[FIC] read the book (turn the page)

[vagabonddawn]

Title: read the book (turn the page)

Summary: Sometimes a ninja encounters an out of context problem. (She just wants to help, really.)

Notes: Fic based on wafflelate's Gardens!Shikako

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You've got nothing left to lose (you've got nothing left to lose)

No you've got nothing left to lose (who'd wanna be standing in your shoes)

-

There is an intruder in his sanctum.

Pein guides his Deva Path forward, not cautiously or warily, because who can stand against the power of a god in his home, but with a sense of curiosity because…

Because there should not be an intruder. Not one that Nagato has not sensed entering the room, the building, the country. Outside, the skies weep and his chakra in the falling raindrops creates an impenetrable sensory net. Nagato is the Rain that gives Amegakure it's name.

It shouldn't be possible for someone to reach his inner sanctum without his notice.

"Impressive, but ultimately foolish," he says, Deva Path striding closer. Through Yahiko's eyes, Nagato studies her and the low, quiescent hum of her chakra that's visible to the rinnegan. It looks weak, she looks weak, but there's something to her, some kind of ripple, some kind of layer that he has never seen before.

It doesn't make him wary, still. But. That's two unknown things about her, and it's been a long time since things were unknown to him. It's enough to make him want her gone.

She is seated on the raised dais, what Konan jokingly calls God's Throne. She's reclining, casually, and has a book in hand.

She isn't even paying him any attention.

"If you think that's impressive," she says, "boy, you ain't seen nothing yet."

He's annoyed by her impertinence. "Whatever you think to accomplish by making your way here," he grinds out. "You will not succeed."

He moves forward, meaning to get rid of her. But as he steps, something crunches underfoot – something he swears had not been there a second ago.

When he looks down, he sees he has stepped on a mask. A familiar, one eyed, circular mask. He picks it up, turns it over in the Deva Path's hands, looks at the bloodstains that splatter the inside.

"No, Nagato," she says – and she should not know that name, she should not say that with such a complacent tone of voice. "What you mean to accomplish will not succeed."

If Madara is dead-

No matter. Madara was only a means towards an end. A powerful tool. They don't need him. They might even be better off without him, without his intersecting and interfering plots.

"You know nothing of our plans," he says, casting the broken mask aside.

"I know everything about your plans," she says, patiently, like he's being slow to catch on. "And I'm telling you they won't work. Mutually assured destruction assures nothing. You can't actually force people to make peace." She closes her book, taps it against her hand and he can finally see the cover.

THE LEGEND OF THE GUTSY NINJA.

It feels like a sucker punch, an attack to a blindspot he doesn't know he had. "And what foolish path do you suggest instead?" he says. "It is the nature of humanity to seek strike, to fight, to kill each other. War is endless, and these cycles of hatred will always begin again."

She's silent for a long moment. "Maybe, just a wild suggestion, you should try like, talking to people and improving things. No seriously, how long has it been since you left the house? Maybe pet a dog? I think that would improve your outlook a lot."

Controlling his paths is an act of concentration for Nagato. There's no reason for Yahiko's face to twist into a snarl, and yet it does. "Shinra Tensei!" He thrusts out his hand, hurling the well of force at her.

And she doesn't… even… move.

The stone floor around her is ripped to chunks, but not even her hair sways. "See," she says, resting her elbows on her knees, sounding bored. "That's what I'm talking about. We can't even just have a nice conversation like 'oh yes, I'd like people to stop fighting too'. We agree on that, even if we disagree on the specifics of how we should accomplish that. Maybe try compromise?"

For the first time, Nagato feels wary.

Comments

[pepperdoken]

omg this is so good

I especially love Shikako just channeling Kakashi there at the start, reading her book and ignoring Nagato

just. killing madara and smacking nagato with some sense. perfect

[math_is_magic]

Omg, right? It's SO cathartic. Just. Ugh. This is such a power scene. I'm def gonna be coming back to it next time I need a pick me up.

[kegareki]

nagato: you come into MY home, tell ME what to do,

sfkdsfkldfjsd

i love this!! everything about this is such a Power Move on shikako's part. lounging on the god's throne with a book in hand, ignoring the deva path's approach; speaking patiently to him, like she needs only wait out his tantrum; shinra tensei crumbling the stone around her but not affecting her, not even enough to make her hair move. she is so impossibly untouchable, like a nightmare come to life, and i adore it. for nagato, who means to act as a god, whose modus operandi is "peace through destruction", this really would be a nightmare

the "oh, shit" moment at the end is *kisses fingers* Perfect

[iwill_maim_you]

I love the book. I mean, I love all of this, but I LOVE the book. The opening Kakashi-style ignore, putting the book away to show the cover and punctuate her words...

[math_is_magic]

She's perfect and I love her.

[spiritualatheist]

This is amazing and I love it so much! Nagato really needs some sense knocked into him.

[untrust_us]

"She is seated on the raised dais, what Konan jokingly calls God's Throne. She's reclining, casually, and has a book in hand."
This imagery here is just incredible. And Konan's joke makes it even better.

"I know everything about your plans," she says, patiently, like he's being slow to catch on. "And I'm telling you they won't work. Mutually assured destruction assures nothing. You can't actually force people to make peace." She closes her book, taps it against her hand and he can finally see the cover.
From 'knowing everything' and then directly into the punch to the gut that that a book by Jiraya must be, is such a Shikako-style power move.

"Maybe, just a wild suggestion, you should try like, talking to people and improving things. No seriously, how long has it been since you left the house? Maybe pet a dog? I think that would improve your outlook a lot."
This just had me so amused. It's like she's talking to academy students.

The stone floor around her is ripped to chunks, but not even her hair sways. "See," she says, resting her elbows on her knees, sounding bored. "That's what I'm talking about. We can't even just have a nice conversation like 'oh yes, I'd like people to stop fighting too'. We agree on that, even if we disagree on the specifics of how we should accomplish that. Maybe try compromise?"
Really nailed the ending beautifully too. This Shikako has no need to obfuscate or play hidden games.

[linnypants]

Too tired to Word properly but <3333 amazing

[ghost_squid]

"Go outside, maybe pet a dog."
Iconic and necessary advice that applies to everyone, but especially Nagato.

[gingerspark]

This is lovely - I really like Nagato's POV, and Shikako being snarky as hell.