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 6: Friday

Sakura tossed fitfully, burning from the fever. Once or twice, she saw a blurry vision of Sasuke leaning over her, but of course, she could have been dreaming. It was probably the middle of the afternoon when Sakura awoke properly. She asked thickly, "Sasuke-kun…?"

He nodded nearby. He looked tired, and Sakura felt bad for being sick. Sakura rasped out through a painful throat, "Sorry for keeping you, Sasuke-kun…"

He shook his head. "You were sick. You feel okay?"

Sakura nodded. "Water…please…"

Sasuke wordlessly gave her a cup of water. She sipped it and sat up. Sakura cleared her throat. "Are you okay, Sasuke-kun? Do you want some sleep?"

Sasuke checked the clock, tiredly. "Yeah, you'll be okay if I sleep for an hour or something?"

Sakura nodded, shocked by Sasuke's sudden show of feelings. Is this really Sasuke-kun? Sasuke continued, "Don't hesitate to wake me up if you need me."
Sakura nodded again and watched Sasuke's receding back wordlessly. She lay back down until she heard the door to Sasuke's room slam shut. After a few minutes, Sakura got up and tiptoed into his room. There, Sasuke was sprawled on his bed, mouth slightly open as he slept. Sakura walked slowly up to his bed, admiring his peaceful face. She leaned in and kissed him gently on the lips and straightened up. Sakura whispered, "Sasuke-kun…I love you…"

She walked out quietly, trying not to disturb his slumber. As soon as Sakura closed the door quietly, Sasuke opened his eyes and touched his lips with his finger. He liked the feeling of Sakura's lips against his. Sakura…Sasuke smirked and rolled over, falling asleep this time. Sakura headed over to Ino's house and knocked on the door. Chouji opened it and grinned at Sakura. "Hi, Sakura."

Sakura greeted him cheerfully. "Hey, Chouji. Is Ino inside?"

Chouji nodded and opened the door. Sakura walked in and yelled, "Hey, Ino!"

Ino came out. She smiled at Sakura. Sakura said, "I was sick. Sorry I couldn't come over more often."

Ino nodded and squealed, "Oh, Sakura! So many things have happened! I have to tell you!"

She dragged Sakura into her room and relayed the past few events. Sakura grinned widely. "So, you and Shikamaru have gotten together, eh?"

Sakura dodged Ino's playful swipe as she teased back, "So, you and Sasuke have gotten together, eh?"

Sakura blushed and protested, "No way! You know, since I'm his teammate, he asked me."

Ino said slyly, "Well, he turned me down awful harsh, you know…"

Sakura turned her head away, embarrassed. Ino noticed this and changed the subject. "So, Sakura, have you been at the village yet?"

Sakura shook her head. Ino grinned. "Well, let's go now!"

Sakura agreed. "Okay, let me go get my wallet, okay?"

She jumped up and blushed again as Ino shouted after her, "Make sure Sasuke won't worry about you! Ha!"

Sakura ran to her house quickly and grabbed her wallet. She peeked into Sasuke's and Naruto's room quickly and found both of them asleep. Sakura walked up to Sasuke cautiously. When he didn't move, Sakura scribbled a note and put it in his hand. Sasuke's hand reflexively closed on it, and Sakura smiled. She walked out of the house with a key in her purse, and Ino exclaimed, "Let's go already!"

The two girls walked to the small village in silence. On the way there, they met Hinata and Tenten. Ino invited, "Hey! Let's all go and get some ice cream or something!"

The other two agreed, and the four girls happily made their way to the village. Ino directed the others into a little ice cream shop. Ino grinned and said, "I spotted this place while Shikamaru and I were shopping."

Tenten asked playfully, "So how's it going between you and Shikamaru?"

Ino replied cheerfully, "So how's it going between you and Neji?"

Everyone laughed, and then Sakura turned expectantly to Hinata. "Did that baka notice you yet?"

Hinata blushed. "Y-Yes…"

Ino crowed, "I knew it! So, what did he do?"

Hinata mumbled, "Nothing m-much…just t-talked…"

Sakura rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right. But we'll leave you alone, Hinata-chan…for now…"

They each ordered their own ice cream and proceeded to sit down in one of the booths near the window. Ino mused, "You know, three weeks is a very long time for vacation. If we don't keep up our training, we're going to become worse and worse."

Tenten replied, "Neji and I train. I think we deserve this vacation."

