A/N: Yes, I'm still around and long overdue for another chapter. In case you haven't read the bazillion previous chapters recently, let me refresh your memories about a few things. Mihai Dragomir, like Fate, is an Averruncus, but both were created by an agent of the Cabal rather than the Mage of the Beginning. Kozimos Anankaios is the name used by Nagi's master during the Schismatic War, but he was known as Filius by the Mage of the Beginning.

Ken Akamatsu owns "Negima" and its characters along with "Love Hina" and its characters. The scene between Mihai and Shiori was heavily borrows from Shiori's chapter in "Not Always a Mage and other Stories of Mahora" by Makuhari-Fan01. King Enteofushia was created by Makuhari-Fan01 and is used with his permission.

Down the Rabbit Hole

Who in the world am I? Ah, that's the great puzzle – Lewis Carroll

(-)

Tokyo, Japan

Knock, knock, knock.

Slowly the man pulled the pillow over his head but it failed to screen out the incessant knocking on the front door. Flinging the bedding aside, he rose and walked the narrow corridor from the apartment's main room to the entry. With the chain still on, the overweight, salaryman opened the door to reveal a pair of rough-looking men wearing dark suits and glasses.

"Can… can I help you?" he asked.

"We're looking for a girl," the bearded one of the pair said while holding up a picture of a short-haired girl that he recognized from the train. It was late, she was dressed in a skimpy outfit and apparently by herself; after trying to grope her through the short skirt, he had received the mother of all wedgies for his efforts.

"I can't help you," he quickly replied but when he tried to shut the door, the taller, bald-headed man held it fast with a mere hand. Seemingly in response to a finger snap by the bearded stranger, a chain link parted and the pair pushed their way inside.

"What… what do you think you're doing?" he protested. "I'll call the police if you don't get out."

The bearded man walked over to where he'd thrown his jacket and picked it up. A triangular badge, a parting gift from the girl, was still pinned to the lapel.

"Where did you get this?" the home invader demanded as his accomplice shut the door behind them.

(-)

Old St. Ursula's Academy, Mahora, Japan

The original St. Ursula's Academy for Girls, with its brick and mortar face, seemed like a brooding creature that would snap at anyone with the temerity to approach. It had been built early in the previous century, but had remained empty since the new high school campus replaced it. With the constant state of rebuilding at Mahora, it was a wonder that the obsolete structure hadn't been razed to the ground to make way for something else. Even more surprising was how easily most people passed by without giving a second glance, almost as if the grounds were under an enchantment.

A wrought iron fence surrounded the rear of the property, broken only by a gate that leaned to the side as if drunk and needing support to keep upright. Though the gate was secured by a chain, elementary division student Mihai Dragomir ducked down and slipped through a small gap. Morning fog still lingered, obscuring a stand of oleanders that had been planted next to the building. Still in a crouch, Mihai turned and beckoned his companion to follow.

On hands and knees, fellow student Yuki Tachibana scooted through to join him.

"Mihai-kun," the girl called, "Is this the garden you spoke about?"

"No," the boy answered while getting to his feet. "But I should be able to get to it from here."

Mahora's World Tree grew in one of the twelve spots around the globe were magic was concentrated. Multiple lines of force, conduits that magic energy travelled though, radiated out from the tree and this forgotten garden lay astride one of them. There should be more than enough energy to open a portal into Kosmos Entelecheia and the location was remote enough to escape the attention of others.

Recalling the instructions of his late master, Fayed Habibi, Mihai closed his eyes and imagined what the opening would look like. It was a disk of darkness, wide enough for two to pass through, that hovered mere centimeters above the ground. Shadows of differing intensities circulated within like clouds rotating about a cyclone.

"Mihai," Yuki fearfully whispered. "What is that?"

Opening his eyes, the boy gazed upon the mental image now manifest. A little surprised by success, he turned to the girl at his side. "It's the path we need to travel," he told her.

"It looks scary," she replied. "Is Haruki really in there?"

Kosmos Entelecheia was the Life Giver's ultimate creation; a world that held out the promise of happiness for those enfolded within its comforting embrace. A world whose inhabitants would never feel the touch of pain or fear or sorrow; where reality would mold itself to every individual's true desires. A dreamed for salvation for those misguided dolls mired in the misery of their wretched existence.

