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

[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."

[openedthebasket]

Having already finished his tea, Neji could say with certainty that he was already done. As for Naruto? It was a simple matter to sweep the disposable plate of dango off the table and place it in Naruto's hands. "Yes, I can see that. Shall we?"

[fire_fox]

She blinks and looks down at her hands, tilting her head for a moment, before looking at Itachi:"We promised to take you back. And we don't go back on our promises," she grins.

[stillpure]

He just stared at them for a moment before turning to head into the crowd, not even sure -what- to say to that.

[openedthebasket]

He gives Naruto a glance behind Itachi's back, his expression (hopefully) clearly communicating that he truly had no idea how to deal properly with a child acting quite so childish, and he gestured for her to do something about it.

[fire_fox]

She glances back at Neji as well and motions to follow Itachi all the same, and she hurried up to catch him. "Wait for us Ita-chan," she smiled. "Let's get those masks while on our way back!"

[stillpure]

He hesitated... then his steps slowed a great deal so they could catch up properly.

[openedthebasket]

...He'd almost forgotten about the foolish masks. His eyes close briefly with a small snort through his nose as his longer legs enable him to catch up to the child easily. Extending a hand, he makes a small show of rolling his eyes. "If you two insist."

[fire_fox]

"Of course we insist. You are getting one too, dattebane," she catches up to Itachi from other side. She smiles and offers him hand as well.

[stillpure]

There was only a beat before he reached up and took their hands, relaxing as he started walking at a normal pace again.

[openedthebasket]

"I believe I already made it quite clear that I have no desire to own an impractical object." Good, whatever the child had been upset about, it seemed to no longer be bothering him. As expected from Naruto, to be able to help in such a way.

[fire_fox]

"Neji, don't ruin the party dattebane," she grinned. "We will get you nice, colorful one. Orange and yellow perhaps? What do you think Itachi?"

[stillpure]

He considered this for a moment, then shook his head, clearly not agreeing with that particular idea as he wrinkled his nose at her.

[openedthebasket]

"I believe such color would be far more suited to you," he points out to her with another huff through his nose. And really, if he wanted to see such bright colors, he would rather look at her than some mask.

Not that he'd say so aloud, of course.

[fire_fox]

"No? But they are bright and festive colors dattebane!" She pouts visibly. She glances at Neji:"That's why I will get it! Orange is my color dattebane! And where is that stand anyway?" Naruto looks around, but crowd is not allowing her to see much.

She smiles at Itachi:"Which color do you want?"

[stillpure]

He stared up at her for a long moment. "Purple."

[openedthebasket]

In the interest of expediency, Neji brings his fingers up again, letting the familiar flow of Chakra enter his eyes. "Twenty meters due south," he answers instead of returning to the conversation about colors. "In other words, this way." Without deactivating his eyes, he brushes through the crowd, using his hand on Itachi's to gently tug them both after him and cut through a short alleyway to emerge on another street, with a stall full of masks before them.