Continued from here [x] with @musesofchaos
Itachi sees her, standing in front of him, choking on her words. He didn't expect to see her here, outside the gates of Konoha. Of course he knew she was alive; he had kept close tabs on the status of certain people in Konohagakure.
But knowing she was alive was different than seeing her. Different than standing in front of her, talking to her.
So much different, in fact, that his usually stoic expression is definitely not... stoic. Lips slightly parted, there's an expression of regret, concern, as Izumi steps forward, and almost falls. Itachi takes a step forward, hands slightly out, as if to catch her, and then his hands drop.
"Yes," he says softly, taking a moment to decide before he approaches slowly. "It's really me."
