Chapter Two: The Break Up

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Sakura

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It was a pretty good crowd, certainly bigger than the dive bars she and Ino used to play it. Though, those days were fun too and they had earned twenty thousand dollars for their charity during that time. It was nice looking into the audience and actually seeing their faces, watching their foot tap along, their lips moving to the words. Though, if Sakura was being honest with herself, her favorite part was witnessing the romance blooming as couples peered into each other's eyes and the soft touches of affection. Smaller audiences kept the musicians more engaged and involved with their listeners and it simply felt much more intimate. It was the same with actors whom preferred the stage rather than filming for movies.

Sakura couldn't help it. She was a romantic at heart and always had been. Ino was even worse considering her family's business of the local flower shop — weddings, anniversaries, and date night floral arrangements were her speciality. When they had decided to take time off from university to travel and have fun with their musical talents, she had no idea it would lead them to performing before such a massive audience.

Part of Sakura's motivation had been to add a little depth to her application for the Medical Program in Suna. Top grades wouldn't be enough, she needed to stand out. Earning money for a reputable charity through musical talent certainly helped her resume stand out.

She'd been hesitant at first to join a band on a more professional level. They weren't playing for fun anymore, but more as a job. However, Shisui Uchiha was a very persuasive man and the band still donated ten percent of proceeds to the charity. He'd even convinced Sakura to set aside her reservations to join the band with Sasuke Uchiha.

That boy had broken her heart when he disappeared from her life as abruptly as he'd entered it seven years ago. She learned second-hand from Naruto that Sasuke been sent to boarding school by his parents and his phone had been disconnected. The two of them lost touch for years, yet he still emailed with Naruto, so there was no reason for the radio silence.

She thought their friendship that summer had meant something, but it must have been one-sided on her part.

Now, they were in the same band, touring throughout the Land of Fire, playing at small to medium sized venues. They'd made a good amount of money too — certainly more than a summer job would have afforded Sakura. They'd even managed to double the donations for the charity. The band's manager, Orochimaru had them recording for hours every week, working on an album to kickstart an international tour throughout the continent. They'd just finished the final session two days ago.

During the interlude, Sakura had been admitted to the medical program. Though, she had to submit a deferral so she could continue to tour with the band. Shisui had been ecstatic when she told him the day before that she was all his for the next year. He promised that she wouldn't regret committing to him and the band. It would be worth it!

The stage lights were sweltering and Sakura's throat was parched but she took a quick sip of her water to slip into the duet with Shisui. She was grateful for her bare legs exposed under her bedazzled bluejeans shorts, the comfortable ruby red sparky canvas shoes and red halter top. It was sexy yet modest at the same time.

"Ain't no mountain high enough, aint no valley low enough. Aint now river wide enough, to keep me from getting you, baby," Sakura and Shisui sang together.

Shisui took over the next stanza, dancing easily with Sakura. She had to resist the urge to laugh while they both strummed their guitars— her on lead and him on rhythm. He simply had the most infectious smile and his eyes were always so lively and fun! And he looked pretty damn fine in his ripped jeans and dark green muscle shirt.

The song came to an end and she focused on playing her guitar while Shisui started the next song. Sakura was rarely nervous on smaller stages with more intimate audiences. These larger venues were more challenging, however as they traveled through out the Land of Fire over the past six months, she grew more confident.

Shisui had an innate talent for charming her right into taking centerstage with confidence. All it took was the feel of his large, strong warm hand on the small of her back and she was able to belt out those lyrics as if she'd just been serenading him alone back at his apartment. He simply made anything and everything seem possible. It was easy to imagine him in the military, with his troops following both confidently and loyally behind him into battle.

Then Sakura's charming boyfriend, Shisui Uchiha, pulled her into an impromptu dance. He was careful to avoid crushing her guitar with his.

Shisui released her in time for her start playing her guitar during the instrumental portion, letting the energy of the rock song build. Her preference was playing rhythm guitar and that often meant collaborating closely with Sasuke. However, Shisui wasn't quite as good as her on lead, so more often than not, she played the more complicated riffs. Years of experience, learning how to play from both Naruto's dad and his older brother Kakashi, she'd mastered the six-string instrument many years ago. She glanced over her shoulder briefly and caught Sasuke's dark gaze as he kept the rhythm on the drums, his hands flying and his feet pumping. She smiled at him softly, glad that they'd let bygones be bygones and had formed a pretty solid friendship this past half-year.

