Whoop, sorry for the filler chapter. Next chapter is also a filler, although you WILL learn more about the 'Fortune' mentioned briefly here. Then we're back in with the action and romance!

Until then, Ciao~

Raven

Disclaimer: I do not own Assassination Classroom. I only own Mika and Ida.

PS: The name 'Chiyoko' in this chapter has a meaning for later on :P

Nagisa couldn't even begin to describe the hate he felt doing this. However, if he wanted to go out, he had little choice. At least there would be a reason for using a headwrap – it was the very first day of May, and the sun was strong. He could say he was using it to keep the sun out of his eyes. Even if he didn't feel right, though, he would still go out. The meeting with those reapers – Karma and Nakamura, if he remembered correctly – was still bugging him. Not only had Koro-sensei trained both 'species'… he had also lied. On the other hand, he had saved Nagisa's life. He didn't think that Koro-sensei would willingly get into an argument, much less with a student of his. Although, Nagisa could be wrong though.

He picked a dress off the hanger. Whilst many of the female angels wore dresses, they always wore a pair of felt shorts underneath, and never flew too high, if at all. However, this dress… It was one of the ones Nagisa disliked the most.

However, it was the one that would help him blend in the most.

No one would expect the prince to be wearing a pink dress with his hair down, would they?

With a sigh, the prince slipped it on. The silk was soft, but to him it was fire. It burned his skin with every movement. He hated it. Yet, it was a requirement. Light pink, with darker sleeves and buttons down the chest. It gathered at the waist and frilled. He felt like he was bound in chains by his mother – the one who brought him this. If only she could see him now. Maybe she'd be satisfied for a while.

Ready to go, Nagisa tossed a cloak around himself, hiding his wings before opening the balcony doors. After checking no one was below him, he dropped, making sure his wings were still able to flap, he glided to the floor before landing just outside the gates. He tucked the cloak tighter around him and headed into the city, bound for a certain destination.

Isogai lived near the outskirts of the city, but still close enough to the marketplace to be able to walk there without having to fly. It was a perfect destination. Pushing his way into the marketplace, he looked around quickly. He pulled the coat tighter still around him, hiding the tips of his hair. Whilst he may be disguised, blue hair really wasn't that hard to find. He just hoped to keep attention off him. That really wasn't hard. The marketplace was crowded – angels calling out deals, horses being taken around with merchandise piled on their backs, angel children crying, and sketchy characters dodging around trying to swipe what they could. This was Kunugigaoka. It was hectic. Nagisa was glad that he lived in leisure at these times. He wouldn't want to be struggling like this. He knew this wasn't the worst though.

As he exited the marketplace and headed further away from the centre, the housed became smaller and more run-down. The streets were no longer looked after, and the wildlife and fresh grass that used to line them was now absent. The air even seemed dirtier. The angels here seemed more… desperate. Their eyes were hollowed. This was poverty. This was what Nagisa wanted to get rid of when he became King. He wanted to make life fairer. To lift the poverty that was suffocating Isogai and Maehara.

With a sharp rap, he knocked on the door to Isogai's house. Something was heard through the door, and Nagisa raised his eyebrows. A moment later, Yuuma pushed the door open, and Nagisa jumped back to avoid contact.
"Oh, hey, Nagisa!" Yuuma smiled, but a bead of sweat was on his forehead, "This probably isn't a great time…"
"Yeah, sorry, I didn't know." Nagisa winced as a cry echoed from the house.
"Sorry, that was my sister…" Isogai sighed, "Imouto isn't well again – it's the third time these past six months alone. She was never strong anyways. Doesn't help that she's only seven."
"How about your brother? He's 10, right?"
"Yeah, and he's started pick-pocketing as well." Isogai sighed, his brow scrunching up. Nagisa sighed. He hated seeing his friends like this.
"Look, stay here." Isogai nodded, "I'll get Otouto to look after her and Okaasan. I'll get those spare clothes for you, as well. That dress doesn't suit you very well." He disappeared, and Nagisa sighed quietly. At least he could get out of this dress.

