Just a Dream 4

[MindLezz]

Disclaimer: I don't own it.
Warnings: Language, Jiraya has expanded his business



Chapter Four: Bitter Fruits



A fist slammed angrily on a desk. ?That stupid boy!? Jiraya grumbled angrily. He puffed at his cigar intensely as he glared at his messenger. ?You realize that this is not good, for you or him, yes?? He asked with a grim look on his face. ?I want him back by tonight. Search for him, bring him here, I don?t care how, just do it.? Jiraya commanded sternly. The messenger bowed stiffly and exited.

?Damn it, Naruto.? Jiraya heaved and wiped his face with his hands. He was clearly aggravated with his boy?s disappearance the night before. ?Of all the days to act stupid, you had to choose this one.? He glared at the picture on his desk. As he studied the photo a bit more, his expression softened, and it turned from angry, to that of an aging man who wanted nothing more than to roll over and sleep, but that was impossible.

As a renowned book writier, pervert, and porn pioneer across the nation, Jiraya was a respectable business man who worked as hard as he partied. His company was one that is often sought out by many workers who wished to gain the same knowledge and power and womenthat he had, but he never paid attention to them. Instead, he turned to his former pupil?s son, Naruto. He had adopted Naruto after his pupil?s death and has been trying to breed the obnoxious boy into a grand "business" man ever since.

However, Naruto?s heart remained elsewhere. It remained in a place Jiraya fought to keep buried for as long as he could, but he had failed, and Naruto?s heart won.

The old man grumbled bitterly and scowled. A sudden knock came at his door. ?Humph, finally.? He muttered to himself and put out his cigar. ?Bring them in!? He rubbed his hands together anxiously and poured himself some whisky.

Three tall, slender women in skimpy clothing walked in with plastered smiles on their faces. Each of them were holding a different item: fruit, wine, and more cigars. They giggled ferociously as they approached Jiraya, who had a flushed face and a stupid grin on his face. ?Let the party begin!? Jiraya yelled enthusiastically, his lecherous laughter echoing throughout the halls of his estate.



Sakura yawned and ran a hand through her rosy locks, a habit she picked up from her fiancee. Her eyes were threatening to close and have her body crumple and fall dead asleep in the middle of Hanna?s store and studio. She stifled another yawn and took a sip at her coffee, which seemed to be refusing to kick in at the moment. ?I shouldn?t have stayed so late...? She thought sleepily, but she knew the night had been worth it.

They laid in sweaty embrace on his black sheets, indulging themselves within each other?s presence in the after glow of their love-making.. Both of them, refusing to let go, even when the morning sun shined and threatened to separate them from each other. Sakura sighed blissfully in remembrance. She clutched the necklace she wore underneath her shirt to ease the want. It would take patience, she told herself, eventually, if she waited long enough, she and her lover would be able to... indulge in each other everyday. She blinked.

Sakura kicked herself mentally to snap her from her revere. She could hear the echo of Hanna?s heels clicking toward her. She braced herself for the?.

?Sakura! Sakura! Get down here now!? Hanna?s voice screeched throughout the store. ?How can she be so loud, so early in the morning?? Sakura thought to herself and made her way down to meet her boss.

?Yes, Miss?? Sakura answered quickly.

?Here.? Hanna took aside stepped and revealed a very uneasy looking Hinata behind her. She then pushed the violet-haired girl over to Sakura. ?Take her to the back, find her some clothing to wear.? Hanna commanded with an edgy voice.

?But, ma?am, the back closet has nothing but old, scrappy?.? Sakura began to protest.

?Just do it!? Hanna snapped at her. Sakura simply nodded with an uncomfortable look on her face. ?I?ll be busy today... Hinata.? Hanna addressed her, ?so pick out whatever it is that you like, if I approve you may take it and go. Try not to disturb Ms. Haruno too much, and especially avoid being around too much today. I have a lot of clients coming, and I do not want my deals to falter because of distractions.? Hanna spun around and took her leave to her office, leaving Hinata and Sakura alone.

