Disclaimer: I do not own NARUTO!
Pairings: Sakura x Sasuke, Itachi, Gaara, Naruto and a hint of Kakashi; Ino x Shikamaru; Tenten x Neji; Kiba x Hinata; a hint of Iruka x Kurenai x Asuma; a hint of Kakashi x Anko x Gai
Summary: Four boys and a girl, in a band. Each of them competing for her heart. But rule says only one of them is allowed to be the on-screen boyfriend, but what about the off-screen?
Note: Some mild languages and OOC-ness and note to all the people out there, this is an AU!
Thanks to the reviewers!
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Princess Sakura Haruno - Wow! You reviewed my fic! Thanks! And I have read the chapter 8 of your ' Oh Mama! Oh Papa!' It's really damn cute! I hope you update more!
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L4zyL4dy - Hey there, my friend! Thanks for your review! Update your fic too. I really like your grammar. It's way too better than mine!
pOisoNous-iNk - Really? Cool! And I think your grammar is getting better now. You should change your summary into a much interesting one so it'll be more eye-catching. That's my advice for you!
Momiro-chan – Wow! You're Momiro-chan and the one who made the fic, 'Petals Will Melt the Ice?' Cool! I really like that fic +favorite too! Please update it as soon as possible! I am looking forward to it! Oh, and you write WAY to better than I am! You're a great author than me, so don't be jealous!
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pei-chan – Wow! A supporter! Thanks girl! And I think my other upcoming fics will come out late. You know, readers wont like it when you post a new fic and would not update the previous chapters of the present fics. Gets? Hehe, sorry! Not really good in English, for Now.
ang3Lix – ang3Lix. It's been a long time I haven't spoke to you! And I am very glad you reviewed this fic! Really? You're making the chapter 8 of ' Love Story'? If so, that is totally G-R-E-A-T! I will wait for it, and I will keep supporting you! You go girl!
Hao'sAnjul – Yeah, I decided to continue it, since many ideas are popping out from mind in this fic. Thanks for reviewing!
senx2 – Really? Thanks girl, you ROCK! Btw, I love the new chapter of ' Behind Those Eyes'. It's so lime-thingie! And it's getting more interesting! Oh, why did you delete your other fic? 'Internet Cupid' to be exact? I like it you know?
And to the story:
Stepping To The Rhythm
By: Zakurrah-chan
Genre: Romance/Humor
Rating: T or maybe the rating will go down...
Chapter Summary:
It's the big night! The party of Sharingan Inc., Konoha Corp had begun! What would the night hold for Sakura?
Chapter: Sharingan Inc., Konoha Corp: Party, Contracts, Hell!
Sakura and Kakashi had a small conversation with some of the crowd, mostly consisting of media and important figures such as the mayor of Konoha. Waiters carried trays of small finger food such as sushi.
"So when will I this CEO of Sharingan Inc., Konoha Corp. show up? You know, I'm really starving in here!" Sakura cried quietly to Kakashi.
"Neither do I, Sakura-chan. Just wait for a minute, okay?" he assured her while looking at the marble stage. Blue and green curtains obscured anything that was going behind them. "You're going to be a pop star, Sakura. You can't go on binge trips everyday. Put that down!" Kakashi snatched a Tempura ice cream out of her hands and placed it back on the tray before it melts in his hands.
"Kakashi." Sakura hissed at him, stomping on his foot hardly again making him wince. "If you wouldn't have stopped to a noodle bar or something, we wouldn't have this problem." She pulled his collar down to her level and said very quietly, "Seriously, are you becoming Naruto? If I don't get fed up, you are going to buy me all the Mars Bars I want. Got it?"
He nodded and she let go. If there was one thing that you never offer to buy Sakura, it was any type of chocolates. Naruto took a piece of her Snicker bar during elementary school and according to Kiba; Naruto wasn't walking straight for a week. Never mess with Sakura's candy.
