The Blind The Deft and The Mute

Chapter 7

ShadowCasper: God it's been so long since I last updated, School and everything else have just gotten on top of my lately. However School is now over, and I only have two exams left before I never have to go to school again. YAY!!!!!

Anyway I wanted to thank everyone who have Read/Reviews/favourite/story alerted/Author Alerted/ Favourite Authored Me an this story, It means so much to me that people actually like this story as well as put up with my constant lack of updates, so thanks. XD

Also wanted to thank my wonderful Beta Bag' O Moon Frogs for doing such a wonderful job on this story. :D

On another note I just wanted to say that I have done some pictures for this story, all of which are on my DA, and the links will be on my profile, I'm not a very good artist but I try, so check them out.

Now on to the Chapter!!!!!!!!!

Parings: ItachiXKisame, HinataXNaruto, One-sided HinataXKiba, GaaLee, NejiXTen and SasuXSaku

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Itachi, guided by Lee, sat down in one of the chairs in the headmistress's office. He wiped at his eyes roughly, trying to rid himself of the sweat there. He could feel it dripping down his brow and it stung. It had been a long time since he'd moved around so much.

It wasn't really the stinging that bothered him, but rather the pain coursing through the rest of his body. The person he'd been fighting sure knew how to throw a good punch. Itachi himself wasn't sure who he'd been fighting since he couldn't see them, but knew it was Kisame who had come to try and stop him.

But that was the last of his concerns at the moment. What Itachi was really concerned about was Hinata. She'd been hurt, badly by the sounds of it, and it had been Itachi's fault for rising to the challenge of a fight. Or, more correctly, his pride's fault for not letting him back down from a fight. Now not only was Hinata hurt, but, judging by the way Itachi felt him wince, Lee was also. What a useless friend Itachi was.

Itachi knew before they met Lee had constantly been the victim of bullying. Itachi wanted to make sure that it didn't happen again. Lee was also a lot kinder then he was, which was why Itachi hated anyone acting nasty to Lee. It was so frustrating to listen to people say such cruel things. Itachi had just snapped, he didn't stop to consider the effect it would have on Hinata or Lee.

The younger boy had taken a seat next to him, their entwined hands hanging between them, and Itachi could tell that Lee was nervous by the way his palms sweated and twitched.

Itachi himself wasn't worried about getting into trouble; at his old school before the car crash he'd always been in trouble for something. But Lee hated getting into trouble; it made him feel like he'd let someone down. It was one of the things Itachi liked most about him.

"Now which one of you is going to tell me exactly what happened?" Mrs. Ballard's shrewd voice asked angrily.

The six boys stayed silent; Itachi couldn't be bothered to explain what happened, Lee was probably too scared, and Neji and Kisame most likely didn't know. As for the other two, Itachi didn't really care.

"I see, well then Uzumaki, since you like to talk, why don't you tell me who started the fight?"

"Who started it? Well, that was the Sasuke look-a-like." Itachi snapped his head around in the direction the voice had come from.

"That's was only because that jerk had shoved Lee, and was calling him nasty names. He was the one that started it."

"Is this true Gaara?" Mrs. Ballard asked.

There was a slight pause, and Itachi heard someone huff. "He had it coming to him, its not my fault the moron doesn't look where he's going."

Itachi growled deep in his chest. "Lee does look were his going, it's not his fault he can't h-" Itachi cut himself off, realizing just what he was about to say.

There was a sigh and then Mrs. Ballard said, "I see, so that's what started this. I knew things like this would be unavoidable, but I had hoped it wouldn't occur until a bit later. Well then boys, it's up to you. What do you want to do?"

Itachi knew that she was talking to him, but he couldn't reply. What did he want to do? A question like that for Itachi had so many answers, the main one being he wanted to be able to live a normal life again and not worry about anything. Not about being blind, or about friends who seemed to get mysteriously hurt, nor friends who were most likely lying in hospital bed. It was a selfish thought and Itachi hated himself for it, yet it was still there.

Itachi shook his head, hoping to rid himself of such thoughts. They would most likely come back to him at some point, but for now he had to think of the best way to deal with the situation at hand. His thinking didn't last long since the warm hand in Itachi's twitched and began writing on the back of his hand.

A frown creased his brow, "Are you sure Lee?" he asked, knowing Lee was looking at him.

"Yes, it's for the best." Itachi nodded his head to Lee's response.

"Alright then, Mrs. Ballard Lee woul-" Itachi paused, "we would like it if our secret was still kept but think it's best if Uzumaki and Gaara knew." Itachi hoped he'd said both those names right. It was awfully frustrating not having faces for names.

