Disclaimer: Do I have to put this thing up every chapter? … I don't own Naruto. Period.

Author's blabbering: Here's chapter 3. Thanks again for everyone who reviewed. I couldn't enumerate you now but I'll acknowledge you at the end of this fic, okay? Sorry for the delay...

CHAPTER 3: DAY 1 — THE BEGINNING OF A HOUSE AND SOMETHING ELSE

The Byakugan Team hit their beach first, mainly because most of the Sharingan Team had followed them to their beach instead of following Sasuke. They had already arrived there when they realized that weren't staying in the same beaches and when they got to their own beach, Sasuke was glaring at each of them darkly.

Upon arriving at the beach, Neji immediately searched for Shikamaru. Much to his annoyance, the shadow master was walking on top of the water in a slow pace, slower than a turtle, while gazing upwards. It took all of the Hyuuga prodigy's will power not to go to Shikamaru and drag him to land.

"What now?" Tenten asked Neji as the white-eyed boy continued to glare at the strolling Shikamaru. She followed his gaze. "Ah, Shikamaru-kun. Want me to fetch him?"

"No, stay here," Neji replied flatly and the girl shrugged, pulling out a jacket from her pack.

When Shikamaru had finally arrived, Ino smacked him on the head, berating him for taking so long and making their leader wait. Temari, on the other hand, was smirking at Ino, telling her that she should not force 'Nara-kun' so much.

Neji approached the lazy Jounin and raised an eyebrow at him. "Do you have a plan for our shelter?"

"This is so troublesome, but whatever!" The dark-haired shinobi collapsed on the sand, pulled out a kunai and started to draw lines on the sand. "Here's the plan I'm thinking. You guys get the materials while I stay here and make modifications."

"Watch the clouds, you mean?" Ino rolled her eyes and the boy shot her a reproachful look.

After some instructions from the now-official group strategist, Shikamaru, the group fled to the woods to find the materials they needed.

Shikamaru grinned and lay back on the sand, his hands behind his head. Now that Ino had suggested it…

Meanwhile, at the Sharingan Team…

"Do you really think we could build seven large cottages in just a few hours, you idiot?"

"Well, at least I suggested something!" Naruto retorted at Kankuro. "Not like someone here who is supposed to be our leader!"

Sasuke glared at him darkly. "Are you pertaining to me, dobe?"

"Who else!"

"Guys! Guys! Break it up!" Sakura went forward and pushed the two Chuunins apart. She was already used to Sasuke and Naruto arguing all the time that it wasn't difficult for her to jump between them, unscathed. "We'll never finish anything if we continue this!"

"Sakura-chan is right, guys…" Hinata said timidly and the two boys broke apart, still glaring at each other.

"I'm hungry!" Chouji wailed but was promptly ignored by the others. As usual.

"Okay, why don't we just make this?" Sakura crouched on the ground and started drawing on the sand. After a minute or two, she stood up for them to look. "What do you think?"

"Is that a waiting shed?" Kankuro asked, tilting his head to get a view from another angle.

The pink-haired kunoichi pouted at him. "It's NOT a waiting shed, for your information!" she screeched. "But really, this all we could do in the meantime. We are under time pressure and it'd be sunset soon. We have to hurry."

"I-I think Sakura-chan's plan is good…" Hinata smiled at her hesitantly. Naruto grinned at her and she started blushing like mad.

"Yes! I agree!" Lee saluted smartly.

Sasuke, on the other hand, was still looking at the drawing skeptically and Kankuro was still tilting his head to get a view in different angles.

"Look, guys, decide now," Sakura told them quickly. "If you have a better idea, then tell it already. And besides, we could use large palm leaves for the walls of the, er, shed so it would look a bit like a house…"

After a moment's thought, Sasuke sighed. "Fine. What should we look for?"

"Several logs, some twine and large palm leaves," Sakura replied cheerfully. "We'll assemble them…" She looked around then spotted a place under some trees. "Over there!"

"We'll be back soon!" Sasuke nodded at her curtly then disappeared with the other boys into the forest, leaving her, Hinata and Chouji.

"Just look at them, having a fun time on that yacht," Tenten muttered as she sat on top of an upright log, whittling some pegs they were going to use as nails with a kunai. Even without Byakugan, her vision was as clear as crystal and she could still see figures from a distance. "They're gambling on the main deck! Why am I not surprised?"

