ALright so, before we start I want to say one thing.
I'm Sorry.
Seriously. I mean it. I know it took a very very long time with the update and guh...this document has been lying here in my computer unfisnished for like 3 months? So, I decided to actually finish it. THANK GOD. School does get in the way but there's nothing i can do about that.
To all those people who have reviewed so far. Thanks...A LOT. :-)
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Disclaimer: Don't own Negima!, Negima?!, Mahou Sensei Negima (manga), Negima Neo or Negima Live Action! In other words, I don't own anything NEGIMA related except for my famfics and fan drawings. That's all. :-)
Chapter 4-Complications...
The young girl nibbled on the tip of her chopsticks still tasting the soy sauce on it. She was feeling a bit out of place, the little girl in front of her and Setsuna were talking to each other about memories she didn't have. She definitely felt like she didn't belong in this seat, maybe it would have been better if she didn't come along? Hah, like the half demon would have allowed her to stay alone inside the inn, she thought to herself. So instead, she helped herself to another piece of raw tuna meat displaying itself in front of her while eavesdropping on the two.
"Is Motoko doing her job right?"
"As a teacher?" She asked.
Evangeline took a sip of tea calmly, too calmly to be exact. "No, as an ambassador"
"I can't really tell, I only found that out a few hours ago when we entered the village! I never really knew and...truthfully, I'm quite irritated about that." Setsuna had a look of slight frustration on her face. The dark mage raised an eyebrow at the show of emotion. A few years back Setsuna was very reserved. Guess that changed.
"You would have found out sooner or later…" She glanced at the brown haired girl for a second. She, of course, knew who this girl was. Never has she been lacking in information. "…by the way, what are you doing with the Mahora princess?" The blonde child suddenly changed the subject and Konoka immediately looked up and their eyes met. "So she knows who I am…"
The swordswoman suddenly hesitated in answering and avoided looking into the blonde's eyes. "Ah…"
"Better tell me now…I don't want to hear strange rumors later on involving the both of you. I just might believe them and even help out those who are looking for the princess. Is it a kidnapping or are you eloping?" She momentarily smirked at her last statement. The mood really needed to lighten up; she was starting to get bored.
At this point Konoka didn't hesitate to answer. "Actually, she's helping me get to my destination…"
The blonde child crossed her arms over her chest and grinned. "Oho, the great Mahora princess finally speaks! Well, I don't need the full story so you don't need to explain any further." After all, she didn't involve herself into other people's problems but she did want to be updated on the things happening…especially if they involved interesting characters like the two girls seated in front of her. Surprisingly, Setsuna was frantically whispering something to Konoka. The long haired blonde guessed the issue was why the young Konoe had told her why she was accompanied by Setsuna. Ah, the careless young ones these days.
Both Setsuna and Konoka awkwardly stared back at Evangeline when they had realized they were being watched.
She inwardly laughed. "Do go on, it's very amusing…" She picked up a piece of tuna from the plate in front of her using her chopsticks and plopped it into her mouth.
The half demon cleared her throat when she had seated herself facing Evangeline again and muttered a small apology and so did Konoka.
"Don't worry about me spreading the word on your small adventure, I don't socialize a lot anyway. Don't go around just telling it to people you don't know so well." She pointed the chopstick she was holding at the brown haired girl and frowned. "Think before telling people what you're both doing and where you're heading, if you give them enough information they can easily put the facts together." Setsuna sighed, it was a good thing they weren't training or else they would really be in trouble if they had made a mistake. She didn't feel like telling Konoka that Evangeline was the one who taught her basic magic. Not to mention that the blonde child trained her for a certain period of time and she had gotten beaten up badly during those short training sessions, but nothing she couldn't handle.
"I've been meaning to ask but…why does Setsuna call you 'Master Evangeline'?" Unfortunately, Setsuna's wish for her connection with her blonde haired master to remain secret wasn't going to come true…then again, it was her fault for shouting out 'Master Evangeline!' for all to hear earlier. She groaned inwardly.
"Well well, first…it's because I am stronger than her after all and second, because I temporarily trained her when she was younger."
The former student hung her head. There she went with the bragging Setsuna had always heard when she was younger.
"That's not all, I even taught her basic magic." Sometimes Evangeline is really just full of herself the swordswoman thought. Konoka seemed to take notice of what the blonde girl had just casually told her. If that was the case then Evangeline could most probably teach her magic as well!
"Then, is it possible for you to teach me some spells as well Evangeline?" The young princess said enthusiastically. The vampire had a bit of a surprised reaction when she heard the question.
"I can teach you…" Her voice momentarily softened. "…but I don't think you would want to learn any magic from me." Her gaze moved to her former student. "Besides you don't need to learn it, you have your guardian with you." She glanced at her old pupil slightly doubting if Setsuna could keep her act together for the whole trip to their 'destination'. The last time she saw the half demon was inside Uzoku territory and she most probably remained there until this little trip came up. Although right now she seemed fine for her first time in a town full of humans. Then again, Setsuna was looking at random things with great curiosity here and there. Or perhaps that was just out of her nervousness?
