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.

***Warnings for some graphic material***

Thoughts in Italics

Please read and enjoy!

Fading Scars
Chapter Twenty Seven:

When Sasuke awoke the next morning, he shouldn't have been surprised to find himself clutched tightly against Neji's back, his body pleasantly warm with a lingering sensation of arousal that had followed him out of his dreams. He started to move his hand slightly against Neji's chest before realizing what he was doing. After everything last night, me pushing away like that, and here I am.... With a sigh Sasuke pulled away and rolled onto his back. I'm not trying to tease him. I'm really not. But he was still running the backs of his fingers up and down Neji's spine, glad to have woken up next to someone.

Neji moaned softly in his sleep at the loss of warmth. Not ready to wake, he shifted back into the subtle touch, hunting for the feel of another body pressed close. Sasuke....

Sasuke watched him with half-lidded eyes. He really wants to be with me that badly. We've been together for a long time, but I've never really thought of us as…lovers. Licking his lips, he turned back onto his side and began to massage Neji's shoulders and spine.

Sighing, Neji fell still for a moment, gradually drawn awake by the firm strength in the other's hands. Sasuke.... You're not teasing me again, are you...? Keeping his eyes closed, breath even, he pushed himself back again.

Sasuke paused, but then took a deep breath and continued. "You awake?" he asked softly.

He probably already knows, but.... "No," he murmured. Neji curled his back slightly to better feel Sasuke's wide hands.

Sasuke smirked faintly and added a bit of strength to his hands. "Okay." It's not that I don't care about him. I do trust him. He leaned forward to press his face into Neji's long hair.

Neji enjoyed for several long minutes, but soon that wonderful touch seemed to reach too deep, making is lungs tight. When Sasuke's hand moved over his shoulder, Neji caught it and gave him a faint tug. "Come closer," he whispered.

Sasuke paused again and then slipped forward, wrapping his arm around Neji's chest once more. I do care about him. I do trust him. He took a deep breath. "Hey."

Neji sighed quietly in contentment, shifting back until the length of their bodies touched. Is this really...all you'll ever give me, Sasuke? Is this as far as we’ll ever go? He held on to Sasuke's wrist, turning his face into the pillow.

Sasuke swallowed hard. I trust him…. "Hey, Neji. Tonight." He pressed against Neji, turning his face against the back of his neck. "Let's do it tonight."

His eyes opened slowly, breath held. After a moment he curled a little tighter around himself. "Don't tease," he muttered. After last night, he can't be serious.

"I'm not." Sasuke's arm tightened. "I want to. So let's do it tonight." He kissed Neji's neck slowly. "Just try to go easy on me."

Neji thought it over, feeling the rise and fall of Sasuke's chest against his back. "If you want," he murmured, "you can...take me. It might be easier for you...."

Sasuke snorted lightly in good humor. "I don't really know what I'm doing," he admitted. Which is why…tonight, and not right now. He kissed Neji again. "It doesn't matter, either way."

He chuckled. "It does matter," he replied. "It's a matter of control, you know." Neji took Sasuke's arms and pulled them tightly around him, shifting his hips back sharply against the other's. He shivered as he rubbed his ass against Sasuke's groin, hoping to give the boy an idea of what he was talking about.

Sasuke gasped, pressing forward against him. He gulped. "Neji…." His pulse fluttered excitedly. "I don't know," he whispered back. I kind of like when he does it, even when I am nervous. "I can't...think straight, when you do that…."

Now you know how I felt yesterday. Neji pressed back again, stubbornly keeping his hands in front of him as he arched his back. "It's okay," he said quietly. "Just...move a little...."

I didn't want to do this now, but.... Sasuke pressed his eyes shut as he took Neji's advice, rocking his hips against him. Is this really what it's like...? His hand tightened against Neji's chest. "It's…." He paused as a tiny murmur built in his throat. "You've never had anyone before, have you?"

Neji shook his head. "No, but...I know about it." Though there is something I can do for him.... He licked his lips unconsciously, deciding to give Sasuke another moment before trying anything more. Reaching back, he gently cupped Sasuke's upper thigh, coaxing him into stronger moments.

Sasuke groaned softly. "How?" He grinned breathlessly, gradually beginning to realize...how Neji had had a problem leaving him alone the night before. "Do you spy?"

"And read," he replied honestly. Neji turned his head, enjoying the feel of hot breath against his neck. He was starting to feel the evidence of Sasuke's excitement, and he just wanted to be sure he wouldn't back down yet. "Harder," he hissed, arching his back. "Just for a bit longer."

Sasuke's eyelids fluttered, but he complied, speeding up a bit as well. It was making it harder for him to continue speaking. "This isn't...going to be enough," he whispered, mostly to himself. He pressed his mouth clumsily against the back of Neji's neck. I do want him.

Neji twisted, turning around suddenly and sealing their lips in a thorough kiss. "I know." Rubbing Sasuke's hips, he began to shift his way down the bed, beneath the blankets. "Just stay up there."

