re: chapter 590 (possible spoilers in comments)

[anbu]

A better end to 'the life of Uchiha Itachi'?

... I suppose it was a long time coming.

[Look, okay, it takes him almost 600 chapters to speak his mind. So what.]

Comments

[acumens]

And there were no other factors contributing to that choice of yours?

[anbu]

I did not believe he would understand.

[acumens]

You'd be surprised. I remember Sasuke being a pretty cool kid before the incident. [Chooses his words carefully......... is considerate!!!] Kids... they're different from adults. You might think them as inferior considering their experience, but that's not always the case.

Guess you learned that the hard way. He'll come through, though. With or without Naruto.

[anbu]

[He's quiet a beat.]

I underestimated him. [It's true, he knows now -- Sasuke could have made a difference back then. It was Danzou's greedy whispering in his ear that said otherwise. Itachi was blinded by it.] You are right. But I think Naruto's part is still fundamental to Sasuke's future.

[acumens]

Don't we all.

Do we have your permission to knock some sense into Sasuke's thick skull?

[anbu]

Lightly.

[acumens]

No guarantees, but I'll definitely relay the message.

[anbu]

[A nod.

WELL I GUESS THEY CAN GO BACK TO STARING AT EACH OTHER IN ~SILENT GENIUS UNDERSTANDING~ seriousness over.]

[acumens]

[They can be boring together, man!!]

[anbu]

[where's that joint]

[acumens]

[wow stop being such a demanding ho

Shikamaru will sit down next to Itachi, whether the guy is standing or not, and from his chunin vest pocket pull out a pack of cigarettes. He'll hit the bottom of it against his knee, and offer that one cig to Itachi, unassuming and certainly not staring.]

[anbu]

[He remains leaning against the wall, though his eyes drop to observe the gesture. And then the offering. As if in some silent understanding for whatever-could-have-been, but-isn't-now.

Itachi accepts it. But only for you.]

[acumens]

[he'll get his own cigarette and light it, casually tossing it over to itachi for him to use -- he's a konoha ninja, and an uchiha to boot. he can figure out how to smoke a cigarette, or better yet, he already knows. shikamaru takes a long drag out of his own, before exhaling, letting the smoke overtake him.

there's something about the buzz of smoking that makes shikamaru feel so much more relaxed. if anything, maybe this will help itachi, even just a little bit. it's the least shikamaru can offer after all the guy has been through.]

[anbu]

[He does already know, not like this is any kind of habit. (Already killed by one disease, doesn't need to risk it with his lungs.) Itachi turns the lighter over in his fingers, eying it critically. He could easily use a simple bit of fire jutsu, but... that's just cheating. And somehow ruins the seeming ritual of the practice.

The lit end burns red, filter between thin fingers. He exhales a cloud of smoke from the first necessary inhale and -- coughs, subtly. Look, he's not used to partaking in your gross habits. /ruins bonding moment.]

[acumens]

[ah, so the great itachi does have some aspects where he's not so much of a genius. shikamaru manages a pressed smile at the cough, as subtle as it is, and doesn't dare comment on it.

it's their brofist moment.

/ruins bromance ok]