An hour before the exams start, Kakashi finds himself taking up a whole couch in the Jounin standby station across from Asuma and Kurenai, his book draped most of the way over his face so no one else will try to talk to him. He doesn 't mind Kurenai and Asuma 's soft conversation, even if he does have to endure the pair 's unsubtle flirting in between speculation about the exams.

'I don 't think Ibiki 's question will trip them up. Kiba and Shino may fight, but only the way siblings do. They 're loyal where it counts. ' Kurenai is saying. They 'd all gotten a summary of the current test parameters, and after looking through it, Kakashi had scoffed and set his on fire.

'They 'll be fine. They 've got strong bonds going into it. They 'll make the right choice. ' Asuma assures.

'You 're right. Of course you 're right. ' Kurenai assures herself, and sends a narrowed look at Kakashi. 'You 're awfully calm about this, Hatake. '

'Of course I am. ' Kakashi agrees easily.