"If you wish to find him," Mihai answered as the youngster reached out for Yuki's hand, "Haruki will be there."

Conflict mirrored in her expression, Yuki took hold of the offered hand. "Let's go."

Hand in hand, the pair entered the maelstrom of shadows. As the world about them went dark, Mihai thought about his own condition as another empty doll and wondered if the Life Giver's promise extended even to a nobody like himself.

(-)

Kosmos Entelecheia

They had left a world just woken to a new day and stepped into one warmed by the noon sun. The lawn they stood upon was immaculate as if each blade had been manicured. And its color was a green so deep, so vibrant that Mihai had to consider any other green he'd seen an inferior copy. The color's intensity was matched by the vivid blue of the overhead sky. The lawn ran down to a stream that sparkled silver in the daylight.

"Where is Haruki?" Yuki asked.

"Perhaps over there," he replied, pointing to a pavilion painted a simple yet breath-taking white.

As the students approached, two figures could be seen within the pavilion. The taller was dressed in a robe blacker than that of a bottomless pit and its head was covered by a voluminous hood. Next to the wraith-like being was a boy wearing a simple white robe. The boy's resemblance to himself was uncanny, almost as if Mihai was looking into a reflected image.

"The garden is lovely," the mirror-Mihai said without trace of any emotion.

"It's more than lovely," the black-robed figure pronounced. "It's perfect."

Yuki's hand trembled in his as the wraith continued. "Each time before my beautiful creation has been spoiled by those sheep who meandered wherever the whim struck them; that is a mistake I will not make again."

"What do you mean mistress?" the other asked.

"What I mean is that this world shall remain pure and unsullied," the dread-inspiring figure declared. "No longer will those pitiful fools, more eager to impose their own will upon my work than to enjoy its beauty, trample what their feeble minds cannot comprehend; eliminate their will and the world remains as perfect as it is now.

Think of it Filius," the speaker said in ecstatic voice, "Without that pesky willfulness to interfere there will be no war, no prejudice, no hatred… all of my creation will dwell together in splendid harmony."

A trace of a troubled expression briefly eclipsed the mirror-Mihai's face before returning to the normal, passive acceptance he'd shown throughout. "I understand."

"I am pleased," the other replied and then gestured. In response, a staff shaped like a large key surmounted by a crystal orb materialized and hung in the air. "With this key we will rewrite that flawed world and bring about its rebirth; take it and gather your fellows for the hour of redemption is at hand."

"It shall be as you say mistress," the mirror-Mihai said, grasping hold of the key as the black robed figure faded away. He then turned towards the pair of observers and with a dimple-laden smile on his face greeted them with a "Good morning."

Shocked, the students stared mutely back.

"My, my what a disturbing lack of manners," the white-robed boy remarked. "And I've always heard that the Japanese were a polite people."

"Who are you?" Mihai asked.

"The answer to that is rather complex," the mirror-Mihai replied. "So just call me Filius."

Gazing at his splitting image, Mihai recalled the one self-named Fate. "Are you another me as well?"

The other boy's grin grew broader. "It would be more accurate to say you're another me."

Suddenly able to find her voice, Yuki demanded, "Where's Haruki?"

"I'm afraid the answer to that will have to wait," Filius informed her. "First there are some things Mihai-kun needs to be made aware of."

"What things are those Filius-san?" he asked.

"You think of yourself as nobody or a doll," the other answered. "Isn't that the same as saying I don't want to be responsible for myself? Do you really want to be no more than another's plaything, used until no longer pleasing and then discarded? That's what the Life Giver's plan you just saw is."

"But isn't Kosmos Entelechia supposed to bring happiness to all?" a confused Mihai asked.

"Of course," came the response, "but it is happiness imposed from without rather than found within."

Although much of his memories were blank, Mihai had recalled that Kosmos Entelechia was to be the penultimate utopia where each one's potential would be realized. Did it matter whether an individual's free will existed? Wouldn't a single, unifying vision be preferred to the chaos produced by competing ones? Yet on the other hand, that would mean the loss of the differences that made even a mundane task such as consuming curry an adventure. Life would then be like playing a video that had only a single path to a single outcome; a game that was safe, secure and boring. Surely diversity could be enriching, but did the benefit outweigh the resulting conflicts it caused?

Deep in thought, Mihai was caught off guard as Filius spoke again. "Would it help if you knew more of your past?"

