Sorry for the late update; I was away and was preparing for Two Hearts continuation. If you've read that and you don't like the end, feel free to read Two Hearts: Revisited (expect the unexpected in there though)

Standard disclaimer applies. Unbeta-ed.

3rd Arc: A Month's Vacation
Chapter 8: Back in the Glamour

The bell chimed as he walked into the restaurant. "Cherry Blossom Room," he asked at the front reception, with the sign of 'Please Wait to be Seated'.

"Name?" Seemed like it's a new girl, Naruto thought. Most of the workers knew their group already.

"Uzumaki Naruto," he said.

"Come with me, Sir," the lady behind the reception brought him into the dim-lighted restaurant. Naruto smiled every time he came to the place. He loved this place even though it was not his.

They walked up the stairs. The upper level had different rooms, most to be booked for private functions. And they were always fully booked.

But one room would always be reserved for them. It's only logical to do so when the group of friends always came here for monthly, or if everyone's too busy, once in two months gathering. Granted, some of the times, not everyone would be there, but it was still good to see each other and have dinner without worries.

At other times, they could each use that reserved room to entertain their own private guests.

Other rooms are usually booked by businessmen, or most commonly celebrities. Naruto could understand why they liked the place so much. It was hidden from public view, and the rooms upstairs only added to the privacy that famous people need so much.

As he was ushered inside, he was greeted with familiar faces, most in the same business as him.

"You're late," pale blue eyes looked at him. Naruto took his designated seat and looked around.

"Looks like I'm not the only one," he commented.

"This is as good as it gets this time," the platinum blonde said lazily. "Chouji just went out to check on our food," She informed him.

Naruto frowned. "Only us this time?" the same girl shrugged. She seemed disappointed too.

"It bounds to happen, Naruto," Another deep voice said. Naruto turned to look at the owner of the deep voice. Light lavender eyes looked back at him, straight dark hair falling gracely behind his back.

"Where's Gaara?" he asked the man, also known as Hyuuga Neji.

"New York. Our client in the Big Apple is just purposely looking for trouble. I supposed this being their first time dealing with us saying as much," Neji smirked.

Naruto paled at that. Years and years ago when he met Gaara in England, he never thought that the red-haired with the word 'Love' tattooed in Japanese on his left side of the forehead would based his business in Perth. Though the main office is in Perth, most of their business activities concentrated more in Sydney, hence when he came here years ago to shoot a movie, he was shocked to get a dinner invitation from the red-haired.

Naruto nodded to Neji's explanation. Hyuuga Neji was once a very well known male model in history. No one else had the aristocratic grace that he had on photography sessions. Naruto met him a few times when he just started runaway modelling, but by that time, it was rumoured that the dark haired model decided to end his career and jumped into the world of business.

The blond was even more shocked to find out that the 'business' that Neji decided to do was joining the Sabaku Group of Companies, which was headed by Gaara. Sabaku Group of Companies was involved in many business ventures, from entrepreneur to film production and clothing line.

Neji's presence was the starting of men's clothing line under the established label, owned by Gaara's sister, the AkaSuna. Speaking of that;

"So, where's Temari?" he looked at another person in the room, the renowned now-solo-singer-slashed-composer Nara Shikamaru.

"Oh, she's gonna be late. Some fussy actress was not happy with her dress or something like that. Kankurou's coming with her," the brunette with high ponytail answered.

"I'm not the only one late, Ino," Naruto looked at the platinum blonde who first greeted him just now.

"Does it make any difference?" Ino smirked.

Naruto sighed. "No. not I guess." The first entrée came in with Chouji tailing behind his workers.

The owner of the restaurant called The Butterfly Garden, Akimichi Chouji, Nara Shikamaru and Yamanaka Ino first came into the music scene in Australia years ago as a group. They grew up together and with their talents (Chouji was really good at drums and Ino was a goddess with the bass guitar) and Shikamaru's voice, their songs were hit within weeks.

But after two years of recording, touring and playing together, they wanted to venture into different things. Ino was more interested in modelling and her exotic look, tall and slim figured really helped her. Chouji was left with Shikamaru and they lasted another year when he decided to open up an exclusive restaurant. Shikamaru worked solo since then. Although he didn't record many albums since then, he composed and wrote a lot for other singers and bands; though sometimes he lent his voice in some animation movie and was invited as featured singer in shows.

"You didn't invite Kakashi this time, Naruto?" Tenten, fellow adopted sibling of Rock Lee just joined their group 2 years prior when she returned from China, searching for her biological parents. She used to work as a free lens journalist in various papers, but now she's working with a top fashion magazine, Australia's branch.

