Chapter Four: Family Reunion

Disclaimer: We don't own anything but the plot.

Author's Note: The next chapter's up. Just a note, after today we will not be updating as frequently, as our classes start tomorrow. But we will try to update at least once a week. Before we give you the chapter, we'd like to thank all of our awesome reviewers: TearsOfInsanity14, 2supersmart, tiffanylicis, XyoushaX, Riley-Mayori, anon., Animegurl9146, nickygirl, HersheysRocks, shkuro, lilxcutexmonstah, AsukaNaohito, iFo0l, FallenTeenHearts, Kokiiru-kun, MarshmellowBunny.

And here were some of the questions you all had -

1. From XyoushaX: "Maybe you could explain in-depth why Sasuke doesn't want his company to merge with another. Is it because his company is smaller, and he doesn't want to be seen in the public eye as being 'sucked in' voluntarily, in more ways than one?"

A short version of why Sasuke won't merge with Haruno and Co.: Uchiha Inc. is a large company, much larger than Haruno and Co., and their business is flourishing. Sasuke views Haruno and Co. as weak because of their current financial situation. He doesn't want to be viewed as sympathetic towards others; furthermore, merging with less fortunate companies may bring his own to a lower level. More on his reasoning will be explained in later chapters.

2. From iFo0l: "just wondering why you would have a weapons company join a male model agency?...wouldnt it make more sense if sakura ran a FEMALE moldeling agency?...no offense but this story makes all the guys seem REALLY REALLY UTTERLY ..G-A-Y!"

Well, if it were a female modeling agency, then there would be no need for them to merge because there would probably already be rivalries between them. And if they were doing poorly, nothing would posess Sasuke to bring them into his company at all. If he merged with them, they would simply become a branch of the company and receive financial support from them. It would in no way affect the modeling agency, rather, Sasuke would have power over them. The entire view of their sexuality is completely up to interpretation, keep in mind that they are a very close knit group of friends so anything that they do to each other is platonic. It was written this way simply because Sakura now has another obstacle to overcome. However, if you'd rather them be gay, then go ahead and think that, but we assure you that all of the end pairings will be hetero.

We'd also like to thank you all for 2,000 hits! Though we must say we have almost as many reviews as alerts, which makes us feel as if our story isn't worth reviewing. So, remeber to review!

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"No…forget it…no."

"Uchiha-sama, I have your finished paperwork," Sakura interrupted Sasuke as he was on the phone. He seemed to have not heard her, or he didn't seem to care.

"No Itachi, I will not use you!"

I will never get used to this…do they all try to talk this way?

"Whips? Are you kidding me? Chains? Shut up!" Sasuke surprisingly yelled before hanging up rudely.

That's kinky...

"What is it?" he said, redirecting his attention to her.

"I've got your paperwork," she said as she handed him the stack of papers.

"Fine. Go down and see to it that everything is finished."

"Could you clarify?"

"Just go down and make sure everyone is working and not playing strip poker."

As she was about to head out, she turned around once more to ask a final question.

"Um, who's Itachi?"

"None of your concern," he replied hastily. "Tell the receptionist to lock the doors."

"Why would the doors need to be locked? Are you expecting him?"

"Yes. Do it now."

"Yes, Uchiha-sama," she rolled her eyes as she made her way to the door.

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Sakura was in the elevator, making her way down to the first floor. Why is he always so secretive? I want him to be able to tell me stuff. Wait, did I just think that? No, I don't care about him. This is purely business.

She shook any further thoughts about the CEO out of her mind as the elevator halted. As she made her way towards the receptionist, she heard a faint whisper. Deciding it was nothing, she continued on her path. This time, she distinctly heard her name; turning, she only spotted a janitor. I'm losing it.

"Dammit, Sakura-san!"

What the hell? Am I being stalked? By a janitor?

"Er, can I help you?" she asked suspiciously as she slowly made her way to the man with the mop. Is that a fake moustache? What a weirdo.

"Sakura-san. It's me." Finally recognizing the voice, Sakura gasped in surprise.

"Naruto? Why are you pretending to be a janitor?"

"...who the hell is Naruto?"

"Should I know you?"

"It's Shikamaru," the man finally told her.

"Oh, I'm sorry! Wait, what are you doing here? What if someone sees you?"

Shikamaru sometimes wondered about the girl. He gestured at his new ensemble and badly applied moustache.

"I'm here because we need a status report from you. And you don't seem to be too cozy with the CEO yet," he eyed her accusingly.

