Disclaimer:

Love Hina and Mahou Sensei Negima is the creative property of Ken Akamatsu, who created this wonderful anime/manga series. Shingetsugan Tsukihime and Fate/stay night is the creative property of TYPE-MOON. Anything not attributed to Akamatsu-san or TYPE-MOON belongs to their respective owners, such as references to Cowboy Bebop (the Swordfish II) that is a creation of Sunrise and Shinichiro Watanabe, BLEACH is a creation of Kubo Tite, and vice-versa. This story is written purely just for fun, guys; please for God's sake, don't sue me! I'm just a high school student with too much free time on his hands! On the other hand, any specific author created characters I created for this fic (despite how unoriginal they may be at times) are mine. So without further adieu, let's get on with the show!

The Surgeon General's Warning:

Read at your own risk. Multiple pairings inside folks, with KanaxKei and KanaxNegi, just to name a few! You never know what you're going to get so read on (I might even do some alternative stuff, if you know what I mean).

Blue Blue Glass Moon, Under the Crimson Air

The New Life at Mahora...

Chapter 57:

The New and Improved Class 2-A

A Love Magister Hina Negima! fanfic by James "Ray" Edwards

By some miracle, which defied her calculations that indicated such a phenomenon had a "00.000000000001" probability of occurring, Class 2-A actually managed to complete a full lesson cycle of English. With the appearance of Keitaro Urashima, a new "special assistant intern teacher," the previous tension in the air had disintegrated completely. Additionally, the grave dire threat of Kanako Urashima, who was the younger sister of Urashima-sensei, by her very presence and intentions had evaporated as well, the inherent danger shoved far back in the occupied minds of her classmates.

Earlier from her "box seat" in the back of the class, Chachamaru had observed the fiasco unfold, resolve many of the issues from the day before, and add a completely new slew of problems. As before mentioned, Kanako had been rendered nearly harmless now with her elder brother's presence, a surprising fact that excited many a stunned gasp and shocked shriek. In an instant, an impromptu press conference had suddenly sprung up, providing fuel for the gossip mill for likely months to come.

Keitaro Urashima was eighteen years old and single. Foolishly, he had hastily given away such confidential information under the frenzied barrage of questions being flung left and right at him. The facts had sent the girls squealing and giggling in delight, as cat calls rose up, remarking on how "CUTE!" he was and how they wanted to take him home and show him off to their friends. They wanted to know his hobbies, his likes, his dislikes, his dreams, and all sorts of information that was quickly driving the unfortunate fellow into a corner.

Of course, Chachamaru's situational analysis protocol contended this was a very fortunate turn of events for a young male his age. After all, he had just become the hot new talk of the school (or would be very shortly once Kazumi Asakura got him on the front page of the school newspaper), and understandably, the hottest commodity for the foreseeable next two months. Though, she imagined the young gentlemen across campus over at Mahora Academy's "Mahora Boys' Junior High" were not going to take the news well...for various competitive reasons.

Interestingly, throughout this entire drama, Kanako had been entirely powerless to stop the frenzied mob of girls from accosting her elder brother, who was teetering visibly on the edge of panic. Some manner of inner conflict seemed to be preventing her from acting, her hazel brown eyes flashing with emotion that had paralyzed her effectively, while she debated the issue (and/or issues). This was equaled by the flustered reluctance of Setsuna Sakurazaki, who was red as a tomato, and just as helpless, glancing between both her newly revealed acquaintances. Her presence and the revelation that went along with it in this growing plot was unexpected and an utter surprise.

Chachamaru expected that her Mistress would launch an investigation into these developments as soon as possible without fail.

And though it was pure teenage insanity, thanks to Keitaro's "noble" sacrifice, Negi-kun --- no --- Negi-sensei had been auspiciously spared from the initial feminine onslaught. Gathering his senses together, while his older counterpart was reduced to a stuttering red-faced statue of testosterone, he mounted the teacher's podium intent on launching a spectacular counterattack. If all went well, the young bespectacled boy would legitimize himself as a professional before his students and cement his authority.

Alas, as soon as he opened his mouth in a loud shout, which succeeded utterly in getting her classmates girlish attentions, Negi-sensei himself became another target to be exploited. In a matter of seconds, they had engulfed him and moved him into the spot beside a trembling Keitaro, while extracting various pieces of information out of him. For example, the class soon learned to much giggling delight that he was only ten years old, graduated from Oxford University with a degree in English, mastered Japanese in three weeks, and was from Wales. In other words, he was prime "boy toy" meat too, if not more than his older assistant, as now they had two flavors to choose from.

