Vexing

Vexing

Chapter 2: Under Tables and Over Heads

Summary: The famous guy rock band Fever is talented, good looking, and top the charts. But they get a dose of reality when new band Twist takes over the number one spots. It's going to be one battle no music lover can forget.

Disclaimer: Me? Own Naruto? Hah, in my dreams! Seriously, I don't own Naruto or anything Naruto related. Really. I also don't own Starbucks, or MTV. I do, however, own the rabid fans, the music company Hyuuga Corp, Goraku Records, Fever, Freshman Renegade, WWMM, and Missy. Oh, and the supremely lame songs are all my doing too.

Thank You everyone who reviewed. I appreciate the input!

"Alright guys, listen up." The booming and assertive voice of Neji rang through the large recording studio. "I rescheduled you for… wait, where's Uchiha?"

The three boys blinked at one another as if confirming the fact Sasuke was, indeed, not there.

"I heard someone leave this morning," Kiba snapped. He had been in a rotten mood all morning since Neji told him Akamaru wasn't allowed in the building (even though he snuck Akamaru in anyway and he was now snuggling up his stomach, but it was unfair to have to hide him).

"That was me," admitted Naruto, who woke up earlier than Sasuke. "I went out to look around the city and then came here."

"Idiot," growled Neji, who repeatedly told everyone that hats and sunglasses couldn't protect them forever.

"Twenty bucks says he went to get another room because you both snored the entire night," Shikamaru stated, tossing a twenty on the coffee table from his place of the sofa.

Kiba, who sat next to him, tossed a twenty on top of his. "I say he went to a pawn shop to get a weapon to kill Naruto with, since he snores louder than I do and he talked in his sleep."

Naruto growled and threw cash in as well. "I say he was looking at pawn shops for something to kill Kiba's stupid, smelly mutt with since it pissed all over his new sneakers."

Neji sighed, and surprised everyone by throwing money in, too. He usually didn't join in with stuff like this. "He went to Starbucks."

"Heh, why? He could've had coffee brought up to our room," countered Naruto.

"You mean he could've had it brought up to the new room he got after he left due to your excessive snoring," Shikamaru added with a bright grin.

"… You know, I like you better when you sleep," Naruto muttered. Even Kiba had to nod in agreement.

At that moment, Sasuke opened the door and slammed it shut, tossing his 'disguise' (a hat and sunglasses, what else?) on the closest chair. He just walked forward a bit then slammed his back against the wall with his eyes shut and hands in his pockets.

"So, Sasuke," Naruto said slowly after a long silence. "Where'd you go?"

"Hn."

"… Well?"

"…I got up a bit after you to go to Starbucks…."

"DAMMIT!" Naruto and Kiba roared in unison as Neji swiftly swiped the money into his pocket. Shikamaru simply rolled his eyes and mumbled something to himself about troublesome friends.

Sasuke arched an eyebrow. "Nothing," Neji said quickly before anyone went too into detail. "Now, as I was about to say, I have you guys booked for the end of your interview and your photo shoot for next Thursday. Can you actually stay until their done this time?"

"Depends," Kiba said, his aura suddenly getting brighter. "Is that reporter chick going to be there?"

Neji kept the same cool expression over his face. "I have no idea. It shouldn't matter, should it?"

Kiba looked down. "Ah, no, I guess it shouldn't…"

Neji was about to start another his lecture to Sasuke and Naruto for walking around without his permission when one of Neji's many assistants came galloping in. "Mr. Hyuuga!"

"Hm, Ebisu, what is it now?"

Ebisu marched up in front of Neji gasping for oxygen. "Mr. Hyuuga, I just got news of a new up and coming band that has companies praying for them to switch labels."

"So?"

Ebisu's brows furrowed. "So? I apologize, Mr. Hyuuga, but you obviously don't grasp the seriousness of the situation! This band is already scheduling appearances on MTV after the managers heard their songs! I heard that they might even be competition for Fever!"

The said band let their eyes dart to the nervous right-hand man of Neji, who kept a calm face. "Who are the members? Who's their manager? Do you even know?"

Ebisu looked down. "W-well the bands actual members are being kept secret until their single comes out. Their manager, however, is Tenten from Goraku Records. She's quite new, but obviously quite talented to spread them so quickly without anything leaking out."

Neji nodded. "When is their single being released?"

"Tomorrow!"

Tenten stared at her boss with her jaw on the floor. "B-but Tsu-Tsunade, pah-lease! They're not ready to release it yet!"

The said woman leaned back and examined her newly hired manager with a relaxed face, twirling a long strand of hair nonchalantly between two long fingers with perfectly painted nails. That was a good word to describe the owner of Goraku Records: perfect. She had the best figure, the best style, the best everything. Tenten saw her as an idol, and grew up wanting to be her. The once famous singer had wound down and yet still had more fame than most world leaders.

