| 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: |
| Courage; KonoSetsu Fic - Who else? | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Feb 24 2007, 08:25 PM (7,300 Views) | |
| Chigusa | Feb 24 2007, 08:25 PM Post #1 |
![]()
Middle Schooler
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Title: Courage Author: Um, me. :) Chigusa Rating: PGish Category: Action, drama, romance (later) Pairings: Kono x Setsu I think that's about it. Caveat: This is my first fanfic, here or anywhere. No beta readers as yet, so constructive criticism would be very much appreciated. Still not sure if this first chapter overdoes it on the action front... I guess I'll have to finish the fic wholesale before I can tell how it balances. Anyway, here's the first part for your perusal. Hope you like it! Chapter One: In Media Res “Hiken: Hyakkaryouran!” Sakurazaki Setsuna’s sword flashed through the air almost faster than the eye could follow. Her target, a demon monster twice the height of the tallest of the trees that lay beneath her feet, screamed as the blow found its way home and plummeted to the ground. That made one less demon to plague the earth, something to be celebrated, but fight was only just beginning. The swordswoman turned swiftly to face her next opponent, her blade up in the guard position once more. Her great wings, glowing almost golden in the last rays of the setting sun, beat the air, lifting her even higher until the tree tops looked like a green carpet beneath her. Then she folded them and swooped down on her clustered foes, black hair streaming in the wind. Konoka watched from the ground, her hands clasped in front of her. The demons had fallen upon the two friends as they took a walk through the countryside surrounding the Mahora Academy, and within moments they were fighting for their lives. Or at least, Setsuna was. Konoka bit her lip. If only she was brave, like Secchan. But she was no warrior. As a healer, she could do nothing but stay out of the way and clean up when the fighting was done. Secchan had made that clear, time after time. The swordswoman’s words echoed in her ears, orders to stay back, to stay safe and hidden. It didn’t make it any easier though, being forced to watch her closest friend fight alone and outnumbered. There was no denying that she made a magnificent sight though, as she zigzagged through the twilight sky, alternately hidden and framed by the beating of her wings. “My angel…” Konoka whispered under her breath, hardly aware that she was speaking at all. It was only five demons. Secchan could handle five demons in her sleep, couldn’t she? It certainly seemed that way. Setsuna glided and rolled through the air, deft as a swallow, her sword leading the way. No sooner would a demon swing its fist towards her, a fist dark and gnarled and twice the size of a normal human being, then Yuunagi would be there in its way, sliding the blow away and creating an opening for a counter strike. The demons were good, elite even, but their opponent was infinitely better. It was a matter of seconds before Setsuna’s current target failed to be lucky with its frantic blocks. Her sword cut into the creature’s exposed side and the creature had time for just one last groan before its two halves dissipated into a fog of particles. Two down, three to go. Konoka’s hands clenched into fists as she watched, her breathing harsh in her throat. Nothing mattered but the battle that twisted and spun above her. Nothing… until she heard a hissing breath behind her. She spun around, her heart crashing in her chest. Another demon stood there, half-hidden in the shadows of the trees that surrounded them, its eyes glinting. “Come here jou-chan…” The thing managed to leer as it spoke, revealing yellowing fangs. “You’re the one we want. Not your little friend.” Its hand reached out towards her, curved claws tipping its outstretched fingers. “We won’t hurt you…” “No…” Konoka took an involuntary step backwards. Secchan… Secchan would save her. But no… Secchan was caught up in her own battle. To call for her now would distract her, put her at risk. No. She would have to manage on her own, at least until Secchan finished off her own opponents. She took a deep shuddering breath. “Just you stay back, demon-han.” “Oh? Or what? What are you going to do, little jou-chan?” “I’m going to… going to…” What? What was she going to do? She couldn’t fight, couldn’t perform magic, at least not unless the leering monster in front of her was going to be impressed by the ability to light a cigarette off the end of her practice wand. There was only one thing left. Without