[Open] A trip to the village, uneventful? Something must be wrong.

[smallstepstopower]

He'd gone out the village... and thus far nothing had happened. The sky hadn't assaulted him, he'd remained in his own body, his inhibitions were intact, and no small children had attempted to kill themselves in his vicinity.

It was strange, and he honestly wasn't sure how to feel about the change in the status of things, because last he checked, this village didn't seem to believe in giving him anything that anyone might call a reprieve, and this was looking strangely as though it was one.

Had he simply not tripped over what was going on yet? Was that the matter at hand? Possibly...

That didn't mean he could relax however, and thus, he didn't.

Comments

[itachi_san]

Orochimaru wasn't far from the main Uchiha dwelling.

Given the apparent reprieve in the weather, Itachi was outside. Rock Lee challenged him to walk all the way to the nearest practice area. It was about as far as the first gate of the market, and Itachi had made his way that far once. So this was within reason as long as he pushed the wheelchair along with him so he could rest if he needed to.

That didn't mean it wasn't exhausting.

I made it... I actually made it. God, that was hard. But he'd be proud. I did it. I'm getting stronger. Bit by bit. So sore... So tired...

He sunk to his knees in the grass for a much needed rest.

[smallstepstopower]

He paused on seeing the downed Uchiha, hesitating a moment before peeling off to speak to him. "You're looking worse Itachi-kun."

Can Oro read minds in this plot? Itachi never got close enough to the girl to pick up the ability.

[itachi_san]

It probably looked pretty bad to basically be lying on his back in the grass, sweat clinging to his skin. Stretching out like that made him seem even thinner than he already was. And the way he still struggled to catch his breath didn't help the picture.

"Not worse... better..." he laughed a little. "Walked... a long way..."

Too tired to sit up when that laugh turned into a small fit of coughs, he rolled onto his side. His body shook.

? The event is set up as a villagewide thing, but yes I have the event active for Oro.

[smallstepstopower]

"Itachi-kun, last time I saw you you were running around easily, you must remember this fact."

Thought it was a radius effect at time of jutsu. itachi didn't get hit by it.

[itachi_san]

"Then it's been... a long time... since you've seen me last..." Itachi groaned, too tired to sit back up at the moment.

How long has it even been since then? The days all run together. I don't even remember how long I was bedridden after my heart finally gave out. Sasuke watched me die. He got his sharingan... How long ago was that?

"A... A long time..."

Not at all, though you're free to not be affected, promise.

[smallstepstopower]

"The snow was still thick on the ground last time we saw each other Itachi-kun. I have to say you look like you've practically fallen apart since then, how wretched for you." He didn't seem terribly sympathetic about it though, and was studying him.

[itachi_san]

Four months, maybe five? Suppose it really doesn't matter. The worst of it was in the beginning of all that. And it was snowing. I remember the snow. And the water. That terrible water. Ug... There's that dizziness again. Relax and seek happiness. Relax and seek happiness. Shisui's voice...

"I guess... I have..." He finally answered. "But I'm putting myself... back together again..."

Come on. You can sit up... You walked all the way here, sitting up should be easy.

He grunted as his muscles strained. He managed to sit up for a moment or so before slumping back onto the grass.

"Some days... a little more successful than others..."

[smallstepstopower]

How curious, he was looking him in the face, but he heard a random snippet about time. Interesting. "Then I wish you the best of progress Itachi-san, I can't imagine you like being helpless."

[itachi_san]

At least that was kinder than Madara questioning whether I liked being a burden to the Uchiha clan. I'm not helpless. Come on, Itachi. Stand up.

It was a battle of wills, and one that probably contradicted all of Itachi's lectures to Sasuke about not pushing yourself so far beyond your means. There was a grunt, a set of hand signs, and a shadow clone hoisting the original up to his feet.

"Not... helpless..."

[smallstepstopower]

"Perhaps, but definitely far from helpful. Just how much did that maneuver weaken you?" He canted his head to the side, intent.

[itachi_san]

Far too much.

"...a fair tradeoff... With what I have to work with..." He was able to hold the clone long enough to collapse into the waiting wheelchair. "Just... need to rest.. that's all..."

