Disclaimer: This is totally for my own personal entertainment, and most (ok, all) of the songs quoted/sung here are written/sung by far more amazing than given justice in this fic. Also, I will change some words around to fit whom they're sung by. I will provide credits for songs at the end of the chapter. Also, I don't own Naruto. If I did, the Konoha twelve would be rockstars.
"AGH!" screamed Tenten. "I've got the tune, but nothing seems to fit! No, that doesn't work..." she said, writing than scribbiling. She had been trying to perfect lyrics to a tune that she had in her head for almost three days. She scribbled angrily again, when her band mates came into her room.
"Real smooth Tenten, missing the interview with Leaf Digest." Said an unnaturally angry Neji.
"Shit! That was this morning? Sorry you guys, you know how it is, I've got an idea. I have the tune, but the lyrics are just not fitting right and-"
Lee blurted out, "We have something we need to say."
Tenten looked at her band mates curiously. Neji was glaring at Lee and Lee was looking at his feet. She could immediately tell that something was up.
"Tenten, you're out." Neji finally blurted out.
It took her a moment to take things in. She was out of the band? Why? They had been friends since music academy days. She had always sung, Neji played guitar, and Lee drummed. She also played guitar as good as Neji, if not better, but Neji's uncle had made sure that his nephew got a starring role in a band, so she wasn't allowed to play.
Lee was shifting his weight and looked at his feet while Neji remained as stoic as ever.
"I'm...out?" she repeated, confused.
"You're out. Look, Tenten, you're a good singer, but you just aren't reliable. You miss interviews, you don't show up for rehearsals, and we've cancelled shows because you were nowhere to be found. It's nothing personal; it's just what's right for the band." Neji finished.
She knew she must have looked crazy, but all Tenten could do was cry. She then tried to mask the crying by laughing.
"How is it good for the band? You'll be down to only two members, and newsflash: Neither of you can sing. And you know what? I'm gonna start my own band and we're gonna be so famous that you're both gonna be a funny little footnote on my epic ass."
Neji was as stoic as ever when he said, "We've got replacements coming in."
The word 'Replacements' hung in her head. She was being replaced? Tenten stormed out of the abandoned warehouse where they had practiced, but not before making an obscene hand gesture at Neji. Who needed other band members anyway? I could do it all, she thought.
She stopped. Who the hell am I kidding? I can't do it alone. Where am I gonna find another band?
Tenten walked to The Keg. Its official name, nobody really cared. The only reason it was still in business is because they served alcohol to anyone, including teenagers. She walked to the door, said the password, and sat herself down at the bar. "Whiskey please." The bartender slid down a shot glass filled with the dark liquid. She drained it in one gulp.
"Tenten? It's Temari." Tenten turned around to find Temari with a shot glass and a bottle of whiskey.
"Hard times or harder liquor?" Asked Tenten, smirking.
"Both. My brothers kicked me out of our band and they're joining up with some losers from your academy." There were three main Academies of Music, and three main stages, but you could continue for advanced music study. Tenten and Temari were both in the final stage of their academy days. Tenten went to Konoha, and Temari went to Suna. They were still close friends after a Battle of the Bands back in the second stage.
"Neji kicked me out too. I've missed the last few days of rehearsal and other crap trying to figure out some lyrics to this tune I've got running in my head, but they just aren't coming to me."
"Bummer." Temari said, kicking back another whiskey. Tenten helped herself to the bottle and took a shot as well. There was a long silence, each girl contemplating her situation.
Tenten was struck with an idea. She didn't know if it was the alcohol, but she felt compelled to say, "Let's start a band."
Temari looked at her as if she was insane. "I'm serious!" Said Tenten. "You've got some serious rhythm on the drums, and I sing and play guitar! We've got all we need!"
Temari arched an eyebrow. "What about a bassist? All the successful bands have a bassist."
Tenten waved it off. "We'll figure that out later. Look, music is my life, and I have no idea what I would do without a band. At least humor me, and sign up for the next underground battle."
Temari considered it for a while. "I'm gonna regret doing it, but why the hell not? Sure. Also, because you're gonna owe me for this; I want you to perform with your hair down."
Tenten was silent. Let her hair down? Nobody had ever seen her with her hair down, and she wasn't about to start now. "Seriously?"
Temari smiled wickedly. "Seriously. Hair is down for the whole set." Tenten contemplated it for a minute. Hair down vs. having a band. I've got to go with the band.
