The Knight of Mahora Academy
Period 12: Kissing In Kyoto
One year anniversary for UQ Holder! Woohoo!
Peter Capaldi totally killed it! 'Planet of the Puddingbrains!' I should feel insulted but that rugged Scottish accent just makes me want to agree with him!
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
Asuna and Konoka were silently sitting next to each other and nervously looking between the two teenagers staring across from each other. Kyūbi was just scratching behind his ears before yawning and looking at the spectacle about to occur.
Setsuna was sitting in a seiza position with her Yunagi by her side while Naruto sat legs folded across from her, arms folded and wondering why everyone was so silent. He looked between the three of them and asked, "What's wrong with all of you? You two look like you just got caught with your hands in the cookie jar. And Setsuna, you look like-"
"Naruto-sensei." Setsuna interrupted before opening her eyes and looking directly into Naruto's gleaming blue orbs, "Kagurazaka-San and Ojou-sama have informed me about what happened last night. About what you told her about what's happening on this trip. About everything."
Naruto's small smile slowly turned into a straight line and he sighed while scratching the back of his head, "Well, I knew I was gonna have to deal with this when I told her the truth. Better now than later I guess."
Asuna tried to mediate the situation, "C'mon you two, it's not that bad, right? There's no reason to be upset."
Konoka tried as well, "Asuna's right, everything's okay. Secchan, Naruto-kun, we don't have to argue."
Chamo ran up Naruto's back and stood in the mop of blond hair as he tried to melt the tension, "Yeah! You two were awesome yesterday and Konoka-neechan is safe! That's all that matters, right?"
Setsuna only focused on Naruto and with a harsher tone then she was used to using, "Do you remember what I told you about Eishun-sama entrusting me to protect Konoka-ojousama and keep her safe from the magical happenings of the world without raising her attention?"
Naruto nodded, "Yeah. I remember."
"And yet you still divulged everything to her as soon as I was gone." Setsuna had a stern look on her face as she glared at Naruto, "I remember you showing some argument at the idea of hiding this all from her but you still went along with us because you trusted both mine and Eishun-sama's decision. Naruto-sensei, I respect you as a colleague and trust you as a strong guardian that I have witnessed in the field. So whatever your reason was for revealing the supernatural world to Ojou-sama, I want to at least hear it from you personally."
Asuna, Konoka, and Chamo all audibly gulped before looking at Naruto as he was in thought. He really needed to say something comforting and reassuring to make sure things didn't escalate.
Naruto opened his eyes and answered, "I did it because that idea is stupid and useless at this point."
...
That...that was not what they were hoping to hear.
Kyūbi shook his head, "Smooth dumbass."
"I thought it was a bad idea to do it from the beginning but I still followed along because that's what you wanted. But something changed from what we expected Setsuna. Konoka was actually kidnapped by the Kansai Association. And they have people on their side skilled enough to get by and hold us off. People that even Eishun-San and Nagi had a hard time facing in the war years ago."
Setsuna blinked and gave a slight nod, "Kagurazaka-San told me what you told them last night about that boy with white hair. Do you believe him to be as dire a threat as you think?"
Kyūbi got their attention, "Believe me, as someone who has seen those ridiculous idiots in action, I can vouch that they said that freak and his group are a real pain in the ass."
Chamo shook and cowered on top of Naruto hair, "Seriosuly, can we stop talking 'bout these super strong weirdoes we're gonna fight! The more ya mention them the more trouble I have controlling my bowels!"
"Do anything on my head, and I'm gonna have to explain to Negi how you had to move up to a farm back in Wales." Naruto threatened before looking back to Setsuna, "This danger is real, believe me. And this way Konoka will know that she needs to have one of us by her side during the trip to make sure nothing happens."
Konoka nodded her head, "T-that's right! I promise I won't leave your sight!"
Setsuna looked at Konoka continue to agree before she looked back at Naruto, "That may be true, but even so, you went behind my back."
Naruto felt exasperated, "Look, if it's about telling this to Eishun-San, I'll take the blame! You don't have to-"
"That's not important!" Setsuna yelled, catching all of them by surprise at the loud tone the usually reserved and polite side-ponytailed girl had. She grasped the edge of her skirt, "You told Ojou-sama everything! That means she can never have a regular life now that she knows what's happening around her! This shift in lifestyle will stay with someone for the rest of their life, affecting their viewpoints of the world and their choices! You know that, don't you?!"
Naruto was silent for a moment as her words did have some truth to them. Asuna had only known about magic for a few weeks and she was now knee deep in everything involved. Hell, Naruto's got some serious leeway knowing royalty and politicians in Mundus Magicus because he got involved with Ala Rubra. Life never really was the same when you knew about magic.
Naruto lifted Chamo off his head and placed him on the floor. He then adjusted his position so he was matching Setsuna's posture, "Setsuna..."
Naruto bowed his head until he nearly touched the ground and apologized, "I'm sorry I went behind your back and betrayed your trust. You put your faith in me and I took it for granted. But this isn't about me or you anymore. We need to think what's best for Konoka. Believe me, being ignorant of a danger and being safe from it are two completely different things. I did what I thought was best for her and I'm sorry if that isn't what you wanted, but I accept what I did and I hope you can come to accept it too."
They were all staring at Naruto in surprise after he finished apologizing to Setsuna in earnest. Even Kyūbi was wide-eyed at the sight of his whiskered charge actually going so far as to bow his head for forgiveness.
Setsuna was speechless before Kyūbi spoke up, "Sword Girl, I've seen this kid piss off royalty, political leaders, military commanders, and even the biggest idiot I've ever had the displeasure of knowing. And usually, his apologies go along the lines of laughing, flipping them off, or just walking away and saying 'Eat me'. If he's actually using the words sorry and bowing his head, he's being pretty damn honest. And I'd advice on taking it."
Setsuna blinked and looked at the bowing blond before sighing, "Okay Sensei, I understand why you did it. And if Ojou-sama has no arguments, then I forgive you."
Naruto looked up and towards Konoka before she nodded, "I'm happy you were willing to trust me with this secret, Naruto-kun. And I don't mind whatever changes this might bring." She giggled, "I actually kinda want to see how exciting it all is."
Asuna just stoically patted her shoulder, "I remember when I was that plucky and naive. It almost brings a tear to my eye."
Naruto sat back up and faced Setusna, "Are we cool?"
Setsuna nodded, "Yes. But please, don't take my trust so lightly next time. If there is something you think we should do, I'd like to be aware of it before it happens."
Naruto just stared at Setsuna for a moment before a small grin grew on his face and he chuckled. Setsuna's brow raised, "What's so funny?"
"Sorry. To be honest I was half-expecting you to punch me in the face for what happened."
The girls all blinked in surprise at his expectation before he shrugged his shoulders, "Lots of meetings I'm a part of usually end up with at least one person being punched in the face."
Setsuna had a sheepish expression and avoided his gaze, "To be perfectly honest...I was considering slapping you for a moment. But I decided against it because I seriously doubt a normal slap will have any effect against you."
"You'd be surprised."
Asuna looked between the two with slight hints of a grin forming, "You two think about slapping and punching each other in your free time~. Wow~, I didn't know you guys had that kind of weird relationship~."
Konoka covered her mouth and looked at her oldest friend, "Secchan, I had no idea you and Naruto-kun had such connection. I feel so childish in front of you~."
"W-what?!" Setsuna started blushing and waved her arms in protest as Asuna and Konoka giggled between each other, "I-it's nothing like that! I-I-I didn't-I-I mean I wasn't-we don't share any such relation-"
"Okay. Hold on." Naruto spoke up and got their attention before he sat back down comfortably, "Before we go any further with the teasing, can you guys tell me what's wrong with Negi? Did something happen?"
The girls all looked between each other and shared a look before answering, "We don't know."
"How could you not know?"
"We didn't see what happened. We were separated in groups and when we came back, Negi completely shut down. So we've got nothing."
"So we have no idea of knowing what happened then?"
"Um..."
Everyone looked at the little ermine as he scratched his belly and looked down, "I...know what happened to Aniki."
Asuna brightened up, "Great! C'mon you lil'pervert, tell us everything!"
"I-I can't!"
Asuna scowled, "Pardon?"
"I-I can't tell ya Ane-San! Ya wouldn't understand what Aniki is goin' through!"
"Let me handle this." Kyūbi walked forward and sat in front of the tiny white mammal, his tails menacingly waving behind him, "Albert, as your better and your Master, I order you to tell us what the Little Red Moron was doing before his brain shut down."
"I-I-I..." Chamo bowed at Kyūbi's paws, "I can't Boss! I want to, but this is a matter between men! We can't reveal something so important so easily! Forgive me!"
"Wow, he actually stood against my threat. That's impressive considering he knows I'll devour his soul if he fails me. This might actually be important."
"Chamo?" Naruto was a little put off by what the ermine said and had to ask, "When you say 'a matter between men', you don't mean one of 'those' talks, do you?"
The girls all blushed a little at what he was referring to.
