Karaoke Night Chapter 3, a naruto fanfic

AN: Hey party people! Thanks for the amazing response you guys gave me on the last chapter—I'm glad to know I'm doing this right. Extra kudos and cookies to the following for posting a review:

--Kawaii Chibi-kun

--Ro Bo Mu F Fin (no worries, they won't stay depressed for very long…)

--GraityTheWizard

--Tobi'sgoodirllovesSasuSaku (No more Kelly Clarkson, I'm afraid )

--WinterMission (Thank you for your enthusiasm!)

--Orchird Tiger Lily (Thank you so much! I like to give my readers a really good visual, since the stories play out like movies in my head)

--Musik Drache

Now, as I told GG, no more Kelly Clarkson—the other girls are going to sing songs by the same artist, one who is different from Kelly. Disclaimer: I only own Karaoke Night. The characters and preceding plot belong to Kishimoto.

Karaoke Night, Chapter 3: Epiphany/Hey Stephen

Naruto slouched back into his armchair, taking a swig of the almost-full bottle in his hand. "Heads up, guys," he told his friends as the MC ascended the stage again. "I think it's time for round two." Sasuke, Shikamaru, Kiba, and Neji sat up a little straighter, interested to see which of their female friends might be up next.

"Hey, hey, hey, everybody, how we doin' tonight?" the MC called to the audience. The off-duty shinobi and civilians roared their approval of the last performance. "Wow, Tenten was amazing, am I right? Yeah! All right, next up we have another of our regulars, one of the Challengers…" the audience cheered again, drowning out the last of the MC's statement. "So, let's give it up for the one, the only, the raven-haired beauty with a voice like liquid silver, HINATA HYUUGA!

"Hinata?"

Hinata stepped forward onto the stage, shedding the lavender zip-up jacket she wore. Underneath was a black, skintight shirt with mesh sleeves and a V of mesh at the neckline. Naruto bristled at the catcalls and whistles that ensued, but was distracted from his wrath when Hinata spoke into the mic, her usually soft voice strong.

"This song's for a guy I know who's special to me. You all should know who he is…everyone does, except for him."

The crowd laughed, with Neji, Sasuke, Shikamaru, and Kiba joining in. Naruto stared at his friends. "What? What is she talking about?" That just made them laugh harder.

In the meantime, cheerful guitar music played over the speaker system, and Hinata started to hum into the microphone.

Hey Stephen, I know looks can be deceivin'
But I know I saw a light in you
And as we walked we were talkin'
I didn't say half the things I wanted to

Hinata's voice was light and sweet, her body language innocently flirty as she swayed to the upbeat music. Her blue-black hair danced and swirled around her beautiful face, sticking to her mouth and the sweat on her temples. Naruto was amazed at this new side of her—whenever he talked to her, Hinata could barely string five words together.

Of all the girls tossing rocks at your window
I'll be the one waiting there even when it's cold
Hey Stephen, boy, you might have me believin'
I don't always have to be alone

Alone? What was this about alone? What kind of idiot wouldn't want to be with Hinata? She was smart, kind, powerful, cute—scratch that, she was gorgeous. Not to mention determined, and resilient; who else could've stood up to Hiashi Hyuuga like she had done her whole life? She'd taken her clan's kekkei-genkai techniques and made them her own—what kind of guy would be dense enough to ignore her affections?

'Cause I can't help it if you look like an angel
Can't help it if I wanna kiss you in the rain so
Come feel this magic I've been feeling since I met you
Can't help it if there's no one else
Mmm, I can't help myself

Naruto felt himself deflate a little. Whoever this guy was who had stolen Hina's heart, she sure was crazy about him. He could tell from the way her pale eyes lit up like moonlight as she sang, the way a natural blush heightened the rosy glow on her cheeks from the alcohol.

