A/N: Rewriting Second Life, so I will be updating this for now.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or VOCALOID
Chapter 4: Festival
"Hey Naruto! There's no school today because of the festival! Wanna go together?" Kiba asked his blond friend.
"No thanks," had been Naruto's short reply. Naruto had gone over to Kiba's house for the day and Tsume was worried. Naruto wasn't usually so sullen. He was usually energetic to the point that it wore even her out, and was happy 24/7. The quiet blond boy stroking Shiro couldn't possibly be Naruto. Then it struck her. The festival was the source of his discomfort, being the Jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi.
"Don't worry. It won't be that bad. We'll go with you," Hana, Kiba's brother, reassured the blond. Naruto shook his head once more.
"Come on! Stop being so sullen! Today's the day of the festival! You're supposed to be happy!" Kiba smacked the blond on the back.
"Let's go get ready," Hana said, dragging a stunned Naruto up the stairs and shoving him into the bathroom.
"Bathe, or I'll never let you out," Hana smirked through the door.
"Fine!" Naruto shouted through the door. The sound of water cascading on tiles filled the room, as well as the smell of soap and shampoo.
"I'm done! Happy now?" Naruto yelled.
"Very. Here, wear this," Hana shoved a yukata through the gap in the door.
"Wear this? Are you mad? It looks so girly!" Naruto shouted in indignation.
"FYI, men can wear it too. It's not as if I'm asking you to wear a bikini! Besides, it's traditional clothes for the festival. Now stop yapping and change!" Hana yelled back. Hana leaned back on the door frame and smirked in satisfaction as she heard the sounds of cloth ruffling, albeit accompanied by grumbling.
The sound ceased and Hana called out, "Okay, you can come out now." Receiving no response, she yanked open the door and manhandled Naruto out of the bathroom. Naruto cried out and struggled, but the older ninja was far stronger, her slim form never belying the strength she had. Hana finally managed to get Naruto into the living room where Kiba and Tsume were waiting expectantly. They finally caught sight of the blond being forced down the stairs, in a plain light blue yukata with dark blue trim, held closed by a dark blue obi that was tied loosely around his waist.
"Dammit, Hana-nee! Stop pushing!" Naruto shouted up at the female Inuzuka.
"Get down from the stairs and face them first! And your obi is coming out!" Hana finally managed to get Naruto to face Kiba and Tsume, the former fussing about the blond, securing the obi correctly for him so as not to let it fall off. Naruto soon gave up and let Hana go about inspecting nearly every inch of him.
"Naruto! You… look… ridiculous!" Kiba said between gasps of laughter.
"Don't you start, Kiba. You'll be wearing one too," Hana glared at her younger brother, amusement dancing in her eyes as she watched Kiba pale.
"No!" Kiba wailed in despair and getting up before his mother forced him back.
"We'll have to do something about these," Hana declared, pointing to the two tufts of hair sticking up on the blond's head. Hana tugged experimentally on one before hastily releasing it when Naruto yelped in pain.
"I'm sorry. Are you okay?" Hana asked tentatively, her words coming out in a rush of words. Naruto nodded lightly before Hana tried again, only to find the two tufts pressed flat onto the blond's head. 'That's odd," Hana thought. At that moment, the two tufts pricked upwards again, Naruto turning to look in Tsume's direction, where Kiba was trying to creep away quietly. Tsume followed Naruto's line of sight and immediately dragged the boy back by the leg.
"You're not going anywhere, young man," were the Inuzuka matriarch's words.
"Damn you, Naruto!" Kiba shouted at the blond. Naruto playfully stuck his tongue out of his mouth as if to say, 'Oops. Sorry about that.'
"This is interesting. These two things on top of your head are like ears," Hana mumbled.
"What do you mean?" Naruto cocked his head to the side, hearing the words that had escaped Hana's mouth.
"I mean that they sort of act like… Shiro's ears, and can move independently. Or you can move them," Hana said. Naruto stared at Hana as if she were crazy before giving it a try, willing it to move. The two tufts twitched, before flattening on his head again.
"See, it moves," Hana said smugly. Naruto pinched one between his thumb and forefinger and winced, feeling cartilage compress under his fingers.
"Oh my God! It's real," Naruto tugged gently on it.
"That's not physically possible though. It seems like you have four ears, and that's impossible," Hana stared intently at the extensions. Naruto suddenly knew how a bug under a microscope felt.
