Hello everyone! Just another Monday...but hey, here's chapter eleven! ^_^

No shout outs or anons, so here we go!

~BlackRoseDragon13

*Disclaimer* I do not own, nor claim to own, any aspect of Naruto in any way, shape, or form. This is merely a fan work, and I receive no profit.

Chapter Eleven

Two weeks passed with little changing. Hinata visited Itachi every day, and slowly began learning more about him. He talked of his past, his family, and his trials. Though Hinata felt it hurt him to speak of such things, he pressed on anyway, talking freely as though finally telling someone his secrets helped moderate the pain. When he paused, she tried to fill in the gaps with tales of her own life. And through spoken words, their bond seemed to grow.

Then, exactly two weeks after being admitted, an Uchiha was released from the hospital. But not the eldest one.

Hinata was just going in the door as Uchiha Sasuke was going out. The raven-haired avenger looked over at her, and time seemed to slow. She in turn looked back, and their eyes connected. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, time sped up, and Hinata found herself pressed against the wall of the building, Sasuke's arm against her throat and cutting off her air.

"You..." he growled, voice barely above a whisper. "You're the one who saved him..."

"Sasuke kun!" a voice called, and Hinata managed to look past her assailant to Sakura, who had seen the boy strike. "Let her go, now!" Despite her feelings for her ex-teammate, the pinkette looked murderous. "If you hurt her, I swear I'll put you right back in that hospital bed."

Sasuke's Sharingan glanced over his shoulder at the other female. "You couldn't lay a hand on me if you wanted to, Sakura. Now stay out of this...she owes me something." With that, he turned his gaze back to Hinata.

"Sasuke...p-please..." The Hyuuga girl gasped. "You don't know...the whole s-story..."

"I don't give a damn what you think I know and don't know. The only thing I care about right now is making you pay for getting in my way." The pressure on her throat increased, and Hinata choked, tears streaming down her face. She couldn't breathe.

"Oi, teme...put her down."

Without turning his head, Sasuke's eyes slid to his right, narrowing. "Naruto..."

The blonde's blue eyes were sharp with anger. "I said...put her down. Hinata chan doesn't deserve that kind of treatment, dattebayo. Besides, she's one of my friends. If you hurt her...I'll have to hurt you."

Sasuke's lips upturned into a malicious grin. "Oh please, dobe. You and Sakura can threaten me all you want...but you both know no one can touch me."

Both of the Uchiha's former teammates stared at him. Sakura had moved closer to Naruto, her face worried. "Sasuke kun, please...Hinata chan did what she thought was right -"

"Saving a murderer is right, now?" Sasuke asked, his voice still far too even compared to the anger radiating off of him. "I fail to see any logic in that."

"Sasuke, she can't breathe!" Naruto yelled, launching forward. With movement too quick to be seen, Sasuke traded his right forearm for his left to hold Hinata down, his dominant hand grabbing Naruto's fist. But the blonde swung his other hand, also bringing up a leg for a kick. Not to be outdone, Sasuke lifted one leg to block, ducking beneath the other fist.

Sakura, however, approached from the other side. Too concentrated on both his grip on Hinata and blocking his best friend's strikes, Sasuke wasn't quick enough to take on the pink-haired girl. With a grunt, he took a blow to his left side, his arm finally falling from Hinata's throat as he staggered backward, holding his injured ribs.

But Naruto wasn't done.

Flying after the other ninja, the blonde clocked him in the jaw, sending Sasuke to the ground. Eyes blazing, Naruto yelled, "What the hell is your problem?"

"She saved my murdering brother, you idiot!" Sasuke replied just as loud. His eyes were still a bloody red, tomoe swirling rapidly. "She took my revenge from me!"

Hinata, being held up by Sakura, was gasping and coughing loudly with her face toward the ground. But she managed to look up at Sasuke, watching as he yelled at his best friend. "He...had no choice..." she whispered, miraculously heard despite the yelling match.

"What the hell are you talking about?" Sasuke demanded. "You don't know anything about my brother!"

