A/N: I had a bit of trouble with the first part of this chapter. I kept writing and rewriting it to make sure everything that needed to be said got said and that Konoka and Setsuna stayed in character in the process. I'm pretty pleased with the result overall, but let me know if you think I went wrong.

Anyway, here's the next chapter—I hope you enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Negima


Illumine

..Chapter 3….


Their return to the dorms was accomplished in relative silence, and now Konoka watched the rain continue to fall outside of her dorm window. The deluge had lightened to a shower, and the precipitation landed in a rhythmic pitter-patter that was soothing to ears. It was even better because she was safe inside. And Setsuna is here with me…though…

Now that they were alone together, safe and sheltered in a familiar place, she could properly reflect, and as much as it hurt, relive what happened earlier. Her own inability to act…Setsuna giving herself up…She thought it would be easier to sort out her feelings once they got back to her dorm and it was just them in a familiar place, but now she didn't know where to begin. She had thought they had left these issues that suddenly plagued them behind. I just thought both of us were past our problems. I thought I was ready. I thought you valued your own life Set-chan. She watched the rain fall without really seeing, trying to collect her thoughts. She was surprised though when Setsuna was the one to speak first.

"Konoka…I…I know you're angry."

"Yes…yes I am," Konoka said turning away from the window.

Setsuna stood stiffly near the kitchen. She looked uncomfortable and completely unsure of herself, but she met Konoka's stare. "And I know why."

"If you didn't..." Konoka said. She couldn't keep the bite out of her words, but she couldn't finish her sentence either.

"I had to. Konoka, I had to!" Setsuna said pleadingly.

That set Konoka's heart pounding. Her blood pulsed in her body. Her muscles clenched all on their own accord. She was suddenly in Setsuna's face, and she couldn't remember moving there.

"You had to!?" She was yelling, and she only registered it because her vocal cords pulled painfully in her throat. No, no! That's not the way to solve things. She clenched her teeth together and found Setsuna staring back at her—complacent, submissive. And that made her all the angrier. She grappled with her emotions, trying to force them down. It was hard, especially when it seemed as if Setsuna was accepting of any punishment. Konoka was momentarily unsure of why this thought bothered her so much, but as they stared at each other in strained silence the answer came to her. It wasn't that Setsuna had accepted the profaning and abuse, it was the idea that she would internally belief herself to be all those things the crow demons had proclaimed. Her next words came out strained in a hoarse whisper. "You had to Setsuna?"

"Because of what I am ojou-sama."

Konoka sucked in a breath. She did not just call me that! She forced herself to ignore it, forced herself to move on. But now it wasn't just anger filling her being, it was hurt. And she cast out a line, hoping Setsuna would take it. "And what are you then?"

Setsuna looked confused, her dark eyes searching. Konoka saw hurt there too. "Ojou-sama…you know what I am, do you really want me to tell you?"

"I asked, didn't I?" Konoka said.

"A white winged half-human, half-crow demon. One who brings calamity," Setsuna whispered.

"And what else?" Please Setsuna…

Setsuna hesitated. "A Shinmeiryuu swordswoman."

"What else Setsuna? What else are you?" Konoka pushed. Tears prick at her eyes, but she blinked them away.

"A warrior…your bodyguard…your ministra…"

Konoka's throat constricted. She struggled to speak and somehow she managed. "So it comes last then? If it was anyone but you, I would say you were purposefully trying to hurt me."

"Trying to hurt you!" Setsuna said panicky. She grabbed Konoka's shoulders, her eyes wide. "Ojou-sama…Kono-chan…I would never!"

"You're my ministra Setsuna," Konoka said, her voice cracking. She put as much emotion as her bleeding feelings could handle into her words. "We're partners. You're supposed to protect me from all the manner of harm. And not just my body…" She took Setsuna's hands still clenched on her shoulders and gently placed them over her heart. "But right here too."

Setsuna seemed to be struck speechless, so Konoka plowed on, pressing the half-demon's hands harder against her heart. "You're my ministra, my partner, with all that entails. What else are you Setsuna? …You're my girlfriend. The one I love. You're...you're mine. And you can't just give yourself up like that no matter what the circumstances are!"

Setsuna swallowed visibly, a haunted look about her. "Ko-Konoka…" She dropped her hands, and Konoka watched the shame grow on her ministra's features. Setsuna met her stare briefly, stunning Konoka with the raw emotion there, and her words were equally laden with sincerity. "I'm sorry…" She drew in a shaky breath. "I'm so sorry." Then she halfway turned, pulling away in transparent weakness and disgrace.

Konoka refused to let her. She moved, lunging into Setsuna and let her momentum carry them into the wall. The dull thud resonated in the dorm, and Setsuna grunted at the impact. Konoka, though, was more concerned with other things.

