He froze up at the touch, heightened senses still picking it up through the pain. If it had been anyone else, he might have snapped at them - but this was his brother. He, at the very least, was allowed this much. So Sasuke tried to relax again.

When Itachi spoke up, he shook his head. He hadn't been doing a good job at all when it came to keeping up with others. He was too ashamed, even if he wouldn't admit it, and had too many things on his mind as his body went through this unfortunate metamorphosis. Now he worried that had been even more of a failure on his part. He had very little to offer his brother in the way of information.

"...Sorry."