Saving the world from bad music one fanfiction at a time! Hehe. Check these out, they're absolutely beautiful. Except for Break the Sky. That's just fun.
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EVANESCENCE - Part Two
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The shocked pounding in Sakura's head did not even have the decency to pause as the song climaxed, dropped and ended in one fell swoop. She faintly remembered applause, then Naruto escorting her to a seat on the side of the room and turning towards a green-clad male. She didn't know who her next partner was…maybe Green Man, but since they conveniently stayed away that moment, she gratefully took the time to sooth the rearing monster of a migraine headed her way. She distinctly recalled that next dance she had was with Gaara, the Kage and King of Sand, and tried to shake her head clear before failing miserably and praying that he was a nice person and wouldn't hate Mizu forever for one discrepancy.
And since the roof fell in, I'll lean on what matters
Caught in the slightest wind, everything else unravels
You're standing in my doorway, seven cities ago
The days are racing, but you come back too slow...
Gaara found her a few seconds into the gypsy's next ballad. Kneeling down in front of her, he peered between the arms and fingers that covered her face and dug into her hair. She glimpsed his green eyes for a split second while he accessed her situation and stiffened visibly.
Gaara did not know what to do. Emotionally unstable people were not his forte--he used to be one of them, and he also used to kill them. After dawdling on the matter for a few more seconds, he turned and promptly sat down beside her, crossing his arms and staring nonchalantly at nothing. The pink-haired girl beside him relaxed.
You're the finest thing I've ever done, the hurricane I'll never outrun
I could wait around for the dust to still, but I don't believe it ever will
"My brother," he began in a smooth monotone, startling her for a moment, "can arrange to occupy your next dance so that Hyuuga Neji does not enquire."
Sakura blinked and lifted her head out of her arms.
"Sabaku-sama…"
Gaara hesitated, his green eyes uncertain, not knowing how to continue his proffered sentiment.
"Would…would you like that, Yamanaka-san?"
She smiled slowly, wiping an eye ungracefully with the back of her hand.
"Yes, please, Sabaku-sama."
Gaara paused.
"…Gaara."
Sakura started, cocking her head, before comprehending. "Gaara-sama."
Gaara nodded at her, and she scrambled up to deliver a quick, clumsy curtsy before falling back into her chair. She leaned her head against the wall, closing her eyes and taking a deep breath.
Gaara smiled faintly as he left in search of Kankuro, feeling a little proud of himself.
His people skills were getting much better.
.-.-.-.
Naruto paused in the dance when Sabaku no Gaara brushed past him. Excusing himself from his fiancée, he followed.
"…to Hyuuga," the redhead was impatiently explaining to his vividly (freakishly, Naruto thought) painted brother. "She's having some sort of attack."
"Hey, Gaara," the blond ejaculated in a melodramatic whisper, "What's up? I've never seen you walk fast."
"Uchiha's girl," Gaara didn't even bother to turn, waving his hand in a whirly pattern. "A mess." He glared at Kankuro. "Go."
The older Sand sibling nodded, an annoyed expression on his face. "This blows. I kinda wanted to meet the girl."
"Hey, Freak-face," Naruto snapped uncharacteristically, "Go before the dance ends and we turn fifty, will ya?"
Kankuro scowled at him and stormed off.
"Gaara," Naruto beckoned, and the redhead followed.
The two adeptly slipped past the milling nobles bordering the main dance floor, maneuvered through the labyrinth of tables and pushed past a set of French doors to the balcony outside.
"You told her?" was Gaara's prompt remark.
"Yeah," Naruto ran a hand through his mussed hair. "Probably shouldn't have, huh? Sasuke-teme's gonna be pissed, isn't he."
"I believe Uchiha took you aside earlier especially to avoid this undesirable…situation?"
"He made it crystal freaking clear."
"Then it is best if…news of this did not reach his ears?"
Naruto blinked and stared at Gaara's impassive face for a few seconds as his suggestion clicked.
"Aww, Gaara! You're awesome, man, did ya know that?!"
Gaara patted Naruto uncomfortably on the back as the blonde attacked the antisocial redhead with a bear hug.
"I would advise you to try have her out of the room up before the song ends," he said stiffly, extracting himself. "I think it best if you trade a few of your dances as well, assuming you're occupying a lot of her time as you characteristically would."
"Yeah," Naruto straightened himself. "Yeah, thanks, Gaara."
