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

[roves]

( for some reason, this amuses kakashi. )

Well, don't you look happy, Itachi.

[anbu]

I can be at peace now, if nothing else. My part is done.

[roves]

( lucky you. )

Physically, maybe.

You'll still be in his mind all the way through the end.

[anbu]

That's true. May it be for the best.

[Who are they kidding. Sasuke needs a spanking.]

[roves]

( yeah srsly )

Who knows.

( kakashi might be smiling behind his mask. maybe. )

Your brother's an unpredictable horse. Much like you, in that regard.

[anbu]

[Too bad he can't see it because MASK.]

We are brothers, after all.

[roves]

( indeed. )

Too bad you won't be able to witness the rest of it.

( in person, he means. )

[anbu]

I have done enough of that. [All that stalking. Don't you think?]

[roves]

( hey it's your job stop complaining. )

Sick of it already?

[anbu]

Perhaps a bit.

[roves]

Because you already know the ending?

( naruto bitchslapping sasuke )

[anbu]

No, that is still open to interpretation.

[You're close though.]

[roves]

Well, on the whole, I believe that everything will be alright in the end.

( it's rare, really, for kakashi to be this direct, this certain.

he's the level-headed one, you see? the one who thinks things through before he acts, because he's made some mistakes in the past that has changed him - got better or for worse.

that but same change has brought him a new kind of faith that he's never opened himself up to before. and he's sure itachi knows the feeling. )

I'm sure you do, too.

[anbu]

[Itachi understands -- being strategic, thinking ahead, analyzing consequences. He's done it obsessively since he can remember. It's a part of who he is now.

They have that in common. And, really, it's fundamental for shinobi to be aware of their choices. There is always so much at stake.]

... I have faith.

[roves]

Good enough.

( kakashi chuckles softly.

but then he sobers up after a while. )

He is my student, you know. Always have been and always will be. If I could have -- ( he pauses, lips pursing slightly, before he sighs ) -- I don't want to have any more regrets than I already have.

( I will take care of him, too.

That's a promise. )

[anbu]

[Kakashi doesn't need to explain, it's a common sentiment between both of them, even if Itachi is finished now. And this what he's always wanted for Sasuke, what he's striven to give his younger brother -- a new family in his friends and teachers. Because they love him.

Something in Itachi's eyes speaks of empathy.]

You and Uzumaki are there. It is what Sasuke needs now.