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 Thirteen:

Though both Neji and Sasuke had carried their doubts as to joining Hidden Stone's Academy--having graduated already it hardly seemed necessary--the two months Tsuchikage insisted they spend there paid off. The style of fighting used by the northern country was different than either had encountered before, emphasizing power over speed, and between them they were able to learn a variety of new defensive techniques and stamina exercises. They progressed quickly, and in that short span of sixty days completed the training of their senseis’, and found themselves once again before Tsuchikage himself.

"I shouldn't be surprised that you were able to graduate this quickly," Tsuchikage remarked as he flipped through the reports on their progress. "You really must have been impressive ninjas in your village."

Sasuke bowed his head shortly. "Thank you, Sir."

"We came from strong families," Neji added. "And, as you know, we both had our reasons for trying to get as far as we could." Neji's fingers curled--strangely, he sometimes felt anxious when speaking with Tsuchikage, though he wasn't sure why. He wasn't like any man he'd met before; not calm like their own past Hokage, not cold like the Hyuuga clan leaders, and certainly nothing like Guy. He was never really certain how he should have been acting around the man.

Tsuchikage chuckled deeply. "You almost make me worry when you speak like that," he said, though there was humor in his tone. "But then I remember how well Chidiwa has been looking after you." He tapped his knuckles against his chair: as Sasuke had figured out some time earlier, the vibration in the stone was somehow enough to alert his guards at the door. "Speaking of which, there's someone I'd like you to meet."

Neji turned slightly at the door opened, revealing a boy not much older than themselves. He was dressed in the leather and other lightweight fabrics these northern ninjas preferred, his wavy blond hair barely contained by his forehead protector. //A genin? Or maybe a chuunin? He doesn't look that old.//

Koshaku scratched the back of his head as he entered, glancing at the pair of boys. "What's so important that you needed to wake me up for, Tsuchikage? I was having a real nice dream."

"I thought you might want to meet our village visitors," Tsuchikage said lightly, looking amused. "You've heard of them, haven't you? The two from Hidden Leaf."

"Uchiha Sasuke," Sasuke introduced, watching the boy carefully. //I can't read him very well. But he must be someone important if Tsuchikage is going to the trouble to introduce us.//

Neji bowed slightly. "Hyuuga Neji."

"Hmmm?" Koshaku took a closer look, paying particular note of their strange, dark hair. "Are they out of the kiddy club already?" he asked Tsuchikage. "You must be feeling real generous lately, to be promoting a couple 'a kids."

Neji straightened, eyes narrowing. //Kids?//

"We're not kids," Sasuke protested, meeting the boy's gaze. "We were finalists at the last chuunin exam, you know."

Tsuchikage grinned. hakuhaku. I'd like you to accompany these two for a bit. I'm still debating whether or not I trust them to be part of our soldiers. I thought you had as much right as anyone in this village to offer your input."

"Hah?" Koshaku turned to the elder, pouting. "You're putting them with me? Did Chidiwa come up with this?"

//He must be a genin then; we're being put into a team like we were before.// He glanced briefly at Sasuke. //That guy Chidiwa, though? Is he a teacher?//

"I'm not 'putting' you anywhere," Tsuchikage replied evenly, folding his hands. "I'd like you to test them--they are strangers here, and I thought you, as a prince of our country, would appreciate the opportunity to judge their loyalty."

//Prince?// Sasuke blinked in surprise. //He's…a son to their lord?//

//A prince?// Neji was taken aback. Surely this kid wasn't royalty--how could they put strangers like them with someone so important?

Koshaku waved a hand in annoyance. "Yeah yeah. But you know, there hasn't been anyone that's been strong enough for my group." He faced the two boys with a sly grin. "They'll be numbers twelve and thirteen. Think they'll be good enough for me?"

"That's up to you, isn't it?" Tsuchikage replied with a wave of his hand. "Uchiha. Hyuuga. This is Iwaki Koshaku, second son to the lord of Earth Country. Don't go easy on him."

Sasuke straightened. "Yes, Sir."

