Nari looked around the small dressing room as she sat. The lights that surrounded the mirror were almost bright enough to light the room, but they still had the overhead light on. She stared at her reflection as Konan styled her long bright red hair. She kept her hands flat on the vanity before her, letting her nails dry.
Konan had allowed them a few hours of band practice before she nabbed the new girl and spirited her away for some girl time. Pein had ordered the whole team dinner from a nearby sandwich shop and the two girls sat and planned out the style of the night while they ate. Music played from Konan's phone and Nari couldn't look away. Kona had been skilled with the makeup. She hadn't used foundation, knowing she would sweat through the concert from the lights. The eyeliner was as sharp as a knife and somehow Konan had nabbed a shade of red lipstick that matched her hair. Konan had managed to wrangle the long fake lashes onto her and Nari couldn't deny she felt beautiful.
"There we go." Konan said as she slid the last bobby pin in. She had pulled Nari's hair up into two space buns and left her bangs to frame her face. "Let's get some hairspray on it for good measure." Konan said and shook the can before spraying it. Nari coughed a bit and Konan chuckled to herself. "Sorry about that."
"Don't worry about it." Nari waved her hand to clear the air in front of her. "Konan, where did you get your lip pierced?" She asked and Konan smiled at her through the mirror. She reached forward and set the can down on the vanity.
"Pein did it for me." Konan said.
"Pein?" Nari repeated and Konan hummed as she nodded and rested her hands on Nari's shoulders gently.
"Yes. He used to work in an actual shop." Konan explained. "Managing the band was more of a hobby at that time."
"I've been thinking of getting my medusa pierced." Nari explained. "Do you think he'd know the best places to go?"
"I think if you asked him he'd love to do it for you." Konan told her and stepped away to start pulling the outfits out of the bag. "He would have to get the supplies, but he's really good."
"Really?" Nari asked, turning in her seat. Pein was quiet and a little intimidating, but if Konan trusted him to do it, then he must be good.
"Yes." Konan giggled and began tossing shirts onto one of the chairs. "I'll ask him for you if you'd like." She offered, turning and smiling at the red head, sensing her hesitation. Nari gave her an appreciative smile. "Now, come pick out your outfit."
"You guys ready?" Kisame asked as he leaned into the room where the band waited. He looked around and only saw the guys. "Where's Nari?"
"Konan dragged her in back, yeah." Deidara explained. "She should be done soon."
"Well, you guys start in ten minutes." Kisame reminded them.
"Fuck off, we know." Hidan dismissed. "Your assholes fix that fucking guitar?"
"Yeah, she shouldn't have a problem." Kisame told them. "We have a second guitar on standby just in case. It's already tuned and everything."
"You guys ready?" Konan asked as she cracked open the door, a small smug smile on her face as the men turned to her.
"Konan!" They heard Nari hiss, making the blue haired woman giggle. She stepped out, letting the door swing wide open. Konan was a knock out and always had her hair and makeup perfectly styled, so it was no surprise that she had been able to make Nari look fantastic. That didn't stop some jaws from dropping.
On her feet were ankle boots that had a moderate and thick heel. The soft leather pants clung to her legs and thick thighs, showing off her curves. Eyes followed the lacing that traveled up the sides of her legs and over her hips. To contrast with the tight leather, she had opted for a faded black tank top that hide wide holes for her arms. They could see a black bra under her arms. A black ribbon was around her neck and a second necklace stopped just before her chest, the silver shinning under the lights. Nari played with her fingers, her eyebrows raised as her bandmates as they took her in.
"So that's what you've been fucking hiding." Hidan teased and she scowled at him, her red lips pouting.
"You saw me in less last night." Nari blurted out before blushing at the implications, making Hidan and Konan laugh at her. "Oh, you know what I mean!" She hissed.
"Nari looks hotter than the rest of us!" Tobi whined dramatically. "Konan, what did you do?"
"Not my problem." Konan shrugged and winked at Nari. "I have to go check in with a few people. Knock 'em dead!" She encouraged before leaving the room, passing Kisame on her way out. Nari stood there for a minute, shifting her weight from foot to foot.
"So, do I really look ok?" She asked with an embarrassed smile.
"Hidan might have to look out for his spot light." Kisame chuckled. "You look great, kid." He offered and after he got a bright grin from Nari he too left to go finish his work. Nari looked at her other band mates.
"I don't have to worry about shit." Hidan said and smirked with her. "We just had to make sure you were hot enough to share the stage with me." He teased.
"Man, shut up, yeah." Deidara groaned from his seat on the couch. His long blond hair was in its pony tail, his bangs over one eye. He wore a loose white tank top and dark grey ripped skinny jeans that were tucked into heavy boots. His blue eyes were lined with heavy black eyeliner that made them seem brighter. "You're not even that hot."
"Fuck you. I'm the hottest bitch here." Hidan told him, putting his hands on his hips. His leather pants seemed almost glossy and Nari could see the muscles in his back through the mesh shirt he wore. His hair was slicked back and he too wore eyeliner, but it wasn't as thick as Deidara's.
