Chapter 4:
It didn't take long to find out where Camellia had gone with her entourage. The couple they had seen talking to her before pointed up the road saying they knew exactly where she was going because she had mentioned it to them before going separate ways. Sure enough, they found Camellia, just as they said, with Shikamaru helping her set up for what appeared to be another concert. This one was located in the middle of a local park instead of by the side of the road.
Sakura noticed how a steady flow of people was entering and leaving the park, unaware of anything out of the ordinary. If an official concert were going on, a larger crowd was to be expected along with signs advertising the event. This suggested that the concert was spur of the moment. However, the one in charge of the village didn't seem to mind her presence.
In addition to Shikamaru, a couple other people were assisting in erecting a makeshift stage out of wooden crates they found around town. Every now and then, they would chat with each other or instruct one on where an item should be placed. In Naruto's opinion, this didn't seem like the behavior of someone under another's control. Granted, he couldn't hear what they were saying, but it seemed like casual chitchat.
As more of the stage started taking shape, more people began to take notice and approach to investigate. Some asked Shikamaru and the other two what was going on and they answered, pointing to Camellia and the stage constructed from crates. Some nodded their heads and lingered to see the show while others raised a brow and walked off, uninterested. Those sitting around on benches reading books or talking ignored most of what was going on, indifferent.
"All those unsuspecting people who are going to get caught up in the jutsu…" Sakura muttered. "We should warn them. Just what is this girl planning? What does she want with Shikamaru?"
"If we warn them, it'll blow our mission," Ino told Sakura before addressing everyone. "Ok, everyone clear on the plan?"
Everyone but Naruto nodded. He was looking elsewhere with a scowl on his face.
"What's your problem?" Ino asked snidely.
"Something doesn't feel right about this," he admitted.
"Which is why we have to stop her and rescue Shikamaru."
"That's not what I mean." Naruto tried to find the words, but he was still unsure himself where this uneasy feeling was coming from. "It's just that Shikamaru said he wasn't ready to go back, not that he wouldn't."
"Shikamaru's been brainwashed by this jutsu which is making him say that. It's not how he really feels. Are you unclear about why we have to save him?"
"He said he didn't need rescuing."
"The jutsu is making him say that. Don't you get it?" Ino pointed. "Now get to your position and be ready to grab him in the confusion."
Ino's plan involved them being stationed in different locations around the stage so, depending on where Shikamaru was standing, could grab him when the concert started and drag him away by force. She believed his guard would be down while Camellia was singing and therefore easier to capture. It would also be harder for Camellia to notice them in a crowd while she was performing. As long as they didn't listen to her, the jutsu wouldn't affect them.
Camellia stepped onto the wooden crates and looked over at the trio standing in the grass near the stage. One of them nodded encouragingly at her. Shikamaru stood nearby with his arms crossed, glancing from them to Camellia. She nodded back with a smile. Without calling attention to the people around, she started singing.
It started slow and gradually started to pick up, the beat getting livelier and her voice louder as if she needed time to gather her courage.
Parkgoers glanced up from what they were doing when her voice reached them. Some stayed where they were and others approached the stage to get a better view. Naruto was already near the stage behind the forming crowd. Shikamaru was still in view, though a few people blocked most of his body as they moved closer to the singer.
He watched as Shikamaru stood near the stage, listening to Camellia. Eventually, he started nodding his head to the rhythm and moved his shoulders a little. The person next to him put their hand on his shoulder and tried to get him to sway to the beat, a large smile on their face. Shikamaru returned the smile without humoring them. He seemed to be in a good mood himself and didn't mind this person trying to get him to move his body more.
This just seemed like a normal concert in a park. He couldn't sense anything wrong with what was happening. Naruto scoffed angrily, thinking about what Ino had said. He didn't believe there was anything going on here that they should be worried about. Maybe Shikamaru just wanted to help out the singer and listen to her. Why couldn't Shikamaru enjoy this?
And why shouldn't he?