Chamo looked up at the blond, "I don't think so, but Aniki can be pretty curious about a problem." Chamo ran in Naruto's lap and looked up at the whiskered blond with tears pouring out of his eyes, "Please Aniue~, talk to him! He needs you!"
"Okay okay, calm down! You're soaking my pants!" Naruto stood up and placed Chamo on his shoulder before heading towards the door, "Don't wait up. Knowing my luck this is gonna take a while."
He shut the door behind him and left the three girls and demon fox sitting in the bedroom all by themselves. Konoka looked between her friends, "Does Negi-kun wanna know about the birds and the bees?"
"No! No way!" Asuna denied vigorously while shaking her head, "He is way too young to be asking anyone about that stuff!"
Setsuna interjected, "But Negi-sensei is a teacher. Maybe he believes he needs to know that subject in order to understand his students better?"
"But he's still a kid! That's just not right!"
"Plus I don't think it's a great idea to rely of the brat for insight on this." The girls looked at Kyūbi as he just absentmindedly licked his paw, "That boy's got no real education on a subject like your human reproduction activities. He learnt everything he knows from drunken stories by his guardian and passing stories by older figures in his life."
Asuna just palmed her face and shook her head, "Oh we are so screwed."
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
Negi was sitting on a bench outside the Arashi-Yama and fiddling with the wrapping around his staff. While he looked over the withered and chipped parts of his father's staff, Negi couldn't help but wonder if his father ever had to deal with women telling him their feelings. He probably would have spoken to them respectfully and talked to each one of them about...
...
S-sorry. It's just too painful to lie to a kid like that.
While Negi's mind raced, an ice cold sensation pressed against his cheek, "IYAA!"
"Hold on spaz, it's just me." Naruto waved a can of orange juice for Negi to grab as Chamo waved from his spot on his shoulder.
Negi looked up at his older friend, "N-Nii-San! W-what are you doing here?"
Naruto handed Negi his drink while taking a seat next to the red-head, "I'm here to check up on what's bothering you. You're going all blue screen of death on us, all the girls are worried about you, and you didn't even notice when I kept poking you in the face earlier."
"You were poking me in the face?"
"See! You didn't even notice! What's wrong with you?!"
Negi was hesitant for a moment before Chamo jumped onto his lap, "Aniki, ya gotta tell 'im! He might be able to help!"
Negi clutched the orange can and took a deep breath before looking up at the older blond beside him, "Nii-San...have you ever had anyone like you before?"
Naruto scoffed, "What are you talking about? So you think people don't like you or something? C'mon Negi, that's stupid! I like you, Bells likes you, Chamo likes you, Konoka likes you, Setsuna likes you, all the girls like you, I know Michi likes you, the Ol'Geezer probably thinks you're a riot! Eva's a bit of a cold bitch but I bet she doesn't actively hate you or anything-"
"N-no! Not like that!" Negi interrupted before his face went a shade of red and he started twiddling his fingers, "I-I mean 'l-like' like. Like how p-parents like each other..."
Naruto looked at Negi in confusion for a moment before realization started to dawn on him. He looked at Chamo in shock and the little ermine nodded his head vehemently. Naruto leaned down to look at Negi's sheepish expression, "Did...did someone confess to you?"
Negi's face went atomic and he covered himself with his hands to hide from embarrassment. After a moment, he peeked an eye out and looked up at Naruto, "Uh-huh."
"W-who confessed to you?"
"I-I can't say. I-It would be rude to tell her inner feelings so publicly and-"
"OH GOD! IT WAS NODOKA-NEECHAN THAT CONFESSED!" Chamo yelled at the top of his lungs.
"Chamo-kun!"
"I'm sorry Aniki, but this was goin' on way too long! It was that Nee-chan with the bangs that confessed! She brought him out somewhere in Nara Park, confessed her fellings, and ran off!"
"Ahhhhhhh~." Negi moaned and dug his face further in his palms, "Stop talking about it. It's embarrassing."
"It's the truth!"
"Nodoka confessed her love?" Naruto spoke in complete disbelief before he sat back on the bench and ran his hand through his hair, "Holy shit. I didn't think that girl had it in her. I'm...really impressed. Good for her."
"Not so good for me!" Negi whined and sat up in his seat before turning to the older blond, "Nii-San, what do I do?! I-it's not appropriate to have relationships with your students, r-right?! I remember hearing all those stories on the T.V. about teachers being reported for being mo-lesters and pedo-philics? B-but I can't just ignore her feelings and what she said! I-it's not what a true gentleman does! I-I can't-"
"Woah! Negi! You're speaking so loud only bats and dogs can hear you now!" Naruto got out of his seat and kneeled in front of Negi before grabbing his shoulders, "Just breathe, okay? Breathe."
Negi looked at Naruto before nodding his head and taking a few deep breathes. After a moment, his head wasn't cleared of its thoughts but they weren't bouncing around anymore. He looked at the whiskered blond, "Nii-San, has anyone ever...c-confessed to you?"
Naruto thought for a moment, "Well...some people have come up to me and shown admiration for helping them but...actual love? Nnnnnnnnnnnnno, never."
Negi deflated a little and Chamo palmed his face, "Oh."
"Look Negi, I don't know what it's like to be confessed to like that, but you can't keep putting it off. Running away and trying to forget it isn't going to solve the problem. And if you're fretting and panicking so much about this, just imagine what Nodoka must be going through. She's probably worrying her head off thinking she's made you upset in some way."
Negi looked down in shame as she had worn her heart on her sleeve and he didn't even have the will to say anything in return.
"I don't know whether you should tell her you can't return her feelings or if she can wait for an answer but I know you'll be able to make a decision if you give it some thought. Don't feel pressured. Take your time and think about it." He grabbed the younger boy's shoulder, "No one will be upset with you. And I bet Nodoka will be happy to at least know you thought about this. Okay?"
Negi looked down for a moment before looking back up and giving Naruto a small smile, "Thank you."
Naruto grinned and ruffled his hair, "Don't mention it."
Naruto looked down and spotted Chamo giving him a big thumbs up. Naruto smiled before he stood up and stretched out before looking down at Negi, "Do you want to come take a bath? It's a hot spring so you might actually like it."
Negi looked up at him and shook his head, "No thank you. I...I'd like to think for a minute."
"All right. Well I'm gonna go tell the girls what happened so-"
"W-wait!" Negi grabbed his sleeve and looked up at Naruto, "Please don't tell Asuna-San and the others about the confession! I-I don't want them to know!"
Naruto chuckled, "Okay okay, I'll keep it a secret. But I'm gonna tell them you feel better so get ready for some questions from them."
Negi was hesitant for a moment before he let go of Naruto's sleeve and nodded. He felt the older blond pat his head one last time before walking back towards the entrance.
Negi sat there on the bench for a moment while Chamo looked up at him, "Ya feelin' any better, Aniki?"
"Y-yeah, I think so." Negi sat back in the bench, "Speaking with Nii-San cleared my head a little."
"Good." Chamo sighed in relief, "I was really bankin' on that to work."
Negi looked down in his lap, "Do...you think Miyazaki-San would be...upset...if I told her I don't know what to do?"
"Nodoka-neechan seems like a pretty cool and levelheaded lady! I betcha she would understand!"
"Yes...I suppose you're right." Negi was deep in thought and he imagin-
"Negi-kun!"
Negi and Chamo nearly jumped out of their skin before they turned around to look at the bubbly pink-haired gymnast. They sighed in relief and held their beatings hearts, "M-Makie-San? What are you doing here?"
"Ummmmmm...I was..." Makie turned around and looked at something in her hand before she turned back and smiled, "I wanted to see if you were all right. You appeared to be very troubled and in need of some guidance."
Negi was confused by the Baka Ranger's choice of words and tone of speech. It seemed kind of rehearsed and thought out, a complete opposite of Makie's usual exuberant and improvised speak. He patted his pants and grabbed his staff before shaking his head, "No, I'm feeling much better actually. I think I just needed some air to clear my head."
"Really?! That's awesome Negi-kun!" Makie cheered and bounced a little, "Let's go back to the room and tell everyone that you're-" Makie instantly realized something and turned around again to look at her hand before turning to Negi, "I mean, why don't we go over to the vending machines and get a drink. You must be thirsty."
Chamo ran up Negi's shoulder and they looked at the teenager with confusion, "Makie-San, are you...feeling all right?"
"Me! Never better! I could not be happier to be on this trip with you and everybody else! Smile inconspicuously and giggle! Teeheeheehee!"
Negi and Chamo looked between each other before staring at the odd behaving girl. He nodded, "O-okay, let's go get a drink."
Negi and Makie rounded a corner towards a vending machine, noticing an old janitor with a beard standing on the roof just above as he added a new coat of paint to the outside of the building. Negi looked over the choices and spotted a choice for orange juice before looking at Makie, "What would you like Makie-San?"
Makie looked back down from where her attention was and smiled, "Oh, I'll have a coke. Y'know, because I'm so 'thirsty'!"
