Angrily, I sat in the spotless white bed and stared at the equally colourless ceiling. Damn it, I wasn't that badly injured to spend a night in hospital. They couldn't do a thing about it. They couldn't do a thing about it. They couldn't do a thing about it. On top of that, my window was locked, just like the door. It's a well-known fact that people learn from their mistakes. Apparently, they didn't want me to get lost again. Too bad, though.

So much for the escape. On top of that, Genma had threatened me with consequences if I tried to escape again. Good for him that I didn't feel the slightest desire to roam around outside now. The fear of another encounter with my father tied me to the bed. Under other circumstances I might... A grin crept onto my lips.

Of course, I could understand Genma, because I was the only family he had left, but that was no reason to treat me like this. I had lived on the streets for almost three years. I could take care of myself. But the thought that my father and Kabuto wanted to kill me made me doubtful.

Frustrated, I hit the blanket and suppressed an annoyed growl. It was going to be a long night. I wasn't thinking about sleep at all now.

Unfortunately, Shikamaru was in the next room. So he couldn't help me get over the oppressive boredom now either. Man, that was annoying. I was beginning to sound like the Nara. No wonder, actually...everyone gets bored in hospitals.

The next morning, I was permitted to leave again. Which surprised me personally. But maybe Genma had a hand in it. He knew how much I hated hospitals, even though he had put me there too.

And now I sat here on the training ground and looked at my healing wounds. The Medic-Nin had helped a little, otherwise I wouldn't have been able to train at all today.

When the Hokage came towards me, I almost didn't recognise him. He wore black armour that reminded me a little of a samurai's, and a similar hat covered his head. I felt a little queasy when I saw him like that.

Uncertainly, I approached the older man and stood directly in front of him. He looked at me with a thin smile before holding out a thin leaf. Confused, I looked up. And what was I supposed to do with it?

„Let your chakra flow through there young Tora, then you will see what your chakra nature is," he said encouragingly, and I nodded.

Concentrating, I felt the chakra flow through my veins and directed it into the inconspicuous little leaf. All at once it began to crumple and I flinched.

A smile formed on the Hokage's lips.

„It seems to me that you take after your mother. Raiton was her chakra nature as well. And that will give you a decided advantage in your battles."

Confused, I looked at him.

„My mother?"

„Yes, indeed. A very brave young woman who would have gone far in life...but sadly..." he looked at me sorrowfully.

„Did I kill her when I was born," I murmured, but he had already understood me.

„What nonsense. Giving birth took too much strength and blood from your mother. That was the reason. But she always loved you. I can testify to it."

My eyes swam. It was nice to hear these words, but I didn't really want to believe them yet.

„A nonsense your father planted in your head. A man who has suffered much, but still."

Anger flashed in the gentle eyes.

„Still, that's no excuse for what he did. He should love you as much as Hikari, only in a different way, even if you are becoming more like her every day."

I faltered.

Did that mean that my mother had looked like me? But then...somehow, I could understand him. Because I reminded him that his beloved wife had passed away and would never return.

But still. Even before her death, he had had a problem with me because of the risk that mother would bequeath me her Kekkei Genkai. Which had come to pass.

„Anyway...the reason I wanted to train you was not only the fact that the final exam is coming up soon, but also your father's assassination and outburst. We all want to help you get stronger so that one day you'll be able to stand up to him on your own and not have to rely on us."

Surprised, I looked at him.

„Why are you doing all this for me, Master Hokage? I'm not even related to you, am I?"

He smiled.

„Well quite simply. Everyone in this village is part of my family. We are one. And it's a wonderful feeling to live with such wonderful people. That's exactly why I want to protect each of you."

This...was unexpected. An incredible feeling of emotion flooded through me and tears formed in my eyes, which I struggled to stop, forcing myself to calm my breathing.

„So, Tora. Shall we begin our training?"

My body was flung through the air, but I thought nothing of giving up, spun it, landed on my feet, and attacked again. This time I let the Raiton chakra flow through my whole body, each of the movements blurred before my eyes, I was so fast. The world whizzed past me. Deftly, I dove under my opponent's arm.

Almost there...ugh...

All at once a blow pressed all the air out of my lungs and I was thrown back again. Again, I picked myself up and quickly placed a shadow double at my side. But at this point I had briefly closed my eyes and thus had not seen the Hokage hurl a few shuriken at me.

Quick as a flash, the clone had deflected the approaching weapons and was now standing diagonally in front of me. To my satisfaction, I could see that my opponent also looked a little exhausted. Unfortunately, not as much as I was. But to just give up now? No, I didn't know how to do that.

It was already my seventh day of training, but in that time, I had learned a lot. But now I finally had to put it to use. Wordlessly, I sent the clone towards the Hokage and created a few more to obscure the view to me. Quick as a flash, I reached into my pocket and pulled out a kunai.

I just had to try. I had been practicing and tinkering with it all last night. Let's see if it would work. Firmly I squinted my eyes and concentrated a large part of the Raiton chakra in my right hand, ignoring the steady fizzling of the doubles. My concentration should only be on this, nothing could distract me now. For I wanted to make him proud and show that my training had paid off.

With all my might, I hurled the element-directed weapon in my hand at the Hokage. His eyes widened in surprise and at the last moment he managed to throw himself aside. There was a huge crash as the elemental weapon slammed into a nearby tree. When the tremor had subsided, I looked at my sensei.

He was on his feet again and smiling. There was a long red cut on his cheek. Apparently I had hit him after all. Recognition flashed in his eyes before he began to attack me again, taking me quite by surprise.

„That was a good move. But we are far from being finished. You're still not fully able to control Ration entirely. Something we'll be delving into over the next few days, including this jutsu here."

In a flash he had thrown a shuriken in my direction and doubled in flight. Hastily I blocked it with my kunai and seconds later was fighting a double of the Hokage. He wanted to train me in all levels. So, Nin, Tai and Genjutsu. None was to be left out. After all, he was not only preparing me for the final, but also for a possible reunion with father or Kabuto.

And possibly no one would be able to help me so quickly.

That' s why I had to train hard to become stronger.