Can't Take Her Heart.
"Heyyyy, Se-Chan!" Konoka yelled, waving to Setsuna as she walked through the knee-deep water close to the shore of the beach. Setsuna turned, and waved back at her as she started walking toward her.
"Hurry Se-Chan!" Konoka yelled, smiling happily. "It's a lot of fun out here!" She said. Setsuna smiled, and started jogging, splashing her way into the mildly cold water.
"Ahh! So cold!" She yelped, skidding through the sand to a halt. "This is cold, not fun!!" She said. She had been relaxing on the beach, in the sun, so the ocean's relatively cold temperature was a surprise to her. Konoka laughed, and ran toward Setsuna as fast as she could, not stopping even when she was almost directly in front of her.
K-Kono-Chaaaaan!" Setsuna yelled, as Konoka jumped toward her, arms outstretched. Setsuna opened her arms, and caught Konoka as she jumped into her arms, but over-balanced, and fell into the two foot deep water, waves washing over her.
As she sat up, yelling from the cold shock, she could hear Konoka beside her, laughing. Setsuna blinked water out of her eyes, and reached up to undo her ponytail, letting her wet hair fall down her back. She ran her fingers through her hair, then looked over at Konoka.
Konoka was smiling at her, her long black hair soaked from falling underwater. Her light blue swim suit clung tightly to her, and Setsuna only vaguely noticed that she had been knocked underwater while still wearing her knee-length black shorts and T-shirt, instead of her swim suit.
Konoka jumped up, and grabbed Setsuna's hand, pulling her up out of the water. "It isn't so cold once you get used to it." Konoka said, pulling her out deeper into the ocean. Setsuna nodded. "Yeah, my legs are alright, but I'm still horribly cold." She said, shivering as a cool wind blew over her. Konoka grinned. "Don't worry, we'll go under the water, and it will warm up a bit." She said.
Setsuna followed her out until the water was up to her chest, and she was standing on her tip-toes to keep the waves from splashing over her head. Konoka stopped when she felt Setsuna stop, and looked at her questioningly.
"What's...? Oh, sorry." Konoka said, noticing Setsuna blush. "I forgot you can't swim, Se-Chan." She said. Setsuna shook her head. "Don't worry, you can go out further, if you want." She said.
Konoka smiled. "No, this is deep enough." She said. Setsuna looked at her questioningly. "Deep enough for what?" She asked. In lieu of an answer, Konoka suddenly lunged forward, wrapping her arms around Setsuna's waist, and pulling her under water.
Setsuna saw Konoka's motion, and took a deep breath, squeezing her eyes closed as she felt Konoka's arms around her waist. She felt herself be pushed over by Konoka colliding with her, and then she was under, an eerie silence filling her ears, and suddenly, the push and pull of the waves was no more, for she was under the turbulent surface. She opened her eyes, and saw Konoka hovering in front of her, grinning. Setsuna decided to partake in her little game, and reached out swiftly, her hands finding Konoka's sides as she tickled her. Konoka squirmed away from her touch, and turned, trying to swim away, but Setsuna grabbed her ankled, and pulled her close. As Setsuna's hands closed in on her sides again, Konoka raised her own, and tried to find Setsuna's ticklish spots. Setsuna merely smiled as Konoka tried vainly to tickle her sides, cheek, neck, palm of the hand, upper arm, anything she thought would get a reaction out of Setsuna. Nothing. Konoka was losing this battle, so she tried desperate measures. She reached down, and grabbed Setsuna's foot, pulling up on her leg, and throwing her off balance. Konoka then proceeded to tickle the bottom of her feet, something she was sure Setsuna was not immune to. Sure enough, she wasn't, and Setsuna jerked her foot out of Konoka's hands as Konoka's fingers gently touched the bottom of her foot.
Konoka grabbed again at her foot, and missed, but her fingertips slipped up Setsuna's thigh, getting the same reaction. Setsuna squirmed away from Konoka, and pointed toward the surface, indicating that she was almost out of breath.
