saucey | 四十六; 「accidental video post」

四十六; 「accidental video post」

[The feed clicks on and Sasuke can be seen trying to climb out of bed. He's got Mouko and Pumpkin on him, and he's obviously in pain trying to get out of bed. He's ignoring it, though, brushing the cats aside and missing both.]

C'mon, guys, lemme get up and look for nii-san...

[He touches down on the floor the same instant the cats leap down from the bed. He carefully pushes off of the bed and tries to walk, only... to trip over Mouko and fall to the hard floor. On his right side. Good job Sauce!]

Ow...

[Mouko gives a mewl while Pumpkin sits innocently not far away. Shadow's off sleeping by Naruto, sleep-chewing his hair.

The feed times out as Sasuke's picking himself up.]

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[And almost as soon as he was set down on his own bed, Sasuke was trying to get back on his feet to look for his brother. His hands groped around for his nightstand, using it for support as he felt around.

Soft mews from the cat beds signaled to him that the cats made it home safely. He'll have to both thank and apologize to Naruto later.

First came Itachi. Where the fuck was he? He just...had to be hiding his chakra. He had to.]

Nii-san...

[He placed a bracing hand on Sasuke's shoulder so that he can't move far without being pulled back, and scans the room, both houses, and their immediate area for Itachi and speaks gently]

...He's not here, Sasuke. It's odd that he left you at the clinic suddenly, but it doesn't necessarily mean he's disappeared altogether. I can continue to search for him while you rest, if you'd prefer.

For right now, attempt to relax.

[He stopped at the hand on his shoulder and simply shook his head. He had to... He had to look. It was just something he had to do.]

Don't need rest. 'M fine.

[His grip tightened subtly for a moment, weighing a little heavier, and his tone turned firm]

You cannot search on your own in this condition, Sasuke. However, you have perfectly capable allies that can. Don't push yourself needlessly or you'll return to the clinic just as quickly.

I have to look!

[Sasuke practically snapped as he spun around, slapping Neji's hand off of him. He glared, although it was ineffective with his blindness.

But the desperation was obvious. His voice shook with it. He was teetering on the edge of either simply snapping - much like he did when Kakashi was killed - or completely mentally breaking down.

Treading dangerous waters, Hyuuga. Watch your step.]

[Neji blinked, flicking his wrist impatiently, but Sasuke's tone stopped him from advancing. The turmoil was evident, and he considered fetching Kakashi or... Sakura and Alphonse lost their memories. Naruto? Tactless and still new to this world. Likely wouldn't know how to handle a distraught Sasuke.

Neji frowned, brows furrowing, considering the young Uchiha in front of him, different words to say, actions to take.]

...Sasuke. [Tone gentle and not assertive in his usual authority, playing passive in an effort not to push Sasuke any further.] How would you begin looking for Itachi?

[Sasuke stops for a moment, looking away. His fists clench tight until his knuckles turn white.]

... I don't know. Just...have to.

[He refrains from touching him again right now as he looks unsure and indecisive; ready to recoil the moment he feels pressured, despite the fact that disabling him would be the easiest route to take. It wouldn't be beneficial to Sasuke's overall state of mind however. Giving him space to organize his thoughts and pull himself together, rationalize instead of crowding him.]

Where would you look then, if you could?

Edited 2009-09-08 06:13 (UTC)

...

[Sasuke unclenched his fists before just...slumping down onto the floor. He ran a hand half-way through his hair and just... sat there. Completely pathetic.]

Look for him where he frequented. Deserted candy shops. Market. Where we trained and goofed off. Just... Just anywhere.

[Blinked and watches Sasuke crumble with a slow sigh and stepped around to crouch near him. He rearranged Sasuke's hair to pass the few silent moments while he thought on what to say]

Did someone mention something about it, Sasuke, to worry you to such an extent?

[A pause.]

... Toushirou said his reiatsu disappeared. I...I had to come here and see for myself...

...Toushirou? Hitsugaya-san?

The shinigami seem to have a keen sense for those things, unfortunately. I'm sorry if that's true then, Sasuke.

...

[Sasuke pulled up his knees to his chest and just... curled up. Completely and utterly pathetic. He said nothing else as he wrapped his arms around his knees and just sat there.

Didn't want Hyuuga to see him break down like this.]

[Words failed him now, even as he searched again for something more soothing to say. But the hurt from a situation like that ran too deeply. He was caught between leaving and staying; unsure of which one would be better in the long run.

Sasuke needed someone with him to comfort him, it seemed, and he wasn't sure he was the right one to do that. The situation was uncomfortable and sticky- a little familiar. But he couldn't just get up and leave him there.

After a long moment and with a profound sense of awkwardness, he reached around Sasuke to envelop him in a loose embrace.]

...He might return again, Sasuke. It's already happened before. Naruto's done the same several times now, hm?

[Sasuke couldn't help but jump just a little at the embrace. He lifted his head just slightly, momentarily forgetting his blindness.

After a moment, he finally speaks, albeit softly.]

...What if he doesn't, Neji?

[His hold over Sasuke and loose and tentative, unsure and reluctant; arms draped around him instead in a sort of shield from the rest of the world- much like the illusion of hollowed wings.]

If he doesn't... [Memories of Lee's disappearance surfaced unwanted and forced back down almost immediately] If he doesn't, then you have to decide if dwelling on his disappearance is going to continue to be worth it.

What else can you do while you're here, waiting to go home yourself? You have several others that you have ties to here as well... Enjoy those while they last. You know as well as I that feelings of joy and contentment are fleeting here.

...Sorry.

[Sasuke laid his head back between his knees. He didn't mind the embrace at all. It simply...reminded him of how Itachi would hold him whenever he had nightmares, and he couldn't help but wish that Itachi leaving again was nothing but a nightmare.]

...Nothing to apologize for, Sasuke.

[He smooths a hand over his head and releases a long breath, staring at the opposite wall. An odd way to end up today, it was certainly unexpected. Hinata looked to be alright in the next room, but the reminder tugged at him impatiently.]

Can I get you anything?

[Sasuke offered no verbal response, but instead shook his head in response. There wasn't anything Neji could do for him, since it was pretty much impossible to bring Itachi back.]

[With a nod, Neji moved to pick up Sasuke again and set him back down on his bed- unwilling to leave him on the floor.]

Understood. Try to rest then, Sasuke. The week is likely to be a long one.

...Hn.

[Once he was back on the bed, he reached for Itachi's pillow, pulling it over to hold. Don't mind him anymore, Hyuuga.]

[He moved toward the door with soft steps and stepped out of the room, bringing the door shut behind him. He didn't move for a long second, thinking over everything that was happening much too quickly. Sasuke was again caught in the middle of everything.

But a shake of his head dispelled the melancholy and he headed for the kitchen to brew some tea for himself and anyone else in the household.]

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四十六; 「accidental video post」

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