Draconis: Well here we are again.
Kenshin: I see that. Before the conversation gets started can we get things moving?
Draconis: I guess. If these get drawn out they take up the first page on my writer.
Negima! Springfield and Kuroshi Redux.
Chapter 20
Answers. Finish the Exam.
Kenshin: Begin.
(start)
Kenshin Yukari and Setsuna appeared in the deep library. Immediately they heard footsteps rushing toward them and turned to find Miyuki running up to them.
"Kenshin-Niichan Yukari-Neechan!" "You're back!" Miyuki says. She slows down and noticed the distant look on Yukari's face the slightly confused look on Setsuna's and that Kenshin's back was turned to her despite her calling out to them.
"Did something...happen?" Miyuki asks. Setsuna walks past her. "Um Setsuna-nee the others crashed in over there could you watch them for me?"
"Is anyone hurt?" Setsuna asks.
"No and even if they were I healed them." Miyuki says.
"Thank you." Setsuna says walking away from them.
"Miyuki...did you like the guys in Rikudou?" Yukari asks.
"U-Un." Miyuki shakily answered wondering where her sister was going with this.
"Well Miyuki." "They're all gone." Kenshin says. "The guy that wrecked Iris...killed them all." Kenshin says walking away.
Miyuki's eyes widen turning to Yukari. "I-Is that true?"
"Yeah." Yukari says. Miyuki turns her vision back toward Kenshin's retreating form. "Poor Niichan...they were his only friends."
"Not only that." Yukari says. "You remember when Kenshin-nii was really fidgety and nervous around You Mom Negi and I?"
"Uh huh." Miyuki says. "If I hadn't met my friend at that time I probably would been really depressed that whole time."
"Well...I know why he was like that." Yukari says looking away.
"Why?" Miyuki asks.
"B-Because...he was r-raped." Yukari says.
Everything was silent for a moment then Miyuki grabbed Yukari by the shoulders. "WHAT? !"
"Y-Yes." "Come on." "L-Let's go see what he's up to." Yukari says.
"O-OK." Miyuki says.
"What do I do?" "I was a total bitch to him when that happened!" Yukari thought. "How do I apologize to him? !"
"Relax baka!" Yukari says. "You aren't gonna be able to make up anything to him if you're panicky like this!"
"F-Fine." Yukari thought.
(sigh) "Kenshin of this dimension...you have no idea how much she worries about you." Yukari says.
Kenshin walking toward Albireo's abode took out a case. Inside was something Daniel gave him telling him that if he ever died to smoke one in his memory or whenever he was feeling down. He thought back to that day
(flashback
"Yo man." "I want you to have this." Daniel says tossing him a case.
"What is it?" Kenshin asks.
"Ha ha." "Don't tell your sister, but it's a case of my smokes." "You know the ones I mean." Daniel says.
"Oh you mean the ones with the funny smell that Yukari says she hates." Kenshin says.
"He he yeah." Daniel says. "The reason I'm giving you these is because we're alike." "We both have wings." "So whenever you're feeling down." "Light one up and get back to the skies."
Kenshin nods. "I'll keep that in mind." "Thanks."
"Also if something should happen to Rikudou." Daniel says. "Smoke one in our memory."
"Yeah." Kenshin says pocketing the case
(flashback end)
Kenshin opened the case took out one of the smokes and cast the beginner fire spell lighting it up and inhaling. (cough) "Damn this shit's strong." Kenshin says. He looks up and flicks the ashes off the joint. "This ones for you guys." "Rest in peace."
He turns around finding Yukari and Miyuki walking up to him. "Why do you have that?" Yukari asks.
"Daniel gave a case of them to me." Kenshin says. "Told me to smoke one in Rikudou's memory."
"What if Negi Konoka Setsuna or the other students see you?" Yukari asks.
"Fulfilling what was my friend's last request of me is more important to me right now." Kenshin says.
Yukari nods and holds her hand out. "May I?" "Th-They were my friends too."
Kenshin thought about it for a moment before handing the joint off to her. Yukari inhaled lightly and began coughing.
"Yukari-neechan?" Miyuki says.
"I'm fine." Yukari says.
"Let's go." Kenshin says taking the joint back and walking forward. They come up to a dragon and Kenshin looks up. Unbuttoning his shirt he turned around removing it halfway exposing the eastern dragon tattoo on his back. The dragon exhales flames through it's nose. "And them?"
"They are my sisters." Kenshin says. "The taller of the two has her tattoo on her chest and the shorter has hers on the back of her left thigh." Kenshin says pointing at Yukari then Miyuki.
"Very well they do not have to show theirs." The dragon says. "I will take the word of the container of my god."
"Thanks." Kenshin says inhaling more smoke as he Yukari and Miyuki walk by.
The three make their way toward a tower like structure where Albireo stood watering something. He turned toward Kenshin. "Oh!" "Kenshin-kun is that you?"
Kenshin actually cracked a small smile. "Hey Uncle." "How has things been lately?"
"They've been alright." Albireo says. "Are you still feeling off after...you know."
"You can say it." "They already know." Kenshin says.
"This guy's related to us?" Miyuki asks.
"Not by blood or marriage." Albireo says. "Kenshin's always called me that." Kenshin nods as Yukari and Miyuki look toward him.
"Yes." "Anyway Ryuushin-San brought me over to Wales a bit after Kenshin's rape and I helped console him." Albireo says.
"Yeah Dad never told me you lived under Mahora though." Kenshin says. "I had to find it out for myself."
"Yes Yes." "So what is it Kenshin-kun?" "You've come to me so you obviously need something."
"Do you know anything about how Ryuu-Taisho Kuroshi was able to subdue Ryuujin?" Kenshin asks.
"I don't know how to tell you this Kenshin-kun, but...Ryuu-Taisho was never able to fully subdue him." Albireo says.
Kenshin's eyes widen. "What do you mean?" "Dad told me you'd be able to help me with this."
"I apologize." "But the only advice is to have more than one calm." Albireo says.
Kenshin grits his teeth and sighs. "OK." "Thanks anyway." Albireo nods. "I wish I could be of more assistance, but that's all I have."
