Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

A/N: I really want to apologize to everyone! I'm aware that I haven't been able to update faster. This is the first time I ever experienced writer's block and believe me, it is not a good thing. So, what else can I say? Please read and enjoy this very long chapter! (I'm thinking of making my chapters longer now because of my late updates.)

B/N: Bleh... Gomen, minna-san. I apologize for the extra delay. Long chapter, long beta-reading process, you do the math. Gomen nasai!

Chapter fourteen

Thursday, 5:30 am

Sakura ran her hands over the wall, where the light switch should've been. She couldn't see anything from the top of the stairs, since it was still quite dark. After several attempts, she finally found the switch, turned the lights on and walked towards the fridge, wondering if there was anything edible in there.

'It's still too early for breakfast,' Sakura thought, yawning. The pink-haired singer hadn't been able to sleep at all last night.

She looked inside the fridge and stared at its contents. Finally, she decided to have ice cream, although Sasuke told her not to. The dairy in it would be bad for her voice, but even knowing that she couldn't help it. Sakura tried halfheartedly not to touch the forbidden food but her hands reached for the chocolate ice cream, scooped some out and placed it in her cup.

Before the spoon reached her mouth, she froze. 'Damn, Sasuke's going to kill me!' Sakura realized, still staring at the mouth-watering spoonful of rich, creamy, chocolate sweetness.

'It's only for today, Sakura! It's been two incredibly long days of practice, and what Sasuke doesn't know won't hurt him!' Inner Sakura persisted.

'Yes, you're right. I think I deserve a treat!' Sakura smiled and ate the food.

Sakura sat alone in the dining room. She could just barely make out Ino's snoring from upstairs, and she knew Hinata was still asleep too. Sakura ate her ice cream as silently as she could, thinking about her career. She'd been practicing with Sasuke for the last two days and was doing fine--actually, better than fine. She had improved a lot because of his constant teaching and patience. Although she hadn't had an official practice with the whole band, she was still happy with Sasuke's company.

But then she started thinking deeper, doubting herself. Did she really have the guts to be a singer?

She ate another spoonful of ice cream, stopping at the thought of Neji. She hadn't gotten a chance to see him since their rather personal lunch talk. To Sakura, he was just a friend, but now she wondered if... was Hyuuga Neji also her rival? Just like he was Sasuke's rival?

'No!'

Sakura shook her head, ate another spoonful and picked up a small stack of magazines that were lying on the table. Ino loved to collect the kind of magazines that discussed teen life, fashion, and celebrities. Although Sakura was never particularly fond of fashion or celebrities' lives, she would browse through Ino's collection when she was bored.

Something caught her eye as she reached the third one from the bottom. A photo of Neji was on the cover. She picked up the magazine and ate another spoonful of ice cream, flipping through the pages of the magazine. It was sold yesterday; Ino must have bought it after work last night.

Cool Teen Magazine was the second-most famous and the coolest magazine in Tokyo. Of course Neji's handsome face would be plastered on the cover. Well, he was really famous. The article inside was entitled: 'The Hyuuga, Back in the Music World!' It read:

'The Hyuuga, Back in the Music World!

Yes, Hyuuga Neji is back to once again pursue his singing career! He left his former band, Crypz, and started his solo career in modeling a while ago, but once again, he will enter the music world! Hyuuga already signed his contract in KTV Corporation under Uchiha Itachi's management. It was once rumored that this daring singer left Crypz because of a certain girl. Who? Nobody knows who she is but we at CTM are sure that Hyuuga will be skyrocketing to fame once again! Another star is reborn! The next five pages are recent photos of him.

-Cool Teen Magazine'

Sakura sighed; she really was nothing compared to him. Neji was a handsome, well-bred man, a fantastic singer and bass player, and a famous model. Sakura was just a pink-haired painter living a modest life, an amateur singer carrying a broken heart.

