there should really be a slice of life genre bc thats just what this is
Temari held back an angry retort as she was jostled once again by the restless crowd. She growled under her breath. "The next person who hits me is gonna get it."
Her best friend and roommate, Tenten, turned around at her not-so-empty threat. She rolled her eyes. "Would you lighten up? We're at a concert!"
"That I don't even want to be at." Temari shot back irritably. "I've had classes and meetings back to back this week, with no break. Do you know how many assignments I have piled up in my room, Tenten? A lot."
"Which is exactly why we brought you here - to destress." Tenten emphasized.
An arm draped over Temari, playfully hooking around her neck. "Bonbon's right, Temari." Her old friend, Sen, smirked while ignoring Tenten's insulted pout. "This is what college is about. Live a little."
Temari pushed Sen off of her and opened her mouth to argue back when the lights in the club suddenly dimmed. Tenten squealed. "It's about to start! There's Neji!"
She grabbed Temari's arm, forcing the recalcitrant girl to actually look at the stage. Tenten's high school friend was there, getting set up with his guitar. Behind him, there was a blond boy who looked like a freshman, and two other figures who were standing too much in the shadows to be properly seen.
Tenten pointed to the band members, explaining their identities. "Neji plays guitar, and that's Naruto on the drums. He's a friend of Neji's cousin. And over there is Kiba, with the messy hair. He plays the guitar too, and also sings. And that's-"
"We get it, you know all of them!" She was interrupted by their friend and final roommate, Kurotsuchi.
In a red one-sleeved dress, the transfer student looked way too dressed up for a concert by a local band in a dingy club. "Since you're such good friends with them, mind telling them to hurry it up already? I know we promised to be here but I have a date that I am not going to miss."
Tenten huffed. "Just wait a couple more minutes, would you? I swear, it's gonna be good."
And as if triggered by Tenten's promise, the untidy boy, Kiba, grabbed his microphone and yelled. "What's up, Konoha! How we doing tonight?!"
The crowd, including Tenten, cheered in response. Kiba laughed, "Alright, that's what I like to hear. We've got a great set lined up for you guys, but before we start, I'm gonna give you a few minutes to get all your love for me out there. That's right, ladies, I see you!"
That was too much for her, especially when his ridiculous request was actually met with high-pitched cries.
Out of patience, Temari groaned out loud. "Oh my god, Tenten. This is so stupid, I'm leaving-"
"Wait!"
Tenten tugged back on her arm with more strength than Temari thought possible from her skinny roommate. She puffed out her cheeks, begging. "Stay for one song, Temari, please?"
Temari rolled her eyes with a heavy sigh, relenting. Just in time, Kiba got over his ego and started the band's first song with a few claps from him and the drummer.
"Penny for your thoughts, but a dollar for your insights,
Or a fortune for your disaster,"
While she wasn't really into any kind of rock music, Temari could appreciate the upbeat rhythm of the song. It started their concert off on a good note.
And, Temari had to admit, as annoying as he was, Kiba could sing well. He carried a high note perfectly, impressing even her.
Then another voice joined as the chorus started, and Temari's jaw dropped.
"What the hell?!"
The fourth member of the band was her arrogant, impassive, lazy, lab partner, Shikamaru.
She was sure it was him - the tall, spiky ponytail was unmistakable. The guy who just didn't take notes last lecture because he wouldn't even get up to sharpen a pencil. And then had the audacity to ask for hers. That same guy was standing on stage in front of her, singing and playing guitar.
"I could learn to pity fools as I'm the worst of all,
And I can't stop feeling sorry
For myself,"
Temari stared as he sang the next verse by himself, Kiba only jumping in once in a while. His voice was deeper than he normally sounded, the few times he decided to actually use his voice muscles, and a lot smoother. His eyes were shut as he concentrated on the lyrics of the song, his fingers flying over the chords. Last week, she had seen him purposefully leave his water bottle after it had rolled away three feet. What had he said? "Bending down is too troublesome."
Who the hell was this guy, and what had he done with her lab partner?!
Sen elbowed her out of her alarming trance. "What's this? Like something you see?" She teased.
"No way." Temari shook her adamantly, then pointed at the lively singer. "That's my lab partner!"
"Really? I thought you said he was kind of dull." Kurotsuchi jumped in, eyeing the aforementioned lab partner. "He's pretty cute, though. Good choice."
Temari couldn't believe the words coming out of her friend's mouth. In just what world was Shikamaru cute? He wore the exact same outfit every single day!
Tenten finally pulled her eyes away from Neji to join their huddle. "Oh yeah, didn't I tell you about the singer? His name is Shikamaru-"
"I know who he is!" Temari cut in indignantly.
"-and he's like the lead for the band! He and Neji write most of their songs."
Something was wrong with the world. Nothing made sense anymore. Tomorrow her brother Kankuro was going to call her to let her know their younger sibling was becoming the monarch of a small arid nation.
The absence of words being sung caused Temari to focus her attention back onto the musicians. Shikamaru was standing in the front, as lead singers usually do, and had just turned to say something to Kiba. Temari watched as he reached up to wipe the sweat from his forehead, rolling his neck to stretch it.
She saw him take a deep breath before his voice filled the club again.
"We only want to sing you to sleep,
(in your bedroom speakers)
We only want to sing you to sleep,"
Temari felt the song ending soon, and a part of her felt almost saddened by the thought of someone else singing. She shook that thought away quickly, focusing on the rest of the lyrics, and not the singer.
"They say quitters never win,
But we walk the plank on a sinking ship,
There's a world outside of my front door,
That gets off on being down,"
She barely knew her lab partner, but the words seemed to fit him. The crease between Shikamaru's brows deepened as he held out the notes, not missing a step with the beat. Kiba and Neji sang the last few lines of the song, before Naruto finished it up with a few fancy hits of his drum.
The audience burst into cheers and applause, Temari joining in by clapping. While Kiba had been the one to speak to the crowd before they started the show, it was Shikamaru's turn to step forward.
Loose strands of dark hair had escaped his now drooping ponytail, though it only contributed to the grunge look he had. He cleared his throat, his face reverting back to it's usual expression of indifference. Temari thought that was stupid - the entire club had just seen they way he sung his heart out. Who did he think he was fooling?
"Thank you everyone for coming out tonight." His voice was hoarse and a little husky from overuse.
Temari found herself straining to hear what he would say next. She swore his eyes met hers before passing over.
"That was one of our newest songs, so if you liked that, stick around. We've got a few more where that came from."
The crowd cheered again as the band members started to get ready for their next song.
Tenten turned to her immediately. "Well? Worth staying for another song, right?" She asked eagerly.
Temari shrugged nonchalantly. "It was alright." But she made no move to leave, as she had so wanted to earlier that night.
The band had finished rearranging themselves, with Kiba now at the front. That put Shikamaru on the side of the stage closest to her.
Maybe a few more songs.
a song fic, in this day and age? yes
two-shot, part 2 coming soon!
