Demons at Night
It's almost ironic. In fact, it really is ironic, but he won't admit it.
What would the others think of big, bad Shikamaru if they knew he was afraid of the dark? Shadow Controller Shikamaru…reduced to a cowering fraud when there are shadows all around him.
Maybe it's just that so many shadows—complete darkness—is overwhelming. Maybe the power drives him insane.
Or maybe…he's afraid of the dark.
It's frustrating when there aren't enough shadows on the ground for him to use in an attack, but absolutely terrifying to think that there are too many.
Shikamaru was never a greedy child. He ate what was on his plate, and that was it. No asking for seconds, or inessential things like dessert.
When there are more shadows than his attacks require, he lets the extras rest. Let a sleeping dog lie. Let the shadows be.
At nighttime when he retires to his bedroom for sleep, there are shadows everywhere. He lies as still as possible, not wanting to disturb them, because they close in all around him…they could crush him.
One night, when he was too young to know better, he confided in his father about his fear of darkness. Shikaku Nara is a serious man, and little Shikamaru was in awe as his father laughed a hearty laugh and patted him on the back.
"Don't be so paranoid, kid," His father told him, "Go back to bed."
So on that night, Shikamaru did as he was told. He went to his room and climbed into his bed, and yawned. (But he stayed awake until morning.)
Shikamaru is most certainly not paranoid. He is wary, maybe, but not paranoid.
If you had nightmares about shadow clones choking you—the shadows betraying you, attacking you as you had attacked others—you'd be wary too.
He is wary because he has seen dozens nearly die, and a few people actually killed, as a result of shadows.
Shikamaru knows his own strength. He is well-educated on the danger of shadows.
It's everyone else that's stupid. They're not paranoi—wary enough.
They're not wary enough.
Author's Notes: Uh-oh, Shikamaru is in denial. And he's paranoid. I guess I'd be paranoid if I had dreams about the Kage Kubi Shibari too.
TBC with another character.