Thread: Bound by Blood (captain levi & Razz)

Sasuke was full of surprises today, wasn't he? Itachi noticed the stark difference in the way his grouchy sibling treated the rest of the Akatsuki and him, like he could be quite the stubborn bull to one and a docile doe to the other. This was how it was supposed to be. Itachi had suffered too long in solitude, and while the Akatsuki were suitable companions at times, they were just antisocial as Sasuke and preferred to be beckoned only when needed. He had missed this feeling of belonging somewhere and having someone to protect and love unconditionally, although he had never stopped feeling the way he did for Sasuke since the day he was born. He paused, studying Sasuke's expression and noting the way he looked shifty at best, as if he was trying to hide a secret that was already in plain sight. It was amusing and endearing to see his brother struggle with the simplest task of opening up and admitting he wanted to be there. But, even if weren't explicitly expressed, Itachi understood the true meaning behind Sasuke's silence and awkward attempts at redirecting the question. You're right. It is just a room. I'm sure you'll be using it more often than I will, anyway, he agreed, deciding to play along, just to save Sasuke the embarrassment of having to confess that he preferred to share a room. Maybe Sasuke was more of a cuddle type than he let on. When Sasuke approached him, only to stoop low enough for the bloodstains smeared down his side to be lapped away like it was jam, he was surprised. Sasuke had adjusted sooner than he had expected to consuming blood as often as he had today and was becoming a full-fledged vampire at an alarming speed. Nothing goes to waste, he repeated with a smug grin, his thumb caked with the rusty flavor of dried blood brushing over Sasuke's lower lip. Hadn't kissing been considered a taboo thing to do between brothers, Itachi would have loved to bite Sasuke's plump lower lip and taste how much more velvety the blood was when it tinged his lips crimson. I wasn't expecting you to stay. All my life, I've only wanted you to know the truth, he admitted, although he would have been lying if he said he hadn't wished for Sasuke to stay and join the Akatsuki. Now that you do, you're your own spirit. You're free to do whatever you'd like. I can't control you, no matter how firmly Danzo believes that's possible. If Sasuke wanted to explore and find himself on his own terms, Itachi wouldn't have intervened but kept a close watch over him, anyway. Even if Sasuke wanted to return to Danzo's camp for whatever reason, he would have allowed it to be so. In the end, all he wanted was for Sasuke to become the master of his own fate instead of being overshadowed by somebody else's. If he truly wanted to stay, Itachi would have welcomed him with open arms. You're always welcome here, Sasuke, he said, heading into an adjoining bathroom where he ran the hot water for his bath. And speaking of welcomes, you're welcome to take a bath with me, he offered. The herbal formulas soaking in the waters would relax them both and Itachi acknowledged that the two needed some rest after the day's events. Once the steaming water was at the perfect level and temperature in the spacious tub, he undressed leisurely, every single piece of clothing falling away like petals from his body. He unraveled the rubber band that kept his hair bundled in a loose ponytail, letting the silky tresses fan behind him. There's a bathrobe for you, he gestured to the pair hung behind the restroom door. I'll see if I can find clothes that match you. He was taller than Sasuke by a head or two so his own clothes would be a bit over-sized. He reminded himself to ask Deidara or Sasori for a spare change of clothes, something that Sasuke could easily slip into since the three of them were similar in height and stature. If he had known Sasuke would be joining the Akatsuki so soon, Itachi would have prepared a closet full of clothes beforehand, but he supposed he had been shortsighted in this aspect. Slowly, he sunk into the water, elbows resting against the edge. He beckoned Sasuke closer and into the water with a slight tilt of his hand and a come hither motion of his fingers. Come here, Sasuke. I want to see how much you've grown.