A/N: And The Dare is back! I know it's been...three months. Ah! I'm sorry! As I previously mentioned, this semester was crazy difficult for me to balance things. Even my passion for writing my fanfiction. :( But it is summertime and I get to work 40 hours and have time to do what I want without projects weighing me down. Yay! (Honestly I'm just trying to be positive because the past few days haven't exactly been the greatest mentally.)
This chapter will be NaruHina centric since the last one was all SasuSaku. Although the next chapter will be the end of the game in Sasuke's POV, just because it will definitely be needed. Woohoo! (PS if anyone wants to draw the guys in uniforms and everything, I'd be so happy.)
Naruto POV
(Thursday—6:45 pm)
"You ignored me yesterday, teme. I wanted to talk to you about something!" He rolls his eyes as he grabs a dark gatorade. I follow suit and pick the orange one, then follow him to our seating area.
"I hope it isn't about a girl." I frown at his response and avert my gaze. "It isn't that, Sasuke. But I don't want to embarrass you so I won't ask now." He doesn't play into my remarks but instead grabs one of the basketballs from the cart. He throws it to me and I catch it easily. "Whatever. Just warm up."
Irritated, I throw the ball back to him and he reacts by catching it and reflexively throwing it back. We continue this for a few more minutes, getting our muscles ready for frequent passes. Even though Sasuke is our main scorer, I am the main assist player. Our teamwork on the court is the best the school has ever had, and that's coming from coach Asuma Sarutobi.
The rest of our team goes through the usual warm up routine, readying themselves for the first game of the season. We—the Konoha Wirlwinds—are facing off against one of our toughest opponents—the Kumo Lightning Bolts. Our green and brown uniforms stand out against their dark purple and grey ones as all of us practice on the court.
It's fifteen minutes until game time, but the adrenaline already courses through my veins. I throw the ball Sasuke's way again, but once he catches it he starts to dribble. We quickly change our warm up so that I'm guarding the net while he drives forward. He makes a straight shot to the basket and I stand in front of him, ready to take the hit. Instead, he pivots his foot around me and makes a layup. "Keep up, dobe."
I roll my eyes and take the ball, then jog to my position at the three pointer area. After Sasuke readies himself as a guard, I charge forward. As the ball bounces from the floor to my hand, I pick up the speed. I dodge left to trip him up, but he keeps me away with perfect precision. I dribble back, trying to make a farther shot. His hands block it, and unfortunately the ball doesn't even get close.
"Are you really ready for this?"
"I could say the same to you, teme! You've been missing easy shots at all of our practices." His eyes darken at my words, but his expression stays as emotionless as usual. Before either of us move, the referees call for the team captains and co-captains. Sasuke throws the ball my way and walks over to the circle of refs to meet with Neji and the Kumo captains, Darui and Omoi.
Sighing, I turn my attention to the large crowd sitting on the bleachers. The energetic music playing for our warm ups doesn't mask the noise from the crowd. Both of our schools have a large amount of people here to cheer us on, and my heart starts to beat faster. I can't mess this up.
I scan the faces until I find Sakura sitting with Ino, Tenten, and Hinata's sister, Hanabi. There's an empty seat for Hinata, I assume, and I smile at the thought of her singing tonight. Even though she said the whole choir will be singing, I'm hopeful that I'll be able to hear her sweet voice. As if on cue, the buzzer goes off and I have to head to my team's side of the court.
Although Sasuke and I have been bickering the past few days, we give each other smirks and a high five. After he joins me, Neji comes up and nods his head in thought. "They've gotten better this year."
"Yeah, well so have we!" I punch my fist into my other hand in excitement. The rest of our team hears this and agree by making loud noises. We get a few annoyed glances from the other team's players, but otherwise we are ignored. The crowd quiets down as one of the main doors in the gymnasium are opened, revealing the choir. My heart starts to slam in my chest.
One by one students file into a line, then separate to create three rows. I watch the door for Hinata, but I don't see her bright eyes. Then the national anthem starts to play over the speakers. I look down in confusion, but just as I do Sasuke elbows me. Looking back up I see Hinata moving from the doorway to the front of the group, microphone in her hand.
From this distance I can't tell if she is nervous or not, but knowing her she definitely is. Heck, I am even if she isn't. I watch her lift the microphone to her lips, then she starts to sing. My eyes widen in shock at just how rich her voice sounds. It doesn't even seem like the same girl.
