Itachi smirked deviously as he signed the contract that made him part owner of Sabaku-Yakushi Corporations. He was a quarter billion richer than he was before.
What a nice day. Ariana was so getting a raise for this.
"Meat-head, stop smirking! It's insanely annoying!"
"Hn. Moron."
"Idiot!"
"Why don't you say that to my face?"
"If you weren't so ugly, I would."
Itachi's smirk turned down right evil as he set the pen down and closed the folder. He stood and walked around his desk to where Ariana was reading over Naruto's paper that was due in two days and he had asked her to look it over.
Snatching it out of her small hands, ignoring the 'Hey!' that followed, Itachi took a seat beside the red head and pulled Ariana by her tie closer, so they were face to face.
"Am I really that ugly?"
Hazel eyes studied his face before Ariana smirked. "You could work on your receding hairline. And I see some gray hairs. You're kinda old, ain't ya?"
"Moron. We're the same age."
The red head smiled, "If you must hear it because your pride will die, you are very…nice looking."
A raised eyebrow, "Only nice looking?"
"What? You want me to say that 'you're fucking hot' or something?"
"That's a start."
"I think the money is getting to your head."
"Ariana, I'm rich. It doesn't matter how I act."
"Too true."
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
2 weeks later
Jiraiya McKing scowled as he put the phone down. They were here.
Who, you ask?
The Yakushi and Sabaku family.
Last week they scheduled a meeting with both owners of their company, himself and Itachi. Jiraiya and Itachi had talked about it and decided to humor them.
But one thing he, his niece and Itachi agreed on: They weren't getting control of their company again.
It belong the them now, courtesy of Ariana McKing. He had to smirk, "She's going to have a fun time with them when they get here."
0o0o0o0o0o
Itachi took me aside before the meeting and warned, " Kabuto Yakushi was adopted by Madara Uchiha. He's like my great great uncle or something but was disowned from the family a while back. So has nothing in common with us besides our last name. So don't show any surprise."
I smirked at him, "This is me. I'll be on my best behavior."
He snorted.
0o0o0o0o0o
I sat with Itachi to my right and Kisame sat next to him. Uncle Jiraiya sat on my left with Kanon next to him. Uncle Jiraiya leaned in close to me and whispered, "Try not to be too hard on them."
I snorted, causing Itachi to glance at me curiously and I smiled innocently at Uncle Jiraiya, "I'll do my best."
Uncle Jiraiya's turn to snort.
Itachi hid his smirk by scratching his nose. My attention turned from them as we watched the Yakushi family and then the Sabaku family file in, thanks to the receptionist showing them in to the opposite side of the table. Hazel eyes gazed critically at each member of both families. My eyes narrowed for a fraction at Kabuto's Father. Madara Uchiha.
He had insanely long messy black hair and his black eyes were dead like a sharks. My senses told me he was not only deadly, but dangerous. Like he would rip your heart out with a smile then serve it back to you for a price.
I shook myself out of those thought, thinking I was making too much out of it and watched the others file in.
First Gaara took his seat, then Kabuto, who looked ready to kill me. He didn't bother to pull out a chair for his wife, Temari.
Next to the scowling blond was Kankuro, who glared death at me. Madara took a seat next to Gaara, and looked at Kabuto expectantly.
I raised an eyebrow, "Hey, Itachi?"
"Hn?" He glanced at me and I asked, "Why do you think Kabuto and Kankuro are looking at me like that?"
Dark eyes focused on me and a smirk danced on his lips, "Probably because you stole their company right out from under them."
Team Uchiha/McKing all chuckled at that, which caused Kabuto, his Father, and Kankuro to glare angrily. Temari looked like she could care less and Gaara looked impassive as always.
When everyone was seated, Itachi spoke. "Is everyone seated comfortably?"
All people present nodded. "Good. Let's begin."
Madara shot Kabuto a look, who winced slightly and stood. "My name is Kabuto Yakushi and I would like to request that you, Itachi Uchiha and Jiraiya McKing give us our company back."
"On what grounds?" Kanon asked, studying him closely. This was how the game began. Kanon would watch her opponent and see what made them tick. In this case, this Yakushi boy was too busy glaring at Ariana to sound like he was interested on getting the company back.
