He Said, She Said
By Marshie-chan
Chapter Ten: Unexpected Roles
Both Neji-niisan and I stiffened upon hearing what was just announced. We remained sitting still like our bodies have been frozen in our seats. Yes, it's all because Temari-sempai said that both Neji-niisan and I are going to play Romeo and Juliet with our roles being switched—Neji-niisan carrying a boy's role while I'll be carrying the girl's. If ever we dressed up the way the two of us are supposed to look like, people might really suspect. What are we going to do?
The rest of the members of the club applauded. "Awesome!" A student exclaimed in admiration, "We can do it President! If the roles are switched, the play is going to be a smashing success!"
"Indeed," Temari nodded and shifted her gaze towards us, "A cross-dress play can be attributed to a comedic performance. I'm sure you wouldn't mind, Neji-kun and Hinata-chan?"
I pursed my lips in guilt. If we refuse to take the roles, we might get more suspicious. I'm sure Neji-niisan had already realized that before I do. If I had listened to what he had warned me about before we enter, then we wouldn't have signed up for the Drama club. God, it's all my fault.
"Neji and Hinata's roles are going to get… switched?" Kiba pondered, "That means…. I… I get to see Neji d-d-dressed as a girl?"
Niisan's angry eyes twitched at Kiba and without warning, he hit him in the head, "Stop imagining weird things, you idiot."
"Argh!" Kiba groaned and shot a hot glare at Niisan, "I wasn't!"
Suddenly, Neji-niisan raised a hand and told the blonde girl, "President, I want to make a suggestion."
Temari turned to look at him, "Hmm? What is it, Hinata-chan?"
Niisan cleared his throat before he spoke up, "In my own opinion, there are a lot of ways to make a comedic performance out of the play. I don't think that it's necessary for our roles to get switched."
I nodded in agreement. It was the only thing I can do at that time. I was too nervous to even speak up. I don't have much of a choice but to depend on what Neji-niisan can do.
The blonde girl analyzed his words first before she replied, "Well yes, you do have a point there. But since I'm the President, you have to do as I say as the members of my club—You're going to play Romeo and Juliet the way I like and that's an order!" Her voice suddenly became louder. And she really gets scary when she's getting angry. "Besides, what's the problem in cross-dressing? It was just an act, nothing serious here!"
Oh no….I wonder what will happen if we tell her that we're already cross-dressing right now? I think Temari-sempai might collapse.
Neji-niisan remained calm. "What if we refuse? It's not like you're going to force us, right?"
"Oh?" Temari stared at him challengingly, "But there's something I can do rather than forcing you," The blonde girl smirked. God, I always get nervous whenever I hear her smirk. She took a deep breath before she called out, "Kankuro!"
A brown-haired boy walked in from the club room door. He was a bit chubby but despite that, he's obviously a good-looking guy with a camera hanged around his neck.
"For those who do not know him, he is Sabaku Kankuro, my older brother," Temari introduced, "He's also a Senior and the President of the Photography Club."
Kankuro flashed a friendly smile to us. I noticed that almost every girl in the club squealed. "Nice to meet you all," He said with a wink, "Sorry but I don't date girls for now. Unless if… you look a lot like my sister."
Everyone in the room was freaked out by the last sentence. "Wah! Aren't they s-siblings?!" I heard someone say. Even I was a bit disturbed. What's with this guy? Sister complex? What's next?
"Kankuro was only joking. You guys are too absurd." Temari said in annoyance. She threw a 'don't-do-that-again' look at her older brother before she accepted a piece of brown envelope from him. "Feast your eyes on this!" She tossed the envelope towards us. It was Neji-niisan who caught it.
I noticed that everyone gathered around us to look at what was inside of it as well. When Niisan opened the envelope, we saw some photos there—Oh God, those are photos of Neji-niisan and I together—That time when we were hugging each other under the tree!
Everyone was so surprised to see this. "How did these photos came by?" I said with my cheeks reddening a bit. When I turned to look at Niisan, I know he was thinking the same way I do.
Kiba was obviously pissed to see this as well, "That Kankuro… he's done it again," He turned to look at us and whispered, "You guys should avoid that paparazzi king. He likes to make stories of everyone by his photos."
"R-really, Kiba?" I replied, unbelieving. When I looked back at Niisan, I was quite amazed that he didn't show any reaction at all.
