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 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 Thirty:

When Neji woke up it was barely light out, pale beams slipping from beneath the thin fabric covering the window. He was warm, smiling as he realized that Sasuke was still pressed against him. Slow fingers ran over the bare skin of the younger boy's back, enjoying his presence and the faint excitement curling within him. I should wake up like this more often....

Sasuke wriggled slightly, but quickly stopped with a soft groan. His entire body was aching, especially his left arm--that was what he got for one Chidori too many. "Shit…." He sagged against Neji's chest, determined to sleep until it stopped.

Neji blinked, glancing down. Sasuke? He felt the other’s arm shaking against his chest, and he lifted his own hand to gently rub the tense muscles. "Sore?" he asked quietly.

Sasuke relaxed with a quiet sigh. "Yeah," he admitted, offering the limb. He rubbed lightly at his lower back as well. "Everywhere."

Smiling faintly in sympathy, Neji gently urged Sasuke to lie on his stomach on the bed, sitting up and taking his arm. "I'll work on this first, then your back. Okay?"

Sasuke smiled lazily as he stretched. "Yeah. Thanks." Neji's hands were warm, and their strength quickly won him over. He looked to the window. "Morning already?"

"It's still early," he assured, massaging his arm. When it finally stopped shaking, Neji moved to his back, not holding back his strength. "Other than being sore...how are you?" he asked, maybe a little nervous after what they had done.

"Tired." Sasuke sighed in contentment as Neji's hands began to steal the pain from him. "Different, somehow…." He watched his fingers curl in front of his face, unable to help the feeling that his body had changed.

Neji cocked his head curiously. "Different?" He blushed a bit, working his hands into the small of Sasuke's back. "I think...I might know what you mean...."

Sasuke's breath caught as Neji's hands worked lower, and he grimaced a little as a low hum escaped him. Yeah…that's pretty sore. "I'm all right," he assured. "It's just...it's almost like I can still feel it." His shoulders crept up. "You."

Neji's body tensed a bit, easily imagining...the previous night. He was tempted to lean close, to offer a kiss, but the wincing body beneath him changed his mind. Instead, he worked his hands into Sasuke's hips and backside. "Seems like...feeling me hurts," he murmured.

"I overworked myself yesterday long before that," Sasuke assured. "I knew I'd be paying for it today…." He paused as Neji worked out a tight knot of muscle. "I'll be fine."

"All right." Neji didn't stop, though, grateful for the chance to keep touching his lover. He tested the muscles of Sasuke's thighs, working along the inside of his legs. "Down here, too?"

Sasuke's eyelids fluttered a little; Neji was strong, after all, and it felt good. "Yeah," he murmured, hoping to keep him close. "Yeah, sure."

Pleased, Neji continued, working his way higher until he was in danger of being inside him again. His hands slipped sideways, returning to his ass and hips. I want to do it again, but....

Sasuke moaned softly. Damn being this sore. It feels good…but it's going to hurt again.... His fingers curled against the blankets. I did say we should practice. "Hey."

He almost thought he recognized that tone, but Neji didn't want to hope too much. "Yeah?" He pressed into the small of his back.

Sasuke turned just enough so that he'd be able to see Neji over his shoulder. I'll just have him tell everyone I needed to sleep in today. "Think you can go easy on me?"

Neji leaned over him, kissing his neck. "Are you sure?" he asked quietly, his massage lightening. "If you're sore, it's not going to help...."

Can't make it much worse. "I'm fine," Sasuke assured again, stretching his back. "Just means you'll have to do most of the work. And then I'll sleep all day." He reached back blindly to touch Neji's face. "Right?"

Turning his face into the other's fingers, he sighed quietly. "Okay," he whispered. "Just let me know." Neji set to kissing his lover's neck, resuming his massage against the backs of Sasuke's thighs.

Sasuke sighed, spreading his legs a little. There was something oddly erotic about having Neji behind him, not being able to see the lips and hands that moved over him. He licked his lips. "Yeah…."

Neji continued his attentions, now and again urging his legs further apart. He occasionally kissed and even bit gently at Sasuke's back and sides as he worked as much of the soreness out of him as he could. There was a moment he paused to find the can of polish, but he came back quickly. Finally, he reached beneath Sasuke, taking his length and stroking it. I wonder...if there's a way for me to keep him from being sore? Maybe if I started smaller....

