Side A : Mahora Sensei Keitaro!
Written By Shaun Garin
Love Hina and Mahou Sensei Negima are owned and created by Ken Akamatsu. All characters used for entertainment purposes only.
Chapter 5 : Bam! A Long Awaited Visit?
"As I see it, we have a few options here," said Naru as she poked the campfire. The smell of okonomiyaki wafted in the breeze as they sat around a forested area near where Negi's father's house stood. Seta had dragged out several large tents that had seen obvious long periods of use and a stove with a propane fuel supply. Seta really did live out of his van as there was a lot of food in the van as well as sleeping pallets for the tents. "One, we go home and forget this insanity happened. Two, we hide out at Negi's dad's house and hope we can find some way to get these crazy Kyoto magi off our tails. Or three, we face them head on."
"It may prove difficult," said Motoko as she nursed her tea. "From the descriptions of the people with this Chigusa woman, one has control over petrifaction spells; rather high level magic. The other boy would not fight you, Asuna-san?"
"Nope. At the very least he didn't do anything since I realized I was naked after that pervert shattered my clothing," growled Asuna, stabbing her okonomiyaki with a fork.
"The pink clad girl. Did she have anything to do as well?" Asked Setsuna.
"The girl said she was there to deal with any Shinmei Ryu swordsmen or women," said Konoka.
"A pink clothed girl," murmured Setsuna. "Maybe a hired sword?"
"Possibly," said Motoko. "Some of our people are not very... discerning when it comes to choosing a job."
"I have an idea though," said Kamo suddenly. "Anesan, you wanna give Negi a big wet one, don't you?"
"GEH! What the hell are you talking about, perverted ermine!" Exclaimed Asuna angrily.
"A pactio, a pactio!" Exclaimed Kamo, jumping up and down. "In fact, if a lot of us give him a kiss, then it'll give us all a huge boost in fighting power!"
Shinobu looked at Keitaro who was looking distinctly ill at the thought of liplock with a little boy and giggled madly. "I think Keitaro isn't going to be happy with that."
"Eew and wrong," said Sarah. "She's got a point. The dork won't do it."
"Uh uh, no way," said Keitaro. "Just gimme a few weapons."
"But there's what, more girls here than guys?" reasoned Kamo and he was one with Asuna's fist. "Sorry..."
"There is something though," said Seta as he handed Kaede and Su an okonomiyaki, Su's topped heavily with banana. "A pactio not only creates a combat team but as well can awaken magical power within someone. I know I've seen it happen before."
"So one of us besides Konoka may have magic?" asked Haruna, her expression going sparkly. "I could cast the spells I've created for my manga..."
"It isn't impossible," said Seta.
"That's good enough for me," said Konoka cheerfully as she grabbed Negi by the shoulders. "Negi-kun, kiss!"
"Geez Konoka, settle down!" Exclaimed Sarah and Kaede laughed under her breath.
"Can't you stop those girls for a moment, Urashima?" demanded Motoko and Keitaro merely sighed and shrugged. "Hmph, men."
"Wow, they're so energetic," said Negi as he walked alongside the river with Keitaro. "How do you handle them?"
"Sometimes I wonder the same thing," said Keitaro. "You did really good. All I did was sit on the sidelines."
"Eh heh, sorry." Said Negi. "It really is pretty out here actually. Out here in the woods, near the place where my father slept. Tomorrow we go to the house."
"Scared?" Negi nodded and Keitaro smiled. "It's good to have some fear. It makes things interesting."
"Um, Keitaro-san? Negi-san?" The pair turned to see Nodoka and Shinobu standing at the edge of the water.
"Oh, Shinobu-san, Miyazaki-san. What's up?" asked Keitaro.
"Thank you, for coming to our rescue today," said Nodoka, poking two fingers together at the tips. "It really means a lot."
"It's not like us not to," said Negi. "You two are our friends. And well, friends don't leave friends behind."
Nodoka blushed and Shinobu did the same. "Um, Shinobu-san and I have been talking it over and well, we would like to make the pactio first. You know, as a thank you, for helping us."
"Eh? Are you sure?" asked Negi.