Sasuke sank back against the blankets. "You...don't have to do this," he murmured, feeling vaguely guilty. He always does things for me, and I've never given him what he wants.

Neji didn't reply, already pulling down Sasuke's shorts. Maybe I'll give him something else to think about. He sucked on one of his fingers briefly, making sure it was wet before he took Sasuke into his mouth.

Sasuke gasped, catching himself before he could thrust up into Neji's mouth. It's so hot.... He tried to keep his voice low, knowing it was early enough that there would be people moving around the building. "Neji...."

Sucking hard to keep him distracted, Neji encouraged his movements, having done this enough to be able to handle it. He caught Sasuke's leg and urged it around him so his heel pressed against his back. Now.... Neji slid his dampened hand up behind his companion, gradually easing the single digit within him.

Sasuke's lips parted, but he was at first too surprised by the strange sensation to react. When he at last realized what it was Neji had done he whimpered, fingers twisting reflexively in Neji's hair. "Wait--"

Neji kept his hand still, finger still embedded, as he continued the movements of his mouth. Don't think about it, Sasuke. He pulled back, teasing the tip of Sasuke's length with his tongue, trying to urge him to move again.

Damnit, I thought after last night he'd at least listen when I-- Sasuke clenched his jaw, giving Neji's hair a sharp tug. "Wait." I know you're trying to distract me, but I don't want that!

He stopped, eyes clenching to keep his mouth from doing so. Slowly, Neji pulled back, wiping his hand on the bed briefly. Damnit, I.... He stayed beneath the blanket, breathing hard. I'm starting to wonder if he likes guys after all. When he felt he could face the other, he pulled himself up alongside Sasuke, though he found he couldn't meet his eyes. "What?"

"No, wait, I--" I didn't want him to stop completely. Sasuke took a breath before taking Neji's hand, guiding it back down. "Don't try to distract me," he murmured. "I want to get used to it."

Neji closed his eyes. I can't do this. Damnit Sasuke, you can't keep doing this! He pulled his hand away and sat up, running it through his hair--a few small strands came out from Sasuke's earlier yank. Neji dropped them off the side of the bed. You don't even know what I was doing. "I wasn't trying to distract you," he muttered.

Sasuke sat up as well, not yet replacing his pants. "It's new for me," he replied, swallowing back a bitter taste in his throat. "I'm trying. I just don't like being surprised like that."

"What do you want me to do then?" he shot back, frustrations getting the better of him. "You want me to give you every detail about what I'm going to do?" Neji pushed to his feet, unable to take the heat of Sasuke so close to him. "Say I'm going to stick my fingers in your ass to see if you'll let me fuck it later?" Damnit, what am I doing? Shit!

"It's not my fault I've never done this before," Sasuke returned in kind, finally dragging his pants back on. "And I've never shoved something up my ass, either, so yeah, maybe a little warning would be fucking nice."

Neji snorted. "What did you think was going to happen? How else do you think guys do it?" He moved towards his small dresser, pulling out fresh cloths for the day. "You probably would've told me to stop right then anyway, if I did tell you."

I never really thought about how guys do it. Sasuke's cheeks flushed in embarrassment and frustration as he turned away. "You still could have warned me," he muttered. "I said I'd let you fuck me, didn't I? How do you know what I would have done?"

"It's a good thing I did," he retorted, changing quickly, pulling on his belts and straps. "Better knowing now than waiting for tonight and getting rejected again." Neji snatched up his kunai and sandals, not bothering to put them on as he headed for the door. "I'll see you later."

Sasuke drew his knees up, hating himself for the way his stomach twisted. "It's not my fault," he muttered, folding his arms over them. And just when he heard Neji twist the door open he blurted out, "I'm scared, all right?"

"Then don't tell me you're ready when you're not!" he shouted back. "I can't do this anymore, Sasuke! I'm not cold blooded here, and I'm sick of thinking you might want me only to be pushed aside!" Neji clutched at his hair, his head starting to ache faintly. Fuck this--fuck it!

Sasuke cringed away, drawing his arms and legs in tighter. "Fine." He'd wanted to sound just as frustrated, just as angry, but his voice only came out as a thin whisper. "Fine, whatever."

He hated it when Sasuke sounded like that--hated hearing that small voice that he never used when they trained or fought. Neji jerked open the door and stepped out, slamming it childishly behind him. He longed to just run, until his legs burned more than his frustration, but he needed a moment first to lean against the solid wood. Damnit Sasuke, am I really asking that much? Is it that selfish of me to want...to be with you?

Koshaku waited until the hall had finally silenced before peeking his head around the corner. So much for our morning training, huh? When it looked as if Neji wasn't going anywhere soon he started carefully toward him. "Hey."

Neji glanced up, stomach twisting to match his head. "Hey." He pushed away from the door and moved to meet Koshaku, hoping to keep him from disturbing Sasuke. "Look, neither of us are feeling that well, so we might have to put off the training for a bit, if you don't mind." Not to mention I'm not even fully dressed, but oh well.