Then Sasuke's drum solo filled the stage and Sakura bobbed along with the beat, feeling the vibrations from the soles of her feet up to her scalp, pulsing with the impact of his foot pedal hitting the bass drum.

"Great job, Sak, I'll take it from here," Shisui whispered quietly, gently nudging her away from the standing microphone. This was another reminder of why she preferred wearing a headset microphone. He started to coax the crowd from polite applause to raucous screams.

Sakura watched dumbfounded as Shisui stripped off his shirt, revealing a smattering of tattoos across his biceps and a large crow across his upper back. He sauntered across the stage to lean towards the audience where he started to serenade several young women. He gave one of them his shirt and she squealed so hard Sakura grimaced at the high pitch. She caught Ino's eye and her friend shrugged while she continued to play the keys.

It was Sakura's turn to sing, so while Shisui gyrated before the screaming crowd, she took over the melody and moved back towards the microphone. As the song drew to the final chorus, Shisui joined her in harmony, but avoided her eyes as he marched back towards the center stage.

Sakura glanced briefly behind again and noted Sasuke's brow was furrowed in concern as he met her gaze. He was equally bewildered by Shisui's actions and shrugged .

The next song, Sakura didn't sing, but focused on strumming her guitar while Itachi's deep baritone crooned, causing another surge of screams throughout the crowd. She knew good and well that the audience was half men and half women most nights, but it certainly seemed like tonight was seventy-percent screaming females.

Itachi was equally skilled at playing the four-string bass guitar as he was at singing in that deep pitched voice of his. She and Ino liked to tease him that he'd make a killing if he voiced audiobooks in the romance genre. Wouldn't he make a great protagonist to accompany Junko in the Icha Icha series?

Twenty minutes later, the show was over and the majority of the band was hydrated and fully dressed in their lounge. They were all indulging in their comfort dinners. Sasuke was eating his turkey, cheese, tomato and kale sandwich— heavy on the tomatoes. Sakura and Ino had each devoured a ham and cheese toastie. Itachi ate a couple of shortbread cookies and a large cup of green tea.

Shisui was no where to be found. Sakura was a little worried about his absence. Normally, the two of them liked to cuddle next to each other on the couch in the lounge whispering softly, letting their voices recover and sitting on lemon water.

A few minutes later, Shisui finally strode in with their manager Orochimaru leading him. Shisui's pitch black hair was more disheveled than usual, there were lipstick stains on his neck and the upper part of his new shirt where it was only partially buttoned. Sakura also recognized his kiss-swollen lips. She knew what that looked like, because usually she was the one that kissed them into such a puffy state.

Shisui continued to avoid her eyes as he moved to sit next to Itachi on the opposite couch.

"What the hell?" Ino whispered, leaning close to Sakura's ear. "I'll hold him down and you can knee him the groin."

Orochimaru continued towards Sakura and Ino. "Ladies," he greeted. He held out an envelop towards both of them. "Your pay for the show and serving as backup for the recording, you'll be properly credited of course. On behalf of the Sharingans, I would like to thank you for your hard work and dedication to this tour. However, we will no longer be needing your services. The band will be going in a new direction — an All Boy band and as such, I'm afraid there's no room for you ladies on the roster."

Numbly, Sakura took the envelop. Ino ripped hers open and scoffed. She rose to her feel abruptly and yanked Sakura up next to her with surprising strength. "Come on, Sakura." She took her elbow and started to pull her away from the manager. Sakura didn't care for the self-satisfied sneer on the serpentine man's face.

Her Aunt Tsunade had warned her about Orochimaru, but Sakura had wanted to give him the benefit of a doubt. Besides, he couldn't do this if the boys in the band hadn't agreed. "If you were going to be a Boy Band then why did you ever invite us to join?" She looked past Orochimaru and focused on her supposed boyfriend, sitting so far away.

Shisui was studiously ignoring her. What was happening? Was this real? She looked past him to Itachi who was frowning into his tea cup, completely unhelpful. Then she turned her attention to Sasuke. He was standing, his sandwich half-eaten his eyes narrowed angrily. She was confused. He looked as pissed as she felt. Was he also in the dark?

"This makes no sense," Sasuke declared. "Shouldn't this decision have been discussed together as a band? All five of us? Sakura and Ino are as much a part of this band as the three of us guys."

"It's been decided, Sasuke. Let it go," Itachi murmured. He finally looked towards Sakura and Ino with a sympathetic smile. "It's been an honor working with you two, but this is the right move for our target audience."

