18 days. Opening Cells (Shishui/Itachi)
There's nothing wrong with showing your feelings. Laughing when it's fun, crying when it's sad, worrying when it's scary, screaming when it's boiling. Emotions make a person a human being, without feelings we die.
Shishui was not afraid to feel, he was pleased to show his inner state, because this is how he felt his condition and felt his existence. Shinobi should be able to hold himself, but it is impossible to be on the chain all the time.
Itachi is different. He has everything within, everything is hidden, because he is afraid. No, he doesn't talk about it directly, but Shisui sees the inner cage, where his friend drives his emotions, locks them there, and strengthens the lock with chains so that, God forbid, they don't escape. One day he was betrayed by a child, who showed that his soul was of no interest to anybody, and that the most important thing was strength. Therefore, he is hiding, so as not to get hope, which will be immediately destroyed.
Shishui sees. He sees much better than others and understands more. Who needs feelings on the battlefield? They're just an extra addition that doesn't make any sense, only adds complexity. Shishi understands why they want to hide so much.
- Don't be afraid to seem weaker," smiles the young man, looking at his friend. He just turns his back on it, killing himself with a bottle of water. The heat evaporates the energy, and training reduces it even faster. Shishui sees that the chains will soon fall and the grids will snap. A few more words and gestures. It takes a little to open even the most secretive.
- The longer the dam holds back the flow, the more flooding will be," Shishui thoughtfully stretched out, looking at the shades of trees stretched out on the dried ground. The cracks on her are like scars on her skin. Everyone's story is remembered as if it had been burnt by fire. One was left in training, the one on his shoulder, left by the enemy, on his chest was ambushed and covered by his younger comrades.
There's nothing wrong with admitting the weaknesses that cause you to get wounds that can make you feel bad about yourself for a long time. Jesus is ready to admit that he is not perfect and to move on. So be different. He is more likely to hate himself for not being able to do something, and only then will he take up the task of perfection. But the ghost of the old mistakes will be pressed, haunting at every step, not letting you breathe freely.
- I'm scared," Itachi says quietly. And Shishui understands it. He doesn't expect a pack of emotionally restrained emotions to break out on him. He does not expect an avalanche or a stormy flood. He has a small gap between the door and the bars, and he will slip into his soul. He is cozy among his animals, so that he does not think of it.
Itachi finds someone else's hand blindly. Funny, but he studied it better than his own. He feels the dent from the wound between his thumb and index finger, at the base of the middle one feels a thin scar, his palm cuts through a wide trace of the blade, the bone on his wrist still feels a wide burn. But there is no more reliable hand and no more pleasant person.
- Are you ever afraid? - quietly pronounces Itachi, clenching his strong palm more firmly. Warmth is as warm as no fire and no hugs.
- I'm always afraid," says Shishui honestly, holding a compassionate friend by his shoulders. - I am not ashamed to admit it. And I fight with fear in the open, not behind closed doors.
Itaci laughs quietly, hiding a doomed smile on someone else's shoulder. He dreams of being the same - honest and strong. Will he ever be able to be like that?
- You can," laughs Shishui.
- Did you hear it out loud? - Itachi is surprised, raising his head.
- No, I just know what you're thinking," smiles Shishui. - I know you.
Does Itachi know himself? Not as well as I could. But he has nothing to worry about. No matter how much he closes his soul, no matter how many locks and seals he puts on, there is one chinobi with dark curly hair whirls and a warm look that nothing stops him from approaching other people's emotions.
Itachi squeezes his palm harder, and Shishi squeezes it tighter.
Together they find it easier. Together, fear retreats and the doors open.