Truth Or Dare

I wrote this originally planning to try to keep everyone in character...but I kinda failed...so if this is totally OOC I apologize...it was mainly written for fun, and because I wanted to put another pairing besides NarutoxNozomi.  I totally butchered Hinata and made Kiba seem like a revenge crazed freak...but like I said...this was mainly done for fun and because I was REALLY bored...and I AM proud of it despite the OOC-ness in it...so please keep that in mind when you comment XDD

If you don't like NarutoxNozomi or KibaxHinata I wouldn't advise reading this...cause it is fluffy and sweet!  

To those who DO read it: I WILL NOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR AN CAVITIES THIS MAY GIVE YOU! XDDDD

Now that I've spammed up my own deviation a LOT, let's get on with the story, shall we??? 8DDDDD;;

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'How the heck did I get myself into this mess?!' Nozomi screamed in her mind.  

She sighed, glancing around the small, air tight room she was in.  There was barely anything in here, except for a couch, barely big enough for two, and a small, wooden table.  Not even a window.  

She groaned. 'I can't believe I'm stuck in here...could things GET any worse?'  A drop of sweat rolled down her head as she locked eyes with the blue eyed blond who was sitting on the couch.  'That's right, I'm locked in here with HIM.  Naruto!'

"You know," Naruto said suddenly, "that game probably won't end anytime soon.  You should sit down and save your energy."

Nozomi growled and muttered an unintelligible remark under her breath as she sat down next to him, blushing as their waists touched, thanks to the smallness of the couch.

'Darn that Sakura, darn that stupid mutt, Kiba!  This is all their fault!' she grumbled silently, heaving a sigh as she thought back to the events that had taken place only a little while ago..

FLASH

"Sakura, are you sure about this?" Nozomi frowned as the pink haired kunoichi half led half dragged her along.

"Sure I'm sure!" Sakura replied with a grin, "It's going to be fun!  So c'mon!" she urged.

Nozomi sighed as she was dragged into a room, being greeted by the faces of Kiba, Hinata and Naruto.

"Sooo, anybody wanna tell me what we're all here for?" she mumbled.

"You mean you don't know?" Naruto teased.

Nozomi rolled her eyes.  "If I did, do you really think I'd be asking?  Now tell me!"

Naruto smirked and made a face at her.  "Sorry, no can do."

"Why the heck not?" Nozomi demanded, annoyed.

"Because-" Naruto began, only to be cut off by Sakura.

"He doesn't know either." she said.

"Oh." Nozomi giggled, smirking at the now embarrassed looking Naruto.

"What are YOU laughing at?" he said, glancing away.  "Anyways, Sakura!  Tell us why we're here!"

"I was wondering the same thing." Kiba said.

"M-me too." Hinata added softly.

"Arf, arf!" Akamaru added from his place inside of Kiba's jacket.

Nozomi caught a glimpse of him and growled softly under her breath.  'Stupid mutt...'

As if sensing her thoughts, the brown and white dog glanced at her, uttering a low growl from deep within his throat.

Nozomi rolled her eyes and shook her head, sighing.  "Stupid mutt."

"What did you just say?!"

Nozomi sweatdropped as she suddenly found herself face to face with an angry Kiba.  "You got a problem with my dog?!"

"Well, we didn't get off to the best start if you remember!" Nozomi flung, reminding him of how they'd behaved when they first met.

"Guys, guys, break it up!" Sakura yelled, standing in between them.

Nozomi and Kiba glared darkly at each other as they backed away.

"Stupid mutt."

"Baka neko."

"Anyways," Sakura continued, "I brought you all here to play a game!"

Nozomi snorted.  "What is it, charades?" she said, motioning to the way Sakura moved her hands when she spoke.

"No!" Sakura glared lightly at Nozomi before smiling again.  "We're gonna play Truth or Dare!"

Nozomi facepalmed.  "..I think I prefer the charades idea." she grumbled.