"Shisui?" Sakura asked. "Maybe we should talk privately? I don't understand what is happening right now."

Finally, her boyfriend met her eyes. However, it was like looking at a stranger. His eyes were not warm with the affection she was used to seeing over the last three months of their whirlwind relationship. There was no teasing smile on his lips, and his shoulders were tense. "Sorry, Sak. It's been real, but it's time to move on." He smirked, but his eyes were void of any emotion. "I'll see you around, yeah?"

Sakura stepped back as if she'd been punched in the gut. Ino's grip on her arm was bruising. "Keep it together and let's get out of here," Ino warned quietly in Sakura's ear. "You can fall apart later. Don't you dare let him have the satisfaction of seeing a single tear. I mean it."

Sakura shrugged Ino off and strode towards Shisui. She grabbed the front of his new buttoned up shirt, causing one button to fly off and hit Itachi in the forehead and hauled him to his feet. Shisui's dark eyes widened in surprise. "Explain yourself, Uchiha."

Shisui gripped her hand and gently pried her fingers from his shirt. "I served ten years in the military, Sakura. I've been out for a little over six months. You're a nice girl, but I'm not ready to settle down with anyone." A brief flash of familiarity warmed those dark irises. "I've put my life on the line countless times for the Land of Fire. Don't you think I deserve to have a little fun?"

Sakura released him as if his words had burned her. He didn't think she was fun? He wasn't taking this seriously? He wasn't taking her seriously? She'd deferred her studies for him and this stupid band! She shook her head in disbelief and turned her back on him. With barely contained rage, she plucked up her guitar case and Ino secured her keyboard case over her shoulder. With Ino at her side, Sakura strode out of the lounge with her head held up high with a confidence she didn't feel.

They'd made it halfway down the hall, when Sasuke caught up to Sakura. The tips of his ears were crimson, the only indication of his anger. "I'm so sorry, Sakura. I had no idea." He ran his fingers through his dark, spiky hair, mussing it in the process. The look only made him look more handsome. Damn Uchiha men and their innate good looks! "I don't know what's going on. Can I walk you two to your car?"

"I rode in with Shisui," Sakura murmured, just realizing her predicament and feeling numb. "Ino, will you take me home?"

"Of course and we can pick up some mint ice cream and gorge ourselves until we feel better from the twenty-four hour market," Ino suggested. "Maybe we can pick up some lactaid tablets just in case." She held her stomach with a slight grimace. "Last time was a little rough."

"Actually, wait, Tenten has her boyfriend over. Maybe my parents' house?" Sakura pressed her thing and index finger against her temples, trying to stop a migraine from forming. "That's on the other side of town from you though."

"I've got my truck," Sasuke offered. "There is plenty of room for your guitar with my drum set." He'd loaded it almost immediately after their performance. He was anal retentive about such things. Though, the fact that he took care of his possessions was a good thing. Sakura admired that about him. And frankly, he was the only Uchiha she could stomach at the moment, which was ironic considering her animosity towards him just a few months back.

"It's up to you, Sakura," Ino said quietly.

Sakura nodded. "Okay, then I'll go with Sasuke. Thanks, Ino, but the idea of ice cream is making my stomach churn. We shouldn't be miserable tonight and in the morning when we try to burn off those misbegotten calories." She released her temples and winced. The familiar throbbing of a headache started.

"Alright," Ino agreed. "I'll come by your parents' house in the morning then. I might go home to my parents place too. Nothing makes me feel better than a late night stroll through mom's flower garden in the backyard." She sighed with a wistful look on her face. "Jasmine is always more fragrant under the moonlight."

"I'll see you tomorrow then," Sakura agreed, looping her arms around Ino's shoulders in a solemn hug. "I'll text you after I wake up so we can figure out breakfast."

Ino nodded, stepping back. "Sure, Sakura, sure." She wagged her finger at Sasuke. "Drive safe, Uchiha. Don't make things worse for my best friend or I'll find out where you live and hunt you down."

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Tone it down, Yamanaka. You're mad at the wrong guy." His expression softened slightly as he looked down at Sakura. "You want me to get your instrument?" He held his hand out.

Sakura shifted the weight of the guitar over her shoulders. "No, thanks. I appreciate the offer though," she murmured.

"Alright," Sasuke agreed. He nodded his head once at Ino and then set off in the opposite direction as Ino. Sakura fell into step alongside him, walking a bit fasting to match his long-legged stride. "Kicked out of the band and broken up all in one evening." She laughed. "Then saved by my former childhood crush."

