In a castle near Kyoto during the modern time, there lived a king, a princess, and a loyal knight. The princess was trained to be elegant, so when the time comes, she would be marry to a great man and the Konoe's family tree would continue to prosper. The knight was a well trained half demon warrior adopted and trained by the king since little, and was ordered to protect the princess from harm. The princess and the knight were childhood friends who care deeply for one another, but after an incident, their fate was divided and their relationship torn apart. The knight would be punished severely if she was to approach the princess any closer than she was permitted to. She kept a far distance from her and watched the princess from far away, out of the princess' sight. Although, what the princess want was far from that. She wanted to be with her knight and have her protect the princess by her side. But something will happen soon, when the princess decides to take a step forward…

Chapter 1: Realization

The Konoe's heiress glared at the dark sky above her, not realize it was already night and the moon was now clearly in sight. She finished digging the last bit of dirt out of a giant hole in a bush unseen by anyone, but those who knew. In the hidden hole in the backyard of the princess's room stored everyday material uses that she left in there for a secret purpose. It was for something, or someone, special and very much dear to Konoka.

"There!" Konoka wiped her sweat from her messy forehead with her frilly sleeves. Her face was full of dirt, but she didn't mind or even paid any attention to any of that, because, finally, she finished what she always wanted to do!

"…A secret basement just for the two of us…"

Being the princess and the only child of Konoe Eishun, the king, was not easy at all for Konoka. There would always be guards outside because they were ordered by her father to keep her safe. She was never allowed to go outside (unless she was asked by Negi Springfield, her teacher, to help fight enemies). But the one Konoka really needed was her personal knight, the one she cared for the most. "She was all I need."

Konoka took a small peek outside her room to check to see if the guards were in sight. Indeed they were…tightly guarded with spears and swords in hands. Konoka didn't get why she needed guards when she already have her.

Konoka led out a sigh and headed back to her room, but because of the persistent attitude she had, Konoka refused to give in. She reminded herself, "If it has to do with her, I'll try my very best!"

Konoka picked out a nice set of clothes and changed into them. She chose a white sleeveless blouse and a pair of blue shorts, since it wasn't all that cold outside. Konoka wouldn't want the knight to see her in a form full of dirt. Now that the dressing up was complete…

Konoka stormed through her unorganized closet to find a long ladder that she made with her a long time ago. Those times when they were together, they were the most precious time to Konoka. A smile was always on Konoka's face when she was with her knight. She never leaves Konoka alone, and was always by her side. But years later... The knight began to distant herself away from Konoka and her words became cold like winter snow. The smile which they always had on their faces began to wear away slowly along with the time that ticked slowly. Those days were filled with laughter, but now the laughter, which was always heard, had been silenced by tears and cries of sadness and were now buried deep into their hearts. 'I wished to dig these laughters up, together with her.'

"Secchan…" That was her nickname that she whispered.

Sakurazaki Setsuna, a half demon, Konoka's loyal knight, her best friend, and a special person to her heart. She still feel the same way about her all these times, but what about Setsuna? What did she think about Konoka? Konoka wanted to find out the truth. She wanted to come up to Setsuna and ask her face to face, what she felt about Konoka. Although Konoka has a small bit of doubt in her heart that Setsuna's feelings were the same as hers…

Konoka refrained myself from thinking nonsense and kept a positive attitude. Now was not the time for pointless thoughts, but actions must be taken.

Konoka walked outside the corridor of her room and carefully threw the ladder down, slow and steady. Guards would definitely come charging toward her room if they hear a loud noise. Konoka slowly climbed down from the ladder and headed toward the forest where a small log cabin laid silent in the darkness.

Setsuna refused to live anywhere near Konoka, and by any means, she would throw away wealth and enjoyment in life just to distant herself away from Konoka. And now, the princess would do anything to know why her Secchan did that to such extent.

"I'll clear things up for sure this time!" Konoka said with absolute confidence. Yes, Konoka did said thistime. The princess indeed tried many attempts to have their relationship bound back to normal, but every time, the result would turned out to be the same where Setsuna would turn around and said, "I'm sorry," either then or she would just ignore Konoka and walk away. There was sorrow, and sadness in her eyes when she gazed back at Konoka. It seem as though she was about to cry just seeing her Ojou-sama.

