[center][b][i]Training time! Team 2's training regime, shown! ---- A collab between Chrome and Alice (Koyo being there, being puppeted.) Part II ---- Summary : With the thought of the Chuunin exams, Team 2 is again brought together for a training session. One where they will be pushed even further and harder than they usually are being pushed when trained.[/center][/b][/i] [hider=Training! Training!] [b]"I would choose the mission."[/b] Hayate said quietly, not hesitating this time. [b]"We are taught that our own lives are not worth more than this village, and everyone in it, and if the time came I would gladly give my life to keep this place safe. I would trust that my comrades would do the same... So... if it came down to it, if there were no other way, then I would make sure that the mission came first."[/b] Gritting his teeth, Hayate felt ashamed. He knew the words were true, but it didn't mean he had to like them. Leo wanted to answer, but he recognized something in Hayate's voice. Briefly glancing at his team member and friend, Leo wondered if Hayate was doing alright. But it was time that he would answer Kiyomi's question. One he found very hard to answer. Neither Hayate nor Kiyomi had shown any kind of behavior that they would leave him behind. So how could he answer that question? [b]''I think that my pride and feelings would get in the way, sensei. If somebody I consider a comrade would forsake me in a mission, I wouldn't know how to react on it. If the purpose is to save the whole village, I would be grateful. And bitter.''[/b] Lowering his head, Leo was sure that a lecture would follow. One he rightfully deserved. Listening to what her students told her in return, Kiyomi only nodded. Waiting, she smiled a bit. [b]''Good enough. Seems you both understand that you need to keep on thinking. Not only about your actions, but of others too. Remember,''[/b] Lifting a finger to place emphasis on her words, Kiyomi continued. [b]''We Konohagakure shinobi or rather now, shinobi of the Fire Union, have one purpose with our proffession. We are trained and led to protect the lands of the Fire Union. Not to gain some personal ambition that could bring that purpose in danger. Seeing you both answered the question well enough, I will leave it to this.''[/b] Kiyomi said. The smile vanished as she would question them something else now. [b]''Now, you both are allowed to give me a situation and scenario on which I have to answer. Then you may question my answer.''[/b] Thinking for a long moment, Hayate considered the chance seriously. There was something that he wanted to ask, something that a part of him already felt he knew the answer to... But he couldn't bring himself to voice the question. Sighing, Hayate thought for another moment. There had been something else weighing heavily on his mind... Something that he hadn't talked about with anyone, and this could be a good way of getting some indirect advice. Unable to make direct eye contact at first, Hayate began quietly, [b]"So we can ask anything right? Any hypothetical scenario? What if... what if you found out that your clan was planning on betraying the village? Your family, everyone that you consider family? How would you act in that situation?"[/b] He kept his eyes looking down, hoping that they didn't ask him anything in return. It became silent. Placing her left hand at her chin, Kiyomi looked up to the sky. There was no visual sign of what she was thinking about the scenario that Hayate gave her. [b]''I would kill them. Every single one of them. Then live forever with that crime.''[/b] Her voice was quite calm. Looking at her students, there was clear shock in Leo's eyes. She couldn't see Hayate's reaction as he had his eyes looking down, but she continued. [b]''If my clan by any chance would form a threat against Konohagakure, I would pick Konoha's side. It has been my true home and forsaken it for a clan? I think that I couldn't do that. Even while I am very loyal to my clan, I can't.... Betrayel should be paid off with blood. And if clan tries to betray Konohagakure like that? Then they should pay a heavy price for it.''[/b] The answer that seemed to be rather cold and emotionless scared Leo. He looked at his hands, not able to ask the question he had before. It was just clear that Kiyomi was utterly loyal to the Leaf. But the boy didn't understand it. Though he hadn't been raised by a clan, he thought about it as if he would kill his older sister. All to protect the Leaf. But he wasn't sure if he had the same loyalty to the Leaf as Kiyomi had. Wasn't the Leaf not the one to blame that he didn't had anybody else but Team 2 anymore? Swallowing the thoughts and bit of fear away, Leo decided it was his turn. [b]''Kiyomi-sensei... What would you do... if you find out that you're a danger to the Leaf?''[/b] The question that Leo asked made Kiyomi blink several times. She thought about the question as a little smile crept on her lips. [b]''Then that means you two would have to stop me. I can't think of anything more fitting than you two to bring me to a halt if I would become an enemy of the Leaf.''[/b] Kiyomi answered with a more polite and friendly tone. [b]''I think that with some more training and experience, you two together would be enough to halt me. Or.. kill me.''[/b] The last two words were spoken with a more cold tone. And after a brief glance, Kiyomi stared at Hayate. Though she revealed no emotion or thoughts, she kept her gaze locked on him. There was something about... Looking up as Kiyomi mentioned them killing her, Hayate almost spoke up in protest, but held his tongue, realizing how it would look. He met Kiyomi's eyes, seeing the question there. His eyes were dark, but he tried to keep the rest of his emotions hidden. If anyone could tell that something was eating away at him it would be Kiyomi. [B]"And what if you knew that there were some within the clan who didn't know, who remained innocent? Would you kill them too?"