Hello! I'm sorry I'm so late with this chapter!!! I moved to Spain because of an academic exchange! So it was a little complicated for me to focus. But to make it up this chapter is more than 8.5k words long that's the record so far!
So with this chapter I begin a new development, one that is not focused on the storyline of the original story but in the relationship of the characters most like the "kids-arc". I hope you enjoy it!
This is a special chapter because the original voice of our heroine is making an appearance! Look forward to it!
As usually this chapter's editor, beta, style corrector and all that is Hikari no Okami
No more to say, enjoy! CHARGE!
Girl Day! Girl Pals! Girl Talent?
"There they are!" Anko-sensei almost cheered when the huge gates of the hidden village of the leaf could be seen in the distance, showing themselves over the trees of the surrounding forest in the fire country.
Our traveling group had two more people than when we left those walls (of course, Tazuna-san was our client, so he wasn't exactly part of our group: he was the objective) as now both of the mist ninja we had considered our enemies were walking alongside us as allies and even friends (at least to everyone else but me...I still felt afraid of them)
"So that is the village of Konoha, uh?" asked Zabuza, his large sword on his back
"It sure is different from Mist Village" acknowledged Haku with his usual pleasant smile, Midori-sempai walking happily by his side
The 'C' rank mission that turned to be an 'A' ranked one finished rather easily after that day in the bridge, but that was only logical with Naruto-kun and his clones helping at the construction site. Still, it had been very hard for all of us to say good bye to Tazuna-san, Tsunami-san, and Inari-kun, especially for Naruto-kun. The two boys had forged a pretty strong friendship. We parted wishing to see each other again in the future.
We reached the gates of the village just to meet some figures we weren't expecting to find, also returning from their mission.
"Kakashi~" greeted cheeky Anko-sensei.
"Yo! Anko" replied a silver haired man, his face was barely visible: the lower part was covered by a mask, and his left eye was covered by his head band, he used a long sleeved outfit with long pants, the usual ninja sandals, gloves on his hands and the vest that represented his rank as a Jounnin in the village… so that, basically, all you could see of his body was mainly his right eye…which seemed half-asleep, half bored.
Beside him was team seven...or at least most of it, as instead of Magoro Oshikuru, was Nakamura Azumi...why was she there???
Sasuke, as always, was looking kind of high and mighty, while Sakura, as usual, was looking dreamingly at him, and last but not least, Azumi was looking at Naruto-kun, again, as always. However, Azumi's and Sakura's outfit were not in 'as always' conditions. If my clothes were ripped, cut and damaged theirs were way worst: Their outfits were almost falling apart, and they were soiled and had marks of dust, blood, and mud. What had they been into?
"Coming back from a mission I see" continued Anko-sensei with a cat-like smile in her face. It was clear she knew this Kakashi-sensei person "Wasn't your team formed by two boys and a girl? What happened?"
"Long story made short: The other member hurt himself and this girl's sensei of was out on a mission so...she's substituting our usual member. You and your team appear to be doing the same" he replied. Then he noticed our companions, and even though his stance didn't change, the gaze of his single eye was completely different, it was sharp, and his killing intent was felt instantly, "what is the Demon of the Mist doing here?" he asked with a defiant voice. A chill ran down my spine, do all the ninjas in the world just HAD to use his nickname?
"Kehehehehe" laughed Zabuza sending other unpleasant feeling running from my head to my feet "Copy Ninja Kakashi" recognized the appealed "I'm here as a refugee of war"
"Don't play games with me" The silver haired jounin delivered an ultimatum right of the bat "I know you're a traitor to your country, your bounty in the bingo book is one of the biggest ones I've ever seen" Below his bandages Zabuza's keen smile could be perceived.
"Likewise" the missing nin whispered just loud enough to barely get it. Could Zabuza mean that Azumi's and Sasuke's teacher was one of those people Zabuza respected so much? Was he a ninja powerful enough to be added into the bingo book?
"Stop it both of you" interrupted Anko-sensei "We're all in the same team, right?"
"Same team? What do you mean?" asked with an edgy tone Kakashi-sensei.
"His story is truth… to some extent" joined the discussion Midori-sempai. "He's here as a potential ally, not as an enemy. We're on our way to talk with Sandaime-Hokage-sama and get our debriefing"
"Debriefing?" asked a little surprised Kakashi-sensei. "Were you asked to capture Zabuza, Anko?"
"Actually we were hired to protect someone, but we ran into some complications and had our skirmishes with Zabuza and his companion, Haku, here" answered our sensei.
"A mission with ninja as the enemy?" asked the male Jounin, again with his serious tone of voice.
"So it seems, but everything went ok in the end" replied Anko-sensei.
"Very surprising" I didn't understand what exactly was that surprising of our mission.
"I know" but apparently Anko-sensei had "So, how was yours?"
