Hello
I hope you are all well. Thank you for all the views in the last few days and also the favs and follows. It made me very happy. I would be really happy about one or two comments. :)
Stay healthy
Soleira
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I sat on the earthy ground, breathing heavily. Once again, my sensei had never missed an opportunity to push me to the limit of my strength. But that was exactly what made me stronger. To test my limits, how far I could go and to expand them through hard training.
„Well done, Tora. As I expected, you have improved well in the last few weeks. I am happy to be your sensei. And with this I also end your preparation training," the Hokage said and smiled at me.
Then he held out his hand to me and helped me to my shaky legs. He held the hand tightly and continued to hold it, put his other hand on it and shortly afterwards, I felt something cool slide into it.
When he nodded gently at me, I opened my palm to reveal a small leather necklace with a silver pendant in the shape of an animal with pointed ears. On closer inspection I realised it was a lynx. I liked these animals and in a special way I also felt connected to them. So shy, cunning, and clever. Maybe...
„This was your mother's. Genma gave it to me, hoping it would give you strength for tomorrow's fight."
Astonished and surprised, I looked at him.
„My mother's? Th-thank you...I...that really gives me courage to have something from her."
He nodded.
My eyes slowly but surely filled with tears...of joy. They ran down my cheeks and dripped to the floor. All at once I realised all that the Hokage had done for me. He was the one who wanted me to train as a ninja warrior despite my past. Because of him, I had now become much stronger. Not only physically, but also psychologically. He had built me up, supported me wherever he could. Of course, so had my friends, but in the days leading up to the exam, every single one of them had been busy training.
But to me it all sounded like a goodbye, as if he wouldn't be able to train me afterwards. Of course, after the exam he would devote himself fully to his duties as Hokage again, but I would miss the training with him...very much. And he himself, too, had become a part of my family in the last weeks. True, he didn't have the same blood, but what did that matter. Shikamaru and Naruto were also part of my family. As well as Kakashi and Genma.
„Master Hokage...I am so grateful for all you have done for me these past few weeks and all you will do for Konoha in the future."
Again, that smile I liked so much, but somehow it seemed a little sad.
„We will see what the future will bring us Tora. Trust in yourself and your friends who will never let you down. Get some rest before your fight tomorrow. Sit back and relax. That way you won't drive yourself crazy."
Yes, that seemed quite sensible to myself, after all my tired body didn't feel like doing any more training today. It certainly didn't. I would sleep until I couldn't anymore. Or cook something. Or maybe I would go to my former hiding place in the forest...after all, this place had always helped me to relax a bit.
I turned to go when the Hokage's voice held me back one last time.
„You are strong girl, similar to young Naruto in many ways, and have already begun to change fates now, and perhaps the future someday."
Then he was gone, leaving me pondering, trying to grasp the meaning of the words, leaving the training ground, and almost running into Hinata who was looking at me with big bright eyes.
„I've seen your training, Tora. You really have changed a lot lately," she said shyly.
How did she mean I had changed? I was the same as always, wasn't I?
„You are stronger. So not just physically. I know you've been through a lot in the last few days or weeks. That's why it's nice to see that no one is giving up on you, and you're not giving up on yourself either."
She faltered and looked nervously at the floor. Her fingertips nudged nervously against each other, a gesture she also made when Naruto was around. So, something was on her mind. Her cheeks blushed slightly, and she looked shyly into my eyes again before she started to speak.
„I...well...wanted to ask you if...well...I don't know if you know about the fight between me and Neji."
Between her and the other Hyjuga? Yes, I had heard about it. Naruto had been all excited about her unusual willpower and conviction of his way of being a ninja. Shikamaru had told me about the feud within the family and the pressure that was on little Hinata.
„Yes, I know about that...but don't worry. You still have plenty of time to get stronger and one day you will prove to your cousin how much you are really capable of.
She smiled slightly and kneaded her hands nervously.
„When the chunin exams are over, you will surely have more time again, won't you?"
Confused, I looked at her.
„Sure, but wha-?"
„Can you train with me?" she blurted out and I took a step back in surprise at her outburst. Slowly, what she had just said seeped through to me and I looked at her, perplexed. I...train...her? I didn't even know how to do that; besides, I wasn't even a chunin...and...