She ate another spoonful of her delicious ice cream and skipped a couple of pages. Another article about the band, Crypz, caught her eye. It read:

'Crypz New Lead Singer: Ready to Take on Hyuuga Neji's Place?

After Hyuuga Neji left it, Crypz didn't give up hope. Instead the remaining band members started an audition to have someone fill Hyuuga's place! It is rumored that the girl they found is a fantastic singer and has the approval of all three group members. According to rumor, she also signed her contract recently! Hatake Kakashi, band manager, when asked to comment chuckled and said, "She is an incredible singer. She's got heart, talent, and a sweet and kind personality. There was no argument about whether she was right for the band or not." There's still not enough information, but Hatake announced yesterday that the band is holding an upcoming press conference and will be presenting the new singer to the public! She may be good, but is she really good enough to be a challenge to Hyuuga?

-Cool Teen Magazine'

The pink-haired starlet was shocked. She didn't see that one coming. She hadn't even been introduced to the public and there was already a rumor about her! She never expected to end up in this kind of situation. Sakura once thought that she'd be a successful painter and live a simple, quiet life. Now she was the lead singer of a famous rock band, with magazines doubting her talent!

With that, she returned the magazine to its original location and covered her face with her hands, letting her thoughts scamper through her mind.

The minutes ticked by. Sakura's bowl of ice cream sat beside her, lonely and forgotten. She sighed a long, shuddering sigh, forcing all negative thoughts out of her brain.

"I'm going to have to face reality at some point," she mumbled through her hands. "I'm not the painter I was planning to be, so I'll just..." She lifted her head from her hands and smiled determinedly. "...Have to do a damn good job at proving myself!"

"S-Sakura-chan?" A soft voice from the top of the staircase startled Sakura.

"Hina!" Sakura jumped up and hid the cup and spoon she used for her ice cream. "Good morning!"

"Sakura-chan," Hinata spoke in a small but serious tone, " I know what you're facing right now."

Sakura flinched, all the negative thoughts rushing back into her mind. How could she even dream of being a threat to Neji? She was nowhere near as skilled as he was. She tried to hide her disheartened expression and shrugged. "I guess you caught me, huh?"

Hinata laughed softly and started down the stairs. "I did. I-it's pretty obvious, Sakura. I m-mean, you have chocolate stains around your mouth! You just couldn't keep yourself from eating the ice cream, ne?"

Sakura felt relieved and forced a smile. "Yeah, you caught me!" she said, walking towards the fridge. Then she asked, "Anyway, you're up early. What are we having for breakfast?"

The dark-haired girl walked towards Sakura carefully. "I saw the article last night, Sakura-chan," she whispered.

Sakura gave her friend a sad look and sighed. "Yeah... I'm in trouble, Hina."

"No you're not," Hinata said reassuringly. "I-I know you're not used to being on center stage or competing with people. Excluding Ino, of course. B-but you're already in this situation... You can't run away, you have to fight, Sakura-chan."

Sakura fell silent.

"Y-You need to fight," Hinata smiled warmly, "but we're not letting you fight alone.

"You have us."

Sakura hesitated then grinned, her eyes glittering determinedly. "Thanks. I'm going to work hard and I'm not going to let you both down."

"We're not letting you face the world alone. You have us, your friends, and we'll always be here for you, Sakura-chan." Hinata placed a hand on Sakura's shoulder.

Sakura's grin grew. "What would I do without you and Ino?"

A voice from the top of the staircase interrupted the pair. "You're both up early, is breakfast ready?" the blonde yawned, eyes still half-shut.

Sakura and Hinata simply looked at each other and fell into a fit of giggles.

"Sakura-chan," Hinata knocked on Sakura's door, "Are you ready?"

Sakura checked her appearance again in the full-length mirror. The slight bags under her eyes made her look sleepy, probably because of her tendency to practice alone, late at night. They were worth it, though, because she was improving drastically. She sighed, got her purse and opened the door.

"Gomen," Sakura apologized. "Is he here already?" She sat on the floor and began pulling on her shoes.