"Mission? Well nothing interesting to report: a C rank mission to clean out a caravan route from a gang of regular bandits. Beside their numbers they were nothing special, but I have to admit they almost got us once. Actually, Sasuke here rescued these girls when we were in a pinch and then took care of the bandits with a fire jutsu, no wonder he's an Uchiha"
"Nothing but mere bandits, Teme?" provoked Naruto-kun "we had to fight real ninja in real battle!" he said proudly.
"Where you hurt Naruto-kun?" asked Azumi worried.
"Not too much, but the battle was fierce...a little more and…someone would have died" he said with a slightly sad tone of voice "but of course nothing a future Hokage couldn't get over! Right?" he recovered his energy in a split second "HAHAHA! How about you Azumi? You kicked some bandit's ass right?! Didn't get hurt, right?" So! He could ask Azumi if she was hurt and he was ignoring me?!
"Well" Azumi lowered her head "I hate to admit it, but Sasuke did save us from a total wipe out. If it wasn't for him we wouldn't be here right now…the bandits were way more than we expected" she bit her lower lip "Even if they weren't ninja they were well organized and trained in combat and use of weapons…I'm considered a Weapon Master and I was able to merely waste 13 of them while Sasuke…" she felt in silence out of shame and regret.
"Sasuke-kun defeated more than 20 with a single jutsu…and he killed more than 50 of them by himself" continued Sakura "Kakashi-sensei got only 75, Sasuke had taken the rest by then"
Sasuke stared directly at Naruto-kun like saying "What're you going to do about that?" holding his gaze as the blonde looked back at him to the eye, neither of them even blinking.
Anko-sensei released a whistle "Wow, more than 150 bandits? Trained and organized? I guess it was only logical that such a mission would be assigned to your team. The Sharingan must have really been a great help"
I recognized the name of the Sharingan, it was the bloodline technique of the Uchiha Clan, it was said to be cousin to the Byakugan; but I had no idea about what kind of technique it was… it was clear that it was powerful, if Anko-sensei recognized that such a mission could only be achieved with the use of a technique only Sasuke would know. I could only imagine how was Naruto-kun feeling right now. Just when he felt like he was getting closer to his rival, that person went beyond his reach once again.
"Well, well" Anko-sensei broke the tension that was becoming palpable in the air "we better get moving right? C'mon, get moving, don't stay there Sunshine"
"yah..." accepted between his teeth Naruto-kun, he was frustrated...Azumi had always been stronger than him in the academy, and Sasuke had proven he was even stronger than Azumi. We left team seven at the gates of the village with a somewhat bad taste in the mouth.
We walked the populated streets of Konoha just fine, navigating through the village until we arrived at the Hokage tower, from which, through big window-walls the village entire was under the protective eye of the professor, Sarutobi-sensei, Hokage-sama.
We waited a few minutes while other ninja teams were summoned to assign them a mission or for debriefing. Naruto-kun was talking with Midori-sempai, and Haku-kun. I was just listening; it felt really awkward since he wouldn't direct any word for me.
Finally our turn came up. Hokage-sama was surprised about how things had turned out and in the end Naruto-kun and I were dismissed while the rest of our company was left in the room to discuss Zabuza and Haku's situation in detail. When we were on our way outside we were given a pair of envelopes which contained a lot of money, apparently the payment for an A class mission. If this was the income all jounin had it wasn't surprising a family with so many high ranked ninja like ours could maintain a house like the one we lived on.
Once we took a step outside I noticed that it was the first time in almost a week that both, Naruto-kun and myself, were completely by ourselves.
"Ano..." I tried to break the silence "etto, Narut-"
"Well! I'm going to Ichiraku's, I'm missing some of their ramen! I'll...uh...see ya later in the house 'kay Hinata?" and in a flash of orange light he disappeared.
"um...sure...I guess" I replied just to an empty space...he had said 'Hinata'...where did we lose our 'Hina-chan'? It was the first time he had used his fast movement technique just for the sake of using it, and it had been to get away from me ASAP...it was depressing.
I noticed my cheek felt weird, it was a little bit… wet? I took my hand to examine it and looked up looking for some rain clouds, but it was a clear day...maybe it was my imagination or maybe it WAS raining, but just for me...
I walked almost dragging my feet back to the house, reaching the gates of the Hyuuga compound in almost twice the time it usually took me. When I reached the front garden something took me by surprise.
"DYNAMIC ENTRY!" a green mass suddenly approached me at high speed!
"LEE-SAN! TIME OUT! TIME OUT!" I called kinda desperate, pulling my hand up in order to protect my face.
"Ara? Hinata-san?" Rock Lee stopped in the middle of his attack, passing by without harming me "Where is Naruto-kun? Is he not with you?"
"Well, no" I said trying to sound polite and as if it didn't affect me "he's in Ichiraku's, he wanted to eat some ramen...with haste"
"And he didn't take you along?" he inquired "that's not usual" he didn't need to say that to me.
