Disclaimer: This is a nonprofit fictional story, a FanFiction based on Ken Akamatsu's Negima. I do not own Negima, or most of the other characters included in this work, excepting where it is stated in the author's notes. It is not intended or presented for any commercial profit or personal gain; it is simply a story written for personal fulfillment and presented for public enjoyment, and as an honest homage to the fine story conceived and written by Ken Akamatsu, as well as all the other (innumerable) works that find place herein (and their authors).

Chapter Eight: Through the Fire and Flames

Kain and his comrades settled back into their seats in the arena, with Kain joining them in the seat in the midst of them that he usually occupied after his own fights on previous days. They arrived just in time—the maintenance wizards had just finished repairing the arena, and Koto was getting ready to give her spiel as the two fighters made their way out to the floor.

"And now, for the second match of the Semifinals! Our first match certainly lived up to its hype…we witnessed an extraordinary exchange of blades, spells, techniques, tricks and tactics! And finally we had an end-all showdown that rocked this arena! And at the end of it all, the mysterious would-be hero Kalan Lockeheart forced Kuchiki Byakuya to surrender, and became our first competitor to reach the Finals!

"Now in the second match we have Aiden Rylack, premier treasure hunter and member of the Red Wings, against Natsu Dragneel, the Salamander, fire wizard of the mage guild Fairy Tail! Will our battle here be as brilliant as our last? There's only one way to find out!"

"Man! I'm all fired up!" Natsu enthused. "That Kai…Kalan guy really is swingin'! I've got to do my best, too! Even if I have to get past this old man!"

Aiden adjusted his hat. "Hmm. Now we have this kid…? A Dragonslayer, huh…?"

8-8-8

"What do you think of this battle?" Ricardo, who was sitting next to Mashiro in the VIP section, asked the child schoolmaster. "Aiden shouldn't have any difficulty with this fight, should he?"

"Well…that would certainly seem to be the case," Mashiro agreed. "Aiden Rylack is the #1 rated fighter in this tournament, a renowned warrior and adventurer even apart from his famous deeds with the Red Wings. His opponent is a young man who, while impressive, isn't particularly well-known or remarkable, not to the standards of his opponent. He shouldn't be of any consequence to Aiden…it's shown by his 20th rank in the seeding. He was strong, but he's not particularly outstanding…he's not even the most famous or powerful wizard in his own guild.

"On the other hand…he did make it this far. This is the fourth round in a row he's been an underdog. He overcame the 4th and 5th seeds already…this kind of battle shouldn't be anything new to him. Despite his one-dimensional ability, he has fought his way forward through tenaciousness and fervor, and he's not suddenly going to turn into a pumpkin here.

"I'm not saying he'll win…but if I were a betting woman, I would lay against the points. Aiden should not expect an easy battle…he certainly won't get it."

"Interesting," Ricardo replied. "Well, let's see if this kid lives up to your generous assessment…."

8-8-8

"Is that meathead really up against one of the original Red Wings?" Shiho asked disdainfully. The youthful HiME group had their patrols off during this battle, and so they were gathered alongside Sargon, watching the match.

Sargon chuckled. "If he's made it this far, he's not to be underestimated. Fiore…it's a small kingdom, like Wind Bloom, one of many on the small and insignificant southern continent, but its powerful mage guilds are well-respected. Did you know, the last nation to attack Fiore was the kingdom of Dalkia, 70 years ago? They were repulsed…not by the country's inconsequential military might, but by the power of its fiercely independent mage guilds, led by Fairy Tail."

"Dragonslayer magic…one of the Lost Magics," Irina said with her borderline excitement as she adjusted her glasses. "The power to take on the elemental affinities of the dragon whose magic you've taken in. It's super-high-class magic that can't be replicated. But then again, Aiden possesses a Lost Magic, too: the magic of Entropy."

Yue brought out her artifact and began to read from it. "Dragonslayer magic: there are only three known cases of 'true' Dragonslayer magic in the world, all of whose actual origins are unknown. There have been attempts to recreate the magic with lacrima, which have been moderately successful. Entropy magic: a Lost Magic that is a Reality-Altering magic, one of the highest-class magic types in existence. It works upon reality by breaking down the physical objects of the world, particularly in coincidental or serendipitous fashion. At its highest level, it is essentially a kind of working 'luck' magic, causing 'fortune' to go awry for the enemies of the caster. Hmm…."

