"Master, do you think it was a good idea for Setsuna to spar with Asuna?" Chachamaru remarked to Evangeline the next week as they stood on the patio watching the pair sword fight with the swords that Evangeline had created from ice.
"It's a good thing to help her reign in her strength and control it," Evangeline said lazily, stabbing a straw in a juice box and sticking it in her mouth.
Setsuna was forcing Asuna back on the defensive, overpowering her easily. Backing her up against the fence Setsuna slashed. With inhuman reflexes Asuna brought her sword upwards. Both swords clashed against one another in a spintering crack snapping in half simultaneously. Half of the ice snapped off from the swords from the top, free-wheeling through the air. Evangeline leaned to the side as one piece hurtled straight for her.
The screen door opened and Konoka walked outside, carrying a tray with five glasses of orange juice with curly straws sticking out. She teetered, spinning around as the ice zoomed past her and sighed in relief as she regained balance.
"Did you guys want some orange juice?" Konoka asked brightly.
"Pass," Evangeline said curtly, keeping her eyes on Asuna and Setsuna. She was starting to wonder what on earth that Kagurazaka girl was to be able to withstand a vampire demon's full strength.
"My apologies Konoka-san but I am unable to drink any liquids as it will damage my circuits," ChaChamaru said with an inflection of sympathy.
Evangeline glanced at her. Funny she didn't remember those two scientists installing any emotions in her.
"Oh…alright then I'll go ask Secchan and Asuna," Konoka said. Humming something she flew down the steps of the patio and over to Kagurazaka and Setsuna.
Asuna was panting while Setsuna hadn't even broken sweat. Their eyes were locked onto one another, neither one moving an inch. Kagurazaka was grinning, sweat dripping down her face. She had that fervor in her eyes, the one that warriors had before a battle. Setsuna was starting to smile too, nothing but respect. Setsuna straightened, putting her hand out for a handshake. Surprised, Asuna took it, shaking it heartily.
"They seem happy master would you like to go join them?" ChaChamaru asked as Konoka bumped Setsuna playfully.
Evangeline could've sworn she heard some humour in the robot's voice. As she gave her a look Chachamaru poured her more tea from the kettle politely, wearing an innocent look on her face.
"Stupid robot," Evangeline muttered.
She returned her attention to the trio. Konoka was playing with the straw with her finger, twirling it around while smiling slightly at Setsuna. Evangeline squinted, wondering if she was imagining that flush in her cheeks. She strained her ears, realizing that Setsuna and Konoka's hearts were both beating erratically. In fact the closer they both were the faster they beat. Setsuna's was going a hundred miles a minute. Evangeline tilted her head, blinking. Interesting… Setsuna was looking pretty nervous. She'd arched her wings inwards-Setsuna liked to keep them out nowadays-and was nodding enthusiastically to whatever it was that Kagurazaka was babbling about without paying a single whit of attention to what the girl was saying. She knew because Setsuna's eyes were glued to the Konoe girl's face. Apparently she hadn't even noticed that her lower feathers were now completely white and the underside was streaked with it while the back of her feathers were morphing into the same colour, changing from luxurious black to fluffy white.
"Eva-chan!" Konoe suddenly called, setting the tray down and running over to her.
"What?" Evangeline raised an eyebrow.
Undeterred Konoe grabbed her hand pulling her towards them, "C'mon it's such a nice afternoon let's just all lie down and nap out here."
"I'm not sleepy you air-head!" Evangeline yelped, half annoyed half incredulous.
Giving her a patient look Konoe said, "Just come ok? You seemed lonely all by yourself."
Evangeline was about to retort when ChaChamaru walked over picking her up in her arm like a child and said, "Don't you think, as a proper lady you should be polite master and entertain her?"
Evangeline scowled up at ChaChamaru, "You're getting awfully talkative lately ChaChamaru."
Setsuna suddenly coughed, choking. Asuna thumped her on the back. Gasping and eyes watering Setsuna smiled at Evangeline, her lips twitching.
"What's so funny?" Evangeline demanded, glowering at them.
"Nothing," Setsuna said straight-faced. Her shoulders were shaking though.
Growling Evangeline raised her hand fingernails glinting, "Say that again."
