A/N: The first parts of this chapter is written in the format of written things such as assignments written in planners (provided for the girls from the academy), notes, referral notes, tardy slips, et cetera

Lesson 3: An Academic Lady remains calm; even in the most nerve-wracking situation

The first Monday for all three girls had gone well, but they were only commencing to become engrossed within the Royal Academy life.

Tuesday: twenty-eighth day of the eighth month

Student Planners

Mai

First Class: Read the second chapter of 'The Tale of Orofino' and write a short summary of the chapter

Second Class: Be prepared to play 'Nanoha' on the koto tomorrow in front of a selected group of teachers

Third Class: In text-and-work-book, solve problems one through twenty-nine using the taught method of arithmetic

Fourth Class: Read about the rise of the feminine powers in the Fire Nation between the millennia (50 zodiacs) of Yayoi

Fifth Class: Practice the basic Tae-Bo learned today

Sixth Class: Learn the basic dance positions, work with Iroke a bit after class about my posture and grace while dancing (do not forget to meet Iroke for private dance lessons the coming Saturday)

Ty Lee

First Class: In text-and-work-book, solve problems one through twenty-nine using the taught method of arithmetic

Second Class: Read the second chapter of 'The Tale of Orofino' and write a short summary of the chapter

Third Class: Be prepared to play 'Torioi' on the koto tomorrow in front of a selected group of teachers

Fourth Class: Read about the rise of the feminine powers in the Fire Nation between the millennia (50 zodiacs) of Yayoi

Fifth Class: Continue to practice one's tumbling

Sixth Class: Learn the basic dance positions

From the Desk of the Headmistress of the Fire Nation Royal Academy for Girls

Miss Ouritso Azula,

It has come to my attention that you have spurned your dance class on the twenty-seventh day of the eighth month and Iroke-sensei has requested that you are to be pulled from the class of dance. We will do so, but I regret that there are no available slots for any other class available to first years such as yourself and therefore, you have been assigned to assist the servants of the royal academy with their daily chores in the place of your first class.

Your Headmistress,

Kyonyuu-Sama

Student Planners

Azula

First Class: Nil; accompany servants to do their work with them

Second Class: In text-and-work-book, solve problems one through twenty-nine using the taught method of arithmetic

Third Class: Read about the rise of the feminine powers in the Fire Nation between the millennia (50 zodiacs) of Yayoi

Fourth Class: Read the second chapter of 'The Tale of Orofino' and write a short summary of the chapter

Fifth Class: Practice second and third drills from the beginner's Firebending scroll

Sixth Class: Be prepared to play 'Yozakura' on the koto tomorrow in front of a selected group of teachers

Note passed in History Class

To: Mai

From: Ty Lee

'Which piece do you have to play for Etiquette class?'

'Nanoha; what about you?'

'Torioi. But enough about etiquette class; how long did you think you could keep me in the dark?'

'What do you mean?'

'About you…and your private dance lessons with Iroke. What IS going on between you two?'

'I don't know what you are talking about.'

'Don't lie to me, Mai; I saw the look of surprise and your eyes widening when you read my message. That, and, you always blush when you fib and you're right now as red as you can get.'

'I'll tell you all you want to know if you answer me one question.'

'Sure, what is it?'

'How did you know?'

'Rumors and news spread around very fast in this academy; that's all I will say. Ready for my inquisition?'

'As I will ever be.'

'When did you and Iroke first meet? When he saw you during dance, he said 'hello again, stranger'.'

'he was the teacher whom I asked for directions to get to the main office.'

'Be more specific; how did you two meet, describe the scene.'

'I was sitting in the back of the carriage perfecting a poetic verse and I didn't know he was right in front of the carriage and it was after he suggested a few changes in my verse that I actually noticed him. I demanded to know who he is, but he just ignored me; stating that I must have been one of the new students at the Royal Academy and then he pulled open the carriage door before I could object and held out his hand; saying 'care to come out?' For a dance teacher, he honestly didn't use the rules of formality when introducing himself to me or trying to coax me to come out. After we were both out in the open, he then introduced himself to me. Then, some other girls came by and snickered that Iroke had a new 'girl' and the mood changed. I asked him for directions, he gave them to me, and I ran.'

