Like a Star

03

A/N: My mind was blocked, big time.

Disclaimer: Nu'uh. Never.

The place was a joy of havoc. People were strolling everywhere with their own personal luggage and those of their relative's. Sakura observed this as she walked away from the aisle of baggages, long after claiming hers. She couldn't believe she was in a whole other country but as she walked further she saw foreign letters she assumed to be Korean, which she then realized that she was finally there. This was all, in fact, real.

Things would only be slightly better if there weren't this much people around.

So now she was walking down an isle, crowded with people at either both sides of the railings, holding up signs scrawled with names they were to escort. Her eyes searched and scanned most signs but none of them that had her name. This would take a while, she thought.

Sigh.

Scan.

Haruno Sakura, she could've sworn she read it off some large block-letters inscribed sign, so she walked back a few steps and bumped into a few people on the way; they all scowled and hissed at her.

'Sorry' Sakura quickly apologized and looked around for that sign and there it was.

Her lips curved into a toothless, shine-radiating smile as she proceeded towards the person who held her name.

'Haruno Sakura?' the boy asked her, eyeing her hair down to her shoes. Said person nodded timidly.

'That's me.'

There was something about the way he wore those oversized sunglasses. It was suspicious considering the fact that the indoor wasn't that bright. Sakura scrutinized his sunny hair and those marks across his tanned cheeks. Something about his concealed face screamed familiarity to her, like something or someone she'd seen around before.

The boy grinned.

'I'm Uzumaki Naruto, I would be escorting you for Sa…uh…Onyx.' He corrected himself with a sheepish rub on the back of his head.

Something told her that Onyx had warned him from telling her his real name.

Sakura smiled and extended her hand, 'Pleasure to meet you, Naruto.'

He looked at her admiringly and shook her outstretched hand.

'I bet you'd like it here during your stay.'

'Can't wait to see more of it.' She stared outside through the sheen of glass. Once she sets foot outside, Sakura thought, her trip would have just started.

Naruto smiled to himself and walked away to the long vehicle waiting outside for them.

And waited for Sakura to follow.

'Wow this place is huge!'

Sakura stepped into her hotel suite that was half covered in large panels of windows. Through the tinted glass she could see and hear the whispering sighs of ocean overlapping white sand, it was breathtaking.

Naruto carefully set her luggage against the cream colored wall.

'Well…it really is…' Naruto said in awe, eyeing the place for the first time. Damnit Sasuke, and you said there wasn't anything going on between you and this pretty girl, and here you bought probably the most expensive suite in Seoul.

Sakura eyed the tiny figures below the building like block toys moving about in action; like miniatures.

'It's so…high'

The rush of vertigo swept over her and she backed away from the windows.

A grumbling noise rippled through the room.

Naruto stifled his laughter when Sakura blushed red.

'Sorry that was…unexpected.' She said, twirling a tendril of pink hair.

'Don't worry, I bet you're starving.'

Sakura was quiet for a while and nodded.

'I'll treat you to lunch.' He said.

Sakura and Naruto sat together in a café, somewhere close by the hotel.

It was a simple place, and as simplistic as it was it had the aura of serenity radiating from the gushing waterfall and blooming vibrant colored flowers. The smell was also pleasant, the scent of tropical fruits and baked goods overwhelmed her nose as the waiter delicately handed them their menu.

She scanned over the list of food and it sounded mouth-watering that it made her indecisive.

'So what would you have?' Naruto asked, long after scanning the very familiar menu for the sixth time that week.

Sakura was still looking for something that appealed to her the most, which proved to be slightly impossible; everything sounded and looked delicious.

'I can't make my mind up.' She pouted. 'What will you have?'

'Ramen.' He winked. Naruto obviously knew what he wanted even before he came. It was either that or he really loved ramen.

'The steamed fish sounds good…' her green eyes glazed over the picture of fresh steamed fished herbed with exotic spices. 'I think I'll have that.' Sakura closed her menu shut with glee, happy with her decision.

After long ordering their meals, it was delivered a half hour later. By the time it had arrived, she had dived into her meal, unable to stop her hunger from ravishing it.

Naruto too had long finished his ramen in a mere of several big gulps.

'So how long will you be staying?' he asked, sipping his icy water.

'A week,' she replied and eyed him, 'You don't seem Korean.'

Naruto laughed.

'Nah, I'm Japanese, just like you.' He grinned.

Sakura smiled, 'Are you here for a holiday too?'

'Nope, work purposes. I travel when it's needed.'

'Is that often?'

Naruto sighed. 'Pretty much, it could get pretty…hectic.'

Sakura leaned forwards in interest and rested her chin on her palm.

'What do you do? You seem pretty young to do something that requires that much traveling.'

'I'm a DJ, I host a famous radio station.'