"Well make sure that you stay hydrated for the trip. It would be unfortunate if you felt lightheaded tomorrow and couldn't enjoy Kyoto."
"You're totally right Negi-kun. I'll just have to make sure I'm not so 'thirsty' tomorrow!"
"Oh...um, okay. Just keep that in mind then." The drinks fell into the port and he pulled hers out before holding it up, "Here you go."
"Thank you. Now I won't be so 'thirsty'!" She yelled at the top of her lungs while cupping her mouth to get an extra echo.
Negi blinked, "Um, Makie-San, are you sure-"
"Look out below!"
The man with the beard tripped and spilt all of his paint over the side, right over Negi and Makie. Makie panicked and regretted doing this as she yelled, "Negi-kun! Watch-"
Negi dropped his drink and pulled his staff overhead, passing his magic through it and creating a barrier that the paint splashed against. He held the staff up and the paint started to drip around it until it spread out all over the pavement.
After his moment of heroism, Negi's eyes slowly started to widen and he pulled his staff down to hold it to his chest, "Oh no."
"N-Negi-kun..." The red-headed boy turned around to see Makie standing there with her hands covering her mouth.
"M-Makie-San, it's not what you think-"
"You really do have a power! We were right!"
"No-it's not-wait what?"
"I got it! I got it all!" They looked up to see the bearded man leaning over the edge with a spring in his step. He pulled off his beard and hat to reveal a pretty young lady with dark pink-hair done up in a pineapple fashion. Kazumi smirked, "I finally got it on tape!"
"A-Asakura-San?! W-what are you doing here?!"
"Capturing your secret, you little skamp!" Kazumi ran out of sight before the end of a rope was thrown off the side and she shimmied her way down. When she touched ground, she pulled out a video camera and started playing the footage of him redirecting the paint. She smiled, "We know what you did! It was the same thing you did with the car when you saved that kitten a moment ago!"
Chamo looked up at Negi, "What's she talking about?!"
Negi stuttered, "I-I may have pushed a truck out of the way to save a kitty, b-but Asakura-San, Makie-San, you can't reveal that I have magic to anyone!"
Makie gasped, "It's magic?! I thought it was super strength! Or maybe telepornesis!"
"Magic! ESP! It doesn't matter! All that matters is that it exists and we have proof!"
"M-Makie-San, Asakura-San, I apologize." Negi held his staff up as it started to glow at its tip, "But to preserve this secret, I'm going to have to erase your memories!"
"W-wait, our what?!" Makie grabbed her head and shrieked, "Don't do it Negi-kun! I have trouble enough working with my head as it is!"
"Not so fast!" Kazumi took out her phone and activated it to show a multitude of pictures and videos of Negi displaying his magic. They all went into a folder and she held it out for him to see, "Even try to Men in Black us and I'll send these all over the internet!"
Negi gasped, "Y-you wouldn't!"
"'Cute boy revealed to be magical! Saves kitten and teenaged girl!' Imagine the headlines! The talk show opportunities! These will be all over the world in an instant!"
Negi shook a little with wet eyes, "B-but you can't-"
"You would become a star! A hero! Everyone in the world is gonna admire you! Girls from every corner of the globe will wanna know you! Men will envy and want to be you! Imagine the T.V. Shows and movie opportunities! 'My Life with a Pre-Teen Wizard!' Golden!"
Chamo's ears perked up at the suggestions she was making. This lady...had ambition.
Negi's eyes started to quiver and he let out a soft whimper while looking up at the older girl.
Makie saw this and spoke up, "Um, Asakura, maybe we should stop now? We got to know how Negi-kun did what he did so we should be happy with that."
"But this is the big scoop I've been waiting for! Something game changing! Something that completely changes the Status Quo! Some reporters get to talk about wars! Or a political debate! And most are just stuck listing off the most recent social media! But I'm gonna be the first to introduce the world to magic!" She held up her broken camera and shattered phone, "And it's all in the palm of my-wait, what?"
Negi felt someone pat his head and looked up at the figure with tearing eyes. Naruto stood there with a calm smile and reassured his friend, "Stop crying. It's gonna be okay."
Kazumi blinked in shock, "Eh?"
Makie was surprised, "N-Naruto-kun?"
Naruto turned around and faced the girls while raising his hand to show off half of Kazumi's phone and the front part of her camera. He squeezed and crushed them into pieces, "Girls, Negi is having a bit of a hard time today. A lot on his mind. And he's still a kid, so he's very self-conscious about this stuff. And right now, he doesn't need to be pressured by two of his students into letting his biggest, most important secret in the world be exposed to the general public."
Kazumi sweated, "Um...well..."
Makie pointed at the taller girl besides her, "It was her idea."
"So how I see it, we can take this in two directions. 1) We can talk this out and come to a peaceful agreement. Or 2) I do it the easy way, go wild with the memory erasing, and leave you two dribbling in diapers." He gave them a menacing grin, "Your choice."
Kazumi and Makie were shaking in place at his threat and the sheer certainty he had in his tone.
Negi and Chamo were shaking as well, "N-Nii-San-"
"Oh don't worry Negi. I probably wasn't actually gonna leave them in diapers. Don't take it so seriously."
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
Setsuna, Konoka, and even Kyūbi were all looking forward with wide eyes. Asuna, on the other hand, almost had her jaw hit the floor. She growled, "Y-you mean-"
"Yeah. Makie and Kazumi caught Negi in the act and now they know. So we need to talk to them."
Makie was waving nervously while Kazumi was quite sullen while looking at her destroyed property. The energetic gymnast smiled, "H-hey guys, you know about Negi-kun too?"
Kazumi whimpered, "All my stuff."
Asuna grabbed Negi's collar and started shaking him, "What did you do?!"
"A-Asakura-San spilt some paint off the roof and it was heading straight for us! I-I just acted on impulse!"
"And completely screwed yourself!" Asuna pointed at the two girls, "I'm not even gonna get into how bad it is a loudmouth like Asakura knows-"
"Hey!"
"-but Maki-chan too! That girl couldn't keep a secret for a can of beans!"
"Hey Asuna, stop insulting me! I can keep a secret if I want to!" Makie argued indignantly, "Plus I don't want any beans! I don't even like beans!"
"Oh my god! Why?" Asuna fell to her knees and shook her head.
Setsuna stepped forward, "Okay, I think we need to take a moment and talk this out."
"Here's something to talk about!" Kazumi looked over at Naruto with a firm edge in her voice, "You destroyed my equipment and cameras! That stuff costs me a lot!"
Naruto answered, "Well you were about to reveal one of the biggest secrets in the world and get millions of people in trouble. So I say we're about even. Plus I had to find a way to stop you. You were moving closer and closer to Dark Evangel levels of hammy there for a moment."
Makie nodded, "Naruto-kun's right Asakura, you were acting pretty scary."
Kazumi sent her a stale glare before looking back to the blond, "Well this is a big scoop and people deserve to know about it. What punishment is so bad that it's not allowed?"
"Any Mage or person with magical tendencies knowledgeable of the fact that they were supposed to keep it a secret would be apprehended and relocated to a different location until such a time where the spot that revealed the secret would be mind-wiped and clear of any mishaps like that. And those responsible, Negi and probably me as well, would be deported, lose all contact with people we have met in Mahora and the outside, and then sent into a learning facility to realize the error of our ways." Naruto reached out and grabbed Chamo before pointing at him, "Plus we would be transformed into one of these guys indefinitely. That's what's so bad about spilling the secret so easily."
All the girls and Negi stared at Naruto in mild shock at how he said all of that off the top of his head. After years of traveling the world and meeting several people that believed that magic should be revealed to the public, Naruto knew the consequences of not keeping a secret like that under wraps.
Kazumi looked off to the side and pouted, "You still broke my video camera and phone."
"I'll get you a new phone, but a video camera? Kazumi, look me in the eyes and tell me you don't have spares on you at this moment."
Kazumi looked back up and was met with Naruto's unflinching gaze. She chuckled and pulled out several back-ups, "Okay, you saw right through me. I concede defeat." She then looked off to the side, "But please stop calling me Kazumi. Only my parents call me that and that's only when they're upset with me."
"Then guess what Kazumi? You'll know I'm serious when I say your name Kazumi. That's a good bit of info to have Kazumi. I'll remember that from now on Kazumi." Naruto replied, making the usually pushy and flamboyant girl shrink back and try to escape his powerful personality.
The girls were all surprised, "Geez Whiskers, I think they get that you're in control. You can calm down now."
Konoka covered her cheeks, "Naruto-kun is domineering. Secchan, why didn't you tell me?"
"W-why do you think I would know?!"
"Think about it like this then." Naruto circled an arm around the reporter's shoulder and whispered, "You might not be able to reveal the secret anytime soon, but someday you could write stories and biographies about this. Where I come from Negi could totally be a huge celebrity. And you can be his go-to reporter."
Kazumi perked up and smirked, "You think that would work?"
"You could be the next J.K. Rowling. Except these books are real."
