When Setsuna woke up she felt groggier than usual. Setsuna's head hurt. She touched it only to have it throb. Wincing Setsuna climbed out of bed. It was hard to focus or think properly. She tried to remember...anything but couldn't. Setsuna yelped, toppling over and landing hard as a murmur sounded from beside her.
"Ow..." Setsuna groaned, sitting up.
She froze. Konoka was sitting at the other side of the bed on a rickety wooden chair, head resting on the covers nestled in between her arms. She shifted. Her eyes were closed. Setsuna stumbled to her feet, heart thudding against her rib-cage. Konoka looked so peaceful there. The book Nodoka had lent her was lying on the dressing table, opened. Had she been reading that all night? As Konoka shifted, mumbling something incoherently, Setsuna placed her hand over her heart taking a deep breath. She needed some air. Setsuna walked past Konoka then realized she wasn't walking in a straight line. She realized this when she crashed into Konoka instead of going for her window. Konoka cried out, tumbling out of the chair. Setsuna had enough sense to reach out to grab her but Konoka's foot kicked the chair into Setsuna which made her fall. Konoka hit the floor while Setsuna ended up falling on top of Konoka. Right on top of her. With her face buried in her chest. Time seemed to stop dead. Setsuna started to hyperventilate then leaped backwards, practically launching herself into the air. Her wings were still out. Her wings were still out! That wasn't normal...was it? Konoka was sitting up, giggling to herself softly.
"Careful you almost hit the ceiling," Konoka told her, smiling affectionately at her.
Setsuna just stared at her. Her heart was beating really, really fast. There was no way this could be healthy. Her heart hadn't beat like this in decades, not since Tsukuyomi.
"What happened last night?" Setsuna swallowed.
Konoka stood up, picking up the chair and righting it as she did. She said, "You were drunk. Nodoka told me you drunk absinthe."
Embarrassment flushed Setsuna's cheeks.
"I was worried when you didn't wake up," Konoka said, frowning. "But Nodoka told me that since you were a demon it's normal."
"What's normal?"
"Your heart slowed down. I thought it was going to stop but then it started again," Konoka said.
Setsuna drifted in the air, absorbing what she had just said. It was hard because of the hangover she was experiencing. She was pretty sure it was a hangover. She had seen Haruna have one and Yue had described the symptoms to her once before. At the time Setsuna had thought that Haruna had been suffering some kind of mental break-down from locking herself in her room and in total isolation in order to create "better" creations. After a month, when Setsuna had started to get concerned about Haruna, they'd opened the door to find Haruna completely drunk. That had been Setsuna's first brush with alcohol. Blurry vision, inability to speak properly, unable to focus on anything, slow comprehension and misjudging distances as well as limb displacement was what Yue had described it as. Setsuna would've figured it was better to call it getting bludgeoned by a sledgehammer.
"Okay Secchan just come down. You're still not completely sober," Konoka cooed, cupping her hands around her mouth.
There was something nagging at Setsuna's mind. She had thought about it just then but it'd disappeared like dust being thrown to the wind. Setsuna looked down at her suspiciously.
"I didn't just get drunk. I came to y...you and...you..." Setsuna stopped as a spasm of pain flitted through her brain. Never again would she drink so much.
Konoka was watching her, suddenly concerned. Dimly Setsuna was aware of her heart skipping a beat. Out of fear? Nervousness? That was curious. Setsuna shook her head as spots of black danced in front of her eyes.
"Just come down from there Secchan," Konoka called. "You're not completely sober yet."
Setsuna drifted further away from Konoka, continuing to eye her. There was something wrong here. She was missing something. She had just thought about it two seconds ago too but it was like her mind kept on skating over it whenever she got close. Setsuna tried to think and was rewarded with another brain spasm. Spots of black danced before her eyes. She blacked out. When she came to, eyes opening halfway blearily she was staring up at a pair of dark chocolate eyes that were twin pools of pure, unadulterated love and warmth capable of drawing in the strongest soul. Setsuna shot out of Konoka's arms. Least, she tried to. Her wings weren't working. They just flapped in place weakly, barely able to create a powerful enough stroke. Konoka set her down on the bed gently. Whap. Setsuna's right wing hit the book. Konoka's hand snapped out, snatching it before it fell. Putting it back on the dressing table she watched Setsuna, sitting back down in the chair.
