Hello Readers:
Here's another story dedicated to the Naruto world. This story is an Alternative Universe with some elements derived from the original anime. If Alternative Universe isn't you're kind of thing, do not read this.
Basically Hinata and Naruto are twenty years old in this story. Neji is twenty-three years old. As for the time setting, hmmm….I'll get back to you on that.
And thanks to my sister, SagitariousDevil who did my editing for me, seeing as it is I absolutely despise editing. I love ya!
Laters!
L.O.T.O
The Crumpled within a Stack of Paper
Chapter 1- A Brothel Welcoming
The timid girl had never felt so frightened in her entire life. Ahead of her was her cousin-in-law who was well two months into her first pregnancy. However, while she didn't show her pregnancy physically, it was revealed through her raging emotions and mood swings, making the story different altogether.
Looking up, the timid girl noticed that her cousin-in-law was still wearing her thick, chestnut colored hair in two customary buns, along with her Chinese-styled shirt. Much to the girl's surprise, her tomboy-of-a-cousin chose to wear a lovely white skirt with her green silk Chinese shirt.
A bead of sweat dripped from the girl's forehead, 'What is she thinking?'
Automatically the girl brought up her index fingers and absently began poking them together out of habit. The older woman noticed this.
"Oh, come on, Hinata. Coming to a brothel isn't so bad," Tenten flashed a cheeky smile, her eyes sparkling with something mischievous.
Hinata tore her pearl-lavender eyes away from Tenten's warm, brown eyes, allowing her gaze to fall back to the sign at the front of the inn they had just entered.
"Ano… demo..." Hinata began slowly, only to have Tenten's screaming face a few inches away from hers, not a second later.
"NANI! Hinata, you agreed to this."
"I know," Hinata moaned miserably.
Taking a deep breath, Tenten attempted to tamper her heightened emotions. How Neji found the patience to deal with his cousin was completely unknown to her, but the younger woman's hesitancy was really taking a toll on her.
"Look, if you don't want the other lords hitting on you you'll have to show up with a date of some kind."
She watched victoriously as Hinata's shoulders hunched in defeat, her blue, blunt bangs covering her face so her expression was unknown. Hinata was smart; Tenten had to admit. She knew perfectly well that her face was the key to her undoing.
"You know I'm right," she replied smugly with her arms crossed against her chest.
"H…Hai," Hinata replied sadly, causing Tenten to raise an eyebrow at her curiously.
Deciding that a sad Hinata was worse than an unsure one, she gently nudged Hinata in the ribs. "Come on, it won't be so bad. The guy won't do anything unless you pay him."
Hinata's expression was priceless. She greatly resembled a tomato; her face was that red.
"Let's go, or the best seats will be taken."
A hand on Tenten's wrist stopped her. Turning around she saw her sister-in-law toying with her hair that had grown past her shoulders over the past few months after Tenten had made a strong point about how hideous her other hair cut looked.
"Wi...Will... anybody else know?" Tenten couldn't help but scowl. She knew that hiring a date from the brothel was like suicide for Hinata; considering her high status within society. It was the same shit Tenten had to face when she first became engaged to Neji, but the pressure was eased off since he wasn't the heir to the Hyuuga wealth.
Clearing her throat, Tenten tried to think of something reassuring. Frightening Hinata wasn't the best thing to do at a time as critical as this. "No, of course not. I won't tell anybody and from what I've heard this brothel is pretty secluded."
All the tension in Hinata immediately dissipated as she smiled softly at her cousin-in-law who simply smirked.
"So, are we going in?"
Hinata nodded her head reassuringly.
The room in the back of the lobby was dark inside, lit by a few candles at certain points on the wall. There was a huge mass of traditional, low set tables assembled in the center of the massive room; all of them facing the front where a stage was set a few feet above the ground. To the left of the stage was another doorway leading to another room that was currently unoccupied or so Hinata thought.
No sooner as Hinata and Tenten took their seat at their table that was near the forefront did the announcer automatically begin naming the candidates.
Looking left and right, Hinata was ashamed to see a few drunken men leering at her and Tenten. She immediately resorted to her shell, ducking behind Tenten who paid the dirty men no heed.
"Eyes to the stage you morons," Tenten yelled at them.
All their eyes snapped forward, disturbed from the angry gaze in Tenten's eyes. Hinata relaxed slightly, although her skills as a ninja exceeded her cousin-in-law, she never had the heart to hit anybody, no matter what the circumstances.
However, like the men, Hinata's attention was drawn to the stage where numerous woman displayed their… ahem… stuff.
Hinata's eyes widened in astonishment at the attire each of the women were wearing. They may have well been wearing nothing. For the most part, Hinata couldn't really tell the difference between each of them, except for a pink haired girl who stride angrily on the stage.
"Haruno Sakura," the announcer exclaimed over the hoots and hollers of all the men.
Even Hinata had to admit the woman was absolutely gorgeous. She was wearing a traditional pink kimono encrusted with cherry blossom designs. Of course the kimono barely reached her mid-thigh, but her attire was a lot less revealing as far as the other girls were concerned. As for the woman's eyes, they were a vibrant jade that only stood out against the woman's long pink hair which was nicely assembled by hair sticks. Hinata slumped depressed at how plain she was in comparison to the woman, even if she was a whore.
