Chapter Fourteen
September 3rd 2015
Hakeem and Jamal had just finished their performance of Born To Lose for the free Lucious Concert and Cookie took the microphone.
"This next performer needs no introduction. Just last night he did a show at a sold out Madison Square Garden to top off his tour. Now today he is here to support his wrongfully incarcerated father as well as the wrongs that are constantly done to our people. Make some noise for Naruto Lyon!"
Everyone in central park cheered as Naruto walked out. He was dressed in black jeans, a black t-shirt and a black hooded jean jacket. Sewed into the jacket were patches that had names such as Trayvon Martin, Oscar Grant and Michael Brown. There was also the words, Black Lives Matter, spray painted onto the back of his jacket.
Play I Need Answers by Dizzy Wright
[Verse 1 – Naruto]
Never thought today god would take my friend
But I'm dealing with it
The police is at it again, and they killing the innocent
They consider us gangsters if we don't walk around acting like brothers is feminine
Y'all run off adrenaline
How you obey the law by harassing a citizen?
How we supposed to feel safe if you always act scared of us?
Somebody must've told you a lie
Not surprised that they calling us animals
Living in poverty, tryna survive
They say don't be mad at the cops, 96 percent killing is black on black crime
They don't want us to be outraged
But how we ever gon change if we don't even try
[Hook – Naruto][x2]
Why, do they kill us when they feel uncomfortable?
This shit is dysfunctional
Lost one of my homies about a month ago
Why, do we always feel like a target?
If I know it's because my skin, what would you call it?
I need answers man
[Hook- Tiana]
Please tell me something
How out of the blue, the one in the black
Get shot down for nothing
I just don't know, it feel like some nonsense
Feel like some bullshit
Please tell me something
I need answers man
All of the sudden, boys in the blue shoot boys who are black
Shoot them for nothing
Where they do that at?
I just don't know it feel like some nonsense
Feel like some bullshit
Please tell me something
I need answers man
[Verse 2 – Naruto]
It's no science to it, they treat us badcause they see how we living
Tell us take what was given
The government been against us since the very beginning
What if we took our guns off us and put em on y'all
And then asked god for forgiveness
Tryna get through to the public, marching and screaming for justice
Only get us pushed to religion
Hands up, don't shoot!
We beg to be humans, we must got a snake involved
If martial law can happen any minute
Then what's an unpaid suspension if you break the law?
Killing us isn't the answer
Establish facts before the propaganda
Look, these regular people with regular lives
Badges should come with a body camera
Why every chance they get...
[Hook]
[Bridge – Tiana (Naruto)]
I need answers man (I need answers man) [x2]
We need, answers
[Verse 3 – Naruto]
What now, fight back, bust back till they scared of that
Cause Willie Lynch wrote a letter on controlling black people
And we still ain't repaired from that
Might as well pull out the rope
I'm not pointing no fingers, I'm blaming us both
It's obvious we can stand for the right things
But media plays a problem with the things they promote
Fighting in a lose lose battle, tryna bring peace but it don't come natural
Walking in the streets, holding up signs
And they throwing tear gas at us like the shit don't matter
It was a peaceful protest before looters
We the violent ones, but they the shooters
Can't be teaching these kids you gon be mistreated by the police for being a human
I mean what kind of future is that?
What it take to get back?
I'm a man, I know better
Maybe me and my folks should vote better
Or maybe I should get out this country
Cause they aren't gon ever respect us until we start fucking up all of their money
But until then, pump your fists if you still in
Cause we will win, time to get angry
[Hook – Naruto][x2]
Why, do they kill us when they feel uncomfortable?
This shit is dysfunctional
Lost one of my homies about a month ago
Why, do we always feel like a target?
If I know it's because my skin, what would you call it?
I need answers man
[Hook 2 - Tiana]
Please tell me something
How out of the blue, the one in the black
Get shot down for nothing
I just don't know, it feel like some nonsense
Feel like some bullshit
Please tell me something
I need answers man
All of the sudden, boys in the blue shoot boys who are black
Shoot them for nothing
Where they do that at?
I just don't know it feel like some nonsense
Feel like some bullshit
Please tell me something
I need answers man
The beat kept going and Naruto spoke.
"Everybody repeat after me! Just standing don't shoot me! Just standing don't shoot me! Just standing don't shoot me! Just standing don't shoot me!"
