The Consultant with Pink Hair

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Kakashi rubbed his face hard and then scratched his nails through his short hair. Every time he touched it, he missed that ragged mess in which he used to take such pride. The contact over his sharingan was dry and slight stubble tickled his palms. He needed a shave. Looking down as he stood up, he could see he'd rumpled his black kimono and would have to have it sent to the cleaners. But like all the other little day-to-day things that he had to deal with — clothes to the cleaners, meetings, running the household, paying the help — nothing mattered that much.

Soft snores were emanating from Sato, and Kakashi just stood and watched him sleep. He could see his mother in the old man sometimes in the way he smiled or laughed and he was grateful for these years. But their time was growing short now — he knew. It would be so difficult to give up having a family again, though he had no control over that. Sato's chest rattled with each wheeze of a breath, but at least, for the moment, he wasn't in pain.

Kakashi clapped Isao on the shoulder as they left the bedroom and made their way down the hallway toward the dining area. Should I have the secretary cancel your morning meeting? You look very tired. Would you like to shower before you eat? When they reached the dining room, Kakashi took a seat at the head of the long shiny table and before he could even grab up the morning mail, Isao was putting his breakfast in front of him as one of the maids rushed in with coffee.

The stack of bills and letters sat next to the morning paper and Kakashi eyed it as the scent of cinnamon French toast with fresh butter and syrup made his mouth water. He supposed he was a bit hungry since he ate nothing at the dinner the night before. She nodded and curtsied a little before darting out of the room.

When even Isao gave him some peace, Kakashi absently pushed around the stack of envelopes until he found the one he was looking for. It was a plain envelope, and just by gripping it, he could feel the jutsu on it in case someone else opened it. It was easy enough for him to dispel, and he opened the flap, forgetting his breakfast for the moment.

Closing his eyes, Kakashi sucked in a deep breath. He leaned forward and slid his fingers around the coffee cup while he called out, "Isao…! Please have the secretary send my regrets. For hours Sakura sat by the pre-teen boy's bed and drenched his chest in chakra. He couldn't be more than eleven - so young and frail looking.

His eyes were closed, but when she lifted one with a finger, his irises were a beautiful soft green flecked with silver. His hair was black, like midnight, and even so thin of body, she could see the definition in his long arms. He would be very handsome when he grew up. It was at least four o'clock, she figured, and her back ached and her fingers burned with the prolonged extreme chakra use.

But hours of examining almost every inch of his organs, blood cells and everything in between yielded nothing. For all intents and purposes, he was a healthy boy. His heart beats strong and he has decent brain activity. There's no damage, no foreign substances in his blood, and his organs are healthy. The only thing to note is that his functions are slowing — just a minute amount, but continuously. I don't even know where to start.

The Consultant with Pink Hair - Beyond Referrals

C sat back at the desk that was situated in the corner of the secluded and closed off room. He sighed softly and nodded. I imagine you're starving since we haven't eaten since that fast coffee and muffin this morning. We can look over the test data again. C tightened his lips in empathy and dug around for a package of papers before lifting himself slowly from the chair and waving Sakura to come with him.

After sweeping her fingers through the soft dark hair of her young patient, she reluctantly rose and followed her co-researcher. They numbly glided down the outside hallway like apparitions, passing other sentries, ninja and the odd civilian until they turned into the kitchens.

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A number of people were cooking and working away at dinner for the staff of the Raikage's building, and everyone virtually ignored the pair. C gestured to a small wooden table in the corner and motioned to one of the cooks to bring over some food. Sakura sat first and C took the wooden chair across from her.

A headache was beginning to form behind them. These are recently inflicted patients so they are healthier and will give us more time to work. Sakura suddenly realized just how hungry she was. She countered it with chakra but it still ached. I'm curious as to why I feel like a prisoner here. But you are one of us now and have to follow our rules for a little while.

Her own lips twinged slightly in desire to return it. He really was pretty damn attractive. Why would I be in harm's way? Sorry, C, but my patience is wearing thin with this damn headache. He fished around in the soup absently and glanced suspiciously at the kitchen staff. They're a ragged, small group but they want to assassinate the Raikage and cause anarchy in Lightning. There have been several attacks up to now and they're getting bolder, smarter.

They weren't a real threat until just lately. They are gaining in strength and numbers. Since Akatsuki, this is the first group of ninja that seem to have banned together for espionage against a country. The peace has been so nice since the last Great War that I suppose we were lulled into complacency.

They've targeted Lightning, and the Raikage is concerned they are from other countries. This is why we have such protocols for contacting outside of our village. This is why it was so hard to get you here. This is why we don't ask for help. It seems very suspicious. Apparently one of the leaders of this rogue group is rumoured to be Leaf. We can't reason why Hatake Kakashi would want to do this and it was confusing when you said you just saw him before you left.

