Disclaimer: I do not own Negima or any of it's characters...
Fang Vice Addiction
Chapter Nine: Living with Darkness
By Traingham
Negi leaned over the rails of the bridge separating the Library from the campus grounds with Chachamaru by his side and sighed deeply as he felt his chest begin to constrict. There was something about leaving Asuna that wouldn't allow his mind to be put to rest. He had really grown attached to her and Konoka. Of course, this living arrangement with "Dark Evangel" was only temporary but quite a bit could happen while he lived with the little vampire. Not only that but now that he would be living with her, training would be extended, and where would he sleep? He wasn't given much time to his thoughts as Chachamaru finally nudged him on the shoulder.
"...Negi-kun. We must get to Asuna-san's dorm room to gather your belongings before the mistress gets impatient with your arrival." said Chachamaru as she held up what seemed to be a jewelry box lined with gold. For a lock it had a bat's face with an orb held in it's fangs, and ancients inscriptions around it's bat wings which stretched to the two corners on it's sides. "This box will allow us to pack everything easily."
"What's that?" Negi asked curiously.
"A box the mistress uses to travel. It can hold limitless objects, however, it isn't recommended to fill it with too many things."
"Why?"
"Because in order to withdraw the items you deposit you must remember what they are." Chachamaru replied.
"So why don't we just bring a notepad?" Chachazero asked from up top of Negi's head. Chachamaru inwardly rolled her eyes but Chachazero was actually right about that.
"...That may work."
"It will work." Chachazero insisted, taunting her counterpart with a victory sign. Had Negi been paying attention to Chachamaru at that very moment he may have caught the quick scowl that passed over her face. Even so, it probably would not have struck him so hard as it normally would since his mind was much more preoccupied with how he would deliver the news to Asuna that he would be leaving her for a while. His relationship with the red-head was already running pretty rocky with his sudden increase of training and his infamous knack for disappearing without so much as a warning.
"Master Negi?" Chachazero called his attention when she noticed that he was phasing out again.
"Yes Chachazero?" Negi asked dully once he snapped out of his stupor.
"Don't worry about this new living arrangement. Eva-san's house is a pretty comfortable set up."
"The house isn't what I'm really worried about." Negi replied awkwardly before turning to Chachamaru. "You said she's craving my blood more than usual now, right?" He asked, referring to his master.
"That is correct." Chachamaru replied with a nod.
"So...will it really be safe to sleep in the house?"
"I'm sure the mistress wouldn't drain you of all your blood Negi-kun."
"But there is a chance that she still might jump me in my sleep, right?"
"...Perhaps..."
"Then master is going to have some exciting nights!" exclaimed Chachazero with an evil giggle. "This is going to be really fun! Right master Negi?"
"...Speak for yourself." Negi grumbled...
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Turning to Asuna and Konoka...
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Asuna and Konoka walked to the dorm hall slowly with their bodies aching from the work they were doing on the haunted house and yet they still had not completed it. With Ayaka's constant barking of orders it only served to put even more stress on the red-head who wasn't in the mood to be ordered around by the class president of all people. Now all she needed was a well deserved bath and a little relaxation.
"That Haunted house is going to be great!" Chamo exclaimed from Asuna's shoulder as he put out a cigarette. "I gotta tell you though, it's really hot in there. You girls really need to install an air conditioning system or something."
"Look here ermine!" Asuna growled at Chamo with a scowl. "You did nothing but loaf around so you aren't exactly going to be given the luxury of complaining!" Asuna held her finger against his throat. "Got that?"
"...Yeah..." Chamo replied sheepishly.
"It was nice of Chao-san to help!" Konoka said cheerfully.
"Yeah. I'm still wondering how those weird gadgets are going to affect the haunted house though." said Asuna with a sigh. "You never know what's going to happen with most of the loonies here on this campus."
"Speaking of Chao-san, I saw her walk out of the haunted house with Negi. Mana and Hakase-san followed too." Konoka mentioned.
"She was with Negi, hmm?"
"Yep."
