A Great Honor
"Sensei?"
"Hmmp?" He sat up, eyes fully opening, shattering his lazy daydream (rated PG 13 daydream, heh heh).
"You said you wanted to talk to me." His sky blue gaze was steady and innocent, but only partially. It seemed sometimes that this kid could tilt his head just right and his eyes would reflect wisdom in greater volumes than his own sensei. Heh. He was certainly more responsible and organized than his sensei.
"That's right, I did. Come on in." He looked around for the chair. It had become a pile of dirty laundry in the shape of a chair. He shoved the papers and scrolls he'd been examining before he dozed off onto the floor. "Come sit on the bed," he said, gesturing to the newly created vacant spot. He watched his pupil climb up onto the bed, sunlight from the opened window dancing on his golden hair.
"What is it, sensei? If it's about the… accident yesterday I can explain! I told the hokage the truth, I promise I-"
"No, no that's all cleared up." He smiled "We all get in trouble sometimes, even senseis, even the hokage."
"Oh, that's good! That's excellent! Thank you Jiraiya-sama, sir, thank you! I promise it will never happen again, honestly-"
"Slow down! No need for that!" he waved his hand dismissively. Now it was time to get serious. He leaned forward, small dark intelligent eyes level with the azure spotlights. "You know you're very advanced, right?" You're at a higher level than most people your age, a level higher than a lot of people older than you as a matter of fact." He looked puzzled.
"… I, I know I'm a good student," he stammered. Jiraiya shook his white maned head.
"I'm not talking about academics: you have pure, raw talent. Talent that is very promising. Very promising. And I've been talking to… the council, the hokage, people like that. They'd like, well, they want to advance you to chunnin level."
"Chunnin level?! But-"
"Hear me out. I told them I felt it should be your choice. It would be a great honor. A great chance. You'd join an older team and advance from there. It would be good for you and the village." He sighed, studying the young thoughtful face. "What do you want?" His student looked down, closing his eyes in concentration.
"Would you not be my sensei then?"
"That's right. You'd get a new sensei." He looked straight up then, gaze even and glinting with fierce resolve and that untouchable wisdom.
"Then no. I will help my village most if you are my teacher." Jiraiya grinned.
"Good, now get off my bed, you rascal."