Title: Housekeeping.
Fandom: Naruto.
Pairing: Gen.
Categories: Hurt/Comfort, Supernatural.
Length: Medium.
Warnings: Murder and (non-sexual) abuse of a child.

Author on LJ: [almighty_frog @ dreamwidth]
Author Website: Pharmakon.

Author's Summary:
"Shikamaru helps a ghost."

Review:
Coming back from a mission, Shikamaru spends the night at an abandoned house. There he meets the ghost of a young boy, Takeru, who has been unable to let go of the past and move on. The "laziest ninja" in Konoha sets out to help him.

I'm a bit of a wimp when it comes to horror stories, but I do enjoy a story with supernatural elements if they are used more than just for shock. In "Housekeeping" Takeru, the ghost-boy, is central to the story, but he is not used as a scary prop or comic relief. Anria did a wonderful job with his heartbreaking background, exploring it just enough to get the reader emotionally invested without resorting to melodrama.

Anria's portrayal of Shikamaru is the other thing that makes the fic work well. Shikamaru is a character that usually comes in two extreme versions: hopeless slothful or tatical genius. Here we see a different side of him, willing to face his customary aversion to work in order to help someone in need. Best of all, his selflessness and compassion are downplayed, giving us a look into a facet the real character instead of a "Gary Stu"-ified version of himself.

All in all, this is a rather short and sad fic with as happy an ending it could possibly get.

Housekeeping
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