Thank you everyone for reading and reviewing the last chapter. Let's get started with this one!
Bold italics in the story are characters speaking in English. And please read my end of chapter notes.
Me: Chibi Setsuna, can you read the disclaimer?
Chibi: I'm not too smart. I don't want to.
Me: That's too bad! I have a lollipop! (Holds up cherry lollipop, but it disappears.) Where did it go!
Chibi: Mako doven't owm Negima! (Sucking on lollipop.)
Me: I gotta stop letting them play me!
CHAPTER 14: Parent's Day!
"Now!"
Chachamaru jumped in from the side and kicked Negi hard in the chin. The blow knocked him off balance; Chachazero came in from the side with her large blade. Negi jumped over her swipe and immediately realized his mistake. Evangeline appeared from just above him and slammed a magically powered fist into his chest. The blow knocked Negi to the ground and sent him skidding several feet away. Kamo winced as he watched from the sideline. For some reason Negi was more off his game than usual, something had to be bothering him. Negi rolled to the side just in time to avoid Chachamaru's foot turning his head into slush. Evangeline appeared just above him, pointing a rapier made of ice at his throat. When he looked down hew saw Chachazero's blade poised precariously between his legs.
"Looks like you lose again bouya," Evangeline sneered. She looked down at her disciple in disgust.
"Sorry master." She pulled her blade away so that he could stand back up. He looked out over the ocean of Evangeline's resort with a sigh.
"What the hells got you so riled anyways?"
"Maybe its cause he never gets any sleep!"
Negi turned and looked at the stairs that lead down to the beach. Ku Fei appeared at the top of them with a slightly angry look on her face. She was dressed in her red two piece swimsuit. Negi took one look at her and blushed. He figured that Asuna, Konoka, Setsuna and the other were still on the beach training. Or knowing Asuna, slacking off.
"You should let him rest," the blond replied angrily.
Evangeline sniffed and tossed her hair back haughtily. "You should mind your own business baka! This has nothing to do with you."
"He's my disciple to!" Ku Fei bristled angrily.
"When the bouya is training he should keep his mind on training and not something else."
"Give him a break!"
"No…master is right."
"You got that straight," Chachazero replied.
Negi shook his head and sighed. "I've just been thinking a lot. Like, who were those guys that attacked us? What kind of demons were those?" He ran a hand through his hair. "Not to mention that parents day is coming up at school."
"What's parent's day?" Kamo asked, while Chachazero poured him a glass of wine.
"It is the day that the parents of the students visit the school," Chachamaru replied. "They talk to the teachers in order to check on the performance of their offspring."
Negi grimaced. "And do you know how many parents that is?!"
"Well you'll get some kind of break. My parents won't be there," Evangeline replied. There was a small hint of bitter sadness in her voice.
"Why is that?" Ku Fei asked. As soon as the word left her mouth, she regretted it. She didn't know much about the vampires past, but she figured that her parents had to be long gone. "Sorry."
Evangeline glared back but waved her off. "It's no big. The fools deserved to die."
"Master?" Negi asked. She never talked about her family before.
"If it helps, my parents won't show either." Ku Fei said sadly. She forgot about her earlier argument and hoped to cheer the vampire girl up. All she succeeded in was bringing herself down.
"Why is that?" Negi asked. He knew about Evangeline's situation. Ku Fei on the other hand never told him about her family.
The blond shrugged her shoulders and sat down on the ground. "My parents are all the way back in China." This drew some attention from Evangeline and Chachamaru. "I don't really get to see them much."
"I-I never knew that," Negi replied. He gazed sympathetically down at the girl.
"Daddy's one of the board members and lead designers of Amoi."
Negi and Evangeline turned around and looked at Ku Fei with shock on their faces. Chachamaru also wore an expression that could be described as stunned. Kamo started to drool hopelessly. You could almost see the dollar signs in his eyes.
"Your father is on the Amoi board of directors?" Negi asked. That meant that Ku Fei had a lot of money to her name.
Ku Fei nodded. "He also holds a lot of shares in the company." The smile faded from her face. "Because of his position, he doesn't have much time for…other things."
Negi started to say something, but Evangeline interrupted. "Let's continue training," she said firmly. "Were going one on one.
"…Yes master."
"This times no holding back."
Negi looked back at Evangeline. Ku Fei seemed to forget her father and focused on the challenge. "Bad idea Eva-chan."
"And why is that?!" Evangeline snarled. "Do you think he can beat me? No holding back bouya. Use everything accept for the demon to help you. You have to learn independence from him." Evangeline transformed into her adult form in front of their eyes. "I suggest you grow up for this fight as well."
"Are you sure about this master?" Negi turned into his teenager form in order to even it out.
"Don't worry Aniki. I'm sure you won't hurt her too badly," Kamo laughed.
"I'm more worried about me getting hurt!"
Evangeline leapt at him curling her right hand into a fist. Negi's hand shot out and curled around her wrist. He grabbed her and pulled her down low; he raised his knee to hit her in the face. Evangeline rolled to the side and pulled Negi down with her. She planted her foot into his stomach, rolled through and used her momentum to toss him into the air. Negi twisted in the air and planted his feet on one of the surrounding pillars. Negi kicked off of the pillar and launched himself into a spinning kick. His foot connected with the back of Evangeline's head and sent her tumbling to the ground. She struggled for a second and then collapsed.
"Master!" Negi almost ran to check on her, and then stopped. Evangeline's body turned into bats that fluttered off into the sky. "Son of a bit-"
A foot connected hard with Negi's chin, knocking him high into the air. He looked down and saw Evangeline just in front of him. She charged her hand with magical energy and hit him hard in the chest. The force of the blow knocked him from the courtyard to the beach below.
