Laughter echoed through the room – loud, happy and boisterous. Every time Naruto Uzumaki throws a get together, it's always the same. He puts on a fake, overly polite smile and welcome people into his home – friends and other members of society's highest greet him as they step inside. He does everything right. He's used to it by now. Funny, he never thought the day would come.

Temari Sabaku saunters through with her fiancé, Shikamaru Nara. She gives Naruto a smile and asks, "How are you holding up?"

"I'm all right," he tells her as they enter the lively living room. A total lie, but he has a difficult time being honest. He's not sad for the reasons he should be. For some reason, he just feels hollow and perhaps it's worse than feeling sad.

As always, Temari sees right through him but she doesn't push or pry. "Have you had time to purify the house yet?"

"No," he murmurs.

"He died, Naruto," she says gently. "You're allowed to mourn. It's only been a week. You don't need to throw a party to compensate. We can do the purification ritual, if you'd like. It's best to get it done quickly, you know."

Beside her, Shikamaru nods. "Just say the word and we'll kick everyone out and get straight to it."

"I'm fine," he promises, forcing a smile. "He wasn't even my real father."

"But you still cared," Temari says softly. "He raised you, after all. He took you out of the slums and he raised you. Out of every child he could have chosen, he chose you... a boy from the filthiest part of this grimy city."

Naruto lets out a bitter laugh. "He said I was special... that I had potential. I don't know why. He said he saw himself in me."

"He built himself an empire and now that empire belongs to you," Shikamaru reminds him. "You're a man now. You can handle it."

And it's true. Naruto has grown up. He's no longer the wiry child, sickly and malnourished. He no longer has to struggle to find food. He has meat on his bones and it's on all the right places. He's tall and handsome with broad shoulders, unruly blond hair and a kind smile. But just like most people, he has a mean streak and he likes to hide it behind that convincing grin.

"What a joy," Naruto murmurs. "Now everyone can blame me for the pollution the laboratories and drug factories shit out."

"Don't be bitter," Temari nudges him.

"I'm not," Naruto insists. "I'm thankful. Honestly, I am. He gave me everything... things I never even asked for. I could never have even hoped to return it."

"He never expected you to," the blond girl reasons gently.

Naruto shakes away the negative thoughts, clapping his hands together. "Anyway," he decides to promptly change the subject. "Your brothers are already here. Liquor is in the kitchen. What can I get you?"

||XxXx||

Across the city, the night is alive. The slum streets are crowded, the vendors are busy and the brothels are full. Sasuke Uchiha sits in front of the vanity in his room, staring at himself through the mirror. He turns to the side and frowns at the serial code on his upper back, symbolizing his status – or lack thereof. His hair is stuck up in the strangest angles, but it can never be tamed. He removes the pins, letting dark, feathery strands fall freely on his forehead. His skin is paler than usual and his lips are bruised from being bitten and kissed with force. There are dark circles around his eyes and the bags are growing prominent. "That won't do," he murmurs to himself, using make up to conceal the evidence of his stress and anxiety. He lets out a deep, calm breath, giving himself a final once-over to make sure he has his appearance in order. He straightens his robe before standing up and surveying the room. The canopy bed is made, decorated in rich, dark colors. The paintings on the walls are straightened. The wooden floors are swept and the rug is spotless. The closet door is closed and the nightstand has but a dimly lit phermonal candle. Everything is in perfect order.

Sasuke nods to himself. He's ready.

No more than a minute later, there is a knock on his door. He approaches the door and opens it, giving the man on the other side a welcoming smile.

"Sasuke," he greets flatly.

"It's nice to see you again," Sasuke says in a light, even tone, allowing his regular client inside. As soon as the door is closed, he is swept into a rough kiss. With one swift movement, his robe is torn off and he's pressed with his chest against the wall. He spreads his legs apart, giving easier access. He oiled up beforehand, knowing that most people don't like to take the time to be cautious. After all, those who fuck for pay are expendable. He lets out a string of convincing moans, even though he's not receiving any pleasure from the rough treatment.

