Marked By Jutsu

Marked By Jutsu

Part XIII

Naruto


Man these practices were tough. We had almost finished out our two week cram session and needless to say I was really freaking tired from it. I don't think I had slept in the past week. I was trying to still help Ji-san with all his inventory and attempt to keep a minimal passing grade while doing these cram practices. That stupid fox was irritable too, to make matters worse. I sang though, I sang like there was no tomorrow until my body felt unbearably heavy and suddenly I saw the floor coming closer to my face it never hit though. Something warm wrapped around my waist. I hung there limply for a moment, and then I realized that Kyuubi had bristled at the contact and was nipping at me to wake up. I was covered in sand, sand that was moving about me and keeping me from falling. My eyes focused and slowly I began to move so that I was standing on my own. I felt the sand unravel from my torso and I turned to look at Gaara. His expression was blank and uninterested. In fact the only way I knew he had done it, besides the sand was that his left hand was clenched just slightly while his other hand just twiddled his sticks.

"Thank you Gaara." I grinned at him while picking up the discarded mic and turning back to Neji and Sasuke to start the song again.


I sighed as I noticed Sasuke's fanclub trying to sneak in and watch the practices, but Kabuto would not allow it, so they stood in the doorway swooning. A dark presence came over me as I was singing, then I noticed a white-blonde ponytail. Oh great. I visibly grimaced as I saw the bartender's daughter push through the crowd and past Kabuto.


"I heard you guys were doing another show!" She gushed excitedly. "I would like to do your costuming again!"


"No! No lipgloss and skimpy outfits!" I shouted at her.


I saw Kabuto grin darkly as he walked to her. "So you were the one that dressed them up for the last performance?" She nodded and smiled. "Well then you might be of some use to me."


He took her aside and discussed probably what would be our next outfits. I sighed again. I was not looking forward to this. Her eyes lit up and then he turned to us. I could almost picture her trying to put me in something hot pink that made me look so girly it wasn't even funny.


"I'm keeping her on as your costume designer." He adjusted his glasses, "It'll be good to have some one who knows how to make things match up so that you look more professional."


I frowned and pouted clenching a fist around the microphone. "I'm not a fucking girl so don't make me look like one."


Kabuto found this humorous and let out a long chuckle at my dispense. Sasuke and Neji both stifled a laugh too. I pouted at them and jumped off the stage tossing the mic behind me. I was tired and upset and not really in the mood for this. I heard Kabuto call me back. I paused for a moment then kept walking. Probably not one of my wisest of choices, especially since it upset Gaara. He latched onto my ankle with that freakish sand thing that had saved me from a face smash not moments ago. Kyuubi bristled inside of me making my stomach ache and I fell to my knees clutching my sore belly.


"I know I'm a fuckin' screw up but you don't have to laugh for no reason." The growling settled enough for me to stand and turn to my band mates. "Bastard Sasuke."


"Don't blame me dead last, it's not my fault you look effeminate." This caused a whole new set of laughter.


"I'm not in the mood for this crap." I sighed and yanked my foot away from the sand. "I'm enduring these damn practices on no sleep and no food. Unlike everyone else in the world, I have to work to get anything, and I haven't been paid yet, so I haven't eaten. I don't get to sleep because I have school and work and now this so just lay the fuck off!" Kyuubi seemed to agree.


"Just how long has it been since you've slept or ate?" Neji asked while strumming a bass chord.


"I haven't slept in over a week and last I ate was three days ago." I sighed while removing my jacket.


"Then we should remedy that. We can't have the singer out of commission while we are trying to work on our cd." He jumped off the stage while setting his instrument down. "Sasuke, come on. I'm sure we could all use a little bit of a break."


He followed suit while walking over to me. Back in Konoha and back to our charade. His index finger curled around my belt loops making him look possesive as we exited the hall. His fanclub shot me glares and contemptuous looks as we walked by, but I very demurely shot them the bird.