"Ah…um, is that…good?" Arika asked in confusion.

"Remarkable," Nina admitted. "Entropy is a magic that doesn't work with obvious chants or effects…its entire nature is difficult to discern. It is 'believed' that Aiden possesses Entropy magic, but to see it in action…even during this tournament, he has not really seemed too incredibly 'lucky'. Perhaps, finally, we can see it in action…."

8-8-8

"Aiden-san…and Natsu-san…" Nodoka murmured.

"I must admit, it's been great to see Natsu come this far," Lucy admitted. "It does great for the name of Fairy Tail and its Strongest Team, but…I think that this is as far as he can go…."

"He's already done more than fine," Erza said. "Furthermore…he's already been growing from this. The next time we take on the Obsidian Star…he, in particular, will be ready for them."

"I almost don't know who I want to cheer for," Ami put in. "I'm not sure I want to cheer for either of them…."

"Then just watch the fight," Grey suggested. "Regardless, it should be pretty good…."

8-8-8

"Natsu…he's been taking good care of Nodoka-san," Kenjirô commented. "That Fairy Tail guild…I'd even heard of them while I lived here when I was little. This latest generation is even more impressive than most of their older members, however. And now Natsu Dragneel…I'm not sure if I have a stake in this or not. Part of me is hoping Natsu could win and get rid of Aiden for us..."

"Would that…really be better?" Yukari asked carefully.

Kenjirô laughed. "Well, if that guy's so unstoppable that if he can get past Aiden, maybe he'd be too much for Kain, too. But Kain probably wouldn't have any problem—mentally, at least—going toe-to-toe with Natsu. But Aiden…Kain acts tough, but he's still scared to death of him. I can't blame him. Of all the old guard of the Red Wings…he's definitely the scariest, apart from Kalan himself, of course. He's made it through the tournament with even less effort than Kuchiki Byakuya showed in most of his fights. He's a real legend, still in his prime."

He shrugged and glanced down at Yukari. "Anyway, where's Izumi-san at? I didn't even see her during Kain's fight earlier…."

Yukari looked away, not meeting his eyes. "I'm…not sure…she's had a lot on her mind these past couple days…in any case, the fight's starting…."

8-8-8

"And here we go! Semifinals, fight two…start!"

Natsu blasted off immediately, rocketing in to slug Aiden with his 'Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!'

Aiden dodged the attack calmly, casually, bringing his gun up, but Natsu whirled on him with surprising speed, lashing out with a leg and 'Fire Dragon's Talon'. Aiden stepped away from the attack this time, into the air above Natsu, and fired a shot that exploded into magical energy.

Natsu nimbly backflipped away from the attack. While still in midair, he turned back to Aiden and breathed deep before unleashing a blast of dragon's breath. Aiden fired a shot into the flame, causing it to disperse and evaporate, and he followed this by drawing another pistol and letting loose a shot that burst in midair and began to rain a sleet of magical missiles on Natsu.

He disappeared in the midst of the explosion. Aiden set his left hand gun on his shoulder. "That didn't get him…not someone who's come this far…."

And Natsu was behind him, powering a flaming fist. "There we go," Aiden said with a smile, and turned around to block the attack with his forearm. After blocking a few of Natsu's strikes, he managed to kick the man away slightly and then fired both guns at Natsu. Again Natsu vanished as the explosions overwhelmed him….

Aiden was already retreating, and soon Natsu emerged from the explosion, drawing in a deep breath, the wind created from his intake dispersing the cloud of smoke that remained. "Fire Dragon's Roar!" Natsu breathed his stream of flame onto Aiden, and this time Aiden disappeared in the blast.

It soon dissipated, however, and Aiden stood unharmed in a circle of scorched earth, holding a slip of paper up before him instead of his second pistol. "Anti-fire talisman," he said somewhat smugly. "A few little tricks like this go a long way…especially against someone like you. You can't hurt me with any of your fire now."

"Oh yeah!? We'll just see about that!" Wrapping flame around his fist, Natsu charged in again.