"Relax okay? You need rest," Konoka said gently.
Setsuna pushed herself up, mumbling, "I'm fi.."
She covered her mouth as she felt something rise in her throat. Nausea took over. Konoka pushed her back down firmly, stroking her hair in easy, affectionate strokes. Setsuna found that soothing somehow. The nausea passed leaving Setsuna feeling sick. At least her vision wasn't swimming anymore.
"You know...you were really cute last night," Konoka said, giving her a small smile.
Setsuna shot upright, head snapping to her. She stuttered, "W-W-What did I...?"
"Oh nothing really," Konoka giggled. "You just flirted."
Setsuna's eyes bulged.
"Really I didn't know you were such a Casanova," Konoka grinned at her. "Do you do that with all the girls?"
Setsuna opened her mouth then closed it, staring at Konoka in horror. Konoka broke out into laughter. It echoed around the room, richer than anything Setsuna had ever heard.
"You should see your face," Konoka gasped, shaking her head.
Setsuna quickly rearranged her expression, making it composed once more. Yet she couldn't help a little tiny smile from forming. Yes, this was comfortable. This was safe. They were friends and that was all. Even if Rose had spilled out that Konoka had been attracted to her. Even if Konoka's smile and laugh, the way she moved mesmorized Setsuna. Attraction didn't equal love. No, so Setsuna was perfectly safe.
"Whatever I said when I was drunk...please ignore it," Setsuna mumbled.
"I'll try," Konoka smiled at her. "Now, why were you avoiding me?"
Setsuna looked at her, confused.
"You disappeared yesterday," Konoka said.
A rush of memories flooded her mind. The robots, Icarus, the robots being obliterated by one swing of Yuunagi, Nodoka and Yue, early afternoon turning into late night and flying through the window and tripping over her own feet. Setsuna flushed, embarrassment and disgust washing over her. She'd been a coward, running away from feelings under the pretense of wanting to clean up the lingerie debacle with the robots.
"I wasn't hungry," Setsuna lied.
"So you stayed locked up in the library drinking yourself silly?" Konoka said, raising an eyebrow at her.
Setsuna lowered her eyes. Her head was starting to throb again. She said defensively, "Your clone tried to rape me in my sleep. Y-You have a clone. You caused all those people to go crazy on your first show. It's not even been a month and you've shown me more surprises than I can take. For a gypsy...you are far too powerful. I've never seen anything like you. You...I've never seen even a born gypsy do what you can do. You charm people without even trying. Everyone was on their feet for you. They were throwing their un...underwear for you. Do you know how confusing that is? A-And Rose. You...what she said about you and me. And...my head hurts."
"I don't do it on purpose," Konoka said.
Setsuna looked at her, "Then what were you doing to those people who were so taken by you when you performed your first show earlier this week?"
"Well," Konoka smiled, winking at her. "That was on purpose."
Setsuna suddenly felt calmness wash over her. She blinked, wondering why something so simple as winking relaxed her. Attraction, yes that was it. Konoka was beautiful. Setsuna was simply attracted to her. Which didn't make it any easier when the girl was inches away from her and looking at her like that. Wait...
"You're doing it again!" Setsuna accused.
"Doing what?" Konoka asked.
"Seducing!"
Konoka's eyes seemed to soften. She said, "Believe me Secchan. I'm not trying to do anything to you."
Setsuna looked at her suspiciously.
"You're cute but there's something you're scared of right? That's okay. I like the way we are now," Konoka said.
Setsuna blinked, surprised. Konoka's expression grew thoughtful.
"You know I was thinking about this while you were sleeping. Why did Ike talk to you that night?" Konoka mused.
"Ask him," Setsuna mumbled. "Or Yue or Nodoka. I didn't want to he just talked to me."
"When Ike wants to talk to people he can't unless you're really special magic-wise," Konoka said, glancing down at Setsuna. "Or if you're from nobility. I figured it was just because you were a prince but he told me you've got extraordinary power. It kind of fits with what Yue was talking about, you being made from magic."
