"Welcome back!" Vivio sprang towards them as Nanoha opened the door to her home. She knelt and enveloped the girl into a warm embrace, squishing their faces together as they erupted into giggles. "How did it go?"
"Hmm," Nanoha mused, watching Fate flopped down noisily on a chair, her hand wrapped along her front. Her wound must have been hurting. "Ms. Fate can shoot, Vivio. We got a lot of rabbits. I sold most of them to the farmer though; let's have rabbit stew for dinner."
"Really?" The little girl beamed. She immediately left Nanoha's embrace and bounced towards the other woman in the house. "Can you teach me how to shoot?"
Nanoha huffed. "Hey, I can shoot too!"
"Most probably not as good as her…" Vivio murmured, and Fate laughed heartily at that.
"You're awfully cheery for someone who almost died just a few days ago…" Nanoha muttered bitterly. She then went out to retrieve the skinned rabbit meat from her wagon before returning to see Fate still laughing. Never in her dream could she imagine an ex-convict who used to run with a ruthless gang would be such a chirpy person.
Her wound was aching a lot now because of her ceaseless laughter. "I'm sorry, Nanoha. Vivio is too cute."
"Am I really?" Vivio jumped excitedly.
"Of course you are," Fate smiled at how thrilled the girl was upon receiving a compliment. "You're very good at riding too. I'd love to teach you how to shoot."
Cheering, Vivio literally threw her whole frame on the blonde woman, eliciting a loud grunt from the latter. Nanoha gasped and hurriedly yanked Vivio away from the writhing Fate. "Vivio!" She barked, still surprised at the fact that her daughter pounced on the injured woman. She could only imagine the agony Fate must be feeling right now. Vivio was not exactly a small toddler. "She's hurt!"
Vivio had her hands on her lips then, looking severely guilty. "S-sorry…"
Nanoha was beside Fate in no time, holding the blonde in place and trying to lessen her pain by holding the trembling fingers, if only a little. It took some time for Fate to settle down, but eventually she relaxed, gently petting the child who was then beside her, sniffling a bit. Vivio was a smart child, Nanoha thought as she watched the scene before her, feeling a little tug in her heart. Her daughter knew she had hurt Fate and had promptly asked for forgiveness. It was a truly proud moment for her, seeing Vivio maturing wholly.
"Let me see," Nanoha murmured softly. She was afraid that Fate would re-open her wound, and her fear was proven right, again, when she saw the blotches of fresh blood around the dressing when Fate lifted her shirt. "Hang on, I'll get the doctor. Vivio, you stay with Fate, alright?"
A meek nod was the reply. Fate was looking at her as well, her face was sweaty but there was a small smile on it. Nanoha guessed she was trying to say that she was okay. However, she was not taking any chances and trudged off to find the town's doctor, Shamal.
Luckily, Shamal was not occupied when Nanoha visited her modest clinic and they both hurried to the brunette's home after sharing a few words. The sight that greeted them surprised the two women greatly. Her daughter was snuggling close to the wounded blonde, crying her heart out. Nanoha's eyelids fluttered feebly as Fate was looking at her powerlessly. She was still cradling Vivio tenderly, as if she was afraid of hurting her, silently asking for help from Nanoha.
Nanoha, on the other hand, couldn't help but wonder why and how her daughter had grown to be very comfortable around the blonde woman in such a short time. And the fact that the two of them spent more time together with Fate when she was unconscious was not helping either. She did not have the luxury to ponder over it too much however, since Fate had reopened her wound and was in need of an apt treatment.
"Vivio," Nanoha called after her daughter who was latched onto Fate, smoothing the blonde tresses softly before continuing. "You need to let go of Fate now. The doctor's here."
Vivio regarded her mother's words before slowly getting off of the blonde, still sniffling.
"Good girl," Nanoha smiled softly. She turned her attention towards Fate then, taking note of the blonde's heavy breathing. She furrowed her brows, worried that the damage was too much. "Are you alright?"
Despite the obvious pain she was in, Fate was grinning. "I'm fine. Your daughter is quite a lovely cuddler," She noticed the other blonde in the house then. "…Were you the one who treated me?"