Setsuna looked at her blankly starting to say something.
"Aw you look so cute Eva-chan," Konoka said happily, clasping her hands together.
Setsuna cracked up bursting out into laughter, doubling over. Even the Kagurazaka brat was laughing, even worse than Setsuna. Evangeline's temper exploding she wrenched herself out of ChaChamaru's arm and lunged at Setsuna, getting her in a choke-hold with one arm around her neck and the other jerking her arm back.
"Sorry! I'm sorry! Please for….ow, ow, ow!" Setsuna cried out still laughing so hard she had to gasp.
"Show some respect to your elders you brat!" Evangeline yelled, pulling harder.
"I'm so-so-I'm sorry!" Setsuna gasped out.
She had tears streaming down her face but not the type of tears Evangeline wanted to see. That damn Konoe brat, meessing up everything. Evangeline A.K McDowell was a powerful, evil feared vampire with unlimited powers of ice and darkness at her disposal that could destroy this entire world if she wanted to and in two seconds flat this girl had punctured that image like a needle being punched into a balloon. She was being laughed at by [i]Setsuna[/i] of all people and carried like a toddler. God damn it.
"Please, I didn't mean it! Let me go!" Setsuna whined.
Ah well, at least she could have some fun. Looking down at Setsuna eerily Evangeline whispered in her ear, "I'm going to make you suffer…[i]slowly[/i]."
"Ow, ow...ow," Setsuna whimpered as she dragged herself into the bedroom she shared with Konoka later that night.
Every single bone and muscle in her body ached. That included her wings. Groaning she plopped down on the bed face-first, exhausted.
"Hard night?" Konoka's voice was like music to her ears, beautiful sweet lovely songbird music.
She lifted her head up gazing at Konoka who was watching her. She was concerned and somehow that made Setsuna's heart feel lighter, to know that she cared about her. Pasting a smile on her face Setsuna reached out, touching her arm, "I'm fine as long as I have..."
She caught herself, stopping. [i] As long as I have you[/i]. She couldn't say it. Konoka's expression didn't change, only become more concerned and maybe just a little bit disappointed. Setsuna rolled over onto her side so she wouldn't have to face her, adjusting her wings.
"Secchan," Konoka tenatively slipped an arm around her, resting her chin on the crook of her neck. "Hey what's wrong? You're not hurt are you?"
Setsuna tensed involuntarily. Konoka hugged her tighter. There was a rustle of fabric and she realized that Konoka had draped her leg over hers, just a little. For the first time in her life Setsuna wasn't just scared, she was absolutely [i]terrified[/i].
"It's my blood isn't it?" Konoka asked her quietly.
Setsuna stayed silent, not answering. Konoka shifted and sat up. Out of the corner of her eyes Setsuna saw her face thanks to her newly enhanced vision. Her eyes were soft and it occurred to Setsuna how she may have been thinking about leaving. A stab of fear flashed in her.
"Kono-" Setsuna began to sit up, her mouth dry.
Putting a finger on her lips Konoka pushed her back down with the other hand. Setsuna fell back down, her head sinking into the pillow.
"I trust you," Konoka said in a low whisper.
Setsuna could not have imagined how beautiful those three words were to her. They caressed her soul, tunnelling into the crevices of her being and wrapping her in a cacoon of happiness and joy banishing every seed of doubt that had nestled into her chest. Konoka leaned down, lips brushing against hers. Setsuna had a vivid memory of Konoka at the festival in the magic world her hair splayed out in luscious long curls, her face alive with joy and mischief, surrounded by magic and realized one thing.
"We're not drunk," Setsuna mumbled.
Konoka may have laughed. She didn't know because a white light was enamating from Konoka's body, filling the room. With every kiss Setsuna felt Konoka's magic seeping into her body, washing over her aching muscles and dousing them with a soothing light. Slowly the pain ebbed away until only sheer tiredness was left. Setsuna felt light, weightless. She was struggling to keep her eyes open. The light was fading from Konoka but she seemed different somehow, more otherworldly. It was like what she'd seen at the village.
"Se...Secchan..." Konoka murmured against her lips. "I think I..."
Setsuna's eyes fluttered shut, sleep over-taking her in its sweet embrace.
A.N: Boom.