THE SACRIFICE

by Poprice

1CH UP! The Hidden Leaf Village hosts an Inter-School Summer Training Workshops. Amidst the new friendly atmosphere, the members of Anbu Team of Konoha were suspiciously missing. Now it's up to Naruto and co. to get to the bottom of things. But will they

10. Chapter 9: Miracles and Dreams

the sacrifice

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and the other characters created by Mashashi Kishimoto. 

Note: The Italic words are thoughts. Sometimes if there are only one or two words italicized, that word or those words are just for emphasis. Then, there are italic lines written like a poem. They're actually lines of a song… Okay?

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  Chapter 9:   MIRACLES AND DREAMS
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Upon entering the social halls, one would think he/she was not boarding a ship. There were velvet and white long drapes hanging from above. The Corinthian columns stood strategically a few meters from the walls, giving off an ancient ambience. The marble floor was clearly polished, and so was the grand marble stairs. Just at the very opposite end of the grand stairs, a decorated stage was built were the music players stay and play their music. The very long buffet tables contained various delicacies (especially sea foods) and were situated near the stairs. The chairs and tables were located mostly upstairs, but a few was also positioned at the sides, near the buffet table. On stage, a small orchestra was playing a classical music.

This sucks, Sasuke thought as his eyes traveled the dance floor. He watched an elegantly-dressed girl in the arms of a guy in tux as they endlessly sway with the timeless music, and he asked himself how these people could stand the old, boring tune of the yesteryear.

A tiny smirk crept Sasuke's lips, knowing that in a few minutes he and the other guys would be playing onstage. Unlike Shikamaru who was pacing back and forth, he was sitting on one end of the bench, looking normal and cool (just like Shino who was sitting on the other end of the bench). Sasuke hadn't played any instruments before, but he wasn't worried a bit. How could he be when he has the Sharingan to help him?

The doorknob of the backstage door moved and clicked.

Shikamaru ceased pacing. Sasuke and Shino looked at the door.

Sasuke furrowed his brow upon seeing Rekka's jovial expression. Was she successful of getting Naruto back? He wondered as he examined her smile more closely. As far he knew, she had been outraged earlier when she heard the orchestra play and when she found out Naruto was missing. And now, she's practically swaying with the music, feeling romantic all of a sudden?

"Where's Naruto? Is he coming?" Shikamaru asked.

But instead of answering the question, Rekka sang, "Cause I threw you the obvious/ To see what occurs behind/ The eyes of a fallen angel/ Eyes of a tragedy…"

Shikamaru looked at Sasuke who just shrugged back.

Rekka approached Shikamaru and tidied his necktie while still singing. After that, she did Shino's and lightly pinched his pale cheeks to add color on his face. Then, she turned to Sasuke.

"No need to that," Sasuke said, avoiding Rekka. He stood up and peered through the curtain to see what was going on in the social halls. "Where's Naruto?" he repeated Shikamaru's question. He turned around, determined to get an answer from Rekka. And he came face to face with the girl.

"Here I am expecting just a little bit/ Too much from the wounded/ But I see, see through it all/ See through, see you," Rekka sang still. She neared Sasuke until she was just about two inches from him. She reached his tie and carefully redid it. Then, she ran her hand lightly on his hair.

Sasuke could smell her familiar sweet faint scent. God, she has grown a lot, he thought as his eyes went down, subtly eyed her from head to toe. He hadn't imagined his little boyish crybaby playmate would turn into a beautiful girl in front of him… I guess, miracles do happen, once in a while.

"There," Rekka mumbled after straightening out Sasuke. "You, guys, all look handsome," she told them, giving her sincerest smile. "I know you'll drive those wealthy girls crazy when they hear and see you play."

"I bet we will," Shikamaru said lowly. "Do you really think we should play the song we practiced yesterday? I mean, it's… It's…" Shikamaru tried to think of any less offensive word that would describe their song.

"Loud," Shino uttered.

"How about cool?" Rekka suggested. "It's perfect. The song's perfect. Look at these people," she said as she opened the curtain to reveal the scenes happening at the social halls. "These people are bored. They bought those too expensive tickets to what? Sit there and talk and laugh and listen to the rusty tune of the renaissance? Guys, we have to remind them that it's the post-modern times already! We have to teach these wealthy yet, sad to say, stupid people what the word cool mean! Right Shino?"

