Here we are!!! Believe it or not!!!!
The newest chapter of WHITE HEART is hitting !
Finally the contest has arrived and because of that this chapter is an amazing 8k words long!!!!
Our favorite, gorgeous and super talented beta and editor was of course Okami!
We have a few notes at the end so please read them!!!! =D
The songs are:
Avril Lavigne: Girlfriend
John Secada and Shanice: If I Never Knew You (Pocahontas')
Bananarama: Love in the First Degree
I love you
"Very good Hinata! Again! From the top!" said Midori-sempai, I had just finished rehearsing the song, I had pretty much grasped the lyrics and the feeling, all that was left was the dance choreography. We were already on the eve of the talent show.
At that moment the Midori-sempai's room door bursted open and Ino-chan, who was late, came in really worked out.
"Big news! Big news!" she called loudly.
"You mean besides the fact that you're late?" asked Sakura-chan in an acid tone.
"Of course Forehead, duh" replied the blond in the same tone.
"So?" demanded Tenten-chan.
"...So what?" asked back Ino-chan.
"The news" I explained.
"OH! THAT! You're not going to believe it!" she said taking a seat, Kohaze served her a cup of tea and placed a plate of cookies close to her.
"Thank you" she said while petting Kohaze a little. She took a sip of tea and bit a cookie enjoying the taste "Yuu-sama makes awesome cookies! We're lucky that he gives them for free to Hinata-chan" she blinked twice "why are you all girls looking at me?"
"THE NEWS?!" yelled Tenten-chan and Sakura-chan
"I'm getting to that" she argued trying to ease the pain from her ears "so, I was at my family's store the doorway, ready to come here, yes? And suddenly, you won't believe who was walking down the street!" she made a tentative pause.
"A pretty woman?" asked Sakura-chan taking the acid tone to a whole new level, Ino-chan sent her kunais with her eyes.
"NO, dumb, Naruto and Azumi" my heart got squeezed a little bit "she was clinging to his arm and they looked all lovey dovey"
"Wait" interrupted Tenten-chan "You're not saying this in order to keep up Yuu's issue are you?" the thirst for blood was palpable in her voice.
"No, no, no!" defended herself Ino-chan, terror clear in the tone of her voice "actually that's not the main point of the gossip!" she continued her story "I hid myself, considering the possibilities of tailing them, I mean, I've got second best stealth of the gennin and they aren't that good at recon, so I was considering my options when suddenly Kiba and Shino came from the other side of the street. I thought maybe they would stop and chat a while but they merely exchanged a greeting and they passed by. However, what really called my attention was what Kiba said after they had passed by, he said 'Ho'd tell? they look good, Azumi and that Naruto, but I always thought he would date Hinata, actually, I wonder if she's still available, she was pretty cute' and Shino replied 'Azumi hasn't mentioned a relationship with Naruto yet' and Kiba said 'Then they should get together ASAP, that would make Hinata free, right? You think she'd accept going out with me?' and Shino's reply was so funny, he said a nonchalantly 'No' After that was merely Kiba arguing with Shino about his so called 'attributes' and other nonsense, but anyways"
"And you're telling us all this 'cause...?" asked her Tenten-chan.
"Well it seemed like a great gossip to me..." defended herself Ino-chan.
"It's Kiba who we're talking about here, he's never been too bright" said Sakura-chan.
"But maybe that means that the others support Azumi and not Hinata-chan?" asked our blond friend. I wasn't really hearing anymore, my chest ached whenever I thought about it.
"Don't worry about that, and focus, we have to be ready for tomorrow" said Midori-sempai.
"Ino, have you finished with her clothes?" asked Sakura-chan.
"Oh! That! Well, I have two options" she looked through her pockets and took out a little scroll, opening it a little. A cloud of smoke appeared and along with it two sets of clothes "look here, the song talks about someone who faces trial right? So what about her custom being similar to some kind of law enforcer? You know, to make it more dramatic. So I came up with this idea, foreign, and domestic" she said presenting both outfits.
"O-o-oi!! Ino!! Where the hell did you get these?!" asked Sakura-chan somewhat scared.
