Alright everyone lets get started on chapter 10! But first I want to thank all of my loyal reviewers; you guys know who you are!

Me: Kotarou-kun, will you please read the disclaimer.

Kotarou: …

Me: Is something wrong?

Kotarou: Do I get to see some action in your story?

Me: Of course. Your one of my main characters. Your gonna have a few good fight scenes.

Kotarou: I meant from a girl! I'm tired of people making me gay! Just because I have ribbons to tie off my hair.

Me: Don't worry, I have plans for you. Heh Heh!

Kotarou: Sweeet! Mako does not own Negima!

Me: Poor bastard.

CHAPTER 10: Her First Day!

"Hello cute little mage-kun! How is Setsuna-senpai?!"

Negi stared slack jawed at the girl in the chair. The girl in question was maybe about two inches shorter than Setsuna, so she was pretty short. Long blond hair fell out around a pretty face with soft features. Pale blue eyes shined back at him from behind large circular glasses. She was dressed in a white knee length dress with short puffy sleeves. The dress gave her a Gothic Lolita style look that amplified her cuteness. She was wearing a pair of white shoes with tiny black ribbons on them. In fact there were black ribbons on her dress, around her neck and in her hair. Next to her chair was a sword and dagger set, a heavy cloak for dealing with the cold weather and a black traveling bag. Negi looked down at the girl with a shocked expression.

"Is something wrong mage-kun?" Tsukuyomi asked sweetly.

Negi laughed nervously and shook his head. "Takamichi sidebar?" Takamichi joined Negi off to the side. "What is she doing here?" Negi whispered frantically.

Takamichi watched Tsukuyomi pull some scraps of paper from her bag. "I told you. She's a new student here."

"Why is a Shinmeiryuu swords-girl coming here to be a student?!"

"Don't worry about it Negi. The principal brought her in." Negi stared at Takamichi like he was insane. "He wanted some extra security."

"Has he finally cracked?! When we were in Kyoto she tried to kidnap Konoka-san! Not to mention all of the damage she caused. She's really dangerous!"

Takamichi looked over his shoulder. Tsukuyomi was busy playing with a small cat Onmyou. "She doesn't seem all that dangerous. Kind of cute actually."

"Takamichi?!" Negi glared at him. "You haven't seen what she's capable of. What if she does something wrong?!"

"Then you'll have to take care of it. I mean you are her teacher."

"Well then I gue-WHAT?!" The outburst grabbed Tsukuyomi's attention but she didn't say anything.

"That's right. Considering she already knows you we thought it would be best if you were her teacher. Also that way she can be on hand to protect Konoka-kun." Takamichi smiled at the shocked look on Negi's face. "She's also going to stay with you until she finds another place."

"No! I-I draw the line there. 1) I don't want her near Konoka-san. 2) We already have three people in one room. 3) Asuna-san is going to kill me." He finished desperately.

"Negi we have no other choice."

"No way!"

Negi poked his head inside of his dorm room door. "Asuna-san? Konoka-san?" He breathed a sigh of relief. "Come on." He walked in the room carrying a black bag.

Tsukuyomi followed him in the room. "Are you sure this is alright."

"Until Asuna-san and Konoka-san get here, I see know problem."

"You living with Ojou-sama makes this a lot easier. Too bad you don't live with Setsuna-senpai though." The blond dropped her cloak and set her swords against the wall. She began checking the edges of the door.

"Um yeah. What are you doing?" He asked curiously.

"Checking to see if we should set up a barrier. I think it will be fine though."

Negi nodded. "Right. Uh, do you …want anything to drink?"

"Oh. Um, a bottle of water if it's not too much trouble. Please."

Negi nodded. "No trouble at all."

"Aniki is that you?"

"Crap I forgot about Kamo."

The ermine walked out of the kitchen carrying a glass bottle of cola. "Asuna-nee-san and Konoka-nee-san aren't back yet, so I thought that…" There was a second of silence while Kamo stared at Tsukuyomi. "ANIKI! BEHIND YOU!" Kamo hurled the bottle at Tsukuyomi.

Negi's hand shot out to catch it but he was too slow. Tsukuyomi drew her dagger from it's sheathe and brought it up. The blade shattered the bottle, sending glass and soda everywhere. Kamo stared at her in surprise. Tsukuyomi started to try and wipe the soda from her dress.

