Okay the next Chapters up - Woop! At this point in time I reckon the whole story will probably be about 6/7 Chapters long with each Chapter hopefully up each Friday.
Sony Ninja: Yay! Was a long time since I last got to read your reviews! :) Yeah, I needed a break to adjust to my new course, and then got distracted by 'Girlfriends'. It's gonna be a few more gloomy Chapters yet before things brighten up in this one but again I think it'll be worth it in the end.
setchan-1995: Thanks! That's (so tempted to say great ;) hehe) fantastic to hear! I will indeed.
Yuki no Kurai: Of course! Yes, despite my sadness at losing Konoka in this fic there are parts later on which I'm already really excited about writing :)
darkangel2391: Glad you thought it was punchy =D, its something I'm trying to develop a bit as I sometimes overwrite stuff/put too many words in. Ahhh, yeah, I spent so long trying to come up with alternate ideas that didn't involve killing Konoka. The fact they made a temporary pactio's is quite difficult to overcome. I think one of the better ideas that was believable was to have Konoka run off with Negi a few years down the line (Negi is a sufficient protector and Konoka cancels Setsuna's contract)...but given that would be a few years on it would have worked better as a oneshot; well I suppose I could have storied it. But it would still have involved some angst from Setsuna over Konoka and the advantage of this route is that Konoka ends up blessing their relationship in a way rather than being indifferent/rejecting Setsuna which I hope in the longer run will be more powerful.
serenity2009: Thanks for the review! Updated as wished =D
Chapter 2: Winter Chills
Setsuna awoke to see a pathway of endless blue into which the sun shone coldly. Tilting her head left green leaves rustled at the edge of her vision. She was lying on a cold, hard bed of shingle with her neck and head resting on a bundle of clothes. A dull roaring mixed with irregular splashing flowed into her right ear. Rolling her head right she saw a large clear pool with a sheet of water plunging into it from a rocky ledge above.
Under the waterfall Asuna's lithe form stood washing her hair; bright orange hair flowing loosely down her smooth, well built body.
Asuna...wait...something awful...protect Kon, I mean ojou...Ahhhh! That was a dream right! Right? This is just me and Asuna travelling before we met up. None of that other stuff happened... These thoughts helped calm her a little but the conviction of her mind kept her from relaxing. The image of Konoka in her arms, dying, was all too vivid...I know, I'll just go ask Asuna, she reasoned at last; Asuna will know what to do.
Stretching Setsuna sat up as her mind kept insisting: It's all a dream, it's all a dream, it's all a dream! But her heart rattled when she saw her clothes; they were ragged and bloodstained. Standing she insisted even harder: It's all a dream!
A bird behind her laughed raucously as though mocking her stupidly futile stubbornness.
Shut up! I know it's true...but if it is, the consequences are so terrible that I'm not sure I can go on. I can't let myself believe it's true until I'm completely sure...She took off her trousers and top, and then removed her plain white bra and knickers. Cautiously she started moving across the pool taking care not to slip or look at Asuna for any length of time; afraid to see the answer a look might bring.
Ignorance is bliss after all, but to be blind to something this big will only drive me mad...so I lose either way...unless it's all a dream.
Asuna turned so that the fall splashed against her back. The beauty of her form stole Setsuna's breath away and held her gaze. For a split second she forgot what she was going to ask, or how to say it. Instead she blushed and stammered,
"Ummm..." Then the sickening reality of what she knew she was to discover turned her skin whiter than marble.
Asuna looked apprehensive and reading the question in Setsuna's eyes quickly walked over, with tears in her eyes, to embrace Setsuna.
"I'm so sorry Setsuna. It happened and I wasn't able to stop it." Setuna felt her body go cold and tremble despite Asuna's warmth.
"So she's really dead?" She managed to gasp; her voice barely audible. Asuna hugged her tighter.
"Yes," she whispered sorrowfully.
The closeness and warmth of Asuna's body did, for the briefest of moments, remove all the guilt and pain; sucked it away to a void. Here, I am safe from the fears of my mind... No! I can't be free! Why should I be free when Konoka is dead! The volatile, irrational concoction of emotions broke free to energise her; terror, anger and blame causing her hands to clench to claws and her mind to reel in agony. Roughly Setsuna pulled away from Asuna's hold as her eyes flooded with bitter despair.
"It isn't your fault Asuna! She wasn't your charge after all! Konoka was mine to protect...and I failed! My own life was forfeit from that point on..." Tears were running from her eyes and burning her face. She managed to finish with eyes clamped shut, "don't come after me or try to speak to me! I am the lowest of the low." She turned from Asuna, wondering why this hurt almost as much as the loss of Konoka.
It shouldn't! Konoka was...is my all. But Konoka wanted me to be happy and to protect Asuna didn't she? Why? Why should I be happy when she's dead? How can I be happy when she's dead!She started walking and then jogging across the pool to her clothes; back stooped as though a dark oppressive force floated right behind her, tormenting her. Asuna watched on, worried and upset.
