Chapter 2: Impression
'Are my eyes playing tricks on me?'
No, they weren't.
Naruto's eyes really have just gone from a bright cerulean blue to a bloody red.
And not just his eyes have taken on an inhuman shine, the canines of his teeth are longer and sharper to match with his extended nails.
"Don't freak out, okay? I'm still me…well I guess you can't really believe that, but I am!" Naruto reiterated, voice now much deeper than before.
Hinata sat completely still or rather, her legs felt completely like jelly unable to move her from her seat.
'What's happening?'
"How…how did you do that?" She whispered.
Naruto arched a brow. "Do what?"
With shaking hands she pointed to all his sudden new features, gulping down the lump in throat. "Y-You know, the fangs and long nails? Is it a magic trick or some kind of illusion-"
"Lilac I can assure you, everything you're seeing happening in front of you right now is real." Naruto emphasized.
A smirk lights his face at seeing Hinata's genuine confusion. She hadn't ran off yet or screamed and declared him some type of demon or monster and considering that they were in a public setting no less …it was a plus!
Hinata pursed her lips, reddening under his stare. A minute ago, he was talking to her in the same goofy joking manner as when they had been having their phone conversation, but now…
His gaze had abruptly become much darker and wicked, she resisted the urge to wriggle as his eyes roamed over her body.
"You look like you want to eat me or something." Hinata laughed weakly at her joke.
Oh, why did she say that of all things?
Naruto's smirk widened, leaning closer to her. "Maybe I do, though not in the way you're probably thinking."
Okay, no more flirting; it definitely wasn't her forte!
"Um, what exactly happened to get you 'excited'? I mean we haven't done anything yet." Hinata questioned.
Naruto smiled lazily, leaning his head against his palm. "You're pretty and…I guess you don't think that outfit of yours is all that revealing."
'I knew I shouldn't have let Sakura and Ino pick my clothes!'
She was originally going to go with one of her more simple dresses with a scarf, but the duo had insisted she go with one of the low-cut sweaters and shorts to flaunt her figure.
'You've got to impress him if he's going to keep calling back!' Ino stated wisely, nodding her head as Hinata came out of the changing room.
It didn't make sense to her at the time and even now it still didn't.
"I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean too…well I wasn't trying to turn you on or anything like that!" She squeaked.
And thankfully the waiter returned with their drinks and they ordered, saving herself from sputtering and embarrassing herself any further.
Naruto chuckled, cracking at their bread appetizers.
"This tends to happen when I go out on any date; don't worry about it." He mused before biting into the loaf, staring out at people passing by just as she had been doing before.
The rest of the meal was quiet, Hinata unable to get much else out of Naruto save for one to two word responses.
'Maybe it was a mistake to ask him out this quickly?'
Anyway, he had at least calmed down, no longer sporting the sharp appendages as they left.
Still, she hadn't technically solved his problem…whatever exactly this was going on with him. It wouldn't feel right to take his money knowing she hadn't done anything to change his situation.
Even Sakura and Ino refused to accept client's payments or gifts if they were unsatisfied with their service.
She looked around as they left the café, the streets growing quieter as the evening hours approached. They had spent longer in the café than she had thought. The moon was beginning to become visible in the sky as the last slivers of red and orange drifted away into black.
Naruto tapped her shoulder, pointing towards an ice cream stand nearby.
"Want to get some dessert and walk our meals off?" He suggested.
Hinata blinked before smiling with a nod. Good, another chance to hopefully fix the awkwardness of lunch.
"They have cinnamon ice cream? I thought that would be an obscure flavor to have!" Hinata beamed, gazing through the colorful range of assortments.
Naruto walked up beside her, pointing to a yellowish cream with the label pineapple underneath. "Trust me, this place comes up with new flavors every week to cater to any holidays coming up or seasons. People can suggest any new combinations and they'll take them into consideration depending on hard they would be to create."
Hinata hummed curiously, it sounded as if he had visited this place more than once. They both split the cost of buying two cones, beginning to stroll around the park. It'd been so long since she indulged her sweet tooth, sugars and creams melting on her tongue.
"So, what ideas have you given them?"
"Ramen." He replied back simply.
