Lunchtime came and I of course, kept quiet throughout the lessons. Most of my classmates seemed nice, and a few of them came up and talked to me. Maybe not all rich brats are snobby. School might actually turn out good!

The first thing I thought of when I stepped into the dining hall was, 'Is this really a school cafetaria?' (actually I seem to think that everytime I step into a place in this school.)

The cafetaria looks more like a 20 star french restaurant! A big one. A freaking enormous one. Its overlooking a huge lake, and big enough for 1500 people to dine comfortably in! There are 5 long tables (for the satos I guess), with an equally long table in front for the teachers (I really can't help but think Harry Potter). There are also buffet tables lined up along the walls of the dining hall, with delectable, mouth-watering food placed nicely on it. There's chinese cuisine, indian cuisine, spanish cuisine, oh my God, I think they serve every cuisine of the world! I went over to the table which serves french food and picked the tastiest-looking dishes.

I sat down on the Konoha table with my plate brimmed full. I ended up taking one of almost everything on the table, heh.

I feel like a such country bumpkin...

But no matter! There's delicious food in front of me now! I was about to ravage it when two girls from my class suddenly sat in front of me.

"You're the new girl." One of them drawled.

"Uh, yes?" I slowly lowered my knife and fork.

"I'm Hikariyama Riko," she flipped her brown soft-permed hair, "and this is Shiraishi Rika" she gestured to the other girl.

"Wait, when you say Hikariyama, are you by any chance related to the founder of Hikari Jewellry?"

"Yes. He's my dad. Which reminds me..." Riko turned to her friend and bent down slightly, as though trying to show her her cleavage.

"O.M.G. Is that a Bulgari necklace?" Rika squealed, then rested her elbow on the table and tugged down her sleeve.

"Oh, a new Franck Muller watch? Look at this." Riko then tucked her hair behind her ears.

"O.M.G Mikimoto earrings!"

Are they doing this on purpose?

After flaunting about 24 other new jewelry they finally remembered my existence and turned back , Riko smirking in an extremely unpleasant way in contrast to her beautiful face.

"So what's your background like? What business does your family own? Hmm?"

"Or could it be that they own nothing at all?" Rika sneered with such an undermining look that I wanted to just stab her (probably plastic) nose with the fork I was gripping. Crap, I don't belong to any rich-assed family! What the hell do I say without sounding like a loser?

"M-my dad owns Ito Silk!" I blubbered with what I hope was a dignified voice. Not really helping my situation here.

"What's that? Some thriftstore shampoo?" Rika raised a plucked eyebrow.

"Hah! You're just here on scholarship! I knew you were poor!" Riko shrieked then suddenly lowered her voice. "Look, you should just drop out, you know? People like you don't belong here."

Then they just stood up and brushed their skirt and flicked their hair. Riko then took out an expensive looking wallet and pulled out a wad of cash.

"Here, go get some decent food. I'm assuming your family shares one bowl of rice everynight?" She eyed my plate, threw the notes on the table and strutted away with Rika, both cackling away.

That was definitely not an act of charity.

I gripped my fork and spoon so hard until my knuckles turned white, rage bubbling in my chest. Now, I'm not someone who gets angry easily, in fact, I don't think I've been pissed off with anyone before. I don't hate on even the most irritating of bastards, but those two crossed the line. What the hell! What makes them so great as to look down on people who are of lower class than them? They looked down on me as though I was some dogshit that got on the soles of their Prada heels. I've never felt so undermined, embarrassed, and angry in my 19 years of life!

Fuming, I stabbed down on my meat with as much force as I can, wishing that it was their silicon chests. And I'll have them know that my family DOES NOT share a bowl of rice for dinner. In fact, we enjoy incredibly satisfying homecooked meals with occasional sharksfin (when my dad's not home). And some ice cream when I whine enough. How dare they! THEY ARE GOING DOWN. I swear one day I will-

"Excuse me, are these seats here taken?"

"Huh- what?" I looked up from sawing my food and saw a pink-haired girl. "Um, no, you can sit."

"Thanks! Oi, Ino, Hinata, Tenten!" She called to her right and three girls; a blonde, a brunette and a really shy looking one, came rushing over.

