Ahhh..starting college finally gets me off my lazy bum! Lol, it also means though that's I don't work as much on my stories. And its only 2 classes~
The first thing any new person would notice when entering the girl's dressing room was the overwhelming stench of the multiple perfumes that were sprayed before the show started. On the second floor where the three of them were, three being Hinata, Sakura, and Ino were where both dressing rooms for the girls and boys where located. As well as, where Hinata had entered the building.
Without a chance to look around the room more thoroughly the girl is forced down gently into a high stool. She glanced at the performers about to work their currently unwanted magic on her with apprehension. The two just gave Hinata a reassuring smile as they turned to the long table in front of the violet haired prey. The woman named Sakura unwound the hair curler and set other hair items before her while her friend, Ino opened a lightly color make-up box. Hinata gulped. When The pink-haired performer finally looked her way she bent down to match Hinata's inferior height and held her pale face in both hands.
"Let me get a good look at you so I know what we're dealing with." She said with an excited smile. The victim furrowed her brows nervously.
"B-But I can't—" Hinata tried to explain the issue with her performing. Just how could she when she could not even present a speech she wrote for her father. The tears that prickled her eyes previously before seeing Ino's performance came back with vengeance. She was going to disappoint everyone again.
Never the less, she let soft, spring green eyes examine her every facial feature while she stared at her hands. When she decided to look up she silently cried in her head. The cheerful look that was on Sakura's face before had disappeared. What was left in its place was something between a struggle for words and…fear.
"I-Is something wrong S-Sakura-san" she spoke up. Green eyes blinked a few times before Sakura came back to her senses.
"Er, yeah, I'm alright now." She laughed carelessly and stood up. "So, I have the perfect idea on how to style your hair around that pretty face of yours Hinata-chan!" She turned away then and looked at her equipment. Hinata felt something changed with the singer once she turned away, her shoulders were tense and her smile faded a bit. Turning to glance at Ino she saw she had noticed her friends odd behavior as well, but she said nothing and turned to The younger one reassuringly.
"For now let's tie that hair back so I can do your make up!" Hinata nodded, giving in to the inevitable.
As the blonde worked she tried to distracted the worried Sakura.
"So, Hinata-chan can you sing well?" The girl tensed under her long fingers. She raised a brow.
"Something wrong?" Nodding, the 16 year old looked up at her current make-up artist.
"I-I…I can't s-sing! I can barley e-even speak…" She wailed. The two young women looked at her with a shocked expression.
"WHAT!" they shrieked in unison. Hinata flinched.
"I-I h-h-have a stuttering….p-problem…" She sniffed shrinking back, scared they might get mad now that she told the truth.
The duo peeked at each other before turning to the younger with a sigh. This was going to set them back a bit, maybe they should tell Shikamaru to cancel the performance and just cut to Neji or Sasuke's show.
"Why didn't you tell use this before everyone got excited?" Ino sighed and slumped over the table.
"N-Neji nii-san t-tried….But S-Shikamaru pushed my over to you t-two…before everything c-could be e-e-explained." She responded and wiped her watery eyes.
The teenager in the chair glimpsed nervously at Sakura to see her expression. She almost fell out of her chair when their eyes met.
"I-I-I'm so-so sorry…" She whispered. Cherry Blossom locks swayed and once again, those soft green eyes were at the shy teenagers' eye level.
"Hinata-chan…Do you know why girls where make-up?" she suddenly asked. Hinata tilted her head confused.
"T-To feel pretty?" she answered in a why similar to a child. The blossom smiled amused.
"Not entirely…Make-up is…a mask. While it makes you pretty the true purpose is to let a woman be someone she isn't. It gives her the confidence to take her life to new levels and let herself be someone different from the person she despises under the mask." Sakura responded.
"So…Instead of saying that the Hinata that stutters can't sing, let's put a mask on you so you become the Hinata that has the confidence in herself to sing her heart out!"
An unknown feeling bathed Hinata in a warm light, feelings of self-hate disappeared with her new friends words. Her heart- beat with a new strength as her lips parted into a breath-taking smile full of that strange, warm and light feeling. Hope, she found hope.
The duo worked quickly, yet cleanly. Hinata could feel the light tug of the hair curler as Sakura shaped her silky purple strands into tight, little curls. The brush of Ino's blush brush tickled her cheeks, a feeling of relief as that familiar itchy feeling she knew, as an allergic reaction never came. When the Hyuga asked about this the blonde informed her that she used an all natural brand made by her father's make-up company, many of which used the plants her and her mother grew at their flower shop.
