Chapter 15: Inkling

"I think it's a great idea!" Hinata clapped her hands together delightfully, staring between Kiba and Shino eagerly.

Kiba simply shrugged in response while Shino adjusted his sunglasses.

"I don't know Hinata…I mean party planning isn't exactly something we've ever done before." Kiba mused, glancing over to main person this was all going to be done for.

Shino.

Since when did he ever want to have a birthday party held for him?

Hinata shook her head in disagreement, still holding a grin. "Oh, don't be that way Kiba! Shino, you've always wanted to be the center of attention, right? A birthday party is the perfect way to celebrate and get everyone from the old gang together!"

Shino hummed thoughtfully, it would be nice to have everyone's focus on him for once instead of being 'background' as Kiba liked to put it.

"22 isn't exactly a milestone birthday like 21 is though." Kiba added in.

"That doesn't matter! I can invite Sakura and Ino, who will both have no problems getting Lee, Tenten, Shikamaru, Chouji, Temari, Neji, and even possibly Gaara to show up…" Hinata replied.

Kiba narrowed his eyes, she was purposefully keeping out him.

"Aren't you forgetting a certain somebody?" He asked quietly, biting his tongue to keep the sour edge out of his voice.

It doesn't work.

The gleeful mirth in Hinata's lavender eyes dull, lips forming into a pout and he can feel Shino's intense stare boring holes into the side of his head.

These feelings of his weren't going to die overnight, no matter how much he wished they had.

'Be nice.' His thoughts snap at seeing Hinata's pained expression.

He had hurt her enough with his words, he had to try and move on…

"I-I don't have to invite Naruto if you don't want me to." Hinata lowers her voice, gaze flickering between the pair nervously.

Though it would pain Naruto to be alone in the apartment and he would probably sneak his way into the party in some form or fashion just to make sure nothing bad happened to her.

Kiba snorted, waving off the suggestion. "No, it wouldn't be right to leave one person out."

'Even if said one person isn't exactly a human all the time.'

"You can invite him, Naruto knows how to liven up any situation." Shino pipes up to drive away the awkward tension.

"If Naruto is going, Sasuke may come too." Kiba scowled in realization, thinking of the raven haired man. What little he saw and knew of his reputation around campus was already making him on edge.

Great, an asshole and a fox-human hybrid to add to the fun.

Hinata smiled weakly. "He's not completely bad, I don't know. I've seen him hang around Sakura more as of late, but she won't tell me or Ino details."

She turned her attention back to Shino, picking with her salad before taking a bite hesitantly. Her stomach hadn't been agreeing with her as of late, but she definitely didn't she need Shino and Kiba having another reason to worry about her. "Are you sure you're okay with having a party? We can make it a small event, just us three if you prefer."

Kiba perked up hearing that, but remained tight lipped.

No, he wouldn't get his hopes up, he shouldn't get his hopes up…

It was dangerous to be alone with her now that Naruto knew his feelings.

"I don't mind a bigger party than normal. It's a good way to catch up with everyone like you said."

His birthday was still a little less than two weeks away, plenty of time to prepare what foods and decorations, music, and games they would use.

Hinata shoots down his bug-themed idea, beetles and roaches have many uses besides just looking creepy!

Though yes, he supposes most people wouldn't agree with that sentiment and be too afraid or grossed out to come.

He nudges Kiba to bring up any suggestions, but his gaze only continues to flicker between Hinata and his phone.

Finally, he speaks, voice quieter and softer than normal.

"Is it okay if I try and see if one more guest can come as well?" He asks.

Hinata nods while Shino gives a halfhearted shrug of indifference.

"Who do you have in mind?" Shino pursues.

Kiba's face burns a bright red, tapping with his phone nervously.

"Tamaki."

-X-

"Remind me. Who's Shino again?" Ino questioned, tapping her pencil against her textbook curiously. Her turquoise eyes seem to pop with the new makeup her longtime client Sai has gifted her with, dark blue liner simmering in the sun.

And despite her stories of his constant oddities, she hasn't yet turned down any of his offers for dates.

"You know, the one who always wears those big overcoats that cover up his face. Always wearing sunglasses, even when indoors? Or maybe I'm thinking of Kiba, he likes to wear that fuzzy jacket all the time too." Sakura brings up, scrunching her lips in thought.

