Let the Music Do the Talking, a Naruto fanfiction
Naruto © Masashi Kishimoto
A/N: Thank you all for your support! This story has now clocked 20,000 hits all time!
Chapter 13: Breaking Point
Tsunade Senju had been a teacher for twenty years of her adult life. Starting out in her late twenties, she had hoped it would have been a fun and exciting career for herself. After all, what could be more interesting and rewarding than helping grow and develop the young minds of the next generation?
Unfortunately, that answer became a lot more difficult to answer as her career progressed upwards. About five years ago, she had taken over from the previous principal, Hiruzen Sarutobi, who really wanted to settle down, retire and enjoy a round of golf now and again with his friends. He had personally recommended Tsunade for the position due to her previous track record.
Accepting it was an honour. Actually doing the job was more painful than she had expected.
She sat at her desk where Kabuto Yakushi had talked about his story with regards to Karin, explaining how and why she attacked him in the first place. Her eyes widened as the boy finished off with the part of the blackmail.
"...and that's the whole story, ma'am." Kabuto finished after a few moments.
"I see," Tsunade sat up, taking a sip of tea Shizune had prepared for her. "I had already excluded Karin for two weeks for that attack, and perhaps I was wrong for Naruto to be excluded as well…" She placed her cup down and took a breather.
"But the use of blackmail...christ, what is it with kids today?" She shook her head. "And you mean to tell me that any relationship you have had with any student is strictly platonic and there was no sexual behaviour of any kind? Because you do realise that if you are lying, the consequences will be even more severe."
"Ma'am, I solemnly swear that I am telling you the whole truth regarding this matter." Kabuto himself really didn't want to lie to her, but if there was any way to stop these rumours, perhaps this would be a start.
Tsunade nodded. "Understood. I will keep a close watch on Karin; she is treading a very fine line at the moment and I will not hesitate to expel her permanently if she is found assaulting you or anyone else."
"Thank you for approaching me with this matter. Feel free to come in tomorrow and I will alert the rest of the teachers with regards to any additional work you may have missed."
Kabuto stood up. "Thank you, Principal."
Tsunade watched him leave the room and shut the door.
Karin Tatsumaki is a strange one indeed. And she's cousins with Naruto Uzumaki of all people? The pair of them of complete opposites of each other, you'd have no idea they were related.
She bit the nail of her thumb, contemplating everything she had been told.
Still, from what Kabuto told me, this seemed to be going on for a while now. I'm going to keep a close watch on her.
Thursday Lunchtime;
The next day at lunchtime, Ino headed straight to the music room to meet up with Tenten.
What could she be planning? Ino wondered why her friend had mentioned bringing her instrument.
Today had been a better morning overall for Ino. She had eaten a well-balanced breakfast, put on her favourite playlist on the way to school, met Tenten outside the usual cafe and paid attention in class. She had to thank both Tenten and her dad for their pep talks; perhaps her life wasn't over after all.
Ino entered the music room promptly to see Tenten sat up on a table with legs crossed, bobbing her head, music blaring out from her headphones and casually drumming her fingers.
"Er...Tenten?" Ino asked, tilting her head, wondering if her friend had forgotten. She clicked her fingers twice before the brunette snapped out of her music daze and took off her headphones.
"Oh hey, sorry about that," She chuckled, scratching the back of her head sheepishly. "I was in the zone, y'know?"
"What were you listening to?" Ino asked curiously, "it sounded very techno-y."
Tenten took the headphones out of her phone jack and swiped the music player off. "Little band named Circle of Dust; industrial rock, lots of synths...great stuff."
Ino rolled her eyes. Something Naruto would probably like…
"Anyway, glad you made it!" Tenten said cheerfully, "where's your bass?"
Ino gestured to the side of the room. "I keep it here in that locker. It was meant to be a secret…" She turned her head to the side, feeling embarrassed. "But as you probably know, Naruto found me out and-"
"-Ah that's in the past! What's important now is that we put this plan into motion!" Tenten sat forward, letting her legs dangle off the table. "Get it out for me please."
Ino nodded, walked over to her locker and retrieved her bass. She took a seat next to Tenten, playing a few chords.
"Ouch," The brunette pulled a face, hearing a very uncomfortable rumble. "When was the last time you tuned that thing?"
Ino looked puzzled. "A few weeks ago?"
Tenten rubbed her forehead. "You need someone to help play with you…" Her eyes scanned the room. "Which one of these is Naruto's locker again?"
"Say what?"
"He keeps something in here right?" She gestured towards the locker which looked pretty beat up. "I'm guessing that one?"
