Life's a Dance

Soooo here's the next chapter. I hope you guys enjoy it and thank you to moodysavage who is like my BETA angel.

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Naruto patiently waited outside of Itachi Uchiha’s office. His interview had been at ten in the morning and it was now going on almost one in the afternoon. He had to wonder if this was some sort of test. He had resisted the urge to pull out his iPod and listen to music. He had gone through his briefcase multiple times to make sure he had everything he needed, a copy of his diploma, reference letters, and his resume.

The blond let out a sigh as he shifted in his seat. He hadn’t moved from his seat since he had arrived and his butt was starting to go numb. It was not something Naruto enjoyed but nothing could be done. He refused to get up and pace around like an idiot. He wanted to be professional.

Naruto went through the grocery list in his mind once again. He wanted to make Konohamaru some home made ramen when he came home tomorrow. He would have taken the kid to Ichiraku’s but Tsunade said to wait a few days before taking the kid out in public. When Naruto had taken Konohamaru to his parents’ funeral, he didn’t take it well.

Naruto didn’t know how to comfort Konohamaru that day. He just held the boy throughout the service and took him back to the hospital after the funeral was over. Naruto felt it wouldn’t be healthy for Konohamaru to linger any longer. Tsunade had checked the boy over after they were back at the hospital. Physically he was fine, but his emotional state wasn’t.

“Mr. Uzumaki,” his name was spat like he was used to. “Mr. Uchiha will see you now.”

Naruto blinked his blue eyes and smiled at the secretary. “Thank you.”

The blond stood up and picked up his small briefcase. He made his way to the huge oak doors and took a deep breath before knocking. “Mr. Uchiha, I’m Naruto Uzumaki. I have an interview with you.”

Naruto waited with bated breath before hearing an answer. “You may enter Mr. Uzumaki.”

The blond hesitated for a moment. He had never heard such a sexy voice before in his life. He shook his head. It wouldn’t do to think those sorts of thoughts towards a possible future employer. And he didn’t know if Itachi was married anyway. He slowly opened the oak door and stepped into the office.

The office was spacious with large windows behind a large wooden desk. Naruto would have bet money that it was cherry. The blond smiled and approached the desk and sat in the chair that was placed in front of the desk.

Naruto laid his briefcase on the floor so that it would lean against the chair leg. The blond then straightened in his chair and finally got a good look at Itachi Uchiha. Naruto had to resist the urge to let out a gasp. Simply put the man was beautiful. His hair was darker and longer than Sasuke’s. The blond had a weakness for men who had dark long hair. His eyes were the darkest he’d ever seen on a person. Naruto stopped himself before he could be caught staring.

The man was currently looking at the computer screen and ignoring Naruto. The blonds’ eyebrow twitched at the gesture but wisely kept his mouth shut. Sasuke had said Itachi liked to play mind games with interviewees.

Naruto made sure to sit straight. He didn’t want to give off the vibe of being a slacker if he slouched. He entertained his mind by watching the man on the next building cleaning windows. He almost hoped that the man would get stuck.

“Mr. Uzumaki, please forgive the delay of your interview.” The Uchiha said as he stood up.

Naruto followed suit and took the offered hand, shaking. “It’s not a problem Mr. Uchiha. You are a busy man.”

When they were done they sat back down. “My little brother was very adamant that I interview you. What are your connections to Sasuke, if you don’t me asking?”

Naruto smiled fondly. “Me and Sasuke used to hate each other in elementary school until we got into a fist fight. We’ve been best friends since then. I’m sure you know about my past.”

Itachi nodded his head. “That will not affect my decision. I prefer to be professional rather than judgmental.”

“That is a relief sir.” Naruto answered. “Do you want my reference letters and resume?”

“No, those will not be necessary. I’ve already read them over. And I must say I am impressed. I did not know you had connections to the legendary Jiraiya.” Itachi stated.

