Yes, I have to get this out. I know I have my other two tales, but something about this bit me in the ass, and I couldn't stop it until I got it out on my laptop.
So of course this came out when I was listening to Naruto OST, which is often, but just one night, while driving home from work, this story line came up in my head. Judging by the title, I'm sure readers know what song I was listening too in particular...heh...Nothing crazy intricate, just some fluff with an itty bitty tiny bit of plot. Can't have a story without some sort of build up hmm? heh The story isn't long, it's almost done, just needing some little twerks and such. :D
Bless kcisjohan, I am gifting this for you, since you were there from when it first bit at me and listened and put up with me ranting and raving about this story for days and days. Seriously... this story was THAT bad of wanting my attention.
==x00x00x00x00x00x==
Glossed pink lips pouted out, a small part between them, when the tip of a pink tongue came out to moisten those lips. Those lips relaxed when a slow breath breached through them. Those lips rested lightly over the silver tone hole and lip palate, fingertips settling on various keys situated along the slim silver body and then those lips tightened to force breath out through the silver tone holed entrance.
The haunting melody lazily sounded through the end of the silver instrument, fingers gracefully moving across the keys while those lips continued to push breaths through the tube. With the combined efforts of fingers, lips and breaths, the melody continued to float through the air, filling up every corner and space, filling the ears of the dozens of persons whose eyes either glistened with moisture or were closed in awe.
Naruto Uzumaki, 24 year old flutist, rocked slightly on the stage, his eyes closed as he let the sounds vibrate through his body. He felt the vibrations through his fingertips, the breath passing over his lips into the instrument and he was in a world that he created alone.
The soft spot light followed his slight rhythmic movements, his blond hair shining like the sun in the light, his golden skin glowing softly and his smooth muscles highlighted by the sharp black shirt and pants. He looked like an angel, bred especially to be placed in the position that he stood.
When the song came to an end, Naruto took deep breaths to try and settle his heart, his skin still tingled from the electricity of the music and he slowly opened his eyes. Slowly bringing his arms down, his flute clenched tight in his fist, the lights caused his brilliant crystalline blues to sparkle like diamonds. The crowd erupted in applause, the people standing yelling bravo, magnificent and throwing single stemmed flowers at the stage. People shed tears and continued to applaud as Naruto took a bow, turned and left the stage into the darkness behind the curtain.
Wiping his brow, Naruto strode straight for his dressing room, grabbing a bottle of water from a table he passed. Several stage hands called out their congratulations and bowed to the young man as he walked by and Naruto nodded his head in appreciation but did not stop walking. Slipping through his dressing room, he closed and locked it quickly, before letting out a long exasperated breath. Running his hand through his thick locks, he moved to the table in the room, laying his flute on a velvet pad gently before cracking open the water bottle.
Finishing practically the entire bottle in large gulps, he grabbed a towel and sat at the one chair that was in front of a lit mirror. He plopped his elbows on the small dresser top, plopping his head in his hands. He sat there, staring at his reflection for several minutes, not saying a word and blocking out the hustle and bustle noises behind the door.
He sighed, before leaning back and running the towel over his face. For years he had been working towards this, being that sensation, who was practically known worldwide, and for what? To end up at a wall, a rut, a block, whatever you wanted to call it, but Naruto Uzumaki, wasn't feeling that exhilaration anymore. His parents, musicians themselves, were naturally proud as he took to the music world with such ease, soaking up the music language like a sponge and being able to master anything instrument he touched. It was like Naruto was born to be in this world, to live it and he found a love for the flute the most. The sounds that flowed from the sleek instrument called to him like a siren, and Naruto found himself losing himself within its world. And when both of his parents were taken from him unexpectedly, the flute sounds surrounded him tightly, enveloping him close and stroked his heart, consoling him when Naruto felt utterly and completely alone. That was eleven years and four months ago, that fateful night and the familiar spark of pain went through his heart. Rubbing the towel over his face again, he inhaled a deep breath and got up, walking to the flute he left on the other table.
