[Open] Finally an afternoon to himself!

[senseiofthesea]

Where: Konoha's Ichiraku
When: From about noon to a leisurely 3pm before he wandered off to read a book on a bench nearby.
Notes: For the first time in what felt like forever, he was free. Freeeeee.

He had started to think he'd never escape the vortex of paperwork that had become his life in the last few months. If it wasn't his class, it was the mission desk, if it wasn't the mission desk, it was running files from intel to the Hokage tower. If it wasn't that then by all that was sane, he was asleep and may mercy be on the soul of anyone who thought it a good idea to wake him for anything less than an emergency.

But now, now, he had a day free and clear of all paperwork. Not a bit of grading was to be had, he was on an official weekend for anything to do with the tower in any capacity, and that left him able to fully, truly, relish the sensation of eating well made noodles as he savored them.

It was a perfect, brilliantly sunny afternoon, and the only thing that could improve it was some good company stopping by to say hello.

Comments

[uchihasavior]

Even in his extended stay back at home, and his slow removal from the heavier, longer spy missions, Itachi hadn't seen absolutely everyone that he knew since his last trip. His shift had ended hours ago, in the early morning, but he'd yet to go to sleep, figuring he could wait until nightfall, the next day mostly free to him.

He recognized the person on the chair immediately, coming to a slow halt, and seemingly mulling over the decision before changing his direction and and carefully lifting open one of the flaps at Ichiraku's, poking his head inside.

"Iruka-san."

[senseiofthesea]

He shifted in his seat, a bite hanging in the air, and flashed him a bright smile, waving him into the stall with his free hand. "Itachi-san! Come, sit! I haven't seen you in quite some time, have I?"

[uchihasavior]

"Mm, I'm afraid I've been busy." The regular excuse, whether that meant around, or outside the village. Vague statements were his friend.

He does join him, however, carefully propping himself on the stool beside him, elbows politely on the counter.

"I think you've been rather busy as well, it seems."

[senseiofthesea]

"You know how I am when things get busy. Small children to give pointy knives and jounin to frighten into writing legibly." He laughed and turned back to his bowl, resuming his bite's quest to his mouth so he could eat it finally.

"Tell me about your busy?"

[uchihasavior]

"Ah, work for the Hokage." Guard duty, that he stayed through even after he found the culprit.

He shakes his head no and mutters a thanks towards the shop owner. Not really looking to lunch quite yet, and ramen wasn't really his thing, even when freshly made.

[senseiofthesea]

Iruka fished in his pocket, and pulled out a red bean snack, offering it to Itachi. It wasn't right for him to enjoy a meal when Itachi wasn't eating. "Me too. Chaos in the tower, but it finally seems to be settling down enough I got today. So. You missing being out of the village?"

[uchihasavior]

If he wasn't getting fed by Obito, he was getting fed by Iruka. He knew where his options lied when it came to sweets. For now he'll keep it under his hand for a few minutes.

"Somewhat." And there's a small shrug. The longer he was gone, the more his bonds stretched, but the more he was here, the more he faced certain reasons he wanted to be gone.

"But it is nice to rest." Where you don't have to worry about being ambushed in the night, that is. Trying to keep it positive.

[fangoverfang]

Unfortunately for Iruka, what he got was not going to be good company...

Kiba had been wandering the village on the back of a free afternoon; his sensei wasn't seeking him out and his Ma didn't need his help, and so Kiba had been passing Ichiraku's as usual on the way to find some entertainment for the day with his large ninken bounding along by his side. Being who he was, however, and as nosy as his talented nose made him... he couldn't help but peek under the fringing of the restaurant to see who was sitting on the stools as he went--

When he saw his old academy sensei sitting there, he crowed a loud laugh and stopped to duck inside and give Iruka's upper arm a hearty thump.

"Hey, Iruka-sensei!" he practically yelled, fangs glinting as he grinned, throwing himself onto the stool beside Iruka while Akamaru barked and danced his front paws on the ground in shared excitement. "Long time no see!"

