Konoha Public Access Television Chapter Eight!
Author's Note: You don't have to wait, 'cuz it's chapter eight! Shino seemed like he was in a tight spot. Shikamaru put him in the hot seat by forcing him to improv the bulk of his lines! Running off of Sakura's confindence only, Shino has to attempt to force himself through. Meanwhile, the backstage crew now has incriminating footage of a hammered Sasuke. Blackmail, anyone? Kiba's still down about his tragic loss. Will that have any impact on anything?
Glue your butt to the seat and eyes on the screen, because it's Chapter Eight!
Chapter Eight: Last Resort
Backstage, at the WKTV Studios.....
Shikamaru paces around the halls. Sasuke comes stumbling out of the bathroom and down the hall towards him.
Shikamaru: SASUKE! What the hell has been going on around here?
Sasuke: Ugh.....I'm not sure.....I feel so.....dizzy......
Shikamaru: Well you have to pull yourself together! We have a major problem on our hands.
Sasuke: .....like what?
Shikamaru: It's Shino. His little acts of rebellion aren't helping us in the least.
Sasuke: So? Didn't you set him up to fail on the show tonight?
Shikamaru: I did! But take a look at this.
Shikamaru guides Sasuke to the main area, where the show is being filmed. Shino is putting on a great show, complete with smart interviews, dirty jokes, and even phone calls from home.
Sasuke: He's a good improv actor.
Shikamaru: More than just good. He's pumped up our rating to 416!
Sasuke: Then what's the problem? He's great on T.V., he gets us ratings, so what's the big deal?
Shikamaru: Shino is the only person on this station who doesn't listen to what I say.
Shikamaru glances out to the main set.
Shikamaru: His defiance keeps getting in the way of my changes. He doesn't run this station, I DO.
Shikamaru slams his fist against the wall.
Shikamaru: He'll see. I just need an idea. Someone who.....
Something clicked in Shikamaru's mind.
Shikamaru: That's it.....it's perfect!
Shikamaru quickly leaves the studio.
Sasuke: *Sigh* .....ow.....my head.....
A few minutes later, out on the set.....
The show is now over. Yukie Fujikaze leaves the building, leaving Shino alone in the main area.
Shino: *Whew* That was tough. Maybe I should ask for a script next time.....
Out of the corner of his eye he sees Sakura walking toward him.
Shino: Oh, hey. I guess I owe you thanks now.
Sakura: Why? I didn't.....
Shino: If you weren't watching, I probably wouldn't have been able to think of any lines, or even stay on stage.
Sakura: .....I made you think of all those dirty jokes?
Shino: WHAT?!? No, that's, uh, not what I, heh.....
Sakura: *Teehee* You're so cute when you're flustered.
Shino: Heh.....
Sakura: So, we still on for tonight?
Shino: Uh.....yeah! Of course. Can't wait.
Sakura gives Shino a smile and a hug. She whispers in his ear.....
Sakura: Neither can I.
Sakura stops hugging him and runs over to Lee, who is just walking out onto the set.
Lee: There you are! We need to set up for the After Dark show.
Sakura: Let's go get the furniture,
Sakura walks away with Lee, glancing back at Shino, smiling. She then walks away.
Shino: .....wow. Well, I'm done for the night. I guess I'll just chill backstage.
Shino begins walking backstage, when suddenly he hears loud screams and yells coming from the hallway.
Shino: WHAT?!?!
Shino runs to the hallway, where he sees something truly.....awesome.
Naruto: Bring it on!
Neji: There can be only one!
Naruto and Neji are both positioned on rolling chairs, clad in pillows and helmets. They hold padded yardsticks, and ready themselves at the ends of the hall, preparing to clash. Choji holds a camera, aiming at the two warriors. Hinata holds a microphone and accounces the event.
Hinata: Round 1 of Backstage Triathalon, the Office Chair Joust! Naruto vs. Neji, are you ready?
Neji: Always ready!
Naruto: You know it!
Hinata: Get ready.....
The two jousters hold up their yardsticks.
Hinata: .....get set.....
They both glare at each other, with killing intent.
Hinata: .....GO!
They both start running the chairs down the hall. Once the hit top speed, they jump on the chairs.
Shino: .....holy.....
