Inside Dean Konoe's office a few days ago, Konoka had been in her grandfather's office being forced to read omai application papers when the staple holding the stacked papers together gave out. Sighing, she opened the top desk drawer she was currently seated at and looked for a stapler.

What she found made her blood run cold before turning on fire and resting in her heart. Clutching her chest Konoka picked up a file folder with Sakarazaki Setsuna written on it accompanied by a picture of her taped on front.

Its Her! Konoka thought as her trembling fingers began sifting through the documents inside. Inside were a few documents and pictures of the girl through the last few years.

Konoka heard her grandfather's nearing the door. She quickly took one last peek and noticed the girl had on a Mahora uniform identical to Konokas own.

Shes come back! My Secchan has come back! Konoka thought excitedly as she walked back to her dorm, planning on paying her grandfather's desk drawer another visit.

The King sighed as he read over the reports of Setsuna's training. He didn't think the girl should be let back all that soon. He was still angered by the memory of her failing her duty. After that incident he went back to the school where he hired Setsuna, and hired the other two girls that Konoka had met.

They guarded and bonded with Konoka through the years, but the King never seen the same smile cross the girls lips since the other girl left. The King had a rough time dealing with his daughter the first few months after the departure. The princess became depressed and would stay in her room for days. The depression got a little better after he sent her to school to interact with other rich kids, to let her know her true place. He didn't think she should be having that hard a time over a guard leaving.

The King was always trying to get his daughter and future successor of his people to behave and listen to his word. She often looked him straight in the eyes and said in a monotonous tone that she will never forgive him for sending her "Secchan" away.

She would spend nights away from home just to avoid his prescence. He might have been able to make her return home, but the fact that it was always some training mission, he didn't have enough leverage. Konoka had taken up mage training since her guard left. She was hands down the most powerful mage to have walked the earth.

The King took great pride in this fact and wanted her to make partners and become even more powerful. The fact that Konoka would send him icy glares at his suggestions was a problem. He once asked the girls who currently guard her why this was.

"She's waiting for Her, Sir" They had said with sad faces.

Sighing again as he finished reading the report, he became annoyed. He wanted to read that Setsuna was a little weak or something at least. This way, he could fire her with a good reason. What he read instead was that Setsuna was excelling at a rapid rate and seemed to have no limits.

The King walked over to his wall and looked at a picture hanging there. Konoka stared back in the picture with a Magi certification held in her grip.

She's the most powerful Mage in the world and she doesn't want to use the power she has unless it's to heal. She should be conquering more land from the neighboring countries. It is inevitable that we will need her power when the enemy's make their move. She should be finding herself partners and training by now. The King thought as he turned from the picture and Konoka's challenging eyes.

Konoka had thoroughly read through the file concerning Setsuna. It was mostly just information and stats about Setsuna's strength and powers. It also stated Setsuna was to be Konoka's guard again. She was to follow Konoka in her everyday life, only parting with her for night and when Setsuna was scheduled to guard the school grounds.

Konoka knew where Setsuna was rooming now, which to her pleasure was only two doors down from her. Konoka was going to use this information in the future she was sure of it. Konoka still loved Setsuna and if Konoka had her way, she would be spending lots of time with Setsuna there.

Konoka planned on picking up right where they left off. She often laid awake nights and wished she had just said "I love you Secchan" while she was standing there and had the chance. So many times Konoka had replayed that day in her mind trying to figure out if she could have done anything to keep her guard with her.

Konoka held no ill will to her guard over it. In fact, Konoka was the one who thought Setsuna had the right to be mad. If she hadn't been glued to Setsuna's side and in the way, she figured Setsuna could have handled the situation.

Instead Konoka got in the way and ended up almost drowning herself. Her last glimpse of her guard had been her wiping off her tears and mouthing words Konoka couldn't hear through the pounding in her ears.

Konoka knew her so well though. She knew her guard was swearing to become stronger and when she heard her yell "I'll become worthy to be by your side!" as she was dragged away, Konoka had tried to will her body to move but the physical exertion she used to stay afloat became too much and she passed out watching her guards retreating form.

That memory had become a reoccurring nightmare for Konoka. Though it wasn't a frightening dream, Konoka would wake up and find she was shaking and crying. Looking at a picture album full of captured memories of the two would slowly calm the princess down enough to allow her a half decent nights rest.

Today is the day me and Secchan will reunite! I have so many things I want to tell her Konoka thought as she headed out the door, smiling dreamily as she thought of her love, guard and hopefully soon to be partner.

Words, confrontations, tears and fears, all this in the next chapter. I hope you continue to read as Setsuna's duty and heart begin to battle for the sake of what's right, and what is.

Reviews are always welcomed and appreciated.