The Knight Of Mahora Academy
Period 25: Don't Push Yourself
Sorry I've been gone for so long. I wanted to get anything out last month but my brain was like 'nah, we can do it next week.' The amount of effort I put into writing in the last few weeks is laughable.
But I'm back now!
And I'm here to continue on the story of our favorite group of misfit Mages and Minstra in the crazy academy!
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
"You know we're just a few weeks away from the Mahora Festival!" Konoka cheerfully said from the kitchenette as she cooked a light breakfast for them before they had to make their way to class, "Are you all as excited as I am?"
"I'm freaked out is what I am." Asuna grumbled as she started fixing her bells to her hair, sitting around the table as she and her roommates started to get their meals, "The closer we get to the festival the more crunch we're going to go through! It's gonna be a nonstop, hectic setup and working to get everything prepared for our clubs and our classroom. We're not going to sleep easy for a while."
"Yeah but that's the fun of the festival." Konoka giggled as she sat down next to Asuna and Naruto to enjoy the food she cooked. She set some aside for when Setsuna would show up before looking at the two boys she roomed with, "What about you two? Are you excited about the festival?"
Negi looked up from the papers he was reviewing, "Well I've never really been to a festival or celebration held at a school before." The young redhead shrugged, "I think there may have been one at the school or near the village but I don't think I attended. Anya was very upset that I was more focused on my studies than taking a break."
"So I guess nothing's changed on that end, huh?" Asuna chuckled as she saw her young teacher murmur and shift in his spot. She looked to their other roommate, "What about you, Whiskers?"
"Uh, not really." Naruto blearily answered, trying to focus on the report he was supposed to be double-checking for Nitta's class but finding it hard to focus, "I mean I've been to festivals and I've seen cultural festivals in anime and manga. That's kinda what this is, right?"
"That times a hundred!" Konoka happily squealed, her excitement barely contained in her smile as she took a portion of her egg and gave it to Kyūbi sitting in her lap. As she ran a hand through the seven-tailed fox's fur she giggled, "It's a massive spectacle where everyone and everything in Mahora gets involved! Shows and plays and seminars and games and concerts! It's a festival where hundreds of thousands of people come to play!"
That earned a few surprised looks from the two Mages before they turned to their bell-wearing friend to see if it was an exaggeration. She nodded with a smile, "She's serious. If it wasn't for the school buildings around I swear you wouldn't be able to tell it apart from Disneyland."
"W-Wow." Negi's eyes sparkled with amazement as he tried to imagine a scene with so many people in it like that. His mind boggled trying to picture it, "I-I don't think I've ever seen that many people in one place before."
"That sounds like a party!" Chamo piped up from the table, "We're gonna have to make sure we see everything when that festival comes rolling around!"
"Yeah!" Negi nodded enthusiastically before he paused, "Wait, but I'm going to be dealing with it from the position of a teacher. Do you think that will mean I can't participate in the regular activities? Those teachers will have different responsibilities?"
"Oh, that's a good point." Konoka deflated slightly, "Aww, if you two can't get any free time you'll miss out on everything the festival has to offer."
"I doubt it'll be that bad." Naruto said, rubbing his eyes as he made to stand up, "Mahora is a huge campus and there are only so many teachers. We'll probably get supervising duties but nothing," As he stood up the blond TA paused for a second, "Nothing too bad."
"You okay, Whiskers? You're looking a little pale there."
"And you barely touched your breakfast."
"Uh, sorry about that." He rubbed his eyes, "I guess I'm just not that hungry. But yeah I'm fine. I don't…" He stopped as his eyes started to close and his nose twitched, "Aaahhh…ahhh - o-oh crap-"
"Window!" Kyūbi immediately barked, startling everyone as he rushed out of Konoka's lap while Naruto's head reeled back, "Someone open a window!"
Asuna quickly jumped to her feet and pushed the window open as Naruto stumbled over to it, "AAAAAAAA-"
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
"Greetings everyone! It's your favorite idol, Chiu!" The internet star smiled cutely while winking to her faithful audience on the other side of the screen, "Have you missed me~?"
The adoration and donations piled in as her loyal fanbase cheered and adored her. She giggled, hiding the joyous uproar she felt from the words of her followers under the service as she waved to her camera. Now, this was true happiness and bliss. She might have to deal with a crazy school with a ridiculous class taught by some kid who really shouldn't be a teacher in Japan but as long as she got to do this she was content.
"Now sorry but you might not see me stream a lot for the next few days." Chiu apologized, getting a lot of messages asking if anything was wrong or if she'll be okay, "Oh don't worry loyal viewer! Your girl Chiu is doing just fine!" She gave a cute pose to the camera and giggled, "But my school is throwing this huge party and I don't think I'll have any free time. Sorry~."
Multiple messages complaining about how her school was abusing or taking advantage of her started to pile up.
Chisame grinned behind her hand. Yes. Yes! This was the last bastion of truth she had a handle on! Even the people obsessed with getting the attention of the pretty internet idol agreed that this school was insane. As long as she had these people-
"AAAAAAAACCHHOOOOOOOO!"
The room shook violently as some explosion went off somewhere near the school's female dorm. Chisame nearly jumped out of her chair and panicked, "Oh dear god! Are the bombs dropping?! What was-"
A rack of her figurines, DVDs, manga, and games started to tilt over her-
"OH NO!"
Her stream blacked out as her possessions rained down over her. And her donations spiked from the attention.
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
"What's wrong wit' watchin' Rider?!"
"Because classes are going to be starting any minute now young man! That means you have to be ready too!"
"Pfft! I was plannin' t' skip anyway! What goods there learnin' at some dumb school?"
"Excuse me?! There is no way I am letting you stay here if you're just going to exhibit truant behavior and play hooky!"
"I don' even know what yer talkin' about!"
"I mean behave, you little brat!"
Chizuru giggled, "It's so nice seeing them get along like this."
"This is getting along?" Natsumi whispered doubtfully before noting, "You know, I always knew Iincho had a weird fascination with young boys. But when she talks with Kotarou-kun it almost seems…normal?"
"I imagine this is what a big sister and little brother would act like together."
The blonde girl and the black-haired Hanyō bickered a little longer-
"AAAAAAAACCHHOOOOOOOO!"
A mighty eruption echoed through the walls of their room.
"AAAAHHHHHH!" Kotarou screamed as he fell to his knees and covered his ears, "MY EAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRSSSSSS!"
"W-What was that?!" Ayaka looked around in confusion, "Kotarou-San, are you okay?!"
"Aahhh, it's ringing in my head!"
