First IV

Hinako is a Hyūga. Itachi is an Uchiha. At age three, they are both already well aware of the weight of their names. But, where Hinako's name protects her, Itachi's does not. He is an Uchiha. His name does not protect him from his duties as the Third Shinobi War breaks out between Konohagakure and Iwagakure. He is a messenger between his father and clansmen to the others on the battlefield. For once, Itachi is glad for the weight that sits on Hinako's shoulders. Her name protects her, but his does not.

He's glad for the weight that sits on Hinako's shoulders. Her name protects her, but his does not. It protects her from seeing the Iwagakure shinobi and Konohagakure shinobi slaughtering each other. It protects her from seeing their neighbors and fellow villagers from being murdered. Itachi, for once, is glad that Hinako feels the weight of being the Hyūga heiress sit on her shoulders.

At age three, Itachi knows he wants to protect Hinako. He wants to protect her soft smile and gentle hands and warm eyes. So, when an Iwagakure shinobi tries to repay his care with a kunai to the throat, Itachi does not hesitate. Fugaku, who appeared by his son's side just in case he froze, stands beside him. Honestly, Itachi can barely remember the short conversation they had before he relayed the message he was sent with. But he remembers the blood. He remembers that it is sticky, that it is warm, that it is so red.

At age three, Itachi sneaks through Hinako's open window and crawls into her futon. If Hiashi and his wife, or any Hyūga, are aware of his presence, no one says anything. If Fugaku and Mikoto, or any Uchiha, are aware that he seeks out Hinako every night, no one says anything. Hinako wakes up to trembling arms holding her and shaking breaths in her ear. She shifts and turns so she can wrap her arms around Itachi. She carefully keeps her face against his chest so she can't see him and he can't see her. Itachi cries. He cries and cries until there's nothing left in him. Then, Hinako cries soft, muffled sobs into his chest and holds him as tightly as her thin arms can.

At age three, they know there's more to this world than they know. They know there's more to this world than they can control. They know that they can't protect each other as they are now. Itachi knows that if the tide of the war does not change, Konohagakure will lose. Hinako knows that Itachi will have to return to his duties in a few days. Itachi knows that he cannot protect Hinako forever. They're children, helpless against the world. So they cling to what they have—each other.