"My past?" he responded.

"Yes, your past," the impish boy answered. "They're still in there you know… your memories."

"I don't…" he started to reply, but Filius brushed his hesitation aside.

Brandishing the Life Giver's key, the boy said simply, "Rewrite" and the world broke apart, shattered into countless fragments only to rush back together into a different combination.

(-)

Mahora, Japan

"So where's Aisaka-san?" Chisame asked as she and Kazumi walked towards the dorm where their homeroom teacher stayed.

"Sayo's taking martial arts from Ku Fei," the class paparazzi answered.

"You're kidding me?"

"Surprised me too," Kazumi replied. "But Sayo thought she should learn how to subdue an opponent without knocking them through a wall."

Here the taller girl's express became serious. "I think she blames herself for how her trip with sensei to pick up his motorcycle turned out.

In fact, I'm kind of surprised you aren't out with her," Kazumi continued. "Considering."

A short time ago, Chisame had been waylaid by an unknown assailant and locked in a decompression chamber. She would have died if Hakase-san and Chachamaru hadn't been in the next room. "Yeah… well I'm not exactly the athletic type," she countered.

"Oh I don't know about that," her companion replied with a smirk. "You looked pretty spry while snatching that book of Chao's Family Tree away from everybody."

"Thank you for bringing up such a painful subject," Chisame said while recalling the mad scramble that insidious tome wrought, including a broken pair of her glasses. "Why not give me paper cut while you're at it?"

"Oh come on Chisame-san," the other girl responded. "Even I've trained some with the others. You've already got a pactio, why not learn a defensive spell or two?"

"I've seen your training," she replied. "No thanks."

"I'll admit McDowell-san's training could be torturous," Kazumi said. "But Imma-san is pretty laid back. And I've heard that some of our classmates are training under that new, middle-school teacher, Ishikawa-sensei."

"Why the sudden concern about my welfare?" Chisame wanted to know.

"I could say it was because you're my classmate," Kazumi answered, "But it's really about Negi-sensei; the better you and everyone else can defend themselves, the less of a distraction it will be to him."

Eyebrows arched in response to the other's statement.

"I know, I know… I can be pretty self-centered," Kazumi confessed. "But I really want the kid to succeed. I'll do what I can to help him."

That Kazumi Asakura could call herself 'self-centered' represented some maturity on the other's part that had developed since Negi's arrival at Mahora. To be honest, Chisame's viewpoint had been just as selfish and to some extent still was. Though she had extensively investigated her artifact, the student had stubbornly resisted magic as if learning spells was the point of no return. Hadn't she truly crossed that line when forcing her way into accompanying Negi in the Mundus Magicus? In for a penny, in for a pound.

"Tell you what," Chisame countered, "I'll think about it, but only if you'll stop pestering me."

Down the street, a motorcycle with two riders stopped in front of the Unaccompanied Teacher's Dormitory. "Isn't that Markham-sensei?" she asked as the man dismounted.

"I bet that's Madoka-san," Kazumi said while breaking into a trot. "Let's hurry."

Her teacher was dressed in casual but normal clothing, Chisame noted; however, Madoka was anything but normal. The teen was clad in a black leotard along with leather chaps and a studded jacket. Atop her head rested a wide-brimmed cap. But what drew the most attention was the all black motorcycle her classmate was straddling. With its knobby tires and a gas tank positioned at a forward angle, the motorcycle was unlike the racing bikes she'd seen let alone the custom jobs prevalent among maniakku.

"Nice ride you got there Kugimi," Asakura said using their classmate's hated nickname.

"Uh thanks," Madoka replied and then turned towards their teacher. "And thank you sensei."

"No problem Miss Kugimiya," Phillip said. "Let me know if you'd like some more help."

As Madoka started pulling away, the front wheel of the motorcycle lifted from the ground prompting the man to shout, "Release the clutch!"

Apparently Madoka got things under control as the wheel settled back down and she continued on without incident. Phillip faced the two teens and asked, "Can I help you two with something?"

"Actually sensei," Chisame answered, "I have an idea for a school spirit activity and wanted to run it by you before the next student council meeting."

"Let's go inside and discuss it then," their teacher offered.

