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 9: Monday

Sasuke woke up, feeling oddly empty. He looked to his right, where Sakura usually laid and sighed painfully as he remembered what had happened the night before. Before she was taken, I didn't even tell her I was sorry or anything…Sasuke snarled. I'll make them pay…Sasuke slid out of bed and disappeared into the bathroom for a few minutes before heading towards Shikamaru's. As he knocked on the door, Temari opened it and let him in silently. A few minutes later, Lee arrived, and Shikamaru started talking. "Last night, we came up with a few plans to put into action. Now is the time to decide what to do."

Hinata poked her index fingers together nervously. She was very worried about Naruto. N-Naruto-kun can t-take care of h-himself…She tried to comfort herself with that thought, but it wasn't really working. Kiba noticed Hinata's discomfort. "Hey, Hinata-chan, don't worry!"

Lee added, "Naruto will be able to take care of himself!"

Kiba scowled at this, but Hinata gave him a shy smile. Shikamaru continued, "We'll split up and look around in the village. Keep a low profile. Neji, Sasuke, ask the ports if any ships have set sail, and if they have, ask to look at the passenger list."

Sasuke scowled at having to work with the Hyuuga prodigy. Neji looked indignant, but Shikamaru cut in, "If you want to see Sakura and Tenten again…"

Sasuke shot back, "Who said I wanted to see Sakura again?"

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. Sasuke cringed inwardly. Oh, yeah, good idea, Sasuke, why don't you act like a child when Sakura's gone. That proves you're weak…smart. Sasuke spun around and stalked out the door in a foul mood. Neji followed after muttering, "I hope you know what you're doing, Shikamaru."

Shikamaru sighed. "How troublesome. Now I have to save my best pal, Chouji. Oh, and Ino, too."
Shikamaru thought of the blonde and couldn't help but feel a little worried. "I know Chouji can take care of himself, but Ino…"

Lee interrupted, "I feel sorry for whoever kidnapped our fellow comrades. I mean, who in the right mind would kidnap Tenten, the weapons master?"

The remaining ninjas chuckled, and the tension in the air lessened. After the laughter subsided, Lee added, "And Naruto? Kyuubi power."

Everyone smiled. Shikamaru slapped Lee on the back. "Right! Now let's get going."

The rest split up and headed to different parts of the island. Meanwhile, the five captured ninjas started to reawaken somewhere on the island. Naruto was the first to wake up. He blinked and nudged Sakura awake. He whispered, "What are we doing here?"

Sakura blinked. "Where are we?"

Naruto replied, "I dunno."

Sakura shook herself awake. "Uh…okay…"

Tenten sat up and immediately grasped her kunai. She sawed through the ropes and snarled, "Whoever kidnapped us were really stupid to let us keep our weapons and tie us with rope. We're ninjas, damn it! Don't underestimate us!"

Sakura sweatdropped. "Okay..."

Tenten cut through all the ropes, all the while muttering under the breath. Ino and Chouji woke up a few minutes later. Chouji grumbled, "I'm hungry…"

Ino sighed. "I must look like a mess."

Tenten, Sakura, and Naruto were exploring the room around them. Tenten spoke aloud, "So ten paces from wall to wall, there's a heavy oak door, and no windows. The walls are made of wood."

Ino sighed again. "We'll be stuck in here forever unless someone comes…"

She smiled dreamily. Someone like Shikamaru…a knight in shining armor saving the- Sakura cut in through her daydream. "Ino-pig!"

Ino scowled. A knight in shining armor saving the Ino-pig? What? She replied, "What, forehead-girl?"

Sakura was testing the door. "Get up and help! You too, Chouji!"

Tenten held up a hand for silence. "I hear voices. Okay, you guys, this is the plan. We'll crouch down here, and pounce once they open the door. Maybe we can escape."

The others nodded and crouched near the ground. The door opened, and Naruto shouted, "Iruka-sensei? What are you doing here?"

The man in question smiled ruefully. "I guess I owe you guys an explanation."

