[center][b][i]A favour of a Cho.
A sketch made by an Uchiha.

A collab between Sketcher and Lesli.[/center][/b]

[center][i]Summary[/i] :
After the rather failed training mission of Team 8, the students get two day off to both recover and think about what happened. But the day after the training, Aiko meets Katsu. Which results in Aiko explaining why the training didn't work out.[/center]

[hider=A Sketch~]
On his second day of work, Katsu was sitting in his usual spot, having woken up quite early once more to see if the old man who passed the street he was on would ask for a sketch of his to be made. But to no avail. The wooden sign above his desk read "Sketch for 100 Ryo". He was under the impression that the price was too high but he'd keep it like that for a few more days if no one came. He thought of how Kiyomi had promised to come back, in return for Katsu accepting the extra money. If she didn't, he was planning on finding her at the teahouse and forcing her to watch him. [i]It's a matter of principle,[/i] he thought to himself, slamming his fist on the desk as if he was speaking out loud. When he noticed this, he sighed and leaned back in his chair, waiting for a possible customer.

Dressed in some more casual set of clothes, Aiko was enjoying her bit of free time. As a clan leader, jounin-sensei and mother of a twin, she didn't had that much of free time for herself. And when she had, she had always something that required her attention or focus. With Team 8 also having been told to have a break, Aiko was free. But while she was enjoying her walk, she was thinking about her team. Thus, one could see this as again her being busy as a sensei. Walking further down the road, Aiko noticed something. A stand that she never had seen before. But the person she saw was somebody who she did know. Walking towards the stand, there was a soft smile on Aiko's lips. [b]''Didn't know you could sketch, Katsu.''[/b] Aiko said, with her usual friendly tone.

Katsu saw a familiar figure approaching from ahead. When he figured out who it was he quickly got up, knocking the chair back as he did so, standing in a straightened up posture. After hearing what he said, his cheeks turned slightly red. [b]"I'm not too good, but I was trying to earn some extra money, sensei,"[/b] he said. His head fell forward. [b]"But I haven't been doing too well so far..."[/b]

[b]''Oh.''[/b] Aiko said. She felt a bit guilty for asking now. Neither was she aware that he was trying to earn some extra money. [b]''Katsu, are you in trouble?''[/b] Aiko asked. She was wondering now why the boy was in need of extra money. Maybe he was trying to save money to then buy something he really wanted? That would be cute and Aiko found the thought actually more comforting that the thought what if he was trying to muster money to help his parents.

[b]"Huh?"[/b] He tried to understand what she meant by that for a moment. [b]"Oh! No, sensei! I'm just trying to earn some money by doing something I like. Take responsibility for myself."[/b] he answered, holding his hands up protectively. [b]"I want to be able to pay for a meal outside every once in a while without asking my parents for money."[/b]

That was the reason thus. Sitting on the chair, that was mostly used for customers, Aiko smiled again. [b]''Then let me help you out. 100 ryo, wasn't it? Besides, it is good I came across you. We need to talk about the last training.''[/b] Aiko told him on a friendly tone. Looking for her wallet, Aiko would put the money on the stand as she kept on smiling. [b]''If you want to have me as a customer, that is.''[/b]

A joyful smile curled up on the boy's lips. [b]"Yes, it is,"[/b] he said enthusiastically, though the second part of her sentence kind of bothered him. [b]"I can't really be too picky about my customers, sensei,"[/b] he said grinning. [b]"You're only my second customer. Although it [i]is[/i] my second day..."[/b] He stopped running his mouth and sat back down.

[b]''Of course you can. Have a bit of pride, Katsu.''[/b] Aiko said. Taking a rather relaxed pose. She stayed still, but was thinking about something. [b]''Who was your first customer? If you don't mind sharing that is.''[/b] Aiko said, further thinking on how she would talk with Katsu about the previous team meeting. Not to forgot, she had to meet up with Yukara too, to ensure that both were aware why some things had happened. After all, though her students weren't aware of it, it was also Aiko's fault.

Katsu took a pen and one of the empty papers on his desk and started working. [b]"It was a young girl named Kiyomi,"[/b] he explained, keeping his eye on the tip of the pen. [b]"I'd met her a few days before she came here. As a matter of fact, the morning of the day I met you, sensei."[/b] Aiko was a bit surprised. She didn't know that Kiyomi and Katsu knew each other. Not that she found it a bad thing. Knowing Kiyomi, that girl would likely have done something to help out Katsu, without wanting much back. A trait that Aiko loved in the girl. [b]''She is nice.''[/b] Aiko said, before she would say something else. [b]''I noticed that you and Koike don't seem to get along. None of you are.''[/b]

There was a brief pause before Katsu answered. [b]"I tried to get close to him at the ruins, but... It didn't work out too well. Even after..."[/b] He sighed, not having stopped his scribblings as he spoke. He could guess what she wanted to talk about. How teams should be able to work together and how every member has to chip in and so on... That's how he had anticipated the conversation going.

