Disclaimer: Nothing belongs to me

Copyrighting not intended


Konoka leaned forward, her head hovering just above Setsuna's shoulder as she hunched over her desk. "Nee Setsuna."

"Hmm?" Setsuna answered distractedly, eyes focused on the work before her, her pen tapping against the wooden table, not in the least bothered by Konoka's close proximity.

"You're real pretty." Konoka whispered into her ear, giggling as Setsuna dropped her pen in shock, a huge blush creeping up her neck.

"Ko..Konoka!"Setsuna spluttered, turning in her chair to face the giggling girl "I'm trying to focus here!"

"Aww you're no fun." Konoka pouted, crossing her arms.

Two hands wrapped around her waist and Konoka found herself gasping as Setsuna pulled her into her lap, "I'm no fun?" Setsuna placed kisses lightly at the base of Konoka's neck "You sure about that?"

It was Konoka's turn to blush as she leaned back into the strong body behind her, tilted slightly so she could meet Setsuna's lips softly "No." She giggled once more

"I though so." Setsuna flashed a grin, enjoying their close proximity

"Ehem.."

Konoka jumped out of Setsuna's lap quickly, her face red with embarrassment. Setsuna pressed her lips together, a deep blush creeping up her neck, but maintained a calm expression. "What is it Kaede?"

The ninja shot Konoka less than friendly glare before turning her face back to Setsuna. "Negi just pulled into the driveway."

"I'll be there in a second." Setsuna replied with a curt nod. "Thanks"

"Konoka, I need to speak with you." Kaede addressed the other girl, a hint of coldness in her voice.

Glancing over at Setsuna nervously, Konoka followed Kaede out the door, closing it behind her.

"I'll be frank" Kaede started without hesitation, her eyes narrowed. "I don't like you, and I certainly don't like you hanging around Setsuna."

Konoka blinked a couple of times, stunned by Kaede's words. She shrunk back when Kaede glared at her once again.

"Stay away from Setsuna." Kaede growled out harshly "Or else."

Kaede disappeared quickly, leaving Konoka standing in the corridor to process what she had just heard. She barely registered Setsuna stepping out of the room, files in hand.

"Konoka? Are you alright?" Setsuna asked worriedly, resting a hand on Konoka's shoulder.

"Huh?" Konoka looked up, startled "Yeah.. Yeah.. I'm fine.."

"Is something the matter" Setsuna could see something was off with Konoka, and she wanted to know why.

"No.. No." Konoka shook her head. "Are you.. heading to a meeting?" Konoka's eyes fell onto the files Setsuna had in her hand.

"Yeah." Setsuna nodded "Come on."

Konoka tilted her head in confusion, her eyes following Setsuna as she walked further down the corridor.

"Come on" Setsuna repeated, gesturing with her head "I'll introduce Negi to you."

"Well... you've already met him" Setsuna shrugged as Konoka hurriedly fell into step with her "It'll be nice to do it officially, seeing as the circumstances weren't ideal the last time."

"Aren't you going to discuss work?" Konoka shook her head "Why don't we do it some other time."

Setsuna stopped, her head slightly lowered before she turned to face Konoka. "I've been thinking. You know. About what you said the last time. I think you're right."

Confused, Konoka merely stared at Setsuna, waiting for her to continue.

"You should.." Setsuna sighed, licking her lips. This went against everything she believed in, but after much thinking, Setsuna felt that this was the best thing she could do. "It's not fair for you like this."

Konoka felt her heart drop at Setsuna's tone, but she kept quiet, waiting to hear what Setsuna had to say.

"I think.." Setsuna exhaled, taking Konoka's hands gently in her own, files tucked under her arm "if we're going to make this.. this thing between us work" Setsuna lifted her eyes "You deserve to know what I do."

Konoka felt her jaw drop slightly in shock, a small smile tugging on the corner of her lips. "Really? I mean.. You don't have to if you don't want to."

