Disclaimer - I don't own negima or any other character in this story except Lee.

Author's note – Wow. Finals killed my soul. I'm really sorry it took me a freaking month to update, I should be returning to a faster schedule now that school's out.

(I'm really sorry)

TzuiAssassin – Lee got her a kitten, not a bird : ).

Daughter of ether – Zazie's mature enough to deal with the loss and move on, it just took a little something to trigger it. Like the kitten.

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Lee got up on Monday in a daze.

Did that really happen? Did I really manage not to make a fool out myself? Am I really Zazie's friend now?

All he really knew was that his head hurt. Sighing, he put on his uniform and began walking to school.

Halfway there, he saw none other than Zazie, with a white kitten on her shoulder. Mana was with her too.

Woah, I guess it really did happen.

When Zazie spotted Lee, she waved and let a small smile slip. She walked over to Lee, saying "Hi, Lee. I want to thank you again for what you did for me."

Blushing, Lee turned away. "You're welcome."

Zazie just smiled.

Mana, watching from beside Zazie, promoted Lee from being an idiot to being a moron, as anyone who could make Zazie smile and talk was a good guy in her books.

At school… Negi walked over to his desk and beheld his class. He had some big news for them today. "Good morning class. I trust you all enjoyed your weekends?" There was a general murmur of assent. Smiling Negi started walking through the rows of desks, talking as he went.

"I have some big news for you all today. In honor of the American tradition, we will be celebrating the winter break with a western style school dance!"

An outbreak of shocked muttering greeted this statement. Negi laughed at their trepidation.

"This is not a required attendance event, but it is highly encouraged that you go. We will have music, and western style dresses and suits will be worn. It will be held in two weeks in the school's gym."

Reaching his desk again, he turned and regarded them all once more. Then, he made the announcement they had been waiting for.

"You may bring a date if you so desire."

Immediately, almost all the girls in the class broke out into a fit of giggles, which in turn gave way to excited whispering about who they all wanted to be taken by.

Zazie, usually apathetic about such happenings, could not help but wonder what such a dance would be like. However, being very shy, she didn't plan on going, so she dismissed the thought.

Lee, however, was a different story. He could almost feel his heart pounding, and a veritable waterfall of thoughts cascaded through his head.

Yes! A dance! I could ask Zazie! But wait… would she go with me? Yes? No? aaaggghhh… and how to ask her? Do I bring flowers when I do it? Candy? Write it in 20 foot high letters of fire in front of the school? Wait, that last one's just insane. My head hurts…

He hardly heard the bell ring. Asuna had to smack his head just to get his attention.

"Lee, hurry up! You'll be late for your next class."

Blinking, Lee shook of the ghosts of the might-be.

"Yeah, thanks."

Grabbing his bag, he slammed a mental door on such thoughts until later.

One week later…

Sitting in the common room of the boy's dorm, Lee buried his head in his hands. All around him, guys were talking about whom they were taking to the dance.

"I'm taking Kaede!" Some guy named Sasuke boasted. Cheers went up and some guys cat-called in the back.

Another guy, called Train Heartnet, put a foot on the table and yelled, "Well, I'm taking Mana!" More cheers.

It just got louder and louder until Lee just couldn't stand it anymore. He got up and stalked out of the room.

The cool, crisp winter air refreshed him. Sighing, he walked towards the world tree, a place that always calmed him despite its demonic taint, which grew daily.

Upon reaching the plaza, he turned and leaned against the world tree, letting his stress and fears just flow away in the presence of the monolithic entity. Sitting down, he wrapped his arms around his knee's and stewed.

Try as he might, he either couldn't come up with the courage to ask Zazie, or she was with Mana when he did. He hadn't asked anyone to help, because his crush had thus far been a secret, but he was close to breaking down and asking Asuna, or Ku Fei, or even Mana to help.

Little did he know that his crush was blatantly obvious to everyone except Zazie, an ironic and insignificant fact not important here.

Slamming his fist against the cold stone, he sighed and got up. Brushing dust of the back of his pants and turned to go, when he nearly ran into none other than Zazie herself.

Despite being caught off guard, and ignoring the pounding of his chest, he kept his wits about him enough that this time he dodged out of her way before he crashed into her.

Startled, Zazie turned to look at him. "Lee?"

Elsewhere and earlier…

In the girl's baths, a similar event had taken place. All around Zazie, girls were giggling over the past week as they scrubbed.

"Who asked you, Ku?"

"Some guy named Ranma Saotome. He was pretty cute though, so I said yes!" The girls broke out into giggles.

"Oh, did you hear? Sestsuna has a date to, some guy name Kenji Himura." Gasps broke out.

And so it went, the giggles, confessions and gossip flying freely until on eof them spotted Zazie off by herself.

"Hey Zazie, who asked you?"

Somewhat surprised, Zazie looke dup, and then turned away. "…No one."

"Awww, that's so sad!" But no sooner had she said that than she turned back to her friends. Sighing, Zazie dried herself off, and put on a jacket to take a walk.

She wondered why everyone was in such a fuss over something as simple as a dance. After all, it was only one night, and you could listen to music anytime.

Still, I wonder who I would want to go with?

She was so preoccupied that she nearly ran into someone, who fortunately jumped out of the way in time.

Turning around, she let ou a small gasp. "Lee?"

Lee blushed. "Hey, Zazie. What's up?"

Shrugging, she replied. "Nothing much."

Lee, blushing like a madman said, "Yeah, me too. Well, while we're out here, you want ot walk together." Zazie nodded her assent.

She had been surprised by him at first, but as they walked together, her thoughts began to fall in line.

He came right as I finished thinking about who I'd want to take me, as if in answer to my thoughts. And he IS one of the only guys I talk to regularly. Hmmm..

Then, smiling she remembered.

And he got me my kitten

Their conversation was fun, too. Zazie found herself talking more than she had in years. Talking with Lee was just so easy. It was like talking with Mana except… different, somehow.

Soon enough, though, it got dark. Sighing, she turned to Lee and said, "I'm sorry, but I had beeter get back before they lock the dorms."

Lee nodded, "Yeah, me too."

They stood and looked at each other for a moment, but then Zazie turned away, blushing slightly.

"Wait!"

Turning, she saw Lee with a face as red as a tomato, with a hand outstreched.

"Zazie, will you… will you…" he stammered.

A small bud of hope grew in her chest. Hope for what, she couldn't say. She'd never felt like this before. "Yes?"

Lee finally controlled himself. "Will you go to the Winter dance with me?"

Smiling, Zazie nodded, "Yes!"

A grin spread over Lee's face. "Cool. I'll see you there, then."

Still smiling, Zazie nodded again. "Yes!"

Lee's POV

I did it. I finally did it. YES!!!!

He nearly ran all the way back to the dorm. Running up the stairs, he collapsed in bed with a smile on his face.

I did it. I did it. I did it…

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The second of my major plot events. Next chapter is the dance! Whoooooo!