[b]''I noticed. I am sorry. It is kind of my fault.''[/b] Aiko said. She managed to keep her pose and would keep doing so. [b]''It is just that the past of Team 8 has been very troublesome. A lot of bad things have happened. Me and Koike are the only ones who are left, to give you an idea.''[/b] Aiko told him. She thought back of the first formation of the team. Koike and Miharu had been part since that time. It were such peaceful times, she kind of missed them. But wishing for them to return wouldn't help her. Or anybody else.

[i]She'd mentioned something happening to the last teammember who he was replacing when we'd first met...[/i] His hand stopped for a moment as he thought to himself. [b]"I see,"[/b] he said and it continued moving. [b]"But... Even for someone who has suffered loss..."[/b] He decided to hold his tongue until she finished what she was planning on telling him.

[b]''Like I said. It is my fault.''[/b] Aiko said. She was still speaking in a more informal friendly manner. She didn't see herself as a sensei now. Not like how she was dressed. And if she would admit she was acting like a sensei in her free time, Aiko would never have any. That was unacceptable! [b]''I know it seems like it has been drastic, but lets be honest. Aside from the past, it wasn't like there was a reason to cooperate. Not when being talked down or being threatened like that. Or do you see me acting like that you three?''[/b] Aiko asked the question, wanting Katsu to think about it. The talk wasn't that bad, in her opinion. She didn't want to sound mad nor want him to feel like he had to take the blame. Again, that was her task as a sensei. One she would do without even needing to think a moment about it.

[b]"Sensei, it wouldn't have helped for us all to be together that night,"[/b] he said. [b]"Both Yukara and I needed to get our heads together, and I hoped Koike would come to the same conclusion and try to think of a way to suggest working together without antagonizing us. All I know is that I gave him more than half of what we had even after leaving, and he still..."[/b] He paused for a moment before continuing. [b]"The point is, if he'd asked for more supplies upon insisting to act the same way, I would've given him what he needed."[/b]

[b]''That is it. My fault is that Koike acts and makes such decision because of me. You know, sometimes people become rather... empty. They don't know what to do or what they can do.''[/b] Aiko began. She briefly looked a bit more sad until she managed to regain her pose. [b]''When Koike became like that, I decided to distract him with training. Because Koike seemed to become interested in how I fight, I slowly trained him in how an assassin works. I only later realized that it wasn't maybe the best of choices.''[/b] Aiko said. She thought on how more she could explain it. But would he even understand it? What more would he need to hear? [b]''Listen. I can go and talk hours about it, but it is simple. Koike isn't that bad and what happened is merely cause he has been trained to do so. Together what happened earlier that day, I think that triggered everything to go wrong. Besides, I don't think he doesn't have a dislike for you or Yukara. So... what do you say about this.''[/b] Aiko paused again. The suggestion would maybe seem weird to Katsu, but it made very sense to who-ever knew Koike.

[b]''I have little idea what happened that night, but just try to visit him yourself. Try to just be yourself and whenever he seems to act odd, just take this thought in mind. He is like that, but he isn't bad. I actually hope you and the others will become friends.... I...''[/b] She became silent. Only for a second. [b]''It has been too long since I have seen him smiling. The last time was when he and his twin brother vowed to make me proud with becoming chuunins... I hope... that I can see that one day. Just one more time.''[/b] Her hands were on her lap, trembling a little bit.

Katsu kept drawing as he listened to Aiko. He wanted to befriend Koike, perhaps more than Aiko did. Or perhaps not so much... He knew to function as a team, they'd all need to work together. The first step to doing that would be befriending the one guy who most likely despised the thought of working together with others. He got up and sighed, uttering one single word. [b]"Done."[/b] He turned the piece of paper to his sensei and showed her the drawing he'd made.
[img]http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2014/210/1/5/aiko_cho_hon___oc_by_sketching101-d7stm2a.jpg[/img]
He went on without hesitation, [b]"If you could give me his address, sensei, I'd be more than happy to pay him a visit,"[/b] he said. 
He decided to ask if the drawing was satisfactory. If he picked up a hint of dissatisfaction on her visage, he would immediately rip the drawing apart and start on a new and hopefully better one without any hesitation. [b]"Is this sketch good enough, sensei?"[/b]

[b]''You're really talented. I love it.''[/b] Aiko said, a bit surprised. She hadn't see this coming. But taking the drawning, she did heard what he said afterwards. [b]''I will write it down for you. And the sketch is perfect.''[/b] Aiko looked back at Katsu and thought of something. [b]''You said earlier you were saving money so you could get dinner now and then on your own, no?''[/b] Aiko rose up from the seat as she beckoned him to come with her. [b]''Come. I can leave a shadow clone here while we will grab something to eat. My treat.''[/b]

