[LOG]
[Who:] Itachi and Sasuke. Private.
[What:] Itachi visits Sasuke, but an inquiring phone call on Itachi’s part disturbs the evening.
[When:] Monday evening.
[Where:] Uchiha residence.
[Warnings:] Some angst and whatnot, and Aizen on the telephone.
Itachi: After the sun had begun going down, Itachi had tried calling home with intentions of seeing if Kurenai had come back yet. There was no answer.
Not much of a surprise, but certainly of no relief.
He was leaning against his car parked outside of the Uchiha manor, eyes trailing up and down over the structure. Maybe Sasuke would enjoy spending some time out in the garden today, this evening. The weather seemed nicer, a change from the rain earlier that morning.
He tucked his phone into his coat pocket, then approached the home where one he had resided. Seemed like so long ago now, though it hadn't been more than a few months. He knocked on the door, then waited.
Sasuke: It had been hard for him to settle down. Ever since that journal exchange his mind had been on overdrive, flooded with the remnants of that on-going battle between memory and want. He wanted to believe that his brother would keep his word. His memory, however, had far too much counter evidence. And yet despite those facts, scattered about in his mind like the unsightly debris after a tornado hit, Sasuke was hopeful.
Relief came in the form of Naruto, as it usually did. Though this time it was not in the usual form of sex. Rather, he was quite entertained by the blonde’s reaction to Tayuya's comments on his latest journal entry. At least the other boy had huffed, growing bright red with indignation at would-be insults. Unfortunately, he took no offense when it came to his sexuality. There simply was nothing he regretted in his choice to be with Naruto. That other guy though. . .
Just as he was about to delve into that world again, where it was entirely possibly that someone would hurt Naruto just to get to him, he heard a knock at the door. Completely threw him off in all honesty. And when he finally reached the door and pulled it open, his surprise was plainly scrawled over his face. "Nii-san. . . .you didn't have to knock."
Itachi: Of course he hadn't needed to, but he had done so just the same.
Itachi's gloved hand, still poised in the knocking position, traveled the space between himself and Sasuke, index and middle fingers extending slowly to poke the younger boy in the forehead, pushing him back into the foyer as he entered after him. "I wanted to see your reaction, little brother." Certainly that was no untruth. He enjoyed it immensely when Sasuke seemed to revert back to the self he had been many years ago, the adoring little starry-eyed baby brother.
Itachi lowered his hands then to the buttons of his long coat, undoing them slowly as he kicked the door closed behind himself with his foot. He had been in his work suit the entire course of the day, not something that was comfortable, so he was looking forward to changing into something else. He had a closet full of older things in his old bedroom, things he had neglected to take with him. He would make do with those he concluded.
Slipping off his shoes and moving by his brother to hang up his coat in the closet, tucking the gloves into the pockets carefully and then closing the closet doors, Itachi asked quietly, "How has your day been?"
Sasuke: It always happened. Always. And Sasuke fell into it every. damn. time. As usual, he reached up and rubbed at the spot his brother had poked, making it far redder than it would normally have turned. An irritated scowl graced his lips, that same one he had worn as a child. Not angry, but secretly glad to have his brother's attention. Even if it was just a poke in the forehead.
"My day was fine. . . Naruto's been huffing about because of those comments though," he replied with a slight smile. Obviously, the thought of the blond all worked up over those poor excuse for insults was still very entertaining to him.
He noted his brother's clothing, a small frown overshadowing the amusement still dancing about in his eyes. It was odd for him to think of his brother as the true head of the family now. He took care of the company, working in the so-called 'real world' now. And here he was, goofing off with his boyfriend. "Did you just come from the office?"
Itachi: His head tilting slightly to the side, Itachi offered Sasuke a vague, but noticeable smile. He was glad that Sasuke seemed to be doing better today than he had been the other night, glad that Naruto was some form of distraction for him.
"No, not straight from the office, Sasuke. I had several business errands to run today, and... the attire was required."
He slipped his hands into his pants pockets and, eyes taking in the younger male before him, nodded towards the stairs. "I'm going to change, however. If you'd like, wait outside in the garden for me. I'll join you there when I come back down, does that sound all right?"
