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.

// = thoughts
* = emphasis

Please read and enjoy!

Fading Scars
Chapter Three:

Hinata was gasping hard as she fled down the darkening streets of Konoha Village. She didn't know what she was going to do, what she could do, but...there had to be something. In desperation she ran to the smaller apartments on the west end of town, and was just barely to make out Naruto's name on the door in the dark. "Naruto-kun!" She knocked weakly with one hand as she tried to clean her face of tears with the other. "Naruto-kun...please, are you...are you here?"

Startled, Naruto kicked at his blankets and fell to the floor in the process of freeing himself. He stumbled upright and hurried towards the door. //That sounds like....// "Hinata?" He pulled the door open, blinking away sleep. "Hinata, what's wrong?"

"Naruto-kun...." Hinata gulped, trying to make her voice work, but the words wouldn't come out. "It's...it's Ne...I...." She shivered, wiping away a new set of tears. "I can't...."

Hinata.... Naruto watched her a moment, but when it seemed she wasn't going to be able to get anything more out, he reached out to take her arm. "Here--come inside." He pulled her to the single chair he had and urged her into it, taking a place for himself on the table. "What's wrong?" he asked again.

Sitting down Hinata felt a little more stable, and she cleaned her face and took a deep breath. "It's Neji-kun," she said quietly. "I'm sorry--I know you don't like him, but...." Her shoulders hunched. "He's gone. He and Sasuke-kun are gone, and I...." She cringed and fell abruptly silent.

Naruto's eyes widened. //Sasuke's gone? Then...has he gone after...?// He frowned. //But why would Neji?// He stood up again. "Who else knows?" he asked. "Does the Hokage know?"

Hinata nodded miserably. "I was just...with them," she confessed quietly. "They want me...to go after them...." //Tell him--Naruto-kun can help.// "With Shikamaru-kun and Kiba-kun. If we find Neji...I'm supposed to...." She gulpe"The"They want me to kill him."

Jaw dropping, Naruto took a step back. //Kill Neji? After everything that he's already gone through?// His fingers curled into fists, eyes narrowing. "Let's go." He reached out, taking Hinata's hand. "I'm going with you. We'll bring them both back home."

Hinata started, and stared up at him with wide eyes. "Really?" she asked quietly, not daring to hope. "You'll...you'll come with me, Naruto-kun?"

He nodded firmly. "Of course I will. No one is going to die, least of all Neji." Naruto pulled her upright, grinning. "Let's go see Shikamaru. With all of us together, he'll think of a great plan."

"Naruto-kun...." Hinata brightened, and in relief took Naruto's hand. "Thank you," she whispered. "Thank you, Naruto-kun." //I don't want Neji-kun to have to die…not because of me.//

"Of course. Now, I'm gonna get dressed, and I'll be right there." Bouncing away, he dug out some fresh clothes, along with all his gear. //They'll need me, if they're going. If Neji and Sasuke really are together, then the three of them won't be enough.// He slipped into the bathroom to change.

Shikamaru had to admit he wasn't all that surprised when there was a knock on his door that night. He'd been going over a map Hokage had given him along with Kiba, trying to determine which route Sasuke and Neji would have taken. "What a pain," he muttered as he let Naruto and Hinata in. "I knew you'd show up."

"Damn right," Naruto replied, walking in and dropping down beside Kiba. He crossed his arms. "You need me, especially with the change of plans."

Shikamaru sighed. "Change of plans? Do I even want to know?" He returned to his seat around the map as Hinata sat down beside Naruto. "I suppose you're coming with us."

"That's not in our mission orders," Kiba protested. But then he shrugged. "But then, if anyone has a chance of beating Sasuke, it'd be you, I guess."

Naruto nodded, though he was surprised--and pleased--by Kiba's words. "We're only changing one part," he said with finality. "We're not gonna kill Neji. We'll bring him back with us."

Shikamaru and Kiba exchanged glances. "You sure about that?" the former asked. "He's kind of a traitor, now, you know. It won't be easy convincing him back."

"I...." Hinata gulped. "It's my fault he ran away," she said quietly. "I don't want him to suffer anymore because of me..."

Nodding his agreement, Naruto looked between both boys to make sure they understood his seriousness. "Whatever happens, I'm not letting Hinata kill him," he said firmly, tone low. //Even if it means I have to, I won't let her do it.//

Kiba sighed heavily, turning to Shikamaru. "Well? We need the help, what with all the higher-ups gone out, and we already know he can best Neji."

