Gasp!

Summary
Prior to Sasuke's introduction to Naruto for the second time is the flow of melodious voice from the record room, a different more mature person now stands before Sasuke in full confidence he starts to develop dangerous feelings for the blonde composer. But these feelings remain hidden in his heart as he becomes aware of another painful revelation.

Mysteries revolve around Naruto and Gaara in the eyes of an outsider, the M.D. player that is forbidden to be touched, the throat that is never exposed, and the singing voice that is forbidden to be heard.

Chapter One
Echoes in the music room

Careful steps echoed faintly in the hallway while weak murmurs could be heard every now and then, filling up the boring silence, a way to quicken the time. He was surrounded by immaculate white walls, large sliding one way windows and rows of sound proof doors, sometimes people pass by them with admiring stares and familiar recognition of the pale face and dark hair beside the droopy eyed manager walking beside him and the other two members of his band behind.

Maybe it was the typical surrounding of an unfamiliar studio of the rival of the recording company he had just recently transferred out from that’s making him get cold feet, but there was something definitely wrong about his mood today. Anyway, what’s new? There’s always something wrong about his mood everyday, only now it was worse than before.

“I believe it was a sound decision to change loyalties now, this project that you’re going to start will skyrocket your success both as a male lead and band leader.” Kakashi Hatake drawled out after a few minutes of silence after getting inside the elevator.

“Hey don’t forget us oh dear manager, this’s a package deal ‘member?” He could only shake his head internally, that guy Suigetsu’s accent will probably never change, maybe that was one of the reasons the band members refused to make him the vocal lead and got the guitar part instead.

“Of course, of course.” Kakashi smiled, adjusting the medical eye patch with his hand that had slid a little lower. “But I believe you’re going to need to make a few adjustments, since we’re not going to do this on a solo.” The elevator finally stopped, the elevator song stopping to make way for the shrill ding as the doors slid open to make way for the twelfth floor of the building. Kakashi stepped out first and turned around to face them while smirking, he hated that smirk of his, that meant bad news to him and more entertainment for Kakashi. “And if you didn’t catch my drift, that means there’s another band that you’re going to be working with on this project.”

Already there was Karin’s disbelieving shrill voice and Suigetsu’s groaned curse, as for him, he chose to remain silent and just hoped that Kakashi would just be human and let him wallow in his own self hate. Unfortunately for him Kakashi had other plans.

“Have you ever heard of that movie called ‘Nostalgia High’?” Kakashi turned around and led them into the new floor, walking the similar looking hallway with similar surroundings he continued to enlighten them about the new project.

“Oh that High school drama stuff!? Do you have tickets to the premier!?” Karin suddenly switched to hopeful excitement, walking past him to get a better view of Kakashi.

“We’re going to be making the soundtracks of that movie, so not only are we going to be given first seat tickets but we get to see the behind the scenes as well courtesy of the producers.”

“But isn’t it a little weird of them to be picking our band when all we sing about is hitting pots and awesome sex? Not that I mind but…”

“Amazing Suigetsu, the way you consider that kind of thing, this is certainly the first.”

“Shut up! Of course I mind when it’s the reputation of Amaterasu that’s in line. Imagine dark rock switching to those yucky excuse of music like the ones the guys from Kirin makes.”

After that they returned to silence once again, but then Kakashi suddenly hummed with suggestion on his voice as they finally paused before a sound proof door. “Funny you should mention them.”

Sasuke saw there were already two people inside from the glass window spanning half of the walls of the room. One was a blonde sitting on a high stool whose back was to them, the other one he couldn’t make out since the guy was sitting flat on the floor and if he didn’t know better he’d think from his line of sight that they were doing something dirty in there.

And then a set of powerful strings of violin flowed out of nowhere, giving him Goosebumps all over but the one that made him look for its origin of all was the faint voice only loud enough for the violin not to drown it. He had only just noticed that Kakashi had already opened the door.

“Nokotteta, nokotteta kimi no koe gaaaa--”

“Hmm looks like they’ve already started…”

Their manager’s voice had the two stopping immediately and straightening up, the blonde was the first, putting aside white sheets of paper that looked to him like music sheets and standing up in attention while the redhead remained relaxed in his position looking very comfortable and indifferent as he put his violin back on its black lacquered case, the sleek wooden instrument sinking in its red velvet cushion before he closed it and eyed the new group’s arrival.

