Ohaio everyone! How's it going? I hope I find you all in high spirits and expectations for this chapter. Thank you all for reviewing and reading so far. I hope I can keep you all interested.

Mana: Mako does not own Negima. Negima is owned by Ken Akamatsu.

Me: Arigatou Mana! I didn't even have to ask you:)

Mana: Where's my money?

Me: Crap. :(

CHAPTER 7: Ultimate Battle Technique Revealed!

"You should be worried about me!"

Kotarou froze dead in his tracks. The energy coming from behind him was powerful, almost unnatural in its flow. He wasn't the only one that noticed it. The girls were frozen in place and staring in stunned horror at the source of the energy. Negi. His aura of magic had erupted into a black, red, and purple flame. The flame continued to grow until it was like a surging fire around his entire being. Even the demons that attacked them noticed the change. It wasn't a small change either. Just what was happening to here? Konoka and Asuna backed away from the figure that was once their teacher.

The difference was noticeable to anyone with the smallest intelligence. By now the entire crowd around them was staring in fascination. Of course they though it was just some kind of cg animation. Chisame noticed the change and walked slowly back towards the group. The aura around Negi shrank down until it was just a thin layer surrounding his body. His clothes had changed during the energy surge. His entire body was covered by an ankle length cloak. The cloak was the color of blood. On the back of the cloak was a silver Gothic style cross. Negi stood up; he was also much taller than before. He was just around Mana's height, maybe a little bit shorter. Evangeline stared at the cross on his back, she knew it from somewhere.

The girls plus Kotarou stood stock still. They were either too shocked to move or too scared. The only one that seemed half capable of making a move at this point was Mana. Her hands tightened around her guns. She had exterminated many demons in her career and met many others. However she had never experienced a power source like this before. Negi, if it was him, kept his eyes on the ground. The hood covered his head, making it impossible to see his face.

Raising a now gloved hand, he pointed at the three demons. "Kotarou," his voice was a bit deeper now, "if they want to fight me then let them."

Kotarou's hand began to shake just a little bit. When Negi said his name he felt like he had been doused by a bucket of ice water. He steadied his hand and relented his fighting stance.

"Now, if you're still interested shall we take this somewhere else?" The figure in the red cloak jumped high into the air. Without turning around he landed on top of the department store that was just behind them.

Again the girls were a little too stunned to move. The three demons however ran towards them and with inhuman strength leap high into the air. Kotarou cursed and leapt after them, followed by Kaede and then Mana. Evangeline ordered Chachamaru to take her up to the rooftops. The robot picked her master up and activated the boosters in her feet. It seemed like these actions snapped the others out of their daze. Ku Fei built up the ki in her legs and leapt into the air. Setsuna picked Konoka up in her arms and jumped after her. Asuna was next, she picked up Chisame (to the latter's protests) and leapt to the top of the roofs.

When Asuna touched down she set Chisame on her feet. The red cloaked figure looked like he was having a stare down with the demons. The others stood behind him, waiting to see what would happen next. The roof was perfect, from a combat point of view. It was large enough to have a proper fight. It was also out of the eyesight of the normal people.

"Who sent you?"

Satoshi smiled at him. "No one sent us."

"That's right," Yoshino replied. "We'll be the demons famous for the destruction of the Thousand Master's son!"

"I guess that's it then."

The figure reached up and grabbed the front of his cloak. With one swift tug the cloak came undone and was flung to the side. It was indeed Negi under the cloak. Only, he looked older. He was about fourteen now. His hair had gotten longer but was still the same flame red color. It had gotten longer and fell down to his shoulders. He was tall now too, taller than Asuna but not quite as tall as Mana. His physique was probably the greatest physical change. In addition to being tall he was also lanky. His back and arm muscles weren't crazy like the guys on the covers of magazines. They were however well toned, fitting his new 'looks' perfectly.

Negi's appearance didn't change in physical traits only. His clothes were also different. His shirt turned into a skin tight black vest. The vest was sleeveless and appeared to cover his entire neck. On the back was the same silver cross, outlined in red. Leather pants fitted to his form perfectly, he looked almost like a biker. His boots were leather combat boots that were about knee high. Silver were on the front of the boots. On the heel and toe of the shoes there were exposed metal. His hands were clad in fingerless black leather gloves.

Again nobody said a word. Though if most of the girls were honest they were staring at his new looks. Negi ran a hand through his long red hair, as if three demons challenging him was an every day occurrence. Then again, it kind of was.

"Are you sure that you won't reconsider?" He asked.

Ryuji laughed at him. "Do you really think that a simple transformation scares us? After were done with you, were gonna have some fun with those nee-chans." He gave Negi a lascivious grin. This was followed by laughs from the others.

