Fading Scars

This is an Alternate Universe fic set perhaps a day or two after Orochimaru’s retreat from Konoha. A lot of liberties were taken from that point on in terms of time-line. This is also a very angsty (especially Naruto) and sexually graphic fic—just the way we like it!

This was written as a one-on-one RP, so the point of view of the story will change, usually with every paragraph. Scenes will also change abruptly and large periods of time will pass with little notice, though I’ll try to give some warning at the beginning of the chapter.

Please read and enjoy!

Fading Scars
Chapter Eighteen:


Neji's lips curled faintly, hiding the sudden clench in his chest. He tilted his head so their cheeks could lightly rub. "All right." I've missed it, too. I've wished...you would let us go further. He leaned back against Sasuke's chest, the room before them staining red from the gradually setting sun.

Sasuke grinned. "Okay." He twisted so that his thighs ran on either side of Neji's hips as he tugged him back, kissing his bare shoulder. "Your bed's fine."

"They're not very different," he pointed out. Neji dropped his hands to either side, rubbing firmly at the tops of Sasuke's thighs. "You've got more muscle now," he commented lightly, giving his legs a faint squeeze. "Probably getting ready for a growth spurt."

"Yeah…." Sasuke's breath caught a little as he pressed more tightly against Neji's back, his thighs shifting. It had been a while since they'd had the energy for this, with all their training. "I hope so." He sucked eagerly at the space of sensitive flesh beneath Neji's ear.

Neji sighed, tilting his head to make it easier for the other to reach. He was enjoying Sasuke's boldness. He must be relieved, though, to be free of it. Keeping one hand on Sasuke's leg, Neji lifted the other to the boy's neck, drawing him close--usually he wasn't allowed to touch him there, as the curse made him uncomfortable, but....

Sasuke flinched a little when he felt Neji's fingers slide over his throat, but he quickly remembered.... It's okay now. It's just…a little tender. He relaxed, and twisted a leg suddenly around Neji's waist.

Relieved, Neji smiled and tipped them sideways onto the bed. He shifted back, pulling Sasuke's legs tighter around him as he pressed against his hips. "Are you feeling up to this?" he asked.

Sasuke groaned softly as he rubbed up against Neji's ass. "Up to this? I dunno...are you?" He reached around them to cup the growing bulge in Neji's shorts. "Feels like it."

He snorted, twisting about so they could face each other. "This is much nicer than being in the woods," he murmured, running a hand through Sasuke's hair. He stole a firm kiss without waiting for a reply.

Sasuke adjusted his leg around Neji's waist, grinding up against him and the hard bone of his hip. When he had his mouth back he asked, "Do you think it's strange?" He grinned breathlessly. "Being this horny, after…."

Neji brushed at his shoulder, feeling the muscles twitch beneath his touch. "I suppose it would be. Now you don't have to worry about it trying to take you--a burden has been lifted." He rolled suddenly, and Neji pressed down against Sasuke's hips, rocking slowly. "Are you really that horny?"

Sasuke's breath caught, and his thighs tightened reflexively around Neji's hips, which made the tremor in his gut worse, which made his thighs want to tighten further…. "Shit," he groaned, craning his neck for a clumsy kiss.

He chuckled softly. I guess that's my answer. Neji granted him the kiss, parting his lips so he could suck at the boy's tongue. He continued to rock their hips together eagerly as his own pulse began to rise.

God, that feels so good…. Sasuke continued to moan quietly between them as he kept Neji close, pawing at his back. He curled his body to get a better angle, unconsciously guiding Neji to better stroke the cleft of his ass. It sent another delicious shiver through him that left him gasping.

Neji finally had to pause as he reached the point were their simple movements were no longer satisfying enough. He kissed Sasuke strongly as his fingers traveled down the boy's body, gripping the lip of his shorts. I want to.... Slowly, he started to drag the fabric off.

Sasuke glanced down, starting a little when he saw what Neji was up to. He tried to get his breathing back under control. "What are you doing?"

He paused, meeting Sasuke's eyes. We've never gone further than touching each other. "I want to touch you freely," he replied. Neji gave his companion a squeeze through the material, hoping to encourage him.

Sasuke gulped, though he did relax a little against the mattress. "Yeah...okay." What does he have in mind…? He lifted his hips slightly to give Neji an easier time undressing him.

Already he knew that Sasuke wouldn't let them go as far as he would like, but even a small victory as this would be enough. Neji slid his shorts and underwear off quickly, returning to Sasuke's mouth for a distracting kiss, his fingers circling the boy's length and stroking gently.

Sasuke sighed blissfully. He felt a little more vulnerable than usual, but Neji's rough hands helped him not to mind. He groaned thinly as he reached down to tug at Neji's shorts. "You, too."

Neji pulled back, rising up on his knees. "You do it," he instructed, brushing his desire with teasing fingers.

