Disclaimer: ME NO OWN NEGIMA!!!
XXXXX The early morning… about 5:58… XXXXX
Tick tock tick tock…
Negi stared at the clock as the minute hand slowly approached twelve.
Tick tock tick tock…
Silently wishing that the time would go faster, Negi gripped his comforter tighter. A snoring Kamo lying next to his head with an equally sleeping Yuki using his body as a pillow. If this were any other day, Negi would find this amusing, as Yuki usually wouldn't "approach any pervert especially not Kamo."
Tick tock tick tock …
Oh, if Sarah knew that he was up all night –well, almost the entire night- she'd skin him alive. But she didn't have to know… what she didn't know wouldn't hurt him…
Tick tock tick tock …
Oh yes, three seconds left…
Two…
One more…
And it STRIKES!!
"WAAAAHH!! IT'S FINALLY HERE!!! GUYS WAKE UP!!!" Negi shouts as he suddenly jumps up as if there are springs equipped in him. Quickly rushing into the closet, Negi picked out his usual green suit and a matching tie. "HURRY UP! TIMES A WASTING!!!" Rushing into the bathroom, Negi quickly stripped off his pajamas and changed into his suit in record time, brush his teeth, combing his hair, and running out of the bathroom… and smacked into a wall… A very soft wall that's now radiating frustration… oh crap!
Looking up, Negi's eyes widened as he began to sweat bullets. "Err… O-ohiyo… S-Sarah-san…"
"Nee, nee, Negi-sama… when's the last time you felt pain?" Sarah asks in a sugar-dripping voice that practically spells doom. Negi can only gulp as he remembered that in fact it was just yesterday that he experienced some Asuna-level pain because of his accursed sneeze.
"Ehh… that would be yesterday?" The boy asks in a hopeful voice, but Negi starts to whimper as Sarah suddenly has this very gleeful look on her face.
"Well, then I guess that wasn't enough…"
Then next thing Negi knew was excruciating pain for the next five minutes… and much to the horror of the other occupants of the dorm: blood chilling screams and pleads for mercy.
(Eva: sorry for not telling you exactly what happened… but as you can guess, Sarah-chan can be rather… aggressive…)
(APH/MX: …you have NO idea…)
(Eva: Also, due to the rating as well as for the faint hearted, they decide to leave it out)
XXXXX Later that day… XXXXX
"Oh c'mon! How many times do I have to tell you I'm sorry?!" Sarah begs as she back away from a murderous Asuna. Despite popular belief in the inner world that Sarah D. McDocland is fearless, she is actually very afraid of pain… especially those inflicted by girls… hormone driven girls that usually are rather sweet (APH: cough-AsunaandNekane-cough)
(Said people: (A-CHU!) What was that?)
…Anyway, as you can see, things are about to go downhill for our favorite caretaker. (MX: as they soon will for a certain author (shoots stare at APH))
And that means pain. Excruciating pain. Unimaginable pain that usually is related to hell and is not meant for the weak-mined. And let's not forget about the faint hearted.
Or her if Negi fails to calm the raging girl down.
"Asuna-san, it's not Sarah-san's fault. Beside, I'm partially responsible." Negi says as he, in his chibi form, danced around Asuna with sweat pouring down his face.
After hearing that, Asuna sudden stops walking. "Oh yeah… you are equally responsible." Just then, her hands shot out and each grabbed one of her two victims, namely Sarah and Negi. "That means double the punishment…!"
"EEP!/OHBLOODYHELL!"
"Ohohoho, so much energy already in the morning!" Konoemon says as he walks towards Asuna and Co. "I see that you are already for the trip."
"K-K-K-KONOEMON-SAMA!!" Negi and Sarah cries unison before they glomp the old man in a bone-crushing hug. "YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT HAVE YOU SAVED US FROM!!!"
"Ohohoho! Good to see that I'm appreciated… Now… I can't breathe…" The principal says as his face takes on a blue tint. Seeing this, Negi and Sarah immediately let him go, both sporting sheepish smiles on their faces. That's when Negi noticed that the girl that's around his height, in all white, standing quietly behind the principal. What he can't see though is her face, which is some what hidden by the shadow of her large, puffy hat and by Konoemon's left eyebrow.
"Eh? Konoemon-san, who's that?" Negi asks, drawing the attention of Asuna and Sarah onto the newly arrived girl… Newly arrived to Negi and Co at least.
"Oh, I see the newest addition to your little trip. Negi Springfield, step forward." The principal says in a formal voice filled with authority.
"Er… hai!" The boy did as instructed, wondering what is going to happen. That's when the principal dropped the bombshell.
"Negi Springfield, from now on until the day her family decides otherwise, you will become the legal guardian and master of Neko of the Kagemaru clan."
"NANI?!?!?!?!" Asuna and Sarah exclaims while Negi is simply dumbfounded. Him, A TEN YEAR OLD, being the guardian of someone that's probably older than him…?
"THAT'S PERPOSTROUS!!" Sarah and Asuna exclaimed at the same time as they launched into a list of facts why Negi is unsuitable for such a job.
"THIS WON'T DO! HE'S TOO YOUNG!" Baka red exclaims before retreating and letting her six-foot counter part to have a shot.