"What's the matter?" Nozomi's head shot up and she saw Kiba smirking at her.  "Ya too afraid to take on a dare or two?  What a fraidy cat!"

"Ohhh!  You're ON, dog boy!" Nozomi yelled, angry at being called a fraidy cat.  "I'll play the dumb game...but in the end, it's YOU who'll run away with your tail between your legs!"

Kiba just smirked.  "Whatever you say, baka neko."  

"Ughh..." Sakura sighed, putting a hand on her forehead.  They were giving her a headache.  She shifted her gaze to Naruto and Hinata.   "So, you two ok with that game?" she asked.

Hinata hesitated before nodding her head shyly.

"..Truth or Dare's a dumb game." Naruto grumbled. "I don't want to play that."

"C'mon, Naruto, just give it a try!" Sakura urged, sweatdropping.  "Even Nozomi's giving it a chance!"

'Can't you see I'm trying to help you hook up with her?!' her inner self screamed angrily.

"Please, Naruto.  Just give it a chance.  You won't be disappointed, I promise." she said in a sugary sweet voice, trying to convince him.

"Fine.  If you say so." Naruto sighed.

"Great!" Sakura clapped her hands enthusiastically.  "Before we get started there's a few things I need to explain.  For one thing, you're all under a special jutsu that forces you to tell the truth...so no trying to lie...Nozomi."

Nozomi sweatdropped as everyone turned to her, smug smirks on their faces.  "What?  Why's everyone looking at me?!  I'm not gonna try lying!"

"Good," Sakura smirked, "because you were under the jutsu's effect the minute you entered this room!  Also, anybody who doesn't do their dare is Jiraiya's personal research assistant for two weeks!  Which means you have to do ANYTHING he says!" she grinned evilly.  "Just to give you incentive not to try chickening out."  

She paused.  "So, now that the rules have all been laid down, let's start!  I'll go first."  She glanced around the group and her gaze landed on Kiba.  "All right...Kiba.  Truth or dare?"

Kiba glanced down at Akamaru and the little dog whimpered softly.  "Truth." he answered.

"Ok." Sakura paused for a moment, thinking of a question.  "Kiba.  I've heard rumors that you have a crush on somebody on your squad.  Is that true?"

Kiba's face flushed, and he nodded slightly.  "Mm hmm." Was all he said.

Everyone was quiet.  They all knew who that was.  Hinata's face turned pink as she noticed everybody looking at her, and she glanced away, unable to bear all the attention.

Suddenly, the silence was broken as Naruto jumped up. "So that means you like Hinata, Kiba?!"

Kiba blushed faintly.  "Who else would it be?" he muttered.

"Well," Naruto scratched his head, "I don't know.  You could like Kurenai-sensei, or even Shi-"

"Naruto, shut up and sit down!" Sakura interrupted loudly, facepalming at what her teammate had just implied, probably without meaning to.

Naruto frowned, seeing the annoyed look on her face and plopped down next to Nozomi, much to the cat girl's annoyance.

"Ok, Nozomi.  Your turn." Sakura said, trying to clear what she was sure was in everyone's mind, thanks to Naruto's stupidity.

Nozomi nodded as she scooted to the side, putting some space between her and Naruto.  "Ok...uhh...Hinata.  Truth or dare?"

"U-um...d-dare.  Please." Hinata answered, hoping the dare would require her to leave the room.  She needed a few minutes to calm down so she could stop blushing.

Nozomi grinned at this.  She knew the perfect dare.  It would embarrass not only Hinata, but Kiba too, which she wanted since he'd had the nerve to call her a fraidy cat.  The cat girl smirked.  "Hinata, I dare you to kiss Kiba."

"Wh-what?!" Hinata's face went pale.  

"You heard me...kiss Kiba." Nozomi repeated, enjoying the shocked expressions on both Kiba and Hinata's faces.

