Marked By Jutsu

Marked By Jutsu

Part XVII


Naruto


Gaara's arms wrapped around me were comforting. If I leaned back I could feel the slight movement of his chest as he breathed. It was a feeling I loved. One that I very rarely got from being alone. What was I doing going after Sasuke like that? I sighed and turned to face the blood-haired drummer.


"Nah, that pain never goes away, but I know what'll help. Come on." I grabbed Gaara's arm leading him into the kitchen. "I know it's a girly thing to do, but Ino always does it with me when I'm all broody and it works." I reached into the freezer and pulled out a small pint of strawberry ice cream. "We usually watch stupid movies with the mute button on while eating ice cream and makin' up our own dialogue. It's lots of fun to do."

Gaara followed me back to the other room slightly confused. His eyes focused oddly on the pink dessert. I was just about to dig into the sweetness when a shout startled me.


"Naruto!!!" Ino ran into the room shaking the spoon at me."I made you ramen and you go off and eat the ice cream without me?! How dare you!?" She stopped for a moment and glanced at Gaara. "I suppose you can eat the ramen later, but you have to share the ice cream with me."

She placed the spoon on the table next to us and took a seat on the couch beside me while snatching my spoon. I flipped the TV on and changed channels until we settled on some cheesy action movie and then muted the sound. Instantly we were pointing and making snide remarks about the characters and filling in dialogue. Gaara watched as warily as if we suddenly scared him.

"Okay okay, so this guy here you know he's going to end up in love with the girl there even though it's an action movie. They just need some sort of excuse for a sex scene." I complained while snatching the spoon back from her and digging in the the strawberry goodness. "Okay Gaara you need in on this too. Strawberry is only the best ice cream. It's like frozen pocky sticks."


He gazed at me for a moment before shyly dipping his spoon in while watching Ino. A small amount covered his spoon and he looked at it with some distaste before putting it in his mouth. The corner of his mouth threatened to curl up in a smile as he realized that he enjoyed the soft fruit flavor of the frozen cream. Ino grinned at him as well while swiping the spoon away from me again.

I had just turned to the TV again when I jokingly did my six year old thing for Ino in response to a stupidly placed sex scene. "Ewwww.... boobies!"


Ino thwacked the back of my head and frowned. "There's nothing wrong with boobies Naruto."

"But look at her Ino! She's stupid and ugly!"

"Given, but there's still nothing wrong with boobies." Just for good measure she thwacked me again.

Gaara sat blushing embarassed by the combination of the sex scene in the movie and our conversation. His cheeks were bright red making him look like a porcelain doll. Ino cooed at his cuteness and reached across me patting his cheek affectionately. His blush darkened. Suddenly, my unapproachable drummer had been revealed as a shy, naive boy. Gaara twitched and then dashed from the room.


"Oh, I didn't mean to scare him off."


"It's ok Ino. Gaara's just not used to that much close proximity. He still flinches when I touch him. Just give him a little time and he'll get used to all of us." I grinned while swiping the ice cream from her.


After our movie had gone off I had decided to go nose about and see what my band mates were up to, but first that ramen was calling. I went and sat on the counter top while Ino reheated it. I had to say that Ino's cooking beat anything instant. I guess it was a perk of being a bar owner's daughter. And while normally I wasn't willing to wait for cooking, especially ramne, hers topped all. All except for Ichiraku. No one could beat the ones that invented ramen. When she finally handed me a bowl, I dug in without even moving from the countertop.


With a happy stomach full of strawberry ice cream and ramen, I was ready to go nose into my band members' business. First stop would be Gaara to see if he was ok. Watching movies with me can be kinda traumatizing. I opened his door to peak in and saw nothing but dark. Shrugging I turned to close it until sand wrapped around my wrist. I hissed at it and it fizzled and slunk back into the recesses of his room as if acknowledging that it was just me. At this point the sand realized that me intention was not to harm Gaara. As I turned from his side of the hallway, I noticed that the bathroom light was on and the shower was running. Well that explained why the sand was in his room by itself.

