Chapter 2

"You're lucky I'm not useless, brat," Kyuubi spat, lip curling. "Otherwise you'd be dead."

Naruko narrowed her eyes, glaring at the large fox through the cage's bars. "But, like you always point out, if I'm dead, then you're dead; you need this as much as I do."

Kyuubi let out a low, rolling laugh. "You make a good point, kit." Losing the toothy smile, Kyuubi narrowed his eyes. "Tell me, how long do you plan on keeping up this act for?"

Naruko frowned. "What do you mean?"

"Your chakra was sealed," Kyuubi said. "You're henge is depending on me. The technique may be yours, but the ability behind it is me."

Naruko crossed her arms, raising her eyebrows. "You're saying this is too much for you?"

"I never said anything of the sort," Kyuubi snarled in response. "Don't play dumb with me, brat. Answer my question."

"I'm not sure exactly," Naruko admitted, eyes downcast. "Just until I get enough money to get comfortably situated, I guess."

"That could take ages," Kyuubi said quickly.

Naruko shook her head. "No, not with what I have planned. Trust me, with the way I look, and with the jobs and people in this town, I'll be set in no time."

Kyuubi remained silent, pondering her words.

"Please, just trust me," Naruko pleaded. "We're a team, you and me, and as of now we're all each other have. I need your help if we're ever going to get through this. I promise things will work out."

Kyuubi sighed deeply. "You really are acting like a girl, you know that, kit?"

Naruko flushed. "I am not – I'm just great at staying in character at all times. Who knows who could be watching? Besides, you're just jealous I'm a great actress."

"Actor," Kyuubi corrected with a smirk.

Naruko flushed a deeper red. "You know what I meant." She ignored the fox's chuckles that echoed off the dark walls. "So, what do you say?"

"I'll bite, for now," Kyuubi said warily. "When are you planning on starting your hunt for work?"

"Now, actually," Naruko sighed. "I promised to send letter back home…" She trailed off sadly, but then quickly collected herself. "I mean back to Konoha, once I got settled. So I want to hurry this up."

Kyuubi nodded silently. "Just be careful, kit. Remember – we're not invincible."

Naruko flashed Kyuubi a big grin, blue eyes twinkling. "Don't worry, I'll play it cool; remember, I'm not Uzumaki Naruto anymore."


Wandering through the city, which, even in broad daylight was packed with rowdy crowds, Naruko couldn't help but be proud of what she'd done with herself. Dressed cutely in a flirty skirt, which was short enough to tease, yet long enough to keep them guessing, and a nice tank top that, just like the skirt, left all the good parts to the men's imagination, Naruko confidently strolled towards her destination. She couldn't believe all the attention she was receiving; but, regardless, she was basking in it. When she was Naruto, sure, she'd get plenty of attention. But the looks he got were that of hatred and disgust. But now, all eyes that looked upon her were either dark with lust or bright with jealously.

Finally reaching the agency she had been directed to by the billboard outside of her hotel's window, Naruko opened the door and hurried inside. She sighed loudly when the building's cool air met her flushed skin. It felt good to be out of the hot sun.

"Do you have an appointment?" A nasally voice called over to her from across the room.

Naruko turned towards the woman with a scowl. "Oh, er, no, I didn't know I was supposed to."

The woman's face curled into a sneer. "What, you thought that you could just waltz in here and get a job?"

"Um, yes?" Naruko said, raising her eyebrows.

The lady laughed impolitely. "Sorry, sweetie, but that's not how it works."

"Yeah, you sound so sorry," Naruko murmured before smiling kindly at the woman. "Okay, well, then would you mind telling me how exactly it does work?"

The lady narrowed her eyes. "I'm not so sure you'd be too good a fit here; I'm so sorry." However, the lady's tone clearly insinuated that she, once again, was, in fact, not sorry at all.

Naruko opened her mouth to argue. However, before she could get a work out, a deep booming voice called out through the lobby.

"You, girl, you're blonde!"

Naruko looked over at the man, surprised to discover he was addressing her.

"Umm, yeah as far as I know," Naruko furrowed her brow.

"Good, get over here."

Naruko quickly shot a look at the lady, who was looking at her with an angry expression. Then, without a second thought, she hurried after the man, who was already walking down a large, fancy looking hallway.

"What's your name, girl?"

"Naruko," she answered with a grin. "And what do you need me for?"

"One of our models can't do the shoot without throwing up over everything," the man said briskly. "Dumb broad; I told her not to fucking drink. But does she listen? No; and because of that I'm out one model. And that—" he turned to Naruko – "is where you come in."

Naruko nodded willingly. "Cool."

"Naruko, right?" he waved her into a brightly lit room when she confirmed it with a nod. "Come over here; I need to get a better look at you."

Naruko suddenly felt very small. She resisted the urge to squirm under the man's scrutinizing gaze.

The man smirked. "Huh, I got lucky. Not too shabby." He stepped back and eyed her up and down. "Nice height and figure. Perfect curves, as well. And, of course, a wonderful chest." However, when his eyes reached her face, his smile vanished. Naruko inwardly groaned, knowing exactly what the man was looking at:

The three whisker marks that had marred her cheeks since she was a baby.

"I know," Naruko said, rolling her eyes. "They're not really ideal for a job like this, but you can always use make up to cover them, right?" She eyes shined hopefully. "Please, I just want to have a shot with this, and this might be my only chance. And the scars, they're—"

"Perfect," the man interrupted.

Naruko widened her eyes. "Um… What?"

"Perfect," the man reached out and ran a finger down her cheeks, tracing a light whisker mark. "Distinct, exotic, desirable. You know, I've got a good feeling about you."

Naruko cringed at his gesture, which thankfully went unnoticed by the man.

The man smirked. "Here, try this on." He tossed a dress at the blonde-haired girl.

Naruko caught what she would hardly consider 'clothes'. "You need me to wear this? It's practically the size of my toe."

He winked. "My name is Nakamura Akira, and if you impress me, you can consider me your new manager."

"Holy crap, seriously?!" Naruko squeaked, eyes wide.

Looking at the dress in Naruko's hand, he grinned. "Show me what you can do, and I promise I'll make you a star."

Before Naruko could respond, Akira turned around and pointed towards a small room across the hall from the room they were standing in. "You have five minutes to change; when you're done, come in here so we can take care of your make up."

Naruko, feeling flustered, only nodded and allowed the smirking man to lead her into the other room.