"...I didn't even know he was around." Asuna mumbled, a hint of dejection laced in her voice. Chamo and Konoka caught it and almost felt sorry for her. She usually wouldn't show it but she had grown attached to the young magi and now that he was hardly around she was beginning to feel what was missing everyday. The three continued on in silence the rest of the way until they finally reached the dorm hall and entered. As soon as their dorm room door was in sight Asuna caught sight of the yellow "post it" with Negi's named marked on it on the floor.
"Is someone inside out room?" Konoka asked, cocking her head to the side.
"I think so!" Asuna replied as she ran to their door, which was slightly ajar. She pushed the door open and flinched when she found Chachamaru and Negi clearing out his little room beside their bunk bed. Chachamaru helped Negi pack things in to some odd little box that sucked up whatever they held over it while Chachazero sat on the bunk bed writing down whatever they packed. To say that Asuna was in a state of shock wouldn't clarify explain her feelings. Konoka entered the room quickly to find out what was going on and gasped at the unwelcome sight as well.
"Chachama-N-negi-bozu?!" Asuna stammered in surprise. Negi and Chachamaru turned when she called their names and the young magi froze like a deer caught in the high beams of a car. Asuna then proceeded to approach the two and placed her hands on her hips. "J-just what are you two doing?!"
"I am assisting Negi-kun with his belongings. The mistress wishes for him to live with her for the remainder fo the festival." Chachamaru answered monotonously.
"Eva-san want Negi to do what?!"
"Live with her." Chachazero clarified for her. Asuna's eyes locked on to Negi and she sneered at him feraly. Both of her hands closed in to tight fists and she felt like knocking the books in his hand down to the floor.
"Wh-why was I not told anything about this?!" Asuna demanded to know.
"The mistr-"
"I want to hear it from Negi's mouth!" Asuna cut off Chachamaru with a glare. She set her sights back on her room mate and she asked, "Well?! Are you going to say something or are we going to be staring at each other all night?!"
"Well...Asuna-san...you see..." Negi stumbled over his words slowly. "...This is only temporary! I won't be living with her permanently." He felt his chest collapse when he saw Asuna try to wipe away a tear before it left her right eye. She was trying hard not to allow her emotions to get the best of her.
"Ever since we got back from Kyoto this is all I've been getting from you Negi." Asuna started off coldly. "You say that I'm not part of 'your world' when you and I have been sticking together since your first day at this campus. Why the sudden change in attitude? I mean...you're just getting farther now."
I'm not trying to push you away on purpose Asuna-chan...it's just that somehow I think this might be for the best. At least until I can find a way to suppress this thirst of mine without resorting to drinking Eva-san's blood.
"I'm not getting farther..." Was Negi's only response.
"From the looks of it...you were trying to move out before I could come home."
"You don't underst-"
"Is this really true? Are you actually going to leave us Negi-kun?" Konoka asked with a quiver in her voice. She forced a smile to cross her lips. "...You still like us right? I mean-"
"Of course I still like you and Asuna! Like I said, this is only temporary!" Negi dropped his books in to the box and climbed down to Asuna and Konoka's level. "I'll be back! I promise!" Before Negi could react Asuna grabbed him roughly by the shoulders and pulled him to her. When she wrapped her arms around him she rested her chin on his head.
"I'm going to keep your name posted on our plaque." Asuna opened her left hand to see the crumpled up post it in her hand and dropped it to the floor. "But from now on I don't want to be kept in the dark about what you're doing with Evangeline. I want you to talk to me. I want you to confide in me."
"Asuna..."
"And you better make the best of your stay with her while you can." Asuna held Negi away from her and he saw her frown turn in to a forced grin. "Because I'm participating in the tournaments with Setsuna so watch out. I'm going to be facing you on that ring! Just wait!"
"Alright then!" Negi replied with a smile. He looked to Chamo who was still perched on Asuna's shoulder and asked, "Are you coming with me Chamo-kun?"
