Gasp!

Chapter Two

Behind the collar Part I



In the following days all of them tried to keep the civility in each of their meetings, assigning each of their instruments wasn’t cake especially for Suigetsu and Karin. Gaara was already decided to play the violin for their single, and since the scores was already created by Naruto all the blonde had to do was arrange it so that each of the instruments wouldn’t overlap, override or appear loud with each other.



In short it was near impossible, they were actually losing hope and in a mess by the time Naruto arrived from his lecture in the University he was working at.



While the rest of the band members were taking a break after an hour of grueling arguments about how the melody should be played Naruto was sitting in the corner where the coffee table was and arranging the accompaniments and each part the instruments were going to play. Karin specializes in electronic drums while Kiba’s forte is in the traditional percussions, two guitarists with two different sounding electric guitars made Shino and Sui’s team up and he still had to adjust the lyrics.



The blonde was interrupted from his concentration when a light tap on the table caught his attention, his line of vision saw a mug that belonged to his filled with milk tea and a club house sandwich delivered from his favorite café opposite the building they were in. He looked up to the one where the pale hand belonged to and smiled at Gaara whose headphones were still on.



“Don’t overkill. I’ll help.” The blonde muttered thanks and didn’t care if he was heard, he was sure Gaara saw the way his lips moved through the grateful smile and he pulled another chair from the table beside him, patting the seat as a gesture of welcoming the redhead’s help.



From the opposite side was where the lounge was, while Kiba and Karin busied themselves in boasting about their tattoos, Shino busied himself in watching discovery channel on his cellphone but Sasuke had nothing to do, he wondered if maybe he should help Naruto and Gaara too. But he had already given his part of the deal by writing some parts of the lyrics which he and Naruto had a bit of a formal disagreement with but eventually coincided on what words should be put in.



‘Even the argument was so formal…’



“He’s amazing, that guy.” It was Kiba who flopped himself beside Sasuke while still maintaining a respectful distance between them since Karin had scurried off outside the studio because of an important call.



“Who?” He indulged, finding the start of a short conversation at least a way to pass the time. Kiba jerked his head to Gaara and Naruto’s direction.



“The guy you were staring at just some seconds ago?” He arched a brow, no he wasn’t staring, was he?



“I was not staring at anyone.” He insisted, finding Kiba’s smirk infuriating for some reason.



“I knew Naruto from college days, Shino’s the same. While those two knew each other since high school since they entered the same music school. You know Gadsen?”



“The one who’s famous for making world class pianists? He went there?” Sasuke asked in disbelief, if there was anything that Naruto sucked at, it was studying, he was only good in singing and even that he had to really try to get the notes right. He remembered that back then he was in the choir while Naruto did the conducting every time there was a competition, he didn’t know why the blonde chose that position or that maybe he really had no choice since the other were better.



“Not only pianists, I don’t know much about it but I think he was a scholar there with Gaara. But leader dropped out his first year in college, it’s an escalator school you know? Didn’t even pursue the college while Naruto continued. Voila and he’s a lecturer now.”



“That’s where he’s going before and after going here?” Kiba nodded, the brunette grabbed some chips on the table and after Sasuke declined his offer for some snacks he began munching them as he continued.



“He frequents that place so often I wouldn’t be surprised if he lived there. When I dropped out of college because of me old man’s work, I didn’t expect to get in touch with them, Shino’s father owns a violin shop so he sees Gaara every now and then. And then in an instant we were already forming a band. How ‘bout you? Heard your family’s filthy rich, don’t you have to go and succeed some company and stuff?”



Sasuke chuckled, uncharacteristic of him and answered. “I completely crushed their dreams for me. Shoplifting. Skipping classes. Typical rebel. I can never be like what my brother was.”



“Oh, sorry ‘bout that, chum.”



“I don’t think much of it as a dog’s bite. No offense there.”



“Fuck you.” Kiba scowled but the both of them still found the moment amusing so they snickered with each other.



“Anyway, but why Amaterasu? The first time I heard of you guys I thought you were some religious cult or somethin’.”



“Hmm…” He rested his back on the couch and stared at the ceiling, nostalgia filling his eyes. And he remembered, taking a quick glance to his side he saw a glimpse of Naruto and Gaara laughing with each other every now and then, well, Naruto was laughing, Gaara was just smirking but even that was a rarity only seen whenever he was with the blonde.



“—I knew a person once.” He began, deciding that it was okay not to mention any name. “That person no matter where he went shines so brightly in my eyes.”



