CHAPTER 24: The Untold Truth ⚠️

A/N: Hello people!So this chapter took me a long ass time to write because I was unsure of how to approach the storytelling of this.(・・;)Also, there are no ⚠️ signs in between, so forgive me 🫣

The room fell into heavy silence as Sasuke waited for an answer with bated breath. His hands were now clenched into fists, and his nails were painfully piercing the skin on his palms, but he didn't care.

Meanwhile, Kiba and Shikamaru were left to make a tough decision. They knew that it was not fair for Sasuke to be kept in the dark after what happened, but they were simultaneously questioning themselves.

'Are we the right people to tell this to him?'

'Shouldn't Naruto be the one telling him?'

'Will Naruto be mad at us if we tell him?'

And many more doubts swirled in their brains. They kept silent for about ten minutes before Sasuke chose to speak once again.

"Don't worry, if Naruto is mad at you after he wakes up, then you can say that I forced you guys to tell me. Also, I really wished that Naruto would've told me about it with time, but I just can't wait any longer. I want someone, in fact, anyone to tell me what is going on..."

Kiba's eyes widened, while Shikamaru turned to face him. Sasuke had managed to read them like an open book, and now they were seeing a clearer picture ahead of them.

Just one look at each other, and they knew they were thinking the same thing.

'He deserves to know.'

Shikamaru sighed and slightly nodded his head. Kiba knew that it was a difficult decision for Shikamaru to agree to this thought, but they also knew that it was the right thing to do.

They both turned to look at Sasuke before Kiba spoke.

"So, how much do you know about Naruto?"

Sasuke snapped his head in their direction, secretly thanking them for choosing to tell him.

"Hn... I know that he was kidnapped when he was a kid, and after he was rescued, he began learning boxing for self-defense. However, his trauma still remained, so his family changed places. He was quite likable at the new school before he chose to propose to a guy. His name was Haku, I guess. Anyway, after the rumors spread, he was bullied by some sick asses before he turned over a new leaf and began fighting back. He was a delinquent before he went to high school, where he met you guys. He told me that you guys changed his life for the better. After high school, he wanted to prepare for a government exam but also wanted to be independent, so he earned money at some illegal boxing clubs. However, he was the Hokage's son, so he had to quit. Then, he joined Konoha High as an assistant teacher to earn in a more acceptable way. So, this is it."

He briefed the two, leaving them stunned as they stared at the raven in surprise.

"It took me a year to get Naruto to tell me this much about his past..."

Shikamaru muttered under his breath, causing Sasuke to blush ever so slightly. He and Kiba were impressed at how fast Sasuke was able to get Naruto to tell him all this. However, the tale of Naruto's high school years was still left to be told.

"So you know pretty much everything apart from his high school life."

Kiba spoke, to which Sasuke nodded.

"Yeah, I only know that your gang was feared by all, but you all still made a good impression on the teachers."

The two began chuckling at Sasuke's words, almost reminiscing about their old school days.

"That's right, we were quite a handful as kids."

Shikamaru added and let out a long sigh. They both looked at Sasuke once again and decided that it was finally time to let the raven know the truth about Naruto that was yet to come to light.

"*sigh* Well, it's awkward, and I don't know where to start (which is quite a drag), but how much do you know about Sai?"

Shikamaru asked Sasuke, unsure of how to proceed with this conversation.

"I just know that he is Naruto's best friend."

"He 'was'."

Shikamaru corrected the raven, causing his ebony orbs to widen in shock. Sasuke's face, which had remained as stoic as ever after Naruto's panic attack had subsided, was finally expressing something.

"Not only were they best friends, they were even dating each other. Sai is Naruto's first love."

Sasuke's pale features were laced with another bout of shock and worry, but no words were leaving his mouth. He blinked several times before coming back to normal, after which he nodded, and Shikamaru took it as his cue to continue.

"Well, they had met in high school since Sai was a new admission, just like us. He was a boy from the countryside. We all were, and still are, damn good friends, but Naruto and Sai were just inseparable during those days. They had always shared a more... how should I say, intimate? Yeah, they were way more intimate with each other than any of us were. They were always flirting with each other so much that it was a drag. One wouldn't leave without the other. It was practically because of Sai that Naruto changed for the better. We were almost sure that they were going to propose sooner or later, and that's what happened. They were 14 when they began dating each other, and those were Naruto's peak days. They went on dates, ditched us on movie nights, and whatnot. They were together every minute of the day."

Shikamaru paused and looked at Kiba, asking him to continue further.

"Yeah, that's true. Everything was perfect for them, as if they were already married. However, that perfection lasted only for about two years. *sigh* We thought that everything was going well for the two lovebirds, but that belief soon shattered on that day three years ago..."

FLASHBACK

THREE YEARS AGO~

The harsh winter was dominating the land of Konoha as December was seeping in. Snow had begun hiding the roofs and the streets under its glossy white. The sun was already setting, allowing the cold night to unfold.

Shikamaru and Kiba had planned for a movie night with Naruto, but the blond had somehow managed to ditch those two, again.