"Tsukuyomi-san, are you okay?!"

"What?!"

Tsukuyomi grimaced at her dress but nodded. "I'm fine, just a little wet. You shouldn't throw stuff at people ermine-kun," she said with a pout.

"Okay we just entered some scary territory here. Mind telling me what's going on?" Kamo asked impatiently.

Negi sat down with the ermine and explained everything. Tsukuyomi had gone to change into her pajamas. She wouldn't be going anywhere for the rest of the day and her patrols started tomorrow night. Her pajamas consisted of a long sleeved purple top and a matching pair of pants. Half crescent moons were plastered all over the articles of clothing.

Kamo looked at Negi and then back at Tsukuyomi. "So this nee-san is your student? And on top of that she's our ally now?"

Negi nodded. "That's pretty much the sum of it all."

Kamo turned around and looked at the young hired gun. "I guess I owe you an apology nee-san. If Aniki says you're alright then I guess you are."

"Don't worry about it Kamo-kun. Just don't throw things at me anymore okay? It makes me twitchy." As if to confirm her statement her right hand twitched.

"…Right. Now that that's through, why don't you tell me why you were sent here?" Negi found it odd that the principal would choose her.

Tsukuyomi sipped at her bottle and prepared her business tone. "Five days ago Konoe Konoemon, put in a request for A Shinmeiryuu swordsman. He felt that with the entire perimeter breaches it would be a good idea to put more security on his granddaughter. My main job here, besides campus security, is to trail and protect Konoka Ojou-sama."

Negi stared at the girl. How could she be so ditzy and cute one moment and the go all professional the next? "So you're here on business? No offense but after the job you did in Kyoto why would they assign you to this?"

Tsukuyomi stared at him. For a kid he sure was crafty. "I am required to stay close to Ojou-sama at all times. So they needed someone who could pass off as a junior high student. I was the only one in the age group. So I was the one that got sent here."

"So that's the reason then?"

"Yes. But…I'm also really excited. I've never gotten to go to school before," she said wistfully.

"You've never been to school before?!"

Tsukuyomi shook her head. "I've been with the Shinmeiryuu since I was just a baby. It's also going to be fun, seeing senpai again." She said blushing.

Negi shook his head. Just when he thought he had this girl figured out, she turned normal on him. She was excited because she had never been to school before. Not to mention she seemed to develop a crush on Setsuna. It was almost like she was a normal fourteen year old girl.

"I should also thank Negi-sama for allowing me into his class. And for giving me a place to stay." She was using her business voice and was kneeling down on one knee.

Negi looked at Kamo and back to the girl in front of him. She was making him nervous. "Pl-please d-don't bow to me!" He said waving his hands. "And call me Negi-kun or Negi-sensei. Negi-sama makes me feel old somehow."

Tsukuyomi gave him a small smile and sat back down. "Arigatou Negi-sensei."

"Yeah, it's good to see you two getting along and all," Kamo interrupted. "But what are we going to do about Konoka-nee-san and Ane-san. They aren't going to like this. Especially Ane-san."

Negi smiled at Kamo. "Don't worry Kamo-kun. Once we explain everything I'm sure it will be okay!" Just then there was a sound of a key in the lock. "AH! Hide quickly!" He said grabbing her arm.

"I though that you said it was okay?" Tsukuyomi asked in a panic."

"I lied!" He grabbed her and tossed her effortlessly onto the loft.

"You're strong!"

Negi grabbed her blades and bag and tossed them up to her just as the door was opening. "Negi-kun are you home? Oh there you are? Where's Asuna?"

Negi smiled nervously. "I guess she's still with Chisame-san."

"Oh. I hope they're okay. So how did your patrol go?"

Negi smiled. It seemed like they were going to get away with this. "It went fine. Just a couple of sprites. But I am tired so I think I'll turn in early." He turned around and started to climb the ladder.

"Who does this belong to?" Negi stiffened. He turned his head and saw Konoka pick up Tsukuyomi's cloak from the floor. "Do we have company Negi-kun?"

"No! I mean no. That's my cloak." He jumped down from the ladder and took the cloak from her.

"You wear pink?"

