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Rehab for Stupidity
Chapter Prologue

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‘I’m back…’

“I see you managed to make it without getting spotted.”

'You thought you could get away...'

Kabuto handed the enigmatic man a pile of newspapers, all which had the same front page with the top story being the school. A smile crept across the face of the man who threw the paper down on his lap and chuckled at his plan’s success.

“If all goes well Sasuke should be expelled.” Kabuto pointed. “Isn’t that right…”

'You thought wrong...'

The man laughed harder.

“Orochimaru...”

Chapter Eight

Naruto at one point in his life had felt safe.

However that was long ago before he had learned how to speak or walk. He didn’t know if this time counted as well. His muscles were sore all over, disabling him from getting up and simply leaving from his position. And other than how lumpy the bed was he was surrounded by his friends and Iruka. No matter how uncomfortable he grew, he felt safe.

He was safe from Sasuke at least.

“I heard we still have to go to school!” Kiba exclaimed. “Even after some freaks tried to kill us all, that old hag Tsunade is still forcing us to go!”

Iruka stared hard at Kiba who in response decided to keep his mouth shut. Shikamaru lay helplessly on the couch as sleep threatened to consume him. The tired boy suddenly sat up, looking over to Chouji who looked very hungry. Smiling, the two head out. “We’ll catch you later, Naruto.” He called. Kiba looked at Naruto in approval.

“Go ahead.” The boy replied. Iruka was all that remained in the room and even then Naruto continued to feel safe. It didn’t matter as long as it meant not having to face that bastard. “Hey Iruka-sensei…” He called.

“Yes Naruto?”

“You didn’t come to see how I was doing…I mean I only got a few cuts but you came for something else right?” He asked. Iruka’s reaction had suddenly confirmed it all. The teacher scratched his chin, wondering how this boy had figured him out.

“It’s pretty stupid but…I’m afraid that when you leave the hospital you’ll have to go directly to Tsunade’s office. There’s been a slight misunderstanding about the whole bombing thing. They think that you’re behind it.” He replied. He half expected Naruto to jump up and down, yelling. Naruto only sat up, looking down at his hands.

“I didn’t do it.” He stated calmly.

Iruka opened his mouth until a knock came at the door.

A nurse of middle age stepped inside with a forced smile. “Naruto? You have another visitor.” She said. Naruto shot her a confused look. She only shrugged, letting in a dark figure from behind her. Naruto looked down.

“Hello Iruka-sensei, would you mind giving us some privacy?”

Iruka looked up at the enigma and nearly jumped. “Not at all…” He looked at Naruto before standing and leaving them both in the room.

Even then Naruto still felt safe.

“You woke up rather early than expected. I suppose it’s thanks to your high stamina.” Itachi said, sitting beside the blond. “I came here just to see how you were doing. You can’t imagine how worried sick my dear brother has been.”

Reddened by the cheeks Naruto had looked away. “What the hell does that bastard care?”

“More than we would know I suppose.” Itachi answered. After many years of being kept in silence Itachi suddenly felt like Naruto was the only one Sasuke would ever trust. He sighed, facing his decision and Naruto. “You won’t repeat this to anyone.” Itachi commanded.

Naruto was taken back.

Despite how nice Itachi always was to Naruto, the tone of his voice meant he was serious. “Unfortunately Sasuke had always been this cold, since our parents neglected us. But he was never this bad until last year, when he became the captain of the soccer coach. A man Orochimaru was the coach of the team.”

Where had Naruto heard the name before?

“Something happened that traumatized Sasuke. He came home once. He wasn’t willing to talk to anyone. I had called Hatake Kakashi to come over and investigate and it was he who Sasuke told. You see…Orochimaru had…taken advantage of Sasuke.” Naruto gulped. “Orochimaru…well, you know what I’m saying. Since then he was put behind bars. We kept this hidden from the media with money. It seemed unlikely to keep it a secret forever.”

Naruto looked down. So that’s what Sasuke had meant…

“Keeping this a secret from media seemed to have looked suspicious to the judge. He got out of jail not too long ago. He was bailed out, or rather someone proved him innocent. Everyone thought the Uchiha were getting back at him so they called the case a false accusation.”

“So what? Now he’s free to roam the streets!?” Naruto growled. “That’s totally not fair! That’s not realistic! How can they do this?” He asked. He couldn’t control his anger any further. Who would ever do this kind of thing to Sasuke?

“That’s our justice system for you. It has always been full of shit and corruption.” Itachi replied. Naruto liked the way Itachi cursed, as if he could say it without raising such alarm. Just the way the words flew out of his mouth amazed Naruto. “In any case don’t let Sasuke’s history make you think of him any different.” He said.

Naruto’s inability to speak was due to a grunt at the door.

“Why didn’t you tell me he was awake?”

Itachi stood. “Excellent timing little brother, I was just leaving.” He looked back at Naruto as if to repeat his statement from before, and head out to the door.