A laugh escaped her lips before she could stop it, ice cream dripping down her chin. "What? Those two things don't go together!"
"Yes they could! I mean yeah one is usually served hot and the other cold, but I think-"He abruptly stopped himself.
"Hmm, think what?" Hinata asked, pausing from wiping at her face to stare at him.
He was staring right back at her.
'That look…'
It was the same look he had given her shortly after they had introduced themselves to each other when he had begun looking over her body.
Desire.
And she felt her cheeks darken as she followed his line of sight, the ice cream had dripped down much more past her chin…
A thin trail of white had crossed her neck and met at the curves of her breasts.
"Ah, don't look! Just pass me more napkins!" Hinata spoke hurriedly, turning out of sight.
Naruto tugs her back, forcing her to look at him. He grins toothily at her frantic behavior and it's then that Hinata catches a glimpse of another part of his body that transforms.
"Lilac you fluster so easily, you don't act like any other girl I've spent time with."
But Hinata hardly hears what he's said, breathe shaky. "N-Naruto, you should really try to relax."
"Why?"
The hairs on his arms stick up in alert, though much more alarming than that is the unexpected fur growing up and around his face.
His ears unmistakably look like a fox's.
And unfortunately, she isn't the only one who notices the changes.
"What the hell is wrong with him; is his whole body getting hairy?" One guy whispers.
"I don't know, but it's starting to creep and gross me out." Another voice murmurs back, stepping back from them.
Naruto crackles and tightens his fists, gaze moving from Hinata to the crowd.
Specifically towards the guys jeering him.
Hinata reaches for his hand though before he can even take a step forward and they take off running.
"Sorry, excuse me; pardon us!" Hinata apologizes in hurried cries as they step in and out of bunches of people gathering around the city for nighttime festivities.
Finally they come to a rest in a quiet alleyway. The area is damp and icky in comparison to the brightness and giddiness surrounding them just around the corner, smell of vomit and liquor permeating the air.
"Are you okay?" Naruto's voice hovers from above her.
Hinata peeks up and sees Naruto looks relatively normal again, sad grin marring his face.
"So now you know." He states simply, sliding down against the brick wall beside her.
To his surprise she leans against him, breathing slowly becoming steady. He feels his face growing warm at her weird decision to stay close to him. Her heartbeat is still fast in his ears though, pounding loudly against her chest.
Because of him.
"Yeah, now I know why." Hinata repeats slowly back.
"You're not afraid?" Naruto pursues, helping her back to her feet. It's silly to ask considering she hasn't attempted to flee, but he wants to hear the words from her lips.
Hinata shakes her head, following into step with him.
"No, I'm just very confused is all."
This wasn't going to be easy to solve.
-X-
"He turns into a beast? Wow Hinata, I didn't take you as the type to get intimate on the first date!' Ino congratulates her.
Hinata sighs, of course her friends don't get it!
They continue to think she's speaking figuratively, not literally.
"No you guys, I'm saying he actually starts to transform into a beast whenever he sees something erotic or lewd to him!"
Sakura only grins, nudging her and whistling lowly. "Oh? And just what were you two exactly up to that got him all hot and bothered like that anyways?"
'Eating a salad and some spaghetti followed by some ice cream.' She wants to retort.
But it's too late anyways, she's dug herself into this hole now.
"Look, I know it sounds hard to believe; but he really does become like a different person when he sees something 'excite' him."
Sakura tapped her cheek thoughtfully, frowning at Hinata's frustration. Perhaps she really was trying to be serious about this.
"Well Hinata, he was your client and we try to help our clients in the best way possible; no matter how strange the problem sounds to us!"
"This isn't the type of problem that can just be fixed overnight though. It's a process." Hinata explains.
Ino clicks her tongue at that, peering down at her newest electric blue nail polish. "Oh just drop him then! No need to try and fix a guy like that unless he's willing to pay for another session and telling from what we heard…he isn't."
This is becoming too awkward and painful to discuss, Sakura and Ino just aren't going to understand unless they saw it for themselves.
And telling by how quickly Naruto vanished after dropping her off at her apartment the other night, it won't be anytime soon.
Or ever.
"Hinata, when did you work again? I can get Madoka to show you all the speed dial numbers to memorize and the playlist of songs most guys like to request." Ino brings up.
