The Blind, The Deaf and The Mute.

ShadowCasper: Hi I'm back, so so sorry it's been so long and I will defiantly make sure the next one is sooner. Thanks to all the people who do read this despite my really bad updating and for all the reviews. I'd also like to thank Bag o' Moon Frogs for betaing this chapter. Anyway this chapter is mostly about Kisame and Itachi but I hope you 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

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Chapter 5

When Kisame had seen Itachi fall he wasn't sure what to do. He'd just been walking home after going out with his friends when he spotted his lower classmate hit the road hard. The car that was driving had seen him but was too close to stop completely so Kisame's body had moved by it's self and he'd ran out, shielding itachi's body with his own. The car had knocked him, scrapping his back, but Kisame strength was enough to stop the slowing car from proceeding any further. After that he had carried Itachi back to his apartment.. The wiser choice would had been the hospital, but Kisame wasn't keen on them and he believe that neither of there wounds were fatal.

When he first arrived home Kisame had rested Itachi down on his coach before quickly going and getting his first aid kit. There was a large gash along the top of Itachi forehead which he attended to first; the other smaller cuts were only minor. After that he'd changed the boy out of his clothes which were covered in blood into some of his own larger more comfortable clothes. When he was sure Itachi seemed comfortable, Kisame attended to his own wounds, which looked a lot worse when he saw it in the mirror then he'd expected. Half of the skin on his back was torn while his t-shirt was in bloody shreds. He bandaged it up, making sure to use disinfectant first, he couldn't risk getting ill. When Kisame was sure he was fine he went back into the living room where Itachi was and began doing his homework. He wasn't concerned with how long he'd have to stay up till the other boy awoke, he'd wait all night if he had to. Kisame really didn't want Itachi freaking out about being in a stranger's apartment.

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In his dreams there was colour; Itachi could remember how to distinguish the different colours from one another. Blue had always been his favourite, it was a beautiful colour that made him think of life. Red was the colour he hated most, red was the last colour he'd ever seen, the colour of his blood.

When he felt the pull of consciousness Itachi tried to fight it, he didn't want to return to the world were everything was the same, just black. The colour of nothingness and everything at the same time.

"Uchiha-kun, can you hear me?" a deep voice said close to him, a deep husky voice Itachi was sure he knew but couldn't think of whom it belonged to. "Uchiha-kun, Uchiha-kun." Itachi realized that the voice was not one of his dreams, and panic rose in him as he'd remembered what had happened to him last. He'd fallen into the road and was sure he was going to be hit; maybe this man was a doctor.

Itachi slowly opened his eyes, waiting for them to clear so he could see who had spoken to him. When they remained blank however Itachi reminded himself of his lack of sight. How pathetic.

He was about to speak out when pain shot through his head. He brought his hand up to clasp at the throbbing area.

"Calm down Uchiha-kun, you've injured you head and need to rest." The same voice spoken hurriedly, pushing Itachi down when he tried to sit.

"Who are you? Where am I?" he asked, fighting against the other mans hold on him.

"It's me Kisame from school, you're at my apartment. You fell down hit you head and blanked out, so I brought you back here."

Itachi relaxed back into the couch, he wasn't sure if he could really trust this man but at least he wasn't a stranger. "What happened after I passed out?" he asked, curiously, wincing when a cold bag was placed over his head.

"I was able to stop the car from hitting you then brought you back here. I cleaned your wounds and patched you up, there not much else to tell really." His voice was calm once more.

"How did you manage to stop a car from hitting me?"

Kisame let of a gruff laugh. "I jumped in front of you, how else."

"You jumped in front of a car!?" Itachi bolted up, ignoring the pain flash through his head and staring in the general direction he believed Kisame was.

"It was already slowing down anyway, it was no big deal."

"Are you hurt?" Itachi really hoped the other male wasn't hurt on his account.

"Only a little scratch, nothing major." Itachi felt the other man move closer to him. "What about you, how's you head?" A large hand closed around his head, removing the bag from the injury. "I don't think you hit it too hard."

"No I think it's alright. I'm sorry for imposing on you. "Itachi could feel the warmth of Kisame's body so dangerously close to his own. His own body felt hotter as well, Itachi wasn't sure if was a good or bad thing but knew his sempai was the cause.

"Don't be stupid; what sort of sempai would leave their kohai in danger. Anyway why were you even out there, I didn't think you would live in this sort of place."

"What's that's supposed to mean?"

"Well you an Uchiha right, that makes you rich and these streets are pretty rough. Not somewhere anyone with a decent name would be."

