This is a sequel to the long-finished AU fic, "In Undertones". It was my first big fanfiction hit, the first of my stories to be included in C2s, and one of my most read and commented. So many people have written me, asking me to do a follow-up story, and now I've finally gotten the will to do so. I hope this one is as read and enjoyed as its prequel.
Disclaimer: None of the characters and original concepts for Naruto are mine and do not belong to me in any way, shape, or form, but to their creator, Masashi Kishimoto. I would very much like to own my own Sasuke and Shikamaru, though. That would make me gleeful.
Warning: I've only got an inkling of where this story is headed, so for now, let's say…mild suggestive themes, vulgar language, and complete OOCness. If anything else pops up, I'll make a note of it.
Notes: Those of you that have read "In Undertones" know that I split the story into two segments: one from Sasuke's POV and one from Naruto's. I'm going to attempt to do something similar here, but I think it'll be split by chapter. I'll indicate it so that no one's confused. Oh, and if you're reading this and have not read "In Undertones", stop now. You won't really understand this story until you've read the other one, and I'd appreciate it if you did read it before you started this one. Please keep in mind that I wrote that a while back, so, my style has changed some. Thanks for understanding.
Chapter 1: Shikamaru
Normally, I think the phone is a very troublesome thing. The shrieking it does to get your attention is just horrendous, and it takes too much effort to keep it up to your ear throughout an entire conversation. Answering machines are also quite the hassle, and I really don't even bother to listen to the messages anyway. Although, I can sometimes get surprised enough to pick up the receiver. Like now.
"You there?" my former bandmate's voice echoed in my ear.
"Yeah," I grunted back, trying to guess where he was with that horrible backlash coming over on the line.
"So, have you talked to Ino lately?" he asked me again.
"Nah."
"She's just talked to Sakura yesterday. Seems the band's coming back from their concert overseas."
"That was quick."
"Turns out the big shots that booked them were only interested in Sasuke."
I cringed. That wouldn't go over well with a certain blond guitarist, no matter how far their relationship had gone. "How are the rest of them taking it?"
"Ino said Sakura was pretty okay about it," Shino seemed to almost read my mind, avoiding the topic of Naruto all together. "Kiba's pissed as all hell, but he called Hinata a few hours ago, and she said he sounded a little better."
"Mm," I nodded. "Where'd he call from?"
"California. They'll be back by tomorrow night."
"That's good," I shifted the phone to my other shoulder. "But that's not the only reason you called, is it?"
"No," Shino admitted grudgingly over the line. "I wanted to ask you a favor."
"Aha," I prompted.
"If you would actually come to a get-together we're throwing for them at Gaara's."
Normally, a request like that would have caught me off guard, but I kind of felt it was coming to this: "At his house in New York?"
"Hinata and Haku are really the ones that are pulling it together," Shino informed. "Hinata still feels guilty she couldn't go--"
"She had a cold," I reminded him.
"I know, but try talking rationally to her once she's got the thought in her head," I could almost hear the other man rolling his eyes from over the line. "Anyway, they think it'll cheer everyone up a bit."
"…Do you really think Sasuke will go solo on them?" I asked him.
"Yes."
"No hesitation, I see."
"What do you think, honestly?"
"When is this get-together?"
"Tomorrow night."
"You're shitting me..."
"Nope," he sounded a bit apologetic. "Gaara's mom is already receiving us at her house."
"So that's where you are," I sighed.
"Are you coming? Hinata will be sad if you don't."
"Nice guilt-trip line."
"It worked, didn't it?"
"I'll see what I can do," I sighed again and dropped the phone onto the cradle, where it toppled over and began beeping incessantly. I reached over to the wall with my foot and yanked the cord from the outlet using my toes. The beeping stopped. I lay back on the couch for a moment, looked up at the ceiling, and with a grunt, I got up to pack a bag.
"You're really going to go," my best friend looked at me in something akin to wonder.
"Yeah," I grunted, shouldering my bag after I had pulled out the plane ticket. Chouji sat behind the wheel of his forest green Jeep Wrangler and continued to stare.
"You know, this is the most I've ever seen you committed to something, besides chess," he commented.
"You're making a big deal out of nothing," I made a face at him and he chuckled.
"I'm glad you met them. You need more friends besides stupid me."
