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 Forty-Five:

Though he hadn't left his apartment much in the last few days, even Shikamaru noticed when the village became alive with gossip. Something about someone being back in town. He didn't really feel up to asking anyone, because he knew, inevitably, what else they would ask him. He didn't want to answer questions now. But curiosity eventually got the better of him. It was convenient, as he had already promised Hinata he would visit when she went to see Gaara.

He was let into the bottom level of Hokage's tower, down into the holding cells were Gaara was still being kept. It was more for show than anything; not only had Gaara long since proved his loyalty to Konoha, but there really was no cell on hand that could have held him anyway. As Shikamaru approached he could see Gaara sitting up against the cell bars, talking softly to Hinata on the other side. He still looked pale--the imprisonment made him nervous--but he always looked a little better when Hinata was there.

Shikamaru gave them a wave. "Hey. I smuggled in some dumplings." He tugged a trio of wrapped meat buns out of his kunai holder. "I thought you could use them."

Hinata smiled at the offering, accepting one with a little nod. "Thank you, Shikamaru-kun. It's good to see you again." She shifted a little, her thin shoulder able so ease through the bars of the cell to lean against Gaara's. "Have you heard about the ambassadors from Stone Country?"

"Is that what everyone is talking about?" He sat down in front of her, offering the second bun to Gaara. "I guess that is a big deal."

"Neji and Sasuke are with them," Gaara reported, nibbling on the dumpling. It seemed to perk his spirits quite a bit.

"Neji and Sasuke...?" Shikamaru glanced between them dumbly. "Huh. No shit."

Hinata nodded, her eyes brightening. "It's been all over the town. And I think Neji-kun's found some way of getting around our family's seal. I'm sure my Father must have tried to hurt him by now. He must have found a way to beat it."

"He found a way to beat Hyuuga's seal?" Shikamaru said incredulously, his dumpling falling into his lap. His brow furrowed. "Your father...must be furious. If something like that got to the Branch family..."

"I know. Everyone is talking about it. It…would mean a lot of changes." She shifted excitedly. "I hope Hokage-sama speaks with him about it. If I could learn it...."

"They're already saying Stone wants to join the chuunin exam," Gaara added, quoting in a way that made it sound as if he'd heard these exact words from someone else. "If they do, some of the other countries that haven't participated before might come, too."

"Wow…." Shikamaru remembered his dumpling, picking it up to take a few thoughtful bites. "I guess that means...Sasuke and Neji will be here a while, figuring it out." He glanced significantly at Gaara. "Have you seen them yet...?" He was somehow relieved when Gaara shook his head no.

"They've mostly been with Hokage-sama," Hinata added. "I think she's trying to keep too much trouble from rising. But it's okay--I'm sure we'll get to see them soon." She turned to her fiancé, finishing her snack and leaning against him once more. "I'm sure they'd be very surprised how strong Gaara-kun and Naruto-kun have become, right?"

Shikamaru flinched a little at the mention of Naruto's name. "Y-Yeah," he said vaguely. "I'm sure."

"Has Naruto seen Sasuke yet?" Gaara asked with interest. He did remember hearing that they'd been in a team once.

"I...don't know," Shikamaru confessed. "I haven't seen him lately."

Hinata straightened, frowning a little. "You haven't? I heard he got back from his last mission a few days ago." Though, he hasn't been down here lately, either.... "He's...all right, isn't he? After what happened last week...."

"Yeah, I...I guess so." Shikamaru glanced away uncomfortably. "I haven't seen him."

"But you two are together," Gaara said, not understanding.

"Well, we're not right now," Shikamaru muttered. "Okay? What's the big deal…."

"Shikamaru-kun?" Hinata exchanged a glance with Gaara, shifting away to move closer to the other boy. "What happened?"

Shikamaru kept his gaze focused away; he could already feel both of them staring so intently. "It's...nothing," he said diffidently. "I don't know. I'm worried about him, but…."

"Is it because of Nine Tails?" Gaara asked thinly, making him flinch.

"No!" Shikamaru quickly returned, but then paused, his eyes flickering over them. "I mean, I just...I don't know." He drew a hand over his face. "I don't know what to do."

Hinata's fingers curled tightly in her lap, twisting with worry. "Nine Tails...." She shook her head. "He's kept it for so long, but if it got out...." A faint shiver went through her, remembering all the tales she had grown up with. She returned to Gaara's side. "He must be so scared...."

Shikamaru grimaced. He usually wasn't one to put his troubles on other people--Gaara and Hinata had been through so much already--but he couldn't help some of his feelings slipping out. "I know. He's...been hiding it from me, maybe for a long time. But what can I do? How can I tell him it'll be all right if he won't even trust me to tell the truth?" He shook his head suddenly. "What if I'm somehow making it worse? What if something happened--I'm not like you, Gaara! Not like Naruto, or even...Lee…."