"Tenten!" Kiba called her from below and she dropped 4 more pegs. "Thanks!"

"What a vacation this is!" The weapons specialist glanced on her lap and found she was short on wood. She looked back down and saw Ino. "Ino! Hey, Ino! Can you throw me some of that wood?" The blonde girl tossed two pieces of chopped log in the air which she caught. "Thanks!"

Shikamaru assigned her that job since she specializes and handles weapons well, and because she's a girl. Of course, she was slightly offended by it since she could do any man's job effortlessly. She actually offered to help them with the logs but the guys declined, saying that she's a girl.

"They're always like that," Temari had told her. The blonde Sand shinobi was also assigned a lighter task: collecting sticky sap from a tree to put inside the holes and secure the pegs. "Typical male chauvinists."

"You said it," she muttered darkly, remembering what Neji had said at the yacht earlier. Actually, I should be the one protesting. I have three females in my team while you only have two. She gritted her teeth in annoyance and clenched her fists, nearly dropping her kunai on top of Shino's head. "That jerk!"

"It's only the first day and you're already pissed off?"

Tenten closed her eyes. She knew that voice even from a mile away. "Go away, Neji. I'm trying to pretend I'm Uchiha Sasuke."

"Really? And what are you supposed to be doing?" The Hyuuga prodigy jumped on the upright log a foot away from her log. "Constipating?"

She threw him an annoyed glance. "I'm wallowing in self-pity since I feel so weak." And decided to go on guilt trip on him. It wouldn't hurt anyone, right? "I'm reduced to doing this, whittling pegs, when I could be helping you guys on the heavy work. I feel so weak!"

"You're doing a good job though…" he commented and Tenten turned her gaze to him, startled by his words. Hyuuga Neji never gives out compliments for free. Actually, he NEVER gives compliments, whether he was paid or not.

"Where? On the pegs?"

"No, on pretending to be a constipated Uchiha Sasuke." He slightly smirked at her and she scowled at him, throwing a half-made peg which he caught swiftly.

She rolled her brown eyes and let out an exasperated sigh. "Did you come up here just to annoy me?"

"Actually, no, I came up here to tell you that we're going to use that log you're sitting on," he replied bluntly. Tenten jumped off the log wordlessly and started for the large boulder sticking out of the ground. "Tenten." He threw her the wooden object.

"Yeah, thanks…" she mumbled, catching the peg with a hand.

"They're really making a cottage…" Hinata said softly to Sakura as she weaved the palm leaves together by the sea, deactivating her Byakugan. They were using it to spy on the other team at the other side of the forest.

"Well, they have Shikamaru-kun, Shino-kun and Neji-san on their team," the pink-haired kunoichi said patiently, weaving as well. "While we have Naruto and Kankuro who never passes a minute without arguing… I'm glad we have Lee and Chouji though. At least, they're making an effort."

"Are you implying something, Sakura?" Sasuke shot at her from his position on the roof of the, er, shed.

"Nothing, Sasuke-kun. Don't be so defensive," the girl said lightly, winking at Hinata who smiled back. They worked there silently, glancing at the ocean once in while. "Ne, Hinata-chan…"

"H-Hai?"

"Oi, are those walls ready now?" Naruto shouted at them, supporting a log on his back.

Sakura, annoyed by the boy's loud voice, balled some wet sand and threw her makeshift sand ball at the noisy Kyuubi. "Try doing it yourself, idiot!"

"Ah, Sakura-san…" Hinata clasped her hands together, a pink tinge on her pale cheeks.

The petal-haired Nin smiled at her brightly and continued her work. "You like Naruto, don't you?" she asked casually, not taking her eyes off the leaves.

The Hyuuga princess's eyes widened at her, blooming into a full-blown red fire hydrant. Sakura just threw her a knowing smile and Hinata cast her eyes to her hands. "H-Hai… But h-how did you know?"

"Well, I'm sure everybody knows," Sakura replied, gazing at the lavender-and-orange sky. "It's obvious how much you like him since we were 12. You stutter in front of him, blush like a ripe tomato, smile softly at him… It's a wonder that Naruto still doesn't know… But then, he is clueless on most things, so I shouldn't be surprised…"

"I admire Naruto-kun," the Hyuuga heiress replied quietly, her pale lavender orbs softening at the thought. "He has this confidence I will never have… He's always kind to me and he's brave and doesn't give up… He's funny too…"

Sakura glanced at the blond Kyuubi who was arguing with Uchiha heir. Again. "Well, I can really see why you like him," she said with a laugh. "But, seriously, Naruto's a nice guy. Too loud and boisterous but nice."