“Meeting the perv-I mean Jiraiya was a complete accident. He thought I looked like someone he knew while passing me in the market. He gave me my first job actually. The old man is like an uncle to me.” Naruto stated as he scratched his cheek. He almost let the nickname for Jiraiya slip.

“Ah. Well then, we shall get started. What motivates you to do your best work?” Itachi asked as he leaned back in his chair.

“A challenge, nothing motivates me more. It’s the thrill of trying to one up the guy that you’re going against.” Naruto answered, looking Itachi straight in the eyes.

“Very well, there are many challenges with the position in which you applied for. I’m sure you’ll enjoy them. How do you define doing a good job?”

“By making sure that the job is done how it’s supposed to be and making sure that no mistakes will occur after the job is done.” Naruto answered calmly.

“You are a very interesting individual Mr. Uzumaki.” Itachi stated as he leaned forward.

Naruto laughed. “You are the first person to say that to me when we’ve just met.”

Itachi gave the blond a small smile. “What does success mean to you?”

Naruto’s face slipped into a serious expression. “It means never giving up until you complete your goal, no matter what it is, no matter the conditions of your goal, whether it is easy or hard. You keep fighting until you succeed.”

“I see. What does failure mean to you?” Itachi rested his elbows on the desk and steepled his fingers, resting his chin on them.

“Giving up, that’s what failure means to me.” Naruto’s determined blue eyes bore deep into Itachi’s.

“Good. You’re hired.” Itachi said as he reached for the phone and called the payroll department to send him the necessary papers for Naruto to fill out.

“Just like that sir?” Naruto asked with a raised golden eyebrow.

“Yes, you are more honest than any other person I’ve interviewed. You seem more than capable of the job. Would you like to start immediately? I have several meetings that need to be made and some documents that need to be entered into the system.” Itachi’s look was calculated.

“Of course, but would it be possible for me to call my godson? I’ve just gotten custody of him and didn’t see him today.” Naruto asked as he rubbed the back of his head.

“That is allowed. You do not have to ask me to do such things Naruto. I’m not a tyrant despite what rumors you may have heard.” Itachi was amused.

Naruto waved his hands in front of him. “No I haven’t heard rumors! I just…thought I needed permission.”

“It’s fine Naruto. I will tell you when something isn’t allowed. I won’t keep you from your family. If you don’t mind me asking, how did one as young as you gain custody of a child?” Itachi’s voice held a hint of curiosity.

“His parents were old friends of the men who adopted me. When Konohamaru was one he took a liking to me and threw a fit when I had to leave the Sarutobi’s. They made me his godfather because they knew that the kid wouldn’t go with anyone else. They died in a car accident last week.” Naruto’s smile was small.

“My condolences then. You shall be free on the weekends unless I have a business trip planned. You’ll be working from eight in the morning to about five or six in the evening. I tend to stay over so don’t worry about working past six.” Itachi explained.

“But Mr. Uchiha I couldn’t do that. Whenever you go home then so will I.” Naruto answered stubbornly.

Itachi raised an eyebrow. “Really? A babysitter who is willing to work to unknown hours of the night is hard to come by.”

“I have a friend who runs a daycare day and night. She’s really good with kids and Konohamaru knows her. It won’t be a problem.” Naruto answered.

“Good. Ah there you are Shikamaru. Thank you for bringing the papers.” Itachi said as he got up and took a brown envelop from the man.

“Shikamaru Nara! Dude! I haven’t seen you since high school!” Naruto exclaimed as he pounced on his friend.

“Naruto!” Shikamaru steadied himself as he caught the blond. “It’s nice to see you too.”

The blond pulled back with a smile on his face. “I miss you man!”

Shikamaru laughed as he ruffled the blond spikes on Naruto’s head. “You would. I’d better be going, I have work to do. I’ll catch you later.”

Naruto waved bye to Shikamaru as the other left the CEO’s office. The blond turned around and made his way back his seat. It was then he spotted the small desk off to the left. He didn’t say anything as Itachi took his seat as well.

“You seem to get along well with people.” Itachi stated.

