Standard disclaimers apply.
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Prelude
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"We're going to be late!"
"Alright, I'm coming." Always in a rush … geeze, cut me some slack. She picked up her purse with her Cybershot camera hidden in one of its numerous pockets. On the way out, she double checked her apartment before embarking on a two week vacation.
Outside, the rain came down in buckets. The droplets felt more like needles poking on her bare arms. It was supposed to be sunny with highs in the 80s in the city that never sleeps.
"What a drag. You make me the luggage guy again." His shoulders were slumped, as he pulled the caravan of suitcases that were trailing behind him. "Where's Naruto?"
"I'm here," his distinctive voice came by the limo parked outside. "I can't wait for this trip."
"You mean if," Sakura interjected. "Who knows if we'll be delayed or not…"
Ino jabbed her at her forehead, "Way to kill the mood."
"Quit it Pig," both were quarreling like cats hissing at each other.
Shikamaru tried to intervene, "Ladies, ladies…" all he received were death glares coming from both females that were still heated in their debate.
Meanwhile, Naruto slid into the large limo. Probably, his smartest move he made. By the time the whole group joined in with him, they were drenched head to toe. "Don't blame me if you all catch a cold."
"Thanks for your help, Naruto." Shikamaru stretched out a kink in his back. "Next time, pack lightly." He looked accusingly at his girlfriend.
"Don't look at me. It's going to be nice and hot over there." She wrung out the excess water from her hair.
The limo edged off into the congested streets. At least, they decided to leave early. Time was unpredictable, and so was the traffic.
"How long does it take to get to JFK?" Naruto muttered, "I think I saw a snail crawl even faster."
The girls were off in their own world of gossip. Both were wondering if they'll meet any hot foreigners along their way.
"I'll pretend I didn't' hear that." Shikamaru opened his eyes from light meditation.
"Just go back to your meditation," she quipped back.
"I sure will." He closed his eyes again.
"Are we there yet?" Naruto began to fidget in his seat.
"No."
Five minutes later, "Are we there yet?"
"No."
Five minutes later again, "Are we there yet?"
"No," Sakura gritted through her teeth. She was ready to clock him. "We're stuck in traffic!"
Ino pulled out her Blackberry and checked their flight status, "It's still on time," with a look of amazement in her eyes.
"That's a good sign," Sakura sighed. She glared at Naruto to keep his pestering questions at bay. If this was a prelude of what he was capable of doing on the flight, she prayed for multiple interesting movies or soundproof headphones.
The driver finally pulled into JFK. One hurdle was finished, as another one began. The group quickly exited from the black vehicle and walked through the doors, trying to figure out their terminal.
The PA system overhead blared out numerous flight delays. Of all days, he had to pick a day with rain involved. He kept his profile low so that he could easily weave through the sea of travelers. Karin flipped when he decided to take his vacation without her.
"What ya mean you're going on vacation?" She stared at him through her ruby rimmed glasses.
"I'm going alone."
She looked at him suspiciously, "You really don't mean it."
"I do." His voice never wavered.
"But Sasuke…"
"No butts."
"Fine then, don't blame me if you see stacks of paper when you return."
"Whatever." He walked away from his secretary's empty threat.
"You can't just leave me here with Kakashi. How's the work supposed to be finished?" The lady was on the verge of tears.
He went into his office, "You can deal with it," and closed the door behind him.
That was a week ago when he decided to drop the bombshell. He had finally taken a vacation in three years.
"Flight 4230 nonstop to…" The female voice blared over the intercom.
On cue, he joined in the mass of tourists and for once he felt normal. Probably because no one knew that a rich, eligible bachelor was on board. Finally, a little rest and relaxation is in order.
"I got the window seat."
Sakura was already getting annoyed by the over-hyperactive blond. She swore he had a touch of ADHD at points. "Fine by me," she muttered. This was going to be a long flight. She settled by the aisle, and paid no attention to the other passengers, not even the stoic Uchiha that she passed moments earlier. "I swear Naruto, if you're rowdy, I will hit you."
"Already having the time of the month?"
"Naruto," she knew he was pushing her boundaries. More like testing them. "Wait 'til I tell Hinata about you."
