Call Me Tonight

Chapter 1: Intrigue

"Hello? Ah, yes we do offer those types of services for an additional fee…oh of course, your name and background is kept confidential! Your privacy is of the upmost importance to us!" Ino purred into the line, smiling her usual sultry grin with a wink towards the duo watching her.

Sakura beamed back, giving her a thumbs up. Hinata on the other hand…

She only squirmed, lowering her eyes down. Her cheeks had already grown uncomfortably hot from hearing the earlier conversations they were practicing her for.

"What color is your bra? I bet it's that nude colored one right?!" An older man's voice echoed from the line.

Sakura stifled a giggle, moving her lips away from the phone for a moment. "Ah, don't be so quick to undress me! I haven't even heard what you're wearing yet."

The poor man didn't even seem to realize he was on speaker, everyone within earshot hearing as he went into detail of his simple work suit and the boxers.

"I want to finish where we ended last week Blossom. I already paid the double fee upfront for the additional hour." The man crooned on.

And Sakura's smile widened, nodding in the direction of Tsunade who gave her the go ahead with a nod of confirmation.

"Okay honey, the scenario was a teacher-student affair; correct? I think we should reverse the roles this time though; I want to be your professor this go around."

Hinata refrained from listening to the rest, no she wasn't ready for this.

But…

She needed the money.

Konoha's University of Health and Medicine was expensive and father would only help her pay for so much. Student loans would take forever to pay back if she went that route so she was left with trying to take up a part time job.

Sakura and Ino had vouched for her when getting her this job, she couldn't just turn away from it now.

Though she never imagined this is what they meant when they said it was more of an underground, private business most of the world chose to ignore.

They had told her to dress comfortably for the night and she had picked a modest sleeveless blue gown and flats, not expecting to see the two picking her up in ritzy formal wear she would've usually reserved for a party.

She was too naïve.

"It pays well and we only need to work when we want. You decide what services you're willing or unwilling to do with your client. Oh, and Tsunade is very understanding about our schoolwork and study schedules coming first." Ino explained.

Sakura nodded from beside her, sipping at her drink slowly. "And we could really use your help. It gets so busy sometimes that we can't get to everyone who calls. Especially with the holidays approaching now, there are so many lonely people at this time of year."

True, with autumn brought up thoughts of Christmas and the New Year arriving. The weather was already cooling down, trees taking on the usual mix of bright oranges, reds, and yellows.

Hinata cocked her head in confusion, leaning back in her chair. She still didn't understand.

"But, what is exactly is it that you guys do? I mean the way it's sounding…it's like you're…you're prostit-"

Ino abruptly loudly banged her hand down on the table, rattling their drinks. "Don't say it Hinata! We most definitely are NOT that word you were about to say! Humph, I don't even let the guys I pick to meet in person touch me beyond hand-holding!"

Hinata held up her hands defensively, sighing. 'Well at least it isn't as bad as I originally thought.'

Sakura shook her head, laughing at Ino's silent fuming. "Oh relax Pig, it's easy to mistake what we do as prostitution, being a sugar daddy, or something else explicit. Honestly, it does kind of feel like a mix of the two."

Hinata curled her fists in her lap, cheeks beginning to burn. "A-And you think I would be a good fit for this?!"

Emerald eyes sparkled mischievously, looking towards Ino whose own blue eyes began to glimmer with mirth.

"Well of course Hinata! I mean I bet you could get more clients than the two of us combined! You have the body for it and I know plenty of guys who go for the shy, innocent types based on the scenarios so many men seem to ask for." Ino related.

Sakura searched for something out of her purse, pulling out a piece of paper. Hinata's eyes widened as she looked at it closer.

A check.

"This is around how much I got paid after only a week. I know you don't want to rely on your father's expenses to help you get through the rest of college even if he's willing to pay. Most of the good jobs around campus have already been taken by the seniors and juniors too. We're only in our sophomore year, but I would say its Ino and I making more than them." Sakura explained with a slight smirk.

Hinata couldn't help but silently agree.

1,000 dollars in a week was at least double, probably triple than what anybody here on campus made.

Still…

She sipped again quietly at her tea, the blend of sugar and cinnamon did nothing to quell the tightness remaining in her chest.