"You were more to me than a crush," Sasuke pointed out, looking over at her briefly, something unreadable in his dark eyes. "I'd like to think we were friends then and now."

"Semantics. Besides, friends would have kept in touch. You dropped me like a bad habit, Sasuke Uchiha," she huffed. "I had to hear about you in tidbits from Naruto over the years." The pounding in her temples started to come back. This was not the time to visit old feelings of abandonment with one Uchiha on top with the more current ones.

He said nothing to that. What could he say? "I'm glad you and Ino don't call each other Pig and Forehead anymore," Sasuke commented quietly.

"We're not thirteen anymore and dropping those nicknames seemed the mature thing to do," Sakura pointed out.

Sasuke scoffed. "Wish Naruto would stop calling me Bastard."

Sakura snickered and then she reached up and pulled the scrunchie out of her high ponytail, letting her long hair fall down her shoulders. Maybe tha would help the headache? "I just don't get it. Everything seemed fine with Shisui earlier and then— this just seems to have come out of nowhere. We seemed fine this morning and even earlier this evening. It just started to get weird that last set on stage."

"You are the longest relationship he's ever had," Sasuke said, looking down at her, his eyes narrowed in concern. He learned his throat. "He normally doesn't make it past a few weeks and you two were together for fifteen months. Maybe you scared him." Sasuke cleared his throat and looked away. "Or Orochimaru put ideas into his head and you didn't fit neatly into the algorithm."

How did Sasuke know how long they dated? Fifteen months was a hell of a lot more specific that she'd thought he would notice. "Shisui is ten years older than me, yet I felt that I was the more mature one of the two of us," Sakura said. Though she should get used to not using the word 'us' when referring to Shisui. "I just, really thought he liked me."

"Sometimes, like isn't enough," Sasuke said quietly. He gestured towards the familiar red pickup truck in the garage. "I've really enjoyed the last few months together. I always felt we made a good team, Sakura. Are we still good?"

Sakura looked up at the normally reserved man. "We're still good, Sasuke." They walked in silence as she followed him to his truck. He opened the passenger door for her and stood holding it open while she climbed inside. She set her guitar in the floorboard, propped against the console. "I appreciate you driving me to my parents? I think I'd like to stay with them for a few days. My roommate's boyfriend is visiting from medical school between his rotations. I'd like to give them some privacy if possible."

Sasuke nodded. He waited for her to secure her seatbelt and then he shut the door before he walked around to climb into the driver's seat. "Sure." He reached past her briefly for the glovebox and opened it, pulling out a bottle of naproxen. "For your headache."

"Oh, thank you," Sakura murmured, surprised that he'd noticed. She opened the bottle and palmed a tablet and tried to work on making enough saliva to dry swallow it.

"Here," Sasuke said, pulling a dark blue reusable water bottle out of his door cupholder. "I'm not sick or anything."

"Thanks," Sakura said quietly, accepting the bottle. She tossed the headache medicine back and chased it with a generous swig from Sasuke's water. This was the exact brand of pain relief medicine she preferred. Did he have the same preference? It wasn't exactly a common brand. It was one that was imported from Suna. Surely, he didn't happen to remember the headaches she got during that summer when her hormones were all in disarray. It was probably just a coincidence.

He'd started driving, so she just placed the bottle back into the glovebox and held on to the steel water bottle in the meantime. It was surprisingly cold even though it had to be sitting in his truck for at least a few hours. It probably had good conductivity. She remembered Sasuke wanting to studying engineering when they'd been younger. Was that still a passion of his? Why hadn't she asked him?

Sasuke turned on the radio and drummed his fingers on the steering wheel absently, perfectly in sync with the music's beat. "Are your parents still living next door to Naruto's parents?"

"Yeah," Sakura answered. "I wonder if he's visiting them this weekend." Sakura started to laugh and Sasuke turned towards her in concern. "It's fine, really." Sakura waved and then rubbed at her eyes. "I mean, what was I thinking? Twice now, I've fallen for an Uchiha only to realize my feelings were one-sided."

"Sakura—," Sasuke started.

"No, no, I don't want to hear it, Sasuke. It's fine," Sakura protested. "It's been years. I'm sure I'll get over this latest heartbreak eventually. I should probably return to my medical studies anyway. Maybe it's not too late to contact Suna's program and start. It's only a couple of weeks into the new semester. This rock band phase was fun, but that's just it, it's a phase."

"You're really talented," Sasuke said quietly.