“Yeah, I don’t have a mean bone in my body.” Naruto answered.

“I hope you do not get taken advantage of Mr. Uzumaki.” Itachi opened the envelope and placed the papers in front of Naruto.

“You can call me Naruto. I’d feel better if I didn’t have to hear my last name.” Naruto requested as he fiddled with the hem of his suit.

“Of course Naruto.” The blond wanted to melt with how Itachi had rolled the ‘r’ in his name. “You just need to fill these papers out and we will get to work.”

Naruto nodded his head and shoved his chair closer to the desk. He took the pen that Itachi handed him and began to fill out his paper work. When his eyes hit the salary number he almost fell out of his chair.

“Is something wrong Naruto?” Itachi asked, cocking a perfect eyebrow.

“You…salary…sixty-five thousand a year?” Naruto sputtered.

Itachi chuckled. “Yeah with a two thousand dollar raise every two years you are with me. Is there something wrong with that? Is the salary not enough?”

“It’s too much! I couldn’t accept this!” Naruto said as he curled his hand into a fist.

“Nonsense, you are working for Uchiha Inc. and the salary is correct.” Itachi explained.

Naruto slumped in his seat. “I guess I’m not gonna win this one am I?”

“No. Just accept things as they are and finish that paper work. I have some errands for you to run.” Itachi moved to pick up the phone. “I’m ordering food from a restaurant downtown, I heard from my secretary that you did not move once while waiting for me. What would you like to eat?”

“Are you sure?” Naruto asked and continued when Itachi nodded. “Then if they have miso ramen I’ll take that.”

Itachi nodded and dialed the number to the restaurant. “Yes I would like to place an order.”

Naruto tuned the older man out as he began to fill out his paper work. It didn’t take him long to finish the stack of papers. He glanced up and noticed that Itachi was once again engrossed in the computer. “Sir, would you like me to look at anything?”

Itachi glanced away from the computer screen. He then proceeded to pull some papers from a drawer and handed them to Naruto. “This is a list of meetings that I need to have scheduled within the next two weeks. The information about each of them is in this stack as well as contact information.”

“Okay. I’ll get on that right away.” Naruto said as he bent over to pull his cell phone from his briefcase.

“The desk in the corner is yours. You have no need for a separate office since we have to communicate often. You may set up there now if you wish.” Itachi went back to the computer and continued his work.

Naruto didn’t say anything as he picked up his things and moved over to the desk. It was a little bigger than what he had originally thought. He set the stack of papers on the desk and sat down in the chair. He was surprised at how comfortable it was. Naruto knew he wouldn’t mind sitting here for hours on end.

The blond decided to call Konohamaru first. He picked up the desk phone and dialed the number straight to the kids’ room. “Hello?”

“Hey brat! How’re you feeling today?” Naruto asked with a small smile.

“I’m fine Boss.” Konohamaru’s answered sounded a bit frustrated.

“What’s wrong? Did Tsunade find something?” Naruto was worried.

“No! I’m just tired of sitting here! It’s sooo boring and she won’t let me have any gaming systems.” Konohamaru whined.

Naruto laughed, catching Itachi’s attention. “Well if you’d call her Dr. Sannin and not old hag maybe she would let you have your DS.”

“Really?” The blond heard the hope in the young voice.

“Yeah, she tried that crap with me. Respect her a little and you’ll get it. Why do you want it now? You come home tomorrow.”

“I’m bbboooorrrreeedddd.”

Naruto sighed. “Listen kid I’ll get you out of there tomorrow. I have your room mostly set up. I’ll see you tomorrow okay?”

“Yeah. Bye Boss.” Naruto hung up the phone and sighed. The kid was a handful when he wanted to be. Naruto then started to sift through the papers and sorted them from most important and so on.

It wasn’t long before the food came. Naruto shoved the ramen into his mouth as he went over all the information before he would make the phone calls and set up appointments. He sat and popped the joints in his back and shoulders. He was ready to call and set up everything up. A few of the people he knew from school and college and knew he wouldn’t have any problem setting a meeting up. There was one person though he didn’t want to call, but he would suck it up.

