Disclaimer: I do not-- except in a alternate reality- own Negima, in any shape or form. Negima belongs to Ken Akamatsu. I do own a glass of tasty orange juice though.

Chapter Four: Darkness Is Cold and Mysterious

It was around five o'clock in Japan, Mahora Gakuen. The light breeze that accompanied them was now a strong breeze. The song of nature that had been flowing around the Campus was now graced with a fierce dance, nearly pulling some flowers out of their roots. It was quite cold; though not all cold, since two particular people seemed to walk without their jackets on.

"What's that old man talking about anyway?" Evangeline voiced her annoyance, then quoted what he had said earlier, ""Strange happenings" my ass. When has this school ever been normal?"

Negi had to laugh a little at that, because it was partly true. He had also considered the fact mages built the school. If that was true, then he would have a field day.

"Ahaha… but for the Headmaster to inform us about it… it must be serious."

"Hmph. Why is it I have to pair with you anyway? And what's with you walking me home just because the old man said so?" The small, golden haired vampiress pointed out.

"Well… if something were to happen, then I wouldn't get here in time." He looked at her when he saw she was about to say something. Apparently she's forgotten… "Your powers are sealed, remember? Without the World Tree's power, you're a ten year old girl." It seemed they both had sudden amnesia, then Negi corrected himself. "I-I meant, your body is a ten year old girl's. N-not yourself."

"Hmph. Well it's not like anything's going to happen soon. Just leave me be." The vampiress said, gesturing with her left hand.

The child mage stepped forward, not exactly in front of Evangeline, but beside her.

"Maste~~r! We can't have the student's getting hurt."

"Hmph. Search the area if you will, we're nearly at my hou--the log cabin anyway." The vampiress continued walking, but faster this time. Negi gave up.

"Ah~~h… I suppose Master is right…" He sighed in defeat, then jumped on his staff-- "Wait? I had my staff with me all this time?!" -- and flew to the dorms, avoiding trees and any other obstacles.

Asuna and Konoka's Dorm

"Baka Negi. Where is he? Konoka's away too." The red haired girl moaned, when she heard a knock on the door.

"Come in!" She shouted.

"Ah… sorry Asu--fumugah?!"

"Where the heck have you been Negi?! Konoka and I are supposed to look after you, you know! Who would get the blame if you done something reckless again?!" Apparently she had stretched Negi's cheeks.

"… I-I'm sorry. The Headmaster wanted Master and me to sort out something." The child teacher explained, soothing his cheeks. Then he noticed an absence. "Where's Konoka?"

"Oh! Yeah." Asuna snapped back to reality. "Konoka and Setsuna-san had to go see the Headmaster about something-- being a Magistere Mavgi-- whatever it's called."

"Magister Magi?" Negi corrected. "Anyway, Asuna-san, I'll be home late these days…" Until this thing is over…

"Oh? So that's why… you baka Negi! Why are you going to be here late? Is it because of your training with Eva? Or is it…" Asuna trailed off. "… That strange things are happening in the school again, and you and Eva-chan have to check them out?"

BINGO! "S-sort of…" Negi massaged his neck, finally sitting down on the sofa. He sighed. There was obviously no fooling Asuna, and he didn't want to raise commotion.

"Hmph. Didn't I tell you, Negi? When it comes to things like this, leave it to me!" The red haired, overly energetic girl stated. She then heard a noise.

"So Asuna-san--" Negi started saying, attempting to ask her something, but she interrupted, much to his dismay.

"Did you hea---…" The noise had went away, and she had just decided it was her imagination. "… Nevermind."

"Okay, Asuna-san…about what I was going to ask you…" Negi took control of the conversation again, staring at her. It was obvious he was concerned. "About… have you seen anything unusual lately?"

She was tempted to crack a joke and say, "Nothing's normal around here, nothing ever has been." But the seriousness and curiosity laced on Negi's face was enough to tell her no. She wasn't completely an idiot.

Instead she opted for the more serious response.

"Now that I think about it… I did see--I mean, I think I saw something unusual over at the World Tree earlier."

Negi now, metaphorically speaking, had the word 'worry' spread all over his face. He looked out the window, and back to Asuna. Cleary something was not right, since Asuna had abnormally great eyesight and hearing.

"What kind of 'unusual' thing did you see… or hear?"

"Nothing really specific… and I s'pose that means that it couldn't of been special, whatever I saw, right?" Asuna answered.

