As far back as the Hyuga archives go, the promise between two noble clans has remained. A promised between the Hyuga and Uchiha, resulting in the Uchiha serving the Hyuga's as a branch family. This practice has even gone so far as to shape the very compound they called home. The Uchiha compound encircles the other as a protective ring of homes. At the center, the main House sits tall and proud. As is customary the Hyuga Heir is given the gift of a personal body guard by their first birthday.
Itachi Uchiha was always told that some day he would protect the main house with all the strength and honor of his life. Today being Hinata's first birthday, a very special ceremony was held in the Hyuga main house. At only the age of six Itachi was lead by his parents into the ceremony ready to meet the one he would be sworn to protect.
His parents proudly entered the large meeting room, Itachi could only stare ahead as all the pairs of white eyes watched him. He took notice of his Mothers face as she was bowing with Sasuke swaddled in a fuzzy blanket. As his farther bowed as well in front of the Clan leader. Both his parents faces looked of tension and worry.
The clan leader rises gracefully after all three of us are seated before him. "Today is a joyous day, our Heiress has lived through her first year and to celebrate this occasion. The Uchiha Clan has brought Our lady a gift. Today Itachi Uchiha has the honor of upholding the tradition of becoming Our ladies Guardian."
As I look past the Hyuga Clan Head Hiashi, a small bundle is placed into my arms. As I look down I see an infant no younger than my own brother. This infant a girl with small pink cheeks and button nose, white pupil less eyes half lidded in slumber. I could not help the warm glow on my cheeks as I looked up to my mother. Who is smiling proudly, as my farther is as well.
I sit calmly, the ceremony slowly winding down. Dinner served and drinks poured all the while the little bundle nestled in my arms. Guest stop by our table to congraduate me on my new duty. Wishing me strength and bestowing praise to my parents. Soon a maid comes by to retrieve the baby, but I feel panicked having to surrender her. My mother gently nods her head assuring me all is well, I reluctantly surrender her.
The walk back to our home was quiet, farther looked tense. "Itachi, you have assumed a great honor for our family starting today you must learn from Ko who is to teach you the job of protecting lady Hinata." "Life away from us will be hard. We will not be able to see you often please forgive us as you will leave in the morning to start training."
I didn't understand what was farther talking about. Leave?!
Mikoto softly exhales "My sweetheart, you will always have a place in this house please remain strong for us."
—
13 years later
Itachi 19
Sasuke 14 (and some months)
Hinata 14
"My lady wake up! Today is your sisters first day at the academy, we can't keep her waiting". I lift the blanket to meet face to face with my personal body guard Itachi. My eyes travel from his sleek black hair framing his face and his dark eyes locked on to mine. "Eeeep!" I feel the blush immediately spread across my face. "Honestly Hina please get out of bed while I am still young, I swear you could sleep through a bomb." I rub my eyes to hide my blush from him but it feels pointless.
Itachi-chan please give me some privacy so that I can get up!
"Hina I have been taking care of you since you were one, please I have seen you plenty nothing is gonna scare me away, now get to the bath right now."
Ugh! Fine please at least grab me some breakfast before I have to go! "You could have had breakfast if you woke up on time, but i'll be nice and get you something while you get ready. But please hurry."
As I close my bedroom door heading out, I turn around to a smiling Itachi holding a bundled cloth. To say my curiosity wasn't peeked was a lie. Itachi was always one to spoil me with my favorites, I don't know how the kitchen staff lets him get away with it. I quickly pocket the gift in my sleeve and we walk to the academy for Hinabi's first day.
As we walk to the academy Hinabi is absolutely exhilarated. "Oneesan! Oneesan! hurry I don't want to be late cause of you."
"Lady Hinabi we are not going to be late please calm your self." Itachi and I give each other a small smile knowing her excitement can't be culled. Thank you again Itachi for walking us, I bow as we arrive at the front gates. As I look up at Itachi I can't help but notice a brooding Sasuke walking past us. My heart hurts knowing Sasuke walked here alone. Itachi noticed the look in my eye as I watched Sasuke enter the building. "My Lady please do not feel bad, I will try to spend some time with him soon." I blushed knowing it was partly my fault Itachi isn't able to spend much time with his brother.
As I sit down at my seat I can't help but watch Sasuke out of the corner of my eye. For knowing Itachi so long, I have barley said a full sentence to Sasuke. At that moment Sasuke looks up and we make eye contact. Eeep! I crush my eyes close and I turn my whole body away, knowing full well he just caught me staring at him. God he probably things I'm a creep now!
