Disclaimer: Mahou Sensei Negima and all its characters are copyrighted and owned by Ken Akamatsu.

The sound of tiny footsteps were heard through out the hall way. We see a little girl, about six --- or seven of age striding to get to her destination. Her masters had called her in, but she had no idea what it is about.

She stopped, nearly in front the door of where her masters were, noticing two people standing next to the door. One of those two people she saw caught her attention. Those two people were a woman of her twenties and the one that caught the child's attention was another child of about the same age as her.

The older woman turned to the little girl that had just arrived and smiled at her. She blushed then bowed down as respect and greeting. The other child, who was holding the woman's hand, also turned to her. The little girl was startled. The other child's dull eyes just stared at her. Then she noticed, a feint reddening of the other child's golden eyes. After a few seconds, the door of the room opened.

Chapter 1: Konoemon's Request

The door of the principal's office swung open. Konoe Konoemon turned his seat and greeted the new comer. "So I see you've arrived."

A small nod was given as a reply, and then the new comer shifted a bit and spoke. "I had some business to attend to in America. Health issues."

Konoemon laughed, "In any case, thank you for answering my request. Should I ask someone to guide you to your classroom?"

"No need to thank me Konoe-san. I accepted this as my last mission because I am interested. And a guide would not be needed. I can find it myself."

"Are you sure?"

Another shift.

"Yes."

"Very well. You are dismissed."

The new comer bowed lowly and moved to the door. Upon placing a hand over the knob the person turned back to Konoemon. "I'll fulfill this mission to any extent. Please don't stop me if it comes to those terms." Then a soft creak of a closing door was heard. Konoemon laughed at the request —-- that sounded more like a threat.

Footsteps were heard in the hallways of Mahora Academy-Middle school division. It was odd since the classes were almost half-way done for the day. The tapping stopped as a figure paused in front of a door. The person looked up at the sign hanged above the door.

It read 3-A.

The person stared at the sign a bit longer, as if confirming that there wasn't a mistake. With a sigh, the figure knocked at the door.

Half way through the lesson, the class was suddenly interrupted by a soft knocking sound on the door—- though, it was only heard after the fifth or sixth knock because of Asuna's and Ayaka's usual bickering and causing almost the whole class to be cheering on either sides. Everyone looked at the door as Negi proceeded to it. After opening it, a rather strange and uncommon sight is what they saw.

A guy. That's the first impression almost every one of 3-A gave upon setting gaze on the new comer. Suddenly, recognition struck the young sensei's features.

"You must be the one Headmaster Konoemon mentioned!"

A small, silent nod was given as a reply.

"Please come on in!" Negi-sensei smiled.

Now, the new comer had noticed the strange glances that where shot at his direction as he followed the child in front of him. Negi-sensei as they call him.

So there are still cases like this all over, eh? He mused unsurprised, glancing at Negi then looking straight, until they have reached the flat-form.

Negi smiled and faced his class, "Minna-san, remember what I said about an exchange student this morning that will arrive today?"

Most of the students nodded. Then Negi motioned and let the new comer start the introductions.

Moving over the board, the new comer scribbled a few letters and faced them again.

"Yatsuka Aoki. Pleasure to meet you all." Then Aoki bowed and smiled. An odd one.

Kazumi raised her camera and peered through it lenses, observing Aoki from head to toe. Kazumi took mental note of his outer appearance. Usual built, short in height – almost as tall as Setsuna, long blue hair that's tied to a ponytail. What caught her attention most are the golden eyes and two scars visible on the left side of the Aoki's neck. But the comment does change. Why is there a guy here in our class? She thought. Then as if hearing Kazumi's thoughts, Aoki continued the introduction.

"I just had arrived from America on a business trip... Headmaster Konoe requested me to attend 3-A to evaluate Springfield-sensei's class."

Then Aoki shifted, seemingly uncomfortable on standing and straighten his blue-coat uniform.

"But aren't you a guy?" Fuuka's hand shot up and asked.

Aoki just gave out another odd smile, then spoke. "Other than Springfield-sensei's evaluation..." Aoki glances at Konoka, capturing her gaze in the process and startling her. Aoki's golden eyes hardened, "I'm also here— for other things."

Setsuna saw this. And she wasn't pleased.

"I think that's all I have to say about myself." Aoki shifted a bit and smirked at Setsuna's direction, which surprised her.

"Well then, Yatsuka-san. You can proceed to your seat now, beside Evangeline-san." Negi smiled wearily upon hearing that Konoemon want him to be evaluated then pointed the blank seat beside Evangeline.

Aoki bowed again at Negi-sensei and proceeded to his seat. On his way though, he glances at Setsuna and then stops besides Konoka's table. Aoki bowed then whispered to Konoka's ear, "It's nice to be of your service, Konoe-ojousama."

Konoka looked at the person beside her. Aoki smiled and continued to his seat, amused by the expression Konoka gave.

"Yoroshiku, McDowell Evangeline-san." Aoki seated himself beside Evangeline, giving her another pleasant odd smile.

Evangeline frowned at the greeting.

"That old man... Who and what are you?"

Aoki looked straight as if to listen to Negi as he continued his lesson that was disrupted, and then grinned.

"I'm just like you, Evangeline-san."

---

Additional Copyrights:

Aoki Yatsuka is copyrighted and owned by Ryuuen Tanaka.

Title "Karenai Hana"(The Unwithering Flower) was taken from Full Metal Panic's Ending theme, sung by Shimokawa Mikuni.

Author's Notes:

This is my first fanfiction after 4-5 years. I haven't written anything since then.

This chapter's short, I'm not very good with starting a new story and I'm still struggling to get use to writing again. I'm much better with illustrating than writing so please forgive me. Review away, and please crit accordingly.

By the way. Merry Christmas All.

Glossary:

Yoroshiku – Japanese for "Nice to meet you."

-ojousama – name honorific/additive of calling a lady that you serve or of higher status

-san – name honorific/additive that depicts respect.