Lifting up the slender instrument delicately, he placed the crown of the flute at his forehead and closed his eyes. Allowing the cool feeling of the instrument seep through his heated skin, he took several breaths before grabbing the cleaning clothes to start the process of dismantling his flute, cleaning and tucking it away into its protective case.
Several minutes went by before a knock on the door broke the silence in the room and Naruto had just clipped the case shut.
"Uzumaki-san? Uzumaki-san?" the voice called out from the other side. It was his agent.
He took a breath, "be right there." He ran his hand through his hair again and straightened out his shirt.
"Uzumaki-san! I have amazing news!" his agent spoke out excitedly as he rushed through the door, bypassing Naruto in a breeze into the room. Naruto just rolled his eyes and closed the door again.
His agent was a short stocky fellow, was the agent for several musicians and knowledgeable in this business. But, Naruto just found him annoying at times. The man just seemed to be ridiculously excited most of the time.
"What's the deal then?" Naruto asked in a bored tone, the man pacing back and forth, mumbling to himself. Naruto crossed his arms and leaned against the door, waiting for the excitement to go through the small man's system.
Large round brown eyes finally settled on Naruto's form. "You, Uzumaki-san, have received a prestigious invite to play at David Geffen Hall in-are you ready for this? New York City!" The little man breathed out in excitement, his hands clapping and his eyes wide with excitement. He looked on at Naruto with such pride and admiration, as if begging for Naruto's approval.
Naruto raised a brow and frowned slightly. "Is that all?"
The smaller man's face fell suddenly, the shock apparent on his face at Naruto's answer. "Well, umm...yeah, I-I thought…"
"That I should be bouncing for joy? Rippling with excitement? Whooping it up with calls and whistles?" Naruto rolled his eyes again when he pulled himself from the door to stand. He walked right by the smaller man and grabbed his flute case. "It's fine," he breathed out apologetically. He moved to grab his jacket. "Just email me the details. I'm tired and heading home." He left the room, not saying another word, and his agent just watched his back.
==x00x00x00x00x00x==
Naruto looked at his phone while standing in line at a coffee shop, glancing over his emails and blogs, while waiting for his turn with the barista. He arrived in New York a couple nights ago, as planned, as he always spent at least a week where he was scheduled to play to get a feel of the atmosphere. Naruto had found that if he was comfortable in a strange and new place, he felt more at ease when on stage. It was easier to become one with the melody, instead of worrying about what was out there. It was hard to explain, so he just made it clear he was to arrive at his destination minimum seven days in advance. He wasn't expected to perform until another week, so he was glad that his agent was thinking this time.
"Pay attention," a deep voice broke through Naruto's mind.
Startled, Naruto looked up from his phone to find that he was next in que and apparently the line up behind him was getting irritated. He turned his head quickly and was met with black eyes that apparently were giving him an irritated glare. Naruto raised a brow quickly at the man that was just as tall as him, had blue black hair with bangs that feathered across his forehead and the rest fell gently on his shoulders. With a surprised gasp, Naruto took in the smooth milky coloured skin, square jaw and almond shaped eyes.
"Excuse me," the man sneered out and stepped around the stunned Naruto, his shoulder just brushing against him.
Naruto's eyes followed the man, noticing the broad shoulders and sharp black jacket that covered them. His blue black hair was styled to wave out behind him and Naruto suddenly found himself itching to run his fingers through that hair. He wore snug black jeans and italian shoes, Naruto focused on the shapely ass before he realized that the man was now standing at the counter, giving the barista his order.
"Hey! What the hell!" Naruto then stepped up to the counter, shoulder to shoulder with the dark haired man. "I was next here!" Naruto slammed his hands on the counter, now glaring at the man beside him.
Dark eyes slowly turned to look at him, cold and firm. "If you could keep your attention focused, you wouldn't be in this predicament." His voice was low, deep and calm. He turned to start giving his order again. The red haired woman behind the counter looked at the two men warily.