"Do you at least know how many calms he had?" Kenshin asks.
"Yes." "Three or four." Albireo says. "He had his mate Aki, his close friend Hebi, The two clans which he and Aki headed up." "And his two unborn children he never got the chance to father."
"I see." "Uncle...do you happen to know what happened to the two clans?" Kenshin asks. "Why were Dad and Mom the last two?"
"I'm sorry Kenshin-kun I have no other information other than they were wiped out around the time your parents were born."
All three of the siblings eyes went wide with shock. "What?" "W-Wiped out?"
"Yes." "As in someone or something killed them all." Albireo says.
"I see." "Thanks...Uncle Al." Kenshin says. "We'll be heading out now."
"Very well." Albireo says. "Don't be strangers and come back by sometime."
"We will." Kenshin says.
The siblings exit and reenter the deep library. "Kenshin-nii." Yukari says.
"What?" Kenshin asks.
"Are you alright?" She asks.
"Yeah." Kenshin says. "I'm just sick...of having questions, but having no answers to those questions."
Kenshin hears a myriad of voices and turns to Yukari and Miyuki. "Act natural."
"Study at a time like this-aru?" Ku Fei says.
"Yes at a time like this." "Unless you wanna climb your way outta here." Everyone's heads snap over to Kenshin and his sisters.
"Miyuki-Chan!" "You're alright!" Nearly everyone shouts. Kenshin and Yukari look over at her as if asking her what happened. Miyuki scratched her head grinning sheepishly. "I'll explain later."
Negi walked up to Kenshin who blinked. "Uh Negi." "Why are you in your sleepwear?"
"Not important." "Did everything go alright?" Negi asks.
"Yeah." Kenshin smiles. "Everything's fine." "Alright everyone come on there's some desks and a chalkboard over this way." Kenshin says.
"Hai Sensei." Everyone follows Kenshin except for Negi Yukari and Miyuki.
"Yukari-San...is everything really OK?" Negi asks.
"Why do you ask?" Yukari says.
"Kenshin's smile...it looked forced." Negi says.
Negi didn't turn in her direction, but Yukari looked down. "Negi if Kenshin-nii tells you it's alright...then it's alright."
"Yeah Negi-Chan don't worry." Miyuki says
"OK." "If you say so." Negi says following Kenshin and the other students.
(break)
Back at the classroom.
"What? !" "What do you mean Negi and Kenshin-Sensei get fired if our class get's last again!" Ayaka shouts. "Sakurako why didn't you say anything sooner!"
"Auumm." "Negi-Sensei told me not to tell anyone." Sakurako says sheepishly.
Ayaka goes into thought. "Everyone should do fine except Asuna-San and the four baka rangers." "As long as they and Yukari-San and Miyuki-San don't flop."
"Everyone!" Ayaka turns to see Haruna and Nodoka burst through the door. "Negi-Sensei Miyuki-San Konoka-San and the baka rangers have gone missing!"
A sense of dread washed over Ayaka. "We...just might be screwed."
(break)
One day later.
Back at the deep library.
Kenshin sat while Negi went over exam material. He was mulling over a statement made by Shukan before he left. "You contain the traitorous Yondaime Shinigami and Ryuujin." He then recalled something Mirai had said to him when Hottan challenged him. "He just wants to use you because you have the potential to become the new Yondai!"
Closing his eyes he entered his mind and found Mirai waiting. "So you finally decided to come."
"Mirai." "Do you know anything about this Yondaime Shinigami that I apparently contain?" Kenshin asks.
"Yes." Mirai says. "Because he is me."
Kenshin nods. "I figured." "Ryuujin can't be a dual god and Arika isn't a goddess."
"You don't seem at all shocked by this." Mirai says.
"After awhile you just kind of learn to roll with it." Kenshin says. "So is there anything you can tell me about Enma or about the cronies he's apparently surrounded himself with."
"His cronies are the other Shinigami." "There are three others." "Their names are Shini Nidai and Aiken." Mirai says.
"I see." Kenshin says. "I'll keep that in mind as I train."
"Yes." "Also the Shinigami abilities cut out because I made them do so." Mirai says. "Like Ryuujin they have a tendency to take you over when your enraged." "Ryuujin cannot interfere with my abilities."
"Tch." "I see." Kenshin says. "Well thanks anyway." "But why do they take me over?"
"Because they want to make a Shinigami out of you." Kenshin's eyes narrow. "What does that mean?" "Make a Shinigami out of me?"
"I promise I'll explain later, but now isn't the best time." Mirai says. "It would take awhile to explain."
"Very well." Kenshin's eyes open on the outside as he exits leaving Mirai alone.
(sigh) "I just hope Kenshin that your path is does not end like mine did." Mirai says.
Kenshin looked around and noticed he was alone. "Hm study time must be over."
"It is." Kenshin looks over and sees Negi eating a sandwich. "Now that it is I want you to explain something to me."
"Uh...sure what is it?" Kenshin asks.
Negi holds up the letter from Konoemon still edited for Kenshin. "Just how long have you been getting assassination attempts on your life.
"!" Kenshin's eyes widen slightly before he looked down at the ground. "Negi-Chan I'm sorry...but just me telling you that could put you in danger."
Negi walks up and gets in his face. "Tell me."
Kenshin leans back. "Negi I can't." "You mean too much to me for me to want to put you in danger."
Negi blinks. "I...mean too much to you?" "W-Wait...Kenshin-kun." Her cheeks flushed a deep red as she asked her question. "D-Do...Do you..l-love me?"
Kenshin hung his head letting his bangs cover his eyes remaining silent for a few moments before slowly nodding. Negi stepped back gasping lightly. "K-Kenshin...?"
"Do you want me to repeat myself?" Kenshin says looking up at her. "I love you." "I'm even starting to think I fell for you since I first saw you." "But at the same time I knew that if I ever told you and then you found out about my past...that it would scare you off." "Not only that...those assassins that come after me might come after you."
"Kenshin-kun..." Negi pulled Kenshin to his feet and embraced him. "I-I never thought you had it so hard."
