A/N: Hello! I have updated a lot today. I hope to get one or two more chapters done today. I need to catch up since now that I have a really good base for the story I think it will be able to move forward at a better pace for me. I know it sucks I'm doing this again but I hope that this is the last time.

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Chapter 6: Separation and Girl Talk

June 7th:

"I'm still really sorry about last night Shikumaru," I say again as we walk to the bath house.

"Tooru, its fine. I understand you didn't know about them coming," Shikumaru looks at me, a little amusement is on his face.

I look at Shikumaru. After the group left we had a conversation about my past. Something that I haven't been able to in a long time; honestly I have not felt this awake in a long time. We talked about how wrong it was for Lord Third to put me in ANBU and Shikumaru understood me and how I hated that I didn't die in intel with his and Ino's father. That part of the conversation was a little heartbreaking to handle for both of us since his father was one of the few people that knew about me when I was younger.

Shikaku isn't dead.

I shake my head, maybe I'm remembering things wrong.

Though, I didn't tell him about the punishments and how small some actions were that got me in trouble. While Lord Third was to lad back with Naruto he had an iron fist with me. Sometimes I wonder if our roles should have been switched. But knowing who Naruto is, it wouldn't have worked with him. Since I was in a position where I had to be treated like such, I think it worked out.

We also played shogi for a little while and currently are tied with wins. Shikumaru smiles at me, amused at how a ninja of my standing can be so sorry about things out of my control. I keep saying sorry, ever since he picked me up this morning. Something that I wasn't expecting for him. Form my knowledge he prefers to sleep and not do a lot. We walk to the bath house and no one is here yet.

Not knowing what else to say I said sorry. I really didn't know that Kakashi would do something like that.

Why do I care?

Maybe because Shikamaru got embarrassed by what happened. So I feel like I should say sorry to him about it.

We stand in front and wait for a little bit in silence; both of us knowing that we will get hell for last night. I look up at the clouds, becoming lost in thought. I am working with Shikumaru and actually tell him about my past; something only a few people know. I find it odd though. No one gets to know anything about me. Not only that; but have group of friends maybe, that one may be a long run though. Besides, I don't even think that they will ever see me as anyone more than someone who knows Shikamaru.

And I don't know if I'm allowed to be doing this. I only said because Kakashi gave me an order.

Than it hits me, I will be separated from Shikamaru and Kiba when in the bath house.

I have no idea how to talk to females my age either. No matter if they were war heroes or not. I don't think I can keep going like this.

"Ow! Sakura what was that for?" I hear Naruto yell.

"Because you're an idiot Naruto and you almost blew our cover last night!" Sakura says.

"Looks like it's about to be a drag Tooru," Shikumaru is looking at me, almost worried.

In the distance we see four people, two are Sakura and Naruto. The other two I assume are Saskue and Hinata. I look at Shikumaru, knowing that this can end so badly for all of us. This the first time I have actually met anyone that is my own age. Shikumaru knows what I am thinking and shakes his head. I open my mouth, about to plead with him but Naruto spots us first.

"Hey guys! Sorry Tooru for barging in like that but Kakashi said it would be fine." Naruto gives his dorky grin.

I panic and respond the way I was taught to reply to the future Hokage.

"It's fine. Lord Sixth has a weird sense of humor and I am sure he did not mean for you all to come to my house at that hour while he was unsure if anyone was around." I stand up a bow to him.

"Umm, Shikumaru what's up with this girl?" Naruto whispers.

I hear a hand bang into a head and know that Sakura wacked Naruto on the head. I raise my head and see Naruto on the ground holding his head while Lady Hinata giggles and Saskue smirks. I look over to Shikamaru confused about what is going on. Shikamaru is smirking as well.

Wait… why is Saskue here? Shouldn't he be out on a mission?

But I don't know what is happening. Why is she hitting him? Did I do something wrong?

Shikumaru laughs, "Naruto this is Tooru; her and I are working on a mission together."

I turn my head, "The rest of them are here" I say directly at Shikamaru.

Shikamaru and the others look around and do not see them. I can feel their chakra coming into the area. And I can feel one is bouncing off the walls.

