Chapter 4! This time, Sasuke and Haku get to spend some quality time together. Enjoy.
DISCLAIMER: Not mine
WARNING: AU (DON'T LIKE DON'T READ)
PAIRINGS: Still don't know
Song 4- Pitch"You're getting better, Haku," Tenten said as the band was breaking down the song so that he could improve the song verse by verse.
"Arigatou gozaimasu, Tenten-chan," Haku replied nodding his head. Naruto glanced nervously at the vocalist. The boy had been pulling all-nighters to make sure every note was on pitch, time, and pronounced clearly. Not even Sakura had such dedication in music. Every week, the band sent Sasuke tapes of them, each one of them returned with a post-it note saying, "Not good enough".
"Minna." The four stopped as Uchiha Sasuke entered the studio clutching onto a stack of papers. "I just received the schedule from the boss today." Turning to Haku, he said, "Momochi-san, you will have intense training with me for the next few days. Meet me here tomorrow at 6. Recording has to start soon."
"Ha-Hai, Uchiha-san," Haku replied. The other three band members stared at their vocalist. Could the fragile Haku take Sasuke's intense training? All three of them already went through that for their music, could Haku deal with improving his voice?
Turning to the other three band members, he said, "I want all three of you to hand in separate tapes recording your parts on the song."
"Hai!" all three of them said in unison. Things were finally starting to get back normal.
-X-
"Are you ready?"
"Hai, Uchiha-san," Haku replied ready to impress the cold producer.
Sasuke played the instrumental parts that were combined last night. Haku started singing as best as he could, but after the first verse, he faltered on the lyrics.
"Again."
As Haku started singing again, he started shifting his feet while glancing at the clock at the same time. Sasuke also glanced at his own watch and realized that it was almost 1 now.
"Oi, Haku!" The door burst opened and a happy Naruto followed by an impassive Tenten and Neji.
"Do you mind, Uzumaki? Momochi-san still has work to do."
"Come on, Sasuke! The poor boy won't get any better if you don't let him take a break!" the blonde guitarist whined.
"Hn, it wouldn't do any of us any good if he didn't get anything to eat," Neji agreed holding up a bag of food. At hearing the bassist's theory, Sasuke stopped arguing. Haku was relieved when Sasuke announced a 30-minute break.
As the four ate their sandwiches, Sasuke could a particular interest in Haku. Sakura had also gone through the same kind training, but she would constantly complain about wanting a break. Haku was even more sensitive than she was, yet, in a way, he seemed stronger.
Perhaps there was more to the boy than it seemed…
-X-
"Thank you for making the sandwiches, Hyuuga-san," Haku said while happily munching on his lunch. The said bassist shifted slightly where he was sitting uncomfortable about people thanking him for such small favors.
"We could hear you outside, you're getting better, Haku," Tenten said as Haku took a sip from a can of juice.
"Since we're having slow progress, this session will continue until at least 1." Haku nearly choked at the thought of staying up so late.
"Come on, Sasuke! The poor boy's been pulling all-nighters for the past few days just trying to get the song right!" Naruto complained loudly. "How's he suppose to record if you're keeping him up all night!"
"You shouldn't be talking, dope," Sasuke replied with a cold stare aimed at the guitarist. The other three exchanged nervous glances. Maybe bringing Naruto in wasn't a good idea after. Haku quickly intervened and said that he was fine staying up late since he often did.
As he was finishing up his sandwich, Haku noticed that Sasuke was jotting down notes for the continuation of the session. He swallowed his last bite slowly hoping he was prepared for the next grueling session to come.
-X-
As the three days progressed, Sasuke noticed that the new vocalist had improved greatly. He could now hit the high notes on pitch and his rhythm had improved. His skill wasn't nearly as good as Sakura's, but his talent on this song could be on par, if not better, with that of Sakura's talent. Perhaps, for once, Naruto was right, his prejudices had blinded him from fact. He should be careful about that from now on, no matter how hurtful the truth is.
"Uchiha-san." Sasuke looked up to see Haku peering down at him.
"I think you're ready for recording," was all he said before leaving the studio leaving the feminine boy in shock.
Haku lit up instantly. He got his approval from Uchiha Sasuke! Mangetsu was ready for recording!
-X-
Neji gave the signal and Naruto started followed by Neji. Sasuke listened as the four played their hearts out. Haku, in particular, was doing the best he could to give the maximum impact to the song. For the first time since he met the vocalist, Sasuke allowed a smile to grace his normally cold features. Perhaps the boy wasn't so bad after all.
-X-
The sound of the tearing of papers filled the small apartment as the lucidly distressed person flew into a rage. She couldn't believe this; Mangetsu's single was on schedule! She had thought they had given up, but somehow, they managed to reach Uchiha Sasuke's grueling expectations! She had to put a stop to this, yes; she had to do something quick!
TBC… Cookie to anyone who can guess who that is. Review kudasai!Preview: Mysterious threats are popping up, all saying to not release the single. What's going on?