She poured all the hurt, frustration, anger, and love into the kiss. This wasn't an innocent peck, a sweet greeting, or one of those blithe, slow kisses that simmered but never erupted. This wasn't even an exciting lustful need or raw, hungry passion fueled by something they still couldn't fully understand. It was painful. Konoka pressed their bodies together, keeping Setsuna against the wall. One hand clutched the curve between her girlfriend's neck and shoulder, her nails digging into skin; the other gripped the tight muscle of her upper arm. But Konoka's mind was far from wondering about particular hand placement as long as she had Setsuna in such a way that she wouldn't ever slip out of her hold. Her reality was centered on the kiss—on mouths opened, teeth grazing, jarring, and tongues meeting, thrusting, dominating. And she pressed and pressed, pushing hard, bruising even. It hurt, but Konoka wanted Setsuna to be sure that it hurt.

She finally pulled back and struggled to catch her breath, staring at her ministra all the while. Setsuna's lips were already swollen, her cheeks flushed. But her eyes no longer had the look of someone who had been broken. And Konoka just wanted to kiss her, and kiss her, touch her skin, and feel…

She kissed Setsuna again, this time softer and soothingly. Only for a moment... It was one thing to think that, but another to actually do, especially when Setsuna took control. The half-demon pushed off the wall, and even though they stumbled a few steps, Konoka was held firmly in those arms and with the kiss. She couldn't begin to even think about forcing herself away, not with those hands everywhere, and not with those lips pressed urgently against her own.

But Setsuna drew back, and Konoka forced herself to breathe normally as her ministra sat down on the couch. Konoka followed and they sat, knees almost touching, but enough to space to signify that words still needed to be spoken.

And they did. Konoka still had too much she needed to say. She spoke before Setsuna could so much as open her mouth. "Set-chan, did you actually think giving yourself up was the right thing to do?"

"For the clan…yes," the swordswoman said slowly. Konoka remained silent, letting Setsuna know she needed to continue. "White wings are a curse. It's simple as that. I've always known it. In some ways, I was very, very lucky as a child. That I'm still alive to this day is due to your father and the Shinmeiryuu—I owe them both a great debt. But for them, for Negi and the class…I know it was not the right thing to do. For me too, it was wrong. And even if it would have kept them from coming near you…for you, Konoka most of all, and for...for us... I know that was the worst decision I could make."

"Who is most important to you then?" Konoka asked softly. "Certainly not them…"

"You, of course! You!" Setsuna exclaimed, "And us, and Negi, Asuna, and all the others."

"Then why choose to go with them? Why volunteer yourself to…" Konoka choked on her words. "…to die!? For them! For some idiot superstition!"

Setsuna was off the couch and kneeling in front of her in a blink of an eye. The half-demon stared at Konoka intensely, holding her hands in her own. "Because though you may have given my wings another meaning…given my whole life a purpose…it's like I told everyone earlier—I couldn't help but think that the whole clan is suffering because of me."

"Sacrifices are never the answer," Konoka said sternly. "Giving yourself up was the last thing you should have ever done."

Setsuna looked away and didn't respond.

"Setsuna!" Konoka demanded.

"…I planned on escaping…if things in the clan weren't nearly as bad as they made it out to be."

"Would it have been so easy?" Konoka asked.

Her ministra looked up sharply, and Konoka was suddenly reminded of naked steel and flashing blade. Of a girl who refused to be beaten. Of a girl who had the power to handle almost anything. Almost. Konoka had to remind herself.

"Kono-chan…you know what I am capable of."

Setsuna spoke low and with a dangerous edge, her eyes nearly black. It sent chills up Konoka's spine. Almost anything. Konoka repeated the mantra. Almost anything.

"Against a whole clan of high-level demons? There's no point of taking that risk!" Konoka said. She took a breath. I couldn't be strong before—but I can be now. Ask it. "Setsuna...after everything we've been through…after everything we've accomplished…do you honestly believe that your wings are a curse? That you are the cause for whatever is happening to the crow demons?"

Setsuna withdrew, sitting back on her haunches. The fierceness was gone from her gaze, and her face was strangely distant. Silence stretched between them and Konoka almost could feel her slipping away. Her heart plummeted as if it had been dropped down a cliff.

"No."

Konoka didn't register it at first, but then Setsuna was looking at her softly and with the barest hint of a contented smile. That singular word echoed in her head, and then she felt the corners of her own mouth stretch upwards as a response to the sincerity equally present in that simple answer and pouring forth through their pactio.

"No," Setsuna repeated, leaning forward. "I don't. Not after Negi and Asuna and the rest of the class. Not after…us. I don't think one such as me could have been so lucky as to be by your side if it was true."