bothering to finish her sentence, Konoka turned and fled into the forest, jinking between the trees. “…run,” the demon finished the sentence for her in a disgusted voice. With supernatural reflexes, the creature moved from a standing start to a full out sprint, hot on Konoka’s heels. “You needn’t make it so hard for yourself, jou-chan…” The words sounded ominously close and Konoka struggled to put on a burst of speed. The trees were too close, branches slapping her face as she pushed forward, hands raised to ward off the worst of the damage. At this rate the chase wouldn’t last long, she knew. With every second that passed, the pounding footsteps of the demon sounded closer. What now? She half-sobbed for breath as she racked her brains. There must be something… Yes! Without slowing down, Konoka reached into her pocket and dragged out her pactio card. Secchan might be busy, but Negi wasn’t. One telepathic call and he would be racing out to join the battle. She touched the card to her forehead, gathering her thoughts. “Too late.” The hissing voice was low and close, so close! Konoka tried to turn, to dodge, to do anything to avoid the inevitable. Whatever happens, I musn’t… musn’t… Then the giant hand closed around her leg, and a strangled scream ripped from her throat as she crashed full length to the ground. The pactio card flew out of her grasp to land a good three feet out of reach. “Got you.” ***** The scream sounded distant, but it cut through Setsuna’s consciousness as if had been right next to her. Suddenly the immediate battle took second place, and her fierce battle concentration faded. There was no mistaking the owner of that voice. “Ojou-sama?” It was almost a whisper. Just in time she spotted an attack in her peripheral vision and rolled to avoid it, the demon’s knuckles close enough to graze her cheek. She didn’t care. “Kono-chan!” Once more Setsuna folded her wings and sped earthwards, looking for all the world like a hawk stooping on its prey. If anything had happened to Kono-chan, anything at all, she would never forgive herself. She crashed through the topmost layer of the forest’s cover, heedless of the branches that cut at her and obscured her vision. “Kono-chan! Where are you?” She had left her somewhere around here, she knew. If Kono-chan was missing, it meant something had forced her away from this spot. She closed her eyes, trying to feel her friend’s presence. Despite the blood pounding in her ears, and the panic that gripped her stomach, Setsuna forced her mind to calm, allowing her heart to feel for what her eyes could not see. There! Her eyes snapped open and her wings beat in the restricted space, propelling her into a vertical climb that lifted her above the tree layer. Immediately she accelerated, racing toward her friend. She prayed she would make it in time. “Sweet.” The voice came from directly above her. Setsuna rolled, trying to face her opponent, but only managed to received the full force of the downward punch in her solar plexus rather than in her back. She choked as the air was forced out of her lungs, and smashed through the forest cover, broken branches ripping through her wings. She had no air, no strength in her limbs, and she was powerless to prevent herself slamming to earth, creating a sliding trail in the leaf litter as she careened to a stop, flat on her back. Setsuna gaped like a fish out of water, desperately trying to breathe again. Her right arm shook as she struggled to get Yuunagi in front of her. At least then there would be blade between her and her enemies. “Now that’s what I call love.” The three remaining demons from the initial attack came to earth, surrounding the young warrior even as she lay in her prone position. Their leader spoke again. “I thought nothing could disrupt a Shinmeiryuu swordswoman’s battle focus. I guess everyone’s got a weak spot, eh? Just as well. I’ve two comrades to avenge. I’m going to enjoy taking it out of your hide.” Without another word, the creature leapt forward, claws extended, its own black wings streaming behind it as it slashed at the girl’s exposed throat. tbc... |
![]() |
|
| thousand-mistress | Feb 24 2007, 08:43 PM Post #2 |
|
Actual Pedophile
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Cool. |
![]() |
|
| Ryuuen | Feb 24 2007, 08:52 PM Post #3 |
|
High Schooler
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Oh. Wow. That was intense. : O Please do so continue :D |
![]() |
|
| -fenrir- | Feb 24 2007, 09:31 PM Post #4 |
|
Grade Schooler
![]() ![]() ![]()
|
i like it very much i'll be waiting for the next update, so make it fast ok..
