Chapter 7: The Second Chance!
"Hey Naruto, can you take this out for me?" Iruka called out the blonde boy. It was Sunday morning and the two men were cleaning Ichiraku Ramen.
"Sure."
Naruto was holding out his hand for the trash bagbut just as Iruka was about to hand it to him, he stopped, "Naruto, if you want to tell me something-"
"The garbage collector will collect this soon. We better hurry." Naruto said as he swiftly snatched the bag out of the older man's hands and ran out of the bar.
Iruka sighed. I wonder when that boy will start to speak up. He hasn't said a thing about that audition.
He sighed again as he directed his attention to wiping the counter.
The bells hanging on the door rang as what Iruka thought to be Naruto coming back from the garbage bin.
"If you're finished with that, there's still a lot to clean in the store room."
"Ahem," was the reply of the other person in the room.
Iruka looked up. It was an old man dressed in a suit wearing sunglasses. "Oh I'm sorry, I thought you were… we'rereally closed right now. You can come by later."
"Actually I was told that I'd find a certain boy here. I went to his apartment but no one was there. I'm looking for Uzumaki Naruto."
"Naruto? Oh, well, have a seat, he's just outside."
As the old man neared the chair set by Iruka, he removed his sunglasses and looked closely at the other man's face.
"Well, well, I didn't think I'd find you here, Iruka!"
Iruka looked. A big smile suddenly crept to his face. "Sarutobi-san! Ohisashiburi. (1)"
The two men exchanged customary greetings before Iruka spoke again. "What brings you here? You just said you wanted to see Naruto?"
"Well, yes, you see, he auditioned for Konoha Records yesterday…"
"Konoha Records? You still work there?"
"As one of the creative general supervisors now, really."
"Wow. That explains the wardrobe," Iruka said with amazement.
"Hahaha, you do know how to flatter, Iruka, thank you."
There was a bit of silence before Iruka asked,"Well, what about Naruto?"
"Well about that… is that boy yours, by the way?"
Iruka wanted to say yes, but instead he laughed,"Oh no… I've just been taking care of him."
"I see… so that would explain it a bit…" Sarutobi said, now with a different kind of expression on his face.
"Explain what?"
"Well you see, yesterday he supposedly have passed the audition,"
"He DID!" Iruka exclaimed.
"Yes, but he declined."
"What? That's crazy. Being an artist is his lifetime dream!"
"I thought so. But you see, when he was asked to sing the carrier single of the new album, he suddenly declined and left with no explanation. All the other judges thought that it was because he preferred his own songs, but I decided to investigate a bit further. And I think it was a right thing to do."
Iruka was too puzzled to say anything so the old man continued.
"He was asked to sing the song Jeepney."
This time it was the old man's turn to set a chair for Iruka as he unconsciously began sitting down. There was a sad look on his face.
"That song, eh?" Iruka said in a flat tone. Sarutobi was about to open his mouth after letting Iruka get lost in his thoughts for a while, but Iruka continued. "Wait. You mean to tell me he refused to sing the song?"
Sarutobi nodded. Iruka's jaw dropped in disbelief. "That kid… I, I, you have to give him another chance! You see, I… when he was smaller, I forbade him to sing that song. Ever. But ah, that was just my bitterness talking. Sarutobi-san…" Iruka stood up firmly and looked the old man straight in the eye. Without warning, he bowed his head low to the old man. "Please give Naruto another chance!"
Sarutobi suddenly stood up, surprised at Iruka's rash actions. "Now, now, Iruka, there's no need for that."
Just then, the door to the bar opened once more. "Hey sensei, there's a car parked… what's going on?" Naruto asked, seeing the strange situation he just witnessed.
"Naruto, you – you stupid kid!" was all Iruka could muster to say before going to Naruto and enveloping him to a tight embrace.
"Heeeey, I can't breathe." Naruto said, struggling in Iruka's embrace. Naruto looked for somebody else in the bar to get help from. As his eyes found the other man in the room, his heartbeat raced. "Hey, you're…"
"Hello, Naruto." There was a warm smile on the old man's face.
Iruka was reminded of the Sarutobi's presence when he spoke. He let go of the now speechless Naruto and wiped the tears that were about to fall from his eyes. "Sarutobi-san came to talk to you."
"T-talk… to me?" Naruto said, his eyes, big with amazement.
"You walked out on us so fast that we didn't get a chance to talk."