Konoka slightly furrowed her eyebrows. "Why wouldn't I want to learn magic from you? If Secchan learned from you why can't I?"
Setsuna bit her lower lip, she couldn't just tell the girl beside her what Evangeline really was and what kind of risk Konoka would be taking if she learned magic from her. The only reason she was allowed to learn from the blonde was because she was going to remain inside the Uzoku territory for her whole life, or so… that's how she it was supposed to go. "It's kind of…complicated…" The Konoe raised an eyebrow at both of them.
"Anyway, if you want to learn proper magic you should ask someone else like the Thousand Master." Evangeline said, sarcasm obvious is her voice. Konoka really looked confused now but let the subject drop. Setsuna in her very distressed state, decided to interfere. "Yes, well…we really should be going now." She slightly nudged the brown haired girl beside her and started to stand up, signaling that they should go.
Eva slightly smiled as she placed money on the table while standing up. "Guess that means I'm paying the bill eh?"
Setsuna grinned smugly at her, there was no way they were going to pay for that, they were trying to budget their money until they reached the capital of Luron. "You invited us to dinner after all."
Maybe Setsuna spent a little too much time with her when she was smaller. The vampire chuckled to herself. As they exited the restaurant the half demon pulled out a small roll of parchment and promptly handed it to her; she raised an eyebrow but took the letter. "Motoko-sensei wanted me to give it to you…" She shrugged. "I don't know what she wrote on it though…"
They all said their goodbyes and Evangeline made her way to her home in the outskirts of town and the two traveling companions went next door to the inn they checked into a few hours ago.
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After Konoka heard Setsuna slip into the futon she decided to ask her friend a question. It had been bothering her for a bit but she never really had gotten the chance to ask her. The princess shifted her position in order to get a little bit closer to Setsuna.
"Hey…Secchan?" She whispered.
Setsuna, surprisingly, was still awake and replied a bit groggily. "Mmm…yeah?"
"Is it possible…for Motoko-sensei to be your mother?" She carefully asked, afraid that it would be a sensitive subject.
What was all of this now? The swordswoman turned so that she was now facing Konoka. "I've thought about that before, you know."
"I guessed you would have, you're both very similar…" She continued. "And?"
"I never thought of it again." She stated in a casual tone.
"Why?"
"I don't want my relationship with her to change…I've always just looked up to her as a teacher or an older sister. If I asked her about it…and it turned out to be true, our relationship would greatly change. It would most probably become awkward." She shifted a bit in her futon so that she now stared at the ceiling.
"But then…if she's your mother, don't you think you're giving up a good opportunity? At least if you verify it you can feel content knowing that your mother is alive."
"It doesn't matter…that was a long time ago. Besides, after I thought of the idea when I was smaller, my father then told me my mother isn't in the land of the living anymore." Setsuna's eyes slowly dropped as she heard the shuffling of sheets. Her eyes opened once more when she felt her companion slowly wrap her arms around her. She felt her skin tingle slightly when Konoka's warm breath hit her collarbone.
"Sorry…" Konoka slowly mumbled in the dark and slightly tightened her arms around her guardian.
The raven haired girl paused for a moment, she didn't expect that reply…or that close contact. She stayed still and quiet not really knowing what to reply.
He walked towards the gate expecting the same old report. After all, nothing interesting ever happened in the west gate and that was a good thing. The forests, which were at the other side of the west gate were part of the Uzoku territory. Very dangerous place, thank God he wasn't stationed there. Calmly he knocked on the door of the shack beside the gate and a young guard answered the door. It was the rookie who was stationed there just last month together with other older guards.
"Good evening, I'm here for the weekly reports." The rookie invited him to come in and sit down while he went to get the report from his superior. He came back holding a piece of parchment and handed it over.
Once the paper was in his hands he unrolled it and scanned what was written inside. Surprisingly this report was longer than the previous ones given to him. His eyes widened when he saw what was written down. Someone entered through the west gate. He shoved the rookie in front of him and ran outside.
A head poked itself from one of the doors. "He took that pretty well...Let's see how the higher ups will react to that."
Evangeline jumped through the window inn. Just as she entered someone swiftly grabbed her hand. Her attacker's eyes widened. "E-Evangeline?"
She pulled her hand away from the girl. "Master Evangeline to you!" Came the irked response in the dark. Setsuna sighed. "I thought there was someone following us." She turned back and slipped back into her futon.
Evangeline kicked Setsuna's back. "HEY…YOU…" The young girl merely groaned but didn't get up. Evangeline kicked harder this time. Setsuna sat up and momentarily glared at her former master. She looked out the window. It wasn't even dawn yet. "I was wishing this was a dream. Apparently, it's not."
"You're right. Get up. We're going to my house in the outskirts of town. Earlier this morning there was a group of soldiers heading towards here." She glared at the rising sun. "They had Tsuruko with them… Tsuruko never leaves the capital. She must've heard about you crossing the Uzoku gate."
