The Blind, The Deaf and The Mute.

ShadowCasper: Thanks for all the review's they make me very happy. Sorry for the wait, but homework just takes up too much time. Anyway here is the next chapter hope you all enjoy.

Summary: Itachi's blind ,Lee's Deaf and Hinata's mute. They've become very good friends and are about to start a new school together. But trying to keep their disabilities a secret is harder than they thought.

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

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Chapter 2

The car ride for Itachi's first day ay school was considerably awkward. Ever since his accident his parents had been acing very different towards him and although he couldn't see it he knew the way they looked at him. With disappointment and resentment.

Itachi's family the Uchiha's were in charge of a large company called the Sharingan. Since his 15th birthday almost a year ago, Itachi had been training to take over the company. He'd been what his parents referred to as 'their superstar'. Now that he could no longer see and would find it very difficult doing anything he used to with easy Itachi was sort of shoved aside. Although his blindness had caused his too become closer with Sasuke, whom had always seamed to resent him for being his parents favourite.

"We're here." His father called from the front seat, pulling there car to a stop. Itachi stepped out of the car pulling his bag with him. Moving his head from side to side Itachi took the scene around him in. This place smelled very fresh and since it was too early for other students to be here it was very silent.

"Come on boy get moving, I've got to be in the office by 9." The gruff voice of his father snapped followed by heave footstep's in the opposite direction. Itachi moved round the car reaching the opposite side and began to walk in slow footsteps afters his parents.

"I'm going to walk beside you, so just follow my lead." Sasuke said stepping up along side Itachi.

It was something very un-Sasuke like but Itachi pleased that although how small he and his brother had made a slight connection. "Thanks."

Following Sasuke movements were had since Itachi was so used to having two comforting hands supporting him. "Sasuke can we go to the toilet please?" Itachi asked rather embarrassed.

"Sure one sec." Calling out slightly louder Sasuke added. "Mum, dad me and Itachi and are going to head to the toilet, we'll meet you at the head's office."

There was no reply from either of his parents, not that Itachi expected one, so Itachi just followed Sasuke's footsteps which were moving off to the left. It wasn't long before Sasuke's footsteps slowed to a halt.

"It's here on the right." Itachi moved along the wall until he reached the bathroom door. "Would you like me to come in with you?"

"No I'll be fine." Was Itachi's hasty reply, having to be lead around was bad enough but being escorted into the bathroom was just way more than Itachi could bare.

After a few steps into the bathroom Itachi stopped felling, with outstretched hands, that there was a wall of maybe a cubical right in front of him. Frowning Itachi moved his hands up feeling a strange soft fabric beneath his fingertips. This wall also had a weird sent to it, like the fresh ocean. His frown deepening Itachi kept moving his hands up until they reached something quite soft and hard; like rough skin. Skin. Jerking back Itachi stumbled slightly back hitting the wall.

"Know that you've stopped molesting me, can I ask what the fuck your doing?" the voice that spoke was deep and anger.

Swallowing his fear Itachi said. "I came in to pee; this is my first day at school which is why you wouldn't recognize me." Now that he knew the other teen was there Itachi concentrated on the mans breathing, it was low and slightly raspy. "My names Uchiha Itachi. Yours?"

"Weirdo!" was the only reply Itachi got as the teen barged past him. When the door was closed again Itachi let himself back against the wall slightly. He was shaking and had a stomach full of butterflies. The emotions inside of him were foreign, and defiantly not fear. Itachi new fear and this was not it.

Groping around for the sinks Itachi wet his face with water willing him self to calm down.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Itachi and Sasuke were heading towards the headmasters office, the scene in the bathroom unmentioned although Itachi was sure Sasuke could properly sense there was something off with his brother.

"Is that one of you friends?" Sasuke asked as there turned round a corner. "She's got long hair and pale light lavender eyes."

Itachi felt his heart flutter slightly, a small smile gracing his lips. "Yeah that's Hinata-chan."

"She a Hyuga," Sasuke mused. "Must be Neji cousin he mentioned before, she's pretty."

Itachi's smile quickly faded. "I wouldn't know" he knew his voice was harsh but Itachi felt envious of Sasuke, he'd give anything to see Hinata's and Lee's faces. Not that he hadn't explored them with his hands but seeing and feeling was not the same.

"Right sorry, so what's wrong with her?" Itachi knew the question meant no harm but still felt his over protectiveness for his friends win him over.

"There's nothing wrong with her. Just because can't speak doesn't mean she's different." Itachi snapped.

"I didn't mean it like that and you know it. Since when did you care so much about other people?" Sasuke's retort was harsh but true. Before he'd become blind Itachi hadn't cared about other people or there feelings.

Before Itachi could respond Hiashi spoke to him.

"Hello Itachi-kun."

"Good morning Hiashi-san." Itachi nodded his head in acknowledgement.

"This is my nephew Neji, Neji this is Hinata's friend Itachi." Hiashi said helpfully pointing out that there was an extra person.