Had it come from Negi, Chisame would have never accepted the offer. How many times had their former homeroom teacher thrust her into the middle of a compromising position? How many times had she or one of the others been stripped by an ill-timed sneeze? Besides not being a mage, Mr. Markham had years of maturity over the little brat. Or so she thought until he opened the door to his apartment only to be greeted by an enthusiastic "Okaerinasaimase, goshujinsama!"

Kneeling on the carpet was a curvaceous woman wearing naught but a maid's cap and apron. A shocked look was on sensei's face. "Himiko-san? What?"

For her part Kazumi was grinning from ear to ear. "You have an explanation for this right?" the future journalist asked.

With eyebrows pinched between thumb and forefinger, Phillip groaned, "I wish I did."

(-)

Kosmos Entelecheia

Torches flickered in their wall sconces, providing a feeble light in the chamber. Shadowy figures stood back as Mihai's former master, Fayed Habibi, leaned over a casket containing the boy's unmoving form. While chanting in an unknown language, Habibi placed a gemstone on the golem's forehead and pressed down causing the gem to sink within the pliant flesh. The Mad Albanian, as he was sometimes called, continued reciting the spell while holding his hands above the gem. His thumbs touched together and the other fingers where held spread apart into pairs sort of like that salute from an American television series.

"Aleph," the chanter intoned and a symbol glowed on the gem in response. More words and symbols continued until Habibi finally said "Emeth." The symbols grew brighter and then went out as if suddenly extinguished. The manikin's eyes opened.

"Good morning Mihai," the enchanter said in greeting the newly awoken golem. Habibi dropped his hands and stepped back, allowing Mihai to sit up and look about.

The chamber was surprisingly small and circular in shape with an arched ceiling. The other figures, shrouded in shadow, shifted impatiently.

"Master," Mihai said. "What are my instructions?"

Habibi glanced back over his shoulder and motioned somebody forward with a "Your Majesty."

A pink-faced, somewhat pudgy man dressed in an ostentatious robe stepped close to the casket.

"This is King Mifuzu Saseru Enteofushia," Habibi said in introduction. "He is your master now."

Mifuzu smiled like a delighted child opening a present. "Excellent job Master Habibi," the man said. "This one will be quit useful to our joint endeavor."

"Just remember your Majesty," Habibi warned, "this one isn't as powerful as his brother."

"Still he is more powerful than a handful of stable hands and scribes," Mifuzu replied. "Maybe even than those harpies from Ariadne."

"Most assuredly," Habibi agreed.

His new master beckoned and a creature dressed in a black robe edged with a stiff, white border decorated with gold thread designs stepped forward. "Irkalla, take our new recruit and test his capabilities," Mifuzu ordered and then returned his attention to Habibi. "With the Cabal's help, I shall succeed this time. And that irritating Springfield won't be around to interfere."

"True, but his progeny still exists," the enchanter remarked.

"We have little to fear from an infant," the king said dismissively.

"He won't always remain an infant," Habibi countered.

"It should be easy enough to slip an agent into that village of malcontents," Mifuzu suggested. "And if the little snot-nosed brat looks to be a problem, eliminate him; eliminate the whole bunch while you're at it."

Momentarily forgotten by his new master, Mihai glanced past the scheming men and saw Filius, still holding the key, standing against the far wall. "Rewrite."

(-)

The world broke apart again and rejoined into a small bedroom. Its occupant, an elf-girl whose blonde hair was tied up with a red ribbon, looked up from the computer screen to a standing Mihai who was dressed in a cotton shift that reached below his knees.

"… so like I said, Nagi Springfield is a big jerk!" the elf declared. "There's no way he's the hero everyone says."

Mihai nodded in agreement to her assessment. "I have never encountered the man myself, knowing him only by reputation, but your argument does seem to hold merit."

"Thank you, thank you!" the girl said as she jumped up and threw her arms about him. "No one except my parents has ever agreed with me about that before!"

She impulsively kissed his check and a spark of magic energy unexpectedly flared in response, causing her to reel away. "Are you okay Shiori?"

The girl dropped back into her chair and weakly nodded. "Yeah… I just had a sudden headache… could you get me some medicine from the kitchen please."

Unsure of why he did so, Mihai moved to do as requested. As he reached the kitchen, his protective enchantments flashed in warning just before the cabin was blasted into a ruin of splinters and masonry.