"Well, enough of that. It's Kiba's turn," Hana pulled away to Naruto's relief, and dragged Kiba up the stairs.
"Naruto! Save me!" Kiba yelled. Naruto just smirked and waved playfully at him, sending him off. The thought of going to the festival came back to him again and he slumped to the floor, depressed.
"Don't worry. We'll be with you. You have nothing to fear," Tsume reassured the blond.
"Thank you," Naruto mumbled, unsure what to do as it was the first time someone other than the old man had cared for him.
"Well, I'm going to prepare now. Don't go anywhere. You'll get the yukata dirty," Tsume said, getting up.
"But it's yours. The yukata, I mean. I shouldn't be wearing it," Naruto looked up at Tsume.
"I'm lending it to you for today. Just don't get it dirty," Tsume grinned before turning and leaving the room, leaving a stunned Naruto sitting on the floor. Moments later, a groomed Kiba wearing a yukata identical to the one that was on Naruto came down the stairs, followed by Hana, clad in a dark blue kimono, pink sakura petals contrasting the dark colour was embroidered onto it. The clothing hung off most of her body, but hugged the upper half of her body snugly.
"We'll be heading out once Mom's finished changing. You're gonna love the festival! There are all sorts of games and booths where you can buy masks, candy, food, and other stuff!" Kiba said excitedly. Naruto nodded, starting to feel excited for once in a long time, only to feel nervous again.
"Well, are you three ready?" a voice rang out, its owner standing beside the stairs, her frame hugged tightly by the dark blue kimono she was wearing, branches of kerria embroidered onto fabric. The get-up showed off her curves and the obi she was wearing was slightly loose, as if teasing. The four, plus their ninken and, in Naruto's case, tiger, set off from the Inuzuka compound and threaded their way to the main district where the festival was being held. Naruto's head swivelled around, trying to take in everything at once as the sounds, sights and smells bombarded his senses.
"Hey Naruto! Kiba! Wanna get some grilled squid?" Hana shouted, pointing towards a stall. The four approached the stall and Naruto choked slightly as smoke invaded his nose and eyes.
"Here," Tsume held four sticks of grilled squid in her grasp and handed one to each of the three children, keeping one for herself. She paid the stall owner and they walked off. Naruto bit into the squid and tore a chunk off, tasting the teriyaki sauce slathered over the grilled sea creature. He chewed the chunk before giving up and swallowing it, the taste of the sweet teriyaki sauce still in his mouth.
"It's really rubbery," Naruto commented.
"It's like that," Kiba grinned, a ring of teriyaki sauce framing his mouth.
"Kiba, your mouth's a mess," Tsume tutted, tossing the bare skewer she'd been eating off of into a bin, before bending down and wiping the sauce off with a handkerchief.
"Mom! This is embarrassing! Stop it!" Kiba squirmed under Tsume's Motherly Hanky of Doom. Naruto laughed, tears coming to his eyes.
"You too, Naruto," Tsume rounded on the blond and gently mopped up the sauce. Naruto stood, stunned. No one had ever done something like that for him. He was the orphan that everyone ignored, so a mother fussing over him was something he thought he would never have. A tear made its way down his cheek, before he hastily wiped it away once Tsume pulled away to admire her handiwork.
"Once you're done, throw the sticks into the bin. Don't litter," Tsume told the two boys. Hana gobbled the last bit of squid before throwing the skewer into a nearby bin.
Naruto could only nod dumbly before Tsume grasped his and Kiba's hand and lead them into the throng saying, "Stay close to me and don't get lost." Tsume brought the two boys around the festival, trying all manners of food, getting bloated, and trying out the game booths.
"'Catch a goldfish and bring it home'," Naruto read, before asking, "Can we go try it out?" Tsume smiled down at him and agreed, steering Kiba and Hana towards the booth as well, weaving through the crowd.
"I'll go first," Kiba declared as Tsume paid the store owner. Kiba grabbed a paper scoop and immersed it in the water, waiting for a fish to swim above it. But as Kiba pulled the scoop out of the water, the 'net' part of it broke, releasing the fish. "Damn it!" Kiba shouted, receiving a slap upside the head for swearing, courtesy of Tsume.
