chapter zero.

Scattered memories.

Closing ones eyes is not the same as blindness.

It's not ignorance either.

It's cruelty.

There was one thing Hinata Hyuga would never forget. Eyes.

Since she had been a child, she would remember eyes. How could she not? In a home where the only important things that counted were power, ability and talent, it wasn't a surprise she'd notice their eyes.

Scornful. Irritated. Annoyed. Emotions that were displayed when looking at her.

But what she feared the most has always been the judging eyes. The ones which never believed in her achieving anything worthy of a Hyuga. Not of a heiress. This expectation was long gone.

But there were also kind eyes. She remembered her dear mother, loving her despite what everyone would think. Her love filled her with joy, and the harsh eyes didn't look that scary anymore. She would show everyone – that she could be kind and strong. Her mother was the very proof of that. 'It is a pity', she said, 'their eyes are blind to what is truly important'. What she meant, little Hinata did not know. Her mother smiled a knowing smile and didn't say anything anymore. It was alright. Hinata had her own pace and she knew someday she'd understand what she already knew.

Her mothers love was her anchor. She was given so much love and smiles, and everything her father was not capable of showing her, but she was satisfied nonetheless. If her mother could smile at her, when she finished the training she failed so miserably at, then it was alright.

Sadly that love she was showered with was not enough – not enough to cover her entire life, since her mothers death came way too soon. She didn't remember how long she'd been sad. Maybe she hasn't been sad at all. She had a little sister then and couldn't allow herself to be depressed. Hanabi, her cute little baby sister. She loved her very much and would love her and show her as much as her mother did to her because Hanabi would certainly need it in this cold home which was haunted by white, scary, judging eyes. She must be protected at all cost!

False.

Hanabi didn't need it. She was strong. She was appreciated. She was wanted. She'd certainly be a better heiress – just why was Hinata born first (or even at all)? She could see all that in those eyes even though she was still a child. Hinata wasn't jealous of her sister. She was glad – she wouldn't have to be haunted by their eyes like her big sister. She'd be happy. Certainly. But she felt left behind. She found this feeling to be very sad. But then she would remember her mothers kind smile and she'd gain a little courage to try a bit harder.

She encountered shining bright blue eyes filled with dreams and hopes when she enrolled into the academy. Despite the hurt which was quite evident to her and to nobody else. No. Maybe nobody else wanted to see that, for he was shunned because of something people never talked about. She wondered what he could have done. Wasn't he strong enough? Was he too kind? What kind of mistake did he do? Maybe a mistake wasn't it. She certainly didn't do anything to be counted as a mistake. She just was a failure.

That's what she thought. That's what everyone thought of the blonde boy. That boy, who trained, and tried so hard. It touched her. How did this boy gain the courage to try so hard? When he didn't have anyone who would be proud of him?

That's when she realized something. The very thing she lacked: the courage to believe in herself.

But only realizing what she lacked wouldn't help her. She would have to find the strength to believe in herself. Hinata, being fragile and sensitive because those eyes just wouldn't stop looking at her, found this very hard to do.

So she watched. Watched him training, making a fool out of himself, even though he tried so hard. How he gained the courage to believe in himself – she didn't discover it. What she did discover was something she didn't realize until quite some time.

She believed in Naruto.

When she fell in love with him, she didn't know. But it didn't matter. She gained a new anchor.

Because Hinata always found something people were not looking for she found him.

Because Hinata didn't pay attention to attention she didn't see what anyone with keen eyes would have seen.

Because, apparently, blindness wasn't only home in the Hyuga Clan.

Now Hinata wondered, if she had found that lonely boy instead, would it have turned out the same way? Would he still be lonely? Would his eyes look at her all the same?

When she first saw into crimson blood eyes she realized she would never want to forget them. They were too captivating. The feelings which were hidden by the ignorance of people's eyes: the sorrow, melancholy and the kindness which nobody ever wanted to see. It pierced right through her heart and made her want to cry. It made her want to erase that scary loneliness which infested his gentle heart.

It was too much. It was too intense. It was unbearable.

And despite all that she never wanted to look away.

There was one thing Hinata Hyuga would never forget. His eyes.

Author's Note:

I think this fanfiction will write itself. c:

This chapter doesn't tell much, but I had to write it. It's the prologue. The plot will make an appearance next chapter!

Pairings: I still am not quite sure. Itachi/Hinata or Sasuke/Hinata.

I hope you liked it. Tell me what you think.