Hey guys~
So as said in the summary, this story is pretty much a sequel to 'The Top 4 Lovers?' but it can also stand on its own though :)
Inspired as well by the recent end of the manga and with Sasusaku being canon! *confetti*
But unfortunately, since I had to follow my old story, Shikamaru's with Ino rather than Temari so sorry Shikatema fans! Either way, this is mostly gonna be Sasusaku :3
I hope you enjoy my new story!
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Chapter 1: Start of Something New
"This, my friends, is what I believe will take fine dining to the next level."
Sasuke tapped his finger lightly on the table, staring intently at the image shown through the projector in their meeting room as one of his best friends, Shikamaru Nara, stood in front of them. He smirked as the presentation was finished and signaled one of his assistants to open the lights.
"Well….what do you think?" He leaned forward, puting his elbows on the table and clasped his hands together, doing his signature thinking pose as he stared at the blonde to his right.
"I think it's a great idea." Naruto grinned. "Though how can you be sure that these robots can do their jobs as effective as human employees?"
"It's as if you don't trust my abilities, Mr. Uzumaki." Shikamaru smirked as the rest of the group chuckled in response.
"Oh come on, you know it's not like that Shika-I mean Mr. Nara." He chuckled as well. "I'm just trying to avoid any problems that may come about with using robots as part of my restaurant staff."
"I understand your concern Mr. Uzumaki. That's why we plan on making a prototype." Shikamaru continued pacing. "Through it, we can foresee any problems that may occur, as well as improve it based to your liking and to our capabilities."
"When shall the prototype be constructed?" Naruto asked again. Sasuke looked over to a woman who was seated to his left.
"We have contacted our suppliers and construction of the prototype may start after two weeks once the rest of the materials arrive in Japan." She spoke as she glanced over the papers in front of her.
"So our funding is enough?" Sasuke followed up and the woman nodded.
"Our funds are enough for the prototype though…. It would be insufficient once we start with the mass production of the robots."
"We're in the process of negotiating with our possible investors." Sasuke told them. "We'll make sure that we'll have enough funding before mass production takes place."
Naruto smirked and nodded at the Uchiha. "Very well then."
Sasuke smirked back and looked at the other members of the board.
"Are there any more concerns?" He asked to which he just received silence in return. "Very well then. Meeting adjourned."
The rest of the board members stood up and shook hands with Shikamaru, Sasuke, and Naruto before leaving until only the three of them were left.
"Another impressive invention Nara." Sasuke smirked at the male who was currently taking off his tie and sat beside Naruto.
"Of course." He smirked. "Though I'm not really a fan of these presentations. They're too troublesome." He sighed as he put his hands behind his head.
"I'm so excited to see the prototype." Naruto grinned. "But all these meetings are making me hungry. Wanna eat out? My treat!"
Sasuke smirked as he checked his watched. It was already 5 in the afternoon. He supposes he can afford to have an early dinner. Besides, it's rare for them to be able to meet together because of their busy schedules.
"Sure I'm game for anything free. It's the least you can do for me for all the trouble I had conceptualizing your robots."
"Yeah! Let's go!" Naruto grinned as they all stood up to follow the blonde.
The three now sat in the VIP section of one of Naruto's fine dining restaurants, having cleared up the rest of their schedules for them to be able to catch up with each other's lives.
Ever since Sasuke finished his degree in Business, he has teamed up with the genius, Shikamaru, in establishing the UN Corporation, one of the leading technological companies in Japan. The name consists of the first letter of their initials put together but Naruto also takes pride in it as it also seemed to be the initials of his own name. Despite not finishing college since he considered it to be too troublesome, Shikamaru's genius enabled him to conceptualize and innovate different technologies that were not only recognized in Japan, but worldwide.
In the company, he focuses on the products they sold as he is the one knowledgeable when it came to technology. All proposals of the possible products of the company had to go through him. He is also very particular with the materials to be used as well as how the products will be manufactured. Sasuke, on the other hand, focuses on the business related matters of running the company. From talking to investors, overlooking the staff and so on. But being one of the co-owners of the company, Shikamaru's opinions mattered as much as Sasuke's and both of them usually have a meeting before making an important decision, especially if it has a huge impact on the company.
"Here are your orders, Mr. Uzumaki." The waiter arrived and placed their food on the table.
"Thanks Akira." Naruto grinned.
"Yes sir." He bowed and left the three to enjoy their food.
"So this is your new recipe?" Shikamaru asked as he examined the hefty bowl of ramen in front of him.
"Yeah. Why don't you guys try it and tell me what you think." Naruto grinned.
Naruto, surprisingly, took up culinary school and would babble about reinventing the taste of ramen. The guys didn't really expect he would live up to that dream but at the same time, wasn't surprised when he succeeded. Aside from ramen, he was able to cook up more impressive dishes that lead to his multiple chains of five star restaurants he named 'Hiroyuki', which meant 'widespread happiness'. Under his supervision and management, along with his wife Hinata who also decided to study business like Sasuke, he aimed to give his customers the best dining experience they could offer. This lead to him collaborating with the UN corporation to come up with a way to make his restaurants more 'high-tech' and give its customers a unique experience that will make them stand out even more. Being tech savy herself, Hinata agreed with the idea and made some proposals of her own. And since the CEOs happen to be his best friends, it wasn't much of a hassle for him.
