Azure King: Hello all and a Happy Birthday to me~! Sorry for the yesterday seemingly updates, all I did was delete the previous chapters about the . But now the massive 15 story update. Please enjoy the fics!
This was a poll choice on my and it's not my best work but I did my best as my friend who helped with this, didn't want to join…due to my wishes on how it would go and the MC's cringing beta-male BS…so I understand. I hope you like it enough to review it if you want to see it more. It's going to be a sad beginning FYI, but move past it and it will go upwards. I promise…
CHAPTER START~!
Inside of a brightly lit gym was a young blonde adult who was sending punches back and forth constantly with an amazing punching pace that most average fighters would have trouble pace with. "One two…one two…" the teen spat out as he reworked his stance, and quickly sent a flurry of quick jabs and kicks to a sandbag.
Naruto sighed as he cracked his neck and took a break, he was now burning up, "…Damn I didn't think I was this tired." He muttered as he felt annoyed by his lack of focus.
He wanted to ignore his damn worries and went there to sweat them out, but now he was annoyed and tired, the young man finished his breather and resumed his work out, determined to at least get his usual amount of work done. Soon he was drenched in sweat and with a single smooth movement his hand glided across the bag in a diagonal swipe… only to turn blue at the sight of the bag contents of small white paper bags filled with sand spill out. "Shit…" he whispered as he totally destroyed the training equipment he was using.
"Again?!" An older man came by the blonde as the person looked at the spilled contents of the sliced sandbag. "C'mon Uzumaki, you're killing me!"
The blonde teen bowed his head, with all the respect and sincerity he could muster from his tired body. "I wholeheartedly apologize for my actions sir, I'll pay the new one out of my own pocket." He promised as the man chuckled and shook his head. "No, I have-"
The blonde stopped when he felt a gentle fist on his head prodding him to shut up, "Kid, cool it." He said as the blonde looked up to see the man smiling kindly at him. "I know a walking ball of stress," he took a seat nearby. Soon the man patted the extra space next to him, "Want to talk?"
The blood shook his head, "No… I don't want to. But…" he gave a weak smile, "Thanks. Seriously at least half-" he started until the man glared at him to not let him continue. The younger man bowed his head and was no longer ok with working out or lest he break more equipment.
Soon he left the building as the young man walked down the streets of brightly colored lights. Ignoring people talking and loud bustling sounds of the city he moved towards a park and cut through the area.
Aimlessly wandering for a while to burn more stress away, he eventually went home where he saw a two story building for apartments. He moved up the stairs towards his apartment door when…
"Oh." He turns to see a young woman looking at him as she was just leaving her apartment, Naruto will admit she was rather lovely. She has waist-length chestnut-brown hair that is most notably tied with bangs hanging on the right side and light brown eyes. Tonight she wore a red leather jacket with a beige skirt with a belt around her waist that had a cute heart for the buckle. "Naruto-san?"
"Hey, Chizuru…" Naruto curtly nods at the woman who gave a weak wave. "Last minute sales?"
The woman nodded, "Yeah, the nearby market has some cheap snacks and side dishes I can survive on for a while." She stated as she looked at the blonde whose collar was still drenched in sweat. "Oh, another workout?" she questioned as this wasn't one of the usual times or nor day he works out so vigorously to sweat that much.
"Ah, well… yeah, something like that." Naruto waved off. "Stay safe…"
"I will. Thank you." Chizuru smiled warmly at the blonde, before making her way down the stairs.
The blonde made sure to watch the girl until she disappeared from the corner, no longer able to see her. The young man allowed himself to enter his apartment which was next to hers.
"Haaaaaaaaaaa…" The blonde sighed heavily, seeing the apartment. It was decent and clean, but… something was missing and it will never be the same again. "Dammit…" He cursed, before making his way to the bathroom, dropping his dirty clothes in the basket before running the shower water. Once it was up to temperature, he let himself in the shower stall, but instead of cleaning himself up with the shampoo and soap, he sat on the stall's floor, letting the water rain down on him, while staring blankly at the wall.
His room was a mess, magazines on fighting, healthcare and weightlifting were cluttered, his fumbles and other exercising equipment was also randomly about the floor, and his kitchen was the only that was sparkling as he only lived off protein bars and shakes and water. His room was more of a workout area than somewhere to live. "I really need to find a bigger place…" he complained as he had the money…but was too lazy to put in the effort.
…but she would…
The blonde teen shook his head furiously, to rid himself of the memory. "Dammit…" He seethed. He wanted to slam his hand on the floor, but held the urge as the place was practically paper thin as it is.
He then got up and quickly cleaned himself off, though it was rather quick and brief. He then got out of the shower and dried himself off, before changing into a white tank top and a pair of orange shorts.
*RIIIIIING! RIIIIIIIING! RIIIIIING! RIIIIIIIING!*
Naruto sighed as he looked at the name on the phone to see whether or not to ignore it…until he saw the name on the screen 'Little Sis', "Oh crap…!" He said sitting up to make himself sound normal, he swiped to allow the call to go through. "Hello?" He started.
["Hey Naruto, it's me…"] A cheery voice came from the phone as Naruto tried to smile in order to sound like he was fine.
"Uh… hey, Hanabi. What's up?" He said hearing the girl humming from the other end and sweat dropping as that never sounded good to him.
["Dad is making us visit you, he's worried you're still thinking on that…"] She said worryingly as well considering her tone slightly lost her happy tone, ["And we're taking you and your girlfriend out on a fancy dinner."] She said although Naruto didn't notice how she didn't sound enthusiastic when she reminded his girlfriend. But the reason Naruto didn't notice was because of another issue that was the problem.