Hook. Line. Sinker.
Kazumi hugged Negi, "Aw, Negi-kun! I'm so sorry for everything I did earlier! I promise I won't tell anyone your secret!"
Negi beamed a smile, "R-really?! You mean it?!"
"Of course. No more lies!"
Asuna shook her head, "Dear lord. This kid is gonna live the rest of his life out as an ermine."
Naruto turned to Makie, "What about you? Are you okay with this?"
Makie answered by glomping and rubbing her cheek against Negi's, "I learned a big secret and got closer to Negi-kun! I couldn't be happier!"
"M-Makie-San!"
"Hey! I wanna hug Negi-kun too!" Konoka hugged the other side of Negi while the little ten-year old waved his arms in protest.
Asuna walked forward, "Maki-chan! Konoka! Stop playing around! And Maki-chan, you can't go tell anyone about this! Absolutely no one! Got it!"
Setsuna stepped over besides Naruto and looked up at him, "Are you sure about this? Shouldn't you be wary of people learning a secret like this?"
Naruto shrugged, "I'd stop multiple people from finding out, because people in a group learning something like this would freak out and resort to a mob mentality. But if you can connect to a person on a personal level with something like this, exploiting Kazumi's desires and letting Makie know Negi better, something like this can be pretty successful."
Setsuna looked up at him in surprise, "Have...you thought about this before?"
Naruto gave a lopsided grin, "I'd be lying if I said I didn't consider what would happen if magic was world wide."
Kazumi stood back for a moment to clear her thoughts and watch everyone talk. Before she felt something run up her leg and chest before appearing on her shoulder, "What the-"
"Hey Nee-chan, remember me? I'm Aniki's awesome and loyal partner, Albert Chamomile, at your service." He sat on her shoulder and pulled out a cigarette, "Can I tell you something? I liked what you said out there on the street. About makin' Aniki a star."
Kazumi perked up a little, "You did?"
"Course. I always thought Aniki could be a huge hit if he gave himself a chance. But now I think that yer the gal to make that chance a reality."
"Oh? What were you thinking?"
"I'm thinkin'...first, we need to help Aniki get a couple more babes on his team."
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
Haruna's jaw was slacked and even Yue had abandoned her stoic expression in favor of a triangle mouth of shock. They looked between each other for a second before looking back at the girl in front of them, "What...did you just say(x2)?"
Nodoka felt her heart beat so loud that it was reverberating through her ears and looked down at the carpet as their conversation was drowned out by everyone else in the room talking. She whispered, "I-I said that I t-told N-Negi-sensei that I...I like him."
...
Haruna cheered, "WAY T-"
"Shut up you idiot." Yue's hands clamped over her bustier friend's mouth before lowering her back to her knees. She whispered, "We can't reveal that Nodoka confessed to Negi-sensei. It would cause a big usurp and put everyone else on the defensive. Imagine Iincho-San finding out about what Nodoka did."
Haruna's eyes widened and she pulled away from Yue's hand, "Hmmm, you maybe right. Good thinking Yue. So what do we do now?"
"Now that Nodoka is in the lead for Negi-sensei's affection, we need to push it further. Get them in a room together. Develop their relationship. Maybe-"
"N-no!" Nodoka denied while diving between her friends to stop their conversation.
"No?"
"What do you mean no?"
Nodoka sat back up and looked down at the floor in guilt, "Negi-sensei, h-he's feeling bad because of what I said, r-right? I-I don't want to push him any further."
"But Nodoka, you're so close!"
"I-I know, but-"
"ALL OF YOU BE QUIET!" Everyone in the room flinched and turned around when Nitta barged through the door with an ice pack on his head. He looked at all the gathered students, "You all are so loud I heard you from downstairs! If you cause anymore ruckus for the rest of the people in the hotel then I will force you to squat in the lobby! Quiet down and go to bed!"
Everyone watched as the crotchety man left the room with a groan before they stuck out their tongues at him.
Misa moaned and laid on her side, "Ughhhhhhhhh~, this is no fun! We didn't get to play with Negi-kun at all today! That's two days in a row! I'm Negi-kun deficinit!"
"I agree!" Yuna announced while jumping up and getting everyone's attention, "What's the point of knowing boys on a school trip if you don't tease them and make them uncomfortable! We need to do something to Negi-kun!"
"YEAH!"
Ako and Akira, being two of the more morally conscious people in the surrounding group, decided to be the voice of reason, "Yuna, that might not be such a great idea."
Akira added, "I mean Negi-kun wasn't looking so great when we saw him earlier. We should probably-"
"Oh he's fine now."
All the girls turned towards Makie, "What?"
Makie smiled and tilted her head, "I talked with Negi-kun earlier and he's feeling much better now. Thanks to me~!"
"What?! What did Baka Pink do?!"
Yuna grabbed Makie's shoulders, "Makie, when did this happen?! When did you get a lead on the competition?!"
"While the rest of you were taking baths."
"AHHHHHHHHHH! The perfect opportunity!"
Ayaka yelled indignantly, "M-Makie-San, what did you do to Sensei?!
Yue and Haruna looked between each other before staring at Nodoka who whimpered and lowered her head. So much for the lead they had.
Misa stood up and proclaimed, "That's it! If Makie is doing better than the rest of us, it's time to take drastic measures!"
Sakurako saluted, "What are your orders, Captain Kakizaki?"
"I say we capture Negi-kun in a pillow case, bringing him back here, and then we can all-"
"I got something better~."
Everyone shut up and looked towards the door where Kazumi was leaning against it with her arms crossed under her chest. She smirked, "And I bet you all will like it."
"Oh no." Madoka stated worryingly before whispering to Yuna, "It's the devil in a blouse."
"Normally I'd take offense to that but it seems pretty appropriate." Kazumi stepped away from the door and looked at the more eager girls, "Because just like the devil, I've got a deal you can't refuse."
Everyone showed some form of interest in her prospect as Kazumi realized she had them caught. She smiled, "Let's play a game. A game covering the whole hotel, with teams from each group and a big prize at the end."
Some of the girls looked between each other before one hand shot out of the crowd, "Oh oh, I have a questiona-ne!"
"Yes, Chao Lingshen!"
"Can we watch? I'm feeling kinda lazy but can we see what's happening?"
"Of course! I already set up cameras all over the hotel and hooked them up to Input 2 on the T.V."
"Geez Asakura, you really went all out on this thing."
"Of course! Because this is the best part!" Kazumi smiled, "You win when you get a special prize from Negi-kun."
The girls cheered, "We're in!"
"Wonderful."
"Asakura-San!" Ayaka argued, "I don't know what it is that you are planning, but anything that needs this much planning in prior means that you are about to cause nothing but trouble. I forbid you from-"
"Just so you know, winning this game will bring you closer to Negi-kun then you ever could have believed."
Ayaka shut up instantly.
"Great. So I need two people from each group that want to participate. If you get caught by Nitta-sensei or any of the other teachers and get punished, then that's the end of the game for you. Are you ready for the goal?"
Most of the girls nodded while some of them leaned in to hear what this supposed goal was to win.
"All you need to do...is share a kiss with Negi-kun."
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
"*AAAAACHHOOOOOOOOOOO*!"
One side of the room was completely tossed around while Negi's ultra powerful sneeze echoed through the walls.
Everyone else in the room looked at the short red-head in surprise. Naruto asked, "You...feelin' all right there buddy?"
"Y-yes." Negi sniffed and rubbed his nose, "I just suddenly felt like I needed to sneeze. What was that old belief? 'You sneeze when someone is talking about you?'"
Naruto nodded, "Twice if they're talkin' smack."
"Whatever it is, watch where you're pointing that thing." Asuna said from her seat in the middle of the boys' room as she remembered all the painful memories, "We don't need you stripping apart an entire room anymore when you get an itchy nose."
"Oh! So that's why there's always a gust of wind and Asuna strips every time Negi-kun sneezes." Konoka realized while gently placing her fist in her hand. After a moment she blinked and scratched her cheek, "Y'know, in hindsight when you realize there was a magician living with us, all the weird stuff that happened starts to seem really obvious."
"W-well, Negi-sensei is still learning to properly handle his magic." Setsuna defended, "He will get better over time and his sneezes won't have so much impact behind them."
Negi swallowed his insecurity from them talking about his ineptitude before looking up at Naruto, "Nii-San, do you think I'll get better over time?"
Naruto nodded, "Sure you can. I figured out how to control my magic, didn't I? I barely ever lose control of my magic anymore!"
Asuna stared at him dryly, "Barely?"
"What? Nobody's perfect." Naruto looked at the clock on their table and realized it was time for him to do the perimeter rounds over the hotel. He stood up, picking Kyūbi up from his spot on his futon and placing him on his right shoulder before heading towards the door, "I gotta go do my round. You guys all right?"
The girls all hummed while Asuna waved him off, "We're gonna catch a late bath so make sure you do your job right."
"Got it. See ya later."
