Helloooo my fellow readers! Terribly sorry for not updating lately. But here's the good news, I graduated! I finally finished my high school! Yaayy! XD
Anyway, thank you for waiting patiently. I've made this one a bit longer than the others to make it up to you. So I hope you enjoy this one! :D
Previously―
"Ready? 1, 2, 3, 4!" Chouji yelled as he started banging his drums.
*I'm Alive by Becca was played*
Sakura started singing while her hands set on the guitar while Deidara and Sasori laid back to watch the pinkette's unofficial performance in the Yamanaka Studio.
A week has passed and Sakura still haven't seen her beloved long lost boyfriend, Pein. She wondered why she haven't seen him yet, weird though her heart still hurt.
There she was, leaning on Sasori's red sport car; waiting. She waited as she watched other students bid their farewell to each other and went on their way home to settle for the day. She caught a glimpse of Hidan with Kakuzu, Itachi, and Kisame making their way out from the building but still no sight of her red head brother. She sighed. It's not like him to be this late, she wondered.
Hidan saw her, leaning on the car. He grinned and made his way to the pinkette.
"Oi, Hidan, where are you going?" Kakuzu asked. "Don't walk off like that, idiot!"
Hidan ignored him. Kakuzu muttered a curse that only himself could hear and started to follow the fuchsia eyed man with the others tagging along.
"Hey, Pinky!" Hidan greeted the girl.
Sakura looked the silver haired male with a glint of annoyance in her eyes.
"Now, now. Don't be too cold on me," he said, amused.
No response from the pinkette.
"Waiting for Deidara?" he teased.
Sakura's cheeks turned red upon hearing the name of the older Yamanaka. Hidan was highly amused on watching her sudden reaction.
Annoying, she thought to herself. The silver haired male leaned in to her. He raised his hand and it went to touch the pinkette's blushed cheek. He was almost touching her cheek when suddenly they heard a certain voice calling out from a distant.
It was Tobi and next to him was an unamused Deidara, looking rather pissed with the presence of Tobi. Kakuzu pulled Hidan back. "Oi, Hidan, what do you think you're doing with Sasori's sister?"
Hidan shove Kakuzu's hand and scoffed. "Nothing I can do to harm her."
Sakura rolled her eyes.
"Hi, Sakura-chan! Teehee!" Tobi greeted childishly.
Behind him was the older Yamanaka. He saw her and he flashed his smirk that made the young Haruno blushed.
"Hi, Tobi ― Deidara," she said sheepishly.
"Well then, now's that the two lovers are fucking reunited, we should go on our way then. Come on, Tobi," Hidan said, smirking.
"Oh and by the way," he continued on. "You got a shit smudge on you pretty cheek, Pinky."
He then walked away with Kakuzu and the others following.
Sakura was mad red when she heard Hidan's remark. She quickly turned her face to the rear mirror on the car she was leaning on and carefully examined her both cheeks, trying to find the smudge that Hidan was talking about.
Deidara eyed her suspiciously.
"Is there a problem, yeah?"
Sakura turned her face to him and she grinned awkwardly.
"N-no, not at all," She said. "What makes you think that there's a problem?"
Deidara smiled. Somehow his eyes had shot the smudge on Sakura's left cheek.
"You got something ―"
As if she knew what he was trying to say about, she turned her head again to the rear mirror. She muttered some curses to herself when she couldn't find the tiny smudge on her left cheek.
Deidara chuckled and he brought himself to her.
"Here, let me help you, un," he said.
"H-huh?"
Without any warning, Deidara's hand went to her cheek and wiped the smudge off her face. So soft, he thought himself. They were close right now. Too close for the pinkette's opion. Her heart was beating faster and faster as Deidara leaned closer.
He was about to lean in for a kiss when a certain red head caught his attention.
"Ahem," the red head faked in clearing his throat.
Deidara backed a step away from the pinkette.
"Hey, Sasori," he said, trying to act cool.
"Hey," the red head replied.
Then he looked at his pink haired step sister. He noticed that Sakura was still flushed in bright red. Oh hell, who wouldn't blush bright red when your crush is being that close to you? Sasori smirked, understanding the situation.