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
Mana carefully and meticulously cleaned every part of her firearms. As a markswoman and a mercenary, she couldn't afford to slack off or let even a single piece of equipment go awry. It was the mark of a professional to keep their gear up to snuff.
She gently rubbed the inner workings of her pistol barrel with the brush while making sure no irregularities occurred. The rest of her pistol sat reduced to fine pieces that she could reassemble in a manner of seconds. She simply had to keep each piece within reach and in its proper place-
"AAAAAAAACCHHOOOOOOOO!"
Her room shook and her table trembled as it sent all the minuscule and fine pieces of her weapon cluttering onto the ground. Where they either disappeared into the deep of the carpet or bounced away to some dark abyss under her drawer.
…
The mercenary took a deep breath as her eyes twitched, "Someone is going to pay for that."
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
"I'm not exactly sure why you're doing this." Ako stated as she watched her best friend get her makeup kit set in front of the mirror, "I mean are you going to wear makeup to class? Who is it for?"
"No, I'm just practicing!" The bubbly pink-haired gymnast said as she got ready in front of the mirror, "You said I need to work on applying my makeup, right?"
"I mean that's putting it generously."
"Well, no better practice than hands-on!" Makie explained while she started getting things together, "I try to put on a little before class every day, I get better at applying it, and then if I ever need to meet someone - like Negi-kun - for something important like his martial arts expo again, I'll be ready!"
The light blue-haired girl tilted her head, "Makes…sense?" She offered uncertainly, "I mean it's good that you're trying to improve yourself-"
"Awesome! Let's get started!"
Ako was proud that her friend was so devoted to getting better on something she always struggled with, but she was still pretty apprehensive. And as she watched Baka Pink pick up a powered brush, foundation, eyeliner, mascara, and lipstick all at once she found those fears well placed, "W-Wait Makie, maybe not all at once-"
"AAAAAAAACCHHOOOOOOOO!"
Some great explosive shook their entire room and Makie's face disappeared into a cloud of powder. Ako coughed and waved the cloud away to clear her breath-
"How do I look?"
"AAAAHHHH!" Ako shrieked as she saw Makie with a pale face, black eyes, and a crude red mouth that looked like it had been carved into her face by a madman. If anything it looked like she was going to win an Oscar for beating up a billionaire in a bat-suit. And honestly…
Ako tilted her head thoughtfully, "You know it's not as bad as I expected,"
"Woohoo! Progress!"
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
"He's sick?"
"Yep." Asuna nodded to Setsuna as they looked down at the groaning blond leaning back on their couch, "You heard that explosion and felt that rumble? That was him."
"Really?" Setsuna questioned, "How did that happen?"
"Turns out Negi isn't the only one that fails to control his magic when he sneezes." The redhead in question lowered his head and blushed while sitting beside Naruto, "Except instead of stripping people when he sneezes, Whiskers blows things up with fire and lightning."
"I-I don't do it all the time!" Naruto argued faintly, "It's just when I get sick. I have a hard time getting control of it."
"Every time he sneezes it's like a grenade goes off. Better to do it outside where we don't have to suffer from it."
"Still I gotta say I'm surprised." Asuna smirked cheekily, "I didn't think stupid people could get sick."
"You speaking from experience?" She balked at his quick rebuttal as he grinned while lying across the couch. He sat up and wiped his brow, "I probably caught a cold walking around in the rain the other day."
Konoka bent down in front of him, "Say aaaahhhhh." She requested while holding out a thermometer. Naruto complied and opened his mouth as she placed it under his tongue. They waited patiently as the line started to climb under the glass tube, "Oh no! 40C! 50C! 75C! 100C! Oh my god, Naruto-kun, you're going to explode!"
Asuna sighed and poked her best friend's shoulder, "Konoka," She got the Japanese princess' attention away from the terrifying rising temperature, "He just spat up a fire. Soooo~…"
"Oh. Makes sense." Konoka giggled at her elementary mistake before pulling the thermometer out of his mouth, "But if we can't get his temperature like that we have to do it some other way. Maybe under his armpit? Or…"
The girls looked at the thermometer in silence and blushed at the implication. The animals grimaced in disgust. And Naruto paled in horror.
Negi, oh so innocent and ignorant of the twisted thoughts of teenagers, tilted his head at their expressions, "Or what? How else can we check his temperatures if not orally-"
"There isn't." Before anyone could say anything or Negi could conclude himself, Naruto pushed off the couch and looked around for his suit jacket, "Look I'm running a little high but it's nothing I can't handle. We'll be late if we don't-"
"Hold on." Asuna was quickly in front of him and had her hand on his chest to hold him back, "There is no way you should be walking around and going to classes like this."
"It's just a little sniffle." He shrugged, "It's nothing serious."
"The fact you sneeze like a landmine is reason enough not to let you walk around." The bell-wearing girl argued while shaking her head, "Plus you look pale as a zombie, you're running a fever, and you've barely eaten!"
"She's right, Sensei." Setsuna stepped up by her side and nodded at the blond, "You shouldn't be pushing yourself when you aren't in the best condition. It will only make it worse."
"That's right." Negi pulled on his arm, trying to gently lead him back to the couch where he could lie down and rest, "You shouldn't be doing anything when you are sick like this, Nii-San. I'll tell everyone in the faculty office that you couldn't make it today because you're not feeling well. So please sit down."
Naruto tried to wriggle his way out of his young friend's grasp but Negi's grip wouldn't loosen. And as he looked around he saw the others looking up at him with either expression of stern refusal or quiet insistence. With a deep groan, he shrugged, "Fine. I won't go today."
They smiled in relief as the whiskered blond turned back to the couch. Konoka nodded, "So don't move around too much! Drink plenty of liquids! And get tons of rest! Nurse's orders!"
"You're a nurse now?"
Naruto settled back on the couch with a sigh as he smiled at the others, "Have a fun day. I'll try to get over this cold before you get back."
"Don't push yourself, Whiskers." Asuna grabbed her bag and made for the door before looking back with a smile, "We'll make sure to stop by during our lunch break to check up on you."
"Don't bother, I'll be fine." Naruto waved them off as Chamo scurried up Negi's back and Konoka scooped Kyūbi up for easy transport, "Have a good day."
They waved him goodbye and wished for his speedy recovery. Konoka told him where there should be cough medicine and Setsuna bowed her head as Negi closed the door behind them. Naruto let out a sigh as he laid back on the couch and tried to get comfortable.
Looks like he'd be spending the day just getting better.
…
"Oh god…I'm bored already."
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
"Did you feel that quake this morning?"
"Yeah! And what was with the explosion?"
"Maybe a gas leak?"
"No way! They'd warn us if there was a gas leak, wouldn't they!"
