Hey guys! Really sorry for the late update. I was very confused regarding this chapter as I wanted to split it in two but then I decided to edit it a bit and make it one chapter only. Plus, I was a little busy for few weeks. So, I hope you guys enjoy it. So, without further ado please enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. Also, I do not own 'You don't care about me' by Shakira. It's an amazing song and no disregard to her and her song. Please it has been done solely for the story just to make it fit better. I also do not own 'Left outside alone' by Anastacia. For the sake of the story, these are the works of Sakura Haruno.
Chapter 11: New Beginning
Two weeks had passed since the cruise disaster. Karin had become a regular guest at the Uchiha manor. Sometimes she used to spend the nights and sometimes she didn't but Karin never left any opportunity to insult Sakura. She used to corner her sometimes and make spiteful jibes at her. Sakura, after her cruise experience, had gotten used to it. She didn't really mind and just ignored her. To her Karin looked like a woman suffering from Narcissistic personality, ranting stuff about her. What Sakura didn't know was that her life was about take a drastic turn.
It was almost 3 in the afternoon when the opportunity presented itself on Uchiha manor's doorstep. She opened the front door to find her long-time friend, Ino and her latest friend DJ Lolly standing there.
"Sakura!" squealed the blonde-haired woman, "I can't tell how nice it is to meet you. The world tour was so damn tiring but I enjoyed it thoroughly. And look who I brought with me."
"Hey Sakura" DJ Lolly waved at her.
"Hey Drake" Sakura called out.
"Man! I told you not to call me that!" DJ Lolly/Drake pouted.
Sakura laughed.
"Your real name is Drake!" Ino screamed out, looking completely baffled, "Who knew…."
"Guys! Guys!" Sakura raised her voice to try to placate the situation, "Stop fighting and come back to the matter at hand. What are you guys doing here?"
"Listen Sakura, I need to speak with you privately." Ino replied seriously.
"Okay. Come on in."
Sakura gestured the guests to come inside. Ino greeted the Uchiha's, explaining that she and Lolly needed to talk to Sakura privately and then, the three of them retired to the music room, which had become Sakura's refuge now days.
Finally, when the guests were comfortably seated and were presented with snacks, did Sakura talk.
"So, tell me, what is the matter that you both want to discuss urgently?" she asked them.
"Sakura, Drake told me about what happened on the ship and also, he recorded the song you sang on the beats he had designed. Sakura you are extremely talented girl and all of your talent is being wasted in this hell hole. I know, that you want to give back the same love and care that the Uchiha's gave you. But I believe after this mortifying experience you have paid them back enough. Heck! You could have been a doctor now if you hadn't given up on your dreams! You are such a hard working girl but no one realizes and worst of all, gives a damn about it. I want you to rise out of your mediocre life and even if you don't want to at least change your employer. Work somewhere where you get your due regard. But the point is if Sasuke, your best friend, couldn't look past your profession no one will. Sakura, you are destined for greatness only if you give yourself that opportunity." Ino finished her speech by walking over to Sakura and giving her best friend a big hug.
Sakura held onto Ino and cried her heart out.
"Oh Ino! It was horrible! Even now, Karin's tormenting hasn't ended and Sasuke, he just turns a blind eye to all of this. Sometimes it is just too much for me. I can't even say anything bad about Sasuke to his parents. I mean he is their son after all. I feel like I just want to curl up and die somewhere." Sakura sniffed.
"No Sakura, dying is not the answer to any problem. It's an escape." replied Ino vehemently.
"I seriously don't know what to do Ino" Sakura replied with equal force.
"Okay calm down. That is the reason why I and Lolly are here. Okay, just hear me out for a second. I told you that Lolly recorded your song right? So, he came to me with the recording. I have known Lolly for quite some while. He has played music on my shows many times. So, he came to with the recording. He told me he had found an amazing talent and would my record label be interested in signing her up. Obviously, he didn't know that I already know you. But when he told me it was you. I found out everything as to how he got to hear you sing and all. That is when he told me about the cruise trip. Well, then I presented the record to the label head and my boss, he loved it. He wants to set up an audition for you. If you sing like you sang on the ship, it will all be a piece of cake." Ino said.