"Well I haven't told you much of anything yet, but you are right." Kenshin says. "But I've kinda been just bottling it up."
"Y-You can't do that!" Negi says.
"Huh?" "Why's that?" Kenshin asks.
"Because...I-I want you to be honest with me." Negi says. Kenshin looks down at her. "Negi?"
"Kenshin...I love you too." Negi says looking up at him.
Off in the distance Asuna walked by and saw the two holding each other. "Did Negi have another nightmare?"
"Asuna what are you looking at?" She turns her head and sees Yukari and Miyuki walking up to her.
"Well Yukari, Miyuki-San look for yourself." Asuna says. The sisters look ahead and see the two together.
"Hey...Miyuki." "You don't think Negi confessed do you?" Yukari asks.
Miyuki grins as Kenshin and Negi look into each other's eyes. "Oh?" "Yukari-nee...I think she did."
Yukari laid her hand over her heart in such a way that Asuna wouldn't be able to see. "I-I'm happy for Negi...I-I really am." "But why does my chest hurt?"
"Yukari-neechan?" Miyuki says.
Yukari takes a breath and walks away. "Come Miyuki." "Give them some space."
Kenshin set his hands on Negi's waist. "Negi-Chan..."
Negi in turn wrapped her arms around Kenshin's neck. "Kenshin-kun..."
The two slowly started inching closer to one another as they feel their breath on each other's lips. They were about to kiss when Makie's voice called out. "Negi-Sensei!" "Kaede-San Ku Fei-San and I were going to take a bath you want to come?"
The two immediately separate. "U-Um." Negi says blushing. Kenshin looks around and sees nobody and takes the chance wrapping his arm back around Negi's waist and kissed her softly "Mmm!" Negi's eyes narrow and close melting into the kiss. Kenshin broke the kiss and smiled. "Now you my cute little Sensei just got invited to a bath." "Go on I'll still be here."
"OK." Negi says leaning up and shyly kissing Kenshin on the cheek. "U-Um it's going to take some time for me to get used to us...being together." She takes off leaving Kenshin to his thoughts.
"What do I do?" "How am I gonna ensure she's kept safe?" Kenshin thought.
(sigh) "Kenshin let me tell you something." Arika says.
"I'm listening." Kenshin says.
"When Nagi and Ryuushin were with us they didn't constantly worry about how they were going to keep us safe and unharmed." "They just did it." "I realize that you have a god's will to fight off, but just believe in yourself and just do it." Arika says.
Kenshin walks while pondering her words. "Arika." "You're right." "Thanks."
Kenshin sighs. "Ahh but still I've still got Theo-Chan and Amaterasu-Chan to think about." "I mean I still...have feelings for them too."
"Oh I see." "That was something else that was bothering you I take it?" Arika asks.
"Yeah." Kenshin thought. "I would get tired of being single eventually." "I may not want to bring any of the bullshit I go through onto others, but I'm a teenage boy dammit!"
"Hm hm hm." "I see." Arika says. "Well Kenshin in any case thank you." "For staying around Negi for this whole time."
"Not a problem." Kenshin thought. "I've enjoyed being around Negi-Chan." "Like you said I would."
Kenshin walked until he found someone bathing. "Huh?" "Asuna?"
"The effect was instantaneous as Asuna's eyes snapped open grabbing a book and throwing it as hard as she could at Kenshin's head. "Whoa!" "What the hell? !" "
"What do you think your doing?" Asuna says. Kenshin rolls his exposed eye at her."I was just walking around and found you here."
"Riiight." "Of course you were." Asuna says. Kenshin's eyes narrow. "Do I need to reacquaint you with my coins?"
"Fine Fine I believe you!" Asuna says. Kenshin notices bandages on her arm. "Asuna sit down."
"What is it?" Asuna says.
"Your arm." Kenshin says. Asuna looks down at it. "It's fine."
"Bull." Kenshin says removing the bandages. Asuna sighs and holds her towel in front of her covering her body. "Asuna do you know why Negi's magic feels restrained?" "I was just talking to her and it slipped my mind to ask."
Asuna rolls her eyes. "She sealed it because I told her off." Kenshin asks about what and Asuna explained what happened before they came to Library Island and Kenshin shook his head. "Sorry about that." "Negi doesn't like to fail or disappoint."
Asuna looked away in annoyance. "Tell me about it."
Kenshin cast a healing spell and began healing Asuna. His eyes twitched when the spell canceled out. "Huh?" He cast it again and put more magic into it. "That was strange."
"Hey Kenshin." Asuna says. He looks up at her. "What?"
"Could I get a straight answer out of you about what happened to your eye?" Asuna asks.
"Hmmm...I guess." Kenshin says. "A guy that didn't think too fondly of me slashed it out when I was a kid." "Guy was a real nutcase."
"Oh...I'm...sorry to hear that." Asuna says. Kenshin chuckles. "Ah don't sweat it Asuna." "It's in the past."
"So wait a sec." "Why did you all come down here?" Kenshin says. Asuna sighs and explains that there was a rumor going around that the class would be broken up and the five lowest would be bumped back down to kindergarten.
"Uhm..." Kenshin says staring oddly at her. "They can't do that." "I think Ku Fei's Yue's Kaede's and Makie's parents would be outraged if they did."
"WHAT? !" "Are you serious? !" Asuna shrieks. Kenshin inserted his index fingers into his ears and dug around. "Good I can still hear."
"You mean we came down here for nothing? !" Asuna says on the verge of crying tears of frustration.
"...You got the experience?" Kenshin suggests.
"Muuu..." Asuna sounds in irritation. She blinks and notices that she still had not gotten dressed since Kenshin had arrived. "Hey Kenshin...are you at all bothered by this?" She asks gesturing toward herself.
"Huh?" "Nah." Kenshin says. "Not to say you don't look good, but I'm somewhat used to seeing stuff like that."
Asuna narrows her eyes critically at Kenshin. "What? !" Kenshin snaps. "It was my last job." It wasn't necessarily far from the truth. Rikudou sometimes had him take off after female criminals and he found the best time to strike was while they were either in the bath or having sex either during or after ...sometimes with him after his nervousness was worn away with a few glasses of vodka.