Nodoka and Shinobu nodded, looking red. In the bushes, Asuna and Naru poked their heads out. "I don't believe those two," hissed Naru. "It's bad enough we get involved in this crazy magic stuff but now they want to pactio?"
Closing the distance, Nodoka looked down at Negi. 'He's so short. Shorter than I am.' Reaching down with trembling hands, Nodoka cupped her hands over his cheeks as she leaned in. Negi trembled as Shinobu and Keitaro watched, a bit red faced. Softly, almost hesitantly, she touched his lips to hers.
"ALL RIGHT! PACTIO!" Announced Kamo who had somehow come out nowhere and drew a circle in the grass. There was an incredible blast of light and a card floated down as proof of the contract. "YEESSS!" Cried Kamo, jumping around happily. "I'm rich! Again!"
"Aw, I missed the pactio?" exclaimed Konoka as she popped out of another copse of bushes. Setsuna and Motoko were with her and the two swordswomen were red-faced.
"Nice kiss," cheered Sarah as she and Su jumped out of another copse.
"Waugh, all of you were here!" exclaimed Negi and even Kaede laughed from her upside down position on the nearest tree, Seta following her lead as he leaned against a low branch.
"Go Aniki go! Go with Shinobu now!" cheered Kamo.
"I CAN'T DO IT WITH ALL OF YOU WATCHING!"
"That's a LOT of pactio cards," remarked Keitaro the next morning as he found Negi sitting in front of the fire, looking at the handful of cards.
Negi nodded as he looked through the assembled cards. One for each person, each one of them had a unique design to it. Konoka's had her dressed in a white and red kimono with two fans. Asuna's had her with a giant sword that rivalled the size of Su's gun. Sarah was also in the running, having said it was better to make it now and not bother later on. Her picture had her with two extraordinarily huge swords, silver blue and silver red in color. Su's was right next to Shinobu who was carrying a frying pan too big to be legal in most states. Kaede and Motoko and Naru had politely refused because for now, it was unneeded, but Setsuna had been coaxed into it by Konoka and for a long agonizing fifteen minutes, Setsuna had worked up enough courage to kiss Negi. Hers strangely had a picture with her with wings, which puzzled the group. Haruna had jumped at the chance and hers had a picture of her with a sketchbook and a pen, dressed in a type of artist outfit.
"I have no idea how much power I can give everyone with this many pactios," said Negi, shaking his head. "Probably fifteen, twenty minutes at the maximum if we're going to stretch things out and just add to the defence."
"I suppose so," said Keitaro. "What a vacation. We're due back at Hinata House soon anyhow, and then the new school year begins."
"What are you two doing being so serious huh!"
Keitaro and Negi went flying as Su and Sarah charged into them, both holding their very big weapons and waving them around cheerfully. Su and Sarah were still dressed as Goku and Link as they kicked the pair around and tested out their new weaponry.
"That's the most dangerous fan I've ever seen, Asuna!" Giggled Konoka as Asuna looked at her deadly folded fan with a 'What The Hell' expression on her face.
"I don't get this, I was supposed to have a SWORD," grumbled Asuna.
"Sechan, come and use your own card!" Exclaimed Konoka and Setsuna went red with embarrassment.
"Um, not right now, Konoka-ojousama," said Setsuna.
"What are you all serious about too, huh!" Exclaimed Haruna as she flying kicked Setsuna. "My pen rules! Lookie!"
"Um, what is it?" asked Konoka curiously as Haruna held up a little square featureless cube that made the odd beeping sound.
"It's a cool thing!" Exclaimed Haruna.
"And it does WHAT exactly?" asked Konoka.
"Not sure yet!" And Asuna and Setsuna hit the ground in shock.
"Well I'm sure you'll find out eventually," said Konoka cheerfully.
Nodoka paged through her new book as words filled the page she was on. 'March 28, Very interesting day today. I shared a kiss with Negi-kun. I wonder if he realizes I actually like him?' Above appeared a picture of Shinobu and Negi locked in a kiss and Nodoka slammed the book closed in embarrassment. "Oh dear."
"Hmm? What's wrong with your artefact, Nodoka-san?" asked Shinobu curiously.
"Er... well, it reads minds..." said Nodoka as she peeked into the pages of the book.