Setsuna had to laugh. It was hollow, dry even to her ears. "So what are you saying? That I was made by sorcerer or something?"
"Well..." Konoka said thoughtfully. She reached out, taking the book from the dressing table and passed it to Setsuna, smiling at her, "According to the story Nodoka wrote you were born in the Uzoku tribe of the eagle clan of the Northern Mountains as the Prince. You probably are magical because...well, bringing a baby into the world is also magic in itself, don't you think?"
Setsuna fell into silence, thinking about that. Konoka had a point there. It didn't negate the fact that Setsuna was essentially a result of magical experimentation but it softened the blow.
Konoka pressed the book into Setsuna's hands and said, "Here I stopped after I read about the gypsy saving the prince. Now that I know it's you I won't read the rest because it's sensitive for you."
Setsuna looked at Konoka, surprised and a little grateful. She smoothed out the pages, catching a glimpse of where Konoka had read up to. It was three quarters to the end.
"Tell me Secchan," Konoka said, her voice suddenly soft. "You told me the prince lived out his life as a normal person after he was saved by the gypsy. So...was it worth it?"
That was an odd question to ask but she answered it anyway. Setsuna said, "I...I guess."
Konoka beamed down at her and leaned down, hugging her tightly, warmly and said, "Your friend's death wasn't your fault."
Setsuna swallowed. It was suddenly getting hard to breathe. And she could smell the shampoo in Konoka's hair as well as something else that was like a summer breeze, perfume and the scent of dark chocolate and fresh roses blended together. Setsuna felt dizzy. Her heart was racing. Alcohol, yes, it was the after-effects of the alcohol.
"Hey Setsuna you in there?!"
Setsuna and Konoka jumped apart as Haruna's voice boomed through the air cheerfully, shattering the silence like an avenging angel of destruction. The doorknob rattled. Setsuna scrambled off the bed, book in hand.
"I am don't break the door down!" Setsuna called.
She zoomed towards the door, half-running, half-flying and wrenched it open before Haruna could barge into the room.
"Glad to see you're alive!" Haruna said, clapping Setsuna on the shoulder heartily. "I was getting worried! I mean, it's already three in the afternoon!"
Setsuna blinked at her, not pleased. Haruna was standing there with a bouquet of red roses in her hand. Haruna peered around Setsuna, seeming to look for something. Setsuna moved her wings so that they blocked the doorway, staring at Haruna.
"What are those for?" She asked, gesturing to the roses.
"A congratulatory present," Haruna winked at her. "For you and your...erm, for you and Konoka."
Setsuna just stared blankly at the bouquet of roses. Her head was still smarting. She wasn't in the mood for Haruna's tricks.
"Wow, you must have been REALLY wasted," Haruna grinned.
"...What are you talking about? We didn't do anything."
Haruna just grinned wider. Konoka appeared at Setsuna's side going underneath her wing, peering at Haruna curiously. Noticing the roses, she gushed bringing her nose close and smelling them, "Oh those are beautiful! What's the occasion Haruna?"
"You should know," Haruna wiggled her eyebrows.
"What should you know?" Setsuna asked, turning to Konoka.
Konoka bit her lower lip, her eyes large. Haruna was watching her, her grin becoming predatory. Panic crept up the back of her neck. Suddenly she was finding it hard to breathe. Taking a deep breath Haruna pointed at them.
"Wait Haruna-" Konoka started.
"You and Konoka kissed each other. Together. In front of the full moon."
A.N: I am alive! Hope everyone had a great holiday. Sit back, fasten your seat-belts and enjoy the ride!
Pinstripe: No they weren't from Konoka casting a spell. To clarify, Konoka hasn't actually been purposely casting spells on Setsuna. Setsuna was attracted to her the minute she saw her. The rose petals...well, you'll find out why that happened in due time ;0
KJacket: Konoka is a very special person.
NegimaFan: I was wondering why there were two of you suddenly appearing on my favourites. I thought maybe it was your sister or brother or something.
HellAngel: Welcome to my world ;)