Wow, I got a lot of really nice feedback from the last update and it makes me feel a little bad for the EXTREME wait time between it and the previous update, so… here's another one!

Another note is that… I don't proofread or beta my stuff… I don't mean it in a pretentious manner (eg. "look at this awesome thing I did without looking it over" or "my stuff is too good to be beta'd")… I'm just LAZY. I really am. Hahaha. So I apologize in advanced for any weird typos or grammar blips. And the repeated use of certain phrases… it's driving me up the wall how often I'm doing that, and I will TRY to avoid it between chapters, but it's difficult when writing as infrequently as I do.

And my newfound Bubbline obsession has escalated to the levels of Konosetsu now. -sob-

On the topic of this story, it seems the characters have been split up into multiple groups of people: People that don't know about the love potion and are affected, people that know and are immune, people that know and fight it, people that know and don't fight it, and finally people that don't know and are just aren't as heavily influenced (this doesn't include strangers/passing ogglers). We'll see how this plays out, as I don't have too much of this planned, so I have no idea how long this is going to be. XD

Before I start to ramble again, let's just head into the next chapter.

Ch. 3

[warriorgirlcosplay .png]

Hello everybody, it's been a while since I made the last update, sorry I kept everyone waiting! m(_ _)m

In the time I was gone, lots of things have happened! I've been studying really hard and improving my grades, I'm still not at the top of the class, but I'm fighting to get there!

Speaking of class, there's a really REALLY stupid person in my class. I can't stand them! They're really dense, and the most obvious things fly right over their head. I really can't help but notice it since they're so stupid, it's really distracting. The only time they seem to be paying any attention is when they're talking to certain other classmate, or when they're practicing kendo. They really only have a one track mind, it's so annoying.

But otherwise, everything has been going just fine. I hope you all didn't miss me too much. Next time I promise to have plenty more cosplay photos ready for everyone!

-Chiu

Sparkboi1990: 1
*anonymous: 2
*anonymous: 3
*anonymous: All of you guys are stupid, this is so pointless
*Sparkboi1990: **** off

anonymous: NEW CHIUSAMA POST

p01s0n: This almost sounds like Chiu-chan has a crush on someone.
*undernet: p01s0n: I was just about to say that XD
*anonymous: p01s0n: CHIUCHAN IS MINE
*iolo: anonymous: lol chiuchan is for everyone, you idiot.

keitan: Is Chiu-chan in love?
*mikken: keitan: looks like she likes a member of the kendo club.
*keitan: mikken: Does this mean she likes the athletic type of boy?
*mikken: keitan: I don't think I could ever stand a chance against that (; - ;)
*op: mikken keitan: Doesn't Chiu-chan go to an all-girls' school?
*keitan: op: REALLY? How do you know?
*op: keitan: I thought I read that somewhere. Or maybe I'm mistaken. ^^;
*mikken: op: That would be kind of hot.
*Sparkboi1990: op: thats gross
*keitan: Sparkboi1990: You're gross
*Sparkboi1990: keitan: suck my ****
*asaame: op: Yuri 3

Chisame stopped looking at the comments in disgust. She wasn't sure which disturbed her the most; that people who knew things they weren't supposed to know, that people were making weird assumptions, or the fact that they weren't very far off the mark. Exasperated, she booted off her desktop and put her head down on her arms. Immediately, her thoughts began to drift to thoughts of the quiet warrior girl in her class.

No.

Chisame grumbled, dislodging the thoughts. To take her mind of things, she began to mentally conjure up ways to make her child teacher suffer.

"So Setsuna-san, have you ever had crepes before?" Misa asked, as the group passed by a crepe stand.

"Don't be silly, of course she's had had crepes before," Sakurako replied, shrugging, "Who hasn't in this day and age."

"Um…" Setsuna interrupted, "I actually have never tried them before. I guess I just never had the opportunity to."

"Seriously? Then we have to get some now that you've said that." Misa decided, before grabbing the other girl's hand and dragging her along to the stand. "Do you want to try a sweet or savory crepe?"