Katsu smiled when he saw that Aiko had liked what he had prepared. The smile widened when he heard the offer. [b]"I'd like that!"[/b] he said cheerfully. [i]This doesn't count as accepting money,[/i] he convinced himself. He hadn't had anything to eat that day since he had woken up. [b]"Thank you, sensei!"[/b] Producing a shadow clone, Aiko would already turn around. Still waiting for Katsu to walk next to her, she thought of where they could go to grab some lunch. Maybe at the nearby dango shop? Or did Katsu fancied Ramen over dangoes? One way to find out. [b]''No problem. Please, call me Aiko. This is my free time, so I prefer to not see this as work.''[/b] Aiko said. [b]''Besides, what do you like more? Dangoes or Ramen?''[/b]

Katsu stood up and walked up next to her. He had trouble calling her simply by her name. [b]"I see..."[/b] He decided to avoid using her name until she would be comfortable being called "sensei" once more, which would probably be during the next mission... [b]"I like them both quite a bit,"[/b] he said, smiling. [b]"But if I had to choose, I'd say ramen."[/b]

[b]''Ramen it is then.''[/b] Aiko said as she would lead them to the nearby ramen shop she knew. It was one where she had been several times and the quality was there quite good. The price was a bit higher than average, but it wasn't that bad. Deciding to learn more about her student, Aiko decided to ask what would be a rather innocent question. [b]''Do you have any siblings, Katsu?''[/b] Aiko briefly thought about the twins home, but remember that she had taken care of it.

[b]"No, I'm a single child,"[/b] he answered, shaking his head to emphasize. [b]"I've always wanted a younger brother, however. Someone I could look out for."[/b] He sighed as he continued walking. He glanced up at her for a moment then turned back ahead. She briefly laughed after his answer. [b]''And I always have wanted a brother that would protect me. But like you, I am a single child as well.''[/b] Aiko kept looking forward as she briefly thought about that past dream. Only to realize she had thought about the past for quite a bit these past days. Hopefully she wouldn't start to naps in trees as well. [b]''And your parents? Are they shinobi?''[/b]

[b]"Yes, they are,"[/b] he said. [b]"My father used to be in the ANBU and my mother's a chunin."[/b] He stopped talking about the two there. He didn't think it was a very interesting subject, or one he liked talking about. [b]''Sounds interesting. My father and mother worked on the countryside. I can't really remember what their occupation was. I always believed they were more or less just happy. They seemed so.''[/b] Aiko said. Seeing the entrance of the shop, she thought of another question. [b]''How long have you been sketching?''[/b] But only after asking the question, Aiko decided to add something quickly to it. [b]''Cause you're quite talented, to be honest.''[/b]

Katsu smiled upon hearing the praise. [b]"Truly? Thank you!"[/b] he said, sounding excited. He pondered on her question for a bit. [b]"I've been drawing for..."[/b] He stopped himself. How long had it been since he'd first started? [b]"I'm not sure... I've been drawing as long as I can remember, I guess."[/b] Opening the door of the shop, Aiko would let him enter first, to follow afterwards while closing the door behind her. It wasn't that busy, as much as she had expected. There were only three customers. Probably enjoying their lunch while they were on a work break or something like that. 

[b]''I wish I could be artistic. Only two things I have ever done was running a small bakery and being a kunoichi.''[/b] She said, a bit amused as she knew that the two proffessions weren't the same at all. But she had her reasons why she had done one and another. 

She worked at a bakery? This seemingly trivial piece of information but a grin on the boy's face. He decided not to ask about why she would work at a bakery, assuming it as more of a hobby. He walked in through the door she'd opened and stepped aside for Aiko to walk in front of him once more. Looking for a nice table, she pointed at one that was more removed from the three other customers. Not that she was planning to talk about any secretive, but Aiko thought it would be better if there was nobody around them. It would allow more freedom to talk about things that could be considered rather personal. [b]''And please, don't hold back. If you see something nice, just order it and have as much as you like. I don't mind it.''[/b] Aiko said as she would take her place. [b]''You need to grow after all.''[/b] A smile appeared on her face, after trying to make a light hearted joke.

He nodded with the wide grin still on his lips. [b]"Thank you, again, sensei,"[/b] he said, the word slipping out of his mouth. When he realized it, the grin faded and his eyes opened wide. He was just told not to use the word because they weren't on professional business right now, but the reason Katsu used that word was just because he saw her as a mentor, no matter when or where.