"Here it comes!" Setsuna stuck out her leg and tripped the young girl beside her. She stuck out her arms and caught the beach ball. "And a point for me." She tossed the ball over to Kaede.
Tsukuyomi glared up at Setsuna from the water. "That was cheating senpai," she pouted.
"I know. Here, let me help you up."
Tsukuyomi pouted and turned her head away from Setsuna. "No." She pouted cutely.
"Come on! Stop being such a damn baby," she scolded playfully. Tsukuyomi placed her hand in Setsuna's and shrugged her shoulders. She gave a sharp yank and pulled Setsuna down into the water.
"Hey!"
Tsukuyomi placed her hands on Setsuna's shoulders. "Alls fair in love and war. And this isn't love." She drew closer to the brunette and licked her lips. "Or maybe it is." She leaned in to kiss Setsuna, but a large splash caught her attention.
Negi hit the surface of the water hard. He could feel his mouth fill with the salty seawater. He pushed himself up to the surface and looked around wearily. That blow had really knocked him for a loop. He could see Setsuna, Asuna, Konoka and Kaede swimming towards him. Chisame, Kotarou, and Tsukuyomi watched him from the shore.
"Are you alright Negi-bozu?" Kaede asked worriedly.
"Just fine." His eyes searched the skies wearily.
"What are you looking for?"
"That!" Negi built up some magic in his feet and launched himself from the water. The girls followed him and saw Evangeline floating in the air. "I admit you caught me off guard with that attack."
Evangeline snickered at him. "If that's the best you got, you have a long way to go." A sword of ice appeared in her hands, shimmering against the sunlight.
"We'll see just how well I can do." Orbs of translucent fire appeared around Negi's entire body. He fired the orbs out I front of him. The orbs grew bigger and remained suspended in midair.
"Pathetic!"
Evangeline shot forward at incredible speed, poised to attack. Negi smirked. 'Just a little further. There!' Evangeline flew into the sphere's being careful not to touch any of them. When she saw Negi's smirking face her eyes widened. Negi raised his hand and snapped his fingers. The orbs began to explode into bursts of fire. The explosions engulfed Evangeline, knocking her from the air with a cry of pain. Negi smirked until a whistling sound reached his ears. Evangeline's sword flew straight at him through the smoke filled air. Negi tried to dodge but it was too late. The sword sliced open his shoulder, knocking him out of the air as well. He tucked into himself and landed on the top of the water.
"Not bad bouya!" Negi looked up and saw Evangeline standing on the water also. She looked impressed but still wore her smirk of superiority. "Perhaps you aren't a complete waste of space after all. Too bad I have to humiliate you in front of your friends."
Negi looked behind her and saw the girls all lined up on the beach and cheering for him. Ku Fei, Kamo, Chachamaru and Chachazero had joined them.
Negi stood up and ignored the pain in his shoulder. "It's not over yet."
"It will be after this." A large amount of lightning appeared in Evangeline's right hand. The energy crackled and flared with power.
Negi placed his hand above his head and copied his master. The only difference was that his lightning was white instead of blue. Both of them smiled at one another and used a Shundo. They swung their arms out; each one of them fired a blade of pure lighting at each other. The blades clashed in the air creating a deafening bang, followed by an explosion of brilliant light and color. The onlookers shielded their eyes from the light and smoke. They could see anything through the thick grey clouds. When the smoke cleared, the winner of the match was revealed.
Negi was pinned down firmly in the shallow waters with Evangeline straddling his chest. Waves of crystal blue water washed over them. Pools of sapphire blue stared down into orbs of dark brown. This was just like the time she had kissed him on this very beach. Everyone watched the mages in anticipation.
"You held back," Evangeline growled angrily.
"I did not!" Negi glared defiantly up at her.
"Don't give me that! I saw you hold back on your follow up attack. I may look like a fragile doll but I am no such thing!"
"Maybe that was the best I could do!" As much as Negi hated to admit, she had him dead to rights. He had held back on his follow up for fear of injuring her. Now she had him locked to the ground.
"You should let…" Asuna started to walk up to them but was stopped by a firm hand on her shoulder. Chisame shook her head and gave her a small pat.
"You told me that you are as strong as Imma." Evangeline scoffed at her own statement. "But when you hold back like that, you disgrace him and his training." She grabbed Negi by the front of his wet shirt and pulled him up so that his face was closer to hers. "But more than that, you disrespect me! You have to stop thinking you can get by just because you look like him!" She pulled Negi's head up and smashed her lips against his. The others stared on at them in horror. Finally Evangeline released the lip lock and shoved him back to the ground. "Don't ever disrespect me again."
Evangeline got back up and walked away, turning back to her true form. The girls cleared a way for her so she could get to the stairs. Negi stared up at the calm blue sky. He could still feel the waves washing over him. His body felt all tingly after the kiss and his heart was beating a mile a minute. He turned over and saw Evangeline walking up the stone steps with Chachazero. An unexplainable anger boiled over in the young mage and it only got worse with the looks of pity from his partners. Negi cursed loudly and slammed his fist into the wet sand. He had had enough of the vampire's attitude.
"I don't understand how she can do that to me!" Negi griped.
He was back in his dorm now and he was still angry over what Evangeline said to him earlier. Chisame stared at him from her spot on Asuna's bed. She was slightly amused at her sensei's anger. At the same time she was also annoyed by his childish obsessing. Asuna was taking a shower and changing. Setsuna and Ku Fei stopped to do the same and were going to meet them for dinner. Konoka had to attend her fortune telling club for awhile. Tsukuyomi smiled and threw on her cloak.
