Even though he spent most of his time resting in his room, sitting on the porch, or attempting small walks into the marketplace, Itachi had noticed it too. Some were simply busy, he knew that. But others had gone away as quickly as they came, never to return. He wouldn't say it outright either, but...

"I don't know if we'll ever understand the rules of this... strange world. But perhaps... it means that every day we have here should be a gift worth treasuring."

He put an arm around Sasuke and nuzzled his hair with a surgical mask.

"...I'm not going anywhere."