Later that night Setsuna suffered from her first case of insomnia since over a decade. The sheets felt hot. She could hear laughter from the floor below which usually didn't bother her. Her hearing was powerful enough to hear even the wind rustling the leaves in the forest on a silent night and the palace was usually quiet at witching hour. She could hear the clinking of glasses, Jack's laughter that was usually loud rumble through the palace. Yet the only thing she was thinking about was what Yue had said.

…You were made out of magic from birth…

Setsuna stared up at the ceiling, turning those words over in her mind like a film on repeat. She had memories of her first attempt at flying, of seeing her parents' faces, of her first sword fight with her father. And Yue had had no explanation for her apparent demonic abilities. As a yell of outrage that sounded like it came from Ayaka echoed throughout the palace followed by an explosion of innocent but maniacal cackling Setsuna sat up, rubbing her eyes and threw the quilt of the blanket off, sliding out of bed and crossed over to the bath-room. It was connected to another room that used to be Haruna's until she'd destroyed it so they'd made it a cinema room instead since it already had a projector screen inside that Haruna herself had created.

Inside Setsuna turned on the tap and splashed water on her face. Holding the sides of the basin Setsuna exhaled deeply and raised her head staring at her reflection staring back at her sullenly. She had wings. She could crush this basin into rubble with her bare hands. She could change her fingernails into claws at will or if someone hit the right buttons and made her angry enough. Didn't that make her a demon? Setsuna didn't feel magical. Nekane, Al and Konoka, they were all creatures of magic. Even Ayaka was more magical than her. Her reflection gazed back at her with dark brown eyes and ivory skin looking as helpless as she felt. As a murderous scream rent the air followed by a door slamming Setsuna sighed, throwing open the door and walking out of the room into the corridor. The twins always liked to play tricks on Ayaka at this time of the night and annoy her. Ayaka was an easy target. Sometimes Setsuna wondered if they needed to go to a disciplinary school. The army maybe. Setsuna stretched and taking a deep breath left the room.

"Get back here you two!" Ayaka was shrieking somewhere from down below.

Vines were creeping along the walls of the hallway at a terrifying speed. She saw two white lights darting towards her, spiralling and zig-zagging over one another in aerial loops. Setsuna had one second to register that the twins, assumed shape-shifters, had gotten into Yue's potion cabinet again before she was bowled over by the two. Landing flat on her back Setsuna groaned, sitting up. The walls were covered in vines now. Reluctantly Setsuna stood up and making her wings unfurl from her shoulders, tucked them in to her sides and crouching, sprung across the corridor landing in the oncoming path of the two pocket rockets. Setsuna braced herself, hunkering down and caught them head-on, skidding backwards three feet from the force created by the speed.

"Since when did you two start getting so much interest in Yue's potions?" Setsuna said wryly, gazing down at them with a slight smile.

Fuuka just giggled, tucked up in Setsuna's arm while her sister grinned up at Setsuna impishly. They were currently the size of infants, no more than four years old wearing matching detective outfits they'd found somewhere, most probably the storage room on the bottom floor. Years upon years of experience and being around them 24 7 had taught Setsuna and everyone else to tell them apart even when they looked exactly the same down to the tiny pink scar they both had on their index finger. Fuuka was shyer.

"When Konoka came," Fuuka chirped, laughing.

Setsuna raised an eyebrow at her, wondering if she was playing with her.

"Yeah!" Fumika wriggled out of Setsuna's grasp, tumbling to the floor and adjusted her deerstalker cap. She crossed her arms and grinned, "Konoka's loaded with magic! It's awesome!"

"She's a born gypsy she's bound to be," Setsuna said but the words sounded hollow even to her. She was starting to believe Konoka was some kind of enchantress or at least part succubus. Damn that Jack.

She looked from to the other carefully. They didn't seem to be joking, just excited.

"No she's like really loaded," Fumika said, shaking her head. She spread her arms out wide, "Like this much. Her magic's even bigger than Al!"

Setsuna was about to ask her exactly what that meant when Ayaka appeared at the end of the hallway with her face resembling a clown's complete with the fuzzy red hair. All that was missing was the red nose.

"You two are dead!" Ayaka screamed as soon as she saw them.

"RUN!" Fuuka squealed, grabbing her sister's hand and bolting down the corridor.

