Summary: Tenten, a talented young violinist, moves to Konoha and joins their Youth Orchestra. There she meets new friends and enemies... and Hyuuga Neji.
Chapter 1 - Audition
The Youth Orchestra had been her mum's idea. Tenten was unsure whether it was a good idea or not, but there she was, with a violin case in hand, standing outside the Konoha Academy where the auditions for the Konoha Youth Orchestra. She and her mum had only recently moved, and it was the summer holidays, so Tenten hadn't been to the school yet.
"This is it," her mum had said when they moved. "The place we've been waiting for." She said this every time they moved to a new place, and Seika got a new job. Tenten, although she loved her mother, had stopped believing her. She said nothing, though, so as to avoid hurting her feelings. Konoha was nice, she mused. But she knew they weren't going to stay. They never did.
That was why she wasn't sure about the orchestra. Joining an orchestra required dedication and loyalty. She used to be part of one before her dad left them and they started to move, and that's what it had taught her. It wouldn't exactly be a demonstration of dedication or loyalty if she suddenly moved away, leaving the orchestra after only half a year. But Seika had been quite sure that joining the KYO was a good idea.
Tenten was late. The auditions were supposed to have stopped fifteen minutes ago, but she went inside anyway. She knew her mum wanted Tenten to feel at ease in Konoha – to fit in and make friends. It would only make her mum worry about her if she didn't join. That, and she itched to play her violin. She practiced every day, of course, but it wasn't the same as playing in an orchestra.
There was no one at reception. Not surprising really, considering that it was the summer holidays. But it also meant no one to ask for directions.
"I'm guessing you're here for the auditions," said a voice coming from over towards her right. Tenten turned, and saw a boy around her age leaning against a wall. He had long, dark brown hair and startling pale violet eyes, and was one of the handsomest guys she'd ever seen. She wasn't sure if he was a musician or not, as he carried no instrument that she could see.
"I am. Do you know where they are?" she asked, forcing herself not to allow those pale eyes put her into a trance.
"Down that corridor, violin auditions are the third door on your right," he said pointing.
"Thank you. I'm Tenten, by the way."
"I'm Neji. Good luck. But you'd better hurry," he replied, giving her a half-smile. He didn't seem like the type who made huge cheesy grins, but when he smiled, it brightened his whole face.
She went down the corridor he'd pointed to, and as she got closer and closer to the violin audition room, she heard shouting.
"Shut up! I am the best musician in the world – or at least I will be! Why won't you acknowledge how great I am?!
A little boy was standing in the doorway, clearly trying to get back inside but someone was pushing him out.
"Please, Konohamaru-kun..." said a tired female voice from inside the room. "You just don't have what it takes. Try again in a few years."
"No! One day I'll be conductor of this orchestra! Then you'll see!"
"Kid. Get out," said the man blocking the doorway. Tenten gasped when she saw him. He was a big man and wore a long coat, but it was his face that caught her attention. He had huge scars all over it, as if someone had cut him with a knife there. He was wearing a bandana, and she wondered if the scars extended all the way onto the top of his head.
Konohamaru cursed (using swear words which Tenten was surprised a boy of his age knew) and stormed off, carrying a half-size violin case with him. Part of Tenten felt sorry for him, but she knew that if someone as young and immature as him was allowed in, she would have less respect for the KYO.
"Excuse me," she said slowly, as the scarred man's attention drifted onto her. She wasn't normally shy or nervous, but the man's appearance was so terrifying she couldn't help it. She tried not to stare at his scars. "I'm sorry I'm late, but I'm here to audition..."
"Come in," said a different female voice from inside the room, and the scarred man stepped inside to let her in.
Inside, a music stand stood in the middle of the room. Opposite it, there were three tables, with three seats. In one of the seats sat a very tired and stressed looking woman with short black hair and eyes to match. Next to her sat another young woman with dark purple hair tied up, and very revealing clothing. She gave Tenten a grin. The third seat was empty, and she supposed that was where the scarred man sat.
Tenten set her violin case on the ground and began unpacking her violin.
"I don't think I've seen you before," said the woman with purple hair. "What's your name?"
"Tenten. I just moved here."
"Welcome to Konoha, then! I'm Mitarashi Anko, and this is Ibiki and Shizune. We're three of the KYO's string tutors."
"Have you got a piece to play for us?" asked Shizune, the tired one.
Tenten nodded and held up her music. It was a Vivaldi violin sonata which she'd been practicing for a while. She put the music on the stand and held up her violin, ready to play. Ibiki was now sitting in his chair, and the three tutors had a piece of paper ready to take notes on Tenten's performance.
She began to play. It wasn't the most difficult piece she'd ever played, but it was one of her favourites because of the sound. She loved playing Baroque music, and was getting right into the piece when Shizune held up a hand to stop her. "That's enough, thank you."
They weren't going to let her finish? She had barely played ten bars! Did they know that early on that she was not good enough for their orchestra?
Then she noticed the looks that the three of them were exchanging. Not exasperation or disgust, but the look of someone who was impressed! Did that mean she was in?
"If you're new to the area, you may not know how things go in the KYO," said Shizune, looking more motivated than she had a few minutes ago. "We rehearse for one saturday each month, apart from in the summer time. During the summer holidays we go on tour towards the Sound Village, and go to the music festival there. We rehearse the day after tomorrow here in the Academy, and then the day after that we begin our tour. I'll organise your paperwork right now." She began rummaging in a mountain of papers. Tenten felt quite sorry for her.
"So... I'm in the orchestra?"
"More than that," said Anko. "How would you feel about being the leader?"
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That's chapter one done – sorry it's a bit short. I was going to have it as a prologue, but then that would mean that chapter 2 is chapter 1 and I hate that sort of thing ^^
I'm not sure whether or not to give Tenten a surname, seeing as in Naruto she doesn't have one. I also had to give her a parent, because in this fanfic she's 15, too young to live by herself. I just picked a random name for her mother.
Chapter 2 coming soon, please review!
Disclaimer: If I owned Naruto, Sasuke would be dead and Neji and Tenten would be together already
