For everyone who left encouraging comments I'd like to thank you but at the sametime I would like to formally apologize for taking such a long time to continue writing it. Bunch of things came up like my friends wedding and endless papers due in school.

Quick note, when I started writing chapter 2 last week it turned into a huge document so I decided to split the chapter. This doesn't cover everything that I had originally planned on releasing in chp 2 but please look forward to the rest in chp 3 which is undergoing a lot of rewrites right now.

***

Chapter 2: A World of Mirrors

We face life as if it were our own personal story book. Walking around every day we unknowingly make decisions that influence the creation of an alternate path. A world of one is actually a world of many as a new life is born through every choice we make. The many strings of fate are always present, but it is only you who can decide which path to take.

Did you make the right choice?

***

A rainbow of illumination spread throughout the night sky as a young boy made a decision that would change his life forever. A decision that would ultimately present a new path of tears that one must follow in order to find happiness. It was here, under this very night sky that Negi chose to chase after a heartbroken Asuna.

As the two sat under a blanket of faded stars they thought about many things. Their future, their relationship, and everything that had happened only moments before meeting in this isolated world. A reflection of memories became vivid as their minds began to wander. It is because of these memories a decision was made to further accept an existence that was never meant to be.

Tired from all the running and tears, Asuna lay her head down on the boy's lap. She opened her eyes to the night sky and fully accepted the visual stimulus that the fireworks offered. As the girl lay there on the boy's lap he gently ran his hand through her silky hair while watching over her in silence. He remembered the look on the girl's face as she ran past him and felt a twisted feeling in his heart. As he looked over her he soon became entrapped in a world of confusion as his eyes now saw something that he never noticed before. This girl that was so close to him right now was beautiful. His heart skipped a beat.

An exchange of whispers took place before the boy reached into his pocket and pulled out fanciful watch. He offered it to the night sky filling it with all of his strength, in hope of doing something right. As the vessel of hope began to overflow with magic everything in the world around them began to fade into nothing.

***

The beautiful night sky that was once filled with faded stars and flashing colors became nothing more than a brilliant ocean of blue. It was morning once more on the second day of the Mahora Festival, and there in the middle of all the excitement sat an unlikely couple.

"Huh? Hey Negi-brat what'd you bring me here for?" Asuna was confused as she looked around to confirm what had just happened. Negi looked over at her and realized he couldn't say why he did it.

"I uhh…oh, I just remembered I didn't give you as much time on my festival schedule. As your homeroom teacher it's my duty to make time for my students." Negi said it while fidgeting around looking for a better excuse. Asuna only looked at him with discerning eyes.

"You're a terrible liar." She said as she poked him in the head. He tried to laugh it off as she said this to him.

"Well uhh, I was wondering if you would like to spend the day with me Asuna-san?" She stared into Negi's eyes before giving him an answer.

"Fine with me, I've had a terrible night anyways; it'd be a welcome change of pace."

"Asuna-san, leave it to me." He smiled gently at her with an aura of maturity.

"Stupid brat, you're supposed be a kid remember?" She said in response to his grown up attitude. "I'll be back; I need to use the toilet." She got up from where she was sitting and started to leave, but as she distanced herself from the boy she suddenly turned around, "About last night…thank you." As soon as she said this she ran off leaving Negi at a loss of words.

With Asuna gone Negi was left to think about what exactly he was doing. He wasn't sure of what bringing her back to this time would do, and in his head he wondered what he was feeling for Asuna. Love wasn't something a 10 year old child could easily comprehend even for someone as mature as Negi. Despite the fact of being confessed to by one of his other students he couldn't form a real response on how he feels about the ones close to him. Was love something that could be so easily understood? Or is what we feel just a complex way of saying infatuation.

Frustrated he took a deep breath as he sunk into the bench. With his eyes to the sky he soon withdrew from the rest of the world as he closed off his sense of reality.

"Hehe, you sure are daring Aniki" A small furry head popped out of Negi's pocket, reawakening his senses.

"Huh? Chamo-kun, when did you…were you there the entire time!?"

"Of course Aniki, that Ane-san is a delicate lady after all." A mischievous smile overcame his face. "I couldn't just leave you to deal with this on your own now could I?" The little ermine was definitely planning something as he said this to Negi. "Hey Aniki, listen up, I got a plan."