Naruto nodded furiously. Iruka-sensei continued, "The senseis knew that you guys would probably forget to train during your vacation, so they assigned me and another ninja to test you guys. Of course, we decided to take a select few of you, and the others will have to use their wits to save you. While you're in our care, you'll come to no harm, of course, but we'll have to train you anyway."

Naruto was grinning widely. "Haha, that's a really good prank!"

Sakura looked troubled, however. "Well, the others will be really worried about us. Especially Hinata…she's going to be worried out of her mind."

Sasuke's face flashed in Sakura's mind briefly, and she swallowed guiltily. I didn't even say sorry to him or anything before we got taken…Ino snorted. "Well, Shikamaru will have to work, so it's not that bad."

Tenten piped up, "Neji won't worry so much. He knows I can take care of myself."

Sakura bit her lip. She felt sorry for Hinata and Sasuke. "Well, I guess it'll be okay…"

Iruka-sensei beamed. "Well, you guys might want to use Henge no Jutsu when you go out."

Sakura nodded. Iruka-sensei continued, "And change your names."

A slow smile spread across Ino's face. She laughed, "This will be so fun…"

Sakura smiled slightly. Iruka-sensei left them. Sakura looked around. "Oh. We were in the basement of a house."

After each of them had taken a shower, Ino suggested, "Let's go out."

The five nodded and clasped their hands together in a seal. Simultaneously, they shouted, "Henge!"

In a cloud of smoke, the five altered their looks. Tenten smiled and nodded. "Let's go out then."

Chouji spotted a bag of chips on the table. He immediately released the jutsu and snatched the bag. "Never mind, you guys go. I'll stay here."

Sakura shrugged. Ino led the way out, and Iruka-sensei warned them to be careful. They split up and decided to explore on their own. Sakura was walking along the road, feeling guilty for Hinata and Sasuke when, suddenly, she spotted Sasuke himself. The expression on his face was grim, and she realized he was heading towards the port. Curious, she followed him. Sakura had a little trouble keeping up with Sasuke's speed in her new body, but she managed. Soon, Sakura stayed a few feet behind Sasuke, pretending to look up prices for a ship. She heard him ask harshly, "Have you seen these people?"

She threw a glance towards him and saw pictures of the missing ninjas. The person at the desk shook his head. "No, sorry."

Sasuke held up the picture of Sakura. "How about her? Have you seen her anytime today?"

Sakura's heart skipped a beat as she realized he asked the man for her specifically. He…he didn't do it for anyone else…Sasuke paused, and then he put the picture away. He informed the man, "If you do see her, tell her that Uchiha Sasuke is sorry."

Sakura felt tears sting her eyes. He's…he's sorry…Sasuke spun around abruptly and headed to the next port. Sakura followed, still numb about Sasuke's actions. Sasuke repeated the process, again holding up the Sakura's picture specifically and relaying his message to the man at the desk. After the fourth port, Sasuke took a rest on the beach. Sakura hid behind a rock nearby. Suddenly, Sasuke said, "You can come out, whoever you are."

Sakura gulped. I suppose my ninja skills aren't that great in this body. She walked out, hoping that her chakra was concealed. Sasuke glared at her. "Who are you, and what do you want?"

Sakura decided to play the fangirl part. She fluttered her eyelashes. "Oh, Sasuke-kun, I couldn't help but-"

Sasuke waved her away. "Go away. I'm busy."

Sakura scrambled away quickly, thanking Kami-sama that Sasuke didn't notice her blunder, but suddenly heard Sasuke exclaim, "Sakura!"

She spun around, wondering if her disguise failed, but she saw herself. Someone else in Henge no Jutsu? In the form of my body?. Sakura grounded her teeth together. Whoever was disguising as herself sure was good at concealing his or her chakra. Sakura identified the chakra as her own. Suddenly, the imposter Sakura winked past Sasuke at Sakura in Henge no Jutsu. Suddenly, the pink-haired kunoichi understood. It was part of the test. Sasuke strode up to the imposter purposefully. Sakura thought she detected a trace of concern in Sasuke's voice, but she could have imagined it. "Sakura! Where were you? Where are the others? Are you harmed?"

