Notes:
Hello! This was originally a social media AU first posted on my Twitter account (cxtwithclxws) that I have now decided to write into a full fledged written fic because I feel as though this story in particular would benefit in having the narrative be told in a medium more flexible than having it be confined solely through social media posts.
It started off as an SS version of Vi Keeland's Inappropriate and Stuck Up Suit but has since spiraled out of control into something entirely different.
The original social media AU on Twitter is unfinished, and the story will be finished eventually through here.
The Konoha Tribune
One Year Since Itachi Uchiha Stepped Down as Uchiha Enterprises CEO
Itachi Uchiha shockingly stepped down as CEO of Uchiha Enterprises last year, citing that big business was not the career path for him.
Uchiha, then 34, along with his father, grandfather, and younger brother, the current CEO, Sasuke Uchiha, announced the news in a last minute press conference.
"Today I am announcing that I will no longer serve as CEO nor as a shareholder in the company," Uchiha said in the statement.
"As the CEO after my father and grandfather before me, I have been nothing but proud of the work I've put my and my family's name into to continue keeping the success of this enterprise started by my great grandfather.
"But with that said, I no longer see myself as the right leader to maintain and advance Uchiha Enterprise's endless potential. That decision has nothing to do with differences within the company nor the family, but, in actuality, all to do with my personal feelings as a man outside of the world of big business."
Uchiha, who was CEO for five years, had overseen the company's growth and emergence as a powerhouse in numerous businesses such as news media, music, and film, extending from what the company was primarily known for, tech.
"My family and I would like to thank our incredible staff. I am thankful and grateful to have been a part of this team and have no doubt that my brother will only lead Uchiha Enterprises into greater heights."
That was the last the public has seen of Itachi Uchiha after he had announced, through his family, that he'd rather live a quieter life, living a nomadic lifestyle traveling around the world.
His younger brother, Sasuke Uchiha, is now the current CEO, and is proving his brother's optimistic words of his leadership true.
Sometimes you do things and think nothing of it. Most of the time it's something miniscule that, more than likely, wouldn't make a large mark in your life. Maybe you were buying quite a bit using your credit card because you knew your paycheck was coming soon, or maybe you were walking down across the street when the light was green because there were no cars in sight. Those things don't really seem like they'd end up becoming a big deal, right? Well, that's until you're being told that maybe your paycheck was being delayed and your credit card bill was coming up, or that maybe a prickly cop was somewhere nearby and watching you jaywalk.
Now, think of those situations and imagine the consequences of something that seemed harmless and multiply that to a hundred. The kind of stress that comes with that? It's something I'm currently feeling upon rereading the letter that I came home to after what was a fun weekend away with my closest friends.
We regret to inform you that your employment with Sharingan News Outlet has been terminated, effective immediately.
"Regret"?
It certainly didn't seem like it considering HR called me right as I was about to open my front door, coming back from the airport. Not to call me to tell me about it, but to ask if I'd received the letter. What the letter was about, I had no clue.
We regret to inform you that your employment with Sharingan News Outlet has been terminated, effective immediately.
Your employment has been terminated due to the following reasons.
Violations of Conduct Policy 6:
- Display of sexually explicit or suggestive material.
- Lewd behavior displayed using the internet and/ or communication services posted publicly
Imagine my surprise reading that, knowing that I've done nothing that constituted being fired from my job, but especially knowing that I haven't even ever thought of violating the same rules I was fired for. Let alone act on them!
But, apparently, HR was feeling generous and with my termination letter came a USB drive with said "evidence" of my misbehavior. The evidence in question? A less than five second clip of me topless in the background of my friends' Instagram Story video, an Instagram video posted just three days ago on the first day of our weekend getaway for Hinata's bachelorette party celebrations.
Violations of Conduct Policy 6…
Rereading this goddamned letter is doing me no good.
I let out an aggravated sigh, the only sound accompanying my ringing phone, and crumpled the piece of paper, throwing it across the room as my head continued pounding. It made absolutely no sense. How in the world did they even get that video? That was posted on Karin's personal Instagram account, and I wasn't even tagged!
Tears threaten to fall, but I refuse to allow it to. It's baffling and completely unfair! I didn't know anyone that worked in SNO that even knew or followed my friend's profile, and if they did, why focus on a video that I'm barely even in.
I've worked at The Sharingan Chronicle for almost ten years, climbing from being an intern to what was my position as senior reporter. All for it to be gone because of a five-second clip.
I'm angry.
I'm distraught.
But most of all, I'm confused.
How did they get that video? Who showed HR that video?
Of all the people that would have a reason to want me gone, only one name surfaces in my mind. That hellish supervisor that I really don't want to think about.
Instead, I finally answer my phone.
