Tsunade filled Sakura in with the details in the following days. "Cobra's keeping the profits from your tour, as well as a continuing cut of what you make from your two albums." Sakura had just received a vague email from an executive at Cobra outlining those same points, but she had called Tsunade anyway.
"How much?"
"Let's just say there are a lot of zeros involved," Tsunade said tersely. "But that's fine. Excellent, in fact, especially because we settled this outside of court. Just goes to show how moldy Cobra is. They clearly don't want lawyers actually looking into their inner workings. But in terms of what I got: they can't touch any new material you put out. As soon as you sign the documents, you're off the table. You're going to lose some money from this summer, but there's no way to avoid that."
"Yeah. As long as I'm free of Orochimaru," Sakura said. The amount of money she was making now still felt out of her grasp; whatever Cobra kept didn't seem like a major issue in the long run. Sakura was well aware of how privileged that mindset was, but she'd also grown up all too familiar with stretching income and saving whenever possible.
"Which is the only uncertainty at this point," Tsunade said. "Legally, you're free of him, but there's no guarantee that he won't run his mouth to the press about you being a bitch or a drama queen or whatever colorful description he comes up with. Slimy bastard always had a way with words."
"But I thought the label wasn't allowed to publicize this?"
"They're not. But he can slip something to whomever he wants about how glad he is to be rid of you." Tsunade laughed, of all things, and for a second Sakura was worried. "But don't worry about that. I'm looking forward to giving him a victorious call in which I threaten him with all the dirt I dug up. He just needs another reminder and he won't talk again."
"Is blackmail why this whole thing worked?" Sakura asked.
Tsunade snorted. "I'd say so. Welcome to the industry. But you also did well." Sakura heard a rustling sound. "Alright, I have things to do. I'm sending you the paperwork I need you to sign. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of your tour."
"So you're—you'll be my manager now?"
"Yep." Tsunade said wryly. "And there's no chance of you being able to get out this new contract." Sakura didn't know how to respond to that. "I'm joking, kid. I'm not going to make you sign any ridiculous binding agreements. We'll work year-by-year and see how it goes. I'm also rusty when it comes to superstars. If you get on my nerves, you'll have to do the work yourself and find a new manager."
"Will do," Sakura said, laughing. "Thank you for everything, Tsunade. You've done so much for me, and I'm a stranger—"
"Enough with the gushing. I'll call you again once I've dealt with Orochimaru. And once you get back to Kumo, I'll drop by in person and see if you're as great as you sound. Then we'll start work together." With that, Tsunade hung up.
Sakura wondered if every interaction they had would leave her speechless with awe.
Sasuke hadn't talked to Sakura in two weeks, and it was starting to alarm him. Kakashi had been tight-lipped about any progress toward getting her out of her recording contract, and the last time he'd asked Sakura about it, she'd said she couldn't tell him anything. If Sakura's contract situation got messy, it would overshadow everything; even Sasuke's presence wouldn't do much to stop that press storm. He didn't particularly care, as long as she was free of her creepy manager, but he also didn't want to have to see her branded as high-maintenance. It had been just over a month since Sasuke had asked Kakashi for help; in the meantime, the band had been playing show after show. Sasuke had no idea how long closet negotiations were supposed to go on for, or if this would turn into a full-blown court battle.
What he did know was that not talking to Sakura was slowing starting to drive him mad. Watching crappy videos taken during her concerts told him nothing. The only thing it did was bring him back to those weeks before he had asked her out in Ame. Back when he couldn't stand the thought of her, yet also couldn't resist listening to her music and watching video after video of her performing.
"Teme, listen to this!" Naruto was messing around with Kiba's bass. Sasuke had been lying on one of the bus couches, watching a clip posted by SakuraLover123. He had his earphones in and phone tilted toward him so his bandmates wouldn't accuse him of pining. Which would obviously be ridiculous.
"What." Sasuke yanked out his earphones and glared at Naruto.
"I just got hit with inspiration!" Naruto played a rough line on the bass.
Sasuke arched an eyebrow. "I don't know."
"Aw, come on! It's good!"
"I think it's got potential." Shikamaru, lounging on the other couch, didn't even look up from his phone.
"You work on it then," Sasuke muttered, putting his headphones back in. Suddenly, his phone vibrated in his hand. It was Sakura. Finally.
"Hey," he said, sitting up straight.
"Hi," Sakura said. "So I've—Well, I have actual good news."
"Yeah?" Sasuke jumped up and left the bus in a few strides for privacy. They were parked at a rest stop for a few hours. "I'm alone, say whatever you want. Or can, I guess."
"I'm out of the contract. Thanks to Tsunade Senju, she's honestly a lifesaver. Or goddess. And I've never actually met her in person. But Cobra settled, there's not going to be a lawsuit, just some agreements on what kind of money I make while I'm on tour and from my albums."
"What about Orochimaru?" Sasuke wasn't going to celebrate until he knew everything.
"He's done, too. The entire contract was dissolved. So Tsunade will be my new manager. I don't have a record deal or anything, which is kind of a problem, but..."
"But it'll be fine, considering who you are."
"I don't want to be cocky about it, but yeah, I hope so."
He rolled his eyes at her stupid modesty. "Fuck it Sakura, be cocky about it."
She laughed, and the sound was welcome to Sasuke's ears. "I'm sorry everything's been so weird the past few weeks. I just didn't want to give them anything they could use against me, and that meant not telling you anything."
"I get it," Sasuke said. "Good to know everything worked out. Didn't know if it would."
"Yeah, you're telling me." Sakura paused. "As great as this tour has been, I can't wait to be back in Kumo."
"Aa." Sasuke was pretty sure he spent more time thinking about reuniting with her in their apartment than anything else, even while he was onstage with his mind overwhelmed by sound and light.
