New story idea that hit me while I was groaning about being bored!

Disclaimer – Negima and its characters do not belong to me in any form what so ever. If they did the ending would have included more answers to my endless amount of questions –mutters darkly-

Soft rustles shift the bed sheets, twisting and coiling as the body beneath fights to be set free, grumbled curses joining in when the task becomes too impossible.

With one last cry of frustration the plain sheets give in, splitting in half with a loud tear as nails jerk the fabric in different directions. The once trapped body stills, jagged breaths the only sound as their mind struggles to comprehend what just happened. Pale, long fingers shake as they move away from the ruined sheets, moving closer to anxious eyes.

They're the same pale digits she has always known. The only difference now is the small tremors present, stilling only as the fingers curl around the sheets.

Stage One

The first thing that entered Setsuna's mind when she drifted into consciousness was that her eyes were burning. They stung with a familiar pang of pain she related to a lack of sleep, her eyelids acting as sandpaper. With a clumsy roll she shifted to lay on her back, her arm automatically moving to cover her surprisingly sensitive eyes.

Stray raven strands spill onto her sharp feature, their teasing touches only adding to the dark-haired girl's uneasiness. Everything was putting her on edge. The sun's few beams, which managed to penetrate her blinds, were too bright, her hair was treading a trail of fire ants on her skin and her head was swimming with overwhelming noises and smells. She wished it would all just stop.

The abrupt flooding of crimson only registered when it became harder to breathe, pale limbs forcing themselves into a jerky jolt, specks of blood flying out to stain the already marred sheets.

"What?" Setsuna mumbled, her fingers trailing along her bottom lip, the lower flesh gaping with already drying blood around it. Stumbling onto her feet she rushed to the bathroom, fingers never leaving her mouth.

Blood, that was her first thought as she angled her head to the side, studying her face. A thick trail ran down the corner of her mouth, spots already dry as Setsuna peered closer at the bitten wound.

She curled her lip into a half-hearted sneer, eyes widening as they catch a quick flash of sharpened canines. Hesitantly she tugs her lip up gently, using her other hand to touch the tip, flinching at the unexpected sharpness.

"They were never this long or sharp before…"

Shaking her head slowly Setsuna backed away from the mirror, mentally reassuring herself that it was just a detail she overlooked before – the headache's severity the only reason behind why she managed to puncture her lip. It was just one of those days, except… she forgot about the torn sheets just two metres away, laying limply on her bed.

Unfortunately Setsuna's day wasn't getting any better as it progressed. When she went to lay out her uniform for the day she found it was shorter then she remembered, her skirt climbing dangerously up her thighs and shirt suddenly a midriff, thankfully Mana left a spare uniform in their room so she borrowed her shirt to avoid any embarrassment; the skirt a bit too large.

All minor set backs were soon forgotten as she continued her daily routine. However they came to light again after her practice swings, the shower and post teeth brushing alerting her to a new development.

Pale digits skim over the sealed flesh that is her lower lip; where there once was a gaping wound is now a neat thin line. Before she could explore further a round of excessive thuds brought her out of her thoughts.

"Setsuna!"

"Asuna don't you think you're being a bit-"

"I'm trying to get us to school on time brat."

"I'm sure Secchan has a reason for running late."

School! Black hair whipped behind the girl as she rushed around her room to get her shoes and sword, hopping towards her door where Asuna and Negi were still arguing behind.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't notice the time," she panted out, straightening from her bow once her left shoe was firmly placed on and her presence was noticed. Standing upright she found her hair falling over eyes, crossing her eyes she realizes that she forgot to tie it up. Oblivious to the lack of talking suddenly Setsuna quickly put her hair up into a low pony, not wishing to waste time on setting it in its correct position.

"You look… different. Have you been drinking your milk?'

"Huh?"

The dark haired girl tilted her head in question to her friend, opening her mouth to ask Asuna if she could rephrase her question but finding a different set of words taking their place, " Have you gotten shorter?"

Quickly after the words left her mouth Setsuna snapped her mouth shut, blood rushing to her ears when she realized what she said. She didn't mean to say that but the orange haired girl did seem to be shorter. In fact even Konoka who always stood taller than her was now tilting her head to peer at her.

