Hi=) Sorry for the late update...I was in exams...I thanked everyone for their reviews and I hoped more will come. They really encouraged me to continue to write this fanfic. I hope you'll like this chapter! There's another OC that I've introduced..it's just a minor character.

Disclaimer: I don't Negima and specially not those awesome characters like Setsuna...


Chapter 3

Two weeks later, Akira palace

"Mummy is it true that daddy is coming today?" asked a cheerful princess who had just hopped into the queen's bed.

"Yes, dear. So stop wandering around and go with Nano-san to change into the last kimono your dad had brought. You don't want him to see you in your pj's, do you?"

"Hai"

It's nice to see Konoka-chan happy like this. I wish I would be able to see her grow..thought Kohana. Oh, I've to prepare myself too..

Few hours later, a group of warriors on horses arrived at Akira castle. The castle was said to be one of the first of the Magical World. The castle was situated just in the middle of the city and was surrounded by a wall of fifty metres height. On the gigantic wall were craved illegible symbols. The gate to the castle opened and trumpets were sounded. On both sides of the alley were lined soldiers who stood straight, some carrying with them the flag of Akira. As Eishun and his companions moved forward, he dismissed them saying that they could go meet their family. Only Motoko and her student were still with them. Setsuna was mesmerised on seeing such magnificent building. She had now black raven hair which was put in a side pony to the left. Her eyes matched her magically dyed hair. The little girl was comfortable with the change as it did brought unwanted attention for the first in her life. She was like a normal human being with her wings hidden. Her heart was pounding faster and faster as she entered the palace. She walked behind Motoko admiring the floor in which she could see her reflection. They came to a stop and the young apprentice looked around her. Statues of mages which were most probably former rulers of the country were aligned orderly. She casted a glance from behind her sensei. Her face wore immediately a slight pink colour on both cheeks on seeing a little girl of her own age running towards her and behind the latter was a woman who looked alike. Setsuna quickly stopped looking and stayed in hiding, now grabbing Motoko's kendo outfit.

Before Eishun could say a word, Konoka jumped on him. He caught her in his arms and his princess kissed him on both cheeks.

"Daddy! I missed so much"

"Me too Konoka-chan. Oh, you're wearing the kimono. You're very pretty in it."

"Thanks Daddy!"

"Good afternoon Kohana-sama, Konoka-sama," said politely Motoko.

"Motoko-san! You're here too!"

"So Eishun there's the little girl you've told me about?" asked Kohana who had joined her family.

"There's someone else?"

"Hai, Konoka-chan. Setsuna-kun, please come forward."

On the request on the king, Setsuna came from behind her sensei with a small blush on her cheeks. She looked hesitantly in front of her and bowed deeply at the sight of the royal family.

"My…name is Sakurazaki Setsuna. It's a pleasure to meet you Kohana-sama and Konoka ojousama."

"Konoka-chan, Setsuna-kun will stay in the palace with Motoko-san. She's Motoko's student and is also your personal guardian."

"Does that mean that she's my friend?"

"Hai if both of you agree of course..why don't you go outside with Setsuna-kun?"

"Hai."

Konoka quickly rushed to the hanyou and grabbed her hand. The princess ran happily with her new friend. Both king and queen were smiling at the scene played. The latter followed by Motoko went upstairs in the council room where several representatives of the different districts of the country were present. The meeting was about to start while in the back garden, a friendship was occurring.

The two children were now under the biggest tree of the garden which was also near a river which flowed in such a way to cut the vast green areas in two. Konoka and Setsuna were getting accustomed to each other.

"So as you know, I'm Konoka Konoe and I'm very happy to meet you Set-chan"

"S..Set-chan?"

"Hai. It's normal between friends to have nicknames."

Friend..friend..it's the first time that someone of my age wants to be friend with me..

"You don't want to be friend with me Set-chan?" Konoka was now afraid due to the lack of response of her protector. Tears were forming in the chocolate eyes which did not go unnoticed from the young Shinmeiryuu student.

"Of course I will be happy to be ojousama's friend" declared rapidly Setsuna.

The bright smile reappeared on the princess face.

"Set-chan you too must call me by a nickname…Kono-chan"

"But ojousama, it's inappropriate. One such as myself must not call you in such informal manner."

"Why Set-chan?"

"You're a princess and I'm just a protector. It's my duty to treat you in a respectable and proper way."

"But it'll make me very happy if you call me Kono-chan…Please Set-chan..for me…" said Konoka who was doing the puppy face.

"But..But.. ojousama.."

"Please Set-chan"

Unable to deny her friend, Setsuna finally agreed and her charge hugged her tightly kissing the blushing hanyou who was new to such kind of affectionate actions from people aside her parents. The two children played together during the remaining hours before the meeting ended.

"Setsuna-kun, it's time for us to go to our rooms," said Motoko.

"Hai, Motoko sensei, replied Setsuna. Goodbye Kono-chan. I've spent a nice day with you."

