eluvio | [TEXT] UN: STOPMESSAGES

[ If nothing else, it's thorough. And it's the most accurate answer -- in light of his own world -- that he's received yet, albeit dwelling on the less than positive aspects. It's easy. They're plentiful. ]

How vivid. I can't imagine that someone who didn't have firsthand experience with that kind of world would bother imagining it to that level of detail.

Your suggestion's late, however. I have it figured out, with or without any manual.

[ Sadly, the negative is what he's most familiar with. No happy views here, though he can hope that someday things get better. ]

Whether my experience is firsthand or gleaned via hearsay is of no consequence. I could have said that a ninja is someone who throws shuriken, wears black, hides a lot, and kills people, and if that were how I perceive things to be, then that's my understanding of the reality.

It wasn't a suggestion.

[ First and last comments aside, there's something about the tail-end of that middle sentence that twists his stomach with nostalgia and he doesn't want to think back to the cause for it. ]

Either you're being intentionally obtuse or you aren't as interested in determining whether or not we come from the same world as I am. Your description falls more in line with my reality than the others I've heard.

This isn't a debate.

[ The question is begging to be asked, and he's pretty sure that there won't be an explanation given otherwise, so... ]

And what would that reality be?

[ Well, that's the question, isn't it? One he labors over, one he still feels unqualified to answer in depth. ]

A shinobi is someone who fights for his own way. As the world stands now, rife with the political corruption you suggested in your own answer, maybe it seems that certain ideologies are too optimistic or no longer relevant in those villages. But ninja persevere.

It's the only way to change those old systems anyway.

Fighting for one's own way is useless unless one is fully resolved to follow through and think for themselves, making their own decisions regardless of where that path leads them. When you continually look to the past to find your answers to the point that you lose sight of everything else around you, and you stop moving forward because the past binds you in place, nothing will change.

I agree.

[ And he does, fully, which is so rare that it necessitates a pause before he's brave enough for a more specific supposition: ] All the villages were guilty of complacency, but I can only speak best of Konoha's. Ignoring certain parts of the past while obsessing over others can be just as dangerous for a person or a group.

[ Konoha, huh? It would figure. ]

Perhaps, but acknowledgement will only take you so far. Even if you claim to acknowledge the whole, there's only so much that one can do if they lack the strength to act and the eyes to separate the reality from the illusion. And then even that doesn't guarantee success, because their role could be merely that of a stepping stone along the path for someone else.

You've given it a lot of thought. Sure, ideals without power are just pipe dreams, whether it's your strength or someone else's. But it's just as dangerous to have too much strength and no direction. You need both in order to know which questions to ask and to be able to act upon the answers.

Power causes people to become isolated and arrogant, even if they're sought-after in the beginning. [ Achingly familiar words that he still hasn't forgotten even after so many years. It's only recently that they've begun to really make sense to him. ]

Success doesn't come from just focusing on one individual, either. If you trust too much in your own vision and your own abilities, you lose sight of the goals and insights of others. I've learned that, too.

You inquired as to what others know of both ninja and the shinobi world in order to ascertain whether or not there were others who shared your world. I gave you my answer.

[ He recognizes those words all too well, spoken from one child to another, and while coincidences do happen, the previous mention of Konoha was proof enough. He'd said his goodbyes already. He'd done what he'd needed to do - what he'd been able to do. That should be enough, right?]

This isn't a debate.

[ The words stand out starkly on the dimly glowing screen, enough to make him close his eyes and digest them. An answer he isn't sure he wants is becoming clearer and clearer in his own mind as well. ]

No. It isn't. It's a discussion. Our philosophies are different enough for one. [ Still, though those distinctions grow more subtle as time passes. It's been a very long road to get to this point. ]

Where are you?

Medical.

[ He was supposed to be dead, not sitting here while unfamiliar people poked and prodded him in an effort to rebuild the internal workings of his body left damaged by illness. It's kind of annoying, actually, but as soon as they decide he's not going to walk out the door, cough up both lungs and have his heart explode in his chest, he's leaving. Hospital areas aren't exactly enjoyable. ]

For the moment.

