(Author's Notes: I'd like to thank sierrafujoshiakut for the wonderful plot, I just hope I can do it justice. Please enjoy.)
The board room was ready with the presentation on display; a poster sized board adorned with graphs, their axis displaying municipal dates and months throughout the year along with other such charts that would help portray the company's financial stability in a diagrammatic format. It stood to the centre of the farthest wall from the door, readily demanding the attention of those who entered yet all that lay before it was a stretched table of varnished oak which had just been cleaned; the smell of scented detergent was still detectable. Despite the hygienic aroma that lingered the windows had been opened to their full extent to allow a pleasant breeze to circulate.
Soon two young men stepped into the office space, both appropriately dressed for the impending meeting that would occur in the next half hour, however, one was evidently higher in status due to his attire and physical posture; Itachi Uchiha, the Senior Manager of the company. He stood to attention with a stern expression, his dark eyes thoughtful but otherwise unmoving whilst his hands had adopted the position at his side yet he quickly relieved himself from the stance to smoothen the creases that had formed against his ebony blazer before flattening out his tie.
His assistant however, stood in a rather colloquial manner in comparison; distributing his weight upon his left leg with his hand about his opposing elbow. He clutched a note board close to his chest which held an abundance of paper outlining his senior's upcoming agendas whilst containing an array of background knowledge that would be useful during the conference. Still, his gaze remained impartial; like the rest of his visage they held no predisposition of emotions, a mask of unwavering dispassion.
"Thank you for preparing the room, Neji." Itachi stated nonchalantly, grateful to his assistant who merely nodded in acknowledgment. His tone was refreshingly light as he conversed with the latter.
Soon Itachi went about assuming his rightful place, passing through the room with Neji at his heels; during his years of service he had acquired a subtlety in his strides which exuded an air of poise and grace, a notable trait many of his co-workers envied and admired. Taking a seat at the head of the table after examining the flip chart, he began scanning it with a critical eye before producing a set of A6 notes from his breast pocket. The calligraphy that stained the paper's pristine faces was allegedly delicate, comprising of multiple loops and extended lengths. The records themselves contained short quips of speech and various numerical figures to act as stimuli within the conference, thus proving extremely useful for the meeting was scheduled to last until the afternoon. He expected no less from the Hyuga who had diligently followed him to his seat. Although the youth was omitted a chair he stood to his superior's side, a strategically position should Itachi be in need of his opinions.
The hour drew ever closer as various members of staff began to fill the conference area, busying themselves with needless conversations. In correlation to the massing bodies the confines began to become rather unpleasant as the smell of stagnant cigarette smoke and coffee defiled the senses. Neji regarded them all with an inhospitable glare which aroused a soft chuckle from Itachi who was covertly twisting at a silver ring about his finger; Neji looked at the Uchiha emblem engraved into its smooth surface and let out an almost inaudible sigh of impatience, wanting to commence with the meeting.
"Neji," Itachi whispered, noticing the slight furrows in the younger man's brow, "I'd like some tea if you'd be so kind." The statement was not intended as an order but served as a justification for Neji to abandon the conference, nonetheless he was unable to do so as one gentleman announced that all were present before allowing Itachi to stand.
Finally the summit was in motion as Itachi conducted his findings, outlining the current sales rates whilst questioning previous methods to improve the business' standing. His words were inundated with conviction and his presence unquestioned; the room had been encased in silence out of respect for the Uchiha. He progressed swiftly as his associates listened intently, some makings brief notes as others nodded and grunted in agreement. Neji watched as each individual was gradually persuaded and the distinct satisfactory smiles that emerged about their thin lips, thus he felt a sense of pride which was substantially invoked by his director's charismatic conduct.
"This week's issue of the 'Make-Out Series' has been quite successful, however, since the previous release ratings have dropped." Itachi hummed in an ill-humoured tone, indicating with a slender finger to the sever decline shown on a particular graph. "Jiraiya has proven to be the most popular publication to date but his latest novel was a shamble." Usually Itachi had been tentative to the freedom of his authors but the sudden descent in ratings had warranted a lack in tolerance. With a quick nod he signalled for his idle subordinate to distribute prints of the year's quota and sales, all of which were dangerously low. He moved with efficiency, aware that his Senior Manager was short of his temperance, evident by the drumming of his fingers which he proceeded to do throughout the remainder of the conference.
Much to Neji's dissatisfaction the meeting lasted long into the afternoon past the time of closing, thus the multitude of appointments he had made for Itachi had been unacceptably deferred, resulting in last-minute phone calls and cancellations. The noted times and meeting locations had all but been erased, having to be rescheduled much later in the season despite the complications it would undoubtedly give rise to; ultimately his ledger had become scarred by scrawls of red ink. The lack of consistency bothered him as he flicked through an array of pages.
He sat at his desk outside of the Uchiha's office, incapable of concealing his exasperation as Itachi quietly emerged from the corridor ahead holding two flasks of tea, one which he handed to the embittered Hyuga. He took a seat at his own desk and much like his assistant he slumped into his chair, rubbing at his temples in an attempt to ease the tension and dull throbbing. Neji watched through the corner of his eye as the dark haired Uchiha lent his head back before releasing a wave of sighs and grumbles. He closed his eyes in order to concentrate, hoping it would alleviate him of the aches at his forehead but it was to no avail.
"What am I going to do…?" He did not expect Neji to answer, nor was he aware that he Hyuga had been listening intently to his muffled curses. Even so Neji removed himself from his seat and stood before his senior, once again holding a small note board and pen in hand. Despite Itachi's foul mood he was mindful to the fact that other tasks lay at hand, many of which needed his professional, personal opinion. He checked over his notes, skimming the array of names he had been given by various editors.
"It has been suggested that we acquire a different perspective, needless to say a new author." He made no attempts to conceal his disapproval of Jiraiya; since arriving at the firm he had always made to inquire why Itachi, a man of elegance and good taste, would even consider allowing such forms of 'literature' to pass through the editing room, let alone his hands. His words were met with half-hearted justifications, the Uchiha's words entirely unconvincing despite his regal attempts to defend the writer. In spite of everything Itachi had said Neji stilled judged that a miracle was the only remedy for the company's relapse.
With a prolonged exhale Itachi ran his hands through his hair, hoping inspiration would present itself but nothing came. He threw his gaze towards his stern faced subordinate, imparting to him a weary smile that contradicted his previously ardent demeanour. He returned the smile with a subtle grimace that only enticed the softest of laughs.
"Don't look at me like that…" This time his tone was gentle, almost sympathetic; Neji never portrayed any other form of expression besides one of a petulant nature yet unbeknownst to him Neji wore a constant, agonising façade; he harboured a grievous adulation which could never be expressed. He gathered as much since Itachi never realised how he softened his features when the two were alone. Despite the fact he meant well Neji detested the pitiable tone Itachi would use with him as it caused his heart great discomfort; it filled him with false hope, the fabricated sensation one would feel when they truly believed that they were cared for. He often stole himself the chance to feel as such but would always regret his decision, realising that their amicable relationship would never extend past office walls.