All rights to Kishimoto.

Sorry for the wait, been working long hours. Anyway here's chapter 2!

The Assignment

Sasuke was the first one to wake up early in the morning, he was making hot tea in the kitchen as Sakura woke up soon after and got ready to begin her day at the hospital as usual. Naruto was still laying in bed, snoring away as he laid out flat and comfortably in his room without a care in the world. Sakura made her way downstairs and towards the kitchen to prepare herself some coffee, all ready in her hospital attire and ready to go. She didn't know Sasuke was awake and in the kitchen already and gasped when she saw him as she walked in.

"Oh, good morning Sasuke. Didn't know you were already awake" greeted Sakura.

"I usually wake up early" Sasuke answered back casually.

"Is there some coffee that I can prepare?"

"I'll get it." Sasuke said as he turned to his kitchen cabinets to start preparing coffee for Sakura, which threw her back considering Sasuke wasn't one to be so generous but a lot has changed over the years with their character as individuals, although Naruto and Sasuke's eagerness to compete against each other never ceased, Sasuke has become more helpful towards the village and to the team as a whole and Naruto became more understanding of Sasuke. Nonetheless she smiled in gratitude, "thank you" she said as he answered back with a nod. The atmosphere was quiet in the kitchen between the two, until the teapot filled with water for the tea on the stove started whistling and Sasuke turned to attend to it.

"Tea?" asked Sakura, trying to break the silence.

"Yeah." Sasuke answered back as he poured himself a cup, "… I didn't know if you wanted any so I made extra but your coffee is being prepared nonetheless" he added.

"Oh, thanks, but I usually need some strong caffeine in the morning to get me going" Sakura answered him with a little chuckle, "hn, you're one of those morning people" Sasuke commented. Sakura could've sworn she saw a slight smile.

"Anything to get me awake" she answered back with a grin, "it's not like Sasuke to make such light comments, I wonder if this is how he is outside of training and behind closed doors" Sakura thought towards Sasuke's attitude.

There was a short silence as the coffee could be heard almost being done, simmering while Sasuke silently sipped on his tea, "I think it's done now" he said after a few moments and set down his cup to walk over to another cabinet and reach for a mug to pour Sakura's coffee in and placed it in front of her, "sugar and milk?", "yes please" Sakura answered as Sasuke turned to get the two items and place them in front of Sakura, "thank you" she said as she prepared her coffee and began sipping it.

"What will you be doing today?" she asked Sasuke.

"I'm going to take advantage of this time to do some training" he answered, "I assume you'll be at the hospital." he stated.

"Yes. As usual" she answered back almost finishing her cup of coffee. Sasuke then turned to leave the kitchen but briefly paused in his footsteps, "make sure you make it back, those are the rules" he said as he continued to walk out. Sakura had a slightly shocked look on her face to his comment and stayed a while before packing up and heading out the door towards the hospital. Naruto was still asleep in bed while Sasuke had already left for his training, it was about to be noon when Naruto was up and walking around the mansion, "I don't see Sasuke, he must've left of course and Sakura's probably at the hospital… hmm I've got plenty of time on my hands, maybe I'll go down to Ichiraku for some ramen and see if Hinata wants to tag along" Naruto thought as he went to his room to get ready and headed out the door, leaving the Uchiha mansion empty.

Naruto walked through the village being greeted by many people on the road and smiling back at them as he passed by mainly searching for Hinata, after all his free day had him feeling cheerful. But instead of finding Hinata, he ran into Shikamaru on his way towards Ichiraku, "what are you doing Naruto? Aren't you supposed to be at the training grounds with Kakashi Sensei?" he asked.

"Nah, he gave me, Sasuke, and Sakura an assignment in which we have to spend three days together working as a team so we don't have training until after those three days"

"Why? what's going on with you guys?" Shikamaru asked rather confused and taken aback.