One of the sets were very similar to normal ninja clothes, it was a mini vest with the sign of the Konoha Police Force on the back (A shuriken with the symbol of the Uchiha clan in the middle), a pair of black ninja boots with high heels and a light blue mini dress. The size of most of those clothes seemed somewhat off, it wasn't until I took the dress and put it over my clothes that I noticed what was wrong. Suddenly my blood accumulated in my cheeks.
"Ino-chan this is so short!!!" I screeched.
"I know, with your legs this dress is a mortal weapon" she answered with a proud smile.
I left the dress on the table as if it was a can of radioactive material. I looked at the other outfit. It was completely different from what I had ever seen. The shoes were a pair of brown boots, made of leather, completely closed, and finished in point, a leather strap attached a metal Y to the boot, at the end of said metal branch was a small star with several points. The clothes included a leather mini skirt, a tiny vest made with the skin of some black and white animal, and a short sleeved shirt whose fabric showed a very unique design, with bright colors that created little squares all over it. As accessories it had high crowned and wide brimmed hat of matching color with the boots; it also came with a badge, it was a golden star of five points that read "Sheriff" in the middle
"That's the foreign clothes I was talking about, it's supposed to be the clothes that the police officers use on the other side of the sea" explained Ino, seeing how the mini skirt looked more like a wide belt to me, I seriously doubted her information sources "Why don't you try them Hinata-chan?" asked me Ino-chan
"D-do I have t-t-"
"Yes you have!" they all said with shinning eyes, it was clear they wanted to see me using these outfits.
I tried the police costume first as it was at least a style of clothing I was somewhat familiar with, but even after I putting on all the clothes I still felt as if I was still naked.
"Wooooaaaah" said all of the girls when they saw me
"Dont just 'woah' me!" I complained "H-how do I look?"
The heels of the boots were way taller than anything I had worn before, the dress wouldn't reach half the way between my waist and my knees, the vest wasn't exactly designed to be closed on the front, so I had to wear it open, it rested on both sides of my chest.
"I guess Hinata-chan is the only one here that can look that good in that outfit" conceded Tenten-chan.
"O-oi, what's with these?" asked Sakura-chan with a drop of sweat on her forehead "so jealous" she added taking her hands to her chest, she released a sigh.
"See? It looks good on her" said proudly Ino.
"Midori-sempai what do you think?" I asked
"M-m-me?" she jumped quite a lot, her face was completely red, and her eyes were anywhere but set on me, as fast as she could she turned her head away from me too "I-it looks good!" was her answer though she added in a whisper that apparently only I heard "tsk, that's not the body of a 12 years old, not even my body..."
"See? Looks and skill, the contest and Naruto are in the bag" said Ino-chan with confidence.
"No, no, no" said suddenly Sakura-chan "we can't go with this outfit"
"Why not?" asked Tenten-chan.
"Cause of the police sign in the back" she explained.
"What's the matter with that?" asked Ino-chan not getting it.
"It has the Uchiha crest on it, isn't it?" I guessed Sakura-chan's thoughts.
"That's right, you know how Naruto hates Sasuke-kun, we can't take any risks here"
"I guess you're right" accepted Ino-chan.
"Why don't you try the other one?" proposed Tenten-chan.
"W-what?! The other one?!" exclaimed two voices, Midori-sempai's and mine.
"No, no, no, no! That won't be necessary!" said nervously Midori-sempai "I'm pretty sure she looks good in that one too, there's no need for her to try it...right?"
"NO, she definitely has to!" said all the other girls.
It was a very long evening.
Though eventually, as everything, it came to an end, and we had to go home. All the girls had already left and I was waiting for Midori-sempai, because she was going to buy some bread for dinner and I had to walk to the corner before going home. Midori-sempai came out of the house with a big bag for the bread and we got going.
"So, 'Cowgirl' uh?" she asked me.
"I guess that's how Ino-chan called that style...It makes me feel like I'm the cow..." I complained.
"Gambatte, Hinata"she cheered me on.
"I'll try my best, thanks" I tried to show a warm smile even with my nervousness rising.
"Can I ask you a question?"
"Sure"
"Why are you doing all of this?"
"What you mean?"
