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When I'm Gone	By : tragic.violinist Category: Naruto AU/AR > Het - Male/Female Views: 2134 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: NARUTO and its respective characters were created and are owned by Masashi Kishimoto. No copyright infringement intended. I make no money from this story.

Chapter List
- 9
- 10
- 11
Chapter 10: Scar Tissue
A/N: I'm so sorry about last chapter, but I needed a way to free him, now for a much happier chapter, So let's find out how poor Neji's eyes are doing.
   He closed his eyes taking a deep breath as Tsunade removed the bandages. Hikari held his hand tightly, just as nervous as he was. Even after she was done he was apprehensive about opening them. He felt hands on both sides of his face.
   “You're never going to find out if you don't open them,” Hikari said softly. He slowly opened eyes, squinting at the light that invaded his senses, even though he knew they were dimmed, he still found it bright. “So how is it?”
   He blinked at her a few times, “Everything is blurred.”
   “That's to be expected, it's been a long time since they were in use. It will take some time to adjust. For the next week you will have to wear sunglasses, even inside, unless all the lights are out,” Tsunade explained to him, “Can you try activating the Byakugan for me?” He did so, they could see the veins protruding from around his eyes, his pupils becoming pronounced. He ended it. “That's good,” Tsunade told him, “I expect you'll make a full recovery.”
   “Thank you Tsunade-sama.” He said bowing his head to her.
   “Now you will need to take things easy for awhile now,” She told him, “I don't want you to push yourself. I don't want you using the Byakugan for at least a couple of weeks, no training for at least a month, and I'm putting you on leave from missions for the next two months. Understand?”
   “Yes Tsunade-sama, thank you again.”
   “Alright I'll leave you two now, Hikari it's up to you to make sure he doesn't do anything he's not supposed to do.”
   “Yes ma'am,” Hikari said and shot off a mock salute.
   They were silent for a moment before Neji spoke, “How have you been?” he asked, his voice full of concern. He remembered how he had felt when Hikari was unconscious in the hospital, and she had only been out for a night, he had been out for weeks.
   Hikari sighed, she held his hand tightly, like a life line, as if he would disappear if she let go, “Numb, I didn't know what to do, it was all my fault, I never should have let myself fall asleep...I'm so sorry,” she wailed.
   “Hikari, please, don't, I don't blame you for this,” He tugged her to sit on the bed with him, “Please don't cry. Look at me, you heard Tsunade-sama, I will be fine.” She gave him a watery smile. “Tell me something else then, how did the Chuunin exams go?”
   “All three of us made it to the third round, the tournament will take place on the fourth of December.”
   “Are you prepared for it?” Hikari nodded. “and what about everyone else? Has Ino tried to kill Shikamaru yet?”
   Hikari sighed, “I'm afraid I haven't been very good company to anyone lately, I was just so depressed, I didn't know what to say or do when they came by. The only one I've been spending time with has been Sasuke, and that just because I'm living with him now.”
   Neji's eye narrowed slightly, Living with Sasuke, what? “Why are you living with Sasuke now?” he asked trying to keep the bitterness out of his voice.
   “Sorry I forgot to mention that part,” she said apologetically, “After what happened, the other Hyuuga elders took control until Hinata turns eight-teen. They've kicked us both out, Sasuke offered us the house next door to his, but it needed some work before we could movie in so he's letting me stay in his guest room, you too once Aunt Tsunade lets you out of here.”
   Neji had to keep himself from sighing in relief, he didn't want her to know what his first thought had been. Suddenly he remembered he had missed her birthday, and her present had been in his room, “What did they do with all of my things?”
   “They're in storage right now, but you won't need most of it, Aunt Tsunade is furnishing the new place for us. You know I was surprised how much Hinata has grown now that she is no longer living under her father's thumb, Hanabi too they both seem a lot happier now.”
   “Really?”
   “Yeah, I heard that Hinata really gave the other elders a piece of her mind. They wanted to mark you again when you woke up, but she told them that as you were meant to be her protector it was her call, and you were to remain unmarked.” She saw a faint smile grace his face.
   They heard the door open and someone came in carrying a tray for Neji. A small bowl of broth and a glass of water, of course after so long he stomach would have shrunk. He had a hard time finishing it, but after some encouragement from Hikari, he managed.
   “What did you end up doing for your birthday?”
   “I spent it here, I didn't feel right celebrating without you.” He held his arms wide in an open invitation, which she gladly accepted. He pulled her in to rest against his chest. She caught the slight grimace he tried to hide from her. “Your back,” she tried to pull away.
   “It's fine, stay right here.” He felt her relax into him.
   “I wish I could stay with you,” she told him. “But someone will be here soon to kick me out,” she said sadly. “I'll see you tomorrow though.”
   “No you won't,” he told her seriously, she gave him a look of confusion. “You have been spending all your time here, you have been neglecting your other friends, so go out have some fun, I'm not going anywhere.”
   “What if I bring them by here instead?” Hikari suggested.
   “You can do that the next day, tomorrow I want you do something outside of the hospital.”
   She nodded, “Alright, I'll try but I won't be able to stop from thinking of you.”
