A/N: Well it's been more than a month since my last chapter, but in my defense this one is about twice as long as I normally do. Many thanks to Fionn the Otaku for his suggestions and another big thank you to Makuhari-Fan01 for all of his help. For those of you who might have missed it, his "Ala Alba in the World of Magic" has greatly influenced the "Markham Chronicles" as well as the reverse. I have borrowed several elements from "Ala Alba", particularly from chapter 5 where Yuna's condition is explained.

Ken Akamatsu owns both "Negima" and "Love Hina" and their characters. Arjuent Teotanasia is the creation of Makuhari-Fan01 and is used with his permission. Other characters used are of my invention. Lili, the succubus, is also referred to as Himeiko depending upon whose view point I am writing from. Sorry for the confusion.

The following conventions are used: "words", 'thoughts', "spells" and -telepathy-.

The Demon Inside

Please won't you help me make sense of what I said I'd never be – Element Eighty

--

Tokyo, Japan

Although the distance between Mahora and Tokyo wasn't great, the train ride had seemed exceptionally long to Setsuna. A long and quiet one, ripe for introspection.

"Konoka's my friend," Asuna had declared outside the Tatsumiya Shrine. "And so is Setsuna."

Friendship was all well and good, the Shinmei-Ryu told herself, but it wasn't enough. Not by a long shot. A sense of discontent had been growing since the beginning of the term. Only recently had Setsuna identified its cause. The swordswoman wanted to be loved. No, it was more than that.

Setsuna wanted to fill another's thoughts; to be looked at and found desirable as a woman. She wanted someone to gaze at her like Markham-sensei had Evangeline's illusory self or Kimiaki-san did Konoka. Or even as Negi did Asuna back at Cinema Village. But such an event was far into the future, if ever. The Shinmei-Ryu was sworn to protect her Ojou-sama, and that left no time for romance.

'If only I was a man and Kono-chan could love me,' she thought and then felt the heat as her cheeks colored a shameful red. It was a thought she had hundreds of times and it always brought the same reaction. Despite the many hints and suggestions that Konoka would welcome a "closer" relationship, Setsuna could never get beyond perceiving such as "impure." No matter how desperately she hungered for it, the swordswoman steadfastly maintained that women should not act so with one another, particularly when one had a duty to protect the other at all costs.

Watching her friend "revive" the lilim had been more than painful. A hurt deeper than any battle wound still festered within. If Setsuna failed to act soon, it would turn poisonous and the teen would lose everything she had worked so hard to gain.

Looking at the situation with a clear sight, the swordswoman knew that her initial actions were inspired by jealousy. After that came the awful realization that even if she and Konoka became "more than friends" it couldn't last once they graduated. Since the moment Konoka was born, her friend was destined to heal the breach between the Kanto and Kansai Associations and provide heirs for a proper succession. Despite all that magic or technology could accomplish, the latter required the girl to marry.

With Konoka at the helm, a new golden age could be ushered in, one free from the strife and discord that affected current affairs. Into this picture, Setsuna had no right to intrude. Remaining at Konoka's side was sure to cause tensions between husband and wife. And if she was always protecting Konoka, what chance would she have to find her own love and happiness?

Back during the battle with Evangeline, Setsuna had boldly declared her intention to hold onto both sword and happiness. What a naïve child she had been. The train pulled into the station and the small party departed. Memories of the vampire's laughter mocked her all the way from the station's platform to the cemetery.

Asuna and Zazie entered the crypt while Negi observed from the doorway with Yuna crowded closely behind the boy. Setsuna understood that she was the rear-guard. Yet thoughts other than looking for signs of danger distracted her.

Could she remain in the shadows, watching over her friend? Or would her own, selfish desires bring ruin down upon them all like some type of distorted Arthurian tragedy?

'Perhaps it would be best if I left,' Setsuna decided. 'Another guard can be easily assigned.'

'A small village in the Mundus Magicus, like that one outside Nyandom, could always use a good sword,' the Shinmei-Ryu considered. 'Maybe I could use it as a home base.'

Yuna's yelp snapped the girl out of her thoughts. Berating her inattention, Setsuna's gaze swiveled to the door as her classmate lurched into Negi. Chamo leapt off the boy's shoulder and towards her face. Her hand reached out and snatched the ermine out of the air, quickly clasping him against a shoulder. "Negi-sensei!" she shouted as twin, magic circles activated. In the blink of an eye, Setsuna and the ermine were left staring into the empty crypt.

--

Pain. Yuna remembered the pain and her eyes snapped open to more darkness. Air stirred softly against the girl's cheek as hands clenched reflexively, grabbing fistfuls of fabric. Pushing to a sitting position brought a low groan from beneath. "Negi-kun?" she asked.

Another groan answered and Yuna quickly scrambled from on top of her former teacher, calling "Negi-kun? Are you alright?"

"Wha …" a voice said weakly. "What happened?"

"It felt like my shorts had caught fire and I stumbled into you." Words rushed out in a torrent. "And as we fell, a magic circle appeared … and now I don't know where we are."

"Calm down," his reassuring voice replied. "Are you okay?"

About to answer that she was fine, fabric pressed against her seat and Yuna gasped in pain while tears welled up. Negi called her name but she could only whimper in response. A hastily muttered spell later, a ball of light floated in the air, revealing that they were in a natural cave. In the light, she could see a line of dried blood down the side of the young boy's face. "Oh Negi-kun," the girl exclaimed. "You're hurt!"

Negi reached up and touched his injury, wincing as he made contact. "I must have hit when we landed," the boy surmised. "I'll be fine Yuna-san, let's see about you.

"That looks like a serious burn," he said while examining her scorched backside. "Can you pull down your shorts?"

A shocked "Wh-a-a-a-t?" rumbled out of her mouth like a roll of thunder.

"I need to see how badly you're burned before I cast a healing spell," the boy calmly answered.

During the past year, Negi had seen her and other classmates in varying stages of undress. Parading nearly naked in front of the boy hadn't posed a problem before. Though she couldn't find fault with his reasoning, a sense of unease gripped the teenage student. 'He's only eleven,' Yuna thought to herself as she unsnapped the fasteners and cautiously tugged down. 'But isn't that when boys start to get interested in girls?'