There was a long, awkward silence as Hinata slowly (very slowly) leaned in and kissed Kiba's cheek gently.  Then she quickly pulled away, face a light shade of pink.  "O..Ok...wh-who's next?" she managed to say after a minute.

"Ah, ah, ahhh!" Nozomi smirked.  "On the lips!"

This got her just the reactions she'd hoped for.  Hinata blushed crimson.  Also, Kiba glared at her darkly, also blushing now.  "Darn you, baka neko!"

"Ohhh, c'mon, dog-boy, you know you're thrilled!" Nozomi teased with a huge smirk on her face.

"N-Nozomi, you're not s..serious, are you?" Hinata stammered, still blushing like mad.

Nozomi's smirk just got bigger.  "Either do it or you're the Pervy Sage's 'research' assistant for 2 weeks...your choice!"

There was another long pause.  "I-I...o..ok..." The blush on Hinata's face darkened as she leaned in and pressed her lips lightly against Kiba's, causing the boy's face to go scarlet.  Then she pulled away, unable to look anywhere but at the ground.

After a few minutes, Sakura spoke up.  "Um...ok...So...who wants to go next?"

"I'll go." Kiba said, glaring at Nozomi, who was still snickering softly.  "All right, Nozomi, you baka.  Truth or dare?"

Nozomi sweatdropped as she saw the look in his eyes.  He would be bound to try and humiliate her if she said "dare".  'I won't fall into that trap.'  "Truth." she said with a small grin.

"Fine then." Kiba paused.  "Ok, Nozomi. I heard that you spend all your time with Naruto, here.  Is that true?"

"Well he DOES stalk me." Nozomi grumbled, glaring at the blond haired boy who sat beside her, somehow having ended up right next to her, despite her attempts at keeping a distance between them.

"Yes or no?" Kiba pressed.

Nozomi rolled her eyes.  "Yes...your point?"

'If that's the best you can do, Kiba, you should just surrender!'

"Heh, just pointing out the obvious.." Kiba snickered.  "You like Naruto!"

"I do not!" Nozomi hissed, baring her fangs at the brown haired boy.

"Hmmm...you can't lie...so maybe you don't like him...but then that must mean you love him!"  Kiba smirked as the cat girl's face turned a light shade of red.

"Shut up, mutt!"

"Your turn, Hinata." Sakura said, trying to ignore the two and their argument.

"Ok." Hinata glanced around the room.  "U..um...N-Nozomi.  Truth or dare?"

This snapped Nozomi out of her angry stare down with Kiba and she sweatdropped.  'Me again?'

"Uhh...Dare." she said, deciding this to be the safer choice since Hinata wasn't all that crazy when it came to dares.

"A dare?" Hinata repeated.  "Ok, let me think."

'I really want to get that girl back for what she did!' she thought secretly, blushing faintly at the memory of her kiss with Kiba.  'I have to get her back for that!'

"Hey, Hinata, how about this for a dare?" Sakura leaned forward, a smirk on her face as she began to whisper in Hinata's ear.

"H-Hey!  No helping her!  That's cheating!" Nozomi protested, gulping.  Sakura knew how she really felt about Naruto, and -Nozomi sweatdropped- most likely she'd take advantage of the situation, since she'd asked Hinata for a dare.

Sakura stopped whispering and pulled back, sticking her tongue out at the cat girl.  "I never said you weren't allowed to share ideas...silly kitty!"

"Don't call me kitty!" Nozomi snapped angrily.

Sakura just grinned and went back to whispering in Hinata's ear.

Nozomi sweatdropped and groaned inwardly as Hinata nodded, then turned to face her, a small, sneaky looking grin on her face.  "N-Nozomi, I dare you to k..kiss Naruto-"

"Is that all?!" Nozomi snickered and leaned over to her side, pecking the blond ninja's cheek quickly.  "Ok, all done!"

Hinata shook her head slowly.  "I wasn't finished." she paused.  "I dare you to kiss h-him while he holds you...and y-you have to stay that way for five more turns."

