A/N: I am the queen of small changes that mean a lot to the story. Yay me! Anyway another one done. Closer to updating as I hope people are edger for. I know I am...

Anyway, Comment, and do all that cool stuff I want to hear from people!

Chapter 18: Groups Pain

June 28th:

I wake up to rustlings going on in the house. I roll over and look at the clock, it is only 10 am.

I sigh; wishing I could get more sleep this time instead of only a few hours after a mission I stay up for days on. This is a drag, nothing could be worse than a cranky ninja getting back from a mission.

Since when do I sleep so much after a mission?

Tenzo should know better than to make a lot of noise in the morning after I get back from a mission. I stay up for three days, something that people try to avoid. I don't even sleep for the longest time.

Yawning I roll out of bed. I stretch and walk out to the kitchen; I walk in expecting to be alone walking into the kitchen, only to find Tenzo and Shikamaru cooking. I take a step back a blink a few times, trying to understand what is going on. It's early in the morning and the two of them decided it would be a good idea to wake me?

Why are they cooking though? I thought that Tenzo would be out on a mission. And Shikamaru… well I don't know. Maybe asleep or working on something. I thought that I would be alone in the house like always.

Why didn't you put up your bubble?

Tenzo turns to see me, "Tooru! You're up. We made you breakfast. I hope your mission went okay?"

I nod and look over at Shikamaru. As though he can read my mind he shrugs his shoulders indicating that Tenzo went and got him this morning knowing when I would return from my mission. That is something that I never thought Tenzo would do, go and get someone. That person being Shikamaru, who I am working with on a mission.

Unless Lord Sixth is planning something to help me with my mission. Which could be possible. It would be the first time something like this has happened, I am very use to working alone that I don't remember the last time I worked with someone closely on a mission.

I sigh and go to sit down; I place my bubble up around the house, something natural for me to do. Tenzo looks cheery but I know that he is actually worried about me and that the mission is taking a toll on me. Shikamaru places a bowl of rice in front of me and I thank him for that. I watch Shikamaru sit across from me. Shikamaru looks… upset about being here.

I begin to eat the food. It does taste good though.

I am clearly annoyed with the two of them. Now I have to work around the both of them to get anything on this mission. Both of them are going to be troublesome, I can already feel it in my bones. Knowing me, I will probably have them kicked out of the house before dinner is even thought of.

You aren't working with anyone.

But that may not be the case. I could enjoy having them around. I would like to enjoy people being around me. So far though that has not happened. I tolerate Shikamaru, Kiba and Tenzo at the moment. Though Naruto is getting up there.

I feel something approaching on the outskirts of the bubble. I don't know who's chakra that is. I narrow my eyes. Who is coming? Actually it feels like a group.

"Did you hear what I said?" I snap my attention to Tenzo; shaking my head. "Well, Kakashi is coming with everyone and lucky for you Gaara is also here. They should be here…"

"Now," I interject, Shikamaru looks at me puzzled, "My bubble around the house is back up. I can sense when anyone comes."

As though we have an understanding, Shikamaru goes to answer the door and I go into my bedroom to change out of my P.J.'s into my off mission cloths. I take more time though. I need to think this through.

Why didn't you change earlier?

What the heck is Kakashi planning to do with this group of ninja? He knows that this mission is highly sensitive to what I need to be doing. If too many people find out about what is happening the group could begin to act out. Which would not be good for anyone involved at the moment.

I sigh, I highly doubt it is anything good though. I place my pouch on the small of my back and walk down the hallway to the kitchen again. Still wondering what Kakashi has planned.

When I come out I see Naruto eating my food. I knock him on the head and grab my bowl of rice and sit by Shikamaru. I don't hesitate in sitting by Shikamaru, I should have stood by Tenzo.

I shake my head, that isn't important right now. What is that I need to know why these people are here.

The food was made for me so I continue eating. Tenzo worked hard to make food for me, so I should eat.

They all stare at me as though I just became a rouge ninja for hitting Naruto on the head. Though he was just eating my food, and if I remember you don't eat someone else's food. I don't pay it any mind though, I have to eat so I can try to get a few steps ahead of the group in question.

"Anyway," Kakashi says, breaking the silence, "Tooru, I want you to tell them everything. About the group and what you reported to me last night. They should not talk until you are done explaining everything."

I wonder what Kakashi is trying to do. I am usually working alone. Even just having Shikamaru as help is weird. But having all of them working with me.

It doesn't matter.

Kakashi just gave me an order.

I have to follow the order.