Konoka reached out, cupping one of Setsuna's cheeks with her hand, smiling wide. "I'm so glad you feel that way..."

Setsuna eyes lit up for a moment, but her countenance quickly mellowed and Konoka let her hand drop. "Nothing mattered but the meaning of my wings when they appeared so suddenly. The source of all the negative that shaped my life just came back to me—it's not something I can push aside…"

"You will," Konoka said. She was certain to leave no room for questions on the matter in her voice. "I won't let you do otherwise."

Setsuna blushed, but cleared her throat and moved on. "Konoka, even if I truly believe otherwise, that doesn't change the possibility that everything they said might be true."

"It isn't!" Konoka said passionately. "There are a lot of things that went wrong today, but I know I'm not wrong on this. Even though I failed so horribly today...trust me on this. You could never be a curse to anyone, especially if you don't believe it yourself."

"What do you mean you 'failed so horribly'?" Setsuna said with her brow furrowed in obvious puzzlement.

Konoka almost laughed bitterly. We're both so concerned with each other we forget about ourselves. I say it in passing, not even thinking, and she immediately focuses on me, never mind herself. Set-chan has always been like that though. She closed her eyes and sighed, leaning back. She felt Setsuna move and knew the other girl had returned to the couch. She distracted herself with sensing the presence of her ministra and focused on the leg just brushing against hers.

"Konoka?"

Her eyes flew open to see concern displayed openly across Setsuna's features, and in response she choked out, "I couldn't do anything!"

"What? Konoka?" Setsuna said, gently placing a hand on her shoulder.

"I couldn't do anything," Konoka repeated with a bit more calm—this was not the time for hysterics, not after their conversation—but she could still hear the waver in her voice. "I held all my magic, but I froze. I didn't know what to do. I couldn't think of any spells, any use for all that power I hold."

"You should never have to use offensive magic like that. I will never put you in a position where you need to," Setsuna said, tightening the hand on Konoka's shoulder for emphasis.

"You can't control every situation. And we're partners! I want—I'm supposed—to protect you too."

Her words seemed to have stunned Setsuna. The half-demon's hand went lax, sliding down Konoka's arm as she stammered. "Ko-Kono—y-you should never—I mean…"

"Set-chan, I'm not just training to become a great mage. I'm training for you. And all that time in Eva-chan's resort seemed to add up to nothing when a true test came. I was put in a spot where only I could do something and for all my power, all my training—nothing…"

Setsuna hesitated, and then spoke. "No matter how much you train, real life situations get up here," she pointed at her temple, "and mess up everything you might try to do. Even under Eva-san's training, there's no preparing for all the variables. I don't always have the answers of what to do either, and I've been brought up by the sword. I think too that there is a bit of difference between swinging a sword and needing to hone your magic to a specific use."

Konoka was not sure what she felt after listening to Setsuna. A sick feeling of failure lingered in her stomach, but she couldn't deny the rationality of her ministra's words. Except…Excuses, just excuses—there can't be excuses when Setsuna needs you! She turned a determined gaze onto her ministra. "I wouldn't call what you do as merely 'swinging a sword.' But if there is ever a time you cannot swing it...I will protect you. Next time, I won't make a mistake."

She wasn't aware of how fierce her words were until Setsuna clasped her hands, met her eyes, and answered softly, "I believe you."

"What I have—I can't let it go to waste. And you too Setsuna. Don't give up everything for them." She rested her forehead against Setsuna's, closing her eyes and taking in the closeness of the half-demon. "Promise me you won't," she murmured, "I don't care what anyone believes. Just promise me you won't let these awful ideas control your life."

"I…I promise Konoka. I promise," Setsuna said softly.

Konoka smiled, lighthearted for the first time in…hours, though it feels like days. She cupped the back of Setsuna's neck with one hand and angled her head to quickly close the distance between their lips. The kiss remained innocent for all of a couple of heartbeats, and then it was heat and desire and want.

Setsuna wrapped both arms around her, holding her firmly as her tongue claimed Konoka's mouth. Konoka tangled her fingers into the half-demon's hair, tightening her hold as they pressed even closer together, resisting a moan. She pulled back, for only a second in order to take a proper breath, catching the dark eyes that stared back at her. She smiled, and then moved in again, immediately finding the rushing pulse point of Setsuna's neck. She sucked at the skin, shivering as the half-demon's hands wandered under her shirt, gliding across her back. One of those hands remained there, a hot print of life against her flushed skin. The other traced its way around front, and she gasped into Setsuna's neck as it brushed across her breasts. Warmth pooled from her center, and it was no longer just want, but need that guided her.