"You mean the way she can just completely humiliate you in a second. Or the way that she makes you feel like a man, while at the same time humiliates you with your girlishness?"
"Why haven't I spoken to you before?" Chisame asked gleefully.
"I'm not sure. I have to go out on patrol now, but I'll be back for dinner!" She waved goodbye to them and rushed out of the door.
Just as soon as she left, Asuna came from the bathroom. "Tsukuyomi-san go on patrol?" She asked looking around.
"Do you see her here?" Chisame asked sarcastically.
Asuna smiled and shook her head at her girlfriend's abrasiveness. "You be nice. And what's your problem?" She asked Negi.
"Oh he's just obsessing over what McDowell did to him earlier."
"You mean the way that she emasculated you?"
Negi looked up at Asuna's teasing smile and gave her a fake laugh. "I'm glad that the two of you are enjoying this."
"Come on Negi. You can't expect me not to tease you!" Asuna climbed into her bed behind Chisame. She wrapped her arms around the orange haired girl and kissed her on the cheek.
Chisame blushed a deep shade of vermilion. "Wh-what are y-you doing?! Not in front of sensei."
"No! You need to learn to show affection in front of others! Besides Negi already know everything."
"That's not the point!"
Negi smiled and watched the young couple argue playfully. Asuna and Chisame had been together for nearly three weeks now. They still hadn't told anyone else about the relationship yet. Then again maybe that was a good thing. He smiled again when Asuna gently tackled the other girl to the bed. He never saw his two students happier and that made him happy. If only his romantic life would work out so well.
"So what's for dinner?" Ku Fei asked.
Setsuna looked at her companion with a neutral face. She knew that the martial artist wanted to ask a different question. "Don't you mean to ask how Negi is doing?"
"Why would I mean that?" Ku Fei blushed slightly and looked at her feet.
"That's it!" Setsuna grabbed the blond and pulled her to the side of the hall. "Ku, you have to tell him how you feel eventually."
"What are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb with me."
"Like you can talk. You'll have to tell Konoka to!" Ku Fei smiled. She thought that she had Setsuna on that one.
Setsuna blushed and waved her off. "I-I don't have those types of feelings for Ojou-sama!"
"Still denying it?"
"This isn't about me! This is about you and telling Negi that you're in love with him!"
"I KNEW IT!" Kamo shouted, leaping out from Ku Fei's jacket pocket.
"Kamo-kun!" Ku Fei cried. "How did you get here?!"
"Well after Evangeline planted one on Aniki, I noticed that you looked a little jealous." He climbed onto Ku Fei's shoulder and began poking her cheek. "I was right about you after all. Whoever, would have thought that you like Aniki as well."
"I-I don't! I mean he-he's just a disciple!" Ku Fei grabbed Kamo and began to desperately shake him.
"ANIMAL ABUSE!"
"Ku calm down!" Setsuna pulled the flailing ermine from her grasp. "Kamo that wasn't very nice! This isn't easy on her."
Kamo looked at Ku and noticed that she seemed a little upset. 'Making fun of Yuecchi was kind of fun. But for some reason I feel bad about teasing master Ku! Maybe I'm closer to her than I thought.' "Hold still for a second Ku-nee-san." Kamo concentrated all of his thoughts onto Ku Fei. He could feel her emotions spilling out and it shocked him. 'Damn! I had to make sure that she wasn't faking the feelings. And she's not. She would be perfect for Aniki, and I don't mean as a Ministra either.'
"Kamo-kun, you won't say anything to anyone will you?" Ku Fei asked. She stared at the ermine with pleading emerald eyes.
"…Fine. But you better say something to him soon or may not get the chance." He hopped up on Setsuna's head. "You have a good chance. Don't ruin it."
"A-arigatou."
Setsuna and Ku Fei looked at one another in surprise. Kamo wasn't going to rat her out to the other girls or Negi. What happened to make the ermine so understanding? They would just have to wait and see.
"Okay, here's how it's going to go!" Negi addressed the class. It was finally the day that all of the other teachers warned him about. The dreaded Parents Day. "Soon the school is going to be flooded with parents and students alike. So I want all of you to be on your best behavior. Fuka-san and Fumika-san, no practical jokes. Do not brandish any guns or swords!" He looked at Mana and his two Shinmeiryuu students. "And Hakase-san, for god's sake, no inventions. Now as for the-"
Knock Knock Knock
"Come in!"
The door to the class opened and Takamichi stepped in. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything?"
"Of course not," Negi smiled. He walked over and shook the older man's hand. "What can I do for you Takamichi?" Kamo waved at him from Negi's shoulder.
Takamichi cleared his throat. "There are some people here to see you."
"Who are they?"
"I don't know, they didn't say. I told them you were busy but they insisted."
Negi sighed and ruffled his hair. "Fine." He started to walk towards the door. "Watch the class for me."
Just as he reached the door it flew open and he found himself tackled to the ground. The girls in the class jumped up. Takamichi's laughter told them that it was no big deal.
"Anya." A serene voice called out. "I thought I told you to remain composed." A young blond appeared next to Takamichi.
The redheaded girl on top of Negi lifted her head up. "But I was just-OOF!"
Negi tackled the young girl around the waist and squeezed her tight. "Anya," he whispered. "It's so good to see you!"
"Y-you to. Y-y-your crushing me," she gasped.
