A/N This chapter took slightly longer to write since I needed to do a bit of research on the best and fastest way to get to Hokkaido, and since the keyboard of the laptop I type my stories on broke. I got my laptop fixed today and managed to finish the chapter. Sorry for the wait and enjoy!

One week later…

"Ah, finals are finally over," said Iemitsu happily, "and it's time to go to Hokkaido for a relaxing vacation."

A cough wracked his body.

"And I'm sick."

Tsunade was flitting around Iemitsu's apartment, checking to make sure he had everything he needed. "Are you sure you'll be ok?" she asked him nervously for the thousandth time, "I can always call and say I can't go and stay to watch over you."

Iemitsu sighed. "Tsunade, it's already the day of the trip and reservations are already made," he said wearily, "it's unfortunate that I got a cold today of all days, but I'll be fine. So stop freaking out!"

Tsunade took a deep breath, calming herself down slightly. "I know, I know," she said reluctantly, "you can take care of yourself. But if you feel like there's something really wrong, don't hesitate to call me and I'll be on the first flight back to Tokyo."

"Ok then," said Iemitsu, unable to suppress a chuckle at Tsunade's overly worried face, "But trust me, you won't need to do that."

Tsunade's phone rang. She picked it up, said a few words, and then hung up with a sigh. "My taxi's here," she said, gathering her stuff from where it was hastily dropped in front of Iemitsu's bed. Tsunade leaned over and gave Iemitsu an affectionate kiss on his forehead. Iemitsu flushed a dark red color and Tsunade felt his temperature rise slightly.

"Oh no!" she said in a panicked tone, "Your temperature just went up! Maybe I really should—"

"GO!" shouted Iemitsu, exasperated.

Startled, Tsunade quickly waved goodbye and ran out of the door.

Iemitsu watched the door close behind her and gently touched his forehead where Tsunade's lips touched. If you had stayed here with me, he thought, I don't think my temperature would ever go down.

Tsunade leaned against the window of the taxi and went over her plans in her head. She would meet Reborn and the others at Narita International Airport at 10:30 am for their flight at 11:30 to Sapporo. Reborn… thought Tsunade wistfully, just thinking of him makes my heart beat faster in anticipation. Is that normal? (A/N- The obliviousness, it burns XD)

Due to finals, she hasn't seen much of the suit-and-fedora wearer since the last operation. Unbeknownst to her, being away from Reborn had a slight impact on her behavior, including constantly spacing out and messing with her phone as if she was waiting for something. Luckily, other than Iemitsu, no one else had noticed her sudden change.

Tsunade sighed. I really need this vacation, she thought.

"Tsunade-chan!" exclaimed Keiko as she ran up Tsunade and embraced her tightly, "Long time no see!"

Now I know how Kureko feels, thought Tsunade as she struggled to breathe, "Hey Keiko-chan," she said weakly, "It's nice to see you too."

Keiko finally released Tsunade from her embrace and allowed her to take in a few deep breaths before dragging her to the ticket counter. "You're just in time!" she said cheerfully, "We were all about to check in! Do you have any bags you need to check in?"

"Um, yeah!" said Tsunade, handing her suitcase to Keiko, "Thanks!"

As Keiko went to get the tickets and check in the bags, Tsunade walked over to where the others were waiting.

"Hello Kureko-kun," she said, waving, "Hi Leoko-kun," her heart fluttered a bit as she looked into a pair of obsidian black eyes, "Hey Reborn-kun."

"Tsunade-chan!" exclaimed Leoko, draping an arm over Tsunade's shoulder, "Long time no see!"

Is it possible that Keiko and Leoko are secretly related? thought Tsunade as she shifted uncomfortably under Leoko's arm.

"It's a shame that Iemitsu can't come," said Leoko sympathetically, "Now I'll be all alone in my room at night!" He hugged Tsunade closer, much to her dismay, "Unless, of course, a certain someone wants to stop by and—"

Reborn cleared his throat loudly, glaring daggers out of his eyes at Leoko.

Feeling Reborn's murderous intent, Leoko quickly withdrew his arm, "Kureko and I are going to check on Keiko's progress," he said, winking at Reborn before steering Kureko over to where Keiko was evidently arguing with the lady at the counter.

Tsunade shot Reborn a grateful look. "I'm not sure what you did, but thanks for getting him away from me," she said, "Leoko's a nice person and all, but he can sometimes get a little—too close."

"Tell me about it," muttered Reborn, eliciting a laugh from Tsunade. Gosh, I've missed her laugh so much, thought Reborn. He had missed Tsunade as much as she had missed him, though he wouldn't admit it just yet. Law Enforcement had a specialized final, so Tsunade had to miss the rest of her classes and work for the whole week. By the second day, Reborn had found himself staring into space constantly, missing Tsunade more than he should.

Now, seeing Tsunade smile and hearing her laugh, he felt happier than he had felt all of last week. I'm not sure if it's healthy to have missed someone this much, he thought, feeling a heavy weight lift from his chest, but I just feel happier when she's around.

Leoko, Kureko, and a fuming Keiko rejoined Reborn and Tsunade. "The lady at the counter was going to make me pay extra since my bag was too heavy," said Keiko angrily.

Too heavy? thought Tsunade, we're only going for two days, what is she bringing that weighs so much?

Keiko continued talking, "Since Kureko and Leoko said to stop arguing or else we would miss our flight, I was forced to put some of my clothes into your suitcase, Tsunade. Sorry."

Ah, of course, Tsunade thought, clothes. She smiled and said, "Yeah, it's fine. I didn't have much in there anyway."

Leoko checked his watch. "We should go now," he said impatiently, "Our flight is in 30 minutes and security is going to take at least 10 minutes."

As they walked to the security checkpoint, Tsunade stopped and looked at the sliding glass doors longingly. It's a shame you couldn't come, Iemitsu-nii sama, she thought sadly, I really wanted to have my first ever vacation in over 4 years with you.

Tsunade was startled to feel a hand on her shoulder. "Tsunade-chan?" said Reborn, looking at her quizzically, "Are you ok?"

She stared out the doors for a second longer before turning around and smiling at Reborn. "Yeah, I'm fine," she said, "Let's go, it looks like the others are getting impatient."

It might not be you next to me, nii sama, thought Tsunade, but that's ok. I'm not alone anymore, I have people I can relax around and care about. She looked up at Reborn. Some more than others

Tsunade and Reborn rejoined the others and entered the security checkpoint, joking and laughing together.

Their vacation has just begun.