The rest of the group caught up and began placing their orders. The lady at the counter gave them their crepes for free the moment Setsuna walked up to pay for hers. That was the only benefit of Negi's experiment thus far.

The gaggle of girls walked down the shopping district carefully trying to eat their snacks without making a mess. Setsuna herself used her crepe as a shield from passerby stares.

"I never took you for a strawberry person, Setsuna-san." Madoka commented. "You ordered the same one as Konoka."

"There are lots of things we don't seem to know about Setsuna-san." Sakurako continued, "What do you do in your free time? What do you like to eat? Do you have a boyfriend?"

The other two cheerleaders joined in the interrogation immediately swamping Setsuna with questions. The poor girl not knowing what to do with the sudden attention slowly stuttered out answers.

"Blue."

The others stopped mid-pace and conversation when Konoka piped up coolly.

"Her favourite colour is blue."

Everyone turned to the princess, her face unreadable. Misa was the first to break the awkward silence that ensued.

"How about we check out that shop over there, there was something I wanted to buy from there."

Setsuna felt like a living mannequin as she was told to wear different outfits for her new found posse. The store had a multitude of outfits to choose from, and everyone else took advantage of that fact, Konoka included. When Konoka included herself, there was no way that Setsuna could turn them down. She was told to wear everything from the most feminine of outfits to the most masculine.

Setsuna awkwardly pulled on a suit jacket that sat uncomfortably tight on her shoulders as the others took an unnecessary amount of photos with their phones. Even a couple curious store attendant and customers stopped to see what was going on and joined in.

"Oh this outfit next, you have to wear this one!" Misa exclaimed, shoving a leather bomber jacket with ripped tee-shirt and jeans into her hands and closing the change room shutters, before rushing off with Madoka and Sakurako to hunt for more clothing for Setsuna to model. The cheerleader girls were so absorbed in their excitement that they didn't notice someone sneak into the changing rooms unnoticed.

Setsuna was having trouble trying to shrug off the tight suit jacket when a pair of hands suddenly helped her from her minor predicament.

"Your shoulders really are broader than they seem, Secchan."

"Ojou-sama, you frightened me." Setsuna replied, still wary of her charge.

She flinched when Konoka began to unbutton her shirt. Frozen and unable to respond, Setsuna continued to watch down as Konoka slowly worked her way down the shirt front.

"Secchan, you still remember how when we were young, we used to eat strawberries in the summertime, don't you?"

Setsuna nodded in response, eyes wide with an incredulous expression as Konoka slipped the dress shirt off of her.

"And your favourite colour has always been blue. That never changed."

Setsuna's breath hitched when Konoka's hands reached around and began to trace the contours of her back through the chest bindings. Fingertips rested lightly on the spot where her wings would sprout from, before moving on.

"How about we continue where we left off from this morning." Konoka whispered huskily.

Setsuna suddenly snapped from her reverie, and gently pushed Konoka off her. Unable to find her own clothes in the mountain of clothing she was forced to wear, she put on the t-shirt and jacket she was told to wear and left the change rooms before Konoka could raise an argument.

Konoka left, only to bump into the cheerleading trio in the shop.

"Ah, Konoka. Did you know what happened? Setsuna-san came barrelling out of the shop so fast, she almost didn't pay for the clothes she was wearing." Madoka pointed at the exit.

"Did you see which way she went?" Konoka asked, before taking off in the direction pointed out.

Setsuna hugged her knees closer to her as she idly watched the leaves float lazily in the pond before her. She sighed in frustration and tossed a pebble into the water, shattering the smooth surface.

"What are you doing here, Sakurazaki-san?" A calm voice interrupted.

Setsuna whirled around to see Ayaka looking down at her curiously.

"I-iincho-san!"

Ayaka only smiled and sat down next to Setsuna.

"This is a really nice place isn't it?"

Setsuna was caught off guard by the sudden change in topic, nodding fervently in agreement after staring dumbly for a few seconds.

"You wouldn't have known this was here by the library if you weren't looking for it." Ayaka continued, "The way the grand building hides off this comfortable little clearing makes this place almost… magical."

