The next day, Hana was waiting for Kakashi to come by so they could go to the cat café. Kushina sat on the couch across from her, sipping tea with a knowing smile as Hana tried to distract herself with a book.

"So," Kushina started, eyes twinkling, "you're waiting on Kakashi?"

Hana looked up, brow raised. "Yes, he's coming with me to the cat café."

Kushina smirked. "Sounds like you're getting pretty close to him, Hana."

Hana's cheeks warmed immediately. "W-We're just friends, that's all. Minato wanted us to work on our teamwork, so we're just getting to know each other better."

"No need to blush," Kushina said with a grin. "I was just saying you two make good teammates."

Groaning, Hana buried her face in the book. "Yeah, yeah..."

(It wasn't Makeout Tactics, thank god.)

The teasing ended there, and a moment later, the doorbell rang. Hana shoved the book onto the shelf and slipped on her shoes.

"Have fun!" Kushina called as she left, her voice teasing.

Hana and Kakashi walked together in comfortable silence before she broke it.

"So," she asked, "are you more of a cat person or a dog person?"

"Dog," Kakashi answered plainly. "Cats have never really been my favorite."

"I like both," Hana said. "But cats are cuter. They've got little paws. What's to hate?"

He didn't answer, and they continued on in silence.

The cat café was slower than usual. The shopkeeper greeted them, and Hana immediately scanned for Yuki. The kitten was curled up in a wall-mounted cat condo, but the second she heard Hana's voice, she jumped down and meowed, padding over.

"She remembers you," the shopkeeper said with a chuckle. "Is she the one?"

Hana lifted Yuki into her arms and nodded. "Definitely."

The shopkeeper walked her through the adoption paperwork and care instructions. He handed her a cardboard carrier, but Yuki seemed content staying nestled in Hana's arms. She sniffed curiously at Kakashi but stayed with Hana as they left.

Kakashi suggested stopping at the Inuzuka pet shop for supplies, and Hana agreed. As they stepped inside, the bell above the door jingled—and there stood Anko, carrying frozen snake food.

Anko turned when she heard footsteps. "Oh hey, Hana!" Her eyes flicked to Kakashi, then back to Hana. "And Kakashi."

"Hey, Anko," Hana greeted. "What are you up to?"

"Errand for my sensei," Anko said, then tilted her head. "And what are you two up to?"

Hana's face turned red.

"I adopted a cat," she said quickly. "We're just getting food and supplies, that's all."

Anko smirked. "Mmmhmm. So you're already at that stage, huh?"

"Anko!" Hana hissed.

Kakashi stiffened beside her, silent.

Anko eyed them both. "So what exactly am I not supposed to think?"

Kakashi finally spoke, voice quiet but edged. "It's not what you think."

"Oh?" Anko teased. "So what am I thinking?"

He exhaled. "We're just... getting supplies."

"For the cat," Anko said, biting back a laugh.

"Yes," Hana jumped in quickly. "Just the cat. Kushina finally let me adopt her."

"Right." Anko clearly didn't believe a word of it. "Well, you two have fun, then." She turned and tossed a grin over her shoulder. "Don't let the cat steal all your attention, Hana."

Once she was gone, Hana sighed. "She's... Anko. She lives to tease people."

"I can tell," Kakashi said flatly.

They picked up everything they needed, and Kakashi helped carry the cat condo back to Hana's house. Yuki was calm the entire way, content in Hana's arms.

No one was home when they arrived. Kakashi helped set up Yuki's food dish, and Hana let her out of the carrier. Yuki sniffed around before settling comfortably.

Hana spotted a note on the table. "Minato left us a note."

"What does it say?" Kakashi asked.

"He wants us to meet him, Rin, and Obito at the training ground. Maybe we're getting a new mission."

They left soon after. Hana tried to push Anko's words from her mind, but they lingered.

"Already at that stage..."

She stole a glance at Kakashi, her heart fluttering. Then quickly looked away.

Rin and Obito were already there at the training ground. Minato stood holding a scroll. Obito looked over and did a double-take when he saw Kakashi and Hana walking side by side. Something flickered in his expression—something unreadable.

Once everyone had gathered, Minato's tone turned serious.

"I wanted to talk to you all about something important," he said. "I submitted a recommendation for the four of you to participate in the Chunin Exams... and it was accepted."

Rin gasped. Obito looked like someone had hit him with a lightning bolt. Kakashi simply blinked. Hana could barely breathe.

"I know we can do it," Obito said confidently. "No sweat. Especially me."

Kakashi rolled his eyes. Rin laughed, and Hana cracked a smile.

"It won't be easy," Minato warned. "The exams test more than your skills. They test your will, your resilience, your mind. But I know you're ready."

Rin raised her hand. "Will you be there with us?"

Minato shook his head. "No. Other jonin will be in charge. But I'll be rooting for you all. You have one month. Use it well."

They were dismissed. Kakashi left first. Hana gave Rin a polite nod. Obito lingered like he wanted to speak, but said nothing and walked away with Rin.

When it was just the two of them, Hana turned to her uncle. "Uncle?"

"Yes?"

"I want to train harder. Is there any new jutsu you can teach me? I also read about how some ninja have two chakra natures..."

He seemed to think about it for a moment. "I have a better idea."

Hana blinked. "What is it?"

"I'll talk to Master Jiraiya. I think it's time he trained you."

Her eyes widened. "Wait—are you serious?"

Minato smiled. "Very. I'll handle the arrangements. But first, I want to test you myself, see where you stand. If you pass the first part of the exams, he'll train you for the next."

Hana nodded eagerly. "Okay. I'll take it."

She could barely contain her excitement as she walked home. The Chunin Exams. Jiraiya. Everything was happening so fast.

And for once... she felt ready.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I just thought I would put this note here now that I'm at this part. I will try to get the Chunin exams as accurate as I can since I'm still not familiar with the entire backstory of Kakashi, Rin, and Obito. I might make slight changes to fit the story, but nothing major. Feel free to correct me if I get anything wrong.