"Phew! We got held back in class and came down after almost everyone's filled the seats. Thanks a bunch! And I don't think I've seen you before! Hi, my name's Haruno Sakura!" The pinkie smiled.

"And mine's Yamanaka Ino!" Blondie.

"I'm Tenten!" Brownie.

"H-Hyuga Hinata." The shy one with weird, pretty eyes spoke so softly it was practically a whisper.

"Pleasure! I'm Ito Shiori. And you're right, I'm new here. I got in here on scholarship." I added the last part uncertainly, hoping that they are nothing like the previous two snobbish bitches.

"Cool! You must be really, really smart then!" Sakura exclaimed with awe in her voice. Oh thank God!

After exchanging basic information like ages and which classes we were in (they're around 5 levels below me unfortunately), they briefed me on information about the school that wasn't in the pamphlet, like the prominent names among the students. I learned that the hyper active blonde kid who sat 5 seats away from us was called Uzumaki Naruto (only heir to the billion-dollar Uzumaki Enterprises), and the really good looking guy (I noted that almost about everyone is good looking in this school, but this one stood out) beside him was Uchiha Sasuke (whom I'm really sure that Sakura has a major crush on), and some other people from Sakura and Tenten, with Ino dishing out the goss.

"And so I was saying, Sakura, I totally saw Sasuke looking at you in Chem-" Ino was cut off halfway when the doors to the cafetaria opened, and four figures strode in.

Four really beautiful male figures. Tall, well-built figures.

Light from the windows shined down upon their angelic faces, so handsome that they made Adonis look like my Uncle's dog's food. Silence and awe filled the hall, with girls swooning and fainting and guys nudging each other, their egos greatly lowered by the mere presence of these superior beings. Daisies and other wild flowers sprung from each step they took, and holy voices chorused in the background.

Okay, so I was exaggerating. There was no choir and plants can't grow on $500K Arabian carpets, but they sure as hell are hot.

There was this really suave one with piercing violet eyes and slicked back silver hair with "Hot BAMF" stamped all over him. He had his first few shirt buttons undone, and I'm pretty sure that the teachers let him off for that cos' they secretly want to ogle at his (super muscular) chest too.

And to his right was this extremely, supremely charming redhead. He had an air of refinedness -even though he looked utterly disinterested in everything going around him-, with smouldering brown orbs for eyes. One gaze from him would have anyone do his bidding without question. (Well, I would.) How someone can look so hot looking bored is beyond me.

Walking slightly ahead of them was this another major stud. I had to do a double take on this one, because at first glance, anybody would think he's a girl. I mean, he's got long blonde hair that I just totally want to run my fingers through over and over again (hell, I wouldn't even mind if my hand turned into his comb or something), and an absolutely gorgeous face and the bluest eyes I've ever seen. I'm betting The Carpenters wrote their song "Close to You" completely based on this guy.

But none of them struck me like him.

"Him" being the mega-ultra Sex God strolling next to blonde. I mean, its not like he's more handsome than the other three, I think they're all around the same Godly level of beauty if you ask me, but there's just something about him that attracted me so much. Its not his ultra-silky black locks that he tied so sexily up in a ponytail, its not his enchanting onyx eyes that I could stare into forever, its not the pronounced tear troughs under said orbs (that would honestly look horrible on anyone else, but they just enhanced the appeal on him), its not the way he- Okay, its all of the above. I could list out more of his lovely features but I think it would take me 5 days to do so. I think I-

"Um, hello? Shiori, you've been staring at Itachi for the past 6 minutes." Tenten snapped her fiingers in front of my face.

"Wha? Oh sorry- " I blinked and hastily wiped the drool off my chin. "Sorry, I- Wait, who? Who are they?"

Ino rested her cheek in her hands and sighed dreamily. Sakura cleared her throat and said, "Well, in their case, its best you know the full details, so listen up!"

"Hidan, the silver haired one, is the only son of one of the biggest Yakuza boss ever known in the history of Japan. His father's got strong links to mafias all over the world, from the Russian mobs to the Hongkong triads. He's the last person on Earth you want to mess with. In addition to the millions of scary henchmen for backup, his family controls about two-thirds of the trading businesses in Japan. Rumour has it that his father bribes the police, which is probably why their illegal activities never get caught.