"Of course Lord Sixth," I set my food down, "This group has no name, and we have been calling them the copycat group. Only recently have their motive become clearer. They are not after the tailed beast anymore but are after powerful ninja that are not only specialized ANBU members and the generation of ninja that next to become Jonin. What they want to do is unclear though, we can only guess. And that is being debated," I pause and glance over at Shikamaru, "We have assumed though that they formed shortly before the Fourth Great Ninja War broke out. Therefore they used the war as a cover up to hide themselves. My guess is that they wish to steal your chakra…" I stop and grip my shoulder in pain.

I don't know what is going on. What kind of power is this? I feel my shoulder is on fire. But that can't be right.

Right there was a dull pain in it yesterday.

I forgot I had to go see Sakura about it.

It's not in your shoulders….

"Tooru, are you okay?" Sakura gets up and walks over to me.

"I don't know, pain just shoot through my shoulder," I stop again and lean into Shikamaru since all my focus is on my shoulder.

This pain is intense. I feel like someone is trying to rip off my shoulder slowly so all the pain is through every muscle and joint. I grit my teeth together and try not to yelp in pain. Though that is easier said than done.

The pain though. I don't believe I have felt pain like this before. I should tell them the rest, ignore the pain. But that can't happen.

I feel healing chakra from Sakura, "Did you come in contact with any of the members."

"Yes," I say through pain, "he popped out of nowhere behind me and grabbed my shoulder before I jumped out of the tree."

Another surge of pain.

"A new jutsu?" Shino inquires.

"Possibly inflicts pain?" Neji chimes in.

"Tooru, what do you know about the man who came after you?" Tenten asks.

I take in a deep breath. I need to tell them. I was ordered by Kakashi to tell the about the group. This pain is intense though.

"Nothing, they never discuss their powers around each other, it is as though they talked about it when they formed." I say as another shot of pain and Shikamaru wraps is arm around my waist.

I can feel the healing from Sakura but it doesn't seem to be working all the way. I feel Shikamaru shift to where I am sitting on him. I close my eyes and I know that I shouldn't be acting like this. But the pain is very great.

"Stop talking, you will only make it worse," Sakura snaps.

"We need to come up with a plan of action," Temari declares.

I focus on what Sakura said. I can talk after I get healed. I don't know what else to do. There is a moment of silence. I can feel Shikamaru's arms around me. But the pain is greater.

"They meet again in two months," Kakashi says evenly, "They have two sensory type ninja. Tooru and Shikamaru will handle this. Lord Gaara, I would recommend you stay. I can explain more in my office."

"Sounds good since the chunin exam begin in about a week." Lord Gaara replies as he, Kakashi and Kankuro rise to leave.

I finally open my eyes. The pain has died down a lot. It's back to being dull. I know that there are too many things that can be going on. But right now isn't the time.

"Wait, Shikumaru and I are planning the chunin exams! I cannot plan it myself." Temari exclaims standing up, outraged.

"Saskue can finish up Shikamaru's duty," Kakashi states.

Would Temari really be upset? And why is Saskue here?

Temari snorts and sits back down. They leave as Tenzo goes after them to discuss something. Slowly the pain dulls in my shoulder and I can sit up right on my own. I sigh, things look like they are going to be interesting from here on out. Shikamaru keeps his arm around me.

"Now try to talk Tooru," Sakura softly whispers.

I slowly get up off of Shikamaru, "Well now that's done, we need to figure out what the next step is. I want Neji, Sai, and Shino to help Shikamaru and myself. Also, Saskue after the exams I would also like you to help us along with Gaara."

"Why them?" Lee asks.

"They can help plan our next move, plus they can actually focus on this," Shikamaru says reading my mind.

There is a moment of silence. I know that Shikamaru is trying to not pay attention. I even forgot that Temari was here. I don't even remember her coming in. I can still feel Shikamaru's arm around me.

I shake my head. No, this is between them. I only know because Shikamaru has told me about it. Nothing else.

So why do I feel… safe? Or is that pride? With Shikamaru's arm around me.

No. This is not the time. I need to move on. Focus on the mission and getting everyone ready for what will be a long planning session.

"Fine by me. Temari, let's go and finish the chunin exams preparations," Saskue gets up and begins to leave and Temari follows him.

I feel Shikamaru sigh beside me, I know he still has feeling for her. I only know this because we spend so much time around each other and I have told him a lot about myself. And Shikamaru has told me a lot about himself. So I know about how he feels for Temari.

I shake my head that does not matter at all.

Relationships are something that never last beyond a mission of maybe one or two interactions. Besides, Shikamaru had a date will I was gone, so he should stop mopping around and move on with his life or he will get killed. Worrying about others should never be a thing in the ninja world.

"So then Tooru want to go and train?" Naruto asks.

"Sure, good way to see you guys in action," I reply.