Finally, I can resume this story. There's still a few chapters left! Hooray! Be sure to leave good reviews, that way I'll know you want to see how it ends! Last chapter, I introduced a few Storm Cloud and Desert Winds rockers that will be making later appearances as well as Orochimaru and Kabuto as their plan to wreck the festival finally goes underway. Also, a shoutout to ssvidel3 and LunaticL14m for the song choices for these next two chapters. The two songs this time are 'What You Want' by Evanescence and 'Know Your Enemy' by Green Day. The final rock n roll blowout against the Sound will be one big chapter, and the there will be one final chapter after that when the festival really ends and Naruto steals the spotlight with an amazing song you won't believe. Now it's time to rock! Disclaimer on the two songs in this chapter!
Chapter 10: Where the Music Happens
Countless people from the 5 Elemental Cities gathered for what was to be the greatest show of the year, the Star Elements Festival. The bands all got up a bit early for the show, but since it would be later in the day, they decided not to interact with one another except Sasuke and Itachi and their bands as they hung out, swapped stories, and surprisingly having a good time. The two brothers were still ringing from the guitar duel the previous day.
Konohamaru rushed off to Naruto's place to see if he was up yet. The way he felt he couldn't help but offer his support to his predcessor. He finally reached the right door and flung it open.
Before the door opened
Naruto was slowly but surely getting up. He reached for his phone gazing at his recent picture of him and Hinata. He decided to leave a text saying he's spending the day with the rest of Kurama and he'll catch up with her before the show later.
Morning, Hinata. Sry I can't hang out as much as I'd love to. The guys and I are gonna meet up with Gaara at the city border. Sasuke and Itachi's bands are probably catching up. But I'll definitely see you at the festival, count on it. It'll be great!
He sent the text, feeling a bit better. Suddenly, Naruto appeared in his subconscious again before Kurama.
"What are you doing, Kurama?" the jinchuriki asked.
"Well, I can't help but think something big is about to happen, and I'm not referring to the big show. Also, I just wanted to make sure you were mentally prepared for tonight." the giant fox stated.
"Don't worry about it. This will be an amazing show. Just remember, pal, when we reach that crucial point in the song, you turn on the glow."
"Just remind me when that crucial moment is, kiddo."
A chakra guitar appeared and Naruto decided to play the song that his band kept secret from everyone. He then reached a certain point in it. "Okay. When the song slows down like this, the band will all lightly glow different colors with their chakra. As will we."
"Got it. Then at that one explosive moment the song picks back up for the end, we give the people a light show for the ages."
"Exactly! Now, when you say something big was about to happen. Could it be something that could interfere with the festival?"
Kurama's head lowered. "Possibly, but I'm not sure what it could be be. I did sense a very unusual chakra last night."
"Now that you mention it, I was a bit uneasy when I got up. If anyone messes with Autumn Colors, our band will be ready."
Just like that, the door opens. A voice was heard coming in.
"Naruto, you in here, bud?" It was Konohamaru.
"What does Konohamaru want now?" Naruto found himself back in his room and walked up to where the voice was coming from.
"I thought you'd be here." said the younger ninja.
"What are you doing, Konohamaru? It's 8am. I gotta meet the others." the blonde asks.
"Well, since you're closing the show tonight and our group is up after your girlfriend, maybe you can give me a few words."
"Look, I need to get to Sai's place. How about you tag along for a bit?"
"That works. Also, I wanna know about the name Kurama. Was Kurama a person and you just namred the band after him?"
Naruto surprised by his friend's curiosity decided it was time to tell him. "I'll tell you on the way there."
Before doing anything else, he saw he saw that Hinata responded to his text. He smiled that she was understanding why they couldn't meet until tonight.
The two walked around town for a while getting praise from a plethora of people for protecting the city and hoping they'll give the people a great show. Naruto and Konohamaru couldn't help but think of how they met and decided they both wanted to be best ninja to protect everyone.
"Oh, yeah you wanted to know how I got the name Kurama." said Naruto.
"Yeah, the name sounds cool but how did you come up with the name?" Konohamaru wondered.
"Le'ts see, you know about the Nine-Tails attack sixteen years ago. It turns out the fox's name this whole time is in fact Kurama. And he seemed to like the idea."
"You mean the fox spirit has a name?"
"Yeah, and we have been planning the final song for tonight for some time with the others."
"Come on, boss. You cant tell me what you've got planned?"
"That's why it's a surprise. Not even Hinata knows about it. Don't worry I told her it would be a surprise to look forward to tonight."
Then, they noticed their bands up ahead. Moegi and Udon were getting a few pointers from the others in hopes that they give a good show tonight. The two run up to their respective bands.
"About time, Naruto. Normally it wouldn't take this long." Kiba complained.
"Wait, you seem happy about something. Weren't you supposed to meet up with Hinata?" asked Sai.
"Yeah, about that. Last night we kept texting back and forth and this morning I left a text saying I'll meet up with her before Yuki opens tonight." Naruto replied.
"Brilliant idea, Naruto. That way we can just take things slow today until the festival." said Lee.
