Chapter 25: That Winter Night…

A frigid wind ran across the crust of the Osaka soil. Bare trees grabbing out to an unforeseen object in the sky.

Konoka POV

My eyes snapped open wide, awakening in a cold sweat. Sitting up slowly, as to not bother Set-chan (She always did look cute when sleeping); I put a hand to my head.

Since I arrived with everyone, I've had these scary, if not creepy, dreams; each time, I would try to figure what it meant... Replaying every second but end up more confused than I was before.

It would start would start and end with a lone girl. Just standing there as white snow fell warily to the ground around her monochrome figure. She looked no more than 12, wearing a kimono with a thin flower pattern.

She'd never move from that place. But beside the point, she looked familiar... She looked... Like me...

The strange girl would turn to her, black bangs covering the mysterious girl's eyes, and whisper something to the wind.

"Please Save Her... For me?"

And that's it... That's when I'd wake up.

I have no clue who the girl was or why I was having these strange dreams, but one thing was for sure; I had to save Kana-chan no matter what.

+++++Kanade's POV+++++
With less than a day left, I didn't need anymore inconveniences. I was packed and ready to go to the next location.

Yet, I still felt empty... This was my plan all along, so why?

Absent mindedly, I walked outside Makiharu-ojisan's shop and into the blanketed surface. Snow fell silently to the ground as the full moon shone dimly against the night sky.

"It was snowing that day too..." As I recalled, I closed my eyes and heard the faint cracks of burning wood and screams of bloody murder, the noises growing louder by the moment. Bodies piling up and fires raging.

I snapped my eyes open to find no change in scenery. A mist cloud formed as I sighed heavily clutching my heart, "It's all gonna end here..."

*Snap...*

I twitched.

With inhuman stealth, I ran to the nearest tree and hid behind it, eyeing anything that could've caused the noise.

I was at a loss for words, the pain, and the frustration. Things never go as planned do they?

++++third POV+++++++
She rubbed her mitten covered hands in an attempt to stay warm, but to no avail. Konoka snuck out of the hotel room on premonition, careful not to awake her guardian or the others from their deep slumber.

Konoka walked up the tea shack that Kanade stayed in and looked for an entrance inside.

Finally, she found a back door, with hopes high; she opened the door which led into a small living space.

"She's not here..." Konoka said aloud. Utterly disappointed by her search for her friend she decided to return to the hotel.

The healer turned around only to roughly bump into someone.

"Ah! I very sorry-" she looked up to find ice blue eyes staring back into her chocolate brown ones, "Kana... -Chan?"

"You shouldn't be so early." Kanade stated bluntly.

"Eh?" With a quick wave of her hand, Konoka was out like a light.

"I haven't even prepared anything yet either." The werewolf continued, "But, I can't just leave you here." She gathered her bags and placed two notes on the bed before returning outside.

In one swift transformation, Kanade turned into a full werewolf and leapt through the winter air, holding the unconscious brunette in a bundle in her arms.

"Just one more day..." Kanade thought, "And it'll all be over."

Setsuna slept soundly at her side of the bed, the swordswoman dreaming of what wonderful childhood she had with her Ojou-sama.

With a sudden chill, she tossed and turned to her other side, getting comfortable under the covers.

.

.

.

"That's strange..." Setsuna sleepily opened her eyes which instantly snapped open with alarm.

"Ojou-sama!" She bolted upright and found no sign of Konoka.

"Konoka Ojou-sama! Kono-chan! Where are you!" She practically yelled, alerting the others next door.

"Setsuna-san! Setsuna-san what's wrong?" Negi came bursting through the door.

"Konoka Ojou-sama's gone!" Setsuna explained.

By now, all the girls in the hallway were in the room, aware of the situation.

"Look!" Kaede spoke over the confusion, "Her shoes and coat are missing!"

"Eh? She went outside -aru?" Ku Fei exclaimed. Now everybody was worried.

"Where could she have gone?" Setsuna questioned herself aloud, "It's dangerous to be out at night!"

All this time, the child teacher was in deep thought, analyzing each piece of evidence. Then it hit him.

"Everyone!" He yelled to get everyone's attention, the girls turned their attention to their sensei, "I think I know where Konoka-san is."

The girls gave the boy happily anxious looks, "But we have to get ready for battle and for that, we need rest."

The students erupted with a chorus of 'what's, 'why's, and 'are you crazy's.

"Negi-sensei, with all respect, I- we can't just sleep now!" Setsuna argued, "We have to rescue Konoka Ojou-sama!"

"If she is where I think she is, then she will be fine." Negi said seriously.

Setsuna clenched her fists on Yuunagi until they turned white. Then Asuna put a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm with Negi on this one Setsuna-san. Just calm down and get some rest, okay?"

The swordswoman released her grip as she breathed.

"You're right. I shouldn't be rushing into things too quickly..." The raven haired girl turned to her teacher, "Are you positive that she'll be safe where she is?" Setsuna asked.

"...Yes." Negi replied.

"Alright. Let's go back to sleep then..."

With that, the girls left to their quarters.

Kaede stopped the young mage for a moment, "Negi-bouzu, Konoka-dono is with Kanade-dono, right?"

"Yes, I believe so." He answered.

"Does that mean you already have your answer?"

"I... I'm not sure yet..."

Kaede stood straight with the ever encouraging smile on her face, "Don't worry, I'm sure you will have your answer soon. Good night." With that the ninja and mage went their separate ways without another word.

AN: ... Maybe I'll finish this then re-write it... REVIEW! :D