"The whole contest thing" I took a moment to consider it, but she talked again "it's actually more like a question you need to answer for yourself. Are you really here because you want to confess to Naruto? I mean, I am rooting for you all the way here, and I seriously think you're going to win, but, if you are going to take part on it, I'd prefer it being for a good reason. Think about it, will you?" she smiled at me after finishing talking, but once again she had used that tome which made her sound much mature.
"Um, sure" I said not really knowing what to say.
"It's a shame Kohaze couldn't stay today, my mom really liked him" she said when we reached the corner and got ready to take different ways.
"Well, Sora-nee-san assigned him as our bodyguard, and you all girls are with me here and today Naruto-kun is playing with the Konohamaru-corps so it was logical who he had to watch" I explained as calmed and collected as possible, although deep inside me I wished to go and play with Naruto-kun and the little kids too "Say hello to Yuu-san for me"
"Will do, try to rest, tomorrow is your big day" she said happily.
We both waved good-bye and turned to resume walking, each in a different direction.
"...Even I am not completely sure of why I'm doing this..." I said to the wind.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
We arrived early the next day at the open-air theater of the village. There were at least thirty people there who were registered as participants. Most of them were already practicing, concentrating, getting ready for the show. The contest would begin at 6:00 pm, exactly at dusk, so most of us would perform with the lights of the stage on, and even the firsts to act could use them with the low-light environment.
Ino-chan, Sakura-chan and Tenten-chan were on the backstage with me, applying some make up on me, but Midori-sempai was running late. I was wearing a gorgeous white kimono, courtesy of Mrs. Sawamura who had lent it to me .
"So, did you invite him?" asked Ino-chan.
"Yes, I did" I said slowly while nodding.
"Hinata-chan, please don't move too much" begged Sakura-chan.
"Sorry" I apologized to Sakura-chan before answering Ino-chan "I told him I would be here...and that if he could, I'd like him to come"
"Ow, Hinata-chan!" complained Tenten-chan "with such an invitation he might not come!"
"Oh! No, he's here. He came with Azumi" we all turned to see the person who had just arrived.
"Midori, you're late!" nagged Ino-chan with her hands on her hips.
"I'm sorry, I was getting my partner" she explained.
"Haku-kun!" I said recognizing the stylish figure that was walking behind my teammate.
"Hello" said the boy simply, smiling with his beautiful face.
"-kun?" asked surprised all the girls.
"Yes, Haku here is a boy" explained Midori-sempai and all the girls nearly fainted. That's when I noticed they both were wearing matching yukatas.
"Why are you dressed like that?" asked Sakura-chan.
"We're also going to participate" explained Haku-kun.
"I'm sorry for telling you this late, it was kind of a last minute thing" explained Midori-sempai.
"Does that mean you're not going to help me?!" I asked her anxiously, Midori-sempai's jutsu was an important part of the act, she smiled and negated with her head.
"Of course I'm going to help you, I'm not going to leave my cousin abandoned like that" she said.
"'Cousin'?" asked surprised Ino-chan.
"Yes, cou- I mean! Teammate! Ha,ha,ha, sorry, I'm kind of distracted today" she said laughing nervously.
"As long as you don't get distracted on Hinata-chan's act everything is fine" added Sakura-chan.
At that moment someone called us from afar.
"Will all participants please come this way? We are going to announce the order" said a woman who apparently was the head of the staff.
There were thirty four competitors, each one had around five minutes to perform and that time included getting ready for the show and leaving the stage. You could use a little bit more of time but the idea was to make it as swift as possible. The winner would be selected by the public, based on their reaction to the performance and their applause.
I was more or less in the middle of the list, while Azumi (who was looking very attractive if somewhat aggressive since her outfit looked as if she was a more conservative Sora-nee-san… as impossible as that sounded) was placed a few numbers after me and Midori-sempai and Haku-kun would perform near the end of the show.
After the order was announced we rushed in order to finish preparing ourselves. In my case we had to fix my make up and get started with my hair. Before we knew it a large crowd had assembled at the place, taking their seats and waiting for the contest to get started. I could see Naruto-kun sitting in the middle already, waiting for the show to begin. He had always liked been in the center.
The place was semi circular, with the seats placed at different heights, the farther away from the stage the higher they were, the stage was large and clean, with wooden floor. Several lights and huge speakers were all around the stage, a heavy red curtain covering all of it. On the sides a pair of screens showed what was happening on the stage.