"BESIDES, HE CAN BARELY TAKE CARE OF HIMSELF!"
"HE DOESN'T LIKE TO BATHE!"
"HE ISN'T VERY GOOD AT GIVING DIRECTIONS!"
"AND HE IS AN ABSOLUTE PERVERT!" The two finished in unison, completely ignorant of the cloud of gloom that now rained sorrow onto Negi or the big sweat drop that formed at the back of Konoemon's head. What they care about right now is that Negi IS. NOT. IN. ANY. POSITION. TO. BE. A. GUARDIAN!!!
Or so they thought, and they would be proven wrong in a few days.
But we're getting ahead of ourselves. Right now, Asuna and Sarah are panting from the little rant that they just did regarding why Negi is unsuitable for the job.
"I believe the choice belongs to the boy." Konoemon says in a tone that stops all argument and sent the two girls back a step. "Besides, think of this as a learning opportunity. Learn to be responsible for others." The elderly man advised before turning to look at the girl behind him. "Now Neko, please introduce yourself so our young boy here can understand what he is in."
"Hai…" A rather frosty tone was produced from the girl, who steps forward and takes off her puffy hat. Judging from the gasps, the girl, now known as Neko, can only guess that this… boy, has never being truly exposed to the inner world. "Konichiwa. Watashiwa Neko Kagemaru. Uroshiko." (APH and MX: don't hurt us! (TT) we don't know how to spell it!!!!!)
The reason for the gasps is because right on top of Neko's head is two fluffy cat-ears as well as the green eyes with slitted pupils that resembled those of a cat.
'No wonder the name sounded familiar… oh he's screwed…' Sarah thought as she does an imitation of a fish out of the water… which was very successful.
'Are… Are those real…?' Asuna asks as she stands as still as a statue and openly gaped at Neko, or more specifically, the ears on top of her head.
'W-what? A youkai? Now why would I be taking care of a youkai?' Negi thought as emotions ranging from dread to excitement flash through his face.
"Can you three please stop gaping at me? I do believe that my face… or my ears are not that interesting …" Neko's monotone voice says and effectively snapping all three out of their daze.
"Now just hold on a minute!" Sarah exclaims as she held up her arms. "Now why would the Kagemaru entrust one of their own to Negi. I mean no offense, but I simply do not see logic in this! Nagi didn't come into contact with them until AFTER the war!"
"Ah, now that is top secret information." Konoemon says with a wink before whispering low enough so only Neko and Sarah could hear. "I'll explain everything when the children leave for Kyoto."
Sarah frowned at the little instruction, but as not to cause further trouble, she decides to wait and see. Just then, the speaker announced that the train for Kyoto was about to leave. "Ah, you two better hurry before the train leaves."
Asuna and Negi both have had expression that practically demanded an explanation, but both can only sigh in defeat before leading the new girl away by the hands. If they turn back and looked at Neko, they'd see a downturn of her lips and narrowing of her eyes as she stared at the offending hands that are gripping hers…
XXXXX In Konoemon's office XXXXX
"Alright, talk." Sarah demands as she sets herself in one of the two cushion chairs in front of Konoemon's desk. To say that Sarah was worried is an understatement, as right now Negi is involved with one of the biggest youkai family in Japan. So to say that Sarah wants some answers will do her injustice, as she wants to know EVERYTHING. Sarah wanted to hear it all.
Konoemon sits himself down into his seat before turning to look out of the window, contemplating how to break the news without the vampire storming the Guardian Headquarters. As it is, that is the last thing he wants with all the stuff that's happening already.
After several minutes of the tense silence, Konoemon sighs again before turning around to face Sarah. "Tell me, how much do you know about Kurosame?"
"…If I'm correct, she is the new heir to the Clan head… now what does she have to do with this?" Sarah asks as a bit of confusion and doubt show themselves.
"Everything…" Konoemon says before he let out another sigh. "As we speak right now, Kurosame is under the custody of the Guardians. And before you make any rash conclusions, let me tell you this: she turned herself over and struck a deal with Arda."
"Now why do I feel as whenever she comes into play, nothing is as simple as it seems?"
"Because they aren't, especially when the deal involves information on one of the largest slavery organizations the world has ever seen."
Sarah's eyes widened before realization hit her. "So she turns herself in not only to secure the safety of the clan, but also to declare the clan innocent of any involvement with the slave trade organization." Then the gears in the vampire's head started to turn. " In exchange, she'll use her network to dig up any information they can find on it… But how does Neko come into all of this?"
"Ah, you see…" Konoemon says as he laced his fingers together. "What says 'I trust you' more than sending a family member as a sort of ambassador?" The elderly man smiles as he watches Sarah work the pieces out, and with every passing second, the wider the vampire's eyes become. "I see you've figured it out…"
"…That's her little sister!?!?" Sarah exclaims as she abruptly stood up, nearly knocking the heavy chair over. "THAT'S INSANE! The risks involved in such an action are unbelievable!"
"Hohoho, indeed. So as you can see, the risks involved are quite high, but it also declares that the Kagemaru clan is willing to give their full cooperation with the Guardians…"
"D-demo…!"