"Hey," I manage to say.
"Hey, where are you? I thought we were still doing dinner tonight?"
"You guys can go without me. Just not feeling it right now."
There's a stretch of silence, and I know Ino senses something's up.
"You guys have fun. I have a few things I forgot to do," I say, mustering up some semblance of normalcy that I hope shows through my voice.
"Bullshit." Ino evidently sees right through me. "What happened?"
"No, you guys go ahead and get dinner. I just have some things to sort through."
"Yeah, that shit isn't gonna work, forehead. Something happened, and I know you well enough to know it isn't anything simple."
"I just… I don't want to ruin the vibe."
"Fuck that. We're your friends for a reason."
Which is exactly why I don't want to ruin everyone's post-vacation mood. But, knowing Ino, she's not going to budge.
So I tell her everything.
Besties
change of plans
dinner at sakura's
code black
Porky
oh shit
Karin
damn gotchu
should i bring that bottle of champagne from kiri?
Ten
fuck champagne
it's code black
I'm bringing vodka
Temari
I hope everything's okay, Sakura
Hinata
"They fired you?! Why the fuck would they do that?"
"Karin's right," Hinata says, passing me a glass. "You're one of the hardest workers I know. That, and you're probably the best reporter in that company."
Ino grabs the box of tissues and seats herself next to me. With all of us on my living room floor, my emotions can't help but get the best of me. Being surrounded by their support is something I didn't know I needed this much that I ultimately begin tearing up.
"Violation of Conduct Policy Six, apparently." My reply is met with puzzled expressions. " 'Lewd behavior.' "
"You?" Karin almost laughs. "You and lewd behavior doesn't sound right."
"Yeah, that's because it's bullshit." Ino answers for me. "They somehow saw your Instagram Story of us."
"Which one?"
"The one where it was the two of us with our tits out on the beach."
Karin looks even more confused. "That was just me and Ino. And how the fuck would they have even seen that?"
The exact same question I've been asking myself.
"Sakura was in the background, and apparently that was enough for them to fire her."
"Okay, that's bullshit," Temari says as she hands me a shot. "You were on vacation."
"On a nude beach, too. If anything, we were all overdressed."
"And how does that qualify for lewd behavior if you weren't at work, and weren't even fully focused in that video?" TenTen asks before leaving to grab something from the kitchen.
"Right? My tits were all over that." Karin huffs, folding her arms over her chest. "You think it's that jackass supervisor of yours?"
"That Jiji motherfucker? I mean, it has to be, right, Sakura?" Ino looks at me expectantly.
"Look, I'm not sure, but he's the only one I know who'd do this. He's been out for me ever since I got promoted."
"If my memory's correct, he's been an asshole to you since way before that."
"I remember something about him always giving you the side eye in the hallways when you were still an assistant reporter." Temari recalls correctly.
I take a shot of vodka, needing alcohol to answer. "Yeah, and it went downhill ever since I talked to HR about the wage gap."
"Which you were right for doing so."
I feel the alcohol still burning in my throat as my mood shifts. Slowly, I'm going from depressed to angry again, my head still aching even two hours since it began. "I just… I can't believe I worked my ass off for that damn company for ten years, and all of that just goes away because of what? Jiji's stalking ass looking through my friend's Instagram accounts just for dirt against me? Was he threatened that I was going to take his job or something?"
Temari pats me in the back, comforting me as she speaks. "Cuss him out! That's what I did when one of my old bosses fired me."
"Are you talking about the time you worked for your uncle?" Karin asks.
With a shrug, she replies, "Yeah, and he's yet to show his face at a family gathering again."
"You could still file a complaint. Challenge the violations, right?"
"Yeah, but something this small shouldn't have even gone through after HR." I groan. Still, Hinata has a point. It's worth a shot. "Sorry for being such a spoilsport, Hinata. This was supposed to be your bachelorette party weekend."
Hinata shakes her head. "Don't be sorry. You'd do the same for me."
"But Hinata's right about challenging the letter. Better than nothing." Temari shrugs. "Then, if they still want you gone, tell them to go to hell."
"What am I supposed to write in that kind of email? ' I hope your balls fall off'? I still need that neutral letter of recommendation." No matter how bitter I am about this situation. If all else fails, I still would need to look for a new job, and I'd definitely need that letter of recommendation then.
"Well, wait until you get it and then tell him you hope Jiji's dick falls off!" Tenten says as she comes back into the living room with a new bottle.
"Maybe you should email the higher ups, tell them Jiji's been waiting to have your ass kicked to the curb."
Tenten refills my glass, and I down it in one go. "Who am I gonna email? Sharingan's editor-in-chief?" I scoff. "Like they'd listen to me."