***

Asuna found her way into an empty restroom and locked the door behind her. She slowly walked over to the sink and looked at herself in the mirror. Not seeing the bells that she had worn nearly every day felt strange to her. Unconsciously she reached down to her purse and felt the bells between her finger tips. Hearing the subtle chime from the bells brought back memories of why they were so special to her. But as she untied them from her purse to place in her hair she suddenly stopped realizing that they were only special because of Takahata. Right now she knew his true feelings and couldn't bring herself to put on a smile while wearing these bells. She looked at herself in the mirror again and saw the many stains from all the tears she had cried that night. Looking at the bells again she dropped them into her purse, allowing her hair to remain untied.

"I'm such a mess…" she said to herself. "I never thought that brat would follow me though. I wonder what would have happened if he didn't run after me." As she stared into the empty sink she slowly turned on the water, watching as it tried to fill the emptiness. But it didn't make a difference, no matter how much water fell into place, there was always a hole.

Asuna felt numb inside but was also glad that she knew someone was there for her. After watching the water drain away she cupped her hands and splashed the water on her face. It felt good.

"Its morning again… that night hasn't happened yet." She slowly said to herself. "Magic can't fix everything… that's what he told me. Dumbass, you're only tempting fate by bringing me back."

Asuna grabbed some paper towels and slowly dried her face. Throwing the towels into the garbage she looked at herself in the mirror again. "All of that effort, for nothing, I wonder if it was even worth it. Do I even deserve to be loved by anyone?" She paused as she thought about what she had just said and soon smiled in amusement. "He'd get mad at me if he heard me say that again. You truly are a troublemaker… Negi."

***

As Negi patiently waited for Asuna to return he thought about how they should spend their day together. It was already his third trip back to the second day of the festival so he would have to be extra careful to not run into his former selves.

He felt a little excited about spending the day with Asuna but at the same time realized that this was also a serious situation. In his mind he remembered that everything that had happened that night has yet to come into reality. If he prevented it from happening, then maybe Asuna would never have gotten hurt. If that night never happened, then the one he cares about the most will never have had to shed a tear.

"Hey, Chamo-kun…" Negi slowly said.

"Hm? What's up Aniki?" Silence followed as Negi thought about what he was about to say.

"Never mind it's nothing." Negi decided that this was a problem he had to figure out on his own.

"You sure Aniki?" Chamo questioned.

"Yeah it's best I think about it on my own."

"Alright well I'll be in your pocket. Remember the plan Aniki~!" The little fuzz ball was excited.

"Eh? But aren't you afraid that she'll…" Negi was soon cut off as he heard a voice calling out to him.

"Sorry for the wait, there was a long line." Asuna cheerfully said as she approached Negi, but inside she wasn't feeling as happy at all. It pained her a little to have lied to him just now, even if it was just a minor one. In her heart she felt something go wrong. If she couldn't open up to Negi, was she unable to let go of Takahata?

"Ah Asuna-san, I thought that maybe we should change our clothes so we don't get mixed up by our other selves."

"Hm good idea, let's find a costume shop."

While thinking about where the closest costume stand was a glimmer of light flashed from Negi's pocket as an ermine smiled with malicious intent. A white flash of fur bolted out of its hiding place heading straight for Asuna.

"Ermine Sneak Attack~!" A voice came from the white blur as it approached its intended victim.

"Like hell!" As the white blur came within range of Asuna she quickly swatted the incoming projectile throwing it off in the other direction.

"Hehe..just as I expected Ane-san, but I planned ahead. Trick Attack~! Ermine Shoot!" A blue sphere shot out from where Chamo was and went straight into Asuna's mouth. Satisfied with his victory Chamo accepted his fate and closed his eyes with a smile.

"Ah! Chamo-kun that's dangerous!" Negi caught Chamo as he floated by him.

The blue sphere that the ermine threw at Asuna was quickly swallowed by her as she choked on it. A puff of smoke soon engulfed her as the blue sphere took its full effect. The smoke started to clear as Negi and the ermine's eyes became fixated on what was hidden within. Soon a 10 year old Asuna stepped out of the smoke in clothing that was far too big for her.

"You…" A hint of anger was apparent in her voice. "STUPID RAT!!" She grabbed her purse and repeatedly smashed it into the ermine.