Hinata turned to the classroom door just before it slid open and Sasuke walked in. "Hey."

"H-Hi," Hinata greeted as she bowed her head in his direction.

"How come you're not outside?" He asked, walking closer to her. Hinata counted his steps and figured that he was just in arm's reach.

"It's too…bright out today," she explained, afraid of saying that she couldn't exactly see today. It was hard enough getting through school without letting on that she was more vulnerable than usual today. Her sunglasses helped to shield where exactly her eyes were looking so she was glad she was allowed to wear them.

"Is that why you wear sunglasses sometimes?" Sasuke asked. By the sounds and the shifting of the table she was sitting at, she concluded he sat on the table facing the wall behind her.

"Y-Yes."

"So you just sit here by yourself in the classroom during lunch?"

"Sometimes. Often, I'll read or… just meditate," she answered.

"Oh, did I interrupt your meditation again?" He questioned, sounding a bit apologetic.

She shook her head. "No, I was just sitting here and spacing out." The table shifted again and she guessed that Sasuke put a knee up on the table to face her more.

They sat there in silence, Hinata assuming that Sasuke was staring at her or out the window behind her, but she couldn't be too sure. Sasuke sighed softly and jumped from the table, his footsteps getting further towards the door. Somehow, she knew, Sasuke was beginning to catch on.

Suddenly, she felt the hair on the back of her neck stand and she knew something was going to happen. She heard a soft 'whoosh' and even quieter grunt of force and she turned her head in the direction of the sound; where Sasuke was.

Her hand shot up and she caught whatever he threw at her—a pencil, it seemed—before throwing it back in the same direction. It all happened within two seconds.

"I was right," Sasuke said, suddenly closer to her than before. "You can't see today."

Hinata bowed her head a bit as if she was looking down and fiddled with her fingers. "Yes, that's right." She was disappointed in herself for not hearing him approach. From the sound of his voice, he wasn't much closer than he was when he threw it, but he still surprised her.

"How did you catch it?" He asked, finally taking the seat next to her.

"I-I could sense where it was based on… where you were standing."

"It must've taken a while to finally get that down," Sasuke said so quietly that Hinata knew it was to himself. She didn't answer but thought back to all the times her sight went away and she was still required to train with her father. He would throw, at first, blunt objects at her until she got decent at it and then broke out his kunai—senbon needles when she got proficient at the kunai—but she often went to bed with cuts and had to rest in bed after getting fully stabbed with kunai and senbon needles.

She tugged at the bottom of her shirt where she hid the scars of her training. Due to her schooling, she was glad her father avoided her face. Civilians, and even ninjas not from noble families, couldn't get involved with Old Clan business, but that doesn't mean they won't cause trouble in trying to do so. The Clans were ruthless towards outsiders, and Hinata would hate for any of the teachers to have their reputation ruined.

"I need to start learning how to do that," Sasuke said again. "I think Itachi knows, but he hasn't taught me anything yet."

"M-Maybe you can… ask him," Hinata said, suddenly nervous at the mention of the older Uchiha.

"How…" Sasuke hesitated. "How do you feel about marrying my brother?"

Hinata stiffened. "I am willing to do what needs to be done for the family and our village."

"Typical clan response, huh?" Sasuke laughed. "It's hard sometimes, but it must be awful being the oldest."

Hinata stayed silent, sensing that Sasuke just needed to let this out away from his Clan. And since he couldn't talk to others because they didn't understand, he was here telling her. If Sasuke were the eldest, he wouldn't think to show any hint of hardship or frustration to others but he was the youngest and Sasuke wouldn't have to deal with that for a long while.

"Can you show me how to not use my eyes?" Sasuke suddenly asked. His voice had an edge to it like he was hesitant, possibly embarrassed.

"B-But…"

From the shifting of his clothes, Sasuke had turned to her. "This has nothing to do with our eyes, right? It's just regular training?" Hinata nodded. "Then I don't see what the problem is. Besides, we're gonna be family, aren't we?"

Hinata hesitated.

"I just want to stop relying on my eyes so much."

It was a good thing, she recognized, to not rely on their special abilities too much. Hinata didn't know if their abilities could be strained so much to not work as her family's eyes could, but Hinata didn't want Sasuke to possibly get hurt in the future.

