Shadow
Chapter 1
"It should be illegal to look that good doing this," The photographer sighed in a low voice. He was watching one of White Snake Entertainment's latest trainees who was about to debut. He'd been told that this was a very special photoshoot but the guy on his camera was entirely too sexy.
The others in the same group had been shy and embarrassed to be posing in their underwear. Typical first time models...
"It is." The man who was helping adjust the lights to the left of the model said.
This model was different. This guy with black hair that framed his exquisite face in front but was irregularly spiked in back, had seemingly even darker eyes. He was now on his knees, leaning back just slightly. He had his lean, well muscled thighs spread and the leather jacket he was wearing was only loosely across his back, allowing a clear view of his muscular shoulders and his perfect, washboard abs. He was smirking at the camera. He looked every inch as confident as he did sensual. Especially when he hooked his thumb into the right hip of his underwear, pulling the waistband down more than a full inch on that side.
Holy fuck… His job would be so much easier if everyone could pose themselves this easily. Especially since this shoot was actually supposed to have a sexy-
Suddenly it registered- what his tech had said… "W-Wait- what?"
"I'm just saying you're right, so, get used to it. This one and the last four kids in this session are minors," He finished adjusting the light and slapped the photographer on the back. "Hey, relax it'll be fine. This is what the boss wants so this is what we give him. Gotta roll with the punches around here, Steve."
"I-I can't do this! Are you kidding? I don't want to go to jail for doing my job!" The photographer was close to panicking. He just got this job and came overseas! He couldn't lose it on his first day! But this was basically child porn? "H-How young are we talking?"
"Keep your voice down!" The other man growled. He dragged Steve into the other room. "Sixteen. Relax will you, they're almost legal. I mean, two of them are 17 now."
"Wait- what? That kid is sixteen? Are you kidding?" Steve thought he might throw up. When he was sixteen he'd been riding his dirt bike and playing video games, still daydreaming about his first kiss! He never would've imagined having perfect abs or posing half naked for who knows what! "When you said they were young I thought you meant they were turning 18!"
"Relax. No one but the top one percent of the wealthiest people in Konoha are ever going to see these and those bastards won't be wondering who took the pics. So relax. These photobooks we're making are special in that they aren't for sale. They're only used in house."
"In house?" Steve shook his head. "Then you mean it's true about these companies… F-Fuck me… Why the hell did I leave LA?"
"Maybe because the boss is paying you three times the normal rate, even in Hollywood? Just keep your mouth shut and enjoy the extra money. Besides, it isn't like anything bad happens here in the studio. We just snap a couple of pics and send them home. Let the companies do what they want with the shots we take… Obviously, this little slut doesn't mind."
"Hey! Alright- I-I don't want out. I just... really don't think this is a good career move." The photographer sighed.
"Alright then! Let's get this shoot finished and get the hell out of here for the day. These kids from White Snake Entertainment are so gorgeous that their pics practically edit themselves. Money for nothing, I'm telling you."
The photographer couldn't help nodding as they went back into the studio where their model looked very bored and quite pissed. He arched one midnight eyebrow expectantly.
"Hey," Steve sighed. "Sorry about all of that, I-"
"Teme," Someone interrupted. One of the earlier kids poked his head in the room. He was about 5'7, like the sexy raven haired kid, but he had sunny golden blond hair with a warm caramel colored tan and three long, thin scars on his cheek that looked curiously like a fox's whiskers. "Aren't you done making the new guy nervous yet? I'm starving and the rest of us can't go eat until you're done!"
"Hey, Baby," The raven smirked. "You wanna get over here and show these jerks just how slutty I can be…"
The blond growled, throwing his head back to stare at the ceiling. "Teme! You can't say shit like that! We're about to debut- tonight! You know that!"
"So? Who cares if they know we're dating? They're the ones taking illegal pictures of minors- again. How old were we when the guy who does the lights first started here? Twelve, thirteen maybe?"
The photographer was incredulous and his companion blushed waving his hands. "H-Hey! Come on, it was my first job out of college…"
The blond sighed and came over to grab the raven and dragged him out of the room. "Please excuse Sasuke. He's always like this. Come on, Teme."