He glared at her and growled, "What you did wasn't fair―"
I said cheerfully, "Is that so?"
"We seized the opportunity to gain your company that would make Uchiha Enterprise and Sannin Industries more successful. I'm sure that doesn't fall under the grounds of not being fair. Try again, Yakushi-san," Konan stated.
Madara took over, and his voice sounded like a snakes hiss to my ears, "Listen to me, I demand my company back. I worked hard to build our wealth from the ground. It took me years to expand internationally and you young whelps just come in with everything handed to you from your father."
Itachi said blandly, "First of all Madara-san, don't presume to know the Uchiha way. No matter what your last name is. I have worked very hard. Nothing was handed to me. And I'm sure Mr. McKing can say the same. We take what we want and work hard for it. Maybe you should have explained the idea of humility to your son and Mr. Sabaku before they came here, to Japan, boasting about how they were going take over Uchiha Enterprise and Sannin Industries."
He was becoming bored with them now. He glanced at Jiraiya and they shared a look.
Time to end this.
"Yakushi-san," Jiraiya said tonelessly, "I don't think that this meeting has brought us any closer to an agreement. Itachi and I will not give back the company. Ariana and Konan have already gotten your former board members on our side. So here's what I'll do. We'll give Sabaku and Yakushi a job. However, I'll let Itachi choose."
Itachi smirked and said, "Thank you sir, but I'll let my Vice President choose."
Everyone with the exception of Jiraiya, eyes widened and their stare shifted to the small red head. At the look on her face they flinched and almost felt sorry for the Yakushi and Sabaku family. Ariana looked at her boss with something close to adoration and admiration.
Itachi returned the gaze with her with something burning in his eyes that he wasn't ready to name yet. The small woman then turned her hazel eyes to the family watching her warily.
"Hmm…" I looked from Yakushi to the Sabaku and faced Kisame for a bit of help. Kisame nodded and we shared a grin. It was settled.
"Alright, I've decided. Sabaku and Yakushi can be janitors. Absolutely nothing like a hard day's work, plus it will build their characters. Maybe sweeten them up a bit. Don't you think so old man?" I grinned cheekily at the family.
Gaara looked pissed, no surprise there and Kabuto looked sick. "Who the fuck wanted to clean for a living? Surely, Father wouldn't agree to this." Kankuro looked at Madara worriedly. Temari was grinning and not trying to hide it.
They were shocked to find Madara smile at the red head woman in the room. Huh?
"I couldn't agree more." I grinned widely and Madara looked at both Uchiha and McKing, who were smirking victoriously. The older man knew that he was no match for his old family's son or the famous Jiraiya. Especially when they worked together.
"Let's go." The elder Uchiha commanded. "Good day Uchiha-san, McKing's." With that said, Madara turned regally and headed for the door. I relaxed instantly as soon as he was out the door.
"You'll pay for this Ariana! I swear it!" Kabuto spat angrily. He hated the way Ariana sat there looking so high and mighty.
"I seriously doubt that, Yakushi. If anything should happen and I find out you're the cause, I'll destroy you," Ariana calmly said with a hint of malice that always made an appearance when Kabuto was around. Said Yakushi paled considerably.
"You wouldn't," Kabuto called Ariana's bluff.
I glared furiously and said coldly, "Try me, I dare you. Itachi Uchiha's my mentor. Do you think that I've learned nothing from him?" The Uchiha in question grinned mentally at Ariana saying that he was her mentor. Inner Itachi laughed evilly.
Kabuto opened his mouth to answer but Gaara spoke up with coldness lacing his voice, "Let's go Kabuto." Their eyes met and Kabuto knew that tonight he would pay later if he didn't listen.
Most of the Sabaku family cleared out except for Temari. She stayed behind and lingered. She wrung her hands nervously and said, "Ariana, may I have a word?"
I raised an eyebrow and Itachi opened his mouth, annoyed and I stood, "Sure."
Everyone stared at me and Jiraiya opened his mouth to argue and I ruffled his hair, "be right back."
I walked around the table and waved for Temari to follow, "Step into my office."
She hesitated and glanced at Itachi's glare. I rolled my eyes and hooked her arm with mine, "Come along."
I pulled her out of the meeting room and to my office. I closed the door and waved for her to sit. She did and I sat in my chair, "So what can I do for you?"