"Whatever Ecchi-Sensei." Asuna huffs. Kenshin groaned. "You're going to call me that from now on aren't you?"
"Until you prove otherwis-" Asuna says. Suddenly a loud scream was heard and the two rushed over to see one of the stone golems from the twister trap holding Makie in it's hands. Kenshin's eyes bugged out. "What the hell? !" "How the fuck did you piss that thing off? !"
"Kenshin-kun Negi-Chan help me! !" Makie screams in fright.
"Don't mess with our students!" "Even if you are a statue I will not forgive you!" Negi shouts. "Rastel Mascir Magister:" "Spirits of light gather and strike my enemy!" "Sagita Magica!" Nothing happened and Negi looked at her wrist. "Damn!" "I still have one seal left!"
"Ho ho ho!" "You'll never get out of here alive!" "Give up!" Golem says. "It takes three whole days to climb out of here!"
Kenshin glares. "Right that's what you think!" Kenshin lunged toward the golem cocking his fist back when his body convulsed and hit the ground.
"Kenshin-kun!" Negi shouts running up to him. Kenshin coughs "Dammit!" "I forgot about the poison that bastard Shukan hit me with!"
"Don't move Kenshin I'll begin burning the poison out." Mirai says.
Suddenly a blast impacted the golem's face. Everyone turned to see Miyuki and Yukari holding what looked to be a couple of can's of hairspray and a lighter. "Everyone follow us!" They nod and take off except for Kenshin and Negi. "Kenshin-kun are you OK?"
"Hah...hah." "Yeah." Kenshin holds his hand out toward the golem. "Fukanzen Ryuu Imari!" The deep blue sphere impacted the golem knocking it down. A book fell out of the golem's 'collar.' Kenshin's eyes widen. "Grab that and let's make get the hell outta here!"
Negi nods and runs up and grabs the book. As soon as she made it back to Kenshin he grabbed her wrist and took off. "K-Kenshin!" "I-I'm not even dressed yet!"
"Eh?" Kenshin says turning his head to face her and sure enough he was dragging Negi by the arm completely naked. He immediately turned away blushing fiercely. He was pretty sure that was blood dripping from his nose. Negi covered herself with her free arm. "You lech!" "You could have at least let me grab my clothes!"
"Sorry!" "I've got an extra set of clothes sealed up in my arm!" Kenshin shouts back.
"What? !" "You were even peeking through my clothes!" "What the hell? !" "We haven't even been a couple a whole hour yet!" Negi scolds as they run
"Can we please not talk about this? !" Kenshin says. "We've got a huge golem that could start chasing us at any moment I'm not in fighting shape and you went and sealed your magic like a baka!"
"Like a baka huh? !" Negi shouts. "I'll show you when we get outta here!"
Kenshin tuned her out. "Damn!" "Arika she's got you showing up in her personality."
"I can tell." Arika says her tone laced with amusement
Kenshin stops just before a waterfall. Biting his thumb he smears blood on a seal on his arm. Out popped a hoody and some sweats. "Put em' on." "See I didn't poke into anything private."
Negi rolls her eyes and puts on the clothes. "It's fine." "It's that we just started being a couple."
"I hear ya." Kenshin says his back turned to her. A booming stomping sound was heard. "Negi get moving I'll follow behind!"
"O-OK!" Negi says taking off toward an opening in the waterfall.
"I may not be able to use much right now, but I can use charms!" Kenshin says grabbing two charms. One was white with red drawing and lettering that he recognized as Bakahatsu Aikyou. The other was blank save for the world Multi written in kanji.
He saw the golem shambling toward him and threw both charms. "Multiply Bakahatsu Aikyou!" The charms did as he commanded and multiplied until there were hundreds attached to the golem. "Man." "Good thing I pre-fill those things with magic or I'd be wiped right now."
"Light a fire and create and explosion!" "Bakahatsu Aikyou!" Kenshin intoned as each of the seals flashed and exploded. He noticed that the Merisedek was sitting down next to his feet. "Hm...those golem pricks chased me out before I could thumb through this."
"Ho ho ho." Kenshin's eyes snapped over to the destroyed golem and noticed it's remains glowing and converging in one spot. It was trying to repair itself.
Kenshin's eyes bugged out. "IT'S SELF REPAIRING ARE YOU FUCKING SERIOUS? ! !" Deciding discretion was the better part of valor he ran like hell into the entrance. He came up to a spiral staircase and ran up.
When he was half way up the golem crashed through the wall. He increased his pace and ran into the others who were standing at a stone tablet. "Stand aside!" Kenshin shouts.
Everyone turns just in time to see Kenshin bury his fist into the tablet breaking it. Everyone barring Setsuna Yukari Miyuki and Negi marveled. "Wow!" "Kenshin-Sensei's strong!"
"Not now into the elevator!" Kenshin ordered. Everyone nods and rushes into the elevator. Kenshin hurriedly presses the button and a loud screech like beep was heard. "Overweight? !"
"I got it!" Asuna says. "Everyone drop everything your holding other than the magic book!"
"Baka!" Yukari snaps. "We only have our clothes!"
"A-Asuna-San O-Ojou-Sama!" Setsuna says as the girls began stripping barring Yukari Negi and Setsuna. "M-Miyuki-San why'd you strip?"
"Seemed like fun." Miyuki says. "The only guy in here is Niichan."
Kenshin without looking points at Setsuna. "Trade places with me."
"O-OK." Setsuna says. Kenshin and Setsuna swap spots and Kenshin mouths to Miyuki. "When you feel yourself get lighter tell her to hit the button again."
Negi stares at Kenshin. "What are you planning on doing?"
"Man Man Terro Terro: Inferior gravitatis inhocspatiumcentumet octoginta secundis." Kenshin chanted just under a whisper.
Miyuki blinked as she felt her limbs and body lighten. "Setsuna push the button." Setsuna nods and presses the button down again only to get the same sound.
Kenshin bashed his head against the elevator wall. "Are you fucking kidding me? !" Kenshin thought.
"Ha ha ha!" Mirai says.
