A/N: HELLO people! Well, although i said I'll persevere, I haven't done much have I? Anyway, here's an update. I'm sorry for being so late, if you read my Hurting chapters, I mentioned that I wouldn't be able to update until after exams. Well I will update here because 2 chapters seems a little pathetic. Lol.

Anyway, I have decided to just abolish that whole effects thing. I have a short attention span, and I am no longer interested in those features. You can play the song if you'd like, while the lyrics play. It would sound nice, but anyway, no pressure.

Also, I would like to say I have absolute NO PLAN for this story, I'm just going with the flow. I completely forgot what I wanted to do for this story so I guess I'll just do whatever in this.

Ah I'm speaking nonsense. Try to enjoy this. I wish Gaara would come back to Naruto. (cries)

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Write This

Songs:

1. A Whole New World by Brad Kane, Lea Salonga (voice actors for Aladdin and Jasmine in Aladdin)

-

Do you believe in dreams? Those fictional images that play with the fantasies in your head, and haunt you at night when you are at your most vulnerable? They are the sparkling stars of hope and longing, the solidified form of the wishes and secrets you hold dear in your heart. And just like stars, dreams are sometimes small and insignificant to everyone but the one who has them. To that particular person, their dreams shine brighter than the Sun, and its light showers on that person the possibility of achieving something impossible.

-

Kizune parked his car in the driveway of Keiko's home, grinning and shaking his head as he recognized the shrieking voices of his friends coming from the window on the second floor. He let himself in to the mansion, frowning at the familiar smell of alcohol wafting from the living room and jogged up the stairs to Keiko's room.

"Keiko? Suji?"

"SHHH!" Kizune blinked as his female companions shushed him with fierce glares and lay on their stomachs in front of a silver radio. He joined them as Matsuri's, the popular radio D.J. for 'The Sandy Playlist', voice echoed in Keiko's room.

"...do you have any words of encouragement for aspiring singers who want to be as great as you?"

"Well, believing in yourself and having the confidence to achieve your dreams is very important."

"What sort of dreams do you have now, Sakura?"

"My dreams? I suppose I want to continue to inspire people, and let everyone know they shouldn't look down on girls! Haha."

"What about these gossips I hear about Uzumaki Naruto and you being a couple? Do you have any dreams about that?"

"Wh-What? No, no, of course not! There's nothing about him and me!"

"So, you're telling listeners out there that there is nothing going on with you two?"

"Yes, I mean, no, there's nothing."

"She sounds convincing," Kizune snorted sarcastically, only to receive matching punches to his head. He groaned and rolled around in pain, while Keiko and Suji continued to drown themselves in the voices of Matsuri and Haruno Sakura.

"...rumours that he's playing the music just for you. What do you have to say about that?"

"There is NOTHING between us!"

"Aww, I think they look cute together. I wish Sakura would just see how sweet Naruto can be," Suji cooed. Keiko giggled and sighed, "Yeah, I heard his latest solo during the Fire Music Awards was dedicated to her as well. How romantic is that?"

"Handsome."

"Romantic."

"Cute."

"Hot."

"HOW PERFECT CAN MUSICIANS BE!?" Suji and Keiko screamed together, jumping up and down in a frenzy. Kizune stood behind them wincing and plugging his ears with his fingers. He tried to find some way to stop their yelling.

"Hey, HEY! Sakura's saying something!" Kizune shouted as loud as he could and gaped as the two girls went as quiet as a mouse within a fraction of a second, crouching in front of the radio. Shaking his head, he mumbled softly, "Don't understand you girls," and dodged out of the way of two more punches, smiling triumphantly. Keiko rolled her eyes at him and concentrated on Sakura's voice coming out of her radio.

"...But yes, I guess to sing, play or do anything for somebody, is the best way to give your best performance. To live for someone is the same thing. When you have that strong and real of a motivation as a person, anything you do is as perfect as it can be."

Keiko sighed at the brilliant choice of words. This sort of beautiful quotes are nothing to someone as intelligent and witty as Haruno Sakura, and Keiko turned to lay on her back, staring at the poster of her idol taped on the ceiling of her bedroom.

Gaara's aquamarine eyes held her gaze, intensity overflowing into her as she imagined his silent, calm face to be encouraging her. She smiled to herself for such a creativity and sighed, sitting up properly. Suji stopped her squealing at Kizune, fortunately for the latter, and stared at her friend.

"Keiko? What's wrong?"

"Nothing."

"'Nothing' is ever nothing for you. What's up?"

"Yeah, what's wrong, you've been moody for the whole of this week. Not to mention distracted, Mr John had to call you like six times before you responded to him, and Literature has always been your favorite subject," Kizune sat down with Suji, both sharing concerned glances about the brunette. Keiko saw their looks and merely pointed to the calender on her wall that had a picture of Gaara beside the dates of the month.

"You've circled 12th of July."

"A lot."

"Oh my god, is that the audition!?"

"Yup," Keiko muttered. A few months ago, Keiko had signed up for an audition to be a back up singer for Haruno Sakura's 'Cherry Blossoms Fall' concert, thinking that it would be a perfect opportunity to get recognized for her singing talent. It wasn't until the week before, when she heard a few girls trying out for the same part in the community recording studio, did she realize how foolish she had been. Sunagakure has been a city of music since... forever. There was always someone else who wanted to be a singer, or a dancer, or a musician. It was hard to be anything anywhere nowadays, least likely Sunagakure.

"I heard Naime was trying out, so I went to listen to her recording last week. It was good, way better than me. I think I should just pull out," Keiko muttered, tugging a pillow from her bed and wrapping her arms around it. She felt tears nudge the edge of her eyes, and Suji hugged her tightly.

"Shut up, Keiko. You're good, and you know you can do it. Don't let your insecurities eat you now."

"Yeah, Keiko, you've been practising too. Let's hear what you've got," Kizune encouraged, sitting cross-legged on the floor beside his best friend who stood up for him at the beginning of their middle school year. Kizune had flopped his audition at the guitar club try-outs, and no one helped him when he was being laughed at by the seniors except a girl he didn't even know.

That girl was Keiko.

"Yeah, look! They're going to play Naruto and Sakura's duet! Sing to it!" Suji agreed excitedly. She smiled at her friend since pre-school and pulled Keiko to her feet, turning up the volume of the radio.

"Thank you Sakura! And now, we'll have the duet by the pink haired beauty and her 'rumoured' beau-"

"He is not!"

"'A Whole New World'," Matsuri chuckled as she said the title, switching the controls and playing the newest single on Sakura's album.

-

The sounds of strings drifted from the speakers, seeming to penetrate the listener's soul and touching Naruto's heart as he recalled the memorable process of recording the song. He turned up the volume, letting a smile grace the mischievous features that made him a unique star among Konoha's musicians.

"I can show you the world
Shining, shimmering, splendid
Tell me, princess, now when did
You last let your heart decide?

I can open your eyes
Take you wonder by wonder
Over, sideways and under
On a magic carpet ride."

"Naruto?"

A voice timidly asked from the bedroom door behind Naruto. The teenaged pop star shushed whoever was at the door, soaking in his voice, but mostly in anticipation of Sakura's voice. He waved his hand and heard the door close quietly. Satisfied that he was alone, he closed his eyes and leapt from his chair, moving his lips to the lyrics and dropping back down as Sakura's sweet words entered the mix.

"A whole new world
A dazzling place I never knew
But when I'm way up here
It's crystal clear
That now I'm in a whole new world with you
Now I'm in a whole new world with you

Unbelievable sights
Indescribable feeling
Soaring, tumbling, freewheeling
Through an endless diamond sky."

"You can really imagine."

Naruto's head turned so fast he heard a crack in the joint. Sasuke's evil smirk was the only thing he saw before he fell, crashing onto his table and knocking everything that wasn't nailed to it onto the floor. He scrambled up too late, his best friend already trying to restrain his laughter. This meant that he had seen everything, Naruto flushed as he concluded mentally.

"Look, if you want to laugh, just wait until the song is over."

"Oh sure, go ahead and continue your... ballroom dancing," the last two words came out choked as Sasuke chuckled. By the brunette's standards, that was akin to rolling on the ground laughing. Naruto knew that and huffed indignantly.

"A whole new world
That's where we'll be
A thrilling chase
A wondrous place
For you and me ."

Naruto waited until the last moment before he turned off the radio and steeled his expression into a stern gaze. He turned to meet his friend's eye.

"What do you want?"

A normal person would've burst out laughing by now, for the sight of an idol dancing like a jellyfish on his chair and holding a paper weight as if it were his girlfriend would've been too much to handle. But Sasuke was not a normal person, he was a musically inclined vocalist who matured faster than anyone in his peer group.

Or maybe, he just matured faster than Naruto.

"Nothing, just to tell you that the director of Kazekage Music Industry is going to meet us soon, so you better hurry up and change."

"I'm already dressed."

"I meant change your brain settings from idiot to teenage-pop-idol-that-many-girls-have-no-clue-is-so-stupid."

Naruto cursed silently as a taunting grin broke onto Sasuke's pale face, mocking the blond to no end. He would've engaged in a friendly fist fight with him as they usually did when they met, but resisted as he heard his manager calling him from outside.

"NARUTO!"

"Coming!"

"I wonder how Sakura would react if she knew."

"You wouldn't dare!" Naruto threatened fiercely, but his voice level decreased as soon as Jiraiya came into view. Sasuke smirked once again. They both knew he would never tell Sakura, but Sasuke loved to tease. It was the only thing Naruto didn't have over his childhood friend. They were equal in terms of musical talent, but when it came to embarrassing situations, Sasuke took certain measures to ensure the brash blond never caught him in one.

"Naruto, hurry up, this concert is the highlight of your career! We need to start off on the right foot."

"I'm sure you've already slept with the director's wife," joked Naruto. Jiraiya was the most successful agent Naruto could have ever worked with. He did everything in his power to make sure his client became the best of the best. He was famous for his skills – as well as his ability to charm every woman he came across. Naruto never figured out what was so attractive about the silver haired pervert.

"Zip it, Naruto. This time its different. The director is not someone to be messed with. Trust me," Naruto's smile faded as he noticed the rare seriousness in Jiraiya's tone. Sasuke frowned.

"What's so intimidating about him?"

"The guy's rich, powerful, and cunning. He would stop at nothing to get what he wants. And judging by his status, I'd say he's been pretty good with his methods. Now get into the limo."

Naruto and Sasuke were shoved into the black vehicle, Jiraiya slamming the door in their annoyed faces. While he walked round to get into the front passenger seat, Naruto took out his phone and sent a message to Sakura.

"I said I wouldn't tell her, dobe."

"No harm making sure she doesn't listen to you."

"Meh, what's wrong anyway. Its not as if it were anyone else's song."

"I have an image to keep, Sas-gay."

"Hey, I thought you promised not to use that!"

"Only when you get a girlfriend."

"I did get one!"

"And you broke up with her after what, 3 weeks?"

"She was irritating," Sasuke muttered, looking out the other window. Naruto shook his head and sht his phone. He placed an arm around his friend, momentarily silent as he took a few seconds to treasure the moment. It was only a couple of years ago when he thought he might never talk to Sasuke again. He was glad things worked out in the end.

"Sasuke."

The dark haired boy turned to face him, showing him the emotionless face that melted the hearts of millions of girls around the world. Naruto stared for a few seconds and pushed it away.

"Too much of a good thing will spoil my eyes."

"Hey."

"Sasuke, you have to get someone. You can't deny that you're alone."

Sasuke stopped short, his original sarcasm lost in the air that suddenly became tense. He frowned, but did not answer. As much as he liked Naruto, he disliked his straightforwardness. It made him think, and that's where insecurities are borne.

He didn't like insecurities.

