Part 4

Sasuke's stomach grumbled. Where is Hinata?

Hinata had called Sasuke and asked to meet at the hill. Her voice had sounded urgent, and he was worried about what was wrong.

He heard panting, and Hinata stood before him. She was trying to catch her breath, and in her hand was a basket. She smiled and said, "I thought you might be hungry."

The boy grinned, "You bet."

Hinata pulled out bento boxes, her hands fumbling over the lid of the basket. Before Sasuke could say anything, she held out a wrapped present before him.

"Happy birthday, Hero-kun."

Sasuke was surprised that she remembered his birthday and was touched. He took the present and opened it to reveal a chained necklace. A rectangle metal pendant with the kanji "Hero" inscribed hung from it.

It was a boyish necklace, not like the ones that he saw his mother wear.

Hinata was blushing and stuttered, "I-I didn't know i-if you'd like it. But I wanted something for you to remember me by."

Sasuke couldn't help sense the dread in her voice. He faced her immediately.

"What do you mean?"

She looked shaken, but quickly covered it up. "Nothing, just a remembrance."

Sasuke slipped the necklace over his head and picked up the bento box. "Did you bring chopsticks?"

"Ah! Yes!"

Fear possessed Sasuke as he watched Hinata blindly grope for the chopsticks. He snatched Hinata's hands and spoke.

"Hinata! What's wrong?"

"I-It's nothing."

"Don't lie, what happened to you?"

He let go of her hands and her face fell. "I-I don't know where things stand."

"What do you mean?"

"Before, I could tell what took up space, but now…I can't."

Sasuke felt numb. His best friend was truly blind now. That must have been why she must have been late.

"Hero-kun?"

Sasuke snapped back and said lowly, "I see." But then he brightened. "Don't worry, Hinata!! I'll be your eyes! That way, you can see the world."

"Are you sure about that?"

"Hey, I'm eight years old. I can take care of you."

Hinata giggle and hugged Sasuke tightly. They ate their bento lunches leaving behind uncertainty.

XXXXXXX

"Hinata-sama, your father would like to see you."

The blind child was led into her father's study, where Hiashi sat in a chair smoking a pipe.

"Otou-san?"

"Hinata, tell me. How old are you now?"

Didn't her father know? But her voice replied anyway, "Eight years old."

"My, time flies."

She felt nervous around this man who raised her. She sometimes thought that his harsh training was the reason why her senses were gone.

"Otou-san, what is it?"

"You no longer have those telepathic abilities am I correct?"

"What is that?" She was utterly confused. She didn't understand what her father meant.

"The ability to sense was occupies the space around you." He said impatiently.

He knew??!! "Y-yes, b-but why?"

"That's good."

WHAT?! "Why is that-"

"Because then I won't have a daughter who is a freak. Next week, you will have surgery on your eyes."

It took 2 seconds for a single thought to register in Hinata's mind.

Run.

She turned on her heel to do so.

But strong hands seized her from behind, and pain struck her. Then, she couldn't move.

XXXXXXX

Sasuke was worried. He hadn't seen Hinata for days and he was extremely worried. Did something happen? Was it something I did?

"Sasuke…why are you pacing around the table?"

The raven haired boy looked up and realized that he was pacing around the table. Itachi was looking at him curiously.

"If you don't stop, I won't be able to eat my lunch." Emotionless face.

"Sorry, but I'm just worried about Hinata. I haven't seen her in 8 days!!" Sasuke explained.

Itachi raised a brow. "You didn't hear? She's in the hospital. She had surgery yesterday."

"WHAT?!" Sasuke cried out. "Why didn't she tell me? I don't understand."

"They say she tried to run away, then put up a fight, until Hiashi knocked her out cold. My guess is that she didn't want it."

Sasuke registered this information. He grabbed his shoes and with a quick, "I'm going to the hospital," he left.

Never in his life had he run so fast. He could feel the air slip out of his lungs in short breaths. The nurses were shocked when a boy slammed open the doors to the hospital.

"Where is Hyuuga Hinata?" he demanded.

"Sorry, but she's not taking-"

"Just tell me!" The nurse could tell this boy was extremely distressed. She gave him the room number and he was off immediately. It was on the 2nd floor where patients who just had surgery rested.

Room 231. Before he could put a hand on the handle, Hiashi stood before him.

"What do you think you are doing here?"

"I'm here to see my best friend." Sasuke said fiercely.

"Leave, for there is no point for you here."

Sasuke demanded, "Why not?"

A cold voice slapped him. "Because she is dead."

His feet were frozen to the ground. He stopped breathing, and he felt numb everywhere. His voice didn't sound like his for it was hoarse and shaken.

"Liar."

Hiashi shook his head.

"LIAR!!!"

He grabbed the handle, but a finger jabbed into his wrist and he couldn't move his hand.

"I can't let you in there. Neji, escort him out."

Sasuke had no strength to fight, his limbs were shaking and his breath was ragged.

XXXXX

Neji wanted to tell Sasuke. He wanted to tell him everything. How Hinata was alive, that all that Hiashi said was a lie just to keep Sasuke away from Hinata. But he didn't. Why should he?

XXXXXX

Hinata opened her eyes. Light poured in. There was no longer darkness. Sight…

She sat up in her bed, and was greeted by unfamiliar faces.

"Hinata…" her father's voice. She knew which face belonged to him now. She searched the room, hoping to find Hero. But she didn't.

So she didn't speak, she didn't move. All she did was cry.

XXXXXX

Sasuke felt terrible. Hinata…come back!!! This day can't get any worse. At least, that was what he thought.

Little did he know that when he arrived home, he would find his entire clan dead.

XXXXXXX

Days later, Hinata was told that Hero had died in a massacre. She cried for days. It seemed like all she could do. He promised to be there when I opened my eyes!! He promised!! Hero…come back!!

VVVVVVVVV

It had been 11 years. 11 years since he saw his family killed. 11 years since he vowed revenge. 11 years since she died. He had hoped to get rid of the memories of her, of the village.

But he had accomplished his goal. Itachi was dead, and he had great strength. He was back in Konoha. That is, of course, in chains.