Konoka teased the skin under the hemlines of Setsuna's shirt and jeans. She bit at her girlfriend's neck, reveling as Setsuna shuddered. When her ministra pressed her palm firmly against one of her breasts, Konoka couldn't help the sharp intake of air. She enjoyed the sensation even more when that hand snuck under her bra to cup naked flesh. She retaliated by undoing the button and zipper of Setsuna's jeans and adjusted her head to catch the earlobe just above the pulse point. She smiled at the hitch in her girlfriend's breath, and pressed her hand hard between Setsuna's legs.

Setsuna stiffened and then issued the lightest of moans, the sound sending a shiver down Konoka's spine. Pleased, she traced the contours of the swordswoman's ear with her tongue, feeling the warmth underneath her fingers. But then she heard a primal growl, something that was so instinctually sexual that she felt her insides tightened and grow all the hotter. It didn't help when Setsuna suddenly dragged her across her lap so that Konoka was straddling her on the couch, knees placed at either side of the half-demon's hips. Setsuna pulled her even closer, pressing their bodies tight against each other.

They kissed fiercely and separated only when Setsuna began to lift up Konoka's shirt. Konoka reached down to help, taking her ministra's hands in her own to guide the material upwards.

Then the door to the room banged open.

"Asuna! Where are you keeping Negi-sensei?!"

Konoka gasped audibly, yanking her shirt back down and scrambled off Setsuna's lap. Ayaka stood imperiously in the door way, silky blonde hair framing her supple form. In her peripheral vision, Konoka caught Setsuna's red face as she sunk her body into the couch—no doubt trying to make herself disappear.

Konoka could feel the heat in her own cheeks, and she self-consciously smoothed the rumples of her shirt against her sides and stomach as she half-stood, half-sat on the couch.

Ayaka's eyes darted from Konoka to Setsuna and back again. Two spots of color blossomed on her face, and she cleared her throat uncomfortably. "S-Sorry. Have either of you seen Negi-sensei?"

"No," Konoka answered quickly, "we haven't."

"Ah—okay then. I'm terribly sorry I interrupted. Carry on." To Ayaka's credit, she had already recomposed herself. She nodded at them both and began to close the door, only to pause. "Not that it's any of my business, but didn't you have dinner reservations? It's nearly seven." She looked straight at Setsuna who only blushed deeper.

"Oh, I told Set-chan I just wanted to cook something together in the room," Konoka answered brightly.

Ayaka's eyes darted toward the kitchen and back. "Right. Well, I'll see you two later."

Then she was gone, the door shut firmly behind her, leaving them alone once again. Setsuna was still trying to disappear into the couch, and Konoka sagged back down against her. "We didn't lock the door," she sighed. "It's the first rule of living in Mahora dorms—and we didn't lock the door. Though I guess we both had other things on our minds at the time."

Setsuna responded with a vague, traumatized sounding noise.

Konoka grinned, suddenly feeling quite devilish. "I noticed you were wearing a bra instead of your wrappings today."

If possible, Setsuna's face colored even more, and she mumbled something under her breath.

"Sorry, Set-chan, what was that?" Konoka said, doing little to hide her smile.

"I know you like the bra better," Setsuna muttered just loud enough, her ears pink.

Konoka nodded and kissed her ministra's cheek. "Thank you for being considerate. Perhaps it's good that Ayaka-san came in just now…otherwise, I'm not sure I would have wanted to go to my birthday party."

She didn't have to look at Setsuna to know that the half-demon was still blushing, and she grinned at the thought. But her own words echoed in her head and she couldn't help the similar blush that claimed her cheeks. Flustered at herself, Konoka climbed to her feet to buy a moment of time and decided she might as well whip something up in the kitchen. Just as she got ready to move, Setsuna gently snagged her wrist, holding her in place. When Konoka turned around, she found dark eyes staring at her and not a trace of blush on the pale cheeks. Konoka flushed all the more strongly under the intense gaze, flashes of intimacy racing across her memory. When she looks at me like that…like I'm the only person in the world… She barely resisted a shudder of anticipation.

"I'm sorry your birthday's been ruined. I completely take the blame," Setsuna said.

Konoka smiled softly. "It's not ruined. Not yet. There's the party, and…" She was surprised to feel a sudden tinge of modest embarrassment. In recent months, her ministra made her feel self-conscious in an entirely good way, though she should have begun getting used to it by now."…and tonight…"

Setsuna's mature intensity wilted and was replaced with a shy schoolgirl as she blushed at the words. "Y-Yes K-Kono...Konoka."

Konoka giggled, and with a toss of her hair, flounced toward the kitchen, calling out behind her, "What do you want for dinner Set-chan?"

"I can't let you cook on your birthday!" Setsuna protested, following her.

"Yes, you can. I want to cook, so I will. Now what would you like?"

"Whatever you desire then Konoka."

