A/N: Whew! Just finished Curiosity's Child and here I am again, writing a new one… and I told them that I'll be busy with my studies… my dad told me to make a schedule… so I made one, leaving me with 1 hour of free-time. Well, at least I have free-time despite of my "hectic" schedule. Haha! This is my second fic and I hope you'll like it!

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto… (goes onto the corner, sits down, and cries quietly)

-----

Chapter 1: The Song

It's a cool summer night—the dark sky clear with the moon and the stars shining brightly, fireflies roaming around the swamps, crickets chirping smoothly, and the trees in their evergreen colors. There sat on one of the tree-branches of the forest near Konoha a certain cold, quiet, raven-haired boy. He was somewhat trying to doze off while maintaining his balance.

No noise, no rabid fangirls, and no Itachi annoying me… How can it get any better than this?

He was finally entering the dreamland paradise when he heard a soft, low, mellow voice.

Beguile me with your sweetest kiss

Making me enter divine bliss

Entice the inner me

To love you continually

It made the said raven-haired boy to snap his eyes open. The singing stopped. He scanned the area for anyone who sang the song.

All there was left was the sound of the crickets chirping and of the cool summer breeze rustling the trees—no more of the soothing song.

Who was that…?

-----

Whew! Hot, hot, hot summer morning! It's time for the booming complaints of the loud-mouth Naruto! As usual, Kakashi is late again.

"It's so hot!! The heat drains my energy!!" Naruto complained for the gazillionth time.

"Hey, Sasuke-kun! Would you mind going out with me?" Sakura asked in her yet overly-sweet voice.

"…" Sasuke was deep in thought.

"Let's eat some ramen and come back when the late-comer's back! I'm really hungry! And besides--" He kept on ranting and ranting.

"Sasuke-kun, please?" She asked again, trying to ignore the irritating "background music."

"C'mon! I mean, it's really hot today and--"

"Could you please shut up for a moment?!" She snapped.

"Ah… okay, Sakura-chan!" He grinned.

"As I was saying, Sasuke-kun, why don't you go out with me? I mean, I'm gonna treat you out for lunch today!"

"Sakura-chan, why not go out with me?" Naruto asked.

"I'm not talking to you!" Sakura hissed.

"Yo!" At last, the late-as-usual jounin arrived.

"You're late!" Naruto and Sakura cried in unison.

"Ah… yes… it's because I saw a beautiful mermaid by my house and she needs to get back to the ocean. I cannot leave such a--"

"Liar!" They accused again in perfect harmony.

Hm… The one that sang that song last night… It couldn't possibly be Sakura because she's a girl and the voice is a man's. Kakashi? No… With that mask of his, I doubt that he can sing like that… That leaves me to Naruto… Hm…

"What are you staring at, teme?!" Naruto yelled.

No… it's pretty impossible with that ear-shattering voice of his… Wait, why am I limiting myself to this team? It could be Shikamaru, Kiba, Shino, Chouji, Neji, Lee, or whoever male ninja.

"Shut up, dobe." He replied monotonously.

"What!! You're so weird, teme!"

"Naruto! Stop calling Sasuke teme!" Sakura yelled.

"But Sakura-chan…" Naruto whined.

"What's today's mission?" Sasuke asked in his monotone voice.

"Oh, yeah, Kakashi-sensei, what is it?" Naruto asked.

"Today's mission is… nothing! We'll have pure practice today!" Kakashi smiled underneath his mask.

"Oh, alright! I might as well practice than to have a D-class mission of finding a lost cat or something." Naruto said as he folded his arms into the air and putting his hands behind his head. He started staring on Sakura's ass.

Sakura noticed the eyes fixed on her ass and punched straight across Naruto's face. "Stop staring at my ass, you pervert!"

"Ow, Sakura-chan… you don't have to be mean… I was just wondering what the stain on your skirt is." He whined as he caressed his hurt cheek.

"Hm? What stain?" She searched for the said stain on her white skirt, and when she found it, her face turned red as a tomato.

She told hastily to Kakashi that she'll skip training for today before dashing towards her house.

"Huh…? What's up with her and that stain on her skirt, Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto asked, oblivious of the uber embarrassment Sakura felt.

"Oh, the wonders of innocence…" Kakashi grinned.

"Huh? What's that suppose to mean?" Naruto asked innocently.

"Nature." Kakashi answered.

"Nature? You mean she pooped on her skirt?"

"Oh, Naruto… I can't believe you're so innocent…" He chuckled.