"Y-Yes, but he didn't come out of the limo," Hinata replied.

"Limo?" Sakura looked up from her shoes. "What limo?"

"You'll see." Hinata grinned. "Oh before I forget, please give these to Sasuke-san." She handed Sakura a brown envelope.

"What's this?"

"T-they're my designs," Hinata mumbled, blushing. "I hope everybody approves."

Sakura grinned. "I'm sure they'll love them!"

Hinata's expression relaxed, and then she smiled.

"Especially Naruto." Sakura added. The green-eyed girl laughed, heading downstairs. Her dark-haired friend was right behind her, blushing.

When they reached the kitchen, Ino was wolfing down her breakfast. She sighed. "I wish I could come with you, Sakura! But no, my schedule's too tight. Sorry!"

"Y-You have to take a break once in a while, Ino," Hinata stuttered. "That goes for you, too, Sakura-chan."

Sakura and Ino looked at each other and burst out laughing.

"W-What's so funny?" Hinata blushed.

Ino snorted. "You're acting like our mother, Hina!"

"So?" Hinata replied, still confused.

"Don't mind her, Hinata." Sakura smiled and walked towards the door, waving. "I gotta go, guys!"

"Good luck!" Ino briefly gave Sakura a thumbs-up before continuing with breakfast.

Hinata smiled and whispered to Sakura, "Please say hi to everyone for me."

Sakura looked back then winked. "Yup, bye now!" She headed outside and towards the limo.

The pink-haired girl thought it'd be Sasuke greeting her again, just like he had over the past two days, but she was wrong. It was a smiling old man with a long, black limo behind him (as opposed to Sasuke's convertible).

"Good morning, Ms. Haruno," The old man said formally, bowing. "I was sent here by Sasuke-sama to escort you."

'Just as I thought, oh well.' Sakura sighed. "Oh, is that so? Thanks," she said.

The driver seemed satisfied with her response. In any case, he opened the door of the back seat and let her in. She was pretty cheerful at the prospect of sitting in the back seat of any of Uchiha Sasuke's cars. It made her feel important.

They drove for a few miles before reaching the Uchiha mansion. As soon as the limo passed through the silver gates, Sakura felt different. She suddenly got what her mother used to call a "gut instinct": something important was going on inside that very mansion. The driver parked the limo outside the mansion's main doors. The driver stepped out and opened her door.

"Here we are, Haruno-san," The old man bowed politely again.

Sakura smiled awkwardly and stepped out of the car. "Please," she mumbled. "No need to call me that. Sakura is just fine."

"Sakura-san it is then." The old man smiled amiably and shut the door behind her.

"Let me guess," she said impishly, grinning. "Sasuke's orders?"

"Hai," the driver nodded and bowed, "Sakura-san."

Sakura sighed.

He smiled good-naturedly once again and opened the car door, before pausing and adding, "Sasuke-sama was very strict about instructing me that I must take care of you as if you were a very valuable crystal." He entered the car. "He said that you're somebody special and should be given attention to."

Sakura gave him a surprised look.

"I guess Sasuke-sama is right." The driver chuckled and drove away.

Sakura smiled. She felt relaxed, somehow. Maybe it was because of what Sasuke apparently thought of her?

'Nah,' Sakura forced that thought of her head and pushed through the mansion's main door.

The green-eyed starlet walked through the glossy marble halls with caution. There were no people around, making the house feel deserted and lonely. However, that was probably because all the maids and workers were not allowed in the living room when the band practiced. Sakura looked around but only saw expensive pieces of art and shiny rocks.

Sakura headed towards the grand staircase on her left. At first touch, the banister was cold. Eerily so. Maybe the house was affected by Sasuke's loneliness and attitude; it reflected his cold heart and nothing could give warmth to the place. At least, indoors. Outside, the garden was filled with life and brightness. Sakura snorted derisively.

