A/N: I'm back again with another story, and so quickly. The idea came to me while watching Rideback, or rather, the ED theme for Rideback. That song, "Kioku" by Younha is quite lovely, as are the lyrics. Anyway, another alternate universe story, with no magic. I've found that I'm best at these types, since all I've been doing is Nanoha fics lately. I'm rambling here, so I'll let you get to it, enjoy.

- Kode-Dekka

Kioku

Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha

Kode-Dekka

Chapter 1: Memories

Nanoha stood outside on the balcony and breathed out a sigh from her lips. Curling her fingers around the balcony railing, she sighed again, and gazed up at the full moon. For a moment, she looked back inside her home, catching a glimpse of a brown-haired man with glasses. He smiled and waved at her, she smiled back at him, and then returned her attention to the waiting moon.

"Even though he's smiling..." She softly whispered, a flash of blond went through her head. "I realize I'm thinking of you..." A feeling of shame filled her heart, and her cheeks flushed. More flashes of blond ran through her head. An image of soft white skin, long hair, gentle lips, of beautiful red eyes. Warmth spread in her body, but the accompanying shame and regret only made the feeling painful.

Nanoha shook her head, chasing away the image, as well as the memories that tried to invade. She had a good husband, a beautiful home, a great job, and even greater friends; there was no need to think of the old times, especially not of the memories with Fate Testarossa, the beautiful blond that threatened her peace.

The door behind her slid open, and a pair of arms wrapped around her waist. "Its getting cold, you should come inside." Her husband Yuuno said, bringing his lips close to her ear, whispering it.

"Okay." The two of them went back inside. Before closing the sliding door, Nanoha took one last look at the moon. What should I do, about these memories? These feelings?

It was probably her imagination, but she felt like the moon was laughing back at her.

It was two years ago, on the night of the new moon, in the the middle of a chilly Winter. Nanoha had just finished working a long shift at her family's cafe, the "Midoriya" cafe, located right in the middle of the busy city.

She was just cleaning up, when a blond girl came through the doors, holding a small bag in her hand. The woman smiled brightly, calling her name. Nanoha, excited to see her, sprinted in her direction, jumping, wrapping her with an embrace.

"Why didn't you tell me you were back?" She said, not knowing whether to continue hugging the blond, or slap her for not saying anything.

"I wanted it to be a surprise, and it seemed I got my wish."

"Mou, silly Fate-chan." Fate and Nanoha held each other like never before, the blond had been in America, so they haven't seen each other for a good long year. Fate ruffled her hair, and then patted her head.

"You've grown, Nanoha."

"Nyahahaha~, maybe you've just gotten taller, Fate-chan."

This was nice. This was perfect. This moment was better than any that Nanoha had experienced all year.

So why did it have to be ruined so splendidly?

Nanoha's phone started to ring, she was forced to let go of her friend and answer it. "Hello?"

"Hey, Nanoha." It was Yuuno, her boyfriend. Nanoha excused herself from Fate, smiling at the man's voice.

"Yuuno-kun, did you just get off work?"

"Yeah, actually, I'm on my way to see you."

"Oh, I see..." Nanoha flashed a quick glance to Fate, whom looked like she was only pretending to be calm. Nanoha knew that she didn't like Yuuno very much, that's why she told a lie. "Sorry Yuuno-kun, something just came up."

"Ah, I see. Okay, we'll talk tomorrow."

"Yup, goodbye."

"Bye, I love you." Nanoha looked again at Fate and hesitated, pulling the phone closer to her lips.

"I love you too..." She whispered into it, hoping that her friend didn't hear. She hung up and put her phone away, turning her attention back to Fate. "Sorry about that, Fate-chan."

Fate's eyes became regretful. "You didn't have to do that, we can see each other anytime."

"But today is special, since I haven't seen you for so long." Fate's cheeks turned a little pink, which Nanoha found to be very cute. "Now, shall we go out and get something to eat?"

"Sure."

The two of them left the cafe. Since they were both short on money, they settled on a simple burger and fries for dinner, though Nanoha would have rather had something special for this day, but it couldn't be helped.

Afterward, they went back to Nanoha's apartment. It was small, with very little stuff filling it, but it was home. She was twenty-three, and was working a simple government job, she didn't need an extravagant house yet.

