Negi stood where he was, dazed. 'Is that all you got?" asked Evangeline. "I would think someone of your magical strength could do a little better against a lowly old vampire like me…" Just then, Negi fainted and crashed to the ground.

In seconds, Konoka and Setsuna were by his side; Setsuna gently lifted up his head and placed it on the seated Konoka's lap. Konoka began to gently stroke his hair while Setsuna turned to Evangeline. "You think that you can drink his blood, send that powerful of an attack at him, and still expect him to hold his own against you? Who cares how much magical power he has; if he can't convert it to physical strength, which I doubt even you can do, Evangeline, he'll never be able to beat you."

Evangeline shrunk back a bit, then smiled evilly. "Normally, Setsuna," she said, "you simply keep to yourself. Why is it that you're now so eager to defend the Sensei? Could it be you've fallen in love with him also?"

Setsuna blushed. "Even if I have," she said, "it has nothing to do with what we're talking about."

Evangeline grumbled. "Fine. You think your precious sensei needs to rest, then go ahead. You can spend the night here, then head back in the morning." She walked away and called over her shoulder, "Tell boya when he wakes up that he still owes me from last week!"

Setsuna walked over to Konoka. "Will he be alright?" she asked.

Konoka looked at her. "He's extremely weak, so we should probably lay him down somewhere to rest. He should be fine by morning."

Setsuna found she could breathe again. "That's great. But where are we going to sleep?"

Konoka said, "I saw a cabin over there; we can stay there tonight."

They walked over to the house that Setsuna could have sworn wasn't there when they entered Evangeline's resort, and opened up the door. They found it fully furnished, with a shower, kitchen, and dining area. Carrying Negi carefully, they went into the bedroom and tried laying him on a bed. Problem was, there wasn't one.

"What kind of bedroom is this, that they don't even have beds?" asked Setsuna. "Where are we going to put Negi now?"

Konoka went into the living room, then came back. "There's a pretty big couch in the living room; it could probably fit all three of us comfortably."

Setsuna went and laid Negi on the couch, then walked back into the room where Konoka was. "We should make some dinner," said Setsuna. "I'll help you cook," replied Konoka.

The two entered the kitchen and looked in the refrigerator; it was stocked with everything they'd need. "Perfect," said Konoka. Setsuna looked and saw she was holding a box of spaghetti. "Let's make this," said Konoka. "I know you like spaghetti."

Setsuna smiled. "I sure do, Ojou-sama."

Konoka started to boil the water, while Setsuna chopped the mushrooms and onions to put in the sauce. She finished quickly and noticed Konoka staring out into the living room, where Negi was sleeping. She walked up to Konoka and wrapped her arms around her waist. "What are you thinking about, Kono-chan?" she asked.

"I just wonder… why Negi always tries so hard at everything: being our teacher, learning magic from Eva-sama… it's almost as though he's trying to prove something to someone… though to who, I can't imagine…"

Setsuna smiled. "Whatever Negi's reasons are, he holds them in high regard. He must, to endure the things he has…" She laid her head on Konoka's shoulder, and Konoka leaned her head over so it was touching Setsuna's. They stood there like that until Konoka heard the water boiling. She walked over to the water, holding onto both of Setsuna's hands; she let go of one and dumped the spaghetti into the pan, then turned it down a bit. Putting the sauce into a pan, she added the mushrooms and onions to make it perfect. All that time, she held firmly to one of Setsuna's hands, and when she had finished, she turned and wrapped her arms around Setsuna's shoulders, pressing her breasts against Setsuna's.

"It'd be funny if Negi-kun woke up right about now and saw us like this," remarked Setsuna, and Konoka laughed. "I think he'd understand," said Konoka as she leaned in towards Setsuna. The pair met in the middle, and Setsuna laid her forehead against Konoka's, before passionately kissing her. Konoka returned the kiss with just as much vigor, and the two simply stood there, lips pressed together, both happier than they had been in ages.

Dinner was soon ready, and the two sat down to eat. It wasn't long before they had finished; their appetite that night wasn't for food. The two walked into the den, and Konoka began to take her clothes off while Setsuna looked for a blanket. She found one and came back into the living room. Laying the blanket over Negi, she took her own clothes off and lay down beside Konoka. Setsuna lay her head on Konoka's bare breast, and Konoka reached her hand down and began to stroke Setsuna's hair.

"You know something?" asked Setsuna, looking up at Konoka, though she kept her head where it was. "I think I remember us doing this once before, when we were kids. One of the only times I ever got to spend the night at your father's house."

Konoka giggled. "Yeah, I remember that. I think it was the first time we ever kissed each other, too."

"I believe it was," said Setsuna. "We were the best of friends back then… but I had to move away, and it… it was like the passion we once had died."

"For the longest time, when you came back to Mahora," said Konoka, "I thought you hated me… you would never talk to me."

"I was simply trying to keep you safe from those who hunted me," Setsuna said. "I see now that it was a mistake. We missed out on so many fun times we could have had... But here we are, with our teacher in the same bed as us, and we're naked and talking about being in love with each other as kids."

Konoka laughed. "Kind of weird, isn't it?" She looked down at Setsuna. "Do you care that I'm in love with you?"

Setsuna looked surprised. "I don't know about the rest of the world, but I don't mind at all. Do you care that I'm in love with you?"

Konoka leaned her head down and kissed Setsuna. "Does that answer your question?"

Setsuna smiled, then climbed on top of Konoka, so that their bare breasts were touching each other. Setsuna slid one hand between their touched breasts, then the other. She leaned in and kissed Konoka, while rubbing her hands between the pair's breasts. "I love you," Setsuna whispered. "Forever and a day."

Konoka felt tears welling up in her eyes. "If only we could stay like this forever," she whispered. Setsuna smiled, then removed her hands from Konoka's breasts and hugged her tightly.. Konoka laid her head on Setsuna's shoulder, and Setsuna did the same to Konoka. There they lay, not needing a blanket, for the love they felt for each other was warmth enough for them.

Soon, Setsuna whispered to Konoka, "Do you know what I want more than anything else in the world?"

"No," said Konoka. "What?"

Setsuna said, "To finally be able to tell everyone that I truly love you. I can't stand having to dance around the subject whenever I'm asked if I'm in love with you. I want to be able to yell; 'Hell yes, I'm in love with her!!!' If only the world didn't look down on things like that…"

Konoka kissed Setsuna on the forehead. "The world may look down on us, but if we don't look down on ourselves, then who cares?"

Setsuna looked up at her, tears in her eyes; they could see that the love they shared was true, strong, mutual. She kissed Konoka, then their eyes closed, their hands moving around on each other's bodies, feeling, fondling, caressing…

Morning came too soon for Evangeline. "Dammit," she said, "why does daytime have to be so bright?" She looked out at her cabin. "I wonder if boya is alright…" She began to walk out to the cabin, Chachamaru following her.

Eva reached the cabin first. Peeking her head in the door, she said, "Okay, you three. Rise and-" She stopped dead at the sight of Setsuna laying on top of Konoka, both naked, and Negi lying on the other side of the couch. Evangeline popped her head out, then quietly shut the door.

"What's going on, Master?" asked Chachamaru.

With a tear sliding down her face, Eva replied, "Something I'll never get to experience… Come on, Chachamaru. Let's leave them in peace."

Chachamaru followed Evangeline to the house. "What will you never get to experience?" she asked.

Evangeline turned around, tears coming down her face. "True love," she replied; then she turned around and went back inside.