[Open] Momento Mori

[twinlionfists]

She had noticed the villagers running around preparing things for the past few days. Every time she attempted to speak to one of them about what was going on, however, they seemed to be too busy to answer her questions. Finally, she'd braved asking Kakashi-sensei's landlady—the owner of the bookstore—and was informed about the festival to honour the dead.

Hinata had quite a few dead to honour, here or not, and she purchased her own candles and some ingredients to make dishes to put before the shrine. It would be awkward since she didn't have any photographs of her mother and putting one of her cousin would seem a bit morbid, but she hoped that they would appreciate the thought anyway.

That was what counted, right?

Perhaps she wasn't the only one of the shinobi intent on doing so as well.

Comments

[itachi_san]

"Sasuke was able to find a vendor... selling fresh fruit... We shared some when we first got here."

Dango might have been his favorite snack, but he liked many other things when he had the appetite to enjoy them. And the festival provided almost endless options.

"Is there anyone selling omusubi?" He asked. "I'm a little wary about attempting something battered... or fried on a stick... But I am somewhat hungry..."

[twinlionfists]

"I am sure that we can find someone selling it," she said as she pushed him gently through the streets. They continued until she found one that did and moved carefully to purchase three of the rice balls before she walked back to the seated man.

"I didn't get you anything heavily seasoned because I do not want to upset your stomach. I think Sakumo-san would be annoyed if I brought you home ill."

[itachi_san]

"I appreciate that, Hinata..." He accepted the meal, and started nibbling on one of the rice balls. A vegetable filling, it was a good choice. Healthy and tasty. "I believe I have been brought home ill... By myself or others... far too often for his comfort..."

He ate about half of one before looking up at her again.

"I'm afraid I've slept through quite a few of your recent visits... How have you been? Well, I hope..."

[twinlionfists]

She quietly ate her own, pickled plum and all, while sitting next to him. "Sakumo-kun is a nice person and deserves to have a break every now and then. If I can lighten his load a little, I would be glad to do so."

She was a little startled when he brought up her visits. "Oh, well, you have been ill, so I didn't want to disturb you, Itachi-san. Since Naruto-kun and I have had the chance to speak, things have been fine for me. Thank you for asking."

[itachi_san]

"...I'm glad. You are both... very kind people... Sakumo as well..." he smiled, continuing to nibble on one of the rice balls. Just one was very filling. Did she honestly expect him to eat all three? "It seems... this place is full of good, kind people."

[twinlionfists]

She blushed at his comment. "Thank you, Itachi-san. You are not a monster like I was led to believe, and I'm sorry that I did not give you a chance when we first became acquainted. But I agree that this village is filled with good people. I'm worried about how long it will stay this peaceful, however."

[itachi_san]

"... Why are you... Is there something to be worried about?"

He knew there was danger, given the kidnapping attempt on the littlest Sasuke. But that was an isolated incident, wasn't it?

Then again, being ill and bedridden does mean you're probably not caught up on Village news.

[twinlionfists]

"There is much to be worried about. Evidently, to the east, the neighbouring country is fighting with us. And there have been other things. Recently, Naruto-kun, Kakashi-sensei, and I visited Riku no Sato for their celebration, and the villagers wanted to breed us to their villagers. Like cattle."

[itachi_san]

Itachi was saddened to hear that they were in a country that was troubled by war, even if it was far away. But that other thing Hnata had said...

"They wanted to... what?!"

[twinlionfists]

Since she'd had time to adjust to it all, and she knew that Kakashi-sensei had given a full report to Itachi-sama about what happened, she felt no desire to hold back the information from Itachi-san. "They attempted to kidnap me twice after I made the mistake of showing off my kekkai genkai, Itachi-san. It seems they think that just by breeding with shinobi they will be like us. They have no idea what it means to be actual ninja." She shrugged.

"It is not the first time something like this has happened to me."

[itachi_san]

"That's... that's deplorable..." he shuddered to think what could have happened to her. It made him feel very grateful that nothing had, just as nothing had happened to Sasuke in the kidnapping attempt he endured. He hated to think that such a calm, peaceful place could be plagued with such crimes. "I am so glad... that you're all right..."

With topics like that, the riceballs in his lap were almost completely forgotten.

[twinlionfists]

She noticed that neither of them were eating anymore and she gathered up the leftovers for later. It would be a waste to throw them away, after all.

"Itachi-san, perhaps you did not sit in on the kunoichi classes at the academy. We are told that sometimes things like that can happen to a female shinobi while she is out on a mission." Granted, having that knowledge didn't make it easier, but she'd known it could have happened. And there had been attempts to kidnap her as a child.

"It has always been a possibility," she said heavily. "However, I was with Kakashi-sensei and Naruto-kun. And I am of fighting as well." She gave him a tiny smile.

[itachi_san]

"I know the risks..." he insisted. "Nor did I mean... that you weren't capable of... stopping such an assault..."

He bowed his head a little.

"I am simply grateful... that is all."

And he prayed silently that the war in the outer reaches of the country would never make its way here.

[twinlionfists]

Her smile widened a bit with affection for the ill man. "It is okay, Itachi-san. I was only teasing you, but it nice to know that you are worried on my behalf. There are more people who are like that here than I've had in my entire life."

[itachi_san]

The kind, compassionate people here... It was one of the reasons he loved this place so much. It was almost like a paradise. Which was why he desperately wished for war never to scathe it.

[twinlionfists]

She patted his hand, something she could venture to do without it being taken incorrectly by anyone who saw them together. "Itachi-sama has been alerted about what happened, so he is aware of the current atmosphere. I believe that is why he has asked Kakashi-sensei out to explore the other villages."


She had seen what war did to a village and she didn't want that to happen in Michi no Sato any more than Itachi did.

[itachi_san]

He took a deep, yet uneasy, breath. It sounded forced.

"I will... leave that in his hands, then..."

[twinlionfists]

She noticed his discomfort with the subject and decided to change it. "Shall we head towards the house, or would you like to see if there are any games that we could attempt?"

[itachi_san]

"If it is all right, I... should wait Sasuke to return..." Itachi nodded politely, thanking her for sharing a meal with him. "I don't want him to worry."

[twinlionfists]

She could tell the dismissal from the other man and gave him a small nod as well. "Of course. Then, I will leave you here, if you do not mind."

[itachi_san]

"No, I don't mind at all..." He smiled, and put his hand on top of her's for a moment. "May the ones you... prayed for... find peace tonight. Take care, Hinata..."

[twinlionfists]

"I hope the same happens for your loved ones, Itachi-san," she said, reluctant to leave the sick man by himself until she saw his younger brother running down the street.