It was dawn when Setsuna and Mana met up at the entry of the school. They were carrying each one a bag in their hand. The hanyou took a look at her watch. They seemed to wait for someone else.

" I'm sorry for being late! I'm here! " a male voice shouted at their direction.

" You're more than late. This is an important mission, we don't need to waste any more time than you already made us to. Let's go. " the half-demon said without looking at the man.

The three of them went through the opening gate and left Mahora city.

Mana looked at her friend's back, before turning left to look at the complaining guy. " You don't have to be that harsh… " he whispered as he followed his leader team.

' I can't believe it may happen again… ' the gunlish girl thought as she watched the man.

…

knock knock knock

" Come in! " the Head-master said loud.

The doors of his office opened to let two beautiful women enter.

" Good evening Sir. Did you ask for us? " Setsuna bowed to him and walked closer to the desk.

" Oh, don't be that mannered Setsuna-kun. Now that we all know about your relationship with my grand-daugther, you should at least drop this behavior with me. Eh, you're going to marry her soon you know. " the old man giggled in his beard.

" P-p-p-please don't say such thing! Being with Konoka-ojou-sama is more than I could ever dream! So saying we…w-we, we're g-g-oing to m-ma-marr… " and her head bursted in fire before she could finish her sentence.

Both Mana and the Dean laughed at her silly behavior. There was one thing everyone would agree with Konoka, and made them understand why she fell for her. This stuttering and blushing were really amusing, to not say cute, when it all came from Setsuna.

" Haha…We'll save this conversation for later. Right now, I have an important mission for you to attend. " the dean sat on his chair.

" We're listening. " Mana told him as Setsuna was too busy to fight with her blush to disappear.

Konoka's grand-father cleared his throat before speaking.

" I would like the both of you to go to the Umi* village. It's not far from here but it will take you two days to return. I want you to retrieve something that the Chief of the village will give you. The gift is absolutely top secret, I won't allow anyone to know about what it hides. Do you understand? "

The girls nodded.

" Alright…You will leave tomorrow at dawn so you will have enough time to come back in two days. I need this package quickly. "

" Understood. " both women bowed to accept the mission.

' Ah! ' Setsuna thought about something.

" Sir, can I ask if this package will be sealed? " the swordwoman's question aroused Mana's curiosity.

" What do you mean Setsuna-kun? "

" I wanted to know, that if there was someone else to come with us, will it compromise the secret of the mission? " the half-demon looked with serious.

" Hm…It won't. But why do you ask? " the dean slowly caressed his beard.

" Because I'd like to make a request for this mission. " Setsuna stepped closer.

" Hm…Go on. " the Head-master watched her with curiosity. It was the first time she, who always looked down on herself and don't even dare to discuss the orders, was making a request.

" I want the main bodyguard of the princess of the Cloud to participate with us. " she looked at her future grand-father with determination.

Mana's eyes widened a little. It was something she clearly didn't expect. However she remembered her friend told her there was something up. So she decided to trust her and let her make her request.

The dean suddenly opened his eyes. He looked deeply at the girl in front of her.

' So Emiko-kun told her… ' he first was surprised but this feeling was soon replaced by satisfaction.

' I'm really glad I didn't push you two away… '

He chuckled before answering her.

" That's perfect Setsuna-kun. Request granted. You will go tell him now. Just make sure he doesn't know anything about what the package contains. "

Setsuna smiled on the corner of her lips, and bowed one more time before leaving.

They closed the doors and walked away from the office to Megumi's room direction.

" Can you explain me now? I'm kinda surprise by your behavior since this morning. " Mana asked her as she decided to go along with her to see this main bodyguard.

" Okay, I will explain as we walk. I'll be brief, so listen carefully… "

…

' If what she said is true… ' Mana thought as she remembered many teachers talked about how devastated it was during that war.

She closed her eyes. Her own aim in this life was to help the poors and children. The victims of wars and everyone who needed help. So she couldn't bear to see another war occur before her eyes.

' I'll have to ask to be more than extra paid if something happens. ' she smirked.

But during all the way, she kept an eye on the suspicious man.