Naruto flinched at this, "Hanabi, your dad doesn't have to-"
["But he wants to."] Hanabi interrupted. ["I know things have been difficult, but-"]
"Hanabi, I'm fine… really, I am." Naruto insisted, trying his damndest not to sound sad. "Your father doesn't need to go out of his way to do this for me."
["Too bad, BTW I'm going to get you~"] her tone sound mischievous as Naruto balked at the idea of her visiting, ["Knowing you, I guess there's a lot of protein stuff and barely any room due to not cleaning up…is there?"]
"I'll… clean up as best I can before you show up…" Naruto trailed off. He at least had the decency to at least tidy up for his guests.
["AH~! I knew it, that's it I'm taking over as your maid starting tomorrow! My highschool is near there, don't worry."] Soon the girl's tone became alarmed and near the end became caring as the boy could see her having a sweet smile as he wanted to rebuff her kind gesture.
"Wait, Hana-"
*CLICK!*
"…she hung up on me." Naruto muttered with a slight deadpanned look. With a sigh, he looked over his apartment once more, noticing all the trash bags that had been piled up in some parts of the complex. "I guess I should start cleaning now."
As he did this, he realized he was in trouble. He had no girlfriend… well he did, but now he was alone. It wasn't the most casual or wholesome relationship, but he tried to make it work… and if that man learned he was alone and recently broken up, he was going to be sent back to their house under their caring and constant watch.
Naruto shook his head at this. He knows that he cares for him. He appreciates everything the man's doing for him. But now wasn't the time. He just needed some time to be alone and process everything that's been going with him. He needed to grieve and mourn… and be damned…
"I need to make sure they won't be dragged down with me…" He muttered looking around in hopes of getting some kind of inspiration, but sadly he couldn't as the young blonde took a moment to lay his head down and think of a plan. He needed it fast…
XXXXXXXXXX
THE NEXT DAY
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Naruto was now at his college, taking the last class for the day as he was unable to accomplish his task from last night, "Sigh, in the end I couldn't come up with anything." Naruto mumbled as he hated himself for not making even a single plan to help with his issue. Staying in his college to think of something as he has less than four hours before they ask him to come. "Dammit…"
"Yo~!"
The blonde turned his head to see two people he couldn't help but smile to see, "Lee, Sasuke." He greeted the two fellow college students as they walked to him. "So your classes are done as well?"
"We just finished." Sasuke nodded, giving a peace sign as he never found the classes difficult to do. "What's eating you man? You look like Hanabi is back to pranking your ass…" He scoffed as the blonde chuckled, Sasuke acting like he was in a bad mood but this was actually a good mood for him all things considered.
"I wish she was…" Naruto sighed. "Apparently, she stopped by to clean up my room."
Sasuke gained a frown as he rubbed the back of his neck, "Ooh…they are visiting?" Knowing the reason Hanabi comes is when her family comes to check on Naruto, and that usually means a bad week for the blonde.
"Yup. And they're not taking no for an answer."
"Wow… that must be rough. Even after all of that." Lee frowned in sympathy, knowing the reason why Naruto was in a bad mood. "Can we help like tell them we need you?"
"I appreciate it, Bushy Brow, but I don't think they're gonna budge on this." Naruto smiled sadly at him. "You know how Hinata…" He started before looking down, as the two other students also became saddened by that name. "...her dad is, he thinks I'm depressed."
"...Aren- oww~!" Lee shouted as Sasuke elbowed his ribs. "Right, well it's too bad you can't rent a girlfriend." He chuckled as the darked teen snapped his fingers.
"Lee you health nut! You gave me an idea!" He said, punching Lee's shoulder as he grabbed Naruto's hand, "I know someone who can help."
"Dude, I'm scared!" Naruto shouted as Sasuke in a good mood NEVER ends well for anyone, despite allowing his brooding friend to drag him to the campus grounds he saw a silver haired young man reading a book.
"Hm? Sasuke?" The silver-haired man raised a brow. "Oh, Naruto." He noticed the blonde that was dragged by Sasuke.
"Hey, I know you." Naruto pointed at the silver haired older gentleman, "Kabuto from the science department right?" He asked as the person closed his book and stood up to offer his hand which Naruto took.
"Yeah! I help Sasuke-kun with his projects whenever he needs help with it."
The blacked haired teen nods, "I actually met him when I interned with your family friend, Orochimaru-sensei." Sasuke reminded as Naruto gave a quiet 'ahh', "And we hit it off, anyway Kabuto-san, you once told me about a rental girl thing when you were forced to attend a party?"
The silver haired man with a chuckle cupped his chin with a smirk. "Ah yes. I have to admit, it was rather… how should I say this… I was rather unenthusiastic at first, but it became rather fun, hiring a few and just spoiling myself…not to mention it takes away the annoying-"
Sasuke comically slapped his hand on the silver haired adult's forehead, "Kabuto, Kabuto, I know you like analyzing things…but we need advice not your tastes."
"Oh, but of course." Kabuto cleared his throat. "How may I be of assistance?"
"Naruto's has a problem and we need him to look like he's having fun." Sasuke explained. "We need to rent him a girlfriend."
"Sasuke, the hell are you saying?" Naruto frowned at him, "And the hell is a rental?"
Kabuto looked confused as he adjusted his glasses, "Ahh, a first timer?" He deduced as Sasuke nodded as the silver-haired man spoke, "It's basically a fake girlfriend system."
"Fake… girlfriend?" Naruto muttered.
