Pretty Lights?

[one_without_wings]

Sasuke really, really wanted to see the lights. He heard about how autumn was coming and how pretty it would be. After dinner, which he had eaten very slowly, he sat outside on the porch to wait for these lights to come out.

Somewhat uncharacteristically for him, but a trait that may be believed shared for the Uchiha since it happened so often... he fell asleep. He had taken a blanket, perhaps feeling too warm, too comfortable, and not all that good. He still did want to see those lights... He was definitely feeling all too nice and warm right here.

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[itachi_san]

When Itachi opened the door, he wasn't expecting anyone to be sitting on the porch. It was usually empty when he wandered out there. But here was the little Sasuke, all wrapped in a blanket.

"Hey there..." He smiled.

He was rather stunned when Sasuke didn't respond, so he put a hand on his shoulder.

"Sasuke?" He nudged him a little. "This isn't... any place for you to be sleeping..."

[one_without_wings]

The youth stirred with a light hum, eyelids looking like they were made of lead with the difficulty he had in opening them. "..hnn.... niisan?" he murmured, voice weak.

He moved, or perhaps more just slumped against him, unable to actually get anything to respond like he wanted. He was visibly not doing so well.

[itachi_san]

Whether he could see it clearly or not, Itachi knew that look very well. Though it was usually on him, not on his beloved little brother.

"...Sasuke?"

He brushed the boy's bangs aside, feeling his forehead.

[one_without_wings]

The boy was normally a tiny little sun that lit up everyone's lives with his happiness. The sun's heat was, however, apparently into his head today for how warm it would feel. He made a light noise of protest, although his body merely made a slight tremor. He couldn't even move away willingly.

"...wanna see... the pretty lights..." he managed, even though he looked hardly in any state to enjoy much of anything.

[itachi_san]

"Sasuke... you're burning up..." he rubbed Sasuke's temples gently, wiping the little beads of sweat from his brow.

He motioned for him to wait, that he would be back soon. And then, Itachi disappeared back into the house.

He returned with a mask over his mouth and nose. Given the fragile state of his immune system, he couldn't afford to catch anything his brother might have. But he brought more than just that - a cool washcloth to rest on his forehead, a small cup of tea for him to drink and of course, lots of love.

"Come on... can you sit up for me?" he nudged him as he sat down again. "You can sit in my lap... if you like..."

[one_without_wings]

"..hm.. m'gonna try." he muttered, movements slow and sluggish. It was some epic struggle, but he did make it and was able to sit in his big brother's lap. "...thanks." he rested his head against his brother's chest. Even though he had a helpful cool cloth and tea to drain, his eyes still shut after a minute.

Maybe because somehow, it really -was- comfortable. The tea also had such a nice smell.

[itachi_san]

Itachi helped him into his lap, and leaned back so Sasuke could be as comfortable as possible. He probably made for a bony pillow, but hopefully, wrapped in that blanket, it would be all right.

"Just keep the cloth... on your forehead... I'll wake you for the lights. But after you've seen them... You need to get back in bed. And rest, so you can get better."

[one_without_wings]

"..hnn.... niisan knows best.." he shifted ever-so lightly, and after a short while drifted to sleep. It would probably have been good if he had taken some tea.

When Itachi tried to wake him, however, he was sleeping soundly.

[itachi_san]

There were beautiful lights in the sky. Or, from Itachi's view, colorful blurs. He nudged Sasuke again.

"Outoto... Look up. It's like the colored fire, but in the sky. You need to wake up... for me..."

Not only that, but he would need to get his brother inside, in bed, and Itachi wasn't strong enough to actually carry him there. (A shadow clone just might be in order...)

[perfectcosmos]

She had come by, seeing who was around still after the rash of disappearances. Seeing the sleeping child made her smile though, and she knelt next to him. "You know Sasuke-kun, if it starts raining you'll be the first thing soaked."

[one_without_wings]

"...hn?" the boy stirred sluggishly, opening his eyes with much difficulty. "...Ino-neesan?" it had been a long while since he had seen her. The joy that sprang forth was, however, not quite as ressounding as it once was. He might have caught some sort of virus.

