Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Shakespeare Lives ❯ The Auditions - Part I ( Chapter 2 )

[ P - Pre-Teen ]

Author's Note: Holy crap! I can't believe there are actually people reading this thing… >< I thought I was going to be flamed or something…Man, is this ever surprising. Anyways, thank you all for you're kind reviews. ^^ Oh yes, I also have to give a super thanks to Miya-chan for helping me come up with the cast and betaing this for me. ^^; It was insane afternoon of casting. But we finally finished it! Bwuahahahahaha!

Pairings: None as of yet.

Disclaimer: ::glares some more at lawyers:: Do you think that if I owned Naruto that it'd have het pairings? C'mon you black suit-wearing freaks! You know me better than that!

Warning: Be prepared for possible OOCness, weird stuff, and the excessive use of Mr. Shakespeare.

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Shakespeare Lives

By Jia Zhang

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Part II : The Auditions - Part I

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When most people first meet Aburame Shino, they'd just think of him as another Konoha ninja. Well, they would also think he's a little creepy for the whole “bugs inside your body” thing. But for those people who really know Shino, they know him as one of the most artistic people in Konoha. Freakishly so.

Once Shino had heard (from the gossip of his mother) that Tsunade was planning on having a play to boost morals, he felt that the Heavens had granted his fondest wish. He immediately went to the blonde Hokage and pleaded to be the director of one of his most beloved plays. The heir of the Aburame clan was very surprised to hear that nobody else had volunteered, and Tsunade was ecstatic when he did. Apparently, she had been having great problems with the casting (as she had no artistic talent what-so-ever). She appointed Shizune as the progress reporter, and Shino agreed with no hesitation.

Shino had great ideas as to how he was going to proceed with the play. He smiled as he thought about the rehearsal plans he had as he made his way into the (soon to be built) Konoha Theatre, where a lot of Anbus were currently with happy hammers, building excitedly as they were finally having a different job rather than killing people.

As the dark haired ninja approached the theatre to prepare to watch the auditions, he saw huge line-up of bubbly females, giggling excitedly. The bug boy sweat-dropped and felt very happy not to be in Sasuke's position as Romeo. Wait, he was completely happy not to be Sasuke at all. He secretly wondered how the Uchiha heir got the role, knowing it was one hell of a blackmail from Tsunade-sama, and that Sasuke wouldn't have done it if his life depended on it.

When he walked past the Sasuke fangirls and into the back of the stage, he saw Tenten, twirling a kunai around her finger, and Iruka, who was marking tests he had taken along with him.

He had been surprised at first when Tsunade had told him who were going to be helping him, but that was before he realized what an asset having Tenten as stage manager. The dark haired weapons master had a scary streak (he had heard from rumors), and she would be responsible for torturing, wait, I mean helping to organize the actors and casting, and with the props and everything else.

Shino didn't like to yell very much, as everyone knew he was pretty quiet, and having a scary girl would benefit him greatly. A scary girl who, hopefully, won't be yelling at him.

As for his former sensei…Iruka had been requested by Tsunade to do the costumes and music. Being a (single) teacher, Iruka was able to sew extremely well, both having no mother and having to fend for himself a good quarter of his life, and also happened to know how to write music, both information which shocked Shino to no end.

Tenten turned as she heard Shino's footsteps. She stopped twirling the kunai, placing it back into her holster. A smile graced her face. “Ohayo, Shino-kun!” said the brown-eyed kunoichi.

“Ohayo, Shino,” said Iruka with a smile as he finally looked up from his marking.

“Ohayo…” replied Shino. “Did you wait for me long?”

“Not really. Did you see the long line up of girls? They're scary,” admitted the weapons master, shuddering slightly.

“It's not too bad…” said Iruka. “At least there are a lot of people auditioning.”

“Yeah, a lot of girls,” replied Tenten, sweat-dropping as she look past the semi-built stage at the enormous number of girls. “Thank Megami-sama that I am not like them.”

“Let's just get this started…” said the sunglass wearing Gennin.

The three got up to the stage and took their respective seats. A long table with three chairs was near the left wing of the half completed theatre stage. Once the three got to their seats, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul…Wait. That's not right. Sorry, wrong critics. Tenten looked over a clipboard at the list of people auditioning.

“Wow…There is a lot of girls…” Iruka finally realized that about 99% of the people auditioning were crazed fangirls. “I hope there's at least a few guys auditioning…”

“Oh don't worry. There will be,” said the brown-eyed kunoichi, a matter-of-factly.

“How do you know that?” asked Shino curiously.

“You'll see…First up is Sakura…” The bug using ninja saw Tenten's eye twitch.

Sakura, who had heard about the play very early on, from the suffering Sasuke nonetheless, camped out for a good day or two to audition. She had asked her mother about the play, and was incredibly happy to find out that such a part like Juliet existed.

“Oh…to be able to kiss Sasuke-kun!” she cried in glee when she heard.

“Shanaroo!” said Inner Sakura. “Sasuke will finally be mine! Kukukukukukuku!”

