*-Hello everyone! I want to apologize for not updating my other stories… you know. My only excuse is that what I have written doesn't pass my standards… I'm not satisfied with them and so I refuse to upload them. I'll re-write them until I'm satisfied so here is a one-shot as my apology. Perhaps there will be more one-shots coming from me since I'm too lazy to re-write the updates for the other stories.
Disclaimer: I don't own MSLN. I really wish I did… tsk.-*
"You're kidding right?"
"I'm not. I want a divorce."
"But you're married for like what? Five years and now you want one? I think you should think about this. Don't be rash on your actions."
"But I can't take it anymore. This…this marriage is like a cage, a prison that won't let me do what I want…"
"But she always makes time for you, cooks breakfast for you even if she's already late for work, gives you gifts every now and then, and so on. She's like, courting you every day in those five years—no even before that. She even let you keep your parents surname! Tell me… I know that you didn't want to marry her from the very beginning… but… in those five years you spent with her… you didn't feel anything for her?"
With that question, the long-haired brunette looked at her best friend. She paused for a while to think of it. Certainly, her wife of five years, Fate Testarossa-Harlaown, spoiled her so much that she got every material thing that she wanted. Yes, she certainly feels a little towards the blonde but not enough to forget what she had done to her—stealing her from the one she truly loves, the one she promised to marry when they are older. That was none other than her ex-boyfriend, Yuuno Scrya.
"Hayate, you know what happened. She stole me from Yuuno, I learned to love her, yes… but I'm not in love with her. I'm still in love with Yuuno… and I miss him so much." Nanoha answered.
Hearing her answer, Hayate Yagami, Nanoha Takamachi's best friend as well as the childhood friend of Nanoha's wife, sighed. She didn't want Nanoha to live her life in an unhappy marriage but she also didn't want them to divorce, knowing that this would destroy Fate. She said, "I see… but since you're already in this, already married to her… can't you at least learn to love her? Nanoha, I understand that you're unhappy but Fate would be broken. At least make this marriage work?"
Nanoha turned to her best friend and glared at her. "And I'm not? She-She… abused her powers as the student council president during our last year of high school to steal me from Yuuno! T-That stupid school should have demolished that tradition of giving the president a wish or favor in return of being a good president. I…"
Hayate rubbed Nanoha's back as she cried silently. She must admit that her friend was right. It was unfair. She should have been given a choice in the matter. It was hard for her since she treasures Nanoha and Fate. She reminisced of that time when Fate announced her wish in from of the whole school during their graduation.
"Thank you everyone for the support you have given me before, during, and after I was elected as the president of the student council. Some of you must have known that I became a little strict in my ways in handling the school's affair but even so, you all supported me and followed the rule of our school. I did my best and now, I'm here in front of everyone to say my wish that all of you had been waiting for. What I wish for… is Nanoha Takamachi."
Her audience gasped at this. Nanoha especially… she looked at Fate like she was begging her, pleading her to change her decision. Yuuno glared at the blonde then looked at Nanoha who was seated in the back of the gym. Every one was murmuring, shocked by Fate's statement. Nanoha's parents, Shiro and Momoko Takamachi, looked hurt. They knew of the tradition since they also graduated from the said Midchilda High School, the school of the elite, the school for the richest people in the country. Shiro, looked at her wife, held her hand and squeezed it for reassurance. They all stopped talking when Fate continued.
"I want to marry her and so… she'll be my fiancée for two years, and hopefully she would accept me as I am. If she so wants to, she may decline the marriage but she would have to give up her right as the heir of the Midoriya. That's all. Thank you."
With that, the blonde walked down the stage and went to her designated seat. After that, the ceremony continued.
"I… you are really, really serious about this right?" Hayate asked one last time, this time not as a friend but asked her as her lawyer.
Nanoha sniffed, wiped her tears, and said in a whisper, "Yes, please draw the papers as soon as possible. I have given what she wanted for years. It's my turn to live my life as I want."
"I understand. Are you all right here by yourself?" Hayate asked, worried for her friend.