Hinata sighs, it doesn't surprise her that friends can't put a name to a face really with how quiet Shino is.

Ino gives up after another minute passes, bright grin coming back onto to her face. "Well, whatever! Of course Sakura and I would like to go! A party is a great way to connect with him and get re-introduced to the some new guys in the process!"

Sakura furrowed a brow, eyeing her carefully. "What about Sai?"

Ino blinked. "What about him? We're not that serious if he's still using Jewel after Hours for us to meet and besides, I'm not sure he's ready for social gatherings yet…Sai is-well he's not…"

"Normal. Yes, you've told us and Hinata is apparently dating a beast. I guess we're just into strange guys; aren't we?" Sakura finished for her with a hum.

Hinata stiffened, reddening at their shared giggling. Naruto was the least ordinary out of Sai and Sasuke if they had to put it to a competition.

"Bring him anyways, it would be the first time we're properly meeting him after all. He can't be that weird as you say." She points out.

Or at least, nowhere near as odd as Naruto's case.

Sakura nodded in agreement, grinning at the tinge of pink staining Ino's cheeks. "Yeah, about time Hinata and I turn the tables on you teasing us all the time too!"

Ino huffed, taking a long sip of her iced tea before speaking up. "Well, then Hinata bring Naruto and Sakura, bring Sasuke. It's only fair. I for one especially want to see why you Hinata keep saying Naruto has all these strange animal characteristics. Some of it sounds like you're not even being metaphorical at times and he seemed nothing but goofy the last time he came by for lunch."

'I was never being metaphorical.' Hinata considers.

How would Sakura and Ino take seeing Naruto's fox ears or tail?

She imagined much screaming, freaking out, and the worst imaginable: passing out!

Hopefully there wouldn't be the need to worry about such an occurrence though.

"So…besides the party Hinata, is there anything else you wanted to fill us in on?" Sakura inquired.

Hinata looked up from her biology notes, shaking her head at her smirk.

"Uh, no. Not that I can think of?"

Ino clicked her tongue, worry coming into her expression as pointed to her barely touched rice and salmon mix. "Aren't you hungry? I thought you hadn't ate anything since breakfast."

And truth be told, she hadn't.

'So it is noticeable.'

Kiba had brought up her lack of eating as well, though she didn't have the heart to tell him nor Ino now that her stomach disagreed with anything she ate.

Nausea surged back through her, stomach churning menacingly should she dare try to take in another meal again.

"I haven't. I guess all the stress of school, work, and spending time with friends and family has gotten to me." She spoke up, pushing a forkful of rice into her mouth despite her stomach's continued protesting.

"Oh, well don't worry about work! I'll tell Lady Tsunade to give you a week off the schedule if need be! It hasn't been as busy anyways since the holidays have passed." Sakura considered, squeezing her open hand affectionately.

Hinata smiled, ignoring the sting at her gut for having to lie to the pair.

"You could've caught that nasty stomach flu or that inflammatory respiratory/GI infection that's been going around the hospital. I heard through the infection control program that it's been particularly bad this year, even with the vaccinations." Ino pointed out, shivering at the thought of germs getting into her system.

That's true, maybe she had caught the flu bug that had been rampant as of late, having had to don a mask more often now during clinical rotations.

She swallowed down the rice, relieved she could take in a few more bites and not draw any further suspicion to herself.

'I hope this virus passes out of my system soon enough then.'

A nagging part of her mind though, the part she steadily had to keep ignoring whenever she was alone that made her heartbeat flutter and quicken against her chest wondered if this was more than just illness or stress.

After all, she hadn't told them she was already a week late on her period starting…

-X-

"Come with me." Neji stated, catching up to Naruto just as he was getting out of class.

It's hard to say no when Neji is blocking his path to even leave said classroom.

"Why?" Naruto asked, clearly puzzled by the urgency in his tone.

Thursdays are the only days of the week where he's done with all his classes by noon. It's the perfect time now to study with Hinata, take a power nap, or catch a quick bowl at Ichiraku's.

And now Neji is ruining it!

"Uncle needs to see you." He replied, continuing to halt Naruto with every movement he made to push pass him.

"Can't it wait until later this evening or something?" He grumbled, trying to keep the whine out of his voice.