"Ladies and gentlemen," A man cleared his throat on the stage, probably the speaker. All eyes turned to him except for Sakura who was stuffing another sashimi in her mouth. "May I present to you, the CEO of Sharingan Inc., Konoha Corp, as well as the sponsor of Konoha Teen Stars and Konoha Idol Search Program, Uchiha Itachi."
The room clapped loudly as a guy with long black hair, that was pony-tailed and black onyx eyes greeted the crowd with a million dollar smirk and delicate wave. Members of the media stepped in from nowhere and snapped pictures of him, while cameras were rolling.
Gawd, he is so cute! Sakura thought as she stared at the CEO with interest. I want to approach him so badly! He's totally hot! Lowdown fro the scars in his face… But still, he is so gorgeous!
"Thank you for attending Sharingan Incorporated, Konoha Corporation's Celebration Ball for the country wide Idol Search that took place." As Itachi spoke, the blue curtains rolled back, revealing a wide and giant flat screen. "Now with great pride, I present you the winner of Konoha Idol Search, Haruno Sakura."
The monitor focused into Sakura. Sakura, searching for another sashimi, blinked at the screen and removed her hand from the plate with lightning speed to wave brightly with an award winning smile. That was so embarrassing…. Naruto and Kiba are going to have a field day.
At the Yamanaka Residence
Naruto was howling in laughter while Kiba was rolling on the floor with his dog, Akamaru. Ino was having a vein popped out from her temple, Tenten was sweat dropping. Shino has no reaction. Shikamaru has his fists ready, for punching. Neji's eyes were closed and not focusing at them while Lee was focusing at the TV screen, eyes not blinking at Sakura. And Hinata was stopping the kitsune and the dog from laughing.
Naruto was STILL laughing himself out. Wait until Sakura sees this… "Ha! Sakura got her hand caught in the cookie jar!"
Back to the Main story
As jumpy as a bunny in a tiger's cage, Sakura made her way to the stage nervously. The room was dead silent except from the sounds of her footsteps and the sound of people breathing. Kakashi was giving her thumbs up sign and mouthing her words. Don't blush!
Itachi smiled in a warm and distant way to Sakura as he bowed at her, while never taking his eyes off her as she bowed in turn.
Don't blush! Think of something else…
Like what! Inner Sakura was on patrol again.
Like.. Like, Uchiha-san? Sakura answered.
It was then that she made the mistake of looking fully at Itachi, rather than his eyes. She blushed. Big time!
As she was regaining from her mode, Itachi was speaking to the audience again. "Ladies and gentlemen, I will now ask Haruno-san to grace us with the song that won the contest for her."
All eyes turned on her. She nodded dumbly as Itachi handed Sakura the microphone and moved off to the side of the stage.
Soft and mellow music began playing out of the speakers set up around the room. Sakura took a deep breath preparing to sing onstage again. A guy caught her attention; a raven haired guy with piercing onyx eyes. His hair flowed neatly to his shoulder as if it was wet. (A/N: Gawd! Can't imagine Sasuke without his spiky hair! Gawd, so hot!)
Cultivate your hunger before you idealize.
Motivate your anger to make them all realize.
Climbing the mountain, never coming down.
Break into the contents, never falling down.
The guy raised a brow. Sakura averted her gaze as she realized that she was staring hardly at him.
My knee is still shaking, like I was twelve,
Sneaking out of the classroom, by the back door.
A man railed at me twice though, but I didn't care.
Waiting is wasting for people like me.
She gained confidence and began to move her body gracefully as she danced with the words coming out from her mouth.
Don't try to live so wise.
Don't cry 'cause you're so right.
Don't dry with fakes or fears,
'Cause you will hate yourself in the end.
She repeated the chorus and moving for a moment. She let her body calm down from the feeling that part in the song brought before continuing in sync with the words.
You say, "Dreams are dreams.
"I ain't gonna play the fool anymore."
You say, "'Cause I still got my soul."
'Why does he look like someone that I have met before?' she thought and continued singing.
Take your time, baby, your blood needs slowing down.
Breach your soul to reach yourself before you gloom.
Reflection of fear makes shadows of nothing, shadows of nothing.