The crowd repeated him and when he stopped the chant they kept on going and Naruto simply walked off the stage.
Next Day
Naruto walked through the doors of Empire for the first time in three months. He loved being on the road but this is where he belonged.
"I'm telling mom."
He watched as Hakeem stormed past him. Naruto shook his head and headed up to meet Jamal.
"Naruto where are you going?"
The rapper turned around and saw Becky. "I'm heading up for my meeting with Jamal."
"Sorry but that meeting is no longer with Jamal. Its been placed in the hands of the marketing department. They have more knowledge than Jamal on your situation. It starts in thirty seconds in the conference room."
Naruto nodded and began heading to the conference room.
"Oh and Naruto!"
He turned back around. "Its good to have you back. Maybe you can cool some of the hot heads around here.
Naruto laughed and went to his meeting.
After his meeting he received a deposit in his account for his hard work on your. Seventy Six million worth of hard work to be exact. It was eighty million but after the company took their cut he was still left with a large sum.
Later that night he ended up at Hakeem's place where he was throwing a party to help attract a big time investor.
When he walked into Hakeem's party he smiled when he saw all the women walking around in skimpy outfits.
"Oh shit, this is my kind of party!"
Hakeem laughed and hugged his twin. "Oh I knew you would but this not for you."
He motioned to a redhead behind him and Naruto understood. Even the old heads liked to dyke out.
"So, Selena good with you throwing this party?"
"Nah she in L.A. And she ain't ever gonna find out about this place either."
Naruto nodded and headed over to his mother.
"Sup Ma, Dre."
His mother hugged him and Andre clapped him on the back.
"Glad you could make it. What did they say about another leg for your tour?"
Naruto shrugged as he grabbed a drink.
"As of right now I can literally do a show anywhere but Canada. They are going to wait awhile and see if anything changes but right now I'm grounded here in New York.
"Well I hope everything turns out good for you. After that performance yesterday I know you've earned the spot as one of the best MC's in this business."
Naruto smirked as he looked at the redhead. "I like you. What's your name?"
"Call me Mimi. But I'm more interested in what you call her?"
Everyone turned and watched as Anika walked over to them.
"What is she doing here!"
Naruto shrugged at his mother. "She was on tour with me the whole time. She deserves to enjoy this party just as much as me."
Anika walked up to Naruto and gave him a kiss.
"Woah I though you were with that Jenner girl."
Anika smiled as she pulled away from Naruto. "Its a special situation. Naruto is a man who knows what he wants. And he wants you at Empire."
Mimi smiled as she looked Anika up and down and it was making Naruto very uncomfortable.
"Well are you willing to do anything to get me to come."
The way she said come made him even more uneasy but lucky enough a song change saved him from answering the question.
"I'm chewy, I'm some hot nigga."
"This is my song! I'm sorry Mimi but if you'll excuse us."
Mimi nodded and Naruto was dragged away by Anika before she began grinding her body against his.
Luckily he was able to avoid Mimi for the rest of the party and was able to slip out without her noticing.
The next day he went to go see his father in prison.
When he saw his father wearing the orange overalls he couldn't help but smile.
"Damn pops they got you in here looking like this. Prison life does not suit you."
Lucious laughed as Naruto took a seat in the crowded visitors area. "How was your tour?"
"Dope. We did this one show outdoors in a empty lot and there was a parking garage across the street with like two hundred people in there cause they couldn't get tickets to the show."
"Well I'm glad you had fun. Now we need you to focus on some business moves. You got the music out so we need you to embrace your true Lyon and start adding to the Empire."
"I got you, but tell me why some old lady was grilling me in the parking lot. I mean I know I pulled up in the Bugatti but there's no need to be salty."
"That's the prosecutor. She really got it out for me so watch your back. And I need to ask you something."
"What you need pops?"
"That lady from the concert that your mother was all up against. Who is she?"
"Names Mimi Whiteman. Mom is trying her hardest to get Mimi to invest not sure why though."
"You know why. Nothing goes down at Empire that you don't know about. What is your mother planning?"
Naruto looked down at the table and sighed. "Mom is trying to remove you as the head of Empire. She doesn't know that I know but I caught on by the way she was talking to Mimi."
Lucious looked at his son shocked. "Thanks for the information but to be honest I thought you were gonna lie. Why are you telling me? I thought you of all people would hate me."