"How did you guys even hear about this?" She questioned.

Ino pointed to Sakura who hummed in thought.

"My old mentor Tsunade wanted to open up a new service to compete in Konoha's growing red-light district. To be honest, I wanted to discourage it at first knowing how much she likes to gamble and drink, but she insisted after her perverted friend Jiraiya bet she couldn't be successful doing something most of society sees as…disgraceful."

Right.

It was hard to picture the head figure at one of Konoha's prestigious hospitals as doing a call service in her spare time.

And yet, this was the reality.

Ino tapped a finger against the table, clearing her throat to get them back to the main topic at hand. They both looked to Hinata who fidgeted again her seat, almost wanting to just get up and leave them.

"So, will you help us out for one night to see how it is? Please? If you don't like it, we swear we won't ask you again and we'll let you continue job searching elsewhere!" Sakura pleaded, clapping her hands together.

Ino pouted out her lips as well to add to the dramatic demonstration.

The pressure was on.

Hinata looked between her two friends before groaning.

"Okay…only for one night though."

"Hinata, do you think you can handle the next call?" Ino questioned, breaking her from her thoughts as she twirled the phone in her hands.

A majority of the phones surrounding them had been ringing since they had entered.

"Hello? Jewel After Hours, how can I help you? Oh, of course I remember hearing from you dear!" Another woman chimed from beside them.

Hinata breathed slowly, tapping her shoes nervously against the cream tiles.

She couldn't imagine herself sounding so confident talking to a stranger about sex.

"I thought I was only getting trained by you and Sakura tonight?"

Ino nodded, holding the phone out to her with more enthusiasm.

"Right, and how else are you going to improve if you just sit and watch us? Take a call and we'll sit beside you to help you go through the motions." She went on.

Out of the corner of her eye she could see Tsunade watching them, blonde hair swishing as her gaze flickered all around the room before falling back to them.

She motioned with her fingers to follows Ino's lead, lazy grin etching her face as gulped down perhaps the third amber cocktail her assistant Shizune reluctantly passed her.

Her face was already growing flushed, she wasn't going to get her out of this.

And just as she shakily reached for the phone did Sakura swoop in, giddily holding another phone out to her.

"Hinata, Hinata! You have to take this call! He's perfect for a beginner just like you!" She emphasized.

Ino arched a brow, playfully shoving her back. "Excuse you forehead, but I was about to give Hinata advice here on her first call too."

Sakura shook her head, tapping the phone urgently. "Forget it! This guy has never used this type of service before. It won't be as awkward considering Hinata is new to this as well."

She gently put the phone into Hinata's arms as she finished her sentence, giving her a nod.

"Don't worry, you're going to do great!"

Hinata restrained the urge to not roll her eyes at their antics.

'How did they know that?'

-X-

"Um, hello Jewel After Hours, h-how can I help you?" Hinata stammered.

She winched at her stutter, wanting to sink away out of sight. Great, she was already completely breaking the mood sounding like some boring secretary.

The man on the other end chuckled though, and she felt her heartbeat quicken.

Maybe she didn't sound like a complete loser.

"Hmm, I guess you're new at this too huh? Truth be told, I think I'm getting sort of at my wit's end here and Sasuke was the one who suggested this of all people like he's good with women-" The man rambled, stopping himself with a nervous laugh again.

"Oh sorry, I suppose that's not what your job is, right? To listen to my mundane problems?"

Hinata shook her head, adjusting the phone closer to her ear. "It's fine. Actually, I would rather just start out with a normal conversation than skipping right to the…to the well lewd stuff."

It helped that this guy didn't sound too old like so many of the other callers she had listened in on, he was possibly around her age.

The man paused for a few seconds and Hinata nearly thought he had hung up until he spoke up again.

"I was just thinking, it's a bit weird to keep talking to you without at least having some name to call you by, you know? So what is the name of the pretty girl gracing me with her service? I go by Naruto."

Hinata giggled, freezing up when she took his words in.

She hadn't even thought of a nickname yet!

Ino had been the one who had suggested their codenames be flowers, Sakura going with cherry blossom or blossom at times and Ino mostly going with Daisy. The closest flower that seemed to go with her…

"Are you still there?" Naruto questioned.

