There were a few tricks really. The medicine that kept his body from destroying itself. The kotoamatsukami jutsu that kept his mind from destroying itself. And perhaps the most important thing of all - a precious little brother to turn living into thriving. Itachi was still a long way from thriving, but there was no question that without Sasuke, he wouldn't have recovered nearly this much.

"Breakfast is better when I get to eat it with you..." He smiled, eating a few bites of the porridge.