"They party starts in just a few hours Sarada! You and Boruto need to get dressed in the outfits I laid out." My mother's voice echoes through the large hallway. I can't help the eye roll that ensues when I plop down on my desk chair, letting my forehead thud against the hard wood. Tonight my grandparents are coming over for dinner and after that the rest of my family is coming for an importance announcement. Grandpa Fugaku is retiring as CEO of Uchiha Corporations and tonight he's naming his successor, which will most likely be my father since my Uncle Itachi has no dream of running the company.
The door clicks open and I watch Boruto enter from the corner of my eyes, a noticeable shit eating grin plastered on his face. I haven't even inspected the ridiculous clothing cluttering my bed but knowing my mother there's an elegant formal dress and brand-new suit waiting on us. Whenever my great grandfather Madara comes to our estate she gets into this frenzy of making everything perfect. He's never approved of my mother, I honestly have no idea why either. Sakura Uchiha is the country's leading surgeon, she runs two of the country's top cutting-edge hospitals and even opened up her own children's mental health clinic. Patients travel from around the world to be treated by her and there's a two-year waiting list to become an intern with my mother. Needless to say, she's impressed me more than my great grandfather ever has.
"When are the old geezers coming over?" My best friend/ boyfriend snorts out as he takes a seat on the small couch tucked against the large window. He's never been a fan of the way my mother is treated either. It doesn't make things any better that our families are very close personally and business wise, Uchiha Corporations and Uzumaki Technology work hand in hand. Hopefully when my father takes over we can merge the two into one.
"Sooner than I want. Great Grandfather Madara will be here to harass my mother, so her pride is going to be chipped away soon." I say before lifting my head to scroll through the new emails in my box. A few weeks ago, Boruto and I graduated from college and now dozens of companies are requesting interviews with me, but honestly, I have no intention on working for anyone other than my father. I've spent my life trying to catch up to him and Uncle Naruto, one day I want to be able to run both of our companies with pride.
The sound of crinkling plastic catches my attention and I spin the chair around to see the ensemble my mother picked. It's a deep red, floor length dress with simple crystals sewn into the bodice while Boruto has a standard suit with a matching red tie and pocket square. Part of me knew not to expect anything less from my mother, rolling my eyes I sink into my chair.
"I'm not wearing a tie!" Boruto whines as he releases the clothing to fall back on the bed. Whenever Uncle Naruto and Aunt Hinata throw parties Boruto does whatever he wants, I've only seen him wear a tie to company meetings and graduation.
"Well I wish I could say I'm not wearing a dress, but I have to." I frown sets on my face before I spin back around and slam the laptop close. Mama always goes overboard with these things. As always, my father lets her too, he does anything to make her happy. Closing my eyes, I prop my head up and release a sigh I had been holding in.
"You'll wear whatever Sakura has set out. Tonight, is a big night for everyone." A deep voice cuts through the silence and my eyes snap open to see my father leaning against the door frame. He's already dressed in a jet-black suit, matching his hair almost perfectly, although his tie is missing. A casual smirk adoring his face as eyes stare daggers into my boyfriend, it seems I have no choice but to wear that monstrosity.
"Auntie Sakura always gets frazzled whenever they come over Uncle Sasuke. It's starting to get annoying." I cut my gaze over to the blonde idiot and mimic my father's glare. Even if it's the truth, you never speak that way about Mama in front of him. My father has fired many employees for that same tone or just looking at her in the wrong manner. I look back to my father and see him take in a deep breath.
"Sometimes we have to do thing we don't necessarily want just to make others happy. My grandfather is still a skeptic of Sakura, he doesn't believe she's worthy of the Uchiha name. So, my wife put every ounce of pride and dedication into these things to prove him wrong." He stops just for a moment to take a sip from his glass, I didn't even notice he was carrying one. My father only ever drinks on two occasions, formal parties and after tough days in the office. Judging by the look on his face it's the latter.
"As you both know, I'll do whatever it takes to make Sakura happy. So, either you two dress yourselves or I will." For a moment I see my father's eyes go red, a shiver runs up my spin as I reach for my dress and take off into the bathroom. Father-1, Sarada-0.
Hours later, Boruto and I make our way down the stairs into the large dining room. I'm shocked to see Uncle Itachi sitting at the table and a large smile comes across my lips. He's been away on business for almost two months and I missed him at my graduation, but now he's home and we can talk later. My eyes lock onto my mother who is speaking with my grandmother Mikoto. The best days of my childhood where spent with those women, they helped mold me into the person I am today. I notice my mother is wearing a dress almost identical to mine except in black, opting to go simple just for my father.
"Ah Sarada. Good we can get started with dinner." A blush creeps across my face as I'm escorted to my chair, at least Boruto can behave at the right times. He takes his seat beside me and I can't help but smile as I lock eyes with my uncle. I've missed him more than I care to admit. His eyes look to the left and I follow his gaze, Madara sits at one head of the table while my father is on the other end. Even in his old age Madara looks almost youthful, his black hair never grey and a few wrinkles but nothing more than my grandfather. A shiver runs through my spine as his dark orbs shift over to me and a smile cracks across his lips, like he's trying to force a simple smile.
