The Office: Part 1
Title: The Office, Part 1/?
Author: meepers369
Summary: AU. Ino can’t help but feel miffed regarding Shikamaru’s duty to escort the Chicago representative around the office.
Oh, she thinks dully. So this is how a heart breaks.
It was quite interesting, she supposes, to actually experience the physiological reactions she had studied in so much detail as a psychology major. Not that the science is important at all now. With Shikamaru in a shopping mall, of all places, and that Temari hanging clingingly to his arm, nothing from her years of study at college could ever prepare her for this clenching feeling in her chest.
“Ino?” She turns around to see Chouji, coming out of a bakery, with concerned and slightly confused look on his face. “Are you alright? Why are you just standing there--”
“Nothing’s wrong.” Ino strode briskly away. Chouji’s eyes widened in understanding as he saw Shikamaru, and hurriedly trailed after Ino.
----
The office had been abuzz with the news that a Chicago branch representative would be coming to observe their office. “Apparently, even though they’re one of the more successful branches of our company, they are also pretty famous for having a cold and hostile work atmosphere,” Sakura confided to Ino during their lunch break. As assistant to their branch manager, Tsunade, Sakura had access to many interesting tidbits of information that no one else knew. “The representative is supposed to come and take notes on how we operate.” Sakura slyly looked at Ino.
“Tsunade’s also asked Shikamaru to accompany the rep around the office. Are you okay with that?”
“What? Why wouldn’t I be?” It made sense, Ino thought. As strategic manager of their branch, Shikamaru would probably be able to get information on why the Chicago branch was so successful, and incorporate it into their operations. “Sounds like the perfect assignment to actually have that lazy bum working.”
“Because,” Sakura huffed impatiently. “It’s not just ANY representative. She’s a girl.” Ino stiffened slightly. Sakura smiled triumphantly at the slight reaction. “She’s the sister of Gaara, that guy who is the youngest to ever become branch manager. Apparently she’s the one responsible for the success of the branch, being an incredibly daring operations manager.”
“Then why is she coming here, if she’s so important to their branch,” Ino said crossly. Sakura laughed.
“I guess she wanted to see exactly how their branch is lacking personally. From what descriptions of her personality I could find, she’s very forceful, and dislikes imperfection.”
“Whatever. We’ll see how she’s really like when she gets here.”
A few days later, Tsunade called a meeting of all the employees to welcome the Chicago representative. The girl, Temari, smiled politely and responded simply to greetings. Her smile, Ino decided, had a bored and slightly presumptuous look to it. “No wonder their branch is known for a cold atmosphere if she’s the one responsible for creating it!” Ino whispered to Sakura.
During afternoon break, as always, Ino met with Chouji and Shikamaru. They had been firm friends since childhood, and when luck allowed them to work at the same company, they kept a tradition of meeting to chat and exchange stories, despite working in different departments.
“So how did your day go, escorting that Chicago representative around?” Ino tensed at the question.
“Troublesome.” Shikamaru scowled. “She wanted to read the employee manuals that we pass out. I didn’t do much escorting, just sat around as she read every little detail and questioned me on why the branch had so-and-so policies, why they differed from the main branch’s recommendations, why Tsunade endorses this, how exactly did each difference result in a better outcome. I felt like I was in college taking the most ridiculous test on readings that I never did!”
Ino smiled. Shikamaru was rarely annoyed to the extent of complaining so much. She relaxed and playfully said, “It’s a good thing you’re the smartest out of all of us, then!” He scowled at her, but she only grinned back.
“Also, I might not be able to always meet you guys for afternoon break for the next few days,” he sighed. Both Chouji and Ino started at that. Shikamaru always tried to meet them, even at his busiest. “From the schedule that Ms. Representative spent all lunch composing…there’s hardly a break in there for the next few days. And dumb Tsunade specifically ordered me to accompany that girl everywhere.” At that, said girl of conversation poked her head in the door of the lounge. Seeing Shikamaru, she strode briskly in.
“There you are, you lazy bum! I need you to give me a list of all the important employees in this branch, so I can plan out who to talk to in the next few weeks without wasting too much time talking to unnecessary people.” With a curt nod to Chouji and Ino, she walked out, holding on to one of Shikamaru’s arms. He waved to his two friends with his free hand, smiling dryly.
