Disclaimer: I don't own any Naruto characters, or Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet

Authors Note: Some of you may be interested to know (probably not) that when I started this story, I was not too much of a Sasusaku fan-shipper myself. But after writing this, and reading some of the wonderful stories that other people have written, I am now a rabid fan-shipper of the two! WEEEE! My most favorite stories of the two are definitely the OOC versions. I have a VERY OOC version in my head write now so I'm thinking that after I'm done this story I will write that one and the Draco Malfoy story at the same time. I'm planning on wrapping this one up hopefully within 5 to 6 chapters. Give or take a few.

P.S. I have been reading a most AMAZING story called Enemies to Couples? By Dark Angelic Kitty, and she is evil. It's a great story but the latest chapter so utterly depresses me that I fear it may affect my writing abilities. We must protest her story until she updates! I'm gonna die if I don't find out what happens! I NEED a happy ending, HAVE MERCY! If you know of any really good Sasusaku storied that are COMPLETED then lemme know!

Ro-may-oh and Juliet

Sakura stood next to Sasuke who was putting on his Romeo costume. She was watching how his dark hair fell over his eyes, and the way he held himself. He was tall and proud and she admired that about him. She always had, though she'd never admit it. He was also amazingly good-looking with his dark features, and she would most certainly NEVER EVER admit to that.

Sasuke noticed her staring and smirked at her.

"Like what you see?" He asked cockily.

She shook her head out of her thoughts and looked up at him, clueless.

"What?"

He laughed at her oblivious face. She looked at him even more confused.

Without making eye contact, Sasuke said, "So I see you're wearing the necklace I gave you."

Sakura blushed and looked down at the silver charm. "Yes, thank you for it, it's very beautiful."

Sasuke was still smirking and she didn't want to give him any satisfaction.

"But you could have given it to me personally! You did see me so I don't see what the big problem was. What? Are you a coward Sasuke? You couldn't even hand me the gift to my face? Hmph!" And she looked away, folding her arms across her chest.

"Woah! You hit below the belt there. You're calling me a coward? You can't even admit it!" He retorted.

"Admit what?" she said look back at him.

He gave her a dashing smile. "That you're falling madly in love with me."

She gave him a look that clearly stated that she thought he was being ridiculous. "Oh GOD, if that's what you think!"

"Yes that's what I think."

"I think that you need to get your head checked. What makes you think that anyway?"

"Weeeell, maybe I should just tell EVERYBODY why I think that." His voice was growing louder. "I'll just tell the WHOLE drama club how we spent our time together at the Christmas party-MMPH!" Sakura had thrown her hand over his mouth and laughed nervously at the people staring at them. "Hehe, he's lying." Suddenly she shrieked and pulled her hand away from Sasuke's mouth.

"EWW GROSS, YOU JUST LICKED ME! I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU JUST DID THAT!"

Catcalls were heard over the stage area. Sakura groaned and Sasuke grinned at her.

"Yeah Sasuke, KNEW you had it in you!" Kiba yelled from a chair in the audience.

"Sakura glared at Sasuke and strode away towards her friends, but not before wiping her hand on his costume. Sasuke grinned smugly after her.

Kakashi stood in front of the stage, directing students to their proper positions. "Stage crew, I want you to set up the props for Act 5, Scene 3."

"Ah," started Tenten. "I thought you said that we we're going to be starting with Romeo and Tybalt's fight scene when we got back. I haven't even started on the Count Paris costume yet!"

Kakashi chuckled. "I changed my mind! Don't worry about the costume, Lee can just act without it for now."

Tenten rolled her eyes and proceed to stitch up one of the freshman's costume.

Sakura, Ino, Hinata and some of the other actors went to sit on the stage behind the curtains. Sasuke stood next to them, getting ready to make his entrance. Sakura noticed that he seemed a little tense. Then again, so was she. Her pulse had quickened when she realized Lee was coming onto the stage. Her heart was beating nervously with embarrassing memories. She hoped the two would forget about what happened and just focus on the scene.

Those hopes seemed futile when Sakura saw the scathing look that Lee threw Sasuke has he climbed up onto the stage. Sasuke returned it with a glare.

Mr. Hatake seemed oblivious to the animosity of the two actors on the stage.