Still, he did move to her to hug her, where she most likely would find out his forehead was burning.

[perfectcosmos]

It would have been impossible not to notice, and it instantly had her worried... but kids got sick. Still, she didn't intend to just leave him to go back to sleep like that, and promptly gathered him into her arms. "Sure is, one and only."

[one_without_wings]

He gave a light sigh, relief seeming to be exhaled as well, clinging to her. "...villagers say... there's pretty lights. Wanted to see them." he explained, hiding into the crest of her collarbone.

[perfectcosmos]

She made sure she had him in a secure hold, tucked securely against her. "Don't worry, they'll be here for a bit, you won't miss them, promise."

[one_without_wings]

"...but Ino-neesan's prettier than lights." he gave a light smile, resting against her. "...and it's been a while since I've seen her." so he did want to make the best of it.

[perfectcosmos]

She blinked, then laughed softly, peering down at him. "Aren't you just the cutest little charmer?

[one_without_wings]

Despite his current building headache, he managed a laugh, dark eyes trailing up to her. "You know how they say truth comes from childrens' mouth?" There might not even have been any other hidden thought he had, other than simply complimenting her.

"...and you smell like flowers from really close." at least he didn't have a cold since he could still smell fine.

And it's tomorrow! (wow, time flies!)

[itachi_san]

This time, the roles were reversed (or back to normal, really) as Itachi was the one asleep in his own bed. It was early morning, after all.

[one_without_wings]

There was the noise of small feet on the floor, approaching fast, and then the familiar weight on the bed. "Niisan! it,s morning!" Ssauke chirped excitedly. He had shuriken, kunai, everything he could get with him. "I got breakfast ready too!!"

[itachi_san]

Itachi groaned, wiping the sleep from his eyes. Everything was blurry, but that's how it always was.

"You must be... feeling better..." he smiled, slowly pushing himself up. He was still tired. "Give me a few minutes to... get dressed, hook this up..."

He was referring to the portable oxygen container. He probably should be using it more often, perhaps even when sleeping. It might mean the difference between waking up tired and waking up refreshed. But for now, he just didn't want that supply to run out. He'd managed to get several small tanks from a local clinic (thanks in no small part to a little Sasuke's big puppy-dog eyes), but each one could only support a few solid hours of continuous use before it needed to be refilled.

"What did you make... for breakfast?"

[one_without_wings]

"I made what we shoulda had yesterday! And I got you tea!" Omusubi and tea. Best breakfast, yes? "Miso soup is easy but that'd have been too much." he shook his head. "Here, the tray's right on the desk!"

[itachi_san]

"Why don't you... pack me a little bento box of that... for later." he offered, in favor of choking down the usual assortment of medications with a little tea.

He was always slow and stiff in the mornings now, but he tried his best to hurry getting ready. He had been looking forward to spending more time with Sasuke and his team. And obviously, so was Sasuke!

[one_without_wings]

"Right, I'll go do that!" and so, while his brother took care of things, Sasuke had his own going, making them a lunch. In retrospect, maybe he should have made a huge lunch for everyone. He was willing to bet Akemi would show up with one. She loved to do these types of things. If anything, Hiro showed up at her place early and they both made this.

Once everything was neatly packed, he rushed back to his brother's room. "There's a nice sun out today, and just enough clouds so it won't be too hot!"

[itachi_san]

It wasn't too long before Itachi was ready to go. He was dressed in some loose-fitting black pants and a thin shirt, perfect for getting a little exercise. Lee would be proud!

He glanced at the wheelchair, considering bringing it with him, but eventually decided that the oxygen would be enough. He'd been able to walk a fairly good distance without it once he was properly able to catch his breath. And surely, the other kids would be meeting them somewhere on this side of the village.

"I can't wait to see... what you guys have done... at the Academy."

[one_without_wings]

"Yeah! It's awesome how much we learn since we all know our affinities." he gave a big grin, racing ahead and back as soon as they left the house, sometimes circling.. He truly -did- regain all of that energy he was known for.