Catch-22: The Visitor

By: M14Mouse

Summary: Yusuke visits Sensei while he recovers.

Disclaimer: Don't own them.

'I am not a teacher, but an awakener.' –Robert Frost

Yusuke stared at Sensei's apartment door.

He called ahead to make sure he was awake and could take visitors but he couldn't bring himself to knock on the door. He knew Sensei wouldn't mind and he was always so welcoming. It just that….

He found out.

Yusuke stared at the numbers.

He had enough for money for either food or paints for the coming weeks. He had a huge project coming up and he needed those paints to complete it. He also needed food. His friends might be able to help. Boss was always willing to give a discount or even free food if there were leftovers. Sensei and Theo always seem to have leftovers to share with him as well.

Yes…Yes….he should be able to last the rest of the month.

"Kitagawa, what is with the long face?"

He turned around to see his homeroom teacher over his shoulder. He didn't like to talk about money but his homeroom teacher knew of his situation.

"Just checking over my finances. I want to make sure that I have enough paints for that project."

His homeroom teacher frowned for a moment.

"Didn't your patron leave you some extra money every month?"

He felt a stab in his chest.

"Madarame isn't my mentor anymore," He said with a shake of his head.

"Oh, I know. Another fellow. Tall, slim gentleman. He is very sweet. He looks over your artwork from time to time and ask how you are doing. He even brought a piece of yours. Oh, he comes with a strange fellow in blue."

Sensei?

Sensei has been sending him money.

"Is his name Yu Narukami by any chance?" He asked.

"YES! That is his name."

"How long has been sending me money?"

"Oh, a few months now."

He didn't even notice that his Sensei was being so generous. He was always surprised when he found out that he had some extra money left. He always thought that he just miscalculated.

Now, he wondered what else he missed.

He took a deep breath and knocked on the door. A few minutes later, Theo opened the door.

"Good evening, Mr. Yusuke. Master said that you were stopping by," Theo said with a bow. Theo stepped aside to let him through.

"Yes, how is he doing today?" He asked as he stepped inside the apartment.

"Much better. He has been awake for several hours now. His friends are out shopping. Although, I'm afraid on what they bring back with them," Theo said.

He nodded as he stepped into the apartment. He heard Theo closed the door behind him.

Instantly, he spotted Sensei on the sofa with a laptop in his lap.

"Sensei?" He said.

Sensei looked up from his laptop and smiled at him.

"Yusuke, how are you? Theo said that you were stopping by," Sensei said as he closed his laptop and put it to the side.

"I'm fine. How are you feeling?" He said as he took a seat in the loveseat across from Sensei.

"Better. Few more days, I should be good," Sensei said.

"Master and Mr. Yusuke, would you like anything?" Theo said as he stepped into view.

"Nothing, thank you, Theo," Sensei said.

"Nothing for me as well," He said to Theo before turning his attention to Sensei.

Sensei looked at Theo for a moment. Theo bowed then headed to the kitchen.

"What is wrong, Yusuke?" Sensei asked.

His body jerked at the sudden question.

"Nothing is wrong," He said as he shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

"Yusuke, I know you well enough that you never turn down food especially our food. So, what is wrong?"

He looked down at his hands in his lap.

"Yusuke?"

He could hear the concern in Sensei's voice. His fingers curled into fists.

"I know," He said softly.

"You know?" Sensei said confusedly.

"About the money."

"Ah. Does it bother you?"

"Yes…No…Maybe," He said as he stumbled the words out.

When Sensei didn't answer, he looked up to see Sensei looking with an expected look.

Sensei was waiting for an answer. It reminded him much of Ren.

"I'm thankful but you shouldn't do this."

"Why? You're one of my students, Yusuke. It is a Sensei's job to look after his students."

Not Madarame.

Many times, Madarame held money over his head.

It is like real life, Yusuke. You thought that had your commission and can have it rip away. It is an important life lesson. Learn it well.

Yes, Sensei.

"Yusuke?"

He shook his head as he looked down again.

"It's nothing."

"I'm not taking the money away, Yusuke. It is yours until you graduate. Most of all, I am not Madarame," Sensei said softly.

His head snapped up.

Sensei stared at him like a bolt of lightning in a storm. His tone and his eyes had such conviction. Sensei meant his words. It was nothing like Madarame's voice. His voice would often waver between serious to grandfathery tone. It was almost like he could never find his footing with his old Sensei.

Sensei offered guidance when Madarame offer criticism. He understood where Sensei stood on most things. Often, he had trouble with his old Master would want from him.

Sensei was stability while Madarame was a raging storm.

Maybe, that is why he cling to Sensei so much more than the others.

"I don't know what Madarame said or did to you. It is your own story to tell when you're ready. I want you know that I am here. Yes, I tend to worry. Well, I should rephrase that. We worry." Sensei said with a smile.

"We?"

"I, Theo, and Sojiro."

He blinked in surprise. Boss was always welcoming…mind you, he was a bit grumpy about it.

"Sojiro pretends tough but he is a softie. That extra curry that he makes isn't an accident. No matter what he says. Theo loves to cook and says we are too skinny for his tastes. So, he enjoys making the extra food and share it with the group"

"You are too skinny, Master! You too, Mr. Yusuke!" Theo shouted from the kitchen.

Sensei chuckled.

"So, yes, we worry, care, and guide. That is what adults are supposed to do."

"And the painting?" He asked.

It was gnawing at his thoughts. The same thoughts that Madarame instilled in him. The thoughts of self-doubt at his work. With Ren's help, he has been able to shake such thoughts but sometimes, they sneak back in.

"It was a bonus that you did it. Honestly, I brought it for me. It reminded me of home. When I close my eyes, I could see houses down below and sun set in the distance. Sure, there a few details different here and there. At the heart of your painting, it feels like home," Sensei said with a gentle smile.

He felt his chest tightened at his Sensei's words. He always hoped that his paintings left an impression on a person. It did leave an impression on Sensei.

It made his heart soar.

"I'm glad that gives you pleasure. I would like to see your home one day, Sensei. So, I can paint it."

"I would like that. Actually, I would like to bring everyone there. Maybe during your next break, I can take the group. I think that you would really enjoy the hot springs."

"That sounds wonderful. The baths are nice here but hot springs!" He said excitedly.

Sensei chuckled softly.

He felt the tension left his body. He felt better. Often, he did after talking to Sensei. He heard his stomach to grumble and groan at him.

"Sensei?" He said seriously.

"Yes?" Sensei said.

"I think that I want some food now."

End of the Visitor

Next Chapter: The Things That Were Bound to Happen

A/N: And here is the Yusuke chapter that I promised. These are some of my favorite chapters to write. Very soft Sensei and student bonding stuff. I love it. Now, the next chapter will be fun. I will share my theories on our favorite fake Igor in a coming chapter. Anyway, thank you guys for the wonderful reviews, kudos, favorites, etc. Posting will be back to normal…minus any more thunderstorms and computer issues.