When the clock marked six and five minutes a large voice resounded in the theater.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! Welcome to the sixty ninth edition of Konoha's Talent Show!" an announcer made his entrance, wearing an electric blue hakama, a large microphone in his hand, his hairstyle was even more spiky than Naruto-kun's "this year we have a very numerous amount of participants who will show us their different talents to win this magnificent contest!" the public applauded excited "Let's get the party started, here is our firsts participant!"
One by one several people passed to the stage and performed their number. Aside from the dancers and singers there were jugglers, magicians, comedians, people who played instruments, or acted a scene from famous plays, or that made poetry, among others.
The sun quickly left the skies and hid past the horizon, and the stars shined above, the lights of the place illuminated the stage.
Sooner than I expected there were only two people left before my turn. The woman on stage was performing a very complicated dance, she was wearing a very beautiful red dress with lots of ribbons that flew all around the place as she moved in tune with the accords of the music. She looked beautiful and her act was amazing, but then it happened: she fell, but in such a way that she made great ruckus, ripped her dress, and got good part of her skin exposed. The open air theater became completely silent, then slowly busted into a sound laughing.
My heart went into shock as the woman, holding her dress, passed just by me in tears. I could feel the anxiety building up inside me, this wasn't right.
"I'm not going to do it" I said.
"What are you talking about?" asked me Tenten-chan.
"I'm not going to sing, I won't do it, I can't do it, I don't want to do it!" I said in quick succession.
The announcer had come out again and tried to calm down the audience to bring out the participant who would act before me.
"Hinata-chan calm down" said Ino-chan "just relax, sit down and try to catch your breath, you'll be fine"
"Yeah, take it easy, you'll rock 'em" Sakura-chan cheered me.
My knees felt like jelly, so I sat down on a box as Ino-chan recommended, but I wasn't able to calm down.
"Thank you!" said the announcer as the act finished and the audience clapped a little "That was Kim Yong and his act of contortionism! Now please help me receive our next participant! Number 18! Come to the stage!"
I looked at the pin that was pinched to my clothes, it read '18' on big numbers, and it meant it was my turn. However several seconds passed and I didn't move. Ino came rushing to my side.
"Hinata! You have to go out there!" she urged me.
"I can't go out!" I said almost screaming, the terror clear in my voice, more palpable than I thought "I will be terrible, I'll screw it"
"Hinata-chan, you'll be fine!" supported me Sakura-chan "bring it on!" I just lowered my head avoiding their eyes.
"Hinata-chan if you don't go out you'll lose by default!" told me a worried Tenten-chan.
"I won't do it!" I said holding my head.
"I thought you had more resolve" said Azumi coldly who came at me from behind "but if you're giving up, then I'll take it you give him up too."
"What do you want? Mind your own business" dismissed her Sakura-chan.
"You should listen to your own advice, or do you want me to defeat you like last time?" questioned Azumi.
A member of the staff pointed at the participant with the number 19 "You, go out there" she said pushing him lightly.
The contest continued without much problem, even if I hadn't gone out no one seemed to pay too much attention to it.
"What was all that work for, after all?!" complained Ino-chan
"Hina-chan, don't worry, you have practiced so much these days, you know the song and also you're not alone, all your friends are here supporting you. I know you'll be fine" told me Habataku trying to cheer me on.
But I wasn't hearing them anymore. After some minutes their expressions softened, passing from scolding to pity.
Slowly the seconds became minutes and the participants continued passing into the stage one by one, I noticed that Azumi was standing next to the stage. She was the next one.
"May the next participant come out! Number 22! Please come here!" called the announcer
Azumi took a deep breath, her pin read said number. Her turn had come. She closed her eyes and tried to focus before taking a step outside.
She was received as the ones before her with light applause from the audience, as she walked to the center of the stage I stood up slowly and walked towards the stage, lending on a wall, still out of sight of the audience. I could see Naruto-kun cheering and whistling as Azumi walked confidently, her smile shining honestly and waving her hand vigorously as a greeting.
"Hello little one, what's your name?" Asked the announcer.
"Azumi, Nakamura Azumi"
"Welcome Azumi-chan, tell us, how old are you?"
