{open} It was a beautiful morning.

[youngesthokage]

He was in a wonderful mood. He'd gotten in later than intended due to the rather long talk with his mother, which had been oddly easier with this one than the one from home ever was anymore, and by the time he'd made it home is good mood had returned and he'd settled right to bed.

Morning, on the other hand, had brought the flowers and he found himself looking out the window in curious fascination at them, mussed from sleep and somewhat bewildered.

Since when did snow bring flowers?

Comments

[itachi_san]

"You've been so busy with the delegates from Mist... And with the Chunin Selection Exams. The boys wanted to do something extra nice for you." Itachi clarified, as Minoru carried the tray to the side of the bed. The toast was indeed burned to a crisp, but the fruit looked very much unharmed. "Don't worry. He didn't injure the kitchen ANBU too badly..."

"I said I was sorry!!!"

[youngesthokage]

"Sorry is Minoru's favorite word~." Isamu slid out of the way so that his dad could actually get to the tray.

"That's very sweet of all of you, and the ANBU needed a little more training anyway."

[itachi_san]

Minoru made sure the tray was safely in his father's hands before retaliating.

"Yeah, well, yours is dumb! Which I'm not!"

[youngesthokage]

Isamu tumbled back, then kicked his brother. "Is not! We both know it's 'smarter-than-you!'"

Staring at the kids for a moment, he just edged away so he could balance the tray and get at the fruit.

[itachi_san]

"You are not!" Minoru grabbed the kick so Isamu would fall down. Then he jumped on him. "And that's not even one word! It's three!!"

Itachi shook his head. His eyes still bandaged, he couldn't exactly see to grab them.

"Boys! Careful!! You'll knock over that breakfast you spent so much time making..."

[youngesthokage]

His eyes lingered on the bandages for a moment, then he reached over and shoved the boys off the bed with his free hand so he could start on the food, ignoring the yelps that caused.

[itachi_san]

They certainly weren't expecting that. Though it did serve them right. And it gave Itachi a chance to change the subject before the arguing could start again on the floor.

"I spoke with Sasuke this morning while the boys were in the kitchen... And I have good news." he sat carefully on the edge of the bed. "The medics are finally ready to take the bandages off my eyes. We get to see if the operation worked."

[youngesthokage]

He paused, then smiled at him. "I'm glad, I was starting to worry how much longer it was taking yours to heal."

[itachi_san]

Itachi sighed. "Almost twice as long... I was starting to wonder if they were going to actually heal at all."

The boys, meanwhile, had started sparring on the floor. Itachi took that opportunity to slide closer to his partner.

"You can see, right?" he whispered. There was nervousness in his voice, and rightfully so. "... It... did work... still. Right? Eternal mangekyo?"

[youngesthokage]

He reached up to stroke his cheek. "Yes, all is well with me."

[itachi_san]

"I'm glad." he smiled. "I... I mean, I'm nervous, of course."

The fact that he was unconsciously clenching the bed sheet proved that point all too easily.

"I... don't want it to not have worked. Somehow. On me..."

[youngesthokage]

"It will. Sit with me love. I'll feed you a bit mm? That'll perk you up."

[itachi_san]

Itachi smiled, and slid back until he felt pillows behind him.

"The fruit was Isamu's creation. He's getting much better with a blade." he added. "Or, at least, if he cuts himself, he's extremely quiet about it."

[youngesthokage]

He glanced over at the boys, smiling. "Well, of the two he's much quieter about pretty much anything to do with being hurt, so that's understandable."

[itachi_san]

"He's much quieter about anything, really." Itachi whispered, laughing a softly until a piece of melon stopped it.

And as if on cue, the louder of the twins popped up.

"Papa! That's supposed to be YOUR breakfast!! No fair, sharing!"

[youngesthokage]

"Did you make any for your mother?" It was an almost idle question as he sucked on a piece of fruit.

Isamu promptly looked conflicted. "Um. Minoru did it!"

[itachi_san]

"Hey!" he pouted, pushing Isamu. "Mama... wasn't hungry! Yeah! So that's not my fault!"

Itachi laughed a little.

"Okay... so I did say I wasn't hungry when they were cooking... But what if I'm hungry now?"

"I get to light more toast on fire!!"

[youngesthokage]

"That doesn't make it terribly tasty you know." It was an amused murmur, and Isamu took this as prompting to jump on his brother.

"Yeah, see? Told you!"

[itachi_san]

"Yeah, well, at least I CAN light it on fire!! All YOU'VE ever done is burn your lips."

[youngesthokage]

Isamu made an enraged noise and tackled him to the floor. "I'LL GET BETTER!"

"...I should probably break that up."

[itachi_san]

"You're just jealous because I'M BETTER THAN YOU!!"

Itachi sighed. "... Yes. Please..."

[youngesthokage]

Itachi leaned over and grabbed Minoru as he was on top now. "Three laps around the house Isamu."

"But papa-"

"Now."

[itachi_san]

"Ha!" Minoru beamed up at his father. "That'll teach him to say bad things about my toast."

[youngesthokage]

"Now go sit with your back to the wall by the closet." He released him and pointed to the wall -not- facing the two parents.

[itachi_san]

"But..." Minoru started to protest, but Itachi cut him off.

"You heard Papa. You need time to cool down." he pointed. (And then the Hokage guided that hand to the proper direction, much to Minoru's enjoyment...)