Naruto shook his head, munching the delicious food. "God, this is so good, Chouji! Mind if I badger your cook afterwards?" Naruto grinned foxily. One thing that not many people knew about him that he had fetish for cooking ever since he studied in France.

Chouji laughed, "Nope, go ahead. Just don't annoy him too much though. He might really want to quit this time if you do that," Chouji warned.

"You got it, mate!" Naruto grinned more. "Sorry, Tenten. Kakashi had to stay back; dubbing and sound-mixing are still in process at the moment. I saw Gai when I was coming out, so I guess no extra booze tonight," he grinned.

Both Hatake Kakashi and Maito Gai were scriptwriters-slashed-directors and Gai had always thought Kakashi as his Greatest Rival. They even kept tabs on how many awards they've received- well, it was mostly Gai who did that. Kakashi only entertained the other man because it amused him to do so.

"Right…" Tenten rolled her doe eyes. "Kakashi will be there the whole night then," she snickered. "But he's lucky that Lee is not in with Gai," Tenten added. The other chuckled. Her adopted brother, who also turned out to be Naruto's senior back in Greenbushes was the exact copy of Gai. He's the only one of the two who actually called Gai by Gai-sensei instead of Father; acknowledging his teaching of writing to him.
Tenten was content enough to call Gai by his name instead of any suffix. And being an open-minded as he was, the big guy didn't mind.

"Oh, that reminds me. Lee has a meeting with some producer, so he's not joining us. And Sakura-chan has a surgery to attend to."

Temari and Kankurou strode in when the first entrée was almost finished.

"You want us to wait for you eat before we move on to the main course?" Chouji asked as the two siblings sat; Temari next to her fiancé, Shikamaru; and Kankurou next to her.

The two shook their head. "Let's just skip that now. I'll just help myself with extra servings for the main course," Kankurou said.

"Okay."

"Where's Hinata, Lee and Sakura?" the stylist and make up artist asked after looking around.

"Lee has a meeting and Sakura's in surgery," Naruto answered.

"And Hinata-sama has to go home tonight. Hiashi-sama called for her this afternoon," Neji answered on Hinata's behalf. Most of them could have guessed that answer; that's what usually happened every time Hinata was not able to join them.

"Hiashi is just being an ass," Naruto gritted his teeth. Hinata was a very talented actress. It angered him when someone else, much less a family member, couldn't appreciate her talents. "If he didn't want her to get involved in this business, he should have just stopped her right at the beginning," Naruto commented.

Unfortunately for Hinata, she was the main heir for the Hyuuga Empire. Hiashi-sama had first approved of her acting because he saw it could bring Hinata out of her shyness and improved on her communication skills. However, she found out that she loved acting more than inheriting the huge empire and she had refused it in the past. Hiashi didn't want to hear any of it.

The other reason Hinata refused to inherit the empire was because she knew her little sister, who was cunning in the business world would want it more. She hated it when their father put her first as the heir just because she's the first child. But that didn't help Hiashi's persistence. It almost rivalled Naruto's.

Because of that, Hinata and Hanabi's relationship was strained. Hinata talked to her sister a lot of time and although the younger Hyuuga said she understood, Hinata could still see the jealousy in her sister's eyes.

Neji on the other hand was glad he was not born into the Main family. Hinata and him were first cousins.

"You know the reasons, Naruto," Neji said.

"Yeah. But he also knows how much she doesn't want it. If only he could get it past his thick skull!"

"Says the guy who has a thick skull," Shikamaru drawled lazily.

"Oi! I didn't do anything to insult you, did I?"

"Your constant babbling did…"

"Shut it you guys!" Temari glared at them. Contrary to what they think Temari was, she's way different. She could be sunny and cheerful like Naruto, but you don't want to cross her dark side. How Shikamaru could end up with her, nobody knows.

'Maybe the fact that he's too lazy to do or say anything helps a lot,' Naruto mused. Well, not only Naruto, it seemed that everyone else had the same thought.

Among all of them, she's one of the oldest, after Kankurou. She, after all Gaara's older sister.

Before Neji came, the sunny blonde with dark emerald eyes was fully in charge of AkaSuna Design, the clothing line that she initiated after she graduated and had some working experience. But her designs at that time only concentrated on women's exclusive attire. Now that Neji's here, he took care of the man's line and Temari concentrated on the woman's line. She also designs exclusive evening wears and different season collections in her free time.