"Well, I'll go next," Hana announced, grabbing a paper scoop and trying her hand at fishing albeit with paper scoops. The moment she pulled it out of the water, the scoop broke, spilling the goldfish back into the blue plastic tub.
"Give it a try, Naruto," Tsume coaxed, handing the blond a scoop and watching as the boy moved tentatively towards the tub. The store owner's look soured to one of distaste as he watched the blond step out from behind Tsume to stand before the tub. Naruto stared intently at the fish in the tub, his eyes flashing a rich gold colour as his hand swiped downwards into the water and producing a particularly fat gold fish. Naruto hastily lowered the scoop into the bucket provided and looked expectantly up at the man, before turning to Tsume, unsure of what to do.
"Congratulations, you caught one. I'll package it so you can bring it home," the man choked out, seeing Tsume glare at him. The man filled a clear plastic bag with water and transferred the goldfish into it, filling the bag with oxygen and tying it up before handing it to the Inuzuka matriarch.
"Here, Naruto. Good job," Tsume said, handing the blond the fish.
"Thank you, Tsume-san," Naruto thanked.
"You're welcome. Now let's go try our luck and see if we can find a seat to watch the play. I'm sure you'll like it. It's about your idol, Yondaime-sama, defeating the Kyuubi," Tsume smiled before ushering the three children to the centre of the square, where a stage and seats were set up. The four just managed to secure four seats together, Naruto watching in awe as the sun disappeared, and the play began.
A ninja, most probably a weapons specialist, had metal claws grasped in each hand, and two more strapped to his feet. The man opposite looked exactly like the late Yondaime Hokage, having cast a henge. The two waited for the cue to begin, launching into an intricate dance of blades, weapons clashing. Clear notes rang out across the square as the crowd watched, intrigued by the two locked in mock combat. The play was unlike anything that Naruto had ever seen. Instead of letting civilians act out the scenes and have the 'Yondaime' defeat the 'Kyuubi' without the beast ever putting up a fight, the 'Kyuubi' in this one attacked with mock ferocity, letting loose slashes and clawed kicks while the 'Yondaime' blocked and parried, the two occasionally letting loose jutsu, careful not to hit the spectators. It was like a real battle, albeit with the lack of injuries on both parts. Towards the end, the 'Yondaime' destroyed the 'Kyuubi' with a fire technique which called forth a large fire dragon. The dragon pounded into the 'Kyuubi', which turned upwards into the sky before bursting in a flurry of colours, having reduced the 'Kyuubi' to nothing but smoke.
Naruto watched in awe as the colours exploded further into small flowers of light. This set off a chain reaction as more fireworks were released, lighting up the dark backdrop. One final firework went off, depicting the Yondaime standing victorious over a downed Kyuubi. The colours shimmered before fading like a mirage, into the dark night sky. The crowd cheered and applauded as the 'Yondaime' bowed and released the henge, to reveal a man with his brown hair pulled into a spiky ponytail that made his head look like a pineapple. The most prominent feature on the man was the long scar going horizontally over the bridge of his nose. Soon, the man playing the 'Kyuubi' emerged from behind the stage and took off the mask and weapons to reveal that 'Kyuubi' was, in fact, played by a brown haired lady. The two ninja left the stage to make way for the two hosts.
"Well, did you enjoy the show?" Tsume asked, though the question was directed mostly at Naruto. The three nodded eagerly, fighting to describe their favourite part of the show first. The format of the play and the actors differed every year, but the actors were always ninja and every year, they never failed to capture the attention of the audience. "Well, let's get out of here and go tour the festival a bit more before they drag us into the weird karaoke thing they have going," Tsume said, getting up from her seat.
"How about that dashing brown haired young man over there," and the spot light shining on Kiba told them that they had failed in getting away. One of the civilian hosts in casual clothes hopped off the stage and bundled Kiba onto it.
"I can't sing," Kiba protested, telling the truth, and hoping that that would be his ticket off the stage.
"You won't know until you try," the host said jovially, shoving Kiba into the centre of the stage and pointing at the small screen before the two where the words, 'Romeo and Cinderella' were displayed.
"What's 'Romeo and Cinderella'? Isn't it 'Romeo and Juliet' and 'Cinderella and… some prince'?" Kiba asked, flustered. In the audience, Tsume sighed before feeling a tug on her kimono.
"What is it, Naruto?" Tsume asked, crouching down to level with the blond.