Either this is a different man or you are lying. Sakura's jaw tightened but she held her composure. How could they possibly take over if they are a small group?

Can't you just run them out or capture them? You have an army. C gave her a drained look. We're struggling to find out their identities. I suppose that's why we were taking a stab at the idea Hirameki Kazuo is Hatake Kakashi. And they've been trying to recruit from our ranks. It's a bad situation. Of course, it's only compounded now that they've introduced a sickness that has no discrimination. Ninja and civilians alike are at risk and we're at a loss to stop it — as you've seen. We used so many resources just fighting this.

With C's last revelation, Sakura's mind slipped back to the young boy on the hospital bed. He was probably the age she was when she began her ninja training with Kakashi. So many horrible things began to run through her mind. What if Hatake Kakashi was leading a coup in Lighting, and what if it actually was sanctioned by Konoha?

But if it was, then why would Naruto allow her to be placed in such a precarious position — within their very walls? She could easily become a captive to be ransomed. Perhaps she already was…. But Kakashi would never allow someone to poison a whole village…. He'd give his life to stop that, she was absolutely sure. That was the kind of man he was. But what if Kazuo wasn't Kakashi and was just some rich playboy?

What if they were all in more danger than she had ever imagined? C's handsome face turned to her and he smiled just a little sadly. I'm glad you're here. A night like this one was what made Lightning a place worth living in. The moon was a thumbnail in the blue black sky, and the stars seemed brighter than Kakashi had ever seen.

The air was crisp, and the serene drift of the mist around the forest was almost surreal in its beauty. He supposed his little happiness was leant to a number of factors at the moment, not just the beautiful evening. One was that his body was enjoying the feel of Kevlar armour, of the old comfortable sandals and the fabric mask situated snugly over his face. How he missed it all when he had to act the gentleman. The wrap of his kunai pack around his thigh was more comforting than any amount of money or prestige that his other life could possibly afford.

The other, more muddled reason was that Haruno Sakura had stepped back into his life. That interesting fact made him feel a great variety of things. Quietly he crept through the back forest at the edge of the Hirameki lands. The sound of the waterfall was far behind now. He slipped through the brush and canopy, loving the feel of chakra coursing through his body, helping him move swiftly. After doubling back twice and being completely sure no one had followed him, Kakashi found the old cave in the rockface a kilometre down from his waterfall.

When he entered the mouth of the cave and walked ten feet, he felt the chakra barrier swirl around him and the cold sharp point of a kunai touching his throat. The meeting already started. Kakashi tilted his head to look at the young woman guarding the entrance. He knew her well enough. Her name was Karui and she was a Lightning shinobi.

Even since first meeting her, he always found himself drawn into the gaze of her golden eyes. They seemed to look right through him at times. Kakashi reluctantly stepped toward the group in the corner drowning in heavy argument. Because Sato was sick, Kakashi had hesitated to leave tonight but to see the distress in the other ninja's features as they congregated in huddled groups made him think that something major was happening.

Among the thirty or so rogue ninja meeting in the cave, Kakashi spotted the man he was looking for. He was an imposing figure, but thoughtful and intelligent. Like Kakashi, he had spiky white hair, however his dark skin was the rich colour of coffee and he had the most intense black eyes. Even with four men arguing around him, Omoi stood and listened intently. Omoi never snapped to decisions. Had he not been the leader of the small group, Kakashi may not have joined. Four voices started at once, grumbling things like leaf, medic and betrayal.

Voices rose and rose again as each person hissed out their fears and anger. She's a prominent high ranking figure in Konoha and there is concern that Konoha might be allying with Kumo. This can't be allowed to happen with the current state of things. What do you know? Everyone in the cave fell silent and Kakashi felt their eyes on him. She's the Medical Director of Konohagakure. I met her last night at the Blossom Viewing. As far as I can deduce from the short conversation, she is here to do some sort of work.

She's not here to spy. I'm more than sure. In fact, her appearance might be a gift to us. She's extremely intelligent and it would help to have someone on the inside. He didn't like that they were concentrating on Sakura — in fact it filled him with dread. Due to their past or upbringing, most Lightning nin were extremely untrusting. Just the mention of her at the meeting put her at risk. How do we know that we won't have trouble with Konoha now? The team of ANBU that accompanied her just went back to the border.