"Maybe try shooting your shot at that hotshot Uchiha Enterprises CEO."
The room erupts into laughter at Karin's suggestion, all of them thinking the same thing I am. As if. It does lighten the mood a little bit, though.
"Well, if anything, might as well keep drinking to my unemployment before I go job hunting."
"That newspaper is stupid for firing you, anyway. You'll definitely get a better job."
"I bet you'll get an interview before the week ends."
Despite the dreadfulness of the situation, at least I have a great support system in my girls.
So, I decide to raise a glass to that.
Besties
anyone else's head pounding?
Karin
✋✋
Porky
We may have gone overboard last night ? ﾟﾘﾭ
Me
thank god for you hangover cure recipe, sak
you shouldve been a doctor
Ten
Feeling a little better at least?
Temari
Yeah, thanks, girls
Me
Hey maybe that email you sent will do you good
Karin
…
What email?
Me
i thought you sent one to your coworker asking
questions about jiji's stalker ass?
Karin
I don't remember sending an email at all
Why would I when we were all shitfaced?
Me
maybe it was just in your drafts?
i can kinda remember you taking out your
laptop
Porky
I dont remember an email at all
i just remember a lot of laughing
Ten
Oh no
Me
What happened?
Temari
It's not good
Ughhhhhhhh
Me
From: Sakura Haruno { sakuraharuno }
To: Sasuke Uchiha { sasuke_uchiha }
Subject: regarding My toermination
dEar mr uchiha,
id like to formally apologiez for my minr indiscretion. U see i didnt know i Worke d for a DICKTATOR!
i was undr the impression that i had the righ to do what iPLEASED while onm y own time. UNLIKE you wit the silver spoon all th e way UP ur ASS, I WORK HARD! Therfour, i DESERV to relax and blow off sme steam once in a whil e. IF that means gettin g a lil bit of sunshining on my tiddies while on a GIRLS ONLY! Private vacay, then thats wtf im gonna do! I WAST BREAKIN G LA WS! Was a nude beach! I coulda gone coochie out but NO i just CHOSE to b topless bc they may NOT be gigantic gazongas BUT THEYREPERKY AND THEY R GREAT TITTIES! if you wathced the "OFFENSIVE" vid, wich ur UPTIGHT hr directr saw fit to pro vides me on a THUMB DRIVE lik e its 2003 w a BULLSHIT termnatoion lettr U should considr urself LUCKy yoU got a glimps e of them. Y ou might evn condisner addin g it to your SPANK BANK, PERV!
Ive spent more tan 9 years working my perky lil ASS foff for YOU and YOUR STPID COMPAANY. U can BOTH kiss my ASS!
BITE ME,
sakura Harun o
Shit .
Okay, calm down. He probably hasn't seen it yet. I still have time to send a very, very lengthy apology email. Just explain the situation, and, hopefully, I'm not in deep shit. If anything, it could be sent to his spam folder.
I hurriedly grab my laptop and prepare myself to write the longest email of nothing but groveling ever written. My fingers fly over the keys, not even stopping for a second as the words leave my thoughts and land onto the screen all the while promising myself to never touch vodka ever again.
Alcohol is probably the only thing that could possess me into typing that monstrosity. Just thinking of the endless grammatical errors and words in all caps sent me in a panic, not to mention the ceaseless insults I threw at the single most powerful person in Uchiha Enterprises. If I thought I was in deep shit before, I really am now if he does ever read it. If I'm lucky, his assistant gets to it before him and deletes it because it's so obviously a drunk email and shouldn't be taken seriously.
Right?
From: Sasuke Uchiha { sasuke_uchiha }
To: Sakura Haruno { sakuraharuno }
Subject: Re: regarding My toermination
Dear Ms. Haruno,
Thank you for your email, which this "perv" read during a late breakfast, because I was up late at the office working. From the tone of your letter—one filled with grammatical errors from a woman who's supposed to have a journalism degree—I'm assuming you wrote it while you were inebriated. If that's the case, at least you no longer need to get up in the morning. You're welcome.
For your information, I have not viewed the video you referred to. But if my "spank bank" ever runs a little low, perhaps I'll dig it out of my trash folder—along with the standard letter of recommendation your superior had planned to give you.
Sincerely,
Silver Spoon Ass
Well.
Fuck.
Notes:
Hopefully this was okay. I've been having terrible writer's block and the feeling of loathing every word I type in for a fic or a story hasn't ebbed in the slightest these past few months. Regardless, I tried, and this came out of me wanting to find a way out of this funk. Since most of this is already in Social Media AU form, I thought it'd be an effective writing exercise to transform it from socmed to fully written fic. Not too sure how I feel about my writing on this at the moment, but I'm just glad I wrote something.