Mrs. Ballard let out a small sigh. "I see, if that what you wish, but since they didn't know this time I'm going to have to punish them, and also Hyuga and Hoshigaki."

Itachi was about argue this but Lee spoke up "I beg you pardon Mrs. Ballard, but Kisame-senpai and Neji-san were only trying to stop the fight, and Neji-san only got involved because Gaara-kun accidently hit Hinata-chan, so it wasn't really his fault. So please don't punish them, I don't mind taking their punishments, please." Lee rushed out causing Itachi to smile inwardly at how kind Lee was despite everything that had happened today, even going as far as to put 'kun' at the end of Gaara's name.

Mrs. Ballard also seemed slightly amused. "If you feel that strongly about it, Rock-kun, then I won't punish Hoshigaki and Hyuga, nor will I give you extra punishments." She coughed slight before saying. "I want you and Itachi to stay after school tonight to clean the cafeteria. Uzumaki and Gaara will also join you. The four of you will also stay after school for the rest of the week and do various cleaning. For now however I want you to go the nurses room and get your injuries cleaned. Hoshigaki and Hyuga, since yours aren't too bad, just head straight to class. Leave now so I can talk to these two in private."

Itachi nodded and heard the others murmured replies before there was a tug at his hand and Lee lead him out of the office. Once they were in the silent hallway and the door was closed behind them a voice asked, "What happened?"

"Sasuke?" Itachi jumped slightly, not having known his brother was there. "Why aren't you in class?" The bell had rung just after Itachi and the others entered the head's office, a good 20 minutes ago.

"I just got back from the nurse's office, and decided to wait for Gaara and Naruto." His brother answered in his usual smooth voice.

"Hinata-sama, how's Hinata-sama?" Neji asked franticly. Itachi could tell without difficulty how much his friend meant to her cousin.

"Hinata's fine, your father picked her up a few minutes ago. He said he was taking her to the Rosemary hospital. He also asked me to let you know that Hanabi is going to a friend's house so you don't have to worry about her."

"Ah, thank you Sasuke. I guess I'll be heading back to class then. Bye." Itachi waited until Neji's footsteps had faded before talking.

"Kisame-senpai, thank you for what you did. I apologize for hitting you." Itachi truly did fell sorry for hurting his senpai, especially because of the kindness he'd been shown the previous day. "I didn't hurt your back did I?"

There was a deep chuckle. "Na, my back's fine Itachi-san, and you didn't hurt me either. Just a few nicks and bumps, nothing major." He let out a low sigh. "I suppose I too best hurry off to class, unless, of course, you need help finding you way to the nurse?"

If Sasuke weren't present, Itachi would have smiled, but he held it inside. Instead he replied, "I'm sure we'll find our way just fine Kisame-senpai."

"Yeah, I guess you will. I'll see you later Itachi-san, Lee-kun."

"Bye Kisame-senpai." Lee called after him before giving Itachi's hand a slight tug. "Let's go Itachi-san, you've got a nasty cut on you cheek that may become infected if we don't get it cleaned."

The pair of them began walking and Itachi called over his shoulder. "Later Sasuke." There was a slight grunt of a reply

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After they'd both been patched up in the nurse's office, Itachi had convinced Lee to bunk off the rest of lesson and go up to hang out on the roof. At first Lee had, of course, protested; the pair were already in deep trouble for the fight if they were caught and their punishment would only worsen. But Itachi had argued that their lesson, chemistry, was already ¾ of the way over, so it would be pointless to attend. Lee didn't have to argue with that.

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The weather outside was cool, with a silent breeze. Lee liked it since it was calm and peaceful. He was still in somewhat of a state of shock at what had happened earlier. Lee was also ashamed of himself for doing such things, losing control and hurting someone.

Itachi was sitting by his side, not talking or moving, just resting with his hand in Lee's. Lee wasn't sure why but he got the distinct feeling that something was wrong with his older friend. He hadn't said much since they' d left the nurses office and there was a constant frown playing across his brows. Lee tried to just reason with himself that Itachi was just worried about Hinata, he knew he was, but even then there seemed to be more.

As if sensing his gaze Itachi turned and looked at him with sightless eyes, a small smile gracing his lips.

Lee smiled back, noticing the way Itachi smile never really touched his eyes.

The older of the pair shuffled before his lips asked 'Does it bother you?'

Lee, who had barely caught the question, he blinked in confusion. 'Does what bother me Itachi-san?'

Itachi seemed to contemplate how to ask before saying, 'When people call you names like 'fag'?'

