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 7: Saturday

Sakura awoke to the sound of banging on the door. She checked the clock and muttered sleepily, "Geez, it's only seven…It's only seven! Oh man, I should be up already!"

Sakura grabbed a robe and hastily pulled it on. "I'm coming! Hold up a second, will you?"

Sakura pulled open the front door and smiled. "Hey, Ino-chan! What's up?"

Ino panted, "I was just at the village, and, Sakura, the dance that was scheduled for this Friday?"

Sakura nodded as Ino regained her breath. "Well, I checked the time just to make sure they have us booked and everything…"

Sakura kept nodding, not seeing where this was going. Ino blurted out, "They rescheduled it for tomorrow night! At seven!"

Sakura flinched in surprise. "Tomorrow? That's a surprise. Well, we better tell the others."

Ino nodded, and Sakura retreated into the house, quickly got changed and went into Sasuke's room to rouse him only to find he wasn't there. Sakura scratched her head. "Nani? Where's Sasuke-kun?"

Sakura dashed into Naruto's room and scribbled him a quick note before running out the door. Sakura wondered, Where's Sasuke-kun? She walked along the cliff path overlooking the sea, hoping to find Sasuke. Sakura spotted a figure standing up ahead a little ways off the trail near the cliff edge. Sakura jogged up to it and smiled. "Sasuke-kun, what are you doing out here?"

Sasuke shifted his gaze onto her. He replied, "None of your business."

Sakura was a bit taken aback. He was so nice to me yesterday…I wonder what happened? Sakura smiled coolly. "Okay, well, whatever. The dance is rescheduled for tomorrow, so…yeah."

Sakura turned around and started walking back. Suddenly, Sasuke said, "Wait."

Sakura turned around expectantly. "Yeah? I need to get back and tell the others, you know."

Sasuke took her hand and squeezed it before releasing. Sakura smiled faintly. It was his way of apologizing. Sakura hugged him quickly and ran off towards Naruto. She barged into his room and yelled, "Naruto! Hinata's going to burn all your ramen!"

Naruto sat up. "Nani? No way! Aah! Tell Hinata-chan to stop! She wouldn't do that!"

Sakura giggled. "Ah, just kidding. Get up. The dance is rescheduled for tomorrow."

Naruto yelled in panic, "I haven't asked Hinata-chan yet! And Kiba might have already asked her!"

Sakura giggled helplessly. "Well, go ask her now! Hinata's waiting!"

Sakura exited the room to let Naruto change. A minute later, he burst out of his room and was already out the front door before Sakura could blink. Sakura murmured, "Whoa…Naruto's got some speed there…"

Sasuke walked into the door, covered in dust. Sakura laughed at him. "What happened to you, Sasuke-kun?"

He growled, "That baka ran past me at full speed as if Ichiraku was on fire…"

Sakura giggled. "He's going to go ask Hinata to the dance."

Sasuke glanced at Sakura slyly. "Heh, I already solved that problem."

Sakura blushed and ducked her head. Sasuke took a quick shower and reemerged in clean clothes. Sakura was sitting on the window seat, staring at the ocean. Sasuke said, "Ino-pig kept asking me if I liked you."

Sakura's face grew hot, but she couldn't help but smirk at the nickname Sasuke used. Sakura merely replied, "Oh?"

All of the sudden, Sasuke was behind Sakura. Sakura drew in her breath sharply. Sasuke bent down so his breath was tickling the back of Sakura's neck. "Do you want to know what I said?"

She responded dully, "I already know."

Sasuke straightened in alarm. "You do?"

Sakura continued, "Of course! You said 'no' like always. Sasuke-kun, you don't think I'm that stupid, do you?"

Sasuke smirked. "Actually, I didn't say 'no'."

Sakura's heart began beating quickly. "You said…'maybe'?"

Sasuke's smirk grew wider. He lectured Sakura, "Sakura…when somebody asks a question, the usual answer is 'yes' or 'no'."

Sakura remained silent, staring out at the ocean. Sasuke looked at her reflection in the window and continued, "And if my answer isn't 'no'…"

Sakura whispered, "Then it's…"

Sasuke finished for her, "Yes."

Sakura spun around and stared at Sasuke. "N-Nani?"

The Uchiha smirked again, and Sakura longed to wipe it off his face. She clenched her fists but kept her temper in check. She whispered, "So…so…"

Sasuke nodded. "Yeah. Believe it or not."

He couldn't bring himself to say the words 'I love you' for some reason, even though he whispered it to her while she was asleep. Sakura hugged her knees to her chest and kept her eyes on Sasuke's face. She whispered, "For how long, Sasuke-kun?"

