Nervously my feet bobbed up and down. The branch on which I was sitting moved gently with me. In a slightly bent posture, I sat on the tree and looked down thoughtfully on my new teammates. Sensei Iruka had released us for break about twenty minutes ago and instructed each team to get to know each other a little better. A low growl escaped my throat. Actually, I already knew everyone. In terms of skills, at least almost all of them, except for Shino. The Aburame had always been very quiet and emotionless. I had never seen his abilities before, which might have been due to the fact that I had not attended any classes for three whole years. Well, I had been very busy keeping myself alive.

While Hinata sat between the roots of the tree and looked around nervously, Kiba made his rounds around the tree like a caged predator. His gaze was so sinister that even I didn't dare address him. The Inuzuka had been even less enthusiastic than I had been when Sensei Iruka had assigned me to Team 8. I didn't think that it was possible to rise from the low point of my mood at that time.

Shino leaned quietly against the tree trunk and watched our human predator, who had now also begun to growl animalistically, so that only the fur would have been missing and I would have labeled him as a wild dog. He must have had a rotation worm for a long time, he had been doing it for some time. And at this speed...

„I'd say we can skip the introductions right now," Shino finally stated matter-of-factly, glancing at Kiba and me. Sure, the Aburame knew about our former, or apparently still ongoing, dispute. And it seemed to annoy him visibly. Especially Kiba's unbridled temper.

„But I'd still be interested in one thing, Tora."

Surprised, I looked at him as he turned to me.

„What are your skills?"

I said nothing. Actually, I should tell the others, after all, we were a team from now on and everyone should know each other's abilities inside out so that we could coordinate much better and thus fight in unison. But for me it had always been an overcoming to talk about it. And it would probably always remain that way.

Shino slightly adjusted his glasses.

„Because it seems to me that you don't want to show them. After all, in the fight against Kiba, you fought entirely without jutsus. So far, we know nothing about you. Neither where you come from, nor what kind of training you have. What is your secret?"

I flinched imperceptibly, but Shino had noticed anyway. So had Kiba, who had suddenly stopped his rounds. His expression had changed. And made way for an almost curious twinkle in his eyes.

„You wouldn't like the secret anyway," I grumbled unwillingly, hating this topic like the plague. Inwardly, I resisted being asked about my past again, but on the other hand, I really had no alternative, since the others would eventually find out for themselves.

„I was once in your class before," I began bluntly.

Surprised gasps escaped from three throats.

Something I had often seen in Kiba's eyes lit up. Triumph.

„I knew it. The first time I saw you again, I knew I knew your smell from somewhere."

Silently I looked at him, having witnessed myself how he declared to know my smell.

„My stench apparently masked much of it," I said, cutting him off. His eyes flashed slightly in disappointment. Apparently, he had intended to blurt out just that.

My body tensed slightly as Shino began to stir.

What would come now?

But the Aburame didn't say anything, but only looked at me scrutinizingly.

„All right. We'll make a compromise. I'll tell you about my abilities, but my past will remain my business for now, yes?" Shino and Kiba wouldn't rest easy otherwise. And Hinata was sure to want to know, even if she stayed in the background, as she often did, preferring to watch.

Kiba seemed surprised by my sudden relenting.

„After all, there's no point in me hiding my abilities from you if you're going to see them later in training anyway. Maybe it's better that way. Because then you can be prepared in advance if we're going to act as a team," I added, smiling slightly.

I didn't want to cause tension in the team right at the beginning, so I had decided to entrust the others with my abilities, but still wait with telling my past to them. Only when I could fully rely on them, they would know about it. I was still uncomfortable talking about my activities as an intangible and the deeds of my father. It was simply still too fresh. Maybe one day this wound would heal. But that would take time. A lot of time.

S„o, what is your ability Tora?" asked Kiba impatiently.

I grinned slightly and disappeared before her eyes.

Silence reigned. For the time being. Because I clenched my teeth with all my might to prevent a laugh. The amazed faces of the others looked just too divine.

Grinning, I released the jutsu and jumped down to my team.

Shino was the first to address me.

„Why haven't you told anyone about this ability?"

„But I did. Shikamaru, the Hokage, Sensei Iruka, and Naruto already know about it. That's why I added in my explanation of the Kekkei Genkai that some of the users don't come from any of the major clans," I replied.

„I wouldn't have thought Naruto would know about that now," Kiba said in surprise, and Hinata nodded in confirmation.

„I find your Kekkei Genkai fascinating," she said, which earned her a surprised look from me. I hadn't expected something like that.

Generally, not at all that she would say anything, but her words did me good and I had to admit to myself that I was glad to have her on the team. Because she was one of those people you just had to like, couldn't help it.

„Thank you," I said, smiling at Hinata.

BANG

We winced.

Sensei Iruka appeared in front of us all at once, making us all flinch in fright.

„There, I see you guys have been talking a bit already, that's good. Very good. By the way, the break is long over. I just came to get you guys, because your sensei will be here to pick you up in a minute."

Almost more jittery than before, I sat on the bench between Kiba and Hinata. To my surprise, the former didn't seem to mind sitting next to me at all. But probably the excitement was the first priority for him as well as for me.

Team after team was picked up by his Jonin. Restlessly I looked around. So many had already left. Slowly, our new sensei had to show up, right? By now, there were only three teams left in the room. Team 7, Team 8 and Team 10.

Again, the door opened, and I turned my head.

There in the frame stood a young woman. Dark hair framed her pale face, red eyes stood out in stark contrast. Searchingly, her irises wandered around the room, finally attaching themselves to us. Recognition flooded me as I caught sight of the familiar face. It was...

„Hello. You must be Team 8. I'm Kurenai Yuuhi, your new sensei."