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 Four:

Neji woke up first. The rain was lessening as night fell, though already the sky was dark. He found Sasuke still curled up against him, and he couldn't help a tiny smile. //We really are a lot alike. Our families, our pain....// His fingers trailed lightly down the boy's shoulder, barely brushing the exposed skin on his arm.

Sasuke stirred slightly, gradually being drawn awake by the touch. As he was still only half aware he twisted closer to the warm body next to him. How long had it been since he'd been this close to another person? His forehead scraped against a soft cheek, and he sighed.

Neji felt his stomach do a little jump. //Is he.... Yes, he must be asleep.// But he couldn't deny that he was tempted--Sasuke could be almost cute, sometimes. And when he was pulling closer like that.... His other hand rose from his lap, lightly touching the underside of Sasuke's jaw, tracing the soft line back towards his ear.

The touch against his neck woke Sasuke a little, and he reached up, his hand closing around Neji's wrist. //What is he…?// A tiny shiver spread down his neck, and he gulped.

//Damn.// He lowered his hand, taking Sasuke's with it. He wouldn't apologize, though--after all, Sasuke was the one that kept wiggling up against him like that.

Sasuke frowned. His heart was beating faster than it should have, and he didn't really understand what was going on. But when their hands lowered, they were so close that Neji's fingertips brushed his thigh. It made something in him curl, and then--

Shit. Stunned by his body's sudden reaction Sasuke twisted away, but he couldn't go far with all the branches. "Sorry," he apologized quickly, his voice a little weak. "You just...startled me."

Neji smirked, turning his head away just to be sure Sasuke wouldn't see it. He pulled out some more bread--it wasn't too soggy. "Here," he passed over his shoulder. //Though...he doesn't seem like he's disgusted or anything....// Taking a chance, he added, "You haven't been around others a lot, have you."

"Well, excuse me," Sasuke muttered, accepting the offering. He munched restlessly on the bread. //What the hell is wrong with me? It's not like....// He choked a little on the bread but managed to gulp it down.

"It's not a big deal, you know," he said, turning to crawl out of their hiding place. "Getting turned on." Still smirking, he pulled himself out, immediately getting drenched again in the still falling rain.

"I'm not--" Sasuke scowled after him, and would have followed, until he realized...he really was still turned on. He stayed in the branches and continued to eat his "breakfast," at a more reserved pace to stall.

After finishing his own breakfast and taking a brief drink of water, he started his own scan of the area. He had the feeling they were being followed, but he couldn't sense anything to prove it. //We're pretty far ahead, though. I think we'll be able to make it.//

Sasuke shifted back and forth; with Neji gone he was swiftly cold once again, allowing his body to...relax. //Not a big deal, he says,// he thought with a bitter frown as he climbed out into the open again. //Maybe for him, but it's not like I've ever really....// He scrubbed at his face, wondering if a little dirt would prevent Neji from seeing how flushed he still was.

He glanced back when Sasuke appeared, noting the embarrassed look on his face. //Too bad we're in a hurry. He looks...pretty cute right now.// "Ready?"

"Yeah," Sasuke answered too quickly. "I'm ready." To prove just that he took quickly to the trees. //Jeez, now he's looking at me funny.// It made his stomach twitch, and it was harder to push aside than he would have liked.

Neji smirked, watching him a moment before following. //Maybe I should just leave it alone. We still have a long way to go, and I wouldn't want to freak him out when we both need to be focused.//

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They had traveled all through the night and the next day, trying to make up for lost time. Shikamaru finally drew his team to a halt at evening. "Kiba, can you and Hinata get some food together?" he suggested, glancing up and down the river. "I'm going to go take a look from the trees."

Kiba nodded easily. "We won't be long," he assured, smiling briefly at Hinata as they headed out.

Naruto leaned against a tree--he was exhausted, but he didn't want the others to see it. Keeping that in mind, he finally followed Shikamaru into the higher branches. "Are we catching up?" he asked.

"A little," Shikamaru said, studying the faint scuff of tree bark that could have been from a shoe. "But they're still a day ahead of us, and it's going to rain." He frowned. "It'd be a pain to ask Hinata if she could help us by slowing Neji down, but that might be our only choice if we're going to catch him before the border."

Naruto frowned. "I don't like that," he muttered. "You...." He glanced away. "You don't know what he's gone through because of that seal. Hurting him is only going to make him less likely to come back."

//Ya really think he's coming back?// "It's troublesome anyway," Shikamaru muttered. "We can afford to wait and see if we're catching up." He glanced at Naruto. "You holding up?"