“First love?” Kiba wiggled his brows, his voice a little teasing. Sasuke closed his eyes.



“I don’t know. I never thought so deeply about it. It was a short meeting, I transferred out my second year of middle school, I hoped to at least graduate together with that person. My family was always trashy ‘ya know? He was an escape for me.” Dark eyes snapped open and the first thing he looked for was Kiba’s face, mouth was hanging open, eyes in disbelief, devoid of any expression but shock and something dawning on him.



“Dude…” The rest of Kiba’s words were drowned with surprise as he pointed a weak finger towards Sasuke, Amaterasu’s band leader only shrugged and returned to his relaxed position.



“Every time there was a fight in the house I’d go to his place, there was always no one around so I thought it was okay. We were like friends. But we didn’t know each other’s family, and if there was anything we could call a pass time it was fighting, we seldom even talk, much less act like we know each other in school. I go to his house and he lets me in and lets me sleep. That’s just all there is to it. Could you still call us friends?” Sasuke opened his eyes again, some of his bangs obstructing his eyes but he can see none the less and watched Naruto brace his shoulders and smile at Gaara. “When my brother died and things got hairy I decided to become like that person, I wanted to be or rather for my music to be like the sun far surpassing the moon or the stars. But instead, it was just a way for me to cling to that person. A way so as not to forget.”



‘me’



“Hmm… never thought you to be quite the romantic. As for us, maybe it’s the same… I don’t know I just thought of it.” Sasuke remained his gaze on Naruto, knowing how his bangs were hiding where he was looking at and giving the illusion that he was just sleeping.



“To us, Naruto’s our Kirin. Wise and beautiful. But frightening when angry. You don’t want him to hate you I’m telling you.” At the mention of the blonde’s name he looked back at Kiba who was grinning a casual grin. “Yeah, I know you think that way too. Before we were like you guys and us. Always fighting. When we do something stupid he scolds us, when we do good he praises us. He puts together our music like no one can. The most important part is, he puts us together. And whenever we’re down in the dumps, he’s always got a way to cheer us up.”



Oblivious of being Sasuke and Kiba’s current subject of conversation, Naruto was already in the verge of finishing on what he would hope to be their single. He only wished that they would like how they had arranged the lyrics and music. He had considered all aspects before reaching to the final run through of the four minute song. If the listeners only knew how much of a brain torture it was making music they’d consider on downloading it off the net or buying pirate c.d.’s and instead buy the original.



“Woah take a look at that. Your bandleader’s human enough to buy Naruto food.” Karin said after getting away from her parent’s call and immediately kicking Kiba out on her self-proclaimed position on the couch beside Sasuke.



“Ouch! I swear Karin one day you’ll find yourself inside a package box going straight to Utah!” Kiba hollered, deciding to take a seat beside Suigetsu instead who was currently dozing off with his electric guitar in his arms like someone would suddenly try to steal it.



“Of course. Why? Because Naruto and Gaara had known each other for more than ten years.” Shino finally spoke up, the others trying to take a peek on what’s behind the dark lenses when it was lifted while Shino was rubbing his eyes that got tired watching T.V. from his cell, but alas to no avail since his fingers covered most of his eyes and when he finished rubbing them the dark lenses slid back into place. Kiba sighed, seems like they will never know.



“What, this guitar freak and I have known each other probably since birth and we hate each other.” Karin pointed at the sleeping Suigetsu with disgust written all over her.



“You don’t need to say that, we already know. There are just people who get along with each other at first meeting, and there are people who don’t.” Kiba said in a matter-of-factly voice and Shino nodding in response.



“For the first time you’re using your brain Inuzuka. Just like we do right Sasuke?” Karin practically chirped Sasuke’s name out, but the man only exhaled tiredly and massaged the bridge of his nose her perfume nauseating him even further.



“Karin will you stop clinging to ‘im like a leech? You’re not even his girlfriend.” Suigetsu yawned in the middle, rubbing his eyes to clear up his vision.



“Like we couldn’t tell.” Kiba smirked, crossing his legs on top of the table.



“Hmph! Well we will be! Sasuke-love is just waiting for the right time ‘cause with the media and all. Those girls don’t even have a chance.” With that Kiba acted as if he was going to barf, he covered his mouth and pretended to heave, waving his hands towards Suigetsu who played along and started to look frantically for a plastic bag and for further dramatization Shino with a simple movement of his hand, patted and rubbed their drummer’s back with an amused and suppressed smirk.