Setsuna raised Yuunagi and stepped in front of Konoka. Asuna raised her sword and stepped in front of Chisame, the only other non-combatant. Kotarou stepped to the front of the girls. He had no idea what was going on here. He did know that none of the demons would touch these girls.

Negi raised his head and stared icily at the demons. "Don't hate me for this," he whispered.

Negi raised both of his arms in the air. Just around each of his wrists was a build up of black energy. Something had started to appear on his arms. On the right arm, small flame like tattoos appeared and began to cover the length of his arms. The same thing was happening on his left arm. The only difference was that these tattoos were lines with no discernable pattern. The tattoos continued to cover his shoulder and snaked their way up to his face. For a second the tattoos glowed a bright purple, then returned to normal black.

Negi lowered his arms back down to his sides. One second he was standing there and the next his body flickered. In a series of movements, unseen bye the naked eye he was behind the demons. He moved so quickly that his touches on there bodies felt like the wind. All of this happened in an instant and he was standing back in the spot he was in previously. For the first time fear could be seen in the demons eyes.

"Aniki wh-what's…?"

Negi turned his head to look at them. A gasp escaped their lips. Even Evangeline and Mana looked a bit frightened. Negi looked exactly like he did when he took, the age deceiving pills, with two major differences. One was the marks that now covered his face. The second change was his eyes. The pupil of the right eye was a glowing orb with a dark purple hue. His left eye was glowing a bright red. His bangs hung down over his eyes, making them look even creepier. The evil smirk on his face wasn't helping any.

"Stay out of the way," he said. He turned his back to them.

Ryuji stared back at Negi. Beads of sweat poured down his face. 'What the hell is he?! When he touched us he moved so fast. And that wasn't instant movement, it was his normal speed! If were demons, then he's a monster.' "Attack him!"

Neither Satoshi nor Yoshino moved. They had started to shake.

"I said attack him now," Ryuji ordered. He feared for his one safety.

Satoshi and Yoshino pulled black glowing knives from there belts. They rushed forward, Satoshi leading the attack. Negi rushed forward at high speed. He dodged around Satoshi so fast that the demon didn't even notice. Yoshino leapt into the air and prepared to throw his knives. Suddenly there was a pull on his legs and he found himself falling to the ground. Negi pulled sharply on the magic strings he attached during his pre-emptive strike. The pull brought Yoshino towards him. Yoshino was only a foot away from him and a foot off of the ground. Negi jumped onto his enemy; he placed his hands on Yoshino's shoulders and dug his feet into his chest. He kicked off of Yoshino, driving the back of his head into the roof, and shot forward at incredible speed.

Ryuji tried to activate a barrier but was too slow. Negi's fist connected hard with his jaw, flinging him to the ground. He turned around and raised his left hand. A sword appeared out of thin air. The blade was flat and wide and black in color. The end of the blade looked like it had a slight curve. Just as soon as the sword appeared three knives hit the blade and exploded with magical energy. The result kicked up clouds of smoke around Negi.

"GOT 'IM!" Satoshi shouted. His eyes suddenly shot to the air.

Negi was in the air above him, a second sword was in his right hand. This sword had a silver dragon as the hilt. The dragon's eyes were emerald in color. Come out of the dragons mouth was a long silver blade. The blade itself was long and curved in and out. Satoshi raised some more knives just in time. Negi twisted so that his back was facing Satoshi. He swung the dragon sword in a wide horizontal arc, slamming it hard into the knives. The force of the blow knocked Satoshi back. He raised his daggers to throw but he was already dead.

The red head looked down at his chest. Blackish blood flowed from the six deep slashes in his chest. He turned his head to see Negi behind him. "…So…fast…" His body crumpled to the ground in a heap.

Sensing an attack, Negi turned around and threw his dragon sword. The sword flew from his hand in a straight line. It shot through Yoshino's chest making a sickening crunch as it pierced the bone. Yoshino fell down to his knees, some blood fell from the corner of his mouth. He slumped to the ground, dead. Negi turned his gaze onto the only surviving demon.

Ryuji stared at his fallen comrades; he was too scared to move. No one could move that fast. It was just impossible. A tight pressure was put on his throat and he was lifted off his feet. Negi stared him dead in the face. Dark energy was gathering around his right hand. Ryuji struggled feebly against Negi's iron grip.

"I gave you the chance. Secret Technique: Single spirit of the dead gather unto me, and strike down my enemy," Negi threw Ryuji high into the air, "Sagitta Magica Unus Oblivium!"