Sasuke: He wanted to ask about those errands, wanted to know more about what his brother actually did. What being an Uchiha really entailed. But, Sasuke bit his tongue and simply gave a soft nod in response.
For a moment, he simply stood there, looking up the stairs. The last time he had been in his brother's room was. . . .he didn't really want to recall that particular scene. It had been a long time, safely put. Though. . . it did make him wonder about Kurenai, about the status of his brother's marriage. But that could come later.
Settled with his thoughts for the moment, the youngest Uchiha turned and weaved his way around the furniture in the living room to access the patio door. The other was located in their parent's room, a place he couldn't ever remember being in. He didn't linger on that thought though. Instead sought out the small gazebo and seated himself inside.
Itachi: Within the confines of his room, now alone, Itachi had a moment of time to think, to reflect upon the events of the day. So much had happened, and so much had not.
His decision to tell Kurenai all about the Akatsuki still sat floating about his mind. The choice had been hard enough to make on its own, and on top of it all he still had to tell her. When he could find her, that was. He was half tempted to call her again, and decided before he went out to the garden to join Sasuke that he would.
He found himself changing from his dark tanned business suit and into a deep red v-neck sweater from his closet coupled with a pair of faded black slacks, tribal patterns stitched into the belt line. It would do for now. It was more comfortable than the stiff suit he'd been wearing all day.
Heading downstairs and grabbing his phone from his coat pocket, Itachi called home once more. He let the phone ring for a minute or so, then hung up when there was no answer. He decided to try something else... Kurenai's cell. Punching in the numbers, he held the phone up to his ear as it began to ring.
Sasuke: Patience was not a virtue Sasuke was well acquainted with. And he felt absolutely no shame over that fact. So, the fact that he had managed to sit there, alone, for as long as he had was something of an accomplishment.
Perhaps it was the knowledge that Itachi had actually shown up, just like he had said he would. And the happiness - giddiness even - he felt over that was helping to lengthen his rather short fuse. But not even that feeling could sustain him for long. . .
Glancing behind him, he noted the dark outline of his brother's figure moving. Not near enough to clarify what it was he was doing, but it was evident Itachi was not about to make his way outside. Half tempted to get up and see what business his brother was conducting now, Sasuke rose to his feet only to quickly reseat himself.
No. He should wait. The last thing he wanted to do was ruin this somewhat calm, though odd atmosphere that had settled over them. Resigning himself to that, he began thinking of things he could do to Naruto later on tonight.
Itachi: When the phone was answered on the other end, Itachi felt a moment of relief. But that was brushed aside when he heard an unfamiliar male voice. He was somewhat alarmed, but tried to think rationally about it. If Kurenai was still at the spa, it was likely this was only one of the attendants answering the call for her.
He paced the foyer as he asked the individual on the other end of the line for Kurenai, then he waited for a response. Sasuke wouldn't wait forever, so he couldn't be long on the phone, but if worse came to worse he would go to the window... tell his brother he would be just a moment.
Sasuke: A small smile gathered at the corners of his mouth as he followed that line of thought deeper into his brain. He'd definitely have to do something with the other boy. Something different. Something slightly special. Couldn't exactly explain that desire, but something was urging him to spend this night as close to the other boy as possible.
He had no problems with that at all. Though, when did he? Dark eyes drifted around the gazebo, traveled the length of the floorboard. This was a place he loved, and not because some stray feeling told him this spot had been greatly loved by their mother. No, he and Naruto had spent many nights out here, curled up in blankets to do nothing more to watch the stars, to be close to one another.
Even so, he couldn't help but wonder what was holding up his brother. But as before, something urged him to wait this time. Something he couldn't ignore.
Itachi: What Sasuke could see from outside was nothing but a clouded mirror that shaded the truth of the situation. Within the home of the Uchiha, Itachi was still pacing the floor of the foyer slowly, lightly conversing with the other male on the opposite end of the receiver.
And then he stopped. What Sasuke could not see was the alarmed, quite taken aback expression that had weaseled its' way onto Itachi's face, an unfiltered look of disruption swarming his usually gray, but now pitch black tinged with red eyes.