"Um …" she heard from behind.

"What now?" Yuna asked in a slightly irritated voice.

"You need to remove your underpants too."

Teeth ground together as her first response was swiftly throttled into submission. With a slowness born of pain and embarrassment, Yuna gripped the waistband of her panties and pulled down.

Negi's voice dropped in pitch as foreign phrases fell from his lips in a stately cadence.

"Utilis phasmatis audite meus placitum. Ego dico super vestri ops vigoratus. Procul meus tactus, planto universus unus pro mihi a capite ad calcem."

"I'm going to touch you," he warned. The sudden switch to Japanese was jarring after the almost hypnotic quality of the Latin chant. Cringing in anticipation, Yuna was surprised as a cool wave washed over her blistered flesh. Pain was forgotten and tensed muscles relaxed as hands gently glided across bare skin.

"How do you feel now?" Negi asked.

"G-g-good," she stammered as a tingling sensation started to build.

'Oh God,' Yuna thought to herself. 'I could just imagine if Asuna-san and the others walked in right now.'

Musings were cut short as a pair of hands firmly gripped her bottom and squeezed. A red haze clouded her vision as Yuna twisted about and gazed furiously at the youngster whose expression resembled the proverbial deer caught in the headlights.

"Um, I'm checking to see if, uh, there's any damage to muscles or other tissue below the, ah …"

Yuna didn't let Negi finish with the explanation as her fist barreled into his nose. Glasses flew off the young boy's face as he landed on his back once more.

--

A blue-white orb bobbed in front of the pair, illuminating the narrow tunnel they walked down. Dried blood flecked the young boy's chin and coat while the ragged edges of a wadded tissue poked out of one nostril. Once her indignation had subsided, Yuna had nearly fallen over herself in apologizing for punching him. Of course, she had every reason to be angry.

'Sorry,' a not quit contrite sounding thought echoed in his mind. 'I couldn't help myself.'

Images of his former student's bare bottom appeared as Lili continued, 'It was just so round, so firm …'

'You're not helping the situation any,' Negi angrily thought back. 'We need to concentrate on finding the others and getting out of here.'

"What was that Negi-kun?" Yuna asked, catching him by surprise.

"I was just thinking out loud," the boy answered. "We need to locate everybody and get out of this place."

"I messed everything up again didn't I?" the girl complained. "Just like at that Stonehenge-like place."

"What happened in Wales wasn't your fault," Negi swiftly responded. "McDowell-san was responsible for that."

Concerned about 'protecting her investment' as she put it, Evangeline had reestablished her control over Yuna and compelled the girl to follow Ala Alba into the Mundus Magicus. With Yuna and the other sports girls serving as her proxies, the vampire expected to be able to bring everyone back in the event of an emergency. Unfortunately, the undead mage hadn't foreseen Fate's attack or the forced teleportation spell.

With the gateports out of commission and everyone scattered across the Magic World, Evangeline had no choice but to abandon her original plan and leave Yuna in place. That allowed the effects of the petite vampire's magic to spread through the girl unchecked. After two months, the process had run its course and his student had been completely enthralled, beyond the ability of even Konoka's mass healing spell to cure. Upon their return to Wales, Meldiana's Grand Magus sealed the ball playing teen to prevent Evangeline from ever reasserting control. Save for occasional bad dreams and a desire to watch the gorier types of horror movies, Yuna had seemed none the worse for the experience.

"As for our current situation," he continued, "we all were taken unaware."

"Thanks," she replied as her grin reappeared. Though it was a strained one, Negi felt it was a step in the right direction.

'Why haven't you locked lips with this girl and added her to your harem?' Lili's thought came to him.

'I don't have a harem!' Negi answered. 'And I certainly wasn't looking to make any pactios!'

"Are you okay?" Once again the young mage had spoken aloud and Yuna's gaze was full of concern.

"I'm sorry Yuna-san,' he apologized. "I'm just having a little debate with myself."

"We're in a pretty serious situation, right?" the teen asked.

"I won't lie to you," Negi replied. "Fate Averruncus and his ministra are extremely dangerous."

Yuna stopped. A determined expression was fixed to her face. "I have a confession to make."

Little hairs stood up along the back of Negi's neck. "What sort of confession?"

"I was cleaning up my father's study and found some family pictures," she answered. "According to my mother's notes, we were visiting McGuiness-san in Wales sometime during December of 1993."

"One of the photographs showed me holding a little bundle that could have been a baby," Yuna continued. "On the back, my mother had written a question."

"What question was that," the boy asked as the pit of his stomach began to feel queasy.

"Future partners?"

Negi was sure his face reflected the shock he felt.

"I thought about what she wrote as I watched you make a pactio with Akira," she continued. "It made me realize how special her relationship with my father was. And when Setsuna-san told Makie and I that we hadn't earned the right to make a pactio, I knew it was the truth."

"Yuna," Negi began but words deserted him.

"I know it doesn't seem like I'm taking this very seriously, but I do sensei," the girl earnestly told him. "Training under Mana-san has made me realize that I have a long way to go, but I still want to help you and the others."

An unvoiced "Am I worthy" hung in the air between them. Of all his former students, Yuna still rated as one of the least mature, though maturity hadn't been the hallmark of his selections to date. But the question was mute since they didn't have a witness for the contract.

'Ta da da!' rang loudly. 'I have your witness right here wonder boy!'

'What do mean?' he confusedly thought back.

'I mean I'll be your witness,' Lili explained. 'I can draw the magic circle and watch as you two go at it.'

"Go at it?" Negi shouted aloud. "It's not like we're going to make out!"

"Sensei?"

Negi looked back at Yuna, who had taken a step back and was anxiously staring at him. "I'm having a telepathic conversation," he hastily explained. "The other person has agreed to witness our pactio … that is … if you want to be my partner Yuna-san."

Doubt instantly vanished, replaced by her earlier determination. "Yes sensei," she answered. "I do."

Negi felt detached as his hand moved under the lilim's direction. Fingertips traced mystic symbols that glowed with a soft, green light and floated a bare centimeter above the tunnel floor. Apprehension gnawed at the youngster's gut as he watched the flowing lines come into existence. He was making another provisional pactio; binding another person to him, and placing her squarely in the center of his tempestuous life.

