liz

Sasuke and Hinata were in the garden. He was helping her re potting one the zinnia flowers that she had admired while strolling in the Uchiha backyard. His mother had told her she could have one right away and Hinata had sheepishly accepted. They worked methodically and in silence. She had chosen a smaller plant, hoping it would survive the sudden change.

Sasuke's mother had reminded him to be gentle with Hinata, who was facing a lot of hardships at home since her kidnapping when she was three.

"Clan matters" Mikoto had said seriously and Sasuke had understood that it was something he shouldn't ask about.

Hinata and her mother used come at their house a lot more before, when she didn't stutter.

"Itachi-san is f-five years older than you, is that right? " 

Sasuke was annoyed by the mention of his genius brother but remembering his mother's admonishment he asked:

"Is this about the new baby?"

She nodded.

Hinata's mum was expecting, and had came to their house to tell Mikoto.

" I would like for me and my baby sister to get along..."

"You know already it's going to be a girl? How?"

"W-well, I s-saw it..."

Sasuke had forgotten about the Byakugan.

"I wish I could activate my doujutsu right away like you."

"Oh, it is n-not very useful on its own...I m-mean, I can see through things and look at how chakra flows. But I g-get a headache if I activate it for too long and without learning the g-gentle fist and taijutsu..."

She shrugged.

"If I had the Sharingan I would memorise all the books we will have to read at the academy."

Hinata laughed.

"You would graduate in a year!"

Sasuke wondered if that's how Itachi had done it.

"To be a very good older sibling, you'll have to play a lot with your little sister, even if you have clan duties — he declared — You'll have to train with her, and let her win every once in a while. No one likes to lose all the time just because they are younger."

Hinata nodded.

"And the most important thing: you will have to protect her no matter what! Do you know that my brother brought us to the shelter during the Kyubi attack? I was only three months old!"

"Ohh that's why you have such a good relationship with your brother... Neji-nii-san and I are not permitted in the same space most of the time... it makes sense..." she mumured.

"Yes, we are the best of friends forever!" Sasuke was lying but Hinata didn't need to know.

"What about us?"

"Huh?"

"Can we be friends?"

Weren't they already friends? They knew each other since birth.

"You mean forever?"

She nodded.

Sasuke thought it over.