Chapter 54

-Sakura's POV-

Despite Ino and Tenten threatening the boys, they refused to find somewhere else to stay the night when the time came for the big sleepover. If we're being honest, Sasuke's the one who refused, stating this is his house, too, so he's not leaving.

When Gaara attempted to follow our request by making plans with one of the producers he's become friends with, Sasuke yelled at him. Then, when the two women tried to argue further, he went on the offensive and invited guys over: Shikamaru, Neji, and Sai.

All that drama leads us to where we are now, sitting in a big circle, passing a couple bottles of whiskey around, and about to start a game of truth or dare. There's not a chance in hell this night ends peacefully.

"Remember last time we played this, and Sakura ran through the hallway in her underwear?" Tenten laughed after taking a big swig of liquor.

I grinned, "None of you can say I chickened out, though!"

Ino raised a hand and yelled above the light chatter, "Let's get this show on the road, people! I'll go first!"

Blue eyes narrowed as they scanned the room for her first victim, widening when they landed on the newcomer to our little friend group: Shikamaru. He's a pretty quiet guy that helped produce Prestige's newest album and did a damn good job if I must say so myself.

Since Gaara's interested in all things music-related, he spent some time in the studio with him and Naruto while they worked just to see what the process was like, and the rest is history. They've become at least casual friends.

"Shikamaru: Truth or Dare?"

The man's face remained unchanged since I first met him: bored and uninterested, "What a drag. Truth."

My best friend giggled mischievously from where she sat between Sai and me, "Out of the women here, who do you think is the most attractive?"

I elbowed her in the ribs when the man took on a slightly irritated look, "You're gonna scare him away."

"Either you or Temari. I've got a thing for blonds. I'd never go for either of you, though. Too troublesome," Shikamaru surprised us by answering in a matter-of-fact tone of voice.

Rather than get bashful like most would, Ino cackled, "Good taste. Your turn!"

He's sitting between Gaara and Hinata, Temari on Gaara's other side and Hinata beside me. "Uh, Gaara, I guess. Truth or dare."

I stole a glance at the redhead in question, face threatening to warm and tell everyone that I was embarrassed about something. We've been pretending the whole seeing-me-drunk-and-naked thing didn't happen, so we don't have to discuss it. It's almost all I can think about around him, though.

"Dare."

Shikamaru didn't hesitate for a second, "Show us the most embarrassing photo you have on your phone."

Gaara's face slowly changed color as he fished his phone out of his pocket and began scrolling through his pictures. When he finally came to a stop, he covered his eyes with one hand while turning the screen around for the group to see. A choked laugh passed my lips, and I covered my mouth with my hands to muffle the following giggles.

It's the picture I took of him when I put the cat-ear headband and a green mud mask on him. He has the photo on his phone because I sent it as a taunt one day when we were play-arguing. A lot of the others made amused sounds, as well.

"Sakura, truth or dare."

My laughter ceased instantly, but I still grinned knowingly at his red face, "Dare."

After a few moments to ponder, he finally responded, "I dare you to drink as much whiskey as you can in one breath."

My eyes widened, and I almost lost my composure because I was so surprised, but I accepted the bottle of liquor Hinata held out, "Alright, but I'm gonna be your problem after this." He smiled to himself, obviously amused.

Wincing just before, I tossed my head back and chugged maybe four mouthfuls of the foul liquid before coming up for air and making a disgusted face. He knows it's my least favorite alcohol; that's why he made that dare.

Voice raspy from the burn the maneuver caused, I waved my hand dismissively, "Um, how about Sai."

Our choreographer smiled happily as though being included in this barbaric game was flattering, "Truth."

A bit disappointed in his response, I asked a pretty generic question, "How old were you when you had your first kiss, and what was it like?"

"That's a lame-ass truth, Forehead. Where's the juicy stuff?"

Sai ignored his girlfriend and answered earnestly, "I think I was thirteen or fourteen, and it was pretty normal, I guess. Nothing to report home about."

He quickly asked Ino when it was time to move on, and she, naturally, chose dare.

"I dare you to kiss me."

Tenten squealed excitedly from where she sat between Temari and Neji but didn't say anything. Ino did her dare with pep, pulling away after a very risque and sexual kiss to flirt with the blushing man, "You didn't have to dare me, y'know."

Oh, that whiskey's starting to hit me now. Sitting here seems fun, and colors are beginning to appear more vibrant than usual.

"Sasuke, truth or dare, handsome?"

"Dare."

"I dare you to show me the search history on your phone."

I thought he'd laugh at something so seemingly mild, but he seemed a little uncomfortable instead. He didn't argue, though, and immediately pulled out his cell to pull up the correct screen before handing it to her with a noticeable warning glare. She eagerly snatched it from his hands before bringing it close to her face so both Sai and I couldn't peek.

Her blue eyes widened in surprise as she read, and when she finished, she handed the device back to its owner with a grin, "That's…enlightening."

His glare hardened, but he quickly changed the subject, "Tenten."

Our mentor perked up, "Dare, my sweet!"

"I dare you to give someone here a hickey." Naturally, she turned to Neji, and his eyes narrowed, but he didn't stop her from unbuttoning his shirt enough to do her dare on his chest, where it'll be hidden by his clothing.

"Hinata, truth or dare."

Hinata blushed softly at my side but surprised us all by choosing dare.

"I dare you to switch outfits with Sakura."

My attention went from maybe a six to a ten just like that, "Wait, what?"

Tenten cackled, "You heard me. Go switch clothes, you two!"

-Hinata's POV-

I was so busy worrying about what might've been on Sasuke's phone that I answered without thinking, and now I'm following Sakura into her bedroom to exchange clothes.