“Kakashi-sensei, you’re late again! But what the hell—I’m sure some pregnant lady or old woman was glad that you were considerate enough to help them cross the lane or get to the hospital.” He heard Suigetsu snort but unlike the people who usually take a long look at them for his hot gothic black attire or Karin’s sleazy look or Suigetsu’s filed teeth this blonde guy without sparing them a glance just rushed towards Kakashi and gave him a warm looking hug and pat on the back.

“You look good Naruto.” Kakashi smiled at Naruto as if sharing nostalgia with each other after separating from the hug.

“Of course, I always do, you just don’t see me often.” Their beaming manager could just chuckle and if Karin didn’t make that surprised ah while darting a black nail polished finger towards the red haired man then he wouldn’t be surprised if the two have maybe spent a minute or two talking about old days.

“Now I remember! There’s no mistaking it! You’re Kirin’s--”

“Vocalist, yes.” Kakashi interrupted, in his same old we’re-talking-about-the-weather tone.

“What the fuck, then the other party you were talking about is--” Again Suigetsu was cut off by Kakashi and the ashen-haired man added good naturedly with a smile. “Yes, yes, Kirin will also take part in this project and I believe this collaboration will be the most momentous event of the year. I’m sure you’ll be in magazines and newspapers for weeks. Imagine the two rivals joining forces to make the soundtrack of a soon-to-be box office hit of the year.”

“Wait, why weren’t we informed this was clearly not in the contract that we si--” Suigetsu’s further rants were shut off when a thick copy of what Sasuke recognized to be a copy of their contract appeared out of nowhere from Kakashi’s hand and faced Suigetsu inches apart from his nose.

“Tsk, tsk Suigetsu. Now wouldn’t this be a good way to teach you how to read what you sign first?”

Suigetsu quickly snatched the contract away from their manager’s hand and skimmed through it together with Karin while he silently observed the cautious glances he was receiving from Naruto.

“No fuckin’ way! We actually signed this!?” Karin exclaimed, nearly puncturing the contract with her sharp nails as she clawed on it while turning to Sasuke. “Sasuke did you know about this!?” And Sasuke could just shrug off, he wasn’t one to read contracts, Kakashi did it all for him and he knew how the manager worked because despite his unreliable appearance he knows the right people to get along with and the right offers to accept.

He didn’t care that he actually has to work with their rival band, competition made him do his best, he relished in the evil glares and scathing looks and his pride ate all the envious insults and murmurs making it swell larger than his head. What he wants to know is what his former classmate’s doing here?

Sure the bandleader Gaara pissed him off to no end just by existing in the same place as he was but then he recognized Gaara’s voice, what he heard earlier resounding in the music room wasn’t his so was it from Naruto? Although it sounded as if he wasn’t trying hard enough to bring out the best in his voice Sasuke knows a good voice when he hears one, does that mean that Kirin’s going to have a new vocalist and that vocalist was going to be Naruto? He knew it was near impossible, Gaara was known for his undefeated role as the band leader and lead vocalist, many members have quit but only Gaara and their drummer have remained proving his importance in the survival of the band, that guitarist was a new addition. He wouldn’t even be surprised if Gaara hit it off as a solo artist, he had the aura of a star even he would admit that but so was he.

“No I am not going to work with them! What, are you telling us to sing chummy songs!? Even ‘little miss muffet’ sounds better than theirs!” Karin crossed her arms, exhaling sharply and her redhair flailing side to side because of the movement of her head.

“Seconded!” Suigetsu added in a ‘duh’ tone, ready to leave any minute but was being cautious of Sasuke’s lack of reaction. “Hey Sasuke, why you all bein’ quiet don’t tell me you’re with him! Or did you actually know this!?”

“Hey.” At that moment all heads, including Sasuke’s turned to Naruto’s direction. He was still smiling but his eyes weren’t, those eyes, fiery blue as if belonging to a flame took Sasuke back to charcoal black uniforms, noisy classrooms and lunches under their favorite tree. “You know, I have nothing against little miss muffet, actually it’s a pretty good song, everybody knows about it little miss…” The blonde tilted his head to the side and there was a rustle of clothing as Gaara finally stood up from his position, the sounds of his steps muted by the navy blue carpet. “But don’t ever insult the music we make…”

And then the voice lowered into a dangerous smooth tone, the brows met and his blue flame-like orbs pierced right through the trio enough to send Goosebumps as Gaara stood right behind him. “Because no music in this world is insignificant just as people are no matter what the listener thinks of it.”