Instead, he turned his attention back to the Sabaku siblings and asked in a sarcastic manner, "So? What do these photos have to do with our roles? It's just a picture of a girl and a guy hugging each other. Nothing big."
Temari smiled slyly before she answered, "When I saw these pictures, I noticed that you two seem to share a good chemistry." She stood up and walked towards Neji-niisan's direction. She whispered something in his ear that I wasn't able to hear.
My eyes widened when I noticed that Niisan's face suddenly paled. What did she just told him?
"Very well," Niisan murmured to himself before he turned his attention back on Temari, "Let's proceed to the discussion, Sempai."
Five hours later…
"The decision is now final! Good luck in memorizing your dialogues! Nobody has any problem with it, right?" Temari asked the members after she finished assigning the roles.
Kiba was still frowning when he heard the role that he got in the play. 'Come to think of it, why did Hinata get the part of Romeo?' He thought with a slight pout, 'I want that role so much because I know I'm going to make a love scene with Ne—gah! What am I thinking?'
The Inuzuka raised a hand, "I do!" He stood up and confronted the President, "Why do I have to be Juliet's cousin? I think Hinata is the right person to carry that part… seeing as how they're both related!"
"And hand Romeo's role to you?" Temari replied with a glare, "No frigging way! We're not holding a drama for homosexuals here!"
Laughter echoed the walls of the club room.
'Kankuro has the ability to make thousands of stories out of those pictures. He will ruin your reputations… not only in this school but in the society as well. You wouldn't want that to happen, correct?'
Neji clenched his fist in anger when he remembered what Temari whispered to him yesterday at the club. Really, what did he drag himself into? Who would have thought that that woman had the ability to blackmail him? He shouldn't have joined that club in the first place! But still, he knew he can't blame anyone… especially Hinata. Yes, especially her.
During their break, the two of them were currently sitting in one of the benches of the school grounds to practice their lines. The play is going to be next week so there isn't much time. Somehow, Neji can't help but observe how much Hinata struggled to memorize Juliet's lines. And deep down, he found himself admiring her guts.
Neji read his dialogues and frowned, "Romeo and Juliet?" He pondered, "What kind of story is this anyway?"
Hinata's eyes widened in surprise, "Eh?! Niisan, you don't know?!" 'That's really surprising coming from a genius.'
"I'm not interested in love stories," He replied coolly, "So, can you tell me?"
'Ugh. How unromantic. Why is he always like this?' Hinata cleared her throat before she answered, "It's a story about two families that are fighting each other. The son from one family and the daughter from the other fall in love. It's a tragedy. Romeo kills Juliet's cousin and is expelled from the country. On the other hand, Juliet was being forced to marry. Juliet pretended to kill herself and waited for Romeo. Romeo misunderstood and killed himself next to Juliet. When she woke up, Juliet killed herself. After the tragedy, both families agreed to make peace with each other."
Neji just nodded with his usual expressionless face, "Well, I just hoped that our story isn't going to end up like that."
She gazed back at him, confused, "Huh?"
The guy suddenly felt awkward, "Uh…what I mean is… let's start memorizing our lines," He turned his attention back on the piece of paper and started reading some lines, "'Sin from lips? O trespass sweetly urg'd! Give me my sin again.'" He frowned,"Sounds like this Romeo guy is a real playboy."
"I still think it sounds romantic," Hinata giggled as she reads her line, "'You kiss by the book.'" Suddenly, her cheeks blushed intensely when she read what was on the next line. 'Wah! Do we really have to do this?!'
Neji got astonished when he saw her reaction. He looked back at the paper and read the next part—now even he was really surprised as well. He turned back to Hinata and told her, "It's okay, Hinata-sama. We just have to act like we're kissing for that scene."
Hinata felt her heart beating rapidly and for some reason, she found herself dazing at him. 'Lately, I felt kind of strange around Niisan. I know it's different than the love of 'friends.' It's different than the love for 'big brother' too. Is this what they call…' She thought as she held her chest, "…love?"'
"What kind of expression is that?" Neji asked naturally when he noticed her dazing.
"Um… b-because… you just looked so cool when you recited Romeo's line." She said as an excuse and looked away. Neji turned slightly red. 'I think I said something stupid again!' The blushing of her cheeks got worse.
"There! There!" Neji patted her head and told her, "Practice is over. Let's go have lunch."
"Okay, I'll—" Before Hinata could continue, she noticed something that suddenly landed on her hand—her eyes widened when she saw a spider. "Waah!!" She screamed in panic as she throws herself to Neji.