Shamal nodded.
From her seat, Fate bowed slightly. "I thank you."
Nanoha did not think Fate would be a grateful person either. It was the nature of bandits not to be pleased with what they possess, thus their consistent need to thieve of others' properties. But the woman before her, the supposedly ex-outlaw was… for a lack of better word, humane.
After helping Fate to walk to her bed so Shamal could dress her wound again, Nanoha walked out of her room and found her daughter sitting silently at the side. Her crying had subsided but Nanoha could tell that she was still very sad about hurting Fate.
"Mama," Vivio's now much smaller voice sounded. "Will she be okay?"
Nanoha took a seat beside her daughter and petted her head. "Mm. It's nothing she can't handle," Nanoha trailed off, thinking about the life Fate had led before she lost her sister and was taken into custody. "I have a feeling that she has been hurt many, many times before this. She should be able to get out of this injury without any problem."
"She was hurt many times?" Vivio asked innocently.
"Yes."
"Why?"
Nanoha pondered at that, "Because she lived a very risky life. People hated her doings."
"People hurt her?"
"Mm…" Nanoha thought about it some more. "It's more like she hurt people, and they're only trying to defend themselves," Seeing her daughter was still trying to grasp the concept of what Nanoha was trying to explain, she continued. "But she has relented now. In fact, she's trying to make amends for her past actions. So, Vivio, let's hope she will get better soon and she'll have the chance to do what she needs to do, okay?"
A small nod followed Nanoha's explanation and she beckoned her daughter to her. "Come here, love. You're really worried, aren't you?"
Another nod.
"Do you like Fate?"
Vivio nodded again. "I can tell that she's a very warm person, mama. Just like you."
Nanoha sighed. Vivio grew up without prominent people in her life. She did not have the pleasure of knowing her grandparents, as they were murdered when she was very little. Neither did she have a fatherly figure she could lean to. Even now there were very few people around her. Nanoha admitted that her daughter was rather hard to warm to strangers. It was rather surprising to see the girl so readily taking a shine to Fate.
She was still thinking of the blonde woman's situation. To think that she was housing an ex-member of the Testarossa gang was beyond anything comprehensible. She hated that gang to her very core. They were the ones to take the precious lives of her family members and so many others. Plentiful of people had suffered under their madness. It was enough reason for her to shoot Fate back then.
But she did not.
Instead, she listened to what the woman had to say. She gave her a chance.
She doubted any member of the Testarossa Gang had the decency to do the same to their victims.
So, why was it that she chose to lower her gun?
Why did she decide she should help the woman?
It was not because she owed her for her help, Nanoha shook her head. They were equals now. They had saved the life of one another. She was no longer indebted to the blonde woman now that she had returned the favour. No. It was not because of that. She was just… compelled to help Fate.
It was those claret eyes of hers. The ones that looked at her with a strange compassion, triggering chills in her very bones. Nanoha tried to recall the Fate's expression at that time, and again, she felt distraught by it. It was… so sorrowful.
She had her own share of sufferings, and she had seen others suffer as much as her and more, but she had never seen such an emotion from herself and those people. Unconsciously, she pulled Vivio closer to her. Perhaps it was because there was still light in her life, a light that was in the form of a small child with a whole life ahead of her. A life Nanoha wanted to see through, and spend together.
Fate, on the other hand, seemed to have lost everything. Her sister was gone, and Nanoha could only think of the significance she had played in the blonde's life. Her mother had deserted her twice, once when she left her to die along with her sister, and another when she shot Fate to stop her efforts in reconciliation.
It especially bugged Nanoha how Fate had so readily accepted death. She even said that she might not survive the night when they were close to Fort Vertway. How she threw away her rifle when Nanoha had her revolver pointed towards her also bothered Nanoha considerably. It was like the prospect of dying eases her. It was… something she looked forward to.
And Nanoha realized how terribly sad that was.
When Fate woke this time around, there was an unmistakable warmth enveloping her body. It reminded Fate of Alicia's embraces throughout treasured nights they had spent together, but when she found the object of the affectionate warmth was actually Nanoha, and Fate was rather taken aback. She had her in a very tight hold, though Nanoha's hand was placed awkwardly on her thigh, as if wary she would strain her wound further if she placed it on her upper body. Fate shook her head a little. This woman kept on surprising her.
