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.

**A big Thanks! for all the encouraging reviews. ^_^ I just wanted to take a moment to address a few questions before the start of the chapter--feel free to skip! Yes, there will be some more “action” in upcoming chapters--have no fear of that. However, I’m not giving away any pairing ;-) Chidiwa isn’t really another Kakashi--more between Iruka and Asuma. Gaara will get more play later. Shikamaru’s shadow puppet technique only works one way; he controls the movement of others, but what happens to them has no effect on him. Otherwise, it would make for a very difficult jutsu. ^.^;; Okay, that’s it! Thanks for your patience!

Please read and enjoy!

Fading Scars
Chapter Twenty One:

Iruka laughed. "Chicken fight, eh?" He crouched down and waved for Gaara to come closer. "Come on, Gaara. You and I can take them."

Gaara stared at him, but when he saw how much the others were enjoying themselves, he pulled himself up onto Iruka's shoulders. Iruka gave a triumphant shout as the two of them joined in the fray.

Shikamaru, meanwhile, watched them all with mixed confusion and embarrassment. "I think...I'm staying out of this one..."

Lee and Naruto grappled with each other once Guy got them close enough together. When Gaara joined, however, Naruto didn't stand a chance, and a concentrated attack sent him and Kakashi over backwards. "Woohoo! The king has fallen!" Lee cheered.

Naruto came up from the water, his arms draped over Kakashi's shoulders as he pouted. "No fair--two on one...."

"It was your idea," Gaara told him knowingly. He folded his hands on Iruka's head and leaned against them, strangely awed by the contact. It was oddly encouraging to be this close to an adult.

Iruka chuckled, wiping some of the water from his eyes. "It was a good match," he assured brightly.

Kakashi made a face at his two peers. Is this your idea of getting me to teach again? he accused silently. We'll see. He pulled Naruto back up onto his shoulders, and with a sudden shout he leapt at Guy. "Counterattack, Naruto!"

Though at first surprised, Naruto eagerly cheered his teacher on as they collided with a startled Lee and Guy. Kakashi was much faster than the other two in the water, and now they had the advantage. They finally managed to topple the dark-haired pair and turned on Iruka and Gaara. He's smiling again. Naruto let out a whooping cry. "You guys are next!"

"Hey!" Iruka pulled back, not liking the sly gleam in Kakashi's eyes as he and his young partner advanced on them. "Wait a minute--"

Gaara jumped abruptly off of Iruka's shoulders, colliding with Naruto and dragging them both--and Kakashi--under the water once more.

Off to the side, Shikamaru snorted. "Someone should have explained the rules to him."

Naruto came up sputtering and laughing, one arm somehow tangled up with Gaara's. "Ahh, he changed the rules!" He suddenly lifted Gaara up to set him on the "king's" rock. "Gaara wins!" he declared, beaming happily before splashing the other playfully.

Guy and Lee cheered while the elder helped Kakashi upright again.

"Ha!" Not realizing that the point of chicken fighting was, in fact, to stay on your host, Gaara laughed triumphantly and splashed Naruto with his feet.

Kakashi sighed. Well, at least they're having fun. "Well. Now I think it's time for a break," he said, heading for the edge. "I'm too old for this."

Naruto glanced over his shoulder, seeing Kakashi about to leave. I guess...I should do it now. He caught Gaara's feet to pause him, smiling a moment before turning towards the departing man. "Kakashi! I gotta talk to ya!" He hurried out of the water as well, snatching a towel to pull around his waist.

"Hm?" Kakashi tugged his own towel on, and was tempted to take the rest of the sake with him, but thought better of it if Naruto was following him. Though it was utterly ridiculous, he actually felt a little nervous to hear what Naruto had to say. "Yeah?"

Naruto stepped in front of him, for the moment ignoring the rest in the pool watching him. His fingers curled nervously. He tried to think of a way to start, but figured in the end that he was no good at doing anything other than just blurting things out. "I want you to teach me more about chakra," he declared, shifting anxiously. "Me and Gaara."

Naruto…. Iruka bit his lip, trying to listen in without looking like he was.

Kakashi frowned slightly, forgetting a moment that his mask wouldn't hide his expression this time. "Oh?" He glanced to Gaara, who was watching them unabashedly. "You have something in mind?" he asked, though what he really wanted to have asked was, "Why me?"

He nodded seriously. "I want to learn to better control Nine Tails," he said, causing a few in the pool to flinch at the name. Naruto licked his lips, tasting the metallic flavor of the water. "I want to be able to use that power whenever I need to, and then I wanna help Gaara do the same with that Shukaku."