|
![]() |
|
| icha-kun | Feb 24 2007, 10:31 PM Post #5 |
|
Nobody
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Very good. Next chapter please... |
![]() |
|
| Chigusa | Mar 3 2007, 12:07 PM Post #6 |
![]()
Middle Schooler
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Okini minna-san for your lovely comments! And apologies for rather slow updating. This is essentially displacement activity for my thesis, so I'm trying to balance them out. I shall try to be faster with the next one. :) As always, constructive criticism would be hugely appreciated. I'm wondering if my perspective writing is working like I hoped it would - are the two points of view coming over all right? Anyway, without any more beating around the bush, here's the next bit. Hope you enjoy! Chapter 2: Ken no Chikara To absolutely no avail. There was a resounding clang and the demon gawped down at the katana that had somehow managed to block its strike. Setsuna was unsteady, but she was on her feet, her face set, Yuunagi held angled across her body. Her arms shook as she supported the demon’s full weight. “What would you know about it, monster?” The creature recovered itself quickly, and jumped back from Setsuna’s slashed riposte, a grin on its face. “You’d be surprised, swordgirl.” The grin took on a predatory edge, and the demon began to sidestep to its right, forcing the girl to follow the turn. Setsuna cursed under her breath. She didn’t need eyes in the back of her head to know that the other two demons were moving closer, preparing to launch the three-sided coup de grace that would be her end. She had been so close. Just a few more seconds of flying time, and she would have been by Kono-chan’s side. This was where carelessness got her. Still, she was a swordswoman of the Shinmeiryuu, and as such was not going to go down as easy as all that. She was still breathing hard and her legs felt like jelly, but she was recovering fast, her training and ancestry proving their worth once again. She flexed her wings tentatively, wincing at the white hot lance of pain that the action elicited. They had taken the worst of the damage on the fall through the forest cover. Flying was clearly no longer an option. Setsuna gripped Yuunagi’s hilt with both hands and raised the sword slowly into a hanging guard. Her eyes locked with those of the lead demon. When it decided to make its move, she would know. When the creature’s eyes flickered in recognition, Setsuna was ready. She leapt into action, whipping Yuunagi forwards and around, turning the guard into a slashing downward attack… “No! Let me… Secchan! Secchan!!” … which faltered into nothing as Setsuna spun, eyes wide, to face the source of the cries. Kono-chan hung in the air, her two wrists engulfed in the vast hand of yet another grinning demon. She was struggling desperately but uselessly, the movements more a signal of defiance than anything else. The demon that held her was keeping her at arm’s length, far out of range of her swinging kicks. Her eyes were wide and glassy with unshed tears. As the girl registered Setsuna staring at her she blinked, and the tears fell free for the first time. She was crying. Kono-chan was crying. These demons had made Kono-chan cry. There was a roaring in Setsuna’s ears and a surge of heat ran through her body. The bruises didn’t hurt anymore. The cuts didn’t sting. Her whole figure hunched as every muscle tensed, and her voice was a growl so low as to be almost inaudible. “You…” Kono-chan’s captor, who had inadvertently stumbled on the new location of the fight, simply turned and ran. Its fellows were neither as quick thinking, nor as lucky. Yuunagi swept up through a half circle, its movements kept smooth and precise despite the trembling tension in the muscles that controlled it. Setsuna’s eyes were hot and wild, her voice a rising howl as she unleashed her fury. “Shinmeiryuu Ougi: Hyakuretsu Ouka Zan!” There was a flash of light and a rush of wind so strong that the layers of fallen leaves covering the forest floor were swept up in a whirlwind of red and gold. For a long moment there was silence, suddenly punctuated by three popping sounds and a gentle sigh of air. The leaves floated gently back down to earth. All that was left was Setsuna standing in the centre of the erstwhile maelstrom, sword by her side, head bowed. Of the demons, there was no sign. ***** Konoka struggled against the demon’s grip, even though she knew her efforts were futile. Her head was full of the pounding of the creature’s running footsteps, and the forest blurred before her eyes as she was shaken to and fro in its grip. Perhaps if she just distracted it enough for a moment, it would trip and then she could… But what were the chances of that? Konoka thought back to the sight of Secchan barely able to stand, surrounded by enemies, wounded with a dozen bleeding cuts, and felt the tears begin to rise. It was all her fault. Her fault for not being brave enough. For not being strong enough. If she had just managed to keep herself from crying out, Secchan would never have been taken unawares like that. She would never have been distracted. “Oh Secchan…” It came out as a shaky sigh, and