The chocolate-haired boy looked out of the transparent car window at all of the passing sights as the rain drops mingled and mixed on the smooth surface. The boy sighed and his white eyes let themselves be covered momentarily by his delicate eyelids. His mind was calm and peaceful but inside he was suffering a strange emotion he couldn't quite label. He supposed it had something to do with the recent death of his father and his suddenly being placed under the guardianship of his uncle, Hiashi, who was also the father of the young boy's cousin, a girl named Hinata who was one year his junior. The boy, Hyuuga Neji, let out a deep breath a little more controlled than his previous sigh and opened his eyes again. He felt the car come slowly to a stop at a stoplight and Neji took the opportunity to get a good look at his surroundings.

It was actually quite nice here. He found himself slightly attracted to this very woody area and its untouched and pristine splendor. Trees stood wild and untamed to his right, standing together, strong, proud and beautiful. To his left were numerous houses, lined up nicely, but spaced out very well, providing each one a very spacious yard.

The driver caught him looking at the forest and smiled.

"That's Konoha Forest, Hyuuga-san," he informed the interested boy. Neji nodded.

"It's beautiful," he said, almost in a whisper. The driver nodded.

"It is," he agreed. "And Hiashi-sama's home is right at the edge. You'll be able to visit anytime you wish, as it is town property." Neji turned to the driver, his expression unchanging.

"Arigato," he said. "That should provide me some comfort." An over exaggeration, I know, but, what else can I say? Neji thought, sighing internally. The driver, thankfully unable to hear Neji's inner monologue, and thus, unable to perceive what he was truly thinking, smiled.

"Don't mention it," he said cheerfully. "We're almost there, by the way." Neji nodded, uttering no further words, and sinking, once again into a rather dejected silence.

The car moved slowly forward and Neji's eyes absentmindedly returned to the window and he continued his empty stare, memorizing the scenery but never really registering it. His mind was elsewhere, though even he didn't know where. Neji had always been aloof, and there were points when one could go so far as to call him indifferent, for he really did not care about many and most things he came across. It was a tendency that led many to believe him to be antisocial, and unable to engage in the pleasantries of conversation with others. He could, but it was always awkward. He had never had any real friends, for even when his father was alive, the death of his mother still hung heavily over the young boy's head and really prevented him from inserting himself into the lives of others.

Thus, his current personality; quiet, understated, distant, and any other adjective relating to these. And now, empty. Now that his father as well was gone, Neji was left empty, not without the will to live, but without the will to continue. He had no desire to end his life, no desire to become suicidal, but he also had no desire or energy to be ambitious.

He was nothing but an empty shell.

A quarter hour later, the car turned onto a smaller road, which became more and more secluded as they continued. The rain came down slightly softer and Neji saw that the forest was thickening slightly around him. He felt strangely at ease here, and the sight of the endless green soothed his unstable emotions, if only slightly. This feeling was destroyed, however, when the car emerged from the forest and an enormous building revealed itself on Neji's right. Predictably, Neji's gaze was drawn to this rather magnificent structure. It was a massive stone building with gothic architecture and a rather old fashioned feel. There were three stories and the main entrance was easily noticeable even from a distance, as the six great stone pillars that lined a wide pathway had given it away. The grass that surrounded it was cut evenly and perfectly, giving the lawn a look of felt and velvet. The rain landed gracefully on the short blades of grass, shining slightly, as if covering the grass by a soft glass surface. In front of the large building was a large sign that said in all capital letters; KONOHA HIGH SCHOOL. Neji's silence could hardly be called stunned. It was barely even impressed.

"That's Konoha High," the driver pointed out. Really? I hadn't noticed. Neji thought icily. The driver continued, unperturbed.

"That's the school you'll be going to," he said. "You're a sophomore, right?" Neji, without turning to him, nodded.

"Hai," he said coldly. The driver looked into his rearview mirror, unable to sense the tone of distaste in the Hyuuga's voice. He smiled and nodded.

