Don't Stare at the Sun or You'll Go Blind

Interlude I

Despite no longer being in ANBU, Itachi remained unmoving as he took stock of his surroundings after he awoke. Only after verifying that nothing was out of place or unusual did he open his eyes. It was early, hints of the sun's rays barely lightening the sky. Itachi let himself enjoy the tranquility of the morning before looking over to the softly snoring body next to him. Izumi had spent the night again.

She had been spending more time in his place as of late. Not because of any shift in the dynamics of their relationship, but because it was easier on her to distance herself from their clan. Several of their clansmen had started to treat Izumi with suspicion and contempt for her relationship with him. She never complained, hesitant to worry him about the slowly worsening situation with the clan.

Itachi watched her peaceful face as she slept. Her snores were soft, and she had a case of light bedhead already brewing. A rare look of fondness and love covered his face as he brushed a lock of hair out of her face.

A pang of guilt suddenly hit him. His issues with the clan were his own. He'd never intended for those around him to suffer for his decisions, but honestly, he should have seen it coming. Not for the first time and definitely not the last, Itachi wondered how best to proceed. It was too late to go back on his decision now. It would only make matters worse by setting the wrong precedent- that he could be manipulated by his clan. But to keep going...

Itachi sat up and untangled his legs from the sheets before rising from the bed. After using the bathroom, Itachi quickly dressed in some loose clothing and tied his hair back in a low ponytail. Despite Sasuke and Shisui's teasing, he was still very strict with his training regimen.

The early morning hours in Konoha were the perfect time to train, in his opinion. The training grounds were all empty and the chances of running into someone (other than Might Guy or his students) was very slim. Itachi started with a run through the forest, doing his best to keep his mind blank as he settled into the repetitive motions. He'd kept up the same regimen even after leaving ANBU, with the addition of spontaneous sparring session with Shisui or Sasuke.

By the time he'd finished his run, target practice, and katas, the sun was just starting to peek over the horizon. Shirt slightly damp with sweat, Itachi disengaged the wards around his home and entered. He found Izumi in the exact spot he'd left her in, this time with a small pool of drool collecting on the pillow under her head. He smiled softly in amusement before starting the process of cleaning up.

"I didn't miss it," a sleepy voice croaked behind him.

Peering over his shoulder, Itachi spotted Izumi smiling sleepily at him. "I'm afraid you did. Sorry I didn't wake you. You looked so peaceful, I doubted you would have appreciated being woken for training," Itachi replied and pulled his shirt over his head.

"Training? I meant the show," she said and stretched, long and deep.

Itachi was momentarily distracted by the curve of her body in one of his too large shirts- the way her back arched off the bed and her breasts lifted. "Show?" he parroted.

"Yeah," she said and gestured to him.

Itachi blinked twice before smirking and looking away. "I doubt that it's very entertaining. I'm sweaty and don't smell exactly pleasant."

"You don't actually smell bad. It's both unfair and attractive," Izumi said and rested her cheek on her palm. "But yes, it's very entertaining," Izumi said with a pointed look at his exposed body.

Itachi could feel the flush gathering on his cheeks- just a light one- so he turned his back to Izumi with a light chuckle. He was no stranger to intimacy, especially not with Izumi. But even after nearly ten years of dating, he still felt slightly embarrassed whenever she was more blatant in her attraction to him. Even so, Itachi didn't hesitate to remove his pants and toss the soiled clothes in the hamper. When he chanced another glance backwards, Izumi had moved onto her stomach, now fully facing him with her chin resting on both palms and her feet lazily kicking in the air.