DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO

Italics mean what the person is thinking.

AN: Definite pairings: SasukeSakura, TentenNeji, NarutoHinata, and InoShikamaru. There is no Inner Sakura in this fic unless you really really want her in it. This story is slightly AU. Remember, nobody likes a flamer!

Three Weeks Vacation

Day 2: Monday

Sakura woke up to the sunshine streaming into her window. She spotted Naruto near the curtains, grinning like an idiot. Sakura threw an arm across her eyes. "Naruto, you dobe, what are you doing in my room?"

Naruto replied cheerfully, "Rise and shine, Sakura-chan! It's already nine!"

Sakura slid out of bed speedily. She checked her clock, and for once, Naruto spoke the truth. She screeched, "Nine? Why didn't you wake me up earlier?"

Sasuke appeared in the doorway, a spatula in one hand, and looking rather annoyed. "We did, but you kicked Naruto in the eye and punched me in the face. You also said something like, 'Go away, you bastards.'"

Sakura covered her mouth. "Oh man! Did I really? Gomen, Sasuke-kun and Naruto! Now, get out of my room so I can change!"

The two boys obeyed promptly. Sakura chose her clothing quickly, thinking, I wonder if Ino has anything planned out for us today. She rushed into the kitchen and burst out giggling at the two boys, attempting to cook breakfast. Naruto was hopping all over the place, yelling his head off. "Ow, I burned my finger! Stupid omelette!"

Sasuke was cursing silently as he glared at the mess in the pan. Sakura slid over and peered at it. "What is that?"

Sasuke dumped it in the garbage quickly to save himself from embarrassment. Naruto scratched his head. "We were going to make you a surprise breakfast, but it didn't work."

Sakura rolled her eyes. "I'm not hungry. I'm going over to Ino's, so if you need anything, find me there."
She hopped out the door easily and walked to Ino's house, savoring the cold, morning air. Ino opened the door before Sakura even reached it. She smiled. "Hey, Sakura!"

Sakura waved. "Are we doing anything today? Anything fun?"

Ino nodded. "I thought maybe all the girls could get together and hang out or something."
Sakura nodded. "Okay, I'll go get Tenten and Hinata."

Ino disappeared into the house while Sakura fetched the others. Tenten and Hinata agreed immediately and soon, the four girls were in Ino's bedroom. She handed them a mug of coffee and announced, "Let's play truth or dare."

Sakura winced as did Tenten. Hinata, being shy, nodded her head. Ino glared Sakura and Tenten into submission, then scowled as a knock on the door interrupted them. Shikamaru shouted through the door, "I'm inviting the guys over!"
The other three girls covered their ears as Ino shrieked, "No! Go meet in another house!"

The lazy genius replied, "Too bad, they're already here!"

Ino turned red, but an evil smile crept across her features, and she calmed down. "Fine, do whatever you want."

Sakura noticed the look and asked, "Ino…why did you change all of the sudden?"

Ino smiled sweetly. "They will be perfect for the game."

Tenten's eyes opened wide with horror. "Hell no."

Ino laughed. "You betcha!"

Sakura looked confused. "What are you talking about?"

Tenten looked horror-struck, and Ino was giggling. "You'll see, Sakura!"

Ino turned to Hinata. "Hinata! Truth or dare?"

Hinata stammered, "D-Dare!"

Ino looked surprised. "I thought you were going to pick truth! Well, Hinata, I dare you to kiss Naruto! On the cheek, of course."

Hinata turned the color of a tomato. "I-Ino! Are y-you serious?"

Ino smiled wickedly. She nodded. Hinata tottered out the door with the other three girls hard on her heels. They waited in the doorway while Hinata made her way to the living room, where a few boys were gathered. She spotted Naruto laughing loudly at something. Hinata gulped and she poked her index fingers together. She stammered, "N-Naruto-kun…"

He turned around with a big grin on his face, which only made Hinata turn a brighter shade of pink. She quickly brushed her lips against Naruto's cheek and ran back to the room. Sasuke, Kiba, Shino, and Shikamaru stared after her. Kiba looked extremely pissed off. "What the hell was that for? Why did she kiss a dobe like Naruto?"

Naruto protested, "I'm not a dobe, unlike you, Kiba."

Kiba stood up angrily and punched Naruto. Sasuke smirked. "This will be interesting."

In Ino's room, Tenten was smiling, Sakura was giggling, and Ino was howling with laughter. She gasped, "You should have seen Naruto's face!"

