Hey everyone! Summer vacation started a month ago, and now I've finally got some time to write. I'm really sorry that I've been having such few updates in so much time!! But the story is a little over a year old now, I should start wrapping it up soon. I think I'm half way through it. This is going to be a bit of a short chapter, but I'll put another chappie up soon!

Nighttime Conversation

Chapter 7

Sakura was in a state of shock. She was thrilled and worried. Excited and nervous. This was her chance to be alone with Toji! Alone with Toji!! Her insides churned.

"Aw, why can't I be with Toji?" Sasuke complained.

"Well, Sakura has already mastered all that we've taught her. You, on the other hand, haven't. Besides, Sakura's mostly going with Toji to get stronger, he's going to give her a hard workout session." Said Ashitaka. "You need to focus on mastering the techniques." He said to Sasuke. "And besides, you've learned most of the stuff that I wanted Toji to teach you, I'm going to reinforce it. Sakura now needs to learn it."

"Wait-How are you going to reinforce the techniques?! You couldn't have learned in the short amount of time!! So I NEED to go with Toji to learn more ninja stuff!!" Sasuke yelled.

"Sasuke- do you really think that in all the time I was gone, I was really traveling and trading? I actually picked up Toji on the way out, and since then he has been training me too. I have already been tested and approved by another, much older ninja. He knows the situation, and thought I knew enough to be teaching you properly, Sasuke." Ashitaka paused for a moment, observing his son. "Don't worry, Sasuke. You won't be separated from Toji forever; you'll be able to see Toji once in a while during the winter. Sakura will come over to us too, and you can go with him. We'll be switching off once in a while, but Sakura will be with Toji the majority of the time."

Aw, so I won't be with Toji the whole time, just most of the time. Sakura thought.

"So, we're leaving tomorrow morning?" Sakura asked.

"Yes, and we'll meet again in 3 weeks. I expect you to have gotten stronger, Sakura." Ashitaka replied, ruffling Sakura's hair.

Sakura sat there thinking for a while, before realizing that everyone was getting ready to go to sleep. She got up and started making her bed next to Sasuke and her mother, trying to keep as far away from Toji for now. They all climbed in, and said their good nights. Sasuke and Sakura stayed up a little, the others fell asleep instantly.

"Sakura, you're so lucky, you get to be with Toji for practically the whole winter!!" Sasuke said.

"Well, I'll only be working out, probably running for hours and doing push ups. It's not that big of a deal." Sakura replied. You have no idea what this means to me, Sasuke!! She thought.

"Jeez Sakura, you're so boring! I mean, you're going to be with a ninja the whole winter, and you're not even a bit happy?!" Sasuke asked.

"Well, I'm a bit excited. I mean, come one, he's a ninja!! I'm sure I'll learn many new things." Sakura replied. You don't even KNOW!! Happy? I'm past happy, I'm ecstatic!! I'm about to jump out of my skin, I'm so excited!!

"You're lying. You're waaaay beyond happy." Sasuke said.

Sakura frowned. "Why do you say that? Why can't you just believe me?"

"Have you heard the way you talk? You're voice alone gives you away. I can feel the intensity, the way you're trying to suppress it, and they way you're trying to sound, well, not so excited. You Ilike/I Toji, don't you?"

"No way!! He's way too old and so cocky!! Besides, he's really mean!!" Sakura answered, almost a little too loud.

"Ok then, why didn't you protest when Dad made the announcement?" Sasuke pressed. "You say you hate him, can't stand him, and when Dad says that you're going to spending nearly a whole winter with him, you're eyes widened, and I could have sworn that you almost smiled. You face totally lit up."

"Oh. Um...I knew...that...uh......" Sakura tried to think up a lie really quickly. "I-I-...I knew that Dad had already made his decision final, and that he wouldn't change his mind."

Sasuke shook his head. "Why don't you just admit you like him? The way you say things just screams that you like him, but the voice says you don't. Admit it. You like Toji!!" Sasuke said, close to yelling.

"Why do I have to admit? What difference does it make?!" Sakura replied in a voice that wasn't even close to a whisper.

Sasuke turned over, facing away from Sakura. "All right. You like him; I get it. Even though you won't admit, this conversation is enough. You like him."

"Why do you think that?!" Sakura replied angrily. She was getting frustrated with him.

"I'm you're twin, I know you too well!! Why shouldn't I think that?!" Sasuke replied. "Good night, dear sister." He said in an overly too sappy voice.

"Good night, vicious and too-assuming brother." Sakura replied, in a bitter tone.

"Finally you guys quiet down!!" Toji yelled to them.

Sakura's eyes widened, and she blushed a horrendous cherry red. He had most likely heard the entire conversation.

Oh gosh, how am I going to live through this winter?! Sakura thought.

Ok! That's the short chapter. Now on to the next one! I'll try to make it a long one.