So the moment Tenten got her high school degree, the first thing on her mind wasn't college or starting a family: it was working for her. Yet the more time she spent doing her idol's dirty work and following her every order, the more things she found to dislike about her.

"Why can't they release a song tomorrow?" Tsunade asked innocently. "They've been hoggin' enough studio time to have at least four singles out by now."

Tenten bit her lip. This was true, but she was a perfectionist by nature. She kept them at it until they had their song down to the last pitch. "They're working on there last song now, true. But they don't have enough time to get ready for tours, music videos, interv-"

"Then we'll wait until next year to realease their album. Is that what you want?"

"No! Tsuande, please understand! They've only ever done small scale concerts, barely toured, no press coverage ever – it'll be too much if they don't get some sort of warning first! We agreed next month! Tsu-"

"Enough arguing!" Tsunade barked back. Tenten shot up straight in her chair with a defiant glare set. "Now," Tsunade huffed. "I see your position, I do. But there's too much hype built up. The longer you build it, the more likely people will be disappointed by it or they'll get bored by it all. People aren't the most patient now and days."

Tenten shook with anger and took a deep breath before standing. "Is that all?"

"Yeah, it is. I'll be expecting a single ready for Shizune by eight."

Tenten gave her thanks and left the room. Once she was in the hall, no one passing by could ignore the incredibly colorful string of words ripping out of her mouth. Tenten wished she had more say over her band, she really did. They weren't ready! They needed to have all the songs, but they needed more time too… what could she do? Wasn't it her job to 'manage' the bands time? But she was also co-producer, so she knew what needed to get done…

She relaxed a bit when she walked into the studio. She was glad to see Hinata pounding her dainty finger tips against a keyboard and everyone else seemingly being productive. Shizune whipped her head around and smirked at the brunette. "What's the word?"

Tenten sighed miserably. "We need a single ready for tonight." She looked desperately at Sakura. "Please tell me you have an idea of what song you want to release?"

Sakura pursed her lips and looked thoughtful for a moment. "We haven't worked on the song I wanted to release yet, but the three we have now aren't bad at all. What one -"

"I don't care! Pick any one you want!"

Ino, Temari, and Lee had been listening in with a rising interest. Before anyone could blink, the three had gathered around Sakura shouting out suggestions.

"What about Fading Fast?" Ino asked with her eyes sparkling.

"No friggen way!" Temari argued. "It's too… pop meets rock meets techno. The world isn't ready for that sound. What about Up To You?"

"Too depressing and slow!" Lee disagreed. "What about Turnaround?"

Everyone was glaring at each other, not seeming to want to cave in. Realizing Hinata had left to vote Temari, Ino, and Lee raced in during the middle of her keyboard solo, shouting at her to agree with them. Hinata, being Hinata, was left dazed and with a violent red blush building up in her cheeks.

"ENOUGH!" Tenten yelled over everyone. The room and recording studio (which, up until that point, was thought to be sound proof) went into an immediate silence. The brunette waved for everyone to circle around her, which happened quickly. Everyone knew a mad Tenten was a scary Tenten – they all had stories of her flipping out that made them think they'd eventually need extensive therapy. "I realize you guys are under a lot of pressure," she paused. "We all are. But you have to be mature! I mean, really, fighting over what song you put out?"

"But it's our first one!" Ino argued. "This will determine our fan base!"

"No, it won't," Tenten said calmly. "Each song you guys made… it was amazing. Best things I've ever heard. If it was shit, I wouldn't be managing you. No beats, no voices, hell, even the same instruments other bands used that you guys did sounded different and ten times better. No matter the song you pick, it'll still be yours. Besides, who cares if you live up to what everyone says? You have at least one fan," she said, pointing to herself.

Shizune walked up beside her. "Make that two."

The band members exchanged awkward looks before Temari spoke up. "That was so corny, it was almost inspirational. I guess I'm good with whatever song you guys want…"

Lee's eyes sparkled. "Temari, that was the nicest thing you've ever said!" Temari scoffed as Lee bounded to her side with a beaming smile. "I concur!"

Sakura smirked and walked over to them wordlessly with Hinata. Ino was left singled out with a wicked grin on her face. "I guess my choice wins!"

"Petals are falling fast from trees that never bloomed.

Take into consideration that you'll soon be falling too –

falling on your back.

Because I can't spare another second of not breathing into you.

Even though I find it hard –

to give in, to feelings that I never knew.

Come witness me breaking down again,

all over again.

Any one would lie for me.

Any one would lye with me.

So what's the deal with you?

Dreams are crushed under truths that seem to be consuming us at last.

Darling we're fading fast.

Know that as I'm dying to be with you,

I'm living for myself too.

