If he were a child– and a very small one at that, the question might intrigue him, and he might spend some time trying to come up with a serious response. But such a thing is foolish, it’s a fancy and nothing more, a fleeting thought.
He refuses to entertain it.
[[ I have no idea what you mean by this, anon. ]]
“Nothing.” Except find a way to return to his previous form, but that was a given.
What an odd question.
It draws Itachi’s attention immediately– Wy is not usually so curt, or sharp. For a brief moment he wonders if he’s done something to warrant her anger, and considering he prioritizes his job first, he wouldn’t be surprised if it was him.
“Yes…?” He questions, tone quiet, yet not admitting defeat. Here, at the dinner table, he’ll hear her out.
Itachi resists the temptation to correct Madara on his hyperbole– it was at least fifty or so years since his…’retirement’, not five. But that’s nitpicking, and though he understood what was being said, the man still aggravated him.
“You would not have been an aid.” Madara would have been fueling the clan, egging them on to rebel…it would have gotten them killed faster. It’s a daring thing to say, in front of someone so much more powerful than him, and with a legendary hair-trigger temper.
Still, Itachi tempts fate.
[[ I did end up reading the fic, and for anyone who wants it, it’s here.
Thank you for the suggestion, but I didn’t end up liking it a whole lot– I guess my standards are just a bit too high for characterization. To be fair, the fiction was written in 2006.
I don’t ship ItaHida, though, personally I think their personalities clash too much– but I wish you luck! ]]
[[ For one, even if Itachi had actually done it, he would not have stayed for very long.
Secondly, it’s understood their meetings are private, so Orochimaru can be alone in their designated meeting room for quite some time– around the time it would’ve taken them to do so. Itachi can falsify other sensations within genjutsu, like touch, sense of smell, etc.
Tsukuyomi has also been proven to be able to control motor functions (such as forcing Kabuto to make hand-signs to release the Edo Tensei), so Itachi can have Orochimaru “freshen up” and then end the genjutsu at a natural time point, where Orochimaru is none the wiser.
Lastly, I don’t think Orochimaru’s going to run outside to see how much of the sun has passed after their encounters.
I had initially thought of actually writing it happening, since Itachi is willing to do quite a bit to ensure Sasuke’s safety, up to and including giving his body up, but that’s too much of a risk for him, and why does he have one of the most powerful Sharingan abilities if he is not going to put them to use? ]]
[[ In response to this, so people have context.
The answer is…… nothing and no one. :3c
He’s just under a genjutsu. He’s imagining it’s actually happening. Itachi just promptly walked back out. ]]
Were his constitution any weaker, Itachi would show his displeasure for watching Orochimaru swallow things. Things people weren’t meant to swallow. Instead, he remains stone-faced.
As for the payment…. Very well then.
He unbuttons his cloak with precision, red eyes kept on Orochimaru, who is, more or less salivating again, though this time, for a different reason.
When his cloak is removed, and set aside on a nearby chair, Orochimaru’s hands are on him, pushing him back onto the counter, papers be damned.
—————–
The sun is still high in the sky as Itachi exits the base. A few leaves crunch as Kisame rejoins his side, metal clinking as he adjusts Samehada on his back.
He chuckles, deep in his throat, amused by something or other.
“Punctual as always, Itachi-san. Though, with who we’re dealing with, I don’t blame you for not wanting to stay too long.”
There is no answer, and the pair continue on for a few minutes more.
“Say, Itachi-san.” A question posed to the air, neither halting in their walk, nor looking at the other.
“You ever think he’ll catch on he’s not actually having sex with you?”
[[ Thank Danzo. ]]
UchihaSavior 