Few mages could successfully operate without a partner. As powerful as his father was said to be, Nagi had a number of partners to back him up as well. A few suggested that the title the Thousand Master referred to the number of pactios the man had rather than spells mastered. Considering that his father was a magic school dropout, it was easy to see where that rumor started; however, it didn't change the fact that even Nagi Springfield found it necessary to have a partner.

Still, the boy was torn by this decision. Save for perhaps Setsuna-san, Yuna had a better understanding of what being a partner meant. If she was correct, her mother had seen a pactio between them as a possibility. Negi couldn't help but wonder what that woman would be thinking now. 'Dear God! What will her father say?'

Professor Akashi was another of Mahora's mage teachers. Formerly an agent of Everlasting Wind, the man was currently on a mission. Negi had a little interaction with Yuna's father, mostly for parent-teacher conferences, but had no idea how the professor would react to this. Images of the mild mannered professor, wildly brandishing a shot-gun, sprang to life as the circle was completed.

'Don't get cold feet now,' Lili said. 'Besides, any mage would be proud if his daughter brought home a catch like you.'

'This is only a provisional pactio,' he quickly reminded the demon. 'Don't treat it like an engagement.'

'If you say so.'

'It's only a kiss,' the young mage steadfastly maintained.

'Sure, sure,' the succubus dismissively replied, and then after a pause added, 'That is, if you want it to only be a kiss.'

'What do you mean?'

'A contract like this requires something more meaningful than shaking hands to activate,' Lili answered. 'Kissing is the easiest though not the only means to do so.'

Not liking where the conversation was heading, Negi tried to steer away from that subject. 'We'll keep it to a kiss thank you.'

'But even the quality of the kiss effects the quality of the pactio,' the demon responded. 'A peck on the cheek can hardly muster enough magic to make your skin tingle; however, one on the lips …'

Memories of kissing Asuna on the bridge flashed before his eyes. Negi had never kissed a girl in that way before. With perfect recall he experienced again the felling of her lips on his … the warmth of her hands pressed against his cheeks … a tongue probing for his and finding it. A mental chuckle snapped him back to the present.

'I guess you do know all about that,' Lili remarked as the area below his belt began to stir. Heat rushed into Negi's cheeks as the demon added, 'The more intimate your contact is, the more magic is concentrated in the spell.'

Sweat beaded on the youngster's brow as he stood and chill air raised a host of goose bumps. Yuna shivered and rubbed her bare arms. "Nervous?" he asked.

"A little," the girl admitted. "What now sensei?"

"We need to stand in the center of the circle, facing each other," Negi informed her.

Being so close, he couldn't help but notice how her chest rose and fell beneath the cotton tee-shirt. His mind pictured hands reaching up to grope those tantalizing mounds. 'Stop putting ideas in my head!' he mentally shouted.

'Don't blame me wonder boy,' the demon smugly replied. 'That one was your's.'

Tilting his head up, the boy meet Yuna's gaze. "Are you ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be." His student's face was flushed as she leaned down.

Lips met and the circle's light flared into brilliance. Arms wrapped about each other as their kiss deepened. Breath came in ragged gasps while bodies pressed tightly together in the now stifling cave. Rising heat dimly registered in his consciousness, but the boy couldn't break away even if he had wanted to. Light changed from green to gold, accompanied by a rich, bell-like gong. Super heated air filled his nostrils as the spell faded. Negi barely had time to raise a shield around them before the world exploded in a fiery ball.

Golden dots swam before his gaze as Negi tried to focus on two dark blurs before him. Slowly the shapes resolved into one of Fate's ministra, Homura King, and Yuna. A malicious grin adorned the pyromancer's face as she hauled his unconscious partner up by the hair.

"Don't move little wizard," the ministra warned as her free hand hovered menacingly next to Yuna's throat, "or your new partner goes up in a puff of smoke."

'Are we in trouble?' Lili's thought came.

'You have to ask?' Negi mentally replied. Aloud he asked, "What do you want?"

"What we wanted was the Konoe girl," Homura answered. "But I guess the master will have to settle for you instead."

"Why do you want Konoka-san?"

"That's none of your business," she snapped in reply. "Now, do you cooperate?" the girl asked while shaking her captive by the collar, "Or do I …"

"I'll cooperate," Negi hastily answered.

Her grin grew broader in response. "Good. Your first order is to cast a restriction on your magic for the next 72 hours."

'Lili-san,' he desperately thought, 'if I'm under the effects of a pledge string can you still use magic?'

'I can't think of any reason why not,' the demon answered. 'What do you have in mind?'

'If Homura-san thinks I'm powerless, we might be able to surprise her and turn the tables.'

"Will you let Yuna-san go if I do this?" Negi asked.

"The girl's of no further use to us once you're muzzled."

"Very well," the boy said as he held the lightning-shaped staff in front. "Let's get this over with."

Removing his hands, the staff floated in space and then rose until it hovered just below the cavern roof. Arms stretched above his head as Negi began to chant "Tria fila nigra promissiva, mihi limitationem per tres dies." Black ribbons descended from the staff and wrapped about his arms. Whisk! Snap! The ribbons disappeared, leaving three bands around his forearm.

Homura let her captive drop to the ground and stepped over to the defenseless mage. The pyromancer swung, her fist connected with Negi's face and knocked the boy to his knees. Her expression turned vicious as she exulted "God how I've wanted to do that!" A follow-up kick sent him sprawling. "I've thought of little else for the past six months!"

"Now!" Negi shouted as a sickly green glow enveloped his own fist. The punch caught Homura in the stomach. Shocked filled the ministra's face as the next blow was a solid uppercut to the chin. Backwards she flew, but twisted in mid-air so as to land against the far wall with her feet. Like a spider, the pyromancer clung to her perch. Tiny flames flickered to life as she transformed into her fire sprite form.

"I don't care what Shirabe said!" the girl shrieked. "I'll kill you!"

'If she springs forward, we'll shundo behind her and strike,' Negi dictated.

'Uh oh,' came an unwelcomed response. The demon's aura began to flicker as she continued, 'I may have misjudged how much energy I had left.'