'March 28, horrible few days. I can't believe Su tried to get me to kiss Negi. If it were with Konoka-chan, it would be all right I think... aw god, I keep flashing back to Naru hitting me into the river!' A picture of Keitaro flying headlong into the river from being propelled there by Naru appeared and Nodoka giggled. Shinobu looked over and stifled her laughter.
"Mwahahahahaha!" Cackled Su as Keitaro and Negi went flying from the blasts of her really big artefact gun. Naru sighed as she picked up her food and munched on it next to Kaede and Motoko. "They're so energetic in the morning," she said.
"Mmm, yes they are," said Kaede and Motoko sipped her tea.
"Hey, Motoko? Why didn't you pactio with the kid anyhow?" asked Naru and Motoko performed a classic textbook Jerry Lewis spit take.
"I have no desire to rely on a mystical crutch such as a pactio," said Motoko after clearing her windpipe.
"The application of magic and chi is something of an incompatible source," said Kaede. "Although it hasn't been tested yet since Setsuna-san has refused to activate her pactio yet."
"I see," said Naru as she watched the girls mess around with their really big implements of destruction or anything else. "I wonder what it is with girls and really big weapons? Look at Sarah; those swords are huge on her!"
"GWAUGH!" Announced Keitaro as he flew into the air from one of Sarah's underhanded slashes. The giant blade shimmered in the light being seven or eight feet and at least a foot and a half thick as it was swung and a trail of flames erupted from the arc.
Kaede smiled. "Well... maybe the bigger the weapon, the better to hit perverted sensei's with."
Naru snickered and nearly snorted her food.
"Here we are," said Seta as the small group arrived at the house that was buried in foliage. "Oh dear, how do we get in now?"
"Allow me," said Motoko and her sword hand flickered for a moment. The overgrowth fell down in neat little slices, allowing unrestricted passage into the house. "After you," she said, stepping aside.
Seta reached into a pocket and fished out a simple brass key which he fit into the lock. A quick jiggle later and the door opened.
Inside, the three story house was something of a marvel. White walls in a circular design with bookshelves stretching up to the ceiling. Although most of the furniture had been covered with dust cloths, they were fairly clean which meant someone tended to come into the house and clean up, giving the impression of someone living in the home itself. "Wow," said Negi, staring up into the planetarium-like dome that topped the building. "Now this is an eye opener, that's for sure."
"Go nuts, but don't break anything," said Seta. Leaning against the walls, he lit up a cigarette, passed one to Kamo who was on his shoulder and the pair smoked, lost in memories as the smoke curled around his face.
"Can you read it?" asked Naru as she looked at some of the books. Motoko shook her head.
"No, I am not skilled in Greek," said Motoko. "I doubt many of us could read any of the major languages archived here."
"There's just too much to look through right now," said Negi with a sigh after he placed another book onto the table. "If we had more time and less people chasing us then maybe I'd have time to go through this place and find out where everything is."
"Something wrong, Setsuna-san?" asked Haruna as Setsuna looked up.
"Someone is coming this way." said Setsuna. One hand was on her sword case.
The footsteps came close and then there was a sound of a key in a lock and a jiggle. "Hmm? It's unlocked," said a man's voice. Konoka's eyes lit up as a craggy older man looked inside. "Visitors?"
"DADDY!" Exclaimed Konoka, throwing herself at the older man who caught her in surprise.
"Konoka, what are you doing here?" asked her father. "Oh hello, looks like we have guests."
"Good to see you again, Konoe," said Seta from the wall. Konoe gave him a look.
"Seta. I thought I smelled your cigarettes here," said Konoe. "You still use the same brand I see."
Seta chuckled. "I figured when this place was cleaned up when we arrived you were still keeping it neat. Nagi hated that." Eyes twinkling mischievously, he mimicked Nagi's higher tones. "Konoe-san! Why are you cleaning up again? Mouuu, I'm not a kid anymore and you're not my housemaid! Aaaaugh, you threw away that? I was trying to learn it!"
Konoka's father laughed. "Same old Seta. So, what brings you here?"
"This little man," said Seta, moving away from the wall and clasping a hand on Negi's shoulder. "May I introduce to you Negi Springfield, Nagi's son."