Naruto shook his head. "Nah I don't hate you. For awhile I did and if this had come up a few months earlier I would be on moms side but while I was in tour I had time to think. Of you hadn't sent me away I would never have the heart I have now. Plus I'm a Lyon. And Lyon's stick together."
Naruto beat his chest and smiled as Lucious did the same."
"Alright. Listen I gotta dip but imma visit you again soon."
Lucious nodded and they both got up from their seats when they heard a girl start spitting a few bars.
When she finished both Naruto and Lucious approached her.
"That was amazing baby girl."
Naruto nodded. "Yeah that was pretty dope."
"What the hell are y'all doing!"
Lucious smiled. "Calm down Franky. This is my son Naruto."
"That's a weird name."
Naruto shrugged. "Its unique, just like me. I'll catch you later pops."
And with that Naruto was gone.
Next Day
After a long day of just laying around his house Naruto was called into a impromptu by Jamal. Apparently Mimi had purchased two hundred and fifty million dollars worth of shares.
Naruto didn't even bother getting dressed up for the meeting stepping out of his Lamborghini in just his pajama pants, a white t-shirt and slippers.
Naruto took a seat and quickly got bored. Jamal just seemed to go on and on about how Empire was still strong despite the lastest share purchase.
Things did get interesting when his mother pulled up with Hakeem and Andre. Naruto had been correct when he told his father they were trying to use Mimi to dethrone him. But the tables quickly turned when Mimi revealed that she went to see Lucious and would not be voting him out of Empire. The biggest surprise was Lucious appearing on the T.V. in the conference room.
"Game over bitches."
Andre, Cookie and Hakeem stared at Lucious in shock.
"Mimi your right there is no Empire without me. But there is another person who works just as hard as me. Naruto, since you've set foot in the Empire you've done nothing but good for us which is why I'm rewarding you. I know how proud you are of your past but I was able to get your record expunged. I've also arranged a spot for you on the board. As a key investor your input is very valuable. As is your relationship with the other artist, which is why you will be their voice. Any complaints they have will go to you and you are to consult with your fellow board members if needed. Later bitches."
Naruto stared in shock at the screen. His father had gotten his record cleared and given him a spot in the board of directors.
With that bombshell dropped on him Naruto spent the rest of the day smacked on Lyon's roar ignoring his mother's phone calls.
He finally answered at ten in the morning three days later.
"Boy where the hell you been!"
Naruto's only response made Cookie laugh.
"I need to stop smoking."
"Well I hope your sober cause I got an idea. Me, you, Hakeem and Andre leave Empire and form our own label. Hakeem's already on board and Andre is considering and Hakeem thinks he can get Selena to come too."
Naruto shook his head as he got out of his bed.
"Can't do it."
"Why not?"
"Because another leg of my tour is still up for debate. I have my own line of headphones dropping in just a few weeks and I just put a bunch of friends on the label. If I dip now I'll lose their trust."
Cookie sighed. "Your right. Your needed at Empire right now but can you reach out to anybody. We could use all the help we can get."
Naruto sighed. "There aren't any artist I can think of right now but I can build you a crew. Technicians, musicans and a great A &R."
Cookie shook her head. "No. She is not stepping a single door in my new company."
"I'm not going to argue with you mom but if you want my continued support your going to take Anika."
Cookie stayed silent for a few seconds before sighing. "Fine she can come. But I need you to speed up the release of release of 'What A Time To Be Alive'. Hakeem has got his mind set on starting this girl group so we need that out right away."
"Metro is doing that but I'll see what I can do. Call you later."
Naruto spent the next few hours rounding up the best independent techs he could find and sent them his mother's way.
When he was done with that he decided to take his father's advice and start adding things to the Empire other than music.
He and Kendall were at a empty space in Lower Manhattan."
"As you can see Mister Lyon this place is perfect for your new business. Two floors to occupy a large variety of guest like you asked and a large space in the back that can be easily converted into a kitchen."
Naruto walked around taking everything in while Kendall spoke.
"What about parking?"
"There's a lot just around the corner. Its rights are tied to this building so if you buy this It's all yours."
"How much? I'm not interested in renting."
"Full price is six hundred thousand."
"Can we have a moment to talk this over."
The real estate lady nodded and stepped away.
"So what do you think?"
