“Well they wouldn’t even bring up your clan, so I went for you I guess. Though they weren’t happy with that either. Why do you wanna keep it a secret it? It doesn’t feel right…”
See…? They weren’t happy with it.
“You had agreed to keep it a secret.” That’s the first thing Itachi goes for. Naruto’s not– well.
In Itachi’s limited experience, Naruto wasn’t the type of person to go back on his promises once he’d made them. It makes him wonder what changed his mind.
“I am responsible for the death of my clan, Naruto. A person such as I should not be held up as a savior.” This isn’t even about guilt or wanting pity– at the end of the day they fell by his hand. It’s what the public knew and it’s what he wanted them to know. It was supposed to help Sasuke.
“Did they not question why someone such as I would lend my hand in the war effort?” It seems the natural course. Why would a villain known for killing his entire extended family and lineage suddenly decide to help? How did that color their perception of Sasuke, who spent so long trying to kill him? And as far as they know– succeeding.
Within minutes Naruto is done with his first bowl. He puts in an order for a second one. If he’s going to be training, then this has to last him! Ehehe! Plus their last mission earned him a good amount, so he has enough for two bowls!
“I’ll work on those too then!” He grins before beginning to swing his legs back and forth.
“Ne Itachi, what a rank are ya?” Has the teme ever mentioned? Or did he just tune him out? Ehhh, it’s probably the second option. He can only stand to listen to the bossy jerk for so long.
Naruto had a likely different skill set, had he not? It was little use to try to work on exactly what Sasuke did. There was no thought to counter, to find an opposing force.
But they’re children. So he’ll say nothing.
“I work for ANBU,l Naruto-kun.” It wasn’t exactly a secret, despite the nature of such a position. His clan was very pleased about it. Word got out.
“Ehhh! If you’re gunna do that then Imma have to train too! I can’t fall behind the teme,” he declares with a frown. There went his day. Well that’s probably what he would have done anyways…
Swinging his feet back and forth, Naruto hums in delight when his bowl is set before him. Teuchi sets Itachi’s bowl right after and nods.
“Mmm! Thanks looks amazing! I was craving it all last night,” Naruto chirps while taking his chopsticks.
“Ne ne Itachi, what kind of training do ya work on with the teme?” He asks in between bites.
Ahh, but Sasuke was incredibly skilled for his age. Itachi is sure had Hiruzen not implemented the new graduation laws, Sasuke would’ve been an early genin like him. But Itachi is an awful hypocrite, and this law works in his favor purely because it kept Sasuke safe longer.
“Just the usual. Shurikens. Movement, response time.”
Teuchi nods. He turns around and begins to work on the orders for the two.
“Oh! So you have a day off! Nice! Hey me too! At least I think I do…I don’t remember any training being assigned,” Naruto says before trailing off to mutter to himself. He turns to face the counter and sets his arms on the counter while he as he thinks. After he a few moments he gives up with a shrug.
“So what do you plan to do after we’re done eating,” he asks turning back to Itachi.
This is a losing battle.
“Perhaps I will return to train with Sasuke.” Father has been giving him more attention of late, and Itachi won’t be one to get in the way of something he’s also wanted– for Fugaku to prioritize his little brother. But if Father is busy as well…
“Eh? That’s kind of weird Itachi,” Naruto comments with a laugh. He continues walking toward Ichiraku. Once they arrive, Naruto slips inside with a loud greeting.
“Mornin’ old man! Did I make it in time? I brought ya an extra customer, so if we’re a few minutes late you can let it slide ‘ttebayo,” Naruto says bouncing on his feet. He takes a seat and turns back to Itachi.
“So why weren’t ya doing anything? I mean you seem like you’d be a busy guy,” Naruto asks.
That’s too many questions. He’s not about to admit he’s bored out of his mind.
“It’s early. I wasn’t assigned a mission today.” Perfect excuse to not have done anything yet.
Teuchi doesn’t have the heart to tell Naruto he did miss the special, not when he’s found a friend. It makes it hard to enforce his rules occasionally. Naruto has a preferred ramen, but his friend, ..Itachi?
“I will simply have Miso, with pork.” Nothing too complicated.
Naruto’s expression brightens. He said yes, wow he didn’t– err nevermind. He shines a sunny smile Itachi’s way before happily leading the way to Ichiraku.
“Awesome! It’s always better to have a bowl of ramen with someone else yanno? Like yeah it’s good to eat, but having someone else as company makes it ten times better ‘ttebayo!”
“By the way, what were ya doin’ before I ran into ya,” Naruto asks with a curious tone.
He can’t really see the reasoning behind that, but Naruto believes it so earnestly, so he’ll simply smile as if he agrees.
“I wasn’t doing anything.” It was a mandatory day off from his missions. Not even Shisui was available, which meant for a day that felt three times as long.
Itachi nods his head in the direction that Naruto was originally headed. Come now, they might miss this early special.
“Itachi? Like a weasel,” he asks with a small snicker. Sasuke’s brother is named weasel! Hehehe!
“Yup that’s me! Like the ramen topping,” he adds with a smile after he settles himself. Forgetting his earlier rush, he finally gets on his jacket and pats the front with a satisfying nod. Turning his attention back to Itachi, he smile turns into a grin.
“Wanna come eat ramen with me? That’s kind of why I ran into ya…I was trying to make the cheap morning special.” Maybe Itachi could spill some embarrassing juicy secrets on the jerk! Ha!
…Yes, like a weasel. There were other people with object and animal names.
Oh, but the offer… Itachi doesn’t like ramen much, but this is a good method to waste time he otherwise wouldn’t know what to do with. Getting to know the boy he thinks Sasuke should befriend is a plus.
Naruto scrambles down the main path, a hurried look on his face. He’s wrestling with his orange jacket as he runs. His arm isn’t going through the damn sleeve! Damn it! It’s all knotted and folded!
Focus directed away from where’s going, Naruto slams into someone’s back. Stumbling back, he snaps his attention forward and blinks a few times.
“Crap! I’m sorry! I wasn— hey you’re the bastard’s brother,” Naruto says with a smile. Rubbing the back of his neck, he gives a sheepish laugh.
“As I was sayin’ sorry I ran into ya, I was..uhhh…trying to put on my jacket.”
The bastard is not a way he’s heard of Sasuke being referred to before, and it stalls Itachi momentarily with a sharp blink. Yes, indeed, Naruto is correct, he is Sasuke’s brother.
“I’m Itachi.” He’s given his name before, yes? “And you are Naruto.” He remembers.
Greetings aside, he’ll step in and help for a moment. Might as well let him get on his way.
Facilitating communication between his younger brother and his friend was something Itachi was not quite fond of. He wanted them to get along well, and that involved speaking with another. Was it really as natural as Itachi had hoped, if Naruto had to come to him for advice?
“I’m afraid he doesn’t share quite as much with me.” Whereas in the past Sasuke was eager to recount his day, positive and negative, to Itachi, these days he heard much less, often due to his full mission roster. Sasuke couldn’t hold the adoration forever, perhaps…
“Perhaps a more gentler approach would help.” He knows Naruto is quite loud.
UchihaSavior 