Hinata smiled at her. "What about you, Sakura-san?" she asked. "About Sasuke-kun?"

"Ah, well…" The pink-haired kunoichi sighed and forced a smile. It's no news to everyone that the Uchiha avenger has been pushing her away until now and it still brings tears to her eyes. But then, she had vowed to be braver, stronger and more patient. "I'm still waiting and I'll never get tired of doing it…"

"You really love Sasuke-kun, don't you?" the white-eyed princess said quietly, her small hands weaving the remaining leaves together. Sakura turned pink like her hair but said nothing. "S-Sorry… I didn't know that y-you'd be uncomfortable…"

Sakura shook her head smilingly. "It's okay. We were talking about Naruto earlier, weren't we?" She stretched her arms then giggled. "I'm sure we can enjoy this 39-day survival mission of ours! And who knows, you could finally tell him what you feel."

Hinata looked scandalized. "I-I could never d-do that, Sakura-san!"

"Oi, Hinata-chan!" The two girls looked around at the guys who had finally finished their shelter for the night. Naruto was waving at them madly. "Come help us put up those walls you made!"

"H-Hai!" The young kunoichi stood up and pulled the woven leaves they made. Soon, the blond shinobi went to help her. "A-Arigato, Naruto-kun…"

"No problem!" The Kyuubi boy gave her toothy grin before heaving the leaves on his shoulders to carry them. "Oist, Lee, Kankuro! Let's put these things up!"

"Don't act so gallant, idiot!" the Sand Nin muttered then took some of the leaves and nailed them on the logs.

"Yosh, Naruto-kun! We shall finish this with our passion and springtime of youth!" Lee struck a pose.

"Can we eat after this?" Chouji asked wearily, wiping sweat from his brows.

"Yeah, yeah! C'mon!"

Sakura watched the boys put up their makeshift walls with a smile. Naruto was helping Hinata put up one of them, the former a grinning idiot while the latter a resemblance of a red fire hydrant. Kankuro was shouting at the blond, telling him not to flirt while working and causing Hinata to burn even more, if that was possible. Lee kept striking poses, annoying the puppet master and earning a whack from him. Chouji, on the other hand, kept working for the promise of food at last.

Someone stood behind her, casting a shadow over her form. "You should finish your work."

She looked up at Sasuke and smiled brightly. "Don't worry, I'm down to my last two," she replied nonchalantly, raising the leaves for him to see.

"Right, I'll ask the dobe to find us some wood for fire," he said coolly. "It'll get dark soon. Who knows what danger we could find in this place."

"I'll be fine, don't worry!" She flashed him one of her assuring smiles and the prodigy snorted inaudibly then walked away from her towards the working group.

Sakura raised her gaze to the sky and saw the burning orange sun, kissing the blue horizon and going below the ocean. She let out a sigh.

"I wonder if Sakura is seeing this sunset also…" Ino said as she paused to look at the sun. Actually, everyone in her group paused to watch the sun go down the horizon. "It must be a romantic experience for her since she's with Sasuke-kun…"

She glanced at Shikamaru who had FINALLY abandoned his spot on the sand and started to make a bonfire for them using his kunai and a stone. She was just going to approach him when Temari suddenly appeared beside him, cooing and tugging and latching on his arm playfully. Ino clenched her fists and gritted her teeth.

"NARA SHIKAMARU!" she screeched loudly that several birds flew out of the trees at the sudden sound. "Shouldn't you be finishing that fire by now!"

"I am finishing it, Ino," the lazy shinobi replied, well, lazily. "Don't trouble me so much."

The blonde Leaf Nin placed her hands on her hips and glared at him. "I'm not bothering you, if that's what you're trying to imply!" she retorted angrily. "You should tell that to your arm extension!"

Temari straightened and smirked at her. "You jealous?"

Ino's jaw dropped at her and started spluttering. "Me? Jealous? Of what? Of you?" She then started laughing hysterically, pissing off the Sand Nin. "Oh, please! I'd rather be jealous of a frog than you!"

