Disclaimer: Ken Akamatsu is the creator of Negima
AN: I know I already warned you about the upcoming chapters being darker and more violent. It runs true to form. This chapter is no less but more. It also has some swearing so if you take offense to this, turn back! You had your warning. I do not want any complaints because of the offensive texts, you were warned and had the choice to turn back.
A pained cry resonated throughout the cave only adding to other screams and grunts. A tall, athletic built demon calmly walked through the dark passageways without hesitation, his boots slapping against the rough ground, every so often hitting a puddle spraying the wall with its grime, turning left and right then straight ahead. He stopped in front of an entrance; the only barrier is a black cloth large enough to cover the entire entrance.
Hearing ghastly noises from within, he knew his master had 'company'. Deciding whether to interrupt or come back another time, the demon took a step back then forward pausing each time. The information he held was important, but he knew how much his master valued his alone time with 'company'. Before he could come up with a decision, "Enter." a commanding voice called out. Taking a deep breath, he stepped inside.
The room itself was spacious holding only a king-sized bed, a large table, and a bathtub as the only furniture. On the walls were chains nailed to the walls and manacles on the ends. Various tools rested on the table where a live, naked 'patient' laid tied to the table with straps. "What do you want?" the voice demanded, drawing the attention away from the helpless victim, whose face was disfigured with shreds of skin that hung from various parts of it's face with pus oozing out, to the form sitting on the bed watching him with an icy glare.
Swallowing, the demon knelt down on his knees and hands, "My Lord, I have come to tell you about that girl who-" He was interrupted by a steel-toed boot kicking him in the nose, hard. He flew against the wall then sank down with blood flowing freely.
"Do not waste my time, servant! Tell me what you know." The voice became colder leaving the demon to shake in fear. 'He's in a bad mood today.' He estimated, quickly summarized his report.
"My Lord, her name is Setsuna Sakurazaki and she is a student at the school. She also works part-time as guard along with two other students and the teachers." The Lord walked over to the table where his live 'patient' lay. "She is a student of the Shinmei Style and it would appear the reason she is attending Mahora is to be near Konoka Konoe of the Kansai and Kanto Magic Associations and serve as her bodyguard."
A blood chilling scream erupted as the Lord stabbed his hand into the stomach pulling out organs of all kinds within his fist. "Konoe, huh? It would appear that my brother is either incredibly lucky or smarter than I originally thought." He spoke to himself while reaching once more into the warm body of its screaming victim, blood splattering against his face and bare chest. Licking the specks from his lips, he felt around the warm body.
"My Lord, your orders."
"Keep watch over them. This would appear to be a great opportunity to 'kill two birds with one stone'." He smirked, the underling demon bowed once more before leaving his Lord in private. Grinning wider, he grabbed the spinal chord and with a closed fist, heard a clear snap. Dragging his eyes to the widened-horror filled eyes of his victim, who was now beyond pain, "You served me well as entertainment, my pet. It would appear that my appetite has returned." The eyes widen still, reflecting the Lord's sharpened teeth closing in to his face before it clamped down into darkness.
"That concludes my report, Headmaster." Setsuna stood at attention, keeping her voice unemotional.
"Dismissed." The headmaster turned to the vast amount of reports and paperwork on his desk. Instead of the normal soft click of the door, he heard footsteps coming closer to his desk. Looking up, he saw Setsuna stopping just three feet in front of his desk watching him. "Was there anything else you needed?"
"Sir, I would like to request moving in a closer room to Princess Konoka." Her face tense and a slight blush colored her normal pale skin.
"I understand your concern, Sakurazaki, but I cannot grant that. Even though Konoka knows about her magical abilities, I want to do whatever I can to keep her fear-free of the dangers. She would become suspicious if you suddenly moved closer. I believe Konoka is well protected. She has not only the barrier but several strong magic users as back up including you."
"But, sir, we have killed more than just that one member of Hell's Gang. Three already in the last month, it is obviously they are a threat to the school and its students. My sole duty is to protect her, nothing else matters to me. It would be better if I was closer to her than several halls away."
The headmaster knotted his fingers with his elbows resting on the desk. His eyebrows knitted in concentration as he regarded her, "I do not want to cause unnecessary alarm within this school. You will continue your usual duties, nothing more. Dismissed." He finalized his tone. Setsuna bowed slightly then retreated, closing the door behind her.
