hi hi,

before we get started i would like to say somethings. 

first of all, this is my first sasusaku and Naruto fanfic, so if there are any errors i apologize in advance. 

secondly, there are times when my life gets really busy and updating this book is not my priority. please try to understand that. i also have other books to update and polish up, not to mention school, dance, piano, violin and debating commitments. 

thirdly, please don't start any ship wars in the comments. this is a sasusaku fanfic, if you came here to see sasunaru or narusaku, don't be disappointed. 

lastly, i do not own Naruto. if i did then i would have my own character and neji & itachi would still be alive :)

~.~.~.~.~.~

"Sakura!"

"Sakura Haruno!"

"How do you feel about this loss?!"

"Do you miss him?!"

"Why did Kiba Inuzuka break it off with you?!" 

It's none of your business, the pinkette scoffed to herself. The paparazzi continued to shout, questioning her about today's top gossip topic while blinding her with millions of white flashes. She kept quiet, staring out into the uncivilized crowd, her jade eyes hidden behind the white Dior sunglasses.

Seriously, these people were starting to get on her nerves. They annoyed the living hell out of her. Technically, they were just being paid to stalk celebrities. Being a paparazzi member is what you do when you're dumb enough to drop out of college and become poor without any jobs to support you. It's worthless, unnecessary and desperate. But then again, I'm not one to say that, am I?

"Tsunade, we're leaving now," Sakura addressed her boss. Her mentor gave a frustrated shout into her phone, probably annoyed at the fact that Sakura's location had been leaked. They had only stopped by at a local convenience store to pick up some sake for Tsunade when the whole store had been flooded by practically half of New York's population. 

"Agreed," the blonde huffed, flicking her hair as a crazed fan tried to touch it. Only three security guards were separating the two of them from the crowds. "A helicopter with Hinata will pick us up at any second."

As soon as the words had left her mouth, a whirring sound could be heard from up ahead, just audible above the screams. "That's our cue."

Somehow, miraculously, the duo had safely made it on board the private helicopter, only just. Sakura sighed internally as the helicopter whirred back into the endless blue, leaving behind the sea of fans. Now their screams were a faint sound, just audible over the helicopter blades. She didn't realize she was holding her breath until she let it out. 

"Sakura," Tsunade panted. "I need to talk to the pilot. Go to the back seats with Hinata."

"Right," Sakura nodded. She clambered into the spacious beige seat that smelt faintly of orchids, the seat right next to a certain blunette who was currently on the phone with a certain blonde. 

"I love you, but I can't," she sighed, but soon giggled afterwards. Clearly that person had said something to make her laugh. "I don't have a choice. I'm sorry." 

Just then, she noticed Sakura's presence. Sakura smiled, leaning onto her propped up left palm, raising an eyebrow. The Hyuuga became visibly flustered, her usually pale cheeks tinged with pink as she fiddled with her silver good luck necklace, the pendant a gift from her boyfriend with the initials 'N + H' engraved onto it in cursive. "I have to go now. Yes, yes, I know, and I love you too. See you soon."

"When are you ever not talking to that blonde doofus?" Sakura sighed playfully, half-exasperated, half-amused as Hinata shoved her phone into her jean pocket. Her bestfriend had been dating him for about six months now, and they were constantly showing public displays of affection to each other. Sometimes they made Sakura wonder if her highschool crush would've-Don't think about him, Sakura, she mentally scolded herself. "Seriously, he doesn't even know how to use keys to open a simple door."

"His name is Naruto-kun, and it's cute when that happens," Hinata fiercely replied. Silence. Then the two girls erupted in laughter for a good minute. 

"Y'know, you still call him Naruto-kun despite being born and raised here in New York," Sakura noted. "I know you have Japanese heritage and all, but he's like, the only person you add the honorifics to."

"I don't know," the blunette shrugged. "When I get flustered I tend to go back to speaking Japanese. Even though I've lived in New York my whole life, Japanese is still the first language I spoke. Anyways, he told me it's cute when I say that."