"I actually have the same sensitive skin as you Hinata-chan! I remember when I was putting some of my moms' make-up on for fun my face broke out and got all red and puffy." She recalled.
"My dad freaked and decided to use that experience to make a brand just for me. Then, he thought it best to help all the girls out there with the same problem as me."
"Y-Your dad is amazing…and really nice." Hinata mumbled.
"It's only natural that he would worry though isn't it? All dad's are protective over their 'baby girls'. Doesn't your dad worry about you? I mean, who couldn't, you're so tiny, you could get picked up by strange men if you aren't careful!" she joked as she went to pick out an eye shadow. Hinata lowered her eyes unsure. Did her father care? She couldn't tell, he never bothered checking on her if she was sick, he would just sent a maid. He never complemented her is she passed a class, he just expected her to since she was a Hyuga. In addition, her stutter….when he finally realized normal means could not help her he just gave it up. Love, protect, did he ever do this for her?
"N-Neji nii-san is there to protect me…" she said as a response, still unsure about her father. Ino smiled, happy with the answer and asked her to close her eyes.
"Alright, do you want to see how you look?" Ino asked after she chucked the mascara into the box.
"Wait, Im not finished curling her hair!" Sakura reprimanded. Waving her hand carelessly, Ino walked away.
"You've got most of it done anyway Forehead. I'm going to look for an outfit."
Sakura sighed and finished the strand she was working on then put a hand on Hinata's slim shoulder.
"What do ya say, want to see?" violet curls bounced as the one in question nodded her head enthusiastically. The makeshift hairdresser laughed and finished one last curl before she stepped to the side and gave the ok.
Opening her eyes, Hinata did not expect a different person to stare back at her where she sat. Yet right there in her reflection was a whole new Hinata, a confident one, a magical one, a-
"I-Its beautiful…." The girl questioning herself breathed. Taut curls framed her long face with four braid placed randomly in her hair, it looked as if her silky hair was fashioned into a new ball gown. But it was her face that moved her almost to the point of tears, Sakura was right. Make-up was her way to become a completely new Hinata. She lightly touch the full lips painted with a faint, dull copper/gold color while her long lashes where tipped with shimmering silver mascara, it made her unusual pearl eyes look like mystical moonstones. It glowed like pale lavender with eye shadow. With her breath caught to the point of choking Hinata just could not find the words to say anything, it was just so unbelievably not her.
"So, you like it?" Ino asked from behind after finding an outfit. Hinata turned the blonde-haired woman's way and blushed.
"I-Its…I can't describe how amazing I look and feel! It's just-I really am a new person!"
Ino grinned.
"I knew you would love it!" Ino flipped her hair and set the clothes on the back rest of the chair their short friend sat in moments ago. It was a two piece with an adorable pure white skirt with three lacy layers soft as velvet it reach high above her knees and flowed out. There were thin buckles on either side of the skirt that hooked to the inside of the off the shoulder pale pink top with long. loss sleeves split down the arm from the shoulder with an equally lacy and layered under shirt. Then she had pretty pale pink sock that went just below the knee with cute, flat mary janes.
"Now put this on and you will be ready to woo that crowd down there."
"We'll catch up with you ok?" Sakura waved at Hinata as she walked down the spiral iron stairs. She nodded. When the two girls knew she was gone Ino got straight to the point.
"What was up with you earlier Forehead Girl? You totally spaced out in the beginning."
Sakura sighed and crossed her arms worriedly. Hell, she was downright panicked with how things could end up. Not about the performance, she was confident Hinata would pull it off with exceptional skill. It was the knowledge of the fact that she had already been acquainted with Naruto that scared the shit out of her.
"Ino…I'm worried."
"Yeah, I gathered that. But what for, I can just tell that little girls got some lungs on her so she'll be fine."
"No…It's not that, its….Hinata looks like…you know…her." The pink- haired 17 year old struggled to say.
"Her?" Ino asked confused. Sakura starred at her with sorrowful eyes.
"HER-HER…As in…She-who-will-never-be-near-Naruto-for –as-long-as-Sasuke-and-I-are-alive."
A frown graced her friends' lips as the realization dawned on her.
"You mean-" Sakura nodded.
"Has Naruto noticed, I mean…he is kind of slow?"
"I'm sure he has, and that's what worries me. Hinata is such a sweet girl, I couldn't bare it if Naruto used that to his advantage."
"Damn…but this is Naruto we're talking about. He couldn't hurt a fly."Ino tried to reassure, but her friend was not convinced.
