Hahari’s face grew concerned. “They built this village so there wouldn’t be sacrifices. They already-”
She stopped herself though, noticing Genji looking at her curiously. Genji wasn’t aware of the history of the village’s founding. How the founders wanted to end the constant cycle of children being trained and sent to die before they could grow up.
Genji’s attention span grew short, and he turned back to his dad. “I’ll sneak you out!” He offered eagerly. “We’ll disguise you as a doctor and slip out the back!”
There was a small knock on the door, and Hahari turned to see a nurse peering in. “Uchiha-san, your superior has come to see you.” She announced. “He says it’s a private manner.”
Hahari sighed. She was being kicked out, and she scarcely had gotten to see him since he had gotten back. “Don’t let him bully you, okay?” She urged gently, giving him a kiss. “It’s not nice to scare your wife and make her worry about becoming a widow.”
“Daddy, come home soon!” Genji smiled sunnily, hopping off the bed. “We’ll make you lots of yummy food and then we can play together!”
Itachi tilted his head to the side, knowing well that Hahari could probably talk about the village and it’s shortcomings for a long time. He acknowledged they were there, but.. the system still worked. The village was relatively peaceful. If he had to sacrifice more of his time, he would surely keep it that way. It wasn’t that he didn’t care for his family--he did--more than anyone else--but he had to make sure that war would never touch his family. If he had to bloody his hands and do things that most people would call him a monster for... well, he didn’t care for their opinions.
“Genji, that would be great. We could use some genjutsu!” He was only teasing, but it would be great for him to go home without talking to his captain.
He knew that he would be read the riot act for attempting a mission without proper rest and recuperation and for being sloppy. His injury should never have happened, and they both knew it.
“I’ll have to speak to my captain, but he’ll surely want me to rest for a while before my next mission.” He assured Hahari, his expression sincere. He reached up and ran his fingers through her hair before she could pull away, and he murmured, “That won’t happen, dear.”
But.. as they left, Kakashi loped in, his hands in his pockets, his slouch not there—? What?
“Itachi. I’m ordering you to take time off. Fully rest this time or I’ll have you removed from ANBU. Hokage’s orders.”
Itachi wasn’t worried about the Sandaime—he was worried about Danzo. Danzo wouldn’t settle for this.. but he would have to. If even Kakashi was warning him—seriously warning him..
Itachi raised his hands in surrender and he said, “Alright. No more missions until I’ve fully recovered...”
“Speaking of.. do you think you could get them to let me go? Hahari would be delighted to have me home rather than here.” Besides, she would make sure he would actually rest.
When Kakashi disappeared through the door, his slouch was back, and he only stuck his hand through the door with a thumbs up.. “I’ll make sure to have Hahari come back.”
It wasn’t soon after that a nurse walked in, and he signed the discharge papers rather awkwardly.