Koshaku snorted. "Easy indeed." Hands behind his head, he regarded the pair a moment. "All right, I'll try 'em out." Turning back around, he became serious a moment as he bowed before Tsuchikage. When he turned, his mock-annoyed expression was back in place as he headed for the door. "Don't know about you two, but I need some food first. You can tag along."

Neji followed, eyes narrowed again. //He seems arrogant.// His fingers curled. //I didn't come all this way to end up with another spoiled "main branch" family.//

Sasuke frowned, but when he glanced back to Tsuchikage the man was grinning, seemingly very pleased. //If he's been reading reports from our teachers, he must know how good we are. Which means he already knows how we'll fare against this kid.// It was somewhat unsettling but he followed Koshaku outside. Once they were out of earshot of any of the other ninjas he paused. "Hey. Let's get something straight, all right?"

"Hah?" Koshaku turned, head tilted curiously. "Sure kiddo. But make it quick, okay? I'm starving."

"Neji and I may be young, but you shouldn't underestimate us," Sasuke told him evenly. "We were both top in our graduating class, and I for one have fought against jounin level ninja. So if you think you can just boss us around because you're supposedly important, I'd wait to see us fight if I were you."

Koshaku considered his words a moment, seeing the same thoughts and determination in Neji's gaze. Very slowly, he grinned. "Thing is," he replied easily. "I *am* important. But I earned this, same as you." He tapped his forehead protector. "We'll spar--after I eat--and then we can prove ourselves to each other, hmm?" He looked between them both. "Will that suit you?"

A thin smirked tugged at the edge of Sasuke's lip. "Fine with me," he replied. He turned to start down the hall once more. //Then we'll see who's fit to be whose group member.//

Koshaku took his time at the small restaurant, shamelessly enjoying the hot meat rolls he'd ordered. He even offered some to the others when he noticed their hungry gazes. "We'll have to get you two some jobs to make money," he teased lightly. "Can't keep expecting me to provide for ya."

Neji glanced up curiously. "Don't you mean missions?"

Koshaku chuckled. "Not too many of those go to rookies. Those who are strong enough might, and we get a little allowance while we're training, but if you want anything fancy you gotta do a little part-time work. Unless, of course, you got family to take care of ya."

Sasuke frowned slightly. "Then you really do run differently than Konoha," he murmured. "All genin are expected to go on missions." //What kind of work does he mean? Like…at a restaurant?// His expression darkened. //We didn't come all the way here for that.//

// mus must do some strange missions, then. Maybe I'll ask later.// "Only the really serious ninja go on any seriously paying mission, and then it's up to the sensei." He pouted slightly at his roll. "Chidiwa won't let me go yet. Probably waiting until we actually have a team." He shrugged, pocketing his last three rolls and pushing to his feet. Gesturing down the street, he started off. "Usually I spend at least a day or two working around the city, lifting or cutting, doing the sorts of things that would be easier for a ninja than for a townsperson. The rest is for training."

"Sounds...troublesome," Sasuke said as he fell into step next to him. "Working on anything other than your technique...." //An army of laborers and fishermen? It sounds strange.// "Why don't you have a group yet, anyway? You've been a graduate for a while now, haven't you?"

He chuckled, crossing his arms behind his head. "It's like I said--I haven't found anyone strong enough. We need to make sure a team works well before letting them take on things like missions."

Neji raised an eyebrow at that. //Works well together, huh?// "In Konoha, we're put in groups based on our skills--strong, weak, and someone fairly in the middle."

Koshaku glanced over his shoulder at them, his smirk gone. "You're gonna wear your voice out," he said flatly, "if you keep going 'back in Konoha.'" He faced forward again. "If you really mean to live here, you might want to put more energy into learning instead of comparing us."

Sasuke blinked. //I guess…he's right.// "All right, then. Where are we going?" He shoved his hands in his pockets. "You've got some kind of training ground in mind, I presume?"

"Of course." His grin returned. "We're going out the western gate. There's a small forest there. Figured you guys being from so far south, you'd be more comfortable there."