Naruto's eye shot wide at the comment that was just thrown at him. "Asshole! Who the hell do you think you are!" Naruto's voice seethed out and began to get louder. He turned his body at the man. Who the fuck does this guy think he is?
The red haired barista took a step back, her eyes flicking back and forth, to the blond, then to the dark haired and back again. She wasn't sure what to do. Call her supervisor or let these two handsome men continue on in front of her so she can enjoy the show.
The darked haired man pinched his lips into a frown and turned to look at the blond in the eye. Narrowing his eyes, he looked at the unruly blond hair, the bluest eyes he had ever seen, cinnamon skin and pink pouty lips that were currently frowning at him. Giving the blond man a smirk, "obviously I'm the one who has more agility and sense than you." He turned his head back to the barista, "tall dark roast pressed...please," he said gently to the young woman. He then returned a smirk right back at the fuming blond who had dropped his mouth open in shock. "Snooze you lose... dobe, " he breathed out and found himself leaning his nose closer to the other, as if to wipe his achievement in the man's face.
Before Naruto could retaliate, the man turned on his heel and went to wait in que at the station to pick up his coffee. Naruto's jaw clipped back quickly, his teeth clicked and he growled quietly to place his order with the barista behind the counter, putting on a smile before he spoke, not wanting to scare the girl.
With Naruto's speciality order of several creams, spices and flavours, his speciality coffee took a little longer to prepare, thus a few persons had their orders before he did. Looking at his phone while he waited, he decided that he might as well find a seat until his coffee and danish order was ready. He had brought along some sheet music to study, with the thought of sitting somewhere with a hot drink and food, to go over them and just be in the zone . He moved his way around the seating areas, noting that all the single tables were full to their capacity, the single seatings against the window were all full except one solitary one at the end of the window, tucked the furthest away from the heavy traffic area. 'Perfect!' Naruto zoomed directly for the stool, placing his shoulder bag onto the counter and sat on the stool. Flipping open the flap, he pulled out the sheets and laid them upon the bag when he heard his order being called.
Placing his order by his bag, he settled on his stool, content on looking at the score sheets and sipping at his coffee.
"Liquid sugar and carbs to wash it down with, why doesn't that surprise me," a deep voice murmured out beside him.
Naruto's face wrinkled into a frown as he glanced beside him to see, of course , the blue black haired teme that had incredible eyes, soft silky hair and exquisite body beneath those well fitting clothes. His blues flickered up to those deep black pools and narrowed. There was an unknown emotion behind those black lashes, a challenge perhaps? Naruto snorted out in response.
"Hn, another expectation of a response," the voice was laced with sarcasm and a smirk on those red lips followed.
Naruto rolled his eyes and looked back to his frappuchino blended beverage. As he looked at the frothy whipped topping, sprinkled with flecks of chocolate, the brown coloured cream within the cup, he guessed that it was certainly a sugary drink, but who cares. He sipped through the straw and started going through his lists, choosing to ignore the overt gorgeous man beside him.
Naruto began humming through the sheets as he sipped through the straw and at times would take a bite of his danish. Flipping back and forth through several sheets, he was interrupted at some particularly loud sighs. He hesitated and then glanced to the side.
"Your heavy breathing is disruptive," the voice growled out.
Naruto found those dark eyes narrowing at him. The man had his laptop out, appeared to be working on it but had stopped to glare at Naruto. "What's your problem?" Naruto hissed out, frustration raising.
"Your lack of being able to be silent," the man gruffed out in response.
"What the fuck? It's a coffee shop for fucks sakes! If you want quiet I suggest you go to a library!" Naruto seethed through his teeth, clenching them tight. "Better yet, just go home!" Naruto pointed his thumb over his shoulder, the obvious sign to get moving.
"It's called respecting others around you dobe. Something you obviously are lacking." He huffed out an irritated snort, crossing his arms.
" Teme! How dare you-"
"Making friends otouto?" a deep calming voice spoke up behind the pair.