"I'm 12 years old"
"You're very young: are you confident in your abilities to win this contest?"
"I'm not here to compete and win the prize you're offering, but yes, I'm sure I have what it takes to win this one out"
"Well then, show what you've got girl!"
The announcer retired from the stage and some static was emitted from the speaker in anticipation to the music track being played. Azumi hold her breath one second as the music began.
"Hey! Hey! You! You!
I don't like your girlfriend!
No way! No way!
I think you need a new one
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I could be your girlfriend
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I know that you like me
No way! No way!
No, it's not a secret
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I want to be your girlfriend
As the rhythm of the song filled the place the audience responded to her song clapping in tune with the song's pace. Her voice was amazing.
The lights of the stage filled the area with radiant colors and shifting forms.
"Who does she think she is?!" asked an outraged Sakura-chan.
You're so fine
I want you mine
You're so delicious
I think about ya all the time
You're so addictive
Don't you know what I could do to make you feel alright?
Don't pretend I think you know I'm damn precious
And Hell Yeah
I'm the motherfucking princess
I can tell you like me too and you know I'm right
"Hinata, I guess it would be better if you covered your ears, this won't be nice" warned me Midori-sempai.
She's like so whatever
And you could do so much better
I think we should get together now
And that's what everyone's talking about!
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I don't like your girlfriend!
That's Right! No way! No way!
I think you need a new one
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I could be your girlfriend
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I know that you like me
No way! No way!
You know it's not a secret
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I want to be your girlfriend
All the people were excited by the song: they were singing, dancing, clapping, and cheering. Even Naruto-kun was cheering loudly. It seemed more like some artist's live instead of an amateur talent show contest.
I can see the way, I see the way you look at me
And even when you look away I know you think of me
I know you talk about me all the time again and again
So come over here, tell me what I want to hear
Better yet make your girlfriend disappear
I don't want to hear you say her name ever again
(And again and again and again!)
She's like so whatever
And you could do so much better
I think we should get together now
And that's what everyone's talking about!
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I don't like your girlfriend!
No way! No way!
I think you need a new one
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I could be your girlfriend
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I know that you like me
No way! No way!
No, it's not a secret
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I want to be your girlfriend
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I know that you like me
No way! No way!
You know it's not a secret
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I want to be your girlfriend
In a second you'll be wrapped around my finger
Cause I can, cause I can do it better
There's no other
So when's it gonna sink in?
She's so stupid
What the hell were you thinking?!
In a second you'll be wrapped around my finger
Cause I can, cause I can do it better
There's no other
So when's it gonna sink in?
She's so stupid
What the hell were you thinking?!
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I don't like your girlfriend!
No way! No way!
I think you need a new one
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I could be your girlfriend
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I know that you like me
No way! No way!
No, it's not a secret
Hey! Hey! You! You!
I want to be your girlfriend
As the last chorus of the song went on, I came to notice that all the song Azumi had been watching Naruto-kun intently, without seeing anyone else. Her act was flawless; I could see Naruto-kun cheering for her in the crowd.
It was unfair: she was pretty, skilled, and talented. And now she also had Naruto-kun.
A silent tear ran down my cheek as the act ended.
When the song finished the announcer returned to the stage "Well that was something! You guys liked it, didn't you?" the people replied with a roar.
"Thank you!" said a sweating and agitated Azumi "thank you very much" she took a second to recover her breath and then looked directly at me, hidden as I was, before turning and leaving the stage to the opposite side.
"Sakura-chan, Ino-chan" called warningly Tenten-chan "hold me" surprised by the unusual request the girls grabbed the brunette by the arms.
"RELEASE ME! I'M GOING TO KILL HER!" Tenten-chan rushed trying to break free of the grip that the other girls had done half heartedly at the beginning but were now struggling to keep in order to impede Tenten-chan from killing the younger weapon master.
It took us several minutes to calm her down, and get her to take a sit, making her regain her composure
"That was totally uncalled for!" complained Ino-chan "just you wait, we'll think of something to shut her up"
"Calm down girls, there's no need to start a fight between companions, we're all members of the same village" reminded us Midori-sempai.
"You go and tell that to that Azumi girl" proposed Tenten-chan.
