[ there's a lapse of silence, then, something Sasuke is more than accustomed to in his interactions with others. but it isn't charged with a wire-tight tension, the way it used to be. the way it normally is, when Sasuke would find himself confronting with another shinobi of the leaf.
he can still recall how broken he'd looked, like a doll on the floor of Shibusen. the ripping in his clothing, the jagged feel of his ribs under Sasuke's palm, the way his breath had hitched when Sasuke had run him from the chamber to Auron's place.
he finds himself looking at Neji's chest, where he's seated. he can't see the bandages, not under his clothing, but he knows they're there. it's impossible to know what he's thinking, his expression is almost always so carefully schooled.
Sasuke had felt the tension, one that comes when you're wound up from battle. know Neji wouldn't have reacted that way around any other Leaf who might have found him there. there's not much of a breeze under the hot August sun, even the shade is warm.
when he speaks, his voice is quiet; low like a secret, because this is an admission in it's own right, and it isn't something he's brought up to Team Seven.
not really.
his eyes stay on Neji's chest. Sasuke doesn't meet his eye. ]
no subject
he can still recall how broken he'd looked, like a doll on the floor of Shibusen. the ripping in his clothing, the jagged feel of his ribs under Sasuke's palm, the way his breath had hitched when Sasuke had run him from the chamber to Auron's place.
he finds himself looking at Neji's chest, where he's seated. he can't see the bandages, not under his clothing, but he knows they're there. it's impossible to know what he's thinking, his expression is almost always so carefully schooled.
Sasuke had felt the tension, one that comes when you're wound up from battle. know Neji wouldn't have reacted that way around any other Leaf who might have found him there. there's not much of a breeze under the hot August sun, even the shade is warm.
when he speaks, his voice is quiet; low like a secret, because this is an admission in it's own right, and it isn't something he's brought up to Team Seven.
not really.
his eyes stay on Neji's chest. Sasuke doesn't meet his eye. ]
Was it me?