"I guess he just was in that much of a hurry" I said trying to smile...in some way I hadn't lied to him "It seems your mission went just fine too"
"Certainly! After all, this is the second year that we, Team Gai, are active ninja of the great village of Hidden Leaf!" he said with almost too much energy.
"Easy Lee, you'll overwhelm Hinata-chan here" scolded him the only girl on my cousin's team.
"Hello Tenten-chan" I said greeting her.
"Hey, how you doing? How was your mission?" she asked with a polite smile.
"Tiresome" I replied in the same tone "but everything went fine in the end"
"Excellent! Why don't we celebrate your success by running 50 laps around Konoha?!" Lee-san offered.
"She isn't like you!" Tenten slapped him on the back of his head "Didn't you hear she was tired?"
"I-it's ok, really, no need to hit Lee-san" I guess he was even more energetic than Naruto-kun in his own way "Is cousin alright?"
"Neji?" confirmed Tenten-chan "well, yes, you know him. We finished the mission and he returned without distractions. We were just escorting him here; after all, Lee wanted to spar with Naruto-kun, but he's not here and I was on my way to the commercial district that's close by"
"Are you going to buy something?" asked Lee-san a little surprised.
"Of course. All girls go shopping, you know? Even ninja ones! I wanted to checkout some blouses and a few scrolls, and mother asked me to compare the prices of certain items too, and-"
"Tenten-chan!" I said almost too high, both Lee-san and Tenten-chan looked at me surprised.
"...Y-yes?"
"If you're going to shop, would you please take me with you?!" I asked with more intensity than planned, but I really wanted to go.
"Uh, sure, you're welcome if you want to come along Hinata-chan"
"Thank you!" I said smiling and blushing a little bit.
I had to leave my stuff in my room and to change my travel clothes, but not even an hour and we were walking down the main street along which were all the important shops in Konoha, both for shinobi and civilian alike.
"It was really a surprise Hinata-chan, that you'd go all the way to actually ask me to come along when we have barely exchanged words" said Tenten-chan as we walked together
"Well you are constantly looking after my cousin, and your teammate is looking after Naruto-kun, so I think we should have a better relationship, don't you agree?" I asked her
"Hoh? I guess you're right" she said smiling "let's get along nicely, ok?"
"yes" I returned the smile. It was nice to relax after a tough mission.
We walked down the street, looking at the stores and entering whichever attracted our attention. We looked at all the things Tenten-chan had to and we also checked out several weapon shops, shinobi outfit tailorers, scroll vendors and of course clothing, shoes and accessories stores. It was in one of such clothing stores that I saw it: it was the most beautiful dress I had ever seen, light violet fabric with small straps, white silver details in the chest, the waist and at the very end, with a gorgeous cut and style. However, it was excessively expensive as it was made by a very famous designer of the fire country. It cost almost all the money we had received from the A rank mission. I guess maybe I stared at it for too long.
"You know?" she asked me putting her hand behind her head, I waited in silence for her to continue "I never thought you'd ever ask me to come along"
"Why?" I questioned with curiosity.
"You seemed like a little too shy to me...but today you really look different, you know?" she said looking me in the eye.
"Different? How? I hope different is good!!!" I was suddenly worried by this 'different'
"Yes, yes, don't worry, different is great!" she said quickly "I mean, you seem more confident, you walk around more straight, you look somewhat more secure. I don't know...you look-" she suddenly fell silent and looked at me for a few seconds "Hinata-chan! Are you wearing make-up?!" she asked me really excited; I felt how the color rose to my cheeks and nodded.
"My teammate applied some for me every days we were away on our mission...she also combed my hair...and well, I was thinking that maybe this look would be better...the long hair down looks prettier than just tied up in a pony tail and the make-up, well, he looked more at me, Naruto-kun..."
"Why do you like him?" she asked somewhat bluntly
"Wha-? No-! I!- Well-! Actually-!" I tried to formulate an answer but nothing intelligible would come out
"It's ok, I know, I've seen the way you look at him" she explained. I was really embarrassed, if she knew just by looking a little at me how many other knew about my crush for him?
I answered her with a shy nod.
"So you want to wear make up and stuff to make him notice you more right?" again I nodded.
"Well I suppose I can help you with that a littl-"
"SHUT UP!" a loud yell interrupted her.
"NO, YOU SHUT UP! FOREHEAD GIRL!" I had an idea of who were yelling. We both turned our heads towards the source of noise to find Sakura and Ino face to face, making such faces I swore they would jump for each other's throat any second now. The scene was pretty uncomfortable for anyone so I decided to go and try to calm them down a little bit.
"Sakura, Ino!" I pleaded while putting myself between the two girls "please, stop, you're bothering everyone here with your quarrel" sadly my voice was barely hearable in amid their constant insults.