"No.. You're right" Setsuna shook her head "I can't make you worry all the time."

Upon hearing that, Konoka couldn't help but smile. She leaned forward and lightly met Setsuna's lips "Thank you"

Linking their hands together, Setsuna led them down the corridor. As they moved, Konoka caught herself staring at Setsuna, marveling at how good Setsuna looked clad in her vest, exuding an air of confidence. Deep down she knew Setsuna was a big softie, and she was glad that it was a side that almost no one saw, the side where a few words sent Setsuna into a blubbering mess. Her mind was filled with thoughts about Setsuna, and the more she thought about her, the more Konoka felt her feelings grow. She wanted to be near Setsuna, wanted to feel Setsuna's arms around her. She wanted to feel Setsuna's lips on her own

Slowly, Konoka was beginning to understand the jumble of emotions that she felt whenever Setsuna drew near. she liked Setsuna in such an overwhelming manner that is was getting harder to control her actions, but there was so much holding her bacl. Her less than spectacular years in the system had left a permanent scar on her soul, and Konoka was hesitant to truly follow her heart. Kaede's biting words had brought forth unwanted feelings and self doubt, and Setsuna noticed.

"Did Kaede say something?" Setsuna asked, breaking the silence between them

"Eh?" Konoka was not expecting such a question.

"Kaede is just protective of me" Setsuna frowned lightly "Don't take her words to heart. She's like that towards everyone new."

"Negi-san" Setsuna bowed low to the young boy walking towards her.

"How are your injuries?" He asked concernedly

"Nothing to be concerned about at the moment" Setsuna responded with a smile. "I have healed quite well."

Negi grinned widely "That's great. We've met, haven't we?" He caught sight of Konoka, who bowed shyly in response.

"Negi-san, this is Konoe Konoka." Setsuna introduced the young girl, who bowed low once more.

"Konoe?" Negi's eyes sparkled with intrigue "You mean she's from the Konoe Family?"

Nodding curtly, Setsuna raised an eyebrow as Konoka grabbed her vest, shifting behind her back.

"Mou you baka!" Negi cried out in pain as a tall orange haired girl walked up from behind him and landed a fist upon his head " You're scaring her"

"Itai Asuna-san" Negi whined, hands on his head

"Yo Setsuna. It's been a while"

"Yes it has" Setsuna nodded, turning slightly in Konoka's direction "Konoka, you know Negi" Konoka nodded, but kept herself slightly behind Setsuna " And this is Kagurazaka Asuna. She's a mercenary working under Negi."

"What's up" Asuna grinned, crossing her front of her chest. "Setsuna, what's your relationship with her?"

Setsuna merely shook her head "Come Negi-san. Let's not drag this any longer."

As Negi trotted off behind Setsuna talking animatedly, Konoka found herself being held back by the tall mercenary.

"So.. what's your relationship with Setsuna" Asuna whispered cheekily "You must be special. Setsuna never brings anyone other than Kaede or Mana to these meetings."

Konoka took a step back as Asuna began to eye her up and down "Hmm, average muscle structure" Konoka squeaked as Asuna jabbed her arm, frowning "You're not carrying weapons, you're not much of a fighter, are you?"

Konoka shook her head at the obvious statement.

"Magic maybe?" Asuna contemplated "But you're not carrying a staff. Magic without a medium is quite unprecedented"

"I can't fight." Konoka stated quietly, uncomfortable with the way Asuna was evaluating her, like she was being auctioned off once again.

"Hmm what else could it be?" Asuna wondered aloud, noting the slight discomfort on Konoka's face. "Sorry.. I uhh.. didn't mean to make you feel uncomfortable. It's the first time Setsuna had brought someone new to the meetings. Usually she's all protective and stuff about the people under her"

"The first?"

"Yeah. I mean other than Kaede and Mana, you're the first" Asuna announced "So.. are you gonna tell me or what?"

Konoka was taken aback by Asuna's brazen question, but opened her mouth to answer.

