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"Thank you for everything. I really appreciate you being there for me." Sakura said embracing her step-mom in her arms with a crushing hug that made her gasp a bit. “Sorry!" The young woman said bashfully at her own strength. She made it a new years resolution last year to hit the gym regularly.

"That's alright, but make sure you visit us when you reach your goals, okay?" She said with a loving smile. Sakura's father hummed in quiet agreement to which she replied with a nod.

A woman over the loud speaker announced that her flight was now boarding. With another quick hug, the older woman whispered in her ear. "I snuck you a couple thousand dollars for you to convert into Ryo- help you get settled. Call me if you need more." Sakura laughed and shook her head, indicating that she appreciated the thought but would not be taking any more help than that. She wanted to do this by herself.

The speaker crackled again, and the same monotone voice from earlier called for her flight once more. One last goodbye, and without even a glance to her father, Sakura adjusted her backpack and headed toward her gate.

"Sakura,” Her father’s tone was flat. “Don’t come back until you’re a doctor.”
Sakura stopped in her tracks and rolled her eyes. It was always his dream for her to study medicine and it broke and warmed his hear to hear that she had her mind set on dancing, the same passion her mother had.

Sakura propped her elbow on the plane’s window sill with jaunty tunes playing through her ear buds. Slowly the white puffs of clouds which were once underneath the plane dissipated as the scenery underneath revealed worn cliff sides and beaches as the aircraft hovered over a white strip of what Sakura assumed to be sand. The pilot shared their arrival to the airport within a short ten minutes.

The flight passed so quickly that Sakura felt like she barely had time to enjoy looking out at the sea. It's been years since she'd been on a plane and remembered curiously flipping up the window blind to find himself surrounded in clouds.

As she daydreamed, she noticed the aging woman with streaks of grey in her hair, maybe in her 50s, sitting next to her examining her features with microscopic care. Sakura thought this woman was close enough to see the crevices of her lips and pores on her skin. The pink haired woman would typically be annoyed with this stranger but how could she, when she was flying on cloud nine just being here on this plane.

Sakura turned to the older woman and and said hello with a soft smile. The woman, startled, began to apologize for intruding in her space.

“I’m so sorry! I just couldn’t help but notice how beautiful you are; A cherry blossom, such as your hair color.” She gleamed. “I apologize for staring. I have traveled many places and have never seen a hair and eye color combination like yours. It’s unique, magnificent to say the least.”

Sakura’s eyes widened and a blush crept over her face at such sudden admiration. “O-Oh! Thank you ma’am!” Suddenly, she felt the need to return the compliment. Sakura fleetingly looked for something to comment on. “I really like your purse!”

The woman looked down at the bag in her lap. “Oh, this thing? It’s not my favorite. I just picked it up in Australia.” She paused a moment and sighed, “I’ve been traveling the world for business these past six months. I'll be stopping in Konoha for a day to sign papers and then head off to Europe. It's a bit depressing though, I miss my sons and I can't even see them since I’m leaving in the morning.” She stopped, face full of thought.

"How old are you?"

"I'm 19 right now, just about to enter college in the fall to major in dance."

"You're so young! I have a son around your age, who is majoring in song and dance, I think you should meet him sometime. You're really sweet and I'm sure he'd be flattered to take you out on a date."

Before the woman could go any further, Sakura held her hand up awkwardly.

"I'm sorry, I’m not really looking for a relationship right now." She giggled. She always giggled when she was nervous.The woman only smiled at her sweetly.

"That's absolutely fine. I still think you two would be good friends. Although if you meet, you might trick him into falling for you with your good looks!"

The two laughed for a moment as the plane touched down in Konoha.

”You know," the woman started, "I honestly think you should enroll in both singing and dancing. I heard you humming and singing to yourself earlier. I think you should consider-"

"Hello everybody, and welcome to Konoha Airport. Our crew at Land of Fire Airlines thanks you for flying with us. Please have a safe stay." The pilot wished over the loud speaker. Sakura looked out the window to find that workers outside were already unpacking suitcases into the huge open trunk of a cart.

