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.

***The story skips now another few years, putting the boys around 14-15.***

Please read and enjoy!

Fading Scars
Chapter Twenty Two:

They were here, again. As they had been so many times in the past many months--the past two years--since they first started coming out to this part of the woods to train. They would spar, eat, spar some more...and finally collapse together in a stray beam of sunlight, enjoying its warmth. Like kids they'd curl together, not caring at the close contact. Though it might not be quite as innocent as it once was.

Shikamaru sighed softly. He hadn't seen it coming, and that wasn't like him, but he was beginning to recognize the subtle uneasiness in his stomach for what it really was. Just listening to Naruto's breath hiss against his shoulder, feeling every slight shift of movement…. He was far too interested in these tiny things. For all he could tell Naruto was oblivious, which made it easier for him to enjoy it. But on quiet days like this, when their companions were out on their own and it was them alone, lying next to each other in the silent wood….

"Hey." Shikamaru nudged Naruto gently. "You asleep?"

"Mmm?" Naruto wiggled, ultimately settling in the same position on his side, though maybe with his nose buried a little deeper in Shikamaru's coat. He was almost dozing, enjoying the warmth and the comfort of knowing he was with someone he trusted. For all that he had grown he kept returning to places like this--Lee's training clearing, the dip in the earth where he and Shikamaru lay. They were familiar, and safe from wary eyes. Despite that, Naruto rarely actually slept in these places, preferring to be awake to enjoy them.

Shikamaru smirked. "That a no?" He plucked idly at Naruto's hair; he liked the rough texture against his fingertips. "I overheard some of the other chuunin," he told him. "They were talking about you. They think Hokage's gonna make you a jounin soon."

Naruto went still, only his fingers curling to show his surprise. "Oh?" Hokage will finally.... Somehow, he wasn't as excited as he should have been. His eyes slipped vaguely open, staring across Shikamaru's chest to the forest beyond, watching the way it rose and fell. Lately, it was difficult to get excited about anything, especially since....

Shikamaru's lip twitched. "You don't sound all that thrilled with the idea," he remarked, still moving his hand. His fingertips scraped lightly against Naruto's scalp.

Naruto shrugged. "Guy has been pushing her for all of us," he replied. "Iruka and Kakashi, too. They're worried about Akatsuki, since they've been so quiet these last few months." He shifted a bit closer. "If she does, I'm glad, though I bet most people won't feel the same."

All this time, and still.... Shikamaru tugged him a little closer. "Well, fuck'em. There isn't a person in this village who doesn't owe all of you their life." I know I can't ask him to be happy with just us, but…. "All the new genin look up to you, you know. All Konohamaru's doing, I'm sure."

That...helped. A little. "He's a good kid," he murmured, giving in to Shikamaru's pull and slipping closer. Naruto rested his head against the boy's shoulder, closing his eyes again. "She dumped me," he suddenly blurted, fingers curling tightly in Shikamaru's coat.

Shikamaru stilled. So, Sakura finally…well, we all saw it. Except him…. "I'm sorry," he murmured, kneading his fingers gently into the base of Naruto's skull. "I know...it meant a lot to you."

Another shrug. "I knew, I guess," he murmured, grateful for Shikamaru's sympathy. "She finally stopped talking about him every day, but...she got another letter yesterday." Even after more than two years, she still prefers him over me. Even if he's gone. Naruto turned his face against Shikamaru's chest, somehow desperate to just have someone near him. "I got mad, because she wouldn't even tell me what it said, and I yelled at her. So of course she started crying like a stupid girl...."

Shikamaru closed his eyes. Come on, Naruto. You've always known what she's like. But he did feel bad for his friend, and he welcomed Naruto as close as he wanted. "And then she told you not to come back, right?"

"Pretty much." He sighed heavily. "I don't know why I even bothered all this time, except I thought we were friends." Naruto gave a little growl of frustration. "They're really not worth it, you know," he went on. "Girls. They're all just crazy--they don't get anything."

Shikamaru cringed a little. "Well..." Fuck, just say it. "Honestly, I don't bother with girls at all," he heard himself say, as if from somewhere outside his body. "Not all of us have to...like them, after all."

