Marked By Jutsu

Marked By Jutsu

Part XXI


Naruto


I guess it was only natural for me to be angry at Sasuke. I mean I knew why he wanted to leave. I even knew his reasoning behind it. (Though he didn't know that) But I still couldn't help but feel he was betraying all of us. We hadn't even been together long enough to establish ourselves as a respectable group yet. It bothered me on many levels. In the very least I had convinced Sasuke to stay until our CD and tour was done. I knew after that though he was going to leave for an undetermined amount of time. Past that, I didn't know what any of us would do. I guessed Gaara would go back to the Pseudo band he had with his siblings, Neji back to school and maybe even become a tutor in music or something, Kabs would go back to work with many groups and not just one specifically, but I didn't really have a 'something' to do. Yea I had a place and a part time job, but it was a special, all-encompassing thing. Plus, it'd be lonely not having all my favorite eye candy around.


I was so conflicted that I hadn't even realized all my loud thinking was disturbing Kyuubi. He growled at me a bit and suggested I go work off my tension practicing. His annoyed mumbling made me think back to the plan Itachi had been working on. I wondered if there was a way to push it along quicker, or to alter it so that Sasuke never had to leave in the first place. My first thought was oddly enough to go find the intimidating man and see if he had time or the means to sneak around and work on altering plans with me.

To my dismay though, their studio was locked and no one in it. Suffice to say I was a little upset. I sighed and slumped against the door angry with my lack of control in the situation. At first I had been so excited about our band, but things were starting to spiral out. Sasuke wanted to quit for some god-forsaken reason, Gaara and I were developing an unhealthy relationship that I was not ready to pursue, I know that Ino was lonely and homesick, and then there was the issue of the snake-y owner. I had a feeling he was watching me too closely.

I felt sad suddenly. Maybe it was time for a break. We had been going non-stop. I'm sure there were other things my bandmates wanted to do. I felt selfish. Perhaps I could talk to the others and to Kabs to see what they wanted to do. In the very least, a vacation might have been good for all of us.


Footsteps aroused me from my thinking. I jumped as I noticed a young man I hadn't seen before peering down at me. He scowled at me before addressing me with a very terse voice.


"Hey kid, you need to move so I can get in there and repair the wiring."

I jumped up and moved from the doorway unerved by the odd way his eyes rested on me. "Who are you?"


He smiled lightly before answering, "My name is Sasori. I'm their technician. And you must be the blonde Itachi mentioned."


"Naruto."

His change from scowl to smile startled me and I wasn't sure I could trust him. He unlocked the door and asked me to keep him company while he worked. I found out that Itachi and Kisame had come upon a new drummer that was rather hyperactive. He had been the reason for the short in their studio. Which explained why Itachi wasn't in there at the keyboard.

"Naruto, what do you know of your family history?" He asked suddenly.


"Lots of stuff, but stuff I promised a certain individual I wouldn't say." I frowned at his strange topic change. Kyuubi growled within me causing some stomach pains. "I have to go now. My stomach seems to be disagreeing with me."


He smirked at me as I walked out. "Tell your fox that I'm sorry."

I frowned in confusion then ran out of the studio. Kyuubi's rumbling had died down and he seemed to be purring? in approval. That had thrown me for a loop. I sighed and prodded him to let me in on the secret. I could feel him smile as he let me know that this Sasori had been named after a certain shinobi that had died while in akatsuki in pursuit of Gaara's demon. The boy from the studio had fashioned himself after the original as per request of the restless spirit. He was basically apologizing for the tragedy caused by the spirit's past mistakes. The explanation confused me a little bit, but I accepted it for what it was worth to Kyuubi.


Man there were so many strange people gathered in this place. I baffled me to think of how many people had a tie or multiple ones to my past. First of course had been my own band. Then I had a feeling kabs and his boss had a tie with all the reaction Kyuubi gave, my old detention teacher had reminded Kyuubi of the past, Itachi definitely had ties that he had admitted, then there was this new guy. It seemed like a never-ending cycle of spiritual connections. I didn't understand. I knew about religion and afterlife, but heck it didn't mean I understood any of it. I was slowly begining to realize that the stuff Neji always had studied actually was real.

I continued to our lounge. There really was nothing I could do to keep my mind off things. I sighed yet again and picked up my Kyuubi plush as I sat down on the couch. I assume I had fallen asleep because the next thing I knew, my mouth was full of couch fuzz, and the smell of dinner invaded the small lounge. I moved and stretched spitting the fuzz out and noticed Neji sitting across the way reading something.

"Whatcha lookin' at?" I murmured to him knowing full well that he heard me.

Neji looked up at me and swept some stray hairs back before responding. "Just more history. Learning about how people used to lives continues to interest me." He turned a page and tilted the book up. "I'm sure that even you paid enough attention in class to recognize the Hokages of old."


"Well of course. My bloodline had a few of them." I grinned widely at him.


"Then I'd hope you were at least somewhat versed in the history of them."


"Hey Neji....is it common for many people linked together by the past to be reincarnated in the future so close to each other?"

