Chapter 8: Invitation

"Can I stay tonight?"

Hinata pursed her lips, it was getting late admittedly. She had lost track of time catching up with all her studying and the first signs of the streetlights buzzing on made her realize just how dark it had gotten.

"What time is it?" She instead asks, glancing back towards the overhead clock in the living room.

Almost 9 o clock.

Naruto's hand sneaks up and around her arm and lightly tugs her into him. She can feel him smile into the curve of her neck and she works to quickly relax her breathing.

"I won't do anything you don't want me to do."

Hinata paused, turning to look at him fully. No sign of fox ears or a tail…

Though Naruto is smirking, as if he knows a secret she isn't in on.

"Alright."

She hadn't thought much of it after she had given him that yes, if only because he had managed to stay focused on his own schoolwork most of the afternoon, even helping her with memorizing some medical terminology she needed to know for an upcoming quiz.

But now…

'Is he awake?' Hinata questioned herself again. Naruto's arms remained lazily wrapped around her stomach, fingers trailing, rubbing, teasing…

Her whole body heats over and yet she doesn't bring herself to stop his ministrations.

And so his touch goes on, moving past her nightgown and shifting her panties out of the way to slide into her dewy folds…

Yes, he must be awake.

"Naruto?" She whispers out, biting back a moan.

He only responds with a soft grunt by her ear, pulling out. The bed shifts as his hands return to going upwards along her back.

"Good morning." He breathes out slowly.

It's morning?

She blinks as blurry eyes adjust to sunlight slipping past her blinds. Her room feels warmer than it did last night and she halfway turns over to realize why.

Naruto really is in her bed.

So that wasn't a perverted wet dream?!

Cobalt eyes greet her back, hands brushing to part messy locks of violet sticking to her face.

"You toss and turn in your sleep a lot. Good thing you had me here to chase away any nightmares!" Naruto notes with a hum, proud of his non-accomplishment.

She buried her head into her pillows, frowning. "Um, why are you in my bed?"

His tail swishes and tickles around her legs. "I was cold! And I think you were as well."

A likely excuse.

Because Naruto has been behaving like this lately, finding any reason for them to cuddle or be close to one another, in and outside of school.

Not that she really minds…

Though a part of her wonders if this is normal after consummating their love, his foxlike mannerisms having increased tenfold.

It wasn't just occasional sniffs or touches now, he almost seemed to need to be around her in order to keep his emotions properly under control.

"You don't have any plans for today, do you?" He asked, slowly rising out of bed and for a moment she can't help but admire his figure before reddening and quickly looking down before he could notice.

'What's wrong with me? Eyeing him like that is only going to increase his new behaviors!'

"I promised Sakura I would cover her shift tonight and that she would cover mine on Thursday."

Naruto pouts and Hinata giggles, sitting up to follow him.

"Couldn't you just quit that job now? I mean, its gross thinking about you talking to all those horny men when you're mine." He growls and it seems like every hair he has on his body bristles up.

'His?'

Naruto quickly catches his mistake though at her darkening face, waving his hands up rapidly.

"Oh, well I don't mean it like that! I just don't want other guys to get the wrong idea or anything about you or-"

"I understand; as long as I can say you're mine too." Hinata cuts off his rambling and he grins before nodding his head eagerly.

"Of course you can say that! Announce it to the whole city if need be!" He suggests to which she laughs, following her into the kitchen.

Yet, as she turns her back to him to finish flipping the eggs before they start to burn, his heart pangs for just a second as a grimace comes upon his face.

'Why can't I express myself better?'

Eventually, he realizes as Hinata moves to and fro around the room he's going to be of no help in making breakfast; particularly when Hinata gestures for him to freshen up and use her shower.

And to her surprise, his fox ears aren't gone when he takes a seat across from her minutes later.

His eyes remain a crystal blue, nails and teeth no sharper either.

"Checking me out again? Well, I guess I can give you a free pass this time since it isn't my butt." He chuckles and Hinata nearly chokes on her juice.

Same sense of humor.

"N-No that! Why do you still have fox ears?" She questioned.

Naruto blinked, reaching up to feel the damp fur across his head and frowned. His tail had disappeared as usual already, why not his ears?

"I'm not sure; it usually always goes away once I take a cold shower or start thinking about something gross." He scratched his cheek, nervously leaning back.