Neji shakes his head firmly, clearly not going to take no for an answer.

Grudgingly, after two more attempts of trying to force his way pass him; he gives in.

Wind shakes the trees in every direction, dead leaves scattering against the pavement as they walk down the streets that lead away from the campus.

He wouldn't mind the stroll as much if it was warmer, passing gray clouds in the mix of blue warning of freezing rains that will only drop the temperatures further later tonight.

"So…where are we going?"

Neji doesn't answer until they reach a dark parked car, driver already in the front seat coming out and around to open the back doors for them.

"Master Hyuga and Mr. Uzumaki, good afternoon. Are you two ready to go?" The chauffeur asked.

'Am I being kidnapped?' Naruto wondered. How did this man already know his name?!

Wait, Neji could've just told him, still…

It was odd having such a sharply dressed man address him so formally.

And it's only a short while later when they reach their destination does he realize where they are.

Another one of the premiere Hyuga Hotels, The Grand Millennium Spa and Gardens. It was one of their older hotels that much he knew, but far and away from anything he could ever imagine to afford or where he would ever feel comfortable.

The hotel greets them with the smell of fresh pines and lemons, marble tiles sliding against his feet as he takes in sleek wood furnishings and golden statues.

"Uncle is waiting for us at the sauna." Neji speaks up for the first time since they left the university, weaving through bellboys and other tourists taking in the sights of just the main lobby.

"Why do we need to go to a sauna? Can't you just tell me already what he wants?!" Naruto growls, gritting his teeth.

Neji glances at him from over his shoulder to make sure he's keeping up, frowning at the flash of scarlet in his eyes.

'That's exactly what we need to work on.'

"You need to learn to control those fox features, Uncle and I are going to help you."

Naruto blinked, he would've laughed if not for the permanent stoic expression on Neji's face.

Oh.

He was unfortunately being serious.

Mist wafts all around them as he peeked around the dark room for Hiashi's face. Oak and maple wood textures decorated all sides, dim lights and soft piano music thrumming through the air.

"Don't just stand there, we need to change in order to use the area." Neji's voice brings him back, moving ahead to the locker rooms.

Right, most of the men loitering about are all in white robes or towels.

And he prayed that was the most skin he would have to endure seeing until he could find a way to escape from this.

"I see you two finally made it." Hiashi notes, sitting alone in a corner of a private room none of the other guests appeared to have access to.

Sweat already drips from his forehead to down past his chin, normally pale skin already turning a light red.

"Sorry to have kept you, Naruto was hesitant on coming." Neji relates, paying no mind to the scowl Naruto sends him.

'He acts like this is normal…'

Hiashi gestures for them to sit, tossing another piece of wood into the stove bathing the room in a new wave of steam. The light catches a sparkle around Naruto's neck and he sucks in a breath, wondering why he never noticed such a chain was always on Naruto until now.

The lock piece of the Hyuga family heirlooms, usually only reserved for an engaged couple.

He knew some had gone missing over the years, but he never knew Hinata to have found a matching set.

"Naruto, what would you do if Hinata was here on the woman's side of the sauna?" He asked.

"She's here?!"

As he expected, his fox ears and tail instantly popped up. He watched in mild horror as he glanced over to the woman's side giddily, claws out and ready to pounce and break the walls down.

And Neji instantly struck the back of his head with the end of his palm as soon as he stood up.

"Ow, what the hell was that for?!" Naruto snapped, ready to attack back.

But Neji wasn't looking at him, nodding to Hiashi who sighed.

"I told you just thinking about Hinata could trigger it to occur, though notice by me hitting him or distracting his thoughts with something else made it go away; perhaps that's the key." Neji considered.

"Naruto, saunas are a good place to relax your mind, body, and soul. Your stress and hormones make your fox qualities come out far too easily. It would be…troubling to say the least if you and Hinata were at a party or meeting and they happened to come out." Hiashi explained.

Naruto recoiled under their stares, sweat and heat blurring his vision.

His focus.

'Am I really that embarrassing to them?'

He swallowed at the sudden lump in his throat, it wasn't like he liked his transformations either...and they'd only become more frequent since he'd started dating Hinata.

'Hinata.'