Stretching his hand out Itachi waited for the firm grip of Hinata's cousin.

"Nice to meet you I'm Neji."A brisk shake of the hand.

"You to," Neji smelled like Hinata accept slightly stronger.

His parents began to converse with Hiashi and Itachi heard Sasuke and Neji start up a conversation. Moving his head from side to side Itachi tried to smell Hinata out. A small hand touching his own made itachi's heart warm.

"Are you alright?" he asked. A slight tug at his hand was Hinata's reply. I'm ok just nervous. You?

"I'm fine. Can you see lee out the window?" Itachi squeezed her hand tightly.

A quick squeeze said. His car's just pulled up.

Itachi just nodded.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Lee was practically skipping down the corridors of his knew school. He felt terrible and desperately wanted to be with his friends again. Just being in their presents made the teen feel happy. He really needed that right now. When he rounded the corner Lee felt his heart skip when he saw Hinata. She looked awful; it properly wouldn't have been obvious to anyone other than her family but after living with her for the last few months Lee could see the difference. Her skin was paler then normal and her hair slightly ragged. It must have been another one of her nightmares that caused this. The amount of time Lee had gone to her room with the sense that something was not right only to find the young girl trashing and properly screaming in her sleep.

The pair had decided not to tell Itachi, the teen had enough problems of his own and since he couldn't see there was no problem.

"ITACHI-SAN, HINATA-SAN GOODMORNING" lee saw all occupants whip around to face him, and decided that maybe his voice was slightly too loud.

Scanning the group at large Lee noticed four unfamiliar face's. Two were about his own age, both with dark hair on was unmistakably Itachi's little brother there looked very much alike, and the other must have been Hinata's brother. No Hinata only had a little sister so that was her cousin, he had the

same pale eyes as her and the same hair except his was more dark like Hiashi's. The other two people were presumably Itachi's parents; both were looking at him with distain.

Bouncing over too the pair Lee stopped, smiling widely at them both. "HOW" seeing them flinch he lowed his voice. "Are you this morning?"

The pair smiled at Lee, warming his heart before Itachi said, "we're cool did you get a good sleep?"

"An excellent one, nothing like being back home." Ok so that was a major lie but there didn't need to know that. "So are these." He pointed at the unfamiliar boys so Hinata would know who he meant.

Itachi seamed to guess who he was talking about because he answer, "The one that looks like me is my little brother, Sasuke, he's the same age as Hinata. The other is Hinata's cousin Neji."

"Oh I see." Lee replied looking over the two boys again, both of whom were still looking his way. Raising his hand lee greeted them. "Hello, I'm rock lee." The teens only nodded before caring on with there own conversation. It was clear that they both new lee was deaf by the way they had greeted them, it hurt that they treated him that way.

Looking for his father, Lee saw that he was talking to the others parents and decided, since they'd never met, to introduce him to Hinata and Itachi.

"Come and meet my father." Lee took Itachi's right hand while Hinata took the left and led him over to where his father was. As he passed them Lee couldn't help notice the looks he was getting from Sasuke's family and Neji, but tried to ignore them. Hiashi paid no attention since he was used to seeing Itachi and Lee holding hands.

"Dad this is Itachi-san." He held up itachi's hand so he could shake it with his father. "And Hinata-chan, this is my dad, Hiro." Lee watched them exchange greetings just as a women stepped out of the headmasters office. She said something, but it was too fast for Lee to catch, before she motioned them all into the office.

When there were all seated, Itachi in between him and Hinata, the women began talking again. I guess she's the head mistress. I wish she'd talk slower then I could know what she's saying. I should say something but I don't want to seem like I an attention seeker. Lee slumped down on his chair, feeling low. He hated when he couldn't understand what was going on around him, especially since this concerned him. It was just what the nurse and doctors had done when they had wanted to keep something a secret from him. It made him feel different

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Hinata sat in the head mistress room not really listening to what she was saying. Instead her concentration was on Lee. The older boy seemed to be having a hard time understanding what Mrs Ballad ,the head mistress , was talking about. His eyes were squinted and large thick brows frowned in concentration. She wanted to ask Ballad-sensei if she was able to talk slower but begin unable to speak had it's own problems. At times like this Hinata would usually communicate in her own way and let Itachi know the problem, but she didn't want to attract unwanted attention. Mostly from the Uchiha's, they didn't seem like nice people at all and she'd herd the rude comments they'd said

about Lee. She gathered up her confidence, however when she saw lee slump down in his chair a rejected look on his face. Hinata hated that look.

Slowly moving her hand Hinata leaned down towards itachi's. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Neji glancing at her questionably, but ignored it. Grasping itachi's hand Hinata gave a light squeeze. Itachi's turned her head a fraction, pale black eyes searching blindly for her face. Turning his palm around Hinata fingered out the name Lee hoping her meaning was clear.

Itachi's face immediately scrunched up in an angry look, telling Hinata he'd understood her meaning, before he raised his hand.

