A/N: AHHHH!!!! I AM SO SORRY FOR THE DELAY!!! Five (5) FIVE months! It's took me FIVE MONTHS to write THIS?! Well to be honest with you I've opened this story and re-read it so many times but there was this massive writer's block in my way and I couldn't find the right words to make it move. It was like my mind suddenly went blank and everything I had planned was somehow taken from me…Every time I got a review that asked me to update soon I felt so guilty... But another reason for the delay is that I've been extremely busy lately. If you're reading this put yay for weekends in your review. In the summer I was busy working and doing other various things with friends and family (grandma died then my cousin got married two weeks later oO?! The wedding was planned months before obviously…) but yeah…I really have no excuse other than the fact that I had no idea as to how I wanted to write. And if you're expecting some KonoSetsu fluff…I'm sorry but there's none in this chapter. With that said…e-enjoy?
Oh, I'll probably re-edit this story once I get more time in my life to do so…since I really don't like how it's going to turn out…heck I might just drop this story all together…sorry for the disappointment folks.
Chapter Summary: Konoka grows worried as to why her Secchan is unable to be found or contacted. Setsuna goes to Kyoto and has no idea what to expect for the next week.
Chapter Eight – Kyoto
"Are you still worried? Come on! With a depressed face like that you make it seem like she's avoiding you purposely!" Asuna pulled Konoka into a one arm hug and hit the top of her head gently with her knuckle. Konoka forced a smile out and looked up at her best friend but couldn't help but worry even more.
She was sure that news of her and Setsuna becoming official had traveled all over campus and no doubt her grandfather must've found out. But there's no way that he would be so upset as to scare Setsuna off right?
"I'm sure Setsuna has a legitimate reason as to why she hasn't contacted you. You're grandfather probably whisked her away for some assignment for the time being. I'm sure she'll be back when we return to the dorms." Asuna smiled reassuringly as she patted Konoka on the shoulder. The healer sighed heavily and then took in a deep breath, her usual smile returning.
"You're right. I guess I'm just worrying too much, huh?" Konoka asked, realizing that she had been worrying needlessly. It wasn't as if Setsuna would intentionally make her worry. But for some reason the white mage couldn't get the nagging feeling that something was wrong out of her mind. She couldn't exactly explain it but she could just tell that there was a certain reason as to why her girlfriend hadn't kept her promise. It was a gut feeling and one she wished she didn't have.
"Alright with that said let's go get some food. I'm getting hungry." Asuna linked arms with Konoka and started to march forward, pulling the chocolate haired girl along slightly.
Konoka smiled and took another deep breath. Worrying about Setsuna would ruin the moment so she decided that the only thing she could do was to just wait until they went back. If Asuna was right then Setsuna would be waiting at the dorms and Konoka would realize that she was just mentally and emotionally draining herself needlessly.
'I hope Asuna's right…'
"So instead of confronting the problem you're running away?"
Setsuna paused for a second and didn't turn around then continued to pack her clothes into the duffle bag. She had no reason to look since she clearly knew the voice and the only other person who had the key to the room.
"I am not running away. The headmaster needs me to go somewhere for him for awhile." Setsuna zipped up her bag and stood up. "You came back earlier than I would've expected." The swordswoman turned around facing her roommate and crossed her arms over her chest with the look of disappointment on her face. Tatsumiya grinned and crossed her arms over her chest rather mockingly and leaned against the wall leisurely.
"I wanted to check up on you, see how you were doing, and instead I come back to see you packing your clothes in hopes that no one would catch you? Want to tell me what's up? Or are you not allowed to?" Tatsumiya replied, seeing the hesitant look the swordswoman gave her. "Alright, fine…does Konoka know?" Tatsumiya understood the importance of secrecy for missions since she had some well paying jobs where she couldn't tell a soul about the goal or the reason. She also knew how upset the healer would be if her girlfriend just up and left without a word.
"No, and she's not supposed to either…if she asks…just say that you don't know anything." The pleading look in Setsuna's eyes made the gunner give an exaggerated sigh and then amusingly smile at the troubled girl.
"Don't worry, I'll leave out the details that I saw you pack and leave as well." Mana waved an arm over her shoulder as she headed out the door.
Setsuna stared at the spot where Tatsumiya once was and then let out a sigh of relief. She glanced down at her duffle bag with disdain before picking it up, grabbing her train ticket on the table, her sword against the wall, and left.
