„Those who choose the wrong answer in the tenth question will never be admitted to the chunin exams again. But I will give you a chance. If you are too afraid, you can give up now and compete again next year."
As if tied up, I sat in my chair and stared at Ibiki. Excuse me? What kind of rules did he have for the tenth question? What sense did that make?
A murmur of protest went through the rows. Restlessly, the genin slid around on their chairs and emitted annoyed or even fearful sounds. My gaze wandered back to Ibiki, who was observing the whole situation with a slight grin. Something was wrong here, and it was definitely due to the last rules.
My hand clenched into a fist. I had to stay calm now, had to concentrate and think.
„What's with all these sanctimonious questions?"
Abruptly, my gaze shot up. Kiba had straightened up and was looking at our examiner with an incensed expression.
There it was again, that grin. And all at once I realized what Ibiki was trying to do with all this fear-mongering. His goal was not only to test our endurance and stamina, but also to get rid of as many as possible here already. Maybe that was important for the following tests.
Kiba's eyes met mine and I shook my head slightly. Inwardly I begged him to sit down and stay calm, because if we panicked now and one of us spoke up, then it was over with the test. In addition, we were the only team of four here, and there was an even greater danger of failing than with the others. In fact, he followed my silent request and dropped back into his chair, but not without giving me an uncomprehending look.
This action, however, had only ensured that I was once again the centre of Ibiki's attention. I could only hope that he would not observe me further now, because otherwise it could become really dangerous. Firmly I returned his gaze again and did not dare to flinch when his eyes became even more penetrating than before.
My hand clenched into a fist. I had to stay calm now, had to concentrate and think.
Then he averted his eyes, and I breathed a sigh of relief. Lucky.
Ibiki's menacing gaze flitted around the class. Seemed to want to intimidate anyone who had his doubts. But he disregarded those who remained steadfast. I bit my lip so hard with my teeth that it began to bleed when I spotted Naruto's trembling figure a few rows ahead of me.
Hang in there, he had to make it. I wanted to become a chunin together with him, whether he was on my team or not. We had already been through a lot together, then we would make it through this. My knuckles stood out white, so much so that I clenched them into fists.
Naruto has always had a very strong will. And this time, too, he'll make it, because he's not the type to think about giving up right away.
This thought made hope rise in me and slowly I calmed down again until I noticed Naruto raising his hand.
No! He couldn't be serious. Did he even know what he was doing or was he being controlled? Hastily, I glanced toward Kankuro, but he was staring at his paper. No. He would not steer him. But what was it that made the Uzumaki give up?
„Don't give up Naruto," I pressed out, catching the attention of my red-haired table neighbour, who eyed me intently. I studiously ignored Gaara and stared at Naruto's trembling hand, which suddenly slammed down on the table at a monkey's pace, startling all the genin in the room.
„No. I'm not even thinking of giving up. You can scowl all you want. You don't scare me. Let's get that straight."
Warmth of relief flooded through me. He hadn't given up. The trials would continue for both of us. Moreover, his determination seemed to have spread to the others. For many of the genin now seemed more confident and less fearful.
I looked forward to Ibiki, on whose face a sincere smile had spread, and I knew immediately that we had passed the first exam.
„Then may I inform you that you have all passed this part," he finally informed us, grinning broadly into the round, which now didn't fit the image of the previous grim examiner at all.
„Huh? But I don't understand that. What about the tenth question?", Temari let out in confusion. The blonde girl had stood up and clenched her hands into fists. She looked uncomprehendingly at the examiner, who from one moment to the next began to laugh.
„The question never existed, at least I don't know it."
I narrowed my eyes. Now a lot of things became clear to me. Everyone who had shown himself steadfast and fearless to the last rules had passed instantly. As I had suspected before, Ibiki's sole purpose was to confuse us and put us under physical pressure. Actually, a good idea for a chunin examination, if you thought about it afterwards.
Meanwhile, Ibiki was explaining to the group the actual goal of the exam and I could literally see the clarity spreading across their faces. I dared to look at Gaara whose face was, as always, a single mask. What was going on in his mind? Was he really as indifferent to everything as he appeared?
„Oh. I didn't fall for it at all, you'd have to be a complete idiot not to notice," Naruto grinned and I slapped my hand to my forehead.
And why had he been shaking in complete agony just over five minutes ago?
„You idiot," I growled softly, shaking my head uncomprehendingly. Someone understand the Uzumaki for once.
Boom!
The glass of the window had shattered, and a young woman now stood in our room. Her hair was an unusual shade of purple, while her eyes sparkled with such over-motivation that it puzzled me.
„Well, enough of sleeping. Now we're really going to get down to business in the second chunin exam. Everyone ready?" she called out to the class, some of whom were still quite confused. Uh, she really had a penchant for bad timing. Many of the genin were anything but motivated. Ibiki also seemed to be slightly annoyed.
She had noticed that she had put her foot in it and grimaced angrily when Ibiki pointed out her timing. Only with difficulty did I suppress a broad grin. Somehow, I liked her.
„They don't look that strong. Ibiki. You've let too many pass again."
Okay, maybe I should reconsider my opinion after all. Anko turned to the genin with a broad grin, but something about it didn't sit well with me at all.
„Before we're done, more than half will be out of the running."
This time, not a single word seemed to be a lie, for in her eyes was pure earnestness and a burning anticipation of what was to come. Well brilliant. Now I was really motivated.
In the meantime, it had become late in the evening. Anko had dismissed us after her little speech and Naruto had immediately fallen into bed exhausted, so that I had not had time to talk to him about the past first exam.
But something kept me awake. Perhaps it was this inner tension I felt because of what might be in store for me. The cool night air passed over my skin and made me shiver slightly. For what I was about to do, maybe I should put a coat on after all.
A few minutes later I left my apartment through the skylight. After all, no one should notice that I was not asleep in my room. Merging with the shadows, I scurried in their protection through the empty alleys and out of the village. I never stopped, but always made sure that no one was following me.
Once at least, I wanted to feel again this feeling that I had already had as a thief. That of being unrestricted and that of freedom. I felt like an eagle spreading its wings and flying through the night. Air that brushed his feathers and let him glide on it. Deeply I inhaled and enjoyed this feeling of being beyond all rules and obligations. To glide free as a bird through my dreams and...
I almost ran into the tree, which had appeared so suddenly in front of me. But instead of being angry at my carelessness, I just laughed. It was so liberating. Some people would think I was crazy now, because of my little laughing fit. But for me, this was like balm on my soul.
I absorbed everything around me and took it in completely. This place was my home. Konoha. I never wanted to leave it. I felt safe and secure here. Father was in a high security prison somewhere and would never harm me again. Besides, I now had people who would stand by me. Come what might.
The faces of Naruto, Shikamaru, Genma and Kakashi appeared in my mind's again I had to think of the conversation with the grey-haired Jonin. Never would I have thought of him that he would find the exact words that could help my innermost. Somehow Kakashi as well as Genma were like two big brothers for me, who stood by me, no matter in which situation.
And all of a sudden, I understood that blood was not everything that made up a family. No. Because home was where I felt comfortable.
Next to my friends.