Also on Fanfiction.net.
Author: meepers369
Summary: AU. Ino can’t help but feel miffed regarding Shikamaru’s duty to escort the Chicago representative around the office.
Oh, she thinks dully. So this is how a heart breaks.
It was quite interesting, she supposes, to actually experience the physiological reactions she had studied in so much detail as a psychology major. Not that the science is important at all now. With Shikamaru in a shopping mall, of all places, and that Temari hanging clingingly to his arm, nothing from her years of study at college could ever prepare her for this clenching feeling in her chest.
“Ino?” She turns around to see Chouji, coming out of a bakery, with concerned and slightly confused look on his face. “Are you alright? Why are you just standing there--”
“Nothing’s wrong.” Ino strode briskly away. Chouji’s eyes widened in understanding as he saw Shikamaru, and hurriedly trailed after Ino.
----
The office had been abuzz with the news that a Chicago branch representative would be coming to observe their office. “Apparently, even though they’re one of the more successful branches of our company, they are also pretty famous for having a cold and hostile work atmosphere,” Sakura confided to Ino during their lunch break. As assistant to their branch manager, Tsunade, Sakura had access to many interesting tidbits of information that no one else knew. “The representative is supposed to come and take notes on how we operate.” Sakura slyly looked at Ino.
“Tsunade’s also asked Shikamaru to accompany the rep around the office. Are you okay with that?”
“What? Why wouldn’t I be?” It made sense, Ino thought. As strategic manager of their branch, Shikamaru would probably be able to get information on why the Chicago branch was so successful, and incorporate it into their operations. “Sounds like the perfect assignment to actually have that lazy bum working.”
“Because,” Sakura huffed impatiently. “It’s not just ANY representative. She’s a girl.” Ino stiffened slightly. Sakura smiled triumphantly at the slight reaction. “She’s the sister of Gaara, that guy who is the youngest to ever become branch manager. Apparently she’s the one responsible for the success of the branch, being an incredibly daring operations manager.”
“Then why is she coming here, if she’s so important to their branch,” Ino said crossly. Sakura laughed.
“I guess she wanted to see exactly how their branch is lacking personally. From what descriptions of her personality I could find, she’s very forceful, and dislikes imperfection.”
“Whatever. We’ll see how she’s really like when she gets here.”
A few days later, Tsunade called a meeting of all the employees to welcome the Chicago representative. The girl, Temari, smiled politely and responded simply to greetings. Her smile, Ino decided, had a bored and slightly presumptuous look to it. “No wonder their branch is known for a cold atmosphere if she’s the one responsible for creating it!” Ino whispered to Sakura.
During afternoon break, as always, Ino met with Chouji and Shikamaru. They had been firm friends since childhood, and when luck allowed them to work at the same company, they kept a tradition of meeting to chat and exchange stories, despite working in different departments.
“So how did your day go, escorting that Chicago representative around?” Ino tensed at the question.
“Troublesome.” Shikamaru scowled. “She wanted to read the employee manuals that we pass out. I didn’t do much escorting, just sat around as she read every little detail and questioned me on why the branch had so-and-so policies, why they differed from the main branch’s recommendations, why Tsunade endorses this, how exactly did each difference result in a better outcome. I felt like I was in college taking the most ridiculous test on readings that I never did!”
Ino smiled. Shikamaru was rarely annoyed to the extent of complaining so much. She relaxed and playfully said, “It’s a good thing you’re the smartest out of all of us, then!” He scowled at her, but she only grinned back.
“Also, I might not be able to always meet you guys for afternoon break for the next few days,” he sighed. Both Chouji and Ino started at that. Shikamaru always tried to meet them, even at his busiest. “From the schedule that Ms. Representative spent all lunch composing…there’s hardly a break in there for the next few days. And dumb Tsunade specifically ordered me to accompany that girl everywhere.” At that, said girl of conversation poked her head in the door of the lounge. Seeing Shikamaru, she strode briskly in.
“There you are, you lazy bum! I need you to give me a list of all the important employees in this branch, so I can plan out who to talk to in the next few weeks without wasting too much time talking to unnecessary people.” With a curt nod to Chouji and Ino, she walked out, holding on to one of Shikamaru’s arms. He waved to his two friends with his free hand, smiling dryly.
Also on Fanfiction.net.