Upon hearing the full dare, Nozomi's face went red.  "Whaaat?!' She scowled at Sakura, and the girl grinned back innocently.  Darn that girl.  She knew she had Nozomi trapped, and what was worse, she was enjoying it!

"So?  Ya gonna do it?" Kiba pressed the flustered girl.  "Or would you rather serve as a research assistant to the 'Pervy' Sage as you told Hinata earlier?"

Nozomi blushed.  "No way am I gonna help that creep!"

"Then pucker up." Kiba snickered.

"How about you shut up?!" Nozomi growled, blushing.

"G...go on, Nozomi." Even Hinata was smirking to a point.  There was nothing better than getting revenge on someone who'd embarrassed you, which is just what she was doing.

Nozomi groaned and rolled her eyes.  "All right, already!" she grumbled, shrieking as Naruto grabbed her and held her in his lap.  'Why me?!' she thought, wishing she could die then and there.

"C'mon, Nozomi!  You know what you have to do now!" Sakura urged, an amused look on her face.  She clenched her fists with anticipation.  'Stall any longer and I'll FORCE you into him!  CHA!'

Nozomi sighed, gulping.  'How do I get myself into these things?'  She wondered.  Reluctantly, she closed her eyes to avoid seeing the look on his face, tilted her head back and pressed her mouth against his, heart pounding rapidly, face blazing red.  Then, after a couple seconds she pulled back- more like tried, and failed.  

'Eh?' Nozomi nearly jumped out of her skin as Naruto kissed her back, deepening the kiss and henceforth, not allowing her to move.  

'Stupid Naruto!  Kissing me back wasn't in the dare!  Dummy...ramen-breath...seriously...ramen breath...Mmm....Ah, I mean, STOP IT, NARUTO!'

Finally she was freed as Naruto pulled away, gasping for air.

"Wow...that was a longer kiss than I expected it to be...coming from Nozomi." Sakura commented, eyes slightly larger in surprise.

"I told you...she's in love with him." Kiba smirked.

"Darn you, stupid dog, you're gonna pay if you don't take that back!" Nozomi yelled, blushing madly.

"But it's true, isn't it?" Kiba snickered.

"That's it, you're going down!" Nozomi growled, starting to get up.

"Ah, ah, ahhh!  You're supposed to stay with Naruto for at least five more turns...remember?" Sakura smirked.

"...Darn, you're right." Nozomi sighed, leaning back against Naruto reluctantly.

"Of course...after a kiss like that, I doubt he'll be willing to let go of you anytime soon!" Sakura giggled, making Nozomi's face go even redder.

"OK!  My turn now!" Naruto said loudly, breaking the silence, and making Nozomi's ears go flat against her head. "Ow.."

"Sorry." Naruto smiled sheepishly.  "So, truth or dare, Nozo?"

Nozomi stared at him in shock.  'You're kidding me...AGAIN?!  Haven't I suffered enough?!  For the love of Kami, I think this must be a set up just to get ME embarrassed!'  She hesitated before answering.  "Truth..."

Naruto grinned at her and she gulped.  What was he planning?

"So, Nozo-chan.  What were you thinking just now..when I kissed you back?"

'That explains why the kiss was that long.' Sakura thought, smirking at Nozomi.

Nozomi's face colored even more.  "Um...Ramen breath..." she mumbled.

This caused everyone around her to nearly fall over laughing.  Everyone except Naruto, that is.

"Heh?" Naruto blinked in confusion.  "Why were you thinking that?"

"Because...you eat so much of it...and...well...when two people kiss they...AH!  Never mind, I'm not saying anything more!" Nozomi snapped, blushing harder.

"No, tell me! I don't get it!" Naruto pleaded, but Nozomi just shook her head.

"Naruto, you can be such a clueless idiot sometimes!" Sakura said in between giggles.  "Anyways...it's my turn again."  She glanced at Nozomi, and the cat girl bristled.