Once the door was shut, my bandmate began pulling her shirt off over her head, "Let me just apologize in advance for not wearing my usual pajamas." Usually, she's similar to me in that she wears oversized clothing to bed, but since we're having a sleepover, she's wearing a cute camisole with matching shorts that are going to barely fit me if they do at all.

The bottoms, I'm not worried about. It's the top that's going to be the issue.

Blushing like crazy, I sighed in defeat and followed her lead, gingerly handing over my hoodie and leggings. Just as I thought, the shorts fit me just fine even though they're much shorter than anything I own, but the top's a different story. Since these clothes have little stretch and I'm much different from Sakura regarding chest size, the shirt barely reaches my navel when it's supposed to cover my entire stomach.

My pink-haired friend laughed, "It's just like..haha…at Top Tier!"

Face hot as can be with mortification, I exited the room with her and did my best to ignore both Ino and Tenten's excited cheers. When I sat back down, I crossed my arms around my torso to hide the bare skin there, "T-Temari, truth or dare."

"Dare."

The game continued for an hour or two before pretty much all of us were at least tipsy. As soon as I was able, I snuck away to my room, changed into some of my own clothes, and went to bed before the night could get too terribly crazy.

Just as I was about to fall asleep, the door to my room crept open, closed, and familiar arms circled around my body as Sasuke climbed under the covers. A drunken giggle passed my lips as I rolled in his arms so I could kiss him, and I could feel his lips turned up into a smirk against mine.

After a couple moments, he pulled back and teased me, "Aw, you changed already. Shame."

I shook my head, "That kind of stuff doesn't suit me."

"Oh, I beg to differ. I'd say it suits you greatly." Blush rose to my already hot face, and he snickered, his drunkenness obvious by his more casual reactions.

-Sakura's POV-

"I told you I was gonna be a problem!"

"I know you did. It's fine. Come on."

"You're not annoyed, are you? I'm sorry I'm drunk again."

"I said it's fine, Sakura, let's go."

I sighed before finally allowing Gaara to lead me into my bedroom. It's late, maybe around two or three in the morning, and almost everyone else has gone home or passed out. The redhead's hand was warm in mine, making me feel all giddy inside, but my happiness threatened to fade when he gestured for me to get into bed, "But…I want to sleep with you again. Can I? It's nice in your room."

His face turned a soft red, and he frowned, "Normally, I'd say yes, but we've both been drinking. I don't think it's a good idea."

It's true. For the first time ever, Gaara drank enough to noticeably affect him. Sure, he's had a drink or two in the past just to appease Ino or Tenten, but he's never even gotten tipsy around us. It's actually kind of cute, the red hue on his cheeks and the slightly softer way he's been speaking like he's a little confused about everything but is trying his best.

Sighing in defeat, I nodded, knowing, despite my non-clear-headedness, that he was uncomfortable and it'd be rude not to back off. Squeezing my eyes shut, I hugged him tight around the waist, "Good night, then. Drink some water before you go to sleep."

He didn't hesitate nearly as much as usual to return my embrace, and then I climbed into bed with a pout and watched him leave through the bathroom with a bashful expression. I smiled when I realized he had left his and my door open so our rooms would remain connected. Maybe he didn't do it intentionally and simply forgot in his inebriated state, but perhaps he didn't.

At some point, I fell asleep, but then I was woken up by Gaara as he blushed and shook my arm softly.

"Hm?" I asked sleepily.

"Um…Can I come in here? Whoever's in the spare room is…uh…." I understood what he meant immediately and scooted over so he could join me. He gave me a grateful look and slid under the covers. Someone's hooking up.

I wonder who it is. Usually, I'd assume it's Tenten and Neji because they've done it before, but they actually are the only ones that left. So it's either Ino and Sai or, shockingly, Temari and Shikamaru. The producer did say he has a thing for blonds, and he and Temari talked a lot tonight, so it's a definite possibility. No wonder Gaara came over here. Just the thought of it maybe being his sister's undoubtedly uncomfortable.

My train of thought was interrupted as an arm came around my middle. I turned my head to see Gaara staring at me, his eyes searching my face almost curiously, and he blushed but didn't say anything and simply stayed there.

"I'm not scaring you, am I? Is this okay?"

Shyly scooting just an inch or two closer and averting my gaze, I whispered, "It's alright since it's you."

That's the truth, too. Suppose it was anyone else approaching me like this. In that case, I'd be shaking in my hypothetical boots because men have unintentionally terrified me when they get too close after what happened with Sasori. I know it's irrational, and I know it's all in my head, but I can't help it. For some reason, it doesn't happen with Gaara. Yes, I'm still a little taken off guard at first, but it passes rather quickly.

"I really meant what I said."

I made some sounds communicating my confusion, and he elaborated, "I think you're really pretty."

My eyes shot open to lock onto his in surprise, and a shy smile tugged at my lips, "Thank you, Gaara…I'm sorry about all that, by the way, with the glass and the shower."

"No…you're the most beautiful girl I've ever seen."

My breath caught in my throat at his drunken compliment, and I bashfully turned onto my side to bury my face in his shirt, "Gaara, stop it!"

He would not be saying all this stuff if he was sober. I hope he doesn't get embarrassed and hide away when he wakes up in the morning and recalls it. His chest vibrated as he chuckled and slid his other arm under me so he could pull me more firmly against him, "And you smell nice, too. Is it your shampoo?" A humiliated sound left me, and I wrapped my arm around him in silence.

A discovery has been made tonight: When Gaara drinks, he's very flattering.