Kendall shrugged. "I think it's great. If anyone can run a restaurant it's you."
Naruto nodded. "True but this is well out of my comfort zone. And you know how much I hate not being involved. If I'm putting my money into this I'm running the show."
"I know you will and I'll help."
Naruto smiled. "Looks like I'm buying a restaurant."
Next Week
September 16th 2015
After purcasing the space Naruto dove head first into the restaurant business. Thanks to Empire's culinary scholarship there were a lot of young chefs willing to work for him. Money of course wasn't a problem and he let Kendall design the place.
In the last week Hakeem had began putting together his girl group, Cookie hadn't killed Anika yet and Lucious hired a new lawyer who managed to get him a recording session while locked in.
Naruto was in his office going over some numbers when he heard the next song on the radio.
"Ladies and gentlemen this is no joke! We got a brand new Lucious Lyon special for you straight out the joint."
Naruto smiled when Snitch Bitch came on. Despite all the drama going on his family was good for one thing and that was making music.
His work was interrupted when someone walked into his office.
"Sup Ronda, been awhile."
"Yeah the last time I was here things were a bit out of control."
Naruto smirked. "Don't worry. Water under the bridge."
The words Ronda spoke next made him drop his smile.
"Naruto I'm pregnant and I think you might be the father."
"Fuck you mean I might be the father?"
"When me and you had sex I felt so guilty that I haven't done it with Andre since then. Andre knows I'm pregnant but he doesn't know that it's not his."
"And he won't ever find out. And neither will anyone else. As far as anyone will be concerned this kid belongs to Dre. Now if you'll excuse me I gotta head down to my pops court hearing."
Naruto got up from his seat.
"Catch you later."
When he reached the court house he found that things had yet to start.
He took a seat next to Jamal in the front row.
"Yo Mal what's going on?"
"Pops bullshit lawyer is late."
"Don't worry Jamal have faith in Thirsty."
Naruto looked at his father in shock. "You hired a lawyer named Thirsty? So you wanna stay in jail for the rest of your life?"
"Just calm down Naruto we got this."
Naruto huffed and leaned back in his seat.
"I'm here! I'm here!"
Lucious's lawyer ran into the court room.
"I'm here and I have the new evidence!"
The judge sighed. "Do you know how close your client was to going back to jail?"
"I assure you it is worth the wait."
He handed the judge a envelope and the judge produced some papers. Naruto watched as for a split second a look of surprise and fear.
"I think I've seen enough. The prisoner shows no flight risk and I rule for his immediate release. Bail is set at one million dollars.
Naruto smirked as the prosecutor began throwing a fit.
Once Lucious was uncuffed He changed out of his prison overalls and stepped out of the courthouse closer to freedom.
When the Lyon's stepped out of court they were surrounded by reporters.
"Lucious do you know that miss Ford is using your case to build her campaign for attorney general?"
Lucious smirked. "No but I'm flattered, let me know where I can make a donation. Right Naruto?"
Naruto shook his head. "I ain't donating shit to that bougie ass bitch. Trying to profit from my pops miss fortune. Why don't you go and prosecute some real criminals instead of harassing my family. My pops will be proved innocent in court but for know we going to ride out like the real niggas that we are."
"Are you aware that Lucious is not allowed back in Empire. Miss Ford pushed for that during the hearing."
Naruto looked at the prosecutor and smirked. "That's just the building. My crib got a studio so he can record some new shit. We got fucking Skype so he can still attend meetings. Him not being allowed into the building don't mean shit."
And with that Naruto got into the car with Jamal and Lucious and drove away, leaving one I got two more incredibly angry prosecutor behind.
And Done
So check this out. I was thinking of making Jamal straight. Its easier for me to write and I'll be able to incorporate him more into the story. I also made it September so I can create a few chapters outside of the canon.
Answering reviews
Home of the Brave: Glad your enjoying the story and no problem. I love music just as much as the next guy and I love it when people put me on to some new heat.
Guest: At the beginning of chapter 13 I said there was no real need to read the chapters. Except for the part before Quintana part 2, that was funny go check it out.
Z-Breezy: I always enjoy your contributions and if you have any ideas for music let me know. I can't use any oldies so keep that in mind. I also have an idea for a collaboration between Naruto and Jamal but if you have any ideas just PM me and I'll be glad to incorporate your ideas.
As always read, follow, favorite and review!
Duces!