"Sorry for bothering you both," he teased.
Again, she flushed red. "W-what do you mean?"
She shook her head, remembering that she still had band practise at Ino's.
"Oh come on! We're going to be late! Ino's probably bitching about me right now,"
As told, Sasori unlocked the car and Sakura entered the car hastily.
"Coming, Deidara?" the red head asked to his blonde friend, who was busy texting on his cellphone.
"Yeah, you guys go first, un," he replied. "I've got to pick up something first."
Sasori nodded. Sakura was already in the car, yelling at Sasori about hurrying up.
"Well, see you then," Sasori said as he entered his car and close the door.
Deidara waved his hand to them as the engine of the car started. When the car began to move, Deidara remembered something. He quickly chased the car. Sasori seem to notice him and he stopped. Deidara arrived seconds later, panting when he knocked on the window.
"What?" the red head said as the window went down.
"Tell Sakura… she can borrow my… guitar, yeah."
Sakura heard their conversation, of course , cause she was sitting next to Sasori, no duh.
"Hey, I can hear you from here," she said, chuckling. "Thanks, Deidara!"
Deidara grin lopsidedly.
"Okay, okay. We'll meet at Ino's," the red head said.
"Sure, yeah!"
Ino's place, Yamanaka's Studio, Yamanaka Household.
Sakura entered the studio followed by Sasori from behind. Everyone was there, Shikamaru retuning his bass, Chouji stuffing his face as always and Ino texting someone on her cellphone.
Realizing that her pink haired best friend just walked in, she quickly slips her cellphone into her pocket skirt jeans and greeted, "Hey, Sakura!"
Sakura greeted back with a smile. Shikamaru cleared his throat, "looks like everyone's here."
Sasori sat down on a stool that was prepared earlier in the studio observing them with his bored brown eyes.
"So, places everyone!" Shikamaru continued. "This is our last rehearsal, for now."
Sakura rushed to get Deidara's electric guitar on the corner near the amplifiers and she quickly strapped it over her head.
"By the way, Sakura," Ino interrupted as they were about to start. "What took you so long?"
"Don't ask me, ask the red head over there," she replied.
Ino looked surprised when Sakura mentioned about Sasori being late. Her eyes shot Sasori's bored look. Sasori looked back at her and grunted, "what are you looking at?"
Ino looked away, chuckling. She still can't believe. Sasori? The Sasori who doesn't like to wait or making people wait? Well, it finally proved that everyone's not perfect, even the red head himself.
"Hit it, Chouji!" Ino yelled, fingers set on the frets, itching to play.
Music Instrument Shop.
The shop was filled with loads of musical instruments from ukuleles to drum sets. Every instruments were sorted to its own section; electric guitars on electric guitar section, acoustic guitars on acoustic guitar section, bass on bass section and so on.
"Welcome," the staff greeted as a long blonde haired male walked in.
"I'm here to pick up a guitar, yeah," Deidara said to the staff on the counter.
For a while there, the staff didn't have a clue about what Deidara's trying to say.
"I'm sorry," he said. "What guitar?"
Deidara grunted in annoyance and pulled a receipt from his school bag, "here."
"Yamanaka Deidara. Custom made Gibson Les Paul electric guitar," the staff reads on. Then he finally remembered it, "oh yes! Mr. Yamanaka! The guitar is here. Please wait here for a moment."
Then he disappeared from the blonde's sight.
"Do I even have a choice of going anywhere?" he said to himself as he browsed on the electric guitar section.
Gibson Les Paul, Fender, Ibanez, Flying V, he observed as he walked pass them. Vibration of his cellphone broke his attention. He pulled his phone from his pocket. It was a message from his annoying little sister, Ino.
"Hey Ken, did you get it yet?
From: Ino Barbie
Received: 4:01PM"
He smirked as he read the name "Ken" addressed to him. Annoying little brat, he thought.
The staff had arrived back to the counter with a large guitar case.
"Excuse me, Mr. Yamanaka?" he called. "Your guitar is here."
He slipped back his phone into his pocket and walked towards the counter. He unzipped the case and took a little sneak peek into what's inside it.