She reached the second floor and looked from right to left. Still no sign of life. She was about to walk down the hall to the right, where the studio was, when she saw an open door on the left. Naturally, it piqued her curiosity, so she stopped walking and scanned the hall. There she saw the two people she least expected to see together in the Uchiha mansion.

Hyuuga Neji and his manager, Uchiha Itachi.

Sakura felt her heart race and she dove around a corner. She glanced at the band's former singer and her glance turned into a stare. She blushed as she examined his face curiously, especially his mysterious, cool eyes. His long black hair made him even more handsome.

'Hell, what is this feeling? Why am I blushing?'

"Sakura?" a masculine voice from behind her whispered. "What are you doing?"

Sakura squeaked and whirled around, surprised to see the dark-haired guitarist of Crypz. She instantly signaled for Sasuke to keep quiet.

Sasuke spoke in a low tone. "What are you staring at?"

"Nothing!" Sakura whispered.

"I don't believe you." Sasuke said, irritated. He leaned around her, trying to see.

"Wait!" Sakura pleaded. "I don't think you have to see this."

"Yes I do," Sasuke looked at her. "This is my house."

She tried to stop him, but he was too strong for her. She lost her balance, but Sasuke grabbed her by the waist and saved her from an embarrassing fall. While that was fortunate, it also let Neji and Itachi see them.

Sakura blushed and quickly regained her composure. Sasuke shot a murderous glare at Neji, who smirked. His smirk grew after he glanced at the nervous Sakura.

"I see," Neji said. "You're here for your practice?"

Sakura nodded and smiled embarrassedly.

"Were you eavesdropping, dear brother?" Itachi inquired with a false air of amiability.

"No," Sasuke retorted. "Just passing by to fetch our lead singer."

Both men stared at Sakura, especially Neji. She chose to remain silent, her hands behind her back and her eyes boring holes in her shoes.

"Well," Neji said, presumably pausing to look at his watch. "I guess we have to go, time for the press conference."

"Yes, you're right," Itachi sighed. "Pardon us but we have to go now, Haruno-san."

Itachi went down the staircase, leaving Neji behind. Sakura looked up and saw Neji watching her. She had an odd feeling that Sasuke was watching her from his location beside her.

"Sakura." Neji approached Sakura with the smirk still on his face. He held both her hands with his. "Thank you for that wonderful lunch."

Sakura was gazing into his eyes now. A small blush appeared on her cheeks when she realized he was holding her hands.

"No problem," Sakura managed to mumble.

Neji finally walked out, leaving her and Sasuke alone. She risked a glance at him, although she was still blushing. He was gone. Sakura saw him walking away.

"W-Wait up!" She ran after him, clutching Hinata's envelope.

Finally, Sakura caught up and grabbed his sleeve. Both stopped. Sasuke was strangely quiet, so Sakura tugged on his arm lightly.

"Are you mad at me?" Sakura asked with caution.

"Imagine that," Sasuke said with sarcastic cheer, "Crypz's new lead singer had lunch with Crypz's former singer!"

"It was just a friendly lunch!" she argued. "The person he was going to meet couldn't come!"

"Damn it!" he exclaimed angrily. "Can't you see what he's trying to do!"

She shook her head rapidly.

He grabbed her shoulders and held her gaze. "He's using you."

Sakura felt hurt and offended by his statement. She removed his hands from her shoulders and stared at the floor. "I don't believe you," she whispered. "Neji wouldn't do something like that."

"It's possible." Sasuke's voice was solemn. "Especially since he's working with my brother now."

Sakura fell silent. She clenched her fists and her eyes began watering.

"Sakura," he whispered.

"I feel..." She raised her head to glare at him. "I feel like a damn lifeless toy!"

A look of shock passed over Sasuke's face.

"You can't control me forever!" Sakura shouted. "Neither you nor Neji!"

"Sakura," he interrupted. "Let me talk."

"No!" Sakura roared. "You listen! I'm done listening!"

His look of surprise returned. After a pause, he smirked slightly.

