The Shamisen Playing Red Fox

A/N: Uuuuwaaah~~~ Here it is! Yeah I haven't updated this one quite a long time eh. My com went crazy and I had reformat the whole thing. Sorry... Well thanks for stinking around .... By the way some of you who faced some prob with the web address I put up in the last chapt. Ignore that. Go check on the once in my profile. From now on I will put the rest there. Ok on with the story~~~


Ps: Sabriel, thanks. I saw the typo and corrected it. And Jess249 dear, about Sasuke... well lets say he was imagining mating rabbits more than just 'mating' rabbits LOL...


Disclaimer: Naruto is not mine~~

Ps: by the way just to clarify things, Lower secondary consist of secondary year 1 to 3. Upper secondary is year 4 and 5. Okay? Enjoy


Chapter 4


It is Monday morning. Uchiha Sasuke is already up and now picking out his uniform in the walk-in closet. Since it is Monday, the blazer is compulsory. The raven walked out and threw the bunch that made up his attire on the bed.

After buttoning up the immaculately starched long sleeved white shirt, he put on his Navy blue pants. He tucked the shirt in neatly before putting on the Navy blue vest and the identically coloured blazer. Then he walk over to his bedside table and pick up the round collar pin and pin it on his left collar, checking on the mirror to ensure the word 'President' is on the right side up. A pale hands moved fluidly as the long flat material take shape of a perfectly made tie, finishing with a tie pin a.k.a school badge.


Satisfied, he grab his bag that was prepared with the needed materials for today's classes and head for the door. But of course not before glancing towards the toy fox beside his pillow. A smirk formed on his lips as he exits the room.


Sasuke walked down the steps with an unusual bounce to it that did not go unnoticed from the other person in the room.


“Good morning Sasuke, you seem to be in a fairly... happier mood today” Uchiha Itachi sipped on his coffee as he eyes his younger brother.


“Of course I am” The raven put his bag on the table and walked over to the coffee pot in the kitchen. “There is a little fox I am going to catch”

Huff. Huff.


The bell just rang a couple of minutes ago. If only he could just lock his damn bike then maybe he'll make it in time before the assemble starts.


Man.


Why had everything gone so badly since yesterday?


He had no idea how Uchiha-Teme found out about him working at Icha Icha. If that was really the stuck up bastard. The question had been invading his mind through out the night until exhaustion took over. He slept pass the alarm but made it in time but now the stupid lock had to give him shit.


There! Finally!


The blond dashed right out of the parking, jumping over the rows of decorative flower pots and plants. He skidded round the corner and slid smoothly in between closing doors of the sports hall; used as an assembly ground. He quickly strode to where his class are lined up, going through the masses of chatting students just as Iruka Sensei tests the wireless microphone.


“Testing. Testing” The brunette said as he walked to the center of the portable stage. “Good morning. Let begin our assembly with the national anthem followed by the morning prayer”


The sound of drums blare out of the speakers and the hall became silent instantly before the national anthem begins its robust melodies. Everyone in the room stood still and sang in synchronization. When the song ended, the art teacher proceeded to recite their morning prayer.


“Dear God”

“Dear God” echoed the students

“Please give us the strength and ability”

“Please give us the strength and ability”

“to concentrate and to follow”

“to concentrate and to follow”

“today's lessons. Thank you”


Everyone said their thanks and concentrated on the stage once more. Iruka was discussing something with Kakashi sensei and Gai sensei before turning to face the front again.


“We are going to do the personal data update this week during P.E (Physical Education) so everyone, please be present. Are there anything else the teachers would like to convey?” The brunette looked at others beside him and received a 'no'. “I will then pass the floor to our Student Council President who wishes to announce a few things”


The blond head turn up abruptly at that, eyes wide.


Sasuke move to take the mic from the other. The girls in the hall broke into fan screams.


“Sasuke-sama! Sasuke-sama~~~!”


Sigh.


Sometimes he wished that he could get that sort of attention. Not as Kyuubi but as Uzumaki Naruto. Not happening anytime soon.


With a blank expression, the raven on stage spoke. “Good morning”


(insert more girl screams)


“The Student Council has decided on the theme of this year's festival. It will base on Myths and Legends of Japan-”


Just then the dark eyes turn to look directly at cerulean blue and everything else that came through the speaker was a blur to him.


