A/N: Yo! Just having a gander on my account and I realised this is my third highest reviewed story. That's quite impressive. If I'm honest I always figured A Kindred Spirit and Don't Wake Me Up were my piece d'resistance, my 9th symphonies, my Davids, my Big Macs so to speak, but this... this is getting somewhere. Finally I can do this:
*In movie trailer man deep voice* In a world filled with 800 word chapters and poor plotlines. Where the thought out and well written are lost to the pages of an overly popular pairing filter. Where spelling mistakes appear even in the title. One authour dares to break the mold, to free the hopeful from prolonged hiatuses (hiati?) and inconsistent updates, to bring life back into a pairing that truthfully, when you've written a story about them, you come to realise that the two characters don't really mesh that well together.
Their name... is Not-So-GentleFist.
I should make that into one of those chain things people like to put on their profiles, if you guys wanna start that go fit it. But seriously, if you guys haven't read Take a Hint by Not-So-GentleFist yet you should. Puts NaruHina in a whole new perpective and it's fricken hilarious.
That being said. I've changed the currency in this story from Yen to Ryo, so it ties to the Naruniverse better, and I've changed the exchange rate so 1 US Dollar - 1 Ryo if you live in USA, 1 Pound - 1 Ryo if you live in UK, basically whatever your currency is, the Ryo is equal to it for this story's purposes.
This was going to be a longer chapter, but I've decided to split in in half as I like where it cuts off. I've had it written up since the last post, I was just milking reviews.
The Sasuke bit in this was the dark sub-plot I was talking about in the last A/N, I've read your reviews and I will not be following it any further, I was just too lazy to change all the work I put into this. So after the next couple of chapters, consider all that Sub-plot stuff resolved.
And finally, to all you out there with twisted undies and bunched panties, Naruto is going to find out their his kids soon, that's kinda what this whole story is about. I'm building up to something people! It's all about the ambiance!
"Karin." Sasuke's upper body appeared through the partially open door of his office, alerting the red haired woman sat at her desk, who turning in her chair to face him. "Do I have any meetings today?"
"Uh… Yes…" She turned back to face her computer, he could see her loading up the schedule on her desktop. "You have a meeting with Sound Four at two and Kina and Reishi from the Kodon clinics at four."
"Cancel them." He replied bluntly to give her a small startle. "Rearrange them. Do whatever it is you have to do, but I can't see them today."
"O-Okay… M-May I ask why-?" She didn't finish her question before Sasuke closed his office door again, he turned and leaned back against it, feeling the tinted glass against his upper back.
Sighing he looked down towards his phone, flicking through his contacts before picking a certain name. He dialled it and stared at the call screen momentarily before bringing it up to his ear.
"Sasuke-kun? This is a surprise, you never call when you're at work. I'm kind of busy myself at the moment. What's up? You want to meet up for lunch or something?"
"Sakura." He responded, stopping her before she fully commenced her chatty ramblings. "I'm sorry, I know we've got a date tonight, but I'm going to have to get a rain check. Something's come up, something I can't get out of. I don't know how long it will take either."
"Oh… Okay sure…"
"I'm sorry…" He repeated, his eyes moved to look out over the city through his office window.
"No, it's okay really. I figured you would have to cancel a few dates. I'm busy at my work, but you must have it even more badly, running your own company and all. It's just something I'll have to get used to."
"I don't want it to be something you have to get used to. I don't want you to get used to me bailing on you." He replied, a small smile appeared on his face when he heard her giggle through his phone.
"It's fine. It just means I expect you to put more effort into our rain check dates!"
He chuckled quietly. "Deal." He replied. "How about Saturday? Name something and we'll do it."
"Hmm… How about… a day long date!" He could hear the excitement in her voice. "There's an oriental food market across town. I want to go there and pick up lunch and dinner, we have a picnic in the park then we go back to your place for dinner. Then we do all the things I want to do."
The black haired man laughed again. "Sure, whatever you want. See you Saturday." She said her goodbyes and they hung up.
His head smacked against the door, shifting to look properly at the window for a moment. He continued staring out over the horizon, before he returned to his phone, resuming the call he placed on hold minutes ago. "Congratulations. You now have my undivided attention."
He pushed himself off the door and walked towards the window, shoving his free hand in his pocket. "Great. When and where?"
"No I don't need to write it down." His eyes scanned across the city, almost as if searching for the person on the other end of the line. "Three o'clock. Got it." With that he quickly hung up. Smack the hand that encased his phone against the window. His forehead pressed against the glass and he let out an infuriated snarl.
"BOLT! FOR CRYING OUT LOUD PASS THE BALL!" Naruto screamed from the side lines as he watched Bolt yet again try to take on the opposing teams defence by himself and fail miserably. The ball snatched from his feet and with a quick burst was being launched back down towards their own goal. "COME ON GUYS! MAKE A TACKLE!"