Flailing her arms around Setsuna tried to save herself from Asuna's blank stare. "It just that you've always been a head taller than me but now we see eye to eye!" The silence continued awkwardly until Konoka giggled softly, breaking the tension and effectively taking some of the weight off Setsuna's shoulders.

"I think you're the one who grew Secchan," the girl said, an amused smile on her lips as she was forced to tilt her head to look at her childhood friend. "Yeah! It seems you've been eating those veggies!" Asuna chimed in, slapping Setsuna's back. The girl hardly shifted under the force. "See, eating your vegetables do help you grow," Asuna said smirking down at Negi, who huffed in return at the obvious jibe. Joining in with her friends Setsuna smiled sheepishly, "I guess I finally hit that growth spurt." With that the group made their way to school with only Asuna and Negi's banter filling the air.

Class 3-A was as vibrant as ever, perhaps even more so with graduation in only a few short weeks. Time has flown by since the return of Negi and his students from the magical world. Chao's last gift to Asuna was the chance to graduate with the rest of her class and to enjoy her youth before Negi and herself had to fully embrace their new roles in the magical world. No one but a select few knew about her disappearance but it didn't really matter now that she was back.

"Girls!" Negi screamed desperately, his new height achieved thanks to puberty hardly making any difference in his task of reining in his students. They only stilled when a high pitch whistle cut through their talking and grabbed their attention, courtesy of Class rep.

After smiling at Ayaka thankfully Negi turned to his students cheerfully, "Good morning everyone," waiting for the girls to finish their echo he continued on, " I know you all are very excited about the nearing of graduation but I think it's important that I also remind you that with graduation drawing closer so are the final exams." The class rippled with groans and protests, Asuna's own mumble, "Why didn't she return me to the time period after exams," leaving Negi to sweatdrop.

It took some time but eventually the girls calmed down and settled into a relatively calm lesson, starting up again once the bell for the end of the lesson chimed. Laughter and light teasing filtered through the room during the break, bodies moving between desks as they talked to friends. Setsuna was rubbing her temples when a shadow fell over her desk.

"I see that you've finally crossed the roommate agreement," Mana's eyebrow rising as she stared at her shirt presently on Setsuna, a smirk forming as the girl shuffled uneasily. "Sorry," wincing at her voice cracking," I needed clothes that fitted. I'm going through a pretty… late change," gesturing to her body awkwardly as her ears started to glow red.

Mana narrowed her eyes slightly at the last words, looking at Setsuna before subconsciously drifting her gaze to Eva who was already staring back. Nodding at her roommate the gunslinger walked away, waving off Setsuna second apology and simply responding that she'll add it to her tab.

"So the time has finally come… " The blond vampire murmured under her breath, eyes flashing with an unidentifiable emotion before returning back to its blank state, the dull orbs never leaving Setsuna's white knuckle grip on her desk.

When the last bell of the day was signalled Setsuna let out a relieved sigh. Her body was taunt and unnerved. She could feel eyes on her, burning holes into her back; she needed to get out the room. The day behind her desk taking its toll as her muscles twitch, seeking for release.

They continued to pull and tighten even when she was in Eva's villa and training had begun. Only loosening as Asuna and her moved to their own spot for sparring. Left. Right. Down. Thrust. The methodical movements bringing a grin as she sparred with Asuna. She felt the release she craved, the blood pumping freely as her muscles spurred her into action. Twist. Stab. It was almost if she could hear Asuna's heart. It would be just so easy to stop it. Thrust.

Then it all went silent. The voices that were shouting faster and harder quietened and the only heart she could hear were her own. Setsuna blinked her eyes, shaking her head to clear the fog that settled without her knowing. Everything was so soft and muted.

"Setsuna?"

"Um, Setsunaaa…"

Peering down to where the sound was coming from the dark haired girl was confused to see a flustered Asuna. Her orange hair was fanned out and lips parted as she took in deep breaths, cheeks painted faintly with pink. "I give up, you win," she chuckles, "I couldn't even see you at the end."

The haze was fully gone as Setsuna's mouth dropped open. She was straddling Asuna. She was on top of Asuna with her sword pointed at her heart. Processing the last thought specifically she jumped up, scrambling to help Asuna up and apologizing at the same time.

