Itachi calls back, even if his sounds are restricted to lone, weak vowels. He’s heard Sasuke’s name many times, but the ‘s’ still eludes him. It’s difficult, without teeth.
But he’s happy. Infront of his brother he’s more expressive, kicking his legs and reaching out for the hand that touched him.
That will fit in his mouth, won’t it? At least, the fingers should.
Situations like these….were delicate. A source of anguish for both of them. But Itachi has learned to be careful to turn the situation on himself, for his elder brother’s pain is what matters more, in the end.
It is not a healthy way of coping with the situation, but it is the only thing he can think of in lieu of incurring Sasuke’s wrath.
Smart. Prodigy. Talented beyond measure. That’s what they all say, but none of that helps Itachi when Sasuke worries about the gap in their skill. It makes it useless– what is it worth if he cannot help Sasuke…
For a few seconds too long, Itachi is quiet, drilling his mind for the proper answer, and unable to find any. He declares it a lost cause, and simply picks himself up from his spot at the desk, trying to close the distance. Maybe a hug will help. Father says mean things– but Itachi still loves you.
Sasuke pressed his lips together, he overheard his father talking how advanced Itachi already is in the academy. Standing on his feet, he looks over at Itachi and tries to reign in his volatile emotions. He didn’t invite him to be an asshole to him.
Sliding open the door, he steps outside and closes it after Itachi. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he turns left toward the path that would lead them out of the compound.
“What about your classmates, no-one poses a challenge?”
“No…” Barely anyone does. It’s enough to get a small huff out of him. They’re holding him back, he knows it. He won’t be of much use when he’s already far past ahead his classmates, and likely his own teachers.
Itachi speeds up a little, enough to come to Sasuke’s side as opposed to trailing behind. “I prefer training with you, and Shisui-san.” Though, Shisui didn’t have much time for him either, what with being busy with missions…
“Let’s go then,” he says pushing off the wall. He sits in the genkan and grabs his sandals to slip them on.
“How have your classes been?” Sasuke asks while wiggling his foot into his sandals.
“Kind of slow.” He’s already passed all the requirements in his first year. He’d love nothing more than to graduate, but Lord Third has ended the early graduation program, locking Itachi in until he was at least twelve. All he does now is advanced work, and even that is slowly drying up. The students bore him.
But it would be worth it when he could trail after Sasuke on missions. That’s what keeps him going, popping his feet into his shoes one after another, his goal not to delay Sasuke in the slightest.
Sasuke leans against his younger’s brother door frame.
“You want to come to the library with me?
“Yes.” Foolish older brother, he was prepared since he heard the footfalls from the end of the hallway. No leaving work half-done this time, everything was finished and it was time for Aniki.
Had he passed him? Itachi gets suspicious, back tracking his way through the house, halting at the kitchen when he finally catches sight of Sasuke.
…Okay, he’s safe. That’s good. The dough might be soft, but Itachi lifts one of the sticks of dango and pops the top portion into his mouth, then moves to pull Sasuke out of the chair, and into his arms.
Sasuke needs to actually sleep in his proper bed. Itachi will help him get there.
All Itachi does these days is make excuses. Excuses for his clan, excuses for his missions, …excuses for his brother.
How he wishes he had the freedom to spend his days with him. To prove, without a doubt, that he loved him just as much. But this worsening tension has him re-arranging his priorities, and the most he can do is keep Sasuke in the dark, and therefore, safe.
Itachi returns hours later than anticipated, and midnight is not too far off. His legs are heavy on the boards of their house, all too ready for what would only be a few hours of sleep before resuming another day filled with surveillance.
He stops, at the door to Sasuke’s room. Closes his eyes, and listens, before sliding the door open with care and peeking in. With any luck, Sasuke will be asleep…
UchihaSavior 