"Aaaaah. He does look a lot like him." Eishun Konoe smiled. "Well then, you all came so far, far be it from me to invite you to the house."
Naru staggered out of the festival hall, feeling the haze of alcohol prickle at her senses. "Wow, there's so much life in everyone else," she said as her companion Motoko wandered the halls with her.
"Yes. I've only been here once myself but Elder Konoe throws an excellent party," said the Kendo-ka, weaving a bit unsteadily. "I think I will go to the baths right now."
"Have a good time," said Naru as she headed into the gardens. "Wow, it's so pretty."
The gardens consisted of delicate trees covered in cherry blossoms with pools of water and traditional statues around the area. One side of the walled compound hosted several benches of bonsai and a bamboo spout made a dull clunking sound as it bonked against the rocks after depositing its load of water into the spring. Naru wandered into the garden and inhaled the sweet smell of the blossoms. "Looking at the moon, it feels like the night could go on forever," she whispered to herself.
"Hmm? Oh, Naru-san," said Keitaro and Naru jumped in surprise.
"What are you doing out here?" asked Naru, patting a hand against her chest as her heart raced.
Keitaro smiled and traced a finger into the water to see if the koi would try and nibble on it. "Just spending some time out here. After all of the insanity its good to kick back."
Naru knelt down next to him and poked a rather fat koi in the water. It jumped and splashed down. "Hey, Keitaro. I asked you this before back at Hinata House but what are you planning to do for the rest of the year? The testing isn't for another several months so I was wondering what's going to keep you busy."
"Hmm," said Keitaro, rubbing his chin. "Well, definitely I'm going to keep teaching. But, I've decided that I'll try for Tokyo University again."
"Even after you failed miserably?" asked Naru.
Keitaro nodded. "Well, I won't let something like that stop me. These past few days taught me that there are some things that you can work for, and sometimes, you can't let reality stop you from hitting dreams."
"Well... then I guess I'll try for Tokyo University as well again," said Naru with a smile. "So, why don't we make a promise?"
"A promise?"
"Sure. Promise me Ronin-sensei that you'll get into Tokyo University this year. All right? We'll get in together."
"Naru-san... all right. I promise."
"What are you two doing out here? Party's in here!" Keitaro was suddenly kicked in the back of the head by a giggling Konoka and Haruna and Keitaro fell forward. There was a surprised sound from both Keitaro and Naru as their lips crashed together with the sound of teeth colliding.
"Eeeew," giggled Konoka. "Someone get Kamo, they're attempting a pactio!"
"Hey, what the hell was that!" Demanded Naru as Keitaro pulled away and got a starry look in his eyes. "And YOU! That wasn't a kiss, you hear me!"
But Keitaro was oblivious to her yells and Naru simply resigned herself to plan B : Beating up the Ronin-Sensei.
"I'm surprised we didn't meet with any resistance," said Keitaro as Seta's van careened down the roads at speeds exceeding legal limits in most countries. "You would think that they would attack again while half of us were already drunk."
"Konoka's father boosted the wards the night before," said Setsuna. "I suppose all of our planning is for naught."
"Awww, I wanted to see Sechan's pactio," said Konoka and Setsuna coughed and blushed.
"At the very least we are headed back to Hinata City," said Motoko and Kaede nodded.
"That's right," said Negi. "If we cross the City Limits, we'll be able to get more backing if they attack again."
Asuna suddenly poked her head over the side of the railing. "Hey guys, there's some kind of weird thing coming our way."
Su looked out the window and exclaimed, "Eeew! It's a really big Oni!"
"What?" Nodoka looked out and then flipped open her book with an "Adeat". She paled as the Oni opened it's mouth. "Seta-san! More gas, more gas! It's going to fire on us!"
The bolt of energy lanced down and ripped through the highway as Seta hit the gas. The van hit an upturned stone and it soared over the huge trench and continued on its path.
"Geez, Nodoka, what the hell is that thing?" demanded Asuna.
"Um, it says it's the Makai Keeper, a creature of enormous destruction. Oh no... there's no weak points!"
Su laughed as she held up her card. "Adeat!" Her giant gun appeared and she locked the safeties into off as she jumped up onto the roof. "Well then, lets just MAKE a weakness!"