"Oh? There are many things I desire…"

"Ah, um…t-teriyaki?"

"I think I can start with that."

Konoka smiled as she dug out ingredients from the pantry and refrigerator, knowing Setsuna was blushing behind her. We may not be alright yet, but it's better. It's definitely better. Setsuna has come leaps and bounds since middle school, and I think she took another big step today. She won't let anyone control her with that supposed curse—not anymore. And me? Today was a test for both us. I took a step today too. I've also come a long way since Tsukuyomi, but there is still more I can do and I know that now. I won't let anyone say or do anything to hurt her. I am a mage. I am the Konoe heir. Setsuna, I will protect you like you've always done for me.


Konoka could hear the noise as they approached Negi's apartment. "Didn't you tell them we were on the way?"

"Yeah," Setsuna said with exasperation. "So much for the surprise part of the party, though I suppose that was ruined a while ago."

Konoka giggled and happily hugged Setsuna's arm.

As they reached the door there was a loud shriek, followed by an even greater cacophony of noise. Setsuna paused; hand on the door, as what sounded like madness issued forth from within.

"Fuka! Fumika! Get off of me!"

"Don't touch me there like that you freak!"

"Who ate all the meatbuns?!"

"Geez Mana! Put away the gun!"

"I can see you Ku! Stay away from the cake!"

"Chizuru-san, your boobs are suffocating me!"

"Will everyone please just SHUT THE HELL UP!?"

The last voice was Asuna's, and Konoka was sure everyone in the building probably heard her.

"They probably heard you."

Konoka grinned at Yue's detached response both because it echoed her thoughts and because it was so Yue.

"This one is pretty sure they are outside the door right now de gozaru."

Setsuna turned to Konoka and shrugged helplessly before opening the door. The room was dark, no doubt accounting for half of the drama that just unfolded, but enough light poured in from the hallway to illuminate the individuals inside who were caught in all sorts of compromising positions and frozen by Kaede's statement. Setsuna flipped the light switch next to door, and everyone stared back at them for a moment blinking owlishly.

"Surprise," Nodoka said weakly, squished between Haruna and Yue, which seemed to trigger everyone else into action.

"Surprise!"

"Happy Birthday Konoka-san!"

"Happy Birthday!"

Konoka bounced past Setsuna, who was still holding the door, and into the room. She smiled beautifully, beholding all of her friends. "Thank you everyone! This is truly—wow! Thank you!"

And actually, the surprise issue non-withstanding, it was amazing. They had pulled out all the stops in decorating—lights, streamers, confetti—done in a black and white that made it fun, yet elegant. Satsuki had outdone herself in supplying food. Not only was there a magnificent cake, but Chao Bao Zi had readily supplied snacks and drinks. Predictably, someone, or many someones as was more than likely the case, had snuck in alcohol, and bottles of rum, vodka, and tequila claimed a section of Negi's kitchen table. Konoka smirked upon noticing a good portion of it was already gone. But really, the true reason the party was amazing was the presence of all of her friends…intoxicated or not.

Konoka floated through her party, completely happy as she moved from one group or individual to the next. Not that there was much room to move. Negi's apartment might be bigger than their dorms, but it wasn't by all that much. Add onto that a drunken Yuna, who envisioned the space as a battlefield, Misa, Madoka, and Sakurako, who kept trying to perform a 'birthday cheer' only to dissolve into giggles at every attempt, and Sayo, who in visible ghost form kept startling people by passing right through them. In any case, it was typical chaotic fun.

A couple of hours had passed when Konoka found herself sequestered in a corner talking with Nodoka, Yue, and Haruna. The three other members of the Library Exploration Club had noticeably matured since middle school. Nodoka had grown a few inches taller and allowed her hair to grow longer so that it now brushed her shoulders. More importantly, she had developed a strong, nearly unbreakable resolve when it came to the things she cared about, never letting her innate timidity get in the way. Yue had managed to grow all of an inch, and, as if she and Nodoka had to stay on some sort of equal scale, she had cut her hair a little bit shorter, so that it fell between her shoulder blades. Konoka envied Yue's levelheadedness. She always seemed to know what action to take, and though it in part had to do with her artifact, Yue was always able to call up the right spells at the right time. Finally, Haruna was still had the same blunt yet cheery persona from their time in middle school, but she was dependable and always ready to be in the limelight. She looked virtually the same, but Konoka knew her skill with her artifact and in art in general had grown tenfold since the time of the Magic World.