Itachi frowned, it wasn't unusual for people to know the Uchiha name, but it still surprise him that Kisame had known. After all, anyone who knew usually keep away from him, afraid he'd be a snobby bastard probably, and yet Kisame treated him like an average kid. It was nice. "So what area are we in anyway?"

"Ah, it's the republic district, well the better half anyway and it's still a load of crap living here. So care to answer my first question, you don't have to if it's something personal, though."

"Not really, just a stupid fight with my parents. I wasn't really paying attention to where I was going."

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The cut on itachi's head didn't seem to bad, and the boy himself seemed to be alright, so Kisame was relived. "Well it's pretty late, so if you want you can sleep, or I'll take you back now. Your choice?"

The darker haired boy looked down at his hands, "Is it alright if I sleep? I don't want to intrude on you or you family."

To this Kisame chuckled lightly. "It's no big deal kid, and I doubt my parents are going to come back from the grave to kick you out of my house."

Itachi dark eyes widen before he quickly said. "I terribly sorry, I didn't know."

"Why would you have, we've only know each other for a day. So you're staying. Do you want to call you parents to let them know?"

"Um, no, that's fine, but would I be able to use you bathroom?"

"Sure it just there down the hall." He pointed to one of the doors on the right.

Itachi was looking down at his hands again, he seemed nervous. " I'm sorry but I can't see it."

"Oh I'll turn the lights on then." Kisame got up and flicked them on. "Can you see better now?" he asked.

The other boy shook his head. "I can't see, period." His voice was low and ashamed.

He couldn't see, as in his was blind. But how was that possible? Itachi went to school and had been walking around the street. "Is this a joke?" he asked.

Itachi's head snapped up. "Of course it isn't!" he said angry now, glaring at Kisame. "What sort of sicko would joke about things like that?"

"Well it just you don't really seem blind." Kisame now felt horrible for even suggesting someone would make up such a thing. "I'm sorry, that was very rude."

The Uchiha seemed to calm down and he carefully rose to his feet, wobbling slightly. "It wasn't rude and I'm actually really glad I don't come off as blind." He extended his hand. "But come here, look closely into my eyes."

Kisame did so, taking Itachi hands so the younger knew where he was, Kisame stared into the dark orbs. For the first time he seem that they weren't complexly black but had a slight faded look about them, more a brown. "What colour were they to begin with?" he asked.

"Black," Itachi replied shortly.

"I see." Kisame paused, unsure weather he should ask or not, but decided to anyway. "You don't have to answer but how did it happen?"

Itachi sat back down before saying. "I don't mind saying but would you let me see you."

Taking the seat next to Itachi, Kisame asked. "How's that possible?"

"My hands, I see with my sense of touch."

"Oh. Well sure." Kisame took Itachi hands in his own again and placed them on his chest. Itachi's pale hands moved over Kisame's body and up his neck, itachi's face was set in concentration obviously trying to memorise what he 'saw'. To Kisame it felt completely weired having someone touch him so intimately, tracing the out lines of his lips eyes nose and his scars. Even his ears were carefully shaped till Itachi moved his hands and run them through Kisame's short hair.

"What colour hair do you have?" Itachi asked.

"Blue."

"Blue, ok what about your eyes?"

"Pale blue."

"And your skin?"

"It's darker then yours, a light tan" Kisame tried to fight down a blush as Itachi stroked his cheeks, memorising the feel of the skin.

Itachi pulled his hands away before saying "Thank you, I think I have a basic picture of what you look like now. I would appreciate it if you would keep this secret. I understand if you wish to spread it but…"

"Of course I'll keep it a secret, I'm not a jerk," Kisame cut in. The thought of spreading the secret had never even crossed his mind.

"Ah, thank you very much. It would be really difficult on us if you did tell other people."

"Us?" Kisame asked. What did that mean?

Itachi's eyes widen in horror, "I-I meant to say me not us, how silly" he chuckled nervously making it so obvious to Kisame that he was lying. Which then made the elder think? Since Itachi obviously meant we then surly there were others with disabilities like itachi's and the most obvious choice for Kisame to pick would be Itachi's two friends. However, he was almost 100 percent certain that neither of them were blind.

"By 'us' did you mean that girl and boy you transferred with?" Kisame asked and Itachi let out a tired sigh in reply.

"Well since there really is no use in lying, yes your right. 's deaf and Hinata-chan's mute."

"I see, that must be rough."

