The Uchiha's relocation sits within a rancorous atmosphere that radiates to the village's core. Many civilians are wary of the Uchiha's supposed involvement during the Nine Tail's catastrophe. The tension mounts ever so heavily, yet aspects of proactive rebel is minimal.
Though Izumi refuses to engage deeply with such issues, she senses an escalation of apprehensive restlessness between Itachi and Shisui.
Her instinct is to reach out, assist, but the two remain incredibly secretive. She knows it is the crux of their reserved discussion, and if they do not wish to involve her, she will remain silent.
Such thoughts are not synonymous with passiveness. She is aware of the danger and dissemination of paranoia when it comes to the Uchiha loyalty.
Shisui and Itachi are highly intelligent. She has decided to entrust them with whatever decision they make.
For now, she must lessen the fear between clan and village. Normality is key, thus her return to the Uchiha compound in search for Shisui is the only focus in mind.
It is always busy here. The food stalls, markets and bustling of crowds, yet ninety-nine percent of people who congregate here are the Uchihas.
It was never like this. Perhaps their relocation has caused a change in the number of other civilians visiting? But Izumi gets the saddened instinct that their oppression has left them distant from the rest of town.
Shisui's place is closest to the riverbank that runs to the heart of Konoha. And though modest, it has an incredible view that overlooks the village countryside.
"Izumi, what are you doing here?"
His voice has etched itself so permanently into her mind, she can hear it from the chatter of nearby crowds.
"Itachi," she says, "I'm looking for Shisui."
He gazes curiously but does not inquire. And when they are momentarily silent, Itachi briefly waves a stack of paper in front of her.
"I need to hand this to Shisui for review," he says unnecessarily.
Izumi finds the comment perplexing. To her, it almost feels as if he needed to provide justification for his presence by way of small talk.
"I'm popular today. Three visitors."
Shisui's voice breaks the fleeting stillness, and for the first time, she is glad for the interruption.
When Itachi hands him the stack of paper, Izumi notices someone hovering behind Shisui.
"Oh," Shisui says, and he is tracking Izumi's gaze, "Honoka stopped by to give me some of her amazing sweets."
Izumi's previous encounter with Honoka has left a strange sensation that is born out of uncertainty and pity than anything related to her bizarre comments.
The lifeless expression she normally carries is stark as ever, yet there seems to be a delicate expression of lightness she cannot pin down. And only when Shisui formally introduces her that she steps from behind and awkwardly descends the stairs.
"Hello Itachi, I am pleased to make your acquaintance. I look forward to getting to know you and become friends."
Her tone is unusually stoic, polite and monotonous. The deep bow she gives is unquestionably strange and when she turns to Izumi, Honoka repeats the exact same line and action, albeit with Izumi's name.
Without a doubt, Izumi senses a jolt of suspicion and mistrust from Itachi. The gaze he gives Honoka may be transient, but embedded in that time is a host of hostile emotions. Neither Shisui or Itachi seem aware of Izumi's stalled reaction towards Itachi. Somehow, she gets the intuition that only she can detect such minute changes in his emotions.
"What did you need me for, Izumi?" Shisui asks.
She almost forgets her purpose. Her mission to ask Itachi has migrated to the back of her mind. Maybe she is so intent on watching Nanami unsuccessfully ask someone to partner with her at the Council's Mission that her worries about Itachi is non-existent?
With Nanami's constant disapproval of men and her incredibly high standards, there is no way she will find anyone good enough. If that is the case, Izumi will be spared having to ask Itachi.
"I'd like to introduce you to someone," she says.
The short resistant smile she gives is an indicator that she does not wish to discuss the issue here. But Shisui is looking highly curious and Izumi knows how elusive he can be.
When she glances over at Honoka, who is looking dazed and vacant, Shisui appears to catch on.
"I'd like my dinner treat tonight for dodging all your attacks," Izumi whispers, "You promised. We'll have Itachi and a friend of mine there too."
"I've got-"
"No exceptions," she interrupts pointedly, "You've been on way too many missions and it's so hard to catch you already so I am eagerly awaiting my treat."
Her tone borderlines caution, and Shisui's look of disbelief finally morphs into defeat.
"Fine."
There is a triumphant glint to her expression as she leaves.
Shisui may be superior in intelligence, fighting skills and everything that makes an elite shinobi, but his amicability can be viewed as a weakness.
She will not exploit him too much.