Rolling her eyes Asuna squeezed Setsuna's hand in reassurance, "I'm fine. I'll just count this as returning the favour from when I got power happy during the Mahora Martial arts tournament." Not fully satisfied Setsuna gripped Asuna's hand with both of her own, unconsciously lowering her voice into a husky tone as she spoke, "I really am sorry. I would never intentionally hurt you Asuna, ever."

Asuna Kagurazaka felt her cheeks go a flamed, the dark haired girl's gaze passionate as she tries to convey her deep regret for her actions. Before Asuna could stutter out her reply Kazumi and Haruna were shoving Setsuna away from her, their arms thrown over her shoulders, matching devious smirks on their faces.

"Well I must say Setsuna, you are one sly dog."

"Wha-"

"I always pegged you as one of those star-crossed lover types. Believing in fate and destiny, specifically towards Konoka."

"What are you-?"

"I believed that too Paru!" Kazumi looked to Haruna with a mock shocked expression, " but obviously along with this new growth spurt," both girls now staring appreciatively at Setsuna's sharper features and height, causing the girl at question to blush horribly under the perverted scrutiny. "Our little Setsuna has broadened her scope."

Setsuna covered her face out of horror, cursing the pair in her mind as she heard her ojou-sama and classmates laugh at her embarrassment. The previous haze that left returning slowly as embarrassment started to simmer into anger, muscles twitching sporadically.

At first the girls didn't notice as they were too caught up in their discussion at Setsuna's sudden transformation, all sharing their opinion of what they thought, a surprising amount offering that they did indeed think she has a certain aura about her now that made her attractive. Only Eva kept an apprehensive eye on the half demon, her shoulders were trembling.

"Better watch out for Asuna stealing your woman Konoka!'

The laughter was grating, each note drumming into her skull as Setsuna shook her head, recognizing what was happening. Her heart was pounding in the exact same rhythm that it was during her spar with Asuna, she was losing control, the red haze clouding her thoughts. She bit her tongue, hoping the pain would shock her back but it just tainted her mouth with blood. Her hands shook, tremors quaking each digit as her nails inched into length.

"Setsuna?" She couldn't hear the voices, only the roaring of the blood in her ears.

"Everyone back away slowly."

"What? Why? What's happening!"

"Just listen to me!"

Everyone stilled as Setsuna finally lifted her head up, dark bangs brushed to the side slowly as if the motion was foreign, revealing dark eyes with white rimming the iris. A smirk followed, eyes drifting to take in every person in the group, pausing on Konoka before moving again, absorbing all their faces.

"Now, now Eva-chan. That face isn't very becoming of a fine lady such as yourself," the half demon murmured huskily, enjoying the collective shudder it invoked. "I'm sorry if I worried you all but this one is rather stubborn about letting her true nature come out to play. I can assure you that in no way am I harming her, she's just having trouble adjusting to her demon half," a pale hand waving towards her body.

"So you're the demon crow inside of her? The part that gave her the white wings?" Konoka asked slowly, wary of the girl who looked so much like her Secchan yet wasn't. The girl smiled, " Yes. At a certain time in a demon's life they go through a transformation that takes them into adulthood, with adulthood coming more power and changes." Her smile dimmed, eyes finding Mana's, " however for half demon's the normally painless transition isn't the same. They have to struggle with their primal instincts and sudden adaptations," gesturing to her sharpened canines.

The group relaxed their stances, reaching the conclusion that this side of Setsuna just wanted to help her other half. "Oh and before I forget, I really am sorry Princess, I didn't expect to come out at such a time," the demon half smiled charmingly at Asuna, causing yet another round of flushed cheeks. Returning her focus back to Eva she schooled her features into a more serious expression, " I really hope you are willing to help her with this, she needs someone to teach her how to fight the urges."

The puppet master nodded her consent, their silent communication speaking more then the group would ever know. With that confirmed the demon waved politely before closing her eyes, leaving Setsuna to fall limply to the ground, unaware of what just transpired.

And that's it for now! Yes I know it is short but bear with me. Drop a review and tell me what you think! Constructive criticism welcomed.