Chapter 5: Imperfect
"Um, what are you doing here?" Hinata squeaks.
Clients are supposed to wait in the downstairs section if they're meeting any of their callers in person. Her shift is almost over, sky brightening up slowly with peaks light blues and reds intermixing into the dark.
But Naruto has broken that rule, unabashed smile upon his face.
"I came to see you of course." He answers smoothly, not bothered by the dozens of pairs of eyes on them.
Was this about Kiba's comment?
He had questioned her on why she had been spending so much time with him as of late, sending her photos and supposed 'evidence' of Naruto's poor reputation around the campus as a slacker and criminal.
Never mind that most of his 'proof' of Naruto's crimes were just blurry images and rumors that couldn't be traced back to any reliable source.
And somehow, Naruto had caught wind of Kiba's remarks.
Instead of reacting though and starting a fight which would've just proven Kiba's point, he did nothing.
Well, at least at first.
Because later on during their next outing walking around the pier did she notice the photos Kiba had sent her were mysteriously gone from her backpack when she returned from getting them drinks and snacks from one of the concession stands.
"Naruto… did you go through my stuff?" Hinata questioned.
Naruto shook his head, though she can see his palms tense up as he clasped them shut out of sight beneath the table.
"Lilac, why I'm ashamed you would think so lowly of me to go through your belongings!" Naruto pouted and she reached a hand out to grab and tug his arms back into the light.
Underneath his nails it's noticeably darker, hands a colorful inky mess with shreds of paper still clinging to edges of his fingers.
"What's this then?" Hinata continues on, waving the offending scraps still stuck to his arms in his face.
She resists a smile at seeing him gulp as he curls his hands up again. 'Honestly, I would've explained it to him if he had just asked…'
"My art!" He pauses at seeing her begin to frown and sighs.
"Oh alright, I just don't want you getting the wrong idea about me from gossip; especially not from a guy like him." Naruto spat.
Hinata arched a brow, leaning forward in her chair. What was wrong with Kiba? He was one of her oldest friends after all and he had never swayed her wrong with bad advice or help in the past…
So why would he now?
Naruto snorts at her perplexed look, brushing off his dirty hands onto his jeans. "It's obvious; don't cha think?"
Hinata shook her head. "No, tell me."
A smirk lights his face then and she can feel her cheeks beginning to burn under his intense stare.
"Lilac, don't play dumb. It's clear that he likes you, in fact a lot of guys do. I see the way they all look at you in between classes and as you walk around the campus." He muses.
"T-That can't be! Kiba has a steady girlfriend he just met at the vet school and I mean…I-I'm no one special." She stammers back, voice quieting to barely a whisper.
Her fifth caller last night had reminded her of said fact, hanging up on her almost instantly when she had been too shy, too nervous to act out a scene of her pleasuring herself for him as if she were his servant.
Sakura and Ino probably would've had no problems or qualms about playing out such a thing.
'It's all just pretend Hinata, don't forget that.' Sakura's words echoed in her mind, green eyes sparkling with a confidence she wished she had.
They never complained, even if a night was bad with few calls and little money to go home with, they were still able to find some good in it.
And meanwhile she couldn't even feign that her first rejection wasn't hurting. Excusing herself to the bathroom before the tears blurring her eyes became noticeable.
Naruto's grin broadening brings her back to reality as he moved closer to her face, breathe warming her lips as she flustered and nearly fell back.
"Now who told you that crap? You're special to me." He purrs, slowing ogling her up and down. Her clothes aren't anything appealing, having just thrown on one of her old faded green sweaters and sweatpants.
So why was he starting to react?
"Naruto, I don't even have anything attractive on." She whispers.
His eyes have turned a smoldering red, baring his sharpening teeth as he tugs her chair over to him.
"In your opinion maybe, though you're cold, right? You can't deny it because I can see the outlines of your nipples forming…"
Hinata wriggled back, crossing her arms over herself hurriedly as Naruto chuckled. It can't be helped that she's getting cold, she hadn't brought her jacket along under the assumption they wouldn't be outside for this long!