Itachi nodded before raising his face. "I'm sorry I almost forgot I was supposed to tell you about my accident." He cleared his throat before continuing. "Just over two mouths ago my family and I were in a car crash, I feel into a coma for a week before waking up complexly blind. When I was discharged from the hospital I was sent to another sort of hospital where I was taught how to get around as best as 

I could without my eyesight. That's were I met Hinata and Lee and we became friends. There's not much else to tell really."

Kisame stayed silent a while after Itachi had finished speaking; he couldn't begin to imagine how hard it must be for the three of them. As well as how strong they must be to live with such a burden and continue to go on each day. "I won't try to say I understand what you and you friends are going through because I can't and I doubt you really want sympathy?" Itachi nodded. "I thought so, but you know sometimes there's more to see in life then what's shown."

"What's that mean?" Itachi asked, confused.

"Ah, it's just something my mother used to say, I guess the meaning is something you have to learn on you own."

"You sound kind of like some wise old man." Itachi laughed which Kisame joined in.

"I'm just trying to be considerate in a way that won't annoy you."

"If you want to be considerate then could you please show me to the bathroom? I'm desperate."

"Oh right I forgot, here take my arm." Kisame extended his arm and touched Itachi's so the other could hold onto it as he led him to the bathroom.

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He was scared bleeding and alone. He wanted, needed someone to help him, to save him from this torture. Lee gripped his bleeding ears, which were in agonizing pain as his head swam and his vision blurred red from the blood running down his head, his own blood. He opened his bruised lips and let out an unheard whimper 'I-Itachi-san…………. H-Hinata-chan………… Dad……… someone please.'

Hands wrapped around his dark hair, tugging painfully before lifting him and slamming Lee into a near by wall. The familiar feeling of his head splitting filled Lee before he smiled softly as he slipped into unconsciousness.

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The alarm clock woke Hinata and she jerked out of her unsettling dreams of fire and heat, her body covered in the usual sweat. Moving quickly Hinata shut off the ringing and began to head for her morning shower. Hinata would always rise before anyone in her house so that she could shower and dress without being disturbed. Not only that but each morning Hinata would be shaky and frightened, any little thing causing her to flinch. She didn't want her family to see her like that, since she knew it would only worry them.

Hinata's showers were always freezing cold and quick. She would wash her hair fast and cleanse her body always quickening her pace when she came to the burn on her leg. After her shower was finished Hinata would go to her room and blow-dry her long dark hair. When that was dry she would quickly dress then head down stairs for breakfast. By this time the rest of her family would be up and today was no exception.

They greeted her with warm smiles, which Hinata returned.

"Good morning Hinata-sama, what would you like for breakfast." Neji asked rising from his chair. Hinata quickly shook her hands, gesturing she could make it herself. Today she decided on toast and 

jam. Just as she was sitting down at the table the phone began to ring. Hinata was about to rise and get it but stopped herself, realizing she could no longer do simple things like that. Neji got it instead.

Hinata concentrated on eating as Neji talked on the phone and Hanabi and her father conversed over some festival at Hanibi's school.

"Em no sorry we haven't. Yeah sure see you Sasuke." Hinata turned to look at her cousin as Neji put down the phone. Sasuke, that was Itachi's brother. Was there something wrong? She raised an eyebrow in question to Neji who came over and crouched down beside her.

"Hinata-sama, it seems that Itachi-san and his father had an argument last night and, well, Itachi-san stormed out and he hasn't returned home since."

Hinata's light eyes widened, what? Itachi was missing? Opening her mouth Hinata tried desperately to talk to say anything. "w-w…." Hinata's throat closed up and she bent over silently coughing, trying not to hyperventilate.

"Hinata-sama, calm down." Neji begged from beside her, her father and sister moving around the table.

"Here Onee-sama, drink this." Hanabi handed her a class of water, which Hinata quickly drank, trying to slow her frenzied breathing.

"Hinata darling calm down, I'm sure Itachi-kun is just fine." Her father said softly stroking her hair and Hinata nodded at him. Willing her body to calm, she didn't want a panic attack.

When Hinata was sure she was calm enough she straightened up. Her cousin, sister and father were all looking at her with worried expressions. Hinata smiled gratefully at them, showing she was fine now. It was really sweet they cared so much.

"Hinata-sama like uncle said I'm sure Itachi-san's fine, but how about this: we'll go to school and Itachi's not there by the time first lesson starts we'll go look for him. Does that sound alright?" Neji suggested. Hinata nodded in agreement. There was no point in panicking, not until she knew for sure if Itachi was safe or not.