"Nu uh!  Look, three turns in a row is more than enough torture for now!  Pick a new victim!" she growled.

Sakura sighed.  "Oh fine, crybaby."  She looked at Kiba.  "Truth or dare?"

"Dare." Kiba answered, smirking at Nozomi.  The cat girl looked like she wanted to die, being stuck with Naruto, the very source of her embarrassment.

"Ok...I dare you to spend 60 seconds in Heaven with Hinata."

"What?" Kiba sweatdropped and blushed faintly.  "Did I hear what I think I just heard?"

Sakura laughed.  "I don't know...60 seconds in Heaven sounds like something different to everyone!"

"Forget it." Kiba muttered, blushing as he grabbed the hand of a very embarrassed looking Hinata and walked out into the hall, closing the two of them in a closet.

Nozomi looked at Sakura, a smirk on her face.  "Geez, Sakura...that was a little much, don't you think?" she snickered.  "Poor Hinata..."

"Well it was the only way I could think of to get Kiba to leave." Sakura replied.

Nozomi stared in shock at the girl.  "...you were trying to make him leave?  Why?"

"Well, it's easier for you to calm down if you're not being teased, right?" Sakura asked.

Nozomi nodded, feeling touched.  "Yes, it really is...Sakura...tha--"

"Also, this is the perfect chance for YOU to to have your own romantic moment!" Sakura added quickly, giggling, and causing Nozomi to groan.

"How is THAT not teasing?!" she demanded.

"I'm not trying to tease." Sakura said.  "I just thought it'd be good to give you two a few seconds alone...that way, Nozomi, you could be real with Naruto and know nobody's watching or listening in."  Then, before Nozomi could answer, she added, "I'm going to go listen outside the door.  Play nice, you two!"

Nozomi sweatdropped as the pink haired girl got up and ran off, leaving her and her "captor" alone.  "...Look, I'm not gonna kiss you again or anything, so don't go getting all excited." she muttered as she locked stares with the boy who still held tightly to her.

"Nah, I know." he replied, still grinning.  "I'm just happy to be with my kitty right now."

"I told you before.  I'm nobody's kitty!" Nozomi protested, blushing.  "I don't belong to anyone."

"Oh, c'mon, you know that's not true.  Nozo-hime." Naruto said, his grin widening at the last part.

"Naruto!  I told you not to call me that!" Nozomi growled, still blushing.  

"But..you're my treasure." Naruto said with a little pouty face.

'I KNEW I shouldn't have told him that story that time...' the cat girl thought, sweatdropping.

She sighed.  "Naruto...Listen, and listen good." she took a deep breath before continuing.  "I'm not your treasure, not your princess, not your kitty, and most definitely not your girlfriend!"

"Ohh, that's what you say now, but you will be!" Naruto said with a smirk.  

"No, I won't!" Nozomi insisted.  "I'll never give in to you, Naruto!  Never!"

"Well right now I'd say you're powerless against me." Naruto answered, that same smirk still on his face.  "While I've got you, you can't do anything."

"So what?  I already told you I'm not kissing you or anything like that!"

"Who said anything about kissing?" Naruto said in a challenging tone of voice as he began to stroke one of Nozomi's cat ears with his thumb; then the other with his index finger.

A drop of sweat trickled down Nozomi's face as a soft purr escaped her, and she blushed furiously.  Stupid Naruto!  She couldn't STAND having him know her weakness.  Ever since he had found out that she enjoyed being petted, Naruto had always taken advantage of it!  "Naruto, please stop..." she moaned as she unintentionally closed her eyes, tail twitching contentedly.  

"You can't leave, hahaha!" Naruto laughed, now scratching her ears.  

"Naruto..!" Nozomi groaned.  "...You're gonna put me to sleep..." she sweatdropped as she heard herself purr yet again.  

Just then, she glanced up and she nearly jumped out of her skin.  "Naruto!  Stop, they're back!"

The cat girl gulped.  From the look on Kiba's face, she had a feeling he seen the whole thing.  That, and from the way he was laughing.  

