Au: Hi all. Sorry it took a while. I was busy with work T-T... enjoy guys. Thanks for the reviews and thanks for adding me as your fav. Enjoy~
In the comfort his office chair, Sasuke look at the blond male before him in contemplation. His eyes averted towards the computer screen, looking at the cover of the magazine once again. Naruto's donned attire was similar to what the Raven is wearing now but the image is definitely different; it was subtle but still with impact; not at all a wallflower like the blonde's current self.
Sasuke transferred his vision onto the life version of the same guy and wondered again how did this baggily clad man, an amateur, turned into that.
"Uchiha-san, um… would you like to explain to me?"
"Oh, right... Honestly this is a bit unexpected"
"Tell me about it"
"..."
"..."
"Alright, like I've mentioned on the phone, we are interested in having you join our company as a model. But because you are not a model by profession and have neither modeling backgrounds nor experience apart from this one, you may need to go for some test shots. We want to make sure that this shot we have here" The raven pointed at the picture for emphasis " is not a fluke. We want to see how potential you can be in this field"
Naruto hesitated before asking. "And what if it doesn't work out?"
'Lack of confidence?' Sasuke thought, but that is something a person can overcome in time. He sat forward and placed his elbows on the table, clasping is hands, smirking challengingly.
"You will remain as an employee of a pet store and do what you always do every day. But…. if you succeed, you can travel, meet people, make connections that could take you anywhere, and make more money" Sasuke paused "even though you don't seemed to be the sort who is very ambitious"
In respond, a smirk graced the well-shaped lips "Don't be so sure yet Uchiha-san"
"I guess I shouldn't"
Naruto sat down in the dressing room with Temari behind him. The blond girl will be attached to him as his personal makeup artist and stylist if Naruto managed to get through this test. From the mirror before him, he could see the girl examining every part of him. 'I need to give you a new makeover' she said, while touching his hair and playing with it. She went over to her bag and took out a book on 2011's men hairstyle, flipping the pages, glancing over the pictures quickly.
Naruto was a bit reluctant to cut his hair but if he was going to give modeling a shot, guess he'll need to have his image adjusted….. a bit.
"Ah! I know what to do now~~" She exclaimed with glee "With my hands, I will turn you into a celebrity even if it will cost my life!"
"Uh... I'd rather you don't have to go to that len-"
"NO! I must. And when we succeed~ You will be a wanted model! Or even actor! And moi, a well renown stylist who groomed an amateur into an idol! I will come up with my own range of makeup-"
Naruto could feel and imaginary weight weighing down his shoulders as the girl continued to rant about her vision. Temari really shouldn't put too much hope on him. He is an amateur and the previous photo shoot could be a fluke. But that doesn't seem to stop her from grasping the end of his short ponytail and gave it a chop.
Frozen, he just continued to sit and stare as layers of his hair are cut off.
'God…. I hope she knows what she is doing' He prayed when he noticed the maniacal-like smile adorned on the girl's face. Naruto began to wonder if he should have turned down the agreement.
Sasuke sighed. He just finished conducting the meeting and he was happy to hear that everything is running smoothly so far. There is one more thing that he has yet to finalize and that is Naruto's Test photoshoot. A few days ago he heard from his secretary that a duckling has been transformed into a swan. And today, he is going to be the judge of that.
He walked over to his Tenten's table and informed her that he will be dropping by to the shoot and see how it goes.
"I'll be back soon"
"Hai" Tenten beamed with excitement. "Tell me how it goes"
"Hn" Sasuke waved as he walked towards the elevator. Not long after, the door opened and he stepped in, pressing the button 7.
All the way to the studio room, the raven has to admit that his heart rate was increasing at each step. He wasn't sure if he was nervous or excited. What is he going to see when he stepped into the studio? How does Naruto look like now he wonder?
As he neared the door, he heard the noise of the photographer talking with enthusiasm. "Oh Yeee~eesss... yes yes that's great... give me an intense look! Yes! Come on! Show me the power of youth!"