Tenten noticing her companion's depressed state automatically tapped her friend's shoulder.
"Don't worry Hinata-chan; they're paid to look pretty."
"Ha… Hai."
The display of women soon ended and the men's presentation soon began. To Hinata's surprise, some of the dirty men from before remained for this portion of the show. A blush crept up on her cheeks as she gently tugged at Tenten's arm.
"Tenten-san, some of the same men as before are still here."
Tenten simply blinked before laughing at Hinata's innocent expression. "Of course, Hinata-chan. This portion of the show is what they originally came for."
Hinata's eyes widened in shocked, her blush reaching its maximum before she frantically whispered, "you mean some of these men are... g… gay?"
Tenten slapped her forehead in disbelief. "Hell yeah, Hinata. These aren't the men that you are normally associated with, although I am pretty sure some of them have the same sexual preference."
That caused Hinata's eyes to bug out of their sockets so far that Tenten swore they would fall out. Nonetheless, Hinata was quiet, her eyes focused on the stage in attempts to avoid eye contact with the men in the audience.
The first few of men who strutted on stage were very appealing, even to Tenten who swore she might have a nosebleed. Hinata on the other hand was paralyzed, her virgin eyes never seeing a man's chest or his entire body for that matter. Although many of them were wearing small underwear, Hinata argued that they may as well have been naked, her reaction would end up the same.
A certain red haired man with deep circles around his eyes soon took over the stage. On his back he carried a gourd. Hinata shivered, as did the rest of the audience, who's hollering sounds had dimmed to nothing. It was as though the man was daring anybody to cheer.
"Gaara of the Desert," The announcer replied once more.
Giving one last final glare at the audience, he walked off the stage.
"That guy was creepy. Neh, Hinata?" Hinata heard Tenten comment beside her. All she could do, however, was nod.
Several more men walked on stage before the last candidate entered the stage. The cheers of the audience seemed to die down as they couldn't make out him.
Unlike the rest of the men, this man wore a simple white muscle shirt and had a fairly bright smile on his face. He was also the only one with blonde hair and sky blue eyes.
"Man, that boy is afraid shitless," Tenten replied, causing Hinata to shake out of her reverie.
Careful to make sure no one could see, she activated her Byakugan, only to gasp at the site before her. She had never seen such chakra, it was so strong it was blinding. Unfortunately, Tenten heard her gasp.
"I see… so that's your type," with fearful eyes Hinata turned to see Tenten smirking with an all too familiar mischievousness in her eyes.
Waving her hands in front of her, Hinata was quick to deny it all, "no, no it's not that."
However, Hinata's remarks went unheard by Tenten, whose attention was focused on the blonde boy who still stood on stage.
"Uzumaki Naruto everybody! This is our prized possession for the night, highest bidding goes to the person who wants to share this boy's first time sexual experience."
Tenten and Hinata's eyes widened at the same time. First time sexual experience!
Groaning, Tenten replied, "Man, he's out of the picture."
Hinata turned to face Tenten with puzzled eyes. "W…What..do..y..you mean?"
"Come on Hinata, we need a guy with experience to get you out of that damn thick shell of yours."
For the millionth time Hinata's eyes widened as she looked around at the other men in the audience. All of them seemed as perplexed as her. Listening in closely she heard one of the other men reply.
"Wasn't he the exhibition last time?"
"Yeah… I heard something trippy happened to the client when he tried to pull something on that guy."
"He's scarier than the Gaara kid."
"No way am I going to buy him even if it's for the night."
The announcer soon began announcing the names of the previous displays, each of the man taking their bids. As expected though, nobody bided on Gaara, after all, who would want to?
Soon it came time to bid on the Uzumaki kid and Tenten was frantically quite peeved at Hinata for not bidding on the other guys.
"Hinata, if we go home empty handed I swear I'll…" her threat went of deaf ears as Hinata recalled the blonde boy on the stage and what the other men had said about him.
I heard something trippy happened to he client when he tried to pull something on that guy.
He's scarier than the Gaara kid.
"Ten-ten," Hinata replied snapping Tenten out of her rant "Ano…w..what will happen... to those... who don't get bids?"
Tenten shrugged, giving a look that suggested, 'how the hell should I know?' However, a cloaked figure next to them kindly answered Hinata's question in a cold voice, "they're punished with severe whippings."
"Whippings?" Tenten's head swiveled as the cloaked figure nodded solemnly
"The markings are healed, of course, but the pain remains and they are helpless to heal it."
Hinata listened quietly as the announcer seemed desperate to receive some bidding for Uzumaki.
"Do I have a hundred… come on, one hundred, people."
Hesitantly, Hinata raised her hand, "One hundred, sir."
Tenten's conversation with the cloaked figure stopped in shock as she abruptly pulled down Hinata's hand.
"What are you thinking?" she hissed. "There has to be a reason why nobody wants to buy that Uzumaki-kid"
"But h.. .he'll get p... punished," Hinata stammered.