Aiden calmly dodged his vicious attacks, even as they increased in speed and intensity. Finally he counterattacked, elbowing Natsu in the face and then shooting him in the chest, sending him flying across the arena and out of it.

"W-what a vicious hit! Armed with his fire-resistance charm, Aiden is now immune to his foe's attacks, and very quickly has made this seem a one-sided affair! A heavy favorite, Aiden appears to have already…."

Natsu hopped back into the arena and charged in again. Aiden raised an eyebrow. He parried and blocked a few more desperate strikes, then Natsu lashed him with another stream of fire from his foot and then flashed out his 'Fire Dragon's Wing Attack' and slashed Aiden with the flaming plumes.

The flame passed leaving Aiden still unharmed, and he turned to consider Natsu as the young man prepared for another assault. "You should really just give up," he said kindly. "A one-trick pony whose trick is shut down is like a grounded bird…you can't do anything more here."

"Tch," Natsu spat. "Like I'm going to give up that easily. So my fire really won't hurt you, right?" Again flame sprouted from his limbs, more concentrated. "Then I'll just have to use it to fight you in another way!"

He came rocketing in at high speed, the flame from his legs serving as boosters, launching him like a missile. Aiden narrowly avoided his punch as he struck. Natsu continued his assault, with Aiden blocking and dodging as usual; finally Aiden caught a high punch with an upraised arm, but Natsu suddenly started sprouting fire from his elbow. "Fire Dragon's Flame Elbow!" Enforced by the flame, his punch suddenly pushed with extra force, broke through Aiden's guard and hit him right in the jaw, sending the man flying.

Aiden recovered quickly, but Natsu was already on him, raining down more fire-powered kicks and punches. Aiden stopped all the attacks this time, then made a lock on Natsu, pulled him down and off-balance, kicked him in the shin, then kicked his side to send him flying. Natsu bounced back to his feet in no time, but Aiden was already firing on him. Seven shots impacted Natsu, dropping him to the ground.

Aiden popped his clip and slapped a new one in…while Natsu jumped right back to his feet. "Ow! That hurt! I'm really getting tired of those guns!"

Aiden sighed. "Really, so this is a Dragonslayer…magical blasts won't work, normal bullets don't really work…this is gonna be a chore…."

8-8-8

["So, you're a member of Fairy Tail now, huh?" Lina asked Nodoka in bemusement.

"Y-Yes…."

Lina chuckled. "I really couldn't have imagined it. Of course, you never struck me as much of an adventurer to begin with…but your little 'club' is something. You've always been tougher than you looked. Still, to become a member of Fairy Tail, now…the most famous, destructive mage guild of Fiore…."

"I'm surprised you aren't a member," Zelgadis commented while sipping his tea at the neighboring table. "You'd fit right in."

"It sounds like the kind of guild that she could lead," agreed Gourry.

"You two shut up!"

Erza chuckled. "It's certainly true that Natsu and Grey can be very destructive."

"And you really can be too," Lucy muttered, almost darkly.

Erza looked her way. "Did you say something, Lucy?"

"No, nothing! In any case, you're a pretty famous sorceress yourself, Lina…including those destructive influences…."

"And despite them, it's obvious you care for those friends of yours as well," Erza added. "If you wanted to, you'd be more than welcome to join Fairy Tail."

Lina waved the invitation away. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm too much of a free spirit…traveling around is what I do best. Besides, I think you have enough wild personalities there." She turned to Natsu, who was, as usual, ravenously consuming food without paying much attention. "So, you're the Fairy going into the tournament, huh? You're a fire wizard? Well, pretty classic offensive magic, at least…."

"Um aht a ile wzrd," Natsu began, then swallowed his mouthful. "I'm a Fire Dragonslayer."

Lina stared at him. "Ah? Okay, big title, but…."

"It's not a title," Erza insisted. "He's describing his talents perfectly. He uses Dragonslayer magic."

"Dragonslayer…but that's Lost Magic! Or is he one of those who was part of those recent experiments to recreate it…?"

"Nope, he's a first generation Dragonslayer," Lucy explained.

"I was taught by my father, Igneel."

"Your father…?" Lina began.