"Ino-pig…He loved that bitch more than anyone in the world, and when she tore out his heart…god…that was a mess. I know he still has feelings for her to and he just so happens to meet Hinata and is immediately buddy-buddy with her to the point of hugging her. It's because it's Naruto that i worry...if something does happen between those two he might not relize that he is hurting her by 'loving' her."
Ino groaned.
"You say this now! You should have told Hinata-chan when she asked if you were ok!"
"But…I didn't want to…you know worry her anymore than she already was. Besides, it isn't like she likes him or anything. Right?" she asked.
"…Right." her blonde-haired friend answered as the two made their way down the stairs.
Downstairs they met with the aforementioned teenager and walked over to the group.
"So, what do you think boys!" The duo cheered as they handed Hinata over to them. Shikamaru gapped as he rubbed his droopy eyes.
"Damn, this is Neji's cousin?" he muttered. Ino smacked his arm.
"Don't be rude."
"What, what, let me see her too guys!" Naruto burst through Shikamaru, who rubbed his arm and Neji who became a stone in shock. Bright blue set their sights on the petite teenager. Naruto's bright smile faded into an expression near dream-like as his eyes asked unreadable questions. Things were silent for a moment and Hinata fidgeted, unsure of how she should react.
"Himeko…?" the drummers' desperate plea broke the silence. Hinata looked up with worried eyes as Sakura tensed.
"W-What are you saying Naruto! This is Hinata, Hin-a-ta." She stumbled over her words as she stepped in front of the innocently confused look-a-like.
"Huh…Oh, uh, yeah Hinata-chan you look pretty!" Naruto cheerfully said.
"Well I'm gonna go eat some ramen, bye!" The group watched him run off; Sasuke sent Sakura a knowing glare.
"Come on Hinata, Ryo is already on stage, go up there and sing." Shikamaru ordered pushing her towards the stage. Hinata looked back at the two girls, they gave her a thumbs up. She faintly smiled and let out a breath she had been holding, she could do this, her mask was on, she was the confident Hinata right now.
The confident Hinata scampered over to Ryo's side; he turned to her under the dim light and smiled bashfully. Taking her hand in his he brushed away the hair over his eyes sloppily.
"You look so beautiful Hinata-san." He complemented, she blushed at the complement.
"T-Thank you…I hope I will be able to sing this properly…" She took a quick glance at the waiting crowd and gulped, so many people stood before her it almost made her queasy. Thankfully, for once, she continued to feel that warmth of hope Sakura had given her. She would overcome this stutter if only for tonight. She wanted to sing to at least express her thanks to Sakura and Ino who helped her come this far.
"Don't worry…Just hold my hand like this and if you ever get nervous, just give it a squeeze, ok?" Ryo told her as her adjusted the microphones.
"R-Ryo-san…may I do that now?" she asked. The sort boy laughed and nodded.
"Sure!"
Letting out another breath, she faced the mic. Ryo was here with her and so were Ino, Sakura, and even Neji. The music started and she had no chance to back out now, her voice flowed through her lips and she sang the first verse in that slow, drawn out tone.
(all credit goes to Edward Maya feat Viki Jugilina - Stereo love)
When you gonna
Stop breaking my heart
I don't want to be
Another one,
Paying for the things
I've never done.
Don't let go,
Don't let go,
…To my love…
As the beginning verses came out of her, she squeezed her partners' hand. In response, he squeezed back. Was this really her voice, it was so smooth, so pure. She looked out in the audience as the instrumentals played for any sort of displeased looks. There were none. She looked back to where she watched Ino's performance and smiled wide as she saw Neji and them watching her in satisfaction, they loved her, they truly love her.
As the beat to the techno grew more intense, she inhaled.
Can I get to your soul
Can you get to my thoughts
Can you promise you won't
Let go
All the things that I need
All the things that you need
You can make it feel so real
The pair glanced at each other and Ryo moved to his mic. Their voice joined and it filled Hinata to the brim with ecstasy.
Cause you can't deny
You've blown my mind
When I touch your body
I feel that I'm losing control
Cause you can't deny
You've blown my mind
When I see you baby
I just don't want to let go
Ryo kept his hazel eyes glued to Hinata as they sang. Her cheeks flushed as they backed away slightly as the music filled the room again.
Why did he stare so intently at her, while contemplating the many reasons why she almost missed her qu.
When you gonna
Stop breaking my heart
I don't wanna be
Another one
Paying for the things
I never done
Don't let go,
Don't let go,
…To my love…
When the accordion solo took over she gasped as Ryo took the microphone off its stand and dragged her to the cat walk. His voice carried over to her ears and calmed her as she enjoyed his solo.