The majority of the rest of their classmates and friends had descended into anarchy. Negi and Kotarou had both been stripped down to their boxers, and the cheerleaders, twins, Ku Fei, and, of all people, Misora kept attempting to lose their hands at strip poker so they could join the two boys in relative states of undress. Natsumi was too transfixed on the half-naked Kotarou to really notice that she seemed to be winning every hand. Mana, Kazumi (with a cheering Sayo), Chizuru, and Kaede were involved in some sort of drinking game, and Chizuru was clearly emerging as the victor. Someone had turned on Negi's radio away from his normal classical tastes to the latest hits, and Makie was performing a rather splendid rhythmic gymnastic routine that carried her all over the apartment while a quieter group of girls—Akira, Ako, Satsuki, and Zazie—watched and applauded. Chisame pounded at the keyboard of her laptop, but actually stayed rather social with her vigorous remarks to Satomi and Chachamaru who gathered around her. Asuna and Ayaka were notably sitting together looking awfully cozy (and drunk) much to the thrill or exasperation of those coherent enough to notice.

Regardless, the party was still going strong, and Konoka knew her friends probably had a few hours left in them. However, her thoughts were a little left of center in this matter. At this rate, I might just have to sneak away…

Setsuna was walking toward her, holding a paper plate with a slice of cake, but Konoka's attention was far from that piece of cake. Setsuna had put on her skinny jeans that she had left in Konoka's dorm earlier in the week, which were quite a nice choice because they lined her trim legs perfectly. On top of that, her ministra had chosen a couple of items of clothing from Konoka's closet, and it always made her heart skip a beat to see her girlfriend wearing clothes that Konoka normally called hers. This time the half-demon had dug out a white t-shirt that was anything but plain when it hugged her frame and rode up to show a flash of flat stomach like it did so easily. Additionally, Setsuna had a colorful, cotton scarf wrapped loosely around her neck that brightened the outfit. But Konoka knew the real reason her ministra was wearing the scarf, and it recalled memories of smooth skin, breathy moans, and blistering kisses…

"Hey Konoka! Don't be so obvious!" Haruna exclaimed, interrupting her thoughts.

Konoka blinked. "What?"

"Checking out Setsuna!" Haruna said excitably, glasses glinting and jostling the drink in her hand so that a bit of it spilled out on the floor. Nodoka nodded her head shyly, while Yue watched impassively, sipping at one of her trademark strange juices.

Konoka's head snapped toward Setsuna who just arrived to join their little group, and then switched back to Haruna with smile. "Can't help it."

Haruna leered at Setsuna, leaning all over both Nodoka and Yue. "Oh? Well I guess I can understand."

Setsuna looked startled, but recovered, thrusting the slice of cake toward Konoka. "Here you go Kono-chan. I know you haven't had a piece yet." She moved her head to Konoka's ear as she handed off the cake and whispered, "What is Haruna-san doing?"

"Nothing. Absolutely nothing," Konoka said pointedly toward Haruna. She brightened, giving Setsuna a sincere smile. "Thanks for the cake."

"No problem." Setsuna said giving her hand a squeeze.

"Yo Setsuna!" Haruna slurred. "You got big plans tonight?" She attempted a salute with the arm around Nodoka's neck, which resulted in more of a half-wave and a strangled Nodoka. The petite girl struggled but was unable to escape Haruna's deceptively steely grip.

Setsuna caught Konoka's sly look and a shy smile played across her lips. If not for the slight blush she couldn't keep off her cheeks, the half-demon would have managed to pull off the indifference she feigned. "Maybe," Setsuna said. Luckily for her, Haruna was too inebriated to notice the blush.

"Hmmm," said Yue from behind her juice carton.

Nodoka gasped for air as she was finally able to duck under Haruna's arm. In an effort to be friendly, she spoke up, "Regardless, I hope you are both having fun."

Haruna, who stumbled a bit as Yue shrugged her off, regained enough composure to ask another question, this time directed at Konoka. "So did 'Set-chan' here give you any presents yet?"

Konoka smiled, ready to answer, only to feel Setsuna stiffen beside her. "Set-chan?" she said worriedly, turning to her ministra.

Setsuna, with wide, worried eyes, hands held up defensively, and sudden stutter, displayed all the signs of social panic. "Clo-Clothes—Eva-chan's—Damnit! I'll be back in a bit!"

She was almost off and running, but Konoka had long since learned to judge the body language of her ministra. She managed to snare Setsuna's wrist before the half-demon escaped.

"Set-chan! Wait! What's going on? Where are you going?" Konoka said. She quickly handed off her piece of cake to an unsuspecting Nodoka. The girl juggled the filmsy paper plate for a moment but was able to recover.

Setsuna sighed, looking upset. "I left your birthday present in the pocket of my uniform back at Eva-san's. I was going to give it to you earlier, but then—you know…and I forgot all about it. I'm just—I'm going to run back and get it."

Konoka smiled, "It's okay, really. You can get it tomorrow. I don't mind waiting."