Hey Stephen, I've been holding back this feeling
So I got some things to say to you
I've seen it all, so I thought
But I never seen nobody shine the way you do

The way you walk, way you talk, way you say my name
It's beautiful, wonderful, don't you ever change
Hey Stephen, why are people always leavin'?
I think you and I should stay the same

Naruto's heart jumped into his throat as Hinata suddenly found his cerulean eyes with her pale ones. The way she looked at him…it was amazed, scared, delighted, exhilarated…a mask of panic flitted over her beautiful face and Naruto was afraid she'd stop singing…but then she took the mic in both hands and put her soul into the next verse, her eyes still locked onto his.

They're dimming the street lights, you're perfect for me
Why aren't you here tonight?
I'm waiting alone now, so come on and come out
And pull me near and shine, shine, shine

Hinata reached out to him as she sang the last line, her expression longing and pleading for something she couldn't fit into the words of her song. Naruto silently begged her to tell him what she wanted, so he could give it to her…whatever she wanted, he would give it to her…he couldn't deny her anything if he'd wanted to. And she wanted something desperately, that was plain enough. Something…or someone…

Hey Stephen, I could give you fifty reasons
Why I should be the one you choose
All those other girls, well, they're beautiful
But would they write a song for you?

Holy ramen, he was the guy! She wanted him! Naruto shook his head with joyful disbelief: the only thing more shocking than this revelation was how inexpressibly dense he was. He grinned his signature goofy smile at Hinata, and something in his face told her all she needed to know. She lifted the mic from its stand and danced around the stage as she finished the last verses.

I can't help it if you look like an angel
Can't help it if I wanna kiss you in the rain so
Come feel this magic I've been feeling since I met you
Can't help it if there's no one else
Mmm, I can't help myself

Kami, Hinata was beautiful.

"Figure it out yet, fox-boy?" Kiba demanded with a wolfish grin.

"Shut it, dog breath." Kiba just laughed, along with Sasuke, Shikamaru, and Neji.

If you look like an angel
Can't help it if I wanna kiss you in the rain so
Come feel this magic I've been feeling since I met you
Can't help it if there's no one else
Mmm, I can't help myself

Myself
Can't help myself
I can't help myself

Hinata stood back from the mic, breathing hard as the clubgoers applauded her performance. Several of the male members of the audience even stood up, hollering their appreciation in drunken tones. Naruto stirred in his seat, irritated, but Hinata only replaced the microphone in its holder, waved vaguely to her admirers, collected her jacket, and climbed the steps off the stage. Naruto kept his eyes on her as she made her way back to her table; this time, he recognized Tenten's buns, two blonde heads, and one pink one sitting there as well.

"Do you think Hinata will tell them we're here?" he asked his friends. No one answered him.

oOo

Hinata collapsed into her chair by Tenten, her heart racing from being in front of all those people and seeing Naruto. Of course, if he was here, then so were all the boys her friends were going to sing for. The whole point of tonight was to purge themselves of all their pent-up emotions, and be honest about what they felt. How could they do that if the boys were sitting right there?

Then again, the other girls didn't have to know about their unexpected audience…

"That was amazing, Hinata!" Ino gushed. "I've never seen you that good before!"

"Good job, girl," Temari said warmly.

"If only Naruto were here to see that," Sakura added. "If he'd been here, there's no way even he could've mistaken your message."

Hinata grinned shyly, her mind made up. "Thank you," she replied quietly. "But your compliments aren't distracting Tenten from who's going up next."

The weapons mistress smiled evilly. "Indeed not. Temari, your turn."

The Sand kunoichi downed the rest of her drink in a single gulp. "All right. Do your worst." Tenten leaned over and whispered in her ear. "What? Are you shitting me? That is so not my style!"

"Tough luck, hot stuff. You've got to admit, the message is fitting."

Temari sighed. "Whatever. I've got nothing to lose."

And everything to gain, Hinata thought as her sandy blonde friend rose from their table.

AN: A special prize to anyone who can guess the artist!!!! And can you believe Hinata's deviousness? I must confess, I love devious Hinata :3

Review, or I'll tell the Sand Siblings you helped Sasori and Deidara invade the village. And they WILL believe me. *evil grin*