Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
Welcome to Mahora Academy. We hope you enjoy your visit.


You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free.


Join our community!


If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Fanfic: Tenderness; My first attempt at a KonoSetsu fic
Topic Started: Feb 3 2007, 06:03 AM (18,447 Views)
Ryûchan
Member Avatar
Middle Schooler
[ *  * ]
Quote:
 
AWWWW, Secchan purposed! ^__^ So cute! ^__^
I was really waiting for this chapter I must tell you XP

Hope you'll post the next one soon! ^__^

I also hope you would feel better soon! ^^ I know I already do ^^

Jessie,
Hehe, yep, that was the proposal, and here's the next bit. ;) Good to hear you're feeling better, btw. ^_^



Quote:
 
*signs up to comment*

I like this a LOT. 

:blink: THE Shanejayell comments on my story?
*bows* Thank you!



Quote:
 

GREAT FIC!!!!!!!

please write more... write more!!!

can't wait for the next update.....

Fenrir,
With such encouragement as I keep getting, I can't help but try my best! :) The next update is below here, btw.




Quote:
 
Omigosh omigosh omigosh! Maybe a little more feedback than just "loved the story"?

Ma'am, you can write (gets teh gender rght this time )! But not just like, mediocrity, but like at a level apprciatable by a literary student. You make it much more than just a "story". Most writers, on fanfiction.net or anywhere else for that matter, write what they see and feel. You write in such an empathic sense, where you do much more than just see and feel; where you percieve the words behind the words...If its making any sense to you, congratulations~! ^^

And, I should also commend you on the language used. Its very intimate and sophisticated, yet direct enough to feel like a story or even conversation. Its very good ^^

Fantastic story! I would want more, yet after the 1st Chapter, I would've been satisfied 

Asakura Raine,
*laughs* Yup, right gender this time... but like I said, I didn't mind. ;P
Aww, such kind and encouraging praise... especially your comments about my language, I truly appreciate that more than you could know. *bows deeply, again*



Quote:
 
MORE, MORE, MORE!! I love it, I love it, I love it!! Go Secchan go! I loved the way the twins fell on Secchan in the middle of proposing, it was so funny. Keep it up please!

Nanaimoanimefan,
I'm glad I didn't disappoint anyone with the little mishaps during Secchan's proposal. ;D And since more was ordered... *points to the next bit* :D



---------------------------------------------------






TENDERNESS 3 (end)






Racing down the corridors Konoka and Setsuna travelled the distance from Setsuna’s old room to the room next to Konoka’s old one in something akin to record time. Konoka was giggling slightly, excited by the prospect but not knowing just what to expect, while Setsuna... Setsuna was chanting in her mind all the way there.

Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi Yuunagi...

Once there she flung the door open and shouted “YUUNAGI!”

“Oh?” Konoka looked at her fiancée curiously. “Can it answer you?”

Setsuna blushed instantly and, in a belated move to not appear quite so desperate to find her precious sword, stepped aside to let Konoka enter the room while Setsuna closed the door.

Inching slightly sideways Setsuna tried not to be terribly obvious as she scanned to room for any sign of her prized weapon, not much caring if anything else in her possession was there or not. In truth Yuunagi was the only item Setsuna owned that had value and meaning, the rest of her Spartan belongings – or Spartan until Evangeline had gotten hold of her wardrobe, anyway – Setsuna could have or lose should it come to that. All other things she cherished were of the kind that could not be put in material objects, like the memories in her mind, the feelings in her heart, and the people that meant something to her, specifically her beloved Kono-chan.

Although... Setsuna glanced at her finger where the ring rested with an unfamiliar but not unpleasant feeling. That was not true anymore, that Yuunagi was the only thing she owned that she cherished beyond description. She touched the ring and smiled in wonder.

Looking up from her admiring of the silver band Setsuna spotted her sword at last, securely placed on a stand in a small and elegantly decorated fake alcove at the back of the room together with other weapons or work-related items in Setsuna’s possession. Hurriedly Setsuna drew the sword to inspect that no damage had befallen the blade in her absence, and only once satisfied that Yuunagi was safe did she take a moment to admire the elegantly written scroll on the wall and the potted bamboo arrangement below it.

