I do not own negima
Taking a short break from my other fic in progress Crimson Promises. I had the ending for this in my mind for a few weeks so I finally decided to try it out and see how it felt. There will be some konosetsu although i haven't quite decided how much exactly.
To a Shinmei-ryu swordsman, there is nothing more important than your blade. We are taught to respect our blades and to hold them in higher regard than we do ourselves. Every swing, every parry, every piercing thrust is a reflection of our minds. The mere weight of the blade is enough company to endure the many lonesome nights. The relationship between swordsman and blade is likened to that of a container and soul.
Being born as neither human nor demon, I was not given the luxury of a soul. I was taught... no, I was made to believe that some... thing like me was undeserving of such a privilege. It was my destiny to live and die with no family or kin.
To someone with no soul that walks the long path of the Shinmei-ryu, there is nothing more important than your soul...
Steel Souls
Prologue
"...na...tsuna...Setsuna-san."
The comforting melody of small metallic bells brings awareness back to the distracted girl. "Asuna-san?" the girl calmly replies. I guess I lost myself in my thoughts. What was I doing?
The taller girl brushes her long auburn hair from her sweaty face. She eyes the smaller girl with an exhausted curiosity. "We were in the middle of practice."
Setsuna becomes flustered at the answer to the question she was almost sure she had not asked out loud. "Ah! Sorry Asuna-san, for some reason I'm having trouble concentrating today."
"Hnmm... that's pretty rare of you Setsuna-san. Abeat." The large harisen fan in her hand disappears in a flash of light. "So what's got your head in the clouds? Trouble with the princess?"
Setsuna quickly turns away from Asuna in a failed attempt to hide her embarrassment. "I...it has nothing to do with the relationship between me and Ojou-sama."
"Oh? So you have a relationship now? When did you two start dating?" The grin she mockingly wore grew much more mischievous with Setsuna's ever growing embarrassment.
"I...she...that is...we... I mean...Ojou-sama-"
"Are you still calling me that?" A bubbly young woman interrupts the nervous stammering of her fearless guardian. The chocolate colored skimpy bikini she wore to match her hair only added to the girl's embarrassment. "How many times do I have to tell you, call me Kono-chan!"
"I...I'm sorry Ojou-sama."
The young girl stares at Setsuna blankly, as if she had not heard the apology.
"O...Ojou-sama?"
The young girl continues staring, the look of anticipation on her face growing stronger with every passing moment.
"K...Ko...Ko...Kono-chan?" The familiarity of the nick name coming out much more awkward then she had wanted it to.
Konoka springs into action quickly embracing her embarrassed friend. "Yes Se-chan?" she cheerfully answers.
Setsuna wraps her arms around the bubbly girl returning the embrace. The carefree moment brings her earlier thoughts back into focus. My soul huh... The swordwoman places a well toned hand onto her ever present nodachi. "Ojo... Kono-chan, I promise I will always protect you with all my soul." She pulls her friend into a stronger embrace burying her friend's soft face onto her shoulder.
Moments later, snickering can be heard from behind her. Finally realizing what she had said, she hesitates to turn towards the origin of the laughter. I...I got caught up in the moment! I completely forgot Asuna-san was there! A muffled giggle from her shoulder erupts into a fit of hysterical laughter between both Konoka and Asuna.
The young girl wiggles out of Setsuna's arms openly laughing at her friend. "Geeze Se-chan, I didn't know you were this corny!"
Asuna jokingly jabs Setsuna's arm. "That's mighty bold of you to confess in front of an audience." She snickers at the embarrassed look on the girl's face. "And to another girl, I envy your courage!"
Konoka wraps her arm around Asuna's arm pulling her away from her guardian. "Asuna, we're stuck in Evangaline-san's resort for a few more hours, let's go swimming!" As they turn to walk away, Konoka gives Setsuna a look that she had quickly learned meant "You're welcome."
Setsuna is left alone watching the two walk off into the distance. Despite having just embarrassed herself in front of the person she had sworn to protect, she was glad she had the opportunity to experience such situations. Her mind once again drifts to her thoughts from earlier. Why did I suddenly remember something from so long ago? I'm not sure what it means but I better be ready. The young swordwoman places her nodachi, Yunagi, back into its sheath hoping the uneasiness she now felt was simply paranoia.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes of course, I would not joke around about something like that."
"As you wish master, I shall make the necessary arrangements."
"Be sure to alert everyone. From this point on we cannot afford any mistakes."
"Right away master."
From this point on... we do things my way.
I hope you enjoyed this short prologue. The following chapters will slowly get a bit darker and a bit more serious... probably. I guess you'll just have to wait and see! Look forward to more shenanigans coming soon!
