Rie, here. :P Yay! An update from li'l old me? Wuhoo, right? XD

Okay. So I wanted to go back to writing-dom. yes, writing-dom. (i can invent my own words, thankyaverymuch.) nyahaha. Kidding! XD

I tried to go back to my old writing style. Though it probably hasn't changed much. Or not. I dunno! This chapter is my attempt to equalize the demands of my past self and present self. And no, i'm not psychologically impaired... Much. Bwahahaha... :P

Mmm.. My writing style will most probably change through out this story. I'll just have to make this my experimental story since i haven't updated this in months months months. Plus, I don't wanna make this dropped soooo. Yeah. I decided to finish this with lots of quirks, changes and whatnot. I'll just try to convince to Beta this or something.

I hope you can bear with me 'till the end. This'll be one heck of a ride, I warn you. Nyahaha.. anyway! A short chapter for you guys. Have Fun! :D

Disclaimer: I do nor can i ever own Negima and the characters in it. Ever.

Chapter 1

"If I come back after so long, will you still remember what I look like?"

She chew on her lower lip. It was a habit of hers whenever she was utterly worried, especially when the reason is a certain raven haired girl. The sparkle in her eyes that has been her trademark as a cheery person was missing. The smile that always reached her ears was replaced with a straight face. The entire class knew why. Another day without a certain swordswoman in sight passed by with Konoka Konoe. Whenever a classmate caught Konoka staring nostalgically at the desk of student number 15, they either let her be or patted her on the back and said some random cheery comment. The latter usually done by Konoka's long time best friend and roommate, Asuna Kagurazaka.

During the English class of Negi Springfield, Konoka was summoned by Mahora Gakuen's dean and also said girl's grandfather, Konoemon. Konoka uncharacteristically frowned and lazily stood up. In turn, the action earned a lot of raised eyebrows, sighs and gapes. Konoka had truly lost it. Asuna, being the one who has already seen the gesture before, sighed and called the depressed girl by the name.

"Maybe," The twin-tailed girl hesitated. She clutched her black ballpoint pen a little tighter and continued.

"Maybe that old geezer's finally going to tell you something about her."

As soon as the last word registered to the young mage's mind, it was as if the pronoun had a magical spell wrapped around it. Her chocolate orbs momentarily flashed a tint of joy, yet as soon as it appeared, it returned to its original dullness. The first word, the simple indefinite adverb, caused the girl in front of her to falter and hope at the same time. Hope that the person she was waiting would finally return. Maybe…

Konoka ran hurriedly out of the classroom, not bothering to excuse herself from Negi, and went straight to her grandfather's office.

Asuna shook her head with a small smile. She turned back to her notes – scribbles and doodles – and tried to comprehend what their boy wonder teacher had been trying to teach them a while ago yet a single thought managed to pass through her mind. Where are you, Setsuna?

Konoka POV

I rushed through the familiar halls of Mahora Gakuen. I've been walking along the corridors here for years already yet why does it feel like it's longer than it usually has been. 2 months. It's been 2 months since I've last seen Secchan.

I panted when I faced the door of grandpa's office. Running wasn't really my fortè, after all. I felt a drop of sweat moving its way down my forehead so I quickly wiped it away and fixed my school uniform. I lived in a groomed environment all my life so fixing myself has been a reflex of mine.

I stared at the carvings of the towering door. Its smooth edges cut professionally with ease and patience. Every portion faithfully detailed and varnished. As I gripped the aged golden handles stuck on the center, I noticed my hands were trembling. It's not every day that you have the chance to hear news about someone you have been waiting for for a long time. I took a deep breath and put out a serious front. This was no time for a cheery Konoka; this was for her. Please, God… Let her be safe…

I opened the door and quickly saw grandfather. I walked in slowly, and looked at my right. That was where Secchan usually was, kneeling. We'd lock eyes and she'd blush while I gave her my brightest smiles. Well, was, not is. I sighed and urged the tears back. Grandpa cleared his throat which caught my attention.

"Konoka. How is my granddaughter doing?" He gave me a small smile, the gesture almost unseen from his bushy beard.

"Still the same, grandpa." He already has knowledge on my broken status a while back, a week after Secchan's absence.

Grandpa sighed and stroked his beard. I noticed he did this whenever he was troubled or was pensive. "We have news about Setsuna-kun." My breath hitched. My eyes widened slowly, and my knees feel like unbuckling. Secchan!

Unconsciously, I played with the bottom of my blouse and bit my lip. I waited for grandpa to continue. He took a second to look at me before he spoke again. "Setsuna-kun has returned from her jouney."

My knees gave out at the news and my eyes brimmed with joyous tears. Secchan's… back? The swordswoman who I've been worried for all these months is finally here. I locked eyes with my grandfather as if I was trying to ask him if it was real. If it was true. He looked at my hopeful eyes with integrity and seriousness with his mouth slightly curved upward. It was true! My lips went from ear to ear after a pleasant gasp escaped me. Yet, there was something off about grandfather's expression. Did I catch a flicker of sadness behind those eyes and his smile a little bit forced? I was too overwhelmed by the news that I quickly dismissed the uncertain observation. Secchan is finally back. My Secchan is finally back.

"Setsuna, please come out." Konoemon said.

My eyes widened as I heard a faint bump on the floor and dared to look at the source of the sound.

The only person who could make my earlier mood change to something much better kneeled meters away from me like a knight ready to be honored. Raven colored locks tied in a left side ponytail. Pale, porcelain skin covered in bruises and faint scars. Deep brown eyes hidden beneath closed eyelids. Soft, inviting lips. It was then that I forgot how to breathe.

With a tearful gaze, all I could meekly mutter out was, "Secchan…"

I also forgot to mention that I was supposed to go with a different chapter 1. But the REAL chapter 1 got stolen last December. Yes. Because it was written in my celphone. *sighs* And my story ideas were there too. T.T I still miss you, walkie~ that's my phone, btw. So yeah. Blame that cheap ass thief who delayed this chapter for months. Uuuugh.

Oh! And I kinda strayed from the story line just a little itty bit. But I'll brain storm again and make things clearer for you guys soon. I really hope it's soon. Please lazy bugs, leave me alone. O_O

Oh! Oh! And… Hmm.. Maybe I'll just leave that comment in the next chapter.. rawr.. -_-"

Reviews, Comments and Noted Errors very much appreciated! :D

'Till then, Rie here signing out! :D