There was a note on top of her calligraphy box that turned out to be from Nagase Kaede. ‘Begging your pardon for the rudeness, this one has handled your weapons with outmost care de gozaru. /Kaede’ it said, making Setsuna smile a little over her classmate and new fighting companion’s way of phrasing herself even in writing, and she felt somewhat relieved. The ninja was one of those people that could be trusted to understand the importance of a weapon and treat it accordingly, so Setsuna felt no need to examine the rest of her equipment.

“Secchan, we need to go shopping.” Konoka walked out of the kitchen, her first point of inspection, tapping a finger to her chin. “Asuna has kept my cooking equipment, so I’ll need to buy a new set.” Already she was running a list of things in her mind that she would need.

For some reason while they both moved towards the other, Konoka and Setsuna discovered the bed at the same moment.

“Oh.” Konoka said softly, her hand moving up to a slightly pinkish cheek.

Setsuna on the other hand turned an instant glowing red. “T-t-t-there has been some mistake, surely.”

Instead of the expected two-level bunk bed that was the standard for the shared rooms of the dorm there was a large, dark-wood four-poster bed tucked into the recessed section of the wall otherwise intended for a bunk bed. It was not ornate, but it was large and luxurious compared to the standard beds, and... it was also the only bed in the room.

A red ribbon was tied to one of the posts, attached to a small card. Konoka walked over and read it, untying the ribbon in the process, then offered it to Setsuna whom seemed almost frightened to look at it.

The card simply said ‘Enjoy!’ and had in lieu of a name a small drawing of a grinning chibified Evangeline with fangs.

Setsuna found her voice with a start. “IamdreadfullysorryKono-chanIamsureitisjustamistakeorpossiblyajokefromEvangeline-sanIwillgotalktotheprincipalandgetthingsstraightenedout...”

“Ee? You don’t want to share a bed with me, Secchan?” The disappointment was clear in Konoka’s voice. She continued in a slightly sad, quieter voice. “And I was so looking forward to being able to sleep holding you or being held by you tonight, too.”

Speechless Setsuna stared at her beloved as Konoka daintily sat on the edge of the bed, running a hand across the bedspread and not meeting Setsuna’s eyes. How could she even consider refusing any request made by her Kono-chan? With visions of a future that held an inhumanly large amount of ice-cold baths running through her head, Setsuna walked over to the edge of the bed and crouched down in front of Konoka, her hands on Konoka’s knees.

“If that is what you want, Kono-chan, then I have no reason to protest it. But are you sure?”

Konoka smiled and put her hands on Setsuna’s face. “We love each other and we will get married. Sooner or later we are going to share a bed, Secchan, and for the rest of our lives too. Yes of course I’m sure.” Her expression changed to something peculiarly mischievous. “And sooner or later we are going to use it for what you were thinking of too, my Secchan.”

Setsuna jerked upright, blushing if possible even more than before while gesturing and stuttering desperately. “W-w-w-w-what? Kono-chan, I-I-I...”

Laughing softly Konoka caught the flailing hands, knelt on the bed to give a small and silencing kiss. “Relax Secchan, I was only teasing you.... well, maybe not only teasing, but anyway, take it easy. Why don’t you come here and we can lie down for a bit.” Her words were followed by a gentle tug on Setsuna’s hands as Konoka moved further in on the bed.

Still reeling somewhat and frankly feeling just a bit worn out, Setsuna acquiesced without further protests, and lay down next to Konoka. Konoka immediately wrapped herself comfortably around her warrior with her head on Setsuna’s shoulder, sighing contently as Setsuna’s arms hesitantly came up to circle her. They lay in silence for a long time.

“Remember when we used to sleep together as children?” Konoka asked softly, the peace of just holding each other slowly settling both girls into a state of semi-dozing.

Setsuna yawned and squeezed Konoka a little tighter. “We never slept like this though.”

A soft giggle. “Not while you were aware of it, no.”

An eye cracked open to peer down at Konoka affectionately. “Is that so? What else did you do to me while I was defenceless and sleeping?”

“Oh, nothing...” A soft kiss to Setsuna’s shoulder. “I wasn’t old enough to want to do more than squeeze the stuffing out of you back then, after all.”

The body underneath Konoka’s shook gently with an amused laugh. “I did tell you that I have loved you since we were children, didn’t I?” Konoka continued, drawing feather-light little patterns on Secchan’s chest with one hand.