Sakura grabbed Hinata?s arm lightly and offered her a smile. ?Sheesh, I pray for you my friend.? Sakura whispered. Hinata gave her a confused glance. She continued, ?Me, I only have to deal with her a few hours of the day, and you, you live with the woman.? Sakura cringed, ?good luck to you.?

?U-uh um, thank... you?? Hinata said, still slightly confused. Hanna?s attitude did not seem to phase her all that much.

?Well, shall we go?? Sakura took her off to the back part of the studio/store. The back room was large, due to the fact that there were a lot of old samples and scraps from shows before, which went unsold, or unnoticed. She shook her head and clicked on the dim light bulb which barely illuminated the room. Hinata entered with slight curiosity on her features. She gazed at the rows of clothing that lined the racks and immediately began to dig through. ?Just pick what you like,? Sakura said and brushed away the dust that flew into her face, ?take your time; I?ll be waiting right here.?

Hinata nodded and scanned the racks with her pearl eyes. Her hands grazed through the dull black and grey sewn pieces of fabric. She traveled to the back part of the closet. Her eyes widened; she pulled out a long tube of fabric. ?I-is t-this? A-am I allowed to use this?? She asked timidly.

Sakura shrugged, ?Why not? I don?t see the use of it... the fabric went out of style two years ago?.?

?With this I can make so many clothes for the children...? Hinata mumbled dreamily. Sakura gave her a skeptical glance. The violet-haired girl then turned around and noticed a small table with a cloth covering some strange machine. Her instincts told her to unravel it. Hinata pulled back the dust covered sheet. ?A-a sewing machine??

Sakura nodded. ?Our clothes need to be sewn out at least once to see how the product will look before we can place it in the production line, but we have new and updated sewing machines now; I?m afraid this one is a little worn.?

?C-can I use it?? Hinata asked unsurely. Sakura nodded.

?You plan to sew yourself a dress?? The rose-haired woman asked.

Hinata shook her head. She placed the log of fabric she found earlier back in it?s place and scanned the racks again. ?I-I saw something...? She smiled and pulled out a white, dingy-looking, velvet dress. It was cut high on the neckline and had tight-fitting sleeves. The whole dress looked atrocious in Sakura?s eyes. She briefly wondered if Hinata was serious.

Hinata smiled and turned to look at her as if saying, ?trust me.?




?What about this one?? Hanna asked her client with a tight smile on her face. Her client, who was a well-known model, turned actress gazed at the dress being worn by one of Hanna?s models with disgust.

?I?m no longer that skinny. I?m an actress now. I want my curves accented, but I don?t want to look like I?m trying too hard.? She said with a picky tone in her voice. Hanna simply nodded and gazed at the actress? assistant for help.

?But, ma?am, this dress is actually quite lovely. I think it would accent your figure quite well.? The assistant insisted. The actress shook her head.

?No, I want to see another.?

Hanna nodded and motioned for another model to come out. ?Now this,? she began referring to the dress, ?is made of chiffon and satin. It?s available in four colors: red, white, blue, and lavender, and it has a corset to accent the breasts and slim the waist. What do you think?? Hanna smiled.

?No.? The actress studied the dress, ?I told you. I?ve been putting on some weight, I don?t want to look fat, my arms are flabby?.?

Hanna inwardly groaned. If it weren?t for Jiraya?s closeness to her family, or his insistence on her help with his new actress girlfriend, she would?ve choked the woman long ago. ?You?re not fat, dear, far from it actually.? Hanna said sweetly.

?No.? The actress insisted, ?I know what I am. I don?t want to look fat. That thing will push up the excess skin I have under my arms!? The actress? assistant sighed.

?Perhaps if you tried it on?.?

?I?m not going to repeat it.? The actress said sternly. ?Miss,? she addressed Hanna, ?If you cannot help me with this dilemma, I?m afraid I?m going to have to find another.? She got up.

?Oh, no, no,? Hanna pleaded, ?I have more. Please be patient, perhaps this just isn?t the right category. How about cocktail gowns? Hm?? Hanna sent the other model away. The actress shook her head stubbornly.

?M-Madam...? Sakura?s voice interrupted. She grinned wildly, ?Hinata has found her dress.? She took a step aside and revealed the girl in the same white dress, tailored and altered to fit herself correctly. There were accents of flowers she created using some extra fabric. (AN: I?m leaving it to your imagination). The actress gasped.