Imposter Sakura looked up. "Sasuke-kun…"

She reached into her kunai holster discreetly so Sasuke wouldn't see. "I'm fine…the people who took us were inexperienced. But the others and I got split up…"

Sasuke took a step forward to embrace the imposter Sakura, but a panicked look flitted across her face before she held up the kunai behind his back as he crushed Sakura in a hug. Suddenly, she attempted to plunge the kunai in his back. Sasuke leapt out of the way easily, but cursed. Shit! I let my concern blind me! This isn't Sakura! He whipped out a few shurikens and threw them at the imposter in quick succession. Sakura almost forgot to hold her jutsu as she watched the imposter dodge them easily. I'm not that skilled! Sasuke hissed, "Who are you? Where's Sakura?"

The imposter replied evenly, "It's none of your concern. She's safe, though."

Sasuke snarled, "What do you want with the ninjas?"

The imposter merely smirked as she threw a kunai at Sasuke's head. Sasuke caught it and growled, "You underestimate Konoha ninjas."

His opponent didn't bother to reply. She threw four shurikens at him and lunged after them. Sasuke jumped aside to avoid the shurikens, but he didn't see the imposter's kunai in her left hand. He grunted as he felt the kunai graze his side. Suddenly, the imposter lost balance. "Whoa!"

She fell face-first into the sand. Sasuke smirked. "Not used to Sakura's body?"

He flicked a shuriken idly at the prostrate imposter, but she rolled to the side and sped off. Sasuke gave chase, but the imposter put on a burst of speed and managed to loose Sasuke. He stood, panting heavily. Who the hell was that person? He looked up. It was already early evening. Time to head back…Sasuke trudged back to the three houses wearily. Shikamaru and Lee were already back. They were sitting in front of the middle house. Shikamaru waved lazily. "Did you find anything interesting?"

Sasuke relayed the day's events. Shikamaru informed Sasuke of his day. "I found a little bit of information. Two of the villagers recall seeing five figures hunched over five others. In other words, the five who took our comrades were carrying them to their hideout. The villagers don't know where they went, though."

Lee shook his head. "Nothing to report here."

Shikamaru sighed. "Our best bet is to just stay here and wait for the others to return."

Lee nodded, but Sasuke didn't agree. "Why not keep searching?"

Shikamaru shook his head. "We need to plan."

Sasuke sat down on the ground and leaned his head against the house wall. Soon, Neji arrived, looking pissed. He snapped, "From the information gathered from a ferryman on the southern part of this island, a girl with brown buns, a pink-headed kunoichi, a blonde, a fat ass, and a hyper blonde took a ferry to the mainland."

Shikamaru raised his eyebrow at the name the ferryman called Chouji. "Well, that doesn't make sense. The villagers said they saw them heading to the center of the island…"

Sasuke broke in, "Well, it could always be that the captors are tricking us."

Shikamaru nodded. "Exactly. I think they bribed the ferryman. How can you bribe so many villagers to lead a false trail? All we can do is assume in this situation."

Neji and Lee nodded. "Sounds practical."

Soon, Kiba appeared as well. He looked confused. "Well, I used my nose, and the trail lead towards the center of the island, and then stopped, and the other trail lead to this one ferry place."

Everyone else arrived, offering bits and pieces of information they picked up. After all the information, Shikamaru concluded, "Then, they are at some house in the village."

Sasuke recalled the girl he encountered before facing the imposter. He shrugged it off and listened closely. "Right now, since it's night, we might be a little more lucky. Start from the outskirts of the village and start from there. Head towards the center. Got it? Move!"

The rest leapt away into the darkness. Meanwhile, the captured were enjoying themselves inside the house they were imprisoned in. Everyone seemed to having a great time, eating and joking, but Sakura couldn't help but feel guilty about Hinata and Sasuke. Don't worry…Sasuke-kun isn't that worried…Sakura's face twisted wistfully. Ino noticed and teased, "Ooh, Sakura's homesick…"

Sakura shot back, "I am not!"
Naruto leaned back. "Yearning for someone, then?"

Sakura flushed, embarrassed. "No!'

Tenten butted in, "Sasuke?"

Sakura's head shot up. "Where?"