"Do not worry. Only Arda and her circle of handmaidens and some higher-ranking officers know about this. And Arda only lets her most trusted into her circle."
"That is not what I'm worrying about!" Sarah shouts as she starts to panic. "Do you realize that you have just sent the second-to-the-throne into what may be her last trip!? What if she dies?! From what Takamichi and Locke reports, the group in Kyoto is getting quite ferocious! What then when she is injured or worst, KILLED?!?!? If she dies, then the clan will bear down on Negi-sama! He can only take so much before he loses it!"
"…Do not worry yourself too much. She is quite capable of defending herself. Besides, I also have sent several staff members disguised as escorts for the students."
"…" Sighing, Sarah falls back into her chair and starts to rub her temples. "…You'll be the death of me… you and that little brat Negi…"
"Hohoho! Do not worry, besides, you're already dead!" Just then, a darker-than-night katana suddenly imbed itself into Konoemon's desk, just inch from his family jewel as its tip gives off a glow mere centimeter away from his crotch. "…Err… I was joking…"
XXXXXXXXXX
Asuna couldn't help but stare at Neko. There was something about the girl that simply intrigued her… It was as if she had met her before…
ZIPThe snow falls… everything is white…
ZIP
Blood…A lot of-
ZIP
Smoke is everywhere… giants… smashing-
ZIIP
Fast moving blurs…
ZIP!
A man…
ZIIIIPP
Several… wearing nearly identical-
ZZZIIPP
Several shadows, all have their backs turned…
ZIIIIPP
Two girls, one in her teens and the other two years younger than her…
ZZIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
'Argh!' Asuna let out a silent gasp as several images flash into her mind. The problem is, she doesn't remember when or where those things came from… and that ringing sound in the end did not help her at all. 'W-what was that…?'
"KYYYYYAAAAAAAAAA!" A scream from the train cut off any other thoughts Asuna might have regarding the sudden headache she has. In fact, she has no recollection as to the images when she sees… frogs…
Train-loads of frogs
Frogs in the bags, in the bento, in the compartment, on the floor…
Let's just say the train is flooded with frogs.
'Eww…' Neko thought half heartedly as she lightly kicks a frog away. 'I never liked frog…' Just then, something flew by her head in the chaos and soon she sees Negi rushing past her in panic. However, that is not what caught her attention; it's the scents that are on the flying objects. '…Talisman…'
Deciding to satisfy her curiosity, Neko walks towards where she sees the thing disappear to, and in turn, Negi. After walking into another compartment, she finds another student talking to Negi while handing over a letter. Looking down, Neko's half-lidded eyes see a paper talisman in the shape of a bird sliced in half. Then those green eyes land on the student and they widen just a fraction before returning to normal. A smirk works its way onto her lips before a low chuckle rose from her throat.
'…Thing have just gotten interesting…'
XXXXXXXXXX
"SARAH-CHAN!!!" A group of boys chorused as they chase around said vampire… well, not exactly chase, but more like being ignored.
"Sarah-chan! Will you go out with me?"
"HEY! BASTARD! THAT'S MY LINE! Only I can go out with the divine Sarah-chan!"
"Screw you two. I'M THE ONE THAT'LL GET HER ATTENTION!"
'And don't they all…' Sarah thought as a vein throbs on top of her head while walking down towards the library. 'Oh Kami… it's so hard not butchering them right now… Normally when Negi's here, they won't bother me.'
"SARAH-CHAN!!!"
'Grr… calm down… just count to ten… everything will be alright…'
"HEY BASTARD! GET AWAY FROM MY SARAH-CHAN!!"
'One… two…'
"YOUR Sarah-chan? SHE'S MINE I TELL YOU! MINE!!"
'Three… four…'
"HEY! WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'RE STARING AT? YOU ARE NOT WORTHY!!!"
Hands start to twitch… 'Five… Six… Seven…'
"NOW YOU ALL SHUT UP! I am DESTINED to be with Sarah-chan!"
'Eight… Nine…'
"Oi Sarah."
'THAT'S IT!' Sarah screamed before a fist descends onto the unlucky person to call her name, sending her into a crater and would have likely break some bones. That WILL be true if the person isn't, "Eh? EVA-CHAN!!"
"Owie…" Evangeline mumbles as she rubs the newly acquired bump on her head. "What did I do to deserve this?"
"G-gomen… I'm kinda… pissed right now…" Sarah says as a vein twitch on her forehead and an aura of doom loomed over her. To say those fan boys were terrified will not be an understatement.
"I see this is not exactly a good time?" A voice says from behind the group of boys. Sarah blinks before turning to look for the voice.
"Ano, where are you?"
"R-right here!" The voice says before its owner appears by squeezing himself through the wall of fan boys. It reveals to be a boy with a pair of thick classes perched on his face. He is wearing the typical Mahora uniform with a backpack strapped onto his bag. One can immediately tell that he is about 18, give or take a year, with somewhat messy black hair and intelligent brown eyes that are set into a rather handsome and serious face. He is rather tall, almost reaching six feet, but due to his rather thick glasses, people always assumed he was a push-over. Yeah, it gets him quite the trouble in school, but hey, when you have one of the highest grades, it doesn't really matter. "Sarah-san, I have the information you were looking for."