Next was to annoy Sasuke. I figured that I had bugged him plenty today with my emotional outbursts, but I couldn't help it. He was just so easy to annoy, and oh so much fun to. Over the time of living in the lounge here, I'd found many ways of sneaking into Sasuke's room. I pushed the door open just a crack to see him sitting with his back to the hallway clutching at the odd tattoo on his shoulder. I was felt with a small worry for him, but refrained from entering since I knew that meant sudden death. Sasuke didn't like anyone prying into his life. He was such a private person about everything, even how he'd learned to play guitar.


For now I figured that I would leave him be and go to pester Neji. I loved Neji's room more than even mine in the lounge. It was simple yet stylish and always smelled relaxing. Speaking of relaxing, Neji was sitting on a yoga mat in the center of the floor meditating. I almost giggled as I gazed at him from the doorway. His hair was placed on the top of his head in a messy pencil bun. He would have looked female if it wasn't for the distinct lack of shirt and breasts. A wicked idea entered my mind as I slunk across the room. Catching Neji off guard was a rare delicacy and I was going to take full advantage of it.I readied myself to glomp him from behind, but found myself on a pile on the floor with Neji leaning over me. I pouted at him.


"I was waiting for you to come nosing about." His opal eyes seemed to flicker with mirth at the situation. "Care to join me in a little stretching?"


I nodded while evaluating his grey track pants. Low on the hips showing an agular build and slim toned stomach. Yeah I could definately go for that. Neji pulled me up as he rose from the floor. His arm wrapped around me and he slid behind my body so that my back was to his chest. His arms slid against the length of mine as our fingers twined. It was a soft move, but it felt incredibly erotic. I highly doubted that eroticism was the purpose of this, but I couldn't help but feel aroused. His knee slid between my legs to part them gently placing me in almost the exact same stance as him. From this position, any move that he made was almost directly connected to my movement. As he lifted his arms above his head, mine followed. My shoulders popped causing my body to relax. I took a deep breath as he manuevered our bodies into a different stance. I tilted my head up to gaze at him. My eyes trailed up the curve of his neck and along his jawline stopping to rest on his mouth which was open just slightly as he exhaled. Our bodies pressed together with every motion and I could feel my arousal trying to take influence over my thinking. He turned his head slightly, and I knew I was caught staring.


I frowned at myself trying to will my arousal away. His movement kept going as if he hadn't known. I bet he did though. Neji was always perceptive like that. He could see things that I know no one else could, things like the way Sasuke's fingers would tremble when one of the big man's assistants came in the room to speak with Kabuto, or how Gaara's left eye would twitch when we were told to repeat something. He would tell me these things. So there was no doubt in my mind that he knew of my discomfort. He was probably ignoring it.


"Naruto, are you ok with your decision?" He suddenly asked.


I knew what he was referring to, and technically I wasn't sure. Itachi seemed like a very shifty person to deal with. "I chose it of my own will. If we can keep drama away from the band, I'd like to keep it that way in any way possible. We're going on tour soon, and the last thing we need is tabloids chasing us about for a possible scandal."


"He seems to know a lot. Are you sure that he won't tell anyone?" Neji always seemed genuinely worried for me making brash decisions.


"He's an underground sort of person I think. If he draws attention to Sasuke, it in turn draws attention to himself. I can't really be sure, but I don't think he will tell. Why are you so worried?"


He released my hands stepped away. I watched the black gelly bracelets on his wrist dangle with the ubrupt movement. He seemed to be contemplating how to phrase what he was going to say. I watched his facial expression turn very slightly to one of discomfort.

"Neji?" I asked quietly while stepping towards him.


He lifted his wrist to stare at the three black hoops. He smiled at them for a brief second before turning fully to me. "Underground people can be kinda of dangerous." His eyes burned through me for a moment. "Sometimes they can be a thrill to be with though."

I had noticed him contemplating his bracelets before he spoke, so it made me wonder if they had something to do with his worry for me. "Neji-sama...did something happen to you?"