Decisions, decisions, decisions...

At this point, the Class Representative, Ayaka Yukihiro, had attempted to exert her authority and presence of command to quell the situation. It actually worked for exactly two minutes and thirty-three of seconds of her pontification, praising the genius of the young professor that surely legitimized his position, before Asuna Kagurazaka blurted an instigating snide remark from left field. The retort had caught the proud blonde-haired girl metaphorically with her skirt down; something about her natural taste for "being into little boys."

This had promptly set off an explosive argument, and Chachamaru had to wonder if Asuna had done it on purpose to upset the delicate situation back into chaos. Certainly, she must have had a motivation considering the severe humiliation she received the other day at the hands of Kanako, and what better way to get even then by ensuring her elder brother's first day on the job was a disaster. This level of subtlety for the normally hardheaded girl was startling, but Chachamaru took it in stride.

In the worst-case scenario, she was prepared to intervene into the situation herself --- but such an action would require the approval of her Mistress. A glance to her left at the time had revealed that Evangeline was quite content to watch and let things run their course, unfortunately. As calmly as she could, Chachamaru choked back the "pangs" of regret and remorse, deleting them in short order, even though she desperately wanted to rush to Negi-kun's --- no --- Negi-sensei's aid. Open defiance in front of the Mistress would gain nothing save misery for herself, more misery for the Springfield boy, and worst of all, misery for Evangeline.

The vampire princess would never admit it, of course, but her servants were truly all she trusted in this world. If they were to betray her in any fashion, it would cut deeper than any sword. Chachamaru would not allow such a thing to happen. It was not just her programming, but also her honest desire to protect and to serve her Mistress. After all, it was one of the foremost reasons why she had been born.

Wait? Desire? When had that come up? she thought curiously. Ah, it must be another off shoot from the "Human Interface Protocals"...interesting.

However, she was also --- grateful to Negi Springfield because with his unknowing participation in the beta test of the new "Human Interface" protocols, he helped her grow in more ways than one. Yes, there was no doubt she had grown stronger, learning new alien "feelings" that she had never experienced before. It was frightening and exhilarating all at once. In fact, the very idea of living for herself had never even occurred to her, and now, it was fast becoming a topic she wished to explore.

Thus, Chachamaru cheered him on silently, hoping against the overwhelming odds her "Threat Probability" analysis software had confirmed that somehow he would pull through, that some miracle might save the day yet.

For whatever reasons, "The Powers That Be" were apparently smiling down on Negi-kun --- no --- Negi-sensei. Chachamaru admonished herself for seemingly the umpteenth time as she really needed to be able to address him in a more appropriate while he was still on the clock, so to speak. It would not do in the slightest to have him caught up in a scandal with a student or any other things. If the boy was fired from his job and sent home in disgrace, it would surely shatter all of her slim hopes at redemption for her Mistress --- and the liberation of herself.

Liberation? What a strange concept, the neon green-haired girl pondered thoughtfully. What is it am I liberating myself from? That I don't even know, so how could it be liberation?

Anyways, Takahata-sensei just so happened to drop by right then, bringing the festivities to a sudden and definite halt. He laughed jovially at the sight that greeted him, remarking off hand that his young colleagues seemed to have their hands quite full, and suggested with a benevolent wink that perhaps he should return later. Needless to say, with the appearance of her idol (which was no big secret to be honest), Asuna swiftly exploded into motion and marshaled the mob back into their seats. How she managed to do this while simultaneously appearing to be the sweet ideal girl complete with glittering stars in her eyes, devil and angel, in an effort to impress Takahata-sensei was another mystery altogether.

Negi-sensei could only stare in awe and wonder at his apparent savior, while Keitaro appeared to be quite busy trying not to faint. Still blushing quite badly, he had procured a wad of tissues from inside the folds of his suit's jacket and clamped them down firmly on his nose in an effort to stem a --- nosebleed. At first, Chachamaru thought she had been mistaken, an anomaly in her visual receptors and image processing software, but sure enough, the older boy definitely had a nosebleed.

How strange...

With the crisis settled, the senior English professor promptly thanked Asuna for her efforts, sending the girl swooning visibly in a delighted skip and dance all the way back to her seat. She probably could not have been happier at this point, while the gray-haired man turned his attention on his young colleagues. Coolly, he handed off the supplies he had been carrying with him: a small stack of textbooks, a pair of planners, a pair of notebooks, and the infamous "roll call" book.