Ayaka turned to look Setsuna in the eyes. "Y'know Sakurazaki-san, you're very pretty. I never noticed that before."

Setsuna scuffled backwards slightly, suddenly raising her guard to a possible approach from the class representative. The heiress only tilted her head curiously in response to the action before shrugging.

"People would say you're a very lucky person to have Konoka, but I think the opposite is true too."

Setsuna took a second to process what Ayaka had said before turning red, "N-no! We're not like that! It's…"

"It's what…?"

A short silence ensued before Setsuna let out a sad breath, "It's complicated."

"Do you like her?"

The sudden turn in the confrontation knocked Setsuna off guard.

"Well… I… I'm not… I don't… I like… it's not that I don't like her, it's that I…"

"You what?"

Cool green eyes started back at her as she attempted to stutter out a response. They were not sympathetic, nor were they judging. They clearly broadcasted the class rep's desire for a straight answer to her question.

"Yes. I do." Setsuna replied, turning her face away.

"And she likes you. I don't see a problem with things."

"There IS a problem." Setsuna clenched her fists in frustration. "It's just not as simple as that. She's in a whole other WORLD as me. How can someone as lowly as me ever even hope to fathom that Ojou-sama would ever like me in return. It's true she likes me, but not in the way that you would think, or I would want."

"I don't know… I heard some rumours of some recent events that may suggest otherwise." Ayaka mused, ignoring Setsuna's rising anger.

"It means NOTHING. It's all just this damned love potion's fault. If none of this had happened, I wouldn't be so god damned confused right now. It's just a potion, and yet… I can't help but let myself feel a little bit happy, but then I remind myself it's all the smoke and mirrors of magic." Setsuna buried her face in her arms.

"Oh I'm well aware of your current circumstances, Sakurazaki-san." Ayaka shifted her sitting position closer to the swordswoman, who this time didn't flinch away. "I wasn't lying when I said you were very pretty, and it's a shame that it took a love potion for me to notice it, but it is true. Now, I hope you don't take this the wrong way, but you're just not my type, Sakurazaki-san. I have not, and still currently do not harbour any feelings for you."

Setsuna, not knowing where this conversation was going, merely stared back and blinked.

"So here's my theory. What Negi-sensei may have completed might possibly be an elixir that causes people to notice the drinker, as opposed to an actual love potion. Mind you, this is all but a theory. Perhaps I am incorrect with my theory, but I hope you would at least consider this argument that still stands: Why would Konoka be so heavily influenced by this little concoction while others are not? Konoka is not a weakling, and her magic is becoming highly formidable, while the rest of the general population has been spelled into thinking about you more and trying to become closer to you. Do you not find that odd?"

Setsuna looked down at her feet, "Well…"

"For god's sake, would it kill you to just talk to the girl? Isn't that the most sensible solution? Stop running away, put your fears down and just DISCUSS things with her, rather than running yourself ragged with frustration?"

"I don't know if I can." Setsuna muttered in response.

"And why not? You have nothing to lose. You may have known Konoka longer than I have, but I've known her long enough to know that nothing will ever change regardless of whether you're right or wrong. Would you just give it a shot? Speaking from experience, you'd be surprised with what talking can accomplish."

Setsuna thought for awhile. Ayaka was right. Setsuna hated to admit it, but she was right. Setsuna had been making up excuses for something that she had been trying not to confront for a very long time. Sooner or later, she would have to bring it up, before it killed her inside.

"There you guys are." Ayaka called when escorting Setsuna back to meet up with her group of tagalongs.

"Iincho-san, where did you come from?" Sakurako asked.

"Oh I bumped into a little birdie while shopping." Ayaka casually responded. Setsuna looked away sheepishly. "While we're all here, why don't we go karaoke together?"

"Who said you can make up all the plans, rich girl." Asuna scoffed.

"Who invited the monkey," Ayaka teased in response, " You didn't say she was with you guys, Setsuna-san."

"I wasn't, I just happened to run into them." Asuna answered crossly.

"Whatever you say, gorilla girl. So who's down for karaoke?"