He tilted his head and gave me one of his mysterious sideways smirks before moving toward me. He barely made a sound as he crossed the floor to stand in front of me. His hand cupped the side of my face as he pulled me forward for a kiss. Neji tasted slightly of green tea and citrus, an intoxicating flavor. I leaned into the kiss desiring more of him. His lips parted as his tongue swiped teasingly against my lower lip. I could feel the Kyuubi stir within me. He hated teasing more than I did and he voiced himself in my head as my bass player trailed a hand over my neck and shoulder.


"You seem really tense. We should fix that."

My clothing fell to the carpet silently leaving me clad in a pair of satiny boxer shorts. Neji stood in front of me as if appraising my appearance. His hands came up to my shoulders caressing gently. Tiny sparks flew through my body as he pressured the most pinched spots as if his fingers were draw to them like magnetic force. God, but Neji's hands had super human ability. I could hear my own moans loud in my head as he worked all the stress from my body. I was so incoherent that I hadn't even realized he had maneuvered us to the floor next to his bed. I stretched out on the plush carpet face down his weight resting comfortably on the small of my back. I felt his hands dig into my shoulderblades and then a spark as if I'd been shocked. The muscles twitched and then I felt like jelly. Everywhere he'd touched felt the same way. I felt my eyes drooping closed as he finished his treatment, and I was suddenly very sleepy.


----------------------------------------

Practices became more demanding for us as our kick off was a little over a week away. The constant activity was starting to get to me, and I was very thankful of Neji's masseur skills. A few minutes under his treatment and I felt like a pile of goo. Between Ino's cooking, Gaara's recent friendship, and Neji's talented hands, I felt relaxed as ever. I curled up to Neji's naked side while tapping his bracelets playfully.


"Ne... What's so important about these bracelets Neji-sama?"


He smiled softly at me. "Do you know what they are?" I shook my head as he pulled me closer. "They're slavery bracelets. They remind me to stay humble, as well as of my first experience."

"What do you mean?"


He chuckled softly. "Not everyone starts out seme. To become a better seme you must first be an uke."


For a while I listened intently as Neji told me of his life in the past and the underground dealings of his family that had caused him to meet up with the mysterious assassin Shiranui, that gave him the bracelets. He described to the very finest detail, everything about his first lover, from the color of his hair, to the way he always had a senbon in his mouth. Neji also explained to me that he had been very young at the time of that relationship and he didn't want to make me have such an important decision at a young age as a result of his past. I was content now that I knew why Neji never allowed himself to have a real relationship.


I slept soundly next to him listening to the sounds of his breathing and Kyuubi's sleep filled purrs. I had to wonder how Neji had managed to get the most comfortable bed out of all of us. Not that it really mattered since I probably spent more time in his room than in my own, but just a passing thought. I definately got more rest in his room. It saved me from having to hear Sasuke's latest conquest. He was quite the sex fiend, but I knew it was just to release his frustrations, so I had stopped putting any effort into bringing the subject up. Our very first meeting with the head boss was tomorrow, so I needed the sleep. I had even planned on getting up early to have Ino make me more presentable.

When I awoke, Ino was already waiting for me, brush in hand. I smiled and yawned and then quickly took the outfit she had chosen for me into the bathroom. After a quick shower, I scrutinized my appearance. Nice definately. She chose a rust orange sweater and tan pants. Enough to tone down my busy favorite color without taking it from me. As soon as she heard the water shut off she was in there yanking at my hair until it sat flat against my head. She then secured it into a small, tight tail with a clear band. I hadn't even realized my hair was long enough to do that. A few strands escaped the hairband and fell in front of my eyes.


As soon as we emerged from the bathroom I noticed my other companions sitting around the lounge table with their various breakfast items. I smiled at my sleep tousled boys and joined them. Gaara was sitting nursing a cup of sweet smelling coffee. Smelled almost like almond or cherry. Nope most definately almond. My eyes then fell on Neji who was eating an orange while reading a book. Then was Sasuke. He was staring dazedly out the window behind Neji not fully awake. He seemd to take longer and longer to wake up now a days. It was probably from all the sleeping around that he did. I shrugged and swiped a slice of Neji's orange.