Ayaka steam-rolled down the hallway after them leaving burn marks in the carpet, her vines following and gaining momentum at a startling rate. As she bulldozed past Setsuna smoke billowing out of her ears a dark chuckle echoed through the air near Setsuna.

"Can't sleep huh Setsuna?"

Setsuna jumped, whirling around. Jack was there, leaning against the vine-covered wall with crossed arms. He grinned at her, his face half shadowed.

"That's none of your business," Setsuna said.

Jack laughed and pushed himself off the wall, stretching. Setsuna winced as the sound of his bones cracking filled the air.

"Thinking about what the little bard said about ya?" Jack chuckled.

Setsuna looked at him, startled, "How did you…you were eavesdropping?"

"Not much else for a ghost to do," Jack said, his eyes glinting. He rolled his shoulder, glancing at her with a lecherous grin plastered across his face, "Ya know, she coulda gotten it wrong. Maybe the Konoka girl just has that kinda effect on you."

"I was crying," Setsuna said. "Because…because I thought in that moment she was so beautiful, so pure. I thought she was the purest, most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I thought she wasn't even human, not even a demon. What do you call that Jack?"

"I'd say a goddess but we know they don't exist eh. So I'd be betting on a seductress or some kind of demon with the ability to charm whoever she likes!" Jack laughed.

"Even someone who was born from magic?" Setsuna muttered.

"Look maybe you were an experiment or something for one of those magic folk. You know, an experiment done by a mage or sorcerer or gypsy or something. Don't feel so bad Setsuna," Jack mused. "You coulda been a piece of magic floating around and then bam, some gypsy mumbo jumbo or magic incantation and then you were squirted outta their minds."

"Please don't say squirted," Setsuna's eye twitched.

"You really wanna know the truth?" Jack laughed. "Wait til Al gets back. He might know. He's been around long enough."

With that the demon started to walk away, intertwining his fingers and cracking his elbows. Setsuna had no idea how he did that as a ghost.

"Or you could go see you know who in the forest," Jack laughed.

Setsuna glared daggers at the back of his head, preferring to remain silent. As usual it had about as much as effect as a leaf against a hurricane.

"Oh yeah…one more thing," Jack looked back at Setsuna with an expression of death, wide-eyed and said in a low, omniuous monotone, "The little miss was a hit with the audience earlier."

"I'm glad," Setsuna said stiffly. "What's your point?"

Jack turned around, laughing, "Bump the circus act to once a fortnight insteada once every month. Never seen anything like what your girl did."

"What did she do?" Setsuna didn't like where this was going.

Jack just pointed outside the window and rippled into non-existence, his raucous laughter echoing throughout the air. Setsuna rushed to the window. There, lying on top of the shimmering golden net with the robots, was a sea of clothing. Most of it was underwear, some were fine cloaks, other silk scarves and coats. But a lot of it was underwear. And footwear. Plenty of polished black leather shoes and glittering, diamond studded heels. The robots were having a fine time trying on the underwear, seemingly fascinated by it. As a male one put on a lacy underwear Setsuna realized that there was an even number of females and males. That was why Jack had been so happy. The pervert. He'd been watching girls take their underwear off for Konoka. Wait…take their underwear off for Konoka? What the hell kind of gypsy made girls take their underwear off for her?! Setsuna stared at the underwear, one eye twitching. She could hear a blood vessel throbbing. She would take care of that tomorrow. She knew Konoka wasn't a gypsy. And so did some of the others but no one, not even a born gypsy could do what she did. So that left…what had Jack said? A demon so a succubus? No that only came to people in their dreams. Enchantress? Sorceress? But Yue couldn't have gotten things wrong could she? Yue said that Konoka was the one that had "stimulated" her magic or whatever. Gypsies were an entirely different breed to enchantresses and sorcerers.

Gypsies used life and fire as the basis of their magic while the others didn' could also sense auras of people and animals and their heart beats. If hanging around Nekane for half her life had taught her anything it was that born gypsies weren't any different from regular gypsies. They were essentially walking magical tanks and had an easier time taming and befriending animals than ones that learnt gypsy magic but other than that there was no other difference between the two. So how did that fit in with her? Despite what Yue had said Setsuna remembered being born in the uzoku tribe in the mountains to two bird demon parents, two eagle bird demons. Yue couldn't have gotten it wrong could she? Setsuna was so preoccupied with her thoughts on the way back to her room that she failed to notice the lump in her bed. Setsuna locked the door behind her and slid back into bed. The lump moved. Setsuna bolted upright, almost toppling off the bed. The lump rose.