He nodded as the blond boy darted away from the terrace, locating Hinata within seconds with his Super Fiancée Radar and guided her towards Sakura. The white-clad Hyuuga girl stuttered and stumbled, and led the pink-haired girl discreetly from prying eyes and curious onlookers into some alcove where she would use her Mad Hyuuga Skills to perfect her again. Naruto then sped off to locate Neji, who was now developing a rather annoyed disposition at being constantly interrupted.
Gaara sighed, shook his head, composed himself, and began looking for Temari. Even the Hyuuga's Specially Honed Female Skills won't fix the girl that fast.
He sure was feeling sympathetic today.
.-.-.-.
You'll never see the courage I know, it's color's richness won't appear within your view
I'll never glow the way that you glow, your prescence dominates the judgement made on you
But as the scenery grows, I see in different lights
The shades and shadows undulate in my perception
My feelings swell and stretch; I see from greater heights
I understand what I am still too proud to mention - to you
The music wouldn't stop. Everything swished around loosely in Sakura's head, mixing like some unnatural concoction her mother used to have her drink when she was sick as a girl.
Pale, cool hands and a soothing voice smoothed her hair, smoothed her face. Hyuuga Hinata wet her palms and passed them over Sakura's face, determined to rub away the mascara stains, and oh, everything was smudging, she'll have to take everything off…did she have the right things on her? She usually did, things like this happened often at parties where Tenten-chan and Neji-nii-san were in the same room…
"Y-Yamanaka-sama," she whispered gently, "Yamanaka-sama, I'm H-Hyuuga H-Hinata…"
Sakura turned to the panicked Hinata.
"Hyuuga-sama?"
"C-call me H-Hinata…" Hinata turned as the curtains over the entrance of the lounge were lifted. The heart-wrenching music seeped in for a second, and Sakura reeled from the sound.
You'll say you understand, but you don't understand
You'll say you'd never give up seeing eye to eye
But never is a promise, and you can't afford to lie
"Ah, Tenten-chan…Temari-san…"
Hinata floated nervously towards the older women. Snatches drifted back to Sakura. "S-sorry…this is…inconvenience…I…take care of it…"
"Nah," Temari grinned and waved off Hinata's apologies. "I was supposed to dance with Zaku, and the bastard's drunk and feeling lucky. Ten wasn't so lucky…Itachi, huh?"
Both Tenten and Hinata turned ten shades of red at the remark. Sakura, however, finally realized Tenten had arrived to witness her failure. She leapt up from her half-sitting half-lying position.
"Tenten!"
Her head suddenly cleared as she focused on her cousin. The brunette clicked her tongue and shook her head.
"Stupid girl," Tenten said with a smile, "Don't ask Naruto questions. He knows too much." She turned to the white eyed girl, who now stood demurely by Sakura on the ottoman. "Hinata-chan, what else do you need?"
The girl started, reaching into her kimono sleeve and retrieving a small jar of powder, a stick of kohl and a pad of blush.
"I…I bring them according to what you like to wear, Tenten-chan…" Hinata felt much more relieved now…if Tenten and Temari were here, the girl would be fine.
Tenten blushed deeper as Temari snorted. "Don't listen to her, Sakura," the brunette lifted Sakura's face in her small hands and tutted.
"Come on," she tapped the younger girl's cheek in mock chastisement. "Suck it up. You've got girls out there who'd love to snatch up Uchiha if you turn out a failure. You've got people out there expecting things of you. Hell, you've got Uchiha Sasuke himself out there probably thinking you're a wuss or something. Come on, girl. The Yamanaka are never weak."
Sakura's eyes widened as she took in the hidden message. She shook her foggy head, clearing her thoughts and setting her mind.
She was not going to lose in front of…in front of everyone.
She was not going to lose.
"Tenten-chan, sorry."
She stood and brushed off her gown. The blonde woman, Temari, grinned at her.
"Good girl," she smiled in approval. "Just like Ten."
Sakura sat still and contemplative as Hinata began removing ruined makeup from her face. Temari and Tenten started wresting the large silver restraining ornament from her hair, producing brushes, combs and pins from under skirts and in the folds of sashes. As the Hyuuga girl gently relined Sakura's eyes, Temari bit her lip nervously.
"Ten, this is impossible. We'll need an hour to get it back in shape."
