Chapter Text
Sakura wiped her palms against her dress, the mic in her grip kept slipping. Sweaty palms were not going to get her down. Even her nerves weren’t going to stop her from steeping out on stage. Sakura Haruno, intended to sing her heart out and make it on the live shows. This is something she wanted to do, not what others wanted of her. It is her dream, no one else is going to claim it.
“They are ready for you.” The stage manager motioned for her to step out onto the stage. “The camera’s are slightly frightening the first time, but just breathe. It’s just judges right now and the camera crew.” He gave her a smile trying to calm down her racing heart. A nervous singer is something he is very use to.
“Thank you.” She choked out, brushing her short hair behind her ear. The bad hair cut Ino had given her a month ago still hadn’t grown out enough for her liking. Her eyes trained on the red taped ‘X’ on the floor. Refusing to look up until she made it perfectly in the middle. Her gaze lifting to the three judges sitting at a wooden table draped over theater seats.
All three were the industries finest. The ones who knew talent from a mile away. Tsunade, sitting in middle, the ballad singer. Over her 30 year career she had been number one on the charts and on every list since her first single.
To her left sat Jiarya, head of Sage Entertainment, he is the owner and ceo of one of the most profitable entertainment companies. The home to some of the most legendary boy & girl groups to date.
On the right sat the biggest and most respected music critic. Orochimaru, the song writer whom can predicted a career path before it even begins. People he says will be number one, even if people laugh at his suggestion, he eventually gets proven right.
“Hello.” Tsunade started out, her smile trying to coax the girl from fainting.
“Hello.” Sakura whispered into the mic, slightly started by the playback. It took her a second to reorganize her thoughts. The blood rushing through her brain made her more dizzy then she wanted to be. Her eyes darted to a couple of camera’s before landing back on the judges.
“What’s your name and where are you from?” Tsunade questioned, the usual introduction.
“Sakura Haruno, from Konoha Village.”
“Another one of you.” Orochimaru gazed over at the white haired record owner.
“Hey now, it’s not my fault we tend to have talent.” Jiarya joked. Tsunade ignored them, her eyes on the pink haired girl.
“Sakura, are you nervous?”
“A little bit.” She nodded a natural smile coming out.
“Don’t be. We want you to succeed.” Orochimaru rolled his eyes, leaning back in his chair. Not everyone wanted her to. The Snake of Music certainly wasn’t one to route for anyone before they opened their mouth.
“What will you be singing today?” He wanted this to be over and moved on to the next person.
“Breakaway by Konan.” She watched the judges raise their eyebrows a little.
“Big song.” Jiaraya got ready to hear her crack at the belting notes. Konan, signed under his label and knew her voice quite well. The first time she sang it, she cracked too. Took months of training to get it right.
“Whenever you are ready. Good luck.” Tsunade encouraged.
“She’s so nervous-” Orochimaru whispered to the other judges and for the cameras. Closing her eyes, she took in a deep breath feeling the tension in her wrist slowly leave. Her heart was still racing, but this was something she could do in her sleep. Opening her eyes at the first chord, Tsunade sat up right catching something the others didn’t notice. She saw exactly what she sees in the mirror every day.
Determination.
‘Grew up in a small town
And when the rain would fall down
I’d just stare out my window
Dreaming of what could be
And If i’d end up happy
I would pray’
Orochimaru sat up straight, his hands clasping together on the table. Jiarya who had been bouncing his knee paused and went rigged. Tsunade smiled behind her clasped hands. Her voice was deep and even. The pitch was perfect, everything about her voice hadn’t been something they had heard before, at least not in a while. It was unique to the current pop scene. It added depth and passion to a song that had been sung by a more lyrical voice.
Trying hard to reach out
But when I tired to speak out
Felt like no one could hear me
Wanted to belong here
But something felt so wrong her
So I prayed
I could breakaway
Sakura felt the tension from the judges build as she came to the chorus. An image of her family back at home not knowing she was here. Her mother is probably calling or texting her phone wondering why she missed her study session with the tutor. They had wanted her to go to college and be a doctor. Doing something for herself instead of other people, it was her chance.
I’ll spread my wings and I’ll learn how to fly
I’ll do what it takes til’ I touch the sky
And I’ll make a wish, take a chance, make a change
And breakaway
Her friend Ino helped pick out the right dress for today, yet she knew Ino felt her own reservation about letting her come. She remembered Sakura as this shy girl who could barely speak to anyone. Naruto and Hinata sitting in the waiting room. They both came to support her through both the good or bad tears she may shed today.
Out of the darkness and into the sun
I won’t forget all the ones that I love
I gotta take a risk, take a chance, make a change
And breakaway
The music switched the bridge. She only had a few more lines left to show what she was worth. Her heart began to hurt when she thought of Sasuke, sitting next to Naruto out in the waiting room. He knew she need to do this but both knew his future was in Konoha village. Following in his families footsteps in taking over the museum. Both of them knew that doing this, would cause a future distance between them. If she succeeded it meant loosing him in the future. Sasuke knew if she got on the live shows there was no way she wouldn’t walk away with grand prize.