"But how will we play our cool song if there's no one to sing it?" Shikamaru asked. "I mean, where's Naruto?" 

"Here."

Sasuke saw Naruto leaning on the closed backstage door.

"Sorry it took me so long to breath some fresh air," Naruto said as he walked towards them with his hands in his slacks' pockets.

Sasuke felt the real warm and annoying aura of Naruto. I don't know what happened, but I'm glad he's finally his old self, he thought almost smiling to himself. He listened to Naruto's made-up reasons a.k.a. lies why he's late, but he didn't care. He glanced at Rekka (who was peeking through the maroon curtain) and silently thanked her for bringing back Naruto.

Then, something struck Sasuke. Does she like Naruto? He could not see why she would, yet the idea of her friendliness around Naruto was starting to bug him. No, she's just her… She's just fond of clowns and apparently Naruto is the one that makes her laugh… That's why she couldn't stand Naruto's dead spirit… Sasuke seemed satisfied his reasoning, and calmed himself down.

"Okay guys," Rekka started, closing the curtain once again and turning to the guys. She inhaled deeply and said, "This is it! Just don't get sweaty and nervous, and you'll just do fine." She went again at each of them, checking their looks for the last time. "I'll be in the front row, directing and guiding you. Oh god! I am nervous!" She exclaimed as her heart beat faster and louder. "I've got to go… Good luck guys!"

Sasuke, Naruto, Shikamaru, and Shino watched Rekka exit the door. Then, their gazes shifted to the head of a middle-aged man which suddenly appeared through the curtain.

"You're next," he said and then his head vanished from view.

=====

The lights were turned off which made the ladies exclaim and complain in fear. Then, colorful spotlights started to roam the halls, producing a new modern-bar-dimension. This effect seemed fine for the guest because they had stopped groaning about the lights.

"What happened?" Sakura asked, looking alarmed all of a sudden.

"I don't know," Ino said. Then, her eyes laid on Neji's figure from a distance. She noted that he's not with Rekka, and actually Rekka was nowhere in sight. "Have you seen Rekka?" Ino asked.

"Nope," Sakura answered after sipping her drink.

"I suppose Neji is looking for her?" Ino inquired, smiling.

"Neji? No, he's not," Tenten said. "He's just roaming around, making sure there'll be no trouble…"

"Poor Rekka! So I heard Neji won't dance with her. That's so mean of him," Sakura said.

"That's Neji for you," Tenten mumbled.

"Hmm… At least Lee is a gentleman," Sakura proudly said, looking at Lee who was talking to his sensei-Gai. "Not like someone who just went here to stuff as much food in his mouth…" Sakura was happy to know she had a better partner than Ino.

"You mean, Chouji? What can I do? He loves to eat more than anything else." Ino was starting to regret yelling at Shikamaru and letting down his offer. "When do you think they would play?" Ino asked, changing the subject.

"What?"

"The band. You know, Sasuke-kun, Naruto, Shikamaru and Shino…"

"I don't know…"

"Hush!" Tenten hissed. "Listen."

=====

A sound of an organ was heard, softly at first but increases in volume every second. The after a matter of five seconds, the sound of bass guitars was heard, adding a twist of punk-rock in the atmosphere against the old, creepy sound given by the organ…

The people turned their heads at the dimly lit stage. The silhouettes of four people and their instruments were the only figure that could be seen. The person standing at the very center has his head lightly nodding at the beat given by the guitars. And the nodding became more intense and obvious when someone started banging on the drums…

The stage lights were opened and were focused on the band, revealing Naruto on vocals, Sasuke on bass guitars, Shino on keyboards, and Shikamaru on drums!

(Note: I recommend to play the song Swing, Swing by All-American Rejects as you read the next paragraphs so that you'll have an idea what the heck Naruto and co. were singing about. Plus, it will be easier for you to imagine these guys doing their thing with an actual music on. Well, enjoy!)

