Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto!

Summary: Uchiha Sasuke left his friends behind to follow in his father's footsteps. 7 years later, he finds himself in an elevator with the last person he wanted to see. Will he walk away again? Will Naruto let him? Rating may change!

A/N: Ahhh! Past midnight, I'm sorry! Here is the chapter!


Strictly Professional

Chapter 7: Flirting

A few drinks and questions later, and Naruto had his feet on Sasuke's lap and a body that had sank considerably further down the couch. Sasuke had one hand on Naruto's leg, unconsciously moving his thumb up and down.

"So…Sai?"

Naruto rolled his eyes. "Yes, Sai. We only dated for a couple of months."

"Hn."

Naruto sighed inaudibly. "I mean, you would like him. Dark hair, dark eyes…" he tilted his head, "kind of an asshole."

Sasuke didn't know whether to smirk or scowl. He settled for scowling.

Naruto smiled. "Sasuke…"

"That description also fits Neji," he muttered into his drink.

The blond couldn't help but laugh.

"I mean that's technically true," he said, "but I'm not into Neji. I wasn't that into Sai either," he added meaningfully.

"Stop trying to make me feel better," Sasuke's mutter had devolved into a meaningless mess.

Naruto dug his heel into Sasuke's thigh, laughing, "I have no idea what you're saying, teme. Stop being so grumbly!"

Sasuke gave him a look that was definitely not a pout. Definitely not.

Naruto sat up and pushed himself forwards, effectively plopping himself in Sasuke's lap.

"Stop being such a teme," he muttered in Sasuke's face.

"I'm working on it," Sasuke whispered.

Naruto gave him such a glowing smile that he almost kissed him.

The blond saved him the trouble.


They spent the weekend together. Naruto unabashedly made Sasuke borrow his clothes, and Sasuke pretended he was not avoiding his apartment, because he was simply making up for lost time with his gorgeous boyfriend.

Which was true, to some extent, but the fact remained that it was now Sunday night, and Sasuke still had no idea how to speak with his father come tomorrow.

It was a good thing he had Naruto, wasn't it?


It was Monday. After spending a completely wretched weekend hearing absolutely nothing from what was effectively his last remaining son, Uchiha Fugaku was at work, and he was in an entirely fowl mood.

He hadn't seen Sasuke today. He hadn't actively sought him out, because he shouldn't have needed to. He had no idea what had gotten into the boy.

Well, no, that wasn't right. He knew exactly what caused this change in Sasuke: the Uzumaki boy. Sasuke turned into an emotional, blubbering mess around the child. He didn't understand why on earth he continued to socialize with him, but whatever it was, it was important enough to defy him.

A scowl had been a permanent fixture on his face since Friday, at with each passing day it had only served to deepen. He checked his emails again. Nothing.

Hm.

A knock at his door interrupted his thoughts, and he paused for a moment to compose himself before beckoning them in.

A moment later, he desperately wished he hadn't.


Naruto discreetly wiped his palms on his pants before he knocked on the door. He wasn't entirely sure this was the best plan, and neither was Sasuke, for that matter, but they had to move forward somehow.

As he entered, he was met with an incredibly hostile glare. Naruto smiled politely to hide his nerves, closing the door quietly behind him.

"Uchiha-san," Naruto bowed in greeting. Fugaku didn't move. Maybe he should have upped the formality?

There was a pause.

"Skipping work as soon as the workweek begins, Uzumaki? I suppose I shouldn't be surprised, given your…academic history," his tone was so heavily laced with disapproval, Naruto could almost feel it on his skin.

Well. Fugaku apparently had no plans of even pretending to like him. If he was trying to goad the blond into causing a scene, he had another thing coming.

"I hadn't known you had access to my résumé," Naruto gave a tight smile, "I am particularly proud of keeping on the dean's honour list throughout my degree, in spite of my internship at Kyuubi Industries. And speaking of which," Naruto saw the man open his mouth and quickly continued speaking, "I am actually here on business."

He pulled out a folder. "A few weeks ago, I met with Neji and Sasuke," the informality was noted and frowned upon, "and we discussed how our business could work together on a possible new project. I'm sure you heard," Naruto inclined his head. "However, we received an email cancelling the project from your end. We never received a reason as to why."

He paused, but Fugaku did not seem eager to speak, so he continued.

"I was hoping you could enlighten me," Naruto said, "or perhaps we could go over the project together? I have the details here."

"No," Fugaku said quickly. Naruto looked up at him.

"We will not conduct any business with Kyuubi Industries."

Naruto raised his eyebrows. "Ever?"

Fugaku raised his chin and gave a challenging stare. Naruto held his eyes for a moment, before making up his mind to change tactics entirely. He grabbed a chair and turned in around, straddling the seat and crossing his arms over the back. Fugaku looked highly offended.

"Why don't you want your son to be happy?" Naruto tried to make his voice gentle, but the question still came out harsh. Fugaku looked furious.

"I have done nothing that was not for his own good. I have given him everything he could want."

"Except for love and approval," Naruto pointed out. Fugaku nearly growled.

"You have no idea what you speak of, boy," he spat, "you have no—"

Naruto heard enough. "Is this about Mikoto?"

Fugaku looked as if he had been slapped.

"It is, isn't it?"

Fugaku pressed a button on his phone. "I need security here immediately."

Naruto sighed. Well, he had a couple more seconds.

"Are you trying to protect Sasuke from getting hurt?" Naruto asked, "because you could just go the normal route of threatening the prospective suitor."

Fugaku held his lips so tight they were turning white.

"Here's the thing," Naruto said, "if you're trying to protect Sasuke from falling in love or something—it's too late. That's done."

Fugaku looked at him in horror.

"I love him. I'm almost positive he loves me. That's—"

The door opened. Naruto stood.

"You called security?" A white haired man with a toothy grin stepped into the room, eyeing the two of them.

"Suigetsu, yes," Fugaku cleared his throat. "Please remove this man."

"Ah," Suigetsu said, glancing at Naruto again. "I'm afraid I can't do that."

Naruto blinked.

"You are Uzumaki Naruto, yes?" Naruto nodded.

"I am under Sasuke's orders not to remove Uzumaki Naruto from the building."

Fugaku's knuckles turned white as he gripped his chair. "Then you will be fired," he hissed.

Suigetsu shrugged. "Sasuke said I was safe. I believe him. Anyways, have fun you two!" He gave a jaunty wave and left the room.

Naruto stared at the closed door. Apparently Sasuke had anticipated his father reacting badly. He tried to quash the smile threatening to appear on his face, but wasn't entirely successful as he turned back to face Sasuke's father.

"So, where were we?"


A/N: I hope you enjoyed! Things are starting to heat up, what did you think?

Until tomorrow,

- Kinomi