   Neji smirked at her, “I wouldn't want it any other way,” He gave her a kiss before she had to go.
   The next day Hikari did as Neji had asked, she could hardly deny him that, and now that he was awake and on the road to recovery she realized that she did miss her other friends. So she spent the morning with Naruto and Sasuke training for the Chuunin exams. In the afternoon she sought out Shikamaru for a game of Shogi, she couldn't believe she had gone so long without a match. She got her ass handed it to her of course, he had successfully analyzed all of the different styles she liked to use months ago. She ran into Ino on the street on her way back to Sasuke's afterwards and the blond insisted they go somewhere for coffee.
   “I've been looking for you all day,” she told her, “where have you been hiding?”
   “Just been catching up, I was just leaving Shikamaru's place. What's up?”
   “Do you think Sasuke would let us have a party at his place?”
   Hikari laughed, “Un-fucking-likely, you know how he is.”
   “Yeah but he's been coming out a lot more lately, and he likes you, I mean he wouldn't let just anyone stay with him, and give them a house. I was thinking if you asked him maybe he would say yes, and I was thinking it would be for you guys anyway.”
   “Okay, Ino I need a little more details here, what do you mean for us guys?”
   “Well with everything that happened with Neji, we missed your birthday, and so I thought maybe we could have belated birthday party for you as well as a welcome back party for Neji once he got out of the hospital.”
   Hikari shook her head. Oh if she only knew the real reason her and Sasuke got along so well. Not to mention she was really barking up the wrong tree with this, if she wanted someone to convince Sasuke to have a party she would have had a lot more luck with Naruto. As it was Sasuke wasn't the only one who wasn't big on parties and people, Neji and herself could really do without them too. Still just as Neji had said she had been neglecting her friends and this would be a good way to make it up to them all at once. “Okay if we are going to convince Sasuke it's going to take more than just me to do it. I'll talk to Naruto and get him on board with the whole thing, if things go well maybe we can work one more theme in there too and celebrate the end of the Chuunin exams.”
   Ino clapped her hands excitedly, “Okay call me later and let me know how it goes, and if he says yes you have to leave everything to me, after all if it's partially supposed to be for your birthday you shouldn't be doing all of the planning.” Hikari nodded more than happy to let Ino take care of all of that stuff if she wanted to. When it came to that kind of stuff she found it just as troublesome as Shikamaru did. “Although maybe we could put on a bit of a show,” she hinted.
   “Oh Ino, I don't know. You know I don't like performing in front of crowds.”
   “Could have fooled me at the festival,” she laughed, “You were supposed to win remember.” Hikari sighed, she was right, she had gotten the most votes that night but Ino was the runner up so they named her the winner after Hikari and Neji had disappeared. Ino was nice about it though she offered to split the prize with her, she had just wanted the Karaoke machine for parties, she gladly gave the guitar up to Hikari. "Hey I could bring the karaoke machine!"
Hikari groaned inwardly. "We need to get Sasuke to agree first remember," she was silently praying he wouldn't, but at least she could say she tried.
"Okay I'll talk to you soon then."
"For sure." She waved good bye and decided she should try and find Naruto again.
A couple days later, the day Neji was to be discharged, Naruto came by to try and talk Sasuke into hosting the party.
"No, absolutely not," Sasuke snapped.
"Come on please it would be the perfect way to celebrate becoming Chuunin," Naruto insisted.
"You don't even know for sure if we're all going to make Chuunin," Sasuke pointed out.
"Of course I do, you remember what Tsunade-baba told us, this is all just a formality because we were doing Chuunin missions even though we weren't actually Chuunin." Naruto argued, even Hikari had to admit he made a good point. “And...” he paused for effect, “We can make it one big party and celebrate Hikari's birthday a little late as well as Neji getting out of the hospital all at once.”
   “Why should I care about any of that? No offense Hikari.”
   “None taken,” she said dryly.
   “Come on, then just do it for us,” Naruto pleaded, not seeing the uncomfortable look on Sasuke's face from the way he had said that. “Do it for me please?” he latched onto Sasuke's arm like a leech, and Hikari couldn't help but laugh.
   Sasuke shot her a dirty look and attempted to shake Naruto off of him. “Alright, alright, just get off me,” he snapped.
   “Really?” Naruto asked with a bright smile.
   “Are you deaf, I said yes, okay.”
   “Yes,” Naruto glomped the two of them at once in excitement.
   “Dammit Dobe I said get off me, not tackle me.”
   Naruto got off and scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. “I'm going to go and spread the word, bye.” He ran out of Sasuke's house before he could change his mind.
   Hikari smirked at him, “what's so funny?” he snapped at her.
   “The sexual tension is at an all time high I see.”
   If looks could kill she would have been dismembered and buried in the back yard by now. “You're delusional.” he said flatly.
   “If I'm delusional, you're the friendliest person to walk the earth. Just get over yourself and ask him out already, he obviously wants you too.”
   “I don't give two shits what he wants, I'm not gay.”
   “If you say so.”
   “If I was gay would I do this,” he kissed her.
   Hikari was shocked for all of two seconds before she pushed him away and punched him square in the face. “What the fuck is your problem?”
