Disclaimer: Naruto does not in any way belong to me, it's the property of Kishimoto, etc.

jack o' lanterns in july

[ 3 - student ]

"Ok! Let's start with introductions. I'm Uzumaki Kushina. I like ramen and my family. I don't like jerks! My dream is to see Naruto grow up and surpass me," Kushina says, offering her three prospective students a grin.

The two older boys exchange glances, trying to decide which of them will go first. When that fails, they start elbowing each other, whispering heatedly.

"My name is Uchiha Itachi," the youngest boy says, seemingly unruffled by his teammates' antics. "I like my otouto, Sasuke. I dislike unnecessary violence. My dream... is to support Konoha to the best of my abilities."

"I'm Umino Iruka! I like pranks and training with my parents. I don't like mazegohan." A grimace accompanies this statement. "My dream is to join ANBU!"

"Mizuki. I like taijutsu and barbeque. I hate studying. My dream is to join ANBU too. But I'm going to get in before Iruka." Mizuki smirks at the other boy.

"No way, not gonna happen," Iruka says, lifting his chin.

"Well! It's good to have dreams," Kushina says. "It seems like the three of you are aiming for the top! That's a good way to go. Of course, you're still only taking your first steps. You're not even full genin yet."

"What?!" Mizuki and Iruka demand at the same time.

Kushina grins. "Oh, did your instructors tell you that you'd passed? That just means you're done learning the basics. You have to pass my test before you're considered genin."

"What the hell-!"

"Are you serious-?!"

Itachi's the only one who seems unfazed by Kushina's words. She's a little disappointed, actually; she wants to see him lose that cool maturity. He's only seven, after all! He's too young to be so serious.

They pass her test, of course. Mizuki and Iruka work well together already, though it takes them some time to warm up to Itachi. It doesn't help that he's obviously more talented than his older teammates; Iruka gets over it pretty fast, but Mizuki remains resentful.

Six months in, and Itachi has yet to lose his cool. He's a freaking saint, or something! No matter what pranks Kushina pulls on her team, he always stays calm. As a result, Mizuki has started making increasingly aggressive comments about his 'shitty' attitude lately.

"Itachi, can you stay for a bit?" Kushina asks one afternoon, when they're done their training for the day.

He glances over at her and nods. "Of course, sensei."

Mizuki and Iruka bid them goodbye, their voices eventually fading in the distance until Kushina and Itachi are alone on their usual training ground.

"What did you want to discuss, sensei?" he asks, after he's finished meticulously putting away his weapons and straightening his clothes from where they'd been messed up from sparring.

Kushina kind of knows what she wants to talk about with him, but asking him to stay today was a split-second decision. So she hasn't given much thought about how to say what she wants to tell him without screwing up.

Ah, whatever. She'll play it by ear, like she usually does.

"Come sit beside me," she says, gesturing at the otherwise empty bench. Itachi walks over dutifully and perches himself on the bench.

"You're very mature for your age," Kushina starts.

Itachi nods, his dark gaze focussed on her.

"More mature than your teammates."

Another nod.

"Sometimes, I get the feeling that you're purposely cold to your teammates... Like you're taunting them," Kushina says, testing the waters.

"You mean Mizuki." He doesn't even bother trying to play dumb or deny it.

"Hah, yeah. I'm talking about Mizuki. It's not good for the team dynamic... The two of you should try to get along."

"I tried," Itachi says, frowning now. "He's the one who's being stubborn. Why should I- Oh." His frown deepens. "I see. You're saying I'm acting immature when I goad him."

Sometimes the kid is so perceptive that Kushina would swear he's a mind reader. "I know that, since he's older than you, Mizuki should probably be the one making the effort to befriend you..."

"But that's probably not going to happen," Itachi finishes. "I already tried, though. I can't help it if Mizuki just doesn't like me, sensei."

"You know what he does and doesn't like now, though," Kushina points out.

"I'm not going to modify my behaviour just to satisfy him," Itachi says, scowling again. He looks so cute because he's still young enough that the expression resembles a pout more than anything, but Kushina's not gonna let that distract her.

"I'm not asking you to, not really," she assures him. "It's just... Mizuki hates having his flaws pointed out. And to be honest, unless he asks for the criticism, I think you should leave the teaching to me," Kushina explains earnestly.