She feels Naruto wrapping his black jacket around her though and she relaxes into his scent and warmth.
When she looks up at him again, his fox ears have sprang up and this time she doesn't stop him from pulling her right up against him.
"Lilac, you have me and I have you so don't let what other people say get you down. Besides, those guys may be allowed to talk to you over the phone, but I'm the one that gets to have you in real life."
She had already learned quite a while ago he made up said rule about only seeing him as her client, but she hadn't bothered in correcting him on it yet…
Her heartbeat grows louder in her ears and being this close to Naruto makes her wonder if he can hear it too.
He sniffs the air briefly, entangling his fingers into her violet locks. "Hey Lilac, are you aroused?"
"W-What?! No, what makes you say that? You can't smell desire; can you?
"I can when we're close like this."
And a low growl bubbles up from his throat, making her shiver when he presses a kiss to her neck. He pulls back so they can look at each other face to face, thumbing her lips.
"Your lips are getting dry, I should change that." He notes softly.
Their second kiss is much harder for her to breakaway from.
"Ugh, couldn't this guy have come by earlier in the night? It's almost closing time!" Camellia hisses out not so quietly from behind the pair and she winches as she halfway turns to see her roll her eyes at just the sight of Naruto.
"Lilac, you always seem to attract the creepiest and weirdest guys as clients." Azalea snickers in agreement from beside her and she feels frozen in place as the giggling seems to grow louder all around her…
That is until Sakura cuts through, verdant eyes darkening on the duo as they instantly quiet.
"Madam Tsunade wants to know why it's so noisy when we still have 30 minutes left until our shift is officially over." She hisses.
Sakura turns her glare away from the pair onto Hinata, not even noticing Naruto's presence as she shakes her shoulders gently.
"You okay Hinata? I know you haven't been having the best of nights lately, but it will get better. In fact, I think that-"
She stopped herself as she saw her eyes widen, following the direction of her gaze to Naruto as recognition came over him.
"Hinata…is that your name?!"
-X-
"Madam? Is that what you guys call Granny? Jiraiya was right when he said everyone here was really extra polite and formal to her."
Sakura wanted to smack herself, this was the client Hinata had been mentioning to her and Ino? The same guy who gained strange beastly attributes whenever something lewd came up?
The one who Hinata seemed to be actually falling for?
"Lilac or I guess I can call you Hinata now, right? Well, only if it's okay with you! Anyways, you didn't tell me this place was so spacious! This is a pretty nice place for the type of sleazy work you girls do!" Naruto yammers on.
Oh what horrible mistake has she gotten Hinata into by getting her this job?
She did a double take to make sure and yes, Naruto was casually making himself at home flipping through magazines on the table and staring around at the bright lights and posters littered along the walls.
'And now he knows Hinata's real name too; I should've been more aware of my surroundings!'
Sak- or err Blossom, this is Naruto; the godson of Jiraiya." Hinata supplied to break the ensuing silence.
"Ah, well that explains how he knows the madam." She gathered, frowning as Naruto's dirty shoes began to track dried mud and grass around the room.
She moved forward to stop him from going upstairs and causing further distress onto the other girls, frowning as he squinted his eyes at her for blocking him.
"Hmm, pink hair…oh I remember now! You're Sakura, the one who works at the hospital alongside Granny with different critical care patients from time to time. Jiraiya said Granny had a new mentor, but I didn't think it would be in helping her do this type of work as well."
Sakura gritted her teeth, unsettled by his easygoing grin. Not only did this guy know who she and Hinata were, but he was raised by one of the most notorious perverts of Konoha.
Great.
And she couldn't very well tell him to get out knowing his apparent connections, watching as he made his way past her over to Tsunade's office to greet her. She hears Tsunade angrily question why he's here as her chair screeches against the tile before it quiets as Naruto replies she's using too much makeup and medicine to make herself look younger.