Walking through the halls to her station of guard duty, her face revealing nothing but inside was turmoil. She wanted to argue further but knew it was useless. Tightening her hold on her weapon, she entered the forest and shadows. A place she was well acquainted with that helps calm her. Allowing her thoughts to wash over her, she leaned against the trunk of a tree with arms crossed and eyes closed; she needed to clear her mind for the job knowing distractions could lead to problems.
The foreboding feeling she felt since she encountered that demon has not dissipated but intensified. There were times when she felt eyes on her but whenever she turned around, the feeling evaporated. The headmaster was not taking the situation serious enough. Gripping her arms tighter, the thought of harm coming to Konoka because precautions were not properly taken only fueled her anxiousness.
"..chan? Set-chan!" a voice broke through her thoughts.
Her eyes opened revealing Konoka with a concerned expression, "What's wrong?" Konoka cocked her head to the side slightly, an action that shouted cute to Setsuna.
"It's nothing, Princess, what did you need?" she plastered a smile.
"I just wanted to see you." She grabbed her hand causing Setsuna's face to once again burn.
"Princess, I really wish you wouldn't do that." Setsuna pleaded, but Konoka just smiled.
"You are so cute, Set-chan." She placed a hand on Setsuna's cheek as she observed in amusement to her reaction. The poor samurai always found herself completely vulnerable to Konoka no matter what; she felt her legs become jelly as Konoka continued to tenderly caressing her cheek.
"What if someone sees us?" Setsuna glanced around. Konoka leaned in and pressed her forehead against Setsuna's, their eyes captured in a lock as silent words passed between them.
"Its okay, Set-chan, I don't care if anyone sees us. There is nothing to hide." Konoka broke the silence as she wraps her arms around Setsuna's neck pulling herself closer to her knight. With trembling arms, Setsuna embraced her holding her close while resting her chin on the crown of her lady's head. Closing her eyes, Setsuna forgot about everything but the girl in her arms.
'Was this true happiness? Even holding her close seemed so far away, never wanted to be apart from her.' A rare moment as Setsuna allowed her complete guard down and surrendered herself to selfishness as she looked down at her lady memorizing every detail once more.
"You are truly beautiful, Kono-chan." She whispered as she touched Konoka's face so carefully as if she were fragile. Tracing her thumb on the outline of her mouth, she leaned down and with the barest of touches; she brushed her lips against her lady's igniting a desire so strong that it took all her being to keep it back. Now was not the time to allow such desires to go unbridled. Her heart filled up with so much tenderness for this girl, she was not sure how to deal with it. She was sure her heart would give out from so much emotion.
"Isn't that just the cutest thing." Both girls broke to find themselves surrounded by demons. Quick reflexes brought out her blade while doing whatever she can to keep herself between the demons and Konoka.
'How did they get here? Dammit, why didn't I pay attention?' the demons started closing in, 'Shit, there are about six and the chances of retreating are slim. I've got to create a diversion so she can escape.'
Sizing up the situation, she knew they were surrounded by demons of all sizes yet arms and chests thick with corded muscles; the odor emitting from their hulking forms itself was a weapon of destruction. Clenching her jaw, she couldn't make a move without leaving Konoka defenseless. 'They planned this!' she grabbed a hold of Konoka's hand and gripped her sword in the other. 'There are no other students around, and we are in the forest out of sight. Dammit! How could I not have sensed this! Nothing will come from berating myself, I must find a way to get her to safety.'
"We have been waiting for this, girl, and you are with that Konoe's seed. We shall teach you to know your place, samurai! 'A life for a life' a nice motto you humans came up. This is revenge!" the leader of the pack shouted with spit spraying everywhere. "Kill the samurai. Grab the Konoe brat!"
To Setsuna's horror, the demons swarmed on them. "Don't worry, princess, I won't let them take you." She created a whirlwind with her sword leaving a narrow path as the demons flew backwards some hitting trees or just skidded along the earth. Running toward the school with Konoka in tow, two demons blocked their path by jumping; Setsuna slid to a stop with Konoka bumping into her backside. She swung her sword as a demon tried to make a grab for Konoka, the blade cut into the arm.
"Never touch her." her voice even and deadly as were her eyes, "I'll kill you all if you hurt her." She vowed.
Laughter rang through the group, "And how are you going to do that? There are six against one. What can one little girl do?"