"Of course 'Naruto-kun' said that," Sakura mimicked Hinata's shy and flustered voice. Again, laughter filled the helicopter. It was just so easy to talk with each other. When the giggles finally went away, Hinata spoke up again. 

"Speaking of Naruto-kun, he's coming to the apartment just when we arrive," Hinata told the pinkette. The latter nodded, already used to this behavior. Really, the blonde should just move in by now. Sakura had a feeling that would've happened if it hadn't been so crowded with other female models. 

"Sakura, Hinata, we've arrived at Konoha apartments," Tsunade's voice floated towards them as the blades came to a halt, and a small bump jolted the helicopter signaled their touchdown. The two had been so busy laughing and talking they hadn't realized they were descending. A door opened and stairs showed the way down. Both models quickly exited out of the helicopter, just as it prepared to take flight again. 

"I have to go, but Sakura," Tsunade addressed the pinkette loudly as she flew up higher, her blonde hair whipped into frenzy. "Come to Senju HQ in two hours time and see me. Oh, and bring Ino as well.'

"Got it!" Sakura shouted back. The helicopter soon flew out of sight, leaving the helicopter platform with a big 'H' written. She sighed, the wind gentle blowing pink and blue hair as they stared out into the horizon of mid-afternoon New York. Just skyscrapers and endless blue skies. A perfect scene, in her book. "C'mon, let's go. Naruto and the girls are probably waiting for us."

----------------------

"Hina-chan!"

Immediately after opening the door, Sakura's best friend was engulfed by a ball of yellow, black and orange, who squeaked at this welcome. Her pale cheeks once again heated up. The pinkette rolled her eyes and entered the luxurious penthouse apartment, walking into the open lounge, kitchen and dining area.

Two of her roommates were currently laid on the beige couch, one on her phone, the other watching the latest episode of 'My ID is Gangnam Beauty' on the TV, a KDrama the girl had recently been in love with lately. Sakura joined the girl in watching the series, placing her red handbag on the coffee table.

"Hey Sakura," a brunette with two buns and dressed in sweatpants with a Santa Cruz jumper greeted, looking up from her phone. Sakura smiled and said hello back to her roommate, Tenten. 

"Hey forehead," yawned a blonde, poking Sakura's forehead. Her outfit contrasted from Tenten's lazy one, consisting of a girly, purple checkered summer two piece, paired with a high ponytail and heels. 

"Shut up, Ino-pig," Sakura huffed, crossing her arms. "I got that fixed, remember?"

"It's still riles you up though," Ino laughed, putting her hand on Sakura's shoulder. "Chill, Sakura. And I'm not a pig anymore."

"But it's still fun calling you that," teased the pinkette, joining Ino in laughing. "Oh, by the way, Tsunade wants us at HQ in an hour."

"An hour?" sighed the blonde, leaning back onto the couch as she slapped her forehead. "Ugh, I was planning to go out with you girls to Moti Mahal Delux. I haven't had Indian food in ages."

"We can still go there after your meeting," Tenten suggest. "It will probably go for only twenty minutes or so, and by then it'll be around 6:30pm? We'll have plenty of time."

"Would you guys mind if I come?" Naruto grinned, suddenly appeared out of nowhere, hand in hand with a smiling and blushing Hinata. 

"Finally done with your makeout sesh, you two?" Ino rolled her eyes and they both miraculously blushed an even darker shade of red. "And not to be rude or anything, but no. You've tagged along for like, three outings now. We want Hinata to ourselves, okay?" 

"Besides, don't you have dinner with Shikamaru and stuff?" reminded Sakura. At the mention of her ex's name, Ino stiffened. Naruto glumly sighed, and went to the kitchen to grab a bite with Hinata. Catching the sight of Ino's face, Sakura felt a pang of guiltiness. "Oh, shoot. I'm so sorry Ino."

"No, no, its fine," Ino smiled weakly, brushing her hair back. "I need to move on. It was a college after-party relationship and fling, nothing more. Besides, he's dating Temari now."

