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 11: Wednesday

Neji glared at the tip of the sun, barely visible above the sea. He was frustrated at his inability to retrieve Tenten immediately. Damn whoever took Tenten…damn my hormones! Neji missed Tenten terribly. He missed her attitude, her smile, her eyes, her whole being. And he was miserable without her. She makes me feel whole…Neji grimaced as he reflected on the past few seconds of his life. "Since when did I become love-struck?"

A quiet voice behind him replied, "Love is a powerful emotion. Reason and love don't go together."

Neji angled his head to glare at the Uchiha behind him. "Was I talking to you?"

Sasuke replied evenly, "I'd be more afraid if you weren't."

Neji scowled. "What would you know about love?"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "Are you that oblivious…?"

Neji snapped, "No. I know what's going on between you and Sakura."

Sasuke sighed. "We're growing harsher than usual, and it's all because of the absence of two girls."

Neji remained silent and glared at the sea. He's right…Sasuke shrugged. "Well, the sooner we get them, the better. I didn't come here for nothing."

Neji caught on immediately. "And since there aren't so many, this might prove to be easier…"

Sasuke smirked. "At least you live up to your title…"

Neji glanced at the sun. "We'll have a little more than three hours. We better get moving fast."

The two took off towards the village. They didn't exchange any words on the way there, so the two prodigies arrived at their destination pretty easily. Neji muttered, "Byakugan!"

Sasuke watched on with mild curiosity. They were standing on top of a rather tall building where they could see the whole village. Neji smirked. "Too easy…"

Sasuke sighed, "If only we had information sooner we could've done this."

Neji didn't reply. Instead, he leapt off towards the forest he saw a small, wooden cabin in. Sasuke paused, looking around, and followed. Neji stopped at the fringe of a forest. "In here…"

Sasuke grimaced. "Well, I don't feel chakra nearby…"

Neji smirked. "We're not close enough."

Sasuke stiffened at Neji's snide comment. However, Neji leapt into the forest. He looked back at Sasuke. "Create a diversion?"
Sasuke scowled. "Me?"

Neji rolled his eyes. "No, the guy behind you."

Sasuke replied, "Why do I have to create the diversion?"

Neji snapped back, "Stop arguing! You don't have Byakugan, so you don't know where to go. Now, create a damn diversion!"

Sasuke knew Neji was right, but he was unhappy to follow orders from the other prodigy. Sasuke leapt off into the night silently, and Neji turned his attention back to the small cabin. He used his Byakugan and scanned the inside of the cabin. However, he didn't see any forms of chakra. Neji hissed softly. "Wrong cabin…where's Uchiha?"

Not seeing Sasuke in sight, he leapt nimbly off the tree and crept into the cabin. Neji opened the door and looked around inside the room. It was a single-room cabin; it was bare, too. A table stood at the center of the cabin, and a bed was neatly made in the corner. A few other chairs and furniture were scattered around the cabin, but Neji didn't pay any more attention. He turned around to see Sasuke glaring at him. The Hyuuga replied, "Wrong cabin."

Sasuke sneered, "Obviously. I did tell you that there was no chakra present."

Neji ignored Sasuke and leapt onto a tree skillfully. "We're going to go atop another building, and I'll use my Byakugan there."

Sasuke shrugged and followed Neji to yet another building. Neji used his Byakugan and scanned the surroundings for a full three minutes before informing Sasuke. Neji announced softly, "I think I've detected a possible source where they are kept hostage."

Without another word, the two leapt towards another forest, slightly larger this time. Neji halted at the fringes. "Byakugan."

Neji remained silent for a few seconds, then declared, "Yes, we're at the right forest this time. Watch out; there might be traps."

Sasuke scoffed softly. Neji took a tentative step into the forest. Sasuke followed Neji's every step to ensure that no traps were set off. Neji sighed softly when the cabin loomed into view from between the trees. Sasuke's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Hyuuga! The string!"

Neji looked down to see his foot resting against a string. A bead of sweat trickled down his nose. Suddenly, Sasuke hissed, "Oh, shit!"

