Beyond The Camera: The Sequel

Chapter 11

-Hinata's POV-

Shirogane, True Talent's producer and host, smiled at us, "I think this will be one of our best seasons yet!"

It wasn't until Prestige arrived at the filming studio that I realized our competition was the members of Akatsuki and Konan. Sakura did some snooping with the staff running around doing their jobs and discovered that it was no accident that all of our competitors are people we're familiar with. The host went out of his way to ensure everyone would get along.

We're in the makeup room, listening to Shirogane greet us with some information about the competition show we're about to film. When I woke up this morning, I felt just as determined as when I'd gone to bed. It's time for me to be the Hinata I've always wanted to become.

I want to use my pain and experiences as fuel for my music rather than allowing the emotions to eat away at me inside. It's the type of artist Tenten is, and I strive to be like her because her music touches people in a way I've never felt from another.

So, yes, I may be struggling with the fact that many people hurt me in unforgivable ways, but channeling that stress for this show will undoubtedly be therapeutic. It's a chance to heal that I refuse to let pass me by. If I stay home and refuse to get back to my job, all my enemies will have won.

"I'm sure everyone knows how this works, but I'll give a rundown just in case."

Shirogane Hihara smiled politely, portraying professionalism and friendliness, "For the next twenty-four hours, you'll each be assigned to your own workroom and film crew within the building. The task is to write a song from scratch. You'll have access to any instrument; just tell us if the one you want isn't there. Then, the next twenty-four hours will be spent working with any instrumentalists and backup singers you may request. Finally, on the third day of filming, you will perform your work for a live audience in the auditorium."

His light brown eyes lit up excitedly, "I must warn you that additional seating is being installed as we speak. We usually house fifteen hundred guests, but the tickets sold out within twenty minutes of being on sale, and True Talent's fans were voicing their unhappiness, so on Wednesday, there will be twenty-two hundred guests in the crowd."

I felt eyes on me, likely one or more of my competitors but tried to ignore it and focus on the host as his explanation came to a close.

"The in-house crowd and a panel of celebrity judges will vote for a winner. The prize: Bragging rights, of course, but we're also awarding the winner half a million dollars."

Money's not really a concern of mine. The bragging rights would help with my injured self-esteem, but really just being able to say that I participated successfully at all is what I want.

"So, our artists will do your hair, makeup, and styling, and then you'll be off to work. Thank you, everyone, for coming to the show. I know I'm going to be blown away on Wednesday."

Shirogane left the room without another word. Honestly, I'm relieved he didn't find it necessary to approach me about the incident. Maybe Kakashi or Tenten called ahead and warned him not to.

"Hinata."

My makeup artist, a pretty young woman with an icy blonde pixie cut, gave the go-ahead to talk to the others while she finished setting up her workstation. Rising to my feet, I turned to see Konan and the three Akatsuki men standing there.

They all looked somber, Kisame's eyes even watering up, but Deidara came forward with tears running down his cheeks to hug me tightly, "We're so sorry for not realizing something was wrong!"