"Asuna, what are you doing over there?" Setsuna's voice floated over from across the room.

"Coming!"

Konoka felt a warm hand grabs hers and started pulling her towards the two. Stunned by both Asuna's question and her grip, Konoka merely followed behind Asuna as she made her way towards Negi and Setsuna. Setsuna looked questioningly at their close contact, but said nothing about it.

"I've discovered new information during these few weeks." Negi spoke, pulling out a file from the briefcase sitting by him, handing it to Setsuna as he made his way over to a large table in the room. "Tsukuyomi was right"

Konoka caught Asuna making gagging noise and rolling her eyes " I hate that girl" she whispered.

Konoka nodded, stifling the giggles from Asuna's less than mature antics. Asuna clearly knew what she was doing, crossing her arms in front of her chest, a smug look on her face.

"Amagasaki is on the move" Negi shifted a small red figurine sitting on the table. "In the past 2 weeks, she's been steadying increasing the amount of transactions with several clans. She has also been increasing her territory, eating into.." Negi grabbed another figurine, a blue one this time "Fate's territory. Needless to say, he is not very pleased."

Setsuna leaned over the map that covered the entire table top, lightly frowning. " What's Fate doing to counteract Amagasaki?"

"He's put up a strong lines against her, and Amagasaki's progress has been slowed significantly. As of now, they are at a standoff in the Drifting Mountains."

"It's as Tsukuyomi said." Setsuna leaned against the table with a sigh "What are our options?"

As they discussed various options, Konoka was seated in a chair at the side, with no clue as to what was going on.

"Amagasaki is a huge slave trafficker in the North" Asuna leaned over from her seat and whispered. "Negi and Setsuna have been trying to bring the trafficking trade down for a long time. This might be the break they need to bring a kingpin down"

"Kingpin?"

"Like a bigshot" Asuna shrugged. "Taking down Amagasaki would be a huge blow to the trade"

Konoka nodded as she took in the information. Now she knew a little more about what Setsuna does for work. Never would she have imagined that there were people working to bring down the slave trade, and that she would be lucky enough to be saved by them. Her eyes wandered over to Setsuna, and she felt a surge of emotion bubbling within her as she thought about how much her life had changed in these few short weeks.

"You seem to know a lot" Konoka stated quietly

"Yeahhh. That's what happens when you spend every day of your life shadowing him" Asuna jerked a thumb in Negi's direction

At Konoka's questioning gaze, Asuna explained "I was hired by his dad to keep him out of trouble." She huffed "Although that kid can take care of himself. But hey, its good pay and I get to fight, so I'm good."

"Fight?"

"Sometimes we conduct raids on the shipping docks during a shipment. Save all the poor saps unlucky enough to caught by slavers." Asuna explained. "Not too often though. It would give away our motives."

"Setsuna goes on these raids too?" Konoka asked.

"Yeah." Asuna nodded "Sometimes, but she's usually busy with other things?"

"Like gathering information" Setsuna interrupted, standing next to them. "You know the reason you're here is to be sure you know what' going on."

"Eh.. Negi will fill me in later" Asuna waved her hand nonchalantly "Besides, I was just going to tell Konoka about your actual job."

Confused, Konoka turned to Setsuna, who sighed and took a seat next to Konoka.

"It's true that I assist Negi and Asuna during raids," Setsuna started slowly, "but I mainly work with the people we rescue. Making sure they're safe, and well taken care of."

"Like me" Konoka stated quietly with a smile.

"Yeah" Asuna grinned "Although Setsuna might be giving you special attention."

Konoka turned red, and looking over at Setsuna, she could see the familiar red blush creeping up her neck, but her face remained rather impassive.

"Anyway, once Setsuna digs up enough information about them, she sends them home" Asuna continued

"Home?" Konoka squeaked, a small sliver of hope slipping through

"Yes." Setsuna nodded quietly "I check up on the families of the people we rescue. If I find it satisfactory, I send them home if they wish to return. Those without a place to go can choose to remain here for leave."