"Natsu was raised by a Fire Dragon called Igneel," Erza finished. "He taught him to read, write, speak…and use Dragonslayer magic."

"But that's…wait, wait, wait! This is getting more impossible by the minute! The Dragons, the true Dragon race, sapient spellcasters, all disappeared centuries ago! There are still dragon species around, creatures that the people of today think of as dragons, but they don't hold a candle to that real Dragon race…and they don't exist anymore! No one has seen them since the War of the Dragons' Fall…."

"I don't care what history says," Natsu snorted. "I was brought up by Igneel. He was the only family I had until I came to Fairy Tail. He disappeared seven years ago…but I'll find him. He's still out there somewhere, I know it. I won't stop searching until I do."

He flexed an arm. "And so maybe this tournament will be good for me in that way. Not only will I get to fight a bunch of really strong people…if my face and name get out there, maybe then Igneel will find me…."]

8-8-8

"He's definitely the most reckless and wild fighter or mage I've ever seen," Lina muttered, watching the scene. "But, he is a true Dragonslayer…his skin, muscles, lungs, senses, magical capacity, everything are far past what normal humans can manage. His natural magical power is augmented further by his emotions…and he is, like the Dragon who raised him, nearly an elemental in his own right. Aiden's already used fire magic-based shots in previous matches, but he's smart enough not to use them here—they'd only make Natsu stronger." She recalled her own short test of his abilities after their initial meeting, when he consumed her best Fireball spell completely unharmed (calling it 'the best fire he'd ever tasted'). "Even so, he's not going to be easy to bring down—he's basically a Dragon in human form. Well, personally I have no vetted interest in this battle one way or another—either one will just be the guy Kain has to take down in the next round. But I'd like to at least see what kind of lumps this Dragonslayer can give to the famed 'Mage-Killer' Aiden Rylack…."

8-8-8

"Fire Dragon's Brilliant Flame!"

Natsu dumped the massive fireball on top of Aiden. Aiden leapt out of the flame, tiny wisps of smoke trailing off of him, but most prominently the talisman he had carried went flittering away, slowly burning up—but not from what would be thought to be the obvious source.

"Ha! I thought so! Natsu exulted. "That little scrap of paper couldn't protect you completely. Sooner of later it had to run out! Now try this!" He unleashed another blast of flame from his mouth.

Aiden disappeared in the midst of the flame…and then reappeared behind Natsu. The Dragonslayer ducked underneath Aiden's punch and rolled over to stand on his hands, then giving another 'talon' of flame from his foot. Aiden stepped back to dodge the lash, then retreated still further as Natsu came back up facing him and charged in to strike yet again. Aiden slipped past Natsu on his next charge…and Natsu twisted and staggered, wrapped up by a cord. The cord was adorned like a string of Christmas tree ornaments with small globes…globes with blinking lights. After a few loud beeps and blinks, they all exploded.

Aiden turned slowly back to the explosion…and then had to dodge back as Natsu again came screaming out of the smoke, charred but still very much alive and active. Aiden fell back before the youth, retreating swiftly, and as Natsu came charging in, the arena floor suddenly cracked and caved slightly as he approached, and he stumbled. In that instant Aiden charged forward and kicked Natsu in his face, sending him rolling and sprawling again….

8-8-8

"There it is," Momo murmured. "He's finally had enough of the fight, and he's going to do everything he can to end it."

"That was…?" Kagome murmured. "It looked like…the ground just broke…."

"It did…a 'lucky break' for Aiden."

As Natsu came flying back in, Aiden threw some object straight up into the air. He then stood his ground as Natsu attacked, dodging and parrying and striking back in tokens. Then the object came crashing down right on top of Natsu's head, stunning him, and it then fell down to the ground behind him. It was a silver orb, perfectly smooth and round, and as it rolled to a stop it suddenly shot electricity at Natsu, paralyzing him with its current. Aiden fell back once again and drew a new, larger pistol…his Caster.

"Sorry about this, kid," Aiden said as he leveled the pistol at the recovering Natsu. "But this has gone on long enough."

He pulled the trigger and a new explosive flash consumed Natsu. Most of the audience was forced to blanch and look away from the intensity of the shot, including Koto.