Konoka nodded, and kicked off the bottom, headed for the surface. She broke the surface the same time Setsuna did, and smiled at her friend. "Now I know your ticklish spots, you're in a bad position." She said, teasing. Setsuna shrugged. "There's no guarantee that I'll let you get to them next time." She said, and she couldn't avoid the smile spreading across her face.
Konoka laughed, and swam forward, taking Setsuna in her arms. Setsuna raised her arms, and slipped her arms around Konoka's neck as Konoka held on tightly to Setsuna's waist. Their legs entertwined, Setsuna hummed, and lowered her head until her forehead was resting on Konoka's shoulder. They held each other like that for a few minutes. Setsuna ignored the slightly cold water dripping down her back from her wet hair, and turned her head. She timidly kissed Konoka's cheek, then nuzzled her neck.
Setsuna closed her eyes and relaxed as waves slowly swept across her back, gently lifting her and her close friend up and down in the ocean. The rocking motion had a soothing effect, and Setsuna felt herself almost falling asleep in her young friend's arms.
"Hnn, I'd better move before I fall asleep." Konoka said softly, taking Setsuna's thoughts, and vocalizing them.
"Aww..." Setsuna said softly, reluctantly withdrawing from Konoka's embrace.
"Don't worry, I don't plan on going far." She whispered, as she slipped around to float just behind Setsuna. This time, she slipped her arms around Setsuna's waist, and rested her chin on Setsuna's shoulder. This kept her head up, and forced her to be more alert and awake, instead of resting her head in the crook of Setsuna's shoulder, which made her almost fall asleep. As her hands slipped all over Setsuna's stomach, Konoka pressed her hips against Setsuna. The motion of the waves was much more noticed now, as their bodies rubbed together in a slow, gentle rhythm. Only the thin fabric of Konoka's swim suit, and Setsuna's shorts separated their bodies, and both were beginning to notice. Arousing feelings were beginning to be felt by both, but neither said anything, each deciding that the other would decide when to stop.
"You know..." Konoka whispered, slipping her hands down Setsuna's stomach, toward her hips. "This has been a great day. I loved hanging out with you today." She said. She let her hands slip underneath Setsuna's T-shirt, her fingers lightly touching Setsuna's skin. Another wave rolled by, pressing Setsuna against Konoka. Konoka's hand slipped a bit further up Setsuna's shirt, her fingers lightly tracing Setsuna's lightly muscled stomach. As her hand travelled just a bit higher, the fabric of Setsuna's T-shirt slipping against the back of her hand, Konoka smirked.
"Someone's not wearing a bra..." She said. She hadn't actually groped Setsuna, but her hand was high enough to know that she wasn't wearing one. Konoka let her hand slide slowly back down Setsuna's stomach, and came to a stop just below her ribs. Her other hand, which had been exploring the waist band of Setsuna's shorts, came and rested on top of her first hand. Konoka held Setsuna tight as they rocked gently in the waves of the ocean, the water pushing against their chests.
"It's not often we get to spend time like this together, is it?" Konoka asked. Setsuna slowly shook her head. "Not often at all, Kono-Chan." She said, more relaxed, and dropping the 'Ojou-Sama'.
Konoka hummed, and gently nipped Setsuna on the shoulder, getting her attention. Surprised, Setsuna turned, attempting to look over her left shoulder, and Konoka took the opportunity to kiss Setsuna on the cheek. Setsuna's eyes widened slightly, but she knew this was nothing strange from Konoka; she had done it before.
"Hahh, Kono-Chan..." She murmured softly. Konoka took a deep breath, and sighed, closing her eyes for a minute. She tried to imprint this memory into her mind, to take hold of it and remember it forever. It was a special moment they were sharing, something no one could take away from them.
Konoka let go of Setsuna, and slowly moved in front of her, placing her hands on Setsuna's shoulders. "Come on, let's move closer into shore." She said softly, staring into Setsuna's dark brown eyes. Setsuna looked at her questioningly. "Why?" She asked. Konoka smiled. "Tide's about to come in, and you can't swim." She said.
Setsuna nodded, and turned, wading toward the shore. Konoka walked alongside her, slipping her hand inside Setsuna's. Setsuna glanced over, and smiled, squeezing her hand gently. They walked in toward the shore until the water was around their waist, then Konoka slowed. She took small steps toward the shore, as she held Setsuna's hand.