"Yes. I… I just want to be alone for a while. Y-You may go and do what you do best." She said this with a little grin on her face, knowing that her friend was worried. So she tried her best to smile, hoping that it was a little reassuring.
Hayate nodded and said, "All right. I'll go now. Cheer up a little ok? I'll get it done as fast as I can if that's what you really want."
When the short-haired brunette closed the door, Nanoha looked at picture frames on top of her bedside table. She took one that included her and her wife. She removed the picture and revealed a hidden image of her and a short-haired blonde man with green eyes. She ran her hands over the picture frame as she gently uttered the man's name, "Yuuno…"
Hayate almost had a heart attack when she went out of the master bedroom. There, standing adjacent to the door was Fate. She was leaning on the wall. She looked at Hayate and whispered, "That's what makes her happy huh…" and with that, the blonde left with tears in her eyes. Hayate saw the tears but didn't bother comforting the blonde. She knew that Fate wanted to be alone for a while. She hoped that everything would go well.
That night, Nanoha mentioned her plan. Fate just smiled at her and said, "I understand. Have you already hired a lawyer for the job? Just bring me the papers and I'll sign them." Nanoha, shocked that Fate handled it well, just nodded her head. What was she expecting anyway? Perhaps a little resistance but it seemed that it was not the case. It's as if Fate had already known. For the rest of the evening, the two of them felt like crying for different reasons, the brunette was relieved while the blonde wanted to cry right that moment.
After a week, Hayate went back to the mansion. She handed the divorce papers to Nanoha and left silently after. She didn't stay, saying something about a meeting with another client. Nanoha thanked her friend and looked at the papers handed to her. She read each page and it was indeed the divorce papers she wanted. Couldn't help it, she smiled sadly. Fate devoted her life to her for the past five years. Each day she received gifts that made her a little happy despite the fact that she felt imprisoned in her.
She remembered the time when she met Fate for the first time.
It was raining so hard and she was on her way to the student council room. Despite the awful weather that day, she saw a tall woman under a tree near the garden of the school. With her umbrella, she went to her.
"Why are you here? You're soaked! Come with me to the student council room and I'll lend you some spare shirt or something." Nanoha said when she reached the blonde.
The girl turned to her and Nanoha gasped. The girl in front of her was beautiful. Her hair was wet and it clung to her face and almost transparent uniform. But what she noticed were the crimson eyes of the stranger. It held an emotion so deep that Nanoha could literally feel the girl's sadness.
"Ok…" the crimson eyed girl answered. With that, they walked towards their destination.
'Her voice sounds majestic… I wonder…' she thought then asked loudly as they waled, "Could you be Fate T. Harlaown? The singer of Riot Force 6?"
The blonde smile gently at her and said, "Yes, we're having a break from tours and so I was allowed to go back to school."
"Nyahaha… I didn't know that you're attending this school."
"Well… The school's allowing me to study online but they also allowed me to go to school every now and then, whatever section I wanted to as long as they're second year. They're also keeping it a secret, the fact that I'm studying here to avoid stalker and the press." Fate answered.
Nanoha nodded. After a few minutes, they arrived at their destination and went in the room. Nanoha was quite shocked when the room was empty. They were supposed to have a meeting in thirty minutes. She shrugged and went to a cabinet located in the left side of the room and opened it. She took a large sized P.E. uniform and handed it to the sexy blonde. 'Sexy indeed.' She thought.
Fate muttered, "Thank you… umm…"
"Ah! I'm sorry for not introducing myself earlier. I'm Nanoha Takamachi. I was elected as the VP of the student council last month."
"I see… um… where can I change?"
"The CR's over there." Nanoha pointed at the door near the cabinet where she got the extra uniform.
"Thank you. Excuse me for a while." She said as she went to the CR to change.
When Fate entered the room, Nanoha snatched her cellphone from her pocket and decided to text Hayate, the president at that time, and asked about the meeting. She received a reply immediately.