Neji treated us to a late lunch. I felt bad about that because i hate mooching off of people, well even if I do enjoy a free meal. I poked at my noodles oddly. I wasn't ramen, but it didn't taste bad. I glanced at Sasuke sitting next to me and made a small grimace. He was eating some variety of sushi roll. Yuck. I next looked at Neji. He had grace even when eating, but I expected him more to eat meats. Instead he was working at a plate full of tempura vegetables. I watched his mouth as he ate. He was so goddamn sexy. His eyes met mine for a fleeting moment, and he smirked then went back to his food. I wanted to reach across the table and smack him one, or maybe yank him across the table and demand naughty actions right there. I felt Sasuke looking at me, so I turned to gaze into those dark eyes of his. Whoa intense jealousy. His face betrayed nothing, but his eyes were burning through me. I sighed and laid my head against the table. Stupid sexy Sasuke.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The time we spent writing songs for our first album passed quickly. Every day after classes Kabuto would come and get us and take us to the studio. Not a single minute of down time inbetween. I think even to an extent Neji was starting to get annoyed with it. We were nearing our fall break already and none of us had any free time. I noticed Neji during detention practicing katas since apparently this cut into his time for that. I enjoyed watching him. The moves looked like some sort of flowing dance, like water. He was so serious when he did this, it was almost as if he was in a trance.

"Nee....Neji-sama....." I started, "Who taught you how to do that?" He stopped to gaze at me for a moment.


"No one. I taught myself. The Hyuuga family does not like traits of the main family to be passed on to the branch family." He sighed then released his hair from the elastic. "It's relaxing to do it." He whisped while sitting on the desk.


He reached behind the desk and grabbed his notepad and a pencil. I wondered what was in that notebook that he was always writing in. He was watching me again with those pale eyes. I blushed nervously.

"Neji-sama.... why do you always do that?" He tilted his head silently asking 'what'. "You look at me as if you are looking straight through me... No offense but it's kinda creepy." He chuckled at me. "What?!"

"I can see through you Naruto. It's a family trait. Byakugan.... it means white eyes; it's a highly evolved genetic code that only the Hyuuga family has." He took out the scroll. "I read about the history there. It's a jutsu that allows the user to see three-hundred sixty degrees around them and see through objects as well as distinguish between truth and lies." He glanced at me from the side then continued, "I'm sure there were other uses for it, but it was mostly a battle tactic giving the possesor an edge."


I loved to listen to Neji talk about history. He was so informed on the subject and he seemed so passionate about learning from it. I was always tempted to ask about Kyuubi, but I was afraid. Partly because of his reaction and partly because of Kyuubi. I really didn't want Neji to dislike me for something like that, so I was content just to listen to him.


Now that I think of it, the detention room was where I got the most sleep. It was most comfortable for me. I'd just lay my head down and zone out listening to Neji's rhythm and Umino turning the pages in his book. Umino knew I was tired from all the events going on in my life, so he let me sleep. I knew he was watching me, but with those soft eyes that an older brother might have. I guess Umino had always been like that. My eyes were so tired.........


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Naruto-kun... You have to project your voice or you're going to sound weak and lacking in confidence." Kabuto wasn't one to beat around the bush. "Do it again." He rubbed at his temples as if it were starting to annoy him.


Just as we had started the song again our practice was interrupted by a dark haired woman calling Kabuto over. They whispered a few things back and forth before he turned to us and cut off the music with a wave of his hand.


"Next month O-nins start their tour, if we can get you cultured enough and up to par we'd like to put you on as their opening band so that we can get your name out there before we release your first cd."


Suddenly I felt all the energy return to my limbs and I started bouncing for joy. Opening for O-nins, I had never even dreamed of that happening. "Are you serious Kabuto-san?!"


