Kiba:

Exhausted, we sat in the grass and puffed our souls out. Yesterday I had said that I had slowly gotten used to Kurenais training, but now I regretted it. Kurenai seemed to have a sixth sense about it. Tora the lucky one was sick and could stay at home. Admittedly, I was a bit envious right now. However, when I remembered how she had collapsed in the middle of training yesterday, completely exhausted, and drained, I wouldn't have wanted to be in her place at that time.

Honestly, she was the first person I didn't know what to think of or how to relate to. The lost fight in the schoolyard was still hanging over me. And it probably would for quite some time. She had hurt my pride, defeated me in front of everyone. Today, however, she would not be able to do that so easily, because I had also become stronger. Partly also thanks to Kurenais hard training. On the one hand, I was also really happy about that, because that made me get stronger and train harder. And Akamaru, too, of course.

A shadow fell over us. Kurenai had leaned down slightly and examined our exhausted figures with a scrutinizing look. The expression in her eyes reminded me of the look of an eagle, shortly before it started to swoop down to snatch the mouse. And at the moment, the three of us were the mice. But I still wouldn't flinch, it took something more to intimidate me, Kiba Inuzuka.

With her arms crossed, she leaned back again and looked up at the sky. Exhausted, I straightened my aching body and watched my sensei. All at once, she seemed terribly absent. Her gaze wandered into the distance and seemed to be fixed on no direct point. She was almost never like that. Possibly she had discovered something or something important had occurred to her. Personally, I would be in favour of the latter, for a thoughtful expression settled on her face and she turned her head back in our direction.

„So, that's it for today. You can go."

Surprised, I looked at her. So early already? It was just a little after noon. Unusual for Kurenai to finish training at this time.

„I must head to the Hokage now. There is an important meeting I need to go to."

To the Hokage, that is. Apparently, it was really important. I wonder what kind of meeting it was. But Kurenai would surely tell us about it. At least that's what I hoped.

On the way back to the village Tora met us. She looked better than yesterday, but she still didn't seem to be completely fit. Her skin was still quite pale, and she still smelled a little of illness, but the smell was thin and only detectable if I was very specific.

„Sensei Kurenai. What are genin from Suna doing in our village?"

Shinobi from Suna? Here with us? Probably carrying out some kind of mission. But wait a minute ... genin? Kurenai's brow furrowed.

„Thought so, some of them have already arrived here," she said, a smile creeping onto her face.

„Sensei?" Tora seemed confused. So did Shino, Hinata, and me.

„Oh, never mind. Since you guys are here, I might as well tell you. At this meeting I'm having today, I want to nominate the four of you for the chunin selection exam. You four have made excellent progress in all the time I've spent with you now, which is why you're very deserving."

„Does that mean we can become chunin soon with the help of this exam?" asked Hinata, her bright eyes beginning to gleam with delight. Excitement ran through me as well. A great chance for me and Akamaru to show the world what we could do. I would...

„You'll be competing as a team there, so I trust that your teamwork will work flawlessly." She eyed us sharply, then her gaze fell on Tora and me. I get it, she was counting on me not to go for the brown-haired girl's throat and vice versa. I would be able to pull myself together, but whether Tora could do the same was the other question. A wry glance in her direction confirmed that she was watching me thoughtfully. Apparently, something similar to what I was thinking was going through her mind.

However, I was sure of one thing. I would show Tora that Akamaru, and I had become much stronger than her by now, she would be in for something. That much was sure.

Tora:

Thoughtfully, I walked through Konoha's alleys. The selection exam was still haunting my mind. Of course, the prospect of perhaps soon being a chunin was nice and tempting. But we wouldn't be the only ones taking this exam. I had already gotten a foretaste of our potential opponents.

The genin from Suna seemed to be quite talented. One was a puppeteer, the other had the ability to control sand... These seemed to be very challenging opponents. This Gaara also possessed great chakra and strong control about it. I would have to be careful of him in the test, that was certain.

The girl I did not know yet to assess. But soon I would be able to find out more about her and then possibly be able to recognize her strengths and weaknesses, especially the latter. Yes, this plan seemed the easiest to me.

Only, unfortunately, I didn't know yet how this test was structured. But that was the point, otherwise we would be able to prepare for the tasks and thus have rather little difficulty. Thoughtfully, I pinched my nose. One thing was certain, however. There would be a fight. Because whoever was testing us would want to know not only our theoretical skills, but also our practical skills.

In the meantime, I found myself in the middle of all the market stalls. Not far from me was also the one of Daichi. I risked a glance at the tempting red apples shining in the sunlight. Just looking at them made my mouth water. If only I could...

No Tora! Your time as a thief is over. No more stealing. Basta. You are a genin now and don't want to abuse the trust that the Hokage has placed in you, do you? I shook my head. That time was over, although I still needed a little time to get used to it.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a dark figure standing near Daichi's booth. She seemed to be having a heated discussion with the merchant.

Curious, I turned around and recognized the genin from Suna, Kankuro if I remembered correctly, arguing fiercely with Daichi. The merchant's face was reddened greatly with anger and indignation.

„What do you mean twelve ryou for a single apple, you old miser. I'd get three of those in Suna."

Huh? So Daichi had raised the prices by three ryou. The guy was getting greedier and greedier. Too bad I couldn't tease him anymore. How I would love to sneak over to his stall now and steal some apples unnoticed. It was too tempting to spite the merchant again.

„Young man ... make up your mind. Either you buy some apples now or leave it. If you keep doubting my prices, then I'll get some Jonin for you to settle it with ... hey ... what's this ..."

I bristled. Wait a minute.

„STOP THE THIEF! MY APPLES, OH MY BEAUTIFUL JUICY APPLES!"

Had he gone crazy? In the middle of the marketplace, where everyone could see him. As if stung by a tarantula, the genin raced in my direction, a furious Daichi close on his heels. I grinned at the picture that presented itself to me. But they would catch Kankuro, that much was certain. Unless ... I would intervene. Just the thought of being able to get one over on the stingy merchant gave me satisfaction.

I rubbed my hands together in anticipation. That would become a fun.