Chapter One

Nanoha felt annoyed with herself. She could had spent the day going for a stroll at the park or any other activities that took advantage of that rare winter morning before school started up again in spring. Instead she was standing by herself outside the cafe waiting for her time challenged friend to show up. Nanoha readily agreed to lunch as they had not spent much of the winter break together. She even promised her parents that she would wash the dishes in return for skipping out on helping out at the family restaurant so that she could enjoy a nice lunch and perhaps hang out for a bit, and that friend of hers was thirty minutes late.

Nanoha rubbed her gloved hands together. Even though the sun's out and the season almost over, it was still a bit cold. She glanced at the menu board with a picture of the day's special out front and her stomach growled. Nanoha might just feed on it if her friend did not show in the next few minutes.

Loud panting and sounds of nails scraping against the pavement distracted Nanoha from her thoughts and she turned to look for the source but all she saw was a blur of fluff running into her before she found herself pinned to the ground. Nanoha looked up and almost shrieked. It was a large dog with wolf-like features and it donned the most peculiar reddish brown fur. It stared at her then barked, and Nanoha sworn that droplets of saliva had splattered on her face.

A voice called out from a distance. "No! Bad girl! Bad! Back away!"

The fluffy animal moved back slightly and sat on its hind legs, tail wagging from side to side as Nanoha got into a sitting position. It pushed its snout against her hand, eager for a pat which she happily gave now that she had gotten over her initial surprise. "Well, now that I look more closely, you're a beauty aren't you?" Nanoha cooed. "What's your name?"

"That dog, I swear," the owner ran-walked up to the pair and scooped up the leash swiftly from the ground, "I'm really sorry. Arf can be too excitable for her own good sometimes."

"Arf, is it?" Nanoha rubbed the dog's sides and looked up at its owner. "That's an odd name. Very befitting for a unique looking dog though."

Dark, beautiful eyes the color of roses twinkled with delight. "Thank you."

The owner dropped to a knee beside them. Nanoha noted how tall she was even when on a knee. Being in such close proximity, she could not help but notice the other girl's features. Long, gold tresses that rivaled the sun fell freely around an oval, pretty face. A row of pearly white teeth grazed the bottom of her pink lip as she smiled down at her dog. If Nanoha had to choose, stunning would be the word to describe her.

"She's a half breed. Father's a great dane and mother's a wolf."

Nanoha put her face close to Arf's, their noses touching. "Looks like you've got your mother's good looks and your father's build, don't you?"

The girl smiled at the action. "Do you have a dog too?"

"I wish. My family runs a restaurant below the apartment and hygiene is on top of the list. Plus, my mom's allergic to fur. Even if I wanted to, I couldn't insist now can I? It would be unfair to both the people and the dog."

Locks of gold swayed as the girl nodded in understanding. "Someone whom I knew insisted on getting a dog against his family's wishes. He had to give up the poor animal in the end because of further disagreements. People should really think it through before getting any pets."

"I know. My cousin loves dogs but she's afraid of them too. Yet she begged her parents for one thinking that it would help her get rid of the phobia. And now she won't even go near it. Even when she did, she would be standing at least a yard away. One time she tried to feed the guy by using a pole to push the food bowl towards it," Nanoha rolled her eyes. "Can you believe that?"

A soft chuckle bubbled up from the girl's chest and Nanoha cracked a smile, studying her longer this time. The girl truly was a beauty and looks were not the only thing alluring about her. Fair skin tone, lighter than her own with prominent cheek bones, a fine nose along with the lustrous long flaxen hair and deep burgundy colored eyes distinguished her almond shaped face as unique. There was a gentle demeanor and a sense of elegance about her too.

Realizing she had been staring, Nanoha looked to her wrist watch as a cover for her action.

Taking it as a cue that she was in a rush, the girl excused herself and moved to stand. "I apologize for keeping you." She stretched out a hand. "Here, let me help you."

Nanoha stared at the outstretched hand blankly for a few seconds before the reality of that she had been sitting on her behind during the entire conversation sank in. The girl, likewise, also noticed an error on her part. A flush of pink crept up both girls' cheeks.

"Sorry, I should have helped you up before. Instead, I left you as you were."

Nanoha grabbed the proffered hand with a sheepish smile. "Thanks. I should've realized it sooner myself. Not your fault." Before she made the move to dust off her clothes, the girl reached out her hand and did it for her. Being the taller of the two, the girl had to bend her body to do so and her face happened to brush past Nanoha's shoulder.

The light scent of strawberries invaded Nanoha's nostrils. It was not strong like perfume. Shampoo, perhaps? Nanoha felt embarrassed.

When did she become a stickler for details?

"There, good as new." The girl smiled as Nanoha mumbled a word of thanks. "Well, let's not keep you any longer. Again, sorry about what happened."

Nanoha waved off her concern. "Oh, it was nothing. No bother."

The girl nodded slightly. "Good day to you." And with a slight tug of the leash, Arf followed her owner down the pavement.

Nanoha watched their retreating figures until she could see them no more. Despite being alone again, Nanoha felt much better than before.

Perhaps spending all that time waiting for her friend that had yet to show up was not a bad thing after all.

A/N: Please do feedback on your thoughts about this chapter. Any comments are greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading!