Chapter 1: The Piano

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Something I was thinking of in the middle of class, thought I would try it out.

My newest story! I hope it goes over well!

The large presentation room was dimly lit except the stage. Rows upon rows of empty seats were displayed all around him. The boy sat on the cold and slightly uncomfortable bench as his fingers flew over black-and-white keys easily. He was the only one there now; his teacher finished teaching him about fifteen minutes ago. He felt like just staying and playing the piano for a bit, alone and with no disturbance. His dark eyes actually held a bit of grey in them; they were mysterious and slightly scary to look at so he kept his eyes closed, not that he needed them open anyway.

He was blind, since the day he was born and for his entire life for thirteen years.

He had never seen colors or faces, not even his own. He only knew that he had black hair, pale skin and grey eyes.

His fingers continued to move, and the melody ran through him. The music consumed him to the point where he couldn't hear anything around him. He was unaware of the man who closed the theater door behind him and made his way to the front of the seats. The man watched the stage and the playing boy all the way until he sat in the very first seat in the front row. He sat quietly and laced his fingers together and set them on his lap. His eyes continued to follow the movement of the boy's fingers as beautiful music filled the air.

The boy suddenly stopped playing when his watch alarm went off, signaling that the bus he needed to catch would be here in an hour. Using his memory, he stood from the chair and opened his unseeing eyes. He didn't use a cane or a dog when he traveled, it wasn't for seeming weak, but just that he didn't need them. He held one hand out as he walked directly from his chair to the wall opposite. Using just the tips of his fingers, he ran them along the wall until he touched the railing to the stairs leading. He grasped the railing and slowly walked down the steps and landed on the floor in front of the first row of seating. He shook his head when his bangs got in his face and started to tickle his nose. He walked forward and touched the first seat and followed the line down until he hit the middle aisle.

He hummed a little as he felt his fingers hit the wooden arm rests of each chair as he passed. The man sitting at the end of the row watched him with a small smile and put his hand deliberately on the arm rest. The boy stopped and was a little surprised when his hand came in contact with another. Without thinking, he grasped the hand and felt each finger as it curled over the wooden piece. The boy slowly raised his head and looked in the hand's direction.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't know someone was here," the boy said, taking his hand back quickly. The man sitting smiled and slowly grasped the other's hand as he stood. The boy held his breath as he felt the warmth of the other man against his fingers.

"Don't worry, no harm done. You'll have to forgive me, but I couldn't help myself. I heard you playing in the lobby and had to come sate my curiosity. You're very talented, being so young," the man said, his voice deep but smooth.

The boy gave a small blush as the stranger held his hand ever so lightly and gently. His unseeing eyes moved up a little where one would normally see someone's face. His other hand came up and gently grasped the wrist of the hand who held his own delicately. It felt young, and he knew older men to have much broader wrists and hands.

"I usually wait for the bus that comes at three. So I stay, and I get extra practice in and I also just like to play what I feel like. Had I known someone was watching me I would have been embarrassed," the boy said, closing his eyes. The boy suddenly opened his eyes and took back one of his hands.

"I'm sorry, how rude. My name is Sasuke," the boy said, shaking the hand who held his. The man smiled at him a little wider and grasped the boy's hand more firmly.

"You can call me Mr. I. I'm sorry if I'm stating the obvious, but doesn't being blind make it harder for you to play?" he asked. Sasuke gave a bit of a grin, like he wanted to hold in a laugh.

"What makes you think I'm blind Mr. I?" he teased. The man called Mr. I raised an eyebrow at the giggling boy. He noticed the boy wore a yellow band on the sleeve of his blue shirt. It was usually worn by disabled people to let the public know of a condition. Plus, by the way, he watched the boy use his hands and follow the rows; it was most obvious.

"Oh, my mistake, then all your careful movement is for a show?" Mr. I questioned, moving away.

Issue knew when he was being tested. He felt the man walk backwards toward the stage and smiled lightly to himself. Using his left hand, he reached upward and carefully poked the man in the middle of his chest. He let his hand fan out and felt that the man was wearing a business tie. His shirt felt soft to the touch, made from an expensive fabric no doubt.