"Sorry!" Negi stood up and pulled her with him. For a second he just stared into Nekane's sea blue eyes. He couldn't believe that he was seeing her; it was like one of his dreams. He rushed her and threw his arms around her waist. "Onee-chan! I'm so glad you're here! I missed you." Tears were starting to build in his eyes.
Nekane chuckled and hugged Negi back. "It's good to see you to."
"Still the same old crybaby Negi," Anya chided. She picked up Kamo, nuzzled him and placed him on her shoulder.
Takamichi cleared his throat to gain their attention. "This is touching and all. But you have a problem Negi." He pointed at the rest of the class.
Negi turned around and saw that practically all of the girls were standing there. Each of them wore that 'explain' look on their face. Negi rubbed the back of his head in a nervous manner.
"Sorry about that! Everyone this is Nekane and Anya. Onee-chan, Anya, this is everybody!"
"Oh no you don't!" Asuna walked forward and picked Negi up by his head. He started to flail his arms helplessly, making Anya giggle. "You're not getting off with a lazy introduction like that!"
"Asuna just let him go." Konoka walked up and made Asuna lower him to the ground.
Nekane giggled and stepped forward. "You must be Asuna-san. And you must be Konoka-san." She gave the two girls a respectful bow. "I would like to thank you for taking Negi in. I hope he hasn't been too much trouble." She winked at Negi.
Konoka shook her head. "Oh no! He hasn't been any trouble at all. Right Asuna? Asuna?"
"I'm thinking about the question."
This made the rest of the girls giggle and Negi groan in embarrassment. A second later the bell rang. "Right!" Takamichi called. "Girls you know the drill. Negi, get all of your materials ready." With his piece said, he hurried from the room.
"Right!" All of the girls filed from the room, giving various greetings to Anya and Nekane. Negi on the other hand was busy getting some files from his briefcase.
"I guess we should go to then. We wouldn't want to be a bother," Nekane replied.
"But I want to visit with Negi," Anya whined.
"Anya's right onee-chan. You guys just got here please don't go!" Negi knew he looked pathetic, but he didn't care. He hadn't seen them in forever and he just wanted them to stick around. "It won't bother me at all if you stay!"
"Good! I wasn't gonna go anyway!" Anya said childishly. She took a seat over by one if the windows and smiled. "Japan is so pretty this time of year!"
Negi laughed. "It's actually pretty all year round. Not just in November." Negi placed a few manila folders on his desk. "Why are you guys here anyway?"
"What?! Not happy to see us!"
"No! I-I just meant that it's sort of a surprise!"
Nekane took a seat at one of the desks and crossed her legs. "Well Takamichi called me and told me that they were having a day for parents. Since I am your legal guardian I decided to show up. And when I told Anya, she just tagged along. She wanted to see you so badly!" The blond giggled.
"Onee-chan!" Anya cried. A pink tinge worked its way onto her cheek.
"Well I'm glad you're both here." Negi laughed. "It's going to be boring today, but if you want to stick around you can."
"Gee, thanks for the permission," Anya scoffed.
"A little boredom never hurt anyone."
"Glad you think so onee-chan. Afterwards I can introduce you to everyone. And we can…catch up."
There was something in the way he said catch up that made Nekane think something was wrong. She knew that Negi was at the age where he would hide things from her. But if it was something was really bothering him she'd find out what it was. After all it was a big sisters job to make sure her little brother was okay.
Setsuna sighed. She walked through the throng of students greeting their parents out on the campus. She hated the parents days. It just served to remind her that she didn't even know her parents at all. For her it was one of the hardest days of the year. The only solace she had was that she would be going on patrol with Mana soon. The gunslinger's parents never showed up either and she never talked about them; so Setsuna never pushed her. Tsukuyomi was also supposed to join them for patrol today; her situation was probably no different from theirs. Konoka went to go and spend sometime with Asuna and Chisame today. Apparently the three of them never had their parents show up. It must have been harder on them than it was on her. Whether any of them would admit it or not, they were a lot more sensitive than she.
To tell the truth, she really wanted to spend the day with Konoka. However, since the argument they had at the Tatsumiya shrine, Setsuna didn't feel right around her. She still had the same urge to protect and be with her ojou-sama. Thing is, that when Konoka told Setsuna that she didn't want her protection anymore, it really hurt the Shinmei swordsman. For some reason it kept her from being too friendly with Konoka as of late.
Setsuna checked her watch and cursed. She was going to be late for patrol and that meant Mana would try to charge her for something. She just made it past a group of students when she heard Konoka call out to her.
"Secchan! Secchan! Look who I found!" Konoka ran up to her. Next to the brunette was a smiling man, not yet at middle age. He had short, but thick black hair pulled back neatly. Glasses framed his slightly pale face and he was dressed in an all black suit.
"Huh?! E-Eishun-sama!" Setsuna quickly bowed down to the head of the Konoe family. "H-how are you sir?!"
"I'm fine. But there's no reason for you to be so formal with me Setsuna-kun." Eishun smiled down at the girl. "You are like a part of the family after all."
"I-I don't deserve such kind words." She bowed her head down again.
"Come on Secchan, stop acting like that." Konoka pulled Setsuna to her feet and draped her arm around him.
"Sorry. Habit," she mumbled.
Konoka gave her a pat on the head. "That's better. I'm gonna go grab something to drink. You guys want anything."
"That's alright."
"N-no thank you."
Setsuna watched Konoka skip off like a little girl. She must have been really excited to see her father. Once Konoka was out of sight Eishun pulled out a pack of cigarettes. Before he could light it, the cigarette was snatched from his lips. He stared at Setsuna in surprise. Setsuna herself stared in shock at the cigarette in her hand.