Naruto smiled, just faintly. "That sounds nice," he murmured. "Not bothering with them. It's not like I ever needed her to...well, do stuff with." Blushing faintly, Naruto rubbed at his nose in just a bit of embarrassment.

"You...." Shikamaru bit his lip, feeling his cheeks heat a little. Geez, thank God he can't see me. "You mean, you guys never...?" He knew it wasn’t his place to ask, but his curiosity was curled in him like a taut spring.

He shook his head. "Naw. I brought it up once, about a month ago, and she practically threw a fit." Naruto scratched at his head--he was still miffed by her behavior, only able to chalk it up to being a girl thing. "I just thought it might be nice. You know...kissing or something...." His face felt like he'd been sitting over steaming ramen, but he didn't care--it was Shikamaru, after all, and no one really knew him better than Shikamaru did.

Geez, Naruto, I know you're not trying to tease me, but.... He snorted lightly, trying to sound non-chalant. "So you've never actually made out before, huh?"

"Nope." He lifted his head slightly to better see Shikamaru. "What about you and Ino?" he asked. "You guys were together for a bit, weren't you?" A slow smile curled Naruto's lips as he sat up a bit. "Did you guys do it?"

Shikamaru rolled his eyes and glanced away. "We fooled around," he admitted with a slight shrug. "Not all the way." His hand curled thoughtlessly against Naruto's back. "It's not so bad."

"Oh yeah?" Naruto rolled onto his stomach, Shikamaru's arm still trapped beneath his chest. "What's it like?" he asked, chin in his hand. "You can tell me."

Shikamaru frowned. What's it like? "How am I supposed to explain it?" he muttered, though he could feel his cheeks darkening again. "I dunno. It's...fun, I guess." He gulped.

Naruto's eyes narrowed a bit. "Too bad girls are such a pain," he sighed. "Take all the fun out of everything." He groaned and leaned against Shikamaru's side. "I've never done anything like that before."

Well shit. He was wrong and he was going to regret it, but…damnit, Naruto was really warm. Giving in, Shikamaru took Naruto's chin, tilting it up so he could plant a brief but firm kiss to his lips. I'm so in trouble. He pulled back just as quickly. "Like that?"

Startled, Naruto could only blink down at his friend. After a moment, he brushed at his lips, almost as if he didn't believe it had actually happened. "Like that...." His eyes widened. "Guys can to that, too?" he asked. "I mean, with other guys? I never heard of that."

Shikamaru shrugged again, annoyed that his pulse had suddenly found its way to his ears. "Some. Kakashi does." That's something I never need to see again. He shook that aside. "Not a whole lot, but...not all guys like girls, y'know?"

Naruto straightened at that. "Kakashi?" I didn't know, though...I haven't ever heard him talk about a girl. "I didn't know that," he murmured, head tipped slightly as he considered. "So...you make out with guys?" he asked, just to be sure.

Trying to explain it is such a pain.... "Not like, a lot or something," Shikamaru quickly defended himself. "But yeah, you could say that." He shrugged yet again. "You wanna make out?"

Naruto couldn't help giggling--a little bubble had suddenly built in his stomach, one that made him shift faintly, like he'd been tickled. "You wanna make out with me?" he asked, eyes wide and curious.

Shikamaru did his best not to frown at him. Only since forever, you big idiot. "Yeah, why not. Y'know, since you've never done it." The thought made his stomach twist anxiously. Is this really…a chance?

Naruto grinned. Why not? If it's okay for boys to do it with other boys, then why not? "Okay," he said brightly, pulling himself higher and pressing their lips enthusiastically together. It made that little bubble in his stomach turn into several.

Shikamaru blinked--somehow, he never thought Naruto would actually go along with it. But the moment he felt those lips against him something in him melted a little in relief. Naruto.... He touched Naruto's cheek, guiding them more accurately together as he kissed him back.

Though he really had no idea what to do, Naruto did his best to copy the movements of Shikamaru's mouth He soon realized that he liked it--a lot, in fact, especially when he tried sucking at his lower lip. Naruto pressed one hand against his friend's chest as he pulled himself higher. I at least know some of what to do, after all that peeping.