Konoka slumped in the demon’s grasp, unable for one despairing moment to keep up the one-sided fight. “Ojou-sama.” The demon skidded to a halt as Konoka strained her neck to see. Could it be? “I’m sorry to keep you waiting, Ojou-sama. I’m here now.” Secchan stood squarely in front of them, feet planted firmly, sword levelled in front of her. A multitude of cuts still bled freely and one of her wings was twisted at an odd angle, but no pain registered on the swordswoman’s face. Rather, she looked calm, controlled, and as scary as she had ever seemed. Konoka even felt a thrill of sympathy for the demon that was still holding her under its arm like a sack of potatoes. “Secchan!” Konoka felt herself blush as she spoke. Rescued again, and that was all she could say? Secchan spared her a gentle smile, then locked eyes with the demon once again, her face falling back into its emotionless mask. “Put Konoka-Ojou-sama down.” The demon wrenched Konoka around by her shoulders and held her up in front of it, trying to shield itself behind her slight frame. “Or what? Come any closer and she’ll get hurt.” Holding the girl with one hand across her chest, the demon laid his other hand against her throat, its curved claws forcing her head up and back. She swallowed involuntarily and the movement was just enough to allow the claws to puncture the soft skin, sending thin rivulets of blood towards her collar. Konoka shut her eyes and tried not to think, using all her mental energies to restrain the whimper of fear that was threatening to escape her. There was a long silence, finally broken by Secchan’s monotone voice, flat with control. “Do you trust me, Ojou-sama?” It took all Konoka had not to just squeak in reply. “Y-yes!” “Good. Don’t be afraid.” There was a rush of wind against her face, and the unmistakeable sound of a sword hitting flesh. The demon’s grip suddenly loosened, and Konoka fell forwards onto her hands and knees, breathing hard. She didn’t look behind her, couldn’t look, and shuddered as a wailing cry echoed through the forest to be suddenly cut off. A thud sounded behind her, and then warm hands were on her shoulders, on her cheek, turning her. “Are you all right?” Secchan’s voice was urgent now, trembling with some suppressed emotion. Konoka opened her eyes to see Secchan kneeling beside her. The swordswoman was close, so close that Konoka could feel her breath against her face. One hand was around her shoulders, supporting her, the other was laid against her right cheek, the lower fingers just under her chin, lifting her head. Konoka’s breath caught in her chest and she found she could only stare at her rescuer, tears gathering in her eyes. “Ojou-sama?” Konoka shook her head gently and raised her own hand to grip the other girl’s supporting arm. “I’m… I’m fine. Really.” Secchan closed her eyes, the tension visibly running out of her. “Thank goodness. Thank goodness.” She opened them again to gaze at her friend with a serious expression. “Please forgive me. I was late coming to find you. If I had been any later…” She stopped as Konoka briefly laid a single finger on her lips. “You saved me, Secchan. I’m the one who should apologise. You got hurt because of me…” her voice trailed off as she took in the full extent of her protector’s injuries. “Secchan! Your wings!” Secchan’s hand dropped from the girl’s cheek and she looked away. “Please don’t worry, Ojou-sama. I’ll be fine.” Her voice was controlled again, restrained and distant. “But I do worry!” Konoka almost shouted. “This is all my fault!” If I had been faster, stronger, braver… you’d never have got hurt. “You’re always protecting me! Please, Secchan, let me…” The swordswoman didn’t even look around. She gently lifted her friend’s hand from her arm and slowly got to her feet. She took a step and stood there, swaying. “Ojou-sama, we should… should…” “Secchan?” There was no answer. Almost in slow motion, the girl’s knees buckled and she collapsed to the ground, her eyes fluttering shut. “Secchan? Secchan!” |
![]() |
|
| Jisatsu | Mar 3 2007, 01:49 PM Post #7 |
|
Middle Schooler
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Ah, like Ryuu said, that was intense! I thought it was great, lol. I'm surprised I didn't read this earlier, and no worries, your updating is pretty fast :3 Looking forward to the next chapter ~ |
![]() |
|
| kid386 | Mar 3 2007, 03:20 PM Post #8 |
|
Grade Schooler
![]() ![]() ![]()
|
woot action stories make me happy :D |
![]() |
|
| Serai | Mar 3 2007, 04:42 PM Post #9 |
|
Grade Schooler
![]() ![]() ![]()
|
ooh, a fiction of secchan kicking some serious demon ass me likey :D |
![]() |
|
| Jessie | Mar 3 2007, 05:35 PM Post #10 |
![]()
KonoSetsu Fan!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Wow O_O This story rocks! *__* please post the next one soon! ^___^ |
![]() |
|
| BAKA NO JITSU | Mar 3 2007, 06:36 PM Post #11 |
![]()
Grade Schooler
![]() ![]() ![]()
|
awesome that was so fierce and frenzied. hmm wonder what's konoka gonna do with an unconscious setsuna, -grins pervertedly- |
![]() |
|
| icha-kun | Mar 3 2007, 08:54 PM Post #12 |
|
Nobody
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Yay! An update! I like your fanfict... Very cute... |