Ino could only nod as Tenten walked over, pulled out a hairpin and started picking the lock.
"Er...Tenten? You do realise that what you're doing is pretty much illegal, right?"
Fidgeting with the lock, she grinned as she managed to unlock the door. "As far as I'm concerned if it's getting you two back together, nothing is illegal."
Tenten got out Naruto's guitar, sat down with Ino and began tuning it.
"You do know he's gonna flip when he finds out someone's been here-"
"-ah forget it!" She exclaimed, striking a few chords. "What he doesn't know, won't hurt him, am I right? Anyhow…"
In a matter of seconds like it was nothing, Tenten began playing a solo that was all too familiar to Ino's ears; Enter Sandman by Metallica, the exact same song she had been practising the day she had met Naruto.
Playing it with the swiftness and grace of a professional, Ino's jaw dropped, watching her friend complete the solo so smoothly, she didn't know what to say.
Tenten took a breather and looked up to see the blonde's face bamboozled.
"What?" Tenten asked, confused, "I've dabbled in music before; it's just I never really dedicated myself to it properly."
"But," Ino replied, feeling a tad jealous at her friend's skill, "You play so well! You should be playing with Naruto instead of me and-!"
"-I'm gonna stop you there," Tenten demanded, her voice slightly raised. "My plan is to get you back with Naruto, not take him away from you. You're going to be playing with him in the talent show in two weeks, and you are going to blow everyone's mind when you walk on stage, got it?"
Ino sighed sadly. "You really mean that? That's your plan?" She was even more puzzled than she was before. "How's that going to get me back with Naruto? He won't accept it."
"I'm well aware of what he might do," Tenten added, placing down the guitar "And I've got it all figured out. Just...have some faith okay?"
She placed her hands on Ino's shoulders, before enveloping her with a warm hug.
"I promise you, I'm going to make this work. Now, shall we play?"
Ino returned the hug, and couldn't help but smile as well. It really felt that after all the drama of the last few weeks, Tenten was now pretty much her closest friend. No judgement, no grief. Only someone who was now looking out for her best interests.
Damn, she's such a great person! I can't believe she wants to help me like this…
"Thank you Tenten," Ino said softly. "Hold on, what do you mean by play?"
Tenten let go and sat back on the table. From her backpack, she produced a bit of paper to which Ino took; upon closer inspection, her eyes widened when she realised what was on it.
"Hold up, this is-!"
"Precisely," The brunette chuckled, "I have to admit, your boyfriend has great taste, but I think it's up to you to see if you can master it all."
Blushing at the 'boyfriend' comment, Ino scowled at her. "How did you get this?"
"I told you the other day, I had back up." Tenten picked up Naruto's guitar and began tuning it. "Now, how about we try that first song? Or better yet, I have another suggestion…"
So for the rest of that lunch hour, Ino and Tenten began playing with each other. Parts one and two of Tenten's plan had been set in motion, now she was hoping that part three would be just as successful.
Naruto and Kiba sat outside on the front lawn, having their lunch with none other than Rock Lee.
"Sorry, you want me to do what?" Lee asked, finishing his meal.
"We would like you to be part of our band for the talent show," Naruto said confidently. "We think your playing could add another dimension to our music."
"That is most admirable of you Naruto," Lee said with a smile. "I would be more than happy to take part. What songs are we playing?"
Naruto pulled out his notebook from his bag and handed it over to the boy. "This is our list. If you join us in the music room tomorrow and a few hours over the weekend, we can go through them together. If you can practice at home too, that will be a bonus."
Lee's eyes scanned through the notes, and he quickly made notes in his own little pad. "Thank you very much Naruto, I look forward to getting involved! I will admit I have dabbled into rock music myself. You have heard of bands like Yes, Genesis and Pink Floyd I imagine? I have managed to replicate and play a lot of their songs using only my keyboard and I believe it is fantastic."
Kiba smirked at the boy's tenacity. "You seem to know your stuff there, dude. But we play...stuff that is slightly faster and heavier than your usual progressive rock."
Lee gasped. "If it is a challenge you want me to accept, I shall wholeheartedly accept it!" He clenched his fist with pride. "I shall sleep, eat and breathe heavy metal!"
Naruto and Kiba looked at each other with a weird look. Was this really a good idea?
"Let's… let's just focus on actually playing the songs, okay Lee?" Naruto said.
In the back of his mind, he really did miss Ino and really did want her to come back, but he wasn't so sure anymore. She was a damn good player and would probably ace the whole show with them.
He sighed, feeling his own heart tear in two.
But little did he know that he would be in for the surprise of his life.
