Time to Grow
Chapter Four: To Become Equals

AN: Hello All!, sorry for the delay in updating, life has this way of getting in the way...sorry :) So i just wanted to say thank you for all the reviews, and i'm sorry about the spelling of Nobu's name (hangs head is shame) but it's all fixed and should be perfect now. So sit back and enjoy

Also i don't own NANA, just the plot and the extra characters

It took me awhile to answer my teacher about why I wanted to sing. For a month I thought about it, I kept thinking that it was because it filled my time, I wasn't serious about it, until finally I realized that when I sang I felt complete, like a I had a purpose. I felt free and confident at the same time. It was strange Nana, for so long I felt out of place, overlooked since I couldn't play an instrument, I could never be part of BLAST. That was when I realized…I might not be able to join BLAST, but if I were able to sing, maybe you would be able to hear my voice…then we could be together again.

For four months straight under private instructions with Mrs. June Lewis and her husband Marc, who could play pretty much any instrument, Nana leaned to sing pretty much anything she wanted. She could now sing in perfect English and Japanese. Her voice became stronger with every passing week.

She could sing a wide range of music from Jazz to old fashion Rock and Roll and she did so with a smile. She was determined to be the best she could be, and doing so she surprised everyone by actually succeeding her dreams. The hard work she put in paid off for now she was not only getting more confident in her music but in her live as well.

She still had moment of doubt and regret and on those days she missed her old life, where she could carefree and maybe a little selfish. She missed her friends the most on those days; she missed Yasu's calming presence, Shin comfortable hugs and Nana's laughter. And sometimes late at night she would miss Nobu and Takumi. She knew in her hurt she had to let them go, but late at night where she was alone with her thoughts she would remember them. She would remember how they would hold her, both so different from each other. Takumi's hold was always possessive as if guarding his favorite toy form being taken away, while Nobu's hold was that of lover who wanted his woman close, but not to smother, but to love.

It was after those moments that she realized she had to continue singing, had to be the best that one day she could see them again.

"Nana…do you have any plans for Friday Night?"

Nana, aka Hachi, snapped out of her thoughts when she heard her teacher's voice. "Huh…what?"

Mrs. Lewis smiled slightly as she cleaned up her papers. "I asked if you had any plans for Friday night."

Nana thought for a moment before shaking her head. "Not really…why?"

"Well Marc and I think that you're ready for other people to hear your voice" June said as she looked over at her husband.

Nana stumbled slight as she reached for her bag "WH…what?"

June shared a smile with her husband as he came up beside her "We think that after all your hard work these last few months you should see the results"

"I don't know" Nana hesitated slightly as she played with the straps of her bag. "Don't you think it's a bit soon?"

"Nope" Marc said with an easy smile, his blue eyes twinkling slightly in humor "You're ready to face an audience Nana, that's what you want isn't it?"

June nodded making her reddish-blonde hair bounce around her shoulders "I agree, you can sing beautifully, but until you face a crowed…you'll never be ready"

June stood up and passed her bag to her husband as she walked over to Nana and placed her hands on the girls shoulders "You've improved beyond my expectations, you've grown from the shadow of the girl that came to my class to the confident woman that knows what she wants…don't you think it's time to share that with other people?"

"June's right" Marc said as he walked over to the door "You've got talent Nana and it would be a shame to see you waste it."

Nana stared into June's warm brown eyes before sighing softly "Friday right? Alright where and at what time?"

June smiles as she reached into her pocket and pulled out a business card. "Be here at 7 o'clock"

Nana took the card and nodded "Okay…I'll see you there"

June and Marc stared to walk out of the class room only to pause briefly "oh and Nana…ware something fun"

Nana stood there and looked over the card "Club Aya - Open Mic Very Friday"

Nana put the card into her bag.

"This is it" Nana said to herself as she walked towards the exit. "I'm finally reaching my new dream"

Nee, Nana, do you remember the first time I watched you live? I was so excited and nervous at the same time. I can still feel beat of Yasu's drums and Shin's bass as you preformed that night, I can still remember how the fool bounced at the audiences excitement. You sang with all your heart and they heard you…although this club is small and I'm no longer part of the audience I still feel nervous…did you Nana? Did you ever feel nervous?