Naruto deliberately listened to what Camellia was singing, curious about what Shikamaru was so fond of to the point where he would prefer to stay in her company rather than theirs.
Her voice was in perfect tune and rang clearly over the crowd. Excellent vocal control and her voice was just beautiful. More than that, it was the rhythm. She needed no musical accompaniment. Her voice was perfect on its own to convey her message; to evoke something that only music could.
It made everything disappear. Everything Naruto had been feeling moments ago had been washed away and replaced with something better. In anger's place was joy. Confusion, clarity. All the uncertainty didn't matter anymore. He could just be in the moment and enjoy himself.
What he wanted to do more than anything was sing.
Camellia encouraged the crowd to join in and sing with her. Some did right away. Others just listened, enjoying the song without joining in. However, when she sang a particularly spectacular note, the crowd was moved to join in, singing as well as cheering.
Shikamaru was one of them, repeating the verse she just sang along with the crowd of happy attendees. He looked so happy, but Ino knew this wasn't real joy. It was just a trick.
"Get ready," she said, waiting for the perfect chance.
"Camellia, Camellia," Shikamaru and the crowd sang, filling in their own verse when Camellia went silent for a moment, looking out over the joyful faces in front of her with a smile as wide as theirs.
"The voice we adore," came another voice, in time with the others.
Sakura, Ino and Sai all looked in the same direction and saw Naruto singing with the crowd, jumping up and down as if this were his favorite band. "That idiot!" they all said at once.
"He got caught up in the jutsu, too," Sakura said, trying to figure out the best way to get him out of there without getting caught herself.
"I'm on it." Sai immediately went into the crowd and grabbed Naruto. Lifting him up, he carried Naruto away from the crowd as fast as he could.
"You… are… too… stupid!" Ino said, clubbing Naruto over the head with each word.
"Ow! Hey! I'm not under the jutsu anymore. You can stop hitting me now!" Naruto covered his head with both arms.
"You ruined the plan. That was ample time for us to get go in and grab him in all that confusion."
Sakura looked at the assembled crowd in the distance. "Looks like they're setting up for another round. We may have another shot at this."
"I told you. Don't listen to her. Wear earplugs or something," Ino lectured Naruto. "We can't have you getting caught in it again. We need to save Shikamaru."
Naruto growled, remembering why he was so upset in the first place. "I don't think it's the jutsu," he said, glaring at her.
Getting an idea from Naruto's statement, Sai said, "Actually, he may be on to something. What if there's a range or something? We weren't affected by the jutsu but he was. None of us were wearing earplugs."
"Hm. You know what, you're right. We weren't affected. Not even you, Sai. Maybe this jutsu does have a set range. And you broke out of it easier than Naruto did the first time. Maybe it doesn't affect you as much. Maybe you should go in and be the one to grab Shikamaru."
"Maybe we should do it," said Sakura.
"If Shikamaru notices me, he'll flip out. And this way we can also get information." Ino looked at Sakura. "Besides, if one of us gets caught up in it, it's all over. I know how to stop genjutsu and you're a medic. We can't risk ourselves getting caught up in it. Let's have Sai do it since we know Naruto's too simple-minded for this."
"Hey!"
Sai nodded. "Understood. I'll move in as quickly as possible. This may be our last chance before the concert ends. It doesn't look like they were planning to stay long."
This time, it was Sai who went into the crowd but Naruto insisted on coming with him. The girls stayed hidden and watched from a safe distance as a new song started up. This one had most of the crowd dancing to the lively beat. Shikamaru was dancing in his own style, not caring that he was in public. Others had linked arms with their friends or partners and swayed to the beat. Everyone seemed to have their own style, dancing however way they wanted.
"Does it inspire you to dance?" Naruto asked, half teasing him.
Sai shrugged. "I don't know how to dance so I don't know if I'd feel like doing it." Though he heard Camellia's song, he focused his attention on the task at hand so it became just background noise.