The sun was beginning it's descent in the sky, and the tide was indeed starting to come in, the waves getting larger and stronger as they swept in toward the shore. Finally, they stood on the wet sand on the shore. The waves swept in around their feet, before pooling at their ankles, and retreating back into the ocean. Konoka knelt down, still holding Setsuna's hand, and Setsuna knelt down with her.
"Hey, you okay?" Setsuna asked, not knowing why Konoka was kneeling in the wet sand. Konoka raised her head, and stared at Setsuna with emotion-filled bright brown eyes. Konoka reached forward and wrapped her arms around Setsuna's neck, hugging her tight. Setsuna leaned too far back, and over-balanced, falling onto her back in the shallow water. Konoka straddled her waist and hugged her tight, face tucked into the crook of Setsuna's neck.
Setsuna didn't know what was wrong, but she put her arms around Konoka. Her heart skipped a beat as Konoka's breathing got heavier, and came in gulps and stuttered gasps. Then there was a new moisture on Setsuna's cheek, and she could tell it wasn't from the ocean. Konoka was crying.
"I don't want to leave you." Konoka whispered, her lips moving against Setsuna's neck. Setsuna's eyes widened, and she felt her heart ache as she remembered the one thing she had tried to forget all day.
"I don't want you to leave me..." Setsuna replied, feeling tears threatening to escape the corners of her eyes. She barely held them back, as she stared up at the orange sky, concentrating on the feel of Konoka in her arms.
"Please don't leave me..." Setsuna whispered pitifully, arms tightening around Konoka's waist. Konoka slowly raised her head, arms still around Setsuna's neck, and stared into Setsuna's dark brown eyes.
"I'll always remember this day we spent together Setsuna." Konoka, slowly leaning toward her. "I'll be leaving you, but in a different sense; too bad it's the most painful sense of leaving." She said. "Please remember this day like I'll remember this day." She said, closing her eyes and placing her lips on Setsuna's. Setsuna closed her eyes and put her soul and all of her feelings into this kiss, as a large wave crashed over both of them, covering them for a half second before it dissipated, rolling back into the ocean.
When the wave retreated, they were still kissing. Konoka slowly tilted her head to the right, and Setsuna gently deepened the kiss, glad it was their first deep lip to lip kiss, wishing it wasn't their last.
Three more waves broke upon the surface of the beach before the kiss ended, and when they opened their eyes they stared directly at each other. The kiss had been gentle, slow, both had explored each other fully before ending it. It was something they had both enjoyed, but also something that was going to make the inevitable pain that much more painful.
Setsuna couldn't think about that right now, and she reacted on her first instinct. Konoka was inches away from her, staring into her eyes, and Setsuna raised her head a bit, placing her lips against Konoka's again. It was a small kiss, and when Setsuna lowered her head, Konoka smiled.
They both closed their eyes, and Konoka leaned down, placing her lips on Setsuna's again. Setsuna moaned as Konoka's soft lips touched her own. This kiss lasted a bit longer, but neither attempted to deepen it, wanting to keep it innocent.
Konoka couldn't help herself; she felt the tears leaking from the corners of her eyes, and they rolled down her cheeks, before dropping off and splashing onto Setsuna's cheek.
Setsuna automatically held Konoka a bit tighter, wanting to protect and comfort her. Konoka took comfort from Setsuna's embrace, but as the sun disappeared behind the horizon, Konoka knew it was time.
Konoka ended the kiss. "I wish I didn't have to do this." She said softly. Setsuna gently rubbed her back. "Have you talked to your grandfather?" She asked. Konoka nodded. "Yes, but he's adamant." She said. "And he doesn't know how I feel. Not that he would understand if I told him..." She said.
The realization that Konoka was leaving her hit Setsuna hard, and finally, the tears she had been holding in for so long were released.
"Fuck, why did this have to happen?" Setsuna asked, embarrassed and ashamed at her tears, and emotionally torn up by what Konoka had told her four days ago.