When it's over, he's left alone. He didn't come, but he doesn't mind. He almost finds it easier when the people on top of him don't expect him to. He bends down and picks up his robe, putting it back on and making himself decent. He sits down at his vanity again and eyes himself, gritting his teeth as he removes the make-up he put on mere minutes ago. He wipes it off roughly, causing the bags under his eyes to swell. He lets out a shaky sigh, balling his fists and trying to stay calm. He can feel his nails digging into the palm of his hands. He's angry. He's angry. He's so fucking angry... but he can't afford to be angry. He needs to stay calm. He needs to maintain that air of ethereality. He needs to be beautiful and perfect and submissive.

A moment later, there's another knock at his door. Before he can stand to answer it, the door opens revealing Koharu Utatane, the brothel owner. Sasuke Uchiha lets out a sigh, unconsciously adjusting his robe to cover his chest more modestly.

"My dear boy," the old woman says.

"Madame," he greets her softly, bowing his head respectfully as he rises to his feet.

"No need for formalities," she insists, standing in front of him. She brings a hand up to touch his face and he tries not to shudder at the contact. "I've already told you, you're free to call me Mother. I've had you since you were seven years old. It's only fitting."

"Mother, then," Sasuke corrects himself. The word tastes foul on his tongue. It sounds forced and meaningless.

"Beautiful," Koharu exhales, reaching for the tie on Sasuke's robe. He stands still and free of emotion as the fabric slides off his shoulders and pools at his feet, leaving him bare. He feels his heart pounding in his chest, making his limbs go numb. He knows where this is going. "I was watching you on the camera during your last visit," she says. "How far you've come... I couldn't help but recall the shy child who was brought to my door so many years ago. You're a man now. Truly."

He says nothing. He stares at her with cold and stony eyes – the woman who is supposed to be his mother, the woman who is supposed to take care of him. She's never taken care of him. If anything, she's done her best to break him.

"Lie down," she says. "I'll help you calm yourself. I know you well enough to know when you worry and even if that wasn't the case, the bags under your eyes prove me right. You haven't been sleeping."

"No, I –" the brunet starts hoarsely, only to be cut off.

"I insist," she soothes, putting a palm to his chest and forcing him to move towards the bed.

Sasuke presses his pink lips together and does as he's told. He lies down on his mattress and remains silent as her hands move up his legs, massaging his limbs. He tries to get lost in the sensation, but it's hard, especially as her hands travel elsewhere. He grows rigid and she whispers, "Relax."

Relax.

Relax.

Just relax.

The word echoes in his mind. His stomach churns. No matter how many times it happens, this is something he'll never get used to. There's a faraway look in his eyes before he squeezes them shut. It's been this way since he turned fourteen and he knows how wrong it is, but he chokes. He can't speak. He can't tell her to stop because he's learned what happens when you protest. He can feel his stomach tightening. It always takes such a long time for him to come, but when he does, he's quiet. His breath hitches and he exhales slowly. He feels the mess being wiped off and only once the evidence is gone does he open his eyes.

"I need to speak with you about something important," Koharu says, softening. "There's been a death."

Sasuke doesn't react. He simply nods and stares at her with dull eyes, waiting for an answer. Somehow, he sensed it. He often does. Call it a talent, or perhaps it's something more.

"Sai is gone," she whispers and Sasuke feels like he just got smacked. It feels like someone dug their hand into his chest and wrapped their fist around his heart, squeezing tightly. Deaths rarely catch him off guard, but he feels like he's suffocating.

"What...?" his voice breaks and he sits up. "No..."

"Yes," Koharu says unemotionally. "I'm sorry."

"How?" Sasuke asks, needing to know.

"It was self-inflicted," she reveals evenly. "You are forbidden to leave your room today, Sasuke. Stay inside."

"Why?" he nearly begs, not understanding why things need to be the way they are.

She doesn't answer.