He smirked lopsidedly, "beautiful."
The staff smiled proudly as if Deidara was complimenting him.
Deidara took the guitar case on his shoulder, paid the bill and went out as he replied a text that he got earlier from Ino.
Yamanaka Studio, Yamanaka Household.
"Got it, yeah! And don't call me Ken, Barbie!
From: Deidara Ken
Received: 4:10PM"
Ino chuckled sarcastically as she read the text from her older brother.
They had finished their band rehearsal for about 30 minutes now. Shikamaru had gone home with Chouji to prepare themselves for tonight's occasion. Sakura and Sasori were still there. Ino prevented them from going home because she insisted on dressing Sakura up for tonight, ignoring the pinkette's complaints.
"Sakura, I'm going home to change," Sasori told the pinkette as he stood. "We'll meet up tonight, okay?"
"Fine," she answered in a monotone voice.
The sound of Sasori's sport car vrooming indicated that he was about to leave. Sakura sighed. As she was about to lean herself to the wall, Ino pulled her wrist and took her to the blonde's room.
"Get ready to be more beautiful than you are now, Sakura!"
7:00PM.
Ino finished on putting Sakura make-up with a quick touch up on her lips.
"There," she said as she withdrawn the lip gloss from the pinkette's cherry pink lips.
Sakura was amazed by the way she looked right now. Her eyes looked a lot sexier with the smokey eye make-up. Her body was wrapped by a gorgeous white tank top and loosen a bit near her waist. Her beautiful legs were hugged tightly with a bluish-black skinny jeans that was tucked in nicely inside a black leather shin length strap boots. Her bangs were parted to her left only to keep it from covering her left eye using a small thin clip. (wow I'm a loser on describing things XD)
"Wow," she said, out of words to say.
"You're welcome," Ino said as if Sakura was saying 'thank you' to her.
Ino's cellphone vibrates violently on the dresser. A text message just came in. she took the phone and opened the text.
"We're here.
From: Shikamaru
Received: 7:01PM"
Ino smiled and said, "come on Sakura. They're here!" as she rushed towards the door, pulling Sakura with her.
They ran passed the studio, where their instruments were still kept in there.
"W-what about our instruments?" the pinkette asked as she was being dragged by Ino.
"Don't worry 'bout them. They'll get delivered eventually," Ino replied. "Now, come on!"
"W-whoa!"
The Grand Opening, InoShikaCho's Restaurant.
7:20PM.
The car park was packed with cars and people walking by towards the 'Grand Opening Restaurant'.
There they are, just settled into a parking lot. Sakura stared outside, confused. She didn't know about any grand openings. They didn't even say a thing to her about this.
"I thought we were going to a jam?" the pink haired girl asked, confused.
Ino chuckled.
"This is the jam, Sakura!"
Sakura turned her face to look at Ino's blue eyes. She stared her as if the blonde had grew another head. Ino ignored it and chuckled.
"Come on, girls," Shikamaru called out.
Ino took Sakura's wrist and pulled her out from the car.
7:25PM.
The restaurant was packed with people, chatting with each other while holding a glass of drink. At the end of the restaurant was a stage, equipped with instruments, amplifiers and speakers. That is where they are going to perform.
Sakura swallowed her throat. She never knew that there was that many of a crowd. She felt nervous.
"We'll joined up near the stage at approximately 8:30PM, got that?" Shikamaru said to them before he disappeared to join with the crowd.
Everyone was there and that includes the Akatsuki with Pein trying to conceal himself with the others. Sakura stared at the people in front of her with her stomach feeling sick. Then a hand reached out and grabbed her bare shoulder.
Startled, she turned herself to see Deidara was behind her. She felt a bit relieved in seeing the older Yamanaka and she wondered why. Deidara smiled and took her hand.
"Come here for a sec, yeah?" he said as he made his way through the crowd with Sakura.
Sakura felt as if she was shocked by an electric when she felt Deidara's hand.
"Woo! Feeling the love now, Sakura-chan?" her inner Sakura teased.
'oh, just shut up!'
A several seconds later, they stopped. Ino was there, carrying a guitar case. Deidara rejoined his little sister and took the case from her.