All of a sudden Lee is in front of me talking very fast, "I am here! Please forgive me Lady Tooru for rudely barging into your home without any permission! I swear I will never do it again and punished myself accordingly to the crime. I am sorry Lady Tooru. I understand-"

"Lee, it is okay," I interrupt him.

Lee looks at me with tears in his eyes and runs around. Something that I have heard he does. I become a little dizzy; I raise an eyebrow at Shikamaru. I turn to see Neji is looking down at the ground and Tenten is watching Lee with a little amusement in her eyes.

I take a step back away from Lee and try to hide by Kiba. Kiba is looking around and takes Lee's attention. I know that I have to avoid him until I get use to the energy. I know Guy is like this too, I never knew how badly Lee took after him.

Tenten sighs, "Well, let's get this party rolling huh?"

We walk into the bathhouse and the girl's part ways with the guys. I try to maybe look into the group but I feel the block in my mind. I sigh as I get undressed and head into the bath. I want to just think about anything else. I do not really care about the fact that I am around other people. This is forced relaxation for me since Kakashi ordered it last night so Shikamaru could get use to me being a robot basically.

After a few moments of silence I step into the tube and submerge myself, hoping none of the others ask me too many questions about myself. I know I cannot answer them fully about my past or what my intentions are. I also know that my intentions reflect the Hokage's. I am just a person to help the Hokage reach the goals for the village.

I begin to think about this group of friends. They are the group that has ever gotten into the most trouble; even Kakashi's age group did not cause this much up roar in the village. Every few days something new is broken and that is not good for the villages financially. The Hokage has recently started to keep a builder in the village that only repairs the things that these kids make. Most of them are jonin therefore they should all know better.

Every one of them graduated from the academy and clearly cannot keep their tempers in line. At least Sakura can direct her anger onto Naruto even though he did save the village multiple times from being destroyed. But now they are all starting to pair off and maybe settle down from the crazy teenagers that they have been stuck as for such a long time; one can only hope for such a thing to happen.

"Hello?" I almost stand up in the tub since Hinata startled me since she spoke up so much for someone who has always been so quiet.

"I'm sorry Lady Hinata. What is the topic we are talking about?" I look around and notice all the girls are staring at me.

I settle back into the bath while I wait for one of them to reply to me. I should have been paying attention to what they are talking about. I have no idea what could be the topic. I kick myself. I don't know how to take to these girls.

"We were talking about our guys and we wanted to know if there are any guys you like that might be here." Sakura inquires.

"What do you mean?" I ask, generally confused.

"Well," Ino interjects, "I have Sai and we've been together only six months. Neji and Tenten have been together since the end of the Great Ninja War. Sakura and Saskue along with Naruto and Hinata have been together the shortest amount of time out off all of us."

"I crushed on Naruto for a long time though…" Hinata mumbles.

"Neji and I started just as friends. We never thought we would be together. And right now it's really nice to be with him." Tenten chimes in.

"There is also Kiba and Tamika now. Awe, it's like a forbidden love story. A cat and a dog falling in love. Doesn't that sound amazing," Ino sings.

I look at her confused. I have no idea where they are trying to go with this but so far I am not liking it. What is the point of having a crush on someone if you know there is a possibility that you can get hurt in a great way, never being able to tell them everything that you have on your mind. Besides, feeling are unknown and take up too much time. It makes a person unfocused and causes deaths.

They are all with someone, I remember Shikamaru talking about it at one point. Hinata and Naruto, Sakura and Saskue, Ino and Sai, and Tenten and Neji. All of them have paired up. But they were all crushing on each other before the war ended.

"Well, we know that Tamika and Kiba will stay together," Sakura states.

"I hope they do, this is the happiest I have seen him," Hinata mentions.

"What is the point of all this?" I finally ask.

All the girls looks at me and I sink into the water further. I may have just asked the wrong question.

"This is girl talk, haven't you ever had girl talk?" Sakura asks.

I shake my head. I found it pointless and Lord Third would not allow it. Is it like when Shikamaru and Kiba were talking when Kiba was asking Tamika out? I believe so… but I am unsure.

"Oh… we need to teach her!" Ino comments.