Sasuke lets out a silent gasp, covering his mouth with the back of his hand in an attempt to stifle his grief. Koharu leaves him without another word. Once she's gone, he allows himself to unravel. "No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no..." He took a pillow and held it to his chest, pressing his face into it.

||XxXx||

Naruto lets out a groan. By now, everyone has left. Everyone except for Gaara Sabaku. He stays. He always stays. Naruto is drunk off of one too many whiskies and Gaara is here to witness it all, never minding that Naruto gets violent when he has too much. Usually, it's the wine coolers, but tonight he went heavy and hard. He wasn't always like this. When his father was alive, he was never allowed to drink. Now there's no one stopping him. Headaches come and go and he's never sure if it's the alcohol or something else entirely. He's too strong for his own good and sometimes it takes a turn for the worst.

"How long's it been?" the blond asks, sitting on the sofa next to the redhead.

"Two months," the other man murmurs flatly.

"Fuck," Naruto states. "It feels longer than that."

"Trust me, I know. I feel like I've been mourning for years."

"There's been too many deaths," the blond sighs.

"Yes, far too many."

"You miss him," Naruto adds. It's not a question, but a simple fact.

"Every fucking day," Gaara whispers. "But you do, too, don't you? You loved him just as much as I did."

"I loved him in a different way," Naruto murmurs. "He was like... a brother."

Gaara sighs. "I told him not to enter the slums. Bad things happen when people who don't live in the slums go there... but he didn't listen. He wanted to help... He wanted to help so fucking badly."

"My father sent him in," Naruto mutters. "Even if he didn't want to go, he wouldn't have been able to refuse the order. There are pros and cons to being the right hand to one of the most powerful men in this shithole of a city... but I guess the cons were worse... I guess my old man got what he deserved, though, huh?"

"I suppose so," Gaara agrees, not giving Naruto any sympathy. He knows it's unneeded.

"Your fiancé... He was a good person," Naruto says gently. "Better than the piece of shit he served... My dad, hell... My dad was a bad man. And me? I'm no better. I'm not a good person."

"I don't care," Gaara states.

"I know you don't."

As they fall into a comfortable silence, the redhead turns to stare at Naruto – the handsome, tall, blond man who has grown colder as the years went by. Gaara leans forward and kisses him and he doesn't hesitate to kiss back. Naruto urges the redhead's lips apart and explores the warm cavern of his mouth. He tastes like liquor, cigarettes and fire.

"Fuck me," Gaara demands, pulling back.

As always, Naruto complies. However; this time, unlike last, they take it to the bedroom. Gaara unbuttons his shirt before removing it and setting it neatly on the chair in the corner of the room. Next, he reaches for his belt buckle. Naruto follows in suit, undressing himself. Once bare, Gaara settles on the mattress while Naruto fishes for the lubricant in his nightstand. He opens the cap, pouring a generous amount into his hand and coating his cock. He settles between the redhead's parted thighs and pushes in with little warning. Gaara tenses before forcing his body to relax. Naruto continues thrusting. He doesn't wait for a go-ahead. He doesn't ask if Gaara is okay, but Gaara doesn't mind. He prefers it this way. That's why he chose Naruto. That's why he stays.

They've been doing this for the past two months – since Gaara's fiancé was killed. It's always the same. Each moan sounds like a sob. He always sounds like he's crying. Naruto never questions it. For that, Gaara is thankful.

Gaara comes first. It takes Naruto a long time, since he's drunk, and by the end Gaara's body feels as numb as his mind. Naruto pulls out and then flops lifelessly onto the bed next to him. Gaara stands up, walking to the bathroom and growing immensely conscious of the semen dripping down his thigh. He quickens his pace and cleans off lazily before returning to Naruto's room. He picks up his clothing, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a lighter and a pack of cigarettes. He takes one, putting it between his lips and lighting it before joining Naruto on the bed. "Here," he says, handing the cigarette to the blond.

Naruto takes a puff before passing it back to the redhead. "I wonder what would happen if I went back to the slums," he murmurs, leaning against a pillow. "Would I end up dead, too?"

"Don't go there," Gaara whispers, doing the same. "No one is forcing you."