On the other hand, Neji isn't ready for the girl's weight causing the both of them to land helplessly on the ground. Hinata was on top of him, still screaming her lungs out. "W-what's wrong?" He finally asked her.
"There's a spider!" She cried while shaking her hand in the air, "Wah! Spiders! I hate spiders! Get it off! Get it off!"
Neji was quiet for a second. "Pfft…" Then all of a sudden, he was shaking—scratch that, he was laughing! "Bwahahaha!! It's all right Hinata-sama, it has flown already."
'Niisan is laughing? Is this real?' Hinata thought as she blinked her eyes—true enough, he is really laughing. "Wow… all this time, he always looked so grumpy and stoic. I never thought he would—' Her heart pounded when she realized she was on top of his lying form.
Even Neji stopped laughing when he noticed their current position now. Hinata's heart was beating so rapidly when he locked gazes with her. Her eyes stared at his lips next. It seems like Neji can read what she is thinking that he drew his lips closer to hers… closer and closer… until…
"What are you guys doing?!" Kiba's voice interrupted the two of them that they weren't able to continue what they were about to do. Both Neji and Hinata turned to the direction of the voice and saw Kiba, Chouji, Shino and Sai staring at them. It was the Inuzuka who was in shock the most, "You're not playing 'kiss-kiss,' are you?"
"No!" Hinata immediately replied as she pulled herself up followed by Neji, "You misunderstood! It's just that… a dog knocked us over!"
"We're practicing the 'kissing scene!'" Neji answered as well.
She bit her lip in embarrassment when she realized that both she and Neji shouted their excuses at the same time. And for some reason, she can't look at Neji anymore. Even the guy felt the same way too.
This made the Inuzuka even more nervous but tried to calm himself. He walked towards Hinata and told her, "Neji, if you needed someone to practice the kissing scene to, you can always count on me."
The surroundings were suddenly filled with sweat-drops galore.
"That's disgusting, man!" Both Shikamaru and Chouji yelled. Sai was fascinated while Shino didn't show any reaction at all.
However, both Neji and Hinata's attentions weren't on the guys anymore. They were still thinking on what happened between them earlier…. or… what could've happened.
'That was really close…'
After so many preparations and rehearsals, the day of the play came. It was Saturday so there were no classes and it was also considered as the day for extracurricular activities.
Even though I have memorized my lines, I still can't help getting nervous. Today, I'm going to dress up as a girl—better yet, I'm going to dress up as the real me. The best thing I could do is to act like a man even though I'm wearing a dress so people won't suspect. Yes, I really think that's the best thing to do.
I was currently rushing towards the school stadium where the play is going to get held. On the way, I saw two guys who looked a lot like celebrities standing on the school halls. Strange, I never saw these two before and they looked a lot like grown-ups. I guessed they're already in college.
I was about to walk past the two of them when one of them noticed my presence and called me, "Excuse me Miss, we're going to ask you—"
Irritated, I turned to confront the red and blonde-haired guys, "Who are you calling 'Miss,' you stupid moron?!" I yelled angrily. I'm a guy now. I think it's okay to be a jerk occasionally.
The blonde guy's mouth hung open. He scratched his head before he spoke up, "Y-you're a boy, yeah. I thought…" I also noticed that the red-haired guy was surprised as well but tried not to show so much reaction.
Geez, why do I often have to be recognized as a girl?! Well, I can't blame them. I wasn't wearing the boy's uniform anyway. To avoid getting nervous, I just tried hard to make my voice manlier, "So, what are you going to ask?"
"Well… we were just going to ask you if you know where the stadium is," The blonde guy answered, "We're kind of lost, yeah."
"The stadium?" I paused for awhile before I continued, "That's where I'm going right now. Are you interested to watch the play?" Oh great, we have attracted audience from outside of the school.
"Actually no," The blonde guy replied, "We were members of the Drama Club when we were studying here before. Temari-san called us to take charge of the make-up and costumes of the role players and—"
"Can you just take us there immediately?" The red-haired guy cuts off and shot a glare at me—How rude. The blonde guy seems so nice but the red-haired one looks so ill-tempered.
"I'm sorry about my friend here. He hates to wait," The blonde guy chuckled, "Anyway, I'm Deidara and this is Sasori-sempai. I think it was obvious that both of us were already in college." He extended a hand and I accepted it. Never mind that the other one didn't even bother to introduce himself to me, maybe he's just unfriendly.
