[open] More woes

[coffeeninja]

With a light spring in her step, out was Karin. She felt quite good thanks to some strange but oh so pleasant dream she had. It was so, so vivid too, she could even feel Sasuke's chakra.

Where are you Sasuke? Maybe this was a premonitory dream!
...yes, she had a one-track mind. Why do you inquire?

Comments

[itachi_san]

"Oh, thank you, thank you, dear. It was the least I could do." she smiled. "Now, if you could only get your husband to agree, poor boy, you hardly touched it!"

Nevermind the fact that she'd given the one with the least appetite quite a bit more than everyone else.

"It was delicious..." he echoed. "I'm... just not a big eater..."

"I can see that, dear. Come on, then. A few more bites at least. You're pickier than my little sister when she was just a babe, oh by far."

Itachi placated her with one more bite, but it really was all he was able to manage.

[coffeeninja]

"Oh, he agrees, it's just.." she did not have to answer since he did a few seconds later.

"It's not exactly pickiness either, just-- oh well." she threw him a 'sorry, I tried' as he attempted that extra bite. "Here... I'll take those few extra bites for him, that'll work?" she claimed the plate to do just so.

[itachi_san]

"I'm full... really..." He pushed the plate as much as Karin pulled it.

The old woman simply shook her head and put a hand on Karin's shoulder. "My, my, my, you did pick a stubborn one, dear. Oh, like I have any room to talk, no, no. My late husband was quite the stubborn man, but at least he cleaned his plate, he did."

[coffeeninja]

"I know. I can deal with him fine though, if he listens. I know his limits though, so not being pushy is better, because then he gets grumpy. That's how men are, aren't they?" hey, she might as well make pretend small talk.

"Besides, I can clear his plates for him. Must be why he likes me so much, huh?"

[itachi_san]

"...I do not get grumpy."

Just saying those words made him sound grumpy, and the old woman laughed. "Dear me, you sound just like my late husband when you say things like that, yes, yes, you certainly do."

[coffeeninja]

Karin couldn't help but laugh at the retort. She knew he did not get grumpy, had just said that to humor the old lady and make conversation and yet... yet the way he felt obligated to say that, and in that way?

"No, no you don't... I'm sure your brother is grumpy enough for the both of you."

[itachi_san]

Not all the variations of Ssauke were like that. Just the vast majority of them...

Itachi found himself laughing a little under his breath. At least this time, it didn't lead to as much coughing as it had been.

"Oh my, look at the time. I've just about kept you dears here all day! You've been such lovely company, yes, yes. Lovely couple, yes, yes, most definitely." she laughed.

[coffeeninja]

"Ahah.. yes, we are, aren't we?" oh that would be one for the records. "Let's get ourselves back home, right dearest? Thank you again for the hospitality."

...it was, most certainly, something she would remember. "And don't burn my painting~"

[itachi_san]

"I won't..." Itachi insisted. "I... like how yours turned out."

"Oh, you two are welcome anytime you want." she showed them to the door, and then remembered that she'd promised them a book on dreams. "Oh! Just a moment, now. My sister's book, yes. You'll enjoy it. And it might help you uncover more about those dreams of yours, yes, yes."

She scuttled off to get it, and returned just as quickly. Since Karin's hands were occupied with pushing the wheelchair, she put it safely in Itachi's lap.

"Means I'll see you again, I certainly will. When you return it." she smiled and waved. "Bye bye, now!"

[coffeeninja]

"Thank you again." she bowed her head and started pushing them the way home.

"If you want, I can try and read that book... if I were you I wouldn't attempt it for a while.."

[itachi_san]

"You're... welcome to..." Itachi sighed as they made their way back up the road. "I can't read most things. The print... I can't make it out anymore..."

This was something that had bothered Itachi for quite some time. Reading used to be something he enjoyed doing very much. Now, unless the print was large enough for him to make out, it was like nothing was on the page at all.

[coffeeninja]

"Well, you've told me about that dream, so i can see about what it means... although it might be a while. I,m pretty sure it's harder to figure out than just read." she gave a light sigh. "...I wonder sometimes if Sasuke has dreams.." yes, Sasuke again.

[itachi_san]

"I know the littlest one does... he's come to me before... when he has bad ones." he volunteered. "Perhaps you could help the older ones understand theirs... If dreams really are... windows to another world... you can help them... quite a lot."

[coffeeninja]

"Older ones? I've yet to meet any of them" she shook her head. "I did meet the females first thing ending up here, but we had... some disagreement.."

However... "There is a littlest Ssauke!? How didn't I meet him? I have to!" she would squeeze the life out of him in a loving hug...

[itachi_san]

"He's eight. Just like... just like how he was... before... you know..." Itachi's voice trailed off when that subject came up, as it always did. "If you do see him, please... never tell him what happened that night. I... I beg of you, as a friend. Please don't..."

This Sasuke... this littlest Sasuke was his to nurture and protect, as if those terrible eight years never happened.

[coffeeninja]

"Where's he hiding?" she had hearts in her eyes, really. "It has to be the most adorable thing ever!" And no, really, why would she break this little Sasuke's happiness? That would not be a good thing. Plus, she was never told that much aside from the fact the massacre happened and who did it, and she was -not- going to tell that to the kid.

[itachi_san]

"Probably on the training field... or with his little Academy friends... or ridding the house of tomatoes..." Itachi smirked on that last one. "Haven't you seen him come and go... from our house? Not that... he stands still for very long..."

[coffeeninja]

"...wait, you mean... that kid!?" the difference between the knew and that one was just abnormal. "That one who's always running like a generator of sunshine and smiling?" yes, smiling. She wouldn't ahve known it was him because he just smiled so much.

"...ridding the house of tomatoes?" she had seen that kid here and there scarfing those down... she never knew just how much he loved them. "How much does he even like those things?"

[itachi_san]

"...that's my little brother... As he used to be." Itachi smiled. "As he deserves to be..."

[coffeeninja]

She was silent for a few moments. To think he had become this cold, and even colder person... "...it makes me wish... that he never gets taken back." she murmured.

[itachi_san]

"Then, please..." Itachi glanced up. "Love the other ones... with all your heart... Until this place eases the bitter memories I wish I never had to create."

He reached up, putting a hand awkwardly on her's.

"Melt his heart. And never... Never let it grow cold again..."

[coffeeninja]

"I can't promise I'll be able to achieve that, but... I'll try." and did she ever hope she would succeed.. It may not be easy, but... should she be able to do it, it would be worth it.

She looked down at the hand upon hers and gave a long sigh. It felt nice to be acknowledged in some way.. and encouraged.

[itachi_san]

Sasuke needed someone like her. Someone who could take care of him, hold him, heal him.

"Thank you..."