Haku-kun showed up on that moment "Midori-chan, it's our turn" he announced to our older friend
"Yes, coming" she answered and stood up. She gave me a direct look and talked "Hinata, please listen to us"
"The next participants will perform in Duet! Will participants 29 and 30 come to the stage please!"
Midori-sempai and Haku-kun walked out and were received by the audience with a round of applause.
"What kind of song will these two beautiful girls show us?" asked rhetorically the announcer "what are your names?"
"I'm Sawamura Midori" said my teammate with perfect manners.
"And my name is Haku" he said smiling "but just to make it clear, I'm a boy" he said simply while smiling.
The whole place fell into silence; I couldn't help but smile at the memory of that morning in the woods when Naruto-kun and I found out.
"...Well then...it's all yours" said the man still a little shocked and leaving the stage.
A soft music track started playing as Midori-sempai and Haku-kun stood on the middle, facing each other. The lights on the stage changed to a deep blue tone. Midori-sempai started singing with a voice much more masculine than her usual girly tone.
Ok, so this one's a duet, therefore I'm going to put on top of each part who sings it, I hope it's not that confusing
Midori:
If I never knew you
If I never felt this love
I would have no inkling of
How precious life can be
And if I never held you
I would never have a clue
How at last I'd find in you
The missing part of me.
In this world so full of fear
Full of rage and lies
I can see the truth so clear
In your eyes
So dry your eyes
And I'm so grateful to you
I'd hve lived my whole life through
Lost forever
If I never knew you
Haku:
If I never knew you
I'd be safe but half as real
Never knowing I could feel
A love so strong and true
I'm so grateful to you
I'd have lived my whole life through
Lost forever
If I never knew you
Midori:
I thought our love would be so beautiful
Haku:
Somehow we'd make the whole world bright
Duet:
I never knew that fear and hate could be so strong
all they'd leave us were these wispers in the night
But still my heart is saying we were right
Haku:
Oh if I never knew you
Midori:
There's no moment I regret
Haku:
If I never knew your love
Midori:
Since the moment that we met
Haku:
I would have no inkling of
Midori:
If our time has gone too fast
Haku:
How precious life can be...
Midori:
I've lived at last...
The deeper tone Midori-sempai was using and the sweet voice of Haku-kun were in perfect sync, and their performance was excellent, even down to the way they moved, how they looked into each other followed the romantic tone of the song, anyone could believe that they were a couple of lovers.
Duet:
I thought our love would be so beautiful
Somehow we'd make the whole world bright
Haku:
I thought our love would be so beautiful
We'd turn the darkness into light
Duet:
And still my heart is saying we were right
Midori:
we were right
Midori:
And if I never knew you
Haku:
If I never knew you
Midori:
I'd have lived my whole life through
Haku:
Empty as the sky
Duet:
Never knowing why
Lost forever
If I never knew you
As the last chords of the song finished the audience which had been completely silent during the song bursted into cheers and applauses, everyone but Naruto-kun, he was watching them with a somewhat serious expression.
When they returned to the backstage the girls received them with cheers and compliments. They had been amazing, that was true, but I didn't pay attention to their words, I was too focused deep inside me. The song had really reached me.
"Midori-sempai" I called "I've found it, the reason to do it, I want to sing!" I said with a calmed smile, she smiled back at me.
"I knew you would say that" she put a hand on my shoulder "let's see what we can do" she looked at all the other girls there.
"YES!" they cheered in agreement.
We dashed around talking with all the members of the staff, asking for an opportunity for me to sing, but slowly the minutes were passing and we were just moving from one person to the next, without really getting a firm answer.
"Participant 33!" he heard from the stage.
Apparently the staff couldn't reach a decision on such short notice, and everyone tossed the case to the next one.
"Participant 34 please come here!" it was the last one.
"Hinata we can't let it end like this!" yelled Sakura worried.
"I've got an idea!" said Ino-chan "Makasete (leave it to me), Hinata-chan, get ready to sing any minute now; Midori, Sakura, go to manage the act, Tenten-chan come with me, I'll need your help"
We all nodded and rushed to our positions.
The last act came to an end when we reached the edge of the stage.
