1 Jutsu: [Action]

[teachingpeace]

[When Nagato woke up, he was more than a bit confused, especially with the way sunlight was filtering through the window off to his right and shining down into his face. There were multiple reasons why this was confusing.

First, last he'd checked he'd been outside. Second, he was on something squishy, which indicated a bed or futon, most likely. Third, not even a moment ago he'd been returning to being dead. Somehow, the last seemed to be the most glaring of these points, and he finally cracked open his eyes, squinting against the light before pushing himself to a seated position.

The gesture was more than enough to alert him to the tug of something on his back, and looking over his shoulder to see the bright crimson wings... It almost made him laugh, because Konan was the angel, not him. He was just the idiot who mucked everything up trying to be a god. Something in the universe clearly had a sense of humor.

A look around found him his clothes, which he was admittedly reluctant to pull on given that they'd been what he'd been wearing while revived, but he finally tugged on the dark cloak and got off the bed, peeking around doorways before heading out into the communal hall to make his way outside.

If this was the afterlife, then he intended to explore!]

(OOC: Feel free to catch him anywhere from his room to outside somewhere, he'll be using the stairs in the first apartment building to head out.)

Comments

[yourhatred]

Would you prefer I come with you?

[This might help with some people, but it might make their combined presence more threatening to others. Still, he thought it only right to ask.]

[teachingpeace]

[The question made him hesitate, clearly considering it but...]

No. Another time Itachi, might be better. If that would be fine with you?

[yourhatred]

Of course.

[He nods at the other. They will walk the village together once they know they'll no longer be attacked on sight.]

[fervidity]

[She looks over her shoulder at him, conflicted. If she accused him of being Uzumaki too, what would he do? And what if he was?]

Yeah.

[Kushina waves a bit before she begins leaving again-- it's how they begun, it's how it will end. Each step feels heavy, weighs her down. If the burden of being a jinchuriki is heavy, then what was having a clansmen killing your soulmate's sensei and breaking his heart?]

Thanks for the help. I'll see you around.

[teachingpeace]

[More than happy with the agreement, he smiled at him, then finally resumed his exploration, leaving Itachi to go his own way.]

[teachingpeace]

I... probably sooner rather than later Kushina-san.

[He looked after her, but this time actually let her go. After all, she had places to be, didn't she? Still, it seemed wrong to leave it on that note, with her so unhappy.

Thus, he did the only thing he really could do.]

And your smile was nicer. Naruto obviously gets his from you.

[There. That felt better, still awkward, but less... outright wrong.]

[fervidity]

[She can agree with that, if he was who she thought he was.

Her fists tighten at her sides. If he was just complimenting her smile solely, it would be easier just to shoot him an awkward smile and continue on but he brings Naruto into it.

Her weak point.]

He got a lot of things from me, unfortunately. [Including a heart that couldn't hate. Not for a second, which makes this all the more difficult. She takes off at a brisk walk now and she makes sure she can get away before anything else can be said.

It's too much, even for her.]

[teachingpeace]

[He sighed softly, but the words actually brought a resolve to his expression and bearing as he finally turned to start back toward where he'd started his day.

When he spoke, it was quiet enough that he knew she wouldn't hear him, but they needed to be said aloud, so that this place would know he didn't agree.]

No, not unfortunate at all.

[origami_ninja]

[Konan returns the shyly amused smile. She can't even begin to express how nice it is to be able to make small jokes together like they would when they were younger. She would have stuck by Nagato's side regardless of what timeline he came from, but this is still very pleasant. It's one of those rare things she can actually be grateful to the Malnosso for.]

I thought the expression was that birds of a feather flock together. I didn't know it applied to angels, too.

[She is fond of her little furry pet, though.]

Have you had the chance to read the information in the guide here? If not, I'll explain as much as I possibly can.

[endgames]

[Shikamaru closes his eyes and waves a hand, mouth a set line. Naruto really is a special kind of person.] It's not like we can ask for more on top of your own life. Time, maybe. And no repeats. But none of us want problems here, and that includes starting one with you over things that have already resolved themselves.

[Well. Mostly. We'll leave the problems with the war on the shoulders of Madara and Obito.]

Other than that, I have nothing else to add on that subject.

[teachingpeace]

No, not yet. I... planned to do so after I found you. I had heard you were here. [And he had his priorities, after all. Here... here there was no pressing 'everyone else' to take care of.