After Chachamaru asked Konoka to come along with her, they both reached Evangeline's house.

" What happened?! Is Emiko-san okay? " the brown-hair girl shouted as she entered the house.

" W-well, she's not dead yet but… " the vampire kid waved at the healer to come to her side.

When Konoka went to see her friend's state, her eyes widened in shock.

" What on earth did you do Eva-chan! She's so pale! "

" Wah-that…I didn't do anything to harm her! I just…Well! Just do something! You can…right? " the blond girl said with hesitations.

Konoka looked closer to Emiko's body, and noticed lots of biting mark.

" Did you suck her blood? " the princess turned to look at her.

" No! I mean…just a little- "

" –not a little master. I heard her moaned loud all night. " the robot decided to be honest as it was an emergency.

" Shut up Chachamaru! Aren't you supposed to be on my side! " Evangeline yelled at her.

" Given the situation, you have to be true so Konoka can heal her properly. " the girl with long ears bowed anyway to her master.

" Geez…I can't believe you took all that blood. You knew she could die right? Even though I know demon's blood can regenerate faster than humans, I don't know why you went so far. " Konoka said as she pulled her card out.

" Adeat " and she pulled her hand on Emiko's forehead.

A bright light shone between her hand and the demon's head. She stayed like this for few minutes.

" You were mean master. " Chachamaru said before being punched in the stomach.

" Quiet! " her master told her with a blush.

" There...It should be alright now. We have to wait until she recovers correctly. " Konoka got up and called back her magic power.

She turned to ask a question to the blond vampire who was holding her robot in a wrestling technique.

" Can I ask you what did she trade with you in exchange of her blood? "

Evangeline stopped and released her poor victim. After all this time, it was now easy to understand, even to the princess, that if this vampire was to take some blood, it was in exchange for something. Something important.

" Well, it's not really me who should say that, but you'll know sooner or later. " the lady vampire went to sit at the table to drink some tea.

Konoka followed her. To be sucked that much, she knew her lover's relative must had asked for something big.

" I came here to fix your mistake Eva-chan. The least you can do is to tell me what I want to know. I may not ask for blood, but honesty is more than a fair trade. " the princess smiled to her.

The vampire shot her a glare. Indeed, even though she acted naively and innocent, this girl was smart enough to deal with complicated situations and obtain what she wants.

" Fine…you weren't a part of the deal, so I'm not breaking my word. "

Konoka sat next to her to listen attentively.

" This idiot demon wants to protect Setsuna and the princess of the Cloud by hiding the- "

" -Evangeline! " Emiko shouted with her weak voice.

She tried to raise herself to stand and walk to shut the blond kid's mouth.

" Ah! Emiko-san please stay on the couch, you shouldn't move. " Konoka got up to help her history teacher.

" I think…you took more than you should have last night. I guess I can say our deal has been settled now. " the raven girl said weakly as she sat on the couch.

" Hmph. Let's say so. " the host of the house closed her eyes to nod.

" How do you feel Emiko-san? " the brown-hair girl sat next to her.

" I still feel a little bit dizzy, but it's okay. " Emiko said between heavy breathes.

" Here, drink some juice. " Chachamaru handed her a glass.

" Thanks. " and the demon drank it quickly.

Evangeline looked at her from her chair. Watching her talking with Konoka reminded her of Setsuna. Her gestures and her way of talking.

" I'm really fine Princess Konoka! Don't worry about me. " Emiko giggled with a blush.

" Don't say that! You were really dying! " the princess laughed as the thought she could have died from Eva-chan's biting.

" Vampires really act like in the movies don't you think? So scary… " Emiko whispered to the chocolate-hair girl.

" I agree…and did you know? The first time we discovered her vampire side, it was because she was acting like the real ones! She went outside during night to bite girls. " Konoka whispered back with a smile.

" Really? "

" Yes…master was really mean at that time. "

" Gah! Will you three shut the hell up! " the said vampire shouted with an angry blush.

" I'm pissed off! I'm going in my room. Go away before- "

" –'I bite you til your last drop of blood?' " Emiko said mimicking her childish voice.

A big vein twitched on the vampire's forehead.

