A Ninja's Nerve

1st Dare

A/N: So here it is, my new book! I hope you enjoy >_< I have made some changes to the game (Nerve) as you may notice (You can enter as a team and not just one person is the biggest change I think)

I stared impassively out of the window, my eyes fixed on a particular leaf. There wasn't anything special about this leaf, no reason for me to have chosen it to stare at. But you see, the lesson was very boring and i was rather sleepy.

It was a pretty nice leaf, both yellow and a tint of orange too. It reminded me of him. Yes that's right, him. Because this was in every way your typical, boring setting for a typical, boring high school movie so of course I had to have a crush. But that is where i was wrong. This was in no way going to be a typical, boring day.

I was however not aware of this so instead of wondering about the nature of the crazy adventures about to befall me I spent my time doing more productive things. Like mourning the fact that he hadn't noticed that we were born to be together yet.

My thoughts continues to center around matters like these- trivial to anyone but their thinkers- until the bell rang and I went to meet up with my friends. It was at this point our thoughts turned into mindless chatter and we went somewhere to eat- or drink coffee if one of us happened to try a new diet forbidding the consumption of sugary goodness- and rant about life. Today's choice of place was some popular new café.

I didn't care much for the popularity of the café as long as they had decent cinnamon buns but Ino and Sakura, my aforementioned friends, had adored stuff like this for as long as I can remember. They always took a liking to the newest trends and for some reason felt the need to involve me in their quest for a new dress or lipstick. I didn't mind all that much, after all I was a very shy person and ever since we were young they have been my only friends.

So when Sakura looked up from her phone- pink of course, like everything else she owned- and asked me with excitement apparent in her voice.

"Hinata-chan, have you ever heard of Nerve?"

I just laughed and asked her what kind of brand name that was. It wasn't a brand Ino told me, it was a game that had become popular around the school.

"A game?"

"Kinda like truth or dare but without truth."

Which, in all honesty, sounded stupid and dangerous. Not that I would ever tell either of them that.

"You can participate as a group, come on Hinata join us." Ino begged.

I looked over at Sakura and saw her staring at me with that look. The one that told me exactly what i was supposed to do and at that moment i knew I didn't have a choice. Lowering my line of sight onto where my fingers was nervously playing with the tablecloth I sighed and gave up.

"Fine, how bad can it turn out to be?" Oh I had no idea.

Ino and Sakura high-fived and squealed excitedly, talking about how we all would become famous and rich while I blushed under the weight of the stares directed at our table. The two of them might find the spotlight appealing but I was more the type to prefer watching from the sidelines. You could say I was born a side-character type if you wish.

"We should get some boys to join us too, all the popular groups are a mix of both genders. I'm sure Sasuke-kun wouldn't mind a chance to have some fun. Sakura suggested and Ino frowned at the mention of Sasuke.

He was a touchy subject, always had been. Even back in preschool Ino and Sakura had the biggest crush on him and when Sakura managed to persuade him into a relationship they had their first big fight. They didn't talk for weeks and even now we all try to avoid the topic if possible.

"i guess you're right, forehead. But only one boy is kinda boring. Is there anyone else who can join us?" Ino sighed frustrated then suddenly exploded. "Argh! Why is all the boys in our class so unattractive!?"

Her voice carrying out loud and clear throughout the whole restaurant and out to the street. A few bypassers gave the place a weird look and hurried along a bit faster than necessary. I blushed even more and Sakura just facepalmed.

"A-ano, shouldn't we be a bit quieter? We're disturbing the other customers."

They just brushed me off with a wave of their perfectly manicured nail and a "Yea, yea whatever~!"

"Wait, doesn't Hinata have a cousin in the year over us who's super popular?"

"You mean Neji-niiisan?"

"Yes, Neji that's it! If we get him to join us we're practically guaranteed adoration from all his fans. Say Hinata-chan won't you ask him to help us?" Sakura looked at me, more demanding than asking and so I easily gave in.

"U-um sure."

"Perfect! we gather the whole team at school tomorrow and join the game. It has been going on for a few days already so many teams have dropped out which means a higher chance of winning for us. And less time we have to spend too, there can't possibly be over a week left until the finals."

After that we parted ways and I went home just like on a normal day, doing my homework and watching some anime in secret as if there was nothing out of the ordinary about this day, which there of course was but I didn't know that this was the start of my amazing adventures so I just went about my day like it was any other. I had a secret anime collection in the third drawer from the left because my father did not approve of me indulging in the joy of japanese culture. In fact, he didn't approve of most things, except pride and good grades.

Word count: 1011 words