Many thanks to those who bother to review! Sometimes I get lazy too, but reviews do help an authoress!


Sasuke fought against his better judgement as he walked down the hallway, his hands buried deep in his pockets. But then again, his judgement never did have a better side. Pausing at her door, he sucked in a breath. And lifting his hand, he delivered a hard knock on the wooden door.

"What is it, I'm busy." Her irritated tone annoyed him. Still, he continued.

"It's Sasuke."

There was a momentary pause before she answered.

"Come in."

Sasuke twisted the copper knob and let himself in. The thick air hit him like a hard slap. He crinkled his nose in disgust, was that sake? His eyes scanned her desk, true enough there stood an offending little, white bottle. The windows weren't open either, what was this? A jail house? Frowning, he approached the table. Her eyes followed his every movement. She caught the way the unsure look in his eyes gave him away, the way his hands were buried deep in his pockets. The boy was nervous. Yet, if you didn't take the time to scrutinize you wouldn't have noticed a thing. All you would have seen was a confident boy coming into the Hokage's room for something he wanted.

"What do you want?" She asked, not rough but hardly kind either.

"It's about tomorrow's mission," he started. Tsunade's eyes twinkled knowingly.

"What mission," she asked, taking her eyes off him and flipping through the pages of the thick book laid in front of her. Sasuke's jaw grew taunt.

"The one Shikamaru is leading."

Tsunade's eyes fixed on the Uchiha again, she smiled a small smile.

"What about it?"

Sasuke flinched ever so slightly. She knew what he wanted, it was so obvious. It was written all over his face. Yet she just wanted him to say it, and he didn't know if that humiliation was worth it seeing she could always say no. Glaring at the annoying sake bottle, he succumbed.

"I would like to be in that mission." He said, eyes drifting to hers. She smirked.

"You're on probation." She stated, a-matter-of-factly.

"I know that."

"Probation means you do not leave the country." She continued, raising her blond brows. Sasuke stood extremely still. He wasn't leaving this wretched room till he was allowed to go on that stupid mission.

"I know that too." He said between clenched teeth. The Hokage was obviously enjoying his display of weakness.

"And what had urged you to join this mission? Boredom? A friend maybe?"

The word rang in Sasuke's head. Friend. Friend.

Almost at once his thoughts drifted to Sakura. Yes, it was a friend. Someone more than a friend now. Tsunade watched they boy fight against himself, clearly amused. After a while of silence, she decided he wasn't going to answer her. That didn't matter.

"Very well, prove yourself."


Sasuke saw them from a distance, gathered in a group and ready to go. He continued walking, his steps steady. Shikamaru was giving instructions, but he stopped when he saw Sasuke. Sasuke ignored his stare; he knew this was going to be hard anyway. He heard Sakura call out to him and wave enthusiastically. She ran over to him, face smiling.

"Did you come to say goodbye?" She asked but stopped when she saw the bag his was carrying over his shoulders. Her mouth formed a small O. Then her eyes lit up as she hugged him tightly, leaving him no chance to react. She took his hand and dragged him towards the others. Naruto was ecstatic. He went on about how long they hadn't gone on a mission together and how he had missed it. Neji acknowledged him with a quick nod but Nara Shikamaru didn't even look at him. Don't be mistaken, Sasuke didn't even want to be looked at by him but there was a clear sign of hostility.

After a while, Shikamaru turned around again. His face was indifferent.

"Alright, now listen up. There will be some changes to the plan." His eyes flickered slightly towards Sasuke and Sakura caught it.

"I will be in front leading the way," he flashed a map, "Ino will be behind me and Sasuke after her." Sasuke looked up in surprise, he was pretty sure the reason Shikamaru despised him now had something to do with Ino. So why was he being placed behind the girl? Shikamaru gripped the paper causing the sides to crinkle but he continued.

"Sakura after Sasuke, then TenTen, Naruto then Neji. Neji, you will have to look out from the back and scout the area with your Byakugan. We travel in a straight line. Always watch for the person in front of you. Ino will be in charge of healing me, Sasuke, and Sakura is necessary. Sakura will be in charge of healing TenTen, Naruto and Neji, if need be, Ino." He continued. Sasuke watched him as he spoke; it was almost as if he was spitting the words out from his mouth like a bitter piece of fish he accidentally swallowed. Sasuke didn't blame him. Something told Sasuke that Shikamaru didn't like leading missions as much as he showed.

