It's so pretty...

[stillpure]

He was dressed up. Where his mother had managed to locate anything to dress him up with on such short notice with he had no idea, but it meant when he took off roaming he was a streak of dark blue and red amid those at the festival as he went here and there, utterly fascinated by the new sights.

He'd been to festivals in Konoha, yes, but those were different. This was -new-.

It also meant he wasn't exactly being the most attentive person ever, and had escaped the people he'd been with. Unintentionally, of course.

Comments

[stillpure]

"But! Oh." He seemed to come to a conclusion and looked him in the eye. "I give you permission to kiss me on the cheek too Neji-nii."

[openedthebasket]

A soft sound emerges from his throat, what one might almost be willing to take as a growl of frustration; a rare sound he made when he was thoroughly confused and unwilling to show it. "I do not make a habit of kissing people on the cheek. Certainly not students."

In fact, he can safely say that he hasn't ever kissed anyone on the cheek, save for perhaps his father.

[fire_fox]

She wanted to hit him over the head. For a genius, he's incredibly dumb about these things. She placed hand on Itachi's shoulder and smirked, looking over at Neji:"How about you and I kiss him on cheek from each side? Maybe he won't be so grumpy, dattebane."

[stillpure]

Itachi gave her a dubious and sad look. "He doesn't like me as much as he likes you Naruto-nee."

[openedthebasket]

He coughs this time, staring first at her, wide-eyed, then at Itachi. What was this nonsense?! "Don't be ridiculous," he protests, rather half-heartedly and wondering just when this conversation had turned on him instead of Naruto. "I do not train with people I do not like."

[fire_fox]

She subsides a chuckle at his reaction and pats Itachi's head:"See? He likes you. Therefore he will let you kiss his cheek, dattebane. Right Neji?" She turns to give Neji smile that said 'refuse and I will kill you.'

[stillpure]

He turned wide eyes on Neji that said he didn't believe he'd agree but was hopeful anyway.

[openedthebasket]

...He has a feeling that he's currently paying for his earlier smirk, but he just sighs through his nose, closes his eyes, and crosses his arms. "If you continue to believe as such, it will interfere with your training. Therefore, if it will ease your mind, do as you will, but do not expect me to return the gesture."

[fire_fox]

Oi, doesn't he knows how to treat kids? She still had strained smile due to restraining herself from punching him, but at least Itachi got green light. She patted him on head:"See? And I don't think that kiss on cheek will interfere with training dattebane," she rolled her eyes.

[stillpure]

Itachi looked from one to the other, abruptly very shy as he turned a bit pink. For some reason he'd thought Neji would steadfastly deny.

Moving around so he could actually reach, he leaned over and put a quick kiss on his cheek before retreating.

[openedthebasket]

He didn't have to open his eyes to feel the other's approach, though he's almost surprised when there's only one pair of lips touching his cheek. From the angle and the feel, that would be Itachi's, then. When the child moves away, he opens his eyes and raises an eyebrow, glancing to him. "There, you see? Now cease this foolish talk about 'liking' people."

[fire_fox]

She pouted again, sitting back normally in her seat and taking cup with tea:"It's not foolish. It's very important dattebane, don't say such things." She waves hand and smiles at Itachi:"Don't listen to him. Neji's just a tsundere," she grins.

[stillpure]

Itachi mumbled something under his breath in response, still pink as he picked up his tea, peering down int it before he sipped at it.

[openedthebasket]

"I am certainly not such a thing," he protests, briefly casting his eyes toward the ceiling in another sign of annoyance. He notes the child's blush and can't help but let his lips quirk in a small smile; he could understand his embarrassment.

Very well, two could play at this game. His eyebrow and lips quirk up as he smirks across the table at her. "I believe you were both to kiss me on the cheek, correct? Or by your logic, am I to infer that you do not enjoy my company?"

[fire_fox]

She leaned her chin on hand and grinned:"Sure you are. All though but actually caring," she giggled. And then raised eyebrows.

"I didn't know you wanted a kiss from me so much," she grinned. She stood up and rounded the table (bit clumsily) before pressing a soft kiss on Neji's cheek. She grinned:"There you go, 'tebane."

[stillpure]

He watched them from over the rip of his cup and took a much longer drink, draining his glass.

[openedthebasket]

He only huffs through his nose at her teasing, but closes his eyes to allow her to do as she pleased. Still, it's a pleasant surprise when she does round the table, his lips curving into another nearly-invisible smile at the kiss before he represses it and lifts his teacup again. "There, you see? There is nothing for you to be concerned about, Itachi-kun." His eyes flick over his cup. "Would you like more?"

[fire_fox]

She scrunches her nose at Neji- was it her or did he switched to better mood all of a sudden?
No matter- she picked another stick of dango and nibbled on it.

[stillpure]

He shook his head, putting his cup down and looking from one to the other for a moment before putting his hands in his lap.

[openedthebasket]

His eyes study the suddenly-quiet boy's face. What was that expression now, jealousy? Impossible. Awkward embarrassment to be sure. A moment, then he shifts to lightly rest his hand atop the boy's head. "Do not be troubled," he says finally, pulling his hand back and returning to what's left of his tea.

[fire_fox]

She blinks, finally looking more carefully at Itachi:"Eh? Are you okay, Ita-chan?" Yup, she's worried. Did she say something wrong?

[stillpure]

He gave them both a little smile, but it was fleeting before he peered at his cup, running a finger along the edge of it. "I'm gonna go now okay?"

[openedthebasket]

Neji just rises smoothly to his feet and raises an eyebrow at him. "Then we will accompany you."

[fire_fox]

So soon? She stands up as well, fixing her kimono. "Yeah we will. But why so soon? Are you okay, dattebane?"

[stillpure]

He shook his head sharply and looked from one to the other. "No, you guys stay, you're not done, right?" He pushed to his feet though, fidgeting a little before stopping the motion by pressing his palms against his kimono. "M'fine."