"I know, I know. I'm trying though, really! He's impossible! Last time I tried, he got a nosebleed."

"Well, that's great. At least you've made some progress."

"No. I don't think you get it. I gave him the nosebleed."

"So what's the problem? That's what you're supposed to be doing."

"Shikamaru! I hit him in the face! With my chest!"

Shikamaru raised an eyebrow. "…I bet he enjoyed it, though."

"…you're not helping, you know."

"Well can you tell me anything else? I need to go soon."

"They play strip poker too much. I think they'll all catch colds if they don't wear clothes for more than seven hours a day."

Shikamaru looked as though he were using every ounce of restraint not to roll his eyes.

"You're not being very useful. Have you seduced anyone at all yet?"

"The only guy worth seducing is my 'cousin'! Tell Ino-pig I hate her once you get back."

"Maybe we should have sent her instead. She would have been more direct. I wonder Sakura, do you even care about your company?" He didn't wait for an answer before he disappeared in the janitor's closet.

"Wait! Shikamaru!" Sakura yelled as she threw open the door. She was only met by cleaning supplies and mops. "Shikamaru?" Those damn spies.

As the reality of what Shikamaru had told her sunk in, Sakura started making her way to the reception desk.

Send Ino instead of me? Maybe he's right, I really haven't been of use at all. But I can't disappoint my father or anyone else back at Haruno and Co. I can do this! CHYEAH!

While she was pondering, she didn't notice a tall, dark-haired man standing right in front of her, and proceeded to run right into him.

She swayed backwards for a moment before regaining her composure, and looked up at him. He had blinding red eyes and long black bangs concealing most of his face.

"Oh my, I'm so sorry! Please excuse me," she apologized hastily.

"Do you know where I may find Sasuke?" he asked her in a deep voice.

"Oh, sure. May I ask who you are?"

"…his brother."

After studying him more carefully, she could indeed see the resemblance between the two. They must have amazing genes; they're both gorgeous.

"Oh? I'm sure he'll be delighted to see you! I'll take you to his office," she said as she started back towards the elevator. The man followed her lead.

After many awkward minutes of silence passed in the elevator, they reached the 50th floor.

"Uchiha-sama? I have a visitor for you!" Sakura smiled as she threw his door open. Sasuke looked up from his paperwork at her, eyebrow raised. The older Uchiha strode in casually.

"Little brother…it's been a while."

Sasuke looked shocked, for lack of better words.

"Sakura! Dammit! You didn't lock the doors?" he yelled, jumping up from his desk, and knocking over his large executive chair. Sakura stepped back in surprise.

Maybe it was a mistake to bring him up here…

"Itachi! Get the fuck out of here!"

Itachi? That was the man on the phone. Oh shit! He was the one that was supposed to be locked out…

"But little brother, I was only hoping you'd consider my offer."

"Never. Chains and whips? We're not manwhores." Sakura coughed at that statement. Sasuke spared a glare towards her direction, before staring daggers at his brother once more.

"Well, it seems as though I'm not wanted here," Itachi stated, unnerved. "The offer still stands, little brother, lest you forget."

Sasuke said nothing, but continued staring down his older sibling.

Itachi made his way to Sasuke's desk. He stopped briefly next to the younger Uchiha and leaned down to whisper something in his ear. Sasuke's face showed mild surprise, before reverting back to his normal façade. Itachi smirked as he made his way to the door, paying no attention to a confused Sakura. -1-

"I guess you don't go to many family reunions, huh?"

Sasuke glowered at her as though his eyes were screaming for her to get out.

"That was the family reunion. Don't you have work to do?"

What is that supposed to mean? Maybe I should just leave.

"Well, if you want to talk about it, I'm here for you," she tried to sound comforting, adding a small smile for effect.

"Out," he commanded again, though she could see some of the anger leave his eyes.

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Preview of Chapter 5:

"Wait, spring fashion show? But it's only fall!"

"You really know nothing about fashion, do you," Neji smirked. Gaara curtly nodded his head in agreement.

"-as I was saying, spring fashion show. You all will accompany me on Friday to go-"

"Model picking!" Naruto finished cheerily.

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-1- Just for your amusement, we'd like to hear what you think Itachi whispered in Sasuke's ear to make him so uncomfortable. Bear in mind, it won't be anything incestual or sexual. Whoever guesses correctly will get the next chapter PMed to them a full 24 hours earlier than everyone else. Good luck!