Chapter: 2
Associates and Appointments
A RWBY Fanfiction
By: Delvakiir
Professor Ozpin sat at his desk, back straight, face neutral, eyes trained on the door in front of him. He pulled back his sleeve and looked at his watch, grimacing slightly. It appeared their meeting was going to start late yet again. It was to be expected but just once he would like it if his student were on time. He cast a glance at Goodwitch who stood beside him tapping her foot on the floor in impatience. Neither of them spoke to one another. After so many years of working together communication no longer required speaking. He knew what Glynda was thinking and she knew what he would say if she voiced her thoughts. So they remained in stern silence each alternating from watching the door and checking the time. They waited another twenty minutes until at last they heard the door click open and a figure stepped through the threshold to stand in front of them. The man brushed his thick black hair away from his face and tucked it behind his ear. He clasped his hands behind his back and appeared to be waiting for Ozpin to speak first.
"Well, look who finally decided to grace us with his presence!" said Professor Goodwitch, beating him to the punch. She pressed her mouth into a tight line and glared at him with a disapproving look in her eyes.
"You're late again, Hiei," chided Ozpin in an even tone.
Hiei D. Lykanian smirked and swept into a bow, "Ah, my most sincere apologies. I'm afraid I got a little caught up on my way here."
Professor Goodwitch huffed and crossed her arms, "More likely you were out spying on people again!"
Hiei gasped, "Ms. Goodwitch you wound me!" exclaimed Hiei, throwing a hand over his heart, an aghast look upon his face. "And to think you suspect me of all people for such a despicable act!" he said innocently.
Ozpin frowned, Hiei enjoyed teasing others far too much. It had gotten him in trouble before, and from the increasingly sour look on Glynda's face it appeared to be par for the course once again.
"If both of you are finished shall we get down to business?" he said, gesturing to the empty seat in front of his desk.
"Of course," said Hiei sliding comfortably into the chair. He folded his right leg over his left, placed his elbows on the arms of the chair, and melded his fingers together in front of his face. He was the picture of self-assured confidence. Ozpin hoped he would retain that after he told him what he had to tell.
Ozpin smiled, "You're looking well Hiei. I trust your studies are going well?"
Hiei returned the smile, "Yes quite well, thank you for asking. I expect to receive high marks in all of my subjects this semester."
The corner of Ozpin's mouth curved upward a bit, "That's interesting. I heard from your instructors that your presence in class has been...sparse to say the least. It makes one wonder how someone is capable of earning such high grades with such poor attendance." Ozpin saw Hiei's face harden for a fraction of a second before he leaned back and chuckled, "Oh, I have my ways professor, you needn't bother yourself keeping track of such things. I'm sure you have enough to worry about already."
Ozpin took a sip of the mug of coffee which always sat on the edge of his desk, "It's no trouble at all. I'd hate to see one of my students suffer from an accusation of cheating. Especially if he is so obviously innocent, wouldn't you agree?"
Hiei looked down for a moment. His face appeared untroubled but he could almost see his mind at work trying formulating a response. Finally he raised his head and matched his gaze with his blazing green eyes, "I don't suppose you called me here in the dead of night to discuss my academic career so why don't you tell me what it is you want from me?"
Glynda opened her mouth to chastise him for his brash behavior, but Ozpin raised his hand to quell another rising argument he turned toward her, "Ms. Goodwitch you are excused." he said calmly.
Glynda turned towards him and started to say something else but seemed to think better of it and turned to leave, "As you wish," she said with a brisk nod. As she started towards the door Ozpin saw her catch sight of the not so slight smugness on Hiei's face. Extending her riding crop she whipped him swiftly on the tail as she passed. Hiei cried out in pain and surprise and whirled on her, knocking over his chair as he did so.
"That was awful cheeky of you." Hiei growled, his eyes flashing with malice.
Glynda smirked, "Well sometimes a naughty dog needs to be whipped," she said innocently, knowing full well how much Hiei prized his tail. Hiei scowled and this time it was Glenda's turn to smile. She turned and left, looking satisfied that she had taken some of the wind out of his sails.
Professor Ozpin chuckled, "Perhaps you should use more tact when you speak to Ms. Goodwitch. She's the type of person to slap a leash on you if you're not careful," he said, taking a sip of his coffee.
Hiei turned and smiled at him- but it seemed forced, "She would do well to know the difference between some domesticated cur and myself. Leashing a wolf is not so easy. You can expect to lose a few fingers if you're not careful," said Hiei smoothing out the fur on his tail.
Ozpin dismissed the bold statement with a wave of his hand, he took another sip of his coffee. He fixed Hiei with a look that told him it was time to get back to the task at hand. Hiei righted his chair and sat back down, looking a bit more subdued, "It appears we have a bad habit of getting on unrelated tangents during our appointments," he said, still rubbing his tail where Glynda had struck it. His brow furrowed, "I believe you were about to tell me something?"
