A/N: Yeah...My cousin is sitting next to me, watching FMA...so, yeah free time to write!

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Right, this is not my best work. I already know, but anyways..it's rather important so don't skip anything. Especially the flashback. Don't skip the flashback. You know how I am with flashbacks, but I only add it when necessary. And I deem this part necessary. So read it.

Full Summery:

The Four Aristocrats, known rulers of Konoha Elite – school for the bright and rich. The band made up of Sasuke Uchiha – son of profound Fugaku Uchiha and heir to the Uchiha Corporation; Neji Hyuuga – nephew of Hiashi Hyuuga and in line for the head of the Hyuuga INC; Gaara Sabaku – already head of the Sabaku Enterprise; and Shikamaru Nara – only successor to the Nara Association.

Naruto Uzumaki, young at the age of 16, but already a senior in high school enters the school of his dreams along with his foster-sister Ino. The adorable, cute, hilarious blond is without a doubt a great attraction to all of the men in Konoha Elite. Yet, upon catching the eyes of the three largest beneficiaries will definitely cause a few problems. Who will win the heart of the blond? And will Naru-chan be able to ward off the evils of fame and prices it comes with?

Contains Yaoi and pairings: SasuNaru, NejiGaara, ItaDei, ShikaIno, and KakaIru

Happy Reading! ^.^

Disclaimer: I. DON'T. OWN. NARUTO. Kishimoto does. Though I own Mr. Tashi [Kotashi] and Tensha...they're my little dolls. :D

Chapter Sixteen

Neji Hyuuga had come to a conclusion. An absurd conclusion to possible others, but to him it made absolute sense. Hyuuga's were praised, after all, of thinking outside the box. Their whole network was based on going against the norm.

What was such a huge conclusion?

Sasuke Uchiha was a vampire in disguise.

Alright, so it was a little out of the ordinary. But couldn't you see it? An Uchiha vampire? Pale, ghostly, pristine, a high and mighty attitude, glorious, beautiful—all the extraordinary things that set them apart from every other human breathing in oxygen.

Sasuke had to be a vampire. There was no other explanation. Hello? He was pale, ghostly, and pristine. And he definitely held that high and mighty attitude. Of course, all women hailed the Uchiha as the king of glory and beauty, though Neji scoffed that idea after staring at himself in the mirror for a second too long.

Of course, that would also give the Hyuuga himself the right to be a certified vampire as well. He was all the things that he had listed, but he had no intention of sucking anyone's blood, so there was no point in pursuing that idea. But perhaps, Sasuke had some sort of fetish for blood that no one knew about. Yes, Neji could just see that image, Sasuke in all his dark glory sucking some innocent girl's blood.

At times like these was when Hiashi prayed for Neji's sanity. While Hyuugas themselves had a lot of imagination, the young heir's was a bit too wild. Just a pinch too much.

-RING-RING-RING-

Neji's phone sounded inside his pocket. In a whirl of mighty patience he slipped it out and raised the mobile to his delicate ear. Pressing the receiver, he answered with a controlled voice. One that did not make the impression of what he had been thinking of momentarily.

"Hello, Shikamaru. May I ask what this is about? I'm on my way to pick up Hanabi at the moment."

"Yes, I know. But I was wondering if you could do me a favor later. But, I have to tell you face to face, so are you free after you pick up Hanabi?"

"Perhaps," He checked his watch as he fingered his leather steering wheel. "It's about a quarter to five. I'm free at around six. Where do you want to meet?"

"Somewhere inconspicuous. I don't want to be overheard. How about the ramen shop down Main Street? It's small and quiet. The food's not half bad either."

"Ichiraku's? Alright. I'll call you when I drop her off."

"Troublesome. Well, see you."

"Bye." He shut the phone and quietly slid it back into his clothed pocket. Tapping his one hand against the wheel, he impatiently blew a stray hair from his face. His windows were rolled down, so the wind was dancing across his glossy locks like a ballerina.

Now about Sasuke as a vampire…

His thoughts picked up where they had left off as he drove towards his cousin's school.

"Neji-nii-san! Neji-nii-san! Guess what?"

There was a blur of brown hair before a bundle in a white jacket jumped into the elder Hyuuga's arms. Neji gave a rare, warm smile as the bundle itself was revealed. Hanabi Hyuuga, age 7 was happily smiling, her wide, lavender eyes glistening with excitement. Patting her lightly on the head, he commended her to continue.