Takahata-sensei apologized for the inconvenience as he had just gotten done preparing these materials, while adding that he had also updated the student list to take in account for their two new transfer students. Negi-sensei thanked him profusely for his assistance, insisting that he would now be able to handle things from here on out just fine. However, before the older man could respond in his usual amiable manner and be off on his way to another class presumably, Keitaro managed to recover his composure enough to let his curiosity speak for himself.

He had wanted to know who the other new transfer student was, a notion that Chachamaru privately shared with equal fervor now that the topic had come up. The Mistress's plan had already been set into motion, and it was absolutely crucial that all potential threats and anomalies be analyzed quickly, so as to expedite the formulation of a suitable response. Until the designated "Zero Hour," her priority was to provide on site security at all times possible.

It was at this prompt that the second transfer student revealed herself, much to the largely collective astonishment of the class. How they managed to miss such an exceptional person like her before was utterly incomprehensible. She sat in the desk across from herself and Eva-sama, behind Yue and Chisame: a true blue Yamato Nadeshiko that outshined all the rest. Already, Chachamaru could detect emanations of admiration, idolatry, anger, and envy spreading across the class in gasps and squeals, not to mention fluctuations in surface body temperatures.

Motoko Aoyama, Student Number Thirty-Three; she had transferred in from Kyoto. She only had few things otherwise to say about herself when prompted by Takahata-sensei: "My likes and dislikes is something you'll have to learn for yourselves. My favorite hobby is kendo. I am officially recognized as a Tenth-dan kenshi by the International Kendo Federation, and I will be joining Mahora Academy's Kendo Club as well. As for my dreams for the future --- well, we'll just have to wait and see about that, won't we?"

With that said, she returned gracefully to her seat from her previous standing position under a round of cheers and whoops surprisingly, and for whatever reasons seemed to blend right in. This seemed to have a visible affect on the class as they were soon drawn to Takahata-sensei once again where he was attempting to coax Kanako to formally introduce herself too. His attempts were quite firmly rejected by deadly glares on the raven-haired girl's part, who proceeded to sulk while Keitaro chuckled sheepishly, trying to disarm the situation with an off-hand remark that she was a bit shy.

At that point, the android girl put her audio recorders on idle, paying minor attention to the new fiasco erupting up front where the new assistant teacher had become the target of his younger sister's burning ire. Motoko: it was as if she were erasing or masking her presence right in front of her. It was a strange phenomenon that puzzled her array of sensors because Chachamaru could clearly see her and scan for other readings, but there was some sort of --- emptiness or nondescript plainness surrounding her, like she was just part of the background.

Her troubled contemplations, however, were broken abruptly when she felt the Mistress's hand clasp her own. Before yesterday, Chachamaru Karakuri understood perfectly what she was: an advanced prototype general-purpose humanoid fighting system designed to be literally the ultimate bodyguard. There was nothing she would not do to protect her primary objective, "Evangeline A.K. McDowell." The lives of noncombatants and any other potential casualties in the area were but secondary to her.

Still, things had surely changed as system wide anomalies began to crop across the board, power fluctuations, unusual "palpitations" in the primary core reactor, while her radiators began to exude excess heat. She could "feel" the goose bumps spreading across her artificial flesh from the overwhelming electrifying flood of lust and greed emanating through her Mistress's hand. There was no mistaking it; now, Eva-sama wanted the new Aoyama girl too. It all seemed to serve to remind her that Evangeline A.K. McDowell was a Shinso, the first True Ancestor to be born in millennia, and the pride and joy of the dark unearthly beings that were said to be the stuff of nightmares.

Perhaps, Brunestud of the Crimson Moon had done the world a favor when she had "Fallen" and wiped out the True Ancestors, but if it were not for Eva-sama, Chachamaru knew she would not exist. This reason alone was enough justification to persevere and pursue her slim hope that her Mistress might attain some redemption. After all, surely the Thousand Master had not imprisoned her here at Mahora Academy on a whim, instead of exterminating her.

There had to be a good reason, and she would save Eva-sama without a doubt; this she swore on her life that had begun to find its meaning.