"N-now Aiden has unleashed this devastating attack! That was a Caster, an old weapon from the earliest days of MagiTech! The shells are now extremely hard to find—it takes a talented and specialized mage to create them, but we can see the result here…o-or not, as the case may be….

"I-I think my sight's getting better, although I wonder if we'll even see anything left of Natsu…there we are…wait a minute…."

Natsu reappeared…with the energy swirling around him, funneling in a whirling stream into his mouth. Aiden stared. "Really…now you're eating the energy of my Caster shell? You've got to be kidding me…I thought it was just fire…."

Natsu was panting heavily as he finished his meal. An odd nimbus of crackling energy was surrounding him, giving him an odd glow. He hunkered down, preparing to charge again, white flame gathering around his hands and feet.

"I get it now," Aiden remarked. "You can really consume any kind of heat-based energy, even blasts of pure magical energy, probably lightning, too…but your body isn't really built to handle it. You can get a short-term supercharge from it, but sooner or later it'll backfire and wear off, and you'll be left drained…."

Natsu charged in, faster, stronger than ever, and even Aiden seemed hard-pressed to match him. Finally he dodged past Natsu to the opposite end of the arena, and he seemed to be slow to react in turning back to his foe as Natsu rounded on him.

Then Natsu suddenly stopped just shy of Aiden, gasping out as, in smoky wisps, the energy just drained out of him. With an empty, unconscious expression, he fell prone to the ground and lay there, unmoving. "Lucky for me, it seems it ran out pretty quickly," Aiden stated to the unconscious man.

"U-unbelievable! Is this the finish? After these two opponents traded such gargantuan blows without seemingly even slowing down, did Natsu just run out of juice like a bad battery?" Koto hurried up onto the arena floor and approached the comatose Dragonslayer. "It seems like he can't continue anymore! I'm starting the count! One! Two!"

Aiden slipped his gun into his coat. "Go ahead and count," he assured the fox-girl. "He's not getting up for a while now." Then he turned and slowly made his way for the tunnel.

The audience was mostly quiet as they watched the scene, stunned by all they had witnessed, especially by this remarkable finish. Kain slowly stood and began to clap, steadily and rhythmically, and the rest of the viewers began to follow suit, honoring this man who had fought without fear or restraint against someone who could be described, for brevity's sake, as a 'legend'.

"He's an idiot," Lina muttered as she joined Kain in applauding. "But that kind of idiocy is perfect for a stupid contest like this."

"I never really thought that Natsu could make it this far against so many celebrities," Lucy said. "But you did great, Natsu. You have nothing to be ashamed of here."

"That is more than enough, Natsu," Erza assented. "You did the name of Fairy Tail—and Igneel—very proud with that performance. You are a champion fighter before the entire world…."

"That wasn't bad," Grey allowed. "You stood up for yourself pretty well, you hot-headed lizard."

"W-well done, Natsu-san," Nodoka murmured. "T-that was…still, very amazing…."

"Fifteen! And that's it! Aiden Rylack has triumphed over Natsu Dragneel and advances to the Finals! With this our last match is set! I really don't know what to say to add to what we just witnessed…it was truly spoken to our hearts through the match itself! In two days, our remaining champions will battle in the Final Match! We hope to see you there!"

"And that just leaves us," murmured Kain. "Not that I expected anything else, but…in two days, I'll have to face Aiden Rylack…and see just how far I've come…."

8-8-8

Kain sat at the edge of the terrace, gazing out at the dark clouds drifting around through the night air. As usual, his chaotically roaming thoughts were going full throttle. However, the bent of his thoughts this night were drifting from his concern over his duel with Aiden….

"Should you really be here, Kain? Considering what today is…don't you realize that everyone is looking for you?"

"Good evening, Mai." Kain continued staring out, not even turning to regard her. "What are you talking about?"

"Do you even realize what today is? It's November 20th…it's your birthday, you know. Most of the girls were wanting to throw a party for you…in payment for everything you've done for them. We, ah, can't at Dolnegus' place, because of your identity, but they were going to ask Urahara-san for help…."

"Oh. Is that what it is? …With everything else on my mind, I haven't even thought about it. Heh. Although thinking that way makes it even worse…."

Mai glanced askew at him. "…Kain? Are you all right?"