Hinata blinked, nodding her head before realizing he couldn't see her. "Oh yes, sorry! I was just trying to think of name since we all go by a nickname here…I think Lilac suits me."

"Lilac huh? So that means there must be something purple about you; like your eyes or your hair." Naruto noted.

Hinata hummed in confirmation, sitting back comfortably in the sofa. The red light district didn't seem so scary and unnerving now looking at the glimmering and flashing lights of clubs and shows nearby despite midnight approaching.

Perhaps she could do this.

'Naruto had a reason for calling though…I suppose I have to dig it out of him.' Hinata considered, going forward to break the silence between them.

"So Naruto, what reason did you have for calling our service in the first place? I know you mentioned earlier you were at your wit's end so let me see if I can help you in some way."

She could tell the question threw him off, the sound of the phone fumbling in his arms apparent.

It wasn't like she wanted to do this either!

"Ah, err Lilac you probably don't want to know about that! I mean I would rather just have a regular conversation with you to past the time if that's okay…" Naruto stated, trailing off.

Hinata shook her head, for some reason wanting to pursue the topic. Naruto seemed nice enough and this was a service meant to help those with sex related issues.

"Naruto trust me, in the short time tonight that I've been here I think I've heard it all. Most of our clients are either feeling lonely, just experienced a bad breakup, or are in need of some help 'releasing'. Whatever you want to tell me will be kept just between us; I promise." Hinata reiterated.

She could hear Naruto groan into the phone, trying to find the right words.

"It's…It's not something I can really explain over the phone though. It's like whenever I get close with a woman or see something super erotic, it changes me and before I know it, I've scared them off." Naruto mumbled.

'Huh?'

He probably could tell she was confused because he went on.

"I mean, it's like I become another person during intimacy. I'm not sure exactly what it is, like a hunger or lust consumes me that I can't fight off."

Hinata reddened, wiggling at her toes.

How was she supposed to help him with that?

But before she could properly think words through, she spoke again.

"Maybe the best way for me to figure out how to help you would be to meet in person. Like at one of the bistros or coffee shops in the downtown Konoha?"

'What am I doing?'

Naruto seemed clearly surprised as well. "You don't have to do that Lilac. I mean I know escorts and meeting up can be a part of the services, but I don't have that much money nor am I really into that. Besides, like I said, this was kind of just a spur of the moment type of thing to get it off my chest, but-"

"It's okay; I won't charge you extra!" Hinata cut him off.

The room went silent.

Hinata gulped, feeling Tsunade's sleepy, but still very much effective stare on her.

"Ah, um I mean I won't charge you extra for this first meet up." She quickly clarified herself and the room slowly divulged back into an atmosphere of phones buzzing and melodious giggling.

Naruto snickered at her outburst. "Well, if you're insisting. What time and day is good for you?"

Hinata blinked, running through her mind her school schedule and study hours. Where would good places to hang out around the city be?

She quickly ran through the most popular places Ino and Sakura often mentioned to her.

"Um, how about next Sunday around 1:00 pm at the Bamboo Café and Bistro off of West 5th Street?"

There was the sound of papers being shuffled about before she heard Naruto's voice again.

"Sounds good to me! Look forward to meeting you in person!"

And then he was gone.

Hinata slowly slid the phone back down, Ino and Sakura rushing to her side no sooner than her returning the phone back to the receiver.

"Well…you were certainly on the phone for a while. I can't believe you made a connection so fast!" Sakura cheered.

Ino looked more skeptical though, tapping her fingers against her cheek. "I don't know, isn't it a bit early for Hinata to already be moving towards the meeting in person stage? Usually if the caller requests me 3 or more times, then I start taking them into consideration."

Sakura shrugged, waving her off. "You're looking too much into this. Think about it, if this guy has friends that told him about this place and things go well with Hinata on Sunday, then we'll probably draw in more business from all the people he goes to tell; free advertising for us!"

Ino hummed before nodding her head in agreement. "I suppose. I just hope he has money, he didn't really sound like the type who has money to carelessly toss around."

'Money isn't everything.' Hinata wanted to add in.

