A/N: And here is chapter 3. So what do you think? Any plans for what should happen next?
"And I was thinking that perhaps we can make an open concept kitchen which combines the living room, a bathroom with a shower, but without a bathtub, and one bedroom. This would make the place about 650 square feet, including the small balcony, and closets which save us about 100 square feet, giving us space to make two extra apartments on each floor. So what do you think?" Tanzo asked, who was the head architect designer for the project.
Naruto looked over the plans while bouncing Yumi on her hips. It was the weekend, and as Kakashi had said, he took Rin away for the weekend, leaving Yumi in the care of her grandparents and aunts. Kushina was supposed to be looking after Yumi while Naruto was at work; however, she got called into an emergency NGO meeting and asked if Naruto would be able to look after her. So here she was, on the weekend, working on the homes for the homeless project while entertaining Yumi for the day. Not that she was complaining, everyone was enhanced with Yumi.
"But isn't that a little too small?" Naruto voiced as she looked over the blueprints.
"Not if we're creating them for single individuals," voiced Shikamaru, who was leaning back on his chair.
Tanzo nodded as he pulled out some more blueprints, "Our goal is to create the maximum number of homes for the homeless. This apartment is created for a single individual. The apartment has everything an individual needs to survive, and it allows us to save space and create more apartments. The extra space we'd be saving could be used to create another to bachelor apartments or a small two-bedroom apartment."
Naruto nodded her head, winching as Yumi tugged on her hair.
"Here, give her to me," Tenten said as she helped uncurl Yumi's fingers from her aunt's long blonde strands. Tenten was the accountant working under Naruto and one hell of a martial artist.
Naruto handed Yumi over and ushered Kiba, the Chief Operating Officer, to look over the plans. "What do you think," she asked.
"No, no, Nana." Yumi whimpered as Tenten tried to bounce her in her arms. "Nana, Nana. My Nana now."
Tenten rolled her eyes as she handed Yumi back to Naruto, "Yah, yah, go back, your Nana. The rest of us are just a bunch of sardines to you."
Naruto back as Yuni rested her head on her shoulders. It was almost her nap time, and it looked like it was about to hit cranky hour too. "Kiba?" Naruto prompted. She needed to quickly end this meeting and put Yumi down for her nap; otherwise, everyone on the floor would need to invest in new earplugs.
Kiba looked over the plans and the outline Tanzo had prepared. "I think this looks good, Naruto, sure; the apartments are a little smaller than you had initially planned, but our goal is to get homes to the homeless, and when they are able to afford to pay market rent, they would find another place, freeing these homes for whoever needs it."
Tanzo and Tenten nodded in agreement. The blueprints looked solid. Naruto nodded in agreement, "Okay, Kiba, you and Tenten need to work on the presentation for the board members. Once you're done, send it to Shikamaru. He and I will take over to present to our different sponsors. Hopefully, with everyone's support and the money we raise from the Ball, we can get the ball rolling."
"How troublesome," Shikamaru sighed, "More work."
Rolling her eyes, Naruto thanked Tanzo for his hard work. "Oh, before I forget, Tanzo, would you mind coming with us when we present?"
Rolling up the blueprints from the table, Tanzo nodded, "Sure, but why?"
"The sponsors would most likely have questions about the foundation of the project, and with so many investments going into this, they want to avoid a scandal of faulty building structures and whatnot," Shikamaru stated.
Tanzo nodded his head, understanding. It was one of the many reasons Naruto has approached Tanzo, after looking for months for someone who would fit the role. Despite his young age, after countless asking around and talking to people, Tanzo had come highly recommended. Even her father had applauded Naruto's choice when she informed him about her decision.
"Thank you for coming in, especially since it's the weekend." Naruto thanked as she shifted a fussy Yumi.
Tanzo smiled, "It's no problem. I appreciate the work you are doing; it's the least I could do," he stated, shaking hands with Kiba, Tenten and sent a nod to her lazy friend who couldn't be bothered to stand from his chair.
Tenten helped Tanzo with his supplies as she helped him out of the office.
"Kiba, can you pass me the bottle of milk? It should be on the side of the baby bag," Naruto asked as she shrunk into one of the office chairs. "So, you two, what do you think?"
Kiba handed Naruto the bottle, "Do you need me to warm it?" he asked. Shaking her head, Naruto urged Yumi to take the bottle, frowning as Yumi turned her face, refusing.
"Come one, Froggy, little bit, please?" Naruto encouraged. Yumi shook her head again. Finally, Naruto leaned down and whispered, "Just a little bit, please, and I promise I'll get uncle Iruka to play horsy with you."
Kiba coughed, muffing his laugher as he watched the interaction between Naruto and Yumi. She finally took the bribe and started drinking her milk.
"I liked Tanzo's new plan; the building is now more efficient with all the amenities," Shikamaru stated as he looked over their copies of the plan.
Kiba agreed, "Especially now that we're able to use a smaller plot of land but make the most of it. I like how he converted the first few floors into a rehabilitation centre and the top two floors for social services. Hopefully, we can convince the board and the sponsors with the new plan and proposal."