The ermine shivered at the thought of spending a few weeks in Evangeline's house and shook his head. He'd already had more than enough unpleasant experiences with the vampire to know that she didn't really like him. She even threatened to eat him once and that was all he needed to hear to hear in order to take a hint. He waved his paw casually and answered, "I'm fine with just visiting you big brother. I'm sure you don't want me to end up missing in the middle of the night."
"I understand." Negi replied with a knowing chuckle before turning to face Chachamaru when she tapped him on the shoulder to confirm that she was done packing his things in to the box. It shrunk to it's original size so she would be able to hold in in her hand. "You jotted everything down Chachazero?" He asked his the puppet as she flipped the notepad in her hand closed.
"Yes master Negi!" she chirped proudly before holding out her hands so he could grab her. When he propped her back on his head he turned back to Asuna, and Konoka with a smile. "I'll be sure to visit you, or maybe you could come see me, you know?"
"Heh, whatever you say squirt." Asuna replied sarcastically, but Konoka practically glomped the boy and cried out, "Of course we'll visit you Negi-kun!" The girl looked to Chachamaru with a stern expression gracing her face and went on, "You better make sure he doesn't get hurt!"
"I will." Chachamaru assured her.
"Good." Asuna said with a faltering grin. "N-now get going."
"Take care Albert!" Chachazero told the ermine with a wave.
"Same to you Zero!" Chamo bided her farewell.
"Take care Asuna-san, and you too Konoka!" With that final farewell Negi and Chachamaru left the dorm room all to Asuna and Konoka; the door closing with a reverberating "clank" that reminded Asuna of how quiet it got when Negi was gone. She looked up at the personal space she prepared for him with the shelves bare of the books and artifacts he had with that one picture of Nagi and his comrades with a dispassionate expression and bowed her head.
"Asuna-chan...are you alright?" Konoka asked, placing a hand on her shoulder. Asuna didn't answer immediately but she finally perked up and replied, "O-of course I'm alright! Now I won't have to worry about that little brat for a while!" She placed her hand on Konoka's and walked to the kitchen.
"I'm going to get something to eat."
Turning our attention to Evangeline's residence...
Evangeline lay across on her living room couch looking up at the ceiling above. What occupied the vampiress's mind right now were random thoughts with no real conclusion. A state of pure boredom, one would call it if they were observing her right now. Her little snack earlier when she sucked on Negi's thumb managed to suppress her thirst, however, it brought upon something else that lingered deep within her. She couldn't help but wonder if she enjoyed it...not just the taste of his blood but rather the feeling of touching him so intimately.
"God, I have to stop thinking about it already." Evangeline muttered as she ran one of her hands down her face. She could deny all she wanted to but it was becoming clear even to her that she was beginning to develop a sort of attachment for Negi. Whether it was just because he reminded her of his father or if it was simply because she was genuinely falling for him was unclear. Her thoughts and emotions were mingling on a level that she had not experienced for a long time and before she knew it her face was practically burning. She caressed one of her cheeks to clarify what was happening and she gasped. "Is the thought of boya actually making me...blush?"
There was a knock at the door and the vampiress whipped her head in it's direction. She could sense Negi behind it and she bit her lip, making it bleed much to her annoyance. "I have to stop doing this to myself." She got up from the couch and walked to the door, sucking on her lips tp keep her blood from dripping down to her chin. She opened the door to reveal Chachamaru and Negi standing beside each other.
"We are home." Chachamaru announced as she entered with Negi. She gave Negi the box that held all of his things and grabbed ahold of his hand. "Come with me Negi-kun. I will lead you to your new room."
Chachamaru just called him Negi-ku- "Hold on Chachamaru!" Evangeline told her partner before she could lead Negi anywhere." She walked to Negi and placed a hand on his shoulder before saying, "I will take boya to his new room. Why don't you prepare some tea for us for after we're done training?"
Oddly enough, Chachamaru was reluctant in letting go of Negi's hand, however, she nodded to her mistress and replied, "Very well. I will prepare the tea." She slipped her hand off of Negi's and headed to the kitchen.