Quietly, Sakura stood up and walked over to where she, Juliet, was to seem dead to all. The stage crew had just rolled out the grave where she lay down now, and closed her eyes.

Soon the crew had finished setting up the rest of the "tomb" and the lights were dimmed.

'Paris' stepped out from behind the curtains with his 'Page' following not too far behind.

Lee projected his voice out over the stage.

"Give me thy torch, boy: hence, and stand aloof: Yet put it out, for I would not be seen. Under yond yew-trees lay thee all along, Holding thine ear close to the hollow ground; So shall no foot upon the churchyard tread, Being loose, unfirm, with digging up of graves, But thou shalt hear it: whistle then to me, As signal that thou hear'st something approach. Give me those flowers. Do as I bid thee, go."

The page walked to the curtain but before exiting, he said aside, "I am almost afraid to stand alone
here in the churchyard; yet I will adventure." And with his lines said, he walked off.

Paris walked over to where Juliet lay and kneeled next to her. Even though her eyes were closed, Sakura could feel the awkwardness between her and her ex-boyfriend. Sakura flinched when she felt him hold her hand. H-hey, that's NOT in the script! Lee's voice was then right in her ear, and he spoke quietly, but loud enough for all to hear.

"Sweet flower, with flowers thy bridal bed I strew,--O woe! thy canopy is dust and stones;--Which with sweet water nightly I will dew, Or, wanting that, with tears distill'd by moans: The obsequies that I for thee will keep Nightly shall be to strew thy grave and weep."

Paris laid his head on her shoulder in sorrow.

Sakura's brow was furrowed in uncomfortable-ness. Couldn't he just let her go? Sure she felt bad for what had happened but Lee didn't seem to be able to let go. She almost felt as though he were trying to get her back.

'This is great acting!' thought Kakashi. 'True, it's not in the script but it's very emotional. I love it!'

A whistle was heard from behind the curtain. Paris straightened up immediately.

"The boy gives warning something doth approach. What cursed foot wanders this way to-night, To cross my obsequies and true love's rite? What with a torch! Muffle me, night, awhile."

The lights then dimmed over the two.

'Romeo' walked onto the stage with the faithful 'Balthasar' next to him. It was easy for Sasuke to act angry and jealous at the moment, for Lee had already sparked his jealousy by his unscripted touches towards Sakura.

"Give me that mattock and the wrenching iron. Hold, take this letter; early in the morning See thou deliver it to my lord and father. Give me the light: upon thy life, I charge thee, Whate'er thou hear'st or seest, stand all aloof, And do not interrupt me in my course. Why I descend into this bed of death, Is partly to behold my lady's face; But chiefly to take thence from her dead finger a precious ring, a ring that I must use In dear employment: therefore hence, be gone: But if thou, jealous, dost return to pry In what I further shall intend to do, By heaven, I will tear thee joint by joint And strew this hungry churchyard with thy limbs: The time and my intents are savage-wild, more fierce and more inexorable far Than empty tigers or the roaring sea."

Meekly, Balthasar said "I will be gone, sir, and not trouble you."

"So shalt thou show me friendship. Take thou that: Live, and be prosperous: and farewell, good fellow." Romeo said to his friend.

Balthasar walked away so Romeo could not hear him say, "For all this same, I'll hide me hereabout: His looks I fear, and his intents I doubt." And then he hid behind a tall prop.

Sasuke looked around as though the entire world were his enemy. Bitterly he said, "Thou detestable maw, thou womb of death, Gorged with the dearest morsel of the earth, Thus I enforce thy rotten jaws to open, And, in despite, I'll cram thee with more food!"

Sasuke walked over to the "tomb entrance" (an opening of plaster made to resemble rock) and immediately the lights turned on to Sakura and Lee again.

'Paris' jumped up and viciously tore a kunai out of his leg holster, the only part of his costume that he had at the moment. Truly angrily, he spoke to 'Romeo'.

"This is that banish'd haughty Montague, That murder'd my love's cousin, with which grief, It is supposed, the fair creature died; And here is come to do some villanous shame To the dead bodies: I will apprehend him." Paris strode towards him. "Stop thy unhallow'd toil, vile Montague!" The Lee continued towards Sasuke until he was completely in his face. He spat the rest of his lines out. "Can vengeance be pursued further than death? Condemned villain, I do apprehend thee: Obey, and go with me; for thou must die."