Once everyone was dressed. We left our wing to head upstairs. I gazed at my companions' clothing choices admiring each different stylistic attitude. Gaara always wore black. It was a striking contrast with his ivory skin, but he looked good in it. It really added to his malicious frown. Neji was wearing a long traditional style white suit with his hair in a long braid. It was more of a casual suit than a dressy one, and he looked very good in it, not to mention comfortable as well. Sasuke was a minimalistic sort of guy. A navy button down shirt and black pants adorned his figure. It was no wonder that many people wanted him. He was a pretty piece of ass to stare at.


When the elevator dinged at the top floor I noticed Sasuke's hand start to tremble. I could feel the nervousness rolling off of him in waves. When the doors opened Kabuto greeted us and lead us down the hall to the main guy's office. The walk down the hallway only increased the tension of my guitar player. I smiled and clasped his hand to keep it from shaking. There was no use showing fear to the man. Sasuke's trembling stopped as my fingers tightened around his. A blush stained his cheeks and he scowled, but he didn't pull away. The elaborate office doors opened and suddenly I felt the crushing pain of Sasuke squeezing my fingers tightly.


Kabuto went and stood next to a large desk. Behind the desk a man in a grey suit with bone colored skin and creepy gold eyes sat. His gaze caused my skin to crawl and caused Kyuubi to growl ferally within me. I felt threatened as I stood there trapped in his eyes. His grin was unnerving and I found myself squeezing Sasuke's hand back. I looked over at Neji and Gaara. Both were scowling at this man as if he was a viper in the grass. Neji's perception of people was usually spot on, so I felt a little bit relieved when I realized that he also seemed apprehensive around this man. I gazed over at Kabuto for any sort of sign. He had his head bowed in submission, but I noticed the makings of a small bruise on his cheek.


I frowned, forgetting my apprehension as I studied him. There was obviously something wrong with this picture. I looked back to Sasuke faintly listening to the man speak to us. Kyuubi kicked something to the forefront of my mind. It was then that I realized the gravity of what Itachi had told me. Kabuto was not the one that Sasuke had been with, it was this guy. I suddenly felt disgusted. He had some sort of sick fascination with Sasuke, and from the looks of it, our producer had interfered earning himself a few bruises. To test what I thought, I pulled closer to Sasuke while gauging his reaction. Sure enough he scowled and slammed a fist on the desk.


"Orochimaru-sama!" Kabuto started while clasping the fist. "Please do not frighten him, he has a stress illness."


Kyuubi growled intensely at the mention of his name and my stomach started to ache profusely. I let go of Sasuke's hand in favor of righting my posture and rubbing my stomach to try to quell the ache. Neji and Gaara both looked over at me with concern. I smiled at them tightly as if to say I was just nervous. Even so, I felt the warmth of Gaara's sand on my stomach as if he was trying to make sure I didn't pass out like previous times.


After several uncomfortable hours, our meeting was finally over. Kabuto had unfortunately canceled practice. After all that tension, I needed to belt out some lyrics. I went down to the studio by myself so I could relax my nerves with some improv. Singing alone always felt good. It allowed me to brainstorm on possible variations and lyrics. While I sang nothing else mattered but the music. I would lose myself in it and ignore all around me, which was probably why I didn't hear the elder Uchiha enter the studio behind me.


"What a wonderful voice you have." I turned and came face to face with Itachi's striking red eyes.


"Not really...." I murmured, shy around him. "Singing allows me to express myself."


"Do you understand the dire situation that you witnessed today?" His tone suddenly changed and he was regarding me with the same indifferent look he wore most of the time. "My plans have been ruined by that coniving snake."


"What do you mean? Don't you work for him?"


Itachi chuckled at me. It was a hollow and almost frightening sound. He tilted his head and smirked slightly. "Yes...I do don't I?" He gazed at me with burning red, and I felt as if my mind was bound to his. "Orochimaru is a perverted psychotic man. He has been after Sasuke's body for as long as I remember, and my foolish little brother has played right into his trap." He walked to the other side of the studio. "He lusts after Sasuke."


"No offense, but why doesn't he lust after you? You and Sasuke look alike." I plopped on the floor on my rear.


"I don't look enough like a child. That and he'd find himself in a big mess if he screwed around with me. Boss or not, I wouldn't hesitate to....halt his advances completely, and he knows that."


