The plans had all been worked out to a point. Setsuna and Konoka would be married the next day. Everything had gone according to plan so far. Eishun had agreed to let them go ahead with the wedding. The Headmaster had agreed to preside over the whole thing and Evangeline was letting them use her resort. They had planned to have it at around 3pm Wednesday. It was currently noon on the day before it would all occur and nervousness had set in.

Setsuna's mind ran through all the details again. 'Ok, first thing we have to do is make sure the resort is all organized and looking the right way. Second thing we need to do is make sure everyone is there on time. Lastly, I hope, is that everything is where it needs to be for the reception.' It all seemed easy and complex at the same time.

Setsuna was so absorbed in her thoughts that she didn't hear Konoka walk up behind her. Konoka accidentally spooked Setsuna when she hugged her from behind. A small gasp of shock was heard and Konoka said with slight concern, "Oh, I'm sorry Se-chan did I spook you?" Konoka smiled her usual slightly goofy smile. Setsuna looked at her and all the complicated thoughts went away and her thoughts went to the one she was going to marry in only a few hours.

It had only been five days since the proposal. They both had agreed to up and do the wedding as soon as possible. It only made sense to do it like that. Neither of them really wanted to wait but there was all the preparatory time they had to take into account. So now here it was five days after the proposal and the start of the plans and they were almost done with everything. Tomorrow afternoon was the set date. Setsuna smiled at Konoka and said simply, "The only thing that surprises me these days is how much more beautiful everything all seems now that we've finally agreed to get married." She gave Konoka a hug and kissed her. 'Everything will be perfect. I will make sure of it.' Setsuna thought.

The day was bright and the sun shone down making it all seem perfect. Setsuna wished that classes did not have to take place that day.If she had had her way the school would have had the day off, but that was not up to her. She sat and her thought drifted here and there but her focus was not on class. Thankfully Negi never called on her to answer a question. If he had she would have been too distracted to even think about what he had asked. Class went smoothly and time seemed to go right by. The end of school bell rang and everyone went their different ways, either to go get food or to various club activities.

Setsuna and Konoka walked hand in hand towards Evangeline's house. There was still quite a bit of planning to do. The walk there was slightly quiet. The met up with various member of Ala Alba on the way and were soon discussing wedding plans back and forth among each other. Setsuna noticed how happy it made her to finally be working on the last few details of everything. Konoka seemed to not have a care in the world. She was too happy to really worry about anything. Haruna, Nodoka and Yue were all discussing details that were being finished up at the last moment. Kaede, Ku Fei and Chisame brought up the last members. Negi, Asuna and Kotaro had gone on ahead and were already at Evangeline's.

AS they arrived they went into the room with the 'Resort', as Evangeline called it, in it and stepped into the magic field that transported them inside. They arrived at the castle that Evangeline had somehow magically transported from its original location to where they were now. The place looked amazing now that certain things had been decorated. Negi came up to the girls and spoke, "oh hey. You all came just in time. Especially you two, Setsuna-san and Konoka-san, Asuna-san and I wanted your advice on something." He pointed to the small dais where the girls would exchange vows and where the Headmaster would have the final say in the matter.

"It seems we can't do anything to it." Negi said. "Master has forbidden us to touch the thing. Could you please go and speak to her?" Setsuna smiled. She knew that Negi-sensei wouldn't go against his master's wishes. She went and looked for Evangeline. To her surprise she saw Evangeline but she wasn't alone. Albireo Imma was also here. He was talking to Evangeline as Setsuna walked up. 'I hope I'm not interrupting anything." Setsuna said politely. "No I was just finishing up here. Evangeline I will talk more about this matter with you later." Albireo smiled at both of them and simply vanished. Evangeline looked at Setuna with a slight glare and spoke."What do you want now? I hope that brat hasn't sent you to ask something of me. You know how I like those repaid." The smile on Evangeline's face said she wanted a fight or to put Setsuna through hell in the form of training.

Setsuna took a moment to gather her thoughts and then quietly spoke. "Evangeline-san I wish to ask if we may at least put some small form of decoration on the dais. It is otherwise unadorned with anything. I am willing to repay you in whatever manner you so choose." It surprised her how formal that sounded but it needed to be if she was to get anywhere with Evangeline. It seemed like an eternity waiting for Evangeline's answer. Then she heard Evangeline start to speak.

"If you wish to do such a thing to that dais then I will require one thing of you. You must Stay here and train with me until the time of your wedding. The catch is you will not be allowed contact with anyone the entire time. This includes your precious fiancée." Evangeline laughed at her own evil designs. It was choose something that was trivial and have the consequence be being away from the one you loved for a long time or let it go and be with the one you love. The only upshot was that the training would make it easier to protect Konoka afterward.

Setsuna weighed all the options and then finally answered. "I choose to concede to your wishes so that everything can be perfect for Konoka. I choose to undergo your training and be away from her so she may have everything she can possibly wish for. The other reason I am doing this is so that I may be able to protect her better in the future." Setsuna's eyes looked bright and fierce. She could withstand anything Evangeline could throw at her. Evangeline smiled and said "Good. Then you start in half an hour. Go say what you wish to do to the others and then you will begin training." Evangeline smiled at the thought of watching Setsuna struggle against the training she had in mind. It was going to be interesting. Only twelve hours would have passed out in the normal world but here in the resort it would be twelve days of some of the harshest training Setsuna would ever see in her life.

(Thanks to all of you who continue to read my stuff. This is hopefully going to be four chapters but who knows I may find the need for more. Hope you enjoy reading it)

Shinobi of the Onyx Sands