The fair-skinned girl crossed her arms, fighting back tears. "I love this band, I feel right at home." Sakura paused to sigh. "But you don't have the right to tell me what I can and cannot do!"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow.

"I'll do whatever I want... that is, when I'm not with the band and I'm just plain Sakura." She glared at him, although she was forcing her anger down. "But when I'm Haruno Sakura, lead singer of Crypz, I swear I'll keep my distance from any man except you, Naruto and Kakashi!"

"Deal." He nodded curtly.

"What?" Sakura blinked.

"I said," he repeated patronizingly, "It's okay with me."

Her startled expression turned soft and gentle. Then she blushed. "Well, that was easy!" She smiled at him. "Thanks!"

Sasuke nodded again, then smirked. "Forget about everything that just happened and follow me to the studio. I have a surprise."

Sakura wiped her eyes and looked at him. "What is it?"

"Just follow me." 'I'm sure you'll love it.'

Sakura followed Sasuke, heading toward the studio. When they got there, it was dark, but he flipped the light switch. The room flooded with light and she saw her surprise.

Naruto sat behind the drum set, twirling a drumstick. Kakashi was leaning against the wall, writing on something.

"Hi Sakura-chan!" Naruto yelled, approaching her with a grin. "We'll finally be able to practice together!"

The pink-haired girl gave him her most befuddled expression.

"Yes," Kakashi chuckled. "Sasuke told me you've been improving faster than he had expected."

Sakura quickly looked at the guitarist, who had an unreadable expression. She felt a mixture of happiness, excitement and disbelief surge through her. Sasuke smirked and sauntered over to his guitar. Naruto was still beside Sakura, staring at her.

She shifted uncomfortably and handed Naruto the envelope. "This is for you," she said. "It has Hinata's outfit designs. I hope everybody likes them because she did her very best."

"Oh." He smiled, pocketing the envelope. "How is Hinata-chan?"

"She's fine," Sakura said, smiling.

"I'll take that," Kakashi said. Naruto sighed and handed him the envelope, which Kakashi opened. "These designs will go to a professional dressmaker. Tell Hinata that she must keep on making new clothes for you, Sakura."

Sakura nodded enthusiastically. "Thanks, she's really doing a fabulous job!"

Kakashi nodded in agreement and chuckled. "Well, Sakura, have you memorized one of our old songs?"

"If it's any of the tracks on the CD that Sasuke gave me, I've memorized it."

"So, what are we waiting for?" The blond drummer exclaimed, "Let's go and make some music!"

"Wait," Kakashi commanded Naruto. "We have one little problem."

"What?" Naruto complained.

"Dobe." Sasuke smirked at the wall. He seemed to have a tendency to avoid eye contact. "We need someone to play the bass."

"Actually," Kakashi chuckled, "We already have someone."

Everybody stared expectantly at him, since he obviously had a solution.

Silence followed. "Well?" Naruto asked impatiently.

Kakashi smiled and cocked his head. "Well what?"

"Who is it!"

"Maa, Naruto, no need to get so anxious."

"Kakashi!"

He sighed. "Fine, I'll tell you.

"Meet the new bass player for Crypz." Kakashi bowed.

Naruto frowned. "Where is he?"

Kakashi rolled his eyes and made no move to introduce some person hidden in the shadows.

Sakura gasped. "You don't mean-"

He shrugged. "Yeah, well." He lifted the bass and played a complex melody. "I used to play when I was in high school."

Everyone looked shocked. Sasuke recovered first and smirked, returning to fiddling with his guitar. Naruto just stood there, dumbstruck.

"You play the bass?" he laughed. "Well, that's a surprise!"

Sakura smiled to herself. She could hardly believe that she was part of a band with such talented individuals in it.

"Okay, now that that's all set!" She walked onstage. "Let's make some music!"

Sasuke chuckled softly and Naruto laughed. The three male band members played some simple warm-ups on their respective instruments. Kakashi announced, "Track four, Sakura." She nodded and held the mike just like Sasuke had told her to.