Well it was bound to hurt her even more than me...and I'm hurting quite badly just thinking about it…They'd become so close... and she saw Konoka die before her...Geez - I don't even know if Negi's alive – and I do worry about him. He's like the kid brother I never had...and I used to think Ayaka stupid for caring about getting a kid brother! But I can't let Setsuna destroy herself; she's the only good friend I may have left and I care...The last thought sounded a little odd to her and the pleasant feeling of Setsuna's body against hers made her blush. Shaking her head in disgust she thought: You pervert! How can you even let a thought like that creep in now? Konoka...why did you have to leave us? What should I do now Konoka? You always knew how to handle Setsuna...
Setsuna was at the clearing edge hastily flinging on her clothes and about to vanish. Asuna called out,
"Setsuna! I can't order you about or understand how much pain you're in. All I can do is to ask you this. What would Konoka want you to do with your life? Running is always the easiest option but I'm sure she and I saw more in you than that." Setsuna paused for a second wavering, but then she dashed away deep into the jungle...
Setsuna wasn't sure how far she had run. She just knew she had to get away from everyone and everything. Even Asuna, because even her kindness can't help me here – I don't deserve it! Asuna and Konoka's words were gnawing at her all the same, like acid to her self pity. With every step she could feel her resolve to flee weakening. Eventually she sat down on a fallen tree branch in a small clearing and put her head in her hands; letting a trickle of tears flow down her face onto her dark skirt, and legs where the skirt was torn. Around her she could hear the enthusiastic chirpings of the jungle; its liveliness amplifying her loneliness.
I can't run forever or go to where she is because Konoka and Negi told me to protect Asuna. Not that she needs my protection! I can't be unhappy because I promised Konoka I'd be happy. But how is that possible in a world without her! How can I be happy without the one I served and loved all my life? I'd need someone else, but who could take the place of ojou-sama? And now I'm so alone...
As she thought this Asuna's smiling face popped into her mind and Asuna's words, 'I'm sure she and I saw more in you,' asserted them-selves with even more force than before. Then words from much further back when she was also filled with self loathing and doubt trickled in: 'Go and we'll support you'. The words were mixed with Asuna smiling, Asuna walking towards her, Asuna under the waterfall with water spilling over her...Setsuna groaned and tried to obliterate the image. Why do I find some girls so attractive? I'm so abnormal, I'm a disgrace! To trample over ojou-sama's memory so soon!
Subconsciously though she knew Konoka wouldn't have minded; in fact she'd have thought it hilariously amusing. She knew in her heart she was just annoyed at how fast she was moving on from Konoka's death. But it was Konoka who was the architect and driving force for you to move on...her rational mind argued and, as she had no rational reply, she told her rational mind to shut up. Sitting up and wiping the tears from her eyes she looked round the warm clearing. Most of the undergrowth was chest high but some ferns rose to shoulder height. The clearing was lit by a narrow beam of light slipping over the backs of the trees on the opposite side about a hundred metres away.
Then enough with the tears and self pity, Setsuna! If Konoka hadn't said anything maybe I would have taken the easy way out...or maybe not, because I'd have known Konoka wouldn't have wanted that...and maybe there is more to me than a complete coward. But for her sake I will protect Asuna, at least, but as for her second wish – I haven't the faintest idea how I can be happy without her...For now I'll kill the pain; bury it as I always did when alone. First off I need to find Asuna...Oh blast! Did I actually shove her away from me at the pool and say such harsh words...That thought caused a new twinge of pain to echo inside her…but Asuna is my best friend still alive, so feeling a twinge of regret and pain at hurting her is natural right? Even one so deep and strong...She was so lost in thought that it took her a while to notice how quiet the clearing had become.
...Wait...Wasn't there a lot of background noise when I arrived here; how come it's so quiet? She looked about but nothing seemed to have changed. A loud raking cry above sent goose-bumps racing across her skin and seconds later a huge shadow blocked out the sunlight plunging the glade into a chilling gloom.
It's a dragon! She thought in alarm as she drew her katana. Where's ojou...Ahhh! Not now! The reflex reaction to check Konoka was safe sent a wave of loss through her system, paralysing her. By the time she regained control the dragon had lazily wheeled round and was diving down at her with terrifying speed.
"Adeat!" She cried...and nothing happened. Baka! Konoka's dead...She didn't have time to think further, so missed the deeper significance of what had just happened. She'd assumed a fighting stance to block the dragon and couldn't dodge and with just a sword her chances of coming out alive were near nil. The dragon's huge talons stretched to clutch and steal her away. She tensed and to her right heard twigs snapping. A strong force crashed into her side, sending her rolling into the deep undergrowth and encased by a warm body. Dazed and confused she untangled herself to see Asuna gasping by her side.
Asuna was first to her feet; wearing worn jeans and a sweat drenched, stripy blue and white T-Shirt. She moved a few metres in front of Setsuna and assumed a defensive position.
"What were you doing? Baka!" Asuna exclaimed as she faced the dragon. It had landed a short way away; flattening the trees at the clearing edge and swiveling to strike again. "You can't just give up on me and die! What would I do..." She didn't have time to say anymore as the dragon lunged in again for the pair of tasty treats before it.