Negi sat up, "I should go do my patrol as well. Come along Chamo-huh? Where's Chamo-kun?"
"I saw the Pervert Ermine run off about an hour ago. He probably went to go look for some underwear to sleep on or something."
"Oh. Well, okay. If that's what he wants then I guess I'll look for him after." He walked over to the door and turned back to the girls and bowed, "I'll see you all later."
"See ya."
"Good luck Sensei."
"Bye Negi-kun!"
Negi walked off and Asuna stretched her arms out before lying on the futon, "Man, I don't know why but I'm exhausted. I really need that bath."
"Do you think they'll be all right?" Setsuna asked while looking back at the door, "We still don't know why Negi-sensei was acting so strangely today and Naruto-sensei said he couldn't tell us. Perhaps it is a far more dire matter than we thought?"
"They didn't seem too troubled. Those boys are pretty tough so we just need to give them some time and I'm sure they'll be back on their feet." Konoka said before she grabbed Setsuna's arm and started heading for the door, "Enough about that! C'mon Secchan, let's go to the baths!"
"W-wait, Ojou-sama! W-we can't bathe together! It's-it's inappropriate!"
Asuna jumped to her feet and followed after, "Wait for me!"
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
Naruto pulled out the bag of chips from the vending machine and popped it open. He threw one in his mouth before chatting with his own personal little demon, "So~, you think after the mishap last night, they would risk coming here two nights in a row?"
"I wouldn't plan on it. Then again, you can never really predict what someone might do when they're desperate and want something really badly." Naruto held out a chip and Kyūbi munched it down, "So, what happened with the Little Red Moron? Was he in a pit of despair because of all that information you gave them last night?"
"Sort of." Naruto answered, "But the reason he was feeling so swamped was because someone from the class confessed to him."
Kyūbi was silent for a moment before he just groaned, "Honestly, you mortals are so disappointing and confusing sometimes. You make it seem like your in deep concentration with strong thoughts through your heads but it's always the same problems. You flesh-bags are just courting and shooting your genes at other flesh-bags in hopes of crapping out little flesh-bags. Disgusting."
"I'm not even gonna bother arguing with you." They walked just around the perimeter of the hotel and had already made one round, meeting off with Negi who was using the opportunity by himself to think about what they had discussed earlier.
Naruto finished the bag, "Hey, does something feel off to you? Like there's a change in the air?"
"You noticed it too? Since we came out here I picked up a strange sense of magic in the air. It's thin and weak but it's everywhere."
The combination of the magical blond and the powerful demonic fox looked around and made sure their surroundings were clear and everything within earshot was approachable.
"Onee-chan, a-are we wearing these right? They-they don't feel like they're on right."
"Of course they're on right! Kaede-Nee wears stuff like this all the time! With it, we will totally dominate this game!"
"Y-yeah but Kaede-Nee is actually a ninja. We barely qualify as athletically acceptable."
"Have you been talking to Chisame or something?! What's with all the negativity? Do you want the prize or not?!"
"I-I do, but I feel like we're gonna do something reckless."
"We always do something reckless! But this time we get rewarded for our recklessness!"
"Fuuka-chan, Fumika-chan, what are you two doing?"
The short set of twins flinched and jumped back when they saw Naruto walk in with a curious expression and his fox on his shoulder. He spotted their attire and smiled, "Oh cool, are you guys gonna cosplay for a game or something?"
Fumika panicked, "I-it's Naruto-sensei! Onee-chan, what do we do?!"
Fuuka clicked her tongue, "Crud, he found us! And just as the game was starting too! Kaede-Nee would be so ashamed!"
The younger sibling with buns in her hair was shaking, "W-what do we do? Is Naruto-sensei a part of the game too?"
"You heard Asakura! Anyone other than Negi-sensei is our enemy! And I will not be squatting in the lobby all night long!"
Naruto and Kyūbi shared a looked before asking, "What are you two talking about?"
"Sorry Naruto-sensei, but you won't stop us! We are the representatives of Group 1 in the 'Kissing Game of Negi-sensei'! Fuuka Narutaki-"
"-and Fumika Narutaki!"
Naruto blinked, "The what Negi game?
They stood in front of each other before jumping in different directions and pulling out pillows, "Narutaki Ninjutsu: Kage Bunshin no Jutsu(x2)!"
Naruto and Kyūbi almost had tears in their eyes while stifling their laughter. That...was so adorably pathetic that it literally hurt not to cackle like a hyena.
The twins jumped in the air with their pillows over head, "Attack(x2)!"
They brought their pillows down on the blond assistant teacher but met with no resistance. The blond with the scars on his temple disappeared from sight, "Where'd he-"
Fuuka felt a hand press on her back and push her forward while disarming her. She fell down before pushing herself back up and both of them turning around to see Naruto standing there with Fuuka's pillow in his hand. He looked it over, "Okay, what's this 'Kissing Negi' thing about? And why are you attacking me with pillows?"
"Sorry Sensei, but our lips are sealed. And now that you know what we're doing, we have to take you out."
"That is not a good idea." Naruto warned, "When people come at me and I've got a weapon in hand, they soon learn to regret every decision they've ever made that led them to that point."
"Fumika, go for his legs! I'll hit his head!"
"Got it!"
The twins charged forward with all their might, ready to bring the whiskered blond down. Naruto watched them run before he shrugged his shoulders and spun the pillow in his hand.
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
The girls of 3-A were staring at the televisions of their respective rooms with looks of horror and regret as they watched feathers and pink-haired twins fly across the screen.
Madoka gulped, "Geez, it's like watching a snuff film. But the only difference is that there are feathers instead of bullets. And that's the ONLY difference."
Misa sighed in relief, "Now I'm not upset I let the twins take our place in the game."
Sakurako started weaving around and yelling attacks, "Go for the head! The knee! Get his elbow! No, don't fumble around! When you land on the ground you have to at least try and grab his foot! Sweep the leg! No, not that leg!"
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
"Oh crap." Kazumi looked at the screen in her safe spot in the janitor's closet, "The Whiskered Menace has joined the fray. What do we do now?"
"Damn. I just knew there was gonna be a complication if Aniue or one of the girls was aware of the game. I thought it was perfect that I drew the Pactio circle with such a large circumference that it was nowhere near their search area and we could still get away with it." Chamo chewed on his cigarette before fiddling with some controls, "Just concentrate on the girls. If Aniue stands between them and getting to Aniki, I'm sure they won't show him any mercy."
"Well if watching the bodies of the Narutakis flying around like rag dolls proves anything, it's that I don't think he's the one who's gonna regret this." The dark pink-haired girl wondered, "Hey, what do you think he'll do if he finds out we're playing a game with Negi-kun as the prize."
"Oh he's gonna be pissed!" Chamo cried a little, "Honestly, I'm ashamed of myself for falling prey to my desires and using my unstable Aniki as a prize! But with each girl he kisses I get 50,000 Ermine Dollars so I can't help it! My inner business ermine is calling out to me!"
"Well they say the love of money is the root of all evil."
"And I accept that evil with a puffed out chest! Whatever Aniue does to me after this is a punishment I will accept wholeheartedly, but in the process I can help Aniki get over his girl troubles and take the first step to becoming the most popular and talked about Mage in the world! So be it!"
"Yeah! Wait-girl troubles?"
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
"Okay then." Naruto held the ripped up cloth that used to be the pillow before throwing it away, "You two give up yet?"
Fuuka and Fumika were lying on the ground, sprawled out in defeat at the overwhelming destruction from Naruto's pillow. Fumika's eyes spun in place, "Momma, please, no more spankings~. It was Onee-chan's fault I swear~."
Naruto tapped her cheek a little, "C'mon, stay awake. Now do you wanna tell me what you guys are doing?"
"Okay momma, anything for you~."
Kyūbi chuckled before Naruto flicked his nose, "Shut up."
"Asakura-San made a game between all the groups to see who could find and kiss Negi-sensei first~. And if we did, we got a grand prize~. We couldn't help ourselves~."
Naruto felt his eye twitch, "Oh, you are so gonna be in a diaper when I'm done with you Kazumi."
"Everybody is watching with the cameras~! We're on T.V., yay~!" Fumika laid on the floor, "I'm gonna take a little nap now~."
Naruto stood up and looked around before spotting a camera in the corner of the ceiling. Seriously? Negi was thinking about how to talk to the first person to ever confess to him and she was holding a kissing contest while that was happening! And what special prize would they get if they kissed?
...
A vein pulsed on the blond's head, "Oh that sleazy little rat bastard."
"Now can I eat him?"
"Maybe." Naruto took the fox off his shoulder and placed him on the floor, "Look, there are girls moving through the halls and if one of them tries to kiss Negi, he's might end up with a new Pactio partner. I'm gonna go and hold the girls off from finding him and I want you to take down all the cameras."
Kyūbi raised an eyebrow, cynically implying to know how he was supposed to do that.
"I don't know. Use your imagination."