"And wouldn't there be more damage to the building if there was a gas leak? I didn't notice any problems when I looked outside. Except one tree looks like it was struck by lightning or something."
As the girls of 3-A were trying to understand the confusion, the door to their class opened up as Negi and his group walked in, "Good morning everybody."
"Good morning Negi-sensei/kun/bōzu!"
"I have to ask that you spend the first few minutes of class just doing self-study." Negi set his notebook on the podium before showing off a second book as he walked towards the door, "I have to drop off Nii-San's notes to Nitta-sensei."
"Huh? Can't he just come to get them himself?"
"No, Nii-San is sick today so I have to inform the faculty that he won't be able to assist in their classes today."
As Negi walked out, another round of questions started to pass between the members of 3-A. As Konoka sat down and placed Kyūbi on the floor to curl up by their desk, Asuna grabbed her seat and reached for her bag. But she felt a tap on her shoulder and looked back as Yue leaned in, "Is something going on?"
Asuna shook her head, "No, it's like Negi said. Whiskers got a cold from the rain and now he's got the flu. We made him stay in so he doesn't get worse."
"Oh, that's unfortunate." The stoic library girl nodded, "I hope he recovers soon."
"Yeah, me too." The bell-wearing girl muttered with a frown, "I just hope he understands that he needs to slow down."
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
Naruto shifted on the couch in discomfort. This was the place he slept in every day and yet somehow it felt so hot and uncomfortable. It hadn't felt like this when he woke up that morning. But now it was so bad he couldn't even close his eyes.
What if he rested on Konoka's bed? Or Asuna's? It still looked partially unmade after she'd thrown it off in a hurry for her paper duty. And if not theirs then the only other option was Negi's, which given some extra thought seemed like the least complicated choice.
Maybe something to draw his attention? He could check Chiu's webpage again to pass the time. Her last entry said something about a school event before some kind of earthquake or building mishap cut the stream off. He'd like to read it more but just looking at the screen was causing his migraine to deepen.
"Ugh." Naruto groaned as he lifted himself, having changed out of his work shirt into the one he wore at night while still having his suit pants on. He trudged over to the bathroom and tried finding the cough medicine Konoka had told him about. He looked in the drawers and under the sink and everywhere he could before finally locating it.
It looked…old. Did…did medicine expire? Do chemicals have a sell-by date?
With a sigh, Naruto put the expired medicine aside and walked back out into the main room. Could he text and let someone know he needed medicine? To grab some and deliver…
…
"Hmm," With a sharp grunt he shook his head, "I have a cold. I'm not an invalid. I can go out and get some medicine."
Despite the slight ache in his head and his fever, Naruto moved with purpose and closed the door behind him as he headed for a convenience store.
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
"Why are you all coming back to our room?"
"What's wrong with some students being worried about their favorite, sickly TA and going to visit him?" Haruna asked innocuously as she led the other Library Girls behind Asuna towards their goal, "We just want to visit, make sure he's safe, and wish him a speedy recovery."
"Saotome-San, it is clear that you have some kind of ulterior motives in your visit." Ayaka said sternly, "As the class president I must extend a helping hand to our dear ailing teacher's assistant."
Asuna rolled her eyes, "And this has nothing to do with wanting to check out where Negi lives?"
The girls remained silent a moment after her question before Ayaka and Haruna laughed manically, "O-Of course not, Asuna-San!"
"Yeah, we're just being good people!" Haruna said before looking back at her other friends, "Isn't that right, Nodoka? Yue?"
Nodoka nearly folded into herself in shame and let out the most pitiable whimper she could muster.
Yue trembled under the weight of her guilt, "I-I cannot tell a lie-"
A hand clamped around her mouth before she could say anything else, "Then stop talking!" Asuna glared at Haruna as she giggled to herself, "We're saints, I promise."
Asuna's doubtful expression remained steadfast. But as they approached the door Konoka happily stepped up to it, "Here we are." She started to unlock it and started pushing in before Asuna grabbed the handle to stop it, "Asuna? What's wrong?"
"Hold on." The twin-tailed girl muttered tensely as a bead of sweat ran down her cheek, "Won't this end badly?"
Setsuna and Negi looked between each other in confusion, "What do you mean, Asuna-San?"
Haruna clicked her tongue irritably. She thought things were going so smoothly that no one would suspect a thing.
"I mean isn't this one of those classic scenarios from books and manga? Where someone is in their room alone and sick so their guard is down. And then another person walks in on them in a vulnerable moment and all hell breaks loose! What if we walk in and Whiskers is buck naked or drying himself or something?!"
Negi gasped in horror and Chamo paled in shock. Some of the girls were a little overwhelmed by the idea and were flustered at the thought. And one seemed overly enthusiastic about the plan.
"Let's just knock first and see if he-"
The door was kicked open.
"Knock knock!"
"PARU!"
"I didn't come here for logical decisions and subversions of expectation!" The busty bespectacled girl announced with a maniacal grin, "I came for clichés and funny situations! Ahahahaha!" She ducked into the room before Asuna could grab her. The others waited with tense expressions to hear the commotion from inside the room.
Waited…and waited…
"He's not here."
"What?"
They walked in and saw Haruna standing by the table as she looked around, "Yeah there's no one here. I see a made bed, an unmade bed - clearly Asuna's - but no one else." She shrugged as the others started to look around, "You sure he's supposed to be here?"
"Yes!" Asuna exclaimed as she started searching their entire room. She looked under every nook and cranny she could find to see if he had packed himself in there. But found nothing. The others quickly joined her in looking around for clues - except Ayaka who had found Negi's little nook and seemed to marvel at how well he kept his living space.
"Asuna," She looked back as Konoka picked up a bottle of cough medicine, "Look, Naruto-kun left this out."
"Did he at least have some?" She walked over to her friend's side to look down at it, "If he had at least one cup then maybe he'll be-"
"I-Is this expired?" Konoka muttered and looked at the date on the bottle, "I-I think this might be expired."
"What? When did we get this thing?"
"Um, I think we got it when you caught a cold going on your morning newspaper route during that extra cold winter. And you kept sneezing and I caught it too." Konoka tapped the bottle in thought, "That was…over a year ago! Oh, this medicine won't do at all."
"So if Nii-San went to go get new medicine…"
Asuna growled, "Oh that stupid…"
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
He just had to make it to the store or pharmacy and he'd be done. His head was killing him and he could barely breathe through his stuffed-up nose but it wasn't anything he couldn't handle. He'd fought demons and magical beasts and evil Mages and power-hungry monsters that nearly took his life countless times.
He wasn't going to let a little cold get the better of him!