"Huh…… Sasuke-teme, do you know what he's talking about?" Naruto turned his question to the raven-haired boy, but Sasuke just gave him a "don't-look-at-me-'cuz-I-won't-answer-you-anyway" look.

"So, that leaves you and Sasuke to train." Kakashi said.

"Oh, okay… But Sakura-chan's--"

"C'mon, dobe."

"I'm not a dobe, teme!"

"Are you comin' or not?"

"Of course I'm coming!"

-----

It sounded throughout the training grounds—the shurikens and kunai clashing, feet thumping against the dust, and the panting of two ninjas. And the smell, oh, the smell! The smell of fresh sweat will intoxicate your senses!

"I'll beat you into a pulp, teme!" Naruto yelled.

"You think so, dobe?" Sasuke mocked.

"Yes, I will." He said as he pushed harder onto the kunai he's battling against Sasuke's.

The kunai were banished as the two rolled along the earth, pinning one down as the other went up. Well, as always, Sasuke was the one pinning Naruto down.

"Oh, my gosh! Isn't that a giant tomato?!" Naruto faked a shock.

"Where?" Sasuke abruptly turned his head to search for the tomato Naruto was talking about. Naruto took the opportunity to roll over and be the one pinning Sasuke down.

"Haha, I didn't know that I can fool you that easily, teme!" Naruto mocked.

"Dobe."

The mocking face of Naruto suddenly vanished. He leaned closer to Sasuke. On the other hand, Sasuke could feel the blood rushing up unto his cheeks. His heart started beating faster as his regular breathing turned to fast irregular ones.

"N-Naruto… W-What are you…" He stuttered as Naruto leaned even closer. Their faces were merely inches apart now. He could feel the warm breath of Naruto against his chin that ventured down to his neck. He was now officially turning red. "…H-Hey…"

"Teme, is that a zit on your nose?" Oh yes, Naruto was staring intently at the pimple centered on the Uchiha's perfect nose.

"What!" Sasuke pushed Naruto into the air and stood up, covering his nose with his hand.

Naruto fell down unto the ground face-first. When he got up, he made a straight face, trying not to burst into laughter. To no avail, he started rolling on the ground, laughing and clutching onto his stomach. "Hahahahahahahaha!! Sasuke has a zit on his nose and it's so damn big!!"

"Shut up, dobe! I haven't enough sleep last night! And besides, it's none of your business!"

"Haha, alright it's not of my-haha-business, hahahahahah!" Naruto was already producing tears on his eyes due to the extreme laughter.

"Shut up!" Sasuke said turning his back to Naruto, trying to hide his blush.

"C'mon, Sasuke, it's part of puberty you now. There's nothing to be shy about; even I have my share of pimples… but yours is really funny! I mean, on the peak of your nose? Hahaha!!!"

"…"

"Anyway, why don't we continue sparring?"

"Nah, I've lost my interest in sparring for today…" He said as he left.

"Sasuke, you've got to be kidding! I mean, you? Not sparring for an over-sized red pimple on the very center of your nose? C'mon!"

Sasuke twitched his eyebrow from what he heard. "I'm going home."

"Sheesh… well, alright! If that's what you want!" He said, walking off onto the opposite direction Sasuke's headed.

-----

That usuratonkachi… my pimple is none of his business… He said as he swung his leg loosely from the tree branch. Yes, he was back again at the forest. The same scene as what it was last night. Wait… why am I here again? Well, of course I dun wanna be with my brother… he's so damn annoying… He and his Mangekyou he's using against me. …… I couldn't possibly be anticipating that voice again, am I?

Suddenly, he heard that voice again.

Beguile me with your sweetest kiss

Making me enter divine bliss

Entice the inner me

To love you continually

Making love 'til nine

Sending shivers down my spine

Now, show me the love

Sent from heaven above

He eyed the whole area for someone who was singing the unknown song… nothing.

"Whoever you are, show yourself!" Sasuke cried out in desperation to know who was singing.

Still… nothing…

Suddenly, he saw a glimpse of red from the corner of his eyes. Hm… red…? Gaara's the only one I know that has red hair… but that's pretty impossible since Suna is far from here. And whatever is he doing here if ever it's him?

-----

"Woohoo! I love day-offs!" Naruto squealed as he headed over Ichiraku's. As he entered the ramen-shop, he saw someone unusually seen in Konoha, let alone Ichiraku's.

"Naruto." He called.