Buried beneath the rubble, Mihai sent his mage sight upward. Men dressed in uniforms that bore no mark of their allegiance sifted through what had been Shiori's bedroom until they dragged her unconscious body out. The man in charged jerked his thumb towards a nearby tree and his fellows grinned in anticipation.

Shiori came to as she was being carried and struggled against her captors until stilled by a vicious, backhand blow that split the girl's lip. With blood running own her chin, the uniformed men strung the girl up by the wrists and stood back as their leader unsheathed a knife and proceeded to cut her remaining clothing away.

Anger! Mihai, like other golems, hadn't much experience with emotions. It was debated whether soulless constructs like him felt emotions or just mimicked behavior they observed in others around them; however, every fiber in his body sang with a murderous rage.

As the knife-wielder's arm moved to strike, Mihai sent a shaft of stone straight up, slicing the hand holding the weapon off at the wrist. The man stared dumbly as his former appendage tumbled to the ground even as more spears thrust upwards to impale the nearest soldiers. The remaining few began firing their blasters at the house but it was too late as more spears finished them off.

Surrounded by several shinning mandalas of the protective shielding, Mihai rose out of the rubble and advanced upon the surviving soldier. The seeming boy's lips formed a grim line that spoke of no quarter given. A simple gesture and the man's flesh and clothing, starting at the feet, turned gray and stiff as the petrification spell worked its way inexorably upwards. Just before the spell reached the soldier's head, Mihai's hand pulled back and flew forward, smashing the petrified body.

Even before the fellow's head touched the ground, Mihai caused the bodies and other evidence of his handiwork to sink far into the ground. Gently he released the elf-girl, who had mercifully sank into unconsciousness, and eased her to the ground. The fury inside him subsided, replaced by a slightly less dangerous desire to protect her that left the golem confused.

Mihai had finally recognized the soldiers as being in service to his master, King Enteofushia. No doubt the king had sent them to eliminate the girl as a potential threat. By rights, Mihai should get rid of her too; or at least send her along to Kosmos Entelechia along with the other dolls; but that strange desire held him back.

Heading back to the house to search for any of her clothing that might have survived, Mihai resolved to first off locate Shiori's parents. Then he'd need a safe haven for them to stay. If his majesty wanted the girl dead, it was likely she had power. Perhaps enough to convince Fate to let her join that Woodwose bard his brother had taken an interest in.

Again Mihai halted as he once again faced Filius. "Is this what you wanted me to see?" he asked.

"In part," his impudent shepherd answered. "Isn't it odd that an emotionless thing such as yourself could care about a broken, useless doll."

Anger flared again at the slight directed towards the elf-girl. "Shiori's not a useless doll!" Mihai shouted in return.

"She's not?" Filius replied in a mocking tone. "Then what is she?"

"I…" Words failed him as Mihai tried to give voice to the feeling roiling inside.

"You defied your master's will in order to save that girl," Filius accused, "for reasons you can't even explain. You'd almost think you were just another sheep mucking up our creator's pretty little picture."

Stunned, he could only look dumbly on as the implications of the other's words sank in. Was he really no different from the Mundus Magicus' other inhabitants?

"You even brought a 'real' girl here for no better reason than to try to make her happy," Filius continued. "I wonder… how would Yuki-kun feel if she knew you sent her little friend away?"

"If I hadn't" Mihai protested, "he'd have died."

"Why does that matter?"

"Because…" Mihai paused to gather his thoughts. He could have killed Haruki, as no doubt Fate intended, but had instead sent the boy to the Mundus Magicus. True Haruki might still be dead, but the youngster's chances of survival were much better in Argyre. The reason why he hadn't slain the boy on the spot wasn't very complex. "Because he is my classmate and a friend."

"So how about it Yuki-kun?" Filius asked as he glanced over to where the girl now stood.

Had a heart beat within his breast, it might have ceased as Mihai gazed at the girl's horror-stricken expression.

"Mihai-kun? Are… are you really responsible for Haruki's disappearance?" Yuki asked in a quivering voice.

He felt his insides collapse into a heap at the question. Unable to face her, the boy glanced away and answered with a simple "Yes."

"Can you bring him back?"

"It is not an impossibility," he answered. "I have no idea where he is precisely so I'd need to go to where I sent him."

"Please," Yuki requested. "Please bring him back Mihai-kun."

