Not keeping to promises is what frustrates her dearly, yet when the subject matter concerns Uchiha Itachi, there is an additional problem - resentment. But she cannot be too intolerant. Given Itachi's erratic schedule, components of leeway is to be expected. Even at her reproachful gaze, she is comforted by his unanticipated presence.
"How long have you been watching?" She asks.
A question that sits half way between vexation and embarrassment. But Itachi seems oblivious to the dual layers of her tone.
"Long enough. It's impressive seeing you fight in a yukata," he chuckles.
"I…that's what you noticed?" She squeaks.
The discomposure accompanies the invasion of scarlet. Itachi's opinion of her must be substandard.
"Sorry if you took offence, but I thought it was pretty impressive," he says lightly.
She does not know what to think, but her preference sits on Itachi's idea of a compliment.
"Yukata or not, I wouldn't hesitate to do it all over again. Don't think men can just waltz in and take any woman they want," she answers irritably.
At the comment, Itachi is looking visibly stirred. His response may be surprising, but his features demonstrate aspects of admiration and respect. Perhaps it is not out of Izumi's heroic actions, but of her determination to keep safe in situations that warrant it most?
"You may have broken a rule, but I do acknowledge that you did it out of protection. I didn't mention it back then, but I will let the Third know of the details," Shisui says.
He gives a small smile, then nods in Nanami's vicinity.
"But tonight, let's just enjoy the Festival," he finishes.
x
"You're not hurt anywhere?" Yuki takes her face and inspects at odd angles, "are you certain? Don't you lie to me."
"I'm fine, really I am," Nanami says.
She steps from Yuki's grasp and breathes deep.
"No need to fret, I can stand on my own two feet."
"That piece of shit. He'll really have it when I'm done with him."
Yuki may be impulsive, but her tone expounds a procession of murderous intensity that often escalates in response to Nanami's safety.
"And of all times it had to happen, it was when I had to lose you in the crowds," she continues roughly, "at least you had Izumi."
They stop by a large ramen stall.
"Say, how about we release all those bad moments with a nice hot bowl of ramen?" Izumi suggests.
With the group's consensus, they take their seats by the far end of the stall - Izumi and Itachi somehow find their way next to each other, whilst Yuki deliberately manoeuvres to the edge so that Nanami and Shisui are forced to sit beside each other.
There is an unusual merger of emotions that lines the casual atmosphere. Izumi is still confounded by Itachi's 'fighting in a yukata' comment, whilst Nanami attempts small talk with Shisui in between bouts of general table discussion. Itachi, however, has suddenly retreated behind the festival brochure and is now content with disengaging from the conversation entirely. He may be a prodigy with fighting potential, but his inability to deal with certain social circumstances often forces him into a manner that is deemed ill-mannered. Izumi knows him well, and it seems Itachi foresaw an inconvenience that does not bode well with the group.
"May I please order another bowl?"
She blends in, and perhaps in a manner that is disturbingly surreptitious, but Honoka's monotony has somehow infiltrated the crowded atmosphere and landed somewhere amidst the centre - at least within Izumi's group.
Adjacent their table and to the far left, Honoka's presence expounds a remarkable aura of bland. In her usual brown that replicates the very dullness of her expression, she sits and stares vacantly into the distant. And it may just be that she has occupied this space long before Izumi's arrival.
"Oh great, now my dinner's ruined," Yuki makes a gagging-like gesture.
Shisui, who has been watching Honoka with a covertly contemplative expression, returns his gaze to the table with a swift reproachful glance in Yuki's direction.
"Don't be rude, Yuki, she might have been here the whole time," Nanami says tentatively.
"Of course she hasn't. The giant cockroach obviously followed us here. She always turns up whenever we are around."
"I don't think there is a need for hostility tonight," Shisui sighs.
"That's right, so please behave yourself," Nanami concurs.
Their conversation alerts Honoka, who seems to have detached from her reverie and is now staring impassively in the group's direction.
A momentary silence, then she straightens herself and slowly waves at them.
In usual circumstances, the action is synonymous with friendliness, a feat seen amongst friends or acquaintances. The latter may be more of an appropriate explanation, but the disturbing element stems from Honoka's brutally monotonous expression that accompanies her gesture.
"Yeah, that's not creepy at all," Yuki mutters.
Without thinking, Izumi raises her hand and returns the gesture.
"Oh no," Yuki groans, "you just made an apocalypse," she sends Izumi a disapproving frown as Honoka approaches.
"Good evening, Izumi," Honoka says.
She glances warily in Shisui's direction but does not heed the presence of Nanami, Yuki and Itachi.
"Good evening to you too," Izumi replies.
"My greeting concerns only yourself as you have provided a cue that acknowledges my appearance here."
There seems to be an insinuation behind Honoka's words - an indication that strongly opposes her usual need to procure an explanation for her actions.
"Piss off," Yuki snaps.
Honoka ignores her.
