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-Six:

"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--

Neji fell back, struck across the face by Naruto's sharp nails. He could feel blood trickling down his cheek, though the wounds weren't too deep. "What the hell's wrong with him?"

Sasuke gasped as he was thrown back as well--Kakashi and Asuma quickly took his place, trying to subdue the flailing teen. "It's the Nine Tails," he said to Neji quickly, rubbing his bruised stomach. "It was acting up on him yesterday--I think the seal is wearing thin."

"What?!?" He watched as Guy moved in as well, though even between the three of them they were having trouble. All at once Kakashi got a hold of Naruto's head, putting all his weight on it to force the boy down onto his stomach. Naruto struggled for a few more seconds before going abruptly still. Much of the room had emptied out--Hiashi was gone, though Tsunade was just in the next room, still trying to watch. Everyone fell quiet, waiting.

Naruto lay still, eyes closed, breathing heavily. His fingers curled into fists. "Let me up." His voice was hollow, pitch so low it almost didn't sound like him anymore.

"Don't!" Sasuke shouted at them, though he knew better than to venture closer. "Naruto's in trouble--the Nine--"

"Stop it!" Shikamaru interrupted, pushing past Neji and Sasuke to move to Kakashi's side. "Let him go--he's calmed down, all right? That's enough!"

Naruto's lips twisted in a grin. "Yeah, I'm calm. Let me up." When the adults didn't move, his expression changed to a snarl. "Assholes, let me go! I'll kill you if you don't!" He started to struggle again, nearly breaking their holds on him. "Fucking, stupid humans!"

Shikamaru stepped back, a shudder running through him. "Naruto…."

"Naruto!" Kakashi kept a hand at the back of his neck, trying to keep him pinned. "Wake up, damnit! You're stronger than this!"

"Kakashi-sensei," Sasuke said, the honorific coming out of habit. "You know how to reinforce the seal, don't you? Let me take your place--we can hold him, if you'll prepare it."

Neji moved up with him, and together they managed to force the struggling Naruto onto his back. His eyes were wide and glowing with chakra, and Neji couldn't help shivering a little as he felt it emanating off the boy's body. "It's going to need more than reinforcement," he muttered, watching as Kakashi pushed Naruto's shirt up--the seal did seem to be alternately flaring and fading. "This is a youma, after all."

"You fucks!" The creature in Naruto's body raged. "You shits! I'll kill you all! I'll level this fucking village! Damn you all!" He tried to kick out, but the group was holding him too securely. As Kakashi started to chant, he turned to Shikamaru. "Make them let me go!" he demanded. "I'll shred this kid apart from the inside if you don't!"

"Shut up," Sasuke hissed, keeping a tight hold on the other's arm. "You know you can't do that." He glanced anxiously to Kakashi. At least, I hope not….

"Naruto…." Shikamaru gulped, remembering what Gaara and Hinata had told him not more than a day ago. He lowered himself to his knees by Naruto's head. "Naruto, I know you're still in there. Don't let it do this to you."

"You stupid humans!" he snapped back. "Fuck you! Fuck your village!" He closed his eyes, just for a moment, though it didn't stop a pair of tears from leaking out suddenly. Then he was thrashing again, throwing off Asuma and Neji first, using his freed limbs to knock away the rest. "I'll burn this place to the ground!" Pushing to his feet, Naruto shot straight up, tearing holes through the ceiling as he headed for the roof.

"Damnit!" Neji turned to see Koshaku with Tsunade. "Both of you get out of here!" he yelled.

"I'm going after him!" Sasuke declared, and without waiting for a response he leapt up through the ceiling after Naruto, climbing up the different levels to the roof. He wasn't surprised to find Lee beside him, suddenly remembering what Naruto had said about Orochimaru…. "This isn't going to be easy," he warned him.

"If he's faster than both of us, Konoha's in real trouble," Lee replied, his gaze focused above. "But what happens after we catch him?"

Sasuke grimaced. "I'll guess we'll find out."