"So… What do you suppose Orochimaru does with all these lame ass pictures of us- I mean besides jerk off? I mean, aren't these photo shoots meant to impress the sponsors? But, I've never met with a sponsor… have you?" Sasuke sighed.
Naruto blushed but shook his head.
Sasuke put his jeans and his shirt back on, leaving the prop leather jacket laying across a nearby chair. "Then why do they make us do this?"
A beautiful boy with long, dark hair and pale lavender eyes sighed, meeting them at the door of the room. "It's blackmail material. In case you break your contract or try to hurt the company. The company can give the pics to an outsider to ruin our image and reputations with pictures like this in an instant. To the general public, it won't matter that the pictures are illegal- only that they are genuine. We're so used to cameras that when we were little we never thought anything of posing however they told us to. I know now that we're about to debut that they're asking us to do more and more sexy stuff, but damn Sasuke, slow down."
"You're the ones who agreed I should be in charge of sexiness." Sasuke shrugged as the rest of the group met them at the company van in the back of the studio.
"You don't have to take it quite that literally, Sas." A redhead with pale aqua eyes and smokey eyeliner said.
"I just take after my big brother," Sasuke smirked. "Besides, if I didn't do it, Orochimaru would have just picked someone. Look what he did to the girls in Shining Star and the line up in Flash Fire. Hinata has fucking panic attacks and Sasori is filing to renegotiate his contract. Why didn't he just have Ino or Temari and that dumbass, Sai or Deidara fill those spots?"
"Yeah, I don't know either." Neji nodded. "But, White Snake is by far the company with the sexiest name and reputation out there now. Well, at least it is since Black Dragon fell apart. I still can't believe the shit they were getting away with! That guy, Trent Black- he makes the Snake look like a sweet, innocent puppy!"
Another long haired brunette with brown eyes leaned over the seat of the van to shake his head. "No. Don't ever say that again. Orochimaru is a bastard too. He might not be connected to the nightclubs, the drug trade or those assassins, but he's selling out almost every trainee who has ever been in the company. E-Everyone but us..."
"What? How do you know?" Naruto asked, his vividly blue eyes wide.
Haku blushed realizing he'd said too much, "Come on, we all know all of the little companies do it! That's why I auditioned here instead! I thought White Snake was different. I mean, look at all the money your brother, Itachi makes for them, Sasuke. I thought they had to be legit because Orochimaru used to be a singer too. But I guess White Snake only grew so big because they have so many sponsors."
The driver sighed. Leave it to that brat Sasuke to talk about sponsors on their debut day and get everyone upset. He scowled, watching them through the rear view mirror.
"Haku is right." Neji continued, ignoring the driver's dark look. "Why do you think so many trainees either turn into models and actors instead of leaving the company to become idols for another agency? It's because they can't. White Snake can ruin their names and reputations just like ours. That's why Orochimaru only has two idol groups besides us and Sasuke's brother. Don't you think that's a little weird for a fourteen year old company that was created entirely to manage idols? "
"Wait-" Sasuke said. "That doesn't make any sense- Shino, Kiba, Shikamaru and Suigetsu all left the company and debuted somewhere else."
"They trained with us for three years to join Shadow but they weren't good enough. And none of them are good looking enough to be models or actors. Orochimaru cancelled their contracts and let them go because he knew he wouldn't have a use for them once we debuted."
"Guys! The Snake didn't do anything to you guys, did he?" Naruto demanded.
Neji shook his head but Haku hesitated.
"No…" The oldest boy fell silent and the others scowled, waiting.
"Then how do you know, Haku? Why didn't you ever say something?" Naruto asked more gently this time.
Haku sighed, shuddering a little at the memory of what- and who he'd accidentally walked in on right before his twelfth birthday. "Because I-I made a promise. I swore that I wouldn't tell anyone- ever…"
"Guys, settle down back there," The driver said finally. "We're almost to the restaurant now. I need you all to be on your best behavior. So, don't be ridiculous. This company isn't selling anyone anything except great albums to the fans. And we're meeting up with the documentary film crew again over here before we head to your showcase for final rehearsal, hair and makeup."