"My niece goes there," he said. "Senior. Maybe you'll see her. Her name's Hirose Moriko. Seventeen." Neji barely nodded, only inclining his head slightly.

"I'll be sure to look for her," he said, aware that if he said too much he might let slip something hurtful. After all, the driver was only making conversation with him. But this was most definitely one of those awkward situations Neji tried to avoid if he could. He knew full well that people expected him to respond to their questions as well as add to them, which he never did. And that always complicated things; mostly things that shouldn't be complicated.

That was exactly what happened here. The driver waited patiently for Neji to say something, most likely expecting him to ask what his niece was like or what she enjoyed doing. But the brunette Hyuuga simply turned his head and his dead stare continued. The driver looked slightly crestfallen, but Neji didn't notice. It was no skin off his back. The drive continued in this fashion; silent and tense, at least for the driver; for another five minutes. Then, Neji felt the car turn into a driveway. He sighed slightly and closed his eyes. He felt rather awkward with the whole situation, despite appearing extremely stoic. He didn't mind imposing, but he was going to be living, for the rest of his high school career, at least, with the uncle he had never met, ultimately, having to start a new life there. With him. And that thought was a little uncomfortable, to say the least.

"Alright, Hyuuga-san, we're here," the driver announced, trying to maintain his cheerful attitude, but having trouble in the face of Neji's rudeness. "Let me carry your things for you."

"Arigato," Neji spoke, as he opened the car door and stepped out onto a beautifully kept, but gravel driveway. His eyes scanned the area around him and he was pleased to see that his uncle's was the only house in the area and that it was, as the driver had said, incredibly near the forest, practically surrounded by it, actually. Tall green trees grew around the large house, the only things that separated it from the school. Neji walked up the driveway casually, followed by the agitated driver, who carried the brunette's rather light luggage of only two small suitcases. There was a smooth transition of gravel into pavement and Neji soon found himself walking on a carefully paved walkway up to the simple, yet extravagant house. It was simple in the sense that it was only a clean white color that made Neji's eyes appear dark in comparison and it was extravagant because it was two stories and beautifully made with a splendid garden surrounding it. Neji already knew that he would be spending a lot of time there.

The boy walked up the stone steps and made his way across the porch to the door. It was a deep blue color and stood tall above him. He looked behind him and saw the driver standing a few feet away, a look of irritation dominating his features. The Hyuuga turned around and knocked three times on the proud blue door. He ignored the silver knocker, as that was tacky, and he didn't use the doorbell because he knew from experience that they were just too damn annoying when someone would repeatedly ring them if they didn't think anyone was coming.

The knocks sounded soft to him, but he was sure they would echo inside the house. Sure enough, a moment later, the door was being pulled open and a tall man with a much defined complexion and sharp muscular angles appeared at the threshold. He had long ebon hair very much like Neji's and his eyes glowed the same pearly white, though with more life and fervor than Neji's. He looked at the young boy and smiled.

"Welcome, Neji-san," he said, his voice causing Neji's heart to ache in remembrance of his own father. He could see and hear the resemblance. The young Hyuuga bowed.

"Arigato, Hiashi-sama," he said politely, bowing. Hiashi inclined his head and stepped smoothly to the right.

"Please come in," he invited. Neji bowed again and stepped inside, removing his shoes and turning to take his bags from a very angry looking driver. Hiashi held up his hand and took the bags instead, thanking the driver, who abruptly whirled around and left the house immediately. The door slammed shut and Hiashi looked at Neji.

"Well, I'll show you to your room and then introduce you to Hinata and Hanabi," he said. Neji nodded. He followed Hiashi through the hallway into what appeared to be a living room. There was a TV set up in an entertainment center, and hooked up to it were a DVD player and stereo sound system. Neji's eyebrow went up. They like to live it up. He noted to himself. Without a comment, he turned his gaze back to Hiashi's tall frame and followed him to a carpeted set of stairs. He followed his new guardian up and down a small hallway that led to a plane white door. Hiashi stopped.