“Mr. Uchiha, I’m going to start with setting up these appointments.” Naruto called out. When he didn’t receive an answer, the blond began to make the calls.

It took him an hour to make the necessary appointments, but Naruto hesitated when it came to the last one. He really didn’t want to call this man but he had no choice. The blond took a deep breath and dialed the number on the paper.

“Hyuuga Law Firm, this is Ino Yamanaka, how may I direct your call?” The woman’s voice was smooth.

“Hello, my name is Naruto Uzumaki, I’m calling on behalf of Uchiha Incorporated to set up an appointment with Neji Hyuuga.” Naruto’s voice was even and calm. The blond was proud of himself.

“I’ll patch you through to Mr. Hyuuga right away Mr. Uzumaki.”

“Thank you Ms. Yamanaka.” Naruto had to wait a few moments before the music on the phone ended.

“This is Neji Hyuuga.” The voice was exactly how Naruto remembered it, low and husky.

“Mr. Hyuuga, I am Naruto Uzumaki from Uchiha Incorporated. I am calling to set up an appointment.”

“Naruto? Is that really you?” Neji’s voice sounded very surprised.

“Yes Mr. Hyuuga. I was wondering if you had the fifth of October open?” Naruto kept his voice professional.

“Naruto…please…don’t be like that. You can still call me Neji.”

“The fifth of October, do you have it open Mr. Hyuuga?”

Neji sighed. “Yes, I have it open. How is two o’clock?”

“Two o’clock is fine. Thank you and have a nice day.”

“Wait! Naruto, will you at least get coffee with me?”

Naruto closed his eyes as he felt the familiar pain that came along with anything Neji Hyuuga related. “I’m sorry that would be unprofessional since you have a wife sir. Have a good day.”

The blond had to fight tears as he cradled the phone back into its spot. He took a deep breath and calmed himself. He ignored the raised eyebrow Itachi shot his way. Neji was part of his personal life and Naruto did not want to bring it to the work place.

“It’s nothing to worry about sir. Is there anything else that you need done?” Naruto asked as he leaned back in his chair and resisted the urge to swing it around and look outside.

“Study the material for the first meeting. The man we are dealing with is known to try and swindle companies. I want you to know the material inside and out.”

“Yes sir.” Naruto said and got back to work.
~~~
Naruto smiled as he let Konohamaru take in the room before him. The blond had tried his best to recreate the bedroom the kid had in his parents’ house. Naruto wanted his godson to feel safe and secure when he was staying with him.

Konohamaru smiled and turned to Naruto. “Thanks Boss.”

“You’re welcome. Now I will have some set rules. Number one will be that bedtime is at nine. Number two is that you will be up an hour before school so you can get ready and get breakfast. Three is that you tell me when you decide to go to a friend’s house. Homework will be done as soon as you get home and then chores after that.” Naruto explained.

“Are those all the rules?”

“I’m pretty sure with a troublemaker like you that I’ll have to make more up. Oh!” The blond snapped his fingers. “The video game system will be turned off an hour before you go to bed.”

Konohamaru frowned. “Half hour!”

“No an hour and that’s final.” Naruto’s stare was stern and left no room for argument.

The kids’ shoulders slumped as he mumbled. “Fine.”

Naruto smiled. “You have the whole weekend to play before you go back to school. Did you finish the work your teachers sent you?”

“Yeah. I got bored…”

“Do you want me to look over it?” Naruto asked.

“No!” Konohamaru shouted. “Dad is the only one allowed to.”

Naruto sighed. “That’s fine Konohamaru. I won’t ask again. If you would like me to, just ask me.”

Konohamaru didn’t say anything as he approached the bed and sat on it. “Is it okay if I play some video games?”

“That’ll be fine. I’m going to fix us some ramen okay?” Naruto waited for his godson’s nod before he took off and went to the kitchen to make the ramen.