Ugh, the absolute last thing she wants to change the topic to or think about right now is going back to work.
But rent is due at the end of the month.
"I'm working Friday and Saturday night so that I don't have to come in Sunday since I have a morning class at 9:00 am Monday." Hinata states, going over her schedule in her head.
Ino claps her hands delightfully, ponytail swishing as she finished off the rest of her smoothie.
"Ooh perfect! I'll be working with you on Friday at least so you won't be alone. Trust me, even though the weekends are the busiest; we mainly get the lonely guys then, not like the super perverted ones that call on the weekdays."
They both made a face at the mention of the perverted ones, shivering.
Great, that was good to know…I guess?
Sakura glanced at her watch, sighing as she moved to stand. "Well, I better get going. I have afternoon anatomy and physiology and I know Dr. Mori likes to lock the doors as soon as the bell rings. See you guys again for lunch tomorrow!"
Hinata watched as she headed in the direction of the science buildings, ignoring the uncomfortable stares of the few men she passed as she pulled out her textbook and put her headphones in.
It was strange, Sakura too was like a completely different person once hidden under the anonymity of 'Blossom.'
Ino lightly slaps her back to get her attention again, grinning eagerly. "Don't worry Hinata, I'm going to make sure you get confident in handling these phone calls, I even read more in details the chapters in my psychology book that cover human interactions and communication! Ah, I can't wait for Friday!"
Bless her friends, they were trying so hard to help her in any way they could.
Despite already knowing she was going to be awkward and uncomfortable too!
So she found herself straining a smile back at Ino, feigning in her excitement for the days ahead.
"Wonderful, I can't wait!" Hinata chirps sardonically.
Ino pauses in her listing of apparels to go with lipsticks, raising an amused brow.
"Hinata…are you being sarcastic with me?"
And this time a true grin rises upon her face to match hers. "Um, no?"
"Liar!"
-X-
"Hey moron, are you fixed now?" Sasuke questions him.
He's greeted with silence in response.
'Okay, I can't take any more of this.'
When he returns back to Naruto's room, it's with a bucket of ice in tow as well.
The cold instantly makes him jump out of bed and he fixes him with a harsh glare.
"Bastard, don't you have other people you can go bother?!" He hisses, throwing off his now soaked blankets and pillows.
Sasuke meanwhile opens his blinds, it's nice out today. The complete opposite of his current mood.
"Normally you have to come bother me if I lock myself up in my room for two days. I'm just returning to favor now to make sure you're still alive and eating okay."
Naruto scoffs, rolling up the dirty items into a ball as he points to the empty ramen boxes scattered about.
"I had plenty of nutritious snacks to eat; don't worry I wasn't going to starve myself."
Sasuke knew better than to comment on the fact that Naruto never ate healthy.
"Right, well you never told me how it went."
Naruto won't meet his gaze, another dud he supposes until he speaks again.
"Well, she was weirded out like expected. However, she didn't go running off or trying to report me to the police like that one girl, so there's that!"
The empty enthusiasm stretches out as he groans and falls back against the bed.
"It was…nice if I'm being honest, well up until my fox ears popped out while we were walking in the park." He trails off.
Sasuke nods along, having heard this similar type of story event occur time and again from his friend.
One of the select few people who know of his 'condition' and isn't freaked out by him.
Naruto is a good person in spite of his insults towards him, he figured this would help him. Don't girls in those types of services accept anything that comes their way for the right price?
Perhaps not.
Naruto turns over to look at him, clenching his teeth. "Hey, how come you thought using a call line would work?"
Sasuke shrugged. "I got tired of your complaining."
"I don't complain!"
A small grin rose up on his face. "You're doing it right now."
Naruto snorted, sitting up now. It was already almost 1 in the afternoon, no wonder Sasuke checked on him to see if he was still alive. He smelled of old ramen and chips, crap he really needed to take a shower or change out of these dirty clothes…
"If this is the best date you've had in a while, you should request her again. The day went well enough, you were smiling when you came home that night." He emphasized.
Naruto quirked a brow, smirking. "True, maybe you should use it too. It could help treat your emotional constipation."
"Talking like that is why you have such trouble finding women." Sasuke smoothly replied.