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Staring in his bathroom mirror, Lee was disgusted by his appearance. His left eye was swollen and gradually turning a purple colour. His lips were cut where he'd been biting them and there were many scratches covering his face, the back of his head was cut, and his ears, which were bleeding, throbbed painfully. There was also many bruises littering his body which were easy enough to hide, but what about his face, surely Hinata-chan would notice and Lee didn't want her to worry.

In the mirror Lee saw the door open and his father's own bloody face poke round it. 'I brought you your medicine.' Lee smiled his appreciation, only letting his smile drop when his fathers face had disappeared. He couldn't let his father see his weakness', as long as he pretended to be fine his father wouldn't worry.

Swallowing his tablets was hard; his throat was tight since Lee was sure it had been stepped on. He didn't think his vocals cords had been damaged but since he couldn't hear Lee wasn't too sure.

Making sure his wounds were bandaged correctly Lee left the bathroom and grabbed his school bag which, lay in his room. As he left Lee knew not to bid goodbye to his father since it would only cause them problems.

Lee hated walking to school and made sure he always avoided the main streets and roads, losing his hearing had caused him to become very scared while out alone. Then again who wouldn't be?

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Drumming her fingers on her legs, Hinata glanced around for signs of Itachi or Lee. She and Neji were sitting on one of the benches outside school waiting, Neji had insisted on staying with her and Hinata was happy to let him.

"Neji!" A voice called and Hinata turned, seeing the blond from yesterday walking over to them. When he saw her he stopped. "You're the one from yesterday," he said, bright blue eyes widening. Hinata adverted her gaze blushing.

"You two know each other?" Neji asked, throwing Hinata a sidelong glance.

"Not really," Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly. "We sort of ran into each other yesterday."

"Oh I see. Well, Naruto, this is my cousin Hinata, Hinata-sama this is Naruto. He's in your year," Neji introduced.

Hinata stood and bowed, hopping she wasn't blushing as hard as she believed she was. Yesterday had been such an embarrassment.

"It's nice to meet you Hinata-Chan, I'm sorry for my clumsiness yesterday." Naruto also bowed, causing Hinata to blush further.

She had never been good getting along with guys, which is why it still surprised her sometimes how well she got along with Lee and Itachi.

"Hinata-sama." Neji tugged at the sleeve of her uniform causing her to turn and look at what Neji was gesturing to. When she'd seen what Neji meant Hinata clasped her hands over mouth, a silent gasp escaping her mouth. Lee was walking up to them and he looked awful, his face was covered in bruises and parts were swollen. He was also limping.

Standing up, Hinata hurried over to her friend, coming to a halt in front of him. Very carefully she mouthed without trying to make a sound, 'are you ok? What happened?' Lee blinked before shinning a bright smile.

"I'm fine Hinata-Chan, I accidently fell down the stairs." Lee voice was slightly wispy and Hinata was sure he was lying but dropped it, Lee would talk to her when he needed to. Well Hinata hoped he would.

"Good morning Lee-kun." Neji greeted coming up beside Hinata.

"Good morning Neji." Lee looked around before asking. "Where Itachi-san?"

Hinata's heart skipped a beat, that's right Itachi was still missing! She looked over at Neji who gave her a comforting smile before addressing Lee, making sure the other boy was watching his lips closely.

"You see Lee-kun, that's the problem we don't know where Itachi-san is. According to Sasuke he left late last night and never came back, however Sasuke isn't in yet so there's no need to worry."

To Hinata it seemed that Lee was already beyond worrying and frantic instead. His eyes had dilated and his breath had become ragged. From experience Hinata knew that Lee was more prone to have attacks than she was, especially since she seen him have them before. It was not a sight she wanted to see. Thinking fast Hinata moved and embraced Lee in a hug, wrapping her arms tightly around his back. His body stiffened before relaxing into Hinata's hold and his own hands came around her waist. On his back Hinata wrote out the kanji for 'he'll be fine' and knew Lee understood when he kissed her head.

Hinata just hopped she could convince herself that as well.

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Naruto watched as Neji's cousin hugged the strange big-brow guy, he didn't understand but there was something wired about them. Especially since yesterday he'd seen bushy-brows walking around hand-in-hand with Sasuke's older brother, all three of them had transferred into there school at the same time and it was obvious they were good friends, but something about them didn't add up.

When Naruto had gone round Sasuke's for one weekend a while back he hadn't even see Itachi and the only evidence that there was a second son was the large portrait hanging in the main entrance. It just didn't make sense.

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