'Sorry Nanoha-chan! I forgot to tell Signum to text you regarding the change of plan. The meeting was moved tomorrow. The principal wanted to talk to me about a few things so yeah… sorry again'- Hayate.
Nanoha sighed and put her pink cellphone back in her pocket. She went to a chair nearest to her and sat down. 'I guess it's fine. I met the famous Fate T. Harlaown because of it. Nyahaha…' she thought.
When Fate went out of the room, Nanoha stood up to greet her.
"Thank you again for letting me borrow this." She said.
"You're welcome. We have a few spare uniforms here for emergencies like that." Nanoha said
"I see, I'll return this tomorrow." Fate said and added, "But would it be all right if I just return this to you?"
"Since I lent that to you, all right."
That first meeting was the first of many meetings that followed. They became closer by eventually. Nanoha discovered that Fate was awfully shy and easily embarrassed so she frequently did that. She also learned that Fate and Hayate knew each other. They learned many things about the each other. The secret meetings that they were having were cut short when Fate has to leave for another tour. They bid each other farewell. Before Fate left, she confessed about her hidden feeling to the brunette.
"I-I like you Nanoha. Please be my girlfriend." She asked, blushing.
Nanoha was shocked and smiled sadly at the blonde, "I… I'm sorry Fate-chan… I-I already have a boyfriend."
Fate looked at Nanoha, hurt. She thought that the flirting that they have been doing for the past few weeks meant something to the brunette. She became angry and bitter.
"I see…" she said, and with that, she left. Not even turning back when Nanoha shouted her name, telling her to wait.
Nanoha didn't see her for months. She only returned the month before the student council election. She ran for it and won. During that time, Nanoha's term as the vice president ended. Nanoha and Fate didn't meet each other, didn't even talk. When they would see each other, Fate would just ignore her even if she would greet the blonde. She admitted that it hurt but she knew that if she tried again, Fate would eventually talk to her.
Her efforts were not in vain since Fate eventually talked to her. Still, it was different. Her answers would be short, sometimes harsh but she took it well. She understands why the blonde was cold to her.
After a few months, graduation came and it happened. She was devastated. She knew that Fate is not just a famous singer of a band but also the heir of the top ranking corporation in the country. If she is to become the wife of Fate, their company would have a steady support but she also knew that her relationship with the one she loves would need to be cut off.
After that, they had dates every now and then. Fate was still a little cold to her but every now and then, she could see the old Fate. Fate also talked to the blue-eyed brunette's parents. She apologized to them because of her wish. She even bowed to them on the floor. Shiro and Momoko forgave her and asked her to take care of their daughter. It was odd seeing the famous and one of the richest people in the country bowing her head to them. The Takamachi's were rich also since they could afford to let their children study in Midchilda High School but compared to the others like the Testarossa-Harlaown, they could be even considered average.
One day, Fate's parents, Lindy and Precia, went to their home to see her. Nanoha led them to her room for privacy. When they started, the two introduced themselves since it was the first time that they met formally since the first one was during the graduation.
"I'm Lindy Testarossa-Harlaown, while she's Precia. We came here to apologize and thank you for agreeing to be our youngest daughter's request." The teal-haired woman said.
The other added, "We knew of her wish and tried to stop her but we couldn't. You see, Fate didn't ask for much even when she was small. She understood that we had to leave her every time because of work. She wasn't selfish, and still isn't. Her brother's staying with his biological father while her older twin sister is like a delinquent, traveling so much and only having fun for herself. Before the graduation, we were shocked when Fate even bowed her head to us just to ask for one thing, and so, we let her do what she wanted."
Lindy decided to reach for Nanoha's hands and held them. She said, "You were her only wish, the only wish that she wanted. You are her only happiness. We couldn't say anything to stop her even knowing that you might not love her too. So, we agreed to it in the condition that she lets you decide if you would marry her or not."