Neji was a bit surprised by the gesture. //Maybe he won't be quite so bad. Though I still don't like his attitude most of the time.//

"Sounds good," Sasuke agreed. His fists tightened subtly. //Tsuchikage told us not to hold back. I certainly won't.//

As Sasuke had expected, the forest Koshaku guided them to wasn't quite like the ones he'd been used to back home--the trees here were tall evergreens, with branches that would barely support even his slight weight, and with the sharp needles it would be difficult sticking to a trunk. "So how do you want to do this?" he asked easily. "You want to take us one on one?"

Koshaku stretched, going through a few quick exercises to prepare himself. He set aside his pouch with the meatbuns. "It makes no difference to me. We don't have to go all out or anything just yet."

Neji snorted. "It won't be very fair if we both go after you," he replied, tightening the fabric around his forehead. "Two on one?"

Grinning, Koshaku moved into a small clearing, fingers curling into ready fists. "Well, then one of you, if that's what you want."

Sasuke glanced at his companion, and stepped boldly forward. "I'll go first, then," he offered, removing his fists from his pockets. He took a moment to stretch as well.

Neji moved back, leaning easily against a large boulder. //I haven't had the chance to see him fight since the preliminaries. I heard he beat that Gaara--should be interesting.//

Koshaku took a wide stance, arms raised in horizontal parallels before him. Strangely, his heart was beating a bit faster than usual. "I hear you guys are pretty fast," he commented lightly. "I hope I'm not disappointed."

"Likewise," Sasuke replied smartly. Deciding there was no point in a long stand off he charged, already drawing a pair of kunai into each of his hands.

Koshaku pulled his own, and he met Sasuke easily. It was soon clear that Sasuke was indeed very quick, and Koshaku had to push his speed to keep up with him. He waited a few more moments before abruptly throwing his kunai--he grinned as Sasuke easily dodged. //He is good.//

//He's not fast enough.// Neji's eyes narrowed as he watched. //Sasuke is much faster, and he's not even working at full speed. Is Koshaku waiting for something?//

Sasuke wasn't worried. It was already clear he held the mobility card--but when they exchanged blows he felt a small tremor in his limbs, testimony to the boy's strength if nothing else. //Should be interesting.// Sasuke twisted abruptly in a quick kick towards Koshaku's midsection. //That should get him--//

Koshaku grinned as the kick connected, though a moment later there was a soft pop as the clone vanished and left behind a tall boulder.

Sasuke grimaced as the impact ran up his leg. //Shit--// He fell back, shaking the limb to work the sting from it. //That was just body-switching, but with stone?// He glanced sharply to the left and found Koshaku grinning at him.

"I hear you guys use logs," he commented easily, tossing a bit of blond hair from his face. "You better learn Stone Cloning, or else not rely on your technique--there aren't many forests here." Koshaku waved him on. "I won't do it again. In this fight, anyway," he added with a smirk.

"You don't need to hold back for me," Sasuke snorted. //Go ahead--I'll just copy it from you anyway.// Though he didn't want to reveal Sharingan too quickly, it wasn't as if Koshaku would understand what it was. And this was a good opportunity to learn a few moves in the process. As he charged again his eyes widened, drawing his Sharingan into focus.

Koshaku felt something tingle at the back on his neck, feeling the other's chakra rise. //He's doing something...isn't he?// He couldn't tell what, but it made him slightly cautious. Defending each blow, he knew that eventually, Sasuke would really connect with him again.

The boy finally made his attack, a kick to the head that he wouldn't be able to properly defend in time. His eyes narrowed. //All right then.// His fingers twitched as his own chakra flared, his skin growing cool.

Sasuke sensed his opponent's energy rise, and expecting another boulder he pulled his kick slightly. His foresight paid off--though he connected with the boy's skull another shudder ran through him at the impact, as if having struck stone again. Had he not reserved his strength he could have very well broken his foot. //What…did he do this time?//

Koshaku caught his foot before Sasuke could pull back, and his other hand shot out to catch the collar of his shirt; their eyes met, and his widened. "Thought you were doing something," he muttered, smirking faintly. His grip tightened to keep Sasuke from escaping.

Neji straightened, moving closer for a better look. //He looks like....// "Stone?" he guessed.

Koshaku grinned.

