This is the start of my third Mahou Sensei Negima yuri series. This one featuring the tall, quiet Akira and energetic, dad obsessed Yuna. It is a stand alone but I'm writing it so that it can fit alongside 'Quietly on Show', the MakiexAko fanfic. Like MakiexAko it hadn't occured to me until recently when Sony Ninja suggested it but as I've written it I've begun to really love the pairing (I guess/hope that will be the case for most/all of the pairings I write).

I won't be updating quite as fast as with 'She Is My Sin' due to RL obligations but will try to get a new Chapter out at least once a fortnight, and hopefully sooner.

Chapter 1: A Watchful Eye

Yuna sat alongside Akira on the flight home from the magic world. Both girls were deep in thought pondering the recent events that had turned their conception of the world inside out and trying to plan ahead for a more routine life in Japan.

Yuna sat in the seat next to the aisle, occasionally joking with Makie in the seat across from her. At the minute however she sat lost in thought about home and her father.

I hope he's okay. Ayaka did a great job deflecting all the inquiries of our where-abouts whilst we were away but he must have missed me. Still I can't deny having enjoyed my time in the magic world with Makie and the others. Who'd have thought it! A separate world so close! I hope we can go back someday...

As one of four non-magic users who had ended up embroiled in the Magic World she wasn't sure when that would be but at the very least Makie, Ako, Akira and her had all grown closer over the course of the trip. As she thought of the others she gave the tall black beauty next to her a sideways glance.

Akira, the most mysterious of all four of us. Always so kind and yet usually so solemn and somber. I wonder what she's thinking?...

...Akira was gazing out of the window unseeingly and oblivious to the glance Yuna was giving her. She'd spent some time playing the memories of the Magic World through her mind as she'd done a hundred times past. Finally they reached exhaustion and bleaker thoughts began seeping into her mind.

The magic world was so much fun! Being with Yuna, Makie and Ako. Although dealing with Ako's heartbreak was painful. But I can't really empathise because it's never happened to me. I wonder what it's like to give your heart to someone?

She was the only child of rich parents who'd made the mistake of spoiling her with everything except the things she needed most, their time and love. She'd been too sensible to let herself become proud or haughty but copying what she'd learned from her parents she wasn't a natural at making strong friendships. Unlike Makie and Ako. It wasn't that she was hated, far from it! She was often sought after for advice and help, being level headed and always willing to do someone a favor. Only being a friend to everyone had the nasty side effect of leaving one very much on ones own. A small sigh escaped her as she gazed downwards at her hands, again oblivious to a second concerned look from Yuna.

Life seems so empty and unfulfilling. Where is the excitement in my life?

Akira's quieter than normal mood pushed Yuna into a more reflective one. I wonder how life will be after this trip for Makie, Ako, Akira and myself? Ako took the whole Nagi thing pretty hard. She glanced across at Ako who was fast asleep with her head resting on Makie's shoulder.

At least she has Makie by her. Makie seems to have grown up quite a bit over the course of the trip too. What of me? What of Akira? She seems more reserved and gloomy than ever. I wonder if the whole Ako and Nagi saga hurt her as well?

She resolved to try and find out once they were back in their room. After all, if something's wrong with her who does she talk to? Who can she talk to? Maybe it was as a result of the trip to the Magic World but for the first time she began to wonder if Akira was really alright behind her kindly persona.

Now's not the time though as we'll need to be alone, but I have no idea what to say. She wasn't sure why she was so suddenly convicted of the need to help her quiet friend. Maybe it was a sense of guilt for not having realised sooner, or because of the kindness Akira gave out so freely and never asked in return, or that Akira in some way reminded her a little of her dad with her quiet pleasant manner but lacking in liveliness. Whatever the reason was, and it was probably a mix of all three, Yuna determined that she would try and breathe some life into her roommate when they returned.

Once they had landed in Japan they got a coach back to the Academy. Akira seemed to have brightened up and all four of the sports group were back to laughing and joking as if it had just been a typical summer vacation. Yuna forgot her brief worries about Akira and slipped into the relaxed banter with her friends.

In fact she didn't remember until late that evening when in bed having phoned her dad. He was fine, although he sounded tired.

I do hope he's eating well. He can be so careless sometimes! Whenever I go over the place has always fallen into a state of complete chaos! To be honest though I wouldn't have it any other way. It makes me at least feel needed and useful. Without that I'd struggle. My mother always said be energetic and have a purpose but for me I can't be fully energetic and purposeful unless I'm of help to someone. From that I can derive the strength to push on, in all areas.

There was a clack as Akira entered the dark room. She'd been bathing in the large indoor pool. As usual she didn't bother with the lights but instead strode gracefully across the floor to her bed on the bottom bunk where she slid in and began changing.

"Night Akira," Yuna said sleepily. Akira paused mid-change; clearly surprised Yuna wasn't yet asleep.

"Night Yuna," she said in her usual melodious and calming voice. But now that she was listening closely Yuna thought she heard a trace of emptiness or weariness behind Akira's words and wondered how long it had been there.

The older I get the more I realise just how complex and un-stereotypical people really are. I guess it makes the world a more comforting place to know that there are no truly perfect people but for someone like Akira, who everyone assumes has her life sorted and lets her be, how much harder is it for her?

She spent some time trawling her memories of Akira and was annoyed to find most of them blurred and jumbled.

She frowned and looked at the glowing hands of her watch.

It's half an hour since Akira went to bed. Seriously! I just spent half an hour lying here thinking about Akira. When I put it like that it sounds kinda dodgy. Not that there's anything actually wrong with being with a girl.

Now an image of Akira formed very clearly in her mind, of Akira emerging from a pool during the magical trip. At the time she had merely admired Akira's body that was so streamlined and yet strong and curving. Now she began to wonder subconsciously if it was more than mere admiration. She felt her heart race a little as the images became less subtle in her mind.

Stop it! I'm not that sort of person am I? I have my dad to think of anyway and I can't help Akira if I end up thinking these sorts of thoughts. She almost laughed as her heart rate calmed down. It really is true that ones thoughts can go anywhere...

She was about to drift off to sleep when, in the silence, she thought she heard Akira adjusting herself below and heard what sounded a lot like a muffled sob. Yuna was pretty sure it was. She had snuck into her dads bed many times after mum died and on occasions when she had been unable to go to sleep she had lain awake and heard him choking down the pain to avoid waking her. She was tempted to call out and to ask Akira if she was alright but she had the feeling it would only cause Akira to clam up further so she said nothing and heard no more.

I will get to the bottom of this and help her! It's a case for Detective Yuna to solve! Ous! Yuna thought fiercely as she drifted into a world of dreams, for once not just featuring her dad or home but of Akira as well.