Disclaimer: I don't own Mahou Sensei Negima.
Chapter One – Unfinished Words
"Secchan!"
Setsuna stopped walking when she heard name being called, she didn't have to turn around to recognize the other person. She would never fail to notice that lovely voice, even among the other hundreds of voices of her other fellow students, not to mention that she was the only person that was 'allowed' to address her with that particular name. A happy and authentic smile appeared on her face when she turned around to face an equally smiling Konoka who was running to catch up with her, earning a few confused stares from other girls walking down the hall who knew her reputation of being one of the most serious and reserved girls of the school.
"Ojousama" She said bowing her head in acknowledgment when Konoka, who was breathing a little her from all the running, reached her. "What can I do for you?" She asked earning a light smack on the arm. Her smile grew even wider.
As usual, Konoka wore the cutest pout Setsuna had ever seen. The mention of her formal title always had the same effect on her and Setsuna silently relished at the sight. She honestly tried to call her princess 'Kono-chan' like she did when they were younger, but all those years she spent away from her in training certainly had their effects on her. She couldn't just throw out the window all her formalities the moment their friendship was rekindled.
"Is there anyway for you to stop calling me Ojousama?" Konoka asked while starting to walk alongside Setsuna, a slight irritation came with her words making Setsuna internally wince.
"I'm sorry," Setsuna said careful of not saying anything that would make her princess more upset, "I suppose it's hard for me." She said being honest.
Konoka sighed letting the subject go "Just make sure it doesn't happen again."
"I'll try harder O…Ko-Kono-chan." She corrected herself when Konoka eyed her warily making her then smile that beaming smile reserved for Setsuna only. "So, what did you want Kono-chan?" She asked as they walked the front of the school gates. She sweat dropped when Konoka stopped abruptly and slapped her forehead. Her princess was really an air head. A really cute air head.
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot," She said sticking out her tongue sheepishly and knocked her head with her fist. A really cute air head indeed. "Gramps wanted me to go to his office; he sounded pretty serious so I don't want to go by myself. Do you mind coming with me Secchan?" She asked giving Setsuna a puppy eyed look she knew her guardian wouldn't resist.
"Of course not." Setsuna said, glad that she didn't have guard duty today. "Shall we get going then?" She asked smiling at Konoka.
"Yeah, thanks a lot Secchan!" Konoka squealed latching her arms with Setsuna's, making her friend blush slightly.
- - -
It took them a few minutes to reach the head master's office and by the time they did, Konoka was unexpectedly trembling from head to toe.
"Ojousama what's the matter?" Setsuna asked forgetting the promise she had made moments ago. "You look rather pale, are you feeling sick?" She asked standing before Konoka and placing her palm on her forehead.
"I don't know, I started getting really nervous all of the sudden." Konoka explained gently batting away Setsuna's hand, distractedly, like she wasn't aware of what she was doing. "Something's not right. Maybe I shouldn't go in there" She said like the thought just occurred her.
"Are you sure?" Setsuna asked getting more worried by the second "You said Konoe-sama sounded serious" Setsuna said thinking that her princess' grandfather wouldn't fail to make Konoka feel better, if she really was getting sick.
"I don't know." Konoka said giving the gigantic door in front of her a doubtful look.
"Look, I'll go inside with you, hear whatever it is that Konoe-sama has to say and I'll take you to your room right after wards." Setsuna said trying to convince her protégée "If Konoe-sama says it's serious, I don't think it's a good idea to keep him waiting." Setsuna said speaking from her own experiences –when Konoka escaped her marriage meetings and the old man had her looking for his granddaughter to be precise.
"Yeah, maybe you're right…just give me a minute." Konoka said not sounding very sure, but she knew that she could get into trouble, and she'd rather spent her time doing something productive ,meaning anything,- than being scolded by the elder man.
"Of course, I'll go inside first." Setsuna said giving Konoka a concerned look when she only received a curt nod from the usually chipper girl.
- - -
Setsuna opened the enormous doors leading to the principal's office. She bowed as low as she could, presenting her respects to Konoe Konemon.
The old man had been standing in front of the huge windows behind his desk with one hand on his back and the other mechanically stroking his white beard like whenever he did when he was deep in thought. He had turned around at the sound of the door opening.
"Ah Setsuna-kun, good day." He said bowing his head in return "What can I do for you today?" He then asked, never ceasing to stroke his beard.
"Good afternoon Konoe-sama," Setsuna said in a business tone "I have come to tell you that Oujosama will only take few minutes to come inside, she's not feeling very well at the moment." Setsuna informed.
"Oh?" He raised one of his thick eyebrows in question "Is that so? Where is she now?" He asked in a steely voice.
Setsuna taken a bit back by the indifference on the old man's voice hesitated a bit before she managed to stammer an answer "Uh, s-she's just outside the doors." What the hell happened? Just a minute ago he was as polite and composed as ever.
