Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
A/N: Well, Good day to all! Chapter twelve's here, sorry for the late update. Read on and don't forget to leave a review. Oh! Before everything, I must warn you, this is a long story, and I just can't rush some things, right? (I am SO sorry, guys! This chapter's supposed to be posted a week ago, I was just too BUSY this days. I didn't even had time to open my computer!)
Hyuuga Hinata: That's Hinata's whole name, but she and Neji are not related, even as cousins here. Ok?
Beta-Reader: Skye vov
Chapter twelve
Haruno Sakura simply let her unconscious friend, Hinata, lay her head on Sakura's lap. Sakura, however, felt a little worried and guilty at the same time. If she didn't leave Hinata alone, this might not have happened. Naruto and Sasuke kept arguing while Kakashi excused himself to get some more water for their two guests.
"Gomen, Sakura-chan," the blond sincerely apologized to the pink-haired girl, "It was an accident."
Sakura looked at him with plain, kind emerald eyes and smiled slightly.
"Don't worry, Naruto," Sakura glanced at Hinata, "She's still alive and breathing. However. . ."
Naruto looked at her with a confused expression.
"If I see one single scar," Sakura grinned wolfishly, "I'll have to bury you alive."
He gulped, while Sasuke smirked with pleasure. "Dobe," The raven-haired guitarist whispered to the band's drummer, "That's what you really deserve after invading a ladies' room."
"Well," Naruto argued, "If your building didn't lock boys' rooms without warning this wouldn't have happened!"
"I believe that room was under repair," Sasuke admitted but shot him a glare nonetheless. "But why didn't you use the other floor's bathroom instead?"
"It'd take a long time, Sasuke!" Naruto complained like a kid.
"Lazy dobe," Sasuke whispered, crossing his arms, which aroused Naruto's temper a little more.
Sakura didn't really feel angry with Naruto, she knew that it was all an honest mistake. She was sure that when Hinata woke up, she'd understand and just laugh at everything. That is, after Sakura did some explaining. As the pink-haired girl looked at the two men bickering, she couldn't retain her smile; she felt at home and comfortable with the two.
"I simply can't believe," Kakashi entered the scene with a cocky smile on his face, "Naruto invaded the ladies' room! Now that's a first!" He laughed and placed the glasses of water on a table.
"Not you too, Kakashi!" Naruto groaned and sat on another sofa with his arms crossed.
"So," The band's manager grinned and sat beside Naruto, "How was it inside?"
The Uchiha sighed exasperatedly. It was pretty obvious that he didn't want to hear that nonsense.
"Eh?" Naruto inquired with a surprised face. "It was, well, normal. Of course, it was spotlessly clean."
Kakashi whistled. "Hm? That makes me even more curious," he chuckled, "I think I'll go visit it someday."
Naruto sighed and moved his gaze to Hinata. He quickly stood up and jumped for joy, which surprised the band, needless to say.
"Look!" Naruto pointed at the stirring Hinata, "Hinata-chan's gaining consciousness!"
Sakura, startled, quickly looked at her friend moving a bit slightly in her lap. She must not have noticed it because watching Naruto and Sasuke was distracting her. Hinata slowly sat up with a little assistance from Sakura. Sakura sighed in relief. 'At least Hinata-chan's alright now.'
Hovering behind Sasuke's back, Naruto examined Hinata very intensely. Sasuke could feel Naruto's feeling of guilt and concern.
"You better stay where you are, dobe," he warned, crossing his arms. "You don't want her to faint again, right?"
Naruto shook his head vehemently. Obviously, he didn't want Hinata fainting on him again. "Yeah, I'll go grab a Coke or something. Just call me if she's feeling any better, alright?"
Sakura grabbed a glass of water and gave it to Hinata. "Hinata-chan? Are you all right? Here, have this glass of water," she offered.
At first, Hinata was gently massaging her forehead. She then opened her eyes and was relieved to see her pink-headed friend's sweet smile. She took a deep breath and accepted Sakura's offer, although there were already hundreds of questions occupying her mind at that very moment.
"Thanks." She whispered to her friend, "You know what, Sakura-chan?"
"What?" Sakura whispered, glad Hinata was opening up to her already, and because Hinata didn't seem to have noticed Naruto's presence. He was already in the small kitchen-like area.
