The silence was almost deafening. It wasn't like he was going to broadcast it over the NV. Of course not. Nor did he feel the need to tell other people what happened with him behind closed doors. But hearing Shikamaru say it out loud...

He stands there, unmoving for a minute--a minute that seemed to last an hour. Finally, he nodded his head slowly. The glint in his eyes was absent.

"I understand, but why?"