Itachi watched the play of emotions wash over Ashiko. He didn't know if it made him feel better or worse that this wasn't just a string of casual meetings to her. It didn't matter as much as it seemed to at first blush. Itachi had just heard her profess her devotion for her master, and even if she were hinting at more than friendship, it would never be something she's abandon or even think of betraying her master for.

"Ah, I'm not as young as I used to be, and the road is never very charming in the winter," Itachi admitted. Especially when you went far north or into the mountains. "But the thought of being shut of in a monastery again is suffocating. I suppose I could put it off, but it's a very nice place by the ocean, and I've always like living near water. Being able to see for miles makes me feel at peace." Actually Itachi hated the ocean with an odd passion, considering he'd only seen it once or twice. Open spaces made him paranoid.

Itachi carefully weighed his next words. He smiled. "I will miss seeing you as well. No matter how many new friends one makes, the old ones will always hold a special affection." If this was their last meeting, he might as well be a little ridiculous.