"It's like this…" Kabuto started taking out his phone and pulled up an app. "Here, we have a list of girls you can rent for however long you want to be with you, some are a bit on the expensive side, but the service is high quality and definitely worth the price."
"What… why would I…" Naruto tried to speak.
"Because you're lonely?" Kabuto said only for Sasuke to glare at him, with the teen lifting his hands, "Alright touchy subject. Well I used it because I needed a date, sadly I'm a mama's boy and a workaholic so I have no love life."
"Said every asian man here." Sasuke joked as the three chuckled lightly at the bad attempt of humor.
"All jokes aside, it doesn't hurt to try. Just try it out for a day, a week at most, and if you don't want to do it, then that's fine." Kabuto shrugged, but he noticed the serious looks as he frowned. "But…you're not here for that, you want my advice on something?"
Sasuke nodded, "What are the rules on the rentals?" He asked as Kabuto gave a smile that meant 'of course you ask that.'
"It's simple, really. You pay them and you take them on dates, higher rated girls make you feel like a king of the world. Lower tier ones do a decent job but it's kinda meh…" he said, lifting an open hand waving it side to side to show his unenthusiasm. "All in all, the girls aren't bad looking either."
"I don't know…" Naruto said unsurely. It baffles him as to why he's being coerced into doing this kind of thing in the first place.
"Well…it's not like you want to get laid right?" Kabuto said using a different app and passed it to Naruto, "The best girls can act the shit of any situation, so if you need someone to lie for you then I say do it."
"Are you sure?" Naruto questioned, "Like really sure?"
"Since when have I ever sowed doubt?"
"We~ll…" Sasuke began.
"Okay, that was one time." Kabuto glared at the raven-haired teen. "It was bad judgment on my part, I know. But Naruto-kun, here…" Taking his phone, he used his free hand to move his fingers to tell Naruto to come closer, "Phone."
Doing what he said the young blonde passed him his device as Kabuto downloaded the app and sent a text and his number, after making sure everything is ok, he passed it back to Naruto. "Here, you have my free A-Rank or high Rent-A-Girlfriend code, I wanted to use it but you seem to be more in need of it. Just use that code, and you can choose any of the high-grade girlfriends, free of charge, no questions asked, three hours though, so anything more than that it's out of your pocket. One-time use though, so choose wisely."
"I'll… keep that in mind." Naruto trailed off, staring blankly at the app. Even if he were to go through with this… trial, who was he even going to pick?
"My recommendation is to look at the reviews. If the girl has reviews that she goes up and beyond then it's safe to say she might be willing to help with your problem." He said as Kabuto lifted a finger, "But don't expect her to help more than she has, remember they're getting paid so no falling in love or constantly using them to hide your problems."
Naruto looked at the app for a while before looking at Kabuto who looked disturbed at the dark serious look the blonde college student gave, "I won't…" he promised as the older man left the two as Naruto looked at the reviews, but turned to Sasuke with a soft smile. "Thanks… I mean it." The dark haired teen only gave him a smile and tapped his shoulder before leaving as well.
Naruto stared back at the app and scrolled the list reading each girl's profiles and the reviews the customers have said about them. "Wait…" he stopped as he saw something that caught his eye… soon looking at her reviews he took a moment to think. "I shouldn't…"
But the idea of seeing the hurt and saddened expressions of the Hyuga family plagued his mind. He didn't want to disappoint them, He soon sent a quick message and sighed…he was going to lie to them so they wouldn't worry.
"It's for the best…" He said…although his words didn't sound convincing to himself.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
LINE BREAK
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX
The blonde sat down in his favorite cafe as he waited for his contact, "...I shouldn't have done this." he murmured in embarrassment waiting for a fake girlfriend in the middle of the day.
"Excuse me, are you Uzumaki…san?"
The blonde lifted his head to see who he hired, and to his fear it was really the girl he saw on the App, "Huh? Oh yes, that's… me." He trailed off as he looked to see Chizuru from the apartments they live in standing in front of him in rather nice attire.
"W-Wait… Uzumaki-san? N-Naruto?!" Chizuru gasped in surprise.
"Uh, yeah, that's me…" He smiled weakly with a small wave.
"How… why-"
"It's a long story, sit down I need to ask a big favor." Naruto explained to her neighbor, who looked worried at his request. "Here." He placed two envelopes to her, "The first one is a written vow that if I tell anyone about this, I will commit hari-kiri, no questions asked. I know this might be something you wish to keep under wraps so I will enforce it with something as serious as death."
The girl looked more nervous but the fact Naruto gave a stoic look but his eyes held pain caused her to at least hear out the idea. "This won't go into your time, if I don't take it your offer will be used for another girl." She explained leaving out of her Rental Girlfriend mindset into business at a fast speed.
"I understand." Naruto nodded seriously as Chizuru then sat down across from him.
"Okay then… Please tell me what you need, and I'll see whether or not I will try to accommodate." Chizuru said.
"Alright, it's like this…" Naruto began as he took a moment to collect himself, "My family…uh extended family, the only family I have. They're coming here to check on me."
"They are? Why is that?" The girl asks, making sure to get the whole story.
"That in itself is something I can't speak out so easily, but to be straight to the point. I broke up with my now ex-girlfriend some weeks back and I can't let them know I broke up. They think I'm depressed or worst suicidal. I don't want them to think that, I can't let them keep worrying about me. Not when I caused them so much grief before."
"Naruto…" Chizuru murmured softly.