[senseiofthesea]

Iruka had no issues with any of his former students, even one who had been a troublemaker like this one. He laughed, then plucked a bite of pork out of his bowl, grasping it in his fingers as he offered it to Akamaru. It was a bad habit, but one he hadn't bothered to break since he never went overboard giving nin-animals treats. "Hello boys! It's been forever hasn't it? Not since last autumn outside that little exercise last month if I'm remembering correctly. Not really a good time to talk, that. Care to tell your old sensei how you've been?"

[fangoverfang]

Never missing an opportunity to talk about himself - or complain - Kiba settled into his stool to indicate he was definitely staying. He wouldn't order, though. Ramen wasn't chewy or meaty enough for him.. but if the old guy behind the boilers kicked up a fuss about Kiba loitering then he'd probably end up bantering for just a side of meat or something. Akamaru was already getting his treat, so it wouldn't hurt.
The dog took the gift with excitable gusto and lapped at Iruka's hand in thanks before settling on the floor to chew.

"Great! Well.. as great as we can be stuck on patrol day in day out.." Kiba huffed, his usual distaste for Shirakumo's favourite lecture topic and practical technique evident in the way his expression drooped at the mention of it. But then, like a whip crack, the grin was back. "But we've been training with Ma again. You should see some of the stuff we can do now, it's intense."

[senseiofthesea]

"Intense? I'm impressed. You've come a very long way." He flashed Akamaru a smile. "And this fellow has gotten rather big. You both grew up really well."

He looked back to Kiba, thoughtful. "If you're tired of Patrol, why don't you ask to be sent on another kind of mission?"

[fangoverfang]

"Man, y'know, people keep sayin' that?" he muttered, fang slipping over his lip as he pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes at his canine companion, critically studying him for a moment. "Doesn't look much different to me."

At Iruka's question, he groaned. "You don't think I've tried that? He held my team back a year from the chuunin exams 'cause he didn't think we were ready - and when I complained about it he told me my impatience was the reason he held me back! The more I complain the more tight-assed he gets, if I complain about being put on border patrol, he'll probably make my entire mission roster fuckin' border patrol."

[senseiofthesea]

"Kiba." He couldn't help it, he wanted to laugh. Instead, he made his voice gentle as he leaned in, smothering his amusement. "Why don't you ask the Hokage for a different kind of mission?"

Just a quick starter before bed but EEEEE IRUKA! You'll be seeing blondie later :P

[abileunaspada]

For once, the smell of Ichiraku's spices and broth was appealing to one kunoichi who had been taking a training day. The petite red head was using a towel to wipe sweat from her brow as she approached, blinking at the familiar back and hair of the man before grinning. Man... It had been so long since she'd seen him. She was never particularly close to any of the teachers, but it was hard to forget a man like him.

"Iruka-Sensei?" Without further prompt she sat down on the stool next to him, nodding to Teuchi and Ayame respectively and signalling that she was going to take a second to decide on her order before turning to Iruka once more, "It's been a long time."

[senseiofthesea]

He wasn't eating, at the moment, but he did have a bowl in front of him, empty with it pushed back away from him near the counter. It was no effort at all to break off his conversation with Ayame and give another of his students, it seemed people were hungry today, a bright smile.

"You're looking well today. Training hard?"

[abileunaspada]

"Always, when I'm not ordered to rest," It was a mild joke as she grinned for the elder, pausing before finally ordering a seafood based Ramen. When that was on the way she turned to him once more, both eyes focused on him as she spoke, "You're still working with hell-raisers? I'm surprised you haven't begged to not teach anymore, Iruka-Sensei."

She remembered how awful she could be, even when she was trying not to be. And if there was one thing that was consistent in Konoha, it was how excitable academy students could be when they were trying to learn to be the coolest people in the village.