Isogai returned a little while later. In his arms were a set of small clothes, for him. Looks like they were his old ones – surely his ten year old brother wasn't Nagisa's height yet… hopefully?
"Alright, I'm ready to go now." Isogai nodded, "Sorry, but all I could find were my mother's old clothes – so it's a girls top. Still trousers though. Sorry…"
"Don't apologise, it is fine." Nagisa smiled, "Besides, at least in girl's clothing people won't think I'm the prince straight away."
"Fair point." Isogai nodded walking forward, pulling his door shut behind him. Nagisa went with him, as the duo slipped into the wreckage beside his house. Handing the clothing to Nagisa, he slipped away to change.

"So, everything's about the same around here?" Nagisa and Isogai were walking side by side around Isogai's block. The winding streets were quiet, apart from the occasional rushing family.
"Pretty much." Isogai nodded, "Nothing has changed at all. Although I think my job helping out at that stall is starting to pay off – it looks like I won't be going anywhere for a while."
"That's awesome!" Nagisa grinned.
"Definitely! I can actually start paying the bills for my mother's care." Isogai's eyes shone at such a weight being lifted from his shoulders. It actually made Nagisa feel sympathy and such a small luxury exciting him. He never had to worry about things like that.
"I already told you, I can help you." Nagisa inputted.
"No, don't worry Nagisa," Isogai said, shaking his head, "I don't want to rely off other people's charity."
"But –"
"No, Nagisa. It's fine." Isogai smiled, and Nagisa looked down, ashamed. However, he looked up again a moment later hearing a cry.
"What was that?" He asked.
"Hm?" Isogai hesitated before his eyes widened, "I hear it now… Sounds like a child?"
"Should we go and see?" Nagisa suggested. Isogai nodded and the two set off at a brisk pace around the suburbs.

They found the source of the noise a few minutes later. They just turned into a particularly dark and winding pathway when they came across two angels, towering over a small child. She didn't look to be more than nine, and her pink hair was knotted. There was one thing that bothered Nagisa though… the child's wings were black, with bright pink talons. She was a reaper; yet she was within the capital of the angels. Why?
"Hey!"
"Isogai, don't –"
"Leave the girl alone!" He walked forwards, and the two angels turned to look at him. Nagisa stopped and widened his eyes. No way… Nagisa recognised the female. He certainly didn't have Kanzaki pinned down as this type. She was watching, her arms crossed. Her male companion was harassing the child, who looked as if she wanted to be anywhere but where she was pathetically cowering.
"Who are you to stop me?" The guy turned around. Kanzaki also looked over, and Nagisa noticed her do a double take. She clearly recognised him, but thankfully she didn't mention it. He was already embarrassed enough at being caught; having this being spread around would mean that there would be no end to the teasing.
"This isn't right!" Isogai cried back.
"She isn't supposed to be here!" The guy snapped at him.
"She's only a child." Nagisa calmly interjected, although his voice trembled.
"Oh, and who are you?" He turned to Nagisa, who hesitated, "I know Isogai but not you, although you do like familiar."
"Her name is Chiyoko." Isogai said almost immediately. Nagisa jumped at the lack of stopping.
"Child of a thousand generations, huh?" Kanzaki this time, her voice littered with humour. Nagisa made sure to glare at her.
"Look, just leave the child alone, reaper children tend to stray here. I see them a lot." Isogai shrugged.
"So they shouldn't!" The guy snapped.
"Hey, leave them alone!" Nagisa couldn't help interjecting.
"Oh, should I?" He cackled, shoving the shoulder of the small child. With a startled cry, she fell to the ground.
"Let's just cut it out. I didn't really want to be here anyway." Kanzaki looked at her companion who hesitated before sighing.
"Yeah, fine, alright." He took off without a word. Kanzaki looked at the duo.
"Nagisa, company, sorry about that." She bowed her head slightly.
"Kanzaki Yukiko, right?" Isogai asked. Kanzaki nodded,
"I didn't realise what he was doing – I'm sorry, I'll leave the child to you, is that okay?" She asked, tilting her head. After hesitation, the two boys nodded.
"Thank you. For the record… Chiyoko is a very nice name for you, Nagisa~" Kanzaki laughed lightly before taking to the wing and gliding away.