Sasori, the redhead. Poor boy lost his parents in a brutal mugging years ago, and lives with his grandmother, Chiyo. Yes, the Madame Chiyo, partner of waxmaster Madame Tussauds, owner of the National Heritage Musuem, shareholder in every other world-class musuems and stages, including the Sydney Opera House and Italy's La Scala. Probably has links to Hollywood too. And he's not just a pretty-faced heir! Sasori's an amazing statue sculptor whose works sell at the millions. Just add color to his statues and you won't be able to tell the difference between them and real humans. I heard that even the Prime Minister's requesting for Sasori to make him a statue!

Deidara, the other artist of the group. His talent's one in a trillion. Any self-respecting musuem curator would do anything to display one of Deidara's works. He's the youngest artist to showcase his work at the Biennale, after Sasori. Unlike his senpai, who does only human figures, he works primarily on pottery and animal figures. He's the one who carved that dragon statue in our entrance hall! His father's the head of the National Defense Corps, and they've invented advanced machinery and weapons that terrorists and militaries alike from all over the world would love to get their hands on.

And finally, Uchiha Itachi, of the Uchiha fame. Leading major corporation of the century, and Forbes' and Time's #1 Most Succeessful Bussiness Group Of All Time in Asia, next to Uzumaki learn the name "Uchiha" after learning the President's. There isn't an industry that they don't have a share in. He's also the older brother of Sasuke-kun! I heard that they used to be really close, but something happened and they drifted so far to the point that Sasuke-kun doesn't acknowledge him anymore!"

I stared in awe, partly at the fact that Sakura had said all of that in a short span of 3 minutes, but mostly at the beyond-impressive backgrounds of the Four Gods. I looked over Sakura's shoulder to the place they were sitting at. Holy Jesus, I'm in the same cafetaria as these celebrities, in the same school! Eyes mainly locking onto the raven-haired stunner, I thought about just how blessed they are. With such prestigous upbringing and GQ looks, there isn't really any other word to describe them other than "perfect".

"But nobody's perfect."

I jumped. Is Sakura psychic or what?

"Why do you say that?"

"Sure, they're the object of admiration to almost everybody around them, but given the chance, people would choose not to get acquainted with them."

Ino sniffed, completely out of her dreamy daze now. "I myself don't particularly like Hidan."

"Wh-"

Sakura's tone suddenly got serious and cold, and the atmosphere around us turned omnious.

"Afterall, they are part of Akatsuki."

After, a brief explanation on my day at school to my parents over dinner, I slammed myself onto the soft mattress of my bed, closing my eyes and hugging my pillow. Well, on the whole, First Day was pretty good. Even though I met two of the biggest bitches known to womankind, I've met really nice people and made some friends too, and I could handle the pace of the lessons. The only downer was that I had to sneak out of the school to catch a bus home, being the only loser without a chaffeur. (Actually I didn't really had to sneak out cos' most of the students were staying over there anyway.)

That aside, there was something else on my mind for the whole day.

So Akatsuki was this really mysterious "gang", founded some time back in ShinoGaku. Its really shady, and nobody really knows anything about it. All they know is that "If you know what's best for you, stay away from them." But apparently, if you were chosen to be part of it, you're something really special (as if I hadn't known that from the Four Hotties). Rumours go around that they take part part in heinous crimes and dirty businesses, but they were dismissed. Interestingly enough, all of the members are or were from ShinoGaku. There were also some speculation about Sasuke being the next Akatsuki.

I don't know why, but I'm getting really interested in this Akatsuki gang thing. Maybe its the mystery and supposed "danger" that has gotten me wanting to know more, afterall, I was always one for thrills. Maybe I'll go ask around more tomorrow, or maybe I can ask Konan! Its probably been around since her time, and she would tell me what I want to know! Then I wouldn't have to ask people since I don't think they'll be comfortable talking abou-

Zzz.

By the end of the week, I've familiarised myself with most of the school, and could navigate through its countless hallways annd carpeted corridors (there was abit of a problem on the second day, I got lost again and was late for my first lesson). The only places in school I've not been to were the dorms of the five Satos, which I've heard were like 5-star hotels.

