itsnotzura | TEXT&VOICE MESSAGE POST ❧ gargleblasted

There's no need to worry about me; I won't involve myself in your situation.

[ He gets up and walks to Zura's kitchen so he can make tea. He picks the bag with the least leaves in it, takes some fruit from the refrigerator and slices it onto a plate, and puts a tiny little bowl of condensed milk in the center for dipping, even though neither of them really like sweets. ]

Ah... thank you.

[on another day, Zura might follow him to the kitchen, cite the rules of Household Hospitality, and the very strict roles of Guest and Host]

[he doesn't do it today.]

[ It doesn't matter; he walks back with these things in his hands like he's the host. These aren't for Kakashi. ]

...If you'd rather be alone, I can leave, but you should have some tea first.

[the smaller man looks up, somewhat surprised, as if he hadn't expected Kakashi to stay in the first place]

[it is his problem, and he is going to deal with it accordingly (Gintoki -- nonwithstanding, he will jump that hurdle when he gets to it), but for the current moment...]

...I do not mind the company of a close friend. Your presence is always appreciated, although you do not have to feel obligated towards anything at all.

[he supposes he is becoming selfish to propose even that much]

[ He pours tea for both of them and takes a seat. He's still not sure whether or not he wants to keep Zura from his thoughts: they seem destructive. ]

I feel obligated to tell you that I also enjoy the company of a friend and as such, would like to know what you're thinking.

[ It's strange for him, to see Zura so ill at ease, but if he's indirect it'll cause them to circle around each other like binary stars; no one has the patience for that. ]

[it's an odd question; Zura isn't thinking much at all, due to the fact that he can't establish how he feels about Takasugi's reappearance into his life]

[his eyes are unfocused as they've never been, the open book of Zura's feelings blurry and smudged with ill-used indecision]

[he answers as honestly as he can;]

I suppose I am thinking -- that life is going to become slightly more complicated. To say the least.

The last time I saw that man, I swore to kill him.

[ Kakashi has taken too many lives to let Katsura's response determine anything about what happened or what will. ]

Would he kill you if you didn't kill him?

[he hesitates, then feels foolish for doing so. that hesitation is likely why Takasugi will always have the upper hand, why Takasugi is always grinning like a serpent, knowing and mocking before sinking its fangs into (hesitating) skin]

[this question is painful, and he looks to the side, somewhere between angry and resentful]

Yes. He has already attempted it, indirectly. It does not matter. I do not fear what he has become for my sake.

[ It would probably be easier if Zura was just afraid.

There's only one more important question. ]

What are the other consequences?

...I could not accurately guess.

[he contemplates the ruin of Edo, the ruin of himself in those first few months, and the ruin Takasugi was already crashing down into]

[something breaks.]

-- How did you find him to be? Was he... how was he faring?

[finally, a clear emotion; that of concern, written large and sharp and unfair]

[ Kakashi gives him a look that says, "you're not going to like what you hear." ]

He said he was drowning in a desert, but I think he's been that way for a long time.

...How long have you known him?

[Zura seems to take the news in stride, if not happily; it's something he's had a while to come to grips with]

[he reaches for the tea Kakashi made, cooling rapidly on the table]

[a bit softer]

Since before he set foot in the sands. We were trained and raised under the same man.

[ He actually... looks a bit surprised to hear that. If only because he can't believe that two men who learned from the same man... could take those learnings so differently. Or maybe... ]

If you don't mind answering... what happened to Takasugi?

[he's asked this question to himself many, many times]

[every time, he comes up with a different way of viewing the same result, of justifying the insanity, of blaming himself for letting it happen, of swearing to himself that Takasugi cannot be redeemed]

[as he curls a hand around the warm cup, he responds shortly]

In the wake of our teacher's death, we were also raised by war, and loss, and betrayal.

[ That'll do it. But it's not a similarity he would have liked to have drawn between the Samurai and the Ninja. ]

If you decide you'll meet him, you shouldn't go alone.

[ He knows he said he wouldn't get involved, but... ]

I will go with you.

[a mirthless curve comes to Zura's mouth]

I have handled him and many other things besides alone for some years now.

[there's something lingering there, quickly brushed over with formality]

As a result, I prefer to conduct my own affairs, though your offer is very kind.

[ Why is it that they're alike in the worst possible ways? ]

If you ever change your mind, my offer will still be standing.

[ He drinks some tea to relax the mood a little bit. He's quiet; he'll let Katsura pick the topic. ]

Aa.

[the smaller man withdraws to his own thoughts for a moment, before he questions blankly]

Have you also informed Gintoki of this development?

No. I thought you should do that.

[ He almost did, but Takasugi stopped him. He probably should have done something about it then. ]

Yes. That was a correct assessment.

[he does not seem to be extremely excited about this prospect, nevertheless]

[the cup of tea is drained]

[ Kakashi pours him another, and takes a piece of fruit. ]

What is Gintoki's involvement?

It is not my place to say. To be honest, I am not sure I myself know the true extent.

[he places the cup down]

...We disagree in some areas of this situation.

[ He guesses that's what Zura means when he says that he's been through most of this alone. ]

Even so, I think you should try to take a united front.

[a huff of air, somewhere between disbelief and acknowledgment]

[the last time they had taken a united front...]

That would be opportune, yes.

...You don't think it could happen?

[ :| he didn't watch the Benizakura arc! ]

TEXT&VOICE MESSAGE POST ❧ gargleblasted

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