"I-I-I'm s-sorry. I sh-shouldn't have done that!" She handed the cigarette back to him. "I guess Ojou-sama has rubbed off on me."
Eishun looked thoughtfully at the cigarette and tossed it in the nearby trashcan. "It's alright. I really should quit." He tossed the pack into the trash as well. "Filthy habit." There was an awkward moment of silence until Eishun said, "You don't seem too happy to see me."
"Ah no no! It's not that!" She waved her arms frantically. "I just thought that you would be too busy."
"Well I found someone to replace me temporarily. I wouldn't be much of a father if I didn't show up to at least one of these parent day things. Besides, I wanted to check up on the two of you."
Setsuna smiled shyly. "There's no need to do that."
"Yes. Konoka seems to be doing well thanks to you."
"Well the others helped to. And I will always protect Ojou-sama."
"Arigatou Setsuna-kun." Eishun closed the distance and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "You know I always thought of you as my daughter. I hope that one day you can think of me as your father."
Setsuna looked up at him. Tears of joy sparkled in the hanyo's eyes. She had never had anyone see her as a daughter before. "Y-yes. Arigatou."
"Hey dad, are you ready to go?" Konoka popped out of nowhere holding a bottle of water. "I called Asuna and told her I wouldn't be able to make it."
Setsuna's face paled. "What time is it?"
"8:30."
"I was supposed to meet Mana fifteen minutes ago!" She slung Yuunagi over her shoulder and started to turn around.
"Why do you have to go and meet Mana-chan?"
"With all the parents around the principal likes to have extra security. We always do it."
"That's really too bad," Eishun replied. "I was hoping that I could be your father for the day." Konoka beamed warmly at Setsuna.
Setsuna wanted more than anything to go with them. She wanted to be part of a family for once. She knew that it was selfish but she had to at least try. Besides, Tsukuyomi could go with Mana today.
"Well," Setsuna fumbled with Yuunagi, almost dropping it. "Um, I could see if it's alright with Mana." Setsuna pulled out her cell and dialed some numbers. "Hello Mana? Yeah listen, I was wondering if I could skip patrol today…no nothings wrong…what happened? My dad showed up…yeah, you will? Thanks…alright…tell Tsu-chan I said hello. Alright bye." She smiled sheepishly at Konoka and Eishun. "She said she would bill me."
Konoka giggled and looped her arm through Setsuna's. "That's Mana-chan for you. I'm glad you're coming!"
"M-me to." Setsuna blushed.
Eishun smiled down at the two girls, they were only really happy when they were around each other. 'It's something that ii realized a long time ago. I just never said anything,' he thought wistfully. "Come on girls. I haven't been here in a long time. Show me around before we have to meet Negi-kun."
Konoka grabbed her father and Setsuna by their arms. She started to pull them excitedly through the crowd. For Setsuna, this was the best day of her life.
Negi smiled and shook hands with Nodoka's parents. So far he had met with three sets of parents. So far he had met with the twin's father, Haruna's parents and now Nodoka's. All of them had gone off without a hitch. That was he had to assure the twins parents that he was okay with their pranks. He claimed that they kept him on his toes. Nodoka bowed to him, blushing slightly in the process. After a quick exchange of pleasantries they left.
'So far so good!" He turned around and smiled at his sister and Anya.
"If you count the girl with glasses almost mentioning magic," Anya sniffed.
Negi laughed. "Yeah, Paru-san is always like that."
"So she really is one of your partners then?" Nekane asked. "And so is Miyazaki-san?"
"Yep. They've helped me out a lot over the past year."
"My Negi all grown up and making provisional contracts!" She squealed. She leapt up and gave Negi a good squeeze.
"Onee-chan stop! What if someone sees!" Negi whined. Though he didn't really care if anyone saw.
"Come on nee-san!" Kamo cried. "I spend all this time turning him into a man and now you're trying to change him back!"
"Am not. I'm just proud of him!"
"Come on bouya, can't you get a room?"
Negi jumped from Nekane's grasp and wheeled around. "M-master! Id didn't expect to see you! You weren't in class toady!"
"I just decided to drop by for a visit and here I see this disgusting display," she replied irritably.
Negi blinked. Was Evangeline jealous? "I guess I'm being rude. Master this is my sister Nekane and this is Anya. Anya, onee-chan, this is my master Evangeline McDowell."
Nekane blinked twice. "As in the Dark Evangel?!"
"That's right!"
Before Negi could say anything Nekane and Anya had both drawn wands from the inside of their coats. The wands were aimed directly at Evangeline's heart. The doll master smirked and bade them to fight her.
"Stop!" Negi jumped in between them and held his arms out. "Put the wands down!"
"No! Let them try bouya!"
"Put the wands down," he repeated firmly. The tow mages gave Negi a questioning look. "She's a good vampire now. See good vampire."
"I'm not good!" Evangeline shouted immaturely. "And stop treating me like a dog!"
"I'm trying to help you! And like you can talk about treating people like dogs!"
"That's different! You are a dog!"
"What's going on here?!" Anya asked loudly.
Negi looked at them and frowned. He didn't want them to get involved in his affairs with Evangeline. "Could you tow please give us a minute. I need to talk to my student." It had been a week since she kissed him; he had a few questions for her.
Evangeline glared him in anger. Nekane and Anya nodded slowly and made their way to the door. Kamo followed after them. He didn't want to be anywhere near this argument. Negi waited until they left the room and closed the door. When he turned around Evangeline was sitting cross legged on his desk. He ran a shaking hand through his red hair. If he wanted to remain calm he would need all of his power.