I leaned back and she took a deep breath and said uncomfortably, "I need some advice."
I raised an eyebrow and motioned for her to continue. She said, "You were right about Kabuto. He is sleeping with my brother."
She gave a disgusted look and looked up at me hopefully, "What, um. What should I do?"
I shrugged and said, "If it was me, I'd divorce him and move out. Probably out of the country. I don't allow cheating or affairs. Even if I still loved him and he begged for me to come back, I'd leave him for good."
I reached into my drawer and pulled out a piece of gum. I offered her one and she slowly took it. She sighed and said, "Your right. I don't even love him, not really. I only married him because Gaara said it was the right thing to do."
I snorted and said, "You should choose for yourself. Don't let them push you around."
She nodded, determination and hope now in her eyes that weren't there before. She looked at me eagerly and asked softly, "Do you think I could get a job here? Even as a janitor."
I raised an eyebrow in surprise and rubbed my chin in thought. I told her, "I'll talk to Itachi and see what we can do."
I then gave her a hard look, "But if this is some way to get close to us for your brother or Kabuto..."
She quickly shook her head and said, "Of course not! I'm not like them!"
I stared a bit and then nodded, "Ok. Give me your cell number and I'll call you when I know something, ok?"
She nodded and wrote her number on a piece of paper and I stood, she followed. I lead her out of my office and Kabuto stormed up, "There you are! What are you doing with this witch?"
Before I could retaliate Temari stepped forward and slapped him. He stared and she said calmly, "I'm getting a divorce. I'll have my stuff out by the end of the week."
She turned to me and bowed, "Thanks for everything Ariana."
I nodded and she turned and walked passed the stunned Kabuto who followed in a daze, "Wait! Temari!"
I stared after them, wondering why they were so weird. Shaking my head I went and knocked on Itachi's office door and yelped as the door burst open and I was grabbed. Dragged inside, the door was shut and I raised an eyebrow as Kisame lifted me off my feet by my shoulders and demanded, "What did she want?"
I began to glare and he looked where he was clutching my shoulders and dropped me like a hot potato. I landed on my feet and looked over at Jiraiya and Itachi, "Did you give him sugar or something?"
Uncle Jiraiya hid a grin by turning to look out the window, Itachi looked at me curiously and asked, "What did she want?"
I shrugged and plopped in a chair, "Some advice. She wants to divorce Kabuto and work here. I think she's serious."
Jiraiya turned to study me and Kisame sat next to me and groaned, "you can't be serious. Are you really going to fall for it?"
I ignored him and looked at Itachi. He sat back and said, "Ariana. I know that look on your face. And we just don't have any positions open."
I nodded with a small grin, "I know."
He raised an eyebrow and Kisame demanded, "And?"
I smiled wider and he growled, jumped to his feet, grabbed my shoulders and shook me, "What are you smiling at?"
I kicked up and he gasped and then collapsed, holding his crotch. I glared at him and said, "What have I told you about touching me?"
He whimpered, "I'd regret it."
I smirked, "Good boy."
I looked back up at Itachi and Uncle Jiraiya and saw the pained look on Uncle Jiraiya's face. He looked at me and asked, "Did you have to kick him there?"
Itachi shrugged and said blandly, "He was warned."
I nodded and Jiraiya sighed, looking up at the ceiling as if asking for patience. I shrugged it off and said, "Anyway, I know we don't have a position open but Iruka told me about the restaurant down the street that needs some help because their son Shikamaru is too lazy to do much. And i figure Temari could help whip him into shape. She's not that much older then him."
Itachi's eyes widened and Jiraiya raised an eyebrow, "You really think Temari would agree to work there?"
I grinned and whipped out my phone. I dialed Temari's phone and she answered, "Hello?"
I said, "Hey Temari, it's Ariana. Look we don't have any positions open."
She sighed sadly and said, "I see."
I said cheerfully, "But a friend of mine owns a nice restaurant down the street and his son is really lazy. I figure you could help them out and whip their son into shape."
She thought a moment and said excitedly, "I like food. That sounds good. Can I have their number?"
I gave it to her and said, "And tell them I sent you."