"Y-yeah! All the time!" He draped the cloak over his shoulders and gave her a spin. " See! My cloak, all mine! No one else's!"

"Um…okay," Konoka replied. She looked a little scared. "Goodnight then."

"G-goodnight!"

Kamo ran and jumped up onto Konoka's shoulder, he was trying his best not to laugh. "Is something funny Kamo-kun?"

"N-nothing n-nee-san," Kamo chuckled. "AH! HA! HA! HA!

Negi swore under his breath. 'That was a close one. And Kamo-kun isn't helping any! Looks like this is gonna be harder than I thought.'

"Come on Tsukuyomi-san! We have to hurry!"

Negi and Tsukuyomi rushed down the halls toward Negi's classroom. They had to stick around and wait a little longer than usual for Asuna and Konoka to leave. When Asuna had come in last night it was almost midnight. So Negi had to wait around for them to leave before he could let Tsukuyomi come down from the loft. Now he was later than usual. By the time he reached the classroom he had to stop and catch his breath. Tsukuyomi fell to the ground taking in large gulps of air.

Once Negi had collected himself he stood up and straightened his gray suit. "Let me go in first. Then I'll introduce you. That way there will be less resistance."

"Good (huff) idea." She gave him thumbs up.

Negi nodded and walked into the class. Once he was inside the students seemed to settle down. "Sorry about being so late this morning. But I had to get started with a new student."

"A new student? I didn't know we were getting a new student," Ayaka replied.

Negi nodded and rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah. Anyways you can come in now." The door opened and Tsukuyomi stepped nervously into the room. Some of the girls (mostly the ones that saw her on the school trip) went deathly quiet. Setsuna and Asuna looked especially shocked. "She's a new exchange student from Kyoto. Why don't you introduce yourself?"

Tsukuyomi glanced down at her shoes. She was nervous beyond all belief. "H-hi," she greeted shyly. "My-my name is T-Tsukuyomi. N-nice to meet you." She bowed slightly at the waist.

Before Tsukuyomi knew what was happening she was rushed by several girls in the class. Most of the girls that rushed her were the ones that hadn't seen her in Kyoto. Immediately she was bombarded by questions.

"How old are you?!" Madoka asked.

"F-fourteen…"

"Aren't you the actor from Cinema Village?" Natsumi asked.

"Y-yes I g-guess!"

"Your clothes are so cute! Where did you get them?" Makie asked.

"I-I don't have uniforms yet so…"

"You have swords. Are you like Setsuna-san?" Misa asked.

"Are you here to challenge Setsuna to another duel?!" Asakura asked.

"S-Sensei!" Tsukuyomi cried.

Negi pulled the girls away from Tsukuyomi. "Now now, take it easy on her you guys. She is new. You can mob her after class," he laughed.

The girls walked back to her desk. Negi helped Tsukuyomi up and smiled at her. "Why don't you take a seat next to Zazie-san?"

"Wh-which one is Zazie-san?"

Negi smiled sympathetically at her nervousness. "In the back. She's the one juggling."

Tsukuyomi looked up and saw Zazie in the back juggling multi-colored balls. She nodded and walked towards the back of the class. She could feel some eyes on her and turned around to see who it was. Setsuna, Asuna and Konoka were glaring hard at her. Though judging by the way Konoka was clinging to Setsuna she was more scared than anything. She wasn't paying attention where she was going and tripped on one of the desk legs. Just before she fell to the ground, a hand shot out and caught her. Her blue eyes looked up and saw Mana staring back at her. Tsukuyomi nodded her thanks and took her seat between her and Zazie.

"Well now that we have that settled. I hope you all will do your best to make Tsukuyomi-san feel welcome." He directed that statement more towards Asuna and Setsuna more than anyone. "Let's get started with today's lesson."

Tsukuyomi listened very carefully during the lesson. She always had wanted to go to school and while she was here she might as well get good grades. English was a fascinating subject to her. Tsukuyomi made sure that she double checked all of her work and asked for help when she needed it. Before she knew it, she was done with all of her work. Afterwards she took the time to survey her new classmates. She knew what some of the girls could do because she saw them in Kyoto. For example the gunslinger next to her and the martial artist a few rows down. Then there was her senpai and that redheaded girl. They were both friends of Konoka and so they were no threat. Most of the class seemed harmless enough, but there were a few people that concerned her.