He nodded while adjusting his glasses. "The thing is that once you get back you will have to cram for your album to be released on time." He took out a cigarette and continued, "we'd like to think that you can do this. Many bands before you have, and seeing as you seem to be good at these little crash sessions, we have full faith in your abilities."


"Sweet!" I pumped my arms excitedly. "Kabuto-san! We'll work really hard!" At this moment I really didn't care if the others wanted to, but I was almost sure I'd get no complaints from Sasuke or Neji.


"We'll need to decide on a name for you before the tour starts seeing as right you're nameless."


I turned to my bandmates trying to see something that we all had in common, but I found none. I just didn't know. Now that Gaara was part of our band we couldn't be called Hidden Leaves anymore so we had to decide on a different name. We didn't really all have one thing in common. I had different things in common with each person, but not a linking element.


"Can we think about that for the time being?"


"Kabuto-san," Neji started while sweeping his hair back, "What are we going to do about these cram sessions. It's obvious that this wears on us all."


"Actually, we were going to put you guys in our studio boarding house. Most of our bands stay in it while they are working on albums. They find it easier and the accomodations are quite nice. We put each one a different wing of each floor. The rooms are all connected by a small central lounge. If possible we'd like to move you in there now."


"I have to work though." I plopped myself down on my ass. "If I don't I lose the rent on my apartment."


Kabuto hardened his gaze at me. "Naruto-kun, this is your job now. How successful you are will depend on how dedicated you are to it. I guarantee that if you are diligent with it and let your abilities out, you won' t have to worry about it."


"Well, it's not like I'm against it or anything." I shrugged. "I guess Ji-san can manage without me for a little while. Sure I'm game."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


"Neji-sama....." My breathing quickened and then I was awake. I stared at the dark room. I wasn't used to it. The bed was soft and comfortable, moreso than my sack of rice mattress at home, but it just wasn't home. "Maybe if I walk around a bit I'll be able to go back to sleep."


I walked into the lounge connecting all of our bedrooms and saw something almost too tempting to pass up. There laying on the lounge couch was Sasuke. No shirt to hide his skin from view, just dark tresses rested against his forehead and neck. I always wondered what had rested beneath his icy mask that he always wore. I reached out halfway expecting him to snatch my wrist but no motion came from his sleeping form. His hair ran through my fingers like satin as I moved it aside. He turned into the touch slightly and then I noticed it. A dark scar marred the perfect junction between his neck and shoulder. It faintly resembled a curse seal I had read about in Neji's scroll. I knelt closer to it and touched it lightly causing him to whimper in discomfort. No wait. He was dreaming. I watched as his face scrunched in pain. I tapped him lightly when he began to moan in pain. His arm lashed out to clutch at the scar.


"Nee Sasuke...are you all right?" I moved so that I was kneeling next to the couch close to his face.


His eyes shot open and then he's gazing into mine with blazing red. I fell backwards on my rear at the sudden change. Two small black tear drops decorate the depths of red in each eye. His gaze leveled at me for a moment and then he collapsed back on the couch.


"What are you doing up?" His hand went to brush his bangs out of his eyes, he stopped at looked at my surprised expression. "What are you staring at dead last?"


"I'm just not used to the rooms yet I guess. I couldn't sleep." I turned my back to the small sofa and leaned against the back. "You ok though. I heard you moaning in pain and clutching at your shoulder."


"Just a bad dream. It'll go away." He stretched out then pushed himself up to a sitting position. "What would you care about any of that though?" He sighed as his shoulders drooped.


"I do care!" I protested. "Contrary to what you think I consider you a friend even if you do get on my last fucking nerve." I turned to him. His eyes had quieted from the angry crimson back to obsidian. "I do care a lot for you. That's why I think this whole fake relationship deal is stupid."


"Then why are you putting so much effort into it you idiot?!" He countered.


"Maybe I'm being selfish and enjoying deluding myself that you might have the slightest feelings like that for me!" I didn't care that I was yelling or that I might have been waking everone up, "I'm sacraficing myself and my feelings for your stupidity Uchiha!"


