The sun hadn't even risen properly when I got up to take a shower. The water ran down my body, cold and refreshing, completely dispelling my tiredness and sluggishness. I had been getting up before the sun every morning for almost a year and a half. Before its powerful rays could spread over Konoha and bathe the city in a golden red. By then I was already on the training ground, alone or with the team. It depended on how they all got out of bed. I spent most of my time with Hinata. Since Naruto had left, our friendship had become even stronger. We both missed the blond maniac very much.

A year and a half had passed since he had set off with Jiraya on the training trip. I had trained a lot during this time, further developed my chakra and thus my abilities, was able to cast stronger jutsus and had developed a few of my own. Also with the help of the katana that my mother passed on to me.

Thoughtfully, I ran my hand along the smooth side of the blade, seeing the reflection of my face in it, with my shoulder-length hair. I had let it grow to the length my mother had worn it. Just above my shoulders. And that was enough, otherwise they would only get in my way in battle.

Like my mother at that age, I was now wearing brown three-quarter length trousers, a green shirt that came to just below my elbows and a black sleeveless jacket over it. Elbow pads and the glove had remained. The katana hung naturally on my hip. My fingers stroked it gently. By now it was almost as if I was carrying around an extra part of my body.

Just before I left the apartment, my eyes fell on the windowsill where the picture I had asked the photographer for was standing. Just before we had been divided into teams and needed a passport photo. A photo that showed me and an overly made-up Naruto, both of us laughing into the camera. All the joy and happiness of finally being a genin was reflected on our faces. Wistfulness flashed through me at this thought. How much I missed him. He had been part of my life for a long time and then left from one day to the next.

The bracelet with the pendants rang softly as I closed the door. I had never had to use his power before. And even in difficult situations, I had always found a way to wriggle out of them. Inside, I had the feeling that one day I would need the chakra stored in the pendants for an important battle.

The rising sun tickled my nose as I crouched and jumped over Konoha's rooftops. Life began to stir. People sleepily left their houses and stared up at the sky, which showed a beautiful play of colors. It was a beautiful day. Nevertheless. Later I would be able to enjoy it and maybe go swimming in the forest lake. What mattered now was training. It would do me good, distract me from the many thoughts that were dominating my head.

Gaara had now been appointed Kazekage. A big surprise, but one that did not go unnoticed by me, as he was only just about to turn sixteen. I didn't doubt his experience, but still. As far as I knew, he was the youngest Kage in Suna. But that wasn't the main reason that made me suspicious. I had spoken to Genma about it the other day. Like me, he feared that the Council of Elders had appointed Gaara as Kazekagen not only because of his strength.

I soon reached the training ground and immediately started to take off some of my weapons. They would only get in my way during the warm-up exercises. Nevertheless, I always had them in view.

Panting, I pulled my arms up again and again. Drops of sweat ran down my face from the exertion. My arms were shaking, my hands were wet and slipping on the branch. But I wasn't finished yet. I still had five pull-ups to go.

Now it was time to concentrate. Always keep a steady rhythm. Inwardly, I counted the seconds. How long I would wait to pull up again, slowly let go and start all over again. And all without chakra. Otherwise the whole training session was useless.

Just one last...

„I see Konoha's genin are busy preparing for the upcoming exam."

I almost let go, but I pulled myself together and completed the last pull-up before chakra flowed through my body and I jumped down, landing right at the feet of the surprising visitor.

As I wiped my sweaty hands on my trousers, I looked at my counterpart. She hadn't changed in any way, she just looked a little more grown up. Her blonde hair was still in four plaits. She was wearing a dark dress with a red belt, had her arms on her hips and was looking at me.

We were now roughly eye to eye. I had actually grown a little in the last few months, which had surprised me quite a bit. But all the better. A wry smile came to my lips as I spoke her name in greeting.

„Hello Temari."

The blonde reached onto her back and set the large fan down, placing it against the nearest tree. She began to scrutinize me, my appearance. No wonder, after all, quite a lot of time had passed since we had last seen each other. Everyone had changed in their own way.

Her gaze lingered on my mother's katana, which was hanging from my belt.

„Interesting. You've chosen swordplay."

I smiled.

„Maybe."

A laugh escaped her mouth. It was genuine, for her eyes twinkled merrily and her features joined in.

„You don't trust me. That's a good thing. I'm not going to tell our genin anything else, am I?"

„True."

I had never really been on good terms with Temari. Even more so with her brothers, who I hadn't seen for ages. This was probably because Gaara had a lot to do as Kazekage and Kankuro supported the redhead in his decisions. As did his sister, who acted as an ambassador between our villages.

Temari squinted into the sun, surveying her stand.

„It's almost noon already. I should be going. Nice to have met you," she said quietly before shouldering her fan and raising her hand. A smile graced her face.

„I'll get to work then. There's still a lot to prepare."

I laughed.

„Maybe you'll manage to infect Shikamaru with your motivation. He could use some of that."

„I'll definitely try. But I can't promise anything, you know him."

We grinned. Yes, Shikamaru had not changed at all in terms of his motivation for work. But that was also part of what made him special and was just as amusing.

However, the delicate red tinge that lined Temari's cheeks had not gone unnoticed at Shikamaru's mention. There had been teasing between the two of them in the past, they'd been getting on each other's nerves, which the Nara had often called annoying.

Temari watched my actions with an attentive eye. She had become a chunin in the meantime, as had Kankuro. I didn't know exactly when, but the fact that the two of them had already reached this rank spurred me on all the more to rise to it. Just like my team. Especially Kiba. The Inuzuka had been training like crazy since the news of Kankuro's appointment as chunin. That was typical of him. In all this time, his willpower and stubbornness had only doubled, which had made our mission more difficult or easier at times.

Shino and he were getting along much better now. You could even call them friends, as often as the two of them roamed Konoha together, eating ramen or training together. That made our life as a team all the more harmonious. I still clashed with Kiba from time to time, but not as often as before.

While I was thinking, Temari turned around and began to leave the training ground at a slow pace. She didn't seem to like the prospect of work either, otherwise she would walk faster, wouldn't she? I grinned. The dear Nara had probably rubbed off on her, but I would never let her know that. No thanks. I was attached to my life. I still wanted to achieve a lot. And I also knew all too well that Temari could get quite angry. She definitely gave Sakura a run for her money. If she ever got married, I already felt sorry for her husband.

Assuming that she wouldn't say anything more, I turned to my kunais and stowed them in my weapon pouch. Because if she was here now, the genin from Suna wouldn't be long in coming and, as in the last exam, I didn't want to reveal my abilities to anyone. I didn't want them to know how to judge me. That would work to our advantage again, for sure.

Even if Matsuri knew that I could make myself invisible, the young Suna-Nin still didn't know everything about me. I had acquired many new skills. It wasn't just the Raiton element that I had mastered by now. The intensive training with Genma was paying off. Now, in this exam, I could show what I had learned. And I would.

„And Tora."

I turned my head, surprised that she had spoken to me again. A smile had appeared on her lips. Open and honest.

„I hope you become a chunin. You deserve it so much. Even after the exam two years ago."

Then she was gone.