AN:It's weird to suddenly put a fastforward in this story when the chapters prior I kept a speed slower than a turtle. o_õ

WaRnInG: This story is almost a friendship fic, really. :P But beware of fluffy galore!

Lesson 38 – Last minute Revelations

"Naruto. Hey, dumbass, Dobe." Sasuke poked a few times the fluffy cheek though it just bounced back. "Moron. Idiot. Dimwit." He shook a few times the immobile body, though still without any avail. "Stupid. Airhead. Wake up already, we're starting the class." He bocked softly a few times on the upside of the golden hair and waited for response.

"Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz…" And that was all. (with a puddle of drool)

"Usuratonkachi." Sasuke snorted at his snoozing colleague before his fingers restarted to poke and yank the whiskered cheek.

While he had the next available option to whack violently Naruto's head (in the same way he had done since he met the dobe). On the other hand, however, Sasuke knew that his friend always had a busy schedule, therefore, those are the rare moments where he could squeeze out some time to nap. So, that was why the usual nonchalant boy would let Naruto rest a little, waking him up as natural as possible.

And not for the reason that he was getting too softhearted towards that moron (even though he begrudgingly admitted that Naruto already captured a soft spot in Sasuke), and certainly not for the ridiculous idea that he's getting addicted to feel that fluffy cheek on his hands.

"Idiot." He proceeded to nudge Naruto's face while he cupped his chin with his another hand, relinquishing from the small detail that his friend's breath was considerably warmer than the winter breeze, completely unaware from the fact that he positioned a tad more closer towards the lidded eyes than the usual past days.

After a sigh, Sasuke frowned, remembering now another available option that he'd rather pass by. The sole reason about it was, even though it was the most efficient way of waking up the dumbass of his classmate, he really didn't want to hear five minutes of uninterrupted whines that would go subsequently afterwards.

But well...emergency crisis call for desperate swift measures.

He must have died and ended up in heaven. Because there's no way that he would be surrounded with so many flavors, colors, textures as he drowned in myriad of celestial beings, giving their blessings and encouraging him to devour all the scenario festering on his eyes. Yes...he could even smell that exquisite fragrance!

It enticed him in waves, salty waves filled with wonderful condiments and cooked vegetables. The familiar Japanese seasoning that was complimented with Miso soup called him to approach towards that delicious aroma and his head was throbbing dizzy overwhelmed by all kinds of pleasured sensations around him. He should go. Yes, he should move towards that enticing illusion, his body shifted involuntarily as the distance was slowly decreasing...decreasing...So good...his nostrils were enchanted by that sultry atmosphere, his only objective is to be filled by such consuming feeling. He could almost touch tangible lines, focusing as he approached like a snake being bewitched by its flute.

Opening wide his arms, Naruto (and his nose) went directly towards that heavenly scent of ambrosia and moaned delightedly:

"RAAAAMMMEEEEEEEEEEE—"

"Wash your face first, moron." Though Sasuke stopped the attack with a very efficient hand placed on his tanned face, while the other one was holding the Japanese bowl.

The blond whimpered at the lost chance.

After the older teen made sure that the Dobe had properly obeyed his orders (with a threat of destroying the porcelain bowl as a form of threshold the moron) Naruto followed his friend (more like followed the trajectory of his favorite food) while he whined.

"Why can't I eat ramen now?! I need it now! I can already feel the withdrawal symptoms..." And there, the blond sighed dramatically while he clutched his shirt in emphasis.

"Sure. I'd get really worried if you're a junkie over a bowl of food. However, since this is not the current case, we can smoothly ignore your dumbass antics and concentrate on training piano, moron." At hearing another despondent groan, Sasuke added. "Just ignore for a few hours about this fact and everything will be fine."

"But it's Ramen!!!! I can see it's ramen! I can smell it's ramen. I believe that Ramen is calling me! Beckoning me to embrace this delicious mirage as I savor each droplet of that succulent soup and smooth pasta—" Naruto said with a dreamy tone.