"And that was our last act of the night!" said the announcer, the contest had finished. I hadn't even sung my song. I could see how Naruto-kun was climbing the stairs towards the exit "thank you all for yo-"
Ino put her hands in front of her "Don't let me fall" was all the warning she gave us "Mind Transfer no Jutsu!" she cried and next second her body fell down as if lifeless, Tenten-chan almost didn't catch her.
"I'm sorry!" said the announcer "we have a last minute participant!!!"
"Hinata-chan to your position!" hurried me Habataku.
"But! What about Ino-c-"
"No time to explain hurry!" she pressed me.
"O-ok" I concentrated chakra a few seconds "Moon Jump!"
The stage had a trap door below it, it was connected to a small elevator, I was going to enter the stage using it. I could feel my heart pounding, racing, fighting desperately to burst out of my chest. I had teleported to this small place for that sake.
The trap door opened above my head, a single spotlight fell over me and a thick mist entered through the hole. Both Sakura-chan and Midori-sempai were doing their part. The elevator activated as the music began playing.
I reached stage level, the whole floor was covered with thick mist that made it look as if it was a cloud; my kimono shimmered a little under the bright light. I could see Naruto-kun clearly in the public; he was back at his seat in the middle of the place. The time to start singing approached rapidly, this was so different from singing in a Karaoke, and all the eyes of those people were set only on me. I wanted to run away as fast as I could...but something held my feet where they were, solid as stone...and heavy as it too.
PERSEVERANCE!!! This one's for you! I yelled in my head before singing.
"Last night I was dreaming I was locked in a prison cell
When I woke up I was screaming calling out your name.
And the judge and the jury they all put the blame on me
They wouldn't go for my story
they wouldn't hear my plea"
This was it, Midori-sempai would use her ninjutsu to change mi kimono into that other outfit, the sheriff one. I didn't even want to think about that so I decided to simply ignore my clothing and just sing. All the lights of the stage turned on filling the place with millions of colors and shapes. As the rhythm of the song changed I resumed the singing and started dancing.
"Only you can set me free" I said pointing at Naruto-kun
"'Cause I'm guilty - guilty - guilty as a girl can be.
Come on
baby
can't you see
I stand accused of love in the first degree"
The cheers of the audience were loud, but I was only looking at the blond boy, looking at me with that serious expression.
Guilty of love in the first degree."
Someday I believe it you will come to my rescue
Unchain my heart you're keeping and let me start a new.
The hours pass so slowly since they've thrown away the key
Can't you see that I'm lonely
won't you help me
please?"
I was dancing and singing directly at him, and his azure eyes were locked on my moves. I just hoped it wasn't only because of the strangeness of my clothing.
"Only you can set me free
'Cause I'm guilty - guilty - guilty as a girl can be.
Come on
baby
can't you see
I stand accused of love in the first degree."
I dared to take a look at myself at the screens. I was taken aback, but tried to avoid showing it. I was wearing a beautiful dress: it was made with a light violet fabric, with small straps on the shoulders, white silver details in the chest, the waist and at the very end, with a gorgeous cut and style. I recognized it instantly; it was the dress I had liked that day at the store. Suddenly black chains came out of thick air, and wrapped themselves around me; however, they weren't heavy and didn't interfere with my movements, this was Midori-sempai's doing. A moment later, a pair of white feathered wings sprouted from my back, breaking the chains into pieces.
"Guilty of love in the first degree.
Cuilty - of love - guilty of love in -
Guilty - of love - guilty of love in -
Guilty - of love in the first degree.
And the judge and the jury they all put the blame on me
They wouldn't go for my story
they wouldn't hear my plea."
The pair of wings exploded into thousands of feathers that filled the open air of the theater, shinning as if made of silver.
"Only you can set me free
'Cause I'm guilty - guilty - guilty as a girl can be.
Come on
baby
can't you see
I stand accused of love in the first degree.
Only you can set me free
'Cause I'm guilty - guilty - guilty as a girl can be.
Come on
baby
can't you see
I stand accused of love in the first degree.
Only you can set me free
'Cause I'm guilty - guilty - guilty as a girl can be.
Come on
baby
can't you see"
The song finished and the audience exploited in an extremely loud roar. Only Naruto-kun was still sitting, looking solely at me. I wasn't really sure if he had understood the message of the song...so...I put my hands together over my heart and yelled with enthusiasm.