Hinata sings the first few lines, then she lowers the microphone and the rest of the choir joins her. But, out of all of their voices, Hinata's still stands out the most to me. I keep my eyes trained on her, but almost as quickly as it started it has finished. The crowd immediately reacts by clapping and cheering, then the choir bows and make their way to their seats in the stands. I watch Hinata's petite form as she walks up the stairs to sit with the rest of our friends.
I let a smile spread across my face, then, as the announcer starts to introduce the players on the opposing team. Our team lines up, preparing the starters for high-fiving the referees and the other teams coach, Killer B.
"Aaaand ladies, and gentlemen, let's welcome the home team! Starting us out is #9, Uzumaki Naruto!" I let out a breath, then I high five my teammates next to me, following up with my coach and the refs. I jog over to the other coach, and we knuckle bump. After that I run to the center of our side of the court to wait for the others.
Following behind me is Sasuke, Neji, Lee, and Kiba. Sasuke is always the point guard and I take the place of shooting guard, leaving Neji as the small forward, Lee as the power forward, and Kiba as the center. Shikamaru is on the bench to switch with Neji, Choji is sitting there ready to switch with Kiba, and Sai is there to replace Lee. Sasuke and I, though, don't have anyone to switch with us and have to be ready to play the whole game. And we have to stay away from fouling out.
I sigh, thinking about last year's team. We had both Kankuro and Gaara, Temari's younger brothers. Unfortunately Kankuro graduated last year and Gaara was transferred to the Suna elite academy. Temari, on the other hand, has a free hour during college to come hang out with the girls during lunch. I internally roll my eyes at the thought of coming back to high school just to gossip.
Our team spreads out to try to get the ball onto our side, and the other team does the same. Our tallest player on court is Neji, so he takes the place to grab the ball. He barely is taller than the Kumo player, so I cross my fingers, hoping for this to be our chance.
Sasuke and I take our places on either side of Neji, then make eye contact. He signs the number three to me for our play, and I nod in understanding. I take in a deep breath as I watch the ref drop the ball.
Halftime
My stomach churns from running so much, but I gulp my gatorade down in two seconds anyway. Someone throws a towel my way and I wipe the sweat form my face. Looking around at my teammates, I see pain from the exercise, but a hope in everyone's eyes. Right now we are four points ahead, and although it isn't much, it is better than losing.
"Okay, everyone, listen up. I'm sure you've noticed that the refs are being easier with them on fouls than us, so you guys gotta be careful. Naruto, Sasuke, you guys are running well. Considering you both only have one apiece I'm surprised." Coach Asuma gives us an approving smile and I nod in acceptance.
After a few minutes on giving us a harsher pep talk, we all leave the locker room. The sweat drips from my body and I shake my hair in the towel to get some off my head. Since it's halftime, the cheerleaders are practicing a routine of flips and songs. Not knowing any of them, I ignore them but instead run into Hinata and Sakura.
"Hey, Naruto. You guys are doing great!" Sakura gives me friendly punch on the shoulder that stings a little too much, but I don't say anything.
"Thanks, Sakura-chan. And hey—Hinata-chan you were amazing out there singing! I didn't realize you were so…so…" I scratch my head, not coming up with a perfect word for it. Sakura elbows me and I wave my hands. "Well, anyway, it was perfect to start out our game. Dattebayo!"
Hinata's cheeks turn red and she nervously hold her hands together. "Re—really? Thank you, Naruto-kun. And, you're doing great on the court." She gives me an angelic smile then that nearly makes my heart stop. Dazed, it takes me a second before I realize the buzzer has gone off and the girls are waving me away.
"Oh, uh yeah. Thanks, Hinata-chan! Gotta go!" I give her a smile then sprint back to my team. Once back, I feel Kiba's dark eyes on me and I instantly look back down at my recent injury. Thankfully I healed fine this week or else our team really would've had it bad tonight. The five of us on court get back in position, ready to take on the other team again after the short break.
Let's win this for Hinata and our date tonight.
(9:00 pm—after the game)
Toweling my hair dry I leave the shower room to go meet up with Hinata. I see her standing with Tenten, her sister, and Neji. We make eye contact, then, and a smile spreads across my face.
"Congratulations on the win, Naruto-kun." Her big eyes look up at me in happiness and I almost forget that the others are there. I nervously chuckle at my thought.
"Thanks. So uh, are you ready to go?" Tenten gives me a small thumbs up and then says goodbye, dragging Neji and Hanabi with her. As they walk away Hanabi has a smug look on her face, and I mentally roll my eyes. Cracking my knuckles I turn back to the long haired beauty beside me.
"Where are we going? I can't stay out too late since we have school tomorrow…" Hinata trails off with an embarrassed blush on her face. I nod in understanding, then grab her arm and rush out of the building. "Then let's get outta here!"