Slowly, Hinata moved to stand on her own, Sakura shadowing her in case she fell. "I know p-plenty," she murmured. "When the time comes, you can ask him for yourself."

Sasuke grit his teeth together in a snarl. "The only thing I'm going to do when he gets out is kill him," he growled, standing. Wiping blood from his chin, he turned around and stalked off.

"Where are you going?" Sakura called out. "You should have those ribs looked at."

"Back to my compound," the Uchiha replied. "And if any of you try to come in, I'll kill you."

The remaining teens just watched as Sasuke disappeared around a corner. Naruto's face was still dead serious, eyes blazing. Sakura turned to Hinata, asking, "Are you all right?"

"I...I think so." Her voice was a bit strained, speaking painful. "N-nothing time won't heal."

"I'm so sorry he did that to you," the pinkette murmured. "I thought he would let it go...but...I guess he's still stuck in his ways until he learns the truth."

Hinata looked at Sakura in surprise. "You mean...y-you know?"

"Shishou told me," the other girl replied, looking a bit sheepish. "And...I told Naruto. But you had already told him."

"O-oh...does anyone else know?"

"Just Shizune and Ibiki, and a few select ANBU," Sakura said. "Anything related to him has been put under extremely tight security. Until the council admits to the plan and formally pardons Itachi, it's just best that no one extra knows."

"I understand."

"Are you sure you're okay, Hinata chan?" Naruto asked, finally turning back to the girls and approaching. He looked sad. "I can't believe Sasuke blew up at you like that..."

"Well, until he knows the truth, his c-convictions aren't going to change," Hinata replied quietly. "Right now, he still thinks Itachi san is guilty."

"Maybe we should tell him," Sakura mused. "I mean...Tsunade sama herself believes Itachi. The only thing standing in the way is the council. Sasuke kun is Itachi's brother...he has a right to know."

"I...agree," Hinata said carefully. "But...I think Itachi should b-be the one to tell him. And I don't know if Sasuke would stay calm long enough to hear it."

"I'll ask Shishou," Sakura said, nodding. "I'm sure she'll think of something."

"Were you here to talk to Itachi, Hinata chan?" Naruto asked.

"Oh...y-yes."

"All right. Sakura, you go talk to baa chan. I'll see if I can talk to Sasuke. And you go talk to Itachi, and maybe run it by him, Hinata chan dattebayo."

"Okay."

The three parted ways, Hinata heading upstairs to see the older Uchiha. She rubbed at her throat, which was throbbing painfully. Sasuke had been far from gentle, and she was sure there would be massive bruising. The ANBU let her in as usual, and she stepped in to see a surprising sight.

Tsunade was standing at Itachi's bedside, a chart in her hands. She was speaking to her patient, but stopped when she heard the door open. "Oh, Hinata!" the Hokage said in surprise. "I was waiting for you to get here. Good timing! I just finished unlocking Itachi's shackles."

The girl paused. "Oh...really?"

The busty blonde smiled. "Really. I've decided that Itachi can remove his bandages today. I figured you'd want to be here."

Hinata gasped lightly. "His eye bandages? Are...are his e-eyes completely healed?"

"Well, they'll probably need a bit more rest – no Sharingan or anything – but I think they can be unwrapped now."

Nervous, Hinata moved until she was standing beside the Hokage.

"Hinata san," Itachi greeted quietly.

"Hello Itachi san."

"All right then, Uchiha. Go ahead."

Tentatively, Itachi reached up to grasp the gauze around his eyes. With an agonizing slowness, he unraveled the white fabric until his face was bare. Eyelids twitching slightly, he eventually cracked them open.

His vision was blurry. He could see the smudge of his blankets, and the metal bands that usually held his hands. Medical machines were large grey shapes, little stars of color lightly shining. The Hokage was much taller than the smaller form beside her, but it was that smaller person Itachi did his best to see. Blinking and straining slightly, he watched as, slowly, his world came into focus for the first time in years.

She was just as beautiful, if not more so, as he remembered.

Smiling widely, Hinata asked, "How do you feel?"

Eyes locked into hers, he murmured, "Good."

