Her Eyes, Her Future

THE PAST: Part 4- The Unknown Presence and The Crow's Massacre

As she entered the academy and took her seat everyone was staring at her. Kashwini wasn't too surprised, as it was a new look on her.

"I heard that kid is Kashwini."

"You mean the weird kid that wears a blue dress?"

"Yeah."

"No way! She thinks she's all tough now just because of her outfit and that mask?"

"Pssh. Jokes on her. If she really is something, then we'll find out during sparring."

And before they knew it, Iruka Sensei was holding sparring sessions at the academy.

"And next up we have, Yuji Kitsuna and....Kashwini! Come forward you two." Yuji Kitsuna was one of the main boys in the academy that led the bullying of Kashwini. But, this time, Kashwini was ready to defend herself, and even more, fight on the offensive.

"You really think some new attire and a face covering is going to change the way you are?" Yuji smirked. "Pathetic, if that's the case."

"No. That's not at all the case." Kashwini replied back calmly.

"Well then, let's make a deal,"Yuji comes up to her and says in her ear, "If you win, we leave you alone. But, if you lose, we'll include that friend of yours with the creepy looking eyes to join in with you." Kashwini knew that he was talking about her friend Hinata. Hinata Hyuga is part of the Hyuga's main house. But, she too, was also kind to Kashwini, as she knew that she had no parents. She knew what it meant to be hurt. Kashwini knew that at times Hinata would have to deal with some issues at home. So, she talks to her a lot. You could consider them best friends. Kashwini also knew, but didn't want to admit, that Hinata was weak. Nevertheless, she knew Hinata will become stronger one day.

"Don't you dare lump her in."

"Well? Deal or no deal?"

"Fine. Deal." Yuji backs up and gets ready for their fight. He realizes that there was something wrong. That girl. She's just standing there. Not even getting ready? What's going on? No it's just a bluff. She's probably being a coward. No sweat. Looks like I'll be making the first move.

"Alright. Begin!" Iruka Sensei informed them. Yuji knew that without a doubt the girl was bluffing and she was just weak. Taking her head on, he went for a straight punch. Kashwini just shifted to the right. Everyone was in shock and confusion at the same time. Kashwini stared at Yuji, waiting for his next move. Yuji furrowed his eyebrows. Missed, huh? That was a silly mistake. Without wasting any more time, Yuji went for another blow at Kashwini. This time, with her right hand, Kashwini caught the boy's punch. Yuji's eyes widened. What the- Before realizing what had happened, Kashwini twisted the boy's hand, put her foot on his back and pulled on his two arms, forcing him to fall on the ground (face flat). No one could believe it. For the first time, Kitsuna was screaming in agony.

"Alright! That's e-enough! Y-you win! Just let go!!" Yuji screamed. However, Kashwini did not let go until she got confirmation from Iruka Sensei.

"The winner is Kashwini!" Iruka exclaimed. Kashwini let go.

"Hmph." She crouched down. "Now do me a favour and leave me and my friend alone." She got back up and walked away.

"H-how did she-" Sakura stuttered.

"A girl? This strong?" Ino questioned in awe.

"Not bad." Sasuke complimented. Normally, Naruto was supposed to have an excuse and complain, but this time he just sat back and respected what he had just witnessed.

"Y-you did great Kashwini!" Hinata let out.

"It was not much. I just should've started doing things sooner."

Later that afternoon, she sat by the boardwalk. However, she wasn't stranded, nor unconscious. This time she was watching the beautiful view. I've accomplished something today. She thought. She knew she'd never come back to relax at this place for quite a while, so she will enjoy the last of it.

After sitting there for a while, she noticed two presences. One was familiar. It was Itachi. She decided not to face Itachi for a while after the 'incident', but guessed there was no avoiding him now.

"Found you," Itachi grinned. Kashwini nodded slightly. Itachi noticed that Kashwini was acting a bit weird. She even appeared different.

"You saw it happen. Didn't you?" Itachi asked, looking for confirmation.

"Yeah." Kashwini said hesitantly.

"Did you...tell anyone?"

"No." Itachi looked rather shocked. Usually a child would complain about such situations to a trusted adults right away.

"How come?"

"I don't know." Kashwini replied. Her reply was rather serene. Then again, he supposed it was also because of the mask. No. There was a change.

"If anything were to happen to the village" Itachi started,"...if anything were to happen to Sasuke, while I'm not here would you do whatever it takes to protect him?" Itachi's question was quite interesting. To protect? Not that the time would ever come as Itachi would never be gone for long and Sasuke was very strong. But, Itachi, like Shisui, was like a brother to Kashwini.

"Of course." Kashwini stated. It was a solid statement.

"Alright then," Itachi turned around. "Thank you." Itachi walked away. This was the time for Kashwini to be all relaxed. Her only chance before the next day. However, as her ability to sense began to improve, she noticed another person's chakra nearby. However, she could not identify who it was. She turned around, and no one was there.

Two days later, the news of the Uchiha clan Massacre has been swirling around the village.

"I heard Sasuke is the lone survivor." What about Itachi? Was he dead? No. Not after Shisui's death. He's too strong to be killed during a massacre. Kashwini was devastated, yet got so suspicious, so she decided to go to Sasuke at the end of class and ask who had done such a crucial thing. He was probably in so much pain from this major loss, but Kashwini just had to know.

"I heard about the devastating news and I'm sincerely sorry it had ever happened to you. By any chance do you know who did such brutal things on this day?" she asked, waiting for an answer.

"Itachi did it." Sasuke said. "Why do you a—" before he knew it, Kashwini was wrong.

Before Kashwini slept she was thinking about Itachi. Itachi the clan slaughterer. Protect Sasuke huh? So, this is what you mean... I guess it is my duty to protect everyone...from people like you...