Disclaimer: The original work 'Naruto' and all it's characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto.
On the glossy cover
"Seriously man, that rich guy's eyes have been on you this whole evening."
"Huh?"
The young journalist looked up at his partner, blowing the bright, blond hair out of his eyes and the pen he'd recently been chewing on fell from his mouth and hit the floor. Not that anyone heard. The room was buzzing with hundreds of voices, laughter, gasps and security workers' walkie-talkies.
"I said: That rich guy's eyes have been on you this whole evening. Maybe he's wishing that you were the one standing up there instead of Barbie..?" Shikamaru quirked an eyebrow and smirked while picking up his camera and removing the lens shelter.
"Bullshit. May I remind you that we are here to cover the story of "that rich guy's" official engagement announcement?"
Shikamaru snickered just barely audibly and took a test-shot of his partner. The blitz almost blinded the young man and he mumbled something about '…hate it when you do that..'
"Stunning," Shikamaru took a look at the test-shot, and held the camera up again for a new one. "Hearing you say that actually makes me think that you care about work.."
He managed to get another test shot before the now slightly irritated blond grabbed a hold of his blinding-weapon.
"That should be my line, you slacker. Well, I may not always be the most enthusiastic about these kinds of stories, but if I manage to write a good story on this one I might get a long awaited promotion. So you just shut your trap and shoot a few kick-assed photos! And, geez, that blitz is way too sharp. Man, really.."
"Troublesome.."
"Not half as troublesome as it will be unless you get your lazy ass over there and take some pictures. Now GO! I wanna see your fingers radiate with smoke when you're done!"
"Geez, calm down, man.."
The room was practically boiling over with people; quests, family, journalists, newspapers, magazines, radio, tv. There was no doubt this would be one of the major headlines of the year. Uchiha Sasuke, as of today inheritor of the famous and successful Uchiha Trade Corporation. UTC was known worldwide for their strict and successful business ways; Always in the paper, always being sucked up to by the press and the politicians. Everybody wanted an Uchiha on their side, because that would be their one-way ticket to fame, glory and success.
And now the younger of the two Uchiha-brothers had gone forth and snatched the successor seat of UTC from his older brother by officially announcing his engagement.
His beloved one was no-one not already known to the public, but the one who more or less ruled the celebrity parties and events in Konoha. The blond party-girl didn't do a thing for a living, except living off of her father's billion dollar interior business "Yamanaka Flowers".
Yamanaka Ino was not what you would call a respected businesswoman. Even though both her father and herself claimed she had been doing lots of great work within the Yamanaka business, the countless of scandalous videos, quotes, photos and interviews had for a long time already cast a big, dark shadow over her future career and reputation. This was one of the main reasons there was some extra big fuzz around the announcement.
Why would a well-respected young man as Uchiha Sasuke choose an empty-headed party doll as his future wife? What could be the big attraction between the two, when the youngest Uchiha literally had all the best women in the whole country to choose from?
Giggling with a glass of bubbly champagne in one hand and the other hand hooked onto Uchiha Sasukes arm, she looked like Barbie who just found her Ken. Which would actually be the exact imitation of the two who now stood before hundreds of people, smiling and showing of their engagement-rings.
The young journalist sighed as he clicked his pen and started scribbling down a few impressions of the scenario. He was both nervous and excited about the press conference the youngest Uchiha would hold in a few minutes time.
He would hopefully get one question in, if he was lucky, maybe two. Three would be fantastic, but he didn't want to get his hopes up. He'd settle for one. So it had to be a good one.
As the professional he was, he thought, he had of course prepared. He'd wanted it to be a question that craved a proper answer. It'd be something that would make the crowd wonder if one were allowed to even ask that.
This was his boat, so he had to know how to steer it. After all, he was the number one most spontaneous, rude and creative journalist in all of Konoha.
Somewhere up in front of the plateu he was sure he saw the pineapple hair, alias Shikamaru his best friend and partner, and a furiously blaring blitz.
"E-excuse me.. Hello?" The sound of somebody tapping a microphone and a nervous voice was heard over the speakers.
"Hello? Is this on?" Again the voice was heard but this time followed by anxious laughter.
All the attention turned to a fragile-looking young girl with dark blue hair, who, by the look of it, didn't like the position she now was in. Her hand was visibly shaking and it seemed like she prepared to give it one last try.
"W-well. Seems like this is on, so.. Good evening everyone. On behalf of Mr. Uchiha Sasuke I will like to thank everyone for showing up and would also like to announce that the press conference will start in two minutes time. If all journalists and photographers would be so kind and gather in the lounge it would be very much appreciated. And.. Thank you, that is a-all.. Yes, that is all. And oh! Congratulations, Mr and Mrs. Uchiha!"
The whole assembly applauded and said congratulations. Soon after the announcement, the crowd of people started to move away from the scene.
