Nervously, I stepped from one foot to the other. Today was Monday. The old Tora would say that it was a day like any other. But the new one, who was standing in the teachers' room with Sensei Iruka at that moment, had a completely different opinion about it. As strange and weird as it may sound coming from a thirteen-year-old, today was my first day of school in a new and so far, much better life. This was everything I had dreamed of during my time as a thief but had never been able to realize.

And now I had actually gotten this unique chance and, after initial confusion, had seized it. And now I was standing here waiting for my old, new sensei to lead me into the classroom. For the most part, I already knew who would be in my class. First and foremost, Kiba. I grimaced. I had no desire at all for this meeting. I wondered if he had already told the others about me. I hoped not ... but there was zero chance that he hadn't.

„Come on, follow me. I'll introduce you to your classmates in a minute."

Introduce. How I dreaded that word. What was I supposed to say about myself, please?

Hello, I'm Tora and I was the intangible for three years. I ran away from home because my father abused me... Sounded great. I growled. This was going to be fun. Because I wouldn't be able to avoid all the questions forever. And it looked like nobody would help me with that. I would have to see for myself how I got out again. Alive.

Already from far away the voice confusion penetrated to my ears. „No! I'm sitting there next to Sasuke." I couldn't help but groan slightly in annoyance. Sasuke. So, I had Mr. Uchiha in the class as well. And judging by the voice, the girl was Ino. This was going to be fun.

So, Tora! Enough negative thoughts. Be positive. Always positive.

Well. Easier said than done. But I would try.

With a gentle screech, the door of the classroom opened and Sensei Iruka stepped inside, followed by me. He gave me another confident smile just before I set my foot over the doorstep.

Immediately, the volume in the room began to increase by quite a bit. Many curious pairs of eyes studied me. There were whispers, murmurs, and outstretched fingers aimed at me. I straightened my shoulders and looked around. Some faces looked quite familiar. Choji sat in the first row and looked at me curiously, while he reached into the chip bag, which stood on the table in front of him as a matter of course. Yes, you just couldn't forget him.

Directly behind him sat none other than Shikamaru Nara. The black-haired one looked at me more or less interested. He also didn't seem to have really changed. Only a little taller he seemed to have become and the facial features a little older. But otherwise, at first glance, he seemed to be the same as he was three years ago.

Right next to him sat Ino Yamanaka. She looked at me with a raised eyebrow and stroked her long blond hair with a slightly arrogant expression. I had never really known what to make of her. At first glance, she just seemed arrogant. But let's see. People could change.

Ever so slightly, she leaned over to Shikamaru. „Is that a boy or a girl? Or a real ninja at all? Looks more like a streetwalker. Look at that weird hair." Okay. No. She hadn't changed. Shikamaru looked at the blonde with an annoyed expression.

„That's a girl. Anyone can see that, excluding you of course," he said in a bored tone.

Ino's eyes flashed sparks. „Of course? Did you just call me stupid? Really, if anyone is, it's you!" she scoffed, tossing her hair again. I grinned slightly. If she wasn't wrong about that once. Shikamaru might still be bad at school, but that was only because he didn't feel like studying. But even earlier, I had noticed that the black-haired one was always ahead in situations that had something to do with thinking. Instead of Ino, I would definitely not underestimate him.

„Hee Tora!" Man had I missed that one. A grinning Naruto waved at me from the second row. Disappointed, however, I found that someone was already sitting next to him. Sasuke. The black-haired looked at me rather with moderate interest. Honestly, I was also glad about it. The fewer added their mustard the better.

„Silence, please," Sensei Iruka said, looking sternly around the class.

„I want to introduce you to someone. This is Tora and she will be going to your class starting today. Please be kind to her. It's not easy for someone to settle into a new class."

„Look there you have it. A girl," Shikamaru said boredly to Ino. „Now leave me alone. You're annoying." Ino let out an angry snarl that ensured that it was no longer me who was the centre of all the attention, but her humble self and Shikamaru.

„Oh great. Now you've done it. And everyone's looking over at us. Congratulations Ino. So much attention just for you. Isn't that what you always wanted, or at least that of ..." Shikamaru was interrupted by a furious Ino, whose eyes were now really sparking.

„That's enough out of me, you pompous, arrogant jerk," the blonde snorted, her face now a rather unhealthy shade of dark red.

Was it just me imagining it, or was steam coming out of her ears? I shrugged my shoulders. Must be my imagination, I guess. But it would be funny.

„Shikamaru, Ino it's enough! Do you have to do that again? This is already the fifth time this month. Sensei Iruka was pretty angry. The tenth time already? It had only been going on for a week. That was quite an achievement.

„I've had enough of this. I'm going to break you up." He took a deep breath. I could understand him. This class was really hard to tame. Teaching here at all had to be quite a feat. Especially when it came to your nerves. They had to withstand a lot. I had already had a small taste of that. That could still become something.

„I got it. Tora. You sit next to Shikamaru and Ino comes next to ... Hinata."

I looked up. Oh dear. Poor Hinata. That could still become something. A shy Hinata and then the dominant and hot-tempered Ino. That didn't fit at all.

Surprisingly, the blond Yamanaka didn't object, but sat down next to the little Hyuga with a rather happy expression on her face, who immediately gave her some space.

I smiled. I had always liked Hinata. She was just really cute. So shy.

And ..., if I interpreted her looks in the direction of a blond mess correctly still in love with Naruto. However, he still didn't seem to have a clue about the crush on him. For he rather had his eye on Sakura, who in turn had a crush on Sasuke, like almost every girl except me. Well granted, he was quite handsome. But I just couldn't stand his cold and arrogant manner. Neither then nor now. And he didn't seem to have changed in the slightest.

„So, Tora. The seat is free. Then you can sit next to Shikamaru." I sighed in relief. I had been lucky again. Shikamaru was really all right. And I would definitely not get on his nerves. On the other hand, he would also leave me alone.

With a big grin I sank down on the seat and stowed my backpack under the table. Then I stretched my legs and watched Iruka, who had started his lesson.

„Well, well. Did we finally make it here too?"

Had I just said that I would be happy about the choice of seats. That was forgotten as soon as I even noticed that voice, right next to my ear.

I growled angrily and turned around.

Black little eyes, red streaks on his cheeks and a grin with pointed teeth. Paired with brown spiky hair and a small light-coloured dog, which sat on the table behind my back just inches away from me.

„Kiba Inuzuka."