"No, Konoka, I want to give it to you tonight. It's your birthday present. And well, I've been looking forward to giving it to you for awhile," Setsuna said sincerely. A level of resolve layered her next words, and she smiled confidently. "I'll go get it. It'll only take me a few minutes. I'll be fast."

Konoka's heart skipped a beat at the display of smooth competence, knowing Setsuna more than likely didn't even realize the mature poise she exuded. "Okay," she said softly, "don't be long."

"I won't," Setsuna responded. "You won't even realize I'm gone." She stepped forward, an arm going about Konoka's waist and briefly kissed her. Konoka's eyes fluttered close and her hands gripped Setsuna's white shirt. She felt the half-demon smile into the kiss and Konoka couldn't keep the grin from blossoming on her face in return. They separated, but only by the smallest of amounts. Konoka could careless that they were displaying their intimacy for their whole class to see as her and Setsuna shared space.

"Bye," Setsuna said softly, finally pulling away. And then she was gone, grabbing Yuunagi and out of Negi's apartment in a blink of an eye.

Konoka only realized she had a blissful grin on her face when she turned to see Yue's friendly eyebrow raise, Nodoka's bashful cheer, and Haruna's predatory leer.

"Oh stop," Konoka said. She snatched her slice of cake back from Nodoka and took a bite to cover the light blush on her cheeks.

The party continued on, though a few individuals began to trickle out, back to their own rooms. Others lingered—dancing, playing, laughing. Konoka noticed that at some point Negi had found his shirt and pants and was properly dressed once again. Kotarou had only got as far as his pants, but if Konoka knew anything about Kotarou, she knew he could care less. Besides, his attention seemed to be fixated on Natsumi.

Konoka was subtly watching Asuna and Ayaka cuddle on the couch, wondering how much her roommate had drunk, when it happened.

She gasped, shakily inhaling. It was a magical pull, but Konoka felt it instinctively too. Setsuna had called out their pactio—had needed to draw Takemikazuchi.

Why would she need…?

Setsuna was in trouble.

"Negi!" Konoka yelled frantically.

Negi was instantly all business, sensing the panic, knowing something was wrong. The mirth of the party was completely behind him as he quickly came to her side. "What is it?"

"It's Setsuna—she used our pactio! Something's happened! She's in trouble!" Konoka said, trying...no, forcing herself to remain relatively calm. Relatively was the key, she was ready to run out of the door and chase down her ministra.

Negi's eyes widened and then narrowed in focus. He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Okay, it's okay. We got this."

"You don't think…" Konoka was suddenly struck by a horrible thought. "Not the crow demons? There's no way they would have come back right?"

"…I don't know Konoka. It's probably the most likely scenario."

Konoka felt an icy hand grip her heart, and, for just a moment, she froze. And then everything that happened earlier in the day ran through her mind. How could I be so naïve to think they would leave just like that? ...Because it was us! It's not that stupid to think the crow demons would be scared off for good. I'll just have to show them…I can do it now. I promised earlier…this is it! Go. Just go. Setsuna might need you.

"I'm going Negi!" Konoka said, brushing past him and running for the door. There was no time to explain, no time to worry about anyone else or her party.

"Right! I'll just…" Negi called after her, his words lost to her as she sprang outside his apartment.

She skidded into the hallway and was surprised when she heard Asuna immediately behind her. "Quit lollygagging Negi!" Then her roommate pulled up level to her, no presence of inebriation, and flashed a confident smirk. "Setsuna will be fine, Konoka. You looked like you solved most of your problems earlier, and when she wants to fight—"

"—there's not many that can stand up to her de gozaru."

"Kaede-san!" Konoka said in surprise, and then…

"Let go of me you damn ninja," Mana said, she shrugged her arm out of Kaede's grip as they ran. "I thought I was done bailing out the half-demon's skinny ass for the day. I'm coming, but I'm tripling her normal charge."

"Hey Mana-neechan, that's a little unfair," Kotarou said, still half-naked and running past all of them to leap down the stairs. "Yo Negi, move it! You're slow!"

"Give me a break, Kotarou! I had to explain things and convince everyone that not everybody needed to come!" Konoka heard Negi call from far behind as she reached the steps.

As she raced down the stairs, taking them two at a time, she took the briefest of seconds to realize that not only were Asuna, Kaede, Mana, and Kotarou there, but behind them all, emerging out of Negi's apartment and giving chase, was the teenaged teacher, Ku Fei, Nodoka, Yue, Haruna, and Chachamaru.

Konoka's heart lit up briefly at their companionship, but equal parts worry and determination consumed her. She was grateful for their steady presence beside her though—it helped her to remain calm when she realized she couldn't feel the pull of the pactio anymore.