Besides Negi, Tsukuyomi could sense four other magical signatures in the room, as well as two demons. One of the said demons was the little blond girl a couple of rows away. She knew there was another one in the room, she just couldn't figure out whom. Two of the signatures were faint but they were there. They came from one girl with long ebony hair and another girl with short black hair. The third signature was at the front of the class. This signature was so faint that she almost didn't pick it up. 'A ghost maybe?' And the fourth signature was coming from right beside her.

She turned and looked at Zazie. The juggler was playing with a pack of cards. "Ex-excuse me?" Zazie looked at her. "I hate to be rude but are you perhaps a mage or a demon?" She secretly reached down for her dagger.

Zazie stared back at Tsukuyomi with an indifferent look. If she was at all surprised she didn't seem to show it. All she did was staring at Tsukuyomi for a few good minutes. Then finally she gave her a barely noticeable nod.

Before Tsukuyomi could respond she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around and looked at Mana. "Don't worry about Zazie. We've been roommates for sometime now. She's not dangerous." With that said she turned around and continued to polish her gun.

Tsukuyomi looked at Mana and then Zazie. She knew from first hand that the gunslinger was a professional. If she thought Zazie was okay then she must be right. "I am sorry Zazie-san. I should not have judged you."

Zazie stared at her with wide eyes. After a second she just shook her head. "That means everything is fine," Mana clarified.

"Good! I hope we can still be friends." Zazie looked her up and down and nodded. "Arigatou!" Tsukuyomi said happily. She didn't have many friends and she was always happy to make some new ones.

When class was over Tsukuyomi grabbed her books and walked up to the front of the class. Zazie and Mana agreed to show her around during lunch, but first she needed to talk to Negi. She stayed clear of the rest of the girls. She still didn't quite trust them. Just as Tsukuyomi reached Negi's desk she saw one of the magical signatures. It was a ghost and she was floating around that reporter girl.

"Negi-sensei?"

Negi looked up and smiled at Tsukuyomi. He didn't quite trust the girl. Since she was one of his students though, he wanted to try and make her feel a little more comfortable. "How was your first day in class?"

Tsukuyomi nodded, trying not to look too pleased. "It was pretty fun. But I am a little worried."

"Really? About what?"

"I don't know if I should say so here." She pointed back at Asakura.

"If it's about magic, she already knows."

"…Well, I have sensed a few magical signatures in the class. Also, in case you haven't noticed you have a ghost in the room."

"I do?" Negi asked. He was unaware that she was talking about Sayo.

Sayo looked up from the pictures Kazumi was showing her. She floated over to Tsukuyomi excitedly. "You can see me?!" she asked happily.

"Oh you meant Sayo-san. Sorry, sometimes I forget that you're a ghost."

Sayo smiled happily at him. "That's a good thing. I think?"

Tsukuyomi nodded ad pointed at Sayo. "Yes she is the one. I was wondering if you would like me to exterminate her." The blond reached down and drew her sword.

"AHHHHH! Kazumi-chan! Negi-sensei!"

Kazumi jumped out in front of Sayo. "Come on now. You're scaring the poor girl!"

Negi nodded. "Th-that's okay Tsukuyomi-san. Sayo-san is a nice ghost. She really is a sweet girl!"

"Okay then. If you want her to stay, then I guess she can. Please excuse me Sayo-san.

"You-you're lucky I don't knock you out!" Asakura growled. "Can't you see how scared she is?!"

"I-It's really o-okay Kazumi-chan!"

Tsukuyomi looked closer at Sayo. The ghost was shaking and it looked like she was about to cry. "I am sorry," Tsukuyomi stated coolly. "It is my job to exterminate demons and spirits that are potentially hazardous. But you seem harmless enough."

"Tsukuyomi-san," Negi began, "how can you see her. The conditions are different for Asakura-san and me."

"I have been able to see ghosts and demons for what they are since I was a child. It was one of the main reasons that the Shinmeiryuu wanted me so much. Ghosts are my specialty."

Negi felt a little bad for her. Being able to see ghosts and spirits for so long must have been tough on her. Especially when she was just a child. "I-I never knew that."