Naruto flicked his head over to see a tall lithe man, with silky long black hair that was put into a low ponytail. His face was longer, older for sure, but his eyes matched the irritating stranger beside him. Though he was apparently older, the man was breathtaking! His long face shaped into a smooth chin, his cheek bones accented a stunning set of lips that were giving a soft smile. Naruto swore he could feel his cheeks warm up while his eyes took in the appearance.
"Aniki, as always, late." The younger of the two spoke out, irritation rich in the voice.
The older of the two chuckled deeply. "I am never late, I am precisely on time for me."
"Hn." The younger of the two began to collect his things before slipping off the stool and stood before the older one.
"Aren't you going to bid your friend farewell otouto?" The elder smiled softly at Naruto.
Naruto's mouth fell open slightly, his eyes shifting between the two who were obviously brothers, but he said nothing.
The younger one glanced at Naruto, "not worth it." He turned and began to walk towards the door.
"Hey! W-wha-you-you!" Naruto sputtered out in surprise! 'What an asshole!' He made to get up but was stopped when the older one stepped in front of him. Naruto looked up slightly, since the man was an inch or two taller. The man's eyes were soft, almond shaped and dark, but a glimmer of amusement was seen.
"I apologize for my otouto's behaviour. He sometimes can forget his manners when challenged," he snickered slightly. He clasped his hands together and gave a small bow. "Perhaps we shall see each other again...mister?" He raised his eyebrows in question.
Naruto blinked several times before he realized that the man had asked him a question. "Oh, Naruto." He held his hand out to shake. He never gave his last name in public. He learned a long time ago that there are fans out there that can be a little eccentric. And in some cases, dangerous.
The elder man gently grasped the blond's hand, giving it a shake. "Itachi. Pleasure to meet you Naruto-san. I certainly hope we cross paths again," he purred out while holding the blond's hand and giving Naruto a smile.
Naruto grinned wide and nodded. "Thank you Itachi-san, maybe we will. Take care now!" Naruto nodded his head at Itachi when he turned to follow his younger brother. "Itachi huh…" he mumbled while rubbing at the back of his neck. "I've heard that name before, but…" He shrugged, figuring it would come to him if it was important, took a seat back on his stool and went back to his sheets.
==x00x00x00x00x00x==
In the sound room at the concert hall, Naruto spent the majority of his day practicing for his sets. On the down time, he worked on his own songs, finding those perfect notes and melody. His debut was in a couple days, he felt that he had the sets perfected enough for today so he grabbed a few sheets from his bag. This one particular melody he had been working on for the past few years haunted him constantly. It started in a dream, where visions came forward within and so did music that floated through the air. When he woke, he grabbed his notebook, desperate to remember the simple tune that started it all.
Setting the sheets on his stand, he licked his lips and shook his arms. Taking some deep breaths and closing his eyes, he brought the flute to his mouth, his lips settling down on the familiar grove of the lip plate. His body thrummed with excitement, all too familiar with the instrument that was pressed gently into his lips with his fingers caressing the keys. Taking another deep breath, Naruto pursed his lips and began to blow.
The familiar tune swam through the room, filling his ears and stinging behind his closed eyelids. Several visions began to emerge in his mind and filled his heart with grief yet a mixture of happiness was there as well. As he played on, the musical writing pad in his head started to come up with added tones. Naruto would suddenly stop, grab his pencil and make notes.
After a couple hours of play, stop, write, play and so on, Naruto took a towel and wiped his brow. He placed his flute down on the table a few feet away, on its velvet pad and then took a seat. Towel in hand, he rested his forehead on his hand and closed his eyes, taking deep breaths. He knew working on that song always left him emotional, but he felt that he was so close to finding the perfect ending. Sure there was a tone or a cord here and there he added within, but there was something he couldn't quite grasp to be that perfect ending. He sighed loudly in the room.
He decided to get up and start to pack up, calling it a night.
