thirty crows (朱) action/video (time shift catch-all)

[yourhatred]

September 22nd - closed to Law

[Itachi leaves his bedroom as usual, but exits it at death's door.

The time shift, catching him moments before he would conclude a fight with his brother, moments before the time he was brought from into Luceti in the first place, dumps a bleeding, wreck of a man out the other side of the doorway. The ninja staggers, a bloody arm that had been held out in front of him catching onto the opposite wall of the hallway.

So ready. He'd been so ready. What's going on? Literal moments away from dying, prepared to give into the inevitable, Itachi now finds himself having to do his damnedest to keep himself breathing. The orange glow of Susano'o at first barely surrounding him as he arrived, fades away into nothing as he fights against the darkness at the edge of his vision.

Where is Sasuke?

Coughing, his free hand covering his mouth as blood ran through his fingers, the man leaned further against the wall, the last of his adrenaline leaving him.]

September 23rd - OTA

[Late in the day, after a fair amount of rest, Itachi finds his journal and spends a while reading through it. The other entries become too confusing after a while, but he at last tries to make one of his own. After all, it does seem to be a form of communication.]

I'm looking for Uchiha Sasuke.

September 24th - OTA

[After a failed attempt at trying to get up and make his own breakfast, the ninja will eventually escape the house by way of a substitution technique and wander the town. The clothing is slightly ill-fitting, as the Itachi that's been living in Luceti for the past four years is a fair bit healthier than the one walking slowly through it now.

Don't worry. The cough isn't contagious.

He can be found in basically any building around the town center, and eventually sitting wearily at the fountain.]

September 25th

[Officially banned to the house, but still this older self until he wakes up the morning of the 26th.]

Comments

[deathsdoctor]

[... oh fine. He'll just keep returning the favour whenever you decide you don't deserve something because of your own past, then.

Even if Itachi on a feed is nothing like the terrifying spectacle of Law on a feed, the pirate has to smile. It's good to see him enjoying himself, even if it's over something as simple as lunch.

It's part of why Law himself enjoys cooking so much - he gets to see Itachi's reaction to what he makes.]

[yourhatred]

[He finally stops long enough to speak again, giving Law an apologetic look.]

... I'll go back to bed after this.

I've worried you enough.

[deathsdoctor]

[Law's smile just grows softer.]

Alright. [Apology accepted.] I'll have some tea ready when you do get up again.

[yourhatred]

[Itachi nods, finishing up the rest of his meal at a more sedate pace so that it can settle a little before he drags himself up the stairs.

Law's free to assist him when he gets up. He won't complain even if he's sure he can do it himself now.]

[deathsdoctor]

[He'll let Itachi do it on his own. Step in if he has to. But, he does get up himself, picking up some laundry he has folded on a chair near where the combo washer and dryer are located.

(Small house after all. The kitchen does double duty as a laundry room.)

Just so he has an excuse to come up with him... even if he'll be headed to their his room and not Itachi's.]

[yourhatred]

[Itachi wouldn't be quick to admit it, but he's glad for the extra pair of eyes since he still feels a little unsteady.

He makes it to the room okay but sits heavily on the side of the bed, resting there for a few moments. How bothersome.]

[deathsdoctor]

[There's the quiet sounds in the next room of Law putting clothing away. The creak of bed springs as the man sits on the bed, head in hands. Weary.

Long moments pass before the pirate gets up to go back downstairs, passing by Itachi's room and glancing in.

His eyes are red again.

Law can't control the manifestation of the Sharingan perfectly yet. And it shows.]

[yourhatred]

[Itachi won't notice the color of his eyes. He doesn't notice anything on account of having dozed off.

The ninja isn't even laying down. He's still sitting on the edge of the bed, somewhat slumped with his head lowered, still in his clothes. That's as far as he'd gotten, it seems.]

[deathsdoctor]

[... well. That won't do.

(Even if the whole picture is... kinda cute)]

... oi... [Murmured, as he steps into the room.] ... that doesn't look comfortable...

[yourhatred]

[The ninja doesn't respond to that comment, exhausted as he is. He doesn't stir at all, and is still not aware the other man has entered.]

[deathsdoctor]

[Law doesn't make any effort to be stealthy coming in further to wake Itachi up to put him straight to bed.

Part of him wonders if he's actually going to tuck him in, clothes and all, and is a little amused despite everything. It's been such a long time since he's done anything like that.

He comes to a halt in front of Itachi, one hand gently coming to rest on his shoulder.]

... oi...

[yourhatred]

[The ninja's eyes crack open at the touch. One hand grabs for Law's wrist, while the other reaches for a weapon pouch that isn't there. He pauses at that, waking up a bit more fully.

He blinks at the pirate, heart pumping hard. Where is-- oh. He's still sitting here.]

[deathsdoctor]

[Law lets him, making no move. He was expecting that. He smiles a little.]

Your back is going to have it out for you if you keep snoozing like that.

[yourhatred]

Nn.

[Itachi rubs at one eye with the heel of his hand. As far as he's concerned, his back is the least of his problems.]

Wasn't out long, was I?

[He starts removing his shirt. Might as well no sleep in his clothes. This movement gets a bit of coughing out of him.]

[deathsdoctor]

Just five minutes.

[The smile fades a little, hearing that cough. In the future... if that ever returns...

That path's not being retread.]

Not long at all.

[yourhatred]

I see.

[The shirt is tossed aside, and... that's good enough for now. He'll just sleep like this.]

Thank you for waking me.

[Itachi maneuvers himself further onto the bed, laying down so he's propped up by his elbow and pulling the blanket up. Then he stops, giving Law another tired look.]

And for everything else.

[deathsdoctor]

[The smile returns... soft and gentle.]

No problem.

[For it all.]

Sleep well.

[And with that, he'll quietly leave the room so Itachi can get his rest.]