Her laugh was oddly like Orochimaru's. Hn.

A little nervous, but excitedly, Sakura went up to the stage. She had in her hand a copy of Romeo and Juliet. She had spent all night memorizing all of Juliet's lines, and she'll be damned if anybody else, especially that “Ino Pig”, got the role. She had come too far to back down now! The play would be an excellent way for her to finally win Sasuke's heart!

“Haruno Sakura…” said Tenten as she looked at her clipboard, speaking to Shino. “Member of Team Seven. Pink hair, aqua eyes, standing 4'10” in height. She is auditioning the part of Juliet…” She eyed the quiet director. “Big surprise, ne?” She smirked.

“Alright, Sakura. Go ahead,” spoke Iruka with a smile.

The pink haired took a big breath, and did her lines.

“Oh Romeo, Romeo…Wherefore art thou, Romeo…Deny thy father and refuse thy name; or thou wilt not, be but sworn my love, and I will no longer be a Capulet…” She took a pause and continued. “Tis but thy name that is my enemy; Thou art thyself…um…though not a Montague…What's Montague…It is nor hand, nor foot, nor any other part belonging to a man…Oh, be some other name! What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet; So Romeo would, were he not Romeo called, retain that dear perfection…” She went all gooey at the thought of Sasuke. “Which he owes without that title. Romeo, doff thy name…And for that name which is no part of thee, take all myself…”

“Ah. Thank you, Sakura,” said Shino.

“Did I get the part?”

“We'll get back to you,” said Tenten, looking at her.

Sakura scoffed a bit. “And why are you here, Tenten?”

Tenten looked up. “I am the stage manager. I get a call in casting. Now, please…get off the stage.”

“But I want to know if I got the part!”

“We'll get back to you!”

“But I want to know!”

“How about I tell you that you didn't get it!”

“Why not?”

The two men sweat-dropped at the two Konoha kunoichi started to argue. “Sakura…I think maybe you should just check back with us later…We'll post up the casting listing later,” said Iruka with a nervous smile, stopping the two girls from bickering anymore.

It's going to be a long day…thought Shino as Sakura made her way off the stage, glaring at Tenten.

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Hinata poked her fingers together nervously. She had never acted before, but knew this would be a great way to change herself. But secretly, she hoped that Naruto would be auditioning too.

I hope I get to act along with Naruto-kun…she thought with a small blush.

Of course, Hinata did not come alone. No…She had dragged Kiba along with her. When she had first suggested the idea to Kiba, after hearing from Shino that the play was going to take place, the Inuzuka heir refused absolutely. He refused to work under Shino! No way! But Hinata always had her way. A pouty look, those begging eyes, and Kiba became putty in her hands.

Kiba cursed as he stood behind Hinata in the line. “Damn…I can't believe I'm doing this.” He turned to Hinata, sweat-dropping. “I hate you…”

“B-but…Kiba-kun…” However Hinata's retort was cut off by an angry yell that came off the stage.

“INO! GET OFF THE STAGE!”

“NO! I WANT THE PART OF JULIET!”

“DAMMIT, GET OFF THE STAGE!”

Kiba looked down the line and to the two girls on the stage, who seemed to be having an all-out war. Girls…I will never understand them, he thought. They're all insane. Hinata's a little better, but… His train of thoughts was cut short as a Kunai went whipping past his head.

“NEXT TIME I WON'T MISS!” shouted Tenten.

“You miss?” asked Shino quietly. Tenten glared at him.

“Shut up.”

Kiba shook his head as Akamaru whimpered. “It's okay, Akamaru. I know they're scary. Mom says it's just a phase…I hope doesn't last too long.”

“Arf! Arf!”

“Yeah, I know…there isn't a lot of guys here. I really should stop doing whatever Hinata asks of me…”

“Arf! Arf! Arf!”

“Yeah…I am a bit of a push-over around her…”

“Arf!”

“Really?” Kiba looked down the line. The puppy was right; he wasn't the only guy auditioning for this play. In fact, Kiba was surprised to see quite a few others down the line. Actually, a lot of guys.

Behind him and Hinata in the line were Naruto, who was planning on audition the play because…well, and I quote, “bastard Sasuke was in it!”, end quote. And anybody who knew the whole rivalry thing between knew that Naruto was auditioning because, well, he wasn't going to lose to Sasuke at anything. Including this stupid play by some dead guy.

Behind the blonde kitsune were Shikamaru and Chouji, both having to come…well…It wasn't exactly their choice. They were forced to do it by Ino.

A little more down the line, Kiba saw shocked to see Neji, who supported rather an angry and disgruntle look on his normally emotionless face. He stood between Gai and Lee. Kiba wondered what possibility could have made Hyuuga Neji audition for Romeo and Juliet. After thinking about it for a few moments, he actually really didn't want to know. Having Neji audition was scary enough.

Kiba was also surprised to see a lot of other Jounins besides Gai audition. Gai audition because…well…He was Gai. The fuzzy-eye browed sensei had heard Kakashi had refused to be in the play, and he became determined to be in the play and beat his long time rival. And he would succeed! Or he would run around the village a trillion times. Note that this was supposed to be Sasuke's punishment originally.