"I was born there," Naruto continues. "I have a few good memories. I had a cousin... Karin... and a friend named Kiba. There was also this girl I used to play with sometimes... we never really got along, but I remember secretly thinking she was pretty, even though she pissed me off sometimes. I wanted to keep her safe because she saved me once."

Gaara forces a flat smile. "Do you remember her name?"

Naruto shakes his head. "I can't barely remember her face. Sometimes I lie awake at night and try to remember... but I can't. All I can recall is her dark, dark eyes. They were... fuckin' mesmerizing. I wonder where she is now."

"Is that why you want to go back?" Gaara asks knowingly. "You want to try and find her?"

Naruto chuckles bitterly. "It's a stupid dream, right? But it's a dream I've had for a long fucking time. I don't know why. I don't know what made her so special, but somehow, she drew me in. Out of every person I came in contact with in the slums, she's one of the few I remember fondly. I had other friends... but this girl was the one who kept my attention. Most of life was just... running away from traffickers and stealing shit from markets."

"Sounds rough," Gaara says airily.

"It was," the blond continues, understanding that Gaara isn't the type to offer sympathy even when he feels it. "Nonetheless, it was what I was used to. Then I was whisked away from it all and given the life so many slum kids dream of. I'm still not used to it. I have plumbing, a warm bed, and a place to cook. I have money to buy trivial things. I have money to waste while others have none. I have a big house I don't need. It seems ridiculous. I was forbidden to venture to the slums. My father said it was too dangerous. Like you said, no one is forcing me, but now no one is stopping me either."

"I know," Gaara sighs. He takes one last puff of his cigarette before smothering it in the glass ash tray on Naruto's nightstand. Naruto doesn't smoke often, but he keeps the ash tray there for nights like these.

"What do you want in life?" Naruto asks out of the blue.

"Neji," Gaara whispers weakly. "I want to be with Neji."

"He's dead," the blond reminds him tactlessly.

"Then I want to be dead, too."

"Is that why we do this?" Naruto asks him. "Is that why you let me hurt you?"

Gaara closes his tired eyes and doesn't say a damn word.

||XxXx||

Dressed in silk pajamas, Sasuke makes his way down the hallway and knocks on the familiar room. When there's no answer, he walks inside. He lets out a sigh, soaking up the familiarity. Everything is the same, apart from the smell. It no longer smells like Sai. It smells like incense. It's strong and bitter. They must have purified the room already.

"Hi..." he says aloud. His voice cracks and he lets out a breath before clearing his throat. "Goodnight."

He closes his eyes for a moment, wishing he had the courage to say goodbye. Instead, he shuts the door and continues down the hallway, knocking on a different door. This time, it opens and Sakura Haruno immediately throws her arms around him, sobbing into his shoulder. Sasuke isn't one for affection, but for once in his life, he doesn't push the girl away. "He's dead!" she cries.

"I know," Sasuke whispers flatly, placing a hand on her back and awkwardly patting her. "I'm sorry."

"I l-loved him," she continues to sob, hiccupping and choking on the words that leave her grief-stricken mouth.

"I know you did," Sasuke murmurs. He continues holding her, almost as if he's trying to hold her together. Eventually, she quiets and they separate. She dries her wet cheeks and sniffles.

"I still had to work tonight," Sakura reveals miserably. "I couldn't do it, though. I started sobbing halfway through. I tried so hard not to, but I couldn't hold it in."

Sasuke frowns at the lack of sympathy they're given. "That's cruel of them. They should have given you time to mourn."

"I got a scolding from Koharu and my first strike," she adds. "She said crying is bad for business and told me to stop."

"Tch," Sasuke clicks his tongue. "She allowed me to grieve... but I suppose that, unlike you, I wasn't with a customer."

Sakura wrinkles her nose. "You're her special pet. She probably felt you up before telling you the real reason she came to see you."

"Yeah," Sasuke admits, unconsciously wrapping his arms around himself.

"Disgusting," the girl murmurs.

"It's this or the streets," Sasuke reasons simply. "Not that we really have a choice... but I think I'd still choose this. I don't want to die."

