[ An official status, eh? As he mechanically sets his cloak aside, Kisame thinks back to his meeting with Stiles, picking through the memory for details he may have dismissed. He recalls that one of the teenager's first questions concerned the exact nature of his partnership with Itachi. Of course, Kisame had declined to answer; even if that were something easily explained, he wouldn't share it with a stranger. Now, he wonders if there was more to Stiles' question than mere nosiness.
"How" and "why" continue to swim in Kisame's mind, joined now by questions about the relationship's impermanence. He voices none of them. This territory is too unfamiliar, and he is acutely aware of how much Itachi can hide. Better to make his own observations first — and this plan, hastily constructed as it is, serves to help him regain his composure. ]
Ah, this?
[ It could be nothing else, yet Kisame still glances down at the scar. He has done so often since that young woman carved it. His injuries usually heal cleaner, leaving only faint traces behind. Perhaps the vividness of those proclaiming his sins was some trick of Hell. ]
I received it a few weeks ago. Strange that it's so clear, don't you think?
[ As he looks back to his partner, his eyes fall briefly on Itachi's sternum. Does Itachi still bear scars of torture…? And then, as he brings his gaze up, he catches a glint of something half-hidden by Itachi's collar. It is a gem; it must be. But its location reminds Kisame of his partner's necklace, and the fingers of his left hand twitch very slightly.
There's no way to ask about the necklace itself without raising suspicion. So instead, ]
no subject
"How" and "why" continue to swim in Kisame's mind, joined now by questions about the relationship's impermanence. He voices none of them. This territory is too unfamiliar, and he is acutely aware of how much Itachi can hide. Better to make his own observations first — and this plan, hastily constructed as it is, serves to help him regain his composure. ]
Ah, this?
[ It could be nothing else, yet Kisame still glances down at the scar. He has done so often since that young woman carved it. His injuries usually heal cleaner, leaving only faint traces behind. Perhaps the vividness of those proclaiming his sins was some trick of Hell. ]
I received it a few weeks ago. Strange that it's so clear, don't you think?
[ As he looks back to his partner, his eyes fall briefly on Itachi's sternum. Does Itachi still bear scars of torture…? And then, as he brings his gaze up, he catches a glint of something half-hidden by Itachi's collar. It is a gem; it must be. But its location reminds Kisame of his partner's necklace, and the fingers of his left hand twitch very slightly.
There's no way to ask about the necklace itself without raising suspicion. So instead, ]
Is that your gem, Itachi-san?