"This is for you, yeah," he said, smirking.
Sakura took the case from him and slowly unzipped it. Inside it was very beautiful custom made electric guitar with glittering pink coated the guitar perfectly.
"Oh my ―!" the pinkette covered her mouth in surprised.
"You're welcome," Ino said, again, as if she had thanked them.
"Is this… is this mine?" Sakura still couldn't believe it.
"It's all yours, yeah!" Deidara grinned.
"Wow! Thank you so much!" she said as she almost hugged him. But then she cancelled her motion, being not to be that obvious on having a huge crush on him.
8:30PM
The stage was set up perfectly. Sakura, now holding her own custom made guitar, was itching to perform, completely forgetting her nervousness that she had a while ago.
"I would like to thank everyone for coming into this restaurant's grand opening. Please, enjoy yourself in this lovely evening with Sakura & The Trios!" Inoichi, Ino's and Deidara's introduced them to the crowd.
The crowd applauded. Then, a complete silence as they waited for them to start. Sakura turned her face to look at the trios and nodded. Chouji understood it.
"1, 2, 3, 4!"
Guitars and drums filled the hall in sync as Sakura leaned herself to the microphone stand.
Nothing I say comes out right,
I can't love without a fight,
No one ever knows my name,
When I pray for sun, it rains.
I'm so sick of wasting time,
But nothing's moving in my mind,
Inspiration can't be found,
I get up and fall but,
(Sakura and Ino)
I'm Alive, I'm Alive, oh yeah
Between the good and bad is where you'll find me,
Reaching for heaven.
I will fight, and I'll sleep when I die,
I'll live my life, I'm Alive!
Every lover breaks my heart,
And I know it from the start,
Still I end up in a mess,
Every time I second guess.
All my friends just run away,
When I'm having a bad day,
I would rather stay in bed, but I know there's a reason.
(Sakura and Ino)
I'm Alive, I'm Alive, oh yeah
Between the good and bad is where you'll find me,
Reaching for heaven.
I will fight, and I'll sleep when I die,
I'll live my life, I'm Alive!
Sakura backed a step away from the mic stand and played her guitar freely. Pein saw her, she was singing on the stage and she was beautiful! Then he caught a glimpse of Deidara, looking at her, astonished. Jealousy filled his heart but he ignored it and tried to enjoy Sakura's performance.
Sakura leaned herself, nearing the mic stand.
When I'm bored to death at home,
When he won't pick up the phone, (she closed her eyes and imagined Pein's face)
When I'm stuck in second place,
Those regrets I can't erase.
Only I can change the end,
Of the movie in my head,
There's no time for misery, (she opened her eyes and shot the crowd with her gorgeous emerald orbs)
I won't feel sorry for me. (she smirked thinking Pein's words that seem to be a big lie to her now)
(Sakura and Ino)
I'm Alive, I'm Alive, oh yeah
Between the good and bad is where you'll find me,
Reaching for heaven.
I will fight, and I'll sleep when I die,
I'll live my life, ohhh!
I'm Alive, I'm Alive, oh yeah
Between the good and bad is where you'll find me,
Reaching for heaven.
I will fight, and I'll sleep when I die,
I'll live my life,
I'll live my life,
I'M ALIVE!
As the music ended, the crowd was applauding and cheering for them. They were satisfied by it, especially Sakura, who obviously enjoyed her own performance.
8:33PM
Sakura, Ino, Shikamaru and Chouji were off the stage now. Inoichi was taking over the stage as the instruments on the stage were changed. Keyboard was set on the stage and different guitars and bass was set on the guitar stand.
Who's going to perform after this? She thought to herself as she went to get herself a drink.
As if Inoichi read her mind when he introduced the next performing band.
"Let us enjoy ourselves with this next performance, The Troublemakers!"
Sakura turned her head and saw Deidara and Sasori with guitar, Tobi on keyboard, Itachi with bass and Hidan on drums.
The crowd cheered for them when the electronic keyboard started followed by Hidan's beating drums.
I see the place that we belong together.. together. But I could go all night right here between their crossfire. We've got no place to go, caught up in a rodeo.