Tenten added, "What about Kiba's face? I can hear them beating the crap out of each other right now."

Poor Hinata was red as a tomato. Sakura patted her. "Don't worry, Hinata, he won't think you're weird."

Just then, they heard Naruto shout, "I didn't think Hinata was weird, but now I change my mind. What about you, Kiba?"

They heard Kiba give a half-snarl half-roar and glass breaking. Tears popped into Hinata's eyes. Sakura closed her eyes. "I will kill you, Naruto."

Sakura smiled apologetically at Hinata. "I'm sure Naruto didn't mean it. I'll make him apologize to you, later, Hinata."

Hinata nodded, trembling. Sakura announced happily, "Well, Hinata, your turn."

Hinata stammered, "S-Sakura, you can g-go."

Sakura smiled her thanks and asked Ino, "Truth or dare?"

Ino smirked. "I'm not afraid. Dare."

Sakura mocked her, "You can kiss your pride, buh-bye! I dare you to kiss Shikamaru on the cheek!"

Ino sat up. "Why not Sasuke? Besides, why kiss a boy when I can do something else?"

Sakura glanced at the tearful Hinata. "Payback. Besides, I don't want you kissing my Sasuke-kun!"

Ino stormed out the door. She stormed all the way to Shikamaru, who looked apprehensive. He started saying, "I didn't do it."

Ino declared angrily, "I just want to say, my heart and soul is completely devoted to Sasuke, and this means nothing!"

She bent down stiffly and pecked Shikamaru on the cheek. Ino marched away back into the room. Shikamaru's mouth fell open. "Nani? What was that all about?"

Sasuke rolled his eyes. "Girl stuff. Whatever."

Ino threatened Sakura, "You will pay for that, Sakura!"

She shrugged indifferently. Tenten giggled, then declared, "It's my turn. Sakura! Truth or dare?"

Sakura pondered. "Dare, I guess. After all, I am no spoilsport!"

Tenten covered her mouth and giggled. "Sakura, I dare you to kiss Sasuke's cheek now!"

She smiled. "I'll do that willingly!"

Ino grabbed Sakura's arm. "No way! Why does she get that dare?"

Hinata smiled slightly. "We m-might as w-well make t-this game a k-kissing game!"

Tenten grinned. Sakura walked out the door towards Sasuke. She put her hands behind her back and approached Sasuke cautiously. Sasuke glared at her. "What do you want?"

Sakura bit her lip. "Umm, Sasuke-kun, don't take this personally."

She thought, Actually, do take it personally, but I won't say that out loud. She leaned down and brushed her lips swiftly against Sasuke's cheek. He remained frozen with shock for a moment while Sakura headed back to the room. Wow, she's a great kisser…I wouldn't mind if she-Did I just enjoy that? Whoa, this cannot be happening. He yelled at her, blushing, "What was that for?"

Naruto pointed out, "Sasuke, you're blushing. Is that even possible?"

Sasuke cracked his knuckles and Naruto gulped. Sakura disappeared behind the door. Ino looked ready to pound Sakura into the dirt, while Tenten grinned. "Did you enjoy that, Sakura?"

Sakura blushed. "Well, yeah, I guess."

Kiba gawked at the other boys, then yelled, "What's up with the girls coming in here and kissing us? Why didn't Shino and I get kissed? I feel left out!"

Shino turned his head towards Kiba. "I don't want to get kissed, thanks. You can if you want, but I'll pass."

Ino heard Kiba's shout and smirked. Hinata stuttered, "T-Tenten, truth or d-dare."

Tenten sighed. "Dare, like everyone else. What are you going to dare me to do, kiss Kiba or Shino? Blech!"

Hinata smiled slightly. "N-No, I d-dare you t-to n-not touch your weapons f-for today!"

Tenten protested, but then sighed longingly. "Okay, but I'll sure miss not being able to take out my kunai to threaten Lee when he starts dreaming about Sakura."

Ino sighed. "This game is pretty much turning into a kissing game. What's the point of it? Let's get some lunch."

Sakura stood up and opened the door. She followed Ino into the kitchen. Ino shouted at the boys, "Do you guys want lunch?"

They shook their heads warily. Tenten snorted at them, her hand inching temptingly to her kunai holster. "You think we're going to bombard you with kisses now? Sheesh!"

Naruto scratched his head. "Well, yeah, something like that."