"Can I go to the toilet? I'm really urgent," Naruto asked.
"Sure. Just go behind the stage and you'll find the toilet there. Remember to go into the correct one," Tsume said, smiling in amusement as a red tinge spread across the blond's face. He was reminiscing the time he'd accidentally walked into the girl's toilet. Luckily for him, it was deserted. It was only the lack of urinals that had ticked him off to his error. Naruto scrambled off, disappearing behind the stage. 'I can only pray that nothing happens to him,' Tsume thought, turning to Hana.
"Well, we might as well watch your little brother sing. I doubt it'll be very pleasant though. You've heard how he sings in the bath," Tsume sighed, handing Hana a pair of earplugs, which the younger Inuzuka gratefully accepted.
Kiba stood, sweating bullets as he stared blankly at the screen. Apparently, 'Romeo and Cinderella' was the name of the song he was expected to sing.
"Well, are you ready?" the host asked kindly.
Kiba shook his head.
"I'll give you a few more minutes. The crowd's starting to get bored," the host informed him. Kiba nodded numbly before the host walked away.
"Psst. Kiba," caught the Inuzuka's ears and Kiba immediately turned around to find Naruto holding a plug pin. "I found an extra microphone. You won't mind if I sing for you, do you?" Naruto smirked playfully. "Thanks Naruto! But are you sure you can sing?" Kiba tackled the blond. "It'd be better than you singing anyway," Naruto quipped, shoving Kiba off. The host came back and ushered Kiba back onstage while Naruto hid, switching the plug in the amplifier for the one attached to the microphone he was holding. Soon music pervaded the air and he began to sing, tapping his hand against his thigh to the beat.
watashi no koi wo higeki no JULIET ni shinai de
koko kara tsuredashite…
sonna kibun yo
Naruto started the opening, and was stunned when he received cheers of encouragement. Tsume and Hana pulled the earplugs out of their ears and looked up at Kiba in astonishment. His singing had gone from crow to nightingale overnight. He'd sung in the shower the day before and would've made their ears bleed had they not worn their earplugs. Now, though, the voice singing sounded childish, but passionate and beautiful in its own right.
PAPA to MAMA ni oyasumi nasai
seizei ii yume wo minasai
otona ha mou neru jikan yo
musekaeru miwaku no CARAMEL
hajirai no suashi wo karameru
konya ha doko made ikeru no?
kamitsukanaide yasashiku shite
nigai mono ha mada kirai na no
MAMA no tsukuru okashi bakari tabeta sei ne
shiranai koto ga aru no naraba
shiritai to omou futsuu desho?
zenbu misete yo
anata ni naraba misete ageru watashi no…
Naruto had the audience on their feet as a long beep sounded out.
zutto koishikute CINDERELLA
seifuku dake de kaketeiku wa
mahou yo jikan wo tomete yo
warui hito ni jama sarechau wa
nigedashitai no JULIET
demo sono namae de yobanai de
sou yo ne musubarenakucha ne
sou ja nai to tanoshikunai wa
nee watashi to ikite kureru?
The crowd was cheering and singing along with Naruto, and even Tsume and Hana couldn't resist tapping their feet to the rhythm as the chorus was being sung.
senobi wo shita nagai MASCARA
ii ko ni naru yo kitto ashita kara
ima dake watashi wo yurushite
kuroi RACE no kyoukaisen
mamoru hito ha kyou ha imasen
koetara doko made ikeru no?
kamitsuku hodo ni itai hodo ni
suki ni natteta no ha watashi desho
PAPA ha demo ne anata no koto kirai mitai
The crowd was still cheering and bobbing their heads to the song as Naruto vocalised the words. Tsume could feel the sadness and passion emanating from the words in the lines.
watashi no tame to sashidasu te ni
nigitteru sore ha kubiwa desho
tsuredashite yo watashi no ROMEO
shikarareru hodo tooku he
Another long beep rang out, giving Naruto time to take a breath.