"Only my master and the higher ups know. But like I said she seems harmless enough. I doubt you can even interact with stuff on a physical level."

Sayo shook her head sadly and started to cry again. That was something that upset her more that anything. Not being able to be seen by others and interact with them. She hated her own weakness.

"Sayo-chan?" Kazumi asked.

Tsukuyomi sighed and shook her head. "If you want, I can teach you how to make yourself visible. And how to interact with objects."

Sayo stopped crying and looked at the swords-girl. "Y-you can?"

"Can you really do that?" Kazumi asked.

"I told you that ghosts were my specialty. We can start tomorrow if you want."

Sayo floated over to her, bouncing excitedly in the air. "Y-you really want to help me?! Thank you so much! You won't regret it!"

"Yeah sure," the blond replied. She waved her hand at the ghost. "Just make sure you're here after classes tomorrow."

"I will! Arigatou!"

Tsukuyomi 'hmphed' and started to leave the room. Negi grabbed his bag and ran to catch up to her. "That was really nice of you."

She looked at him and sniffed. "It's not like I wanted to be nice to her. I'm not looking for a friend or anything. I just know what it's like to be alone."

Before Negi could ask what she meant they were jumped by Asuna. Because Negi was in the way, Tsukuyomi couldn't draw her sword and was pinned against the wall. Setsuna was right beside Asuna. Konoka stood behind them, with Kamo on her shoulder.

"What are you doing here?! What's the big idea?!" Asuna growled angrily.

Tsukuyomi glared dangerously at Asuna. It was an evil leer that sent a chill down Asuna's spine. "Let go of me. Now."

"Are you here for Ojou-sama?" Setsuna asked. "Answer me Tsukuyomi!"

"Negi, how could you let her into our class?!"

"Because it's not what you think," he said, coming to his senses. "Just let her go."

"But…"

Negi placed his hand on Asuna's arm and pulled it down. "Let her go." Asuna glared at him but did as she was told. "Now just give me a chance to explain."

And so Negi explained the entire situation to the girls. He gave them and abridged version of the story. He told them why she was there and where she would be staying. After hearing this Asuna and Konoka looked a little shaken.

"That little psycho is not staying with us!" Asuna cried.

"Hey! I'm right here!" Tsukuyomi cried back.

"That's kind of the point."

"That's enough Asuna-san!" Negi said firmly. "I know how you feel but we have no other choice. Besides, I don't think that Tsukuyomi-san is a bad person. She was just doing her job in Kyoto."

"Arigatou Negi-sensei." Tsukuyomi stuck her tongue out at Asuna.

Setsuna shook her head. "No! I agree with Asuna-san! I don't want her going anywhere near you or Ojou-sama!" She turned and glared fiercely at Tsukuyomi.

"S-Secchan…it's okay."

"What?! Ojou-sama what are you saying?!"

"Are you crazy Konoka?"

Konoka looked at Asuna. There was an edge to her face that Negi had never seen. "I don't appreciate that Asuna," She said gruffly. Asuna was slightly taken aback by Konoka's tone. "In Kyoto she was just doing her job. Grandpa thinks that this is a good. I'm not too thrilled with this either, but Negi-kun trusts her. Then so do I. Tsukuyomi-san, you can stay with us."

Tsukuyomi was touched. The person that had the least reason to trust her was going to let her stay in her dorm. Tsukuyomi bowed her head. "Arigatou Ojou-sama. My sword will be yours until the day that it breaks." She leaned down and kissed Konoka's hand in a show of respect.

Several things happened in that instant. Konoka blushed from the contact and Kamo leered at them like an old man. Negi and Asuna stood stock still. They were slightly surprised by the boldness of the newcomer. Setsuna on the other hand looked angry and if you asked Asuna a little jealous. This girl just always seemed to have her on edge. Setsuna dropped Yuunagi on the ground, the cover sliding off. Just before she could draw the long blade someone called out to them.

"Kagurazaka?" Chisame approached them; she looked wearily at Setsuna and Konoka. "Kagurazaka, I wanted to um, well, you know for…last night." The brunette said sheepishly.

Asuna looked confused for a second and then shook her head. "You're welcome," she said cheerfully.

Kamo was once again leering, this time at Asuna. His mind was going into dirty man overload. "What exactly did you do for her Ane-san?"