?This is the one!? She said happily, ?This is the one! I want this dress.? She pointed at Hinata?s dress.

?B-but...? Sakura began and gave Hinata a fretful glance. She turned to Hanna who had a concentrated look of venom fixated on the violet-haired girl. ?Madam...? Sakura muttered knowing what Hanna would do with Hinata?s hard work..

Hanna waved her off with a, ?Tisk, take the model,? she motioned toward Hinata, who looked back with a sorrowful glance at her newly created dress. ?back to the closet, have her find something else suitable, then measure the lady here,? She indicated toward the actress, ?for the same dress.?

?Do you have it in lavender?? The actress asked.

?Of course.? Hanna smiled and gave a warning glance at both Hinata and Sakura. Sakura sighed and escorted Hinata back to the closet.




He blinked and opened his eye. The sunlight was streaming through his window. He yawned and smiled. ?What a nice day.? He said randomly. His disheveled silver mane fell around his hair in a mess.

?Good morning, Kakashi-sensei!? A voice said cheerfully... almost too cheerfully.

?Naruto!? The man?s eye widened. He pointed shakily at the blonde boy who was toweling his hair dry with fresh steam from the bathroom coming out behind him. ?W-what do you think you?re doing?? The blonde laughed joyously and threw his head back.

?I stayed the night, or have you forgotten?? Naruto asked puzzled.

Kakashi scratched his head. ?I really don?t recall...? He pondered to himself and placed a hand under his chin. ?Oh!? He had an epiphany. ?So that was the smell!? He said triumphantly.

Naruto sweat dropped. ?Cruel, Kakashi-sensei, cruel.? He said sadly.

?Uh huh.? Kakashi got up and stood in front of his pupil. He poked the obnoxious boy on the forehead with a narrow eye. ?What are you doing here, Naruto?? He asked skeptically.

Naruto shrugged, ?Had to leave the house for a while,? He replied nonchalantly and waved Kakashi?s finger away, ?Ero-sennin?s still trying to stop me.? He said darkly.

Kakashi stepped back a little, ?Ah, did you talk with him??

Naruto shook his head, ?And why should I?? He stomped his foot and crossed his arms. ?It?s always the same damn thing!? He began to pace, ?It?s always ?Naruto, why don?t you stop this nonsense??? He imitated Jiraya?s voice. ?And then I say, ?because it?s what my father did!? and then he says, ?your father was a fool!? and then I say, ?my father was honorable! What would you know old man!? and then?.?

?I get it, Naruto.? Kakashi cut the boy off from his intense recapture. ?This disagreement between you two really has to reach a negotiation sooner or later.? He said dully.

?Well? Why don?t you do something about it?? Naruto raised an eyebrow. ?You?re the one training me, maybe you can convince him?.?

?He won?t listen. I?m on Jiraya?s bad side as it is.? Kakashi shrugged, ?I?m afraid I can?t do much, Naruto. The guy?s mind is set. He doesn?t want you training.?

?But why?? Naruto?s eye twitched, ?I just don?t understand... The moment we start discussing, no matter how neutral we try to make it, as soon as my father is brought up, the man goes ballistic!? He huffed.

?Your father was Jiraya?s pupil; you know that.? Kakashi said simply.

?I know, but why be so bitter about it? I hear him speak of my father sometimes... He sounds like he really misses him a lot.? Naruto?s voice suddenly dropped a volume level.

?He has his reasons. You?ll just have to wait to see what those are.? Kakashi strode toward the shower, ?In the meantime, you should head out to the field and begin some warm ups. I?ll be out shortly.? Naruto nodded obediently, and left. Kakashi sighed. ?If only he knew...?




Hyuuga Neji, a fine business man, a man of stone, a man who was worshiped, a man who was respected, was completely paralyzed. ?He did what!? He asked disbelievingly, his eyes trained on his wife. His voice echoed throughout their estate.

?Hiashi adopted a girl.? His wife, Tenten replied calmly, ignoring the fact that her husband crushed his coffee mug. ?I heard about it from a few colleagues of mine.?