Although slightly trembling and a little taken-aback Karin recovered fast and retorted, huffing along the way. “Leave your shit outta this loser, before I screw you to pieces.” To emphasize this she gave him the dirty finger, showing him also the sharp looking knuckle blades around her fingers.

“Karin you don’t say that to Naruto, so stop it while you still have time.” Kakashi said a warning lacing his voice and Sasuke knew that that was the time which meant that play time is over and Kakashi meant business.

“Karin, your manners.” Sasuke gave her a stern look but she didn’t care, something about the blonde pissed her off and she didn’t like how Sasuke was staring at him.

“Hmph, and what’d he do Kakashi? Cry his way to beat the crap out of us?” Suigetsu intervened, showing off his filed teeth as if to intimidate the blonde but was annoyed when he didn’t see any signs of retreat.

“No, I’m just saying that you shouldn’t say that to the son of the president of Musica.”

“So what if he’s the son of a president of some fucked up Music-Musi… Musica?” Immediately Karin’s tone of voice changed, her jaw hanging in shock as she turned to eye Kakashi.

“Yes, Musica. You know? That production company who owns this Recording studio?” Kakashi smiled and Naruto sighed, turning around with a swish of his hand as if dismissing a servant while being followed by Gaara back to their original position. “And whose songs were being distributed worldwide? And whose sister company is in charge of the production of Nostalgia High? That ring a bell to you Karin?” And then he turned to Suigetsu who had also remained speechless while eyeing Naruto with disbelief in front of the piano’s stool. “Oh I forgot, they were also responsible for producing your debut song three years ago.”

“Oh… shit.” Suigetsu muttered.

“Leave it Kakashi-sensei. My father’s got nothing do with this, he’s the one who owns the company not me.” Naruto reverted back to his normal tone of voice and just busied himself with flipping the pages of his work sheets.

“Hn? But you’re still their composer, aren’t you? Sorry for the late introductions by the way.”

“You---! Why didn’t you tell us sooner!?” Karin whispered sharply, red coloring her cheeks with embarrassment and fear of what Naruto might do.

“Never mind. Could we just start? I have a lesson in two and those guys had better show up soon or this is going to be pointless, talk about being professional. Gaara, you hear from them yet?” Naruto asked the quiet redhead but Gaara only shrugged taking his seat on the floor in front of Naruto.

“No. They know what’ll happen if they don’t show up, don’t worry.”

“I’m sorry.” Sasuke asked himself what he did for the gods to do this to him all the time, always leaving him to clean up after his members’ mess. “I apologize on their behalf, it was uncalled for and offending on your part, we weren’t being professional. Please, let us introduce ourselves properly.” The dark haired man bowed deeply in apology and he saw while doing so how Naruto smiled a meaningful smile as if telling him something that only he could understand.

‘You haven’t changed.’

But he couldn’t say the same thing to Naruto, if there was something that didn’t change about Naruto it was his belief in the significance of everything in this world, something that he’d carried ever since Sasuke could remember.

Dark slacks hugging his thighs to fall down smoothly on his legs and a white turtle neck adored by silver cross was what completed his outfit.

“It’s alright, we’re all entitled to our own opinion. But try not doing it when somebody else is hearing you, since it’s quite offending.” At that without relinquishing his bow he cast a sidelong glare towards his two members and both of them in sync bowed deeply and apologized, obviously because they knew what kind of people they shouldn’t get involved with in fights, verbal or not.

“Hmm now let’s get to the introductions shall we?”

“Nah ah ah! Not without the drummer yo!” A loud voice as if belonging to a dog’s bark sounded from behind them and all of them turned to take a look.

“And the guitarist.” A more controlled voice joined them next.

“Finally!” Naruto raised both hands as if in prayer as he sighed in exasperation and reclaimed his position beside Kakashi together with Gaara.