While the Narutaki twins started to slowly lift themselves up with a groan, Kyūbi looked over to a shelf and spotted a small camera hidden on the side of a vase. He thought about the best way to get rid of them while still entertaining himself before he formed a wicked idea.
He jumped onto the shelf, lowered himself until he was the same level as the camera, looked straight into the lens...
And ate it.
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
"EEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!"
"Incredible." Satomi fixed her glasses while focusing on the screen, "I had estimated that Naruto-sensei's fox had a poorly constructed esophagus and digestive system from how it's body was coping with the mutation in its tails. But it's body is not only healthy but extraordinary in comparison to other Vulpus. Truly outstanding."
"WHO CARES! CHANGE THE DAMN CHANNEL! WE-o-oh, I think I'm gonna vomit."
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
Ayaka and Chisame slowly but steadily made their way through the hallway of the hotel, pillows in hand and ready to attack. The blonde class president encouraged her partner, "Chisame-San, keep on your guard. We have no idea who might be lurking around the next corner or what nefarious schemes they are planning to steal Negi-sensei's precious lips."
"Um, Iincho, why am I doing this?" Chisame groaned as she really wasn't looking forward to being punished for this stupid game, "I couldn't care less if you guys want to kiss the kid but if Nitta-sensei catches us then we're all screwed. Couldn't you coax Naba or Murakami to come play with you or something?"
"I tried, but Natsumi-San and Chizu-Nee refused my offer."
"Then why didn't you try Rainyday?"
"I did. But she said that while the game did seem amusing, she did not feel any need to participate in it."
"I was watching you look at her the whole time! She said no such thing!" Chisame loudly whispered, a little pissed off that the weird acrobatic girl could get away with anything by just staring and unnerving someone.
"Look, if we win this game quickly then we can get back to our room. Just keep your eyes peeled and-"
Just as the team from Group 3 turned a corner, they came face to face with the team from Group 4. Yuna was standing there, eyes wide from the sudden appearance of the two other girls. And standing right beside her was the much taller Mana, eyes half-lidded and not even partially interested in the game she found herself in.
"Yuna-San!"
"I got you Iincho!"
The blonde and brown-haired girls smacked each other with their pillows and stumbled back. They charged again and started waving their feathered-filled weapons around like swords, yelling and trying to scare the other away.
Chisame just stood off to the side and watched the two hard-headed idiots smack each other. She felt someone settle into the wall besides her and looked back to see Mana leaning against it with her arms folded. Chisame raised an eyebrow, "How the hell did they get you caught up in this idiot fest."
Mana rubbed the bridge of her nose, "Sasaki volunteered to play but Akashi insisted that since she spoke with Sensei earlier today that she shouldn't get a chance to play. Izumi and Okouchi passed on the offer, which just left me. And I just came out because they were pestering me."
"I forgot you have probably the most annoying group on the trip. Sorry for you circumstance." Chisame watched Ayaka gain the upper hand in her fight before she started walking away, "Well, since it looks like she doesn't need me, I'm just going to go back to our room."
Chisame rounded the corner and started walking back while taking off her glasses and rubbing her eyes. After a few steps she accidentally walked into someone, "Oh sorry. I didn't see-"
Chisame put her glasses on and looked up to see the scowling face of Nitta glaring down at her. She froze in place as he spoke with a harsh tone, "Hasegawa, what did I say about going to bed?"
As Chisame was shaking in fear, Yuna came stumbling around the corner and wiped her cheek, "Pretty good move, Iincho! I almost feel winded! But, it's gonna take a lot more than that to keep me away from Negi-kun! So prepare for-"
"Akashi."
Yuna froze and turned her head with a mechanical click to see Nitta standing there while holding Chisame by the collar. Yuna cowered a little, "H-hey Nitta-sensei, I-I was just looking for the bathroom and-"
"Both of you. To the lobby."
"No! Wait! Please! What about Iincho and-" Yuna pointed to the hallway only to see no one standing there. Nitta grabbed her collar and she cried, "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO~!"
While Chisame and Yuna were dragged away, Mana and Ayaka slowly looked around the opposite corner of the hallway. Ayaka clapped her hands and prayed, "Thank you for your sacrifice Chisame-San. It will not be in vain. Tatsumiya-San, if you like, we could work together and-"
"Not interested."
Ayaka watched Mana walk away, "W-wait! I still need a partner! We can work together until we find Negi-sensei! After that-"
"I was only dragged into this game because no one else in Group 4 was going to play. Since Akashi is out of the game then there is no need for me to participate anymore. Good luck Iincho. I hope you get what you want out of this."
"I'll pay you!"
Mana stopped her walk back and turned around, "Excuse me?"
"I-I'll pay you to cover me while I go for Negi-sensei. Just stop anyone else from getting in my way and I promise to compensate you for your work."
Mana stared at the green-eyed girl before she gave a lopsided smile, "Goodness Iincho, I had no idea you could be so devious. Very well. I'll make sure to deliver you to your target and stop anyone in your way."
"Good-"
"Although you may come to regret it when you see the bill."
"V-very well-"
"Plus I can't promise that there won't be some casualties along the way. Kaede and Ku Fei are in this game as well so-"
"Whatever! Let's just go!"
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
Negi and Naruto's bedroom door slid open with Yue and Nodoka standing at the entrance. The shorter girl with the large forehead looked around and couldn't spot anyone in sight. She clicked her tongue, "Damn. He isn't here. We need to keep looking before any of the other girls find him. Come on Nodoka, we have to think about where he would go if he isn't in his room."
"W-wait Yue." Nodoka stopped her best friend from walking away before she let her bangs cover her eyes, "L-let's stop."
"What?"
"This is getting out of hand. Everyone is running around in a panic and I bet we're causing a lot of trouble for Negi-sensei. A-and he has enough on his mind already. We're only making it worse."
"Nodoka." Yue shook her head, "But isn't this what you wanted? You finally got to confess your feelings and you are just going to let your feelings hang up in the air? There's no point without receiving an answer from him."
"But maybe he can't answer. I keep thinking about how mature and kind he is, but I forget he's still young and doesn't have any experience with something like this. I-it's too much to be asking him to force an answer like that."
"So you are just going to act like it didn't happen? Act like you didn't bear your heart and soul and just hope that we just forget this?"
"N-no. I'm not asking that. But..." Nodoka clutched her chest, "I think that something about loving a person is hoping they do whatever they can for you, and that you can do the same for them. I want to help Negi-sensei with his problems first. A-and after that...then I'll accept whatever happens next."
Yue looked at Nodoka with a mix of surprise and guilt for pushing her friend to confess so abruptly. She lowered her head in guilt, "Nodoka..."
*Chomp*
The two girls perked up at the noise and turned around to see the seven-tailed fox slowly chewing something. He looked back at them as they blinked in surprise, "Kyūbi-San?"
The fox's tails waved around before he stood up and started walking away. The two girls looked between each other before they thought that he might be trying to lead them somewhere. The two short book lovers followed the red fox through the hallway and down the stairs.
A moment later, Ayaka and Mana came around another corner and arrived at the teachers' bedroom. The blonde class president noticed the door was open and ran in, "No, Sensei, don't fall for their tricks! Follow my voice an-ahhhhhhhh! He's not here either! Is this a game of hide and seek?! Where'd he go?!"
"He wouldn't stay in one place for so long if a bunch of girls are searching for him. He must be somewhere." Mana looked around the corner just in time to see a purple-haired girl open the door to the stairs before closing it behind them. She narrowed her eyes, "I doubt he's on this floor anymore. If we still want to look for him then we need to move to another level."
"All right then!" Ayaka pumped her fist and engulfed herself in flames, "I will be the one to win Negi-sensei's heart!"
"I like the enthusiasm Iincho, but that's enough of the game."
Ayaka flinched before turning around to spot the whiskered assistant teacher standing with his hands in his jacket pockets. She stepped back, "N-Naruto-sensei! What are you doing here?"
"The twins told me about the game. And while I think it's a pretty clever idea, we're stopping it here." He took a step forward, "C'mon, let's all go back to our rooms and-"
*Bang*
Naruto leaned to the side and out of the way as a rubber bullet flew by his head. As the bullet hit the wall behind him, Ayaka and Naruto looked back to see the tall black-haired beauty with a gun in her hand. Naruto shook his head, "You can't be serious? Why the hell do you have a gun on you?!"
"I always do." Mana pulled a second pistol out of her Yukata before training it on Naruto's form. She walked past Ayaka, "Iincho, go ahead and find Negi-sensei. I'll hold him off."
Ayaka felt conflicted about the situation in front of her, "B-but Tatsumiya-San, Naruto-sensei is a teacher! And we're only supposed to be attacking with pillows! You can't shoot him like this!"
"Iincho, what's more important?" Mana asked over her shoulder, "His well being, or Negi-sensei's?"
"..."
"..."
"..."
Naruto looked exasperated, "Are you kidding me? Seriously?"
Ayaka bowed her head before running away, "Sorry, but Negi-sensei's innocence is in danger if I don't help him!"