"Not bad dobe." Sasuke smirked as he was impressed by Naruto's current dish.
"Yeah. Now I'm not surprised why this dish is becoming popular." Shikamaru added.
"Aww thanks guys." Naruto felt flattered with their complements. Even if he and Hinata focused on managing their restaurants, he still creates new dishes once inspiration comes to him.
"Too bad Neji can't be here though." Naruto added and frowned.
"Well unlike ours, he can't just clear his schedules and leave his patients. How troublesome." Shikamaru answered as he slurped on his soup.
"Sakura-chan's also busy isn't she, teme?" Naruto turned to him as Sasuke drank some wine.
"Yeah busy looking after your wife dobe."
"Oh right…" Naruto smiled sheepishly.
"She was feeling a bit sick this morning." Sasuke commented, pertaining to Sakura.
"Really? How is she now?"
"I don't know. She's not answering my calls." Sasuke frowned as she sipped his wine.
Neji and Sakura pursued their dream of becoming doctors and were doing well with both of their careers. They worked in different hospitals but were considered one of the best in their chosen fields. Neji was a neurosurgeon and was married to Tenten who finished law and was actually one of UN's company lawyers. Sakura, on the other hand, was married to Sasuke and is an obstetrician/gynecologist. Therefore, she's the one looking after Hinata who was already around 8 months pregnant.
"And how's the wedding your wife planned, Nara?" Sasuke asked Shikamaru.
"She's currently at the venue doing the final preparations. She freaks out at home since she says it's one of the biggest clients she has ever had."
"But she already had multiple high profile clients before, didn't she?" Naruto questioned as Shikamaru just shrugged.
"I don't know she never got used to it. How troublesome."
Ino, aside from being Shikamaru's wife, is now a well known events planner and has had multiple high profile clients. She's also the one who organized all of their marriages and made it to experiences they would never forget. She also designs her own clothes if given the luxury of time. But with her being so in demand, it was a rare opportunity.
"Actually, as early as now she already has plans on a celebratory party for your child." Shikamaru told Naruto whose eyes widened.
"Seriously?"
"Yeah. You're the first one to get children among our group of friends so might as well welcome the new addition to our family." Shikamaru told him and Naruto nodded.
"And I'm actually pretty excited and nervous about it too." Naruto smiled softly. "I hope I can be a great father to him…or her."
"Oh I don't think you need to worry about that." Shikamaru rolled his eyes. "You won't have a problem keeping up to his energy once he's able to run around the house."
"He's going to be lucky to have you as a father." Sasuke added. Naruto stared at Sasuke in surprise.
"Aww.. teme I'm touched. It's not often that you compliment me." Naruto stared at Sauske with puppy dog eyes as Sasuke just smirked.
"Let's just hope he won't have the curse of looking like you though."
Shikamaru laughed at the comment while Naruto started to glare at the Uchiha.
"Hmp very funny tem-"
He was cut off when Sasuke's phone rang. He took it out of his pocket and answered the call.
"Sakura?...Hn….I'm with him….." Sasuke then reached out his phone to Naruto. "It's for you dobe. She said she was trying to call you numerous times already."
"Oh…" Naruto took the phone from Sasuke. "Sorry Sakura my phone lost charge. So what's up?" Naruto asked as he sipped some wine.
"Naruto! Come here quick! Hinata's going to give birth!"
Naruto immediately spat out the wine he was drinking. "WHAT? SHE'S ABOUT TO GIVE BIRTH?"
Shikamaru and Sasuke exchanged surprised looks as they heard the news.
"OKAY! I'LL BE THERE ASAP!" Naruto exclaimed as he practically threw the phone back at Sasuke. Luckily he had good reflexes.
"Shit shit we gotta run!" Naruto panicked as the other two nodded and they bolted out the restaurant door.
Sasuke sat on a chair with his elbows on his thighs as he and Naruto waited outside while Hinata is in labor. Shikamaru went off to fetch Ino who wanted to come too as soon as she heard the news. Neji and Tenten also lent their support and came to the hospital as soon as they can. Sasuke sighs as he has been watching Naruto pace around for almost an hour.
"Dobe just sit down already."
"I can't." Naruto gave another worried look. "What if she needs me in there? What if something goes wrong? What if-"
"Calm down Naruto. She'll be fine." Tenten put a hand on his shoulder.
"Besides, Sakura's her doctor so she's in good hands." Neji added as he leaned against the wall with his arms crossed over his chest.
"I know…" Naruto sighed in defeat. "Sorry guys….I just don't like feeling so helpless while she's having a hard time in there."
"We know Naruto. We're all nervous. But panicking won't help ease the situation." Tenten reminded him." Why don't you just take a seat and pray for the best."