Kankurou on the other hand, was the oldest among all; if you take out Kakashi and Gai that is. He's not exactly working with Sabaku Group, although he did own a large sum of shares inside it, alongside Temari, Gaara and Neji. Though he helped them some of the times, his main passion was the work as a stylist and make up artist.

"What's the news with every one? Chop chop! I want to hear new gossips!" Kankurou's eyes twinkled after the two immature guys had shut up.

"You two were not the only ones late, so we haven't start anything yet," Ino said, adding a teasing mark to Naruto.

"Hey! I had to do dubbing before I came here, alright?"

"Of course, Naruto," Ino said teasingly, much to Naruto's annoyance.

"Has Sakura sat for her exam yet?" Tenten purposely asked quickly before the two started teasing, bickering and flirting again. Really, those two had a very weird relationship.

"It's at end of this month I heard," Kankurou chipped in.

"Is this her second time taking the exam?" Neji asked, interested.

"Hey, it's hard, Neji," Naruto defended his 'favourite' girl. Despite the fact that she had gotten together with Rock Lee.

Naruto first met Sakura when he followed Jiraiya to Sydney to visit Tsunade; Jiraiya's life time partner and co-owner of Hidden Leaf Modelling Agency. While Jiraiya took care of the Western Coast Branch, Tsunade was taking care of the Eastern States branch, which was based in Sydney.

At that time, Sakura was a medical intern in a hospital there. She was doing Surgery clerkship, under Tsunade when the elder decided to open her own private practice and pursue further career in plastic surgery. Before that, the busty blonde was working privately at her fellow colleague's clinic and the burden to juggle to jobs at a time made her decided to let go of her position in the hospital and private clinic. She looked after her modelling agency first, a passion that she shared with Jiraiya who at that time was more known as an author rather than a photographer. Tsunade herself was a former Miss Newcastle in the past.

Sakura then was inspired to become a plastic surgeon too; so now she was working as a registrar in Tsunade's clinic. Naruto had liked her so much that he dubbed her his 'favourite' girl.

Ino, who was a childhood friend of Sakura, knew Naruto through modelling. So when he brought her up one day, after his journey back from Sydney to the States, she realized that it was indeed her former best friend back home. The two clicked almost instantly and they were still good friends till now.

"Yes, Naruto, we all know that…" Ino rolled her eyes at his 'possessiveness'.

They talked and exchange updates on their career, giving and receiving tips and words of wisdom. Naruto recalled his journey back home a few days ago and reminisced about his past comparing to his life now. He wanted to proceed with his plan, but he wasn't sure if it was the best one.

He looked at Shikamaru. The latter saw the look and arched his brown brows.

When he said to Sasuke that he wanted to take a break, it was still a plan back then, not a confirmed plan, but a plan nonetheless in his head. It was true that he needed a break but he had done lot of thinking since then. And slowly, he formed a map of what he wanted to do in the future, but it also meant a slow-down in his career.

"I have something to say, guys," Naruto said suddenly. Shikamaru gave him a look that said 'Finally!' Despite the lazy façade the brunette let people believed he's one, he is actually a genius in disguise.

"Nani?" Tenten looked interested. Years of being a journalist/reporter made her instinct of juicy news kicked in.

"Actually, I want to ask of your opinion," the blond started.

"Go on, Blondie," Temari gauged when the former was silent.

Naruto took a big breath. "I was thinking of retiring from modelling," he announced. Ino gaped at this; horrified look was on her face. "But you're just 25! You're at the peak of your career, Uzumaki!" she gasped.

"It doesn't mean I will stop acting," Naruto frowned. The rest of the group was as shocked as Ino. Except maybe two- Chouji never stopped eating, and Shikamaru didn't look interested, as though he had guessed what Naruto was going to say.

"I've been thinking. I'll probably slow down in acting, you know. If good scripts come in, I'll accept. But I want to spend the rest of my time doing something else." Neji put on his impassive face, but inside, he was just as curious as the rest at what Naruto was going to say next.

"What's this 'something else', Naruto?" Ino asked, annoyed. She saw how he was in front of cameras. The cameras loved him and he in returned return the passion. That was why he always had good deals nowadays, even though most of his time now is dedicated to acting.

Everybody in the room knew how dedicated Naruto was with his work.

"I'll… come to that… I just have to explain things one by one to you guys first…" Maybe this wasn't going well.

"Okay, Uzumaki. Spill it. What is actually your plan for the future? Stop modelling and take less acting offer. Is that it?" Shikamaru, the one who was most quiet in the group spoke.