"Here's your room," he said. "As you settle yourself in more feel free to decorate it in any way you wish." He chuckled at this last statement. "Though it doesn't seem as though you will be changing much?" Neji controlled a smirk.

"You seem to know me well," he said. "Indeed, I don't believe in trivial accessories or useless things like that." Hiashi smiled at him.

"Just as my brother described you," he said, and Neji could detect a hint of pain in the man's voice, as well as in his own heart. He hesitated slightly, but then spoke.

"Did my father," he began somewhat awkwardly. "Speak of me often?" Hiashi nodded, and his eyes became glazed as though remembering the recent past in which his beloved twin brother still lived.

"Yes, he spoke of you very often," he answered solemnly. "Very fondly, as well. He couldn't be prouder of the son he would just rant about for hours. It hadn't been fifteen minutes before I felt I knew you myself, despite having never met you before now." Neji looked down at his feet and his eyes closed slowly, but not tightly, as he felt tears well up within them. His first impulse was to blink them away, but he knew that his father would wish him to be comfortable with this man who was now his new family, so Neji let them come. The small droplets of the incarnate of Neji's emotion fell softly and delicately from his eyes and onto the floor. Only one or two, though. Neji did not normally sob or weep. He only ever shed a few tears, and even that happened rarely.

Hiashi saw the tears fall from his nephew's eyes and placed the boy's bags on the floor next to him. He stepped forward without hesitation. He slowly reached out his arms and pulled Neji into them. The boy tensed at being held so readily, but did not pull away. They were both thinking of Neji's father and why he would've appointed Hiashi as Neji's legal guardian if he didn't want them to be able to have the relationship of a normal father and son. That was why the elder Hyuuga held the younger, and why the younger Hyuuga tolerated it.

After a moment, Neji pulled away, regaining his cool composure.

"Gomenasai, Hiashi-sama," he apologized. "I did not mean to let my emotions flow so freely while in your presence." He bowed and took his suitcases. He opened the white door to his room and entered, softly shutting it behind him. Hiashi watched the troubled boy and sighed, turning and walking away to find his daughters. Neji's heart has been torn to shreds and it will take an angel of a seamstress to sew it together again.

A few minutes later, Neji left his room and wandered his way downstairs to become more acquainted with his new home. Neji grimaced at that description of this place, but pushed the doubts from his mind. He did not have the luxury to call this house anything but his new home.

"Neji-san?" Neji turned and saw Hiashi standing before him with two young girls standing slightly behind him, one to his right and the other to his left. The brunette Hyuuga supposed them to be his daughters – what were their names? Hinata? Hanabi? Neji looked them over. The taller of the two, and most definitely the eldest, had short black hair, like her father, and her eyes were just as white as his, though hers with a touch more kindness and humanity. Her knees were turned slightly inward, clearly showing her timid personality and awkwardness at having to meet new people, and her face was a pale alabaster that was positively tainted with red. She looked at the floor and only occasionally looked up to steal glances at Neji, as though afraid he would yell at her should she be caught looking at him for too long. Neji raised an elegant brow and turned his attentions to the other, shorter sister. This one had a look of fierceness on her face, as though determined to prove that she was anything but a child. Her hair was black as well, but it was long, in the style of her father's. Her eyes flashed dangerously and she raised an eyebrow back at him, returning and holding his gaze. Neji almost smirked. The poor girl did not know that when it came to staring someone down, the brunette was unbeatable. She would just have to learn the hard way. He let his eyebrow fall slightly, and his eyes fixed themselves upon her, boring into her, penetrating and sharp. He felt her buckle under his stare and finally, she let up, understanding that she could not stare this boy into submission. She looked away in frustration, her body stiff from irritation. Hiashi shook his head and cleared his throat.

"Neji-san," he said. "These are my daughters, Hinata." He gestured to the shy girl to his right. "And Hanabi." His hand moved swiftly and gracefully to the other girl, who was still annoyed and refused to meet Neji's eyes. Neji bowed.