While Nanoha prepared tea in the kitchen, Fate flopped down on her couch, resting her head back. She closed her eyes and sighed happily.

Coming back with hot tea, Nanoha set it down and took a seat beside the blond. "Come on, no falling asleep on me now." She poked her cheek, and Fate laughed.

"Don't worry, its just been a while since I've been here, I want to take it all in." Nanoha smiled warmly, resting her head against her shoulder. "Nanoha...?"

"I'm just glad to have you back, I really missed you." Fate wrapped an arm around Nanoha, pulling her in closer.

"I miss you too, Nanoha." The two of them were silent, not saying a word. Just because they weren't saying anything, it didn't mean that nothing was happening. Nanoha noticed, how soft Fate's fingers were against her arms, how warm her body was. Nanoha's cheeks became hot, her thoughts were starting to run away from her. Stupid, don't think about it. But she could do nothing but think about it, the way Fate's fingers caressed her, the way her heart was beating a mile a minute; it was all she could think about. And just when she thought her heart might explode, Nanoha felt Fate move.

"Nanoha." Fate's voice started her.

"W-What is it?" She stuttered a reply.

"I'm sorry..." The tone of her voice was strange, but Nanoha would be given no more time to think about it. She was being pushed down by Fate all of a sudden, who climbed on her, pinning her arms. "I'm sorry, I can't hold back anymore. Even if you love someone else, I still..." The intensity of the blond's eyes was scary, but somehow, Nanoha felt like it was alright. "Nanoha..."

Fate leaned down, and their lips touched. Her grip tightened over Nanoha's arms, and her kiss became more forceful, more invading.

Nanoha couldn't think straight. Her best friend was practically raping her, so she should have resisted, and yet she couldn't muster the strength to do so.

"Isn't this what you've always wanted?" A voice in her head said to her. To be held down like this, to be taken by Fate, to have her body seized by Fate; was that really what she wanted? Nanoha wasn't sure, her mind wasn't working right, she didn't know what she wanted.

No... that was wrong. She knew exactly what she wanted, she just didn't want to acknowledge it. Even though she was with Yuuno, even though she loved him, she also loved Fate, she wanted Fate. But she didn't want it like this. Fate was crying as they kissed, that's not what Nanoha wanted at all.

So finally, she found the strength, and broke free from her grip, pushing her away. Fate looked like she was about to fall apart. Her voice cracked and failed her, she couldn't even apologize properly. But that was okay, Nanoha didn't want an apology from her.

Gently, softly, she caressed the blond's face with her hand, and smiled. Using her other hand, she wiped away the girl's tears. "Just as I thought, you look more beautiful when you aren't crying, Fate-chan." Nanoha knew she was making a big mistake, one she wouldn't be able to take back. But she couldn't hold back either anymore. "Smile, okay?" Fate, not knowing what else to do, weakly smiled.

"Nano-" Nanoha put a finger against her lips.

"Don't say anything else. I understand, I feel the same way, so please don't say anything. Just kiss me."

Not wasting any more time, the two of them kissed again. This time, there was no force, the need for it had long passed.

That night, Nanoha made love with Fate, defiling her relationship with Yuuno. At the time she didn't care, she was able to push those thoughts away. But afterward, the guilt eventually consumed her...

As Nanoha laid in bed with Yuuno, the two of them naked, she thought about that night two years ago. After that day, she started a brief relationship with Fate behind Yuuno's back. The entire time, she was racked by feelings of guilt, having betrayed someone who was always by her side.

Eventually, she couldn't take it anymore, especially after Yuuno proposed to her. She broke off the fling with Fate, who was devastated, but accepted it. She may not like the person Nanoha was with, but she respected her decisions. The two were still friends, but that awful secret made a wall between them; it was very likely, they could never go back to the way they were before.

And now, Yuuno and Nanoha were married, living in a wonderful condo. She still worked the same job, but for now, she was content with her life.

Except for one thing. From time to time, she would think of that night, even more so lately. If it wasn't for those memories, and for those feelings, she would be living the perfect life.

Still, even as she thought that, Nanoha closed her eyes, thinking of a lovely blond woman, and pressed her fingers to her lips.