Within the next five minutes Naruto and Shikamaru found themselves cramped up in a horde of journalists waiting to get picked to ask their billions of questions.
Uchiha Sasuke was always a difficult man to interview, though, as he more often than not gave answers that didn't let people in on much. On the one hand he was a man always in the centre of things, but on the other he seemed to be a very private person, not too keen on sharing information about himself.
Not weird, though, Naruto thought to himself.
Considering the position the youngest Uchiha was in, now being the heir of the country's leading trading corporation, a scandal or a leak of sensitive information about his private life could ruin his career.
Uchihas timid secretary from earlier announced the floor was open to questions for 15 minutes. The roof practically lifted as the journalists started yelling "Mr. Uchiha! Mr. Uchiha!" and Naruto was no worse than the rest.
"Yes, the man in the blue shirt?"
Damnit, Naruto cursed, coughed and got ready to yell even louder after the first question had been answered.
"Mr. Uchiha, first congratulations on your engagement. For my question, I'm sure everyone wonders how this announcement on getting married will affect your future work situation as well as the relationship between you and your older brother Mr. Uchiha Itachi?"
All journalists sat at the edge of their seats ready to jot down the answer, and Naruto had to give the guy credit for asking such a 'right on' first question.
The youngest Uchiha didn't let any emotion color his face as he stated his answer.
"As for my future work situation, besides taking over the position of head chairman, I will continue at the same pace as usual and as for the relationship between my brother and me everything is the same as before. He respects and understands my choice, and he will continue as vice president at UTC in the future."
Other journalists tried to get in but the man in the blue shirt got to ask a second question, much to Narutos dislike.
"So he holds no grudge against his younger brother for snatching away his chance to become UTC's new CEO?"
"Not at all. We have always worked together on a professional level, and we never let personal issues influence our work-relationship. My brother is a fair man and as I said, respects my choice."
"Then, the next question please, the woman with the red hair?"
"Mr. Uchiha, up until this moment there hasn't been anything indicating the relationship between Ms. Yamanaka and yourself. For how long have you been going out? That is what the public really would like to know!"
"Ms. Yamanaka and I have been seeing each other for quite a long time, and known each other for an even longer time as both our fathers have been friends since childhood."
"Next, please."
A man with huge glasses got to ask.
"Then why did you decide to marry now, considering the fact that being 25 years old is quite an early age for marriage these days?"
"Marrying at an early age does not trouble us the least, and we decided now would be a good time as I will have some time off this summer to prepare for my new position this coming fall."
Ten minutes had already passed and Naruto was getting anxious; not even half the crowd of journalists would get to ask their question.
Naruto shot up from his seat the second Uchiha closed his mouth.
"Yes, the man in orange?"
Finally. He took a quick breath before posing his question.
"Uchiha," he started, and received astounded glances when he left out saying 'Mr'.
"Yamanaka Ino has had quite many adventures in the past, hasn't she? What makes you so sure she will settle down now? If there's anyone who has the ability to ruin your life and career as a professional, it's her, am I not right?"
There were gasps and Shikamaru nudged him and mouthed 'nice!'.
Uchiha Sasuke said nothing while looking straight at Naruto, and after a while he 'tsk'ed and gave a slight smile for the first time after the press conference started.
"Uzumaki Naruto, isn't it? Well, Uzumaki, there are numerous things that could ruin my career, but they won't because I wouldn't let them. Ms. Yamanaka is very well acquainted with the position she now is in and she has said to me she feels ready to leave her past and start a new life as the coming Mrs. Uchiha. I think nothing of what she might have or haven't done in the past, but when she tells me she want to settle down then I believe her. But I guess this is a hard blow on the journalist world as you won't have any more things to blow out of proportion and plaster across your tasteless tabloid papers, no?"
Naruto was both pleased and surprised Uchiha had given him such a long and quite personal answer, but there was no time for reflecting now when he maybe had a chance to get his second question in. He was already glowing and had his hand in the air already for a second shot.
"Next, please. The man at the-"
"It seems the refined Mr. Uzumaki has something more to ask.", Uchiha Sasuke interrupted his secretary.
"Oh, of course, Mr. Uzumaki then."
"Thanks. You know, Uchiha, considering the, in any case mystically short, uproar of last winter you found yourself in the middle of, I somehow find it funny to see how short a time it took until you suddenly decided to get married."
There was no little smile on the face of the youngest Uchiha now. He sat back up and put his palms down graciously on the table before him, and spoke without emotion.
"I'm sorry, Uzumaki, but I didn't quite hear a question in there?"
"Well, correct me if I'm wrong, but I must admit I do get a little suspicious that this wedding is not based on the love for Yamanaka, but maybe it's a neatly planned and career-wise cover-up?"
"And would you like to tell me what it is that I'm supposed to cover up, then?"
"That you're bisexual and that you've had a secret love affair with the award winning author Hatake Kakashi."
The room started to buzz with whispers.
