RECAP…
And the person in the bush stood.
()()()()()
It was Sasuke.
"Sasuke?! What the heck are you doing here?! And since when do you care if I am terrible at archery?" Aimi said. "I saw you coming in the woods, but I didn't know it was here. It was a coincidence, and when I heard someone coming, I hid. It could've be anyone. And I care since now." he replied smoothly. "Hm, great, Sasuke. Good Naruto excuse. Now if you excuse me, I have archery to practice." She placed the arrow in the bow, shot, and missed. "See? You need help. Now watch me." he took the bow, placed the arrow, aimed, and shot. It hit the target perfectly. "Now that's how you are supposed to do it. This is how you are doing it." he held the bow strangely and uncomfortably and shot. It missed. Aimi laughed. "I didn't know I looked that stupid!" she said. "Hn. Well did you see how I did it?" Sasuke replied.
"Yeah."
"Then my work is done. Just do it like that."
Aimi tried. "No. You're still doing it wrong." Sasuke said. Aimi glared at him. "I don't need your help. Go away." She said. "You'll fail miserably without my help." he replied. "Well I don't care. The last thing I want is you around me." she replied nastily. Sasuke folded his arms, unfazed. "Deal with it. I'm not going anywhere until you get this right." Aimi tried again but missed. "You're still holding it wrong! Get it through your head! That is the wrong way!" Sasuke said. He shut his eyes, then opened them. "OK. Sorry I yelled like that. I have a short fuse. Now just try to do it the way I showed you."
"But I can't!"
"Why not?"
"Because I don't know how! Just looking at you do it won't help!"
He rolled his eyes. He softened a bit, then walked up to her. He stood behind her, put his head over her shoulder so he could see, reached over, put his hands over hers, and guided them around to where they were supposed to be. His hands still over hers, he gently pulled back the bow, and she let him take control. "Now," he said softly, "let go when I do. On three. One…" Aimi took a deep breath. "Two…" she tried to feel normal. Something about this made her feel weird. "Three." They let go together, and the arrow hit the target. Sasuke slowly pulled away. "You think you can do that?" he asked. "I-I think so." Aimi said softly. "Good. Show me." he said. She did it. Perfectly. Her eyes widened. "Thanks." she whispered. "Hn. No problem." he replied. They stared at each other for a moment, and then Sasuke jumped off.
()()()()()()
"Tsk, Tsk. Only one week." Emi purred annoyingly. Akio, her boy cat, followed close behind. He spoke up. "What's this I hear of a boyfriend?! I'm the man of the house! Me! Me!" "OK, Emi, he was helping me with archery and Akio, he's not my boyfriend and if he was, I wasn't gonna marry him or anything so you're still the man of the house." Akio was happy, Emi was somewhere in between. "Hm, really dahling. You should bring him over. I'd like to meet him." Emi said. "NO for the last time!"
()()()()()()
DANCE PARTY HELD TOMORROW - NEED SINGER(S) Aimi saw the sign on her way to school. PLEASE SIGN IN AT THE OFFICE IF INTERESTED. Aimi nodded her head. I wouldn't mind doing that. I love to sing! Aimi headed to the office. Once she got in, she saw a woman at the desk looking at some papers. "Um… Excuse me?" Ami asked timidly. The woman looked up and smiled. "Why, hello! How may I help you?" she asked. "Well, I was wondering if I could sign up to do the singing thing for the party." Aimi said. "Sure, you're lucky. No one has asked yet. Sing a verse of a song for me." the woman said. Aimi did as she was told. The woman gaped. "You are very good!! Here are the papers." the woman pushed some papers over to Aimi. Aimi read them, filled them out, and took the reminder for her. "Thank you!" Aimi called over her shoulder as she ran out. "You are very welcome!" the woman called back.
Aimi got to class quickly, knowing she was fine, time wise. Her teacher was always late. She slid in a seat next to Naruto. "Hi Naruto!" she said. Naruto grinned his famous grin. "Hi Aimi!" he said back. She pulled out her reminder to read it. Naruto peeked over at it. "What's that?" he asked. "Oh, just a reminder for a party I am singing at." she said, not looking up. "THE party?! EVERYONE is going there! EVERYONE!!" Naruto said. Aimi gulped. "Er… that's fine." she said. Naruto looked at her admiration. "You're pretty brave!" he said cheerfully. "Thanks." she said, giving him a smile.
Sakura looked over. "What's Naruto obsessing over now?" she asked. "I'm not obsessing! I never obsess!" Naruto growled. Aimi rolled her eyes. "Concert party thing I'm singing at." Aimi said. Sakura's eyes widened. "Wow! I saw the add for that! Wow you're pretty brave! Good luck!" Sakura said. "Thanks Sakura." Aimi said, giving her a smile.
