Hey! Look, I finally updated. Sorry it took so long but I've been busy, honestly. Look on the bright side though, it's longer. Also if you feel nice you can read my author's notes at the end of the chapter. Read on!

Disclaimer: I own nothing and it makes me sad…

Breath in, breath out, thought a nervous Hinata as she waited in the wings of an enormous amphitheater. She had figured The Demon Eyes were a popular group but she had no idea that the group was THIS popular. One quick peek out into the audience was enough to tell her that they had a full house. The giant stadium they were to perform in was packed. She had preformed in smaller areas, a club here and there but nothing like this. The chilling thought suddenly occurred to her that this show could make or break her career.

Confidence was not one of her stronger points, as a child she stuttered and hid in the corner. She had never wanted to be an attention grabber or the focus of anything, she always left that to Ino who's infectious personality more than made up for her silence. But, as her career grew, Hinata discovered that in order to succeed that she needed to come out of her shell and perform. Her father had surprised her when he supported her fledgling ambitions. He provided coaches and funding. But Hinata was most thankful for was her manager. Yuuhi Kurenai was kind and firm but nurtured Hinata's confidence much like her career. Both blossomed and Even if Hinata was shy in person, she could at least provide a successful performance on stage.

Her calming mantra was interrupted by a burly stage hand who roughly informed her that she was needed to go to her dressing room for her upcoming show. Her outfits were always tasteful but fun. Hinata would never even consider wearing what some of the other popular singers wore nowadays. As her make-up was being done, she contemplated her "tour buddies".

Neji was her cousin and even though they hadn't had the best relationship in the past, they now had a great friendship. It also helped that Ten Ten Liu, Neji's girlfriend was a good friend. Naruto, she thought with a smile, the blond was fun and a little quirky. His infectious attitude reminded her much of her friend Ino, just thinking about his jokes and antics made her giggle mussing up her make-up to the exasperation of the artist attending her. Gaara was a mystery, he barely talked but his flame red hair made him stand out immediately. She had to admit though, even through his silence she found Gaara cute. Lastly, she let her mind drift to Sasuke, her family had always had close dealings with the Uchiha label and although their families had close ties, she recalled that she never was close to him. He was cold and reserved when she last met him at a family gathering, he didn't associate with her and she stayed away from him. Hinata doubted that he even noticed her in their youth. Now though he seemed more open, probably from Naruto's influence, she thought. However, over the years he was still as handsome as ever and apparently the fans agreed. She had been surprised when she discovered that Sasuke was a musician, she had assumed he would pursue acting as the Uchiha family was famous for being a clan of talented actors and directors, Sasuke's own father directed and produced one of the most acclaimed films in history. She discovered though that Sasuke wasn;t just a musician, he was a good one, just watching the reheasals told her that. He wasn't all that she expected, but he wasn't unpleasant she thought, and Hinata decided she wouldn't mind if she got to know the Uchiha a little better.

Hinata twitched a bit as the hairstylist tugged and yanked at her hair, long hair while prettier was much harder to maintain she had found, she began to wish for her cropped tresses as she felt her scalp being continually assaulted. She jerked when the stage hand abruptly yelled in her ear, "we need you on stage in ten miss Hyuuga!" Hinata could feel the headache starting.

It was show time, Hinata felt the nervousness getting stronger and stronger. "It's now or never' she thought to herself as she walked onto the stage. The murmuring crowd was ominously silent, fangirls and boys surveyed her as she walked onstage. Already there was Kurenai, ready to introduce her. In her clear voice, her manger spoke into the mic, "I'm pleased to introduce to our opening act, Miss Hyuuga Hinata!"

Scattered applause greeted the announcement as Hinata dryly thought to herself, 'glad to see such an excited audience' As she handed the microphone over, Kurenai gave Hinata a reassuring smile and quikly exited the stage. It was all her now. Looking at the audience, she was determined to give a memorable performance. She began to slowly sway to the beat and counted the measures during the introduction hearing her cue she began to sing:

When you walk away
You don't hear me say please
Oh baby, don't go
Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight
It's hard to let it go

You're giving me too many things
Lately you're all I need
You smiled at me and said,

Don't get me wrong I love you
But does that mean I have to meet your father?
When we are older you'll understand
What I meant when I said "No,
I don't think life is quite that simple"

When you walk away
You don't hear me say please
Oh baby, don't go
Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight
It's hard to let it go

The daily things
that keep us all busy
all confusing me thats when u came to me and said,

Wish i could prove i love you
but does that mean i have to walk on water?
When we are older you'll understand
It's enough when i say so,
And maybe somethings are that simple

When you walk away
You don't hear me say please
Oh baby, don't go
Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight
It's hard to let it go

Hold me
Whatever lies beyond this morning
Is a little later on
Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all
Nothing's like before

When you walk away
You don't hear me say please
Oh baby, don't go
Simple and clean is the way that you're making me feel tonight
It's hard to let it go