So with a new determination welling up in his chest, he started making his way forward. Mahora was a big place, and truth be told there was still a lot of it he hadn't explored or knew his way around. But there were landmarks and features he had memorized to help him determine where he was and where he had to go.
"One side!"
"Excuse us!"
"Coming through!"
A cavalcade of voices and people started rushing through and nearly knocked Naruto off his feet. The whiskered blond stumbled for a moment before looking around as a haze of a crowd started to settle around him. Were there always so many people in Mahora?
So many people and so many sounds were making it difficult to discern where he was. His head started throbbing from all the noise and he groaned while rubbing his eyes.
It was too many people to discern where he was just by the landscape. But if he used any landmarks around then he should be able to figure it out. The sick Mage looked around for something easy to see.
And spotted the Arc de Triomphe standing tall and proudly over the road.
…
Was…was that not a monument in…Italy? No, it wasn't Italy. But it was in Europe. Had he made his way to Europe? It didn't seem possible but it seemed like something stupid enough for him to do.
"No," He groaned and shook his head, causing his migraine to worsen for a moment before he stopped, "It freaking says 'Mahorafest' on there. I'm still in Japan. Focus you, idiot. Focus."
('Sensei? Sensei!')
Naruto's eyes widened before he looked around, "Setsuna?"
As he looked around for his swordswoman friend he didn't find her anywhere. Dammit, now he was hearing things. He…he had to get the medicine. That was the task at hand he needed to focus on.
As Naruto trudged forward, he failed to realize that his Ministra was reaching out to him through their Pactio. And he also failed to notice that his pocket was buzzing with messages.
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
"Gah! He's not answering!" Asuna closed her phone in a huff before looking at the others. Konoka and Negi were dutifully working on their mobiles as well but failed to get any response. She looked over as Setsuna walked in, "What about you, Setsuna-San? Did you get an answer reaching out to him?"
"I-I thought I did," The Shinmei-Ryu practitioner shook her head, "But the only answer I got from him was groggy and confused before he stopped responding. And after that, he just won't answer. He didn't sound well."
"If Naruto-kun hasn't gotten any proper medicine and has been moving around with his fever," Konoka gulped in worry, "Then he's probably only getting worse."
"W-We have to look for him!" Negi said urgently as he started running back down the hall with his staff in hand, "I'll go look for him!"
"We'll keep checking the skies!" Chamo called back, "You girls see if you can search along the ground!"
Asuna nodded and started furiously typing on her phone. When he was safe and back home, she was going to kick his ass.
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
He…was out for…medicine, right?
Yeah…yeah, that was it.
Even though Naruto's headache felt like a spike through his skull and into his brain, he didn't let that deter him. He had to buy some strong medicine and get back to the room before anyone found out he left. He probably still had some time before anyone came back to check on him. He'd only be out for…
For…
How - how long had he been walking around again? It was hard to tell but it couldn't have been long. All he had to do was hurry up.
"Naru-nii!" Naruto slowed to a stop as he heard someone call out among the crowd of people. Rushing through the crowd was an excited little black-haired boy with a wide grin on his face, "Hey, can' believe I found ya. Man, what's with this crowd, right? This festival thing is gonna be huge!"
"Kotarou," Naruto muttered blearily as he looked down at his young Hanyō friend, "What are you doing here? I…aren't you supposed to be in classes?"
"Oh, they let us out early or somethin'." The young fighter said while putting his hands behind his neck and shrugging, "Somethin' about wantin' to decide what we're doin' for the festival, but I wasn' really listenin'."
Some classes were getting out early? Oh crap, if the others got out and found him missing then they were going to get worried. He had to hurry, "K-Kotarou," He mumbled out his young friend's name as he rubbed his temple, "Do you know where the store is? Or a pharmacy?"
"There's a store in this place? Damn, this school's a whole lot bigger than I thought." He noted with a chuckle before looking up at his blond friend. His smile lowered when he saw how red and clammy his face was, "Yo Naru-nii, you okay?"
"Just got the flu. I need to-"
A gust of wind started to rush by and some dust went up to his nose. The next thing he knew he felt the tingling come back, "O-Oh shit."
"Naru-nii? What's-"
Control the magic! Control the magic! Reel it in! It wasn't working!
With one last arch back, Naruto aimed upwards and tried to focus only on his flames. He covered as much of his mouth as he could.
But for that tiny opening between his fingers-
"AAAAAAAACCHHOOOOOOOO!"
A powerful explosion followed by a stream of flames flew into the sky. Everyone around stopped doing their work for the festival and watched in surprise as the young blond released a stream of flames into the air before finally stopping.
Naruto finally stopped and stumbled back as Kotarou covered his ears, "Naru-nii, was that explosion this morning-"
"AAAAAAAACCHHOOOOOOOO!"
"AAAAAAAACCHHOOOOOOOO!"
"AAAAAAAACCHHOOOOOOOO!"
"AAAAAAAACCHHOOOOOOOO!"
Naruto did the same thing over and over as sneezes started to rock his body. The crowd kept growing larger as they watched what they thought was a young fire-breather's extravagant display meant to garner their attention. And Kotarou could only cover his ears and try to withstand the point-blank explosions going off over his head.
Enhanced hearing hurt during crap like this!
The sneezing finally came to a halt and Naruto had to catch his breath before sniffing his tears and snot away. He blinked before he looked around at the crowd of amazed people.
"Oh damn."
"SO COOL!"
"HOW DID HE DO THAT?!"
"WE NEED TO GET HIM IN OUR SHOW!"
"ISN'T THAT THE YOUNG TEACHER ASSISTANT WE'VE SEEN AROUND?!"
"HE'S YOUNGER THAN I THOUGHT!"
"CUTER TOO!"
"HEY KID, YOU GOTTA BE PART OF OUR EXHIBIT!"
"NO, JOIN US!"
"WE'LL GIVE YOU MEAL TICKETS!"
"Run Naru-nii, ruuuuuuuuunnnnnnnn!"
Without a second thought, the flu-ridden blond dashed down the street to avoid the cavalcade of people calling out for him to join their festival showings.
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
Eva was making her way back home with ideas for what her training session for the day would include. The boy had been rather gloomy since dealing with that demon so she thought about ways to take his mind off it.
Perhaps a brutal takedown during a spar?
Or she could tempt him with some vile, dark magic that would corrupt his soul?
Maybe just some bloodletting would get his mind off of things?
As the Dark Evangel contemplated these ideas, she spotted the foolish blond she was learning to tolerate walking around in a daze. His eyes were half-lidded and his face was strangely red as he walked around like he had lead for feet.
Ah, he was sick.
She could empathize. She always had a weak constitution before she became a vampire, and after being stuck in Mahora that weakness had returned after centuries of relief. She fell prey to the diabolical clutches of pollen, hay fever, and the common cold more than she'd like to admit.