"That's why… I'm asking if you can pretend to be my girlfriend just for that day so I can ease their worries. I know this is asking a lot, but… I'm feeling trapped at this point. I don't know what else to do or who else to turn to." Naruto then placed his hands down on the table and bowed his head deeply in a dogeza way. "Please, I'm begging for your help…"
…
…
…
"...Just this one time?" She asked with a frown as Naruto lifted his hand.
"On my…well I would say my parents' life but for all I know they are dead. So I promise that I will never break it," He said, giving a rare smile that made the girl's face almost heat up.
"E-Er-hem…" Chizuru cleared her throat into her fist with eyes closed. "Well… you are in something of a dire situation, so I won't turn a blind eye to those in need of help." She then opened her eyes up to look at him again, "And… as your neighbor, I will do my best to help a fellow neighbor out."
"Thank you, so here's the background…we met at-" The blonde gave her a simple yet believable story of how they met. "Anything you won't do?"
The girl blushed at the blunt answer after telling her the plan, "Kissing, that's something I do not do."
"Noted. I will do my absolute best not to do that sort of display of affection towards you." Naruto nodded, as Chizuru was mildly stunned. He really was sincere and adamant of making this plan work out. "W-What is it? Was it something I said?" He asked her, to which Chizuru snapped out of her stupor.
"It just…usually the first timers who use this get disappointed and lose their illusion of this system, they think-" She started as Naruto chuckled as he nodded.
"Right, all fun with no extra strings attached," he concluded as Naruto waved it off. "I want no romance in my life, so don't worry. And to fairly compensate even more, I will triple your pay."
"N-No, it's fine…I'm just happy it's going to be purely on the up and up. Oh right, best not to tell anyone about this, even my hiring agency, if they ask you." She said whispering as the blonde looked confused, "The thing is that Rental Girlfriends cannot do these things, if they learn I went with this, especially with a first timer. I can be on 'break' or even lose my right to be on the App."
"You mean… they'll fire you?" Naruto said slightly stunned but realized it would make sense at that truth, she was doing more than she was supposed to even if it was just a one time thing. "I see. Well, I will do my best not to take any more of your time than necessary."
"Alright when's the-" She started as the next thing that happen nearly stopped her heart.
BAM~!
"NARU~NII~CHAN~!"
Chiruzu blinked for only a second as she saw an orange blur crash into Naruto, "What was-!?"
"Ugh…" Naruto groaned as he tried to get his bearings. "Hanabi, how many times do I have to tell you to stop-"
…
…
…
"HUH?! HANABI!?" Naruto gawked, realizing whom he was talking to and looked down, seeing that it was indeed Hanabi. Hugging him before looking at up with a mischievous look, "I thought you were-"
"Did that job, by the way~" She started snuggling up to him…before slugging the top of his head with her fist. "That's for all the crap you left on the floor! Where's the hentai, mags or even browser history of sexy stuff~!?" she demanded not realizing the other patrons were gaping with horror with the words she said.
"I don't have any~!" Naruto wailed in pain from the knuckle sandwich he was administered to.
"Don't lie to me! Are you hiding them under the floor~?!" She said grabbing his collar, "You need release like every hot blooded male does! I'll lend you mine!"
Soon Naruto turned her around and placed her in a chokehold, "Shut up~! Just because you're my little sister doesn't mean you can say shit about my life!"
"Um…" Chizuru watched the scene happening before her with a sweat drop. 'Just… what in the world is going on?' She then noticed Naruto looking at her, mouthing the words to Chizuru, 'My sister help!'
"Naruto-kun, is this your sister?" Chizuru said seeing the new girl looking back and openly glaring at her. She took notice of the younger girl's looks, her hair is longer than Chizuru's own and is tied into a lower ponytail, with a white ribbon. Her hair also reached past her hips, and she has two shorter strands of hair in the front with pink ribbons at the ends. She wears a tan-coloured and long-sleeved kimono shirt with red-orange flames designed on it with a matching knee-length skirt, along with a white obi around her waist.
"A-Ah, yeah, she is." Naruto managed to say.
"And who are you supposed to be?" Hanabi asked, her glare still intense. "Wait…" She deadpanned and looked up and down at this perfect looking woman. "Are you Naru-nii GF?" She said with a twitching eyebrow.
"U-Uh, yeah, I am." Chizuru chuckled sheepishly, scratching the back of her head. "Naruto really wanted it to be a surprise, and well… ehehe… hehe…"
"Eh…I don't like her…" Hanabi stated as she pouted, "She looks to perfect~" She complained as she poke her 'brother's' cheek, "Ne, break up with her…break up with her…do it…do it…c'mon-"
GRIP~!
"Atatatataitai~!" she comically cried as Naruto grabbed her head in his left hand. "Ok, ok~! I'll stop, please we have to go~!"
"You're starting to get more irritating and annoying as of late~, care to explain why~? Haaaaah~?" Naruto said, as he gripped her head tighter and even lifted her up with that one arm, causing Hanabi to flail even more.
"I was worried, I thought a floozy was making you in a bad mood~!" she cried out as the girl was let go and rubbed her head's sides. "Meanie~!"
"Oh suck it up, Hanabi. You can take the pain." Naruto grouched but a soft smile came from his lips as he held the girl in his arms. "I'm happy to see you again, firecracker~"
WHAM~! "STOP CALLING ME THAT~" she pouted after slugging Naruto's left cheek…only to instantly regret it as it felt like she hit a wall made of steel. "Owwie~"
Chizuru was a bit unnerved by the way they acted but stood up, "I suppose you're here to pick us up, right Hanabi-chan?" Chizuru asked as the girl rolled her eyes at the girlfriend's rudeness.