"I don't know. Head's too full of things at the moment. I…don't think I can go face them yet. But since you're here…would you like to sit down here and talk with me?"

Mai hesitated. "You…need to say something? Or…just talk? Are you sure I'm the one you should be talking to…?"

"Why not you, Mai? You're as close to me as anyone. Please."

Finally, almost reluctantly, Mai sat down next to Kain. "So," she finally managed. "What's on your mind, then? Are you…worried about your upcoming fight…?"

Kain smiled slightly, although Mai couldn't see it. "Yes…but that's not the only thing I'm worried about…or right now, the most important. That's the problem I'm putting off for tomorrow. For now, I have other things that I'm worried about.

"Do you know…about the…trouble…with Izumi-san?"

"Well…yes. I've heard all about it…but I really didn't want to get anywhere near it…."

"I envy you that choice." Kain chuckled. "I've put off dealing with it for as long as I can…along with all the rest. But the pressure just keeps building up, and sometimes I think it might be unbearable."

"I-is it that bad? I m-mean, Izumi-san isn't…."

"No, it's not really about her…the problem is…all the romance…all the…drama of all of this…."

Kain took a deep breath and sighed. "The thing is, Mai…I'm not sure just what, exactly, the Principal and the rest of them were thinking when they assigned me to teach your class. Just the one class…I can only think it had something to do with you, Momo, Kagome, and Alyssa in particular—all of you who had connections to my father. But I'm not sure whether they thought anything about this situation…that a young man, a mere teenager, however brilliant, was put in charge of a bunch of lovely girls his own age…. I…I just don't even want to think about his motivations, or lack thereof. But the point is…that it has made a difficult situation for all of us.

"I'm a brilliant, brilliant young man, Mai—all modesty aside, even if I can't compare to my father, the kinds of things I've accomplished so young are incredible. I am more intelligent than most adults, and I'm still a child. But that's the point—I'm still a child inside myself. You must feel some of the same…even if you have some memories of the 'Crystal Princess', even if you intellectually understand that you are far older than you appear, in your heart, your soul, you're just a teenager yourself. And I feel all the same kinds of things that the rest of them do…but I'm 'not supposed to'. I'm supposed to be the adult. That's what…well, it's not exactly a rule anyone sat down and explained to me, but it's the implication, and it's how I perceive this situation. I can't treat you girls like I'm just another boy…I have to be responsible, I have to be your teacher. But…it's not like I want to be. However I act…I'm not an adult, and that's all it is…an act.

"Had the class just played along with me…had everyone just treated me as a teacher…there wouldn't have been any problem. But…I can't blame anyone, but it's just…because of circumstances, Nodoka and Kazumi and others…weren't able to leave it alone. The attention they've paid to me…the things they try to do to attract my attention…I may act blasé, or clueless, or whatever you want to say, but it has all affected me. The truth is that I am no different from them…I might even be more so…I'm a dreamer at heart and a romantic. I could only wish to be loved and accepted…and I am flattered and enthralled by the feelings they've expressed. And yet…I can't do anything. Because everything I do…my big problem, my real fault…everything I do is ruled by fear. I suppose…I could just follow my heart, whatever happens…but I'm afraid."

Kain pulled a pen from his cloak and began to twirl it in his fingers. "You asked, Mai, after we met up again….what I had done to myself. You believed that I had done something to myself…that this power I had gained had to have some dark price, that it was dangerous to me in some way. Honestly, right now, it's no longer a threat…now that I've passed the test, I've become infused with magic and am nearly immortal—there's no longer any threat to my body from my power. But getting this power—that path was the real danger. Aiden directly forced a concentrated mass of mana into my body, and my body started rejecting it, leaving the two forces to tear my body apart. The purpose was to meld this mana into my body—if I could mentally accept it and adapt it and make it a part of me, my body would stop fighting it, and it would evolve me. However, if I couldn't, I would die. Aiden told me that before it started and asked me to choose my path. I chose to take the risk, despite my fear of dying.