"I don't have any dirty thoughts either!" He adds in at Hinata's brief look of skepticism.

Okay, he has some, but not enough to trigger an episode!

Hinata tests pushing them down a few times before giving up as they spring forth again and again.

Breakfast is unusually quiet.

The wind chills at his face as they step outside to head back to campus, a colorful mix of orange and red leaves crunch and scatter noisily across their feet, remnants of frost clinging to edges of some.

"Naruto, I don't think I've ever asked, but what major are you studying in?"

He squirmed, he hated discussing his field of study considering most people seemed to believe it was a 'far stretch' for someone like him to succeed in.

According to his guidance counselor assigned to last names T-Z he should stick to general studies…

"Political Science and Law."

But Hinata's eyes sparkle with curiosity and fascination and he can't help but divulge how exciting it is to read about new cases and the old court systems of Konoha.

"This probably sounds boring for someone into science." Naruto considers after breaking down a historic case to her regarding the powers of the mayors within each district.

Hinata shrugged, shaking her head.

"You make it interesting…you make my life interesting Naruto."

His fox ears twitch beneath the hood of his jacket, his whole body begins to feel warm…

"What the?!" A man abruptly sputters out from beside them on his bike, swerving and crashing into a nearby tree making a spray of leaves hit him.

Hinata follows where his line of vision had gone, stopping in place.

"Naruto, you're going to need a bigger hoodie or perhaps a hat."

-X-

Sakura catches her in between classes, jade eyes pinpointing her with such intensity and concern she can't help but stop herself from packing up her belongings.

'I don't like that look she's giving me.'

"Walk with me Hinata."

And before she can ask her what's wrong, she loops her arm around hers and guides her away down the first narrow hallway they come across.

Her lips are scrunched in a tight line, gaze flickering between her and the long shadows cast by the setting sun against the walls and lockers.

"Tell me what's going on with you and Naruto! It's not fair that Ino gets to know and I don't!" She huffs out when they're far enough away from the commotion of ending classes or prying ears.

Oh, so that's what she's annoyed about!

She should've known Sakura would've forced Ino to blab eventually.

"And I keep hearing strange rumors too, like that Naruto really is some freaky fox-human hybrid! I thought it was just a weird fetish!" She rants on.

Yikes…

Kiba's concern for her has spread far beyond her control now.

"So, the rumors aren't true; are they?! I mean, they can't be! You don't even know Naruto that well for people to be saying such things about you two." Sakura questions, crossing her arms with a pout.

Well, the rumors aren't exactly wrong…

Not that Sakura needs to know that!

Hinata picked and twiddled with her nails, unsure what to say to help her to relax. "Well, Naruto is still my client so I have been getting to know him better over the past couple of weeks."

Sakura clicked her tongue, rubbing her chin thoughtfully. "You could always say no to his dates though if you're not comfortable with them anymore. There are so many callers who request 'Lilac' and we end up turning them down because you're usually on the phone with Naruto already. He may not realize it, but he's doing more harm than good in keeping you from getting a bigger paycheck."

Hinata felt her face burn, had she really been talking with Naruto that much at work?

She waved off Sakura's look of concern for her wellbeing. If she gave up on Naruto now, then who would help him solve his problem?

Nobody.

As it was, he still seemed to gain fox features whenever something perverted was going on or if he was thinking about it. There was a breakthrough though after their intimate act in that she learned his triggers for transforming could go deeper than she originally thought.

Interest in his case drove her to find out more.

"Do you want me or Tsunade to get rid of him the next time he tries to call or come around you?" Sakura suggests, taking her out from her thoughts with the crack of her knuckles.

No, and it's not like punching Naruto would stop him from coming to see her.

Hinata quickly shook her head and she can see Sakura's eyes glimmer with renewed suspicion.

Time to find a way to end this conversation!

She gently untangled herself from Sakura's arms and sent her one of her soft smiles, the ones she knew always helped Sakura to ease up when she was pressuring her or somebody with excessive force.

"Sakura, I'm fine with the way things are right now. Naruto's always has weird rumors circulating around him; I don't believe them and neither should you. Besides, you're the one who said we should help our clients overcome their problems no matter how bizarre they are. If I quit on Naruto now, I would be breaking policy and I wouldn't feel right about just taking his money and leaving him stuck." Hinata explained.

She hears Sakura's reluctant sigh and hides the grin tugging at her lips.

