„Where's Naruto?" I froze as I too noticed that the blond mess was not present. Sensei Iruka's eyes darted to me. I shook my head. No idea where he was hanging out. That was the first time I had rung his doorbell in the morning, and no one had been there. I hadn't worried too much about it, since I had assumed that he might have left earlier or had something to do.

In the meantime, five weeks had passed since the incident with Genma in the hospital and still I had no real idea what connected the Jonin with my father. Also, I had not dared to speak to him about it in the training, since he had been so bad-tempered. In the whole time I had improved clearly in the close fights. Even if with some starting difficulties since I had previously shown quite a shyness before the attack.

Externally, no particular change was noticeable in me, except for that with my hair. In the few weeks these had grown quite a bit and were poking off my head at whim. With a headband I had been able to tame them at least a little until now. And for some time now I had been toying with the idea of cutting my hair to a stubble-short length so that it wouldn't get on my nerves anymore.

With a loud bang, the classroom door crashed against the wall and I winced. Standing in the doorway, however, was not Naruto as I had thought, but one of the other sensei. His face was contorted into a grim expression. I had a bad feeling. I already had a suspicion of who it might be about.

„Naruto has been graffitiing the Hokage's stone sculptures. The brat definitely took it too far this time."

I sighed, having hoped that his pranks were finally over. But apparently it had only been the calm before the storm.

Sensei Iruka's eyes began to narrow vehemently and darted to me again. I raised my hands defensively, since I had known nothing of all this, nor had I suspected it. I was a little disappointed in him. Why did he still want to get the attention of the others? His striving for it seemed to have become so great that he even got involved in pranks like this. I sighed. Somehow it made me sad that Naruto thought that way.

„I'll be right back," my sensei said and was out of the room in a moment. What did he mean by be right back? Naruto certainly wouldn't be caught so easily. With a muffled sound, I rested my head on the table and tried to tune out my classmates' conversations, which wasn't so easy.

„That one who's always going to give us such a hassle...I'm telling you, that guy's going to fail miserably in the final exam like last time," Ino said, just loud enough for me to understand. Was she doing it on purpose? Was she trying to tease me? Or that I would jump up and yell at her. She could wait a long time for that.

„Once a loser, always a loser."

Firmly, I clenched my fingers into fists so that my knuckles stood out white. How could she act so unfairly towards Naruto? And all at once I understood why Naruto was still seeking the attention of the others. He wanted people to notice him, to pay attention to him. All the Uzumaki wanted was the recognition of the village. But he didn't seem to understand that by playing so many pranks, he was only making things worse. I should try to talk to him, but wouldn't that make it worse? I didn't know. An exasperated sigh escaped me.

„Don't let Ino get to you, she put more care into her hair than her brain." Shikamaru had apparently noticed my sigh and was now trying to calm me down. His words had not missed their effect. I began to grin broadly.

„Quite possibly."

An indignant snort to our right, showed that Ino had gotten wind of the conversation. „What are you trying to say? You don't have a clue." „Nah, I don't either, it's not like I'm a girl." I bit my tongue hard to keep from laughing out loud when I saw Ino's shocked expression. Someone must have had the wind knocked out of their sails.

Offended, the blonde sat back down in her seat and began whispering with her bench neighbour. „However, it's just annoying when the guy messes up again. Because afterwards we have to pay for everything again. I already don't feel like it," Shikamaru snorted. „Not just you, but all Naruto wants to do is get attention and respect from his fellow man." I sighed. „Only unfortunately, that is, the completely wrong way." „Why are you even worrying about this? It's totally exhausting."

I smiled due to Shikamarus typical response. „It's simple. Naruto is my friend and I care about him. It's perfectly normal." Whereas it really wasn't for me. On the contrary. I had only really gotten to know the feeling of worry through Naruto. Before that, I had had no one to worry about. I had been alone, and friendship was also a word that Naruto had first taught me.

With a loud crash, the classroom door swung open. What was she suffering today... It was none other than Sensei Iruka, a stubborn Naruto in tow. Tied up, the Uzumaki now squatted in front of the class and more or less listened to his sensei's rant. I couldn't help but grin, however, as I eyed the ropes that were wrapped around Naruto's body. Apparently, our sensei had not known any other way to help himself. Because Naruto would not have gone with him voluntarily. Which I could also conclude from the petulant expression on my friend's face. „What an idiot," I whispered. While Kiba just growled behind me in annoyance. „I bet we're going to have to take all his crap again now." Quite possibly. However, that was more the less bad part for me.

„That's it. I've really had it with you now. As punishment, everyone will practice the transformation jutsu again." Big groans in the class. As suspected, it had come to pass.

Naruto just couldn't let it go. Instead of the transformation jutsu, he had used his sexy jutsu. On the one hand, I had to laugh a little at his actions, but on the other hand, it was about time he saw things a little more seriously. He would now be taking his third final exam, which was tomorrow. I was really worried about him. Sensei Iruka didn't seem to be cold to it either, even if he tried to hide it. Not without reason.

Finally, the bell rang through the classroom. I was already about to rush for the exit when something stopped me. „So, Naruto. As punishment, you will clean the stone sculptures this afternoon." Addressed gave only a reluctant growl.

Cautiously I approached the two. Against the punishment I would not be able to do anything ... but... „Sensei?", I asked. "Would it perhaps be possible for Naruto and I to have something to eat together first, and then he can begin his punishment." The Uzumaki's eyes immediately began to gleam with hope. However, Sensei Iruka shook his head. „No, I'm sorry Tora. But if Naruto doesn't start now, he'll keep pushing it out and I don't want to run after him with it." He was right. I hadn't thought of that at all. I nodded and said goodbye. Maybe it was better that way, too, if Naruto handled it right away. I really hadn't considered that Naruto was a master of his craft when it came to putting off certain tasks.

For now, I would go to Genma for training. The special jonin had promised last time to practice with me a new jutsu related to my Kekkei Genkai. It was not the first time that I combined a jutsu with my Kekkei Genkai. Every now and then, either Genma or Kakashi would try to come up with new combinations. But it was already somehow strange...

Because all Jutsus, which Genma had suggested so far, had also functioned. And I didn't understand how he knew that. Or was that simply intuition? But I would surely find out. As well as the strange connection that apparently existed between Genma and my father. There were still so many secrets and I would reveal them all.