Even a Kage spends time in the village

[thebestuchiha]

Where: Konohagakure
When: January 4th, in the afternoon.
Notes: Open to anyone.

He was horrifically bored. No, beyond bored, he was being lulled into a sense of being droned to death, and he honestly couldn't claim he was unused to it. He was used to it. He was so painfully used to it that he could just cry over it. Admittedly, he'd gotten over that crying constantly thing a good decade ago, but the urge still cropped up from time to time, and this was shaping up to being one of those days.

At least, it was until someone called the delegate's attention away from him long enough that one of his people could get in and give him a message.

It was blank, but they didn't have to know that, and it was something that honestly didn't need his personal attention in any case. All he seemed to be there for was to nod politely and have his assistant take notes to give someone else anyway. Thus, he sprung at the chance to close the matter for the day, it having run over nearly two hours from the projected halt point as it was.

His shinobi had probably realized he wasn't all that far off a compulsion to do something regrettable. Probably in a way that was amusing at the time but would just make him cringe in retrospect too. Thus, he seized on the chance to bolt, politely making his excuses before taking off into the village, taking a deep breath of the cool air as he tried to figure out how he wanted to spend his current freedom.

Sparring? Checking on shinobi in other parts of the village? Hassling his students? Lunch?

...Lunch. He was starved.

Goal decided, he started across the village to the nice fish place near his home, waving and greeting people on his way.

Comments

[abileunaspada]

Was that...

A sigh left her as she saw him racing along the roads towards wherever he was headed off to. It was still recent when that man had been appointed Hokage, and she even then still questioned if he was really that great a ninja to begin with. True, there had to be a reason why he was appointed, but it still seemed strange.

Then again, Konoha was a strange place. Which was what prompted the shake of her head as she watched, hitching her bags further up on her arm before she kept going. She still had to get the new metal samples back to the store for her uncle to look over, even if she was feeling kind of hungry herself.

Whatever she had to do, it didn't stop her from giving at least a nod to Obito as he ran by. He was still the Hokage, and if he was going to be at least tolerable in the office she'd have to be a little friendly. Not because she wanted to.

[thebestuchiha]

He didn't think three years was recent, but apparently not everyone tended to agree. And he wasn't running! Just... hungry. And perhaps going at a bit more speed than he otherwise would have been. Still.

He knew a look of someone who needed help carrying something quite well, and though he made it a couple steps past her, doubled back quickly to offer his hands. "May I take some of that? You look like you might appreciate the help."

[abileunaspada]

"Don't stop for me, I'm just taking the samples back to uncle's shop," Adela shook her head, glancing away from Obito as she made to just keep walking. It wasn't as if she wanted special treatment just because she helped around the office sometimes, and it was still her job to do this. She didn't need the help...

[thebestuchiha]

"I'm not saying you look like you needed my help." He carefully took a toppling item from the pile before it could fall or cause her to need to correct it. "I just want to, is that so bad?"

[abileunaspada]

Unable to help huffing, she shook her head and just looked forward, as if he hadn't just taken one of the samples from the top of the pile, "It could be taken the wrong way, Hokage-Sama. You looked like you were in a--"

She stopped dead in her tracks when she heard her stomach growling, eyes widening in mortification. She knew she was starting to feel hungry, but enough to warrant that?

...

"... I'll take that back," She managed to free up one of her hands before blindly holding it out to him, waiting for him to put the slab he had taken back.

[heavenly_earth]

Neji cradled his hot soba between his hands with an inaudible sigh as the scent of the broth wafted up to him. Herring- his favorite, and he carried it like a precious child. He wasn't normally so intent on safeguarding his food like some grand treasure, but miserable, extended assignments did things to people.

And absolutely nothing tasted better after a long recon assignment that left him drenched for days at a time, nothing to eat but ration bars and soggy bread in the cold. The thought raised the skin along his arms, and the hot touch in his fingertips felt heavenly in comparison.

In his peripheral however, a collision with a high-speed shinobi looked imminent, and Neji just managed to step out of the way, bowl held protectively to his chest. His expression hardened and he turned, ready to demand the type of emergency that necessitated such speed until his eyes fell on the person standing there.

The edge of irritation left him swiftly, and swallowed back the harsh words before they could betray him, because standing there was Uchiha Obito.

Floundering in what seemed like an awkward, if fleeting silence, Neji defaulted to pleasantries instead.

"Good afternoon, Hokage-sama."

[thebestuchiha]

He knew the look he'd almost gotten, but he didn't comment on it, coming to a standstill and glancing to make sure he hadn't accidentally drenched one of his jounin in their own dinner. That would be a tragedy.

Especially given that this one in particular seemed to have something against smiling and he might have perhaps had a touch of a habit of casting the boy bones to see if he could accomplish it when he saw him outside of being around Hinata. "Neji-san, you're back."