The voice on the other end of the line had gone from presentable, warm and convincing to something malicious and nasty in the blink of an eye. Itachi braced himself against the doorframe of the living room, hand gripping his cellular phone more tightly. He couldn't see the patio doors for all his staring at nothing...
"...She isn't at the spa." The words were no question. "Who is this?"
Sasuke: He was growing uncomfortable. Not from being outside but from being alone. Knowing that his brother was only yards away from where he sat, and yet the distance between them seemed enormous. Once more, Sasuke glanced at the house, hoping to see his brother's figure approaching the patio door. But the same scene greeted him, the shadowed figure moving back and forth. Nowhere near the back of the house.
It was at that point that Sasuke stood. Impatience was getting the best of him, and if there was something he hated it was waiting. By this point, he had sat there long enough, longer than he had ever forced himself to sit still.
Right now, he had to go. Had to check on his brother, to make sure everything was ok. And it was that feeling. . .no, that knowledge that drove him towards the house again. Knowing his name, Sasuke was well aware of the misery it drew to all those who bore it. Right now, he couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to go horribly wrong again.
The back door was quietly opened, and it was in that doorway that Sasuke stood. Unsure whether he should proceed, but unable to turn around and seek refuge in the gazebo.
Itachi: The sound of Sasuke coming back into the house caused Itachi to hurry his phone call, already knowing now what he did not want to know, or rather, what he had hoped would not have been for true. The worst of it all was that there were still uncertainties surrounding the situation. No name had been given, none whatsoever. All he had to go on was the voice, one of which he could never recall having heard before.
Saying a quick goodbye to the man on the other end, then shutting the phone off, Itachi stared for a moment at the device in the palm of his hand. No. He did not just...
"..." He did.
Having shut the phone off he could now not trace the call as he had hoped to. All for Sasuke having distracted him. But... it was not the fault of his little brother, no. Itachi would not, could not blame him. It had been his own fault, his own carelessness.
Even still, had he attempted to trace the call, with Sasuke coming back in there would have been questions raised. It might have been better this way, but what about... What about Kurenai?
Itachi turned on the ball of his foot and made a beeline for the closet, jerking out his coat and tugging it on, stuffing the phone into his pockets. He pulled on his gloves, then made to slip on his shoes as quickly as possible.
Sasuke: "N. . .Niii-san. . . ." Sasuke stuttered as he strode over to where Itachi was now preparing to leave. Or that's how it looked to him. "Wait. . .where are you going?!"
It was hard to keep the hurt out of his voice, the slight whispers of betrayal lacing his tone. Had his brother come here just to change? Building this up like it was to be some real meeting between them, time spent well together, only to dash his hopes by leaving as soon as he arrived?
No. . .he couldn't think like that. Itachi wouldn't....his brother wouldn't do that to him, right? And yet, Memory murmured of the past, of a brother who had been distant and cold. Sasuke wanted to reach out - nearly did until he caught is hand rose - and grab onto his brother's arm. To pull him back and demand that he stay. Just as he might have ten years ago. But, the arm was forced back to his side, lips pulled back into a tight line.
However, there was no mistaking the pain in his eyes. And old wound rubbed raw by just this sight. He didn't even know for certain that Itachi was leaving. . . "Why are you leaving?!"
Itachi: Black, livid eyes met Sasuke's. A face forced to rid itself of expression stared towards the youngest Uchiha. A practiced look of emptiness filled his eyes, hid away from view the turmoil he presently felt. Should not have had to feel in the first place...
"Sasuke..." The voice was distant even to his own ears, the name spoken with a hollow pitch that seemed barely to break the silence that rang after Sasuke's question.
"Something... has come up. My apologies, little brother. I must go. Perhaps..." He looked away, finishing slipping on his shoes as he started for the door. "Perhaps another time."
Sasuke: It was always another time with his brother. And it hurt every single time he heard those words. But there was more to it. Anger. Hating himself for once again believing that Itachi would really be capable of doing as he had said, had promised.
Almost as if there really was no room in his brother's life for him. All these things, circumstances pulling Itachi away, stealing the time that rightfully belonged to him as a blood relation. And not just that, his only younger brother. His only living family.