"Ah, Otaku-chan!" Sarah says before she starts to push the boy towards the library. "I was wondering when you would show up!" Sarah says in a singsong voice, much the horror of the other fan boys and to the newly dubbed 'otaku-chan' due to the killer intent being directed at him.
"Please Sarah-san, do not call me that. I would appreciate that." The boy says as he pushes his classes higher onto his nose. "Besides, my given name is Saki, and I prefer if you call me as such."
"Ah whatever pointy-chan! Now hurry up, I need that info ASAP!"
"Please Sarah-san, my name does not mean point, but rather 'end,' as in 'an end to your question."
"And that's why I asked you!"
"Is it just me… or does that guy needs to die?" A fan boy asks and the rest nod with him as an aura of doom radiates off them. That aura immediately vanished as Evangeline cracks her knuckles.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. Besides, the two are just friends and sort of share a mutual-benefit relationship." Eva says as she smirks at the fan boys. "In another words, he gives her what information she needs, and she sends any person stupid enough to pick on him to the hospital for a good three or four weeks. Get my drift?"
"…" The fan boys blink before they turn to stare at Saki and see a huge imaginary sign on his head that reads 'off limits.' Well, there goes their revenge… at least he isn't Sarah-chan's boyfriend.
XXXXXXXXXX
"Sarah-san, can you release me?" Saki asks in his I-shall-remain-calm voice, which is very impressive indeed.
"Right." Sarah says after dragging Saki into a more isolated section of Library Island. "Now, what did you get?"
"Just about everything that is to know about this underground slave markets." Saki says as a glare reflects off his glasses. "Which is practically nothing."
"But?"
"But, I did find out that this market does not only sell humans, but also haiyous. Also, its supplies are usually from homeless children found on the streets, and it seems that they prefer females."
"That is to be expected…" Sarah spat as she sits down on a table and motioned for Saki to sit as well. "Now, let's put that aside, did you find where the head is?"
"Hmm… Kurosame Kagemaru I believe?" The boy asks, and when he saw the glare directed at him, he chuckled rather darkly. "Yes, I did find where they are holding her… or more like, where she is keeping herself."
"So she did give herself over." Sarah mumbles before turning to Saki. "Where?"
"Ah, ah, I will give it to you, but in exchange, I want something as well." The boy says as a smirk works its way onto his handsome face. Sarah's eyes narrowed as alerts start to sound off in her head. "…I want a chance to fight the son of the Thousand Master."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then you get nothing regarding Kagemaru's future clan head."
"…"
"Why Sarah-san, I won't do anything too drastic. I'm just going to see his level and measure his potential." Saki says as lighting suddenly appeared and crackles in his hands. "It's being a while since I've shown such interest in someone."
"So who was your previous target?"
"Why, it's the principal's granddaughter of course. But since she is still in the dark and the principal is rather over protective of her, there is no chance in testing her." The otaku-look-alike says and his smirk grew bigger. "But Negi Springfield is another story. If I can simply by pass you, I can test his ability." Saki holds up a hand to stop whatever protest Sarah has. "It is no secret that you are one of the most dangerous people in the world right now, that's why I know I stand no chance against you in an all out fight. What I want is simply to see how good the boy is. As you know his father is rather infamous and made quite a few enemies before he disappeared…"
"Are you saying that you want to train him?" Sarah asks and crosses her arms under her breasts.
"Iie. That job is more suited to someone like Evangeline-san. But I can be a powerful ally when the time comes."
Sarah cannot deny it. While Kamo was good with information and advice, Saki is someone you want to have when it comes to information. Also, his lighting affinity made him a perfect range attacker: fast, deadly, and accurate. Those were the natural abilities of a lighting user and Sarah knew it. While the boy in front of her was nowhere near her level or that of the Thousand Master's, he possessed the potential to reach it and surpass it, just like Negi.
"So, what do you say?"
"…I don't see why not. It may help him in the long run. But no permanent damage to him."
"I won't. Besides, I have no wish to be skinned alive." Saki grinned before he reached into his bag and produced a thick stack of papers. "Now that you've agreed, here is the information regarding the whereabouts of Kurosame and other additional information on what the place's security holds."
Taking the paper, Sarah immediately starts to scan over the data. The vampire is impressed. In her hands was basically everything she needed to know about a bunker and more. It included food sources, weapons, types of wizards and combat specialists inside, who is in charge, and what type of people are being held in there. "I'm impressed… now where do you get such information? I don't think hacking will work as they have ways to track you and terminate you."
"Ah, I have my ways…" Saki says and held out an emblem with a golden shield and a cross stabbed into a skull: the symbol of a Paladin.
XXXXXXXXXX
Setsuna is not happy. Already several incidents occurred and they hadn't even reached their hotel. The girl sighs as she helps another drunk girl into the bus that'll carry them to their hotel. Now not only does she need to worry about Konoka-ojou-sama, but she also needs to watch out for possible attacks on the students.
Then, there's that new girl with Negi… she feels… familiar.
That'll have to wait; now, she needed to get another student.
"Now why would a birdie be here all alone?" A monotone asks from behind Setsuna.
"Wha?" The kendo girl gasps before turning around to find green eyes piercing into her brown ones.
