Cheysuli Challenge: Bunny #321

Ever has it been that love knows not its own depth,
until the hour of separation. - Kahlil Gibran

---~Chapter 2~---

"Have the preparations been made?"

"Hai, Orochimaru-sama. We leave tomorrow morning and should reach our new base by the end of the week." Kabuto replied while fluffing his master's pillow before turning to the bedside table to pour hot water from the kettle into the cup of tea leaves. "Everything is already set up for the Fushi Tensei(1) so you can begin as soon as we arrive."

Orochimaru reached out to take the chamomile tea and inhaled it's therapeutic aroma. "Good," he sighed, content that, for once, things were going exactly as planned.

After the invasion of Konoha he had deployed the Sound Four to 'persuade' the Uchiha boy to follow them back to Otogakure but even that plan went awry and he'd lost his devoted soldiers along with his beloved weapon, Kimimaro to the accursed Leaf nin, ironically, with the help of the Kazekage's brats, who intervened now that Wind had reconciled with Leaf, and the delay of his 'precious cargo' cost him valuable time and he was forced to possess a temporary host until Sasuke eventually arrived.

He'd patiently waited three years so he could perform his 'Living Corpse Reincarnation' spell and his current body was already deteriorating but he endured and waited another year and a half. Kabuto nagged him constantly to possess the Uchiha before complications arose but Orochimaru wanted to wait. He'd enjoyed watching the bitter feud between his two young apprentices but now that they were no longer enemies their relationship had become even more...entertaining.

Orochimaru chuckled inwardly and took a sip of the scalding liquid. When Sasuke first arrived, Neji had become extremely moody and it was amusing to have two angsty teenagers brooding about his lair. They quickly became rivals and fought constantly over their mentor's attentions but it was no secret that Orochimaru favored the Uchiha over the Hyuuga and he spent most of his time training Sasuke, shaping him into the perfect vessel that he would soon inhabit.

Neji's jealousy eventually consumed him and many times he tried to take his nemisis' life and as much as Orochimaru relished their Cain and Abel drama he couldn't risk Neji actually succeeding so he made him suffer the shame and humiliation of becoming Sasuke's personal bodyguard, forcing him to swear, with his blood and on his father's grave, that he would protect Sasuke's life with his own.

Needless to say, the Hyuuga was adverse to his new rank but he carried out his duties without complaint and was wholly subservient to his new master and the lair was peaceful for a change. Eventually, they began talking with one another, an uncanny practice since Neji hardly spoke unless spoken to and the only words that ever escaped Sasuke's mouth were 'Train me!'.

They spoke about their families and the men responsible for their parents' deaths and their dreams of revenge and both boys realized that they had alot in common. Soon, their conversations became punctuated with physical contact, nothing ambiguous, just a pat on the shoulder. Their hands eventually graduated to cupping faces and experimenting with bold touches and soft caresses which led to long, passionate kisses and eventually evolved into sex.

Orochimaru had never caught them in the act but the tell-tale scent that lingered in their rooms alerted the Sannin that his apprentices no longer held grudges against each other. They were an adorable couple, although no one would be able to tell at a glance since they adhered to their strict shinobi code and possessed stoic personalities by default, but the older man thought it was cute to watch Neji always walk two steps behind his principal especially now, since he did it because he wanted to and not because he had to.

"I'm glad you've finally decided to make the switch," said Kabuto and he fussed with the pillow once again. "I've done everything I could but I don't think I can continue to maintain your body for much longer."

"Yes, I've been prolonging this," he admitted with a smirk. "But it's time to begin the next stage. In two day's time Uchiha Sasuke will be my new vessel and I can begin obtaining every jutsu."

Kabuto grinned to himself. He too had waited patiently for that day and had done and said everything he could to convince Orochimaru to perform the Fushi Tensei sooner and at last the time had come when he would finally be rid of that obnoxious brat. "It's a perfect plan," encouraged the medic-nin.

"I agree, but it appears not everyone seems to think so, eh, Neji-kun?"

The young shinobi in question stepped forward and Kabuto felt a chill creep along his spine as he watched the boy emerge from a dark corner of the room, shadowed by the weak candle light. Kabuto hadn't sensed him although Orochimaru obviously had and he wondered just how long the boy had been standing there.

Neji made no response and just stood there idly with a blank expression on his face.