Sasuke shrugged indifferently. "I don't know. It just kinda crept upon me one day. What does it matter, though?"

Sakura smiled quietly. I never…thought this day…would come true…Sasuke hugged her tentatively. Sakura smiled and leaned into Sasuke. Dreams…come true after all. Suddenly, Sakura asked, "Sasuke-kun…do you know how many people don't have a partner? Cuz we only have a few girls and a lot of boys."

Sasuke sighed. He could hardly care less, but he replied anyway, "I think Shino, Kiba, Chouji, Naruto, and Hinata are the only ones who don't have partners."

Sakura smiled. "I really hope that Naruto is Hinata's partner. Hinata likes him so much, but Naruto's so oblivious."

Sasuke smirked. "Dobe."

Sakura suddenly gasped as she was looking out the window, and she ran out the door. Sasuke followed her, and they arrived at the cove where Naruto and Kiba were facing each other. Hinata looked frightened, and she was standing to the side. Sakura leapt down the stairs quickly and dashed up to Hinata, asking curiously, "What's happening?"

Hinata poked her fingers together worriedly. "K-Kiba and N-Naruto asked me t-to the dance at the s-same time…"

Sakura patted Hinata sympathetically. "Oh, I see. Well, I'm pretty sure this won't result with too much blood."

Hinata's eyes widened with fear and she trembled. Sasuke stood to the left of Sakura and slightly behind her. He murmured, "Naruto will win."

Hinata turned around slightly, a little panic in her voice. "T-They're going to fight?"
Sasuke nodded, undisturbed. "Most likely."

Hinata gulped. "Should we stop them?"

Sasuke shook his head. "It shouldn't be too serious."

Sakura muttered, "I can't believe they're going to fight over this…this is ridiculous."

Naruto rolled up his sleeves. "Kiba! What's your problem? I ask Hinata to the dance, and you punch me! I thought we were friends!"

Kiba snarled, "I'm not letting some dobe like you near Hinata!"
Naruto replied, "Why don't you let Hinata choose then?"
Kiba yelled, "I know Hinata better than you do! I know what's best for her!"

Naruto shrugged. "I guess you do…but, Hinata-chan is my friend!"

Suddenly Kiba made a dash towards Naruto, fist drawn back. Naruto did the same, and right when the two were going to collide, Hinata jumped in between, shutting her eyes, and saying in the loudest voice she could muster, "S-Stop, p-please!"

The two boys directed their punches elsewhere at the last moment, and Hinata sank to the ground, relieved. Naruto ran towards Hinata. "Hinata-chan! Are you alright?"

Hinata smiled faintly. "H-Hai, Naruto-kun…"

Sakura remarked, "Well…that was surprising…and weird…"

Sasuke agreed silently. Kiba was helping Hinata up, too. Naruto asked, "Hey, Hinata-chan, want to go to the dance with me?"

Kiba asked at the same time, "Wanna go to the dance with me, Hinata?"

Tears formed in Hinata's eyes. Sakura felt sorry for Hinata and walked over to the three. She smiled and said, "Hey, guys…I don't think you should pressure Hinata. She can choose who she wants to go with."

Sakura nodded to Naruto and Kiba before squeezing Hinata's arm reassuringly and leaving. Sasuke walked up to Naruto and smirked. "Dobe. I found a partner in no time."

Naruto's face contorted with anger as he momentarily forgot about Hinata. Naruto snarled, "Shut up, Sasuke-teme! All you're doing is toying with Sakura-chan! You don't deserve someone like her, Sasuke! She's a tool for you! You needed a partner, and she was willing to do anything for you, so you chose her!"

Sakura paused on the third step of the stairs leading up to the houses from the cove. She listened to Naruto and Sasuke curiously. That's not true is it…? Naruto could practically feel the white fury radiating off of Sasuke. Sasuke's voice trembled with controlled anger. "Shut up, Naruto. You don't know anything about me! I'd give everything I have for Sakura!"

Sakura froze as she heard this. She watched Naruto turn away and spit contemptuously. Sasuke turned away as well and walked up to Sakura, eyes full of rage. Sakura shrunk away fearfully, but Sasuke embraced her tightly. Sakura heard him whisper, "Sakura…Sakura…you mean everything to me…stupid Naruto…doesn't know anything…"

Sakura patted Sasuke's back tentatively, and Sasuke released her. He stuck his hands in his pockets and kept his head down. Sakura lead him into their house and smiled at Sasuke. "Don't let what he said get to you, Sasuke-kun."

Sasuke looked at Sakura and sighed. He reached out a hand to stroke her cheek and said softly, "I don't want you to be taken away from me…"

Sakura smiled as she hugged Sasuke. "Do I really mean that much to you?"