When we reach the exit of the gymnasium, I let her go because of the sudden realization of what I was doing. "Sorry, Hinata-chan. Didn't mean to drag you around." She giggles and shakes her head. "No, it's all right Naruto-kun."
I look down at her and try to hide a smile. After looking around the parking lot I finally find my car and point it out to her. We both walk over to the small, beat up car and climb inside. I start up the car, check my rearview mirrors, and back out.
"I know it isn't special, but I couldn't think of anything else besides Ichiraku's again. And since we're studying this weekend together, I figured we could do whatever you wanted to then." I look over at her as she nods in response.
The pain of being elbowed in the shoulder hits me and I lightly trace the bruising skin. "Man, that guy really did a number on me tonight."
"Is it hurting you badly? I—I could try to do somethi—"
"Nah, I'll be all right. Kiba messing up my ankle hurt more than this." Chuckling in response, I look her way to see a confused expression. "When did he do that?"
"Ah, Monday at practice. He keeps saying vague things, too. I'm so confused because he's never done this to me before. His feral instincts are kicking in!" I try to make a joke out of it but Hinata frowns in response.
"I—I'm sorry. I guess he's just protective of me…" She rubs her arm but from the cold or her words I have no idea. I think about her words and realize it has been since we started hanging out together that he's reacted this way.
"Yeah I guess you're right…" I mumble to myself more than to her. I find myself frowning at the red light in front of me until I feel a small hand on my arm. Turning to look at her, I see an encouraging smile on Hinata's face.
"Don't take it personally, Naruto-kun. Kiba is like a brother to me." I see in her eyes that her words are true, but a twisting pain appears in my stomach all the same. Am I really being jealous of how close they are? I shake the thought away.
We drive a little longer, talking about the chorus group and the basketball game, until we reach the friendly ramen shop. I park quickly and hop out to open her door, then we walk up to the shop and greet Teuchi.
He grins at us, and gives me a look of approval. "Glad to see you guys back so soon! No one has beaten Miss Hyuuga's eating record yet so I think I can make her bowl free tonight."
"Our team won the basketball game tonight so I think I deserve something for free too, old man!" He rolls his eyes and hands us menus as we sit down in front of him.
"Whatever. I guess I can tonight, but I'm running low on miso so ya gotta choose something else, kid." I find myself standing up in utter shock. "WHAT!? You've never had that happen, dattebayo!"
He sighs and shakes his head as Hinata searches the menu. "Well recently we've gotten some supplies stolen from us so it's kind of hard to keep everything in check." Hinata looks up then and we both give each other a look. I clear my throat and stare straight into Teuchi's eyes.
"Did the guy have a black hoodie with funky red clouds on them?" I feel the sweat on my forehead just thinking back to when Hinata was mugged not too long ago. He scratches his head in thought, then nods. "Yeah, how'd you know?"
"Hinata was mugged by some guys like that the other day." We both look over to Hinata who has fear swirling in her eyes. She looks back up to me and I see a sadness that makes me want to hurt whoever is causing it.
"I—I saw them in the newspaper afterwards. They're called the Akatsuki. It's a gang of some sort…"
Laying my hand on her shoulder, I give her a brave smile. "Don't worry, I'll protect you Hinata-chan. I can talk to Sasuke about it because his brother and Dad are part of the police force. Dattebayo!"
Her slight shivers disappear underneath my touch and she nods her head. Teuchi snaps to get our attention and we both turn towards him.
"Don't let these thieves steal a good date from you guys tonight." I feel my cheeks start to burn and I chance a glance to see Hinata turning red, as well. I clear my throat and bring up our studying again, mostly because I know my parents would hound me about it.
As we talk, my heart starts to pound in my chest again. The way I'm noticing how her soft hair lays tenderly on her shoulders and down her back, and the small smiles she gives even when no one seems to be looking, makes me realize I'm falling for her. Really, truly falling for her. Yet watching her also makes me wonder what kind idiot she must like if he hasn't already come up and taken her away.
I guess I'm officially in the business of fighting for her love.
I know I didn't put the lyrics, but go look up the Japanese national anthem—it's beautiful. Sorry I didn't do any actual game play in this chapter, I just wanted to get to the NaruHina date. And I am working on making them all closer to 3,000 words, or at least 2,500.
Thanks for the review, Naruhina Fangirl26. I don't mean to make Naruto so dense, but at the same time it is their high school selves and frankly he hasn't had much to grow him, unlike the actual series. And I don't mean to creep you out with the sexually abused Sasuke. :o