Tenten-chan was trying to help me stop them but they just wouldn't listen to reason. In the confusion Ino hit me in the chest with her elbow and sent me to the ground.
"ALL RIGHT!" yelled Tenten-chan really pissed and taking two fingers to her mouth she whistled so high that both girls stopped fighting and turned to see Tenten-chan with great surprise "ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! IF YOU TWO GIRLS WANT TO KILL EACH OTHER I COULDN'T CARE LESS! BUT! IF YOU HURT SOMEONE AND INVOLVE BYSTANDERS THEN ITS TIME FOR YOU TO CONSIDER WHAT YOU'RE DOING! JUST LOOK AT WHAT YOU DID TO HINATA-CHAN HERE!" I was rubbing my chest a little to ease the pain while trying to stand up
"Oh my! Hinata!" Ino was the first to come to my aid "I'm so sorry! I didn't notice! It wasn't my intention to hurt you!" she was really worried "this big forehead girl is to blame for all of this" and there they went again.
"WHAT?!" Sakura was just about to start again when Tenten-chan stopped them.
"Don't you girls ever learn!?" she grabbed Sakura by the back of her collar preventing her from going towards Ino "you two really need to go sit down and fix your differences!"
...but that didn't work out well either
A quarter of an hour later we were sitting on the fenced terrace of a nearby cafe, the place was adorned with floral motives and the tea was delicious. We had asked for a round table, Sakura and Ino were sitting next to each other while Tenten-chan and I were sitting in front of them. But even if we had sit them together they weren't even looking at each other.
"Um...this wasn't a good idea either, right?" asked me in a whisper my brunette friend.
"Ano...no, I don't think so" was all I could answer. Sakura's and Ino's rivalry had some history by now.
Tenten-chan released a long sigh "Why can't you two get along?"
"That's not your problem" said Sakura "who are you?"
"Um, yes, etto, this is my friend, Tenten-chan, she's the teammate of a cousin of mine" I explained introducing her "like us she's a gennin. Tenten-chan these are Yamanaka Ino and Haruno Sakura they attended to ninja academy with Naruto-kun and me"
"Hey, talking about that dumb blond, he's not with you Hinata?" asked Ino
"Yeah, where's Naruto? He's usually with you, right?" Sakura continued the interrogation 'More like I'm with him' I replied mentally
"Hey! Don't try to divert the attention from the matter at hand forehead! You're still going to pay!" demanded Ino
"WHAT?! YOU ARE THE ONE WHO STARTED THIS TOPIC!" answered yelling the pink haired.
"Girls take it easy, you are disturbing the other customers" suddenly Midori-sempai appeared in the middle of the two girls, who had already jumped to their feet and were ready to punch each other...clearly it was the first time that Tenten-chan, Sakura and Ino saw my teammate appearing like that as all three of them jumped in their place.
"You!!!" Sakura pointed her with a finger "You're that demon-woman who ashamed Sasuke-kun!"
"Demon-woman?" asked Midori-sempai entertained "Mi-do-ri, Sawamura Midori, that's my name. No need to call me a Demon, for I'm a human like all of you… just a little bit older"
"Whatever!" said Ino "Sakura and I are going to settle this today!"
"Well if you're going to do this why not do it Konoha style?" proposed Midori-sempai taking out some advertising "Since... today a new Karaoke was inaugurated and presenting this advertising we'll get a discount" she finished smiling
"Yeah! Let's make this a singing battle!" cheered Ino excited
"Heh, you want to lose to my beautiful voice?" her opponent grinned "you're on"
Now I was the one who released a sigh. How had this become a karaoke battle? But, at least now they wouldn't jump for each other's throat.
Few minutes afterwards we were inside a karaoke room. Tenten-chan, Midori-sempai, Ino, Sakura and me. After a quick selection process they had agreed that the pink haired would start the battle and now Sakura was selecting her song.
"What's taking you so long Sakura?" teased Ino.
"Just shut up!" Sakura snapped back "I'm selecting my song, ok? You just wait patiently! Damn it!" replied Sakura while she browsed through the long list of songs that the karaoke had.
The place was pretty nice, it was a new building. The front desk was pretty nice and modern and the room we were now was very good as well: It had a long sofa which covered two walls of the small room, a little table was in the center, with a huge TV in front of it and a couple of microphones and remote controls to select the songs; snacks could be delivered to the room. Yep, it was a modern and nice place.
"Ah!" cheered Sakura "I love this song! This one will do!" she selected the song and stood up in front of us, the sound of an electric guitar filled the room through a pair of speakers placed on the corners of the room and Sakura moved the microphone closer to her as the lyrics were about to start.
"Well you're the real tough cookie with the long history
Of breaking little hearts, like the one in me
That's o.k., let's see how you do it
Put up your dukes, let's get down to it!
Hit me with your best shot!
Why don't you hit me with your best shot!
Hit me with your best shot!
Fire away!"
