Part 3 Chapter 1

San Francisco

The days leading up to the trip to San Francisco were hectic in the least. Passports had to be found, clothing had to be picked out, last minute money sent from home, Etc…

John was very excited as he called his old professors letting them know that he was bringing his first class to San Francisco for their trip. He arraigned a campus tour for the class.

Negi and Asuna had sent Nagi and Alexander back to Magic school the day after the three girls had been revived. There were some cute moments as Eva cornered Alexander making her confession to him in the garden. Alexandra made sure that she got some good video for the purpose of blackmailing her brother when she needed something.

Evangeline saw Nagi off a bit less loudly but she still made sure that he knew who loved him. She told him about the work that she and Konoka were doing to give her the ability to age again. They hugged and cried a little at having to part but she said she would visit him soon.

"I am an honored graduate of the school you know." she said with a mock huff.

He laughed, "So are you going to come speak at commencement? Magus is such a dry speaker, it might be an interesting change."

She laughed, "Don't let your Great Grandfather hear that. I'm sure that he won't be that amused. But that might be an interesting speech at that. Now, be off with you. I don't want you to be late for the start of the second half of the semester. I love you."

Negi powered the teleportation circle and the boys were gone. Evangeline stayed after Eva left for home to talk with Negi.

"I know that this is weird but I can't help it Negi. I met him so long ago and those feelings just stayed in me forever!" She cried as he held her comforting her. "I'm over five hundred years old and I'm still a child! How can this be Negi? He is everything you were at his age and everything your father was! I can't help myself. I'm a fool."

"Evangeline I have called you many things in the time we have known each other but 'fool' is not one of them. I call you friend because that's what you are to me and personally I think that if it is meant to be then it is meant to be. You can't choose who you fall in love with, it just happens whether you want it to or not." He gave her a quick chaste hug. "Besides, just the sight of seeing you blush when Asuna calls you daughter is priceless."

"Hey! You're not supposed to be laughing at me you know. I am still your teacher in magic!" She said in mock indignation with her arms crossed over her chest glaring at him.

"Yes Master, I remember. Tea? Chacha sent some of your favorite over for when you visit." He went on innocently.

"Oh stop it with the master bit. You haven't called me that in years. I honestly only had you do that because I thought that I might break you down eventually. It never happened though. You broke me instead, not that it felt like being broken. Funny how you Springfields do that to women or should I say to me." She laughed at that point. "Tea sounds nice right about now."

Asuna joined them at the table and looked at Evangeline, "He'll be back soon and I heard you say you were going to visit him. So smile because we have another adventure. This is the first time I have to chaperone thirty four girls on a class trip. I, for one, am glad that you and Negi asked me to come along. I wanted to have a good look around the city this time. The last time we blew in and out so fast I only got to see the night sky."

"Thinking of some shopping 'mother'?" smirked Evangeline.

Asuna face faulted at the word 'mother', "I'm sorry but that is so weird. OK, truce, I won't call you daughter if you won't call me mother. OK?"

"Fair enough." Evangeline smirked at her one time rival and close friend. "Anyway, I was going to do a little shopping while I was there. There is or was a little shop in Chinatown that had some of the rarest herbs and spell components I have ever seen. Konoka has given me a shopping list of items and I think this shop may have what I need. The blessings on the entrance made it…. uncomfortable for me to be there last time. I hope that the blessings will let me pass this time with no grief. Want to accompany me? I might need an adult along." She teased Asuna.

"Not a problem, we'll have plenty of free time to wander about the city in the evenings. I also would like to see you in some of the fashions they have to offer over there." There was an evil glint in Asuna's eye as she said this.

Negi broke them up. "Now ladies I'm sure that we'll all have time to do things but we have to remember that we are going to watch over the students." He turned to Asuna, "What sort of fashions were you referring to?"

She just smiled her evil little smile and chuckled softly. Evangeline just shuddered.

"Whatever, everything is ready and all the students have their passports. The flight is late tomorrow evening putting us into San Francisco about noon local time. I suggest we all get some rest because tomorrow will be a long day." Negi said with a resigned sigh.

The bus pulled up in front of the dorm where all the girls were waiting. Negi, Asuna Evangeline and John were also waiting. Konoka stopped by with Setsuna and Kaede along to drop off Nodoka, Sayo and Ku Fei.