Sasuke shot him a glare, but he followed, pushing up on his knees as well. He pressed them together for a kiss under the intention of stealing Neji's breath away while he undressed him. But when he pushed the band of Neji's shorts down to his knees, when he felt their naked, expectant flesh rubbing together, his brain was reduced to mud. "Neji...."

Neji caught him around the waist, pulling him closer--his eyelids fluttered. He feels good.... He tilted his head for another kiss, this one deeper, more passionate than the last. His finger trailed lightly over Sasuke's bare ass, enjoying the rare sensations.

Sasuke shivered against him, trying to kiss him back, but he felt as if he'd lost some of his senses. Some of the tension was crawling back into his gut with such raw intimacy--his fingers tightened around Neji's shoulders.

He had to pull away a moment to kick off his shorts before reaching to peel off Sasuke’s shirt. Neji took his time coming back, wanting to see the other’s bared skin. He really does look stronger--he’s growing up. His hand drifted down Sasuke’s chest, slowing the lower it got and teasing his lower abdomen.

Sasuke's breath hissed quietly as he pressed into Neji's hands. It was overwhelming, how warm and nervous he suddenly felt. "St…." Sasuke pressed his face against Neji's neck, kissing and nibbling. "Neji…."

Sasuke just felt too good, and it was getting more difficult to remember to hold back. Neji leaned forward suddenly, pushing Sasuke back onto the bed and crawling over him. Breathing hard, he rubbed their tight flesh together, kissing him hard to muffle his thick moan.

Sasuke twisted beneath him; he hadn't expected to feel like this, and it was making his heart thunder. "Neji--" His lips were claimed in another kiss, stealing his breath. It's too much--I can't-- He cried out softly into Neji's mouth as he abruptly climaxed.

Neji shuddered at the feel of hot fluid against his stomach. Damnit.... He separated their lips with a gasp. Too soon.... Shifting faintly, he murmured quietly as his still anxious body brushed over Sasuke's.

I know. Sasuke reached down between them to firmly stroke his partner. "Sorry." I'm always too soon….

Neji shook his head, turning his face into Sasuke's neck. I wish we could.... His hips started to rock, forcing himself more firmly into the boy's hand. He groaned heavily and pawed at Sasuke's chest and sides until, finally, he found his own release.

Sasuke sighed, relieved, and gave Neji one last gentle squeeze before releasing him. He nuzzled Neji's temple. "Sorry for making you waste your bath."

He snorted quietly. "We both need one now," he muttered. Neji remained still a moment more, letting the last waves of pleasure slip from him. If he could have lasted a little longer….

Neji finally sat up on his ankles, sighing heavily. "At least my hair didn't completely dry," he said, pulling at the strands. "You want to go in first?"

"Yeah, okay. I'll be quick." Sasuke drew a hand along Neji's thigh as he stood, taking his shorts with him into the bathroom.

Once Sasuke was out of the room Neji flopped back onto the bed with an internal groan, staring up at the ceiling. I know we haven't been together that long, but...damnit I want him! His fingers curled tightly in the blankets beneath him. And he wants to sleep together tonight--I might just go crazy. Already he could feel himself recovering, and he closed his eyes, willing his body to calm without success.

Sasuke bathed quickly, being careful not to get his hair wet--he wanted to be able to climb right into bed. Dressing only in his shorts he returned to the room and hopped onto the bed next to Neji. "You look...thoughtful," he remarked with a smirk.

Neji rolled quickly to his feet--just seeing Sasuke, still damp and flushed from the hot water, was causing him to react. "Just tired," he assured as he moved towards the bathroom. "I won't be long." He was grateful to find the tub still full, and he wasted no time in climbing in.

Sasuke watched him go. He really isn't all that much older than me, but sometimes...he seems like it. He crawled beneath the blankets, stretching out to wait.

Neji found he needed more time than he'd expected, and though he had been trying to keep his hair dry, he wasn't able to. He only hoped that ducking underwater had been enough to hide the rise in his voice as he worked out his frustrations.

He returned in his clean shorts and shirt, again toweling his hair as he sat on the edge of the bed.

Sasuke folded his arms behind his head as he watched him. "You know," he said idly, "just a few months ago, I couldn't understand why Sakura seemed to like me so much. I thought it was dumb."

Neji smiled faintly. "And what about now?" he asked. I hope he's not comparing me to her.

"Now, I still think she's weird. But...." He stretched lazily on the bed and poked Neji with his foot. "I guess this boyfriend stuff isn't so bad."

Snorting, Neji shook his head. Boyfriend, huh? "You know, she probably would have jerked you off. It's not like it's hard to do." The towel fell over his face, but he made no move to pull it away as he continued to dry his hair.

"Hm?" Sasuke frowned thoughtfully, and when he tried to imagine that much he made a face. "Man, that'd be a pain. Having Sakura as a girlfriend. She and Ino fight enough as it is."

Well, that's true. Neji peeked from beneath the fabric. "You're not interested in any girls then?" he asked, honestly curious.