Sasuke whispered, "Yes…You make me humane…My sanity stays…I don't know what I would do without you…"

Sakura hugged him tightly. "No matter what happens, I won't leave you, okay?"

Sasuke smiled. "Okay."

Sakura wondered aloud, "I wonder how Naruto is doing with Hinata and Kiba…"

Naruto turned to Hinata after he couldn't see Sasuke anymore. He grinned. "How about it, Hinata? I'll take you to the dance!"

Kiba scowled. "What about me?"

Hinata turned to Kiba, and then she turned to Naruto. The poor Hyuuga whimpered. I want to choose Naruto, but I don't want Kiba to be mad at me…She stammered, "K-Kiba…can I p-please go with N-Naruto-kun?"

Kiba's face darkened, but as he looked at Hinata's strained face, he sighed. "Okay…okay…"

Hinata managed a small smile, and Naruto grinned at Kiba. "Thanks, Kiba."

Naruto lead Hinata down to the cove again, and Kiba watched them go. He sighed, "Well…I suppose it's the best for Hinata, right, Akamaru?"

Akamaru barked sadly. Kiba turned on his heel and walked back to his house slowly. Naruto lead Hinata down into the cove, and Sasuke smirked. "Well, I guess that dobe won."

Sakura chided Sasuke gently, "You really should give Naruto some credit."

Sasuke shrugged. "Whatever. Anyway…we should be going out to train, you know."

Sakura agreed. "I'll go change, and we can leave."

The pink-haired ninja was back in a minute. She strapped on her kunai holster and checked her weapons pouch before nodding. Sasuke walked out the door, and Sakura followed after writing a note for Naruto. Sasuke asked, "So you still have the money that Kakashi-sensei gave us for the stay, right?"

Sakura nodded. Sasuke continued, "Remember…we can't tell Naruto or else he'll waste it on ramen."

Sakura cringed. "Imagine that…eating ramen for the rest of the day…I think I'd rather have that soup I cooked on the first day!"

This time, Sasuke cringed inwardly and almost said aloud, I'd rather have ramen than that poison you cooked up. Instead, he nodded. They arrived at the clearing they were training at last time, and until late evening, they trained. Sasuke blocked a punch from Sakura and nodded. "Alright. I think we're done. Let's go home now."

Sakura retrieved her weapons, and she stowed them away. Too tired to say anything, the two walked home in silence. Just as they topped the hill, Sakura stopped and smiled faintly at the sight stretched out below them. Sasuke took a step forward, and then he tilted his head back. "You coming or not?"

Sakura nodded and followed Sasuke down towards the houses. She spotted Ino and waved, but the blonde wasn't paying attention. Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "What is she doing?"

Sakura squinted. "It almost looks like Ino's begging Shino to do something…"

Sakura grabbed Sasuke's hand and lead him forward. As she arrived near the two, Sakura couldn't help but grin. She asked incredulously, "Is this really Yamanaka Ino begging Shino to go to the dance? Ino is begging?"

Sakura stressed the last word. Ino whined, "I want everyone to go! Come on, Shino, you might meet some girl from the village who likes creepy, yucky, ugly bugs like you!"

Shino remained impassive. Sakura muttered under her breath, "If Shino would have moved right then, it would have been to raise his eyebrow. I wonder why he didn't strangle Ino for calling his precious bugs creepy, yucky, and ugly?"

Shino replied to Ino, "If you call my buys creepy, yucky, and ugly again, I will make sure that you won't be able to use chakra for a week."

Ino cringed. "Haha, I was just kidding…Anyway, you might meet someone you like there, Shino, so please come!"

Shino remained unmoving for a moment, and he almost sighed, "Fine. But only to stop you from bothering me, I'll go."

Ino squealed and was about to fling her arms around Shino, but she stopped and grinned. "Well, thanks for agreeing to come, Shino! Oh yeah, will you try to convince Kiba?"

Shino nodded and muttered rebelliously, "If I have to suffer, so will the dog-boy."

Sakura grinned at Ino. "Did you convince Lee yet?"

Ino shook with silent mirth. "All I had to say was that Sorai was going to be there, and he immediately said he would come."
Sakura grinned. "Too easy, ne? Is Sorai really going?"

Ino nodded. "Some people from the village are going. I mean it's not private or anything. But it'll be fun!"

Sakura smiled and nodded. She jumped when Sasuke suddenly asked, "It's not…formal…right…"

Ino grinned. "Nah, it's not too formal. Just don't show up wearing a shirt and pants…that would be too casual."

Sasuke sweatdropped. "Chotto matte…what am I supposed to wear then?"

