NARUTO: Tobirama/Sakura - "The Lost Ones" drabble series [Part Twelve] - #tobisakuweek2023

[moor]

      

Prompt: Fake Dating

Rating: T, maybe M later
Squicks: Misunderstandings, loss of family, misunderstood intimacy

A/N: Age Chart


Part One || Part Two || Part Three || Part Four || Part Five || Part Six || Part Seven || Part Eight || Part Nine || Part Ten || Part Eleven || Part Twelve ||

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Tobirama fumed in the limousine days later. “Stop it.”

“You’ve been staring out the window for over an hour,” said Hashirama, still holding up his phone.  “There’s nothing to see.”

Tobirama hadn’t been looking at anything. Satellite radio played the latest hits and Tobirama had been trying to lose himself for a while, without success. “I’m tired.”

Hashirama kept recording. “I meant to ask, when did you start playing the—”

Suddenly, Tobirama bolted upright and Hashirama froze.

From the radio, familiar tendrils of guitar… Tobirama’s heart panicked.

 

Let me be your dragon

I’ll help you burn them to the ground…

#

Let me be your dragon

I’ll help you…

 

“Sakura!” shouted Ino, grabbing her as Sakura’s legs folded under her.

 

Let me be the one

To praise your burning sun.

Please let me be the one

To taste your bittersweet tongue.

Let me be,

Let me be the one.

They forged you into their shield

And made you take their fall

I’ll be the sword you wield

I’ll cut them through, and all

I ask in return

Is that you take a minute,

Just a minute,

To breathe, and love, my love,

Love yourself most of all

 

Sakura knew that voice. 

#

Hashirama’s forehead was lined as he shook his younger brother.

“Tobirama… Tobi…”

Trembling, Tobirama stared unseeing at the limousine speaker. 

How… How had that song been found… 

The thieves, he remembered with a crash of fury. The muscles in his jaw and fists tightened painfully.

The radio host broke back into the stream:

“Well folks, send us your best bets! The anonymous singer may be revealed if you sign up for our latest subscription service!”

A murderous growl rose in the back of Tobirama’s throat. Hashirama paled, leaning away.

“Kakashi,” snapped Tobirama into his phone. “I know who broke in.”

#

If there was one thing the entertainment industry excelled at, it was persecuting those who stood to profit from their efforts; or, in this case, Tobirama’s. The satellite station went silent within minutes of Tobirama’s call to Kakashi. Industry lawyers were wolves. 

Unfortunately, while they’d been able to track down the thieves, they had not been able to prevent the release of the song. It circulated on the internet and fueled hot gossip on all the entertainment sites.

“They’re comparing it to Sakura’s “Thank you, my friend”,” explained Kakashi. “The media is treating it like a duet from different perspectives.”

#

Tobirama kept flipping his phone in his hand as he paced his hotel room. His tongue traced the inner seam of his thin-pressed lips. 

Maybe she hadn’t heard it.

Maybe she wouldn’t put it together it was him.

Maybe she would laugh it off—

He choked. No, that option squeezed in his chest.

Hashirama knocked on Tobirama’s door and let himself in. He stared at Tobirama’s run-through hair and red-rimmed eyes, his lined expression and restless gait. 

Leaning against the wall, Hashirama’s expression softened. “They cut it. It’ll cool off,” he counseled.

It didn’t make it better.

#

“You’re sure you’re up for this?” asked Ino, a week later in a distant city.

Nodding at Ino’s question, Sakura smiled at the music video shooting crew as they made their way to the area designated for Sakura’s wardrobe changes. “I was just surprised. The singer had a unique voice.”

“You’ve had the song on repeat ever since.”

“No, I haven’t. It’s just on a playlist.”

“A playlist of one song.”

Sakura’s nose wrinkled as she frowned at Ino. Ino smirked.

Filming the shoot, Sakura drifted from one ‘room’ to another on set, consumed with her longing.

The music helped.

#

“We’re so grateful you could make it,” gushed the streamer. 

“We’re excited to be here. We called as soon as we found out we could make the timing work,” said Tsunade, escorting Sakura and Ino through the ‘studio’… of sorts. It was a renovated church-turned-home, but the acoustics were incredible. “This is an unusual and lovely setup. Did you design it?”

As Tsunade and the streamer got to know each other, Sakura poked around the studio space. Dozens of instruments popped out at her, hidden here and there among jumbles of clothes and trunks and—

Emerald eyes narrowed.

#

Tsunade sighed and rubbed her head as the police stormed the studio.

