Jiraiya watched with bored eyes as the computer staff setup the LCD screen in the conference room. His little niece would be arriving in about twenty minutes. Konan glanced at him and said, "You know, if your mean to Itachi Uchiha your niece will skin you alive."

Jiraiya smiled, eyes twinkling, "I know. But this can be fun."

Konan glanced at him and almost felt sorry for the Uchiha.

0o0o0o0

We arrived 15 minutes early and I grinned as Itachi stepped out behind me, "Well, lets rock and roll."

He nodded and we headed into the building and rode the elevator onto the top floor. As we got off a woman with light purple eyes, purple hair in a bun and flowers in the bun. I smiled widely and said, "Konan! How are you?"

Konan smiled and I grabbed her in a hug and she said, "Fine, your early."

She looked over Itachi and he stared at her coldly. She smiled softly and said, "you must be Itachi Uchiha."

Itachi shook her hand and I said, "Itachi, this is Konan. Jiraiya's secritary."

He nodded curtly and Konan lead us to the meeting room. Jiraiya smiled as we walked in and he stood from his place at the head of the table to come and say hello. I introduced Itachi and they shook hands and I got to work setting up my laptop and presentation.

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow in surprise, Ariana usually hugged him, talking a million miles a minute. Now she was totally buisness like. Interesting. He looked over Itachi, seeing him doing the same thing and hid a grin. He went back to his seat and Itachi seemed to tense up even more as he watched me make sure the file opened right.

I eyed him and whispered in his ear, "Are you ready to start, Meathead?"

Black eyes looked into hazel ones and felt his body relax quickly, "Definitely. Question is are you?" We stared at each other for a minute. A silent form communication passed between the two people and they nodded.

Twin smirks were directed toward Jiraiya, who raised an eyebrow at the sight. Konan, who sat beside him also looked surprised.

Let the games begin.

0o0o0o0o

The meeting went on and we got done with our presentation and we waited for Jiraiya to say something. He studied the screen and Itachi said, "We are willing to give you this company in Hong Kong if you will help us get out of debt."

Jiraiya was still quiet and I could almost see the wheels turning in his head. He then sat back and said, "It seems fine, but with the company I want Ariana to work for me."

Silence was almost deafening, you could hear a pin drop. My eyes narrowed and I knew he was testing Itachi. And I was not impressed. Itachi seemed to become a statue and slowly said, "Excuse me sir, but that isn't possible."

Jiraiya waved him off and I saw the amusement in his eyes, "Of course it is. I'll give you the money if you give me Ariana and the company in Hong Kong."

I studied him, thinking quickly. I glanced at Itachi and his fist was clenched and I saw the anger smoldering in his eyes. Not good. I leaned forward, twining my fingers and said smoothly, "Jiraiya, that's enough."

Both men stared at me and I glared at Jiraiya for a moment before smiling, "Your trying to ruffel feathers and that's not very nice. You know you want that company and you don't even need me for your company. Now, do we have a deal or do we take it somewhere else?"

I looked at Itachi and asked, my eyes telling him to chill, "I'm sure Hyuuga-Sabaku Enterprise would be interested."

Itachi smirked slightly, fist unclenching, "Sure, I can scehdual a meeting now."

He reached into his pocket for his phone and Jiraiya laughed. Itachi paused and we both looked at him curiously. Jiraiya grinned and said, "Alright. I'll just take the company. As Ariana said, i'm just trying to ruffle feathers. My apologise."

Itachi nodded his head, accepting the agreement and I pulled out a contract and Konan looked it over and nodded, impressed. Jiraiya and Itachi signed and the meeting was over. I walked up to Jiraiya and he smiled up at me, "Yes?"

THWACK!

He held his head with a groan and I glared fearcly, "What the hell was that about huh? You were very mean. You know i'd never leave Itachi to work for someone else. Especially since you've been offering me a job for years and i've said no."

I crossed my arms, waiting for an explaination and Jiraiya held up his hand in defeat, "Sorry sorry, I was just having a bit of fun."

I snorted and Konan sighed, "i told you."

Jiraiya chuckled weakly and I let out a huge sigh, "Goddess you annoying Uncle."

He stood with a chuckle, "Ah, it runs in the family."

I couldn't help it, I laughed and grabbed him in a fearce hug. I let go and turned to Itachi with a grin, he was watching this quietly, and I said, "Sorry Itachi. My Uncle likes to test people."

Jiraiya nodded and said, "Yes, my apologies. I wanted to be sure of Ariana's choice to stay with you."

Itachi didn't miss the hidden meaning and I said, seeing that they wanted to talk in private, "I need caffeine, is there a vending machine somewhere?"

Konan nodded, picking up files, "Yes, two floor down and to the left."

I twiddled my fingers at the men, "You two chat then, i'll be back."

Jiraiya shook his head and leaned against the table and faced Itachi, "She never changes."

Itachi snorted in agreement and Jiraiya said gently, "She never stopped looking for you, you know."

Itachi's eyes widened slightly and Jiraiya looked out the window, "She kept saying that someday, you and your brother would come and find her. I offered her jobs and money. She'd only take the money if I forced her but she refused every job. She wanted to stay in Tokyo."

Itachi crossed his arms and said softly, for once without cold, "I don't deserve her as a friend."

Jiraiya chuckled, "Sure you do. But you need to keep deserving her."

He looked at him, eyed hard in warning, "You do right by her, friend or more. But you make her cry and i'll burn you to the ground."

Itachi straightened and met him gaze for gaze, "I'd never hurt her. You have my word that I'd never make her cry."

they stared at each other for a while and then Jiraiya grinned, "good. And since she's a crybaby, lets say don't break her heart. I'd hate to have to do something drastic cause she's crying over a broken plate."

Itachi nodded in agreement and they turned as the door opened.