"So will that Gaara kid and I didn't see you bidding on him."
Hinata turned away, ashamed, "Uzumaki-kun doesn't look like he could cause any harm…"
Tenten scoffed as she folded her arms across her chest. Funny enough she looked a great deal to her husband right then.
"Alright," she sighed, figuring that Hinata was pointless to argue with once she did finally make up her mind. Hinata couldn't help but smile at her sister-in-law before she raised her hand once more.
Her voice came out much stronger, "ano…how much to keep time… um… forever?"
Everybody in the audience hollered in shock, the loudest protest coming from Tenten who was several inches from Hinata's ear. All Hinata could do was wince under her cousin-in-law's temper.
The announcer seemed surprise with the question, looking at Hinata as though she had suddenly grown another head. "Ahem… that has never been done Miss."
Suddenly Tenten screamed out, "Ignore her! She doesn't know what she's talking about."
And before Hinata could protest, Ten-ten was dragging her out of the room.
"Are you crazy?" she exclaimed once they were out of earshot of the people in the next room.
"I see no harm in buying him p… permanently. It seems to be a w… waste to be c… charged daily."
Tenten smacked her head again. "You, Hyuuga's. I swear, always trying to save your damn wealth."
"Excuse me?" Both girl's turned to face a man wearing a funny looking hat that turned out to be his white hair. He had deep red streaks running from the bottom of his eyes to his jaw line accompanied with a headband that had some unreadable characters engraved. The old perverted owner couldn't help but smile as his fortune. It was rare that such beautiful women came to his humble inn. However, he also noted that he had to be careful. The girl with the two buns seemed to be a bit aggressive when provoked. "I couldn't help, but overhear that you're interested in permanently buying Naruto."
"Naruto? who the hell is that?" Tenten questioned rudely. Hinata mentally whacked herself in her head in embarrassment at Tenten's blatancy.
Hinata's eyes fell to the old man expectantly.
"Uzumaki Naruto," he corrected.
Realization dawned on Tenten and before Hinata could even utter a word, she replied, "we're not interested."
The old man who's name was Jiraiya smirked, "'we', huh!"
Realizing her mistake, Tenten jumped back, "It's not like that… we… I mean… I wasn't planning on…"
Hinata bowed her head in shame; her cheeks becoming an unhealthy shade of red now. Jiraiya could've sworn he saw steam coming out of her ears. "So it was you who was interested?" He addressed Hinata.
"Ha..Hai"
Jiraiya scowled "You know it's not my policy to sell my items permanently."
Tenten immediately interrupted. "Please, it's clear you could do without that guy. I mean, nobody wants to buy him."
Hinata was taken back. Exactly what side was her cousin-in-law cheering for?
Jiraiya nodded, agreeing with her. With a hand on his chin he mumbled something along the lines of, "She does have a point; he eats more ramen than Anko eats dango… he has quite a temper… he always calls me a pervert…"
It was Tenten's turn to mumble, "that's probably because you are."
Meanwhile, poor Hinata's eyes kept drifting back and forth between the inn owner and her own cousin-in-law. Both of them seemed to be enveloped in their own world; their lips mumbling incoherent thoughts.
Unable to stand the awkwardness she spoke. "Ano…how much would it cost?"
Jiraiya snapped from his reverie to look at the pearl-eyed girl. Pretending to be in deep thought, he mumbled a short 'here' and handed them a small sheet of paper.
"Nani!" Tenten jumped in outrage at the price. "You cheap bastard! There's way too many zeros!"
"What I believe it's fair," Jiraiya replied in his most innocent face ever.
Hinata didn't say anything. Although the price announced was barely anything in comparison to her mass fortune, she had to admit the price was outrageous ,considering that nobody wanted to buy the man at all. Gazing at Tenten, she decided to allow Tenten to do the business arrangements. After all, any woman who could argue with Neji, surely would be able to handle one simple argument as haggling.
Jiraiya on the other hand, was quite peeved. Once he got a good look at the clearly timid girl, he was certain she was going to allow her relative of some sort to finish this. He mentally groaned. This argument was taking the precious time; he could've been doing some important information gathering.
"Fine then…" he said. He grabbed the paper, scribbled out the old price, and wrote in a new one.
"Five-hundred," Ten-ten shot back after looking at the new proposal.
"Twelve-thousand."
"One."
"Ten."
"Three."
"Five."
"Deal!" Tenten exclaimed as she shot her hand forward for a handshake. Jiraiya raised an eyebrow at her gesture, before Tenten pulled her hand back and giggled at her foolishness.
Sighing, Jiraiya held out his hand, anticipating the money, which Hinata gladly pulled out of her wallet and handed to him. After safely tucking it into his haori, he replied, "I'll be back to complete the… order."
Jiraiya winked at Hinata, which caused her to blush from the tips of her toes to her nose. The consequences of what she had just done began to seep in. She had just bought a man for Pete's sake. Seeking words of comfort, she looked to Tenten. After analyzing Tenten's angry pout, she decided that she would keep her insecurities to herself.