He had not been this person a year ago.
"Alright, I just wanted to call you as soon as I got the all-clear but now I have to go do a sound check. Talk soon?"
"Yeah," Sasuke said. "Good luck tonight."
"Wait," Sakura said suddenly. "I know it's your birthday tomorrow, and we're going to do something special when we finally see each other again."
"Who told you."
"I saw something online about it. Some tabloid about me wanting to pop out of a giant cake for you. I mean, you could've told me that's what you wanted." She snorted.
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Ugh."
"Seriously though, I felt kind of dumb about it."
"Don't. I just didn't want to make a big deal out of it."
"You could've at least told me what day it was. I mean, it's not every year you turn twenty-three on the twenty-third."
"Ridiculous," Sasuke muttered.
"Okay, I actually have to go. Have a good birthday. Don't expect me in a cake tomorrow."
"Good," Sasuke said. "Update me about contract stuff."
"Yeah. I'll see you soon." Seventeen days, to be exact. Not that Sasuke was counting.
He headed back into the bus, where Naruto, Kiba, and Shikamaru had all assembled as if waiting for him. "What."
"Was that Sakura?" Naruto demanded. "Did she win?"
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Yeah. No more Cobra contract." He'd only told them she was trying to get out of it a few days ago, when Sakura had sent him a message that sounded vaguely hopeful. He trusted his bandmates enough to know they wouldn't spread it around.
"Yes!" Naruto pumped a fist.
"Dude, if she signs with Hidden Sound we could record with her," Kiba said. "Like, it'd be legit."
Sasuke frowned, thinking about it. Kiba was right—if they were on the same label, a collaboration would be possible to set up. Easy, even.
"She has to sign with Hidden Sound," Shikamaru said. "Kiba's right."
Sasuke rolled his eyes. "She'll sign with whoever offers her a contract, if it's good. Circumstances aren't ideal."
"She's Sakura Haruno," Kiba said. "Fuck ideal circumstances. Every label's gonna want her."
As it turned out, Kiba was right. When Sakura got back to Kumo two weeks later, exhausted but happy, she had offers from all four of the record labels Tsunade had quietly approached. Tsunade was coming over to Sakura's apartment later that day with the last of the paperwork Sakura had to sign.
It was strange to be back in her and Sasuke's apartment. He wouldn't be back for a few more days, which made the place feel empty. The musty smell of disuse didn't help. Sakura opened all the windows and cleaned the dust from the furniture, regretting that she hadn't turned on any music as she did so. None of her staff had come with her, but she'd also said a final goodbye to most of them. Only Shizune, and those outside whoever had been hired by Orochimaru and the label, would be staying with her.
Sakura wandered the apartment in the half an hour before Tsunade was supposed to arrive, checking her makeup and wondering if she should put on something nicer than the top and skirt she was wearing.
At three thirty, the doorbell rang. Sakura answered it immediately and looked up at the woman who had essentially saved her life.
Tsunade looked to be in her late fifties, but Sakura could tell that she'd been bombshell-gorgeous when she was younger. Even now, her long blonde hair and curvy figure were enviable.
"Tsunade Senju," she said, holding out a hand to Sakura.
"It's nice to meet you," Sakura said, shaking her hand slightly warily.
Tsunade nodded briskly. "Well, let's get down to business." She led the way back into the apartment and sat down on the couch. "Nice place you've got here."
"I share it with, uh—"
"Ah, yes." Tsunade smirked. "Young love."
Sakura raised an eyebrow. "I'm not delusional about it."
Tsunade smiled. "That's the Sakura Haruno I like." She rummaged in her large leather purse and pulled out a sheaf of paper. "I'll need three signatures from you and then you're free from your captors forever."
Sakura signed the paperwork from Cobra after reading over the agreement. "So what's...Next?"
"Next we get you set up with one of the labels who wants you. I've been talking to four different companies, but I think Hidden Sound Records will be your best bet. They want your next album, and I'm familiar with the majority of their executives. We've had some drama in the past, but you'll smooth it over no problem." Tsunade grinned as she said it. "I should tell you that I've stepped on many toes in this industry because I can be a little abrasive. I don't take shit. That's just a word of warning."
"Okay," Sakura said. "I'd love to work with Hidden Sound, but I'd want to see whatever they want before agreeing."
"Spoken like a true veteran of the entertainment industry," Tsunade said. "I'll reach out about a formal deal. Whatever it is, I'm not signing you for more than one album at a time. Anything you want in particular?"
"Creative control," Sakura said immediately. "I want to write my own songs, and make the final decisions about anything I record."
Tsunade nodded. "Makes sense." She scribbled a few things on a scrap of paper and then checked her phone. "Alright, time for me to go. I'll talk to you again in a few days." She stood up.
"Can I get you anything before you go? A glass or water, or..."
"No." Tsunade waved an impatient hand. "If I wanted something, I'd ask." She headed to the door.
"Tsunade?" Sakura called, following her. "Can I ask you a question?"
"That depends," Tsunade said, turning back to her with one eyebrow raised.
"Why are you doing this? I know you were semi-retired. Why come back?"
Tsunade sighed. "Orochimaru and I have history. Maybe I'll tell you about it sometime. But I turned a blind eye to what he's been doing lately because I was so sick of the bullshit in this industry. When Kakashi gave me the details about you, I knew I needed to send Orochimaru down. And becoming your manager seemed like the natural next step." She smirked. "My ego got the better of me as well. I want to be the one to help you reach your full potential. I'm happy to let you take the lead in the career, but I think you'll do some truly interesting things." She was gone a moment later.
A/N: Took some liberties with the legal stuff; I didn't want to draw out that drama because there are other things I want to get to. Leave a review if you're enjoying!