"Takashi…we should just leave" One of the three men said at the back of the club "there's not point in staying...there isn't anyone worth watching"

The man in the middle sighed softly as he put his drink down

"Your right Kyo" The one name Takashi said as he slowly got up "There really isn't any point in staying"

Kyo, the one on the left, nodded as he followed the other man up. "What about you Hiro?" Kyo asked looked down at their third companion.

Hiro looked around and shrugged "fine by me…where we going next?"

"I don't know" Kyo muttered softly as he reached for his jacket "but there's gotta be something around here"

Hiro sighed as he got up from his seat "it's a shame we haven't found anyone yet"

Kyo laughed as he tapped his friend on the shoulder "Don't sweat it Hiro…we'll find her soon"

Takashi just smiled at the other two as he turned away to walk towards the exit only to stumble to a stop when he noticed he walked into someone.

"Go…sorry" The person said as the back up.

Takashi stared into the bright brown eyes of the small girl before him.

"It's okay" Takashi said as he took his hands off her arms "are you okay?"

Takashi watched as she nodded and smile up at him. He felt like a giant standing in front of her. She must be 5'5 to his 6 foot tall frame.

"Nana! Come on, your on next"

Takashi watched as she gave him a brief bow before running off. He could see clearly as the clubs lights weren't complete dimmed.

She had shoulder length, maybe a bit longer, reddish brown hair and an oval shaped face. She had on a short skirt and corset type top and knee high black boots and for some reason he couldn't' take his eyes off her.

"Takashi…we leaving or what?" Kyo asked when he noticed his friend wasn't behind them anymore. He frowned slightly when he saw that Takashi was just staring at the stage where a girl had just recently walked on too.

"What are you doing? I thought you wanted to get out of here?" Kyo asked as he stepped in beside him. "What's with the girl? You know her?"

"Japanese"

"Huh?" Kyo asked talking his eyes off the girl to look at his friend. "Come again?"

"She's Japanese" Takashi said softly with a growing smile "I want to see her perform"

"She cute" Hiro said as he came up beside them "But can she sing?"

The three men stood there in the back of the club and watched as the girl walked towards the mic.

"Hello…I'm Nana"

They watched as she smiled to the audience and turned slightly to the two people behind her to begin.

Takashi narrowed his eyes as he watched as she tapped her hand against her leg to the sound of the beat before opening her mouth to sing.

As soon as the first note was sung to the last he knew they had found their singer. He could tell this was her first time on a stage by the stiffness in her stance, but it was her vice that grabbed his attention. She was singing about a lost love, it was a sad melody with a bit of beat to it, but the voice never waived for it stayed strong and true.

Takashi closed his eyes and pictured her alone on the state before slowly adding in Kyo on bass, Hiro on guitar and himself on the drums and then he smiled. They had finally found their singer.

"Takashi…are you thinking what I'm thinking" Kyo whispered as he continued to watch the girl perform

Takashi smiled at the younger man before nodding.

Hiro smiled wide and nudge Kyo, who just nudged back. Takashi just rolled his eyes before stepping forward to speak with her.

That night changed my life Nana; I became someone new, someone who was needed, not just wanted. I became a singer, I became a member of a band and I was finally one step closer to coming home.

A year and bit went by since she left Japan, a full year of new discoveries, coming to terms with her loss and mostly to finally understand where she belonged. It wasn't an easy year, but the most rewarding.

Nana smiled to herself as she thought about the last year. She couldn't believe where her life has taken her and how far she gone. For here she was in a rented studio waiting for her fellow band members to show up for their nightly practice. She's been part of the bad for the last seven months and it's been a very hard seven months of practice and trying to make a career out of singing.

It wasn't easy and it wasn't always glamorous, but she remembered her days watching Nana and the others sit around the homemade dinning room table talking about everything they sacrificed just to get their foot in the door. It surprised her at time how familiar the settings were. They had to create a demo tape, send it to different recording companies and wait patiently for a reply, good or bad. It was nerve wracking at times.

She sang with all her heart and in the end it paid off. It was that night seven months ago that changed her life forever.

They, Takashi Naoe, Hiroshi Kito and Kyo Asuma, were responsible for where they are right now. They had approached her the first night she sang offering her a place in the already formed band as their lead singer. At first she was hesitant, who wouldn't be, but after spending the night at an all night café, talking and laughing she came to realize that it would worth joining. For some reason she felt comfortable with them.

