"May I carry Yunagi with me on school premesis? My orders are top priority, even in school and I will need Yunagi with me to follow my orders." I spoke, kneeling down at the entrance of the dean's office.

"What is this... Yunagi?" He spoke with a low, as if disgusted voice.

I stammered, "My-my sword." Yunagi was the name given to it... by that man.

"... Do as you please as long as it is sheathed, hidden and there is no harm." He spoke coldly, allowing my request.

"Thank you, headmaster." I spoke, standing up, bowing, and leaving the office.

I wrapped my sheathed sword with a brown sheet, tying it up and holding it by the string. It was now on my back, always ready for enemy attack. I am now fifteen, my orders to protect my lady, the grand daughter of a murderer, the daughter... of a dead man. I am no longer taught Shinmei-ryu and am now in self-study in the art of Kenjutsu. My second reason to keep living... is now gone. The whereabouts of Eishun Konoe is unknown, rumors suspecting he is dead. My purpose in life, I do not know. This bird has yet to be set free.

I no longer live in the home of the Konoe family, and now stay in the dorms of Mahora Academy. It was a small room, meant for the stay of two but I lived alone. It was like a guest room, even with my stay. I did not any precious possessions I kept close to my heart. School books and back, a few sets of school uniform for the seasons, my sword and kendo clothing was basically everything. This was what I had, and all I needed. My room was right across from my lady's, but I've yet to see her formally in the dorm. Most of my nights have been spent on the tree limb outside of my lady's room. It was firm and large, strong enough to support me as I watched over my lady with Yunagi resting on my shoulder. I often did my school work there in the afternoon while there was still light outside. In one of my books, I kept this one... precious possession, my treasure. I kept the hesperantha, flattened and preserved. Its petals were brittle, the faded pink now dull and partially grey. But it was the flower Eishun had given me, and I cherish it.

He departed from the Konoe house one day, leaving my lady in my care. He never said how long... never said where, never said of return. His current location is a mystery, and has been gone for a year. I pray he is still alive... but I question how it helps since I'm no longer much of a believer.

"Will you watch over my daughter for me while I am away?" He asked.

I nodded profusely and asked, "How long will you be away?"

"I don't know..."

"Where are you going?"

"I don't know..."

"Why are you going?"

"..." He did not answer, he only pleaded, "Setsuna I need you to promise me you will protect Konoka, can you do that for me?"

I nodded firmly, and stated, "I promise."

He patted me head, I flinched from the blunt touch, "Thank you."

"Good-bye, Setsuna."

I could only wave good-bye as he departed, words caught in my throat.

'He'll be back, I'm sure of it. He'll be back.' I thought as I cried silently.

When school work was finished, it would be evening, and I would practice Shinmei-ryu in the woods. It was early, the morning sun made way through the maple tree leaves by my lady's dorm room. I jumped down the tree and landed with easy. I began to walk around before classes. It was a nice community, Mahora Academy, but I was not talkative in petty chats. They were pointless, and of no use. As I reminisced, I came across the water fountain on the school grounds. It looked beautiful... water cascading down the layers of detailed, engraved facets. It was sculpted with much time, easily seen in the detailed designs of the fountain. Shooting up into the sky, fading into mist, as water trailed down the crevices of the sculpture, making way to the shallow pool of water filled with pennies and other assorted coins. Wishes I came to assume. I looked to the water and found my reflection. I sighed dejectedly at my eyes, and splashed at my mirror image. Sitting myself down on the edge of the fountain, I continued to look for answers in the water I knew had none.

"What are you doing, Set-chan?" A voice appeared. It was my lady. I tensed up, but continued casually looking into water.

"Thinking." I replied, still looking at the water ripples. I soon felt her presence beside me. I turned to see her kneeling, her arms resting on the edge of the fountain, her head relaxing against the back of her hand.

"I haven't seen you lately, Set-chan, how are you?" She mumbled.

"I am fine, and you? Ojou-sama." This chat was petty, I thought. But she is my lady, and I should refrain from ill manner.

"I'm all right. Neh, do you want to come play with Asuna and me sometime? We could chat in the dorm room late at night and-"

With proper manner, I interjected, "It would go against school rules, and it is not my duty to-..." My voice slipped away as my eyes caught the sight of my lady's pout, one that spoke, 'I won't take 'no' for an answer.' I blushed, off guard, I leaned back slightly, not expecting that kind of reaction.