"And so are you," Sakura said lightly tapping his shoulder. "I thought you were just a smart jock, but really you're a musician at heart too." She leaned back in the passenger seat to look out the window. "You always have such a good sense of rhythm."

"Text Naruto. Tell him to go to his parents and that I'm with you and we're heading that way. We can stay up late and play video games, like we used to that one summer," Sasuke suggested. "I think Kakashi might even be there. He just finished his last military tour. He should be in the village for a few weeks."

Sakura stared at him incredulous. "We're not thirteen anymore, Sasuke. We don't need a video game playing slumber party." She laughed at the idea, though to be honest, it did sounds sort of fun. "Besides, I'm a little old to be having a slumber party with boys."

He glared at her once they stopped at a red-light. "What? You don't still like video games? Besides, are your parents even home?" He narrowed his eyes. "And we're men, not boys. I'm highly doubt it will be your first time staying the night with a man."

She blushed at the implication, but she wasn't about to admit to him that she had NOT in fact stayed the night with a man before. Things might have gotten a little close a few times, but she wouldn't allow herself to be distracted by a man. It would be best to not address that particular can of worms. "Um, no, my parents are at a conference," she said quietly. She had mentioned that a few days ago to the band during a practice session. How could she have forgotten? How did Sasuke even remember such a trivial detail?

"Then we're staying the night with Naruto at his parents' house," Sasuke said decisively. "And we're going to discuss the future of our band."

"Your band. I just got kicked out," Sakura reminded him glumly.

Sasuke started to drive again as the light turned green. "We'll form a new band. If Shisui wants to do his own thing, we'll let him. Itachi doesn't really care, he's just trying to be supportive." He gestured between them with his right hand, keeping the left secure on the steering wheel. "Sing with me. This song playing now— Shallow. I'll start."

"Tell me something girl, are you happy in this modern world? Or do you need more? Is there something else you're searching for? I'm longing for change," Sasuke sang. He arched his dark eyebrow at her in challenge.

"Tell me something, boy," Sakura sang, a faint smile on her lips as the words sprang from memory to her lips. This song! She remembered convincing the band to watch A Star is Born about a month back while they were sharing a hotel suite. "Aren't you tired trying to fill that void? Or do you need more? I'm falling in — in all the good times I find myself longing for change and in the bad times I feel myself — I'm off the deep end. Watch as I dive in. We're far from the Shallow now!"

Sasuke and Sakura grinned faintly at each other as they voices blended in unison for the final chorus. "In the shallow, in the shallow, in the shallow we're far from the shallow now."

"Wow," Sakura whispered as the song continued with the instrumental portion while Sasuke hummed. He stopped humming and turned down the volume from the controls on the steering wheel. "You're an amazing singer." He was actually better than both Shisui and Itachi.

"Yeah, wow. Our voices are extremely complimentary together," Sasuke pointed out. "You remember your favorite band from that summer? The one with the male lead guitarist and the female drummer were the two primary singers? Skillet?" He gestured between them again. "We can do that."

"You hate singing in front of people," Sakura whispered.

Sasuke turned towards her sharply, his dark eyes flashing with determination. "I do. However, I'd do it for you, Sakura."

"We'd still need a bass guitarist and while I can play lead guitar, I prefer rhythm," Sakura said, considering the idea. She'd played lead more than she would have wanted over these last few months.

"I have a couple of friends — a couple I used to hang out with back at boarding school," Sasuke said, a faint smile on his lips. "I'd ask Naruto, but he can't sing and he has no rhythm."

Sakura punched his shoulder gently, but he grimaced. Maybe she punched harder than she realized. "Naruto can rap and he can belt out lyrics to certain rock songs. And he has rhythm. He's just as good at playing lead guitar as I am. Minato and Kakashi taught both of us."

"Well there you go, we can ask him tonight," Sasuke pointed out. "We know we perform well together. We did that night at the bar, remember?"

She could hardly forget that impromptu performance. It had gotten a great deal of donations to the orphanage. "I don't know, Sasuke. Your brother and Shisui are relying on you," Sakura protested.

"I'm not planning to be living as a musician all my life, Sakura. Eventually, I'll want to finish at the Police Academy and you'll want to complete your medical program." Sasuke turned down the familiar residential neighborhood where Sakura and Naruto's parents lived. "This is supposed to be fun. Playing with you is fun. Itachi and Shisui are big boys and besides my cousin Obito also plays drums. They can ask him if they want to do the All Boy Band deal." He turned towards Sakura sharply. "They didn't ask my opinion when they decided to kick you and Ino out of the band. I don't feel I owe them much explanation for my choosing to leave."