"Hinata-san," he said. "Hanabi-san, it is an honor to make your acquaintance." Hinata now was so red that a tomato would look washed out when compared to her blush and she quickly and shyly bowed to Neji.

"Please, Neji-san," she said. "The honor and pleasure is ours." Neji could not help but notice that her voice wavered as she said this, as though she were trying to keep from stuttering. He felt a pang of sympathy for her, but that was quickly masked by a pang of slight disgust at her lack of backbone. She seemed to him to be a coward. Hanabi, on the other hand, was very outspoken. She looked at Neji in a fierce glare and stepped forward, bowing.

"The feeling is mutual here, Neji-san," she said, an edge to her voice. "I hope your journey here was not unfavorable?" Neji looked at her.

"I thank you for being concerned, Hanabi-san," he said. "My journey here was most enjoyable." Hanabi smirked.

"No need to stand on ceremony to impress upon us," she said. "We are your family. We would wish it of you to be truthful with us." Neji blinked, but showed no signs of being perturbed or amused.

"Well, I suppose it is hard for me to get used to a family in which arrogance is considered as valuable as truthfulness," he said coolly. "But, I suppose it's just a passing phase, and that I, in time will get used to it, or the family will grow out of it. Which ever comes first." He looked Hanabi dead in the eye and her smirk faltered. She received a hard glare from her father before he turned to Neji, stern and strict.

"Neji-san, please understand," he said. "From now on, you will be considered a member of this household, and shall be treated as family, and that shall include reprimands. I would not wish your relation with Hanabi to begin on such unstable grounds so I must ask that you please refrain from such talk here." Neji bowed apologetically.

"Gomen," he said. "I apologize." Hiashi nodded and looked to Hanabi, who muttered an apology, bowing and resuming her fierce and somewhat indifferent appearance. Hinata was now shaking slightly with nervousness. She did not know her cousin was so sharp-tongued, and she did not know he would be so cold. There was now so much tension between him and Hanabi that it was beginning to choke the air around her. She decided boldly to attempt to break the newly formed ice.

"N-Neji-san," she started unsurely. He looked at her. "D-did you see K-Konoha High?" Neji nodded.

"Hai, Hinata-san," he said. "I did. It's a very beautiful school. Do you attend?" Hinata nodded shakily.

"H-hai," she replied. "I-I'm a freshmen there." Neji nodded.

"I am a sophomore there," he said. "I suppose I'll at least see you in the hallways." This comment had been intended to make her feel less awkward, but instead, Hinata's face only grew redder, if that was possible. Neji exhaled softly, almost in a sigh, and decided not to try anymore to make her more comfortable around him. Clearly, neither of these girls really wanted much to do with him. Which, of course, only suited him all the more perfectly. He turned to Hiashi.

"Hiashi-sama," he said respectfully. "If I have your leave, I should like to familiarize myself with this place." Hiashi smiled and nodded.

"No need to be so polite, though, Neji," he said, walking up to the young Hyuuga and placing a hand on his shoulder. "We are family after all." Neji nodded, looking blankly at his uncle, before bowed and walked away. Hanabi, Hinata and Hiashi all watched after him, some of them, more resentfully than others.

