Italics = Sakura's past life/ dreams.

Chapter 1

Naruto characters belong to Kishimoto Masashi…

Defying the Word Love

If he was the sun,

I would be the moon.

His smile reflected light to my world.

Chapter One

Late at night I let my eyes close to take me to my sanctuary, a place away from my worries and fears. An enchantment of my life, a dimension where only I can escape to, away from reality and the cruelty of this world.

I felt the warmth of a man embracing me; his solid arms hovered over my back to provide me with support. His head looked down and I felt his eyes centered at me however my surrounding was too dark for me to interpret his features clearly. There was only a limited amount of moonlight for me to make out the colour of his skin.

A deep shade of brown…

He kissed my cheek lightly, which made me blush a crimson shade of red. His lips fitted perfectly to mine and it sent soft tingling ripples down my spine. He parted my lips with his tongue, and deepened the kiss to bring upon a sensual feeling unlike anything I had ever felt. I wished time could be frozen so that I could taste the sweetness of his ecstasy.

He was like an addiction…

His voice was deep, confident, happy and warm. I was laughing at his jokes, he must be a man with a good sense of humour; I listened to his light chuckle and wished that I could join him in this enthralling world. It felt like paradise next to him so I never wanted to wake up. Please God don't make me wake up.

.

.

.

I opened my eyes and he was gone…

"I'm going to head out for work now Grandma, please take care of yourself."

"Don't work too late dear."

"I'll try."

Grandma was the only family I have because my Mum, being the only child had died in a tragic traffic accident. It was a case of hit and run and the murderous driver was never found as of today. I don't know anything about my father, the only information I have was that he had left my mother before I was born.

I gave grandma a hug before I headed off to "The Divine Palace," which was a five star Chinese restaurant. The eatery was an elegant piece of architecture built next to a beach, only the rich and wealthy could afford the expensive cuisines cooked by some of the world's most famous chefs.

How did a simpleton like me get this job? Mind you it was a very adequate paying job and the tips given were extremely generous. I became a waitress out of connections. The father of my best friend, Ten Ten was one of the highly phrased authentic Chinese chefs. I had known Ten Ten ever since I was a toddler because we used to be neighbours. However, the discovery of Mr. Chen's cooking talents had blossomed and set our worlds apart.

As I entered the restaurant through the staff door from the back, I put on my unreadable merry expression. Over the years, I have adopted to hide my feelings behind a porcelain smile. I don't need anyone's sympathy, I hope they'd just leave me alone and let me be. Like a worm I wanted to dwell in my soil and never come out to meet the sun, because if I did I would die.

I greeted all the kitchen staff as I headed towards the grand internal structure of the eatery. A famous interior designed devised the layout; the ornamentation was simplistic but had the ability to bring about a class to the restaurant. Strands of material draped along the ceiling, the material was spread like a flower with many petals. In the center of the massive space was a man made waterfall, the water flowed from all sides so whichever direction you sat, a piece of the exquisite scenery could be admired.

As the name of the restaurant suggested, everyone who dined here was supposed to feel like a king or a queen. The restaurant was spacious and offered a limited number of guest tables and chairs. Only the first 50 booked customers could dine in such an explicit location.

As I pushed the door to the eatery area, I was unaware of a man approaching this way. My carelessness of not looking up made me bump into a tall man. His hard jaws crushed my forehead bruising it slightly. He had an unfriendly and stoic expression; if looks could kill then I would have died then and there. His cold eyes pierced into my soul sending chills down my spine.

He didn't look concerned and he showed no signs of apologising.

"Watch where you are going next time or your time here is over," he threatened.

I wanted to leave it at that and proceed to my set tasks, but my dignity won't let this insolent and arrogant young man boss me around. After all, who did he think he was? The copper black haired man was dressed elaborately like a high-class waiter. His face was unfamiliar; perhaps he had just started working here? In other words, maybe I could hold a higher position than him.

"Who do you think you are? Telling me that my time here is over. If you hadn't sped up to the door, then I wouldn't have bumped into you!" I accused.

"I am the o-" he trailed as an amused smile crept up to his face, "actually I'm a new worker here. Is your head alright?"

I was stoned by his question; this man does have compassion after all. I replied, "it hurts a little but I'll be fine. Look where you are going next time."

