Chapter 5. Well, I'm certainly not stopping now. Enjoy.
DISCLAIMER: Not mine
WARNING: AU
PAIRINGS: Still don't know…
Song 5- ThreatHaku and Naruto both entered Naruto's apartment wearily carrying their guitars on their shoulders before plopping down on the couch. Shortly after recording, the band was whisked from photo shoots to interviews and had little break between their tight schedule. Even Neji, the normally calm and collected one, seemed wearied down by the media press. Haku couldn't make it to his apartment without being run over by reporters, but Naruto had gotten him out of the jam by using an escape route through the trees. "It's a good thing they can't climb with those cameras," Naruto had said.
"I never took into account how popular you guys were," Haku said rubbing the tiredness his brown eyes.
"You're popular, too," Naruto replied as he dumped his guitar on the couch. "Anything in the mail?"
"Eeto…" Haku flipped through the large stack of envelopes from the mailbox. "Postcard, a lot of fan mail, and…" Then he stopped at the last letter. It had no return address, and yet, it was addressed to them.
"Nani ka?" Naruto asked as Haku set down all the fan mail while flipping open the letter. The feminine became pale as he read the letter. His hands started shaking as he read the scrawny handwriting. Naruto peered over Haku's shoulder and read the short note.
Quit your job and don't release the single… or else.
"Who sent that?" Naruto asked.
"I don't know. There was no return address," Haku replied shakily. "And the note was typed, so we wouldn't be able to compare handwritings." Naruto took the note and read the threat. There was nothing familiar about the note.
"What's going on?" both of them thought together.
-X-
Neji and Tenten were playing some old songs when the two other members of Mangetsu showed up. Both looked like they hadn't slept a wink. This didn't come as a surprise to either of them. Poor Neji had to get to his apartment using the air vent due to hundreds of fans crowded around his apartment building, and Tenten, who's apartment building was too far away for her to make it without being jumped by fans, decided to crash at Neji's place for the night.
"We've got a problem," Naruto said seriously.
"Yeah, we need more security," Tenten said sarcastically remembering how she had to the emergency exit to get to Neji's apartment.
"No, not that! This!" the blonde said exasperatedly while whipping out the threat note. Neji wearily took the note and read it. His lavender eyes remained blank as he stared at the harsh words typed on the white sheet.
"That's no surprise," he said. "We got quite a few threat notes when we were Asahi."
"Yes, but that was later when we released our fourth single!" Naruto argued now fully awake. "And those were directed at Sasuke, not Haku!"
"I don't know who's sending these and why," Tenten said as she read the note, "but there's no way we're going to not release the single. All of us intended to restart as Mangetsu, and that's how it's going to be, whether anyone cares or not!"
"Maybe we should report this to Uchiha-san," Haku suggested.
"As if cold head will pay attention to them," Naruto scoffed.
"Actually, I will."
All four looked up from their circle to see Uchiha Sasuke standing in the doorway. He wore a serious expression, but this time, it wasn't directed at no one in particular. In his hand were several other notes.
"These threats were found in my inbox," the music producer said holding up the notes. "All were pleading the office not to release your single. Is there something you know that I should?"
Mangetsu exchanged glances not knowing whether to report the incident. After what seemed like an eternity, it was Haku who broke the silence.
"Someone sent me a threat note, too," he said handing the note over. Sasuke took it, and after reading it over, looked at Mangetsu.
"I'll have security up for the next few days. Keep a look out for any suspicious characters, and keep me updated should anymore notes come."
-X-
As the release date of the single drew closer, the band was getting less time to relax. While practicing for a live performance and going through interview after interview, the press overwhelmed the four members. The nosey media didn't spare even Sasuke. Radio stations were calling in asking for a clip of the song to broadcast. The cold music producers turned them all down not wanting any negative responses. Mangetsu managed to get this far, and he was intending to let them get further.
-X-
The day before the release of the single, Sasuke found yet another threat in his inbox. This time, the person said that they were going to stop the release of the single at all costs. He was about to dismiss it, when he noticed that there was no stamp or postage mark. Noticing the clues, Sasuke could only come to one conclusion.
This person meant business.
-X-
"Wow, can you believe that our first single is going to be released tomorrow!" Tenten exclaimed with glee.
"It certainly is a surprise," Neji remarked.
"Yeah, did you hear that Haku! You should that idiot Sasuke that you're our vocalist!" Naruto exclaimed happily.
"Aa, doumo," Haku replied nodding his head.
The vocalist was still trying to get it into his head that it was actually happening. His first single ever, was going to be released. All those childish dreams he had, all the practicing he did, was going to pay off. He could only hope that the world thought so, too.
"Hey, Haku, we're going out to celebrate at the ramen shop down the street," Tenten said. "Do you want to come?"
Haku stared at them for a moment, before nodding his head and saying, "Hai."
-X-
The four continued chatting as they walked over to the ramen shop. Haku remained silent for the most part, but kept a smile on his face. After all, they were celebrating. One should be happy when celebrating.
The four didn't see the figure following them, until the person knocked Haku to the ground and started choking him violently while pulling out a switchblade from his back pocket. The other three band members scattered. Tenten ran to call the police, while Naruto and Neji tried to pry the attacker off of the vocalist unsuccessfully.
It was Neji who saved Haku from certain death. Using surprising strength, the bassist pulled Haku out of the iron grip using his waist power as an extra boost before giving the attacker a hard kick in the stomach. By then, Tenten had arrived with the police. The attacker wasted no time in escaping, several officers on his trail.
-X-
After checking to make sure Haku was okay, the four band members didn't feel like celebrating anymore. Tenten had phoned Sasuke about the incident and got a number of questions fired at her. After talking some twenty minutes, everyone came to an agreement.
That attack was connected to the threat notes.
"Haku!"
At the sound of Naruto's sudden outburst, all of the band members took a good look at Haku's forehead. It was then that the vocalist felt a warm trickle down his face.
There was blood trickling from an open wound.
TBC…Phew, I'm trying to extend the chapter lengths, but it's pretty hard. Review kudasai!
Preview: Tenten comes up with a solution to cover up the mishap. Is the public going to buy it?