"Oh, so is that where she is?" Sakura said, the absence of their fifth roommate not going unnoticed by her. 

"Yeah, they're on a date," continued Ino, trying to smile happily and failing miserably. "But it's fine. I'm happy for them. They're a cute couple and I heard he's planning to propose to her soon. We're not that young, we're all around twenty five or twenty six. Life goes on, and I'll probably find someone new."

Sakura didn't doubt that, considering how beautiful and cheery Ino was. She did have many relationships since Shikamaru, but none of them lasted longer than a month. Despite that, Sakura knew that Ino would eventually find someone perfect for her. Still, before that time comes, the pinkette knew that Ino still had feelings for the pineapple head. She reached over and hugged the blonde. "C'mon, let's go get our outfits. I'll let you pick mine."

"Oh, thank God," Ino rolled her eyes as they stood up. "You need better taste in clothing."

"What? I do not!" 

"Do too!"

"Do not!"

Even though they were bickering, Sakura couldn't help but smile at how quickly the normal Ino returned. If Ino insults her clothing, then she knew that was the real Ino. 

The blonde opened the door to their room, revealing a spacious bedroom with an en-suite and a  The whole bedroom and the apartment, in fact, had a calming aesthetic, consisting of white-washed walls, calligraphy here and there, and succulents & plants.

The twin beds each had white quilts, decorated with artistic plants on them. Two white pillows with light, golden swirls and a forest, quilt cushion on each bed complimented the covers. Besides each bed was a white, small table with two drawers, small succulents and the girls' possessions, ranging from Air Pods to Pandora rings.

The room's floor the same as the whole apartment, coffee brown wood planks. The colour was reflect on the rims of the built-in-wardrobe with sliding mirror panels. Their wardrobe bursted with expensive designer clothing, some even designed by Dior himself. 

Across the wardrobe was the bathroom with a gorgeous view of New York's bustling upper east side. Succulents and face products dotted the bathroom bench, their body products lined on the small ledge near the bathtub and shower, within an arm's reach. Upon the toilet was the latest perfume sprayer, exhaling the cherry blossom 'Sakura' scent into the bathroom and bedroom every ten minutes.

Sakura inhaled the smell flopping onto her bed on the right. It was her favorite scent. That was the reason why she was a model for the product as well. Not for the money, but because she loved the scent. She shared a name with the perfume, and it reminded her of Japan. Sakura had been born in New York and lived there her whole life, but she had been to Japan, where her parents were born and had now moved back. Something about Japan...it just felt like home more than anywhere else, even New York. Sakura felt safe from the judgmental eyes that looked down on her for being Asian. She just learnt to just ignore the racist people, because she was living a better life than them anyway. 

"Okay, let's get started!" squealed Ino, interrupting Sakura's thoughts. Sakura couldn't help but smile. Ino had always been like this. She loved fashion so much and absolutely adored dressing people up, especially the pinkette. 

"Wait, Ino," paused the Haruno, sitting up and grabbing her best friend's arm. "Seriously, tell me what's wrong with my outfit choice today. Nothing can go wrong with tights and a red over-sized t-shirt! Everybody wears it."

"Sakura, Sakura," Ino sighed, sitting besides her and stroking her arm like a motherly figure. "That's the thing. Everyone wears it. We need to find that's you. We need to find your style. That's what I'm going to help you today. Just wait for like ten minutes."

"Oh, alright."

Sakura didn't know why Ino found fashion so fascinating. If it was comfortable, Sakura would wear them. Why is there so much fuss about styles and aesthetics anyways? Still, the day had been filled with crazy fans and paparazzi mobbing her, so she would take this time to relax.

The pinkette grabbed her phone and laying back on her bed, started browsing through the messages she had received. Majority of them were from fans, sweet fans that genuinely liked her for her, but there were two that stood out. 

None of them were from Kiba, though. Sakura expected that. Being the jerk he was, he probably wouldn't ever apologise to her for 'accidently' leaking the wrong information about their break up.