"Days swiftly come and go," Naruto started to sing, with emotions because he could really relate with the song. "I'm dreaming of her/ She's seeing other guys/ Emotions stir." Naruto found Rekka (at the front of the dumb-founded crowd) smiling at them while she nodded with the tune, lip-synced with them, and pretended to be playing the bass guitar for Sasuke's convenience.

"The sun is gone/ The nights are long/ And I am left while the tears fall…" Naruto continued to sing. He scanned the crowd for another familiar face and saw Sakura, Ino, and Tenten excitedly going to the dance floor.

"Did you think I would cry…" Naruto left out the note hanging and quickly heaved a breath before singing, "On the phone? Do you know what it feels like… Being alone?"

Then Sasuke and Naruto's voice blended well together as they sang with emphasis, "I'll find someone new!" (Naruto scanned the crowd once more for another familiar face—a face of a shy girl dressed in white, having a pair of white eyes…

"Swing," Shino sang in the background.

"Swing, swing/ From the tangles of/ My heart/ Is crushed by a former love…"

At last Naruto finally found her!

He stared directly at Hinata as he sang, "Can/ You/ Help/ Me/ Find/ A way to carry on again?"

=====

By this time, the crowd has been accustomed with the punk-rocky tune produced by Naruto's band. While Sasuke was using his Sharingan to be able to play the bass guitar (via seeing Rekka's hands), he was also watching the heads of the people bobbed up and down as they enjoy the sound of their music. He was quite enjoying himself up there even though this might mean more girls would come after him after this.

Sasuke looked at Naruto sang with gusto and emotions and he admitted that this was one thing which makes Naruto better than him. He wished he could play any instrument or even sing well so that someone who was beginning to be important in his life (he realized) would acknowledge him.

He stared at Rekka. Can anyone be more beautiful? He thought as he tirelessly examined his supposedly fiancée. He hadn't admired anyone before, yet Rekka's imperfectness and unpredictability seemed to charm Sasuke.

"Can/ You/ Help/ Me/ Find/ A way to carry on again?" Sasuke sang along with Naruto. For a moment his eyes contacted Rekka's as he tried to read the black-haired girl's thoughts. When he couldn't decipher her, he just put down his gaze and continued to play his instrument. Damn. Why am I so coward around her?

=====

What's up with Sasuke? Rekka wondered and she resolved to ask him about it when they have a time-out from playing. Then, she looked at Naruto to remind him of the twisted note at the bridge, but apparently Naruto was busy checking out someone at the back of the crowd. So, Rekka traced Naruto's gaze and found Hinata-chan at the end of the long line.

A smile was on Rekka's lips. Then, she left her place at the front of the crowd.

=====

Hinata was dancing with Kiba, yet now and then she would glance on the stage to see if Naruto was really looking at her. She really enjoyed hearing Naruto's voice, especially when she caught him looking at her most of the time. It was as if Naruto was speaking towards her. She couldn't believe it. And she refused to believe it. She didn't want her hopes to get the very high.

I'm dancing with Kiba-kun and it's not appropriate to think of Naruto-kun… Hinata scolded herself.

=====

As more alternative-punk songs were played by Naruto, Sasuke, Shikamaru, and Shino, the crowds went wilder and wilder as they joyously enjoyed their rhythm. But as the third song Why Worry? faded and hung in the air, the velvet stage curtain was put down, hiding the band behind it. There was a loud exuberant applause that followed.

Naruto couldn't believe that many people liked how their band sounded! For the very first time, many people were actually smiling at him!

"Guys you are so great!"

Naruto instantly turned his head and saw Rekka with a huge, huge smile plastered on her face.

"Now go down there and dance with someone," Rekka told them, putting a great emphasis on 'someone' and at the same time looking at Naruto.

"But who will—?"

"…We'll take over this place for a moment…" Rekka said, getting Sasuke's guitar and passing it to his classmate Motoochi Asiwari.

"You guys just enjoy yourselves for a moment. Even celebrities deserve a break," Motoochi said, adjusting the strap of the bass guitar. He was taller than Sasuke mainly because he's two years older than him. He was wearing an unbuttoned gray tux with an off-white polo inside and his gold necktie hung loosely on his chest.  

"How about your partner Tenten?" Shikamaru inquired.

"Well, you can dance her for me," Motoochi said casually, "if you want…"

Shikamaru decided not to comment on that.