Konoka said nothing, for she had nothing to say. She just held Setsuna tight, and hoped that she was okay.
"Please don't leave me Konoka." She said softly. "Please...I haven't had a chance to tell you." She said. Konoka kissed her cheek. "Tell me what?" She asked.
Setsuna blushed lightly. "So many things." She said. "How I feel about you, about what's happening, and how it changes so many things." She said.
Konoka looked at her. "How do you feel about me?" She asked.
Setsuna looked up at Konoka, and stared into her bright brown eyes.
"I..."
"I love you Konoka...please don't leave me..." Setsuna whispered, waking up from her dream. She laid in her bed, remembering the dream, every single part of it. Her heart ached as she remembered how real it felt to hug Konoka in the ocean. She had no idea that dreams could be that realistic. Or hurt so much. Setsuna sighed, and thought about when Konoka said she would remember the day they had spent together.
"Too bad that day didn't happen." Setsuna whispered. She got up, and threw her legs over the rail of her top bunk bed, hopping down onto the floor. She hit the floor with a barely audible 'tap', bending her knees and crouching close to the floor to absorb the impact and make it quieter. As she straightened up, she heard Konoka on the lower bunk behind her groan softly as she turned over.
"Hnn, that you, Setsuna?" Konoka whispered. Setsuna turned, and knelt down beside the bed. "I'm sorry I woke you, Kono-Chan." She said. Konoka shook her head. "Don't be, I was awake since four in the morning." She said softly.
Setsuna knew that since Konoka had told her four days ago what was going on, she had started sleeping in the same dorm as Setsuna. Now today was the final day.
"Since four?" Setsuna asked. Konoka nodded. "I was so worried that I couldn't sleep." She said. "Plus, it sorta sounded like you were talking and crying in your sleep." She said softly. Setsuna remembered her dream, and nodded. "I, ah, I may have been." She said casually. Konoka sat up, and slid over to the edge of the bed, wiping tears out of the corner of her eyes.
"I can't believe Ojii-Chan got fed up with me denying all the Omiai's, and forced me into a random one as a way of settling me down." She said softly. Setsuna's heart ached even as Konoka reminded her, but she said nothing.
"Now I'm off to the house of some man I don't even know, to become his wife." She said. Setsuna felt herself getting angry at the headmaster, but at the same time, she knew her anger was largely unjustified. The headmaster was just doing what he thought was best for his daughter, and had no way of knowing how much damage he was doing to the two hearts of the princess and her protector.
No matter how unjustified her anger was, it was very real anger, especially at the images that were conjured in her head. Konoka was due to become the wife of some unknown older man, and after the wedding festivities, the newly weds usually celebrated their relationship in the bedroom...
The thought of some man touching Konoka sent Setsuna into a rage, and part of it was directed at herself, for being unable to do anything about it.
"Headmaster has no idea how much this idea disgusts me, as well as hurts me, for it takes me to a place that is very far from you, Setsuna." Konoka said. "Your my very best friend, I've known you since I was a little child, and you can't just tear two people apart like that." She said. "Damn the headmaster...it's so unfair..."
Setsuna's eyes widened as she heard Konoka curse for the first time in her life.
Suddenly, the clock on the bedside table started beeping, and Setsuna hurriedly shut it off, lest it wake the other room mates, Kaede and Tatsumiya.
"I hate to say it, but it's time we got up and got ready for you to meet your future husband." Setsuna said, feeling depressed. Konoka nodded, and started to stand up, when she decided against it. She fell back onto the bed, and shook her head.
"No, I'm not going to follow Headmaster's orders and be so docile." She said. "If he really wants me to marry this man, then he should show his resolve by coming and getting me out of this bed himself." She said. "Setsuna, would you please join me?"
Setsuna was taken by surprise at Konoka's sudden change of heart, and she felt uneasy as she wondered what kind of repercussions this was going to have.
"Y-yes, Kono-Chan." She said. She climbed into the bed, and laid down on her side a few inches away from Konoka, giving her space. Konoka shook her head, and slipped up close to Setsuna, putting her arm around Setsuna's waist. Konoka was also on her side, facing Setsuna.