"Yeah. Guess it's not gonna be such a drag after all. At least Hinata knows you're with us, and Ino will probably hound her with countless questions about you two." Shikamaru stated.
Naruto's thoughts suddenly flooded with thoughts of the questions Ino would ask Hinata about him. "Well, that's Ino for ya. Hopefully, Sakura will make sure she doesnt ask anything too personal. Say, Moegi, Udon, you're ready to perform tonight right?"
"Of course we are! We've been at it for some time." an excited Moegi shouted.
"We're up second after Yuki. That's Hinata's band, right?" Udon wondered.
"That's right. It's Hinata, Ino, Tenten, and Sakura." said Kiba. "So, Naruto. Once the festival is over, will you two maybe start playing together?"
"What are you saying, Kiba? Unless our two bands play together which would seem cool." said Shikamaru.
"Let's just focus on this show first. I heard the surprise guests should be arriving soon. We should hurry." Sai declares.
"Good idea, Sai." Lee responds.
"All right, Kurama's headin' out! We'll see you at the opener tonight!" Naruto exclaims.
"We'll see ya there!" the three waved as they walked toward the day ahead of them.
Kurama arrived at the city border to meet up with Gaara, Kankuro and Temari. But to their surprise, a few familiar faces from Storm Cloud, Ay and the black panther, Darui. Tsunade welcomed them for the big festival and was surprised by the sudden appearance of Ay.
With Hinata and Tenten
Hinata had just received her new boyfriend's text, a little torn up they won't be spending the day together, but when she read the end of his text, she felt a little better. She knew her band was opening tonight. She had to be strong for Naruto, knowing that they'd be apart almost the whole day and her group was opening tonight.
'Morning, Naruto. I'll be fine today somehow. I was heading out after seeing Tenten downstairs, but I stopped to look at the photos from yesterday. Hopefully we can see each other before the show. I can't wait to hear your surprise song to close the show tonight!'
"You seem nervous. Can you really go the whole day without seeing him?" Tenten asked. Hinata knew she and Naruto just started going out but her friend couldn't help but feel concern. Then she turned eyeing the pictures from yesterday as well as one she wasn't familiar with.
"When did you take this?"
"That's us at the park yesterday. Kakashi sensei-took the picture for us."
"I still can't get over these pictures over here. You two really are perfect together. You said he had the funny ones. How funny?"
Hinata couldn't help but crack up. The brunette was wondering if they were that funny. The young Hyuga slowly regained her composure but couldn't help snicker a little more.
"The funniest I've ever seen of anyone."
Tenten couldn't help but laugh. "No way! I knew Naruto was well known for his mischief, but making people laugh is a new one."
Just then, a few people entered the kitchen.
"What's so funny, Tenten?"
She looked up and she saw Neji, Hiashi, and Hanabi.
"Oh, sorry, Neji." Tenten continued. "I was just thinking of Naruto doing funny faces."
"And that's funny...how?" Neji wondered.
"Guess that's my fault." Hinata answered. "You see, yesterday I had a date with Naruto and we saw that photo booth downtown. I was telling her about the funny faces he had."
"I just didn't think a guy like him would do that." Tenten added.
"Naruto always has been rather unusual. It's a good thing you two are finally together."
In time, Hinata and Tenten met up with the others. Concerned a certain girl was spending the morning with a particular blonde celebrity. Hinata just told them straightforward.
"No, Naruto sent me a text saying we'll catch up right before the show tonight." Hinata told them.
"Did he say where he was going?" Sakura wondered.
"I'm sure he mentioned Gaara coming tonight and the band was going to bring him into the city."
"That's okay. I got a text from Sai this morning too say he couldn't stop by to see me. People from all 5 cities will be here and Gaara's kind of a bigshot in Desert Winds." said Ino. "Wait, who's up after us?"
"Kohai. It's Konohamaru's band." Tenten answered.
"Then after that, the Uchiha faceoff everyone's been taking about."
"What do you mean?"
"What it means is that this wil be the first time both Sasuke and Itachi face each other like this. I texted Sasuke earlier about it. He seems ready for anything." said Sakura.
"The same can even be said for Kurama and Kohai." Hinata added.
"I guess so."
"Think of it this way. Konohamaru's always looked up to Naruto. This will be a great hero and protoge face off. I'm definitely siding with Naruto to come out on top, ya know!" The lovestruck guitarist even somewhat had Naruto's signature smile.
"Ya know? My god, you must love him if you even sound like him!" Ino laughed. All Hinata could do was laugh a bit as her face lit like a light bulb.
Taka and Akatsuki face off again
The day had come. These two guitarists from underground bands were about to take center stage in the same major show for the first time. The tension between the others was almost too much to handle. Not just the Uchiha face off, it was also between Kisame ans Suigetsu being from the same city as well.
"This is it, Shark boy. You ready to get blown out of the water by the best rocker in Blood Mist?" Suigetsu asked.
"Heh. If it's one rocker from Blood Mist who's gonna make crashing waves, it's me!" Kisame responded.