Setsuna calculated each demon and what skills they possessed by carefully watching them as they gave chase. 'Pick off the weaker ones working your way up.' Sighing, she let go of Konoka's hand and then quicker than a blink of an eye, moved behind a large, stupid-looking demon with a kick in-between the shoulder blades causing the demon to stumble forward. Before he hit the ground, she impaled her sword from the back of his head with the point of the blade sticking out of his forehead. The eyes barely reacted to the swift attack. Using his weight falling forward, she jumped off his shoulders onto the next unsuspecting demon. Her sword pulled free, she twisted in the air before slicing downward, burying the blade halfway in his face.
'Four more to go.' She grinned at seeing their shocked expressions. They had underestimated her, a regret they won't live to tell. Catching sight of her third victim, she ran toward him, but this demon was not quite as slow as the last two and managed to pull up a block from her attack. Not so easily deterred, she swung around hoping to make contact from behind. Anticipating the move, the demon grabbed Setsuna by the hair and threw her back.
Falling down on her back, she heaved her body onto her shoulders and arms, pushing off using ki to intensify the push and kicked him straight in the jaw. The demon stumbled back from the force of the kick; he stuck his leg behind him to balance himself from falling. She sensed another demon coming from behind her; she quickly came up with a counterattack.
Forming power in her right fist, she punched the demon's gut as hard as she can; once he was bent over from the unsuspecting force, she rolled over his form then kicked his bottom towards the charging demon. Without hesitation, she ran her hand over the blade with ki then ran towards the two demons, stabbing both at the same time as well as knocking them back, hitting several trees.
Facing the two demons now standing, she advanced toward them. Her eyes were burning with the feel of battle as adrenaline ran through her veins. She took a step advancing on the now two frightened demons all the while blocked them from reaching the princess.
Konoka stayed next to the tree as she watched the fight. She could hardly believe this was Set-chan; she was a different person. She wished she could help in some way but knew it would only cause problems for Setsuna. 'Set-chan.' She held her hands in front of her chest; she prayed for help to arrive.
"Get her!" the leader shouted, but the henchman seemed more reluctant to fight. "You know what will happen to us if we don't bring that brat with us and kill off this samurai? The punishment will be far worse than what this girl will do to us!" That seemed to have gotten the henchman's attention.
Forming energy in his hands, he threw them at Setsuna, who tactfully dodged them. "Why don't you just die already!" the henchman shouted as he increased the energy causing small craters in the ground.
Setsuna continued dodging while trying to get closer. He was not letting up or giving her the chance to get closer. After the first minute, he showed signs of fatigue, but she still could not get close enough. She wanted to get back to Konoka as soon as possible. A cry echoed from behind distracting Setsuna long enough to pause.
BOOM!
The ball of energy hit her straight on knocking her back. Digging her feet into the ground, she staggered only to be hit again by another energy ball. She chanced a peek to find the leader grabbing Konoka's arms and pulling her toward him. "PRINCESS!" she screamed but with the constant attack and being knocked down, she was helpless.
A feeling of helplessness enveloped her as she tried in vain to think of a plan. "Set-chan!" Flesh hitting flesh resonated in Setsuna's ears as she witnessed the leader slapping Konoka. A sudden surge of energy flooded throughout her as anger built up. Without warning, Setsuna's wings sprouted from her back forming a pyramid-shaped barrier around her as she charged toward the henchman, her sword drawn and ready for the kill.
Deflecting the attacks with her barrier, as she neared him, she dropped her barrier and kneed the demon's face back. Using her wings to lift in the air a bit she then allowed her full weight to fall straight down on the demon's now exposed jugular. The sound of the breaking and tearing of tissue, muscle, and bones was clear.
Instantly, she flew toward the leader. Seeing blood dripping down from her princess's nose and the swelling of her cheek, her blood only boiled more. Screaming out her rage, her body slammed into the demon. His grip on Konoka loosened as he and Setsuna flew further into the shadowy forest. Branches tore into Setsuna's wings as they flew deeper into the forest.
Setsuna rained attack after attack mercilessly on the demon. Pouring her hatred and disgust for touching and hurting HER princess, she used different attack methods to prolong his agony while cutting deep wounds into his body. Painful attacks that left the demon considering which beating was worse his Lord or hers; as a final addition, she head-butted the demon's nose before doing a sweeping kick.
