A/N: This announcement won't be too long. But I appreciate you guys dealing with me deciding to update this whole thing.

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Chapter 12: Talking with the Loud Mouth

June 21st

Later on that week, I am under the tree, looking up at the clouds. There are not may today, mostly sunshine. I welcome the warmth. The house has been really cold the last few day since Tenzo never fixed the heater. I may do that today before bed.

Training with Shikamaru helped a lot for me to understand what I still need to work on. And we have been working every day to try to understand what is going on with the group. Surprisingly, we have gotten very far when it comes to the group.

With what information?

We believe that there are other ninja that are very hidden in the villages. That much is known to us. But we are lead to believe that when Orochimaru was working on his experiments one child survived. And there aren't many of specific clans left. That or they were orphaned during the war. Either way there is a high amount of power these kids hold. I don't know of others in the village that are like me, all I know is that the traitors should be finding the fake copy of files on me any day now.

The file that will hopefully lead me to figuring out what they want.

Shikamaru also knows a way to improve my hearing. We have been training with that in mind.

One more thing is that the group might use how these hidden ninja have been treated to take down the village's from the inside. These ninja know too much about the workings of the village since that might be all they have been able to do with the power that they hold. Though unclear as to why they want to take the villages down, we have multiple things as to why.

1. Gain power

2. Overthrown the peace

3. Cause the ninjas to riot

4. Expose how we have not changed our ways

5. Create mistrust in the villages

6. Begin a lack of miscommunication

7. Get these ninja to join them

8. Start a village with these powerful ninja

9. Play with the ninja and make them go crazy

All of these seem like a possible out look since there are too many things. We haven't fully ruled out beginning a war again. But that doesn't seem fully possible with the time they are taking nor are they trying to gather members.

We have worked days just to reach these conclusions.

Yet, we had to stop working together today.

Shikamaru was called away to help Tenzo with his mission and he had to grab Sakura as well. He left a note and Lord Sixth came to tell me that I had to work on my own for a few days. I sigh knowing that I have to keep planning by myself but with the help of Shikamaru I can figure out what my next plan of action will be. And I feel much better since my partner has offered a lot of support to me.

I leave to go spy on the group in a few days. Days, that I have to create the precautions. Shikamaru left some suggesting. Basic traps and a few places to hide these traps.

Suddenly, there is a shadow in front of me, I open my eyes and see Kiba standing in front of me. I close my eyes again.

Kiba hasn't hung out with me in a while. And I am still under the orders of Kakashi to make friends with them. I want to work on that, but I never remember until it is late at night. I figured they would all be asleep and wouldn't want to be around the girl who knows more about Shikamaru than them. I open my eyes and sit up.

"What's wrong Kiba?" I ask.

"Can I talk to you?" Kiba sits down next to me.

I move over a little so he is still in the shade. I don't know what he wants to talk about but I can feel my heart beginning to race a little more. Is this what others feel like? Is this what Kakashi first talked about when I meet him. I think he called it being nerves or anxious.

"Sure," I reply.

"It's about Shikamaru and Temari," Kiba looks away from me, "I feel kind of bad for Shikamaru. We all knew he liked her a lot. Recently Gaara told us of some guy she started to date a while back. Though Shikamaru isn't showing us, we know he is in pain by it."

"There isn't much you can do when you are in love though," I state, almost robotic.

"I know that's why he stopped talking to us. I mean all of us are in relationships. We wanted him to be with Temari, but she never returned the feelings. Sakura understands that point. Like when Naruto liked her, or when Hinata liked Naruto." Kiba tells me.

"Do you understand that?" I ask.

Kiba nods, "Ya, I mean there were some girls that I have liked that didn't return the favor, and girls like me that I didn't like back." Kiba pauses, "The better question is, do you understand it?"

I tilt my head.

"I have no idea. Having friends and liking people are new to me. So I wouldn't know better," I answer.

I notice Kiba jump up a little at my answer. What is going on with him? I don't find this relaxing, its beginning to feel like I am working to talking to him, but I'm also not. Like that's not confusing.

"You wouldn't know? You have no idea what it's like?" Kiba asks.

I look at Kiba. Is he trying to get something out of me? I have no idea if he does or doesn't I want to know. I might, but I don't talk to anyone else about my feeling towards others. Is appreciating the Hokage considered this? No, I don't think so.

I appreciate Shikamaru and his help.

Besides, it's a time to relax. Though I feel like I have gotten really far with getting to know the group.