I went back to taking orders, flashing everyone with my warm smile. I took great pride doing my job, I loved dealing with customers and helping them when they were unsure of what to eat. I'd recommended my favourite Chinese dishes to them, which were rich in texture and taste. The only times I had tried it was during my birthdays along the years from Ten Ten's father.

As the evening proceeded, a man with two women by each of his side entered. The doorman greeted them before directing the group to their designated table. I moved over to take their orders or to be at their service if they wanted a wine or Champaign bottle. The blond haired man seemed to ignore me, he carried on his conversation with the beautiful women, and at close distance I realized they were twins!

"Excuse me sir, may I take your order?" I asked politely.

His sea-blue eyes gazed into mine, he stood up automatically and advanced closer to me. He wrapped his arms tightly around me, which made me freeze, this feeling, it seemed so familiar. Where have I seen this guy? It felt really right to be held within his arms; even for a stranger he emitted a warm aurora.

Suddenly, someone behind me was disentangling his arms. I turned my neck slightly and noticed the new waiter with a worried expression. His cold eyes focused on the blond haired man accusingly. The waiter grabbed my hand like he owned me, and I watched in horror as his mouth twisted slightly.

"Don't touch her, you have my warning. You try anymore of these inappropriate gestures you'll be out of here, understood," he threatened.

My hand remained held tightly in the waiter's hand; he took me through the back door where we headed towards the beach. I seriously didn't know what was wrong with him, but I remained silent. His hands were quite warm and they gave me a sense of protection. I also found this sentimental side of this young man interesting.

We walked quietly towards the soft sand where the waves broke peacefully. It was a cool tranquil night while the full moon shone brightly down on us. There was no need for communication, as it would only destroy the calmness of the wilderness around us.

I broke the silence and whispered, "I think we should head back, we can't take time off work like this."

He placed a finger on my lip to quiet me, he gestured me to sit next to him on the soft sand. I obliged, this man had the power to ease away my worries. He seemed so confident and in control, for the next hour I remained seated next to him. The rhythm of the waves was very graceful and mellow, as if a spell had been placed on me, my head drifted towards his shoulder.

I closed my eyes and fell asleep.

My only want

A single wish, if you could

Grant me in your arms forever…

The essence of the waiter's perfume around his neck was making me sleepy. Ironically it reminded me of the burning of incense, but nonetheless I enjoyed the scent of it. I could feel my eyelids drooping as a side of my cheek laid on his shoulder. One of his arms covered my shoulder, closing the space between us; I threw away my usual self and snuggled closer to his warmth.

I was standing alone before I recognised the surrounding of my ongoing dream. The moon was always one fifth full like it was smiling down on me. There were too many stars in the sky to count; they were like spotlights shining downwards to the beach, my stage.

He would be waiting for me…

The circumference around him would be lit to endorse me to approach him. I felt like an insect being lured by the light he emitted. With each step I took the more dangerous it became, I was playing with fire. Seriously, if I was to touch him, then wouldn't I be burnt? Sizzled alive.

The life of an insect, how absurd…

I accounted all the risks, yet my legs continued to head towards him; my whole body was betraying me. The urge of my lust for him had taken total control over the little conscious I had had. Heat surged within me as my arms wrapped around his neck. He placed an arm behind my back to hold me in place, while his head leaned downwards to grant me of my wish.

A kiss…

.

.

.

My eyes opened slowly as I felt an unfamiliar touch compressed to my lips. This man had taken my first kiss, something that I had never thought about doing, except in my dreams. I realised my body was on his lap as he continued to kiss me, yet I had felt no objection. Rather, I was curious by this new elation of sensitivity.

I think he took that as a queue to proceed with the kiss as he unclasped my lips with his tongue. My body felt like it was possessed as all rational thoughts were being eliminated, what mattered was the connection between us. My lips felt like they had a mind of their own, and they wanted to be pressed against this man who I have never met until tonight.

My chest heaved as our passion continued; my hands matted his hair, disheveling it everywhere. He tasted like coffee as I explored the inner part of his tongue, bitter and tasteless. When I travelled down to the tip of his tongue, I could only taste the sweetness and madness of what I was doing.

I broke free of his kiss…

I could feel the heat on my face as I blushed, what have I done? I must have been possessed! I felt disgusted and a part of me felt repressed. My mind was blank and I didn't know how to interpret these new feelings I'm experiencing. I removed myself from him and sat half a meter away. Never had I felt affection from another man, so I let myself curl into a ball, it was out of fear and a part of my body's defensive mechanism.

