Chapter 4

"You weren't half bad, brat," Kyuubi uncharacteristically praised a smirking Naruko.

She was lying down on her hotel bed, hands behind her head. "Thanks, Kyuu," Naruko smiled. "It wasn't as bad as I expected it to be. I think they liked me, don't you?"

Kyuubi chuckled, but didn't say anything.

"So, I'm thinking about writing to Konoha now," Naruko announced, closing her eyes. "I'm sure obaachan will be pleased with that, since I promised. And Sakura-chan too. I hardly said good bye to her."

"What're going to say?" Kyuubi asked. "Are you going to tell them how you're a porn star?" He laughed when Naruko sat upright in bed.

Naruko gaped. "I am not a porn star, you stupid fox! Akira-sama even confirmed that for me!" Naruko crossed her arms childishly.

"Was that before or after he fainted at your first photo shoot?" Kyuubi chuckled teasingly.

Naruko rolled her eyes and lay back down. "Shove it, baka. Say whatever you like about this, but you can't deny that this is good for us."

"I know that, kit," Kyuubi said reluctantly. Shifting in his cage, he cocked his head to the side. "What're going to do about tonight?"

Naruko scowled. She had been invited by Akira to a large, A-list party. He, along with almost every other person at the agency, had advised her against missing it. However, Naruko was hesitant; she was exhausted, and had planned on sleeping all weekend long. But she knew that this party would be really good for her. Closing her eyes, she let out a deep sigh.

"I don't know yet." She opened her eyes, scanning the hotel room's peeling ceiling. "I'll probably go. I know this will be a really good opportunity for me, so I'd be a fool to miss it." She rolled over onto her stomach. "And besides, if I don't like it, I can just leave. At least I'll know what it's all about."

"Seems smart enough," Kyuubi agreed with her. "But what are you going to wear, your orange jumpsuit?" He snorted at his question.

Naruko laughed. "And you're calling me a girl? I cannot believe you just asked what I'm going to be wearing." She shook her head when Kyuubi growled. "Don't worry about that; Emiko said I can come over and borrow something of hers."

Kyuubi frowned at this. "Isn't that the girl who is the size of your pinky?" When Naruko nodded, he looked slightly puzzled. "You may be skinny, brat, but you're not that skinny."

Naruko rolled her eyes. "I'm not stupid, Kyuu. She's been a model for almost five years, remember? She's bound to have something that'll fit me." She glanced at the clock before letting out a groan. "We need to be at her apartment in ten minutes."

Kyuubi sighed deeply. "Then you'd better get going, brat. I can assure you it'll take longer than you'd think to cover up those bags of yours."

Naruko gasped. "What the – you baka!" She growled. "You're lucky I'm in a hurry, or I'd totally kick your furry ass."

Picking herself up off the bed, Naruko headed out of her hotel room, trying her best to ignore Kyuubi's echoing laughter.


"I can assure you you're going to find something," Emiko lead Naruko to her room. Walking over to her closet, she pulled back the doors to reveal the most packed assortment of clothes Naruko had ever seen. She felt her eye twitch. "I never get rid of anything, so, as you can see, I have quite a collection going on." She laughed. "Feel free to try on whatever you want."

Naruko nodded. "Thanks for letting me borrow your stuff, Emiko. The only things I have to wear are… jumpsuits and baggy pants. " She eyed the closet. "So this is a really big help."

"No problem," the girl told her with a smile. "Take your time. I'm going to go hop in the shower; I'll be out in a few."

Naruko nodded, never taking her eyes off of the seemingly endless collection of clothes. How the hell was she supposed to pick out an outfit when she couldn't even tell whether or not the tubular shaped thing she had grabbed out of the closet was a skirt or a shirt?

"Really, why don't you just kill me?"


"Oh my god, that is perfect on you," Emiko praised, a smile on her face. "Most people couldn't pull off that dress, but you make it look so easy!"

Naruko smiled proudly. After searching through the clothes for about twenty minutes, she finally came across a dress that she thought was half-way decent. It was orange, and came to about the middle of her thigh. The dress went straight across her chest, just like a strapless dress would, not showing any cleavage. It then had thin straps that started right next to her armpits, which then when up and met behind her neck, like a halter top. The only remotely sexy thing about it, besides its length, was the amount of back it showed, which was quite a bit; too much for Naruko's liking at least. But still, it was better than any other dress she had seen thus far.

"Here, this would go perfect with it," Emiko rummaged through a large drawer before handing Naruko a beautiful, silver barrette. "You can just put your hair up in a messy pony and use that to hold it up. It gets really hot in the clubs, and since you have really long and thick hair, I would put it up."

Naruko gave Emiko an appreciative smile, accepting the clip. "Thanks; it's nice."

Emiko shrugged. "You can use my bathroom to apply any make up that you need." She nodded towards the room she had emerged from only minutes ago. "I have almost anything you'd need, so feel free to use whatever you want."

"God, you're such a real girl," Naruko gushed before she could stop herself. Ignoring Emiko's confused look, she swore silently and ran to the other room.