"Well well Mihai-kun," Filius remarked. "What will you do? You were created to be a tool; will you continue to blindly follow orders, or will you decide for yourself the path you'll tread?"

"Why does it matter to you?" Mihai hotly asked.

"It is my nature to see all reach their potential," Filius answered. "And I believe you have more potential than a mere tool."

"What happens to Yuki-kun?"

"That is up to you," the other boy responded. "Keep her here, send her back to Mahora or take her with you; the decision doesn't matter, only that you decide."

"Yuki-kun, I'm going to look for Haruki," Mihai announced as he finally faced her. "I don't know how long that will take, but I think it my quest would be easier if you were in Mahora."

"Mihai-kun," she said as her body trembled. "Did you kill those men who were going to hurt that girl?"

"You saw that too?" he asked and waited for her hesitant nod. No sense in denying now he told himself. "Yes I did, though I didn't remember it until now."

"I'm... I'm glad," Yuki admitted to his amazement. "Do you love her?"

"I don't know," he honestly answered. "But I would act the same way again if I found her in danger."

With trepidation Yuki approached and then wrapped him in her arms. "Find Haruki," she softly said. "I want you both safely back at Mahora."

With that the world fell into blackness once more.

(-)

Old St. Ursula's Academy, Mahora, Japan

Yuki knelt as she took in her surroundings. She was back at the little garden behind the old St. Ursula's Academy and Mihai was nowhere to be seen. Just outside the gate, wearing his ever-present rumpled suit, stood Professor Takahata of the middle school division.

"Tachibana-kun," he said in surprise. "What are you doing in there?"

"I'm sorry sensei," she apologized, dusting dirt from her knees as she rose.

"I heard a rumor that if you come to this garden at first light, you'd find what you most want," Yuki said not entirely untruthfully. "I was hoping my classmate Haruki would be here."

The professor nodded his head in understanding. Haruki Yamagata had disappeared from school without a trace. And he may not be the only one. "I'd not heard that rumor before," he remarked. "I'd best let campus security know so they can be on watch.

Come out of there; it's not safe," the academy city's second-most well-known teacher warned. "You might be hit by falling bricks or worse."

Wearing a contrite expression, Yuki immediately complied with the order. Most of what occurred in that place Mihai took her too went over the young girl's head; however, the slaughter of the soldiers was all too easy to understand. The savagery of their deaths had left Yuki shaken, yet at the same time she realized that those men had received the justice their actions deserved.

Almost as surprising was the flash when that girl with the pointed ears, did elves really exist, kissed Mihai's cheek. It reminded Yuki of the larger flash when Izumi-san kissed the boy. So why wasn't there one during their kiss in the classroom. Was it because Mihai liked the other girls more? Or maybe because Yuki didn't like him as much?

It was true; she did like Mihai, but Haruki was the only one for her. Hadn't they pledged their feelings to one another during last year's festival? Hopefully they'd be able to enjoy this year's festival all together. And if Haruki had done something dumb, like getting himself hurt in that other place, she'd give him a good wallop and then let the idiot know how much she worried about him.

(-)

Teacher's Dormitory, Mahora, Japan

Students and teacher were gathered about a low table as Himiko, now clothed in a proper uniform, served tea. "I do apologize," the maid said, "but I thought that was the traditional greeting in Japan."

"So Ishikawa-san wants you to be tutored in English?" Phillip asked.

"My mistress said she discussed it with you yesterday," the woman answered. "Or was there a misunderstanding?"

"No," he cautiously answered. "She did mention something of the sort."

"Your English is very good already," Kazumi remarked. "I'd have pegged you as a native speaker."

"Oh I'm not as good as that," Himiko responded. "But I'm told I have a talent when it comes to foreign tongues."

As nervous rattle was heard as sensei quickly placed his cup and saucer down.

"So what is this idea you had Miss Hasegawa?" he asked.

"I'm acquainted with a video game designer," Chisame explained. "As a part of beta testing the multi-player option, we've been offered a chance to play a new game months before release. Since Mahora is running a spirit competition, I thought we could draw teams from the various schools and make it a campus-wide event; hopefully for next weekend."

"I like the idea," Phillip told her. "But can that be organized in such a short time?"

"Never underestimate what the student body can accomplished," Chisame told him. "You wouldn't believe how quickly last festival's big event was put together."

"I've heard a little about it," her teacher replied. "What do you need me to do?"