Hinata smile and let go of his hand just as Ballad-sensei said. "Itachi-kun, is there a problem?" the new focus of her words seamed to catch Lees attention as he turned his head towards Itachi and Hinata.

"I was wondering it you could talk slower and pronounce more so that Lee can read your lips." Itachi's voice was polite but held a frightening tone that if she didn't do as he asked he was not going to be pleased. Hinata had only ever heard him use that voice in her or Lees defence so it never scared her.

Lee smiled widely at them, a rosy blush on his face, which Hinata gladly returned. A happy Lee was the best Lee in her opinion. Ballad-sansei seamed taken aback by the sudden demand/question but had the decency to look a bit ashamed.

"I apologise." She bowled to Lee before continuing, her words more obvious and slow. "Well since the three of you are in different years we have decided for you all to be placed in Hinata's year. That way you can adjust to learning with you disabilities. Also you'll be in each others class for every subject except gym where you'll have to be split with the girls and boys." Hinata's heart sunk, she was terrible at gym, but at least she didn't have to talk. "I have already informed all of the staff as well as the head boy and girl about you disabilities but are you still sure that you don't wish for the other students to be aware?"

Hinata quickly nodded, as did Lee and Itachi. "I see, well if you do have any problems you can ask any of the teachers or your siblings if that makes you fell more comfortable. Your classes start in half-hour so Neji-kun and Sasuke-kun can show you where your lessons with be held. These are you timetables." She handed each of them some stacks of papers. "So that's all really, unless there are any questions?"

Hinata shock her head, it wasn't like she could ask a question ever if she'd had one. Itachi also disagreed however Lee put his hand up. "Ballad-sensei nodded for him to speak.

"Can we talk it in private?" Lee's usual loud voice was barely audible as he spoke; eyes downcast and flushed with embarrassment.

Hinata had never seen or heard Lee look so ashamed, it made her heart clench painfully.

"Of course," she smiled before getting up and gesturing everyone else out of her office. "It was a pleasure to meet all of you and if you have any question please don't hesitate to ask."

Hinata stood taking Itachi's hand in her own and leading him out of the office, brushing lee's shoulder as they passed. Once they were all outside and the door was closed the Uchiha's turned to Itachi.

"Will be waiting outside at three, don't be late." Itachi's father said before turning and walking away, his mother in toe.

"I have a meeting later Hinata, so Neji will bring you home." Her father kissed her head before bidding the others a goodbye and leaving.

There was a short silence before Neji asked. "Hinata-sama may I please look at your time table?"

Quickly handing it over Hinata saw Neji scanned the paper before speaking again. "You're going to be in 10P, there aren't that many dicks in that class. Your form sensei will be Kurenai, she's nice." Hinata nodded and smiled to show Neji her thanks.

"What form are you in Sasuke?" Itachi asked from beside her.

Sasuke glanced at his brother. "10F."

Hinata guessed when she'd first met Sasuke, that he and Itachi didn't get alone very well. She hadn't even known Itachi had a sibling since this morning and it had come as a shock. There was obviously a reason they didn't get on, but Hinata couldn't imagine not being close to Hanabi or Neji.

There stood in silence till the office door re-opened and Lee-kun and Hiro-san came out. They exchanged quick goodbyes at the door before Hiro-san left.

"SORRY ABOUT THAT GUYS" Hinata suppressed a laugh at Neji and Sasuke who had both flinched. "ARE YOU BOTH EXCITED TO START OUR FIRST YOUGHFUL DAY AT SCHOOL?"

Itachi smacked lee round the head chuckling. "Lee tone it down. Are you trying to make us all deaf?" usually if a comment like that was said it would hut Lee's feelings. But coming from Itachi it was consider a joke and Hinata could see Lee's smile widen.

"I'm very sorry, but today is the first day of our journey back to normality we must live and enjoy every day of it." Lee held out his hand, waiting for the other teen's hands to join his.

Hinata smiled, yes your right after what happen with the fire I'm going to enjoy every day to its fullest. Was what she wanted to say but instead moved her and Itachi's clasped hands on top of lees.

"Fine we'll try to enjoy today, but its school Lee that's always boring." Itachi grumbled moving his free hand to lee's spare and gripping tightly.

"Erm, we should properly get moving if you want to see all your class rooms before people start arriving." Neji said awkwardly.

Hinata glanced down at her watch, it read 8:10 and school was due to start at 8:40. With quick fingers she marked out the time on Itachi's palm, something she'd gotten in the habit of doing.

He nodded. "Yes we'd best go now." Neji returned his nod before turning on his heal and heading down the hallway with Sasuke in toe leaving Hinata, Itachi and Lee to follow.

With a quick smile at Lee and hand-squeeze with Itachi, Hinata decided that this was going to be the best year, no matter what. She was going to make the best out of life, after nearly losing it.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

That was chapter two…

Chapter 3 … coming soon…