"Let's do it then." Said Tenten. They got up, paid for their drinks, and went to Ichiraku's, the local club where the underground rock scene lived and breathed, to sign up for the next battle.
"Shit, what the hell was I thinking?" Said Tenten backstage a week later at Ichiraku's. They were the last band of the night, and they were up next. It turns out that Tenten's old band and Temari's brothers had joined to form the band 'Stranger Danger'. Temari and Tenten had thought long and hard about band names. Tenten wanted 'The Katanas' (Temari was still a little freaked out at Tenten's facination with sharp objects), Temari wanted 'The Fans' (Tenten did not want to be represented by something girly). They finally landed on 'The Ex-Girlfriends'.
"Shit, we're up." Said Tenten. "Relax, just play like you have been in rehearsals, and we'll smoke 'em." Laughed Temari.
Tenten was even more nervous with her hair and her appearance. Her hair was down, and she had on a worn t-shirt depicting one unicorn mounting another in front of a rainbow (Temari laughed and declared it the most awesome shirt she had ever seen in her life). She also had faded skinny jeans and went barefoot. Temari had let her hair out too (it stuck up like a blonde afro) and was wearing a cut up t-shirt and paint splattered pants. She was also barefoot, as they both had decided that would be their signature.
Tenten gulped. The announcer Iruka called out "And for the last band, we have two babes of rock working together as one. Rockers and Rockettes, The Ex-Girlfriends!"
There was polite applause as they both walked on stage. Temari sat behind the drums and twirled her sticks, and Tenten picked up her guitar. To her dismay, she was able to see Neji and Lee in the third row. Tenten still sucked it up and smirked. Time to show them what they let go of, she thought.
She spoke into the mike. "Hi. What's up. We're the Ex-Girlfriends, and this song is called Sharp Dressed Man." She began with the opening riff and then belted out the lyrics.
Clean shirt, new shoes, Gold watch, diamond ring, Topcoat, Top hat,
and I don't know where I am gonna do.
Silk suit, black tie,
I don't need a reason why.
They go runnin' just as fast as they can
cause every girl crazy about a sharp dressed man.
He ain't missin' not a single thing.
Cuff links, stickpin
when he steps out he's gonna do you in.
They go a runnin' just as fast as they can
cause every girl crazy about a sharp dressed man.
And he don't worry cause his wallet's fat.
Black shades, white gloves,
lookin' sharp, lookin' for love.
They go runnin' just as fast as they can
cause every girl crazy about a sharp dressed man.
There was a good amount of applause when they were done. Tenten turned around and gave Temari the thumbs up. Temari returned the gesture and signaled to go straight into the next song. If that's the way she wants it, thought Tenten before bursting into the next song.
On the floors of Tokyo A-when there's no one else in sight, Oh oh. Dancing with a-myself, If I looked all over the world So let's sink another drink Oh oh. Dancing a-with myself, Well if I looked all over the world So let's sink another drink Oh oh. Dancing a-with myself,
A-down in London town's a go-go
A-with the record selection,
And the mirror's reflection,
I'm a dancin' with myself
A-in crowded lonely night
Well, I wait so long for my love vibration
And I'm dancing with myself
Oh, oh, dancing with myself
Well, there's nothing to lose
And there's nothing to prove, well,
Dancing a-with myself, oh, oh, oh, oh.
And there's ev'ry type of guy
But your empty eyes seem to pass me by
And leave me dancin' with myself.
'Cause it'll give me time to think
If I had the chance I'd ask the world to dance
And I'll be dancin' with myself
Oh, oh, dancing with myself
Well, there's nothing to lose
And there's nothing to prove, well,
Dancing a-with myself,
Oh, oh, oh.
Oh, oh oh oh, oh oh, oh oh oh, oh oh...
and there's ev'ry type of guy.
But your empty eyes seem to pass me by
And leave me dancin' with myself.
'Cause it'll give me time to think
If I had the chance I'd ask the world to dance
And I'll be dancin' with myself
Oh, oh, dancing with myself
If I had the chance I'd ask the world to dance
If I had the chance I'd ask the world to dance
If I had the chance I'd ask the world to dance
Oh, oh, oh, oh oh.
Oh, oh, oh dancin' with myself.
Oh, oh, dancin' with myself, oh, oh, oh.