“Alright, let’s start with the leaders. Gaara as you very well know is Kirin’s vocalist, he also plays the violin and the cello. Kiba handles the percussion and he can be a little loud so I’m apologizing in advance.” Naruto winked at the three of them, the group a little shocked at how Naruto could quickly switch moods. But Sasuke knew it wasn’t in the switching of moods, it was how Naruto could easily forget petty misunderstandings, he never held grudges. He ignored Kiba’s protests from behind, yes, he was loud. Sasuke thought with a sigh.

“And then there’s me. Just call me Naruto, Naru, whatever suits your tongue. I won’t even mind if you call me dumbass.” Naruto pointed at himself while chuckling.

“That’s right dumbass!” Kiba hollered, throwing fists in the air and irritating the hell out of Karin while Suigetsu was relishing at how the female redhead looked irked.

“Let’s not forget about Shino, as he said earlier he holds the electric guitar and the one for acoustic, he also plays the piano and the flute.”

“I’m Sasuke Uchiha, vocalist. Unfortunately God didn’t bless me twice, I only have the voice, so to sum it all up, they can’t live without me.” Sasuke gave a smirk of his own and dodged the incoming right hook from Suigetsu.

“Shut up! I’m Suigetsu! I’m the REAL band leader! And I write most of our songs, it just happened that when God decided to rain good looks I didn’t get enough.”

“Cute, Sui, just cute. I was joking, I play the organ.” Sasuke added, dodging another jab from the medium height man.

“I’m Karin, and don’t look down on me because I’m a woman! I can play the drums much better than you guys can! And I can play the organ too! Because Sasuke-love is a great teacher!” With that the boys gave an appreciative ooooh, finding her tough surface cute and deciding to suppress the urge to roll on their stomachs for Amaterasu’s vocalists’ unlikely nickname.

“Well, well!” Kakashi clapped his hands, reminding Sasuke of the old days when he used that gesture every end of the day before giving thick assignments and mind melting projects. “Let’s all get along well, shall we?”

+++

When Naruto finally agreed to the offer, he should have known that it was going to be more troublesome than what he had in mind. Their first day was spent arguing about who should play what kind of instruments. There were two electric guitarists and two drummers that instead of working as a team to make good music all the two bands did was make raucous noises of argument. He couldn’t blame them, since it was the first in Musica’s history to produce an album made up of two rivaling hot bands. That there were going to be problems later on was to be expected.

All Kiba and Karin did most of their time was bicker with each other with the friendly introduction earlier long since forgotten, exchanging curses and scathing glares every now and then it was a miracle the single drum set didn’t get torn apart with them going as far as to dismantle the set and get as much percussion pieces as they could.

Suigetsu passed the time creating screeching noises with his electric guitar just to spite Shino who remained impassive and ignoring Suigetsu’s repeated calls for a showdown to see who played better and was in fact doing the same thing as what Gaara had been doing ever since the rival band arrived; listening to their M. D.’s.

Sasuke on the other hand did what he would have done back on their former home studio, laze around on the couch and let the time pass while he watched Naruto and Kakashi try to pull the members to work together.

In the end, all of them decided to call it a day and meet back tomorrow for another schedule since each of them have their own gigs and guestings that was another reason for Karin and Kiba to start an unfriendly banter on their way to each of their cars.

“Poodle!” Kiba ignored Karin as she gave him the dirty finger while hopping on to Sasuke’s Ducati, he just slammed the door close and huffed beside Naruto inside the black Sedan his blonde friend was starting to heat up.

“Look at the little bitch, seeing her in the news you’d think twice if she was the same sweet girl I just watched on T.V. yesterday.” The brunette glared as he followed with sharp eyes the pair cross the street to join the rest of the lines of vehicles out the parking lot.

“Cool it Kiba, it’s the first day. Maybe that’s just her way of expressing herself. We still have nine months to go to get to know each other, that’s plenty enough time for me.”

“I still don’t know why you agreed to this shit.” The car bounced as two other passengers settled on the backseat as Kiba crossed his arms, his chest still feeling tight and unpleasant because of how he had heard Karin insult his drum skills. “We’ve always been independent, it’s not like we needed your old man’s back up for production—oh hey Gaara, sorry you want the front seat?”