“There, there Kiba. Don’t be shy. Let it all out.” Kiba was in hysterics at Shino’s mockingly soothing voice said with a straight face, it was something that only Shino could do.



“Looks like there’s something fun going on here. Mind if we join in?” It was finally the arrival of who they were talking about earlier. Naruto sat on the arm of the couch beside Kiba while Gaara remained behind him, the headphones still in place.



“Naru-Naruto--” In the end Kiba wound up coughing and heaving for real, but just because he was too drowned in on his humor.



“Take a breather dog breath. It better be not me you’re talking about or you’re toast.” Naruto fake-glared in good nature while Kiba shook his head while slowly trying to regulate his breath to say that he wasn’t talking about him, at least, not now.



“How’s the song? Coming through?” Sasuke asked, jerking his arm away from the pouting Karin who found no opening to retort at Suigetsu and Kiba’s antics.



With a bright smile Naruto waved his hand that was holding the remade and rearranged music scores to Sasuke and the rest before giving it to the band leader of the rival group. “Try it out. I don’t usually do stuff without hearing the latter first. But unfortunately I’m already out of time. If you want to do minor adjustments Gaara can help, he knows the drill.”



“What if you don’t approve? I mean don’t Sabaku have his own opinions on this?” Suigetsu drawled out again, raking his bleached hair that slipped right through every digit as if silk.



“I have faith in Gaara. He’ll do what I would have done if it was me so—I’m gonna go flash. Ciao!” With a pat on Gaara’s back and his chin-length fair hair bouncing with every movement, bag in hand, he was gone—in a flash.



“… go flash?” Suigetsu turned to Kiba with a tone of confusion in his voice.



“Self-explanatory dude. Wasn’t he already gone in a flash?” Shino chuckled, but even his smile looked creepy to them. “So let’s get this going on. We’ve got a gig in an hour.” Kiba started, motioning for the drums with a piece of score for his part while Karin stomped towards her electric drums.



+++



He was left coughing and chasing for much needed air, his back stinging, the pain from colliding hard against the hard and cold wall thrumming towards the surface, like fire spreading evenly on its surrounding trees. With his knees going weak Sasuke finally slid down the smooth floor.



Gaara’s steps were fading slowly, showing how the redhead didn’t care if he was seen by Karin or Suigetsu or even his own band members for that matter. With the raucous noise that they made someone was bound to notice and this time it was Kiba and Shino.



Ignoring Gaara, Kiba rushed off to Sasuke’s aid knowing full well that Gaara would never entertain questions by him, he didn’t before and he was sure he wasn’t going to start now.



“Yo dude, what happened?” Kiba asked as if Sasuke could answer despite the state he was in, bracing Sasuke’s arm over his shoulder and his hand secure over the man’s waist as he dragged Sasuke off the hallway and seated him on the chair he kicked with his foot to have it go out from under the coffee table. It was the nearest seat he could bring him to since it was located on the corner where you should turn if you’re looking for the bathroom.



Hearing Sasuke make coughing noises and Kiba’s cursing about Sasuke’s inexplicable heavy weight Shino remained standing at the opening of the hallway in a way that Kiba and Sasuke—if he struggled to look—could see him. There, one thing took his attention for a time, it was something that he remembered to have belonged to Gaara so he picked up the headphones which had a broken cord Shino considered to be the result of the fight and sat himself opposite of Sasuke.



“What the fuck is wrong with that bastard?” Sasuke rasped out, slapping Kiba’s hand away from rubbing his back, it was only making it worse.



“Chill, dude. Juzz tryin’ ‘ta help. Wanna water?”



“Just get it Kiba.” Kiba shrugged and decided to follow what Shino had said and went towards the tiny counter.



Kiba had excused himself for a call right after putting down a cup of water on the table and sped up outside the studio with a deep blush creeping on his cheeks, and judging on his looks Shino would have to trust instincts and expect for their drummer to not come back until an hour later.



For a while until Shino knew that Sasuke was calmer and had enough time to recover he decided that it was the right time to ask some questions, whether Amaterasu’s band leader would answer or not, the point is he asked.



“This.” He gathered Sasuke’s attention as he produced the broken headphone from his pocket and put it on the table for Sasuke to see. “What did you do?”



