AN: Start of a series in a new AU because I really wanted something with a professor/student relationship. And I suddenly had a plot bunny, so this was born. I have no self control. xD Also I know the title is lame. Titles are for losers. :p This will be updated whenever I get ideas, also. Lol. Enjoy!


When Shion first knocked on the office door, he was surprised at how steady his hand was. He was nervous to face the professor inside - the professor for whom he would be a teacher's assistant this year. A deep voice answered his knock.

"Come in."

Taking a deep breath, Shion pushed the door open, revealing a packed and crowded office. Stacks of bookstook up much of the floor space that wasn't already jeaopardized by bookshelves. In the middle of the chaos was a single, antique wooden desk, with a male figure seated just behind it.

"Don't knock anything over," the man said curtly as Shion carefully navigated his way to the desk. The professor looked relatively young, with long dark hair twisted into a bun-ponytail. His gaze didn't once leave the papers in front of him.

"Uhm," Shion swallowed, "you're Nezumi-sensei, yes?"

"That's my name."

The man's tone was cold and sarcastic, and made Shion feel somehow intimidated and comforted simultaneously. He fidgeted a little as he spoke again.

"I'm Shion. I'm your new t.a."

"I figured as much. What program are you in, again?"

"Ecology."

The man's gaze finally lifted to him, and Shion found himself drawn in by the stormy gray of the man's eyes. They were a color he'd never seen before. However, the stony expression on the professor's face required more of his attention at the moment.

"Ecology."

"Y-yes."

"Do you even know anything about classic literature? Shakespeare? Hemingway? Poetry?"

"I have a basic knowledge of some of the more popular classics, but I never read them personally."

"You have got to be shitting me."

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"Are you serious? That guy has no reason to be so rude to you!"

"S-Safu, please, calm down," Shion said, wary of the diner patrons that had begun to stare at the two of them. Really, the woman was incredibly smart, but she had a tendency to make a scene when upset.

"Well someone has to be upset for you, since you refuse to see ill in anyone," the brown haired girl huffed indignantly. She was still clearly annoyed, but at least she wasn't slamming her fists on the table anymore.

"It's not exactly an ideal situation for him, either," Shion defended the dark-haired professor. "I can't help him with much in classes since we're in totally different fields, and that does defeat the purpose of me being there in a way."

"And why doesn't he ask for a new t.a.?"

"Well he did, but..."

"Oi, what the hell are you guys thinking? This guy is in the ecology program. Why was he assigned to be my t.a.? Can't you give me somebody else?"

"I'm sorry, but we can't do that. There weren't anymore positions open for a science t.a. And there weren't nearly enough applicants from the literature program."

"But-"

"You were so set on having an assistant this year, we decided we'd put him with you. In other words, you're stuck with him."

"So now he's throwing a fit because you're stuck together? That's not very fair. It's not your fault!"

"Well, I'm sure it's just because he's under so much stress right now. He can't be all bad."

"Shion, you really are too trusting of people sometimes," Safu sighed. Her expression became determined.

"If he keeps being mean to you, I'll beat him up for sure!"

"Safu, please!"

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"So what are you good for, anyway?"

A week had passed, and Nezumi-san had finally seemed to resign himself to his fate. At least he wasn't as irritable as he had been when he'd first found out Shion was an ecology major. Shion was beginning to think that "vaguely annoyed" was the man's default setting.

"Well, I can pick up new things pretty quickly."

"Oh, right, you were one of those "gifted" kids, weren't you? Not that it will help you much in the real world."

"Well I know how to bake, too. And I'm good at first aid procedures," Shion said, feeling oddly defensive. The professor merely chuckled.

"A natural airhead, too. How precious."

"That's not-"

"Well, Your Majesty. I'd love to bicker with you all day, but I have a class to teach. I'll be back in an hour," Nezumi-san turned around at the door, "while I'm away, be a good boy. And work on increasing your vocabulary with some of these books. You could certainly use it."

Shion blinked as the door swung shut behind the man. The man really was quite strange.