Most of the time Asuna would come back and crush Kamo. This time she seemed a little more uncomfortable than usual with his joke. Negi jumped in saving them both from embarrassment. "I'm glad you're feeling better Chisame-san."

"Yeah we were staring to get worried about you," Konoka replied. She gave Chisame one of her big smiles.

Then something happened that never happened. Chisame smiled. Sure it was barely noticeable, but it was genuine. "I guess I owe one to Kagurazaka."

Asuna looked at Chisame, most of the blush gone from her face. "You can start by calling me Asuna."

Chisame looked a little surprised with the request. "It couldn't hurt. I have to get going; I have some work to do." She turned on her heel and walked away from the group.

Tsukuyomi looked at Asuna and then at Chisame's back. They may not have noticed it but she sure as hell did. Asuna and Chisame were had blushed just saying hello to one another. Not that she cared of course. To her it was just useful blackmail.

"Tsukuyomi-san, are you coming?"

Tsukuyomi turned and saw Mana and Zazie waiting just behind Setsuna. "Coming!" As she was walking by Setsuna she stopped. "You don't like me now, you're coiled so tightly senpai." She placed her gloved hand on Setsuna's cheek, making her tremble. "Who knows? In time, I might be able to get you to release some of that…pressure," she breathed, trailing her hand down Setsuna's cheek.

Again everyone was left to stare after the flirtatious girl. It was Setsuna's turn to blush and Konoka's turn to get jealous. Negi sighed. For someone who was supposed to keep a low profile she sure was making a lot of commotion.

Tsukuyomi strolled down the halls at a leisurely pace. She needed some time to think over the events of today. The rest of the day's classes hadn't gone by as smoothly as English class had. Most of the teachers weren't in the mood to put up with a new student. Accept for one teacher named Seruhiko. Of course she had almost attacked him after class because of the magical signature he gave off. Tsukuyomi realized that she had alienated several of the teachers in this fashion and even a couple of the students. Maybe she should have read her briefing better. Oh well, she never was one for details anyways.

Tsukuyomi checked her watch and sighed. She still had three hours left before she started her patrol. The young Shinmeiryuu picked up her pace and started running towards her dorm room. She wanted to get changed and get outside quick. She wanted to survey some of the grounds before her shift actually started. Tsukuyomi took out the key that Negi let her borrow and opened up the door. She ran into the room, ignoring all of the others. Setsuna and Asuna ignored her like they had agreed on doing. Negi and Konoka stared after the girl in all curiousness.

"Tsukuyomi-san, why are you in such a hurry?" Negi asked.

Tsukuyomi looked down at him from the loft they were sharing. "I want to get outside. I need to see the terrain before my patrol starts."

Konoka stared down at her hands then looked at the shorter girl. "You-do you want to stay for dinner?" Konoka felt a little uncomfortable around the girl but she believed in being a good host.

Setsuna and Asuna huffed and went into the kitchen to get more things for dinner. Tsukuyomi knew she wasn't really welcome and shook her head. "I can't. What was the point of even asking?"

"We-well I-I just felt s-sorry about…" Konoka froze and stared at Tsukuyomi.

The blond's expression had turned from sad to angry in a matter of seconds. "Arigatou Ojou-sama." She leapt down from the loft and wrapped her cloak around her. "But I don't need pity from you."

"N-no! I-I-I didn't mean i-it that way!" Konoka stammered.

Negi felt bad for both of the girls. Konoka was trying her best to deal with this new development. She had been polite, only to have it thrown back in her face. Tsukuyomi, who didn't really have many friends, took Konoka's offer to be patronizing. Perhaps there was a way that he could solve this problem.

"Tsukuyomi-san, Konoka-san didn't mean to make you upset." Konoka nodded fervently. "How about you eat with us and afterwards I'll keep you company on patrol."

Tsukuyomi's face softened slightly. "I-I still don't know."

Konoka stared at her with puppy dog eyes and a quivering lip. "Please. It will make me feel better." Konoka was always quick to try and make amends.

'What? What the hell is she doing?! It looks so cute! Damn!' Tsukuyomi sighed and nodded. "…Fine."

"Yay!" Konoka skipped off into the kitchen to help the others.

"How in the hell did she do that?"