"Oh don't worry, your secret is safe with me." The new girl says as a smirk slapped itself on to her lips. "It's hard to see another haiyous on the bus…"
"Huh? Another?"
"Hai…"
"Neko-san!" Negi shouts as he runs up to the new girl. "Ah gomen, but can you please not leave my sight. You are my responsibility and I do not wish for you to come to any harm."
"Why Negi-sama, I can take care of myself. Besides, I'm at least two years older than you." Neko says as she leans over so her nose is only a centimeter away from Negi's. "And just because you are supposed to be my guardian doesn't mean you have authority over me."
"A-ah… t-that is not what-!"
"I'll see you later Negi-sama." Neko says sarcastically before she headed towards the bus.
"Ano… Negi-sensei?" Setsuna asks as she just witnesses the rather strange exchange. Great, just what she needs… another haiyous to worry about… and who is that new girl? Surely she is no one to be worry over… right?
XXXXXXXXXX
"You know, that sister of yours is rather bitter." Arda says to a figure in the shadow sitting in a cell. "I wonder what happened to her to cause such hatred for humans."
"…" The figure didn't say anything but simply shifted her soft green eyes.
"…I will not pry, and sorry for putting you in this cell. There are some here that will not hesitate to do rather nasty things to you. Sometimes I wonder why Hoshiiko's father even hires these men. They're too… hateful to truly protect the world."
The figure just gives Arda an understanding smile and a soft curve of her eyes, telling Arda that all is understandable.
"You know, I like you, quiet, but easy to talk to; no offense about that quiet comment."
The figure once again gives another smile before she tilts her head in a questioning way.
"Your sister is fine… I dare say she'll be safe. I just hope Negi is responsible enough."
The figure tilts her head this time in a confused way.
"Oh you don't know? Negi Springfield, the son of the Thousand Master." Arda says in a rather surprised way. "I thought you knew."
Just then, the figure blurred forward and grabs Arda by her shoulders and gives her a shake. Worried green eyes stare into her silver ones in panic and shock.
"A-ah, I see. Please don't worry. From what I can see, he is a capable young man despite being only ten."
The figure gives a silent squeak that easily noticed due to her hands flying to her mouth.
"Er, I assure you that she'll be fine." Arda says in a reassuring way with a soft smile on her face. "I have to go now; new member to train. Come, Hana and Locke. We're going."
Two shadows detached themselves from the walls and soon a man of six foot and a girl of about five eight appear. The figure behind bars gives a start as she sees the 'new arrivals' and gives Arda a questioning look.
"Ah, do not worry Kurosame-chan. They can be trusted. Let me introduce you to Locke and Hana. Locke will be joining the ranks of Paladin today." Arda explains and a smile appears.
The figure called Kurosame blinks before turning pitying eyes to Locke, who blinks in confusion. Hana can only shake her head as a sadistic grin appears on Arda's face
"C'mon Locky, time to introduce you to Arda-hellish training methods."
"…What have I gotten myself into? I hope the pay is worth this."
XXXXXXXXXX
"Eto… what is going on?" Asuna asks as she sees a giant monkey carry Konoka off and then Negi and Setsuna –the latter dress rather urgently- give chase.
"A-ASUNA-SAN! NO TIME! NEED TO CHASE!!" Negi shouts as he and Setsuna run after the giant monkey that's laughing in the classic evil-woman laugh.
"Eh? M-MATTE!!" Asuna shouts as she also gives chase. Remembering Sarah's words, she puts her hand into her jacket's pocket and feels the piece of paper in her pocket. It's better safe than sorry, and besides, all those incidents in the morning really unnerve her.
And so, the trio gives chase to the monkey, never noticing the girl chasing them as well.
Neko jumps from street lamp to street lamp, making sure to keep a certain distance in case she is found out. Now that her interest is peeked by that Setsuna girl, she cannot let her get out of her sight. Tensing her leg muscles, Neko gives a powerful kick to the street lamp, launching herself into the air and leaving a dent in the metal at the same time. There is no mistaking it, that monkey is the person who made the talisman and that Konoka girl is something special. '…Enlighten me of the situation, ne? Saru-san.'
XXXXXXXXXX
"Why aren't there any people in the train station?!" Negi asks as he turned left and right and saw absolutely NO ONE in the train station.
"It must be a charm that ward off people. It seems that we're against an Eastern Mage here." Setsuna explains as she continues to chase the monkey.
"Just WHAT IS GOING ON?!?!" Asuna shouts as she also gives chase wanting to save Konoka, seeing as the air-headed girl is her friend and roommate.
"Konoka-ojou-sama is being kidnapped." Setsuna says in such a way that Asuna almost tripped on her own feet. "The person doing it must be after her magic power."
"Eh? Konoka has magic?" Asuna asks, now bewildered as to the air-headed girl's real identity.
"Of course. Seeing that her grandfather is Konoemon, it should be obvious to us mages that she possesses magic. However, I don't see why they want to kidnap Konoha-san." Negi says as he and the two girls run into an empty train to see the monkey running towards the control room. "MATTE!!"