"I'm more worried about that Uchiha," Shikamaru admitted with a sigh. He looked to Hinata. "I won't ask you to kill him," he said, seemingly bored, but there was a dull gleam of seriousness in his eyes. "But at the least you can immobilize him while we take care of Sasuke, right?"

Hinata nodded solemnly. "Yes. I can do that."

"Good." He turned to Naruto. "I guess we could use you."

"Good." Naruto shifted backwards to lean against the edge of Shikamaru's bed. "I'll leave the plans to you," he said bluntly. "When we find him, you just leave him to me."

Kiba smirked as he turned back towards the map. "At least you're smart enough to know that much," he muttered, staring again at the lines of mountains and rivers.

Shikamaru smirked humorlessly. "The two of them together will be tough," he admitted. "I don't know Neji well enough to predict what he'll do, and Sasuke's got to have a few tricks. They won't take the most direct route and they'll be hiding their tracks somehow." He traced his finger along the map idly. "Think Akamaru will be able to pick up their scent?"

The dog barked, and Kiba patted his head affectionately. "There is no better nose than Akamaru's, and mine's not too awful, either. And if they try anything fancy, they'll be bound to leave some chakra traces around." He glanced at Hinata. "You're really good at seeing that kind of stuff, so I'm sure between the two of us we'll have no trouble following."

Hinata nodded shyly. "I'll do my best," she promised.

//Then I guess all we have to worry about now is…what might be waiting for us.// Shikamaru took a deep breath. "Ino already promised to pack some supplies for us," he said. "She should be done by now. We'll have to leave right away if we want to have any chance of catching them."

//So much for sleeping.// Naruto sighed--it had been an emotional day for him, and he would have liked a night to get himself back in order, but hew Sew Shikamaru was right. He pushed to his feet, giving Hinata a hand up. "Let's go find her, then."

Hinata smiled faintly as she allowed Naruto to help her up. "Thank you, Naruto-kun," she said again. "I'm..." She lowered her eyes shyly. "I'm glad you're coming with us."

Shikamaru rolled his eyes. //Though it's probably a good thing he's here--he'll keep us focused if nothing else.// He folded up the map and pushed to his feet. "If you need to bring anything, better get it now," he told Naruto. "We'll be gone for a while."

He nodded. "I have to talk to one person first," he said. "I'll be back in less than an hour." Naruto chose to take to the window this time, smiling at Hinata in assurance before taking off across the rooftops.

A few moments later he was crouched on a low awning, taking a few deep breaths. //Just one quick good-bye.// He knocked lightly on Iruka's shutters, hoping the man was home.

Iruka glanced up sharply at the unexpected noise; he'd been helping himself to some tea to calm his nerves before he tried to sleep. When he opened the window to find Naruto he was only slightly surprised. "Naruto." He stepped back to let him in. //Why do I feel like I already know what he's going to say?// "It's awful late for a visit."

"I know--I'm sorry." He moved to perch on the windowsill but didn't enter further. "I can't stay long--I'm leaving. I'm going after Sasuke and Neji with the others." He said it bluntly, watching his old teacher with a bit of trepidation. Please, don't try to stop me.

Iruka sighed, and smiled grimly. "Yes. I know." //Just be careful, please.// He offered his hand. "Good luck, Naruto."

Naruto took it, closing his eyes a moment in relief. For a moment he held them there, not sure what else to say. Finally he jumped down from the sill and fell forward, wrapping his arms around Iruka's waist. //He's the only one who ever really believed me. Iruka-sensei....//

Iruka's smile deepened as he ruffled the top of Naruto's head. "You give those two big idiots a good punch in the mouth," he said, hugging him back.

He nodded. "I will. I swear I will." Naruto lifted his head, watching Iruka seriously. "Don't tell anyone else," he said quietly, "but we're not gonna kill Neji. We'll try to bring him back, but...I can't let Hinata kill him."

"All right. I won't tell anyone." Iruka squeezed his shoulder. "Look after your team, Naruto. I know you'll do well."

Another nod. "Thanks." He pulled away, hopping up on the sill once more and glancing, briefly, over his shoulder. Naruto grinned and offered a small wave. "I'll see you when we get back," he promised.

Iruka grinned. "I'll treat you to ramen," he offered in return. "So...kick some ass, okay?"

He chuckled softly in reply. "If I get ramen, I certainly will." Waving again, he leapt out into the night once more. For a brief moment he though of Kakashi...but only a moment. Then he was off back towards Shikamaru's place.

