Author's note – This update has taken a little longer, I know, I'm sorry. I was stuck for an idea for a bit, and then; calculus homework. Paaaaiiiin.
Thanks to my reviewers, you guys would rock my socks, were I wearing any.
TzuiAssassian – Sorry about the errors, usually I'm good about that. Oh well. I'll try and catch those from now on.
Leah – Thanks. : ). I certainly will.
Daughter of Ether – Definitely trying to go for that style, but I'm new at the long storyline, like I mentioned, so it may not be as subtle, or too subtle. I'll do my best, though.
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"Hurry up, Negi-bouzu, we're actually late this time!"
Asuna, Konoka and Negi were running from the station towards the academy as fast as they could. This is mainly because they actually were late this time. They'd had many close calls before, but nothing like this.
"Asuna, you know we're only late because you overslept. And then you insisted you had to take a shower because it's Takahata-sensei's birthday. (note: I don't actually know when his birthday is, but for the purpose of my story, its today. So there.). And then you took too long tying your hair because you insisted it had to be absolutely perfect. And then-"
"Ok, OK! I get it already! Geez…"
At the Academy, the bell rang to signal the start of the day.
"Crap! Negi, lets just hop on your staff, it's faster that way."
"But what if someone sees us?"
"Don't worry about it, there's no one out right now, everyone's in school."
"Alright, fine. Hop on, you two."
Asuna and Konoka hopped onto Negi's staff, and they sped off for the Academy. Unfortunately for them, however, someone was out then. He, as it happened, was also late.
Lee sprinted down the street as fast as he could, bag flying out behind him, buttoning his uniform with his free hand as he went.
"Crap, crap, crap! I'm late!"
Speeding off down the street, he came upon the open field that signaled the final stretch. Glancing off to his right, he beheld the most remarkable thing: Negi, Asuna, and Konoka flying along on a piece of wood.
Upon spotting Lee, Negi went into what was close to a seizure.
"Oh no! He saw us!"
He was so preoccupied with Lee seeing his magic, he forgot to watch where he was going.
"Negi-bouzu, look out!"
Too late. CRASH!!!
They slammed face-first into the side of the school building, causing their bags' contents to go exploding in every direction. Somewhat bemused, Lee slowed to a halt and helped them gather up their books and papers.
This is great! If I arrive the same time as the teacher, they can't get mad at me!
Negi went to his staff first, and looked it over carefully to see if it had been damaged in its collision with the wall. It was a magical staff, but you never knew. Seeming satisfied, his face grew more apprehensive as he walked over to Lee.
"Um… Le, did you see what we were doing?"
"What, you mean flying? Yeah, sure. Your landing needs a little work though. Oh, by the way, I didn't know you were a mage, Sensei. I guess I should have expected that, though. Mahora's kinda famous for that kind of thing."
Three pairs of jaws dropped. Four, if you count Chamo-kun.
"Lee… you know about magic?"
"What? Of course I do! If you were a mage, the principal would've informed you about why I'm here. Or… did it slip the old geezers mind?"
"I think he forgot. I was never told anything."
"Well, then you and I will go talk to him about it after class."
"Alright then."
Asuna glanced at her watch. "Speaking of class, WE'RE STILL LATE!!!"
All of them turned and ran helter-skelter for the classroom.
After class, in the principal's roomTurning towards them, the principal folded his hands and leaned back in his chair. With a grim expression, he addressed them solemnly.
"I apologize for not telling you about Lee earlier, Negi, but at the time, I felt it best that the real reason for Lee's coming here remain in the dark."
"And you forgot." Lee chipped in.
"And I forgot."
Negi squirmed impatiently. "Yes, yes, but why did he come here?"
The principal leaned forward in his chair and fixed Negi with an authoritative look. "Very well. As his teacher, you deserve to know. Lee was sent to us-"
Lee cut in. "If you don't mind, Principal, I'd rather tell him myself."
"Very well."
Turning to Negi, Lee folded his hands in his lap and began. "I was sent here to Mahora academy to investigate a covert operation in the magic world responsible for much strife and chaos all over the world. I won't reveal the name of the organization, for that would only put you in danger. However, I can tell you that they are extremely dangerous, and it was only after a lot of investigation did they find where the main base to be."
Gulping, Negi was wide-eyed. "And where is the main base."
Fixing Negi with a piercing look, Lee slowly said, "Here. Or in the immediate area; we believe that the leader of the group is in disguise somewhere in the area for the purpose of using the World Tree to enhance his abilities and further his own ends."
"And what are the goals of this organization?"
"We don't know. We barely know anything about them, other than being able to identify the mark of their work."
"So you were sent to try and find out if they truly are here?"
"That is correct."
"And are they?"
Lee paused a moment, and looked away. Negi thought, This is a far cry from the spaced out Lee I usually see in class. He looks so serious it's scary.
Finally, Lee sighed and turned back to look at Negi again. "Yes. They are here; I've found certain evidence of their work."
Negi's jaw dropped for the second time that day.
The principal looked troubled. His voice was grave as he addressed Lee. "You're sure."
Lee turned to face the principal.
"Yes. I'm sorry, Principal, but it's true; your students are having nightmares."
Later on…Glad to be free of the oppresive mood in the office, Lee and Negi walked towards the dorm.
"Hey, Lee!"
Turning around, Lee saw Asuna, Konoka, Setsuna, Ku Fei and Kaede from his class coming towards them.
"Hey, guys, what's up?"
"We were gonna go buy Takahata-sensei a present, wanna come?"
At this remark, Negi clapped a hand to his forehead. "I almost forgot! Yeah, you should come along, Lee!"
Not really having anything else to do, Lee agreed.
And he didn't regret it. Before he'd always just retreated to his dorm room, or gone for walks. However, he really enjoyed going out and just having fun with people. It felt good to stop thinking about his mission and just have fun for once.
For the first time since the start of his mission, he let himself truly enjoy being in the company of friends.
That night… "Happy Birthday, Takahata-sensei!" They all grinned and held out his birthday cake. Looking very surprised, Takahata blew out the candles and the cake was passed around.Looking very much the lady that night, Asuna walked up to Takahata and blushed, "Um… Takahata-sensei, this is for you."
Takahata grinned and thanked her. Upon unwrapping it he discovered a picture of his old class, back when they were 1-A of Mahora middle school.
"Wow, it's a picture of all of you from the old class! Thanks, all of you!"
The party continued on until the clock struck ten. Knowing they still had school tomorrow, they departed back to their dorms. Lee walked with the girl's back to their dorm before turning to go to his own. He was too preoccupied with waving at his new friends though, to pay attention with where he was walking. Walking around a corner, he turned his head back to face forward a split second to late.
WHOMP!!!Snapping his head to look in front of him, he beheld a diminutive figure with white hair having been knocked on her rear by him walking around the corner without looking.
It was Zazie.
Oh, crap! Again!?!? "I'm so sorry, Zazie-san! Can I help you up?" Zazie, however, got up without any help, and brushed the dust off her skirt."No thank you. I'm quite alright without your assistance."
Again, there was the tone in her voice that cut deep. The empty, cold disinterest. As she turned away, Lee shook his head and violently walked away.
Is it too much to ask to even be friends with the girl!?!? XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXThere it is. The next chapter will be the one where things get moving… where, I'm not telling. :P
Ja ne