"Ooh, it's like he's asking to get beat up; he's just as dumb as his godfather!" One girl murmurs, glancing up from her phone.
The girl beside her nods in agreement, shaking her head as everyone hears a loud smack reverberate against the walls.
"Guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."
Sakura only feels a migraine coming on, rubbing the center of her forehead slowly.
'This is really happening...'
-X-
"I can't keep reading this." Hinata mumbled, slowly pushing the book back in Jiraiya's direction.
Her stomach won't stop churning and she's starting to fear her breakfast will come back to greet her pretty soon.
He seemed absolutely puzzled, flipping to the last page Hinata had stopped on.
"Don't worry, I'm about to make you feel much better." He whispered by her ear, unzipping his pants and revealing his-"Jiraiya read aloud, stopping as Hinata frantically waved her hands in the air.
"No! I don't want to hear the rest!" She cried.
Okay, so this was probably her worst idea yet.
Of course lunch with Jiraiya was going to be awkward!
Naruto had said none of Jiraiya's best sellers attracted his attention very much, but this was the same man he grew up with. Surely he had to know something about Naruto's changes, especially during the height of his puberty years.
She had wanted to ask him properly about it before during their first meeting, though perhaps she should have thought this through better.
Jiraiya looks offended at her paling expression (his novels are most definitely not supposed to make people sick; not to mention this one is a classic!), arching a brow before one of his typical lewd grins began to form.
"Hey, would you like this story better if the main character's names were changed to Naruto and Hinata? Or maybe I could write a short story and base the characters personalities and behaviors off of you two and have them-"
"No, please don't." Hinata answered quickly to cut him off.
Ugh, thank goodness lunch time is almost over and she has the excuse of afternoon classes coming up.
'What would Naruto think seeing me here? Asking his godparent of all people for advice on his predicament?'
Jiraiya simply chuckles, taking a bite from his rice bowl slowly. "I heard he went and caused a commotion at the call place the other night, Tsunade said I didn't teach him proper manners on dealing with woman."
Hinata nodded her head, sighing at the memory. "Well, he gets excited easily…that's what I wanted to ask you about really. How did you help him deal with this during middle school and high school? Puberty must've been so difficult."
Jiraiya paused, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Naruto has been difficult to deal with in all stages of growing up. Though being a preteen boy who sprouts fox ears and tail when thinking too much about the opposite sex can make you an outcast, yes."
He smiled at Hinata's forlorn look as she wrapped her scarf around herself tighter. "Oh, don't worry! As you can see, Naruto's taken it all in stride; he's a trooper like that!"
'Is he?'
She thought of sad expressions he often quickly hid behind jovial grins or teasing to change the subject, not wanting others to see his upset or rage.
Clouds drifted over them and Hinata peered up to briefly watch as the sun got blocked out again.
"You know what amazes me the most is that you're not afraid of him. A lot of people feared him as soon as he showed the slightest bit of more fur growing on his arms or something, but you barely seem to bat an eye to it."
Hinata shrugged, truthfully she was more afraid of making a bad grade on a quiz or dealing with the awkwardness of work than Naruto.
"It's no problem really, I want to help him after all."
Jiraiya nods and the rest of the lunch goes on silently until they part. She hasn't learned anything else that can help with Naruto's case besides that it could be something genetic from his mother's side of the family.
'Research the Uzumaki family line if you're curious enough, none of my studying or training with him came up with anything though perhaps you'll find a clue I missed out on.'
She makes a mental note to check out the central library of Konoha next weekend.
"Thank you for spending time with my godson. I know he would never admit it aloud, but I do know he gets lonely at times and it's nice to know he has someone who is caring and thinking about him." Jiraiya confesses, scratching a hand through his spiky locks.
It clicks then what she needs to do, though it means having to return back to the Hyuga compound to retrieve the item…
'I haven't talked to Father in a few days and I haven't even seen him in person since I moved out.'