"Looks like he won't be coming."

Kiba spoke as he was setting the cooked ramen they had initially prepared for Naruto on the small table in Shikamaru's living room.

"I already told you. *sigh*"

Shikamaru walked up to Kiba, and they both sat on the rug beneath them in front of the television. They put on the movie they had been planning to watch and were very much involved in it when halfway through, someone rang the bell of Shikamaru's house.

"Tch, what a drag..."

Shikamaru grunted as he stood up and walked to the door, annoyed that someone had dared to interrupt him during a movie night. He lazily unlocked the door, not bothering to look through the peephole.

"What do you- Naruto?! What the hell, man?!"

Shikamaru almost screamed as he saw the state of his blond friend. Naruto's eyes were swollen and red, indicating that he had been crying for a long time, and there were huge eye bags under them. His skin had gone pale, and his cheeks had sunken in. He looked exhausted.

Shikamaru quickly brought the whiskered boy inside and sat him on the bed in his room. Kiba had followed them in and was keeping Naruto company while Shikamaru prepared a glass of hot water.

Kiba observed that Naruto's hands were cold and blue, and that he was wearing only one layer of warm clothes, which wasn't nearly enough in that weather, so he wrapped a blanket around Naruto, who was simultaneously handed hot water from Shikamaru.

They waited for the blond to settle down before continuing with the questions.

"What happened to you, dude?"

Kiba asked as he rubbed the blond's back gently.

"It's - It's about Sai."

Naruto spoke with choked words as another set of tears were ready to fall from his already swollen eyes.

"What about him? Did you guys fight?"

Shikamaru questioned while constantly observing the state of his friend.

"No... it's more like I am unable to put up with him anymore. *sniffles* H- He is always fighting or arguing with me whenever we call or text, dattebayo. I try to be patient with him, but he just keeps on saying things, and his words really hurt me. But now, it's tiring me out, dattebayo. Whenever I ask what's wrong or if I did something, he'd say no, and the very next moment, he's back to fighting with me. I can't obviously keep shut every time he says shit to me, so whenever I retort back, he says it was a joke. *sniffles* Shika, I- I don't know what to do anymore. I can't take such jokes, and he probably doesn't understand how seriously I take his every word. It's getting toxic for me... It's been going on for a year now, and I don't know how to deal with it anymore, *sniffles*, so here I am."

Naruto finished explaining his issue to the two beside him. He was tired from fighting with his boyfriend. He was really doing his best to keep Sai pleased with him, but it just wasn't working.

"*Sigh* This is really serious."

Shikamaru chimed in soon after Naruto had stopped.

"Did you try talking to him?" Kiba asked.

"N-No, if I do, he'd be like, 'Can't I even make jokes with my boyfriend?'."

"You guys should talk it out, man. You know each other quite well, so I am sure he will understand you."

Naruto wanted to believe in what Shikamaru had just said to him, but he couldn't help his hesitation. After all, if Sai could actually understand Naruto, then this wouldn't have lasted for an entire year.

"Ok... I'll talk to him when I am ready."

Naruto hung his head down, rethinking about all the stress he was facing, the main cause of it being his relationship with Sai, which was falling apart, at least from his end.

"Come on, let's watch a movie and lighten up the mood. Oh yeah! We even got you ramen, blockhead! Let's go!"

Kiba spoke suddenly, lifting the mood quite a bit. Naruto spent the rest of the night with his best friends, cherishing the newfound hope and happiness for as long as it would last.

A FEW DAYS LATER~

Sai was sitting on the couch in Naruto's room at his home, a bungalow, while stuffing himself with popcorn that his boyfriend had prepared for him. The moon was spilling inside from the window, and they were supposed to watch a romantic movie together and do some not-for-kids stuff if the mood was right (but they were scared because they were underage).

They could very well do it since Naruto's parents were out of town for some Hokage business and would only come back after two days.

"Babe, hurry up! Or I'll start watching it by myself!"

Sai yelled at Naruto, who was in the kitchen preparing some more finger snacks for the night. Naruto was still unsure about talking it out with the raven, so he hadn't brought it up yet.

"Coming!"

Naruto quickly brought a tray of snacks with him and sat beside his boyfriend. They snuggled with each other before putting on the movie and getting started with their date.

"Naruto, did you look up that restaurant I was talking about yesterday?"

Sai asked just a few minutes after the movie had started.

"Wha- Oh... I am sorry, I was really busy yesterday, and it just slipped from my mind, dattebayo."

Naruto explained, as he was actually busy planning the course of his career and discussing it with his father.

"Ok."

Sai huffed and moved away from Naruto.

'Not again, please...'

Naruto was desperately praying to whatever God was out there. He didn't want to fight Sai over such a thing yet again.

"Hey babe, I am sorry. I really didn't mean to forget about it."

Naruto said.

Sai tsked and turned to face the blond with an expressionless face, which soon contorted into a fake smile that Naruto was very well aware of.

"It's ok. I shouldn't have expected so much out of you."

