Truth of Those Hidden

by Kazi-Kun

There's more to a certain Shinobi than just what is on the surface. To this Shinobi, Itachi's a hero, the 4th Hokage's a villian, Jiraiya and Tsunade are demons, Orochimaru holds a rank close to God and there's no such thing as an innocent soul.

14. Chapter 14

"Hey, Grandpa! Who's the girl in your study?"

Such an annoying little punk. Hotaru thought, reading one of the scrolls the Hokage had left her to study. Who knew the 3rd Hokage had such an annoying twerp for a grandchild? I pity the man. I honestly do.

"Konohamaru, keep your voice down. Genin Tomonora needs peace and quiet in order to study." The old man chided. "Do not disturb her. She desires to be a Chunin and I will help her in that cause."

Hotaru heard the Hokage walk away from the study doorway, leaving the boy there, watching her. He remained quiet, like he had been told, and just watched her.

"Hey, Konohamaru-"

"Shhhh!" Konohamaru shushed the 2nd boy who had come to the Hokage's house with a girl. Hotaru could sense them even if their chakra still had a way to go. "Genin Tomonora needs peace and quiet to study for the chunin exams, Udoh!"

"Wow, is she a real kunoichi like Sakura?" The girl asked in a whisper.

"Grandpa Hokage says she's even better than any other genin." Konohamaru answered in a low voice. "He told me that she'd pass even with the knowledge she had, Moni, but she wants to not only pass. He said she has a reason for studying so hard."

The other 2 children fell silent, as impressed as Konohamaru. Hotaru had her back to them but she heard every word as if they had been hairs from her. She let a half smile curve her lips.

"You 3 can join me in here with your homework as long as you keep quiet." Hotaru told them gently. "I'll even help you if you're on your best behavior."

The kids ran away then came back and took an empty space kiddy corner from her left knee. They carefully spread out, trying not to disturb Hotaru or her studies. The Hokage peeked in, checking more on his grandson and his friends rather than Hotaru. They were learning from her, just like he had thought. The children were learning techniques that would be forbidden later on. Hotaru wasn't showing them to recruit the tykes to be her minions. No…she was showing them for their own survival. By showing them now, Hotaru was ensuring their lives.