Kakashi couldn't help but look to Gaara again--he still had his doubts on the boy, after all, especially with a demon like Shukaku involved. Even now, Gaara himself couldn't keep from looking nervous. Kakashi gave a tiny sigh. It's not like I was able to help Sasuke with his curse. But…if Naruto wants me….

"All right. If that's what you want." Kakashi ruffled Naruto's hair as he started past him. "As soon as we get back, I'll train you both in Chakra control. That is, if Guy doesn't mind…?"

Guy crossed his arms smugly in an obvious "I told you so" pose. "So long as they don't shirk their other training, I don't mind at all."

Naruto grinned, and though he was still a little wary with depending on Kakashi again, he knew there was no other jounin that he could trust with Gaara. "Thanks! Kakashi-sensei," he added as an afterthought, and before he could give the elder a chance to reply ran back into the water. "I challenge Gaara as the king!"

Kakashi flinched a little, and when he glanced back couldn't bring himself to be annoyed with the warm looks Iruka and Guy were sending his way. Well, shit. I'm a teacher again. Hiding a tiny smile, Kakashi started back toward the inn.

Iruka smiled to himself. "I think Kakashi-sensei has the right idea," he chuckled, gathering up the sake bottle and cups. "I could stand to cool down a bit before bed."

In the process of fending off Naruto, Gaara frowned sharply. Bed…. He hadn't seen any bathtubs in their traditional inn, and they'd told him he couldn't sleep in the springs…. "Naruto?"

"Huh?" He paused, hands around Gaara's ankles as he prepared to throw the boy over backwards. "What is it?"

Gaara waited until the other teachers looked like they were leaving before continuing. "Where can I sleep tonight?" he asked, a thread of strain in his voice. "There aren't any bathtubs for me…."

Blinking, it took Naruto a moment to realize what Gaara meant. Oh yeah, the water. He smiled in assurance. "If you don't want to try sleeping dry, we'll just cover ya with some wet towels," he replied easily. "That should take care 'a ya over night."

Try sleeping dry? The thought made him shiver. "That's okay. If you think it will work."

"If you're really worried about it, we can put some over your gourd, too," Shikamaru suggested. "That should keep you pretty safe."

"Yeah..." Gaara nodded. "All right."

Naruto grinned at Shikamaru. "I wouldn't have thought of that--good idea." He patted Gaara's knee. "Don't worry--we'll all keep an eye on you. We're comrades, right?"

Gaara nodded again with greater confidence. "Yeah. Yeah, I'll be all right." He paused, then splashed Naruto playfully.

The group continued to play a while longer, but the hot water eventually got the better of them. They slipped into their room, talk subdued with weariness. Naruto perked up suddenly, though, and waved Lee over. They talked quickly and quietly, Lee finally nodding. Clutching an object to his chest, Naruto slipped up next to Shikamaru as he pulled on his shorts. "Hey," he whispered. "Come with us a sec--I'm giving this to Gaara." Making sure it was hidden from the boy in question, Naruto quickly showed his friend a Hidden Leaf forehead protector.

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. "Where'd you get that?" he asked, wondering if he really wanted to know. They only give those out at graduation, which Gaara never did.

Naruto winked. "It's a secret, but either way I'm giving it to him." He met Shikamaru's gaze hopefully. "You'll come, right? He deserves it, same as all of us, right?"

"Yeah, okay." He glanced to the other side of the room, where Gaara was gathering up sheets to be soaked. He'll probably be really happy. "I'm coming."

Relieved, Naruto hopped across the room, the other two in tow. "Hey, Gaara! Hold on a sec." He bounced up in front of him, hands behind his back. "Here--guess which hand."

Gaara stared at him blankly. "Which hand what?"

"You're supposed to guess one," Shikamaru explained. “Right or left."

"Um..." Though baffled, Gaara picked Naruto's right. "That one...?"

Naruto flashed his right hand--empty. "Nope! But that's okay, you still get a prize." Grinning fit to split his face, Naruto whipped out the other, presenting Gaara with the leaf emblazoned headband. "Tada! If you're gonna be a Konoha ninja, you really should have one of these, right?"

Gaara stared at it, dropping his sheets so he could take the protector in both hands. "For me?" He traced over the symbol with his fingertips. "Really?"

"Of course!" Naruto tilted his head, watching Gaara's face attentively for his reaction. "You're one of us now, and even if the town doesn't know it yet, we're the best ninjas they have! This way, they'll know for sure."