Clutching Konoka a little tighter Setsuna blinked against a sudden moisture in her eyes. “I remember how the day we met I had been told that I might get to see the young ojousama if I was lucky, and I had secretly been hoping that I would.” Setsuna smiled at the memory. “The first time you smiled at me... I think that was when it happened.”

Konoka pushed up on one arm just enough to look Setsuna in the eye. “When what happened?”

“When you claimed my heart.” Setsuna answered immediately and without a trace of hesitation.

With a delighted squeal Konoka caught Setsuna in a kiss, previous drowsiness forgotten, putting her all into it. Moaning Setsuna rolled them over, and soon, being happy, in love and alone, things got very heated between them.

Konoka’s legs were locked around Setsuna and her hands had yanked Setsuna’s shirt out of her pants and made an opening through which they were occupied with exploring the skin on Setsuna’s back. Setsuna on the other hand was dimly aware that one hand was squeezing something round and rather soft where it lay, pinned underneath their bodies, while hungrily devouring Konoka’s tongue.

That was when the door flung open with a thud and a loud voice calling out “Pardon the intrusion!” followed by a number of voices calling out even louder “SURPRISE!” and the lights turning on and the sound of a group of people moving quickly into the room.

Setsuna and Konoka froze.

“Oh... my... god.” Asuna groaned, beet red as was the larger part of the party group behind her when they spotted the entangled couple on the noticeably single bed, with the exception of Kazumi who was already taking pictures with a delighted gleam in her eyes. “We, err, thought we’d throw you a room-warming and engagement-celebration party...”

The equally embarrassed couple raced to disentangle themselves and straighten out clothing that had ended up askew, before Konoka turned to their sudden guests with a perfect smile and a graceful gesture to come further into the room. “Please, come on in then... I’m afraid we don’t have anything at all in the refrigerator yet, so we can’t really offer you anything to eat or drink.”

“Oh that’s ok, we brought everything with us!” Asuna was ridiculously relieved that Konoka decided to act as if the group had not walked in on anything, and she was more than happy to do the same. “Right guys?”

Belting out a rather shaky cry of confirmation the rest of the group hurried in with various foods and drinks, arranging the table until it was overflowing and setting an assortment of games around the room as well. Someone brought a heap of sitting pillows as well, and soon enough Setsuna and Konoka was sitting side by side among their friends, some undefined drink in their hands while waiting for a slice of chocolate cake.

---

In a cottage some distance away a diminutive blonde was leisurely sipping the tea made by her robotic companion, a small smirk lurking at the edge of her lips.

“You are very kind, Master.” Chachamaru observed in her ever calm and mild voice.

Evangeline snorted and looked away. “Nah, don’t be fooled... I only did this because I was bored... and because it might come in handy to have the future leaders of the Kansai and Kantou Magic Associations, not to mention the old goat, be indebted to me.” She took a sip of her tea. “Nothing else.”

“I see, Master.”

“What! What do you see? What!” The suddenly flustered Evangeline began waving her arms in front of her servant, scowling. “I haven’t told you to see anything!”

“Acknowledged, Master.” Only one who was very familiar with the automated young woman could have spotted the ghost of a smile on her placid countenance at her master’s ranting.

---
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
BAKA NO JITSU
Member Avatar
Grade Schooler
[ * ]
-picks herself off from the floor to type- That was hilarious. The class walking in on konoka and setsuna. Please do continue writing. -continues rolling on the floor in laughter-
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
shanejayell
Member Avatar
Grade Schooler
[ * ]
Ryûchan,Feb 13 2007
09:10 AM
Quote:
 
*signs up to comment*

I like this a LOT. 

:blink: THE Shanejayell comments on my story?
*bows* Thank you!

"The Shanejayell?"
*looks amused*

Great update. :) I LOVE Eva in this too... *lol*
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Jessie
Member Avatar
KonoSetsu Fan!
[ *  *  *  * ]
Ryûchan,Feb 13 2007
09:10 AM
That was when the door flung open with a thud and a loud voice calling out “Pardon the intrusion!” followed by a number of voices calling out even louder “SURPRISE!” and the lights turning on and the sound of a group of people moving quickly into the room.

Setsuna and Konoka froze.