She steadied her breathing, smiling as she waved goodbye to Jiraiya as he turned the corner. No doubt going to walk off his food by heading to the hot springs or perusing the closest bars for women.
'Lonely, huh?'
-X-
"It's not like you to come home without calling first." Hiashi states curiously.
There's remnants of bitterness in his tone, of the night she decided to up and leave for college without telling anyone in the home.
"I don't want to take up the family business father; I'm sorry."
Hiashi sighed, disappointment mars his face and she fidgets under his stare.
She's been practicing this same sentence over and over to herself in the mirror and tonight she's finally announcing the truth to him.
Why did she wait this long to tell him? Graduation is next week and he already assumes she's filled out and sent off all the applications he pushed for her to attend regarding the same business schools as him.
All of those advanced placement courses, speech preparation classes, and business etiquette training in the hopes she would one day be leading the Hyuga's chains of luxury hotels and resorts…
It lead up to nothing if Hinata wanted to study medicine instead.
"You realize I won't help you completely with all the college expenses; don't you? You'll need to find a part time job, scholarships, or something to sustain yourself too. Medicine is a respectable field though I admit…just not the path I expected you to take."
"I understand father; I'll make my own way as much as can."
His expression remained unchanged before he briefly nods, returning to the paperwork surrounding him.
"I know you will."
She hadn't at the time believed someone would notice her disappearance save for Hanabi who she had told of her plans from the get go.
"Yeah, I know. I…well I just needed to pick up some stuff and then I'll head back to my apartment by the weekend." She replied hastily.
It was still early in the night by the time she reached the manor, finishing up the rest of her classes and deciding during the walk up she would only stay for a night or two.
At least he doesn't sound actually unhappy to see her, a faint smile passing over his face as he nods and makes his way back to his office.
"Don't forget this is your home too; you're always welcome here if need be." He mentions over his shoulder.
Hanabi bounds down to her giddily from upstairs, wrapping her arms around her torso.
"Why didn't you text or call to say you were coming?!" She questions eagerly, swinging her around lightly as she breaks into discussing how her freshman year in high school is going.
"And I'm already thinking of joining the student council. I'm pretty sure I can make a lot of changes happen at the school if I become the president or even vice president!"
Hinata tries to keep up with the conversation, eyes drifting to a darkened room in the corner as they make their way to her old room.
'Neji?'
He hadn't come out to greet her now that she thought about it.
Hanabi follows her line of sight, clicking her tongue in annoyance.
"He's supposedly super 'busy' these days checking out the Hyuga hotels around each region to make sure they're up to standards for when the inspections occur at the end of the year.
She bites at her lip, ignoring the coiling sensation in her gut.
Neji had been her replacement, a fact he wasn't too keen on having to take. Had she been selfish to choose her own desires over that of the family?
Well in her opinion…no!
Even if Neji wanted to continue to make her believe the opposite, she had to live her own life (not father's) no matter the struggles that came with it.
Including unfortunately being a call girl for the time being.
Her room looks exactly the same as the night she left. Old calendar counting the days until graduation from years ago, same summer lavender sheets that hadn't been changed out for the approaching cooler months, even her old high school textbooks remained neatly lined up by her desk as if she had just stepped out for a bit.
Hanabi lowers her voice as she settled into the plush of her blankets and pillows, eyes narrowing in amusement as she watched Hinata walk straight over to her dresser.
"So…will you tell me at least why you really came home; I won't tell anyone I swear! I know it wasn't for a friendly catch up with everyone. In fact, it seems more like you're searching for something important, perhaps for a guy maybe?"
Hinata reddened, but continued her rifling through piles of socks and shirts tucked away knowing Hanabi's grin and curiosity are only growing by the second.
'She wouldn't believe me even if I told her the truth.'
But in the dim light of her room she finally finds what she's looking for: A pair of copper antique key and lock necklaces.
'Found it!'
-X-
The rims of Naruto's eyes are red for once due to lack of sleep and not excitement.
