Sakura who had been watching for a while now at Sasuke waited in silence for her team mate to reply.
He, like Neji had looked away from the others deep in thoughts, as being one of the rare yet few survivors of the Uchiha clan, he never really talked too much, Sakura looking intensely at him as if trying hard to read his thoughts caught a glimpse of his shadowy eyes, then quickly turned away in case he wasn't in a good mood.
Ever since they were made Chuunins, Sakura's true feelings for her cold comrade had evaporated, she still liked Sasuke as she always had, but changed as she became older.
She knew of course that he was different, different from both her and Naruto.
Sasuke had neither real families nor friends that cared about him, Sakura had once felt sorry for that, she never really jumped on him or hugged him anymore, and he was now just a friend to her, someone to train and study with.
After when his older brother had killed his entire clan, Sasuke never smiled again, that to Sakura meant a lot.
She was growing up and was careful to keep her childish ways locked inside and behaved more mature than before.
Sasuke turned, looking derisively into Naruto's eyes not flinching once; they never seemed to like each other much, the only thing good in Naruto was that he was confident.
"Why so obsessed with me, Naruto?" Sasuke said rather coldly back at him. This time it was Naruto's turn to snigger back at his all time rival.
"You're the only one worthy enough to ask." He shouted impatiently.
"Why are you nervous?" He gave a wild laugh that sounded more like a croak, while Sasuke narrowed his eyes displeased. It took him a while to make the decision; it was also difficult for Naruto who sat still figuring out a question that would best suit Sasuke's type.
Then after a while, Sasuke smirked, crossing his arms serenely, and then said lightly, "Truth." Most of the boys looked distinctively surprised as if he was the only one there at the moment.
Naruto however was thinking furiously for a question to ask, obviously he had predicted his answer as a "Dare."
He looked idiotically at Sasuke, and then beamed at the blue haired ninja. Sasuke too looked interestedly back at him, returning it with a frown.
"What do you think of Sakura-Chan?" Before anyone could respond, Lee sat up first gasping then stared earnestly into Sasuke's pale black eyes. Sakura upon hearing her name pricked her head a little further, swishing her pink, glossy hair to look at Sasuke in the eye.
Why would Naruto ask a question like that? Sakura thought imploringly, she didn't exactly feel knowing the response at the moment, Sasuke didn't look too surprised either, out of all the boys that were there watching, Lee was the most concerned; his bulging eyes were glued to Sasuke.
Hesitating Sasuke affirmed, "I thought you knew," Pause.
"Sakura is my comrade that is my answer." He gave Sakura a stern look she knew only so well.
She followed his gaze thinking softly to herself, Thank you, Sasuke-Kun. Her eyes were brimming with gratitude, while Naruto sneered at the response as if it was too brief, but said nothing while Sasuke prepared for his next question.
Time was running out and most people and most people had already been asked, making it an even more difficult choice for Sasuke. The night (to most of the Chuunins) was the longest they have ever experienced, and day was hardly here.
Even so, none of the ninjas could sleep, Shikamaru's eyes were closed (thinking to himself), and Ino was now leaning on Sakura yawning with her eyes wide open.
It felt like hours since they arrived, and was only the beginning of their exciting week they have not yet discovered.
Their surroundings were rather quiet, other than the hooting of an owl nearby, no one in the tent spoke, and Sasuke's eyes were fixed to Hinata.
He had thought carefully for all this time, she was the only one left and the best choice he could think of. Tenten aside, both Ino and Sakura had a particular interest for him, which he was determined to avoid.
"Hinata," he called deliberately, Hinata who was not at all prepared looked into Sasuke's eyes, blushing hard as she turned away. "Truth or dare?" Hinata's blank eyes gave a tiny tremor, she looked particularly cute as she did that, everyone had to agree.
Neji glanced back at her younger cousin; Hinata however looked down avoiding everyone's looks.
Ever since the Chuunin exam ended, Neji had become plainer toward Hinata; no more did they hate each other. Neji was quiet so their usual conversation never lasted entirely long. It took a long time for Neji's hatred to grow faint; Hinata however still looked up to him as a brother.
She knew only too well that her brother had despised her ever since they were both young, but even so they were still rivals, Neji had offered to train with her, what more would Hinata want? You always believed that I was weak, but I have changed! She thought sorrowfully. I want to be strong like you, brother.
She didn't want to appear weak in front of everyone so she quietly confirmed, "D-D-Dare."
She finished nervously looking from Sasuke to her cousin and back.
He looked back at her silvery blue hair admiring her for a moment, this girl sounds so much like Naruto! He remembered hearing Naruto's voice like that, then asked rigidly, "You seem unsure. "
Hinata sat up a little taller, "N-No, I'm sure." She said again less shakily and a little more confident than before. Sasuke relaxed himself again, glaring at both Sakura and Ino.
"Hug me." Lee along with Sasuke smirked looking at the innocent Hinata whose face had turned to stone and now as red as a fresh, ripe strawberry, everyone thought that Hinata looked rather cute that way.
Neji like her was stunned looking stiffly at Hinata's blurred expression.
"S-Sasuke-Kun," she said timidly then fainted unexpectedly.
Kiba beside her had caught her with both arms and Shino helped her up. It didn't help much at all; she was flushing with her eyes closed.
Kiba looked reluctantly at his former team mate whispering loudly so everyone could hear, "Before you pass out, do us a favour and finish your dare." Sasuke said nothing looked from Kiba to Shino then said, "She'll be fine," Sasuke's voice echoed around the tent.
"She's strong." Kiba seemed to be taken aback by his words, let go of Hinata's right arm and she stumbled feebly up again peering at everyone unable to say anything at the moment.
"I-I'm sorry S-Sasuke-Kun." She apologized looking blankly up at him, Tenten gave a tiny laugh patting Hinata on the shoulder whispering in her ear, "It's okay Hinata, and after all I had to do things a lot worse than you did and Ino too!"
Hinata looked at the other two girls who seemed to be watching her every move, the young timid konoichi took a minute step forward holding her breath.
She seemed so embarrassed that her feet were not listening to her, so she stumbled across the ground toward the blue haired boy still watching her. I've always wanted a chance to prove that I am strong; she thought bitterly looking at everyone except for Sasuke, I can do this, just a little more!
Her eyes were overwhelming with nervousness. She was only a couple steps away when she collapsed, tripping over her own legs, looking so embarrassed, falling onto Sasuke's arms.
No! She murmured under her breath, so quietly that only Sasuke could hear, she was falling fast, at such a speed she couldn't catch herself, and her mind was still full and crowded that made it hard to do anything at that very moment.
Then all was quiet, the muffled voices of the other Chuunins stopped all of a sudden, all was over, everything… so blurry.
After for what seemed like hours to the young girl, Hinata opened her eyes slowly, gazing unexpectedly into Sasuke's pale, unwavering eyes.
She looked up to find herself lying upon Sasuke's chest. Hinata was the so close in fact she could hear his constantly beating heart close to hers.
Again her eyes shook lightly, and her face was flushing madly, it was warm in Sasuke's arms, and she had the feeling that she didn't want to end.
"S-Sasuke-kun?" She said softly as they hugged for a brief moment.
She could hear his gentle breathing nearby. They hugged for perhaps twelve seconds then parted as Hinata leaned away smiling in her usual way. She looked so content that it made Sasuke happy, more likely that he too wanted to smile again.
But he knew he can't, he wasn't young anymore and never did do the childish things he once did.
When she had eventually returned to her position beside Tenten she was suddenly surprised with a sudden jump from behind her as Sakura pounced on her, "Nice work, Hinata!" Hinata looking shy nodded thanking her.