Neji didn't even look at anything in the house as he searched for a door that led outside. He did not notice the beautiful plants in decorative vases or the antique paintings hanging on the walls. He only concentrated on the door at the back of the house, hidden and dusty, that led outside. Neji reached it and fitted his slender hand around the knob, turning it sharply. He heard a click and pulled the door open, ignoring the small creak. He stepped out onto a porch that led into the backyard, which was in the form of a flower garden. There was a dirt pathway that weaved its way in and out of the garden, framing the flowers, the only colorful thing Neji really enjoyed. The garden was rather vast and was closed off by a fence that, in no way detracted from the beauty of the wondrous plants. Neji sighed, at ease, and stepped off the porch into the garden, enjoying the feel of the soft dirt on his bare feet. He walked slowly through the bunches of flowers, stopping to admire certain ones that especially caught his attention, and came to a halt in front of a group of enchanting white anemone flowers. Neji's breath shortened slightly as he knelt down to examine them more closely. The yellow center seemed to return his sorrowful gaze with one of even more infinite sadness. Its simple white petals formed a soft tipped star and the flowers themselves were small and delicate. Neji dared not touch them for fear of breaking their weak stems and crushing their all too fragile petals. His fingers reached out on impulse, though, and stopped inches away from the soft flowers. By then, the rain had stopped, and a little breeze had been born, barely noticeable by Neji. Said breeze flew softly and silently through the air and pushed a light anemone flower to his hand, so that the petals just brushed his pale fingers, causing him to wince, surprised that such an ironic thing had happened. He hated irony. It was just too…ironic.

Neji shook his head and withdrew his hand, letting it fall to his side, but his gaze remained on the flower. He knew that the anemone flower symbolized forsakenness and frailty. It suited him perfectly. That was why it drew his attention. Because of his own pathetic desire to relate to something; anything. Whether human or not, it didn't matter. And now, he had found something. Something that meant him. And he was content. At least, more so than a few minutes ago.

Closing his eyes and letting his head fall forward, Neji relaxed and let the breeze play with his hair, let the flowers dance around him, let his emotions run free in the garden that meant peace, but sorrow; serenity, but pain; promise, but lies.

Neji remained in the garden as dusk began to fall; as the fireflies began to emerge, and as it began to rain again. In fact, it wasn't until the rain that Neji saw fit to return to the house. He stood slowly and walked back along the dirt path, now freshly wet, and reentered his uncle's home. He quickly dried his feet on the mat at the entrance and walked aimlessly around and found himself in the kitchen. There was a counter and a stove and refrigerator, and above that there was a microwave. Scattered all around were cabinets that held, Neji guessed, dishes and food. He turned and went into unexplored territory, which turned out to be the dining room. There was a rather picturesque chandelier hanging above an oval table, with plenty of room to fit at least ten people. Neji saw the chairs neatly pushed in and the table neat and without mess, but he suspected that they had already eaten. Hiashi had probably left him to his own devices, seeing that he needed some time to adjust. Well, if that was the case, then Neji's uncle had most certainly thought and acted correctly. Neji turned and began to head up to his room when he heard someone call to him. He turned and saw that it was his soft cousin Hinata. He looked at her, expressionless.

"What is it, Hinata-san?" he asked. Hinata looked at the ground, clearly mustering up any and all courage she had to say whatever it was she seemed intent on saying to Neji. The brunette waited patiently. Finally Hinata looked up and straight into Neji's eyes, which surprised him.

"I j-just want to w-welcome you here, N-Neji-nii-san," she said. Neji was quite surprised at this sudden change. Nii-san? He was under the impression that she was uncomfortable around him. Neji watched as the young girl continued.

"I'm s-sorry for what h-happened to you," she stuttered, amazingly, still retaining eye contact. "B-but, please, l-let us be your family, t-too." Neji blinked and looked at her, confusion beginning to rule him over, but then quickly replaced by understanding, and maybe even some respect. He could see that his first impression of her was completely wrong. He certainly would never have had anywhere near enough courage to attempt something like what Hinata was doing. She was capable of acting on a whim when she felt it was necessary and she seemed to be very in tune with her feelings.

Neji nodded once to her and then held her gaze for a moment, before answering, "I'll try." Hinata's face showed hints of a smile and she bowed.

"A-arigato!" she gasped, sounding thoroughly relieved. "G-good night, Neji-nii-san!" She quickly hurried off and up the staircase to her room. Neji watched her go. Perhaps this won't be downright horrible. He thought, curiosity in his eyes.

Please tell me if I should continue this fic. I am in the mood for a SasuNeji and I know I haven't introduced Sasuke yet, I need to know if this story is working so far!! So, reviews people!!