I know it takes more than the half of my chakra a clone should. But it's a functional body. Learning how to create one that's stronger than the original, that wasn't easy. but It's worth the cost. At least I can fight if I need to. Far more helpful than helpless. I can manage.

[smallstepstopower]

"Rationalizing it won't fix it." He moved over and caught the back of the chair, starting to push him along.

[itachi_san]

I'm not rationalizing it.

"I said... just... Need to rest a little..."

He really was on the verge of passing out from exhaustion. It hardly even registered that Orochimaru was pushing him.

"Then... should be able to... head back to... to the house..."

[smallstepstopower]

"Yes, of course." He hummed and continued off in the direction he knew the man lived. "You're very determined to find that so."

[itachi_san]

By the time they reached the house, Itachi was asleep. He was slouched in the chair, his head pretty much resting on Orochimaru's left hand.

[smallstepstopower]

He got him up to the porch, carefully disengaged his hand, and shook his head. "You're only fooling yourself Itachi-kun."

And with that, he went on his way.

[one_without_wings]

No small children were attempting to kill themselves.. yet.

"HA!" there was a familiar voice. "I got it again! Awesome!" Sasuke was over there in the nearby pratice field, shouting happily. "Let's do it again!"

A small crow, with a paper target attached to its leg by a small looped string landed nearby. Sasuke replaced the paper target with another one, and the crow was off again, the boy's sharingan coming to life as he watched the crow take the air, kunai in hand, waiting until he could see it take another air current and gauge the direction...

Sasuke also had five paper cranes stuck to his head with chakra. His hair looked like a colorful nest.

[smallstepstopower]

The appearance of the child got a rather long stare as the man tried to decide how he felt about running across the boy, who for once didn't seem to be in a position where he desperately required saving from himself. "I see you're practicing something small."

Instead of doing something absurd like trying to control the elements.

[one_without_wings]

"Orochimaru-sensei!" the youth sounded overjoyed, and stored his kunai, the crow landing on a branch. "I'm practicing chakra control!" or at least something that was a part of it. "Oh, and hittin moving targets too!" oh did he look proud.

"Not practicin katon jutsu, cause it's reallt yeasy to set stuffon fire in summer!"

[smallstepstopower]

"Very good. It's nice to see you actually trying to study properly this time." Especially given your last attempts...

[one_without_wings]

"This means I got better?" oh how happy and ecstatic he looked at that, eyes growing wider and an incredibly blinding smile upon his features.

[smallstepstopower]

"You don't seem so focused on the more futile aspects of training. I'll grant you that." And you won't even be struck by lightening this way.

He waved toward the kunai. "Though you need to watch for passerby, if I'd been closer that would have come toward myself."

[one_without_wings]

"..right." he glanced to the kunai and stored it with a faint sheepish blush. How would I even be struck by lightning? It's not even raining... "I'll be watching out!"

[smallstepstopower]

He stilled for a moment, eyes widening slightly. Fascinating. "Tell me, have people seemed more talkative to you today?"

[one_without_wings]

...fascinating? That's what he said? How was it fascinating that I'd be watchin out? maybe he meant somethin else... like my skills, yea!

"More talkative?" he cocked his head. "So far today I've just been here trainin, haven't met many people." he scratched his head.

[smallstepstopower]

And he doesn't know! How charming! He inclined his had slightly. "I see, and have you been out here long?"

[one_without_wings]

He shook his head slightly, somewhat lost. "What don't I know?" whatever it was, it made him.. charming?

"I've been trainin all morning~" yup, he was proud. "I should probably eat something soon." and with that thought, he sent the crow away, the summon poofing out.

[smallstepstopower]

"In that case, go on." I need to test this.

"Go get food." He made a shooing motion at the child.

[one_without_wings]

"Y-yea, I'm gonna go. See you later then, yea?" he gave a wave and turned, takinga few steps towards the markets a ways away.

He had to blink a few times. Why wass his mouth not movin sometimes..? Maybe I really need food if I'm startin to not see when people are talkin..

[smallstepstopower]

He gave the child a small nod, then turned to continue on his earlier path. He'd check and see just what other thoughts he could hear, and that would be simply excellent.