Setsuna was nowhere to be found on the path to Evangeline's cabin. The vampire herself was missing as well as Chachazero. Chachamaru assured everyone that Evangeline was with Konoka's grandfather—she had told the robot earlier that she was going to "play Go with the old man for the night." And Chachazero was no doubt terrorizing the Mahora grounds under the pretense of guarding the campus.

Konoka was growing more and more worried. It settled into the pit of her stomach, increasingly uncomfortable and ever closer to despair. She was beginning to suspect the truth, and the truth only made her feel worse. Cold settled into her body. She had no time for it before with adrenaline pumping through her veins, but now it nipped at her skin, settling into her hands. The ground was slick and wet from the rain. It would have been horrible footing for a fight. The crows would have been in the air. Setsuna…please…please be alright.

Asuna was beside her, chewing at her lower lip. The bells in her hair remained silent. Konoka wondered if she looked as anxious as Asuna did.

She jumped when Negi's voice broke the silence of the Mahora forest. "Konoka-san! Everyone! Over here!"

She could tell something was wrong just by the tone of his voice.

She pinpointed Negi's magical light through the trees and set a quick pace toward him. Asuna cursed as she slipped, but she recovered and followed.

Most of the others were already gathered, clumped loosely together. Konoka pushed through, almost on autopilot, steeling herself for whatever was waiting.

"Konoka…wait…" Negi said, trying to intercept her, but he didn't use near enough force to stop her at this point.

She didn't gasp or immediately cry out at the sight before her. Nor did she burst into tears or dissolve into hysterics. She hesitated, eyes widening and her breath quickening subtly. She took a couple of steps forward, and reached down, picking up one of the black crow feathers. She looked at it, twirled it in her fingers as if curious about the thing. Then she let her arm fall limply to her side, dropping the feather in the process. It hit the ground without a sound, but she was pleased by the squelch that accompanied her foot stepping on the offending item.

Then she was moving forward, careful not to step on the one or two white feathers that lay here and there. She didn't mind the black feathers, which were scattered about the area in greater numbers, or even the blood, which was the only explanation for the dark splotches shown by the magic light hanging over her shoulder. She dropped to her knees when she reached the fragments of Yuunagi.

The once proud blade had been broken into four shards, almost as if it had been snapped in half in multiple sections. It lay discarded in pieces amidst muddied white feathers and tattered cloth of a familiar scarf. Gingerly, mindful of her own hands she picked up the pieces of Yuunagi, aligning them properly. Then she summoned her magic. There was no need for words or key phrases. She knew instinctively what to do. It was like healing in a way. She could feel her skin prickle, the light hair on her arms stand on end, and she was mindful of the aura that suddenly surrounded her and the call of magic from deep within. So powerful…she could do anything.

But all she could do in that moment was heal Yuunagi. The blade fused together, becoming whole and sharp again in a matter of seconds. It was better than before even, Konoka knew. No one would ever be able to break it again.

She stood, holding Yuunagi by its hilt in one hand. The length of the blade made it awkward to hold, and not for the first time she wondered how Setsuna could wield such a sword so skillfully.

Just as she was ready to turn around and face her friends again she caught the glint of something silver out of the corner of her eyes. She knelt and carefully picked it up, mindful of leaves and mud. She straightened, holding up a dainty silver chain. Hanging from its end was one solitary wing, a miniature, silver version of their Ala Alba symbol—a symbol that also held a special meaning for her and Setsuna. Wings had always held a special meaning in their relationship. She couldn't imagine what Setsuna went through to get this striking piece of jewelry. The fact that it was completely unnecessary, that she hadn't even asked for anything for her birthday made it all the more special. The fact that it led her ministra out here alone though…

"...Setsuna…" she murmured, clenching the necklace in one hand.

"We'll get her back Konoka."

She recognized Asuna's voice. It was strong and unwavering on the surface, but she could feel the apprehension and worry underlying her roommate's words.

Konoka turned, Yuunagi in one hand, the necklace in the other. She met Asuna's multicolored stare and allowed herself to let go. The tears fell easily as Asuna, trying her best to be comforting and strong for them both, held her.

Okay. Konoka told herself, ignoring the ache that came deep from somewhere within. Okay. She took a shaky breath, and withdrew from Asuna's embrace. There was work to be done. After today, after everything, resolve was easy to find—and desperation. There had never been a greater time to have to prove herself because everything, everything, was on the line.

I will save you, Setsuna.


A/N: I'm generally seeing the crow demons referred to as a 'tribe' in various Negima material instead of a 'clan' as I have been calling it in this story. I'm not opposed to changing it to crow demon tribe if you feel strongly about it. Let me know if you have a preference.

Thanks for reading! Please share your thoughts.

-Yavapai