#tsukugan

It had been a quick, but obvious, show of agony. Kakashi missed nothing and he drew closer with a few slow steps as the coughing came to a cease.

"Sure," he replies simply, already reaching out to catch that wrist before its tucked back into his cloud-patterned cloak.

He can see the blood seep between the first two fingers, and with that evidence being more than enough, he places his palm against Itachi's chest. The hand glows softly, pouring a steady stream of chakra that seeks out damaged tissue.

Kakashi is watching and listening to the steady downpour outside. Their only current shelter was this damp cave, barely able to contain much heat let alone offer any real comfort to them. At the question, he peels his eyes away from the entry and glances down at Itachi, whom he was sitting closely beside.

Send “💚” to hug my muse.

He glances down at the soaked area of his sleeve and gives it a small shake.

"I didn't find you to pity you."

Locating Itachi through word of mouth alone had been challenging. There'd been few leads, even fewer traces of a clear trail, but after days of searching they stood a short distance apart, cautious and uncertain.

"I found you to get your help in removing Danzo."

He let that hang in the air between them, knowing Itachi would need a moment to process that request as well as what it entailed. Kakashi wasn't sure how far or fast the news of his defection may have traveled, but he readied the information willingly should his old comrade give him the opportunity to explain.

The entire village was currently in an uproar. Everyone was on their feet, anbu and jonin alike dispatched. Dexio had been in such a rush himself after hearing the news. Uchiha family killed, Sasuke Uchiha is the only survivor. People had a handle on Sasuke, the kid would be taken and kept safe - but they were all being told to go after Itachi. The man who had slaughted his entire family in cold blood. 

Dex's own blood was running cold at the thought, feet carrying him through the village with rapid ease, fingers working to quickly tie the knot on his simple black hanbok top. Typically he'd be in full uniform, mask and all - but he hand't been called for that. He and Itachi had been friends after all, and going after him was more so ... a favor didn't seem like the right word. 

His feet hit the ground silently and he continued to push himself forward through the woods, chakra pulsing out from the bottoms of his feet with every step, pushing his vision out further. He could see Itachi up ahead- not too far, maybe a few dozen yards. 

Only that wasn't really the case. 

Dex froze the second he felt the kunai pressed to his neck, body still as stone, grey eyes wide and on alert. Shit- an easy trick to fall for but he'd only done it to himself. Gotten trapped in the tunnel vision of finding his friend so aggressively that he'd lost focus. His mind was everywhere after all. Hell, he wasn't even really supposed to be out of bed. The scar on his face was still healing, the stitches having just been removed, and he'd been forbidden from missions for at least a year.