Author's Notes: Tons of thanks to Mizuhara Misao for beta-reading!!!

Chapter 3—Return

"As expected, Setsuna-kun," a tall, fit woman of long black hair stood towering over her bent over student, "You're dismissed then. Take your rest for the day."

"Hai. Arigatou, Motoko-sensei," a younger girl announced in reply as she straightened her body and prepared to head towards the exit.

"Wait. One more thing."

"Hai, sensei."

"Ojou-sama," Motoko said as she began to stride away to the opposite direction, "She's been looking for you."

"Hai."

Motoko stopped her pace, stunned by the plainness of the reply. Was she really talking to Sakurazaki? For a very long time the master swordsman had taken note about the relationship between her apprentice and the princess. That one would deduce that they were twins of odd dissimilarity. Or perhaps, lovers at times. You couldn't separate the two even it meant a choice of death.

Sakurazaki Setsuna, as she had known ever since the child became her student, held the eyes of someone who would offer every drop of her blood for a cause she had put in place of everything she possessed. The cause obviously the well-being of Konoe Konoka. It was actually a major reason why she had chosen her to become her apprentice. Such eyes revealed sheer determination that would gain utter power in battle even if strength itself went against her.

"You don't seem to care much of Konoka-ojou-sama's feelings, Setsuna-kun. I presume you didn't tell her of your leave?"

Setsuna looked away and made no effort to answer. 'Don't seem to care much'. She swallowed. That had dealt a pretty serious blow. She, of course, was ashamed of putting Konoka in such a state. But would she really dare to strive for a bond much more intimate than what she has now with ojou-sama? That night, she recalled, was one of her lowest downfalls. To even utter a word about her feelings for the princess was a violation to her second vow.

"I, Sakurazaki Setsuna, will protect Konoka-ojou-sama with my life. Even in great pain, danger or even in death."

"I, Sakurazaki Setsuna, will protect Konoka-ojou-sama… from my feelings that bear danger to her status and future. I shall never develop or speak of anything about loving ojou-sama. For it is best for ojou-sama."

"Motoko-sensei," Setsuna voiced helplessly, "If I were to break my vows… for someone who wants me to. Even though it is clear it would do her harm to do so… should I?"

Motoko turned casually to her side to glance at her apprentice. She paused. The child was confused? Until now, she had thought of her as straight-forward and simple-minded in a way, never questioning her purposes and goals. She made much thought for a while and then smiled, finally knowing fully what was transpiring.

"It depends. What if it was more harm to her to keep your vow rather than to break it?"

Setsuna looked up from the polished wooden planks of the dojo floor she had found interesting a while ago. She stared, a bit densely, at her master. It was then that she felt the wind again and realized that spring was on its way.

Author's Notes: Another pointless (and short) chapter. Bite me.

Thank you for the reviews!!! I understand that my story is very confusing and I deeply apologize for I am a very frustrated expressionist; I focus on thoughts, surreal interaction and inner emotions rather than the plot itself, really. I will try to revise parts which you might think very puzzling if I find time.

For NSKruger: Thanks for pointing that out. But I'm really sticking with "Set-chan"--"Se-chan" would also be fine--because Asians (that includes the Japanese) never use"cc" in spellings. I'm absolutely sure of that, considering I am Asian. I wouldn't want to offend people, especially kind reviewers like you, but "Secchan" is actually read "Sehk-chahn" here in the east.

Anyway, again, I am grateful for the reviews. 'Til next chapter!