001; [video]

[unfeasible]

[Slight static alerts anyone listening and watching that the feed has started, and then there's sharp tapping against the NV's microphone-- the camera finally clears and Naruto's face fizzles into view. His face is dirty and his grin cynical. Are his eyes damp? Nahhh, you're just imagining it.]When somebody leaves someplace, they kinda hope they

Comments

[sharp_fox]

[-!]

[...no. He's gotten way too used to false alarms.]

It's as free as air, so long as yeh don't mind smog.

[unfeasible]

...What's free?

[sharp_fox]

Information~

[unfeasible]

Oh. [blink. that's new.]

Wow, this city is weird already. Pfft.

[hergreatgospel]

Can you tell me what the person looks like?

[unfeasible]

Uh... Well, I mean-- I'm looking for a buncha people, really, so...

[hergreatgospel]

Well, we all have to start somewhere, right?
So who is at the top of the list?

[unfeasible]

[okay, you're sweet and therefore get his lips quirking in a smile] You're right.

...Shika. He's, uh. [the grins spreads thinking about how to describe his friend] Lazy as all fuck. Wears floppy hoodies, black hair, scowls...

[voice]

[mentis_reae]

Where were you previously, then?

[unfeasible]

[sorry Shika, Naruto sucks at this "keep your mouth shut and head down" thing]

A city a lot like this one. Don't tell me this is still Neo...

[mentis_reae]

And you were expecting to come to another city?

[unfeasible]

Yeah. Sorta.

1/2

[switch_it_off]

[He's back.

Sasuke knows that voice. And when he lifts his wrists and turns it to see the image, the face is impossible to mistake. He doesn't realize he's grinding his teeth until pain splinters across his temples and needles down the back of his neck.

Naruto.

Naruto is fucking back. After all this time he shows up like nothing fucking happened, like he's arriving for the first time, asking questions with that innocent vapid grin and damp eyes, 'looking for someone.'

He relaxes his jaw through sheer force of will, and takes two deep breaths before switching on the feed to answer.]

2/2

[switch_it_off]

You know where you fucking are. Don't play stupid.

[His glare is hot and angry. It's close to dark and the sirens are primed to sound soon. What's Naruto playing at? He has no patience for this act.]

Get indoors before the shadows kill you, or I do.

[unfeasible]

[Today is not Naruto's day for keeping his stomach steady. It took him a brief moment to place that voice because it had been so long since he'd heard it, but once he did--

The camera's view flips upside down as Naruto instinctively uses his hand to resist losing what little is left within himself to, er, express the beyond overwhelming rush of equally overpowering emotions. Ugh, god, why couldn't all this 'remembering' bullshit happen a little at a time...]

I know you.

[thank you, Captain Obvious. his tone, despite everything he was feeling physically and otherwise, was oddly steady and calm.]

What the fuck are you doing here.

[switch_it_off]

[... Of all the things he'd expected to hear, that -

That really didn't even make the list.

He stares at the screen with an odd expression, something tight and strained around the eyes and mouth, and searches Naruto for insincerity. No, he really doesn't remember a damned thing, does he?

'I know you'

Something inside his chest starts to tighten and hurt.

The hell is that supposed to even mean-]

You -

[He sounds angry, but neutral, forcefully so. Of course nothing that happened the last time Naruto was here meant anything. It was foolish to think otherwise, the orange blur doesn't even fucking remember it. How can he stand there looking so perplexed over who Sasuke even is, why he's here, how can he even dare to stand there with that stupid expression on his face, what had Sasuke even expected?]

... don't. You haven't known me for years.

Get inside before the sirens. I don't feel like dealing with the fallout if you get your fool self killed in the darkness.

[shar1ngan]

[ Unlike Sasuke, Itachi has a bit of perspective on this development. Many weird things have happened, or could happen as a result of torture and experimentation. He's inclined to be somewhat gentler about Naruto's temporary absence. ]

Naruto-kun, you've been gone for quite a while. You don't remember?

[unfeasible]

I've never been here before...

[isn't really paying attention because HE'S GOING TO STARE A LOT NOW for many reasons]

[shar1ngan]

Perhaps you just don't remember. We spoke a few times while you were here. We had a truce, since Sasuke's staying with me.

[He returns the stare, frowning faintly]

[unfeasible]

Waitwait WHAT?! Slow the fuck down, I-- I'VE NEVER BEEN HERE BEFORE. And WHAT. THE FUCK. ARE YOU. DOING HERE. I-I mean...you were-- back in-- but then in Neo--