Precia decided to hold Nanoha's hand too and pleaded, "Please… give her a chance. We would be very thankful if you will. We'll also help your family so that even after twenty years, Midoriya would still be a well-known bakery, not only in the country, but also to other countries. Please… m-my daughter… she was also born with a weak body but please…"
Nanoha was shocked. The two most powerful persons in the business industry is here in front of her, asking her, pleading to her to give their daughter a chance. She knew that Fate had a weak body since she would have fever often but still did her best as a singer, and also as the president during her term. Worried for her family business and because of the desire to protect her family, she answered, "I will."
She knew that she would regret agreeing to them. Still… she couldn't deny to herself that her heart skipped a bit when she heard that she was the blonde's only wish, only happiness.
After that day, she decided to meet Yuuno. They met in their secret place in the park, hidden by trees. Yuuno rushed to her and embraced her. He also kissed her on the lips passionately. Nanoha eagerly responded back. Because of the lack of air, they separated.
Yuuno caressed the left cheek of the bruntte and whispered, "I missed you. I'm sorry that I couldn't meet you frequently. Father's taking me to every business trips that he has."
"I know… but Yuuno… I'm…" Nanoha said as tears began to appear in her eyes, "I'm here to break up with you."
Yuuno let go of her and asked, hurt of what his girlfriend said, "W-Why? Don't you love me anymore?"
"Idiot! I love you! I still do but… I'm… I'm arranged to be married to Fate T. Harlaown."
"W-When did this happen? She-She's famous and so why didn't I know any of this?"
"During our graduation… the school decided to keep it a secret. She wished for it as the president of the student council…"
"And you agreed? Why? You could say no to them right?" Yuuno asked desperately looking at Nanoha's eyes.
"I'm so sorry… but please… just… just… this is for my family. Perhaps one day… one day we'll be together again." And with that, Nanoha cried.
Yuuno was also crying. Still, he walked towards Nanoha and hugged her. "No… I-I'll wait for you Nanoha. You're so stubborn so no matter what I say, you'll still go with this… engagement right?"
"Yes… she is also my friend Yuuno. I know it's cruel of her to do this but for a few years, I'll let her have her wish. But please remember, she could never have my heart for it always belong to you." Nanoha said as she tightened her hug on the green eyed man.
They stayed like that for hours, just holding the other, relishing their last moments as lovers together.
Nanoha sighed and stood up. She decided that perhaps she should go to Fate so that she could sign the papers. She asked a passing maid the whereabouts of her wife. The maid told her that she's in her study room. She thanked her and walked away. When she was near, she noticed that the door was left ajar. She wanted to enter but stopped when she heard some noise coming from the room. Someone was gasping and so she looked silently and was shocked at what she saw. There, Fate was being embraced by Hayate. Fate was clutching her chest and her face was contorted with pain. She didn't know what was happening but fought the urge to barge in and ask what's happening.
"Fate! We have to tell this to Nanoha. You can't keep doing this! You'll literally die!" Hayate pleaded to the blonde.
Nanoha gasped at what she heard. She heard Fate talk, "N-No… please Hayate… we can't let her know. S-She doesn't need to know about my heart problem."
"But you need a transplant and she must know about it! She's your freaking wife damn it!" Hayate was crying as she exclaimed this.
"N-No… she would be guilty if she knew… If she knew why it has worsened."
Nanoha couldn't believe it. A heart problem that became worse because of her? Fate has a heart problem and she didn't know?
"I know that… but Fate… why not take the heart transplant?"
Fate felt the attack subside and sighed. "I'll… take it after the divorce."
Hayate stared at Fate. "How can you be so calm about the divorce, Fate?"
"Because Hayate… I knew that it was bound to happen. She was a bird meant to fly wherever she wanted but instead, I caged her in this… marriage. Perhaps what's happening to me right now is my punishment… perhaps… I was never meant to be happy." Tears continued falling from her eyes at this and Hayate could only hug her friend, trying to be there for her when the blonde's wife wouldn't.