"Lets go." Evangeline ordered Negi, gesturing from him to follow her. Negi nodded before following her up the stairs to the second floor and in to the hallway. Negi started to get rather nervous once they passed the first two doors of the hallway and asked, "What are in those rooms anyway master?"
"One room is for Chachamaru while the other is my study room." Evangeline replied.
"Your study?" Negi questioned.
"Where I read through my spell books of course." Evangeline replied as she rolled her eyes. They passed another room and Negi inquired about it as well. "That is the washroom. Really, why are you asking so many questions boya?"
"...C-call it a nervous habit." Negi replied. Evangeline finally stopped at the very room before her own and opened the door. It was vacant inside with the exception of a bookshelf and a dresser. Chachamaru already told him that those would be provided.
"Alright then. Unpack and meet me in the resort when you're finished."
"Yes master."
"...And Negi?"
"Yes master?"
"Stop being so nervous...it annoys me." With those words Evangeline left. Negi blinked a few times and scratched his head in confusion before mentally smacking himself across the head for being so incredibly stupid! He forgot that Evangeline and him were telepathically bonded and all he could think about while he was following her to his new room was the vampiress ambushing him as he slept!
"Man that was rude of me! Now master is mad at me!" Negi cried out.
"And you have training with her next." Chachazero reminded him. "We might as well unpack master Negi. It'll go by faster if we hurry with your room."
"I guess you're right Chachazero." Negi said, slumping his shoulders. He set the small box down on the floor and tapped the orb that the bat held to make it grow in size. It opened to reveal a swirling void inside and Negi plunged his hand inside. "Do you have the notepad?"
"Yes master!" The puppet replied as she pulled out her tiny notepad.
"Alright then. Read me what's on the list."
"You have the Gun artifact." she read aloud, and he pulled it out.
"Whoa, this actually works!" Negi exclaimed happily. "This is so cool!"
"Eva-san does have some useful artifacts."
"She sure does!"
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Training with Evangeline...
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"It's too bad she's such a meanie." Negi grumbled to Chachazero who took her respective place on top of his head.
"Master forgets that Eva-san can read his thoughts." Chachazero replied, pointing at the vampiress who whipped her head in Negi's direction with an annoyed expression.
"Oh...yeah. I keep on forgetting that." Negi chuckled nervously.
"Can you stop dawdling already Negi?!" Evangeline growled.
"Y-yes master!" Negi stiffened when the vampiress summoned her cloak with a snap of her finger and a flock of bats flew to her before materializing in to what she desired. When the cloak rested around her shoulders where it was meant to be she approached Negi and held her hand out.
"Hand over the book boya." She ordered.
"Yes master!" He reached in to his mage cloak and handed her the book.
"Good." Evangeline looked over his entire body with a look of disapproval and raised an eyebrow. "Would you take off the magister cloak boya? You're supposed to be donning a vampiric cloak."
"Well...I wear it because my fath-"
"For training I would like you to wear what I want you to wear okay?" Evangeline cut him off. Negi nodded dejectedly and took of his cloak before leaving it on one of the beach chairs. He ran back beside her again and she snapped again to summon his cloak. The flock of bats appeared again to materialize in to his own cloak and she nodded in satisfaction at her handy work.
He looks good with that on. I wonder how Nagi would have looked like with my cloak on. Evangeline felt herself start to blush again and turned away before Negi could catch it. "Alright then boya. I trust that you've at least read the first two pages of the book."
"I've read an entire chapter already actually." Negi replied much to the vampiress's surprise.
"Well, well. There might just be hope for you after all." Evangeline said with another satisfied nod. "Lets start with the basics of conjuring the darkness shall we? Are you afraid boya?"
"Well, maybe ju-"
"Not that I care." Evangeline cut him off again much to Negi's dismay. "Now, remember that since you are using a different art of magic you will have to call upon a different release key." Evangeline smiled deviously. "One that will allow you to call upon the darkness of course."