Brilliant blue bursts of energy lanced out from the van as it ripped through the oni's wings. The creature seemed unfazed as it opened its mouth and fired once more, this one carving up the land next to them and vaporizing some unhappy cows.
"You know, if someone has a weapon that'll actually put that puppy to rest, now would be a GOOD time to use it!" Screamed Naru, waving her arms.
Another brilliant blue bolt lanced out from Su's weapon and tore through another wing. The Oni didn't even flinch as it fired back.
"Kaede-san," said Motoko and Kaede simply smiled as she opened a window and leapt up to the roof.
"Hit it where I hit it, all right Su?" said Kaede as she pulled a short pointed knife from the small of her back. The weapon telescoped out in four directions to become a giant Shurinken. Giving a cord a tug, the weapon spun around the handle and Kaede let it fly towards the Oni. The blade sliced through one of the oni's tendons on the wing and then it screamed in pain. As the weapon flew back to Kaede's hand, Su loosed two more bolts that sliced the wing clean off.
"That slowed it!" Cheered Su as she loosed more bolts in order to bring down the creature.
"Offramp, offramp!" Screamed Asuna and Seta heaved the van to the side. Thundering across the offramp to connect into Hinata City, Negi grabbed a small training wand from his pocket and aimed outwards. "Rastil Maskil Magister..."
From Negi's lips poured a long spell and Kamo exclaimed, "Go Aniki! Pump as much power into that attack as you can!"
With a final lashing of Latin, Negi shot a beam of light that ran wild with furious energy. The power slammed into the Oni and it let out a shriek as a hole was blown clean through it. As though it was being eaten out from the inside out, the Oni began to dissolve into fine mists. The now exhausted Negi was pulled into the van by Shinobu and Nodoka.
With a squealing of burning rubber, the van bounced its way to the inner areas of Hinata City.
"Oh god..." moaned Asuna. "This feels sooooo good."
"After that harrowing adventure, I'm feeling knots where they shouldn't be," agreed Naru.
The rest of the girls nodded their accent as they relaxed in the Hot Springs. As Haruna leaned onto a rock, she remarked, "You know, we made pactios and we didn't even get to use them."
"You mean... we kissed Negi-san for nothing?" asked Nodoka, reddening.
"It sure looks like it," said Asuna with a wry grin. "The little brat should be happy, getting kissed by a bunch of girls."
"Eew, I kissed the Dork-In-Training for nothing?" exclaimed Sarah as she made gagging noises. The girls laughed.
High above on the second level baths, Keitaro sighed. "So much for a PEACEFUL vacation."
"Hahaha!" Laughed Seta. "But we rescued the girls and all is well, right?"
"Although I can't help but worry," said Negi who had the turn in the large bathing barrel, "if they'll come back again."
"Mmm... I wouldn't doubt it," said Kamo who had taken up to peeping on the girls with a spyglass. "Eishun gave me some information on some of them. Amagasaki Chigusa lost her parents in the last War. She's not one person to give up. The next person is Fate Averruncus, a transfer from the Istanbul Society but that's in doubt. The two others is an unknown boy of origin and the girl has not demonstrated any power."
"So we have two unknowns," said Seta. "Well, I suppose it's a good thing we can take it easy for now and worry later!"
"Says you," said Keitaro with a bland look on his face. "Now I have to keep worrying if Konoka-chan will be kidnapped."
"Well, maybe then it's a good day for an adventure," said Seta as he lit up a cigarette. "My turn."
"Oh, right," said Negi, clambering out of the barrel and holding onto the railing. With a crack, it snapped and Negi plummeted into the water below. Cries of "IT'S TOO EARLY FOR THIS!" and "DIE YOU PERVERTED BRAT!" could be heard as the foundations nearly shook with the chorus of "ADEAT!".
Keitaro looked down over the railing and said, "I should be thankful it's not happening to me, but I can't help but sympathize."
Suddenly there was a hideous cracking noise and Keitaro plummeted over the side with a cry.
Seta chortled under his breath as Keitaro was then subjected to a mass beating. "And thus balance is restored." He then made a motion to get out of the tub but decided against it, playing it safe.