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The next morning, Sasuke wasn't at all pleased to find that Neji had been right: it started raining early, and though the wind would make it difficult to anyone following them it wasn't much to run through, either. They had to stop early, hiding deep in the branches of a fallen tree. The foliage was only somewhat helpful in shielding them from the rain, but by then it didn't matter--Sasuke was already soaked through and freezing. He drew he knees up to him as they settled in.

Neji left for a short time, gathering more branches to bring into their shelter in hopes of blocking out more rain. He finally settled in the tiny space next to Sasuk/He /He looks nearly frozen. But then, that's not the best outfit for this kind of weather.// Neji shifted a bit closer. "Cold?"

"Goddamn freezing," Sasuke muttered. He slipped his arms into his shirt, keeping them close to his body in hopes of reviving his fingers. He eyed Neji's coat with envy. "I'll be fine. It's just rain."

"You'll be sick," he muttered. //He's such a kid.// Neji lifted an arm, setting it around Sasuke's shoulders to pull him closer. "Come here."

Sasuke started to comply, but something in his stomach twisted abruptly, and he drew back. "I said I'm fine," he muttered moodily, looking away.

Neji snorted. "Don't be a prat," he said sharply. "You've barely gotten any rest the last month, and we still have a long way to go." He kept his arm firm around the boy, not letting him escape too far. "It'll be warmer for both of us."

Sasuke frowned sharply, but...Neji was right about that, at least. In resignation he drew closer. //I don't really like this. But I guess I don't have a choice, if I want to actually make it.// He sighed as he huddled beneath Neji's arm. "Whatever."

//So much for some friendly help,// he thought with a quiet snort. He leaned back against the tree trunk behind them, listening to the falling rain. It was strangely nostalgic, feeling a smaller body against him, shivering faintly as a droplet of water got into his coat and dripped down his back. The silence started to get to him. //I guess now is as good a time as ever.// "You're out for revenge, aren't you," he said in a low murmur. "For you clan."

Sasuke stiffened, then slowly forced himself to relax again, sagging against Neji's side. "Yeah," he replied quietly. "That's why." He closed his eyes. "And you want freedom."

He nodded. "I've always believed...things happen for a reason, because that's the way things were supposed to be. Destiny. Fate. The future is already planned." Neji's hands curled into tense fists. "I want to believe...I can choose my own path, at least this once."

Sasuke was quiet for a moment as he considered those words. "What will you do?" he asked evenly. "If you get Orochimaru to lift the curse for you...he'll expect you to join his side." He tightened his arms around himself. "Will you?"

Neji shook his head. "I don't know. I haven't thought about it. All I want is to get my freedom, and then I'll decide." He lowered his gaze curiously. "What about you?"

Sasuke was silent a moment, and then he smirked abruptly. "I don't know. If Naruto were here...he'd tell us how stupid we are," he chuckled grimly. But by then his humor was already fading. "I guess we'll have to wait and see."

//Because…we can't beat him.// Sasuke shivered a little with the memory. //If Hokage couldn't do it, we don't stand a chance.//

Neji tightened his arm faintly at the other's tremor. Strangely, he almost felt protective of this boy, as someone who could understand the burdens they had been under by their families, as someone who knew what it was like to lose everything. He closed his eyes. "I'll stay with you," he said suddenly, not sure what prompted those words. //In another day, we should be far enough that Hyuuga won't be able to kill me.// "Until we figure it out."

//Neji?// Sasuke felt himself draw closer, despite his better sense. "Neji. Whatever happens, don't try to fight him," he said more quietly than he'd intended. "Because you can't." //And somehow, I don't want him to die. No one should have to die the way…Orochimaru showed me....//

He was quiet a long moment. "I'll do what I have to," he replied softly. "I don't want to fight him, but I'm not sure that's an option for us anymore." Neji turned slightly to better welcome Sasuke's smaller form, leaning over him somewhat. "But I'll watch your back."

Sasuke slipped his arms back out of his shirt to arrange them better together. //I don't know what's going to happen. How he ended up here with me, but....// It was cold and dark and he was tired, and without thinking he turned his face into the collar of Neji's jacket. "All right."

Neji couldn't help smiling faintly at the gesture, feeling himself warm. He...feels good. "Are you still cold?" he asked softly. "You can pull your legs up here--I don't mind." His eyes narrowed faintly. "I used to do the same with Hinata, when she was scared during storms."

