Disclaimer- I don't own Negima.

Enjoy! :)

"Welcome, Kaede-chan," said Albireo, beckoning Kaede closer as she breezed in, taking her time looking around at the sights around her.

"Wow," she breathed, and Al wondered how she could see with her eyes shut. "This place is amazing, de gozaru. Look at all the training space and things to jump off of."

"Spoken like a true ninja."

"Oh!" replied Kaede, her tone surprised but her body language deceptively calm. "I'd almost forgotten you were here."

"I told that I'm almost ghost-like at times..."

Kaede slit one eye open to appraise him. "A bit. But nothing like Sayo-chan. You're much more substantial these days, de gozaru."

"Don't remind me. Substantialism seems to be the root of my problems lately."

"Hmm?" she mused. "What could that mean?"

Al waved his hand in dismissal. "Ignore the mutterings of an old man. I'm just crazy."

"No..." rebuked Kaede firmly. "You just pretend to be. You have much to teach, de gozaru."

"Is that so? Why teach the younger generations anything if I'm going to outlive them?"

"Because they with teach others, and those students will teach others, and your beliefs and morals will eventually end up all over the world, influencing the way people think," replied Kaede smoothly. "And you'll be around to see the fruits of their efforts."

"That was a well-thought out reply," said Al, deep in thought. "You're very mature for your age."

"I know," replied Kaede. "It's the boobs."

There was an awkward silence.

"That wasn't what I was thinking at all." admitted Al, feeling like a failure as a pervert.

"Ah, yes, you're into Eva's type." remembered Kaede.

"I suppose so."

"You don't sound sure of yourself, de gozaru."

"Never be too sure of yourself. They thought the world was flat and the sun revolved around us for centuries. You never know."

"They did?" asked Kaede, her voice wondrous.

"Yes, Kaede-chan, they did. I can see why you're a Baka Ranger."

Kaede saluted. "And proud of it!"

"I would have it no other way."

"I was nervous coming down here," said Kaede, not looking nervous at all. "I thought you'd make fun of me for not reading."

"There is knowledge in books," replied Al. "But there is more knowledge in living. You like enough for three men, Kaede-chan. You have no need for books."

"That's very kind." said Kaede, opening one eye slightly to show her embarrassment.

"Tell me, Kaede-chan, what do you think of Go Fish?"

"It's a very entertaining game."

Al pulled a deck out of his sleeve. "I think we're going to be good friends."

Thank you victorrama and Alexander for your reviews, please contiune1 Also, Alexander, I'm curious, what's your favorite chapter, since you said the Chao chapter was your second favorite?

Nothing else to say. Reviews are love! :)