Though he's happy to see her nonetheless, restraining back a yawn as he stretched his arms out. She's lucky Naruto is always up for Ichiraku ramen and that the store often stays open late for college students like them and business personnel just getting off work.
"Wow, treating me to ramen and helping me study for that test we have in literature tomorrow; okay, what's the catch? Naruto asks, leaning his head against his palm as he slurped up the last of his noodles.
Hinata shuffled at her toes, avoiding his gaze as she reached into her pocket.
"There's no catch! I had been thinking about you since the night you came to the company and-"
"Good, because I've been thinking about you too." He emphasizes with a smirk.
She shook her head to keep her mind on track, pulling out the charms from her pocket.
"Well, I had talked to Jiraiya and speaking with him gave me the idea that one way to help you keep calm might be the use of a charm." Hinata explained.
Naruto cocked his head in puzzlement, accepting one of the vintage locks from her.
"So…how exactly does this work? Does it have a magical power or calming incense inside?" He questioned, studying the lock carefully for anything out of the ordinary.
Hinata giggled, guiding his hands to open it with the key beside it.
"T-This is an old good luck charm we've had in the family for decades. Normally, the guy would wear the lock and the woman would wear the key. It symbolized the woman held the 'key' to that particular man's heart no matter how far apart they were."
She could feel herself blushing the more she went over the old tradition. It wasn't like they even still did the practice, she had just found the idea of it romantic from stories her mother had told her during childhood.
'This is so cheesy.' She realizes.
But there's a rustic appeal to wear something precious from her mother's days of youth.
And she watches in surprise as Naruto ties the lock around himself, thumbing it closely.
"How do I look?"
Hinata blinks before following his motion in tying the key around her own neck.
"Great! Maybe now whenever your emotions start to get the better of you, this lock can help you relax and…" She trailed off, wondering how to properly word herself.
'Think of me?'
No, they weren't in that kind of relationship…
He was still her client first and foremost.
Naruto hummed thoughtfully, patting the object protectively. "It's worth a try."
Hinata nodded, about to switch the subject back to school when she saw a figure watching them intently out of the corner of her eye.
As soon as their gazes fully meet though, her breath stills.
'I thought Hanabi said Neji was out of town?'
And yet his unmistakable chestnut hair and white eyes are gazing back at her from across the street, stare hardening as he begins to step forward.
No, no, no, this isn't good!
"Hinata, it doesn't seem like you're that busy with school if you have time to go on dates." He muses as he walks up to their table. A cynical grin slowly edges up his face as he takes her shocked expression in.
Her throat begins to quickly dry, shaking her head. "T-That's not it at all Neji."
It doesn't seem like he heard her though, focus more on Naruto who finally notices his presence in the stall.
"Hey, are you Hinata's twin brother? Nice to meet you; I'm Naruto!" He greeted him cordially, holding a hand out.
His eyes narrow as he looks him over, pushing his hand away. "I thought Hanabi was joking when she said you came to the manor out of the blue, but then even Mr. Inuzuka called me, concerned about your wellbeing and I decided to cut my trip short."
'Kiba called him to come back?'
Naruto's grin instantly fades, scowl rising. "That guy has to look at the insides of animals for a living! Can you really trust him?"
Neji ignores his comment, noticing the pair of necklaces each had on. For a moment he starts to pale in identifying the symbols, clenching his teeth as he breathed in slowly to keep calm.
"Wait…so what they were telling me was true then?" He mutters out.
Hinata frowned, confused by his statement. Her palms become sweaty as her mind swirls with finding something, anything to explain this situation.
But Neji directs a sharp finger at Naruto who was still bantering over how annoying Kiba was being but eventually he quiets as well to listen to what Neji sharply declares next.
"Hinata, those charms you two have on must mean… I need you to please be honest with me, is this man your fiancé?
He didn't expect her to freeze up, eyes widening as her voice luckily manages to return back to her.
"M-My what?!"
-x-
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