Setsuna was about to attack it when the lump made a little noise like a kitten and whined, "Secchaaaaaan why did you have to wake me up?"

Setsuna opened her mouth, found no words came out then swallowed and pulled back the covers to reveal a sleepy-eyed Konoka in nothing but a bra and draw-string cotton pants looking at her balefully.

"H-H-How did you get in my bed?!" Setsuna spluttered.

"You left the door open. I was cold," Konoka said in a small voice, cuddling up to Setsuna and snuggling against her, head in the crook of her neck.

Setsuna felt skin.

"You…what are you wearing?!"

"You don't like it?" Konoka blinked at her. "It's Ayaka's. She lent it to me."

"…You're wearing a…you're not wearing anything," Setsuna stammered.

"I'm wearing a bra and pants," Konoka said sleepily. "Calm down ok? It's not I'm going to molest you or anything."

Setsuna swallowed as Konoka draped a leg over her, sighing contently. Setsuna vowed never ever to listen to another one of Haruna's stories. As Konoka nestled her chin in Setsuna's shoulder comfortably Setsuna caught her shadow on the opposite wall. It might've been the way the moonlight shone through the window at the exact angle that made Konoka look like she had a massive head and horns.

Setsuna liked to think that it was just her imagination especially when Konoka's hand clutched Setsuna's shirt and she mumbled, "Don't move. It's not fun when my victims move."

Setsuna froze, staring at Konoka. She slowly inched away from her but Konoka held on tighter like an octopus. Ten minutes later Setsuna hadn't moved a muscle while Konoka had fallen sound asleep. As a slow, satisfied smile spread across her face Setsuna began to frantically pry Konoka's fingers off her, starting to panic. Then she heard the rustle of majestic, powerful wings. A shadow swooped past the floor. Setsuna looked to the window. Icarus was there, hovering outside the window. As Setsuna wondered whether it'd help her it opened its beak, making a cawing noise.

Laughter sounded in Setsuna's head. A voice of a teenage boy, filled with mirth and vigour, echoed.

Having fun master?

Setsuna stared at the griffon some more. Then stuck her finger in her ear, twisting it furiously. She was dreaming. This had to be a dream. That griffon did not just talk to her.

Don't be scared. I just wanted to see if I could talk to you. I'm harmless.

"You're talking in my head," Setsuna stared at it. "I don't…I can't…"

Yeah I think it's weird too. I can't talk to people usually but you're different from everyone. You're stronger than them like way stronger. Icarus sounded confused. If you talk if your head to me we can communicate.

Um…

That's a start. The griffon laughed.

Setsuna threw him a dirty look. Icarus held up his two front paws as if surrendering.

Konoka said you're harmless.

I am. You still gotta do that eye contact thing and bow. Everyone does that so I figure why change?

You attacked me when we first met without me having to do that anyway

Oh well…you smelt like food and I was hungry

…You are quite unlike any other griffon I've ever seen.

And how many griffons have you seen in your life master Setsuna?

Just one, a very long time ago while I was out in the mountains. And how can you manage to smirk when you don't even have any lips?

I've got my ways. So…do you like Lady Konoka?

Setsuna glanced down at Konoka, trying very hard to ignore the griffon's piercing golden-eyed stare. And that weird feeling in her chest. Swish, swish. Setsuna could hear Icarus' lion tail whisking through the air, his powerful wings beating the air. It was soothing somehow, familiar territory.

Do you lust after her?

What?!

I take that as a yes

Setsuna whipped her head around, wincing as she got whiplash. Setsuna raised her hand to her now sore neck.

Will you just go back to whatever it is you were doing before?

Don't worry a lot of people do. They say she was blessed with beauty far greater and more beautiful than the world will ever see

"That sounds like something out of a fairy-tale," Setsuna looked at Icarus straight-faced and said out loud, "And who's they?"