He broke off suddenly as if exhausted, fists clenched around the meat bun in his lap, now a shredded stain of dough. "I can't do anything for him," he finished quietly. "If something happened…I wouldn't be able to do anything."

Hinata frowned with sympathy, and after a briefly look to Gaara she moved closer. Hoping she wasn't being to forward, she slid an arm around the other's shoulders. "I know, Shikamaru-kun--I know how you feel," she murmured. "I felt the same, after what happened to Gaara-kun. We've talked about it." Her arm tightened. "There is even less that I could do for Gaara-kun. But I care about him. You...." She tilted her head. "You care about Naruto-kun, right?"

Shikamaru sighed. He knew it had been foolish to say anything--he knew he was just being a coward. "Yeah," he murmured, closing his eyes. "Yeah, I do."

Smiling faintly, Hinata gave him a hug. "I know you must be scared," she murmured. "Sometimes...so am I. But I've told Gaara-kun I'm not frightened of him. If something happens...we'll work together. Right?" She glanced over to Gaara hopefully.

Gaara nodded seriously. "She's the one that woke me up," he offered, finishing his own dumpling.

"Hinata…." Shikamaru sighed again, and nodded. "I know. I'm being stupid." He reached up to gently touch her arm. "I'm sorry. I'll...try to talk to him."

"Good." She gave his shoulder an embarrassed pat before shifting away. "I know he cares about you, Shikamaru-kun. He smiles so much when you're together." Returning to the cell bars, she slipped a hand through to take Gaara's.

"Yeah…." Shikamaru straightened and, realizing he'd made a mess of his dumpling, scraped it against the floor. "Sorry," he said again, and after a moment pushed to his feet. "I'll leave you to alone. Don't worry about me."

"Come visit again," Hinata said, smiling. "And if you can, bring Naruto-kun? Gaara-kun and I didn't get the chance to properly thank him, before."

Shikamaru nodded. "Yeah, I will." If we can…patch things up. Damnit, I've been stupid, but…. He tried to offer a smile for them. "Take care. And don't worry, Gaara--I'm sure it won't be for much longer."

Gaara made a face, but nodded back. "Good luck."

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It was a relatively small group, consisting mostly of Konoha's top jounin, a few select chuunin, and the delegates from Stone. Naruto and Lee knelt together off on the side of the room, along with Kakashi, Guy, and some of the other jounin. Behind them were the chuunin, including Iruka and Shikamaru. The presence of the latter wore heavily on Naruto, as he hadn't seen the other since...their fight. On the other side were the top citizens of Konoha, most of them Hyuuga and other strong family representatives. All were listening to Tsunade and Koshaku working out the terms of their new treaty.

Naruto ignored most of it, just trying to appear conscious of what was going on, though he hadn't been feeling well that day--worse than usual, anyway. When Koshaku brought up Neji, his ears perked.

"I know my companions being here have caused some friction for you, Hokage," he said politely. "And I apologize. However, as I mentioned to you before, our jounin Neji has brought a new jutsu he wanted to present to you."

Tsunade lifted an eyebrow, ignoring the heavy stare that Hyuuga was fixing her with. "Yes, I have a feeling I already know what it is," she told him. "But I would like to hear from Neji-kun himself about what it is, and why he has decided to offer it to us."

Sasuke's fingers tightened slightly against the polished wood beneath them. Hyuuga was looking tense. He's going to cause problems…. He glanced to Neji anxiously.

Neji stood and properly bowed to Tsunade and her aids. "Hokage. I know there is no need to explain here old issues, so I hope you will excuse me for being blunt." He squared his shoulders. "I have developed a jutsu capable of removing curses and curse marks, specifically old, deep ones. My methods have been...tested." His fingers curled. "Such knowledge, I believe, would be beneficial for all countries to know, especially those that have had difficulty in the past dealing with powerful shinobi who use them."

Predictably, Hyuuga was the first to respond. "The jutsu he speaks of is nothing more than a tool for rebellion, Hokage-sama. And I am offended by the boy's insinuation that we require such a thing."

Tsunade smirked humorlessly. "I'm sure you are." She straightened somewhat. "Neji-kun. Will you kindly display the proof you have of this so called jutsu' effectiveness."

Neji nodded, just managing to keep from sending a glare at Hiashi. "Of course." Reaching up, he pulled away his forehead protector, lifting his chin so the room could see that, save a few, light scars, his curse was gone. "I used myself as the experiment, while Sasuke performed the jutsu. As you can see, it was effective."

Hiashi growled under his breath. "Insufferable little brat. Breaking ancient tradition…."

Tsunade's eyes narrowed, but she ignored Hiashi for now. She was admittedly impressed by what the pair had accomplished in so relatively short a time. "That's no small feat, Neji-kun, Sasuke-kun," she noted. "Though I'm sure you're aware what you're implying, by giving this jutsu to us. Are you sure you haven't already passed it to other citizens of Konoha?"