Naruto hummed in agreement, shifting Yumi's head from her chest to the crook of her arm. She had finally dozed off, still sucking on her bottle. "By the way, Mom gave me a list of what everyone wants for the party," Naruto stated.
Shikamaru raised his brows.
"Mom wants pink and lavender decorations; the lavender part was emphasized. Rin said she wanted a five-tier cake with Moana and Baby Shark decorations. Karuma said she wants live acrobatic dancers; dad and Iruka said they want fireworks at the end of the night, but it should be in various shapes and animals, ending in Happy Birthday Yumi." Naruto concluded.
Kiba looked at her in astonishment, "And Kakashi?" He asked.
"To keep people from bothering him and Rin at the party."
Kiba chuckled, shaking his head. "How are you two going to pull this off? It is a Black and White Ball, remember?"
Naruto frowned, "I know. Shika?"
Shikamaru sighed, "Why are you looking at me for? That's why I asked Ino to do the party planning. I just need to text her the requirements from your folks."
Naruto and Kiba looked at Shikamaru gobsmacked. "How?" they both asked. Ino, as brilliant as she was, was also a fantastic party planner. However, since she was going to med school, Naruto didn't have the heart to ask her.
"She owed me a favour," was all Shikamaru stated before he reclined his chair and closing his eyes.
"So, nothing to do with the fact that she's one of your ex-girlfriends?" Naruto asked, raising her eyebrow.
Shikamaru just smiled, not answering.
"That's one problem solved," Kiba muttered. Naruto nodded in agreement. "So, how's the guest list coming along? Karuma working her magic?"
"Well," Naruto stated, "The last I heard, she got Neji Hyuga to come as well as Sai to accept the invite."
Kiba whistled, "Damn, how'd she manage to get the top few bachelors of the elite to come?"
Rolling her eyes, Naruto retorted, "elite, really? Mr. I'm an emo ass bitch, and Mr. Inappropriate comments? The standards have really dropped."
"Seeing how they're quite influential, and people want to suck up to them and their families, I'd say having them here is a good thing," Shikamaru stated.
Naruto rolled her eyes again. While Shikamaru was right, she hated dealing with the so-called elite bachelors, minus a handful. They were stuck up, snobbish, and had everything handed to them while she had to constantly prove her worth for being a female.
Ping. Ping.
Naruto looked at her phone on the table. "Could you?" she guested to Kiba. Kiba picked up her phone and entered her security code.
"You've received a message from Lucifer," Kiba said, grinning at the nickname.
Shikamaru snorted. "You changed it from The Devil?"
Naruto laughed, nodding. "I thought Lucifer was a more fitting title than The Devil. What does he say?"
Kiba grinned, "He says, and I quote, "Little Jay, I hear you're throwing a grand Ball for Froggy. I'm disappointed that I didn't receive a personal invite from you; I expected better. I accept regardless, but I shall be bringing you a surprise for your insolence, my little minion. See you at the Ball. P.S. Wear this dress. It's already paid for. Ask one of your lackeys to pick it up from Chantel Boutique."
Naruto blinked. Then blinked again. "Re-read the last part."
"See you at –" Kiba started when Naruto interrupted. "No, before that. What did he say?"
"I shall be bringing you a surprise." Kiba re-read.
"Shit, I wonder what he has planned this time," Naruto muttered as she slowly got up, and walked over to the stroller, placing Yumi down gently, who was now fast asleep.
"Well, I, for one, am glad that I'm not the one dealing with him," Kiba muttered. Oh yes, Lucifer was the most fitting name, and whatever he had planned, Naruto would be in for it.
"I second that," Shikamaru stated.
"Kiba," Naruto all but growled. "Tell your friend to tighten security, extra tight. And tell him to keep Lucy dearest on the lookout. Who knows what the devil is up to now."
Kiba rolled his eyes. "Honestly, I don't know which pair is worse, you and Kakashi together, or you and him together. I say you both stop dancing around each other and have a good fuck to let out some of the tension. You both could use it."
CRASH!
Shikamaru looked at the paperweight, which flew inches away from Kiba's head, hit the window and fell to the floor.
"NARUTO!" Kiba shouted, "Women, you could have just killed me. You're lucky the window didn't break."
Naruto rolled her eyes as she pushed the stroller back and forth, calming Yumi, who had stirred at the commotion. "Please, you'd only sustained some brain damage, but don't worry. No one would have noticed. And the windows are bulletproof."
"Of course, they are!" Kiba muttered as he walked out of the meeting room. "Insane rich people and their insane behaviours!"
"What?" Naruto asked when she saw Shikamaru raising his eyebrow at her.
Shaking his head, he muttered, "Never mind, too troublesome. I'm going to take a nap. Let me know when the food arrives."
Naruto ignored her lazy best friend and continued to gently push the stroller. Unfortunately, the Ball was turning into more of a headache than initially planned.
The meeting door opened again; this time, it was Tenten looking concerned. "Everything okay?" she asked.
Naruto nodded, "Just a small mishap. Can you check to see when lunch will be arriving?"
Frowning, Tenten nodded and left the room. Most likely to ask Kiba what happened.
A/N: Leave a review. Let me know what you thought about this chapter.