At that moment a very annoyed and very tired looking Neji emerged from his own room. "What is all the fucking noise about?" His quipped while rubbing the back of his head.


I chose that moment to stomp up to Neji and steal a very possesive kiss from the Hyuuga boy. His eyes widened slightly but he by no means pushed me away. After a heated kiss of which he was a willing participant, he pushed me away towards my door and then walked back into his room mumbling about the noise and shutting the door with a loud slam. From behind my own door I heard Sasuke plop back down on the couch and then all was silent again. I sighed and plodded back to the large fluffy. Wh. Why did he have to be so god damn stubborn? I sighed and tried to will myself to sleep.

Staying in this place had it's perks, but staying with my group highly downsized those perks. Every morning started out the same with some one running me out of bed. You'd think I'd have learned to not sleep in by now, but I was stubborn. If it was Sasuke that was sent to wake me up I'd end up in pain by the time I got out of bed because he would yank the blanket off the bed causing me to land on the floor, most of the time on my ass or face. Neji would normally just call from the doorway, and well Gaara very rarely woke me up, but if he did Kyuubi was already telling me to get up by growling. He never suffered to be around Gaara much.


If it wasn't the mornings being bad it was later during practices when Sasuke and Gaara would just glare at each other making the whole room tense. I hated it. I was trying hard despite Kyuubi's influence to be kinda nice to Gaara. Besides he looked kinda cute when I smiled at him. It caused a soft pink to stain his cheeks. Endearing almost, if it wasn't for the raccoon eyes. Speaking of which, I think Neji was the only one that didn't openly try to start a conflict. I have to admit that I did more than my share of fighting. Mostly with Sasuke. He just seemed to grate on my nerves.


~~~~~~~



Our month of practicing was getting close to being up and needless to say all of us were on edge and more moody. I sighed as our practice ended and we were all ready to go back to our rooms. I for one wanted a steaming cup of miso ramen, followed by a glass of milk and then another serving of miso. I was almost ready to forget that everyone had forgotten my birthday, not that it mattered though. I don't remember telling anyone when my birthday was. As I made my way back to the room I saw a package sitting on the lounge couch. I inspected it noticing that it was addressed to me, so I did the only logical thing... tore into it with relish. Not very often did I get presents. I almost wondered how funny I looked when I saw the first contents of the package. That stupid old pervert had sent me one of those guy on guy books. I had to admit that the art was kind of tempting, but it was sort of embarassing. I mean, I really didn't want my band mates to find this. I sifted through the box and found a nicely wrapped package. More wrapping paper? Sighing I tore it open to find a bright orange hoodie with the Konoha symbol on it. I hugged the sweatshirt. I had seen it in the window at the store next to Ichiraku's but I never did have enough money to buy extra things.


That perverted old man was looking out for me and showing that he cared. It made me feel excited that he had remembered. I was so happy about the hoodie that I had completely forgotten about the dirty book to put it on and then go about making my favorite microwavable meal. Anticipating the ding telling me my noodles were ready was almost too hard to stand, so I distracted myself with making sure that the milk in the lounge fridge was fresh and proceeding to pour myself a glass. Just as my ramen was done Sasuke walked through the room going to change clothes and then left as quickly as he came. I simply ignored him to focus my attention on my food. His attitude was beyond me. The wonderful aroma of miso filled my nostrils as I brought the first bite of noodles to my lips. Ah... delicious. Perfect mixture of salt and flavor. Halfway through my meal Neji walked into to his room to also change clothes. His were different than Sasuke's though. He had changed into those sexy workout pants he's worn to pracitces two or three times. Pants that distracted me from any task, yes, even eating miso ramen.

He gazed at me for a minute, "Nice sweatshirt. It looks cute on you." He said before leaving again.


I nearly dropped my Ramen when I heard that. I was distracted enough to watch his ass as he left. Hot damn what a nice view it was. As soon as the door clicked shut, shielding my eyes from any views of his hind side, I snapped back into ramen mode.


"Yes wonderful Ramen. It looks like it's just me and you tonight. I'm going to gobble you all up." I murmured with relish while sitting myself down on the couch.


I took notice of the naughty book that ji-san had sent me. Since no one was here at the moment I decided to indulge myself with it's material. As soon as I read the first page I was already picturing all the dirty positions the two main characters could be in, and it didn't help that at all that the novel part came with lots of illustrations to further emphasize the point. I took a sip of my milk while skimming over the overly descriptive text. I nearly spat my milk out as I came to the next set of illustrations. That perverted old man had sent me one where the main characters resembled me and Sasuke and Neji. The book was old and worn and it surprised me that he'd give me anything like this, even if the characters did have strong resemblance. I pouted and tossed the book aside. That stupid thing was going to make it even harder to sleep tonight.