The magical arrow erupted from Negi's hand. The shadowy energy took on a brief image of the grim reaper before turning back into an arrow. The blast struck Ryuji square in the chest. An inhuman cry of anguish escaped from his lips. The dark energy engulfed him; it ate away at him disintegrating flesh and bone. There was a small flash of purple light and the sky filled with smoke. When it cleared, there was nothing left of Ryuji.

The girls watched the events before them in horror. They had never seen Negi fight like that before and he seemed to enjoy it. The only one of them who seemed to enjoy the fight in any way was Evangeline. But that didn't stop her from shaking in mild fear. Negi with his back turned to the girls dropped on his knees. His hands shot up to his head, a strangled cry of pain escaped his lips. He started to shake; the marks on his arms started to recede and eventually disappeared. His body started to shrink until he was back to his ten year old form. Both of his swords faded out of existence with his form.

Negi forced himself to his feet. He stared in horror at his gloved hands. The black of blood could be seen against the fingerless gloves. He was in his combat clothes. Did he let it take over him again? He killed those demons; it had to be the only case. He turned around and found himself staring down the barrel of a .5o caliber Desert Eagle. Negi stumbled back, falling on his rear. Mana stood over him, her gun pointed at his head.

"What are you?" She asked dangerously.

"I-I can e-explain," Negi stammered. "It's still me."

"Don't lie to me demon!" Mana hissed.

Setsuna stepped forward, her sword raised. "What did you do to Negi-sensei?!" Her voice trembled with anger.

"Setsuna-san look at me," he pleaded. "It is me. Y-you know it is! Please!" He said more desperately.

Setsuna looked hard at Negi. Her eyes widened and her hands began to tremble. It couldn't be. But there was no mistaking it was him. She lowered her sword just a little bit.

"Well I don't believe you." Mana raised her gun and pulled back on the hammer.

"ANEGO! WAIT!" Kamo leapt off of Konoka's shoulder and jumped onto Negi's. "Don't shoot! It's him! I know it!"

"Are you sure Kamo-kun," Setsuna asked.

"Dead sure. You don't have to worry. I know this magic anywhere!"

Negi stood on his feet. He looked at all of the frightened girls. None of them were as frightened as Asuna and Konoka. He had to say something. "Asuna-san…Konoka-san…" he held out a hand to them and took a step forward. They weren't the only ones scared.

Asuna and Konoka were both petrified with fear. Konoka managed move behind Chachamaru. "D-Don't-don't get n-near me!" Asuna cried.

Negi's trembling hand lowered to his side. He was stupid to think that they would react any differently. Kamo gave him a sympathetic look that only made him feel worse. Tears began to fall from his eyes. He grabbed the red cloak from the ground and rushed through the girls. The girls stepped to the side, letting him pass. Negi ran towards the edge of the roof and leapt off.

"NEGI-BOZU!" Ku Fei shouted, finally coming back to her senses. 'What happened just now? He looked so scared.'

Pitter Patter Pitter Patter Pitter Patter

The sound of the rain falling on the roof echoed in the silence. Negi stood on the roof of the school trying to think of what just happened only a few hours ago. What had he done? He revealed a side of him that he never wanted them to see. A sided that he had hoped to keep hidden. The form that he took on gave him an incredible power. It let him defeat the demons before they could hurt anyone else. But at what cost? The people he fought to protect looked at him like he was some kind of monster. Not that he could blame them one bit. He was a monster after all. What did he expect them to say? That's okay come give us a hug? Yeah, that was realistic!

Negi stretched his arms out to the side. The rain tickled his body in a way it never had before. Each drop was new sensation on his bare arms. So there he stood. Letting the rain wash away all of his bitterness and pain.

"It's different now isn't it?"

Negi jumped and wheeled around. "Se-Setsuna-san?" He asked in shock.

Setsuna smiled back at him. She was wearing a dark blue hooded sweater. She had the hood pulled down over her face to block the rain. "I've been looking all over for you."

Negi scowled. "Is that so?" He turned back around and stared out at the campus. Students were rushing to get out of the rain.

Setsuna walked up beside him standing only a foot away. "It's the demon blood." She said after a moment of silence. Negi looked at her. "It's the reason the rain fells different. Demons have much more acute senses than demons do."

Negi grimaced at her. "I-I'm only half demon," he replied coolly.

"I figured as much." There was another odd silence. "Negi-sensei?"

"…Hm?"

"C-can I ask you why? Why would you choose this for yourself? Y-y-you did choose this right."

Negi stayed quiet for a long time and finally nodded. "I was too weak. It took killing a friend to show me that. I accepted this power, no this gift, in order to protect the people I care about."