And it looked like he was in a kind of fugue state trying to go about his day despite the fever and sickness. Before she had Chachamaru to help her she had experienced those unfortunate spells of half-consciousness quite a few times. It was a dreadful state to be walking around in and as she had experienced it a few times herself she should try and help.
On the other hand, she liked messing with him while he was suffering.
"Oi, Dumbass." She stepped in his way and got his attention as he looked down at her. His expression was so blank and dozy that he must have had no idea what was going on. She smirked, "You look lost~. Need some help?"
"I…I'm supposed to…" He swayed back and forth as his balance was compromised by his condition.
"I'll try not to boggle your little mind and just say yes, you need help. Back to your dorm? Or maybe to the infirmary?" She asked mockingly with a smug tilt of her head. He blankly stared down at her as she smirked, "If you want my help, you'll have to earn it. Maybe get on your knees and beg for it? Or kiss my foot and acknowledge me as your better? Any of these would suffice. So what would you-"
Before she could finish…before she could make her demands and force the absent-minded blond to do her bidding…
He ran his hands down her head and along with her hair.
Now normally, Naruto liked to mess with Eva when he got the chance. It was a habit of easing tension and jabbing at others that he had learned in his formative years around Ala Rubra that stuck. And there was something about her indignation and spite when he did that just fueled him to keep going. Now Eva gave just as well as she took, and it had become part of their repertoire to snark and snipe at the other one when they got the chance.
However, Naruto was sick. His breathing was stuffed up and he had a terrible fever. He hadn't had any good medicine to bring it down and hadn't drunk much before leaving the room. So he was exhausted and partially hallucinating while his brain cooked inside of his head. So instead of responding to the Dark Evangel, the scourge of the Magical World and fear of every child that slept in the dark, like he usually did…
"Hehe," Naruto mumbled like an idiot as the little blonde girl froze as he petted her, "Good kitty. Pretty kitty,"
Evangeline stood in horror as he giggled like a moron and petted her like she was an animal. Her face burned red with rage as she waved her arms around, "Do not touch me, you idiot! If you keep going I'll - HEY!"
"Good kitty~," Naruto grumbled as he picked Eva up and squeezed her tightly. She hissed and snarled and waved her hands around like flails trying to smack him but he just danced around while hugging her tightly, "Sweet, murder-y, hissy little kitty. Awww - ow!" She scratched his hand and he let go, "Bad kitty."
"I'll kill you!" Eva declared with veins bulging on her head, "You'll rue the day you were ever born!"
Evangeline ran off in a huff and left the dazed blond to stand there.
He smiled and waved, "Bye mean kitty, hope you find a home."
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
After his run-in with that weird feral cat, Naruto started walking again.
His head felt like it weighed a ton. His face was hot and everything was kind of a blur.
As he made his way forward he found large shadows and groups gathered together. Were those…monsters? Demons? They weren't human. Were they attacking? They shouldn't have been here in the first place. Was there an invasion?
He had to do something.
Naruto rushed forward to help, forgetting that his balance and equilibrium were off. As he rushed ahead he nearly tripped over before stomping his foot to regain his balance. Even though he was shaky on his feet and had trouble comprehending his surroundings he refused to falter.
His foot slipped and he immediately fell into a split. Knowing that was the worst position to be in around enemies, Naruto quickly planted his hand on the ground and turned. He spun along the ground like a top, hearing a jumble of noises around him as he did a few flares to scare them off. It seemed to work as the shadows retreated before he pushed off the ground and landed back on his feet.
He did a few swipes and kicks at the air just by the monster's head before leaping up and spinning in the air before landing his kick. He landed on the ground and stood proudly as some of the shadows cheered for him.
Yep, even just a little sick he could still get the job done.
They clapped his shoulder and said something to him he didn't quite hear before he made his way out again.
Something twinged in the back of his head along with his migraine but he tried to ignore it.
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
"The idiot refused the connection." Kyūbi said to the others, "I can't force him to answer so there's not much I can do."
"Geez," Asuna grumbled through her teeth before sighing. She pulled out her phone and started texting away, "How can he be this stupid?"
"I'm sure he meant to not be a burden, but royally fucked that up. What are you doing?"
"Reaching out to everyone that if they see him contact us." She sent the message and nodded, "It's a big school but if we get enough help then maybe we'll find him." She lowered her phone before she immediately got an answer, "Oh, Eva-chan! Wow, this is the first time she's ever texted me. Did she…"
Asuna paled as she read the text from the little vampire. Kyūbi jumped on her shoulder curiously and looked down before chucking, "That bitch has the mouth of a sailor."
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
Zazie Rainyday liked to juggle.
It was a very relaxing hobby. And it also helped her practice for the circus performance she would be showcasing during the festival. So not only was it fun but practical for her too. And after this, she still had quite a lot of practice to do for the rest of her performance.
However, her attention turned elsewhere when she saw the blond slowly trudging his way through the street. Their occasional TA looked like he was lost and confused. Still making sure to keep her orbs in the air she walked over.
He didn't even seem to register her approach as he mumbled, "I…medicine…um…" As he spoke in broken sentences he seemed to finally notice her presence, or at least he noticed the balls she was juggling. Like a distracted child, he watched her juggle in silence as his addled brain tried to comprehend what he was watching.
Zazie slowly stepped back and led Naruto along by keeping his attention on her juggling. She sat down on a bench and she got him to sit down beside her with a little angling of her juggling. As he sat down and watched her colorful orbs fly through the air she expertly shifted so she was juggling them with just one hand. And with the other, she reached up and gently led his head down to rest on her lap.
As he found comfort in Zazie's lap pillow the strain on his mind and body started to ease slightly. His eyes slowly opened and closed as the rest he took did wonder for his headache. In his tired state he started to whisper, "I just…wanted to get some medicine."
Zazie nodded as she juggled.
"Didn't want…to bother the others. I thought…I could handle it…but…"
She nodded as she juggled.
He turned to look up at her from her lap…
"Heyla-chan?"
Zazie caught her balls and looked down at him silently.
"Is that you?" He blearily muttered with eyes nearly completely shut, "If it is…I'm sorry. I'm sorry…I couldn't protect you then." He reached up and rubbed his face, "I've tried to be better…tried to do good…made sure I didn't screw up as I did back then…but I…I should have been better then…when you needed it." He panted, feeling his face grow so hot it almost felt on fire, "What do I do…to make it up to you?"