The song changed to something a little slower. It was a good pace anyone could keep up with, though most of it was Camellia vocalizing.
This one Sai heard clearly and felt it pull at his heart. Curious, he decided to listen and hear what the song had to say. He chose to listen, thinking he could block it out any time he wanted. Just a small listen would be fine. Curiosity dictated so.
Wave after wave gently pulled Sai in closer. He looked directly at the singer and he could have sworn she was looking back at him, singing to him as the crowd fell away. He stood alone in the warm light of the sun shining down on Camellia like a spotlight, her eyes sparkling and her mouth curved up in a gentle, reassuring smile. She looked more like an angel than a singer on stage. She was practically glowing as Sai basked in its warmth.
She understood him. No matter what he said or how he said it, she understood what he meant. She wouldn't get angry with him for phrasing it wrong or doing the wrong thing without realizing. She understood his awkwardness and was alright with it. Though he may have been socially inept, she didn't pity him. If anything, she found it endearing.
He didn't have to worry. He didn't have to act a certain way around her. He could do and say whatever he felt like without fear. She would never hate him or think less of him. He felt protected, comforted, loved, understood. Happy.
This song assured him that he was the way he was meant to be and there was nothing wrong with him. He was perfect as he was.
"Ahh…" Sai exhaled audibly, feeling himself relax.
Naruto looked from Sai to Camellia but didn't bother to interfere. He enjoyed seeing the tranquil look on Sai's face and his vacuous gaze.
"… Anyone else have the urge to sing right now?" Sai asked distantly, his eyes on Camellia.
Everyone was singing the same song and now Sai was joining in.
"Camellia, Camellia,
her beautiful song.
Our wonderful goddess,
we know where we belong."
"Not again," Sakura groaned. "We have to get them out of there."
Naruto looked past Sai at Sakura in a nearby tree looking down at them. It looked like she was getting ready to do something. If she tried punching the ground, all these people would get caught up in it and possibly get hurt. She probably wouldn't be that reckless, but if she was angry enough…
"Uh, Sai, I think we better go."
Camellia vocalized and the crowd followed. "Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ahh!"
"Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ahh!" Sai echoed.
"Sai! Before Sakura does something stupid." Naruto grabbed Sai's cheek and pinched, hard.
"Ah-ah-ah-ah- Ow, ow, ow!" Sai turned away from the stage, shutting his eyes from the pain. "Naruto, enough! I'm awake!"
"Then let's get out of here before Sakura does something."
Sai looked at the tree and waved discreetly to let her know he returned to his senses and there was no need for her to do anything. Sakura saw this and retreated behind a branch. He wasn't sure what she had planned to do, but was relieved he had stopped her.
"We need to go," Naruto urged.
Sai looked past the throng of people at Shikamaru who was repeating the vocals as he had been moments ago. "But we're so close," he told Naruto. "With him distracted, now's the perfect chance to complete our mission."
"I don't think it's a good idea." Naruto wasn't saying this on account of any danger. He still felt there was something wrong with this and should leave Shikamaru alone.
"He's right there. Let's get this over with." Sai weaved through the crowd, trying not to call attention to himself. Everyone was still echoing Camellia, and the more they did, the more infectious it became. "Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah..." Sai caught himself and tried to block it out.
Once close enough, he and Naruto made their move.
Shikamaru belted out another echo. "Ah-ah-ah-ah-ah-ah- Whoa!" In the blink of an eye, he was carried off before he could finish but no one seemed to notice.
The song ended just as they set Shikamaru on the ground and Ino came over to speak with him. She was talking but Shikamaru didn't want to hear anything she had to say and made sure she knew that.
"Ino, please!" he shouted with such anger, it took her voice away.
She stared at him in shock, unable to even whimper. She had never heard Shikamaru shout at her like that before. In fact, she couldn't remember him ever raising his voice at her.
"I told you before, I'm not under any jutsu. Just leave me alone." Shikamaru sounded like he kept being interrupted by trivial things while trying to complete an important project on a deadline. He was both angry as well as annoyed. He clearly didn't want their help.
