Did growing up make everyone feel guilty, or was this something other than simply growing up? Was he slowly shutting out those he loved for the sake of secrecy? He'd already hidden the problems with his health for as long as possible, and he knew if the simple measures taken by the medics didn't work, he'd hide that as well.

"No, I'm sadly firmly set in my eating habits," Itachi admitted to her with a crooked smiled as he took the bento box. "Thank you." Itachi had no doubt she'd packed in more than enough food for him, and he saw a chance to make up for his skirting the truth.

"I should probably take a break now. Would you care to join me?"