Disclaimer: I do not own Mahou Sensei Negima, it is a copy righted work of Ken Amakatsu.

The Mage and the Swordswoman

Chapter IX "Truth To Be Said"

Hello, the story is nearing the end. Well, still a few chapters left and don't bug me to make it longer, as I have already planned it out already. Well, anyway, seems like you enjoyed so far. Well, as I said Setsuna will say something very important, well I guess you all got it figured out since it is very obvious. Anyway, go on and I will be back with more of my words when this chapter is finished

"I think we have ran far enough." Negi said as they stopped, panting, try to catch their breath.

Just then, two magical barrier formed right behind them and to their front after Chamo drew up enchantment symbols on the ground, leaving them enough room to set up a camp.

"That should do it." Chamo says as he sighed in relief knowing that they could finally take a break as nothing could break these barriers.

"I think we should take a break now as it is around six o'clock." Negi suggested after taking a look at his watch.

Setsuna nodded but said nothing for a few moments, then she went on to help Negi prepare for the camp.

Again, they acted in unison as they helped each other out, sensing that tonight would probably be the last night they would together on this trip.

This however, put a great pressure on Setsuna, as she knew that when they return to Japan, they would be like before again and Negi would leave her.

She knew that it was just back to normal, since officially they were friends and nothing else.

But she didn't want that.

She wanted to be able to recount this memory of being together with him after years of being together as that special someone to each other; but this was a feeling that she constantly hid, trying to make it disappear, but now she had come so far and so much, she couldn't let just slip away, not like that.

Then that question came once more.

"What do you want?' That same voice, Setsuna knew that it is her other self, the inner most part of her, which had asked her about her future and at the same time a part of herself that haunted her.

"I want to be with him and protect him." Setsuna answered with a firm voice as the world around her began to disappear.

"I want to see him laugh and see him smile and never cry because of sadness." Setsuna continued on as she saw herself and her other self standing in an all white space.

"Anything else?" Her other self asked again in an emotionless voice.

"I want it to last forever." Setsuna added that and upon hearing that, the other Setsuna smiled as white wings appeared on her back and her hair instead of black was white and her eyes, red.

She then remembered that was the real her, the her without anything to cover her real identity up.

"Then go, for your wish shall come true for you." The with a bright light, everything around Setsuna returned to normal

The experience was absolutely breath taking for Setsuna, but then she realized that she still had to make it a reality

She thought of doing it right away, but then she realized that she had no idea how to tell Negi that she loved him and cared for him deeply.

So that night she pondered deeply about it as she watched Negi and Chamo talked about tomorrow and how they could reach where the artifacts were located.

And being in a very cheerful mood, she also joined the conversation and shared her opinion on what would be ahead of them.

After having a approximate picture of what they would face tomorrow, they moved onto other topics that were less serious.

Negi, Setsuna, and Chamo recounted their lives one by one from the very early days to the later on days, which they had spent together.

Time passed quickly as they shared their laughters and memories.

"Ah." Negi yawned as he suddenly felt the tiredness rushed up his senses.

"Negi-sensei, it's getting pretty late, you should sleep now." Setsuna then helped him as he walked unsteadily over to his sleeping bag.

Meanwhile, Setsuna realized that the ermine has already fallen asleep as she could already hear his snoring sound.

And when Setsuna turned her attention from the sleeping ermine to Negi, she found that he had already fallen asleep.

So after gently tucking him in like a caring mother, Setsuna smiled as she watched his sleeping form.

"Maybe I should practice confessing to him." Setsuna thought as she began to think like an average teenage girl who was in love.

And like a normal girl, she became nervous as the words were about to leave her mouths and become audible vowels.

"What am I nervous about?" She asked herself.

"I like him don't I?" She then continued to question herself.

"Furthermore, this is only a practice since he is asleep." She told herself as she smiled a bit as she finally calms herself down enough to say it.

"Negi-sensei, although you are asleep and I don't think you can hear this, but I want to say that I…." She paused for a few seconds then carried on. "I care for you. Ever since the trip to Kyoto, I have fallen for you. I love you so much that I can't help myself but to think of you."

"I know relationship between teacher and student are not allowed and that I am older than you, but sensei, I really love you and really wish to be with you forever." Then Setsuna finally said and it is as if a big burden has been lifted off her heart and shoulder.

She then slowly stood up and walked over to her sleeping bag, and fell asleep.

Unknown to her, the ten years old teacher was awake when she said that and seeing that she had fallen asleep, he opened his eyes.

"Setsuna-san." Negi whispered her name as he looks at her sleeping from where he slept.

So it begins a sleepless night for Negi Springfield, son of the Thousand Master.

To be continued…

Edited: 03/05/2011

Yeah, another chapter done, anyway, what do you think? Also, I have found another piece of evidence supporting my pairing. In Act 76, Setsuna says that she likes Negi. I will leave it for you to read as I have to start thinking about ideas for the next chapter and perhaps I will all the chapters other than the epilogue done. Maybe, that is all I can promise. The story is coming to an end, but promise to you, this is a happy ending story, at least for those supporting this pairing.

Anyway, I will see you in the next chapter. Also, if possible I will need someone who knows all the sword techniques for Shimeiryu as Setsuna is going to use a lot of it and I can only name a few of them and match them up with what the attack looks like.

Still please, read and review this story and my other stories. And stay tuned for the next chapter.