Fading Scars

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-Seven:

When the pair wasn't eating or meeting with the King and his family, Neji spent much of his time pouring over the scroll. After looking over the whole thing several times, he finally determined that the method involving different symbols would be the best chance. It would be so tricky, though....

After four days of study and work, interspersed with meals and audiences, Neji was sitting on the floor of the main room of their shared suite, frowning over the scroll he'd been practicing symbols in all morning. The last few days were something of a blur, as he rarely left the room. Sometimes, when he spared a few moments to think on it, he felt reminded of when Sasuke had been working to perfect his multiple Chidoris....

Sasuke had deemed himself as Neji's caretaker in the time they spent in the capitol. He brought him his meals and reminded him to rest. And in those brief periods where he did convince Neji to sleep he snuck back to the scroll himself, absorbing everything he could from it.

On the fourth day he sat himself down next to Neji with a bowl of roasted pork and potatoes for them to share--strength building food, as far as he was concerned. "Neji. How's it going?"

"Getting there," he muttered, much like he did each time he was asked. There was something still not quite right with the one.... Growling softly, he snatched up the small bound book that explained the symbols in better detail, paging through it once more. When he had the right page, he started reading, blindly picking up a piece of pork with his fingers to chew on.

Sasuke nibbled on a potato, trying to watch what Neji was doing without getting in his way. He'd learned by now not to interrupt him when he was frustrated.

Neji took his foul mood out on his pork, gnawing on it viciously as he scanned the text. "Damnit, where--ah!" He quickly stuffed the remained of the meat into his mouth, dragging the book with him to the scroll, carefully drawing a new circle and adding the inner details. A moment later he sat back. "There."

Sasuke leaned closer, trying to rush through his potato. "Hm?" He squinted. "Is…that it?"

He nodded. "That's me." Neji sat back, taking a brief drink of water to wash down the large lump of pork he'd just swallowed. "That the symbol for my chakra. Hyuuga's is going to be slightly different, but it'll be easy to figure out, now that I have this." Neji smiled, just faintly. "It's a big step."

Sasuke frowned. He was still somewhat behind Neji in this--he wasn't used to creating new jutsu, practically from scratch. "All right," he murmured. He gulped down the rest of his potato. "Good--it's closer." He nudged the bowl forward. "So eat something before you go on."

Neji chuckled. "All right, and I'll explain it while I do." Feeling much better already, he turned away from the papers, taking Sasuke's advice and beginning to eat. "The trouble with a curse like this is that it's tied to my chakra through our shared bloodline. It's similar to what Orochimaru did, in a way--he put his chakra into his victims, and with that link was able to manipulate them. In order to undo the curse, the added chakra has to be drained out." Neji nodded behind him to page of symbols. "These will work as filters, letting the stuff that doesn't belong out, keeping my chakra in."

Sasuke nodded--that made sense. "All right. I…think I get it." It was frustrating not being as knowledgeable in this area, when it mattered most. "Can I help?"

"Yes, actually." Finishing up a bit more, Neji started to scoot around back to his writing. "Read that part about draining chakra again. You'll need to know how to do it."

"All right." Sasuke shoved a small piece of pork into his mouth and munched away, being careful not to get any juice on the old papers. "Oh yeah, I remember this…."

Neji picked up his pen, starting on the next symbol. "We'll practice it later," he said quietly. "Since you're the one that going to have to do this on me, eventually."

Sasuke blinked. "I am?" He glanced between Neji and the symbols, his brow furrowing. I'll really have to get to work.

"I can't perform it on myself," Neji replied. "If something goes wrong and I end up losing chakra, it would fail for sure." I know he's not going to like this, but.... "If you do it, there's at least a good chance I'll survive."

Sasuke stared at him hard. He hadn't thought of it in those terms, but now that it was stated plainly he wasn't surprised. He had been willing to risk any number of deaths for the sake of his own curse seal. He nodded seriously. "I understand."

Good. I hope you do. Neji bent over the scroll, stuffing a last bite of potato into his mouth as he continued on.

Nearly two hours later he finally sat back, rubbing at his eyes. There were several different symbols carefully drawn on the bottom of the paper. There. Feeling drained, he flopped onto his back. "Finally."

Sasuke peered over them; thanks to his own studying he'd been doing, he was able to understand it a bit better. "This really could work," he murmured to himself. It was going to take an awful lot of concentration, but he was determined to do his part.