"I don't know any release keys that will let me tap in to that sort of energy master." said Negi, feeling discouraged. "W-was there supposed to be something in that book related to release keys of that manner?!"
"Calm down boya. Since you are my disciple I will allow you to adapt my own release key. You should be honored."
"I-I a-am! I'm very grateful for this master!" Negi thanked her. "So...how does it go again?" His question made Evangeline almost face fault. She closed both of her hands in to tight fists and walked up to him quickly with an unbelieving expression.
"You mean, you don't even remember?!" The vampiress asked.
"...No." Negi replied hesitantly. "I mean...it's not like I really listen for that every time you attack me with a spell!"
Evangeline blinked...For once the boy actually made some sense...
"Alright. I'll forgive you this once." Evangeline said calmly with a sigh. "First step is to tap in to your passion."
"My passion?"
"For instance, what drives you to fight even when you're beaten down? Think of what is pushing you to become stronger."
...Father...
"Interesting." Evangeline said in a whisper when she felt a change in Negi's aura. "Now I want you to keep that feeling in mind. Is that understood?"
"Yes master."
"Now repeat after me, and really concentrate when you do!"
"Yes master!"
"Lic lac la lac lilac." When Evangeline was done chanting the breeze in the resort started to get stronger and her hair started to flow around her body gracefully. Negi almost lost his concentration watching her. She turned to him when she didn't hear him repeat after her and asked, "Well, what are you waiting for boya?"
"Lic lac la lac lilac..." chanted Negi with a little reluctance in his voice. He flinched when he felt an odd flow surrounding his entire body. It felt heavy and eerie but for some reason it still felt like a concentration of wind was flowing between him and Evangeline.
"My body feels much lighter." Chachazero remarked cheerfully.
"Good. That means that boya's dark aura is being manifested at a higher level due to the key release. He's accumulating enough energy to transfer over to you." Evangeline crossed her arms over her chest and began to levitate. "You passed the first phase boya." Negi sighed when he heard that but he went alert again when Evangeline called his attention quickly. "Keep on concentrating!"
"Yes!"
"Now it's time to see what you're really capable at this level!" Evangeline aimed her palm toward the water and looked back at Negi. "Repeat after me again Negi!"
"I'm ready!"
"29 spirits of darkness come gather and shoot my enemy! Magic archer consecutive blast, twenty-nine spirits of darkness!" Negi had to brace himself when an enormous dark flow zeroed in on Evangeline and the wind kicked up before reversing abruptly when she unleashed her spell. He stood his ground when the wind pulled everything toward the explosion of the blasts and the large body of water in the resort rose in to the air before it all came crashing back down. Negi had to kick off from the sand and take flight when the water came his way. He remembered that he left his magister cloak on one of the beach chairs and dived for it just before the water engulfed the shore and snatched it up just in time!
"Whew...that was close!" Negi sighed in relief, clutching the cloak to his chest.
"Now you do it boya!" Evangeline ordered him.
"Alright but..." He paused as he gestured with the hand he held the cloak in and Evangeline snatched it out of his hands. "...W-wait!"
"I'm not going to do anything to it boya. Just do as I tell you."
"Yes master." He replied before narrowing his eyes as he concentrated again. He, however, pointed his palm upwards towards the sky before chanting. When he finished the incantation he unleashed the spell but he pulled his hand back quickly in fright causing the twenty-nine blasts to shoot at random directions!
"What the heck was that?!" Evangeline cried out in aggravation. "Why did you do that?!"
"I w-wasn't sure how to react master! I-I've never conjured the dark arts before!" Negi replied, his hands trembling. Evangeline flew to him and positioned herself behind him before slipping on his magister cloak so she wouldn't have anything in her hands. She placed both of her hands over his and guided him with her own body.
"Master?"
"Just calm down." Evangeline quieted him calmly. "Now follow my movements." They were both in synch as she released their power, "Lic lac la lac lilac." Both vampires chanted together as Evangeline guided his hands so they were both pointing up to the sky.
"Try to keep up boya."
"Yes master."