He looked up thoughtfully, "I'd suppose so if the timing is correct, or if all are tied to a certain person or event. Why do you ask?"

"It just seemed weird to me that so many people supposedly all linked to events of my ancestors to be concentrated here." I turned over on my back to study the ceiling, " It makes me wonder if something big is happening."

"Only time will tell." He stood and closed his book snapping me back to attention. "Smells like dinner is ready."

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Practices and recording sessions with everyone was always a tense matter. Sasuke and Neji argued more while I tried to mediate as best I could. This one was no different. The two were arguing about a wrong note hit. Sasuke had claimed it was Neji, while Neji swore that he had no such note. My mediating never got far because I ended up yelling at the both of them. It didn't matter who made the damn note to me, it just needed to be correct. Kabs of course had gotten angry at our bickering and stormed out of the studio massaging his temples. Needless to say, practice was on hold until all of us (minus Gaara) could calm down.

I think the tension had grown a lot since Sasuke's announcement that he would be taking his leave of us once the CD was done. That had nixxed any and all plans for a tour. In our own little wasy, I supposed we were trying to draw it out as long as possible. Of course we all knew that regardless if it was good or not, we still had a deadline. After that, everything was up in the air.

"Let's just start over."

The others nodded in agreement. I just couldn't find it in myself to sing at my best though. My voice wouldn't resonate and for some reason I lacked energy. Kabs later had told me I looked sad. And speaking of him, he returned not to long after we resolved ourselves to practice again. Things went a little more smoothly from there.


Afterwards, I decided on trying to meet up with Itachi again. It was important for me to have his plan work. I didn't want to lose Sasuke, or my Band, or heck even the wonderful experiences. It was odd that he was the key to any redemption the Uchiha family might have. It seemed so impossible, and in my point of view, unfair, but like I'd said before: I understood little to nothing about that kind of stuff.

I was happy to find his studio lit up with him alone at the keyboard. I will reiterate how incredibly sexy he looked in glasses. He looked up through wireless frames the moment I stepped in the studio. He evaluated me briefly and then rose to engage with me.

"What brings you here? We don't have any producing to do until Deidara learns the music."


"Your plan actually. Can we lock up please?"

He motioned me inside, locked the door, and then put some classical music on to drown out our conspiring. I took a seat on the plush foot stool next to his keyboard while he balanced himself back on the stool.

"So, what is this about my plan?"


I quickly explained to him that Sasuke had announced his desire to depart much earlier than expected, and that I had hope there would be a way to keep him from doing so. Itachi frowned very slightly reviewing the events in his head. He seemed to be formulating ideads on how to fix it.


After a time he finally spoke. " There is nothing I have a desire to do. Get more proficient Naruto. Find a new person to replace Sasuke. Make him feel as if you don't need him. That is what you need. He has a thing for taboo."

I was confused. Push him away, to make him want to be there more. I thought about that for a moment. It did seem to be somewhat true. He had pursued me more after my tryst with Neji. It seemed kinda logical, but I didn't know if I wanted to risk it. I mean what happened if he took it the wrong way and got even more pissed?

"Do you not believe me Naruto?"

I shrugged. "It just worries me."

"Try it later. Just do something small and make sure he notices, but don't let him get involved."


"But how is that going to make him stay?"


"It won't, but it will make him want to accomplish his goal quicker which then sets my real plan in motion. I know it's difficult to do, but trust me on this. My repentance also counts on if it works or not."

"I suppose I could try..."

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By the next practice I had worked up a viable excuse to experiement. "Hey Neji...." I made sure Sasuke could hear me as a spoke softly to Neji. "I want to start learning again..."

He quirked an eyebrow at me. "Guitar? I suppose I can set some time away for you. What made you want to try again?"

"I really want to learn this time, not just to stare at you." I blushed remembering clearly his lecture about me being too young.

He smirked and nudged me away. "If you really mean it then I'll help you."

"I promise it'll be worth your time this go 'round."

He tipped his head as if saying 'yeah right' before picking up his bass. I saw Sasuke from the corner of my eye pretend to not listen as he quietly tuned his guitar. I smirked to myself and picked up the mic. This was going to be interesting I could tell.

Sasuke seemed less antagonistic during this practice. I guess he realized that he was wasting time by arguing with Neji. It bothered me in a way. I still wanted to bide my time before he left because I didn't know what was going to happen whenever he did leave. It was a selfish desire I know, but I didn't particularly care. I just wanted our band to be successful and not suffer. I knew the whole reason we were here was because of Sasuke. It annoyed me that our success depended so much on him because of that perverted old man. I tried not to think about it though.


My focus was a little better this practice. While I was anticipating what kind of reaction I would get, I was more calm because it had seemed at least plausible that what Itachi had said was true. In the very least the anticipation had made me more energetic. Kabs had noticed and I think so had the others, but they had no idea what the real reason was. I smiled at the thought. Perhaps I was just as devious as them.


After practice was done I sat around while the others packed up. Sasuke seemed to be intentionally moving slower than Neji and Gaara. It made me giggle inside. I watched from the corner of my eye as he came to stand behind me when they had left.

"What are you thinking about?"