"Hmm… it's mostly Sasuke. He's acting more of a jerk than usual, and when something riles up between me and him, Sakura comes in between and then we all start to argue"

"Sounds to me like you and Sasuke have some issues to resolve, speaking of, where is he and Sakura?"

"Well Sakura is at the hospital working I'm sure and Sasuke just disappeared as I'd expect, so I decided to take this free time to eat some delicious ramen at Ichiraku's" Naruto answered with a wide grin on his face. Shikamaru sighed at the clueless ninja in front of him after hearing about the problem between the three.

"Naruto, if Kakashi gave you guys an assignment to work on together as a team to fix any issues that you have, isn't that what you should be doing?"

"Well yeah I suppose, but like I said they're busy at the moment, besides there are rules for this assignment that don't necessarily call for us to be together at all times like during the day when we have work or training to do, it's at night when we have to all be together in one place and that's at the Uchiha mansion. It's where we're spending our three days including nights as a team"

"Oh I see. Well then I would say you guys should discuss your problems once you're all together at the mansion and not try to avoid it like you are now since it is an assignment, knowing Kakashi sensei I'm sure he knows what he is doing with getting you three together like this and because he knows you guys" Shikamaru advised Naruto while he looked deep in thought at Shikamaru's words, "and since you can't do anything with them right now why don't I help you with your training, we can spar one on one as soon as I finish dropping off these papers to lady Tsunade" he suggested as Naruto's stomach growled right after Shikamaru spoke and held his belly tight with one hand at the sound of his noisy stomach.

"That sounds great Shikamaru but I'm starving and haven't eaten at all, maybe after I eat we can do that?" Naruto smiled at him innocently, as Shikamaru sighed with a slight smirk at his goofy friend, "fine, meet me in one hour at the training grounds, got it?", "right! see you later Shikamaru" Naruto dismissed himself as he ran off towards his favorite place to eat. "Typical Naruto" Shikamaru thought as he continued on his way to lady Tsunade's office.

Naruto eventually ended up finding Hinata and they ate lunch together at Ichiraku's as he explained to her about the assignment that Kakashi gave to his team. Sadly Naruto had already planned with Shikamaru to spar and work on training after eating, but spending time with Hinata sounded a lot more pleasing to him when she suggested it.

"This sucks, I'm sorry Hinata" Naruto said to her in a sad tone while looking down at his almost empty bowl of ramen. Hinata placed a hand on his shoulder then and kissed him on the cheek.

"It's okay Naruto, I understand, I'm sure we'll be able to spend some time after your assignment, it's just three days" Hinata said to him with a warm smile trying to cheer him up. Naruto then sat up with an idea popping into his mind and a mischievous look coming across his face.

"Orrr, we could still spend time together while on my assignment" Naruto suggested with a lustful glare towards Hinata, "b-but how? you're not allowed to leave the mansion" Hinata said worriedly.

"Who said anything about leaving the mansion?" Naruto winked at her.

"Naruto?" Hinata smiled nervously, "I've got an idea" Naruto said as he got closer to Hinata and whispered in her ear.

It was practically night time when Sakura was on her way back to the mansion after a long day at the hospital. Once she entered through the doors she heard the sound of the TV on coming from the living room as she continued to walk towards it and saw Naruto lounging on the couch watching a TV show.

"Hey" she said as he turned around surprised not noticing that Sakura had come in,

"Oh hey Sakura, didn't see you there"

"Where's Sasuke?"

"Upstairs, doing god knows what" Naruto said with bitterness in his tone of voice as he turned back to the TV screen. Sakura sighed exasperatingly not bothering to go there as she proceeded to continue walking forward but turned back to Naruto before continuing upstairs, "I'm going to go change out of my work clothes and then to make something to eat did you want any?" she asked him, "yeah sure" he responded without looking away from the TV. Sakura nodded and went upstairs to change. A little while later Sakura was in the kitchen making rice and beef curry, Sasuke had come down then and surprisingly noticed Sakura as well when he entered the kitchen to get something to drink.