Hanabi shook her head to rid herself of the fatigue she received from Naruto. "Y-Yeah, I guess so…" She groaned, holding her head in pain. "So we have two options, we can go to your fav korean all you can eat spot Naru, or that sushi place that's like takes around two weeks to get a table?" She said as chizuru giggled at the cute joke she made.
"Ah man, I really like that place but I don't want your dad to get us seats when I can just tell them who I am…" Naruto sighed as Chizuru gained a comical look of shock as she had some hair sticking out from what Naruto said. "But they give good VIP rooms so my fans don't maul me…"
"But all you can eat is calling us, Nii-chan~!" Hanabi whined not caring for the fancy stuff and just wants to eat like a normal teen…with her best big brother spotting her with the same amount of gluttony. "We still need to reach plate nineteen, we can make them clean twenty this time I know it!"
"T-Twenty?" Chizuru blinked comically, looking at Naruto. "You can really eat that much?"
"Well together we got nineteen each, so thirty-eight plates. Not including Kaa-san who can eat as much as Nee-san, and papa is no slouch." she explained the idea of the four people eating…wait four…?
"Is your sister-?"
"We're going…" Naruto said moving towards the exit as the two girls quickly went with him, noticing his sour mood as Hanabi glared at the 'girlfriend' of Naruto from how she hit a sore spot.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
TWENTY'S BBQ
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"All you can eat always win~" Hanabi snickered as she, Naruto and his girlfriend sat inside while they waited for her parents to come. "Ok so rice only, water, and just meat!" She pointed her index finger to Naruto who nodded solemnly at the goal.
"Uh… that's it?" Chizuru blinked.
"Yup!"
"But… what about the kimchi or-"
"If we hit twenty full plates our meal is free and we get on the wall." The two siblings stated in perfect unison to see three photos on the wall, two large chubby men and one girl that kinda looked like Hana- "And we shall do it together~!" They vow high-fiving each other in comradery.
"R-Right." Chizuru laughed weakly with a sweat drop. 'Just what have I gotten myself into?' She thought lamely, but shook her head. 'No, no. You have to act the part. This is Naruto's 'job' for me, after all. And as a good neighbor, I must help him out no matter what.' She nodded to herself in determination.
"Naruto…" The group turned to see two adults walking towards them, one was definitely a father who told the room he wasn't in the mood for anyone to talk to him or touch his children. While the other person was- 'Holy hell I am pretty sure her back is in constant pain!' Chizuru's eyes widened as she saw a large chested woman with pale colored eyes walking beside the man. 'Good god, they're ginormous!' She cried out comically, eyeing the chest of the woman. She was confident in her own body, but the size of those melons with her pretty tall statue made her seem more of a woman…if not a goddess in human form!
"Hiashi-san…" Naruto muttered, as Chizuru could feel the tension between the two of them. So much that it could be cut with a knife at any moment.
The man merely places a hand on the boy's shoulder as his face softens, "Have you been taking care of yourself?" he asked looking down and up at the teen who nodded, "You have been going to the doctor after each day right? I've been paying your visits so if there's something even a little, you can tell them to send me the bill."
The woman came to Naruto's side, "And you didn't come to new years again~! How are we supposed to be happy and congratulate you on your winnings if you don't visit. Hanabi-chan is such in a bad mood."
"OKAA-SAN~!" Hanabi jumped on her as the older woman giggled as her daughter tried to cover her mouth. "You promised not to tell~"
Naruto's face faltered at this. He was starting to cave in to their worries. But he knew he had to put on a strong front. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to worry you all. But I'm fine, really."
"Are you sure? Absolutely sure?" Hiashi asked the blonde, as if he wasn't convinced enough that Naruto was truly fine.
"Look I was down cause my…running and progress in training is slumping…" He said as it was partially true, "So I need something to distract myself." He said as the man nodded, understanding Naruto's reason for not contacting him and not for the other reason.
"A-Ah, yes… I suppose that is understandable." Hiashi cleared his throat, before his attention was shifted on Chizuru, making her slightly flinch when he made eye contact with her. "Naruto… is this young girl…"
Naruto slightly flinched at this. He almost completely forgot that Chizuru was here with him! "Ah, right, I-"
"H-Hello, I'm Mizuhara Chizuru." The brunette girl bowed kindly to Hanabi's parents with a sheepish smile. "I'm Naruto's girlfriend. It's nice to finally meet you two."
"Oh!" The mother said bowing her head, "S-Sorry, nice to meet you Chizuru, I am Hitomi Hyuuga- I mean Hyuuga Hitomi!"
"It's such a pleasure to finally meet Naruto's girlfriend." Hiashi smiled fatherly, holding the brown-haired girl's hands with his own. "I hope Naruto hasn't been much of a burden to you."
"Oh no, of course not." Chizuru smiled easily. "He's been a wonderful boyfriend."
"High praise," The man said as he pointed to a table, "Come, at the very least I should treat my son's girlfriend to a nice meal. Also you two…" he turn to glare at them, before giving them a thumbs up, "Make it to twenty~"
"SIR, YES SIR~!" The two younger members cried out in respect as the mother of the group and Chizuru laughed at their antics.
Once all of them sat down, the eating competition began, ordering they could eat. One by one, they each were finishing their plates like ravenous wolves, hoarding down their entire meals. The first five plates, they managed to eat without a problem, to Chizuru's shock. The next five had some difficulty, but it wasn't something they couldn't muster and power through. But at the fifteen plate mark, things were slowly taking a turn for the worst.