"Better get to the door before you hit traffic!” The woman said jumping out of her seat and trotting up to the unopened door. First in line even in heels and a heavy looking Prada bag? Impressive.

After deplaning, Sakura made way to baggage claim and retrieved her bags without a hitch. Exiting through the front doors of the airport and into the bright light of the outside world made Sakura squint. The automatic doors slid open to accommodate Sakura and her full hands, also sending a strong, crisp gust of wind surging through Sakura's shoulder length. It sent goose bumps rising atop her skin, and for a moment, she closed her eyes to take in the city air. Along the breeze was a familiar voice calling out to her.

"Haruno Sakura!”

Sakura knew exactly who it was and it brought a smile to her face. Blinking open her eyes, Sakura found Ino friend leaning against her car and waiving a hand in the air.

Sakura beamed as she made her way towards Ino with open arms for an embrace. Ino always smelled like lavender as a child since her family owned a flower shop. It was nice to know that this many years later even away from the family shop she still smelled like this.

"Ow, shit! Sakura! Let go!" Ino called as he fought to get out of Sakura's hold.

Sakura laughed and grabbed hold of Ino’s arm with care. "I missed you!”

As the pair shared small talk about Sakura’s travels a black sedan pulled up to Ino’s car. The read window rolled down to reveal the woman on the place. "Young lady, what’s your name?"

“Haruno Sakura!"

“Let’s meet again someday Haruno Sakura!"

And with that, the older woman gave a thumbs up and a nod, as the sedan drove off.

"Who was that?" Ino asked confusedly.

"I'll tell you later. Now put my luggage in the back of the car.” Sakura demanded playfully.

"What the hell? You don’t get to order me to do anything just because you’re a guest. And don't expect me to chauffeur you around either." Ino stated with an incredulous expression.

"Yeah, yeah," Sakura opened the passenger side door. "Hurry peasant, I'm hungry too."

"Sakura!" Ino exclaimed reaching for the door handle, only to stop when he watched her lock the door from the inside. The blonde tried reaching through the window to pull up the lock until Sakura rolled up the window.

Ino shrugged and took both of the suitcases placing them in the trunk mumbling, "She should've stayed home." Then laughed alone as she made her way to the driver's side of the car.

_____________

Making his way up the staircase, Naruto hummed a tuned that his grandmother used to sing. Carrying the melody he chirped, “Teme! Wake up! You have a schedule today!" through the long corridor heading to the idol's bedroom. In an unusually happy mood today, he skipped across the red carpet and pushed open the door which was cracked open a centimeter. "Hey, Sasuke!" Naruto called while skimming through the pages of paper clipped to his clipboard.

Silence. Except for the gentle snores exuding from a huge wad of blankets and pillows in the middle of the bed. The manager clicked his tongue in a disapproving way and set his clipboard on the coffee table as he made his way to the ball of fabric. Naruto raised his arms over his head to stretch out his back and then cracked his knuckles. After, he got into position, ready to pounce. On the count of three, he used all the effort he could to jump and flatten the top of the pile, deflating the mound instantly to reveal a fatter version of Sasuke's outline.

Once atop the pile Naruto belted out song lyrics (screaming would be a better way to describe it) and began rocking the bed post.

Downstairs in the foyer talking to a butler-in-training was Shikamaru, the lead butler of the estate.

The new worker looked up at the direction of the racket and wondered out loud, "What's going on up there?" Hinata asked with curiosity and a bit of worry about the mix of singing (screaming), cursing, and groans.

"Oh, just the manager and master. Happens pretty much every morning. You learn to get used to it around here." Shikamaru signed. "Welcome to Team Uchiha Sasuke." He said smiling, patting the younger on her shoulder.
Back up the stairs in the extra-large master bedroom was Naruto who was repeatedly bashing the back of Sasuke's head with a pillow, as the raven haired man let out groans of annoyance.