Without realizing it, the tears had spring to his eyes, spreading out along his lash-line but refusing to fall. As if subconsciously he was trying to prevent that liquid betrayal from doing any further damage. "Yeah. . .some other time."
Itachi: He could hear the slight quiver of anger... of hurt... in Sasuke's voice. He could hear it, and he acknowledged it. Hand on the door ready to pull it open, Itachi was prepared to go. But for once he hesitated. Just once... just this time.
There was a thought in the back of his head, a question. What can I do now...? Being home won't help her... and I've no idea where to look.
She didn't make it to the spa. Aizen's words... though he didn't know it had been Aizen. Those words had a strangle hold on him right now. Over sixty hours she'd been gone with... whoever that had been.
Looking back over his shoulder, Itachi looked at Sasuke. Eyes softened. Remotely. "...otouto," he breathed. Words were just a whisper.
Sasuke: "Go already! It's important business, right?" Sasuke nearly cried out. Not as loud as a full-out yell, but the same sort of strength backed up his words, fueled by the hurt that was threatening to overtake him. He quickly twisted his head to the side, for the first time aware of the salt-sting of tears irritating his eyes.
Still wasn't good enough, was he? His brother would always have something more important to take care of, even if it meant breaking a promise - and saying that he would come here, to be with him, even for just an afternoon was just that.
"Go. . . " he whispered, voice trembling. "I'll still be here." I always am. I always fall for it every time.
Itachi: '...Kurenai is missing.'
He wanted to say it, to reach out to Sasuke and hold on, but he knew that such was not possible. Saying the truth was not possible. It never was.
How could Sasuke begin to understand? More over, how could Itachi willingly taint so greatly the perception his baby brother had of him? He could not. Did not wish to see Sasuke look at him as if he was... not human.
Not like what he dabbled in was so bad yet, nowhere's near what it could have been elevated to if the Akatsuki hadn't been sidetracked by Aizen, but still. Sasuke, he knew, would not look at him the same way if he knew the truth.
Would he?
Would Kurenai?
It was... almost too much to think about.
"I'm sorry, little brother. Go to bed." Itachi pulled open the door, slipped out, and was gone.
Always... that house would find a way to haunt him with its' curses.
[What:] Itachi visits Sasuke, but an inquiring phone call on Itachi’s part disturbs the evening.
[When:] Monday evening.
[Where:] Uchiha residence.
[Warnings:] Some angst and whatnot, and Aizen on the telephone.
Itachi: After the sun had begun going down, Itachi had tried calling home with intentions of seeing if Kurenai had come back yet. There was no answer.
Not much of a surprise, but certainly of no relief.
He was leaning against his car parked outside of the Uchiha manor, eyes trailing up and down over the structure. Maybe Sasuke would enjoy spending some time out in the garden today, this evening. The weather seemed nicer, a change from the rain earlier that morning.
He tucked his phone into his coat pocket, then approached the home where one he had resided. Seemed like so long ago now, though it hadn't been more than a few months. He knocked on the door, then waited.
Sasuke: It had been hard for him to settle down. Ever since that journal exchange his mind had been on overdrive, flooded with the remnants of that on-going battle between memory and want. He wanted to believe that his brother would keep his word. His memory, however, had far too much counter evidence. And yet despite those facts, scattered about in his mind like the unsightly debris after a tornado hit, Sasuke was hopeful.
Relief came in the form of Naruto, as it usually did. Though this time it was not in the usual form of sex. Rather, he was quite entertained by the blonde’s reaction to Tayuya's comments on his latest journal entry. At least the other boy had huffed, growing bright red with indignation at would-be insults. Unfortunately, he took no offense when it came to his sexuality. There simply was nothing he regretted in his choice to be with Naruto. That other guy though. . .
Just as he was about to delve into that world again, where it was entirely possibly that someone would hurt Naruto just to get to him, he heard a knock at the door. Completely threw him off in all honesty. And when he finally reached the door and pulled it open, his surprise was plainly scrawled over his face. "Nii-san. . . .you didn't have to knock."
Itachi: Of course he hadn't needed to, but he had done so just the same.