"Oh, Gaara, what are you doing here?" Naruto asked as he sat down, gesturing Gaara to sit down on the seat next to him.

"Day-off." He answered monotonously as he sat down.

"Oh, really? Why would you spend your day-off here?" Naruto asked curiously.

"…"

"Huh? No answer? Alright, so what do you want to have? My treat." He offered.

"Same as yours."

"Oh… alright then, Mr. Teuchi, two bowls of my usual order, please!"

"Right away, Naruto!" Teuchi replied.

"So, how are you? Haven't talked to you for a while now."

"Fine." Was the always-so-short reply of the red-haired ninja.

"Oohh… I see… Where's Temari and Kankurou?"

"Suna."

"Huh? So, you left alone?"

"…"

"Why haven't they come along?"

"I didn't tell them."

"What!"

"…"

"They might be worried 'bout you."

"…"

"Two bowls of miso ramen served!" Teuchi said as he laid the bowls of ramen on front of them.

"Thanks!" He said, and then gobbled up the ramen.

Gaara eyed Naruto from the corner of his eyes as he slurped in some noodles with his chopsticks.

Naruto noticed the eyes focused on him. "Hm? What's the matter?"

"Nothing." Gaara answered as his eyes abruptly ventured from Naruto down to his own ramen.

"Hm? Is that so? Alright. Mr. Teuchi, another bowl of ramen, please!" Naruto said.

-----

"Burp! I'm so full!" Naruto chirped as he patted his protruding belly. "So, Gaara, what do you want to do today?"

"Anything."

"Hm… that's such a nice answer…" Naruto narrowed his eyes.

Sasuke appeared from a corner.

"Oi, teme! Look, Gaara's here!" Naruto called.

"?" Sasuke tilted his head to view them. So, I'm right. It's Gaara that's singing the previous nights… "Gaara, can I please talk to you for a while?"

Gaara eyed Naruto, as if asking Naruto if he should go with Sasuke.

"Go on. I'll be at my apartment." Naruto grinned. He could have sworn that he saw Sasuke narrowed his eyes at his statement… well, maybe it's just his imagination.

Gaara nodded at Sasuke and they were off.

"Whaddya want?"

"Hm… Were you in the forest just outside Konoha the previous two nights?" Sasuke asked.

"I just arrived today."

"Oh, I see. Thanks." He said as he left. That's weird…

-----

"What did he ask you?" Naruto asked as he sat down on the small couch of his apartment.

"Something 'bout me being in a forest outside Konoha."

"What about it?"

"I dunno." He said as he sat down beside Naruto.

"Oh, okay." He grinned as he stretched his arms and rested his head on Gaara's lap.

"N-Naruto."

"Hm… I'm so sleepy…" He said as he went to sleep.

"Naruto…" He combed his hands through the golden locks of Naruto.

-----

Midnight struck Konoha. Everybody's asleep as of the moment.

A certain figure with a red hair rose up from Naruto's bed. Surely by his looks, he isn't Gaara. He went out of the bedroom into the living room. He eyed another red-haired figure lying down on the couch. He's asleep…

He ventured from Naruto's apartment into the forest nearby Konoha. There, he sat down by a stream behind a bush with fireflies roaming around him. The clouds are gone from the sky, revealing beautiful shining moon and stars.

Beguile me with your sweetest kiss

Making me enter divine bliss

Entice the inner me

To love you continually

Making love 'til nine

Sending shivers down my spine

Now, show me the love

Sent from heaven above

Yes, you're driving me insane

But with you nothing's in vain

It really seems like your sweetest kiss

Makes me enter divine bliss

"Naruto…" Somebody called.

"Hm?" Naruto turned towards the direction from which the voice is coming.

Gaara emerged from the shadows from the tree. "Naruto, is that you?"

"As of the moment, I'm not Naruto, but Kyuubi."

"So, you being Kyuubi have something to do with your hair?"

"Yup."

"What are you doing here?"

"Well, Kit's been lonely for a while now, y'know."

"…"

"He doesn't show it… that's why his feelings pile up inside him. Whenever he's asleep, I take over and sing so that some of it will go away."

"But why sing?"

"It's the only way I can express myself, damn it!"

"Oh, I see."

-----

Naruto walked depressed down an alley, sighing to himself.

/Flashback/

"I need to go back to Suna." Gaara said.

"What! But why?" Naruto whined with puppy eyes sparkling with tears.

"They might be looking for me."

"Hmph… well, alright! But if you have time, come back again, okay?"