"Naruto-kun!" a single spot light fell over him "I love you!" I told him with a huge smile. His eyes grew bigger, and his face reached a light pink tone. All the people suddenly quieted down, before turning into cheers. Naruto-kun recovered his calmed stare and smiled at me. In a flash of orange he disappeared. My smile stood there, I had been able to do it.
I bowed at the audience and took my leave.
As soon as I was out of the stage I ran to my friends and jumped to hug them.
"YOU DID IT! YOU DID IT!" cheered excited Ino-chan, Sakura-chan, and Tenten-chan.
"Thank you minna!" I said smiling at them. Midori-sempai and Haku-kun were a few steps away, both smiling at me "you too, thank you very much"
"Hinata-chan!" called Tenten-chan "When did you bought that dress?"
"I didn't, it was it was a present from you, right, Midori-sempai?" I asked her
"Actually I was merely making the delivering, it was given to me the same day we arrived from that mission, I was asked to give it to you, but I hadn't found a good moment to do so"
"Uhhh! Maybe it's Yuu-sama's gift!" said excited Ino-chan.
"No" I denied "I still hadn't met him that day..." I tried to explain when suddenly I understood. Its cost… it cost nearly all the money we had earned...
I bet she'd look fantastic in this thing.
Onee-chan~ Can you please lend me some money?
The reason why Naruto-kun had no more money...could it be? He had bought this?
I tried to search for Naruto-kun back at the audience but I knew he wouldn't be there anymore.
Naruto-kun...Thank you
OoOoOoOoOoOoO
After the "strange occurrence" with the announcer, the staff had no other choice but to accept that I had participated in the contest, even if I had been originally disqualified by default. They labeled the issue as a simple misunderstanding on the information given to the announcer.
"And we'll now announce the winners of the sixty ninth contest!" said the man completely recovered from Ino-chan's jutsu after a few minutes "In third place Nakamura Azumi!" with a somewhat depressed look Azumi walked into the stage to receive her trophy among with a great applause.
"In second place the Duet of Midori-chan and Haku-kun" both of them looked at each other and blinked surprised, but their expression softened into a smile and they went to receive the second place trophy sharing it, as they politely bowed before their own round of applause.
"And Finally! The best! The number one! The winner of the Sixty Ninth Talent Show Contest of Konoha!" I was really nervous, all the other participants were as anxious as I was. Sakura-chan, Tenten-chan, Ino-chan, and I were holding hands, a heavy silence reigned over the place "AND THE WINNERS...IS!" we squeezed our hands "HYUUGA HINATA!!!!" we jumped happily as we heard my name. I wasn't able to believe it!!! I had won! I REALLY HAD! Jumping and running I went to receive the trophy.
The ovation that resounded when I came into the stage was deafening.
"CONGRATULATIONS!" said the announcer "YOU'RE THE YOUNGEST PARTICIPANT EVER WINNING THIS COMPETITION!"
Standing there, in front of so many people holding a huge trophy I couldn't help to smile brightly.
Editor's note: Hey readers, I'm striking back. The same deal, check for any mistakes please, since I corrected this late at night and another part while on lab nnU I'm not sure how well I did my job this time.
Now, did anyone else was like "WTF" with Hinata's I love you? I was kinda shocked with that and the music's choice, but then, I'm the editor XD You are the fans so give some opinions on this chappie.
Tohru's Note: Yeah and I'm the author, so any complaints on the songs...actually those will have to be delivered to my parents for making listen to oldies =P. What can I say? Did anyone noticed that I tried my best this chapter to make Okami say 'Perv' and yet failed miserably?
Any ways, that's all for this arc!!! I hope you liked it!!! (And to Mr. ZZZ, Hinata won this one, maybe this way I can show you I'm not bashing her)
Next arc we will start with a new development! The Chunnin exams are finally here! But thats not all this arc will be like the main arc of the story, get ready 'cause all of the mysteries are going to be solved shorty!!!!
However...I'm going to take an extended rest before posting that chapter. This doesn't mean hiatus, just means I'll take a few weeks before starting to work on next chapter, so please wait patiently!!!
While we wait for it, please READ & REVIEW =D