Hinata and Sakura both gulped. Sakura confessed, "Well, I've been training too…with…Sasuke-kun…"

Ino yelled, "Ha! See? Sasuke has feelings for you!"

Sakura bent her head down and blushed. Tenten snickered, but Hinata smiled encouragingly. "I w-was wondering when h-he would open up t-to you…"

Sakura glanced up. "Well…he hasn't really…but he was taking care of me, too, when I was sick."

Ino smirked and Tenten grinned. "Sasuke? The Uchiha Sasuke took care of you?"

Sakura nodded. Ino sighed blissfully. "We need to play truth-or-dare sometime…"

Sakura sweatdropped as she remembered what happened last time. Tenten remembered too, and steered the conversation to another topic quickly. "So, Ino…You know what we should do? We should invite everyone to the hot-springs in this village once we get back."

Sakura and Hinata agreed enthusiastically. Ino nodded. "Sounds like a good idea to me!"

Sakura finished off the last of her ice cream. "Well, what are we waiting for? If we get back soon, then we'll have more time to spend at the hot springs!"

Ino stood up. "Well, I'm done."

Hinata and Tenten finished theirs quickly, and the four trooped back to the houses. They each separated into their houses to rouse everyone else. Sakura unlocked the door to the house, and as soon as she did, Naruto bounded up. "Hey, Sakura-chan! Where were you?"

Sakura smiled. "I was out enjoying myself with Ino and Hinata and Tenten."

Sakura noticed a change in Naruto's face when she mentioned Hinata. Sakura smiled inwardly and continued, "Ino knows this great hot-springs place. She invited everyone. Want to come?"

Naruto nodded. Sakura headed towards Sasuke's room. "Well, let me wake up Sasuke-kun and ask him. If he wants to, then all three of us will go."

Naruto nodded again. Sakura opened the door to Sasuke's room to find him still asleep. Sakura thought wryly, He must be really tired. Sakura placed a cool hand on his forehead. His eyes immediately snapped open, and his hand had grabbed her wrist automatically. Sakura looked startled but reassured him, "It's only me."

Sasuke relaxed and let go of her. "What do you want?"

Sakura replied evenly, "Ino invited all of us to the hot springs. Want to come?"

Sasuke remained motionless, and then he sat up. "Sure…"

Sakura exited the room and waited on one of the sofas. Sasuke emerged two minutes later. Without a word, the three left the house. Tenten, Neji, Ino, Shikamaru, and Lee were already waiting. Naruto immediately asked, "Where's Hinata?"

As if to respond to his question, Hinata and Kiba emerged and approached the group. Ino yelled aloud to get everyone's attention. "Alright then…assuming you know where we're going, let's go!"

The group moved off with Ino and Shikamaru in the front, followed by Tenten and Neji. Lee was dashing around excitedly, and Hinata was surrounded by Kiba and Naruto. Sasuke and Sakura brought up the back. Kiba grinned. "Hey, Hinata, how about you and me go get some dinner in the village afterwards?"

Hinata looked to Naruto nervously. He shrugged but looked uncomfortable. Hinata nodded and stammered, "O-Okay…"

Kiba gave a triumphant grin to Naruto over Hinata's head. Naruto scowled back at him in reply. Near the end of the group, Sasuke was deep in thought, and Sakura glanced at Sasuke from time to time. As they neared the hot-springs, Ino directed the girls to their section, and Shikamaru led the boys to theirs. Naruto rubbed his hands together gleefully. "Well, you know what always happens in the hot-springs!"

Sasuke and Neji immediately said, "Don't count me in."

Lee looked on curiously as Kiba and Naruto snickered delightfully. Kiba exclaimed, "We peep! It's a tradition!"

Shikamaru replied, "Well, I strongly advise you against it if you want to live."

Sasuke muttered, "I did consider you a rival, Naruto. Now, however, I think differently…"

Neji spoke directly to Lee. "Lee…don't you dare sink as low as them."

Lee bowed his head and muttered, "Of course not…I will be better than my rival!"

However, he did cast a quick glance at the girls' section of the hot-spring. Sasuke ducked into the bathroom and reemerged with a towel around his waist. Neji did the same, and Lee followed quickly. Soon, all the boys were changed into towels. Meanwhile…the girls were already in the hot-springs. Ino sighed blissfully. "Isn't this great?"

