Ichi

The relentless amount of paperwork is boundless in the confines of the Uchiha building. He finds himself massaging his hand and flexing his fingers to soothe the pain but hand cramps are an inadequate excuse to leave work early. Paperwork was almost instinctive but he was only born human, not indestructible. It was no excuse to complain about his current position by reason of only having half a decade of busy work as the Chief Executive Officer of Uchiha Corporations. However, just thirteen months ago he returned (reluctantly) as a full-time worker, clocking in far more hours than most people of his age.

His name was Uchiha Sasuke.

Second-handedly maintaining the business after his inheritance from his older brother, Uchiha Itachi.

Liable to lead thousands of workers to exploit the full potential of his ancestors legacy. Every aspect of his decisions was being itemized to every detail possible. He carries decades of prestige success upon his shoulder which only proves that he does not take any form of inadequacy from his employees.

"Uchiha-san you have an appointment with Wadoki at 1 this afternoon, a meeting with Mr. Miyoshi at 3."

"Send me my schedule," he said without glancing, "I will look into it myself. Just make sure all documents are typed in 2 hours. I don't care what you have to do, I want them typed and sent out. Have Naruto come in my office after my 1pm meeting," packing his belongings for his afternoon meetings, "it shouldn't take long."

"Did you get Hishiko's report from last week?" His secretary questioned.

"I did, I want it revised."

"In what way, sir?"

"I sent him an email in regards to the issues. I have high confidence that he will know what I ask for, he generally does."

The secretary hesitated to continue, "But sir, he said he would meet you today at 5 regarding it." her boss looked up from his paperwork. He sighed.

"I want a hard copy on my desk before my meeting at 3 or he'll be asking for his last paycheck." Sasuke sternly said. His secretary leaving to disclose the CEO's demands in haste.

The CEO was known for his steely authority and vigorous decisions, but often times, his frank distinctions brought forth the era of a new approach to business affairs.

Sasuke is attentive to his title as CEO, he placed high expectations for his company and upon himself. He had no good reason to deny the opportunity his older brother bestowed upon him but Sasuke was not fooled, their father would demand Itachi's return –after his older brother has resolved his time around his sons and the family's legacy.

The CEO gave his assistant a quick glance, sat back into his chair, and dismissed his hunger to continue work, but the lingering thoughts drifted onto other subjects. His nephews would be of age to enter pre-school. Sasuke worries that his time as Chief Executive Officer is limited, for his brother has the favor of the board and as soon as his nephews enter school, his brother would be considered loose from his fatherly responsibilities.

Endeavors of his life between company affairs and personal objectives float about in his mind. One aspect of his life took hold of most his attention, another equally keeping his schedule busy. His father, Fugaku, was to resign and bestow the responsibility of CEO to his eldest child, Itachi was the beneficiary of the company- after the completion of disciplinary training and schooling. However, in unison of Uchiha Fugaku's retirement, Itachi welcomed the world to his twin boys: Kae and Ryu. Leading to Itachi's denial of the position at the meeting of his commencement.

Itachi respectfully responded:

"It is an honor to be given this opportunity but with all due respect and appreciation, I feel that I am not fit (currently) for this position, and would like to respectfully deny the offer. As stated in the documents of our founding fathers, "One who inherits the title of Chief Executive Officer is granted the freedom of choice to accept or decline the offer of position," although, I would like to propose, in place of me, this position handled by none other than my younger brother Uchiha Sasuke. It is in my great understanding that my brother has a copious amount of knowledge concerning company matters, far greater than I am interested in conducting, that Uchiha Sasuke is proven a greater beneficial candidate for the company than myself. I hope you would all consider my proposition in great detail and understanding. I wish you all a wonderful day. This would conclude my final words. Thank you."

Not only did this shock the country of Oto, but placed a great burden upon their father. Never in history was the title ever denied.

Changing times, calls for changing attitudes.

"Why?" Sasuke questioned.

"It's only fair that you receive this title. I was never fit for it, you on the other hand have always prepared yourself more than I have. Sasuke, my kids will need a father who will require my full attention. I can't leave Kaede to take on the full responsibility, the guilt would burden me too much. And I do believe I'm leaving the company to someone I know who could equally, if not better, bring the company to greater heights."

"I-"

"Don't doubt yourself, you're far more capable than you think. Father simply chooses to deny this but believe me, brother, father also knows that you're capable," Itachi reassured. "I already know he'll talk to the council regarding this."

When Fugaku had entrusted the CEO title to Sasuke, a great amount of pressure and reliance had burdened the shoulders of the middle child. The public questioned the elder Uchiha's decision. The company was far too progressive for someone of Sasuke to manage. It was only a matter of time until the business reaches it's most successful aided project.

Hardly, was it a manner of concern. At Uchiha Sasuke's first step in office, his priority of developing business affiliations with Kenosha Universal Press and Wadoki Business of Relation proved to have brought down the concerns of the public. It was estimated that by the time he turns 30, he will become the youngest billionaire. It may have seemed exaggerated at the time but it opens up to the real potential of occurring.

But with great success comes great sacrifices. His daily routine consisted of 1 meal a day, 3-5 hours of sleep if lucky 6, and 15 hours of work, leaving him just about 2 hours in which he would use to relieve stress at the gym. Then the exceptional schedule begins again the next day.