"Well," Uchiha started and took a sip of the glass of water given him by his secretary.
Actually it was more a huge gulp than a sip, and Naruto wrote 'water – drinks half the glass" down on his notepad.
"It is true that I am an acquaintance of Mr. Hatake. I'm a big fan of his works and I buy all his publishing's. As I've already said earlier this spring Mr. Hatake and I spent a lot of time together last winter because of his new book that will come out this fall. I don't know if it is allowed for me to let you in on its details, but the reason we spent a lot of time together was because we were discussing the base of the main character for his new fiction book. A character loosely based on me."
All journalists seemed thrilled to get not only the scoop of the wedding announcement, but also some gossip about the new book of Hatake Kakashi, an author who always kept the details around his upcoming books a secret.
"That's all there is to it. So my apology goes out to all hopeful men and women: I will be a married man on August 12th because I've found the love of my life. I'm not bisexual nor have I had a so-called "secret love affair" with Mr. Hatake. But I do encourage all of you to buy his new book as I am sure it will be a very interesting read. Thank you."
A single nod to his secretary indicated that the press conference was over. The entire crowd was already making calls and hurrying back to their respective magazines and papers before his secretary could even announce the end and give her thanks to all that had met up.
"Oi, here's around 100. I think there are maybe at least two good ones."
Shikamaru threw his camera to Naruto, who barely managed to catch it.
He saw through a few of them, sighed and handed it back to his partner.
"Ugh… "
"What?"
"Nothing. Barbie makes me want to barf, though."
Shikamaru laughed and nodded in agreement, sipping his whiskey.
They usually went to an izakaya close to their office after long days as this one. The deadline for their story was two days later, so they had at least a few hours to spare. The magazine would be out in every kiosk and mailbox of gossip-deprived housewives within Saturday.
Naruto was practically sprawled out over their table, watching the bubbles in his beer float up to join the foam.
"Sheesh… He's so full of himself. "Numerous things could ruin my career but they won't because I wouldn't let them." "I'm sure it will be an interesting read" "A character loosely based on me." Hehmehmehmehmehmeeh! Tsk…", Naruto imitated the Uchihas calm, arrogant voice.
"Naruto.. Cheer up, dude. Your questions today resulted in Uchiha talking more than he normally does in interviews through a whole year. And I have to give it to ya, Uzumaki, today you were really kicking it in there. If the old hag's not pleased with you now there's no future for our mag. My shot of Uchiha on the cover and your vivid writing, I'm tellin' ya, sales will rocket sky high on Friday."
"You think?"
"Of course. "I'm sure it will be a very, very, very interesting read." Shikamaru said and winked.
They laughed loudly and bumped their knuckles together, downed their drinks and ordered seconds.
His cell phone vibrated in his jacket and upon seeing the caller, he smirked.
"Good evening, Hatake."
"Why good evening, Uchiha. Cuddling up on the couch with your bride-to-be?"
"Of course not."
"Wonderful. Now, a little bird just whispered to me you've gone and told all of Konoha about my secret, little main character. That's not very nice, you know?"
"Not very nice, indeed. I am truly sorry."
"Hmm? I sure know you can lie oh so brilliantly to the press, but I'm a different matter, Uchiha. You know that, love, don't you?"
"I do. Then you also know I'm not truly sorry."
"I do."
"It will be good publicity for you, Hatake. You should thank me, doing you a favor like that. I'm the one being accused of being bisexual, you know."
"But you're not bisexual, Uchiha. Everyone knows that. Well, at least I know that."
Sasuke could hear a low snicker at the other end of the line.
"I guess I should thank you. Though I, for a slight moment, considered not to give you my first copy."
"That would be to push the line a little, don't you think?"
"It definitely would. Therefore you will have it fresh from the press early next week. I've already booked a table at the place you recommended last time. We're having dinner together on Monday so put something nice on, darling."
"Have you ever seen me without something nice on?"
"I haven't. But I sure would like to see you with nothing on at all."
"Shut up, you old sleaze. Monday at nine, I presume?"
"See you there, love."
The line went dead and Sasuke loosened his tie as he flipped the phone shut.
Monday just couldn't come soon enough. But, of course, that was only because of the book.
Only because of the book.
Izakaya: An izakaya is a Japanese type of bar, mainly for drinking, but also serves some dishes. Usually inexpensive and a nice place to hang out after school/work.
CEO: Chief Executive Officer, the head of a business. The guy at the top with his bank account full of money.
This is my second story up on FF, so I'd be really happy to hear your thoughts!
Also, this chapter is unbeta'd, and I'm searching for someone who's up for the job. If anyone's interested in being my beta, please contact me through a personal message.
Preferred qualifications:
-Beta'd at least ten other stories that can be referred to here on FF
-English as your first language (as mine is not, obviously!)
-Can do humor/romance, and mature content
-Love the series of Naruto! :D