Was she sitting only a few steps away, completely oblivious to this conversation they were having? He imagined her cream skin immersed in moisture as well, breasts rising and falling with her slow pants. His fingers reaching and exploring to move her towel away…

WHAM!

Neji gritted his teeth, lifting his hand back up and away from Naruto's neck. "Your mind just went straight to the gutter again, didn't it?"

"Yes…err, I mean no!"

'Ugh, this was never going to work.' Neji scowled.

Jiraiya's teachings have obviously corrupted Naruto to the point of no return.

Hiashi on the other hand remained quiet, watching as he clasped one hand against the lock protectively while being rattled by Neji. Naruto could possibly benefit from these sessions, he just needed to relax his overeager thoughts and maybe then they could actually make some progress.

If Hinata were truly here though, how much would that change his fox behavior?

As it was, his eyes had already sharpened and his nose had perked up in sniffing the air.

"Let's end this for now. It isn't good to stay in all this heat for too long either." Hiashi decided, standing up to stretch his now loosened up muscles.

Naruto stayed back for a moment, the mist was aggravating to his senses to a degree though he would've been able to pick up Hinata's scent by now.

Unless…

"Hey, Hinata was never here; was she?!" He abruptly barked out, freezing both men in place from getting to the shower rooms.

"Well, we never actually said she was here." Neji replied casually.

Naruto clicked his tongue, annoyed with his nonchalant attitude.

"So, you just kidnapped me for nothing then?!" He growled.

Neji shook his head, looking to Hiashi for support only to find he had already hurriedly moved on without him.

Great.

-X-

"Here Hinata, you haven't had a drink in your hand since the party began!" Sakura chirped, pushing a lime green cocktail into her hands.

Her cheeks were already flushed a bright red, words having slurred together before she took off back into the middle of the dancefloor as a fast-paced beat pulsed through the air. Beside her, Ino giggled far too loudly at some joke Sai had most likely said about her behavior.

Well, at least some people were enjoying themselves!

Maybe they should've held this party at one of the larger private club rooms scattered about the red light district instead of this tiny outdoor complex Shino's apartment had, at least then it wouldn't feel like she was suffocating.

Multicolored strobe lights circled the room, courtesy of Kiba and from the corner of her eye she could see him anxiously looking through various partygoers moving in and out of the room.

Tamaki hadn't yet showed.

And Shino had surprisingly disappeared into a crowd shortly after the party began, she wasn't sure if all these people showing even knew this event was being held for him.

Hopefully, he wasn't regretting the idea of this all.

'Now, what am I going to with this?' Hinata wondered, gazing back down at the syrupy concoction.

It smelled of vodka and different citrus juices, everything that would send her stomach hurtling to the ground.

Not that her stomach had much in it to begin with to keep it from already plummeting, only a few saltine crackers and some yogurt.

"Guess it's another round for the plants again." Hinata whispered to herself, heading to the shrubberies by the door.

"Don't you think those plants have had enough alcohol for the night?" A warm voice asks into her neck and she freezes in place, drink nearly halfway tilted over.

"Naruto?" She breathed out.

He chuckled, reaching to move her glass right side up before the cocktail spilled everywhere.

"This plant is probably drunk by now from the past two drinks you've been giving it! Why not just tell Sakura and Ino you've had enough for the night or else they'll keep giving you more?" Naruto questioned.

She could feel her face to the tips of her ears beginning to burn under his amused grin.

"Ah well, I don't want to hurt their feelings! Anyways, the better question is how long have you been watching me?"

A glint of mischief passed through his eyes then, leaning down to her. "I've kept you in my field of vision the whole night. I'm only now just approaching you."

His lips move to brush against her own then, tugging her close and before she can think any deeper about the situation, she threads her fingers into his hair.

"I love you." He mumbles by the side of her ear when they pull away for air and Hinata presses herself into once more into him in response until a groan escapes him.

It's too noisy for people to notice one of Naruto's fox tails start to curl around her legs or that his now scarlet red eyes search the area for somewhere quieter.

"Let's go back to Shino's living room." He states, thumb gently sweeping against their intertwined hands.

Hinata fidgets, staring around for any signs that someone will notice them missing. Everyone is too caught up in their own activities…

Kiba watches her look around from the kitchen, letting another rum shot scorch down his throat before settling and cooling in his gut as he watches her leave with him.