Orochimaru adjusted his position on the bed so he could look at his apprentice face-to-face. "I know you have your reservations regarding the procedure but I assure you that even though Sasuke-kun will be gone in mind and spirit a little bit of his consciousness will remain so he won't be entirely dead."

He lingered for a moment and the spacious room seemed to echo in silence before he turned and headed for the door. Kabuto frowned at his retreating back and after he was gone the bespectacled shinobi waited a few minutes before turning to his superior to voice his concerns.

"Orochimaru-sama, I think we should leave him here when we head to Fuma tomorrow. Somehow I don't think he approves of this and may interfere-"

He was cut off by Orochimaru's deep laughter that reverberated off the stone walls. "Must you always be so suspicious, Kabuto-kun?"

His assistant stiffened, he obviously didn't share the same faith in Neji that Orochimaru did, in fact, he thought the Hyuuga was just as big a nuisance as the Uchiha was. They were both arrogant and rude towards the Sannin they should have nothing but reverence for since he taught them everything he knew and Kabuto didn't know why he entertained their insolent behavior.

The blue-haired apprentice opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by a shake of Orochimaru's head. "Trust me Kabuto-kun, Neji will not interfere."

***

It was a sunset just like any other, on a summer's day like any other but the oranges and purples seemed brighter than usual and the seasonal warmth was more humid but he watched and appreciated every second of it because it would be the last time he would ever experience it.

Nature gradually switched its programming with the setting of the sun into a cool and windy atmosphere to paint the forest landscape with azure and indigo hues with the rising of the full moon.

The luminescent pearl of the night sky floated within two reflective onyx pools and was seared into his memory forever when Sasuke closed his eyes and listened to his last serenade.

An ethereal feeling washed over him as the notes reached his ears and the song that played influenced his thoughts and altered his perception as Sasuke allowed himself to be caught in Neji's erotic genjutsu.

Sasuke jumped down from his perch atop the large tree limb and landed lithely on the soft soil beneath. He slowly approached the source of the sensual music and it's composer began their foreplay, manipulating the wind to caress him like fingers on his skin, the breeze to blow whisper like kisses across his face and the air to thread its ghost like tendrils through his hair.

As he drew closer, fell deeper into the spell, the backdrop seemed to fade away and the grass parted by his feet, making a path towards the center of the glade where the colours shone brightly and the moonlight converged on them until they both took on a celestial glow. Sasuke reached out his hand to pull the hitai-ate from over his eyes to rest on his forehead and uncover white eyelids closed in quiet concentration and his thick, dark lashes resting heavily upon his cheeks. His eyes remained closed as he continued to play, his tune produced by alternating long and short puffs of air from his pink lips glistening with saliva.

Sasuke threaded his long fingers through his silken hair and Neji slowly lifted his lids to reveal pale, impassive eyes but his song betrayed his apathy and confessed his true emotions...his sadness.

Their eyes met and their gazes locked and they never looked away until Neji played his last note and lowered his flute from his lips. They never had to speak, by now they had developed an unspoken language between them. He cast his colorless eyes to the ground and Sasuke knew he was expressing his unhappiness with his decision to become their master's next vessel.

He cupped his face with large, calloused hands and Neji met his dark eyes again and the look he gave him told him this is what he wanted, what he had to do and there was nothing he could say, nothing he could do to make him change his mind.

Neji nodded his head in understanding and Sasuke dipped his head to take his soft lips in a possessive kiss and the dizi flute slipped from his long fingers and dropped noiselessly to the ground as he lifted his arms to wrap them around his neck.

They both knew this would be their last time together, the last time they could share the warmth in each other's arms but while they take it slow to savor these few precious moments they don't deviate from their usual pattern.

Sasuke was careful not to break the kiss as his fingers tugged at the bow in the other boy's obi and slid the belt from around his thin waist before he gently pushed him into the ground. He parted the thick fabric of the kimono but his hands did not explore the detailed chest exposed beneath him, they never did and even now in their last tryst they never do.

It had always been like this, had to be like this. As Sound shinobi they were never allowed to express their feelings. It was purely physical and what they had could never develop beyond just sex because they couldn't give birth to a deeper relationship, could not incubate an intimacy that would grow into a closer connection, a stronger bond and their ties with one another could become nothing more than a ninja and his protector.