"I'm Hyuuga Neji, a Junior. I was actually one of the actors in the play," I noticed that both of them were astonished to what I just said. I guess they didn't think that I'm an actor as well...but I think it's better than being mistaken as a girl. I smiled nervously and muttered, "Um… well then, let's go together, shall we?"
Later on Hinata, Deidara and Sasori reached the backstage of the stadium. They noticed that people were already so busy making the preparations for the play. Even some of the members were already in their costumes now. They also spotted Temari who was busy instructing the crew that was assigned on the stage.
"Move that more to the right," Temari instructed referring to a stage prop, "Yes, that's good." Her attention was suddenly turned towards the three of them, "So you came at last, Deidara-sempai and Sasori-sempai! I can see that you have already met Neji-kun."
"Nice to see you again, Temari-san!" Deidara replied with a smile, "Is he the guy that we're going to dress up as a girl, 'un?"
Temari smiled back, "Yup, he is! Try to make him beautiful, okay?"
The blonde guy winked, "Piece of cake, 'un!"
She shifted her gaze towards Hinata, "Neji-kun, they're going take charge of you. We're playing in less than forty minutes."
Hinata nodded and went with the guys in the make-up room. She was looking around trying to search for a certain someone. 'Come to think of it, I haven't seen Neji-niisan ever since I got here. Where could he be?'
When Neji came out of the dressing room, he had already expected the shocked expressions of everyone outside. Well, who wouldn't be surprised upon seeing him dressed up as Romeo—a man's role.
"Huh? HINATA-CHAN?!" Ino blurted out in shock. Earlier, both the blonde girl and Sakura went along with him in the backstage to check up on him.
"Yes?" He asked naturally. Even though he's dressed up as a man, he knew he have to maintain his voice as a girl.
"I can't believe it!" Ino replied who was still in the state of shock, "Is… is that you?!"
"I can't believe it either!" Sakura exclaimed, "With your hair tied back, you look manly and good-looking! And… your personality seems different too!"
"Hey now…" Neji said as he tried to calm the girls, "If you're playing a man's role, you have to look the part, right?" He looked around, trying to catch a glimpse of Hinata inside the room.
"If you're looking for Neji-kun, he's just taking a little long getting dressed, that's all…" Temari said who just came in. The blonde girl walked closer and looked at him from head to toe, "It's perfect. My eyes are never wrong."
Neji was still mad at the Drama Club President for threatening him. If ever they get discovered, he would surely blame her—But no, he's not going to do that anymore. Hinata likes this club so much and he knew that this play means a lot for the girl.
"Ta-daa!" A loud voice echoed the backstage—it was from Deidara. "How's it look 'un?" He said referring to Hinata who was walking towards them reluctantly.
The shock expressions were doubled upon seeing her appearance—Hinata wasn't only wearing Juliet's costume, she was also wearing the wig that Deidara lent her earlier. The blonde guy said that he would still look like a boy if she doesn't wear it and she doesn't see any reason to refuse anyway. The wig has the same color as her hair so people would naturally mistake it as her real hair. Plus, her make-up made her really looked more beautiful and mesmerizing.
"EH?! NEJI-KUN?!" Almost everyone blurted out in shock.
"What happened to you two?!" Ino yelled, exchanging glances to the both of them, "You guys look nothing like before!"
Hinata glanced downwards. 'This is… very embarrassing! I haven't worn this kind of clothes for so long. It feels really awkward.'
Neji, on the other hand, froze dead on his tracks while staring at her. If he saw himself, the look of utter amazement in his face, he would not have believed it. He must admit… Hinata looks so beautiful right now… like a real princess—scratch that… she's more beautiful than a dozen of princesses combined. His heart was beating so rapidly and he could feel his cheeks heating up.
The girl felt the same way as well. Neji looked a lot like a prince even though he's only playing Romeo's role. Finally, she got to see his face without make-up again. And for some reason, they were both speechless.
"Sorry we're late, everyone!" Kiba declared who just arrived with Shino on the backstage entrance. He was also wearing the costume for his part in the play as well. "We were just—" He wasn't able to continue when he saw Hinata. His face turned red instantly and found himself dazing at the way she looks right now.
"Uh… hi Kiba…" Hinata just said who doesn't know how to greet him.
Kiba turned his head to another direction. 'No way… I must calm down… he's a boy! A boy! A bo—' When he looked back at her, his blushing worsened. 'Urghh! Just as I thought… he's so cute!'