Gaara shook his head in a silent negative, resting his back completely against the cushion he propped up his M. D.’s headphones that looked like they belonged to a cellphone’s headset instead. Kiba said nothing further, because he knew that when Gaara put those headphones on there was no one who could make him respond to anyone save for Naruto. So judging that Gaara was on headphones, he exchanged knowing glances with Shino before he heaved a lungful of breath.

“And I still don’t know why you agreed for that punk bastard to sing the single. I mean, it’s not like I’m biased or anything but dude, Gaara suits the role much better don’ you think?” He said in a whispery voice, not trusting the volume of Gaara’s speaker phones.

Naruto switched gears and maneuvered the stirring wheel; he stepped on the gas looking for any signs of incoming cars and then crossed the road as well. When he was sure that it was already safe to divide his attention he answered Kiba with a clear and decisive voice.

“I know that Gaara’s voice fit our songs better than Uchiha-san’s, but this one is different. There are circumstances in which you should change what was already the rule, this is one of those circumstances Kiba.”

“Dude, since when did you skip right through adulthood? Was there a time skip that I didn’t know?” Naruto just rolled his eyes, he knew that Kiba was just trying to make the situation lighter and he was succeeding.

“But aren’t the fans going to think that by letting Sasuke have the vocals you’re showing them that he’s better than Gaara? I believe you should have considered more of this first Naruto. We wouldn’t have minded if you’d just arranged the song to be a duet.” Shino readjusted his dark lenses letting Naruto’s uncharacteristic formality towards the group slip. Viewing the grim looking sky out the window, passing neon lights and the honks and groaning of cars surrounding them he waited for Naruto’s explanation.

Contradictory to what Kiba and Shino had expected for Naruto to express, the blonde smiled. “Sorry but Gaara’s already agreed to it.”

“Yeah but still—man that woman pisses me off to no end! She handles the percussions like a total cave woman would, no respect at all. Just banging the drums like a monkey…”

“We don’t have a problem with their band leader but I don’t think it is wise to give the part of the electric guitar to Suigetsu. The way they play their music and handle their instruments is totally different from ours I wouldn’t be surprised if he suddenly just went wild and smashed his own guitar just for show. I’m not the type to think about ‘what if’s’ but there’s going to be real trouble once each of our fans meet up in the same concert hall for the movie’s promotion.”

“No we do have a problem with their punk ass leader. He’s too full of himself!” After finally hearing the two out Naruto could only sigh with hopes that everything will be alright in the end, they’re all sane adults and professional in each of their field surely a simple dissimilarity of likes and opinions would be easy to conquer through time.

“I don’t know what will happen but this is something that we have to do, you guys prepare yourself for the press conference tomorrow, it’s going to be a long one.”

+++

“I don’t approve of this. This not only overrides our music but totally contradicts it too. I’m sorry but this is unacceptable.” Suigetsu failed to suppress his smirk as he watched Sasuke shove the music scores on the table towards Naruto and his band sitting opposite of them.

“Like we can accept what you guys make. Hey it’s not easy to switch to a different kind of style of playing immediately, we’re not genius like Naruto we can only do so much.”

“Agreed. What we write and what we compose totally contradicts with each other it’s impossible to blend them in without making it sound like some poor remix.” Shino said after Kiba, the two of them sitting side by side with Naruto and Gaara with the latter acting all indifferent and quiet on his seat, making it a point to show his dislike for the band by acting uncaring to the point of listening to his M. D. in the middle of a meeting.

“That’s why I’m asking you guys to help make it work out. We can always make adjustments but the theme shouldn’t sway from the plot of the movie ‘school life’.” Naruto insisted, slamming his palms against the table lightly to get their attention.

“Tell that to your leader.” Karin huffed as she eyed Gaara with annoyance, snaking her arms around Sasuke’s tighter as she squeezed herself closer beside him.

“Look.” Naruto exhaled a lungful of air, “It’s already the third day and we still haven’t figured anything out--”

“It’s our band. WE will figure anything out if there’s anything to be figured out. Twenty songs, right? We take ten, you take the rest, fair’s fair.” Karin supplied.

“You do realize that included in those twenty songs is the single? And the contract says—” Naruto was again further cut off by Karin, which she had been doing ever since.

“Screw what the contract says! We should just do our own thing, not like the fans would care.”