Tenten snapped her fan and clipped Sakura on the side of the head with it. "Stupid girl," she snorted. "Next time, don't dig your fingers into your head. Ruins the hair and ruins the nails." She walked a circle around her cousin, tapping her well-shaped chin with the tip of her fan in thought.
Ten seconds later, Tenten was still circling, her brow furrowed deep enough to plant seeds in. Hinata had finished with the makeup, and now sat nervously next to Sakura in anticipation.
Finally, the brunette bent down low. She reached under the hem of her dress, pulling it up to her knee, revealing thigh-high white leather boots. Hinata turned purple.
"T-Tenten-chan! Tha-that's inappropriate!"
Tenten stuck her tongue out at the younger girl and pulled from her boot a kunai knife and a packet of gel.
"No," Temari shook her head. "No, no, no, no, no!"
.-.-.-.
I hear them coming, the blue parade
They're throwing snowflakes and singing my name
In deep blue voices, I hear them say: there's good love out there, just you wait
Oh, hold on, I'm coming...don't let anybody in...
"Where the hell you been?!" Kankuro glared at his sister with a scowl. Temari turned snappishly and glared.
"It was a fucking job well done, you little shit hole. One more word and I'll pull your intestines out through your ass."
Kankurou snorted and turned away.
"Whatever."
His eyes widened a little as he spotted a blot of pink hair.
"Shit, sis," he hissed at her, "It only took that long?!"
Temari refused to answer, glaring at her brother and before turning and eyeing her creation proudly.
Sakura and Tenten were at one of the tables by the opposite wall, accompanied by a nervous looking Naruto and a bored looking Itachi, making polite conversation. Sakura's hair was a few inches shorter, layered expertly, and tied up high on the back of her head in a glossy ponytail, fresh white lilies from a vase surrounding the base. It was constantly hitting Naruto in the nose, and the blonde man was sniffing and scratching it periodically. Unless somebody had clearly noticed and followed the group, no one would have known the girl had been having a panic attack.
Now leaves are falling from the mercy tree
The blue surrounds me so I can get some sleep and
We don't need stars now cause all they say is there's good love out there, just you wait
Oh, hold on, I'm coming...don't let anybody in...
Oh, hold on, I'm ready...lock the doors and wait...for me...
The dancers stopped and applauded as the music came to a soft, simple end. Naruto waved goodbye to Sakura and raced towards Hinata, bowling over several people and almost causing the white-eyed girl to spill her drink. Itachi bowed politely to Tenten, kissed her hand and vanished.
Hyuuga Neji magically appeared beside Sakura, bending to speak to her, before taking Tenten's hand (Temari observed a well-hidden blush on her friend's cheeks) and disappearing into the milling crowds. Sakura waited patiently, one gloved hand propping up her head and the other casually stirring her cocktail. Gaara approached a few seconds later, a confused look on his face. Sakura's head tilted, a few words were exchanged, and the table was abandoned as the green-eyed couple positioned themselves for a waltz.
Before the world dies at my door...
I'll break the sky, for you and I are going nowhere
Kiss goodbye a dozen times before we get there
Why do I need anyone else when I can break the sky myself?
Temari started, before nudging Kankurou.
"Didn't Gaara already dance with Yamanaka Junior?" she whispered, brushing off a green-clad man like a fly.
"Yeah," Kankurou blinked. "It's Hyuuga's turn…"
"He just went off with Tenten."
"Temari-san--"
"Gimme a minute, Lee, you fap."
"…"
"…"
"…"
"Temari-san--"
"Just a SECOND, Rock Lee, good Lord above get a grip!"
"Do you think…he traded?"
"For Tenten?"
"…"
"…"
"Temari-san--"
"Oh for HEAVEN'S SAKE!"
.-.-.-.
We are the lucky ones, we shine like a thousand suns
When all of the color runs together
I'll keep you company, in one glorious harmony
Waltzing with destiny forever
Dancing into the night, underneath the moon's shining surprise
Turning me into the light…
Time dancers whirling past, I gaze through the looking glass
And feel just beyond my grasp is heaven
Sacred geometry where movement is poetry
Visions of you and me forever
Dancing into the night, underneath the moon's shining surprise
Turning me into the light…
Dancing into the night, underneath the moon's shining surprise
Let the dark waltz begin, oh let me whirl let me spin
Let it take me all night, turning me into the light…
.-.-.-.
At near midnight, Sakura met Lee.