Naruto only smiled cheekily. "You didn't deny it!"
In Sasuke's defense though, he truly did have no problems at all getting dates for formal outings his parents held yearly or for simple dinner dates when he was bored. He didn't understand why, beneath Sasuke's handsome exterior (if you could even call it that!) was a coldness and apathy towards many of the traditional things guys around their age enjoyed.
His last true girlfriend had been years ago and it didn't seem like he planned on breaking his record of being single for now.
He thought of Lilac again and smiled to himself as Sasuke left his room.
'I don't have any cash to just spend freely again.'
The red light district was filled with cheaper options anyways, Jiraiya during the years he took care of him had showed him enough he knew the area inside and out.
And then it clicked.
"That's right; Jiraiya!"
Being the godson of the old man for once would have its perks.
-X-
"Jewel After Hours, hmm oh yes; you've heard correctly! A two hour session package would cost you 200, but for an additional fee we add in a bonus 30 minutes…okay I'll book you down for 2:00 am Saturday; make sure to pay upfront using the link. Thanks, I can't wait to hear from you dear." Madoka hummed.
Hinata watched her move with awe, that was her fifth successful call and they had only been here close to an hour.
It was no wonder Madoka or aka 'Belladonna' was one of the most popular girls requested.
"She lives up to her nickname; doesn't she? Pretty to look at from afar, but deadly once you get a taste of her ways. All the last clients I was working so well with went straight to her once rumors spread about how quick she'll hook up with anybody. They get dumped though once the money or presents stopped flowing in." Ino whispers from beside her, crossing her arms with a scowl.
'Don't you do the same thing Ino?' Hinata wonders.
Not that Ino would agree with that sentiment, tone bitter beneath her pleasant smile, something Madoka clearly doesn't catch on to when she flashes a grin their way.
Watching rivalries are interesting at any rate. Sure, everyone here are friends or at least cordial with each other to some degree. Eventually though, competitive feelings arise the more popular any girl got.
Everyone here wanted to make money after all.
No matter who it was on the other line.
She excused herself to the bathroom once a phone nearby Ino rang, eager to get away from a potential squabble breaking out.
"Ah, I love it when you touch me there! Don't stop, don't stop-"A woman's voice echoed from around the corner making her blush and do a beeline for the bathrooms on the second floor.
How did they do it? Fake orgasms and moaning like that?
Did they have boyfriends or husbands at home that knew this was their job? Sakura and Ino had wholeheartedly declared to her that their boyfriends could under no circumstances ever find out about this job or they would simply quit once it became serious.
Never mind the fact that none of them were even seeing any one seriously at the moment.
And she learned too that the people who called this line kept these affairs a serious part of the double lives they led.
On her second night, a man who sounded to be in his 30s or 40s whispered to her the entire time how loveless his marriage was, the ache to be touched again had become 'unbearable' in his words…
"I get frustrated, being married 5 long years now and only having had sex on your wedding night and once during your honeymoon could drive any person mad; right Lilac?"
Hinata sucked in a breath, hearing her nickname called in such a way made her shiver uneasily.
It's one of clear lust, waiting for her to react to him with the same fervor and passion.
"Shh, relax honey. Don't even think about your wife anymore; I'll fulfill all the needs she's denied you and more."
Mimicking so far worked well in breezing her through tonight.
Until now.
"Hmm, bend down. I want you to suck me off first. It's been too long…" He grunts.
Her stomach instantly drops, she quickly bit her tongue to stop the rise of bile creeping up.
'Fake it, you have to fake it.' She hurriedly reminds herself.
But…she just can't.
Somehow, she twists it into her 'pleasing' him in other ways. He's happy enough at the end of the 30 minutes that he'll request her again.
The swirl of nausea returns and she runs to the bathroom as soon as he hangs up.
Tsunade's office is on the second floor she remembers, it's strange to not see her bustling about the main floor checking to make sure everyone is working and not just making personal calls.
She's talking to somebody as she passes by her door: A man with spiky white hair sits across from her.
"I'm a paying customer, you can't say no to me!" He snaps.
Tsunade clicks her tongue loudly, swirling in her chair away from him. "Jiraiya, the women here have no interest in making a connection with an old man like you!"