They both collide in the middle of the hall. Naruto holds onto the chair while Neji gets sent flying down the hall.
Hinata: Winner! Naruto Uzumaki!
Naruto: Yeeeeeeaaaah!
Choji: You alright Neji?
Neji: .....ow.....
Shino: Holy shit you guys! What are you DOING?
Choji: We're filming more footage for Backstage Triathalon.
Shino: Is this what the show's made of? I never did get to see that footage.
Naruto: This isn't even the best of it! We have this footage of Hinata dominating Kiba at the paintball.....
Kiba: ENOUGH OF THAT ALREADY.
Kiba comes storming down the hall.
Kiba: IS THIS ALL YOU GUYS CARE ABOUT? STOP BEING SO IMMATURE!
Before anyone could get a second opinion in, Kiba leaves the area.
Neji: He's still angry about that?
Shino: Kiba never likes to lose.
Naruto: He doesn't have to be such a baby about it.
Hinata: Maybe.....I should ap-pologize?
Choji: That's probably the best idea.
Naruto: No, Hinata! Don't play his game! You won, he's just being sore about it. Don't let him belittle you.
Shino: It's just saying sorry, Naruto.
Hinata: It's okay, N-Naruto.....I should say something.
Naruto: .....fine.
Hinata leaves to apologize to Kiba.
Neji: What's the big deal with apologizing?
Naruto: Hinata just shouldn't bring herself down like that! Kiba's mad because he saw Hinata as less than him. She's going to enforce that!
Neji: If she's going to bring herself down, then she might need someone to bring her back up.
Naruto looks away, knowing the intent of Neji's words.
Naruto: .....I'm leaving for the night. See you tomorrow.
Naruto slowly drags himself out onto the main set. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Hinata walking up to Kiba. He turns away in disgust, and leaves the studio.
Meanwhile, with Kiba and Hinata.....
Hinata slowly walks towards Kiba, who is sulking in a corner of the main area.
Hinata: .....h-h-hey Kiba.....
Kiba: Who.....oh. It's you. What do you want?
Hinata: I just.....wanted to.....say I'm sorry.
Kiba: Sorry for what? You won. Fair and square.
Hinata: But.....you seemed down.....so I wanted to try and help.
Kiba: Don't mind me, I'm just in a bad mood.
Hinata: Well.....are you sure you're alright?
Kiba: Why do you care so much?
Hinata: Because.....you're my friend, and I don't want any of my friends to be feeling down.
Kiba: Thanks, but I'll be fine.
Hinata: Okay.....
Hinata begins to walk away.
Kiba: Hinata.
She turns around.
Hinata: Y-yes?
Kiba: .....thanks for caring.
Hinata: You're welcome.
Hinata walks away and backstage. Kiba thinks to himself.
Kiba: Psh. Screw her. I don't need her pity. But.....it felt good knowing someone was worried about me.
Kiba starts walking over to the main set.
Kiba: Maybe I'm not as alone as I thought.
Meanwhile, at a hotel in Konoha.....
Temari sits on her bed, watching T.V.. The Konoha Gladiators segment just ended.
Temari: Man, That was a good show. I really kicked the crap out of them.
Temari turns off the T.V. and falls backwards onto the bed.
Temari: But I can't forget why I'm here. I really want to see him.....
Temari rolls over and picks a frame out of her suitcase. Inside of the frame is a picture of the Chunin exams. It shows Temari, smiling at the camera. Standing next to her, is Shikamaru.
Temari: *Sigh* I really miss him.....if only.....
*knock knock*
Someone is knocking on Temari's hotel room door.
Temari: Uhh.....come in?
The door slowly opens.
Temari: *Gasp* Shikamaru?!?
Shikamaru: Hey there. I was wondering if you could do something for me.....
What is Shikamaru planning now? Temari might get thrown into the mix, while Shino and Sakura have their own issues to worry about. And is Kiba developing feelings for Hinata? Who will win, Neji or Naruto? Will Sakura pull off the show? All these questions, and more, coming up soon!
Another chapter done! Big thanks to all reviewers, you guys kept me going! And for those who don't know, yes I am a guy. Who says guys can't write good stories? Thanks for reading and PLEASE review!
-xStopAndGo