Sasuke looked at Lee whose face was barley inches from his. He harshly pushed to boy away from him. Now, equally as angry he said, "I must indeed; and therefore came I hither. Good gentle youth, tempt not a desperate man;" Sasuke said with warning in his voice. "Fly hence, and leave me: think upon these gone; Let them affright thee. I beseech thee, youth, put not another sin upon my head, by urging me to fury: O, be gone! By heaven, I love thee better than myself; For I come hither arm'd against myself: Stay not, be gone; live, and hereafter say, A madman's mercy bade thee run away."

Now, all acting had left Lee's voice. It was all personal from here on out. "I do defy thy conjurations," He shouted. "And apprehend thee for a felon here."

Sasuke had now also pulled out a kunai and in pissed irritation he said, "Wilt thou provoke me? Then have at thee, boy!"

The crew watched in horror and fascination as they watched the two boys duke it out. Sakura had opened her eyes when she heard the voices rising. 'They're seriously fighting each other!' she realized. The boy who was acting as the page forgot his next lines, too absorbed in the fight.

It was only when the chink of metal was heard that some of them snapped out of their reverie. "Uhh, Naruto…" Tenten said nervously. "You didn't bring in real kunai for the stage props did you?"

Naruto looked around at her and Kakashi as though suddenly remembering. He laughed nervously. "Heheh…I uh…didn't think they were actually going to be used like this."

Tenten gasped. "Mr. Hatake! You have to stop them! They could really hurt each other!"

The two dueling guys were now not only using the kunai but throwing punches at each other as well.

Mr. Hatake was in his own little world. "Hey I wonder if we can get them to fight like this on opening night…"

"KAKASHI!" the students yelled at him. "Wha? Oh right! SASUKE, LEE! WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?"

'Oh yeah' thought Tenten sarcastically. 'He's a real pro at this kinda stuff.'

Meanwhile, Sakura, who had been fearfully watching them fight, had gotten up and was shouting furiously at them.

The boys weren't listening to anyone, too involved in their grudge match. Sasuke had managed to get a punch in Lee's stomach, and although the air was knock out of him he did not falter. Lee's fist made hard contact with Sasuke's jaw.

'Aww that bastard!' thought Sasuke as he angrily rubbed in jaw. Sasuke and Lee both unconsciously drew their kunai back.

Sakura's voice unheard, she ran desperately towards them.

"GUYS DON'T THROW THEM, THEY'RE REAL KUNAI!" Sasuke heard Naruto yell.

They're WHAT? Sasuke thought. He and Lee had already let the kunai out of their grasp when he saw Sakura running in between them. He shouted her name and she saw the weapon hurtling towards her. She managed to duck right in time.

But not right in time.

Sakura sank to her knees in a swirl of pink. Ino screamed. Gasps echoed throughout the auditorium.

Sakura's once beautiful, sleek cascade of hair, now lay strewn about the stage.

Lee stuttered in shock and Sasuke was at a loss for words. Her eyes seemed out of focus as though she were no longer there anymore. Both boys kneeled down to her, apologies tumbling out of their mouths like a river.

"Sakura." Sasuke had started to say.

She looked up at him numbly and jumped to look at Lee when he had touched her hand.

"Look we're really-"

"Sakura I-"

SLAP!

Ino was now trudging angrily down the sidewalk, dragging Sakura behind her. With steam practically coming out of her ears, she resembled a boar on a rampage.

"God, the NERVE of them! Acting like immature CHILDREN up there on stage! UGH! Saki I'm sooo sorry about your hair, but don't worry okay? We're gonna get it cleaned up in a jiff, just leave it to me!" And She whipped out her cell phone and started dialing away.

"Hello Monique?...Yes this is Ino, listen. We have a hair emergency so I am coming RIGHT OVER!...No, no it's not me, it's a friend. I'll tell you the details once we get there, okay…Ciao!"

Sakura continued to let herself be drug by Ino until they had reached a nearby hair salon. A pleasant looking woman who was waiting for them at the counter "Tsk tsked" when she saw the state of Sakura's hair. She lead her over to a chair saying, "Oh you poor thing! Your hair must have been very beautiful! But don't you worry your pretty little head, we'll get this all evened out, kay?"

Sakura, who had not uttered a single word since the incident, began to mumble.