"I… understand. Once my sight returns, we can find a private space and practice together."

"It'll have to be secret, won't it?" Hinata nods and Sasuke sighs. "Yeah, that figures. But maybe I can surprise Itachi!"

Hinata giggled at Sasuke's admiration of his brother. She hoped that Hanabi would come to love her just as much.

They continued to sit in a comfortable silence before Hinata turned to the direction of the door, causing Sasuke to do the same.

"What is it?" He asked.

"Someone's about to come in here."

Sure enough, the door slammed open and Sakura skipped inside humming to herself. Sasuke froze and Hinata went back to acting like she was looking out the window.

"Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked. "What are you doing in here?" She then noticed Hinata and frowned a little. "Why are you talking to Hinata-chan?" It didn't sound accusatory, but Hinata and Sasuke both knew that she had the biggest crush on the boy sitting there.

"Don't worry about it," Sasuke said. He then leaned over and whispered to Hinata, "if she asks you, tell her it's clan matters." Hinata nodded slightly. Because Sakura was not only a first-generation shinobi but also did not come from a noble family or clan, it was taboo for her to inquire about clan matters or to eavesdrop on such things. Should a civilian push for answers despite a warning is the only time a clan member can punish said civilian with their training.

Then he got up and headed out the door. "Later."

Hinata bowed politely and went back to facing the window. She knew it was only a matter of seconds before Sakura came to ask questions.

Three…

Two…

One…

The small breeze she felt come from the chair in front of her desk and inwardly sighed.

"So," Sakura started. "What were you guys talking about?"

Hinata smiled politely. "I'm afraid I can't tell you, Haruno-san… I apologize."

Sakura giggled, but it sounded a bit forced. "Oh, come on, Hinata-chan. You can tell me!"

"It has to do with clan matters."

Sakura hesitated for a moment before continuing. "We're friends, aren't we? You know I can keep secrets." She moved her hand to pat Hinata's shoulder, but Hinata caught her hand in a trained solid grip, squeezing it just enough to hurt.

Sakura gasped in pain and Hinata quickly let go when she realized what she had done. "I apologize, Haruno-san! But… I still cannot tell you. I will not tell my Elders you asked such a thing as you and your family are only civilians, so please… drop this subject matter." Hinata politely bowed.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to put you in a hard spot." Sakura went silent and left the chair. Hinata was thankful. Sakura had never been mean to her, but she never talked to her. Hinata was positive Sakura didn't see her as a friend, and she was grateful she at least wasn't mean to her like a lot of the classmates.

She turned her head to the door just before it opened. "Hey, Sakura-chan! Why are you inside already? Ino-chan was looking for you!" Naruto said as he walked in. As he went past Hinata's seat, he paused and smiled at her. "Hey, Hinata."

"H-Hello, Uzumaki-san," she replied, bowing her head in greeting. Naruto had never been one for formalities, calling everyone by their first names and only using honorifics for the girls close to him. It had caught Hinata off guard when he first used her name, causing her face to redden until she discovered that he did that with all of their classmates.

"You don't have to be so formal! Just call me Naruto," he said. He moved his hand to pat her shoulder, and just as it happened with Sakura, she gripped his hand tightly. "Ow. Damn, you have a strong grip!" He laughed.

"I…I am so sorry! It was just a reaction," she said, her face bright red with embarrassment.

"Don't worry about it! It was my fault for trying to touch you without asking. But seriously, you're real strong! We should train together sometime," he said. "How 'bout it?"

"S-sure. Just… taijutsu training?" she asked.

"Yeah! Let's start when the new year begins, okay?"

She nodded.

"Awesome! I'll see 'ya!" Then he went back to Sakura. "Ino-chan was looking for you, something about Sasuke like usual."

Sakura groaned. "When is she gonna let it go?! I'm gonna be the one to win his heart!"

Hinata turned back toward the window and blocked out the rest of the conversation. She felt for Sakura as Sasuke wasn't at all interested in any girl at the moment. He had a goal to be as strong as his older brother and a duty to his clan; The Uchiha clan wouldn't accept someone who wasn't born into a noble family. She also felt for Sasuke, who ran away from girls all the time and had an obligation to his family.