The brunet rolled his eyes. "Of all opportunities where you could show an intelligence fairly above your usual amoeba state, you had to choose when you want describe about your crazy addiction. You really are a Dobe." He promptly ignored another string of curses while he put the steaming bowl in a very distance place out of Naruto's reach, much to the blond's disapproval.

It had already passed two months since their inscription in Tokyo's contest. They knew that at each passing of day, Kakashi increased the training time and was more rigorous about their performance, since they didn't have time to waste.

Orochimaru's evaluation ran smoothly, in contrast to the hellish days that Sasuke met in the years past by. There still lingered a tense atmosphere between them, the old man perpetually stared down at Naruto like he was gracefully presented in front of his very eyes a bowl full of cockroaches and other disgusting insects. The blond teenager, however, was completely oblivious about the miffed expression of Orochimaru's, or probably really didn't care about it at all.

Though Sasuke had a slight knack that his friend was taking sadist pleasure on seeing Orochimaru's discomfort. If the widening of Naruto's fox grin whenever the old man tried to school his own nauseated one was any kind of indication.

Though for some odd reason, instead of changing the target and choosing by flirting Sasuke, Orochimaru also gazed with condescend contemplation and completely ignored his presence. And whenever the Uchiha would ask his blond friend about the involving issue, Naruto's lips would hitch so widely evil that it rested totally lopsided.

Sasuke concluded that some questions were better left unanswered in the end.

That said, passing through a few more weeks, the last judge stared with scrutinizing eyes while the blond fidgeted on his seat.

"Brat." A raspy voice cleared her throat while she shot an annoyed glare that immediately stiffened the young boy composure.

From the start to the end of Naruto's evaluation, Koharu, an old woman with glacier personality, barely welcomed both of the 'galling youngsters' and frowned while she wrote in uninterrupted speed throughout Naruto's performance.

At least she didn't flatly exited the living room outraged or disrupted in the middle of Naruto's play, Sasuke noticed with slight apprehension. Though he did admit that it was the first time he saw Koharu's thin lips tightly pushed down stressing all of her wrinkles, making her more unsympathetic looking than the usual.

After quietly reading all her notes for a very extended period of time, she clacked her notebook shut and muttered.

"Well."

Both of the teenagers keened their ears in response.

"This was a disaster."

Alright, this beginning was less comforting than expected.

"It is obvious that your technique is still lacking, there a lot of passages that lacks finesse."

Cerulean eyes looked sideways while the young man in question moved on the edge of the piano sit in discomfort.

"You began with one kind of speed only to increase it by the course of this music until it ended completely haphazard and your hands couldn't cope with its velocity. You really need to use a metronome to guide you."

Each of her words stabbed in imaginary arrows as the poor boy cowered at each punctuating sentence.

"You still need to work on the agility of your fingers, all the chromatic passages doesn't have a unity and they're not accentuated in a established rhythm and that is why you end up stumbling at some parts. And I'm not only talking about your Schubert Impromptu, I'm also noticing the repetition of those mistakes at another pieces."

Stab. Ouch. Stab.

"Be careful with the usage of the right pedal, sometimes you exaggerate and all your notes ended blurring out altogether, looking well like a bunch of unbaked cake. Overly flowered, overly fermented, not suitable to be eaten, much less to be savored."

Staaaab.

"Pay attention to the strength of the melody, the second theme of the Impromptu the first note is indeed the main course, but you produce a metallic taste. Try to produce a more smooth sound even though it's still a Forte. If it reverberate violently it annoys the listener and the panel of judges will decrease your points as a consequence. Pay attention to your ears, instead of following your eyes at your hands." The old woman made a condescend noise with her throat. "Though it's a natural that you'd concentrate on the movements of your fingers since you fail at this department."

Stab, stab, stab. All of the tanned color was flushing out of Naruto's system as he sighed gravely, all her precise highlights wounding his pride. At this point, the seasoned pianist took a last look at her note and spoke disgruntled.

"But maybe I can't complain about your choices of interpretation in overall. I do admit that your different style can rarely be found between japanese pianists and it may generate the proper outcomes if one knows how to cultivate it decently." Therefore, Koharu frowned the folds of her aged skin and spoke in slight sarcasm. "I guess I can understand why that foolish Hatake would choose someone like you as his apprentice."