While the rest of the group bickered over their next destination, Setsuna caught Konoka's eye, who quickly turned away, looking slightly dejected.

Setsuna sighed.

Surprisingly, karaoke had been a good idea after all. Everyone was in good spirits as they made their way back to Mahora campus just as it was getting dark. Konoka left looking much more herself having spent a solid half hour belting out the loudest rock songs she could find. Even Setsuna had loosened up and joined in for a song or two.

"Wooow, I didn't know you could sing, Setsuna-san." Madoka gushed.

"I… kind of surprised myself."

"Yeah, you were really cool!" Misa agreed. "You know, I never knew you would be this fun to hang around Setsuna-san. Sorry if we ruined part of the day earlier at that shop. We went a bit overboard."

"No, it's quite alright."

"We should hang out again another time. That was fun." Sakurako suggested as they stopped outside room 651. "Well, as much fun as that was, I think we're going to turn in. I'm pooped."

Her roommates nodded in agreement, rubbing their eyes.

"Good night guys, see you tomorrow in class."

They retired and shut the door, leaving the remaining portion of the group standing awkwardly outside of the dorm room.

"Oh yes, that reminds me, there is something I want to discuss with you, Asuna." Before the redhead could protest, Ayaka had dragged Asuna down the hallway and around the corner.

Setsuna suddenly the felt the pressure of being left alone again with Konoka.

"Let's go get some rest." Konoka said, suddenly breaking the silence. She took a few paces down the hallway, leaving Setsuna at a loss for words.

Suddenly finding her feet, Setsuna took off after Konoka, grabbing her arm and twirling the other girl around.

"W-wait. There is… something I want to talk to you about."

Konoka tilted her head in curiosity. Setsuna looked left and right before gathering the taller girl in her arms.

"Perhaps a quieter place may do."

In a whirlwind of feathers, they took off. Konoka clung tightly the swordswoman's shirt, not daring to let go, or look down. Her eyes focused on the starry night sky. They soared over the antique school buildings until Setsuna descending into the branches of the world tree. She gently set Konoka down on her feet, before straightening her clothing.

"Secchan, if this was about earlier, I'm really sorry if I upset you. I went overboard and I-"

Setsuna cut her off, "No it's not your fault. I just had a lot of my mind. I'm sorry if you blame yourself." She coughed and shuffled her feet nervously. "Oujo-sama… I mean… Kono-chan, I've been meaning to talk to you about something."

Konoka felt her heart flutter when Setsuna called her that. She didn't even have to push the other girl to say it. It was obvious that she was infatuated with her childhood friend. When it had started, she could hardly remember, but she knew what her feelings were from the very beginning, and one would have to be extremely blind not to notice. Setsuna was very, very blind.

She had always known that Setsuna had liked her. Just how much, was the question. She knew it was a lot. However, there were days and times, like today, where she began to just doubt as to how much it was. Perhaps it was not as much as she had thought. The idea had always left a cold feeling in the pit of her stomach. She never wanted to consider it, but it was always a possibility.

She had always enjoyed teasing Setsuna, which in turn gave her miniscule self satisfaction in seeing the other girl getting flustered by it. Every single one of those attempts had given her more confidence and hope that she was correct with her hunch.

Then came the little incident that started a couple days ago. The potion had definitely initially caught Konoka off guard. She didn't really mean to kiss her that time, but following that, she regained a little more control over her senses. She then proceeded to use the love potion as an excuse to get closer and more touchy feely, however that plan seemed to have backfired miserably, multiple times. It brought her thoughts closer and closer to the fearful idea that she may have been wrong after all.

"This may come off as a surprise to you. Or it may not." Setsuna took a deep breath before continuing. "These recent events leave me extremely unsure about our current… relationship. We are friends, correct?"

Konoka's blood turned cold. "Yes we are, Secchan."

Setsuna nodded. "Yes. We are friends. We have been friends for a very long time. Friends do not kiss the way we have. Friends do not hug or hold each other the way you have me."

Konoka could almost feel the tears brimming in her eyes, when to her surprise, Setsuna was the one who teared up first.