--SASUKE'S POV--
Naruto and the girls were squawking about something stupid… Not that Sasuke cared. Something about a party and a concert and singing. Probably the one everyone was going to. Even HE was going for some unknown reason. He was just going. Fine so people are going to it… why do they have to talk about it 24/7? He glanced at them. Naruto and Sakura were over looking at Aimi, who held a piece of paper in her hand. Sasuke squinted a little to try to make out some words through the back. And why do you care? I don't. I just wanna know. He could make out the words singer… party… songs… music. But that was all. Aimi glanced up to see Sasuke looking at her paper like some sort of idiot. Dang I'm caught. He looked the other way… but Aimi saw. "What were you looking at, Sasuke?" he heard her ask. "Hn." he replied. "I'm so sure." she said sarcastically. He couldn't help but look back. She was looking at her paper again. Why are you so shy? Just go up and ask her what it is, you arrogant dolt! He sighed, stood up, and walked over.
--AIMI'S POV--
"Hey." Aimi heard a dull voice. She looked up to see Sasuke. "What?" she asked, struggling to sound normal. She was confused when it came to him. He'd be a complete jerk then nice then a complete jerk. "Uh. What are you reading?" he asked. Why does he care? He probably doesn't. "Hn." she said, trying not to smile and look and sound as dull as he did. "Oh." he replied. Oh?! That's the best you can do? She looked at him and could tell he was thinking the same thing. "Then I guess I'll be going." he said and turned. "OK, whatever. Hey, wait! I'll tell you if ya want to know." she said. Sasuke turned. "Ya know that party that 'everyone' is going to?" she asked. He nodded. "I'm singing for it." she said. He blinked. "Wha…?" She laughed. "You are such an idiot. I… Am…Singing…For…It." she said the last part slowly (hence the …s). He just stared. "I do so many things and THAT is the one that amazes you, eh?" she said playfully. "I guess." he said. "Oh come on! Don't you ever smile?" she asked. He stared at her. "No." Aimi backed off a bit. "Alright…" she said. She thought the conversation was over. He didn't leave, though. "Can you move?" Aimi asked, getting up. She walked over and pulled him a bit. He was in some sort of faze. "Uh… This'll make you snap, I bet." she said. She gave him a hug. "Ak! Get off me!" she heard. She jumped off. "Now that that's all settled, you were sitting over there." Aimi said. She pointed to the seat Sasuke was sitting in before he had come over. He looked at her sideways and walked to his seat.
()()()FAST FORWARD, END OF DAY()()()
Aimi rushed to the woods to practice archery. She now loved archery, since she could do it. She began as soon as she got there. She hit the targets every time. TWANG! THOT! TWANG! THOT! TWANG! THOT! "Woo hoo! I triumph over the targets!" she yelled out. She shot again, and it mid shot, a blur crossed the path of the arrow. It was going to hit- "WAIT! DON'T!" Aimi shut her eyes. She opened them. There was Sasuke, AGAIN. He was holding the arrow. He had caught it in mid air. She was amazed, but also annoyed. "Will you ever just leave me alone?!" she asked. "I don't know. Will I?" he asked. She glared at him. "Go away." she said quickly, so it sounded like "goway". He smirked. "You have no power over me." he said. "Dang. I have to do this." She said. Sasuke backed away a bit. "What?" he asked suspiciously. "This." she said. She rushed at him. He ran away. She stopped and shook her head. "Coward. And people say you're so brave and strong."
He came back. "I wasn't running." he said. "Yeah, yeah. Don't want to hurt your precious pride." she said. She shot the target. She got it perfect. "Hn. I have taught you well." Sasuke said. "Yeah, yeah." Aimi said. She laughed. "Thanks for that, by the way." He shrugged. "Like I said, no problem."
They were silent for a moment. "Hey. Uh. Can you sing a verse of something for me?" Sasuke asked. Aimi looked at him oddly. "Why?" she asked. "I don't know. Just asking." he said. She thought for a minute. "Not here." she said. "Where?" he asked. "My house." she said. "What?! No!" he said. "No song, then." she said. "Grr. Fine." he said, irritated. "Why, though?" he asked. "My organ and piano are there." she replied. "Organ? Piano?" he asked. "Oh. I thought we had them here. I guess not in this town at least. American instruments." she said. "American? As in America? As in The New World?" he asked. Aimi laughed. "It isn't that new anymore, Sasuke. But yeah. My friend sends stuff from America to me. She runs a music business and sends me special instruments sometimes." she said. They walked over to her house.
Aimi opened the door. Chika walked over as she opened the door. "Oh, you're home. I heard that you-" she stopped short when she saw Sasuke. Her eyes widened. "Hn. Hi." Sasuke said simply. "Er- hi." Chika said. She backed up the stairs. "I'll let you two have some time…" Chika said, giving her sister a wow-big-accomplishment-how-did-you-pull-it-off look.
