[Voice]

[shar1ngan]

Comments

[ Private | Video ]

[ura_no_ura]

[ Kakashi flickers on screen, opting for video over audio. There's something gentle about the way he looks through the NV, something that's not easily expressed with words alone. ]

Itachi.

[ Concern softens the edge of his eye. Kakashi's been worried, too, unable to find Sasuke anywhere. ]

[ Private | Video ]

[shar1ngan]

[ Fuck. He flicks on the video, but can't quite look at the screen. He's staring off into the middle distance, sitting low on the horrible orange couch. ]

Kakashi-san, I...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... [ Colour is rising in his cheeks again, damnit! This is ridiculous. He struggles for control, his voice growing impassive, even cold once more as the colour fades ]

I hope you don't think badly of me.

[ Private | Video ]

[ura_no_ura]

[ Kakashi's a little confused. He's not entirely sure what Itachi is apologizing for, unless it's for cutting the "-san" off his name. ]

Hmm?

[ Private | Video ]

[shar1ngan]

[Damnit, why is Kakashi pretending not to understand? This is hard enough without his cooperation.]

[A muscle in his jaw tightens.] I allowed myself to be drugged, and I acted foolishly.

[ Private | Video ]

[ura_no_ura]

[ So that's what it was. Kakashi's expression tightens quickly, any emotion at the edges of his eye sliding under his mask with ease. ]

Ah, I suppose you're going to tell me that you regret it, then. And that we should forget it ever happened.

[ He says this very dryly, his voice lacking any kind of inflection. ]

[ Private | Video ]

[shar1ngan]

[ There's a moment, while Itachi's own eyes widen, seeing the softness drain out of Kakashi's face. ]

...No. That's not it.

[ He frowns, struggling to choose his words carefully. ]

I don't regret it. I only regret if you think less of me for the circumstances. And I regret that it hurt Sasuke.

[ He glances away from the video slightly ]

But it's not something I want to forget.

[ Private | Video ]

[ura_no_ura]

[ Kakashi's features soften a little with Itachi's words. ]

I didn't mean for it to hurt Sasuke, either.

[ He starts quietly. ]

But I don't have any reason to think lesser of you...

[ After all, Kakashi had given into Itachi's insistence. ]

[ Private | Video ]

[shar1ngan]

[ Itachi brushes a lock of hair out of his face and glances sidelong at the screen again, his eyes bottomless black, but wry. ]

I allowed myself to be drugged. It's not exactly becoming of a ninja of the calibre I'm supposed to be.

[ A soft sigh ] Have you heard from Sasuke at all?

[ Private | Video ]

[ura_no_ura]

[ Kakashi's gaze cuts away from the screen, then. ]

No. I've been looking but... he's good at hiding, and I don't have my ninken here.

[ Private | Video ]

[shar1ngan]

You don't? [ Itachi looks startled, then nods slowly. ] I didn't know.

[ He sighs ] He's very mad at me... I'm going to find him even if I have to search all night.

[ His own gaze cuts away for a moment once more. ] I just hope he'll forgive me this time.

[ Private | Video ]

[ura_no_ura]

At the very least... we should team up. The burden of the responsibility is not just upon you. I... should have been more considerate.

[ He doesn't say he should have been more careful (because he should have been), or that he was careless (because he was), or that he should have known better. ]

As for my ninken... I can't use Kuchiyose no Jutsu. It appears that in this dimension, my contract with my summons is void.

[ Private | Video ]

[shar1ngan]

[ The suggestion is tempting, and Itachi rejects it with a shake of his head. ]

You can and should look for him yourself, Kakashi-san. For your own sake. But I don't think that the two of us approaching him together will make him more receptive.

[ He purses his lips. ] He seems to think that he's less important to me than you are.

[ Private | Video ]

[ura_no_ura]

[ Kakashi just sighs. ]

Obviously, he isn't thinking things through. Let me know if you find him -- I'd like to talk to him as well. And if I find him first, I'll let you know...

[ Private | Video ]

[shar1ngan]

I'll let you know, Kakashi-san. He's being foolish if he thinks there's anything in the universe more important to me than he is.

[ He hesitates, realizing that this could be a bit hurtful to Kakashi, and sneaks a look at the video, assessing. ]

[ Private | Video ]

[ura_no_ura]

[ If Kakashi's hurt by Itachi's words, he doesn't show it. ]

I know.

[ He says softly with a slight dip of his head. ]

But I'm sure you'll correct his judgment, hmm?

[ Private | Video ]

[shar1ngan]

[ Itachi smiles for what feels like the first time all week, and he nods, getting to his feet. He intends to start his search now. ]

I hope so. I plan to.