Okay, I didn't want anyone to die of suspense so I've managed to get the third Chapter out; I'm also not too far off completing the M rated epilogue, which I'll post as a one-shot within the next few days.

xxWfCPxx: Thanks! I'm trying to provide something of a balance of views between the two - a romance is always a tale of two. As for predicting, well the first was clearly so...the second is more implicit than explicit.

Aoishiro:Thanks! I'm glad you like it :D There aren't anywhere near as many Mahou Sensei Negima fanfics as I thought there'd be and outside of KonokaxSetsuna and AsunaxAyaka very few yuri pairings, which seems bizarre given the numerous possibilities.

Sony Ninja: Yeah, Makie certainly wasn't her cheerful, kind self last chapter; I thought a host of problems/stresses would make her a bit snappish/short fused. Don't worry though, this chapter and the epilogue have plenty of fluff :D

Passion in a Promise

Makie had just finished perfecting a very difficult routine with her partner, Kaito, and was merrily talking things over with him when she suddenly felt uncomfortable. She'd been checking every now and again for Ako, a little guiltily, because with the recent stress and then last night she had kept delaying the moment when she would let Ako know her partner was a somewhat handsome guy. I only delayed because I wanted to save her worrying. After all there's nothing going on between us. If you knew him you'd soon realise he's gay anyway, but even if he weren't there's no way I could choose him over Ako. But Ako won't know that will she? After last night, well recent weeks to be honest, does she even think of me as much of a friend? In the pressures of my own life I lost sight of what was truly important...hopefully it's not too late to rectify...

She glanced around anxiously. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted Ako's primrose hair disappearing at speed. Oh shoot! Pain flared through her chest, feeding on her guilt. I've caused her pain and discomfort all through being so insensitive and self-centred. And I have the nerve to blame the guys for being jerks to Ako – I'm at least as bad! She went through the final hour of practice automatically, performing the routine with technical precision but no life. As soon as it was over she made a hurried apology and left quickly. It was starting to rain heavily, so she made a dash for her dorm room, holding a small black umbrella above her head. What should I say? And after I'd planned out this evening too...

She reached their room still wearing her gymnastics costume with jeans and a jacket hastily thrown over the top to find...the room exactly as she had left it. Ako hadn't returned. Crap! Where would she be...C'mon Makie, think! Where did she say she usually went when upset...it was...Oh! The beach...but the secluded spot past the rocky outcrop as people don't often go there and she can watch the waters roll. But in this weather! Grabbing a second umbrella she dashed from the room, back down the corridor and crashed straight into Negi.

"Ah! Sorry Negi-sensei," she said, helping her teacher to his feet. Negi smiled.

"No problem Makie-san. Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Ahh...no reason. I mean its secret. But I could do with a lift, sensei, if you don't mind." Negi stared out of the window at the teeming rain and frowned.

"I guess so. I can set up a magical barrier to ward off the rain – but where to?"

"The beach. I can't explain right now why, but its nothing bad!" Negi stared at Makie's earnest face for a second and then smiled and nodded.

"I'll just let Asuna and Konoka know I'll be a little late for tea and then I'll be right back." Ten minutes later they were soaring through the water coated sky. Makie could see the whole world spread out below them; but she only had eyes for one person at that moment. Negi swooped down and landed on the more open and used part of the beach.

"Are you sure you'll be okay, Makie-san?" Negi asked anxiously and Makie nodded as brightly as she could manage from beneath the umbrella.

"Okay then, but let us know when you get back. If you're not back by nine I'll have to come look for you." Makie nodded and glanced at her pink and red sports watch. It was five now so barring the unforeseeable the deadline shouldn't be a problem. Makie nodded her acceptance and Negi promptly took off into the cloudy sky; quickly lost from sight. Gritting her teeth Makie ploughed on through the cold wind and thrumming rain to the rocks at the top end of the beach. Ako...please be safe! Please be here! I'm so sorry if I've made you worry or caused you pain... The rocks were slippery and she cut herself several times trying to scramble over them whilst carrying the umbrellas.

Finally she stood on the last line of rocks and looked out on the small cove between the two rocky outcrops.

At first she thought she'd guessed wrong, for there was no-one sitting on the beach at all. However, as her eyes focused more sharply through the rain she saw the sand disturbed and a trail running down to the water line. Her eyes travelled down the beach into the bay, to the figure of a young woman kneeling in the rising water lapping about her chest; staring towards the rain obscured opposite shore.

Joy and guilt filled Makie's frame in equal measure, bringing stinging tears to her eyes. She jumped down to the sand and ditched the umbrellas in her haste to get to the water.