"You know I hate it when you use my own words against me like that! Well, if what else Ino told me is true then I suppose it makes sense you don't want to give up on Naruto…"

Hinata froze, now giving her a fierce stare.

"W-What else did she tell you?"

Only after her shoulders being shaken (rather roughly coming from Hinata) and annoyed huffing does she give in.

"Ino suspected you two have already slept together…but I told her no way! Naruto isn't smooth enough to get you into bed that easily from what I've seen and he-"Sakura stopped herself at Hinata's silence.

"…Wait, seriously?!" Her voice rose an octave higher, enough that students still loitering in the halls sent her a confused look.

And Hinata quickly moved to cover her mouth, nodding her head to confirm her silent questioning.

She should've made a dramatic exit from the classroom when she had first saw that look come onto Sakura's face.

-X-

"My head hurts." Naruto complained, gazing down into his reflection of his latest bowl of ramen.

It's a pity he's going to have to let it go to waste, bits of noodles and broth still simmering within in.

He had gone back to his apartment to recover one of his old wool hats from his closet when Hinata stated his jacket's hood wasn't going to cut it to hide the fox ears, ignoring Sasuke's questioning stare at the sight of them.

"Don't ask!" He snaps, rummaging through the back of his closet for his winter attire.

Sasuke looms from above him and Naruto almost believes he's ready to laugh at him if not for his mouth half hidden by one of his textbooks.

"I didn't say anything." Sasuke replies casually.

Naruto snorted, throwing him a glare. "I can tell you're thinking it! I didn't do anything dirty or naughty with Hinata to cause this!"

Sasuke only arched a brow, turning to go. He had stomached enough of dealing with Naruto's constant sexual problems. "If you say so."

Over his shoulder though Naruto faintly hears him mutter a "moron can't control his hormones."

"I heard that, at least I have hormones I act on!"

Definitely not one of his best comebacks and this time he really does hear Sasuke let loose a snicker.

Jiraiya chuckles lowly from beside him, patting his back affectionately. "That's what tends to happen when you stuff yourself on three bowls of ramen without stopping! I'm surprised your stomach hasn't begun to start hurting as well."

He ignores the sour look Naruto sends him, sipping at his own bowl slowly. Naruto didn't just randomly ask him if he wanted to go out for lunch (and pay for it!) without having secondary reasons behind it.

In the past, it would mean he wanted him to take him on one of his trips out of Konoha or that he needed a favor out of him…

But those days had longed since past and the somber expression behind Naruto's cheery grin tells him it's serious.

The day is warming up slowly despite the cold start and he watches as tiny beads of sweat form along Naruto's face that he swipes away every few minutes.

And yet, he refuses to take off that old hat of his.

Jiraiya cocked his head in confusion, sucking in a breath in realization.

"Hey, are your fox ears underneath that?" He asks quietly. The shop is becoming noisily busy with the lunch rush slowly pouring in, though Naruto sends him a short nod confirming his notion.

Naruto pays their bill and scowls at Jiraiya's sudden perverted grin.

He has his undivided attention now.

"It's not what you think!" He hisses.

"Oh? And just what am I thinking?!" Jiraiya smoothly asks.

Naruto gritted his teeth, he's lucky they're out in public right now and the last thing he needs is more attention on himself.

Jiraiya lets out a low whistle of pride. He just knew this day was going to come! Sure, Naruto had constantly called his books 'perverted trash' or 'uninteresting pornfests', however when it came right down to it, the lessons he gave him had finally come to fruition!

"So, which book did you use as a reference? I'm curious to know! Was it Make out Paradise volume 1 or the sequel Make out Holiday? Or maybe you preferred the special edition series of-"Jiraiya boasted on.

"How about none of them. Geez, don't you ever have any advice/wisdom for me that doesn't make you sound like a dirty old man? I gave into my lust and I hurt Hinata in the process because I didn't realize fully what I was doing! And now these stupid fox ears won't go away either, even though they should've gone away by now! Why is this so hard for me to control this constantly happening?!" Naruto cut him off, words becoming jumbled and frantic as he spoke faster.

Jiraiya pretended not to hear the first part of that statement, lecherous grin instantly changing into a frown.

"How long ago did you two you know…do it? He slowly asked.

Naruto squirmed, pinkish tinge coming onto his cheeks at having to discuss said topic. "It's been a few days now."

