[OPEN] Contemplation

[coffeeninja]

It was unquestionnable that Karin's room was the biggest shrine to Uchiha Sasuke in existence, all worlds and timelines put together. For how much she had him on paper, however, and among her memories, she did long to see him in the flesh.

The ones that were plentiful around this village, this house even, seemed to somehow never be found.

There was a sigh and a shake of head as she went outside, planning to review those caves she had found in the mountains and see if the latest floods had done anything substantial to any of them, such as turning them into hidden lakes.

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[coffeeninja]

Hearing his voice, she ducked into his room with a light bow. "Itachi-san." she had been mostly formal, but she did seem to be that way since a while now. "How has your health been? You haven't seemed to need me much as of late." which was a good sign, really. She was always willing to help should he request.

[itachi_san]

"Actually..." he sat up slowly. Requesting her help was still a little awkward, simply because of how it had to be accepted. "I... do need you... I made a promise to a boy. And I don't think I can keep it... without your help."

[coffeeninja]

"Promise? Well, I suppose you need chakra for this, then." the practiced easy and the readiness in how she rolled back her sleeve was something to behold. "Ready when you are."

..no, really, it was all there was to it.

[itachi_san]

He couldn't help but cringe at how quickly she just rolled up her sleeve. He hadn't even told her what the promise was!

But she guessed right, in any case. He took hold of her arm.

"I promised a sparring match..."

[coffeeninja]

"Sparring!? You'd need to suck me dry twice over, you silly Uchiha!" she flailed her free arm. "...or that's what I'd like to say." besides, he would always stop himself even before reaching her limit. "Good thing I happened by, hm?"

[itachi_san]

"I've been preparing my strategy... I've trained enough with shadow clones that I can use one to fight an entire match." he insisted. "But they do require a good amount of chakra... I can't afford to wear myself out completely..."

He was always hesitant to bite her. This time was no exception.

[coffeeninja]

"Hm. You do sound confident." she nodded. "It does sound like a good strategy, because you will evade any damage to yourself."

...

"Do you want chakra or not? I swear.. Bite me already!"

[itachi_san]

Itachi sighed as he bit down into her arm, drawing out her chakra into himself.

He really didn't like to take strength from another person, but he knew he needed to if he was going to have a shot at giving Madara what he'd promised. And the boy was so volatile, so lonely, really. He needed someone to keep a promise to him.

[coffeeninja]

She had amde it clear that she barely used her chakra reserves and it was okay, but he was the silliest Uchiha.

There was a gasp at the bite. Oh yes, YES~ Pain from Sasuke's brother, which really was just the next best thing to Ssauke right? Right! Even if Ssauke wanted him dead in their world...

[itachi_san]

He was also the most pacifistic Uchiha ever born.

But he bit down harder, drawing in more chakra, until he felt he had enough to last the fight. And like always, he hoped he hadn't drained her too severely.

[coffeeninja]

This... was all she was useful for.

...besides, in this village, here... did she even need to be more?
Her body shook at the thought, and she rolled her sleeve back once he was done. The silence stretched, and she realized it may be uncomfortable. "Don't spend it all in one place, now."

[itachi_san]

That made Itachi laugh. "Very funny... You know that's exactly what I intend to do..."

[coffeeninja]

She found herself smiling, ever-so-lightly. How often had she heard that noise out of him?
...how would Sasuke,s laugther sound, even..? Would she ever hear such a thing?

"I rest my case, silly Uchiha. Feel free to call me if you need me again."

[itachi_san]

"Thank you..." he offered as she left.

[coffeeninja]

"It was the least I... no..." she claimed a deep breath. "It was all I could do."