"How do you do, Izumi?"
Perhaps it was not an insinuation but a change in Honoka's overall demeanour?
"I'm well," Izumi answers.
She instinctively looks to Shisui, who is staring blankly at his food.
Is he not acknowledging Honoka?
"Why is it that every time we are trying to have a good time, you are always the one to destroy it?" Yuki proclaims loudly.
"Yuki, she is just here to greet Izumi," Nanami hisses.
"Hmph, an underlying excuse to be in Shisui's presence," Yuki leans in and grins, "or perhaps trying to get him to eat her rotten food again."
Nanami is looking confused.
"What do you mean?"
"The giant cockroach has been leaving food by his door," Yuki glances at Shisui, "even though he isn't even in the village. She's obviously trying to cause a rat infestation."
"How did you know about this?"
"Tsubaki told me," she crosses her arms and glares at Honoka, "luckily sis did Shisui a favour and got rid of them before anything happened."
At the revelation, Izumi turns to Shisui, who is seemingly preoccupied with something behind a large wooden pole.
"What's wrong-" Izumi starts.
"Hey, come out."
Shisui's voice is gentle, albeit firm with traces of apprehension.
Out behind the pole is a small, frail looking boy of about four.
Immediately, Shisui vacates his seat and kneels before him.
"Are you lost?"
The boy shakes his head.
Shisui frowns.
"You came here all by yourself?"
The boy nods.
"You do realise you cannot wander around here on your own?"
Shisui may hold his tone between levels of composure and kindness, but his features expounds a mild authoritative edge that is reserved for misbehaving children.
The boy stares at the ground and does not speak for quite some time.
"I know," he mumbles.
"Where are your parents?"
"I don't want to see them."
The boy is looking increasingly agitated.
"Can you tell me what happened?"
The boy hesitates, and when Shisui does not react, he speaks.
"It's not fair," he says angrily, "they never let me do anything fun at festivals. I can't participate in the activities because they think everything is too dangerous. They keep treating me like I'm a baby."
Shisui softens.
"Do they know how you feel?"
The boy shakes his head.
"Then maybe if you tell them how you feel, they would hear you out. After all, they do what they do because they love you, but sometimes they might become so overprotective they don't see how sad it's making you."
The boy considers Shisui.
"D-Do you really think they would understand?"
"I can't say for sure," he places a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder, "but it's important to let them know that you are hurt because of their actions."
There is no response.
"Is that them?" Shisui glances at a distressed looking couple who is speaking to a patrolling ninja.
The boy nods.
"I don't know if they would listen," he mutters.
"But how would they even know if you don't give them a chance?"
The boy is looking surprised, as if his mind has comprehended the significance of those words.
"You should return to them."
Without a word, the boy makes for the exit.
And as he looks back, Shisui sends a reassuring glance that seems to placate the forthcoming uncertainties.
"Shisui, you are really good with children," Nanami says.
Shisui laughs.
"Or maybe those early days of babysitting helped," he answers sheepishly.
Izumi snorts.
"Oh yes, I recall Shisui babysitting Itachi quite a bit when he was younger," she smirks.
At the comment, Itachi unveils an enquiring look that edges on exasperation.
"I think you will make a great father one day too, Shisui," Nanami says.
Then her face eclipses red, as if her mind has crossed a boundary it should not have.
For a brief moment, Shisui responds in puzzlement.
"Oh that's kind of you to say that," he answers airily.
His people skills may be unparalleled, but Izumi's instinct works in sync with the emotions of those she knows well. Shisui may display signs of contentment in his response, but there exists a layer of sadness that surfaces within a micro second. And like Izumi, Itachi seems to have elements of said instinct that can comprehend the complex subtleties of Shisui's emotions.
"Nanami would also make an incredible mother one day," Yuki chimes.
And Nanami is looking mortified.
"Yuki!" she cries.
"T-There isn't but…just the timing…" Nanami is so quiet, they can barely hear her.
"I agree with Yuki," Shisui says brightly.
He gives Nanami an appreciative smile, followed by a ruminative gaze.
In response, Nanami is looking visibly perplexed. The mortification may have morphed into a meek set of embarrassment.
"It would seem that the innate biological make up of humans cannot be defied, regardless of social construction."
They startle at the agonisingly lifeless voice. And not for the first time, Honoka's presence is akin to the blur of white noise.
"Oh shut the hell up cockroach," Yuki growls, "no one wants to hear your bullshit."
"I believe the definition of what you call bullshit is applicable to information that is either false or-"
"Just shut up or I will force you."
"I believe-"
"Thank you, Honoka, if you could please leave us be, that would be much appreciated," Shisui interjects firmly.
His darkened gaze is blatantly apathetic, as if he is speaking from logic and calculation. Izumi seldom observes this side of Shisui. He often retains said demeanour for complex situations on the battlefield.
For a brief moment, Honoka remains in confounded silence. Then, she takes a deep bow and departs.