It was too late as the opposing team pushed and pushed before breaking through and slipping the ball into their net. Naruto blew his whistle angrily, call for the game to be over. The opposing team cheered and huddled around their coach, chattering to each other victoriously.
His own team huddled up around him all groaning in defeat, some shot angry looks towards the new blonde member of their coaching group. "So guys… What did Lee's team do that you guys didn't?"
"It's not our fault, Naruto!" One of the boys shouted back, before turning to face Bolt. "It's his!"
"Hey! At least I went for it! You were all too afraid to move forwards-ttebasa!" Bolt defended himself angrily, moving to get up in the accusing kid's face.
Naruto quickly stepped in the middle of them. "No Bolt, it's not about moving forwards, it's how you move forwards. You thought you could do it by yourself. But you have to go as a team. This is a team game after all. You have to pass the ball as well Bolt, the ball moves faster than you." He watched the blonde boy cross his arms and huff loudly. "Right, you guys know the rules. Ten sit ups, ten push ups, then five laps around the pitch."
The boys groaned loudly as they began to lay down on the artificial grass and begin the losers' ritual. Naruto moved to the other team's coach, the main coach in fact. While he himself helped out occasionally, it was Lee's actual job to coach the kids soccer team… and the kids track team… and the adults track and swimming classes… basically whatever the bowl cut black haired fitness nut could get his mitts on coaching.
The winning team were already hollering victoriously as they made their way to the showers and dressing rooms as the blonde haired man approached Lee. "You've got them all pretty good at playing soccer, Lee. I reckon if some stick at it they could even turn pro-ttebayo." Naruto grinned widely.
"Thank you for the praise, Naruto-san!" Lees smiled back, giving him a quick thumbs up. Before his black eyes moved to the blond boy still doing his push ups whilst the rest of the losing team had begun their five laps. "Alas, he might be a bit tougher. Most of these youthful boys have been in the training group since the start of the year. He has a lot to pick up on."
"I thought you liked a good challenge?" Naruto smirked back childishly towards the black haired man.
"Of course!" Lee smiled again, both sets of teeth on display. "He reminds me of you, Naruto-san! Rambunctious, full of fire and energy, and gutsy enough to not give up! Even when it was obvious he was not going to get past the defence he kept on pushing and trying."
"Heh, yeah he's got spirit." Naruto looked back towards the blond boy now running round the pitch, who although finished is push ups later was beginning to catch
"Don't worry though, Naruto-san! I will make you a youthful promise to fan his flames. I will make sure he channels all that boundless energy into something constructive." Lee grinned yet again.
Naruto laughed, watching as Bolt himself grinned as he overtook the boys mid lap, now leading them in their five laps. "I bet his mom will like that…"
Ever since Hinata returned from her lunch break she watch Karin repeatedly apologise down the phone, attempting to rearrange meetings for Sasuke. Who had apparently abruptly left after asking Karin to cancel all his remaining appointments for the remainder of the day.
She wanted to help, but she knew better than to ask. Karin was rather… possessive over Sasuke. She wouldn't allow anyone else to help her in her duties. Besides that, despite the proximity the two share, she knew her workload varied considerably to Karin's. It appeared while Sasuke went through most of the customers the company had contracts with, Neji met with the new ones, and Neji appeared to be the more vocal one of the CEO duo, as Neji's job also held a lot of responsibility over the staff.
"Hinata." She turned to see Neji standing at the door of his office. "Is your cell phone off?"
"Y-Yes, Neji-san, of course. I a-always turn it off when I came to work." Hinata replied honestly, she would always turn her cell phone off before arriving at work.
"From now on leave it on vibrate. It's a lot easier." Neji responded, for his face took to a sullen tone. "Hanabi called me, Hinata… It's… your father…"
Sasuke stared at the hotel room's closed door for a few moments. He was beginning to see the scratch marks etched into the gilded numbers screwed into black on the wood. He began to notice how the wood itself began to splinter through its white paint. He looked down at the door handle, noticing smudges and fingerprints from previous accommodators.
He banged once on the door, before a voice told him to enter. And so he did. He closed the door behind him, whilst continuing to face the two men sat in chairs in the middle of the room. Both dressed in simple black suits. One with moss green hair and pale white skin with large pupil-less yellow eyes and a happy grin on his face.
The other was a familiar face. Long brown hair pulled back into a pony tail. An angry snarl was built around his green pupil-less eyes, with sclera so bloodshot they might as well had just been red in colour.
As soon as he entered the green haired man moved to the laptop in front of them nestled on the table and pushed a button. The screen lit up, before revealing another familiar face… sort of. An orange mask with one eyehole, with a swirling pattern around it appeared on the screen. "Sasuke. Take a seat." The man on the laptop's screen spoke.
"This is my assistant Zetsu. And I believe you have already had the pleasure of meeting Kakuzu."
"Pleasure wouldn't be the word I'd use to describe it." Sasuke replied as he sat on the small couch in front of the two men and the laptop, before he turned to face Kakuzu more directly. "Meeting him is about as pleasurable as standing on a plug socket."