I hate to see you cry
Your smile is a
Beautiful lie
I hate to see you cry
My love is dying inside
I hate to see you cry
Your smile is a
Beautiful lie
I hate to see you cry
My love is dying inside
Suddenly Ryo faced Hinata, they stared into each other's eyes as a strange feeling seeped into her. She let his hand cup her cheek as he sang.
I can fix all those lies
But baby, baby I run,
But I'm running to you
You won't see me cry
I'm hiding inside
My heart is in pain but
I'm smiling for you
Oh baby I'll try to make
The things right
I need you more than air
When I'm not with you
The crowd's noise fell on deaf ears was ignored as Hinata listened to every word Ryo said as he sang to her. With every word, her heart seemed to beat harder and faster, she hoped the beat mixed into the music so no one would tell. And even as her mind said she shouldn't her head tilted as he leaned closer, his breath on her lips. Maybe it was adrenaline rush the performance gave her that let her do something so daring. Whatever it was though, with Ryo, it felt so good.
Please don't ask me why
Just kiss me this time
My only dream is about
You and I
What was it about Ryo that made her feel this; she had just met him minutes ago. Was it the fact that he like her stutter, no one had ever said that to her before. Or because he let her be nervous and held her hand. Could she possibly….like him?
She caught his shy grin as he passed her the mic. She took his hands in hers and looked up at him with flushed cheeks. Finally, she could hear the crowed again and they seemed to love their actions.
Can I get to your soul
Can you get to my thoughts
Can you promise you won't
Let go
All the things that I need
All the things that you need
You can make it feel so real
Cause you can't deny
You blow my mind
When I touch your body
Ryo brushed her cheek for emphasis.
I feel I'm losing control
Cause you can't deny
You blow my mind
When I see you baby
I don't wanna let go
When you gonna stop
Breaking my heart
I don't wanna be
Another one
Hinata let go of the brown haired singer as she took the mic away. Her skirt flowed with her as she backed up from him as she sang those sad lyrics. Ryo's eyes followed her movements.
Paying for the things
I never done
Don't let go,
Don't let go.
…To my love…
The duo found their way back to the mic stand and the boys' eyes seemed almost pained as if Hinata's hand left his.
I hate to see you cry
Your smile is a
Beautiful lie
I hate to see you cry
Your smile is a
Beautiful lie
I can fix all those lies
But baby, baby
I run, but I'm running to you
You won't see me cry
I'm hiding inside
My heart is in pain
But I'm smiling for you
Oh baby I'll try to make
Things right
I need you more than air
When I'm not with you
Please don't ask me why
Just kiss me this time
My only dream is about
You and I
(You know…it wasn't until I wrote this that I realized how much this song actually describes Naruto and Hinata's relationship in this story. Pretty crazy considering this is the first song I pick Hinata to sing when I was first thinking of this story)
Hinata felt hypnotized by the accordion mixed with that honey-like voice of Ryo's. Moreover, by the time she snapped out of it the two were walking backstage hand in hand.
"Hinata, that was magnificent!" Sakura and Ino cheered. The surprised girl jumped back.
"T-Thank you…R-Ryo help me so much too." She mumbled. The mentioned performer looked at his shoes bashfully.
"Eh…it was Hinata that lead me; your voice is really hypnotic you know that. It took my breath away with the first verse."
"Aww, look at that, he has a crush on you Hinata!" Ino teased. She looked up at the slightly taller teenager and blushed harder. Ino snickered in amusment while Sakura sighed in what sounded like relief.
"So Neji, what do you think of Hinata's singing?" the pink haired 17 year old commented. The Hyuga perked up.
"It was…better than expected, I'm proud of you Hinata-san." He complemented with a small smile.
"I'm sorry for not telling you about this place earlier…But maybe now we can come together…If you like of course." Her cousin asked, another smile graced her full lips.
"I-I would love to!" Neji gasped in astonishment when his cousins thin arms wrapped around his waist in a hug.
"Hey, Hinata!" he blushed flustered.
"Is the Hyuga embarrassed?" Sasuke teased with a smirk, as he set is guitar strap over his shoulder as he tuned it. The long haired 18 year old turned to glare at the Uchiha spitefully.
Shikamaru shook his head in exasperation.
"Putting Neji's bashfulness aside, I think I can take that as an invitation to use you in more performances ne, Hinata?" Hinata tilted her head in thought. In all honesty, she had never wanted something so passionately in her life. To get back into music was the happiest thing to ever happen to her; she looked at everyone and held up the hand that was clasped in Ryo's.
"I –I would love to!"