Nanoha felt cold. Nanoha knew all along that Fate had been lonely. But she didn't know to what extent. If her heart is the basis of how much then she was sure that the blonde is not only lonely but her life is filled with despair. She doesn't know what to do. Making Fate happy was what she wanted to do that's why she agreed to marry her but it didn't make her happy, truly happy. Her heart was filled with despair for Fate. She didn't realize that she was crying. She couldn't look at Fate anymore so she quietly retreated and went back to her room. She sat on her bed and couldn't stop her mind from thinking about her wife.
Thinking of the divorce, her chest ached so much that she clutched it. That's when she realized something. She can't divorce Fate. She can't hurt a lonesome person that is Fate.
During dinner, Nanoha ate silently as she listened to Fate talk about her work to the brunette. It was as if Fate wasn't hurting but she knew. Fate's eyes were dull compared to that time when they were still close friends.
Nanoha put down her spoon and fork and interrupted the red-eyed woman. "Stop it Fate. I know you're hurting… why wouldn't you ask me to not divorce you?"
Fate frowned and answered, "I told you Nanoha. I'll do what I have to do as long as I can make you happy. I pledged that to you in front of God and everyone during our marriage. Also… this is what I wished for that day right? That I'll let you go when you wanted to be free of me?"
"I know that but… y-you have a weak body right? W-Who will take care of you from now on?" Nanoha asked, worried if her wife will catch on.
Fate's eye widened at this. She looked at Nanoha coldly and stood up. "I'm not hungry anymore. Please excuse me."
'She did get it!' Nanoha thought as she anxiously watched Fate go out of the room. She sighed and mentally berated herself. Now Fate knows that she knows her secret. Why is it that when she sees her wife sad, she wanted to comfort her? She shook her head. No, she wanted Fate to come to her. She wants her to open up to her. She wants to comfort her and make her smile.
The next day, Nanoha was shocked when one of the maids told her that Fate wanted her to go to the study room. She fixed her hair and straightened up her white floral dress before proceeding to the study room. She was nervous as well as excited.
But what awaited her in the room was not her wife. She was frozen in her place when she saw a man she has not seen for years. There in front of her stood a blonde haired man. It was him. The one who had held her heart, the one she had loved so much as to promise him her heart… it was Yuuno Scrya.
"Nanoha…" Yuuno said as he walked towards her, "Long time no see, Nanoha."
Nanoha watched as Yuuno stopped in front of her. "Y-Yuuno… I-I'm…"
Yuuno watched as Nanoha's body trembled. "Nanoha… I missed you."
"I-I'm s-s-sorry! S-Sorry… S-Sorry!" Nanoha couldn't stop it as tears continued flowing from her eyes. She embraced him and cried.
"Shh… don't cry anymore. It's all right. I know." Yuuno asked.
Nanoha was confused. "W-What…?"
"I know you can't leave her. Am I right?" Yuuno said with a gentle smile.
"H-How did you know t-that?" Nanoha asked as she looked to the floor, still crying.
"Because I can feel it… I could see it in your eyes when you saw me here instead of her."
"I-I…"
"I forgive you for what you have done already. I forgive you."
Nanoha looked at Yuuno, shocked with his kindness but when she thought about it, it was really not that shocking. She would not love this man in front of her if he was not kind. The brunette hugged him and thanked him.
Yuuno was hurt, deeply. It hurt so much to let go but he knew that freeing her has been long overdue. He should have done this during that time when Fate and Nanoha married.
Reality hit Nanoha so fast when she saw him after so many years. She longed to see this man for years but when she finally did, she felt the pull of that lonesome person who was supposed to meet her. When did that happen? When did she fell for Fate? She doesn't know. Was it the time after the marriage when Fate would be kind to her and shower her with gifts? Was it the time when Fate jumped to the pond to join her when she slipped in it and embarrass herself? Was it the time when she learned of the fact that she was the only person that Fate desired to have at that time in the past when Lindy and Precia talked to her? Or was it that time when she saw the ethereal beauty for the first time under the rain? She doesn't know but she was determined to not let go of Fate.
