0o0o0o0o0o-next day-000ooo0o0o
After a warm farwell, the plane ride was uneventful and we got home in one piece, at about midnight. Going straight to bed I slept like a rock, until my alarm went off.
Scowling death at the evil machine I tossed a pillow at it and it shut off when it hit the wall. Getting out of bed with a groan I dragged my half dead body to the shower. Half an hour later I was dressed and munching on a piece of toast as I gathered my things and headed out the door. I blinked when I heard my name called and turned. The only thing I saw was yellow as two bodies slammed into me. I yelped, toast flying from my mouth and smacking against the floor.
Instinct kept my head from hitting the hard surface and I stared down at two pairs of bright blue eyes and I grinned, "Um, hi? What did I do and how much was the damage?"
Naruko and Naruto laughed and got off. Hands grabbed my arms from behind and peeled me off the floor. I smiled thanks at Sasuke and Itachi came out of his apartment, seeing me brush dust off. He raised an eyebrow and Naruko handed me my stuff, "So how was the trip?"
I wrinkled my nose at Itachi as he came up, "Awful. Uncle made us ride in limo's, stay at a fancy hotel and he took us out for fancy food."
Sasuke snorted and I poked his cheek as we all made our way down to street, "And we closed the deal, so it was good."
Sasuke blinked and looked back at Itachi, who nodded in confirmation. Naruko squealed and tackled me again, "That's great!"
Naruto and Sasuke grabbed me before we toppled off the stairs and I laughed as Naruko let me go, "So you want to go with me after work to find some stuff to decorate my office? I'm thinking naked paintings, voodoo dolls, and maybe a tiger in the corner."
A snort coming from the elder Uchiha brother had me grinning whickidly. Naruko nodded and said as I headed for my motorcycle, "Sounds good."
I wiggled my fingers and called to the boys,"You guys want a ride to school?"
Naruto cheered and raced to me and Sasuke nodded and walked over calmly. Naruto jumped on behind me and Sasuke got into my side care. I wiggled my fingers at Naruko and Itachi before peeling out of the parking lot.
Naruto yelled over my engine, "Hey, did you bring us a souvenir?"
I grinned and waited till we pulled into the school parkinglot before answering, "you'll see when you guys get home."
Naruto groaned and Sasuke grabbed the back of his shirt and started dragging him, "Come on, we'll be late."
I waved bye and turned my bike to head to work.
0o0o0o0o0o0
Getting there I headed up to my office and Itachi's door opened and he motioned me inside, "I want you to meet someone."
Shrugging I walked after him into his office. I kept my face blank as a tall dark haired man with chocolate brown skin turned from where he was standing infront of Itachi's desk and studied me with hazel eyes. Itachi handed me a file and went to sit in his chair. He explained, "This is Kisami Hoshigaki. He's asking for a job as our new Treasurer."
He gave me a look that clearly said that he wanted my opinion. I plastered a smile on my face and held out my hand, "I'm Ariana McKing, it's nice to meet you."
He took my hand, shook it stiffly and I studied him closer. He looked nervous underneath the stone mask he was wearing. I hid my amusement by sitting down and hiding my face by looking at his file. Everyone was quiet as I looked over his info.
I nearly whistled at what I saw, impressed. I lowered the papers and asked, "Ok, tell me Kisame. Your not asking for this job on a romantic level are you?"
He wasn't expecting this, as his jaw dropped and he nearly fell over. I nodded, looking his papers over again, "I'll take that as a no. Are you gay?"
He did fall over and Itachi hid his smile with his hands he had twined and to his chin, elbows on his desk as he watched the show. I said calmly, "I take that as a no too."
Kisame leapt to his feet and demanded, "Why are you asking me these questions?"
I looked up at him sternly and said calmly, "Because we want to know if your here for a good time or to work. If your here for some fun, get out now."
He froze, studying me with a small frown. I shrugged, "If your serious about this job, and you won't let your personal life get in the way with you doing it, then you may have a shot."
Kisame glanced at Itachi, confused as to why his secretary was interrogating him. Itachi's face gave nothing away, his eyes as cold as ice as he watched. I carefully set down the file and cocked my head to the side, "Your answer?"
He looked back at me and stared. I waited patiently and he finally said seriously, "I am very serious about this job. I'm not here to have fun, though I hope that it's not too stiff around here. I'm here for work, nothing more."
I raised an eyebrow and leaned so that I could look around him at Itachi. I wiggled my eyebrows and stood. Kisami looked very confused as he looked between us and I handed Itachi the file and whistled a funeral march as I headed to my office.
Plopping in my chair with a tired sigh I counted down in my head from 20 and at one I looked through the office window as Kisami came out of Itachi's office, big grin barely hidden and he shook Itachi's hand and headed to Karen's old office.
Itachi came into my office and I raised an eyebrow, taking the papers he handed to me, "What do you think?"
He shrugged and I grinned, "You knew him before didn't you?"
his turn to raise an eyebrow and I shrugged, hiding my smile. I put my hand to my cheek, blushed prettily and asked, "Domestic partners?"
He leaned over my desk and growled playfully, knowing I was teasing "What do you think?"
I tapped the papers even and said cheerfully, "I think your not that fruity. So he'll do. He may even be someone that I can mess with without breaking something."
He hmmed, straightening and started back to his office. I called cheerfully, "See you at lunch!"
he waved and contined on. I giggled, knowing he was impressed that I had looked through Kisame's info and thought he would work hard for the company. So with a small yawn I got to work on the papers Itachi wanted me to work on.
0o0o0o0o0o0
Taking up my completed work I went to Itachi's office and walked in after knocking. He held up a hand, talking on a phone. I set my work down on his desk and he murmured, "Yeah, be right there."
He hung up and pinched the bridge of his nose irritably. I poked his forhead, "Alright, what happened?"
He looked up at me, pushing my finger away, "Sasuke got into a fight at the school and I have a meeting right after lunch."
I ruffled his hair and grinned as he pushed my hand away with a growl, "No sweat. I'll grab a sandwich and head to the school for you. Just call the principal for me and tell them i'm coming for you."
he looked at me in shock and I wrinkled my nose at him, "Yes, I know I'm that awesome Meathead."
He glared and I giggled. He picked up the phone and I hurried out to go dig Sasuke out of whatever hole he got himself into.
When I walked into the lobby I met up with Naruko. She looked frazzled and when she saw me she practically ran me over, grabbing my arm, "Ariana! Naruto got in trouble at school and the principal called me. But I have to go with Diedra to a major meeting with a rival fashion company!"
I patted her arm, smiling confidently, "No worries. I'm already on my way to bail Sasuke out. Call the principal and tell them i'm coming for you too."
Her whole body sagged in relief and I winked at her and hurried out to my bike, deciding the sandwich could wait.