An hour and some thirty minutes later, the lesson was finished much to the obvious relief of Negi-sensei and Keitaro. Takahata-sensei had graciously supervised the first twenty of minutes of class before excusing himself with a laugh, saying that he just remembered he had some place to be right about then. It was not very pretty for the two young gentlemen after he left, needless to say. For whatever reasons, a small skirmish had erupted in class involving Asuna as the instigator as she had taken to chucking chunks of her erasers at the two teachers, alternating back and forth between her two targets.

Negi-sensei was largely helpless throughout the ordeal as he was trying to teach while being clunked repeatedly in the back of his head, while his assistant could not even look at the class. In fact, Keitaro was trying his best to look at anywhere but the many girls arrayed before him, taking his shots as they came. His face seemingly had taken a permanent red hue as he offered additional commentary and follow-up explanations on the concepts Negi had touched upon. As it turns out, he was actually quite fluent and knowledgeable about the English language, though he had given no such previous indication much to the hushed giggling wonder of his no doubt growing fan club

Of course, Kanako was not one to sit by idly and do nothing, a sentiment that was no doubt shared by the class representative as well before a mysterious piece of eraser rubber clocked her upside the head too. Furiously, Ayaka had scanned the classroom to see who had done the deed, and all she found was Asuna still happily chucking away while excusing herself lamely to Konoka, who sat beside her. The Urashima girl maintained her sulking demeanor, but curiously enough, Setsuna who now sat with her thanks to the recent change of seats was blushing visibly.

The scene must have boggled the class representative as it took her several moments to process this information before she decided to chuck the said eraser piece right back at Asuna. It was at this point when the fight began in earnest, causing the students caught in the crossfire to take cover, as yet another legendary spat between Ayaka and Asuna got fired up. Of course, Chachamaru had seen who had really thrown that eraser chunk at the regal blonde-haired girl, and apparently, Kanako was finding it quite hard to sulk as she struggled to muffle the dark bemused chuckles that sent her shaking in her desk with repressed laughter.

Setsuna looked about ready to keel over, dig a hole, and bury herself in it out of mortification.

Anyhow, with class over and the bell about to ring, the two young gentlemen hastily belted out in rapid fire fashion that there would be no homework for today. Negi-sensei --- well, she supposed could address him informally now --- Negi-kun remarked that it would be prudent that they review and briefly scan over the next chapter before coming to class tomorrow morning. Additionally, Keitaro added that if they had any questions, the two of them could be found in the faculty office, so "feel free to drop by."

Negi blanched visibly at that last parting shot, his jaw dropping in disbelief, before he hastily yanked the taller young man by his necktie and dragged him away at high speed. Strangely, they returned just as the bell rang to gather all their materials and rush out again, barely beating out the stampede of girls frolicking free from their morning "Eight O'Clocks." Mahora Academy's junior high institutions had a thirty minute recess between classes, and as most students lived on campus, classes could run all the way until four or five o'clock in the evening. Officially, the Headmaster professed it was an effective means to whip the young minds underneath his care into shape, but Chachamaru suspected it was more to give his largely understaffed faculty a brief respite before jumping back into the fray.

Headmaster Konoemon Konoe was notoriously picky about the people he allowed to join his faculty, and thus, this was the result. The class soon emptied in near record, leaving her to her own devices. It was just the usual for Chachamaru really, though she did notice some peculiar pairs and trios leaving together today, such as the ultra rare "Asu-Aya-Kono" squad. If they were getting together, something must be up. Then, just as noteworthy if not more, there was the odd duo of Kanako dragging Setsuna away at a clipped pace, her hand visibly clasped around the blushing kendoka for all interested to see.

I presently have no additional priority orders, besides the standing ones, so it seems, the android girl noted as she connected briefly with the high-security data uplink to check her schedule for today. Calculations indicate that I can go see if my poor cats would like some breakfast this morning. It would not take long, and I can still...wait, my poor cats? When did I start thinking of them as "my poor cats"-?

"Anou...etou...Ka-Ka-Kara-Karakuri-san?" interjected a familiar voice hesitantly, her database matching it with 99.88999 accuracy as that of...

...Nodoka Miyazaki, Student Number Twenty-Seven?

Chachamaru blinked in astonishment, closing her eyelids and rubbing them carefully, as she ran a diagnostic program through her visual cortex and degaussed her visual receptors just to be safe. When she opened them again, the dark violet-haired girl was still there, standing beside her desk, clutching her schoolbag protectively against her bosom like it were a shield. She ran through infrared and ultraviolet light just to be sure that this phenomenon was not the result of her "imagination," all the while Nodoka shook, fidgeting nervously on the spot.