Naruto held his drumsticks above his head and whacked them together so hard Sakura thought they would snap. He repeated the process another three times before she realized he was counting the beat. Another four whacks and the drumsticks came down to attack the cymbals, and then the rest of the drum set.

Kakashi joined in with the bass. At first, the tune was a simple repeating note, but suddenly it changed and became a flurry of different tones. Before Sakura could distinguish the actual melody, Sasuke's guitar came in.

A single wailing note, followed by an amazing series of chords, hammer-ons, and all sorts of things she couldn't understand came from his guitar. His hands moved so fast she could barely follow, and before she realized what was going on her cue came. She sang.

Sakura's singing was different. It was graceful but somehow fit for a rock band. She was swaying her body gently in time with the music. She would occasionally glance at her fellow band members and one simple phrase would enter her mind. 'I'm not alone, I have friends like them.'

The pink-haired singer felt comfortable with the tune, even though the lyrics were meant for a guy (namely Neji) to sing. She was not the plain Haruno Sakura, but a soon-to-be-rock star, head banging and singing a rock song. She was the Haruno Sakura most people didn't know and it was finally time for them to.

Sasuke was concentrating more on Sakura than what he was playing, but he was flawless anyway. He felt satisfied at the outcome of the new Sakura. Well, she deserved it; he could tell that she hadn't been neglecting her practice at all. Something seemed different with Sakura's voice, though, as if she needed to clear her throat a bit. Sasuke smirked and shook his head. 'Oh well, I guess she couldn't keep herself from eating dairy.'

The song ended and Naruto and Kakashi's applause echoed throughout the room. Sasuke approached Sakura and held her hands gently, gazing into her eyes.

"Hn," Sasuke muttered. "You've done a great job."

Sakura blushed and smiled. "You know it's all your fault."

Crypz's drummer snuck up from behind and hugged both Sasuke and Sakura, pushing them together in the process. Then he laughed, "Crypz is reborn!"

"Get off me, baka," Sasuke complained. A small pink blush appeared on his cheeks, since he was really close to Sakura.

Sakura giggled and Naruto released his hug. Sasuke straightened his crumpled blue shirt.

"Well, I guess that's it." Sakura smiled meekly. "I actually have to go home now."

"What? So soon?" Naruto whined like a little kid.

"Let her, Naruto," Kakashi chuckled. "Sakura's already 18 years old and she's a beautiful lady. What if she has a date or something?"

"No!" Sakura yelped defensively. She giggled and added, "It's not that."

"Before you go, Sakura," Sasuke said. "Let's head to the kitchen."

"W-What?" she asked. "Why?"

"I'm getting you ice cream. It's a reward," he sighed.

Her eyes met his, and she smiled, laughing gently. She hadn't laughed like that for a long time; it was too strange: she didn't know cold-hearted Sasuke would actually do that.

"Okay, do you like chocolate ice cream?"

An hour or so later, Sakura was walking around by Chez Laire, once again trying to find a taxi for her ride home. She was wandering aimlessly, her mind somewhere far away. Her gaze landed on the doors of the same restaurant where she and Neji had lunch, but then someone pulled her long pink hair from behind.

"Hi, miss!" A little girl with brown hair said cheerily. She appeared to be about seven years old. Then she gasped, "Wow, you're really pretty!"

Sakura was flattered. "Really? Thanks!" She blushed. "Say, what's your name?"

Before the little girl could answer, a man in black tuxedo appeared at the corner. "Mameha-san! There you are!" he yelled, pointing at the child.

Time seemed to speed up. Mameha screamed, grabbed Sakura's arm and ran. It was clear that the man was after the little girl.

"Please help me!" Mameha pleaded. "That bad man is after me!"

"Why is he after you?" Sakura asked, running with her.

"Not now," Mameha panted. "We need to find a hiding place!"

'Kami! What have I gotten myself into?'

. . . to be continued. . .