Neji was about to follow, Kakashi and Guy already going ahead, when he caught sight of Shikamaru still sitting on the floor. "Aren't you coming?" he asked.

Shikamaru gulped, and finally nodded. "Yeah," he said at long last, pushing to his feet. "Don't know how much good I'll do, but…." He shook himself. "Damnit, Naruto…." With a murmur of frustration he leapt through the opened ceiling, after the others.

Naruto took them over the rooftops, keeping just ahead of them as he gathered his power. All at once he stopped, and soon was surrounded by the six chasers. He grinned darkly. "Is this all? Has this village really grown so weak? What makes you think you stand a chance against me?" His chakra flared, swirling behind him like tails of fire.

Neji was near Sasuke and Kakashi, watching the boy carefully. "We're going to have to knock him out or something," he said. "I might be able to seal some of his power for a while, but we need to come up with something to contain him."

Sasuke's fists clenched near his sides. "I can do it," he said suddenly. He looked to Neji. "We can. Between the two of us, we know every sealing and unsealing technique in two countries." His lip twitched abruptly. "I'll improvise."

"Improvise?" Kakashi echoed incredulously. "This isn't a game--"

"I know that," Sasuke quickly interrupted. "But we don't have time--if we wait, and it breaks out completely, we won't be able to save Naruto."

We still might not be able to. Neji's fists clenched. "You two figure it out, then. The rest of us will keep him busy, try to wear him down." He nodded towards Guy on the other side of Kakashi. "Tell him and Lee. I'll get Shikamaru."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Naruto flew suddenly at Neji, who was barely able to dodge in time. He snarled as he struck at him again. "What can you do against me?"

"Naruto!" Lee leapt at him, attempting a strike from behind that Naruto dodged too easily. "We're going to get you back!" he called as he continued his kicks. "Be patient a little longer!"

Sasuke watched as the two were joined by Guy, keeping Naruto distracted at least for now. "Kakashi-sense--Kakashi," he said firmly, not taking his eyes from the fight. "I'm stronger now. I'll probably even surpass you soon. But more importantly, I owe this to Naruto. Let me do this."

Kakashi glanced to him, and as Sasuke's eyes blazed with their sharingan he nudged his headband up as well. "All right," he said seriously. "I will."

"Good." With a deep breath Sasuke charged out across the rooftops, joining in the fight with a sweep at Naruto's feet.

Four shinobi weren't enough. They were fast, and this body had its limits, but for a youma it was no trouble to see their movements, to read their attacks. He laughed as he fought, repeatedly throwing them back. He could see Shikamaru hanging back, and with a sudden grin broke away. He caught the unprepared teen by the shoulders, knocking him to the rooftop. "You think you can save him?" he snarled, eyes wide. "He's been mine all along!"

Shikamaru gasped, staring into Naruto's wide, bloodshot and gleaming eyes. No…that's not true! Something abruptly tightened in his gut, and with a growl he twisted his legs up around Naruto's ribs, trapping them together. He quickly began to form the seals for his shadow-sealing jutsu.

Naruto's hands snapped around Shikamaru's wrists, forcing them back onto the sharp shingles of the roof, laughing. "Ha! What are you trying to do? You're lover's already dead!" He lunged forward suddenly, sinking his teeth deep into the joint of Shikamaru's neck and shoulder, tasting blood.

"Shikamaru!" Neji came in with both palms, striking Naruto in the back. He managed five hits before the blond finally let the other go, turning the focus of his attack back on the other shinobi.

Shikamaru twisted onto his side, clutching at the row of teeth-shaped wounds. Though Lee hesitated nearby he quickly waved him off. Damnit! He pushed to his knees, and though it caused more blood to flow he took his hand down and began the seals again. It worked on Goddamn Orochimaru--it has to work now!