He flashed him an apologetic smile. "You wouldn't mind if I joined you, would you? I might not be able to stay long before the politicians come after me though."

[heavenly_earth]

Neji blinked, then realized that Obito was probably looking for his report- something he'd put off until after his meal, simply because he was starving. He cleared his throat and straightened in response to the query, briefly thrown, but there really was no polite way to refuse.

"I'd be honored, Hokage-sama."

The bit about politicians was amusing, and he guessed the man was looking for an escape from long, boring talks he well knew made up such political discussions.

"Perhaps I can even aid you in telling when your pursuers near."

[thebestuchiha]

His apologetic smile turned into a brilliant grin, and he inclined his head to him. "Perfect! I'll go get some food and meet you wherever you settle okay?"

Somehow, the man looked even more energetic with just that hint of mercy on the horizon, and he moved away before Neji even had a chance to agree, confident he'd do as requested.

[heavenly_earth]

Neji watched after the Uchiha with a frown, then shrugged and cast about for a good place to settle for lunch. He settled for a low rooftop, surrounded enough by other buildings to be mostly protected from the chill wind. It wasn't the best hiding place, but provided easy enough escape routes into other parts of the village, and was unlikely to be used by other shinobi crossing it.

He kept veined eyes open for any that might appear to be searching for something- or someone- and checked a time or two on the Hokage himself while he waited.

[dangodragon]

Itachi had taken up residence on the roof because it the tiles were sun-baked warm, and his very mundane crow friends had come to eat the lunch Itachi had bought for himself. Crows were smart, and when they'd seen Itachi's summons being friendly and getting food, they to had started begging for food. Itachi had a horrendous soft spot of the birds and had just fed them his entire lunch. Oops. As Itachi watched the crows and the busy streets of Konoha milling below him, he saw a familiar figure zipping along. He hadn't checked in with the Hokage since he'd returned, nor had he been to see his cousin Obito.

He'd probably be in trouble for that. Itachi sighed and stood, fishing in his pockets until he retrieved the hair clip with a merry jingle bell on it. he didn't remember where he had gotten it, but he gauged Obito speed and then drew his arm back, firing the object off with deadly accuracy despite it's small size and light weight.

It was easier than going into the streets to get Obito's attention. Anyway, who else was going to throw hairclips at the Hokage?

[thebestuchiha]

The hit only just barely missed, reflexes kicking in to have him let it fly right through him.... and then he blinked, hearing the soft tinkle of the bell as he'd been going for a kunai. Instead of grabbing it though, he leaned over and picked it up, bouncing his hand once to give it a soft jingle.

...

Okay then, Itachi wanted his attention. He looked around, scouring the rooftops for the younger man, all the while absently bouncing it in his fingers so the soft jangle was a nice persistent beat.

[dangodragon]

Itachi had come closer to the edge of the rough to see if he'd actually hit Obito. Unfortunately not, but it would be sad if one could beam the Hokage with a hair clip in the middle of Konoha. Itachi raised his hand to wave at his cousin, really wanting nothing more than to let Obito know he was back in Konoha for a while, which Obito could easily discover and might have known anyway since Itachi was ANBU and had just come back from ANBU business.

Still, making a personal effort to let people know you were home again was generally appreciated.

[thebestuchiha]

He blinked for a moment, then gave Itachi a bright smile... before pointedly lifting the clip and jiggling it. He hadn't realized that Itachi was fond of bells.

He raised his voice just enough to carry. "Are you coming down?"

[dangodragon]

"I just wanted to let you know I was back," Itachi said. The clip had been a gag gift from Shisui, so he wasn't really worried about getting it back.

[gentledheart]

Hinata spent her morning training, which wouldn’t have surprised anyone that knew her. She hadn’t even really intended to stop by the Hokage Tower; she didn’t have any real reason to do so today. But she did anyway and when she found out that the Hokage was stuck in a meeting and surreptitious use of the Byakugan revealed a rather bored looking sensei, she decided to do the one thing she could think of to help. Passing off the folded piece of paper to one of Obito’s assistants when one came out for a moment, she left satisfied with her efforts.

She didn’t expect to run into her teacher later. And she’d just finished shopping too as evidenced by the small paper bag in one hand and the bouquet of orange and red flowers in the other. She’d had a few requests to make dinner that night and she was short just a few things in the pantry. Granted most of the requests came from Hanabi, the girl was nothing if not persistent when it came to something she wanted, and apparently her older sisters cooking was something she wanted tonight.

She smiled and waved to her teacher, happy to see that he seemed to be in much better spirits now than earlier.

[thebestuchiha]

He slowed, having just been on a bolt over the rooftops, and paused to crouch on one above her, a wry smile touching his lips as he gave her a small wave. "Hello Hinata. Out running errands?"

