020 -- [Various Filters || Action]

[endgames]

[ooc: dated to... idk. When the moon is not noticeably freaky. ALSO. The cut below is there because there are over 30 filters beneath it that take up a ridiculous amount of space, wow. I think I got all of the characters who were dropped, but just PM me if I didn't. After the event is done, there will be an ooc post regarding this, but I needed to get this part out of the way while my character would think to do so.

A note on the filters below - italic text represents breaks in the filter.]

[Early in the morning, long before the sun has risen and while most people are likely to be asleep, several filters start going up one-by-one. The journal window is covered with cloth; the handwriting not recognizable. Almost immediately after each one has been made, they're either deconstructed or disappear behind a private filter, viewable only to himself. He has no interest in talking to any of these people - he's just checking for breaks in the filters, which are visible for a minute until they're quickly taken care of.]

[Private to Shikamaru || Fake Cut to spare your f-lists and eyes]

[Two hours after this ends, a certain entry disappears behind a private filter as well. Then Shikamaru rolls over and goes back to bed. Damn, that was troublesome. He'll deal with the rest later. With the stuff that new Malnosso guy was talking about, he had a lot of other things to think about....

The next afternoon, he writes a couple of quick messages before heading out of the apartment.]

[Filtered to Raine Sage || 100% Unhackable]

What we talked about - it's done. Figured you'd want a heads-up.

[Filtered to Konoha Shinobi, Gaara, and Temari || 100% Unhackable]

Looks like we don't have to worry about Sasuke. At least for now.

[Filtered to Tony Stark || 100% Unhackable]

I have something to give you. Where you want me to drop it off?

[After he's taken care of that business, Shikamaru decides to take the rest of the afternoon to train. Not his shadow jutsus, however. Those close enough to the southern edge of the village at the time may hear something a few times throughout the evening. Maybe like thunder, but definitely a-

BOOM.

...but don't worry, everything is under control. And for once, he isn't even joking. It's taken months for him to get this jutsu down - a lungful of ash just is not pleasant - but he's finally managed it.

If for some reason you're close to the Southern Lake at this time, or choose to investigate, you're bound to find one (1) Shikamaru Nara taking a break by the water and unable to wipe the smirk off of his face. The air still might smell faintly of ash, but he cleans up well. And nothing has been destroyed but the targets he brought out here himself.

It makes up for all the weirdness going on. Just a little.]

Comments

[voice]

[piggybabe.livejournal.com]

I know that. [And even if she does, her words come out uncertain. She knows she wouldn't be able to change anything. So what if she tries to change him in this place? He wouldn't remember anything when he goes back. There really isn't any way around it.]

[voice]

[endgames]

[.....

There's silence from his end. He knows better than to press to her - she'll explain herself if she wants to tell him.]

[voice]

[piggybabe.livejournal.com]

[She pauses for a few moments, but decides to speak up afterwards since she knows fully well that she can't hide anything from Shikamaru.]

I just wish I can do something to change things.

[voice] .../apologies for all the silence on his end >>;;

[endgames]

['Ino, you can't.'

Shikamaru rubs a spot in the middle of his forehead. It's not like he can blame her - her heart is in the right place. And there was a time not that long ago where he wanted to do the same. He never liked Sasuke, but he valued him as a comrade.

But the path Sasuke has gone down now is one he can't see him returning from anytime soon. Not for Ino. Not for Sakura. ...maybe not even for Naruto.]

[voice] hahaha no worries /o/

[piggybabe.livejournal.com]

[Something inside her knows what Shikamaru might be thinking at this moment, but she doesn't call him out on it. Instead, she continues her train of thought by resuming where she left off.]

I never thought things will turn out this way. [Looking back, could she have done something to prevent his betrayal or something?]

[voice]

[endgames]

If anyone did, we'd never have gotten to this point. [He sighs. He was in a good mood today.]

That doesn't change things. We can't think about stuff like that.

[voice]

[piggybabe.livejournal.com]

Well, I guess... [A long pause on her end. Sorry to break your good mood, deer boy. :(] We really shouldn't have regrets now.

Re: [voice]

[endgames]

Can't move forward if you're holding on to what ifs.

[He nods. An affirmation of that, yes. No regrets.]

[voice]

[piggybabe.livejournal.com]

Mm, yeah... [She trails off and falls silent. That's easier said than done, really. It's hard to move on, she has to admit as much.]

[voice]

[endgames]

You can do it, if it comes to that. ['If'. It has come to that back home, but he knows things are different here. It's still a strong 'if', all the same.] I know you can. You're pretty good at doing things you know have to be done.

[voice]

[piggybabe.livejournal.com]

[Did she just hear a compliment? Have a soft smile, lazy. These are the times when she feels incredibly lucky having you all, her boys, with her. (Chouji remains in her heart in that aspect.)]

Thanks, Shikamaru. That means a lot coming from you.

[voice]

[endgames]

It's the truth, woman. I'm only reaffirming it, right?

[Confident as Ino is, she has her moments he knows. Just like any of them.]

[voice]

[piggybabe.livejournal.com]

[She sighs.] Right, right. Of course. [Shikamaru really knows how to pull on her strings and how to make her feel better. He knows the right words.]

[voice]

[endgames]

[Have a grin.]

That's what I thought.

[voice]

[piggybabe.livejournal.com]

It's always good to know you have so much faith in me. [Part tease, part truth.]

[voice]

[endgames]

S'what teammates are for - knocking sense into you when you need it most. I know you do the same for me.

[voice]

[piggybabe.livejournal.com]

[She snorts. Oh, Shikamaru. She's your constant sanity check. Or, sometimes, the one who makes you lose it.]

It's my lot in life.

[voice]

[endgames]

[Funny, Ino. He'll snort right back, amused.

You're the second woman to claim that in this entry. Between the two of you, maybe he should be worried.]

[voice]

[piggybabe.livejournal.com]

[Did it also come from another blonde, troublesome woman?]

Why, ever heard the line before from someone else?

[Is that jealousy in her tone? Maybe.]

[voice]

[endgames]

[You wouldn't be asking if you didn't already know, now would you? 8|]

Careful. You're starting to sound interested in boring conversations.

[voice]

[piggybabe.livejournal.com]

Really now?

[Smirkiiiing. What's so boring with what she just asked?]

Try me.

[voice]

[endgames]

And bother repeating myself?

[voice]

[piggybabe.livejournal.com]

You'd do that for a good friend, right?

[voice]

[endgames]

Nope. [Just look at that smile.]

But I would take a good friend out to lunch, if she's feeling up for it.

[voice]

[piggybabe.livejournal.com]

Now how could I even resist that smile? [She smirks.] Of course, I'm up for it.