Setsuna blushed, and stuttered out her name as Konoka placed her head on Setsuna's chest. "K-Kono-Chan?"
Konoka gently tilted her head back to look at Setsuna, and placed a finger on Setsuna's lips.
"I didn't sleep so well this morning, and by the sounds of it, you didn't either." She whispered. "If Headmaster is serious about this marriage, then he'll be by to make sure we're up, regardless." She said. "I say we've got at least a half hour or an hour to ourselves before he drops by." She said. "This next half hour, they're just for us." She said. "Hug me as tightly as you would if I were yours." She said. "Unless I mistake our relationship, we both seem to want to be more than just 'friends'."
Setsuna blushed lightly, but jumped at Konoka's offer. She slipped her arms around Konoka, and pulled her close, leaving no room between their bodies. Konoka laid her head down on her pillow, and Setsuna laid down also, their faces inches apart. Their arms were wrapped tightly around each other, they barely left enough room to breathe. They both closed their eyes, and squeezed a bit closer together, their foreheads touching.
"When I leave to marry a man I don't know, I want you to remember this time we spent together." Konoka whispered. "And always remember, even if I get married, the man will have me, but you'll always have my heart." She said. Setsuna's heart skipped a beat, and she felt a wave of excitement pass through her. Konoka seemed to know her thoughts exactly, and smiled, throwing a blanket over Setsuna and herself.
"That's as close to a confession of love as I can get right now, I'm really tired." She said. "Maybe when we wake up, I'll do it proper, and tell you how I feel." She said. "But for now, I just want you to hold me tight, and sleep beside me until we're awoken." She said.
With so many things just hours away, Setsuna knew she should be more worried, but for some reason, a strange calm was spreading through her, making her sleepy. She knew she should be worrying that Konoka was about to get married up in less than six hours, knew she should be worrying about telling Konoka how she felt, but for some reason, that stuff felt so far away. Right now, Konoka just wanted to sleep together with her, and that's what they were going to do.
"Come what may, right now is just for us." Setsuna whispered. "I've dreamt of holding you like this for so long, and now that I'm doing it..."
"Setsuna?" Konoka said softly.
"Yeah?"
Konoka leaned toward Setsuna, and placed her lips on Setsuna's. The kiss surprised Setsuna, but she closed her eyes, and enjoyed the soft kiss she was recieving. It was a gentle kiss, but carried emotion. It lasted almost two whole minutes, as they lay on the bed together, under the covers, but when it was over, Setsuna felt that it was over too soon.
"I bet you've dreamt of that too." Konoka said. "Sleep, dream of other things, and maybe those too will become reality." She said. Setsuna smiled, and hugged Konoka tight. "I hope so..."
They both closed their eyes, and drifted off to sleep. Both of them managed to put aside the fears of the morning that would come just an hour later, and sleep peacefully, holding on tight to each other.
What would be waiting for them when they awoke, neither knew, but they couldn't waste time worrying about it. They had very limited time together, and were determined to spend it together in peace, regardless of what was to come.
A/N: Well, this was originally intended to be a one-shot, but I'm thinking there might be a sequel, or a second chapter. For some reason, while I was trying to fall asleep the other night, I was thinking how horrible it would be if Setsuna and Konoka were about to make things work between them, and suddenly, Konoka is forced into marriage, taking her physically, but not emotionally, away from Setsuna. I thought it would be so sad, and I knew I had to write something to express that situation. This came out of it, with Setsuna initially dreaming about spending a perfect day with Konoka, then waking up to find that it was all a dream, and it was the morning before Konoka was due to be married off to some unknown older man. It wasn't intended to take the turn that it did near the end, with Setsuna and Konoka ending up sleeping together, it was originally planned that Setsuna would wake up, and find that Konoka had already left to get ready for her marriage, and Setsuna would just have to deal with it. Not one to be overly depressing in my stories though, I knew I didn't want it to end that way, and I turned it into an open-ended one-shot that leaves room for more. Maybe or maybe not a second chapter or sequel will come, but I'm thinking maybe there will be a sequel. Thanks for reading, and please review, tell me what you think, story-wise, and writing skills-wise. Thanks.