Ino shrugged, then pointed towards her house. "You decide. Shikamaru wants all the guys at his house right now…I don't know why…"

Sasuke nodded and walked off purposely. Ino cast a sly glance after him and nudged Sakura. "Heh, he'll treat you well, Sakura."

Sakura blushed. "We're just…"

She remembered what happened earlier on, and her eyes softened…Sasuke…opened up to me. That's…unexpected, I guess. Ino teased, "So did Sasuke declare his undying love for you?"

Sakura replied without thinking, "In his own way, yeah."

Ino squealed, "Omigosh, are you serious? Hahaha, I knew he loved you!"

Sakura blinked and screeched, "Oh no, I didn't tell you, did I?"

Ino grinned slyly, "Tell me what?"

The kunoichi shook her head. "Nah…nothing…"

She watched as Sasuke let himself in the door. Sasuke raised an eyebrow. All the guys on the island were inside Shikamaru's house. Shikamaru grinned. "Hey, Sasuke. Most of us don't like dressing formal for the party, so we're planning on wearing casual stuff."

Sasuke's eyebrow remained raised. "So…? How are you going to get there without Ino screaming at you and forcibly dragging you back here to change?"

Shikamaru grinned secretively. "Well, we'll get there earlier, and say we had to help out."

Chouji chuckled. "This sure is going to be funny…"

Shikamaru muttered, "It'll be troublesome as well…"

Sasuke shrugged. "Okay, whatever. This is pointless, I'm leaving."

He left wordlessly, and Neji spoke up, "Do you think he will comply?"

Kiba bark-laughed. "Of course! I mean…he might, right?"

Shino gave an inaudible sigh. "Okay…well, if this is it, I'm going back as well."

Sasuke headed out the house, brooding. I wonder how Sakura will react if I show up wearing my usual clothes? I hope she doesn't plan on wearing anything fancy…Sasuke let himself in the house and sought out Sakura, who was curled up in one of the sofas in front of the fireplace. She was reading quietly, but she looked up when Sasuke tapped her. "Nani?"

Sasuke asked, "Did you…You didn't buy anything fancy for the dance, did you?"

Sakura made a face. "Uhhh…not really…"

Sasuke nodded, and he cringed inwardly. Not really? Don't butcher me, Sakura, when you find out I'm wearing casual clothing. We'll look odd…Casual and formal clash horribly. Sasuke nodded absently again and asked Naruto, who was in his room, "Hey…did you get Shikamaru's message?"

Naruto nodded. Sasuke continued, "Are you going to do it?"

Naruto grinned. "Hell yeah! Anything for a glimpse of the look on Ino's face when we show up!"

Sasuke couldn't help but smirk. "Yeah…I guess it will be amusing…"

He retreated into his room and decided to just wear the regular outfit like usual. He wasn't worried about Ino's reaction, but Sakura's. Well…she should understand…I hope…Sasuke peeked out into the kitchen and saw Sakura cooking. Sasuke stole upon her and suddenly hugged her from behind. Sakura jumped and grinned nervously. "That scared me…and what are you doing, Sasuke-kun?"

Sasuke murmured into her hair, "Whatever I do…you'll still love me, right?"

Sakura grinned. "Yeah…yeah…why are you so worried?"
Sasuke shook his head. "What if I do something really stupid?"

Sakura raised an eyebrow. "You sound like Naruto…"

The Uchiha quickly released her. "Ugh, I do?"

Sakura laughed and shook her head. Sasuke returned into his room. Damn…I can't believe I'm being troubled by this…How stupid…Sasuke didn't have much of an appetite during dinner, so he retired early and fell asleep before Sakura came inside. Sakura sat on the edge of his bed and ran her fingers through his hair. "Why are you so worried, Sasuke-kun? Hmm…"

Sakura lay down besides Sasuke and curled up, seeking his warmth. Soon, she fell asleep too, in the comfort of Sasuke.

AN: I don't like this chapter...it's too fast paced, there's OOC in it, it's boring, it's dull, it's crappy. The next chapter wil be better, though.

Okay, now, to answer a review from KagomeSiu, I'm sorry I can't make this fic funnier, but I'm just not that great of a humor-fic writer. If you don't like it, you don't have to read it, nobody's forcing you to, so yeah.

I'm considering changing the genre because I don't think I can make this fic any funnier like I said before...I'm better at writing tragedy and angst...Not that this fic will be one, of course. So if you review, please tell me whether I should change the genre.

And my last problem, some people want ShikamaruTemari and others like ShikamaruIno. If you review, please tell me which pair I should write about, and if most people don't care, I'll just stick to ShikamaruIno.