Chapter Four:

"Yes, she did do that. I was only turning seven that year. She was about a year older than me. I didn't have my Sharingan activated though, so it's not like my father. I am permanently blind from my right eye."

"So you guys did have connections. The Hatakes' to the Uchiha family?"

"Yes, why wouldn't we? Every clan had at least one connection to another. It was a law the second Hokage made to ensure peace within the village. Though, it is forgotten and not used now."

Two different stories- one family. If only he could find a replacement soon, then he would retire…

"I'm too old to deal with this. If only Aiko (Kurenai's grandchild) was a Jounin already. I was jump on her as fast as I can to give her this horrid job…how long was she in prison?"

"No longer than three weeks. The Hokage, Kakashi, and Itachi found a ground they can all agree on. Said something about being a double agent. I'm sorry, Hokage-sama. I do not know that much of this. My father should. But it's been years. I doubt either one of us remember clearly about this." Bowing the old man left with the Forbidden Scroll in hand and seven ANBU as cover.

"Hanabi-koi…what do I do?" Small pale hands massaged his temples.

"Do what your heart tells you. It's what my sister always told me…and I never listened. The Hyuuga clan would have been fixed so much earlier if I had. Maru-kun…your heart is stronger than anything else in these tough times. And until the end of time- you will have me."

Enveloping her hands with his, he gives a gentle squeeze. Getting up from his post he spins around and puts her hands around his neck and his around her waist, moving ever so gracefully. Swaying gently to imaginary music.

"Until the end of time…forever and a day. You, no matter what, will have me. Hanabi-koi…how about we take a stroll along the training grounds. I think Natsumi is having problems with her team. Again. There is a curse to every Team 7, wouldn't you think?"

Chuckles and giggles enclose the room. "You always know how to make me feel young again. Teasing Natsumi sounds perfect with the grasp of my youth that I have."

Walking out of the room hand in hand, he groans, "Don't remind me. Elder Gai's meeting is tomorrow noon."

Hours turned into days. Those days slowly transformed into a week or two and my seven-year- old patience ran thin. Itachi hadn't been able to plead my case. My birthday was only a week away, but no one came to see me.

My hands had been tainted thanks to my loving family. My files…files I had never known existed had been stained as well.

To be an Uchiha was not worth the price I had to pay. Father never dared to visit the child that followed orders. Never did he tell me that I could learn the Katon, our prized jutsu of acceptance as a clan member. Nor did he tell me I can continue training with my Sharingan, not that I want to anyways. Not anymore.

I was left completely behind for three weeks. No talk of what went on. Nothing. Zip. Nada. It devastated me. It infuriated me. It irked me beyond belief.

My mother was right. I was only being used by my father. That ungrateful bastard just didn't want his hands dirty. Not yet anyways.

Oh! But she must have been ashamed of my wrong-doing. Not that she ever told me. Not that she ever told anyone.

On a day before insanity would pollute my already half-crazed mind, they came for me. Sasuke and Mother. Sasuke had been the first to react.

He grunted as he stuffed his hands into his pockets, sauntering over to my position in the upper left-hand corner.

Ninja know everything. They need to be aware of their surroundings. They need to know where they are…always. If not, we are better off dead.

My eyes really weren't focused. They had stuck me into the mental institution for prisoners (pleading that no sane child would commit such a crime) leaving me to stare at white walls from dawn to dusk.

He had stood in my line of sight and knelt. Slowly my focus was forced to return. It was probably the rarest and first time in almost three years that I heard him talk to me. Almost three years and it is the first time he hugged me. Almost three years and it is the first I felt at home again, at peace within me.

"You're home." That was all he said and that was all he needed to say. Because right as those words slipped from his mouth, tears spilled and over-flowed. They cascaded down my cheeks on to his shirt, on to me. His grip only tightened.

Maybe- maybe all could be right in the world for just one second. Just one.