Kabuto retrieved some books from his locker. The truth was out there, but what would it take for others to believe him? He could only trust the Principal's word for now and hope things would work out.
"You snivelling little weasel!" Cried a very angry voice, prompting several students in the hallway to turn their heads.
Kabuto turned round to see Karin charging towards him.
"Now listen-" he was cut off by a swift punch to the gut.
"How dare you show your face around here!?" She shouted, the sound of her voice piercing his ears. "You have the guts to come back after last time? Didn't you learn your lesson?"
Kabuto coughed but couldn't help but laugh a little as well.
"It's funny, I should ask you the same thing…" he muttered through another cough. "You haven't changed at all. That ego of yours really is the worst. No wonder no one likes you…"
Hearing that made her blood boil, to which she responded with another punch to his stomach, this one knocking him to the floor.
"You fucking prick! I'm going to teach you a lesson you won't forget!" She stomped her foot across Kabuto's elbow, with him screaming in pain with the pressure crushing his bone.
"Maybe a broken arm will finally get through to you! You're nothing and you will always be nothing!"
As Karin was about to apply her other foot to his arm, she was stopped by someone striking the back of her ankle, causing her to lose balance and fall to the floor.
"Who the hell-!" Karin cried as she stumbled to her feet again. She looked up to discover Mirai helping Kabuto.
"Kabuto, you okay?" Mirai asked, slinging her arm around the boy's shoulder.
"Yeah...just barely," He replied, coughing. "Thank you…"
Karin grew angrier. "Teacher's pet!? I thought I said to you not to poke your nose into my business!"
Mirai stared directly into her eyes, piercing right through like daggers. "You've got a lot of nerve Karin Tatsumaki. How dare you carry on like this?"
Karin wasn't ready to lose just yet. "Just you wait and see, I've got plenty more where that came from and-!"
She stopped talking when she noticed someone else joined them.
"Sakura?" Karin wondered, smiling slightly. "Oh thank god! These two losers think they can talk back, but you're still here right? Look I'm sorry about that outburst yesterday, but if you-!"
"No." Came a firm response from the pink-haired girl as she looked at the red-head with forcefulness.
"What?"
"I said no, Karin," Sakura replied, walking over to the other side of Kabuto.
"We're done here!"
Karin's mouth parted slightly as she watched her friend walk over to the other two students.
"Kabuto…" Sakura spoke, observing the boy's bruised arm. "I'm sorry I let this happen to you. But no more. I'll take you to the nurse's office, get some ice for that arm of yours."
Kabuto's eyes widened. "Sakura, I-"
"I'm going to start making this up, the right way."
"Sakura, what the fuck do you think you're doing?" Karin's heart began pounding anxiously. "Why are you helping out that loser?"
Sakura twisted her head around. "We're finished Karin; we're no longer friends. Not while you continue to act like this." She spat venomously.
"Say what? You're doing what to me!?" Karin shouted back "Without me, you're nothing! What makes you think you can walk away like this?"
Sakura stood her ground with a defensive stance. "Because I've seen the real you. The real person behind that fake mask you hide. You act like you're the most popular person here and that everyone should love you. But the real truth is, you're a sad, scared little girl who abuses and manipulates everyone to get what you want. I followed you for years, thinking you'd always be there for me. But no more Karin."
"You fucking slut!" Karin screamed, her emotions reaching a breaking point. "You were nothing before you met me! You'll lose everything that you've ever had!"
"I'd rather lose everything and be happier than spend another second being friends with someone like you. It's over Karin, you've lost."
"Sakura is right," Mirai added, stepping next to Sakura "and if you try to attack or bully anyone else here, you will be sorry. I'll make sure of it."
"Oh? Little teacher's pet thinks she's got guts huh? Well, I know people. My family knows people! I can make it so your life is ruined, permanently!'
"Try me," Mirai answered icily. "Try me, and let's see how it turns out. You're psychotic Karin Tatsumaki, leave. Get help."
The atmosphere had turned hostile for one thing, but it looked like neither side wanted to back down. Karin stared down at the two of them; how was she losing like this? She practically ruled this school! Who was this girl to tell her otherwise?
"Sakura," Karin said darkly "I expected better from you…"
"From me!?" Sakura snapped in anger "Look at yourself! How you can carry on like this is beyond me! Shino was right; your whole family is toxic. A feud from years ago and you've been fed the diluted poison from it all. At least Naruto has the decency to move on from such drama."
Karin snarled at hearing her cousins name. "That bastard is nothing-"
"-No, you're the one who's nothing!" Mirai countered furiously. "It's over, Tatsumaki."