"Why don't lay all of our cards out on the table?" He asked calmly. "What you did yesterday was ridiculous. You don't care about anyone as long as you get to prove that you're the strongest."
"I'm the one that's always trying to be the strongest?" She scoffed. "You're the one that came to me begging for training remember?! I'm doing this as a favor to you!"
"CUT THE CRAP!" Negi shouted. Realizing that he lost his temper he took a calming breath before going on. "The only reason that you help me is because I remind you of my father."
"I help you in spite of that! And you want to be exactly like him! It's your on fault!"
"So then why do you help me?!"
"None of your business! Don't think that I care about you either," she chided.
Negi pulled her off the desk and slammed her against the wall. Evangeline was too stunned to move. "I've had enough of the 'I only care about myself' attitude," Negi growled angrily. "You have to care about me; even it is just a little bit! It's the only other reason you would help me…or kiss me."
"Let go of me." Evangeline's voice was suddenly high and cracking. Was she scared, angry or something else altogether. "L-let go." Her stare locked with his and she couldn't find the strength to throw him off of her.
"Are we interrupting something?"
Negi and Evangeline looked at the door and back at each other. "No," he said softly. He let go of Evangeline and smiled. "I'm glad that you could make it Eishun-sama."
"Please just call me Eishun." He shook hands with Negi. All the while his eyes stayed on Evangeline. He had never seen the tiny Shinso so shaken up.
"Shall we get started then?" He led the Eishun and Konoka and Setsuna to the chairs in front of desk.
Evangeline walked behind him and whispered, "This isn't over." The tiny blond walked to the back of the class and sat at her desk.
Negi watched her carefully. He had called her out and now he would pay for it. But right now he had other matters to worry about.
Chisame sighed and watched all the other students lead their parents around. She had called her mother, but she wouldn't show up. She never did. That was why she was going to spend the day with Asuna today. Chisame smiled at the mere thought of her girlfriend. That's right, she thought of Asuna as her girlfriend. Of course she wouldn't tell Asuna that. Chisame reflected on her past couple of weeks with the baka ranger. They had been the happiest of her life. She would never tell anyone that either. Ever since Chika died there had been a void in her life and finally she had someone to fill that void. That was why she stood here now in the cold November weather waiting for Asuna to show.
"She's late," Chisame grumbled.
"Chisame!"
Chisame looked up to see who had called her. She couldn't believe her eyes. "Mom?" What are you doing here?!"
"Well its parent's day isn't it? It told you that I was going to come."
Chisame sighed in annoyance. "Your right. I guess that I forgot."
"Forgot? Or hoped that I wouldn't show up?"
The young net idol didn't have a comeback for that one. She glanced around until her eyes fell on a man waiting against a wall of the school. He was somewhat tall with long brown hair.
"What the hell is he doing her?" Chisame growled at her mother.
"He wanted to come see you. He is your father after…"
"That man is not my father!"
"Lets not go through this now!" Her mother hissed. She flicked a strand of orange hair behind her ear.
"No! Where was he when Chika-"
"Hello Chisame."
Chisame looked up into the eyes of the man that had the nerve to call himself her father. "Hello…father. Look the thing is that I already had plans."
"Chisame-chan!" Asuna ran towards her dressed in a pair of blue jeans and a fuzzy blue sweater. "Sorry I'm late. I had trouble finding my phone."
"Ah yeah," Chisame responded dryly. "There's been a change of plans. Kagurazaka, this is my mother Hiroko and my father Taro. This is Kagurazaka Asuna my…classmate."
Asuna frowned at Chisame's introduction. Not only was she introduced as a classmate, but she was addressed by her last name. That was something that Chisame hadn't done since they began dating.
Asuna looked at Chisame's parents and forced a smile. Despite her annoyance with Chisame she was really mad at her father. There was a lot that she would like to say to him. "Pleasure to meet you both."
"Nice to meet you," Taro said.
"Nice to meet you dear. I'm glad to see that Chisame hasn't been spending all of her time in her room."
"Yeah. Can I talk to you for a minute?" Asuna pulled Chisame out of earshot of her parents and put on a stern face. "What was that back there?"
"I don't know what you mean," Chisame replied innocently.
"Come on Chisame-chan! First you address me as your classmate."
"What did you want me to say? Hey mom, this is my girlfriend! I don't think so!" Chisame fixed her glasses in annoyance.
"Okay…I can understand that. Couldn't you at least call me by my first name?"
"Come on, don't take it personally."
"I-I just wish that I knew they were coming. That's all," she finished awkwardly.
"You couldn't have known. I didn't tell you that I invited my mother." Chisame mentally kicked herself. She just screwed up again.
"…You knew that they might come and you still didn't tell me?! If I knew then I could have helped you."
"I just didn't want getting worried about things that don't concern you."
"If something is upsetting you then it concerns me! I don't like to see you get hurt!"
"Just drop it okay!"
"No. Tell me why you don't want my help. Maybe then I'll understand."
The net idols hand curled into a shaking fist. "What would you know about it?! You don't even have parents!"
Asuna reeled back as if she had been punched in the face. The world around the two girls slowed down and they were suddenly alone. Chisame regretted what she said the moment it left her lips. Tears welled up in Asuna's mismatched and started top roll down her cheeks.
"…Asuna I…"
"B-baka!" Asuna said tearfully. She turned on her heel and ran back to the school with tears in her eyes.
Chisame wanted to say something but the words were caught in her throat. She stared blankly at the ground. Out of anger she had picked the thing that Asuna was most sensitive about and used it to attack her. What had she just done? Just like that she ruined the best thing in her life.
"So then they are doing well?" Eishun asked.