Itachi's gloved hand, still poised in the knocking position, traveled the space between himself and Sasuke, index and middle fingers extending slowly to poke the younger boy in the forehead, pushing him back into the foyer as he entered after him. "I wanted to see your reaction, little brother." Certainly that was no untruth. He enjoyed it immensely when Sasuke seemed to revert back to the self he had been many years ago, the adoring little starry-eyed baby brother.
Itachi lowered his hands then to the buttons of his long coat, undoing them slowly as he kicked the door closed behind himself with his foot. He had been in his work suit the entire course of the day, not something that was comfortable, so he was looking forward to changing into something else. He had a closet full of older things in his old bedroom, things he had neglected to take with him. He would make do with those he concluded.
Slipping off his shoes and moving by his brother to hang up his coat in the closet, tucking the gloves into the pockets carefully and then closing the closet doors, Itachi asked quietly, "How has your day been?"
Sasuke: It always happened. Always. And Sasuke fell into it every. damn. time. As usual, he reached up and rubbed at the spot his brother had poked, making it far redder than it would normally have turned. An irritated scowl graced his lips, that same one he had worn as a child. Not angry, but secretly glad to have his brother's attention. Even if it was just a poke in the forehead.
"My day was fine. . . Naruto's been huffing about because of those comments though," he replied with a slight smile. Obviously, the thought of the blond all worked up over those poor excuse for insults was still very entertaining to him.
He noted his brother's clothing, a small frown overshadowing the amusement still dancing about in his eyes. It was odd for him to think of his brother as the true head of the family now. He took care of the company, working in the so-called 'real world' now. And here he was, goofing off with his boyfriend. "Did you just come from the office?"
Itachi: His head tilting slightly to the side, Itachi offered Sasuke a vague, but noticeable smile. He was glad that Sasuke seemed to be doing better today than he had been the other night, glad that Naruto was some form of distraction for him.
"No, not straight from the office, Sasuke. I had several business errands to run today, and... the attire was required."
He slipped his hands into his pants pockets and, eyes taking in the younger male before him, nodded towards the stairs. "I'm going to change, however. If you'd like, wait outside in the garden for me. I'll join you there when I come back down, does that sound all right?"
Sasuke: He wanted to ask about those errands, wanted to know more about what his brother actually did. What being an Uchiha really entailed. But, Sasuke bit his tongue and simply gave a soft nod in response.
For a moment, he simply stood there, looking up the stairs. The last time he had been in his brother's room was. . . .he didn't really want to recall that particular scene. It had been a long time, safely put. Though. . . it did make him wonder about Kurenai, about the status of his brother's marriage. But that could come later.
Settled with his thoughts for the moment, the youngest Uchiha turned and weaved his way around the furniture in the living room to access the patio door. The other was located in their parent's room, a place he couldn't ever remember being in. He didn't linger on that thought though. Instead sought out the small gazebo and seated himself inside.
Itachi: Within the confines of his room, now alone, Itachi had a moment of time to think, to reflect upon the events of the day. So much had happened, and so much had not.
His decision to tell Kurenai all about the Akatsuki still sat floating about his mind. The choice had been hard enough to make on its own, and on top of it all he still had to tell her. When he could find her, that was. He was half tempted to call her again, and decided before he went out to the garden to join Sasuke that he would.
He found himself changing from his dark tanned business suit and into a deep red v-neck sweater from his closet coupled with a pair of faded black slacks, tribal patterns stitched into the belt line. It would do for now. It was more comfortable than the stiff suit he'd been wearing all day.
Heading downstairs and grabbing his phone from his coat pocket, Itachi called home once more. He let the phone ring for a minute or so, then hung up when there was no answer. He decided to try something else... Kurenai's cell. Punching in the numbers, he held the phone up to his ear as it began to ring.
Sasuke: Patience was not a virtue Sasuke was well acquainted with. And he felt absolutely no shame over that fact. So, the fact that he had managed to sit there, alone, for as long as he had was something of an accomplishment.
Perhaps it was the knowledge that Itachi had actually shown up, just like he had said he would. And the happiness - giddiness even - he felt over that was helping to lengthen his rather short fuse. But not even that feeling could sustain him for long. . .
Glancing behind him, he noted the dark outline of his brother's figure moving. Not near enough to clarify what it was he was doing, but it was evident Itachi was not about to make his way outside. Half tempted to get up and see what business his brother was conducting now, Sasuke rose to his feet only to quickly reseat himself.