When Konoka reached the middle of the forest, she saw cabin stood silent and still with the smallest, and tiniest light shone from the window. But because of this tiny light and the will in her heart, it somehow led Konoka here. She peeked into the wooden framed window to see if Setsuna was there, in that small cabin of hers, which gave no scent of warm. Setsuna was in her shiny black and red knight's armor with her Yunagi in one hand, sleeping soundly while keeping a serious look on her face.

Konoka slowly opened the door and closed it quietly when she was able to get inside without waking up the sleeping knight. It was bitterly cold in here. She had to live in this small cabin everyday. Having the thoughts of how lonely her Secchan must be, she began to shed small tears but quickly wiped them off.

Konoka comfortably sat myself down next to Setsuna on the cold wooden floor and began to pick out her most beautiful aspects. Setsuna has soft pale skin, and her eye lashes are so long.

'I wondered if she even realizes she is really beautiful, like that of an angel.'

The first time Konoka saw Setsuna with her wings, she thought she was dreaming, for Setsuna looked too much like a heaven descent angel. It was beautiful; but…now, Konoka had to watch from afar and did not dare to even get close Setsuna. Sometimes Setsuna did realize that Konoka followed her, but still, she ignored Konoka as though she was a shadow just tagging along wherever its owner goes. Konoka's heart was filled with fear that if she were to approach Setsuna, she would, once again, turn around and say those words of apologies.

But now, Konoka couldn't help herself anymore. The hidden feelings which she had hid for years and years began to swell up in her and urged her to take action. Konoka placed her hands on her guardian's smooth skin and leaned forward her. With Konoka's fast beating heart, she slowly reached towards her angel…

"…Kono-chan…" Konoka jolted and led go when she heard Setsuna called out Konoka's nickname in her sleep. It was a long time since Konoka heard Setsuna said her name.

Konoka's heart raced from hearing Setsuna's voice. The way she called Konoka's name was special… it was unlike anyone. It could make Konoka's heart jumped and her face reddened. This happened many times before as well, but Konoka often ignored it. But now…she….

Setsuna began opening her demonic, yet beautiful, red eyes. She jolted out of shock, almost dropping her sword on the ground, but somehow bumped her head on the hard wall, the moment she saw Konoka right there, in front of her.

"Secchan! Are you okay?!" Konoka panicked when she saw her Secchan injuring herself, but Konoka was half laughing.

"Kono-…Ojou-sama! What are you doing here!?" The half demon refrained herself from calling her Ojou-sama by her nickname, Kono-chan. Konoka pouted. She really hated that old habit of Setsuna's. But seeing her reddened face was just too cute that made Konoka forgot all about it.

"I come to see you, Secchan!" Konoka grasped her knight's cold hands and smiled at her Konoka's most cheerful smile. Setsuna tried to force herself from touching Konoka.

"Ojou-sama! You must go back to the castle! If Master-" Konoka placed her finger on Setsuna's lips, keeping her from saying anything more. Konoka could see that Setsuna somewhat felt uncomfortable when Konoka did that, but it is fun that way.

"Ne, ne, I want to show you something! Follow me!" Konoka tugged Setsuna and urged her to follow. She stood up but then refused to move.

"Ojou-sama, this isn't right… you shouldn't be here…" There were hesitations in her eyes when she said that to Konoka. It was as if she didn't really want Konoka to leave.

Konoka cleared my throat, "Sakurazaki Setsuna! As the princess I order you to play with me tonight!" Setsuna was surprised when her princess had a change of tone in her voice. This was the only way left, to abuse the princess's authority. Although this seemed like a fun game to Konoka. She thought of it like a game that her guardian and she used to play.

"Ojou-sama…"

"The princess' orders are absolute! Do you dare to defy them!?" Konoka seemed to pick up those words from her father and high class knights. She tried to hold her laughter in so that she wouldn't destroy the atmosphere. Setsuna looked like she was taking it seriously, actually…she was.

"No…Konoka-ojou-sama,"

"Then, let's go!" Konoka grabbed her guardian's hand and pulled her right after Konoka heard her reply. 'Finally, I am able to hold her hand more freely without having to worry. It was good to see the old Secchan once again.'

They quietly sneaked into the backyard of Konoka's room where the ladder still was hanging from the corridor. The giant hole Konoka built, which led to a secret basement, was left untouched.

"Ojou-sama, I think I must go back…" She was hesitating again.

"Ne, you're so persistent Secchan. It's pointless to say anything since I won't let go," Konoka tugged her into the basement.

