[ Long enough to spur Sasuke almost into going hunting, before he gets a response. Somehow, he knew this would be the answer — especially after going looking for the boy and coming up with no trace. ]
[ it's what Sasuke would want, too, in his position — and whatever ache he feels over the loss is not one that can be held up to Itachi's. as so many times before, he draws a black shroud around his own emotion to focus outward ]
[He wants to lash out at that selfless (caring) response, an uncharacteristically volatile anger rising up to choke his throat like a hand. It's not personal, nor justified, and he suspects it is not even entirely him—the gems have affected all of them over time. He's beginning to notice this pattern in himself.
That, or perhaps this is what so many months rawly exposed to other people's emotions is turning him into.]
If Stiles doesn't return, I may not remain here for long. That has been the pattern in the past. You should prepare yourself for the possibility.
[It's reaching. He still doesn't have enough information to make a confident assumption. If Stiles doesn't return... and he doesn't follow, what then?]
I assume you've already experimented with the extent of your abilities to leave this place.
[ It isn't beyond the realm of possibility, and Sasuke has experienced the loss before. He wonders, briefly, how terribly his heart will be torn to shreds if or when he loses his brother again. Some part of him had imagined he would be the one to leave if anyone did, letting Itachi live on in his new life with Stiles, removed from the Uchiha legacy and all that comes with it.
He chooses to sidestep that topic for now. No sense in rubbing salt in the wound when he isn't intent on hurting his brother.
What he wants to do for him has already been removed from the table. ]
The magic of this world prevents me from using Rinnegan to create that kind of portal.
[ Sasuke has never been good at this kind of thing; their family had never been the sort to discuss how deeply emotion could flay them. Without Itachi's response, he is at a loss on how to carry the conversation himself.
Some time later, however, Itachi will find the shadow of a giant hawk pacing him: Sumiye hovering nearby despite Sasuke's absence. ]
no subject
Stiles is gone.
no subject
I see.
Where are you?
no subject
[Deliberately not an answer. He has also masked his chakra from Sasuke; easy to hide in a world this large.]
no subject
[ it's what Sasuke would want, too, in his position — and whatever ache he feels over the loss is not one that can be held up to Itachi's. as so many times before, he draws a black shroud around his own emotion to focus outward ]
I'll make sure nobody bothers you.
no subject
That, or perhaps this is what so many months rawly exposed to other people's emotions is turning him into.]
If Stiles doesn't return, I may not remain here for long. That has been the pattern in the past. You should prepare yourself for the possibility.
[It's reaching. He still doesn't have enough information to make a confident assumption. If Stiles doesn't return... and he doesn't follow, what then?]
I assume you've already experimented with the extent of your abilities to leave this place.
no subject
He chooses to sidestep that topic for now. No sense in rubbing salt in the wound when he isn't intent on hurting his brother.
What he wants to do for him has already been removed from the table. ]
The magic of this world prevents me from using Rinnegan to create that kind of portal.
no subject
He can think of nothing else to say.]
no subject
Some time later, however, Itachi will find the shadow of a giant hawk pacing him: Sumiye hovering nearby despite Sasuke's absence. ]