Like we were something more.
And it felt like maybe we could last forever.. forever (Deidara and Sasori)
But you led them to our hideout,
Forced their way inside, now they want us to surrender.. us to surrender (Deidara and Sasori)
We'll send them up a message.. I'll send a message saying: give it up give it up
Oh no please god tell me we're dreaming.
We've got no where to run, they've all got loaded guns.
Oh no please god tell me we're dreaming
ohh Wait for the dust to settle down around us.. around us A few will ever find out and We've got no place to go, caught up in a rodeo.
ah, ah
Please god tell me we're dreaming (Deidara looked at Sakura and winked at her)
And stick to what we know
I think the air is finally safe to breathe again.. to breathe again
The world is in your palm now,
so take a breath and calm down
cause you have been selected.. you've been selected
if you don't see why
Well
At least you got your nest and you've got your nest and
So live it up live it up
Oh no please god tell me we're dreaming
We've got no place to run, they've all got loaded guns.
Oh no please god tell me we're dreaming
ohh
ah, ah
Please god tell me we're dreaming
ohh
ah, ah
Please god tell me we're dreaming
Everyone was dancing to the beat. Sakura included. Deidara and Sasori smirked in sync.
Well then give it up give it up
The whole crowd joined in with the whole band singing. But you led them to our hideout, forced their way inside now. But I could go all night like here between their crossfire. We've got no place to go, caught up in a rodeo.
They want us to surrender.. us to surrender
We'll send them up a message.. I'll send them up a message saying: give it up give it up
Oh no please god tell me we're dreaming
We've got no place to run, they've all got loaded guns.
Oh no please god tell me we're dreaming
ohh
ah, ah
Please god tell me we're dreaming
ohh
ah, ah
Please god tell me we're dreaming
Deidara ended the song having the whole crowd cheering for them.
.
.
..
Sakura greeted them with friendly warm smile as they get off the stage.
They enjoyed the evening chatting and laughing with each other. Pein never joined them. He knew Sakura was there. So he kept his distant.
10:00PM.
The stage was set up again for the last performance. This time the mood was set out differently. Everyone kept their eyes on the stage as Sakura strummed her guitar followed by Shikamaru's bass.
She closed her eyes and started singing.
I don't know how long I've been here
The days all run together
You're gone but you won't disappear
Traces of you will last forever
It feels like if I hold my breath
You'll walk in any second (she shot the crowd with warm emerald orbs, searching for Pein behind crowd)
And tell me it was all a mistake
Can't believe that you left
And it haunts me to hold you this close
But hurts me more to let go
That's why I'm still loving ghosts
I'm still loving ghosts
They say I should get on with my life
But I can't even get up
I'd rather believe in this beautiful lie
Than admit you're really gone forever (Sakura and Ino)
It feels like if I hold my breath
You'll walk in any second
And tell me it was all a mistake
Can't believe that you left
And it haunts me to hold you this close
But hurts me more to let go
That's why I'm still loving ghosts (Sakura and Ino)
Every sense is screaming
Every hair stands on my skin
Every room I feel it, you are here (she closed her eyes and imagined the days she had with Pein)
Baby, I'm not seeing but I'm still believing
My heartbreak a chance worth taking
So on this floor, I'll still be waiting
It feels like if I hold my breath
You'll walk in any second
And tell me it was all a mistake
Can't believe that you left
And it haunts me to hold you this close
But hurts me more to let go
That's why I'm still loving ghosts (Sakura and Ino)
And oh, I feel you this close now
And oh, I'm still loving ghosts now
And oh, I feel you this close now
And oh, I'm still loving ghosts
I'm still loving, still loving ghosts
.
.
..
The grand opening ended successfully. As Sakura bid her farewell to Deidara, she gave him the most sweetest and cutest smile that took his breath away. So sweet, so cute, so pure and so innocent. That was it, that was Sakura's most expensive smile that only her parents, Sasori and Pein could see. Sasori smirked and gave Deidara a light smack on the back.
"Congratulations, brat,"
So hows that? Teehee~
Follow for the next chapter! Reviews wanted! Thanks! :*