"Darkness obey, a blizzard, ice and snow of the night." Evangeline gripped Negi's hands in her own tightly as she prepared to unleash the spell. "Blizzard of Darkness!" Both wizards cried out at once. Evangeline was surprised to hear him say it at the exact time she chanted it and almost lost focus as the powerful spell surged throughout the entire resort. She felt Negi slump in fatigue and held him close so he wouldn't fall.
"I'm amazed boya. How did you know that last part?" Evangeline asked, raising an eyebrow.
"How could I forget a chant as dangerous as that one?" Negi joked weakly making Chachazero giggle evilly. "I think it took a lot out of me though."
"That's to be expected." Evangeline replied. "I guess that will be all for tonight."
Negi dried himself as he walked out of the shower. After he was done drying himself thoroughly he hung the towel on one of the racks near the towel closet before rubbing his sore shoulder. He reached for his pajamas, which were resting on the toilet seat and slipped his pants and shirt on. He inwardly groaned as he did because his body still felt weak and somewhat numb from discharging so much energy all at once.
"Training is starting to get a little more stressful." Negi mumbled to no one in particular as he opened the bathroom door leading out ot Evangeline's bedroom. His eyes darted toward the bed and he shrugged his shoulders when he didn't find Evangeline sleeping in it. He figured she was just downstairs in the living room having a drink or whatever she did at this time. Walking to his room, however, changed that when he saw her sitting on his futon in wait with Chachazero by her side doing the same. He ran his hands through his damp hair as he blinked at the sight of her and asked, "Is there something wrong master?"
"No, nothing at all boya." The vampiress replied as she stood up from his futon and walked past him, stopping just as they were back to back. "I was just looking through your artifact collection earlier. I remember seeing you utilize them against me when we had our second confrontation. Anyway, goodnight."
"Goodnight." Negi returned the farewell but he heard the door to her room close behind him before he could finish. "That was weird." The young magister said quietly as he shut the door to his own room and walked to his futon. He crawled in to it and pulled the covers over himself as Chachazero turned off the light and joined him in the futon. She squeezed herself in to his arms and snuggled up close.
"Goodnight Chachazero."
"Goodnight master." The puppet said before allowing her eyes to click shut. He closed his eyes as well and allowed the darkness to swallow him.
There was a peaceful silence as the young magi slept...until the door to his room opened slightly. Evangeline poked her head in and stared at her disciple's sleeping form without a word, and for a moment if someone had a good look at her, the hungry look on her face would have been as clear as daylight...
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The next day in class...
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The girls in the class were talking amongst each other feverishly as the news about Negi's new living arrangements started to spread like wildfire. Some of the girls occupying the dorm beside Asuna and Konoka's own dorm room heard the commotion last night and soon the whole school had knowledge about it as well. Negi, Evangeline, Chachamaru, Asuna, Konoka, and Ayaka weren't present in the class at the moment however so they had no idea what awaited them.
"So Negi-sensei isn't living with Asuna or Konoka anymore?!" Ako asked Haruna as the gossiping girl went away with Chizuru and Yuna. The artist instantly turned her attention away from the two other girls much to their displeasure and focused on Ako.
"Yeah, that's right! I heard that he went to live with Mcdowell and Chachamaru!" Haruna replied excitedly as she adjusted her glasses, which were on the verge of falling.
"With Evangeline?!" Ako asked in disbelief. "Who came up with this new living arrangement anyway?!"
"Don't know." Haruna replied just as the door to the class opened and Asuna and Konoka walked in to the classroom. Both girls came to a halt when the entire class went silent and the eyes of every other girl in the room turned to them. Asuna and Konoka looked back at their classmates and before anyone knew it there was some sort of staring contest in session. The red head finally got tired of being regarded so oddly and asked, "What's up?"
There was a deathly silence until the door opened again and Ayaka entered the class. Almost instantly all hell broke loose when Ku-Fei asked, "It true what others say about Negi-sensei?" Those words got Ayaka's attention immediately.
"What about sensei?" The class president asked.