One was from her mom, just checking up on her. The second one was a little bit more interesting. Her forehead creased, and Sakura quickly opened Shikamaru's message. It was about Ino. 

She contemplated the idea of setting up Ino with somebody else before typing back her reply.

Before Shikamaru could reply back, Ino returned and Sakura quickly turned her phone off. She had promised Ino that they wouldn't be talking about Shikamaru anymore, and the pinkette didn't know if the blonde could handle the thought of her ex-boyfriend setting her up on a date with someone else. Sakura made a mental note to tell Ino about the date later, and to not mention Shikamaru at all. 

"Okay, so I looked at your wardrobe," Ino began enthusiastically, pacing around the room. Sakura nodded, sitting up straighter. "And you kinda have a little bit from every style, like some baddie stuff, arthoe, kawaii and really just everything. But I have noticed a pattern. You prefer conservative stuff, so baddie is out of the option, even if you are a badass. Half of the baddie style are like fishnets and bandeaus, and you would never be seen in that stuff. Your hair is too pink for an emo. You're too cheerful and bright for an e-girl. You don't have an interest in art to be an arthoe. Arthoes who don't enjoy art and only dress the part for the aesthetic are fake; remember that."

Sakura continued nodding, hoping that she could remember all these fashion terminology. Ino continued. "Maybe kawaii, but I feel like you're more badass than that. Casual is what you're wearing right now, so that's a definite nope for a supermodel. Vintage could work...but you're not edgy enough for that and you don't fit the aesthetic. Tomboy or like comfortable shit is like what Tenten wears, along with sport attires. I know you're too girly for that. Maybe girly girl, that's my style by the way, but again, you're too badass for that. Hinata's style is minimalist and professional, but you loose your shit way too much to be professional."

The pinkette opened her mouth to retort angrily when Ino snapped her fingers and abruptly stopped the pacing. "I got it! The preppy aesthetic! It's perfect for you!"

"Uh-"

"It's such a cute aesthetic," explained Ino, already knowing that her bestfriend was hopeless when it came to fashion. "I wear it sometimes. It's girly, but not too girly and it's conservative. It's not for hot people, but more for cute and pretty people. The main theme is like skirts and tucked in shirts or jumpers and colours used are usually pastel pink and grey."

"You sound like a freaking dictionary, pig," giggled Sakura. Ino rolled her eyes.

"I really do, don't I?"

"Yup!" Sakura grinned maniacally, popping the 'p'. Ino smiled back at her. 

"Whatever," Ino replied. "The styles suits you anyways."

It was then Ino's turn to smile widely with happiness and she clapped her hands together. "Ooh, it's time to dress you up now! How fun! Hold on, I'll come back with some clothes for you, hm?"

The blonde disappeared into their wardrobe faster than Sakura could even reply back. The next ten minutes that passed was filled with Sakura waiting, and Ino constantly making noise, comparing outfits and making little comments. At last, the pinkette's best friend popped back out. "Finished! Now, let's get you into this outfit! It's so bomb."

Sakura was quickly pushed into the wardrobe and changed into the clothes Ino had picked out for her. She barely glanced at them. Her first priority was comfort and anyways, she wanted it to be a surprise. Hesitantly, she walked out into the bedroom. Ino immediately squealed and called the others. Soon, Tenten, Hinata, Temari and Naruto were crowded into the room. Sakura's cheeks were sprayed with pink as everyone complimented her. 

"It's so fabulous, obviously because I picked it out," Ino bragged shamelessly as everyone rolled their eyes. "Don't deny it! Anyways, Sakura. Go look at you in the mirror! You'll love my look."

Slowly, the Haruno turned around to face the mirror and panels and immediately gasped at her outfit. She wore a long-sleeved button-up blouse with pink, smal The shirt was tucked into a light, soft, denim skirt with a button. The skirt reached her mid-upper thighs and had absolutely zero rips in it. 