Lunch ended soon after and the class got to work on their kunai training. Iruka-sensei praised her aiming abilities but she wasn't sure if it was because he was encouraging her when she missed or if she was actually hitting the middle as she was supposed to.

Despite being unable to do any written classwork, Hinata's day went by mostly in a breeze.

Hinata was counting the steps to the gate, being wary of the sounds around her. It was almost overwhelming how heightened her hearing was, but she powered through to make sure no one else could see her struggling.

"Hyuuga-san, I'll walk home with you," Sasuke said to her right. She moved over a bit and bowed her head in greeting.

"Hello, Uchiha-san. Thank you for seeing me home," she replied.

"How were you able to walk around the school like nothing?"

Hinata smiled at how curious Sasuke was. "Since there is a chance that… my sight can sometimes disappear, my father has instructed that I count my steps everywhere I go."

"Sounds troublesome," Sasuke groaned.

Hinata giggled. "I suppose to some, but counting helps me relax so I don't mind."

Sasuke hummed thoughtfully and they continued in silence, with only the crunch of the snow beneath their shoes, for a few moments before Hinata hesitantly spoke up once more.

"How is Uchiha-san doing?" She asked, referring to Itachi.

"He's fine, I guess. He's always busy now, so It's hard to see him sometimes." Sasuke sounded so morose that Hinata couldn't help but put her hand on his shoulder and squeeze. This caused Sasuke to freeze.

"As an older sibling, I guarantee that he wishes to be with you all he can," she assured him.

Sasuke sighed and they continued walking. "I know, but it still sucks."

Hinata took a deep breath, "I'm very sorry…but I'm going to invite him over formally to have some tea."

Sasuke's next words came out bitterly. "I know. Clan matters. Neither of you can help it."

"I promise not to keep him too long."

"Yeah."

"...Uzumaki-san asked to train with me when the new year starts," Hinata said.

"I think that would be good for both of you. Naruto's fast and strong, so I think he'll be a challenge. I won't know for sure until we train together, too." Hinata nodded along, listening closely. "Would you mind if I tagged along?"

"I-I don't mind," she replied.

"Maybe you can teach both of us how to see without our eyes."

She giggled. "Yes, maybe."

They continued walking with Hinata silently counting up to 229.

They stopped in front of the estate entrance where they bowed to one another. "Thank you for seeing me home, Uchiha-san."

"It was my pleasure." His formality made Hinata tilt her head before she realized her father must be there.

"Hello, father."

Hiashi stood silently by the door, surprised that his daughter realized he was there. "Welcome home, my daughter. I trust school didn't give you many problems today," he said, not wanting to let on that she couldn't see to the young Uchiha.

"Y-yes, father. It went very well."

"I will take my leave now. Good day, Hyuuga-sama."

"Good day," Hiashi replied. After watching Sasuke walk away for a moment, he turned to his daughter. "It is time for more training. I have another meeting later and wish to get something in."

"Yes, father. First, please allow me… to write a formal letter to the Uchiha residence requesting Itachi Uchiha for tea," she bowed to her father.

Hiashi smiled. "I'm pleased with your initiative, Hinata. After you're done, meet me in the training room. Today we will be practicing with both kunai and senbon from both me and Ko. Be prepared from the moment you open the door."

Hinata felt uneasy but nodded. This was training she needed. "Yes, father." She went to her bedroom, followed by her maid Mitsuki where she was helped into her training clothes and had her eyes wrapped since sunglasses would hinder her training.

"Mitsuki-san, please send a letter to the Uchiha residence requesting Itachi Uchiha for tea at the time of my father's meeting," Hinata asked.

"Of course, Hinata-sama. Good luck in your training."

"Thank you very much."

She walked her way to the training room and took a deep breath before opening the door. Almost immediately she heard something moving through the air and tilted her head to the right. She heard a thunk on the wall behind her. She dropped to the floor, pulled a kunai, and shot inside.

Left and right, the weapons were flying towards her, but she became disoriented when she felt one drop in front of her face and land in the floor between her feet. They were using clones. Hinata took a step back and gathered her thoughts while the weapons seemed to stop. It was brief but it was all she needed. In that moment of silence, she heard a quiet footstep come behind her and she grabbed the kunai that was lodged in the floor between her feet and turned before stabbing where she heard that foot land. There was a pop and she felt proud of herself until a senbon pierced her shoulder and a kunai cut her leg. She pulled the senbon out and armed herself with it.