"l will say this. Our bands are certainly spirited." said Itachi.
"Yeah, I'll say. This'll be fun." said Sasuke.
As the bands parted yet again to prepare, the tension eased away knowing there wasn't as much at stake as they thought. Sasori and Deidara being the two that have known each other a bit longer than Itachi and Kisame can tell there were ready. The two even went over the song the other day before Itachi and Kisame could meet up with them.
"Hey, Deidara. You know how our playstyles are very different, right?"
"Yeah, my style on drums is somewhat explosive while on guitar your style is very subtle."
"Can we really help these two through this?" the redhead wondered.
"Come on, don't worry about it. We've played enough shows to know those two won't go down easily. Neither will we." the blonde assured him.
"Let's do this!" they both shouted as the band was finally ready.
Later at the opening ceremony
The time had finally come. People from the five cities began pouring in for this one major event. Speaker systems in place, bright lights, Tsunade decided to start it off with a few words.
"Everyone here! I, Tsunade of Autumn Colors, welcome our viewers and bands for being here for this year's Star Elements Festival. Let's have our bands come up so we can get a good look at 'em!"
With that, the bands appeared in order of their performances from left to right. There were a few comments from the spectators cheering on the performers. Hinata seemed joyous that a few shy girls saw real confidence in her but also annoyed that a bunch of guys noticed her more than the others in her group. She knew she was a looker, but she didn't want to hounded by random guys. The loudest cheers were for Sasuke, Itachi and Naruto.
"These amazing musical shinobi are the future of music in our joined cities. Let's hear it for them and let's get this started!" The cheers were even louder.
"First up, a group of talented 'courageous' kunoichi, Yuki!"
This was it. They were ready for this. As Tenten's drums started, Hinata knew what to do.
Do what you, what you want
If you have a dream for better
Do what you what you want
Till you don't want it anymore (Remember who you really are)
Do what you, what you want
Your world's closing in on you now (It isn't over)
Stand and face the unknown (Got to remember who you really are)
Every heart in my hands like a pale reflection
Hello, hello remember me?
I'm everything you can't control
Somewhere beyond the pain
There must be a way to believe we can break through
Do what you, what you want
You don't have to lay your life down (Is it over?)
Do what you what you want
Till you find what you're looking for (Got to remember who you really are)
But every hour slipping by screams that I have failed you
Hello, hello remember me?
I'm everything you can't control
Somewhere beyond the pain there must be a way to believe
Hello, hello remember me?
I'm everything you can't control
Somewhere beyond the pain there must be a way to believe
There's still time, close your eyes
Only love will guide you home
Tear down the walls and free your soul
Till we crash we're forever spiraling down, down, down, down
Hello, hello, it's only me
Infecting everything you love
Somewhere beyond the pain
There must be a way to believe
Hello, hello remember me?
I'm everything you can't control
Somewhere beyond the pain
There must be a way to learn forgiveness
Hello, hello remember me?
I'm everything you can't control
Somewhere beyond the pain
There must be a way to believe we can break through
Remember who you really are
Do what you want, you want
The crowds went nuts for the band as they finished and vanished in puffs of ninja smoke with the instruments. "Well done, ladies!" Tsunade announced. "Next up, They may be the youngest of this year's performers, but don't let that fool you. Let's hear it for Kohai!
Konohamaru, Moegi and Udon were definitely ready for it. They appeared and the waited for the crowd's cheers to die down. And once again the drums started off the next song.
Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy
Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy
Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy
Violence is an energy
Against the enemy
Violence is an energy
Bringing on the fury
The choir infantry
Revolt against the honor to obey
Overthrow the effigy
The vast majority
While burning down the foreman of control
Silence is an enemy
Against your urgency
So rally up the demons of your soul
Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy
Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy
The insurgency will rise
When the blood's been sacrificed
Don't be blinded by the lies
In your eyes
Violence is an energy
From here to eternity
Violence is an energy
Silence is an enemy
So gimme gimme revolution
Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy
Do you know the enemy?
Do you know your enemy?
Well, gotta know the enemy
Overthrow the effigy
The vast majority
We're burning down the foreman of control
Silence is an enemy
Against your urgency
So rally up the demons of your soul
And with that, another puff of smoke whisked off another band.
"I expected nothing less from a Sarutobi. We're gonna really turn things up. We've got two brothers from two different bands going head to head on the same stage for the first time tonight!" The crowds went nuts, knowing Tsunade was referring to Sasuke and Itachi Uchiha.
"With that settled, bring out the next group. Like both brothers started out in this very city, the younger brother made his way soaring by reaching out beyond the cities. He'll light a fire that burns brightly and bring the storm with a single strum. Here's Taka, led by our own... Sasuke Uchiha!"
Fi-nal-ly! Really sorry this took so long. The next chapter should be done a lot sooner. I have the idea of how I wanna write the upcoming brotherly moments and the setup for their faceoff. The chapter after that, however, will take some time. Just be a bit more patient. In the mean time, be sure to show some support for my other Naruto stories. AnimeDrummer sayin peace out!