[The delay doesn't bother him. It allows Itachi a moment to gather his own thoughts, and reminds him too well of their attempts at stilted conversation in Aefenglom.
He doesn't want to acknowledge the compliment. It feels so wrong, and so misplaced, a matured pantomime of Sasuke as a child crowing over his brother's skill as a shinobi. And how does it compare now, suspecting Sasuke has likely surpassed his ability altogether? No, almost certainly he has. His own physical condition here would see to that difference now.]
It wasn't so simple as that.
In any case… I am grateful for your willingness to attempt it again.
[That's all he can think to say, an appreciation for Sasuke's confidence like a bright, blazing beacon in the dark.
[ Simplicity doesn't matter; to Sasuke it only drives home the fact Itachi was able to master something difficult. That isn't the point, he knows, and besides — being faced with both his brother's honesty and gratitude is overwhelming. Leaving the conversation as it is feels wrong somehow, but Sasuke finds he can't continue for the time being. So: ]
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He doesn't want to acknowledge the compliment. It feels so wrong, and so misplaced, a matured pantomime of Sasuke as a child crowing over his brother's skill as a shinobi. And how does it compare now, suspecting Sasuke has likely surpassed his ability altogether? No, almost certainly he has. His own physical condition here would see to that difference now.]
It wasn't so simple as that.
In any case… I am grateful for your willingness to attempt it again.
[That's all he can think to say, an appreciation for Sasuke's confidence like a bright, blazing beacon in the dark.
He can only hope he is right.]
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I'll keep in touch.