Nana still smiled at how comfortable they got, they talked for hours, laughed a small stories and bad jokes. She learned a lot about them, how they all went to the same college, but different years and it was the desire to play music that got them together, since they all studied different subjects. She was amazed at how well they got along, being complete opposites. Takashi or Taka was the serious one, Hiroshi or Hiro was the easy going one, always quick for a laugh and then there was Kyo Asuma, he at first intimidated her, so quite so mysterious. It wasn't until months later that she realized he was feeling her out before he warmed up to her and when he did he became like a brother to her. He was the brains behind their band, but it was Taka who was the leader.

Takashi Naoe, age twenty-seven, is a tall man (6ft tall), with sandy brown hair that was layered around his face and just danced around his shoulders. He was a master behind the drums and in a lot of ways reminded her of Yasu. He had the same presence that told you he was in control, but not controlling. He had single earring in his left ear and a tattoo of thorns wrapped around his right arm. He likes to ware jeans, preferably dark blue or black, with a T-shirt and jean jacket that made his slightly muscular body stand out nicely.

Takashi was the only son of a Japanese couple that came to the USA for a better future. They now own their own computer consulting company that does rather well. He's the strong silent type that she came to love. He was always there for her, it seems odd that they've only know each other for a short time, but he became her closest confidant. He listened to her and would never force her to be anything she wasn't and for that she would always be grateful

The youngest of the three, Hiroshi Kato, was like a little brother; he loved to be in the centre of attention and loved having naps. Hiro was half American and half Japanese and at the ripe age of twenty-five he could play the guitar as if it was an extension of his hand. He was just slightly taller then her and had spiky dark brown hair that he loved to colour. He would dye the tips whatever colour matched the mood he was in for that moment. To her it suited him. He wasn't conservative or extremely wild, he just had easy going attitude that endured him to her. He was the creative one in the band, he could write songs that could capture your very soul and keep you spellbound. He catered to everyone's strength and none of our weaknesses. He wrote one song that made her cry the first time she ever read it. The namesake of our band.

The last member and the brains of the band, Kyo Asuma was the same height and build as Takashi, but ever different in personalities. Taka had the presence of leader, while Kyo worked behind the scenes. He was a shrewd business man that knew what he wanted and how to get it. At first he reminded her of Takumi, but after awhile she realized that although work as serious, it wasn't everything. Kyo, twenty-seven as well, wore similar outfits to that of Taka, but he had short blue-black hair that fell around his face.

Kyo was friendly and easy going, only after he got to know you, before that he can be cold and every aloof. It was that contrast that made him very special to her. He was strong, without having to prove anything.

All of them were like family to her now, it the short time they worked, breathed together she came to love them as if they were her bothers and she hoped they never leave her.

"Earth to Nana…hello Nana"

Hiro's voice sounded in her ear startling her out of her thoughts. Nana jumped slightly and turned her face to glare up at the smiling man.

"Hiro…you brat" Nana said with a fake frown "What do you want?"

Hiro dropped an arm around her "Oh nothing little sister…but I thought you might want to you know…practice" Hiro backed away slowly with his hands up in front of him "but if you'd rather day dream"

Nana sighed as she shook her head to clear her mind "Hai Hai.."

The other two just smiled at them before walking further into the room.

"Before we start, I think I should say something" Kyo said as he put down his bag "I got a call back from Silver Records…they want to hear us play live"

Nana and the others looked at Kyo as if he had a second head "WHAT?"

Kyo get out a small laugh "You heard me…we finally got someone interested"

Nana jumped up from her spot on the speakers and clapped her hands "this is great news Kyo"

Hiro walked over to her and put his arm around her again "So little Sister…you ready to rock?"

Nana laughed as she leaned into his chest "yup….what did they say we needed to do?"

Takashi sat down in front of his drums "They probably want to see how we react to a crowed and how the crowed reacts to us."

"That's right" Kyo agreed as he knelt down and opened his bag "They want to see if the reactions from the audience is worth investing"

Nana watched them as they got ready to practice. "When do they want to see us?"

Kyo, who now had his bass guitar over his shoulder "They want to see us next Saturday when we play at the River"

Nana nodded slowly as she walked over to the mic

"Don't worry little Sister…everything will be fine"

Nana took a deep breath and slowly raised her eyes to the ceiling.

Nana…I'm almost there…just a little be longer.