Koshaku shrugged. "Eh, I figured as much, given your little lover's quarrel." He twirled his hand in the air. "You're lucky everyone's out already--I could hear you all the way down the hall."

He closed his eyes a moment. Shit. "Yeah...." Neji kept moving down the hall, almost expecting Koshaku was about to laugh at them, or curse them, or any number of other mockeries he'd received before. "I need some food," he muttered.

Koshaku padded lightly after him. "Did something happen?" he pressed curiously. "I mean, I know you guys have been in a dry spell lately…." He tried not to grin--he took a strange satisfaction in knowing all about his partners. They were far too easy to read. "But really. What happened?"

Neji glanced at him. "So. You knew." He stuffed his hands in his pockets. His eyes lowered as they continued on, wondering just how long Koshaku had known, then realizing it didn't matter. He rubbed at the bridge of his nose and over to his right temple. "Dry isn't the half of it," he muttered.

You two haven't been exactly subtle, you know. But Koshaku kept that to himself as they continued. "I'd give you advice, but I only know girls," he confessed. He chuckled. "And I doubt Sasuke would fall for flowers and romance."

He snorted. "Two fucking years hasn't been enough--I doubt a handful of flowers would matter right now." They made their way out of the building, heading down to the small food cart Neji preferred to eat from. Two years of doing everything I could to help him, to make him stronger. Hoping maybe he'll be satisfied for even a while. Hoping maybe he'll realize how hard I've been working for him....

Koshaku eyed him as his expression sobered. Man, I can't even imagine chasing a girl as long and hard as he's chased that Sasuke. "So what's his problem?" he asked bluntly.

Neji shrugged, though really...he wanted to tell him. He wanted to be able to tell someone. "He doesn't want to go that far," he finally answered. "When he's not exhausted from working himself into the ground, he takes a quick jerk and falls asleep. When I try...." Neji trailed off, selecting a pair of purple fruit and paying, stuffing one into his mouth.

Koshaku bought a roll of bread and some milk for himself. "When you try...?" he prompted. "So you two have never actually done it."

"No." Not that I haven't wanted to, but.... "I don't even think he wants to anymore. I'm not even sure anymore whether he really likes guys or not." Neji turned down a smaller street, wanting to get out of the village for a while.

Koshaku followed, munching thoughtfully on his bread. "Have you asked him?" he offered. "I know he's not the talkative type, but you should at least ask him. Then at the least you could both move on."

He shook his head. "No. I...never really asked." Neji snorted. "He never cared when I jerked him off," he added.

"Ah, so he's just a tease, huh?" Koshaku shook his head in sympathy. "Man, cherry hoarders are the worst. But at least you know he likes guys."

Neji smiled faintly, glancing at his companion with raised eyebrows. At least he's not disgusted. He reached up and ran a hand through his hair. "Maybe I should just give up," he muttered, almost to himself. "It's been a long time, right? Anyone else would have moved on by now."

Koshaku hummed thoughtfully. "Yeah, probably. Especially at our age? I've gone through a few by now, you know." He snorted. "Girls, that is." He gulped down his milk. "So why haven't you moved on?"

Again, Neji shook his head. "I don't know," he replied honestly, kicking at a stone and realizing he still hadn't put on his sandals. He quickly did so. "I was with a few before we left--nothing serious. But...I guess I've just been too busy to do much else here."

"Then you're definitely working too hard," Koshaku laughed. "You're not quite Hokage yet, you know. But really." He elbowed Neji in the ribs. "You should just ask him, 'You want it or not?' And if says yeah...do him." He shrugged. "It'll do him some good."

"I don't want to force him," he said, with more strength than he'd intended. Neji touched his forehead as it gave a small twinge beneath his bandages. "I won't force anyone."

"Oh." Koshaku frowned. "Well, I didn't mean it like that. But hey." He gave Neji's elbow a tug to stop them. "Do you want him or not?"

He could feel himself flushing, but he nodded all the same. "Yeah, but...." Neji sighed--his stomach felt strangely hollow despite the fruit he'd just eaten. "I'm tired. Of waiting, I mean."

Koshaku smirked. "Think you can tell him that without the rest of the hall hearing it, too?"

Neji laughed softly, raising his head with a small, humorless smile. "I guess I better try, right?"

"Yeah, you'd better," Koshaku laughed, slapping him on the back. "He's not a bad piece of ass, you know. If I was a girl, I'd fuck him."

Neji shoved him lightly back. "He might not want you then anyway," he pointed out, turning to start down the street again. "I've got that new jutsu to work on, and I'd like to finish it before we meet with your father."

"Yeah, okay. I can help with that." Koshaku glanced behind, back to the small building of apartments they'd started from. "What about him?"

Neji didn't look back, continuing down the road. "He was going to do his own work, I think. And I don't think he'll want to see me now anyway."

"If you say so." Koshaku nudged him again, tossing out his milk container as he picked up his pace. "Come on. You look like you could use the exercise."

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