"And one of you can watch for sensei-Asuma's Lady Kristel… You know, the girl with perfect golden curls sensei-Asuma is escorting," Kinobi Wagiko, another transfer student from the Lotus Academe (just like Rekka and Motoochi). He was assigned to be the girl's partner for the night since the wealthy girl was looking for a 'perfect gentleman' (as she put it). Well, Kinobi's attitude was real gentleman mainly because he belonged to the wealthiest families in Fire Country (and as we know, rich people are well-breed or well-mannered). Plus, he looks most neat and most handsome among the remaining 'rejected five'.

So when everything was ready, the four guys left the stage by passing the backstage.

"Okay guys," Rekka began talking to Kinobi and Motoochi, "Let's give them a soft rhythm…"

The velvet curtain was lifted up once more, and the light was focused on Rekka. The enchanting sound of a violin was heard, followed by the sound of guitar. Then, the soft beat of the drums joined the rhythm.

Rekka looked at the crowd, and saw the Konoha Team hanging out together near the buffet tables. She hoped her plan would work out for Naruto and Hinata. She closed her eyes and when she heard her key note, she opened her mouth and started to sing softly. (Note: Yeah, I'll recommend to play Michelle Branch's You Get Me when you read the next lines…)

"So I'm a little left of center/ I'm a little out of tune/ Some say I'm paranormal/ So I just bend their spoon…" Rekka smiled when she saw Naruto and Hinata stood up and went towards the dance floor. She mentally tapped herself for being a cupid for the night for her two closest friends. She also triumphantly watched Shikamaru leading Tenten to the dance floor because she somehow predicted this thing would happen.

"Who wants to be ordinary/ In a crazy, mixed-up world," she continued to sing as she moved an inch closer towards the microphone stand. Now, let's see Sasuke and Sakura dance, she thought.

"I don't care what they're sayin'/ As long as I'm your girl…" She searched for Sasuke and hoped he would get her mental message for him (Dance with Sakura-chan!). Yet, she found herself completely breathless seeing Sasuke looking directly at her. Why is he staring at me like that? Rekka wondered. She looked away from Sasuke and she was surprised to see Sakura and Rock Lee swaying on the dance floor, enjoying their music. She looked back at Sasuke, ready to pity her childhood friend... Yet, she came once again to see Sasuke's weird look at her.

"Hey, you are on my side/ And they/ They just roll their eyes…"

What's his problem? Rekka thought wildly, yet she felt she should do the best she could to look good in the eyes of Sasuke.

=====

      You get me

      When nobody understands

      You come and

      Take the chance, baby

      You get me

      You look inside

      My wild mind

      Never knowing

      What you'll find

      And still you want me

      All the time

      Yeah, you do

      Yeah, you get me…

Naruto hadn't danced before but his feet seemingly knew not to step on Hinata's foot. He carefully held Hinata in his arms as the lyrics of the music got inside of him. He thought it was the perfect song he could say to Hinata. He looked at Hinata's eyes and told her how beautiful she looked tonight. "I mean, I've always thought you are pretty, inside-out, you know…"

Hinata didn't know what to say but her red face said a lot of it.

"Anyway," Naruto said, trying to change the subject for he didn't want Hinata to explode with embarrassment, "thanks for holding onto me…"

"That's nothing…"

"… always," Naruto continued to say. "Not just tonight, but always," he repeated. His right hand moved towards Hinata's cheek and he caressed it using his thumb. Then, he pulled Hinata closer to him and let her lean against his chest comfortably.

Hinata didn't complain. She had always hoped this time would come, and now that it did, she wanted it to be perfect. She smelt Naruto's scent, and heard his heart beat faster and louder every second. She closed her eyes, hoping against hope that it wasn't one of her wildest imaginations. And when she opened her eyes once again and saw Naruto still holding her, she knew she wasn't dreaming. 

Naruto felt Hinata's grasp of his shoulder tighten and he wished the song wouldn't end. "Thank you…" he whispered softly.