Sasuke noticed the motion of Shikamaru's hands, but he didn't have time to worry about what might have been--his mind was whirling with every jutsu he might have studied over the past several years. He stayed out of the fight mostly as he tried to recall every theory of seals he'd painstakingly learned, every manipulation of chakra, and only added a kick or a punch when it looked like Naruto was about to close with the others.

There has to be a way. I'll make it work. Sasuke dodged out of the way of Naruto's fist, only to watch with a moment of shock as the boy changed targets to Kakashi and abruptly knocked him over the edge of the building. He growled in frustration. "Can't any of you fucking hit him!?"

Neji nearly growled a curse at Sasuke--they were trying, damnit! But Naruto was....

He caught sight of Lee pulling away, reaching down to shed the weights from his arms and legs. Naruto must have noticed it, too, as he suddenly changed targets. Guy managed to catch him off guard, finally landing a kick to his side--it wasn't much, but it allowed Neji to get another trio of strikes, sealing more chakra points. It was slow going--too slow--and even with his Byakugan he wasn't able to keep up with the continual rising of power. "Sasuke, hurry!" he shouted. "Either think of something or trade with me!"

I'm going to need all my chakra for the seal if it's going to hold at all, Sasuke thought with a scowl. He was relieved to see Kakashi jump back up to the roof--there was blood in his hair but he didn't hesitate in rejoining the fight, and with Lee at his fastest the two were able to hold Naruto off a moment. Sasuke clenched his fist. I could use Chidori but if I miss--

"Sasuke!" Shikamaru finished the last of his seals. He was beginning to feel dizzy from blood loss but he could tell that the jutsu would hold, at least for now. His shadow began to stretch out towards Naruto's. "You've only got a few seconds!"

Sasuke blinked, watching the crawling shadow. When he realized what Shikamaru was up to he sped into the fight. "Lee! Aim for his stomach!" His hands began to form the start of a sealing jutsu.

Later, Neji would marvel at how suddenly they all came together. Naruto turned for Lee, clearly planning to break his leg if he could, but Neji and Guy managed to grab his arms from either side. Lee stuck faster than Neji would have expected, feeling the force from the attack vibrate through the boy he held. Naruto gasped after air, though he was still able to throw the pair off him. Neji landed badly, feeling his arm twist almost enough to break. He rolled quickly, waiting for a following attack--

--but Naruto didn't move. His eyes were blazing in an expression that made him feel he'd been plunged into cold water. That look...didn't belong on Naruto's face. Hurry, Sasuke!

"Naruto!" Sasuke leapt on the boy, a quick jutsu he'd learned from Stone Country granting his body extra weight--knocking the breath from Naruto again. He pressed his fingers hard into the broken seals of Naruto's stomach, chanting quickly. It's just like doing it backwards, he told himself, forcing all the chakra he had into his jutsu. Just like with Neji--Naruto, hold on! As he continued he felt someone pounce on Naruto's legs behind him, and just after Kakashi pinned his arms. The shadow bind was still working, as well, and he tried to work faster before all their efforts went to waste.

Neji forced himself upright, hurrying over to help as Guy joined as well. His own fingers worked fast, forcing a sleep jutsu on the raging boy. It wasn't enough to put him out, but his struggles lessened, if only slightly. Come on, Sasuke!

Sasuke grimaced, sweat breaking out on his brow as he tried to suppress the nearly overpowering chakra. Their energies were twined so closely together that he felt when the shadow bind wore off, but Neji's sleep jutsu--enforced by Kakashi--kept Naruto from throwing them off. Finally, everything seemed to snap into place at once. The seal came together, spreading into Naruto's flushed skin in a new, complicated design across his stomach. Sasuke’s breath rushed out of him. Is…that it…?

Naruto stiffened beneath them, howling angrily before the sound died away. For a moment his eyes were clear, rage giving way to horror, before they shut. His body went almost bonelessly limp as the sleep jutsu's finally overwhelmed him.

Slowly, the group let him go, waiting to be sure he was out. Kakashi gave his shoulder a firm nudge, but Naruto remained unconscious. Neji, still favoring his left arm, moved to help Sasuke to his feet. "Good job," he murmured.

