uchimato:

Despite everything, having been excused dozens and dozens of times, Sasuke perked up a little. No downright excuse, Itachi was considering? (Most likely it would turn into an excuse later, but he couldn’t help it.)

“Tomorrow. If you can’t make it tomorrow then the day after that. I come every day in the afternoon if I don’t have missions.” He sounded… hopeful. “Will you show me a new jutsu, when you come… maybe?”

Tomorrow…

There’s a mission tomorrow. But it is a C. Long gone are the days of being mostly assigned B’s. Of being stationed into surveillance or outside the Hokage’s office.

He still feels a small pang at the thought of having an absence on his record, but is it really so bad if it’s for Sasuke? If it’s something his sensei and teammates could do on their own…?

He’s been turning Sasuke down for years. Putting his missions and his training above him, willing him to wait. But even Itachi knew Sasuke’s innocence and idolization could not truly last forever. Not if he kept this up.

“I have a mission, tomorrow.” He begins, knowing it’s going to well up as the disappointment Sasuke is all too familiar with. 

“Promise me you’ll rest most of the day, while I’m gone, and I will come with you after I return.” It wouldn’t keep him away the whole day, and it would go faster with him there. Leaving him with more time to spend on Sasuke.