030 -- [Action]

[endgames]

[Shikamaru's a hard man to find after this (on-going) thread.

He doesn't return to his apartment until the next morning, through the spare bedroom and not the front door. It's doubtful anyone else will catch him outside of his own floor for the next several days, though he always has his journal on him.

Those days are also partially spent tracking down Tony Stark, Law, Itachi, Gold, Silver, and a few others in his building to warn them about Hidan. Masaomi will no doubt hear from him when he gets back, and Riku may have learned what he needs to know from Ino before Shikamaru gets to him, but they're both on the list. He'll also be visiting the Avatar house for a few people in particular, but given that's half the house he won't be shunning anyone else he runs into there.]

Comments

[action!]

[endgames]

Because I ran to the mountains earlier. [He turns to go, waving over his shoulder as he leaves.] Jeez. All it is is nag, nag, nag...

[Which he is more than grateful for, in it's normalcy.]

[mischiefbreeder]

[...Stuffed in a tree...]

...Remind me never to piss you off.

[endgames]

You couldn't.

[That was probably rhetorical, but he answers anyways.]

To provoke that kind of anger... [That kind of hate. It's too troublesome. Until Hidan, he didn't know he had it in him. Shikamaru smirks and shakes his head.] You don't have it in you. You're a dumbass, but you're not a cruel person. That's why I like you, beyond that thing Masaomi dragged us into.

[That's why you're one of the people getting this warning.

There's people here Shikamaru is closer too, but Gold is still among the few he considers a friend.]

[action!]

[floralogy]

[She snorts and just smiles all-knowingly at him.]

I'm sure you're very grateful deep inside. -Oh, and don't be late for breakfast later, alright?

[action!]

[endgames]

Is at after noon?

[Still walking for the door.]

[markofthebrave]

All right.

[endgames]

[He'd be dumb if he thought she'd be happy about it, so her response doesn't surprise him. This is by no means acceptance.

Instinct is to smooth things over; sense of responsibility tells him to remain firm.]

It's not like I don't have a plan or twenty.

1/3

[markofthebrave]

You think I don't know that?

[markofthebrave]

[markofthebrave]

I know what you're doing, Shikamaru. I don't have to like it. But I know you're not going to listen to me anyway.

[She stood up and walked over to the door.]

And I don't have the same freedom I had once to work around you.

[She opened the door to her room.]

So why don't you just get out and do what you think you have to do. Cut everyone else out. Take as much of the risk on yourself as you can. I am never going to agree with you that it's the right call. But I'm not going to fight with you about it. If the only support you'll take from me is my utter lack of support, then that's what you'll get.

[But that doesn't mean she likes it, or that it doesn't hurt like hell, or that she isn't coldly furious at many, many things in a way she hasn't been in a while.]

1/2

[endgames]

[He makes no move, eyes flat and hard. Does she really not get it?

"I am never going to agree with you that it's the right call."

It wouldn't be just her head on the line, if Hidan was feeling ambitious and found out they were friends; if he followed her to this house full of people where the door's rarely locked because someone's almost always home to answer the door. The people she cares most about.

"And I don't have the same freedom I had once to work around you."

How can she say that in the same breath and not get it?

"If the only support you'll take from me is my utter lack of support, then that's what you'' get."

Like he could ask that of her. Damned if you do, damned if you don't.]

[endgames]

[But he's so tired. Tired of arguing, tired of waking up, tied of so many things. Any fight left in him is being channeled towards a greater purpose; all that's left: a statue carved of resignation and apathy.

He still doesn't move, and doesn't look away. But he uses Shunshin without a hand seal, disappearing in a puff of smoke and swirl of leaves.

In the kitchen, he leaves behind a note describing Hidan's physical characteristics and a few mannerisms, like he said he would. He lets himself out the front door.]

[markofthebrave]

[She hates that move. It's a coward's move. He couldn't even walk past me.

She was still so coldly furious.

And now guilt twinged. Because she knew that could be the last time she saw him, Katara knew that Shikamaru wouldn't risk coming near her after this. And her guilt only made her angrier.

She couldn't be around Ikki like this.

Katara stormed from her room... only to find the door swinging shut behind him. She glared at it.

Good luck.]

[deathsdoctor]

[Law frowns a little at that narrowed eyed glare. That's... an interesting reaction to a wish for Hidan to take a hike. Even when Shikamaru settles, traces of it remain on Law's lips.]

... no. That'll be the point where you'll take him on.

[Inevitable.]

[tsuntrader]

Alone? [Has he ever seen that look on Shikamaru's face before?...]

[endgames]

Probably.

[mischiefbreeder]

[oh

uh

well

Gold didn't think Shikamaru really thought of him as a friend. An associate or an acquaintance, maybe, but... A friend? He's actually kinda touched. At least, enough so that he'll just... let that "dumbass" comment slide.]

Oh, uhh.... Thanks. I think.

[endgames]

[Dork.

Shikamaru's smile fades though. Better finish up what he came here for.]

Anyways... In case I'm wrong and he does attack, you're better off getting out of there. If you can't manage that, whatever you do don't let him draw your blood. Get help immediately if that happens; if he ingests it, it's over.

[tsuntrader]

[...It's not something he wants to do alone. It's something he needs to, isn't it?]

Be careful.

[endgames]

[For all of the things he has to explain to Silver sometimes, he's grateful for just what sorts of things he doesn't.]

Sure thing. [He raises his chin and grins.] I'm not gonna die over this.

[tsuntrader]

[Nod. Yeah, you better not. He's wholeheartedly believing that.]

[endgames]

[Of course not. It's very much all he's promising, though. Which is good, given where he'll be in about two weeks from now.]

I'll show you what he looks like, so you know who to avoid... [Grin fading, where's that entry... oh here we go.]

[tsuntrader]

I heard some of it already. [No need to show him.]

[endgames]

Oh.

[Well good then. He closes the book.]

Just continue to avoid him like that. Let me know if he stirs something up, and I'll handle it.

[tsuntrader]

Right.

[...] I won't get involved, but if you need anything, just ask.