Gaara's eyes widened, and without further hesitation he tied the protector securely around his forehead. "Like this?" I'm really one of them--now everyone will know it! His cheeks flushed with excitement.

Naruto nodded, beaming as though he had received the band himself.

Lee extended a hand to pat his younger companion on the shoulder. "It looks good on you, Gaara-san," he complimented.

Gaara drew himself up, and suddenly wrapped his arms firmly around Naruto's neck. "Thank you." He shivered. If it weren’t for Naruto…I would have never…. He pulled tightly against him with no intention of letting go.

Throat closing, Naruto hugged him back. I know--I know, Gaara. He held still, understanding how important this was for his friend, willing to stay as long as he wanted.

Lee's smile softened, though he kept his hand on Gaara's shoulder in his own offer of support. We've gone through so much--all of us. I'm glad, though. I'm so glad I got to know him, that I agreed to help Naruto find him.

Shikamaru watched the trio, standing a few steps away as they celebrated their friend's accomplishment. Good for them. He glanced away uncomfortably, tightening his sleeping robe. He was happy for them, but at the same time it made something hollow swell in his chest. Without a word he turned away to begin arranging his futon.

Naruto reached out without looking, catching the back of Shikamaru's coat tightly. You're part of this too, you know. He turned his head just enough to see him, casting a hopeful glance.

Lee noticed the movement, watching them curiously before smiling faintly. "I think...Naruto-kun wants our captain to stay, don't you?" he asked quietly.

Naruto's fingers curled even tighter. Shikamaru....

Shikamaru stared back at him; somehow, Naruto's expression wasn't making him feel any better. "I'm gonna set the futon out," he told him, reaching back to peel Naruto's hand from him. "You guys take your time." He caught Gaara watching him, but only for a moment--the red-head quickly turned his attention back to his two group mates.

Naruto wilted, though only for a moment. He wasn't sure why Shikamaru didn't want to stay, but.... Fine then. He turned his focus back to Gaara, patting his back. "You better not start crying," Naruto teased softly, sensing that Lee was moving away as well to go assist Shikamaru.

"I'm not," Gaara protested, leaning back. He scraped self-consciously at his eyes to make sure. "I'm going to wear it," he told Naruto firmly. He tapped the forehead protector, wondering suddenly why he had never worn it there before. "I like it."

"Well that's good," he replied, giving it a quick knock himself. "It's a symbol of pride, you know, so wear it well, okay?" Naruto finally stepped back, scooping up Gaara's blankets and pulling them towards the sliding door.

Gaara followed him, still fingering the symbol on his forehead. I'm a leaf ninja. I wonder if…Kankuro and Temari…. He frowned. I don't care. He set a hand on Naruto's arm as they went.

Shikamaru watched them go as he finished setting out the futon. "Sticks to him pretty well, doesn't he?" he remarked idly, stretching out on his back.

Lee nodded. "Gaara-san really looks up to Naruto-kun," he explained. "And if what I've heard is true, I don't think anyone has really been nice to Gaara-san until now." He smiled faintly. "I guess...it's kinda like Guy-sensei and me. You can't help but care about the first person to really give you a chance."

"Yeah, I guess so." Shikamaru sighed and draped his arms over his stomach. It's not like it should bother me. I don't know why I'm like this. "Well, I'm glad for them."

Lee lowered himself to his own futon beside Shikamaru, greatly thankful for the lack of soreness in his arm and leg. "Gaara-san has been slowly getting better, at least. He used to not let Naruto-kun go anywhere on his own."

Shikamaru's lip twitched. "Yeah, I remember." But I guess it's better than Gaara trying to kill us all, like the last time he was here. He glanced over at Lee. "Y'know, it's pretty amazing. That you've forgiven him."

Eyes narrowing, Lee nodded slowly. "I...never really blamed him, you know," he replied softly, not wanting Naruto or Gaara to hear him. "It really was my fault, not being strong enough, but...." His fingers curled at his sides. "Then we found him...and he was scared. Scared of me." Lee tipped his head to better see Shikamaru. "He was actually scared of me."

"Scared of you?" Shikamaru echoed with a confused frown. They did say Lee was the first to ever land a hit on him. But…scared? He glanced to Naruto and Gaara to make sure they weren't coming back yet. "Why?"