[/b] Staring into the dark eyes, hers became dark green. There was a cold breeze, before Kiyomi answered. [b]''That would be a bit...of a shame. They would be sacrificed for the peace and killed due their kinsmen trying to harm the village. But their lives still don't count up to the majority of the village.''[/b] Kiyomi coldly answered. Leo opened his mouth, looking a bit mad as he heard Kiyomi answer. But he soon shut his lips as Kiyomi glanced in his direction. A cold shiver went down his spine as he felt some killing intent after the glance. [b]''Though if there are people who can be saved from the purge, I would try it. Though only if I could gather as much as possible information about it. Then probably... hide it somewhere deep.''[/b] She said. Kiyomi kept staring at Hayate, as another cold breeze was blown over the field they were on. After that, she turned her attention to Leo. The young Hasewaga couldn't believe the answer. So the innocent didn't make it up with those who were the majority of the Leaf? It made some sense, but why would the innocent need to suffer? They hadn't do anything to deserve such a cruel fate. It greatly confused Leo as he was hoping Kiyomi had a good reason for such an answer. Maybe she had already some experience with it. Staring at the scar of her right eye, Leo pointed at it. [b]''Kiyomi-sensei, why do you have a scar there? I always thought you were very powerful. Did somebody more powerful caused that?''[/b] The question was an innocent one. She was aware of that. Only it was a bit of something she didn't want to talk too much about. At times like these she could feel the skin around the damaged tissue that formed the scar on her skin, pricke. As if it was a message that she shouldn't forget that a mistake had nearly cost her an eye. Or even her life. [b]''I was forced to take a decision. Either I would head out to meet this powerful foe by myself and try my best to protect everybody. Even if it would make me a kin-slayer. Or I would suffer to see that somebody who claimed to be a sibling of mine to hurt others I cared for.''[/b] Kiyomi answered. Though he was aware of his limit of questions, Leo couldn't resist it. [b]''D-Did you killed...''[/b] Kiyomi nodded slowly as she smiled. But it was a sad smile. [b]''Yes. I fear it is true. I killed one person that came from the same family.''[/b] She paused. [b]''From the same ''clan''[/b] Looking away again, Hayate simply nodded slowly. He had his answer. [b]"So what's next Kiyomi-sama?"[/b] He asked, hoping to change the topic. [b]''You two take a small rest.''[/b] Kiyomi answer, but she looked away. Thinking about something. [b]''Afterwards, we will discuss several battle tactics. The chuunin exams may come sooner than expected and I want to be sure both of you are in top shape. Both in mind as in physical meaning.''[/b] Kiyomi explained. Turning her back on them, she took a few steps away. This was a chance, at least in Leo's eyes, as he turned his head to look at Hayate. [b]''The Chuunin Exams. Heh, I look forward to them. Don't you?''[/b] Leo asked, sounding like he had already forgotten about the previous subjects. But he had his own reason for the change in tone. He trusted Kiyomi on her judgement, even if he found her answers cold and cruel. Hayate watched her walk away, realizing that he was probably going to have to answer a few questions of his own later. Shaking the thought from his mind, he realized that Leo was talking to him. Turning towards the other boy, Hayate threw on a fake smile. [b]"I am sure they will be interesting Leo-san. I don't know exactly how I feel about them though, to be honest. I am certain that Kiyomi-sama will be able to make us as ready as we possibly can be, but I still... I don't know..."[/b] Hayate looked away for a moment, placing his hands in his pockets, deep in thought. [b]"I just find it strange you know? The exams I mean. To think it all comes down to a fight...[/b] About to continue, Hayate realized that he was ranting when all Leo probably wanted to do was hear positive things. Throwing on smile that was meant to be reassuring, but felt hollow on the inside, Hayate took one of his hands out of his pockets and playfully punched Leo on the shoulder. [b]"I hope I don't wind up fighting you though Leo-san, I wouldn't want to lose too quickly now."[/b] Leo was looking with a frown up in the sky. He was thinking about what Hayate had said, but grinned when Hayate punched him on the shoulder. [b]''Neither would I. Imagine that. I think it would be one hell of a fight. Though then sensei has to cheer for us both.''[/b] Briefly Leo glanced at Kiyomi who had taken some distance and seemed to think about something. [b]''I heard though that the exams can be quite harsh. People say that there is a chance of death. I don't like the sound of that.''[/b] Leo said hushed. He sounded worried, but not scared. [b]"Being a shinobi there is always going to be that kind of risk. It sadly goes with the duty. But I can't imagine that the judges would let it go that far. Accidents can happen of course, but as long as we are careful, I'm sure it won't be an issue."[/b] Looking over at Leo, Hayate gave him a reassuring smile. [b]"Besides, we've been trained by the best! There's no way either of us will let that happen."[/b] Looking past Leo, up to Kiyomi, Hayate's eyes narrowed slightly. He hated keeping things from her, and he was certain that his questions had made her suspicious. [/hider]