Sakura nodded, but she was obviously preoccupied. Tenten pulled her towel tighter and teased, "So, Sakura, are you thinking about Sasuke?"
Sakura blushed. I am blushing way too much today…"No way!"

Tenten grinned, but she dropped the subject. Ino said mischievously, "You know what's traditional in a hot spring?"

Sakura immediately said, "Don't go there."

Hinata stammered, "N-No peeking!"

Tenten grinned. "Sounds fun…kinda…"

Ino laughed. "Come on, guys! It'll be fun! And they won't notice us!"

Sakura muttered darkly, "No way! Don't count me in."

Hinata shook her head, but her face reddened when she thought of Naruto. Tenten immediately said playfully, "Ooh, Hinata is thinking of someone…I bet it's Naruto!"

Hinata shook her head. Sakura shot back teasingly, "Ooh, Tenten is thinking of someone…I bet it's Neji!"

Ino joined in, "Ooh, Sakura is thinking of someone…I bet it's Sasuke!"

The other three chimed, "Ooh, Ino is thinking of someone…I bet it's Shikamaru!"

The four laughed playfully. The boys on the other side heard them laughing, and Naruto wondered aloud, "I wonder what they're laughing at?"

Kiba muttered, "I wonder what Hinata looks like right now…"

Sasuke thought, I wonder what Sakura looks like…Nani! Why am I thinking that? Sure, she's pretty and all, but I'm not that attracted! Sasuke shook his head quickly. The motion caught Lee's attention. He asked, "Sasuke! What are you thinking of, hmm?"

The others turned towards him. Sasuke felt his face grow very hot. He struggled out, "None of your business."

Lee's grin stretched across his whole face. "Well, now! Who would have known? The Uchiha Sasuke has developed feelings for someone!"

Sasuke yelled, "No, I don't! What's your problem, Lee? Love is a sign of weakness!"

Neji said quietly, "I would ask what is yours, Uchiha. Love is not a weakness. It can also strengthen someone."

Sasuke shot back sarcastically, "Oh, and the great Hyuuga Neji knows?"

Neji merely shook his head. Shikamaru commented, "I wonder why Sasuke's on edge?"

Sasuke turned his head away with a 'hmph'. Kiba whined, "I want to take a peek…but all these trees are in the way! We need a Hyuuga!"

Neji responded automatically, "Hinata."

Kiba sneered, "In case you haven't noticed, Hinata is a girl. We need a guy who's able to see through all this and tell us what's on the other side."

Neji replied icily, "Even an idiot could tell you what's on the other side. The girls."

Naruto sighed, "Ah, Neji, you're too innocent…"

Sasuke snorted. "Innocent?"

Lee exclaimed, "There is no way Hyuuga Neji will sink so low! He will not peek!"

Realization dawned on Neji, and the girls on the other side heard him explode. Ino murmured, "Whoa…Neji can be very emotional, you know?"

Tenten strained her ears. "I think I can just barely distinguish the words…There's 'baka'…I heard 'stoop' just now…And there's 'low', and 'imbeciles'."

Sakura sunk lower in the relaxing water. "I wonder what that means."

Tenten tried to piece it together. "A baka doesn't stoop as low as imbeciles?"

Hinata giggled. "N-No…I think N-Neji was t-trying to t-tell the others t-that he won't stoop so low…t-to do something…"

Ino suggested, "You mean something as low as using the Byakugan to peek?"
Silence…then Hinata protested, "Oh n-no, Ino-chan, n-no, n-no, no, n-no!"

Sakura gasped, "You can't make Hinata do that!"

Tenten was giggling, but Ino remained adamant. "Come on, Hinata, don't you want to see Naruto? And you, Sakura, what about Sasuke?"

Sakura fell silent. Then, she said, "Well, Hinata…maybe you could take a quick peek of Sasuke-kun for me? And tell me what he looks like?"

Hinata shook her head vigorously. Ino, the merciless one, grinned. "Well, I guess we'll just have to tell Naruto that Hinata likes him then…"

Hinata squeaked, "N-No! Don't!"

Sakura pleaded, "Oh, come on, Hinata. It's not that bad. They're wearing towels!"

Tenten muttered, "What a pity."

Ino giggled at Tenten's phrase, and Sakura started blushing. Hinata stammered, "I'll u-use my B-Byakugan very quickly…and you c-can't tell N-Naruto!"