The Uchiha had felt something prick the back of his neck, and his first thought was that a ninja had pressed the tip of a kunai at the back of his neck. Sasuke whipped around to deal the offending nin a blow, but realized it was an insect that had bitten the back of his neck. By whirling around suddenly, Sasuke lost his balance and toppled into Neji, who, in turn, fell over the string. As Neji fell, his last thought before he was barraged by kunai was, I am going to kill Uchiha. Neji watched the kunai fly at him and activated his Byakugan immediately. With practiced ease, he dodged them without getting hurt. Neji spotted a kunai cutting another string, and he dodged the hail of shuriken in response. Meanwhile, Sasuke had a kunai out, and he was deflecting the kunai that threatened to hit him. After ten minutes of dodging and deflecting, the wearied prodigies collapsed, glad that no more weapons threatened to fly at them. Once Neji regained his breath, he pointed out, "The only reason I didn't get hit by any of those projectiles was because I recognized it."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow as Neji paused to take a breath. "I recognized it from my training. Tenten used it against me once. She set up the weapons just like this."

Sasuke sat up slowly. "You mean Tenten set those up?"

Neji nodded. "Either she was forced to, or she did it on her own free will."

Sasuke smirked. "So you're saying they're staying there on their own free will."

Neji nodded again. Sasuke continued, "But why would she set them up against you if she wanted you to save her?"

Neji replied, "That's another thing. Tenten isn't one who needs saving, and she would've gotten out of her captor's grasp by now."

Sasuke nodded slowly. "So they are staying there on their own free will."

Neji asked, "But why?"

For a moment, both of them paused, deep in thought. Sasuke slowly said, "Remember what we did on the night of the dance?"
Neji cringed inwardly. "Oh…yeah…we wore casual clothing, you mean?"

Sasuke nodded bitterly. "Maybe that's why they're staying there; to get revenge."

Neji stood up and shrugged. Sasuke stood up and brushed himself off. The two crept up to the cabin after Neji hissed a warning dripping with scorn. "Don't think that a bug-bite is the enemy nin with a kunai."

Sasuke chose to pretend he didn't hear the warning. Neji activated his Byakugan and smirked. "I see them inside, and guess what they're doing?"

Sasuke paused. "Eating?"

"Nope."
"Reading?"

"Nope."

"Training?"

"Nope."

"Drinking?"

"Nope."

"Talking?"

"Nope."

"Sleeping?"

"Nope."

"Surfing the net?"

"…We don't have internet in this world, dumbass."

"Oh, yeah. What the hell are they doing, then?"

"They're playing a game."

"What game?"

"Truth or dare."

"…Nice."

The two boys pressed their ears against the wall to listen, their curiosity taking over their movements and functions. They heard…

Tenten: Okay! Sakura, truth or dare?

Sakura: Ummm…dare!

Tenten: I dare you to storm into Iruka-sensei's room screaming your head off!

Sakura: You bet!

(silence)

(screaming)

(yelling)

Sakura: Ha! That scared Iruka-sensei.

(laughing)

Sakura: Chouji! Truth or dare?

Chouji: Mmm...truth…

Here, the boys decided that they had enough of the girls' game, and they crept away slowly. Neji murmured, "We'll charge into the room."

Sasuke raised an eyebrow. "And then?"

Neji bit his lip. "Let's just stop there, and we'll act on impulse."

Sasuke's eyes widened slightly. Had Hyuuga Neji lost his mind? Possibly. Anyway…Sasuke readied himself as Neji counted, "One….two...three!"

The two charged into the room, yelling their heads off just like Sakura did not too long ago. The girls and Chouji turned to look at Neji and Sasuke, who had activated their bloodline limits. After a moment of silence, Naruto yelled, "Oh my God! They found us!"

The 'captives' scrambled upstairs with Neji and Sasuke after them. Sakura yelled, "Iruka-sensei, they found us!"

Iruka-sensei came running down the wood stairs. "Nani?"

He saw Neji and Sasuke chasing the 'captives' around the room, over the sofa, under the table, and around him in circles. The poor teacher shut his eyes and yelled, "Stop!"

Surprisingly, everyone did so, and Iruka-sensei took advantage of the silence. "Okay! What are you two doing here?"

Sasuke scoffed, "We're here to bring them back, of course!"
Neji replied, "We know your ruse."