'Well, it was romantic while it lasted. Don't worry, Mai; Iroke is really good looking and the other girls were probably jealous of the fact that he was paying attention to you.'

'I don't know if they were jealous. If they were, I give them my blessing to chase after him. But come on, Ty Lee; what if Iroke is not honestly what people would call a 'good man'?'

'I say you've been listening to your mother a bit too much, Mai; you know how she would always smother you and try to keep your naïveté at a maximum. Iroke isn't a kind of man to do that.'

'This is coming from a girl whose dad came into her room every night and touched her?'

'…'

'I'm sorry, Ty Lee. I never should have brought up that subject; well, maybe you're right. Maybe Iroke is…different in some way.'

'He sure is different from the other male teachers of the Fire Nation Royal Academy for Girls. And rumor is, he does have a very well-endowed 'spear'.'

'NOT YOU TOO!'

'Relax, Mai; I am not going to become one of Iroke's mindless followers who are bound to be heartbroken by him in the end. Just look at what happened to Atsu.'

'I am glad, then. Looks like Kasuka-sensei is coming back; we'd better put this up.'

'Sure. You keep it; or at least destroy it afterwards. We don't want this to fall into the wrong hands.'

'But whose hands are the wrong hands?'

Referral Note

Name: Ouritsu Azula

Date: the Twenty-Eight day of the Eight Month, year of the Shark

Offense: at three fourteen in the afternoon, Miss Ouritsu Azula was heard screaming from all the way out of the hall and, as the witness servant concurs with the rest of the students, when she came in to see what was happening, she found the accused standing on her desk and shooting fire out in all directions. Some students suffered minor injuries, many textbooks and furniture was burnt, articles of clothing and makeup and some hair was also burnt. The accused claims that it was self defense; she said that she was provoked by Kyouji Kiza, sixteen; a fifth year, Tsukegaru Amaeru, sixteen; a fifth year, and Mesuinu Hinagata, sixteen; a fifth year. So far, no one has confirmed her story.

Witness Testimonies:

Itana Kitsune (third year)

Her testimony: We were all sitting in History Class when suddenly, Ouritsu Azula went ballistic; she threw fire everywhere and burned many things, then she jumped up and began attacking Kyouji Kiza, Tsukegaru Amaeru, and Mesuinu Hinagata; pulling their hair, setting fire to their makeup and robes, and even trying to burn one of their faces off. The guards had to come in and rip her away from them and then she had to be sedated.

Aou Celina (second year)

Her testimony: Everyone was talking again since Kasuka-sensei felt faint and I hear someone whispering a bit beforehand and then Ouritsu Azula went crazy and began to Firebend like a tyrant would. A few moments before she could do serious damage, the guards came in and her hysteria is such an embarrassment to us all.

Tuesday: twenty-Ninth day of the eighth month

Academic Marks on Koto Performance

Mai

Name: Tengtang Mai

Class: Second Class, every day

Piece Performed: Nanoha

Teachers Present: Kasuka-sensei, Iroke-sensei, and Rimé-sensei

Comments: "It is very rare that such a talent is found in the royal academy today; despite a few minor flaws, such as she would always flinch for some reason whenever she noticed that she missed a note, she performed the piece perfectly."—Kasuka-sensei. "Nanoha is said to only a piece telling of a butterfly and a cole blossom, but with such the light melody and gentle emphasis put into the piece, Tengtang Mai has made it into a much more breathtaking and awe-some piece."—Iroke-sensei. "Even if she made a few flaws, the discipline stick seemed to be the root of them, she has met my standards."—Rimé-sensei

Overall Mark: 9.5 out of 10

Ty Lee

Name: Akuro Ty Lee

Class: Third Class, every day

Piece Performed: Torioi

Teachers Present: Reikou-sensei, Katou-sensei, Rimé-sensei

Comments: "She was not off-beat, her notes were played just right, and there is a refined elegance in the piece."—Reikou-sensei. "Akuro Ty Lee seems to have the natural ability to transform a simple piece of music into a fantasy world. It seemed that when she played, she was that traveling music bard."—Katou-sensei. "She has met my expectations."—Rimé-sensei.

