Preparing for the festival.

[youngesthokage]

He had a neat pile next to him on the counter, black and silver leather rabbit god mask at the very top. It was a bit morbid, the story of that, but it seemed like everything about this festival was morbid, so that was actually appropriate, in a way. He had the pale off white and frost blue kimono pulled most of the way up his shoulders, and he turned carefully one way, then the other as he examined himself in the mirror.

The reason? He was playing around with Oiroke, but he was doing it behind a closed door in the bathroom, and he sincerely hoped no one came to see what was taking him so long. He was just... curious. After all, he'd never spent much time in the shape and he had a memory of doing so.

Still, did it really change so little about his appearance?

Comments

[itachi_san]

Itachi frowned, picturing what his partner must have looked like right then and there.

"Well, I can't really disagree with you. The Akatsuki made full use of that fact in some of the more delicate bounties we had to collect. Or when money was tight. Mostly just when I was younger." Itachi leaned into his partner. "Prostitutes that cough up blood? Not exactly an easy sell."

[youngesthokage]

He turned and looked at him before running his fingers over his cheek. "How fully did that usually go?"

It was curious, and he kissed along his jaw, looking over his shoulder.

[itachi_san]

Itachi trembled at the kiss. His mind was preoccupied with the Hokage's question, and he (literally) didn't see it coming.

"Sometimes I was required to go all the way for a mission. But usually? ...until they looked me in the eyes." he replied softly. "You've experienced my talent for planting certain experiences with genjutsu. They never knew the difference, and it saved me a lot of shame."

He paused for a moment.

"Deidara probably had it worse, though." he mused. "At least I had sharingan."

[youngesthokage]

He turned his head, leaning up to kiss his forehead. "I'm sorry. I'll never understand that pain, much as I won't understand many of your pains love."

[itachi_san]

He felt his head being turned and supple lips brush over his skin. Itachi shied away.

"Forgive me for saying it. But I'm glad I don't have to see the way you look right now."

[youngesthokage]

He let out a soft breath at the reaction, and moved his hands to release the jutsu. "You should have told me to undo it love, I don't want to see you shy from me like that."

[itachi_san]

Itachi lowered his head.

"It's your body. You can do whatever you want with it. That jutsu just... makes me uncomfortable..."

[youngesthokage]

He stepped in and hugged him, all male. "Shh. You're more important than fussing at a jutsu."

[itachi_san]

Itachi was glad to have a recognizable form pressing against him. He really was, and he held tightly onto his partner.

There were only a few things in his life that Itachi truly did hate. That was one of them.

[youngesthokage]

"I didn't mean to disturb you." He kissed his cheek and jaw. "All better?"

[itachi_san]

He nodded politely.

"Just unpleasant memories of my life before." he whispered. "That's all. I'm sorry."

[youngesthokage]

"It's alright. Your life has been far more terrible than my own, you've understandably bad memories."

[itachi_san]

"... The kids haven't seen you like that, yet... have they?"

[youngesthokage]

He shook his head, making sure he could feel the motion. "You were the first to catch me at it, why?"

[itachi_san]

"Just... hoping they don't."

He didn't want to know what they would think of it now, or later. Especially them using it one day. (Though, they'd never understand his aversion to the technique. Itachi would make sure that was something they'd never understand.)

[youngesthokage]

"...It's a technique they've seen before you know, if not on me."

[itachi_san]

It didn't take him long to realize where the kids had seen it.

"Naruto..."

[youngesthokage]

He nodded slightly. "He is the originator, at least of the version I know. Henge is just an illusion, here."

[itachi_san]

"I know it's just an illusion. But that doesn't mean I like it."

Illusions, of course, were just as real as reality. Itachi specialized in that.

[youngesthokage]

"That wasn't an illusion." His voice was soft. "It was a Kinjutsu."

[itachi_san]

Itachi raised an eyebrow, but it couldn't be seen under the bandages.

"... what?"

[youngesthokage]

His tone was a little amused. "That was a physical modification using chakra. It would have eventually defaulted back when the chakra fed into it was used up, but it was actually me as a female."

[itachi_san]

"I think I preferred to believe it was merely a very skillful illusion." he scoffed.

He should have known, should have been able to tell the difference. His sharingan would have, of course, but they were still very well covered.

"You don't need to be a female. And the kids never need to learn what criminal organizations do to the young pretty ones."

[youngesthokage]

He huffed a soft almost laugh, almost sigh. "Itachi, I was looking because I wanted to look, not because I had any desire to go out and have anyone not you touch me."

[itachi_san]

"And whether you liked what you saw or not, you will never convince me to do it." he added, without hesitation. "... I will do a great many things for you if you want me to. But that isn't one of them."