Beyond the Wheel

by Shadow Crystal Mage

Chapter 2: Did A Ragdoll Just…!?!

Disclaimer: Negima belongs to Ken Akamatsu. The Wheel of Time belongs to James Oliver Rigney Jr. Brian Sanderson is doing an acceptable job.


The story the boy Negi gave them as utterly preposterous, about other worlds, and things that could not be done by the Power. Still, it's fairly difficult for even the eternally stubborn Egwene to argue that when the boy telling you is doing so while sitting on a floating staff not supported by either Saidin or Saidar.

The Wise Ones had swarmed him upon hearing of the Trollocs, but except for an old scar on his cheek, he'd been surprisingly unharmed. They wanted to check on Setsuna as well, but between her deathgrip on her enormous sword and her wild-eyed look, they'd been reluctant. Negi had to soothe her before she'd allow herself to be examined and Healed, though it was very minor.

Setsuna shuddered as Moiraine took her hands away. "She's not as good as Oujo-sama," she muttered sullenly, before shuddering and giving another despairing cry. "OUJO-SAMA! OH, OJOU-SAMA, WHERE ARE YOU!?!"

She'd been doing that every few minutes. The others were getting used to it, and were finding it very annoying.

"Who's 'Oujo-sama' she keeps crying about?" Mat asked Negi as they continued on their journey, the two children flying slowly alongside Rand on Negi's flying stick.

Setsuna tensed, beginning to shake slightly, but gave no outcry. Negi gave her a concerned look before answering. "'Oujo-sama' refers to Konoka-sa– er, Konoka. She's the one Setsuna's sworn to protect. Setsuna's sort of her bodyguard."

Setsuna twitched, beginning to shake slightly. Negi looked over his shoulder at her again, reaching back to pat her comfortingly.

"Bodyguard?" Aviendha said, her tone disparaging. "Is she such a milksop she cannot protect herself?"

Negi's cry of surprise was the former Maiden's only warning as Setsuna seemed to disappear from the staff, only to reappear a few feet away from Aviendha in mid-air, barely held back by Negi, who'd hooked his heels on his staff and was trying to pull the girl back, his staff weaving drunkenly in the air. His other hand was occupied with keeping Setsuna from drawing her sword out the whole way. Aviendha and everyone else started back in surprise, hands going to weapons as the other girl ranted at Aviendha to take back her words.

For a while, Chaos sat on his fancy chair wearing his hat of authority as Negi tried to keep Setsuna from cutting Aviendha open, calming her down, and keep the others from attacking Setsuna for trying to attack one of them. Eventually, the boy managed to drag Setsuna off to the side, and the others overheard him apparently berating and chastising her. Eventually, the girl subsided sullenly, and the two returned with her huddled on Negi's staff floating far above everyone's heads, and Negi walking with the Aiel down below, the staff connected to one of his fingers by what looked like a string made of a rainbow.

"Best if she have some space," he said apologetically as he walked. He seemed to have absolutely no trouble maintaining the Aiel's grueling pace.

"What was that about?" Mat asked him, looking up at Setsuna above them only to jerk his head down as he realized how short her skirt was. Canoodling maids was one thing, looking up a child's skirt something else entirely.

"Setsuna takes Konoka's honor very seriously," Negi explained. "She'd sworn to protect Konoka ever since they were small children, and has been training to get stronger ever since then to do exactly that. She cares greatly for Konoka. Not knowing where she is has been a great weight on her mind."

It might have been Ta'Veren influence that made Mat say, "Sounds like a Warder."

Negi looked at him curiously. "What's a Warder?"

Mat frowned, but briefly explained about Warders and Aes Sedai.

Negi paused. "I'm not sure that's really applicable. If anything, Setsuna's my Warder. After all, I have a contract with her. But if she made a Contract with Konoka, then I suppose the comparison will be apt."

Before anyone could reply to that, a voice in the air cried, "Negi-sensei!" That was all the warning anyone had before something struck Negi in the face. Everyone was then treated to the sight of Negi being hugged by what appeared to be an affectionate rag doll.

"Sayo-chan!" Negi cried as he managed to extract the doll from the parts of his face he used for talking. "You're here! Are you with anyone else?"

"I'm with Kazumi-san," the little doll seemed to say, royally creeping everyone out. "She should know you're here by now, what with her Artifact."

"Is Konoka Oujo-sama with her?" Setsuna said urgently as she landed next to them, much to the surprise of the Aiel. The staff was floating a couple of dozen feet up, after all. "Is she safe?"

"Yipe!" the rag doll cried in surprise, hiding behind Negi before she saw who it was. "Oh, no Setsuna-san. I'm afraid Konoka-san isn't with us."

Setsuna gave a cry of anguished despair that sent a chill down Rand's mind. It felt strangely familiar.


- To be continued...


A/N: I was impressed with Gathering Storm. Egwene not only took a level in Badass, she also took a level in Vetinari. Verin is now my second favorite Aes Sedai. Moiraine is, of course, number 1.

Is it an indication I'm a bad person that I like writing Setsuna on the edge of a mental breakdown?

Please review, C&C welcome.

Until next time, this is Shadow, signing off.