“Oh... my... god.” Asuna groaned

XDDDDDDDDDD
I couldn't stop laughing from it XDDDD
I just love this fic!
Post the next one as soon as possible! I can't wait to read it! ^_______^
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Ryûchan
Member Avatar
Middle Schooler
[ *  * ]
Quote:
 
-picks herself off from the floor to type- That was hilarious. The class walking in on konoka and setsuna. Please do continue writing. -continues rolling on the floor in laughter-

Baka no Jitsu,
*grins* I'm glad you thought it was funny! ^__^



Quote:
 
"The Shanejayell?"
*looks amused*

Great update.  I LOVE Eva in this too... *lol*

Shanejayell,
Well... I've lurked around the shoujoai archives and forums for *thinks* a year or two at least, so yes... THE Shanejayell. ;P I've read and loved quite a few of your stories.



Quote:
 
XDDDDDDDDDD
I couldn't stop laughing from it XDDDD
I just love this fic!
Post the next one as soon as possible! I can't wait to read it! ^_______^

Jessie,
Laughing that much? :D Heh, I'm glad you find it funny. As for the next part... well...



See, I sat down to write the next bit of Tenderness 3 and I came to the somewhat startling conclusion (well, for me. Normally I'd have known this) that I have nothing more to write... on Tenderness 3. Now, I have a few thoughts that could become Tenderness 4 ^^;;, set a few years later along the line, although I would in that case like to first write a side-story or two to this focusing on characters like Kaede/Mana. (Tenderness Sidestory 1: Things that go nin-nin in the night :lol: ) I would like to know what you who have read the story think about that idea... I really, really, really do not want to disappoint anyone. :sweat:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Serai
Grade Schooler
[ * ]
Dmn, if anything i love the update pace

this way im ensured of my dayly konosetsu fix
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Ryûchan
Member Avatar
Middle Schooler
[ *  * ]
Another question, for those that might know:
if I write the Kaede/Mana sidestory (um, actually... I've written three pages so far XP), can I post it into this thread, or should I start a new one? ^^;; It is still the Tenderness story, but since the focus will be on another couple for those little bits, what is more appropriate? :sweat:


And Serai, I'm happy to provide a daily Konosetsu fix as long as I can... I love writing about them. Besides the potential Tenderness 4 I do have another idea or two for a Konosetsu fic as well. ^_^
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
WitchCirce
Member Avatar
Middle Schooler
[ *  * ]
Well, Ryûchan, if you do write a sidestory that DOESN'T focus on KonoSetsu, I will not only enjoy it but also probably have the opportunity to continue work on my own fic rather than hover hungrily over the keyboard, waiting for my next Tenderness fix to appear on the monitor.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
shanejayell
Member Avatar
Grade Schooler
[ * ]
Well, thanks for the compliment Ryûchan. :)

This fic is a riot, btw. I may start spreading your thread link around.

:dance:
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Asakura Raine
Member Avatar
wAIfu Nanasaki amirite
[ *  *  *  * ]
Quote:
 
“When you claimed my heart.” Setsuna answered immediately and without a trace of hesitation

...Slain~! That was sooo sweet!

That was beautiful! I wouldn't mind a subplot that would run along this story, ne? Like, if you did manage to pull off a Mana/Kaede, do it during the same time period so the events of Tenderness run together? I think that would be cool, but you are the writer; so please do what you wish. After all, I shall enjoy anything you produce :lol:

Congrats on finishing (?) it, enjoyable read and certainly worth my time. Unlike the common slime I drearily flick through, this piece actually interested me to the point of that i actually commented on it ^^. I never comment...on anything....until now ^_^
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
icha-kun
Member Avatar
Nobody
[ *  * ]
Yes... Very nice fanfic...
When will you upload the next chapter?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Ryûchan
Member Avatar
Middle Schooler
[ *  * ]
Quote:
 
Well, Ryûchan, if you do write a sidestory that DOESN'T focus on KonoSetsu, I will not only enjoy it but also probably have the opportunity to continue work on my own fic rather than hover hungrily over the keyboard, waiting for my next Tenderness fix to appear on the monitor.

WitchCirce,
*sheepish smile* Erm, sorry? I'll be back to KonoSetsu as soon as I get this Mana/Kaede thing out of my system, I think. ^-^



Quote:
 
Well, thanks for the compliment Ryûchan. 

This fic is a riot, btw. I may start spreading your thread link around.