The two looked down in silence, unsure of what to say. Despite how rehearsed Sasuke was with his words it stopped him from saying them clearly because he needed to gather the courage to say them. Naruto turned his attention back to Sasuke who sat nearby but keeping his distance. Unsure of what to make of the distance the blond stayed quiet.

“I’m sorry.”

Sasuke’s head shot up at his apology.

“I know you hate to apologize so I did it.” Naruto replied. How would he let his pride come in between them when what was most important to Sasuke was their friendship. He stood, gently grabbing him by the chin.

“I’m sorry...for everything.” He took a step back. “For all the confusion I caused. I’m sorry for everything…so instead of trying to get you out of my life, I’m going to get out of yours.” His words hit Naruto like a knife had been plunged through his heart over and over.

…out of yours…

Naruto managed to plunge off the bed and onto the floor. He let out a yelp as he hit the floor. Sasuke forced himself to take a step back instead of helping. It killed him to see the one person he cared for in distress. To his surprise the collision against the floor did not stop Naruto from crawling his way towards him.

His hands wrapped around Sasuke’s ankles, refusing to let go. “Damn moron…let go!” Sasuke yelled. It was the first time he had ever let his anger show. He was furious that the idiot would still chase after him after everything he did. After how he had touched him against his will.

Someone who committed such an act shouldn’t be forgiven.

Ever.

Something suddenly hit Naruto.

Tears formed in the corner of his eyes as an impact hit his cheek, sending him inches away from Sasuke.

Sasuke’s eyes widened at what he had done.

Hurting Naruto was the last thing he wanted to do. It wouldn’t have been so bad if Naruto had yelled at him or kicked him out of the room. But he sat there, quietly as tears fell onto the floor.

Unable to apologize Sasuke turned.

Naruto felt his lungs burn. “Sasuke!” He called.

“If you don’t want to get hurt anymore then stay away from me…” He warned. “Uzumaki.”

Upon hearing those words Naruto’s world came crashing down.

And soon then after so did he.

Next Day

“Surely you can work things out brother.”

Sasuke felt the vein on his forehead threatening to pop as his older brother trailed behind him. Upon hearing Naruto’s crying in the room Itachi learned that Sasuke planned on transferring to another school. That would save them both the trouble of crossing each other in the halls if that were ever to happen.

“I’m going to miss having him around.” Itachi mumbled. They both walked inside Tsunade’s office that was currently being repaired after all the damage. What they walked in on was Tsunade’s look of distress as she was being scolded by different parents.

“He’s a monster! I don’t want my child coming to this school! We want you to expel him!”

Tsunade rubbed her temples. “As of now we have no proof that Uzumaki Naruto is responsible yet. He’s still recovering in the hospital and I don’t plan on questioning him until he’s released.” She took a breath. “Until then please don’t make any rash decisions.”

“Your decisions will get all the students killed! We can have you fired in two days!”

Sasuke approached them.

“You don’t have to question him. He was with me during the time of the explosion.” He defended. The mothers have always known Sasuke to be honest and serious. They looked at him, doubting him yet they took a step away from him.

Tsunade sighed in relief. Suddenly one of the P.A. members pointed, “He could have set it off at any time. At the moment of the explosion the boy as found in his soccer uniform, however his normal school shoes were found near the explosion.”

“How would you know they were his exactly?” Tsunade questioned. It wasn’t a matter of investigation for the P.A.; they would do anything to get rid of Naruto from the school. Even if that meant accusing him of something he wasn’t involved in. Upon realizing this Tsunade should have believed Naruto from the beginning in the first explosion.

The P.A. stumbled upon an obstacle.

Sasuke rolled his eyes, knowing very well that even if Naruto was proven guilty the P.A. would use Naruto’s reputation against him. Knowing that Naruto would take the blame, Sasuke suddenly had an idea. Itachi might as well been the only one to see the light bulb hanging over Sasuke’s head.

“That’s actually why I’m here.” Sasuke began. Well if he was going to transfer out he might as well do it the easy way.

“I was the one who planted the bomb.”

Tsunade blinked.

“Are you sure?” Tsunade asked. “The consequences of these actions are severe including getting expelled and possibly a law suit against you.”

“Well I’m just gunna have to get a good lawyer, aren’t I?” Sasuke asked. Tsunade’s eyes twitched, displeased with Sasuke’s cocky attitude. Her attention turned towards Itachi who stood there grinning.

“Don’t you want to have a say in this?” She asked. Itachi shook his head.

“The boy confessed it.” He replied. Sasuke knew Itachi was aware of his plans. Tsunade must have had a clue since she was trying to prove Sasuke innocent. She knew it was nether Sasuke or Naruto who planted the bomb, but the P.A. would push for the investigation further if someone didn’t confess now. If no one did it Naruto might’ve.

“We’re dropping all charges.” They quickly added. “No sense in trying to convict an Uchiha.”

Tsunade nodded.

She never thought she would have to say this to Sasuke Uchiha. “Right. Uchiha Sasuke, clean your locker and office.” She instructed. “You’re expelled.”

Sasuke nodded.

“So it’s done.”