Chapter One: Strings Attached
"Cmon! We're gonna be late!"Asuna yelled at the top of her lungs as she ran out of her room, struggling to put on her shoes. Negi tumbled out of the room, fumbling with his glasses. "W-Where's Konoka-Chan?!"Asuna snapped, growling and gritting her teeth. Konoka poked her head out from the door frame, "Here!!"Konoka said throwing her right hand in the air with an open palm. Asuna waved her out, "Cmon! We gotta go! Hurry up!"Asuna shouted again as she rushed off. Konoka sighed, "Cmon Negi-Kun!"Konoka exclaimed as she roller bladed off after Asuna. Negi sighed, smiling slightly as he rushed after them. He stopped suddenly, feeling a pressure pounding down on him. His eyes widened, chills ran down his spin and all over his body. "W-What is this...? This pressure...It feels..."It suddenly disappeared, and he felt normal. "Wha...?"He looked around, where did it come from? He turned his head forward again and saw Asuna. "What the hell is taking you so long?! Cmon!"Asuna grabbed him by the collar and dragged him off. "A-Ahh! Asuna-San! Don't pull so hard!"
About Fourty-Five minutes later, they arrived and rushed to class. Negi took role then proceeded to start class. "Alright class, today we're going to be exploring the--"The sound of the door opening caused him to pause and look over. He saw Takahata with a girl standing in front of him. "Hello there Negi-Kun, I have a new student for you..."Takahata said with a smile. The girl was petite in size and looked shy, for she was somewhat trying to hide away behind Takahata. She wore the school uniform and had chin length black hair. Her eyes were a vibrant green and her skin was pale. "Oh, alright...Please come in,"Negi said with a warm smile. The girl nodded and looked up to Takahata, whom gave a warm smile also. She nodded and stepped into the classroom, Takahata left. "Well, everyone say hello!"Negi exclaimed as a eruption of voices filled the room, all greeting the new student, all but Evangeline of course. Negi smiled then looked back to the girl, "So tell us, what is your name?"Negi asked, tilting his head to the side. "My name? Oh yes my name!"She said with a sweet voice. She bowed, "My name is Kinami Kusanagi, thank you!"She said, standing upright with a large smile on her face.
Evangeline flinched, she had just saw something, something of course out of the ordinary. "Hm?"Evangeline cocked a brow, blinking as she stared at this girl. She could see a small black string attached to her shoulder, it led out the window. The pressure that had found Negi now found Evangeline, it was pressing down harder then it was on Negi for some reason. Her eyes grew wide, this pressure...This feeling...It was familiar to her, how she did not know, but it was familiar and close by. She quickly glanced around, Setsuna seemed to be noticing as well, the expression on her face gave it all away. She looked to Negi, he was feeling it as well, again the expression. She looked to the girl, this Kinami. She seemed to be looking right up at Evangeline, her eyes closed and her mouth shaped into a smile. It creeped her out, this girl...She was something else it seemed. She looked back out the window, she twitched. She could of sworn that she had just saw a figure rush by. Evangeline stood up, she wasn't going to sit and wait for this seemingly invisible person to show. Of course, Chachamaru stood up with her, following after Evangeline after she walked out of the classroom. Negi of course was stooped with her sudden leave, but he did not bother, for the moment at least. "Oh...Kinami, your seat..."
Evangeline found herself up on the roof, Chachamaru was standing behind her. "Master, why did we come up here so abruptly?"Evangeline held up a hand, the pressure was getting closer.
"So...Evangeline-Sama...You decided to come up and see me? Why, I feel special now..."A male voice said with a calm and smooth tone. Evangeline narrowed her eyes, she had heard that voice before, but where she did not know. "Show yourself!"Evangeline said sternly. Suddenly, a figure clad in black appeared in front of her, a large grin on his face. His attire was simple and a little over cliched, a black trench coat with a black shirt underneath. His leggings were jeans, black and his shoes were black boots. His hair moved down to his shoulders and was a solid black. His skin was fairly tanned, and his eyes were as red as blood itself. His hands were shoved into his pockets at the moment. Evangeline did not flinch, she just stared deep into his eyes, examining his features. It then came to her, she knew who this was. "Kojima Sarutobi..."She said quietly, her teeth gritting. This man, this Kojima smiled and laughed. "So you do remember me Evangeline-Sama! I'm touched!"He said with a smile.
"Master, who is this person?"Chachamaru asked, already on edge and ready to fight, although she didn't look it. "Kojima Sarutobi, the Puppet Master of Shadows...He was infamous back in his day, known as one of the most powerful Dark Magi's out there...Pray tell what you are doing here?"Evangeline muttered, adding a silent growl. "I just felt like seeing my old friend Evangeline!"He said with a grin. His face then grew stern, "And to say hello to Nagi Springfield's son..."He said with a deep tone. Chachamaru, taking this as a sign of hostility, rushed forward at an incredible speed. Evangeline jumped, and her eyes grew wide. "Chachamaru! No!"She shouted loudly. It was no use, she had already attacked and was now positioned a few feet in front of Evangeline with her fist outstretched and Kojima was out of sight. Evangeline blinked, looking about, he was still here; she could sense it, but where? "Wow, fast!"She heard him say. He appeared in front of Evangeline, a bit closer this time. His hands were out now and his arms were crossed over his chest, both hands were open and his fingers were strained. "This is where one gets punished..."Kojima said silently, he grinned as his right finger flicked upward. Suddenly, Chachamaru's right arm was ripped from it's socket violently and was thrown into the air. His grin grew wider as his hands became relaxed and Chachamaru fell to the ground.
Kojima glanced back at her, seeing the arm laying on the ground. "Ohh! A robot eh?"He laughed. "The technology nowadays! How advanced!"He said with a grin. Evangeline gritted her teeth harder, her eyes twitching and her body trembling. "S-Shadow puppetry...The art of using an opponents own Shadow as strings, or any other object's Shadow for that matter. Even when there is no Shadow it still attaches..."Evangeline said quietly as she looked up at him. Kojima raised a brow, "Oh...So you know my technique eh...? Good for you little miss..."He smiled wide and slightly bent down to look Evangeline straight in the eyes but at her eye level. "Well it's time for me to say adios for now...I'll talk to ya later..."He suddenly gave Evangeline a quick peck on the lips, it made her jump and blush. "Adios Chica!"He suddenly disappeared, leaving Evangeline there speechless and redder then an apple. She closed her eyes, clenched her fists and threw her head back, "Damn it Kojima!!!!"
End Chapter One