"Fail." Ryuujin comments.
The golem faces them down and Negi beings to make her way out only for Kenshin to bar her path. "Don't you even think about it." Kenshin says. He lifts the book in his hand and sighs. "Fuck it." "It's not worth it!" He says throwing the book into the golem's face. The elevator doors closed and Kenshin facepalmed. "Dammit." "It was right in my hand." "I almost had infinite knowledge."
"Oh Kenshin." Negi says smiling. "You tossed it so we could make it in time."
"Well whatever." Kenshin says. "What the hell am I gonna do with infinite knowledge?"
"Uh you do realize your cursing in front of your students right?" Yukari asks.
"You do realize I'm off the clock right now right?" Kenshin asks.
"Touche." Yukari says.
"Yeah everyone could you excuse Kenshin-niichan's foul mouth?" Miyuki says cheerfully.
"Don't say it like that!" Kenshin snaps.
The elevator arrived at the ground level floor and Asuna looks around. "Why does this look so familiar?"
"Because it's on the right side of the library." Kenshin says. "The long entrance is on the left." Everyone's eyes snap toward Kenshin aside from Yukari's and Setsuna's. "What?"
"You mean we could have taken an elevator this whole time? ! !"
"Yeah?" "You didn't know that?" Kenshin asks. "It even has a stopping point for where that inane twister trap is."
Yue takes out her map. "Why isn't it on the map Kenshin-Sensei?"
"Because the guy who put it in probably didn't want anyone to find out." Kenshin says.
"So some jerk just allowed us to go on a wild goose chase-aru?" Ku Fei asks.
"Pretty much." Kenshin says.
"H-Hold on!" Asuna says. "Let's get back to the point." "What the hell are we gonna do about our uniforms."
"You wanna go back down there and take on the Regen-Golem?" "Be my guest." Kenshin says.
"Regen?" Kaede says.
Kenshin facepalmed at what he said. "Doh!" "Shouldn't have said that." "Not important Kaede." "Anyway it's night time so just sneak back into the dormroom get dressed and study." Kenshin says. Everyone nods and makes their way back to the dorm leaving Kenshin and Negi alone to make their way to the dorms.
(A/N: This next scene is taken from Kenshin's point of view.)
Kenshin POV. (I'll just type this from now on) (Not all point of view scenes will be from Kenshin's POV)
Negi and I slowly walk across the bridge leading back to the school grounds. Neither of us knew who was dictating the pace, but it was clear we didn't mind taking our time. I check my communicator for the time and sigh. It was at least half a day until the exams.
Negi apparently heard me sigh and turned to me. "Kenshin-kun?" "Is everything alright?"
I turn to her. "Yeah?" "Have I given you reason to think it isn't?"
Negi shrunk back. "U-Um...no not at all."
I grin. "Huuu?" "Where's all that fire you were showing me earlier?"
"What are you talking about?" Negi asks. "Don't all girls get irritated when a boy goes through their clothing?"
"Yeah, but we're dating aren't we?" I ask.
"As in a hour ago!" Negi says snappishly then shrinks back again. "U-Um." "Gomen."
"Ha ha ha." "Don't worry about it Negi." I tell her. She turns to me and smiles warmly.
"OK."
"That smile." I thought. "It's so calm...so...inviting." I smiled back in response. Negi sighs contentedly and looks up at the moon.
"I'm so happy." Negi says. "I wanted to tell you how I felt for awhile now."
As I admire the way the moonlight hits her face I reply. "Yeah..." "So have I."
"So Kenshin..." "What about me do you like?" Negi asks.
I think to myself. As well I get three suggestions from the voices in my head...god that makes me sound like a loon.
"Her face?" Mirai suggested. I nod to myself. She did have a pretty face.
"Her deliciously exploitable body?" Ryuujin suggested. I resisted the urge to groan. Negi has a nice body, but I'm not gonna take advantage of her!
"Her personality." Arika says. I shrug that seems like a typical answer, but OK.
"Your personality." I answered.
Negi closed her eyes and giggled. "That's such a cliché answer Kenshin."
"Great Arika she's laughing at me." I thought.
"Explain." Arika says.
"Well what is it about my...personality that you like?" "I thought for sure you would have answered something perverted." Negi says.
"Well..." I say trying to put it into words. "How do I say it?" I take a breath. "I suppose the best answer would be is that you calm me."
"Calm you?" Negi asks clearly confused. "How so?" "Explain."
"Well...my job kinda always puts stress on me." I say. "But...when I get back and see you standing there at the entrance and greet me like you always did...it kinda..." I could feel my face heat up. "It kinda took the stress away." "Just spending time with you...always seemed to do that."
I hear another contented sigh and turn to see Negi smiling toward the ground. "I-I see." "I..never knew I had that effect on you."
"What about you?" I ask. "What is it you've always liked about me?"
Negi looked over at me and her face flushed a deep red. "Ahh...i-it's too embarrassing."
I narrow my eye with a teasing grin on my face. "Is my girlfriend thinking perverted things about me?"
Her reaction was immediate shaking her head quickly. I tilt my head to the side. "Then what?"
She closes her eyes and sticks her tongue out at me. "You'll just have to wait Kenshin." "I'm not ready to say." "You can't rush a girl you know."
"I can sure as hell try." I say in such a tone that she could tell I was joking.
"Ha ha ha." "He he he." We both laughed in a carefree way.
The rest of the walk to the dorm went by without much incident. We just stood close. Walking hand in hand.
We arrive at the door to our dorm that we shared with Asuna and Konoka. I turned to Negi. "I need to go call someone." "You head in."
"OK." Negi says pulling me down to her and kissing me softly on the cheek. "I'll be waiting."
"Don't overexert yourself." I say. She smiles and enters the room. I walk up to the roof and call Eishun's house. A female voice answered on the other line. "Moshi moshi." "Konoe Residence." "Hikari speaking."
"Ah...hey Mom." I say.
"Oh?" "Ken-Chan?" She yawned on the other end.
"Did I wake you?" I ask.
"No no." Hikari says. "Your father and I were just about to go to sleep." "What is it?"