Oh uh you know, just people who see her. I'm gonna go catch some rats. Still hungry, later

The griffon flew away, disappearing from the window. He was just playing around. Sullenly Setsuna lay back down, wondering how Konoka could know a wise guy griffon when the girl in question suddenly giggled and murmured something that Setsuna couldn't figure out. She gripped the sheet harder, a low moan coming from her.

"Konoka?" Setsuna said hesitantly, reaching out to shake her.

Then Konoka made a noise that sounded like a cross between a groan and a moan.

"Don't think dirty thoughts don't think dirty thoughts…." Setsuna mumbled to herself lying back down and shutting her eyes.

Just as she did she heard the sheets rustle loudly and a thump that sounded like Konoka had fallen out of bed. Setsuna counted silently in her head before opening her eyes to see Konoka scrambling to her feet, tangled in the bed covers. The brunette was blushing so badly she could have put a fire ambulance to shame.

"S-Sorry I…uh where's the bathroom?" Konoka said hastily, stumbling out of the covers.

Setsuna wordlessly pointed towards the open door that connected both rooms.

"Thanks," Konoka said and practically bolted out of the room.

She threw open the door of the opposite room and rushed inside slamming the door shut so hard the noise reverberated around the entire area. Setsuna looked at the now closed door of the bathroom with a mixture of utter bewilderment and amusement as she heard the sound of gushing water-Konoka had turned the taps on.

"Crazy," Setsuna shook her head and settled back down nestling her head in her hands to get to sleep.

Least that's what she thought. Just when she was about to she heard something-heavy footsteps trampling the wooden floors. A smell like perfume and lavender, shampoo drifted through the air.

Rose petals came to life in front of her, suspended in mid-air before twisting and fluttering in the wind and disappearing altogether. Setsuna thought she was dreaming. But she could still smell that smell, lingering in the air like a fragrant perfume. Suddenly an image surfaced in her mind of Konoka in a pure white dress with a gold turtle-shell comb in her hair, her hair loose and flowing in haphazard carefree curls. She was laughing, running along the shoreline of a magnificent golden beach with her arms spread out like an eagle's. The water rushed up against Konoka's feet, lapping her toes and she spun around, blowing a kiss to someone. Setsuna bolted upright again, breathing hard her hand on over her chest. Where did that come from? She heard the sound of the dog barking getting closer near the door. Then all of a sudden it stopped. The door creaked open and light footsteps hurry across the carpet.

"Konoka, did you hear-" Setsuna stopped turning, her words dying in her throat.

Konoka was standing in front of her with no clothes on in her full naked glory. Grinning down at Setsuna she clasped her hands together and dove back into the bed underneath the sheets.

Setsuna leapt backwards, almost pitching over the edge of the bed as Konoka popped out from underneath the sheets, saying in a loud, hyper voice and grinning, "Hiya!"

Setsuna was pretty sure she hadn't lost her voice but nothing was coming out. Then she realized Konoka had a pair of furry brown dog ears sticking out of her head and no ears and her hair was tousled and wild like she had just spent the day in gale force winds.

"What-"

Konoka put her fingers on Setsuna's lips, her eyes seeming to sparkle. There was a bump at the bed-sheets near Konoka's spine. Gingerly with mounting fear Setsuna slowly took the bed-sheets off. A fluffy, dark dog tail was sticking out at the base of Konoka's spine, wagging in the air excitedly. Setsuna was speechless.

"Do you like it?" Konoka asked with a radiant, earth-shattering smile.

Setsuna shielded her face. It was glowing. It was literally glowing, "Um…yeah but-"

"Great!" Konoka moved, straddling Setsuna.

"H-Hey w-what are you…" Setsuna stammered.

Giggling Konoka moved further up, putting one of her legs in between Setsuna's, "You're cute when you stutter."

She kissed her. Setsuna's brain shut down for a good minute. She froze. She felt tongue. She tasted something sweet, wild that reminded her of tropical fruit and sandy beaches. It flooded her brain, her mind until the only thing she could concentrate on was how Konoka's lips were pressed up against hers and her tongue was working hers. Her kiss was gentle, passionate. Konoka drew back, her face half hidden in the shadows and smiled. Setsuna could only stare up at her, dazed.

"You should kiss me back," Konoka told her.