She stood from her chair in magnanimous move and wrinkled her nose. "So I expect you to minimize all those calamities by the end of this week, or my ears will suffer permanent corrosion towards these hideous music. I'm looking forward to criticize another set of failures as soon as you eliminate the current ones. Dismissed." She didn't spare a glance while she closed the door towards the bewildered young men.

Naruto mostly continued to use his well formed version of gaped fish through all the traveling back to Kakashi's studio, to Sasuke's growing amusement, until his blue eyes blinked wide and he babbled perplexed:

"Wait a minute. Just before...that was a compliment?!"

Sasuke resisted the urge to roll his eyes. "Be glad that she didn't outrightly expelled you out of her house. She already did to some more unfortunate musicians."

Naruto still kept his puzzled gaze mixed a slight fear towards the subject in mind. Piano teachers and their ogre tendencies...

They always arrived late as a consequence of those intense training that would consume practically all of their days. Naruto could still train with the piano he had in his rented house, though Sasuke on his side didn't had a piano at his mansion since the last one was...dismantled, therefore he always had to stay later at Kakashi's house training piano until he returned home.

Even though there was still a tangible awkward atmosphere whenever he arrived at his house and Itachi was also present, ever since Obito's memorial day, the silent air diminished in securely paces as the brothers began a stumbling exchanging of words at dinner or sometimes before they would exit their houses in every beginning of their journey.

It was in this steady occurrences that the younger Uchiha realized that his brother had a very laboring schedule in his life. Well, busier than Sasuke had originally predicted before. From meetings with the executives of the corporative, to travel worldwide and check the branch companies as well as daily check ups on stocks and their cryptic numbers, following the trends and fluctuations in the market.

Before, Sasuke and Itachi's parents would divide their tasks to alleviate some of the responsibilities. While their mother would take care of administrating ground, their father would level and balance the company's growth and competition. They also had their share of advisors and counselors, though in the end it was basically them to motion the Uchiha corporation forward. Now that their parents were longer gone, it rested on Itachi's hands to continue further, though now all the tasks weighed heavily on his shoulders. Sasuke wondered if Itachi also dissolved around his duties to other employees though considering his temper and personality...probably wouldn't.

And that was how Sasuke found himself aiding whenever possible at some more menial chores, talking to their relatives about the latest realizations or representing the company at some parties or celebrations. He knew that his contribution, in comparison to Itachi's labor was obviously insignificant to the company, however, Sasuke knew that he was too inexperienced to help in greater parts.

Above all, the main reason was that he wasn't really engrossed to enter in this field. Itachi was satisfied with the adding hand and Sasuke was glad that he could aid his brother, though he still desired to continue his career in piano. The older Uchiha seemed to slowly absorb this concept, since lately whenever Sasuke returned late at home from training, Itachi didn't complain about his motives so apparently all this whole scenario was going fine.

Nevertheless, it shocked the younger Uchiha when he arrived at the mansion and saw Itachi waiting for him.

"Outouto. I'm going to Italy for business and it'd beneficial for you if you could follow me up in this trip. We'll be leaving in three hours, it should be enough for you to pack your clothes."

Sasuke took some minutes to absorb the information. "But aniki..." he started softly. "I can't, I have a piano contest in the upcoming month."

"You can skip it, since you already had won many others throughout your career right?" Itachi replied nonchalantly while nudged his younger brother upstairs. "And this trip will have a more valuable significance in your life instead of wining another trivial trophy."

"It's not a..." Though the teenager knew that he wouldn't win this argument through this path. So he tried another way. "Anyways, I can't cancel anymore, since I'm already enrolled in. Not to mention that I need all the possible time to prepare my scores. How long will be the trip, one, two days?" Sasuke asked.

"We're opening a new branch, it'll be probably two weeks to one month." Itachi continued before his brother could argue. "Since we're beginning to open this branch, I think it'll be beneficial to you follow this process and acquire essential lessons that will aid you on the course of your life. Those experiences definitely will be more valuable than winning this competition, I'm sure."