"It could. But I need a break." Neji gave a long stretch before pushing to his feet. "I think I'll take a bath, actually. My neck's all stiff." He smiled down at Sasuke. "You should take a few moments, too. You've been working just as hard."

"Yeah, all right." Though at this point Sasuke's mind was whirling, and he didn't relinquish his papers just yet. If we really do this, his life will be in my hands. He's trusting me, that much….

Neji rolled his eyes. Don't make me spell it out. Heading for the bathroom, he started pulling off his tunic and shirt, dropping them carelessly as he went. He gave the door a nudge once he'd passed, though it didn't close enough to do much good. We'll be able to practice tomorrow, and maybe in another day or two.... It was enough to make anyone a little giddy, and he quickly took his anticipation out on the water pump, filling the large tub with steaming spring water.

Sasuke started when he heard the first splash of the water. There was a trail of clothing leading to the cracked bathroom door. A bath...really did sound good right about now. Sasuke finally pushed his papers aside. "Hey, Neji...?"

"Hmm?" Neji could barely hear him over the fall of water and the work he was doing to fill the tub. Really, the large tubs were great for soaking, but filling them was a workout all on its own. He glanced at the door, but from that angle couldn't see the other. "I can't hear you."

Sasuke frowned, and finally abandoned the scroll to join Neji in the bathroom. He watched the slow progress of the filling tub. It really is…pretty big. He glanced to Neji. "You...want some company?"

He smirked. "If it means you're going to take a turn on this," he teased, nodding at the pump. "Practically need a nap after all the trouble this is." Secretly, though, he was glad. It might be their last chance for a while to do something like this....

Sasuke smiled grimly, but he came forward to take Neji's place anyway. "I guess I could use the work out."

"Just give my arms a rest." Neji stole a quick kiss in thanks. He began stripping out of the rest of his clothes, leaving his boxers on as he moved about the room, gathering supplies; robes and towels for when they were finished, soap and cloths for while they were in. Once everything was within easy reach he returned. "Here--I'll finish it up if you want to get in."

"Thanks." Sasuke stripped down and eased himself into the tub with an appreciative sigh. "Ahh...that feels good." The warm water seemed to ease into every part of him, releasing tensions he'd forgotten were there. "Come on, Neji."

Neji finally gave in, easily following his partner into the water--it really did feel nice. He gave a little murmur as he sank up to his chin. "If nothing else, this country is worth it for their springs," he said with a grin, loosing his hair from his ponytail so it slid through the water.

"I'll say..." Sasuke dunked his head under, pushing his hair out of his face once he resurfaced. He smiled at Neji across the water. "This might really be it this time.”

"What, this bath?" He was pretty sure he knew what Sasuke was referring to, but...he'd rather stay off the subject, if he could. Thinking about it too often would just serve to remind him how dangerous the undertaking was. How...he might not survive. "I'm sure there will be other baths."

Sasuke's expression sobered, but he got the hint. "Yeah, but how many baths like this?" He slid forward, touching Neji's knee under the water.

That's better. Neji opened his eyes, lips curling. Let's not worry about that. "Hmmm…not sure about that," he replied in kind, giving his knee a little wiggle beneath the water, tilting up his chin as Sasuke slid even closer. "What kind of bath is this, Sasuke?"

"Private," Sasuke replied with a little smirk. His fingers danced down from Neji's knee, along his thigh. "When Koshaku's brother gets here, they're going to expect us to train them in that charm of yours. We'll be busy."

Neji slid a hand out of the water, catching Sasuke lightly around the neck and pulling him slowly closer. "Guess we better make use of this time while we have it." They met in a firm kiss, and Neji couldn't help putting a little more sincerity into it than usual. After all, with what they were planning....

Sasuke melted easily into him, allowing his eyelids to flutter shut. It hadn't been very long, but...he'd missed this. He'd spent their days of travel remembering the night they'd shared, how different it had made him feel….

He'd never get tired of that feeling, of Sasuke just...relaxing so easily beneath his hands. Those moments when he didn't fight. Maybe, now that they had already been together...things would be different. Neji urged the other closer, pulling him into his lap as he nibbled at the younger boy's lips. Already his body was reacting, more so when they rubbed together.