Hold me
Whatever lies beyond this morning
Is a little later on
Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all
Nothing's like before

Hold me
Whatever lies beyond this morning
Is a little later on
Regardless of warnings the future doesn't scare me at all
Nothing's like before

(Simple and Clean, Utada Hikaru)

As she sang the Demon Eyes watched from backstage. Neji was evidently proud of his younger cousin, he knew how far she had come. Naruto was for once quiet as he listened and Gaara just stared, no one quite knew what he was thinking. Sasuke was surprised though, after meeting Hinata he had written her off as a talented singer who wouldn't be able to perform but was pleasantly stunned to discover that he had been wrong, the evidence was singing right in front of him. He found that he liked the way that she performed, one could tell that she was putting her heart into the music. He even appreciated her clothing, nothing was "falling out" and nothing that wasn't supposed to show was showing, he foumd her stage outfit fun yet sophisticated but then, he thought, who would expect any less from a Hyuuga.

Before long, Hinata was done and she found that the audience had received her well, far better than she had anticipated. She was merely hoping not to be booed off the stage, instead she was greeted with a hearty round of applause. She left the stage with a smile and was greeted by Kurenai, Kakashi, and the Demon Eyes with many "congratulations" and "good jobs". Even the reserved Sasuke gave a gruff good job which surprised her although she didn't show it. After the introductory dinner, they had kept their separate ways. When she finally collected herself enough to say thank you, she only heard the clumping of shoes as the band headed onstage.

"Now the act you've been waiting for, the Demon Eyes" shouted an announcer as the group trooped onstage. Hundreds of adoring fans were screaming and yelling while attempting to get closer to the stage regardless of the assigned seats. One could say that security was going to have one busy night. The band, apparently used to such treatment got their instruments and equipment on and began to play.

I'm tired of being what you want me to be
feeling so faithless
lost under the surface
I don't know what you're expecting of me
put under the pressure
of walking in your shoes

caught in the undertow / just caught in the undertow
every step that I take is another mistake to you
caught in the undertow / just caught in the undertow

I've
become so numb
I can't feel you there
become so tired
so much more aware
I'm becoming this
all I want to do
is be more like me
and be less like you

can't you see that you're smothering me
holding too tightly
afraid to lose control
cause everything that you thought I would be
has fallen apart right in front of you

caught in the undertow / just caught in the undertow
every step that I take is another mistake to you
caught in the undertow / just caught in the undertow
and every second I waste is more than I can take

I've
become so numb
I can't feel you there
become so tired
so much more aware
I'm becoming this
all I want to do
is be more like me
and be less like you

And I know
I may end up failing too
But I know
You were just like me with someone disappointed in you

I've
become so numb
I can't feel you there
become so tired
so much more aware
I'm becoming this
all I want to do
is be more like me
and be less like you

I've become so numb
I can't feel you there
Is everything what you want me to be
I've become so numb
I can't feel you there
Is everything what you want me to be

(Numb, Linkin Park)

As Hinata listened she found that she liked this song. It wasn't played during the rehearsals so she assumed that the change had been last minute. She especially liked the lyrics as they vaguely reminded her of herself. Being part of the Hyuuga family was a blessing and a curse. One was wealthy and respected but there came a lot of responsibility in order to keep the family name desirable. Being the heiress was harder, she was the new face of their media empire and one misstep and the family name would be ruined. The stress of being what everyone had wanted her to be was more than she ever wanted, but they were her family and she loved them so she kept playing the flawless heiress although she knew she was far from perfect.

The screaming of fans was getting a little irritating, as the band played some other numbers Hinata found that although being backstage, she couldn't hear the group well. The screams were so loud and numerous she began to wonder if the group was liked for their looks or their music but quickly brushed the thought aside. They were all great musicians and the fans could probably hear better than she could due to the construction of the amphitheater.

When everything was done, the group played an encore before Hinata stepped onstage to join them in the customary thank you and sendoff. Stepping off the stage she discovered that the fans were not only asking for the band's autographs but hers as well. It came as a pleasant surprise to the Hyuuga who thought to herself 'this night went well, it was actually really fun' After signing autographs they all headed to the limo to get one good night's sleep before heading out on tour again tomorrow.

Good golly gosh! I suck so much, I just keep writing junk. Please don't hate me, at least I got another chapter done. Well, tell me what you think and if you have any questions you can ask me. Simple and Clean is by Utada Hikaru and Numb is by Linkin Park. If I didn't use your suggestions have no fear! I still might use it later on so keep those ideas coming peoples as I am sorely lacking in the imagination department. Also just to get it out there, I need a beta so if anyone wants to read my cruddy work, let me know. Happy fourth of July! (I don't know why I put that there as I don't celebrate it but…) If you want a character to be put in, let me know but as a heads up, Sakura's coming up so beware.