Sasuke blinked somewhat dumbly, allowing Neji to help him up. He was suddenly exhausted, but he managed a weak smile. "It's...holding, right?" he asked breathlessly, and when Kakashi nodded--somewhat incredulously--he sighed in relief. "Thank God."

Shikamaru stumbled over to them, dropping heavily to Naruto's side. He was still bleeding from his shoulder, the thick red staining his shirt and chest, but he ignored it as he hesitantly touched the slumbering shinobi. "Naruto...is he...all right?"

"It looks that way," Lee replied. He pulled off one of his arm bands, kneeling next to Shikamaru. "Hold still--you're bleeding." He pressed the crude bandage to the wound, carefully winding the long fabric around him. "Was that a sleep jutsu?"

"Yes." Neji took Sasuke's arm, keeping him balanced. "He should sleep for a while, with both of them."

Guy let out a long sigh. "Close call." Glancing around, he noticed a more shinobi climbing up onto the roofs, curious to see if the fight had ended. "You all did good. But we should probably...."

Kakashi was already scooping the unconscious boy into his arms. "We'll take him to Hokage," he said quietly. "He'll have to be watched until he wakes up, just in case...well, just in case." He stood, and immediately so did Shikamaru, even though Lee hadn't finished bandaging him yet.

"I'm coming with you," Shikamaru said quickly, his eyes damp but determined. "I want to stay with him."

"We're all going," Sasuke assured. "I'm not letting him out of my sight, until we're sure he's okay."

It seemed to be the consensus, though Neji wondered if there might not have been other reasons. The looks they were getting from the townsfolk reminded him all over again why he had left. Halfway to the Hokage's tower Iruka suddenly joined them, his expression terrified until Kakashi assured him the boy was okay.

They found Tsunade waiting for them, along with Koshaku. At least...they were okay. Figuring the others had their hands full already, he approached the pair to fill them in. "He's sealed again, for now," he said quietly. "Though we want to watch him for when he wakes up."

Tsunade nodded her understanding, and motioned to one of her helpers, who departed in search of a futon. "So would I," she admitted. She glanced between the group. "Thank you all for taking care of him. Especially you two, Neji-kun, Sasuke-kun. Thank you for helping our village."

"It was for Naruto," Sasuke assured quietly. "But you're welcome."

The man returned with a thick futon, and Naruto was stripped of his coat and shoes before being put to rest. Everyone took up places around the room to wait, those who had fought nursing bruises and exhaustion. Gaara and Hinata were even called up as well, despite his sentence not yet being fulfilled, so that he could see to his friend.

Shikamaru stayed back a bit. Though he would have wanted to be right by Naruto's side Tsunade had already taken it upon herself to hold that spot, and he knew he didn't have the right to ask otherwise. He let Lee finish tending to his shoulder, and they sat together with Gaara and Hinata to wait like the rest. But he was still shaking a little, beneath a layer of cold sweat, his eyes never leaving Naruto's face.

When the jutsu finally began to wear off, Naruto almost panicked, until he realized that...the other was quiet. He was in charge again. Though…that thought ended up being less comforting than he would have expected.

In the end, I couldn't do anything. I couldn't help any of them.... He started trembling, unable to help it as his throat closed around him. I...to everyone....

Neji glanced up from his place beside Sasuke and Koshaku as Naruto stirred. It took him a moment to realize...he was crying. He looked away, chest aching in sympathy. Naruto....

Shikamaru glanced up sharply at the sound of Naruto's voice, however faint. When he saw the other's tears, he couldn't take it anymore. Ignoring the others in the room he moved to Naruto's side--Tsunade even moved back to make room for him. "Naruto?" He found and clutched Naruto's hand.

He flinched at the sound of Shikamaru's voice so near, though his fingers clenched without meaning to. God, I'm sorry--I'm so sorry, Shikamaru! Please don't hate me anymore.... His tears were falling faster now, and though he was terrified of what he would find, he forced his eyes open. Shikamaru was hovering over him, and he could vaguely make out what might have been Tsunade, behind him. "I...Shi...."