The others solemnly nodded, and Hinata took a deep breath. She focused her eyes towards the boy's section and whispered regretfully, "Byakugan!"

For five seconds, Hinata kept the Byakugan, and then she retracted it, panting. Hinata gasped, "T-Too much! I d-don't want t-to see the g-guys wearing o-only towels!"

The others crowded around her. "What did you see, Hinata-chan? Was Sasuke-kun there? What was Shikamaru doing? Did Neji look happy?"

Hinata regained her breath and answered them one-by-one. "Sasuke-kun was t-there, but he l-looked bored, and h-he seemed to be b-brooding. Shikamaru was j-just staring at t-the sky. Neji was s-staring at the w-water."
Sakura, Ino, and Tenten seemed satisfied, and for the rest of the time, they chatted amiably. After two hours, Ino got up and groaned. "Time to go home. Maybe eat some dinner."

Sakura clambered out, followed by the last two. The four trooped wearily to the girls' changing rooms, and on the way, they met the boys. Sakura greeted Sasuke cheerfully, Ino punched Shikamaru playfully, Tenten grinned at Neji, but Hinata kept her gaze on the ground, blushing madly. Naruto waved to Hinata, and the groups passed by each other without much incident. Kiba shouted to Hinata, "Well, Hinata, remember our deal! Dinner afterwards!"

Hinata nodded uncomfortably, and Naruto did not miss this. When everyone had finished changing, Naruto offered to Sasuke and Sakura, "Want to eat dinner? Just the three of us; team 7!"

Sakura agreed. Sasuke grunted, and everyone else except them and Hinata and Kiba headed back home. Naruto beckoned for Sasuke and Sakura to follow him. He whispered, "Be quiet, okay? We can't let Hinata and Kiba know that we're stalking them…"

Sakura raised an eyebrow, but she crept along quietly with Naruto. Sasuke looked pissed off and hissed, "Dobe. I could be in bed, right now. What's the point of me and Sakura coming along?"

Naruto replied, "Sakura is Hinata's friend, and it's not that suspicious if we're all here."

Sakura giggled, but Sasuke was not amused. The three followed Hinata and Kiba into the restaurant, and they seated themselves somewhere where they could see the two, but the two couldn't see them. The waitress came up and giggled at Sasuke, who rolled his eyes in reply. Naruto ordered, "I'll have some ramen. I don't care which type."

Sakura and Sasuke ordered a small dinner, and Naruto continued watching Kiba and Hinata. Hinata looked very uncomfortable, but Kiba was laughing in an obnoxious way. Sometimes, Kiba would look towards Naruto's direction, which caused Naruto to stiffen. Sakura and Sasuke ate silently while Naruto continued watching Kiba and the suffering Hinata. Sakura broke the awkward silence. "Naruto really likes Hinata, doesn't he, Sasuke-kun."

Sasuke shrugged. Sakura continued softly, "I wish I had someone who would like me that much."

Sasuke nearly said aloud, You do. But you just don't know. Instead, he replaced those words with a cold, "You will someday."

Sakura twisted her head slightly to look at Sasuke. Her smile made his heart skip a beat. Sakura said sweetly, "Thank you, Sasuke-kun."

Sasuke mumbled something incoherently, and Naruto jumped up. He whispered madly, "Hinata and Kiba are leaving! Let's go!"

Sakura glanced at the untouched bowl of Naruto's ramen, but she followed Naruto out obediently. Sasuke paid for the bill and mused, Naruto must really like Hinata. Almost as much as I love Sakura. Soon, they reached the houses. Kiba and Hinata disappeared into theirs, and Naruto cursed. Sasuke shrugged, and he walked into their house. Sakura followed, and after Naruto gave a disconsolate glance towards Hinata's direction, he entered the house last. Naruto barricaded himself inside his room as soon as he stepped into the house. Sasuke and Sakura stood their awkwardly. On sudden impulse, Sasuke closed the distance between them with one stride and captured Sakura's lips with his. He kissed her quickly and then stepped back. Sakura trembled. "Sasuke-kun?"

He merely smirked. "Night."

Sasuke strode into his room, and Sakura heard the door close. After five minutes of silence, Sakura had the impression he was already asleep. Half of her wanted to go inside his room and cuddle with him, but Sakura restrained herself. She remained there for a moment and then headed into her room as well. She quickly changed into her pajamas, and then fell asleep to dreams of Sasuke.