"Yes," he said taking a sip of his coffee, "I want you to take charge of a group of first year students and put them under a special training regimen."
The headmaster's words seemed to take Hiei by surprise, causing the facade that was his smile to disappear. After taking a moment, to what he could only assume was coordinating his thoughts, Hiei became suddenly very serious. Crossing his arms he leaned back and looked Ozpin dead in the eye, "First years? You must have a lot of faith in these particular students to hand them over to me of all people," he said, suspicion creeping into his voice.
Ozpin regarded the Faunus upperclassman thoughtfully. The look on Hiei's face told him that he would prefer a fight with an angry Ursa than play tutor to first years. The headmaster smiled, "So be it," he thought to himself. Hiei was long overdue for a little responsibility anyway.
Just as he was about to speak, no doubt formulating a plan to get out of his assignment Ozpin spoke up again, "I tell you what. You do this for me and I'll forget all about your little nightly escapades. Otherwise I might have to enforce disciplinary action upon you. After all, we can't be giving students special treatment, now can we?"
Hiei's mouth opened and closed a few times as if his brain were trying to say something that his body refused to convey.
"I've, sent the dossiers of the students you'll be handling to your Scroll. Please take a look at them as soon as you have time. But please take your time as I'm fully aware of how busy you are," Ozpin drawled, putting special emphasis on that last bit.
Hiei felt his ears droop in depression. He often felt the conversations he had with Ozpin were like a game of chess, each positioning themselves to more favorable positions on the board, and if their conversations were to indeed be treated as a chess game Hiei felt as if he had just been put in check. But he perked up again thinking this a perfect time to reveal a little gem of information he'd come across.
He couldn't help but sneer, "You speak of giving students special treatment? You know I've heard whispers of a curious little first year girl that got moved ahead two whole years just so she could attend Beacon. It's all rather scandalous if you ask me. Wouldn't you agree?" he said leaning in, his sly grin widening practically ear to ear as he saw the headmaster's stony visage waver ever so slightly. "She wouldn't happen to be one of these students, would she?" probed Hiei.
"And if she is?" asked Ozpin, fixing him with a curious look.
"Then I must thank you for giving me such an amusing doll to play with," he said in a voice that was eerily frigid. If he was going to be forced into this he would at least find a way to have a bit of fun. He watched Ozpin set his arms on the desk and meld his fingers together, just as he had done a few moments ago, and eyed Hiei warily.
The old huntsman didn't seem overly surprised, "Your keen ears serve you well," said Ozpin with grudging approval.
"I wouldn't be quite as useful without them," said Hiei, his ears twitching.
Hiei leaned back, brimming with satisfaction. He had removed himself from check for the time being, but he would have to be careful from now on, now that he knew the professor was keeping an eye on him. When it came to Ozpin, knowledge and information were the weapons used to battle. His earlier comments were no mere casual observation, but a calculated threat, letting Hiei know that while he could move freely it would not go without notice.
After sitting in silence for a moment Hiei stood up, "Well, if were done here I'll see myself out. I'll have a look at these students of yours. Just don't be surprised if I find them lacking."
As he headed towards the door he heard Ozpin speak from over his shoulder, "Try not to frighten them too much would you? I doubt any of them have had a Faunus instructor before. Try not to let that be a problem." Hiei paused for a moment. Ozpin's tone was serious and grim; he wasn't joking. Hiei turned around, the look on his face making Professor Ozpin harden his features as he stared back at him.
"If they fear me, it will have nothing to do with the fact I'm a Faunus," said Hiei in a tone so cold it could have frosted over the windows. Ozpin said nothing, just stared at him with a steely look in his eyes. Hiei, satisfied he had made his point, turned and left, disappearing into the blackness of the hallway beyond the office door.
Hiei's thoughts were troubled as he made the long walk back to his quarters. He didn't much like the thought of having to devote his time to a bunch of first years. However, he couldn't deny that this could serve as an opportunity for him to, perhaps at last, get what he wanted from the old huntsman. He didn't like it but supposed he would just have to make the best of it. It wasn't as if he could refuse anyway. Ozpin had made that perfectly clear during their little chat. He let out a sigh, now that he was going to be responsible for a group of students he would have to pick his path carefully and think three moves ahead. He didn't know why Ozpin was so interested in these particular students but he intended to find out- in time.
Shaking his head he pushed the thoughts from his mind as he gazed out the window. The sky was just beginning to lighten with the first promises of dawn. For the first time after his meeting with Professor Ozpin he was beginning to realize just how tired he was. Rubbing the back of his neck in distress he continued on towards his living quarters. He would be getting no sleep anytime soon; after all, he had a lot of reading to do, he thought to himself with a grimace.
"Yes, a lot of reading to do indeed," Hiei said to himself aloud, looking down at one particular dossier. One titled Ruby Roseā¦