A blush spread across Lee's cheeks as his eyes widened slightly, he had not expected that.

'I mean,' Itachi continued. 'It's not like we've ever really discussed it before.'

'Discussed what?' Lee hoped beyond hope that Itachi wasn't talking about what Lee thought he was talking about.

'You know stuff that normal teens our age talk about.'

'You mean sex.'

Itachi own cheeks reddened now, which shocked Lee since he'd never really seen Itachi embarrassed before. He didn't know Itachi even got embarrassed.

'Well yeah, it's not that I want to or anything, it's just before my accident all I really thought and cared about was girls and sex. It just kind of hit me earlier that we'd never talked about it.'

Lee ran over what Itachi had said. It was true he and Itachi had never talked about that sort of thing before. But it did make sense that a 17-year-old boy like Itachi would think and talk about things like that. Lee, however, had never even considered doing that sort of stuff, let alone had anyone to talk to about it at all. Before Hinata and Itachi, Lee had no friends.

Itachi who shifted again began twitching his hands in Lee's, successfully gaining his attention. 'I'm not trying to imply that you're gay or anything, I'm just curious I guess.'

Gay? Lee ran this over in his head: was he gay? He'd never thought about it before, with all the problems he'd had growing up, being bullied and his relationship with his Mother. Lee's body shuddered at the mere thought of his Mother and he realized in that moment that he'd most likely never be able to get involved with a woman that way. It confused him, but it was no real shock, Lee had never been good with females, with the exception of Hinata.

Itachi only seemed to get more nervous at Lee's pronoun silence. 'I said too much didn't I?'

Lee smiled at his friend's embarrassment, it was a new emotion, but very welcome on the boy, it made him look younger then he was and Lee was sure if he could hear Itachi's words they'd be mumbled.

'You didn't say too much Itachi-san. I was just thinking, I don't really know if I'm gay or not since I've never thought about liking anyone, but I don't really see my self getting romantically involved with a woman. Then again, for me it's more about what a persons like then gender.'

Itachi chuckled. Lee noticed this by the way his eyes crinkled and his body shook with the deafened sound. 'I knew you'd say something like that. You really are too kind.'

'Thank you Itachi-san.' Lee blushed. It wasn't often he was this complicated. 'So, em, if you don't mind me asking, what about you?'

'Me?' Itachi frowned. 'I don't know really, well not now anyway. Before my accident I'd have a lot of girls, I didn't even have to like the girl I was with as long as she had big breasts and a pretty face.' Itachi paused, his face taking on a disgusted look. 'When I think about what I was like it makes me sick. I was horrible, snobby, arrogant and gutless. I surrounded myself with people I disliked just because they had money and I looked down on people who didn't. And when I think back now I can't remember once giving money to a charity or helping someone without something in it for me. 
But now, I guess, looks and clothes don't really matter. I'll never be able to see what anyone looks likes ever again. In some ways I hate that, because honestly I'd give anything to see what you and Hinata look like,' Itachi's cheeks pinked slightly, but he pulled his brows down and forced himself to continue. ' But in many ways I think becoming blind was the best thing that ever happened to me and, this might sound stupid, so don't laugh, but I'm really scared that if my sight ever did come back I would turn back into the person I used to be.'

Lee watched as his friend took a deep breath before leaning back against the wall. His face seemed lighter, like he'd let a huge weight of his chest, which was most likely true.

Honestly, Lee was surprised by Itachi's confession, in the few months they'd been friends Itachi had never really spoken much and had defiantly never offered up anything of his past. It made Lee extremely happy since it meant he and Itachi were slowly becoming closer.

'It's not stupid at all Itachi-san, fears like those are necessary to all people; it's what makes us human.' Lee grinned full out, knowing that Itachi couldn't see him. 'But Itachi-san you didn't answer the full question.'

Itachi blinked, 'Sure I did.'

'No Itachi-san you sort of asked me about being gay.' Lee stifled a chuckle as Itachi's face redden for what seemed like the hundredth time that day. He had obviously been hoping Lee would forget about this part of the question.

'Well, I guess if I had the choice, I'd rather fall in love with a girl, it would be easier socially, and if I ever wanted to have a kid… Also, its the sex I'm used to, but with a guy… Sure, falling for a guy would be just as easy as falling for a girl but… sex? It would be kind of weird, right?'

Lee thought for a moment. 'To be completely honest Itachi-san, the idea of being that way with a guy is a lot more appealing to me than being with a girl.'

'Really?' Itachi asked looking surprised, but, thankfully, not disgusted.