"I-I saw a guy!" Hinata exclaimed happily, "In a ladies' room, Sakura!"
Sakura pretended she didn't know the entire thing because she didn't want to make Hinata feel even more confused. "Really?" She asked with interest, "What's he look like?"
Hinata blushed. "Well, as far as I can remember, he has blond hair and beautiful baby blue eyes. He really looked. . .charming, yet a little rough around the edges."
That made Sasuke smirk, which made Hinata notice him.
"Gomen," She looked at Sasuke from head to toe, "Sakura-chan, who is he?"
"Uh, right," Sasuke replied in his deep voice, "I'm Uchiha Sasuke, owner of KTV Corporation and guitarist of the band. I'm with Miss Haruno here because of her contract signing that was supposed to have happened fifteen minutes ago."
Sakura giggled quietly at his answer. She must've not noticed that time passed.
"Oh, I see! Pleasure to meet you, Uchiha-san." Hinata greeted respectfully.
Sasuke gently shook his head then spoke. "No need to call me that," he sighed, "I'm only the same age as Sakura."
Hinata nodded and smiled at Sakura, who was a bit surprised at two things. First, he didn't give Hinata the cold shoulder treatment like he gave Sakura the first time they met. 'Does that mean something?' Second, at the very young age of eighteen, he was able to run a company as big as KTV Corp and have a successful career as a guitarist.
'Uchiha Sasuke is really a mysterious person,' she thought. Sakura couldn't help herself from staring at Sasuke. He really was the mysterious type. His onyx eyes, to her, were his best features. He looked so daring and dangerous, but something was different about him. She kept staring at him, and once again, she lost herself in his eyes.
Suddenly, Sasuke caught her looking at him. He smirked, while Sakura blushed. She quickly broke eye contact and faced Hinata, her face still red.
"Uh, um," Sakura tried to change the subject, "Do you have the slightest idea who bought you here, Hina?" She grinned.
"Come to think of it," Hinata spoke with interest, "I don't. Do you, Sakura-chan?"
As Sakura saw Naruto approaching towards them with a cola, she patted Hinata on the back and whispered, "You're going to find out soon enough." The pink-haired girl pointed the approaching Naruto out to her friend. Hinata couldn't believe her eyes. It was him. It must be him. He had the same blond hair and set of beautiful baby blue eyes. He was holding a cola and walking towards the trio. Naruto grinned at the shocked Hinata, whose cheeks were turning slightly pink.
She and Sakura stood up while the dark-haired girl faced Naruto. "Hinata," Sakura began, "Meet Uzumaki Naruto. He's the one that bought you here."
Even though she was surprised, Hinata was able to ask her friend, "Was he the one that invaded the ladies' room?"
Sakura sighed but smiled at her. "Yes, he is the one," she explained, "There is a valid reason why he did that, though. Well, it's a pretty long story."
Hinata looked at him again, smiled, then whispered, "I-I understand."
Naruto grinned, "That's better! I guess we have to start all over again, Hinata-chan!" he exclaimed as he stretched out his right hand. "Hi, I'm Uzumaki Naruto! Who are you?"
Hinata was surprised but slowly reached out her own right hand. Smiling softly, the two shook hands.
"Hi Naruto," Hinata whispered while blushing, "I'm Hyuuga Hinata, Sakura's best friend."
'Pleased to meet you. . .'
After introducing Hinata to Kakashi, the manager of band, she sat in the corner and watched Sakura sign her contract. Sakura looked nervous, but she had a right to be since after this, there'd be no more turning back. She glanced at her friend who simply gave an encouraging thumbs-up.
Uchiha Sasuke offered a seat to Sakura then went to his own chair, located right in front of her. He examined her. She was nervous and having doubts. Finally, the members of band sat down and gathered at a small round table. A nervous Sakura, a grinning Naruto, a silent Kakashi and an emotionless Sasuke.
"Yeah, well," Sakura whispered to the group, "Will you explain everything to me now? Just before I sign my contract, Sasuke promised that you all would."
Kakashi gave Sasuke a surprised glance, then threw a questioning look to Sakura. "What are you talking about?"
"Hyuuga Neji," Sakura murmured. "I want to know more about Neji."
Kakashi looked at her strangely, then grinned. "So, Miss Haruno here is interested in Neji, ne?"
Sasuke looked away, showing them that he didn't care, even though, somewhere deep inside of him, he hated it when Sakura talked about Neji.