"Very well," He said sitting on his chair "I'm afraid that this is a very important matter and cannot wait any longer." He said intertwining his fingers together. "Please have her come in at once."
Setsuna started to protest but was interrupted by the dark look that the headmaster gave her under his thick eyelashes. "Now." The tone in his voice made it clear that excuses would not be tolerated and if she dared to give him any, there would be very serious consequences. So Setsuna as much as she hated it, gave him a nod of understanding and went back the way she came from, leaving the door slightly ajar.
- - -
She found Konoka with her back resting against the wall next to the doors with her head down and her hands behind hr back and Setsuna couldn't help but think about how much she resembled her grandfather in this position.
Konoka shot her head up when she silently reached her hand and gently placed on Konoka's shoulder. Konoka who still seemed to be a bit out of it gave her the faintest of smiles which made Setsuna feel guilty for going against her better judgment, but there was nothing she could do, orders where orders. That didn't mean that she absolutely resented Konemon at the moment. She just wished to tell Konoka to get the hell away from that place as quickly as possible.
"Hey, are you feeling any better?" She asked with all the kindness she could muster.
Konoka shook her head, "Not really, but I guess I'd better go inside ne?" She said trying to act casual and not doing a very good job at it. "It's not like I have a choice." She then whispered mostly to herself.
"Don't worry Ojousama; I'll be with you the whole time." Setsuna said daring to take one of Konoka's hands between her own, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"Secchan, I thought I told you not to call me that." Konoka said in a playful voice, smiling despite the nervousness that still lingered. She gave Setsuna a squeeze in return and then placed her free hand on the Shinmeiryu girl's cheek. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
By now Setsuna had a nice tint of bright pink to her cheeks; saying those kinds of words to Konoka, as truthful as they where, always troubled her but to be held and touched like this by her was en entirely different thing, it made her things that she really shouldn't be thinking, and what was worse it made her feel foolish and dirty to know that, as much as she tried not, she couldn't and didn't want to stop.
"I'm sorry; I guess I already broke my promise, ne?" She told Konoka, smiling at her tenderly, fighting with all her might not to gave in and lean into Konoka's warm hand.
"Secchan I…I have something to tell you." Konoka said softly now feeling nervous for an entirely different reason. The seriousness in Konoka's voice and something she saw flash for a second in her eyes told Setsuna that if she moved but an inch, whatever spell that had befallen on them would be instantly broken.
"Yes? Tell me what is it Kono-chan." Setsuna urged in a gentle whisper when she felt, rather than saw that Konoka was having an inner turmoil that was keeping her from saying something that Setsuna just knew she had to hear.
Just as Konoka drew another deep breath and was about to blurt something out, her Grandfather's not so subtle cough left her words stuck on her throat, and just as fast as the mood that engulfed them came left and Setsuna was abruptly snapped out of her daze. She looked down to her hands that still held Konoka's and with the brightest blush Konoka had ever seen on her friend's face, quickly withdrew them and took two hasty step back wards. Konoe Konemon was standing on the doorway and apparently he had heard all that was said between them and he didn't look very happy about it.
"If you two girls are finished, I'd like for Konoka to come inside." He said coldly and went back inside, leaving the doors open.
Konoka took a deep regretful sigh as she watched Setsuna cough discretely into her hand regaining her usual composure. She absentmindedly caressed the hand that had been cradled by Setsuna's slightly callused but still gentle hand, trying not to feel too disappointed by the fact that the warmth that Setsuna's hand had given to her was quickly disappearing.
"Come on Kono-chan, let's go inside. You can tell me later ok?" Setsuna said holding the door for her. 'Dammit why didn't I notice his presence? Damn his sneakiness!'
"Yeah, sure." Konoka said and with a false blank smile plastered to her face, entered her Grandfather's office.
- - -
A few moments in silence passed as Konoka and Setsuna waited for Konemon to start talking, but he took his time arranging scattered pages on his desk making Konoka more nervous and Setsuna more irritated at the man for putting his granddaughter through this. When he did spoke though, his cold tone remained. "Setsuna-kun, could you please step outside for a moment?" He asked not looking up from the pile of papers in his hands.
"Eh?" Konoka looked up when she heard her Grandfather's words and shoot Setsuna, who was just standing next to her, a furtive look. "But Oji-san, why can't she stay?" She asked hesitantly rubbing her hands together; the look on her face told Setsuna that she didn't want to be left alone.
Konemon examined both girls through his thick eyebrows for a few seconds making Konoka wonder if she had said something wrong. "Very well, she can stay." He said intertwining his fingers again. He then gave a deep sigh and continued. "As you know you will be turning eighteen in just a few months." He said addressing Konoka. "I have been patient with you young lady, but I'm afraid that the time has come where I must take matters into my own hands." He said and shook his head in exasperation when he saw that Konoka had no idea of what he was talking about. "I am talking about your omiais Konoka." He explained.
