THE CROSS-DRESSER

Chapter X

By: BlueRomance

Hinata stared at the most beautiful man she has ever seen. Well, not a boy and yet still not a man. He had chestnut brown hair and sincere clear eyes. A blemish free face (unlike her who had a big zit on her forehead) and a genuine smile.

It was like looking at an angel, that's what it was.

It was only when she saw what he was holding when her brain started working again.

He was holding her bra.

He called her Ms. Hyuuga.

This guy, whoever he was, knew her secret… she didn't think Neji would like that much.

As if reading her thoughts, the guy laughed. It was a soft chuckle, but it still somehow made her uncomfortable.

"Don't worry." He said, "My name's Haku. I'm an old friend of Neji. But I don't think I'd be alive any longer if he catches me holding your… um… personal belongings." This time, when he laughed, Hinata laughed with him. She took her personal belongings from his grasp and stood up.

"Thank you Haku-san." It was then that she thought that Neji was out with Tenten, how could he possibly know of her situation.

Again, Haku did his cool mind-reading thing. He smiled at her direction and said, "I saw you two at the mall while I was shopping for some supplies." Then they started talking about Neji. "I always knew he was in-love with his hair." With that, they started cracking up. Hinata enjoyed having not to hide she was a girl. But was also afraid that too many people might get involved. After all, problems come all the time. They don't care if you're already fully-booked. They just keep coming and coming. She might just once again tick her dad, and nobody wanted that. Her father was a person who liked to keep secrets. If someone found out he enrolled his daughter in a boy's school, things would go haywire in the Hyuuga household. And she'll be in a whole lot of trouble.

As she started walking towards the dorm again (with Haku politely escorting her), she was starting to forget about her dad and was worrying Gaara might be waiting there to taunt her. It was as if it was his brand new hobby to make her miserable… and she's been living there for only a few days!! The Hyuuga really knows how to pick his girls, he'd say, that is… if he really does have one. Of course, that really didn't annoy her that much. She was a girl, so it wasn't really insulting.

She was sure he still had no clue as to what her true gender is. It was just that he hasn't forgiven her yet for what happened to their only chance of stardom. Hinata didn't even think he wanted to be famous, she thought it was all just to torture her. That was what she was afraid of.

It was then that Haku noticed her far of gaze.

"Having some problems with a guy?" he asked with a small smile on his face. Hinata smiled back. "Not really… I'm having loads of problems with this guy." Haku grinned a little wider, "Oh, you mean Mr. Flagpole guy?" Hinata nodded a little uncertainly. Haku put an arm around her shoulder (lot's of people had been doing that to her these days) as if he knew her all his life, even though they just met a few minutes ago.

"Hmmm…." He said, a hand stroking his chin dramatically (A/N: I don't know how that can be dramatic but I like how it sounds.). "I have a few suspects in mind that may be very well be the culprit." He raised his free hand and showed off all his fingers.

"Number one… Naruto?" Haku thought that he was stupid enough to actually do that. He always enjoyed making-fun of people who had girlfriends, only because he was jealous. Hinata shook her head. He put his thumb down. "Well… is it Sai?" Sai was a weird one, you may never know what he knew. Hinata shook her head again. Haku put his pinky down.

After mentioning Lee, who he thought must have done it because it was youthful; and Deidara, who was a complete imbecile… he gave an almost defeated sigh and scratched his head. "I only have one more suspect, and it better be him." Hinata giggled and encouraged him. "I suspect it's the red-cherry himself, Sabaku no Gaara."

Hinata nodded and Haku jumped into the air triumphantly. "Aha! I knew it was him all along! So… what'd you do to get on his bad side?" Hinata shrugged. "I don't really know. I mean, I'm not the one who beat Naruto up. It's as if it's all my fault their band lost a gig!! I mean, there are other chances out there, right? I don't even think he wants to be famous. I just don't understand him!"

Haku had to smile and said, "I guess fate really isn't on your side today, huh?" Hnata nodded and grinned. "No kidding."

Sasuke was walking down the halls when something caught his eye.

