"In a word, no," you reply bluntly. Before either boy can say anything, you continue, "In several words... just where the heck do you get off, throwing around accusations of demonic sorcery? Because as far as I know, we?" You point back and forth between them and yourself. "Have never met before, and judging by your conduct here and the hints you've dropped, I'm willing to bet that you haven't directly spoken to any of the few people that I have talked to about such private matters. That means that no only do you have no firsthand knowledge about what I do and how I do it, your information is third-hand at best. And based on something that flimsy, you somehow feel you have the right to level a potential death threat at me?"

The two boys blink.

"What, did you conveniently forget the fact that accusations of trafficking with 'Ye Powers of Darknesse' could get a person stoned or burned at the freaking stake just a couple centuries ago? Or that there are places in the world where it still happens?" You pause, giving them a moment to consider that. "Of course, I suppose it's possible that wasn't malice on your part, just ignorance - in which case, I still have to ask why you think you have any right to tell me who I can and can't hang out with. We're not related, we're not friends, you're not my hosts or caretakers - you have exactly zero say in my social affairs. And even if that weren't the case, what is up with this contempt you have for Ayane? Okay, she's pulled a few pranks and tried to kick my head off - in the ring, where it was allowed and expected, and I could repay her in kind - but she's done nothing that I'd consider remotely 'filthy.' Is it some Japanese thing that I'm just not getting, or does she... I don't know, spend her free time dumpster diving? Or is this just jealousy that a little girl is way better at fighting than you were at her age - because if it's that, I really have to ask, just how pathetic are you? Seriously."

Scowly Guy looks like he's about to throw himself at you again. Stone Face seems disinclined to restrain him.

"And speaking of training," you continue with all the momentum of a runaway tractor-trailer, "could you show me your master-level belts and teaching certificates? You do have them, right? No? Then where the heck do you get off insulting my master, my fellow students, and our entire school by telling me that I've been poorly tutored?"

"I would very much like to hear the answer to that myself," Lu-sensei says as he walks up behind the ninja. They both flinch, having been so distracted by your ranting monologue that they failed to notice the old man's approach - though you have to wonder if they'd have detected him even if you were silent, because Cordelia is right behind him. She's removed her shoes to pad along in her socks, but while quieter on the move this way, she's still not exactly a paragon of stealth. If they couldn't hear that, well...

"Sir," Scowly Guy says. "We... uh, I... that is to say..."

"Choose your next words very carefully, young man," Lu-sensei advises, his expression even flintier than Stone Face's was earlier. "I suspect Master Shiden and Master Genra will both be very interested in them. You did mention that you had their approval to meet with Miss Ayane, did you not, Alexander?"

"I was getting to it, sensei," you reply, savoring the dawning realization and sickly pallor spreading across both boys' faces. Briar, now hovering next to Cordelia, giggles wickedly. "Or at least, I was getting to telling them about Master Shiden's approval. I hadn't heard for sure that Master Genra had given the go-ahead, though...?"

"I can see no reason why he would not. I suppose you will find out when either Kasumi or Ayane tries to sneak up on you later." He pauses. "Naturally, I expect you to not be taken by surprise."

"Of course, sensei."

"Good. Now, then, I believe you were going to visit the Shuzen ladies. Hurry along; I will take charge of these two." He glances at Cordelia, who's slipped her shoes back on.

"I think I'd better go with Alex after all, sensei," the brunette says. "He just can't seem to stay out of trouble whenever he leaves me behind."

...that's unfair. Really. No matter how true it seems to be.

Lu-sensei nods and gives the defeated-looking older boys a sharp glance that sends them trudging, slowly, down the hall the way you all came. You stand there silently, watching them go, feeling pretty good about yourself.

Then Cordelia punches you in the arm. Hard.

"Ow! Cordy, what-"

"That's from Briar," she says, before kicking you in the shin. Even harder.

"OW! What the heck, woman?!"

"And that's from me," she adds. "God, Alex, do you have to get into a fight every hour?"

"It wasn't a fight, I was just-"

"-needlessly antagonizing two bigger guys you could have avoided entirely by turning invisible or wrapping their brains in fluff or something? Please. You were spoiling for a beat-down, and we both know it."

"I wasn't!"

You spend the rest of the walk pained shamble to the Shuzen seats trying to convince Cordelia that you were the victim here, but she's not having any of it. You're kind of offended by that. It's not like you're some kind of fight junkie looking for his next fix of violence, you're just having a string of bad luck where strange martial artists and magic-users are concerned. Right?

When you reach your destination, Kahlua, her sisters, and Akasha are seated much as they were yesterday.

"Hello again, Alex," Kahlua says cheerfully. "I was beginning to wonder if you were going to stop by at all today. I would have been hurt if you hadn't shown." Her bright smile sinks to a puzzled frown. "Why are you limping?"

You consider how to answer.