No. He should wait. The last thing he wanted to do was ruin this somewhat calm, though odd atmosphere that had settled over them. Resigning himself to that, he began thinking of things he could do to Naruto later on tonight.
Itachi: When the phone was answered on the other end, Itachi felt a moment of relief. But that was brushed aside when he heard an unfamiliar male voice. He was somewhat alarmed, but tried to think rationally about it. If Kurenai was still at the spa, it was likely this was only one of the attendants answering the call for her.
He paced the foyer as he asked the individual on the other end of the line for Kurenai, then he waited for a response. Sasuke wouldn't wait forever, so he couldn't be long on the phone, but if worse came to worse he would go to the window... tell his brother he would be just a moment.
Sasuke: A small smile gathered at the corners of his mouth as he followed that line of thought deeper into his brain. He'd definitely have to do something with the other boy. Something different. Something slightly special. Couldn't exactly explain that desire, but something was urging him to spend this night as close to the other boy as possible.
He had no problems with that at all. Though, when did he? Dark eyes drifted around the gazebo, traveled the length of the floorboard. This was a place he loved, and not because some stray feeling told him this spot had been greatly loved by their mother. No, he and Naruto had spent many nights out here, curled up in blankets to do nothing more to watch the stars, to be close to one another.
Even so, he couldn't help but wonder what was holding up his brother. But as before, something urged him to wait this time. Something he couldn't ignore.
Itachi: What Sasuke could see from outside was nothing but a clouded mirror that shaded the truth of the situation. Within the home of the Uchiha, Itachi was still pacing the floor of the foyer slowly, lightly conversing with the other male on the opposite end of the receiver.
And then he stopped. What Sasuke could not see was the alarmed, quite taken aback expression that had weaseled its' way onto Itachi's face, an unfiltered look of disruption swarming his usually gray, but now pitch black tinged with red eyes.
The voice on the other end of the line had gone from presentable, warm and convincing to something malicious and nasty in the blink of an eye. Itachi braced himself against the doorframe of the living room, hand gripping his cellular phone more tightly. He couldn't see the patio doors for all his staring at nothing...
"...She isn't at the spa." The words were no question. "Who is this?"
Sasuke: He was growing uncomfortable. Not from being outside but from being alone. Knowing that his brother was only yards away from where he sat, and yet the distance between them seemed enormous. Once more, Sasuke glanced at the house, hoping to see his brother's figure approaching the patio door. But the same scene greeted him, the shadowed figure moving back and forth. Nowhere near the back of the house.
It was at that point that Sasuke stood. Impatience was getting the best of him, and if there was something he hated it was waiting. By this point, he had sat there long enough, longer than he had ever forced himself to sit still.
Right now, he had to go. Had to check on his brother, to make sure everything was ok. And it was that feeling. . .no, that knowledge that drove him towards the house again. Knowing his name, Sasuke was well aware of the misery it drew to all those who bore it. Right now, he couldn't shake the feeling that things were about to go horribly wrong again.
The back door was quietly opened, and it was in that doorway that Sasuke stood. Unsure whether he should proceed, but unable to turn around and seek refuge in the gazebo.
Itachi: The sound of Sasuke coming back into the house caused Itachi to hurry his phone call, already knowing now what he did not want to know, or rather, what he had hoped would not have been for true. The worst of it all was that there were still uncertainties surrounding the situation. No name had been given, none whatsoever. All he had to go on was the voice, one of which he could never recall having heard before.
Saying a quick goodbye to the man on the other end, then shutting the phone off, Itachi stared for a moment at the device in the palm of his hand. No. He did not just...
"..." He did.
Having shut the phone off he could now not trace the call as he had hoped to. All for Sasuke having distracted him. But... it was not the fault of his little brother, no. Itachi would not, could not blame him. It had been his own fault, his own carelessness.
Even still, had he attempted to trace the call, with Sasuke coming back in there would have been questions raised. It might have been better this way, but what about... What about Kurenai?
Itachi turned on the ball of his foot and made a beeline for the closet, jerking out his coat and tugging it on, stuffing the phone into his pockets. He pulled on his gloves, then made to slip on his shoes as quickly as possible.