"Does that mean.." Konoka left her question unfinished, but her intention was clear.

"If you wanted to, you can go home" Setsuna replied, a hint of sadness in her tone.

"Why didn't you tell me this earlier?!" Konoka raised her voice slightly

"I've just stamped the seal of approval on your file" Setsuna answered "And there was so much things to catch up on that I never got the chance to bring it up. I'm sorry."

Setsuna stood up, leaving the room. She returned a few moments later, a thick file in hand. "Here's everything I have on you. Read through it. Let me know when you've made a decision." Setsuna handed Konoka the file, a smile on her face "You have a good family."

With that, Setsuna returned to Negi's side, and continued their discussion. Konoka stared at the file in her lap, debating whether she should open it.

"Go on." Asuna coaxed "Trust Setsuna's judgement. If she says they're good, they're probably great."

"I'm afraid." Konoka whispered. "What if they've forgotten me? It's been so long. Surely they must have moved on."

"I don't think they would have forgotten you." Asuna spoke quietly "I wouldn't, and we just met."

Konoka smiled genuinely "Thank You"

Taking a deep breath, Konoka flipped open the file. First thing she saw was her face. Where Setsuna had gotten the photo, she will never know. Next to it were all her particulars, everything from her name and birthdate to her blood type and eye colour. The next page was hard. It listed the year she entered the system and a written account of how she was taken, as detailed as it could ever be. Below that was the years she spent in each household as well as under slavers. Konoka shut the file quickly, tears welling up in her eyes as she took deep breaths, the unpleasant memories waves. Asuna shot her a comforting smile, but said nothing.

From the corner of her eye, Konoka spotted Setsuna deep in conversation with Negi, a small frown on her face. Setsuna must have spent a long time compiling the information, and the least she could do was read through it. Exhaling, Konoka opened the file once more, making it to the third page. This was a medical report, an account of the injuries she had when she first entered Setsuna's care. Mainly bruises and abrasions were listed together with several scars she had. Most notably however, was the word 'Unmarked', written neatly at the very top. It was just one word, but it gave Konoka such relief just to see it there.

"Setsuna puts in a lot of effort to find out everything about those under her" Asuna commented "It's what Nagi-san did for her when he saved her."

"Nagi-san?"

Asuna slapped her mouth shut in surprise "You... do know about Setsuna's past right?"

"I know she was once in the system" Konoka answered truthfully "I don't know any details"

The mercenary sank into her chair in relief as she ran a hand through her hair "Thank goodness you know. I thought I mentioned something I shouldn't have."

"Not everyone knows about Setsuna's time in the system, even fewer know the exact details. Negi is one of them" Asuna explained, pointing her thumb in the boy's direction "Even I don't know much other than Negi's dad, Nagi-san, saved Setsuna."

Nodding, Konoka stole another glance at Setsuna, wondering how such a wonderful person had come from such a horrible past. Even Konoka herself was a little broken, but Setsuna seemed to have conquered it all. Konoka flipped yet another page, and she immediately felt tears well up. Running a finger over the faces, she choked on a sob "Jii-chan, Tou-san... "

Their faces looked back at her, faces she hadn't seen in a long time. They had aged, not surprisingly, but Konoka knew who they were immediately. Their particulars were written next to their photos, but Konoka merely scanned through them, the information resurfacing as memories in her head. They still lived in their home in Kyoto, according to Setsuna's information.

Not much had changed over the years, except there was now a young boy living in the compound. His name was Aguri, and he was adopted into the Konoe family five years ago. Konoka felt the stab as the thought that her family had replaced her echoed in her mind, until she read the next bit of information under Aguri's name. Aguri had mentioned an older sister. She disappeared even before Aguri had been born, but he was well aware of her existence and her place in the family. There was a photo clipped to the side, and Konoka couldn't suppress the cry of surprise as a photo of a younger version of herself showed. They hadn't forgotten her, and Konoka felt happiness bubbling within her.

