twenty-four crows (朱) video

[yourhatred]

[Itachi focuses the view on himself, sitting in the living room of the house he shares with Law. As usual, he's in a plain blue silk shirt with his black clothes beneath. At his feet, a gray cat rubs against the leg of his chair.]

It has come to my attention that several others from the world I originate from have arrived in Luceti. To them, if they are aware of who I am, I simply state my presence and assure that there is no need to consider me an adversary at this point in time. This is in the hopes of avoiding any unfortunate altercations in the future should we happen to run across each other.

[Things are chaotic enough as is.]

I am under close scrutiny [This is mostly true to a point.] and have been here for some time, so there is no cause for alarm.

Comments

[redhotmama]

[Kushina stares at the little picture of Itachi and blinks. There were a lot of people from Konoha, but this... this is probably one of the weirdest moments.]

Are you...

[She rubs her chin speculatively.]

You can't be... you're all grown up. Little Itachi?

[yourhatred]

Ah...

[He'd seen her intro, of course, but saying anything at that point in time would have felt like tossing more confusion upon things when what she needed most was just to meet up with her son.

Now he's not entirely sure what to say.]

Uzumaki-san. Yes. It is a pleasure to see you again.

[niceguypose]

[He surveys the video closely. As surreal as it was to communicate with Sasuke not too long ago, this feels even stranger. The S-Rank missing-nin who killed his own clan, his own family, openly proclaiming himself to not be a threat. His image right there in the journal. Even though this is his third month here, it is still a tough pill to swallow.]

I must admit that it is hard for me to believe this so openly. But then again... many of Konoha's finest have been here for some time, I see. I have faith that they would not allow you to walk so freely if you were a true threat.

[redhotmama]

[Wow. Of course he would be a grown man by now, but she still remembered Itachi as an adorable young boy. Could still see that young boy in him, though it seemed somewhat buried by the opening remark of his entry.]

We're probably around the same age now, huh? [She breaks into a smile, though it's also a little chiding.] You don't have to be so formal.

[yourhatred]

[Itachi nods his head in a sort of half bow.]

Your faith in them does you credit.

[yourhatred]

...It is a hard habit to break, I am afraid.

Age notwithstanding, it is difficult not to consider you my elder.

[niceguypose]

[He tries to keep his cool while freaking out on the inside at seeing the bogeyman he's heard so much about acting so... politely.]

I like to think it does and that it is not the recklessness of youth driving me to trust them so blindly. I suppose in this place, friends and enemies alike are placed on the same level.

[yourhatred]

That is the truth of things. Denying it will simply make matters more difficult for all those involved.

If you have further concerns, you are welcome to speak with those friends of yours that have been around longer.

[Voice]

[fierybluebird]

Your world must be more level-headed than mine.

[Voice]

[endgames]

I take this means you're finally convinced what's-his-name is gone.

[redhotmama]

Suppose you're right about that.

[Though sorry, Itachi... it has to be done. Kushina's genuinely curious. Mikoto was a good friend of hers...]

How is your family doing? I bet your parents are proud of you both. You did grow into great shinobi, right?

[Voice]

[yourhatred]

[At this, Itachi's lips twist up at the edges just the slightest bit.]

It depends on those involved.

[Voice]

[yourhatred]

...Even if he is not, my own actions or lack of will have given me away. He isn't blind to my situation.

[yourhatred]

[That's painful. Itachi's gut clenches up at this, and any attempts at looking pleasant fade back into something hard and stoic.

His eyes fall to his lap.]

...They have been dead for some time.

[Action]

[deathsdoctor]

[Law's in the living room as well. He should be working at the clinic today, but he's nursing something that sent him careening out of bed at three AM, down the stairs, and right into the bathroom. He's been on the couch since, waiting for whatever managed to hit his system to pass.

Strange. He's had infected wounds, but never been otherwise inexplicably sick.

(He'll be recovered by the afternoon)

So, he's journal stalking around the network as is his wont. That, and listening quietly to Itachi speak. He'll pipe up when his lover is done broadcasting.]

Video, filtered.

[avenger]

Is this about Jiraiya?

[niceguypose]

I intend to. I shall see whatever answers they have for me... I-Itachi.

[Video]

[erosennin]

Uchiha Itachi...

[Jiraiya doesn't seem particularly upset to see him; neutral, if anything, a little cautious. Here, away from Akatsuki, what will Itachi be on his own?]

Coming from anyone else, I'd question that. [But from Itachi? He's willing to at least accept it on the surface.]

[voice | private]

[redjacketthief]

...Figured you had some kind of darkness.

[Even during their brief interactions, he had gotten that impression. No one is that distantly polite without reason.]

[bravefighter]

Well hey! As long as you let them know, there shouldn't be a problem, right? I hope no one mistakes you for the enemy! That's never fun.

voice

[floralogy]

[They worked together before, once, during that invasion - mostly because Shikamaru asked her to do so. Hearing all this affirms certain doubts but these doubts remain if not a little simmered.

His last words proved another theory she had going for a while now. Call it the workings of the village's gossip girl. When she speaks, though, her voice comes off neutral.]

I already proved this once.

[redhotmama]

[The smile is wiped from her face, astonishment in it's place. Kushina brings the book closer to herself, peering down at it almost urgently. This news is shocking, but incredibly disheartening. She'd always imagined that Mikoto and Fugaku would live long enough to see grandchildren and great grandchildren.]

Wh-what happened?!

[voice]

[generalflirt]

You know, you're a really scary guy, aren't you?

[Voice]

[endgames]

Aa. [Shikamaru nods to himself, not that it matters to the journal. He hopes some of the others are paying attention to this. A few know, already, like Ino, that he treats Itachi more amiably than he should. The others could do well to see it.]

At least now it's coming from you, not me.

[Action]

[yourhatred]

[Itachi glances over at Law once he's finished, some concern evident in his expression.]

...Are you going to be alright?

Is there anything more I can do to help?

[This won't be the first time he's asked this today.]