The "New" House

[proudofmybaby]

She stared up at her house in satisfaction. Yes, it was falling apart. Yes, it was huge. But, well, if there were different time points of her babies running around, she needed to be prepared didn't she? Why, she might end up with a huge collection of her children instead of just two, and she doubted either boy would be willing to just share their room with some other them.

So. Big house.

Her eyes followed a shingle as a hard breeze sent it careening to the ground.


That needs some work.

Oh well, at least she already had some helpers!

(OOC: Okay guys, the name of the game is free for all. Aka, threadjacks welcomed and encouraged on her post.)

Comments

[openedthebasket]

Itachi was gone.

There were few things that could spark the Hyuuga jounin into moving at anything other than a rather sedate-looking pace, but the missing Uchiha boy was certainly one of them. Just because this village had been peaceful so far did not mean it would last. When the younger boy didn't show up for the training Neji had planned, he immediately set off to find him, Byakugan making short work of that.

Thus, it's at a sprint that Neji makes his way through the nearby trees, dropping down nearly silently to the ground as he studies the area. It seemed the younger Uchiha wasn't alone, though whether he was here of his own will or not remained to be seen. Without releasing his Byakugan, he immediately approaches the woman outside, lips curved into a deep frown.

"Excuse me."

[proudofmybaby]

She turned in place, blinking at the clearly agitated Hyuuga child. "Yes?"

[openedthebasket]

His expression doesn't change as he stares down at her, hands folded within his sleeves. "I'm looking for a boy calling himself Itachi. I can see with these eyes that he is here."

[proudofmybaby]

She blinked, looking at the boy critically for a moment before her expression cleared in understanding. "So -you're- Neji. You've grown up well haven't you?"

[openedthebasket]

His eyes only narrow. "It would seem you have the advantage. You are?"

[proudofmybaby]

She smiled at him and inclined her head. "Uchiha Mikoto. Itachi went on about you after his brother brought him over to see me."

[openedthebasket]

A beat, the corners of his eyes narrowing further. Another Uchiha...? "Uchiha-san, is it? As for Itachi, I trust he is safe."

It's next to impossible to tell, but the bulk of his attention isn't on the woman in front of him, but rather the house itself.

[proudofmybaby]

"Of course! I wouldn't hurt my baby." She gave him a stern look. "And don't think I don't recognize that distracted face. Byakugan off, eyes front Neji."

[openedthebasket]

...Is this woman serious? He just spends a long moment staring at her -- and past her -- with visible disbelief before finally letting the eye technique release, veins receding back into his temples. "You're his mother."

[proudofmybaby]

"I am. He's a good boy." She narrowed her eyes at him. "And I won't hear a word said against him either, understand?"

[openedthebasket]

He just stares at her again before returning his attention to the house, Byakugan encrouching on his vision. "I'd like to see him."

[proudofmybaby]

"Oh! Of course. We'll have to get you settled won't we? That brings the number up to four..." She shook her head and turned, heading for the house. "Well, come on then."

[openedthebasket]

"I do not need settling. I am here to collect Itachi for training, that is all."

Or so he says, but he finds himself following in her wake, lips still curved in a deep frown.

[proudofmybaby]

"Hmm fine, but we'll get your things first." She waved it off as she opened the door, waving him in. "So many strays around this place..." She snorted. "And I thought the afterlife would be boring for some reason."

[openedthebasket]

He pauses in the doorway, obviously not sure what to do for a long moment before sighing, eyebrow twitching as he bends down to remove his shoes. He keeps his Byakugan activated to watch his surroundings carefully in case this was all a ploy to attack while he was otherwise occupied.

[proudofmybaby]

She took off her shoes as well, waving upwards. "Both boys have rooms on the second floor, and so does Naruto. Is she a girl where you're from too? It was a surprise to me, I'm used to a boy."

[openedthebasket]

"I-- what?" A female Naruto, an eight-year-old Itachi, and... unless he was mistaken, that Chakra signature was Sasuke. Shoes pointing properly outward, he just stares again. "No, he is not."

[proudofmybaby]

Nodding, she waved him further inside as she headed for the stairs. "I thought so. Well, come on then sweetie, you can pick your room and look in on Itachi. I think he was intending to wake his brother."

[openedthebasket]

"I am not picking a room." Is this woman deaf, or just ignoring him intentionally? "As I said, I am here because he did not show up for training this morning."

[proudofmybaby]

She looked upward with a sigh. "You'll make Itachi very sad."

[openedthebasket]

A little belatedly, he realizes the 'sweetie' comment was intended for him and his eyebrow twitches. Now she was mocking him? "He will be fine, I'm sure."

[proudofmybaby]

"There is fine, and there is disappointed. He -has- been talking about you and how nice you are since I asked him if anyone was looking after him here." She gave him her own disappointed look. "But I can't make you stay if you don't want to."

[openedthebasket]

"Hmph." He doesn't bother to dignify that with an answer, keeping his hands folded within his sleeves as he continues to follow.

[stillpure]

He's about halfway down the stairs when he spots them and a bright smile crossed his face. "Neji-san! I was about to come find you!"

[openedthebasket]

Finally, Neji lets his Byakugan fade completely, the tiniest of smiles quirking at his lips as he stares at the other. "You're late."

Alright, Itachi certainly wasn't acting kidnapped...