now we're together again

[gentlechild]

Who: Sasuke and Itachi
Where: Route 29
When: June 27th
Summary: Itachi finds Sasuke. 
Rating: G
Log:
[Itachi's exhausted by the time he gets close to where Sasuke is. He's starting to really resent the loss of his chakra.  This run wouldn't have been hard at all with his personal energy to boost him, but without it, cutting a normally 3-day trip into a day and a night has taken its toll.  He's hungry, thirsty, and wants to sleep for days.

But more than that, he wants to see his brother.  It's incredibly selfish, but he's glad that Sasuke doesn't know anything yet.  He's glad his little brother still loves him.

His Growlithe, christened Hinotama after Sasuke's suggestion, trots ahead of him, sniffing at the air and perking her ears at every stray sound.  She has picked up on her trainer's strong emotions, and she's just as excited as he is. 

A pause, and then she perks up.  What's that, over there?  Is that him...?]

Comments

( 1 / 2 )

[athirst]

[ "a few days". a few days was the waiting time, despite it seeming so far away. either way– camp had been set up well enough. sure, there were a few things here and there that could use some adjusting, but for sasuke's age it was pretty well done! ( he was kind of proud of it really ), and with chinatsu there helping with both gathering and starting the flame ( she did always stop every once in a while, when she felt like it ), everything was going smoothly. food, sleeping bag, warmth– the only thing really missing was big brother.

bright and early, and sasuke was already up, watching the pidgeys fly about, the hoothoots taking shelter in covered trees. he's read a pretty good deal of the trainer's guide, filling himself in on a thing or two, and right now– bonding a bit more with his pokemon. they both liked to work and train, that much was a given. they liked a good challenge or two, and while they waited, well– what else could you do?

a good tree climb was a fine idea to both "practice" and pass the time, which sasuke had been telling chinatsu, along with other stories from home. ]

They can climb trees, just by concentrating chakra to their feet. I've seen Brother do it—

[ It's where the cyndaquil tilts her head to the boy, looks up to the tree— she was no climber, at least not yet, but she'd never turn the challenge down! she'd have to be a good partner for her trainer! and sasuke was equally enjoying it, having someone as eager as he was to get moving. ]

When I say three, 'kay? One—

[ chinatsu stops, though, her attention to the rest of the route. she heard something– she shifts atop of her tiny legs, and out bursts a tiny flame from its back as she stands in front of sasuke ( her flame was small, compared to the others– but she felt herself bigger than life ). sasuke stops mid words, and with better concentration, notices more movement. and sounds— ]

—?

[ was that-? ]

[ well it looks like a pokémon. a dog, to be exact— sasuke's more curious than cautious ( itachi had one just like it ), and chinatsu's much too fierce for her size despite recalling the face ( somewhat ), ready to leer so much that there'd be no defense left on an opponent-! ]

Hino . . . Tama–? [ was that hinotama-? ]

( 2 / 3 ) I think I lied to u

[athirst]

[ but who follows behind it makes sasuke's expression suddenly beam with joy and relief. he made it-! ]

—Brother!!

[ sasuke doesn't think twice, to run to his older sibling, energetic and— truly happy to see him. once he gets close enough, sasuke's sprint halts and his arms wrap around his older brother's waist, squeezing warmly in embrace.

chinatsu's flaming back is flaming no more as she relaxes ( with subtleness, or at least trying ), and trotting curiously after the boy, coming slower as she approaches hinotama and looks itachi up and down. so that's him in person–

sasuke, after the embrace, separates himself from itachi and looks up. he's a smart boy, you know. ]

( 3 / 3 )

[athirst]

[ because itachi indeed looked exhausted, and he frowns at this, blinking and watching with certain carefulness. ]

—You okay?

[gentlechild]

[This is a hug Itachi has thought he would never have again. He's prepared himself for a lifetime of Sasuke's hatred, but he can selfishly enjoy Sasuke's love for just a little while longer.

This is the real truth of it. Sasuke's happiness makes him happy. There's really nothing he wants more in the world than to see Sasuke completely content. At home, that's destroyed. All he has salvaged back there is Sasuke's life and his sense of clan pride. But here, they're far away from politics. Far away from Danzou, and from Sarutobi's ineffectiveness.

Here, they're free.

Sasuke's question, though, makes him smirk, and almost by habit he pokes his little brother's forehead.]

I'm fine.

[He says it lightly, not cruelly. Not shutting Sasuke out, but steadfastly refusing to admit that he might be anything less than at his peak at all times. It's going to be hard enough to swallow his weakness -- both exhaustion and the grief and guilt that he doesn't think will ever leave him. Sasuke can't know about any of it.]

You've made a comfy spot, haven't you?