"I love it," Sakura whispered. She truly did love this outfit, even if it wasn't complete yet. It was comfortable, conservative, cute and best of all, it felt so right to wear. Like it was made for her. It was totally her. "Yes! Thank you so much, Ino."

"You're so welcome, hun," Ino flipped her blonde ponytail. "I would've added some professionalism in there, but I think our casual dinner catch-up is way more important than Tsunade-sama's meeting. Now, shoo, all of you! Out of the room! Sakura needs to complete her look. We still need to do makeup, shoes and accessories! So much to be done! Begone!"

Ino started flicking her hands, motioning the other people to get out of the room which they did really quickly. No one wants to face the wrath of Ino. Sakura was then quickly pushed into the bathroom, landing onto a seat. Ino sat on the seat in front of her. 

"Close your eyes, honey," soothed Ino like a mother. Sakura obliged, and heard lots of drawers opening, which only meant lots of makeup. "Don't worry. The makeup is for me. We'll just go for a natural look on you. Maybe mascara, lip balm, concealer here and there. Oh, and I'll do your hair, accessories and shoes. But trust me, okay? You'll be such a stunner!"

The next thing Sakura felt was a flurry of light touches all over her face, ranging from her jawline to her eyebrows. Then a few tugs, pins and the sound of a hair tie on her hair. Cold metal then entered her ears and roped off her neck. To top it off, Sakura felt some shoes being pulled onto her feet. Surprisingly, it only took about five minutes before Ino was done.

"Open your eyes!" squealed Ino. Sakura hesitantly opened her eyelids, the colour returning to her vision and she winced at the sudden light. She paused before walking over to the wall-length mirror, but did it nonetheless. 

To her pleasant surprise, Ino really had done a natural look on her. Yes, there was makeup all over her face but the blonde did it in a way that made her still look her. Her jawline and cheek bones were more prominent with highlighter, her eyelashes lengthened by mascara,her eyelids given texture and depth with brown eye-shadow and the small imperfections of her skin were now gone from sight with a little concealer. 

Pierced through her eyes were small, moon studs which matched the golden, layered necklace which was patterned with moons and circles.  Sakura's pink hair had been done up in a low, bun which was slightly messy, stray hairs falling out here and there. The pale pink Doc Martens boots on her feet match her hair perfectly, and gave this outfit a little more pop. 

"You're literally a legend at making outfits," gaped Sakura, looking at her clothes up and down. Ino's cheeks flushed with pink and her arrogance lowered.

"Thanks, Sakura," she smiled widely. "It means a lot from me coming from you."

The two hugged tightly, each grinning. Ino brushed her romper. "Well, I gotta make my own outfit and then we can go. Good luck with Naruto and Hinata's PDA. It's cute, but it can get a little annoying."

"A little?" the pinkette raised an eyebrow and they both laughed. Sakura started exiting the room. "Hurry up and get changed, Ino-pig. We all know you take ages."

"I do not!" The Haruno heard Ino's indignant cry coming of the room and chuckled to herself. Grabbing the TV remote, she relaxed onto the soft leather couch, lying down sideways with a forest-green plush cushion tucked underneath her head. As soon as she pressed play, 'My ID is Gangnam Beauty' took over the screen. 

"That show again?" Tenten looked up, finally put her phone down. "It only has twelve episodes, have you and Ino not finished it already?"

"We've been busy," Sakura rolled her eyes while turning up the volume of the speakers. "And it episode goes for an hour. And don't sound so disgusted. It's better than soccer and all those other nuisances."

"You only call sports nuisances because you get tired after playing for a minute," pointed out the brunette. "KDramas are full of nonsense. As if the cool guy from your past school would ever turn up suddenly in your life and fall in love with you."

"You just don't get romance, Tenten," Sakura said dreamily as Do Kyung-seok wrapped his arm around Kang Mi-rae in the rain, bringing them closer under the umbrella. 

"Which reminds me..." Tenten trailed off, biting her lip. "I need some help with my relationship advice.