While she was singing she began a very simple choreography and beckoned Ino, as if taunting her, but the blond simply crossed her arms and blew a few bangs from her face.
"You come on with a come on, you don't fight fair
But that's o.k., see if I care!
Knock me down, it's all in vain
I'll get right back on my feet again!
Hit me with your best shot!
Why don't you hit me with your best shot!
Hit me with your best shot!
Fire away!"
She was doing extremely good! Her voice was perfect and her movements were in par with the rhythm, it was nearly as if the real singer was performing in front of us.
"You're going down Ino-Pig!"
"Well you're the real tough cookie with the long history
Of breaking little hearts, like the one in me
Before I put another notch in my lipstick case
You better make sure you put me in my place
Hit me with your best shot!
Come on, hit me with your best shot!
Hit me with your best shot!
Fire away!
Hit me with your best shot!
Why don't you hit me with your best shot!
Hit me with your best shot!
Fire away!"
And so the song was finished. Tenten-chan, Midori-sempai and I clapped at her performance.
"Try to beat that blondie!" said Sakura going back to sit on the large couch.
"You'd better not cry when I wipe the floor with you!" Ino was now standing up and was instantly browsing through the list of songs. She selected the melody and turned around to look at us, a slow music began along with a chorus girl line of "AAAAAAAH...Kiss the girl" Ino prepared to sing
"Kiss the girl!
There you see her
Sitting there across the way
She don't got a lot to say
But there's something about her
And you don't know why
But you're dying to try
You wanna kiss the girl.
Yes, you want her
Look at her, you know you do
It's possible she wants you too
There's one way to ask her
It don't take a word, not a single word
Go on and kiss the girl (kiss the girl)
Shalalalala
My oh my
Looks like the boy's too shy
Ain't gonna kiss the girl
Shalalalala
Ain't that sad
it's such a shame
Too bad, you're gonna miss the girl
go on and kiss the girl (kiss the girl)
Nows your moment
Floating in a blue lagoon
Boy, you better do it soon
No time will be better
She don't say a word
And she wont say a word
Until you kiss the girl (kiss the girl)
Shalalalala
My oh my
Looks like the boy's too shy
Ain't gonna kiss the girl
Shalalalala
Ain't that sad
it's such a shame
Too bad, you're gonna miss the girl
Shalalalala
Don't be scared
You better be prepared
Go on and kiss the girl
Shalalalala
Don't stop now
Don't try to hide it how
You wanna kiss the girl
Go on and kiss the girl"
(kiss the girl)
(oh, ohnoo..)
(kiss the girl, kiss the girl)
As the track continued to play Ino took a chance to recover her breath. She was perfect! She was gorgeous and her styling figure and marvelous appearance made it seem like she was gleaming! Her voice was completely flawless! Sakura would have a hard time beating this on her next round!
Also, as Sakura's song seemed to be aimed at Ino, the blond's song was directed to somebody else...maybe Sasuke-san?
"Lalalala, Lalalala
Go on and kiss the girl
Lalalala, Lalalala
Go on and kiss the girl
Shalalalala
My oh myyyyy
Looks like the boy's too shy
Ain't gonna kiss the girl
Shalalalala
Ain't that sad
it's such a shame
Too bad, you're gonna miss the girl
Lalalala, Lalalala
(Go on and kiss the girl)
Go on and kiss that girl!
Lalalala, Lalalala
(Go on and kiss the girl)
Go on and kiss the girl
Kiss the girl
(Kiss the girl)
Go on and kiss the girl"
There was no doubt for any of us...Ino had won this round...and even worst, beating her at this would be nearly impossible. She was as always the best. Our claps were completely justified.
"There you go Sakura, let's see if you can beat this shot. But I'm warning you it's not my best...you're not worthy of that!" Ino taunted her back as the blue eyed sat back on the sofa.
Sakura was about to stand up again, but Midori-sempai interrupted her
"Hey how about letting us sing a song too?" suggested Midori-sempai "We won't be participating in the Karaoke battle...we'll just sing a little, It's more fun this way, right?"
"I agree!" said Tenten-chan "I always wanted to try Karaoke!" she gripped the microphone and checked out the list of songs, selecting one of them. Music began almost immediately.
"I got a lot to say to you
Yeah, I got a lot to say
I noticed your eyes are always glued to me
Keeping them here
And it makes no sense at all
They taped over your mouth
Scribbled out the truth with their lies
You little spies
They taped over your mouth
Scribbled out the truth with their lies
You little spies
Crush
Crush
Crush
Crush, crush
(Two, three, four!)
Nothing compares to a quiet evening alone
Just the one-two of us, who's counting on
That never happens
I guess I'm dreaming again
Let's be more than this"
Even if her singing wasn't as pretty as Sakura's or Ino's her voice was clear and strong. The song fitted her style and apparently she was having a lot of fun. She was glowing on her own right...and in her special single way.
