it is overwhelmingly filled with the enemy. Sasuke enters the room discreetly, having chosen to wear darker, forgettable clothing. His attempts at being unremarkable are pushed away as peoples' eyes land on him. He hates himself for not bringing his ipod to school the day before. He hates himself for many reasons. As he slides into his desk near the back a shadow of foreboding casts itself upon him. The cheery brunette who always tries so painfully hard to flirt with him is not even turning to look back at him.

'So this is how it's going to be?'

More drowsy students trickle into the classroom, taking their seats. The boy who's mother offered Sasuke a ride collapses into his squeaky chair dramatically. His desk is alongside Sasuke's and he doesn't even try to hide how openly he is staring. Before Sasuke can stop himself, he looks at the boy, instantly regretting it. The boy's face is blank instead of its customary visage of happiness. The boy's name is Andrew and he says nothing. Sasuke nods, ending their silent conversation.

By lunch, Naruto is worried. Everything is painfully normal, the usual suspects ignore him and the regular weirdos engage him in unwanted conversation. He has no money to spend though his stomach rumbles loudly, he's used to this. While other students flaunt their unnecessary expenditures in the forms of crappy metal, Naruto gazes up at the cloudy sky. It is bright gray, but the rain stopped ages ago. A crisp wind whips across the wide, open area of the outside commons of the school, causing Naruto to tense. He remembers Sasuke slipping on a thin sweatshirt this morning and shakes his head knowledgeably.

Naruto's fellow loners, the ones who come stumbling out of the back parking lot, run as best they can while high toward the school. He has always wondered what ganja smells like, chastising himself on not knowing the pungent aroma everyone else seems to relish. Though Naruto may dress like a slacker and loiter around the rear-end of the school, he could not hurt a fly. The closest time he has ever gotten in a fight was when he was younger during this innocent years just before the rude awakening that is puberty. Sasuke was there too, they were friends even back then. Naruto is hazy on the details regarding the means that brought about the fight.

They were laughing and happy, then the next moment rolling on the ground, tearing at each other's faces. It had been Naruto who first drew blood. With his young, bright eyes widened in alarm and disbelief, red droplets of a foreign liquid trickled down from Sasuke's cut cheek. They flowed down his face, sliding onto Naruto's flushed one. They were silent, gazing at the crimson in youthful amazement. It took a moment, but Sasuke realized his cut cheek stung and he lashed out at Naruto blindly.

Long story short, the two ended up with matching scratches and sterile white dressings to go with them.

Naruto fingers the subtle scars on his face. They are undetectable to anyone and everyone. All except Naruto and Sasuke. He stares blankly ahead, taking in the sight of the plain parking lot. He watches the druggie kids who think they are being elusive as they hand small plastic packages to each other. Naruto snorts at them, he can name any dealer or buyer at a moments' notice if necessary. He moves his line of vision to an old Volvo. Inside, a couple is trying their best at being romantically adventuresome. Based on the looks of revulsion on the girl's face, Naruto can see it is not going over well.

The music playing in his ears is a dull, hackneyed beat. He does not change the song, as he is intent on being immobile. To the endless tune of "uns, uns, uns…" and under the monotonous sky of slate, Naruto suddenly feels achingly lonely. As he leans away from the cool brick wall, his mind fills with the image of Sasuke, his only friend. Where is he now? 'Is he okay?'

!

Sasuke glares up at the clearing sky with disdain. As the clouds float away, darkness is falling, making the temperature drop significantly. The solid sound of a ball being kicked sends Sasuke's eyes back down to earth. He steels himself for the contact with the ball, letting his chest soften the ball's blow. It drops to the ground and he glances around his field of teammates quickly. No one is open for a pass, at least not yet. As a defensive player makes his swift way in Sasuke's direction, he makes a snapshot decision. Using his quickness to his advantage, Sasuke weaves past the defender with the ball, his head on a swivel for an open player. His searching is fruitless, no one is coming, no one will help him. With his attention diverted for just that one moment, the defender from before takes this time to slam into Sasuke. The two fall to the ground with a bone-crushing thud. As Sasuke groans from pain, the boy gets to his feet, an evil look on his face.

"Liked that, didn't you?" He grumbled, slinking away. One of the many coaches lopes over, a bored expression on his face. He holds out a hand for Sasuke to grasp. When he does not immediately accept the hand, the coach glares down at the hurt boy.

"C'mon Uchiha, stop your bitching, don't be a girl." The coach says in a condescending tone.

"That's cuz he is, coach." The same defender from before calls out, getting a wave of appreciation from the other players. Sasuke is on his feet, pushing past the coach before anyone can stop him. He has a look of concentration on his face and he lunges for him, his fists outstretched. His punch lands squarely on the guy's jaw, a resounding crack filling the air. As he falls to the ground, he brings Sasuke along with him. The two punch and crawl and kick at each other, making rough contact. Coaches and players pry the two apart, the defender yelling incoherently and pointing a shaking, bloody finger at him. Sasuke drags the back of his hand across his already swollen, bottom lip, glaring.

"Sasuke, you're off the team, get out of here!" Sasuke's favorite coach demands, a saddened look in his eyes.

"But coach! He—" Sasuke begins, stopping abruptly as he takes in the superior looks on peoples' faces. "Whatever, fuck it! Fuck you all! Especially you, fatass!" Sasuke yells, staring pointedly at the defender. He marches away, making a point of not turning around. His cheeks burn from the humiliation of punching one of school's best players and screaming at all of his past friends. 'Damn, that hurt.' Sasuke gingerly massages his jaw which is bloodied. He can imagine the bruising that will grow there.

With one backpack strap slung over one shoulder, the band on his sports' bag over the other. Sasuke does not even wait in the parking lot, at the miniscule likelihood his loser of a brother will show up offering a ride. Sasuke doesn't even want to approach his home for fear of what his mother will say at the sight of the blood and the words of quiet disapproval his father will murmur. And, only slightly surprised, he finds himself traveling in the direction of Naruto's house once again.