"So you're telling me that if I wanna get you to shut it, all I need to do is pet you?  What a weakling!" The boy laughed and Akamaru barked his agreement, seeming to give a doggish smirk in Nozomi's direction.

"YOU shut it!" Nozomi snapped, forcing Naruto to remove his hand from her ears.  "Don't forget it's MY turn, mutt!"

Kiba folded his arms, grinning cockily.  "I'm prepared...Do your worst, cat!"

Nozomi merely smirked.  "Truth or dare...Hinata?"

This surprised the girl, who had expected Nozomi to ask Kiba, and she glanced up timidly.  "What?  Um..uhh...truth."

Nozomi smirked.  "Ok...so..." she changed her tone to a sweet, angelic sugar coated one as she spoke, "What exactly happened just now in that closet, hmmm?"

Kiba stared at Nozomi, unable to believe that she'd go so low as to force those details out of Hinata.

Hinata's face turned pink at this and she glanced away.  "W..we...k-kissed..an-and Kiba-kun asked me to...be his gi..girlfriend." she replied, unable to face anybody in the group.

"Aww!  How sweet!" Nozomi snickered and glanced at Kiba, who's jaw had now dropped.  "I told you I'd get you, didn't I?"

The cat girl stuck her tongue out at him.  "Well, it's your turn, Kiba, but you seem too speechless...so we'll pass you this ti-"

"No, I'll go!" Kiba cut in.  He glared at Nozomi, a glint of determination in his eyes. "Truth or dare?"

"Eh, dare." Nozomi said, deciding that she was in as bad a situation right now as was possible.  

"Dare?  Really?" Kiba said, suddenly bursting into laughter.  "Geez, I thought you would have played it safe by saying truth after that stunt you just pulled with Hinata!"

He smirked at the confused look on Nozomi's face.  "I hate to break it to you, baka neko, but the fun's over.  I just beat you at your own game!"

Nozomi sweatdropped.  "What do you mean, you beat me?"

"Because," Kiba's smirk widened, "I dare you, Nozomi to spend the rest of the game locked in a room with Naruto.  Alone." he stopped, waiting for her reaction.

All the color drained from Nozomi's face as she heard this.  "Yo...you're kidding me!  Hahaha...good joke, ya really had me going there, hehe..."

"It's no joke, I'm serious." Kiba replied, enjoying the fear in the cat girl's eyes.

"No way!  You can't be!" Nozomi wailed, waving her arms out in front of her in protest.  

"Sorry, but I win." Kiba laughed.

In a panic, Nozomi turned her stare on Sakura, her eyes pleading for help.  "Sakura...?"

"Sorry, Nozomi," the pink haired kunoichi laughed, "but a dare is a dare, you know!"

"You've gotta be kidding me!" Nozomi insisted, jumping away from Naruto.  She no longer cared if she was disobeying the rules of Hinata's dare.  She HAD to get out of here, and now!  

The cat girl didn't get far, though, as Sakura reached out and grabbed her tail, jerking her backward.  "Sorry, kitty.  This is no joke!"

Nozomi winced at the sudden jerk to her tail and glared daggers at the grinning girl.  "Sakura, you idiot!  I don't care what the consequences are- I'm NOT doing that dare!"

"But...Nozomi...it's o..only with Naruto." Hinata said softly.  "You..well..it could be someone you...hate."

Nozomi's face flushed to a light shade of red.  "But I do-" she sweatdropped as she found herself unable to say she hated Naruto. "I mean-I DO h-ha-h--GAH!  Why can't I say it?!"

"Because," Saura grinned mischievously, "you don't hate Naruto...and that jutsu is still in effect, so you can't lie.  Remember?"

Nozomi facepalmed at this.  "...Stupid jutsu." she grumbled quietly.

Sakura giggled.  "Anyways, let's go, you two."