Tsunade glanced between them, a smirk growing on her face. "Well, good! Now I can go ahead and move forward."

Breaking her gaze from Itachi's, Hinata looked at the Hokage in question. "W-what do you mean?"

"I wanted Itachi to be able to see and formally identify the council," the older woman said quietly. "Now that he can do that, I'm going to get them in here to atone for their choices. Are you up for that, Uchiha?"

Itachi nodded slightly. "Yes, Hokage sama."

"Good. It will probably take a little bit of time to get them in here – no earlier than tomorrow, I would imagine. So...you have a day to rest before I put you through that. Until tomorrow, then." Turning, Tsunade moved to exit the room.

"Hokage sama, aren't you forgetting something?" Itachi asked.

Turning back, Tsunade saw Itachi raise his loose hands. "I trust you," she replied. "I figure it's about time we let you move around a bit." Winking, she opened the door and left.

Hinata perked up. "So, that has to b-be a good sign! Her letting you be unrestrained, I mean."

"Yes. I feel that soon things will be finished." Itachi smiled at her, black eyes tired but happy. Soon, however, his brow drew forward as he frowned. "Hinata san...what happened to your neck?"

The girl paused. "Oh...um...I got into an argument...with s-someone."

"During a mission?"

"No...just now, before I got here..."

"Who was it?" He tried to hide his anger, but the strain in his voice and furrowed brow gave him away.

Oh no...I can't tell him Sasuke did this! He'll be so upset! But...if I lie...things might get even worse. "Um...well, as it t-turns out...Sasuke san is still angry at me for interfering."

Itachi gave her a blank look, just staring. "Sasuke...did that to you?"

Hinata raised her hands as she tried to defend him. "It's just...he hasn't been told the truth yet! Tsunade sama w-wants to keep it under tight security, so...only a few people know. And he isn't one of them...yet. I thought it would be best if y-you told him...but he's so angry, I don't know if it would be wise. I got in his way, and he was so hostile...I'd hate to see w-what he'd try to do to you."

"Sasuke..." Itachi muttered to himself, though Hinata was able to hear. "I'm so sorry, Hinata san. When Tsunade sama sees me again, I will see what I can do about making this right. I agree – Sasuke must be told, and I doubt he would believe it unless it came from me...and likely only after the council has formally pardoned me. That way of thinking has been stuck in his head for nearly half of his life – it will take everything we have to change his mind. And even then, he still may harbor doubts."

Not knowing what to say, Hinata merely nodded.

Before his mind could censor his actions, Itachi reached up with one pale hand. Hinata, unafraid, let him do as he wanted. As gentle as a butterfly's wing, the man stroked the tender flesh of her neck, the purple bruise already blossoming beneath the skin. He looked so worried, and even guilty. That in turn made Hinata wish he didn't have to see it.

"I'll be all right," she murmured, moving her own hand up to cover his, pressing it flat against her neck. "I'm s-stronger than I look."

"I don't doubt that for a moment," he replied softly. "But it still upsets me to see you hurt. I -" His sentence stopped mid-breath, and he reconsidered his answer. "I...will do what I can to make it right."

She thanked him with a nod and a smile.

After a while more of talking, Hinata politely excused herself. Her father had yet to question where she was going so often, and she tried to keep it that way by making it home at a decent hour. "I'll see you tomorrow," she promised as she had every day before.

"And I will see you," he replied, smiling. "It's nice to actually be able to look at you instead of darkness. Your chakra signature is bright and calming, but the vision of your face is even better."

The girl blushed heavily, unable to hide it as she usually did. Him seeing her was going to change things. "I...th-thank you..."

"I speak only the truth."

After she shut the door, Itachi sighed and leaned back against his pillow. He knew what he was doing was unwise, in more ways than he cared to count. But after so many years of making sacrifices, he had decided that he would allow himself this one happiness, this one selfish act. Smiling softly, he closed his eyes and let her image fill his mind's eye.

Hinata...

The heiress made it home before dinner, actually having both members of her immediate family present, as well as her cousin Neji. As usual, however, it made no difference in the amount of conversation. It was quiet and awkward as it always was, and Hinata found herself wishing she could have been dining alone.