"When did you get back?" he asked as Sakura jumped at his sudden presence and looked back to see Sasuke standing in the kitchen

"Just a while ago. I'm making dinner I hope you don't mind"

"Hn. While you're staying here you're welcome to get anything you need" he responded as he walked towards the fridge to take out a bottle of water.

"Thanks... did you want any? I'm making rice and beef curry" Sasuke looked at her then sincerely and contemplated on the question, after all no one had made food for him in years other than his mother did when he was a little kid so the question took him aback. "Sure" he finally answered.

"Are you going to take your dinner back to your room and hide away again or are you actually going to eat with us?" Naruto asked then appearing at the entrance of the kitchen. Sakura and Sasuke turned to him.

"What's it to you what I do?" Sasuke answered back to Naruto icily.

"What's it to me? Well for one, you're not following the assignment as Kakashi sensei put it to us, and secondly you'd be acting like a jerk if you respond that way to Sakura's kindness in making us dinner"

"You're one to talk, you should analyze yourself when it comes to acting a jerk"

"What! What are you talking about?!"

"Forget it."

"Okay this has to stop! If we are to report to Kakashi Sensei after these next three days, our assignment is expected to be carried out so you two better settle this now. Just what is going on with you guys?" Sakura exclaimed as she noticed the tension rising between Naruto and Sasuke.

"Sasuke, you've been acting like a complete asshole for a while now, what the hell is the matter with you?!" Naruto demanded of Sasuke while glaring at him angrily.

"Fine. You really want to know? It's because you've been the asshole taking money from me for a long time now! Do you know how much I've spent on you for a month now? All that stupid ramen and Sake, and I've told you countless of times to pay back but you never did. I've been lenient on you, but this is it. I'm done spending so much because of you." Naruto stared at him surprised and feeling guilty soon after.

"Why didn't you tell me before? what about at the training grounds? why pent up so much anger and arguments during training huh?!"

"I really don't like discussing these situations during training or at any time for that matter, instead I use my strength to take it out on you. But I did tell you before. You've been so damn busy with Hinata, you're head must be up in the clouds that you completely ignore me."

"That's exactly why I've been needing your help Sasuke." Naruto said firmly as Sasuke looked at him with a complete surprised look on his face, "I've been trying to save up for something special for Hinata that I've hardly been able to put up my end when we all go out to eat and drink. But I haven't ignored you, I just thought you'd hate the idea and I'd never be able to do it… I'm sorry for that."

"You fucking idiot. Why didn't you just explain that to me before?!" Sasuke was furious now, not because Naruto wanted to save money for Hinata but because he never explained himself, and Sasuke was clueless the whole time spending money without a reason and just now Naruto comes out with the truth.

"I already told you, I thought you'd get angry if I told you why I haven't been able to pay and I wouldn't be able to save up" Naruto said apologetically. Sasuke groaned in frustration.

"I'm even more angry now that you never explained why. Here you have me spending so much when I would've worked something out with you. Instead it's like you took advantage of me!"

"That was never my intention Sasuke. I was planning on paying you back, and you know I never go back on my word."

"Hm." was all that Sasuke said to that. As there was a brief silence in the kitchen, Sakura noticed and felt how the tension between the two died down a little and she sighed out loud.

"Look Sasuke, I really am sorry for making you do all that for me. I appreciate it, even though you were upset for not having a reason why I made you pay all the time. Instead, I'll make it up to you" Naruto broke the silence as Sasuke stared at him with a more calm facet than he had before. He sighed and turned to him.

"How" he asked.

"What if tomorrow I bring Sake, one for you personally and another one for us, the team. On top of that I'll bring food and the first installment of my payment back to you" Sasuke thought over Naruto's suggestion and finally calmed his face completely.

"Fine. But this won't happen again got it? You're a complete dumbass when it comes to plans."

"I guess I sort of try to roll with it in my own way, sorry" Naruto chuckled nervously while he rubbed the back of his head with a nervous smile.