You still are blind, if you see a winding road,
'Cause there's always a straight way to the point you see.
Don't try to live so wise.
Don't cry 'cause you're so right.
Don't dry with fakes or fears,
Cause you will hate yourself in the end.
Sakura had lost sight of the familiar guy during the rest of the song and she didn't noticed it. The audience clapped loudly, she could hear Kakashi's whistle of approval, which made her blush. But she blushed even more as Itachi came on the stage and began to speak again.
"As you can see that our judges made a fine choice." Itachi said smiling, calmly, looking at Sakura's still blushing face. "I myself will offer Haruno-san the prize money and a three year contract with Sharingan Inc., Konoha Corp. at a dinner latter tonight. I hope you enjoyed this small ball," The audience chuckled. "But I must bid you farewell."
Itachi disappeared behind the curtains as Sakura made her way back to the cheering Kakashi.
"Sakura, that was truly incredible! You must definitely sign the contract; this is the perfect opportunity to get some money. You could be rich! VERY RICH! And then, you may share the money with me! HAHAHA!" Kakashi praised.
But Sakura frowned. "Kakashi-sen, I'm not doing this to be rich. I just wanted to have some money to keep myself away from poverty, but I never said anything to be rich! And the other money made from my possible career will be going straight to Tenten, Ino, and Lee or other of my friends. You know, Tenten's mother is suffering from liver cancer. Ino needs money for her flower shop and Lee needs to pay his apartment; same problem as mine. Besides, I don't spend much money that BIG."
Kakashi's face was plastered with boredom ness and yawned. "Sakura, sometimes you are funny." He glanced out of the corner of his eyes and turned. A young teen that looks EXACTLY like Naruto was approaching them. Well, not only looks like Naruto, but he IS Naruto.
"Naruto? What are you doing in here?" Sakura asked curiously. Yeah, what was Naruto doing at the ball?
"Hey, Sakura-chaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan!" he shouted as his answer. Naruto saw the furious glare of Sakura and sweat dropped. "Oookay…. I'll explain it to you later, because right now, you need to follow me. Kakashi-sen will also follow as well."
What IS with him? She asked herself.
Naruto started to walk, Sakura and Kakashi followed him. A pair of large silver doors swung open when he neared. The two still followed him and looked around inside with awe.
The room was lit by hanging lights that shone brightly. A large western style table was set up in the middle. Several people were already seated; Naruto pointed Kakashi to his seat and escorted Sakura to her place, pulling the chair out for her and setting himself on her left. To her right was an empty space, a guy with flaming red hair filled the space next to it. A woman with a spiked bun was across from Sakura; Kakashi was to her left. That woman and a man with auburn hair talked pleasantly.
Sakura stared at her lap and trembled a bit, she was really nervous. Kakashi couldn't afford to calm her down because he was way too far across to Sakura's seat. The guy with red hair was freaking her out. He seems so violent and hot-tempered.
Well, at least Naruto's by my side. Good thing he's here. She thought and ignored the guy at her right. But why was he here in the first place anyway? A question mark popped from her brain but she shook her head. Right now, I should take care of the contract thingie.
"Naruto, who else is supposed to be in here?" she asked, motioning at the empty seats.
Naruto's sea blue eyes turned to her. "Uchiha-san for one and his brother, Sasuke-teme. Speaking of which, he should be here soon. So like him. Late when his presence is requested, such an ass…"
Sakura flushed at his language. She was not shy of profanities, and hell she enjoyed using much deeper words than that with Shikamaru and Ino, but at the table?
"NARUTO you baka! We're at the table! Please use some proper language." She told him and pounded his head, secretly. Naruto mouthed the word 'Ow!' but couldn't make the sound because if he does, the word may become a sentence. "Hey, you mentioned Uchiha-san and his ' brother'? Does he have a brother?"
"Well, yeah!" he answered and rubbed his head as he blushed. "Gomen Sakura-chan, still getting used too few customs."