=====

      So what if I see the sunshine

      In the pouring rain

      Some people think I'm crazy

      But you say it's okay

      You've seen my secret garden

      Where all of my flowers grow

      In my imagination

      Anything goes

      I, I am all you want

      They, they just read me wrong

Ino was waiting for Sasuke's 'move'. She had been dying all night to get the chance to dance with Sasuke-kun. And with Sakura dancing busily with Lee, nothing should get in the way of her plan. She shot him a charming look so that he would notice how good she looked tonight in her sexy, glittering blue gown. Yet, she had a horrible feeling that Sasuke-kun has another thing in mind…

Or person in mind, Ino corrected herself as she looked at where Sasuke was staring at. She scowled at Rekka and wished she would hit a wrong note.

"She's amazing, don't you think?"

Ino shot Chouji a glare.

"I mean," Chouji munched first before continuing, "She has another talent aside from her Ninjutsus or Taijutsus perhaps…"

"I can sing, too!"

"Yeah, yeah, you can sing in the shower…"

Kiba chuckled and Sasuke smirked at Chouji's remark.

"Are you challenging me?"

"I was merely saying the truth…" Glomp. Glomp.

Ino's face was scarlet with anger now. "You Piggy Glutton!" Her vein was evident on the side of her forehead and before her head would explode, she stomped away from the table.

Where? The guys had no idea.

===== 

      You get me

      When nobody understands

      You come and

      Hold my hand, baby

      You get me

      You look inside

      My wild mind

      Never knowing

      What you'll find

      Still you want me

      All the time

      Yeah, you do

      'Cause you get me

Is she singing to me? Sasuke wondered, apparently his eyes glued at Rekka. He shook the possibility of that bizarre idea. He drank his red wine and let the lyrics and rhythm of Rekka's voice drown him. It was the first time he heard Rekka's singing voice after many years. He was trying to regain the fading memories of little Rekka singing him a soft lullaby… Yet she would fell asleep even before I do… Then, little Sasuke would quietly put covers and her and then, he too would fell asleep beside the girl.

Sasuke couldn't understand why Rekka seemed very important to him. Especially now that their bonds were cut off, for the mean time. Is it possible that he's suddenly falling for the girl? The girl who wanted her freedom to look for her special someone?

Hell no. No way.

Sasuke tried to find any faults he could find at Rekka so that he would not regard her too much… Her hair's too long and too black… And so are her eyes. And the way she dresses is really questionable. She's always contradicting whatever I say and is stubborn about it. She's late most of the time. And top it all, she smiles a lot even at the corniest jokes. Who would fall for that kind girl anyway?

He glanced around the remaining people sitting on the table. And he noted that Hyuuga Neji looked like he's in a trance. Sasuke traced Neji's gaze and when he found who was Neji was staring at, he looked back at Neji. He (Sasuke) reached for his glass and unconsciously and continuously drank all the contents of it. He was hoping Neji was superbly disgusted to hear and see Rekka onstage, that's why Neji's looking at her.

Why? Because Sasuke wouldn't want Neji, his rival, replace his place in Rekka's heart.

That is, if I ever had any place in her heart.

TBC

Note: It was so good to read all the reviews of the previous chapter! And I thank ye all for submitting a review! I thank most especially the person who pointed out my mistake regarding the mission-thing. Hah hah hah! I was laughing when I read that. Well, I didn't really know that there are only A to D missions plus the S missions. And, I didn't know that A missions are supposedly the toughest among the four… I am so sorry! And yet I am thanking you for pointing out my mistake. Well, I guess, I'm making this story's mission a S-mission since you know, the members of the Anbu team of Konoha were missing and I guess that would threaten the whole country… anyway, thanks again for all the reviews I got. Anymore mistakes you see? You can point it out via submitting a review. Or if you have any thing in mind regarding this story, may be good or bad, just give me a review, okay? Again, thanks!

Good day to ye all!
Poprice
27 June 2004
5:27pm

PS: Oh yes, the songs used here aren't mine. The first song, the song Rekka sang, is entitled 3 Libras by a band called A Perfect Circle. The songs Swing, Swing and Why Worry? are by the All-American Rejects, one of my favorite bands. The last song, You Get Me, as I have mentioned is by Michelle Branch from her The Spirit Room Album. I just want to make it clear that I am not profiting here using their songs. They, incidentally, fitted to be part of this chapter, so I included bits of them.