"Are we clear?" he asked, stuffing the map into his pocket.

"Aw Shikamaru, how long are you going to make us wait?" Naruto groaned; his hands on his hips and slanting in a very unsightly way. Sakura sweat dropped. Sasuke hid his amusement as Shikamaru turned to glare at the blond.

"Move out." He ordered, leaping off into the trees with Ino following behind. Sasuke followed right after Ino, pausing only for a second to turn behind to witness the panic in Sakura's eyes. What on earth was Shikamaru thinking placing him in the middle of these two?

"We head east and whatever happens, maintain this line." Sasuke heard Shikamaru yell as the line as swiftly redirected. The morning air was crisp and cold, whooshing past his face like a hard caress. How he had missed them; his friends, Sakura, everyone. His eyes drifted forward to the purple ninja bouncing off the tree branches with undeniable ease. It had been a little strange without her continuous whining and sudden embraces. No he didn't miss it, it just felt weird. He saw her pick up pace to whisper something in Shikamaru's ear which made the Chuunin chuckle. Satisfied she resumed her position, turning back once to grin. Sasuke's eyes widened, surely that couldn't have been for him. He twisted his head and saw a weak smile painted on Sakura. Maybe he shouldn't have come after all. Sakura's face brightened when she caught him looking and Sasuke smiled back quickly.

They covered a great distance by nightfall and Shikamaru was satisfied. Sasuke leaned his head on a tree bark and inhaled the air. He glanced around, everyone was exhausted; everyone but Shikamaru. Sasuke watched quietly as he unrolled his sleeping bag forcefully. He was still angry.

"I'll make the fire," TenTen offered, directing the offer to Shikamaru. He nodded slightly. Noticing his unhappiness, Ino got up to peck him on his cheek.

"I'll help," she smiled, heading over to TenTen.

"Me too," Sakura nodded, trailing after the too.

Sasuke observed the rest quietly. Naruto was decided where he should put his sleeping bag. He was contemplating on waiting for the girls to return so he could be near the fire or something. Sasuke frowned with irritation, was he talking to himself? Neji sat cross-legged, his back straightened like a bamboo pole and eyes staring at something Sasuke couldn't see. He was still as uptight as before.

"Sasuke!" Naruto called, jabbing a finger in his direction. Sasuke turned to look at his serious face. But that changed almost immediately. Naruto grinned like a five year old and held out a cup of instant noodles.

"Neh, neh. Want to share?" He asked, hopping on one foot to another. Sasuke almost burst out laughing, instead he kept his composure.

"No."

"Why? I know you like noodles. Come on!"

"No."

"Bleah. Fine! I'll share with Sakura-chan." Naruto 'hmph-ed' into the air. Sasuke looked around, what was taking them so long? This awkward silence between the guys was not a good sign. The only one talking was Naruto, and he was the only stupid enough not to know what was going on.

"I'm going to look for them," Neji finally said, getting up from his uncomfortable position. Sasuke hid a small smile. TenTen?

But the girls were already back, their distant chattering and laughing was almost audible now. Neji's eyes flashed with annoyance and he sat back down and placed his palms on his knees. Ino was the first to immerge from the bushes carrying a load of logs in her hands. Shikamaru turned to look at her as if to offer her his help but she shook her head and grinned at him. Sakura was carrying an even larger amount of logs but Sasuke didn't try. She was more than strong enough. He stiffened when she looked at him with a gaze he couldn't comprehend. Yes, it was better not to help right? TenTen came last carrying two rocks.

"Sakura! Share noodles with me!" Naruto grinned, dancing over to the pink haired medic. He froze when she turned to glare at him. Naruto shrank back into the shadows clutching his noodles sadly. Sasuke frowned, what was wrong with her now? He watched as Shikamaru took the rocks from TenTen, not noticing the intense gaze from Neji. Kneeling next to the logs, he began trying to light the fire. Sakura returned next to Sasuke who looked at her from the corner of his eye. Yes, she was definitely upset. He put a warm hand over hers and continued to watch Shikamaru light the fire. He watched as Ino blushed when Shikamaru smiled warmly at her. He watched as she peeled open the dinner she prepared for the both of them. He watched as the shared it together, laughing quietly at their own private joke. He watched as TenTen seemed to ignore Neji as he opened a nicely packed bento and began to eat it. He watched as Naruto ate his noodles in silence.

Then he turned to Sakura and watched as she ignored everyone else and drifted to sleep.


Yay! Love the tension!