Sasuke was about to peek into the room but was startled when he felt a light tap on his arm. He turned around to see Temari standing beside him with a smile on her face. "Konichiwa Uchiha-san" She bowed " I'd like to thank you for giving me this chance and for having Naruto to be attached with me"
The raven just nodded "We'll have to see if that guy can make it... Gambate" He turned to face the inside of the studio.
At that Temari grinned. "Hai! Please go in! You won't see him from here!" She opened the door and ushered him in.
The raven stepped closer quietly as to not distract the concentration of everyone. As his peripheral view captured the entire scene, his breath hitched at what he saw.
And one would think it will look awfully punk and emo in the get up but not on Naruto; Clad in fitting black denim that were tucked into matching calf-high boots with several slim buckles on it. A black shimmering, sleeveless, hooded jacket were worn over a black tank top showed toned arms. Sasuke thought the man would a bit on the scrawny side.
He had multiple piercings on his ears that are now visible with his shorter hair; The blond strands that were once straight and long are now lightly layered. It is short on the back and slightly longer towards the front. His heavy bangs were swept aside and the longer strands framed the side of his face: Ears peeking a bit from within the voluminous hair. One would think it'll be girly on a man but not on Naruto. It fitted him perfectly. And to add a stylish touch, rings adorn his slim fingers and a bracelet glistened beneath the lights on the left wrist.
Sasuke knew in his guts that if he plays his cards right, Uzumaki Naruto is going to hit the fashion industry like a Tsunami.
Sasuke sat in the meeting room along with his brother, Tenten, Gai and Temari. Pictures were strewn across the table after it was sent for developing an hour ago. They went through the shots and picked out the ones that looked best.
Itachi nodded in approval as he went from one photo to another."These are pretty good. We could even just use these for the issue. Perhaps we could do more shots but we don't have to do it today, let's show the board members this photos and see what they have to say"
The younger raven agreed. "Maybe we can get another another model assigned to join in for the next shoot too... I think he will be more comfortable. Ah, I think Kakashi has a few, get one of em. Since its going to be an official shoot, he might get nervous... he seemed to look a bit nervous today already" Sasuke then switched his attention to the photographer "Gai when are you free?"
The male pondered for a moment before answering "Friday?"
"Friday then"
Tenten raised a brow "Um... I thought we are going to wait for the board members to decide?"
"All of us here know that they are going to agree"
Good Job
Good Job
Good Job
Good Job
Good Job
That word kept on repeating itself in Naruto's mind after he read the message sent by Sasuke. As much as he'd like to deny it, he felt rather elated. Like a dog being told he was a good pet. Okay that is not a good example.
In amidst of his thoughts, his stomach grumbled. Instinctively he held on his abdomen and sheepishly look around if anyone heard it. Naruto looked at the time and realised that is had way passed lunch time and decided to feed himself.
SF called for an emergency meeting. Well, it is not really an emergency but it is, if an Uchiha wants it to be. Outside the meeting room hung a signboard "Board of Directors meeting" and below it a list of those who are attending.
Chairman- Uchiha Itachi
Vice chairman / SF Publisher / Website - Jiraya
PR / Sales Marketing -Senju Tsunade
Financial Advisor / SF model coach – Hatake Kakashi
Chief Editor- Uchiha Sasuke
The dim lit room was in silence as all eyes looked at the projected image against the white canvas. "Uzumaki Naruto was it?" Jiraya reconfirmed.
"hn" Sasuke replied "what do you think? Good material?" The raven turned to Kakashi this time.
The spiky silver haired male nodded. "I think he is workable. I don't mind trying" He said casually as he yawned. A finger rubbed the scared eye sleepily, gaining disapproval looks from the room.
"What have you been doing really? You are always so sleepy" Tsunade added with a contemplating look.
"I was helping this old lad-"
"Okay enough" the whole room stopped him simultaneously but Kakashi didn't seemed to care.
The blond busty woman continued "Have I seen him somewhere before? He kind of looked familiar"
"Last issue? With Neji?" Jiraya offered.
