Kailor: Okay, I realize I've gotten a bit lazy about things like I don't know…disclaimers. So here ya go. I own NOTHING.

Naruto: Oh, so I can just take this comfy hammock along with me, huh?

Kailor: Except the hammock. That's mine. Give it!

Naruto: AH!

Dear Konoka,

Hey! Been too long buddy! I can't wait for that trip of yours to end. Who really needs to go roam the country side with their grandpa anyways? Joking. Hope your having fun. Too bad I couldn't come. I'd have showed that old man a thing or two about hiking! RAWR! Haha. All's clear on the western front here. Negi's just gotten used to his promotion to history teacher. He loves it. Crazy kid. Ayaka and I are doing really good. Details will have to wait for a face-to-face discussion, but yeah. Hee hee hee. Setsuna is…well she's still sick. Like I told you in my last letter. But she seems to be getting worse. I don't want to worry you Konoka, but it looks kind of bad. I hope you come home soon. Setsuna really misses you, I can tell. Well, have fun and don't get all depressed and worried when you get this! We're taking good care of your love. Be good!

Asuna Kagurazaka

Asuna sealed the letter and placed it on Setsuna's desk to mail in the morning. Her mismatched eyes traveled around their little circle fondly. Her new girlfriend, Ayaka, was asleep in her chair, legs crossed and head on her chest. On the other side of the bed Negi had laid his head on the mattress, sleeping soundly. At the foot of the bed was Kailor's long form, stretched out, snoring lightly.

In the bed was Setsuna. Even in the dim lamp light Asuna could see how bad the half demon looked. Under her eyes were deep bruises, making it seem like she had two black eyes. Her hair was wild and dry since her body was no longer producing the nutrients it needed. The swordswoman had lost weight rapidly, causing a big fuss with the doctors. None of them could tell what was wrong. She could no longer stand up without her pants hitting the floor. Her clothes seemed to swallow her, giving her an even more sickly look than the darkened eyes. Asuna hadn't wanted to worry Konoka but every single mind there, except for maybe the defiant to the end Kailor, had thought the girl might be…

She stopped, unable to put the thought to words again. For the last month she'd wondered if they would wake up with Setsuna still alive or find themselves surrounding a silent shell of a once great warrior. It had been two weeks after Konoka left that the sickness had arrived. At first it just seemed like Setsuna's sinuses were messing up. Her nose was stuffy, her eyes were glazed, her ears were muffled, and she got a few pressure headaches. Then the cough had started, forcing the girl to leave the classroom more than a few times to run for the nearest bathroom. After a while the cough came with an added surprise. There in Setsuna's folded hankie just before she went to bed was bright shiny blood. Asuna had been there ten minutes later, making the girl soup, putting her into bed, and calling the doctors.

They examined the raven-haired girl, all coming up with the same conclusion. Run some tests and see what the results say.

Hurry up and wait, Asuna thought bitterly, watching her friend breathe shallowly. The tests were still "forthcoming". The redhead was very tempted to visit the hospital during lunch time when all those doctors would be resting in the lounge.

Two days after the tests were run Setsuna found herself unable to stand, too weak. Her eyes began to have bags under them from her fitful sleep and soon they looked as they did now. She began to steadily drop pounds, even though she ate whenever she could. She did not throw up anymore, just coughed her throat raw, making her voice dry and coarse. It had been three weeks since she'd first stood, with Kailor's help, and her pants had fallen down.

Normally, Asuna would have busted out laughing. But there was nothing funny about the way the half demon's eyes filled with fear as she realized just how thin she had become. There was nothing funny in the way Kailor sat her back on the bed and helped her put her pants back on, giving her his belt to hold them up.

Not a single giggle could exist when she saw the tears in the demon's eyes.

They had debated long and hard on whether or not to tell Konoka the full story. Setsuna absolutely refused to let her precious Ojou-sama know of her fate. Negi thought it was best to do as Setsuna asked, it being her decision after all. Even Ayaka had thought it wise to wait a while at least, allowing Konoka to enjoy her vacation.

It had shocked Asuna when only she and Kailor seemed to want to tell Konoka. Kailor reasoned that they tell her bit by bit, giving her the idea that it was getting worse with more than one letter so that the shock wouldn't be as bad. Asuna saw his point but she also felt that Konoka would want to know. She would be angry when she found out how long they'd hidden the swordswoman's condition.

Kailor shifted in his sleep and Asuna twitched towards the envelope. Part of the reason she'd written it so late at night was so nobody would see it and object to her choice of words. The other reason was because she needed something to do at that time. It had been a few weeks since she'd gotten any real rest. With her friend so weak and helpless she'd found it hard to close her eyes for any long period of time. She sighed and slid the letter into her pocket, noticing it was time for her morning route.

Asuna stood and stretched, feeling her weary muscles work. Setsuna stirred, barely. The redhead reached down and clasped her friend's hand. The skin was cold and still, forcing her mind back towards the thought she'd been trying to avoid.

What if she dies?

Shaking the idea from her head, Asuna bent and kissed Ayaka's cheek softly, so as not to wake her and left, throwing one last glance at her friends, a sigh on her lips.

As the door closed Ayaka's eyes fluttered open and she looked about. Kailor's head was resting on his arms, his golden eyes meeting hers. Negi rubbed a bit of sleep from his eyes, having also been awake the whole time Asuna had been writing. Though Ayaka and Negi were against telling Konoka they knew it was more Asuna's choice, since she was closer to the young healer. So when the scratching of pencil on paper had woken them they had not stirred, letting the redhead think she'd fooled them. As one they looked at the pale, thin figure on the bed. Setsuna's breathing was even, her eyes closed. At least someone had slept well that night.

None of them would ever know that the half demon had not actually fallen asleep until Asuna's pencil had hit the desk. She'd just been too weak to stop her…

Nuriko: Omg, I feel for her! Be ok, Setsuna!