Six months had passed since my appointment as a jonin. A lot had changed since then. I had been given other missions, had been the head jonin of a group before and had to deal with murderers and criminals. Now and again I was also assigned espionage tasks. Especially with regard to conspicuous ninja or those who were supposedly informants for the Akatsuki organization.
However, they had been unusually quiet recently. Not much had really happened and that was exactly what made me so nervous. Something was going on. Every time I thought about it, I got goose bumps. And not just because of that.
We hadn't heard from my father for ages either, just as we hadn't heard from Orochimaru. It annoyed me that there was no trace. No clues, nothing. Otogakure also seemed to be deserted. I could use the time to train, but the hope of one day putting my father behind bars only grew stronger. Only then would I be able to take a break and feel safe. Although... I never really was... The fact that Orochimaru was interested in my abilities also gave me no peace of mind.

Neither did my fear for Gaara and Fuu, the looks of the Amegakure ninjas during the chunin exams in Suna, and Shikamaru's statement. It confused me, that grin he had on his face. What was he trying to tell me? I hadn't been able to confront him about it until today. It was always either me or him on missions. And when we did see each other, we talked about other things or went out for ramen together, talked about Naruto. Worrying about my friends made me sleep less or almost not at all. I had already tried everything, but it didn't help, the fear that was my constant companion kept me awake.
Fuu's constant presence didn't help either. The taki-nin had moved in with me after our return from the chunin exams. She had insisted on it herself. She didn't really know anyone apart from me. It was understandable that she wanted to stay with the only person she knew. But that had also improved in the meantime. Because each of my friends accepted her as she was, she became calmer over time and no longer seemed quite so hyper. Something would always remain, that's just how she was. And that was a good thing, she was that and much more.
I looked up at the sky, which was partially obscured by branches and leaves. Birds flew through the treetops to their nests.

I would soon be seventeen and so it had been four years since the Hokage had offered me the chance to start my training as a ninja. It had been an exciting and eventful time. Lots of things that I remember fondly. So much had happened. Both positive and negative. And each of us had developed in our own way.
The wind came up, brushing through the forest, ruffling my hair. The little bracelet made a ringing sound. I tentatively stroked the little fox head dangling from it with my index finger and could feel Naruto's chakra inside. It helped me to miss him a little less. My hand reached inside the jacket, feeling for something specific. My fingers hit a corner and I pulled at it.
It was the picture Naruto and I had taken together after the passport photo session. A smile crept onto my face when I saw his painted face, with all the make-up, the wide-open eyes, the big laugh. The way he hugged me. We looked so happy, as if nothing could dampen our joy.

Every time I was on a mission, I feared that he would come home and I wouldn't be there. I wanted to be there when he entered the village, to see his beaming face, to finally be able to hold him in my arms again. Later, we could show each other what we had learned over the years, what we had achieved. The fact that he would probably be stronger than me didn't bother me in the slightest. On the contrary. I would be happiest for him, especially for Naruto.
I turned my head abruptly. Someone was here, I could feel his chakra, hear his movements and almost hear his heart beating. Following a certain habit, I tensed up, my hand reaching for the long katana that hung at my side as usual. Silently, it slipped out of its sheath and crossed with another flashing blade.
I grinned as my silver gaze crossed with a pair of brown eyes framed by long purple hair. Raiton chakra coursed through my body and I made an inconspicuous move with my left foot, knocking her off balance. Yuugao retreated before forming a few finger signs.

Years of practicing with her warned me and I abruptly swapped my body with a nearby branch. The spot where I had just been standing caught fire. Faster than she could see, I was behind her, holding the katana to her neck. But she smiled and fizzled out before my eyes. Letter bombs raced towards me, igniting in flight. Before they reached me, I turned on the rebounding shield. I heard Yuugao curse as she escaped the explosive projectiles at the last moment.
But I didn't have time to smile. She was already launching the next attack. The blades crunched as they clashed. At the same time, we grimaced at the unpleasant sound. She didn't give in. I knew exactly what she was after. But I wouldn't give her what she wanted me to show her so quickly.
The technique wasn't fully developed, nor had I ever used it properly. I had been working on it for three whole years, developing it without any outside influence. Nobody knew about it except Genma. Yuugao only had a premonition, as I often sneaked into the forest alone to continue working on it. Still... somehow her behavior seemed rather strange to me lately. Almost as if she wanted to test me. But what for?