"If you want to play it like a game
Well, come on, come on, let's play
Cause I'd rather waste my life pretending
Than have to forget you for one whole minute
They taped over your mouth
Scribbled out the truth with their lies
You little spies
They taped over your mouth
Scribbled out the truth with their lies
You little spies"
Even Sakura and Ino were watching and listening to her singing, her song was amazing, very powerful, just like her.
"Crush
Crush
Crush
Crush, crush
(Two, three, four!)
Nothing compares to a quiet evening alone
Just the one-two of us, who's counting on
That never happens
I guess I'm dreaming again
Let's be more than this now
Rock and roll, baby
Don't you know that we're all alone now?
I need something to sing about
Rock and roll, hey
Don't you know, baby, we're all alone now?
I need something to sing about
Rock and roll, hey
Don't you know, baby, we're all alone now?
Give me something to sing about
Nothing compares to a quiet evening alone
Just the one-two of us, who's counting on
That never happens
I guess I'm dreaming again
Let's be more than
No, oh
Nothing compares to a quiet evening alone
Just the one-two of us, who's counting on
That never happens
I guess I'm dreaming again
Let's be more than
More than this
Ohoh ohoh ohoh
Oooh..."
Everyone clapped this time. Tenten-chan was awesome.
"Very good, Tenten-chan!" I cheered happily; the brunette blushed a little and smiled. We all knew she wasn't fit for a karaoke battle, but her singing would someday make someone pretty happy.
"My turn!" Said with a cheeky voice Midori-sempai while standing up and taking the microphone politely from Tenten-chan. As the white haired girl checked out the song list looking for one to sing, the brown eyed one came and took a sit by my side.
"You were very good there" I said smiling to her.
"It was nothing really, these girls did better than me" replied the older girl
"No, no, it was very good...Tenten, right? You're a terrific singer" complimented her Sakura.
"Yeah, it was very good! Not like me of course, but still it was amazing" added Ino.
"Oh my god!" Midori-sempai seemed very happy "I can't believe they have this song! So nostalgic!" as she selected the song the sound of an acoustic guitar filled the room.
"AAH, AAAH
AAH, AAH, AAAH
Sé muy bien a dónde vas
También sé donde guardas tus secretos
Sé muy bien lo que hay detrás
De esa fiera que aparenta desgarrarme y sé muy bien.
[I know very well where you're going
I also know where you keep your secrets
I know very well what's behind
Of that beast that seems to rip me apart and I know pretty well]
Lo que hay en tu piel
Lo que hay en toda tú
Lo que hay en tu ser
Que me hace querer
[What's in your skin
What's in all of you
What's in your being
That makes me want]
Quererte invitar, a dónde no sé
Y estando a tu lado ver el amanecer
Solo quiero una oportunidad
Solo quiero esta noche poder cantar en tu boca
[Want to ask you out, where to, I don't know
and standing next to you watch the dawn
I just want a chance
I just want to sing in your mouth tonight]
No quiero saber hoy de nadie más
Si el mundo se acaba, la verdad me da igual
Sólo quiero un poco de lluvia,
una bonita luna y poder cantar en tu boca.
[Today I don't want to know about anyone else
If the world comes to its end, I really don't care.
I just want a little bit of rain,
a nice moon-sight and to be able to sing in your mouth]
AAH, AAH, AAAH
SOLO QUIERO PODER CANTAR EN TU BOCA
AAH, AAH, AAAH
SOLO QUIERO PODER CANTAR EN TU BOCA
[AAH, AAH, AAAH
I just want to sing in your mouth.
AAH, AAH, AAAH
I just want to sing in your mouth.]"
Even if she was singing in a foreign language the TV screen presented a translation of the lyrics so that we could understand. Her singing was perfect, as good as Ino's, even if her voice sounded a little bit grave, you could say even male-like, but it since the original singer was a male she sounded just fine.
"Sé muy bien lo que piensas,
lo que dices, lo que callas,
lo que escondes.
Y no puedo resistir
tu mirada ni las ganas que tengo de descubrir
[I know very well what you think,
what you say, what you keep silent,
what you hide
And I can't resist
your gaze nor the desire I have to discover]
Lo que hay en tu piel
Lo que hay en toda tú
Lo que hay en tu ser
Que me hace querer
[What's in your skin
What's in all of you
What's in your being
That makes me want]
Quererte invitar, a dónde no sé
Y estando a tu lado ver el amanecer
Solo quiero una oportunidad
Solo quiero esta noche poder cantar en tu boca
[Want to ask you out, where to, I don't know
and standing next to you watch the dawn
I just want a chance
I just want to sing in your mouth tonight]
No quiero saber hoy de nadie más
Si el mundo se acaba, la verdad me da igual
Sólo quiero un poco de lluvia,
una bonita luna y poder cantar en tu boca.