"Sakura-san!" the Green Beast popped up beside her.
Sakura's eye twitched as she took in the greasy bowl-cut, thick eye brows and round fishlike eyes. Inside, she composed herself.
"Yes, ah…?"
"I am Rock Lee, Hyuuga Neji-sama's oldest and most trusted friend and confidante!" the youth grinned, revealing his freakishly neat white teeth. "You are as beautiful as an angel! Come with me away from the cold vermin that is Uchiha Sasuke! I will protect you forever!"
"…ah," Sakura didn't know what to say, as No, You Freak, Go Away would be incredibly rude.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her fiancé accost Tenten.
As Rock Lee opened his mouth and began vivaciously declaring the undying ever-burning flame of his love again, Sakura tuned him out and watched Tenten excuse herself from Kiba and move towards a hallway. Kiba grabbed Sasuke's arm and growled something before Sasuke wrenched his arm away and followed her.
"--like the blossoms on a field or valley in springtime--"
"Lee-san," Sakura interrupted abruptly, not taking her eyes off the two's retreating backs, "Would you deign excuse me for just a moment?
Lee paused, blinked at her, and answered earnestly, "I would wait forever, Sakura-san."
Sakura smiled politely and glided towards the hallway, where Kiba was waiting impatiently.
"Hey," she grinned up at him. "Where'd Tenten go?"
Kiba lifted his eyes from glaring at the floor towards the hallway for a moment before resuming his task of boring a hole into the marble with his eyes.
"Um, thanks," Sakura patted him on the arm and darted away.
.-.-.-.
Sakura reminded herself of her hatred for long, dimly lit hallways for the fiftieth time since she entered this particular one. She couldn't hear anything, and could hardly see anything…only turns, side halls, sliding screen doors and the dark wooden floor. She could see no end of the hall before her, hear no voices…the light of the archway where Kiba awaited Tenten's return had long vanished; the crooning voice of the gypsy and the accompanying orchestra floated to her ears every few seconds in an eerie echo, her shadow haunting her footsteps like a ghost.
As she began to lose resolve, she heard the rustling of silk. Pausing, Sakura tiptoed forward as silently as possible.
"…you comprehend, Tenten-san?" the deep rumble of Sasuke's voice reached her. Her eyes widened in surprise: this was not the cold, unattached voice she knew, it was dark and almost predatory.
At the sound of a door sliding open and footsteps, she ducked into a side hall. She saw two shadows exit the room against whose outer wall Sakura's back was now pressed.
"Sasuke-san," Tenten's voice was laced with worry, fright and nervousness. "This is most inappropriate of you."
"Ya-ma-na-ka Ten-ten-san," Sasuke voice slid over the syllables of her cousin's name teasingly. "Do not forget, please, that I know your secret."
A hand and a head hit the adjacent wall. Sakura's breath hitched in panic, her body instinctively trying to mold itself to the wall, wondering in frustration why it couldn't turn into metal and wood.
He knows?! How does he…?!
"S-Sasuke-san," Tenten's voice was small and panicked now. "I…"
"He doesn't have to know," Sasuke responded in a clipped tone. "Now, there must be something you can get for me out of Itachi, isn't there?"
There was silence, and then:
"If this is a promise you intend to keep, Sasuke-san, I agree."
"I'm a little tired." Sasuke voice was normal again. "I'll retire. Good night, Yamanaka-san. Tell your sister I'm worn."
Sasuke's shadow began disappearing, but Tenten's did not even twitch until his footsteps disappeared around a corner.
Sakura did not even dare breathe. She waited, afraid to reveal herself. Suddenly, a muffled sob escaped Tenten's lips, as the woman's body slid down the wall in silent submission. Sakura waited as Tenten buried her face in her lab and sorted herself out.
Don't wanna lay me down this time
Drown my will to fly
Here in the darkness I know myself,
Can't break free until I let it go
Let me go
Sakura blinked as the music rushed down the hall in heartbreaking crescendos, accompanied by rushed, harried footsteps. Tenten started, stood, composed herself, and swiftly moved down the hall. Sakura pressed herself further into the shadows, afraid of discovery. The princess, however, bypassed her shadow without a glance.
Tenten's footsteps halted as it met with the owner of other pair. There was a cheerful, surprised greeting, dark mumblings and a startled, clipped word before Kiba's voice began shouting. Tenten screamed back in frustrated hysteria before she started running. After a short pause, Kiba ran after her.
