[Video;]

[switch_it_off]

[Sasuke looks pissed, but only to those unused to his various levels of apathetic glare. The intensity marks the tells to what he feels beneath, and judging by the dark furrow between tired eyes it's more than just his usual Bad Mood. His voice rasps with fatigue when he speaks, unrelated to the current problem;]

Naruto, where the hell are you?

[A

Comments

[Action]

[shar1ngan]

No word yet?

[Action]

[switch_it_off]

[He lowers his wrist and finally looks away from the video feed. Then mutely shakes his head.]

Re: [Action]

[shar1ngan]

[Itachi looks solemn.]

It would take a lot to take him down. He'll be all right.

[Action]

[switch_it_off]

... [Unconvinced, Sasuke looks away and silently rubs the healing bruises on his neck from surgical cuts.

If he'd been caught so easily by SERO... And Naruto's not a quiet type, he wouldn't be off-network this long. He would have responded to this. Sasuke threatened both ramen and that couch which had somehow started signifying their entire 'friendship.'

This isn't normal for him. He thinks of Juugo, randomly, and inwardly winces.]

[Action]

[shar1ngan]

[Comforting lies won't be believed, and Itachi doesn't know what else to say. He just sits on the couch beside his brother and lets their shoulders brush together. Nothing else to do. He's already got feelers out looking for some hint of more newcomers being taken by SERO.]

[Action]

[switch_it_off]

[All Sasuke can think about is Iruka's file, the pages he'd destroyed. With the 'void' agents there, Naruto would be helpless to fend off whatever sick tortures or experiments. His body would be disposed of in a furnace somewhere and his shadow would roam in the dark, forever caught between worlds.

His hands tremble and fist helplessly, eyes burning holes in the floor.

'We'll be friends again if it kills me, teme. Believe it!'

All the things Naruto said, that seemed so stupid at the time, were flooding back to him and Sasuke didn't know how to process it, how to feel anything other than angry, so fucking angry he couldn't stand it. 'You're like a brother to me!' Is your brother missing, Ace had asked! And he'd had to bite his tongue almost bloody to keep from saying 'yes' out of instinct, because at some point he'd started thinking of that idiot as a - as his -

He trembled, confused briefly by the sudden pain in his temples, until he realized he'd been clenching his teeth so hard they squeaked.]

[Action]

[shar1ngan]

[Itachi felt the trembling and hesitated, not knowing what to do. Did Sasuke want his comfort? Or would it be rejected?

All he could do was put his arm around his little brother and lean a little closer, resting his chin on the younger Uchiha's shoulder.]

[Action]

[switch_it_off]

[If Naruto had been captured, used, killed - what the hell would he do? Sasuke was near-drowning in dark thoughts and panic until Itachi's touch startled him into lifting his head, breaking his line of thinking. He blinked dazedly and silently leaned back, his hands uncurling slowly from their tight fists.

It was only after he'd breathed for a few minutes and started to relax that he realized the air reeked of electricity. His nail beds had gone pink and his fingertips tingled.

He'd been calling the chidori without realizing. He couldn't remember the last time his control had slipped so badly.]

Re: [Action]

[shar1ngan]

[Itachi had felt the crackle of electricity in the air and the hairs at the back of his neck had risen, but he remained where he was. His eyes slid sideways, seeing the slight damage to Sasuke's hands.

He reached out and took a hand, buffing the fingers to dispell the last of the charge. He felt a zap hit his palm, but it wasn't more than one would get walking on carpet on a winter's day.]

We should do something.

[Action]

[switch_it_off]

[Sasuke's fingers twitched in Itachi's grasp, but he made no effort to pull them away. He blinked dazedly and nodded, automatic. Dully;]

We should.

[Action]

[shar1ngan]

[The dazed, unemotional Sasuke was worse than the usual unemotional Sasuke, and Itachi was definitely worried. Too much had happened, too many shocks in a short time.

He lets go with one hand and pokes Sasuke between the eyes.]

Wake up, Sasuke.

[Action]

[switch_it_off]

[Sasuke twitched back, inhaling sharply through his teeth, a reflexive 'ow!' hanging on the tip of his tongue. He swallowed it back in time, releasing a tiny strangled noise of irritation, but when glaring eyes focused on his brother they were clear.]

Re: [Action]

[shar1ngan]

[Satisfaction:] Much better.

[Sobering] We don't know where he is, or even if he's been taken by SERO. So what do you want to do? Take down SERO?

[He says this last as if it's perfectly reasonable. As far as he's concerned, it is. It's a mission, nothing more. It may be an impossible mission, or at least very hard, but if Sasuke wants to do it, Itachi will focus on that and achieve it or die trying.]

[Action]

[switch_it_off]

[Confusion. Sasuke gives in to the urge and rubs his forehead slowly, still frowning. He speaks slowly, after mulling it over;]

If we must. I'd need to confirm SERO's responsible before acting. It could be Afterglow, or another source.

Re: [Action]

[shar1ngan]

We already know SERO is responsible for your injuries. Taking down both would be a big job. [Just stating the facts.

Besides, Itachi is more motivated by Sasuke's injuries than Naruto's disappearance. But he will do what Sasuke wants in this case, regardless.]

[Action]

[switch_it_off]

[Sasuke nods and settles back down on the couch. That disgustingly orange couch he's itching to throw out in the forest and bleed his eyes out burning to ashes.

He rubs his fingers together, noting how sensitive they are now that he's burned the callouses off with his flare of temper. He'll have to be more careful.]

Yeah.