"But the magic took me mentally 'within myself', I guess you could say, and it manifested a part of my psyche in the form of my father to help me come to terms with it. And he pointed out what I couldn't even admit to myself—that while I might be afraid of dying, I was even more afraid of living. I was afraid of never measuring up to my father—even now, while I desperately search for him, I'm almost afraid of actually finding him…what if he doesn't live up to the unfair pedestal I've put him on? What if he doesn't approve of me or my actions? I really don't know him at all, and that ignorance gives me so many causes to be afraid. I'm afraid of the Obsidian Star, of fighting them…of losing to them. And I can't handle my romantic troubles, because I'm afraid…I'm afraid of hurting any one of you girls by my actions, and I'm most afraid of hurting myself. And so the idea of dying, in my deepest, darkest reaches of my heart, wasn't so bad.

"But that's why I'm so twisted up right now. I've been getting along by completely ignoring the romantic problems, by pretending they don't exist, by using that rule of 'I'm a teacher, it's wrong for me to have these kinds of relationships' as a desperate shield to protect me from the pain and fear of having to make some sort of decision one way or the other—because right now, this relationship is all I can stand. I'm too afraid to be hated by my action, and I'm nearly as afraid even to be loved. It's…just so all-encompassing. So I was just putting it aside and playing the act of the perfect teacher to protect myself. And you know, after the disaster here and how we all got separated, I was able to ignore it easily, because of course I have the wonderful excuse that there's so many more important things to take care of.

"But that doesn't work with Izumi-san. Her situation is totally different…because she's in love with someone who doesn't have that excuse, someone who is entirely a lie, who can't return her love no matter what, but she hasn't been in any condition to face that truth. But now…." He shook his head. "Well, that doesn't matter now. We'll have to deal with that too, but…the problem is, the way that problem has come full circle has reminded me too much about all these other romance issues. I can put it off a little longer…but while I can use my teacher responsibilities to justify my delays, for these teenage girls, their feelings and their potential romance are desperate, vital issues, and they can't stand to leave me alone too much. Sooner, rather than later, that's a problem I'll have to deal with…and although I can put it off a little longer, it's starting to look like this romantic logjam is more terrible than my upcoming fight with Aiden." He laughed mirthlessly. "I'm scared to death, thinking of fighting Aiden. What I've seen of him…the only thing I could think of that could be worse than facing him would be facing my father. But even so…all I can do is work hard and come up with strategies to take him on, and then do my best the day after. That's about all I've done since I came to Mahora, after all. It's just one fight, and even if I don't win, we'll be able to come up with something to free Izumi-san and the rest. But…that other issue…there's just no solution to it that I can think of right now, nothing I have experience with. I…wish…that I could really stop caring, one way or another….

"I'm sorry, Mai…you…probably didn't need to hear all of this. It was probably unfair of me to dump it all on your chest. But…thanks for listening…."

Mai stared over at him as he finally trailed off. Her expression was unreadable. Then she suddenly reached out, took him by the head and shoulder, and pulled him over to lean his head on her chest.

"M-Mai…?" Kain began meekly, stunned by the action.

"There, there," Mai said softly, patting the side of his head. "It'll be okay." She smiled slightly. "I…do understand, I think. It must be pretty terrible, to be so smart you think about all those stupid little things and they mean so much to you. It…might be unfair of us, too, after all, even if we can't really help it. I mean, it is natural that so many of my classmates have fallen for you…but at the same time, it's natural they think nothing about what they're putting you through. You seem so mature, so smart, it's hard to remember that you're just a little boy our age. You seem like a real adult, and teenage girls are entranced by suave, older (but still youthful) intelligent authority figures. The little bit that makes us realize you are really our age just makes you that much more attractive…but we never stop to think that you might just be a scared little boy under that authoritative demeanor, just as frail and afraid as we are. But you should try to relax more, and stop worrying…yes, so many of us have put our hopes in you, but it's okay. No matter what choice you make, as long as you make it with your whole heart, we'll accept it. Izumi-san, too…she'll come around. She's stronger and spunkier than the others give her credit for. We'll…get over it. Since I have so much…real tragedy…in my other past, maybe I'm jaundiced, but I think all of them will recover from a little broken heart. So just decide what it is you really want…whether it's one of them, or none of them…whenever you're ready, and we'll all accept it."