"So what's your name?" Isogai had walked over to the girl – Nagisa hadn't even seen him move.
"S-Sakura…" She whispered quietly, getting to her feet.
"Sakura, what are you doing here?" Isogai asked. Nagisa looked at the child. Skeletal and starved, she was clearly struggling just to stay on her feet.
"I'm sorry… I… I was just trying to f-find some food –"Sakura suddenly stopped, "Don't throw me in the dungeons, please!" She begged, jumping forward. Her eyes shone with fear and worry.
"Woah, don't worry!" Isogai raised his hands, "Chiyoko and I won't do anything!" Nagisa winced at the female name again. Yet, he knew he could do nothing about it, especially in the clothing he was wearing.
"O-Okay… sorry for bothering you! I'll go home now!" Sakura quickly backed off before flapping her little wings and rushing off.
"Wait!" Isogai sighed, "She's gone. I hope she wasn't injured too badly."
"Great…" Nagisa sighed in response.
"Problem?" Isogai asked tilting his head.
"Yeah… can I get out of these clothes soon? Chiyoko will not and never will exist!"

"I'm telling you, I saw her." Two reapers were perched on the edge of a rock – a mountain was shading the sun and therefore them. They were watching over a gathering of some young warriors, fighting and training. All were around their ages, and they even knew some of their friends were in the mix – Karma and Nakamura included.
"No child could have survived that high. Not on her own."
"Chiba, when have I lied to you?"
"I understand that, Hayami, but still… I'm sceptical." Chiba turned to look at his green-eyed companion.
"Would I be able to describe her just as well if I was making her up? Would I make her up? I'm not like that, and you know that." Hayami reassured her taller companion.
"I suppose so." Chiba nodded, "Besides, we've been going there a while. Surely this sort of thing would hint at some connection – like to the Fortune."
"Possibly." Hayami nodded before turning her attention to the reapers below her.

"Hey, Karma, look." Nakamura jabbed her elbow into the redhead's ribs. He looked down at her blonde friend, who quickly pointed something out. Karma raised an eyebrow. He didn't think Hazama would be allowed. Yet, here she was, and hanging out with her former gang 'friend' nonetheless.
"Heh, well, I didn't think a brute like Terasaka would be allowed to train." Karma replied coolly. Hearing, the buff reaper looked over, his eyes wide and full of anger. His brown talons twitched.
"Why don't you go say that to my face, huh?" He raged. He stormed closer, but Karma didn't back down, despite Nakamura stepping back a little. The redhead tightened his grip on the handle of his two knives he was holding.
"Say to what now, Terasaka? I don't see anything on that thing you call a face worth talking to!" Karma laughed light-heartedly. Terasaka growled and lunged, his fists in a rock-hard punch towards Karma's face.
"Terasaka!" Hazama, taken aback, walked forwards, however there was no need. Karma nimbly dodged backwards, his wings open slightly to steady himself. He then easily swung his knife forwards. Terasaka, not expecting a reaction from the golden-eyed teen, gasped as one of the knives cut his cheekbone. By now, the reapers around them had gone quiet.
"Well I don't know about you, but I vote we leave this argument behind, hai?" Karma chanted tauntingly. Terasaka widened his eyes. The bully reaper wasn't used to being talked to like this. Usually, others young and old bowed down to him! Never had they stood up against him like Karma was now. Sure, Terasaka expected little else from his cocky companion. Regardless, it still got on his nerves.

"I don't say so!" Terasaka snapped.
"Terasaka, please use that one single brain cell you have and think about this!" Nakamura smirked, tossing her hair over her shoulder. Terasaka stumbled, taken aback yet again.
"Well yeah, would you really want to get into a fight of which I believe you are bound to lose?" Karma waltzed over to Terasaka, "Or are you ready to become another shiny plaything to this puppet master? After all, are you going to have to pay the price for your lack of judgement?" Terasaka growled quietly.
"Look, just because you have a certain way with words does not mean I have to listen to you!" He snapped back.
"Nah, it doesn't." Karma nodded, "But it does mean that people believe me more over others, right?"
"Face it, Terasaka." Nakamura sighed, obviously bored, "You aren't going to win this long. Just run along with Hazama now." After hesitation, Terasaka turned, obviously thinking the better of fighting, walking back over to his poor, female companion.

