hold down your head now, just let me pass by

[forthevillage]

Who: Itachi and any Rocket at headquarters (sorry it's limited)
Where: Goldenrod City, Team Rocket base
When: November 3rd
Summary: A certain ninja is having a difficult adjustment period, but you can't say he isn't trying.
Rating: PG, most likely.

In one of the lounge areas, a thirteen year old boy with long dark hair was sitting up on an armchair with his legs crossed, reading the manual every Team Rocket member was given when they first arrived. Both of his pokemon were free of their confinements - the lunatone hovering in a circular pattern around the boy while the zubat chewed harmlessly on the pointer finger of Itachi's free hand, as he has it held out for just that purpose as he read.

He hadn't yet changed into the Team Rocket attire, still wearing his ANBU attire, filthy and bloodstained. It was another red and black uniform that he'd expected to be in soon, not that one. His mind had settled into a state of numbness, taking in everything here by necessity rather than interest. He'd chosen to let his scattered thoughts settle on contemplating what made the creatures he'd been given here so docile and willing to follow orders from him. It was better than thinking he might be going mad, as strong of a possibility as that was.

Should anyone pass by him, his eyes would lift from the book and follow then, unabashedly, until they left the room or decided to respond to the attention.

Comments

[20faces]

He jumps ever so slightly as the book snaps shut, recognition dawning as the cover is held out to him.

"Isn't that the same one you get when you arrive?"

[forthevillage]

For that answer, Akira receives the most deadpan of looks. The book is set aside, and Itachi regards him through dark, matted bangs. Without looking away, he clicks open a pokeball and returns the lunatone to it, leaving the vulpix with nothing to chase.

"Are you usually this dense?"

[20faces]

The Vulpix stops, looking confused for a moment before seeing the pokeball in the older boy's hand. She barks indignantly, causing Akira to rush forward and scoop her up, trying to quiet her. From first impressions he doesn't think Itachi will be kind to them if they get on his nerves too much...

"I-I thought you might be new, that's all! I know it can be hard to find your feet when you first get here."

[forthevillage]

"You shouldn't need to wonder. It should be obvious. You're too hesitant." He taps the cover of the book with one finger. "I'm reading a guide meant specifically for new arrivals." He then tugs slightly on the vest of his ANBU uniform. "I'm wearing dirty, and what I assume to be unfamiliar, clothing. On top of that, you clearly don't recognize me."

His zubat is returned to its pokeball as well, and he stashes both of them in a pocket. "You have to act on educated assumptions, not wait for someone to fill in the blanks for you."

Akira is, in fact, getting a lecture. This might not have happened if Itachi was in a better mindset.

[20faces]

What - Why is this happening?! He's supposed to be explaining things to the new arrival, not the other way around!

"I'm sorry! I'll be more decisive next time!" he backs up a little, bowing deferentially with every couple of steps.

"Please don't tell our superiors about this..." He just got out of training, he doesn't want to go back in!

[forthevillage]

Itachi watches him back away for a few moments, saying nothing. If this is what he has to expect as far as fellow Team Rocket members go, then the organization isn't shaping up to be particularly menacing.

Finally he sighs, posture relaxing somewhat even if he still isn't ready to lower his guard in the slightest. "I'm just a new arrival. I have no reason to report anything to our superiors about my fellow team members."

He didn't rely on ratting others out to ascend the ranks in his village, either.

[20faces]

"Oh, thank you!" Akira relaxes a little, too. If Itachi weren't a new arrival, he might not have been as lucky. Best to be grateful.

"We'll leave you alone so you can read, then."

[forthevillage]

"I'm fairly sure this lounge belongs to everyone." He shakes his head. "But I'm not going to stop you."

Itachi does prefer to be alone, after all, and he has a feeling he's not going to be getting a whole lot of that for a while. "Try not to trip as you back out."

[20faces]

That isn't very nice (but probably fair). Akira nods and high tails it out of there, still carrying one protesting Vulpix. The other watches Itachi for a moment, before following her trainer out.