"You must really love us all? To accept such a lonely path." Setsuna asked. Tears sprung up in their eyes, though it was hard to tell because of the rain.

Negi nodded. "I wanted to protect you all at any cost. But…this cost could be too high."

"What do you mean?"

"…I have these dreams." He turned and looked at her. "All the dreams, nightmares, are different. But each one has the same message. Moderatio EST Figmentus Obscuritas Consumo: Control is an illusion, darkness consumes."

"Negi-sensei…"

"…Every time I use that power, I get this feeling that I'm slipping. Like a piece of my humanity is being chipped away." Tears rolled down his cheeks, mingling with the rain. "I don't know if I…"

Setsuna dropped down on her knees and flung her arms around Negi. She rested her head on Negi's shoulder and hugged him tight. She knew what it felt like to have people turn their backs on you. To feel like you don't belong with humans or demons because of what you are. To feel like you are all alone in the world. She could feel Negi shaking in her arms. She felt angry with herself for the way she acted earlier. She was angry with Konoka and Asuna for the way they acted. But mostly she…felt a deep sense of love for the boy in her arms. Negi was like a brother to her and she would do anything to protect. Just like he would do anything to protect her.

Setsuna pulled back and watched him dry his eyes. "Negi-sensei. I'm still not sure about your dreams. But I know that you won't lose yourself in the darkness. Because you are too strong for that. And until the others come around, I'll be here for you."

Tears filled up in Negi's eyes again. "Se-Setsuna-san why?"

Setsuna smiled at him. "Hey I promised you I would always be there for you. I would never turn my back on my nii-san."

"Br-brother?" Negi asked in shock.

"That's right," Setsuna smiled. She ruffled his hair playfully.

Kamo popped his head out of Negi's pants pocket. Tears were flowing down the ermine's face. "Th-That was beautiful Setsuna-nee-san."

Setsuna laughed and patted Kamo on the head. "It was the truth. Besides what right do I have to judge? I've got angel wings that come out of my back!"

Kamo nodded. "True! I forgot that nee-san was a Hanyo also!"

"How could you forget?"

"Well it was a shock at first. But I've been around you for so long that I know the type of good person you are, so it doesn't matter!"

Setsuna smiled. "Arigatou Kamo-kun."

"Right. Anyways you guys can get married now!"

"WHAT!" They shouted, their faces turning red.

"Oh come on. Nee-san you have angel wings, and Aniki you have those neat tattoos. Imagine how cool your kids would look!"

Negi and Setsuna laughed loudly. Despite the uncomfortable situation that was just too funny.

"Kids? Did I miss something?"

"K-Ku Fei-san!" Negi stammered.

Setsuna smiled and ruffled his hair again. "Let's meet up later for some coffee."

Negi nodded blankly. Setsuna stood up and walked back to the access door. On her way she placed a hand on Ku Fei's shoulder and gave her a small smile. Negi listened to the sound of the door swinging closed and he was left on the roof alone with Kamo and Ku Fei.

Negi found that he had a harder time looking at Ku Fei than he did at Setsuna. He turned his back on her and walked up to the edge of the roof. Ku Fei followed him and stood next him. They stood like this in silence for about five minutes.

"You want to tell me why you're up here." Negi started to get annoyed with her silence.

Ku Fei returned the stony glare. She was nervous but she wouldn't let him see that. "You ready to tell me why your half-demon."

Negi couldn't help but smile just a little bit. She had him there. "Fair enough. But how did you know?"

"…Setsuna had a theory. Is she right?"

Negi didn't say anything but just nodded. Again there was another moment of tense silence. Negi hated the silence. There was too much of it lately. Ku Fei's hand tightened on the hem of her dark blue windbreaker.

"I know why Negi-bozu became half demon. Because of me."

Negi stared at her in shock. Why would she think that? "Ku Fei-san?"

"You wanted to get stronger. But I failed. I was a bad teacher. I couldn't give Negi-bozu power." She said all of this quickly. She looked like she was about to cry again.

Negi felt his heart clench at the sight of her. She shouldn't blame this on herself. "It wasn't your fault," he replied softly. She could barely here him over the rain. "If I'm weak it's my own fault. You're an excellent teacher."

Ku Fei didn't say anything and continued staring out at the sky. She was soaked by now and was shivering from the cold. Suddenly, a considerable weight was placed around her shoulders. She looked down and saw that she was covered in red. The she realized that it was Negi's cloak. It hadn't shrunk with the rest of him, so it looked huge on her.

"A-arigatou," she whispered. Then she looked down at her apprentice and saw he was still in just a vest. "What about you."

"…It doesn't bother me too much," he answered evenly.