Takumi Ichinose is a man that knew what he wanted and how to go about getting what he wanted. He was gifted with not only the talent of bass guitar but also a silver tongue and a sharp mind.

He went after what he wanted with a single minded purpose, he didn't care if he played by the rules or not, as long as in the end he got the results he wanted.

His band was the perfect example of that. He made sure they were comfortable, but always knew what they did and how to protect them if something happened. He created the band to perfection and it paid off. Some might call him cold and unfeeling, and for the most part they would be right. He can be cold and unfeeling, but he grew up know nothing else. He didn't have the comfort of a joyful childhood that most people had, he grew up hard and fast.

If he was honest with himself there was a moment that he felt more then the usually coldness. It was when he was with her that he felt warm and unconditionally loved. But he hadn't realized what he had until he screwed up and lost everything in one horrible afternoon.

It's been nearly two years since he saw her, since he held her and in those two years his heart still felt the pain of what he lost. He had lost his family, a family he wasn't planning, but his family none the less. He has lost his child, a child he came to want more then anything and the woman that gave him something more then just a warm bed.

Nana Komatsu gave him herself, her whole self without asking for must in return and instead of honoring her; he had hurt in his own selfish desires. It was something he would always regret.

When he had first discovered that she was gone he had locked himself into their bedroom staring blankly at the wall trying to think of where she could be and why she had left him. He was angry at first that she dare leave, but after awhile the unknown feeling of remorse and pain filled him and he had no one else to blame but himself.

It was after that he threw himself into his work and worked harder then ever to forget what he was feeling and just try to go about his day. It didn't take long before his band mates kicked his sorry ass and made him rejoin the land of the living again.

Takumi was abruptly taken out of his thought as a sharp knock at his apartment door. He frowned as he gently placed his brandy down on the coffee table before slowly making his way to the front door.

He wasn't expecting anyone and he wasn't really in the mood for company, but manners demanded that he at least found out who it was.

He then was very puzzled when there wasn't anyone there and as he was just about to close the door he saw a yellow legal size envelope lying on the floor. With slight frown he picked up and weighed it in his hands. It was slightly heavy and he could tell there was some sort of tape in it.

Curiosity got the better of him and he walked back into living room after locking the door and opened the envelop dumping the contents onto coffee table. He reached for the black cassette tape and help it up reading the words "PLAY ME"

With a shrug he got up and walked over to the stereo system and placed the tape in. After a few minute the apartment was filled with a woman's voice and sound somewhat familiar.

For a brief moment he thought it was some poor sap thinking they could get him to help them with their singing career, but it wasn't until he flipped over the photo's did realize what he was listening too.

"Nana?" Takumi whispered softly to himself as he stared down at the picture of the woman that haunted his dreams for the last two years. He took in every inch of the picture like a thirsty man took in water.

He noticed that she left her hair grow longer till it was mid way down her back with slight blue tips, she wore dark leather pants with a red dress shirt that had no sleeves. He traced her smiling face with a trembling finger. "Nana"

Takumi flipped over all the photos, noting that each one had Nana in different poses, some alone and others with three men by her side. At first he looked those pictures with a twinge of jealously eating at his stomach that he quickly put them way. When he was done looking at the pictures he reached for the sealed white envelop that was hidden between two of the photos.

Ichinose,

I owed you this…she's in New York and making he way in the music world (listen to the tape if you don't believe me). She's a singer for the band "Fallen Rose" and they are doing pretty well.

They are being represented by Silver Records International; I'm sure you've heard of them, are they not a competitor to yours and BLAST recording companies here in Japan? It would be interesting to see what you make of this…your wife out selling you

It makes this worth it

My debt is clear now

Takumi re-read the letter a few times before he placed it on the coffee table and walked over to the window.

He looked out at the full moon and thought about what that letter had said and didn't say.

"Silver Records…hmm" Takumi said softly to himself as he reached for his cell phone.

After dialing a familiar number and waiting for the connection.

"Narita-san…it's Takumi" Takumi said when he head the President's voice "I have a suggestion…you should arrange a meeting with Gaia Music and Silver Records"

"Nani? Takumi-san, what are you up too?"

Takumi Smiled "Just arrange it…I promise it will be worth it"

"Hai Hai…Oyasuminasai"

"Konbanwa" Takumi said as he ended the call. He looked over his shoulder and stared at the smiling picture.

"I'll see you soon Nana"