Hot. Heat. It rose immeasurably. It raced through my body and into my head. So strong and hot that I had the feeling it would burn. My cheeks felt the same, as if they would burst into flames and ... I dared to look at Shikamaru. He sat frozen in place, looking at his mother with disbelief. This was one of the few times when his usually indifferent mask got a pretty thick crack.

„Honestly, mother, stop being so silly ... it's really embarrassing," he said annoyed and leaned back a little. Was it just my imagination, or was there actually a bead of sweat running down his forehead? Yes indeed. Even if he didn't show it, he didn't seem to take the matter lightly either.

„Yoshino ... maybe that's a bit too hasty to say. I don't think those two ...", Shikaku began, but was immediately interrupted by his rebellious wife.

„Doesn't it seem strange to you that Shikamaru has never been friends with a girl before and now all of a sudden he is?" she hissed.

Shikamaru groaned in annoyance.

„Well, the answer is obvious, isn't it?"

„So?" asked Shikaku in astonishment.

The younger rolled his eyes, as if he thought his father was terribly stupid all of a sudden.

„The girls in my class are all terrible, only have Sasuke and being pretty on their minds. With Tora, I can talk about completely different things, like efficient fighting techniques or good food. That sort of thing."

Silence reigned. Everyone stared at the black-haired Nara in amazement. No one seemed to be used to such rants from him. Not even his own parents.

„And besides," he began again, crossing his arms in front of his chest, "she's the first person who hasn't been getting on my nerves."

„That's quite an accomplishment," Shikaku grumbled, letting his gaze wander over me.

I shrugged my shoulders.

„Oh well. I'm not the kind of person who likes to talk a lot now, either. It's also often the case that I need distance from others because I often want to have my peace and quiet, which is certainly understandable...

Hesitantly I looked away from Shikamaru's parents. Silence had spread again. Waved around us. No one seemed to want to say a word.

Finally, Shikaku grabbed Shikamaru's and my plates to stack them on top of each other and carry them into the kitchen. The chair creaked slightly as he rose from it and walked into the adjoining room.

Yoshino glanced back and forth between us before she stood up as well, smiling kindly at me now. „Well. In any case, it was nice to have made your acquaintance. Tora. And what is not now, may yet become."

But before I could disagree, she had disappeared into the kitchen, and all I could now hear was the steady clatter of dishes and the soft murmurs of the two adults.

As soon as his mother's dark mop of hair turned the corner, Shikamaru breathed an audible sigh of relief.

„There, now you see what that woman is asking me to do. The worst I feared has now come to pass."

I nodded and gritted my teeth slightly. Yes, he was almost right. To be honest, I was more afraid of her asking me about my possible abilities, but that hadn't been the case yet. And with a little luck I would be able to avoid that this evening.

„Thank you," I whispered softly. Shikamaru nodded barely noticeably and gently placed a hand on my shoulder. "That goes without saying."

I smiled.

„And don't get sentimental on me now," he growled.

That made me grin.

„Sorry, you'll have to take that up with Naruto."

„Leave it be."

A tiny grin tugged up the corners of his mouth and grew wider.

Ha! Success all right. I'd made him laugh. And with an always annoyed Shikamaru, that was quite an accomplishment.

In fact, the rest of the evening was relatively quiet. Except for the one or other look that Yoshino threw at us and Shikamaru promptly rolled his dark eyes. An annoyed snort he hung of course also still behind, which moved him then however again and again into the focus of his mother.

That would certainly give still another thunderstorm, as soon as I was away, that much was already once safe. On the one hand I felt sorry for Shikamaru, but on the other hand I understood that his mother was annoyed. Because the way he reacted, I would never deal with my parents that way ... if I had any. Or with Genma. He was part of my family, but still he wasn't like an uncle to me, more like a ... big brother or surrogate father. Someone who would be there for me when I needed him.

And he would. For sure.

It was already half past eleven when I said goodbye to Shikamaru and his parents. It had become cool. I had left my jacket at home. How careless of me. I hope I didn't catch a cold. That would be an additional problem. To catch a cold the day before the big chunin exam. Nope. I could do without that.

My steps became faster and faster. Reverberated hectically and loudly on the high house walls, caused an unpleasant sound, which finally let me run. Somehow, I had a very strange feeling. Then it was gone. All at once. As if it had never been there. Nevertheless, I remained suspicious. I looked around in all directions, as if I feared someone was sitting around the next corner.

„What are you doing out here so late, little one?" a deep voice asked directly behind me and I wheeled around, startled.

But it was only Kakashi, who had now raised his hands reassuringly. Confused I looked at him and noticed that I had drawn the Kunai in my whole pursuit fear. Embarrassed, I put it back.

„Sorry. I just hate being alone in the village at night. Too many memories..." My words grew quieter and quieter. Goosebumps ran down my spine as I thought of Father and what he had done to me when I had once again come home late.

„Is everything alright? Hey Tora." Concerned, the grey-haired Jonin eyed me and shook my shoulder lightly. Dazed, I looked up. Memories danced up and down before my inner eye. A dark alley, inky black shadows, brutal hands wrapped around my throat, air being choked off and slowly running out, eyes flashing flames of madness.

„I have to go home," I pressed out and looked at Kakashi. His warm big hands clasped my cheeks, and he pushed his face close to mine.

„Listen to me Tora. I want you to focus completely on what I'm saying right now, okay?"

I swallowed and nodded shakily. My hands were sweaty, and tears wet my cheeks.

„Your father can't hurt you. He's locked up in one of our most secure prisons. And if he ..." My trembling intensified, once again panic erupted and threatened to engulf me. Immediately, the Jonin's grip tightened.

„If he should break out, be sure that Genma and I will protect you. You are not alone Tora, remember that. Naruto lives right next door to you. He may be a jerk sometimes, but he's still a true friend who will always stand by you. Hold on to that, little one."

Gently, he looked me in the eye, but still didn't let go of my cheeks, even though I had calmed down by now.

„You've grown strong. You've made great progress. And one day you will be stronger than him, I promise you Tora."

I nodded slowly and he removed his hands from my cheeks. I quickly wiped away the tears.

„Thank you Sensei Kakashi," I said and tried a cautious smile, which was returned by the Jonin, as far as I could tell under the mask.

„And who knows, maybe you'll be a chunin soon too. Think about what a chance this exam is for you. You've got what it takes."

He took a step back and a hint of pride crept into his eyes as he looked at me. „I believe in you."

Then he was gone. As quickly and silently as if he had never been here.

What remained were his words.

Something wet fell on my nose, then again. It had begun to rain, but I didn't mind. I stood there enjoying the coolness, looking up at the sky and listening.

„Thank you, sensei."

As I unlocked the door to my apartment, a strange feeling came over me. My fingers began to tremble and reached for the kunai. With a soft squeak, the door opened, and I scurried inside, the knife pointed protectively in front of me.

One of the windows was open, cool air blew in from outside, making the curtain flutter. Goosebumps crept up my spine. Someone was here, and right behind me.

Cautiously, I turned my gaze and looked behind me. There directly in the moonlight on the couch sat a dark figure. With a watchful look I was observed.

Startled, I jumped back a step.

„What are you doing here?"