Negi, Eishun, Konoka and Setsuna were all out in the hall now. Their actual meeting had ended a few minutes ago. Now they were just exchanging small talk. Just inside the room Nekane was desperately trying to get Evangeline to talk. Needless to say she was failing miserably
"They are two of my better students." The girls blushed from their teachers praise. "They are trying their best to drive me insane though."
"Negi-kun!"
"Nii-san!"
Negi smiled at the two girls outraged looks. "How are things in Kansai?" Negi asked.
Eishun smiled. "Very well actually. There's been a recent rise in rebel factions lately."
"Really?" Setsuna asked seriously.
"Yes. But don't worry; it's nothing that we can't handle."
"I see you're still the same old optimist Eishun."
"Takamichi?" Eishun smiled and faced his former comrade. "You haven't changed a bit my old friend!" The two men exchanged a quick hug.
"I could say the same of you Eishun." Takamichi stepped back and looked him in the face.
"I'm afraid age has taken some affect on me."
"Age affects all of us. Right Negi?" He gave the ten year old a wink. Someone bumped into him pushing him forward slightly. He turned around and saw Asuna sitting on the ground. She must have been in a hurry to bump into him like that. "Are you okay Asuna-kun? Eh?"
Asuna looked back up at Takamichi. Tears were falling unchecked from her eyes. She shuddered slightly before jumping up and taking off again, ignoring Takamichi's attempts at help. Asuna kept her head down and darted past them.
"Asuna-san!' Negi started to go after her but Konoka stopped him.
"Don't worry Negi-kun. We'll take care of her, right Secchan?"
"Leave it to us. Asuna-san wait!" Setsuna called chasing after her. Konoka followed close behind, waving goodbye to the others.
"I wonder what that was about?" Eishun asked.
"I hope that she's okay," Nekane replied. She appeared in the doorway and apparently saw what had happened.
Negi had a feeling about what might have happened and hoped that he was wrong. "Don't worry. Konoka-nee-san has a way of making people feel better," Kamo replied.
"Well I hope so. Since my daughter has run off on me, we should catch up Takamichi."
Takamichi shook his head and looked at Eishun. "Of course. Would you like to come to Eva? For old times sake."
Evangeline appeared in the door way. She rolled her eyes and nodded. "I guess if it means that much to you, then I can grace you with my presence."
Takamichi smiled. In Evangeline that translated as: I would love to. "Come on. We can go to the staff lounge."
Takamichi led Eva and Eishun down the hall. Negi stared after them, but his mind was somewhere else entirely. "Negi-kun!"
Negi turned around and his smile returned. "Ku-chan."
"Was that Asuna. Is she alright?" Ku Fei asked worriedly.
"She'll be fine."
"Good. These are my parents by the way!" She turned and gestured excitedly to the two people behind her.
Negi looked at the two people behind her and smiled. Ku Fei's father was only slightly taller then Negi when he was teenager. He was a very handsome man with thick black hair and a young looking face. From Negi could see her father was about the same build as his teenage form, maybe a little broader in the shoulders. He was dressed in a crisp black suit and dress shoes. He looked exactly like a businessman coming from an important meeting.
Ku Fei's mom was exactly the opposite of her husband. She was dressed in a long silk dress similar to the ones that Ku Fei liked to wear. The slits on either side of the dress revealed long well toned legs. Her mother had a flawlessly beautiful face and dark brown eyes. Long blond hair was tied into a tight bun, a few strands hung down in front of her face. She was shorter than her husband and had to wear high heels.
Negi smiled again. It was obvious that Ku Fei took more after her mother than her father. She was almost the like an exact copy of her mother, except for the eyes. She had the same sparkling emerald eyes as her father.
Negi bowed. "Nihao. Hen Gao Xing Yu Xian ni."
Ku Fei smiled; she had no idea that he knew Chinese. Her father returned the greeting and started to speak to him in Mandarin. Negi looked back at him in complete confusion and held up his hands.
"Excuse me! Uh, that was actually the only Chinese that I know." He admitted sheepishly.
Ku Fei giggled and her parents laughed. "That's okay, we know Japanese," her father replied.
"Thank god. My name is Negi Springfield. Please call me Negi."
"My name is Jian," her father replied. He bowed and shook hands with Negi. "And this is my wife Li."
"Pleasure to meet you both." Negi shook hands with her mother next.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Negi-kun. Ku has told us so much about you, she's very fond of you," Li said with a smirk.
"Mama!" Ku Fei whined and blushed.
Negi chuckled. "If you'll please follow me, then we can get started."
Negi ran through comments on Ku's behavior, attendance, and her interaction with the other students. He really liked her parents. Jian wasn't the man that he had pictured at all. Ku mentioned that he was a workaholic, so he expected the man to be an uptight businessman. But he was rather loose and warm. Li was a lot like Ku in more than just her looks. Not to mention she would embarrass her daughter at any presented chance.
"I'm glad that she has been behaving so well," Jian replied. "She was always a troublemaker for us."
Ku Fei stuck her tongue out at her father and Negi laughed. "Well she's been a great help to me."
"So then what are her grades like?" Li asked.
"That's what I've been waiting to talk to you about." Negi leaned down to get another file. "Ku-chan sit back down."
Jian and Li looked to the door and saw their daughter trying to sneak out. Ku walked back to her seat and sat down. "How did you know?-Aruyo?"
Negi sat back up with a file in his hands. "I know my students. And with the exception of Asuna and Konoka, I spend most of my time with you."
"Good catch Negi-kun," Li said. "Sometimes you really have to keep your eye on her.-Aru."