In a flash, the TV was turned off and Sakura was sitting up straight, facing Tenten on the couch. The pinkette said in a threatening tone, "Spill."

Before Tenten could say anything, Sakura spoke again. "Did Neji break up with you? Cheating on you? Talking to another girl? Not spending enough time with you? Ignoring you? I knew that you were too good for that Hyuuga-"

"Sakura!" Tenten injected, stifling her laughter. Sakura raised an eyebrow, questioning Tenten silently. Tenten coughed, bringing her laughter to a halt underneath Sakura's threatening glare. "Jeez, it's nothing like that. It's just our first year anniversary next week, and I just don't know what to get for him!"

"Oh," frowned Sakura. "That is hard, even more puzzling than all those other problems. It's so hard to get a present for guys."

"I know, right?" Tenten agreed. "Except for Shikamaru and Choji, Temari gives the smartass Shogi each year and Karui gives the foodie food every year. But Neji...Neji's different. For our first month anniversary, he got me tickets to see the New York Knicks live in VIP, and you know what I got him? A fucking fortune ball."

"A fortune ball?" Sakura gaped, not sure whether to laugh at Tenten or feel sorry for both her and Neji. "No offense, but why on earth would you give him a fortune ball?"

"I-I don't know," Tenten looked down, twiddling her thumbs. "He likes symbols and destiny and that sort of stuff."

"But still," Sakura groaned, face palming herself. "Ugh, let's move on. What does Neji like? What does he talk about? Anything deep?"

"Well, there was once," Tenten admitted. "He said he sometimes felt held captive by Hinata's dad. You know the Hyuugas are a family of models, like the Uc- never mind that last part. But Neji sometimes feels pressured with all of this responsibility on his back. He doesn't dislike modelling, don't get me wrong. But he just told me sometimes he would just like to be free and fly on his own without any pressure."

"Fly, fly, fly," murmured Sakura, deep in though. She suddenly snapped her fingers and looked at Tenten in excitement. "I got it! Get him a bird!"

"A bird?"

"No, not a bird...but something that symbolizes a bird!" Sakura's head was racing with ideas. "Neji loves symbols, you told me so! Oh, oh! I know...get him a promise ring with a dove on it! Dove symbolizes love!"

"Oh my gosh, Sakura!" Tenten stood up, squealing. "It's perfect! You are a legend! Thank you so much!"

"Its nothing," Sakura grinned, standing up herself. "Just make me god-mother after Hinata for your first child."

Tenten's cheeks heated up, quickly turning from pale to a bright scarlet. "I-I-I- Sakura!"

Giggling to herself, Sakura walked to the front door. "Ino-pig! Hurry up!"

"Yes, yes, yes!" the blonde cried out. There was a thud. "Ow! I'm coming! Wait for me, forehead!"

Ino arrived onto the scene, panting slightly. "You made me rush my eyeliner, and then I bumped into the bedroom door! Geez, woman!"

Sakura looked at her friend. Ino was wearing a chic, red checkered off-the-shoulder crop top with matching red stilettos. She donned a white-denim skirt, held up by a Gucci belt and a golden, starry anklet just above the white socks for her bottom half. The anklet matched the golden necklace that decorated her pale neck and golden hoops around her ears. 

Her blonde hair was place in a neater high ponytail and Ino had let her bangs frame her done-up face. Like Sakura, Ino had gone for a natural look, just adding more glitter to her cheekbones and slightly red eyeshadow behind the perfect eyeliner. The slightly red-pinkish tone on her eyelids matched her lipgloss. Sakura would never admit this, but Ino looked really pretty. The pinkette rolled her eyes at her friend's fussing. "Your eyeliner is perfection, but you know what could be worked on? Your usage of time! Ino-pig, let's go."

"Yeah, yeah, hold on. I just need to apply another layer of lipgloss!"

"Move it, you lazy-ass pig!"

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wow, that was a really long chapter. just letting you know, majority of the next following chapters won't be as long. 

~ OD <3

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Word count: 4505