dangerouswind | [action

[She knows she's late. Temari would forever blame the Malnosso for dropping her back in the forest somewhere and never her own reticence to walk back into town. (Like nothing had happened. Like nothing had ever happened.) She's only looking for one person when she comes back into the village, slipping in straight from the forest and making a beeline for community building one. She's making a concerted effort not to be seen, though that's a little harder once she's inside the building and walking quietly toward the door.

Not her door. Her next door neighbor's.

Temari hesitates only a moment before she knocks. (It's a light knock. Not that she can hear it.) Be home, Nara. She doesn't want to have to try this again.

It's some time later before she actually shows up on the journal. The message is written, short. She's doesn't filter it to anyone; she doesn't have the patience. She honestly doesn't want to say anything in the first place, but...

... well, that's unfair to a few people.]

I'm back.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Of course. [A pause, and then she adds:] In person?

[A small smile before she writes:] Definitely. I'll meet you by the fountain at four in the afternoon. Sounds good?

[~~No worries at all!~~]

At four.

[With that, she closes the journal and... well. Basically steels herself for what might be an awkward conversation. She'll have paper handy, and a pen. Just in case.]

[~~Iyaa, thanks!~~]

[Well, Ino will be waiting by the fountain at four then after typing a short 'see you' earlier. She still doesn't know that Temari's been deprived of her sense of hearing that's far from her mind.

When the other kunoichi arrives, she'll give her a once-over before smiling a little.] Hey.

[A greeting, Temari can recognize anywhere. She raises a hand in response and settles in next to Ino, sitting at the edge of the fountain. Her voice is still a little stilted, as if she's over-enunciating.] Hey yourself.

[Okay, that's definitely hard to miss.]

... Hey, what happened? [To your voice, she meant.]

[Temari shrugs. Sooner or later, she will have to say it, but she had been hoping that she could get away without saying it a little longer.] It's nothing to worry over.

[Piecing two and two together, Ino backs away a little in surprise.]

Wait, don't tell me--

[Temari will oblige that and not say anything. Arms crossed and brow raised, she'll wait for Ino to continue.]

[Give her a few moments as she digests all this. When she does, her expression turns to that of worry.]

Both of them...? [You know what she means.]

[Oh, she knows. Temari shrugs.] Yeah.

[Ino sighs and looks down.] It's a steep price to pay.

[Looking down? That's not helping. Temari tilts her head sideways and raises a brow.] Look at me when you speak.

[At the command, Ino immediately looks up and blinks.] Oh yeah, sure. Sorry.

What did you say?

I said it's a steep price to pay. [She says this slower for her, somehow to make up for looking down earlier.]

[Temari's gaze cuts to the side for a short moment before she answers. Yeah, it is.]

But a price paid. [And therefore must be dealt with.]

But still... [Of course they have no other choice but to deal with it, but it still doesn't sit well for her.]

Still?

[At her question, she sighs. Mentally thwacking herself, she scolds herself for even saying what she said.]

I guess we really just have to deal, huh?

[She crosses her arms at that. Reading lips isn't too hard after some practice.]

We. [A sigh. Seems she'll be dealing with it a little more than some others.] We will.

Hey, ninjas have to stick together. [Right, Temari?]

[Yeah, okay. Temari offers a half-smile and a shrug.] Suppose so.

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written - filtered askjhdl I thought I already replied to this sorry!!!

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