[Sasori sighs. Yet another associate of his that those bastard deities have chosen to toy with.]
The sense of humor of the gods here certainly leaves something to be desired.
[If Itachi is speaking of his parents like this, it suggests to Sasori that his memories may have been tampered with as well.]
I suspect that you may not remember me. This is Sasori, I'm...
[A friend? He feels somewhat presumptuous to declare such a thing. Besides, if a stranger had spoken to him when he was Itachi's age and referred to himself as a friend, he certainly would have been highly suspicious
( ... )
[It's another new person! Itachi is started to become wary that so many people seem to know him when he's older. And these people even seem to like him, or at least accept him in some way.
It's strange.]
You know my brother and Kisame-san? Do you know Pain-san as well?
[Because maybe they all know each other and that explains why they all know him. Itachi knows he could never have met this many people by himself.]
[Sasori nods, somewhat relieved that the others have contacted Itachi, and have likely explained at least some of the situation to him.
Kisame is certainly far better suited to handling such things than Sasori is. He doesn't really know how to deal with children; Kisame makes it seem so easy, but Sasori's always had difficulty connecting with children, even when he himself was a child. At least Itachi is a shinobi, so Sasori speaks as he was spoken to at that age-as an adult.]
That's correct. You and Kisame are part of the same organization that I am, the Akatsuki, and Pain is our Leader. You joined several years after I did.
[He smiles slightly.]
I'm a good bit older than I appear, you see.
Admittedly we did not know each other as well until more recently, but I've always respected your self-discipline and abilities as a shinobi.
[That makes sense, since Pain had called himself Itachi's leader.]
When did I join?
[Was it before his clan had been killed or after?]
You do look young. My brother's age.
[Itachi doesn't know how he should feel about all these people speaking to him with such familiarity. All these people who claim to know him and be his friends and comrades. He is wary, but Sasuke isn't warning him about speaking to them, so they must not be a danger to him. He didn't even stop Itachi from speaking to the Konoha shinobi.
Hmm...you were around thirteen or fourteen when you joined us, I'd say. You were already quite formidable as a shinobi even then, and you've only become stronger over the years.
[Sasori hesitates for a moment, unsure of how much Sasuke and Kisame have told Itachi.
He chooses to avoid speaking of the massacre too directly; he isn't really the best person to explain such things anyways, as he doesn't know all of the details behind what happened.]
You were rather close in age to how old I was when I left Sunagakure, although I joined several years after that. Most of us in this organization did not find true acceptance in our villages, but we have found understanding here. I would say that is one of the things that truly binds us all together.
[His smile widens.]
I do look close to your brother's age, so perhaps you may find it hard to believe that I'm around twice that. I'm an artist as well as a shinobi, and so I chose to transform myself into a work of art not long after I left my village.
[Of course Itachi is staring with wide, but curious eyes at Sasori's arm. He had heard of the shonibi puppet arts of Sunagakure--maybe Sasori-san is from there?--but seeing someone who was a puppet...]
You...you turned yourself into wood? And now you can't die?
[It seems so...strange, although Sasori does not seem to think anything is wrong with it. So maybe there isn't. Itachi can't say he knows everything about the world. Maybe there are more people who turn themselves into puppets than he knows.]
But not being able to die...wouldn't that be lonely?
[Itachi doesn't want to die, but he knows that if he has to die to protect Sasuke he will. But for Sasuke to die before him, even just from old age...]
It must be hard to know that you'll outlive everyone else no matter what. You must be truly strong.
[Itachi nods, taking in Sasori's words and agreeing with many of them. They make sense. He sounds so sure and true to himself.]
It's good for a shinobi to stand by their convictions and their loyalties. It they don't...they may not have anything left.
[Itachi feels some heat in his cheeks. He normally is not one to react to praise, as he has heard it too often. Too much from his father, too much from uncles, aunts, cousins that he barely even knows. And praise comes hand and hand with high expectations. Standards Itachi is not always certain he wants to meet, though since Father says he should he will.
But Sasori saying it...sounds honest. Simple and honest. The redhead does not seem like one who would give out such words lightly.]
I'm still learning about my older-self. Sasuke...does not seem to want me to know everything just yet. He says I will learn with time.
It's exactly so. These are the things that will never abandon you, even if everyone and everything else may do so.
