A/N: If Itachi seems a bit OOC to you, it's because this all takes place before he even gets the assignment concerning his clan, when he was a bit more easygoing and less guarded.

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The most chatter was supplied by Kage, who was surprisingly cheerful and quick-witted compared to his dark, dreary appearance. Amai seemed to very much like the sound of her own voice, and spent most of her breath jabbering on about anything that happened to pop into her head at the time. How she'd gotten into ANBU, Kaiya wasn't too sure. Itachi was mostly silent, occasionally speaking up to something Kage said, but the majority of his time was spent quietly, listening. Kaiya had the strange feeling that he was analyzing them, getting more information about his new teammates by simply watching rather than engaging in conversation.

Kaiya herself was rather quiet as well, basking in the fact that she'd finally been put on a team. She had a bubbly feeling in her stomach that was akin to excitement, but was also content and a bit giddy. She loved a challenge, and was always at her happiest when she overcame one. The fact that she'd been put on a squad signaled the end of her formal training, and it was a step in her life that was now taken.

Other than her generally quiet behavior, she was absently combing her fingers through Ryouken's thick ruff of fur around his neck from where he lay under the table with his head on her lap. She smiled a little when she remembered the staff practically sputtering at a dog - a very large dog - coming into their establishment. It'd taken only a death glare from her and a barely contained snarl from Ryouken to convince them to ignore the duo. Her other hand was occupied with a mild alcoholic beverage, which she brought to her lips every once in a while as she people watched in her distraction. It was a perk of being on ANBU that allowed her to drink, though she was underage. They were technically above the law, and the bartender considered them to be the wisest shinobi in the village. Kaiya scoffed inwardly at that thought and was happy that the man hadn't met Amai yet. Nobody thought twice about asking to card ANBU.. they were expected to go out and risk their lives for the village, murder and assassinate, and yet one couldn't allow them to partake? Nonsense.

The conversation lulled for a few moments - though it wasn't awkward. Not for Kaiya at least. Amai decided to change the subject to her fellow teammates.. as in Itachi. She turned to him - sitting next to him as it was - and smiled sweetly. "So, Itachi-san. You've been very quiet all evening.. why don't you tell us something about yourself?" He glanced toward her, his face seemingly a bit impassive - as if he saw right through her. "What would you like to know?"

She paused, considering the question, before speaking slowly. "Well.. how about why you're in ANBU? You seem a bit introverted to be in such an intense organization.. "

Kaiya wasn't really sure what in the world Amai was talking about. Ninety nine percent of the men and women in ANBU ended up introverted and broody. Except maybe her.

Itachi seemed to think the same thing, raising a brow, but remaining impeccably polite all the same as he spoke in those low, oddly calming tones. "I am here because it was expected of me." He seemed content to leave it at that - a man of few words - but Amai didn't let him stop just there. She tilted her blonde head slightly, urging him on. "Expected of you? How so?"

Itachi took a slow drink from his cup, his eyes on nothing in particular as he stared straight ahead - somewhere over Kaiya's shoulder. She, however, was looking at him.. secretly hoping he would tell her to get her to back the fuck off and mind herself. Amai and Kaiya had barely spoken, and yet she had succeeded in burrowing under her skin. No such luck, though..

"My clan has become isolated in the past years.. few of us have occupations outside the police force, so when I was offered a place in ANBU, I was urged to take it." He paused for a moment then, looking at Kaiya. She wasn't sure why he did so. Maybe he could feel her irritation from across the table. Although this time it wasn't directed at him - but at Amai. It had only been for a moment, but it was curious.. his obsidian eyes were keen and analytical. Then he finally focused his penetrating eyes on Amai herself. "Why don't you explain how you got here, Amai-san?"

Kaiya nearly laughed aloud at his choice of words. Next to her, Kage actually choked into his drink. She turned to look at the cheerful man, biting her cheek almost hard enough to break skin in order to keep from laughing. A quick conversation with their eyes revealed that he too loved that Itachi was subtly making fun of Amai's inappropriate manner. Poor girl. She was already the odd one out.

Even worse, she didn't seem to catch the joke.

"Well, I'm one of the top poison specialists around, you know.. making me useful for espionage and whatnot. My family is in the flower business, and as such, I'm familiar with nearly all poisonous foliage. Apparently ANBU's last poison specialist was killed, and they needed a quick replacement."

Quick was right. They apparently hadn't done any extra screening on the girl.

Kaiya had had just about enough at that point, and decided to leave the table before she threw Amai out a window. Sliding herself slowly out of the booth, Ryouken slipping out from under the table automatically, she glanced around the room briefly before looking back down at her new team. "I probably shouldn't drink anymore tonight.. I've seemed to caught a bad habit from the Copy Ninja, and I need to make sure I'm not inhibited any more than I already am." She grinned at the three of them before turning to go, Kage and Amai murmuring quick goodbyes.

It was when she got to the door that a voice caught her attention. "Would you mind some company?"

Kaiya turned her head, already knowing who it was. Itachi was close behind her, a small, pleasant smile on his lips. She raised a brow. "Why?"

A light curling of the corners of his lips betrayed his amusement as he spoke a bit quieter. "I don't exactly want to stay if I don't have to.. and the Uchiha compound isn't far from the Inuzuka compound. Besides, I wouldn't want a young lady such as yourself walking home alone."

She almost snorted. "I'm hardly alone, Itachi-san.. " She patted Ryouken's head. "And I hardly need a body guard.. but you're welcome to walk with me if you'd like. Anything to get some distance from that Yamanaka girl." She waved a hand as she mentioned Amai, the gesture betraying a bit of digust. Itachi made no comment, but his smile was still on his lips as he followed her and Ryouken out the door and into the night.

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