Careful not to be seen by anybody, Setsuna made it to the train station and boarded the train headed to Kyoto. She hadn't been there since the field trip three years back and was slightly excited, though she wished one person could've been with her. On instinct the swordswoman patted her right side to make sure that the envelope that was entrusted to her was there. Remembering all the trouble Negi went through back at their previous trip brought a smile onto Setsuna's face. If it hadn't been for him and Asuna, she and Konoka wouldn't have made up the way they did.
Setsuna stuffed her duffle bag in the space provided above her seat and took the chair besides the window. The train ride to Kyoto was most definitely more peaceful and uneventful as it was before. There were no frogs or shikigami to cause havoc and mayhem for anyone. Setsuna concluded that the envelope she was carrying wasn't nearly as important as to what her prodigy teacher had. No, it must've been because Konoka wasn't with her.
Setsuna sighed for the umpteenth time when thoughts of what Konoka's reaction would be when she returned.
'Hope she won't be…too upset…' Setsuna rested her elbow on the small space on the edge of the window and rested her chin in her palm staring out at the passing cities. The envelope, thin as it is, still rubbed against her body uncomfortably despite her efforts to make it less irritating. 'And what kind of job requires me to just deliver a letter that would take me a week? It's not like I don't know my way to the Kansai Magic Association…' Setsuna sighed again and crossed her arms over her chest.
She would've taken a nap but given the fact that she was traveling alone made her think of the situation better. She couldn't take any risks and wished that this week would go by as fast as possible. Unsure of how to pass her time on the train, Setsuna just stared outside the window and tapped her fingers lightly against her cheek. She watched the scenery outside pass by in a blur, the same scenery she had been staring at three years ago during the train ride to their class trip when she realized that Konoka was watching her. At first Setsuna was unnerved by the fact that the one and only person she came to Mahora Academy for was watching her so intently. Then after a few minutes, the longing gaze was still upon her. It got to the point that Setsuna felt slightly frustrated and upset at herself for giving Konoka the chance to think that they were on speaking terms. So the swordswoman did what she usually did whenever Konoka started walking towards her direction. She left to calm down. But in the end it seemed to have been a good idea that she left for she was able to intercept the shikigami that tried to steal the letter from Negi.
Setsuna sighed at the memories. It was also because of that troublesome trip that she and Konoka were able to talk to each other again. It was that trip that made Setsuna realize how much she missed Konoka's laughter, her smiles, everything that made the swordswoman fall in love with her all over again. Setsuna smiled to herself slightly amused by her own love struck behavior.
'It's the power of love!' Setsuna nearly laughed despite the voice in her head sounding oddly just like Chamo's. Setsuna closed her eyes and leaned her head back into the cushioned seat and took in a deep breath.
Finally after hours of nonstop thinking about a certain chocolate haired mage, the train came to her stop and Setsuna gladly gathered her things and made her way to her girlfriend's house, also known as the Kansai Magic Association Headquarters.
Setsuna adjusted her duffle bag on her shoulder, made sure that Yuunagi was easy to reach but not in the way, and patted her chest where the envelope was. After being satisfied with everything that she has the swordswoman made her way through town. By now it was noon time so the streets were crowded and the restaurants were filled with hungry workers trying to squeeze so much in the small lunch time given to them. The swordswoman dodged people left and right to avoid collision while keeping a sharp eye out in case something suspicious was lurking around. What she didn't expect was to be drawn towards the sound of music.
Ever since Konoka forced her to listen to the radio and learn songs, Setsuna had found that music was extremely soothing and filled up the empty air when she studied or trained alone. It wasn't before long that she found herself standing in front of a music store. She couldn't help but grin to herself as she gazed at the doors. The heavy weight of her luggage reminded her that walking into any store with a large duffle bag would be awkward. Just as Setsuna was about to walk away a song played that blasted through the door as someone walked out. After a long moment of debating of just leaving or going in to find out what the song was, the swordswoman decided since she had been standing at the front like an idiot for a long while to go inside.
"Um…excuse me, could you tell me the name of the song that just ended?" Setsuna asked hesitantly when she made it to the cash register. The girl behind it smiled welcomingly and closed the book she had been reading.
"It's a catchy beat isn't? Would you like to listen to their CD?" The girl asked as she pointed over to one of the many ear covering headphones. The girl walked over to it and scanned the said CD cover so the demo music player would be able to recognize the CD and offered Setsuna the headphones. The swordswoman looked at the headphones hesitantly and set her sword and duffle bag on the ground before she took it and covered her ears. The girl pushed some buttons and suddenly music played. Setsuna looked over at the girl alarmed but she simply smiled encouragingly and went back to the cash register where a customer was waiting to pay.