'Well yeah, to me a girls body is quite alien and I wouldn't really know what to do or where to, um, touch. However, a guy would have the same body as me and I would know what feels good.' Lee was sure his face was now identical to a tomato. It was embarrassing to think such things, let alone say them out loud.

Itachi seemed to thing it over again before replying, 'That's true, but what about penetration?'

If Lee was standing he would have fallen down in shock and embarrassment and it hit him how odd this situation was. Him and Itachi sitting on the school roof, bunking class, talking about gay sex and Itachi wearing a serious expression like he was trying to find the solution to a really hard math problem.

'Ano, Itachi-san, wha---' Lee cut his sentence short when Itachi raised his hand.

'The school bell just rang, we should hurry to last period. Otherwise we'll get caught coming down from here.' Itachi then rose to his feet, and Lee followed, feeling relieved as both of them stretched out their backs.

Nothing was said as they clasped hands and Lee began to lead the way to the roof exit. Itachi knew that Lee would no longer be able to see his lips move and Lee knew that Itachi had to concentrate on following his footsteps so he didn't fall over or trip. Then when they reached the top of the stairs Lee would gently squeeze Itachi hand's indicating that they had reached them. This was something that had become natural to them by now.

As Lee walked, he felt himself smile a fraction; he now knew what it meant to be saved by the bell, even if he couldn't hear it.

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Naruto was stunned beyond words as he and Gaara left the headmistress's office minutes before the bell was due to sound. He couldn't believe what the three teenagers were dealing with. Sure, he didn't really know them well, but Naruto had always had strong feelings for people with disadvantages in the world, just like he once had. For the simple reasons that they were teenagers at his school, not to mention his friend's brother and cousin, and he beaten one of them up, but this time it was more then that. It'd been a long time since he'd felt so terrible.

From his side Gaara seemed indifferent, his face the usual emotionless mask he always wore in public. At first he'd been surprised, but Gaara had hidden it well, and was now acting as if he couldn't care less.

"Did you get into much trouble?"

Naruto looked up as Sasuke's voice sounded to see his raven-haired friend leaning against the wall, watching him and Gaara approach.

He was about to ask why the Sasuke wasn't in class, when Naruto realised something: Sasuke must have known, Itachi was his brother, and it was likely he'd know about the others as well. 
 Fire swirled in his stomach as he felt anger consume him. Naruto rushed forward without thinking and grabbed Sasuke by his collar, slamming him into the wall he previously been leaning against.

"Teme, why the hell didn't you tell us? If we'd known there wouldn't have been a fight and the girl –Hinata- wouldn't be fucking hurt," Naruto snarled.

Sasuke didn't say anything just stared into Naruto's blue eyes with his black ones; his face was emotionless just like always, and just like Gaara's. It pissed Naruto off and he tightened his grip on Sasuke's shirt, snarling and pulling their faces closer together.

Suddenly there was a weight on his arm and Naruto looked to see Gaara standing beside him, the redhead's hand gripping his wrist. Teal eyes met Naruto's blue ones and the hand on his wrist tightened till he let go of Sasuke shirt.

"Sasuke didn't tell us because he was told not to, just like we have been. I was the one that started the fight as well as punched that girl, therefore this is my fault. Do not blame yourself or Sasuke for something that was my doing." Gaara's voice was just as emotionless as his face, but there were cracks that only Naruto and Sasuke could see. Naruto noted that there was a hint of guilt in his voice as he spoke of Hinata.

Naruto stepped back from Sasuke and Gaara released his arm. He was stupid to think that Gaara felt nothing about what had happened. He had simply handled it better than Naruto did.

"Sorry," he muttered to Sasuke, who just nodded, used to his friend's outbursts of anger.

The three of them just stood there, in silence, with the atmosphere around them different then normal. Naruto was not really sure what to say to break the strange spell, but thankfully Sasuke had it covered.

"Her wounds aren't life threatening." He didn't say whom, they all knew. "She seems to have torn her throat tissues or something, so it wasn't really your fault, Gaara, but she will have some nasty bruises for a few weeks. Her dad took her to a hospital, where she may have to stay for a period of time, but she should be back to school in a few weeks or less." Sasuke didn't try to pretend that everything was all right, which Naruto was relieved for. He hated it when people tried to make him feel better by saying that everything was fine.

Gaara nodded his head and Naruto was sure he heard a faint 'thanks,' but couldn't be clear since the bell sounded at the same moment.

"Lets head to class." Naruto said, and, just like that, the spell was broken and all was the same again.

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Thanks For Reading.

Side Note – I know Hanabi is not Neji's sister, but he was adopted by Hinata's Dad after his Died and thus thinks of them as his Sisters