"Uh...it's nothing really." "I just felt like calling is all." I say.
"Is it about Rikudou?" Hikari asks. "Yukari called yesterday and told us what happened." "Is everything OK?"
"Well...as about as fine as they can be." I say.
"Well that's good to hear." My mother quips cheerfully.
"I...I uh." "I got a girlfriend." I say.
"Ehhh? !" "Who is she?" "What's her name?" Hikari asks.
"Jeez try not to act so shocked." I say. "And...it's...it's Negi."
Hikari went silent for a moment then spoke up. "Negi huh?"
"Is that a problem?" I ask.
"Well no." "It just...it still seems like yesterday we parted ways." Hikari says.
I chuckle. "Whatever Mom." I say.
"Well Ken-Chan I'm getting sleepy." "And Yukari explained to me when the exams were so you should probably get some rest as well." Hikari says.
"OK." "Let Dad know I care OK?"
An exasperated sigh was heard on the other end. "I don't know what it is about you men and not being able to tell your fathers you love them straight up." "It always has to be some kind of phrase."
"Sorry." "Anyway I'll tell Yukari and Miyuki you wish them luck." I say.
"OK." Hikari says. "Good night Ken-Chan." "Love you."
"Love you too Mom." I say. The line went dead signifying that she hung up. I pocket my communicator and head back to the dormroom where everyone was asleep. I noticed Negi sitting up against the wall and smile to myself. She would always find some way of keeping her word. I sit down next to her and kiss her on the cheek. On instinct she cuddled up closer to me. My eyelids felt heavy and soon I drifted off to sleep.
(break) End Kenshin POV.
Next Morning.
The Baka Rangers Yukari Miyuki Negi Kenshin and the library club dashed madly for the school. "Oi!" "Don't start the exam yet!" Kenshin shouts.
"Hey everyone they're back!" Sakurako says looking out the window. "Even Yukari-San Setsuna-San and Kenshin-Sensei!"
"Eh? !" The other girls rushed toward the window. The examiner sighed. "Everyone back to your seats."
"I told you guys to wake me up in time for first period!" Asuna shouts.
"Whose fault is it that we stayed up till four in the morning studying!" Yukari shot back. "Rest is important too!"
"Will you two knock it off!" Negi says. The group arrives at the front of the school and a man was standing in front. "Nitta-Sensei we brought some late comers." Negi says
"Very well." Nitta says. "Latecomers follow me."
The girls started to walk in. "Everyone!" "Try your best!" Negi says trying to boost their confidence.
"OK!" They all said.
Kenshin facepalmed with a grin on his face as their shoulders all slumped. "Just do what you can."
"Ah don't worry you two." Asuna says. "We'll pull outta last somehow." "Don't worry and go do something together."
The girls made their way in. "Will they really be OK?" Negi asks.
"We can go keep an eye on them." Kenshin says. "She said to go do something together." "She never said what."
Negi nods with a smile on her face. "OK." "Let's go."
Kenshin and Negi make their way to the room and peer inside. "Ugh like I suspected." Kenshin says. "They are completely wiped out." "Even Miyuki and Yukari are having difficulties concentrating."
Negi takes out a flower. "My magic's been unsealed so I have an idea."
Kenshin watched as she closes her eyes. "Rastel Mascir Magister." "Fragara Lantia Floris Meis Amicus Violum Vita Ritatem Auram Salte Rem." "Reflectio."
Everyone in the testing room blinked. "What's that smell-aru?" Ku Fei wondered.
Yukari and Miyuki looked over at each other having the same thought. "Negi." They nod and look over at Negi shooting them a split second smile.
Kenshin set his hand on Negi's shoulder. "Come on." "We've done what we can." "It's in their hands now."
"OK." Negi says.
(break)
After the Exam.
Nitta walked out of the classroom and ran into Kenshin. "Oh Kenshin-Sensei." "Are you here for the exam papers?"
"No." Kenshin says. "How are they?"
"Exhausted, but otherwise fine." Nitta says. "How is Negi-Sensei doing?"
"She's nervous." "I assume you've heard about the last challenge she gave us." Kenshin says. "I just thought I'd help calm her down by telling her the girls are fine."
"I see." "You mean well...it's almost like yo-"
"Ah Nitta-Sensei are those the exam papers for the latecomers?" Both teachers turn to see Konoemon walking up to them.
"Ah yes Headmaster they are." Nitta says.
"Allow me to grade them." Konoemon says.
"Uh...OK then." Nitta says handing over the exams to Konoemon.
"Also Kenshin-Sensei I need you to come with me." Kenshin shrugs and walks behind Konoemon to his office.
"What is it?" Kenshin asks.
"Iris Rose checked out of the infirmary last night." "But soon after she left Mahora's barrier she vanished." "Mind telling me where she could have gone?" Konoemon asks.
"She probably used Rikudou's communicator to warp back to Mundus Magicus." "Why?" "She didn't have any ill intent coming here." "She was dying for cripes sake." Kenshin says.
"Yes, but she could lead your enemies right to us." Konoemon says.
"And how in the sense of that broken logic do you assume that?" Kenshin says glaring at the old man. "If your gonna blame her you might as well blame me."
"And I'm going to." "What were you thinking taking off like that?" Konoemon says. "You even dragged one of your students into it."
"I'm well aware of that." "But you can't expect me to do nothing while my friends were getting killed by someone hunting me down!" Kenshin says.
"I can and I will!" Konoemon shouts. "You take off like that again and you are gone!"
"What was that you old bastard? !" Kenshin demands grabbing him by the cloth of his robe. "Tell me!" "Why can't I go and assist my friends? !"
"Because your parents offered your services to this academy as it's guardian!" Konoemon says.
Kenshin slowly released his grip. "Wh..what are you..."
"Yes." Konoemon says glaring sternly at Kenshin. "Don't tell me they didn't tell you."
"No." Kenshin says.
"Hmph." Konoemon says. "Must have wanted you to make friends." "As if you could." "You are a renowned criminal." "Now then." "Get out of my office." "And don't you take that tone with me again you hear me."