"But… you have to come back to the Leaf," Ino said, finding her voice again.
He sighed angrily and rubbed his forehead, trying to calm down. "I plan to return. Just… not now."
"But-"
"Ino, just stop," he said firmly. "I will return when I'm ready. I just have to stay for a bit."
She did not accept that. "Shikamaru, she's clearly done something to you and we're going back to the Leaf to figure out how to undo-"
"I want to stay!"
"Only because she's making you," she argued.
"No one is making me, Ino. I want to stay and that is my choice."
"Shikamaru, this has gone on long enough. We're bringing you back if I have to-"
In an instant, Shikamaru disappeared, using jutsu to escape. Ino stood looking at the empty space Shikamaru had been moments ago, clenching her fists.
"Even if we dragged him back to the village, what good would it have done?" Naruto asked, arms folded.
"We could have gotten him help. Someone with better skills could reverse the jutsu," she explained.
"How?" Naruto asked. "If he's this determined to stay, then he's just as determined to leave. He'll run away from the village again and this whole thing will start all over. What are we supposed to do, tie him to a chair? Keep dragging him back every time he leaves?"
"Well, we have to do something," Ino said, facing away from him to pace.
"If you just listen to me, I-"
"Ok, here's another idea," Ino said, ignoring him. "We knock him out, tie him up and bring him back that way. Once back at the village…"
Shaking his head, Naruto turned and walked away, feeling the same way Shikamaru must have felt when Ino didn't listen.
He wandered a short distance away and leaned against a tree, watching the dispersing crowd. Some were chatting about the concert and others spoke of other things he could only hear fragments of. Few stayed to mingle with Camellia.
Further ahead, Naruto saw Camellia speaking with one of the three people who had followed her to this village. They were saying something to her in private, nodding and smiling. When they were finished, Camellia hugged them and they left, bowing their head gratefully.
Sai came to stand next to him. "Ino tends to get an idea in her head and stick with it." This was his attempt to ease Naruto's stress and help him understand that none of this was personal. It wasn't necessary.
Naruto pointed to what had just transpired in front on him. "Camellia doesn't seem like an enemy to me. Look. People are free to leave whenever they want. She wasn't controlling the crowd. She didn't turn them into an army of slaves or whatever."
Sai paused for a long time, trying to figure out what to say. "You have to admit, though, her song did have an effect on us. I normally don't sing and she just drew it out of me. On top of that… I felt something. Something strong."
He put a hand to his chest where his heart was, trying to convey the strong emotion he had felt. Music was powerful and this music especially.
"I don't think Shikamaru's being controlled, though," Naruto said, hoping Sai would understand. "After all, we're not."
"But while she was singing, we did lose track of ourselves and did act differently. Admittedly, I also felt like staying with her."
"But that was while she was singing. She's not singing now and Shikamaru still wants to be with her."
"Because of the jutsu's influence," Sai explained. "Ino's convinced Shikamaru is under her spell and wants to stay because the jutsu is convincing him to, even when she's not actively singing."
"Then why aren't we?" Naruto asked, looking straight at him. "We fell under the jutsu, too. Several times. But we don't want to leave the Leaf Village to be with her."
It dawned on Sai in that moment that Naruto had pointed out something significant. "You're right. Maybe this jutsu doesn't work the way Ino thinks it does."
"If it's even a jutsu at all," Naruto added. "Instead of doing all this, why don't we just ask him why he wants to stay?"
"We did. At least, Ino did. He kept saying he couldn't tell us."
"Then why not ask Camellia?" Naruto felt there was a better way to handle the situation. Clearly Shikamaru had a reason for doing this.
How to bring him back to the Leaf Village wasn't important. It was why he wanted to avoid it in the first place.
"If Ino just listened to me for one second, she would know that I was trying to point it out. Instead of kidnapping him, why don't we just find out what the problem is?"