"Looks like you have everybody. I wish that I could come with you but I have to stay and run the school." Konoka looked a little sad, but brightened up with a smile. "Bring lots of pictures and presents when you come home."

Setsuna, now in her fifth month of pregnancy was no longer carrying her nodachi, Yūnagi. She stepped forward and hugged Sayo and Nodoka. "You girls be careful, I don't want to hear that Negi and Asuna had to bail you out of trouble, OK?" She looked stern as she said those words but she smiled after. "I too am expecting lots of photos and maybe even a present or two."

Kaede was just smiling her goofy grin and looking very fondly at Ku Fei, "I know you can take care of yourself. Just watch over the rest of them. It might be a good time to try some of those 'nin-nin' things I taught you." She winked then hugged Ku Fei.

"OK everybody time to board the bus. Please take your seats and we'll get started." The driver called out to the assembled girls and chaperones.

The bus ride was quick and dropped everyone off at the terminal. Porters unloaded the bus and checked their luggage into the flight. The plane boarded with no incident other than keeping a class full of girls and one guy from going crazy with boredom. Mist clung to Kazike during the takeoff, still not entirely sure that planes were safe to ride on.

Flying over the Pacific was surprisingly smooth. Most of the girls just slept the flight away. The sun broke the horizon about mid way through their flight as they flew to meet it.

As the plane approached The airport the girls crammed themselves against the windows to see what they could of America. Nadia and John just sat back and watched the rest of them as the cameras snapped away at the city. Mist on the other hand started to get an ominous feeling as she looked out the window and spied a small private jet on approach to the same airport. Even though the plane was several miles away she could make out every detail. The dragons crest on the tail was a dead giveaway. "Grandpa!?"

She locked down her presence as tight as she could and grabbed Kazike by the arm again. "Hey, don't worry Mist, it'll be ok." He said while stroking her hand.

Landing and then customs and immigration took a short time giving the class time to stretch and get something to eat. Negi arraigned for the luggage to be delivered to their hotel. The tour bus and driver showed up on schedule and loaded them all for the trip to the hotel.

The trouble began almost immediately as they pulled up to the Hilton. Mist could sense the presence of a dragon instantly. Worse she knew that even though she had locked down her presence completely he had noticed her too.

She grabbed Kazike's arm pulling him aside, "I think my Grandfather is here." She whispered to him.

His eyes shot open and a look of panic started to set in. "W-w-w-what should we do?"

She punched him gently. "First thing is not to panic. Second we need to tell Professor Springfield that he is here and third thing we need to do is pay our respects to him, swiftly."

They pulled Negi aside and told him about Mist's Grandfather and that they needed to go and pay their respects as soon as possible. "Professor, could you go with us? I think that Grandfather would appreciate the fact that you are a powerful wizard and it might make things a bit smoother. I'm sure that there won't be any trouble." Mist begged.

"OK, let me hand off the girls to Asuna and Evangeline and I'll accompany you. What is your Grandfather's name?" He asked.

"y Ddraig Goch and you better pronounce it correctly because he is very touchy about his name. If you would like he uses 'Red' for most of his dealings now days." Mist provided.

"Mist, do you know where I am from?" Negi asked gently. He continued without waiting for her response. "I'm from Wales, I'm Welsh, and I know the story behind your Grandfather. I am truly looking forward to meeting him!"

Mist looked a bit surprised at this but thanked him.

They left for the elevator after Negi explained the situation to Asuna John and Evangeline. On the ride up Mist looked worried until Kazike slipped his hand into hers and gave is a squeeze. "It's going to be all right."

She kissed him on the cheek then blushed hotly as she noticed Negi looking at them. "Don't mind me I was just thinking about the first time Asuna and I went to meet my sister. She was acting a lot like you Kazike and I was acting a lot like you Mist. I think the expression is 'like a cat on a hot tin roof', I'm sure that y Ddraig Goch will be happy to see you. You are after all his Granddaughter.

They arrived at the penthouse floor and stepped out of the elevator into a short hall with two opposing double doors. Mist walked up to the double doors on the right and hesitated for a moment. Then she knocked.

Inside Red already knew they were there and was waiting for them to announce their presence. George went to the door at the knock and greeted them. "May I help you?"