"Ako!" She called out loudly. Ako's figure trembled but remained where it was. Makie tried again but this time Ako's body stayed frozen. Standing on the sand by the lapping water, drenched and with the cuts and scratches on her arms starting to sting, Makie's mind barely noticed the discomfort. Ako - I promised back then to never hurt you. The best friend I've ever had. No! More than a friend...I never want to be apart from you, to hurt you like this ever again. I don't know if I can be forgiven but if it's the only life I can truly call living I have to try! Quickly she ditched her clothes, leaving only her elegant pink gym-suit on and began wading out through the freezing cold to Ako.

Ako had heard Makie's calls but her heart lay frozen in the icy water. On leaving the sports center she had sprinted all the way here. She had had no plan; this was where she came when the pain was too much. The rain seemed an added blessing as she huddled on the sand. She had let it soak her through and when it had done its worst she found herself gazing into the cold empty water.

Well it's not like I intend to end my own life...just the water held more coldness, more hurt. Why am I doing this? Is it to convince myself of my own pain or is it that I need to feel physical discomfort to distract me from my internal pain. I'm a nurse! I know this is stupid, but I need the coldness to reflect...no to show my pain. The silly thing is that I'm revealing my pain somewhere where no one will see it whilst hoping that someone will. How paradoxical...sadistically ironic again...

Makie's voice had cut her rambling thoughts short. She'd never planned for anyone, least of all Makie, to see her like this... how did she find me? Why is she here? Hope sputtered within her but the coldness quickly swamped it. I so desperately want to believe in her, but am so aware of being betrayed again. I can't go to her, I can't face her rejection: The whole 'we'll still be friends' as she drifts further apart with a guy. Maybe the one at gym...or maybe another. There was the sound of splashing behind her but she dared not look round, dared not spoil the moment in case her ears were deceiving her.

There was a louder splash behind her then a pair of strong, slender arms wrapped around her shoulders pulling her body back into Makie's kneeling form; Makie's breath falling on her shoulder. Then Makie's voice whispered softly in her left ear,

"Ako...I'm so sorry. Why are you here?" Ako trembled again and tears flowed anew as she started stumbling out an explanation of her thoughts: Finally the trail of awkward words reached a halt, Makie's warm arms holding her tight throughout. There was a pause as Makie sorted everything out in her mind.

"Ako...I could never, ever reject you. There are days when I'm short tempered, and rude, and selfish; but I love you! I meant to tell you that I had an attractive male partner for the gymnastics...but kept delaying, as I didn't want you to worry; then after last night when I was such an ass I didn't feel like tackling the issue. There is seriously nothing between us; he's gay for starters, but even if he wasn't..." Makie's face began to flush red and she paused.

"Even if he wasn't...?" Ako whispered, daring to believe in the impossible. Makie's reply when it came was low but uttered with conviction.

"I'd still choose you. Even if he was the handsomest guy in the whole wide world I'd still choose you Ako, because you're the one I've given my heart to." Ako felt as though those words stretched on for an eternity among the rippling water, the lessening rain revealing more of the opposite shore and Makie's warm arms and body holding her close.

"Is that a promise?" She whispered softly. Makie's response was instant and firm.

"It's a promise!"

Before it could truly sink in Ako felt Makie's arms slip from her and heard her partner stand.

"C'mon Ako! There's no point staying here and risking an even worse cold than the one you're probably gonna catch. Let's head back, get changed and head out."

Ako turned her head to see Makie, hand outstretched and pink hair whipping about her sharp featured, smiling face; there were tears on her face too and her makeup had run. Seeing Ako's gaze fall on her face Makie reached up and felt the tears. Laughing she said.

"God, we both look a right mess don't we!" Makie's laughter triggered Ako's as she took Makie's hand and both girls stumbled back to the beach giggling; the stress of the last few weeks vanishing with the departing rain clouds. On the beach Makie picked up her clothes and slipped into her shoes before throwing Ako her jacket.

"But you're only wearing your gymnastics costume!" Ako protested. Makie grinned.

"Not that I'm complaining, but with your newly see through top you're really only wearing a bra."

"Ah!" Ako said glancing down and blushing, then hastily buttoning up the jacket over the top of her T-shirt.

"Thanks Makie...did you say heading out a minute ago?" Makie's eyes gleamed as she nodded,

"Yeah, and we need to change into our yukatas and go as soon as possible - so let's move!"

Back at the room Ako healed the cuts on Makie's arms with some low level healing magic she had learnt from the magic world. Then Makie went and told Negi that everything was fine before returning to prepare for the evening.

Several hours later the pair were walking among the brightly lit stalls of a nearby Winter Festival. Ako wore a light sky blue yukata covered with white doves and Makie a pink cherry blossomed one. The pair wandered about the festival for some time, enjoying a variety of winter treats, playing some of the games and soaking up the atmosphere; the smells, bright colours and cheerful feelings a unique, indescribable experience. Then leaving the festival they headed out and away from the main event to a vantage point Makie had discovered when researching the festival.