The princess hugged her friend and did her goodbye as well and also mentioned that tomorrow they would play again.

That night, the king and queen were in their heir's bedroom doing the ritual bedtime story and the goodnight kiss. Konoka yawned, exhausted from her exciting day. Before closing her eyes and entering her dream world the sweet and innocent little girl said softly to her parents words of affection but in addition, the name her friend escaped her mouth and a smile was displayed on the peaceful face as she felt asleep. Both parents were somewhat surprised at the mention of the childlike nickname of the young hanyou but eventually smiled at each other. They both made their way towards their room which was a floor above that of the princess.

Next to the castle, was the barracks which was connected to the palace by hidden galleries known by only the generals and the ruler. The barracks was divided into different parts. On the first floor in the last room was Motoko and her student on a two storey bed. Setsuna was on the upper bed, thinking for the tenth time about her day while below her, Motoko was already asleep. The small warrior could not believe that she now had a friend of her own group age and not any child, it was the princess of Akira. She felt herself turning red at the only thought of the beaming girl. She closed her eyes, trying to fall asleep as tomorrow, she had training with Motoko and needed all her energy to do so.


The next day, our little princess was awake earlier than usual. That did not go unnoticed by her parents. The queen was in the kitchen preparing breakfast despite the large number of maids and cooks available at the palace. Kohana had insisted that she would be the one in charge of preparing breakfast and lunch for her family. Konoka was in the kitchen helping her mother asking if her Set-chan and Motoko could take breakfast with them. The queen smiled at her daughter and agreed. Konoka kissed her mother on both cheeks and left the palace to search for her friend.

Near the river, Setsuna was imiting her sensei. She was washing her face which was covered with sweat due to the hours of training. She was feeling very hungry and her tummy growled loudly causing the other shinmeiryuu practicer to laugh. Setsuna felt very embarrassed and tried to hide her face which was now red from Motoko. Suddenly she heard someone calling her name. She turned towards the voice and saw her charge running towards her. Setsuna blushed madly when Konoka jumped on her. Behind them Motoko was enjoying the scene, thinking it was the way Konoka expressed her joy. When they finally got up, Konoka told her Set-chan that the latter and Motoko were invited to join them to take breakfast. Setsuna's eyes became big as saucers, saying she was unworthy to be on the same table of nobilities. The two children was kind of arguing and Motoko spoke up.

"Setsuna-kun, do you think that Eishun-sama and Kohana-sama will be disappointed that you do not accept their invitation…specially Konoka-sama."

"But Motoko sensei…"

"Please Set-chan…I've made breakfast too for you…"

"Set-chan.."

Setsuna turned her head towards Konoka who was sitting just beside of her. But what she did not expect was that her charge to put a piece of cake in her mouth. The latter giggled on succeeding the exact action of her mother except with her guardian instead of Eishun. Motoko was feeling a bit excluded. I'm surrounded by happy couples…what am I saying..Setsuna-kun and Konoka-sama are not an item..may be in the future…thought amusingly Motoko.

The breakfast soon ended. Motoko left with the king and queen to attend another meeting. Setsuna turned towards her ojousama, asking what the latter wanted to do today.

"You haven't visited the castle, have you?"

Setsuna shook her head in response.

"Okay! Let's go!" exclaimed Konoka dragging her friend. They went in several rooms, Konoka telling some of her moments spending there, specially in the kitchen. On the other hand, Setsuna was trying to remember all the rooms and different corridors. Finally, they arrived at the princess' bedroom. Setsuna examined the vicinity. She was mesmerised to notice that Konoka's room was like six times larger than her own in the barracks. In the middle was a queen sized bed, mostly pink and white. At the corner was a table and just besides, an army of teddy bears of different colours. Konoka noticed that Setsuna's attention was caught by her collection of toys and she giggled softly and asked if her guardian wanted to play with them.

"Kono-chan...what if I dirtied your teddy bears?"

"Set-chan what are you saying? Your hands are clean. There's no need to be so anxious. Now let's play!"

In the end, Setsuna began to relax and enjoyed her play time with Konoka. They laughed and often Konoka told her about how she was very happy to have Setsuna with her. Setsuna blushed and said that she too was thankful to have met her ojousama.

After a while, Konoka felt sleepy. Setsuna said that she would leave then so as not to disturb Konoka's nap. Before she could leave, Konoka pulled her in her bed, snuggling in the warm body of Setsuna, saying that the kendo student must protect her during her sleep and was better if she was closer. The hanyou was red. Her heart was beating so fast that she tought that it would came out of her ribcage. Konoka smiled, head on her friend's chest, listening to the heart beat which was gradually leading her to her sleep. Not wanting to wake Konoka, Setsuna finally accepted her fate of being trapped under the smaller girl body. She wrapped her arms protectively around Konoka.

"Have nice dreams, Kono-chan"