A/N: Alright! Another two chapters done! I hope I can get caught up but some parts are going to be changing a lot. But this part hasn't, not yet. Anyway, I hope people pay attention to the dates, they will be important starting in the next chapter. For people who have been with me I'm still so sorry I'm changing all of this again. For people just joining: I am redoing this a little. Fixing the timeline and working out bugs for my sake. Please bare with me in this process.

Please leave some thoughts, comments, questions. I would love to hear from you guys!

Chapter 3: A Change of Orders

May 16th:

I slowly work on plans. But looks like the old plan is still the best. Sit in a tree and listen. Since I have only slept a total of five hours the past two days I go back to the market for my mandatory rest time. I look up to the sky. I am prohibited to think about the group, an order from lord sixth. I sit down on a bench and hear a few voices. I place Kiba's right away. I sigh and get up to leave, Only I am able to sit up before Kiba and Shikamaru come into view.

"Hey!" Kiba yells, spotting me.

Kiba runs up to me and sits down. He looks at Shikamaru to sit down, but Shikamaru looks away from him.

"What do you want?" I finally ask.

"Just to get to know you, and why you always walk away," Kiba says

I tilt my head confused as I look up to the clouds. I don't know of walking away. I mean, I thought the conversation was over, I never answer questions about myself. I just wanted to leave. It also doesn't help that I only talk to people that I find useful, and right now these two are not useful.

Oh, he means why I left. I knew the conversation was over, but I didn't explain why I was leaving. Isn't that a bad thing? Always say why you are leaving a place?

"I was going home," I reply.

"Shikamaru, I told you!" Kiba yells as Akamaru jumps on Shikamaru.

"Ow," Shikamaru yelps, "Idiot, you did not figure that out I did."

"Awe come on Shikamaru, I am only trying to help you out," Kiba whines.

This phrase causes Shikamaru to stiffen for a moment before relaxing again. I look between the two men, confused by what Kiba just said and the reaction. I let it go though. The is no point in me sitting here and listening to them argue about things. I slowly stand up and cross my arms.

Kiba doesn't move but I feel a shift in the air. I don't know if I like where this is going.

I don't even like talking to them. I still shouldn't be.

"Don't," Shikamaru says after a moment.

"But," Kiba starts, "Aren't you the one that kept your eyes on her as she walked away and…"

Kiba never finishes because Shikamaru covers Kiba's mouth with a slight panic in his eyes. I yawn and place a hand on my hip. Tired and confused by what is happening but I already know I should get out of here.

I've already spent too long with the two of them.

"Sorry about that. Kiba doesn't know when to shut up," Shikamaru says.

I shrug my shoulder, hoping to get the point across that I don't really care. Nothing he would have said would phase me. I don't have time for any of this, I shouldn't even be talking to these guys, I could get in trouble for it.

Kiba rips Shikamaru's hand away, "But I heard you tell Gaara that you saw a really pretty girl that made you want to…"

"Man this is such a drag!" Shikamaru says.

We snap our attention to each other. I click my tongue in annoyance. I should just keep my mouth shut. I wanted to say something similar, hoping to get them to leave.

There is another shift.

At least I think it's a shift.

"Kiba I am walking her home. This girl is less troublesome than you." Shikamaru turns around while grabbing my hand and begins to walk away.

"Shikamaru!" Kiba yell's from behind us.

We walk a little, hand in hand. I get lost in thought, what just happened? After a few blocks of walking in silences Shikamaru lets go of my hand and steps away. Placing his own hands in his pocket. He looks down at the ground then back up at me. I am annoyed, I was just dragged away and I could have just walked.

I don't understand. Also, I don't appreciate being used as… an excuse? If Shikamaru wanted to leave he could have just left. Not dragged me with him. What an annoyance.

I hate assuming and people who assume things of others.

"Sorry about that, Kiba gets on my nerves a lot, especially today" Shikamaru looks over his shoulder to make sure that Kiba did not follow us.

I already know that Kiba did not follow up. The last thing I noticed is that Kiba seemed really please with himself about what just happened. I don't understand why he was. I should walk away from Shikamaru, not tell him anything. But that doesn't seem to be the case.

Lord Third taught me to have manners when speaking with someone. I need to ask him why or say something I guess. I just don't want to, but I cannot break the rules that have been placed on me.

Rules are rules, no matter how much the person annoys me.

"Its fine, but you should have at least given me a hint at what your plans were. I am not ready to go home," I say, slightly annoyed I cross my arms in front of my chest.

I look away from him at the street light next to me that is not on. I wanted to sit and try to relax. I know going home will only cause me to want to work, which I am not allowed to at this moment. But I also don't know how to relax, I think it has to do with me working all the time on a mission.

But the thing with that, I want to protect the village and I know I can. I don't normally work with people and people try to avoid me at all cost. I don't really understand why, and I don't care to understand why.