"I know that one.. I meant if he'd been around the industry before? Cause I think I saw him somewhere... maybe a long time ago"
"No, he is totally green, works at a pet store" Itachi spoke this time "and, this is how he looked like before the make over". The chairman took out a couple of pictures that was taken obviously without the subject's consent; One with Naruto walking a few dogs and the other, Naruto buying some groceries from a mini-mart.
"Itachi are you crazy?!" The younger raven gawked at his older brother.
"What? I'm curious"
Tsunade tsk-ed "What a waste of beauty" She said and Jiraya nodded in agreement. "So, are we going to work on him?" The long haired male asked.
"I'd like to if we could. Kakashi?"
"Then I think that there will be a lot to work with. Does he understand how much he is worth? He needs to know that he is beautiful not in some narcissistic way, but he needs to be aware and use it or we will just have a stiff doll. The mystery look thing won't last forever"
Everyone gave the situation a thought and after a couple of minutes, Jiraya spoke first "You know what? Maybe we could pull this mystery thing for a bit longer"
"God, what kind of trick are you going to pull this time?" Tsunade rolled her eyes as she said so, knowing Jiraya all too well.
Now he couldn't wait to get to the studio for his next shot. Another model will be here too and Naruto felt a bit anxious about it. A real model. His confidence is beginning to wilt.
NO! He shook his head.
Taking a deep breath he calmed himself. "Just be yourself" He mumbled a few times before putting a foot forward.
"Ah" he gasped.
Damn. He knocked into someone. "I'm so sorry"
"S'okay" came a deep voice.
As doe eyes looked up, a handsome face came into view. He has short cropped red hair. The male was probably about his age but his green eyes reflects a certain maturity. The male smiled politely as the blond apologized once more before hurrying to the studio room. Temari will start nagging at him if he is anymore later than this.
He walked over to the studio but to his surprise, the room was empty. Huh? Did he got the wrong date? Or maybe he got the time wrong. Naruto quickly took out his phone and checked his organizer. The appointment is definitely today and he had in fact came slightly early. However, the studio shouldn't be totally unoccupied. Did they change the venue?
"Naruto!"
The blond turned around towards Temari's voice. "Hey, where is everyone?"
"Oh uh, sorry everything got delayed" The girl gave him a sheepish look "we might only start in a couple of hours"
"Two more hours?"
"Sorta, yes. We didn't inform you about it because Uchiha-san thought that it would be good for you to use this time to get to know the model you are modeling with today. And he is my Brother!"
"Your brother? You never said anything about it!"
"That's because I don't encourage my sister to talk about it" Another person replied. When Naruto turned around, he was surprised to see the red haired male earlier.
"Ah! You!" Doe eyes widened
"Yes me. Nice to see you again"
Temari looked at the both of them "You knew each other?"
"We kinda bumped into each other earlier" The red haired model explained casually.
"Then why didn't you tell him about the delay?"
"I didn't know its him"
"Ah.. Anyway let me officially introduce you guys then. This is Gaara and this is Naruto" He said, stepping aside for them to shake hands. "This is his first official shoot so show him the ropes okay?"
"Will do"
Temari then brought Naruto to do the make up and asked him to change into the clothes that has been arranged for the shoot. "Isn't it a bit to early to change?" The blond male asked even though he is already wearing them.
"Its alright. Why don't you go over to Gaara and hang for a bit. We still have another hour to go" She replied while her hands are storing away her cosmetics.
"What about you?"
"I'll be fine, I have some stuff to do first. Will catch up if I can" She replied with a wink.
Naruto then walked over to Gaara, noting that he too had make up on and fully dressed in the attire for the shoot. "Hey"
"Hey... I'm going to grab some coffee. Wanna go to Tully's. We can take a short walk at the park nearby"
Naruto smiled "sure"
The red head offered and insist to buy him a cup of coffee. Naruto waited at one of the benches at the park that is noticeable from Tully's. Five minutes have passed and Gaara walked out with two cups in his hands. He spotted the blond immediately and walked over.
He took the hot cup appreciatively and sipped on the warm liquid, totally unaware of a camera clicking not too far away.
End of chapt 4!
Au: I hope you guys are excited for the next chapter~ *wink* look forward to your reviews.