"Um, Kara-Karakuri-san, i-if-if y-you're busy --- Ah!" gasped the shy girl as Chachamaru abruptly stood up, a pale hand glimmering in the shadow she cast upon the taller girl. With ethereal grace, the hand found its way to her face, cupping her cheek while the fingers laced behind her ear and onto her neck that sent shivers up her spine.

Nodoka blushed hard and would have bolted from the spot as fast she humanly could, if it were not for Chachamaru's intimate grasp on her. Not even Yue and Haruna, her closest friends, had ever approached it her with such --- closeness, and with each passing second, her original intention of approaching the neon green-haired "android" cosplayer seemed to become a more horrifyingly foolish plan. However, she could not run away in the slightest as by some fluke, Chachamaru's eyes had found hers through the long thick bangs that concealed her trembling dark violet eyes.

For a moment, she could have sworn she saw the tall girl's eyes and hair turn a brilliant shade of blue as she whispered in a most mystified voice: "You're real. You're really here..."

"Ka-Ka-Karakuri-san?" stuttered Nodoka uncertainly. What was she supposed to do? What was she supposed to say in a situation like this? Oh, it was so difficult to meet new people!

Chachamaru blinked, her eyes and hair flickering back to their familiar neon green hue, as if suddenly remembering something. To be frank, the timid librarian did not know whether to be glad or even more frightened at this turn of events, but just like that, the taller girl's hand withdrew from her face, allowing her a sigh of relief. Nodoka really hoped the "eye and hair" thing was just a spin of her imagination; alas, her respite was all too short lived as Chachamaru's drifting hand found its way to her free hand.

The gentle tug yanked her clean out of her thoughts with a loud yelp, "KYAAHH!"

"Ah... Sorry, Miyazaki-san; I'm really sorry," Chachamaru apologized to her quickly, though by and large she seemed utterly unfazed by her unnerved outburst. "Please, have a seat. It'll be much more comfortable to converse, at least I believe you came with the intention of speaking with me, yes?"

Nervously, Nodoka agreed...

...after all, what other choice did she have?

To Be Continued...

Author's Notes:

Yahooie! Sorry for the wait-desu! Unfortunately, was having some technical difficulties and I couldn't get this out until today, when it should have been out last thursday or so. But, hey, at least we're live and Episode 57 is HERE!

And my God, Chachamaru stole the show again (well, I gave her the show). Our favorite android girl just keeps growing more and more with each encounter, and boy, does she have interesting perspectives on the class. It seems Keitaro and Negi's debut as "The Harem Master" duo was a smashing success! Kanako seems to have largely been declawed in a cute tsundere-cool sister role with Setsuna as her totally loveable sidekick, but on the other hand, we've got some new ominous elements like Motoko.

Sheesh, does she got some issues or what with the way she introduced herself? Of course, she's damned ridiculously skilled! A Tenth-dan "swordswoman"? She's a freakin' 10-th degree black belt, probably more powerful than even a grand master! On top of that, Evangeline wants to try adding Motoko to her collection? Man, fat chance of that happening, but she can always try, eh?

Of course, there is still the big surprise of the episode. Nodoka finally returns for another go in the spotlight with Chachamaru, and she finally has lines! How cute was THAT scene, man? What's on her mind that she came to see Chachamaru? What's gonna happen next?

Well, maybe we'll find out on the next episode of Glass Moon-desu!

Reviewers and readers alike, I'd like to thank you all very much for your continued patronage. Remember, I encourage each and everyone of you to feel free to comment, review, and/or discuss the story. Your comments can really make a difference, I assure you, and if you're up to it, feel free to ring me up on AIM, or even send me an e-mail (although you really don't need to boost my ego too often). You know how to get in touch with the maestro here. It's getting close to exam time; I'll try to get back to y'all on the last set of reviews, but rest assured they were all great motivating words to me, so don't feel left out if I couldn't make it back to you.

So without further adieu, that wraps it up, folks (see you around the same time as usual, and I'll try to have our double-header on schedule this time): Peace out! Hold it together for exams! And if this episode felt long, well, it is 4000-something words long, so it is long!

Omake!

Naze Nani Glass Moon Desu

Episode Preview!

Chapter 58:

Discussions

"Hmmm, I guess, they weren't joking when it said, 'The Legendary Ramune of Bittersweet Lemon --- Not for the Faint of Heart.'"

Tsudzuku!