Darling, I forgive you after all
Anything is better than to be alone
And in the end I guess I had to fall…
Always find my place among the ashes
Sakura breathed out, massaging her temple in shock at what she had heard. Sasuke knew their secret…Tenten was doing something for him to keep it down…Tenten…she needed to find Tenten. She needed to talk to Tenten.
She calmed herself, tried relax and brushed off her gown, walking back down the hall as quietly as possible. Emerging from the tunnel she found Kiba and Naruto waiting for her, the former with a furious look on his face.
"Where's Tenten?" she questioned.
"You didn't see her?" Kiba gritted. "The bastard…"
"I must've missed her, I think I got lost." Sakura ignored Kiba's dark mutters and turned towards Naruto curiously. The blonde man shrugged in confusion.
"I think she went to her room. I don't really know…everyone's disappearing. Temari-san vanished a few seconds ago, the singer's just left, Neji and Itachi both disappeared, Gaara's been gone for an hour and Sasuke I haven't seen since this thing started."
"Fucking girl," Kiba suddenly ejaculated. "She's the best goddamn actress in the whole world, but like shit there's nothing wrong! I haven't seen her like that in years…"
He snarled a mix of a goodnight and a fuck-this and stormed off.
"Yeah," Naruto said after a few seconds of silence. "So Kiba's poofed too."
Sakura smiled at Naruto as calmly as she could manage and excused herself for the night. He grinned his foxy grin and bowed before darting off to locate Hinata again. Sakura turned and made a beeline for her rooms.
This needed a hell of a sorting out.
.-.-.-.
As Sakura opened the door, Ayame and Kikumo all but attacked her.
"Temari-san's here," they told her hurriedly. "What happened to your hair? Oh, nevermind, come on, they're waiting…a guest, or something…"
Sakura was dragged to Tenten's sitting room, where the two women were sitting calmly sipping tea.
"Ah, Sakura," the brunette smiled at her. "Come sit…" she patted the mat next to her.
"Feeling better, hon?" Temari swirled her cup. "You'd better be thankful for that hair, I don't do that at a second's calling."
The pink-haired girl blinked at the two. How could Tenten be so calm? Why was Temari here? They needed to talk, to plan, now--
"Tenten-sama!" Hana slid open the door. "She's here."
Sakura looked up as the scantily clad singer entered the room with a flourish and a bow. Temari leapt up in excitement.
"This is who you called, Ten? Oh my GAWD, you're so awesome…I love you!"
She leapt at the gypsy. "You're absolutely amazing, did you know that?! I'm your biggest fucking fan. What's your name? You got a court? Wanna come to Sand? I--"
"Shut up and sit down, Temari." Tenten's voice was restrained, a little angry. She lifted her cup and sipped calmly, before she finally looked up at the blonde gypsy.
"Take it off, you little retard, before I kill you."
A slow silence erupted as the brains of Sakura and Temari worked furiously to try and comprehend this comment. Tenten kept her harsh brown eyes fixed on the face of the gypsy girl, unmoving.
There was a pregnant pause as the gypsy girl lifted her hand and pulled the headscarf, sash and turban all off her head in one motion. The knot of captured hair at the top of her head unraveled, a golden waterfall fell to the girl's waist. Porcelain skin, blue eyes, a smiling pink mouth…
"Hey sis. I knew you knew."
Sakura gaped.
"INO!!"
.-.-.-.
-evil cackle- Cliffie.
It was a Snow Day. I felt generous. And my internet was down--don't kill me Mace, or no cookies--so I was unbelievable bored.
Songs(in order):
Hurricane - The Hush Sound
Never is a Promise - Fiona Apple
Blue Parade - Sarah Slean
Break the Sky - The Hush Sound
Dark Waltz – Hayley Westenra
Lacrymosa - Evanescence
By the way, dear fans, if you wannathank someone for the update, thanks luvless191. She's the little bitch who bugs me 24/7...or rather, 12/5. She probably killed my ethernet by sheer willpower. DO YOU HEAR ME?! DIE BITCH! DIE!
Love ya :D
Now leaves are falling from the mercy tree
The blue surrounds me so I can get some sleep and
We don't need stars now, then she'll say: there's good love out there, just you wait
Oh, hold on, I'm coming...don't let anybody in...
Oh, hold on, I'm ready...lock your doors and wait for me...