"But what if I don't want to learn those things –!!" Was what Sasuke wanted to rebuke, though he sensibly halted those words to escape from his throat. He knew that this reason looked completely shallow and immature, so he said. "However, this competition may determine my career as a pianist, that is why I don't want to refuse this opportunity, if possible. I..." The brunet inhaled a good amount of air and muttered. "I appreciate your offer for help, but I prefer choosing my own path...aniki."

Even if the whisper were mere cautious words placed syllable per syllable, it was enough to harden immediately Itachi's gaze as he stared in an inconspicuous disdain, though it was shown enough to Sasuke be able to detect and already predict the next downgrading remarks.

"You're not even an adult, how can you be sure about your own faculties and choices for your future? Making hasty decisions without even pondering seriously its consequences."

"It's not..." Sasuke tried to clear up his head, but slowly, poisoning bitterness began sipping in his veins.

"And that's how you return all of our parents sacrifices and labor towards your bright future? By saying that you don't care about our company at all, that you prefer turning their backs and selfishly pursue your immature choice?"

"God no...Stop!" He knew he couldn't argue because his older brother was still much taller...much crushingly overwhelming.

"And you don't even realize that everything that you use for your living...from clothes to food and even this house came from the same company that you're rejecting to help. Everyday you depend this money that it's produced to sustain you but you think that those facts is entirely independent from your life, as long as there's food on your plate and bed at night. Can't you be a little bit less childish and see that you're part of the company? Without it you wouldn't have those days of comfort at all."

"Aniki..." Sasuke really needed to stop. His head was already throbbing, preparing to latch a door of wounded words but he needed to stop. He understood all, saw all, could even sympathize with Itachi's point of view.

But...what's the problem of pursuing his own interests and dreams instead being restrained by chains of reality?

"In the end, you still refuse to accept this logic, don't want to aid at all something that sustained your whole life, choosing to follow a measly, foolish small hobby of yours..."

"IT'S NOT A HOBBY!" His emotions finally spilled forth.

Sasuke took a few minutes to catch his breath, his outburst and all the discussion was draining his energy. He, fortunately, continued to wheeze out. "It's not...a hobby."

I like playing piano. Isn't this reason strong enough?

"Sasuke..." Itachi warning by calling his name only meant trouble. Sasuke quickly evaded away.

"Even if I ended up going with you in this trip, we wouldn't be able to escape from any discussion, as you can see. You better go without me, if you really want to succeed on opening the branch." Sasuke walked up to his bedroom, already preparing to flee from the pressing atmosphere.

Itachi scowled silently on his side, only to finally pay attention to the clock and murmured. "Fine. But our talk is not over yet."

Whoa. Did Kakashi-sensei's house started to butcher pigs or have they decided to open an horror house? Because the current sound residing inside their studio absolutely described a slaughter fest. Naruto mused about the horrifying notes while he approached towards the grand piano to recognize the current performer.

And there it was, Sasuke playing like some kind of madman, throwing all his frustrations in each of the keys and pressing heavily the right pedal. Well, he wasn't playing the Chopin's Revolutionary score but still...

The blond quirked an eyebrow when his enraged friend, when he pressed a wrong choice of chords, struck violently over it before grunting in frustration, and replayed again with doubled force, smashing all the music with gritted teeth.

Sigh...poor poor piano. Everyone likes to play with you, but mostly they bully when they're in moody bitch, just like the Bastard right now. Aaaah...that slap may had left a scar on that poor creature. You're hurting the piano delicate feelings, you know!

Therefore, Naruto sat next to his friend, in an attempt to analyze over the situation while he placed his hands on the top of his chair while Sasuke continued to play the piano, oblivious to the new incomer at the room.

Whatever happened to the brooding Uchiha must have had affected strongly on his usual impassive attitude, if the growing violence tapping on each key was any kind of indication.

However instead, Naruto still wasn't used to break anyone out of this downgrading stupor, even if he knew that it was necessary before Sasuke gets too immersed towards such emotions. So...how to...?

