[voice | backdated ]couragetodareApril 12 2010, 19:15:37 UTC
[On a sound that's between growl and groan is how the message begins. Naruto's voice shakes when he speaks, there is urgency threaded through his tone. Urgency and fear.]
Itachi? Y-you there?
[Because he said he would be, because Sasuke left his Forge behind and Naruto had already wasted precious seconds pulling up his name before he remembered this.]
[voice | backdated ]uchihaweaselApril 12 2010, 20:58:35 UTC
[Itachi's voice comes through the Forge in an almost immediate response; he had promised Naruto he would have the device with him, and true to his word, he kept it close at all times.]
What is it?
[Concern mixed with curiosity. He's already getting ready to come and find him if it comes to that.]
[voice | backdated ]couragetodareApril 12 2010, 21:13:47 UTC
[Relief. Swift and strong. This is getting to be a habit, he realises.] Outta time. M'outta time. [Because he is and he knows it and he has spent the too long denying it, defying it, and he has done this before and he said 'never again', he promised it, but here he is and he speaks rapidly, quietly and-]
Got a- a favour to ask. S'important. Okay? [He stops. Tries to think to remember what he was supposed to ask and closes his eyes breathes.] Okay.
Okay. [Inhales.]
You gotta kill me - us . S'important [He repeats this because it is. It is very important.] Now. B'fore he gets out. M'near the docks. I don't- I can't- [He can't remember what came next. Stares at clawed fingers holding the Forge too tightly- it'll break if he keeps this up- and tries desperately to recall.] Can't- [There it is.] It can't happen again.
[Can't. Can't. He promised. He can't break this promise again. Won't. Won't have to. Itachi is reliable. Itachi is good at taking lives.]
[voice | backdated ]uchihaweaselApril 12 2010, 21:23:57 UTC
[Itachi notes the urgency, and he moves quicker, finishes getting what he needs, which isn't much... mostly himself, his weapons, and a clear head.
Clear... until Naruto asks him that. But there is no time, he knows it, because he knows what Naruto is struggling with at this very moment and it can't be allowed out, no matter the cost.]
I'm on my way.
[And so he is, the rush of wind rattling over the Forge which he leaves on... not because he thinks Naruto will continue to talk to him, but just in case.
And in the meantime? He is plotting... Sharingan already activated, burning red in the late night.
...Kill. That word. It leaves a nasty imprint... but he has always been a creature of necessity. And this. Right now. Killing... it may really be required this time.]
[There are footsteps, each taken in a slow fashion, careful... one foot after the other meeting what sounds like soft ground-then hard-then soft again.
Stones, perhaps, scattered over sparse patches of dirt and grass. It's difficult to tell, but the footfalls certainly belong to Itachi, and when he speaks he sounds... distant.]
Was it? [He doesn't remember agreeing to cook. Has more important things on his mind.]
I have been busy, Sasori. [Right... busy. Coping with... things.]
[ voice | forward-dated ]couragetodareApril 17 2010, 02:48:46 UTC
Hey, Itachi! [Wait, that's too loud, he's still sneaking out and he'll be heard. Naruto's voice drops considerably.] Uh. Hi.
So. Um. [Awkward silence? Yeah, he doesn't know what to say.] How're ya' doin'?
[But that is just. Terrible. Can he be more lame?] I was thinkin' um- I mean, I was gonna take a walk and head to the greenhouses and was wondering if you wanted to come along? [Right. Like that'll work.] I have dango!
[That didn't work last time either.] And sake.
[... did he offer sake last time? He can't remember. He's not bribing Itachi. Not exactly. These are just incentives! Anyway, the awkward silence resumes, followed by some odd... shuffling sounds.]
Comments 85
Can I ask you somethin'?
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[He won't promise that he has an answer, of course.]
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Your Sharingan, can you knock people out with it? ... put 'em to sleep, I mean. That sorta stuff.
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Why do you ask?
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Itachi? Y-you there?
[Because he said he would be, because Sasuke left his Forge behind and Naruto had already wasted precious seconds pulling up his name before he remembered this.]
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What is it?
[Concern mixed with curiosity. He's already getting ready to come and find him if it comes to that.]
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Got a- a favour to ask. S'important. Okay? [He stops. Tries to think to remember what he was supposed to ask and closes his eyes breathes.] Okay.
Okay. [Inhales.]
You gotta kill me - us . S'important [He repeats this because it is. It is very important.] Now. B'fore he gets out. M'near the docks. I don't- I can't- [He can't remember what came next. Stares at clawed fingers holding the Forge too tightly- it'll break if he keeps this up- and tries desperately to recall.] Can't- [There it is.] It can't happen again.
[Can't. Can't. He promised. He can't break this promise again. Won't. Won't have to. Itachi is reliable. Itachi is good at taking lives.]
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Clear... until Naruto asks him that. But there is no time, he knows it, because he knows what Naruto is struggling with at this very moment and it can't be allowed out, no matter the cost.]
I'm on my way.
[And so he is, the rush of wind rattling over the Forge which he leaves on... not because he thinks Naruto will continue to talk to him, but just in case.
And in the meantime? He is plotting... Sharingan already activated, burning red in the late night.
...Kill. That word. It leaves a nasty imprint... but he has always been a creature of necessity. And this. Right now. Killing... it may really be required this time.]
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...After all, Itachi's Forge is still reachable, not like Kagero's. Or Near's. Or L's.]
I do hope you have a suitable explanation as to why you haven't been home in the past couple of days.
It was your turn to cook dinner last night, you realize.
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Stones, perhaps, scattered over sparse patches of dirt and grass. It's difficult to tell, but the footfalls certainly belong to Itachi, and when he speaks he sounds... distant.]
Was it? [He doesn't remember agreeing to cook. Has more important things on his mind.]
I have been busy, Sasori. [Right... busy. Coping with... things.]
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It was. We'd agreed on it.
Have you now? To keep you busy for so long it must be quite a set of tasks you've taken upon yourself.
...Would a bit of assistance help expedite matters, do you think?
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Expedite? No, that would be... unnecessary.
[A pause. The footsteps slow.]
I have things under control.
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So. Um. [Awkward silence? Yeah, he doesn't know what to say.] How're ya' doin'?
[But that is just. Terrible. Can he be more lame?] I was thinkin' um- I mean, I was gonna take a walk and head to the greenhouses and was wondering if you wanted to come along? [Right. Like that'll work.] I have dango!
[That didn't work last time either.] And sake.
[... did he offer sake last time? He can't remember. He's not bribing Itachi. Not exactly. These are just incentives! Anyway, the awkward silence resumes, followed by some odd... shuffling sounds.]
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[To confiscate that alcohol, you minor.]
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[Pause. Backtrack. Itachi said yes.] Oh. [ That wasn't what he expected. The shuffling resumes,]
Really? ... well, then I'll see you outside the greenhouses in- ... ten minutes?
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I will meet you there.
[A pause. And then he adds--] If you are treating me to dango, Naruto, I would like to return the favor.
Perhaps we can stop and get some ramen.
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