This training continued for three hours until Hiashi ended it in time for his meeting.

"Hinata, you managed to take down three clones but were scraped or hit directly a total of sixty times. While I am impressed, you still have much room for improvement. We will continue the same training until your sight returns. I have received word that Itachi Uchiha will be here within the hour; don't forget your sunglasses. You are dismissed," Hiashi said. Hinata, although feeling a little dejected, felt happy that she was able to take down a total of three clones. She couldn't help but be proud of herself.

Ko let her to her room where Mitsuki was already there to help her bathe the sweat and blood away. Mitsuki was very fun to talk to and seemed like she actually enjoyed being with Hinata, but she wasn't really sure if it was genuine or because of her job. She hoped it was a least a little bit of the former.

When she sunk into the warm water, she gasped from the stinging pain of her wounds.

"The family doctor will tend to your wounds and wrap them up once you're dressed, Hinata-sama. The small smile on your face tells me training must have gone well. I'm very proud of you."

"Yes, it went… better today. Thank you."

Once she was dressed in her undergarments, the doctor patched up her cuts and stab wounds. Her hands took the worst of it, but better her hands than her face.

Since she couldn't see, she had Mitsuki pick her kimono. She had suggested a red one with a pink floral pattern. Hinata loved that one. As she was putting on her sunglasses, there was a knock on her door.

"Excuse me, Hinata-sama. Itachi Uchiha-sama is here to see you. He is currently waiting in the tea room which overlooks the garden."

"Thank you. I will be there shortly." She turned to her maid. "Thank you for helping me bathe and dress, Mitsuki-san. I will go to the tea room myself."

"Of course, Hinata-sama. I will bring the refreshments at once."

Hinata counted the steps to the tea room and knocked gently before sliding the door open. "U-Uchiha-san… thank you for coming."

"It's my pleasure to be here, Hyuuga-san," Itachi said, surprisingly, from the left. Hinata bowed in his direction before giving him a small smile.

"I see you're interested in our gardening books," she said.

"Yes, our mother keeps a garden and it always fascinated me. Please, let us sit." Itachi took her hand and led her to the table in the center of the room. "I hope you enjoy the flowers."

Hinata, blushing, reached out and was thankful the bouquet was right in front of her. She smelled it as she brought it to her nose, but couldn't smell anything. She searched her mind before a big smile graced her face. "These sunflowers are gorgeous," she said.

"I am pleased you like them." When Mitsuki came in with tea and pastries, she asked her to put these in a vase in her room.

"Thank you again for the flowers."

"I will buy you more each time I visit your home or you visit mine," Itachi said. Hinata was surprised as Itachi didn't seem like the kind to dote, but it is the responsibility of the eldest to keep the peace between themselves and their allies. He was just doing his duty, and Hinata understood.

"I look… forward to it." Hinata reached out slowly for where she heard Mitsuki set her cup down and felt for the edge.

"Are your hands okay?" Itachi asked, noticing that both were currently bandaged.

"Yes. I finished training just before you arrived."

"You train despite losing your vision?" Itachi asked.

Hinata knew she shouldn't have been as shocked as she was. Itachi was already an Anbu. Something as simple as this wouldn't get past his eyes. Even Sasuke had figured it out. "Y-Yes, I am to train every day, no matter what," she replied. When a gust of wind came through, she smiled as she remembered that she would soon smell the flowers once winter ended. "Though I see it every day, I wish I could see the garden right now. It's been very sunny all day, even though I know it's covered in snow."

"Yes, the sun has been very harsh. Despite it being winter and how much I enjoy outside training, today was especially difficult," Itachi said.

Hinata giggled. "Yes, I can imagine how harsh that must have been. I didn't spend much time outside today, only the walk to and from school."

"It wasn't burdensome to walk without your sight?" Itachi inquired.

Hinata smiled widely, causing Itachi to tilt his head in curiosity. "You and your brother are quite alike. He asked me the same thing during lunch today. I stayed inside because of the sun and he came into the classroom."