“- everything will be set in historical Japan; clothes, setting etc. Class reps are required to discuss with your respective classes and decide on your choice of entertainment or F&B stalls along with the names of those who would like to audition for the festival's performance” Sasuke motioned for Hinata to distribute the forms to the class reps.

He had not wanted to make long announcements in this morning assembly so he called for a meeting to be held with all class reps after last period at Year 5A itself. At the same time he can also brief his classmates instead of holding a separate one.


Two birds with one stone.


Well, you gotta be efficient when you are holding two posts.


“Solo or group, doesn't matter. There are no limits as to how many people are allowed for the audition. But only ten of you will be chosen. Any questions?” The raven looked around the class room until his gaze met a certain blond's eye to eye. Blue eyes immediately avert from his like how it had been the entire morning and it made him all the more smug.


“Uchiha senpai, when you say myths and legends, you mean demons and stuff?”


“Yes. Folklore and such. Like the Tengu, Kappa, Oni, Tanuki and even... Kitsune”


Crash.


All eyes focus on a huddled figure behind the last row, apologizing as he moved to pick up his scattered pen and pencils on the floor. Naruto abashedly sat back on his chair, putting his stationaries in an old video tape case he uses as a pencil box.


A smirk threatened to form but Sasuke coolly continue “The audition will be held in about two weeks time, definitely on a Friday, after school”


Everyone broke into gasps and shock.


“But” The raven interrupted “it does not have to be a perfect or full performance. I understand that it is too short of a time. However prepare the necessary; enough for us to judge you with, anything else?”


Confirming there were none, Sasuke dismissed the meeting.


The class reps walked out of the class in a buzz. Everyone is talking to each other, discussing about their plans


“Sasuke-kun! We are going to make you proud!” Sasuke and Ino exclaimed before exiting.


The raven internally groaned. He didn't want to think what the girls are going to come up with.


Most of the students have filed out save for the EXCO members and the remaining few of 5As mates. One of them being Naruto.


Sasuke eyed Naruto as the blond put on his sling bag over a shoulder and followed the rest of the classmates behind, obviously avoiding the raven. Without a glance the blond walked pass him.


“Kyuubi”


Naruto tripped and fell with a thud. The boy got on his knees and turn to face the raven with a scowl.


“What the hell do you want teme?!”


The other classmates quickly walked out of the class, not interested in getting involved nor being a witness to a possible blood shed.


“How did you find out?” Naruto asked through gritted teeth at his more composed class rep. Asking in vaguely as the other EXCO members are still present.


“He followed you” Kiba intercepted.


“No duh since he left that little piece of-........ How did you know?!”The blond looked at Kiba with unsuppressed the shock.


“Well, I overheard Sasuke telling Shika that he saw you entering an exclusive night club, they wanted check it out and I wanted to join in but I felt that it would be fun if we had the rest of the guys join us too so I called Hinata, Ten Ten, Neji and even Gaara agreed to come! The place is really cool by the way”


“I love the Margarita” Ten Ten said thoughtfully.


Naruto visibly paled. Never had he thought that his secret job would be found out this way much less by all 7 EXCO members of the Student Council.


“How did you get in?” It is quite impossible to walk in unnoticed by the bouncers with their looks.


Everyone flashed Shika's home-made ID, their appearance made several years older. The blonde can't help but think that Sasuke's matured image looked very.... appealing.


“Okay fine. I've been caught. Yeah I work at a night club so?” Naruto tries to stay clam though inside, he was desperately holding back a hysterical scream.


Neji spoke this time. “It is not the job that we are concerned about. It is your ability to play the shamisen that we like to make use of”


The blond look at the Vice President blankly. “What? You want me to teach you? Its gonna cost ya know” he said pretending to be nonchalant bout it.


Sasuke sighed, rubbing his temple. “No dobe, we want you to 'contribute' to the festival by performing your talent with the shamisen” Now that he has gotten Naruto's attention on the right track he continue “So we want you to come for the audition because it is only fair that you are chosen through the same process as everyone.......”


The incredulous look on the other's feature clearly says: Are you crazy?


Sasuke knew it in his gut that the blond was not going to give in to their request easily. Had the boy ever? “... in exchange for our silence”


Oh man that was low.


Blond brows narrowed “Is that a threat?” The usual loud and boisterous voice turned low.


The atmosphere in the class room was so tense you can cut it with a knife. The girls sat stiffly in preparation of an anticipated outburst and the guys kept glancing between the two people who are currently having a visual contest. Well, Naruto was the one who is trying to drill a hole in the raven's head with the killing glare while said raven is smirking his infamous smirk that always manage to drive the blond up the wall.

