It's Russian roulette

[endgames]

Who: Hidan (sorethroat) and Shikamaru (endgames)
What: A confrontation
When: Forward-dated to the evening of December 8th
Where: Building I (formerly Azzip's)
Summary: Hidan's a sensitive man-child who doesn't like being stuffed in trees and having samurai hunting him down. He's off to file a formal complaint-- with pointy things.
Rating: PG-13 at the least

[When not training, there is one part of his schedule Shikamaru's been keeping up since Hidan showed up. Gutting Azzip's to turn it into some sort of convenience store takes a lot of work, and with his roommate on a mission he's down a pair of helping hands. Watching his surroundings carefully, Shikamaru takes in some supplies and shelving through the back entrance.]

Comments

[endgames]

[He'd been half out of it before Neji spotted Ino, in that state where bleeding out and the possibility of organ failure is terrifying to think about, actually, so why not think about something else or at least sleep...

But then she's here and-- well his first reaction would be relief, but the physical reaction of pain beats him to it. She was gentle, but the scrape of his jacket against his wounds was like sticking a livewire through his spine. His shoulders arch up with a grimace, suddenly a little more aware again before he processes her orders and heeds them.

His head is clearer though, and that's better. He nods, a silent 'sure' to let her concentrate; obedience without question as an apology for getting this busted up in the first place, even if it was necessary.]

[screw_fate]

[At this point, Neji feels he's generally superfluous, but he stays close by, opposite of Ino; he can see what she's doing, and can serve as an extra pair of hands for anything she needs, hands that he forces to steadiness.

Anything she needs, anything that will help get Shikamaru stable enough that he can be brought to the clinic. That much, he'll do -- he might not be Lee, but he's still a taijutsu specialist, with the muscles to match. Carrying one skinny guy won't be a problem.]

[floralogy]

[As her hands start to glow, Ino immediately begins to patch up internal organs that were damaged by the blow. It might take a lot more focus and concentration, and a little more chakra, just because more than one organ got damaged. When she was dragged here in Luceti, she was still in the middle of perfecting surgery, or at least to the point of performing it with ease but this doesn't show with the way she's handling things.

Sweat starts to gather on her brow but she pays this no mind. Once his intestines are all patched up, she goes for that busted kidney. One healing might not suffice, because she can only do so much for three large puncture wounds, but at least she can stop the bleeding - by patching those vessels - and Shikamaru will be good enough to transport to the clinic. Law might be able to do the finishing touches.

Ino tries hard not to imagine that scythe piercing him by closing her eyes momentarily to will it away.

She acknowledges Neji's presence, though, as she gives him a nod, maybe to also serve as an apology for not greeting him straightaway upon arrival. Even with the focus she's giving to his open stomach wound, Ino thought of something.]

Can you analyze those cuts on his right forearm? They're deep, aren't they?

[screw_fate]

[With more medical knowledge, Neji could offer a lot of information -- he sees, but he doesn't understand what he's seeing. It's infuriating, with a comrade's life on the line.

He waves off the silent apology. She did exactly what she needed to; stopping to acknowledge him would have meant a moment of delay in getting to Shikamaru, would mean a moment more of bloodloss and deterioration of his condition.]

They're deep, and they're very ragged. The bandages are helping -- Nara, you madman, that was brilliant -- and they should hold with that until we can get him to the clinic.

[endgames]

[Despite what a bad situation this is - or maybe it's in spite of it, the way he finds amusement in things just as they go to hell - he smirks shakily at that comment. Heh. Leave it to Neji to figure it out.

But he feels better, he thinks? Given what he knows about medical jutsu by osmosis of being around her and Sakura, he knows this is all patchwork. You stop the leak before you fix the barrel. Judging by how gray he can see his skin looks bathed in the light of green chakra, even with the bandages he's lost more blood than he thought.

Still, he knows now that he's probably not going to die tonight. Ino's laying the groundwork (she's come a long way, he thinks, and he's so proud of her), but by the time she's done...

Medical jutsu works by matching the output of healing chakra to the severity of the injury. Ino will exhaust herself just putting his insides back together. Neji has the right idea, and he shoots him a bleary look.

Don't let her do more than she can handle.]

[floralogy]

[There are so many things Ino wishes she can do right at this moment. While patching him up, she immediately realizes that infection is starting to spread and she wishes she can take care of that with her medical ninjutsu. Gut wounds are always very serious as the intestines' bacteria would often spread to the very wound. But first things first, she needs to stop the bleeding.

Though what's probably frustrating is the fact she knows she'll be running in low chakra the moment she's finished patching up everything. She might be able to at least fix the broken bones of his fingers, at least, but beyond that, she'll be pretty exhausted. And the last thing she needs is to have dizzy spells while transporting Shikamaru to the clinic.