Sakura nods hopelessly. "I feel the same way." After a long pause, she lets out a shuddery sigh. "You know... me and Sai had dreams about leaving this place. I don't think he really wanted to die. I think he just got stuck in a moment of overpowering sadness. Why else would he leave me?"

"Yeah," Sasuke says weakly.

"He didn't grow up in the slums like we did," Sakura continues talking, but Sasuke doesn't mind. He knows she probably needs to let these things out. "His mother was a slave. She died giving birth and he was raised a slave. His master died when he was sixteen. He was taken here immediately."

"Awful," Sasuke murmurs.

"Yeah," she whispers, "he said his master spoke a lot and he learned things. He heard stories about what the world used to be like – green trees rich with dirt, blue skies and clear oceans with sandy beaches. I can hardly imagine it in my head, but it sounds nice."

"It paints a pretty picture," the brunet man agrees.

Sakura closes her glassy eyes. "He said he felt sick," she weakly admits. "I thought he meant he had a stomach ache or something... but I guess he meant his mind, not his body."

"Sick?" Sasuke questions.

The girl nods. "I went to see him earlier, but he said he was feeling sick, so he went to sleep."

Sasuke bites his lip. "Oh."

"You look like him, you know," she points out softly. She reaches a hand forward, touching one of Sasuke's cheeks.

"I've been told," he murmurs, not wanting Sakura's former crush on him to return. Sometimes he wonders if the pink haired girl ever truly fell out of love with him. It's a vain thought, but sometimes he can't help but think she only settled for Sai because Sasuke could never return her feelings.

"Koharu once said that he could have been as expensive as you if he had all his parts," she adds. "Nobody wants a broken boy."

Sai was forced to live with the physical consequences of his enslavement. It came in the form of missing fingers – a cruel punishment he was forced to endure each time he stepped out of line.

"You wanted him," Sasuke mentions.

She lets out a laugh that sounds like a sob and says, "Yeah... yeah, I did... and now he's gone."

"Yeah..." is all Sasuke says and Sakura draws away.

"Do you know why all the bed sheets are a dark, rust color?" Sakura asks offhandedly. Before Sasuke can respond, she continues, "It's because it's the same color as dried blood. They don't care about us here. We make them money, but that's it. If we bleed, they don't want to have to clean it up."

"Cruel," he murmurs, but it doesn't surprise him.

It makes him think of the Red Room and he has to make a conscious effort not to cringe.

||XxXx||

From her office, Koharu watches Sakura and Sasuke converse through the cameras installed in the high corner of each room. There's a grim look on her face as they speak freely of forbidden topics.

"Madame, you called," Anko Mitarashi asks as she enters the room, dressed in a white blouse and a pencil skirt.

"Yes," Koharu's lips curl back into a grimace as she stands. "Separate Sakura Haruno from Sasuke Uchiha. She's telling him things he doesn't need to know... things she shouldn't even know." She walks towards a cupboard, opening it to reveal an array of whips.

"May I choose?" Anko asks giddily.

"Of course, my dear," Koharu smiles at her protégé.

Anko lets her fingers ghost across them until she reaches the largest whip. "This one," she decides, picking it up. It weighs heavy in her hands.

"Give it to the dog," Koharu says. "He'll do your dirty work."

"Yes, ma'am," Anko bows her head before leaving. On her way out, she grabs Kiba Inuzuka - Koharu's newest recruit. "Come, puppy," she commands in a simpering tone, nodding for the shaggy-haired brunet to follow her. "I have a job for you."

Kiba's jaw tightens as he trails after her. "What is it?"

"We've got a couple rule breakers," she says, glancing at him from the corner of her eye. "That's your forte, correct? Punishment..."

"Fine... Who was it?" Kiba asks, tersely accepting the gruesome task.

"Sakura and Sasuke," she says, smirking as the brunet guard pales.

"I'm not hurting a girl," he murmurs. "It's against my morals."

Anko lets out a weary sigh, having been through this with him once already. "Male or female, it doesn't matter. If someone deserves to be punished, then you need to carry it out otherwise Madame will throw you back out onto the streets. Women aren't fragile creatures, Kiba. Don't pull this shit. It's your choice. You can do this or you can drink dirty water and crap in a hole in the ground for the rest of your life, which I'm sure will be short if you're back on the streets."

