I'm telling you-the Otokage's got PLANS for this little kunoichi.
"This is the second time in as many days you have pulled one of my students away from her training. I must remind you that she must complete her training before-"
"I signed all three of your students to partake in the Chunin Exams because of the student I have pulled away for the second time in two days." The Otokage had a creepy laugh in his voice at Roku's reaction to Hotaru being pulled away yet again. "We will see if your boys can match her level of power and intelligence during the exams. You will leave in three hours. I suggest you prepare for your trip."
Roku bowed his head in respect. "As you wish, Otokage."
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"Yeah! The Chunin Exams! We're going to become Chunin!" Fuu cheered as Hotaru and Shuhei ran after him, heading towards the bus that would take them to Konoha.
Hotaru stopped, falling to her knees, and coughed into her hand. Soichi hit Zaku over the head rather harshly. Zaku rubbed the back of his head, wincing as he touched the bruise and walked over to Hotaru's side. When her coughing fit passed, he knelt beside her and wiped the blood off her lip and hand with his handkerchief.
"Come on, Little Sister. You're going to be a Chunin." Zaku picked up Hotaru and put her on his back. "And then all you have to do is take the Jounin Exams to achieve your dream."
"Thank you, Zaku." Hotaru kissed his bump and the older Genin felt a gentle heat envelope his injury. When the heat faded, the pain was gone. "I'm a little tired now…I think I'll take a…small nap…"
Hotaru fell asleep on Zaku's back, surprising the boy even more. Soichi came up behind Zaku and took his sleeping daughter from his pupil. He smacked the boy upside the head while holding his daughter against him. She'd sleep until they reached Konoha, where she'd be able to put the other chunin candidates to shame-even her teammates.
Aw--what a tired little genin-chan!