Ino leaned over the chair. "What is it Sak? Let it all out."

And Sakura let out a scream of frustration that caused the other costumers to swivel around in their chairs to gawk at her.

Meanwhile, back at the school, the rest of rehearsal was canceled. With fresh, red handprints on their faces, Kakashi had awarded Sasuke and Lee both a week of suspension for fighting each other. He told them that they got off easy since they could have been expelled for assault with a deadly weapon, though he wouldn't say why he let them off the hook. They all agreed it was because he needed them to act in the play. Kakashi had also given Naruto a week's suspension for being dumb enough to bring in weapons to school, even if it was for a prop.

Mostly everyone had gone home, including Lee. Now all who were left were Naruto, Sasuke, Kiba, Shikamaru and Hinata, who was waiting for her cousin Neji to finish putting some of the props away. The mood was grave.

Naruto and Sasuke were solemnly sweeping the stage of the pink remnants of Sakura's hair. Shikamaru and Kiba swept the piles of hair into dustbins. "Look at all this." Shikamaru sighed. "Cleaning all this is so troublesome..."

"Boy you sure did screw up big this time." Naruto told Sasuke mercilessly.

"Shut up." Sasuke said only half-heartedly.

"Sa-Sasuke" Hinata said timidly. "I think you should a-apologize to Sakura."

Sasuke grunted.

"Yeah! You defiantly should!" Naruto piped up. "Otherwise she'll think you're the total asshole you really are-OW!" He said rubbing the side of his head, which Sasuke had just hit with his broom.

"I guess you're right." Sasuke subsided. "Hey Hinata do you have her number?"

"Mmhmm." She nodded and dug a piece of paper out of her purse to write the number down on.

Sakura sat in her room that evening, not wanting to be confronted by her parents as to why she had so suddenly decided to cut her hair. For some reason she didn't want to tell them the truth.

"Oh well you see, my ex-boyfriend and the guy I like were fighting over me, only they had accidentally got a hold of some kunai from the stage props and we're about to kill each other when I heroically tried to stop them by jumping in between and well, you can guess the rest!" Oh yeah, that would go over real well with them.

Sakura vaguely heard the phone ringing downstairs. Seconds later her mother called up the steps "Honey it's for you!"

"Who is it?" She called down, and her mother relayed the message.

"It's some boy named Sasuke."

Sakura's first reaction was to jump up, run down the stairs and grab the phone away from her mother. Then she recalled earlier and was about to say, "Tell him to go away." when she realized that that would be suspicious and raise awkward questions. The best thing to do was to just normally answer the phone. She trudged down the stairs and ignored her moms raised eyebrows and questioning looks.

When she was safely in the room she dully answered into the phone, "Hullo."

"Sakura?" She didn't respond.

"I uhh...I just wanted to uhh…apologize."

Sakura straightened up. "Huh?"

"I mean uhh, sorry…about what happened to your hair..." 'God,' she thought 'can't he even admit that it's his fault?'

Sakura was about to hang up the phone when Sasuke corrected the situation. "WhatImeanttosaywas!…that..I am..sorry…for what we did to your hair."

He heard a sound like air being let out of a balloon. Sakura had been holding her breath and exhaled.

"Whatever. It's fine." Normally she would have teased him to no end and made him repeat his apology, but right now she wasn't in the mood.

"You...okay?" He asked tentatively.

Sakura wasn't okay. She wanted to scream and yell at him. She wanted to tell him what an immature jerk he had been. She wanted to tell him how stupid him and Lee both were. But most of all, she wanted to not mess up whatever friendship they had just started to form. Sakura couldn't tell if she really liked him yet, but unaware to her, her heart was already falling fast.

"I will be. Oh and Sasuke?"

"Eh?"

"Why exactly were you fighting with Lee anyway?"

Sasuke was quiet for a moment as he thought up the best way to answer the question.

"I guess we both had our minds on the same thing."

"Riiight. Goodnight Sasuke."

It was Sasuke's turn to exhale. "Riiight. Good bye." And the other end hung up. He cursed at himself lightly before putting the phone back up on the receiver.

He went to his room to lie in his bed and think things over. Things had changed so drastically between him and Sakura over the past few weeks. He himself had changed a lot. What was all this? Why did he suddenly feel so…different?