Iruka-sensei smiled ruefully. "Well, yes. It was for training. I guess they can go home now."

Sakura smiled widely. "Really, sensei? You mean it?"

Iruka-sensei smiled and nodded. Sakura squealed and latched onto Sasuke while the Uchiha struggled vainly. "Sasuke-kun! I can go home now!"

Tenten smiled shyly at Neji. The Hyuuga sighed inaudibly and wrapped his arms around the weapons master. He murmured into her hair, "I missed you…"

Tenten smiled and buried her face in the front of his shirt. "Me too. I wanted to go home, but Iruka-sensei wanted us to train you."

Neji nodded and held her hand. "Let's go home."

Tenten turned her smiling face up to Hyuuga and let out a small gasp as the Hyuuga brushed his lips softly against hers. The two were barely aware of the others behind them. After a half an hour, the group trudged wearily up the hill that overlooked the three houses. Ino, who was standing outside putting up the laundry, spotted the group and dropped all the clothespins in her mouth. She screeched, "You guys are back!"

Immediately, everyone flocked out to welcome back the group. Hinata spotted Naruto and outran everyone. As Naruto smiled and took a step towards the shy Hyuuga, she glomped him. Naruto fell, yelping in surprise as Hinata cried delightfully, "Naruto-kun!"

Kiba watched from afar, twitching slightly. However, he couldn't help but smile at everyone's happy reaction towards the group's long-awaited return. Shikamaru embraced Chouji. "You had me worried, Chouji."

Chouji smiled as he hugged Shikamaru back. "I missed you too, Shikamaru."

As the group dispersed, Neji took Tenten's hand and led her to the rocks on the cliff overlooking the sea. Tenten smiled softly. "I really missed you, Neji."

Neji smiled softly and embraced Tenten. "Same here…same here…"

Tenten sat down on the rocks with Neji by her side. She gazed at the sea, and Neji felt a surge of content as he watched Tenten looking at the sea dreamily. "I love you, Tenten."

Tenten turned her bright face to Neji in time for a kiss. Tenten closed her eyes contently as all she felt was Neji's soft lips pressed against her own. Vaguely, she felt Neji's arms around her waist, but she wasn't sure. Tenten thought drowsily, I am the luckiest kunoichi alive…Neji let go of her lips after a while. Tenten blushed slightly. Neji smirked. "Let's go…"

Tenten stood up obediently, following Neji back to the house. Neji unlocked the door and stepped in. Tenten looked around and asked, "Where's Lee?"

Neji winked. "In the village."

Tenten giggled softly. Neji continued, "Which reminds me, I reserved a spot for us at a restaurant in the village."

Tenten asked, "But you weren't sure that you would have rescued me by noon, right?"
Neji scoffed, "Well, I did, right? And I swore that nothing would stop me, anyway."

Tenten smiled secretively at Neji's reply. Wow, he cares for me so much. Tenten quickly changed into some comfortable clothing and intertwined her fingers around Neji's. She smiled benignly. "Let's go!"

Neji led her into the village. Tenten looked around curiously, wondering if she would spot Lee anywhere. When she didn't see Lee anywhere, she paid attention to the restaurant they had stopped at. Neji smiled thinly at Tenten's shocked expression. "But this is a really expensive restaurant…"

Neji shrugged. "Anything for the one most important to me."

At this, Tenten blushed and allowed Neji to lead her into the restaurant. Neji ordered for the two of them, and Tenten smiled. "Thank you, Neji."

Neji grunted in reply. Tenten smirked inwardly. She leaned forward until her nose was almost touching Neji's. Neji noticed this and couldn't help but blush a little bit at their proximity. Tenten said slowly, "I said 'thank you, Neji'."

Neji twitched and unable to stand their nearness, he leaned back and muttered, "You're welcome."

Tenten sat back and smiled smugly. I thought so. They ate their lunch with friendly conversation, and as they left the restaurant, Neji asked, "Did you enjoy it?"

Tenten smiled. "Yeah."

Neji sighed softly. "We better get back."

Tenten raised an eyebrow. "Why?"

Neji shifted uncomfortably. "Um…you see, when you were gone, I kind of…messed up the house a little bit…"

Tenten's expression grew dark, but Neji quickly assured, "But I only messed the house up because I missed you so terribly."