"Uzumaki-san!" A voice bellowed through the door along with a knock. Naruto jumped up suddenly, a yelp escaping his lips and his heart nearly broke through his chest. "Uzumaki-san!" came the voice again from behind the door.
It was his agent, yet again, bellowing like a banshee in heat. 'Jeezuz...that guy, seriously!' Naruto turned to go and unlock the door to let the overzealous man in.
"Uzumaki-san! Thank you for letting me in!" The small man hurried his way in. Naruto just sighed in irritation and left the door open. "Great news! This is so exciting!" The little man paced in a circle, his hands rubbing each other and he continued to mumble about exciting news.
Naruto rolled his eyes as he stood and waited for the man to spit it out. He was always way too excited when it came to certain things. "And that would be?" Naruto decided to ask. He was tired, dirty and it had been a long day. He was so ready to crash.
The little man stopped fidgeting, his round brown eyes looking up at Naruto. "I have been informed that the executive director has insisted that you do a duet!" He clapped his hands excitedly.
"Not happening," Naruto quickly spat out, his hands clenched into fists. He could feel the immediate heat rush to his head, his anger ready to spill. 'How dare they!'
"But Uzumaki-san. The ED has put it-"
" ' .Care!" Naruto spat out again, his anger rising. He stomped towards the table where his flute lay. "I have neverdone such a duet for years, that is notin my contract!" Naruto hissed out as he pulled apart his flute, putting it back in it's case then slamming the cover shut. "Tell the ED that it is not possible, and to find someone else to play with whomever they want!" Naruto then grabbed his bag from off the table, flute case in hand and stomped past the little man. "I'm fucking tired and I'm going. Call me in the morning!" he called out without looking back.
"B-but Uzumaki-san…" the little man mumbled out while chasing after Naruto. His words faded the further he ran from the room.
Later on, a dark haired man entered the room, taking a glance around the area. He looked at the number on the door, nodded and put his case and bag on the table. Slipping off his leather jacket, he hung it on a chair and stretched his arms up over his head. Dipping his body from side to side, he warmed up his upper body slowly, moving his arms in large circles.
"I always think you should be teaching a yoga class when I see you do that," a deep voice chuckled from the door. "I'm certain you would have so many clients!" The man snickered out again when he was met with a glare.
"Spying on me niisan? Really? Can't you go find some other little children to scare this evening?" Dark eyes narrowed at the intruder but he never stopped his stretches.
"Aw come now Sasuke. I can't leave you alone now, who knows what evil lurks behind closed doors!" He waggled his eyebrows at Sasuke while closing the door to the sound room.
"The only evil around here just walked in, Itachi…" Sasuke sniped back at his aniki with a smirk.
Itachi brought his hand up to his chest and dropped his head forward in a dramatic show. "Oh! Slain by my own flesh and blood...oh! The agony, the horror, the-" he mumbled under his breath in a dramatic hurt voice.
Sasuke rolled his eyes at his aniki's antics and went to open up his case. Slipping his fingers beneath the neck of the wooden instrument, he ran his other hand up strings, across the bridge in a gentle manner. Pulling the violin out from the case, he then ran his fingertips around the edges, enjoying the smooth cool feel of the wood. He has always felt a strong pull towards this instrument. The sounds that flowed from the strings, the way the strings felt when they vibrated beneath his fingers, the silky sensation of his bow moving across, Sasuke could just go on and on.
"So I have spoken with the Executive Director about the show," Itachi's voice broke through the room. Sasuke just nodded and went to grab his music sheets from his bag. "She would like you to duet."
Sasuke stopped midstep, his hand crunching the corner of the music sheets he had just pulled out, his hand still holding the neck of his instrument.
"I know its sudden otouto, but I think you-"
"With who?" Sasuke cut Itachi off.
"His name is Uzumaki. A prodigy flutist." He watched Sasuke seem to think it over. "I haven't had the chance to research him yet, since I was just informed, but-"
"Fine," Sasuke snapped out and went towards the music stand in the middle of the room.
