Silence

53. Dark Voices and Plush Sharks.

❗TRIGGER WARNING❗: incoming panic attack. If this bothers you, there is a summarized version at the bottom. If you want to read the entire chapter but feel uncomfortable reading the scene, just skip. Panic attack scene will begin and end when these symbols are shown

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Enjoy

Shizukana's P.O.V.

It's been few days since I last woke up without falling back to sleep immediately.

Kakashi Sensei was currently away on a mission while Naruto was training under the supervision of Master Jiraiya and Lady Shizune.

Usually, Sakura would accompany me, but she was completing her medical training. She left some books for me to pass the time but I didn't have the heart to tell her I had already read them.

Instead, I've been making origami with a bunch of paper that was left in the room. Most of them are old newspapers or magazines.

Exhaustion didn't come as often as it used to. According to Lady Tsunade, that's because my body is healing faster than when I was unconscious. But that didn't mean I could move around freely.

I sighed in frustration as I gently grabbed the lunch tray in front of me before placing it on the tray holder. I grabbed a piece of paper and folded it into an origami rose.

I folded away before being interrupted by a series of knocks on the door.

"Come in," I called out. There was no movement for a while before the door swung open.

I felt a bright smile creep into my face as I saw the familiar brown eyes. It was Shikamaru. He looked like he had just had a shower. His hair was tied up into a ponytail, but there were traces of water in them.

I observed as he wordlessly walked towards me. He stopped at the edge of the bed before continuing to stare at me."Shika?"

That's when I noticed the tears that had gathered in his eyes. I replaced the smile on my face with a frown as I felt my vision blur.

"Shizukana." He said softly. A small smile appeared on his face "You're okay." He let out an exhale in relief, but the tears in his eyes didn't stop flowing down his cheeks.

"I'm okay," I told him in a soft tone as I grabbed his hand and squeezed it. "I'm right here."

Shikamaru nodded his head as he wiped his tears. "You gave me quite a fright, troublesome woman." He scolded me lightly.

I couldn't help but crack a smile. I tried to pull my hand away from Shika, he seemed to grip it for dear life.

I slumped my shoulders before shifting my body and hugging Shika. He didn't hesitate. I felt his arms wrap around me loosely as I placed my right hand on his shoulder.

"I'm okay," I reassured him once more. I felt his body tense.

"I'm sorry. It was my fault." He whispered. I felt my eyes widened as I pulled away from the hug. "I should have protected you. I could have prevented that."

I didn't know how to respond. Why would he feel guilty? It's far from his fault. "It's not your fault. Why would you think that?" I questioned, trying to comprehend the situation.

"I could have fought harder. I could have led my team to get you and Sasuke back." Shikamaru said as he clenched his fists. "You died. I thought you were gone." He choked back a sob.

I didn't want him to cry. There was a dark voice in my head. It kept telling me I am the cause for all the pain Shika is going through. The very thought disgusted me. Shika wiped his tears, but never-ending tears replaced them. He had closed his eyes as he tried to control his emotions.