Shanejayell,
:D Glad you think so. :dance: *dances also*



Quote:
 
...Slain~! That was sooo sweet!

That was beautiful! I wouldn't mind a subplot that would run along this story, ne? Like, if you did manage to pull off a Mana/Kaede, do it during the same time period so the events of Tenderness run together? I think that would be cool, but you are the writer; so please do what you wish. After all, I shall enjoy anything you produce 

Congrats on finishing (?) it, enjoyable read and certainly worth my time. Unlike the common slime I drearily flick through, this piece actually interested me to the point of that i actually commented on it ^^. I never comment...on anything....until now 

Asakura Raine,
:D Thank you! I'm glad you liked it, and honoured for the comment. ^__^ Yes, you're right about the Kaede/Mana thing running along what has already happened in Tenderness so far, that was the general idea. Though I find writing on this little sidestory is giving me ideas for Tenderness 4, so... more Konosetsu to come later, I think. *grins*
Thanks for sticking with my writing btw ;D



Quote:
 
Yes... Very nice fanfic...
When will you upload the next chapter?

Icha-kun,
*sheepish* Erm, yes... I think I might have missed posting a section yesterday as I was unsure if a Kaede/Mana story would be ok here, other than that I have posted every day since I started this. Here is a snippet of the new story btw. *points to further down the post* :)



--------------------------------------


OK everyone, I hope no-one will be too upset with me, but I am interrupting the regularly scheduled Konosetsu with a bit of Kaede/Mana. *wry grin* It is just a small side-story to Tenderness, touching on what is going on with those two while Konoka and Setsuna are all over the place with their engagement and all, and once I get this written I think I'll be able to go back to Konosetsu again. Thank you for your patience with me. *bows*


Special warnings for this story: while there will be mention of Konosetsu, this focuses on Kaede/Mana, so those that do not like that coupling can give this a miss. I also know virtually nothing about these two, Mana especially, just what it says in the site's character profiles, and in some cases I might mess that up a little. Expect OOC in other words. ^^;;
Ah yes, and this bit is a bit slow I'm afraid. Sorry about that.






Tenderness Sidestory 1:
Things That Go Nin-Nin In The Night

-------------------------------------------





Tatsumiya Mana was a loner, intimidating and mysterious to her peers, and generally not a woman that inspired much in the way of friendship. It hadn’t always been so, of course, nor was this state of affairs entirely of her own choosing, but life had shaped the path intended for her and Mana knew it well.

Consequently she made no effort of befriending anyone, nor did she try to be understood or at least found less frightening to those that truly had nothing to fear from her. These things were of little importance at the end of the day, when she racked up her mental tally of the money earned against the costs of keeping her ancestral shrine alive.

People, or rather those that knew something of what was going on in Mahora and had heard of the work Mana did, mistakenly thought Mana to be a callous mercenary that loved only two things in life; money and her guns.

While it was true that Mana had a surprisingly strong bond to her weapons of choice – not an uncommon development in her line of work, she had found – money actually had no importance on its own for her. Mana was the last of her family, and with everyone she had once loved gone, she had nothing but the shrine left to care for. And the shrine... was oh so costly, forcing Mana to do whatever work she could find just to keep banks and debt collectors from tearing the ancient holy ground apart.

Fortunately for Mana she was more than just a pretty face... what she could do was a rare thing, and those that were in need of such assistance were usually willing to pay nicely for services rendered. Oh that did not meant that money came easily, not at all, until she had gained a steady employment with Konoe Konoemon luck had controlled her earnings, and sometimes lady luck just wasn’t in a charitable mood.

It was terribly convenient to work for principal Konoe, as not only was the pay nice enough and moderately steady, but she was close to home and her shrine duties, and left with much spare time to pursue whatever other odds and ends that might bring in a bit of extra yen.

It was not really until her young and innocent classmates had looked at her with something akin to the fear they might have shown a wild animal that Mana realized that with all the pain, loss and struggling in her life, Mana herself had gone cold inside. It was not that she did not have emotions, it was just that she hid them so well that it was rare for something, other than the joy of a hefty sum of money or a new shiny gun, to move her.