[Today I don't want to know about anyone else
If the world comes to its end, I really don't care.
I just want a little bit of rain,
a nice moon-sight and to be able to sing in your mouth]
AAH, AAH, AAAH
Sólo quiero poder cantar en tu boca
AAH, AAH, AAAH
Sólo quiero poder cantar en tu boca
[AAH, AAH, AAAH
I just want to sing in your mouth
AAH, AAH, AAAH
I just want to sing in your mouth]
AAH, AAH, AAAH
AAH, AAH, AAAH"
"WOW!" Tenten-chan cheered really excited! "That was something!" everyone was clapping too.
"Midori-sempai? What language was that?" I questioned curiously
"Oh that!" repeated Midori-sempai "that's some language from the west...but don't worry about it. It's your turn Hinata-chan" she said offering the microphone to me.
"Me? N-n-n-no I can't, my voice i-isn't that g-good!" my stuttering had returned, as every time I was nervous. Singing? Me? I don't think so!
"Come on, Hinata, we all did it already. It's your turn!" supported Sakura.
"Yeah! You're not going to ditch us on this one, right?" asked me Ino
I knew they wouldn't let me off the hook. With reluctance I stood up and took the microphone from the offering hand of Midori-sempai. I had never ever ever sang in front of anyone! I didn't even do it alone that much!
What should I do?! What should I do?! I kept screaming in my mind I'm going to be terrible!
I finally found a song I knew, it wasn't exactly famous, but still was the only one I thought I might sing decently enough. I clicked for it to start and turned around. As the intro music started a monitor behind the girls turned on. I took a deep breath and felt my heart racing. The lyrics began to appear slowly...I was feeling more and more nervous, it was the time to start singing...
PERSEVERANCE! I shouted at myself and began singing.
"Open your shiny eyes in the silent night fushigi na yoru maiorita ashioto tatezu shinobiyoru nayamashi ge na kuro neko no POOZU tsuki akari wo se ni ukabu SHIRUETTO kocchi e oide to hohoende temaneki
[Open your shiny eyes in the silent night
The wonderous night swooped dow
filled with the sound of footsteps
from a stealthy, desirous black cat's paws.
The floating sillouette in the moonlight
said 'Let's go this way' with a beckoning smile]"
"WOOOOOH!" cheered Tenten-chan… she was really excited. Midori-sempai was smiling and Ino and Sakura...well I couldn't decipher their expression.
"yokubou no kage ugomeku machi tenshi no furi de samayoi taisetsu sou ni kakaeteru ikiba no nai ai no kakera
[A shadow of desire covered the squirming city
as the wandering angel descended.
The shards of love in the precious thoughts I cradled in my arms
weren't of our destination]
nemuri ni tsuku koro anata mo dokoka de shiawase na yume o mite iru no hoshizora ni KISU o shite ii ko wa mou oyasumi
[When the time comes when you're also sleeping somewhere,
are you dreaming sweet dreams?
Kiss me as we rest in the starry sky.]
mitsumenaide tsukamaenaide mayoikonda BATAFURAI jiyuu utau dare ni mo mienai hane kakushiteru no anata no mune no oku
[you can't see, you can't catch
the labyrinth butterfly
The wings in your concealed chest sing of freedom
even for the people who can't see them]"
As I saw how more and more excited Tenten-chan got I started feeling more confident about my singing, and even Sakura and Ino cheered me.
"You're doing very good Hinata!" said Ino
"You rock!" added an excited Sakura
"kagami no naka no omokage wa nakimushi datta ano koro dakeredomou kodomo ja nai nobashita kami wo hodoita
[The face reflected in the mirror was
a crybaby back then,
but I'm not a child now.
I undo my now-long hair]
mune wo shimetsukeru amai FUREGURANSU yuuwaku shiteru kizuite iru kotoba wo nakushita kuchibiru ni mahou kaketa no [My chest tightens as I realize
a sweet fragrance is tempting me
The lost words were magically put on my lips]
mitsumenaide tsukamaenaide mayoikonda BATAFURAI itoshi sugite taisetsu sugite kowarete shimau watashi no mune no kagi
[you can't see, you can't catch
the labyrinth butterfly
Go past the precious things, go past the important things
Break and destroy the key to my heart]"
All of them were clapping by now, Midori-sempai was even dancing in her sit and Tenten-chan and Sakura even whistled from time to time. Even if it was reassuring, it was making my cheeks pretty hot. "sagashi tsuzukeru jibun no SUTOORII unmei ni mekakushi sarete mo kono kumo o tsukinuke haruka na asu e to habataku
[I continue to search for my own story
Until the blindfold that conceals my fate is removed
I'll pierce through these clouds with my wings and go to the distant tomorrow ]
mitsumenaide tsukamaenaide mayoikonda BATAFURAI negai matoi tobitatsu mienai hane kakushiteru no anata no mune no oku
[you can't see, you can't catch
the labyrinth butterfly
These targeted, feathered wings will take a long leap
unseen, out of your concealed chest.]"
