Sakura:

I let out a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Kabuto had prevented Naruto from opening the scroll at the very last second. I didn't even want to imagine what would have happened if... Such a jerk, although I had also been a little bit to blame. But nobody had to know that. Especially not Sasuke. How would I then stand before him? Completely underexposed like Naruto? No, then he wouldn't be impressed by me at all.

Admittedly, he had already frightened me quite a bit during the fight against the other ninjas. That dark aura, that much chakra, and then the vicious look in his eyes. Again, a shudder ran down my back. At the same time, the Uchiha turned the corner and a strange feeling spread through me. On the one hand, I was still thinking about what had happened earlier, but on the other hand, he was fine again. Hopefully, we wouldn't have to worry about him anymore.

Kabuto, meanwhile, had sat down next to Naruto, who had completely disregarded the scroll and was now gazing absently at the flowing stream. He seemed to be in another place. Wistfulness shone in his eyes. I wonder what he was thinking about. All of a sudden, he no longer seemed to be the fool I knew him to be, but a normal boy indulging his thoughts. I smiled. If only he wouldn't always act like that, maybe then we would have an easier time with him.

A shudder ran through me as Sasuke stood next to me and focused on the other two with an attentive gaze. He was standing so close to me, but I didn't dare say anything in fear to ruin the situation. For now, everything was so beautifully peaceful. We should enjoy the situation as long as we could.

„Tell me Naruto...you're pretty good friends with Tora, aren't you?"

I looked up. Why was he referring about her to him, please? What was so important about her? Well, she was a bit mysterious sometimes since no one really knew where she came from. Admittedly, I would also be interested to know if Naruto knew more about Tora than the rest of us. But whether he was willing to tell, I couldn't say. It depended on how much he trusted Kabuto, which I personally did...but Naruto?

„Yeah...so?" he muttered absently.

Kabuto adjusted his glasses and smiled kindly.

„Well. She made quite a closed impression on all of us, and I'd be interested to know why she opens up to you like that and not to others?" He placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder amicably.

A jolt went through him. Something had changed about him. His gaze was back in the here and now.

„Well, it's simple. She's the first person who ever wanted to be friends with me. Accept me for who I am and know that I do the same for her the other way around," he exclaimed.

Surprised, I looked at him. I didn't expect him to be so open about Tora. I wondered if he might also tell us something about her abilities.

„Is it possibly related to her mysterious abilities?" asked Kabuto cautiously, and Naruto paused. Something I couldn't quite interpret crept into his blue eyes and he slumped a little.

„I can't tell you...sorry."

There was still a difference between not wanting to say it and being able to say it because he didn't know anything. But I was sure Naruto knew more about her abilities than all of us combined. Sasuke growled angrily. He didn't seem to like it at all that Naruto, who was usually so eager to talk, wouldn't reveal anything.

Tora seemed to be really important to him. And somehow, I was happy for him that he had found someone who could stand him. Because in the long run he could become quite annoying. Not for nothing had he felt my fist a few times, because my nerves had run away with me.

„Don't you trust us, Naruto?" asked Sasuke challengingly.

A tremor went through the body of the other and he jumped up. Anger was in his gaze, which was directed straight towards Sasuke.

„Don't question this Sasuke, you have no idea. You just want to know her skills so you can decide if you are better than her or not. You won't get a word about Tora from me, for real."

I couldn't help but be a little taken aback by Naruto's outburst, since the Uzumaki didn't actually get angry that easily. But when it came to Tora, maybe we should be a little more careful from now on.

After all, she seemed to get along mostly with the genin, who were a little strange. My thoughts drifted to Shikamaru, with whom she had also become quite close over the past few months.

„I'm sorry. I didn't mean to ask so much about her; I was just a little curious." Kabuto raised his hands defensively, which on the other hand seemed to calm Naruto down a bit again. The blond began to relax a bit and sat down.

„What do you actually think of the Suna-Nins?" he abruptly changed the subject and immediately Naruto was pissed again. Apparently, he still hadn't forgotten his first encounter with them. Neither had I. They had been really scary. Especially the red-haired guy with the cold eyes.

„Oh man. That Kankuro, I just can't stand that guy with his arrogance. He thinks he's so much better and treats others like that. I don't understand how you can put up with him."

Kabuto adjusted his glasses and smiled. It almost seemed a little triumphant...or was I mistaken?

„Well. It wasn't that long ago that I saw Tora with him, they really seem to get along splendidly. How can that be?"

I froze. No. Not even Tora would get involved with a guy like that. Or she didn't know about the event with Konohamaru. What if he took advantage of her to get some secrets? But she would never work together with someone like that...

„Tora would never get involved with someone like that. You must have mistaken her for Kabuto."

But he shook his head at Naruto's statement. He seemed very sure of himself.

„The two of them seemed quite familiar with each other. Besides, no one has such strange silver eyes as Tora. So, they're really distinctive."

Shaken, Naruto remained seated. I looked at him sympathetically. He didn't seem to know what to feel, or even what to think. Surely, he didn't want to trust Kabuto's words, but somehow I knew that the silver-haired man was speaking the truth. Possibly he also wanted to warn us about her.

I looked indecisively at Naruto, who had begun to tremble all over his body and clenched his hands into fists. And then it stopped. All at once. Just like that.

„I'll talk to her when this is all over. I can't believe this is true. But first, we have to make sure we get to the tower."

Naruto was right, if we lingered here much longer, we might be discovered. And neither of us wanted to risk that. At the tower, we would be safe. There, no other team could dare to attack us anymore.

Kabuto's eyes narrowed slightly, and a displeased expression flitted across his gentle face.