I ran nimbly across Konoha's rooftops but kept looking around frantically. So, my shadow clone had already unmasked Kiba. And now the Inuzuka was hot on my heels. In short, this was my punishment for simply running away from the hospital. Intensive training with my team combined with a visit to the Hokage. Afterwards. When they had chased me to death.

My task was simply to escape Kiba for as long as possible while staying within Konoha. In the meantime, I had gotten myself into a lot of trouble when I almost ran over Temari, who had come around the corner packed with fresh groceries. She had been pissed off. Even though I had managed to avoid her.

She had definitely rivalled Gaara with her angry look. Even my hasty apology hadn't changed anything. I wonder if she knew that I had met her brother in the forest. But why should it bother her? Had I ever done anything to him? The only one who seemed to have a big problem with it was Gaara. I hadn't seen him yet today. And I could keep it that way. If I ran over him, then I had been a genin for the longest time. He would finish me off. But... when I thought about it, I had an idea.

Kiba was getting closer and closer, and this little idea was just what I needed. I quickly created a clone that took on the form of Gaara and made him run down the street. In a flash I darted around the corner and hid. I didn't want to miss this spectacle under any circumstances.

It was terribly mean, but nevertheless it would be very amusing, at least for me. Kiba and Akamaru would first get the shock of their lives. At least I wanted to see the beginning, but then I should hurry and get away. And as quickly as possible. He would kill me if he found out. Oh, the hell he would. Ah, here he came already.

When the Inuzuka noticed my genuine clone of Gaara, he really slammed on the brakes. Sliding, he came to a halt in front of him and lightly waved his arms. Akamaru whined in intimidation as the clone took another step towards the two of them.

„Looking for someone?"

Goosebumps ran down my spine as I heard Gaara's voice, only it had just come from the doppelganger's mouth. Kiba flinched back. A bead of sweat began to form on his forehead. Had I possibly exaggerated a little? He seemed to be terrified...

Never mind.

I hurriedly turned around on the spot and ran away. As fast as I could, mind you. Soon Kiba would find out about me and then it would be over. He would pursue me mercilessly, even if he had to turn over every stone. I knew him that well already, it wouldn't be any fun.

„TORA! IF I CATCH YOU, I'LL FINISH YOU OFF!"

What had I said? He was pissed off. But fun it had been anyway. Even if I did feel a teensy bit guilty for practically taking advantage of his fear of Gaara...

„Did you do something bad?"

Hastily, I turned my head. Kankuro was standing there in the shadow of a house wall, looking at me with a grin. I laughed exhaustedly.

„A few things. Do me a favour and stop Kiba for a moment, I really need some time and air."

Kankuro nodded with a grin. I gave him a quick wave before channelling chakra into my legs and rapidly accelerating my run. Now I really had to take to my heels, regardless of whether Kankuro would slow my teammate down a bit or not. After all, I would soon need a break too. And quite quickly, considering that he had been following me since early afternoon and the sun was already setting.

I also had to go to the Hokage, but apparently not until Kiba had caught me. Great training. I rolled my eyes. For better or worse, however, I would now have no choice but to continue. After all, I couldn't and wouldn't let Kiba win. What's more, I wanted to keep the name, the intangible, somehow. No. He wouldn't get me. Even if he had to chase me all night and...

Boom!

A startled scream escaped my mouth as I ran around the corner and slammed into an obstacle. It was soft, to be honest, but when I realised who it was...

No. Anything but that. Now I definitely had the Suna-Nin siblings completely.

For the person I had just literally bumped into was none other than Gaara from the desert, who didn't seem particularly happy about having made acquaintance with the ground. Not in the least.

Hastily I straightened up and held out my hand to the redhead. There was still time to help him up. Besides, it was a matter of course.

But he ignored my offered hand and stood up himself. His eyes regarded me coolly, but showed no trace of anger or aggression, which astonished me.

„What are you doing here?" his voice was dangerously low.

„I'm sorry. I didn't mean to run you down. Just got punishment training and now I get to have Kiba chase me until..."

I was interrupted by a loud shout.

„We'll have her soon Akamaru, I can feel she's close. And then she'll regret turning into that sand freak."

Gaara's eyes narrowed alarmingly, and he glared at me angrily. Not good at all.

„Sorry, but that was the only way to stop him for a little while."

Kiba's footsteps were approaching noticeably, and I was getting more and more anxious. Impatiently, I hobbled on my heels. There was only one option left to me now. Kiba would hear my frantic footsteps as I moved away from here.

I quickly made myself invisible and dived into the shadow of a house wall. Even if Kiba couldn't see me, I was safe. I would need a little distance. Inwardly, I begged Gaara not to betray me. Otherwise, I was screwed.

Skidding to a halt in front of Gaara, the Inuzuka eyed him suspiciously, but then a fearful glint entered his eyes and Akamaru began to whimper.

„You haven't seen Tora, have you? I have a score to settle with her," he said slowly, and I held my breath.

Whether he would betray me or not was now entirely up to the Suna-Nin. But he looked at Kiba with an unaffected expression on his face.

„I don't know who you mean, now get out of here."

My teammate backed away a large distance and raised his hands defensively. A helpless smile had formed on his face.

„Okay...well...uh...thanks for the help. We'll be going...now," he stammered and turned on his heel, Akamaru close on his heels. He wouldn't be coming by here so soon. Then I knew where I could stay so that our paths wouldn't cross. But whether Gaara wanted my company was another question.

Somehow, I felt guilty when I saw the Inuzuka running away in such a panic. Maybe I had overdone it a little.

Now visible again, I ran towards Gaara, who was still standing in the same spot in the middle of the alley and looking straight at me. Just like when I fought Kabuto. That look.

„You're doing it again," I said.

„What?"

„That look of yours. You're looking at me like you want to x-ray me, I feel like I'm under Hinata's byakugan. Can you maybe stop doing that?"

„Why should I?" was the indifferent reply.

„It's uncomfortable and makes you nervous," I explained.

„I'll do what I want. I don't care."

Heavens, he was complicated.

„How about you make an exception for me, that look reminds me of something unpleasant from my past," I said, thinking with a shudder of the looks my father had always given me, so baleful and piercing that I could almost never return them.

„You said to me that your father had been cruel to you. Mine was too and the main reason I ran away from home when I was ten."

I stepped a little closer to him and looked firmly into his eyes, which showed something like surprise as I confronted him bluntly about my past.

„Please don't make me think you're like him. Emotionally cold. Because you're not."

„And how would you know?" he asked coolly, but he seemed to be struggling inside, for his voice trembled slightly.

I smiled.

„You've had so many opportunities to kill me, though I've thwarted your plans often enough. And didn't do it because I don't fear you, nor have I ever looked at you wrong just because you're a little different. Deep down, you have it. I'm sure you do.

„What do I have?"

„Emotions."