"Idiot." Sasuke sighed as Sakura did as well and smiled with relief feeling glad that Naruto and Sasuke had finally settled their dispute and that hopefully there would be much less argument between the two.

"Why are you bringing a Sake for the team anyway?" Sasuke then asked.

"Well, we do have to bond as a team during these next three days right? So what better way to bond than with a bottle of Sake between us three" Naruto smiled, Sakura chuckled at Naruto's suggestion as she finished up dinner. Sasuke just rolled his eyes and responded with a 'hn'.

"That actually sounds great Naruto. In any case, the food is ready" Sakura then said with a grin as Naruto and Sasuke turned to look at her and eyed the food that she made, the two were actually pretty hungry and did not hesitate to grab a plate of Sakura's delicious meal and even got seconds after. For once in a long time there were happy satisfied looks on Naruto and Sasuke's faces. They thanked Sakura and decided to play a little xbox after dinner as Naruto and Sasuke were starting to bond a little now, and since competition is inevitable between the two, playing against each other on a video game couldn't sound any better. Sakura smiled and enjoyed seeing her two teammates bonding rather than ignoring each other and making angry remarks. She proceeded to start cleaning up in the kitchen and reached for the sink to start washing dishes when a hand placed over hers stopping her actions as she looked up to see who it was, "don't worry about it, you made dinner I'll take care of the rest" Sasuke said assuringly. Sakura smiled and nodded, "thanks Sasuke", "no, thank you. The food was really good" Sasuke said with a slight smile. "Is Sasuke smiling? whoa, never seen him this relaxed before, guess settling the fight with Naruto must've put him more at ease" Sakura thought, "no problem" she responded as she backed away from the sink and let Sasuke take over as he started the water to wash dishes, "go and play for me and don't let Naruto win" he said without looking back, Sakura grinned happily and nodded rushing off to the living room to play against Naruto.

Team seven was all in the living room then and Sasuke took hold of the game after he had finished with the dishes and cleaning up in the kitchen while Sakura was sitting beside them watching them play one on one. She yawned after a while and started to feel a little drowsy, "I think I'm gonna go to bed, have to get up early for work" she said as she got up stretching, "goodnight Sakura!" Naruto said not taking his eyes off the game, "night" Sasuke said as well completely focused in on the game, Sakura shook her head with a smile at her two teammates and started walking towards up the stairs. Soon enough all three were in their bedrooms after Sasuke and Naruto had finished their game. Sakura was laying in bed but feeling uncomfortable, feeling the need to go to the bathroom as she sighed exasperated and got up. She cracked open her bedroom door and slightly peeked out into the dark hallway, she couldn't see a thing. She walked out and tried to make her way to the bathroom by feeling around the walls in the dark, she wasn't that far since it was just across from her bedroom. Suddenly a body crashed into hers and pinned her against the wall with one hand covering her mouth stopping her from making any noise and the other pinning her wrists together behind her back. Her eyes wide open started to adjust to the darkness and could make out the figure of a man with dark hair falling down on both sides of his face and slightly above his eyes, he was only inches away and she could see dark onyx eyes looking into her shocked green ones.

"Shh. I hear someone other than Naruto in the house" Sasuke whispered to her as a brief pause allowed them to stare into each others eyes with a lustful look in them, feeling a passionate tension between them due to the position they were in. Sasuke was so closely pressed up on her that he could feel her soft warm body and breasts against him, his face was near enough that he could smell her soft skin, cherry blossom and vanilla. Sasuke let go of her as she breathed out from the release and felt her face heat up from Sasuke's closeness and touch as she followed him down the hallway to find the source of the noise coming from what appeared to be downstairs. Sasuke then stopped in his tracks and motioned Sakura to stop with his hand as they neared the stairs where footsteps can be heard coming closer. He took out a kunai from his pocket and waited by the wall next to the stairs. Sakura watched intensely as the footsteps stopped just a few feet away from them. Sasuke then lunged towards the person who sounded like a man by the sound of the grunt he made at the impact from Sasuke and pinned him to the ground with his kunai pointing at the person's neck as he grunted trying to get out of Sasuke's grasp.