"That's surprisingly bold of him. He doesn't approach girls if he can help it," Itachi chuckled.

"Well, I suppose it is because we're eventually going to be family that he's warming up to me. At least, I think so."

"Yes, I think you're right. I'm happy he'll have a new friend at his school. A lot of the other kids tend to keep their distance because of our family name."

Hinata nodded. Hers was almost the same, just that she wished they stayed away more. "How are your missions, Uchiha-san?" Hinata asked.

"Just as well. I returned from one earlier this morning," Itachi replied.

"Being in Anbu," Hinata started, "It must be tough, especially for someone as gentle as you."

Itachi seemed to hesitate. "You believe me to be gentle?"

Hinata nodded. "Yes. I could… see it in the way you were with your younger sibling."

When Itachi didn't say anything, Hinata feared she overstepped a boundary she wasn't aware of. As she was going to apologize, Itachi began to speak, but it was as quiet as a whisper.

"Thank you…"

Hinata smiled warmly but said nothing. They stayed in complete silence for at least half an hour before Hinata shifted and bit her lip in uncertainty.

"Uchiha-san, if you don't already have plans and wouldn't mind, would you like to come here for the new year?" She asked.

"I will have to check to see if I have any missions that night, but I don't see why not. Although," he paused, a hint of amusement in his voice, "Sasuke might not be too happy about that."

Hinata giggled. "I also wanted to invite him as well. Our home has a great view of all the fireworks and we hold a very huge feast for the estate."

"I'm sure he'd like to come along," Itachi said. Hinata smiled at him and they went back to drinking their tea.

After a moment, Hinata felt around the table for the pastries but she couldn't find the plate. The sound of a plate sliding to the tip of her fingers caused her to slightly jump.

"Thank you," Hinata said. She grabbed one and almost instantly started eating it. It was her favorite kind, with the jelly in the middle and she didn't bother to hide her huge grin. Her time having sweets is the only time she tuned everything out and got lost in her own world.

"I take it that you really enjoy sugary things, yes?"

Hinata froze and remembered where she was. She fumbled for her napkin and quickly wiped her face clear of crumbs and jelly. "I-I beg your pardon, Uchiha-san! That was very improper of me, and I shall be more aware in the future."

Itachi chuckled. "Please, don't worry about it. You're young, we both are, and often so much is expected of us that we forget to sometimes act our age. While it is just us, please don't fret over things like that." Hinata could feel him lean a bit over the table. "I can keep a secret," he whispered.

Hinata grinned widely and went back to eating her pastry. Itachi watched her and smiled a bit to himself as he was finally reminded of her young age. He didn't think he would ever love her as a man should love his wife, but that didn't mean they couldn't be friends.

That evening on his walk home, he ran into Izumi once again.

He bowed slightly. "Izumi-san, hello once again. Are you returning from training?" He asked though he was curious about why she had suddenly started revealing herself after avoiding him for years.

She seemed to hesitate for a moment before sighing. "You're dead serious about marrying her, aren't you?"

"That's right," he said gently. "I just came back from visiting her. It appears she understands me in a way most people do not." He wasn't much of a conversationalist, but he felt that Izumi could perhaps move on from her feelings if he was genuine with her.

"Did I not understand you?" She asked, her eyes filled with hurt.

"You see me as the strong Uchiha Heir, as someone to look up to, but I don't believe you just see Itachi when you look at me," he answered.

"But I do see you!" She argued.

He shook his head. "When I look in your eyes, I see someone who thinks I can save and protect her, someone who can fight for her."

"What's so wrong with that?!" Her tears were now spilling, but he didn't even flinch.

"You never once noticed that I am someone who loathes fighting."

At this, Izumi paused and bit her lip. Itachi knew then that he was absolutely correct. She didn't like him for who he was, she liked him for the strength and influence he had within the clan. He felt oddly disappointed.

"Izumi-san, I understand the news of my engagement has been difficult for you but I cannot keep doing this with you. If you really were ever my friend once, then please respect my decisions and let us keep our distance. I think that would be for the best," he said sternly.

"And if you were ever really my friend, you would at least consider being with me before completely tossing the idea out like I mean nothing," she cried, wiping her tears harshly.