„Please...you know a lot more about Taijutsu now, so I thought you might..."
She didn't finish the sentence. But I already guessed what she was getting at and finally nodded. Her bright eyes began to shine, and she hugged me. Caught off guard as I was, I couldn't return her gesture at first.
Embarrassed, she broke away from me again.
„Sorry...I forgot you're not really one for touching."
I waved it off.
„By having a lot more human contact now than I used to, I'm starting to get used to it more and more."
She smiled slightly.
„Right...I see...you were once...the In..." but I hastily interrupted her, and she swallowed slightly.
„Please...don't say that word so loudly. Though I am a little proud of it, but still. This is my life now, even if I sometimes long to go back to the other one, I like this one much better."
„I see...well...get some rest then...I'd better get some more training done here. Good luck to you tomorrow," she said shyly.
Nodding my thanks, I turned my back on her and disappeared from the training ground. Off home.
On the way back to my flat, I almost collided with Gaara, who suddenly turned out of one of the side streets. He looked at me with an impenetrable expression.
When I was almost past him, his voice stopped me.
„Why are you helping a weak girl get stronger when it's not doing you any good yourself."
Where did he get that idea? Had he been eavesdropping?
„Isn't it obvious?", I asked the counter question.
„No."
Good. Why had I actually asked? I should have expected an answer of that kind.
„Because Hinata is my friend and it makes me happy when she's happy," I explained, looking firmly into the turquoise eyes of my counterpart.
„Friendship doesn't exist in my life," he said, but I countered.
„Yes...but it does with me...and with you too...at least it could if you would only let it. It could help you a lot in life...", I said in a quiet voice.
„What do you know..." he growled, but his eyes bore witness to a wild storm raging deep inside him. He pressed his hands to his temples as if trying to fight a terrible headache. My hand twitched in the air. Uncertainly I wanted to help him after all, not knowing if it was good or not.
„Gnnngh...go..."
„What?", I asked, confused.
„I want you to go before he...I...kill..."
Slowly I moved away from him, backwards, always keeping his figure, trembling with convulsions, in view. I couldn't get that image out of my mind all evening.
„Tora...Tora...wake up...my gosh...how deep is she sleeping?"
Only partially did the voice get through to me and I turned to the other side grumbling. So nice and soft, this could go on all day, today was nothing or...? Yes...wait. Some exams...much talked about in the last few days...wait...much talked about...training...Sarutobi...fighting...!
THE FINALS!
With a jerk, my head shot upwards and crashed into an obstacle. Sharp pain shot through my nose and I groaned.
„Tell me Tora...are you crazy?" a familiar voice asked me.
I blinked. Sitting at my bedside was none other than Kiba Inuzuka...what was he doing here? How had he gotten in? My gaze slid to the half-open window and the question vanished into thin air. In future I should get into the habit of locking the windows from the inside, that had brought me one or two unpleasant visitors so far.
„What are you doing here Kiba?" I sleepily eyed my teammate, who looked at me as if I was out of my mind.
„You're serious...Tora...We're all wondering where you are...it's almost three quarters of twelve!"
What was at twelve again. Oh yes, the beginning of the fi...
Wait a minute...the beginning?!
Side by side, Kiba and I rushed through the alleyways. Always heading for the big stadium. Luckily, I had already laid out everything important for the exam the day before. One of them was my mother's necklace, which now hung from my bright neck as if it were a matter of course.
Shortly afterwards, the Inuzuka said goodbye to me and entered the stairs to the grandstand. Just as I was about to enter the arena, I heard a shout.
„Hee Tora...can...can you maybe help me?"
A deafening noise followed, and I recognised a crowd of Naruto shadow clones running towards me...or rather the entrance. Behind them, a herd of angry cows. What the heck had this guy done now?
But the closer he came, the more my still sleepy brain realised the danger of the situation. Just before the many clone Uzumakis reached the arena, I dashed inside. No. I was hanging on for dear life. Being trampled flat by cows was the last thing I wanted at the moment.
Apparently, I had sheer panic in my eyes because the others took a step back. Shortly afterwards, a panicked Naruto tumbled into the arena. He waved his arms violently. He shouted that we had to get out of here because of the cows...but by now it had quietened down again outside.