The monkey turns to reveal a woman with classes on and long black hair. Smiling, the woman produces a piece of paper and murmured something before sticking it onto the door separating the compartment. Next thing that happens is water that gushes into the sealed train and flooding Negi, Asuna, and Setsuna.
XXXXXXXXXX
Neko hates water. It's really a cat thing but heck, that much water… Now she knows that she will not ever be in a room with that Saru.
"Hmm… I wonder what will happen now. Will you drown or will you escape? Negi-sama?" Neko asks with an amused tone. Her ears twitched as the train slowed down and the neko-girl looks up from her crouching position to see the station coming into view. "Note to self: never ride on top of a speeding train unless absolutely necessary."
KASHIN-SHIN-SHIN!"Eh?" Neko looks down to see the train's window bursting and water flowing out in gallons. "Ah, must be that bird girl. Kendo is really useful ne?"
"Damn it! She escaped!" The voice that belong to Setsuna shouts and soon the train door is sliced into multiple pieces, scaring Negi and Asuna, who rush out of the train once more to give pursuit.
"Hmm…" Neko hummed before she jumps onto the train station's roof and follow the monkey with her eyes. "Hmm, now where would she be… shimatta!"
In the last second, Neko jumps away from her hiding spot just as a spear-like weapon smashed into where she used to be. Turning, the cat girl glared at her attacker and hissed like a cat.
"Ne, ne, a girl like you should not be here. Besides, curiosity kills the cat ne?" A man about 6' 6 says in a voice that seemly flowed out of his mouth. The man retracts his weapon and slammed its butt end into the roof, so that the bladed side is pointing into the sky.
"Who are you?" Neko asks softly as the hair on the back of her neck stands on end. This man is dangerous, that's the only way to describe him.
The man pouts before his fox-like eyes curve into two upside-down U's. "Ma, ma, don't be mad. It just doesn't want you to interfere with my employer."
"A mercenary… I hate your type."
"Hmm, you shouldn't do that." The man says before he uses instant movement and appears behind Neko, his cheek pressed against the surprised girl's left cheek and his arms around Neko's waist in a hug. "So much hatred will get you killed… Besides… what will your sister say if she knows that little Neko-chan is being such a hateful girl hmm?"
"Y-you're-!"
THUD!XXXXXXXXXX
"Ayaya, they sure are persistent." Chigusa Amagasaki says as she glanced over her shoulder to see the trio chasing her. "Chickasha. I guess fighting is inevitable." The woman says as she turns and runs up a flight of stairs. As she expected, the trio follows without thinking. Now that she has the higher ground, she should be okay. Grabbing another charm from her hidden pocket, she once again chanted her activation phrase. "Charm-san, charm-san, please help facilitate my escape… KENJI HOU QIAN" A fire wall in the shape of the kanji big appears on the stair, effectively stopping any further advancement.
"Gah!" Setsuna exclaims as she nearly plunged into the burning inferno. Going through her arsenal of techniques, the kendo girl finds that she has absolutely no technique that she can use without hurting Konoka. Luckily for her, she has Negi Springfield right next to her.
"BREAK THROUGH!" Negi exclaims and a strong gust of wind blew the flame out. Chigusa blinks as the next second, Setsuna appears in front of her with katana raised above her head. Fortunately, she has back up.
KA-CHINK!"Nani?!"
"Good evening, senpai!" A girl says with a big smile on while she blocks Setsuna's single katana with two of her own.
"Wha?!" Setsuna gaps before she disengages and jumps to a safe distance. "Senpai? I don't even know you!"
"Ah, that's right." The girl says before she takes off her pink hate and gives a bow. "Watashiwa Tsukuyomi of the Shinmeiryu. Yorushikou!"
"Eh?" Asuna exclaims as she blinks at the girl in pink. "If you're from the Shinmeiryu, shouldn't you be HELPING us?"
"Asuna-san, even if she is from the same school, the school does not control what we take up as our career. In fact, mercenaries are rather popular as it gives money and experience at the same time." Setsuna explains as she goes into another ready stance.
"Ohohoho! Now that Tsukuyomi-han is here, I have no worries what so ever." Chigusa says before she slaps Konoka's bottom just for measure. "Now if you don't mind, I'll be taking Konoka-ojou-sama with me. Charm-san, charm-san, please help facilitate my escape!"
POP! POP!
"IKKI!" A giant monkey screams as it lands onto the stair just above Asuna and Negi.
"OGGI!!" A giant teddy bear shouts as it lands right next to the monkey. Now Negi and Asuna can only think how much trouble they'll be in.
"NEGI-SENSEI! ASUNA-SAN!" Setsuna exclaims and is about to rush to their rescue when Tsukuyomi interferes.
"Aya, senpai, please don't be so cold. I'm your opponent, please go easy on me!"
"Grrrr… OTTA MY WAY!!!"
SHIN-SHIN-SHA-KIN-SHAN!!!
"N-Negi, what are we going to do?" Asuna stutters as she takes a step back from the giant monkey.
"D-daijobou! I'll just blast them away. Ras Tel Ma Scir-!"
"OGGI!!!" The bear screams as its eyes shin an unholy light and smashes an oversized paw down at Negi. If Asuna did not act fast, she's sure that Negi will be unconscious until the next Monday.
