[center][i]The newest member of Team 2. A special protégé of Kiyomi. Tatsuya and Kiyomi's talk. --------- [b]A collab between Sketcher and Alice.[/b] --------- Summary : With Hayate gone to the exams, Kiyomi had been ordered to stay at Konohagakure. Due needing to attend to her newest student.[/center][/i] --------- [hider=A little chat] It was around noon. Kiyomi looked outside of the window, sighing out loud. Today wouldn't be that fun as she had once planned. The morning, where she had managed to finish most paperwork was somehow more boring and dull than ever before. It was like there was some depressing cloud hanging over the headquarters of the Guardians. Putting the pencil she was holding with her right hand down on the desk, she briefly rubbed her eyes. [b]''Kazuo-san, is he nearby?''[/b] Kiyomi muttered, but as she glanced at the butler, the man shook his head. [i]I hate this.[/i] She thought to herself. [b]''Can you please make sure that nobody will bother me?''[/b] She mumbled, looking back at the papers in front of her. How many times had she read them? Was this the fifth time today? Hearing the man walking out of the room, there was only one thing she could do. [center]Wait.[/center] [i]Ah... Today's that day again.[/i] Tatsuya thought, opening the door to his house to see the familiar rabbit standing. His hair was messy as well as his eyes tired. [i]First time I'm late... Damn. I can't make excuses either. What am I gonna do?[/i] The boy cringed. [b]"Tell here I'll be there, please,"[/b] he said with a weary voice and slid the door shut. Several minutes later, Tatsuya was in front of Kiyomi's door with Kazuo blocking the way. [b]"Ah... Kazuo-san. Good morning,"[/b] he said with a bland tone. Making a bow towards the young Hon, the silent butler moved out of Tatsuya's way as he opened the door for him. Once Tatsuya had entered the office, the door was softly closed behind him. Standing in front of the window, Kiyomi had her hands at her back. [b]''You're late.''[/b] Was her greeting, though there was something odd about her tone. It wasn't harsh or stern. [b]"I... forgot,"[/b] he said solemnly, looking at the shadow-consumed side of the desk. [b]"I'm sorry. I have no excuse."[/b] His eyes ran from hers, not revealing the look that could convince someone as perceptive as Kiyomi otherwise. According to their deal, he'd failed the "one-month test". For some time it stayed quite as Kiyomi still stood at the window, looking over her shoulder. Turning her head to look out of the window, she spoke again. [b]''Take a seat, pup.''[/b] She calmly said. It would take several seconds before she turned around and would sit down herself. Staring with a more neutral look at Tatsuya, she was considering how she would begin. There was nobody else but them in the room. Not even Samehada was present, but Kiyomi wouldn't need him today. [b]''I take it that you realize you have failed the test I have given you?''[/b] She asked him calm and rather polite. By the time Kiyomi had turned around, Tatsuya had sunk into the seat, slumped forward. He didn't answer the question. He was well aware of the conditions. Once every three days, no matter what. The boy had his hands locked into one another, held up against his forehead with his thumbs dividing his hair. [b]''Which means that our training that we had stops from now on.''[/b] She calmly told him. Her right hand went forward to the pile of documents. Grabbing one out of the pile, she placed it on the table and shoved it towards him. [b]''But you have the full right to call yourself now my student. Welcome to Team 2.''[/b] There was a smile adoring her face, thought it was a sad one. Tatsuya didn't flinch at the news. He sat as he was for a few moments before raising his head. It had a pathetic expression on it. [b]"I see,"[/b] he said quietly. [i]That's what that question meant, huh...[/i] He reached out for the document she'd held out for him after a moment. He examined it for a second or two before putting it back on the desk. Normally he would be thanking her and be all excited about a news like this or be extremely disappointed and angry at himself for failing at a simple task but neither of these expressions could be found on the boy's face. Noticing the look and reaction of Tatsuya, Kiyomi stared at the document. It hadn't worked like she had hoped for. But somewhere there was a whisper that told her that she already had seen it coming. Besides, wouldn't she react the same way? [b]''I guess that I am not the best with being kind and wise. I need to learn a lot about life, politics, leadership and many other things.''[/b] Kiyomi started. She kept talking in the calm and polite manner, trying to not sound like she pitied him. [b]''But if there is one thing I do have learned about it, is about what is inside of me.''[/b] Placing a hand on her stomach, her smile became more genuine. [b]''It won't ease the pain nor cheer you up, but I am a jinchuriki too. Been one for quite some time and I can tell you stories about how I experienced it.''[/b] Becoming silent, she was trying to figure out what she could say and what not. It was just a bit hard. The wary feeling that he had the Tailed Beast that Matatabi disliked so much was something she could very lightly sense, but she didn't want to sense it. It was a strange experience. [b]''I think that the illusion of telling that you are my student cause you wished for it won't work. You have been assigned in my team, because they believe that I can help you. Truth be told,''[/b] Kiyomi's facial experience became a bit colder. [b]''The only one capable of helping you, is yourself. Do you understand all of this, Tatsuya?''[/b] The expression on his face failed to fade away as he listened to Kiyomi's lecture. When she was done speaking a faint smile appeared on his face for a moment but suppressed itself as quickly as it surfaced. [b]"I do, sensei,"[/b] he said. [b]"I like the word pupil more, though."[/b] It was reassuring to know that he could hear something he could believe to be completely sincere from her. If she had just said "it's not that bad" or "you'll be alright", he wouldn't have felt anything but... [b]''Good. Then that means I can keep calling you... pup.''[/b] She raised her chin, crossing her arms out front of her chest. [b]''After all, now as member of Team 2, I must be harsher with you during training sessions. There won't be any slacking. No excuses and not arguing about my orders.''[/b] She started to sum up, with a stern tone. But it faded away as she took a pause. [b]''But in exchange, I will help you out. I can relate how you feel after all.''[/b] Lowering her chin, there was a more sad expression revealed on her face. [b]''I think that saying things like ''I'm sorry'' or such will not work now? I know that I would start to boil by the mere thought somebody would say such words to me when it happened to me.''[/b] Tatsuya nodded. [b]"I wouldn't have it any other way,"[/b] he said, smiling faintly once more. [b]"I have someone to catch up to, after all, Kiyomi-san--"[/b] Closing his eyes and bringing one hand to his mouth, he cleared his throat. [b]"Sensei,"[/b] he ended the sentence, though it was rather obvious that he'd done it on purpose from his tone. She simply shook her head lightly. [b]''Kiyomi-san or sensei. I don't mind either, pup. As long you talk with respect, you can expect the same.''[/b] She said. Thinking about something, she decided to ask a question. [b]''But lets talk about something else now. Do you have any questions about Team 2 by any chance?''[/b] [b]"You know my methods, Kiyomi-san,"[/b] he said. [b]"I like to see things for myself. Any questions I might have right now will undoubtedly be answered soon."[/b] He stood up with his arms at his sides. [b]"May I be excused, then, sensei?"[/b] Kiyomi thought about it and shook her head. [b]''No, you're not. We aren't done yet. Cause I take it that you have been told to stay silent about what you have sealed inside of you. But I want to emphasize that as your sensei that I am always willing to talk about it. I can talk out of experience that it can be.. frustrating.''[/b] After saying that, she sighed. Leaning back in her seat, she then nodded to Tatsuya. [b]''You may go. Don't be late next time though.''[/b] [b]"Thank you,"[/b] Tatsuya said, bowing. [b]"And I won't, sensei."[/b] After raising himself, he turned around and left the room. The moment the door shut, the boy sighed, his face slightly reverting to its original expression. He marched back home, disappearing into the darkness of his room.[/hider]