"No!  Never!" Nozomi scrambled to her feet and was about to run...when another sharp tug on her tail stopped her dead in her tracks.

'...If I pull anymore, the pain in my back will knock me out!' Nozomi realized, wide eyed. 'Darn it, I'm trapped!'

"...You win." she growled.

"Let's go, then!" Sakura grinned, leading the way.  Of course she didn't let go of Nozomi's tail because she knew her; if freed, Nozomi would try to escape despite the fact that she'd surrendered.  Kiba and Hinata followed behind with Naruto.

After a few minutes, Sakura came to a door, and she stopped, opening it and forcing Nozomi into the room.

Kiba then turned to Naruto and grinned slyly.  "Ok, Naruto.  It took me under a minute to get a girlfriend."  Hinata blushed faintly, looking away as he said this.  "You've got until the end of this game...you think that's enough time for you to get Nozomi?"

Before Naruto could answer, the brown haired boy slapped him hard on the back, causing him to stumble forward and trip.  Blue eyes widened as he lost his balance, knocking Nozomi -as well as himself- onto the ground as he fell on top of her.  

The cat girl's face turned scarlet, her golden-yellow eyes as wide as saucers as she struggled to get him off her.  "Somebody get this kid OFF of me!' she shrieked.

"Play nice." Kiba gave a smirk.

"See you later, lovebirds!" Sakura chimed in with a giggle.

Not wanting to be left out, Hinata added in her soft voice, "Ha-have fun, you two...!"

"You morons!" Nozomi screamed in embarrassment as the door closed, and the click of a lock was heard.

"Naruto, get off of me, you creep!" she yelled, kicking her legs into his stomach, sending the boy flying onto a couch - the only piece of furniture in the room aside from a small, wooden table.  

Nozomi quickly got to her feet. She did a few hand signs and attempted the escape jutsu she'd always used in these types of situations, and screamed in frustration as nothing happened.

"RATS! They must have used a jutsu that disables teleportation!"

FLASH

"Stupid Sakura...Stupid Kiba...Stupid Hinata." Nozomi grumbled under her breath as she sat waist to waist with Naruto on the small couch, waiting impatiently to be released.  "They were all out to get me from the very beginning!"

"Nozomi, you need to relax."

"Eh?" Nozomi jerked forward as Naruto began to lightly scratch one of her ears.  "What are you doing?!" she demanded shrilly.

"I'm trying to make you calm down." Naruto said.  He pulled her back against him and grabbed her tail, stroking it gently.

"Nyaaa?!" Nozomi shrieked, face going red.  She quickly covered her mouth, sweatdropping.  If there was one thing she hated, it was saying that word, or ANY word that made her seem related to an actual cat!

"Naruto, cut it out!" she screeched as his finger brushed against the base of her tail. "I'm gonna KILL you!" she warned, face crimson red.  

Naruto snickered.  "Sorry, sorry.  It was an accident!"

Nozomi eyed him wearily.  "I'm not so sure...after all, the Pervy Sage has been training you some recently, right?...You...have you been reading his books or something?"

This question caused Naruto to stare at her in wide eyed shock.  "WHAT?  No way!  I wouldn't be caught dead with those books!" he all but screamed.

'This from someone with a move called Sexy no Jutsu...' Nozomi thought, sweatdropping.  She scowled at him, blushing as his fingers touched the base of her tail yet again, sending tingles up her spine and causing her to shiver.  "If you swear it was an accident, stop acting like such a pervert!"

"Sorry!" Naruto said, beginning to sound annoyed. "It's not MY fault we have to sit so close!"

"Maybe not, but you could still keep your hands to yourself, you know!" Nozomi snapped.  

"Fine.  How's this?" Naruto let go of her tail, sliding an arm around her shoulders, dangling his other arm off the edge of the couch.

Nozomi flinched.  That wasn't quite what she'd meant! "That's...ok...I guess." she mumbled, yawning.  Darn, she was getting sleepy.  She turned and glared lightly at the boy next to her. "Naruto...you idiot...you made me sleepy."