Overall Mark: 9 out of 10

Azula

Name: Ouritsu Azula

Class: Sixth Class, every day

Piece: Yozakura

Teachers Present: Tana-sensei, Rui-sensei, Rimé-sensei

Comments: "Her notes seemed to be clumsy and her timing was ill-rehearsed; did she practice at all?"—Tana-sensei. "What an interesting and original way to play the piece; I never imagined Yozakura would describe the descending of Cherry Blossoms in a thunderstorm."—Rui-sensei. "I expected much better from a princess."—Rimé-sensei.

Overall Mark: 2 out of 10

Recorded Library Conversation during Free Time: 6:29 PM-6:37 PM

Subjects: Ouritsu Azula, Tengtang Mai, Akuro Ty Lee

Ouritsu Azula: I hate them! Those bitches!

Tengtang Mai: What did they do this time?

Ouritsu Azula: They wouldn't let me practice my Koto, there was the reason for my bad mark, and they kept me in the room forcing me to do work! Like I was a common servant!

Akuro Ty Lee: Technically, now that you are helping the servants, you are.

Tengtang Mai: Ty Lee—

Ouritsu Azula: Bite your tongue.

Tengtang Mai: I have to go; excuse me.

Akuro Ty Lee: But your after-school dance lesson with Iroke is over, Mai.

Ouritsu Azula: What's this about Mai taking after-school dance lesson from Iroke?

Tengtang Mai: It's nothing, really; he just wants to get me caught up with the other girls in my class.

Ouritsu Azula: Oh, I see. Well, go your way, then.

(Tengtang Mai leaves)

Akuro Ty Lee: I have to go too; I'm expecting a letter and some goodies from my parents.

(Akuro Ty Lee leaves)

Wednesday: thirtieth day of the eighth month

Student Planners

Mai

First class: Continue to read 'The Tale of Orofino' and record one's answers on the packet given

Second class: Learn to play 'Daradara Ouro' on the shamisen within a week's time

Third Class: in text-and-work-book, work problems one through eighteen on page thirty-one with newly acquired knowledge of the order of operations

Fourth Class: Read pages thirty-three to thirty nine in textbook

Fifth Class: continue to practice routine with the bamboo sword given to you

Sixth Class: learn how to morph the dance positions together to make it a dance itself, walk sans slipping in the required dance slippers (do not forget to meet Iroke Saturday for private dance lesson)

Ty Lee

First Class: In text-and-work-book, work problems one through eighteen on page thirty-one with newly acquired knowledge of the order of operations

Second Class: Continue to read 'The Tale of Orofino' and record one's answers on the packet given

Third Class: Learn to play 'Daradara Ouro' on the shamisen within a week's time

Fourth Class: Read pages thirty-three to thirty-nine in textbook

Fifth Class: Continue to work on tumbling

Sixth Class: learn how to morph the dance positions together to make it a dance itself

Azula

First Class: Nil, help the servants with their work

Second Class: In text-and-work-book, work problems one through eighteen on page thirty-one with newly acquired knowledge of the order of operations

Third Class: Read pages thirty-three to thirty-nine in textbook

Fourth Class: Continue reading 'The Tale of Orofino' and record one's answers on the packet given

Fifth Class: Continue practicing second and third drills from the beginner's Firebending scroll