He placed a hand on my shoulder softly.

"You're shivering! Are you ok?" He asked.

"I'm fine, leave me alone!" I shouted.

"If it was because of the kiss, I'm sorry." He replied.

I didn't know how to respond so I did the only thing I knew how, I ignored him. He could get the silent treatment. I held my spot and remained curled in my position, arms wrapped tightly around my knees. Suddenly his strong arms tackled mine trying to break loose of the barrier that I had built. I struggled against him, but my attempt seemed futile, within seconds he had cuffed my hands.

He toppled over and landed on top of me, his head on my chest. My female instinct took control and he would taste my wrath. I shoved him to the side with all my might.

"Don't you dare touch me again! I can take care of myself just fine! I don't need a stranger like you to comfort me, who do you think you are? Stay a meter radius away from me, no, make that five!" I yelled.

If he had smirked I could not tell, because that expression was gone. He stood up and responded, "If you insist, between I have never kissed an unattractive woman such as yourself." With that, he left me standing in the cold.

"Bastard." I whispered softly after he was gone.

When I got back into the restaurant I was told off for taking a break in the middle of my duties. I secretly hoped that the black haired waiter would get fired. If he remained I could picture my life working here being miserable. I still had to stay for another half an hour before my shift was over.

"A blond haired man left this for you," said the supervisor.

I took a card from his hand and read:

Naruto Uzumaki

EO of Toshiba Pty Ltd

Contact no. 1234 1234

Don't ask me how I got home by myself, I just did. Yes, it's not right for a girl to be travelling home late at night, however I lived in a pretty safe community. The thought of the new waiter troubled me, I didn't even ask him for his name. When I got home I just slumped on my double sized bed and fell asleep without brushing my teeth. It was a dirty habit, and I'd pay the price sooner or later.

I never set an alarm to wake myself because I prefered to get up whenever I felt like it. Eventually my head felt sore from too much sleeping, I squinted at my digital clock next to me and the big red digits read 1 p.m. My work commences at 5 so I decided to freshen up myself.

I was enjoying myself in the bathtub before the telephone rang but I chose to ignore it. After a while the phone continued ringing so I decided to give the person on the other side a break. I wrapped a towel around myself and then headed towards my cordless phone. I pressed the talk button and greeted the person on the line.

"Hello."

"Hi, do you happen to be related to Megumi Haruno?"

"Y-yes, did something happen to her?" I asked nervously.

"Sorry to inform you but she was in a serious road accident, she's at the Royal Paddington Hospital in the emergency ward. She needs a heart transplant as soon as possible or she may not make it pass tonight," the female voice advised.

"Find her a heart then," I replied.

"It's not that easy plus the cost of these operations…"

"Cost? You are asking me for money when my grandma is dying? Just find her a heart, I'll pay for it!" I yelled at her.

"Even if we do find a suitable match, you need to pay $150 000US up front."

"I don't have that much money!"

"I am very sorry but…"

I clicked the button to end the line; my hand was so weak that I dropped the phone. I was scared and speechless, Grandma was the only person I loved the most in this world and now she was dying. What could I do? Nothing. I curled myself up in a ball again but there was no time to lose.

I gazed at the carpeted floor in front of me and noticed a white card. It was the blond haired man's contact, which I had flimsily tossed on the ground last night. I picked it up and decided to dial the number. EO- Excecutive Officer. That meant he was rich right? He could help me, yes? Why would he help me? But it was worth a shot to dial the number.

"Hi, Mr Uzumaki is apparently busy, please leave your name and message," said the receptionist on the phone.

"My name is Sakura Haruno, can you please put me on the line to Mr Uzumaki, it's an emergency I beg you, please." I cried.

"Ok. Hold on a second, I'll ask him if he'd like to speak with you."

Dude dude beep…

"Hello Sakura, have we met before?" asked a cheery male voice.

"Restaurant, last night, you came with the twin ladies. I was the waitress." Sakura exclaimed.

"Oh, how lovely to hear you call me so soon. What may I do for you?" Naruto asked.

"A heart transplant for my grandma, if you can find one for her before the end of tonight I'd do anything for you?"

"Anything?"

"Anything!"

TBC