[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

[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.