"I don't know…" Sakura replied, looking dubious.
"Listen, Sakura an opportunity is knocking on your door and you are turning your back. Please let the world see how talented you are. It will be a slap in the face of all those people who mocked you on the ship. Come on Sakura, this is your chance to stand up to them. This is your chance to change your life." Ino pleaded.
Sakura looked at the two of them, trying to help her without any malicious intent only to make her life better. She was moved by their belief in her and her talent. The only two people in the world who came to rescue her from falling in an abyss.
The determined looks on the face did the trick and so she nodded.
"Yes!" Ino shouted out, pumping her fist in the air.
Lolly just patted on her back.
"Ok! Listen now!" Ino got down to business, "Your audition will be a two-stage process. The record company 'Beatboxx music records' will send a person for audition and if he/she approves your singing, you will have to perform in front of the record head. He is going to make the final call. I know you can do it honey. Just whip up a song. It should be an original composition. So you have got to take care of that. It's gonna be a piece of cake, I know. Oh my god! I am so excited."
"Breathe, Ino, breathe" Sakura interrupted her and made her sit back in her seat.
After that they only discussed about the proceedings regarding the first performance that Sakura would be doing for the record company. It was almost 6 when they left. Apparently, Sakura's audition had been scheduled for tomorrow as the record company was curious to know the hype surrounding Sakura. Obviously the hype was created by her best friend who was their top singer. So, Sakura had less than a day to prepare as the audition was to take place at Uchiha manor itself around 4 in the evening.
After waving her friends goodbye, Sakura made her way back into the manor. As she was preparing for the dinner, she was called by Fugaku and Mikoto.
Sakura made her way into their bedroom. She knocked on the door and was asked to enter.
"You called me? Sir. Madam" she asked them politely.
"No need to be so formal Sakura. Just come and sit with us." said Fugaku, who was sitting on a sofa with his wife.
Sakura took a chair opposite to them and sat down.
"Sakura, dear. I have been watching you for quite some days. You are just not your old self. You look more withdrawn, sombre and distant. You have even stopped singing. If anything is bothering you, please discuss with us. After all, you have considered us as your parents and we have always considered you as our daughter." Mikoto asked her solemnly.
Sakura just looked at them. How could she bad mouth Sasuke, their flesh and blood? Mikoto was right, she did consider them her parents but she couldn't forget that she would always be secondary to them. She will always be behind their sons.
"Is it something to do with Sasuke?" asked Fugaku, which made Sakura gasp in surprise, it was as if he had read her mind.
"No…..I….um….." Sakura stuttered.
"Its okay, Sakura. You can tell us anything. Please but do tell us what is bothering you." Mikoto said kindly.
Hearing her voice, the dam of emotions inside of her broke and all her feelings poured out of her. She told them everything, shared her fears and humiliation as well as cried out all of her experiences. She couldn't help herself, Fugaku and Mikoto had always been her family and in later years she had found a glimpse of her parents in them. When she spoke, she spoke as if she was talking to her parents.
By the time she finished her horrific tale, she was enveloped in Mikoto's arms. Mikoto shushed her and ran her hand over Sakura's back. When Sakura was more composed, she wiped her face and took a seat again, just opposite to them.
Mikoto was looking worriedly at her husband, who had a grim expression on his face.
"Why didn't you tell us this as soon as you arrived?" he asked Sakura quietly.
"I don't know. Maybe because I just couldn't talk that day and slept the whole day. Also, when I woke up, the first thing I saw was you guys with Sasuke and Karin and you all looked really happy. And Sasuke is your son. How could I go against your son? I know you care about me but you care about your boys more. I didn't want to cause a rift in the family." Sakura's voice rose to a hysteric level.