   “I was trying to get a point across, you didn't have to punch me that hard.” Sasuke was holding his nose trying to stanch the bleeding, “You're a fucking psycho you know that?”
   “Are you listening to yourself?” She gave him a hard stare. That's when it hit her just how insecure he was about the whole subject, so much so that he would resort to any means necessary to prove that her wrong. “Look I'm sorry if I brought up a sore subject for you, but if you ever try something like that again you're nose wont be the only thing that gets broken. I'm going to get Neji,” she stomped towards the door.
   “Wait,” Sasuke called out, she stopped with her hand on the door knob and glared over her shoulder at him. “You're not going to tell him are you?”
   Hikari paused to think, sure she was still pissed off at him, but she would keep her mouth shut, Neji would probably want his head if he knew. “Tell who what?” She feigned ignorance.
   Sasuke sighed in relief, “Thanks.”
   “An apology would be more appropriate, and don't thank me just yet, let me see your nose.” Sasuke lowered his hands, in one swift movement she snapped it back into place, grabbed a cloth from next to the sink pinched the bridge of his nose and tilted his head back. “Stop acting like an idiot okay, your much easier to be around when you're not. Better yet stop acting in general and just be yourself, and one more thing in you hadn't noticed the only person that it going to give two shits if you're gay is Sakura, everyone else has been over you for awhile.”
   “You're not going to let this go are you?”
   “No I'm not, that's what both you and Neji love about me, I'm blunt as fuck, when I first spent time with him I had no problem telling him that he acted like he had a stick up his ass and that he should get over it, and look where we are now, sure he sometimes acts like he has a stick jammed up there but not with me at least. Now I'm telling you the same thing. Stop lying to yourself, get over it, no one is going to give two fucks that your gay and you want Naruto. In fact most girls would probably wet themselves in excitement over it, and the guys would rejoice because it would be not just one but two less people to compete with.
   “Just think about it, but if for some fucked up reason you decide to stay cooped up in your little closet I will keep your secret, I've said my piece but I can't force you to take my advice. I really do need to go now, keep pressure on that until the bleeding stops.”
   Hikari pushed the empty wheelchair down the hall to Neji's room, a smirk prominent on her face she opened the door to see him sitting up in bed reading a book, he smiled at her until he noticed the wheelchair and then he scowled, “Hospital policy, remember,” she reminded him.
   “Whatever.”
   “That's how I felt too,” she laughed, “Come on let's go.” he sat down and she wheeled him out to the main doors.
   “I have to admit I've rather enjoyed the last few days, it was nice being able to take care of you for a change.” she mused as he threw an arm around her shoulders.
   “I”m just glad to be out of there,” he told her.
   “I'm not sure you'll feel the same way in a couple of days, Ino is in the process of planning a huge triple party.”
   “We could always just skip it,” he suggested.
   “No, unfortunately we can't, it's going to be at Sasuke's house.” Neji stopped in his tracks, “What's wrong?”
   “I know it's winter and all but did hell freeze over? Sasuke is having a party, at his house?”
   “Yeah Naruto kind of helped rope him into it.”
   “He does seem to have a way of getting what he wants. So when is this party, and what's the reason for it?”
   “It'll be a week from today, the day after the third round of the Chuunin exam. One reason is to celebrate if any of us make Chuunin.”
   “One reason?”
   “They also want to celebrate you getting out of the hospital,” Hikari sighed, “and a belated birthday party for me, I've been forbidden from helping plan, so Naruto and Ino are in charge, and to be honest that scares me a little bit.”
   “Then you are braver than most, most people would call that terrifying. What on earth is Sasuke thinking, letting them have run of his house, I think he may be losing his touch.” Hikari couldn't help but laugh at that as they reached the house. Neji looked at the place next door, the siding half painted, several windows covered in plastic, “Can we check it out?”
   “Nope, it's a surprise,” she told him, “but come on, I'm hungry, I'm sure Sasuke hasn't had dinner yet either, I swear you guys have something against cooking and I just don't understand it.”
   “I can assure you I have nothing against cooking, you just took over my kitchen,” Sasuke said from the doorway, his nose had swollen to twice its size.
   “I'd hate to see the other guy,” Neji said to him gesturing towards Sasuke's injury.
   “She, didn't get a scratch on her.”
   Hikari laughed, “That's what happens when you let your guard down," she played along.
   Neji quirked an eyebrow, “You? Why?”
   “Sparring accident,” Sasuke told him quickly, “you up for a match after dinner?”
   “I can't, strict orders from Tsunade-sama.”
   “I'm up for a re-match if you like?” Hikari offered.
   “Sounds good, let's get this show on the road then, what are you making for dinner?”
   “Nothing special, I figure just some Yakitori and fried rice.”
   After dinner the both Sasuke and Hikari went up to their rooms to change into more appropriate clothing. They entered Sasuke's personal dojo, Neji sat off to the side to watch. Being inside they were limited to solely tai-jutsu. Hikari took out a pair of ear plugs and placed them in her ears.
   Neji was confused, “What are you doing?” then thinking she wouldn't be able to understand what he was saying he turned to Sasuke instead. “What is she doing?”