Konoka for her part was shocked beyond words. 'Talking matters into his own hands.' That could only mean one thing. She shot Setsuna another look and saw that her friend was still looking down to the floor, her fists clenched rather tightly and her mouth a thin line. Apparently she too understood the meaning of the elders' words.
"I see that you know what I'm talking about." Konemon said and continued at Konoka's weak nod of confirmation. "Very well, then you know how this goes child, an omiai will be held in a week from now. Know that this young man is everything you need in a husband and what's more, everything both the Kansai and Kanto associations are looking for, so there shall be no complaints." He said opening one of the drawers of his desk and pulling out a yellow folder from it. "Here is his profile. I want you to take a good look at it so you can start familiarizing with him." He announced sliding the folder over the table with his fingertips. He gave another deep sigh and started running his fingers through his beard again. "This is for our family's well being Konoka, please take that into consideration." He said more to himself than his granddaughter who had silently walked to his desk and had taken the folder into her hands silently, tears gathering in her eyes.
Seeing this, he awkwardly coughed into his hand but otherwise ignored her. He then turned his attention to the other girl inside the room who had stayed silent during their entire conversation, if he could it one. "Setsuna-kun." He said in an authoritarian voice.
Setsuna raised her head and met the headmaster's gaze, her eyes just two pieces of ices boring into his own. "Yes?" She asked in a surprisingly neutral tone, but one that carried an iciness rarely heard on her.
He raised his eyebrows noticing the lack of honorifics she always used when speaking to him, but decided that this one time he would let it go. "You will be accompanying Konoka to her omiai. Future fianceeée or not I'm not willing to expose Konoka to any danger." He said starting to really feel the intensity of her cold and angry gaze. "Of course the meeting will be held back in headquarters in Kyoto so even if they are up to something, I don't think they will be foolish enough to act there. But seeing as our security has already been…breached once," He said referring to their school trip and clearly still upset about the incident, "I want Konoka to be safe and that is of course with you." He finished, although he felt more like he was blabbering instead of giving an order.
In other circumstances those kinds of words would have drawn a shy smile to Setsuna's face, one that she would try to hide from the headmaster. In other circumstances she would have felt proud, elated and honored. But right now she felt nauseated by them. Of course she would be there next her Oujosama; she would never leave her alone with a complete stranger. But now those word where meaningless to her. If she couldn't protect her Kono-chan from something she didn't want to be a part of, then she was a failure. But even if she dared to speak of these thoughts to the Headmaster it would be useless. She would never be heard as he had already made a decision.
"Of course." Setsuna said lowering her gaze again. What other choice did she have? She adverted her gaze to Konoka feeling more miserable than ever. What could she do to make everything better for her?
"Very well, both of you are excused now, I have other business to attend to." He said not looking at either of them as they exited the room, not knowing who he should feel more pity for. He took out pen and paper, ready to write a letter. Arrangements had to be done.
- - -
Konoka and Setsuna walked out of the principal's office, neither of them knowing what to say to one another. One felt angry and disappointed for her lack of courage of facing Konemon and the other simply feeling devastated. Things weren't supposed to be this way.
"I'll walk you to your room." Setsuna said not wanting to meet Konoka's eyes knowing that she would give her a look full of tears and she wouldn't be able to handle that.
Konoka not knowing what to do or say just nodded and followed Setsuna down the hall, her movements seeming almost mechanical. How did this happen? Just moment ago she was seconds away from telling Setsuna her most precious secret when her Grandfather interrupted them; and then everything went downhill. She clutched the folder tighter in her arms. She was afraid of opening it. She didn't want to see who this boy was or what did he looked like. She didn't want the person who she was supposed to love and spend the rest of her life with to be decided by any other person than her.
The more she thought about it, the more tears gathered in her eyes blurring her vision causing her to stumble a few times. But this time Setsuna wasn't there to help her regain her footing, giving her a slightly amused smile or a concerned look and asking her if she was alright or telling her to be more careful. This time Setsuna seemed to be too immersed in her own thoughts, only stopping whenever she fell too far behind and didn't spoke a word. She didn't even look at her in the eye.
They reached the dorm building without saying anything, the walk from the office felt longer than their usual trips they made there and this only served to make the air around them even more tense.
When they reached Konoka's door, Setsuna heard something being dropped to the ground and turned around to see that Konoka had stopped walking; the offending yellow folder lay on the floor opened and Setsuna could briefly make out the picture of a young brunette man on one of the scattered sheets of paper before Konoka stepped on it and threw her arms around her, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Oujosama…" Setsuna weakly whispered, standing there with her arms at her sides and at complete loss of what to do.
A/N: Okay, I have absolutely no idea where this is going; I just had to get this out of my head. Umm, I also have no idea how this should be named…ideas anyone? I kind of suck with titling stories. Alrighty, now that this is done with, I can hopefully continue writing the next chapter of 'Come Back' cracks knuckles No sleep for me.