Sakura's green eyes glistened slightly, 'That's so cool!'

Her praise had poked a soft spot in his ego, which resulted him to smirk brightly, happy to be appreciated.

'Thanks.' He smiled and lifted his dark tinted sunglasses where it rested on his wild blonde hair. Sakura couldn't help but to sink in his pool of wide sapphire eyes.

'I'm guessing that you're still in school?'

'Pretty much.'

'Spring break?'

'Yeah.'

Naruto snickered, 'Haha, I bet it's tiring.'

'It really is,' she sighed, 'In two years time I'd be done with it.' Both of her hands made a cutting motion to dramatize her statement.

Naruto nodded, understood her eagerness to leave high school as soon as she could. After a while, his mobile beeped.

He glanced briefly at the screen.

'I have to take this, sorry.' He excused himself and flicked his sunglasses back on.

Sakura waved her hand dismissively, encouraged him to take his phone call and not to worry about her.

'Hello?'

'It's me.'

'Yea, I pretty much guessed from your Caller-ID flashing madly on my mobile.'

Naruto heard Sasuke grunt on the other end of the line.

'Has she arrived yet?'

'Oh yea, a while back. Having lunch now.' Naruto stated gleefully.

Even without being able to see his friend, Naruto could sense Sasuke grinning.

'Where you guys at?'

'Café Libro'

'Everything went alright?'

A ruffling noise could be heard in the background, along with struggling noises Naruto recognized really well as shoving through a crowd of insisting fans. Sasuke was probably on the way back to his suite.

'Yup! She's enjoying it so far. And guess what teme—'

Sasuke grunted.

'—she's so much prettier in person!' Naruto beamed.

'She must be really tired, shouldn't you be taking her to her room?'

'Room? That place was a fucking palace. Speaking of which.' Naruto glanced back at Sakura who looked around in earnest, 'What's up with you and Sakura-chan anyways?'

'Sakura-chan?' Sasuke questioned the suffix as Naruto grinned sheepishly.

'Don't avoid the question.'

Sasuke sighed, 'There's nothing going on dobe, we're just friends.'

'Whatever.' Naruto rolled his eyes, 'Anyways I should get back to her now, wouldn't want to abandon her for some asshole like you.' He contentedly dissed Sasuke who scowled at the remark.

'Will you guys be there for long?'

'Maybe, she's really cool to talk to.'

Naruto flashed a smile when he waved back to Sakura to show that he would be done with the call soon.

'Okay—I'd be there soon.'

'Now?' Naruto asked.

'Yeah. Stall her up, I'm gonna get ready.

Naruto scoffed, knowing well that Sasuke would need a lot of time to cover up to be able to avoid attention all over. He took more time than an average-superficial woman ever would.

''Kay. Take as much time as you want, I have no problem with spending the entire day with her.' Naruto snickered mischievously.

'Try not to freak her out, dobe.' Sasuke's tone of voice was a warning.

He rolled his blue eyes again, 'Whatever, listen I'll see you later alright?'

'Yeah. Bye.'

Click.

Naruto headed back to his seat and apologized that it took a while.

'It was Onyx,' Naruto answered Sakura's unasked question, 'He's coming over.'

Sakura's heart thudded against her chest; she was finally going to meet him.

'When?'

'Right now.'

She tilted her head slightly to the side and Naruto couldn't help but to think how cute she looked.

'What if he doesn't recognize me?' Sakura asked, she felt very comfortable around Naruto already.

The blonde waved his hand glibly. 'He definitely will, don't worry.'

But Sakura couldn't help herself but to do so, and stared anxiously on the marble tiled floor.

'Cheer up Sakura-chan!'

Sakura looked up at the mention of her name, his voice had enthused the anxiety away.

Her lips lifted to a smile.

'Can't wait to see him!'

Naruto grinned.

'I'm sure he can't wait to see you too.

Night had befallen Seoul and the sky was a dark hue of glittery purple. Sakura was still at Café Libro with Naruto, chatting the day —soon to be night — away. It was definitely a lot of fun meeting someone famous, Sakura thought, and it was interesting to see people star-struck while asking for his autograph while they also eyed her in admiration. As much as she cared to admit, she really liked the attention. Just a little though, it could get quite annoying.

'It's been hours…don't you think?' Sakura finally asked.

'Yea it has,' Naruto took in the dark surroundings around him, 'Where's Onyx?' he asked particularly no one but himself.

Sakura shrugged and tucked a pink strand behind her ear.

'Busy maybe?' she asked, though she was quite doubtful…just a little.

Naruto shrugged and his mobile flashed with light, there was a message incoming.

'I'm here.' It read and the boy grinned.

'He's right outside.'

A/N: .Fave! (&Review) -wink-