[center][i]Aiko's opinion,
A proud sensei.

A collab between Gerontis, Sketcher and Lesli.

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Summary :
After all the time that has been passed with the training, the requested mission and more training, Aiko decideds to gather Koike and Katsu together. This time not for a training, but for Aiko to express what she thinks about her two pupils that will enter the exams.[/center][/i]

[hider=Aiko's opinion]
Though dressed in her jounin garb, Aiko wasn't on the training field for any training. Leaning against a tree, she stood in the shadow, while waiting for her two students to come and arrive at the meeting place. First Aiko had considered a teahouse or a restaurant, but instead had chosen for the training field where the team had gathered for the first time. The time when they had head out for the first team training. Which had went horribly. Now, weeks had passed. Aiko had invested time in training all three the genin. A soft smile appeared on her face as she looked up, staring at the blue sky. Though they all three had to keep improving some aspects, skills and habits, Aiko felt proud. From an unruly team they had became more or less an united front. Thinking about it, she wasn't even sure if she had been that great of a help in it. Considering how well Koike and Katsu seemed to work together. Even giving the impression that they were friends, was something that her happy. It was much better than what they were at the start.

Heading the gathering point, Koike was walking in a normal pace. He was wondering what Aiko had called him for. Perhaps another mission or maybe a training? The exams were ever growing closer of happening, but Koike somehow was calm about it. It was the fourth time that he participated and he wasn't honestly craving of becoming a chuunin. He was content. Being a genin meant that he wouldn't be looked upon with some respect, but did he need that? He had what he needed to keep going and that was important for him. Before he would enter the field, he checked the small bag he was carrying. It was starting to become a rather odd habit of him.

Making his way to the field, Katsu saw Koike enter it ahead of him. He quickly race up to his friend and with a cheerful tone, he announced his presence. [b]"Good morning!"[/b] Indeed it was. Katsu had slept early and woken up late for the first time in the last two weeks or so. Fully rested and raring to go, the boy could hardly contain himself. Perhaps it was the excitement of the upcoming event or perhaps because he was just well rested.

Hearing something, Aiko turned her attention to where she had heard something. Noticing that both Koike and Katsu came walking to the field only made her more certain. They were looking differently. Not in any way of being taller or such physical manner. But in her eyes they had managed to grow more as capable shinobi, but she was wondering if that had been because of their growing bond. [b]''Good morning.''[/b] Aiko called to them, waiting in the shadow of the tree for them to approach her.

Turning his head, Koike glanced over his shoulder. Smiling a bit, he wished Katsu a good morning as well. [b]''Got this for you.''[/b] Holding out the bag, it was evident what Koike had bought for him. Stuffing his hands back into the pockets of his pants, he would continue to walk towards their sensei. [b]''Morning.''[/b] Koike said, waiting to hear what the meaning was of the gathering. He was half expecting Yukara to be present or this could be another mission.

Katsu's eyes glowed as he reached for the bag. [b]"For me?"[/b] He peeked his head into it, smelling the wonderful food. He pulled himself out again and caught up to Koike. [b]"Good morning, sensei!"[/b] the boy replied in kind. He looked at Aiko with a warm and wide grin. He locked his fingers behind him, the bag hanging under his knuckles.
A bit surprised, she had seen Koike giving something to Katsu. Wondering what it was, Aiko decided that it wasn't something she should concern herself with. [b]''Glad to see you both could came. Sorry that I hadn't been early with anouncing that I wanted to meet up with you two.''[/b] Aiko said. Taking in a pause, she decided to skip the formalities. They were after all wondering why they were. [b]''I called you both here because the chuunin exams are going to be happening soon. Both of you have managed to grow and impress me during the past weeks. What I want to say and talk about isn't any theory about combat, ninjutsu or something like that.''[/b] Aiko realized she was maybe rambling a little bit. But she wanted to be sure that she was clear with her words, how she felt about the progression of the two. [b]''I am very proud of how far you both have came. Considering the first team training, you two and Yukara are doing it very well. More than I had expected.

I am proud of you.''[/b]

Staying silent as Aiko spoke to them, Koike thought back to the times he had failed the Exams. Two times. He had entered it twice and failed both of them. Reasons or not, he had always a hard time to think that Aiko was being proud of being his sensei. After all, Miharu was now dead and Koike still saw himself responsible for letting that happen. Lowering his head, he thought about her words. [b]''I would like a pastrie.''[/b] He mumbled, his cheeks a bit blushing.

The smile grew and grew on Katsu's face until he heard Koike's words. [i]But... You gave them to me... They're my pastries...[/i] Though without hesitation, Katsu held out the bag of pastries for Koike to dig into unwillingly. [b]"Could you choose something for me too?"[/b] he asked, showing his impeccable trust in Koike.

The question of Koike made Aiko look surpised and at first confused. But noticing the blush on his cheeks, she realized why he had asked for a pastrie. Her smile grew back as Katsu gave Koike the bag. Laughing, she decided that she wouldn't need to hear their response about her words. Why would she? It was evident and crystal clear. [b]''If you wouldn't mind me, I would love to have one too. Perhaps we should sit down?''[/b] She said.

Just taking one pastrie out, Koike held the bag towards Aiko. He didn't want to talk. And the pastrie wasn't that half bad. Still not something he saw as a nice treat, but it was nice to have an excuse to not to talk back. He was still thinking about Aiko's words. A warm feeling was spreading over his body as he thought about it. Sitting down, it dawned on him that he was blushing a bit. Taking a small bite of the pastrie, Koike glanced away, hoping the blush would go away.

As the pastry bag was taken from his hands and nothing was put back into it, Katsu sat down with a disappointed air around him. [i]He didn't hear me...[/i] He seemed to be mouthing "Pastry" over and over, so slowly it was somewhat creepy. His head was lowered, his eyes open wide. Huffing, his head fell in front of him, his face now no longer visible.

Taking out a pastry out of the bag, Aiko threw a worried glance towards Katsu. For a moment she was worried that he was having a sort of stroke. Or maybe a breakdown. Raising the pastry she had taken out and biting on it, she would have a hand free to take out another pastry. Which was slightly bigger than the others ones in the bag. [b]''Katsu.''[/b] Managing to mumble his name with her mouth full, Aiko stretched and offered the pastry before she would sit down as well. 

Koike hadn't heard or seen Katsu's reaction. He was still looking away while slowly munching on the bite he had taken from his pastry. Finally, he managed to accept Aiko's words. It felt good and he was sure now. Whether he would or wouldn't be promoted to become a chuunin, he was happy now. Asking for more wouldn't be anything he considered good.

Katsu sniffed a couple of times once the pastry was pulled out of the bag. Without looking up, the boy managed to pinpoint the exact location of the dessert in space and time, snatching it out of her hand rapidly and stuffing it into his mouth. He radiated some killing intent for the moment he pursued his prey, and a moment later, the adorable boy was smiling with half of the pastry sticking out of his mouth.

This was really nice. Leaning against the tree, Aiko glanced at the two of them. Though Katsu radiated some killing intent, it wasn't enough to spook Aiko. But she was a bit worried. Maybe she should note down that he shouldn't get that much pastries. They were having a bad effect on the boy, yet she couldn't hide her smile. There they were. Simply eating a pastry together. Now Aiko was sure. The Exams would go well, promotion or not. [/hider]