"Congratulations Sarada for graduating. When do you plan on starting at the office?" The small sip of water I took causes me to choke slightly. Always so blunt and to the point.
"I'm waiting on an offer. I can't start working just because of my last name. Although I've had offers from dozens of companies." I say before my attention turns back to my Uncle, a smirk of approval is displayed and from the corner of my eye I can see one on my father's face as well. Boruto can't help but nudge me slightly causing my cheeks to heat up, hopefully I ended that conversation.
"Of course you can, it's your birth right. You are an Uchiha after all, well mostly Uchiha." My eye twitches at the low blow to my mother. These are the things that really infuriate me, all night we will have to hear comments like this about my mother. Refusing to answer I begin to eat my dinner and look over to my mother, a fake smile displayed on her face but in those green orbs I can see the comment hurt.
"Grandfather Kizashi offered me a management position at his firm. It may not be as large as Uchiha Corp. but they are a steady business with large profit margins." I reply without even looking at the old man. My other grandparents may not have been born into success but they built a reputation for themselves. They started a small law firm right before my mother was born, at first it was only taking on petty cases but after a while it grew and it's one of the top law firms in the city. The smirk that displays on my lips while I look over at Mama only encourages her own smirk, I may not be all Uchiha but my Haruno half is still just as strong.
The rest of dinner goes by relatively quick, after Madara's insult the conversation ended and we were able to eat in peace. I stay behind with my mother as we watch the other make their way to the backyard. She stays standing by the table watching the back of my father until it disappears from sight.
"Don't let him get to you Mama. We all know how amazing and talented you are." Her laughter makes me look at her in confusion.
"Sarada I've been around your great grandfather since I was a child, I've learned to live with it over the years. Long before your father and I dated we were childhood friends and classroom rivals. Madara hated that I was always beating your father for top student, even more so he hated how Sasuke-kun didn't care. Only when we got married it became more of an obvious annoyance." By obvious annoyance she means how she stands out in a room. The brightness of her long pink locks and piercing green eyes are a sight to be seen. In all my life I've never seen someone who comes close to my mother in beauty. The Uchiha's are typically dark colored in nature, brown or black hair but we all have the same coal colored eyes. My Uncle once referred to her as the living embodiment of spring, that statement is still true to this day. But there's also another reason why Madara doesn't like her either, my parents married young. During college they decided to marry in secret and I was born while they were still in college. If it wasn't for my grandmothers I don't think my parents would be as successful as they are.
"Let's catch up with the others. The announcement is going to be made soon." Her smile warms me and I follow beside her, the backyard has been transformed into a dance floor. Lights hang from the trees and tables are set up along the edges, almost a hundred people are here and three stand out from the rest. We make our way to the table of misfits to say. Uncle Naruto and Papa are in a deep conversation about who knows what, Boruto and Uncle Itachi are both staring at the screens of their phones and Aunt Hinata is painfully aware of our absence.
"You've outdone yourself again Sakura. This is amazing." The quiet voice of my aunt comes across the table and I see the familiar glow of my mother return. Aunt Hinata is the polar opposite of her husband and son. She comes from a family like mine, manners and etiquette were engraved into her head at an early age. It took her father by shock when she married Uncle Naruto, but I don't think any other woman could handle him.
Looking around the crowd I notice a group of people I've never seen before, they certainly aren't Uchiha or Uzumaki related. The one that stands out the most is a man who appears to be the same age as me, his eyes locked onto my table examining us the same way. The speakers crack as my grandfather straightens his tie. I'll have to ask about them later.
"Thank you all for coming. I'd like to thank my daughter-in-law for making all the arrangements and preparing a wonderful venue." Smirking at his words I can't help but feel like that was a direct insult to Madara.
"It seems that my time as CEO has come to an end. When I took over the company we were just a small corporation that was still trying to get deep roots. I'm proud to say that in my thirty years I've paved the way for the company. Now it's my turn to pass the torch." A wave of silence has taken over the yard, even Boruto is entranced by his words. I scoot on the edge of my seat in anticipation.
"The title of CEO comes with many responsibilities but requires a certain level of passion. If you are too timid, then your company with falter. If you are too head strong, then your company with stay stagnant. It's because of these reasons why I have chosen my succorer, I have faith that he will lead Uchiha Corporation into the future. Sasuke Uchiha, my youngest son, will be acting CEO beginning Monday morning." I can't help but snap my head over to my father and smile at him in amazement. Cheering and applauds are heard throughout the back yard. In the background my grandfather dismisses himself and the real party beings. My mother is the first to rise from her seat and practically jump into my father's arms.