"Sakura, I tried to warn you about these parties." said Mikoto, "Just before leaving for the trip I was trying to tell you that these parties are different to what we have at the mansion but you were so excited that you just didn't listen. And it's my fault I should have made you sit down and listen. But I trusted Sasuke. I thought he would take care of you. I am disgusted by his behaviour. He is a very good son but I never knew that his sexual side would cloud his sense of judgement so much that he won't be able to tell the difference between right and wrong. That he would treat his best friend, who does so much for him, like this? That he would even think of introducing such an immoral girl to his parents?"
Tears were streaming down Mikoto's face. Clearly she had taken her son's betrayal of her trust pretty hard.
"Sasuke…." Fugaku growled out. He pinched the bridge of his nose between his two fingers.
There was 5 minutes silence before Fugaku spoke up again.
"Sakura, why had Ino and that man come?" he asked her.
"That man's name is Lolly. He was the DJ on the ship. He and Sally were my only friends there. When I sang a song for Karin, he recorded it. He presented my song to 'Beatboxx music records' record company, whose main star is Ino. He wanted to launch me as a singer and after Ino found out that the new talent was me, she agreed to get me an audition. If I clear the audition, I will be signed up as their singer." Sakura finished.
"So, that means you won't be working here anymore?" Fugaku asked her.
"No sir. I am sorry. It's a torture to work for Sasuke and Karin. If I stay here much longer, I fear that I might break. I want to seize this opportunity with both my hands. I want to achieve something by myself. I want to show the world what I am capable of. Most of all, I want to show Sasuke that I am a maid by choice because I didn't have the privilege to be born with a silver spoon in my mouth, but if I put my mind to something I can achieve anything." said Sakura.
"Sakura" Fugaku's voice had a pained edge, "I am more disappointed in you than in Sasuke. I thought you chose this job because you told me that it made you feel closer to your parents. But now you tell me that you took up this job because you are under privileged?"
"Sir, you had already done so much for my high school education." Sakura cried out, "I couldn't ask you to pay for medical school as well. It's very expensive."
"Why Sakura?" Fugaku's sorrow deepened, "Why? Because we are not your parents that's why? All Mikoto ever wanted was a baby girl but by fate she gave birth to two boys. When we got you, it was like a blessing in disguise. We loved you as our own daughter. You, Sasuke and Itachi are equal in our eyes. But it looks like you never thought of us as your parents. I would have gladly paid for your medical school because you are our girl. I would have been proud of you to see you as a doctor. But you chose this occupation and even then I respected your decision though I was against it. But now I regret giving in to you 4 years ago. I should have overridden your protests and send you to a medical school."
Fugaku broke down, so much hurt, that he couldn't even continue his speech. Sakura was ashamed of herself. How could she have hurt such good people, who had always been beside her no matter what? Just because of her foolishness of looking at them as her guardians and not her parents. They had always considered her as their daughter but she had never looked at them as her parents. She had mistaken their love as kindness. To them money didn't matter, only Sakura did. And Sakura had taken it all wrong.
She got up from her seat and bend down on her knees in front of Fugaku, who had buried his face in his hands. She slowly pried his hands of his face and kissed his tears away. She hugged him tightly and cried.
"I am sorry" she whispered, "I am so sorry. Dad."
She heard him sob at hearing the word 'Dad'. He hugged her back tightly. She looked over at Mikoto who was looking at them with tears in her eyes.
"Thank you so much for everything, mom." she whispered.
Mikoto hugged her too. Finally, Sakura felt complete. Finally, she felt safe. Finally, she felt that she belonged somewhere.
It was the time of the audition next day. Yesterday, Fugaku and Mikoto had discussed her audition details. They supported her and wanted her to achieve her dream. She had been officially removed from being the maid of Uchiha manor. They had full faith that she would get the job but if worst case-scenario, she doesn't get it they had decided that she would join a medical school and become a doctor.