Naruto's mischievous face suddenly brightened in comprehension and he sauntered silently towards his prey, the latter still oblivious to the probable infliction that would be sowed upon him.

Sasuke was almost going to snarl towards another incorrect passage when his cheeks were abruptly stretched wide and a toothy grin obstructed his vision on the paper sheets that he was supposed to read. Already recognizing the culprit of this prank, he slapped away the tanned hands and growled:

"Usuratonkachi! What the hell is your problem, can't you see that you're disrupting my practice right now?! I'm training piano!"

"Bah, that wasn't training, you were bullying the poor piano!" Naruto added with an accusing finger. "You know, it's the first time that I heard a Mozart Rondo sounding much more like a murdering inside a haunted house!"

Since Sasuke couldn't give any kind of rebuttal, the brunet only chose to groan loudly while he rubbed tenderly the abused skin with his hands: "Still, there's no need to yank my face so hard you dumbass! Haven't you ever heard about the word 'restraint'?!"

"Hah! The pot calling the kettle back you bastard! It's now like you'd ever restrained yourself when you yanked mine, teme!" Naruto curled a wide sly grin. "Hey, woke you up from whatever murderous daydream you were having back there right? So I've scored on!"

His friend scoffed, though unable to deny his statement, closing the score and organizing the papers on his lap, a comfortable silence lingered a moment or two when the blond asked:

"So what happened...? I mean, must have been something pretty bad." He murmured, gauging Sasuke's reaction through cautious peeks.

Though Sasuke didn't know how he should respond. All the previous night discussion wore him out, his older brother had managed once again to destroy him psychologically speaking through vicious stabs and all the negative emotions were threatening to erupt and flood in ancient resentment. It'd be easy to surrender to this rage, all the attractive words were like sweet poisoning drug crawling on his skin, viscous talons that would envelop in unhurried pace until he had no space to breathe.

And again, fortunately, Naruto halted all this processing through simple actions, yet it held so significant meanings. Sasuke was increasingly feeling impressed on how much his friend could give such impact in his mood. All the destroying thoughts corroding his fortitude was flowing away, and their usual bickering now had a healing property that he had to admit that it was soothingly surprising.

"Sasuke...?" Naruto questioned when the usual chicken-hair spikes brushed closely to his chin and his friend rested his forehead on his shoulder. The blond couldn't help but to feel a little bit puzzled at the present scenario though he wasn't feeling discomforted about it at all.

Yet Sasuke couldn't understand why he clang so closely to that obnoxious blond and why he stayed in this position till now. Naruto was so refreshing, his entire presence was like a curing balm and he couldn't help but to lean in, towards the emotion that would relieve him the most. Some fingers restarted to yank his right cheek and with a warning snarl, he pinched away.

"Heh. Just testing if you didn't sleep on me." A warm vibration felt closely to his face and Sasuke just rolled his eyes in response. "If you get your drool on my shirt, you'll have to pay for a new one to me teme!"

"Usuratonkachi." He finally hitched a copyrighted Uchiha smirk and could even picture the fuming pout coming from above.

"Hey! That's the answer that you give it to me when I'm worried about ya? Ungrateful bas –"

"Aaaaaah...isn't this such a touching scene." A third voice finally entered in the room and interrupted Naruto's speech.

The Uchiha immediately straightened up, scrambling a good amount of distance away from his blond friend and sat back at his previous position, flushing madly until all his face was beet red.

"Oh no, oh no...don't mind me. Please. Do continue where you previously had left off. Just pay no mind about my presence here." Kakashi's voice were laced with purely wicked tone. "I wouldn't dare to disrupt such cozy section between you two."

A seething Sasuke threw daggers, shurikens, knives any possible kind of sharpened weapon with the force of his Glare ® though his teacher resumed with his perpetual laidback smile.

Apparently, Naruto didn't seem to notice the hidden implications nor was feeling embarrassed being caught red-handed, because he promptly lift up from his seat and pointed angrily at his mentor. "Kakashi-sensei, you're late!"

That made Kakashi change his trajectory of vision and grin widely at his very oblivious student and reflect upon the list of excuses he had already applied before. He replied smoothly.