[senseiofthesea]

He blinked, then laughed, shaking his head and leaning on the counter as he turned to face her properly. "What? Oh no. No, I'm a teacher through and through. You won't be finding me anywhere but with the youth of Konoha any time soon."

He paused a beat, his look turning a touch wry. "Unless you catch me handing out missions that is. But that's my free time."

[abileunaspada]

"I haven't seen you around there lately, so I probably just missed you or something. Still, it's got to be nice to have a day off."

Her smile turned a touch warm as she looked to the counter, watching Teuchi and Ayame work before she murmured, "A lot more time's been dedicated to training lately though. I need the extra so I can adjust for handicaps."

[senseiofthesea]

"I heard. You seem to be doing well with it though, so I'm pretty sure you have nothing to worry about." He leaned in, peering at her thoughtfully. "WHy don't you tell me about your training?"

Having just come back from a disaster, ramen sounded perfect.

[ninjaindianajones]

Mika had gotten back to Konoha in the wee hours, she'd barely gotten a few hours sleep before getting summoned into the Hokage's office. There was an earful from just about everyone and Mika had to explain herself at least three times. Her stressed, sleep deprived mind hadn't helped her out a lot.

By the time she got away from the tower it was nearly one. Mika was absolutely starving as she hadn't eaten breakfast. Something warm and salty would make her day just a little better. Not long after the thought popped into her head the familiar smell of Ichiraku's got her attention. Gods that was the most delicious thing she'd smelled in her life and Mika had to eat before she died of...something. Brain was short-circuiting.

At least she had till the end of the business day to finish signing those dumb papers. An hour to just relax and possibly fall asleep on the counter sounded like the best thing in the world. The kunoichi popped in and flashed a winning smile at the girl serving. The owner's daughter right? Maybe Mika could score a date while here too eh?

Or not, the place was pretty busy and Mika was honestly too wiped out to think of good pick up lines. So she quietly sat at the bench and ordered some spicy beef ramen. Heaving a long, over dramatic sigh her head slowly turned to the side. A familiar looking man was next to her...

Wasn't he Makishi's old teacher? Michi might have been in his class too.. "You're Iruka-sensei right?"

[senseiofthesea]

"Ah?" He looked sideways at the woman, surprised by being addressed, and there was the baffling thought that he should really know who this was. He raked his mind a few times, but no name was coming up.

Terrible, he was slipping in his old age. He needed to fix that.

Giving her a sheepish smile, he nodded to her. "I am, but I'm afraid I can't seem to recall your name, I'm sorry, did you have a relative in one of my classes?"

[ninjaindianajones]

She knew he wouldn't know her. Mika had been in the academy before Iruka began teaching.

"Yeah, my youngest brother was in your class I think. Makishi Yamada? Really dark skin, quiet, probably sat in the back...He graduated a few years ago." Mika had seen the teacher around, he had a kind looking face. Makishi had even brought him up in conversation several times, Mika suspected her brother had a little crush on him as a kid.

[senseiofthesea]

He looked puzzled for a moment, then seemed to come to a realization. The moment he did he brightened up dramatically. "Oh! Oh, him! You would come to pick him up from classes when you could. You were always in and out so quickly that I never managed to speak to you. He's a nice boy, but I haven't seen him. Is he doing well? Has he made chunin yet?"

[ninjaindianajones]

"I did! Usually when our parents were busy. I really miss walking him home from the academy." Mika's heaves a wistful sigh recalling those days. "Mm, he keeps to himself a lot, so that's probably why. Maki-chan is doing well in his work last time he brought it up." Her own expression reflected the smile Iruka had. "He passed the chunin exam two years ago! I'm surprised he hasn't kept in touch with you.He was very found of your classes."

[senseiofthesea]

"I've seen him in passing but I think he's just been too busy to keep up with his old Academy sensei." He laughed, shaking his head. "I'll just have to hunt him down for a chat one of these days to let him know I haven't forgotten about him. See?"