Shikamaru groaned and dragged herself out of her bed. A heavy thump echoed around her room as she landed on the floor, a rough chuckle sounded from her door, where her father was leaning against the frame. Wearing just an old t-shirt and jogging pants, he seemed way more awake then he looked. His sun darkened arms crossed across his front, a mug of his favourite black coffee dangled from his fingertips as he watched her. Amusement was clear in his dark eyes. He made no move to leave or help her, as Shikamaru struggled to shove her covers back on to the bed. Why she preferred a pile of soft blankets rather than one duvet, she didn't know, and currently despaired over. For every blanket she got on, another one fell off. A growl ripped itself from her throat, as she flopped back, and gave up on escaping the pile. It was going to be one of those days… she could feel it! What. A. Drag! The snickering from her father and now her mother too was not improving her mood. Shikamaru had successfully avoided them last night, by dragging her tender body threw the window, apparently, they weren't letting her escape them today. Maybe if she stayed still, they'd get bored? Her hopes were crushed, as her sensitive ears picked up the sound of light feet padding towards her, before the weight of blankets was lifted onto the bed where they belonged.

"Need a hand there, kid?" Her dads scarred face smirked down at her, the scars across his brow and cheek wrinkling in amusement. He was getting old, she realized, faint crows' feet at the corner of his eyes; his skin, tight and, weathered with age. Despite his age, he was still clearly a protector of the clan, the village, and the family. His muscles were still solid; his reflexes in top shape. A pang of longing hit her and hit her hard. She wanted to be young enough to throw herself into his arms and feel secure. She wanted to reverse time, so he wasn't getting older; back to the days when he was her hero and going to live forever. Something must have shown on her face, because the face, so similar to her own, above her lost its amusement, and became concerned. His hand reached for hers, pulling her upright and into his chest. Both of his arms surrounded her, his scent of smoke and steel, deer and pine trees, a balm to the sudden rush of painful nostalgia. Behind her, a softer body pressed close, wrapping her arms around both born Naras.

"I'm sorry Shikamaru, I'm so sorry." The words were breathed into Shikamarus ear. The voice which normally yelled and screamed at her, was gentle in a way it hadn't been for many years. Choked with emotion, and apology. Her mother tightened her arms and nuzzled Shika's head before resting her cheek on the top, and looking up at Shikaku with watery, but confident eyes. Her family would be alright in time. She just knew it! Naras were a hardy breed. They survived; it was what they did…

Blood spilled against a grimy wall. A rich splash of colour in the dark. A gurgle echoed strangely though the room. A flash of light, before a lit candle was placed on a holder, casting shadows and illuminating the rocky room. On one wall hung a lone figure, slumped against the steel cuffs holding them securely. They were of average height, and had been completely stripped, before being flayed. Thick ribbons of red streaked across the dark skin; chunks of flesh clearly ripped away. Blood ran in rivets to the floor, shining in the candlelight like rubies. Across from the body was two free males. One was 6 foot tall, and had the muscle mass to match, the other much slimmer with a cruel sneer across his face. The slimmer one had a bucket into which he poured more water, and a mix of salt and a red oil. The other stood twirling his flogger, it kept catching the light as it moved.

"Tell me again, why you didn't feel the need to save the paperwork? Instead you hid like a coward and let the leaf scum murder our people. Tell me what made you too scared to change the tide, or I'll ask Tomas here to take his toy to your back again. I can't guarantee you'll survive though. You see it's new. A gift from the boss for his hard work, in the leather is crushed glass." The thin man's eyes glinted sadistically, as his tongue darted out to lick at his lips hungrily. One of his hands rubbed at his groin through his pants. "This will tear. You scream so prettily, don't try and hold back on us." An insane laugh bubbled from his throat and filled the room sinisterly.

"I told you!" Sobbed the boy on the wall, his voice hoarse from screaming and sobbing. "It was the Copycat Ninja and a chunnin, I couldn't save them. I couldn't stop the leaf." He screamed as the flogger was brought down hard and deep across his back, more of his back being ripped to shreds.

"Tell me about this chunnin, Zak. Why couldn't you have taken them out?" A voice like oil seeped into the boy's ears, before a cold bucket of water was emptied over his head. The water caused a gasp before the screaming started again. "It stings so good, am I right? Chilli oil and salt make a good incentive to not get a cut again, right?"