"Traffic jam."

This statement seemed to deflate Naruto's current annoyance, as finally it appeared that his teacher had found a reasonable answer upon all the time he arrived tardily. That was until he threw his arms to the air and groaned. "The maids said that you already arrived here last night and since then you hadn't even stepped outside your bedroom you liar!"

"Traffic jam from my bedroom to this studio?" Kakashi's eyes crinkled amusedly.

"Rrrrrrrrrgh!!!!" The blond boy didn't waste his breath to reply.

And the silver-haired man used this opportunity while Naruto was grumbling, picking up his scores from his backpack, and gave some healthy pats on Sasuke's back as a form of messaging: "My boy, I'm proud that you're finally growing up and had caught up with your youthful vigorousness that I knew you had in you."

And Sasuke wanted to kill the insufferable mongrel.

"Ah...so Utatane-sensei did that huh...?" Kakashi smiled sympathetically towards his student depressed stance.

"Yeah...I mean, she didn't stop for one second and kept saying all my weak points one after another! I felt like some kind of RPG character that suffered consequent critical hits against the ultimate boss of the dungeon." They both shook their heads towards Naruto's creative way of comparison.

"But you really need to learn to absorb those types of criticism once in a while Naruto. After all, is not that your style is already polished enough to ignore her words. And in your following career you'll meet more those kinds of people instead of finding mild critics around you." His teacher replied patiently.

"I know, and I'm already kinda used to receive those criticisms with some of Tsunade-baabaa's café or even with Orochimaru-sensei. But...huh...it's like she hammering all my weak points and I didn't have the time to accept it so quickly...you know."

"I see...but I believe that if you face this type of person from time to time would be good for your health." At meeting the incredulous stares from his apprentices, Kakashi continued with an indulged smile. "I think it's a good way to shape you up in the quickest way possible."

Piano teachers are really a bunch of sadist ogres.

"And be glad that Utatane-sensei wasted her time to point all of your mistakes. She'd only act this way if she believed that the person has the potential to correct 'em all." Kakashi swiftly amended the previous downhearted air with encouraging words. "Though in the end she complimented your interpretation, right?"

"If you could call that a compliment..." Naruto grumbled almost imperceptibly.

"Utatane Koharu is a very proud musician, she wouldn't loosely praise anyone she meets, even if the said person is talented. This compliment is as far you'll get from her." Kakashi picked up a paper filled with a list of names and mumbled apprehensively. "Anyways, I'm worried about some of the competitors in this year's contest, it may prove to be more challenging to win against them then I'd originally had thought."

"And which names you're talking about, Kakashi-sensei...?" Sasuke asked.

"Well...for instance, there's Hozuuki Suigetsu." Both of teenagers snorted dismissively towards the remembrance. "Although he never won a competition against Sasuke, well...since Sasuke lately wasn't entering in other contests, he had won all of them instead. But we can't conclude if he won because Sasuke wasn't competing against him or is it he had improved on piano lately."

The students rolled their eyes though didn't push the discussion any further.

"Another one would be Nara Shikamaru."

"Shika? Shikamaru is in this competition?" Naruto said while he scratched the back of his head surprised.

"You know him?" Kakashi asked with equal bewilderment in return.

"Yeah...he's my friend. We go to the same school."

"Oh...?" There was a devious smile plastered on their mentor's face that made Sasuke and Naruto shift in their seats suspiciously. "So, can you ask him...?"

"No, I'm not going to show my repertoire to you." Shikamaru grumbled while he ignored the crest fallen expression behind him.

"Why not? I know Sasuke's too!" Naruto complained.

"That's because you both are classmates, and you know well Sasuke's style even without needing the list glued on your hands. And I think that I know Hatake-sensei's intention." Shikamaru muttered tiredly. "He probably wants to know if the selection he chose to you both were balanced enough by comparing with other ones."

"Well...why won't you help us then?"

Because now you're my opponent..? Shikamaru lifted a perplexed eyebrow but didn't voice it outrightly. "Because I don't want you to keep comparing unnecessarily. Stick with your own growth instead of develop it according to other leveling. Evolve at your own pace."