"Negi supposedly moved out of Asuna and Konoka's dorm." Kazumi answered.
"WHAT?!" Ayaka turned upon Asuna and grabbed ahold of her shirt roughly. "What have you done to Negi-sensei?!"
"I didn't do anything to Negi!" Asuna yelled back at Ayaka, locking her hands around the class president's own hands to get them off her. "Hey, get your hands off of me!"
"Why has he moved out of your dorm room." Ayaka smirked when something truly evil came to mind. "Has he finally realized what a terrible guardian you are?"
"What did you say?!" Asuna snapped after hearing that last tongue lash and took Ayaka down to the floor. Both girls wrestled on the floor, tearing at each others uniform while the other girls in the class rose from their seats and struggled to break them apart from each other before the fight could get any worse. They all froze in place when the door opened and Negi walked in with Chachamaru and Evangeline.
"Swenshei? Ishat oo'" Ayaka tried to say despite the way Asuna was stretching her cheeks from end to end.
"Nwegi! Twellem wa ish goin o'!" Asuna cried out as Ayaka tried to stretch out her lips.
"What's going on here?!" Negi asked in horror. "Would you two stop fighting?!" Both girls let go of each other and got back to their feet, soothing their bruises when they were given the chance. Negi stood in between them to keep them from striking at each other again and asked, "What is the meaning of all this commotion anyway?"
"Word is you're not living with Asuna and Konoka anymore!" replied Sakurako, trying to squeeze out from between Fuka and Fumika.
"Is it true that you, Mcdowell, and Chachamaru are living together?!" Madoka asked excitedly. Negi looked between his master and the girls when he was asked that question and finally answered, "Er, yeah." He heard Nodoka, Yue, Makie and Ku-Fei gasp when they heard him answer and he massaged the back of his neck nervously. This seriously wasn't the way he wanted to start his day. He heard the other girls murmur amongst themselves a little more and he concluded that today's class was going to be a challenge.
"Come on everyone! Get settled down please!" The girls didn't hear him the first time so head had to repeat himself a little louder the second time to get their attention. "Lets start class!" All the girls groaned and whined when they heard hi announcement and gradually got settled in to their seat and brought out their English books. Evangeline and Chachamaru took their usual seat in the back of the room and brought out their English books for the class as well, however, there was a major difference in the atmosphere of the class room as they started to notice the eyeballs that were stealing glances at them.
"I'm assuming that Kagurazaka made a scene last night when she found out that boya was moving out." Evangeline said to Chachamaru as she rested her chin on her left hand.
"Yes." Chachamaru replied.
"...Predictable."
Later that night...
Evangeline pulled her hair over her shoulders so it wouldn't get in the way of Negi's hands and she leaned forward. Negi squeezed the back scrubber to release any of the excess water that was absorbed inside and placed the scrubber against the tiny vampire's back before running it up and down. A soft moan of pleasure escaped her lips and the young magister felt her shoulders relax. She obviously had a lot of tension built up.
"Um, master? Did Chachamaru scrub your back before?" Negi asked curiously. He saw Evangeline turn her head slightly to regard him and continued scrubbing.
"No. You're the first." Evangeline answered. "Be honored boya. You are the first midian to be given the privilege of touching me so intimately." Negi felt himself blush at her words, said with such sultry tones and the vampiress chuckled. "You blush very easily boya. I can see that you aren't used to teasing very much."
"...No."
"Get used to it."
"A-alright." Negi scrubbed her back a little more, lightening up a bit as thoughts wandered through his mind and he asked, "Master? I've been wanting to ask you something for a long time."
"What is it?" Evangeline asked.
"...How is it that my father managed to defeat you?" Negi asked...needless to say this wasn't the best of questions to ask. This was especially true when you were alone in a shower chamber, scrubbing the back of a very dangerous wizard who just happens to know almost everything about you.
...Silence...
"You know what? I guess I shouldn't have asked that." Negi said quickly, scrubbing a little faster.