She leaned down her hair falling in carefree waves around her and kissed her again, her hands gripping her arms. It only took one second for Setsuna to wrap her arms around Konoka's waist and pull her closer, wanting to taste every bit of her. Somewhere in the back of her mind she knew this wasn't right but Konoka just tasted and felt so good.

A whistle cut through the air. Konoka whipped her head around, disappointment flashing across her eyes. Setsuna craned her head, blinking. It was like there was a fog that was obscuring her mind, a euphoric haze. She tried to focus.

"Why'd you have to ruin it? We were having fun," Konoka whined, one ear folding downwards.

Setsuna shook her head dizzily. There was no way that there was another Konoka standing the doorway. No…no she must've snapped.

"Because she's not your toy to play with," Konoka rolled her eyes.

"But you play with toys all the time," The Konoka on top of Setsuna complained. Shifting she nestled her head down on Setsuna's chest, saying in a muffled voice, "Can't I just have some fun with her for the night? You've got an eternity to keep her to yourself."

Setsuna looked slowly from the Konoka lying on top of her to the one at the doorway, feeling an odd sense of confusion, dawning terror and curiosity.

"Get off her you know what happens when you play with someone for too long," The Konoka at the doorway said sternly clapping her hands.

Grumbling the Konoka on top of Setsuna sat up, climbing off Setsuna and going to stand beside Konoka. Setsuna rubbed her eyes hard, sitting up. The fog was clearing and she realized she wasn't hallucinating. There really were two Konokas. The one standing at the door was the normal one. The second one was sulking, her tail hanging and one ear folded downwards.

"Konoka…" Setsuna finally said. "Who is that and why does she look like you?"

Konoka hesitated then took a deep breath and said stepping into the room and closing the door behind her, "There's something I have to tell you…I was cursed a very long time ago by a mage."

"And this is part of your curse?"

"Yeah…she cursed me with split personalities and this is one of them."

"I have a name," The other Konoka mumbled sourly. "It's Rose."

Setsuna looked at "Rose" strangely before speaking, "Why did she come out?"

At this Konoka blushed brighter than a tomato. Rose seemed to perk up, her face brightening and exclaimed, "It's because she felt -!"

"Shhh!" Konoka clapped her hand over Rose's mouth hastily. Throwing Setsuna a sheepish look she said, "Rose comes out whenever I feel attracted someone."

It took a few minutes for Setsuna to take that in. It took another couple of minutes to figure what she meant by that. Her insides felt tied up, like they were in knots. It wasn't a good feeling. In fact she felt kind of queasy.

"You mean…you…you're…" Setsuna's throat closed. She looked away, unable to face Konoka.

Tearing Konoka's hand away from her mouth Rose blurted out, "She thinks you're hot! She was dreaming about you a couple of hours ago and-!"

"Rose!" Konoka cried out, her voice rising high decibels.

Setsuna felt her face heat up like an oven. She remembered now-the curse.

"I-It's not-I mean-you…I…Rose! I'll just go back to my room!" Konoka stumbled over her words.

She dragged Rose out and slammed the door shut. Setsuna put her hand over her heart, letting out a deep breath. She had to be careful. That was too close, far too close. That was the one thing she hadn't told Konoka. She couldn't love, not ever. Not again. And her stupid heart wouldn't stop racing. Setsuna closed her eyes. Tomorrow she'd make these feelings go away. Yue couldn't do it, not yet but there were other ways to get rid of emotions.

A.N: Well whaddya know Konoka's full of surprises isn't she? :]. How many more secrets do you think she's hiding? Or rather...how many more people?

KeeperAki: In this fic she's a full bird demon remember that ;P. And as for your question about her being made out of magic well, let's just say Setsuna is more than meets the eye xD. Much more.

Lance: I'm glad you're liking this story. I hope I can keep your interest going :D.

PinstripeFedora: Haha yeah death by bubbles would be undignified. As for your theories, siren or veela...well you're in the right territory. Konoka does have "charisma". Keep on thinking along those lines. You're actually quite close.

ForbiddenAnimeAuthor: Welcome! And thanks for enjoying the story that's what I'm aiming for ;]. I hope you enjoy the ride :]

NegimaFan: I am sorry about that I'll try to be less confusing in the future. There's not really any need to feel sorry for Setsuna. I've got grand plans for her :D.