It was like house inside the basement that Konoka built. One two-person bed, a table, two chairs, one tea set, and everything you can find in normal room. Although, it seemed to be design for two person, and two person only.

"Ojou-sama, this is-" Setsuna stared at the basement in amazement. But really, no one would ever thought Konoka could do something like this. Even herself. But, she was able to do such thing because it was Setsuna that she was doing this for.

"Yours and mine house from now on!" Konoka cheerfully replied to Setsuna's confusion.

"W-what…?" The half demon was startled, but of course anyone would be, if you were dragged by the princess and told that this was your house.

"From now on, we will meet each other here and maybe even spent the night! You can't escape from me now, Secchan!" Konoka had an evil grin on her face.

"Ojou-sama…"

"Order number two! You must call me Kono-chan!" And she once again, abused her authority.

This time, it was Setsuna who tried to hold in her laughter.

"Yes…Kono-chan."

Setsuna began staring at Konoka's face for some odd reasons then turned around so that she would not face her princess. Setsuna had her mouth covered and was trying to refrained something.

"Is there something wrong?" Konoka asked, wondering what was going.

"Excuse me for a minute…" Konoka could hear bits her guardian's laughter.

"What is it, Secchan!?" Konoka began to get annoyed.

"Uh, no nothing, Ojou-sama," Setsuna tried not turn around, since she was laughing at something.

"Again with that Ojou-sama!" That "Ojou-sama" adds more to Konoka's annoyance.

"Ah, sorry…Kono-chan," Setsuna turned to face Konoka again but still keep her head down to not let Konoka see her laughter.

"What's so funny? Is there something on my face?"

"Yes, indeed," Konoka's face was full of dirt from the digging earlier. She was in too much of a rush to meet her Secchan that she completely forgot to clean her face. "Here, let me wipe it off for you," Setsuna searched through her pockets and took out a handkerchief.

There was a little of disappointment on Konoka's face as she looked at that handkerchief.

"So, you threw away that handkerchief I gave you…?" Konoka silently whispered. Setsuna paused for a minute then resumed to clean her princess's face again. She giggled then spoke up.

"Of course not. It is a special item to me, I wouldn't be able to bear it if it gets filthy," Setsuna replied, making Konoka's heart skipped a beat.

'A special item, ne? I'm glad.'

While Setsuna continue to clean Konoka's messy face, she stood still staring at her guardian. 'Wow…Secchan had become so beautiful…' Konoka unknowningly rubbed one of the knight's cheeks. Setsuna jumped as a small tint of redness appeared on her face. Konoka could feel hers was burning up as well.

"Kono-chan…! Wha-what are you-"

"Ne, Secchan…can I ask you something…?" Konoka asked as she still kept her hand there on Setsuna's blushing cheek.

"Y-yes, what is it…?" Setsuna was nervous since she was quivering at Konoka's touch.

"I don't know if I should be asking this but…How do-" Konoka stopped for a moment of thought. She slowly built up my courage to continue what she was going to say, taking a deep breath of air. "How do you feel about me, Secchan?"

Both their faces were bright red. Konoka could feel her heart thumping like raging soldiers marching to their enemies. Setsuna was the same, only a bit more wild. Konoka slowly stepped towards leaning on Setsuna, and laid her head on the guardian's chest. Her heart was like Konoka's, with the sound of hard beating.

"Kono-chan…you musn't do this. I can't be this close to you…if Master finds out, you'll get punish and-"

Konoka was a little frustrated on how Setsuna kept repeating the same thing over and over. Konoka looked at Setsuna in the eyes, and once again leaning toward, but this time, it seemed as though she was going for Setsuna's lips. Konoka longed for it for such a long time now. Her Secchan was always the dearest to her and she was always the most important person. Setsuna at first tried to forced herself to escape from her princess's grasp but stood still after their lips were millimeters away. They could feel each other's breath and Setsuna's shaking arms. Then...

Um, hi everyone. This is my first fanfiction, I hope you enjoyed it so far!

Please, any critics, comments, or anything you got to say would be great! Please review!

Thank you for those who read this ^^

[Note: I DO NOT OWN ANYTHING OF NEGIMA! All characters belong to Ken Akamatsu...except the next one that would appear in the next chapter...^.~]

-Seiren

[Notice: I decided to remove the bolded dialogues and have it in normal text instead since it seems to bother quite a few people ^^;]