Chapter 10: Worried

The next day, Negi woke up to an uncharacteristically calm morning. Asuna had just finished her paper route and returned just on time to eat a full breakfast from Konoka with Negi and Setsuna, who felt more like family since Kyoto. Soon after, the four people walked to school. The three cheerleaders of class 3-A: Misa, Madoka, and Sakurako, gave a good morning cheer Negi, perking up his mood to face a bright, shining day.

Before classes started, Chachamaru approached him without Evangeline by her side, which was surprising to him. "Good morning Negi-sensei." she greeted as she bowed curtly.

"Good morning Chachamaru-san, is Evangeline staying home today?" Negi asked.

"Yes, she is staying home today due to sickness. But, Kanade-san is also going to be absent today"

"What? Kanade-san is absent?" Negi looked around the classroom and at the back where her seat was, it was true, she wasn't inside. "Why?"

"She says that she is going to stay and prepare her things in her new dorm."

"Well, that's less than a reason to miss class…" Chachamaru was now getting nervous for some reason.

"Yes… I know sensei… But," Chachamaru paused for a bit before continuing, "Kanade-san also had a little difficulty getting her belongings up the stairs to the dorm, then she had an accident and fell, I carried most of her things up when I happened to pass by." Chachamaru said, using the same lie Kanade made to Zazie the night before, and Negi gullibly believed it…

"S-she's hurt?" Negi panicked. Chachamaru was also getting panicky. She didn't want to bring up what happened last night.

"W-well yes, but she's fine now. She's taking a rest and setting up her own home here. It is better to leave her alone for a bit Negi-sensei." She said in an attempt to calm the child teacher down.

"But I cannot let this slide. If she's injured, then as her new teacher, I will help in whatever way I can." Negi replied with determination.

Kazumi was standing near the desk when she heard what had happened to Kanade. So she decided to put her skill of spreading the word to good use and offered, "I'm sorry Negi-sensei, but I couldn't help but overhear your conversation. Why doesn't the rest of class 3-A help out with her predicament?"

"Oh yes that would be a great idea Asakura-san!" Negi exclaimed. By now the entire class was listening and volunteering to help their new classmate settle in; some more reluctant than others. Word of a party for her also got thrown in, much to Chachamaru's chagrin.

Kanade is going to be in for a surprise...

The blue haired girl woke up that afternoon. She looked at the clock; 2 pm. She kicked off the covers and slowly stretched her way up. Sleeping on the floor made her a bit stiff, not to mention the previous night's battle had left aches and pains in her arms and legs. Other than that, she felt completely fine. She went into the shower and washed herself up, of course taking all of her bandages off before going inside. When she got out, she looked at her hands and arms, now uncovered. "Okay, how about we try something a bit different today…" she thought. She went into the bathroom and replaced all the old bandages on her arms but this time, stopping at the wrists, revealing Kanade's hands. Her right one was normal but on her left one, was a most peculiar birthmark. Almost like someone had painted a design on her fingers with red-ish paint. The birthmark started cloaking the 4 fingers then going down the left of the hand stopping where the wrist was, if anyone didn't know any better, it looked like a blood stain. Kanade sighed at the sight of her strange body mark, but continued to wrap the rest of her injuries that were still bleeding out a little.

She brushed her teeth and got dressed in a light blue tank top, dark green t-shirt hoodie, today, with grey cargo pants. Afterwards, she started working on her bedroom, putting on her navy blue bed sheets and white pillow cases. Then she put some things on her shelf, most of them old picture frames of her family. She set up some drawing materials on her desk, mostly colored pencils along with her laptop and art tablet. When she saw the blue moon bracelet, she decided to put it on for memory's sake.

When she was finished, she looked at her handiwork, satisfied; she looked at the clock again and found it to be 4:05 pm. "The other girls would be getting out of class right now." she told herself aloud. She decided to get out of the room and walk around the town. Maybe submit some forms to join in clubs. Then she remembered something, Chachamaru told Negi-sensei that she's staying home today right? "Well, as long as she didn't say anything unnecessary to happen, I guess I'm ok. Now what was that great place to eat Kazumi told me about? Oh yea, Chao Bo Zi! I think I'll go eat there for lunch…" she said as her stomach growled, "I don't think I had anything for breakfast either…" and on that note, she left the room in pursuit for food. Kanade, however, was unaware of the commotion to come.

AN: So next chapter yay! Chachamaru used the same lie from last night catching the attention of all the other classmates! What will Kanade's reaction be when she finds out? What will happen? Will Kanade be mad at Chachamaru! And what of the strange birthmark on Kanade's hand? Does it hold any significance at all? All questions will be answered! Next chapters or so. I am sorry if this is dragging on or if you guys are getting bored but things will get better don't you worry! ;D Thanks for reviewing and reading all you guys! Although it means alot more to see who is reading and what you think through reviews! :) Thanks alot again BYEZ! :D