Define Destiny

A/N: Yes, I am alive. Though it pains me to say that my muses for this story seemed to have wandered off. I am trying to get past this gigantic wall of writer's block that has me stranded right at the end for the story. I barely wrote these 1000 words or so today, and with much difficulty. And I decided to post this so-filler-it-hurts chapter just so you all could have at least something to read. But I promise that I will finish this story. It just might take a tad bit longer than usual for me to get my updates out.

Please bear with me and I thank you all for your support and reviews in advance.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto, Hinata, or any other character.

Chapter 13

"Who's gonna start?" asked a hopeful Kiba, breaking the silence that had settled over the group.

"Not you."

"Screw you, Hyuga."

Neji only 'hmphed' and turned his head away, his thoughts about the Inuzuka clearly portrayed in his posture. "No, thank you." he muttered. Tenten, having such good hearing, heard her teammate's comment and promptly burst into laughter once the mental image had formed.

"Wow," she half-gasped, leaning on Neji. "I am never going to be able to look at you both the same way again."

Neji scowled and shoved her off. "I'd thank you not to associate me with him in any…disturbing way."

Snickers were hidden behind hands, not-so-sneaky glances exchanged between the ninja. "Right…" they said simultaneously, louder chuckles slipping.

"Just start already!" yelled Kiba, cheeks faintly pink.

"Right, right, I'll go first," said Ino, grinning widely. "Then whoever was asked goes next, understood?" Nods went around and the blonde kunoichi seemed ready to burst with malicious glee. Truth-or-Dare just happened to be one her favorite games, since so many dark secrets were often spilled.

She slipped a kunai out of her pouch and placed it in the center of the tight circle they had unconsciously formed. The fire glinted off the steel as the weapon spun, breaths held as they waited for it to stop spinning.

And it slowed, coming to a stop, the sharp edge pointing at…Chouji. The blonde sighed, disappointed. She had been hoping for it to land on Neji or maybe even Naruto. But still, she wasn't about to cut anyone some slack. "Truth-or-Dare?" she asked the boy. He was going to pick Truth. She just knew it. How? Because no one ever picked Dare unless they a) were insane b) were stupid or c) had a death wish. Besides, he was her teammate after all.

Chouji paused, a chip halfway to his mouth, and answered, "Truth."

No hesitating, the question was shot at him, slightly startling. "Do you like anyone sitting in this circle, right now?"

He blinked, turning red. "Yeah…"

Ino let out an inward 'cha!' and leaned forward. "So, who is it?"

"Ne, Ino!" protested Chouji. "It's my turn now."

She glared at him, dying to know. He would get it the next time around. The kunai was spun again, this time landing on Lee.

"Dare!" shouted the Taijutsu user, not even giving Chouji a chance to ask the question.

"Uh…" the Akimichi's face went blank as he thought, trying to decide a good dare for Lee…

…nothing.

He frowned, crossing his arms, chips forgotten for the moment. "I can't think of anything."

Several groaned, scowling. "Come on, Chouji!" Ino practically shrieked.

A light bulb seemed to light up as he came to a conclusion. "I dare you to…wear clothes that are not green for a whole week!"

"Yosh!" exclaimed Lee, punching the air. "I will overcome this challenge!" Smiling brightly, teeth glinting, he said, "In fact, I will start right now!"

"Wait, Lee, start tomor—"

And he sprinted back to Konoha to start the dare, leaving Tenten speaking to air. "-row," she sighed, shaking her head. "Who's gonna go now?"

"I will!" Sakura set the kunai in motion before anyone had a chance to protest.

She grinned wickedly at her victim. "Naruto…" she drew the syllables of his name out, discomfort promised in every single one. "Truth-or-Dare?"

The blonde looked surprised, obviously having thought he was going to pass through the game unnoticed and unscathed. "Erm…" his brow furrowed as he tried to choose, a difficult task. "…truth?" he decided, unsure.

"Do you love someone?"

Several eyebrows went up and attention was focused on Naruto. Even Shino and Shikamaru were watching him, curious.

"Of course!" he paused. "There's Iruka-sensei and you and—"

"No, no!" cut in Sakura. "Not in a family-sense, but in a real love way,"

He gazed at his teammate, thinking. Now, who did he love in that way? Who, who, who, who— His azure eyes widened almost imperceptibly and a faint blush rose on his cheeks. Ah, that person.

"Well?"

"Uh, I, um, you see…" he hesitated, fully aware of the large interest there seemed to be in his answer. He shook his head. "No, no, not anyone that I can think of,"

Eyebrows shot up all around the circle and many disbelieving sounds were issued. The hand holding his tightened and he could practically feel the disappointment and slight, ever so slight, anger coming from the petite girl. He glanced at her, blue meeting white. She let out a soft, almost distressed, sound and tore her gaze away.

"Hinata-chan," he called, pulling on her hand playfully. "Hina—"

The hand was forcefully taken out of his grasp and the warmth radiating from her suddenly seemed to turn frigid. She stood, pointedly ignoring his questions, and said, "I would like to go home now."

Not a stutter, nor stammer from the Hyuga heiress. Now everyone knew without a doubt that something was wrong. And if anything was to be assumed from the helpless, lost look on Naruto's face and the impassive expression on Hinata's face, it was that Uzumaki has given the wrong answer and was paying dearly for it.

They all couldn't help but laugh inwardly at it all.

"But-but, Hinata-chan!" protested Naruto, standing after her. "You've only been here for a few hours!"

"Someone m-might check my room."

"But—" He was cut off once more.

"We'll take you home, Hinata." offered Ino.

At the questioning looks, she sighed and pulled Shikamaru forcefully from his seat on the log. "He's coming with me."

"I never agre—" he grimaced, scowling. "Fine, fine, I'm coming," he sighed, "Troublesome women…" The nails that had been digging painfully into his arm retracted, not much harm done besides deep crescent shaped indents that were throbbing.

"Hinata-chan!" his plea for her to stay sounded more like a whine.

"G-good night, everyone," said Hinata.

And she disappeared in the inky black shadows of the forest, Ino and Shikamaru following close behind.

Naruto sunk back down into his make-shift seat, glowering into the fire. "Naruto…" came Tenten's voice.

"I'm leaving." he said, loudly so everyone heard him.

He stood once more and did just that: he left. But not before kicking a hole in a tree in a silent burst of frustration and anger.

The one sentence running through his mind was: Why are girls so complicated?