"Sasuke, it's me!" Naruto yelled, Sakura searched around the hallway walls with her hands for a light switch and alas found one, switching it on to reveal Naruto pinned down by Sasuke and Hinata standing nearby with her hands over her mouth, shocked.

"Hinata?" Sakura asked surprised while her heart raced like crazy inside her chest.

"H-hi Sakura" Hinata greeted her nervously with her face bright red. Sasuke sighed out loud frustrated and got off Naruto as he put his kunai away and stood up.

"Godammit Naruto I thought you were someone else. I didn't know exactly when Hinata would be coming over." Sasuke said towards Naruto who was standing up from the ground.

"Wait what?" Sakura intervened, confused at the situation that was happening before her eyes.

"Geez Sasuke, you could've killed me just then" Naruto answered Sasuke as he ignored Sakura's question. His heart was racing twice as much as Sakura's at the moment from the impact that Sasuke gave him.

"I don't take things lightly" Sasuke answered back casually as Sakura kept staring back and forth between Sasuke and Naruto.

"What are both you and Sakura doing up anyway hmm?" Naruto said teasingly staring at the two as Sakura blushed at his question but attempted to avert from having to answer.

"Wait, I don't get it. Just what exactly is going on here? You knew Hinata would be here?" Sakura asked Sasuke as he nodded to answer her.

"While Naruto and I were playing and you had left to go to bed, Naruto asked me if Hinata could come over to spend the night since the rules are that you can't leave the mansion. I hesitated at first but knowing him he probably would've ignored my protest and do it anyway so I agreed." Sasuke explained, "ohh" Sakura said as she understood finally what was going on.

"Yeah but you still attacked me even when you knew what was going on" Naruto glared at Sasuke, "like I said before, I didn't know when she'd be coming over, you could've been anybody" Sasuke answered him.

"Whatever, we're going to bed" Naruto said as he turned and grabbed Hinata's hand heading off towards his bedroom, "goodnight Hinata" Sakura chimed teasingly at her as she turned red yet again and waved back. Naruto stopped in his tracks before walking into his room, "goodnight you two" he said to Sasuke and Sakura with a wink and closed the door behind him. Sasuke shook his head and started to walk back to his bedroom as Sakura turned a shade of pink and began to walk back as well, forgetting the feeling of going to the bathroom from all the excitement that just happened, "make sure to turn the lights back off before you go back to your room" Sasuke said as Sakura stopped in her footsteps and turned back to switch off the hallway lights and heard Sasuke's bedroom door close. As Sakura laid in bed completely awake now, she couldn't stop thinking about the incident between her and Sasuke in the hallway, "he was so close to my face, I can't believe how hot he is! and his body was pressed up against me, I could feel him so close. I definitely did not expect that… but it felt so good when he was holding my wrists and his body pressed up against me so closely, he was so warm, and his muscles- oh god Sakura are you crazy?!" Sakura thought as the warm sensation below her belly began to arise at the thought of Sasuke's touch. Sakura shook her head and turned on her side biting her lip, "we still have 2 more days together in this mansion, I'll just have to brush it off as if nothing happened so it won't be awkward between us but… I wonder if he's thinking about it" she thought as she tried to go to sleep. "There's no doubt about it… Sakura's body is perfect. Her smell is so intoxicating, I just had to separate myself from her as quickly as possible before I could be tempted to do something else." Sasuke thought as he laid in bed on his side reminiscing in the memory of Sakura's soft skin and body. He sighed out loud and tried to go to sleep, but it was impossible when all he could think about was the tension between him and Sakura in the hallway when their bodies pressed up against each other. Needless to say, both Sasuke and Sakura couldn't find a way to sleep.

Please R & R! Let me know what you think :) Oh and there will be NaruHina in the next chapter!