Highly concentrated, I sat in my chair and tried to ignore Kiba's annoying glances that permanently bored into my back. „How can someone be that annoying," I growled softly. The only thing the sentence earned me was a wry sideways glance from Shikamaru. With a raised eyebrow, he eyed me. „You're a strange girl," he said.

A most unintelligent "huh," was all I could think of to say to that sentence. The edges of Shikamarus mouth twitched slightly.

„Girls are loud, talk a lot, and are generally very annoying. You, on the other hand, have barely said a word in the past half hour. I think it's strange." I opened my mouth to reply, but a serious voice interrupted me.

„Tora, if you already have such a need to talk, feel free to answer my question," Sensei Iruka's voice snapped me out of the conversation.

My head shot up. Heat began to gather on my cheeks as I looked into my teacher's warning brown eyes. Well done Tora. Already targeted by the teacher on the first day for chatter. Be proud of yourself. Now you get to ask what he asked.

„Eh, Sensei Iruka. Sorry but I didn't catch the question."

My teacher's right eyebrow moved more and more north. „Yes, I noticed that. Alright, one more time for you then: What is a Kekkei Genkai?"

I cleared my throat. „It's a skill that is passed down from generation to generation, especially in the clans. With the help of it, the ninja possesses a power that could give him greater advantages in battle. In addition, they cannot be learned, because you need a certain genetic for it, which is in the DNA line." Silently, my teacher looked at me.

„Well Tora. I see. You seem to have been taught very well," he finally said. „However, as far as the Kekkei Genkai is concerned, there are exceptions. Now and then it happens that ninjas who do not belong to any of the major clans also carry this ability." Briefly, his eyes darted in my direction. Imperceptibly I nodded.

That was true. I was one of those proofs. I myself did not belong to any of the great clans. I didn't know much about my descent. Only that my mother had also had a Kekkei Genkai, in contrast to father. Thinking of him made me feel sick. I hoped so much I would never have to meet him again.

I sighed in relief when the bell rang for recess. I was about to head off in Naruto's direction when I realized with disappointment that Sensei Iruka had pulled him aside and was talking intensely to him. What was said seemed to bounce off the blond rather than him hearing it.

Then so be it. Naruto would find me already, if the rather one-sided conversation of the two was finished. On quiet feet I scurried out of the classroom and through the many corridors of the academy. I briefly glanced at the large courtyard but shrugged my shoulders and walked past it. I had no interest in coming into closer contact with the others. Besides, I wasn't eager to be quizzed about my background and past.

„Not interested in meeting your new classmates?" I looked up. Leaning against the wall of the narrow hallway to my right was a tall Jonin. His black hair had a bluish cast, and he wore a full beard. He had his hands comfortably tucked away in the pockets of his jacket. He took a leisurely drag on his cigarette and exhaled a little later. I had to cough a little through the smoke.

„I don't count as one of the most communicative ninjas," I said with a shrug, continuing to eye my counterpart curiously. Somehow, this ninja reminded me of the Hokage. I wonder if they were related. Maybe ...

„So, you're Tora, are you? Interesting. I can't wait to see how the intangible turns out." Suddenly I turned pale. How did this Jonin know about it? Surely the Hokage hadn't told every Jonin in the entire village.

„Don't panic. No one means you any harm. I'm Asuma, by the way. Asuma Sarutobi," he said and held out his hand to me. Hesitantly, I took it. Warmly, his fingers enclosed mine and squeezed them lightly. I could not help but marvel at his huge hands. Next to that, I felt really small and vulnerable.

Sarutobi. Wait a minute, then he was related to the Hokage after all. So that was how it was. I looked at him. Yes, I could almost like this man. He had a calm and cool nature that somehow contrasted with his looks. I always associated tall, broad men with trouble and danger. I guess I had my father to thank for that.

When I felt a gaze on me, I looked up. My counterpart had begun to scrutinize me intently. „Your Kekkei Genkai is very interesting. It will give you an advantage in any fight if you learn to train it properly. You already know a few basic moves, and I'm already very curious to see how you will expand your knowledge in this regard. I'm sure your special sensei will teach you," he said and turned to leave. Briefly, he looked back over his shoulder. "Nice to meet you Tora."

„Hey...you know who my new sensei is don't you. Who is it?", I asked with a raised voice. I could almost hear him smirking. "Yes, I certainly know that. But, let yourself be surprised. Oh, and that particular sensei has a message for you. He expects you tonight on the training ground. You should be on time," he said with a big grin on his face. Then he was gone. A bit lost I remained in the hallway. Why all this secrecy? Or did they themselves not yet know who was to be my new sensei. Helplessly I shrugged my shoulders. For better or worse, I would have to wait. But first I had to go back to the classroom as quickly as possible, because I had just noticed that the bell had already rung for the end of the break. And I ran.

Grinning, Naruto and I ran home side by side. The Hokage had given me the apartment right next to Naruto's. The fact alone that I was right next to Naruto was enough to make me happy. Just the fact that I was allowed to live right next to the blond slob had filled me with incredible joy.

I looked into the sky. It was still predominantly streaked with a beautiful blue. But soon the steadily sinking sun would turn it a pleasant orange-red. And I knew exactly what that would mean for me. Asuma had told me that tonight I would meet my "special" sensei, as he called him. And possibly I would have to show some fighting tactics. The only problem was that I myself had specialized exclusively in defence and not in attack.

My strengths lay in my Kekkei Genkai and speed. I had already noticed that I was faster than many other ninjas and that was also an advantage I could use.

In the past few months, I had tried to use a new jutsu. But so far it had only worked once. Let's see, maybe my new sensei could help me with that.

If only I knew who he was...