Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. In fact, I don't even own this plot. I'm simply basing this story off a book (actual book, not a piece of fanfiction) I read. So, if you think you've heard this story before- you probably have!

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"So tell me, Ms. Tenten, do you have any experience in these matters?"

From somewhere in the mansion, a tremendous crash sounded, shaking the ceilings and sending a slight trickle of dust filtering into the room. The housekeeper, who was conducting the interview, released a nervous squeak as the crash was followed by repeated curses, blessedly muffled.

Tenten cleared her throat, drawing the housekeeper's eyes back to her. Tenten perched on the edge of a settee in their drawing room, soothing the pleats of her skirt as she determinedly ignored the racket occurring repeatedly throughout the house. Another crash interrupted her and she waited calmly as the noise level settled once more.

"I'm sure you'll find that my papers are all in order." She calmly extracted a sheaf of letters from her bag, laying at her side, and held them out to the woman across from her. The housekeeper took the papers with a slightly trembling hand and, as she carefully examined them, Tenten took the opportunity to scrutinize her closely for the first time.

She seemed an odd choice for a housekeeper, timid rather than commanding, slight instead of bulky and intimidating and young instead of old and experienced. Still, her milk-white eyes gaze the eerie impression of blindness. However, she had been quickly stripped of that illusion. Her eyes were simply an odd color that, according to her, was a natural hue for their family. All in all, Mistress Hinata Hyuuga seemed like a kind person, someone who could become a friend and ally, given time.

Finally, Mistress Hyuuga looked up from the letters, meeting Tenten's gaze for the first time. "You are a bit… younger than we had hoped." Her voice was soft, her tone apologetic. Tenten's eyes narrowed.

"I understand your concerns. However, I assure you, I meet every other criteria you may have set. I have the experience, applied as well as learned, and the ability to understand your patient in a way that most others would be unable to comprehend." She continued, when Ms. Hyuuga continued to look uncertain. "I know that it will take time to convince you of my sincerity, but please, at least give me a chance to prove myself."

As Mistress Hyuuga looked down at the papers in her hands, nibbling her lip in indecision, Tenten played her final card. "And I believe that thus far, since the third woman was tossed out on her ear without references, nor a final paycheck, I am the only applicant for this position- despite the generous wage you offered in your advertisement."

Hinata sighed, meeting the shrewd gaze of the woman across from her. She had been beaten and was intelligent enough to realize it. She eyed the young woman for several long seconds, taking in every aspect of her appearance. She was slender, with dark, chocolate brown hair, secured in a rather fashionable pair of buns atop her head. Her attire was simple, but clean and presentable, and she exuded an aura of confidence that would likely serve her well in any employment.

Hinata stood, bringing the other woman to her feet, reflecting her actions like a mirror. "I believe, Ms. Tenten, that barring any unforeseen complications, you have yourself a position in this household."

As a beaming Tenten reached across the coffee table and tea-service to shake Hinata's hand, a resounding crash echoed from directly outside the door. Hinata flinched and cast a nervous look at the door, withdrawing her hand with a jerk. "Oh no… I think that you had better…"

Before she could complete her sentence, the doors were thrust open with a crash, rebounding off the walls and creating obvious dents in the previously unmarred plaster. Tenten blinked in astonishment as a man stalked into the room, scenting the air around him like a leopard on the hunt. And a leopard he most certainly was, a rare, dangerous, masculine animal jealously guarding his territory with ferocity and grace.

But what struck her most was the resemblance between Hinata and himself. It was obvious the two were related, making it clear how exactly Mistress Hinata had received her position in the household. His eyes were the same ghostly white, but his hair was a dark brown, almost black, very different from Hinata's navy locks.

"Who is it?" He snarled, literally snarled, in Hinata's direction.

"This… This is…" Tenten narrowed her eyes. Though timid before, Hinata had displayed an innate grace that gave her the bearing of a queen and the kind-heartedness of a nun. However, now faced with this overpoweringly masculine figure, that soft smile and gentle speech fled, replaced with a stammering, nervous equivalent.

"My name is Ms. Tenten. I was hired as the new nursemaid to Master Hyuuga." Tenten responded, drawing his attention to herself and off Hinata. "Who might you be?"

The man smiled (more of a baring of teeth, if truth be told), in her direction, stalking towards her with a fierce, predatory gait. He stopped a bare foot in front of her, crowding her with his scent and heat. As her gaze focused on his, his eyes riveted near her left ear, a horrifying suspicion began to take root. She had expected a child, at most a young man. What she was faced with was…

"I am Master Neji Hyuuga." The man spat at her. "And I have no need of your services." With that barked response, one he obviously expected to be heeded with utmost precision, he spun on his heel and stalked from the room, slamming the doors closed behind him with a resounding crash. His exit was somewhat ruined, however as the tinkling of breaking glass sounded from out in the hall a bare moment later, followed by a vicious curse that would have scorched any young maid's ears.

Mistress Hinata turned to Tenten in the aftermath and swallowed audibly at the look on the nurse's face. "Young man?" Tenten hissed at the housekeeper with barely contained anger. "That… that… creature was not a child! He was a fully grown beast! I specialize in the care of children, not adults!" Infuriated, Tenten reached down to retrieve her bag, only to be stopped by Hinata's soft plea.

"Oh please, Ms. Tenten! You cannot leave! You cannot possibly understand how desperate we are!" Somehow, Hinata managed to coax her back onto the settee for another cup of tea. "Since his accident, Master Hyuuga has been very volatile."

"So, I see." Tenten muttered petulantly as yet another slam echoed throughout the house.

"The loss of his sight…" Hinata shook her head, taking a breath before continuing. "Master Neji is used to being quite independent. He raised himself out of the sordid conditions of his birth and made himself into the epitome of wealth and prevalence. His power and strength were what helped him to become what his is today… Since the accident that rendered him blind, he had been unable to do anything for himself. He cannot dress properly, eat properly, and his own home has become a tangled maze of dangerous pitfalls."

Hinata paused and took a sip of tea, obviously battling with difficult emotions. Despite her better judgment, Tenten found herself softening towards the other woman's misery. "The ad that you responded to was a last resort. He has refused to allow anyone to aid him. Since he has long since turned away the good intentions of anyone that was close to him, chasing them away with harsh words and rough manners, we thought that perhaps a stranger, someone with whom he would not be forced to keep up appearances, would be the best choice to aid him in recovery. However…"

"Three nurses later, here I am."

Hinata nodded, cupping her teacup in both hands, as if to warm them. "He has chased away everyone that has applied, some before they even begin their employment. We are no longer certain what to do. You were our last hope, but…"

Tenten took a breath, knowing beyond a shadow of a doubt that she was about to make a terrible mistake. "I'll do it."

Hinata's head jerked upwards from her contemplation of the tea she held. "What?"

"I accept. I'll help him."

Tenten was certain that she saw tears glimmer in Mistress Hinata's eyes before the woman masked them, though her voice still trembled slightly as she said, "Thank you, Ms. Tenten. You have no idea what his means to all of us."

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Author's Notes:

And so, you have been introduced to the main characters in my little drama.

Yes, Neji is blind. Took me quite some time to get around to explaining those odd little noises, didn't it? I know he seems a bit OCC, since he's usually quite stoic and cold, but, like I explained (using Hinata): Neji has just lost his sight not too long ago. He's still adjusting to the difficulty of living without his eyesight and he's not used to depending on anyone but himself. That would probably make anyone slightly irrational. Don't worry, he'll settle down later...

Remember to review- thanks!

MM7