Hestitant

Setsuna was pacing nervously back and forth on school's fountain square as her three amused comrades looked on. According to her, it had been unfairly decided and she didn't even have the chance to protest. It wasn't that she wanted to do what they have decided but really, she felt like she wasn't even close to being ready yet. Sighing as she fidgeted nervously on her foot and massaged the back of her sore shoulder, she thought about how she got into this mess last night…

Last night

"Last one aru!" the small demon gave a loud yelp before it turned to shiny ashes courtesy of Ku Fei's fist. Mana, Kaede, Ku and Setsuna was patrolling the Mahora ground that night since Evangeline's had reported a good number of small demons slipping through the school's barrier. Wanting to get it quickly done with, the headmaster called in all 4 of them to take care of it. They had managed to track down majority of the demons and made quick works of disposing them. And of course, being amongst the school's top fighters, they didn't have any hard time chasing down the demons at all.

After the quick fight, it took a minute for the 4 of them to collect themselves and regroup. Then acting like nothing has happened they continued on their merry way, chattering and poking fun as they continued down the dark path of the quiet forest. For all of them, it was always enjoyable since Kaede and Ku bickered playfully with each other on random topics and Mana would butt in with sarcasm, making the conversions fun to listen to. Unfortunately for Setsuna, today's random topic happened to be on whom they all like.

Due to her foxy nature and smooth talk, Kaede managed to wheedle out an answer from Ku before she nearly got punch in the face. Indeed, none of them had an idea that Ku actually like her partner in crime, Chao, that much.

Watching Mana's reaction was interesting since the ninja's questions somehow miraculously flustered her. It's not everyday you see the cool mercenary lose her cool just from a simple question. Mana's reaction was to shut her mouth tightly and not say anything at all. It amused Setsuna since she can tell the mercenary is slightly smitten with the carefree ninja

Then sadly, the attention turned on her.

"So what's this thing with you and ojou-sama" questioned Mana, trying to ignore the smiling ninja.

"I-I-I don't know w-what y-you mean" Setsuna tried to escape the question by quickly trying to get ahead of the group but to her dismay, a grinning Ku casually blocked her way.

"I want to know too aru!"

Trying to keep a calm straight face, Setsuna said in a grim voice "There's nothing going on between us. I'm her bodyguard, nothing more."

"I didn't know going shopping and eating off each other's ice cream was part of a bodyguard's duty de gozaru." Chirped Kaede as she walked up behind Setsuna with her usual foxy smile.

"It's n-not….ojou-sama just happened to command me to eat off her cone"

All 3 of her comrades stopped and looked at her skeptically.

"Right. The ice cream was melting so fast that ojou-sama needed help eating it." Drawled Mana

"No! S-sh-she…ah..e.." Mouth opening and closing but no voice coming out, Setsuna couldn't figure out a way to give a good excuse.

Mana, Ku and Kaede all looked at each other in understanding before Mana turned back to Setsuna. "It's very obvious you like her Setsuna, and she likes you. Why don't you just go ahead and ask her out?"

Fidgeting with the handle of her nodachi, Yuangi, Setsuna blushed hard as she tried to deny it. "I don't like her like that; I'm only her body-."

"Guard, yes we know. Tell you what, since we are such hardcore supporters for you two" Mana rolled her eyes on this. "How about we challenge you to a friendly fight?" Emphasizing on the fight part, Mana brought her rifle up to her shoulder smirking at the flustered swordsgirl as the equally smiling Kaede and Ku closed in on Setsuna on all side. "If you don't like her like you vehemently say so, you shouldn't have a problem defeating us."

Setsuna looked around her surrounding as Kaede and Ku closed in to prevent her from escaping. "And what if I don't?" Setsuna dark eyes flickered back to Mana warily as she slowly got into a defense position with her hand on Yuangi's hilt.

Letting her smirk widening as she slowly aimed her rifle at Setsuna, she pumped the rifle with a metallic click-click ready to shoot.

"Then you ask ojou-sama out, regardless if she likes you or not."

Present

"Are you guys really serious about this?" Questioned Setsuna as she finished her many rounds of pacing again.

"Yes" answered Mana emotionlessly as she wiped away the fingers mark on the handle of her rifle. "Besides, you were supposed to beat all 3 of us. I know how you fight and you always had a good chance at beating us but you didn't. So then, action speaks louder than words." Looking up from her rifle, Mana gave Setsuna a cold smile.