Kenshin numbly nods and walks up to the door. Scowling he hauls his fist back and punches the door knocking it off it's hinges and down the hallway "Fine." "I'll do your work." "But expect me to give you hell whenever I see fit you bastard."
"That's coming out of your pay." Konoemon says. Kenshin flips him the bird and walks away his hands stuffed in his pockets.
The next day the results were being announced. Kenshin's attention looped in and out having lost a bit of sleep telling Negi a bit about himself or rather what was going on. Needless to say Negi was shocked to hear some of the things he had done. He did not however tell her about Megalomesembria wanting to wait until their relationship had progressed a bit more.
"They to the last two." He hears Yue say. He reaches down and grips Negi's hand and smiles down at her. She smiles back albeit nervously.
"It's going to be OK Negi just relax." Kenshin says.
"We haven't been called yet and if we're still last we're both fired." Negi says. Kenshin's grip tightens and Negi sighs. "Thank you." "I'd probably be losing it right now if you weren't here."
"No problem." Kenshin says.
"And the booby prize for the second year goes to class K with a 69.5." The lead announcer says.
Negi tugs on Kenshin's arm looking away. "Could we...?"
"Yeah." Kenshin says walking out of the gathering with her as everyone exclaimed.
The two walk outside passing Konoemon who took notice of them. "Hm?" "Did they seriously start already?" "I still..." Konoemon stares at Kenshin and Negi's retreating forms and he noticed how close they were.
"Are they...?" Konoemon thought.
The couple made their way to the train station. However they did run into Yukari and Miyuki along the way.
"Hey." Yukari says.
"Hi." Miyuki says.
"What are you two doing here?" "Did you know this was gonna happen?" Negi asks.
"Nah." Yukari says. "We noticed you leaving and decided to meet you."
"Sorry Kenshin-niichan, Negi-Chan." Miyuki says.
"You tried your best." Kenshin says. "That's all we can ask as your teachers.
"Well Onee-Chan doesn't have to worry anymore." "I'm on my way back." Negi says.
"I guess we can go to Dad and Mom and tell them school life isn't for us." Miyuki says.
"I need to go speak with Dad so I'll tag along for a bit before...well...I don't know what..." Kenshin says.
"Come with me." Negi says. "Please?"
"Negi...I...I..." Kenshin tries to tell her he couldn't because of his enemies, but seeing the pleading look in her eyes made his words die away. "O..OK."
"Dammit." "Keep a straight face." Yukari thought feeling a twinge of pain in her chest staring at the two.
The group of four made it to the train station and crossed the gates. "Well this is it." Negi says.
"Negi Kenshin wait!" The two turn around to see Asuna rushing up to them.
"Asuna?" Kenshin says.
"I-It was all our fault." Asuna says. "Because we screwed up and failed the exam."
"No." Negi says shaking her head. "No one is at fault."
"Yeah." "But if you have to blame someone blame me for jetting off during the studying period and then throwing the book off that elevator." Kenshin says.
"Well...anyway." "I'd like to thank you and the other four baka rangers." "Our time here was short, but we had fun." Negi says then turns smiling toward Kenshin. "I even got something I've been wanting to get off my chest...you know off my chest while I was here."
"Kenshin-niichan." "Negi-Chan let's go." Miyuki says.
"Dammit I said wait!" Asuna says grabbing the two teachers by the backs of their shirts. "I always hated that you did idiotic things like this, but the one thing I liked about you two was your work ethic and always trying hard to meet a goal of yours!"
"Heh." "Asuna-San...?" Kenshin and Negi say respectively.
"Negi-Chan Kenshin-kun!" Kenshin sighs hearing this. "Negi don't even try to take off now." "We're caught."
"Fine." Negi says smacking her forehead in slight frustration.
The two were then surrounded by the baka rangers and the library expedition club. "That was mean!" "Just taking off like that without even saying goodbye!" Makie says scoldingly toward the two.
Kenshin rolls his eye. "Gee sorry." "Didn't know we made such a bond with you guys." Yukari picked up on the sarcasm in his tone and shot a coin into his skull. "Just listen for a minute you baka."
"Come on you two." "I can talk to Grandpa and ask him to reinstate you." Konoka says tugging on their arms.
"Yeah come on this is too harsh for you too!" Ku Fei says.
"Uhh...but this final task was too hard for us." Negi says. "Ahhh!" "It feels like Kenshin and I are being put on the spot!"
"Someone called?" Everyone turned toward the source of the voice and found Konoemon. Kenshin smirks coyly. "Oh Konoemon-Sama." "Do you need someone to escort you to your nursing home?"
Everyone turns back to Kenshin. "Is he trying to get fired?" They all thought.
"Ho ho ho." "Very funny." "I actually came because your departure is premature." Konoemon says.
"Oh?" "And why's that Konoemon Claus?" Kenshin asks.
"Well...in a momentary lapse of judgment I forgot to add in the totals for the latecomers totals into the class average." Kenshin's Yukari's Miyuki's and Negi's eyes bugged out. "WHAT? !"
"YOU MORON!" Kenshin snaps.
(sigh) "I'll give you that, but anyway here are the results for you all." Konoemon says. He ran down the everyone's totals stopping at Yukari's Miyuki's and Asuna's.
"Yukari and Miyuki Tsuki." "83 and 85 respectively." Konoemon says.
"Ha ha!" "I did better Neechan." Miyuki says only for Yukari to flick her on the forehead. "Shh."
"And Kagurazaka Asuna. 71" "Congratulations...you scored highest out of everyone in your group." Konoemon says.
Asuna was stunned. "I...scored highest?" Negi and Kenshin pat her on the back. "Nice going." Kenshin comments. "Mmhm." "I knew Asuna-San could do it." Negi says.
"And factoring all that in." "2-A's scoring percentile would be...81.1" Konoemon says.
Kenshin and Negi blink. "Wait...81.1...but the first place was 80..." Kenshin trailed off.
"So wait a minute...2-A is the top class? !" Negi asks.
"Ho ho ho." "Yes." Konoemon says.
"So wait a sec...Kenshin-niichan tossed the book out to save all our asses." Miyuki says.