The applause was louder than before. Tenten looked at Neji, and saw that he was lightly applauding, but looked a little puzzled at the same time. That's right, she thought, these are all about you, dumb ass. Tenten talked into the mike again. "That was Dancing With Myself, and this next one is dedicated to a special person in my life-" Temari fake coughed very loudly. "It's called Your Time Is Gonna Come. Enjoy." She switched her amplifier setting to acoustic and began to play while Temari came in with a driving beat.
Lyin', cheatin', hurtin, that's all you seem to do This is all I gotta say to ya, boy Made up my mind, break you this time You been bad to me, boy, but it's comin' back home to you
Messin' around, every girl in town
Puttin' me down for thinkin' of something new
Always the same, playin' your game
Drive me insane, trouble's gonna come to you
One of these days, and it won't be long
You'll look for me, but, baby, I'll be gone
Your time is gonna come, your time is gonna come
Your time is gonna come, your time is gonna come
Won't be so fine, it's my turn to cry
Do what you want, I won't take the brunt
It's fadin' away, can't feel you anymore
Don't care what you say 'cause I'm goin' away to stay
Gonna make you pay for that great big hole in my heart
People talkin' all around
Watch out, boy, no longer is the joke gonna be on my heart
Your time is gonna come, your time is gonna come
Your time is gonna come, your time is gonna come
Your time is gonna come, 'bye, 'bye-'bye, baby
Your time is gonna come, right now, right now
Your time is gonna come, believe me,
Your time is gonna come, oh, oh, oh, oh-oh
Your time is gonna come, goodbye, baby.
Temari began to play the bongos as Tenten went into a guitar riff. They were only supposed to have three songs and this was technically a fourth, but they called it a riff to make it legal. It was an acoustic solo that Temari thought was just beautiful. The whole audience became silent to listen to Tenten play with an almost magic quality. This was what Tenten really loved about the guitar. It was her drug, her everything. She loved playing it so much that she almost considered leaving her old band when Neji's uncle made him the lead guitarist.
When Tenten finished, there was an ear-splitting applause. Both girls stepped forward and bowed before running off stage.
"That was awesome!" Squealed Temari. "I don't know why Neji didn't play bass to let you play lead guitar. I mean, everyone knows that the Huyga's are trained in, like, ten different instruments."
Tenten shrugged. "Yeah, well, bass players aren't exactly superstars." Someone tapped Tenten on the shoulder. She whipped around, only to find that it was Neji.
Neji looked completely amazed when he saw Tenten. She was a mix of angry that he came to see her after kicking her out and nervousness at him seeing her with her hair down. She was then surprised when Neji said, "You were amazing out there. What's your name? I don't think I've seen you around before."
Temari spoke up first. "Her name is Yume. I'm Yuri. Pleased to meet you mister..."
"Huyga, Neji Huyga." He said, shaking Temari's hand. Tenten was confused. Since when was her name Yume?
"Nice to meet you Yuri. See you later Yume. Nice shirt by the way." He said walking away.
"Charmed!" Temari called after him. Tenten turned on her.
"Why didn't you just tell him that my name was Tenten?"
Temari laughed. "Everyone knows you like him-don't protest, it's true," she said, as Tenten had gone red and opened her mouth to object. "Neji and Tenten are awkward with each other because Neji just kicked her out. But he can still fall in love with Yume."
Tenten looked at her as if she was crazy. "When did you go crazy and refer to me in third person?"
Temari slapped her forehead. "Don't you get it? You can get a fresh start with each other!"
"The only difference between me and this "Yume" person you invented is that she wears her hair down and I don't. He's going to know it's me after a while," said Tenten exasperatedly.
"Not if we give you some colored contacts and a whole different look for Yume, we could pull it off." Temari said, examining her. "Come on now, let's go."
Tenten was silent on the way back to her apartment driving in Temari's car. She was contemplating what Temari had gotten her into. Before she knew it, she was outside her apartment building.
"Hey, Tenten." Tenten turned around to look at Temari in the car. "What?"
"At least he said you were good." And with that, Temari drove off.
Alright, time for the song credits!
Sharp Dressed Man-ZZ Top
Dancing With Myself-Billy Idol
Your Time Is Gonna Come-Led Zeppelin
Black Mountain Side (Guitar Riff)-Led Zeppelin
The shirt Tenten was wearing for the concert is real too. Check it out at Threadless and search "Afternoon Delight." It will make you explode it is that funny. Leave a review or critique please.