002 | [Action/Accidental voice]

[screwthegods]

[Those wandering in the village might happen across yet another child in clothes that seem far too big for him, with shaggy hair and dirty skin, and chains around his wrists. He seems less concerned about his restraints, however, despite the cold. Instead he stares upward, squinting into a sky so bright it hurts his eyes to look at

Comments

[yourhatred]

[Perhaps you did die. Itachi knows this is possible. Will he mention this to the child? No.]

You shouldn't stay out here in the cold. Get yourself some warmer clothing.

[screwthegods]

I've always been in prison.

[Homura holds out his hands in reply to the request. In sharp contrast to the boy's appearance, the iron is perfectly clean and unblemished.]

[yourhatred]

[After looking them over and running his fingers along the locking mechanism, Itachi frowns again.] These aren't even locked.

[As he says this, he removes the one on the boy's left wrist.]

[screwthegods]

Should they be?

[Homura doesn't understand what difference it would make, really. The shackle is heavy in Itachi's hand, far weightier than a boy of Homura's size should be able to handle. As it comes off, the power Homura's giving off surges, though he seems largely unaware of it himself.]

[yourhatred]

[Itachi notices the change in the boy's chakra and looks thoughtful. Then he removes the other one.] Generally, yes. To keep them from being taken off.

[screwthegods]

Oh.

[Something so simple, yet it never occurred on Homura, who accepted chains as part of how things were. When Itachi removes the second cuff, there is another surge in Homurams chi, and the energy starts to radiate from him in the form of heat.]

[yourhatred]

[Itachi wonders for a moment if he's done the right thing, watching the boy silently.]

[screwthegods]

[Homura's eyes widen as he looks down at his hands. Something has changed, he can tell, but he has trouble finding the words to express it.]

I... This is...

[He looks up at Itachi rather helplessly.] What's happening?

[yourhatred]

I couldn't tell you.

Would you rather have them back on?

[screwthegods]

[Would he rather? Homura knows, in theory, what this man is asking. But again it's a question of his wants, something Homura's never considered. Yet there's also an urgency, one that grows right along with whatever else is happening to him.]

Yes. I--I think?

[yourhatred]

[Silently, Itachi lifts the heavy chains again and begins securing them back on the boy's wrists.]

[screwthegods]

[That was definitely the right answer, as Homura calms immediately after the chains are replaced. He lets out a slow breath, but then looks down, fearful of having gone against the man's wish to remove the shackles.]

[yourhatred]

[Itachi doesn't look the least bit upset. When he's done, he stands back and watches him, expressionless.] Better?

[screwthegods]

[Homura nods slightly, though he's obviously still concerned. Going against what others want isn't something he's ever done, either.]

This is all very different.

[yourhatred]

I would say you'd get used to it, but that's unlikely.

[screwthegods]

[Homura considers that carefully.]

I'm used to being a prisoner. That's what I've always been.

But--you're different.