Kiba lets out a low growl. "Fine," he hisses. "Just stop fucking talking."

She smiles, satisfied. She continues to lead him downstairs and through a narrow hallway. Without knocking, she opens the door to Sakura's room. By now, Sasuke is gone and she's sitting alone on her bed. She glances up when the door opens, a look of fear in her eyes. Upon their entry, she rises to her feet.

"You know why we're here," Anko says to her before glancing at Kiba. She hands him the whip and adds, "Do your worst, then go to the boy's room."

Kiba gives a solid nod, feeling a dull ache in his chest. His heart is too large for a job this cruel. Anko closes the door on her way out. When she's gone, Sakura takes a step back as Kiba takes a step forward.

"Kiba," she says his name. "I heard you were here, but I didn't quite believe it."

"Sakura..." he murmurs in return. "It's been a while... almost fifteen years. I saw you in the hallway when I first got here... I'd recognize your hair from anywhere."

"Why didn't you come say hi?" she asks.

He smiles bitterly. "I don't want to make friends in here. It'll only make my job harder."

"My face isn't the only familiar one you'll see in here," she warns him.

"I assumed as much," he mutters.

"So, what are you going to do to me?" she whispers the question, unable to bring her frightened voice to sound stronger. She stares at him, taking note of his size and appearance. He could easily overpower her and even if that wasn't the case, there's never a point in trying to escape. You always get caught and punished even worse.

"I'm... I don't want to hurt you," Kiba tells her quietly, so the cameras won't pick up the confession.

Sakura relaxes slightly. "But you have to," she says knowingly. She removes the robe from her shoulders so it hangs around her waist, then she bends over her bed and leaves her bare back exposed. "Go ahead, then."

Kiba's throat feels raw as he hovers over the girl. "Scream," he tells her hoarsely before raising the whip and swinging.

||XxXx||

On the other side of the door, Anko gives a satisfied smile upon hearing Sakura's high-pitched shrieking. "So, the dog is actually doing his job," she whispers to herself before turning down the hallway. She enters Sasuke's room and spots him sitting in front of the vanity, staring at himself. He's always staring at himself. "You must be vain," she calls him out on it.

"How?" he asks, not bothering to turn around and face her. Instead, he eyes her reflection in the mirror.

"All you do is stare at yourself," she explains tartly. "All day, every day... you're staring at yourself... either that or getting fucked.

"Hm," he muses humourlessly.

"I used to be where you are," Anko reminds him. "If you behave, you can move up from this. You can have a nice room and not have to shame yourself for it."

Sasuke's jaw tightens and he finally turns around. "I'm not shaming myself."

Anko lets out a cold laugh. "Ah... ah... ah...!" she emits a string of facetious moans. "Oh, that feels so good! More... more...!" She lets out another laugh. "Familiar?"

"I don't sound like that," Sasuke bites out.

She shrugs her shoulders lightly. "We all sound like that," she insists. "Loud, wanton and pathetic. Hey, I'm sure you're pretty convincing, but I know better because, like I said, I've been where you are. I know all the tricks. I know how hard you need to try to pretend you're loving it even when it starts to burn and bleed. Sometimes it hurts so bad you go numb, but when it's all over the blood leaking down your thigh is a reminder."

Sasuke scoffs at her. "Don't pretend you know me. You don't know me, you just think you do."

"You know," she starts offhandedly, not swayed by his bitterness. "Everyone is in love with you. Your clients grow obsessed and your friends are enamored by your beauty."

"I know," is all he says.

"But they don't see what I see," she laughs callously. "You're not capable of feeling things, are you?"

"You know that's a lie," he says, standing up. "Now, why are you here?"

"You left your room without permission," Anko reminds him. "You were explicitly told not to and Madame knows. The dog is coming to put you in your place. He's with Sakura right now." Sasuke frowns and Anko smiles, reading his reaction. "There's going to be a crackdown," she informs him. "Madame is getting sick of the rules being broken. She explicitly told you not to leave your room but you still did."