Hearing that he called her sensei, she didn't say anything or made any shift with how she looked at him. Puffing, she raised one of her hands to make a kind of waving gesture at him. [b]''I asked you to call me Aiko, but you don't have to look like I am going to threaten you. If you feel comfortable with calling me sensei, I am fine with that. Just know that you can also call me by name.''[/b] Aiko said. A waiter came in their direction to pick up their order. Aiko ordered a mild sour ramen, medium sized and would wait until Katsu had ordered his.

Katsu nodded and looked at the waiter, ordering what Aiko had. He hoped that wouldn't be asking for too much. He looked down to the edge of the table, feeling a little awkward. He didn't know what to talk about in a situation like this. He assumed she'd be bothered if he talked about how his training was going since she had wanted to refrain from discussing about what one could call "professional matters".

[b]''What is with that look?''[/b] Aiko asked friendly. Though she would never claim to be able to read people, it was quite obvious that he was thinking about something. Leaning with one arm at the table, Aiko briefly looked around before she would turn her attention back at her student. She thought back to when Katsu said he would visit Koike. That would maybe bring some good development. Now it was just Yukara and hopefully then they could work a bit better. Hopefully.

He looked up at her and gave her a slightly confused look. [b]"Oh... Was I making a face?"[/b] His cheeks lit up a bit. [b]"Sorry, Aiko-sensei... I was just thinking about something."[/b] He straightened his back and smiled reassuringly. [b]''Mind sharing?''[/b] Aiko asked, becoming a bit curious. Not that she would be bothered if he would refuse. It was his right to do so. [b]''And I just noticed cause you were looking down. You do know that if something is bothering you, you can discuss it with me. No matter if I am on free time or not.''[/b]

Katsu shook his head. [b]"No, not at all. It's not that something's bothering me. I was just thinking about what someone told me the other day,"[/b] he said. [b]"Someone I recently met gave me some pointers and I just spaced out for a moment, thinking about what he had said."[/b] Aiko thought about it and then decided it was probably something on his drawnings. But repeating she loved how he had managed to put an image of her on paper would lose its effect. Though she really loved it. [b]''That is fine. So, what more have you planned to do today?''[/b] Aiko asked.

[b]"Ah..."[/b] He was actually planning on doing the same thing he had been doing since he'd woken up until the sun had set. After that... [b]"I was planning on sitting at the booth for a while longer before going to the training fields to practice something,"[/b] he answered. For a moment, he thought about Hayate's words while they were training, but he shook the thought away, knowing that he'd have time to recollect the tips he had given Katsu.

[b]''Sounds like a good plan. I hope more people will notice your talent. It is quite good if you can make something, instead of only destroying.''[/b] Aiko said. Hopefully he would see the compliment in it, as she did mean it as one. Only she was getting curious on what Katsu would want to practice at the training fields. But seeing that he didn't mention it, she didn't want to indulge into his plans. Getting too curious would give probably a bad impression.

He was glad she thought he was good at something worthwhile. A grin formed on the boy's lips once more. [b]"I hope so too,"[/b] he said joyfully. [b]"Did you have any plans for today as well, sensei?"[/b] he asked. [b]''Now you ask..''[/b] Aiko thought about it. She started to think about what she could do in her free time and started to sum it up. [b]''I have no real plans, but I always can do some paperwork for my c- No, that is not really something to do in my free time. Maybe reading a book. Or cleaning- No, that either isn't that fun. I- I don't really know, hahahaha.''[/b] Feeling silly as well a bit of weird, Aiko realized that she had more duties than anything else at the moment. Her clan, her students and her daughter. All things that she considered duties. Not that she was troubled by them.

Katsu chuckled lightly. [b]"You don't have much free time, do you sensei?"[/b] he asked, judging from how she hadn't an idea about what she could do that wouldn't be considered as work. [b]"Going out with friends is always a nice way to spend time,"[/b] he suggested. Aiko lowered her head as she sighed. [b]''I really don't.''[/b] Raising her again, she did smiled. Scratching her left cheek, she laughed a bit on a soft manner. [b]''Not that I mind. I help a lot of people. And that is something I really enjoy doing.''[/b] Aiko said. The waiter came back with their order. Waiting till they both had their lunch in front of them, Aiko giggled briefly. [b]''Enjoy,, Katsu.''[/b]

Katsu saw the bowl being placed in front of him, the water in it recalibrating itself. [b]"It looks delicious..."[/b] he said, his eyes wide open and a large, greedy smile painted across his face. He shook his head and snapped back to reality. [b]"Thank you very much, Aiko-sensei!"[/b] Smiling, she took up the sticks as she heard him thanking her. [b]''You're welcome Katsu.''[/b] Starting to eat, she could remember somebody else who had been like this. [i]Thank you too... Miharu....[/i][/hider]