He nodded emphatically. "Of course! I'm just great--I could keep going, but I think Hinata and Kiba might need to rest a bit, yeah." Naruto paused as he started to yawn, and he quickly covered his mouth.

Shikamaru smirked. "Make sure you sleep well," he advised. "It sucks but we can only afford a few hours worth." //If Sasuke and Neji are still recovering from the exam they'll be taking full rests. Cutting corners is really the only chance we have.//

"Don't worry about me," he replied. "If it's one thing I've got, it's stamina." Naruto stared out across the forest, wondering if, were Sasuke to stand at the top of one of those trees, they'd be able to see each other.

"Glad to hear it, underling." Shikamaru continued to scan the area and, having found nothing, scratched the back of his head. "I guess we won't be finding them tonight."

Naruto nodded, though.... He lowered his head, fingers curling tightly. "Hey, Shikamaru...?" It took him a great deal of courage to continue, though his words were sincere. "Congratulations. About...you know."

"Huh?" Though Shikamaru really was glad to hear it, he scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "Ah, thanks. Not that I really asked for it, y'know." //I even gave up, for crying out loud. But, whatever. Telling them no would be a bigger pain.//

"Yeah, but...you were smart, and you fought good. Even if...the rest of us...are disappointed, no one can deny that you earned it." Naruto pushed up one of his sleeves with a grin. "And if they do, they'll have to answer to me."

Shikamaru smirked. "Y'know, you beating Neji was more impressive than anything I did, in my book," he said. And then he shrugged. "Being a scary bastard and all."

He grinned. "It was pretty cool, huh?" Naruto ran a hand back through his hair, pleased by the compliment. "Maybe after this, we'll all be recognized. Even Kiba and Hinata."

"Better be. Cleaning up their dirty work." Shikamaru shrugged again, as if trying to throw off what he'd just said. But he couldn't help but feel something bitter at the back of his throat when it came to this mission. Something about it just didn't seem right.

Naruto glanced at him briefly, catching his tone. //He's knows there's something wrong. This should be the most important thing in the village, hunting down that Orochimaru, but they send us....// "We'll do it," he assured, fists tight. "We'll take care of everything."

"Yeah." Shikamaru stretched, rotating his shoulders. "It's gonna be a trip trying to convince them to come back. But I guess we'll manage."

"Either way, I don't want Hinata to kill Neji," he said firmly. "And if they won't come home, then we either convince them to keep away from that Orochimaru jerk, or we kill Orochimaru." That sounded about right, and Naruto nodded as if to seal his words.

"Kill Orochimaru...?" Shikamaru echoed incredulously. He patted Naruto grimly on the shoulder. "Sorry Naruto, but you're not getting anywhere near him. Because I certainly am not."

"We may not get that choice," Naruto pointed out. "We're chasing Sasuke--he's chasing Sasuke. What happens if we meet in the middle? Or if he finds them first?" His eyes narrowed. "I know you need to do what's best for the others, but I'm not leaving Sasuke to that guy, no matter what."

"And one of us--all of us--can't fight that guy," Shikamaru replied. He abruptly shook his head. "We'll deal with it when it comes. Right now I just wanna get their asses back, not to mention ours."

He nodded, though.... "I should tell you," he said lowly, not looking at Shikamaru. "I fought him before. Briefly. If nothing else, I can keep him busy for a while, if we need to."

"Huh?" Shikamaru frowned at him. //Must have been in the forest? When Sasuke was cursed, like Anko-sensei said.// "You serious?"

"Yeah. Sasuke got hurt or freaked out or something, and…I had to stop him." Naruto lowered his head, brushing his hand over his stomach. "He...did something--caught me off guard--and I think he sealed the Ni...um...." He flushed and stammered before he was able to collect himself. "That is, some of my chakra. Knocked me out. But he won't get me again!" he quickly assured.

Shikamaru regarded him seriously. //If he's telling the truth, that's deep shit.// "Naruto." He cocked a hand against his hip. "I don't want it to come to that, but I'll keep it in mind."

Naruto sighed, pleased that Shikamaru was going to take him seriously. "Good. And…thanks, Shikamaru." He glanced down towards the ground. "I hope they bring the food soon--I'm starving."

"Yeah, me, too." Relieved that that seemed to be the end of their conversation, Shikamaru turned to leap from the tree. "Let's see if we can find some shelter."

"Okay!" Naruto hopped down after him. //Well, at least he knows what I can do. Of course, I'll do what I have to, but Shikamaru really is smart.//

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