"I need assistance clearing this with the administration," she answered. "Particularly with campus security."

(-)

Tokorozawa, Japan

The sun was finally touching the western horizon as Shirai Kimiaki made his way to the apartment he currently called home. The young man hadn't planned to spend the night at Mahora, but Saturday had been mostly watching Konoka stamp piles of school permission slips. Rather than going back for the evening, she had suggested staying overnight.

Of course Shirai had been put up in a room set aside for visiting parents and guests of the school. He hadn't expected to sleep in Konoka's dorm room and after being introduced to her new roommate, a dark complexioned girl whose steely eyes reminded him of the fiery mage Homura, would have been too nervous about something unpleasant happening in the middle of the night. Sunday had been far more enjoyable, save for Tatsumiya-san's less than unobtrusive presence. Shirai was certain that he'd never notice the other girl if she wished to remain out of sight. Considering Konoka's situation, such caution was understandable if still annoying.

As the young man reached his apartment's stairwell, his upstairs neighbor and co-worker was making her way down. Blonde and tanned, Hana Sagami's appearance already screamed for attention; wearing a school PE uniform bordered on overkill even with a light jacket thrown over her shoulders.

"Hello Kimiaki-san," she cheerfully greeted.

"Um hi," he replied. "Going somewhere?"

"I'm heading to the konbini around the corner," Hanna answered. "I've been so busy unpacking that I forgot to pick up anything for dinner."

Thinking of the guys that typically hung around the local convenience store, Shirai was suddenly worried for his neighbor. "I need to get dinner myself," he lied. "Why don't I go with you?"

Thoughts of how escorting another young lady turned out made for an uncomfortable silence. "So you went to high school in Nishinomiya?" he asked and at her surprised look added, "I recognized the high school crest on your uniform."

"I guess they are well-known due to sports," Hana admitted. "I graduated this past spring."

"I'm surprised you aren't in university then," he remarked.

"To be truthful, I couldn't get into my first choice," she confided. "So I thought I'd give it another try next year."

Recalling his own days as a ronin, Shirai nodded in agreement. "It took me a few tries to get in too," he confessed. "Let me know if I can help or anything."

"Thank you Kimiaki-san," the girl replied and then grinned. "Are you this nice to your girlfriend?"

"Um… er… well…" he sputtered.

"I wish I had a nice boyfriend too," she casually said.

(-)

High School Dormitory, Mahora, Japan

Fingers flew over the keyboard as Chisame logged into the VPN. She didn't completely trust the virtual Chao, but like back during last year's summer trip they had a common purpose for cooperation. Mad-Martian is online flashed across the monitor.

"Mad-Martian?" she typed.

"I could ask about Devil-Girl," came the response. "I have some volunteer testers on this side lined up. How about yourself?"

"I've already got a lot of Chiu's followers interested," she replied. "And I think I can get a number of participants here at Mahora as well. Operation Castle Down should be a go."

"Good," Mad-Martian responded. "That only leaves one issue; who's go to lead this army? Are you sure you won't reconsider?"

"Not a chance," Chisame typed back. "But don't worry, I've got the perfect candidate in mind."

"?"

"!"

(-)

Granicus, Mundus Magicus

Once upon a time, Jacobius Rakan had hired a secretary to handle his fan mail. That worked until the volume of correspondence required a huge staff to keep up with. Since then, he'd cultivated a reputation for disinterest that caused the flood to turn into a trickle and then finally stop. It was with some surprise that a special delivery package from Mahora arrived at his villa. Even more surprising was that it was sent 'cash on delivery'. He'd never have accepted the charges if not for the sender's name.

Once assured the package wasn't booby-trapped, the former gladiator had made numerous enemies over the years, Jack carefully cut through the strapping tape and folded down the flaps. Inside was a video game console popular with enthusiasts. A perplexed expression crossed the old warrior's face as he pulled out the hand-held control unit. "What the…?"

(-)

A/N: The title was inspired by the accompanying quote from "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll.

"Okaerinasaimase, goshujinsama", meaning "Welcome home, master", is more commonly heard in maid-themed cafes rather than walking in the front door.

Salute from an American television series refers to the Vulcan salute used in "Star Trek."

Konbini is a slang term for a convenience store.

Hopefully I'll be able to get in some more chapters before other distractions pop up. Keep warm.