Zazie gently placed her balls down and placed her hand on his head. The tension in his body slowly started to fade as her cool palm rubbed his forehead before going down his hair…
"Atone." A quiet voice whispered so softly he nearly missed it, "If you want to make it up to her…then keep helping others…and making things better for those who can't do it themselves. That's how you make it up to her. That's how you can atone…if that is truly what you want."
For the first time in a few hours Naruto's body eased and he rested quietly on the usually silent girl's lap.
Zazie gently rubbed his head as he softly snoozed in her lap. She would wake him up and get him to the infirmary in a moment. But for now, she kept rubbing his hair.
It was oddly soothing.
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
"Hi Sensei." Ako greeted the middle-school nurse as she walked into the infirmary, "I just wanted to stop by to check if you needed any help."
"Hi Ako-chan," The nurse greeted her young assistant from her desk with a smile, "Usually I'm the one making calls to you. What's the occasion?"
The light-haired girl giggled, "Well you got me." She pulled out her phone, "Some of my classmates are looking for a boy. He's an assistant teacher that helps in our class. Have you seen him? About our age? Blond? Little whiskers on his face?"
"Well isn't that serendipitous?" The nurse didn't say anything else before pointing to the side.
Ako followed her gaze towards a bed surrounded by a sheet. She walked over to it and pulled it open to find the subject of the search, "There you are."
Naruto sat up in one of the infirmary's beds with a cold pack tied to his head. He was drinking from a carton of apple juice and had been switched out of his PJ shirt for a comfy, lighter shirt. He looked up when Ako appeared and pulled back from his drink, "Hi."
"You couldn't pick a better time." The nurse said with a smile as she walked up to Ako's side to look at the exhausted young man, "Another student dropped him off and I've been helping him recover for a little bit."
Naruto hung his head as the shame and embarrassment nearly overwhelmed him, "I just wanted to go to the pharmacy for some medicine. I thought I could handle getting there myself."
"But he got lost while the festival preparations were going on. So he ended up walking around with a fever, half-delirious, dehydrated, and barely on his feet. He was so soaked with sweat we had to change him out of his shirt." She nodded towards the soaked top that sat on a chair, "He's lucky we got him to cool down before his brain boiled in his head."
Naruto gulped as he looked up at her, "That - that's just an exaggeration, right?"
"Yeah but not much of one." The nurse patted Ako on the shoulder, "Ako-chan, do you mind giving him one last check-up and grabbing some medicine for him before he goes? I have to take care of an errand."
"Of course Sensei, you go ahead." The young soccer manager smiled and watched the older woman head out. She started to roll up her sleeves before looking at the tired blond, "Now you caused a lot of people to worry."
"I know." Naruto guiltily muttered before looking to the side, "I had a lot of messages on my phone. They were not happy."
Ako looked over to where his phone rested. And right next to it was some strange card with odd writing and an illustration of Setsuna Sakurazaki on it. She tilted her head, "Why do you have a card of Sakurazaki-San?"
"T-That's just for something else. An unrelated thing." Naruto nervously mumbled before sitting up, "So what do we have to do for me to get checked out?"
"Just a quick temp check should do." Ako went to the shelves and pulled out a thermometer. With the quick addition of some latex gloves, she walked over and sat down by his bedside, "Say aaahhh."
Naruto chuckled that he'd been asked that twice in one day and opened his mouth. She placed one end in his mouth and sat quietly with him for a moment before pulling it out. Giving it a quick look she hummed, "Between 37 and 38, but closer to 38. Not good but according to Sensei, better than you were when you walked in." She started pulling off her gloves with a smile, "You should be able to get home with a little help, but you're going to have to pay attention to what you need to do. Stay hydrated. Don't exert yourself. Take your medicine. And get some rest."
"Got it." Naruto nodded as Ako reached over and helped pull the cold pack tied to his forehead off. Once it was he rubbed the sheen on his forehead and breathed a sigh of relief, "I didn't know you did stuff like this, Izumi-San."
"Yeah, when I don't help with the soccer club." Ako answered while helping him get steady as he sat on the bed's edge, "I just thought it was the best use of my time to help out when I could." As she helped him get settled she couldn't help but notice how surprisingly firm he was underneath his shirt. She heard from some others that had seen him during Group 6's weird strip show during the field trip that he was quite well-built but she was surprised to feel how packed it was under his sleeves.
"That's good."
"H-Huh?" Ako blinked out of her weird headspace that she quickly put away as inappropriate.
"I said that's good that you're learning stuff as a nurse." Naruto smiled, "Healing hands do a lot more good than rough ones."
She smiled and nodded in agreement. And after she did she found her eyes lingering on the thin scars going up horizontally from his cheek and over his ear. Up close they were much more faded than she had first believed but she had to wonder how he got them. And she wanted to ask how he could walk around with them without paying any mind to what others might think of them.
How did he wear them so proudly and without fear while she…she just-
"Izumi-San?"
"Hmm?"
"Are you okay?"
"Y-Yeah, I'm fine." Ako helped him get his shoes back on and she grabbed his sweaty shirt before handing it over, "Should I help you walk to your dorm?"
"Don't you still have stuff to do here?"
"Yeah but I can always come back after dropping you off."
He grinned, "I appreciate that but I think I'll be fine." She raised her eyebrow in doubt, "Not that I'm making my way back alone. I already called for help before you came."
"Sensei!" The door swung open as Setsuna came in, "Are you - o-oh." Her urgency faltered when she saw Naruto being helped up by Ako, "I-Izumi-San, were you the one that helped Naruto-sensei?"
"No, I was just finishing his checkup. But I didn't think you would come to pick him up, Sakurazaki-San."
"Yes well Asuna-San, Ojou-sama, and Negi-sensei are all worried sick about him and I was the closest." She said with some extra edge in her voice that made Naruto flinch after each name. She bowed her head to the blue-haired girl, "Thank you for helping him."
"Oh, it was no trouble." Ako waved off Setsuna's gratitude as she walked over to the cupboard to retrieve a few things. She came back over, handing Setsuna some medicine and Naruto a mask, "Wear that and you should avoid spreading your bug and agitating your sinuses. And he should take that medicine every six hours. He's better off now but I'm not sure if he'll be better for class tomorrow."
"Right." Setsuna nodded dutifully as she and Naruto made their way out. They bowed to Ako again as she waved them off and closed the door. Once they were alone Setsuna turned to Naruto…
And frowned at him…
He whimpered as he put on his mask, "You wouldn't kill a sick guy, would you?"
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
"I-I'm doing a lot better. You don't have to-"
"Be quiet."
"Okay." Naruto relented and allowed Setsuna to bear most of his weight as she had his arm over her shoulder and helped him walk back to the dorm. As they trudged along through the waning crowd of people preparing for the festival, he muttered, "Are you mad?"