As they walked towards the houses, Tenten prodded Neji. "Hyuuga Neji, don't give me any of your crap. Now I have to clean up the house!"
Neji offered, "I'll help you."

Tenten's face blanched. "No, that's okay. Remember when you were over at my apartment for lunch, and you broke the plate?"

Neji cringed. "Yeah, but-"

Tenten continued, ignoring him. "And then when you went to get the broom in the closet, and you opened the closet door, the broom fell out and hit you?"

Neji winced. "Yeah, that-"

"And then you stumbled backwards into the couch, and then you fell over it, and then you knocked your head on the table, and then you got up, howling in pain, and then you kicked the sofa, but you hurt your toe, so you were hopping around on one leg, and then you broke the table? Remember that?"

Neji muttered sullenly, "Yes…"

Tenten smiled sweetly. "Therefore, I really prefer you not clean the house."

Neji turned his eyes skyward. "Okay, okay."
They reached the house and entered it. Tenten shut her eyes tightly, expecting the worse. She cracked one eye open, bracing herself. Surprisingly, it wasn't so bad, compared to the time Neji was at her house for lunch. The three sofas around the coffee table had rips made from kunai, the coffee table itself had a crack inside of it, the kitchen tables had shuriken embedded in it, and the chairs were either broken or cracked. Tenten smiled. "Well, this isn't so bad!"

Neji, who had covered his heads with his arms unconsciously, lowered them tentatively. "It's…not that bad?"

Tenten replied grimly, "Compared to that time?"

Neji winced again. "Yeah."

Tenten got busy cleaning up the house. She managed to finish before dinner, and the weapons master cooked up an excellent dinner. Someone knocked on the door, and Neji opened it. Lee walked in, smiling cheerfully. "Ah, I see Tenten has returned and cleaned up our abode! Oh fair Tenten, have I told you about Neji's tantrums while you were gone?"

Tenten sweatdropped while Neji death-glared at Lee. "Uh…yeah. Why don't you sit down and eat, Lee?"

Lee smiled widely and obeyed. Dinner was eaten in silence, and the dishes were cleared away in silence as well. Neji lit the fireplace and the three settled on the sofas in front of it comfortably. Lee leaned back. "So, Tenten. How was it, in the captives of an evil nin? Did Neji beat him to a bloody pulp?"

Tenten and Neji exchanged glances. Their gaze shifted to the book on the coffee table. Neji made a lunge for it, but Tenten snatched it up faster and promptly buried herself in it. Neji made a face. Not fair…I have to explain to Lee now! With a sigh, Neji relayed the incidents. Lee nodded and made weird comments along the way, but Neji managed to get the point across without much trouble. Lee nodded. "It was wise of Iruka-sensei to train us like that!"

Now that the explaining was done, Tenten laid down the book. "Yeah, I suppose."

Lee continued, "You must have missed our dear Hyuuga so badly!"

Tenten twitched. "Why, yes, I did."

Her aura dared Lee to go on, but he was oblivious to the killer intent radiating from Tenten. "How you must've pined for Neji! I can only say he pined for you as well! Ah, sweet love!"

Both Neji's and Tenten's fist crashed onto Lee's poor head. Tenten huffed, "Good night!"

Neji grabbed her and brushed his lips against hers once again. Lee didn't see since he was rubbing the bump on his head. Tenten smiled softly. "Good night, Neji."

He rubbed her nose with his and murmured, "Good night, Tenten."

The Hyuuga released Tenten and sat back down as Lee focused his attention on him again. Thankfully, Lee didn't see Neji's and Tenten's exchange. Neji and Lee conversed for a few more minutes before Lee decided to retire as well. Neji watched the fire die down to embers before fingering a shuriken. Engraved on one of its blades were the initials 'NxT'. He smiled softly and pocketed it once more before walking to his room and laying down. He fell asleep with the words Neji and Tenten…echoing in his head.

AN: Waah! Sorry for the late update! I had to reformat my laptop…Fun…Anyway, with SATs coming up, updates are definitely going to slow down. Sorry a thousand times over (bows) Oh, and sorry for the OOCness, too. Thank you to Dragon Man 180 for the idea of Hinata glomping Naruto! Enjoy!