Grabbing his hair, she lifted him up not yet done and slammed his body against the trunk of a tree. Nonstop punches filled with powerful ki landed on all his vital spots. Her eyes burning, she grabbed his head in-between her hands and with all the force she could muster smashed his head inward like a tomato. Brain matter and blood sprayed everywhere soaking herself and the surrounding woods; she finally skewered her blade into the demon's heart to make sure he was dead.
Breathing hard from the exertion of ki and energy, she slowly stumbled back to check on Konoka. Blood dripped from her body and torn wings along with splattered matter of body chunks. She had a hard time focusing and her grip on the sword was slipping. Seeing the shadowy form of her princess waiting for her return, she made her way to her. "Are you all right, princess?" she closed the gap between them. Before reaching her, she fell on her knees from severe exhaustion.
Konoka ran to her but before she could reach her knight, a force grabbed her waist and pulled her away. Setsuna's eyes widen to see a demon in human form smirking at her. He was tall with curly black hair, his eyes were a muddy yellow color and in slits. He wore a shirt unbuttoned showing off a slender body underneath with grey slacks. "It would seem my plan worked perfectly. You're much better than I thought but it was all in vain."
He held the struggling Konoka in his firm grip, pressing her against his body to prevent any sort of escape. "My, she sure has spirit doesn't she?" with swift movement, he knocked her out then swung her over his shoulder.
"Pr..princess!" her hoarse voice rang out as she tried to reach her. Her body couldn't move, it seemed to have shut down as she fell forward. Using her arms, she tried to crawl to her, but the demon only laughed at her weak attempts.
"Still trying to save your precious princess? She belongs to me now. I know that this is Konoe's brat, and I know she possesses great powers within her. Very useful tool, she will become to me. I was beginning to get tired of my old toy and needed a replacement." He handed Konoka over to another demon, who disappeared in a portal. A single obsidian earring hung on his left ear. Unlike the other gang members, who had two, he seemed to be of special importance. Setsuna could already feel an intense power emitted from him. He was different.
He walked over to Setsuna as she tried to stand up. "I would never have pictured that a demon would ever side with humans much lessmagicians. You are a disgrace to all demons!" He grabbed a hold of her hair lifting her up then threw her so she hit concrete sidewalk. Both her wings and clothing dragged along the hardened concrete. Gasping in pain, Setsuna tried once more to get up, her wings were twisted and mangled, and her clothes were now hanging torn from her broken body.
The demon teleported next to her and kicked her in the ribs breaking them and puncturing her lungs. Blood immediately began to fill her lungs as she coughed up flecks of bright red. Setsuna refused to scream out in pain; she glared up at the demon grabbing his leg in a weak hold. "You're not a demon; you're a half-demon. Have you no pride? Living as if you could be one of them, you are weak" he sneered down at her.
He kicked her hand away, crushing it under-foot. "White wings signify bad luck by the bird tribe. I had heard rumors about a reject from the bird tribe awhile back. Now, I understand why you were exiled, a half-demon, white wings, fondness for humans, and weak. I can't stand to look at you." He kicked her face,which sent hercrashing against the side of the school building. "This is payback, bitch, for killing my brother." He picked her up again to land punches on her face and broken ribs.
Setsuna was in a world of hurt. Everything was being crushed even more. She couldn't call upon anymore power for she had spent it all. A blade pressed against her throat. "I should repay the debt. Know this, I have taken your heart, and I will destroy it. Know that Konoe will suffer the rest of her days while you can't do a single thing about it."
Drawing the blade back, he began to thrust the knife to her stomach only to be halted by a bullet. Jerking his attention in the direction it came from, he found a dark-skinned girl reloading to shoot again. Sensing more magicians arriving, he knew to make his escape. "This is not over, half-demon. We shall meet again." He then disappeared. Setsuna fell, afixiated by the blood in her lungs, gasping for every bit of breath as Mana caught her, causing more of her ribs to puncture her lungs. "Princess…pr..Kono-chan." she managed to voice before passing out.
AN: Okay, this was a difficult chapter to write. I was doing all I can to make the battle scenes believable. Doubt I was able to make that a reality. Anyway, I hope you have enjoyed this chapter for all the pain-staking problems I had creating and recreating over and over as well as editing so much! Tell me your thoughts and views, it would help me out greatly. Again, thank you for the reviews. More reviews only means the quicker another chapter will come out!
One more thing, I would like to express a hearty thanks to my editor. I will not name you out of respect for your privacy but it was thanks to you that this story was able to come out.