Then shortly after being employed by the principal, Mana was introduced to one Sakurazaki Setsuna. The shorter, slender swordswoman was stoic to a fault, much like Mana herself, but unlike Mana it was fairly clear that Setsuna felt things very strongly. Finding herself slightly intrigued by the girl that was technically speaking her immediate boss, since principal Konoe had made clear that Mana was first and foremost in Setsuna’s employ for her work of guarding the Mahora area against mystical intruders, Mana was drawn to her.

To begin with they were both outsiders, standing on the sidelines observing, keeping watch against the unknown, and strictly speaking not particularly interested in joining in the childish goings-on around them. Additionally, after having fought together for a while, a camaraderie grew between them, a particular understanding that only those who had to repeatedly put their lives in each other’s hands could have, until Mana realized that somewhere along the line she had gotten... a friend.

Mana watched in sympathetic fascination as it became clear to her what her new friend’s ‘holy shrine’ was... the ever-smiling young girl that Setsuna, and to a lesser degree Mana, was employed to protect above all. Konoe Konoka. Mana herself was not a stranger to love, despite her age, but thinking of that particular loss... the memories echoed empty, the emotions long since frozen in a place she could not reach.

She did remember the pain she had felt though, and although she said nothing she hoped for a better ending for her friend.

Having a friend, someone to relate to even if it was an odd relationship given both their natures, did serve to soften some of Mana’s abrasive cold over time. Eventually other classmates saw her joking with Setsuna and just like that, the fear of Mana disappeared. There were still those that were intimidated by her, naturally, but there were others still, like the cheerful and open-minded children whom saw someone interesting in her. She grew to have a fondness for these innocent souls and enjoyed the moments they spent with her, a further softening of cold and supposedly impenetrable walls.

Then Mana and Setsuna were placed in another class at the beginning of one school year, the same one as the young heiress that held Mana’s sword-swinging friend’s heart. She watched in silent sympathy as Setsuna tried so hard to keep her cool and keep her distance, even though young Konoka-ojousama clearly wanted nothing more than to be by Setsuna’s side. She tried to suggest to her friend that perhaps a little closeness with the girl was not a bad thing, but found it a subject difficult to broach, much less something she felt she had any right to interfere in.

Somehow as Mana’s attention were on other things, Setsuna and Konoka-ojousama found their way back to one another. Mana watched in amusement as the two of them clung to one another like new lovers, and felt a great deal of gratitude on the behalf of her friend that their young ojousama had managed to lift the veil of stoic suffering from Setsuna, revealing the shy, pure and innocent girl she was underneath the warrior.

Yes, Mana had watched Setsuna’s love for Konoka-ojousama for some time, and even seen signs of the corresponding emotion in the heiress. Yet she had been completely unprepared for her own reaction the day she had, as so many times before, walked into Setsuna’s room without preamble... only to find her friend and the ojousama in a clearly heated embrace on the floor, undressing one another.

She was completely unprepared for the pang of jealousy that was part of her response to the discovery. Setsuna was a treasured friend, and one Mana would feel happy for now that things seemed to go her way at last, and Mana had never held any feelings for Setsuna beyond their friendship, yet... Yet, once Mana took a long hard look into her own reasons, she found that while there were no romantic feelings towards Setsuna there was a sense of belonging, a sense that while the two of them were doomed to live without such things as love, at least they would have each other to turn to. Setsuna had found love and happiness after all, and a part of Mana felt left behind, the only one remaining destined for a loveless, solitary life.

Alone.

Mana stomped hard on that unwanted spark of emotion, eradicating it before it could cause trouble with the only person she still truly considered a friend. She even managed a few words of encouragement and advice to Setsuna, though the subject was a difficult one and the statement costly, in terms of the images and awful hollowness they brought with them. Still, she hoped her friend would take her advice to heart, and not let her own low self-esteem get in the way of greater happiness.

Another shock had been when Mana had found out that not only had her friend scored the little princess on high, apparently they were engaged to be married, approved of by the ruling kings themselves. This time it was thankfully just the shock of her friend’s future taking off at rocket speed and not something troublesome in her own character.

Setsuna’s change in status from a warrior of the shadow like Mana herself to a prince in the making brought changes also to Mana’s everyday life. While she met and spoke to Setsuna everyday and they still patrolled together, Setsuna’s time in active combat and patrolling duty was being cut down, though Mana was unsure if Setsuna even knew this. It seemed a natural and reasonable thing to do, to lessen the likelihood of Konoka-ojousama’s future wife dying while perimeter-keeping with the rest of the fighters, and had she been the principal Mana would have probably done the same thing, if not more.

