Sakura entered the stage room and immediately felt her gut twist into a knot. Ino was her best friend..there was no way she could tell her this. But if she didnt want to be fired she'd have to. Walking further into the room she scanned the room for the tall blonde, but couldnt see a trace of her. Pacing over to the cameraman she tapped him on the shoulder to question him on Ino's whereabouts.

"Shino-kun? Do you know where Ino has run off to? Theres a message from higher up." She said calmly.

As per usual Shino's voice came through as monotone as a howl and as boring as a sack of grain. Turning slowly oh so creepily, he faced Sakura and looked slightly downward to look her in the eye when he spoke.

"I'm pretty sure she'd in the back room taking a break." He croaked.

"Thankyou." Sakura replied.

Walking around the camera and across the room into a small hallway, Sakura braced herself for the almighty fury that was to come. Her feet sounded heavy as she paced down the wooden coridor and her breathing sounding like a shout to her. Finally approaching the end door to the staff room she turned the handle and was near blinded by the sheer light ogf the room.

"Ino?" Sakura questioned. Holding her hand over her eyes.

"Yes Sakura? Arent you supposed to be upstairs working?" The blonde replied.

"Well yes, but there is a message from the boss. Um..i dont know how to say this." Sakura managed to say whilst circling her hands around one an other.

"Naruto has put an ad in the paper in search of another actor for the lead role. NOW THAT DOESNT MEAN YOUR FIRED!" Sakura quickly added on.

"But if the ad recieves an acceptable reply, you'll be dismissed from the production." She quietly spoke as if to attempt the ovbiously aggrivated Ino.

"WHAT?! How could he! Im the star actor of Konaha and he wants to REPLACE me! This is ridiculous!" Ino fumed.

"I know but you know all too well we cant argue with him.." Sakura responded.

"Yeah I know...I'll just have to try and make sure whoever applies for the job makes themselves look utterly useless." Ino said with a triumphant smile across her face.

"Whatever you say Ino. Just be careful" The pink haired girl warned, happy she wasn't 6ft under by now.

- THE NEXT DAY -

- To Sasuke -

*BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP*

*SMASH!*

Sasuke slammed his hand down on top of his alarm clock and he slowly opened his eyes to find sunlight pouring in through his blinds. Stretching and slowly manoeuvring out of bed he trudged to the kitchen to make a morning coffee and breakfast. Placing a small cup of 2 minute noodles into the microwave, he made his way back over the apartment towards the lounge room, placing his coffee down on a small table centred in the room. Opening the screen door to his veranda and plonking himself down at the table the spoke to himself.

"Why so damn early!" He complained.

*BEEP BEEP*

The sound of his food being cooked could be heard from the lounge room as Sasuke hauled himself up once again and went to get his morning meal. The aroma of waxed cup, chicken broth and vegetables filled the apartment in an instant and sent Sasuke's stomach on a roaring fit. Half way through his meal, a dull ring could be heard from the bedroom.

Fast as lightning Sasuke jumped up, completely forgetting his food, and charged for the phone. Almost tripping over the table, sofa and dont forget stubbing his toe on the corner of the wall. Agonisingly hopping towards the bedside table he answered the landline phone in as calm a voice as was possible.

"Hello?" He said.

"Sasuke its Shikamaru." Came through the phone line.

"Shikamaru why are you calling me so early in the morning? And how did you even get my landline number?" Sasuke groaned.

"REALLY Sasuke. Its 1pm. Its not early. And you gave it to me over 3 months ago. Wow and i thought i was slack." Shikamaru dully replied.

"Exactly, its not time for booze yet, hence its too early." Sasuke laughed.

"Anyway why did you call?" He questioned.

"I just got the paper for this morning and theres a few new jobs going, like not the usual ones that are listed. If you've only just woken up i doubt you've gone downstairs to get the paper. The choices aren't really that appealing, but its something right?" Shikamaru explained.

"Yeah alright i'll check it out later. Thanks man." The raven haired responded.

"Ok dude, catch'ya later." Shikamaru said as he hung up the phone.

Placing the hand held phone back into its holder Sasuke sighed and still painfully made his way back to the lounge to finish his noodles. Or so he thought. Forgetting he had opened his screen door, Sasuke took into account what was infront of him.

1. Dining room table and chairs.
2. Coffee cup
3. Feral black and white magpie eating his food.

"FUCK OFF YOU LITTLE PIECE OF SCAVENGING SHIT!" Sasuke raged as he flung his arms up in anger and stormed towards the clueless bird upon his table.

Scaring the living daylights out it, the magpie squawked and flapped it wings in defence. Flying back out the screen door in front of another ruckus of bird directed insults, it left. Sasuke was now tired, sore, pissed off and still damn well hungry. As he sulked back down into his chair he examined what was left of his noodle cup. One noodle and a shred of green beans.

"Little shit." Sasuke inwardly insulted.

Finally calming down and finishing his coffee, he rose from his chair and headed for the door. Creaking it open he descended the flight of stairs towards the back of his make shift apartment, opening the bottom screen door and collecting the newspaper, junk mail and assortments of bills which were in need of being paid.

Reclimbing the stairs, he entered his home once more and sat down to read through the new available work category.