Sleep. Eat. Work. Repeat.

"Have you been eating because last time I checked I don't remember you being Edward Collens brother." Sasuke was split from his mind.

"Naruto.."

"You know, you should really go out more," Naruto haphazardly sat on the chair adjacent to Sasuke's desk, "maybe get some sleep while you're at it! And.." Sasuke responded with a stern glare. His patience runs low, when having to deal with Naruto.

"I didn't call you to boss me around." Sasuke sternly looked at Naruto.

"Now, I thought you were to handle the situation with the files Hishiko mentioned?" Sasuke stood up to place his files in a folder, preparing for his next appointment. Pulling out papers out of files and closing his laptop in the process.

"I had taken care of it, a situation with the file transfer had been missing. They had to resend it. It's on its way to my office as we speak." Naruto sat on the office couch, just meters away from the Uchiha's desk.

"The report and files from Hishiko's report just got to my desk today, I approved it's transfer to Wadoki already. So that's one less problem for you. I'm just waiting for the missing file transfer. It was nothing big that would delay the transfer.

"Hn." Naruto knew that was his way of thanking him. "I'm going to catch a meal at VIP downstairs, I have some work to get done."

"Why don't you just move your office, it's so suffocating in here and you wouldn't have to keep going to VIP's." Naruto stated as he stood up to continue with work.

With Migi entering he takes the papers from her and scans for titles. "Uzumaki-san." She greeted. "The files had been completely transferred, Wadoki is now ready for their project."

"TEME! You threatened someone's job again?" Migi only nodded as Naruto had second glanced her. "Well, at least, we know that will get them going and getting things done," Sasuke glanced nonchalantly, "but you got to stop doing that."

They began to walk out with their belongings and documents, leaving Migi to her work. But just before leaving, Sasuke adds, "Migi, keep track of Wadoki stats for the next weeks and update me if they fall behind. And check on Nara's case, he hasn't gotten back to me. Tell him to finish up, I want him back in HQ by the end of next week. Joku had just asked for a project fund, handle that for Nara." Migi nodded and briefly walked back to her office.

Now VIP was not only a place for food and coffee but Sasuke had always seem to find complete focus when in the environment of the cafe. VIP's was a cafe his mother had arranged to be built in support of the company's demand for coffee on early mornings. Breakrooms were not adequately supplied to the needs of the employees.

"You are still managing these files of Itachi?" Naruto questioned as he flipped through government papers.

"They were papers concerning the entitlement of CEO. The company is still in the process of being under my name since there has been an error in the system. The file system began to place everything under my brothers. For the last 2 months, he has been receiving the letters concerning business matters."

"The file system rebooted for some reason and took the original settings." Sasuke stated without a glance, took off the files held in his hands. "Now I have everything back to normal, my father just wants a report of the situation so he may discuss it with the council." He has yet to look up.

"Now are you just going to do nothing or are you willing to be productive?" His eyes still locked on the papers, occasionally viewing his path to the elevator then down to the cafe.

Naruto looked at him with questioning blue eyes, pressing the elevator button in doing so. It was silent for the next 3 minutes, Sasuke noticed. The CEO looked up, raising an eyebrow.

"Dobe, did your brain forget to function?" Sasuke asked with a forthright voice, nudging the papers to his blonde associate. Naruto snapped out of his moment, taking a second to return to his senses.

"What did you say?" With his fingers, he counted the files needed for the meeting.

"Hn." They never questioned anything after, leaving each other to finish checking the papers.

Naruto paused and stopped his walking.

"So teme, have you.. you know, talked to Sakura lately?" Sasuke slightly faltered in step, his posture straightening at the mention of his ex-girlfriends name. He ignores the question and continues to walk towards the cafe.

Naruto followed despite Sasuke's abrupt negligence to his question.

The CEO's phone buzzed. It was a message from his Secretary.

Your Appointment begins in 30 minutes. Your car is waiting outside.

It seems like luck has taken his side today. After the gathering, Sasuke steps out of the building and begins to head out.

"So much for food and coffee..." Naruto silently says and quickly removes himself from the booth to catch up to his company CEO.

"You know, sometimes I don't understand why you're always here at VIP. It always makes me dizzy and anxious." He said on their way out, hearing the entrance door bell ring shortly after closing the exit door.

"Thank you for your time , I appreciate the connection to Oto's HQ and I hope to hear from you soon." Sasuke concluded, after gathering his belongings to leave for his next meeting."

"Mr. Uzumaki, do you mind if I can get a minute or two with Mr. Uchiha." Naruto responds with a bow, "Of course."

"Thank you." Tsukugama replies.

"Sasuke, how have you been?" Tsukugama places his hand on the young CEO's shoulder.

"I've been great, but I would like to sincerely apologize for the delay of file transfers."

"It is not a problem at all. I do understand your situation and I hope to be of further assistance to your company. And do send my regards to your father, he needs to smile more and let go. Your father was always the serious one, I still don't understand how you managed to become someone so charismatic and charming, but then again that could be the result of your mother. But anyway send my regards to the grumpy one."

The elderly never seem to censor their words and speak their mind. Sasuke left soon after, leaving with a polite bow and a greeting for the rest of the day.

bbzzztt. bbzzt. bbzzzttt.

There was no answer.

bzzt. bzzt.

A hand reaches out to the object just after the call. "Typical."

Until next time.