Of course Gai was wrong about this. In fact, Kakashi was also down the line, reading his Icha Icha Paradise, standing next to Jiraiya, who was writing his Icha Icha Paradise. Further long the line was Shiranui Genma, Izumo and Kotetsu (who were joined at the hip), Ebisu, and Asuma. Of course, there were also women, like the scary dango eating Jounin, Anko, and Kiba's own sensei, Kurenai.

Tenten seemed to notice this too as she felt Gai and Lee's presence, greatly due to the sound of their voices and the whole “ping” thing, which to this day she did not understand.

“Why are so many Jounins here?” she asked.

“They're forced…” replied Shino.

And he was right on the money.

Tsunade, who knew no guy would be auditioning for the play unless they were gay and had some odd fascination with Shakespeare like Shino did, gave all the Jounins an A class mission. And that is…to audition for this play. Of course many of them had refused to, but they found themselves with no choice when Tsunade threatened to cut their pay by 50%. Now, Konoha's Jounins get paid as low as it is, that's why Kakashi, Kurenai, Asuma, and the others took on jobs as instructors. They needed the cash. Quite badly in fact.

Neji didn't care about money. As he listened, with a stone face, to Gai and Lee's rather annoying talks, the white-eyed shinobi found himself wondering why he was doing this? Was this what fate had planned for him? No. This was not fate. This was sick demented torture. The Hyuuga had heard that Sasuke had been blackmailed into playing Romeo. He knew how the Uchiha felt, as he, too, was blackmailed into auditioning.

The side of Neji's mouth twitched. He cannot believe that he was now under the control of a hormonal teenage girl. But this was the case, and he could not get out of it.

You see…Neji had a secret. A deep, dark secret that he hasn't told anyone, and would have most likely taken to his grave. Except for the fact that someone found out. Oh no, he wasn't a closet pervert, using his Byakuugan to stare at girl's panties. That's just sick. No…it was a much, much more…how should I say this? Disturbing secret. No that kind you sick yaoi pervs.

He still remembered what had happened that day. He was training in the forest when he saw Tenten, sitting on a tree branch, smiling rather…scarily. It was one of those smiles. Neji had known the young weapons master for a quite a long time. He always thought of her as the more normal member of his team. But he was too late to realize how rather…ahem, sadistic she was.

The brown-eyed girl smiled down at him from the tree branch. She took out from her holster a picture, and threw it down to Neji. The white-eyed teenager caught the picture, eyeing Tenten with suspicion. However, his eyes widened in shock that was rather rare on his face.

“When—how—where? How did you get this?”

“Oh, I have my ways,” she replied simply. “You can keep that one. I have a lot more copies where that came from!”

This was blackmail. He gritted his teeth slightly as he crushed the picture in his hand. “What do you want?”

“You know that play that's going on? There's not going to be a lot of guys…sooo…I want you to audition.”

“And if I say no?”

She smiled, sending shivers down Neji's spine. No you fluff loving lunatics, not in that way. No…This was a shiver that was caused by fear. A fear Neji was not accustomed to at all. “That picture will be around Konoha before you can use your Byakuugan!”

He growled, knowing he could do nothing about it. “Fine…” he replied, muttering under his breath, “…stupid onna…”

“I heard that!”

And now he was stuck, auditioning for some stupid play (with his freakishly eye-browed sensei, and apparently his clone), all because of that stupid…

Neji cursed.

Stupid onna.

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To be continued…

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End Note: Bwuahahaha! The auditions are not over yet. I'll have the second part up ASAP. This would have been a really long chapter if I kept it as only one. There's still a lot left. I am actually having a lot of fun writing this. But please understand my humour isn't “funny haha”, it's more an odd, sadistic evil, sarcastic humour. ::smiles:: Or whatever I come up with on a sugar, or tea, high. ::beams at Miya-chan:: Everybody has to thank her! She's a saint! One, for putting up with me, and two, for helping me with casting and betaing this for me. ::does the happy dance::

The play seems to be driving people off the deep end. And how is Shino going to get through this insanity? Who ever knew Tenten was a scary dictatorial freak? And why is Jiraiya auditioning? What is Neji getting blackmailed for? But the most important question is, whose going to get what part? And will Sasuke be able to handle the actor/actress for Juliet? Will they survive this ordeal? Find out in the next chapter of Shakespeare Lives!

Miya-chan's Message:

To all of u who wanted this next chapter. Here it is. Thanks to me and my constant bugging and overactive imagination that runs 24/7, I got the authoress over there to write this chapter in a few hours, casting done as well. ::grins evilly:: Tenten as a dictator is something I've always wanted and I had a blast making sure Jia made her that way. She's the only aggressive kunoichi in Konoha so she fits the bill. Plus that's my inner sadisticness in her. BWAHAHA! To add to Jia's offer, I too will give a cookie to who ever gets the character of the ever loveable Mercutio. Review guys and I'll bother the authoress for the next chapter. n______n