Sorry if that last chapter wasn't enough… It's the beginning of the story, you see, so I don't have much ideas for the Akatsuki thingies yet… --"

Chapter 3- More Karaoke Madness!!!

Just a few more minutes 'til the clock strikes twelve and it's a Happy New Year for everyone!

TOBI: MY FAAAAAAAAAAACE!!!

Put a sock in it! You're chapter's over! This takes place in Neji's apartment again, dammit!

Ahem… As I was saying, it was already 11:30 PM and only 30 more minutes until the fireworks explode! Unluckily for the Akatsuki, they're already all out of fireworks because some faceless freak blew himself up and played with them hours before midnight.

TOBI: Gee… I wonder who that faceless freak is!

HIDAN: Wow… I'm wonderin' the same thing! How about you, Sasori?

SASORI: I'm hungry.

Okay! Enough already! Can we please head back to Neji's apartment now?

KISAME: Whoa… Looks like I don't belong here!

DEIDARA: Mmm… Itachi!

ITACHI: Sexy… Hot…

DEIDARA: Stop it, Itachi! It hurts!

ITACHI: Well, excuse me for pinching you! It's just that I'm so bored I had to pinch someone!

DEIDARA: Why don't you punch him!? (points at Kisame)

ITACHI: Gee… Why don't I? (stares at Kisame)

KISAME & JUNIOR: Uh-oh…

Hey! I said 'Neji's apartment!' not the Akatsuki hideout! Darn… Characters these days. They just want more attention from me, don't they? Anyways, back in Neji's residence, we find everyone having a good time. Now, it's Gai's turn to sing!

"I dedicate this song to my beloved student, Lee!"

"Gai-sensei!" Lee said with comical teary eyes, "YOU ROCK!!!"

"Are you sure they're not related, Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto asked.

Kakashi just scratched his head and laughed, "Heheh… Gee, I don't know! What do you think, eh?"

If you people were expecting a huge disco ball descending from the ceiling, or flashy lights dancing around the room, or happy upbeat music… YOU WERE WRONG. This time, the lights dimmed until they turned blue and two spotlights were on Gai and Lee. Gai sat on a stool in the middle of the living room, while Lee stood a few meters from him, staring at him, about to cry because of all the sentiment. Slowly, violin music plays and Gai sings…

"You are my sunshine… My only sunshine… You make me happy when skies are gray…"

"GAI-SENSEI!!!"

"Oh, God…" Kakashi sighed, "I was expecting a better song. I can't believe they call this sentimental!"

"I agree…" Naruto replied, staring at Gai and Lee. "Those idiots have got nothing better to do, dont'cha think?"

Because everyone was starting to get bored, Neji stands up and gently grabs the microphone from his teacher. Then, as politely as possible, he says, "Um… I'd hate to ruin this sweet moment, but I think it's time for someone else to sing now…"

"Oh, okay!" Gai said, smiling, "As a gentleman, I must give others a chance as well!"

"GAI-SENSEI!!! YOU ROCK!!!"

"YEAH!!!"

"Okay, who wants to sing next?"

"LET'S MAKE SHIKAMARU AND INO SING A DUET TOGETHER!!!" Choji exclaimed, "ISN'T THAT HOT!?!?"

"Good idea!" Asuma smirked, "Why don't you guys give it a try? As lovers, surely you have something you like doing together, right?"

"Yeah," Shikamaru replied, "But it doesn't involve singing or dancing, I'm afraid."

"Aw, come on, Shikamaru!" Ino persuaded, "You sing to me a lot!"

Shikamaru suddenly blushed when everyone heard this. "Heheheheheh… Doesn't she talk a lot?"

"That's good!" Tenten said, "We have a spare mike here so the both of you can sing!"

"YAY!" Ino squealed with joy.

"How troublesome…" Shikamaru sighed.

Excitedly, Ino scrolled through the song book while Shikamaru tapped the microphone to check if it was working well. "I've honestly never sung in front of anyone before… so don't expect a big performance, okay guys?"

"That's okay, Shikamaru!" Choji replied, "We don't care how bad it's gonna be! We just want to see you sing with Ino!"

"I've found a song for the both of us!" Ino exclaimed with glee, "Shikamaru, you'll like this one for sure!"

"I don't like the sound of this…" Shikamaru whispered to himself. "I hate singing in public."

Just as Ino was about to punch in the numbers, something started happening right outside. Sounds of explosions and flashing lights were seen and heard by everyone, so they rushed outside the house to see what's going on.

"OOOH!!! Sugoi!" Lee yelled, "IT'S TWELVE MIDNIGHT ALREADY!!!"

"Happy Birthday, Gai-sensei!" Tenten smiled.

"I WAS SUPPOSED TO GREET HIM FIRST, TENTEN!!!" Lee said angrily, "How dare you greet Gai-sensei before me!"

Everyone watched closely as many colorful fireworks exploded and lit up the sky. For a moment, they were sparkling in the sky like shiny colored dust in the dark sky then soon exploded and turned into balls of gas and dust creating grey clouds flying about in the starless night sky.

It was the start of a new year… New beginnings, new dreams and new wishes to fulfill. The full moon shines over the peaceful village of Konoha. What's coming up ahead for this town?