"Not really. They're so...clingy." Sasuke shrugged just thinking of it. "You know? And they don't really 'get things' like other guys do."

Neji set the towel aside in favor of his brush, working through the few tangles he'd managed to acquire. "Get things?" he persisted, not sure why he was questioning Sasuke so much. Maybe just to keep myself distracted.

"Well, like...." Sasuke sat up, his voice lowering a little. "Like us being here. Sakura didn't understand why we had to go. She doesn't know what it's like to...to have to do these things." He glanced away. "Because she's weak."

"That's not very fair," he replied softly. "Of course she doesn't understand--she grew up happy." Neji's eyes narrowed faintly. "She had a family to support her. Her only trial has been keeping ahead of Ino. That doesn't make her weak." He stared out across the room. "Her standards of strength are different than yours or mine, and she may be content with where she is at."

Sasuke sagged against the headboard. "Even if I didn't have to be stronger than Him," he muttered, looking to the window, "I don't think I'd ever be 'content where I am'. You don't get strong that way."

Neji was quiet a moment. "It really means that much to you," he murmured. "Being strong." He glanced at Sasuke, his brush pausing as he regarded the younger boy. "So when you beat him...will you still not be content?"

Sasuke felt his jaw tighten, preventing him from answering right away. "No," he said at last. "Why should I be?"

Snorting, Neji stood and moved to the window, pushing it open in hopes of coaxing a breeze to help dry his hair. He's still young, Neji reminded himself, staring out over the village. He.... "Then you never will beat him," he replied, knowing it was going to anger his friend. "You don't have a real goal--you're working for something you can't reach."

"I'll keep getting stronger," Sasuke shot back, his eyes narrowing. "And when I'm strong enough, I'll beat him. And then I'll get even stronger."

"And then what?" Neji persisted. He kept his back to Sasuke, not sure he would be able to keep his calm in front of the other if their eyes met.

"What then?" Sasuke snorted. "Isn't it obvious? We're ninjas, you know. All we do is get stronger and kill. I'd rather do it here than back in Konoha, at least. Why?" He glared at Neji's back. "What are you going to do?"

Neji set his brush down. His stomach felt hollow, but his lungs felt too constricted. I'll keep getting stronger, but it won't matter. There's no one I can defeat, no goal I can possibly reach. Not even Tsuchikage can help me.... He knew, in the end, that he would keep training, keep improving so that he might be able to better serve his new lord. His eyes narrowed as his scar gave a soft throb, almost as if to remind him of its presence, and he rubbed at it absently, by then completely having forgotten that Sasuke had asked him a question.

Sasuke frowned, his expression sobering as he watched Neji's turned back. There...isn't anything he can do. Even if I do become free, he never will be…. He licked his lips. "Neji?"

He was quiet a moment longer, watching as the sun finally set, turning everything shades of blue and gray. Sometimes...there are just some things you have to accept. Neji finally glanced over his shoulder. "Yeah?"

"You all right?" Sasuke leaned forward against his knees, watching him carefully. Neji….

"Hmm. Yeah." He turned to the window again. "Just...think about what you're doing, Sasuke," he advised softly. "You need to beat your brother--it's a good goal, an honorable one, after what happened. But not having a purpose makes anything you do empty." Though, what does that make you...if you can never reach your goal?

Sasuke snorted, flopping onto to bed. What's that supposed to mean? He just said it's all right for Sakura and them not to have goals like us, and now he says I don't have purpose? Whatever. "Come to bed. It's getting late." If I can kill him, I'll be happy. If I hesitate, I'll never make it. That's all that matters.

Sasuke.... His fingers curled around the window frame. Damnit. Neji closed the window, reaching up to pull his hair into a loose ponytail. At least now he felt too ill to be worried about his body, and he dropped onto the bed with a sigh.

Sasuke didn't wait for him to settle; he tugged Neji closer, and when he wouldn't move far enough wriggled possessively up against him. "You're with me," he muttered, resting his chin against his shoulder. "We'll do okay."

Neji didn't protest, shifting so Sasuke could better rest against him. He touched a kiss to the boy's forehead. Let it go. His goal has been there longer than I have. His fingers curled lightly against his back. "Boyfriend, huh?" he asked quietly.

Sasuke shifted in embarrassment. "Yeah," he mumbled. "Something like that." He smiled a little as he moved his hand over Neji's stomach.

Neji closed his eyes, gradually coaxing himself to relax. "Eventually, maybe we should just call ourselves lovers," he mused softly, sighing beneath Sasuke's touch.

Sasuke's hand paused. Lovers…? He continued his movements a moment later. That's...adult stuff. He frowned at his own thoughts. "Yeah. Eventually...." What does that even mean? If we're both guys…what more is there we can do?

Or maybe not. Neji didn't reply, though, deciding it would be better to remain quiet. He tipped his head back against the pillow, letting exhaustion get the best of him as he was pulled into slumber.

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