Chapter #7

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, it all belongs to Masashi Kishimoto

"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift. That is why it is called the present."

― Eleanor Roosevelt

"It's time we left Hinata. The school has to close." Naruto's voice broke the silence that had dominated the space in the past hour.

"No."

"I'll take you myself, don't worry," she could hear it, see it in the bleakness of her lids, his confident posture, the smile that solved all

"No."

His breath rugged frustratingly but she couldn't care. She hated her eyes. Always had. But with them gone, the terrifying reality of the world she lived in sunk in like an anchor, gripping the deep loneliness that burned within. If she left, she'd be a burden to the orphanage, the caretakers, everyone. And for the first time since she realized her eyes were different, she wished to see them, use them - she wished to see.

A light knock interrupted the atmosphere, she turned to the direction, vision bleak. Naruto's chair creaked, sliding on the wooden floors, his demeanor cheerful again as he greeted the person.

"A new girl Uzumaki?" a voice, dripping warm and bitter, like coffee on a desperate day.

"It's not like that," she heard him respond, an embarrassed chuckle in his throat. Her heart tightened at his words and as he pulled closer, fingers landing comfortably, carelessly, on her shoulders, it released in tension, beating rapidly, warming up her face.

"This is my friend Hinata." Naruto explained their dilemma and the stranger said nothing, to what she could deduce he was listening intently

"She can stay at the house then," he spoke, "if she's more comfortable in your presence, I'll have Kakashi notify the orphanage."

Then he directed the question her way, "Is that fine with you?"

Go home with a stranger and the prince she had mixed feelings off or get dropped off at the orphanage? Well Mona had said Naruto was not the enemy...but Mona had also not mentioned she'd be impaired. The situation wasn't ideal and she had nothing but his persistent goodness to rely on. As she nodded, she hoped and prayed she'd not regret this.

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

Uchiha Mansion

"Good evening, sir," the guards bowed and opened the gates to the mansion.

"Thank you," Itachi said with a curt nod.

Hinata had finally fallen asleep, head on Naruto's shoulder as the blonde looked out the window. His focus on the events of today.

"Though you are a knight in shining armor, the damsel in distress has never followed you home." Itachi spoke, curious to the hidden details he lacked

Naruto looked his way, eyes serious as he shifted her frail frame. "She has Neji's eyes."

"Hyuga eyes?"

"Yes, but not the typical. She has the eyes."

The eyes. Before a child was born, the ancients and gods designated a destiny. Most children were normal, children who grew to serve, create or trade their gifts. Some of the children, however, were special. They were ruling children. These are the aristocrats, guards and noble leaders and the next in line for their clans and villages. These children were known by their eyes.

Each clan differed but there were significant changes that remained across board: Their eye colors changed, and with the change of color came a strong emission of chakra that could be felt by normals and seen by others with chosen eyes.

Itachi went quiet, processing the information he had received. His heart fluttered in hope yet gnawed in fear that it was her. If she was the one - she had grown beautiful beyond his imagination. He studied her sleepy features, tracing every bump, bend and curve of her face. Trying to match it with what could have been hers.

The car pulled up, Kakashi helping them settle Hinata in one of the lower guest rooms before leaving to notify the orphanage. The head maid walked in, shaking Hinata awake. Naruto and Itachi excused themselves, the former giving his word to be back shortly.

"Itachi," Naruto's voice rang, shaking the absent Uchiha from his thoughts. Not waiting for a response he continued, "The Hyugas had the sages, right." the older man nodded,

"And you spoke their language." Naruto had a habit of forming statements rather than questions. But this particular statement left Itachi on urge but Naruto laughed it off, "I think I'm overthinking," he smiled, though his eyes seemed unresolved but Itachi was grateful regardless.

To know if it was her would mean a lot but it was a truth he wasn't sure he could accept just yet. Guilt gnawed at him from every direction as he thought on that day.

"Is teme coming soon? I miss the cocky bastard." the blonde laughed, his fruitful voice bounced off the cold walls, warming the hallway with every sound

"He should be in next week."

"Itachi, Naruto."

"Father,"

"Fugaku-sama."

The boys responded respectively.

The older Uchiha beckoned them into his office.