Sasuke: "N. . .Niii-san. . . ." Sasuke stuttered as he strode over to where Itachi was now preparing to leave. Or that's how it looked to him. "Wait. . .where are you going?!"
It was hard to keep the hurt out of his voice, the slight whispers of betrayal lacing his tone. Had his brother come here just to change? Building this up like it was to be some real meeting between them, time spent well together, only to dash his hopes by leaving as soon as he arrived?
No. . .he couldn't think like that. Itachi wouldn't....his brother wouldn't do that to him, right? And yet, Memory murmured of the past, of a brother who had been distant and cold. Sasuke wanted to reach out - nearly did until he caught is hand rose - and grab onto his brother's arm. To pull him back and demand that he stay. Just as he might have ten years ago. But, the arm was forced back to his side, lips pulled back into a tight line.
However, there was no mistaking the pain in his eyes. And old wound rubbed raw by just this sight. He didn't even know for certain that Itachi was leaving. . . "Why are you leaving?!"
Itachi: Black, livid eyes met Sasuke's. A face forced to rid itself of expression stared towards the youngest Uchiha. A practiced look of emptiness filled his eyes, hid away from view the turmoil he presently felt. Should not have had to feel in the first place...
"Sasuke..." The voice was distant even to his own ears, the name spoken with a hollow pitch that seemed barely to break the silence that rang after Sasuke's question.
"Something... has come up. My apologies, little brother. I must go. Perhaps..." He looked away, finishing slipping on his shoes as he started for the door. "Perhaps another time."
Sasuke: It was always another time with his brother. And it hurt every single time he heard those words. But there was more to it. Anger. Hating himself for once again believing that Itachi would really be capable of doing as he had said, had promised.
Almost as if there really was no room in his brother's life for him. All these things, circumstances pulling Itachi away, stealing the time that rightfully belonged to him as a blood relation. And not just that, his only younger brother. His only living family.
Without realizing it, the tears had spring to his eyes, spreading out along his lash-line but refusing to fall. As if subconsciously he was trying to prevent that liquid betrayal from doing any further damage. "Yeah. . .some other time."
Itachi: He could hear the slight quiver of anger... of hurt... in Sasuke's voice. He could hear it, and he acknowledged it. Hand on the door ready to pull it open, Itachi was prepared to go. But for once he hesitated. Just once... just this time.
There was a thought in the back of his head, a question. What can I do now...? Being home won't help her... and I've no idea where to look.
She didn't make it to the spa. Aizen's words... though he didn't know it had been Aizen. Those words had a strangle hold on him right now. Over sixty hours she'd been gone with... whoever that had been.
Looking back over his shoulder, Itachi looked at Sasuke. Eyes softened. Remotely. "...otouto," he breathed. Words were just a whisper.
Sasuke: "Go already! It's important business, right?" Sasuke nearly cried out. Not as loud as a full-out yell, but the same sort of strength backed up his words, fueled by the hurt that was threatening to overtake him. He quickly twisted his head to the side, for the first time aware of the salt-sting of tears irritating his eyes.
Still wasn't good enough, was he? His brother would always have something more important to take care of, even if it meant breaking a promise - and saying that he would come here, to be with him, even for just an afternoon was just that.
"Go. . . " he whispered, voice trembling. "I'll still be here." I always am. I always fall for it every time.
Itachi: '...Kurenai is missing.'
He wanted to say it, to reach out to Sasuke and hold on, but he knew that such was not possible. Saying the truth was not possible. It never was.
How could Sasuke begin to understand? More over, how could Itachi willingly taint so greatly the perception his baby brother had of him? He could not. Did not wish to see Sasuke look at him as if he was... not human.
Not like what he dabbled in was so bad yet, nowhere's near what it could have been elevated to if the Akatsuki hadn't been sidetracked by Aizen, but still. Sasuke, he knew, would not look at him the same way if he knew the truth.
Would he?
Would Kurenai?
It was... almost too much to think about.
"I'm sorry, little brother. Go to bed." Itachi pulled open the door, slipped out, and was gone.
Always... that house would find a way to haunt him with its' curses.