~~~~~~~~~

Soft hands touched my cheek as I rolled to the side in my sleep. The caress was so gentle a normal person would have scarcely felt it, but I did, and I knew whose hand it was. My eyes opened to be gazing into Sasuke's dark coal eyes. I wondered what he was doing sitting on my bed, but then I realized that I was still on the couch. I raised up suddenly, remembering that Sasuke had been sleeping here for some reason.

"Naruto..." he started to say, and I think I was too sleepy to fight with him so I just moved off the couch while wrapping my arms around myself. "Naruto wait..." His hand caught the back of my hoodie stopping me from moving. He sighed as I turned to look at him with a sleepy scowl. "I was thinking about what you said earlier." I shrugged too tired to be interested, "For the good of our music, I..... I'm willing to give it a shot....."


I face faulted for a moment, not sure if I heard him correctly, "You... what..?"

"In the interest of our band, and our success, I'm willing to take the burden of faking a relationship away and giving a real one a chance...." he explained in annoyance.


Shock....

"I'll think about it... This had better not be some sort of trick..." I growled lacking venom though as I yawned. "and Sasuke...."


"What Naruto?"


"I'm tired of being tricked...."

A/N: Yay a long chapter! And guess what oh loverly reviewers... The next chapter is extra long with.... The LEMON! Naruto loses his virginity! You guys get a double whammy! Sorry it took so long to get out though.

To my AFNS:

Ochiba- It hearts you for reviewing!

Anael Razualle- Yes there will be more Gaara Naruto in the future, the plot hasn't taken that twist yet though, just stick with me for it. I promise that Gaara has a major role.

Kashshaptu- I'm glad you like the fluff. It will be more evident as the fic progresses.

Anon- please leave a name or chat with me, I'd love to know who's reviewing. I'm glad that my fic was able to keep you interested. Thanks for readin' it.

Dragonfly- S'ok I dream about it too. I have to sorta act it out in my head to make sure everything will make sense. Especially where plot turns are involved. *hug*

LadyFlame- Sorry you won't find out until you see the lemon next chapter. It's important to that particular part of the plot.

Kyuubi-chan- Well Kabuto is meant to be creepy. I mean he is a tricksome sorta guy. Glad you like, please get some sleep though. And thanks for the good luck.

P1- You holding me to my promise is damn right! Next chapter is the first lemon. And yes the thing Hikou said does come up later. It's another important plot element.

Rune- *hands you a box of extra soft tissues for your nosebleeds* Thanks. I'm back for a little while at least until Design classes start to steal my time.

Widowblade- Thanks! I work really hard on characterization because I write character movement plots. I'm glad it held your interest.

Melissa- I wish I could see your drawings. Ie are art! Thank you for reading and commenting.


Thanks for being patient guys! You so rule the world. I'm back for a while unless classes get in the way. But hopefully not. SANKYUU for all your lovely input. You guys keep me going. Feel free to chat with me on AIM. I'm always on. Bye for now. *poof*