As I pretend to be very interest with the lesson Iruka is teaching I remember Itachi snuck me breakfast. I pull the bundle out of my sleeve and gingerly unfold the cloth. Inside are a large handful of cherry tomatos. Disappointment rains down on me, why couldn't he just sneak me a cinnamon roll like he usually does. I slowly fold the cloth back up and set them on my desk. Before long the bell rings signaling our first break. Between the chatter around me I didn't notice the person standing in front of me. "Hey Hyuga, are you gonna eat those?" I raise my head and stare into dark charcoal eyes. "Uuuuhhh" All I could manage was a slow blink and a reluctant head shake. Before I knew it Sasuke had snatched up the bundle of cloth and walked back to his seat. I watched as he would pop a cherry tomato into his mouth every few seconds. My cheeks where so hot, feeling like a total idiot for the rest of the day. I didn't even wait for Iruka to dismiss us the bell rang, I jumped for the door.
Itachi was waiting at the gate with ko, the loose shiny black tresses dancing around his face. His black high collared shirt and black shinobi pants contrasted greatly with his skin. I ran to him so that we could make an urgent departure before Sasuke saw me again. "My Lady whats wrong, you look flustered". I grab his hand and start tugging him towards home.
After a while I let my steps slow, Itachi has a small smile on his face. "So Hina would you like to tell me why we had to run away from your sister and ko?
"I wasn't running away from Hinabi and ko!" Itachi just stayed silent inspecting me for any small hint of why I was being so rash. "Well Hina I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong" I would tell Itachi but I didn't fully understand why I was running away. "I… Iiii-I just feel embarrassed ok…"
The rest of the walk home was uneventful. "Hina the clan has asked me to accompany Lord Hiashi on his next trade meeting with the village hidden in the clouds."
"But Itachi you rarely go on many mission specially one so far away…"
"This is a special circumstance. With your farther going him self he has asked me to accompany him. But since Hanabi has started the academy Ko isn't going to be able to fill in for me has he normally does."
"Well I guess Ill be fine by my self, the village is one of the safest places plus the compound is heavy guarded as well. I'm sure I can last a few days with out a baby sitter."
Itachi stopped walking. "Listen I know you don't need a baby sitter but you are very important and you can't be without a guard, plus it's not just a few days… more like a month."
"A month without you!" That will be the longest that I've ever been away from Itachi…
Itachi exhaled and started pinching the bridge of his nose. "I wanted to talk about this another time but, I've already talked to Lord Hiashi about my substitute and he agrees with my recommendation. I asked for Sasuke to take over in my stead."
Hinata was trembling. "Saaaa-Sasuke! Why?"
Itachi face became soft "Well he is my Brother so the responsibility does fall to him and he's show great progress as a ninja, my Otouto is the only one I trust to do this."
The rest of the night was a blur, till I heard my named called at dinner. "Hinata. Earth to Hinata-chan" Everyone at the table had eyes on me.
"Yes Hinabi?"
"Farther said to meet him in his study after dinner."
"Ah. Ok… " As I stood up Itachi was already behind me ready to take my hand and help me cross the compound.
Itachi halted at the end of the hallway, letting my hand go. His eyes a silent form of encouragement and strength. I announced my presence and waited.
"Enter daughter."
As I slid the door open and sat my self before my father I noticed a figure already seated.
"Hinata, as you may of already heard Itachi is to accompany me on my trip to the village hidden in the clouds. You know relations with this village are tense at best. I see it fit to start Sasuke-san as your substitute guard immediately. That is all. Please show him to his room and discuss his responsibilities for his temporary role."
Hinata bowed and stood to leave as Sasuke followed quietly a few steps behind. Hinata was met with Itachi's warm smile as she walked down the hall towards her room.
"My Lady, where is my room suppose to be?" Sasuke asked with clenched teeth from behind her.
"Oh Sa-Sa-Sasuke um well I guess you will have to stay in Itachi's room which is next to mine…."
"What's wrong Otouto do you miss home already?" Itachi said with a smirk on his face.
"Itachi are you leaving tonight?" I couldn't help but feel disappointed with his answer.
"Yes my lady, Lord Hiashi wishes to head out immediatly." Itachi grabbed my hand and pulled me into a quick hug before he turned and started walking away, pack in hand. "Oh and please take care of Lady Hinata Otouto I know I can count on you!"
Sasuke all but glares at Itachis retreating figure as he gives a sigh.
"Well my lady why don't you go to bed." Sasuke says as he opens the door to Itachi's room.
Hinata is absolute horrified having Sasuke stay in Itachi's room which is basically connected to her room by a thin false wall with an additional door to conjoin them.
Sasuke dropped his bag and turned to face her. "Why does this room have a door to your room!"
Hinata couldn't look into his eyes. "Itachi's room was built off of my room so that he could get to me as fast as he could… in case of danger"
"Mmhp" was all Sasuke said as he closed the door on my face.
Having Itachi gone suddenly was so depressing, I didn't know how much I depended on his company now that its gone. Usually after dinner Itachi would get tea and dango brought to us and we would sit in my room and read books or talk together till I felt tired. Now it's only 7:35 and I'm just laying in bed wide awake. It also makes me nervous, basically a stranger is sleeping in the room right next to me. Sasuke can probably hear everything I do…. I inwardly groan as a burry my face in my pillow. Itachi why is your "Otouto" such a jerk!