Buildings with a hundred floors
Swinging around revolving doors
Maybe I don’t know where they’ll take me, but
Gotta keep moving on, moving on
Fly away, breakaway
She let her emotions come out as she belted her heart out repeating the chorus one more time. Her eyes were misty, emotions laid out there for everyone to see both in person and in their homes. With a final last note, Sakura dropped the mic in one hand, clearing her eyes with the other. Tsunade leaned back, tears of her own coming out. Jiraiya smiled looking over at the stone faced Orochimaru. Everyone sat with their feelings for a few seconds passed by.
“I didn’t know I needed to hear a voice like that until today.” Jiraiya smiled. “There must be something in the water in that village.” he shook his head looking at Tsunade. She dabbed a tissue at her eyes.
“Damn it Sakura!” She laughed, shaking her head. “Your emotion throughout the song reminded me of when I first started. The drive, the need.”
“You’re just a big old softy aren’t you.” Jiaraya teased the singer. She slapped his arm, earning a laugh from him.
“Shut up! I just…Even when you were clearly emotional your voice never wavered, it only seemed to empower it. If this is your first song I can’t wait to hear the rest you have for us.”
Orochimaru took a few seconds of silence, while everyone waited on what he would say. Cameras trained on both him and Sakura.
“It’s been a while since I said this, but if you continue on the path and growth you need. You’ll be a bigger star than any of us have ever seen before. You just made the biggest star in the Land of Fire’s iconic song your own and nailed it on all levels.” Sakura smiled wide, trying to keep herself from crying more.
“I think you need to clear out your plans. Looks like you're upgrading to Konoha City!” Jirarya finished. Both him and Tsunade broke out into wide grins.
With finally thank you and bows Sakura walked out finally allowing herself to cry. Naruto and Hinata were the first ones to run over and hug her. Once Sakura broke free from their holds she walked into Sasuke's arms. He kissed the top of her head, smiling down at her.
“I knew you could do it.” He whispered while she cried. They walked away with her train ticket to the big city in her hands. Unknowingly in a month when the show would air she would also be walking away with the nation’s hearts.
Sakura sat on the train going back to her hometown. A very different ride home then she had left 10 years ago.
Pulling out her phone, she texted Ino saying she would be arriving in an hour. Sending another one to Hinata to let her know she was okay. Scrolling through the list of names on her phone she paused at his name. They had recently talked, just to catch up, but he didn’t know she was coming home for the holidays. She had lied last year to keep from seeing him, and this year she didn’t know if she could face him.
“Um..excuse me?” Sakura turned to look at a girl in her early teens. She had her hair short like how Sakura used to wear it and a school uniform from Konoha Village. “Sorry to bother...can I have your autograph?” She held out Sakura’s latest CD. Pulling a sharpie from her bag, she smiled at the girl.
“What’s your name?”
“Ayame.”
“Well Ayame, your one of the few people I know who still carry physical CD’s around.” She teased the young girl.
“I was visiting my grandmother and I always have them on me...In case my phone dies and I can listen to them on a CD player… I never miss a release!” Sakura signed her name on the inside cover. It was a picture of her lying in a meadow. Her pink hair longer then it now.
“Can’t wait for you to hear the new one coming out in a few months.”
“Really? Another one already?!” Sakura held up a finger.
“Our little secret okay?”
“Okay!”
“Do you go to Konoha High in the village?”
“Yep, I just started. My parents just moved her from the city. I stayed with my Grandmother until today. I was afraid I wouldn’t make it home in time to change.”
“It’s a good school, but tough on grades. Study hard and you’ll get into any college of your dreams.”
“Thank you Sakura!” She handed back the CD and watched her hug it close to her chest before darting back into the back car. Sakura chuckled to herself, writing a quick note in her phone to remember to send a signed CD & merchandise to Ayame before the new album drops. She had taken the 1 AM train to avoid crowds and people. The train ride gave her enough time to breath before being thrown back into her old life or returning to her new one. She wondered which one of her old friends would pick her up. Naruto or Ino, Hinata would be asleep.
When the train finally arrived at the station, Sakura stood on the platform with her bags looking for a blonde.
“Why are the blonde ones always late?” She wrapped her coat around her tighter, wishing she had just asked Sai or Hinata instead.
“Sakura.” His voice still sent her heart racing. She made eye contact with Sasuke. Glasses rested on the bridge of his nose, black hair a mess. He held a coffee cup in his hand.
“Sasuke?” She expected to run into him, just not this soon. He walked over handing her a cup. She took it eagerly, while he grabbed her bag. “What are you doing? How did you know-”
“Naruto asked me to pick you up.” The silent judgment of her not asking him for a ride.
“But-”
“Sakura, it’s cold. We can talk in the car. Drink your hot chocolate.” He started to walk towards the parking lot leaving her there for a few seconds. She caught up and walking next to him.
“Are there marshmallows?”
“And whip cream. Though it’s probably melted with how long it took the train to get here.” His face still the unreadable as it had been in the past. Sasuke reached out threading his fingers through her hand.