"I don't like that look in your eye…" I mutter.

"Lets start small," Hinata pleads.

Ino looks at her, "No we need to ask"

I look at all of them… very confused. Ask me about what? I see Tenten and Sakura look at me. The same look forming in their eyes. I sink a little further down in the tub. I really don't like where this is going.

"What do you and Shikamaru talk about?" Ino asks.

I tilt my head.

"What?" is all that comes out.

"We want to know why you and Shikamaru hang out so much!" Ino exclaims.

"We are working on a mission," I state.

I see all the girls look at each other. I watch as Tenten and Sakura shake their heads. I see Hinata slightly giggling, but its her nerves giggle. Ino looks impatient. I don't understand what they want. I can't tell them that Kakashi ordered me to be friends with Kiba and Shikamaru.

But, did Kakashi really order me? I don't fully remember.

"We talk about the mission, I am catching him up to speed." I say.

"But when you're bored. Like running out of the mission talk," Ino coaxes.

"We sit in silence," I comment.

Sakura speaks up, "You sit in silence?! Seriously?"

I look at each of them. I still have no idea what they want out of me. I answered their questions. I don't know what the big deal is.

"I think what they are trying to ask, just not out right, is if you and Shikumaru could be a couple in the future." Tenten clarifies.

I sink into the water, I ponder this for a moment. I mean, no. Just no. I talk with him to gain a friend. I know Kakashi would never allow for it. I also know that no way in hell would that rule ever be broken. I can't break it. Orders are orders for me. Nothing will change that fact. I have to obey what I am told.

I know my answer because it is the Hokage's wish, specifically the one who raised me when I came back to the village.

I already know my answer, no there is no way, "As of right now no. We are simply working on a mission together and we both want to have a flawless mission."

"That is such a diplomatic answer. But you paused," Ino states, giggling a little bit.

"I was thinking," I retort.

"But you want him!" Sakura exclaims, grinning.

I go further into the water. I know I should stay but I really want to leave. And these girls are not helping my easy; I knew I would be too weird for them. They don't understand about how much I don't want a relationship, and even a friendship is too hard for me.

A relationship? No, I can't. No way would it be approved, I was told lord third would pair me off when the time was right, only he never got to it. I believe Lord Sixth will pair me off. And I know that day will come soon. Lord Third thought that a civilian would be a good match since I need to rebuild my clan again.

"What is the mission you and Shikumaru are working on Tooru?" Hinata asks, attempting to change the subject.

"It's top secret Lady Hinata, something I cannot say nor if I could I would for it would put you all in too much danger." I reply.

I look up and see a look of concern from their faces, I know that I should hint at it but I cannot. The rest of the afternoon was spent talking about the upcoming exams and what each person would be doing. I was the only one who would only watch the exams and not really do much. I might work security but other than that not a lot. And watching Kakashi is not that big of a deal. I almost want to tell them about the exams where Lord Third died but I cannot bring myself to tell them about it. I wish that I could, or even protect Lord Third from falling into that trap. But he had me focus on the teams and making sure that they were safe from harm.

Only, it makes it harder. Knowing that Orochimaru was coming with the Sand. It sucks that no one else got to know what was going on fully. I could only tell them certain things and try to warn them about what was going to happen. When Lord Third sent that spy, I know for a fact that he shouldn't have sent that person, he died for no reason. The exams tend to be a time where there is nothing I can do. I watch inside the arena to make sure everyone is okay and if I can prevent them from dying.

The girls keep talking about everything and sometimes I chime in. We have a few good laughs and I get to learn a lot about each one of them. Eventually we get out of the bath to get dressed. All the girls talk and giggle about things. Ino talks about Sai and how he keeps reading about everything that he should do in a relationship. Hinata tells us about how Naruto shows up to her house and gives her flowers and then Neji chases him away. They go around and tell these cute stories about their guys.

We said or goodbyes and Shikumaru walked me home, in silence. Only this silence felt weird and a little awkward. Maybe someone said something to him or we were both too in thought to really have a conversation. I shrug it off of my thoughts and keep walking. I walk to my door and say good night and go inside to sleep.