"Have you had any missions recently?" Hiashi asked. "I see no other reason for you to have such a mark upon your neck."

Hinata paused. How was she supposed to explain it to him? "Uh, y-yes...a small one in the civilian village in the south. Um...I had to fight off a rogue shinobi, but I'm fine."

"Good."

She let out a brief sigh. Crisis averted.

Hinata managed to sneak away into her room, avoiding her father's scrutinizing gaze. Though he gave no evidence of not believing her, the girl was always paranoid that Hiashi's Byakugan could see through lies. Having nothing else to do, she took out her medical supplies and started mixing up a basic poultice.

Wait, she thought, pausing in her work. I should make something for Itachi to boost the strength of his eyes! Excited at the thought, she finished her current project before getting out the book containing the recipe for an eye-boosting mixture. As a member of a doujutsu family, Hinata knew the importance of keeping up her eyesight. She had used this particular remedy several times herself after long missions with hours of scouting with her Kekke Genkai. Its effects were marvelous, helping the eyes heal at an astonishing rate.

All right...I've got everything I need...except... She frowned. Shoot, I need more ginkgo. Her finger pointed to a picture of a tree with fan-like leaves. There were several of the trees found on the Hyuuga estate, as the family knew its value for this mixture. Sighing, she stood and make her way to the gardens, picking up a small pair of pruning shears.

The summer night was especially cool, clouds absent from the sky and letting the day's heat escape back up into the atmosphere. Clutching her jacket shut, she took one step out into the garden before pausing. Something wasn't right. Without a word, she activated her Byakugan, scanning the entire compound. She didn't see anything, but her recent experiences told her that it didn't matter – someone of unusual strength could be hiding in plain sight. She wanted those herbs, but every nerve in her body was alight with warning: stay inside.

She could wait until morning – after all, the poultice didn't take much time to make, and she could easily prepare it before leaving to see Itachi. Her stubborn nature, wanting to get it done then, however, urged her forward. Just before she moved to take another step, a voice called to her from inside.

"Hinata sama?"

Turning, Hinata felt relief when she saw Neji looking at her curiously. "Oh, N-Neji nii san...you scared me."

He nodded in apology, eyebrows furrowing slightly in confusion. "Isn't it a bit late to go outside?"

"Yes," she replied. "I just wanted to get more ginkgo, but..." the girl frowned. "Something gave me a s-strange feeling."

Stepping beside her, Neji also gave the courtyards a sweep with his extended vision. "I do not see anything," he said quietly, "but that does not fully eliminate the possibility of someone who can shield themselves from our sight."

Hinata nodded.

"If you wish, I could accompany you. Do you need much?"

"No, I just need a few ounces." Giving the darkness another worried look, she said, "Okay...thank you, Neji nii san."

"Of course."

Together, the cousins stepped into the gardens and made their way to the back where the trees were growing. On edge, Hinata began snipping leaves from their branches, trying to sense anything out of place. Neji stood behind her, watching.

"Is this threat – if there is one – stemming from the mission you took a few weeks ago?"

"If I h-had to guess," she replied, reaching for a high sprouting, "I would say yes. There have been few c-complications that made some people angry. But if it is them...I'm not sure we could hold them off."

Neji accepted that news quietly, his gaze still searching.

After collecting what she wanted, Hinata turned back around and nodded to her cousin. They walked swiftly back into the house, locking the door with a click.

"I could sense it too," Neji affirmed once the portal was shut securely. "Whoever was out there was certainly intending to harm you. Is there anything you wish to tell me?"

Hinata bit her lip. Though the cousins were still a bit formal with one another, their bond had done much growing since the chuunin exams three years ago. Neji helped her train, and she did what she could to help him, though little could be done. She trusted him, and he was one of two in her family of which she could say that much. He had made an oath to protect her, and she knew he took it seriously. "Well...h-how much do you know?"

"All I was informed of was that you took a voluntary mission in Oto no Kuni for approximately one month. Besides that, I know nothing."