"But wouldn't it be easier to watch over me if you were right next to me? Come on, Set-chan, please?" Her expression of a child who only wanted their way. My cheeks grew hotter, what she said was true, but I was not a person to socialize, especially not with the person who I am bound, nay forced to protect. For some reason I felt negative around her, I didn't despise the girl, I just preferred as little contact with her as possible.

I stood up, some what flustered, "Class is about to begin." I switched subjects, continuing, "Shall we go?" I asked, looking toward the school building.

"Mmm." She murmured, a bit dejected.

As we walked, I tried to stay behind her. As we got up the stairwell, she suddenly tripped. I reacted instantly, grasping her hand and pulling her up before she fell. She gasped sharply at the tug. My sword fell down the steps, as did our book cases as I held her close, my arm around her torso as my hand held her wrist up in the air. She was on a lower step, her eyes looking up to mine, locked and in shock, her torso against mine, I could feel her chest against my stomach. The arm around her waist seemed to have most of her weight, I suppose I was holding her on her toes. When I moved a little, she gasped.

"Ah..."

Suddenly I let go, my cheeks now burning. I didn't mean for the close contact, it came from instinct.

"Your forgiveness. Are you all right, Ojou-sama?" I asked, my arm lowering her steadily, finally releasing her as I looked for our book cases. I went down the steps to pick up my sword, the two book cases in my other arm as I looked up to see her response.

"Ojou-sama?" I asked when I had yet to hear an answer.

"I-I'm fine, thank you." She stammered, her cheeks a light hue of pink.

I walked up the steps, brushing the dust off her book case while my arm held Yunagi and my own book case. I handed it to her, and we continued to make way to homeroom. That was the first time I had seen my lady with such an expression, it was one that made my heart skip a beat, although I did not let that information be known physically. She seemed cute at that moment, I thought as our ten year old sensei gave a lecture, one I paid little attention to. My eyes always wandered to my lady's backside, out of duty or interest I was unsure, it just happened. Today I knew was from our encounter, that moment on the staircase, I'm sure. She glanced back a few times, looking flustered and swiftly turning away. I guess she was uncomfortable, so I kept note of keeping distance from her.

Morning classes finished quickly as I thought of our encounter. During the free period for lunch, I was about to leave the classroom until I saw a group gather around my lady.

"Neh, Neh Konoka, wanna come eat with us?"

"Yeah, let's go!"

"Th-Thank you, but not today." She stammered, waving her hands good-bye as the flock of girls left. I didn't see her expression, but I didn't need to. As she slowly stopped waving, her right hand was in the air, going limb, or as if grasping something lightly. She seemed detached from the others, surrounded by so many people yet still alone. She was far from all right, I thought to myself. I watched as she opened up her bento, the grip she had held on her chopsticks was weak. I sat and continued to watch as a girl approached her, Asuna I believe, her roommate.

Asuna asked, "What's wrong, Konoka?"

"Iie, It's nothing. I'm fine." She replied unsteadily.

Asuna looked unsure, she knew my lady wasn't 'fine.' It wasn't hard to see.

"Are you sure?" The worried classmate tried to pry for the truth.

"Mmm." My lady assured poorly.

She spoke, "All right, then. If you say so." The girl left the classroom as Konoka began to eat silently. I noticed she hardly ate and began to pack the bento box away. When she placed it into her book case, I walked up to her from behind, grasping her hand with Yunagi in the other, and said, "Let's go."

"Ah..." She gasped slightly, walking with me as I held her hand.

We went down the steps and went outside. The sun was shining brightly as I walked rather quickly to the apple tree outside of school grounds. I kept my grasp of her hand, the one shaking as her form shook from the sudden venture. I looked up into the apple tree, seeing the sun make its way through the leaves. Spotting a healthy apple, I slid out Yunagi from the brown wrapped sheet, holding the handle of my sword, letting it unsheathe itself from gravity. I lifted the sword to the ripest apple I saw and slit the stem with ease. I dropped the sword and caught the apple, letting go of my lady's hand as I sat by the base of the tree. I pulled a knife from my jacket vestment pocket, taking the blade from its cover, and began to cut the apple into slices. When they were in slices of eight, I held what looked like a lotus flower up to my lady who was still standing, her expression of wonder and awe. With my right hand, I patted the grass, urging her to sit beside me. she complied hesitantly, sitting in seiza position.

