Jiraiya gripped the front of Haruka’s tattered shirt. He was annoyed, frustrated, and has had enough of being followed by some freak with a notebook keeping tabs on him.
The intake and concentration of nature chakra around them was strong enough to taste. Anyone who came across this might think he was ready to merk Haruka. Alas the truth was more complicated. He was irritated and acting irrational all damn month. The reason he didn’t want to share but if his little shadow was going to torture him with inquiries he may as well be useful.
“I’m in need of relief. If you’re going to piss me off and pester me all the damn time…” He trails off for a moment. “You said you would do anything to help me. You care to test your loyalty?”
He thought it was very clear what he was asking. He slides himself closer until his body presses against the freak that won’t leave him alone.
Diligence was the mantra Haruka sold his life to; complete and absolute. And it had long since transcended the little scroll that once defined the scope of his duties, and more importantly, where they terminated. But rules had to be bent and sometimes broken, lest they become a hindrance to what they originally were meant to uphold. Judgement had to be exercised. And it was that same judgement Haruka used to remain indifferent to Jiraiya's outburst as those fists curled into his strained, tearing shirt.
"My loyalty?" Haruka echoed, that ever blank gaze falling upon his charge, beyond and through into some intangible aether.
Jiraiya had been acting strange of late. And now the air seemed to prickle with it, made his hair stand on end as it would right before a shiver. Like something was holding its breath. Haruka's certainly hitched as Jiraiya's warm body pressed flush against his own.
This... this was a test. Haruka was certain of it. His breath shallowed to find the answer. Gradually, pale hands lightly rested atop Jiraiya's balled fists, acknowledging their frustration. Solemnly, Haruka shut his eyes, squeezing Jiraiya's hands a little when he muttered, "Say the word, and it will be done." In the end, it did not matter what it was. He would not back away from the challenge merely under the intimidation of the unknown.
Someone else could judge if it was loyalty or foolishness.