[He smiles once more.]
You are quite fortunate to also have your brother stand with you.
[If Sasuke doesn't wish Itachi to know the full truth, Sasori certainly won't speak of it. It'd be far better for Itachi to learn it from his brother or Kisame, and Sasori certainly isn't prepared to deal with Itachi's reaction.]
And I am not surprised that Sasuke is not telling you everything just yet. The path of those who have left their villages behind is a difficult one to follow, and I'm sure that he simply wishes to spare you from facing all of the hardships you have endured over that time right away.
I'm certain he will reveal everything when you are more comfortable with your current situation. It may be best for you to trust his judgement and remain patient until then, I think.
I'm very lucky to have a little brother. [Mother always says so.] We would do anything for each other.
[But he does look a little...put out.] But I'm the older brother...I'm supposed to be giving him advice and helping him. It's so...strange to be younger than him.
But he's grown up really strong, and I know he would only do something because he thought it was best for me.
[Because that is what Uchiha did. The clan thrives on looking out for each other and doing what is best for everyone. And right now, only he and Sasuke are the Uchiha clan. They will stand together.]
[Seeing the reserved Itachi smiling is quite a rare sight, and Sasori can't help but be amused by Itachi's clear affection for his little brother.
Really, the expression of his devotion to Sasuke may be different, but in some ways, Itachi has changed little. As someone who has always stood apart, Sasori can't help but be a little envious of their enduring bond, despite all the suffering and difficulties between the two brothers over the years.]
Hmm, well, I can tell you that your older self chose to endure many hardships over the years for the sake of your brother, so you've certainly done your duty to him many times over.
Perhaps the best way you can help him for now is to allow him to help you for a change.
[Itachi isn't surprised by Sasori words...but a thick sense of pride does fill his chest.]
So I do get help him when I'm older? That's good!
[There has been that fear...that doubt about his worth to Sasuke when he had obviously failed so much in protecting their family. But Sasori says he does help Sasuke.]
Sasuke will do what's best, so I'm going to listen to him for now. When I'm back to how I should be, I'll make it up to him.
[Little brothers shouldn't have to take care of their big brothers at all...but Itachi will allow it for now. Sasuke will forgive him, he hopes.]
[Sasori sighs. Yet another associate of his that those bastard deities have chosen to toy with.]
The sense of humor of the gods here certainly leaves something to be desired.
[If Itachi is speaking of his parents like this, it suggests to Sasori that his memories may have been tampered with as well.]
I suspect that you may not remember me. This is Sasori, I'm...
[A friend? He feels somewhat presumptuous to declare such a thing. Besides, if a stranger had spoken to him when he was Itachi's age and referred to himself as a friend, he certainly would have been highly suspicious ( ... )
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It's strange.]
You know my brother and Kisame-san? Do you know Pain-san as well?
[Because maybe they all know each other and that explains why they all know him. Itachi knows he could never have met this many people by himself.]
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Kisame is certainly far better suited to handling such things than Sasori is. He doesn't really know how to deal with children; Kisame makes it seem so easy, but Sasori's always had difficulty connecting with children, even when he himself was a child. At least Itachi is a shinobi, so Sasori speaks as he was spoken to at that age-as an adult.]
That's correct. You and Kisame are part of the same organization that I am, the Akatsuki, and Pain is our Leader. You joined several years after I did.
[He smiles slightly.]
I'm a good bit older than I appear, you see.
Admittedly we did not know each other as well until more recently, but I've always respected your self-discipline and abilities as a shinobi.
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[That makes sense, since Pain had called himself Itachi's leader.]
When did I join?
[Was it before his clan had been killed or after?]
You do look young. My brother's age.
[Itachi doesn't know how he should feel about all these people speaking to him with such familiarity. All these people who claim to know him and be his friends and comrades. He is wary, but Sasuke isn't warning him about speaking to them, so they must not be a danger to him. He didn't even stop Itachi from speaking to the Konoha shinobi.
So Itachi isn't afraid, but he's confused.
Why do people seem to like him when he's older?]
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[Sasori hesitates for a moment, unsure of how much Sasuke and Kisame have told Itachi.
He chooses to avoid speaking of the massacre too directly; he isn't really the best person to explain such things anyways, as he doesn't know all of the details behind what happened.]