Negi cupped his chin with his hand, and stared out the window. He hadn't really thought about it, but the World Tree was the most unusual thing… or at least one of the unusual things of the campus. It seemed to draw stuff to it.

"That means… something isn't right…" A sweat drop started to form on his face as he turned towards his student.

"Asuna-san… please. What exactly was it you saw? This is important. It is for your safety, my safety, and everyone on campus's safety."

Asuna felt a little shocked. She had seen him determined before, and fighting for everyone's safety but this was another thing. And if he agreed to work with Eva of all people, it must be serious… She then thought up a plan, a very great plan. Sure it was blackmail, but what choice did she have? If I don't, then this little brat will end up doing something reckless again…

"Say, Negi…" The orange haired girl with a red tinge started talking. "If I tell you this information…"

The child teacher gulped. He knew what she was going to ask, and despite how much he wanted her to help, he couldn't get her caught up in this situation.

"Asuna-san-…."

"No, listen to me, Negi." Asuna firmly stood her ground. "If I tell you this information… will you let me aid you in your mission?" She waited for an answer. Even if she got told 'No' like before, at least she tried, and it would be the brat's fault.

"Asuna-san… you know I can't allow that. This situation could be even more-- I mean, this situation could be dangerous. I put you and the other student's into trouble enough at Kyoto… I won't be able to forgive myself if something happens to you."

"But Negi~~~!" This being Asuna, though, the idea of leaving Negi alone was long gone, as she whined.

"But Asuna~~~!" Negi whined like Asuna, since he was ten, he was allowed to whine.

It was after Negi said that, Asuna heard the noise she heard earlier; and it seemed like it did not go unnoticed by Negi as well.

"Did you hear that, Negi?" She asked. I want to tell him about earlier, that noise… but that would make him more worried…

"Yes… I heard it. The sound of something… oozing-- no, but something similar…"

"Should we be on guard, Negi?"

"What was that noise? I wonder what it was… and I can still hear it…" Negi thought out-loud.

Seeing there was no response, Asuna took the initiative and activated her artifact. It seemed what appeared in her hands was her usual harisen, not the large sword on the card.

"Geez… of all times, why now? I really need to learn how to control this card… maybe it's the--g-gah!" She was interrupted by a sudden shiver up her spine, and by looking at Negi, he wasn't immune to it either.

"W-what was that?" She asked, then noticed the sound had gone away.

"I-I don't know…" Negi responded. "Well, whatever it was, it's gone now." He wiped the newly formed sweat drop's off his face.

"So… I guess we can count that as an 'unusual happening'?" Asuna asked, slying slipping the 'we' into it. It worked with me before, so it should work with Negi…

"Yes, we can. We have to wr--hey, Asuna-san! Why did you say 'we'?!" Negi asked, not necessarily shouting, but nearing it.

"Because I'm helping you, and that's final!" The overly energetic and demanding girl shouted.

"Not!" The child teacher responded like a child disagreeing that they done something.

"Am!"

"Asuna~~~!"

"Negi~~~!"

The creak of the dorm door interrupted the childish argument, both of them now faced the door again. They were quite angry with each other as well.

It opened slightly, so you could see a gloved hand. The noise sounded like the creaking of an elevator, though not as loud. It was like the door was annoyed with the vermilion haired boy and the demanding girl.

"Who…" Asuna started speaking, but trailed off. W-who is…? I wonder what…

The door opened wide now, revealing the gloved hand's owner.

"You two are really immature." The intimidating voice said, as the figure looked up and smirked.

"Y-you are…" Asuna and Negi said in unison and surprise.

DUN DUN DUN! Who is this sudden and mysterious person? Why are Negi and Asuna so surprised?! Find out in the

next chapter!

But first, you know, sorry about the late update. It's the Easter holiday's, and I stayed with my friend for a few days-- more like I got shoved out of my own room to make room for visitors, so I couldn't do anything until I got back. And believe me, I have been thinking about this story, and how to make it longer. I thought about making it around eight pages, since that was what it seemed it would be at the time, but I write the story plot like, 'Chapter III: Scene I'. So this is just scene I, and I figured that I should leave it at this cliffhanger. I feel like if I continue to write scene II, and scene III, then too many things will happen in this chapter.

Also, I know I promised Nodoka and the others would kick some ass in this chapter, but as I explained above, that will have to wait until next chapter. Chapter four I mean. Oh and, tomorrow's chapter will be a special one… all those EvaxNegi fans should like it. As always, read and review please! It keeps me happy!

I promise all of you reading this, I will upload a special chapter tomorrow, and chapter four in two days… or less!