"I'm not scared," Sasuke retorted, and though he didn't pull back this time he didn't follow Neji's suggestion either. //I'm…not scared.// He shivered. "My...my brother used to...." //He would take care of me, too. Before....//

He snorted. "I didn't ask if you were scared--I asked if you were cold," he replied. Neji knocked him lightly against the head. "You don't need to be so stubborn--we're working as a team for now, right?"

//Stop it. I…don't need a team.// Sasuke fell still and silent, just leaning against Neji as he listened to the rain continued to fall around them. Everything smelt musty and wet. He sighed quietly. "I'm tired," he admitted softly.

Neji went silent as well, somehow a bit disappointed. The sky was somewhat lighter, but he had the feeling it wouldn't get any brighter. His forehead tingled faintly, but not with the anticipation of an attack. //They'll probably send someone from the family. Would they send Hinata-sama? It would have to be someone from the main branch, if they were going to....//

"Hey." Sasuke lowered his head a little, so that he wasn't quite so firmly pressed against the other. //He won't want to tell me, but I have to know.// "Your seal," he asked carefully. "Can it affect you anywhere?"

Neji's eyes narrowed as he considered the question. "How do you mean?" he asked in return, voice growing a bit colder. "Do you mean distance, or...?"

"Distance," Sasuke elaborated. "If we get further away, will it still work?" //I don't want to have to go through that anymore, if we can avoid it.//

"It lessens, with distance," he replied curtly. Neji sat back a bit. "I've never been allowed outside the village, except on missions. I'm sure Guy had orders to report if I tried to run."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. //That's so....// His hand tightened in the front of Neji's jacket without realizing. //Damn this village!// "Can it kill you?"

Neji turned away. He hated being reminded of his helplessness like that, but Sasuke deserved the truth. "Yes." Closing his eyes, his voice dropped. "So if it happens again...just keep going. Don't bother with me."

"No," Sasuke replied, more strongly than he'd intended. He sat up a little taller. "No, I won't let that happen. You got that? I won't...." He shuddered. "How dare they."

He snorted. "How dare they..." he repeated softly. //How dare they indeed.// And suddenly he wanted to tell Sasuke--tell him what he had told Naruto on the battlefield, and more. His arm tightened, pulling Sasuke closer and leaning against him. "It's how it's always been, in the Hyuuga family," he said quickly, tone low and harsh. "The main family curses those not in the direct line, forcing them to serve and protect them, to lay down their lives for them. And if they don't--if they disobey--they are punished with this agony." His fists trembled. "That's the pride of the Hyuuga family, the destiny I was born into."

"Neji...." Sasuke clenched his teeth. //That's…damnit, how could Hokage ever allow something as ridiculous and monstrous as that?// They were so close that he could feel Neji trembling beneath the rain, and he grimaced.

"We're not coming back," Sasuke whispered heatedly. "Even if Orochimaru can't help us...we're not coming back to this damn country."

It hadn't been an option he would have thought of himself, but hearing it from Sasuke.... //He understands. He must understand.// Neji nodded faintly. "You've noticed it, then," he murmured. "What's wrong with Konoha, the things that...don't make any sense. The exams, the teachers...."

Sasuke scoffed faintly. "Who wouldn't? When my clan was...." He started to trail off, but then he realized...that was what they wanted. "When my clan was wiped out no one did anything," he continued firmly. "My brother is still out there. He even came back--and none of them are doing anything! As if they don't care at all that my entire family...."

Neji nodded. "I know. It doesn't make any sense, why they've let such things happen." He turned back to Sasuke, looking down even as the boy's face was mostly hidden by hair. He felt that something had passed between them then, some kind of tie. His voice lowered. "I'm sorry, Sasuke, for your loss."

Sasuke felt all the strength fall abruptly out of him. //It's not just me. I'm not the only one who has suffered by them.//

He sagged again against Neji's shoulder. //Has anyone ever even said that to me?// "So am I," he said just as quietly. "For what they've done to you."

//If only...someone had said that sooner.// Before he could help it, he titled his head and brushed his lips faintly against Sasuke's temple. "I appreciate that," he murmured.

Sasuke blinked, a little startled by the...very odd display of gratitude. But everything was already so strange, it didn't occur to him pull away or question. "Me too," he answered instead. He closed his eyes. "We should probably get some sleep, if we can."

"Yes, you're right." Neji settled himself better, closing his eyes. "Rest well, Sasuke." //I'm glad I told him. Even if we can't get Orochimaru to help us, we'll be okay. We're escaping.//

"You, too." Sasuke smiled, grimly, as he allowed himself to relax. //Whatever happens,// he promised himself, //neither of us is going back to that. We'll both become strong on our own.//

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