You were rather close in age to how old I was when I left Sunagakure, although I joined several years after that. Most of us in this organization did not find true acceptance in our villages, but we have found understanding here. I would say that is one of the things that truly binds us all together.
[His smile widens.]
I do look close to your brother's age, so perhaps you may find it hard to believe that I'm around twice that. I'm an artist as well as a shinobi, and so I chose to transform myself into a work of art not long after I left my village.
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[Itachi is trying to take in all of this information, and classify it. He doesn't understand everything the redhead is saying though.]
...Art? What kind of art? How do you turn into art?
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But then I did say quite a bit, I suppose.
Yes, you're correct. We're all members of the same organization, the Akatsuki, and Pain is our Leader.
My art is puppetry, and it's also my combat specialty. I create puppets and use them on the battlefield.
[He pulls up his sleeve to show the seam on his forearm.]
I used the puppetcrafting techniques that I developed to transform my body into a weapon, and also to preserve myself for the ages.
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You...you turned yourself into wood? And now you can't die?
[It seems so...strange, although Sasori does not seem to think anything is wrong with it. So maybe there isn't. Itachi can't say he knows everything about the world. Maybe there are more people who turn themselves into puppets than he knows.]
But not being able to die...wouldn't that be lonely?
[Itachi doesn't want to die, but he knows that if he has to die to protect Sasuke he will. But for Sasuke to die before him, even just from old age...]
It must be hard to know that you'll outlive everyone else no matter what. You must be truly strong.
[Not a compliment Itachi gives lightly.]
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It's good for a shinobi to stand by their convictions and their loyalties. It they don't...they may not have anything left.
[Itachi feels some heat in his cheeks. He normally is not one to react to praise, as he has heard it too often. Too much from his father, too much from uncles, aunts, cousins that he barely even knows. And praise comes hand and hand with high expectations. Standards Itachi is not always certain he wants to meet, though since Father says he should he will.
But Sasori saying it...sounds honest. Simple and honest. The redhead does not seem like one who would give out such words lightly.]
I'm still learning about my older-self. Sasuke...does not seem to want me to know everything just yet. He says I will learn with time.
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It's exactly so. These are the things that will never abandon you, even if everyone and everything else may do so.
[He smiles once more.]
You are quite fortunate to also have your brother stand with you.
[If Sasuke doesn't wish Itachi to know the full truth, Sasori certainly won't speak of it. It'd be far better for Itachi to learn it from his brother or Kisame, and Sasori certainly isn't prepared to deal with Itachi's reaction.]
And I am not surprised that Sasuke is not telling you everything just yet. The path of those who have left their villages behind is a difficult one to follow, and I'm sure that he simply wishes to spare you from facing all of the hardships you have endured over that time right away.
I'm certain he will reveal everything when you are more comfortable with your current situation. It may be best for you to trust his judgement and remain patient until then, I think.
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I'm very lucky to have a little brother. [Mother always says so.] We would do anything for each other.
[But he does look a little...put out.] But I'm the older brother...I'm supposed to be giving him advice and helping him. It's so...strange to be younger than him.
But he's grown up really strong, and I know he would only do something because he thought it was best for me.
[Because that is what Uchiha did. The clan thrives on looking out for each other and doing what is best for everyone. And right now, only he and Sasuke are the Uchiha clan. They will stand together.]
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Really, the expression of his devotion to Sasuke may be different, but in some ways, Itachi has changed little. As someone who has always stood apart, Sasori can't help but be a little envious of their enduring bond, despite all the suffering and difficulties between the two brothers over the years.]
Hmm, well, I can tell you that your older self chose to endure many hardships over the years for the sake of your brother, so you've certainly done your duty to him many times over.
Perhaps the best way you can help him for now is to allow him to help you for a change.
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So I do get help him when I'm older? That's good!
[There has been that fear...that doubt about his worth to Sasuke when he had obviously failed so much in protecting their family. But Sasori says he does help Sasuke.]
Sasuke will do what's best, so I'm going to listen to him for now. When I'm back to how I should be, I'll make it up to him.
[Little brothers shouldn't have to take care of their big brothers at all...but Itachi will allow it for now. Sasuke will forgive him, he hopes.]
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