"I pretty sure innocence is thrown out the window when you trade one person's safety for another!" Naruto yelled before she disappeared around the corner. He sighed and looked back up to see Mana still aiming at him. He smirked, "You so wanted this."
"I got forced into the game by my group and then Iincho paid me to make sure no one interrupted her. This is just business."
"You're smiling."
"Well, I can't say that this doesn't seem like fun."
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
Kaede finished drinking from her can, "Ku-Dono, do you think we should finish with this game? Or do you want to go looking for Negi-bōzu some more, de-Gozaru? I believe the other teams have had enough of a head start at this point, de-Gozaru."
Ku stopped stuffing her face with the nikuman Chao and Satsuki had given her before leaving the room. She swallowed, "Whatever you wanna go Kaede-aru! As long as fun I don't mind-aru!"
"Hmmm..." Kaede thought for a moment, "Then I suppose we should continue playing for the sake of entertainment, de-Gozaru."
"Yay!" Ku jumped off the banister of the ceiling and waited for Kaede to follow.
When the taller ninja dropped to the ground she looked around and could sense the other competitors walking through the halls at different levels. She smiled, "I don't believe our target is in his room anymore, de-Gozaru. But I don't sense him in the hotel either so he might be outside."
"Hey Kaede, what you think prize gonna be-aru?" Ku asked with an eager tone at the unknown prize they were playing for, "I hope it something good-aru!"
"I believe it is. If we're playing while lurking the halls and the possibility of getting caught then it must be quite substantial, de-Gozaru." Kaede and Ku started making their way towards a window so they could jump down to the first floor.
Until they heard a gunshot around the corner.
The two Baka Rangers turned around as they heard the argument yelled through the halls, "Hey Captain Trigger Happy, you sure these are rubber bullets you're shooting?! If they are, you must pay for the realistic and damaging type!"
"If you're so interested you can try to stop running and see for yourself!"
"No thank you! I like my body staying together as is!"
Naruto appeared around the corner and planted his feet against the wall before jumping down the corridor with Mana sliding across the floor in hot pursuit. Naruto yelled over his shoulder, "Seriosuly, how much is she paying you for your service?! If it's a reasonable amount I'll pay for you to stop!"
"No deal!"
"Is this because of the puppy panty thing?! If you don't want people to know you wore them then don't wear them! Throw them away or-"
"HIYA!"
Naruto looked back forward just in time to duck underneath a foot planted inside a pillow. Naruto slid along the floor before pushing himself back up to see Ku Fei's outstretched leg and eager face, "Nice dodge-aru!"
"Ku?! Kaede?! Seriously, why are you guys playing?!"
"Seemed like fun-aru! They were right-aru!"
Kaede nodded in agreement, "It's true Sensei, it even seems like you're having a little fun with this as well, de-Gozaru." Kaede saw Mana come running up besides her and change her magazines, "Hey Mana, did he run off with some of your money, de-Gozaru?"
"Not now Kaede." Mana placed her new mags in with a click before cocking her gun, "I was paid by Iincho to make sure no one interferes with the game. And he's interfering."
"Well it looks like Ku-Dono might try to take that job on herself, de-Gozaru."
Ku Fei pulled the pillow off her foot and placed both of them on her hands before getting into a fighting stance, "Pillow Fighter of Justice, aru! Prepare for battle Sensei-aru!"
Naruto raised an eyebrow, "Why do you have pillows on your hands?"
"Not allowed to fight unless with pillows-aru." Ku mentioned before she dashed forward with her pillow fist outstretched. Naruto leaned back and pushed her fist away with an inside block before having to push another fist away with his elbow.
Ku spun on her feet and tried to back fist the whiskered blond but he grabbed her wrist before it made contact. Naruto placed his hand underneath her arm and locked it before spinning and throwing the Kung Fu master over his shoulder.
Just as she was landing, Naruto felt his instincts flare and he fell to the ground as a rubber bullet flew over his head. He looked up to see Mana point her gun down at him and prepare to fire. As she pulled the trigger, the whiskered man spun on the ground like a top and evaded the bullets by a hair's breadth.
When Naruto stopped spinning he placed his hands on the ground and pushed himself backwards, knocking Ku Fei's legs out from under her as she tried to catch him off guard. Ku landed on her pillows and Mana attempted to shoot Naruto again as he stood up but as her bullets flew through the hall, he vanished in thin air.
Kaede and Mana looked up to see Naruto standing on the ceiling overhead in a crouch. Mana's eye twitched and she changed her magazine again, "Well, are least I forced him to take action."
Kaede smiled and stepped forward while looking up at the blond, "I see you weren't kidding about your abilities, Naruto-sensei. I can very much picture you as a ninja if you decided to take up the job, de-Gozaru."
Naruto smirked and stood on the ceiling while scratching his chin, "I told you being a ninja was something I used to have on my career list."
Mana groaned, "Great, another ninja."
Ku Fei stood back up and rubbed her head before looking up at Naruto standing on the ceiling and gasped, "Spider-Man-aru!"
Naruto smiled and looked down, "Hey Kaede, I still think ninjas are awesome even after all this time. But do you know why I don't want to be a ninja anymore?"
Kaede readied herself for a chase, intrigued by the idea of challenging the skills of this man, and inquired, "Why, de-Gozaru?"
"Because you guys don't get to be flashy with your moves. Unlike me."
Naruto spun on the ceiling and took off like a rocket before he was followed by Mana, Kaede, and Ku Fei chasing after him.
Naruto was running along the ceiling and kept weaving back and forth to dodge Mana's rubber bullets. He shifted right and started running along the wall just above them.
Ku Fei pounced forward and tried to kick him but he ducked under her leg. When she landed, she immediately charged forward with a mighty push to try and grapple him but Naruto started exchanging counters and pushing all of her attempts away.
While Naruto was exchanging blows with the blonde Chinese girl, Kaede appeared behind him and grabbed his jacket before locking him in and halting his movements. She smirked, "Sorry Sensei, but three-on-one doesn't spell good for-"
*Schwip*
Kaede blinked and looked down at the empty jacket in her hands while Mana and Ku Fei stared at it in surprise. They looked up to catch Naruto disappearing around the corner after slipping through his capture.
"Interesting, de-Gozaru." Kaede tossed the jacket to the side and used Shundō to bypass her competitors to catch the sly whiskered blond. She rounded the corner just in time to see Naruto dump a bucket of water he had taken from a supply closet behind him. Kaede ran and jumped forward with her hand out to catch him, completely missing his slip trap, "Sorry Sensei, but it takes far more than that to slip me-"
As Kaede touched him, he popped like a balloon and left only a cloud of smoke. She flew through the empty smoke and crashed into the supply closet, covering herself in toilet paper and a mop. She rubbed her head and laughed, "A Shadow Clone? I should start expecting anything from you, shouldn't I, de-Gozaru?"
Naruto jumped down from the ceiling with a folded chair under his arm and smirked, "Well Raka-Ji beat this technique into my body and soul. He told me it would come in handy when I had to slip away or deal with a bunch of people at once. He was right."
Naruto felt a gun barrel press against his back and looked over his shoulder to see Mana standing behind him. She smiled, "You feel real."
He nodded, "Yep. You caught me. I gotta admit Captain, you're so tenacious that you even exhaust me."
"Well I have to admit I'm a little insulted." Mana motioned to the water spill behind her, "Did you really think something simple like that was going to be enough to stop me?"
Naruto looked behind her and gave her a cheeky grin, "Not at all. Then again...it wasn't for you or Kaede."
Before Mana or Kaede could ask what he meant-
"WAIT FOR ME-ARU!" Ku Fei came running around the corner like a rocket and sped forward until she slipped in the water. She flew forward, slamming into Mana's back as Naruto pressed himself into the wall to evade their oncoming form, and going all the way into the supply closet where they slammed into Kaede.
The door shut behind them as the sound of all the supplies and materials falling off their shelves and over them rang through Naruto's ears.
He smiled as he placed the folded chair under the handle of the door and trapped them in there long enough for him to take care of the game.
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
Chisame and Yuna were squatting in the corner of the lobby while Nitta ran off to find out the source of the commotion happening upstairs. The bespectacled girl scowled and groaned, "I knew it. I knew it was gonna happen. Somehow, I was gonna take the blame for Iincho and this stupid game. Fantastic."
"Aw c'mon, it wasn't that bad." Yuna tried to cheer up the sullen computer lover with a grin, "We might have been caught but I bet the game's almost over. Hey, do you think one of them caught Negi-kun yet?"
Chisame gave her a dry glare, "You're still thinking about the damn game? Why don't we worry about ourselves for a moment. I can't feel my legs anymore."
"Well is that because of the squatting or because you get as much physical activity done as a guy in a wheelchair?"
"Well I'm sorry I don't get as much moving done as you do you crazy basketball freak."
"Whatever." Yuna grasped her bicep and smiled, "I've got so much stamina and energy that I could squat all night and day and I wouldn't be affected at all!"
"Your legs are twitching."
"They always do that!"