Sasuke ignores her, causing her to grow angry. Soon, there is a knock on the door. Anko opens it, allowing Kiba inside. A moment later, she stomps off without a word.

Kiba stares at Sasuke, who stares back. "Here to hurt me?" he asks after many long minutes of silence.

Kiba presses his lips together, staring at the camera in the corner of the ceiling with his peripheral vision. He knows Koharu is watching and waiting for him to make the first strike.

"It's big," Sasuke notes, eyeing the whip. "It could tear right through me, you know."

Kiba doesn't respond. He continues eyeing the robed male. Sasuke slips a hand beneath the fabric covering his shoulder, letting it slip off. Just as he is about to expose his back, Anko returns with something clenched in her fist.

"Use this instead," she commands, shoving a paddle into Kiba's hand.

Sasuke pulls his robe back over his shoulder and frowns. "What is that for?" he asks.

"Since you can't seem to stay off your feet, this will ensure that you won't be taking any leisure walks for quite a while," she tells him simply. "Now lie down and take it, sweet-cheeks."

Sasuke lies down on his bed, accepting his fate. He closes his eyes and when the first hit comes, he feels a sharp stinging sensation in his feet. It runs up his legs and makes him want to gasp, but he suppresses it. He's hit again and again until he no longer can. He lets out a pained scream, trying not to curl his toes. That will only break them. Soon, the sensation grows numb and it no longer hurts. Sasuke lets out many shallow breaths and Kiba stops, giving him a piteous stare.

"Beautiful," Anko says with a perverse smile, inspecting the damage before she goes. This time, she doesn't return.

Sasuke sits up slowly and tries to stand, but his legs immediately give out as pain shoots through his limbs. He lets out a series of pained gasp, turning one of his feels over to examine the damage. His feet are raw, red and bleeding. He emits a whimper, though he tries to suppress it.

Kiba is still staring at him, giving him that same, sad look. He bends down and lifts Sasuke up bridal style before laying him back on his bed. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," Sasuke says, taking a deep breath. His eyes are glassy, but he isn't going to cry. He hasn't in a long time. He can't start now. "You're new at this, aren't you?"

"How can you tell?" Kiba asks.

"Others don't mind beating and whipping," Sasuke murmurs. "Some even come to enjoy it... When put in a position of power, people can grow incredibly cruel."

"Oh..." is all the shaggy-haired male says.

"What's your name?" Sasuke asks.

"Kiba... Kiba Inuzuka." As he says his name, he notices a strange expression flit across Sasuke's face, but it's gone before he can question it. Nonetheless, he can't help but feel that there's something familiar about the smaller man.

"All right," he says. "My name is Sasuke."

"Y-yeah... It's nice to meet you..." Kiba says slowly, offering his hand.

Sasuke smiles a strange smile, taking it and holding it briefly. "You, too..." he says before letting go. "And just so you know, it gets easier... though perhaps that's what you're afraid of, no?"

Kiba gives a solemn look before leaving. With the weapons in his hand, he returns to Koharu's office. He tries to swallow his emotions. He's been doing it since he was pulled off the streets and brought here. That was only two short weeks ago. He tries to convince himself that it could be worse. It could be so much worse. He could have been forced into prostitution like the men and women he's forced to lash. He could be out in the streets again. He could be drinking polluted water and dying of some unknown disease... but he's not. He has a bed and a bath and a place to eat. He has a place to call home, even though it doesn't feel much like it.

Koharu welcomes him with a smile, but he only frowns in response. "I know, I know," she whispers soothingly, touching his cheek. "It's hard, isn't it? It's hard to punish people. It's hard to be the bad guy... but you did so well. It gets easier."

And, just as Sasuke said, that's what Kiba fears the most.

||XxXx||

Later, Ino Yamanaka makes her way to the room of Sakura Haruno. Her long, blond hair is tied in a bun atop her head and she's wearing a white coat over her black dress.