Sasuke grinned thinly back. //I couldn't see it, that means....// "You're an Advanced Bloodline," he stated, not yet trying to escape. "Right?"

Laughing, Koshaku let him go, relaxing as Neji came to stand with them. "I guess it really does take one to know one, eh?" He tapped the side of his head, the sound grating like two rocks knocking. "Ishihada isn't easily beaten--makes it pretty handy for a bunch of soft royals, don't you think."

Neji smirked lightly as he crossed his arms. "I'd imagine so, but it seems like it slows you down quite a bit. Makes for something of a disadvantage."

"Ahh, you noticed." Koshaku nodded, not at all put out at being discovered. "It's the one real weakness not even Chidiwa or Tsuchikage have been able to overcome."

"Not even my taijutsu would help it much," Sasuke admitted, though his suddenly throbbing foot was proof of the move's effectiveness. He smirked suddenly. "But there are ninjutsu that can shatter rock. I wonder how you'd fare against those."

He chuckled. "We'll have to see, though I'd rather not lose any limbs if you don't mind." Koshaku brightened suddenly, glancing between the two. "You have one of these, don't you? You mentioned your bloodline, right?"

//He did just tell me the secret of his clan.// Sasuke glanced up and away. "You could say that." He allowed his eyes to fade back to their normal color. "It's called the Sharingan. It…helps me see."

Koshaku rolled his eyes. "Fine fine, don't tell me." He glanced at Neji, catching him watching the younger boy. "It's not as though we're comrades, right?" He let his skin return to its normal color, running a hand through his hair. "Well. I suspect Chidiwa will be here soon. I better eat the rest of those rolls before he can steal them." Grinning, he turned back towards his bag.

Sasuke frowned slightly as he watched him go. //I suppose…I should try to trust him, at least.// "It's a copying technique," he offered, shoving his fists back into his pockets. "It let's me read an enemy's moves and steal them."

He glanced back before stooping to retrieve his food--he tossed two at the others. "That must really come in handy, though it won't do much with my Ishihada." Koshaku glanced at Neji curiously.

Neji only bit into his roll. //I think...perhaps I'll keep mine to myself. Until we can be sure, we should try to keep some things to ourselves.//

"No, you're right." Sasuke bit into his roll, wondering if maybe that was it for their sparring. "But I'm sure if I saw it a few more times, I'd come up with a way or two around it."

"I don't doubt it. That's why I'm working to find a way to make it faster," Koshaku admitted, growing a bit more serious. "For all that it can withstand any physical attacks, speed and--as you said--jutsu that can defeat rock, are still a danger." He ran a hand back through his curly hair.

"I see." //And Neji and I could do well to learn a few more defensive arts, too. Especially that stone-switch of his.// He glanced at his companion. "You should ask Neji. They say he's something of a genius at inventing jutsu."

"Oh?" Koshaku turned to the other eagerly. "Are you?"

Neji snorted lightly, but he couldn't help a faint smirk. "I have some talent, I suppose," he admitted modestly. "There are probably a few tricks we could all learn from each other, I'm sure."

Koshaku beamed. //Maybe old Uncle had the right idea after all.//

"What's this? I thought you'd be at their throats by now," a warm laugh echoed. The trio turned just as Chidiwa appeared at the edge of the clearing, grinning at them all. "I didn't miss it, did I?"

"Ha! You did!" Koshaku threw the remainder of his roll at his teacher. "And here I was up at the crack of dawn, you slacker!"

Neji was startled by the overly friendly greetings between the pair. It reminded him somewhat of Guy and Lee.

Chidiwa caught the roll and gulped it down happily. "Ah, I'm sorry to hear that," he laughed as he came forward. "After looking after you all this long, I would have liked to see you." He looked to Sasuke. "What do you think of our prince?"

"It wasn't that long," Sasuke said with a shrug. "But I got to see something interesting."

"Oh, really?"

"And you very well know what," Koshaku retorted, pulling out his small canteen for a drink. He glanced over the pair a moment as he did so. //I suppose....// Capping his container, he put it away and set his hands on his hips. "They're not bad, Sensei. I guess I wouldn't mind keeping them around for a while."