"What?"

"CHICKEN BUTT!" Her laugh was instantaneous. He gave a crinkle-eyed smile.

After her flow of giggles was stopped, she continued without a hitch.

"Just kidding…actually, Neji-nii-san, there was something I needed to tell you."

"And what may that be, Miss Hyuuga?" She loved being called that, since it made her sound older.

"Well, this boy in my class…" She trailed off, blushing a little. The pink color pigmented her pale skin.

"Yes?" He goaded her lightly, while smiling at her cuteness.

"…He told me I was…pretty," She paused, "I mean…is that weird? Why would he say something like that?"

"Well," Neji began thoughtfully, "Perhaps it's because you are rather cute, dear Miss Hyuuga." She giggled at the nick-name, squirming around in her older cousin's arms. Upon realization that he was still holding her, he gently let her down onto the floor. Her hair was so much like his own, flowing free in the style that all Hyuuga's tended to wear.

"So, what should I do, Neji?" She didn't look at him, but instead at her polished shoes as she and him walked hand in hand to his car.

There was a pause as they walked. When they reached the car, he bent down and brushed a piece of long fringe out of her face before speaking gently.

"Hanabi, what does your heart tell you to do?" He tapped the said area in emphasis. She followed her gaze to his tapping hand, her eyes growing big in wonder.

"Well, my heart tells me I should talk to him."

He straightened and unlocked the front door before saying, "Then, that's what you should do."

"Ok!" She grinned brightly. He smiled in response as he pulled open the side door for her. She buckled herself in, not needing a booster-seat, since she—like all Hyuuga's, was uniquely tall for their size. He closed the door with a large swing before climbing into his own seat. Checking the review mirror that she was buckled, he gave her a quick wink before starting the engine.

The car-ride was short—not even 10 minutes. But in those ten minutes, Hanabi managed to convey her entire day to him. She was awfully talkative, much more than she was at home. Because at home, she was silenced to perfect behavior, where nothing less was tolerated. It was painful for Neji to watch, as well as saddening to know that he was once silenced to the same treatment. Being a Hyuuga was not fun and games. They were raised to be obedient and follow orders directly, with absolutely no back-talking. Politeness was the way to operate, though insults were often hidden under well-preserved language. Manners and reputation was the backbone to the Hyuuga household. Children were tolerated, not babied along. They were looked upon as a nuisance until they were at the age to enter school. There, they were told to stay away from other kids, ones that may tarnish the good family name.

Neji Hyuuga was, perhaps an exception. He was one of the lucky ones in his family. As a branch member of the household, the council was more lenient on him. He was allowed a close circle of friends once he reached middle school, though they were only allowed to be big-name company heirs. But friends nonetheless, so Neji was not too reluctant to comply. He had been lonely for far too long.

As he looked back at the happily, bubbling Hyuuga sitting behind him, he was once again reminded of his luckiness. Hanabi Hyuuga was the daughter of Hiashi Hyuuga—the direct leader of the company. He was also the in the direct line of the Hyuuga's main branch, making his daughter the inheritor to his lineage. She was put under the strictest teachings, lots of them including different languages and ways of speech. But through everything they put her through, she still remained joyful and full of bliss. Neji could only wonder when that would be destroyed too.

He remembered deep in his mind, yet another cousin who had been subjected to the same treatment. The elder daughter of Hiashi Hyuuga of the main branch and heir to the company. She had been subjected to the harshest treatment—ones that even seemed humane to the young Hyuuga. He recalled moments when he had glimpsed bruises along her pale arms, ones grabbed by certain council members and teachers when she did not do something right the first time. Stripes of red across her bare back when she did not speak out clearly enough. Backhands across her face when her actions clearly showed she was not someone made to lead a clan. She was soft-hearted and kind, hating all kinds of manipulation and torture. But being in a household where status was everything, she tried her best to achieve what her clan wanted. Yet, she always seemed to fall short.