   “I still know what you're saying you know,” she told him as Sasuke chuckled, “But I'll let him explain if he wants to.”
   Sasuke nodded, enjoying the fact that he knew something about Hikari that the Hyuuga didn't. “She's been working on heightening her senses, reducing the chance of her having a disadvantage in battle. This way if she encounters a sudden handicap such as being deafened by an explosion she is not hindered because her other senses will compensate. You think this is nerve racking, you should see her fight blindfolded.”
   “You're kidding?”
   “He's not, as a matter of fact I am going to show you both something new today.” she smirked at Sasuke, “you ready now?” He nodded and took his starting position, before she took hers she tied a blindfold around her head. Sasuke didn't move, “I'm waiting,” still nothing, “if it makes you feel better you can take it easy on me, we're only using tai-jutsu so let's just do this.”
   Sasuke and Neji looked at each other, not sure how to interpret what she was doing, “Fine I'll make the first move if you won't.”
   She went straight for him forcing him to dodge, but she was on him a second later, he jumped back, she kept coming, he had no choice but to continue defending. How the hell could she be pulling this off. “Attack me already,” she demanded.
   Sasuke threw a punch, she dodged it, ducking low and sweeping his legs out from under him with a kick, she pinned him and threw a punch stopping her fist just shy of his face. She ripped the blindfold off and the ear plugs out, “Are you finished underestimating me? Can we do this for real now?” Both guys were looking at her in awe. “What?”
   “How did you pull that off?”
   She sighed in frustration, “fine I'll explain, you guys do realize that there are more senses than just sight and sound right? There's still the sense of touch and the olfactory, of course there's taste too but that one does count when it comes to this explanation. But in this case it was mostly my sense of touch I was using, when you threw that punch I could feel that slight wisp of air created by your sudden movement, I could also feel the vibrations in the floorboards when you jumped enabling me to pinpoint where you had retreated to.
   “Of course the Olfactory is nearly impossible to train to be of any use in a fight, unless you come from the Inuzuka clan, but there will always be the sense of touch to work with in a battle, if you lose that you're already fucked”
   “Where did you learn this kind of training?” Neji asked her.
   “Uncle Orochi taught me, Sasuke sucked at it though, he relies too much on his Sharigan.”
   Sasuke looked shocked, “he knows?”
   “No, I thought now would be a good time to tell him,” her voice was thick with sarcasm. “Of course he knows, I wasn't going to keep something like that from him.”
   “Who all knows?”
   “Well obviously, you two and then Uncle Jiraiya and Aunt Tsunade, that's it.” He was speechless, “That's a good look for you,” she mocked him. “Can we do this now?”
   “Yeah let's do it.”
   They sparred for a good ten minutes trading blows before Sasuke knocked her on her ass and pinned her. He released her and she got back to her feet. She removed the hindrances and jumped back into starting position. “Ready to do it for real now?” She asked.
   “Well what are you waiting for?”
   She attacked. Neji watched with interest, they were fast, maybe not as fast as Lee without his weights but their speed was still formidable.
   “Amp it up?” Sasuke asked.
   “Bring it,” they both retreated to opposite ends of the room, drawing weapons, they faced off. Sasuke chose an over sized long sword while Hikari's weapon of choice was a short sword made of a white material Neji was unable to identify. They parried each others attacks repeatedly. Things may have been stacked in Sasuke's favor had he been using his Sharingan, but maybe not, Hikari anticipated his moves perfectly. She left no opening. He pitied anyone anyone unfortunate enough to have to fight the two together. Especially if they were using Ninjutsu and Genjutsu as well.
   Their weapons clashed, the sound it self was painful, almost like steel striking bone. Sasuke made a forward thrust with his with his sword followed by an attempt to sweep her feet from under her as she had done to him in their previous fight. She was ready for it, she leaped into the air only to land on his still extended sword. He was able to support her weight on it, preventing himself from being disarmed, that proved to be his mistake. Still balanced upon the sword she crouched low and thrust her own weapon forward, successfully nicking his cheek.
   “First blood, I win,” she announced before landing firmly on the ground.
   “Good match,” they were both slightly out of breath.
   “You too.”
   “Hikari I'm curious what kind of sword is that? I've never seen this material before,” Neji asked approaching her to inspect the blade.
   “I call it Hone-toushin, it was a gift from Kimimaro, it's made of bone. Not really an original name I know, but I like it.” They returned their weapons to their stands before heading back up stairs. Hikari yawned, “It's getting late, I'm going to head to bed. You coming?” she asked Neji. He nodded and followed her upstairs.
   She entered the bathroom and exited a moment later with a medical kit and a jar of salve, he recognized it was the same as one of the ones she had gotten him for his birthday. “We should change your dressings before bed,” She directed him to sit on the bed as she went to work. The lacerations on his back were mostly healed but they still looked red and raw. The freshly healed skin was tight and brittle, easy to tear. She applied the salve with a light hand, gently massaging it in. As she affixed the new dressings he could hear the sweet tones of her voice rippling through the air.
Scar tissue that I wish you saw