And so it was finally over. It had been fun, but still it was very embarrassing. I wouldn't do it again, at least, not in a long, long while!
"WOW!" Ino almost shouted in my ear. All the girls stood up to receive me back.
"Hinata! That was amazing!" said Sakura cheering me while holding my hands.
"Yes! If you ever get bored of the ninja life you can always be an idol!" assured Tenten-chan
"N-no way!" I answered her "me? An idol? No way! Haha I'm not that pretty"
"Give a fiveyear" added Midori-sempai "trust me, you'll be pretty enough to join the Miss Fire Country contest. But anyway, that song was beautiful"
"Yes it was!" supported her Sakura "Hinata, why don't you join the talent show?"
"What?! No! I couldn't never do it again! I was so nervous! Imagine if I had to sing in front of so many people!"
"Come on!" said Ino sitting back in the sofa. I wished I'd stop being the center of the attention, but Sakura wouldn't let me.
"Say Hinata" she started dropping her body on the sofa "How's it going with Naruto?"
"Yeah!" Ino suddenly recovered the interest "You are in his team right?!"
"A-ano...y-yes" please no, anything but that!!
"And?!" Ino was pressing me a little.
"And...n-nothing" was my answer in some way it wasn't a lie...right?
"You mean nothing has happened?" asked Sakura.
"W-why would anything happen?" this was even more embarrassing.
"C'mon!" exploded Sakura "We know you like that blond fool since like, ever"
"I-I-I well...etto!" I could feel how my color was rising "HOW COME EVERYONE KNOWS THAT?!" I asked almost crying
"Uh...Hinata-chan?" tried to explain Tenten-chan "It's very obvious"
"I'm afraid everyone, but the object of you affection is aware of your feelings..." said Midori-sempai
"But don't worry!" added Ino standing up "we will help you, we can even give you some advise!" she said hitting her chest lightly with her fist.
"Etto..." this was just about to become even more embarrassing... "actually...I've already… confessed..."
Utter silence
"WHAT?!" Ino, Sakura, and Tenten-chan yelled in surprise and even Midori-sempai seemed caught off guard.
"And what did he said to you!?" asked Ino.
"How was it?!" asked one second later Sakura.
"Why didn't you told me?" now it was Tenten-chan. This interrogation was kind of oppressive.
"...He...! hasn't given me an answer...yet" was all I could say.
"I don't get that fool" Ino was again losing interest in the topic.
"You know?" called Midori-sempai "maybe you can ask him again, but this time with a song" she pulled out a flyer of the Talent Show.
"Yes!" Tenten-chan was clearly interested. "You know how little animals respond to music? Maybe it will work!"
"No!" I said trying to persuade them from the Talent Show idea, again. "Really, I have no intention to take part in some Talent Show!"
"Your friend, that girl, Azumi, will be" added Midori-sempai
That stung me...I remembered Habataku's words "Do you want some other girl like Sakura or Azumi to take him?"
"S-still....I'm not really comfortable about standing in front a lot of people" I said trying to excuse me from them...but somehow it was more like I was using it as an excuse for myself. "But hey! What's happened with your Karaoke Showdown?" I asked trying to change the topic.
"You're kidding, right?" asked Ino.
"There's no way we're going to stand there again today Hinata" explained Sakura "You won the Karaoke Showdown"
"WHAT?!!!!"
Later on we left the Karaoke and returned to the commercial district for Tenten-chan to pick up some weapons the blacksmith was sharpening. That's where I saw them: Naruto-kun and Azumi walking together. Azumi was hugging Naruto-kun's arm... I felt a little fire starting in my stomach as I saw them. From the direction they were walking surely Naruto-kun had found Azumi at Ichiraku's...or maybe she had gone looking for him.
They were just looking at the store windows, Azumi seemed interested in cloths and weapons and Naruto just in the later, until they stopped in front of the dress I had found earlier today.
"Waaaaah!" admired Azumi "it's so beautiful"
Naruto-kun just whispered something and because of the distance I couldn't hear him. Still, I was able to read his lips: "I bet she'd look fantastic in this thing"
I turned around, calling my teammate "Midori-sempai!" I wouldn't lose him, not to her! Not to anyone! "Where can I register for the Talent Show?!"
Hinata makes up her mind! To obtain a bright future she's willing to fight and risk everything!
And that's it!!!
I hope you enjoyed it!
The songs were these ones!
Sakura: Hit me with your best shot – Pat Benatar
Ino: Kiss the girl – Ashley Tisdale
Tenten: Crushcrushcrush – Paramore
Midori: Cantar en tu boca (Sing in your mouth) – Carlos Ballesteros
Hinata: Meikyo Butterfly (Labyrinth Butterfly) – Nana Mizuki