"Nothing Sasuke. Just taking a breather before a move. I feel good." I sighed for effect.


"You could have asked me."


"Asked you what?" I looked up at him innocently.


"At least I wouldn't have beat you with a pencil." He smirked. "Why didn't you ask me? I'd be the better choice since I do play guitar."


"Now why would I do that? He's taught me before, and besides...Don't you have some BIG thing to do that's making you leave? I don't need to ask you if my lessons would be keeping you from leaving." I smiled and jumped up. "Gaara and I going to Kinjutsu tonight. Feel free to join if you aren't too busy." With that said I left the studio.


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Sasuke of course didn't join us, which I already knew was going to happen. I really just wanted to come and dance. I hadn't been for a while. Gaara had been nervous about going with me since the whole tabloid incident, but now he was just as decked out and ready to dance as I was. Granted he was a bit more shy. Some upbeat stuff was already playing when we arrived so I wasted no time dragging Gaara to dance with me. He was still uncomfortable with the close proximity of bodies so he stayed relatively close as we danced. That was until we bumped into another blonde.


At first glance I couldn't tell if it was a he or a she. The voice instantly made it discernable. He started an argument with me instantly. And of course I was not one to back down from an insult battle.

"Deidara, I thought you promised no incidents tonight if I went. You know how much I hate attention like that."


"But 'Tachi..." the blonde whined as my eyes widened. "he bumped into me."


"Itachi...?" I murmured in disbelief.

"Ah, Naruto-kun...fancy seeing you here." He peeked around the blonde supposedly called Deidara.


"mmm Gaara is with me too--" both of us turned and noticed the other blonde was poking at a blushing Gaara.


"You're a cutie!" He almost squealed. "Want to dance with me?" He asked while snatching Gaara's hand and leaving no room for refusal.


I sighed in exasperation as I watched the hyper blonde take off with Gaara in tow. Itachi seemed amused at the situation as I heard a low chuckle from him. I hope this guy didn't frighten Gaara or make him even more uncomfortable.


"Don't worry." Itachi said softly. "I'm sure your little red-head can take care of himself. Deidara is quite harmless." He took my hand and led me into a position with my back facing him. "We can have a little talk while we're dancing and no one will know the difference."

I nodded and swayed with him blushing a little at his close proximity. His breath on my ear as he spoke did nothing to help the situation. I could feel my blush burning my cheeks. From a distance I bet we looked really suggestive, you know, hips rocking together and his lips resting intimately against my ear. TO my surprise though, his touch was completely chaste. His hands didn't wander, he didn't thrust, nor did his lips tease. It was kinda nice to not have some one going right after my ass.


"So....was I right?"

"I suppose so." I grinned up at him.


"Keep trying. You might find a breakthrough quicker than you expect."

"yeah. I hope"


The music changed to a much slower song with soft strings and bass. This position didn't feel right anymore so I turned to face Itachi. I hadn't done real slow dancing in a long time, but Itachi I could tell was well versed in it. He guided me gracefully about as if we were floating. Again his movements were lacking ulterior motvies. The music increased in speed a little, but kept the same soft feel to it. It was odd knowing that I was dancing with the reincarnated version of a family murderer, but I couldn't help but feel this time around I could trust him.


"Thank you for trying again." I whispered and hugged him quickly.


I think he was surprised in the action as well, but he showed no such signs. In some ways, I wished my past self had fallen in love with the elder one, but I knew it would never be. He said the perfect things, was polite, and despite his aloof manner, he was a fine example of a mate. My attraction to him was nothing more than respect and a small physical infatuation that I realized I had no interest in pursuing. I smiled when he looked down. It felt good to be free of that distrust.


I hadn't realized how long we had been dancing until the other blonde appeared with a rumpled Gaara in tow. Gaara was blushing profusely as he tried to fix his hair back in the head band Ino had loaned him. Itachi let me go and sighed at the other.


"I swear you're going to get me in trouble. Let's go before you cause a real scene."


"Un..see you later cutie." He gushed while blowing a kiss.

"Let's go too Gaara. You look a bit flustered."


I took his hand and led him out. He kept touching his lips with a wide eyed expression. It was bothering me, so I started, "What the hell----"

"He kissed me....." Gaara interrupted quietly


I busted out laughing and hugged Gaara close. My good humor must have been infectious because when we got back to the lounge Gaara was smiling. I grinned at him and kissed the top of his head before ushering him to his room.

"Sleep well."

The lounge was quiet. It relaxed me. In the dark stillness I stretched out on the couch and sighed feeling quite good. I had successfully resisted my own hormones and avoided a kiss with Itachi. I was proud of myself. Kyuubi growled in approval. The night couldn't have gone better.


"You liar...."


I sighed and turned to respond when a printout of a picture of me hugging Itachi was shoved in my face.


God fucking damn the paparrazi and their desire to screw things up.


"This is not what you think....."

A/N: Sorry sorry sorry sorry *bows a million times* Lots of background stuff I know. Good stuff is coming up in the next chapter. Thanks so much for sticking with me this long. I'm sorry again.


Scrap will be updated soon if you are reading that one too.