He was in much better spirits than he had been earlier, it's true, but then again, he also happened to have gotten food since then.

[gentledheart]

She nods, "Yes." There's a slight pause and she shrugs, tilting her head to the side. "They aren't happy you left are they?" She hadn't meant to say that aloud but it was too late now, and with a little luck she manage to avoid looking too surprised at herself.

[thebestuchiha]

"Noo..." He grinned, leaning over the ledge of the roof. "Did my sweetheart of a student save me from the boring diplomats?"

[gentledheart]

There's a smile curling at the edges of her mouth as she shrugs nonchalant. A tiny near imperceptible nod is the only answer she gives, she could have chosen to be evasive but that wasn't in her nature. She debates briefly joining Obito on the roof and is up there shortly after her bag of groceries swinging with leftover momentum. "You looked like you needed a break from the proceedings."

[strengthofmybow]

All this heat, all the humidity... Orile couldn't say he liked it. That is to say he wouldn't say he liked it. He could very nearly say he hated it. Yes, it was usually raining in Amegakure, but it never felt like this. Sometimes, he wondered why they even came to these countries - yes, of course he knew how important the missives were, but still.

... Maybe that was all a bit harsh. One's disliking the weather didn't mean that one should condemn all who lived there, and Konohagakure was known for its peaceful ways. It was comforting, he supposed, to be at least content in the eyes of such a place. And they did have a lot of nice places with a lot of nice women.

The bustle was unexpected, a consistent murmuring of excited people about something or other. Its reasoning, then, became more obvious when he made it to his destination - that very same fish place. It amused him somewhat when they asked for his bow (which he gave freely, of course, and simply had because he hadn't yet reached the inn he would be staying at). While they were putting that away (no doubt securely, he supposed), he stole a glance toward Obito, surveying him with the vague curiosity of an outsider. Well, of an outsider who would, with his compatriots, likely be speaking directly with the man on business matters.

[thebestuchiha]

He'd escaped one meeting to, apparently, end up at another. He looked sideways at the man, obviously not from Konoha, and carefully evaluated his clothing, his bearing. It made him curious, but he didn't intend to start the conversation. If the man wasn't hostile, then he wasn't going to worry about him, even if he was more alert now.

After all, Kushina had good relations with Ame for a reason, even if he doubted they extended to him.

[strengthofmybow]

Even for one of Ame, he looked perhaps a bit strange. Old-fashioned, if you will. In that long moment of contemplation and curiosity, wherein he examined Obito as much as he knew - and yes, he very, very much knew - he was being examined, he found himself rather ill at ease with the sudden removal of weapon. It likely showed on his face, even when he shook off the dregs of lethargic curiosity and replaced them with his best semblance of amicability. What he knew of Obito was vague at best, coloured with the opinions of his hometown. The repetition of his personal drive was enough to allow his shoulders to relax considerably.

Even with the depths of his unwavering suspicion wiped away, though, there was a sense of wariness that remained, nagging, at the edge of his smile. It was still a smile, however flickering and uncertain. The bow that followed, almost as anachronistic as his dress, was executed in perfect, unwavering respect. This was no designated meeting-place, and he wasn't with his allies - each of whom had his or her own swath of information to bring to light - so he wasn't about to inconvenience someone else who didn't appear to want to talk.

That wasn't to say, mind you, that he wouldn't curiously watch Obito so long as he still had him in sight. It was a terrible habit, in theory, but one that had proven essential on more than one occasion, unlikely as it was on this occasion. He wanted to see with his own eyes how Obito interacted, with his fellow villagers or with he himself was but an afterthought, not even a worry.

[thebestuchiha]

He took in the demeanor he was being shown... and then relaxed, just a touch. It was a chance, not searching him out, that had found this man in his presence. If he'd had any intention of speaking to him about anything he would have brought himself to state his business instead of contenting himself with silence.

That meant he could wait until after he ate, and he waved down the waitress, flashing her a beautiful smile as he ordered and only then looking back to the man beside him at the bar again. "Does anything particular bring you to Konoha?"

[strengthofmybow]

It was a bit of a surprise, though he wouldn't admit so, when they ended up seated near enough to hold conversation. And oh, the smile they offered the waitresses was nigh on the same thing, if almost childish in its purity on Orile's side. A complete reversal of everything he'd shown earlier, in any case.

It was much more difficult to hide the surprise when Obito did take it upon himself to open conversation, and in that moment he was caught so completely off guard that one could even dig out where skepticism ended and that instinctive want for the good in humanity began. Well, if they were really studying him, anyway. He considered the question for a moment, mulling over the responses for the one he liked best.

"I am here on business, certainly." Crisp, curt, professional. "With yourself, actually. I was surprised to see you out and about." The last bit with a bit more good-natured curiosity, though still underlined with suspicion.