She released Kain and smiled bravely into his face. "So, can you put that aside for now, Kain? Even if you can save them some other way, Izumi-san and the others are counting on you…so you have to focus on your match and win it. No, and not only for their sakes…but for Gato, for Kuchiki-san, for your father, and for yourself, you need to win, so you need to focus on that."

Kain finally smiled back. "Y-yeah. You're right. Thanks, Mai…that…really does help. Thank you." He stood. "I've already started…I just have to continue passing through the fire and the flames…."

"Right. Now, why don't you head on over to Urahara's? Those girls are putting in a lot of effort for you, and I promised I'd bring you over. I'll be right behind you…."

Bidding her farewell, Kain disappeared into the night.

Mai stared after him. She finally sighed. "That little idiot…but, I guess I can't blame him too much…."

"You shouldn't. You really held back, you know…in a lot of ways…."

Mai shrieked slightly as Kamo manifested and dropped onto her shoulder. "K-Kamo…!"

"Tell me, Ojô-chan…Kain gave you prime opportunity to bare your own feelings. Don't you think he was waiting for you to tell him to stop worrying about it all…and choose you…? Why don't you take yourself a little more seriously in all of this?"

"W-what are you talking about!? Kain is my teacher, my partner, my friend…but that's all. Our relationship…has never been more than that…."

"Yes, he just explained why in great detail," the ermine snickered. "That's on his side. What about on yours? Do you think that you aren't allowed to have happiness or a life of your own, or any feelings of your own?"

Mai hesitated. "No…that's not it…but what does it have to do with anything, anyway? As Kain just said…all that is the least of our concerns right now. Just as Kain has his issues, I have mine as well…right now, I'm still trying to deal with this whole 'Crystal Princess' business. I don't have time to deal with any of that right now, either…."

"Fine, fine. As you say. But you should look into being more honest with yourself, and what you want. Your speech there was nice, but very conflicted…I wonder how much of it Kain will pick up on…."

"Will you please stop teasing us about that!?"

"All right, all right…I'll leave you guys alone for now. Just remember, Mai—Kalan and the rest sacrificed a lot to make sure that you could have a life of your own with your own happiness, too. You've already taken steps to dive right back into the world they saved you from…don't throw away the chance you were given to be a normal girl, too. If you care about Kain at all, just don't go treating him as if you two are worlds apart. Now c'mon…we can't forgo the party ourselves. Tomorrow's going to be as important as the match the next day, if we're going to get Kain ready, so we might as well enjoy ourselves while we can…."

F I N

Author's Note: Hot and Burning

The fight and the passionate, hidden sentiments. My double entendres and all that….

As has been the case so far, I've actually been surprised by how short the tournament battles have been…but although I've been praised for my fight scenes, there's only so much of all this brawling and power-wielding that I can stand to draw out. Simply put, there's a limit to how much I can focus on each fight, and too much is…too much. I don't know. What I'm trying to say is, would this actually be helped at all by me writing three more pages about Aiden beating Natsu back and forth and then shooting him with four or five more bullets, and then Natsu jumping right back into the fight again? I would have liked to show off a few more Entropy effects, but on a flat arena, there's a bit of a limit to even how much of that I can realistically use, so using it to very quietly determine the finish was good enough.

Of course, some may wonder if I really need to waste three pages on Kain's self-pitying, pathetic rant. I really felt I did. Kain is not the usual anime protagonist—a super-nice guy who attracts a harem accidentally and is somehow clueless as these girls fight and claw over him and practically throw themselves onto him. No, Kain is a shy young man whose natural male passions and thoughtful, escapist personality leads to him becoming a diehard romantic. This is his character, his essence—that underneath all that incredible talent he has, he really is a young teenager with all (or more!) of the insecurities all youths suffer from. He's been made worse in some ways, having grown up amongst terrifying adults rather than his actual peers. While most older, well-adjusted men would love to be in his position, fully capable of picking any lovely flower from this garden, Kain is terrified by the emotional burden of all these feelings. He has to do 'emotional dumps' at times, and Mai happened by in time to be an unfortunate victim…although how honestly fortunate is it that she is one he's comfortable enough with to reveal all this to…?

We're still a long way from resolving any of this, unfortunately for Kain. Now he has to focus on his next challenge: overcoming the Invincible Aiden….