"You're such a prick!" The idol screamed as he took Naruto's ankle and pulled it. The pull startled the man and sent him timbering down into the bed like a tree chopped down in a forest. Sasuke took advantage of the falling time to rise up from his spot and claim a pillow. Sasuke then beat his friend multiple times before Naruto rolled off the bed and found a stray cushion,.Naruto launched the pillow right into Sasuke's face.

And this is how Sasuke's room looks like hurricane wreckage every morning.

By the end of the fight where both men were tuckered out, it was 15 minutes later when Naruto looked at his watch. "Damn it Sasuke, you're going to be late to your appointment if you don't get dressed right now. Hurry, hurry!" He urged while jumping over piles of clothes and out the door, shutting it behind him. Instead of leaving down the hall after shutting the door, Naruto stood by the door and walkie-talkied the chauffeur to bring the car around front and to be ready to leave.

"What's this appointment for?" Sasuke asked as he chose a random shirt from his drawer along with a pair of black joggers. As he stripped and dressed himself again, Sasuke listened carefully for details about his day was organized.

"You're going to be meeting the director of a drama that you'll be acting in. Your co-star/love interest is-" Naruto paused to look through the papers he was faxed this morning. “Izumi.” He finished.

"Nice, she's cute." Sasuke smiled thinking of that face he's seen only once or twice before in person.

"Sure. And your entertainment agencies wanted to talk over some other important things, so dress nicely." Naurto replied.

Sasuke made his way to a full-body mirror and studied his athleisure outfit.

"Shit."

Lazily, he made his way to a separate walk-in closet filled with suits.

Later in the afternoon after the table reading, Sasuke and Naruto make their way back up to the master bedroom.

”Sasuke, don't you love the plot of the drama you're casted in? You and Izumi looked great together at the meeting yesterday!" Naruto clasped his hands and fell like a rag doll onto Sasuke's sofa.

"I guess you could say that. I wasn't really listening to the director to be honest." The dark haired man stretched as he got out of his bed. Haphazardly he chose a blanket from a neat pile near him and draped it along his shoulders as he made way to the opposite lounge chair from Naruto. "She's cute, but I can tell she’s not my type.”

“Sasuke, are you into men or what? There are so many male fans and idols who want to date that woman!" Naruto exclaimed.

“No, I’m just saying she is not my type. No offense to her.” Sasuke reclined backwards on the chair and rested his head on a pillow.
Knock-Knock

Shikamaru appeared before them with a young dark haired female with lavender eyes trailing closely behind.

Shikamaru cleared his throat. “This is our new recruit to our staff, Master Uchiha. This is Hinata." He sidestepped for Hinata to come forward.

Shyly, Hinata introduced herself clad in typical Uchiha Manor maid attire. For women, it was a black dress with a white apron and the Uchiha crest embroidered into the breast pocket. She made eye contact with Naruto briefly and gave a timid smile. Naruto nearly doubled over by her beauty.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow at Naruto and turned his attention to Hinata. “Great, happy first day- You can start by cleaning my car. If you can’t do that right, I’m sure Naruto could get great use out of you-“

Naruto whipped a pair of Sasuke’s own tidy whities into his face with a crack. “Sasuke!”

"Alright, alright! Get out! Now!" Sasuke pinched his underwear off his face by two fingers and flung it over his shoulder.

Sasuke barely caught a glimpse of Naruto's blushing face before he completely turned away from his vision. He watched Hinata send a smile his way, a bow, and then headed out the door with Shikamaru who shook his head with a smirk. As soon as the door clicked behind the butler, Sasuke pointed fingers at his friend.

“Dobe has a crush on the new maid huh? Just make sure she cleans off the furniture when you guys are done, yeah?” He snickered.

"No! What? I don’t…. What!”

Sasuke chuckled at Naruto’s embarrassment, wondering to himself if there was a girl out that could deal with him and his antics.