"Not a really wise question to ask at all boya." Evangeline said in a deathly soft voice. She suddenly rose from the shower stool she was sitting on much to Negi's growing fear and turned to face him before placing a hand on his shoulder and pinning him against the wet wall of the chamber. The vampiress could practically hear Negi's heartbeat accelerate when she did this and smiled deviously. She loved the cute look on his face whenever he was scared.
"So, why do you want to know boya?" Evangeline asked with a cruel smirk. She leaned over so that her nose brushed against his. "I find it so odd that you would ask me such a question right now when I'm a little vulnerable. Me having my back towards you and all."
"What d-do you mean master? I was j-just curious!" Negi cried out in fear. He watched the way her eyes wandered over his neck and his body went rigid.
"What are you getting so scared for Negi?" Evangeline allowed her hand to fall from his shoulder and she crossed her arms. "I was just messing with ya'. I can understand why you would be so curious. The "Thousand Master" was your father and all." She watched Negi clutch his chest as he steadied his heart and giggled.
"...I mean...you're so powerful!" Negi praised her. "I just don't see how he was able to defeat you!"
"Don't try to win me with flattery boya. Besides..." Her eyes narrowed at him playfully as she took a few steps away from him. "...If I recall, you already had the audacity to peek in to my dreams before. There is no other dream that haunts me as much as my defeat at his hands."
"Y-yeah...but I still don't understand. You could've-"
"Gotten out of the leak soup?" Evangeline cut him off with a scoff.
"...Well...what's wrong with that?" Negi asked stupidly.
"Besides the fact he could have blasted me with a spell of his own while I'm open?" Evangeline turned her head to the side with a creeping blush and continued, "You father knew some very personal things about me and that's the reason he was my most formidable adversary. You see.." Evangeline turned to him and started to approach him. "...Your father and I had a few talks while we traveled together in the past." The vampiress started off, neglecting to mention that Nagi was usually on the run from her and she was always pursuing him.
"Talks about what?" asked Negi.
"Just talks boya. Let's not get in to detail, huh?" Evangeline responded with a frown. "Anyway, in one of our talks I just happened to allow the embarrassing fact that I can't swim, slip out."
"Ohhhh yeah." Negi mused on, remembering Chachamaru's words to him as Evangeline fell from the campus bridge at the climax of their second engagement. "That's all?" Negi had quite the knack to say the wrong things to the wrong people it would seem.
"WHAT?" Evangeline asked darkly, pinning Negi against the wall again. "Yeah, that's all boya. I don't know how to swim. Do you have anything to say about it?" Negi could already see the madness swirling in the tiny vampire's eyes, but for once he was about to say something that would make Evangeline blink.
"I could teach you how to swim if you want." Negi offered calmly.
...Evangeline blinked...
"Teach me how to swim?" Evangeline asked, recovering from his words.
"Y-yeah. It'll be fun!" Negi exclaimed cheerfully.
"Fun?"
"Yep!"
"Fun?"
"Yeah."
"Drag me out in to a large body of water and I'll have fun watching you writhe in agony." The vampiress retorted with a scoff.
"But why not?!" Negi asked feeling a little disappointed.
"Do you really thing I would put my life in your hands? What'll you do if I drown?!" She inwardly felt bad when she felt the hurt in Negi when she said those words.
"...Chachamaru will be there to make sure you don't!" Negi perked up immediately. "So will you let me do it?"
"...I'll think about it." Evangeline finally said before taking her seat on the shower stool again. "Now scrub my back. I don't think you were putting much effort in to it earlier with all the conversation."
"Y-yes master!"
"S-so...how do you thing Negi is doing at Evangeline's house?" Konoka suddenly asked Asuna as she turned away from her homework. She watched as Asuna climbed down from Negi's former space in the dorm room and walk to the couch.
"I just hope he doesn't die in there."
To be continued...
A little short, maybe? Don't worry, there will be a bit more focus on Negi's life in Evangeline's house later, and the festival arc is going to start soon. The next chapter will lead in to it!
Until then, see ya...
Traingham...