Jiraiya nodded, looking upward in thought. The area felt colder as the sun became temporarily blocked out again by the clouds drifting by.

"I think you're more compelled to be around Hinata since your scent is essentially on her. Hence, you're fox manifestations are popping up more easily than before. You'll just need to practice those calming exercises like I taught you once before. Don't give up, Naruto. It's only difficult now because you're finally having to focus on keeping those features in check."

That's it?

Naruto frowned, digging his fingers deeper to clutch at his wool hat when the wind began to crackle again.

"Is…Is there any other way I can stop them from popping up though? You really know nothing else about this?" He breathed, relaxing when he no longer felt his pointy ears sticking up.

His closest living family member doesn't truly know how to help him. Jiraiya ruffles at his hair affectionately and the stabbing ache twinging at his chest briefly stops.

Jiraiya hummed, shaking his head. "Unless you want to avoid Hinata…no I think we don't have much to go with it. Everything I've studied about your family history points out that your emotions can make the fox features come out more often, feeling stressed or angry about this won't make things better. I'm sure Hinata understands you weren't yourself, right? I mean she didn't run away or scream the first times this all happened."

'I guess.' Naruto wonders, but he can still picture the bruises and scratches lining her body and he gulps down the knot forming again in his gut.

Would he be able to manage himself next time?

Jiraiya meanwhile silently watched him in amusement, Hinata was helping him control this just fine in his opinion. As much of a self-proclaimed pervert that he was, he'd rather not delve into knowing about what his godson did in his personal time! Indeed, she was a much better 'teacher' when it came to helping Naruto through this long ongoing process.

And he figured Naruto wouldn't like or take his advice, sighing at the silly grin he gave him before he oddly began to grin too.

"Guess that means we'll just have to keep doing 'it' then! Until I get better you know."

Jiraiya chuckled, shoving his hands into his pockets as he fell into step with him. He knew he had rubbed him off him…

Just not in a good way!

"I'm afraid so." He replied with fake sadness, before brightening up again as well. "Though if you ever want any other suggestions or need someone to watch you during the act, I'm available to-"

"No." Naruto interrupted him, clicking his tongue in pure disgust.

"You didn't even let me finish!" Jiraiya whined.

-X-

'Uncle requests you over for dinner tonight. Will you be able to come?'

She should've said no, that she had a long night ahead of studying, reading, or even just sleeping in.

But Neji would've known those were all lies.

Hinata sniffed, nose becoming runny once more from the cold wind.

The temperatures had fallen drastically since nightfall and she rubbed her mitted hands together with more vigor to try and stay warm.

Moonlight directed her path up to the manor, silvery glow creating shimmers along the bushes and trees as she stepped up to the porch.

Her stomach coiled at the thought of seeing everyone again so soon, especially Neji in particular after how terrible their last conversation had been.

What had he told father since then?

She slipped the golden house key out of her pocket and pushed the door open, several maids and attendants instantly looking her way.

"Ah, I'm home. I'm not late for dinner, am I?" She squeaked at the dozens of eyes studying her.

A gardener closest to her shook his head, smiling as he gestured for her to come in. "Not at all! In fact, I believe Master Hiashi was helping set the table alongside Neji and Hanabi."

'Father was helping toprepare dinner?'

Was he feeling sick?

He had always chosen in the past to stay within the confines of his office until one of the cooks or assistants paged him that the food was ready and even then, he had often picked to eat his food in his office and continue to get paperwork done.

After all, work was an endless cycle for him.

Hanabi is the first to notice her arrival, bounding up to her for a hug and she catches the aroma of flour and sugar clinging to her hair.

"You're home! And just in time too, I just finished making all the desserts!" She announced proudly, guiding her to the table.

It's all her favorite dishes.

Hiashi and Neji nod in greeting as well, seemingly ignoring her questioning stare for the moment at the choice of meal options.

That is until they're all sitting down.

Hanabi breaks into discussing her upcoming plans for end of the semester projects for her Fine Arts elective while Neji interjects every once in a while with his own suggestions for ideas he's seen done.

It feels like she's returned back to the wearisome days of high school, trying to meet her father's pale orbs for some form of acknowledgement only to find his gaze already drifting to Neji and Hanabi to groom them under his wing instead.

But the complete opposite is happening, Hiashi's gaze hasn't left hers; following her every move carefully. This whole meal seemed planned to make her feel right at home, though she pursed at her lips to and figure out why the extra effort was made for her.