"Cheeky little brat." Kakuzu's angry snarl worsened, however the man on the screen simply laughed.
"Sasuke, Sasuke, Sasuke. What are we going to do with you?" The man spoke through his dulled laughter. "The agreed upon time is over Sasuke. Well and truly over in fact…"
"And I need more time." Sasuke retorted in a cool voice. "Our starting years have been good, and our yearends have been consecutively more profitable each year, but I need more time before I can start paying you back."
"This isn't very professional, Sasuke… Your brother was very quick to pay back the agreed upon sum." Sasuke mood took a sour turn at the mention of his brother. "I was almost hurt by how quickly he paid it off. Almost as if he didn't want any association with me at all." Sasuke couldn't see his face, but he hazard a guess that this man was smirking rather than looking forlorn. "But I suppose that would be the truth, your brother wasn't really fond of how I did business. Pacifists, hey Sasuke?"
"I'm not my brother." Was his simple reply.
"Of course you're not, Sasuke. You're much more… impressionable."
"Cut the bullshit." Kakuzu butted in in a deep, angry tone. "I haven't travelled all this way for stupid chitchat. You brat, we are owed a currently standing total of 175'000'000 Ryo from you. And we expect payment."
"I only borrowed 100 million."
"Calm down, Kakuzu." The green haired one spoke to the brown haired man, whose deep, heavy breathing was filled with rage. "Let's not make a mess here."
"Consider it interest, Sasuke." The man on the screen responded. "Three months have passed since the agreed upon time has ended. We have added twenty five percent of the original sum for every month you have been late."
"And we will continue to do so until we get some sort of payment from you." Kakuzu added. "And for whatever reason why he feels charitable towards you, brat. After the first payment is made we will only add ten percent of the original sum per month."
"Fair return for fair investment, hey Sasuke?" He could almost hear the man in the laptop's mocking tone. "With how well your yearends are and of course the infamous Uchiha funds amassed over the years you should find it easy to pay it back in due time." The man chuckled once again. "Ah yes, I forget myself, that's why you came to my humble business in the first place, just like your brother. You know as well as I do the current… financial situation of the Uchiha's bank balance."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed as he stared at the masked man on the dimly lit screen. "Just who the hell are you? Every time I've seen you, you've hid behind that mask through a computer screen."
"Identities are important, Sasuke. And alas a man of my stature can't just go showing his face off to the world. I must remain anonymous, I must remain no one. And if you would like me to be no one to you, Sasuke. If you would like me to not exist in your world, all you have to do is pay what is owed."
Zetsu reached into his pocket, pulling out a small picture, he placed it face down on the table and slid it towards the black haired man sat alone. "If you want to play guess who, Sasuke. Can you tell me who this is?" The man on the screen continued with a light chuckle.
Sasuke stared at all three of them before moving to pick up the picture. He tried to control his eyes, but he couldn't stop them from widening in shock. "Well, Sasuke?"
"Yes." Sasuke replied whilst staring at a picture of Sakura, dressed up. He remembered the dress she wore, it was the one she wore on their first date at Jashin's.
"Tell me who she is, Sasuke?"
Sasuke looked back up towards the other men and his eyes narrowed. The words almost choked in his mouth, a bead of sweat ran down his forehead, he hoped they wouldn't have noticed, but judging by the sick smirks on Kakuzu's and Zetsu's faces, they did. "She's collateral."
"Very clever, Sasuke." The man laughed once again. "So we can expect a payment from you soon yes?"
Sasuke took the picture into his pocket. "So I give you one payment and the interest rate drops?" He asked, waiting from a nod from Zetsu before he took out his wallet. Taking out a single ten Ryo note and sliding it across the table. "Here. Consider that your first payment."
Kakuzu quickly moved to swipe the note from the table as the man in the laptop guffawed loudly. "Very funny, Sasuke… Should your company fall into ruins, you should really consider a career in comedy." He could feel the threat laced behind his humour filled words.
"The first payment will be half the original borrowed sum. 50 million." Kakuzu spoke as he pocketed the ten Ryo note.
Sasuke sighed loudly as he stood up, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Fine. I've got your numbers." With that he began to leave the room.
"We'll be in touch soon, Sasuke." The man on the screen called behind him.
As soon as Sasuke had shut the door, Kakuzu let out an infuriated snarl. "That little shit is going to be a nuisance."
"Should I contact Deidara and have him be at the ready, Tobi?" Zetsu asked with a light chuckle.
"Oh no, I know how these Uchiha are, things won't escalate to that extent." The man on the computer responded. "Despite being impeccable at his profession. A situation like this requires a certain… subtlety that Deidara simple cannot provide. Zetsu, contact Hidan and have him get some of his men ready, they'll be enough should little Sasuke decide to play against my wishes… And arrange a meeting with Kisame. I'd like to know just how much Itachi knows about our humble operation."