I plopped down on my stool after smiling and ushering a few customers out of the cafe. Work was definitely a whole lot more enjoyable when Konan was around. Other students should be enjoying their weekends out shopping or strolling about or doing whatever they want, but not me. I mean, its not like I hate my job, the place's got a cozy ambience, but its just, well, boring. And speaking of social life...

My social life in school wasn't exactly bad, nor was it exactly good either. I mean, I've made friends of course, but there weren't any close friends. I usually hung around with Sakura and girls during reccess, and spent the rest of my time minding my own business. After school, I would go to the Music Room to play the Koto for awhile, then scurry back home. My life ain't exactly happening, huh.

I idly stared at a few high-school girls giggling away at a corner of the shop. Apart from me, working in this small cafe was just another middle-aged baker called Gen-san, who's probably at the back of the shop smoking right now.

And throughout the week, I've only caught glimpses of the Akatsuki; they didn't really appear much in school. I found out that Deidara was in my level and in a few of my classes, but he conviniently skipped out on all of them. Well, it didn't really matter to me, since the one I wanted to see was...well... Uchiha Itachi. The last time I saw him (or rather, the back of his oh-so-fine head) was on wednesday, and it didn't even last a second; a group of giggling girls obstructed my view, as they themselves were also gaga-ing over him-

Okay, snap out of it. I only like to look at him, just because he's hot. No other reason. I can't possibly have a crush on him, I mean, I don't even know him! And I've seen him what, less than 3 times? And he's part of a supposedly dangerous group, right? So there's no way-

The bell on the door of the cafe tinkled, signaling the arrival of a customer. The group of girls suddenly stopped giggling and started whispering among themselves. Curious, I turned to the door to see-

-Uchiha Itachi, in all his God-like glory, now looking through the hung up menu behind the cashier.

Behind me.

I surreptitiously pinched myself from below the counter. I can't be dreaming, right? Ouch. Nope, not dreaming. Then I realized that I was staring dumbly at him, and steered myself to smile as naturally as possible.

"H-how may I help you?" I squeaked. God, I'm like Hinata 3 feet away from Naruto now.

"I would like a tomato pie, and please put it in a box for me."

OH GOD, I WOULD DO ANYTHING FOR YOU!

"Sure!" I said in a voice 10 decibels louder than I intended it to be, then mentally slapped myself for that. Hands trembling more than the epicentre of an earthquake, I pushed the pie into the cleanest, least creased box I could find (actually all the boxes were the same). Then I put it in a plastic bag and handed it over to Itachi. OH MY LORD WILL MY HANDS JUST PLEASE STOP SHAKING?

Thankfully, he didn't notice my extreme nervousness and just smiled a trillion-mega-watt, coma-inducing smile, said "Thank you", and turned to leave.

"T-thank you! And p-please come again!" Never have I meant that line so much in my 3 years of serving.

Melting into my stool, I marveled and how I did not faint the moment he stepped into the shop. What was he doing in this part of town anyway? Wouldn't he go to some high-class restaurant to get served Michelin-chef-cooked pastry? But whatever the reasons are, I don't care. FOR UCHIHA ITACHI INTERACTED WITH ME! I will never complain about work being boring anymore. Ever! Even though our conversation lasted about 3 minutes, I felt like all my dreams had came true at once.

"Woah, that guy sure is a looker." Gen-san whistled from behind the counter. You can't imagine.

What was that crap I said about not having a crush again?

Author's Note:

Omg, I'm so, so, so, so, so, so sorry for the uber long update. Its been what, 1 year plus! Let's just say that I got out of the Naruto fandom for awhile, and got really lazy... I'm so sorry! And not only I took forever to update, this new chapter isn't really what I call "good". I re-read it and just stopped halfway: Too much long-winded crap. I promise I'll write better and faster next chapter! Really. I've got a major exam coming up this year, so I'm sorta practising my writing here, hehe. And really, a big thank you to those reviewers out there! I really appreciate you guys. :) And now if you can just keep the reviews coming... XD

And yeah, I realised that Shiori rambles A LOT. So I guess things will get really long-winded here... And I might have exaggerated too much on the Four's backgrounds...

Once again, I apologise for the long update!