Tenten was about to grab her kunai, but Hinata coughed. So instead, the weapon master walked to Naruto, a vein in her forehead throbbing and clamped her hands around his neck firmly, throttling him. "You idiot! Why would we do that?"

Naruto writhed. "Well, you were doing it a minute ago!"

Tenten shook him. "It's called truth or dare, you dobe! You know, the game?"

She released him and stormed out of the house. Sakura stared after her. "Wow. Was that really Tenten? She normally doesn't act like that. Hormones kicking in or something?"

Ino replied sarcastically, "No, that was an alien who took over Tenten's body."

Naruto nodded. "Yeah, I knew that all along! I mean, it's so obvious!"

Ino slapped her forehead. Kiba whacked him. "She was being sarcastic! Gee, you really are an idiot!"

Sasuke stood up. "I'm leaving. This is pointless. Besides, I have things to do."

He left the house. Sakura ate her sandwich in silence, then thanked Ino. "I better return to my house."

Ino nodded, and Sakura let herself into the house. I wonder why Tenten acted like that. Something must be bothering her. Sakura brushed it from her mind. She decided, Sasuke-kun was right. I better start training. Sakura changed into her outfit she wore when training. She grabbed her kunai holster and strapped it on. Sakura opened the door and headed out the house. She stood there, wondering where a good place to train would be, when somebody tapped her shoulder. Sakura spun around. Sasuke stood there and asked her, "Are you training?"

She nodded wordlessly. Sasuke continued, "So am I. Looking for a place, right?"

Sakura smiled ruefully. "Yeah, do you have any idea where we can train?"

Sasuke nodded and motioned to her. "You can train with me. I know a place."

Sakura followed him and soon, they were in a grove. Sasuke lead her to a clearing. "Here."

Sakura walked over to an upright log and practiced her kicking and punching. She halted when she felt Sasuke's hand on her shoulder. "Sakura…"

She turned around expectantly. "Nani?"

Sasuke sighed. "You're not doing it right."

Until evening, Sasuke helped Sakura correct her posture. Sasuke looked up. "It's getting late. The next time you want to train, find me. I'll help you."

Sakura blushed. "Arigato, Sasuke-kun!"

He merely grunted in reply and walked off with Sakura following him. Sakura changed into some comfortable clothing once she got home. Sakura had turned on the stove when Ino knocked on the door and yelled, "Sakura, we're going to a restaurant near the village, so don't cook!"

Sakura shouted back, "Sounds good!"

She turned off the stove and hurried to Sasuke's and Naruto's room. She knocked on Sasuke's door and informed him, "Sasuke-kun, all of us are going to dinner near the village. Are you coming?"

A pause, then Sasuke's muffled voice was heard. "Sure, I guess. Give me a second."

Sakura left his room and knocked on Naruto's door this time. She shouted, "Naruto, we're going to eat dinner near the village, and if you don't come out in two seconds, we're leaving you!"

Naruto tumbled out the door. He squeaked, "I'm coming, don't leave me!"

Sakura laughed and held out her hand to Naruto kindly. "I was just kidding, Naruto."

Sasuke walked up to them. "Let's go, dead last."

Naruto glared at him. Sakura followed him and spotted the others waiting in a group. Ino saw the last trio and started off. Naruto ran and caught up with them, leaving Sakura and Sasuke in the back, alone. Sakura turned her head to the sky dreamily. The sun was just setting, so everything was bathed in gold. Sasuke noticed Sakura and couldn't help but think, She's very pretty…what? Did I just think that? Sakura noticed Sasuke staring at her and cocked her head. "Nani, Sasuke-kun?"

He shook his head and looked away, a light blush creeping across his face. Sakura directed her steps closer to him, and before Sasuke knew what had happened, Sakura was too close for comfort. Her shoulder barely touched his. "Nani, Sasuke-kun."

He stammered, "Nothing, just noticed how you…"

Sakura stared at Sasuke as he trailed off miserably. She shrugged lightly and suddenly stiffened. Sasuke questioned, "Sakura?"

She slapped her forehead repeatedly and groaned until Sasuke grabbed her wrists. "What are you doing, Sakura? Stop!"

Sakura didn't notice Sasuke's worried tone. She groaned, "I'm such an idiot! I totally forgot my purse! Now, I have to go back and get it!"

Sasuke checked his wallet. "I don't have enough for both of us here. I'll just buy you something, I'm really not that hungry."

Sakura looked appalled. "Oh no, Sasuke-kun, I'll just go back and get it right now. Maybe I'll make it back in time. Tell Ino for me, will you please?"

