Detailed summary:

The older Uchiha brother had helped her. He had saved Hinata on her seventh birthday, in more ways than one could imagine. The boy had even smiled at her.

Four years later, the twelve year old Hyuga heiress finds herself training under the handsome analytical genius and bloodthirsty ANBU black ops captain, the same yet vastly different boy. Hinata can't help but find herself cowering with deep inclination to run away under the dark eyes of the man, even if he was her knight in shinning armor. And ANBU captain Uchiha Itachi can't help but find himself demoted in a demoted position with a repulsed feeling of being hired to train the hopeless heiress due to her paranoid fathers demand. But as far as Itachi is concerned, when this private training fiasco came up on his radar, Kakashi had in a way, spoken highly of Hinata Hyuga for a reason. Perhaps she had some hidden talent in her? Or maybe the grayed hair main was insane as ever? Perhaps both? He was determined to find out, forbidding anything to stand in his way.

AU, non-massacre, Pre-NinjaAcademy graduation , Silly Kakashi, ItaHina pairing .

Revised 4.20.14

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto at all, nor the characters ! If I did hoho...

Chapter 1- Unrelated Differences

4 years ago

Uchiha Clan Household

Konohagakure's lantern festival.

The annual festival was always sorrowful, yet peaceful. It was where the people of Konoha commemorated the death of their loved ones.

"Itachi dear, why don't you take Sasuke out tonight so you both can enjoy the festivities?" Mikoto Uchiha suggested, hastily, but more maternally, with a persuasive sweet sincerity.

She patiently stood glancing over her shoulder at her twelve year old son, momentarily pausing from drying a freshly washed china dish with a hopeful expression that she did not impose on her son's already grieving demeanor.

He inwardly cringed, though his face remained stoic. His mother implied he should pay his respects to his friend. Every thought and memory of Shisui caused his heart to fall into a morbid place, little by little. His mother's intentions were good. Itachi knew this; he caught every sincere, worried ,yet careful undertone hidden in her voice. Yet had he been anyone other than Itachi Uchiha, he would have reacted to her suggestion immaturely, driven by emotions with a foul attitude. He would have been very touchy about the situation , like any other twelve year old boy would have acted. If he had been anyone other than Uchiha Itachi.

Being of such a bloodline was equal to being exceptional. Itachi was raised by respectable parents, therefore he was a respectable child. Logicalness, power, and talent flowed through his veins. He was an Uchiha, a genius. But Uchiha Itachi was still a human. He wanted to release his feelings, and it would be easiest to let it all go in front his mother, but he was better than that.

Shisui Uchiha, the boy whom he'd shared so many irreplaceable moments of laughter, and long sympathizing, and empowering years of training with, had died. It was an inexplicable case of death, a case yet to be solved, a case that had even stumped the Hokage. He had treasured his friend dearly, like a brother. The thought of what he would pay to turn back time ran through his head every single day since Shisui's death. With a mental note that he, himself, could not logically reverse the past, he decided to take his mother up on her suggestion out of respect. Sasuke would probably enjoy going.

Itachi nodded, rising up from his chair without making unnecessary noises and made his way towards the counter with his empty plate setting it quietly next to his mother who looked at him a small approving gleam.

"Thank you, Okaa-san." Gratefulness and slight resent in his voice were noticed, only a tone that a mother could pick up from her own child. It was confusing, almost as though the burden of Shisui's death were clearly seen on Itachi's shoulders. She frowned, her son shouldn't be feeling guilty, there was nothing any of them could have done. Without another word, the young Uchiha promptly exited the room and made his way towards the hallways to find his younger brother.

'They say lanterns are believed guide spirits to a final, happy resting place … ' Mikoto quietly thought as she returned to her chore.

Hyuga Clan Main Household

Konohagakure's lantern festival.

A highly held communal celebration, which the prestigious traditional Hyuga clan did not attend, took its place late December, two days after Christmas holiday-

The elder Hyuga heir's birthday.

Her seventh birthday to be precise. More often than not, Hinata would have refrained from making any type of a request and doing anything uncharacteristically. She would as always, act humbly but be one-sidedly satisfied with the dozens of silk kimonos, hair ornaments and well suited spices and fragrances she was repeatedly given by Hyuga branches and relatives each year. Hinata Hyuga-sama, the birthday girl, the named Hyuga heiress, a title outsiders and Hyuga's cringed and questioned at, due to its unfitting nature for the young, introverted, skittish girl.

