Itachi was well-aware — as anyone would be, by the young boy’s forced and pained answer — that he wasn’t going to last much longer, no matter the strength of his own willpower. It was physically impossible, and the elder Uchiha was impressed enough that a boy of this age could hold out for this long, even after exhausting his chakra and suffering the pain from the wounds he’d received.
The snapping sound of Honou slipping and falling from the branch immediately sent Itachi downward to dash and catch him before he hit the ground. Doing so wasn’t that easy, though, for he’d practically slipped and fallen himself. Holding him up close to his chest, his eyes darted behind them as he could hear the enemy shinobi in the distance.
“Hold on.” He whispered, unsure of whether or not Honou was still conscious as he held him in his arms. After a few seconds he was hidden back within the trees, the large rocks of the mountain up ahead now visible.
At one point, Honou felt like letting himself go. And when he lost sight, he felt nothing under his feet. But just how this weightlessness was felt for a second, something caught him by another second. Heavy lids opened with much restraint, gazing up at the older Uchiha, and he groaned and shifted in his hold a bit.
“I-I…c-can help m-myself…” He muttered between pants, but he stopped moving when he felt his body suddenly taking comfort in the security of his hold. Inside, he wished he could stay in this position for only a few more minutes. Maybe rest his eyes, knowing someone was there to protect him. But the voices of his former classmates, ones that used to tell him how shinobis should be strong and independent, never relying on others, forced Honou to jolt out of his grasp, finding his balance on the branch they were on. It was enough to keep him conscious for a few more minutes.
"I-I don’t need your help… l-let’s just g-get to that cave q-quickly.“
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