Three Necessary Lies ✧ Text | Action

[jikogisei]

It would have been nice to have my abilities back seven days ago. My travel time would have been cut in half if I could have just walked across the water instead of having to detour through the mountain.

Does anyone know exactly what's going on here?

Private to Sasuke

I'm a few hours away from Mahogany. [Look, he updated you. A little late but it's still an update.]

Action

[To anyone who finds themselves along Route 42 they may find themselves faced with a dark-haired Uchiha in a burgundy robe. He has his Growlithe traveling along with him and looks like he has a clear goal in mind. Itachi won't stop for anyone but he won't mind them coming along if they like.]

Comments

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[jikogisei]

[Now she has his attention. He looks over at her, not willing to offer up any information about himself yet.] What sort of shape was he in?

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[whatoncewas]

Deathly ill. I understand he died briefly and was revived at one point... and he's normally bedridden.

[She paused a beat.]

I've been reluctant to speak with him personally.

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[jikogisei]

[Ah, yes that.] Blind in one eye?

[He wouldn't blame her for not wanting to talk to him - his past, her possible future - it's not a pleasant one.]

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[whatoncewas]

If he is, then I've never asked and he's never mentioned.

[She looked at him intently for a moment.] Were you?

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[jikogisei]

Yes, but not for long.

[Because then he died again. But then he'll finally answer her original question.]

I am sick, yes. However upon waking in this world it appears to have lessened. I trust you will not repeat this to anyone you might meet while here.

[He doesn't want their concern or hovering because surely what will happen with some of them.]

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[whatoncewas]

[She shook her head, looking sideways at him for a long moment.] I know when not to share something.

She paused, picking her words with care.]

For me it hasn't started.

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[jikogisei]

[For that he's grateful. He especially doesn't want Sasuke or Obito finding out.]

I imagine it would not be something one would want to see. Not in themselves.

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[whatoncewas]

You're right. I'm glad you've found a place that will tend to it properly. [She paused a beat, hesitating... then moved over a step so her arm was brushing his as they walked.]

It's good to see that not all things change with time though.

[Action!]

[jikogisei]

[Itachi hasn't yet gone in for a medical exam, actually. Too many things distracting him. Maybe once he gets to Kanto he'll go to a hospital.]

It found me.

[He was fine being dead.]

And what is that?

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[whatoncewas]

[You really should probably get on that before someone notices something then.]

True, these places seem to have a habit of that. This is the second one for me. Hopefully I'll return there shortly.

[It took a moment for her to return to her initial point though.]

Just that you're still concerned about others. It's nice to see. Encouraging.

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[jikogisei]

[That certainly is interesting.]

What is the other one like? Besides filled with multiples.

[Ah yes.]

That is something that never changes, no matter how I may appear.

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[whatoncewas]

There are the multiples... as well as a lot of family. The weather is...

[Watch her pause to hunt for an adjective that is sufficiently expressive. And fail.]

Bewildering.

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[jikogisei]

[If it was anyone else except himself standing beside him, the bit of tension might have gone unnoticed when she said the word "family". He also avoids the subject all together.]

Bewildering?

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[whatoncewas]

[She moved her hand to lightly touch the back of his shoulder in a show of support, even if she didn't fully comprehend the depth of his pain.]

One day there will be lightening and heavy rains, the next the weather will turn blisteringly hot, and most recently, people were wandering around with personalized weather. Mine was fog. A bubble of fog I couldn't escape.

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[jikogisei]

[No one has given him a comforting touch since he was her age.]

That is bizarre. Our weather is normal but there is constant music playing.

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[whatoncewas]

[She considered hugging you but thought that might be a bit awkward.]

I noticed that. Have you found a way to tune it out or is it just... persistently there?

[Action!]

[jikogisei]

[Very. The only one who hugs him is Obito.]

Considering it continuously place the same song for the area, it's easy to tune it out.

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[whatoncewas]

[She chose the right path then.]

... I can't say that I like the idea. Where are you headed in such a hurry?

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[jikogisei]

[That she did.]

It's not exactly good music. To see Sasuke.

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[whatoncewas]

[That's an excellent reason to be in a hurry, so she simply nodded, falling quiet for a moment.]

Do you like it here?

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[jikogisei]

[It certainly is. Especially considering it's been over two weeks since the request to see him was made.]

I'm in no hurry to return. [His life is over there. But he doesn't say that - just in case she doesn't know.]

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[whatoncewas]

[No one has actually come out and told her about the whole dying thing, so you're int he clear there.]

Understandably, especially given that you're on good terms with Sasuke here.

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[jikogisei]

[Good, wouldn't want to be the one to screw that up.]

I wouldn't say good. More like speaking terms at the moment.

[He has no idea what Sasuke wants to say to him - if it will be good or bad.]

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[whatoncewas]

Considering my interactions with the Sasuke in Michi... I think you're doing rather well. [She shook her head and looked sideways in him.]

Speaking terms is the hardest step from what I've seen.

[Action!]

[jikogisei]

He was given some information before my arrival. It stopped him from attacking immediately. [Itachi did walk away with a bruise from that though.]

We haven't seen each other since. Merely written and spoken.