Despite her young age, she was not out of touch with others opinions about her useless form and non-existent shinobi skills. Maids talked here and there and kids at school gossiped mercilessly. She was a futile child and hardly showed any promise compared to her two year old younger sister. Hanabi's progress as a mere toddler shone through ever more than she had. She whole heartedly admitted it to herself a long time ago.

Nonetheless, that special yet painstakingly formal day, Hinata had mustered up a definite amount of courage and will power to ask her own father, Hiashi Hyuga, for a chance, perhaps to attend the lantern festival tonight … for her birthday ?

A few seconds after ending her self willed, stuttered half request, half question, a small audible gulp came from the small, shaking Hyuga girl who saw her father's disturbed face.

Her father returned her unexpected request, with a hesitant opening of his mouth which was usually followed with a reply of rejection at the tip of his tongue. Hinata winced on the verge of tears, her small frame stiffening at what was to come. She should've known better, this occurred more times than she could count, she shouldn't have even asked – but unpredictably, her father shut his mouth. Hinata's eyebrows rose, child's hope and innocent desire awash in her light lavender eyes.

'Children's innocence … '

Hiashi was indeed unyielding, strict and cruel when it came to his eldest daughter, these traits most evident during her training. He was head of the clan, knowing that its future rode on the capability and strength of his own daughter. Even outside of training sessions, Hiashi was still unyielding, strict and cruel. Regardless, this man was a human being with the nature of a father, he was unconsciously, undeniably thoughtful of his daughter. It was his daughters seventh birthday, for Kami's sake. Seventh! Was this not a number referred to good luck? The man pathetically convinced himself.

Hiashi did not sugarcoat his defeated sigh as he shut his eyes pinching his nose bridge. Harsh lavender met a duplicate teary shade as he held her gaze and exhaled.

"Alright."

Hinata's youthful and light face beamed hearing her fathers one worded approving reply.

'Acceptance.'

"T-thank y-y-you Otou-san!"

The rare feeling created a foreign butterfly like feeling in her stomach, certainly one she wasn't used to. Hiashi nodded as a signal to the by standing maids to prepare warm suitable clothing for his daughter. He did not want the Hyuga heiress to arrive to a festival inappropriately clothed. Hinata allowed the loyal maids to usher her to her room.

After making sure the maids and Hinata were out of sight, Hiashi shifted his eyes downwards once again questioning his actions for agreeing.

'She's my daughter … it's her birthday, a night of celebration could not hurt … Ah .'

He came to a realization.

'Her mother .'

Next chapters sneak peak (content subject to change/prototype) …

Ch 2- Konohagakure Lantern Festival

Itachi's mom had sweetly pestered her sons to wear formal black yukata's embellished with a simple black and red design of the Uchiha clan. When Itachi respectfully declined, Mikoto didn't push him any further and instead wrapped her younger son up in the cloth calling him her "dashing" young son, much to Sasuke's demise. Itachi couldn't help a smirk that came naturally from their sibling rivalry. After the little rebellious kimono scene, Sasuke realized Itachi did them both a favor. Uchiha brothers matching yukata's ? Hm. Talk about embarrassing . Both of the boys couldn't help but hate when mothers do that to their children, especially when they were the victims. Sasuke silently sympathized with Itachi's actions as he held his nii-san's hand silently making their way to the festival. Both brothers stopped dead in their tracks as they noticed something uncomfortably off in the area's aura…

A/N:

AAAAAAH I just wrote the first chapter of my first fanfic ! -hyperventilates- Very very nervous as I wrote this, my very first one so please take it easy on me.

Thank you very much for reading ! (:

I know this is a very very very short chapter, I apologize ! I will make it up with ItaHina interaction in the next chapter. ;

I would really appreciate feedback though.

Mikoto's thoughts about lanterns : I found a bit of information on lanterns and their meanings on this eHow article . I just changed up the sentece's words, they belong to this article below .

"Lanterns are believed to guide spirits to a final, safe and happy resting place." Read more on eHows article : What is the meaning of the Japanese Lantern?

Review? Your thoughts, what do you think so far? Even a simple , "I like" will make me happy ! -blush-