"That's not very nice Shika." Naruto grumbled while they walked through the conservatory's corridors.

"I've never showed that I'm a nice person Naruto. Get used to it." And the genius brunet also ignored the protruding tongue showing from the whiskered face.

It was a quiet afternoon filled with training notes and concentrated mumbles. However, as they walked further towards their destination, velvet sound was accentuating through the jumbled noises as the boys were continuing their small talk.

"But why are you enrolling inside this competition anyways? I've never saw you interested in those stuffs." The blond asked, curious.

Shikamaru flatly responded. "The prize money."

"...you just destroyed the whole ideal concept of entering inside competitions. Don't you care about the thrilling emotion of playing against many people that may be as talent as you? Wanting to know that you're capable to surpass them or anything like that?" Naruto rebutted, but his ears were already starting to catch the melodious sounds reverberating across their path.

"I'm a pragmatic person. Completely different from some people..." Shikamaru stared conspicuously. "Who enrolls in just because his friend taunted him to do so." This time, the brunet didn't ignore the frowning blond eyebrows from Naruto, opting to respond with a satisfied smirk. He also tuned in the music echoing and increasing the volume as they reached towards the appointed class. "Someone is playing really well the violoncello. I wonder who'd be that person..."

"Yeah, I've noticed that before. And the sound is very near to Hinata-chan's room. Maybe we can search for it after we meet her."

"Hm...but it seems that the sounds is directly coming from her room, not near or even in the neighbor room." Shikamaru rubbed the back of his neck confused as they politely knocked the door.

"Huh...maybe Hinata-chan changed the room then. Let's call her before sneaking a peek of who'd be the..." Naruto opened the door and they both stared perplexed at the situation presented in front of them.

There, sat casually while she played Bach's Cello suite Op.1 no.1 (1), was a Hyuuga Hinata pressing accurately the chords and balancing with the bow. She was so immersed on the music that she failed to see her friends entering inside.

Even though she also played magnificently well with her violin, there's a added depth on the cello that she was capable to display that she hid in the other instrument. The satisfying smile curling on her lips was so bright that it was evident her preference towards her choices of chords.

She finished with a contented sigh on the side and was preparing to place down the cello when Hinata finally saw two new intruders staring baffled at her and she immediately yelped.

"Eh! Na-na-naruto-kun, Shika-kun!!!" The violoncello slipped through her hands and Hinata tentatively tried to scoop it back before it fall noisily on the ground though all her goofy flailing failed to keep the instruments on her arms.

A heavy gong broke the previous perplexing atmosphere that was permeating in the room while both of the young men blinked slowly towards Hinata, who was picking the cello back again with a puff of indignation. Naruto was the first one to express out:

"Hinata-chan! I didn't know that you played cello too!" He helped on picking the papers on the ground and organizing them out.

"Yes, and you performed extremely well." Shikamaru took the bow thrown astray and returned to the Hyuuga heiress. She mumbled a embarrassed thanks before sighing shyly.

"I'm sorry that I've never told to you two before...is just that I've always played in secret since I was a child, so I've always forgot to confide about this." She pouted on the way. "Not to mention that I'm not sure if I'm good at it."

"Somehow, I think that you play better the cello than violin." Naruto and Shikamaru thought altogether, though didn't dare to speak it out loud.

"You've played cello since you're a kid?" Naruto repeated in wonder.

"Yes...it's pretty difficult to hide from all my relatives, but for me it's worthwhile in the end." Hinata smiled briefly while she restarted to tune each chord.

"Eh? Then why have you decided to train cello at the first place then?" Naruto asked out of curiosity.

It was the second time that the timid girl lost all her capacity to form words as all her previous cream colored skin flushed crimson red, starting from each tip of her toe to her head.

"Uh....eh....W-w-well..." Hinata stuttered nervously.

Oblivious to her evident discomfort, her blond friend still continued his inquire. "And why would you waste your time to hide from your family? They don't like seeing you playing other instruments aside violin?"