She agreed, thanked me and hung up. I smiled proudly at everyone and Itachi's lip twitched, "Wow Ariana, I didn't know you were this smart."
I stuck my tongue out and said, "Smarter then a Meat head."
He scowled and Jiraiya chuckled and said, "Be nice Ariana. Now I have something I'd like to talk to you about."
I stood with a salute and Kisame groaned from the floor as I heaved him off the floor and into a chair. I turned before I opened the door and said to Itachi, "Oh yeah, and I have that work done. I'll bring it in once Uncle Jiraiya's done talking to me."
He nodded and I lead Jiraiya out and to my office. I motioned for him to have a seat and I sat in my own chair and looked through my papers, "So what's up?"
Jiraiya sat with a sigh and I looked up curiously as he said, "Your Aunt Chiyo wants you to come see her."
I blinked, stared and then blinked again. I looked at the puppy painting on my wall and said, "I love that painting don't you?"
Jiraiya sighed and said, "Yes, and don't change the subject."
I looked at him determinately, hatred dripping from my voice like poison, "I'm not going to go see the Dragon Lady."
I turned to my computer and Jiraiya stared, "I didn't realize she didn't like her Aunt that much."
He said calmly, "Aunt Chiyo says she has an announcement to make on Saturday."
I shrugged and tapped the papers neat, "So? I could care less what that woman has to say." The coldness that filled the spot in her heart where her Aunt held had not thawed.
Jiraiya looked at his young niece and found her statement to be true. He had underestimated her resentment of Chiyo. "She says that it involves you and she was hoping that you would attend."
I paused and asked "Are you going, Uncle?"
"I happen to be curious to what could be so important that we have to see her in person."
I snorted and looked away, "Well, let me know how it goes tomorrow, then." Deeming the conversation to be over, I got up to take the papers to Itachi.
Jiraiya wasn't done yet. "You can bring Itachi for moral support," he added.
I looked over, a warning in my eyes. "Jiraiya―"
"I think that you should be there, Ariana. That is my professional opinion.." Using Itachi might have been a bit much, but Jiraiya could tell how much Ariana enjoyed spending time with the tall dark haired man.
We continued to stare at each other, battle of the wills. Suddenly, I sighed, resignedly. "Are you bringing someone?"
"Why, yes."
"Who?" I raised an eyebrow. Jiraiya wouldn't bring anyone to visit the dragon lady.
"Konan."
I raised an eyebrow, barely hiding my grin, "Good luck with that."
He chuckled and I said grumpily, "Fine."
"I knew you would see things my way."
I snorted, "If I loose my temper, I have the right to flee."
He shook his head at me and I stuck my tongue out at him and went to take the papers to Itachi. I walked in to find Kisame had left and I handed him the folder. He looked up and frowned, "What's wrong?"
I blinked realizing I was scowling and grinned, "Nothing."
Itachi raised an eyebrow, not believing me. I snorted, "Meathead."
He looked back at the papers, "Baka."
I sat down in a chair and said softly, "Itachi?"
"Yes?" Itachi set the file down and watched Ariana play with her locket, one of the things she did when she was nervous.
I asked quietly, "What are you doing tomorrow?"
"Nothing as of right now." Hazel eyes caught dark onyx ones.
"Would you like to come with me tomorrow to see my Aunt Chiyo?" I asked, waiting for Itachi to say no.
Itachi didn't say anything for a minute. "Seriously? You want me to come with you to some family gathering?"
Letting out a sigh of relief that he hadn't said no, I smirked, "That's the idea, Meathead."
Itachi looked at me, worried, "Why? I thought you hated your Aunt?"
I scowled and glared at the window, "I do. She insulted my parents and I. And wouldn't even come to their funeral. She thinks I'm some tool she can call upon at any time."
I looked down, embarrassed by my statement, "But I need someone there so that I won't snap."
I heard him get up and walk around his desk. I looked up as he stood in front of me and he said gently, "Of course I'll go. If you need me that badly."
I grinned brightly and stood, "Thanks so much Itachi." I grabbed in a hug on instinct. I was surprised when he hugged me back. I finally let go and grinned up at him, "I have some calls to make then we can head home for dinner."
He nodded and I turned and hurried to my office, trying to hide my blush. What I didn't see was Itachi trying to do the same thing.