A few other students stood next to the trio of Sakura, Mirai and Kabuto, all holding their ground.
Karin's eyes hesitantly scanned the hallway left and right. She gritted her teeth and clenched her fists, before slamming one into the locker next to her.
"You think this is over!? I don't need you, I DON'T NEED ANY OF YOU!"
Mirai smirked. "We're finished here Tatsumaki, I suggest you leave. Now." The last word she emphasised strongly.
Without another minute's hesitation, Karin Tatsumaki turned and walked away defeated and humiliated. She couldn't stand being here much longer.
When she was out of sight, Sakura and Mirai gave each other a graceful nod.
"Nicely done, Sakura." Mirai complimented, "I'm so glad you did that."
"I can't believe I did it myself," the pinkettee replied, feeling embarrassed. She shook her head and drew her attention back to Kabuto.
"Kabuto, I know I don't deserve your forgiveness for not helping you from before. I want to say that I'm sorry and I didn't know things would escalate this badly. I want to start making things right and make sure this doesn't happen to anyone else." She lowered her head in sadness. "If you don't forgive me, I understand. But right now at least let me take you to the nurse's office."
Kabuto was at a loss for words. Yesterday with Kiba and Hinata, now today with Mirai and Sakura? It was like the world was finally giving something back to him after all the drama he had faced for years.
"Sakura, I forgive you. You had the courage to stand up to your friend and that was impressive. Thank you for your offer of friendship." He cracked a small smile, though he flinched at the now shooting pain in his arm.
"Come," Sakura placed her arm around his waist. "Let's get you there pronto."
As Mirai and Sakura walked Kabuto to the office, a small burst of applause came from the students in the hallway along with cheers and whistles.
"Way to go, Kabuto!"
"Nice work, Sakura!"
Mirai led the boy to get medical aid while Sakura disappeared and went to the bathroom.
The lunch bell rang notifying the students to head to their next period of lessons. The girls in the music room packed up the equipment and headed out the door.
"Are you sure he's not going to know?" Ino asked, worried that her friend's actions might cause more harm than good.
"The thing about learning how to lockpick is that I've learned never to leave any evidence behind." Tenten said proudly, "The worst thing he's going to know is that his instrument is out of tune but I doubt that."
"You're really optimistic aren't you?" Ino muttered.
"Anyway, I've learned that Naruto and Kiba use the room on Monday, Wednesday and Friday so that only leaves us with Tuesdays and Thursdays. I'll come round yours after school and we can carry on from there."
"Are you sure about this?"
"Positive!" Tenten answered.
"Okay," Ino said, "Let's do this."
Spending time with Tenten these last few days had given Ino some of her confidence back and she felt more herself again. The only question she asked herself now was, would she be able to finally patch things up with Naruto?
She suddenly felt her phone vibrate. Picking it up, she looked at the sender information.
"Sakura?"
In the girls' bathroom, Sakura sat in a stall, exhausted from what she had done.
I did the right thing, she thought, her heart still pounding, Naruto was right; she was nothing about a damn liar. Why did it take me so long to see that? I really hope Ino is okay…
She pulled out her phone and took a deep breath. Please let me make things right. She began typing a quick message,
Sakura: Ino, if you get this, please don't ignore it. I'm sorry. I'm sorry for not seeing what Karin was really like. And I'm sorry for not being a better friend to you. I've just seen Karin being put in her place and I finally understand. You're your own person and I will always respect you for standing up for what you want. Please, let me make things right between us.
To be continued…
Song Title: Breaking Point - Bullet for My Valentine - Temper Temper (2013)
A/N: Well, that was satisfying wasn't it? I know, it's been a long time coming but I think justice has been served, don't you?
And yes, I know, I know, Ino and Naruto need to patch things up, but it's all for a good cause!
Let me know what you thought of this chapter!
Oh, a little note I should clear up; I mentioned back in Chapter 1 that Ino keeps a bass at school, but the one mentioned in the last chapter is one that her dad gave her; the one in the music room locker is one she bought with her own money.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me so far, but it's time to unveil the final arc of this story, the ending!
But hold on you say, what about our two favourite blondes? What of Kabuto & Namida? What of Operation Jackpot?
Chapter 14 is going to be the start of a three-part ending, which I hope you are all prepared for. Believe it or not, these next chapters have already been written over the last two months; it's now time to fine-tune them properly and tidy up a bit.
The next chapter should be out and around on August 28th if I can sort all my birthday plans out that weekend. Otherwise, if you follow my Twitter (link in profile), you can get a rough idea of when the chapter will be released. Until then, take care.