Sixth Class: Learn to play 'Daradara Ouro' on the shamisen within a week's time

Record of Tama-fujin, head of the servant's staff at the Fire Nation Royal Academy for Girls

Name: Ouritsu Azula

Broken Items:

4 serving dishes

5 sets of 2 crystal glasses

4 porcelain teacups

7 dinner plates

3 culinary knives

Lost items:

3 spit roasts

5 cutting boards

6 kilos of food

4 sets of silverware

Complaints:

5 marks of disrespect for elders

3 marks of disrupting the peace

4 marks of intentionally breaking Fire Nation Royal Academy property

8 marks of misconduct

Thursday: thirty-first day of the eighth month

Teacher Planners for first years

Reikou-sensei

First years: Further study order of operations and for homework, do problems seven through forty, omitting two and nine, on page forty-two in your text-and-work-book

Kasuka-sensei

First Years: read about the first Fire Nation civil war breaking out over twin brothers' Onyo and Inyo and answer the chapter questions

Rimé-sensei

First Years: Continue to learn how to play the shamisen

Molady-sensei

First Years: Progress with reading 'The Tale of Orofino' and have students turn in the first part of their homework packets two Mondays from now

Iroke-sensei

Specifically First Years: Teach the students how to twirl continuously sans the dizziness and how to walk on their tiptoes with their ankles together like in third position. (teach Tengtang Mai to 'glide' across the dancing area)

Katou-sensei

First Years: Begin teaching them the cartwheel

Nachizumu-sensei

First Years: Continue drilling

Ijin-sensei

First Years: Begin to work their fore and upper arm muscles in preparation for archery

Friday, first day of the ninth month

Cafeteria Menu

Breakfast

Specialties: breakfast quiche consisting of eggs, cheese, spinach, ham, and bacon; hot and crusty bread with honey-butter spread; cold milk and wheat-flake cereal

Drinks: Water, fruit juice

Lunch

Specialties: Teriyaki sandwiches consisting of chicken, condiment vegetables, on toasted buttered-and-garlic-sprinkled bread, fried sliced potatoes, chocolate cookies

Drinks: fizzy fruit juice or water

Dinner

Specialties: Sushi (eel, tuna, shrimp, crab, yellowtail, vegetable, meat, tuna, snapper, conger, mackerel, uni, roe, toro, tako, squid with rice and nori) and Oden

Drinks: Water and, for the occasion, Sake

Late Night report by Hall Monitor

Time: 9:40 PM

Choudo Hall, at 9:40 PM, Tengtang Mai (first year) was seen coming from her room and swaying as she walked down the hallway; obviously tipsy. She walked with familiarity down the hallway towards the hall of the teacher suites. For a moment, she stopped and hesitated before deciding on the eighth door down on the right side. Opening it, she apparently knew that the door was open, she walked in and closed the door. From outside the door, the sound of her giggling and lightly slurring her words could be heard.

Saturday, second day of the ninth month

Today was the day.

It was time.

Lunch had ended at twelve-thirty—why, oh, why couldn't the hour have dragged on longer?—and now she had to meet Iroke-sensei for her first weekend private dance lesson.

Mai walked slowly down the hallway, dreading when she would enter that room.

It seemed that the long hallway was so short this time. When she reached the doorway, she took a deep breath and knocked.

"Come in." Iroke's deep and—would she dare to call it?—sensuous voice answered.

She turned the knob and pushed the door open. The dance classroom looked so different without seventy-four other girls being in there also.

Now, it was only her and Iroke. He smiled at her.

"I am glad that you came." He stated.

"It would be hard not to go after the whole school knows about it." Mai remarked truthfully.

In the four days between Monday and today, word had gotten around the entire school that a first year had to take 'Private Dance Lessons' from Iroke-sensei and many had even told others of her name, so all week she was receiving glares of envy and curiosity, girls who had avoided her at first were coming up to her and 'befriending' her, some girls requesting for her to give something to Iroke, others asking questions about—to her consternation—his 'male part', and walking off huffily when she refused to answer any of them.