"It doesn't help that I'm four years younger than him," Itachi says thoughtfully. "But I've been infringing on your duties, sensei. I'm sorry." He bows his head.

"No, no!" Kushina waves her hands, trying to dismiss that thought from Itachi's mind. "It's good that you want to help your fellow shinobi improve! It's just some people don't appreciate that."

Itachi nods gravely. "I understand. I won't critique Mizuki anymore."

"That's all I can ask for," Kushina agrees, feeling relieved.

"However, I feel that you have some room for improvement in the area of pep talks, Kushina-sensei," Itachi adds blandly.

Kushina guesses that that's fair. She shouldn't be surprised that Itachi realized this whole talk was pretty much spur of the moment. "Oh, well I- Hey! Was that a smirk? Are you making fun of me, brat!?"

Itachi's laughter is almost silent, but Kushina can feel his small frame shaking with it as she attempts to give him a noogie.

"Sensei," Itachi says by way of greeting, sliding onto the stool next to hers at Ichiraku's.

Mizuki and Iruka are taking the next chuunin exam, and are busy training with another genin in preparation, so Kushina's sitting alone.

"Itachi! I didn't know you were back from your mission," she says, grinning. It's been almost a year since he earned his promotion (at ten years old, no less) and started taking missions without the rest of the team.

"I returned late last night," Itachi explains.

"Everything went good, then?" Kushina asks, studying her youngest student more closely. He isn't obviously injured, but it seems like something's up. There isn't any clear sign, but Kushina just gets the feeling that he's... uncomfortable.

Itachi nods. "Of course." His gaze darts to her nearly-empty bowl of ramen, almost too quick for her to catch.

"Let me just finish up. We can take a walk. I feel like we haven't talked in years!"

"There's no rush," Itachi demurs.

"Nah, this is my third bowl. I'm pretty much full." Kushina scarfs down the rest of the noodles and drains the broth. "Put it on my tab, eh, Teuchi-san?"

"Always, Kushina! You're my best customer," the older man chuckles. "Have a good afternoon!"

It takes them about fifteen minutes to meander their way out of the busy part of the village; they end up sitting on the bench at their old training ground.

"There was an... invitation waiting for me when I returned home," Itachi says, after a few minutes of companionable silence.

Kushina raises her eyebrows. "What kind of invitation? You're still a little young for dating, aren't you...?" She elbows him slyly.

Itachi gives her this look, like, sensei, stop wasting my time with your frivolous jokes.

Kushina resents that wordless communication, for the record. Though she's pretty pleased that she's become so adept at figuring out what the minute changes in his facial expressions mean.

"It was an official scroll offering me entrance to an exclusive, elite group within the village," Itachi explains blandly.

ANBU? Kushina frowns. Minato didn't mention it to her. This isn't wartime, Konoha's as strong as it's ever been, so there's no need to advance Itachi through the ranks like this. He hasn't even made jounin yet. Hell, he hasn't even hit puberty. Sure, maybe he's skilled enough to do it but there's no need for him to join ANBU.

And Kushina knows him well enough that Itachi has little taste for war, for all that he's a genius at it.

"Well, it's not like you're not talented enough," Kushina says, overcoming her surprise.

Itachi inclines his head. "I had a good teacher."

"Ha! Flattery will get your everywhere."

Kushina tilts her head back, squinting at the sky. "Can't say I ever joined the Black Ops myself. Minato didn't either." Kakashi's in it now, though. But that's classified, she can't really tell Itachi about it. "It's not for everyone."

"Tou-san was proud to hear of the invitation," Itachi says.

"It's an acknowledgement of your skill, of course he would be proud," Kushina agrees.

"So you think I should accept."

Kushina opens her mouth, then closes it. Does she think he should? There's no denying his talent, but he's so young (even though he's probably more mature than she'll ever be) and...

"Itachi, I'll be honest. I don't think someone like you is cut out for ANBU. You're a talented young shinobi, but you're also gentle and kind. Those last two qualities aren't good for ANBU operatives. Konoha has lots of great shinobi; we can use more people like you."

"Sensei..."

"Hm?"

"That was actually pretty deep."

"Hey, why do you sound so surprised about that?!" Kushina elbows him, not that hard, but he curls over, small hands clutching his sides.

For one second, Kushina thinks he's crying from the way he's shaking and she's about to start babbling apologies but then she realizes that Itachi's laughing.