'What?' the boy mentally shouted as an enraged ministra launched herself towards them. Out of the corner of his eye, Negi saw a shape hurtle to intercept Fate's ministra. Snarling, Yuna tackled the other girl and her momentum sent both crashing into the ceiling. Homura's own screech mixed with his new partner's as they landed on their feet and savagely struck at each other. A blazing nimbus surrounded one of the combatants while the other was engulfed by a black, shroud-like aura.

A hand with nails transformed into lethal claws swiped at Homura, who ducked and then set her opponent's clothing ablaze. Burning like a torch, the ballplayer merely growled in fury and attacked again. Claws raked open long gashes along the other's cheek that a bright red spurted from.

Negi's body turned and bolted away from the fight. "Wait," he cried out.

'Sorry wonder boy, but I'm taking control,' Lili told him.

"But Yuna-san …"

'Without magic, we're no help to her,' the demon responded. 'The best thing we can do is get to safety.'

Sounds of the ferocious battle pursued them down the tunnel. Tears streamed down the young boy's face as he ran.

--

"It's just us," Asuna tried to assure the struggling, young man. Her head jerked back to the doorway at Yuna's sudden cry. The dark-haired girl crashed into Negi and both fell to the floor in a heap as twin, magic circles activated. A feeling of vertigo passed swiftly as the teleportation spell whisked her away from the crypt.

"Asuna-san?" Rainyday's voice called from the darkness.

"Zazie-san?" she replied. "Are you okay?"

"Lumos," the acrobat intoned. A summoned ball of light hovered above Zazie's outstretched hand, illuminating a few meters around them. Neatly ordered stacks of wooden crates rose on either side, giving the appearance of a warehouse aisle. Next to them was Kimiaki-san, still bound to the chair. His eyes went wide in shock as one of Zazie's talons sawed through the ropes binding his chest.

Once his hands were free, Shirai removed the knotted kerchief from his mouth. "What's going on Kagurazaka-san?" he asked. "And where did the others go?"

"I don't know," she answered. "Do you have any idea where we are or what Homura-san is planning?"

"Homura-san! You know them?"

"There's more than one? How many are there?"

"One more, Shirabe-san," Shirai answered as his legs were freed. "How do you know those two?"

"We fought them and their friends several months ago," Asuna told him.

"Fought them?" he asked in amazement. "Does Konoka-san know about this?"

"Uh, more or less," she answered and watched as the young man's expression of amazement turned to shock.

"Konoka-san didn't," he started to ask but Zazie cut his question off with one of her own.

"My Japanese is not very good," the foreign girl explained. "Can either of you tell me what this says?"

Carefully stenciled columns of white characters warned to "handle with care." Following the warning was a familiar sounding name. "Property of the Yukihiro Pharmaceutical Group," a surprised Asuna read aloud. Squinting in the faint light, she tried to sound out a string of Latin letters. "Di … chlor … o … thi … a …"

"Dichloro-thiapentane," Shirai softly pronounced. Both girls turned towards the programmer. "Otherwise known as …"

Overhead lights snapped on as another voice from the past called out, "Otherwise known as mustard gas."

Shirabe stood at the far end of the aisle. An unknown device was clutched in the blind girl's fist and dozens of the little, turnip-like creatures from Kyoto milled around her feet. "I understand that the Imperial Japanese Army had several stockpiles of chemical weapons hidden around the capitol to use in case of an invasion by the Americans and their allies."

A thin smiled played about the horned ministra's mouth as Asuna growled "Why you …"

"Be careful Kagurazaka-san," Shirabe warned while brandishing the metal box in her hand. "If I press this button, poisonous gas will flood the room in seconds. You, I and the little dragon there might survive, but I don't think your roommate's boyfriend will be so lucky."

"Are you so sure we can't stop you before you press that button?" Zazie asked in an unconcerned tone.

"Perhaps you could," the horned girl admitted after a slight pause, "but can you stop all of my friends here before they can open enough gas canisters?"

-Keep her busy talking,- Asuna heard Zazie's thought.

"So what do you want Shirabe-san?" she asked in response.

"We want the healer of course," the blind girl answered. "I am surprised that Konoe-san didn't come in person."

"She knows better than to walk into an obvious trap," Asuna scoffed.

"Too bad her friends don't share her good sense," Shirabe remarked.

"Why do you want Konoka-san?" Shirai asked. "Are you looking for a ransom?"

"No, no ransom Shirai-san," the enemy mage answered as a pained look swiftly crossed the girl's face.

-There is an exit behind us,- Zazie thought to her. -I'll distract the girl while you grab Kimiaki-san and run. Head to the back wall and turn left.-

'Wait a minute,' Asuna started to object.

-No time,- the acrobat quickly responded. -Go!-

Without further complaint, Asuna whirled, threw the startled hostage over her shoulder and bolted for the exit.

--

Caught off guard, Shirabe stared dumbly as Springfield-san's first ministra grabbed their hostage and ran away with the young man. Recalling the remote control in her hand, she started to press the button that would release the mustard gas. A flash of white speed towards her and before she knew what had happened, the horned girl was disarmed and pinned against the cave wall. Three, dagger-like talons pressed against her throat as words in a tongue spoken long before her world was created came to her on whisper-soft wings. "You've lost this challenge."

"Challenge?' she thought and then remembered the dragon-girl's question about stopping her from releasing the gas. Feelings of failure threatened to overwhelm the sightless musician. "Then have done with it," she groaned.

"You have an obligation to me now," the little dragon-girl reminded her.

"I'm not a full-blood," she protested.

"Neither am I," her conqueror replied. "But that doesn't change the fact I made a challenge and you accepted."

"What do you want then Ryu-san?"

"Tell me the reason you want the healer."

"My employers …" she began but was quickly silenced.

"No, not their reason," the dragon-girl said. "You tell me why you want the healer."

Looked upon by their mightier cousins as some sort of bastardized race, Shirabe's people had dwelt apart from "true dragons" for centuries. Living in secluded communities among the few remaining forests of the Mundus Magicus, the Woodwoses stubbornly clung to their common ancestry. According to their ancient traditions, to deny a fairly lost challenge was to court the direst of calamities. "You know what she did at the end of last year's Peace Festival?" she hesitantly asked.

