Chapter 20- Nervousness and Anxiety…
The night is young… The gentle breeze is blowing… The moon is radiant and the stars are glowing… The clouds are thin and move along with the wind's calm blow…
The country of Konoha has never been so peaceful…
Just a few more minutes 'til the performance. Feelings of anxiety, nervousness, excitement and pride fill the air.
"Sakura… I… I don't think I could do this!" Ino sighed as she heard the people murmuring outside, "I don't know what to do! What if something bad happens? Something really bad?"
"What makes you think that something bad will happen?" Sakura asked, "You look great! The dress is stunning! It'll make all the boys of Konoha cheer for you! But of course, there's already a special boy you love, isn't there? Heheheh…"
"Sakuraaa!"
"What?"
"I'm really nervous!"
"Well, it's normal for people to feel nervous before a huge performance! Hey, just what makes you feel scared, Ino?"
"The play doesn't scare me, I memorize all the lines very well! It's just that… What if Shikamaru faints suddenly? What should I do?"
"Uhh… Run to him, hug him, say something like, 'Oh, my dear prince… My one true love… It is because of you I was freed from the spell… I promise I will love you forever until the end of time!' Or something like it… And then, kiss him! There!"
"HUH! Sigh… Thanks…"
"Everybody! Places now! The play is going to start!"
So, everyone went to their places as quick as they could. Gai rushed through, wearing his tux.
"OH YEAH!"
The people outside were cheering. They've been waiting for a long time…
"HEY! Let's get it started! I'm getting bored here!"
"Where's the play! Don't tell me I came here for nothing!"
"MY SON'S THE LEADING MAN! YEEEHAAAAH!"
"Hey! Shikaku! Calm down!"
"YEEEEHAAAAH! GO SHIKAMARU!"
After a few moments, Shikaku calmed down and took his seat. He tried his best to wait ever so patiently for his son to come on stage. Finally, the curtains lifted (thanks to the curtain pullers, Kiba and Akamaru!)
KIBA: Heave, ho… Heave, ho! How ya doin', Akamaru?
AKAMARU: Bark!
Gai walked o the center of the stage and pulled his bowtie. He cleared his throat and held the microphone. Once he saw that he got the audience's attention, he started his introduction.
"Good evening, citizens of Konoha! And welcome to this year's Konoha Leaf Festival!"
The crowd applauded with enthusiasm.
"Thank you, thank you. Ahem, this year, the Ninja Academy has planned something big and exciting!"
Shikaku suddenly exploded, "MY SON'S THE LEADING MAN, UH-HUH!"
Meanwhile, backstage, Shikamaru could hear his dad screaming…
"How troublesome…"
As he wipes his sweat off before the show starts, Ino shyly walks up to him and smiles. Shikamaru smiles back at her.
"I, uh… I'm wishing you good luck, Shikamaru!" she said, blushing.
"And to you, too, Ino." He replied, then gave her a peck on the cheek. Ino's face turned even redder then, walked back to her position.
Shikamaru gulped in nervousness. As he heard each of Gai's words passing, he felt his stomach aching in nervousness… "Butterflies," he said. "Darn. How I wish I was as confident as Naruto in tough situations like this…" he sighed then wiped his sweat off his head.
Suddenly, Naruto walked up to him and smiled a big toothy smile. "Good luck!" he said, doing the nice guy pose, "I wish you good fortune from the very bottom of my heart!" Shikamaru just stared at him, sweating even more. As Naruto hurried back to his post, Shikamaru took one last look at Ino before the performance. He admired how pretty she looked in her dress. "Ino… You never looked so elegant… I just wish…" But before he could complete his sentence, Ino turned around, winked at him and whispered, "Good luck, Shikamaru!" Shikamaru blushed, scratched the back of his head and replied, "I'm pretty sure you'd do better than I would! But thanks! Good luck to you too." Ino smiled and fixed the tiara placed on top of her head.
"I sure hope this goes well." She said, "I'm really nervous." Sakura smiled at her and answered, "Don't worry; I'm sure you'll do just fine! And I'll pray nothing bad happens to Shikamaru."
"Thanks, Sakura. You're a real pal,"
Finally, after a few moments, Gai came to the end of his (long) introduction. "Once again, I thank you all for coming to watch the presentation! Now… For the part you've all been waiting for… Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together and give it up for the faculty and students of the Konoha Ninja Academy, performing Sleeping Beauty!"
The crowd clapped their hands wildly. Shikaku howled with all his might. "WOO! YEAH! NOW, WE'RE TALKIN'! GO SHIKAMARU!"
The crowd slowly became quiet. Now that no sound was heard, Gai went down the stage and gave the go signal…
It was finally time…
All eyes were on the center of the stage…
Feelings of nervousness, restlessness and pessimism had to be overcome…
The curtain slowly lifted…
Shikamaru knew he had to conquer his uneasiness…
"Gulp, here goes…"