[ Not the answer he'd wanted and one that carries a few very unpleasant implications. Sasuke chooses to focus on the fact that that's far more public than he'd like rather than imagining the reasons behind it. ]

I'm in room 309. It shouldn't be hard to find, when you're finished. [ The cautious approach, rather than having a reunion in front of medics he doesn't care to know. ]

I suppose. Though, you assume I would care to find you.

[ Of course, once they're satisfied he won't up and die on them, he's gone. Sure, he's taking it a little easy due the whole "I was supposed to die" thing, but still gone all the same.

And despite what he says, Sasuke can expect a visit. ]

[ Somehow it's exactly what he expected to read. Having his prediction verified doesn't bring him any particular joy, however, not when his stomach is now knotted with anticipation and his eyes keep dragging over towards the door as if he should expect a knock at any moment.

There are too many familiar lines and ideals in his texts for it to be anyone else but still Sasuke almost catches himself hoping. How many more times can they go through this? Will he remember the Edo Tensei? What's the right way for him to feel about this? ]

It's your choice. But whether it's now or later, we'll see each other.

More assumptions. I could choose to actively avoid you instead.

[ As much as he doesn't like the idea of going through this song and dance again, and there are far too many unknowns to be certain, there's still a part of him that dares to hold out hope. Things will never be the way they were, but it's not like he's expecting everything to be easily smoothed over.

On one hand, some closure would be nice. On the other, this could be opening up a whole new can of worms, the likes of which he hasn't seen before.

By the time he actually reaches the door though, he's once again resigned himself to whatever fate throws at him. Find your answer and follow through. No weaponry and no Akatsuki cloak, but without the blood and burns - this time, he won't be staggering toward him and delivering a bloody poke to the forehead, just standing at a door and expecting to be faced with a blade. ]

But I won't.

[ Careful to keep his posture loose yet tense enough that he can dodge or defend if needed, he steels himself for the myriad of possible outcomes before lifting a hand to knock. ]

[ Could, would, should. The first message does nothing to make him actually believe in it as a real option, not with how it's worded. Sasuke knows his brother to be a man who makes promises he can't keep, bold in his language and his lies, rather than as someone who'd shield a potential outcome in soft language.

It's why the knock following the second text doesn't surprise him, but it does cause his entire body to tense. He'd heard the footsteps early enough to be up off the bed in advance of it, crossing the room with more confidence than he actually feels, hand outstretched to the automatic door's trigger. There's still a second's pause before he pushes it, the last barrier between them hissing away.

There he is, unscathed, frozen at an age he'll never surpass, eye no longer blinded. A healthier version of his brother, one that still makes him want to avert his eyes. The contrast with his own body, a loose sleeve knotted high beneath his left shoulder, is marked. ]

So it is you. [ The active sharingan in his eyes confirms that much; this is no illusion. However, contrary to at least one of Itachi's expectations, Sasuke makes no move to attack him. Even further from that, his eyes purposefully darken as he deactivates that last safeguard after Itachi passes his test. ] ... you can come inside, if you want. [ It's an offer that sounds clumsy to his own ears but what the hell should he say? ]

Better that than talking in the hall.

[ When the door opens but the only thing that follows are words, Itachi allows his guard to come down a notch. Still up, but a lack of imminent danger means he doesn't need to jump straight to defensive maneuvers. For the moment, he doesn't bother acknowledging any differences between the Sasuke he remembers and the one before him now -that part will come later- but the offer of entering makes him raise an eyebrow.

What could Sasuke possibly have to say to him that can't be said as they are now? ]

There is nothing I have to say that hasn't already been said.

[ As far as he knows, the lies are still intact. He hadn't imparted anything to him, besides the unspoken implanting of his own jutsu in Sasuke's eye. Because of that belief, the only reason he'd sought him out was for confirmation of his suspicions.