Sighing, Shikamaru and I ran up to him, grabbed him left and right and dragged him to the others.
„You idiot. Get a hold of yourself."
Naruto grumbled a little.
„It's alright. Where's Sasuke, then?"
„I don't know...actually he should be here by now," Shikamaru replied thoughtfully.
„Sasuke tends to be one of the more punctual ones, but if he's with Kakashi...I don't know...", I mused, but was interrupted by a deep voice.
„What do you care about that? It's because of you that all these people have come, then at least try to present yourselves a little."
I gulped, but not because of all the people or the fact that I was about to have to fight...no...not in the slightest.
The fact who was standing there in front of me, and apparently the examiner, of the last round, was none other than my uncle.
Genma Shiranui.
So that's why he couldn't train me and Hiruzen Sarutobi had filled in for him. That was why he had stayed away from me for a whole month. Little by little I began to understand his motives and I unconsciously grabbed my mother's necklace. The pleasant coolness calmed me immensely. Genmas eyes followed my hand and a small smile spread across his face.
Applause broke out as we looked up at the spectators. It was a strange feeling to stand in front of so many people and later to fight in front of them. When the Hokage and Kazekage of Suna took their places, the clapping increased again. I took a quick look at our Sunas. Temari and Kankuro looked quite proud. Gaara, on the other hand, was looking up there with a grim expression. His hands were clenched into fists.
„Welcome, welcome everyone. It is good to see so many of you came to the finals of the chunin exams," the Hokage began, and I turned my gaze back to him. High above our heads on a stand slightly apart from the others, he stood looking down at us. Wished the spectators fun and us good luck. We could certainly use that.
Genma then sent us into the stands. Our footsteps echoed loudly on the walls of the stairwell. I looked thoughtfully at the grey steps in front of me. So lost in thought, I didn't even notice how a shadow appeared next to me.
A hand pressed my neck against the wall. Startled, I looked into the eyes of my counterpart. No...into the eye. It was none other than Dosu. My next opponent. I gasped. Air. Images popped into my head. Father holding me and pressing me against the wall. Making threats, beating me, or using another of his terrible jutsus.
„I would advise you to withdraw from the fight. Otherwise, I can't guarantee anything. Give up little girl, you don't stand a chance against me anyway." Anger welled up inside me. Who was this guy to overestimate himself so much? He didn't even know the full extent of my abilities.
With a final surge, I let Raiton chakra run through my feet, pushed them into the stone wall and threw myself forward with all my might. In shock, the sonic ninja let go of my throat and tried to catch himself. But the fall was too fast, and he fell to the ground. His head hit the floor hard. Dazed, he remained lying there. Coughing and retching, I got to my feet.
„Whatever you have against me. Let it out in the arena. But not like a coward in a dark corner where no one will notice. Show the others how much man you are. And don't you dare underestimate me," I said coldly, turning my back on him.
„I have no personal problem with you," he gasped exhaustedly from the floor.
Still, he seemed too dazed to rise. Just right. That was what he got for attacking me from behind just like that.
Oh...and what was his problem then?
„I want to face Sasuke in the final," he said, and I shook my head.
„Honestly. What is it with you all and Sasuke all the time? I'm sick of Naruto talking about defeating him all the time. Then Gaara too, and finally you. Great...anyone else want to join in? I don't get it."
I shrugged.
„Well. Let's see if you can do it. Because you'll have to get past me first."
„So, if that would be so hard. You may have just surprised me, but that doesn't mean anything," he said, straightening up with a groan.
„Wait and see Dosu. Watching an opponent's fight is different from fighting him yourself."
Then I turned away for good and left him behind.
Silently, I continued the rest of the way.
„You still got out of that pretty well huh?"
Exasperated, I turned around. Next. Did I have office hours now or what? I just wanted my peace. The desire to fight was completely gone.
„Looks like it. You can't make me give in that easily."
„I know, I was just interested to see if my final opponent would get out of there half unscathed," was the cool retort.
Spoke, turned, and disappeared. Leaving me speechless, annoyed, and confused.
Final opponent. They all had a screw loose. I laughed mirthlessly. No... I wouldn't get that far and besides...
Sounds reached my ears... cheering... clapping... booing...
... I wanted to watch Naruto's fight. Shit.
What kind of friend was I?