Hinata blinked in surprise. She would have thought Neji knew more than that. "Well...I went to r-retrieve Uchiha Sasuke. And I succeeded."

Neji was a stoic shinobi, hardly ever showing emotion. That sentence, however, made his eyes widen and mouth open in shock. "You...you did?"

"It's a long and c-complicated story," she said tiredly. "For now, I can't tell you everything, because there are a few details that we have yet to tie up, but...I did something to make Sasuke san angry after bringing him back. He's the one who...g-gave me the bruises on my neck. I didn't have a mission today."

Over his shock, Neji let his face turn instead to one of anger. He had promised Hinata he would keep her safe. He had been hurt that he couldn't help her during her mission, and now something related to it had caused her harm. Not only did it make him angry, but it hurt his pride – he had failed. "Hinata sama...can I do anything to help?"

The girl could see he was upset. She didn't want to brush him off, and needed a way to placate him. "W-well, if you're not busy...you could escort me to the hospital tomorrow morning. I have a friend there who I'm m-making the eye ointment for – that's why I needed the ginkgo."

"I see. I do not have any prior obligations. I will go with you, and make sure the Uchiha doesn't bother you."

"Thank you. Well...I'm going to f-finish up my work, and then go to bed. I'll s-see you in the morning, Neji nii san."

"Good night, Hinata sama."

It seemed no matter how many times she asked him to drop the honorific, he refused. It made the girl feel awkward, but there was no changing her cousin's mind. She finished up her medicine, and then crawled into bed for the night. Hopefully she would be able to get in to see Itachi without rousing Neji's suspicion.

.oOo.

The walk to the hospital was quiet. Neji was constantly checking their surroundings, Byakugan activated. His serious air made people around them look at the pair nervously, and Hinata tried her best to ignore it. Neji was obviously worried after sensing Sasuke's – for she had little doubt it was anyone else – cruel intent.

Once inside the building, the elder Hyuuga relaxed a bit. But as Hinata moved to take the stairs, he followed.

Oh, shoot...how can I get him to stay down here? I doubt I should tell him about Itachi...at least, not yet. "Um...Neji nii san...would you m-mind waiting here? I'll just be a minute."

The boy blinked at her. "Is something wrong?"

"N-no! Well, it's just...um..."

"Is your friend Naruto? I see no other reason for you to be so bashful."

Hinata blushed lightly. "No, it's not him...but...it is someone quite precious to me."

"And you have no intent to tell me just who he is?"

"...not yet. But soon, I p-promise."

That seemed to satisfy Neji, if only just. "Very well. I will remain here in the lobby to escort you home."

"Thank you." Smiling at him, she hurried up the stairs to minimize his waiting time. She waved to the ANBU guards as usual, but instead of letting her in, they barred her way.

"I apologize, Hyuuga san," one said, tilting his head forward slightly. "But Tsunade sama is concluding business within, and asked that no one be allowed in."

Hinata's heart sank. "Oh, r-really? Is...is it the council?"

The two ANBU glanced at one another. They had come to know the Hyuuga girl by sight, knowing of her dedication to the patient within. So, they decided they could tell her. "Yes. We were told that Uchiha san would be formally pardoned today, if everything goes as the Hokage wishes it to."

Hinata nodded, solemn. Though she didn't doubt the blonde woman's resolve, she wondered if it would be enough to get the council to admit to their acts. After all, the massacre was a serious blight in the village's history, and letting the truth become common knowledge would change many people's opinion of the two elders.

If I were them...I would probably step down afterward. The negative reaction they'll probably receive would be horrible...

Making up her mind, Hinata took a seat in the hallway, the ointment jar held in her hands. She stared at it as she waited, turning it over and over as time passed slowly.

It sure has been a long time, she thought later. I wonder what Neji is doing...

Only seconds later, the door opened, and Hinata's head shot up. From within the smaller room emerged the elders themselves, faces blank as they made their exit. They did not look at her, or even acknowledged her presence, instead making their way down the hall to the stairs.