"Take your time, the problem is that we eat too fast…" Hiashi said downing another water as he tried to make room for his stomach. Sighing for some relief he looked at the girlfriend of Naruto, "Chizuru please tell me how you and Naruto met again?"
Chizuru nodded, remembering what they discussed before Hanabi came to get them for the dinner. "Ah. Yes, we met after a gym session. My trial just expired and he was kind enough to pretend to be my boyfriend so I can finish my training. I didn't have enough money at the time to buy my membership."
"Ah I see. And from there?"
"We were hitting it off pretty well. We often train and exercise together three times a week to stay in shape. And he takes me out to lunch or dinner dates after those training sessions after burning off a lot of that energy." Chizuru said perfectly as Naruto ate some more brisket while listening to his rental girlfriend. "And well it's been like this for awhile, I'm sorry to say it's more of a casual way for our meeting than any romantic."
"Oh, no. It's perfectly fine." Hiashi said. "Relationships need to start out slow after all."
Hanabi snorted, "Yeah…perfect…" she said as Chizuru internally sweated from the girl's suspicious tone. "Yo, Nii-Chan, can I put money on you for next week's match?"
"Hanabi!" Hanabi's father shouted in a scolding tone as Chizuru looked confused on her words as the girl turned to Naruto who mentally kicked himself forgetting to tell her his important information, himself!
"Next week's match?" Chizuru asked Naruto. "What is she talking about, Naruto?"
"A-Ah, that!" Naruto tried to say. He needed to think of something quick! Otherwise, the facade is gonna drop and he's going to be exposed!
"He hasn't told me as he thinks it might upset me…" the rental girl looked hurt as if it was her fault.
"Oh dear…" Hitomi looked at the blonde with slight disappointment. "Why do you have to have her worry about you like that?"
"I-It's really not that big of a deal, Hitomi-san." Naruto said, raising his hand, trying to placate the situation before it escalated.
"But it is." Hitomi frowned sadly, "If you want your relationship to be long lasting, you need to be more open and honest with each other, that includes what you're doing."
While Naruto was berated, this was something of a blessing now he had an actual excuse to tell Chizuru his job. She can adapt so this was an edge they needed, "Ok! Ok, Chizuru…I'm a competitive fighter, I work as a fighter to pay bills for my apartment and I go to school to study sports medicine."
Chizuru blinked in surprise. "Really? You do all of that?"
"Y-Yeah," Naruto said sheepishly, before flinching when the brunette pouted.
"Mou~ why didn't you tell me sooner~?" Chizuru whined, before comically pounding her fists on his shoulders. "I was getting worried, thinking you're involved in something shady and dangerous~!"
"S-Sorry, sorry!" Naruto apologized. "Again, I didn't think it was that big of a deal!"
Chizuru pouted as she crossed her arms, while looking away with puffed cheeks, "I can't believe you got me worried over nothing…" Naruto deflated this. "But…" She trailed off, making Naruto's head lift up. "Since you're still trying to make a living… I… suppose I can forgive you this one time."
"R-Really? You mean it?" Naruto asked, with hope in his eyes.
Chizuru clasped his hands as she nodded, "J-Just tell me sooner next time. No need to hide it from me. You really didn't need to hide anything from me for my sake."
"See? All you need is clearer communication and understanding." Hitomi smiled.
"Oh barf…" Hanabi soon started to set more meat on the grill, "Come on we got more food before we finished this dinner."
"Ah! Right. Uh… how many plates was that now?" Naruto asked, having forgotten that they were still in the eating contest.
"Fifteen…" the father said, adding his tenth plate to his stack, "Naruto…I pray you cut off your underground fights?"
"Gah…" The blonde paled as he shook comically, "Y-Yeah…don't worry legit stuff…" he said, unable to look the man in the eye as he couldn't properly lie that time.
"And Chizuru, I'll be counting on you to make sure he properly rests and heals from his bouts soon after."
"Yes, of course! You can count on me!" Chizuru nodded with a comical salute.
The man smiled at the girls response, "Thank you, Naruto is our family in all but blood…ever since my daughter's d-"
SLAM!
The group looked at Naruto who looked conflicted on whether to yell or throw something, "…I'm not depressed….so stop reminding me." He gritted out as the parents and little sister looked at him with pain in their eyes.
The male adult wanted to say something but merely said, "My…apologies…" and resumed eating although most of the meal was filled with silence, the rental girlfriend only felt bad as the tension seemed to return.
There she had an idea, "O-Oh, I wanted to know how Naruto's last match went? I don't know much about sports so maybe you guys can let me know how it goes?" She asked as Hanabi smiled widely.
"You don't watch them?! You're missing out, Nii-chan is a MMA fighter!" The younger one praised rubbing her arm next to Naruto's sweetly.
"O-Oh?"
"Yeah, and he's currently the strongest one in the district, with a record of 9-0!"
The blonde sighed, "That's false, I had more wins but I switched to different weight classes." He reminded the little sister of his who whined at his truth.
"But you're still undefeated!" Hanabi pointed out to the blonde.
Hitomi nodded as she took a piece of steak into her plate, "Indeed, he has defeated many opponents. None can match his skills when in the ring, even a rising star named Imai, something lost to Naruto recently."
Chizuru turns her head to see the cute blush of embarrassment on his face, smiling at his reaction. "Hitomi-kaa-chan, you don't need to exaggerate on that." Naruto chuckled weakly.
"But I'm not dear. No one has ever defeated you in such a long time. You should have considered fighting on the national level by now." Hitomi said to him.
"Ahh~ but I'm not really ready for that kind of thing just yet." Naruto said. "For now, I just want to pay my bills by fighting locally."
