008 -- [Voice || Action]

[its_troublesome]

[Voice]

Oi. What's easy to make for dinner, besides sandwiches and microwave dinners?

[Let's face it - Shikamaru can cook for himself if need be, but Chouji's the food lover. Unfortunately there comes a point where one gets bored of the dishes they know how to make - particularly when those dishes are sandwiches and instant food.

Speaking of instant

Comments

[yourhatred]

[There's a sound, perhaps like the rustling of feathers or maybe that's just a light footfall, and there's someone else in the clearing. One arm resting loosely out of its sleeve and in the opening of a blue silk overshirt and red eyes cutting through the shadows, Itachi takes only a few steps in before stopping to watch.]

[its_troublesome]

[He was wondering what had had Tsinku distracted. It's this that alerts him to Itachi's presence, which does well to make him feel like a green genin again. A pointless feeling - Tsinku is a spirit and that comes with an awareness of things that not even a trained shinobi can possess.

But it's something to work on. If he were back home, that sort of a delay could be a deadly one.

...He still has no idea what to make of Itachi, anothing thing this place has made overly complicated. One the one hand, it's nice to have not had to fight him; on the other, his reputation back home means he always feels like he has to be prepared for it.

Shikamaru takes a mental inventory of the weapons he has on hand before looking up from the board.] ...Long time no see.

[yourhatred]

Mm. It has been some time, hasn't it?

[He takes another few steps closer, casually, stopping when he's within easy striking distance.]

You seem to have found someone who can offer you more of a challenge than I could.

[its_troublesome]

It helps that he's not seven.

[yourhatred]

[There's a light noise from Itachi's throat then. It might in fact be a quiet chuckle, though it's short lived.]

True enough. Though even now, I haven't had nearly enough practice with the game.

[its_troublesome]

You'd have a better understanding of it now, at least. Probably.

[There's a roll of thunder overhead, and Shikamaru moves a lance forward before turning the table back to his own side of the board.]

[yourhatred]

Probably.

[He slips his hand out of his shirt and back into its sleeve before sticking both hands in his pockets.]

I suppose I'll be a nuisance if I stay and watch.

[its_troublesome]

...It'd be troublesome.

[Keep your friends close and your enemies closer. If it were as simple as that, he'd offer you a match, Itachi. But it's a puzzle he hasn't been able to solve yet, with everything that's been going on.]

But there's nothing I can do to stop you if you wanted to. [He slides a tile forward, then turns the table back for Tsinku. Who may or may not play the game to its finish in either case.]

[yourhatred]

[Itachi just makes a thoughtful, possibly partially amused noise at this. He continues to stand where he is, intrigued by Shikamaru's opponent.

Carry on, then.]

[its_troublesome]

[Tsinku seems pleased that someone is - there's no doubt that Shikamaru's attention is divided now.

After a few more turns, the thunder cracks a little louder, almost scolding. Shikamaru continues the game with a muttered apology.]

[yourhatred]

[Aware that he's making the younger ninja uncomfortable but seemingly not bothered by this, Itachi continues to stand and watch. He's almost as much statue as man, brought to life only by the wind shifting his clothes and hair.]

[its_troublesome]

[It took him this long to finally get in touch with the spirit. He'll be damned if he screws it up now, creepy statue ninjas or not. 8|

He takes his turns more quickly, and they don't quite suffer for it. Even so, it will be more obvious soon that the match has taken a turn towards it's conclusion.

It's been a good game, and if he ends this sooner rather than later there can be other ones. Especially as Tsinku seems to enjoy winning.]

[yourhatred]

[The whole match has Itachi very curious, Sharingan-enhanced eyes following the whole thing on a deeper level.

With this much of a concentrated use of them, however, they will fade back to black almost immediately when the match is through. It's still strange, not having the usual amount of stamina, which hadn't been the best before.]

[its_troublesome]

[Shikamaru glances to Itachi when he finishes, noting that. Overhead, the thunder claps in victory; he acknowledges Tsinku's win with a smirk and a nod, and any subsequent thunder will seem to come from a distance before it quiets completely as the spirit moves on.

His grin fades, and he starts to collect the shogi tiles.]

...a shogi game seems like a troublesome thing to waste energy on.

[yourhatred]

One would think.

[And perhaps he'd be in trouble if he ended up having to fight someone this evening, but hopefully there wouldn't be any need for him to today of all days.

He continues to listen as Shikamaru packs up, remaining where he is.]

[its_troublesome]

I guess it'd be pointless to ask why you bothered.

[He's not really expecting an answer.]