"Y-Yuuno…" Nanoha said when the two let go of their embrace, "It's really a surprise to see you here but Fate was supposed to meet me here. Have you seen her?"
Yuuno's face dropped. He sighed and explained slowly, "Nanoha… Fate was sent to the hospital an hour ago. She told me not to tell you unless you ask for her."
"W-What happened? Please tell me!" Nanoha asked, panicking.
"Calm down Nanhoha! I'll take you to her. Let's go!"
When they arrived at the hospital, they saw Hayate. Hayate explained to them what's happening.
"Nanoha, Fate has a serious heart problem. She has a weak heart since her birth. I'm sorry for keeping this a secret but I was forbidden by Fate to tell you." Hayate explained with a weary voice.
"It's fine but what's happening to Fate now? Is-Is she going to be fine?" Nanoha asked as she held Hayate's hands.
Nanoha felt her blood drain from her face when Hayate shook her head. "No, she's not. She needs a transplant right away and… we can't make her do it."
"She's in this room right?" Nanoha pointed at the emergency room and went in it.
In the center of the room is Fate lying on a bed, writhing and grunting in pain as she continuously muttered "No operation!" and being surrounded by the doctor and nurses who're convincing her to take it to stop the pain. Nanoha gestured for them to go out for a while. The doctor and nurses who saw her recognized her, the heiress of Midoriya as well as their patient's wife, nodded their heads and left the room. Fate was still grunting in pain when she felt someone caressing her left cheek. She stopped and looked at the one doing it and was a little shocked to see Nanoha.
"W-What…are you... ugh…"
"Shh… Fate, take the operation please." Nanoha asked.
"But… if I do it now… y-you'll be forced to… s-stay with me. I know b-because… y-you're so kind." Fate was a little calmer at this and looked solemnly at the brunette. She loves this woman with her so much, so much that she's willing to give her up and contradict herself forever. The need to keep this woman with her was her wish but now here she is, pushing her away. Just for her… for Nanoha.
"Stop it… please… don't…" Fate frowned when Nanoha cried, "…Stop pushing me away… Don't you see? I love you Fate." Nanoha bent down and kissed Fate on the lips. It was a chaste on but it sent the message across. Nanoha's feelings were passed through and for Fate that was enough.
"I see… p-please call the doctor." Fate asked, blushing.
Nanoha smiled and kissed Fate's forehead affectionately. "I'll wait for you after all right? After that we would…" the rest was whispered to Fate's ear. When Nanoha pulled back, Fate could feel her heart aching so much.
"N-N-Nanoha! Call t-them! S-Say those things after the transplant!" Fate exclaimed, mortified by the fact that Nanoha has a pervert side in her.
Nanoha laughed and kissed Fate's lips before she went out of the room to call the doctor and start the heart transplant.
OMAKE
Yuuno: So… they got the happy end. I understand that Fate really deserves it but… I think I deserve one too…
Author: Yeah, yeah… you're Hayate's fiancé remember?
Hayate: You forgot to put that in. I thought I was going to be "The Mistress"!
Nanoha: What mistress are you talking about? *smiling that smile that gives you goosebumps*
Hayate: N-No! Mistress… of someone.
Carim: Exactly.
Author: What are you doing here?! O.O
Carim: Hayate's mine. *Glares at Yuuno*
Yuuno: Y-You know, I think I'm happier as a single man, no worries and such.
Fate: N-Nanoha loves me… I thought I was going to die a martyr.
Nanoha: Oh Fate! Come with me to the room and we'll have our honeymoon. I can't believe this author here deprived me of my Fate…in bed… we haven't done it, wasn't even implied.
Author: *sweat drops* You were in love with Yuuno… Fate was suffering because of you.
Nanoha: Raising Heart…
Everyone other than Nanoha and Fate run away like crazy, with Carim grabbing Hayate for herself and Yuuno, changing into his ferret form and scrambling away.
*-I know, awful Omake ahahaha… but oh well, it's a one-shot and it's short. I hope you liked it. Thank you for reading and those who would review! Sorry for the mistakes!-*