"That's the general plan, yeah."

"And where will you base? Sydney?" the interrogator asked more. Even Tenten was impressed with his skills. He was the one who should be the reporter, not her.

"Umm… Perth?" Naruto looked nervous. "What?!" there were chorus of exclamation on that. People based in Sydney, or Melbourne, or Gold coast, but seldom, rarely Perth. Granted, Sabaku Groups and Hidden Leaf based in Perth, but their hub of main activities located in Sydney.

"Does this have anything to do with your visit to Perth while you were shooting the film?" Tenten asked suddenly. Shikamaru applauded her for that internally. Asking Naruto was too much trouble.

"Kind of…." The group knew about Naruto's actual background; his real background, not the fictional one that Jiraiya fed the public.

"You went back home, didn't you?" Tenten asked with narrowed eyes.

There was a thick silence. "I saw him…" Naruto's voice was lowered. This, he never told his friends. He just revealed that he had good friends, a very dedicated teacher and his adopted family, but never about his relationship with Sasuke. Heck, he had never even mentioned Sasuke's name.

"Who?" Ino couldn't help to question him when the blond didn't answer.

"Him, my best friend. He… everything's changed since back then. He didn't go to uni as planned. He even got married and has a son! And now, now he's blind! I feel so guilty, guys. I mean, I told you how I went to the city to look for a job and was found by Jiraiya who later took me to France and that's how my luxurious life started. But the truth is, I was supposed to go to the city to help fund his uni fees and when he's finished high school, he's supposed to go to uni and then helped me to find a better job or went into TAFE or something…" Naruto ranted.

"I didn't send him any news since I left. Saved for one pathetic phone call. And not just no news to him, but to everyone else who cared about me back then.

And then I found out that my Guardian has died. They couldn't even tell me because they didn't know where I was. God, I feel so terrible!"

They were all shock to hear such painful confession from Naruto. Sure, Naruto had broken down in stress before, but he recovered quickly. This was just… something else.

"So now you want to go back and make amends. Right?" Shikamaru was the first one who spoke up.

"I don't know. I was thinking of taking a month's break and go home, getting to know those people I left behind. And then, I was thinking of taking Sasuke to Perth. He had really wanted to pursue his lessons in piano, but he never had the chance…"

"You know that you making all the plans might not work, Naruto?" Shikamaru voiced out, able to see it from different angle.

Naruto sighed. He raked his hands into the golden blond locks.

"Naruto, I think your idea to take a month's break and go home is a good one. But don't just jump into another person's life and demand they follow what you think is the best. From what you said, I guess your action now is driven mostly by guilt.

As much as you want this for your best friend, Naruto, he might not like it. You both might have grown up together, but you've left home for about 10 years and in that 10 years, a lot have changed. Look at yourself now. You're dining with us in an exclusive restaurant. Just try imagining bringing him here now. That would be awkward, wouldn't it?"

The rest was at awe at how Shikamaru could summarise it. This guy could even be a politician. Or tactician; that's even better.

"Shika's right, Naruto. You do look tired. Take some time off. When you go home, think about this again carefully," Temari said at last.

"Yes. And if you really want to give this guy a life he never has, you have to really convince him. You can't do that in a few days," Neji added his two cents.

"Mmm.." Chouji nodded, still munching. "Your home is a country side, ne? That will be relaxing. Maybe then you can make a sound judgement?"

"I think you have to let him to trust you once again, Naruto," Kankurou smiled encouragingly. "10 years is a long time and for all you know, he's perception of you have changed."

Ino smiled, touching her hands onto his gently, "If you really care about him, you have to learn about the new him too, right?"

"And once the trust has been built again, you could always have a discussion with this Sasuke. You'll never succeed if you don't earn his trust, Naruto," Tenten chipped in.

"See? You do have understanding friends. And there are still 4 more people who would share the same thoughts if they are here," Ino said.

"Just take your phone with you, kid. We're just a phone call away," Temari winked.

"Gaara and I will be in Perth once he returns," Neji informed the blond. He nodded in understanding.

"And I think Jiraiya will be in Perth too…" Voice a lot more in confidence, Naruto grinned. He did have more support than he imagined.

"Thanks, guys!" Smiles adorned the Cherry Blossom Room.

"Okay! Who's up for dessert?" Chouji grinned widely.

I'm coming home, Sasuke. This time, let's pick up where we left off, okay?

TBC
Comments are much appreciated; they make me feel loved! ♥♥ XD