'She didn't even see me.'

"Kiba?" Another feminine voice calls out to him and he forces his eyes away from the scene to Tamaki.

A mix of shame and fear seep into him at her concern look, how long had she'd been watching him?

"Hey…glad you could make it! Shino's around here somewhere, he's never been big on partying but look how many people came out for him!" He laughed weakly, setting his glass down.

Tamaki slowly nodded, twirling a hand through her chestnut hair. "You okay? I think you've hit enough drinks for the night. Don't forget you're not a cat, you only have one life to live."

He let her guide her to an empty spot on the couch, unfortunately right by a couple who seemed in the midst of eating each other face's off.

Kiba scratched a hand through his hair, pushing himself to stare at her properly. "Sorry about how crappy of a boyfriend I've been…or was. It…it still hurts."

She patted his hand gently, sad smile crossing her face. "I know, but don't do this to yourself Kiba. Hinata wouldn't be happy either."

It's hard to hear her over the blast of music, but he hears enough.

And he gives her his first genuine smile in a long time.

-X-

'Head, please stop ringing.' Sakura clenches her teeth, one slow breath after another as she sits up carefully.

"Where am I?"

Memories rush back, Sasuke shockingly agreeing to come to Shino's birthday party. Sasuke sitting alone, barely being social and she fed up, heading for the beverage table with Ino…

She takes one step from the bed and the room instantly goes into a dizzying spin once more, threatening to take her back into the darkness of unconsciousness.

"Don't try to move so fast." A familiar voice advises somewhere to her left.

Cracking her eyes back open gives her the sight of a blurry black blob and the pain of sunlight coming through blinds far too quickly when it only seemed like it was night a few minutes ago makes her quickly squeeze her eyes close once more.

"Sasuke?" She whispers.

'Sasuke' or the fuzzy stranger doesn't respond immediately, sound of footsteps receding then coming back filling in her ears.

"Drink this water and take these two Tylenol. You shouldn't have taken all those shots; you're going to supposedly be a doctor, but you can't even take care of yourself." Sasuke scoffs and this time Sakura knows it's him by his piercing tone.

"You didn't have to stay or even come as you pointed out before we left and excuse me for wanting to forget about all my schoolwork and have one stress-free night." She snorts back, accepting the water and tablets from his hands.

He shakes his head, they were already in the precarious situation of having slept over on a friend's guest bed.

A 'friend' neither he nor Sakura even knew that well.

Shino had luckily yet to awaken from his brief look into his room, but it wouldn't be good to stick around to find out his response to leftover visitors still hanging around.

"Just gather your belongings. Ino already left with Sai sometime last night and I'm sure Naruto and Hinata went back to their place." Sasuke grumbles.

Sakura reluctantly obeys, glad her purse isn't missing any of her essentials and she does her best to smooth out the ruffles of the jade dress she had donned. A quick wash up in the bathroom drains the last remnants of make-up and gloss from her face.

"Thanks for staying with me." She whispers, glad to see a small smile cross his face with a nod.

"I'm sure you could've fended for yourself just fine without me, but you're welcome." Sasuke mentions, earlier snippiness gone from his voice.

As they pass the living room though she halts, verdant eyes growing wide at the sight of violet and blonde hair.

They aren't the only partygoers still here.

Sasuke follows her line of sight at her pause, biting back a curse when he notices it.

'Shit, this moron couldn't even get to his house.'

Naruto's fox ears and tails are in plain view for anybody to see.

Anybody like Sakura.

He pulls Sakura by the hand before she can make a move towards the sleeping pair, yelp leaving her lips when they're finally outside.

"W-What the hell was that?! Hinata wasn't joking when she said Naruto really is part fox?" She sputtered frantically.

The sound of their movement has awaken Naruto though, but his fox qualities being noticed are the least of his worries as he peers over Hinata's sleeping figure.

Sunlight washes over in her a soft glow as he sits up carefully from his position hovering over her.

'Maybe my ears are playing tricks on me?' He doubted himself, listening closely to her stomach again. In the silence of the room he heard the tiny thump return, erasing his uncertainty.

A second heartbeat.

-x-

A lot of new developments going forward! Probably going to take a break from this to focus on Compounds again, but I love hearing from you guys' so let me know what you think!

Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!