"We should probably get going guys!" Tobi pulled their attention away from each other and Nari watched him rub his palms on his dark grey pants before stuffing them into his pockets. His red tee shirt was loose and ripped and he wore a black fishnet top underneath that extended to his wrists. Nari wondered if he would be too hot in the layers. "Kisame said ten minutes remember?"
Nari's stomach dropped. This was it. Everything was muffled as she watched the band began to leave the room and she followed numbly, her ears roaring with her heartbeat. As they stepped into the hall, they could hear the crowd and her head swam. She shook her head, trying to clear it. She would not pass out again. She could do this. She didn't spend the past two days working her ass off for nothing.
She felt someone gently nudge her arm and looked to the person who had grabbed her attention. Nari met Itachi's gaze and suddenly everything disappeared. His long dark hair was free and fell behind him. It looked like silk and she fought the urge to reach out and touch it. His pale skin seemed to glow against his black tank top. Underneath was a slightly tighter dark red tank top that broke up the black beautifully. He was beautiful and for a moment she felt very small, almost insignificant.
"You alright?" He asked her. Nari nodded and he held her gaze for a moment longer before continuing to walk down the hall. Nari watched as her band entered the back stage and she took a deep breath before stepping through the door.
It was very dark and the lights on stage were off. The band stopped just at the edge where Pein was waiting for them.
"Good luck." He nodded at them.
"Man, we don't fucking need that shit." Hidan told him. "We're practically fucking gods." Nari could see Pein roll his eyes but said nothing. Hidan walked out onto the stage, leading his group. Nari felt her stomach drop as she could see the dark mass of people sitting in the dark, waiting for them to begin to play. Nari swallowed and followed the glow in the dark tape to her spot and she picked up the guitar, putting the strap over her shoulder and feeling the thing in her hands. She had used several guitars but this one never seemed to feel right.
Nari closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. She could do this. She just had to trust herself. She could do this. It was too late to back out now. Right?
A spot light shone softly on Tobi as he played out a few soft keys, telling her the concert was starting. The crowd went wild and she could hear them vibrating through her. Nari's heart raced against her rib cage and she worried she would lose her dinner. It was too late to back out.
Another light came on as Hidan sang the first few lines of the song and the crowd burst with more energy at the sight and sound of the singer. It was time.
The lights were flipped on as the rest of the band joined in, the soft start of the song suddenly replaced with the aggressive instrumental. The first few notes were fine but to her horror, the guitar began to sound off again. It was so subtle she doubted the crowd noticed but that didn't matter. She noticed, and by the stare Itachi was giving her, he had noticed too.
Her face flushed and she felt sick. Luckily, Kisame's sound team came to the rescue and corrected whatever was wrong because after a few more chords it was back to normal. Nari smiled to herself and continued to play, trying to just lose herself in the music and ignore the crowd.
She strummed a little more and slowly she had begun to relax, just enjoying the experience. Nari briefly looked over to Itachi who met her glance and gave her a slight nod. She was doing great. Nari continued to play and watched Hidan perform, running around the stage, emphasizing the aggressive lyrics he sang into the mic.
The song was starting to end and to her joy the guitar gave her no more problems. She strummed faster and faster as the song built up to the finale and she had to fight down the sheer adrenaline rush she felt as she lived out her dream.
But as she strummed the last note, her worst fear came true. Something went wrong. At the last note of the song, one of the strings snapped and struck her in the face. Nari was too startled to gasp but it had startled her, making her stumble back. Her bandmates paused for a moment rather than leading into the next song like rehearsed.
Nari's eyes were wide as she caught herself. She was stunned. She was frozen. She couldn't move, she couldn't think, she couldn't even feel the blood dripping down her teeth. Nari looked off stage and she saw Konan looking at her in shock, her hands over her mouth. Then she saw Kisame coming up behind them. She couldn't quite interpret Pein's expression so she ignored it and jogged over to them. Deidara started up his drums again, signaling the start of the next song. Nari didn't have time to waste.
The moment she was within Kisame's reach she yanked out the chords and passed them to him. Without a word Kisame began plugging them into the glossy black guitar. Nari shed the awful guitar and handed it to Pein. He took it off her hands and she donned the new guitar.
"It's already tuned, just go." Kisame told her and she nodded.
"Your cheek." Konan tried to stop her.
"Forget it." Nari told her flatly and she glanced to Pein for a moment, still dazed. "Sorry." She muttered before returning to her spot, beginning to strum the chords as she continued.
Pein watched her go, confusion clear on his face.
"Is she ok?" Konan asked. "She looked out of it. Really dazed." The three of them watched as the band carried on like nothing was wrong.
"I think she's just startled." Kisame offered as he took the guitar from Pein. "These strings are pretty new. I don't know why they snapped like that."
"It's fine." Pein told them. "She's doing well."
Nari continued to play. She wasn't numb, but she didn't notice the blood falling down her face, dripping onto her shirt. She could hardly feel the sting any more. Ice had filled her veins. Everything had faded away. There was no concert. There was no mob of people before her. There were no concerned glances from her bandmates.
It was just her and the guitar in her hands that played the notes as she strummed them.