She threw her two guests out of her house with a kick in their butt.

" Don't ever come back here you stupid bird brain! " she yelled before closing the door.

The princess and the bodyguard blinked.

" Geez…she doesn't know how to take jokes. " Emiko said as she rubbed her bottom.

" She always has been this way, don't mind her. " Konoka replied as she got up.

She thought Emiko would too, but she noticed she didn't move. She saw her spacing out with a serious glare.

" Is something bothering you, Emiko-san? " the princess put her hand on the dark-hair below her.

" Nah! Nothing at all! My head was just spinning a bit. " and she stood up with Konoka's helping hand.

" I'm sorry again, everytime I got hurt, I'm bothering you to help me. " Emiko bowed at her.

" Don't be! You're a dear friend you know, it's not a bother at all! " Konoka sent her a bright smile.

' She's really as polite as Secchan… '

" If there is anything I can do for you, let me know. " the raven girl smiled back to her.

" Actually…there is. But I wanted to ask you this favor as a friend, not because you owe me something. "

" What is it? I'll be delighted to help you. " Emiko said looking into her eyes.

The smaller girl blushed at the view of those blue eyes.

" Um…I was wondering if you would accept to hang around with me today? Secchan's birthday is next week, and since you know her in another way that me and Asuna don't, I was hoping you may help me choose a special present for her. " Konoka smiled shyly.

Emiko's eyes widened in surprise. She didn't expect this kind of favor.

" You're so cute Princess Konoka. I'm so glad Setsuna found a girl like you. "

The princess blushed harder.

" Alright. " Emiko started to walk.

" Let's go find the best present for this sweet angel! " she exclaimed with joy.

" 'Sweet angel?' Why do you call her like this? It suits her though. " the princess giggled as she followed her.

" Right? Her mother gave her this nickname. " the taller girl smiled sadly.

" You knew her mom? " Konoka was surprised to hear about her lover's mother, but now that she did, she was really curious about her past.

" …In a way, yes. She saved both of us during the war. "

That sentence made the cheerful girl lose her smile. Emiko noticed her quiet, but she didn't know what to say. The memories of that time came back to her mind, and she didn't find the strength to cheer the mood up.

So they kept walking silently until there were out of the wood.

" Ne…Emiko-san… " the princess broke the awkward silence.

" Hm? "

" Before you woke up at Evangeline's house, she was telling me you were hiding something from Secchan and Megumi-san… "

The bodyguard stopped.

" Emiko-san? " the brown-hair princess turned back at her.

" Can you forget what she said? I really don't want to talk about it. I know I sound like a liar, yeah a bastard liar like Setsuna said…but believe me, I'm doing this for their sake. "

Emiko looked deeply into Konoka's eyes.

' I just want to protect them. ' the latter read into it.

She saw the honest determination filled her blue eyes.

She closed her eyes with a smile, and opened back to nod happily. But Emiko was a bit surprised that she gave up easily.

" Is that okay? "

Konoka stepped closer, until she was standing few centimers away from her body. She raised her head to look back into her eyes.

" Do you remember the first time we met? When you forced me to look into your eyes? Afterwards I told you… " she caught her eyes so the raven girl could see right into her.

" 'I can feel how powerful your love can be'. " Emiko blushed at her words and her closeness.

" And that is enough for me to trust you. What's more, since you appeared, Secchan became more cheerful. So I know, you're not trying to hurt them. "

Somehow, the warmth in the princess' smile conforted her painful feeling for lying.

Emiko rose her left hand to size the back of Konoka's head, and pulled her against her chest.

" Thank you…you made me feel better for a moment. " she whispered softly against her hair.

The princess froze for few seconds. She was taken back from this sudden hug. She only had the time to blush, that Emiko already pulled her back.

" I'm also glad I met you, princess Konoka. " the taller girl said with a sincere smile, before letting her go and walk away.

The brown-hair girl was speechless. She felt lost for a moment.

" Are you coming? I'm starving so we should hurry if we want to have plenty of time to look for a special present. "

Konoka quickly shook her head and ran to her side.

' I think...I'm beginning to get attached to her. '

*Umi: beach.