Asuna grinned at the smile on Konoka's face.

"Asuna-san, let's go." Negi's voice echoed through the room after a couple of hours, shaking the mercenary from her daydream

"See ya Konoka," Asuna stood up with a yawn, "If you're still here when we come by that is."

Setsuna sat down besides Konoka with a sigh, leaning her head on the back of the couch, her eyes closed. Clearly the meeting had exhausted her. It should have. It had lasted most of the day. Konoka had gone through her entire file, twice. She was still astounded by the amount of information Setsuna had managed to uncover. Her mind was in a whirl, a jumble of emotions but she knew what she was going to do at that very moment.

"Setsuna." Konoka shook the other girl "Setsuna!"

When she didn't respond, Konoka leaned in closer, her lips dangerously close to Setsuna's own. She closed the gap, enjoying the low moan that escaped from the tired girl.

"I could get used to waking up like that" Setsuna yawned, stealing another kiss from Konoka's lips with a smile.

"Come on" Konoka stood up, smoothing out her dress "It's late."

They left the conference room, and made their way back to Setsuna's room. Every since the ninja incident, Konoka had been staying in Setsuna's room. A little bonus once they started dating. Konoka had less nightmares when Setsuna was around, and Setsuna managed to get closer to Konoka. A win-win situation, especially since Setsuna no longer hand to sleep on the couch, Konoka had grown physically comfortable with Setsuna.

"Setsuna, about today.." Konoka stuttered, not sure how to phrase her words. Setsuna furrowed her brows slightly, but waited for Konoka to finish. "I'll need some time to think about it."

Setsuna smiled, an amused look on her otherwise sleepy expression.

"What?" Konoka asked nervously

"Nothing" Setsuna shook her head "It's just that most people jump at the chance to return home, especially with such a good family."

"I'm not most people, am I?" Konoka smiled "I have something here to consider." She squeezed Setsuna's hand.

Flattered, Setsuna blushed "Don't let me influence your decision. It's not a chance everyone gets."

"Neither are you." Konoka whispered "I've only made it this far because of you."

"I helped. You did it all on your own" Setsuna lowered her head, unaccustomed to such flattery.

By this time, they had made it to Setsuna's room. Setsuna fell asleep the moment her head hit the pillow, leaving Konoka awake on the other side of the bed, awake. The chocolate haired girl stole glances at the file sitting on her nightstand, thinking about the wealth of information she had received today. She groaned, and flipped away from the book, finding herself staring at Setsuna as she slept. By now, Konoka knew the little motions Setsuna made as she slept. The subtle twitch of her nose when she was dreaming, the furrowing of her brows when it was a particularly bad dream. Occasionally she would mumble words incoherantly, speaking clear enough for Konoka to deduce the nature of the dream.

Setsuna mumbled once more, turning over onto her side, away from Konoka. Konoka scooted closer, arms snaking around Setsuna's waist. She felt Setsuna tense, her body going rigid for a moment. Konoka gently pulled Setsuna towards her, meeting resistance as Setsuna frowned in her sleep, clutching the sheets tightly, growling softly.

"It's just me" Konoka whispered, feeling Setsuna relax slightly, eventually pressing back into the embrace.

Setsuna would probably never remember it, but Konoka knew that she was probably having an unpleasant dream. She pressed a light kiss on the back of Setsuna's neck, snuggling closer.

"Konoka..."

Konoka froze slightly at the sound of her name. Was Setsuna dreaming about her? She leaned in closer to try to make out what Setsuna was saying, but Setsuna had stopped mumbling. Disappointed, Konoka sighed, closing her eyes.

"Don't leave." She heard Setsuna mumble "Mine…Kono-chan.. love you…."

Blushing, Konoka thanked the heavens that Setsuna was asleep. She pulled Setsuna closer to her, and whispered ever so softly

"I love you too, Sec-chan."