Last night after dinner, she had also shared mother-daughter talk with Mikoto. Both of them sat down and bitched about Karin and enjoyed it thoroughly. Yesterday had been the best day of Sakura's life.
She had woken up early the next day and had composed her new song. She was really happy with it and was ready for the audition.
The doorbell rang dot at 4 o' clock. She opened the door to find a thin, bespectacled man. He had a pasty complexion and small lips that were pursed together disapprovingly. He was not very tall, just about Sakura's height and had a sourly expression. He was dressed head to toe in a formal attire.
"Are you Ms. Haruno?" he drawled.
"Yes sir. May I ask who you are?" she replied politely.
"My name is Marc Reynolds. I am from 'Beatboxx music records'. I am here for your audition." His voice was low and uninterested.
"Oh! Please come in" Sakura ushered him to the music room. Mikoto and Fugaku who were already, seated their rose to meet Mr. Reynolds. They were also joined by Sasuke and Karin. Sakura performed the introductions. Mr. Reynolds were seated properly and offered water and snacks. When he was settled properly, he looked over at Sakura.
"You may begin" he drawled.
Sakura had already setup everything so she just hit the play button and began to sing.
I fold your t-shirt
And I stripped your bed
I loved you perfect
But there's no appreciation
I listened sweetly to your sour tone
I loved you only
But there's no reciprocation
Uhhhh….. (she had already sung this part and recorded with the music)
Before you came along
It was all beautiful
Uhhhh…..
I have nothing left
In my heart, in my soul
Uhhhh…..
Should have never helped
You become so powerful
Ahhh…..
But I saw a champion in your eyes
You don't care about me (uhuhuh…)
If you did, you would let me go (uhuhuh…)
You will eventually
'Cause you just don't care about me
Naaahhh….
You don't care if I die
Naaahhh….
If you did, you would have spared my life
Naaahhh….
I say it confidently
But you just don't care about me
You say you're thirsty
So I pour the wine
The bottle's empty
But there's no consummation
Before you came along
It was all beautiful
Uhhhh…..
I have nothing left
In my heart, in my soul
Uhhhh…..
Should have never helped
You become so powerful
Ahhh…..
But I saw a champion in your eyes
You don't care about me (uhuhuh…)
If you did, you would let me go (uhuhuh…)
You will eventually
'Cause you just don't care about me
Naaahhh….
You don't care if I die
Naaahhh….
If you did, you would have spared my life
Naaahhh….
I say it confidently
But you just don't care about me
Oh, baby, how we used to dance
I couldn't separate from your hands
Now they don't even play that song anymore
You don't care about me
No, don't care about me
No, don't care about me
You don't care about me, no
Don't care about about me
Nooo!
You don't care about me (uhuhuh…)
If you did, you would let me go (uhuhuh…)
You will eventually
'Cause you just don't care about me
Naaahhh….
You don't care if I die
Naaahhh….
If you did, you would have spared my life
Naaahhh….
I say it confidently
But you just don't care about me
Naaahhh…..
huhuh
Naaahhh…..
Huhuh
The room broke out into applause, though Karin was only applauding half-heartedly. But the one person that didn't applaud was Mr. Reynolds.
"It's a nice song and you have an incredible voice but what we look for in our candidates is passion. It's a lovely song but it lacked passion." he said.
When Sakura looked at him with a confused expression, he sighed.
"Let me explain it to you." he drawled, "If the song is about betrayal, I should feel betrayal. If it is about revenge, then I should feel the revenge and if it is about love, I should feel love. Get it? Your song needs to make an impact on the audience. It's a good song but it needs more vehemence. I can't feel the betrayal. I just feel that someone is singing about betrayal. Because you have a melodious voice, I will give you the audition with the record head but if that song too lacks passion he will not allow you to become a singer. He is much stricter regarding this."
He stood up and looked over at the Uchihas and Karin.
