endgames | 033 -- [Action]

[In anticipation of a witch hunt, Shikamaru left the village a solid week or more ago for a spot he could wait things out and do as he liked. After John's report to the village, he trained with Twila's powers some and checked out the barrier. He never forgot that looming detail - that a deadline was approaching - but it wasn't the loudest though to linger in his mind.

"I've let your new attitude and wings slide, because we're friends. But it's starting to make you do things you wouldn't normally in a bad way. You should get it together."

It's troublesome but not untrue, which means that comes before anything else. Control is the name of the game here. Twila catered to his apathy, and while there's something nice about not feeling sad or anxious anymore, until they split ways he's going to be the one calling the shots. And after that week... he is for the most part, and ready to take care of things.]

[Since it's hard telling over the journals how much things settled in the village, so on June 9th he makes his way back on his very best behavior. Best. Maybe. PROVOKE HIM AND FIND OUT. He's still possessed by the start of the day, but in general, Shikamaru can be found attempting to mind himself while doing any of the following:

1. Observing people from high up places and making weirdly realistic shadow puppets to pass the time
2. Exploring the new parts of the tunnels
3. Searching out anyone he might have been an ass to, because he should make up for that 8|

One way or another he's back to normal by the end of the day, so people might find him in CH1 too after the fact.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Tenten's been having a rough couple of weeks after learning about Neji's death. Her buns are starting to hang loosely, there's a bit of a dark ring under her eye and a more grim, unnerving, flat line on her face instead of her usual smirk smile.

Still, Shikamaru's return is something to praise and consider. ]

Hey, Shikamaru. How're you doing?

[He'd just taken a bite of the gomae Hinata offered him, on his way across the hall, when Tenten speaks out to him. Looking surprised - and a little concerned - by her appearance, he blinks and speaks around a mouthful of spinach.]

Better'n you, I'd say.

I'm fine, Shikamaru. [ She offers a weak, mild mannered smile. ] Just got some bad news from home, that's all. [ She briefly brushes her hand against her forehead. It's obvious this is still affecting her pretty badly. ] It's just a lot to take in when you haven't experienced it yet, you know?

[If you blinked, you'd miss it, but his eyes widen.]

[In a fraction of a second, his whole expression turns carefully blank. News from home? New feather season should be over, unless... did she not know until now? He'd assumed she had, with how Lee had been acting.

He chews quietly and swallows.]

I can imagine it...

I'm not even upset over Neji. He went out in the way he wanted to and he should be honored as such. [ She sighs. ] But, I didn't even bother to check up on Lee while he was acting down. I just assumed it was something insignificant, like his ideas not being able to pan out in Luceti, or someone else's emotions were getting to him, or he was homesick. [ Her voice slightly cracks before regaining a steady tone. ] What type of teammate am I?

[A normal person would take this opportunity to say something comforting. Shikamaru frowns, lowering the bowl as he looks her in the eye with a steady gaze.]

That was shitty of you, yeah.

I know, Shikamaru. Thanks for your helpful contribution. For a genius, you sure have trouble navigating a social situation. [ She doesn't need reinforcement on how shitty what she did was. ] Any idea on how to fix this? [ You must have something, Shikamaru! ]

[This isn't exactly your regular social situation.]

You didn't let me finish. If you did, I'd tell you there's nothing to fix. You didn't know, and neither Lee or Neji told you. The important thing is you're on the same page now.

[He angles his head, lower and to the left but still facing her. The tone of voice he's using remains serious, but it's gentler now as well.] Nothing to fix, just an opportunity to do better. You can try what you would've done had you known in the first place.

You sounded pretty done to me. [ Tenten just rolls her eyes, still his advice is helpful. ]

You're right. I should get to approaching them soon. The sooner we all know what we're leaving behind here, the more we can use that time appropriately.

Or hell, if you're leaving at all.

[Maybe Neji could stay. Maybe he could go somewhere else. They tried that before...]

I know if there's an option to leave, I'm going to take it. Too many loose ends just... dangle here and it sucks not being able to wrap them up. But, I'm motivated more than ever to make returning to this place and leaving this place optional. [ She doesn't want Neji to return home because, you know, that means he has nothing to return to besides a burial. ]

That's been my goal too. But we're getting away from the point... Just do like I said. You're teammates. You should be there for one another.

Yeah. I should probably seek them out now anyways. I'll catch you later Shikamaru. [ She pauses, realizing Shikamaru is probably the closest she'll get to intellectual god in Luceti. ] Do you know where either of them are?

Hinata was talking about making them dinner a half hour ago. If they're not in their apartment, they'll be there soon.

I'll just wait for them for dinner before talking it out, I guess. [ She figures Hinata can be there anyways. If there's anyone that feels an awful amount of guilt over Neji's death, it's her. ] Thanks for the help, Shikamaru. [ She means it honestly this time. ]

[He waves a hand.]

Don't worry about it. [It feels... good to care about these things again. That's all he can say. It's a stark change from this morning. He thinks about patting her on the shoulder, and offering more, but he's already done the best he could do here.] Let us know if you need anything else.

I will, but I don't think I'll be needing anything else, barring a sudden third party invasion. [ In that case, they'll need each everyone. ] I'll let you know how it goes. [ Since he's kinda the unofficial leader here. Sure there are people that outrank him, but he's been here for a while and he's one of their greatest assets. ]

[Never has he missed Tsunade more 8|]

Don't worry about it. [He shifts his bowl of food once again, back to his hands, as he steps around her to go back to his apartment.] You'll do all right.

[They're all friends for a reason.]

Okay. I'll see you later. [ It's a hard knock life (lazy ninja mix).

Anyways, Tenten will go walking off. Her footsteps will carefully tap the ground instead of her usual carefree semi-team guy signature stomp. ]

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