[closed] the haze in the sunrise

[anbu]

Who: Itachi & various.
When: Month of Iuneril.
Where: Around the city, in the Wilde.
What: Catch-all.
Warnings: Minor violence and detailed descriptions of blood, will update as necessary.



[OOC: Closed starters below, feel free to contact me if you want to do something specific. CR/plotting comment here.]

Comments

[anbu]

[If he sees and comprehends that subtle exchange, it goes decidedly ignored at his brother's approach. Itachi remains standing apart from the vast majority of those who are gathered awaiting to embark into the forest. He's turned down a few direct attempts at company, or at least conversation, but Sasuke isn't likely to get the same treatment.

And this is proven true in the way Itachi immediately turns to face him, arms loose at his sides.]

It wasn't something I thought needed to be shared. [Most of his trips into the Wilde have been solo occasions; this was originally planned that way as well.] Will Jonas be meeting you here?

[Even now, their relationship precariously decent, he can't help but feel a daunting unease at the prospect of being alone with Sasuke for a trip of this length.]

[eyeforaneye]

[ His cloak is heavier than the one his brother would've seen him wearing last, stretching fully to the ground, and with his hood most notably up. His features are clear even if his face is shadowed, a glance cast upward at the retreating sun to mark its trajectory and map how long it's likely to take before he's free from its irritating presence altogether. ]

I see. [ The gaps in their conversation are full of his real meanings, understandable only to someone like Itachi: "that makes sense then", "it isn't a problem", "I should've checked in". A positive "I see". ]

No, I'll be traveling alone. Since I assume it's the same for you, we can work together.

[anbu]

[He does notice, following Sasuke's upward look and guessing its intention. There is some comfort that comes out of reading his brother's body language and behavior in general. Not that he enjoys knowing the reason why Sasuke is concerned with the sun.]

We can travel together. [Work implies... a closer cooperation, one he suspects he knows what will involve: temporary bonding. So perhaps he did see Sasuke's pit stop on the way over.] We should leave now, then, if we don't want to be burdened with a crowd.

[The better to avoid attracting unwanted attention in the woords. Itachi turns, lifts his bag onto his shoulder, and begins in the direction of the dark treeline ahead.]

[eyeforaneye]

[ The pause between Itachi's declaration and his heel-face turn to leave is minute at best but uncontested. Why bother? If they're going to leave then they should do it; there's no need to waste time debating the issue. And so he falls in line, making it a point to stay as even with his brother as possible rather than linger behind him.

That would feel... almost a little too nostalgic. ]

I've made this journey before and am familiar with the route and destination. We don't need to rely on the rest of the group at all if you don't wish to camp with them. [ Sure, there's safety in numbers, but his confidence in his own and his brother's fighting skills far outweighs any doubts. ]

I packed extra food as well if you need any. [ Food that he himself doesn't need. A precaution not for himself, but for other individuals on the road. ]

[anbu]

[He notices the pacing, and he honestly prefers it, because it's far easier to turn his gaze sidelong to look at his brother this way. The glance is still subtle, but it's there. It lingers a little on Sasuke's words.]

That's fine with me. I've explored some of the Wilde on my own, but not in this direction. I will follow your lead. [Words perhaps bearing more gravity between the two of them than they would with others.] As for the food, I shouldn't, unless we are delayed on return.

[Itachi now looks ahead as they continue to walk, crossing into the dark boundary of trees.]

I thought a vampire's appetite was altered. [What a perfect opportunity to ask—] How are your symptoms?

[eyeforaneye]

It makes sense. Deferring to my expertise on a subject due to my greater volume of experience with it.

[ Is he hinting at something? Preparing to lead into something? Of course, but all in due time. ]

I can still eat regular food and gain some energy from it, I just can't neglect my need for other forms of nutrition. With each passing full moon the imbalance merely grows. [ Here he falls briefly silent, ignoring a call from behind when they're noticed promptly walking away from the rest of the group. Fools... ]

I've learned to live with the pain. Recently I've found myself unable to enter buildings without invitation; that one is becoming more of an irritation. What about your own symptoms? [ You better not be ready to explode soon. ]

[anbu]

[At the shout from the expedition's group, Itachi glances back thoughtfully, but otherwise doesn't address it. Traveling safely with his brother is the priority now above anything else.] ... I see. This other form of nutrition being the lifeblood of living creatures.

[This statement of a fact made, dark eyes drift back to Sasuke. He finds himself frowning.] Is there no way to manage the pain? Herbal concoctions, or... perhaps magic. I understand Jonas is specializing in healing spells.

I've done some research on such behaviors noted in Vampires. [Is he ignoring the question? No, just circling around to it. Slowly.] My symptoms are manageable still. The new moons are a difficult time of the month, of course, but I restrict myself to the unpopulated area just outside the city's boundary, closer to the Wilde. It's easier that way.

[eyeforaneye]

Yes. [ No more needs to be said; a quick glance over is enough. It's not something he likes to give a voice to, but perhaps that means he should more often. ]

What I'm dealing with is unavoidable and thus it doesn't interest me to talk about it. Pain is pain. It doesn't matter to me if it's great or small when I can still do my work.

... yours we can combat. We have an opportunity to even do so temporarily, without risk. [ Of course he would turn it into this as quickly as possible, the Bonding potion sitting heavily in his pocket. ]

[anbu]

[Pain is pain. The frown on Itachi's lips doesn't fade, and in fact it deepens.]

A temporary bond. [He watches their surroundings, aware of the growing darkness. They're not far from the farm complex and haven't yet gone deep into the surrounding woods; still, a pervasive shadow touches this place. It seems to swallow them whole, until they're left alone.] I've tried it once before now. It was... uncomfortable, but also useful.

I know you took one of the potions they were offering. [He keeps his gaze ahead.] I'll allow a bond for the sake of this mission.

[eyeforaneye]

[ Darkness crowds them in a way he finds both incredibly nostalgic and shockingly new. It reminds him of evenings spent alone in the Uchiha compound, battling against time as the last rays of sunlight abandoned him while he fought to finish a plethora of chores in abandoned gardens that one by one would fall into disrepair. It reminds him of Orochimaru's hideouts when the last candle in a long hallway would burn out and he'd be forced to rely on instincts to save him crossing unpleasant shadows. It reminds him of traveling in the forest, trailed by ANBU after his release from prison every time he entered Konoha territory.

But those times he was always alone. His gaze travels to Itachi, suddenly feeling his need for that Bond growing... and this time without the excuse of wanting to preserve his brother's safety. ]

You know my intentions. I want something permanent as well; I'm the best candidate for you.

Do you agree with that?

[anbu]

[The question is no surprise. It's one he's been fielding for weeks, whether continually unspoken or abandoned in a residual and familiar behavior. Here and now there's no way around it. They're already on the topic, and as he approaches his fourth month it'll become worse. Soon he'll cross a threshold where he will no longer be in control of himself.

The limits of his power are affected by that. Itachi cares little for the physical consequences, but this one is important—it means a direct tie to everything he's capable in this world, stripped of chakra.]

... It depends on how you'd define that ideal choice in a partner. Based strictly on our relationship to one another, yes, you're the person closest to me. That is undeniable. There's less threat of exposing something that the other cannot bear or understand.

[But.]

We're also at a higher risk of emotionally compromising one another. The feedback in a permanent Bond between us could be dangerous, particularly if it becomes unstable. Have you considered this?

[Your effect on me, unsaid.]