As soon as she heard what Evangeline said and in the tone she said it Setsuna slipped on her clothes hastily and grabbed all their belongings. This Tsuruko person she did not know but she didn't want to wait to find out. She moved towards Konoka and gently shook her. "Sorry Konoka, but you have to get up." The brown haired girl moaned and mumbled something incoherent. Setsuna gently shook her once more. This time Konoka wrapped her arms around her guardian's neck. "Carry…" She mumbled once more.
The half demon's eyes darted towards Evangeline, pleading for some kind of help. The blonde girl merely shrugged with a small smirk evident on her face.
Setsuna frowned. "Fine. Hold on." She told the girl who was half asleep. Setsuna kneeled as Konoka climbed onto her back. As she stood she wrapped her arms around the princess' legs, securing her and nodded to Evangeline, signaling that they could leave.
"You're not that cold hearted as they say you are."
Evangeline rolled her eyes. "Oh yes, I do worry SO much." She replied sarcastically and jumped out of the window, no longer with a smirk on her face. The half-demon smiled and followed suite.
Tsuruko pointed her finger at the report where her sister's name was written. She was practically poking the poor parchment to death. "Ambassador Aoyama?"
"I'm not lying. She showed me the seal."
She sighed furiously and pounded her open palm on the wooden table. "Impossible!"
"Just because she's been missing for years now it doesn't mean she's dead." He replied, truly believing what he had just said.
The head of the government council let out another irritated sigh but calmed down. "Alright then, now, tell me exactly what happened."
"Prince Fate…" Chigusa's voice echoed in the huge hall as she kneeled humbly on the white stone floor now in clean clothes and a full attire.
The white haired prince was seated lifelessly on his silver throne fully clad in his blue and white royal garments. His head was rested on his hand, which was leaning on one of the armrests of the huge seat. Fate's eyes were distant, showing his little interest for what his underling had to say. He merely nodded for her to continue.
"I am terribly sorry for my…" She paused to choose her words carefully. "Stupidity. I simply wanted to get back to Luron faster so that the wedding and the pact between the countries could take place."
His highness had heard of the news not too long ago. A prince he was, but an ignorant one would make him a failure. The cold gaze shifted to the scene outside the palace window. This was a boring meeting.
"Unfortunately, I had made a wrong decision in the middle of our travels and we passed through Uzoku territory. We…encountered Uzoku demons and lost your bride, Konoka Ojou-sama, in the fray." She bowed her head even lower, ashamed and afraid. "I think that the Uzoku clan may still have her captive until now."
Obviously he knew all the details already but for the sake of it he would still ask at least one question. "When did this happen?"
She cringed noticeably. "F-four weeks ago…"
"In other words, a month." The cold emotionless voice scared her even more. Chigusa gulped. Her throat was starting to dry. She had noticed his lack of interest in the subject. Her only guess could be that he had heard of the news before she had come back. Her palms started to sweat. If that was the case he probably had some punishment already waiting for her.
"Find her."
Chigusa blinked up at him. What? That's all he had to say? That's all she had to do?
He smirked back at her, his eyes now full of childish amusement. "Simple no?"
HOH. Don't kill me! I know this chapter probably isn't long enough but…I really wanted to update already! How long has it been? Around four months? GYAH Sorry…
Anyway, here's another cut scene. A lot more humor here but I felt that it would ruin the whole mood and stuff.
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"Hey…" Evangeline kicked Setsuna's back. "HEY…YOU…" The young girl merely groaned but didn't get up. "GET UP!" She kicked her harder this time. Setsuna managed to open one eye. "E-Evangeline?"
"Master Evangeline to you…" Came the irked response. The black haired girl sat up and rubbed her eyes. "What are you doing here?" She looked out the window. It wasn't even dawn yet. Besides, weren't they staying in an inn? How the heck did Evangeline manage to get into their room? She turned and noticed that Konoka wasn't in her own futon. Her eyes immediately scanned the room looking for her. What was she going to tell her father if she had lost Konoka?
"Looking for your pretty little friend are you? She's more alert than you that's for sure."
Evangeline was met with a raised eyebrow.
"She woke up just after I came in through the window."
"Well? Where is she?" Setsuna tried not to look concerned even though it clearly showed in her face.
The blonde sighed. "At my home in the outskirts of this town. I had her taken there by my servant. Earlier this morning there was a group of soldiers heading towards here." She glared at the rising sun. "They had Tsuruko with them… Tsuruko never leaves the capital. She must've heard about you crossing the Uzoku gate. "
Setsuna started to slip on her clothing and gathered her belongings. "You're not that cold hearted as they say you are." Evangeline rolled her eyes. "Oh yes, I do worry SO much." She replied sarcastically and jumped out of the window. The half-demon chuckled and followed suite.
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Well anyway, R&R (read and review) always appreciated! 'Till next time!