Gaara nodded and he was off.

/End of flashback/

Sigh… I wonder when he will come back… Naruto thought as he sighed again. Suddenly, he saw a poster. 'Konoha 12th Annual Singing Contest! For those of you who are aspiring singers with singing talent: Join now! 1st prize-10,000 bucks, 2nd prize-5,000 bucks, 3rd prize 2,500 bucks.'

Kit, join it! Kyuubi said.

"What are you talking about? I can't even sing, let alone have a talent." Naruto replied, eyes narrowed in a "whatever" look.

C'mon! I promise you; if you join it, I'll take in charge of the rest.

"Tche, as if you'll take charge if I get humiliated." He contradicted, eyes still narrowed.

As if you'll get humiliated if I take in charge… Anyway, you've humiliated yourself enough that you won't lose anything anymore…

"What was that?!?!"

Nothing… (chuckles evilly)

"Hmph! Alright, alright, I'll do it!"

Thanks, Kit!

-----

"Goodmorning everybody and welcome to Konoha 12th Annual Singing Contest! For the first singer, we would like to call on Hotaka Emi." The MC announced.

"Hey, Sakura, have you brought your cam?" Ino asked the girl beside her.

"Haha! Of course I have! I mean, singing Naruto? That would be the funniest thing ever!" Sakura answered, followed by a laugh.

"H-Hey, i-isn't that Shikamaru, Kiba, and Chouji?" Hinata shyly asked.

The two other girls who were laughing a while ago looked at the direction Hinata was pointing.

"Shikamaru! Kiba! Chouji! Over here!" Ino called.

The three neared them and sat side by side on the monoblock chairs beside the three girls.

"Are you here to watch Naruto?" Sakura asked.

"Watch Naruto? Well, more of laughing at Naruto! Of course I won't miss something like this!" Kiba laughed.

"Naruto's so troublesome…" Shikamaru sighed as Chouji just munched on his chips, slightly choking because of the laughter he's suppressing since he's eating.

"Naruto's the third singer, right?" Chouji asked in between munches.

"Yup!" Ino replied.

"One thing's bothering me…" Kiba uttered.

"Hm?" Everyone turned towards him for a continuation of what he's saying.

"… how did he pass the audition?" He continued.

"Well, I never thought about it…" Sakura said.

Suddenly, they heard some screams of "Spring of youth!" near them. Yes, the green-spandex freaks… Iruka and Kakashi came, too, and sat beside Ino. Shino appeared with bugs over him and Neji came, too, murmuring something about "fate wanting him to go here."

Wait… someone's missing… oh, yes, our beloved raven-haired pretty boy. He just stood there by the corner of the town square, but not too far from them so that he could see and hear what's happening.

-At the backstage-

"What is he doing?" A girl asked another one.

"I think he's sleeping, but why would he sleep at a time like this?" The other one said.

Yes, Naruto was sleeping by the desk. He's wearing a white bandana to cover his hair, silver loop earring on his right ear, white turtle-neck sleeveless shirt, and black cargo pants—overall making him look sexy.

"Calling Uzumaki Naruto. Please come up on the stage now." Somebody said from the door.

Naruto stood up, put his contacts so that it would appear blue to cover its crimson cat-eyes appearance. Slowly, his hair turned red, but as I have said, it's covered with a white bandana so it's not that noticeable… well, some red strands are protruding from his white bandana.

-At the stadium-

"It's Naruto's turn now!" Sakura squealed.

"Time for laughter!" Kiba screamed.

Everybody laughed except for shy Hinata who was secretly cheering for Naruto.

Naruto appeared from the backstage and walked towards the mic. Everybody was gaping at him.

"Isn't he supposed to be wearing his usual stupid orange attire?" Ino asked.

"I dunno." Kiba answered.

He closed his eyes, opened his mouth, and started to sing.

Beguile me with your sweetest kiss

Making me enter divine bliss

Entice the inner me

To love you continually

Making love 'til nine

Sending shivers down my spine

Now, show me the love

Sent from heaven above

Yes, you're driving me insane

But with you nothing's in vain

It really seems like your sweetest kiss

Makes me enter divine bliss

He sang it low and mellow. It was exceedingly beautiful. His voice was not of the earth; it was heavenly. Everybody's jaws dropped and their eyes wide-open in shock, especially Sasuke.

That song… and that voice… so… it's… Naruto…? Sasuke thought.

TBC

-----

A/N: I hope you like it! Please review! Ja ne!