I can't figure out what that means. We need to investigate more. I'm very concerned about her presence. We all know she speaks with the Hokage's voice. Perhaps we need to…". Kakashi cut in, "Wait… We need to wait. We don't know what her being here means, but there is no rushing into anything. If she isn't representing Konoha, then we wouldn't want to bring them into this by assaulting her. We would not be forgiven by the Hokage. Give me some time and I'll see what I can find out. I have more opportunity to meet up with her in my current circles. Omoi nodded, even though a hushed grumble came from more than one bystander.

Kakashi knew that appealing to Omoi's sense of patience and his constant desire to examine everything before lurching into decisions would work to his favour. But it seemed this added a new dimension to the already precarious business he was involved in with his double identity. Why did he ever come to Kumo? I'll give you a week.

But if something happens in that time to make us question what she is here for, we'll do what we have to do. You understand that our success is more important than one Leaf Medic. In turn, Kakashi dipped his head in acknowledgement, though he felt an intense need to act after Omoi's threat. Yes, he understood their need to succeed.

It was their country after all, but for Kakashi, Sakura was more important. He would never utter it to anyone in that room, but his immediate purpose had just changed. It was only ten o'clock when Kakashi's feet landed on the floor of his bedroom. The last minute meeting of the rogue ninja hadn't taken long after the business about Sakura.

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Kakashi had only hoped that he quelled their interest in his old teammate enough to really find out what she was doing there. Unfortunately, his cheek still felt the remnants of her open hand and his stomach felt the twinge of shame for embarrassing her so boldly. For longer than he realized, Kakashi stood in the middle of his room with his mask pinched in his fingers, dwelling on all that had happened and all that might happen in the near future when a knock at the door jarred him to the present.

He was still tying the thin obi when he swung the door open. Kakashi walked calmly into the study to find a fire in the fireplace crackling happily, the red-gold flames reflecting off the dark liquid in a glass decanter at the bar.

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How he wanted a drink before having this conversation. He could almost taste it already. She sat cross-legged in the loveseat across from the fire looking supremely annoyed. I had other business tonight.

I was sure you could handle the fundraising committee without me. The scent was brilliant and harsh, making his mouth water for the first burn. The woman in the severe looking pinstripe business suit and black high heels stood up and approached him. With those four inch heels on, she reached Kakashi's height. Her hair was pulled back into a tight bun and her make up was subtle and perfect, making her look younger.

We were just finalizing the small details. Taro was distracting everyone from business with his stories and he brought that little imbecile from last night again. They battle low margins, late nights responding to crazy RFPs, confusing branding advice, and the pressure of too much revenue coming fr The Consultant with Pink Hair is the story of Andrew Braun and Lou Di Angelo, partners in a fictional management consulting practice struggling with the real life challenges of being just another consulting firm in a crowded market place.

They battle low margins, late nights responding to crazy RFPs, confusing branding advice, and the pressure of too much revenue coming from one big client--and the disaster when that client walks away.

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The Consultant with Pink Hair

Nov 15, Patrick rated it it was ok Shelves: This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. A business novel and you know how I feel about those focused on how a small consulting firm can be competitive. The book focuses on a management consulting firm trying to differentiate themselves from competitors, only to realize that they should care about their clients and not competitors, and that their differentiation is their expertise in a specific area.

Sort of the old Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap Took A business novel and you know how I feel about those focused on how a small consulting firm can be competitive. Took about 2 hrs to read, was not overly painful, and I highlighted 5 sentences. One of them was because of my incredulity at their Millennial-bashing, though "How many of tomorrow's video-game instant-gratification graduates is [long hours and hard work] going to appeal to?

Two stars, but maybe bump it up one if you're actually running a small consulting firm. Sep 15, Kathryn Gorges rated it it was amazing.

Excellent for any consultant looking to grow their business This story format works great to demonstrate the process of identifying a strategy to be top of mind in your market. Kritin Gupta rated it did not like it Jul 12, Nnamdi Anosike rated it did not like it May 22, Michael Schmid rated it liked it Oct 26, Michael Rogers rated it liked it Nov 07, Veronica Yao rated it it was amazing Mar 15, Cem rated it it was ok Jun 12, Salim rated it liked it Mar 27, Suranjan rated it it was amazing Apr 23, Tanay Sareen rated it it was amazing Mar 27, Robin Ripley rated it really liked it Sep 19, Dan McMahon rated it it was amazing May 26, Carolina Estripeaut rated it it was amazing Nov 01, Kyle Hipke rated it it was ok Aug 01, Andres Castillo rated it really liked it Jan 31, Charlie rated it liked it Jul 31, Mr David Simington rated it liked it Jan 24, Jacob rated it it was amazing Oct 28, Jeraldine rated it it was ok Jun 10, Ray Minifield rated it it was amazing Aug 20,

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