THE CROSS-DRESSER

Chapter 26 –got tired of the roman numerals

By:
formerly known as BloodyHaven

"So they're his siblings?" Hinata asked Shikamaru as they passed the hallways. Shikamaru nodded. "They don't really look alike, don't they?" he said with an amused smile. Hinata put a finger to her chin. "No.. I guess not…" But Temari's eyes came back to her full force. They were so much like Gaara's. But as she thought about it, Gaara's eyes seemed to have more depth… more meaning in them than what she saw in Temari. They seemed so intense and filled with utter loneliness. She remembered how his gaze usually made her freeze, and how her heart wouldn't stop pounding when he was so close to her before the trip to the woods.

"Hinata?" Shikamaru asked as he saw her stop in her tracks, staring blankly into space.

Hinata shook her head and waved Shikamaru off, "Ah… it's nothing, Shika-kun." She said before his eyes came back to her. She shook her head briefly. Once you thought about his eyes, it was hard getting it out of your head.

"Hiro-chan!!" Naruto yelled as he came up to them. He and Sasuke had some things to talk about with Gaara, Hinata guessed it was about the band, so they said they'll catch up. Naruto glomped her so hard they fell to the floor.

Hinata's face turned as red as a tomato instantly. "N-naruto…" she whispered, trying to be as still as possible and trying to wiggle out of his grasp at the same time. We can say she wasn't doing a very good job. She looked up to find Shikamaru and Sasuke walking away, apparently not taking this seriously. Don't they realize she was a girl?! This was a serious situation. As she felt Naruto's hand on her shoulder, she looked at him and saw how intense the look he was giving her.

Someone, help me! She exclaimed in her head as Naruto began to lean forward. Shikamaru and Sasuke seemed to have now seen the light and was rushing up to them. But it would all end for her. And she definitely knew this kiss (Kami, save her) would not be an accident.

--

Naruto on the other hand was literally frozen. He looked down at Hiro, a bit of red dusting his cheeks. He marveled at how fragile looking Hiro was… and how he looked so much like a girl. For a moment, he saw how her hair grew, her bangs neatly framing, how she stared up at him with her beautiful eyes. For a moment, Hiro became a girl and Naruto fell for her instantly.

And another picture managed to get through to his head. He remembered how Gaara's lips were on hers and he thought about his heart breaking into two. He was not going to let that pass, and the perfect opportunity has hit him on the face.

He began to lean forward, his hands holding unto Hiro's to keep him still. He saw how he froze and how he looked up at him. His lip quivering. Naruto thought he was really cute. With a smile he found himself closing his eyes as their lips were about to touch. He could hear Sasuke and Shikamaru, but it would be too late for them to stop destiny…

--

A blur of violet and yellow was seen as someone managed to tackle Naruto before any serious damage was done.

"Baka!" Ino yelled, "What the hell do you think you were doing?!!" as she stood up and pointed an accusing finger at Naruto. "How dare you try to do anything with Hiro-kun!!" she remembered the conversation she had with Naruto, and how he told her how he liked Hinata/Hiro, and she somehow supported him. But that didn't mean she was not going to let him kiss her like that!

Naruto rubbed the back of his head, feeling a bump. He glared at Ino. He was about to kiss her too… and he thought nobody could stop him…

"What is your problem?!!" he asked as he stood up. Ino glared at him as she put her hands on her hips, "You!" she yelled back, "You just can't go kissing people like that!" Naruto growled at her before turning back to Hiro, who Sasuke was currently helping sit up.

Their eyes met and he saw him look away. A pang of guilt and rejection hit him. He looked down on his shoes and mumbled a sorry. Ino started on saying his apology was clearly unacceptable. But he wasn't talking to her, was he? His fists were clenched a tear rolled down his cheeks. He then ran to who knows where. How in the world would he be able to face Hiro now?

--

Hinata was thankful as Ino managed to get Naruto off in time. Her face still burned and her breath was hitched a little, but otherwise, she was fine. She accepted the hand Sasuke offered as she listened to Ino and Naruto. She looked at him, to find him staring at her. She immediately looked away. It was just too awkward. Ino continued to talk but Naruto seemed to have quieted down.

"I'm sorry…" she heard him mumble and she looked at him to find a tear roll down his cheeks.

Before she could say anything, he ran. Hinata found her heart soaring out to him. Naruto had been the first friend she got there at Renzan, she didn't mean to hurt him. She was about to go after him, but Sasuke held unto her.

"Don't." he said. "Let him cool down. If you talk to him now, he'd feel pathetic."

Hinata looked back at him, her eyes pleading, "But…" she started, I hurt him…

Shikamaru sighed. "Hinata, listen to us. It'd be better if you leave him alone for now. It would be good for the both of you." Hinata nodded. Before she felt Ino's hand on her shoulder, "Are you okay..?" she asked unsure. Ino clearly felt bad for Naruto, but she still had to ask Hinata.

Hinata nodded, giving her a sad smile. "Yeah. Thanks."

She looked down on her shoes and told them she'd retire to bed for now. She saw Naruto cry in her mind's eye and felt her heart break at the sight of him. She had to fix this problem before she'd lose him.

End of Chapter

So, this chapter seemed to be a little on the darker drama side. I don't know what got into me. *sigh* I guess we could al feel bad for Naruto…

Naruto: *sniffle*

But, this story is a GaaHina!! Naruto has to get out of the picture! Ah well… oh, and as you noticed, I changed my penname yet again!! Gooo me!! Thank you so much for the reviews guys!! I love you!!

Naruto: waaah!!