Jiraiya huffed, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Huh, last time I checked though I thought it was 'old men' like me with sometimes even women added in that brought the most business to this place."
Tsunade groaned at his cheerful grin, shaking her head. "Okay, why are you really here?"
'I shouldn't be listening to this.' Hinata considered, stepping back.
Though it was rare to see Tsunade talking with someone besides Shizune, whoever this guy was they knew each other well from besides this encounter.
"I'm here to use your personal services; why else?" He purred, casually avoiding the glass cup she threw at him.
"You have until the count of 3 to tell me your real reason for coming by before I smash your face in."
Jiraiya was undeterred. "I know what's wrong with you. It's upsetting seeing all these young women getting action while you aren't!"
"One."
"Okay, that sounded bad, but really I'm just curious and want to stop by to see my old friend. I'm surprised you haven't renovated the place much; it looks like you're spending your money on other things…"
"Two."
And at this point Tsunade is standing, amber eyes piercing and dead locked on the man.
"Alright, alright! I'm here for my godson; don't pound me into the Earth just yet!" Jiraiya held up his hands defensively.
Tsunade narrowed her eyes, sitting back down. "Godson? Ugh, don't tell me you told him about this place and now he wants to-"
"Excuse me, I didn't tell him about this place; his friend did! Besides, he said he actually made a good connection here and he wants to pursue it. I wanted to see for myself who this woman was." Jiraiya interrupted.
Tsunade blinked, frowning at his widening grin. "Meaning?"
"He's found someone not afraid of him."
"I'll pay for any of their possible continued services or meet-ups too if your concerned about payment." Jiraiya went on.
Tsunade shook her head, tapping her fingers against the desk. "I don't think that's a good idea. How can you be so sure he isn't just thinking with his second head downstairs?"
Jiraiya wrinkled his nose. "He's not like that and you know it. It was odd enough he wanted my help with this seeing as he hates asking me for money. But I think this is the first time in a long while I've heard him sound…happy. Like he had a new outlook on life just a bit."
Hinata stared between the pair, waiting for one of them to speak again. Neither moved from their positions.
"Well…the woman in question would have to agree to see him again as well. Who did he make a connection with anyways?"
Jiraiya scratched a hand through his hair, fishing for something out of his pocket.
"Hold on, I wrote the name down on one of these scraps of paper. Oh, here it is; somebody by the name Lilac."
-X-
"You alright Hinata?" A girl whispered by her side, tapping her hand in concern at her third yawn since class started.
"Yeah, just had a rough night sleeping." She murmured back, smiling in a way that makes her nod and focus forward back on the lesson.
She's drowsy and listless more than she wants to admit.
Tsunade hadn't yet told her about the proposal, she went back to work and pretended she heard nothing.
'When is she going to tell me?'
This must be punishment for eavesdropping, the thought out of all the random calls she had gone through one wanted to keep in touch with her on a personal level was scary.
Too many of the men she had talked only wanted to keep to scenarios involving sex and nothing more.
Naruto hadn't…but his situation was something else on an entirely different level.
Work would be much more difficult having this weighing on her mind.
"Mr. Uzumaki, I would appreciate it if you came to my class on time." Mr. Kano snapped, before waving him off to get to any empty seat quietly.
Naruto quietly clicked the door shut, mumbling out a quick sorry before shuffling down the rows hastily to a vacant chair in the far corner.
Hinata studied him for a second from the row above, nerves jumping. Scrambling.
No, school life and work life aren't supposed to mix!
Naruto doesn't notice her until the bell rings while shifting his backpack on, catching her gaze from amid the swarm of people.
A grin lights his face in recognition, weaving his way to her.
"We meet again."
He's so excited she swears she sees a flash of scarlet in his eyes.
And despite thoughts rushing in that she should be fearful or even nervous around him, she can't help but feel an overwhelming curiosity and happiness in his presence as well.
"So we do."
Not only did her client go to the same school as her, but they were in same classes as well.
-x-
I liked this too much so it continues! Though I think of this as a short story, I won't consider it done until all the ideas I've gained are written out. (And then somehow it turns out longer than my other stories ha ha). Anyways, I appreciate everyone's thoughts; let me know if you have any suggestions/ideas!
Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow