Author's Note: Sorry for the delay! Here's chapter 3 of A Bodyguard's Duty. This was a fun chapter to write 'cause I'm good with action and fighting scenes. All characters (but Daniel) belong to Ken Akamatsu.

Realization

Setsuna sprinted through the trees. The only things on her mind were what was the enemy this time and is Konoka safe. Setsuna gritted her teeth as she ran, Damn! I should have been by her side! I should have been there when this happened! This is all my fault! Damn it! Damn it all! Setsuna tried to clear her mind. She can't hope to save Konoka if her mind is filled with all these thoughts.

Setsuna's acute senses picked up an enemy in the tree above her head. A second later it jumped from the branch and tried to land on Setsuna. She was too quick. She instantly jumped back and sent a deadly slash to the enemy's middle. The demon crumpled to the ground. She realized that she was up against demons, but it didn't matter, I don't care who the enemy is! I will protect Kono-chan even if it costs my life!

When the trees were past her she found herself in a clearing with a small pond nearby. Closing her eyes she let her senses sweep the area. She opened her eyes and looked at the pond, There!

The water rippled as something tore the surface. A giant horned demon emerged from the water. Its impressive dark wings kept it hovering in the air. But that's not what held Setsuna's interest. In its arms was her Konoka. Konoka looked unconscious, but unharmed.

Setsuna felt like her blood was boiling, "Get your damn claws off of my Kono-chan!" She sprinted towards the creature and leaped into the air. A cry was stuck in her throat when she was knocked out of the sky. She fell onto the ground, dazed for a second. When she jumped back into her battle stance she found herself surrounded by medium sized demons, both armed and unarmed.

"SET-CHAN! SET-CHAN!" Konoka cried out, finally conscience again.

Setsuna's head whirled around to see Konoka crying out her name, "Kono-chan!" She tried to run to her, but a demon with a hooked sword blocked her way. It looks like I won't be able to go to Kono-chan without a fight. Setsuna formed a smug look on her face, Well if it's a fight you want, you got it!

Setsuna kicked the demon in the stomach. It doubled over in pain. She took this opportunity to smash its head with the butt of her sword. She glanced to her left and slashed at another demon. It made a harsh wail and fell to the ground. Suddenly, she felt a looming presence behind her. It was a larger demon than the ones her had taken down. She released a large amount of chi. The force of her chi caused the beast to stumble. Taking this chance, Setsuna leaped and cut the beast through the middle.

Minutes past and Setsuna began to realize that the demons just kept coming. Ugh! No matter how many of these things I knock down, there seems to be another to take its place!

"SET-CHAN!" Setsuna's head snapped over to Konoka's voice. The great horned monster that had her was beginning to fly away!

No...I'm gonna lose her...I CAN'T LOSE HER! Setsuna concentrated her energy to her back. She felt a burning sensation then her beautiful pure white wings fluffed out from her back. Quickly, she charged after the enemy. The winged beast became more visible as she flew closer. The beast sensed Setsuna coming closer so it gained altitude. Setsuna flew higher with it, but the oxygen was beginning to thin, You bastard. You think a little oxygen will stop me?

Setsuna concentrated hard and prepared to strike, "Shinmei School, special technique..." She let her chi flow to her wings, giving her an extra boost, "HYAKURETSU OKAZANI!"

The light from her sword made a direct hit. YES! Huh? The smoke cleared to reveal the creature safe and unharmed with what seemed to be a barrier around it. The beast opened its mouth and blasted Setsuna with a beam of highly concentrated energy.

Setsuna fell from the sky. She didn't think she could take the impact of the fall. I'm sorry I let you down, Kono-chan...

Suddenly she felt strong arms around her. Setsuna found herself floating above the ground.

"Sempai? You okay?" The voice was familiar. To Setsuna's dismay the person who had caught her was Daniel.

"D-Daniel? What are you doing here-HAK!" Setsuna had coughed up a small amount of blood.

"It's okay, Sempai. Negi-sensei and Asuna-san are on the way to help you. Meanwhile, I'm gonna go save Konoka-san!"

N...no.. Setsuna thought, but she slowly slipped into unconsciousness as Negi and Asuna came running to her side.

Setsuna opened her eyes and found herself in a warm bed. A quick look around told her that she was in the infirmary. The door opened and Ako walked in the room, "You're awake? That's good! You already have some visitors." She waved in a group of people: Negi, Asuna, and Konoka.

Setsuna's heart dropped when she saw Konoka. She should have felt relived that she was alright, but her pride was wounded because she could not save her herself.

Asuna was the first to talk, "Hey Setsuna... How you feeling?"

Setsuna turned to the window, "Fine..."

Konoka walked up to the bed and sat by Setsuna, "It's okay, Set-chan... I'm safe and unharmed. See? You don't have to worry anymore..." Setsuna had said nothing. Konoka looked at Asuna, giving her a private massage.

Asuna nodded, "Come on, brat. Let's go see...uh...the class rep." Asuna began shoving Negi toward the exit.

"But I wanna see Setsuna-san..." Negi whined before the door shut behind them.

Konoka scooted closer to Setsuna and stroked her hair, "Here, sit up."

Setsuna obeyed and to her displeasure found herself stripped to nothing but the wrappings around her chest.

Konoka continued to stroke her friend, ignoring the blush on Setsuna's face. "Do you want to know what happened?" Setsuna said nothing so she continued, "Daniel-kun fought off that monster that took me away... He saved me and I appreciate that-"

"But I'm supposed to save you! I'm the one who failed and got knocked out!" Setsuna clenched the sheet, "I'm supposed to be doing my job and protect you, but instead I'm letting someone else do my job..."

Konoka let out a sigh and leaned over to hold her friend, "Set-chan... protecting me is his job, too... Just think about it. If Grandpa hadn't have hired him, then I would still be stuck with that beast. Do you really want that?" Setsuna shook her head, "Then chill! It's okay if someone else is there. You know what, Set-chan? No matter who shows up and no matter how many people my grandfather hire to protect me, you will always have a special place in my heart." Konoka looked her in the eye, "No one can replace you... You will always be in that spot forever...okay?"

Setsuna met her gaze, "Yes, Ojou-sama..."

Konoka lean forward to kiss her cheek, sending the swordswoman in a frenzy, "Oh Set-chan, you're so silly and insecure..." Konoka cupped her cheek and gazed into her eyes. "Set-chan…you mean so much to me so there's no need to feel threatened, okay?"

Setsuna blushed harder, "O-okay..."

Konoka smiled that deep happy smile that Setsuna loved so much. Konoka got up from the bed, "I hope you feel better. Ako-san said that you'll be able to get out of here as early as tomorrow. Isn't that great? And I'll be right there with you when you do, okay? Bye Set-chan!"

Konoka closed the door, leaving Setsuna alone to think about what Konoka said. Kono-chan...it's like you read me like a book... This should never happen again... I need to get stronger and I know just who will help me and just how to do this. Setsuna looked out the window and saw Konoka meet up with Daniel. Setsuna made a vow under her breath, "I swear, Konoka Konoe, that I will be the one who protects you...I will get stronger!"

END

Stubborn, stubborn, STUBBORN! Geez, Set-chan...you remind me of Negi... Oh well, the next chapter shall be epic (hopefully) of epiclyness!