The first time I held my eyes on you, everything started turning around.

Oh and they never saw you coming - as you made your way to me

Since then my world has fallen apart - and my universe has been rebuilt.

So what's the deal with you anyway?

Anyway -

Any one would lie for me.

Any one would lye with me.

So what's the deal with you?

Dreams are crushed under truths that seem to be consuming us at last.

Darling we're fading fast.

Know that as I'm dying to be with you,

I'm living for myself too.

Oh dreams are crushed under truths that seem to be consuming us at last.

Darling we're fading fast.

Know that as I'm dying to be with you,

I'm living for myself too.

So what's the deal with you?

No one was ever quite like you.

Whenever you're not around, I get built up so swiftly.

Please come back, and tear me down.

Tear me down,

I'd rather be a mess and have you around.

Any one would lie for me.

Any one would lye with me.

So what's the deal with you?

Dreams are crushed under truths that seem to be consuming us at last.

Darling we're fading fast.

Know that as I'm dying to be with you,

I'm living for myself too.

Oh dreams are crushed under truths that seem to be consuming us at last.

Darling - don't you think we're fading fast?

Know that as I'm dying to be with you,

I'm living for myself too.

I'm dying to be with you,

To be with you."

The bass that was booming through the speakers settled down and the drums came to an abrupt halt with the other instruments, signaling the end of the song. The DJ took these last few seconds to start back up again. "That was the first single of the new, highly anticipated band Twist. That song came out yesterday and people have been requesting it like crazy! So the big question is: has the band lived up to the hype with their debut? You guys were told to give a quick review, so Caller 1, you're up."

"Uh, hey, this is Dave from Woodsburrow High School," a younger male voice said in an excited rush. "I just wanna say that this is the best thing since, like, Fer Sure by The Medic Droids. It's friggen ridiculous!"

The DJ laughed. "Nice, kid. Caller 2?"

"Hey, I'm April from South Linden, and I just wanna say that these girls are amazing! I don't usually like chick bands, but that song was just – wow."

"Ri- "

Click.

Neji couldn't take it anymore. His fingers were beating against the leather armrests of his office chair, showing his obvious discomfort. So many people liked it? Really? It didn't seem that good. The lyrics were a bit sloppy; it seemed the song was about sex. Or love. Isn't it always? They would fade fast – just a small bump in the road is all. But wait… wasn't all the greatest hits by Fever about sex or love? He shook his head; that wasn't the issue.

They had combined too many styles. Techno meets rock meets pop. It was… unusual. It didn't work for him. Then again, so few songs did. But he could feel the energy… the band was something special. Dammit!

No, they were not something to worry about. They were not something to worry about. They were no-

"Mr. Hyuuga," Ebisu said, looming in front of the open door into Neji's spacious office. "Mr. Hyuuga wants to see you."

Neji's eye twitched; whether from annoyance or his anxiety he wasn't sure. "Which Mr. Hyuuga? This is a family company, so there are, what – perhaps sixty Mr. Hyuuga's at least?"

"My apologies – Mr. Hiashi Hyuuga would like a word in his office." Ebisu bolted as soon as he specified, not wanting to see Neji's reaction.

Neji let out a long sigh, seeing the room go blurry as he pondered of the infinite possibilities of what this could mean for him. Was Hiashi mad? Why? Was this new band the cause of his worries? Why would he doubt him? He hadn't let him down yet, had he?

He got up and confidently strode to his uncle's office a few doors down from his. He wasn't too fond of his uncle, but he was family none-the-less. But he was also his stern boss. It's a wonder Neji doesn't suffer from ulcer-related issues every week with all the worrying he did. He paused at the door into Hiashi's office. It was the same door that was all over the building. It was just a thick, heavily stained oak to keep the room soundproofed from the mania of the halls with a thin with a large, spherical gold door knob that shined as if it had been coated with a permanent layer of glass cleaner. With one last breath he put his mask of excellence back on and confidently swung the door open.

"Hiashi? You sent for me?" Neji's poise wavered when he saw his usually reserved and unemotional uncle rampaging around his office looking like a train wreck. Yet as with all horrible train incidents, you just had to watch no matter how disastrous, so Neji kept his eyes glued to Hiashi even as he took a seat on a nearby couch. "Hiashi?"

"I can't believe it!" the old man muttered to himself hysterically. "Neji, I've always been a good father, haven't I? I mean, Hinabi says she happy with me in all our letters and at the our phone conversations – which we have everyday! And Hinata… I thought she meant it when she told me 'I love you,' with her sweet, angelic voice…"

Neji was wondering if he had just stepped in on a midlife crisis. His uncle never even looked a bit phased by the most extreme situations and yet here he was hypervenalating at… well, who knows?