"Chouji..."
"I know, I know, I am who I am and nothing can change that," he smiled and something inside me pulled.
"You sure you don't want to come with me?" I asked.
"My mom would have a heart attack," he shook his head. "Thanks for offering, though."
"I'll bring you back something. What do you want?"
"For you to have a safe trip and not to worry so much about me—I'm a big boy," he grinned again and again I made a face at him.
"Troublesome..."
He laughed. "It's okay, Shikamaru. Really."
"I'm still bringing you something."
"I look forward to it," he waved and I went into the airport.
I knocked twice. From somewhere inside the two-story house, a dog began barking eagerly. A woman's soft voice cooed at it as footsteps approached the door. The porch lamp flickered on and the door swung open and I was face to face with a blond woman about my age, maybe a year or two older. Her hair was pulled up in four separate ponytails that framed her somewhat pale face, and her bangs shaded her crystal green eyes that stared questioningly as they glittered in the harsh light.
"Are you one of Gaara's friends?" she smiled slightly as her stare moved from my face to the travel bag I had slung over my right shoulder. I licked my lips and nodded, preparing to say something—like 'hello' or a similar phrase—but she cut me off by grabbing my left hand and yanking me inside. She closed and locked the door behind us and proceeded to drag me into what I could only guess was the living room. Shino, Hinata, Ino, and Haku were sitting there, along with Hinata's seeing-eye dog Ciaran and a man I didn't know. He had dark crimson hair spilling untidily over his forehead and into black eyes that were heavily-makeuped with maroon paint. He had lipstick to match.
"I'm Temari," she pointed at herself, and then at the mystery person, "and that's Kankuro. We're Gaara's older siblings. Mom's in the kitchen; want to meet her?"
"Hi—" I managed a wave at everyone before I was pulled into a doorway to our left that opened up into a decent-sized kitchen, painted sun yellow and finished with polished, honey-colored wood. A woman with reddish-blond hair with a few streaks of grey tottered around near the fridge and the stove, carrying things back and forth and muttering to herself.
"Hmm…lot's of guests. Something simple and fast and that everyone likes… Milk and cookies is nice. Chocolate chip, yes! Everyone loves chocolate chip. Now, how many were there...?"
"Seven, now," Temari finally let go of my hand. I shook it out as I stared at her in apprehension. She was strong…for a girl. The older woman turned and smiled, her tired-looking green eyes crinkling at the corners.
"Gracious! Another one?" she asked with an air of teasing about her as she came forward, extending her hand. I took it and squeezed; she was much more fragile than her daughter.
"Sorry about the inconvenience," I mumbled, trying not to catch Temari's eyes with mine. Something about her made me…tingly.
"Not at all!" the woman waved it off with a laugh. "I'm so happy Gaara has so many good friends now!"
"As opposed to those Jinkurichi punks he was running around with before college," the blond girl snorted.
"Hush," the mother kept her eyes on me for a moment before flashing me another quiet smile. "You look like a sweet boy. Temari, show him to a room upstairs, okay? Be quick, or else you'll miss the cookies."
"Yeah, mom." Temari grabbed my hand again and took me back out into the living room and then past the people sitting there—Haku was giggling—out into the foyer and up the stairs to a rather long hallway. "Let's see," she spoke more to herself, "Gaara and Haku are here, Ino and Sakura here, Kankuro and Shino are in his room, Hinata's with me… Ah!" She stopped pulling me down the hall and turned to face me. Her eyes locked on mine. "You can share a room with your friend Kiba, right?"
"Er…yeah," I blinked at her.
"Well, aren't you articulate?" her eyes sparkled as she let go of my hand and pushed a door open. "Come downstairs when you're settled. I'll save you a cookie..."
"Shikamaru," I told her, still not used to her erratic stride. I wasn't sure if I should try talking yet.
"A man of many words," her smile was impish. It was driving me crazy. "See you downstairs, Shikamaru."
She left the way we came, throwing a wave over her shoulder as she disappeared down the stairs. I stood in the doorway for a moment, looking at the way she had gone. Finally, I snapped myself out of it and went into the room to claim one of the two twin beds and a dresser.
"…troublesome," I muttered as Temari's face stuck with me in the darkness, her green eyes twinkling in my head as I unpacked. "Women are really a troublesome thing…"