Tsunade came out once they had gone, expression exhausted. But when she saw Hinata seated across the hall, she gave the girl a tired smile. "Well, that's that. Itachi's pardon will be made public, and in a matter of hours, most of the village will know. I'll debrief all of our shinobi later today, and from there it will pass through word of mouth. Likely by tomorrow morning, he'll be known all over as an innocent man."

Joy blossomed in Hinata's chest. Before she could think, she launched from her chair and embraced her leader. "Thank you, thank you!" she cheered, squeezing the buxom blonde tightly. "I'm so happy...!"

Tsunade laughed, putting a hand on Hinata's head. "I'm glad. But I'm sure there's someone else who would appreciate your celebratory hugs much better than me." She winked, making Hinata blush.

Releasing the Hokage, Hinata let her walk by until the doorway was clear, stepping into Itachi's room. Suddenly, she was much more shy. Gripping the container in her hand, she walked forward to sit at Itachi's bedside. "You're free," she said simply, smiling at him.

He returned the gesture, looking exhausted. "Yes, I am. By tomorrow morning, the life I've known for the past eight years will be over, and I'll finally be able to start anew."

For a while, they just looked happily at one another. Hinata was beaming, feeling as though she was going to explode. A warmth was spreading through her chest, making her feel as though nothing could ever go wrong again. "Oh! I b-brought you something I made last night. It's to help your eyes. My clan uses it a lot w-whenever they suffer eye injury or strain." She proffered the small container, watching as his fingers plucked it from her palm.

"I see. Does it use ginkgo?"

"Yes."

"My clan also had something similar, I would imagine. Thank you – I'm sure it will help me to heal all the faster."

Silence reigned for a time, but then Hinata asked, "So...what will you do now that you're f-free? Will you become a shinobi again?"

Itachi looked thoughtful. "I do not know anything else. If I am to do anything, becoming a shinobi again is likely what it will be. Tsunade has offered me a place in the ANBU corps if I desire it – after I heal completely, of course. As for the rest...I do not know. I have no money, and no place to live. Starting from scratch will be quite the endeavor."

"But...you have the c-compound," Hinata replied. "Couldn't you live there?"

"I could...it is likely where I will end up." He looked uncomfortable, and Hinata frowned.

"Are you worried...that it's h-haunted?"

Sorrow overtook the man's face. "Despite my reasons...I murdered my family there. They were unknowing of my intent, cut down without understanding why. I do not doubt that they will react unfavorably to my presence."

Hinata believed in spirits. After losing her mother at such a young age, she found comfort in believing that the woman was somewhere better, watching over her. So, she also feared that the deceased Uchiha would harbor anger over their deaths. "Is...is there anywhere else you could go?"

"Besides you, Hinata san, I have no one in this village that trusts me. Sure, people may come to forgive me once they hear the truth, but few will be willing to befriend me as you have. No matter if I am pardoned or not, there will always be a stigma attached to me and anyone associated with me. So...I doubt anyone else would be open to letting me stay with them. Perhaps I will be able to find an apartment with the Hokage's help until I am able to stand on my own."

Hinata nearly volunteered her own home, but stopped when many realizations came to mind. Her family had never been on good terms with the rival Uchiha clan. Her father was known to hold grudges, so it was unlikely that he would trust Itachi enough to live in his home for a very long time, if ever. And, of course, he would probably not want an older boy living in his home where his eldest daughter was also staying, regardless of his background or family.

"I'm sure you'll figure something out," she replied quietly, looking to the side. "If there's anything you need, I'll be m-more than happy to help."

"I appreciate that. If the need arises, I will ask you."

Their conversation, however, was cut short as the door opened. Both young people turned their heads to behold their guest, and Hinata felt panic rise in her chest as she stared into black eyes.

"...Sasuke san?"

The other Uchiha stared back before looking over to his brother. "Aniki," he said quietly, face blank.

"Otoutou," Itachi replied just as calmly.

D: Uh oh...Sasuke's back. Sooooo sorry for the cliffy – especially since the next update isn't until Friday – but hopefully the next chapter will be worth the wait. Until then, you can yell at me in reviews if it makes you feel better XD

I'll see you all on Friday, my lovelies!

~BlackRoseDragon13