But I need to know what Kiba wants.

"Kiba, what's the point that you are trying to make?" I inquire.

Kiba takes a deep breath, "I want to know if you have a crush on him, Shikamaru I mean."

I look at Kiba and wonder why. I don't say anything about it because I am only trying to be his friend. What motive does he have? This reminds me of the bath house and all of his friends trying to push us together. Should I let them push us together? Would it only hurt Shikamaru more or maybe help him?

No he still love Temari, he is hanging on to her so much and maybe just maybe he is finally accepting the help from me. I know my feelings for him but maybe Shikamaru only sees me as a friend, someone who he'll work with once and never talk to again. Besides, it is a mission that he and I need to focus on. There is no way any feelings can develop between Shikamaru and I. The thought never crossed my mind, I mean sure I admire the kid for helping me out so much and such a huge mission but liking him is stretching it. I sigh, this is pointless for me to try to think of a way out of.

"Tell me what you are thinking Tooru," Kiba states.

I look at him, "Why are you even bothering asking Kiba?"

Kiba looks at me confused, a little grin coming across his face, "Well, I mean you guy have been working together for what about two months by this point and you spend a lot of time together," I open my mouth but Kiba talks over me, "I mean, you two seem to really enjoy spending time together and from what I can see you two already know each other really well."

It's only been two weeks working with Shikamaru. Why is he lying to you?

I pause, "It's to help us get ideas going…"

"I say that is bull. Come on! Can you not tell when someone is trying to make a move on you Tooru?" Kiba asks.

I turn away from Kiba and think. Does he like me? No, he still loves Temari from what he has told me. Besides, no one ever has made a move on me since I hide more in the shadows than anyone else that I know. The best option would be to play along and say I do, I don't even know how I feel about him.

"I do like him, only I don't know how he feels about me," I finally say.

Kiba snaps his attention to me, "You do?"

I nod my head, feeling a little awkward telling this to Kiba since I never talk to him in general. Well, we only talk about training and helping him improve his skills. He is learning how to be faster now, which is helping him get ready to be the leader of his clan. Maybe I shouldn't have told Kiba this. I mean, what happens if anyone else figures this out. I don't need a lot of people just coming up and asking if there is something between us. Maybe I should have just left, my time is almost up to just relax and this is not relaxing for me.

"That's good, but aren't you two working on a mission together?" Kiba pushes.

"Yes, but this started before I started to work with Shikamaru…" I look away, maybe getting Kiba to think I am blushing.

I mean, I have known about Shikamaru for a long time. And he was always the one I watched the most. I can start to feel the heat coming into my face. I have always been watching Shikamaru the most. Next would be Hinata.

Since when did you watch one?

"How long has this been going on?" I hear Kiba ask.

"A while," I stammer.

Kiba doesn't say anything. Only thinks as well. I wonder what he is thinking, I know my mind is racing a million mile a minute.

What if this gets back to Shikamaru? What if they all hate me because of this? I feel like I could be a part of this group but I don't know if this will allow me to be in the group. I am so worried about not being able to be with Shikamaru but I want friends more than anything right now.

I have gotten a taste of what it is like. And though I think most of the time it is a waste of time, lately I can see the merit about talking with people. I feel like I know myself better than I did two months ago. I guess Kakashi was right with forcing me t make friends. But I know Lord Third didn't want anyone else to abuse my power.

I remember the park again, and how much I wanted to play with them. After that Lord Third made me into a person who could not even talk. All the adults knew what happened but I started to disappear into the background of the village after I was cursed. The crush started that day at the park, well the closes thing to a crush I could have at the time. It melted away after I was ordered not to be so attached to people until I was over 15 years old. I have never been close to any one until Kakashi took over, and now Shikamaru. But that doesn't matter, all that matters is the safety of the village.

But that shouldn't be the only thing. Shikamaru and Kiba have both talked about how Naruto has faced people to protect his friends. How can I protect the village like that if I don't have anyone I want to protect other than the Hokage?

"You know Tooru, we do want to be friends with you," I look over at Kiba who is looking at the clouds, "You seem like a cool person and Shikamaru seems to trust you. I'm sorry that we all kind of snapped at you the other day, but we just worry about that kid. Besides, you talk to me, you just seem busy lately."

Kiba looks at me and sees the look at my face, how much hope there is in my eyes. I can tell him so much more than what I can to others. Even then, I can talk to the others more about things. Kakashi ordered me to get to know everyone.