Negi smiled. "That's her secret weapon. Damn thing should be illegal."

"I agree."

Dinner was tense, just as Tsukuyomi expected it to be. She only talked when she wanted somebody to hand her something. Of course Negi and Konoka were the only ones who would hand her the requested items. It was nearing the end of dinner and only about ten words had been said. Negi decided to try and at least get a conversation going.

"So…Tsukuyomi-san, what kind of sword style do you study?" he asked curiously.

"Um…Shinmei," she replied in confusion.

"He means, what kind of Shinmei style," Setsuna answered. She sounded annoyed, but also strangely amused by the girl's obliviousness.

"Just the basic style and a little Haiya-Te. Mostly the Nito Seiho."

"…That's the kind that I study."

"What are the odds?" Asuna asked sarcastically.

"Actually I studied them because of senpai."

'She studied that sword style before she ever even saw me. Why?'

"Is Secchan really that well known?" Konoka asked.

"Yep! At least in the Shinmeiryuu." Tsukuyomi smiled. "She's sort of a legend really. Someone with such an impressive record at a young age is inspiring. I wanted to be like her so I studied the same styles."

Setsuna looked a little embarrassed. To have some model their entire career around you was really flattering. Asuna however wasn't buying into the nice girl act.

"Is anything about you original?"

"Asuna! That's rude!" Konoka scolded.

"It's okay Ojou-sama. I do have one other style, but I'm only a beginner."

"What is it?" Negi asked.

"…The Dance of Death."

Setsuna started choking on her food. Konoka rubbed her back. "Y-you know the Dance of Death style?!"

"Only beginner techniques," she admitted sheepishly. "But I am trying really hard."

"Ah! I'm going to get Secchan a glass of water and bring out the dessert." Konoka jumped up and disappeared into the kitchen.

Setsuna glared hard at Tsukuyomi. Now that Konoka had left the room she could say what was really on her mind. "You held back in Kyoto."

"Wh-what?" Asuna asked. She looked over and saw Tsukuyomi smiling innocently back at Setsuna.

"If you know the dance of death, then why did you hold back? You had a fair chance at beating me."

Negi and Asuna both looked shocked at this revelation. Back when they were in Kyoto it seemed like Setsuna had the blond completely outclassed. Was that all an act? Could she really beat Setsuna in a duel?

"If I won, the Ojou-sama would have been hurt. I don't like hurting innocent people, especially girls. Besides, if Chigusa-san won, I would get nothing out of it. I just did my job well enough to get paid. That's all." She stood up and pulled on her cloak. "I have to get on patrol."

Negi shook his head to clear the shock and followed her to the door. "You aren't staying for dessert."

Tsukuyomi turned around and saw Konoka holding a chocolate cake. "I have to go on patrol but I appreciate the dinner Ojou-sama." She bowed her head and opened the door.

"Yeah, dinner was great." Negi never took his eyes off of Setsuna. She was trembling, sort of like she was going into shock.

"Alright, I guess I'll save you guys a piece. Be careful!"

"We will." Negi followed after Tsukuyomi and stepped up beside her. He couldn't believe that she could beat Setsuna in a fight. Then again he knew looks to be deceiving. He was a perfect example after all. "You managed scare a ghost, shake up one of the calmest people I've ever met, and get good marks on your work. Not bad for a first day."

"I don't know what you mean. I'm not sure why Setsuna-senpai is all upset." She gave him a cute, innocent smile and skipped up in front of him.

Negi's lips slowly curled up into a smirk. "I like this girl," a voice in his head hissed. "You think she can be trusted Kakos?" "I didn't say that. I just said that I like her." "She is interesting. We better keep an eye on her though." Negi followed the Shinmeiryuu with a smirk on his lips. If nothing else this was going to make his life more interesting. Perhaps, just maybe she would be handy for other things as well.

END CHAPTER

That's that. I hope you all liked the addition of Tsukuyomi. Just a tad schizophrenic though isn't she?

Kotarou: Who cares? I just want to know who my girl is going to be.

Me: I think I'll let the readers decide that. Tell me who you think Kotarou should be with. Keep in mind that I try to stay away from the canon pairings. Though any are welcome crack is better.

Well that's all for this chapter. Hit the review button and I'll see you next time.