"Naruto," Iruka said. "I've heard from Sarutobi-san what happened. I'm really touched that even up to now you remember what I've told you back then. It doesn't really matter now though."
"But sensei! I can't sing a song that makes you feel sad! Ever!" Naruto objected.
"He's right. Besides, that project already belongs to Uchiha Sasuke." Sarutobi butted in.
Naruto looked away. He didn't want to say it, but letting go of that chance was the hardest thing he ever did.
"There is, however, another project. A pending project, I may say. "IF you're willing to take it."
Naruto looked up, waiting for the old man to say more.
"It's a hard project though, it hasn't been exposed to the media that much, but you'll be sure to sing any song to your liking."
"I'll take it!" Naruto said without hesitation. The sincerity in his bright blue eyes made the old man smile even more.
"I'll hold you to that then."
"Yatta! (2) Naruto, you're gonna make a record!" Iruka rejoiced.
There was a big grin on Naruto's face. His whole body was shaking excitement.
"Oh, and one more thing," Sarutobi said. "You're not gonna be alone. You have a partner. A drummer. I'm sure that's not a problem, right?"
Naruto thought for a moment then said, "Nah. The more the merrier. When will I meet this drummer person?"
"I believe that person is waiting for us outside. Why don't you go ahead and introduce yourself?"
"ALRIGHT!" Naruto jumped in joy before running for the door.
Iruka sighed as soon as the boywas out of sight. He turned his attention to the old man once again. "Thank you so much for giving him another chance, Sarutobi-san."
Sarutobi just smiled. "I know talent when I see one."
"I can't believe he almost blew his chance just because of me."
"About that," Sarutobi was reluctant to ask but went on ahead. "Do you mind telling me what really happened? About that song…"
The smile that Iruka has been wearing dissolved into a frown. "Why don't you just ask the singer?"
The obvious sarcasm in the last word Iruka mentioned made the old man sigh. It's gonna be hard convincing him, he thought.
"What was all that crap?" the raven-haired prince snorted.
"You may call it crap, Sasuke, but that crap you said just got you a job." Kakashi said uninterestedly.
"Yeah, whatever," Sasuke said as the car they were riding slowed down to a stop. Sasuke quickly opened the door.
"Don't go out too much, I'll call you when your work begins. This time, let's try not being late."
Sasuke just waved his hand in response as he walked his towards apartment.
He sat down the couch the moment he got in. Resting his head in the armrest, thoughts of a blonde boy with marked cheeks immediately crossed his mind.
What was up with guy? Sasuke said, deep in thought. He smirked. He's the one who rejected the part anyway. It's not like he was gonna get it… Funny how fate works. One minute you wake up in a random guy's apartment, next thing you know you'll be in the same audition as he is.
Sasuke sat up and looked across the couch. There was a particular scratch made on the TV screen, but otherwise it was still ok. He picked up the remote control and turned it on. Flipping through the channels, he thought, I wonder if I'm ever gonna see him again… well, who cares.
"BIG NEWS!" the television screen caught Sasuke's attention. On screen was a red-haired guy with no eyebrows. His eyes were covered in dark circles that Sasuke guessed was henna, no way were those real eyebags. On the left side of his forehead was printed the kanji of "love," and on the right side of the screen the word "GAARA" was displayed.
"Hmph. Bubblegum rock stars." Sasuke said, about to change the channel.
"THE ROCK BAND EXILED HAS A NEW VOCALIST!"
Sasuke stared at the screen, drowned in the TV reporter's voice.
"BANG!"
This time, the TV didn't sustain Sasuke's attack.
Translations:
(1) It's been a while.
(2) You did it!
Shinsei's Corner
Sorry the update took a while. I have no excuse really. X
Anyway, I hope your questions about Naruto losing enthusiasm in the last chapter was answered by this one. I hope you liked this chapter too.
And please tell me your opinions. I'd love to hear from you!
Much love to all reviewers, and even those who read but don't review. Your comments (and hits) inspire me to write.
Still, as much as you can, please do review! I'll really really really love you if you do! ;) Mwahugz :-
Next on Taiyou wo Sagashiteru!
Will Naruto and the drummer get along? Will Iruka accept Sarutobi's offer? Will there be a KakaIru moment in the next chapter? Well, we'll all find out in the next chapter of Taiyou wo Sagashiteru!
Surely there ain't gonna be smex yet. XD Teehee.