'These songs aren't so bad…' Setsuna clicked on the next sample and couldn't help but listen to the lyrics. A smile formed on her face as she removed the headphones and put it back on the hanger provided for it. She picked up the CD and was about to walk to the register when she realized she didn't own a CD player of any kind. Setsuna glanced around the store and found the place where the different CD players hung on the wall. She selected a sleek black looking one and even though it came with headphones, she decided to buy ear bud headphones as well. Most likely because of the fact that she could hide them better to prevent from drawing any unnecessary attention.
"You decided to buy the CD?" The girl smiled again as she scanned the items and punched in some numbers.
"Yeah…um…well their songs are really good so…I couldn't help it." Setsuna shrugged and couldn't help but feel herself blush. The girl smiled and started to put the things in a bag.
"Great choice; the songs are fun to sing. Well at least I think so." The girl put the bag on the counter and took the offered money. "You like to sing?"
Setsuna instantly blushed as the memories resurfaced. "Y-Yeah, I guess…"
"Awesome so do I but only when others aren't around," The girl laughed at herself merrily and unashamed, "Well here you go. Enjoy the CD!" the girl smiled brightly again as Setsuna thanked her and walked out the door to continue on her way.
'My very first self bought CD…well…I'll wait before I open it.' Setsuna stuffed the CD and the player into her bag and made her way through the forest onto the pathway. She took a moment to look around at her surroundings to see that nothing had really changed. Naturally some trees were new but the majority of them were recognizable. Setsuna smiled to herself when she began to walk on the pathway where her rather large group met up with Asuna's on their way to Konoka's home during their class trip to Kyoto. That had been a few hectic days for all of them but the swordswoman was glad that it had happened the way it did. Well she wasn't happy with the way Konoka was abducted right under her nose twice and the way she had dragged in a good portion of her classmates into the mess. But because of that trip, she was able to reunite with her beloved Kono-chan.
'Kono-chan…Konoka…' Setsuna sighed heavily again as she readjusted the weight of her duffle back and continued along the path. The sky had begun to turn dark with the setting sun which meant that Setsuna would have to walk faster if she expected to make to her destination before nightfall.
Thinking over the situation again, Setsuna figured that some training would be in order. It wasn't often that she had to carry a bag of clothes and other things over her shoulder. With that thought in mind, the swordswoman readjusted her duffle bag so that she was able to hold it securely with her left arm as her right held onto her sword. Readying herself on her toes, Setsuna took in a deep breath and ran. She ran as fast and as hard as she possible could without burning herself out too quickly. She calculated the remaining distance left between her and her destination and ran accordingly.
'The faster I get there the better. I might be able to leave early…' She thought as she zoomed past the trees, careful to not slip on any roots that grew out of the ground or any other obstacle randomly hanging out. In just a few minutes, she found herself before the large entrance of Konoka's home.
"Welcome back, Sakurazaki Setsuna-sama."
Setsuna nearly jumped backwards in clear shock. Not once have the other priestesses of the Kansai Magic association ever greeted her in such a way. Not even when Konoka was with her. Yeah, she's received bows by them as they walked by each other but never have they ever addressed her as –sama before.
"I will take your bag to your room, Sakurazaki-sama." One priestess had come up to take the duffle bag from Setsuna and kept her head slightly down out of respect. The swordswoman allowed her bag to be taken though she wasn't sure what else she could've done without making herself look like an idiot.
Setsuna looked around obviously confused at the sudden formalities that were bestowed upon her. She was a hanyo, half-demon, someone who was below a human and despised by other demons. Why did they suddenly decide to treat her as if she were part of some important magic association? It's not like Setsuna was planning to be the leader of the Kansai Magic Association…she just happened to be in love with the only heir…
'Don't tell me…' But Setsuna was interrupted before she could finish her thought.
"Setsuna! Welcome! We've been expecting you!" Konoe Eishun, Konoka's father and former comrade to Negi's father, Nagi Springfield, greeted the swordswoman with a warm smile.
Setsuna immediately grew rigid and bowed down on one knee, much as she had always done before despite being scolded to not to.
"Eishun-sama! Sir! I'm sorry for the delay!" Despite saying that, Setsuna didn't even know if she was late or not. The words were blurted out of her mouth before she could even think about them.