Sasuke rolled his eyes. They all did. Manager Danzou never let them talk about what they wanted to. Why couldn't Kakashi be here instead?
But it wasn't long before they were all bubbling with excitement again. Because, as they got out of the van, the scents of delicious food wafted over them.
The restaurant was a buffet with all kinds of amazing dishes on it. They'd all been starving themselves for days knowing they'd be coming here. They still couldn't eat whatever they wanted to- they had to perform tonight.
But to Sasuke, anything was better than more steamed vegetables and another salmon fillet or half an unsalted chicken breast.
Their weight wasn't watched as closely as the girls' in the company. But their body type was. They were expected to maintain their fitness. When they weren't at dance practice or singing practice they were "encouraged" to work out in the gym on the company's massive second floor.
Honestly, there were times when Sasuke wondered why he bothered putting shirts on in the morning. After all, the next time someone with a clipboard walked by he'd have to either flash his abs for them or stop what he was doing and actually take the damn thing off. Why the hell would anyone be surprised that he was totally fine with being half naked all the time?
How many times this week had they been measured and fitted for the outfits they were going to be performing in tonight? Everything had to be perfect or Orochimaru would call them all into his office on Monday.
Tonight was their showcase- their very first time stepping on stage for a group of fans dedicated to them. Shadow didn't have a ton of fans registered in their fan cafe yet, but that was because they were only on v-live and YouTube occasionally for the moment. Everything they posted to Shadow's social media like twitter and instagram had to be approved twice by the company.
And unfortunately, Sasuke got censored- most of the time. Mostly because he thought it was funny. When they were little it was Naruto who got censored the most. But ever since he was made Shadow's leader, the blond had mellowed- a lot. Though it amused Sasuke that just like everyone else, his boyfriend still didn't know what to do with him most of the time.
"Yo, Sas-" Gaara nudged him. "You're holding up the line."
"Pizza or fried chicken?"
"Both, dummy," The redhead grinned. "I promise, it's not going to kill you."
Sasuke shook his head, putting back the fried chicken. Like the other four members of Shadow, Sasuke had a naturally high metabolism, but tonight his solo was a sexy dance number. He was singing one of Itachi's most famous songs. He couldn't drink too much water or have too much food this close to showtime. "Easy for you to say, you're not taking your shirt off again today."
"Yeah, but that was your idea."
"Decided at least a month before they told us we were coming here."
"True. That's why I'm glad I'm just doing my own rap for my solo tonight, though."
"You guys are going to be awesome. We all will be," Haku said, throwing some more lettuce on his plate and smothering it in croutons, bacon and dressing. "I know Itachi's going to be so proud of you, Sasuke."
"I'm always proud of all of you."
"Itachi!" They all hugged him.
Itachi always looked good but tonight he was wearing black jeans with a charcoal colored bomber jacket and a black t-shirt. His signature long, black hair that tumbled down his back in waves was real- not extensions or a wig. "You know I have four little brothers and a son-in-law. Seriously? You guys aren't too nervous to eat today? I was when I debuted. I couldn't eat for two days until it was over."
"You always perform alone though. And we don't have time to be nervous. It's been a busy day," Haku said, nibbling on a french fry that he had dipped in the Ranch dressing of his salad. "Thanks for coming."
"Thanks for the invite. Come on," Itachi said. "Let's get out of the buffet line and eat! You're not eating much, Sasuke,"
"Are you kidding, I've got pizza, egg fried rice and cheese bread. And I'm having ice cream later."
"No fried chicken though?" Itachi teased. "That's your favorite thing!"
"Naruto and I had that two weeks ago. I haven't had pizza in at least a month. Since the last time we went out with you, actually."
Naruto snorted. "You only ate one piece of chicken!"
"It was the biggest one, so it still counts."
Itachi sighed. "I guess I taught you to diet a little too well, didn't I?"
Sasuke just shrugged. "It's way less annoying than eating too much and then having to lose it later."
Itachi nodded. "That's true. So, are you guys excited about your solo stages?"
"I am," Sasuke said confidently.
"Still not going to tell me what you are doing though?"