Unless, of course, Sasuke had a reason for inquiring as to his whereabouts and providing him a location. They've never been normal siblings, so the idea of having a perfectly normal conversation doesn't actually cross his mind. ]

[ Likewise Sasuke has no reason to believe that Itachi doesn't remember their latter conversations, having yet to meet anyone from their world who exists outside of the timeline he knows. He shifts one foot back, readjusting his weight onto it in order to subtly make more room for his brother to step inside should he change his mind. ]

... I see. [ It hurts, of course. Everything with Itachi does, at least a little bit. Even after everything he still wants acknowledgement, whether it's an embrace or just his brother's eyes and attention fully on him while he yells about shared injustices, but new understanding keeps him calmer. Itachi's not the only one that could use closure; seeing him again just dredges everything back up. ]

But I don't believe that. You came here, didn't you? Besides, even if you don't want to see me, there are some things I should tell you about.

[ He doesn't technically need to do this, but at the same time, he wants to. For all intents and purposes, he should be dead now, not standing here unscathed, yet here he is, alive and unharmed... and free of the restraints placed upon him by his clan, by Akatsuki, and by Konoha. He's free to move, act, think, and feel on his own. For the first time in his life, he doesn't have to be anyone but himself, and that self wants to know what it is that Sasuke deemed important enough to call him out. ]

Fine.

[ They're both shinobi, capable of moving faster than normal eyes can follow, but he doesn't bother with that as he accepts the offer of entry, a way of showing that he doesn't feel threatened by the other's presence.

Once inside, he doesn't bother turning back to Sasuke, instead focusing his attention on the room itself. This is the first time he's actually been out of the confines of Medical, having been stuck there while they worked to rid him of the disease that had destroyed his body, so it's still brand new to him. If his own lodgings are anything like this, it'll definitely take some getting used to, because this is far nicer than what he's accustomed to having. ]

I'm listening.

[ There are no decorations to speak of and no personal affects to make it seem unique apart from a scant collection of weaponry in the corner. It's otherwise untouched, generic, and might seem as if no one occupies it at all... for now; it's only a matter of time before he starts installing traps out of paranoid habit.

He shuts the door after a quick glance into the hallway, an even more noticeable silence filling the room as he chooses his words. ]

... the war's over. You didn't have the chance to see the effects of your work, but it paid off. You deserve to know that, first. [ Sasuke remains standing rather than making for the bed, watching him out of the corner of his eye, quietly wary in his unease. ]

[ He's listening, still wandering the almost inn-like room, half expecting Sasuke to launch into questions or another 'I hate you die please' rant, so when he actually does speak... ]

What?

[ It's not often that he can be caught off-guard, but Sasuke's just succeeded admirably.

That was not what Itachi was expecting to hear. What war is he talking about? Effects of what work? He didn't do anything other than separate Orochimaru from Sasuke and allow his brother to get the mangekyo, so what in the world happened after that? ]

[ Likewise, hearing Itachi of all people sounding confused throws him off, immediately looking over. ]

The war. We fought Kabuto, you ended the Edo Tensei-- [ His brother's expression causes him to falter, and that alone makes a few gears turn in his head. If he's right, then... this will make much more sense. ]

... You don't remember.

[ This is all new to him. New and very confusing. ]

... I have no idea what you're talking about.

[ It's almost embarrassing to admit that he doesn't know what's going on. Did he somehow survive their fight when he'd intended to die? How would he have-- Sasuke's words are only presenting more questions to which he has no answers.

He's pretty sure he doesn't know the seals for the Edo Tensei, but something more important that needs addressed right now. ]

"We"?

[ The fact that Itachi doesn't know settles on him like a heavy weight, bowing shoulders as he leans back against the far wall to give him even more space. He doesn't remember their fight, their reconciliation, his simple statement that he loves him... None of it. ]

... Yakushi Kabuto. He used the Edo Tensei to bring back shinobi to fight for his cause following the declaration of a new war. You were among those brought back... and you made it your primary goal to stop him.

As soon as I realized that you were back I chased after you, and we fought him together.

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