"Can you then explain to me why I want to? I'm afraid, Kono-chan. If we're not friends, what are we? What am I to you? I've been trying to avoid this for too long, but I really can't let it go on like this. I love you Konoka."

Konoka was frozen on the spot. She had no idea how to respond. Never in her wildest dreams that she would expect things to turn out like this. She felt that it would likely be the other way around, or perhaps if she found out Setsuna really did have feelings in return, that it would be Konoka trying to coax it out of Setsuna. This situation was nothing like she had pictured, the strong, quiet swordswoman, breaking down in tears confessing nearly a decade of pent up feelings.

Fearing the worst from Konoka's lack of response, Setsuna nearly turned to run off (where she would run off while on the branches of a gigantic tree was beyond her in hindsight, as she would never leave Konoka to climb down herself) until Konoka caught Setsuna's hand in her own.

"Secchan. Wait. Don't run."

Konoka cleared her throat, unsure where to begin. "Secchan, I'm really sorry I put you on the spot like that multiple times. I didn't mean to make you worry and feel awkward. I'm going to be perfectly honest with you right now. Setsuna, look at me."

Setsuna who had closed her eyes to brace for the response, slowly pried her eyes open to look back at the princess.

"You are one of the most important people in my life, and I can't imagine not having you with me. You and I are partners. Unlike the partners that Negi-sensei has, however close he is to each and every one of them, we share a special bond that only the two of us have; A bond that cannot be created from a little potion, alone. Secchan, I've known you almost all my life, and I love you."

Setsuna was shocked, only able to stare with her mouth wide open.

"It's been a long time, and I don't know why we have chased around such an important topic like this, but even I'm surprised at how brave you are. You may not know it, but you are a very courageous person, and I'm so happy you decided to talk to me about this. I honestly don't know if I would have been able to bring things about like you just did."

"Kono-chan, I'm not, I was just…"

"Stop underestimating yourself. You are amazing, and I love y-"

Konoka's sentence was cut short when Setsuna kissed her. Konoka, surprised at first, reacted in response.

It was nothing like the passionate, needy kisses laced with want that Konoka had been giving over the past few days. It was a simple pure kiss, that marked the beginning of their new found understanding for one another.

"Isn't that Iincho and Asuna down there?" Konoka commented, pointing down at two figures linking arms at the base of the World Tree.

Konoka and Setsuna had been sitting in the tree branches, discussing things with one another that they had avoided before, and discussing about a possible future.

"I… think so?"

Setsuna suddenly remembered what Ayaka had said to hear earlier in the day.

"Speaking from experience, you'd be surprised with what talking can accomplish."

"Well wouldn't you know…"

Perhaps there was another reason why she was unaffected by the potion.

So try as I may, I couldn't find any references to the personal preferences (favourite food/colour/etc…) of each character. As none exist, I made up some details and what not.

WRITING THIS CHAPTER MAKES ME FEEL EXTRA TURTLY, but I was reading manga, and fanfiction and I couldn't help myself. -hidesselfunderarock-

As for the timeline placement of this story, it was originally started before the ending was written. It actually occurs AFTER the current ending, with some incorrect details (Such as Negi teaching the class, etc…) but many people are rather AWARE of magic by now.

On the topic of the relationship itself, I was worried if this pacing was too quick for this story, but on second consideration (especially since this is mostly a crack fic), I felt I should step out and explore this side of their relationship a bit more. I normally tend to spend most of the story writing TOWARDS the goal, and having the two chase one another around, so this time I felt like I should explore how the two would interact AFTERWARDS. Especially since I love character interaction and development, this is a perfect opportunity to play around with that.

(Also I threw in that little extra thing in the end JUST BECAUSE. Idek)

EDIT: OMIGAWSH GUYS, when I said "The end" I didn't mean THE END the end, I meant the end of the chapter. D: LOL NO, it's not over. I would never let a story end with such terrible and little development with no resolution. This is exactly what I mean by exploring their relationship. I usually have them chase each other and then get together at the very last moment. I'm just playing around a bit, but it seems people were thrown off a bit. I repeat, this story is NOT over.