"Well, I will take your leave now." He bowed down and turned to look at Sakura, "You will have your audition day after tomorrow at the studio's headquarters at noon."
He walked out and Sakura was left feeling dismayed. She had been so confident that she would get the job but now everything was falling apart. She vaguely heard Fugaku and Mikoto patting her back and telling her that they were confident that she would clear the next audition as well.
She looked up to see Karin smirking at her. She felt her blood boil at her insolent expression.
No, she couldn't give up now. She was so close to achieving her dream. She would not let anyone make her feel incompetent ever again. She will rise from this.
And she was determined to wipe that smirk off Karin's face, even if it was the last thing she did.
The next day, Sakura woke up early to work upon her music. She tried and tried but she just didn't know how to project her feelings. She could form a beautiful tune with heart touching lyrics, but she still didn't get how to make her audience feel what she is feeling.
By noon, she had almost given up. She could feel the hysteria of not getting selected start creeping over her. She was almost hyperventilating when her mobile chirruped up with her new ringtone. She saw from the caller id that it was Ino. She immediately picked up her phone.
"Hello?" Sakura asked tentatively.
"Hey Sakura, What's up. How did your audition go?" Ino asked gleefully.
Sakura sighed.
"Ino, are you free? Can we meet somewhere? Please?" Sakura asked apprehensively.
"Is everything alright Sakura?" Ino sounded worried.
"No, everything is fine. I just wanted a break and I want to see you?" Sakura replied.
"Okay, why don't we meet at TGI Fridays in an hour?" said Ino.
"Okay, see you then" Sakura replied.
When Sakura arrived, Ino was already seated there. She was concerned about Sakura, which could be seen by her fidgeting in her chair. Sakura smiled and sat opposite to her.
"Hey" said Sakura.
"Hey, so what is the matter? Is it related to the audition?" Ino blurted out.
Sakura sighed and launched into her story and when she finished Ino just stared at her.
"How is that possible? I mean all your songs that I have heard are very soulful and full of feel. I have always been able to relate to your songs. I mean, how did this happen? I was so sure that you would get it. No, I won't let your talent go waste. I will reschedule a new audition and this time I will be there with you and…." Ino went on and on about what she would do to help her. Sakura let her go on as she was touched by Ino's faith in her. Finally, when Ino started to overthink too much, Sakura interrupted her.
"Ino, wait, I have an audition scheduled for tomorrow with your record head. The guy who came for my audition said that I was a good talent and he wanted to give me another chance. But my song needs to make my audience feel what I am feeling, you know?" she said, sounding exasperated.
"Why didn't you tell me this before?" squealed Ino, "Well, all is not lost then. So, why are you so upset then?"
"Because I can't figure out as to how to project my feelings. I have been at it the whole time and I have achieved nothing. I don't know what to do?" Sakura exclaimed.
"Okay, calm down. As I said, all is not lost. Let me help you a little. You know I could….."
"No, no, no" interrupted Sakura, "No, I want to achieve this on my own I want to prove it to myself that I deserve to become a singer. All I needed from you was your support and your company. I just needed a little break for my song writing and singing and all."
"Okay fine, let's enjoy our chimichangas and then, you can get back to work and FYI, I think you will find a way, you always do." Ino replied.
Sakura just smiled in response.
Both the girls enjoyed their lunch and it was almost evening by the time Sakura left for home.
Sakura arrived back home half an hour later. Her spirits had lifted after meeting Ino. She was humming softly to herself. As soon as she entered, she felt as if the ground beneath her feet had slipped away. Sasuke was leaning against a wall and Karin was leaning against him. They were kissing each other and very hard. They were glued to each other without the care of the world. Sasuke looked as if he was enjoying himself immensely. She looked over at Karin to find her looking straight at her. Karin gave Sakura a smug look and swirled her tongue in Sasuke's mouth. Sasuke gave a throaty groan.