"Adeat!" Asuna shouted...and nothing happened; it was Asuna's turn to stand frozen to the spot looking stupid. However being more used to close combat she managed to dodge the dragon's mouth and then kick it in the side of the face. She couldn't dodge the dragon's body racing past. It crashed into her; launching her through the shrubbery into the trunk of a tree that she hit with a sickening thud.
Setsuna had dived to the ground as the dragon shot in to leave it to Asuna's power; but still saw the direction Asuna flew off in, heard the thud her body made and saw the dragon swerve round in that direction; its face first filled with anger and then delight as it saw a hard fight materialise into an easy meal ticket. With a triumphant roar it sped past Setsuna to feast on Asuna's unconscious body; talons outstretched and mouth slavering as it prepared to tear and chew Asuna's juicy flesh.
Konoka's eyes haunted Setsuna as she watched the dragon rush past; Konoka's voice repeating 'protect Asuna!' But what can I do?! I'm a mere swordsman now I've lost ojou-sama...I can't stand up to a dragon's magical shield...The word magic sparked off an idea; one she went for instinctively as it was the only thing she could try before it was too late. She channelled magic through her sword and combining it with her ki as she dashed towards the dragon. The dragon arched menacingly over Asuna with talons like bunches of steel bananas raised up high.
Don't hurt her! Setsuna screamed inside. Her wings propelled her forwards in a blur of motion. Inside a strange tingling sensation ran through her as more magic than she thought possible coursed through her arms and up her sword to mix with her ki. She put all her effort into the stroke because protecting Asuna was all she had left to live for.
"HAAAAAAAA!" She screamed as she slashed down. A blaze of blue light knifed from her blade and straight through the crouching dragon. Was I in time? Did I hurt it? She remained hovering uncertainly above the undergrowth as her eyes re-focused from the blinding light. Once they had they opened wide in amazement. The dragon's upper half, from just under the arms upwards, was toppling away from her. The bottom half stayed up a bit longer before its legs crumpled under the weight of the lower body; blood pouring and squirting from the corpse to cover the floor of dead leaves and dry twigs in pools of dark, smelly, crimson liquid.
"Wow!" Setsuna mouthed silently as she stared at the dead giant. Then she collected herself and flew over to Asuna's limp form. Alighting softly her wings folded up into her back and she bent low over the crumpled body.
"Asuna! Asuna! Can you hear me?" She said urgently but got no response. Panicking she checked Asuna's breath and was relieved to find it was still there...but it was shallow. Realising there was no time to waste Setsuna removed Asuna's top to check for where the injury was; her mind too focused on saving Asuna to even register a blush. There was no injury to Asuna's front so she ran a hand down Asuna's back. Halfway down Asuna's back the spinal column bent unnaturally. Shoot! She won't be able to walk...or worse...where can I heal her out here? The answer was obvious. They were deep in a jungle...unless...It's crazy, but with the sword, perhaps...
She'd watched Konoka heal people many times and closely observed the spell-casting she did, and as she started to cast a spell on Asuna's spine she felt as though she knew exactly how to perform the procedure. The magic seemed to flow with practiced ease into healing Asuna's body. A minute later the spine had healed and Asuna's breathing began returning to normal.
What's happening to me? I can use vast amounts of magic to fight and heal...is this the gift Konoka left me; her magic? Come to think of it it's the sort of trick Eva might well have taught her given her potential and the likelihood of her being targeted. Shows how much trust she had in me though; and rightly so...
A gasp from Asuna stopped her cycling into despair.
"Are you all right Asuna?" she asked anxiously. Asuna blinked.
"Yeah...I think so...what happened..." she saw the dragon cut in half. "Ah, yes! There was a dragon that hit me. Wow! Did you do that to it?" Setsuna nodded proudly. "Amazing!"
Setsuna felt a wave of satisfaction warm her; being praised by Asuna is high praise indeed given the warrior she is. Her joyful feeling was crushed seconds later though as Asuna's mind began working down a new line.
"I don't understand. Why didn't my pactio card work?" She reached into her pocket for her pactio card and as she did Setsuna realised the awful truth. My pactio with Konoka didn't work because she's dead...and neither did my one with Negi...nor did Asuna's...It took Asuna a second later to realise what the dust in her pocket meant. When she did it was as though all the energy in her body drained from her into the blood soaked ground. She fell back faintly against the tree.
"Negi, you baka!" She said, trying to sound fierce but the tone was too high and forced. "You baka, Negi..." Tears began to run down her face and she didn't even bother to hide them.
Setsuna watched on in shock. Usually, if she'd just discovered Negi had died she'd have been the one crying. But her concern for Asuna and the fact she was already suppressing an even greater pain somehow held her together. She knew what she had to do for she too had lost her closest friend. She sat down alongside Asuna and drew her close as she used to do with Konoka, holding Asuna as Asuna sobbed uncontrollably in her arms.