"I wish I can tell you how much this means to me Kiba." I mumble.

"We all want to get to know you. So start with your past Tooru. I promise I won't steal you from Shikamaru." Kiba laughs at his own joke but I remain silent, "Well? I'm all ears and I will try to help."

I look away. I can tell him. I know I can, but Kakashi said to be friends with them. He did not tell me that I could tell them about myself. I think of my story and see myself telling Kiba. But there isn't a block. I can clearly see myself telling Kiba everything.

"I've had a past, and I was put into the place I am at a very young age. You can think of me as someone very gifted." I pause. "There is a lot to tell you Kiba."

"Why Tooru? You told Shikamaru everything right?" Kiba sounds concerned.

"Yes. I told him to help build trust between the two of us. Kakashi ordered it of me." I tell him.

"Kakashi ordered it?" Kiba asks.

I nod, "Kakashi has to give me orders and it's a special thing for me to tell people about myself or to be ordered to make friends."

Kiba begins to nod but stops. Kiba eyes widen as he registers what I am saying.

"Wait, what?!" Kiba exclaims.

"Kakashi has to give me orders to do a lot of things. Shikamaru was the first one to get the special orders from him." I explain.

Kiba snorts, "He has special orders from Kakashi? That's annoying. He should honestly just let you tell whoever you want."

"I wish that was the case Kiba, only this goes all the way back to Lord Third. There is really no escaping this," I put sadly.

"There is a way," Kiba interrupts me, "Trust me, Naruto and I can find a way to break it. I'm sure Naruto will tell you the same thing."

I only look at Kiba, I am worried that if this group learns about anything going on than they may decide to do something. I really only think of Naruto since he is the village hero who hasn't learned to calm the hell down. I know if I tell them my mouth will go numb and I will forget everything for a few hours or until that person leaves. Plus, if they all learned that I use to work with Itachi before he left and that I knew of the plans, they would not want to be my friends.

I know that this will blow up in my face, especially if any other information about me is to get out. I… I am… scared I guess is what I am feeling. If people are willing to help, what does that say about this generation of ninja? They are more focused on building friendships then the safety of the village. I don't know how I feel about that, it is reckless. Friendships are so dumb and inhibit the person's ability to think clearly when it comes to a life or death situation.

Though, looking at how they all act with each other, you know that have each other's backs.

I shake my head, "No Kiba, there have been many people who have tried to take care of it and fix it. No one has had any luck with working this thing out of my life. I can tell you bits and pieces but other than that, I cannot say much."

"Well," Kiba is looking up at the clouds, "At least let us help you and Shikamaru get together."

I force a giggle and nod. Kiba laughs as well, enjoying the mood. I guess that it is nice but I am not use to this. What will happen is Shikamaru beings to develop feelings for a person who knows nothing about emotions and cares way more about the village than anyone else in her own life?

"Seriously Tooru," Kiba pauses, "Come and hang out with each of us in small groups or one on one so we can try to get to piece the puzzle of your life together. We want to train with you and make friends with you so we can all go out on missions or just to get some food. I'll tell you what, Hinata, Shino and I are all grabbing dinner tonight if you would like to join us."

I look at Kiba wide eyed, amazed that he is asking me to come eat with his group. Should I even think about it? I have a lot of things that I need to be doing, and I did not expect to be asked to hang out with anyone. What do I even do? No one ever wanted me to come out with them and surely this is the first time. Normally people just leave and say good-bye. I nod after a moment and we get up and walk over to the ramen place. There we are greeted by Hinata and Shino.

"Tooru! You decided to come?" Hinata asks.

"Thank Kiba, he convinced me," I state, a little harshly.

"Well, lets eat," Shino says.

That night was filled with Kiba trying to set up a jokes and Shino hitting it away and saying something deep and insightful. Normally I would listen to him but Hinata and I only giggled at the two boys causing a fuse over little things like a joke. Normally joking is not allowed on my missions. But hearing their stories of missions and how much fun it seems to be, I would love to go on a mission with them. After and few bowls I head home.

Is this what it's like to have friends, laughter and a good time that you just want to go out again? I don't know what this feeling is, but it feels warm.

I start to fix the heater and giggle at how much fun I actually had. I remember Hinata almost spilling her ramen on me and how Shino said something along the lines of how she should be careful and watch out. Then Kiba interjecting with pushing Shino down and telling her everything will be okay. After finally fixing the heater I go to sleep.

I don't belong here… You need to wake up and run.