Emi walked by, then stopped. She sniffed the air. She stiffened and stared at Sasuke as he entered. Her eyes went wide. "You brought him!" she mewed in delight, looking at Sasuke. Sasuke looked at the cat. "Uh. What's wrong with the cat?" he asked. "Oh, Emi? She's happy to meet the famous Sasuke. She's been bugging me about you." Aimi said. "How-" Sasuke began. "I can talk to some animals." Aimi said. "Wow. What is she saying now?" he asked. "Tell him hi! Tell him I'm honored! Tell him…" she faded out and bowed a cat bow. Sasuke raised his eyebrows. "She says hi, she says she's honored." Aimi said, trying not to laugh at her cat. "Wow, she's worse than Sakura." Sasuke said. "Hmph!" "I think she's offended." Aimi said. "Oh. Sorry… uh… Emi." "Accepted." "She accepted."
Akio walked in. "THIS IS HIM! THE BOYFRIEND PLANNING TO TAKE MY PLACE!" he hissed. Sasuke backed away. "Ignore him. He's just jealous." Aimi said, then she led Sasuke passed the cats and into the music room.
The piano and organ were back to back in the center of the room while other instruments surrounded the sides of the room. Aimi walked over to the piano. She flipped through a songbook as Sasuke admired the room. "Aha. Here's one." Aimi said. She set the book down and put her fingers on the piano. She began to play a tune, and then sang while playing.
"I first saw you at the video exchange
I know my heart and it will never change.
This temp work will be alright if you call me, you call me
I lay awake at night for you
And I pray…
We'd cross the deepest oceans
Cargo across the sea
And if you don't believe me
Just put your hands on me!
And all the constellations
Shine down for us to see
And if you don't believe me,
Just put your hands on me…"
She sang the song and felt very, very odd singing it to him. Probably since it was a love song, and he was a boy… There's no way you're falling for him. No way. When the song was done, Sasuke stared at her. "I-I-" he said. "You're very good." He said.
--SASUKE'S POV--
She sang, and her voice floated naturally through the room. It was a love song, and he looked down so she couldn't see his blush. It doesn't mean anything! Its just a song! He was traumatized. Don't open yourself up to these feelings…but he couldn't help it, he felt odd and… not quite joy, but a small hint of something like it. When the song was over, he stuttered. "I-I-" Pull yourself together!! "You're very good." he said. "Thanks." she replied. She moved over to the organ. "What are you doing now?" he asked. "Hee. I'm gonna play a song that matches you perfectly!" she giggled.
--AIMI'S POV--
Aimi giggled and pulled up a book. She flipped to a page and set it down. "Sasuke, can you sing?" she asked, pulling herself together. "No!" he said. "Try! Just do the old do, ray, me, fa, so, la, ti, do thing." she said. He tried. "Wow, you have a good voice that is perfect for this song. Nice deep voice, now try to follow it, OK? I'll start." She began to play a powerful tune- The Phantom Of The Opera.
She began.
"In sleep he sang to me…
In dreams he came…
That voice which calls to me…
And speaks my name…
And do I dream again?
For now I find…
The phantom of the opera is there…
Inside my mind…"
Aimi gave a nod for Sasuke to sing the words. He took a deep breath… and sang (wow!!).
"Sing once again with me.
Our strange duet…
My power over you…
Grows stronger yet…
And though you turn from me…
To glance behind…
The phantom of the opera is there…
Inside your mind…"
As he was singing, Chika had passed by. She halted and then peeked in. She was overly amazed. Sasuke was singing?! She stayed there to watch.
Aimi started again. By now, Sasuke had gotten the idea. (note: every time they switch, itll just be new a quotation)
"Those who have seen your face
Draw back in fear…
I am the mask you wear…"
"Its me they hear…"
They sang a verse at once.
"Your spirit/My spirit and my/and your voice are one combined…
The phantom of the opera is there…
Inside my/your mind…"
Then Aimi did by herself…
"He's there, the phantom of the opera!
He's there, the phantom of the opera!
Ahhhhhhahhhahhhhahhhh…"
"Sing, my angel of music!"
"Ahhhhahhhhhahhhhhahhhhahhhhahhhhh…"
"Sing, my angel!"
"ahhhhhahahhhhahhhhahhhhahhhh…"
"Sing for me!"
"ahhhhhahhhhhahhhhhahhhhhahhhh…"
"Sing!"
"Ahhhhhhahhhhhahhhhhahhhhahhhh…"
"Sing for me!"
"ahhhhhhhhahhhhhhhahhhhhhhh!"
They both were out of breath at the end. They looked at each other. From the door, Chika smiled and covered her mouth. She walked away. "You're not so bad yourself, Sasuke." Aimi said, smiling. "I don't know who was singing, because it wasn't me!" he said. "Oh yes it was. I saw." she said.
She took him to the door. He walked out and glanced behind. Aimi winked at him and closed the door.
TO BE CONTINUED…
--
Oh wow!! That was totally unexpected!! I had no clue Sasuke sang!! But that song is perfect for him, no? OK so the songs are "Hands On Me" by Vanessa Carlton and the second, of course, was "The Phantom Of The Opera" from the 2004 movie.