"But think of all of the money you could win at the national level. This is a lot of yen we're talking about!" Hanabi added. "You'll be able to live a good life, you don't have to live in some crappy apartment, and you can… well, we can eat all the expensive foods we want wherever and whenever!"
"We already eat that Firecracker…daily!" Naruto shouted back as the girl stuck her tongue at him.
"Hanabi-chan certainly does have a one-track mind, does she?" Chizuru sweat dropped.
"Please forgive our daughter, she's… when it comes to talking about anything monetary, she tends to go… overboard." Hiashi smiled apologetically. "But it's only second when it comes to Naruto-kun…"
"Oh no, it's perfectly fine. It's actually refreshing, to be honest." Chizuru smiled as Hanabi and Naruto continued arguing, all while shoveling more food into their mouths. She almost felt a bit jealous as she couldn't have this in her life, she bitterly smiled as she ate more food trying to dampen the feeling by filling her stomach well.
As the hour passed, the siblings couldn't finish their last plate, it was about two-thirds done but alas, the server couldn't accept it.
"Ugh… no… more… urp…" Hanabi's cheeks were bulging.
"Should've… worked out before coming here…" Naruto said completely forgetting he hired Chizuru as that was the real reason he came… but he wanted to at least still get as much food to eat at least,
"Are you sure, you're alright?" Chizuru asked worriedly.
"They're fine." Hiashi declared as he wiped his mouth while smiling. "Give them five minutes and they want dessert. Hanabi will stay over at Naruto's. Apparently she wants to get to school quicker from your place than our usual transportation for her." He said standing up as did his wife as they bowed to Chizuru, "Once again, thank you for coming on our behalf,"
"Oh it was no problem at all. I'm glad to meet all of you as well." Chizuru smiled.
"Please continue to look after Naruto." Hitomi said. "He may not show it, but deep down he's a good hearted young man that just needs to take care of himself more often."
"I will. Don't you worry. Naruto's in good hands." Chizuru nodded.
Hitomi and Hiashi sighed in relief. Naruto himself also sighed in relief, albeit silently. At least for now, their worries were at ease for the moment. Looking at Chizuru, she smiled at him, showing the blonde that his plan was a success. Albeit a temporary success but a success nonetheless. Now, he has to worry about the aftermath. But that is for another time. At the moment, at least for him, the world was right.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
NEAR NARUTO'S APARTMENT
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
After the filling dinner, and Hiashi paying for the hefty bill for their all-you-can-eat buffet, which practically didn't even make a scratch in their savings, Naruto was back in his apartment with Hanabi, after parting ways with the Hyuga parents. "Why is she coming?" Hanabi asked as she walked next to Naruto's side the opposite where Chizuru was,
"What? I'm not gonna let her walk home alone." Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Besides, I'm being a gentleman walking her home, aren't I?" He lied trying his best to get his sister off their trail as he can't let her know they are neighbors as it will arouse her suspicion.
"Hmmmm~?" Hanabi eyed him suspiciously.
"What now?" Naruto looked at her.
"You're hiding something, aren't you…" Hanabi frowned, knowing something wasn't right with her big brother.
"No, I'm not." Naruto replied back. "Why would I ever hide anything from you?"
"Tell me right now, Naru-niichan, what's really your relationship with Chizuru?" Hanabi questioned, making the brunette flinch, though Hanabi never noticed because she was all focused on her big brother.
Naruto looked at Hanabi with a serious orbs staring into her curious ones, "She's my girlfriend, seriously." He stated as the firecracker of a girl pouted at the older male's 'truth'.
The girl just kept glaring at her brother who just play it cool as he secretly sent Chizuru a text, "So anyway Chizuru how's the meeting with my-"
DING~!
The rental girlfriend looked at her phone and saw the text, 'Fake a lie about going somewhere, will take my annoying sister to my room so she doesn't know we're neighbors"
"O-Oh, I'm sorry. I just got a text from my grandmother. She's reminding me that I need to pick up her medicine. Mind if you go on ahead without me, Naruto?"
'Grandmother? Kinda using a cliche…' The blonde thought to himself but soon gave an understanding nod then shrugged with a smile. "Sure. I'll see you later." He said moving towards her, blocking Hanabi's view as he leaned forward and stopped where his nosy sister would think they kissed.
Ignoring his rental girlfriend's red face as she only saw Naruto's serious look before nodding to himself on giving them enough time to separate. "Lo…Later~" he said although the girl saw the painful look he gave himself when saying the first word.
"Y-Yeah, definitely!" Chizuru smiled brightly. "Thanks for the date! I had fun!" She said, before bowing, and then running off towards a side street. Trying to calm her heart when it was beating so far from this fake date.
"Her grandma? Man, that's cliche~!" Hanabi spat out at the lame excuse. "Just say you had to use the bathroom or something, girls need to pee too!"
"You seriously think she would say that?" Naruto deadpanned, for being raised in a strict and high-class family, the blonde never understood why Hanabi was such a crass girl compared to… "Heh…"
"At least it's not cliche." Hanabi stuck her tongue out at him.
Naruto rolled his eyes as the two continued on their way before finally reaching his apartment. Going up the stairs of the complex, he reached into his pocket and pulled out his apartment key, opening the locked door and pushing it aside. "Alright, well… home sweet home. Don't make a mess while-"
"Thanks, Naru-niichan, you're the best~!" Hanabi suddenly ran into the apartment, leaving her shoes behind, making the blonde sigh. Some things just never change. "Ahh I love the scent of cherries and lemons~ sweet yet sour, like a first kiss~ Ne~ Nii-chan~?" She wiggled her eyebrows mischievously as Naruto blushed at the past where she did indeed kiss him and took his first one.
