Inspired by X-Factor. I do not own Naruto.
I will always love you
You, my darling you. Hmm
Bittersweet memories
That is all I'm taking with me
So, goodbye –
Please don't cry
--
Dreams, dreams, dreams.
She's just a small-town girl who loves the bright lights; a country belle who wishes to hit it big on Broadway. She wants to go to New York and lay her soul bare for the world to see. When she sings, she sings to the stars – for the stars – with the stars. Every word that comes from her mouth she shapes delicately and softly; the words gather and fall like a gentle tide. She starts quietly, coaxing each lyric into melody, presenting the song like a precious, precious gem.
When she enters the room, the judges smile – or one of them does. The busty blonde on the far right has cherry red lips that curve up slightly. It's not an unfriendly smile. "And who are you?"
She smoothes small, manicured hands over her blue skirt. "Ino Yamanaka." She looks up and flashes a brilliant smile at the judge table. She's never been one for lack of courage.
"And what do you have to sing for us today?"
Deep breath. Chin up. Another smile. "I Will Always Love You."
The white-haired man sitting in the center of the judge's table whistles lowly. He has a wild mane of pearl-colored hair that reaches to his shoulders; it seems like an over-dated version of an old Bon Jovi haircut. He is broad-shouldered, and wears a faded hockey jersey. Leaning back, he crosses both arms over his chest, settling back in a comfortable position to listen. "Go on."
Silence settles over the room briefly, as she takes the moment to compose herself. She clasps both hands together in the barest tinge self-consciousness.
Then, she simply begins.
Her voice is very delicate, pure: like liquid silver washing over the room. As the song builds, her voice grows stronger as well. She closes her eyes. Her words swell with each heartbeat. She pushes the song out of her: gorgeous and lyrical, and powerful and heartbreaking.
The blonde woman on the right clears her throat when Ino is finished. "Wow." She raises her eyebrows; taps red nails against the desk. "That was good." She glances across the table to the third judge, sitting on the very end, the only one who has not yet spoken. "Don't you think that was good?"
He has long black hair, just a tad bit greasy-looking, and even longer than the white-haired man's. He also has very dark eyes, like black marble, and pale skin. He regards Ino with a narrowed gaze and just the hint of a sly smile. "That was good," he agrees. "Very good."
"Well." The blonde woman picks up her pen. "Yes or no?"
"Yes."
The woman turns to look at the white-haired judge on her right. "Yes or no?"
He grins slowly, showing surprisingly even, white teeth. "Yes!" He booms, clapping his hands together once as he leans forward in his seat. "You are brilliant, Ino Yamanaka. Very beautiful face, very beautiful voice." He winks.
She laughs and blushes, but with pleasure. "Thank you." Her heart throbs painfully against her ribcage. Yes, yes, yes. She can taste her dreams stretching in front of her, inches away from reach. She wonders if the judges can hear her anxiety, her excitement.
The blonde judge rolls her eyes. "He says that to everyone." Then she looks up at Ino, with a conspiring smile. "But I think he actually means it this time. Three yeses, Ino. You're through to the next round."
Ino leaves the room walking on clouds. Screaming, squealing, crying. She jumps and throws her arms around her father, who is waiting just outside the door. She presses her tears into his neck and laughs, laughs, laughs.
She's just been handed a ticket to her future.