"Mmm…." Sasuke took a deep breath and pushed himself slightly up onto his knees, so that Neji could reach him more easily. I wonder if he'll really go easy…? He licked his lips. "Slow, okay?"

"I said I would, didn't I?" he returned, leaning in to kiss the small of his back. Neji opened the can and scooped a small amount of polish onto a finger. Rising up on his knees, he leaned slightly against Sasuke's hip. "Just relax--I'm going to try something first, okay?"

"Try something?" Sasuke tried to look back, but he was in an awkward position and couldn't see what Neji was up to. "Like what?"

Neji rubbed his hip with his free hand. "Just to see if...I can make this easier for you," he assured. "Trust me." He brought up his covered finger, slowly circling his lover's entrance in warning before gently easing it in.

Sasuke bit his lip to halt a whimper--he was still sore, but at least it wasn't as bad as Neji himself. He sighed quietly. At least the polish is warm. "It's kind of weird."

"I know," he murmured. "Just try to relax." Neji leaned forward to start kissing his back again as he moved his finger within Sasuke. He kept his focus on easing the tense muscles he found, rubbing all along his insides to get him used to the sensation again.

Sasuke's eyelids fluttered. It's still strange but…getting better. He was oddly enjoying the light touches against his back, as well, and gradually he relaxed. "It's not bad." He stretched with a quiet murmur.

Neji was relieved, free hand gently massaging the small of his back. "I'm adding another," he warned, gathering a bit more polish before doing so, just to be sure.

Sasuke tensed a little as he felt himself being stretched, but by then he was starting to understand Neji's intentions. He smirked against his pillow. "You warming me up?" he asked, both embarrassed and pleased.

Smiling, Neji nibbled just below Sasuke's shoulderblade. "That, and I'm hoping to make sure you won't be as sore." When he felt his lover was beginning to relax again, Neji added a third finger. "You okay?"

"Mmm…." Sasuke took a deep breath, adjusting. "Yeah." When Neji pushed a little deeper he pressed something warm and waiting inside him, and he squirmed a little. "I'm okay."

Neji's eyes widened at the slight movement, wondering.... Twisting his wrist, he pressed his fingers deeper, trying to reach that same spot of warm flesh.

"Ah…." Sasuke shivered as a thin jolt of pleasure ran up and down the length of his spine. Curling his fists against the blankets he pressed back slightly against him. "Neji…right there. That's good...."

Relieved, Neji repeated the action and was encouraged by Sasuke's voice. I wonder...how excited I can get him. "There, huh?"

"Mm, yeah." Sasuke arched his back a little with a groan. His face was flushed, embarrassed and excited by Neji's attentions. "Aren't you going to...?"

He smirked faintly. "Are you ready for that?" he asked, urging his fingers even deeper--he liked the way Sasuke moved in reaction.

Sasuke's breath caught; thick heat was curling in his stomach, making him anxious despite the lingering stiffness in his limbs. "Yeah...yeah, come on." This is embarrassing.

Neji removed his fingers, fishing out some more polish to cover himself before rising up behind his lover. "All right," he murmured, eyes narrowed as he slowly pushed within him. God he...feels even better than before....

For a moment, Sasuke regretted having invited Neji to him again--the intrusion was blunter than Neji's fingers had been, and it awoke the soreness of every muscle they'd just been trying to calm. He clenched his teeth but a thin groan escaped him. It's all right. It'll get better.

Neji rubbed at the small of Sasuke's back in comfort. I'm sorry. Taking a deep breath, he tried to remember the angle he had reached for before, that had made his lover squirm. He kept his movements slow, biting his lip to keep from losing himself.

Sasuke concentrated on keeping his breath slow and even, relaxing into the motion between them. But when Neji found a certain angle that same pleasure flooded through him, and he moaned. "There…."

He paused only long enough to be sure of what he had done, and after a moment started again. When Sasuke moaned again, he couldn't help a faint grin. "There?" he asked, strengthening his movements.