"Delay? What delay? Father never set a designated time. All he told me was to expect your arrival sometime today or even tomorrow morning." Eishun laughed softly as Setsuna bowed her head lower. "No need to be so formal, you're like a daughter to me, Setsuna-kun and you've been protecting Konoka since the day the two of you first met. In fact, I would love it very much you treated me like a father."
Setsuna looked up from her kneeling position with even more confusion written all over her face.
"S-Sir?" She stuttered unsure of what else to exactly say.
"No formalities." Eishun stated firmly though his smile was throwing the swordswoman off.
"E-Eishun…s-s-sam," She received a look of disappointment and disapproval, "-san…"
Eishun sighed and let an amused smile grace his lips as he returned his gaze to Setsuna. "I suppose it's a good start. I believe you have a letter for me?"
Setsuna stood up in an instant and pulled out the letter from her pocket and handed it to him. Eishun took the letter and opened it carefully. Setsuna watched the intense look Konoka's father had on his face as he read the letter, but the more he read, the more his gaze softened until there was a huge smile plastered onto his face, almost as if he were trying to hold it back but wanted it to be seen. The swordswoman watched as Eishun folded the letter and gazed at her with the same amusement he had as he finished the letter. The look almost reminded her of the times when Konoka had something planned out for the date they were about to go on.
"Well now, I suppose we should get started. It's been years since we've last seen each other Setsuna-kun. Come and tell me all that has happened." Eishun turned and waited for the swordswoman to gather her things and follow him. His grin grew at the nervousness that took over the usually stoic girl's features.
"W-What would you like to know, sir? I-I mean…" Setsuna was going to have a very, very hard time adjusting the way she called the Head of the Kansai Magic Association. Eishun let the slip up slide for now since there were other things he'd rather hear first.
"Hmm, anything, actually how about you start from when you returned to Mahora. The school festival was quite the experience I hear." Eishun walked leisurely around the traditional home, making his way to the gardens out back. Setsuna found it rather odd that Konoka's father would want her to just tell him what has happened since they left from the school trip back during their second year in middle school.
But being the obedient girl she is, Setsuna told him all that he wished to hear.
"Mana-chan!"
The gunner turned around at the call of her name. She did not need to see who it was that called out to her, it was second nature to her in fact, when her roommate would constantly have the said girl in their room.
"Ah, Konoka, need anything?" Mana crossed her arms over her chest and fought the urge to smile. She knew what Konoka wanted and found it pointless to ask, but the white mage did not know.
"I was wondering if you've seen or know where Secchan is?" The hopefulness in Konoka's voice made Mana wish she hadn't promised Setsuna to keep quiet.
Careful to not lie, Mana replied, "Hmm, I saw her but I don't know where she went afterwards."
Disappointment washed over Konoka's face.
"Oh…I haven't been able to contact her all day. She's not even picking up her cell and Secchan never does anything like that…did grandfather send her out on an errand or something?" Konoka looked up to see Mana looking up in thought.
"I'm not sure but I suppose you could go ask him. He's the only one who can assign jobs for us so if anyone knew the whereabouts of Setsuna, it should be him." Mana let a small, small, smile show as the healer stood upright with determination.
"Thanks, Mana-chan! If Secchan is in her dorm tell her I'm looking for her?" With that Konoka ran off to her grandfather's place.
Mana shook her head as she sighed amusingly. "It hasn't even been 24 hours, much less 12 and she worries about her Secchan needlessly…" Mana watched as Konoka turned left and disappeared from her view before she herself turned around and went her way.
"Well…I suppose she has a good reason to worry…who knows why Setsuna had to suddenly leave."
A/N: …yeeeah…so uh…hope you weren't expecting too much? If you have any kind of scene you'd like to see written don't be afraid to give me some suggestions and I'll try to incorporate them somehow! I could really use some random stuff right now. Oh another thing, I just started college three weeks ago…and man! I have never felt so emo in my entire life! The work load is ridiculous plus I work during the day so I of course don't have as much time to work on my homework as my other friends who don't work and have practically the whole day save for two hours of class to do their homework. So yeah, it'll probably be months until my next update I'm sad to say…anyway reviews are nice and if enough of you ask for an update I'll try to update sooner! Oh and if you haven't noticed my chapters are unbeta-ed so if there are a crap load of mistakes and parts that don't make sense…I'm sorry…and don't be afraid to tell me.
…now be honest with me, who all freaked out when I said I'd drop the story? XD Sorry I just wanted to scare you (that is if you did get scared)…and I love teasing people so :P Don't worry I'm not going to give up on this, I'm determined to finish it actually, it'll just take me awhile.