"Yes," came the terse response.

"Anyone who can do that must have great power," Shirabe said and then licked her lips before continuing. "Enough power to help my friend …"

--

Racing through pitch-black tunnels, the din of battle soon faded, leaving only the sound of feet pounding on pulverized limestone and labored breathing. However, Lili dared not slacken her pace. She had left an enraged fire sprite and a creature that seemed more demonic than herself far behind and had no intention of facing either one again. This was not how the day was supposed to turn out.

Once the healer had explained that Lili would exchange bodies with a ghost, the demon seized the opportunity to escape. It had been easy to convince wonder boy to carry her beyond the confines of Mahora. Once in Tokyo, finding another host to posses and losing herself in the crowd would have been a simple matter, if somebody hadn't decided to play the hero.

Thinking of Negi brought the boy's feeling of pain for deserting his new partner and anger at Lili for forcing him to back with a vengeance. 'We didn't have any choice kid,' she pointed out and then wondered why as her companion continued his silent brooding. 'Are you listening?'

'Fine! Go ahead and sulk!' the demon snapped at him as they rounded a corner. 'See if I care!'

Wham! Down they went in a tangle of bodies. Lili was aware of an elbow digging into the boy's stomach and something much softer pressed against his chest. A gentle breath brushed against neck and chin as their assailant voiced an "Uh, what?"

"Asuna?"

"Negi!" the girl cried and then hugged the boy tightly. "Thank God you're alright."

While most adolescent boys dreamed of finding themselves in just such a position, Lili swiftly discovered that being able to breathe was a more important consideration. "Asuna!" a muffled voice shouted into the teen's chest.

"Sorry bozu," the girl apologized as she released him. "Kimiaki-san," she called out next.

"Kimiaki-san is with you?"

"Yeah." Lili heard the girl fumble around and then curse upon finding the now unconscious man. "Out like a light."

"Where's Yuna-san?" she asked in turn.

"Back behind me," the demon answered. "She's fighting Homura-san."

"What? Idiot, why aren't you with her?"

"Homura-san got the drop on us," Lili explained. "My magic's been sealed for the next three days."

"Stay with Kimiaki-san," Asuna ordered as the girl stood. "I'm going to help Yuna-san."

Once positive that Asuna was gone, Lili spared the energy for a small light. The corners of Negi's mouth lifted up as the demon smiled. Not very handsome she decided, but beggars couldn't be choosers. Skin began to stretch as the bones and muscles beneath altered their size and position.

'What are you doing to me?' wonder boy's thoughts screamed at her.

'Extreme circumstances call for extreme measures,' she replied.

--

"Shirai-kun."

Slowly his eyes opened in response to the call. Konoka's face hovered over him like some fantastic dream. Suddenly Shirai bolted up and hugged the girl fiercely. "Konoka-san," the young man cried. "I thought I'd never see you again."

"There, there," the girl crooned while gently patting his back. "You're safe now."

Shirai pushed away from her, an anxious expression on his face. "Konoka-san, what's going on?" he asked. A note of desperation was in his voice as he glanced at the floating light sphere and continued, "How can you do this?"

"I'm a wizard," his dream girl answered.

"A … a wizard?"

"I'll explain later, but first we need to get out of here," Konoka told him.

"A wizard?" he numbly repeated.

"Yes, a wizard," she replied. "In order to escape, I'll need something from you first."

The anxious look appeared again as lurid visions of anime-inspired human sacrifices paraded before his eyes. "What … what's that?"

In an instant, Konoka had pressed against him, her mouth clamped on his with vise-like intensity. Fingers gripped the front of his shirt and jerked them apart; buttons flew in every direction as this seeming tigress continued to shred his clothing. Flat on his back again, Shirai looked up in shock at the girl straddling his waist. Her face seemed transformed into that of a wild animal. This had to be all a horrid dream.

As she pulled the tee-shirt above her head, a shout rang out. "Zanmaken ni no tachi!"

A shimmering arc of air struck Konoka's back and passed through her, ejecting a white mist from the frenzied girl who then slumped forward in a faint. Sword in hand, a grim Setsuna strode forward, looking every bit like an avenging angel. Or would have had it not been for a white furred weasel riding upon her shoulder.

"What did you do to Konoka-san?" Shirai shouted.

"That isn't Ojou-sama," the swordswoman answered as the weasel leapt off her and scampered over.

"Of course it is," Shirai started and then stopped as the rodent pawed at an unconscious boy lying atop him. "What the …?"

Pointing with the nodachi, Setsuna indicated a misty shape that resembled a middle-school aged girl wearing an old fashioned uniform. "That demon was responsible."

Looking from the demon to the unconscious boy, a sick feeling ballooned in the pit of Shirai's stomach. "You mean … I was almost … by a boy?"

"Do not dwell on it Kimiaki-san," Setsuna said. "I will avenge you all and redeem your honor."

Two coal-black eyes stared out from the girl's pale face as Setsuna walked past him. The very air around the swordswoman rippled as she halted in front of the groaning spirit. "I will not permit you to defile those I care for any more."

Quickly scooting back, the demon raised a hand in a halting gesture. "Don't do anything rash," the spirit exclaimed. "I was trying to help."

"You are a foul abomination," Setsuna declared in a steely voice. "Prepare to meet your end."

"If you slay this body, I'll just go back home and reform," the demon hastily reminded her. "Isn't that what you've been trying to avoid?"

"So we have," Setsuna admitted and then sheathed her sword. Turning her back on the demon she returned to Shirai and Negi. "You may remain here then."

"Wa … wait! You can't leave me here!"

Though her eyes still glittered black, Shirai could see a smile on the swordswoman's face. "Why not?"

"What about Aisaka-san," the demon blubbered. "How can I exchange back with her if I'm stuck here?"

"You can't, and that's fine with me," Setsuna remarked. "Sayo-san will keep her new body permanently and you'll haunt these tunnels."

Once more she faced the demon. "And neither Ojou-sama nor I will be troubled by your presence ever again."

"Please!" the demon cried while getting to her knees. "Please take me back with you! Don't leave me here!"

"Then you must swear an oath not to prey upon my friends and fellow classmates."

"Please, anything! I'll do anything!"

