"As you all are aware, The Annual General Meeting between the Lords will occur in seven days time in the town of Falling Ridge. Your task is to escort and protect the Lords and attendees of the Meeting," the Third averts his gaze from the twenty ninjas, "Shisui will be leading the mission," he turns to the forward ninja, "but the task is still an individual task in itself. Is that clear?"
"Yes!" The room choruses.
"Very well, you are all dismissed. Shisui and Itachi, please remain behind."
Over in the corner, Izumi sends a sharp glance in Shisui and Itachi's direction before reluctantly departing for the door.
When the remaining ninjas vacate, the Third speaks.
"Shisui, here is a list of the Lords and attendees of the Meeting," he hands Shisui a file, "please familiarise yourself with the names then destroy it."
"Understood."
"I trust that you see this mission through with utmost regard. This meeting is a particularly important occasion that will help facilitate the economic and military growth of Konoha and its allies," the Third pauses, "if there are any personal matters that may impact on the mission, I ask that you shelve it for the time being."
His allusion to a specific matter is not expanded. But the unspoken agreement is conveyed across Shisui's darkened features.
Itachi keeps to his composed stance. His mind confers to his intuition regarding the Third's covert warning. He is dubious of the Hokage's knowledge or level of shrewdness when it comes to Shisui's personal life. Perhaps it is in relation to another matter?
"Itachi, I understand you have been released from your duties for the next month on Fugaku's orders. I have already made a special request for this mission, considering its importance," the Third continues.
The suspension of missions falls on the Third. His father may have assigned orders of his own accord, but the ultimate decision lies within the powers of the Hokage. But Itachi sees the Third's idea of a compromise - an appeasement of sorts that may lessen the flames of retribution. It is an internal political power play aimed at buying time.
"I see."
The Third awaits elaboration, perhaps at the wavering emotion that sits beneath Itachi's impassive features. But as the silence infiltrates, the Third eventually speaks.
"Very well, if there are no questions, you are both dismissed."
x
"This all worked out really well," Yuki says, "Tsubaki wanted to postpone her promotion celebration but it looks like your assigned mission would coincide at the same place and time."
She stares brightly between Izumi, Itachi and Shisui.
"We still have work to do," Izumi frowns.
"Oh no, no, it's fine," Yuki gives a nonchalant wave, "your mission comes first of course and the General Meeting spans two days. The nights are mostly free, and I know there are rotations of duties throughout. I was on it the previous year, so I am sure we will find time to at least have a celebration."
She turns to Shisui.
"I'm hoping the schedule would permit?"
Shisui's brief hesitation indicates his surprise at the open request.
"It should be okay..." he replies.
His tone is uncertain, as if he is withholding further discussions for the sake of Yuki's delighted expression. And when she ploughs on in heedless excitement, Shisui relents completely.
"A wonderful opportunity for us to enjoy something together. I believe you are going separately?"
"Yes, the groups are coordinated by a mixture of skill levels," Shisui answers.
"I leave the day before Itachi," Izumi says.
"Tsubaki and I will be leaving on our own since I am not assigned to any missions at the moment," Yuki says, "Nanami, are you on mission?"
"I am, so I will meet everyone there on my return."
Nanami's answer is unusually quiet. There is an inexplicable expression that drapes her features, as if she is deliberate in her composure.
"Then maybe you can go with Shisui's group, I know the leader is often the last to leave and you would be back on time."
Yuki gives a smirk that is diverse in meaning.
On Nanami's side, her unfathomable expression has now transpired into a brigade of discomforting emotions that alternates between confusion and embarrassment.
Itachi's social skills may fall within the 'normal,' range, but situations that pertain to relationship nuances are perhaps out of his level of understanding. Nanami's refusal to maintain eye contact with Shisui may be a reaction to her demure nature around him or a long list of other events that could have occurred without Itachi's knowledge. Regardless, he senses an unusual shift in her response that seems unreciprocated on Shisui's end.
"Oh, I don't want to cause any inconveniences, so I am happy to make my own way there," Nanami says.
Her answer evokes a strong feeling of covert tension that only Shisui is oblivious to.
"There are no inconveniences at all, you are more than welcome to join us on your return," Shisui says cheerfully.
His reply is perhaps largely incongruent with his internal. Itachi's comprehension of Shisui's emotional state is peculiarly astute. A microsecond of perplexity that projects like a billion piece of broken glass is visible across Shisui's watch. He may not fully understand the reasoning behind such fragments of bafflement, but Itachi's instinct alludes to an event that connects Shisui and Nanami.
"Thank you, Shisui, I appreciate it."
Nanami's voice is small albeit comprehendible enough to showcase its meekness. Her state of gratitude however, does little to quell the unease of meeting Shisui's gaze.
When the group eventually disperses, Itachi is left with Shisui.
"You seem unusually distracted," Itachi states.
He speaks his mind, as if challenging his own intuition.
"Distracted?"
Shisui blinks confoundedly.
Itachi says nothing.
"You seem acutely aware of my own state of mind more so than I am," he continues tentatively.
"Possibly."
Itachi's response is short yet edges on its own level of uncertainty. To the world Shisui epitomises self-control with faultless ease. Rarely does he expose a differing side that many would deem unfathomable. And over the years, Itachi has witnessed Shisui's presentation of his own concerns and vulnerabilities. Both elements may be intentional in nature, but there is a small subset of despondency that seems to unknowingly graze his features in more recent times. Itachi has his own suspicions, however, he does not wish to impose on Shisui's private life more so than is necessary.
"As long as I can protect the village, I feel as if my choices are justified," Shisui says softly.
The melancholy that parallels this comment is significant, as if he has punished himself into repression.
Itachi does not question, but he senses the multitude of troubling predicaments that play out in Shisui's mind.
"Only if you can do so without regrets," he answers.