"Oh," she sounded hesitant.

"Do you have another question?"

"N-No!"

"If asking questions will make you more comfortable, then please so."

Ku Fei took a deep breath. She hoped this wouldn't offend him. "What's your true look, er, form?" She asked quickly. She turned around and saw that he was once again in his teenager form. She looked a little surprised; she hadn't even felt the transformation this time.

"This is my true form. My true human form anyways." He closed his eyes and turned back into his ten year old form. "This is just glamour. Though I feel a bit more comfortable in this form when I'm near you. I hope you never have to see my true demon form." He said this with a sad face.

Ku Fei started to feel awkward again. Luckily Negi brought up a question of his own. "Aren't you afraid that I might hurt you?"

Now it was Ku Fei's turn to look shocked. It was obvious that he was scared of her answer. Ku Fei shook her head vehemently. Her wet hair slapped against her face. "Of course not!"

"Eh?!" Negi asked in astonishment. "Wh-why not."

"I feel bad about how I acted earlier. You may have demon blood. When you transform you look like Negi-sama. But inside your still Negi-bozu. You'd never hurt me." She said confidently.

Negi smiled and closed his eyes. It made him feel infinitely better that Ku Fei didn't hate him. His heart started to beat a little faster and his cheeks flushed. This wasn't the first time this happened around her. Again Kotarou's words popped back into his head. Though he couldn't admit it, she was cute. And she was precious to him. Before Ku Fei could stop him, he stepped over the edge of the roof.

"NEGI-BOZU!" Ku Fei rushed to the edge of the roof and looked down. Negi was standing in mid air. The only thing under him was his staff. He must have summoned it when he had his eyes closed. "That was mean Negi-bozu," she pouted. She crossed her arms over her chest like she was mad at him.

Negi laughed at her reaction. He held his hand out to her. "I wanna show you something. Do you trust me?" He asked. He gave her that perfected hear dissolving smile.

Ku Fei opened one eye and looked at his hand. She nervously placed her hand in his and nodded. Negi helped her onto the front of the staff. She immediately wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Hold on tight okay."

"Don't have to say twice."

Negi smiled and took off into the sky. Ku Fei didn't talk and only clung to him. Normally flying on something like this would have scared her witless. Then again she knew Negi wouldn't let anything happen to her. The only sound was the flapping of her cloak in the wind and the rain falling onto the trees. Once they were far enough over the forest Negi stopped.

"Are you ready?" She nodded. Her eyes still closed. "Okay hold on real tight." Ku Fei's grip tightened around his neck. She felt a slight shifting but nothing else. "Open your eyes."

Ku Fei did as she told. The staff was no longer under them but floating off to the side. She gasped and tightened her grip considerably. She looked up at Negi's smiling face and then down again. Purplish energy covered his feet, keeping them aloftin midair. She could see the the tops of the pine trees below them. She also vaguely noticed that the rain had slowed to a drizzle. She pressed herself against Negi's chest for fear of falling.

"I won't drop you."

Ku Fei turned her head up to look at Negi. He was still smiling down at her. Just as he turned his head Ku Fei took in the chance to watch him. He was smiling now. It was a soft, sad smile that her inside. His bangs clung to his forehead water dripping from the tips. Fine mists of rain were giving him a calm other worldly look. How come she never noticed how handsome he was? Her heartbeat sped up and a heat rose up in her cheeks. At that moment she just wanted to lean in and kiss him. She didn't care about the consequences. She wanted to take away all of his worries even if it was just for a second. She leaned in her eyes fluttering closed. She was only centimeters away now.

"Ku Fei-san?"

Ku Fei's eyes shot open, her cheeks burning a dark shade of vermilion. Had she been caught? She started to stammer out an apology but stopped. Negi had rested his chin on her shoulder and had his face buried in her wet hair an neck. There she floated in midair too stunned to speak.

"I don't want to go back to my room tonight," he whispered. His breath pleasantly tickled the back of her neck. "Can I stay with you and Setsuna-san tonight?"

Ku Fei had been knocked for a loop for what felt like the millionth time that day. She nodded slightly. "Yes," she said quietly."

"Arigatou Ku-chan."

That was only the second time he used chan to address her. It made her heart flutter again. At that moment she realized how far she would go for him. No matter what happened to him or to her. She just wanted to do anything to make him happy. Those feelings were a little frightening, but they opened a new possibility for her life. One that she had never thought of before. A possibility that could make her happier than she'd ever been. She would sit here with him and float forever if he needed it.

END CHAPTER

Thats the end of this chapter folks. Do me a favor and hit the review button. Tell me what you all thought about this chapter. Till next time!