Hello, you beautiful people! I'm sorry for such a late update! I had surgery a couple weeks ago that had really horrible side effects. I'm better now so hopefully the updates will speed up.
Again, thank you so much for all those who reviewed and who are following/favorited the story! I'm still shocked by having reached 79 followers already. Like wow, thank you guys. I hope this chapter exceeds your expectations in return for your support. :)
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR ALL READERS: I'll be writing an interview chapter four or five chapters from now where Naruto and Sasuke and Sakura will get interviewed. I thought it would be fun to have you guys send in some questions for them to answer so if there is anything you want to ask them, just ask through a review anytime between now and then! I'll remind you guys again one chapter before the interview chapter so you can submit any questions for Team 7 if you perhaps didn't read this or forget. Can't wait to see what stuff you guys come up with. xD
—Shadow Warriour
Disclaimer:All Naruto characters belong to Kishi-sensei. Though I'd buy them from him if I had the money to do so.
Behind the Scenes: Episode 20
"He's so cool," Sakura sighed dreamily, her head resting between her hands, eyes directed towards a certain redhead across the gallery.
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "When aren't you crushing on every actor that walks onto this set?"
"For your information, I only 'crush' on the hot ones," Sakura retorted.
Sasuke scoffed. "At least this time it's someone your own age."
"Don't act like you're not the same," she said, finally turning her head to look at him. "I know all you boys like Kurenai-sensei."
The raven met her gaze, a smirk flickering onto his face. "Well, she is the only attractive female here."
Sakura's eye twitched at the underhanded blow. "I'm very pretty too, thank you very much."
"Are you asking me to agree with you?"
"I don't need a boy's approval to know that I'm pretty," Sakura said matter-of-factly, flicking her hair back.
"No, you just need to say it out loud to assure yourself."
Sakura gasped, hand flying over mouth, while the makeup artist working on Naruto nearby raised her brow in silent censure.
Then slowly the pinkette dropped her hand, revealing a sly smile, and raised it up for a high-five. "That was a good one."
Sasuke laughed, returning the high-five. "Thanks, though it was no where near your comeback from last time."
The make-up artist shook her head. Kids these days.
"That one was pretty awesome, wasn't it?" Sakura said, smiling at the memory. "Either way, the score is 21-20—in your favor."
"You should start working for your next win."
Sakura sighed dreamily once more. "Right now the only thing I'm going to be working towards is that cutie over there."
"Yes, and I'll be working towards Kurenai-sensei," Sasuke smirked.
Sakura scrunched her brows. "Okay, let's get real here. There has to be someone on set you actually like."
He shrugged. "There's no one."
"I don't believe that," Sakura said. "What about Ino and Hinata?"
"Not interested."
"What about Naruto?" Sakura smirked.
"Been there, conquered that," Sasuke said, much to the blonde's embarrassment.
"You got to kiss him for one scene, I wouldn't call that 'conquering.'"
"Yes, but," the raven raised a finger, "I kissed him thirteen times for one scene. Besides, he enjoyed it."
This time Naruto's eye twitched. "I did not enjoy it."
"Suure."
"Are you sad Sasuke stole your first kiss?" Sakura teased.
Naruto pursed his lips, not commenting.
"Wait—I was just kidding. He actually did?" the pinkette said, staring at the boy in horror.
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Sakura, we're thirteen."
"Your point?"
"Not everyone gets the same kind of action you're getting at this age," he retorted.
She huffed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means exactly what you think that it means," he smirked. "Is that 22-20 now?"
She stuck out her tongue and shifted her focus to Naruto. "Naruto is there anyone you like on set?"
"Did you know curiosity killed the cat?" Sasuke whispered. She ignored him.
"I won't tell anyone, I promise!" she smiled.
"She lies," Sasuke hissed.
Naruto bore his gaze into the mirror ahead of him, eyes focused sharply on the redhead he'd been scrutinizing through the glass since the boy first came into view. "I don't have time for that."
Sakura peered at the blonde, and then followed his eyes through the mirror back to the redhead she'd been observing earlier. She'd never seen Naruto look at someone so intensely—off-set, that is. Maybe Naruto was annoyed at how much protocol Gaara was getting, especially when he was the main actor. Though, Naruto wasn't the type to care about something like that.
Sasuke turned around too to check out the new kid on set. He had heard of Gaara. Then again, who hadn't? The boy was a prodigy in the film industry. He'd been nominated for several awards and won even more for all his work. It didn't surprise Sasuke that the boy came with his own crew who had basically been pampering him for the past hour.
"He's pretty impressive," Sasuke voiced.
Sakura looked to Sasuke, blinking. Then nodded. "Yeah, he is, isn't he?"
"I wonder how the director was able to convince him to come on here."
"What do you mean?" Sakura asked. "Didn't he audition just like the rest of us?"
"He's so high profile, he probably auditioned at the director's personal request—"
"OMG he's coming this way," Sakura squealed, pinching her cheeks and smacking her lips to add color. "How do I look?"
"Like you're trying too hard, tone it down a notch," Sasuke advised. Sakura immediately relaxed, attempting not to appear too eager.
The raven noticed the blonde tense, just as Gaara stepped into earshot. Sakura stood up and extended her hand. "Hello Gaara, I'm Sakura Ha—"
"Naruto," Gaara said, ignoring her completely. Sasuke tried not to look too amused as Sakura awkwardly brought down her arm and slid back into her seat.
"What do you want?" the blonde replied, his voice void of any emotion.
Gaara smiled eerily, the dark makeup and tattoo adding to his daunting form. "You've done well so far."
"I don't need you to tell me that," Naruto said coldly.
The redhead put his hand on the blonde's shoulder and leaned in, causing the boy to stiffen. "If you need any tips, don't hesitate to ask."
Naruto dusted off the unsolicited hand on his shoulder. "I'm doing just fine on my own, thanks."
"Don't be arrogant."
"Said the pot to the kettle."
"This pot landed the seven roles the kettle auditioned for," Gaara said, smirking. "So best you take advice given to you."
Naruto slammed his hand on the styling station. "Get out of my face, Gaara."
"Touchy," the redhead mocked, though he didn't push it.
"I'll see you on set," he said, folding his arms and walking back to his post.
The two costars who had been quietly watching the exchange now freely stared at the blonde. It was Sasuke, though, who was first to say something. "What is he, your boyfriend?"
The three sat in silence until Naruto finally heaved out a sigh and slumped back into his chair. "No, he's my brother."
The two gaped. Sakura, however, was quick to assess the situation.
"Does this mean you can go convince him to go out with me?"
The blonde glared at her, jumping off his chair and stalking off.
Sasuke shook his head.
"What?" she said, confused.
"You just had to ask."
So I had something else written for this chapter... but I didn't like it. And so I completely re-wrote it. I personally like this better. What are your thoughts on Naruto being Gaara's brother? Surprised? Love it? Hate it? Let me know your favorite parts! It's always nice to hear feedback on which parts are your favorite! Helps me when I write future chapters.
Also, don't forget to submit your questions for the interview chapter! (Read the *IMPORTANT NOTE* at the top of the page if you don't know what I'm referring to.)
Till next time! :*