"Ah." He simply said.

What was THAT supposed to mean? Did this happen to him before? Was he honestly expecting that it would happen?

Mai's head spun with questions, but she forced herself to walk forward in lieu of blurting them out.

There was an assistant there, but he seemed completely uninterested; after all, there was only Iroke and some flat-chested little girl who apparently came for a private dance lesson.

"Well, let us get started; at least." He said to her.

Outside the Windows

The other girls were standing on their tiptoes to try and see what was happening through the bottom part of the windows.

To the contrary of Mai's beliefs, some girls didn't know of her first 'private dance lesson' with Iroke until a few minutes before she entered and now, those girls were craning to see what was happening.

"Who is she?" one of them asked in an almost indignant tone.

"She's probably a first year, judging by her short stature." her friend answered.

"A first year with Iroke?" a third one demanded.

Of course, none of the girls would admit to being jealous; because being jealous of a first year was extremely gauche.

"What about her hair? She wraps her pigtails into those miniature pucca caps." Another commented.

"Other than that, she looks...fine." The only bold one of the group said.

The others turned to her.

"She has no breasts."

"Or any curves at all."

"She's so much shorter than Iroke."

"She's so thin."

"And her style could use a few tips."

"She's just not sexy."

The girls then stared at each other.

"You mean, I've been throwing myself at him for the past two years out of nothing because he prefers little girls with almost no figures?" The oldest girl, who was about 16, shouted in outrage.

"Maybe he just doesn't like breasts." Her companion, about her age, suggested.

"Then you two would be too mismatched; your breasts would probably protect you if you fell on your front." The 16 year old girl snapped back.

The other one looked incensed. "At least MY breasts don't sag and have so many stretch marks!" she spat back.

It turned into a practical cat-fight then and there. No one paid attention, though; cat-fights when it came to being over Iroke, the icon of male sex in the entire school, were very common amongst girls.

"But today is Saturday; Iroke doesn't have classes." One of the neutral girls, aged 14, pointed out.

"Then what in the name of Agni is he doing with her?" the other one, whose age was impossible to judge because she was taller than her friend yet her face and body looked like that of a 10 year old.

Back Inside

This was uncomfortable.

VERY uncomfortable.

Besides that he was at least two feet taller than she was, which did cause a bunch of problems, she could honestly feel the heat radiating from him—which was a signal, in her opinion, that he was a bit too close for comfort--and if that wasn't worst enough, her chest was pressing into his crotch!

Damn her short limbs and height!

"Are you paying attention, Mai?" he asked.

Mai looked up; startled. "What?" she asked impulsively.

"I would think that such a girl like you would pay much more attention...to many things." Iroke remarked.

If innuendos could kill...

'He is not flirting with me he is not flirting with me he is not flirting with me he is not flirting with me.' Mai continued to repeat the mantra in her head.

There was a loud clanging sound from behind her and, out of shock, Mai stood completely still for a moment.

Bad move on her part.

Iroke, assuming that she was unaffected by the sudden noise, stepped backwards and involuntarily knocked her off balance.

Reacting as she usually did, Mai instinctively grabbed onto the nearest object in her reach to keep her from falling on the floor.

Unfortunately, she forgot where she was, who she was with, who was looking on, and that the 'object' closest to her was Iroke's pants.

Outside

"She's pulling down his pants!" one of the girls on 'watch duty' shrieked.

At once, the other girls stopped catfighting and pressed themselves at the windows; all vying for a look.

"What the—?" the same 16 year old girl exclaimed.

"I doubt it; she doesn't even look as if she had been given 'the talk' about things yet." her companion answered.

"So Iroke is letting some naïve girl see his part and he won't so much as take his shirt off for me?" another griped.

Back inside

"I'msorryI'msorryI'msorryI'msorryI'msorryI'msorry!" Mai kept repeating about ten feet away from him.