"Of course we're mad because we were worried about you." Setsuna answered curtly, her usual calm and collected demeanor taking a backseat as she continued along with a frown, "We came to check on you and you were nowhere to be found after you told us that you'd relax and get better."
"I know."
"And when we tried to reach out and contact you, you didn't answer."
"I-I swear I didn't do that on purpose."
"Of course, you didn't. Because you were just too exhausted and sick to even notice. Because, again, you decided to walk around on your own even though you were in no condition to be doing so."
Naruto didn't know what to do or say. Usually, Setsuna was the quiet one, fumbling over her words and expressions when it had to do with anything over than swordplay and fighting. He often found himself being the one to speak up and put her concerns and worries to rest with his more experienced worldview. But this time he found himself on the receiving end of a rightfully deserved tongue-lashing and critiquing from his friend.
"I'm sorry." He whispered behind his mask, Setsuna's expression not changing much but her eyes turned to look at him as they walked along, "I didn't mean to worry everybody. I just…I thought I could handle it. That I could at least go and buy some medicine without being a burden to everybody else. I thought I could handle one measly cold."
Even though she wanted to remain stern and cross with him, Setsuna's expression eased as she heard the disappointment in his voice. She squeezed his wrist gently in her hand and got his attention, "Ojou-sama lost her mother to illness too. It was much worse than a cold and there wasn't much anyone could do. Sensei, you are very capable and can handle more than most of us. But an illness isn't like an enemy you can normally fight. It leaves you weak and compromised, and it's necessary to rely on the help of others to get you through it." She looked up at him, "I know you want to be the pillar we can rely on and not a burden, but you have to rely on us sometimes too."
Naruto groaned and lowered his head in shame, "I was walking around like a total idiot. I got lost and everything looked blurry. I think I picked up a feral cat at one point." He rubbed his nose under his mask, "I keep trying to help Negi and make him realize he can rely on us for help. And the next chance I need help I waste it all and nearly screwed myself over." His head rolled back in exhaustion, "I must be the world's biggest hypocrite."
"I don't think you need to go that far." Setsuna responded fondly, showing a small smile as she looked up at him, "I think what you need to do is practice what you preach instead."
"Heh, yeah, okay. I guess that does sound a lot better." Setsuna nodded in agreement and they continued for a while in silence. But as they walked along Naruto noticed his Ministra stealing glances from the side, "Is something wrong?"
"N-No, nothing's wrong. It's just…" Setsuna stopped walking, lifting Naruto's arm off her shoulders so she could get a better look at him. The young Shinmei-Ryu swordswoman stared at him curiously before shaking her head, "I-I can't describe it. It's like…something familiar?"
"Oh?"
"Yes." She nodded, looking at him from other angles to see why him wearing a face mask was so intriguing, "But I don't know why." She heard a chuckle from behind his mask and raised her brow, "What is it?"
"I was waiting to see if you'd ever remember." Naruto pulled his mask down over his chin to show his grin, "Looks like I just had to wear the same thing again to get something jogged in there."
"What do you mean?"
"Would it be easier if I was scowling and we talked in a forest?"
Setsuna still looked confused before her eyes widened in shock. She stared at him in disbelief as he smiled at her realization, "Y-You were that boy?! From back in the forest?!"
"Now you remember."
"I always thought I had seen you before but I couldn't place it! And when you said we had met before I thought it had been on a mission perhaps! But you were that boy I met when I was training?!"
He grinned and nodded, "That's right." He pulled his mask back up over his nose as his eyes closed in a smile, "I guess it was a lot harder for you to recognize me than it was for me to recognize you. I had my face hidden behind a mask that whole time."
"I-I can't believe it was you." Setsuna's mind was reeling as she was shocked to discover that the boy she had met by chance years ago in the forests of Kyoto was Naruto. As she tried to rationalize that thought - and also ignore the fact it was him she had accidentally bathed with when she was younger - she tried to understand why, "Why were you in Kyoto back then?"
"I went down there to meet Eishun-San before deciding not to instead." He started walking again and Setsuna stayed close by his side in case he needed her assistance to stand, "When I realized you were part of the Shinmei school I decided to keep quiet because I thought you'd be suspicious of me approaching Eishun-San in his home. And I didn't even know that you worked for him at the time."
"Y-Yes, I suppose so." Setsuna reluctantly agreed to his choice back then, "But even without the blond hair and mask, I'm surprised it was you back then. If I remember correctly you acted much more differently than you do now."
"Yeah, I was pretty grumpy when I met you." Naruto admitted with some embarrassment, "I'm sorry I was so rude back then. I should have told you my name or at least responded to you properly. And - y'know - let you bathe first."
Setsuna blushed and stiffly nodded, "L-Let's just forget that part." She coughed to try and displace the red in her cheeks before her eyes widened. She stopped walking and got Naruto's attention before she looked at him, "That was six years ago…and you talked about failing your job." She saw his eyes lowered slightly and Setsuna looked at him sadly, "It had already happened, didn't it? You were there after the demon incident, weren't you?"
Naruto nodded, "I had done a lot of traveling to try and get my mind off of it."
"Sensei, I'm so sorry." Setsuna apologized, "If I had known what you were going through back then, I would have helped you however I-"
"You did, Setsuna." Naruto lowered his mask again, showing her a subdued but grateful smile, "Speaking with you, helping your school, and talking with your master put things in perspective for me. Knowing I wasn't the only one dealing with mistakes on their part. Realizing that even with my mistakes that didn't mean there still wasn't good I could do. And that I had to accept what happened, no matter how hard, if I wanted to move forward. It took a while but my time in Kyoto was a step in the right direction for me."
Setsuna felt like a knot in her stomach had suddenly tightened before loosening altogether. The young Hanyō woman gave a fond smile and nodded, "I'm glad we met. Both back then…and again here in Mahora."
"Yeah, me too." They smiled at each other before he pulled his mask back up, "Mind sparing a shoulder?"
"Of course." She held his arm and they made their way back to the dorm.
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
"Seriously I'm just glad you're okay and have some proper medicine to take now. We were really worried about you but you're home now and that's all that matters."
"Uuuuuuwwwwwwww."
"Shush, a few more seconds." Asuna said with a pleasant smile as she pulled Naruto's cheeks as wide as they could go. She finally let go and they snapped into place as he rubbed the ache out of them, "Okay, I'm good. Konoka, Negi, you two want a turn?"
The Konoe heiress stepped up and gently flicked his nose with a pout. And the young Welshman followed up by gently nudging his shoulder.
Asuna sighed, "Well that was pointless."
"I'm sorry." Naruto lowered his head in shame, "I'm so sorry."