She promised she'll do everything. Keep them in line. Keep them safe. And while she's no Shizune or Tsunade (or a Sakura because she can admit her best friend is one heck of a medic) she has to try everything and place everything on the line. This severe gut wound will use more than half of her chakra but she'll only stop when his forearm and fingers are also good to go.

As she finishes patching up the most damaged vessels and his intestines and moving to his kidney, she utters a silent apology to Shikamaru in her head. She can sense that look he gave to Neji in her peripheral vision and she knows what it meant. But she's stubborn, strong willed and a keeper of her promise.

He'll only be transported to the clinic when she deems he's good to go.

Nodding at Neji for a brief moment, she continues her task.]

Alright, thanks. I'll move on to them next after this.

[screw_fate]

[That intention brings a low sound of disapproval from Neji's throat.]

I said they'll hold, Ino. I can't carry both of you to the clinic.

[He isn't the medic here, he's just transportation and logistics, but he can see chakra -- and he knows the limits Luceti places on them. He's not going to let her drain herself to the dregs, not when it would mean leaving her here to get Shikamaru to the clinic.]

[endgames]

[He nods to that, not finding enough energy in him to voice his agreement... much less keep his head up for half of that nod. He feels really lightheaded now; either that or he's only now realized it.

He hopes she'll listen to him.]

[floralogy]

Because you don't have to.

[Her answer was quick and firm and even when her eyes is trained on the gut wound she's patching, Neji should be able to sense that her tone matches the look in her eyes.

She can curse Luceti all she wants for putting a limit to what she can do here, but she knows even without the limit, she'd be able to at least do everything. Stubborn as she is, she wants to prove this place wrong, that her training somehow paid off and that she can do everything without running on low chakra afterwards.

Because she's a great medic and she damn well knows she had come a long way.

She wants to outdo herself, but is this the right time for it? She had vowed ever since that Return the Favor mission that she won't feel useless anymore and that she'll surpass Sakura who studied medical ninjutsu ahead of her. If only she studied more, would she have been able to save their sensei?

Glancing back at Neji, her determined eyes earlier just grew stronger with a message underneath them.

Please let me do this. For Shikamaru. I won't be useless anymore.]

I'll be fine.

[screw_fate]

[The look in her eyes reads loud and clear, and Neji understands it; he knows the drive, the need to excel, the need to overcome. But at the same time, he knows that that drive can be a dangerous thing; it can drive success, but it can also drive directly to a hospital bed or worse.]

Do as much as you can.

[The words are a compromise; he recognizes her drive, but still wants caution on her part, care of herself as well as Shikamaru. If she drains herself to the point of injury...

She should know well enough that focusing on the injuries that will make it harder to move Shikamaru is the highest priority. They don't have a stretcher here, and while there's plenty of debris, there's nothing that would be terribly suitable. Neji will have to carry Shikamaru, likely piggyback, to the clinic -- preferably without undoing all of Ino's healing work.]

[endgames]

[He'd glare if he could, but it really doesn't feel like it'd be worth the effort right now. Most things don't now that the spike of awareness has worn off, and the sharp pains that were his handhold are fading into dull aches between Ino's healing and his body's desire to shut down on the trauma.

You guys do what you need to, Shikamaru's going to drop off into unconsciousness now.]

[floralogy]

[She acknowledges the permission Neji gave her with a nod that served as a silent thank you. Turning back to the task at hand, Ino's half way done with his busted kidney. At this point, all bleeding from this wound should cease.

She only briefly glances at Shikamaru who manages to doze off as she gives him a soft smile. Sleep, you lazy genius. You're going to need it. I'm here. This glance was fleeting, however, as she lays down the finishing touches to the severed organ by infusing more chakra to her medical ninjutsu.

She still can't feel it - the symptoms of someone beginning to run on low chakra - so she does as much as she can to patch up everything on this wound so she can have ample energy to move on to his other injuries.

Do as much as you can.

What if what she can do isn't good enough?

Ino's brow visibly furrows more in concentration. Bleeding successfully stopped, check. Patched up his intestines, check. Patched up his kidney, check. All internal injury should be fixed right now. He'll need another round of healing after this, though, and a whole lot of rest but she at least managed to get him out of death's way.

Once her hands' glow slowly faded, she analyzes the wound. It would need some stitching, though everything inside is good to go. True to Shikamaru's earlier analysis, she had to use an immense amount of chakra to speed up the body's natural healing process and this is starting to take its toll on her.

But true to her promise, Ino goes for his damaged forearm by gently lifting it a little with one hand while her other begins to glow a familiar green light. She's ready to begin healing him again.]

[screw_fate]

[Neji says nothing -- yet -- but lets his activation of the Byakugan speak for itself. While Ino heals Shikamaru, he's watching her chakra coils -- seeing them dim with drain, watching for what's he's learned is the danger point, the point when her work is starting to pull needed chakra away from the functioning of her body. He's willing to let her exhaust herself, but not endanger herself.