"Yeah…ok…" Naruto muttered as he let Tenten guide him to a seat beside Sasuke. The Uchiha sighed, understanding why Naruto felt that way. If it were Sakura, he's sure he would also feel restless. He reached out and patted Naruto's back, receiving a worried smile from his best friend.
"Any news?" Ino suddenly appeared along with Shikamaru while Neji shook his head.
"Not yet."
"Hinata….I hope she's doing fine.." She pouted. Silence filled the air as the group waited in agony for any news on Hinata's delivery,
"Naruto?" A voice called out. Naruto lifted his head up to see Sakura in her scrub suit and quickly ran to her.
"Sakura-chan! How's Hinata? Where is she? Was it successful?" He started bouncing like a kid, waiting for answers as Sakura smiled at him. The group also gathered around to hear the news as well.
"Calm down Naruto everything's fine." She answered. "Hinata just finished giving birth."
"And the baby?" Ino pitched in, excited to hear the news.
"They're healthy ones I can assure you that." Sakura smiled.
"W-Wait….healthy ones?" Naruto's eyes widened as Sakura nodded in response.
"Yes Naruto. She gave birth to twins."
…..
….
…..
*Thud*
"Naruto!" Ino squealed as Naruto suddenly fainted.
"Let's get him to a bed." Sakura sighed as the guy carried the unconscious dobe.
Looks like he wasn't prepared to hear that.
Sakura yawned as she stretched on the black leather seat of Sasuke's car. Sasuke glanced at her from the corner of his eye and smirked. All of a sudden, Sakura was surprised to feel a hand gently holding hers.
"Rest Sakura." He told her as Sakura blushed a bit. They've been together since High school and now it's going to be almost a year since they've got married but she still manages to blush at his simplest displays of affection.
"It's ok Sasuke-kun. I can wait till we get home." She replied as her thumb stroked the Uchiha's hand.
"I can carry you." He replied, focusing on the road.
"Hm? What do you mean?"
"If you fall asleep. I'll carry you to bed." Sasuke cleared out as Sakura smiled softly.
"But I still need to change."
"Hn. I'll change your clothes for you." He glanced to the side and smirked at her while Sakura giggled a bit.
"No it's ok Sasuke. We're close to home anyway." She replied as their car entered their subdivision.
"How's Naruto?"
"Oh he's alright now." Sakura smiled. "He just fainted from shock that's all. He's now the one taking care of Hinata at the hospital."
"Hn" Was all Sasuke reply as Sakura glanced at him.
"And Sasuke….I need to tell you something…"
"What is it?" Sasuke asked as soon as they arrived at the Uchiha Mansion and parked his car in the garage.
"…I'll tell you inside." Sakura told him and reached for the car door. Unfortunately, she found it to be locked.
"Open the door Sasuke-kun."
"Why not now?" Sasuke raised a brow at her.
"Sasuke open it!" She whined.
"Tell me first." Sasuke faced her and leaned in closer to his wife. Sakura rolled her eyes playfully before putting a hand on his cheek.
"Listen to me or else….no sex for a month."She smirked.
"We barely have time for it and you're going to ban us from it too?" Sasuke chuckled and gives her a peck on the lips. "Annoying…"
Sakura just stuck out her tongue at him playfully and hopped out of the car.
The three maids welcomed the couple as they stepped inside. Sakura questioned them on why they were still up so late wherein the ladies replied that they were just waiting for the couple to arrive home. Sakura thanked them for their kindness and instructed them to go to bed. She quickly ran off to have a hot shower as Sasuke changed out of his suit into some jogging pants. Something he found more comfortable to sleep in.
He sat down on the bed and focused on reading his book while waiting for his wife to finish. He didn't realize he became too engrossed in it until the pinkette jumped into the bed and under the covers beside him.
"Sakura you hair's still a bit wet." He scolded her.
"Don't worry I'll wait for it to dry in a while." She smiled and snuggled close to Sasuke's bare chest. He put down the book he was reading and wrapped his arms around his wife, kissing the top of her head.
"Now what were you going to tell me?" He asked. Sakura was silent for a moment before sighing.
"Is this bad news?"
"No Sasuke-kun." She smiled. "I'm….just not sure how you're going to react…"
Sasuke raised a brow, trying to figure out what news his wife has for him. But so far he had nothing.
"With the nausea I was feeling recently…I had a check up done…" She started. "I…also took a test."
"Test?" Sasuke raised a brow. For some reason, hearing the word test didn't keep him at ease."What's wrong Sakura?" He demanded to know, starting to feel concerned for his wife. But she just smiled gently at him and suddenly put her hand on his and guided it near her stomach.
"Sasuke…." She started. Sasuke pondered for a moment on what she's trying to tell him. But soon, it slowly started at sink in as his eyes widened.
"Sakura…"
"We're going to have our own baby…Sasuke-kun"
Yay! I hoped you like my first chapter. Reviews are very much appreciated.
I'll update as soon as I can. Till then, good bye!