Sakura shook her head rapidly, trying to hide her slight blush. "No! No, it's not that! It's just, well, um. . . Do I really have to compete with Neji?"
The rest fell silent, especially Sasuke. How could they explain this? How could they say "Yes, you have to compete with him" in a comforting way?
Kakashi nodded, staring into her worried green eyes. "I'm afraid you have to, Sakura. It's not only for us and KTV Corp, but also for your own sake." He spoke in a serious tone.
"Why?" Sakura managed to ask, "What did he do?"
"Well," Kakashi gave a lazy sigh and stretched, "It's a pretty long story."
"I'm all ears." Sakura declared.
Sasuke couldn't help but smirk. "She's determined, Kakashi."
"Okay," Kakashi started the storytelling, "Hyuuga Neji was our former band's singer. He was a great musician and also played the bass. He was a good companion even though he has the same boring attitude as Sasuke."
Sakura smiled, listening attentively. Naruto couldn't help laughing at Kakashi's comment. Hinata also smiled from the corner, listening to the band's conversation.
'They're not boring. . .' Sakura defended in thought, 'They're just secretive and mysterious. . .'
Sasuke shot murderous look to Kakashi, who simply chuckled, declaring that it was just a joke. He then looked solemnly at Sakura and continued.
"Our band was perfect. Hyuuga Neji as the lead singer and bass player, Uchiha Sasuke as the back-up singer and guitarist, Uzumaki Naruto playing the drums, and me as their manager and personal song writer," Kakashi grinned, "It was easy for us, skyrocketing to fame, but. . ."
"But. . .?" Sakura asked, somehow not surprised.
"But," Kakashi continued, "Just after our very first successful concert where he finally established his own name, he left the band without notice. He entered the modeling world and went on solo. He simply watched the band on its downfall, Sakura. Even though it's the one that made him rich and famous."
"He used us!" Sasuke spat, "Neji used the band for his own purpose!"
"I guess that's it," Kakashi said, trying to calm down the Uchiha. "That's what happened between the band and Neji."
"What made him enter modeling, Kakashi?" Sakura asked, "Do you have an idea?"
"Not a thing," Kakashi sighed, "But it was once rumored that he entered modeling because of a certain girl, but after that, I have no idea."
Sakura heaved a sigh and nodded. Everybody was once again silent before Sasuke spoke calmly.
"That's why we need you, Sakura." He explained, "We need you to save the band."
"Why me?" Sakura managed to ask, still unbelieving about the things she heard about Neji. She was staring at the floor.
Kakashi chuckled. "The first time we met you, at the audition, we already knew that you're no ordinary girl. You're special and that makes you stand out. And besides. . ."
Sakura looked at Kakashi, interested. There was always something else with that man.
"You're the only one that ever," Kakashi grinned, "melted our guitarist's cold heart."
Naruto laughed hysterically now, he was already in tears when Sakura felt her cheeks burn. She simply played with a lock of her pink hair and smiled. She didn't have the guts to look at Sasuke and see his reaction but she heard Sasuke mumbling something to Naruto. "Dobe"
'I wonder if he's blushing too. . .' Sakura asked herself.
'Hah! That'll be the day!' Inner Sakura cackled.
"So," Naruto jumped enthusiastically towards her, "Are you signing the contract, Sakura-chan?"
Everybody fell silent for the awaited moment. First, Sakura looked at Kakashi who nodded, as if saying 'What do you have to lose, Sakura? Sign it.' She then glanced at the blond beside him, his expression saying, 'SIGN IT! It'll be fun, Sakura-chan!'. Then, she looked behind her and saw her friend's smiling pure white eyes, as if saying, 'Whatever you choose, Sakura, I'll always be beside you and supporting you'
Finally, her gaze landed on Sasuke, his daring eyes meeting with her hesitant ones. They stayed like that for a short while before she heard him actually speak. "Don't worry," he whispered, ". . .I will try protect you. . ."
Uchiha Sasuke actually said that, she could even remember the movement of his lips. She didn't just imagine him saying it, but he actually said it! However, it was only she that heard Sasuke. . . but she didn't care. It was comforting to know that someone was there to protect her.
She nodded then smiled, she grabbed a black pen and wrote her signature, H. Sakura,on a space only provided for her. She sighed in relief, she was now officially a part of the band. Sakura smiled, feeling calm. Someone was there to catch her whenever she fell and she knew she didn't need to worry.