“You couldn’t have waited until after the interview?”

“Like fuck that ‘streamer’ is getting anything from me,” seethed Sakura, arms crossed as she supervised the seizure of the streamer’s priceless instrument collection. She snorted. ‘Priceless’ her ass. She knew exactly how much some of those instruments cost. She knew exactly where they’d come from. In fact, she had personally played several of them… in Tobirama’s conservatory.

“Mother fucker’s going to get what’s coming to him,” muttered Sakura under her breath, tapping her foot. “Fuck him up, my boys!”

#

Tobirama groaned and poked his head out from under his covers. He couldn’t remember what city or hotel he was in but it was dark which meant he was supposed to be sleeping, not groping around on his night table for his phone. But he knew that text message ring tone anywhere. 

“S’k’ra?” he mumbled, his eyes straining at the too-bright screen.

S: This is Ino, using Sakura’s phone. She’s talking to the cops. 

Panicking, Tobirama jolted upright in bed.

S: Don’t worry, she’s fine. She’s sending you a surprise. It’ll be waiting for you when you get home.

#

“You done checking your makeup?” asked Sakura, returning to Ino’s side.

“Yeah, thanks,” said Ino. She handed Sakura back her phone, immediate messages recently erased. “Things sorted out here?”

“They processed Tobirama’s guitars, they’re being shipped back to his place and the house-sitter I arranged is already waiting for them. Also, the new security system is fully installed and operational.”

“I don’t think Tobirama meant for you to make yourself that at home at his place.”

“Someone has to make sure he’s safe—I mean, that no one tries to break in again.”

Ino tried not to smile. Really.

#

The filming for the music videos was wrapping up in the final destination. The same beach she and Tobirama had argued on years before, when she and Madara had filmed the sequel to their first movie together. Sakura smiled to herself wistfully as the wind blew her hair around her face. So much had happened, it felt like a lifetime ago. Then she heard familiar voices arguing nearby.

“—told you, I want to go home.”

“Hahaha! Someone’s eager! What’s got into you?”

A car door slammed, but Sakura was already running, ignoring the people around her.

No, you’re so close—!

#

“Wait!” Sakura shouted.

But the lump in her throat swelled and salt wet Sakura’s cheeks as the limousine drove away. She would never catch it. Her breathing hitched as she tried to inhale and calm herself, but the tears wouldn’t stop. Ino caught up to her and sank to her knees in the sand, pulling Sakura into her for a hug. Sakura hadn’t even noticed she’d fallen.

“He was right there,” heaved Sakura, gesturing weakly in the direction of the disappearing car. “Right there.”

“Shhhhh,” shushed Ino, rocking Sakura against her. “Come on. Just another day or so.”

“It hurts…”

#

“… She needs more time at home…”

“… Keep it together until we get there, then…”

Sakura sighed as Ino and Tsunade whispered in the elite airport lounge behind her. She was embarrassed by her meltdown in the sand, but at least everyone on set had been super nice to her after. A mountain of chocolate and wine had shown up in her ‘trailer’. She reached into her purse and pulled out another bag of M&Ms, shoving a handful in her mouth. Fuck her stupid diet.

She glanced around and noticed a familiar shape in the far corner. 

Here? 

Now?

“Hello…”

#

The glossy finish was smooth beneath the fingers Sakura trailed over the graceful lines of the baby grand piano. Likely for jazz. Biting her lip, she traced several keys before playing softly. Her heart soared. It was tuned!

Ignoring everything around her, Sakura hopped onto the bench and tested her reach, adjusting it automatically to suit her. Then she hopped in place, unsure what to play. A lilting Schubert lullaby? She giggled as she played bits and pieces of Madara’s songs, changing the key for fun.

But then her voice rose, her fingers following along…

 

Let me be your dragon…

#

I’ll be the sword you wield

I’ll cut them through, and all

I ask in return

Is that you take a minute,

Just a minute,

To breathe, and love, my love,

Love yourself most of all

 

Tobirama’s breath stilled. 

It couldn’t be…

 

“Well folks, if there was ever a cover that sounded as eerily beautiful as its original, Sakura’s done it!” crowed the radio host. “We only have this snippet, but if anyone has more, share the link in our chatroom! Coming up next, You Cheat’s latest single, “Cry in the Morning, You’re Mine Tonight”!”

 

Unbeknownst to him, Tobirama smiled.
 

#

TBC

AN: Please check out this GORGEOUS fanart for "The Lost Ones" by lateroofnights  !!!!