"Hiashi, I am not sure what you are trying to get at," Neji admitted in his smooth voice, sitting perfectly as if he was just carved from marble.

"That new band Twist just took over half Fever's number one spots in a fortnight. As if that wasn't bad enough – which it isn't that terrible, but the worst part of it is that my Hinata is in it!" Neji's eye twitched for a second time that morning. His younger cousin who cried hysterically and ran off the stage during her seventh grade chorus concert - even though she stood in the back row – was a member of this infamous band? That was a laugh.

"I don't know what to do… she was to inherit my business when I died or retired! And yet she's competition for us? Is this a phase?"

Hiashi's panic was now building into anger and his pacing turned into furious stomps. He shot a glare out the window. "This isn't good enough, Neji. I have to teach her a lesson."

Neji arched an eyebrow. "A lesson?"

"Yes – I'm, I'm cutting her off."

Neji froze. He's cutting his daughter off?

"No more finical support until she smartens up," he emphasized. Neji barely held back a snort – it was always the same with his uncle; everything always came down to money to fixing problems. He wondered if Hinata even still took money from her parents – highly unlikely, especially now.

Neji started to feel as if this had nothing to do with his band after all. Just in case… "After Fever has their interview and photo shoot tomorrow with WWMM, they'll be the only thing anyone thinks about. That magazine is the bible to half the population anyways. This is one issue that'll put Fever into the history books."

"This is one issue that will put Twist into the history books! You gotta do it! Please?"

Tenten was batting her long, thick eyelashes up at Mr. Aburame – a.k.a. Shino, with an innocent, "Help me!" expression. Shino, no matter how good of friends he was with the brunette, wasn't going to cave.

"I apologize, Tenten," he said monotone. "But I simply can not afford to switch who's band the issue revolves around. Everyone has been dying to see Fever have their first ever interview and photo opt. I can't just tell them no when it's scheduled for tomorrow."

Tenten sighed and rolled her eyes melodramatically. "Oh, the great Fever! Whatever shall they do? Listen, Shino, Twist is the band you want to start covering. Surprise your audience with them instead! They won't be expecting it – you'll be spontaneous!"

"WWMM has an exciting reputation already," Shino spat icily. "We also have a reputation of being loyal to the musicians and artists that give us there time. My answer stands firm: no."

Tenten sighed once more, only this time it was like a sad siren had just had enough. "It's a shame," she spoke softly. "Poor Hinata was so looking forward to it…"

Shino's head popped up. "Hinata? Hyuuga Hinata? The girl who went to my boarding school who's dad owns Hyuuga Corp Hinata?"

"The very same one," Tenten confessed gloomily. "But I suppose I will have to break her heart. To think that one of her best friends from high school would put another band before her is just such a shame…"

"I talked to her last night, though! We were facebooking each other! She never once said anything about wanting to be in our magazine!" Shino said. He was still stoic as ever, but Tenten caught hints of anguish in his tone.

"It's a surprise because exciting is a also word used to describe my reputation," Tenten told him offhandedly.

They stared each other down, neither one willing to back out. Eventually, Shino let out a groan of defeat. "We'll tell Fever we had a mess-up in dates and they'll just have to wait to cover next month's issue. We'll get our top reporter Missy to ask a few questions before holding a photo shoot. I guess I'll be there, too, just to see if this is worth it."

Tenten beamed at him and gave him a tight hug. "Yeah! Oh thank you, Shino! We needed this! I'll tell Hinata you send your love!" She gave him a peck on the cheek before racing to the elevator before he changed his mind or yelled at her to not say a word to the blushing keyboard player.

Neji wasn't feeling that great as he overheard Naruto recording his drums on the last song for Fever album. This was the eighth time he had been redoing an instrumental he had requested himself. It was either a drum solo or a kazoo intermission, so here the band was – staring down the blonde as he banged holes into his drum kit while trying to keep himself from signing along.

"Alright, nice job Naruto," Neji said through a speaker after tapping on a button into the other room. "You can come out and oversee the 'producing magic' if you want and then we an work on other aspects of our album -"

Ebisu jolted into the recording room, upsetting the band and Neji a second time within the week. They were all about to tell him to get lost until they saw his frenzied appearance.

"What is it?" Sasuke asked before anyone could open their mouths.

"WWMM just moved back our interview to next month," he shouted, his legs shaking. "Someone else is taking over this month's issue. They have everything set up for next Thursday instead of us."

"WHAT?!" Kiba roared. "That's a bunch of shit!"

"Who'd turn us down?" Naruto agreed, hopping out of the recording room with his drumsticks looking more like weapons while he looked as mad as he did.

Shikamaru rolled his eyes up at Sasuke, Neji, and Ebisu. They all knew who had taken their interview – who else could it be?

But Twist better know something: if that new band were going to play dirty, so were they.