Makie led the way through the dark streets, Ako holding her hand and following as they slowly climbed up a series of windy streets until they came out upon a green patch of grassland. It was surrounded by a wall of trees on three sides, the fourth overlooking the vast town below. There was the odd couple seated there already staring at the sky, but enough open space to feel alone in the dark.

"What did we come up here for?" Ako asked. Makie smiled back.

"Wait and see. It's a surprise." So they sat in the darkness, with the stars their ceiling and hands entwined. Ako felt her heart rate increase in her chest as they waited. I can still feel Makie's arms about me from earlier and those heavenly words she spoke. Words are so easy to say though, although I know she was telling the truth...but how soon will it be before those words fade? Did she really mean she loves me or just loves me? Maybe the difference isn't as huge as I think it is? Was she joking about the see through T-shirt?

Makie felt Ako's hand start to tense but this time she was in place to help.

"Why the tenseness Ako?" She asked. Ako blushed and spent several seconds trying to work out how to say what she really wanted to say.

"I...I was wondering Makie, do you love me as a friend or...when you said you loved me earlier how serious were you?" Makie had already figured Ako had been thinking along these lines and responded promptly.

"Ako, what I said earlier I meant. I said at the start that I wasn't sure if I meant anything more than friends but in the two months since, in the good times and the bad, you have been the person my heart has always found happiness in. But I guess you're thinking that all this is merely words too and you're worried that words are cheap after Nagi." Ako winced slightly and nodded; amazed at how well Makie was reading her and calming her. Makie suddenly shifted round, her hand still entwined with Ako's, but now she was facing Ako; their faces inches apart.

"This might be selfish of me, Ako. After all I'm not completely certain if you see me in the same way. If not then stop me but this is how I feel about you..."

Makie's face drew closer and as their lips brushed Makie's eyes closed. Ako felt Makie's right arm encircling her shoulders as her right hand and Makie's left clenched tightly together. Ako's lips tingled and ran with sparked electricity as Makie's pressed against them. Almost automatically her left arm wrapped around Makie's back and pulled Makie down with her. Seconds later Ako felt her whole body pulsing with desire, for Makie's own body had woven itself about her own and Makie's tongue, wet and probing, had pried itself between her lips to dance with her own. The saliva, heat and passion pouring through her made Ako feel delirious; drunk with happiness and pleasure. The only word she could gasp when Makie finally pulled away and gazed upon her was that of her lover.

"Makie!"

Makie smiled as she licked some loose saliva from her lips and nervously scratched the back of her hair.

"Wow! I was so worried that I'd completely mis-read the signs and that you'd flatly refuse me." She leaned in again, "but it seems I'm at least passable?"

"Passable!" Ako exclaimed in indignation as she dragged Makie's mouth down again. The second kiss was even more passionate than the first, their bodies writhing and twisting together as Ako steered herself on top so that when the kiss broke she was the one looking down into Makie's face and glowing chestnut eyes. Ako took a second to catch her breath as she gazed into Makie's face, somehow every feature seemed extenuated in its beauty. Then from behind her it was lit up in glorious gold by a giant flash of light.

"What?" Ako said, looking round to see the fading embers of a huge firework.

"This is the reason I brought you up here," Makie whispered as she sat up, "it's the closing fireworks."

"Wow!" Ako exclaimed as several more exploded. She rolled off Makie to sit by her side, her left hand seeking out and finding Makie's right.

"Not tense anymore?" Makie teased.

"Nope, I think you cured it pretty successfully," Ako responded dreamily. "Perhaps I should have you help me out with the nursing."

"Well I'm not sure my treatment would work so well on anyone else," Makie replied, resting her head on Ako's shoulder as a couple of green fireworks sent out an array of smaller red ones. "And you really are amazingly cute when you blush, you know." That of course made Ako blush all the more and made Makie chuckle all the harder as the pair watched the stream of amazing coloured trails paint pictures on the canvas of the sky. When the final giant golden firework covered the sky in a sunshine burst of radiance Makie sighed.

"That was every bit as beautiful as I'd hoped." Her arm had wrapped itself about Ako and her head was snuggled against Ako's neck. Ako had also wrapped her arm about Makie and despite the fireworks best efforts, there was only one memory that remained at the forefront of her thoughts; one that was burnt there for all time to come.

"But not the most beautiful thing I've seen...or felt tonight...by some distance," Ako whispered softly. "Makie, my heart is yours for all time to come and I will do all I can to treasure yours." Makie's only answer was to kiss Ako's neck gently and whisper sleepily.

"I know you will, Ako. Just as I'll treasure yours...forever and ever and ever..." They remained snuggled together long after the other couples had gone; looking out past the tall rustling trees to the diamond stars and the city lights where millions slept and lived. But they didn't feel afraid because they knew they'd never be alone again.