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

[generalflirt]

Yeah?

[endgames]

I told you he's immortal. He takes advantage of that.

Hit him, electrocute him, stab him. He'll walk right through it. A smart person would keep their distance, but if you're fighting him like that you're already too close. His style is to make you bleed.

[generalflirt]

...he's immune to electrocution?

[He can't help but feel the need to clarify that. Mostly for Linda. But bleed? Okay he can see Shikamaru's point already he bleeds a lot]

[endgames]

Most element attacks. His partner Kakuzu could use all five natures, including lightning. One of their combinations was to take advantage of Hidan's immortality by having him corral someone and for Kakuzu to use a devastating jutsu on them both, knowing he'd survive it.

[generalflirt]

And it doesn't even fry his joints? Wooow.

[a light whistle]

[endgames]

[It probably does, but judging from the way he was missing those burns Asuma gave him, Hidan probably just heals quick.]

Point is... [Shikamaru waves a hand, dismissing the semantics of that] trying to take him out like that isn't going to pay off. Especially if he gets your blood.

[generalflirt]

Alright, I'm following.

[endgames]

If he does... Aa. [His hands fidget.] I don't think you've forgotten what I told you so quickly.

[Has he?]

[generalflirt]

[He considers a moment and... Oh, okay. He nods] That arcane voodoo thing, right?

[endgames]

That's right.

[generalflirt]

Man, that was weird as jutsu go. Honestly, it still sounds more like magic to me than anything I could even pretend to learn.

[Not that he expects he'll ever get anywhere with ninjutsu. But he shrugs and says this irreverently all the same]

[endgames]

[Shikamaru's mouth tightens in a firm line, not even wanting to entertain that thought.]

It has something to do with his fucked up religion. [And let's face it, only works if you're immortal. Shikamaru rubs his face.] Besides ingesting the blood of his target, he also needs to draw a symbol into the ground with his own blood and stand in it. That's why it's best to have someone like me fight him.

[generalflirt]

What about breaking the circle?

[endgames]

Temporary fix. He can draw it again.

[generalflirt]

Yeees, but doesn't that take time?

[endgames]

Has he drawn blood before or after this hypothetical?

[generalflirt]

Either. There's still a length of time to draw it.

[endgames]

Mm. But if it's before a fight starts, you're better off leaving before he's finished it.

After, there's a ninety percent chance he'll kill you before anyone gets close enough to break it.

[generalflirt]

Ninety? That has to be an overstatement, holy crap.

[endgames]

[...]

You're right. [He looks back over to the wall.] He has to mess around first. Stab you in the knee or between the ribs. Something like that.

[generalflirt]

See, I've got time. [With a little grin. He's being irreverent on purpose. He's not going to stop, just because he wants to take it seriously]

[endgames]

[Shikamaru feels sick.

He rubs his face tiredly and says nothing.]

[generalflirt]

Aaaaanyway, the bath and a meal offer's real. And unless there's more I have to know now, you need to go to bed after those.

[endgames]

[Seemingly stuck in his own thoughts, Shikamaru doesn't answer right away. His attention remains fixed on the wall before shifting to his own hands, something between angry and pained crossing his expression.

It leaves him all at once, with a short intake of breath and a nod, finally acknowledging that. He picks himself off the couch without another word.]

[generalflirt]

[Oh, fine.

That's about what he expected. He just sort of shrugs and keeps one more smile on his face before going to sit down on one of the beanbag chairs. Fair enough, man, fair enough]