Sasuke blinked before scowling at Shino’s offending and cryptic question. “Excuse me? Your leader was the one who shoved me into the wall and you’re asking me what did I do?” But of course, Shino didn’t expect for Sasuke to understand right away what he was asking about.



“I apologize on our leader’s behalf on what he has done, and I also apologize for not telling you earlier on about the general unspoken rule between us. It’s just that I didn’t see you to be someone who pries in others’ belongings.”



What Shino has said had further infuriated Sasuke and the raven-haired man gritted his teeth, mouth opening after to make a comeback retort but he was interrupted before he could start a fight that was to be the first time to happen in his three years of being in the music industry.



“In our band, it is an unspoken rule never to touch ‘the M.D.’.” And then Sasuke paused, all the curses and retort caught up in his throat as his mouth that has hung open slowly shut tight. “We don’t know why, and although we want to know we don’t plan on trying. We just don’t do what is forbidden. Kiba learned it the hard way. It was a miracle you’re still able to speak.”



And then he remembered just what happened before he got shoved on the wall. There was a call for Gaara and taking responsibility for picking up the landline he was the one who called him out for it. There was no ulterior motive, it wasn’t even planned, it was just pure chance and childish curiosity that led him to do it. That M.D. on the coffee table was just lying there, flashing its light blue backlight like a hidden sign for him to take it and look through it.



Before he knew what he was doing he had already grabbed the M.D. and hid on the corridor with the headphones in place.



“Hn, let’s see just what kind of song you’re so into lizard freak.” Sasuke said in a low voice talking to himself while his fingers worked to scroll down the songs before he scowled and cursed.



“What the hell, ‘Praise to the earth’?” He chuckled, mind already counting of ways on how to ridicule Gaara in front of everyone, the last time he did that Suigetsu didn’t come out of his room for a week after finding out that he liked old anime songs like the ones on Voltes V and Daimos. “Does this mean all the time that he’s on earphones this is the only song he’s been listening to?” He asked himself again, pushing the play button since other than that one song there was nothing else.



The introduction was made up of a choir of singing voice, he judged that it was recorded since even the voice of the emcee introducing the choir group and the large and long applause was there and somehow he found the name of the choir group familiar. He tried to remember, he really did but he couldn’t find the conversation where he had heard that name before.



‘… entered the same music school. You know Gadsen?’ Immediately something clicked on his mind but before he had the time to put that into words something had already snatched his attention away from his musing. A voice far richer than what he had first heard, coated in velvet and as if belonging to an angel that lone voice sang words of praises to the nature and all its beauty or at least that was what the lyrics said while the other voices remained silent, so silent that it was like that singer alone was singing on an empty podium.



He knew that voice from somewhere, whether it was shouting, screaming, giggling or cheering it was still the same. It took him back to petals of cherry blossoms falling over their hair and sticking to their black spring uniforms, of opened doors and warm welcomes and offers to stay.



It was…



And then he was grabbed tight by talon-like fingers from the shoulder, turned roughly and shoved against the floor so hard he could have sworn he heard something crack despite his struggle to breath. His ears stung, having realized that before all of those things the ear phones was already pulled from his ears and the M.D. escaping his hands to go down the floors.



He felt knuckles press hard against his throat as his collar was fisted, cutting off most of his air supply, he was lifted and shoved against the wall, ragged breathing that he was sure didn’t belong to his and a blurry image of two balls of mint green and red surrounded his distorted vision. With the sound of blood pounding through his ears he heard the words clear as the pain spreading hot on his upper back and chest.



“Keep your hands off my property if you still want to live, or sing for that matter.” When the knuckles pressing against his throat disappeared, he coughed, he heaved hard and the rush of air back into his lungs if anything was painful before he slid down. He could hardly see the white floor but he knew that whatever Gaara did before straightening up and walking out was pick up the M.D.



One thing was clear to him and in that place, in that painful moment he had realized all the things that was ridiculously obvious he was an idiot for not noticing.



“Hey.” He finally said after a long moment of silence between him and Shino.



“Yes?”



“What’s going on between those two?” Shino remained silent, but he could feel it, the way how the twitching of Shino’s hand resting on the table was not kept hidden by his observant eyes, his manager would often say he was a better lie-detector than a polygraph. He knew that Shino knew who he was talking about and behind those dark lenses he was sure that those orbs had already lighted up in recognition.



And then Shino braced his elbows on the table, interlaced his fingers and showed an eerie amused smile in front of Sasuke. “Whatever do you mean by that, Uchiha-san?”



He got his answer.