Perhaps, that was the reason he had the nerve to talk to such a well-governed, main branch member in the first place. Branch members were not supposed to correspond with main branch ones, only for the sake of placement. But he saw the way she suffered and how lonely her lavender eyes were, and made a decision to speak with her. They became close and he always made a chance in his busy schedule to talk with her—even if that time was late in the night. He saw how weak-hearted she was, how her voice always stuttered and her fingers moved in circles when she was nervous. But he was also permitted to see times when she showed her compassion and kindness to those lower and less than herself. Servants, maids, cooks—she never raised her voice, never backhanded anyone, even when they made a mistake or forgot something. She always took the blame, or when she couldn't, she tried to make a way to do way with the concept in the first place. But all the horror she was accustomed to just in her own branch was too much for her. And Neji was there to witness when she broke. It was infinitely burned into his memory, haunting him forever.

Hinata? Hinata?

Where was she?

Neji, age 16 was wandering through the dark, numerous hallways of the Hyuuga Estate, late in the night. It was far past midnight, but it was perfect for the usual meeting with his cousin. However, he was standing outside the large balcony, lined with bitter night flowers—closed for the passing. There was no sign of his cousin. Where was she?

There was a murmur of footsteps, loud enough to be heard with the naked ear. He recognized the muffled sounds of her slippers, though he knew her to be quieter than that. Turning around, he saw her small frame. She was bent over, her white night gown growing dark in the shadows. Her short, inky hair was hanging over her face, the fringe hiding her soft, pale eyes.

Reaching her, he uncertainly placed a hand on her flat back. He smelt it first before he saw it. She was holding her stomach and as his eyes traveled to her bent hand, he saw a faint trail of blood. The pools of lavender narrowed as he watched her struggle to talk.

"…N…N-Neji, I…"

"What's wrong? Who did this to you?" His voice was sharp as he clenched his teeth to contain his anger.

"N-no…don't g-go."

"I won't, don't worry. I'll stay here with you as long as you need me to." Though his voice was reassuring, his mind was racing.

She finally looked up at his face. His breath caught as he saw the numerous bruises mingled in her angelic features. But what scared him the most was her eyes. They held an eerie sense of brokenness in them and that scared Neji. The eyes he always saw were strong and kind—not tortured and broken. The feeling of holding witness to such a display was unreal.

Hesitantly, she released her bent form, holding his stare as she straightened.

Blood was seeping through her gown, staining the cold whiteness a bloody red.

Sucking in another breath, he could smell the faint metallic fragrance of the seeping fluid. Gently, he lifted the jacket, only to have her arms push him away. A defensive mechanism, he knew, but still felt a touch of hurt nonetheless.

After taking a hesitant step away, Neji stood airily aside in her presence. She had always let him see her welts before, but seeing such a bloody spot made his head spin.

Her hand touched her stomach, smearing the blood. But she seemed beyond caring. Stepping by the open sky, the light of the stars seemed to reflect off her dark hair. Neji stayed by the door, giving her space on the marble balcony. She looked away, her face scanning the sky.

"Neji," She was no longer stuttering, having finally caught her breath. "I…" There was a pause, before she summoned enough courage. "I can't take this any longer."

The sky seemed to grow even darker at her shattered tone. He held his breath, watching her as she moved to lift her gown. Red splattered against the smooth floor with a sickening sound.

There was a gash stretching from the bottom of her chest to the just above the hem of her silken night pants. It was not deep, just skimming the surface of the skin, but was torn to hurt. It was done to show discipline—that much, Neji knew. It was sickening. As if reading his mind, she gently let down her gown to cover the wound.

Not much was said after that. Neji was breeching with anger, though he knew better than to let his actions loose. And Hinata…poor, poor Hinata. She was one less an animal, but her eyes were set like glass.

When dawn slowly approached, they parted ways.

Little did Neji know, that would be the last time he saw her.

After being subjected to these inhumane standards for long 16 years, she finally left. Fleeing soul and body, she ran away leaving no trace, not even telling Neji where she was going.

In her place was a simple note, apologizing to her family and himself of her actions, but firmly stating her happiness. The council was angry—if that was the correct wording for their furious state. They expertly covered her disappearance, conveying the heritage to the next eldest Hyuuga—Neji. Though a branch member, he was gifted enough to inherit the placement as head of the Hyuuga clan as a replacement for Hinata. Hanabi was still far too young, though in her later life, she could possibly trade posts with Neji. As of now, he would succeed Hiashi when he came to age and got married.

Edit: Arigato PoeticNonsenseNinjaStyle for catching the spelling error. I have changed it for further viewers.

Also, I currently have no beta. I am looking for one as we speak.