[athirst]

Eh—

[ poke. sasuke ends up rocking backwards a bit, holding ground and then rubbing his forehead, just under his bangs, with a small, unconvinced frown. liar, he mumbles, but perhaps– maybe it was a long trip after all.

sasuke's just never seen him so . . . well, like that.

itachi never said anything, anyway. never really explained, alas– ]

Chinatsu helped— Did I do it right?[ cyndaquil keeps to herself for now, but she watches. with a small tag of his brother's arm, sasuke starts towards closer to the camp. ]

C'mon– [ so they could do that thing called resting . . . And you can see their work!! ]

[gentlechild]

[It's just not in Itachi to admit he's weakened. Not to Sasuke, especially -- he wants to be the strong, capable older brother. Not the weakened, exhausted older brother who can't do but a fraction of what he used to.]

You did it very well. [That much at least he can offer, and he means it. It isn't perfect, but Sasuke's very small. He's done well for his age.]

[athirst]

[ if only . . . ]

Wish Father could see it. [ despite him knowing more or less the answer, but a boy can have hopes! he sits, and beckons for itachi to do the same— he's also calling his brother's growlithe, extending his arm, all while chinatsu curiously and quietly, goes to sniff itachi out. ]

Were you far, Brother? [ it looked like they ran more than a marathon! ]

[gentlechild]

[It takes everything Itachi has in him not to flinch at that.]

I'm sure he'd be very proud of you.

[The words feel like they're coming from far away. Proud... his father proud...

He forces himself back to the present and reaches out a hand carefully to Chinatsu, while Hinotama sniffs playfully at Sasuke and wags her tail.]

It wasn't too bad. I would have come faster, but we can't use chakra here.

[He sits gratefully, holding onto enough energy and grace that he isn't just plopping down.]

[athirst]

[ she's really cute— and sasuke smiles down to her in return, nearly giving a soft laugh, cupping her ears with a hand and giving a lovely scratch. dogs liked that, right??

chinatsu was a sturdy thing— she liked itachi on sight, but too damn prideful to show it on her sleeve. she gives the illusion of ignoring at first, turning her snout away, as if uninterested ( but it was quite the opposite, she was very— ) and after a few moments, she scoots closer and closer to him, until she's nearly touching his legs.

she'd let him pet her now, and if he does, he'd notice she's quiet, and has gone a bit shy— ]

—What? Why! [ how was he supposed to keep up now? it almost comes out as a whine— almost. it's clear surprise and disappointment, he had a bunch of cool things in mind ( and just moments ago, he was play-training with climbing trees— )

a tiny bit calmer now: ]

Is it part of the jutsu? [ they can't just do that! :( ]

[gentlechild]

[She's like a cat, and Itachi knows how to handle cats. He doesn't keep pushing for her attention, but lets her sidle slowly up to him as he keeps his gaze fixed on Sasuke.

But when Chinatsu is close enough to nearly touch him, then he puts out a hand, stroking the top of her head lightly with one curled knuckle. A tiny touch, exploratory, that's all.

Hinotama's the opposite, though. She pushes her head happily into Sasuke's hands, panting and wagging her tail, trying to get him to pet and rub her all over. The more attention, the better!]

It probably is. [He meets Sasuke's unhappy gaze with one of his own, letting a little of his frustration show.] I don't like it either.

[athirst]

[ sasuke goes quiet, still absently petting and rubbing hinotama, alas with less enthusiasm than before, eyes watching itachi before going far away in worried thought. ]

—Brother?

[ he seems worried ( and is ), about falling behind. falling behind in school, falling behind in expectations ( despite being told that you go back as if nothing happened, but still )— he didn't want to simply forget, no . . . he wanted to keep training if he could help it. without chakra use, it might be a bit harder, but even then . . . ! ]

Can . . . Can we still keep up here? [ even without chakra— ] I don't want to stop training. I just started—

[gentlechild]

[Itachi doesn't do Sasuke the discourtesy of waving his concerns off. He takes it seriously, the same as Sasuke takes his training. It's a good trait. Sasuke will need every bit of training in the future.]

Of course. Not all training needs chakra, after all. You can still train your mind and muscles.

[It's not as good, not nearly, but it's something.]

[athirst]

[ and then sasuke just beams, even blushes as he grins at his brother. it's like hope just came fluttering back, and above all that, it'd be his brother helping him. after all those times hearing sorry, sasuke— next time, and now . . . ! a shimmer of hope that it'd be different! ]

I'll work hard! And you'll have time to watch me now! [ you cannot escape nii-san. it'd be like old times . . . ]

We can train with them, too— [ he looks to both the growlithe and cyndaquil present. ]

If we can't use jutsus, they can! [ in a way, at least— of course, when he said "jutsus", it was just a way of speaking. they weren't jutsus, afterall— but they can spit fire, like fire style. they can, like . . . practice dodging and speed or— something! anything! ]

Kind of—

[gentlechild]

That's right. They'll have to be our jutsu now... [He gives Hinotama an encouraging look, and she barks happily. That's right!! She'll do her very best for her trainer, he won't be disappointed in her at all! And neither will her trainer's special person.]

We'll do fine, otouto. [And here, they don't have to worry... he hopes. If Sasuke can be here, from before things happened, and he's heard from rumors that people who are dead can be here the same way... what if their parents arrive? What if other Uchiha do? That's a scary thought...]