Something was better than nothing, and Itachi knew he had to eat to keep his strength up.

So he moved a chair close to Madara's bed and sat down, letting the boy find temporary security in his arm. It was the least he could do, and he would gladly do it too.

By the time Renji came back, though, Itachi was slumped over the edge of the bed, sound asleep. It was a perfect portrait of a kind and gentle older brother, too sick and weak to be everything he wanted to be for those kids, but having his heart in the right place. He was a man worth saving.