"Oh.."


"Anyway, after your tour you belong to me." He turned back to face me while walking back to me. "You understand?"


"But I can't leave my band. They're the whole reason I'm here." I frowned at him for even suggesting a thing such as that.


"No of course not; however, you did say that you would do whatever I want." He knelt down in front of me so that we were eye level. "I do plan on making good on that." He whispered darkly, his voice tinged with a slight seductiveness.


I shut my eyes and blushed hotly at his supposed innuendo. "If you wanted something like that why don't you get it over with then. There's no one here to watch." I snapped.


"Is that what you think this is about?" His expression turned serious. "I don't molest little boys. You offend me by suggesting such a thing. Look at me!" I could feel the venom in his voice. I flinched and then slit my eyes open. "I won't touch you in that way unless you ask me to." His hands came to rest on my shoulders.


"Then why do you want me?"


"That is irrelevant now, but you will see in due time."

------------------------------------------


a/n: Sorry for taking so long with this. At home I have limited access to the resources needed to work on my fics. I know that I confused some people last chapter with all my hints, but I needed it like that specifically for what happened here. I obviously haven't revealed all the secrets yet, but trust me when I say that a lot of stuff is coming soon as well as the much anticipated NaruGaara scene. Again sorry for the long wait. There is much more to reveal and lots more plot.


to my AFNs:

kenshinjunkie03 - Yes there will be some of that. Also about Sasuke, he is going to have a "awakening" to a few things. Yea you reviewed and challenged me on my other fic 'Awry', but I'm way ahead of you. I have a long term project of a KibaNaru fic in the works. The plot is already mapped out. Also I am thinking about doing a NaruShika fic since a few people have asked for one.

SpiritFighter - Yeah oops. No what happened was I was editing all the crap the AFN has screwed up. OOoo you made a Marked By Jutsu theme? *hug*

WaterBookLover- Yes dreams. Haved I somewhat allieviated your confuzzlement with this chapter?

Horizont- Sasuke needs just one more punch to realize that Naruto is everything he wants and needs.Mind you it's a very big punch.

Anku- *laughs at your dialogue* I am hoping that my plot is one of the stronger points of this story. I really like Ino, I could really see her as a big sister to Naruto. And yes, Kyuubi has lust for Itachi. Yay fox lust!


amy- eep for taking to long! I won't forget this fic. glad to hear you like it so much.

ayonoi- *basks in Neji's hotness and sexuality* I'm now getting around to all the big backstory junk so hang tight.


tokiya- can't wait to have more art! and OROCHIMARU makes the scene!


Ninja Wizard - Hey thanks for checking me out, even if it isn't your cup of tea I'm still happy you were kind enough to read and leave me some constructivism. I won't try to go into details about why I chose to do things this way, except for the fact that this was an experimental piece I started and then decided I liked the plot and idea so much that I wanted to work with it. Also, it's not really in this world so all the rules of Naruto's world applies, just their society has become more advanced and less settled on the need of shinobi. Thanks.

Okita Souji- yay Neji fanart!!! he's teh smex! Yea Sasu is hurting, but he's not quite ready to accept what Naruto is willing to give.


Emina- I'm glad you decided to keep reading. AS you see, there is a reason for Sasuke's Jackassery. Thanks!

campurr- I'm glad you like my fic so much. Hmm.... if I could have one scene illustrated? God that's tough... probably one of the Gaara and Naruto scenes with Naru hugging his Kyuubi plush. Either that or one of him attempting to glomp Neji. Funny I'd think I'd want something smutty drawn. *shrug* oh well.

Yuka- Oh god so much stuff is going to happen. I feel honored that my fic was the first you searched out.


P1- well you got some stuff correct, but as you can see OROCHIMARU is the owner of Sound Nin studios. And I think now you understand more of what was going on. But very good guess!


Liliath- Thank you for the major compliment. No need to beg. I will always update until the very end unless something terrible happens.


So anyway thanks a lot guys. Here's to a new year and to enjoying more of this fic with you. *raises Sake jug* Cheers.