Synchronize, Ripples
The sky is overcast outside and little beads of rain fall into the river, sinking underneath the surface and causing all that they disturb to ripple.
In the tearoom, Shisui smiles and speaks while Itachi doesn't.
Gleaming atop the low table is Mikoto's best china, the set with royal blue flowers hand-painted on every dish. It is delicate, but not to a fault, and happens to be Shisui's favorite.
Slowly, Itachi wraps his fingers around his teacup and watches the ripples in his tea, courtesy of Shisui's booming voice and occasional gestures. Even through the dismal weather, Shisui smiles a thin (fake) line.
Silently, Itachi stares out the window, his hands still curled around the teacup. In his head Sasuke dances along the river's edge, slipping in the wet soil and laughing in a way that Itachi remembers from years before.
The room goes quiet as Shisui stills, fingers gripping his own teacup.
"It will be windy tonight," Itachi observes.
"Yes," the other agrees, "The perfect storm."
The sound of thunder shakes the room; (yet another ripple), and the trees follow in sequence, shivering, but Shisui and Itachi do not move.
Each take a sip of their tea, take a turn speaking, and the process repeats.