It took all of Shikamaru's willpower to maintain a professional demeanor during the first part of Momo's speech, only very slightly flinching at the words about 'those well-acquainted with the concept of death.' It explained Sai's reaction, at least, but gave no excuse for his own. What kind of goddamn ninja was he? Shikamaru didn't make a habit of being angry with himself, so the inner resentment felt much stronger than it should have been.
"Has this occurred more than once?" Shikamaru asked. If anything, his voice sounded more determined. "If not, it's possible that Landel might change his final challenge, now that most of the patient population has heard that death in that event isn't permanent. It wouldn't have the same power."
Shikamaru met Momo's eyes, expression still cool, but it took a few seconds of intense thought before he spoke. "You know which areas they're in," he stated. "Or you possess them yourself. I haven't given you any new information and both of my teams have been useless to you, but you're still telling me these important things--you asked to meet with me, even. You need something from my group, and since you don't know our particular abilities, it can't be something too specialized." There was no accusation or disapproval in the words; Shikamaru seemed calmly confident, the way he usually looked when he felt he'd come to a correct conclusion. "Hinamori-san," he said, taking advantage of the chance to show the politeness he'd forgotten to show in the beginning, "What can we do to help?"
It wasn't a promise to assist her, but Shikamaru knew that the Leaf-nin were losing direction and motivation, sometimes going through the motions. He himself was struggling with the possibility of his uselessness, or at least his lack of purpose within the institute. If Momo had a clear objective that could benefit everyone, it might be just what his group needed.
A few seconds after speaking, he realized that he'd coolly considered and focused his thoughts regarding the situation, even taking his own vulnerabilities into account. It wasn't true strategy, no, and there was a chance he'd misread Momo's intentions, but it was a step in the right direction, and though his expression didn't change, he was proud of the small victory over his weakness.
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"Has this occurred more than once?" Shikamaru asked. If anything, his voice sounded more determined. "If not, it's possible that Landel might change his final challenge, now that most of the patient population has heard that death in that event isn't permanent. It wouldn't have the same power."
Shikamaru met Momo's eyes, expression still cool, but it took a few seconds of intense thought before he spoke. "You know which areas they're in," he stated. "Or you possess them yourself. I haven't given you any new information and both of my teams have been useless to you, but you're still telling me these important things--you asked to meet with me, even. You need something from my group, and since you don't know our particular abilities, it can't be something too specialized." There was no accusation or disapproval in the words; Shikamaru seemed calmly confident, the way he usually looked when he felt he'd come to a correct conclusion. "Hinamori-san," he said, taking advantage of the chance to show the politeness he'd forgotten to show in the beginning, "What can we do to help?"
It wasn't a promise to assist her, but Shikamaru knew that the Leaf-nin were losing direction and motivation, sometimes going through the motions. He himself was struggling with the possibility of his uselessness, or at least his lack of purpose within the institute. If Momo had a clear objective that could benefit everyone, it might be just what his group needed.
A few seconds after speaking, he realized that he'd coolly considered and focused his thoughts regarding the situation, even taking his own vulnerabilities into account. It wasn't true strategy, no, and there was a chance he'd misread Momo's intentions, but it was a step in the right direction, and though his expression didn't change, he was proud of the small victory over his weakness.