"Oh, are you a business man? I'm not keeping you from something am I?" the boy worried, still shameless that his hand was spread dead center on the other man's chest. Mr. I smiled and shook his head, gently taking the boy's hand again.

"I just finished meeting with someone. If you don't mind, would it be all right if I heard you play again sometime?" he asked. Issue smiled slightly.

"Sure, I guess, I don't own the place so anyone is welcome to come and listen. I practice every Saturday from twelve thirty to two," the boy said.

"Excellent, well Sasuke, since you have a bus to catch, shall I escort you to the lobby?" his deep rough voice asked. Sasuke tilted his head but nodded anyway.

"I'd like that Mr. I," he said. Sasuke suddenly realized something and it showed on his face.

"What's wrong?" the man asked. Sasuke pulled away from him and touched the top of the stage behind him.

"I left my ring on top of the piano!" the boy said, starting to walk along the edge back to the stairs. Sasuke stopped when a hand placed itself on his shoulder. Sasuke turned his head a bit "Yes?"

"I'll get it, wait here," Mr. I said, walking past him. Sasuke heard the man's shoes clack against the floor and hit the wood of the stairs. Sasuke followed him with his eyes as he heard the man move across the stage and to the large black piano. He heard the scrape of his ring picked up and was curious when the man walked toward him and jumped off the stage to the floor. Sasuke smiled and turned toward him, holding out his hand to accept his ring. He was surprised when the man grasped his wrist and slid the simple silver band onto his left ring finger as if he was a bride.

"It is a very beautiful ring. May I ask who gave it to you?" the man asked, examining the silver with his piercing eyes. Sasuke rubbed the ring with his other hand before holding it to his chest.

"Someone very special to me and that is all I am going to say," he said softly. The man nodded slowly, and he felt as if the boy could sense the movement.

"Well then, shall we proceed?" he asked, holding out his elbow. Sasuke reached up and carefully grasped his sleeve.

Sasuke followed the man down the aisle by touching his elbow and holding on. They walked past the doors, and into a long hallway before Sasuke started to feel heat against his face. The auditorium had air conditioning so the heat was a little overwhelming. They stopped when they reached the very entrance doors.

"Here we are; I hope to see you soon. Do you need help to the bus stop?" he asked. Sasuke shook his head as he let go of the man's elbow.

"Don't worry; I make the trip by myself every Saturday, so I know the way by heart. It was nice meeting you, even if it was a bit unexpected," the boy said.

"The unexpected is what makes life special Sasuke," he spoke as if it held a deeper meaning. "But yes, it was a pleasure to meet you," he said. Sasuke gave a slight bow before he stepped away and waved.

"Good-bye!" he said.

Mr. I watched as Sasuke walked to the doors and pushed them open, walking into the summer heat. Out of curiosity, he followed the boy a little. Sasuke touched the railing that led all the way down the large cement steps of the theater.

Six steps then a ten step flat before another seven steps to the street…

Sasuke counted in his mind from his memory and made it all the way to the street. He heard cars zooming by, as he placed his hand against the brick wall beside him that lined the theater's gardens.

Sixty-two steps to the corner and forty-two steps to the alley way. . .

He followed the brick wall all the way to the corner before he made a right and followed that too. He crossed the small alley way to the resident area before he placed his hand on another brick wall.

Exactly, thirty steps until the street steps and six strides to the bus stop bench. . .

He carefully went down more street steps before arriving at what he knew was the bus stop. He sat on the bench and looked at his watch. He pressed a small button on the side and held it to his ear.

"It is now, 2:55," the small device told him. His father had it custom-made for him to tell him the time. He waited the five minutes as his bus pulled up, and he heard people getting off. He knew the bus driver pretty well and carefully went up the steps to sit in the very front seat, usually reserved for the handicap. The bus doors closed, and he headed home.

Mr. I had followed him and watched the boy make the trip. He was in awe at how Sasuke made his dark world work for him. His cell phone suddenly went off, and he took it out, placing it to his ear.

"So, did you get to see him?" the voice asked. Mr. I made a sound in his throat.

"Yes, he is everything you described, and he hasn't changed a bit at all," Mr. I said, still watching the spot Sasuke had left from.

"Do you still want to go through with it?" the voice asked him. It only took a moment for him to reply.

"Of course, meet me at my apartment."

TBC