"Nicely done." Karma looked up to see Hayami landing beside him. Looking up, he spotted Chiba still sitting on a rock nearby.
"Wow, I didn't even know you two were here!" Nakamura laughed lightly, and Hayami bowed her head.
"We've been watching for a while. You two are being watched." She replied. Karma looked around. Sure enough, reapers, whilst training, were taking sneaky glances at the duo.
"Respect, huh?" Nakamura smirked, "That's new. Most people wouldn't even give us a second glance before."
"Probably because they haven't seen your talent." Hayami added.
"Hey, they haven't seen your talent, or Chiba's." Karma suddenly spoke, to take the heat off him. Hayami widened her eyes in surprise.
"What do you mean by that?" Hayami asked, tilting her head.
"Neither of you have shot an arrow yet. You've just watched, have you not?" Karma said.
"Well, yes, but we haven't yet had the chance to showcase anything. Besides, I would rather not." Hayami noted, "I don't want to be valued for my talents, but rather the person I am."
"The person you are is shown by your talents, right?" Nakamura asked.
"Yes, maybe." Hayami nodded in response.
"So why don't you try?" Karma gave a cocky smile before spreading his wings and flying up, hovering a few feet above them.
"Come on, I'll hold targets and you shoot!" He taunted. Hayami shifted.
"Karma, this really isn't –"
"Hayami, go on, do it!" Nakamura grinned. With a defeated sigh, Hayami flew back up to the rock, where Chiba was waiting curiously.
"I tried to stop Karma, but…" Hayami landed beside her boyfriend, who just shook his head slightly.
"Don't worry about it." Chiba nodded, and the female reaper sighed. She swept down, grasping her arrow bag as Chiba mirrored it. Next to it laid her oak bow, patterned with swirls and dips to help her handgrip. Chiba's was made of a darker wood, with similar swirls, although not as many. As Hayami picked up her lightweight bow, a smile crept onto her lips. It felt amazing in her hand – as if she was the only one who could reveal its full power.
"You two ready?" Karma yelled from above. Turning silently, Hayami gave him a mute nod. With a smirk, Karma powered off in flight, swooping down and snatching several boards that some reapers were using as targets, much to their dismay. He flew up, holding a target in each hand, and with difficulty, a smaller one between his feet. Chiba raised his eyebrows, although undisturbed.

"GO!" Karma called. Hayami immediately notched an arrow and fired it, hitting a bullseye at the right target. Chiba copied firing to the left. Switching their aims, they fired at Karma as he swerved to the left, both yet again hitting slightly north of the target. By now, reapers were starting to look up taking notice. Karma flipped his two targets over, and the reapers once again shot. After a moment of hesitation, both teens shot again, and both targets flew out of Karma's hands. Without stopping, Hayami took another arrow, shooting it at the target between Karma's feet. It hit its mark perfectly, and flew from the redheads grasp. Karma stopped moving and settled to flapping on the spot, smiling slyly at them. Relaxing, the snipers looked at one another.

A stick snapped behind them.

Both of them were still on high alert, and at the sound of the stick, Chiba swiftly turned, pulling his bow string tight and shooting an arrow.

It just skimmed past Asano's wing.

Both snipers fell silent, and Chiba's arm slacked. The whole crowd of reapers below had stopped what they were doing and were staring at Gakushuu, Ryuu and Rinka. Silence echoed, tumbling across the battlefield like a tumbleweed.
"Asano, sir, I'm sorry I shot at you." Chiba broke the fragile silence, bowing his head. Hayami followed his lead.
"No, don't be." Asano nodded at them. Hayami widened her eyes, and Chiba tilted his head.
"You two possess great talent. It's a shame we didn't see it before now." Asano brushed past the duo, "We could put it to use here. I'll be sure to keep an eye on you two." He soundlessly took off, passing over the rest of the trainees before soaring into the sky.

After a little time of hesitation, the whole reaper group came under uproar. Cheers for the snipers, respect for Asano, compliments, gossip. Chiba and Hayami just looked at each other, and smiled slightly. Maybe revealing their talent wasn't such a bad idea after all.