Metal rang as Setsuna pulled her blade from its scabbard. "Then swear upon my sword to leave them alone."

"Yes mistress," came a submissive reply. "But I must feed still."

"That is not my concern," Setsuna said in a voice devoid of any emotion. "Now swear or remain here for the rest of eternity."

--

A heavy perfume of burnt hair and scorched flesh mixed with a fine dust as the battle in the tunnel raged on. Even in her current form, Homura was panting for breath while evading another swipe from the beast she found herself in combat with. Sweat poured out, only to turn into steam upon contact with her skin. This novice ministra should have been dead several times over by now, but was obviously too stupid to know it.

Yellow eyes with black slits reflected the sprite's flames as Yuna's lips drew back to bare a pair of fangs. 'A … a vampire,' Homura suddenly realized as another slash from a clawed hand ripped what felt like a chunk of her shoulder loose. The wound instantly cauterized while she shundo'd behind her opponent and kicked. A satisfying grunt of pain was music to the girl's ears as she quickly followed up by grabbing Yuna's neck and twisting until it snapped. Even as the other girl slumped in her arms, Homura knew she couldn't let up; she had to keep hitting in hopes of overloading the vampire's capacity to regenerate.

Holding both sides of her enemy's head, the pyromancer felt the chill as heat was sucked from the air around them and channeled into flames that engulfed the vampire as Homura shouted "Regenerate this!"

Releasing the other girl, Homura stepped back and watched as skin charred and blackened. However, instead of reducing to cinders, the vampire's recovery kept pace. "No!" the sprite screamed as gouts of fire exploded from her fists, striking the prone figure again and again. "Die damn you! Die!"

Before she could enjoy the sight of her foe reduced to ashes, a blast of energy slammed Homura into the wall. Dimly the pyromancer heard bells jingling as she slid into unconsciousness.

--

Asuna glanced over at Yuna and then back at the helpless Homura. Seething with rage, she thought of summoning her blade and hacking the ministra into bits so tiny, no one would think of resurrecting the bloodthirsty bitch. 'And then you'd be no better than her,' a mental voice quietly said.

Placing her pactio card to her forehead, Asuna called 'Negi!' Again she called out his name before remembering his magic had been sealed. As gently as she could, Asuna picked up her classmate. Sparing one final glance at their fallen enemy, and wishing she had the time to smash every bone in that disgusting vermin's body, Asuna raced back to where she left Negi and Kimiaki-san.

She reached Negi and was surprised to find Setsuna, Chamo and Himeiko there too. "Oh God! Yuna-san!" the boy cried as his newest partner was laid on the ground. "This is all my fault!" he sobbed.

"Get a grip Negi!" Asuna shouted. "We've got to help her!"

"Setsuna-san." She whirled on the swordswoman. "Can you contact Konoka with your card and have her teleport here?"

"We're outside of the card's range," Negi said as he wiped a sleeve across his face. "We'd be better off trying to call the school authorities, but do any of us know where we are?"

"About 5 kilometers south by southwest of the cemetery," Setsuna announced as she held up Kimiaki-san's cell phone. "I was able to use the GPS to locate Konoka's phone and teleport here."

"Mistress," Himeiko said to the swordswoman. "I might be able to help."

As one, the group turned towards the floating spirit. "By merging with her, I can stabilize her condition until other assistance arrives."

"Do it then," Negi ordered. "Setsuna-san, contact the headmaster."

"So you really are wizards," Shirai finally said. "Does that mean Konoka-san is too?"

"Yes Kimiaki-san," the young boy answered. "Both she and I are wizards."

"What happens to me now?"

"When non-magic people discover our existence, we normally cast a spell to wipe those memories away," Negi explained.

"Damn it bozu," Asuna swore as she angrily grabbed the boy's arm, "concentrate on Yuna-san."

Negi winced in pain at her grip and then shouted "Asuna!"

She released her hold and watched in amazement as one of the black pledge strings faded from his forearm. "What happened?"

"You nullified part of the spell on me," Negi answered. "Can you do it again?"

"I'm not sure," she shot back in confusion. "I don't know how I did it."

"Then what good are you Kagurazaka-san?"

Heads turned as Zazie approached. "Does not the blood of the Teotanasians run in your veins? Are you not heir to the greatest power in all of the Mundus Magicus?"

Mouths fell open as the normally calm and collected girl quivered with suppressed rage. "And you," the white-haired teen stared at Negi, "dared think yourself worthy to follow in the Thousand Master's footsteps and become a Magister Mage. Yuna will die while you two uselessly dither!"

"Genetic memory," Negi exclaimed and then turned to a thoroughly puzzled Asuna. "Do you remember what Nodoka's diary revealed about your family?"

"The Teotanasians possess genetic memory," he excitedly explained. "If you can tap into that, you could learn how to use your magic cancel."

Asuna felt the cold hand of fear clench around her guts and twist. During their trip to the Mundus Magicus, it was revealed that she was descended from the Sorceress who saved the world from the Life Giver centuries ago. And that she was bred to be a vessel for that awful spirit. If she opened herself to those memories, would she not open herself to that other as well? "I don't know about this."

"Please Asuna," her partner begged. "Please do it for Yuna-san."

"I'll … I'll try," she finally relented.

"Kagurazaka-san," Zazie called. "Face your heritage without fear, without reservation. Yuna doesn't need you to try, she needs you to succeed."

--

Using meditation techniques Setsuna had taught her, Asuna emptied her mind and entered into a trance. Lazily she drifted along as if borne by a gentle current, halting when the image of a four year old girl appeared before her. Instantly she recognized the younger version of herself. "Your Majesty," she greeted the Princess Asuna.

"What reason brings you here?" the other Asuna asked.

"My friend is dying," she explained. "I might be able to save her if I can learn how to use the magic cancel at will."

"You would save a rival for your partner's affection?"

"I would save my friend," Asuna asserted. "Please help me or, if you're unwilling, point me towards one who can."

"I never had the opportunity to master that art myself," the princess admitted. "However, I know of one who had."

"Come with me," the child beckoned as she held out a hand. Asuna took hold and the two found themselves in a sea of bubbles.

"Where are we?"

"What you perceive as bubbles are memories of our ancestors," the princess answered. "We are searching for the greatest magic canceller of the Teotanasians."

