Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, and this fanfiction isn't getting the author or anyone money.

A/N: I normally put disclaimers, but I've been really lazy lately. Hope you all enjoy the chapter. I'm trying to focus on a more limited point of view from Naruto, but there will be moments with Sasuke. And oh my, the style of this story isn't exactly turning out the way I first had in mind, but I don't think it's totally a bad thing. The chapter is shorter than I originally planned it to be. Sorry about the slow update.

Chapter 3 - Form

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The energy rolled off of them like waves, making the very air heavy. There were flailing limbs and tensed muscles everywhere Naruto looked. He'd bump and crash and step against others, and he still couldn't see the stage that clearly. The atmosphere was so different from the big concerts he had gone too. Sure, the live house was a lot smaller than the stadiums Akatsuki's fans demanded, but he could have sworn there was more energy. He choreographed his movements to match the music more and perhaps truly become "one" with the crowd. He could feel the very pulse of life dancing upon the harsh notes and sweat-covered flesh of those around him. But he supposed what really made it different from those big concerts was that these people actually understood the music and weren't just hopelessly devoted to it; there was people against the walls with arms folded, noting every time Sasuke or the drummer would be even a sixteenth note off. Is this what Sasuke meant? That one could only love music if they truly knew it? That they could fall into the depths of passion and in the next moment become the hard-to-impress veteran?

-

Most of the people were older college students who dared to take a break from the suffocating stress of studying. Once and a while Naruto would find someone who went to his school, like that girl over there who was tall and sleek, tricked out in dark colors and shiny accessories. But Naruto could have sworn that he had just seen her in P.E., ranting about some girly Korean singer who was going to guest star in some drama. What was she doing with all of these rough-looking people? In fact, what was he doing with all—

A fierce tug from Sasuke made Naruto focus again. In front of him was a smiling boy with most of his hair hidden under a hood. He didn't look that scary compared to everyone else. He prodded Naruto in the stomach and spoke before the other had time to protest.

"Haha, so you already seduced the new kid, eh, Sasuke?" He gave an exaggerated wink, to which Sasuke replied to with a nonchalant shrug. "He's not bad-looking though. He'll like the music. The 'Desert' siblings are opening for tonight."

Kiba gave a pat—a little too hard—on Naruto's shoulder before scampering off, murmuring about finding someone else and leaving the two alone.

Sasuke dug his fist in his pockets. "Kiba's from class D. I used to have class with him in middle school." All the words were soft and monotonous, as if Naruto were a small child asking numerous questions, and Sasuke was the barely tolerant older brother. Naruto frowned.

"I didn't need you to infor—"

"Whatever."

The blonde shuffled along to follow Sasuke, only pausing when the boy talked to others. Man, that boy fit so well into whatever crowd. Even his dismissive nod or shrug was elegant.

Naruto was doing pretty well in not asking questions. (So not because he was too amazed on how a jerk like Sasuke could make all of the girls here blush and stutter without even trying.) But when some tall girl with heels bigger than her saucer-sized hoop earrings stepped on his foot, Naruto just couldn't take it anymore.

"Damn it, teme! Why are we just standing around and chatting like we're at a tea party?"

Sasuke turned and raised an eyebrow. "You haven't figured out that this is a music venue yet? We're waiting for the first band. Just chill," he said smoothly.

"Uh, really?" Naruto looked around until he spotted a stage at the far end of the room. It was adorned with tons of music equipment. Wait where did that come from? Naruto thought. This place was so crowded that he hadn't seen it before. …Or the tons of posters that advertised bands that had played here before…

Just then, a red-haired boy stepped onto the stage. He wore a simple black shirt that hugged his already thin body. He had what seemed like kohl around his eyes and a particular marking on his forehead that spelled out love in crimson ink. His manner was cool despite being short and most probably Naruto's own age. He adjusted the microphone to his height before speaking.

"Hey. We'll be up in a moment, just a problem," said his voice as it came through the speakers.

As if on cue, a tough-looking blonde came out of nowhere and all but tackled Sasuke. "Hey Sasuke. Play guitar for us, will you? We'll just play covers. Shikamaru's sick."

Naruto only heard a muffled "sure" and then he was suddenly alone. He shook his head. So was Sasuke going to play after dissing the band Akatsuki? The blonde mused. No way. The boy pushed his way through the crowd to get closer.

By the time he could almost touch the stage, Sasuke had already borrowed someone's red Stratocaster and was weighing it in his arms delicately. Then Sasuke let out a blaring chord. The blonde and a boy with a painted face followed suit, both on bass and drums respectively. Sasuke picked up the speed, as if challenging them.

Naruto couldn't believe how much Sasuke's manners changed. He had been quiet and uninterested with everything today, but now he was pouring his heart and soul into a simple thing like music. No, Naruto thought. Music had never been a simple thing to him, even before he met that dark-haired enigma. Sasuke just confirmed that it was so utterly complex.

Sasuke bit his lip just the slightest as the patterns became more demanding. His fingers flew over the rifts and practically made love to the music. Even the red head's strong voice couldn't pull Naruto's attention away from the boy.

If Sasuke could only love those adoring girls as much as he loved this.

He reminded him of how his mother used to paint. Naruto used to watch for hours when he was little, dead silent and knees curled under him. His mother, normally quiet and barely showing affection, would stroke away at the canvas, bringing unorganized colors into something beautiful. When she was done he'd just stare and stare at the finished product with so much awe.

And Naruto did the same thing now. In fact, he didn't even join in the crowd's movements until the second song when he was able to gain control of himself.

But the more Naruto thought about it… Sasuke didn't just remind him of his mom. He represented or maybe mimicked someone else's passion.

Someone Naruto swore he knew about.