"Nope," Sasuke said, smirking. "And they aren't allowed to tell you either."
"So mysterious-"
"Hey guys, time to go," Danzou growled. "The film crew has enough footage here and we need to get to the-"
"Let them relax." Itachi rolled his eyes, "We aren't that far from the auditorium and they need minimal touch ups on makeup and hair."
"So, you're Orochimaru's favorite," Danzou grinned. "Uchiha Itachi…"
"And, you must be Danzou- Kabuto's on scene reporter?" Itachi shrugged at the old man's glare.
"I-I'm just doing my job…"
"Then try doing it without being an asshole from now on. So, is everyone done now?"
"Ready and waiting!" Naruto said happily, stuffing the last bite of blackberry and white chocolate cheesecake in his mouth.
"Then I'll meet you guys at the auditorium."
"Itachi's the coolest." Haku said. "Sometimes I still can't believe we actually know him!"
A few minutes later, as they pulled into the underground parking lot of the small auditorium, Sasuke yawned.
He wanted to be prepared, but another round of rehearsals? Why couldn't Orochimaru and Kabuto have been here for their first or second round of rehearsals this morning?
The constant repetitions were tedious and mentally exhausting, but no worse than a standard day of training.
They danced for at least 6-8 hours a day, every day with only every other Saturday off. Then they went to vocal practice and then trained with Jiraiya sensei for another two or three hours. They were all still in school too. Luckily, they did that online at night so they were all graduating early. But that was why none of them ever got enough sleep. Because, at 6 am it was time to get up and have their first round of practice before breakfast.
Sasuke usually loved rehearsing. Picturing the crowd and making them go wild with their signature stunts and tumbling. But today he was tired. It had been a long day. They were dragged out of bed this morning at four thirty and he couldn't actually remember if they got breakfast or not.
Rehearsals, lighting and sound checks… they got to see all of it. Sasuke had seen these things dozens of times at Itachi's concerts since he was little, of course.
But this time it would be Itachi watching him from the sidelines! He was more excited than nervous.
"Teme!" Naruto nudged him. "Hey, they said it's time to get dressed! You coming or what?"
"Yeah," Sasuke said, walking back behind the curtain with his boyfriend. They were going to start letting fans inside any minute. They needed to hurry.
"Thank God." One of the coordinators flailed as they walked into the dressing room. "You found him."
"And they aren't making out for once," Haku giggled, as a pretty girl touched up his makeup.
"That'll be closer to showtime," Neji said. "Search the maintenance closets!"
"Are you kidding?" Gaara laughed. "They barely make it into the dorm. They won't make it into a random closet."
"Boys, they're recording this!" Said one of the other stylists. She hadn't been with the company long so she was blushing trying not to stare at Sasuke's abs while he changed his shirt in the corner. Sasuke looked up and winked at her.
"I hope they cut that part out." The other stylist said as the first girl skittered out of the room blushing even more.
"They better or Kabuto will have kittens," Neji sighed. "I swear that guy seriously gets off on bitching at Sasuke and Itachi."
"Pretty sure you're right, not really sure why though." Itachi said from the doorway. "Anyway, congrats, you guys have already sold out your first event. And there are still fans outside. To see if they can squeeze in a few more. So, who's the most nervous now?"
"Me!" Naruto said. "What if I forget that I'm the leader?"
Itachi smirked and came into the room. Starting with Naruto, he gave them each a small white box with a delicate purple ribbon. "You won't."
"What's this?"
"Just a present. Open them."
Each box contained a strong, silvery chain with a matching pendant that was about two inches long. The pendants were a strange shaped dagger that dangled from them.
Sasuke paused thinking. "These are-"
Neji smiled. "Kunai- also known as ring daggers. Ninjas used to use them."
Itachi nodded. "Yeah. They and the chains are white gold so they won't ever tarnish like silver. That means you can wear them all the time, even getting it wet in the shower won't hurt them."
"This is the surprise you said you were working on, Itachi?" Haku asked as they all pounced on him again. "Thank you!"
"You're welcome, just don't forget to wear them. I better get out of here and let the stylists work their magic."