Shikamaru shivered despite himself. Though he knew Naruto's enthusiasm as well as anyone, it was different having it turned on him with such affection. Maybe he had been waiting for this even longer than he'd thought…. He slipped his other arm out from under his head, taking a fistful of Naruto's belt to drag him over his body.

Yeah...that's how they always do it. Naruto easily slipped one leg on either side of his companion, eagerly pressing down. It ended up being more than he'd expected--he growled as he curled further, clawing at Shikamaru's shoulders. I like this.

Shikamaru murmured in surprise between them--Naruto had spirit, that was for sure. But he couldn't claim to not be affected, and he twisted his arms tightly around Naruto's waist. I don't believe this. He parted his lips and encouraged Naruto to do the same.

Naruto found he enjoyed that even more than the press of lips, though when Shikamaru's tongue moved in on his own, he couldn't help pulling back with a laugh. "That's weird!" he exclaimed, grinning and keeping their hips tightly connected. He was surprised to find himself breathing rather quickly from even so short a time.

"Huh?" Shikamaru blinked, doing his best to catch his breath as well. "I guess so." He caught Naruto's collar, tugging him back down. "Come on. Do it to me."

He chuckled--he'd never heard Shikamaru talk like that. "'Kay." Naruto bravely leaned in, sealing their lips again. I like this--he kinda tastes sharp. Taking only a moment to gather his courage, Naruto tried slipping his tongue past Shikamaru's lips. He growled softly.

That's more like it. Shikamaru slipped his hand to the back of Naruto's head, holding him still so he wouldn't be able to pull away again. With another hand curled tensely against Naruto's hip he sucked hungrily at his tongue.

Eyelids fluttering, Naruto's voice changed to a low whine as Shikamaru suddenly took charge. Not that I mind.... His own hands started moving, testing the feel of thick muscles in Shikamaru's chest and stomach as his own body grew tense.

Naruto's hands were strong, and they made Shikamaru shift excitedly beneath him. This is a little further than I thought we'd…but man, trying to tell him to stop would be.... Deciding not to worry about that he slid his hand to Naruto's thigh, massaging the outside of it firmly.

Growling, Naruto pulled back for a moment with a gasp. He laughed breathlessly as he shifted over Shikamaru. "I think...I like making out," he panted, eyes shining. He shifted a little higher to better feel the touch on his leg. "You're pretty strong."

"Not as strong as you," Shikamaru replied easily. He sighed quietly as he relaxed against the grass, though he continued to run his hand up and down Naruto's thigh. "But if you're having fun...."

He nodded. "Yeah, I am." Naruto glanced down to watch Shikamaru's hand a moment. Feels good. He sat back suddenly on Shikamaru's stomach, continuing to run his hands over the other's chest. "What about you?"

Shikamaru swallowed hard. Should I…tell him? He lowered his other hand to Naruto's thigh, following the pace of the other. "Yeah. You're not so bad, yourself." He turned his hands slightly so that his thumb pressed further along the inside of Naruto's thighs as he added strength to the caress. He arched his back slightly against the touch on him. "Feels good…."

Naruto watched his movements with great interest, squirming beneath the ticklish touches. It's making me hard.... His lips parted faintly to hiss in a deep breath. It's okay for guys to do this too, right? He leaned in for another kiss, this time urging Shikamaru's tongue into his mouth to suck on.

Shikamaru allowed it eagerly, his eyelids fluttering a little as he moaned softly into Naruto's mouth. When they shifted, he could feel Naruto's arousal, and it made his own body tighten excitedly. "Hey," he gasped when Naruto finally released his mouth. He slid his hand higher. "You wanna jerk off?"

Giggling, Naruto stayed close, liking the feel of the other's breath on his face. "Right here?" he asked, excited by the prospect--he'd only ever seen people in their homes before.

"Yeah." Shikamaru licked his lips, and grinned a little when he caught some of Naruto's lip in the process. "Right here." He began undoing the front of Naruto's pants, rubbing against him in the process. "We can do each other."