-

Naruto was fed up with waiting and was about ready to make a break for the door when Sasuke appeared, looking extremely disheveled. A cute girl from his school (her name was Hinata, Naruto remembered), followed him.

"Oh! Na-Naruto-kun!" she said in a soft soprano. Her already timid self became more self-conscious if that was even possible. Her gaze flitted from the floor and back to Naruto repeatedly. "I didn't know you were the fr-friend Sasuke-kun was talking about. So do you erm… like the music here, Naruto-kun?"

Naruto smiled widely, glad that someone had come along and saved him from his boredom. He didn't expect Sasuke to offer an apology for disappearing, so he turned all of his attention to Hinata. "I'm actually more surprised that you're here. But I still have a lot to learn about this tow—"

And Naruto was interrupted once more for today, but by someone very unlikely.

"Ah! Hinata, I was looking for you!" Kiba managed to wedge himself in the tiny space between Naruto and Hinata. No one picked on you, right?" There was something akin to a snarl in his tone, and Naruto could have sworn he was purposely pushed back by Kiba as the boy placed an arm around the girl's shoulder. What did he do wrong?

Sasuke fixed his beanie and yawned loudly. "Kiba plays drums in Hinata's band, at least as a guest. But let's get going. Bye everyone."

Naruto blinked a few times, but followed Sasuke out of the door. At least he was leaving.

-

"Okay, okay. You guys kicked ass!" Naruto said with a crooked grin. "Bring me again!"

Sasuke, who had been digging around his fridge, pulled out a water bottle and took a long chug before answering. "Whatever. I haven't played with Gaara and them for a while. I wasn't on the same plane as them."

"Sure, whatever you say," Naruto replied, stubbornly sure that Sasuke had done a good performance at the show.

The dark-haired boy pulled out two bags of soy snacks and went to sit down on the coach next to Naruto. He passed the bag without saying anything.

Naruto wanted to hate him again because he was acting like this. At first he had been reluctant in accepting Sasuke's invitation to come over, but no one was going to be home at his own place anyhow. But it seemed like no one else was here either. Sure, the place had signs of life, like the scattered family photos and the half-full rice cooker, but it was current as empty as a park on a rainy day. Everything was organized nicely, albeit a little too stiff and formally. But even Naruto, usually the not-so-observant one, could see the thin layer of dust coated over objects.

"Your folks…" Naruto started tentatively and opened the bag.

"Not here," Sasuke interjected just a tad too quickly. He pushed back a strand of hair and seized the snack bag once he realized Naruto wasn't going to eat any. "Dad has a big case. Mom is visiting her aunt."

"Right."

Sasuke gave one of his signature shrugs, popped a few pieces of food into his mouth, and reached for the remote control. He was once more putting up that barrier. Even though the boy was a good actor at seeming very composed, his frequents interjections and awfully cool replies caused Naruto to become suspicious. Even a lion had its weak points.

Naruto suddenly felt very awkward. He had been too caught up in Sasuke's awesome playing to notice it before, but had had just met the guy and no he was in his house, eating his food, and lounging on his couch like they had been best buds for all eternity?

"Uh… How'd you learn to play?" he asked, desperate to fill the silence that nearly drowned him.

Sasuke didn't even turn his head. "A friend."

"…You wanna hook me up then?"

Sasuke paused mid-chew, gave Naruto a long, intense look and then swallowed. He got up and disappeared through one of the long hallways. Naruto sighed and followed, only to see Sasuke tugging out a large case from a pile of boxes in one of the rooms. Sasuke seemed very focused; he hadn't even bothered to turn on the lights. With one firm pull he got it loose, causing dust to fly in the air.

"Here."

Sasuke opened the case with a few deft movements as Naruto searched the wall for a switch and flooded the room with light.

What Naruto saw made his jaw drop to the floor.

The acoustic guitar wasn't very new, but it wasn't cheap either. The outside was a deep-red, with only a few scratches on the surface. A brand name, something in Spanish, was embellished in gold on the head stock. The strings were newly replaced. But goodness, Naruto thought it was one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen.

Sasuke motioned for Naruto to pick it up. The other boy obeyed soundlessly, still in awe.

"Give a strum; use your thumb like this. No, here." Sasuke made a noise under his breath in disapproval and moved behind Naruto. The blonde, for the first time, noticed that Sasuke was only a few inches taller, but tall enough to easily wrap both arms around him to guide his hand into the right position. The scent of mint invaded the air. Naruto barely heard Sasuke's next words; he was just too stunned. He felt crushed against the other's chest and swore he could feel the other's heart beating. Or was it his own heart pounding through his rib cage? This was too awkward.

"I can let you borrow a book in the beginning. But don't expect too much, okay?" His breath tickled Naruto's ear. Damnit, did the bastard even realize how he was acting? Naruto wiggled a little bit, regaining his senses and need to confirm his manhood. He was about to throw Sasuke off when the boy spoke again.

"Just promise me one thing, Naruto."

There was an affirmative grunt. He was too easily squashed back down.

"You'll play to please yourself. Not others."

-

When Naruto left, Sasuke had immediately sat back down on the couch. He desperately needed to smoke, but he knew his father would smell it inside the house. There was the other option of smoking on the front porch too, but Sasuke didn't want to see Naruto's back as the other scuttled off toward the nearest bus stop, the heavy case in hand. So he had lit incense. The little stick burned to ashes on the ornamental stand, right smack dab on the bare carpet.

The scent of heavy spice rose up steadily. Sasuke, although sometimes mean, wasn't stupid enough to burn the incense that was reserved for the family altar. So he had decided to burn the more expensive Indian incense his mother had brought back from one of her trips.

But he knew that his actions were futile. The cloud of smoke and smells wouldn't fill the emptiness of the house or clear the fullness of his mind.

-

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