"You mean this?" Konoemon says holding up that very book. "T'is a red herring." "This wouldn't make you smarter." "Everything that happened was to test the two of you to act as Senseis even if it spelled the end for you...and one of you passed."
Kenshin crossed his arms. "Before we get into another shouting match I'd do the same thing for them." "You know what I mean."
Konoemon nods. "Very well Kenshin-kun I shall give you the benefit of doubt." "But...this is the only chance."
"That's fine." Kenshin says.
"Very well then." "I look forward to having you two teach next term." Konoemon says. "However." "Kenshin in light of recent events surrounding you and Negi-Sensei."
Kenshin paled as Konoemon trailed off. "Fuck." "He's going to nail me with having an inter-office relationship with Negi."
"...I'm changing your rooming assignment." "You will room with Evangeline A.K McDowell and Karakuri Chachamaru." "Whatever it is going on between you and Negi-Sensei can keep going on if you like, but I'm not comfortable having you two in the same room any longer."
"Given that our room is small." Asuna says.
"Heh." "Asuna you act like your glad to see me leave." Kenshin says.
"Shaddap!" Asuna says.
"Anyway while everyone celebrates why don't you go get acquainted?" Konoemon says.
"Fine." "It's that cottage in the forest right?" Kenshin asks. Konoemon nods. "OK." "Hey Negi." She turns to him and he leans in whispering. "Wanna go out sometime?"
Blushing Negi backs up and nods. "O-OK." Kenshin grins and pats her on the shoulder.
Kenshin slips away and walks into the forest only to turn around. "Don't you want to party with your friends?"
"Ha." "Sorry." "Partying's not really my shtick." Yukari says walking up to him.
"Whatever you say." Kenshin says. "The cottage shouldn't be too far."
"So what did you want to talk to Dad about?" Yukari asks.
"It's not as much as I wanted to talk to him...it's more that I wanna deck him in the teeth." Kenshin says.
"Eh?" "Why?" Yukari asks.
Kenshin told Yukari about his conversation with Konoemon. "Oh...why didn't they tell you?"
"Probably wanted me to try and make friends." Kenshin comments. "Bakas." "I would have done the same had they told me."
"Would you have?" "Kenshin-nii I'm not sure if you realize it, but you kinda get too far 'in the zone' when you work." Yukari says.
"Tch." "Fine fine I'll take your word for it." Kenshin says. "Something bugs me about my new roommate." "I know I've heard the name before." "And not just from the class list."
"Hmmm." "Now that you mention it." "It kinda does seem familiar." Yukari says.
The two come up to the cottage and knock on the door. A girl with long green hair that reached past her waist wearing a maid outfit answers the door. Kenshin looked her over and noticed something about her. "Is...is she a robot?" He thought.
"Kenshin-Sensei?" "What brings you here?" She asks.
"Chachamaru-San?" Kenshin says questioningly.
"Hai." She says.
"Is Evangeline here?" Yukari asks.
"Hai." Chachamaru says. "Please come in." "Would you like some tea?"
"Not at the moment." Kenshin says. Chachamaru nods and walks up a set of stairs.
Kenshin and Yukari start walking around. "Wow." "This place is nice."
"Jealous?" Kenshin asks.
"In more than one way." Yukari quips.
"Will you shut up!" Yukari snaps.
"What do you want?" Kenshin and Yukari look over to see a short childlike girl with long blonde hair that almost matched her height wearing a Mahora school uniform.
"Hey Evangeline-San." Kenshin says. "You've probably not been made aware, but Konoemon stuck me in your cottage for boarding."
Evangeline sighed painfully. "What did I do to deserve this?" "His daughter ends up coming in and now that weakened moron's son is boarding with me."
"Huh?" Kenshin says. "You know my Dad?"
"Tch." "Never heard of me?" "Feh whatever." Evangeline says.
"Wait a second." Kenshin says. "You're the...Dark Evangel aren't you?" "Man I knew the name sounded familiar."
"Ah." Evangeline turns to Kenshin smirking. "So you have heard of me." "Tell me boya." "Hows that moron Ryuushin and his scatterbrained wife doing?"
"Fine for the most part." Kenshin says. "I'll ignore the jabs because I'm kinda pissed at them right now."
"Ha ha ha." Evangeline laughs. "Angry yet you know even in his weakened state Ryuushin could still kick seven shades of shit out of you."
"You're...a bitch." Yukari says. Evangeline turns to her. "And like you can't be from time to time?"
"Will you two knock it off?" Kenshin says. "If you want to kill each other then let's take it outside."
"She can't." Yukari says. "Nagi sealed her powers up."
Evangeline waves her fingers around and Yukari grabbed throat. "What the?" "String? !" (cough cough)
Kenshin narrowed his eyes slashing the string. "Leave her." "If you wanna fight someone I'll be your opponent."
"Ha ha ha." "Even you two together couldn't defeat me!" Evangeline says. "But if you wanna test your might." "Follow me to my resort."
Kenshin and Yukari follow Evangeline to the back of her cottage and find a large bottle like sphere. The three of them disappeared inside.
Kenshin and Yukari look around. "Hm...nice place." Kenshin comments.
Evangeline smirks. "I try to make this place look good, but for now..." A dark power vented from Evangeline's body. "Let's begin."
(chapter end)
Draconis: Jeez a whole month since I last updated.
Kenshin: Huh. So Negi and I are dating?
Draconis: Yeah. Now this is going to be a harem story, but it's mainly going to be you and her for now.
Yukari: And what about me? You seem to be trying to giving some build between me and Kenshin too.
Draconis: And I will continue to build.
Negi: Who is Miyuki's friend?
Draconis: I'll be introducing him soon now enough with the damn spoiler questions!
Negi: OK, but whats with Kenshin's tension with Konoemon-San?
Draconis: Kenshin's want to try and protect his friends will occasionally butt heads with Konoemon's want for him to guard the school.
Evangeline: Get ready boya. I'm going to beat you into the dirt.
Kenshin: That's what you think!
Yukari: Bring it on!
Anyway, I'm trying to get back on schedule...till next time!
Draconis678 out