Itachi was shocked still. 'Well, that was surprising.' Sasuke wasn't one to usually give in so easily. Itachi expected him to pop a tantrum at the idea, but this side of Sasuke was somewhat worrisome. What is going on in that mind of his? Or should Itachi just be grateful that Sasuke was perhaps maturing? Itachi then shook his head.
Sasuke stopped at the only music stand in the room to see that there was sheet music on it. 'Some idiot must have forgotten to clean up.' Sasuke found himself getting annoyed. If there was one thing he hated, is when people didn't clean up after themselves. He moved to dump the sheets but stopped, leaning closer to the sheets, he could see the notes were messily dotted in on the staff. 'Someone's writing music. Sure is messy,' he thought to himself. He had made the decision to dump the sheets, but his musically inclined mind immediately began to play the notes in his head that were directly in front of him. Dark eyes flowed over the staff and through the notes, the tune automatically sounding in his head and he couldn't stop himself. His hand unconsciously moved the first sheet aside, his eyes continuing to read the music onto the next sheet while his mind played the music. The melody haunted his insides and he kept flipping through the pages, reading, playing, hearing and he felt this mind crack in anger when he found that there were no more pages.
He stood straight up instantly and his eyes looked upon the floor, scanning, searching, seeking, there had to be more! His body turned and bent over, looking around the room, trying to see. 'There has to be more! This can't be the end!'
Itachi raised a brow in curiosity. He turned to watch Sasuke when he heard him humming out a tune he had never heard before. Then he saw his little brother suddenly move about the room, his eyes and nose looking at the floor and around. He decided to say something when Sasuke stopped and slapped his hand on the table, expressing his frustration.
"Otouto, wha-"
"This," he threw his arm back, pointing to the sheets that still stood on the stand, "has to be one of the-no it's-I can't fathom what the-the person who wrote this is…" he trailed off, running a hand through his thick dark locks. He looked at Itachi, whose face was shocked, staring at him confused. He let out a frustrated sounding sigh. "Someone left this music behind, and-and it's remarkable niisan. I need-" he turned, finding his violin still in his hand. He strode to the stand, arranged the sheets and lifted the violin to his chin. Grabbing his bow, he tested the strings briefly and began to sway his bow across the strings, his fingers caressing the fingerboard. The sounds pressed through the air in the sound room, filling all the areas with the sorrowful sounds and Sasuke's body began to sway gently.
Itachi stood completely still, letting the sounds surround him and he felt goosebumps rise on his arms. The melody was rich with sorrow, sadness and a longing that had stirred emotions deep within his belly. Behind his eyes, an old familiar emotion prickled at him, something he only felt when he watched his otouto give all his feelings into a piece he would play on stage. He felt flushed as the emotions pushed at him, wave after wave, but before he knew it, the melody stopped and he could feel a harsh pull of desire, begging for more. He opened his eyes, not realizing he had closed them and he saw Sasuke, standing motionlessly, his arm holding his bow at his side, his violin still tucked beneath his chin.
"Sasuke...what was that?" Itachi breathed out, suddenly feeling drained of all breath.
"I-I don't know," Sasuke responded in a whisper. "But, it's obviously not finished."
"Whoever made that, is-must be quite talented." Itachi took in a shuddering breath before moving to stand behind Sasuke. "A masterpiece like that shouldn't be left unattended, what to you suppose…"
"I'll take it with me." Sasuke grabbed the sheets. "I'll find who did this."
"You sure? I'm certain I could call the ED and-"
"No!" Sasuke snapped out. Itachi pinched his lips in a frown. "I wouldn't want to risk these falling into the wrong hands. I'll find out who they belong to." He nodded with a finality and shoved the sheets into his bag. "Now, I need to get to my sets." He pulled his own sheet music out and arranged it on the stand, raising his violin to his chin and promptly ignoring his brother.
Itachi just took a seat, pulled out his phone and waited for his nerves to settle. The melody certainly left an impression on him and his little brother.