Grimacing at Mana's statement, Setsuna sighed and went back to pacing. They were waiting near the fountain since Konoka sometimes go through the area to get to the library on certain days when her library club is active.

Groaning at the prospect of having to ask Konoka out in addition of chances of being rejected, Setsuna buried her face into her hands and stood where she was for long moment.

I really don't want to ask, but I do like her alot. Damn it why didn't I let them beat me up last night. Should I ask her? I'll look like a fool and she'll probably be disgusted with me. I shouldn't have agreed into this mess, what was I thinking last night…

As Setsuna pondered deeply with her thoughts, she didn't notice that her dedicated comrades have quietly escaped, each running in different directions. She didn't notice until it was too late.

"Sec-chan?"

Eyes widening in shock behind her hands, Setsuna heart thumped wildly as her flooding thoughts mauled her mind.

Oh NO! it can't be, that voice…..what should I do… I need to run away….wait, why do I feel like something is directed at me?

Setsuna lowered her hands tentatively to look at the person that was the reason why she was standing by the fountains on this day.

"Yes…ojou-sama?"

Konoka stood before Setsuna with her usual cheery smile. She was wearing her exploration clothing today with a satchel hanging by her side. Her long brown hair was tied in a loose ponytail which according to Setsuna, was always an adorable fashion. Somehow, even the roughed up brown clothing matched her style perfectly…

Wait, what am I thinking? I can't be checking ojou-sama out …I should definitely run away.

"What are you doing here Sec-chan? I never see you around in the area when I pass by" Eyes flickering with mild curiously, Konoka started to walk over to latched herself onto her dear guardian's arm.

Oh NOO! She's walking over…can't let that happen! "Nothing ojou-sama, just thought I enjoy the sceneries here on the school grounds…I never do... you, you know…" Slowly Setsuna took a step back trying to avoid the irresistible touch of Konoka. As she took the step back, a glint in the trees behind Konoka caught Setsuna's eyes.

Is that….is that a gun?

Setsuna's keen eyes and fine tuned hearing caught Mana slight movement of her hand pointing at Konoka, and then slowly getting back into position. If she didn't read wrong, Mana was basically threatening her. It wasn't that she'll let herself be shot, but just the setup of it didn't bode well with Setsuna, especially since Konoka is right behind the direction of where the gun is pointing.

"Sec-chan, is something wrong?" Unknowns to Konoka that she will be in the process of getting shot, her hand reaching forward to touch Setsuna. "Are you-"

Click

"will-you-go-out-on-a-date-with-me-ojousama?" Blurted a flamed – cheeks, desperate-to-keep-Konoka-safe Setsuna. Her slightly frantic eyes looking everywhere else except Konoka.

Stopping in her tracks, Konoka's brown eyes stared uncomprehendingly. She wasn't sure if she heard right or her mind just went addled right now. "Huh?"

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Setsuna asked again in a quivering but determined voice. "Kono-chan, will you go out with me on a date?"

In her heart, she already knew the answer. There was no way Konoka will go out with her. She was a lowly hanyou and she was a girl. Already she can see herself attempting to chase after the three fighters with her sword for making her doing this deal, right after her ojou-sama rejects her of course.

"Yes"

Eyes widening in shock, Setsuna took a moment to register and immediately felt her cheek grew hotter as she watched Konoka blushed accompanied with a happy smile.

"Yes, a million times. I thought you will never ask" Konoka happy smile turned somewhat smug as she watched Setsuna shuffle her feet with her nervous eyes downcast. She was so adorable to Konoka, the way she acts, especially when she gets flustered at the slightest romantic moment. Giggly happily, Konoka walked over and latched herself onto her guardian's arm. "How does tomorrow sound Sec-chan?"

Unable to locate her voice due to shock and disbelief, Setsuna just nodded. That day, she willingly accompanied her lady to her library club and stayed with her throughout the day. As her comrades watched them walk off from their hiding spots, Kaede stealthily made her way to the top of a tree where Mana was sitting.

"Pay up big shot" Smiled a smug Kaede as she watched a disgruntled Mana pulled out 2000 yen from her pocket and slapped it onto the ninja's hand.

I'm pretty sure you guys know what they were betting on :]

I also kind of noticed this is the first chappy that Konoka and Setsuna actually interacted. I will definitely try and write more on it but looking from a 3rd party is pretty fun too!