"Congratulations Anata! You've worked so hard." Displays of this nature are rare between my parents. Normally they are very reserved but tonight that's been thrown out the window. I lean my head against Boruto's shoulder and a yawn escapes my body. I've been up since dawn getting folders ready with Mama and researching the numbers on her hospitals.
"Don't tell me you're already tapping out." I hear Uncle Naruto snicker from across the table. A blush creeps across my face and I can't help but shrug my shoulders. A hand rests against my shoulder and I see my father standing over me.
"I'll walk with you to your room." I nod and excuse myself from the table, squeezing our way through the crowd takes longer than anticipated. Everyone wants to speak with my father or take his photo, which he dismisses to stay focused on the current task. The house is quiet for once and I bend down to remove the unnecessary heels my mother bought for me. My father offers me his arm which I gladly accept as I lean close.
"Congratulations Papa."
"Hn. Thank you Sarada. I wanted to speak to you about what you said at the dinner table." I gulp whatever air I can and stiffen against him. My words were meant to anger Madara, not my father. At the top of the stairs he leads me into his study and motions for me to sit in the leather chair across from his desk. His hand extends a file out to me which I take reluctantly, cracking it open I skim over the cover page.
'Sarada Uchiha- Vice President of Research and Development'
My jaw drops at the title and I hear my father chuckle at my reaction. I just graduated from school and now I'm being named Vice President…
"I've known for weeks that I was going to be named CEO. This was just the public announcement. Naruto and I have already signed the deal to merge our two companies, along with your mother's hospitals and clinics." I skim through the paper and see names of the employees that I will be in charge of. Some of them have worked for the company longer than I've been alive. How can I just walk in and be their boss?
"Your mother will be in charge of the Medical Division, Naruto will oversee the Technological Division, Itachi will be the Marketing and Human Resource VP. Sarada, your first assignment is to thoroughly break down the numbers and tell me where each individual company is at percentage wise. There will be a meeting on Friday to go over everything." Good thing I already started going over the numbers with Mama, this is going to take forever but at least I have a team that can help me with week.
"May I ask who were those people were? They clearly aren't related to either Uchiha or Uzumaki." The boldness in my question just makes my father smirk even more before my uncles and mother come walking in. Seems we're having an impromptu business meeting.
"They are business acquaintances. Danzo is an old Vice President and was hoping that Fugaku would name one of his employees as CEO." Naruto says nonchalantly before pouring himself a glass of scotch, another rare indulgence for the man.
"It doesn't mean we can take them lightly. His daughter is an investor in my clinic and a highly skilled nurse." The tone in my mother's voice is completely foreign to me, it's almost harsh. Uncle Itachi told me when I was in college that my mother is ruthless when it came to business. Now I can see that is the utmost truth.
"Danzo is the one we should be watching out for. When he learns that Sarada is a VP he may pull all funding completely." Uncle Itachi stands at the doorway to voice his concern, probably keeping an eye out for the unwanted guests. My father takes the second glass from Naruto and I watch as he drinks the strong liquid.
"When does the merger take effect?" The voices around me stop and I look at the two men sternly. Uncle Itachi is concerned that we'll lose funding, but how is that possible if we are gaining more than what we are losing.
"Monday Morning."
"Looking at it from a business stand point, it does help to have as many investors as possible but with this merger it isn't necessary. If we consolidate our staff and our locations then we can stand to lose a few without seeing any effect in the bank." There' s more to it but without having all the numbers I can't be so certain. This was the part of business I craved, knowing the numbers and being able to calculate each move precisely in order to gain profit and recognition.
"She has a point Sasuke-kun. We've been trying to figure out how to get rid of that old man for years." Mama's voice is still stern but I can tell that she's working the numbers as well.
"Monday morning we will discuss all of this, but Sarada you are correct. We can afford to cut ties with numerous investors without feeling the loss. For now we need to be silent about the merger, only the five of us know." Papa takes another sip of his drink signaling the end of the conversation, my brain still wrapping around idea of being a VP at 21. My legs shake slightly before I make my exit from the room.
"Thank you. I won't let you down." I smile proudly at my father before exiting through the door, I see Boruto leaning against my bedroom door. The closer I get I notice that he's ripped his tie off and has it scrunched up in his hand. Honestly I've never been so relieved to see him, he'll be able to take my mind off of the overload of information and help me relax. Smiling weakly I turn the doorknob and collapse onto the large bed gaining a laugh from the blonde.
"Seems you've had a long day. Wanna ditch this place?" If only escaping from this was possible, although getting together with the old crew would be a fantastic idea. Springing up I look at him with a fire in my eyes and an idea forms in my head. If Itachi is so worried about losing an investor, I'll just have to come up with something better to replace it with.
"Call the gang, tell them to meet us at the barcade. Oh make sure Mitsuki is there." The trademark Uchiha smirk forms on my face as I move to rid myself of the skintight dress. I hope this plan works, because if it does we may just take our company up a notch.