"NO! STOP!" The two squatting girls looked besides them as Ayaka emerged from the hallway with two pink-haired girls wrapped around her, "Fuuka-San! Fumika-San! Stop this immediately!"
"We lost a chance because we got beat with our own pillows!"
"But we can still stop you and kiss Negi-sensei! Submit Iincho! We shall not give up!"
"AH!" Ayaka fell and the twins started lying on her to pin her to the floor. Ayaka thrashed around, "Nooooooo~!"
While the twins pinned the taller blonde down, they felt someone grab them by their collars and lift them off their class president. They hung in the air like little kittens being held by the nape of their necks and looked towards the whiskered blond holding them up. He shook his head, "You guys are persistent. That's admirable but annoying. Now I think I understand what other people have to deal with when they know me."
Fumika slumped, "Does that mean we can stop now? I'm still tired from when you beat us up with pillows."
Fuuka crossed her arms, "This sucks. We barely even got to play."
"Believe me, you weren't missing much." They all looked over to see Chisame squatting with a scowl on her face and Yuna right besides her waving at them.
Naruto asked, "What are you two doing?"
Yuna answered, "We got caught. Nitta-sensei dragged us down and forced us into a squat and we've been suffering for about ten minutes now."
Naruto nodded before looking at the orange-haired girl with the ponytail, "And why the hell are you here? I didn't think you would be a part of something like this even if they paid you."
"They didn't." Chisame stared at the defeated blonde girl by his feet, "I was dragged out here."
"Chisame-San, I'm sorry. But you have to understand that it was for the greater good." Ayaka tried to defend herself, "Please forgive me."
"There are special places in hell for traitors like you."
Naruto nodded his head, "Well said. I totally agree."
"Huh? Nii-San?"
The little group of teenagers looked over towards the front of the room to see Negi walk in with his staff in hand. He looked at all of them in confusion, "What are you all doing here? Did something happen?"
"Negi-sensei! Quickly, we have to kiss and-"
"Nope." Naruto pressed his foot down on Ayaka's back and pinned her to the ground as she flailed around like a dying fish, "No more of that."
"No~! So close! So close!"
Negi looked between Naruto and all his students and grew worried, "W-what's going on?"
They heard some clatter and looked back just in time to see Mana, Kaede, and Ku Fei run into the lobby after snaking their way out of the lobby. Mana had a broken mop over her head, Kaede's hair was covered in shampoo, and Ku Fei had styled the toilet paper over her face so she looked like she had a long white beard.
Naruto grinned, "Oh hey, you guys got out."
Ku Fei stroked her teepee beard, "Slow and steady win race, grasshopper-aru."
Kaede rubbed some shampoo out of her hair, "That was a very good move tricking us before locking us in. I admit defeat for today, de-Gozaru."
Fumika looked at the three of them, "What the heck happened?"
"Don't ask." Mana pulled the mop off her head and threw it away before looking down at Ayaka, "Sorry I wasn't able to stop him Iincho, but he's just too much of pain to bother with."
"H-hey!" Negi yelled and got their attention again, "What's going on?!"
Naruto lowered the Narutakis to their feet and bent down to help Ayaka up, "Negi, all you need to know is that I'm going to bury that stupid little pet of yours."
"Negi-sensei?"
Negi froze before turning to the side to see Nodoka and Yue standing besides Kyūbi as he jumped up onto the top of a chair. Negi stood there like a deer in the head lights as his eyes looked on Nodoka's, "N-Nodoka-San."
"Uh oh." Naruto stopped mid-lift from helping Ayaka off the ground before he pushed her back on the floor.
She looked up at him, "What in the world are you doing?!"
"Iincho, you might not like this but we've gotta let him work this out."
The girls looked at the jacket wearing blond, "Work what out?"
"N-Nodoka-San-"
"S-sensei!" Nodoka interrupted with a furious blush on her face and feeling like her legs were turning into jelly underneath her. She looked down at the floor, "I-I'm sorry about what I said to you earlier today! Y-you told me how you were feeling anxious and uncertain lately, a-and I immediately said that to you! I-I'm sorry! I really am! Please just forget it and-"
Nodoka felt a pair of small hands encircle hers and stop her from having a panic attack. Nodoka blinked the little tears forming in her eyes away and looked back up to see Negi giving her a comforting smile.
"Nodoka-San, thank you for feeling concerned about my well being. First off, I promise that I won't be afraid of what's in front of me anymore. You're right, I have people by my side to help me, and I can do anything as long as I have them by my side." He let go of her hands and blushed, "A-and about what you said earlier..."
"I-I really don't know anything about having feelings for someone like that, b-but I think I know how important it is to confess like that. So thank you very much. B-but I don't think I can return your feelings right now." Negi looked up at her win a hesitant smile, "But...I would still like to be your friend."
Nodoka was silent as she looked at Negi silently. Yue was standing directly behind her friend and watching it with baited breath. Naruto and all the assembled girls from 3-A were staring at the scene in front of them like it was straight out of a movie.
Nodoka gave a small smile and rubbed something out of her eye before nodding, "Of course. I'll always be by your side Sensei."
Negi smiled and nodded, "Okay."
Yue sighed in relief. She was glad that they were at least able to talk to each other and work something out. Negi was now aware of Nodoka's feelings and Nodoka wasn't feeling guilty that she confessed anymore. So it was a happy ending...still...
They deserved some kind of lead over the other girls, right?
Yue gently pushed against Nodoka's back and forced her off balance. The purple-haired librarian fell forward towards Negi and their lips briefly touched, long enough for them both to feel a massive surge of warmth and light fill their bodies.
Naruto palmed his face but couldn't help but chuckle, "Oh geez."
"HONYA WON(x4)!"
Most of the girls cheered as Nodoka and Negi stepped back with their hands touching their lips. All the other competitors clapped for the shy girl's victory as Naruto helped Ayaka back to her feet, "Sorry Iincho, but that's been bugging him all day."
Ayaka cried a little but wiped her eyes before pounding her fist triumphantly, "I concede this round Miyazaki-San, but I will not fall to you anymore from this point on! I promise!"
Naruto smiled and took a step back and watched as Negi started to dote and worry about Nodoka after their kiss. He scratched the back of his head and just started making his way to the hallway to head back upstairs. This was a matter they would have to deal with sooner or later, but it was probably best just to let the shy girl have her moment.
*Chu*
Naruto opened his eyes and looked down to see the girl he had accidentally walked into when she passed the corner. And when he walked into her, his lips slightly touched against her cheek for a light kiss.
Asuna stood still for a moment, completely frozen from what just happened after emerging from the bath with Setsuna and Konoka, both girls standing just a foot away from her and staring at the scene in shock. Asuna slowly turned to look at Naruto, then looked down to stare at the area around her cheek before her face turned red. She lowered her head and her shoulders started shaking before clenching her fist, "Y-you...you..."
Naruto panicked and tried to diffuse the bomb, "H-hey now Bells, t-that doesn't really count as a kiss. It was just on the-"
Asuna turned to him, her face burning red, and reacted on instinct by socking him in the chin, "STUPID PERVERT WHISKERS!"
Naruto felt her punch land and was sent a few feet back in the air. Her punch wasn't devastating but it definitely packed some power. As he sailed past the 3-A girls, all he had to do was flip through the air and land on his-
Nitta came running down the opposite corridor with flames in his breath, "ALL OF YOU! I TOLD YOU NO LEAVING YOUR ROOMS! THAT'S IT, EVERYONE START SQUATTING NOW AND-"
The back of Naruto's skull beaned Nitta directly in the nose. The two men flew away from each other and a dazed Naruto slid on the floor before slamming against a stand full of tourist pamphlets. He rubbed his head before the paper stand fell on him and covered him in newspapers, magazines, and tourist hotspot guides.
All the girls just stared at the scene in shock before looking over at the twin-tailed girl with bells. She blinked and stared at her fist before hiding it behind her back, "S-sorry!"
"N-Nii-San! Hold on!"
"W-what do we do now?!"
"Run! Run before Nitta wakes up!"
"Book it!"
Chisame and Yuna yelled, "Hey! Don't leave us dammit! Come back here!"
Negi moved all the papers off of his blond friend before Naruto lifted himself up and rubbed chin, "Holy shit. That girl packs one hell of a punch."
"Nii-San, are you okay?"
Naruto rubbed his head before waving off his concern, "Yeah Negi, don't worry. It'll take a whole lot worse than this to-"
Both boys shut up instantly when they felt a threatening presence wash over them. They looked up to see Nitta with a bloody nose and a scowl on his face, "Do you two care to explain what happened here?"
"U-um-"
"It wasn't our fault."
Nitta just adjusted his glasses until they reflected the lights overhead. And he forced them into a squatting and bowing situation for the rest of the night.
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
Done
I really need to get more chapters out this next few weeks. I have goals for how far I want my series to reach before the new year which means I've got to cram and release this stuff as fast as possible.
Straight back to work!
ReadxReview
Thank You and Bye