?Models gossip, Tenten.? Neji said warily after he recovered from the shock.

?I work with models, dear.? Tenten said and patted his cheek, then she pinched it. ?It would be best if you remembered that.?

Neji scowled, ?What is that fool thinking?? He looked outside, through a screen door to the expansive view.

?Perhaps he just wants another addition to the family? One that he can actually get along with?? Tenten suggested. She began to pick up the broken contents.

?Hm, that could be the case, but why now?? Neji curled his fists and moved them up near his mouth. ?That bastard is just acting rash. He?s a coward if he can?t even handle his own family. Must he really seek someone else? Is the fool that lonely??

Tenten placed her hands on his shoulders. ?Don?t be so quick to judge. I?m sure Hiashi has good reason to do so.? She said soothingly.

?Tch.? Neji slumped. He looked down to see his wife fumbling with the broken mug. The broken pieces were still slightly hot from the liquid it held earlier. Quickly, he bent over and helped her. He was soguilt laden for letting his temper get the best of him, that he did not notice the proud grin his wife gave him. "What?" He demanded without looking up, knowing that she was staring at him.

"Can't a girl look at her husband once in a while?" She asked smugly.

"Not without a catch," He raised an eyebrow, "What is it?"

"I want to see who she is." She said with a laid back tone.

Neji scowled, "Not a chance.? She frowned and gazed at him challengingly. He continued to stare back, unafraid. He actually liked these little staring contests. Then... he saw something, quickly, his eyes snapped down to her lips. ?No.? He looked back up to her eyes, then down at her lips again. Slowly, her bottom lip trembled. ?No..? They formed into a full pout. His fist clenched on the table. ?Damn it.? He cursed, much to her dismay, and crumbled, ?Fine. We?ll go.? She smirked triumphantly.

?I knew you?d give in.? She didn?t get to say much else, before he growled and took her lips hungrily.



Kakashi?s eye moved along the black and white pages of his ?Come Come Paradise? booklet with intense precision. ?Hiya!? Naruto screamed and kicked. Kakashi continued to read, seemingly unfazed by his student?s outburst. ?Ah!? His eye kept moving. ?Ha!? His eye moved faster. ?Wa!? He shut his book.

?Oi, Naruto,? Kakashi waved at his pupil, ?Keep it down. The harder you kick, the louder you are.?

?Oh, sorry.? Naruto scratched the back of his head. ?It would be a lot better if I had someone to train with. This dummy just doesn?t cut it. I feel like my kicks do no effect.? He picked the pieces of hay hanging out of it.

?It?s all I?ve got at the moment; live with it.? Kakashi smiled under his mask. ?And you?re lucky I?m even training you alone, or not.?

?Pheh!? Naruto brushed himself off, ?You do nothing but read that perverted book of yours!? He pointed his finger darkly at the little salmon-colored book. ?Damn it.? He kicked the dirt.

?Find someone to spar with.? Kakashi said nonchalantly and opened his book again.

?Why don?t you spar with me?? Naruto asked with annoyance in his voice.

Kakashi shrugged and flipped a page of his book, ?Convince Sasuke to spar with you.? He suggested.

?Why would I do that?? Naruto laughed out loud haughtily, ?I could kick his ass any day.? He remarked, then his shoulders slumped, ?Besides, I hardly see him training anymore.?

?That?s because you?re not awake.? Kakashi interrupted dully.

?Tch, no!? Naruto stomped his foot, ?The bastard?s too busy with ?Sakura-chan?, and his [/i]?business!'[/i]? His sensei only shrugged again. ?Humph, one little incident happens and the guy does a complete U turn!?

?People change when they lose something precious, Naruto, I thought you knew that.?

?I thought he got over his family long ago.? Naruto said and gave his sensei a confused look.

?I wasn?t talking about that precious thing.? Kakashi said, seemingly unfazed by the midday sun glaring upon the two of them. ?Sasuke has his reasons for giving up this hobby.?

?But?.? Naruto began not really understanding what his sensei was implying, but Kakashi cut him off.

?Have you ever been in love, Naruto?? He asked suddenly.