Sakura smiled. "That's okay Naruto. Demo, are they still coming? I'm very hungry you know?"
Naruto's blush was replaced by a laugh. Naruto told the entire thing he knew about Itachi. Since she's very interested at him. And half of it was about Sasuke! From childhood to embarrassing moments!
"Yeah, and when he saw a lizard in his juice while he was drinking, he stumbled from his seat and freaked out! He didn't juice from now and then when that happened, he only drank at bottles instead! If you could just see his face! Haha!" Naruto laughed harder and harder as Sakura was giggling non-stop.
"Naruto, speaking badly of a man when he's not even present to defend himself?" a pissed voice mocked from behind. Naruto and Sakura turned around from their seat to look for the voice. It's him! Sakura thought and her eyes narrowed.
And there he was, Uchiha Sasuke, the brother of the famous CEO; Uchiha Itachi, stood behind them and his arms crossed. A smirk plastered in his face, his onyx eyes stared mockingly at Naruto.
Naruto look flustered for a moment before turning back in his seat and whispering to Sakura. "I didn't recognize him without his big blue shirt, loose shorts and without the spiky hair." She giggled softly but was cut off when Sasuke sat on the chair next to her and cleared his throat. She took a glance at Kakashi, who was flustered as she was.
"Ah, it's good to see that everyone's finally present." A voice said as the body seated itself in the chair next to the red haired guy. Itachi filled the seat. All heads nodded in a polite way.
"Haruno-san, I believed that you have met Uzumaki Naruto. The man to your left is Uchiha Sasuke; my brother and next to him is Sabaku no Gaara. All three are my BEST employees. The other one though, excused for his absence." The older Uchiha told Sakura and turned to the man and woman across him. "And that would be Mitarashi Anko and Umino Iruka. The two are my special assistants," suddenly, the silver door opened and a shark man appeared, walking towards Itachi, just standing beside him, nothing else. "Ah and here is my trusted guard, Kisame." (Wow, can't imagine!)
Kisame looked away as Itachi smirked, while Sakura…
He looks like a fish? She thought.
Hell yeah! You could say that again! Inner Sakura was on the loose again.
Aaw.. Not now! Please disappear in my mind…
No way! I'm your conscience from heaven, sent in the earth to watch over you! You should be thankful!
Yeah right, a spy from hell, more like it…
Shut up, onna!
It's Sakura. Haruno Sakura.
I know!
Stop pestering me!
"And I guess you already know Hatake Kakashi, ne? The one who loves every single volume of… Uh.. Let's say, Make Out Paradise…" Kakashi was slight embarrassed and slight happy at the compliment. Itachi didn't have to say that he loves every single volume, but it was right. He LOVES every picture in it, or words perhaps?
Several servants brought them plates of onigiri and sushi with sides of pickled apricots. Sakura took a bite of one of her onigiri and a smile instantly found its way to her face. These are the best! So much better then the ones Ino tried to make. Her best friend could cook many things, but rice always seemed to magically burn no matter how hard she tried.
Besides her was Naruto, who nearly gagged on one of his.
"Naruto, are you okay? Did it go on the wrong pipe?" she asked him worriedly, giving him a glass of water.
Naruto shook his head and placed it back to its brothers. "I guess I don't like them. I'm not a fan of seaweeds anyway. Oh how I miss my ramens!" He swallowed one of his sashimi with a grin and turned back to Sakura. "But this one time, Sasuke-ack!"
Sasuke slumped in his seat for a moment to pound Naruto before his body jerked slightly. It was obvious what he did and why Naruto was suddenly rubbing his calf. Sakura stared at Sasuke in wonder. I didn't even feel him move past me. Sasuke met her gaze calmly, as if daring her to say anything.
She didn't and turned her attention back to her rice balls. Creepy. She thought to herself.
The main course was yakitori, grilled chicken in a shicabob style. A small lump of wasabi paste was off to the side. Everyone except Sasuke and Gaara avoided the threatening green lump. Sakura was about to as well, chicken of any kind was a friend of hers as long as it didn't have a green free loader.