'Sasuke. . .'
Sasuke smirked, even Naruto could tell that he was pretty happy. Of course, Naruto was happy too, but not the same way as Sasuke. Hinata jumped up and hugged her friend.
"Oh, before I forget," Sakura smiled at Kakashi, "Will I have a personal wardrobe designer?"
Kakashi chuckled. "But of course," he grinned, "You do need one, Sakura. You're going to be famous now! You have to pick fresh, new, stylish kinds of teen dresses from now on."
"Do you want me to call someone now, Kakashi?" Sasuke asked, reaching for his cell phone.
"Oh, no need!" Sakura exclaimed. She dragged Hinata forward and grinned. "Hinata's a great designer! Sure, she didn't graduate from a fashion school or something, but she's really good! Can I. . . pretty please. . . have her as my own designer?"
"Well, I don't know. . ." Kakashi examined Hinata.
"Please," Sakura smiled, "She really is cool! She did this outfit just by gathering some old stuff from my closet!" she exclaimed while pointing at her dress.
"Okay!" Naruto declared, "I agree with Sakura, you're hired, Hinata!"
Kakashi and Sasuke both exchanged surprised looks, then glared at Naruto.
"Don't worry, guys," Naruto whispered, "I can say she's pretty good, just look at Sakura, Hinata knows her best features! Give her a chance, and well, I want to apologize for scaring her earlier."
"Hn," Sasuke nodded, "I have to admit, she's got taste. Ok, Hinata, You're hired."
"Arigato Gozaimasu," Hinata whispered happily.
"Thanks, Sasuke. . ." Sakura smiled warmly.
Sasuke simply nodded while Kakashi approached the two girls. He checked some papers. "Uh, a little problem, Sakura," he warned, "I just remembered, you don't have any past music experience."
"Yeah, that's right," Sakura nodded sadly, "I don't have any experience in music, especially in singing, but I do enjoy doing it."
"Kakashi," Sasuke interrupted, "I'll take care of this. Give me a week and I'll teach her personally." His tone was serious. "I know she can do this, we'll practice everyday in my own house."
Sakura was speechless, but when Sasuke looked at her, she managed to nod.
"Then," Sasuke continued, "After a week, we can have Sakura's first public performance." He smirked.
'What! Traitor!' Inner Sakura roared.
"Are you sure, Sasuke?" Kakashi asked, rather shocked, "Can she do it? In only a week?" Even Naruto and Hinata seemed to be surprised.
"Yes. It'll be hectic and difficult, but," Sasuke sighed, "I know she can go through with it."
"Yeah," Kakashi grinned impishly, "If you say so Sasuke. You seem to have a lot of faith in Sakura."
The pink-haired singer blushed yet again.
"Hn." The Uchiha nodded and walked towards Sakura.
"Thanks, everybody. . ." Sakura whispered, teary-eyed. She smiled at Sasuke. "You all gave me a fresh new start, I'll never forget this."
"Sakura. . ." Sasuke reached out his hand and smiled down at her.
'Welcome to Crypz. . .'
Meanwhile. . .
"Neji," Itachi shook his hand after Neji's contract signing, "Welcome back."
Neji nodded curtly. He didn't look pleased.
"Why the face?" Itachi asked. "You should feel proud, you're going to be a star again."
"I am still a star, Itachi." Neji said, rather irritated, "Besides, I'm just doing this for my girl." He stood up and began to leave.
"Very well," The crimson-eyed man nodded, "I do pity my 'dear brother' and his band, Crypz."
"Oh," Neji said with his back facing his manager, "I believe they already found a new singer."
Itachi jerked his head up in surprise.
"Yeah," he whispered with a smirk before completely leaving the dark office, "I believe her name was Haruno Sakura."
Neji's shadowy figure finally left, and only Itachi was left inside the dark office. An evil smirk crept across his face.
'Haruno Sakura. . . This is getting quite interesting. . .'
. . . to be continued. . .
A/N: Sorry for the late update, guys. I'm going to be busy because school's starting again. I wanna thank Skye, my beta-reader, for editing my story. Reviews will be nice, people.
Votes: Sasuke/Sakura: 15 votes.
Neji/Sakura: 7 votes, so far.
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