{Voice - 16}

[sucker_punches]

Has anyone got a minute?

[There's a rough quality to her voice, though it doesn't waver. She uses voice, as she usually does, but this time for a reason. She does not want to use video. She can keep her voice steady but she can't hide how red her eyes probably are right now.]

Just to... talk. About anything, really.

I'd appreciate it.

Comments

[ Voice | Private ]

[uchihaweasel]

Sakura...

[Not something Itachi would ordinarily admit to, let alone commit to, but these are not ordinary circumstances--]

I will make this up to you. You have my word.

[ Voice | Private ]

[sucker_punches]

You don't--

[She has no idea what to do with that promise. None at all.]

It wasn't your fault.

[ Voice | Private ]

[uchihaweasel]

Nevertheless.

[As in, he feels it was his fault regardless of what she says.]

The promise stands.

[ Voice | Private ]

[sucker_punches]

He is such an idiot!

[It's a small outburst, especially when you consider what she's capable of, but there it is.]

Voice

[lenalee_lee]

Sakura?

[There's concern in her voice at the roughness in Sakura's.]

Of course I do. Is something wrong?

Voice

[sucker_punches]

[Is something wrong? Yes. Yes, absolutely. She can't lie about it, so she skips the question.]

How have you been, Lenalee?

Voice

[lenalee_lee]

I've been doing better lately. How've you been? Is there anything I can help you with? Anything at all.

Voice

[sucker_punches]

... it's been a bad day.

[UNDERSTATEMENT.]

It's good to hear a friendly voice.

[ voice ]

[heartbetween]

If you need someone to talk to, I'm pretty good at listening.

[ voice ]

[sucker_punches]

I'm... looking more for a conversation.

[A distraction, she means, from her problems.]

[ voice ]

[heartbetween]

Ah...all right.

[he can work with that. A tiny pause while he thinks of something to say, and then]

Have your injuries healed, Sakura?

[ voice ]

[sucker_punches]

[Good pick, Kaien.]

Yeah, I'm basically fully recovered. I've started training again.

[voice]

[firebornfidelis]

[Her voice is soft and concerned]

Are you all right, Sakura? Is there anything I can do?

[voice]

[sucker_punches]

Riza. How are you doing?

[Oh, wait, she didn't answer the question. Whoops?]

[voice]

[firebornfidelis]

I'm all right. Thank you.

[She doesn't miss the fact that Sakura glossed right over her concern. But it's all right.]

How have you been? I've been meaning to come and see you. To thank you.

[voice]

[sucker_punches]

I'm glad to hear that.

I've been recovering.

[It's true, at least.

Sakura laughs, lightly.] It seems like no matter how often I tell people it isn't necessary, they want to thank me. You're welcome. It really is the least I can do.

[tentative voice]

[dollchains]

[She doesn't think they've ever spoken, but -- this is Naruto's friend, isn't it? She's unsure, but she knows she's heard them talking once or twice. And since it's Naruto's friend, there's no need to be shy.

Right?]

Um... I can listen, if you want.

[voice] Aww so cute

[sucker_punches]

Thank you, but I don't really want to talk about what's bothering me.

[Not with most people, anyway. And there's no point in pretending she isn't bothered.]

Just talk, in general. You're Namine, aren't you?

[voice] xD She's useless on the battlefield so she's resorted to trying to be friends with everybody

[dollchains]

That's okay.

[Well, she should have guessed, really -- humans were good at hiding, just like Nobodies were good at lying. She didn't blame her, though -- she didn't really like talking about things that she was bothered by either.]

Um, that's me. How did you know?

[voice] It's a good plan, really!

[sucker_punches]

I've seen you on the network before. [Yes, she pays attention. Healthy ninja paranoia.] I know we haven't spoken much.