"Knave of Ninjas" King Kazuma yelled over at his partner. A little chipmunk dressed in a ninja outfit crouched low and charged their opponent. Keeping low Knave of Ninjas swiped at the opponents feet, it jumped but King Kazuma was there to punch it back down. Knave of Ninjas appeared over the rabbits shoulder a charge in its paws. Diving down, it destroyed the opponent.

"KO Winners" the screen panned around King Kazuma and Knave of Ninjas.

"Way to go" A girl with long brown hair cheered into her wireless headset microphone piece and typed something onto computer. Knave of Ninjas jumped up and got into a bed.

"You didn't do bad yourself, you're always where I need you" a boy's voice answered into the head set causing the girl to smile. Swinging in her chair away from the computer the girl picked up her phone and walked over to the bed.

"Yep well I better get going we do have that test tomorrow, Kazuma" the girl flipped on the bed.

"Yeah I'll see you later Rin."

Pulling the head set off after heaRing the disconnecting click, Rin smiled and tossed them on her night stand. Kazuma and her had been friends since they started school together. They had partnered up on OZ a year before the LoveMatchine incident; after much pleading, arguing, and proving on Rin's part. Now they were the unstoppable force everyone cheered for, and sought to challenge.

Well they sought Kazuma, Rin really only fought with him when he did big events but they knew her name. Pulling the sheets up to her chin, Rin smiled again thinking about Kazuma. Ever since the almost destruction of the world Rin may or may not have developed stronger feelings for Kazuma than friendship.

She would never tell him though, at least not yet maybe in the future. Burying her head under the sheets Rin groaned knowing she didn't have the courage to tell him.

The next morning Rin rolled out of bed shortly after her alarm went off. Changing into the long skirt and school top, Rin began the long process of brushing her hair. She really didn't like it long but everyone else did, so she didn't cut it. In the back of her mind she remembered when Kazuma told her it was pretty; it made getting up early to brush her hair worth it every day.

Blushing at the ridiculousness of the thought Ring quickly ran downstairs. Grabbing her toast she headed for the door "I'll see you around dinner time."

"Wait you don't have to be at school for another half an hour you can eat your breakfast at least" Her mother yelled from by the sink.

Slipping her shoes on Rin laughed "Mom you know me I like to be early. Besides I have a math test today and I want to look over the notes that Kenji sent me."

"That's my girl" her father came over and hugged Rin before she made it completely out the door.

"BE safe!" Her mother yelled.

"Promise" Rin yelled back before turning and hurrying to school. Arriving Rin pulled out the notes that Kenji sent her to help her with the test. Boy did knowing the runner up to the math Olympics really come in handy. She never had to study for a math test any more.

"You know you should have been studying the past three days instead of right now." Rin looked over as Kazuma took his seat. He looked basically the same as when they defeated LoveMatchine but he had filled out.

Sticking her tongue out at him Rin made a face "I studied and now I'm just refreshing."

Kazuma looked at her and smiled "So you say."

Making another face Rin concentrated on the paper in front of her "Beside Kenji hasn't steered me wrong yet. His way of explaining things and the loop holes are easier to understand than that teacher."

"You'd understand the teacher better if you paid attention" Kazuma looked over Rin's shoulder "And it looks like Kenji is catching on to your last minute studying, problem three is wrong."

Rin looked at the problem in question and realized that Kazuma was right "Rats guess I'll actually have to study." She sighed then smiled at Kazuma "You told him didn't you." Kazuma didn't say anything only smirked and looked to the front of the room as the teacher started roll call. Half way through, the door to the class room opened. A girl with long blond hair walked in with her head down.

"Excellent timing, Ms. Mitski. Class this is our new student Azuri Miski, she transferred in from Tokyo. Why don't you take the empty seat by Kazuma." The new girl finally looked up and Rin was amazed by her startling emerald eyes, they held the look of complete confidence and determination yet a slight timidness.

Going to the seat she smiled at Rin and Kazuma. Rin smiled back, before listening as the teacher explained how the test was going to work. Before long it was lunch time and everyone was piling out of the class room. Looking to Kazuma to see if he was ready, Rin saw that Azuri was still there. If Rin had her way she would have said Hey and left the girl, but her mother always told her to be nice.

"Hey Mitski-san want to join us?" Rin smiled sweetly.

Azuri looked up at her and then at Kazuma who nodded his head in agreement "Yes I would."

Walking to Rin and Kazuma's usual spot Rin made small talk with Azuri. "So why did you move here?"

"My father got transferred for his job."

"You like it so far?"

"So far but I really just arrived." Azuri smiled and sat down seeing Rin and Kazuma do the same.

"It will grow on you, before you know it you won't want to leave." Rin began eating the rice balls her mother sent her. The rest of the day went by without much incident and soon school was over.

"I think she might be ok" Rin commented as Kazuma walked her home.

"Yeah I think your right." Kazuma paused on a bridge that they were crossing.

Rin paused as well and looked out over the water "I think I'm going to invite Azuri over tomorrow night. Really get to know her type of thing."

"You're a good person" Kazuma commented and looked at Rin. Rin smiled brightly though a blush was just being suppressed to the back of her neck.

Grabbing Kazuma's arm Rin pulled him along "Come on you promise you'd get me to the library and home before dinner time and you know how my mom is about dinner." Laughing Kazuma found his footing again and walked beside Rin. Behind them they didn't see the shadow watching them intently