"Damn," Naruko cursed when she caught sight of Emiko's make up collection. The girl wasn't kidding; she had everything. Awkwardly picking up what Naruko thought might be eyeliner she took off the cap and inspected it closely. To her relief, it was indeed eyeliner. Looking at herself in the mirror, she leaned in closely and tried to remember how Hideaki had applied the make up to her eyes. She tried to copy his movements the best she could. He made it look so easy.

"Having trouble?" Emiko asked from the doorway. Laughing, she walked over to Naruko. "Here, let me help you before you end up poking out your eye."

"Thanks," Naruko said sheepishly, handing Emiko the eyeliner. "I'm kind of new with the whole make up thing, as you can tell…"

"It's no big deal," Emiko said, leaning in and applying the eyeliner easily. "I'm nowhere as good as Hideaki, but I can help you. But you don't need much make up."

Naruko smiled. "Thanks." Opening her eyes, she remembered what she had wanted to ask Emiko. "Hey, is Hideaki going to be there tonight?"

Emiko nodded. "Of course; Hideaki is almost the poster child for these type functions. He never misses a party. It's kind of sad, actually." Naruko laughed at this, picturing the loud stylist dancing at the party; she really couldn't wait.

"Alright, I think you're all set. What do you think?" Emiko pulled away, nodding for Naruko to look into the mirror. When Naruko did, she beamed and let out a squeal.

"Wow, I never thought primping could be this fun!" Naruko grinned. "Okay, here, I'll get out of your way. Oh and I never even noticed; your dress is awesome!"

Emiko looked down at herself uncertainly. "You think? I wasn't sure."

"No, it's so cool," Naruko nodded seriously. "I'd totally wear it. And it has some orange in it. That right there just makes it so much better."

"Alright," Emiko smiled. "I'll take your advice." She rummaged through her make up before finding whatever it was she needed. "I'll only be a second, and then we can head out. We're meeting a few streets over where the limo will be picking us up."

"Limo," Naruko repeated, eyes almost popping out of her head. "We're riding in a fucking limo?"

Emiko shot her a confused look. "Well duh. What, did you think we were walking?"

"Um, yeah," Naruko admitted. "Wow, I've never ridden in a limo before."

Emiko laughed. "Yeah, well you'll get used to it. We go almost everywhere in a limo. It gets old pretty fast, to be honest." Emiko smile at Naruko. "You've got a lot to learn, you know that, kiddo?"

Naruko smiled back. "Yeah, but at least I've got you helping me, wise Emiko-sensei."

"Very true," Emiko agreed with a smile. "Alright. I think I'm all set." She tossed all of her make up back into the numerous bins she had taken them from. "Now we need shoes. We'll find those in my front closet. Then we're out of here. Sound good?"

Naruko nodded, beaming; she was so excited.

"Cool," Emiko grinned. "Let's go."


"Oh my god, it's so good to see you again!" Hideaki exclaimed, pulling Naruko into a bone-crushing hug. "Aw, look at you! You look so cute! Who did your make up? It's impressive."

"Emiko," Naruko smiled at the grinning stylist. "And you think so?"

"Yes!" He nodded furiously. "I like, seriously, just want to pick you up and put you in my pocket, you're so adorable."

Naruko couldn't help but let out a loud laugh at this. "So, this is where we wait for the limo?"

"Ooh yes," Hideaki clapped his hands excitedly. "You just wait – the limo rides are almost the best parts. A car filled with gorgeous people; it's so fun."

Naruko laughed. "So, after the limo ride, when we get to the club, what happens?"

Hideaki tapped his chin. "Well… we all pile out of the limo and walk in; we never have to wait in the line; that's for normal people. We get VIP treatment."

"VIP treatment?" Naruko asked, her eyes widening. "That's so cool."

"You're telling me," Hideaki agreed. "Then we get these über cool wristbands that basically say we can do whatever the hell we want. And, then, well… we just party, I guess." Then, gasping, he grabbed Naruko's arm, his eyes wide. "Oh my god, sweetie, I'm so glad I remembered – Akira-sama told me to give you the standard warnings and stuff."

"What warnings?" Naruko asked, furrowing her brow.

Hideaki cleaned his throat, looking professional. Naruko laughed at this. "Basically, don't do anything too stupid that could make Akira-sama look bad. And, also, don't let any creepers get too close to you, because you know they'll try." Hideaki shrugged. "You'll have bodyguards and everything, but that doesn't mean some weirdo won't break the system." He sighed. "That's like it, I think. I don't know; there isn't much you need to worry about." He smiled. "Just have fun. It's a blast, I promise."

Naruko nodded, giving Hideaki a thankful smile. "Both you and Emiko have been such a big help. I really appreciate it."

Hideaki waved his hand dismissively. "You're so worth it, cutie." Then, letting out an excited gasp, he pointed at the sleek looking car that was approaching them slowly. "Look, there's the limo! Finally!"

Naruko felt her heart flutter excitedly when she caught sight of the black limo. Once it had stopped, she felt Hideaki grab her hand.

"You're so sitting by me," he announced with a smile. "This is going to be so fun!"

Dragging her into the limo, she felt her eyes widen at the sight; Hideaki wasn't kidding – the limo was literally full of gorgeous people; gorgeous people with flawless smiles, perfect faces, and musical laughs.

"Get ready," Hideaki whispered into Naruko's ear, seeing her expression. "This is just the beginning."