Naruto grinned as well. "Okay." He pushed himself back to sit on Shikamaru's thighs so he could reach his belt. I've never done this with someone else before. "This is crazy," he said around a laugh, snatching Shikamaru's collar to pull him upright.

Shikamaru grinned as he sat up, shifting his legs so they could both sit comfortably facing each other. "Yeah, it really is. Let's not think about it." He drew Naruto into a kiss as he tugged him free of his pants, already beginning to stroke him firmly.

Naruto lost his concentration then, moaning thickly into Shikamaru's mouth as his eyes fell shut. God, that's so much better.... His hands fumbled weakly at the other's pants for a moment before he pulled his mind back, and at last he was delivering similar treatment to his companion.

Shikamaru's breath caught, and he could only press their mouths clumsily together as he moved his hand faster. Naruto's wide palm was rough from years of training, and he swore he could feel himself growing even harder beneath his coarse fingers. He panted softly against Naruto's chin. "You're...pretty big, you know?"

"Yeah...?" Naruto was too distracted to really hear what Shikamaru was saying. He was stroking hard flesh faster, forgetting that it was someone else he was touching as his hips made small jerking movements. It was almost painful, how tense he was, and Naruto abruptly broke their lips as he buried his face in Shikamaru's neck, groaning as he suddenly came.

Shikamaru's shoulders crept up--Naruto was better than he'd expected, and he was surprised to find his own climax sweeping abruptly over him. He moaned thinly against Naruto's temple as his body shuddered and at last fell still. He chuckled weakly. I guess we were both too horny to last very long.

Naruto sagged against the other blissfully, grinning into his coat. "Wow...." That was...just wow. I never thought Shikamaru would want to...with me.... He couldn't raise his arms, but he did manage to curl his fingers against Shikamaru's waist, just wanting to stay close.

"That good, huh?" Shikamaru scraped his hand against the grass. There's a stream nearby, isn't there? He chuckled suddenly, and shook his head. "Damn. I can't believe you let me."

"Mmm...." He tipped his head just enough to whisper his lips against Shikamaru's throat. "Feels good," he murmured absently. He was slowly coming back to himself, though, and he pulled a little closer.

Shikamaru's expression sobered. "Hey. You know...." Man, this sucks. I actually have to tell him? He licked his lips, annoyed with how nervous he suddenly felt--this was just Naruto, after all. "I've thought about this before. You and me…."

Naruto opened his eyes, though he didn't pull back. "Oh yeah?" How did...I never know? His arms gradually wound around Shikamaru's waist. "What...do you think now?"

"I dunno." Shikamaru shrugged. "I didn't think you'd like guys, so...." He poked Naruto in the cheek with his clean hand. "What about you? We can do this once in a while, right?"

So he wasn't disappointed. "Yeah. Yeah, I'd like that." He hugged closer a moment before deciding they needed to clean up a bit. Naruto sat back, but immediately tipped his chin to steal a quick, hard kiss.

Shikamaru returned it. Unbelievable. Once they broke apart he started to tug them to their feet. "I think we should get cleaned off a little, eh?"

"Yeah." Naruto blushed as he stood, covering himself with his dirtied hand to keep from ruining his shorts. He felt light-headed, his stomach bubbles still taking their time in dissipating. They hurried to the river to clean themselves up.

Once they--and their clothes--were suitable cleaned, the pair flopped onto the bank together to regain their energy. I wonder what this means we are now, Shikamaru couldn't help but think. Boyfriends? How weird. "At least we know you like guys," he remarked.

Naruto chuckled faintly. "I guess so." After a moment of silence, he rolled onto his side and shifted closer to his friend, laying his head on Shikamaru's shoulder like he always did. "Wanna stay a bit longer?" he asked.

Shikamaru sighed, oddly relieved by the familiar position for them. "Sure." He turned his head slightly against Naruto's. "A bit longer."

Smiling, Naruto tipped his chin to steal a kiss while they were close, enjoying the small, intimate affections. They were calming, somehow, and reassuring.

Shikamaru returned it just as simply. I guess it worked out after all. He closed his eyes, his imagination already beginning to whirl….

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