Upon entrance, she announces her presence and Sakura sits up in bed, welcoming her appearance with gratitude. The young healer approaches her bedside and Sakura bares her back. Ino brushes the pink hair over the front of her shoulders before examining the wounds with a careful eye "These are so shallow," she notices. "They aren't even bleeding."

"Kiba didn't hurt me as much as he could have," Sakura admits. "He just told me to scream so it would sound like he did worse than he did. Anko didn't stay to watch and you know the cameras are grainy."

"Wow," she whispers. Nonetheless, she gets straight to disinfecting the cuts just to be safe.

"Have you seen Sasuke yet?" Sakura asks, suppressing a shudder at the burning sensation of the rubbing alcohol against her torn skin.

"Not yet," Ino says. "I'm seeing him next."

"You should have went to him first," Sakura murmurs.

"Why?" the blond nurse questions.

"He's probably way worse off than I am... He was screaming louder than me... I heard it from here. I... I've never heard him sound like that before. It had to be real..."

Ino frowns at that. "You two need to stop. I know you're friends, but it's not worth risking your safety over."

"Sai died, Ino," Sakura mentions bitterly. "Sasuke came to see if I was all right."

"It's strange to imagine him caring," Ino admits. "He's usually so cold."

"He's not as mean as he acts," the pink haired girl insists. "He just has a lot of anger. Understandable, right? I'm angry, too and I'm sure you would be angry as well if you were stolen off the street and forced into this."

"I know," Ino whispers, knowing the other girl is right. She can't possibly know what it's like. She wasn't forced into doing anything. She was simply offered a high paying job and she took it. Now she spends her time as a healer, cleaning up other people's messes. "I'm sorry." Sakura closes her eyes, waiting patiently for Ino to finish. "You know relationships are forbidden," the blond girl adds cautiously.

"We were always quiet," Sakura whispers.

"That doesn't matter... people always find out. Koharu has eyes and ears everywhere. She probably knew yo were with Sai." Ino lets out a sigh, continuing to speak quietly. "It was dangerous of you both."

"What are you trying to say?" Sakura questions in a tone just as soft.

"I think you know," Ino murmurs, collecting her things. "I'm finished. I hope you heal quickly." Without another word, she promptly walks out of the room, leaving the pink-haired girl with something to think about.

Ino continues down the hallway to Sasuke's room. When she turns inside, she's greeted with a sight far more gruesome than the shallow cuts on Sakura's back. "Ino," Sasuke greets flatly.

"I'm sorry I couldn't come sooner," she apologizes.

"It's fine," he murmurs.

"Ah," Sasuke says. He sits up and Ino begins disinfecting promptly. He's shaking, but he doesn't make a sound as she bandages his torn up feet. "Does it hurt to walk?" she asks him.

"Yeah," he scoffs. "I can't even stand... but this is what I get, I suppose. I was told not to leave my room, but I still did and this is my punishment. Now I won't be able to leave my room for a while."

"Tsk," Ino clicks her tongue. "That's so cruel... What was used?"

"A paddle," Sasuke murmurs. "It felt more like a grater..."

Ino frowns sympathetically. "And to do this much damage..." she trails off. "It must have taken a long time."

"Ha..." Sasuke gives a flat, humourless laugh. "It did."

"Who did it?" she questions further. "Kiba?"

"Yes," Sasuke confirms. "He did it and Anko stood in the room and watched to make sure he did the desired damage."

"She's so sadistic," Ino whispers, sighing at the unfairness of it all.

"Hn..."

Ino forces a bitter smile as she finishes wrapping Sasuke's damaged feet. "I hope you heal quickly."

"I will," Sasuke promises.

Ino nods and bids him a goodnight before leaving, quietly rushing down the narrow hallway.

||XxXx||

The following morning, Naruto awakes with a migraine. Nonetheless, he forces himself to get out of bed and he stares out the window. The sky is darkened, but that's typical. Sometimes, he feels like the sun may come crashing down and burn every sad soul living on this rotten planet. He wouldn't mind. He continues to stare, wondering if the world will continue to purge and vomit an endless cycle of war and sickness and sin.