"She was a shadow user." The boy, Zak, panted, slumping in defeat. "But it was her eyes, they glinted crazily. Like she was reveling in the slaughter, and the shadows seemed to soak up the blood." His voice had dropped to barely a whisper, horror filling his tone as he recalled what he had seen. Zak closed his eyes and rested his forehead on the wall. He had never wanted to be a shinobi, but Iwa needed more bodies to complete the invasion, so his dad had signed him up. He wanted to be a vet, he wanted to help people, not kill them. He wanted to heal animals, not spend days slaughtering people like animals. Well, he thought as he sobbed quietly, there was one silver lining to this. No-one came back from T&I alive. He wouldn't have to be a shinobi, and he wouldn't have to face the disgust and disappointment that his decision to hide would bring. He only hoped it would be a quick death.

A thoughtful hum filled the room before a rustling of paper was heard, before a harsh hand gripped Zak's hair and yanked his head back. The sadist from before, thrust a book in front of his eyes, and leant into Zak's ear.

"Did she look like this?" He demanded; his breath heavy across Zak's skin. He shook his hand holding Zaks hair hard. "Well, boy, answer me! Did. She. Look. Like. Him?" His demanding was becoming panicked as he waved the book at the boy.

Zak forced his eyes to focus on the page in front of him. He sucked in a panicked breath and paled dramatically. No words were needed, as the guy behind him swore, and threw himself from the room, dropping the book on the floor. It landed open on the floor, a picture and name staring up at the ceiling.

Name: Shikaku Nara

Alias's: Shadow Walker, Anbu Jackal

Rank: S (Approach with extreme caution, in a group. DO NOT APPROACH DURING TWILIGHT HOURS)

Affiliation: Konoha Jounin (current)

"Hey Kakashi, can I talk to you?" Asuma called out to his friend, his hoarse voice filled with guilt. He had taken Inoichi's advice to heart, and he knew he had been out of line and he needed to apologize. Just seeing his old friend hunched in on himself, and his face blank sent a pang of pain through Asuma. He watched as Kakashi slowed to a stop, his book vanishing into a pocket as he waited for Asuma to catch up. Silence reigned as the two of them continued down the road towards the memorial stone. It was early enough that only shinobi and the occasional shop owner was out.

"I owe you an apology Kakashi. I'm sorry for what I said, when I lashed out at you. I was jealous of the bond that seems to be easy to start between you and my student. One that I seem to be missing with her lately. I am sorry, old friend." Asuma sighed and spoke softly, desperate to keep his apology genuine and to the point. After he came back from the Guardians, Kakashi was the first person to help him reintegrate in the village, and Asuma was ashamed of how he had spoken to his friend. Asuma wanted to fix the problem before anymore people found out. He knew Chouza and Inoichi wouldn't say anything, but there were enough people around for the news to get out, and that wouldn't go well for him or Kakashi.

"Apology accepted!" Kakashi chirped, eye smiling at his friend. Whilst Asuma's words had hurt, he understood that he was very close with his students, so feeling like someone is trying to replace him could cause Asuma to lose his reputed calm and logic.

"But just so you know, Shikamaru-chan has asked me to tutor her in seals. So, I will be stealing her a few times a week for extra practice." Kakashi sighed and looked up. "She's a good kid Asuma. She's just finding her place in the village. Someone that smart, with that much potential, could do some serious amount of good for the village, and the people in the village. You will need to accept there will be other people stepping in to train her, not just you." Kakashi kept his eye on Asuma, pouring all his seriousness into his posture and words. His friend needed to accept that his students couldn't remain just under his wings. That the village as a whole were a team and a family. They helped each other. It was why Konoha was so strong. They were a wolf pack, a unit, not a bunch of individuals. The sooner Asuma accepted that about his students the better.

"Seals, ay? Well, its not like I can teach her that. She might as well learn from one of the best." Asuma lit a new cigarette before clapping his friend on the shoulder. "Want to get breakfast? My treat."

With a nod, both shinobi jumped to the rooftops and raced themselves to the Barracks, determined to move past the last 12 hours.