“Let’s call it a day. I’m fed up with this Naru.” Kiba snarled in a low tone, already in the point of walking out of the studio when a tight grip prevented him of further movement and he looked at the owner of that hand.

Without even sparing Kiba a glance he muttered in a crisp commanding tone, not leaving any room for any protest. “No, we’ve been doing that since the first day Kiba. No one will leave until we work this out.”

“Like hell. I’m the one who’s fed up with this shit.” Suigetsu didn’t even bother to consider his band members, he quickly stood up and grabbed his bag as he walked briskly towards the door.

“Suigetsu. Get back here. Uzumaki’s right. This isn’t something that we should take for granted. Either we’ll get this done or nothing at all.” Sasuke commanded in a controlled voice as he folded his arms and crossed his legs, leaving Karin no choice but to let go of her hold on his arm.

“If you’re fine getting ordered around that’s fine for me. But don’t get me involved in it Uchiha. My music is the most important to me, and I’m not letting anyone change that.” Suigetsu gave a spiteful glance towards Kirin before proceeding to turning the door knob and pulling open the sound proof door, but another voice stopped him and this time, it was none other than Kirin’s blonde song writer and composer.

“Wait.” Naruto too stood up, in a powerful voice taking Sasuke back to fights along the corridors and endless bantering in the classroom. “You said ‘My music’, we’re not trying to change that Suigetsu-san, but you’re in Amaterasu’s band aren’t you? And just like you Uchiha-san and even Karin-san has their own music, but you’re all playing together right? Does that mean that once you play with the others who’s got something else different from yours then your music changes as well?”

“I don’t get what you mean.” Suigetsu indulged.

“I’m saying that instead of putting something into ‘your music’ to change it, we are putting all our music to make something new. Those two are totally different. Just like what you, and Uchiha-san and Karin-san have been doing for years, us, Kirin is just an extension of that.”

The cushion squeaked and Naruto saw Kiba relax on the couch with a lopsided grin on his face. “You’ve got me there.” The brunette exhaled, raking his spiky auburn hair into a messier tress.

“I as well. We understand your point, Naruto. And I believe Uchiha-san realizes that as well.” Shino turned to Sasuke who nodded with the words slowly starting to sink in, and because Karin saw the approval on Sasuke’s expression she coincided as well.

“If you leave now, then that music we are going to make, will be incomplete.”

Suigetsu switched from looking at Naruto’s determined figure, to Sasuke’s convincing calmness and acceptance to the rest of the other band members.

“What are you saying,” He said, stubbornness getting the better of him but the hold on his bag already loosening. “You could just hold an audition for another guitarist, or have Aburame do my part.”

“But Shino can’t play the way you do. He can’t play ‘your music’ because he also has his own. Only you can do that, Suigetsu-san.” By this time Naruto was already smiling, seeing indecision cross the Amaterasu’s guitarist’s face. And when Suigetsu sighed, the smile broadened.

“You sure got a way with words, dumbass.” Suigetsu smirked, showing a part of his filed teeth.

“I learned from the best.” As if on cue, the man that had just crossed Naruto’s mind entered the studio, and the ashen-haired man, carefree and smiling stopped behind Suigetsu.

“Oh Suigetsu, have you just finished your meeting? Maa, I’m hungry, hotpot?” Kakashi smiled in his green and black suit, as if something clicking on Suigetsu’s mind, he glanced back at Naruto and the blonde nodded, knowing full well what those eyes were asking before Suigetsu looked at Kakashi again.

“You arrived just in time manager, we’re going to start brainstorming about the single.” Naruto returned to his seat, shoulders no more tense and the headache from lack of sleep slowly subsiding. He cleared his throat and adjusted the collar of his white and lavender mandarin long sleeved shirt.

“Well I’m glad that you get along good.” Kakashi drawled as he walked with Suigetsu towards the sofa.

“You have no idea.” Kiba muttered under his breath. He watched Naruto shake Gaara’s shoulder and the red-haired bandleader finally opened his eyes, mint green orbs recognized the current activity and the arrival of Amaterasu’s manager. The M. D. was turned off and returned to Gaara’s pocket with the headphone as well, pale arms unfolded and legs uncrossed and the meeting of the start of Kirin and Amaterasu’s collaborative work began.