I held the slices to her and spoke, "You must eat, or you won't have any strength for the remainder of the day, Ojou-sama."

I pulled out a napkin from my pocket, replacing it with my knife, and laid the apple slices onto the white cloth, placing it on my lady's lap. Standing up, I grasped Yunagi from the ground, and slit the stem of another ripe apple. Catching it with my left hand, I placed Yunagi, unsheathed to rest by my side on the apple tree. I took a bite out of the apple I caught, peaking to see my lady look at me as I ate. She turned to look down on her lap, and took a slice and began to eat. When she finished, I placed the apple core, along with the seeds of the apple slices into the napkin and wrapped it up into a bundle. I threw it in a nearby waste bin and walked back to my lady. She had a look of distress, her hands gripped her skirt as she looked to her lap. I went to pick up the scabbard, sheathing Yunagi, and placing it back into it's brown wrapped cover. I tightened up the strings and placed it on my back, my left hand's index and middle finger holding onto the string across my shoulder. I slightly knelt down to my lady, offering her a hand. She took it, standing up with my support.

As she brushed her skirt, I noticed the time and said, "Afternoon classes are about to begin, we musn't be late."

She nodded as we walked. Before we entered the building, I spoke, "Don't... say you are all right, when you are not." My grasp of her hand tightened slightly as I spoke. I let go of her hand, planning to head up before her until I felt her hand grasp my own. Her grip was tight, I looked to my right to see her look up at me with a sad expression.

I responded by grasping her hand in return and spoke, "I'm here... so... you're not alone."

I felt her arms wrap around my waist, her head against my back the moment we arrived on the second floor. I felt the warmth of her tears against my back.

"I miss him... Please don't leave me, not you too. Not you too, Set-chan. Please stay..." She murmured into my back as I listened. Her arms around my waist trembled, no doubt her whole being was as well. Shocked from the response, and responding, I slowly placed my right hand over hers, my left hand occupied with Yunagi. The touch, as I hoped calmed her.

"I'm right here, there's no need to worry." I assured her.

I turned in her grasp, looking to her, brushing away her tears with my thumb, "I will always be here to protect you, I promise you." This promise was one I was willing to keep, as I promised to Eishun, I will hold true to it. She cried in my arms, her tears were felt through the school uniform, but it didn't matter to me. I blushed at the action, I did not know much about her to have her open up to me, but I was the one she didn't want to leave her, then I would stay. I slowly wrapped my left arm around her waist, cupping her shoulder as my right hand went to the back of her head, trying to console her the best I had knowledge of.

"Sshh... It's all right, I'm right here..." I whispered, slowly running my hand up and down her back.

I knew class was about to begin, but I had a higher priority. Once she calmed down, we walked to class.

"Where were you two? Class has already begun," scolded Negi-sensei.

I looked to see Konoka clenching the back of my sleeve as she stood behind me. Seeing she was far from all right to be speaking right now, I answered, "I'm sorry for the trouble." Bowing slightly, ignoring his question. His eyes averted from me to my lady and I believe he understood as he spoke with worry, "Konoka-san are you all right?" I spoke shortly after,"Excuse us."

"All right, anyways, as I was saying..." He continued with class as I led my lady to her seat, walking to my own afterwards. There were still several classes in the afternoon, regrettably she would have to go through them. Just a little longer... I thought, class will end just a little longer. I tried to pass the time, but it seemed to slow down when I tried. My eyes were on my lady, she seemed uneasy, but she bore with the class.

When the day was over, students continued to eye my lady. Whispers and murmurs, they were talking about what happened to her, I'm sure. Many of the students walked by and asked, "Are you all right?" My lady only nodded and smiled in response. Why did these people act like they care... None of them give a damn about her, just accepting her lie. Asuna came up to her once more. I listened to their conversation, but it was too quiet.

I only heard Asuna say, "I'll see you later tonight, all right?" My lady nodded.

Once most of the people had left to go home, I went up to my lady.

"Ready to go?" She didn't respond.

I held out a hand in front of her, one her eyes fixated on. Silently, I requested for her hand. After a few moments, she placed her hand in mine, and we made our way to the dorm.

