Getting settled

[youngesthokage]

This village was.... interesting. Not in a bad way, exactly, even though it didn't look like home, but this place was better than the last one he'd found himself in. He'd claimed a house a bit up the cliff face, where he could look out over the village, and he was sure eventually he wouldn't be the only inhabitant.

After all, this place seemed as baffling as the last. But, he was sure, he'd still get found by the ones who mattered eventually.

Thus, he settled himself under a tree, back leaned against it, as he nibbled some local dango.

(OOC: Alrighty! Itachi has been here a while and has made a little niche for himself. For those who know him from other places, he will know you too! Sub-note: if you have an AU with him feel free to pick it up here on his post.)

Comments

[bunsofsteel]

"Mm." It's quiet as she continues to worry at her nails before casting him a glance. "So that guy called Sai is the only one you've met here, right?"

[youngesthokage]

"Him and you, thus far, though I picked up a couple signatures when I got up this morning so I know there have to be others now."

[bunsofsteel]

"I met someone," she murmurs quietly, the entirety of her attention on her kunai. "Not here. I don't even know if it's going to be connected, but..."

[youngesthokage]

He reached over and rested his hand on her wrist. "But?"

[bunsofsteel]

She goes still at his touch, her body already tense before he even reached her, and switches the kunai to her other hand, rubbing her thumb along the one of the flat sides of the blade. "Do you know anything about some guy called Pain?"

[youngesthokage]

"Only in passing. I don't know any details beyond the name and that he's associated with Akatsuki."

[bunsofsteel]

"Akatsuki..." There's only so much she knows about them, but... that makes sense. She closes her eyes and lets out a quiet sigh through her nose, glancing down at the kunai. "Did Sai mention anything about what his Konoha was like?"

[youngesthokage]

"No, and I didn't ask. That would have been breaking etiquette for someone like him."

[bunsofsteel]

"But calling you a cocksucker isn't?" She snorts a humorless laugh through her nose, staring at the kunai. "But... well, it's probably nothing."

[youngesthokage]

"I sincerely doubt it's nothing. Next time you see one of the older people of Konoha from your agemates... ask."

[bunsofsteel]

"I did." Almost unconsciously, she draws both knees up and keeps the kunai across both of them, staring straight ahead. Another pause, and she forces a laugh, turning her head to give him an obviously strained smile. "Don't worry about it, though, really."

[youngesthokage]

He pulled her hand to him and kissed her palm gently. "Think carefully on what you learned. I might be able to set some fears to rest."

[bunsofsteel]

Even that sweet gesture isn't enough to bleed the tension from her form, though she does curl her fingers lightly to brush against his skin. "It's alright. I already know he's not from your world, since Tsunade-sama was his Hokage."

[youngesthokage]

"And he might not be from yours." His tone was gentle. "My world is not the only deviation."

[bunsofsteel]

"Does it matter if he's not from mine? It still all happened to him."

[youngesthokage]

"No, but knowing there are other possibilities. It helps, not him, but you."

[bunsofsteel]

Another humorless laugh, and she just shakes her head. "I don't know how to help him."

[youngesthokage]

"Then just... be there. At times that is the best you can do for someone."

[bunsofsteel]

"It's Neji, Itachi-sama," she says finally, squeezing her eyes shut and trying to tug her hand back, even as her knees finally pull all the way into her chest. "He won't let me."

[youngesthokage]

He released her hand, then scooted over so he could wrap his arm across her shoulders. "Don't be foolish Tenten, no one has the ability to stop someone from being there for them. The best they can do is pretend not to notice."

[bunsofsteel]

"And when they beat you in combat and take off? What then?" It's a mutter as she buries her face in her arms, shoulders tense under his touch, though she doens't try to pull away.

[youngesthokage]

"Then you wait until you see them once more and try again." His voice was soft. "Just keep trying Tenten, that's all that I can offer."

[bunsofsteel]

"Have you ever fought a Hyuuga?"

[youngesthokage]

"Many times. I had one for my kohai."

[bunsofsteel]

"I can beat him, sometimes. Never at close combat, but at range, I just have to keep making him waste Chakra." Her voice is quiet, shoulders starting to shake even though her eyes stay dry. "But I've never... I'd never seen him fight like that. His eyes were..." She bit down on her lip and didn't look at him. "Like Sasuke's, when we first met after everything."