But I know why I don't like working with others. They annoy me to no end. And Shikamaru, who I thought would annoy me the least, has managed to annoy me the most of all.

Maybe it goes back to family. I really don't know, and I know I shouldn't care all that much about it.

Shikamaru chuckles bringing my attention back to him, "I could have but it really wasn't a plan, more of an impulse to get away from Kiba."

"Why is that?" I reply, still a little irritated, "Was is something that Kiba was talking about?"

"Yes," Shikamaru looks back at me.

"Well, you have fun dealing with him. I am going to go and work," I say and head home. I don't particular care about the drama.

And I don't care about having friends. I decide to go and talk to Kakashi about this.

I walk into the room and see Kakashi finishing talking with Naruto. Kakashi looks at me and he keeps an even facial expression. I look at Naruto and see the confusion on his face. Something that I am use of people doing when they finally see me. I don't spare him more than a glance. I came here with a purpose, and he is sitting in the Hokage's seat. One person that I am allowed to fully talk to.

"Tooru what a pleasant surprise." Kakashi mumbles.

"Kakashi who is this? I don't remember seeing her around before," Naruto comments.

"What is it Tooru?" Kakashi asks.

I take in a breath, "I wish to speak with you my lord."

Naruto looks between Kakashi and I. I can tell he is confused and does not understand what is going on. I know he doesn't, but I also know that he is next in line for the Hokage. And when he is closer to becoming the Hokage I can fully tell him about me. But right now, he is not allowed to know who I am.

"Naruto please leave us," Kakashi states.

Naruto pouts, "Come on Kakashi! Who is she?!"

Kakashi gives Naruto a look. A look that makes Naruto back away and leave the room. Kakashi turns his attention to me. Kakashi waits for me to speak.

I never come to his office unless I am reporting back or he calls me to come and see him. I never drop by to talk to him. But I know this is not to talk about small things. I need to tell him that I am about to break a rule Lord Third gave me, one that no one has challenged.

"I believe I must be punished." I state.

"Why is that?" Kakashi places a hand on his cheek.

"People are learning about me Kakashi, no one should know about me…" I say.

I tilt my head down. I know that I have messed up with the plan. No one in the village should know who I am or that I exist. I was told to never be found out. Lord Third made that very clear, I should have been more careful with everything going on. But I wasn't and now Kiba and Shikamaru know about me.

Kakashi chuckles, "So?"

"I was told by Lord Third only a handful of people should know about me," I say.

"I am no Lord Third. I am a different person, I don't think you are okay. I want you to have friends." Kakashi tells me.

"Friends?" I question.

"People for you to hang out with when relaxing or to help train with. There are many things that a friend can do for you." Kakashi explains.

"Is that an order?" I ask.

Kakashi pauses. He hates giving me orders. But he has learned that is the only way to get me to do anything. Kakashi stands up. I stand at attention. I know he hates this but I can't stop doing this. I take in a breath, if he orders me I don't know if I can do it. Lord Third, that was one of his rules, 'never have friends for they will hinder you and place a target on you.'

Is Kakashi going to break that rule? Can I ever go against it? I need to listen to the Hokage, but I can't go against rules.

"Who is it that has been talking to you?" Kakashi asks.

"Kiba, Akamaru and Shikamaru." I say.

"Have you talked with them at all?" Kakashi asks.

I nod my head, "That is why I came here. I have talked with them twice now. And that is more than I should. Hence the reason why I came here to ask for punishment. I disobeyed orders."

"Tooru, you did not," Kakashi states.

"I did though. I can only talk to people once every six months as Lord Third told me. I have talked to them three days apart from each other." I explain.

"Tooru," Kakashi pauses. "I'm giving you an order."

I stand at attention and do not speak. A new order, an order that I think is coming, one I do not know if I can follow.

"I want you to become friends with people, starting with Shikamaru and Kiba." Kakashi says.

May 20th:

Over the next few days I see Shikamaru walking around and we exchange hellos and a few pleasant conversations, never really bringing up what Kiba was talking about. It has been easier talking with Kiba than Shikamaru, and Kakashi told me to take an hour to sit and talk with them. Clearly they both got the message and have been switching to hang out with me. I sigh and go to the place Shikamaru and I are meeting for lunch.

I am sitting, look really bored. Shikamaru is too hard to talk to and he seems to careful with his words.

I see a man that looks like Shikamaru, but the chakra s slightly different from Shikamaru's. I take a closer look and believe that it is Shikamaru's dad. What is his name? He is the Jonin Commander, he also was able to guess that something could kill the headquarter base. I worked with him a little in the war. Why can't I remember the name?

Kiba invited me over to his place for dinner tomorrow night, saying his family is okay with it. I am hesitant to go, but Kakashi ordered me to be friends with them.