Shino raised a brow when he noticed something on the Inuzuka, "Stupid. You're nose is bleeding." He told him. However, the brown-haired guy remained staring at Hinata, unmindful of his massive nosebleed.
Deidara was so angry to see this and yelled, "You stupid bastard! What the hell are you getting a nosebleed for, 'un?! You're dirtying up the dress I designed!"
"You're a lousy designer, anyway." Sasori commented.
"Shut up 'un! It's you who do not know what real art means!" Deidara yelled back at the red-haired guy.
Everybody sweat-dropped that all of them were thinking along the same lines, 'How can anyone associate fashion with real art?'
"Wonderful!" Temari clapped her hands in admiration when she took a second look at Neji and Hinata, "We're starting soon! Line up! Line up!"
With the President's signal, everyone went to their places. "And now… from the Drama Club… we will now present the comedy version of Romeo and Juliet! Enjoy!" The stadium was filled with applauds and squeals from the audience.
Hinata was still a bit nervous but when Neji held her hand, she suddenly felt at ease. "Let's try our best." She told him with a smile.
He smiled back, "Hn." Both of them walked towards the stage and started the presentation. Everyone in the stadium was so surprised to see how they look as well.
'If I'm with Neji-niisan, I feel like I can do anything,' She thought as she plays her part, 'That's right… I have already decided before to protect what we have together. So I've got to concentrate…'
And finally, they almost reached the end of the play. Neji and Hinata were now going to play the 'kissing scene.' Both of them know that they're just going to act like they were kissing and the crew will take care of the rest. Still, they can't help getting nervous.
Neji rounded his arms around her waist and Hinata placed her hands on his chest. If their faces meet between six inches, the curtain will fall and the play will be over—that's what they both agreed with the President.
Meanwhile, Kiba, who doesn't know the other details on the act, was so furious to see this. "No way! Are they really going to do it?!" He was one of the many people who were peeking from the backstage.
"Come to think of it," Shino spoke behind him, "Neji-san did mention that he hasn't kissed anyone before."
"What?!" The Inuzuka retorted and turned to Shino, "You mean to say… this is going to be his first kiss?!"
"Bingo."
"Then I must do everything to stop that kiss!" Kiba declared as he ran towards the stage. The audience's attention was glued on the acting couple on the stage so they didn't notice his presence. With their eyes close, Neji was now holding Hinata's chin up and his face was now drawing closer to hers.
'Damn! I must not let that woman violate my Neji!' Because he was so pre-occupied with this thoughts, Kiba didn't notice a drama prop that was lying on the floor. Just when he was about to go closer to the two Hyuugas, he tripped on the prop that caused him to push Neji closer to Hinata.
It all happened in an instant—Neji's lips were on Hinata's. Both were so surprised that they opened their eyes back. The stadium was filled with loud cheers and applauds—it was an encore. When the curtain fell, they were greeted by the people from the backstage. Everyone congratulated them for making the play a success.
'No way! He kissed me!' Hinata thought who was still in a state of shock as she covers her mouth. Even Neji was stunned that he wasn't able to say anything.
She quickly excused herself and ran towards the backstage entrance. Neji was about to follow her but he was caught up between the crowd. 'Just like that… Neji-niisan took my first kiss," Hinata stopped walking in the middle of the school grounds, 'I must also admit… even though it happened by accident, I felt like…' She touched her lips, '…I was kissed by a real prince.'
TBC
A/N: The clubs mentioned in this fanfiction didn't exist in our school. Ugh… I'm so jealous with Japan having those awesome clubs! /end rant. I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter!
Marshie-mallows for: xOx-aShl3iGh-xOx, PandaDragon, winterkaguya, DesertRoseTemari, SilverRain, michiyo-rae, Shadowblitz, dark-emo-gal, risingfallback
And a low-fat marshie-mallow for kawaiiS! Because I don't want you to get fat! XD And yes, this story is still dedicated to you because you're awesome!
A/N: Mshinata here! And this is where Marshie-chan left off. -Sad- Even though she has stopped writing for now, she continues to make videos. So support her! But...-gives you all baskets of cookies and whispers- If you give Marshie-chan these cookies, I bet we can persuade her to keep writing! xD
A/N (cont.): But for now...you'll have to deal with me continuing this story. I'll say sorry in advance if everybody hates my writing. -bows- Yesh. Now...I shall work on the next chapter!