"U-Um, father are you alright? You've barely touched your meal." Hinata spoke up gently.

"What? And I worked so hard on it too, without the help of the head chef!" Hanabi chimes in, patting Hinata's leg from beneath the table in a form of support.

Hiashi shook his head, seemingly breaking out of a trance. "Sorry, the meal is fine Hanabi. Hinata, I'm just wondering; why do you have the antique heirloom key of the family around your neck?"

She felt her body instantly start to stiffen up in alarm, reaching up to grasp the charm protectively.

"Uncle, she gave the pairing lock that goes with it to a guy as well. They aren't engaged though from what she's told me, but their relationship is fishy. In fact, the guy in general is questionable…" Neji points out at her silence and it feels like her throat is being compressed.

Hiashi arched a brow, looking from Neji to Hinata slowly. "Questionable how?"

"Father, Neji's only jumping to conclusions based on rumors! Naruto isn't 'questionable', he's just a nice guy I happen to share a few classes with on campus." Hinata sputtered out quickly.

Neji scoffed, leaning forward. "If he's so 'nice' as you say, then why did his eyes flicker to red when he saw how close I was talking to you? In fact, why do people keep saying he starts to growl whenever any guy is near you? Kiba isn't the only one to have mentioned that to me! And just the other day I'm sure I saw extra hair suddenly grow along his arms and legs when I was leaving the gym like he was a-"

"Neji, please. The way you're describing this man he doesn't even sound human!" Hiashi cuts in with a cough.

Honestly, maybe he needed glasses…

He sighed, glancing back over to Hinata whose face had become a cherry red in silent embarrassment. His eldest was probably in shock from all of Neji's wild explanations and theories.

And for once he couldn't be frustrated with her shy or soft-spoken behavior that often lead to her blushing like this, he very much so felt the same right now too.

'Perhaps Neji's been working too hard with the hotel chains.'

Though that brought him back to why he called all of them here in the first place.

"As you all know from how Hanabi brought up earlier, then end of the year will soon be here. In just a few short weeks, Hinata your 21st birthday will be here and we will hold our annual Christmas and end of the year ball at our new Rosewood International Hotel we acquired last month." Hiashi announced.

How could she forget?

Every year since her 18th birthday, Hiashi had passive-aggressively reminded her of the life she would be missing out on by choosing medicine over business.

"And you're sure medicine is your top choice of major? Won't you get bored just spending all your time studying eyes and vision care?"

It was a different variation of the question he asked on why she picked ophthalmology out of all the professions she could study.

Did he not believe in her? No, he had said he had confidence she could succeed in any major she put effort into.

Even if it wasn't the one he wanted her to be in…

Hinata hurriedly retrieved the box of clothes from his hands, restraining back a sigh. While it was nice he was helping her move and arrange all her belongings from the compound unexpectedly (she was going to ask Sakura, Ino or any other available freshman to help), he had spent the better half of the last hour asking if she still had time to change her major at the Dean's office.

"I'm sure father, eyes are a terrible organ of our body we take for granted after all." She murmured.

It's clear he doesn't fully understand what she means, so she points from her own eyes to his and cracks a watery smile.

"For example, you can't see that every time you ask me if I want to switch my major to business that it hurts…"

Yes, it's too bad she finds the business world so…well boring.

And Hiashi is well aware of said fact, despite still trying to persuade her otherwise at times.

The questioning stares and looks of disapproval/shock would be particularly harder to deal with this year in light of everything he knew going on in her life now.

"I was thinking to celebrate this year Hinata, you should invite all of your friends to the banquet." Hiashi continued.

Her heart launched into twisting, beating erratically.

It clicks then what this whole dinner was meant for, why father wanted her over…

'What?'

He never wanted her friends to be in attendance before, so why now?

Neji straightening up, smirking in agreement and she felt like shrinking away to excuse herself.

"Of course, I want you to invite this Naruto fellow as well. If Neji's descriptions of him and your attention to him is anything to go by, he sounds like an interesting man I look forward to meeting."

-x-

I have in mind that Hiashi's idea of Naruto versus actually meeting him shouldn't have him being super rude and cold like how he's normally portrayed, but generally…surprised along with other emotions if Naruto's thoughts wander with Hinata close by lol. I look forward to any suggestions/thoughts!

As always,

Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!