"Asuna-San I think their method is somehow making him feel more guilty." Setsuna noticed when Naruto's head dipped under the gentler duo's softer but somehow more impactful responses.
The bell-wearing girl shrugged and frowned down at the blond, "Have you learned your lesson?"
"Yes ma'am."
"And do you feel sorry?"
"Yes ma'am."
"And can you admit how much of an idiot you were today?"
"Dammit, I already know this! Stop rubbing it in!"
"Naruto-kun, Asuna isn't trying to rub your nose in it." Konoka said with a cheeky smile, "She was worried about you the most."
"N-No I wasn't!"
"Really? You were the one who orchestrated the search party and everything. Reached out to everybody to see if they could look for him." Konoka giggled, "It was very sweet."
Asuna grumbled and flushed in indignation before noticing the looks she was getting. Naruto looked up at her in surprise, "Really Asuna?"
"I-I…" She sighed and turned aside as her cheeks went red from embarrassment, "Whatever."
"I…Asuna, thank you."
"Yeah well, what else was I supposed to do? I'm dealing with two bratty idiots who never seem to know when to slow down or stop!" She groused and rubbed her head, "Geez, how the heck did I get shackled with these boys? Why can't Takahata-sensei be the template for maturity among you guys?!" Negi mumbled out an apology as Naruto chuckled, "Hey, are you even going to be okay for tomorrow? That medicine might be better than the expired one but you probably made your condition worse moving around."
"Yeah, I thought about that." Naruto grabbed his medicine before looking at Negi, "You think Eva would mind if I spend a little time in the resort while you guys trained?"
Negi brightened up with excitement, "That's a great idea, Nii-San! Just a few hours in there and you'll get through the worst of your sickness and back on your feet!"
"Exactly, so I can-"
"U-Um!" All eyes turned to Asuna as the orange-haired girl sweated and scratched her cheek, "I-I don't think that's a good idea. I think - just maybe - that Eva-chan wants to kill you."
"W-What? Why?"
"I don't know, but she sent a text earlier-"
"That bitch is looking for blood. And not in the normal way either."
"I haven't even seen her today! What's she so pissed about?" The girls couldn't come up with an answer and Negi could only shake his head in response. The blond sighed, "Screw it, I'll have to take the chance. Negi, do you think you might be able to tide Eva over just a bit?"
"M-Maybe, but it would probably take a lot of blood to appease her." The young Mage paled, "More than I have."
"Ugh, I guess we're going to have to calm Eva-chan down." Asuna sighed, "I'll go grab a few things to come with you two."
Setsuna nodded, "I will join you."
"Oh, a trip to the beach! I'm in!" Konoka happily cheered as she ran off to grab her swimwear, "Oh, Naruto-kun you've been walking around in those pants all day. You should switch them out before you leave."
"Got it." Naruto stood up and prepared to grab a change of pants. But as he walked around he finally seemed to notice the tension of something in his back pocket, "What the hell?"
Negi looked over as he pulled something out, "What is it, Nii-San?" Naruto turned them his way, "Tickets?"
"For a…dance exhibition?"
"From the dance club?" Asuna piped up after hearing them talk, "Why do you have tickets? Did you buy them?"
"I…have no idea. It's been a long day."
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
Chisame sighed as she sat back in her chair and stretched out her arms. It felt good to unwind and prepare for some surfing after dealing with her class' crazy antics for the festival and getting some weird notice that the blond guy had wandered around with a cold.
With a pleasant hum, she started to type away and open everything up on her monitor. As she prepared to detail what she could of her schedule for the next few days, she spotted a notification in her inbox.
[Hey Chiu-sama, is this guy from your school?]
It looked like a video file. Intrigued, Chisame clicked on it and watched as a group of older students was cheering while others stepped into the middle and danced.
Then from off-screen, Naruto Uzumaki stumbled into the middle. He looked tired and uneasy on his feet. Chisame assumed that this was taken while he was sick like she had heard in the text chain.
And then suddenly he dropped into a full split without warning. And then into a set of flares on the ground before leaping back to his feet. And then as the crowd cheered he started throwing his legs out and doing a spiral kick in the air. And surprisingly it all matched up rather well to the 'Jump on It' snippet of music they set it all to.
Chisame stared with a slack jaw as she saw this half-dead, sickly idiot lumber around as the crowd seemed to cheer and love it.
She sighed and turned off the video, "This school is ridiculous."
[[[[[[[[Omake: The Peace Is Broken]]]]]]]]
"Hey everyone! I'm back!"
Most of 3-A cheered as their favorite assistant teacher walked in healthy as a horse. Negi brightened up seeing his friend back to his healthy self, "Nii-San, welcome back. You're feeling better?"
"Much better." Naruto nodded as he took his seat at the front of the room with a peppy smile, "I feel so good I'm looking to have a little fun."
"What do you-"
"GAH!" Everyone looked over as a cloud of something shot up from Chao's notebook and covered her face. The smartest person in their school grimaced before her nostrils flared, "A-Achoo! Achoo! Achoo! Achoo! P-Pepper?! Serious - Achoo!"
"Haha! That's right! Hope you like it!"
"Oh dear god! The prank war has returned!"
"Everyone, tuck your head between your knees and kiss your butts goodbye!"
"War! War is hell!"
As many frightened members of the class remembered how crazy their last war got, Chao took a quick moment to catch her breath. Her eyes were red and watery and her nose was leaking but she smirked, "Very good move, Sensei. And I was so glad to hear you had made a full recovery. So glad in fact that I suppose great minds think alike."
Naruto raised his brow and tried to get in closer to understand what she meant. But when he moved his chair dragged along with him. All eyes turned back to him as he made some sharp, jerky motions to stand up-
Only to topple over as the chair refused to let his backside go.
"OH GOD, SHE GLUED MY BUTT TO THE CHAIR!"
"HAHAHA - AACCHOOOO!"
"WHAT IF I HAVE TO SHIT?!"
"SHOULD HAVE THOUGHT OF THAT BEFORE - AACCHOOOO!"
Negi watched his class dissolve into madness and sniffled, "It was so peaceful just a moment ago."
[[[[[[[[Knight]]]]]]]]
Done
So Naruto caught a big and thought he could deal with it but only ended up making things worse. And all his friends showed how much they were worried and cared by looking all around for him. Hopefully he can learn a little lesson about relying on others when things get difficult now. And also Setsuna finally realizes her and Naruto's shared history. Didn't want to leave that hanging out for too long.
I wonder what is in store for our dear little heroes next! Oh, and will the reenergized prank war wreck havoc on the lives of all those that get caught up in it!
Yes. Yes it will.
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Thank You and Bye