Sakura couldn't take it anymore and stomped off to the music room. She was fuming with anger. She just couldn't take Karin's cockiness anymore. She sat down on her computer and started working on the song. She thought of nothing but the song for almost 12 hours! She put all her emotions in the song and finally the piece was ready by around 5 in the morning.
She slept off her tiredness by taking a nap for 5 hours and then got ready for her audition. She felt tired but was determined to prove herself. When she stepped out of the front door, Ino was already waiting for her. Ino had decided to take her to the music records company herself.
After half an hour drive, they emerged in front of glass skyscraper with the words 'Beatboxx music records' on the front, over the entrance, in an elegant font. Ino guided her towards the glass elevator which took them to the top floor. The elevator opened to a lavish room. The room was carpeted and the windows were covered with dark curtains to block out any light. But the room itself was well-lit by artificial light. A middle-aged man with grey hair was seated behind a desk, who stood up to greet them as they approached him.
"Sakura Haruno, right?" he asked her. Sakura nodded in affirmative
"It's nice to finally meet you. I have heard a lot about from none other than Ino." He gestured towards her, "My name is Kakashi Hatake and I am the CEO of this record company."
Sakura and Kakashi shook hands. Kakashi was dressed in a formal suit. But the one thing that stood out was that his face covered with a mask.
"It's nice to meet you too" said Sakura. She looked curiously at his masked face. Ino laughed at Sakura's curious expression.
"Kakashi is a little self-conscious about his face. The mask only comes off in front of some special ladies." Ino winked at Sakura, which made Sakura blush.
"Enough about me, Ino. I think Sakura has come here for audition and not to gossip about my personal life. Why don't you take Sakura to the recording room." He turned towards Sakura, "Sakura, why don't you setup. Ino will help you."
With Ino's help, Sakura got ready. Ino gave her a quick hug and joined Kakashi outside the recording room. Ino gave her a thumbs up and started the music. Sakura closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
All my life I've been waiting
For you to bring a fairy tale my way
Been living in a fantasy without meaning
It's not okay I don't feel safe
I don't feel safe
Ohhh
She opened her eyes and both the onlookers could feel the anger and betrayal in her eyes.
Left broken empty in despair
Wanna breath can't find air
Thought you were sent from up above
But you and me never had love
So much more I have to say
Help me find a way
And I wonder if you know
How it really feels
To be left outside alone
When it's cold out here
Well maybe you should know
Just how it feels
To be left outside alone
To be left outside alone
I tell ya
All my life I've been waiting
For you to bring a fairytale my way
Been living in a fantasy without meaning
It's not okay I don't feel safe
I need to pray
Why do you play me like a game?
Always someone else to blame
Careless, helpless little man
Someday you might understand
There's not much more to say
But I hope you find a way
Still I wonder if you know
How it really feels
To be left outside alone
When it's cold out here
Well maybe you should know
Just how it feels
To be left outside alone
To be left outside alone
I tell ya
All my life I've been waiting
For you to bring a fairytale my way
Been living in a fantasy without meaning
It's not okay I don't feel safe
I need to pray
Ohhh. Pray
Ohh Heavenly father
Save me Ohhhh
Whoaooooaoooooo
And I wonder if you know
How it really feels
To be left outside alone
When it's cold out here
Well maybe you should know
Just how it feels
To be left outside alone
To be left outside alone
All my life I've been waiting
For you to bring a fairytale my way
Been living in a fantasy without meaning
It's not okay I don't feel safe
I need to pray
Both Kakashi and Ino were awestruck. Sakura had taken her one weakness and had eliminated it completely with her song. The result was clear they couldn't let such a talent go. But one thing was clear.
Sakura was unstoppable.
I hope you guys enjoyed it. I want to thank all my reviewers, followers and favorites. Thank you for your love and support. Also, in the next chapter a new female character of Naruto will be introduced as Sakura's agent/manager. So, I will give shout out to all the reviewers who tells the correct name. ;)
Katty09 signing out.