[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

[senseiofthesea]

"You should come by, look over the new books in my library." He flashed him a smile, then dug into his bowl of ramen properly.

Invitation offered.

[uchihasavior]

"Ah, I shall." Invitation accepted. Iruka certainly knew how to draw him in. A sucker for books, and especially new books. Hopefully thick, text-laden books. Those were the best, and he tried not to use his Sharingan on them lest he read entirely too fast and speed through it.

He'll let him eat for now, however, quietly tending to that snack he'd been previously offered.

[senseiofthesea]

He grinned and focused on his food for a few minutes, pausing before going at the lingering broth. "I'll have to be sure to get some groceries so I can give you a nice dinner while you're over."

[uchihasavior]

"If I keep this up I'll likely never have to learn to cook for myself." He jests, calmly.

It's either Mother's cooking, Iruka's cooking, Shisui's cooking, eating out...or whatever large handful of sweets Obito shoves into his hands now and then.

If he rotates just right he'll be set.

[senseiofthesea]

"Don't say things like that or I'll have to teach you. Even if I know your efforts tend to come out endearing but pitiful." He said it as a cast away comment before picking up to sip his broth.

[uchihasavior]

Pitiful...how cruel of you, Iruka. He's half smiling around his treat now.

"So, you doubt your ability to teach me well?" He might just drag this out a bit.

[senseiofthesea]

"Don't be silly Itachi-kun." He set down his bowl and leaned sideways, peering at his face as he lowered his voice with a smile. "I just know that every student has things that they're terrible at."

[uchihasavior]

"I see." Cruel, cruel, Iruka.

He fakes insult; it should be quite easy to see through. Perhaps he could learn to cook on his own if seriously prompted, but it hadn't been expected of him for years, no matter how easily he would've agreed. Perhaps it was just too late.

"So, what would be the best time to take up your offer." He didn't want to take away all of Iruka's free time.

[senseiofthesea]

He laughed and straightened up. "You can come by tonight. I'm home most evenings by seven too." Iruka shook his head. "Any time is fine if I'm home."

[uchihasavior]

"That sounds fine." Good with him.

He should leave him to it then. He bows his head in a short gesture of respect, and bows out of the ramen stand.

He still fails to get any sleep during the day, figuring he'll do it later in the night, and shift over his already horrid sleeping pattern towards a new rotation.

And it's only a few minutes after seven, the sky already darkened, and the cicadas quieting down, that Itachi politely knocks on the door of Iruka's apartment, other hand in his pocket.

Time skip Acomplished!

[senseiofthesea]

He was home. Refreshed from a rather recent shower, his hair was down and still damp when he answered the door. "Itachi!" He opened the door, waving him in and flashing him a bright smile. "I haven't started dinner yet, so this is good timing."

[uchihasavior]

Hadn't started dinner? Oh boy, Itachi got himself in trouble this time. There were only a few options as to what would happen, but, he'd accept it with grace, at least.

"Ah, how so?" He plays dumb, allowing himself inside and sparing a look around.

[senseiofthesea]

He stepped down and locked the door behind him, waiting for Itachi to take his shoes off before heading off to the kitchen. "You can help me of course! Before you get lost in a new book I mean." He laughed and looked over his shoulder. "Perfect, right?"

[uchihasavior]

Yes, help. He knew this was going to happen. As long as Iruka's instructions were concise (he knew they'd be), they'd have an enjoyable dinner.

"Quite." He agrees, bending down to remove his sandals and leave them by the door, neatly side by side. He's on his way behind him, only taking a moment to suddenly sneeze.

Hopefully a sneeze by itself.

[senseiofthesea]

He looked back to him for a long moment at that, then hummed, slipping intot he kitchen to start taking things out. "Feeling alright Tachi-kun?"

[uchihasavior]

"Yes, fine." Even he doesn't know if that's a lie or not. It's just one sneeze, but one sneeze could be harmless dander or the beginning of one of his bouts of illness.

There's no comment on the pet-name. Used to it. So many people he grew up with that all somehow have pet-name rights.

He follows once more, wrinkling his nose to hopefully stifle whatever sneeze might want to follow. Past that, he awaits direction.

[senseiofthesea]

Evaluating him for fitness, he shoved over some onion and carrots. "You cut those up. When was the last time you got a good night of rest?"

[uchihasavior]

"I find this question unfair." You knew the answer to that, Iruka. You know how to read his eye-bags. Every answer was wrong or he was lying, he knew this game.

He did reach for a small knife to cut off the end of the carrot anyways.

[senseiofthesea]

"Of course you do." He heaved a dramatic sigh, giving him a once over. "You're sleeping here tonight." It wasn't a request, and he seemed satisfied with the decision as he turned back to start preparing other parts of the meal, starting up chatter about what he was doing and why to override any protests Itachi might attempt.

Not that they would have gotten anywhere, but better not to make that obvious when avoidable.

[uchihasavior]

He had those excuses ready, yet they'd be half hearted, because he knew Iruka was prepared for them and how to counter them. His worst enemies, if he had to be technical, were the people that knew him the best.

So the protests died with his breath, and he cut vegetables as instructed, arranging them into a small, neat pile when through, and awaited further instruction.

[senseiofthesea]

He passed over other things for him to cut up, then heated the pan to start throwing things in, apparently making something relatively simple. "Tell me about what you've been up to Itachi?"

[uchihasavior]

"Guard duty, and seeing what I had missed." Others were worried about how long he'd been gone and whether he was taking care of himself. (Spoiler: just barely.)

He wouldn't even get the chance to leave again, with things dwindling down and Obito worrying about his health and where they stood, it seems like he was being taken off missions so he could feel like he belonged to the Leaf again. He can chat while chopping, sliding over the small piles when they're ready.

[senseiofthesea]

"You don't sound too happy about that." There was a touch of humor there, and he turned to add Itachi's contributions to the pan, flipping the contents deftly in the pan.

"Bored?"

[uchihasavior]

"Adjusting." That was the word he'd use. He was adjusting to it. He had little choice, so he had to. Perhaps it wouldn't be as bad, and it was good to see people still cared about his well being, during the time he was gone and the time he returned.

He's through for now, unless you'd like him to do something else, Iruka.

[senseiofthesea]

"Go ahead and wash up the cutting boards. This will be done in just a minute. I started the rice just before you got here so it's done."