Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. I do not own the manga, anime, or any other mediums. I do not own the characters, places, or strange theories. The plot is mine, but I don't care if anyone steals it.

Yamanaka Ino woke up with a splitting headache. It wasn't just any headache either. It was one of those "What the hell was I THINKING?" headaches. Taking a deep breath, Ino searched her memories to find the cause of said headache. Sake? No, her mouth wasn't dry enough. Drugs? Well, despite the horrible smell, there was no evidence to support the theory. Besides, Ino wasn't a drug user. Speaking of horrible smells, what was that odor? Aha! Hospital smell! "I'm in a hospital. This can't be good," Ino thought to herself. She sat up, was rewarded by appalling vertigo, and promptly laid back on the bed. /p

A small time later, Ino managed to sit up and look around the room. She was covered with random bandages. The bed to her right was in perfect order as a result of being empty. To her left, she saw Sakura sleeping and instantly remembered just what had happened.

"Baka," Ino croaked, "I almost beat you."

Surprisingly, Sakura was not only awake, she was able to sit up and respond.

"But you didn't."

"You didn't beat me either."

There was a pause.

"You know," Sakura started, "Now that we know that we're equal, what's there left to fight about?"

"I'm sure we'll think of something."

The two ex-rivals fell back asleep, satisfied and content. They would've stayed that way all day If Tsunade-sama, Naruto, Shikamaru, Lee, and Hinata hadn't decided to check up on them. Such a large amount of visitors would have been welcomed, if they hadn't come one at a time. Between visitors, medications, and mealtimes; Sakura and Ino barely managed to get any sleep.

Tsunade's visit

"Wake up, you lazy oafs!"

The two women mumbled something along the lines of, "I wanna sleep. Go away," and didn't move a muscle.

"You know," Tsunade-sama said playfully, "If you two can't move on your own, I would be happy to help."

They sat up as quickly as possible.

"I'm glad you're awake."

"Hello, Tsunade-sama," yawned Ino.

"I'm sorry I couldn't be at work today," Sakura said sleepily.

"I would just like to say that I expressly forbid you two from doing that again. Whatever you needed to clear up should've been resolved by now."

Sakura and Ino nodded.

Tsunade continued, "Women at your age should be partying, not scrapping. So, I hereby declare a month-long vacation for both of you. Neither one of you is to work or fight as Konoha shinobi."

This jolted the two young women.

"What about my shop?" asked Ino.

Sakura quickly followed, "How am I supposed to meet expenses for 6 months without working?"

"It's all taken care of. Ino's shop will be run by bored stay at home moms and Sakura is officially on paid vacation."

Sakura immediately lit up, but Ino had doubts.

"Are you sure my shop can be run by just any person? I mean, people are used to high quality arrangements from me."

"Why Ino," Tsunade feigned disbelief," Don't you have any respect for your elders? These women are used to running things.

Besides, word will get around the grapevine that you're taking a hiatus, and most people will just accept it. When you come back, your business will start up without missing a beat."

Ino seemed to be thinking. Eventually, she smiled at the prospect of a vacation.

"Thank you, Tsunade-sama."

"At least let me finish that one report before I go," Sakura asked.

"Absolutely not," Tsunade responded, "Well, I'm off! Oh, and you may want to get out of Konoha, since there isn't much for beautiful young women like us to do around here."

Tsunade left without seeing the sweat drops.

Naruto and Shikamaru's Visit

Naruto: (laughing) I can't believe you two busted each other up again!

(Ino glares at Naruto.)

Sakura: And just how many times have I seen you in the hospital after missions?

Naruto: (still laughing) That's different! At least I'm fighting an enemy! You two are supposed to be on the same side!

Shikamaru: What Naruto means to say is that he has no reason why you two would do that. I don't know why either, but I don't want to find out. (Turning toward the door) So I guess I'll be leaving. See ya.

(Naruto manages to contain himself long enough to say goodbye)

Ino: We won't see you guys for a month and that's all you have to say?

(Both men walk back in)

Naruto: What do you mean you see us for a month? Are we getting assigned to a big mission?

Sakura: Nope. Tsunade just gave us each one month vacation.

Ino: (mumbling) More like kicked Sakura and me out of the village for a month. I wonder if she's up to something.

Shikamaru: What'd you say, Ino?

Ino: Nothing.

(Shikamaru and Naruto wish the girls luck, and then depart.)

Lee's Visit

Lee: What do you mean you'll be gone for a month!!! What if you get hurt? What if some evil man seduces poor Sakura? Who will protect you? What are you two going to do for a month outside Konoha, anyway? What-

Sakura: LEE! Relax! I'm a Shinobi, and can take care of myself.

Ino: There's plenty to do outside Konoha. In fact, I'm sure I'll have the time of my life!

(Lee calms down)

Sakura: It's not as if I'll just forget all about my home, Lee. I'll miss everyone.

Lee: Everyone? Even me?

Sakura: Well, maybe not Ino-baka...

Ino: You couldn't make it more then a week without me gracing you with my presence, big-forehead.

Sakura: (-.-;;) Excuse me, had I known I was in the presence on one such as yourself, I would have locked my doors and windows.

Ino: Just you wait, -

Lee: Ladies! Is this any way for you to behave?

Sakura and Ino: Stay out of it!

(Lee decides now would be a good time to leave)

Hinata's Visit

Hinata walked in carefully. Although she now radiated grace and courage, Hinata still seemed delicate. Sakura and Ino had been chatting and barely noticed her walk in.

"Excuse me."

"Oh! Hinata," Ino said, "I didn't see you come in."

"That's ok. I hope I'm not disturbing you."

"No, not at all."

"I already heard about your trip."

Sakura sighed, "Thank goodness I won't have to explain it again."

There was a long silence. Hinata looked them over carefully. The two could feel the byakugan tracing their thoughts lightly. Not enough to be invasive, just to spare them a lot of repetition.

"I see," Hinata said, "May I ask you something?"

"Sure," Ino replied.

"Why aren't you planning on traveling together?"

"Because it's a vacation," Ino said, "and the last thing I need is an ugly, unrefined girl following me around."

Sakura was about to come up with a witty respose when Hinata said, "That's not true. I think you two should travel together."

"That's preposterous. What good would it do to travel with someone that irritating?" Sakura asked.

Hinata just smiled gently and said," Tsunade-sama obviously wants you to settle your differences. Besides, I think it will be nicer then you expect."

With that, Hinata left. There was nothing more to say.

Author's note: I will come back and fix this once I learn how to indent the beggining of a paragraph. Please bear with me until then.