[ EVENT: So long and thank you for all the fish ]

[soul_mods]

Characters: Everyone in Death City
Location: Death City
Rating: G
Time: October 8th and onwards
Description: It's time to say goodbye



A day after Medusa's defeat, Shibusen makes an announcement on the network: BREW is acting up again but instead of bringing new people in, it has created a portal.

It's in the Kishin Chamber, available to anyone who wants to go through it. Anyone who looks into it will see the place they came from, frozen in time. The moment you step through everything resumes and, maybe you'll forget or maybe you won't. Either way, there's no need to hurry right now. Shibusen assures all of you they will keep a sharp eye on BREW's energy readings and tell you the moment anything changes. For now, the portal is stable so take all the time you need to say goodbye and settle everything before you go.

Comments

[heavenly_earth]

[White meets black, and Neji frowns at the question. Hands in pockets that feel just like the standard issue blue slacks back home, he shrugs]

It's what I expected.

[He twists back to stare at the spot where the memorial stone had been erected during one of BREW's spastic episodes, and his heart squeezes painfully in his chest. His name is one among many by now, carved in memorial somewhere. But he has life here, a new future that's both precious and overwhelming, and he's free. His attention returns to Sasuke with a mild tilt]

When Shibusen doesn't need us here anymore, I think Lee and I will retire somewhere to the south. Central America, perhaps. Visit the rainforest.

[Because with BREW taking much of the Watch's remaining force, there's no need for a Commander anymore. The police should have the city well enough in hand once everything dies down]

Do you have any plans?

[sharingan]

[ what a bizarre concept; to think they had the freedom to do such a thing. to be away from war, and be able to plan a life that extended beyond the battlefield.

Sasuke, still, hasn't made it that far. he still dresses in his Watch gear, he still carries his sword. he still wakes up in a cold sweat at night. ]

We bought a house.

[ which isn't an answer, aside the fact that Death City holds a realm of permanence to him now that never existed for Sasuke after his family died. ]

[heavenly_earth]

[So Team Seven's settling down and making a life for themselves in the city. Neji offers a brief smile and walks down the last few steps to meet him]

Perhaps we should celebrate.

[It may or may not be an invitation to drinks, or a house party, depending on interpretation]

[sharingan]

[ Sasuke meets the smile without reaction, his arms remaining folded over his chest, the picture of a person who doesn't look like they plan on moving. celebrating. it's probably the normal thing to do.

he glances back up the stairs. there was nothing for him here.

he levers himself off the tree and stands straight, and it's as much an acceptance as anything else. ]

[heavenly_earth]

[For a few moments it looks likely Sasuke will refuse, and Neji sketches idle plans to return to HQ and work on paring down his paperwork to match his thinning ranks.

But the other shinobi straightens and the set of Neji's shoulders relax. He turns toward the entertainment district, intent on the city's bar. To think it wasn't too long ago he wouldn't have even considered showing his back to the Uchiha, let alone go for drinks with him]

[sharingan]

[ once Neji turns to lead the way (and Sasuke, too, is keenly aware of the change in this dynamic— once, there was nobody in Konoha that would turn their back on him) and Sasuke falls into step behind him.

he makes a point not to look over his shoulder at the looming citadel of Shibusen. of anyone else that might be climbing those stairs. Sasuke has already said goodbye to the one person that mattered.

his fingers fold into fists at his sides. ]

Central America is too hot.

[heavenly_earth]

[He laughs, light and humored because they live in the desert. But Central America is a different kind of hot, he understands. Idly, he wonders if it's an objection]

Costa Rica is nice. We'll visit often, and invite you down for our tropical weather from time to time.

[sharingan]

[ Sasuke's hands find their way into his pockets, and briefly, he closes his eyes. he'd been on a mission or two down that way, and the climate reminded him of their trip to the Maldives, what felt like a lifetime ago.

his gaze slits open again when that memory bleeds on to the Vector tails. ]

I prefer Japan. [ but that isn't a surprise. the culture was more familiar. but on the other hand, Sasuke had grown accustomed to the particular brand of convenience Death City offered. he wasn't sure what the future held for him.

all he knew was who was going to be there with him. ]

[heavenly_earth]

[His humor fades to an amused hum, eyes bright on the horizon as they walk. Heavy feelings wrest with the lightness of wings on his back, ready to take off]

Understandable. We'd surely be heading there if not for our connections to the Central American government.

[And locals, having done an extensive amount of work in the region]

Is that where your team is headed?

[sharingan]

We haven't talked about it.

[ which is true. they haven't. not about travel. Sasuke's gaze wanders as they walk, straying to the buildings and the small shops he's become so acquainted with.

faced with a future without war, Sasuke still feels at a loss. ]

Naruto plans to open a ramen stand.