endgames | 025 -- [Action || Voice]

[When Shikamaru heads down to Asuma's apartment Monday morning, he finds it empty of everything but Kurenai's things and a silver lighter standing on the table. It's wrong, but he doesn't give in to the false hope.

Of course it would stay. Even though Shikamaru gave it back to him, the lighter stopped being Asuma's the moment he picked it off his dying body.

Kurenai must've stepped out before it happened. She's a ninja, and not so senseless to have left the door wide open and run off in her grief. And so he waits for her, and tries to find his words.

After he leaves Kurenai, he has to tell Ino. Team 8 he'll find in person too - he has a request for them on top of this. It's been too long since they've heard a stir from their enemies.]

[It's well past midnight before an announcement comes, after he's made this post and spent a few hours going over the discussions there. When people are either busy with the information he gave them, or asleep.

He smokes a cigarette on his way back to his apartment in the night air, putting it out before he steps into the building, his posture falsely relaxed until he steps into his own room.]

Sarutobi Asuma is gone. [There's a pause and- no, he doesn't think it was mentioned.] Also, Haruno Sakura returned to her world a few weeks ago, for anyone who knew her.

Funnily enough, I haven't seen that masked Akatsuki guy in a while either...

[Too many people to filter that too. It's vague enough, but anyone who needs to know should get what he means. It would have been better news if he'd known before.

He'll answer journal comments in the morning.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

But speaking of those two... I need to track them down now, and also let them know.

[It's funny to hear him track down the team who are experts on the said field, but she shoves this aside. Looking over to her side, Ino wonders where these two are right now.]

I have a feeling they already know in a way. [They do specialize on keeping an eye on people.] But I'm not gonna stop you.

Better to be sure.

[...on both tasks.]

I'll have something to take care of after that as well, but I'll see you tomorrow. All right?

Alright. [A nod and then a poke on his shoulder.] But before you leave, promise me one thing.

What is it?

[This is where her lips form a wide, innocent smile. Usually, she only wields this when asking for a favor. But even if this time isn't any different, at least it's one hundred percent genuine.]

Talk to me. Don't let everything be kept bottled inside here. [And she pokes him again, this time on his chest.] Or else you won't hear the end of it from me. [She brushes the spot where she soaked with tears as if that'll help any.]

Like I said, you're not alone. It hurts less when you have shoulders to cry on. [A sheepish chuckle.] And speaking of which, don't worry, I'll replace this shirt.

Deal?

Aa... I don't really mind, about the shirt...

[Feelings, what feelings. He's sad, but he thinks he has this.

But don't worry, Ino. Come the ninth, he'll have plenty to talk about.]

Oh please, it's okay. It's on me. I'll replace it with something more fashionable.

[Something that shall expose your inner hotness so you can finally get a girl.

Come the ninth, Ino will listen and have high respect for Katara. She'll also probably gonna thwack him after ~~and drag him by the ear~~ for not opening up like this to her first. Lol sorry, teammate.]

[It's not like he knew his own feelings at the time, okay. Sob. @_@]

Oi, oi, I like my things just fine.

[WHAT IS NOT COOL ABOUT BLACK TURTLENECKS. But he brushes her off and turns his head awkwardly.] I don't think there's anything that needs to be said, about the rest. But I'll let you know.

[Still dragging him by the ear. (nottalking)]

Trust me, you'll like them better when I'm done.

[IT'S COOL, YEAH, BUT MORE SKIN SHOULDN'T HURT. Or more style put to your look.] Okay. Keep me posted, got it?

Sure.

[Though he sounds more unsure, and confused really. But he waves and turns on a heel.]

I'll see you around.

[Oh Shikamaru, you know how your teammate can be sometimes. A pat on his shoulder before she lets you leave.]

See you. [A beat.] Around, tomorrow, what have you. I'm just here. [Yeah, she just reiterated what she said earlier. Isn't she just annoying sometimes?]

Edited 2012-07-13 01:34 (UTC)

[Well he wouldn't have her any other way.

She's here.]

[That's good.

And, by the way, when he comes back tomorrow, she'll ~~force~~ give this shirt to him. She better see him wear it even once lol.]

[It will be his new pajama shirt. 8'|b]

[Only his pajama shirt??? How dare you Shikamaru kjashdl after all the effort she went through!

If Ino gets wind of this, she'll buy him another shirt until she sees him wear it outside. It's going to be an endless cycle!]

[Everything's free in Luceti! And that it's his pajama shirt just means he wears it more than all his other shirts!]

[Oh.

Oh.

Ooooohhhh.]

[If he tells her this, Ino will stop her ragefit, blush and look to the side. It's flattering to know he'll treasure the shirt like this in his own way.]

[But then she'll thwack him and exclaim something along the lines of-

"Why can't you wear shirts like a normal guy?"

Even if she would also mentally thwack herself for not getting his appreciation earlier.]

[He can never win.]

[Such is Nara Shikamaru's life. :'|b]

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[action] done and we're not even really tagging |D

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