![]() |
|
| Chigusa | Mar 6 2007, 09:35 PM Post #13 |
![]()
Middle Schooler
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Thanks everyone for your comments! I'm glad the action stuff isn't too overwhelming. One of the things I love the most about Setsuna is her ability to kick serious a**e, and it's fantastic to have the chance to show her doing just that. This next chapter is much shorter, and a change of pace. I guess it's something of an experiment thrown in to see how it works. I'm torn as to whether this part should be revealed later or shown in flashbacks, but I'm going to leave it in for now and see what it does to the pacing. Do let me know what you think. I guess this is what one needs beta readers for... ;) Anyway, without further ado, let's get straight into: Chapter 3: Kokoro no Chikara Konoka just managed to lunge forwards in time to catch her friend’s head before it hit the ground. She lay still for a moment, full length on the forest floor, her hands cradling Secchan’s head, breathing in the earthy scent of the fallen leaves. It was only a moment though, and seconds later she pulled herself together. She dragged herself forwards on her elbows, hauling herself into a kneeling position with Secchan’s head resting in her lap. The swordswoman’s breathing was shallow and her face was pale. Konoka laid two fingers tentatively on the girl’s neck and found a thready pulse beating under the skin. There was no mistaking the signs. Secchan had pushed herself far too hard, and now she was paying the price. The young healer gently brushed the stray locks of hair from the girl’s bloodied face and placed her hands on either side of Secchan’s head. She took a deep breath and began to gather herself mentally. She had only done this a handful of times, and getting the power to flow was still rather a hit and miss process. Sometimes it seemed as if the power within her wasn’t her own at all, but only something stored, with her as nothing more than a vessel. If she did this wrong… She shook her head violently at the thought, biting down on her lip until the blood welled up. “No. No, I can’t be like this. Secchan needs me. Focus, Konoka! Focus!” She only hoped there would be no further demonic interference. Still, she reassured herself, if anything attacked the pair of them now with Secchan out of action, they would stand no better chance if she was on her feet at the time. This had to come first. Konoka stared down at her friend’s unconscious countenance, realising with a start that her hands, unbidden, had been lightly stroking the girl’s cheek. Emotion, that was the key. That was where the power came from, what unlocked those vast magical reserves inside her. To heal someone was to empathise with them, to feel their pain. She traced the lines of the cuts marring Secchan’s fair skin, across her cheekbone, down her neck, horribly aware of the feel of blood on her fingertips. An aching sorrow rose in her chest, and she held fast to it, forcing herself to recognise the guilt and shared pain at its source. She closed her eyes, reaching within herself for the feeling she knew lay there, close, so close to the surface of everything that she was. Love. It was warm, like sinking into a hot bath, and Konoka surrendered herself to that all-encompassing comfort, allowed it to wash around and through her in waves. Even though her eyes were closed she knew that she was shining; could feel the light flowing out of her. A soft smile touched her lips as she offered up the last of her self-awareness, her senses overwhelmed in the midst of the healing trance, her mind concentrated solely upon the dear one cradled on her knees. In the gathering dark of evening, the healing glow was visible from miles away. It was as if a great beam of white light was being fired straight up to the heavens, a beacon for all to see. ***** Asuna’s head snapped up from where she had been dozing over her homework. “Negi! D’you feel that?” She leapt to the window, snatching the curtain out of the way in one swift movement. The great pillar of light blazed in her eyes for a second, then disappeared, leaving the girl blinking in its wake. She turned to the figure standing behind her, a grim frown on her face. Negi nodded, a confirmation of the question neither of them needed to ask. When they spoke, it was one word, at the same time. “Konoka”. |
![]() |
|
| Manori | Mar 6 2007, 11:03 PM Post #14 |
|
Middle Schooler
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Nice chapter, and great story so far. Though I wonder, does this mean that Konoka realised that she loves Setsuna? Probably, maybe, know we can only hope that Setsuna feels the same [though it's obvious she does].
|
![]() |
|
| Jessie | Mar 7 2007, 12:23 AM Post #15 |
![]()
KonoSetsu Fan!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
This was too short :[[[ though it gave me a chance to read it before I go to school lol.. ^__^ I love this story! please continue!
|
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| Go to Next Page | |
| « Previous Topic · Fan Fiction · Next Topic » |






![]](http://z1.ifrm.com/static/1/pip_r.png)





7:21 PM Jul 10