Sasuke sighed heavily between them. He was exhausted after so much study, and was more than happy to sink against Neji's body, enjoying slow, intimate affections. "It's still a little strange," he murmured, diverting his mouth to Neji's throat. "Touching you, after…."

Neji slid his hands to Sasuke's back, tracing the gentle ridges of his spine--slowly, in that way that always seemed to make him squirm a little. "After what?" he asked.

Sasuke didn't disappoint; he wriggled against Neji's chest. "After we…you know." He kissed Neji's neck again. I feel closer, somehow. He blushed, hopefully unseen. It's embarrassing. I just can't stop thinking about him.

Ah, I see. Neji's hands dropped lower, squeezing firm muscles and pulling Sasuke's hips closer. "Not too strange, I hope," he replied. "Or maybe you just miss me."

Sasuke moaned softly as they were pulled together. He licked his lips. "Not...too strange," he assured. His pulse was beginning to rise, and with the bath already so warm it made him a little light-headed. "And…maybe a little."

Neji pushed some of Sasuke's hair out of the way, allowing him to better kiss and bite at the boy's neck. "Maybe we should do it again," he suggested, voice a low hiss. Arching his back, he gave a little gasp as they rubbed against each other. "Wouldn't it feel nice in the water?"

Sasuke moaned again, quickly growing hard with all their accidental touches. His fingers tightened around Neji's shoulders. "Yeah...it would…." He tilted his head to the side to allow Neji greater access to his throat.

I'm glad he lets me do this now, since his curse is gone.... He shivered a little when he felt Sasuke pressing into his stomach. "Do you want me?" he hissed. "Or...." Neji gave his hips a little rock. "Do you want to take me, this time?"

Sasuke shivered at even the implication. "Are you sure?" he asked, though he was already liking the idea. Maybe Neji would even understand...why he had taken so long, coming around to it.

He shrugged, urging them apart a little so their eyes could meet. "I offered the first time, didn't I?" he reminded, hand lifting to brush the backs of his knuckles against Sasuke's cheek. "You said you wanted to try before, right?"

Sasuke frowned thoughtfully. "I guess I did…." He licked his lips. "Then yeah. I want to do you this time." He grinned, and drew Neji suddenly into a very eager kiss.

Neji easily returned it. He wasn't nervous--not really. Just…. Don't think about it. He'll enjoy it. That's what's important. Resolved, Neji took one of Sasuke's hands, pressing it to his chest, urging the other even lower.

Sasuke didn't need much urging--he was excited, now, eager to feel all that Neji had. He wrapped his fingers quickly around his partner's growing erection to help it along. "Should I still get some oil?" he asked, remembering that it had been important. "Or is the water enough...?"

For his first time, it would be best to be careful, but.... "Use your hand to start," he suggested, voice a little rough from Sasuke's treatment. His eyelids fluttered, and he needed a deep breath before he could continue. "Maybe...some soap...." God, that feels good....

"Yeah...okay." Sasuke's eyes gleamed as he leaned back a little. "Turn around." I wanna be able to see what I'm doing….

Neji made a little sound of protest, but was soon quickly moving to follow. He grabbed one of the folded towels to drape over the edge of the tub, rising up on his knees with his chest and arms cushioned. Closing his eyes, he found it wasn't too difficult to keep himself relaxed.

Sasuke smirked a little; it was kind of exhilarating, having Neji giving way to him. He pressed quickly up against the older boy's back with a quiet murmur. I bet it's going to feel amazing…. But he wanted Neji to enjoy it, too, so he was careful when he slipped his fingers down to begin plying at Neji's opening.

It was strangely intimate, being touched that way, as well as just odd. Neji felt his cheeks darken. Hoping to keep Sasuke from noticing, he gave his hips a little wiggle. "Don't forget the soap," he reminded quietly, resting his head on his arms.

"Yeah, okay." Sasuke reached past him, grabbing the soap to get a lather on his hands. "I don't know how much good it'll do, if you're already underwater," he teased. Just because he was curious he leaned forward, gently rubbing his length against the cleft of Neji's ass. He groaned lowly.

Neji shivered. "Even a little will help," he murmured, fingers curling a bit in the towel. It was oddly erotic, having Sasuke out of sight behind him, even after all they had done before. He arched his back a little, encouraging.