Naruto glanced up at the clock on the wall, then back at her.  "Well, it's 10:30.  You should go ahead and get some sleep.  I'll wake you when Sakura comes back."

His offer was met with a slight shake of the girl's head.  "Don't worry, Naruto.  I can handle it.  I don't usually get to sleep until early morning."

There was a short pause as Naruto thought this over.  "Oh!  So that's why you're always so cranky!" he shouted.

Nozomi glared at him, ears going flat.   "I am not cranky!  Keep it down, would you?!"

"Yes you are." Naruto insisted. "Just listen to yourself!  You're sleep deprived!  You need rest!"

"Well, I'm NOT tired...so just forget it." Nozomi grumbled.

"I can fix that!" Naruto grinned.  He repositioned his arm so it was now on the back of the couch, and he began gently stroking both her ears.

"Naruto, STOP it!" Nozomi growled.  "I-I-I'll BITE you!"

"Nozo-hime...SLEEP." Naruto urged, rubbing her ear even softer.

Nozomi sweatdropped, yawning. He wasn't going to take no for an answer..and what was worse, his petting her ears was beginning to make her extremely drowsy!  She sighed as her eyes began to close, and a small smirk formed on her face.

"Naruto...that idiot...always being so persistent...but I guess..the way he fights for his way and never quits...I guess that's one of the reasons I love him so much...Of course, not that I'd ever tell him any of that...I'd get...laughed...at..."

Nozomi's head slowly drooped, now leaning against a wide eyed Naruto, who was just staring at her open mouthed.  Did she know she'd just said all that out loud?  Probably not.  It had sounded almost like she was sleep talking.  

A devilish grin appeared on Naruto's face.  Nozomi would never be able to deny her feelings again...this room had a hidden camera in it!  If she tried lying, or even said she hated his guts like she often did, he'd just play the video for her and see what she said then!

Zzz...purr...zz...purr.

Naruto smiled down at the sleeping cat girl who leaned against his middle, and he put his arm on her gently, yawning.  Maybe a nap was a good idea.  

His eyes slowly closed as he leaned back into the couch.  "Night, Nozomi...you silly kitty." He leaned his head back and was out.

A few minutes later, Sakura opened the door and poked her head into the room.  "Ok, we're do-" she broke off as she took in the sight of the two sleeping Genin.  "Never mind."

She closed the door and turned to Kiba and Hinata, who were eying her curiously. "They fell asleep...we'll just get them in the morning."

Kiba snickered as he glanced at the door. "I guess you could say 'Mission accomplished', huh?"

Sakura nodded with a small grin. "I guess so...I didn't think that she'd EVER give in to him...that dare of yours didn't give her a choice, though.  It was clever of you."

Kiba snickered.  "I actually wasn't thinking of the mission when I dared her...I was thinking of revenge."

Sakura laughed softly.  "Well either way, things worked out.  Kakashi-sensei will be glad...and the fifth Hokage, too.  Remember?  They said they didn't care what means we used, just to get Naruto and Nozomi together."

Hinata nodded.  "It was...because them not getting along was...h..h...making your missions go wrong, right?"

Sakura nodded.  "Hopefully after tonight things will get beter and they'll cooperate with each other more."  

"Well, we-we'll just have to see." Hinata grinned.

"This was a great night." Sakura grinned.  "We got those two together, and you even got yourself a boyfriend!  Aren't you glad you agreed to help?  That was great acting like you didn't know what the game was in the beginning, by the way."

Hinata nodded, blushing.

"Thanks!" Kiba smirked.  

"Anyways, we should go home now." Sakura said quietly.  

"Sweet dreams, you two." Kiba snickered softly as Sakura locked the door back.  Then they turned and left.

As they walked, Sakura glanced back over her shoulder, a smug smirk on her face.  'Mission accomplished...I got them together, AND proved I'm the more clever of us girls!  ALRIGHT!'