Beauty Underneath - Chapter One

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of the characters. Ownership goes to Masashi Kishimoto. Also the lyrics used within this don't belong to me.

Warning: yaoi, inappropriate language, AU, OOC

I hope you enjoy!

Sasuke Hatake was not only the most beautiful man Neji had ever seen, but he was also the strangest. The boys exotic features - which was unparalleled next to anyone else's - sharp mind and warmth was what drew people to him. However, something that sometimes kept people at bay was his unforgiving temper. This however did not deter the Hyuuga in the slightest. If anything it only served to intrigue him more. It was almost a challenge to break Sasuke of his ways.

"Neji?" He was pulled from his musings about the young raven he craved as he heard his name being called in a hesitant voice. The annoyance he felt over being interrupted was clearly shown as he turned to the one who had called his name, an eyebrow raised in question. "I'm sorry to disturb you but you did say that..." Neji stopped listening, feeling even more annoyance well within him as the fool before him begn giving excuses rather than simply getting to the point. He just wanted to return to his musings about Sasuke without the bothersome presence of another. His attention was once again brought to the person though as he heard the name of the very person he'd spent his morning thinking of leave the annoyance's lips.

"What?" Neji questioned having entirely missed what had been said about Sasuke. Thankfully to him, this time as he was spoken to again their was no incessant rambling, but a statement straight to the point.

"Sasuke is in town once again." It was known to most that Sasuke Hatake and his father lived on the outskirts of the small town. Neji wasn't the only one to notice the young Hatake's beauty, nor was he the only one to regularly search him out when he was in town, but he was the one who most bothered the object of many's affections.

"Lee, shall we go see the young Hatake?" A smirk came over Neji's features as the perfect scenario played out in his mind. He would woo him with sweet promises of a long life together, then once he had his love they would marry and he would twist the raven into his perfect little husband. What could go wrong? Neji of course didn't take into account how Sasuke himself would feel about this.

Lee had not responded to Neji's question, he knew it was rhetorical, plus he knew the Hyuuga was likely already into another daydream about Sasuke Hatake. Lee himself had to admit, he saw the appeal of the boy and even at one point had found himself infatuated to the point where he attempted to start something between himself and Sasuke. It hadn't gone well and Lee had respectfully went back to his role of aiding Neji rather than trying to win the Hatake for himself.

Lee saw what Neji didn't though. Neither of them would be winning the boys heart anytime. Hell, it didn't seem like anyone at all would, but that didn't mean Lee would stop trying. Afterall, anything could happen if you wanted it bad enough, right?

Sasuke had rose from bed early that morning. His fathers Kakashi and Iruka had still been in bed, but he knew they would wake to leave for work soon after he left. His trek from his home to the center of town hadn't been too daunting to him as he regularly did this. As he went he was greeted by many and he made it a point to warmly greet them all back, flashing brilliant smiles and giving waves to them all.

Somewhere along his journey he had been joined by his friend Gaara, whom though had a certain exotic beauty to him - much like Sasuke's - he wasn't at all as admired due to his completely uninviting personality. Out of respect for Sasuke and his sensitivity to how people treated his friends, some people greeted Gaara however, which would practically never happen were Gaara passing through on his own. Due to this fact, Gaara didn't acknowledge any of them.

Eventually, the two came to a more secluded part in their town of Konoha. It was the older buildings, one of which was the library - the place the redhead and black haired boy were heading at the time. Along the way they had both made general small talk, but once inside they separated without a word both going to collect their books. Soon enough the two were on their way again. Gaara let his eyes go to the books Sasuke had chosen as they began walking, once again finding themselves towards the more busy parts of town.

"Oh, Sasuke. Why doesn't it surprise me that you're reading that one again?" Gaara teased, showing his softer side, something that he only regularly did for those close to him as Sasuke was.

"It's my favorite." Sasuke answered. "You know that."

"I do, but come on. You must have read it at least a dozen times by now."

"It never gets old."

"I suppose I'll have to read it then to see what you love so much about it."

"You wouldn't like it."

"Oh?"

"It's a love story, Gaara."

"Again, why am I not surprised?"

"You may not be a romantic, but I am. And I thoroughly enjoy it."

"How can you find an interest in those stories though? They're so fake."

"Not entirely. These ideas of the great love stories must have been inspired somewhere, right? I hope to have a great love story someday." Sasuke answered, it was a quick statement but there was raw emotion in his voice as he spoke and the dreamy look in his eyes had even Gaara unable to say anything against it. Instead he found himself encouraging it.

"I hope you get what you want." As Gaara said this, he let a hand rest on his friend's shoulder, offering him one of those rare, but entirely genuine and beautiful smiles of his.

The two were interrupted though as a deep voice spoke. "Sasuke, it's such a pleasure to see your beautiful face this morning." Sasuke almost recoiled at the tone to Neji's voice, but instead reacted to the fact that he hadn't acknowledged Gaara.

"Ah, Neji. Thank you I suppose, but I'm not alone as you can see." He looked pointedly at Gaara whom had already unleashed a harsh gaze on the Hyuuga, showing him he was clearly wanted to leave. Behind Neji, Sasuke noticed Lee. Not wanting to be hypocritical to his own words he nodded towards him giving a polite acknowledgement, "Good morning, Lee." In return Lee gave a rather excited good morning.

"I apologize if I've offended you, Sasuke." Neji said in what he hoped was a sincere voice though all those around him saw right through it. He turned to Gaara, a clearly self righteous look on his face as he greeted him in what both Sasuke and Gaara saw as a disrespectful way.

"Subaku." It was odd how the man managed to make one word - a name of all things - sound so cold and condescending.

"Hyuuga." Although some would see Gaara acknowledging them as an accomplishment, Neji didn't. Gaara had responded in the exact way Neji had acted towards him and Neji was definitely aware of it. Sasuke let out an annoyed sigh, not at all bothered with Gaara's actions, he knew how the redhead felt for the Hyuuga, it was about the same as Sasuke himself did.

Neji Hyuuga was seen as pompous, impolite, self righteous, rude, disrespectful, fake and demanding. Which was the closest anybody could come to accurately describing him.

"We have to go." Sasuke said, mainly as a means of getting away from Neji and being sure he acknowledged his words, though he made sure to glance to Lee, letting him know as well that he wasn't blatantly ignoring the other boy.

"So soon?" Lee voiced Neji's own thoughts.

"Yes." Gaara answered before Sasuke had a chance to say anything, quickly pulling him away, almost causing the raven to drop the books clutched in his arms.

Neji let out a frustrated growl watching the two leave, feeling jealousy blossom in his chest over the contact between the two.

"I'll never get near him with that around." Lee was bothered by the way Neji referred to Gaara as 'that' because he was usually a respectful person, but said nothing against it because first and foremost his loyalty was to Neji.

I'd love to see a review, even if you didn't like it any sort of feedback is appreciated.

-MorganAnnUchiha