[Open] Finally, good news.

[proudofmybaby]

When she'd gotten home the other night it had been to the horrible news that her eldest Itachi had had a complete meltdown and she hadn't been there to help. Unfortunately, she simply didn't have the ability to be home all at once, but it did put it in her mind that her and Kushina needed to have a talk if the woman intended to go around breaking her babies.

She was hardly the only one she needed to speak to though, and she heaved an agitated sigh, trying to sort out what to do.

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[prideforfamily]

The sigh of his wife attracted him, and although he wasn't necessarily pleased with Kushina ever he was more than aware of how abrasive his family could be. That didn't make it all right, however.

But, at the moment, there was at least one member of his family he could be there for.

It didn't take him a minute to have a hot cup of tea in front of Mikoto before Fugaku took a seat beside her, pausing before he finally spoke, "You don't have to take on everything yourself."

[proudofmybaby]

She made a soft noise of frustration and put her face in her hands. "It's my friend causing problems Fugaku."

[prideforfamily]

"Kushina-San?" Without hesitation he rested a gentle hand on her back, rubbing gently while he watched over her.

[proudofmybaby]

"The oldest Itachi had a meltdown while I was away. have you looked in on him?"

[prideforfamily]

"He was asleep when I last did, but I'm not certain if I am the best person to talk to him."

Would have just been Fugaku, but she's being LOUD

[guiltoftruth]

"... Hey mom," Sasuke muttered as she entered the kitchen, looking a little tired but otherwise all right as she entered the kitchen. She wasn't meeting the elder woman's eye either, instead taking a seat at the table and listening warily for her. It didn't look like mom was in a good mood since she came back and she didn't want to make it worse...

Even if she had something to tell her...

[proudofmybaby]

She relaxed, leaning on the table. "Hi baby."

[guiltoftruth]

"... It's good to see you home again."

[proudofmybaby]

"I hadn't intended to be gone so long."

[guiltoftruth]

"You're back now."

After a beat, Sasuke's shoulders slumped and she frowned down at the shirt - one she knew mom hadn't seen before, her clothes were new too - before she looked up to her again, "Mom, I... Think I need some advice."

[bunsofsteel]

Tenten knocked before entering the room, a little cautious. She'd visited expressly to talk to the other woman, but... something else seemed to be bothering her. "Mikoto-san...?"

[proudofmybaby]

She looked over and gave her a warm smile. "Tenten."

[bunsofsteel]

She couldn't help but smile in return, moving in and inclining her head in greeting. "It's good to see you... is everything okay? I mean, not that it doesn't look like it is, but..."

[proudofmybaby]

"Just... worried about the kids, that's all." She shook her head slightly and studied her. "You don't come by often, do you have something on your mind?"

[bunsofsteel]

"A few things," she admitted freely, moving in a little closer. "You worry about them a lot though, huh...? Has something new happened?"

[one_without_wings]

And in walked a ray of sunshine. Sasuke was grinning happily to himself, chuckling about something or other. Once he saw who was in ? He gave a happy cry and raced over to give her a hug. Not even a minute up from bed and already so awake. "kaasan! Welcome home!" he all but chirped, overjoyed.

[proudofmybaby]

She laughed softly and hugged him, picking him up. "Hello you. Thak you."

[one_without_wings]

"It feels like so long since I saw you, kaasan!" oh boy, did he have a lot to tell her... "Guess what, guess what? I don't even get burns as bad as b'fore when I practice katon!" he had not done so recently, and it may still be a while for his skin to develop tolerance, but there were far less obvious traces of healing being done. "And I've been training real hard with senbon, too! Niichan bought me some the other day~" See, Mikoto? Your littlest son was all but staying idle, and working hard towards achieving greatness.

Nope, he had no troubles at all in his little world!

[proudofmybaby]

She gave a soft laugh and hugged him close. "I'm happy to hear that baby."

[one_without_wings]

He thre his arms around her and gave a happy hum. "What didya do out here? Did you see really really awesome stuff, kaasan?"

[itachi_san]

He legs shook as he took a few uneasy steps beyond his doorway.

He was untethered. Sakumo hadn't hooked up the IV since it went crashing through the window. He had intended to treat Itachi with oral medication anyway. Itachi, however, could have used more than the wall for balance.

"...Mom?" His sharingan active, he could sense her chakra coming from the kitchen. "... I missed you..."

[proudofmybaby]

She was quick to emerge to his part of the hallway, hands going to support him without any hesitation. "Itachi... I'm sorry I wasn't here."

[itachi_san]

He needed that support, and quickly put his arms around her. He leaned on her, finding balance. As well as a hug.

"You have a big family here, Mom... You can't be everywhere at once..." he replied. "But we're both here now... And I think... that I can make it... all the way to the dining room..."

He paused, glancing up. He was already a little short of breath.

"With... a little help..."

[proudofmybaby]

She nodded and hugged him for a moment before easing back enough he could actually start forward again. "Alright sweetheart."

[itachi_san]

Together, with Itachi leaning on Mikoto, they walked slowly toward the dining area. But eventually, they made it there. A nearby chair never seemed more inviting than it did right then.

"Thanks, Mom..."

It was time to spend a little time out of that room, and with more of the people that he cared about.