Sarcastic mister know it all

Close your eyes and I'll kiss you 'cause

With the birds I'll share

With the birds I'll share

This lonely view

With the birds I'll share

This lonely view

Push me up against the wall

Young Kentucky girl in a push-up bra

Fallin' all over myself

To lick your heart and taste your health 'cause

With the birds I'll share

This lonely view...

Blood loss in a bathroom stall

Southern girl with a scarlet drawl

Wave good-bye to ma and pa 'cause

With the birds I'll share

With the birds I'll share

This lonely view

With the birds I'll share

This lonely view

Soft spoken with a broken jaw

Step outside but not to brawl

Autumn's sweet we call it fall

I'll make it to the moon if I have to crawl and

With the birds I'll share

This lonely view...

Scar tissue that I wish you saw

Sarcastic mister know it all

Close your eyes and I'll kiss you 'cause

With the birds I'll share

With the birds I'll share

This lonely view

With the birds I'll share

This lonely view...
   She changed into her sleepwear before crawling beneath the covers, Neji joined her moment later, as he drew her against his chest she submitted to his touch. He ran his nimble fingers along her side, occasionally stroking the side of he breast. She let out a sigh of happiness as he nuzzled her neck, kissing her slowly, gently, sending shivers down her spine.
   She turned her head slightly to look at him, “you'll still be here come morning.”
   “Always,” their lips met, “I love you Hikari.”
   She smiled sweetly as him, her eyes full of devotion, “I love you too Neji.”
   For the first time in over a month she was able to sleep without fear or apprehension, she was relaxed, she felt safe, protected, loved.
Lyrics from Scar Tissue by Red Hot Chilli Peppers
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When I'm Gone