"Well...we're violin manufacturers. I'm the next head in line." Remembering all those stuffs made her head throb. "It's my obligation to enter in all contests and show the prowess of the Hyuuga clan. Even if...it kills the true desires of someone's heart." She hugged slightly the cello and emitted another sigh.

"Ah...that's too bad. I think that you play better violoncello than violin, Hinata." Shikamaru complimented her.

"Yeah...and you seemed to be happier playing it too." Naruto also contemplated in her behalf before declared with rebellious tones. "But why anyways does Hinata-chan has to hear those annoying people around? Why does she has to waste her time obeying the geezers? I'd say to them to f–" Both of his friends blocked the next set of dirty words.

"Language, Naruto. And you know that it's not that simple as it seems..." Shikamaru shook his head in disapproval when he heard a startling chuckle coming from Hinata.

She politely placed her hand in front of her mouth to halt the incoming of giggles, though as time continuously passed, her quiet giggles slowly freed from her grasp until it morphed into unrestrained laughs.

"Uh...Hinata-chan...?" The blond awkwardly scratched his hair as he stared befuddled towards his laughing friend.

"You're right...Naruto-kun's right...why, I wonder...?" Hinata still managed to speak through breaths. "After all, I've already falsified Neji-niisan's ID, committed a federal crime, enrolled him without the clan's consent. Hiding the fact that I play cello seems completely small in comparison what I've already succeeded before. Why haven't I saw this before...?"

Her lavender iris narrowed mischievously, her lips curling a satisfied beam when she concluded at last. "In the end it is simple. The question if it's possible or not, can be accepted or not, it all depends within me then. Why should I obey them after all...?"

"What are you talking all about, Hinata-chan? Does it means that you're really going to tell them to fuc–" Both of them slapped their hands in front of Naruto's mouth once again to prevent another incoming of foul words.

"Then if you're walking this path, you absolutely will have my support in any way, Hinata." Shikamaru said.

"Thanks! I'll need all kind of preparation to, like Naruto-kun had graciously recited, gently highlight how their foul presence is insignificant to me." Hinata giggled back. Though she paused for a while in contemplation.

"I'm sure that Hyuuga will also support you all along." Shikamaru finally assured the small fear gaping in her heart. "He's your cousin after all."

"Hm...that's what I hope for the best." She whispered, watching the calendar hanging on the wall.

Only one month remains till the start of Tokyo's contest...

Explanation:

(1) Johann Sebastian Bach Cello Suite #1 No. 1 in G major: Yeah I'm lazy to comment it, sue me. XD

Http : / / www . Youtube . Com / watch?v=ltQB4keI_uQ

Author Notes: YAYAYAY!!! I found which Opus is Chopin Nocturne played by Naruto and Gaara! (ugh, took long enough time) It's his…posthumous work. (I should have known…) And…the original piece is in piano! I have to play it! (Kya!) Even though I have tons of other pieces to play but eh...small details.

So…the Opus is…there's no Opus, since it's a posthumous work. It's Nocturne C sharp, posth no.1. It's quite short too. (baiting her to play it.) Ugh. Muuust enduuureeeeee…

Now talking about Naruto. (manga) Minaaatooooo!!! I can finally see a plot sprouting in this whole weird Pein/Naruto battle. (roll eyes) The second thing that I've noticed since I'm a perverted Naruto fangirl was...you know. XD What firstly went through my mind was: nice chest...(drools) the second was...omg, Kyuubi is going to raep Naruto! :P and the third was...Kishimoto, you do realize that this manga was supposed to be a shounen, and therefore, if there'd be fan service, generally, it'd show women doing such fan service...right?

People, are you sure that this manga is shounen?

Btw, I think that by now Naruto's not going to kill Pein. Because if he kills Pein, he'll follow Pein's philosophy, as well as the cycle that vengeance brings forth more vengeance, which is the path that Sasuke is taking. Only if Naruto's able to find an answer through this problem, he'll be able to forgive Pein (or something) and bring Sasuke back to Konoha (and have rabid hot butt sex XD).

I'll be returning to pester you guys with the reviews response, so don't fret out if suddenly someone (namely me) respond a review that you posted, like, 3 month ago, ok?