He stopped in his tracks and looked out the window to see the new kid Hiro and Haku-san talking and laughing. He didn't really think about the Hyuuga, but he did have a strong admiration to Haku. He thought Haku was a great runner, and he wanted to beat him someday. Other than his band, the track field called him like no other. For him, speed was everything.

So it was a surprise to see Haku, who he heard had just comeback from the U.S. of A., with the new kid. The weird new kid at the very least.

When Haku and the new kid was finally out of sight, he went directly to his room to find Naruto, Kiba, and Gaara… and a hiding Shino already there.

"What the hell happened?" he asked as Shino cowered with his very step. Naruto scratched his cheek. "Neji finally caught him. Who knows what happened. Bug boy here won't say a word." Taking that as a signal, Shino huddled closer to his blanket and shuddered.

Sasuke had to shrug it off. It was weird, and weird did not go with his style. Except Naruto, his weirdness compliments Sasuke's superiority.

"Oh yeah, Haku's back." He said matter-of-factly. Kiba stared at the ceiling. "Oh right… I heard he lost though." Naruto groaned. "Oh no!" he exclaimed, "Then we won't stand a chance next year! The teme's going to compete!!" Sasuke hit him on the head before plopping down on the bed. "The new kid was with him."

Gaara grunted and lied down next to him. "Why are you even telling me?" he said, his voice bored and tired. Naruto though was another matter, "What? Hiro's hanging out with Haku?" his voice was loud and somehow dripping with disappointment.

"You know," he said, "I heard a lot of stuff about Haku and they always ain't good." He sat down on the chair and pouted. "Besides, Hiro's just probably being nice accompanying him back."

Kiba grinned and threw a paper ball at him. "You know Naruto," he said, "You sound as though you actually like the guy." Everybody smirked at this and Naruto blushed, "Dude, you're brain must be messed up or something. I am straight and proud of it!" Kiba snorted. "Yeah right."

"Good morning my friends!!" Gaara woke up, his back sore from sleeping on the floor. He rubbed his eyes and stared sleepily at the bright light. "Wakey-wakey!! Our beloved principal has called our attention to the auditorium!! Is it not youthful?!"

"Oh give me a break… this early in the morning?" Gaara heard Sasuke stir. They met each other's eyes. "What crazy idea has that old hag have now?"

"Gooooood Morning my students!!" Tsunade boomed into the microphone. Everyone stared at her sleepily, almost everyone still wearing their pajamas. "I'd like to thank everyone for actually having the effort of coming here and—"

"Come on baa-chan!! Get to the point already!!" Naruto yelled, he wasn't an early riser and waking up early as 7:00 really bothered him. Tsunade growled in his general direction, but he didn't seem to notice. Instead, he leaned on Sasuke's back and started drooling. Gaara smirked as he watched Sasuke push Naruto to the floor. The latter now snoring loudly.

"Okay then, since nobody appreciates me actually making a freakin' speech, I'll get to the freakin' point as the sleeping idiot suggested." She then smiled a smile that gave everyone the creeps.

"Guys," she said, "We are going on a little field trip."

End of Chapter

Hmm... I see a HakuHina going on... (betcha guys you never expected it was going to be Haku, huh?)... Oh! Is that a SasuHina too?! And a little NaruHina as well!! But I don't see my main pairing!! Where is the GaaHina in this chap?! Where isit?!

No!! I failed you guys yet again. Next chapter!! I promise!! fOR SURE!! May the flames of heaven burn me if I don't!! It's just that, we had exams today. What kind of person does that?! Exams on a Saturday?! They should be sued!!

I know, excuses and more excuses. Sorry... at least it's longer, right? Not as long as I wanted it to be but.. it's still long. I just want to thank you guys for all the support you're all giving me!! 90 reviews!! Thank you so much!! Mwah!! Also to those who favorited and alerted this story!! You make me cry happy tears!!

Well... that's all I have to say. So... once again, adios amigos!!

P.S. My birthday is on Thursday, so mind giving me a review to celebrate the occassion? (M,)