"I still don't know why you did that in the first place." Naruto grumbled
"Cause…" Hanabi started with a grin still on her face…before comically freezing and turn slightly red. "Cause…Nee-chan wanted to…"
FMOOOP~!
Naruto ducked as the conning girl tossed his body pillow in his direction, "Hey no making noise! I got neighbors!"
"Hell has no need for pity and- wah~!" Hanabi slipped on a nearby magazine as almost fall…that is not for Naruto catching her in time. "Nii…?" she started and her face 'foosh' instantly turned red as she saw her brother's face near hers.
"S-Sorry!" Naruto immediately scrambled off of her, and sat down on the floor, his body turned away from Hanabi. 'Dammit!' He cursed himself. While he was glad Hanabi wasn't hurt, the fact that they were that up close made it really painful.
"Um…" Hanabi mumbled as she slowly sat up before standing up. "I… think I should get ready for bed…"
"Yeah, you go do that…" Naruto muttered. And without another word, Hanabi ran straight for the spare futon that Naruto had. But the young man looked at his sister, "Hanabi…you…how do…why do…" He tried to speak but couldn't find the words.
"Nii?" The girl said words filled with worry as Naruto sighed.
"Why don't you guys blame me for what happened to Hinata?"
"But it wasn't-" The younger sister started trying to calm.
"Yes it was." Naruto gritted his teeth, clenching it tight. "If it weren't for me… we wouldn't be in this situation right now… so why… why can't I just be blamed for my selfishness?"
"You're not to blame, it was an accident! Okaa-chan knows, Otou-sama knows! I know…isn't that enough?" Hanabi asked with her eyes watering, "can't you just stop thinking about it?"
"..." Naruto didn't say anything before smacking his fist on the floor, "...Sorry, it's just hard sometimes. I need to go to the doctor tomorrow, gotta sleep now." He said as the blonde started to get into his futon…only to blink owlishly as his sister snuggled to him…with a serious look on her face.
"Baka…"
"H-Hanabi…?"
"Naru-niichan no baka…" Hanabi mumbled as she tightened her hug on him. "You really need to stop beating yourself up over it. You're not being fair to yourself. I promised Nee-chan that if anything happens, I step up to the plate and be your wif…right hand cleaner!" She blushed, grabbing his collar, "And so help me I will-!" *KNOCK, KNOCK~!*the girl shouted before the two comically flinched at the knocking sound from a wall, "...and always be there."
"Uh… yeah, okay…" Naruto muttered, before turning over, his back facing her. "Thanks though… I mean that."
Hanabi smiled a bit, before the two of them allowed sleep to take over. 'I promise, Hinata, to be there for you…cause I love you Onii-chan…'
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
HOSPITAL
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"A clean bill of health Naruto-kun," A pale skin man said with his serpent golden color eyes stare at Naruto as he put his shirt back on.
"Thanks Orochimaru-sensei." Naruto nodded. "I'll be sure not to bust a rib or two the next time I visit." The blonde said, as he stood up from the hospital bed he sat on.
"Well I did get you involved in those underground fight matches, the least I can do is give you your free checkups." The pale doctor said as he gave Naruto a lollipop, "Cherry?"
"I'm not a kid…"
…
…
…
"Dammit!" The blonde comically cried as the treat was too hard to ignore, "By the way…" Naruto started as he chewed on the item, "I need you to lie to Hiashi. Send fake docs on my previous injuries, small bruises and fractures, nothing scary."
"Oh? The usual?"
Naruto nodded as he smirked, "I got another official match, and an unofficial one. So I need to make sure that he thinks I'm just slightly roughed up, any more than that he's making a house all or getting Neji to carry my ass to his hospital to make sure I'm fine." He said with an exasperated sigh, he had a broken rib and he ran for miles until he kneel over and was sent to the hospital, not a good day for him as they literally handcuff him to his bed.
"Very well, do me a favor and if you do lose your underground match, try to choke out. I got a bet that I made against you that it will happen." The snake-like man jested as Naruto waved him goodbye and sighed as soon saw Chizuru who was surprised…but he need to thank her again for the help yesterday.
"Hey Chizuru!" He said as the girl turned to him with shock in her eyes as he walked towards her, "Seriously? You look shocked to see your boyfriend?'" He joked as the girl looked pale as he said those words, "Oi, oi, I'm only kid-"
"Chizuru…you're dating?"
It was now the blonde's turn to become pale as he saw that Chizuru was about to enter a room, where an elderly woman was in bed, looking positively happy at the news about the Rental Girlfriend being Naruto's lover.
"Uh…" Naruto blinked. "Chizuru… is this…"
"Yeah, it's… my grandmother…"
"Well…" 'Shit' Naruto cursed in his mind wondering if this wasn't going to end badly…
CHAPTER END
Azure King: And that's it for this chapter~! Hahaha yup, when Naruto thought it was one time deal…well he just screw himself for more time with a girl he was planning never to hire again…will it turn out better than Kazuya…Well yes~! Fuck that wimp~! And you noticed that Naruto is a fighter and yes that means we will do some small fighting scenes for his fights and learn more about his past with what happen to make him so sad.
Please review and wish me a happy birthday.
Also if you are able to, please pledge to me on my account and I going to do a monthly poll where the tiers will choose my next two fics or even a fifty dollar tier for an instant choice for a story that will be added this weekend! Or even a dollar, as even that help me a lot. Please enjoy thanksgiving and your rest of the year!