Sasuke lifted an eyebrow. //Does this mean…he wants us as group mates?// He was going to question, when Chidiwa interrupted by--of all things--getting his student into a headlock.

"Can I really believe my ears?" Chidiwa declared, ruffling the boy's head. "You've finally picked a group? Really?"

"Ahh! Le'go!" Koshaku clawed at the arm holding him. "I said they could stick around! Who said anything about a group, eh?"

Neji slid a bit closer to Sasuke, hoping to have a quick word with him while the two were distracted. "What do you think?" he asked quietly.

"It's not bad," Sasuke confessed. "He's strong, and it at least shows they trust us…." //I guess this is what Tsuchikage had in mind after all.// "I won't mind it for a while."

He nodded. "They seem very big on defense. It will be good to learn some of them--especially their form of cloning." //A defense that's also an attack....// Neji's fingers curled in anticipation as he watched the other two argue. //They seem close....// "Did you notice? He mentioned that both Chidiwa and Tsuchikage can perform his bloodline technique. They must be related then, right?"

Sasuke frowned thoughtfully. "It sounds strange, to think that the Feudal family and their Kage would be related…."

"Is it?" Chidiwa interrupted abruptly, releasing the boy. "Not for us, I suppose. Koshaku here is my cousin." He poked at the side of his head.

Koshaku swiped at his hand. "My father is the younger brother to Uncle Tsuchikage, and their older sister is Chidiwa's mother." He beamed at his elder cousin. "Made it easier for me when I graduated to learn from someone who had the same tricks."

Neji's throat abruptly closed as he thought of his own family. His father's attempts at teaching him as quickly as he could, the heavy eye of Hiashi on him as he trained.... He turned his head away. "I would imagine so," he replied quietly. //I wonder...how Hinata is doing....//

Sasuke glanced at him, his eyes narrowing slightly in sympathy before facing Chidiwa again--he didn't want them to notice his friend's discomfort. "I see. It does seem reasonable. And your technique is...interesting."

Chidiwa snorted. "I thought so. So!" He straightened, setting a hand against his hip. "If the three of you are going to enter the chuunin exam, you'll need a jounin such as myself as a sponsor."

"The exam?" Sasuke echoed. "That's not for another two months.”

Koshaku waved a hand. "That's the Konoha exam," he reminded. "We don't participate in that anymore, not for several years. We have our own ways of promoting our ninja."

Neji straightened in surprise, though.... "There were no Stone ninja there," he remembered. //Why didn't I notice that before? That not all the countries were represented, even though Earth Country is so large....//

"As much respect as we have for the Country of Fire," Chidiwa said with an ironic smirk, "Tsuchikage has never really liked their methods very much. We'd rather our soldiers learn to work together, not battle each other to the death."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed slightly. "I...see." //Then maybe it's no wonder they stress defense over attack....// Chidiwa's words disturbed him somehow, as he remembered the exam for himself. //If the exam had continued, it might have ended that Naruto and I would have to fight each other....// He lowered his gaze.

Koshaku watched their reactions soberly, remembering everything he had learned about the Fire Country and its ninjas. //It's probably better that they came here. What the their reasons might be....// "We take a different exam, designed by Tsuchikage and the teachers here. Some of it in groups, some individual, but we don't fight our peers. You'll mostly likely be required to do a few jutsus, and you definitely want to be able to perform Stone-Cloning."

Sasuke quickly drew his senses back to him, lifting his head to the pair. //They are my new teachers. I can become stronger by them.// He smirked. "Then maybe you'd better show it to me again," he said teasingly.

Koshaku grinned. "See how well your little trick works?" He squared his feet to face Sasuke, suddenly eager to fight again. "I still want a chance at Neji here too," he added, glancing briefly at the other.

Neji lifted his chin, arms crossing. "If you think you're strong enough."

Chidiwa laughed as the three faced each other down. "Feisty little things, aren't you all?" He grinned. //Maybe we're the lucky ones, to have them here.// "Well, then. Let's see what you can do."

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*Note: "Ishihada" translates to Stone Skin. ^^