"Well, what do you expect me to do? Find a random girl on the street?"

"No, bu-"

"I can't just open my heart like that, Naruto. Its not easy trying to open your heart, when the last time you did, someone wanted to kill you."

"Are you talking about that gangster girl, I thoug-"

"I don't mean literally, dobe. I mean, when you get hurt. When you feel like dying. When someone hurt you so bad, you wish she just killed you so you wouldn't have to live with the pain."

Naruto stayed silent. He looked at Sasuke's side profile, a close up view many girls would kill for, just so they could admire from a close distance. It was just upsetting that those girls never saw the sorrow that floated inside his eyes, the loneliness he felt that pained his heart. They never saw past his good looks.

Sasuke was an idol, nothing more.

-

"Well?"

"Well, Keiko, I think you're just being nervous. Whenever you sing, your voice is naturally perfect. But when you want to sing it for something, you just... just..."

"Suck," Kizune stated simply. Keiko's expectant face fell, and she dropped on her bed with such a depressed face Kizune could have sworn even the bed sighed.

"Kizune!" Suji whispered angrily, but wiped away her crossed expression as she went to sit beside Keiko.

"Keiko, look at me," the brunette looked up at her friend, tear welling in her eyes. Suji, who was usually the more childish one, took on a mature role this time, and wiped away her friend's tears.

"Keiko, you're good. Believe me. You just have to learn how to sing freely in front of people. Don't care about what they think, care about what you feel. I know you're going to do great in the auditions, as long as you keep calm. Be natural, be yourself, and you'll shine just as brightly as the stars shine at night."

"Suji, thank you!" Keiko cried out and hugged her friend, who had been there for her when her parents could not. Kizune gave in to the girly mushiness and stood up to join in. The trio stayed this way in a tight embrace, all of their dreams hanging above them.

Keiko felt like hers was within reach now, because her friends had pulled it closer to her.

"By the way, Keiko?"

The pulled apart, the girls glancing at Kizune.

"Yeah?"

"I heard Gaara will be going, joining Sakura, Naruto and Sasuke as a judge for the auditions."

-

The red head walked slowly, knowing that he would be late, but not caring anyway. Shukaku strolled by his side, silent and calm, exuding confidence and an aura that made people stay away even if there were no body guards. Girls would've screamed if Shukaku wasn't there, but since he was always with Gaara, the famous song writer never heard them shriek their love for him in person. He doubted their so-called love anyway. It was short lived, temporary, only for a while before the next superstar walked down the street.

"Where are we going again?"

"To meet Uzumaki Naruto and Haruno Sakura, to discuss their first concert here in Sunagakure."

"Why couldn't father do this?"

"He said you needed some experience of handling the business before you took over."

Gaara was quiet at this, and Shukaku had an idea why. The red head's personal body guard knew him better than his own siblings, and although he knew Gaara had no intention nor interest in taking over Kazekage Music Industry, it will happen, as long as Shukaku was alive.

"Where's Temari and Kankurou?"

"Practising, of course. They always try to avoid any meetings with you around."

"Why?"

"Why? Because you're the youngest in the family, and your father proclaimed you his successor to his business! The eldest child and the oldest son were overlooked because your talent and skills are far greater than theirs. If they are not jealous, then they are not human."

"I'm not glad about this, am I human?"

"Master Gaara, you are not human," Gaara looked up at Shukaku as they reached the building where the meeting would take place. Kazekage Music Industry loomed over them, as if threatening to block out the sun. Like it, Shukaku stood tall, above Gaara and smiled menacingly at the young adult who seemed like a child compared to him. It was this smile people feared and respected. The smile that Temari hated, and Kankurou detested.

It was this smile that protected Gaara.

"Master Gaara, as long as I am around, you are immortal."

-

A/N: SORRY FOR THE LATE UPDATE ONCE AGAIN! I HOPE YOU ALL CAN PERSEVERE UNTIL THE END OF MY EXAMS. THANKS AND REVIEW PLEASE!

-JE