Thread: Bound by Blood (captain levi & Razz)

Itachi was surprised when Sasuke declared that they needed to hunt Danzo, but the brief look of amusement subsided into one of gentle, doting adoration as his younger brother's weight sunk against his own. He wondered if this was Sasuke's way of making up for all those years Itachi nor his parents hadn't been there to nurture him as a child. Everyoneeven Itachineeded someone to care every now and then, and no matter how prickly Sasuke was on the outside, he was still very tender at heart. Get stronger, for what purpose? he asked, unintentionally distracting Sasuke from the rage he felt towards Danzo. Hatred alone is not enough. Itachi had learned that the hard way, when he realized his vengeful ambitions alone couldn't bring Sasuke back, nor could he become stronger with hatred as fuel. Then, he had realized love was a more powerful motive and trained solely to protect Sasuke, even if he could only see him from afar. If he had allowed hatred to consume him whole, Itachi wouldn't have been able to gather the Akatsuki and promise every one of his comrades a home. He wouldn't have been able to gaze upon Sasuke like this if every piece of his heart was charred black. Would Sasuke understand what he was trying to say? Perhaps not, but that was a lesson for another time. If I had acted out on how much I loathed Danzo years ago, I would be dead, Itachi mused. He would have charged blindly into Danzo's camp with nothing but a sword at his side and unrefined fighting skills, giving his enemy yet another trophy to add to his growing collection of young hunters. You need your strength. He supposed this was what it felt like to nag like an older brother and have a younger brother to nag. He curled an arm around the small of Sasuke's waist, reclining his body so both of them would be a bit more comfortable. He waited like that for what felt like hours until Sasuke fell asleep, doing his best not to rouse the younger male awake as he laid him to his side. Itachi thought it was amusing how Sasuke still looked peeved in his sleep, like his brows always had something to worry about. He gently brushed away his inky tresses and tucked his own Akatsuki cloak over Sasuke's shoulder. Black complimented him well. He also slipped the sheathed wakizashi underneath Sasuke's arm, hoping his younger brother would find the gift to his liking when he awoke. Unfortunately, he wouldn't be there to see his brother's reaction firsthand as he had some business to attend to first. It was pitch black outside when he left the manor. The others assumed he had gone out to settle the final score with Danzo, but he had taken a detour searching for medicinal herbs to treat Sasori's wounds. The Akatsuki was his first priority, after all. Human medicine rarely worked on vampires so they needed to improvise, and Itachi had done much research on toxicology and medicine, even more so than he trained to become physically stronger. Just as he had finished plucking a satchel full of wild mushrooms and roots, he heard a rustle in the background and instinctively knew he wasn't alone. The brats that had followed him weren't stealthy at all, giving away their location just by their adrenaline-rich blood alone. So, Danzo's prized pets had finally come for his head, haven't they? You! Sakura pointed accusingly at the older Uchiha who still had his back turned to the three. Where's Sasuke? I know you were the one that brainwashed him! He's our friend, give him back! Brainwashed him? Now, that was a new excuse in Danzo's book of fibs. Itachi turned to them, entirety of his face shining beneath the moonlight since he wasn't cloaked like he normally would be. It would be a friendly, visual reminder for them to remember who they shouldn't disturb or even mention Sasuke's name to. If anything, he felt like he needed to introduce himself and explain why it was so ironic the three thought he had stolen Sasuke. And if he doesn't want to leave? he asked them, quite amused at how persistent they all were to retrieve Sasuke. Were they doing so out of fear of punishment? Or were their bond with Sasuke that strong? You seem to be under the impression that we kidnapped him. He saw Sakura and Naruto, but one was hiding somewhere... Itachi knew there were three. When Sai pounced out of the canopy, his blade clashed with Itachi's in sparks and metal clangs. It was a fun attempt at an ambush. In just seconds, the three were rushing in with their jaws clenched and blades bared, while Itachi dodged their attacks more often than he countered them. He had no reason to kill them and even if Sasuke would deny it to kingdom come, the three were his acquaintancesmaybe even friendsand Itachi didn't want to be the one to put a blade through one of their hearts. Meanwhile, back at the manor, Deidara and Kisame had returned from their own excursions outside, the former looking peeved. We're back on baby-sitting duty again. How annoying, un! he whined loudly enough for everybody in the manor to hear. What's so great about that twiggy twerp anyw! Kisame slapped a broad hand flat over the lower half of his mouth when he picked up distressed signals from Itachi. Itachi fed frequently from Kisame so their bond was considerably strong strong enough for Kisame to feel whenever his partner was in trouble. It's the three musketeers, Kisame grinned. Three-to-one. This should be interesting. Well, shouldn't we go help him! the blonde shouted. Where's the fun in that? the shark-like man smirked, his beady eyes turning towards the room Sasuke rested in. It'll be more interesting to see where the little squirt's loyalty lies, don't you think? Kisame wondered if Sasuke felt the connection with Itachi stronger than he did, because as soon as he finished his sentence, he even felt an unsettling warmth throbbing against his side. Itachi had been stabbed.