He shrugged. "I don't really know. Something about...me being able to hit him, is part of it. At least I think so. But...." Lee shook his head. "I don't know. He won't talk about it--not with me anyway. But it's okay." Lee relaxed into his futon again, letting his eyes drift shut. "He's been opening up, just a little, and I think he's really starting to trust us."

"Because of Naruto, really." Shikamaru sighed again, finally drawing the blankets over him. "He can just…do that, somehow. That Naruto."

Lee nodded, pulling his own blankets up under his arms. "He is. I don't think there is anything Naruto-kun couldn't do, if he really tried."

"That's certainly true...." Shikamaru glanced up as the pair returned, Gaara's arms piled with soggy blankets. The inn owner wasn't going to be happy, probably. "You two all set?"

Gaara dropped his blankets on the floor on the other side of Lee's futon. "Yes." With the material soaked it took a while to sort through, but finally Gaara was wrapped up in wet sheets, looking quite pleased with himself.

Naruto took his own armful of wet towels and began laying them over Gaara's gourd before returning to the group. "All set!" he declared, dropping into his own bed. "Thanks for setting this up for me, guys."

"Sure." Shikamaru folded his arms behind his head and closed his eyes. "Just let us all sleep in, okay? It's been a long day."

Naruto made a big deal out of wiggling around, but he found the worn block of wood wasn't nearly comfortable enough for him. "Gah, I can't sleep on this," he finally muttered, grabbing the small log to throw aside. "This thing is practically--ow!" He dropped the wood halfway through his toss, grabbing his right hand in pain.

Gaara sat up quickly. "What? What is it?"

Naruto lifted his hand, squinting in the dim lighting. "Aw, it's a splinter," he complained. He glared at the piece of wood and kicked it away before pulling his hand close. Pinching his fingers, he tried to get the long sliver of wood from his middle digit, but without any nails he couldn't get a good hold of it. "Damn, it's really in there."

Gaara's eyes widened slightly as a tiny drop of blood slid over Naruto's finger from his efforts to dislodge the wood. Without a word he took Naruto's hand, tugging it to him and drawing the injured finger childishly into his mouth.

Shikamaru made a face as he watched them. What's he doing…?

Naruto blinked, too startled to say anything for a moment. When he realized what it was Gaara was trying to do, he smiled faintly. "Gaara, I gotta get the wood out first," he explained, giving his hand a tug. "It can't get better until it's out, and then sucking on it works."

Gaara frowned, but he rubbed the fingertip with his tongue and gave it one firm suck before releasing his hand. Then before Naruto could take his hand back he scratched the wound with his fingernail--the splinter surfaced obediently, and he was able to pluck it out. "Like that?"

Though he winced with the slight pain, Gaara had moved so quickly that he didn't even have a chance to murmur a protest. Naruto's smile widened, ignoring the drop of blood welling from the tiny wound. "Yeah--that feels a lot better."

Pleased, Gaara popped the finger back into his mouth. It still tastes heavy. Blood.... But he was helping Naruto, and that much was enough for him. His eyes narrowed slightly as he continued to suck gently on Naruto's fingertip.

The fingers of Naruto's other hand curled slightly as he watched the attentions being paid him. It…made something in his stomach tighten, though he wasn't sure why. For now, he remained still and strangely quiet, almost mesmerized by the small movements of lips over his finger.

Lee glanced up, chuckling softly. "Are you taking care of Naruto-kun now, Gaara-san?" he asked, lightly teasing.

Gaara's eyes flickered to Lee briefly, before slowly closing. He wasn't sure why, but...he liked this. His hands tightened subtly against Naruto's wrist to keep him still.

Shikamaru stared at them, frowning. For whatever reason just watching the pair was making him uncomfortable again. He glanced away. "Should we leave you two alone?"

Naruto blushed as if they had been caught doing something wrong, finger twitching in Gaara's mouth. We're not, but.... He smiled shakily and touched Gaara's arm. "It should be okay now. Thanks, Gaara."

Gaara frowned, but he let Naruto go, and unconsciously licked his lips. "You're welcome." He stretched out again beneath his blankets.

Still feeling flushed, Naruto wiggled back into his own bed, deciding he didn't really need a pillow. His stomach still felt a bit tight as he lay down. "G'night guys," he said cheerfully, trying to pretend everything was fine.

"Good night Naruto-kun, Gaara-san, Shikamaru-san," Lee answered sleepily.

Shikamaru glanced at the three with a slight frown. Whatever. I guess I'm just in a weird mood. "G'night, everyone," he said in turn. He twisted onto his stomach and closed his eyes, and was soon asleep.

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