"Sakura-chan," Kakashi said loudly from across the table. Oh no, what now? The occupants looked from him then to her and back to Kakashi. "Didn't you say you liked wasabi?" Eyes turned to her, except for Gaara, who was busy smothering his chicken in the paste and Sasuke, who chose to ignore the conversation since a dare was inevitable.
Sakura smiled politely, hiding the fiery flames around her. Kakashi-sen, you are dead! Dead! You're going to be a smothered in cheese sauce and chips when I get through with you. If I have to burn all your Icha Icha Paradise books for this, then so be it! "I don't mind it at all."
Kakashi smirked. "Why don't you try some?"
She quirked a brow and stared hardly at him. "Is this a challenge, Hatake Kakashi?"
"You always get my point."
"I accept." This shocked even the calm auras of Gaara and Sasuke. Itachi was watching them with interest and secretly eyeing his brother.
I didn't think you would be THAT interested to that girl, Sasuke.. He thought and mentally smirked.
Sakura put on a determined smirk and coated her meal with the green paste that seemed to be mocking her at this moment. "It's alright, I can handle anything." Slowly she picked up a small piece with her chopsticks and placed it in her mouth. This was enough for Itachi, Anko and Iruka, they returned to their own meal. Naruto watched her in disbelief and Kakashi was grinning like a treasure cat.
At first, Sakura felt as if it was nothing. That faded into a burning inferno in her mouth and burned her nostrils. Eyes watering, she swallowed and glared at Kakashi. He quickly returned to his meal.
Say goodbye to your 'Come Come Paradise' you old perv! Sakura pouted and sipped her water. Yikes! It only made even hotter than before!
The meal ended shortly, the table was cleared by the same servants. Sasuke was brought by a bowl of warm noodles since he claimed he was still hungry and was eating them silently. Naruto, confirms that his noodles looked like ramen, orders 2 bowls of it. Anko handed Sakura a blue folder and she opened it slightly. "The contract papers, Haruno-san." Itachi told her and smirked.
Sakura looked down at the contract. For a large multi-aspect company like Sharingan Inc. Konoha Corp., the contract was only two pages, long in neat black text.
…In any accident, Sharingan Incorporated, Konoha Corporation will take only professional responsibility…Upon the signing of this document; performance at any tournament of even sponsored by Sharingan Incorporated…A vaccine is required with presence of escort…at all performances and professional outings escort must be present… With that, Sakura frowned lightly.
"Is there any problem, Haruno-san?" She looked at his mismatched eyes and shivered. A cold look was in them but was soon replaced by one of concern.
"It mentions a few tasks and dates; that I must have an escort." She said, with the frown still on her face.
Itachi answered without missing a beat. "Yes, Sharingan Incorporated, Konoha Corporation tries to maintain a presentable legal record. In the past we have found that having talents we are employing monitored by an escort works very well." What past? I don't like this, He's not telling me something. I don't even think I should sign. But what about singing? Ino and the guys would all be disappointed if I passed up the opportunity to get myself into that stupid apartment. Plus this is also for them; they won't have to worry about collage money if this works out.
"If you don't mind me asking, who will be my escort should I sign?" Sakura asked slowly.
Itachi flashed a sly grin in his face. "That's a good question, Haruno-san." Sakura stared at him with a confused look as he glanced around the table.
Itachi pointed out her escort. "HE is going to be your escort."
A/N: Hey there, I'm back! Sorry if it took many weeks to update this fic. I'm busy these past few weeks. I hope you understand. I am trying my best to update this fic sooner. Thanks to the reviewers; 16 reviews? Yippee! I'm very happy and sorry if I left a cliffhanger. I love cliffie's! I hope you'll still tune in to the next chapter. Ja!
Please R&R!
Zakurrah-chan
P.S.
And I forgot to tell you, my new fics Are You Happy Now and Shadow might come out late due to some problems in here. But I will try my best to update them as soon as possible. Also, I have an account at and I will post a fic there. I hope you read and review it too. The penname is ang3L-blue.