Medics are precious, and in a place like this, where what they can do is limited, even more so.]

[floralogy]

[His injuries on his right forearm are not something to laugh at. They're not mere scrapes, or shallow cuts you get when a kunai slices through your skin. These are deep cuts and Ino can only bet Hidan has something to do with the way they're this deep.

This only fueled the blond medic into pushing herself further, infusing more chakra to her medical jutsu so she can stop the bleeding and somehow turn the cuts into shallow ones. Ino can sense it's all she can do for now and it frustrates her but that's not going to stop her.

She still has broken finger bones to tend to after this.]

[screw_fate]

[Finally, Ino hits the mark Neji mentally set, where her chakra patterns are shifting too far from her own body.]

Ino, enough.

[The cuts are binding together, the gut wound -- wounds, really, damn that three-bladed scythe -- stable, and he's ready to get Shikamaru out of there, and Ino needs to take a break before she drives herself into a clinic bed right beside her teammate.]

[floralogy]

[At the sudden command, Ino was immediately taken back that her glowing hand suddenly returns to normal. The command Neji gave isn't exactly what surprised her after abruptly stopping; it was the way a fleeting yet strong dizzy spell surged within her that momentarily made her fall on her rear.

She blinks, willing it away, as she also brings a hand to her head to help. It was like jogging incessantly for hours around the village without stopping to drink or rest. She has to catch her breath as a result, then.]

Sorry, I was just... [Pant.] I didn't notice...

[screw_fate]

Of course you didn't.

[The words are gentle, not scornful; he respects how hard she's worked, and how much she's done.]

But he should be ready to move, and you need the breather. Help get him up on my back and I'll get him to the clinic.

[floralogy]

Got it.

[Catching another breath or two, Ino hoists herself up so she can do the same with Shikamaru through her help. It's not so hard if not because she still feels tired but with the way she assists an unconscious Nara into a sitting position ready for travel, it doesn't show.

Now the real trick is securing him on Neji's back.]

[endgames]

[Good thing he's out of it because holy hell does that hurt. Even unconscious, his face pulls a grimace.

Worth noting: he's probably cold from shock, even if Ino's since treated it.]

[screw_fate]

[Immediately, Neji has the Byakugan back up; on the move, he'll be keeping a careful eye on Shikamaru's injuries, so that he can best balance a quick trip with the need to not jostle those freshly-healed, fragile wounds.

Shikamaru's body feels cold, and he grimaces a little, regretful to be taking him out into the chilly air. The only blanket-like item is draped over Hidan's corpse, and he's not about to propose they repurpose it; he'll just have to move quickly enough to raise his own body temperature and hope that it helps warm Shikamaru at least a little.]

I'll move quickly. Follow at your own pace, Ino; don't feel like you need to make a dash for it too. [Translation: don't exhaust yourself further getting there, use it as a breather and a chance to regain a little chakra.]

[floralogy]

[Ino actually catches that little grimace and for a fleeting moment, she worries. But she has faith both on her own medical abilities (that she'd done a good job on healing him) and Neji's speed in getting him there.

Once Shikamaru's fully secured behind Neji, Ino calms her breathing, ready to regain more chakra on the way.]

I'll be okay. It'd be better if I can match your own pace. At least if something happens, I'll be nearby.

[She's not banking on it but it's better to be safe than sorry later. Shikamaru's safe to travel, yes, but until he's safely in the clinic, she won't take it easy yet.]

[screw_fate]

It won't be much of a breather.

[That's all he'll say; if she's prepared for that, then he'll be just as glad to have her close at hand. Just in case.]

In that case...

[He sets off, heading out the door carefully before breaking into a fast, smooth run once outside.]

[floralogy]

I can manage.

[Following Neji once he's out the door proves to be more than what she's prepared for. She forgot how quick he can be and in her tired state, matching his speed is harder than she thought.

But she doesn't have any intention of lagging behind, or at least lagging behind too much. She should always be prepared for the worst.]

And then my paid account went away and left me with the stupid icons, so have default forever 8|

[screw_fate]

Then do.

[Neji throws a glance at her; if it were only the two of them, if it were another situation, he would slow for her. But not now, not with Shikamaru's limp weight on his back, too cold for an ordinary human -- he doesn't slacken his pace one bit. If she has to trail a little behind, then she does, and that's that.]

hey it's fine. :) i don't have paid for the longest time so i understand o>

[floralogy]

[So r00d, Neji.

Ino, of course, understands the situation that she doesn't complain and tries to keep up. But like any tired ninja, she isn't able to match Neji's pace - who still has huge amounts of chakra left - and lags behind. To her consolation, the distance between them isn't that far and if something happens, she'll still be quick enough to arrive by their side. For now, she'll maintain this pace.]