Iroke smiled the best he could and pulled up the rest of his dark pants.

"It was an accident, Mai. I understand." he reassured.

She still wouldn't dare come any closer to him.

Yes, she did see it.

And that was what made her scurry backwards the fastest using the crab-walk without hitching up her skirt and exposing any more of her legs to him than she wanted to.

He came over to her, it only took him two steps to do so, and picked her up again; motioning to the stunned—and slightly envious—volunteer to resume the music.

Outside

"The next thing you know, he'll be asking her to marry him!" the buxom girl ranted.

"Her? She's a seven year old flat-chested girl and he, though he IS an icon of sex and probably a god personified, is an average man from an average family in the average village that was here before the Royal Academy was built." Her friend contradicted.

"But haven't you heard about the other rumors surrounding Iroke?" The 14 year old girl inquired.

The other three looked at the girl as if she was crazy; who hadn't?

Back Inside

"Maybe we'll get more done tomorrow, but you made very good progress today." Iroke said to her.

She, though listening to him, was trying her hardest not to stare at his crotch.

It was bad enough that she saw IT, but she really didn't see it and her brain was demanding a double take.

"Alright. See you...tomorrow." Mai replied; turning to go.

"And one more thing. Did you drink too much sake last night?" Iroke inquired.

Of course she didn't she only drank one cup full

Or was it two?

Or five?

She had lost count after her seventh.

"Of course not; an Academic Lady should not drink unless invited or needed to." Mai quoted.

"It seems to me like you did." Iroke said; sitting down on the floor.

"How so?" Mai demanded; trying to think about what she did after dinner was over. Tea didn't help her senses much and she could barely remember the rest. In the morning, she woke up late in what she presumed was Ty Lee's room. Ty Lee probably thought that she needed sleep since she got drunk last night and left.

"You staggered into my room and began to rant and slur your words; you called me Ty Lee." Iroke said.

"But—." She was sure that she had gone into Ty Lee's room; wasn't her room in the Choudo hallway; the eight door to the left?

And Iroke's room was also in Choudo hallway; the eighth door to the right.

Oh, crap.

"What did I say, if you comprehended much?" Mai asked; trying to keep her voice and body from shaking.

"About your crush, About Azula being a bitch—." he smiled. "About me."

'What else did I say?' Mai thought and longed to ask, but decided not to.

"Uh--see you tomorrow." she said quickly; running out of the room.

It was bad enough that he still had her diary, and now he had her drunken rantings, and this incident to bring up whenever he wanted to.

Why did she keep getting herself into these situations?

Later

"So what did it feel like?" Ty Lee demanded after Mai had told her what happened.

"Like skin." Mai said vaguely.

When she fell, she also touched his 'spear'.

ON ACCIDENT; she nearly screamed after seeing Ty Lee's stunned expression.

"No, I mean; was it really that large?" Ty Lee asked. Mai's face grew redder.

"I don't know; I only touched the base of it." she said hurriedly.

"Was it wide, then?" Ty Lee asked.

"I don't know; and even if I had accidentally snuck into his room, very drunk on sake last night, I still wouldn't—!"

Big mistake. Ty Lee's eyes grew wide and she was trying to hold in a gasp.

"IT'S NOT WHAT YOU THINK!" Mai shouted; nearly spazzing now.

"What happened then?" Ty Lee asked; a lopsided grin on her face.

"I don't know. He told me that I just started to rant and rant. About Zuko, about Azula, about...him, and Agni knows what else! And I woke up on his bed the next day." If Mai felt any hotter than she did then, she probably would have exploded.

"You're blushing and stuttering as you're telling me these things. Do you like him?" Ty Lee inquired; peering at her friend.

"NO!" Mai shouted; her face growing redder and her body growing more hot-and-bothered with the single word.

Poor Mai! Always getting caught in the tangled and messy web of amoreuse (love, for those of you who do not speak French).