Shit.... Sasuke turned his face into the pillow as he panted thinly; it still hurt but each movement spread more heat through him, more pleasure. He was even trying to push back against Neji to encourage him deeper. "Shit, Neji…."

Neji straightened, his thrusts slow and deep, deciding he wanted nothing more than to hear Sasuke's breathless, pleading voice. He held the boy's hips tightly, pulling them back to meet him. Just...a little deeper....

"Ahh--!" Sasuke arched his back, and couldn't hold himself much longer. A few more thrusts and his body tightened suddenly with his release. "Neji…."

Groaning softly, Neji needed only another trust to finish himself, buried deep and panting softly. When we are not so tired, he thought to himself, we’ll do it this way again. He pulled back, sitting on his ankles with a pleased sigh. "You okay?"

Sasuke murmured weakly and wordlessly as reply. He pushed onto his side just enough to get to a cleaner area of the sheets. "Not moving today…."

Neji chuckled. Well, now that my bed is ruined, we'll have to move. "Then stay still," he replied, slipping off the bed before scooping Sasuke's thinner form into his arms, turning towards his bed.

"H-Hey--" Sasuke twisted indignantly, grunting when he was dropped onto the mattress. He glared at Neji with flushed cheeks. "Don't do that."

He only grinned. "You said you weren't moving, but I'm sure you wanted a clean bed, right?" I'll take care of mine later. Neji pulled the blankets over his lover before crawling beneath them as well. "I think I'll sleep some more, too."

Sasuke sighed. "They'll be expecting us soon...." He welcomed Neji against him anyway. "I'll leave that part to you."

Neji snorted. "Koshaku will handle it," he assured. Since he knows.... He'll probably suspect when we don't show up. Neji pulled him close to rub at his back. "You're going to be sore," he murmured softly. "I'm sorry."

"I already was sore," Sasuke returned with a smirk, rolling onto his stomach once more. "But I'll manage." He stretched. "You should try it sometime."

He smiled, leaning in to nuzzle Sasuke's neck. "When you're up to it," Neji replied. "Rest now. I'll make sure no one bothers us."

"Yeah." Sasuke frowned thoughtfully. I could always…. He slipped a hand around to Neji's ass. "You know, like this." He should know what it's like, after coercing me into it. He rubbed at Neji's opening.

Neji jumped a bit in surprise, then chuckled. "There is no way you are up to that," he teased, stealing a slow kiss. Did you forget that I already offered last night?

"I don't have to do you now," Sasuke replied, not pulling his hand back yet. "I just thought you ought to know what it's like." Maybe then you'd understand why it freaked me out at first.

Neji shifted, and after a moment urged Sasuke's hand away. "Teach me later," he murmured against his lips. "I'm about to fall asleep."

Sasuke frowned, but he pulled his arm back to lie between them. "All right." He relaxed and let his eyes slip shut. "Me, too."

A bit relieved, Neji settled closer to Sasuke, tucking his head against the other's neck. "I'm sorry," he murmured suddenly. "About before." He held Sasuke close. "I was wrong."

"Hm?" It took Sasuke a moment to realize what he was referring to, and he fell still. "It's okay," he assured softly. "I...should have trusted you more, too." That's just not always easy for me….

Neji shook his head. "I rushed you. I just...." He licked his lips, shoulders hunching at the admissions just on the edge of his lips. "I'm sorry. I wanted to...be near you."

"I know." Sasuke stretched, somewhat uncomfortable with all this quiet talk. He brushed the back of his knuckles against Neji's chest. "And I'm all right now, so don't worry about it."

"All right," he murmured, gradually relaxing again. "I just wanted you to know." Neji slid an arm around Sasuke's waist, finally settling. "Rest well then."

"You, too." Sasuke still had a feeling that he was missing something, but he was too exhausted to push Neji for it. He moved his lips slightly against the boy's cheek before finally falling still as well.

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Hi all! Just a little warning, since I've gotten quite a few comments from the Neji and Sasuke fans. My cowriter and I are planning on exploring some of the other characters in the next few chapters. Please bear with us--we will come back to these two! ^_^ In the meantime, please enjoy the next few parts of our story as much as I hope you've been enjoying the previous. Thanks! --Shuukitty--