Temari whipped her fan in front, getting ready for a battle. Ino also stood in a fighting stance, her hands forming a seal. Tenten, who was watching the argument since earlier on, stood up to stop them.

"Shikamaru!" the weapons specialist called. "Aren't you even going to stop them?"

"And get myself killed? No way. That is too troublesome."

"But—"

Shino pushed his glasses on his nose bridge and cleared his throat. "I don't think stopping them would be a good idea, Tenten," he said in his cool, monotone voice. "You wouldn't want to get hurt, would you?"

"But, Shino—"

"Leave them, Tenten," Neji called from the roof. "They'll be fine."

The weapons specialist took a step back from the two blazing girls. Kiba and Shino were watching them with interest. Neji was watching as well, a bored expression on his face. Shikamaru was muttering something about troublesome women.

"Hey, peroxide witch from Suna!" Ino called with a smirk. "Let's make a bet."

"Sure!" Temari smirked back.

"How about whoever wins gets his head? Or probably, any part of his body you want."

"Fine with me."

Kiba grinned at the proposition. Akamaru barked happily. "This would be a good match," the dog-loving boy remarked and Akamaru barked in response. "Yeah, especially now that they have a bone of contention."

"Oi!" Shikamaru started to panic. He clearly didn't want this fight to happen. Not because he's worried for the girls. Oh, no. He's not worried about the girls. He's more worried about himself being divided into parts like a butchered cow or pig. He shook his head to erase those thoughts. Nope, not a good thought.

"I'll definitely get his head!" Ino said with a malevolent grin.

"You sure?" Temari chuckled. "Well, you'll just have to fight me first!"

"Hey! Can I get his leg?" Kiba raised his arm wildly, waving at the two girls. "You know, as a souvenir for this trip?"

"Why not?"

"Hey! I didn't give you the right to chop me apart!" the shadow master protested. "Besides, are you really sure I'd give you my body part?"

The two blondes looked at each other then at Shikamaru. "What do you think, Sand Nin?" Ino asked with a lazy grin.

"We'll just have to force him, I guess."

But before Shikamaru could start run to the ends of the world and the two blonde kunoichis started attacking each other, Asuma came with Kurenai. The shadow master thought the two Jounins were the best, greatest thing that ever happened to his life right there.

"What's happening here?" Asuma asked, looking from one kunoichi to another. "I thought it's forbidden for fights."

Temari straightened from her stance and smiled lazily. "Oh, we're not fighting," she replied evenly. "We're just trying out how men deal with other men. You know, the testosterone-filled one."

"Yeah…" Ino muttered, slipping her kunais back in the holster.

"It's already dark. Why don't you guys settle inside your—Whoa!" Kurenai looked stunned with a stun gun at the 2-storey cottage they had just built some hours ago (Don't ask how. They're ninjas. They can do anything using their hands in a few hours.). "That's already a house!"

"Well, they have me in the team so you shouldn't be surprised." Shikamaru yawned but earned a whack on the head from Ino. "What?"

"You didn't do anything, you lazy bum!"

"I made the bonfire and the plans for the house. What else do you want me to do?"

Asuma let out a sigh. Having those two in his team sure was tiring. Add Chouji in the group and he's already a tired, bankrupt Jounin. What a life! "Guys, stop arguing now and get to bed. You'll have a long day tomorrow."

"Hai…"

The group went in their new "apartment" for the 39-day mission period, but no sooner after they had gone it, another riot broke inside.

"We get the top floor! We're the girls!" Ino's voice.

"No, we get the top floor! Shikamaru's a guy and he planned this house!" Kiba's voice.

"You want to see blood right now, dog boy?" Temari's voice.

"Who are you calling 'dog boy'!"

"Just give them what they want, Kiba. They're so troublesome!" Shikamaru this time.

"Tch! Fine!"

After a few minutes… "Hey! Kiba, get out right now or I'll kill you!" Tenten was screaming and there were a few thuds, kunais hitting the wooden wall. "Kiba! You idiot! I was changing!"

Then… BAMTHUDCRASH!

"Neji! Man, you've got one strong—oof! Get off me, Neji!"

Kurenai glanced at Asuma who slipped his hands in his pockets. "Will they be all right?"

"Yeah, they always are…"

"… Asuma?"

"Yeah?"

"Are we just going to leave their fire or should we put it out?"

Review, review, review! I love your reviews so please leave one! Thanks! Was it too short? Tell me, okay?