Endings and Beginnings
Setsuna's long black hair flowed free as she looked in the mirror. The white at the roots was showing again, and she cursed softly knowing she'd have to get more dye soon. Being born an albino among her dark colored tribe had been hard, but she had grown used to all the things she needed to do to hide it. Back at school only Evangeline had known that about her, and the vampire had been surprisingly discrete.
'I wonder what Naoko would think if I went back to my natural hair color?' Setsuna thought, blushing faintly as she thought of her.
Her friendship with Naoko Konoe had deepened into something much more, but Setsuna still feared the possibility that she was rebounding from her lost love Konoka. Still, the more Setsuna had gotten to know Naoko the more aware she was of all the differences between them, despite the close family resemblance.
"Hey, are you going to be in the bathroom all night?" Asuna called from the suite the two of them were sharing there at the academy.
Setsuna started, blushing, "Sorry, I'll be right out."
Asuna laughed as she replied, "It's all right, I'm just teasing."
Setsuna emerged in the suit she was planning to wear for her latest date with Naoko, the fouth such since she had asked the older woman out. To Setsuna's surprise Naoko had been overjoyed to be asked, and had even wondered what had taken Setsuna so long to do so.
"You look good," Asuna noted as Setsuna tied up her hair, the only way she had found to keep her unruly mop of hair under control.
"Thanks," Setsuna smiled. Asuna had been a long time supporter of her interest in Naoko, and was also one of the people who had wondered at how long it had taken her to ask Naoko out.
"So," Asuna smiled impishly, "has Naoko taken you to bed yet?"
Setsuna blushed furiously but shot back, "Has Collet taken you to bed?"
Asuna blushed too but she surprised her by answering, "Yes."
"Ehh?" Setsuna gasped, looking at her blushing friend in surprise.
Asuna shrugged awkwardly as she confessed, "What can I say? She's very... enthusiastic."
Setsuna felt herself smiling back as she conceded, "Yes, she is." She adjusted her tie as she added, "I'll see you later tonight, probably."
"Have a good time," Asuna waved as Setsuna headed out.
The magical academy of Ariade was a beautiful place, Setsuna had to admit as she walked the paths. It was as crazy and mad as Mahora in a lot of ways, and to make things even more interesting, all the students had varying degrees of magical power. A peaceful night could be interrupted at any time by explosions, curses both verbal and magical and all sorts of mayhem, but the protective spells always kicked in to keep bystanders safe. Well, mostly safe, anyway.
'I've even stopped carrying my sword everywhere I go,' Setsuna admitted to herself as she followed one of the paths through the courtyard. She still carried a short blade concealed in her clothes, though. She might feel safe, here, but she wasn't stupid.
"Good evening, sensei!" Emily Sevensheep called, the dusky skinned blond nodding warmly. One of Yue's comrades from her visit to Ariade she had taken up the sword to increase her skills as a magic knight, and was showing remarkable progress. "Has Yue-san written back?" she asked eagerly.
Setsuna chuckled, "Not yet, but I expect to hear back soon. Do you want to see the letter too?"
Emily blushed a bit, "Please." Formerly Yue's rival Emily had become quite close to Yue, as former enemies often were. If Setsuna didn't know better, she'd almost wonder if the young woman had a crush on Yue...
Reaching Naoko's suite Setsuna took a deep breath, quelling any nervousness she felt as she knocked firmly. It was only a moment before the door opened, and Setsuna felt her eyes widen in surprise. Naoko wore a slinky red dress, backless, with a plunging neckline that cupped and lifted her breasts in a way that made Setsuna's mouth go dry.
"You like?" Naoko winked at her cheerfully, breaking the sexual spell her beauty had put Setsuna under.
"You look wonderful," Setsuna managed, smiling at her warmly.
"You don't look so bad yourself," Naoko purred as she waved Setsuna inside, the suite cleaned and tidy as usual. Unlike her office, which Setsuna could only describe as a natural disaster. Her long black hair shimmered as Naoko led her over to the couch while she asked, "Do you want to go out or have dinner here?"
"Eating here would be fine," Setsuna smiled, "if it's not too much trouble?"
Naoko chuckled softly and confessed, "I'm a fairly poor cook, so I'll just be calling for some take-out."
"I can cook," Setsuna offered shyly.
"Really?" Naoko looked sheepish as she added, "You don't look the type."
"I know," Setsuna chuckled as she sat back. "But I found out early in life that training missions in the woods go better if you can cook what you forage." She laughed, "Making yourself sick eating the wrong kind of mushroom is a learning experience."
Naoko laughed, shaking her head. "Oh, I can just imagine..." she agreed, sending the message to the restaurant magically. "I'd let you cook," she said as she sat down beside Setsuna on the couch, "but I don't have a kitchen here."
"Maybe next time?" Setsuna smiled. Several 'I'll show you how I cook' responses bubbled in her mind, but she thought they'd be tacky.
Naoko smirked as she stretched out her long legs, her voice teasing as she replied, "I bet you can cook very well."
"You certainly get me cooking," Setsuna had to reply, fighting back a giggle.
Naoko laughed as she leaned close and said mock seriously, "I will NOT make any banana jokes and you can't make me."
"Not even banana split comments?" Setsuna asked suggestively.
"Not even for a cherry," Naoko winked as they both laughed.
Setsuna was surprisingly relaxed when Naoko shuffled a bit closer on the couch, the older woman laying her head on Setsuna's shoulder. Without thinking about it she let her arm go around Naoko's shoulders, holding her close.
"Setsuna?" Naoko murmured.
"Yes?" Setsuna turned her head to look at her.
Moving just a little Naoko pressed her lip's to Setsuna, kissing the other woman lingeringly. Setsuna barely hesitated before returning the kiss, pulling her close as they lay back on the couch. Naoko only pulled back reluctantly as she said, "I was getting impatient."
Setsuna felt Naoko unbuttoning her undershirt as she smiled back wryly, "I'm a little shy." She kissed Naoko's neck as she cupped the other woman's breasts the way she had longed to all evening.
"I can see that," Naoko joked as she shuddered under Setsuna's knowing touch.
"I've wanted to do this too," Setsuna blushed, meeting Naoko's gaze with one that was almost as filled with as much longing as she felt.
"Then let's...," Naoko started just as the door chime rang.
"I'm going to kill that delivery person," Setsuna growled as they both sat up.
"Don't worry," Naoko smiled as she pulled her dress back up over her breasts, "we have time."
To be continued...