"We have not," Neji assured, fingers curling tightly at his sides, fighting hard not to turn and face Hiashi. "I wanted to present this to you formally, and to those of Konoha, before offering up the information of how it is performed." To see…if things really have changed. "This kind of skill can be applied in other directions as well. Stone Country has ideas and practices never seen in Konoha."

Tsunade nodded thoughtfully. "That is true, I'm sure. There is much our two countries can learn from each other." She smirked. "Even if you were originally of ours to begin with. Very well. Konoha accepts this new knowledge of yours."

"Hokage-sama!" Hyuuga pushed angrily to his feet as several of the surrounding shinobi began to murmur as well. "You can't be serious! What this boy is trying to do is sever hundred year old tradition! How can you as Hokage stand for that?"

Sasuke's fists trembled hard against the ground, and he couldn't help but speak out. "Are you that worried about losing your slaves?"

"Silence, traitor!" Hyuuga hollered at him. "A pair of deserters have no say in the future of this village!"

"And what about a say in my family?" Neji turned around then, facing Hiashi, pale eyes sharp and angry. "Tradition be damned! Are you so afraid of letting your kin make their own choices?"

"The Hyuuga of Konoha fear nothing!" Hiashi roared at him, taking a step closer. "Seal or not no child of a lesser line can harm our family!"

"Hyuuga!" Tsunade snapped at him as the murmurs from the surrounding ninja became louder. "That's enough!"

Neji straightened. He'd grown since his last time in Konoha, and as Hiashi approached the change was more noticeable--he was nearly as tall as his uncle now. "Lesser? I have surpassed all of you! I was never a match for your 'pure' line!" His eyes were dangerously wide. "I'm not afraid of you any more, Hyuuga! I won't let you ruin any more lives!"

"Impudent little brat! Run back to your country of cowards!" Though by now Tsunade was shouting at them Hiashi gave no heed, his hand snapping out towards Neji's face.

Hiashi's hand halted just before striking Neji, caught by the wrist in a bone-grinding grip. Though obviously Neji didn't need anyone to save him, Naruto still forced himself between the two. "Hyuuga." His eyes narrowed dangerously. "Are you trying to start a war? Because I'm pretty sure you just tried to hit one of Prince Koshaku's comrades."

Hiashi glared at the boy, his jaw grinding in anger. "You…you're just as bad as them," he hissed. His wrist was aching. "You're conspiring together to take down my house--the oldest and most noble lineage in Konoha!" He twisted, aiming a sudden punch for Naruto's face despite shouts from Hokage.

Naruto caught that one just as easily, and he forced the elder man to take a few steps back. "You're doing that just fine on your own," he retorted. "But I'm not about to let you ruin Konoha along with your slavers house. The Hokage has made a decision, Hyuuga. Are you going to honor her choice? Huh?" His voice rose. "If you want to argue with me, that's fine! But are you really going to go against Hokage's decision?"

"Hyuuga! Naruto! That's enough!" Tsunade pushed herself between them. "Hyuuga, I've had enough of this. Calm yourself and sit down."

"I won't!" Hiashi snapped, turning his glare on her. "You're supposed to be the Hokage, woman! You have a responsibility to uphold the traditions of this village! I recognize no Hokage who would betray Konoha!"

"You shut the hell up!" Naruto snapped angrily. He felt Neji grabbing at his shoulders, but he threw him off. How dare he insult Tsunade! She was the only one who'd given him a chance, had accepted and listened to him! "You're crazy, you bastard! What do you know about upholding and defending this village, huh? What the hell do you know!"

Naruto dove around Tsunade, snarling angrily as he leapt at Hiashi. He'd tear the bastard apart, because who was he? Who the hell was he that he got to hurt so many people, yet was so important? It wasn't fair!

Hiashi, startled by the sudden attack, was easily felled. Hissing curses he struck at his attacker with Byakugan engaged--trying to seal his chakra. Already the other shinobi were surging forward, pulling Tsunade out of the way while others tried to pry the struggling pair apart.

"Naruto…." Shikamaru watched from the side, shocked and unable to move. Why…why is this happening?

"You're so full of shit!" he shouted, tossing off those trying to stop him, managing a few hits of his own as he ignored Hiashi's own hands. His power wasn't fading anyway--it was rising, quickly and hotly, making his skin burn until it hurt, until he could almost feel the fire licking at him. Suddenly Sasuke's voice was in his ear, he and Neji hauling him off of Hyuuga, but that only made it worse. He howled angrily, lashing at them with all his power, clawing at their arms. It was getting difficult to see--his sight was tainted red--and it hurt, it hurt--

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Scene To Be Continued!