009 -- [Action]

[its_troublesome]

[Being a cloud? It is just as awesome as Shikamaru always thought it would be. For the most part, he's been able to just float along at his leisure, observing anything interesting and not having to do anything when there was nothing else around. He's sure he won't want to stay like this forever, but he wouldn't mind it for another few days.

Comments

[felltoirony]

[Some might be allowed a change. Itachi is not. This is what happens when you obsess.

At this point he's modified his clothes slightly so that he can hang one arm out of the front of his shirt. It's comfortable.]

Shikamaru-san.

[Chouji was also a possibility, but the connections had seemed stronger with Nara.]

[smoke_shadows]

[He's distracted; should've heard him coming earlier than he did. The pieces click into place when he sees him though, in the way he speaks and holds himself. He was right - this isn't Sasuke.

...He went to all that effort for nothing. God dammit. 8|]

Itachi.

[felltoirony]

[With certain people already knowing who he is, it hardly seems necessary to keep it hidden at this point.

He nods his head once.]

Should I find you a towel?

[smoke_shadows]

[He shoves his hands into his pockets.] I can find one myself, though I won't say no if you just so happen to be able to point me in the right direction.

[felltoirony]

I would think most of the nearby shops might have something - the clothing or item shops especially.

I imagine you'll want to change anyway.

[smoke_shadows]

It's where I was headed. [As if to illustrate this, he continues on his way, not that that'll take him out of Itachi's anytime soon. For now he'll try and focus on hiding his shivering.]

[felltoirony]

[After a moment, Itachi follows.]

...I could help you.

[smoke_shadows]

Why would you want to?

[The question is out before he can put more thought into it, but it's an honest one.]

[felltoirony]

Because there's something I would like to try.

[smoke_shadows]

Well gee, I'm convinced.

[felltoirony]

[Itachi just shrugs. If Shikamaru doesn't want him to, he'll try it on something else some other time.]

[smoke_shadows]

[He takes a few more steps, trying to shove his hands impossibly further into his pockets. Curiosity gets the better of him though, as it often does in this place, and he frowns.]

...What exactly is it that you're wanting to try?

[felltoirony]

I've been working with the water spirit. [And the fire one, but that was a given and not worth mentioning.]

I may be able to remove the water directly from your clothes.

[smoke_shadows]

[He would scoff at that skill level - Katara's done something similar for him once, but that's a talent she didn't need to learn from the spirits - but then again. This is Itachi. And who knows what the hell he's been doing while he's here?

After another moment:] All right. Try it.

[felltoirony]

[Itachi has to take a moment to focus, as he's never done this on anything before. He just knows that he *can*.

The ninja gets close to Shikamaru, holding out one hand with the palm up. Slowly, the water pulls itself from the fabric of Asuma's clothes - though not every last bit of it, as that would cause it to be unwearable.

Soon, there's a large floating orb of water above his hand. This takes a lot more concentration in Sasuke's body.]

[smoke_shadows]

[Shikamaru watches closely, seemingly making sure Itachi doesn't try anything funny. It's partly why he agreed, however; to observe how well Itachi can use this magic.

He remembers himself as the dampness seems to seep away from his clothes. There's still a faint chill, but it's dry now. Helluva lot more comfortable.

He turns from his clothes back to the orb before looking back up to Itachi, then nods.] ...Thanks.