This time, he finally let the sigh out. "If I ever considered it, it would be nothing but cruel. To give you hope in something that could never be is a special kind of torture that I will not partake in. Goodbye." He bowed and leaped onto the rooftops to get home faster, his mood sullied by someone he used to consider close to him.

That night, as Hinata was getting ready for bed, she suddenly began feeling very tense. Something was… off, but she couldn't place what it was. She couldn't activate her Byakugan to check the perimeters of the estate and she didn't want to alert any possible enemy that she was on to them.

Hinata laid down and shifted onto her stomach where she felt for the kunai she kept under her pillow. She slowed her breath and tried to relax her body as though she was asleep; she wished more than anything that her sight wasn't gone so she could take a peek.

There was a few moments of complete silence before she felt something move and shot her armed hand out and felt the kunai pierce someone who grunted quietly. She rolled out of her bed and listened for another movement, keeping her back to her closet door.

"Be a good little girl and come with me," someone, a man, said. His voice was teasing but tight like he was in pain. She was glad she managed to get him. She heard him take a few steps forward as she dropped down, put chakra into her hand, and then thrust it in his direction hoping to get anything she could. The man groaned out in pain and she heard him drop down to the floor, but it wasn't his whole body.

"You little bitch!" The man seethed. Hinata thrust her hand out again hoping to get his head or neck, but he caught her hand and she dropped to the floor unconscious after a hard strike to the head. "After we take your eyes, I'm going to enjoy torturing you myself."

The man picked up her body and limped towards the window where he came in from. That shot to his knee was slowing him down more than he thought it would, especially from an attack by a five-year-old. He was nearly out of the compound when Hiashi rushed him and sent him into their compound walls, knocking him out, and catching his daughter as she flew out of the man's arms. He had already sent for the Hokage and Konoha Police and held his daughter tightly against his chest while overlooking the man.

He recognized him to be one of the ninjas from Kumo who oversaw the signing of the treaty. Hiashi gritted his teeth at being played for a fool, having been so wrapped up in achieving peace for future generations.

"Hyuuga-san." It was Fugaku Uchiha, the head of the police. "What's happened?"

"This Kumo ninja tried kidnapping Hinata. I barely got to him before he could leave. It seems his knee was injured," he explained.

"I see." After looking over the unconscious body of the ninja, he saw a wound on his shoulder. "His shoulder was also injured with what looks to be a kunai. Hinata put up a fight."

Hiashi smiled proudly down at his daughter. "Yes, it appears so. I will be taking her to the hospital. Please, extract as much information as you can from him. It seems Kumogakure has some explaining to do."

"That, they do." Fugaku and a few other police officers carried the man to the Torture and Interrogation building while Hiashi rushed to the hospital.

Upon arriving, the Third Hokage was already there waiting with a team of nurses. "Hiashi-san, please explain to me what happened."

After the nurses took Hinata away, Hiashi faced the Third. "A Kumo ninja that was there at the signing of the treaty between our villages attempted to kidnap Hinata. She put up a fight and managed to slow him down enough for me to get there before he left the compound. Fugaku Uchiha and his men have taken the ninja down to the T&I building."

"You didn't kill him?"

"No, I thought it would be best to extract information and hold Kumo responsible with proof. Had I just killed him, they could deny any involvement. I see this as a better choice," Hiashi explained.

The Third hummed. "Yes, you're right. I commend your self-control."

"It was difficult, Lord Hokage, but I thank you."

"I will be dispatching Anbu operatives around the village should there be any more attacks tonight."

Hiashi bowed his head in thanks as the Hokage returned to his office, sending out Anbu before even making it to the door of the hospital.

Sorry for updating a little later! I fell asleep suuuuuper early and only woke up to move to my bed at around 11:30. I hope you all enjoy this chapter! Please review and let me know what you think. I know some of you are probably confused about where the skillset of our characters are, but this is a different timeline, where Hinata's father is softer and has the ability to train her properly and where they're older than canon states they were when these incidents happened. I hope that clears stuff up.

Don't forget to check out our profile for our Tumblr where we'll be posting updates and explaining how the story has changed into what it is now, because it started out completely different! It's still in its infancy but it'll hopefully be picking up soon

-hina

EDIT: NEXT UPDATE WILL BE 02/25/23