So was the routine for the next four days before the competition: training with Yuri, verbal sparring with Rin, and dancing with Obsidian Luminosity.
The day of the first round, Rin confronted her. Hannah glanced up from her novel in surprise to find Rin glaring down at her with her arms folded. "Stop trying to overpower me. And stop trying to become me. It will never happen."
Hannah glanced down at her pink shirt. "I had nothing else to wear, to my eternal dismay. Why in the name of all that's sweet and addictive would I want to become you? Ugh, I think I just threw up a little in my mouth."
Rin fumed and raged. "You know what I mean! Ever since I came here you've been nasty to me when I did nothing to you, acting like you're better than me! It's not true. I mean" she gestured toward her low cut clothing and my baggy clothing "you're just nothing."
Hannah was cut deep, but she masked it well. "You wish. You're just like every other obsessive, possessive jealous fangirl who can't get her way. By the way, in America, Barbie's get their heads popped off or have their bodies mutilated."
Rin just left the house with a slam of the door.
The American's stomach spoke. She was going to buy some real food from the market.
The other three housemates were under the impression to be thin meant a diet of bread, watery soup, dried fruits, drier vegetables, and water. No meats. No sugar. Nothing that tasted remotely delicious or appetite-whetting.
She had practically starved. Hannah didn't think she was a rabbit- living only on all that was greenery and weeds.
As the American strode to the marketplace she wondered why Gaara was teaching her dance lessons.
He wants to be your friend.
Uh huh. Whatever.
He disguised himself to become a 'proper' friend so he could be himself.
Shut up. You mean the evil, smirking diabolical genius?
It's true. You know it is.
The evil genius part? Yes, of course. But why would he pick me, of all people, to be his friend? He's the friggin' Kazekage with a zillion fangirls!
Exactly why. He doesn't want fangirls.
Then explain: why me? Why not some nice little soul who adores him beyond all reason? Why the masked, depressed American loaded with sarcasm? Eh?
There was no reply to that. Suddenly Hannah realized she had been arguing with herself. Oh no. Everyone is a little insane because we all talk to ourselves. It's when we start answering that we're in trouble.
"I'm in trouble," she sighed, buying her purchased condiments. Hannah ate the grilled steak with relish as the scent wafted through the household. Maite and Chika appeared, staring longingly at the forbidden non-diet food.
Hannah offered them each a plate. "You know, a little meat on your bones won't kill you two," she teased. "Don't disappear on me."
"About the ball, I have this real great idea. Do you want to hear it?" Maite asked eagerly, switching glimpses between her housemates.
"Nope," Hannah said.
Maite's bottom lip stuck out. "I'm going to tell you anyway." All three of them smiled. The American relished in her strangely close relationship with her competitors. Companionship was awesome.
"This will be our Itinerary- practice poise by balancing a full bucket of water on your head for about half an hour. Then review the dance moves until it is reasonable, which we shall spend two hours on. Next, return to our room, where I will train you two in proper etiquette as much as I can for three hours. Finally, I will dress and cosmetize you two to beautify your looks," Maite finished with an excited squeal.
P-p-P-p-P-p-P-p-P
Hannah felt naked. She wasn't really naked. She was wearing clothes that were moderately decent. The American took several deep breaths. I'm strong. I can deal. Other Americans dress like this all the time…Yeah, prostitute style.
Although Maite wore a gown with high neck, sleeves, and all, when it came to dressing others, the Hime had disturbing tastes similar to Rin's, except the pink obsession. And not quite so unashamed.
When she, Chika, and Maite entered the large ballroom, Hannah decided she was dressed as decently and modestly as a nun in extreme contrast to the other outfits of over two hundred female competitors.
Seriously!
Besides, Maite who had moved off to meet Kankuro because she wasn't involved in this mess.
The others were…to her eye- disgusting, desperate, and…
The Kazekage entered. There was a Domino effect. Women screamed with hearts in their eyes, before swooning and passing out in order. It was like the wave. Chika, Hannah, and a few others remained on their feet as the other one-hundred-and-something stood up.
Kankuro had entered and was standing by Maite. The American wished her luck.
If Hannah had ever wanted to faint in her life, it was now. She would have fallen stone cold –not dead- that particular moment.
Hannah compulsively tugged at her spaghetti strap, moss green mermaid dress. Sewn in random spots were teal sequins. The American fingered the silver tear drop necklace Maite had lent to her, along with a matching pair of liquid silver tear drop dangly earrings.
Many songs played; some did twice. Hannah recognized: 'Hanging By a Moment' by Lifehouse, 'Bad Boy' by Cascada, 'Always in Forever' by Donna Lewis, 'Dirty Little Secret' by The All-American Rejects, 'Roses Are Red' by Aqua, 'Just the Girl' by Click 5, the morose and energetic versions of 'Listen to Your Heart' by D.H.T., 'Barbie Girl' by Aqua, 'A Thousand Miles' and other varieties of songs.
Hannah swallowed as she witnessed a pair of shinobi bodily haul a wailing loser out of the building. Those who didn't win left Suna immediately.
"I can't do this," she groaned, twisting her hands anxiously. The numbers had been cut down drastically so far.
Hannah bit her lip as she observed Gaara and Chika dancing. Chika passed to the next round.
Hannah's insides were split. Half of her wanted to run, screaming, to the other side of the world; the other half grumbled to hurry up and get it over with.
She broke out in a cold sweat as she walked toward the handsomely dressed Kazekage, who wore his normal outfit. Her heels clicked on the tile, causing her to inwardly flinch at the loudness. Hundreds of eyes were glued on Hannah.
She was going to be ill.
The Kazekage offered his hand. She accepted. He positioned his other hand on her waist. The American placed her hand on his shoulder. They began to dance to the song 'Hanging By A Moment' by Lifehouse.
Hannah didn't mess up too much. She only tread on Gaara's toes fifteen times and accidentally elbowed his stomach in the Latin Swing. Obsidian Luminosity passed her.
The Mai was the last dance to narrow down the large number of competitors. Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari (in a wheelchair with Shikamaru close by) would be judging. Mai was based mainly on grace and complexity.
She and Chika exchanged a small, shy smile of victory, both knowing they were far from winning. By the end of the first round, only one hundred girls remained.
P-p-P-p-P-p-P-p-P
For her Mai, Hannah wore a crimson Japanese formal kimono with pink Sakura petals fluttering down from a blackened, twisted tree. 'Kids in America' was her song. The American spun, flourished, and danced with grace inspired by her patriotism for her homeland.
A stone face Gaara marked: 9.6
Purple-paint faced Kankuro: 9.2
Temari: 9.8
She passed.
P-p-P-p-P-p-P-p-P
"Maite, I forgot to ask. What were you and Kankuro doing?" Hannah inquired as she, Chika, the hime, and unfortunately, Rin strode home.
The princess flushed. "We were speaking."
"About?" Chika prodded.
"Things…" squeaked the embarrassed monarch.
"That's vague enough," Hannah snorted, clapping her hand on her friend's shoulder.
"Well?" Chika clapped her hand on Maite's other shoulder.
"He asked me to the upcoming ball."
Disclaimer: don't own 'Hanging By a Moment' by Lifehouse, 'Bad Boy' by Cascada, 'Always in Forever' by Donna Lewis, 'Dirty Little Secret' by The All-American Rejects, 'Roses Are Red' by Aqua, 'Just the Girl' by Click 5, the morose and energetic versions of 'Listen to Your Heart' by D.H.T., 'Barbie Girl' by Aqua, 'A Thousand Miles' by Vanessa Carlton, or 'Kids in America'