So it was that Nagase Kaede, the school’s resident ninja – that is, ignoring the two sweet little girls trying hard to emulate their Kaede-nee – was added to the team, and Mana found herself being promoted to Setsuna’s second-in-command. Considering the team as of yet consisted of three people, that was not an overbearing title, but from conversations with their employer Mana knew that a larger task-force was in the making. If such a thing were to get off the ground Mana felt she would have to ask for a considerate raise, all things considered.

In regards to the newcomer, Mana was left somewhat bewildered. No-one could doubt Nagase Kaede’s combat skills, she was a one-woman army and Mana was quite impressed. The trouble was not the good-natured woman’s skill; it was the woman herself... for Nagase Kaede besides being a capable warrior was a person that was surprisingly kind, open, gentle and caring... qualities all that Mana had a hard time understanding, especially in a person on a warrior’s path in life.

Kaede obeyed orders, there were no problems there, and she was someone to depend on in a tight spot. They worked well together, and exterminating the random creatures that crossed Mahora borders became almost too easy with a small army of Kaede at her disposal. The ninja was even pleasant to talk to, once one got used to the almost permanent smile and her particular style of speaking.

It was just...

It was just...

It was just that when walking around on patrol with some small conversation going on with Setsuna, she and Mana had been friends and warriors, doing their duty. When Mana and Kaede walked around while on patrol and held a hushed conversation, Kaede was a woman taking off some of her warrior’s mask to talk to another woman. Mana did not know how to act or react to Kaede, whereas with Setsuna they had been of similar ilk and therefore it was easy to understand her way of thinking. With the tall ninja Mana was left with the unnerving feeling that she truly had no idea how her mind worked.

Despite her confusion Mana knew she was warming up to that persistent smile. Then Kaede had to go acting in a way that had Mana uncomfortably unsure of how to react.

They had been walking along from a confrontation-site, the intrusion dealt with quickly and quietly, and the mood had been light and somewhat playful. Mana had chuckled at something Kaede had said, and the ninja had stopped on the spot.

Turning to see what happened, Mana found herself face to face with Kaede at a considerably closer proximity than she felt at all comfortable with. Narrow eyes had peered at her with an expression Mana was unfamiliar with, and then Kaede had grinned widely.

“You have a pretty smile, Tatsumiya-san, you should show it more often de gozaru.”

Then the ninja had bounced ahead, leaving the stunned and confused Mana to stare after her, wondering why in the world her heartbeat had picked up so strangely.

---




Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
shanejayell
Member Avatar
Grade Schooler
[ * ]
*squeals*

Yay Mana! And her and Kaede make a CUTE couple.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
-fenrir-
Grade Schooler
[ * ]
You ended it!!!!!

You’re so awful….

I could say that cause yesterday I didn’t study for today’s exams (and ended with screwing it up) just to read your fic (again for the 8th time)!! And now it ends!!!!
<hiiks… hiks>
you had to responsible for this by making another fic :P !!
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
Ryûchan
Member Avatar
Middle Schooler
[ *  * ]
Quote:
 
*squeals*

Yay Mana! And her and Kaede make a CUTE couple.

Shanejayell,
*smiles* I think they do too. Then again, I see a lot of possible couples in Negima. :P Konosetsu remains number one though, of course. :D




Quote:
 
You ended it!!!!!

You’re so awful….

I could say that cause yesterday I didn’t study for today’s exams (and ended with screwing it up) just to read your fic (again for the 8th time)!! And now it ends!!!!
<hiiks… hiks>
you had to responsible for this by making another fic  !!

Fenrir,
Err... *blinks* I've ended Tenderness 3, yes, and I have a little bit still to write on the Tenderness sidestory before that is done (hopefully today), and then it is back to Konosetsu for me and most likely Tenderness 4 since I've got a few ideas for that. You'd have to be patient with me for a couple of days though.
Still... you know every story ends at some point, right? ^~^;; As much as I'd love to keep writing I'll run out of stuff to write about, besides, there are other Konosetsu stories that I would like to write if possible, too. ^_^
Will that be good enough?
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
Go to Next Page
« Previous Topic · Fan Fiction · Next Topic »
Add Reply