Much to everyone's surprise, Naruto did nothing but got up and dust himself. He turned towards the door and paused for a moment.


“Don't think that you can use it against me” With that he left.


Gaara finally made his presence known “What now?”


“Troublesome” Was all Shikamaru had to say.

The students along the hallway splits apart like the how Moses parts the sea when Naruto walked by. The people moved as far as possible from the menacing aura that still lingers even after the blond departs.

The blond stopped in front of his locker, insert the key into the lock and twisted open. The door slammed against another locker beside it, startling a junior. But Naruto didn't care.

Yeah he didn't care.

Cause he is pissed.


Pissed that his secret has been discovered. Pissed that it was Sasuke. Pissed that now the entire Student council now knew about it. And most of all pissed because he is being blackmailed into performing for the stupid festival run by the pain-in-the-ass Sasuke teme.


He grabbed the bag Jiraya passed to him and slam the locker shut.


On the way to see Tsunade, thoughts of voodoo play around his mind; dolls with dark hair and him poking pins all over them. Or maybe hexing? A curse? I turn thee into a frog! Mwah ha ha ha!


“Naruto?”


The blond look up to see a short-haired lady in a grey office attire.

“Shizune-san! Hi!”


The friendly secretary greeted with a smile. “Hi. Are you okay? You look a bit lost in thought just now” She moved behind her desk and sat down.


“I'm doing pretty good” Apart from being indirectly threatened by your job. “Anyway, is Baa-chan in?”


Shizune laughed heartedly. “If she heard you calling her that here, you are going to get it. She is currently with-”


Just then the door to Principle Tsunade's room opens and the last person Naruto wanted to see walked through.


W.H.Y.? God why?


“Dobe?”


“Teme”


“What are you doing here?”


“Well nothing for you to be concerned about” Naruto waved at Shizune and went pass him before the observant raven suspects anything.


Things will just get complicated if people knew you, a student and the Principle of the school has a relationship more than that. People will accuse you of many things. “oh you are so lucky to have the principle on your side” “Of course he got in, because he and the principle are close” “He always gets away with everything”


Blah. People can get so envious.


Naruto walked into the room and plopped on of the chairs in front of the desk. The busty blond woman in her fifties look up from her papers and her hazel eyes fell upon him.


“Brat”

“Baa-chan. I thought you said he usually comes in to see you on Fridays after school”


“Huh?”


“Sasuke-teme”


“Oh.... he just wanted to give me an update on the festival thing thats all. He seemed to have sped things up”


I know.


“Whatever” Naruto choose to change the subject and place the paper bag atop the table “Jiraya wants me to give you this” He push the bag forward.


Instantly the hazel eyes glow. “Its sake isn't it?” The blond woman peeked in the bag where a box could be seen. Impatient, she opened it.


A simple transparent glass bottle containing 'superb quality alcoholic liquid' as quoted by Tsunade, is taken out. She uncapped the thing and sighed contently as nose caught a whiff of the sake.


“Jiraya can be so sweet when he isn't his perverted self”


Naruto shake his head seeing the way his sister figure act acting like a kid on Christmas day, humming as she got um to retrieve a sake cup hidden in her wooden cupboard behind her seat. She poured it into the cup carefully, not allowing a single drop to go astray.


“I feel for you kiddo.... If only you can share this wonderful sake with me” Tsunade sighed before taking a sip. “ah~~ wonderful... so so wonderful”


“Good for you. Well, I need to go” Naruto stood and adjusted his bag “Got bills that needs to be paid”


The principle look at him seriously “Let me know if you need-”


“Its okay. Really....Thanks to ero-jiji, my job pays well enough for me to survive on my own” When it seemed like Tsunade was going to speak again he interupted “I will let you know if I need help... I promise”

“Fine you stubborn brat”


“See ya baa-chan” Naruto said as he shut the door behind him.


Thoughts of a certain raven haired president invaded his mind again. He tried to focus on the day's task but...


“The bastard can go to hell for all I care”

Yeah.

That was what he had told himself for the past week. And yet he ended up being the first to arrive at the audition anyway.

End of chapt


A/N: A bit short but it gets the wheel going. Look out for the next chapt! What is going to happen at the audition? And what happens when our favourite blond got alcohol in his system? o.O