She turned the other way but was stopped when Sasuke grabbed her arm. "Sakura, I'll come with you."

She blushed and smiled at Sasuke. "Arigato, Sasuke-kun."

He nodded uncomfortably and walked beside her. They walked in silence. The house loomed up, and Sakura broke out in a jog. "I'll be really quick."

She dashed into the house, and five minutes later, she came out with a small wallet. She hurried to Sasuke and smiled. "There, let's go now."

Sakura snuck glances at him, admiring his handsome face. I wish he would notice me…Sakura suddenly asked, "Sasuke-kun…what am I to you?"

Her question threw Sasuke off guard. "Huh? Oh…um…"

Sakura tilted her head and squinted up at Sasuke. "Nani, Sasuke-kun?"

He looked away and said quietly, "Sakura…I can't tell you…But…you are more than a team mate to me."

She persisted, "Sasuke-kun, do I at least fall under friend?"

He looked at her hopeful face. "Yes."

Sakura seemed satisfied. She doesn't know what she means to me…Should I tell her? Sasuke debated with himself and ended up deciding to wait. Suddenly, as the group loomed into view, Sakura grabbed Sasuke's arm and blushed. "Sasuke-kun…"

She pecked the astonished Uchiha on the cheek and ran after the group, her face as red as a tomato. Sasuke paused for a moment, mouth hanging open with disbelief and a light blush crept over his face. Then, he quickly hurried up and caught up with the others. Sasuke entered the restaurant and sat between Sakura and Ino. Ino noticed Sasuke's blush and gushed, "Sasuke, isn't this restaurant fabulous?"

He muttered an incoherent response and ordered his dinner. Naruto asked Sakura, "Ano sa, ano sa, should I choose this or this?"

Sakura shrugged indifferently. Everyone ordered their meal, then chat flowed freely. Ino grabbed Sasuke's arm and squealed, "Who are you taking to the dance, cutie?"

Sakura gagged behind Ino's back, and Sasuke looked pissed. "I don't know."

Ino smiled. She hinted sweetly, "Well, I don't have a partner."

Sasuke replied monotonously, "That's probably because nobody wants to bring you!"

Ino looked hurt, then turned away from Sasuke stiffly. Sakura heard it and nudged Naruto. "Who are you bringing, Naruto?"

He gave Sakura his big foxy grin. "Well, I was thinking of bringing you, but I think you'd want to go with Sasuke, ne?"

Sakura blushed. "Sasuke-kun won't want to take me though, Naruto."

He scratched his head. "Well, do you-"

Suddenly, Sakura jumped up to avoid the cup of water that had fallen onto her chair. Water splashed everywhere, and had she not moved, her lap would have been soaked. Sasuke grabbed his napkin and apologized, "Gomen, Sakura, I didn't mean to spill it."

She assured him hastily that no harm had been done and mopped up the spilt liquid. She sat down gingerly again and noticed the odd look Naruto was giving Sasuke. Naruto noticed Sakura glancing at him and his skeptic look was replaced by a goofy smile. "Well, here comes our dinner!"
The rest of the dinner passed uneventfully. Sasuke looked uncomfortable after Naruto had almost asked Sakura to the dance. I need to ask her before Naruto or Lee does. But do I have the guts? After dinner, the gang trudged wearily back to the house and murmured sleepily good nights. Sakura paused while she was heading into her room. "Sasuke-kun…"

He stopped and glanced at her. "What?"

Sakura smiled sweetly. "Nothing."

Sasuke scowled and disappeared into his room. Sakura collapsed on her bed and fell asleep. Sasuke lay awake for fifteen minutes, then got up cautiously. He thought, I just want to look at her face really quick. He opened the door softly into Sakura's room and stared at her sleeping form. He treaded softly to her bed and sat down on his heels. He stroked her cheek tenderly, and she stirred softly, smiling. Sasuke smiled at her and cupped her cheek in his calloused hand. Sasuke leaned closer to her and pressed his lips against hers tentatively. Suddenly, Sasuke felt her arms wrap around his neck. Damn it, is she awake? But she moaned softly, and Sasuke knew she was still asleep. He relaxed slightly and embraced Sakura gingerly. To get in a more comfortable position, he laid next to her and fell asleep instantly.

AN: Yeah, I know Tenten was a bit OOC...but you'll see why in the next chapter! And thanks for the idea of Lee meeting someone! I'll definitely add that in the fic.