Chapter 5 – Band Intervention
There was tension in air with the Konoha Ninjas; you could sense it as the band rode around in their tour bus. Having just finished another interview in which they were asked about the infamously unfinished album, the interview did not go well and the band was clearly agitated, this feeling manifested as they got on their tour bus, no one was talking to each other and some had their arms crossed.
Naruto decided to break the pressure, "So…"
"Don't Naruto. Don't even." Neji replied sharply.
Naruto looked at his long haired friend in shock, "What's up with him?" He asked Kiba
Neji sighed and rolled his eyes.
"Are you serious Naruto?" Kiba asked angrily, "You really don't know why we're angry at you?"
Naruto stared at Kiba confused.
"Ten months! We have been waiting ten months for this god forsaken album, and YOU!" Kiba stands and points at Naruto, "will not release it. It's practically finished Naruto. Why can't we deliver it to our fans? YOUR FANS! Why won't you just release so we can MOVE ON!" Kiba sighed and flailed back onto the sofa.
Naruto sat there wide eyed and confused, "I thought you guys understood I want this album to be perfect, I never release an album unless I know it's ready."
"We know that Naruto," Gaara replied looking down to avoid his lovers eyes.
"But ten months Naruto, it's literally the longest time we've taken as a band to make an album, or anything for the band, there's over twenty songs which the most we've ever done and is not common for other bands to do" Kiba retaliated.
"So? We're still number one, we haven't lost any fans-"
"Somehow," Kiba muttered.
Naruto glared at Kiba, "I don't see why taking the time to complete a piece is a bad thing. You guys were fine with it. Tsunade is fine with it."
"Actually Naruto, Tsunade agreed the album is taking too long. It's already perfect. A work of art." Neji stated.
"Not to me and it's my album-"
"Our album Naruto, don't forget this band is called the Konoha Ninjas. NOT the Naruto Uzumaki band!" Kiba stood back up angrily.
"I never said that Kiba! But it is my album; it's about my story, my life. Just like how all the other albums was each and every one of you guys' stories. I never claimed to take credit for them!" Naruto yelled also standing.
"Alright, alright guys break it up!" Gaara stood between the two.
Kiba walked away and sat back down with Neji. Naruto turned back also, Gaara kissed the back of his head and went back to his mini drum kit and sat down. Naruto returned to his seat but this time sat sideways so he was staring out the window.
"Honestly guys I'm thinking of the dropping the album all together," Naruto mumbled.
Unfortunately that did not go unheard, "WHAT!" The entire band screamed.
Naruto jumped and faced back to the band who were now all standing in front of him.
"Naruto you can't be serious!" Neji started.
"After all out hard work, after all your hard work," Gaara continued.
"It's probably the best album we've ever made and you want to DROP IT!?" Kiba screamed.
"I'm sorry," Naruto looked down to avoid their gaze, "It's just that so much has happened and I'm not sure I feel the same way I did nearly a year ago and some of the songs are so angry and hateful. I'm just not sure I want anyone to see me like that."
"Naruto you are a human with many levels of emotion and personality. You can't honestly expect to fit yourself into a stereotype of the perfectly happy rock star with no problems whatsoever," Neji said.
"I know but-"
"Naruto look at this album," Kiba says and throws him the pile of sheet music, "This is truly the best piece you've ever done and do you wanna know why?"
Naruto scanned through the multiples pages, "Why?"
"Because it's you at the most honest you've ever been," Gaara replied.
Neji kneeled in front of Naruto so he was the same level as Naruto, "Please don't throw everything you've worked so hard for the past ten months because you're so afraid of people seeing a different side of you."
"Please," Gaara also said.
Naruto looked up at Kiba, "Don't look at me, I'm not gonna beg you like a child," Naruto smirked, "But it would be nice to release the album."
"You've already announced some of the songs anyway," Gaara persuaded.
Naruto smiled, "Alright, alright," The rest of the band smiled and sighed in relief, "But guys, I don't think the album is complete yet."
Kiba frowned, "Oh come on! Seriously? After all that?"
"You guys convinced me not to scrap the album, you did not convince me that's it's finished," Naruto grinned at the band.
Neji rubbed his forehead in frustration, "Naruto please-"
"Neji, Kiba will you let me talk to Naruto for a minute…in private?" Gaara asked.
Neji and Kiba stared at Gaara angrily but gave in quickly. Neji nudged Kiba to follow him and they began to walk out the room when Kiba stopped, "Just remember Naruto, so many people are waiting for this album and not all of them will be kind enough to wait for your never ending troubles. Please don't let them wait any longer."
And with that Kiba left.
Naruto brushed his hand through his hair and tugged at the ends, "Thinking about a haircut?" Gaara asked light-heartedly.
Naruto smiled a small smile, "Heh…maybe."
"Don't it looks nice, the longer hair suits you…Naruto we need to have a serious talk about the album," Naruto stared plainly at him, "I know you're not doing this deliberately and I know you want this album to be perfect but Naruto you can't really expect it never to be out there in the world can you?" Gaara asked.
Naruto looked down again in shame, "I know Gaara, but-"
"Is this about the song you've never finished?" Naruto looked up at him. Gaara left the room and walked into the band's bedroom where Narutos' bed lay, on the left side of the room and underneath Gaara's bed. He flipped Narutos' pillow over to reveal a crumpled piece of sheet music. He picked it up and returned to the main room and passed it over to Naruto," Did you really think I'd forgotten about this?"
Naruto looked through the sheet music, the notes were faded and the side was torn.
"This is probably your most treasured song," he sighed, "It's this song that will complete the album wont it?"
Naruto thought for a moment, 'Is it?'
Gaara watched Naruto intently the entire time, "I know you're confused, I know you're not in the same place you were ten months ago and you are certainly not the same person from when you were married but Naruto you are letting this one song prevent you from moving anymore forward."
Naruto started to tear up, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry."
Gaara softened; he sat down next to Naruto and gave him a hug from the side. The two then moved so Naruto was sitting in between Gaaras' legs with his back to Gaara. They hugged platonically, "It's okay, it's okay." Gaara whispered
Gaara nuzzled Narutos' hair and kissed the side of his forehead, Naruto closed his eyes as they snuggled.