"There," the child said and pulled Asuna into a bubble.

The morning sun climbed towards noon, lighting most of the grass-covered courtyard. Asuna looked out through eyes belonging to a girl scarcely larger than Evangeline had been. After pushing back a stray lock of silver-colored hair, she continued her sword practice. Though dressed in full armor, the girl moved through the katas with a fluid grace as if unaffected by the weight. 'Who is this?'

'These are the memories of Arjuent Wespatatia Teotanasia,' the princess answered.

Arjuent halted her practice as a tall man wearing a robe and scanning an open scroll entered the yard from the still shadowed, southern end. Lips pulled back into a slight smile as the swordswoman leapt into the air and somersaulted, landing in a crouch with her arm pulled back, the blade held ready for a deadly thrust. Her heart beat rapidly as she waited, but heard no word from the newcomer. Looking up, the warrior noted the man's nose was still glued to the scroll. Snorting in disgust, Arjuent stood.

"Master Berild," she called out and the man looked up, surprise plastered across his scholarly features.

"Your Highness," he replied.

"What do you think of my progress with the blade?"

His look was all the answer she needed. "You seem to be progressing well," Berild lied. Suddenly his face brightened as he explained, "I received a new scroll."

Asuna could feel the girl's jaw tighten as teeth ground together in frustration. "How wonderful," Arjuent lied in return. "You must tell me more about it during our afternoon lessons."

Grass at the south end folded flat as if bent by a strong gust of wind. Dark swirls appeared within the shadows. "Behind you Berild!" the swordswoman shouted in warning. "Storm daemons!"

The world shifted as the warrior used an instant movement to get between the summoned creatures and the reader. Dropping to a knee, Arjuent deflected a sagitta barrage with her sword. Three vaguely man-like creatures, made out of what appeared to be dark clouds, stepped into the sunlight. With a shout, Arjuent was among them hewing left and right. Her blade swung through the daemons as if she were attacking a fog bank.

Asuna noted that each of the cloud beings was surrounded by a web of flashing lights. Upon closer examination, she could tell that the light circulated along the webbing like pulses of electricity through a relay. 'If I can disrupt the path,' she reasoned, 'that would stop the flow, like throwing a switch.'

'It couldn't be that easy,' she thought. Arjuent reached out with her mind and tugged at one of the web's strands, pulling and twisting until it snapped. The creature dissipated like smoke as the light winked out. Again she tugged and another creature vanished in response. The third one raised a hand and lightning crackled. Arjuent laughed as the energy popped and fizzled away. Forward she thrust her thought like a sword, severing the web and dispelling the summoned daemon.

Berild stared at her, his expression an odd mixture of apprehension and wonder. "Your Highness," he said, "Are you …?"

"I never felt better Master Berild," she answered as the sound of booted feet echoed behind her. Spinning about, Arjuent saw a dozen guards spill into the courtyard. They were led by a bearded fellow Asuna took an instant dislike to.

"Your Highness," the bearded man exclaimed, "we heard you shout."

"You are late Lord Dardanus," Arjuent remarked with more than a touch of disdain in her voice. "I would think my guardian should be more attentive in his duties."

'Who is that man?' Asuna asked.

'Lord Dardanus Enteofushia,' Princess Asuna answered. 'He was appointed regent when the previous queen died.'

'Why? Was Arjuent too young for the throne?'

'No,' the princess replied. 'Her talent for magic cancelling was so strong, she couldn't cast even the simplest spell. And the law stated that only a mage could rule Ostia.'

'What a stupid law,' Asuna exclaimed.

'Agreed, but it was the law none the less,' the princess told her. 'Arjuent never became queen because of it and the Enteofushians were established as the true rulers of the kingdom during her lifetime.'

"Come Master Berild," the silver-haired girl said as she linked her arm through his. "You must tell me more about your new scroll."

'Have you learned what you needed to?' her younger self asked.

'I think so,' Asuna replied.

'Then let us return to your friend.'

--

Like a child huddled under a blanket, cowering in fear of monsters that lurked in the closet, Yuna curled into a tight, little ball and shuddered. Only the monster she feared was herself. It had started the night of the school-wide blackout the previous year. She had dreamt that Mackie had bit her, Akira and Ako and the four of them had tried to hurt Negi-kun.

A few months later she had pushed a man from the top of a four-story building. True he was trying to murder Ayaka-san, but Yuna had killed him. Nightmares of pushing others from that rooftop haunted her sleep for months afterwards. And the teen couldn't shake the feeling that she had done worse during their adventures in the Magic World.

Others had noted a change in her too. After the events at Pinhe Lake, she overheard Mackie talking to Lynn and Aisha about how oddly she had acted. "It was like Yuna was a different person," the gymnast confided. "I thought she was going to kill that man who hurt her." Even a complete stranger whom she had bumped into on the street had run from her in terror.

And now with Negi-kun in danger, Yuna had felt a savage presence within her struggle to claw its way out. In desperation she had unleashed it and felt a thrill while trying to rend that other girl to bloody pieces. Pain was brushed away just to get one more blow in, one more chance to kill.

"What have I done?" she sobbed.

"Akashi Yuna," a strange voice called out.

Yuna glanced up to find a stern-looking woman with short, brown hair standing over her. "Who are you?"

"You may call me Himeiko," the woman answered. "You have been hurt Akashi-san. Badly enough that you may die."

"Then let me die," Yuna groaned as she turned away. "I don't want to be a monster."

"You wished to make a pactio," Himeiko reminded her. "Now you would desert your partner?"

"Negi-kun doesn't need me," she countered. "There are lots of girls who want to help him."

"But they weren't around to save him tonight," the woman replied. "And what of your other friends? Battle is coming to Mahora. Who will be there to help them when they need it?"

Visions of demons roaming the campus as the school buildings burned filled her mind. Friends, classmates and teachers were indiscriminately slaughtered while those who butchered them laughed. A tear-streaked face regarded Himeiko. "I can't let that happen."

"Then you must live." Yuna wept as arms enfolded her. "Let me help you."

"Listen," Himeiko said. Negi's voice sounded faint as if the boy was a great distance away.

