Comments | kudaran314: [023]

The sparring grounds they'd chosen weren't far from Itachi's house, so it didn't take more than a few minutes for the ninja to make his way there. He'd chosen not to invoke the Sharingan, this time around -- Aya was one of the few trustworthy people he'd met in Luceti, and he didn't feel the extra advantage was necessary -- and partly because the majority of his chakra at the moment was distributed between himself and the handful of clones scattered throughout the woods, watching for Sasuke's return.

He slipped out of his cloak and folded it neatly before laying it at the foot of a large tree. Aya would be here any moment, he was certain, so he didn't bother to sit and wait, instead turning his gaze in the direction of the village.

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[Action] kudaran314 June 8 2008, 05:30:41 UTC

It didn't take long for Aya to emerge from the silhouette of the buildings, just like Itachi had expected. Dressed casually, in jeans and one of the Filial type of tunics (perhaps a habit he had picked up from Caesar), the sword seemed to fit to his hand not so well. He finally had just a simple black patch over his right eye, hair hanging loose over it. Either Aya was still vein or completely missed things that happened at the right side of is head.

Unceremoniously he walked to Itachi and paused beside him to greet him. "Hello.

It was not an easy task, to decipher the ninja. But Aya would still try. Quietly studying his sparring partner for hints about his present mood and situation.

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[Action] unownedboy June 8 2008, 10:02:26 UTC

"Aya." It was a greeting of sorts, spoken softly. The older man looked different, but not necessarily worse off from the last time they'd met. The patch gave Aya a bit of a roguish look, he noted, and he did not wear it as if he were quite comfortable with it, yet.

Itachi for the most part had remained the same, though a close look might reveal him to be a bit paler, a little thinner, and carrying a new tightness around his eyes.

Dark eyes flickered to the sword in Aya's hand. "I trust things are well?" He wondered if Aya had a particular reason for instigating this session, or if it was simple exercise.

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[Action] kudaran314 June 9 2008, 10:35:46 UTC

"As well as they can, I suppose," Aya replied, noting the marks of stress on Itachi instantly. Observing like breathing, a necessary action to ensure existence.

He eased into a relaxed stand beside the ninja, not in any particular hurry to start. But he did nothing to release his weapon, as he did not have anything against starting right away either. First things first, however.

"The last experiment didn't end up being as lethal as expected. Small miracles, eh?" And after a small silent moment, his words sounded quieter somehow. "How have you been, Itachi?"

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[Action] unownedboy June 9 2008, 11:20:19 UTC

"Hn." Itachi remained as he was, acutely conscious of the subtleties of Aya's every move. He considered Aya an ally, and perhaps even more than that, but he did not relax around anyone he knew was armed no matter how trustworthy they might otherwise be, especially without the Sharingan.

Half-lidded eyes appraised Aya, his head cocking to one side as he gave the barest hint of a smile. "Fortunately," he murmured. "I was not looking forward to a journey to the mountains in the rain." The second question was not entirely unexpected, but neither was it entirely welcome. He would not begrudge the other man his concern, however. "Fair enough," he muttered. "There have been a few troubling new arrivals. Domestic issues." Here, he looked as if caught between a wider smile and a scowl. "Nothing beyond my ability to handle."

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[Action] kudaran314 June 10 2008, 12:23:11 UTC

Aya followed Itachi's reactions with curiosity, even going as far as arching a brow at the strange combination of widening smile and a scowl. At the man's words, he nodded, wondering what kind of crowd had appeared from Itachi's world, but not asking. The ninja would tell him if he saw fit.

"Domestic issues, hm? Mine have been quiet for a while. Even my sister, I don't see her around and we live in the same house." Troubled by that, Aya shook his head a little, turning to look over the river. "Would you need any help with that, don't hesitate to ask," he murmurs quietly.

Then he was looking at Itachi again. "And actually I have a suggestion for you as well."

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[Action] unownedboy June 10 2008, 15:49:07 UTC

"Aa, that won't be so necessary," the ninja said a little quickly, averting his eyes. "Not so problematic as ... hn." He shrugged, looking a little embarrassed.

In the next moment, however, his eyes grew hard and distant. "My brother was recently brought back as well, but we are not close. The Malnosso have him, now."

For a long moment, he was completely quiet. Then, slowly, he glanced back at Aya, lips pursed in question. "A suggestion?"

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[Action] kudaran314 June 11 2008, 09:17:30 UTC

Aya was quite a bit surprised when Itachi decided to actually answer his semi-question, and it seemed to be a bit awkward topic for the ninja. Aya paused for a moment to consider the information he had received, to fit this into his picture of Itachi.

"Not so problematic as...?" he finally urged rather gently. It came easier with someone like Itachi, who, much like himself, would not feel comfortable with the idea of sharing something personal, but occasionally needed an outlet nonetheless.

The suggestion could wait, Aya decided, making a small dismissing hand gesture. He had offered it as a distraction anyhow, Itachi had not grabbed it, which meant he could pursue asking further. Or that was Aya's evaluation of it.

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