He said and turned towards the television. Naruto was left stunned.

'What?'

He questioned himself repeatedly while Sai nonchalantly munched on the food and watched the movie.

"I am sorry, baby. I told you I was busy. Please don't be mad at me, hm?"

Naruto was trying his best not to snap at his boyfriend. He definitely loved him, but for how long can one put up with such useless arguments?

"It's okay, Naruto. You've never taken my word seriously anyway. I especially told you to check it out. I was foolish for hoping you'd listen to me for once."

Sai had stopped eating and was now sitting idly beside Naruto, gaping at the screen.

Listening to this, something snapped inside the blond, and he immediately refuted the raven. He was not going to tolerate this anymore.

"Ne, Sai, do you even know what you're saying? I don't take you seriously? I?! You really failed to understand me in the past two years if this is what you think."

Naruto's voice was filled with frustration and pent-up anger. Sai was shocked at Naruto's words and did not back off.

"Wow, Naruto, you really said that. If I didn't understand you, then why are you still with me?!"

'Where did this come from?'

Naruto furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

"What are you getting at, Sai? I just told you that you don't understand me because I take every word you say too seriously, dattebayo. If I didn't, then we wouldn't have fought whenever you were angry with me and then said it was a joke. I don't like such jokes! I've told you so many times, but you just don't listen!"

Naruto's breathing was heavy as he slowly released everything that was troubling him. He wanted Sai to know what he did or didn't like.

"*scoffs* OK. It's my fault. I shouldn't have joked around with my boyfriend."

"Oh my Kami, please, Sai. I don't want you to stop joking around or anything, but at least make a joke that's entertaining for both of us. A joke is supposed to make both of us laugh, right? Or do you just enjoy getting me all worked up over some non-serious words of yours?"

Sai didn't know what to say to that. He couldn't believe Naruto was asking him this.

"You're really asking me this? Did you not see the love I've given you?! Do you not see how much I care for you?! HAVE YOU EVER EVEN LOVED ME?!"

There, Sai had completely lost it. He was furious at the blond. But Naruto wasn't any better.

"WHAT?! How can you even say that?! You think I haven't loved you?! All this time, I was working my ass off to keep you from being mad at me... AND YOU DARE SAY I HAVEN'T LOVED YOU?!"

"YES! YOU HAVEN'T! LOOK AT THE WAY YOU'RE TALKING!"

Naruto was baffled at what he had just heard. It hurt him so much to even listen to Sai saying that. It stung his heart so deeply that he eventually came back to his senses.

"Ok, Sai, let's not fight over this. I'll love you more from now on, alright?"

'There's no point in talking to him, especially right now.'

Naruto thought as he sighed to calm himself down. However, the same could not be said about Sai.

"No, Naruto. I don't want to talk to you anymore. *sniffles* I am going home..."

Sai hurried to the door of the house and quickly put on his shoes. Naruto caught up with the raven and grabbed his arm, which Sai yanked away from him.

"I said I am sorry, please, let's talk inside."

"LEAVE ME ALONE, NARUTO! *sigh* Let's break up."

Naruto was stunned at those words, and Sai took the opportunity to escape. After Naruto snapped out of his trance, he quickly ran after his boyfriend, who was almost out of the main gate and on the snow.

"SAI! WAIT! PLEA-"

SCREEEEEECH- BANG!

Naruto froze on the spot. His heart was thumping at an insane speed inside him as he regained his senses once again and ran towards the main gate and onto the streets.

He halted in front of a blotch of red on the clear snow, which was increasing with every passing second, and in between the red patch, lay his boyfriend's body.

"No, no, no, no, NO! SAI! WAKE UP! IT'S ALL MY FAULT! PLEASE! HELP! SOMEONE! PLEASE CALL THE AMBULANCE! SAI! WAKE UP, BABY! HELP!!"

Naruto was panicking while yelling at the people who had gathered around them. Sai had been hit by a car that slipped on the snow while he was crossing the road and was losing too much blood.

'Please... I am sorry, I shouldn't have fought with you... I didn't love you enough... Please wake up and let me make it up to you.'

Naruto had Sai's limp body in his hands, rocking back and forth with it while crying to the sky. He constantly caressed the cheeks of his raven, urging his body to get up.

"I love you, I'll do more, so please... *sniffles* just wake up..."

He pleaded for the last time before falling unconscious next to Sai. Naruto probably didn't realize it, but Sai was gone. He had left his love and memories behind for Naruto. Their time together was up, and Sai had no regrets.

'Sorry, Naruto. I hope you're able to forgive me and move on. Find someone better for yourself, and I'll have no regrets then.'

Was Sai's last thought before he gave in to eternal darkness.

A/N: Finally, Sai's past is revealed... So, what do you all think? Honestly, I believe that lack of understanding is highly neglected in modern relationships, so I wanted to highlight this aspect more.😔 I have been planning for it for a good month, and I hope I was able to get the message to you all. ヽ(●'ε｀●)ノAnyway, see you all in the next chapter! Author sound out ~ ✌🏻