Sasuke shivered, and shook himself to remember what he was doing. He reached down to continue his gentle prodding. It'll hurt, like it did for me. But if I can loosen him up a little…. It was embarrassing to think of in such terms but necessary, and slowly he pushed his fingers deeper.

There was a moment of strain, but it faded soon enough. After all his training, Neji felt confident he would be able to handle whatever pain might come. He kept his breathing even, his muscles relaxed. It won't be so bad. "Come on." He pressed back against Sasuke's hand. "I'm fine."

Sasuke was already so tight and excited by now that he wasn't about to question. He pulled back his hand and leaned forward again. "I'll go slow," he promised, pressing a few anxious kisses to Neji's back. "All right?"

Neji was almost amused by Sasuke's desperation, and he chuckled as he braced his knees better. "I'm fine," he repeated, smiling. This is for you, after all. He rolled his shoulders before settling. "Just go."

"All right." Just to be sure--and because Neji couldn't see him--Sasuke slipped a hand down, helping to guide himself into his partner. The sensation of being enveloped, of Neji's body taking him in was more than he'd anticipated. He fought hard not to simply thrust into him, instead taking his time to fully bury himself.

He surrendered a soft gasp at the intrusion, for a moment tensing all over at the odd feeling. A few deep breaths helped him to relax again. The friction would be the toughest part, it seemed, but there was enough soap to ease it. "Come on," he insisted quietly, shifting faintly.

"Shit…." Sasuke's eyelids fluttered. Damn, it's so tight. Feels so good…. His hands tightened on Neji's hips, holding him still as he pulled back, and then thrust slowly into him again. His voice fell from him in a low moan against Neji's shoulder as he continued.

Neji groaned quietly, eyes tightly shut as the other began to move. It…wasn't like anything he'd felt before.... "Sasu--" He spread his legs a little more, gasping when it allowed his younger lover to move even deeper. "Ahh....”

Sasuke murmured in response. He could suddenly realize why Neji had been so insistent before, had pursued him so strongly--it felt amazing. He braced one hand against Neji's shoulder as he continued to move in him, losing himself to a faster, stronger rhythm.

Some part of him had known Sasuke wouldn't be able to hold himself back long, not with the way he always put so much of himself into everything he did. He'd been expecting it, though it wasn't until now that he realized...how much he might have wanted it. Neji pressed his face into the towel to stifle the majority of his murmurs, hands gripping the edge of the tub tightly to keep from being forced too hard against the stone. There was something that was absolutely throbbing every time Sasuke moved against him; he tensed every time it was struck, and finally the other reached deep enough to send him over the edge.

Sasuke gasped, his sight flickering a little as his own climax sent thick waves of pleasure through him. He muffled his own cry against Neji's back until the sensations wore down, leaving him exhausted and panting. He pushed carefully back. "Holy shit…."

Neji chuckled weakly into his towel, wincing a little as they were separated. Feels...empty. Not wanting to be distracted by the parts of him making themselves known now that the pleasure was fading, Neji quickly turned himself around and sank back into the yet warm water. He kept his eyes closed as he relaxed again, one hand finding Sasuke's wrist to tug him closer. "Sasuke...."

Sasuke licked his lips, still a little light-headed as he sank to Neji's side. "Was it good?" he asked, grinning. He kissed Neji lazily.

"Mmm." Neji slid an arm around Sasuke's waist, allowing them to rest comfortably. "It was." His fingers played idle circles at the younger boy's hip, feeling all too content with the moment. "What about you?"

"It was good," Sasuke replied, trying not to betray his own satisfaction. But there really was no point in acting cool, when all he wanted to do was touch Neji more--and being very obvious about that, sliding his fingers over the other's chest and stomach.

Neji leaned into him, enjoying the quiet and the soft affection of his lover. We really are lovers now, too. For awhile, I thought we'd never.... Sighing, he gave the other a little squeeze. "Let's finish up and get out," he murmured.

"Yeah, okay." Sasuke chuckled as he snuck another kiss and started to climb out. "Damn, now I'm more exhausted than ever."

"That's what you get for jumping me in the bath," he retorted lazily, taking another moment for himself to stretch and let the hot water ease the last of his aches. As he finally crawled out, he couldn't help chuckling at the mess they'd made--water had splashed all over the stone floor. "Want to stay in my room tonight?"

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