[Open] Home at last.

[proudofmybaby]

She'd been away from home a lot lately and she was more than aware of that. While the kids and other adults were doing their best, they still had quite the pack of children to support, and there had been no fall back funds or reliable missions to take care of the gaps. It was improving now, but she'd had a rash of missions to take care of over the last month, and it had meant that she'd been away far more than she'd been home.

She just hoped everyone was happy to see her, given that the weather seemed to think she needed to be blown away the second she stepped foot back in the village.

In any case, she'd fought her way back to the house, changed into clean clothes, then went out for a walk since most of the house's residents weren't home. When she got back, she'd check on the ones who were, but in the meantime, she saw no issues in fetching some fresh things for dinner before settling back in.

Comments

[itachi_san]

"Better, now..." Which pretty much indicated that he fell victim to that outbreak. "Sakumo was on alert... Thank goodness..."

He made some room on the bed as he reached out with his hand toward her.

"Tell me... about your missions..." He asked with a soft smile, inviting her to sit beside him. "I've missed you."

[proudofmybaby]

She padded over, settling beside her son. "I'm really not sure what I have to tell you. They were missions, you know how those are. I know I missed everyone though."

[itachi_san]

"Mom... I know how hard you're working to make ends meet..." He put a hand on her's. "you and Dad both..."

He also knew that the more profitable missions were, by far, the most dangerous ones. He'd taken them on, once upon a time. He worried about what she may be assigned, for many reasons.

[proudofmybaby]

"We do our best. You don't need to worry about it though, we don't take on anything we can't handle."

[itachi_san]

"I know... I'll never take on another mission again... but still..." he sighed. "I wish I could help."

He could hear Madara's voice ringing clearly in his head from the night they met. 'Do you actually enjoy being a burden on your family?'

[proudofmybaby]

"Just get better baby, that's all I really want, okay?"

[itachi_san]

"I... don't know if that's... ever going to really happen, Mom." he whispered. "Can you... well, is that... all right?"

It wasn't something you could technically ask permission for, given that it was something neither of them really had control over. But Itachi craved a little reassurance either way.

[proudofmybaby]

"...I won't blame you if you don't, but I still want you to try." Her voice was soft, and she brushed her fingers through his hair.

[itachi_san]

"The alternative... is having to leave... all the people I love." he whispered back. "You know I'll keep trying..."

Her touch was so soothing. After a long smile and a few deep breaths, he pushed himself up, and hugged her.

It was one of the few things he could give back, really... Love.

[proudofmybaby]

She hugged him back without a hesitation, pressing her cheek against his hair. "You're a good boy."

[itachi_san]

"That... I can be..."

But beyond that? He had good days and he had bad days. On good days, he could accompany someone to the market, help with a few small items around the house, work with a few of the younger shinobi. On bad days, he was pretty much bedridden, too ill to do more than rest.

[proudofmybaby]

"You are." She reached over, smoothing his blankets down. "Never let anyone say otherwise."

[itachi_san]

"All right, Mom..." he smiled, nodding softly as he leaned back against the propped up pillows.

[proudofmybaby]

"Much better. I'm glad you were awake to see me."

[itachi_san]

Given how uncommon of an occurrence that had been lately... "Me too... I actually... haven't been awake very long. Is there any tea made?"

[proudofmybaby]

"If there is I haven't checked for it." She shook her head and ran her fingers over his hair. "I'll go see."

[itachi_san]

"I think... I'll join you..."

This was a good day, Itachi decided. After all, his mother was home. And he felt as though he had enough energy to be out and about for a while.

He stretched his arms over his head and took a fairly deep breath. He carefully made his way to the edge of the bed and stood up. He was stiff, as he always was, but it didn't deter him from following her to the kitchen.

[proudofmybaby]

She smiled to herself, making sure her son was alright on his feet before wandering off ahead. If he thought he could handle it, she'd trust him.

[itachi_san]

There was a chair by the kitchen window, should he need it. No doubt, the youngest Sasuke had been using it to climb up to the higher cabinets. But for now, he simply leaned against the counter.

"Is this... the missions... is it like it was... for you before I was born?"

His voice hinted curiosity rather than concern. He wanted to hear her stories, spend time with her while he could.

[proudofmybaby]

She was quiet for a moment. "In some ways these are harder, in others easier... but it feels good to be properly active again."

[itachi_san]

He could imagine how they'd be harder. She had been off the active roster since Itachi was born. and this was not the Konoha hey once knew. He could also imagine how it might be easier, being able to once again take matters into your own hands, especially in a place that was much more peaceful than their world had been.

"I'm glad... it brings you satisfaction..." Itachi smiled. "And pride... to be the shinobi... we always knew you were."

[proudofmybaby]

"I strongly suspect that the many Sasuke wouldn't agree to that part." She shook her head.

[itachi_san]

"That I always knew you were..." Itachi amended. He laughed a little, the coughs only tickling his throat.

"He was too young... to notice how you looked at me... when I went on missions... I remember your face." He couldn't see the expression clearly now, but it was still clear in his mind. "Anxiety and pride, all rolled into one..."

[proudofmybaby]

She moved over and brushed her finger over his hair. "You're right. I tried to hide that a bit better."

[itachi_san]

"By the time I made ANBU... you'd gotten better at it..." he laughed, and then immediately stopped laughing.

He remembered her face that night. She betrayed no emotion. No anxiety. Certainly no pride. His own face blanched with the memory, and he gripped the counter to keep his balance. He looked as though he might faint.