"D-DAMN IT NEGI! BE MORE CAREFUL!!!"
"A-ANE-SAN! USE THE CARD! USE THE CARD!!" Kamo, who's trying to hold on, shouts to Asuna. The baka red suddenly remembered what Kamo taught her in the inn and quickly takes out her card. "ADEAT!!"
A glow surround Asuna's card and stretched, soon taking on the shape of a sword. However, when the glow died down, the only thing in Asuna's hand is a… "A paper fan…?"
"Ikki?/Oggi?" The bear and monkey demon sweat drops and Negi blinks at the over size paper fan. Asuna level a glare to the ermine resting on her shoulder and says in a deadly voice, "Just what is this suppose to do?"
"Err… the card says exorcism… so I guess just hit one of those and see?" The ermine says nervously. Seeing nothing to lose, Asuna decides to use it on the nearest demon available… the bear.
"HHHHAAAA-YA!!!!"
FLAP!!!"…OOOOOOOOOGGGGGIIIII!!!" The bear demon exclaims before it vanish in a poof of smoke. Asuna blinks a couple of seconds before turning a pair of evil eyes onto the monkey demon, which by the way is sweating bullets.
"Hmm… Negi, you go ahead. I'll handle this."
"A-ah…" Negi thought as he turns tiny eyes towards where a fierce sword fight is taking place. 'She wants me to go through THAT?'
KA-SHIN-KIN-KIN-SHIN-SHASHIN!!!'…Yup, she wants me to go through there.' Negi gulps before he ready a spell, but suddenly something struck him in the stomach and knocks the wind out of him. "GAH!"
"Ma, ma, can't have you do that now can I?" A man about 6' 6, with foxy eyes and brown hair that sort of resembles Nagi's says. His long white trench coat settled down on his back is strapped a long pole. On his right shoulder slumps a rather familiar cat girl.
"N-Neko-san!"
"Hmm? Oh her? Don't worry about it I only knocked her out. Now please don't interfere. This fight is rather interesting." The man says with a smile before his eyes widen to show brown iris. "Oh! You're Negi Springfield!! My, that cousin of mine is getting busy while I'm out there hmm?"
"N-Nani?"
"Ma, I'm Nicolas Springfield. You uncle… how many times removed? Anyway, just say that I'm a family yeah?"
"B-but…!"
"Hmm… I did something rather stupid a long time ago and your grandfather isn't exactly happy with me. That's why he never says anything." Nicolas says with a sheepish grin before he settles Neko gently next to a tree. "Hmm, if Kurosame finds out about this, she'll kick my ass alright."
"SHINMEIRYU! SECRET STYLE! SLASHING ROCK TECHNIQUE!!"
BOOM!!!"Eh? K-KYYYAAAAAA!!!" Chigusa exclaims as Setsuna blew Tsukuyomi away and rushes towards her. "M-M-M-MATTE!!!"
"SHINMEIRYU! SECRET STYLE! SAKURA PETAL SLASH!!!"
SHIN-BOOM!!!"IIIIIIEEEEEEEEE!!!!"
"OJOU-SAMA?!?!"
"KONOKA!!!"
"Hmm, I see the fight is already over." Nicolas says before he bends down to Negi's eye lever and puts a large gloved hand on his head. "Now take care. Don't worry about me being on their side. I'm just a merc. Now don't say a thing about me to your grandpa alright? I'm only in my mid thirties and am in no hurry to die. Hmm?"
"H… hai…" Negi mumbles as he continues to stare at his supposed uncle.
"Good. Now, take care of Neko-chan for me." With that, the self-proclaimed uncle jumps into the air and vanished. The unconscious form of Chigusa and Tsukuyomi also disappeared in two puddles of water, much to Setsuna and Asuna's displeasure and confusion.
"Che… they got away… no matter. Ojou-sama?" Setsuna says as she gently shakes Konoka by the shoulder. "Ojou-sama? Wake up, it's okay now."
"Is she okay?" Asuna asks as she inspects the unconscious girl for any form of injury.
"From what I can see, she'll be fine."
"A-Asuna-san!" Negi shouts from his place next to Neko. "Can you help me with her please? She's kinda heavy."
"W-who are you calling heavy?"
"EEEPP?!?!!" Negi squeaks before leaping a few feet away and starts to bow. "SORRYSORRYSORRYSORRYSORRYSORRY!!!"
"Will you shut up?" Neko wheezes as she clutched at her left side. "Damn it, that bastard never changes… doesn't know how to treat a girl."
"Eh? You know that guy?" Asuna asks as she looks at where the newly appeared man was a few minutes ago.
"You can put it that way…" Neko monotones out the answer as she tries to stand up only to fail rather miserably. "Gah! If I find that bastard, I'm going to give him a piece of my mind!" The cat girl snarls as Asuna and Negi slowly backed away from the girl that's radiating death.
'S-scary…' The thought ran through both Asuna and Negi's mind. As for Kamo (APH: Yes, he is there, remember?) is frozen like a statue. The ermine quickly makes a note to never steal that girl's possessions (MX:(insert here: panties)) or die a horrible death.