"Professor Negi Springfield of Mahora Academy, Kazike Tatsumiya, and Mistinarperadnacles Hai Draco, to see y Ddraig Goch for a courtesy call." Negi responded formaly.

"See them in George." Red called out from inside the room.

"Follow me please." He turned and led the trio into the dragons lair, so as to speak.

Red looked up from his papers at the three. He stood and greeted them. "Professor Springfield, Any relation to the Magus?" He held out his hand and shook Negi's hand warmly. "I haven't finished that chess game with the old coot yet, I suppose that I should get around to doing that."

He looked at Kazike, "And you are Kazike Tatsumiya. Your mother still runs the Tatsumiya shrine?" He shook Kazike's hand formally.

Then he turned to Mist. She looked nervous. "Hi Grandpa, how are you?"

The old draca pulled his granddaughter into an embrace "You silly child, What are we going to do with you."

He indicated the couch for his guests. "Please, have a seat. So what can I do for you professor?"

"I am just along to meet you Sir. I am honored to be in the presence of such a notable dragon. I didn't know that you knew my Grandfather." Negi had that starry look in his eyes as he waited on Red's response.

"Why thank you, I've known your Grandfather for some time now. I taught him chess when he was about half your age. I trounced him pretty good back then too. Lately he has been trouncing me. You humans really do learn fast." Red chuckled a bit. I think that I would like to get to know you better, You are a lot like him you know. But for now I thank you for escorting my Granddaughter and her fiancé to meet me. Don't worry about them I'm not going to start anything here, Humans have a nasty reaction to things they don't understand and can react so violently."

"Then I'll take my leave and let you have some family time. Mist, Kazike, We have to start our tour at eight o'clock sharp so make sure that you get some sleep tonight. Come by my room when you are done for your room keys." With that Negi stood and bowed to Red. "An honor to have met you Sir. I hope to meet you again when we can talk at length, I'd like to hear about the battle with the white dragon first hand."

Red laughed as he stood up and walked Negi to the door. "It would be my pleasure Professor. And say hello to your Grandfather for me."

Red returned to the living room and took a seat across from the children. "Well you are a bit younger than I thought you would be." He said looking at Kazike." How old are you son?"

Kazike gulped, "I am fifteen, honored Grandfather." He said as he attempted to bow in his seat.

"You can stop with the honored this and the honored that, I'm not so formal that I can't talk to people. I want to get to know you because what I learn may be of use in keeping you two together if you get my drift." He winked at Mist who face faulted in shock.

"So you're fifteen and a student at Mahora. I already know about your Family so there is no mystery there. I want to know about you. I want to know why you were attracted to my Granddaughter. I want to know your biggest secrets." As he talked Kazike felt himself slipping away as he focused on Red's eyes and his voice.

Kazike snapped to when Mist put her hand on his and shouted "Grandpa!"

"Heh heh, Old habits die hard I guess. I'm sorry Kazike, I was just going to read your mind for a bit and see where you stand with Mist." Red was chuckling.

Mist was furious but Kazike patted her hand and calmed her. "Sir, I was attracted to this lovely woman because she just stood out in my mind as the perfect person for me. It was like the world just snapped into place all at once and my head cleared. I hope that I can live up to her expectations because she has become the most important person in my world. I will do anything for her. And with her support I can do anything."

"Didn't it shock you a bit that she is a dragon and not a human?" Red asked approving of Kazike's last statement.

"Not in the least, I accepted her for who she is and know that I love her for who she is, not what she is."

"What about you Mist? Weren't you a little worried about his reaction?" Red said turning to Mist.

"I was terrified because I have never felt this way before. My heart was slamming against my chest and my thoughts were going every which way. I knew from about two minuets into meeting him that I liked him and from there the panic started. All that ended the moment I told him about me, and he told me that he knew there was something special about me. I love this man Grandpa, I just want to be with him forever."

"Well this 'man' is still a boy and you are just a girl so make sure that you remember that and don't do anything foolish before you are both adults. That means I don't want any Great Grandchildren yet. You are both to young for that. So be careful."

Just then Mist and Red felt the presence of another. He turned to the pair. Are you ready to meet your Grandmother?

A/N: If you feel ambitious you can look up Red's name in Wikipedia.