Soon enough, the engines roared to life, and the tarmac was becoming a rapid blur of black. Naruto finally settled into the movie that was playing. Sakura stole a quick glance at Ino and found her already sleeping on Shikamaru's shoulder. Finally, peace at last. She pulled out her Kindle and began to read. Her green eyes absorbed the lines quickly on the electronic screen. She absolutely loved the device. No more packing ten paperbacks with her. Those days are history now.
"This is your Captain…the weather…degrees F…and there's no rain…predicted…for the…." A shout of joy spread throughout the cabin. Sasuke dozed back and forth until he heard the cacophony. He didn't realize how extremely tired he was. He already slept for about an hour and a half into the flight.
Two rows ahead of him, he spotted a head full of bubble gum pink hair. The color stuck out like a sore thumb. No, it was the only one that stuck out from the crowd. "Who would have that hair color?"
He continued to observe and found her reading. Go figure. A nerd. What he saw next, shocked his system.
"Naruto, you idiot," her voice raised in annoyance.
Thwack. Thwack.
"Why did you do that for?" He rubbed his head over the area where she had hit him. "You didn't use that on me?" He pointed to her Kindle.
"No." She glared at him. "I used this instead."
Thwack.
"Stop it," he tried to grab the rolled up magazine.
"Don't you ever lean your head on my shoulder."
Naruto was about to say something. "Is everything alright miss?" The stewardess looked at the pair.
"Everything's fine over here. My friend is being a ruckus right now." She put on her fake smile and watched the female attend to other passengers.
Sasuke wasn't sure what to think of her. He found her to be annoying, yet having a split personality. He moved his stare away from the female passenger and thought nothing of her for the remainder of the flight.
Instead his gaze returned to his laptop. Already messages were coming in from the office. He clicked on them mechanically, and earmarked them back to the office directly to Karin's account. That'll keep her busy, he smirked.
Two seconds later…
Why must you continually torment your secretary?
Because I can.
Another five seconds later…
… you better watch your back, Uchiha.
He could just picture her now back at her desk, getting frazzled over his slightest remarks about anything. His email account showed another message but this time it was from his partner.
Stop tormenting her already. I need a capable secretary to file these reports. And next time, tell me when you're going on vacation!
His fingers quickly struck several keys in succession, and earmarked his last email to his staff.
LEAVE ME ALONE! He counted out the seconds after, and not one email came back to his inbox.
After the fiasco with Naruto, things finally settled down again for the umpteenth time. Sakura gazed out the window, staring at the endless sea of darkness. Either they were over the Atlantic Ocean or close to land. She preferred the latter...hopefully. It was disorienting to say the least. She couldn't tell whether up was down or down was up. Reaching over Naruto, she pulled down the shade and stopped her self-induced vertigo. He was out cold. Now only if he could remain like that for the rest of the flight, but that was just wishful thinking.
Not soon afterwards, the rest of the cabin dimmed its lights. It was a sign for her to get some sleep. She reached up towards the light switch and turned it off.
Eight hours later.
"Ladies and gentleman, welcome to Venice, the city of water. Thank you for flying with us, and enjoy your stay."
"We're finally here. I can't believe it," Ino turned around to see Sakura slowly waking up.
"It's about time; I can't wait for my own room." She stretched in her seat. "And my very own bed," she sighed
"Let's go," Naruto was the first to bolt from his seat. All he could think of was Hinata.
"What a drag, now we have to deal with more crowds." He let out a yawn. "Terrific."
The quartet made their way to the exit, eagerly ready to start sightseeing. Sakura continued to walk along the aisle and caught a sight of unruly hair sticking up in an abnormal pattern. Her green eyes darted to the passenger, but he looked like he was asleep. She bit down her lip wondering if she should wake him, but at the same time, she felt Ino prodding from behind her. "Alright, Pig, I'm moving."
"You better be."
Sasuke pretended not to be eavesdropping on their conversation. After they were cleared from his area, he went to grab his carry-on from the overhead compartment. The scent hit him in a subtle way. The smell of cherry blossoms clung in the air.
"Hn." He followed the rest of the passengers out through the exit. This better be worth it.
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A/N: How was that? Updates will be random, I can guarantee that one. Thanks for reading. Comments and critiques are welcomed.
- WL