kane ga narihibiku CINDERELLA
GARASU no kutsu ha oiteiku wa
dakara ne hayaku mitsukete ne
warui yume ni jirasarechau wa
kitto ano ko mo sou datta
otoshita nante uso wo tsuita
sou yo ne watashi mo onaji yo
datte motto aisaretai wa
hora watashi ha koko ni iru yo
watashi no kokoro sotto nozoite mimasen ka
hoshii mono dake afurekaette imasen ka
mada betsu hara yo motto motto gyutto tsumekonde
isso anata no ibasho made mo umete shimaou ka
demo sore ja imi nai no
ookina hako yori chiisana hako ni shiawase ha aru rashii
doushiyo kono mama ja watashi ha
anata ni kirawarechau wa
demo watashi yori yokubari na papa to mama ha kyou mo kawarazu
sou yo ne sunao de ii no ne
otoshita no ha kin no ono deshita
usotsuki sugita CINDERELLA
OOKAMI ni taberareta rashii
doushiyou kono mama ja watashi mo
itsuka ha taberarechau wa
sono mae ni tasuke ni kite ne
The song ended, leaving the crowd shouting for an encore. They, too, had fallen in love with the singer's voice and the longing, passion and sadness that flowed from the lyrics sung. "Go, Kiba!" Hana shouted, whooping with the rest of the crowd as her mother clapped beside her, in shock. "Who knew Kiba could sing so well?" Hana turned to her mother.
"Yeah, who knew?" Tsume agreed, smiling as Kiba bowed and gave air kisses to the crowd.
"See? You can sing. You just had to try," the host ushered the Inuzuka off the stage via the back, where Kiba exited near the toilets. He saw Naruto hastily re-switching the plugs and stowing the microphone he'd used back to its rightful position. Kiba could still hear the crowd booing in protest, wanting an encore by the young Inuzuka (Uzumaki).
"That was awesome! Where'd you learn to sing like that?" Kiba marvelled, joining up with Naruto as they went around the back of the stage, towards Tsume and Hana. Naruto just shrugged and waved when they neared the two Inuzuka, waiting with the ninken and Shiro.
"That was incredible, Kiba! Where'd you learn to sing like that? You usually sound so horrible. Were your hiding your singing prowess all along?" Hana ran up to the two. "Naruto, you just missed the most major event of the year. Kiba can actually sing!" Hana rounded on Naruto.
"Why'd you take so long in the toilet, Naruto?" Tsume asked, concerned.
"Constipation," Naruto grinned, completely oblivious to the fact that he'd just said it in public. Yet another unlucky sap was dragged onto the stage and started singing 'Magnet' with her husband.
"Well, we should go before either of us has to go onstage again," Tsume herded the three children away from the stage, Naruto swiping up the goldfish.
The rest of the festival passed swimmingly, Tsume allowing them to stay up until midnight to watch the fireworks. The day after was a public holiday, so they could afford to stay up late. They watched as the fireworks painted bright pictures in the sky, the most featured being the Yondaime defeating the Kyuubi. At the end of it all, fireworks went up in the shape of Konoha's insignia, which exploded into smaller versions, before exploding into a final burst of light that lit up the night sky, making it as bright as day. Soon, the light died down and the festival ended, Tsume sending Naruto home while Hana and Kiba went to bed.
"This was the best birthday I've ever had. Thank you, Tsume-san," Naruto thanked once they reached his apartment.
"You don't have to thank me! Why don't we all go out to the festival every October 10th together to celebrate your birthday?" Tsume patted herself on the back for coming up with such a brilliant idea.
"Taking me to the festival today was more than I could ask for. Doing it again won't be necessary. I had fun today. Thank you," Naruto turned before he was pulled into a hug.
"I know you lost your parents and have lived alone since you were born, not counting the orphanage. I want to help. After all, you're my son's friend. You don't deserve to be alone. Come over whenever you feel like it. Our family welcomes you with open arms. Oh, and happy birthday," Tsume said gently before releasing Naruto and watching as the blond thanked her and retreated into the confines of his apartment. 'Damn it, Minato! Why'd you have to go and die like that? I can only hope that Kushina's kicking your ass for me up in heaven. Maybe I'll join in when my time comes,' Tsume thought playfully before walking back to the Inuzuka compound, her thoughts lingering on a certain blond haired, blue eyed boy.
A/N: This was about Naruto going to festival with Kiba and his family. I'm not sure what your reaction will be because I JUST REALISED that most people don't like canon events. I'm really stupid, huh? Anyways, I used Vocaloid songs so please don't get angry at me. I might also mix in an element from Percy Jackson, so please don't hate me. Please review and thank you for your support.