"A-anyway, I think we should go back." Negi suddenly says to moves forward to help Neko up. Just when he lays a hand on the girl, his hand is violently slapped away and his throat was grabbed. Next thing Negi knows, he is staring at a pair of rather cold green eyes.
"Never… Touch me… Again…" Neko whispers, her eyes narrowed and burned themselves into Negi's own brown ones. "Is that clear, Sensei?"
"Hey! Just what is your problem!?!" Asuna shouts as she quickly retreated with Negi to a safe distance. Namely, shoving him behind her while she herself is holding her paper fan, aiming it at the cat girl sitting only two feet away.
"You humans are all the same…"
"Eh?! Care to repeat-!"
"O-OJOU-SAMA!!" Setsuna's overjoyed shout break Asuna away from finishing her sentence.
"Well, I guess she is alright." Asuna whispers before she pushes Negi towards Konoka's direction. "Go Negi, help her out."
"E-eh? But!"
"No buts. Just go."
Giving a rather reluctant look back, Negi rushes forwards just in time for Setsuna to dump a confused Konoka into his arms and charges full throttle out of there. Back with Asuna, the baka red turn her attention back to the girl who is still trying to stand but only to fill miserably again. "Now… what is your problem?"
"My problems? My problem is standing right in front of me. Actually, my problem has been infesting this planet for Kami knows how long." Neko monotones while she clutches her sides in agony. "My problem is human. Stinky, filthy humans that have no idea how good their lives are. Humans that take what they have for granted yet still want more… Humans that can do many things to a little girl…"
"Eh?!" Asuna shouts before pointing a finger at Neko. "What are you talking about? Just what in the world are you talking about?!"
"Che… I've already said too much… Now if you don't mind…" Neko says before she fainted.
"What the!" Quickly rushing over, Asuna checked the girl to see if she could spot the thing that caused the girl to faint. Just then, Asuna remembers Neko clutching at her side the entire time. Lifting her shirt up just enough, Asuna gasps as she sees a rather nasty bruise. From what she can see, it looks as if a few ribs are broken as the girl's breathing is rather ragged. "Oh sonnova! Negi! GET YOUR ASS HERE NOW!!"
XXXXX On a tree not too far away… XXXXX
"Oh shit… I think I over did it…" Nicolas says as he nervously bites his nails. His fox-like eyes are focused entirely on Neko and the nasty bruise that HE caused.
"Itai… I never knew this could be such a drag…" Chigusa says as she rubs at her head. Positioned on a branch slightly higher than Nicolas's, the woman stares at the little group with annoyance. "Che, that Setsuna girl will be trouble later on."
"Nyaaahhh" Tsukuyomi moans on a branch below Nicolas as she nurse the bump on her head. "Senpai shows no merci…"
"Anyway, good job, new guy." Chigusa says to a person next to her. "If it weren't for you, we'd all tied up…" Just then, Chigusa planted a foot onto Nicolas's head. "Except for you! I pay you to fight! Not to talk to that little brat!"
"Itai! Ma, ma, no need to be so cruel!" Nicolas mock whined before he jump onto the branch Chigusa is standing on. "Besides, that was my nephew you're talking about."
"Oh? Really. Then I must say I see why he shows so much potential. He is Negi Springfield…"
"Negi Springfield eh?" The new guy mumbled before he walks forward into the moonlight to show a boy, seemly no older than 12 with white hair and a pair of icy blue eyes. "This is interesting… And Nicolas-san, please remove your spear unless you plan to hurt someone."
"Ma, ma, it's not my fault. It's just that you seem to be planning to do something to my cute little nephew…" Nicolas says, his playful tone carrying an underlying threat. His spear-like blade rests comfortably under the new boy's chin, showing control and most of all, it shows how dangerous the man is. "Besides… I'm planning to see how strong he is so far." The man says as he exposes his brown eyes. Then, everyone in the little group knew better than to mess with the man.
…After all, when a man's eyes alone spell death, it's best to leave him alone.
Unfortunately for one Negi Springfield, that is not an option…
XXXXXXXXXX
APH: And that's that for this chapter. For those that are missing those random times, I'm regret to say that they won't be any for at least maybe one or two more chapters. BUT DO NOT FRIEGHT! FOR THEY SHALL REAPPEAR SOON!!! GAH! (Gets kicked off the stage)
Sarah: Damn, I guess he's in the cookie jar again… Anyway, like he says, that is that for this chapter.
MX: Aw man, I was hoping for something more.
Sarah: (turn an evil eye towards MX with a creepy smile on) Don't worry, you won't be disappointed…
MX: …Now I don't think I want any more…
APH: (Appears back on stage) Owie, that hurts you ungrateful vampire! Still, hope you guys like this chapter. Another OC is brought into play, and I'll try to get a picture up… I think.
Neko: He means if he remembers… or if he feels like it. Considering he has this inferiority complex when it comes to art…
APH: OI!! (Grab Neko's tail) LISTEN HERE YOU LITTLE- BAN!!
Neko: …What have I said about touching…?
APH: (From newly made crater) …No touchy?
Neko: Hai… and you better remember it…
APH: Y-yes ma'am…
Nicolas: (whisper to MX) and to think I'm associated with such violent girl…
MX: I feel for you man… I feel for you…