I guess this is what having friend is like. I think it is distracting. No way should I have let this happen. I should have just stayed in the house and made sure only Tenzo saw me, which he hasn't. Tenzo is still out on a mission, and that mission seems to be a long one.

The door opens and I feel Shikamaru's chakra coming in. I sit up a little when I hear him sigh in annoyance. Shikamaru spots me and comes and sits with me. I look down and say nothing.

I have nothing to say to him. I would rather Kiba was here. Kiba would at least just talk. Shikamaru wants to go back and forth. Which I don't like.

"So I wanted to talk to you," Shikamaru blurts out.

I look up, "What is it?"

"It's from about a week ago and why Kiba and I were yelling the market place that day," Shikamaru starts, "He woke me up from my nap and dragged me to help him ask Tamika out."

I give him a look of confusion, "S why is this of importance? I mean… I have no idea what has happened between you guys, so why did Kiba ask you to help him out?"

Shikamaru sighs, "This is important because he woke me up, and Tamika and him honesty might not work out. I mean she is a cat person. Tamika is the girl who's grandmother sells weapons as I am sure you already know. But Kiba won't shut up about how she said yes to him. Everyone in the group knows about it. It's getting on some of our nerves. But we know that is who Kiba is. He doesn't know when to shut his mouth."

"And that makes you upset…" I inquire. I place my arms on the table.

"Yes it does Tooru," Shikamaru's replies

Shikumaru and I sit in silence. I keep my head down and focus. I do not know what to say and no words will form in my mouth. Honestly, I have watched this group since I joined the ANBU at the age of 11, longing to be a part of them. Now I am here, having a chance to at least talk to Shikamaru. To talk to Kiba, I remember Kiba saying a thing or two about Tamika when we hang out. Is this what friendship is about? Complaining about each other and still being friends with them? Does that make any sense? No, logically wouldn't you stop being friends with people if they annoyed you. I never had many friends, only people I work with on missions and even then I cannot tell people things.

Not to mention that I was ordered not to have any friends by Lord Third. He said that he was protecting me in those times. Ya right. Some protection. I wonder what Lord Third would think about this now… he would scorn me and punish me.

Which, I don't want that. I need to try, no matter how annoyed I am with Shikamaru. Kakashi ordered it. But it still goes against the rules. So I feel like I am fighting with myself all the time. I don't want to be doing this, but I need to be.

"Did you hear what I said Tooru?" Shikamaru asks, bringing me out of my thoughts.

"Sorry no. I was just thinking." I say honestly, glimpsing at Shikamaru through my hair.

He is looking at me, just where I can't tell. I really hate this. Usually Kiba just talks and talks, he said I remind him of Hinata, which I am nothing like her. Hinata listens well, I just don't pay attention to what anyone else is saying. And Shikamaru tries to get me to talk, only I never know how to reply. At some points we only sit in silence while I think of an answer.

"How long have you been in the ANBU?" He points to my left arm with the tattoo for the ANBU on it.

"Oh," I look at it and shrug, "A few years I guess, but you can't actually tell anyone that you know who I am."

"Why is that?" Shikamaru gives me a concerned look.

"I wish I could tell you Shikamaru but I can't. Only the Hokage, an ANBU member and I know. Now you, which you shouldn't," I pause, "Wait, is Tamika coming back soon?"

I remember Kiba talking about that. And better the conversation be on Kiba than me.

"Yes. Which means that Kiba and Tamika will walk around and go on dates. Not that I don't date, but it would just be nice if everyone didn't freak out about it, or everyone in the friend group was dating someone." Shikamaru says.

"They are all dating? And friend group?" I ask.

"You might be familiar with Naruto's name. He is the hero of our group." Shikamaru pauses, "And yes. They are all almost in relationships. I think Lee and Shino are the only two not in one. Which sucks because we are getting bugged about when we are going to date."

"Bugged by who?" I question.

"Parents. Don't you have any Tooru?" Shikamaru counters.

I look down. No, I don't. I never even know who they were. I look back at Shikamaru who has wide eyes.

Another thing that I don't like. Shikamaru is too fast at putting things together. I mean, come on. I would love to have parents but the Hokage is the closest thing to a parent I've ever had. I don't like that Shikamaru is learning things about me.

"They just nag is all. It's pretty bothersome." Shikamaru says.

I look at him and nod. Shikamaru opens his mouth as though to say something else but doesn't. I think I killed the conversation that Shikamaru and I were having. We order food and after we eat I look at the time. Break time is over. And I know he knows that as well.

Shikamaru gets up and leaves with his father, Shikaku, that's his name. I sigh and slump back. I need to finish planning for tomorrow. I need to get more than four hours.

I pay and leave for home. Thinking about the group and decide watch for now is better, I cannot act yet.