"I don't want to disturb you in your little fight, but Tora should come to Tsunade," a deep voice interrupted us.
We looked up. In the heat of the moment, we hadn't even noticed the approaching visitor. With his hands in his trouser pockets, Kakashi Hatake strolled towards us as casually as ever. His mask lifted slightly as he grinned at our slightly annoyed faces, but he didn't let it bother him.
I sighed before returning the katana to its rightful place at my side. Something bumped into the back of my knee and I lost my footing, crashing tailbone first onto the hard floor. Yuugao's brown eyes appeared in front of my face. The ANBU looked down at me reprovingly.
"Never be inattentive, your enemy is shamelessly taking advantage of that," she said before turning away and disappearing into the forest. I gritted my teeth before standing up and more or less skillfully ignoring Kakashi's grin.
"Just don't say anything, Kakashi" I grumbled irritably.
I still hadn't really gotten used to calling Kakashi and every sensei I had ever had in general.

We moved quickly towards the large tower, where a familiar figure with long dark brown hair was already waiting for us at the door. He was leaning against the wall with his eyes closed, but I knew that Neji had heard us long ago.
"You're late," the jonin said, which made me grin.
"You can only be, with him as company," I replied, pointing at my former sensei, whose eyes narrowed menacingly.
Revenge is sweet, Kakashi. Revenge is sweet.
"What are you doing here, Neji?" I asked in passing and the Hyuuga shrugged his shoulders.
"Tsunade summoned us both to her office," was the short reply, which didn't surprise me. He had never been one for big words. A quality that was particularly pleasant on A-rank missions.

By now we had reached Tsunade's office. But the guard at the front door told us to wait a moment. Nothing could be heard from inside, apart from a low murmur followed by a deafening thud. It sounded like something sturdy had been destroyed. Not uncommon for Tsunade.
"Lady Tsunade!"
Definitely Shizune.
"What do you mean the sake is all gone?" our blonde Hokage yelled.
"HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO GET THROUGH THE MEETING WITH THE ELDERS TOMORROW? TELL ME!"
Not good. Almost nothing was more sacred to her than good sake. And when it ran out, she was not to be trifled with. And she would also give the elders a fright.
"ESPECIALLY WHEN DANZOU ARRIVES, I NEED SOMETHING STRONG!"
The chunin's face in front of the door was now the color of milk. I was surprised that he hadn't gotten used to her outbursts yet. Sometimes they were downright funny, which of course I never told anyone.

"Last week, she threw an armchair through the door which hit the guard. He's still in the hospital with two broken ribs," Kakashi explained the chunin's fear, who nodded in agreement.
So that was how it was.
"Tora and Neji are at the door? Why didn't anyone tell me?" the blonde Hokage's voice rang out again. "Let them in."
The chunin took another deep breath before opening the door to the office with trembling fingers.
It looked like a battlefield. Papers, folders and pens were lying all over the place. The large desk, which was usually piled high with all kinds of papers, was broken in the middle. Splinters of wood lay scattered around it. And behind it sat the Hokage with narrowed eyes. Next to her was Shizune with Tonton in her arms. The poor pig looked like it wanted to die.

And standing in front of them was none other than Genma, who had taken the whole load. I really gave him credit for taking the whole thing in stride.
"You'd think the fourth ninja world war had begun, Tsunade," Kakashi said sheepishly, scratching his head.
The person I spoke to wheeled around.
"Yes, it soon will, between me and Danzou. If that guy doesn't finally stop with his demands regarding some of our jonin, I'll explain that one to him, too."
Her voice shook with anger. I wonder what those demands were that made her so angry. I'd really like to know.
"But back to the text. I've received a letter from the Kazekagen. Rather, a request to lend him a few of our jonin to help with the training of Sunagakure's genin. He doesn't have enough at his disposal at the moment."
With a swift movement, she was on her feet.
"You can probably guess the rest. Tomorrow you're both going to Sunagakure."