When they parked on the driveway, right underneath the old basketball hoop, the floodlights were switched on and Naruto raced outside to see them. He wore one of his usual graphic black t-shirt's and orange athletic shorts. Today's shirt had a nine-tailed fox on it.

The moment they were out of the truck, he crushed the two of them into a hug. "I've got the media room all arranged and there's fresh sheets on the sleeper sofa for you, Sakura-chan. And Sasuke and I have sleeping bags. Sorry, the guest room is out, since Kakashi's back home for the next month at least. I'd wake him, but he looked really exhausted at dinner. Oh! Ma and Pa prepared snacks and refreshments. And you can sleep in one of my old t-shirts, Sakura-chan and we can wash your stuff. Unless you have like extra stuff at your parents, because it's next door, you know?"

"I have extra clothes too," Sasuke interjected. "And my shirts aren't black or orange. And they're soft." He cleared his throat. "And they smell like fresh rain fabric softener and not like stale ramen."

Sakura laughed, feeling strangely eager to stay up late with these two men. While her halter top had been great for performing on stage, she felt a little exposed now. "Unfortunately, I don't have any spare clothes at my parents' house that fit. And since Sasuke's shirt won't smell like ramen, I'll borrow his. Thank you, though, Naruto. I really appreciate you having us over. I'll have Ino bring some extra clothes for me tomorrow."

"Pshesh, ramen smells great," Naruto muttered. "So what's going on? Why are you both here?" He pulled them back to him in another hug.

"We're starting a band," Sasuke answered, ducking away from Naruto.

"Oh? Aren't you already in a band?" Naruto asked, scratching the back of his head. "I hope you don't want me to join. I can't sing — you know that."

The three of them entered the house, kicked off their shoes and placed them in the shoe cabinet in the front foyer. Sakura had her guitar and Sasuke his duffle as they followed Naruto to the basement media room. A drum set was covered in the back and a six and four string guitar were secured in the cabinet from Minato and Kushina's musical days.

Sasuke handed Sakura a soft, blue t-shirt before he stretched out in the recliner. Sakura faced away from the guys and slipped off her halter top and pulled the shirt over her head. She discreetly took a big whiff and smiled at Sasuke's familiar scent of fresh rain laundry detergent and a faint touch of cinnamon he always seemed to smell like. Avoiding Sasuke's curious stare, Sakura sat on the arm of the sofa and Naruto stretched out across the sofa next to her. He gestured towards the gaming controllers and large television on the far wall. "For later. We can play whatever. So what's the deal with the band? Did you two come straight here from the concert?"

"Shisui and Itachi decided to switch to an All Boy Band genre," Sasuke explained. "So, we are starting our own group. It will be me, Sakura, Ino, Suigetsu and Karin," Sasuke answered shifting his dark gaze between Naruto and Sakura. "Suigetsu can play lead guitar and Karin plays bass. Their singing voices are only a little better than Naruto's, so the lyrics will fall upon me, Sakura, and Ino."

"I kinda want Naruto in the band too. He can play a six-string just as well as I can and if there's any rapping or angry screaming lyrics, no one is better than him," Sakura argued. "And I mean— six people is pretty big for a band. I think we could probably get away with percussion, keys, lead and rhythm for most of the songs we'd play."

"I'll be around. I'll play bass," Kakashi offered, standing on the lower stairs leading into the basement. "Five people — the perfect sized roster."

"Oh! Crap! I'm so sorry, Kakashi! We didn't mean to wake you!" Naruto cried out.

Kakashi was suddenly beside him on the sofa, hand over Naruto's mouth and holding him in a headlock like only older brother's were capable of. "Quiet! Use your inside voice, Naruto," Kakashi hissed. He glanced over at Sakura and Sasuke and smiled in his eye-crease smile they both remembered from their youth. "Good to see you two again. It's been far too long."

"Kakashi, it's good to see you," Sakura said, smiling shyly and glad she was wearing Sasuke's over-sized shirt and not her halter top.

"Nice to see you again, Sakura," Kakashi said reaching over and ruffling her hair like she was a little kid and earning a scowl. He looked over at Sasuke and tapped his throat. "I suffered some damage from smoke inhalation, so I can't help with vocals."

"Not a problem," Sasuke murmured. He closed his eyes and let out a relieved sigh. "Welcome to the band, Kakashi."

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