"Utilis phasmatis audite meus placitum. Ego dico super vestri ops vigoratus. Procul meus tactus, planto universus unus pro mihi a capite ad calcem."

A tingling sensation swept over her body and then slowly faded away. Yuna sat up and yawned while stretching her arms high above her head. In shock, she realized the entire group was gathered about her. "Um hi guys. What'd I miss?"

--

Having reached his apartment, Shirai fell onto the couch, grateful to be alive. Springfield-san had offered to erase memories of the last day, but the young man had begged to keep them. "If you make me forget everything," he had argued, "then you make it easier for something like this to happen again." Everyone could agree on that.

Enemies had tried to get at Konoka through him. Shirai could accept the idea of the danger to himself, not without any qualms mind you, but putting Konoka at risk wasn't acceptable. He would have to break off their relationship and the thought of never seeing her again hurt.

Opening his cell phone, Shirai dialed a number he knew by heart. A familiar voice answered. "Hello grandfather, is grandmother in?"

"No," Soemu answered. "She's at the community center. They have a ten year old Go prodigy teaching the game tonight. What's up?"

"I'm going to break up with Konoka-san," he answered.

"But why grandson?" the old man asked. "She seems like such a delightful girl."

"There's lots of reason," Shirai told him. "Mahora is a distance away and she is still a high school student."

"I suppose you know what you're doing," his grandfather responded.

"I'm reminded of those old stories," Soemu continued with chuckle. "You know, where a man marries a beautiful woman and discovers that she's really a snake, or a fox, or a witch."

"He leaves her of course, thinking it for the best, only to find out that the woman loved him and hid the truth about herself because she knew he'd reject her. Sadly the man goes on with his life, but always pinning for the happiness he threw away."

"But what if the man knows that the woman is in danger if they stay together?" Shirai asked.

"Then the man would have to ask if she would be in the same danger if they did not," his grandfather answered. "Perhaps having the support of one she loves and trusts would make the difference."

An awkward silence followed until Soemu spoke again. "I shouldn't worry; these are only stories after all."

"Grandfather … I …"

"I have faith in you grandson," the old man gently declared. "Whatever you choose, I believe it will be the right decision."

"Goodnight grandfather."

"Goodnight grandson."

--

Mahora, Japan

As they walked from the train station to the dormitory, Zazie breathed a prayer of thanks for their safe return. After the massacre in Kosovo, she had thought to never have a friend again. This evening, the two classmates who had reached out to her were endangered. What would she have done if either had been lost? But by the grace of heaven, they had all survived, survived and grown stronger in the process. Recalling first impressions of her classmates, the refugee from a war torn land would never have thought it possible.

'They've changed,' Zazie thought. 'But then, so have I.'

Yuna walked alongside her, chatting all the while. If nothing else, that was a sure sign of the girl's complete recovery after being at death's door. The ghost, demon, whatever was still inside her, but Himeiko-san seemed to be honoring her vow.

"Lilim, due to their natures, must be around others," Setsuna had explained. "By threatening to strand her in the tunnels, I was able to extract an oath of obedience from the demon."

"Where did you learn all this?" Asuna had asked.

"Back in Kyoto," the swordswoman answered. "When I explained the situation here to Aoyama-sama, she instructed me on a lilim's weaknesses."

"Did she also teach you the zanmaken ni no tachi?" Negi had asked.

"Um, actually I learned it from Rakan-san," Setsuna admitted as a light red colored the girl's cheeks. "But the Soke helped me to perfect the technique in order to better protect Kono-chan, er Ojou-sama."

"It's too bad we didn't capture those two," Asuna had remarked. Though she hadn't told the others, Zazie had released Shirabe after the ministra confessed to needing Konoka's help to restore Shiori's spirit to the elfin girl's body. While the acrobat didn't want to withhold such valuable information, blurting it out didn't strike her as the wisest course of action.

When they reached the three buildings comprising the high school dormitory, Negi called Yuna to the side. He handed her a card that she quickly pocketed. Then to everyone else's surprise, the newly minted ministra kissed her partner full on the mouth.

"That's from both of us," Yuna told him. The dark-haired girl then grinned and asked "Do you want to give them a squeeze?"

Several mouths fell open as Negi sputtered.

"I'm just messing with you," Yuna said as she ruffled his hair. "Trying would earn you another poke in the nose."

After Negi, Chamo and Himeiko departed, the four girls entered the lobby. "You shouldn't tease Negi-san like that," Zazie said.

"Oh come on," Yuna laughed in response. "Where's the harm."

"I suppose you're right," Zazie conceded as her lips formed an impish grin. "Then this should be okay too."

Grabbing the surprised girl's head, she pressed her lips against Yuna's in a kiss every bit as drawn out as the one Negi received. They finally broke apart as another voice squealed "Ooh perfect."

A glance revealed that Haruna was waving a cell phone about. "I got it," the class gossip gloated. "I've got to show this to the others."

"Wait a minute Haruna-san!" Yuna shouted and then set off in pursuit of the fleeing mangaka. An amazed Asuna and Setsuna watched as Zazie collapsed to the floor, laughing so hard it brought tears to her eyes.

--

A/N: Chapter title and heading are from the song "Flatline" by Element Eighty.

Negi's healing spell translates as follows:

Utilis phasmatis audite meus placitum - Beneficial spirits hear my plea

Ego dico super vestri ops vigoratus - I call upon your power to heal

Procul meus tactus, planto universus unus pro mihi - At my touch, make whole the one before me

A capite ad calcem - from head to heel

Negi's restriction spell is from chapter 7 of the manga and was translated as – with the three black pledge strings, place a restriction on myself for three days

Woodwoses are another name for the wild men who haunt woodlands. In the manga, Shirabe is referred to as a wood sprite but her ultimate form is a type of dragon, so I thought I'd combine the two into a hybrid race. On the other hand, I present Zazie Rainyday's heritage as half human/half dragon. For a different view of our enigmatic acrobat, check out Animekitty2's "A Rainyday Tale."

The idea of dragons, and other fantastic creatures, making and accepting challenges is a fairly old one. The riddle game between Bilbo and Smaug in "The Hobbit" is a more recent example of this. Yuna's "Rock, Paper, Scissors" challenge a few chapters back is another.