When we arrived to our rooms, I began to let go of her hand and spoke, "I'll be going. Good night, Ojou-sama."

As I turned to my room, I was stopped by the grip she still had on my hand. I was a bit shocked, and stunned when she looked to me with that sad expression again, it was as if we were parting for good, forever.

"Would you like to come in?" I asked, placing Yunagi to lean on the wall as I opened the door to my dorm room. She walked in as I grasped my sword, turning to close the door. I pushed the door closed, and turned to find some tea, an instinct to have when there was a guest. As I turned, I felt my lady's arms wrap around my torso as I was pulled into a hug. I dropped my sword from the surprising action.

"Ojou-sama..." I whispered, a bit uncomfortable with our current position. She seemed so fragile in my arms, her skin was like porcelain, the light skin color, as well as fragility. I was nervous in comforting her, now realizing my situation. It seemed much easier in the heat of the moment, but now, my heart is pounding from the intimacy.

Before I could respond, she began to speak, "Please, just for a little while." Her voice shaking as if she was on the verge of crying. She held in her mixed emotions during class, I should have realized this by now. As I cursed myself as being too ignorant to be her guardian, she clutched onto me, onto my sleeves where my elbows were as she hid her tears into my chest. I wrapped an arm around her as I slowly walked, encouraging her to follow suit, and sat myself onto the bedside. I moved further onto the bed, making space for my lady to come onto the bed with me. Her body and voice shook, she seemed so... vulnerable. Her grasp on my uniform never loosened, in fact even tightened while I moved to the bed. She was kneeling in front of me, her face still hidden into my torso, I felt the tears once more. I felt a bit angry with myself, for the poor job I was doing. She was insecure, lonely and hurt, and all I dared to do was say good night when she was in this kind of shape. I lifted her up to sit onto my lap sideways, her legs laying to my right, my left arm wrapped around her waist once more. I placed my right hand on the back of her head, softly holding her close to me, caressing her back.

"Shh..." I shushed her tears. "What's the matter?"

"I-I miss my dad... I miss him..." She murmured into my chest, her grasp on my sleeves tightening.

"I miss him too. I don't know where he is or how long he will be away. I don't know why he left in the first place... There are many rumors of his death... but they are just rumors. I won't lie, I honestly don't know. But what I do know is that I am here for you now." I assured her, continuing. "I am here for you now and always will be. If you ever need anything, a hand... someone to listen, I hope you know that I am here for you. We may not know much about each other right now but I'd like to. If... that is all right with you." I spoke with uncertainty.

I felt her nod as she began to relax. Before she replied, Asuna walked in, nearly shouting, "Setsuna, have you seen Konoka?"

"Ah..." Her tone dropped dramatically as she found the two of us. I blushed, being seen like this, but I didn't mind because the person in my arms was very vulnerable right now. I looked to my lady who finally looked up to me, her eyes were puffed up and pink. Tears stained her cheeks. I brushed them off with her thumb and leaned forward into her ear, whispering, "It's best you go, I believe Asuna-san is worried about you." I took her hand that was on my sleeve and placed it on my heart. "I'm here for you, don't worry."

I smiled warmly at her, helping her sit up and follow Asuna out the door. She smiled back in return, one that heated my cheeks and my heart. I am glad she was well.

"Good night, Setsuna. See you in class tomorrow." Asuna spoke, smiling nervously. I knew she was uncomfortable talking to me because of the current situation. I nodded in response, bowing to the two, mostly to my lady who did not speak but slightly nod her head to excuse herself. The moment they left and the door had clicked, when I realized I was now alone, I buried my head into my palms, my cheeks were burning. I felt embarrassed at what I had said to my lady. It was because she was hurt, and I was trying to console her. Nonetheless I felt embarrassed, I was not in the position to say those kinds of words to my lady. Saying I wanted to know more about her... that I am there for her... my cheeks grew hotter. It really is embarrassing... but I hope my lady understood my words.

I felt as though I wanted to protect her from the world and all its pain. I thought as I looked to her window, sitting on the limb of the maple tree. She was speaking with Asuna, I watched her until she fell asleep. I wanted to protect her... for some reason, this need grew further out than just duty. Tired now, I went to my dorm room, laying on my bed and thought, 'For Eishun,' I said to myself, trying to convince myself, 'For Eishun.'

...

I lied.