Well, not yet anyway, there was just Konan, and a small handful of people who actually were happy to see him, as well as a few who probably... really weren't. He'd turn over those conversations when he had a moment though. For now, this one deserved all his focus.]

Ah... after figuring out where the clothing place was that is. Since I was already out. [He was still a bit embarrassed by the fact he was wearing something that clearly screamed 'I was dead recently' after all and hadn't actually... intended to have Konan see him dressed this way. Even if she might not recognize it for what it was.]

[teachingpeace]

[Feeling rather relieved and oddly lighthearted, he nodded and let the topic go. After all, if the youth was willing to not pursue it, he saw no reason to continue picking at it once his apology was accepted so freely.

He wouldn't assume all was forgotten though. Never that.]

I am more than willing to accept that. Ah... forgive me, but might I know the name of the generous young man that I happen to be speaking to?

[endgames]

[A nod. Fair enough.] Nara Shikamaru.

[teachingpeace]

And though you likely know my name as well... Nagato. [He inclined his head and then straightened.]

I can assume that your reaction won't be typical?

[endgames]

We'll see. [He shrugs.] It's pointless here to cause trouble, but I can't say the others won't give you the cold shoulder.

[It's kind of what he wants to do, he's just making himself be diplomatic. Having faith in Naruto is nothing if you don't act on it.

Again, exceptions made for Sasuke. But in Nagato's case, at least he doesn't think the others will attack him.]

[teachingpeace]

It's nothing i wouldn't deserve for past misdeeds, so I'll understand if they do. I'm grateful you're not, really.

[He knew when he made someone uncomfortable, after all, but if Shikamaru wished to ignore it, then he would too. If you ignored something like that long enough, it did eventually wear off. Sort of.]

[origami_ninja]

[She's more focused on having him here than on anything that he's wearing. She already knows what the New Feather clothing looks like, and has been here long enough to know that it's what everyone starts off wearing. Of course, the fact that it's white doesn't help people from worlds where white is associated with death. Especially in cases where they've died and know that they've died in their own worlds. She'd honestly believed at the time that this was the afterlife, but there were people who were alive and well in their own worlds, here.]

We can go together to the shop, if you would like.

[She's not a fashion obsessed person, and she'd even kept the New Feather dress in case she ever needed to pretend she'd just been brought here by the Malnosso.]

I'll just have to put a few things away.

[The perishables, specifically.]

[teachingpeace]

[If it had just been the standard white, that probably would have been better, but the cloak slung around his shoulders was definitely not that of Akatsuki, and that actually bothered him. He almost wished he'd just roamed around in the pants only. Almost.]

I would actually like that very much... I haven't exactly varied my wardrobe in quite some time.

[He's also just... going to watch you put stuff away so he knows where everything goes. For future reference.]

[endgames]

It's nothing to thank for, unless you're directing it at Naruto, and not me.

[teachingpeace]

[He slowly shook his head, meeting his eyes.]

No, Naruto can only start a change, light it inside someone. It's up to that person to continue forward on the path he shows them.

[endgames]

Hm. [Okay, yeah. He can't argue with that. It's like with any army. Having soldiers is worthless if they don't follow your lead.] I still wouldn't be this accommodating, without him.

[teachingpeace]

[With that, he simply smiled.]

And that's perfectly okay. It's a start.

Maybe eventually you'll wish to interact with me on my own merits.

[Action]

[fishy_go_byebye]

[She shrugs, sending her feathers fluttering again.]

I don't think they mean to break flight.

[Action]

[teachingpeace]

[There was a baffled pause at this declaration, and then he slowly tilted his head.]

What do you mean?

[origami_ninja]

[It's the most blessedly ordinary thing, just going clothing shopping together. And yet, she's grateful for the opportunity all the same.

As Konan puts things away, she wonders what Nagato will think of Art Club. She doesn't doubt that he'll support her interest in it, but she wonders nonetheless. It's been so long since they were able to simply enjoy things, relatively free of danger and obligation to the original Akatsuki's followers.]

The clothing shop has a decent variety, particularly since people from many different worlds are brought here. There is a large handful of Konoha shinobi here, though.

[That's about the best way she can phrase it. It's not a massive group, but there is still a good number of them, and from what she can tell, they're all from points in time that would remember the attack on Konoha.]