[Sasuke] It only hurts when your eyes are open

[his_light]

[Part Four Two of the Orochisuke thread. After making amends with Mikoto and Sakura, Sasuke can be found wandering the halls, glancing here and there as he goes. Still powerless, but that doesn't stop him from seeking out those he's hurt.]

[A day later and Sasuke's back to normal. Feel free to come kick his ass, Tenten guilt him up. Or down. Or

Comments

lolol /MUSE DOGPILE~

[hold_the_fon]

[passes you in the hallway~]

Ah! Hello, Sasuke!

/o/

[his_light]

*looks at, but rather distantly, and just nods slightly in response -- but hey, a nod that defined is more than usual*

\o\ \o\ \o\ \o\

[hold_the_fon]

Thank you for your help the other day. I might have been lost in that forest for hours if you hadn't come along.

I'll probably throw a few more at you after some of these finish up. |D

[hold_the_fon]

[pauses, eyes scanning his face closely, his own growing concerned]

...If you don't mind my asking...is something wrong?

WOO~

[his_light]

No. *glances aside -- a.k.a. the obvious "I'm totally lying" giveaway* It's nothing.

[hold_the_fon]

[totally catches that, and replies with his usual gentle smile] Somehow I doubt that. But if you'd rather I didn't inquire further, that's all right. I don't mean to pry.

ugh DAMN the fact that he doesn't TALK to people. >\

[his_light]

...You're not.

*looking down and to the side now, seeming to hold back a sigh. But not taking his leave just yet*

/mini-sermon lol

[hold_the_fon]

[...not...quite sure if that means 'go ahead and ask', or 'what you asked already wasn't prying', but...he looks so guilty, and seems to need to talk this out, so Ion presses on, albeit not too forcefully]

...One of my dearest friends made a terrible mistake a while back, and it cost hundreds of people their lives. It took him a while to come to terms with it, but he eventually accepted the responsibility for his actions, and decided to do everything he could to make up for it. What had happened, had happened, and he realised that thinking about the past until he couldn't move forward anymore wouldn't do anyone any good.

[his_light]

...

*call it a lucky guess* ...Is this the same friend I reminded you of?

[hold_the_fon]

[nice guess--is suitably impressed] Yes, that's right.

[his_light]

...*the sermon story may not snap him right out of his misery, but it's a step in the direction of making him look at the big picture -- because truth be told, it could be worse. Much worse. It's just that knowing that isn't enough -- at least not now.*

...How long did it take him?

[hold_the_fon]

[just helping him recognise the existence of that big picture was all Ion wanted to do. These things take time, after all, and it's not something that anyone else can really help Sasuke with; it's something he has wrestle with on his own, just like anyone else struggling with guilt and the like. And the only thing other people can do is show that they're there for you if you need them.]

It didn't happen right away. It isn't easy to change yourself, after all, even if you're consciously trying to. The important thing, for him anyway, was that he just kept trying, even if he made more mistakes along the way.

...But...I know he still carries the weight of that guilt in his heart. That's something that I don't think can ever really be lifted. But it's not quite the same as blaming himself constantly. It's more like he's remembering where he started, and recognising how far he's come. It pushes him forward instead of holding him back.

[his_light]

*is listening, taking this to heart, even if he's not about to explain anything.*

*nods, partly in unconscious agreement, mostly in acknowledgment* ...

[hold_the_fon]

[keeps smiling--nodding is positive, a good sign]

I'm sure you'll work your way through this, whatever it may be. You don't seem like the type to give up either. And if you ever do wish to discuss the particulars, I'd be happy to listen.

[his_light]

*...augh. Why does Sasuke, of everyone, always end up with such good people around him? All he did was give this kid directions.*

... *nods again, but with eye contact this time* ...I'll remember that. *the story, mostly; even if he won't take up on the offer, he'll still remember that it was made.*

[hold_the_fon]

[...if Ion knew you were wondering that, he'd say something about like attracting like, just fyi. ^_^ ]

[...and that's pretty clearly a 'TY BUT NO', but that's Sasuke's choice, and pressing the matter any further would be intrusive; gonna let him escape go now]

It was nice to see you again, Sasuke. Perhaps we'll run into each other again soon, at a better time.

[gives a polite nod and another smile and continues on his way, not wanting to force himself on anyone for too long]