But Sakura and Ino had already moved on discussing how much each had made so far in the night and shopping plans.

"Ah, I'll need to find something to wear!" Hinata realized, startling the two.

The duo beamed, pointing towards one of the many back closets opposite of them.

"Don't worry; I don't think you'll have any problems with that."

-X-

'He's late.'

Glancing at her watch again shows its 1:09.

Hinata bit her lip, wondering if she had told him the right directions or if he had gotten lost.

People pass along street in every direction from her continued staring outside, she should've asked him what he looked like so she had something to go by…

She tries to ignore the incessant buzzing of her phone, Sakura and Ino already don't picture Naruto in a very good light.

This is only further cementing their notions.

"He shouldn't keep you waiting or he should at least call/text to say he's going to be running late! If he doesn't show by 1:15, I would leave!" Ino gripes.

"Relax Ino, it's just the first outing. Remember that one middle aged guy who showed up 30 minutes late, but came with all those nice lotions and presents you certainly didn't turn down!" Sakura pointed out.

Ino huffed, though had nothing to say.

Maybe she shouldn't have called them, but she'd gotten so nervous upon arrival to know Naruto wasn't there yet and wondered if they too had experienced anything like this before when they finally chose to meet their callers in person.

But their negativity is starting to get to be too much, her stomach churns tighter the more she thinks the idea of being stood up.

It's time to put the acting lessons they gave her to good use.

"Oh, he's here now! I'll let you guys know how it goes!" Hinata suddenly chimed, ending the call before either had a chance to speak.

It was now a little after 1:15 pm, but she couldn't bring herself to move.

The café was quiet for an afternoon, save for a few groups in a back corner discussing the latest in news and entertainment.

She shifted again back against the plush chair, shutting her eyes to focus on the calming piano music playing overhead until a figure abruptly slid into the seat across from her.

"Lilac?"

For a moment, Hinata looked perplexed until her breath stilled.

"Naruto?"

This was the same guy she had been talking to a few nights ago?

He brushed a hand through his spiky blonde locks, grinning uncertainly. "Yeah, sorry I'm late! I had forgotten to set my alarm and by the time I woke up it was already noon. And I-"

Hinata giggled, shaking her head. "You really do ramble a lot and it's okay…I'm just, well I'm glad you showed up."

Naruto's smile began to falter a bit. "Why wouldn't I have come?"

But Hinata shook her head, reaching out to squeeze his hand. Naruto appeared confusion briefly before gently squeezing it back.

Was she being flirty? Seductive like Sakura, Ino, and so many of the women who easily tugged and played with the hearts of the men who kept calling them and paying them time and again?

A hint of red crossed Naruto's face as he coughed and pulled back. "So Lilac, I'm glad you're not some old lady like what I've sometimes heard happen in horror dates…ah not that it's bad to be old!"

"My friends thought you would be some old geezer too so no offense taken." Hinata related.

A waiter came and took their orders and she sat forward again in her seat.

Time to get down to business.

She could handle a good challenge after all, whatever was secretly troubling Naruto couldn't be as bad as what so many other callers complained of.

"Naruto, please tell me; what brought you to call our services in the first place? I won't laugh or make fun of you if that's what you're thinking."

Naruto leaned his head against his palm, blue eyes darkening. A roguish grin crossed his features as he stared her down.

And it feels like heartbeat just increased tenfold.

"Do you really want to know?" He asked in a low whisper, leaning in towards her.

Hinata gulped, shivering as a rise of goosebumps raced up her arms.

"Yes." She murmured back.

Naruto revealed his teeth then, canines of his teeth elongated as a glow of bright crimson took over and swallowed the blue of his eyes.

"I get a bit demonic when I'm excited."

-x-

So, I know this is similar to Club 81 in a way, but while cruising through some old retro 80s anime (I've been stuck at home a while, but I'm thankful the house and family/friends are okay) I came across some really weird and random ones. The title and premise of this story is based loosely off one of them though minus some of the weird horror elements that were involved lol. Right now, I kind of just consider this a one-shot or maybe a short story if I continue it if people would like that; I'm open to ideas!

Enjoy. Review. Favorite. Follow!