Neji lifted his hips to allow Sasuke to divest him of his pants and scandals and the Uchiha broke the kiss so he could undress the boy beneath him completely and shrug out of his own clothing. He brought three fingers to his mouth so he could liberally coat them with his saliva before slipping one inside Neji's tight heat. He felt the shudder that tore through his supple body and heard him stifle a pained yelp. A second finger soon joined the first and Neji dug his fingernails into the dirt and bit hard on his lower lip but when the third digit entered him he tossed back his head and fought hard not to cry out.

It didn't hurt terribly, he was used to it by now and his insides stretched easily at Sasuke's ministrations and when he was comfortable that the boy was well prepared he removed his fingers and placed his burning heat at his puckered opening and slowly penetrated him. Neji gasped and fisted his fingers in the other boy's hair and locked his legs tightly around his waist while he sheathed himself to the hilt.

Sasuke stopped and closed his eyes against the overwhelming sensations of Neji's constricting warmth engulfing his turgid member and he too had to fight to keep his lust-filled moans at bay. He pulled out slightly before gently shoving himself back in and they soon fell into their practiced rhythm.

The clearing was relatively quiet except for the occasional hoot of an owl or chirp of a cricket and the only evidence of their love making was their heavy-breathing and the sound of skin slapping against skin.

Neji remained expressionless as the boy above him maintained that steady pace but his features soon softened and his eyes became cloudy. His lips parted slightly and when Sasuke heard his breath accelerate he rocked his hips in that circular motion he knew the other boy liked so much.

Sasuke knew he was getting close, he recognized the signs and he knew that moment was fast approaching. That moment was the only time Neji ever let his guard down and was truly vulnerable and he, Uchiha Sasuke, was the only human being who ever saw him in that state and it always gave him a certain power over the boy who was the one always protecting him.

Neji arched his back and ground his hips closer, tightening the hold he had around Sasuke's waist with his thighs. His eyelids fell half-way and heavy pants escaped his throat and Sasuke knew it was coming. His moment of weakness. Neji placed all his trust in him during that moment, it was the one and only thing he needed of him in return and he could not betray that trust.

Sasuke leaned closer when the other boy began writhing desperately beneath him and framed his head with his elbows and forearms and dipped his head to press their foreheads together to hide his face from view. It was that face that he was most ashamed of and didn't want anyone, not even Sasuke to see it. It contained all his emotions, all his desire and it was Sasuke's duty to guard them and he couldn't let the other boy down.

He felt a hard shove at his shoulders and was surprised when Neji pushed him away so he could look down at him and, for the first time, watch him as he reached his orgasm.

And it was arousing.

He completely liberated himself and abandoned the laws of the shinobi that he followed so zealously to become, for just this moment, his lover. A loud moan erupted from deep within his chest followed by high-pitched pants and Sasuke stopped his movements so he could stare, bewitched at the enticing form beneath him. He'd never heard Neji make these noises before, never felt him move against him like this before, never saw those lovely eyes gaze at him that way before and knew he'd never experienced an orgasm quite so powerful and Sasuke knew it was the first and the last time he'd ever be able to enjoy these things.

Neji took shuddering breaths, gasping for air and when his breathing eventually mellowed Sasuke renewed his thrusts. He clamped his eyes shut and pistoned his hips harder and faster until he found his release with a loud grunt. His laboured breath escaped through his nostrils and he pursed his lips between his teeth as he felt his arousal wane and his seed seep around his softening member causing it to slip out and his thick semen to leak from Neji's shrinking orifice.

His black eyes opened and rested on Neji's tear streaked face and he leaned over to kiss his eyelids shut but his compassionate gesture only caused more tears to stream anew and Sasuke knew Neji hated himself for being weak enough to cry and he knew he deserved to be chastized and he expected Sasuke to punish him for being so emotional, it was what Sasuke was supposed to do whenever he acted on his feelings but Sasuke didn't taunt him this time, instead he allowed him to communicate his fears, his longings and he too shared in this last act of emotional vulnerability and let the tears he'd been fighting back come and showered Neji's alabaster face with tiny droplets.

His guardian cupped his face in his hands and brought him closer so they could kiss passionately and Sasuke interpreted it and knew that Neji was telling him he was going to miss him, knew he was saying their final farewell.

-----

(1) Fushi Tensei - Spell of Immortality


Next chapter: Team 7 intervenes.