The other four laughed. Sakura lowered her eyes and felt her cheeks burn. Naruto threw a friend arm around her shoulders. "Hey! Don't be embarrassed. I know how you feel, I kinda miss Hinata."

Tenten bit her lip and masked her emotion perfectly by putting up a cheerful face. "I'm sure we all miss our loved ones, but aren't you guys hungry? Iruka-sensei bought this for us, you know."

Naruto dug in enthusiastically, and soon he and Chouji were fighting over food. Ino and Tenten conversed happily, but all Sakura could do was pick at her food. Sakura sighed and pushed her food away. "I'm going to go out on the balcony really fast."

Ino called after her, "Want some company?"

Sakura shook her head and smiled her thanks. Tenten added, "Don't forget! Henge!"

Sakura performed the jutsu and put her elbows on top of the railing. She stared at the stars sadly. Sasuke-kun…I miss you…Sakura started as a dark figure landed next to her. She took a step back. The figure suddenly spoke, "You have green eyes."

Sakura froze. Oh SHIT! Didn't I change my whole appearance? Sakura blinked and smiled nervously. "Yes…I guess I do…"

The figure stepped into a little pool of light. Sakura bit back a gasp. Sasuke-kun! This is bad…bad, bad, bad. Sasuke stared at her. "You look a lot like someone I know."
Sakura hissed in dismay. She didn't think she'd be recognized, so her transformation wasn't very different. I didn't think I'd encounter any of them! Sakura stammered, "That's r-really nice…I-I have t-to g-go now…"

Sasuke grabbed her arm, and Sakura jumped in surprise. His eyes narrowed. "Your hair style is the same as my friend's. Your eyes are the same."

Sakura tried to pull her arm away. "What happened t-to your friend?"

Sasuke tightened his grip. "She was kidnapped."

Sakura smirked inwardly. I might as well have some fun. "Why do you care?"

Sasuke paused. What the hell, she won't know who that girl is anyway. And she doesn't know me either. "Because she's important to me."

Sakura raised an eyebrow. "She's important to you?"

Sasuke merely grunted. Sakura shrugged. "Well, I do hope you find your friend…before it's too late or something."

Sakura muffled her yelp as Sasuke crushed her arm. "Don't say that."

His eyes were blazing, and Sakura was intimidated. "G-Gomen…"

He hissed, "I'll find her if I have to tear this world apart. I'll find her. I'll always be there for her."

Sakura's heart nearly stopped as he continued. "I will be there to catch her when she falls."

With that, he threw her a look of disgust and stalked off. Sakura grabbed the railing to support her jelly-turned knees. He…he…A tear slid down her cheek. He…Sa…Sa…Sasuke…Sasuke-kun…Sakura blinked, desperately trying not to cry. Suddenly, Sakura felt Ino's hand on her shoulder. She whispered, "I saw all that."

Sakura trembled. Ino took a breath. "And it was really touching. I didn't know he was like that."

Sakura sniffed. "Neither did I. I really miss him, Ino!"

Ino patted Sakura's back. "I miss Shikamaru. But we'll be able to go back once they rescue us, right?"

Sakura nodded. The two friends headed back into the house. Iruka-sensei showed them the rooms, and soon, within moments, they were asleep. Sakura murmured Sasuke's name before falling asleep. Sasuke sped through the village, keeping his eyes open for any signs of life. So far, he had only encountered the girl on the balcony, and that had left him unnerved. Sasuke shook his head vigorously as he landed easily in front of Shikamaru's house. Sasuke shrugged. "I only encountered some girl."

Shikamaru sighed. "Not interested. Go to sleep, Uchiha. We have a long day tomorrow."

Sasuke felt Shikamaru pat him and surprisingly he didn't shrug it off. Sasuke dragged his feet to his room and fell into his bed. He breathed in the scent of Sakura deeply, and it helped him calm down a little. Sasuke rolled over and fell asleep.

AN: Yes, yes, I know it's been a while since I've updated. Sorry! And wow, thanks you guys, I have 101 reviews! Your reviews motivate me to write! Anyway…this chapter was weird…Fluff coming up in the next chapter! Maybe.