"She certainly is one of the more energetic girls in class," Negi agreed.
Ku Fei was about to respond when she felt a tugging on her leg. She looked down and saw Kamo signaling for her to pick him. She did as he asked and placed him in her lap. She gently stroked his head with the tip of her finger. 'Maybe I can get a better look from here,' Kamo thought.
Negi took some papers out of the folder, he never even noticed Kamo. Negi laid the paper son the table. In the corner of the papers were scores marked in red ink that read as: 39, 52, 45, and 27. "These are her scores from before I came here." Jian glared at his daughter, Ku didn't look at her parents and began to whistle absently. Negi smiled and laid out more papers. "These are her scores after I was here for a couple of months." This time the scores were: 63, 67, 71, and 60. "Better but not quite there." He laid out a new set of papers. "These are her most recent scores." This time the papers were much better: 71, 79, 80, 84, and 92.
"I got a 92?!" The blond jumped, almost dumping Kamo on the floor.
"Oh honey I'm so proud of you!" Li smothered her daughter in a hug.
"Why couldn't you do this the whole time?" Jian asked teasingly.
Ku blushed and looked down at her feet. "I-I never worried about disappointing a teacher before."
Negi also blushed and tried his best to hide it. Everyone in the room seemed to notice their reactions. Even Nekane, who was still at the back of the room noticed. Kamo leered at Negi, finally capturing the boy's attention. Negi shook his head and ignored Kamo.
"I-I'm flattered that I've had such a profound affect on you Ku-chan," Negi replied. He looked her in the eyes and smiled, increasing her blush. "But you should be doing well for yourself. And even if you are only in junior high, I want you to consider college."
"C-college?"
"You definitely have what it takes."
Ku Fei stared at him. No one had ever believed in her when it came to school. "I will."
"My little girl all grown up and thinking about college." Jian ruffled her hair as if she was a child.
"Daaaadddyyy!" Ku Fei whined.
The next ten minutes or so were spent in friendly conversation. Negi really liked Ku Fei's parents. They were fun and unspoiled by the money that they undoubtedly had. None of them had a single ounce of pretension in them. They were also funny to; making funny stories, often at the expense of their daughter. Negi smiled as he led them to the door of the classroom. He wanted to keep talking with them but he had other parents to talk to.
"It's a shame we have to go," Li said. She smiled down at Negi. "But I'm afraid that we have embarrassed our daughter enough."
"You're not kidding," Ku Fei grumbled. Kamo laughed quietly and so did Negi.
"It was a pleasure meeting both of you." Negi smiled and shook Jian's hand.
"The pleasure was all ours," Jian replied. "There is something about you that makes you quite remarkable Negi Springfield-kun." Negi looked at him in confusion, but Jian shook his head. "Anyways, I suppose we should be off to meet the other teachers. Thank you again for taking care of our daughter."
"Am I invisible?!" Ku Fei cried.
Li laughed and surprised Negi by giving him a hug. "I hope that we get to see you again.-Aru. It was interesting."
Negi smiled. "Yes it has been. I finally learned where Ku-chan got her Aru from."
"Actually Li got that from Ku," Jian replied. "We don't know where she picked it up." He smiled and waved a hand as he walked out of the room. "Li…come!"
"Yes husband," Li sighed in an overly girlish way. She winked at Negi and followed Jian out of the room.
"I am so embarrassed.-Aru."
Negi laughed. "I think your parents are really charming."
"They think your're charming to."
"So do (cough) es she," Kamo coughed, pointing at Ku Fei.
Ku Fei flicked Kamo in the head, nearly knocking him off of her shoulder. "I'm glad they came though."
"So am I." Negi started to walk past, but she grabbed his shoulder. "What?" Kamo scampered down onto Negi's shoulder.
Ku Fei smiled softly at him. "I don't get to see my parents often. Especially daddy. I know that you called them." Negi started to deny it but she held up her hand. "I know you did. "Arigatou." She leaned forward and pecked him on the cheek.
"Ku?"
"Coming daddy!" She gave Negi a shy smile and ran out of the room. 'I DID IT!' Her mind cried.
Negi stared after her. He heat flared throughout his body and his heartbeat quickened. A small smile appeared on his face. He walked back to his desk in a trance and sat down. Suddenly, a day that promised to be long and arduous got a little easier.
Nekane smirked craftily. From her seat in the back she could see everything that had transpired. An evil plot formed in her mind. And it involved her brother and a certain blond martial artist.
End Chapter
PLEASE READ THIS!
Many people for one reason or another have told me to give up on this fic and start a new one. I doubt I will give up on this one, but I do have ideas for other fics.
Negima: AU. Takes place around the medieval times. Two rival vampire houses (haven't thought up names for them yet) met each other in a fierce battle centuries ago. Now a new head of one of the houses is about to wage war again. But when two vampires from the opposing houses meet, will their love save the two houses or tear them apart. EvangelinexNegixZazie AsunaxSetsunaxKonoka.
Naruto: Slight AU. Takes place directly after Sasuke is reunited with Naruto and Sakura. After battling Naruto, Sasuke is betrayed by Orochimaru and leaves. It is nearly 2 ½ years later when Sasuke returns to Konoha. With no word about Orochimaru or Itachi, Sasuke nearly gives up hope. But just when you're about to give up, fate has a way of blindsiding you. SasukexTenten ShinoxHinata ShikamaruxTemari
Hit the review button and let me know what you all think. Should I quit on this story?! Are these other ideas any good?! Let me know!
P.S: what Negi said in Chinese roughly translates as: Hello. It's a pleasure to meet you.