"Naruto…." Shikamaru's lips broke in a shaky grin--it was Naruto staring back at him, not Nine Tails. In relief he fell forward, clutching Naruto against him. "Naruto...God, are you all right? It's really you, right?" The tears he'd been holding in for at least an hour by now finally began to spill down his cheeks. "Thank God…."

Shikamaru...? He didn't know how to react, especially when he could still taste the other's blood.... Naruto choked, numb hands finally lifting to clutch at the other's coat. "I'm sorry," he whispered in a frightened rush. "I'm sorry--I'm sorry! I...I'm so sorry...."

"You stupid idiot," Shikamaru chided, still crying. "It wasn't your fault. I'm the one that's sorry…."

Tsunade stayed back for a while, giving the pair their reunion as the rest of those gathered exchanged relieved glances. At long last she returned to Naruto's side, lightly touching the top of his head. "Naruto-kun."

Tsunade.... He couldn't face her--not like this, not now. Naruto closed his eyes tight and turn away. "I'm sorry," he kept whispering, unable to stop, no longer even thinking about what he was saying anymore. "I'm sorry--sorry...." Please, don't hate me anymore--

"Naruto-kun," Tsunade said quietly, but firmly. "I need you to listen to me, and concentrate." She pinched his cheek lightly to keep his attention. "Is the seal holding?"

His shoulders hunched, one hand rising to cover his eyes--he couldn't stop crying. "I don't know," he whimpered. "I don't know--I'm sorry! I couldn't--I couldn't!" They were going to kick him out. They had to! Or lock him up like Gaara. Would they go so far as to kill him? Would everyone hate him again? Was it all about to start over?

"Naruto-kun," Tsunade said again, more strongly. She gently nudged Shikamaru back a little. "Please, you have to calm down. Nothing is going to happen to you now. But you have to concentrate for me."

"Everyone's here, Naruto," Shikamaru assured, squeezing his hand tightly. "We just want to know you're all right."

But I'm not--everyone's going to hate me! He rolled away, curling onto his side, covering his eyes with both hands now. If even Shikamaru hated him now, how could he expect any of the rest of them to forgive him? And it hurt to think about it--it hurt....

Tsunade sighed, leaning back. "I don't think I'm getting through," she muttered, glancing up. "But at least it looks like the seal is holding. I don't think he's in any danger right now."

Iruka slipped forward, touching Naruto's shoulder as he met his leader's gaze. "Can I take him home, Hokage-sama? I think more than anything, he should be resting."

Tsunade nodded. "Yes, that's fine. But don't go alone--I want someone to be able to contact me, in case…."

"I'll go," Shikamaru said quietly. "I'll stay with him, too."

Neji frowned as he watched the whole thing. Even if the Nine Tails was sealed...what would that mean for Naruto's chakra? Would he not be able to access his power anymore? "We could come up with something," he mumbled, almost to himself, as he watched Iruka scoop up Naruto's quivering form to leave. "We can't just leave him like that."

Sasuke glanced over. "We could," he agreed softly. He leaned closer. "Between the two of us…and even Hokage. There isn't any kind of seal we couldn't figure out."

"Talk to her later, then," Koshaku spoke up. "She's got other things to consider right now. And I don't think your friend is in any shape to try using it again."

Neji sighed. "Yeah...." He pushed to his feet. "We should probably make ourselves scarce for a bit, then. Let them handle things for now."

Sasuke watched as Iruka carried Naruto out of the room, Shikamaru beside him and Kakashi following afterwards. The rest in the room were gathering around Guy, who seemed to be giving words of encouragement. "You're right," Sasuke muttered, frowning. "Let's go. I should take a look at your arm, anyway."

-------------------------------------------------


**Getting towards the end! I can't believe this has gone on so long. o_O Thanks for all the support so far!**