and the scarry skies above
secrets
His mother notices.
Of course she does. Her eyes might not be born of Uchiha blood, but they are sharp nevertheless.
"It is time for you to consider marriage, don't you think?" she asks, the innocent question and kind smile offset by the way her gaze is fixed on his face. Warm, but alert. Itachi takes a sip of his tea, stalling for time as he wills his body not to tense.
"I do not agree just now would be the right moment," he says eventually.
Mikoto inclines her head, accepting his words. "Still," she replies. "The elders are pushing for you to get settled. Shisui as well. They wish to see the younger generation well settled. I did not say –" She holds up her hand, cutting off the reply that is ready to spill from his lips. " – that you have to marry straight away. I merely suggest you think about it. Your grandparents will be pleased to know you are at least considering the possibility. And there are many suitable matches, both within and outside of the family."
Itachi shakes his head. "I'm not yet old enough."
"You're seventeen," Mikoto replies easily. "Almost the age your father was when he married me."
He hesitates, unable to find fault with her statement. "Still," he hedges. Takes a moment to pour them both more tea. Plays for time.
"I have never known you to be anything less than willing to act in the clan's interests," his mother muses, and he straightens up to meet her eyes evenly.
"My first loyalty is to Konoha and its people." "And yet you never fail to consider the wishes of your family. How is marriage so different?"
At this point, Itachi knows she is trying to drive him into a corner. His mother is never so blunt in her diplomacy unless she is pushing for something specific. He has to bodily fight the impulse to cross his arms and snap, it just is. Instead, he takes a calming breath in an attempt to centre himself.
"I do not see how it would be a sensible decision at this time. I spend most of my days outside the village. Just now, I cannot possibly pay a wife the attention she deserves."
Mikoto tilts her head to the side. "So you're declining marriage on the grounds that you could not make her happy? How considerate of you. But I am sure we could find someone who'd be amenable to your situation."
Itachi sets down his cup, harder than intended. "I will not marry someone merely out of convenience. I will not tie anybody to a lifetime of neglect. I am willing to discuss this matter with the elders once I deem the circumstances favourable. Before that, however –"
"Who is she?" Mikoto interrupts, leaning across the table. "Who are you stalling for?"
He opens his mouth, closes it. Unbidden, an image springs up in his mind. His cheeks burn red with shame and fury at being caught. His mother leans back with a satisfied expression on her face.
"I am glad to see you still have some fight left in you." She rises, crosses over to his side of the table, and presses a gentle kiss to the crown of his head, just like she always did when he was still a child. "Sometimes, I'm afraid to lose you. You've already given so much to the village and your family – I wish for you to follow your heart at least this once."
Before Itachi can reply, she's already stepped back and turned to gather up their china.
"Mother," he blurts out after her when she's almost through the door. She looks at him over her shoulder. Itachi swallows against the lump in his throat.
"You must know who she is, surely."
Mikoto's eyes are wide and innocent as she replies, "I don't know what you mean," but her smile is equal parts knowing and kind. Secretive.
And suddenly, the burden is a bit easier to carry.
A/N: I'm always so pleased when you guys write that you were disappointed in the length of a chapter in the beginning but that the content managed to convince you otherwise. I try to make them as good as I possibly be can, but there are days when I'm simply not feeling myself so the quality suffers a bit. I won't tell you which ones, but in general it seems we are of one mind which chapters are good and which are mediocre at best. Thank you guys so much for your reviews!
I wish you a happy Christmas, if you celebrate it, and if you don't then I hope you'll have a lovely weekend and good following week.
Love you guys lots!
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