She must had been moving around too much, because Nanoha's eyes fluttered open slowly before she was fully awake, checking Fate for any discomfort.
"I'm fine," Fate had whispered, noting the other bed in the room was occupied by a bundled together in bed sheets Vivio. "Go back to sleep… Or did you have a bad dream? You were clinging to me."
"Ah," Here, Nanoha blushed furiously, removing herself from the bed. "I'm sorry. I wasn't even planning to sleep, since Shamal said you'd probably wake up during the night and had asked me to change your dressing. I have my night patrol to do, too."
Once Nanoha was out of bed, Fate slowly sat up, watching the other woman fetch a small case at the side of the bed. She opened it and took out fresh gauze dressings, as well as certain medications before flopping back on the bed. She moved quickly but with incredible finesse, removing Fate's old bandages and wrapping new ones.
Aside from several small aches Fate experienced while Nanoha was at work, she felt quite fit. Her wound was well on the way to full recovery. That was good, she decided, she could not stay there long, after all. She would find a vacant property after this, and stay there while she sorts things out. She could not afford to continue to be a burden to this kind family.
"Night patrol?" Fate asked, concerned. The town's very close to a gang hideout, so she had valid reasons to be worried.
"Yeah," Nanoha answered, fingers working nimbly around Fate. "It's nothing much, really. I usually just scare drunkards when they try to pick fights with each other. There are cases where poachers try to steal the town people's livestock, but those are quite rare. Anyway, I still need to make a living now that I'm no longer a full blown hunter, and the pay is quite good. It's always nice to be able to help out the community feel safer."
"Could I possibly come with you?" Fate almost snorted; again, Nanoha was wearing the same look her daughter had given her earlier, a look of utter disbelief. She turned her attention away from Nanoha to the other bed in the room, and a smile quickly came into shape when she thought about how similar the mother and daughter were.
Nanoha sighed. "I don't think you'd listen to my reason on why that is the last thing you should do."
Fate only grinned. "I'll get dressed."
Giving the blonde some time to get dressed, Nanoha went out of the room to prepare herself. She clasped her newly acquired revolver on her hips. She took it out of its holster and started to admire the weapon. It was a Schofield revolver with intricate details of flowers on the side of its barrel, making it an elegant, but also deadly weapon.
Even when Fate had said it had been years since her sister's passing, the revolver was kept in a pristine condition. She had worked herself hard to get Alicia's revolver back from the confinement of the government. Nanoha learned that Fate was in captive for two years before she made a deal with the marshal and was made to work for the government. Since then, she had been doing most of their dirty work for them. Catching convicts, taking prohibitive taxes from unwilling participants using death threats, guarding egoistic leaders from oppressed people, getting rid of individuals unnecessary and against the so-called Western civilization… Generally causing more pain and killing more people compared to her days as a bandit.
And here, right now, she was assigned to dispatch her own mother.
With that thought in mind, Nanoha heaved another sigh. She did not know how she got into that mess. But then, watching Fate enter the room with a slight limp, Nanoha chose to remain in it. She hurried to the blonde's side, offering her shoulder as support. Slowly they made their way out of the house, Fate leaning contentedly on Nanoha.
"You know," the smaller brunette muttered, shifting slightly as she carried Fate's weight alongside her. "You've got to be the most stubborn person I've met in my whole life. And I happen to have seen so many kinds of people."
"Thank you," Fate chuckled. "Quite a few people think the same and I do take pride in my stubbornness."
"Too stubborn to die, even?"
Fate stopped in her tracks and let out a small chuckle, "Unfortunately."
Nanoha looked at the blonde woman uneasily. "I'd really appreciate it if you could stop attempting to throw your life away so carelessly."
Fate was looking back at her now, her crimson eyes questioning.
Nanoha smiled at that, "You might think that you deserve to die after all you've done in your life. But I still think that every life out there is precious, no matter whom they belong. Whether the life you have led is nefarious or honest, it's still something that everyone should hold dear."
There was no response from the blonde, and Nanoha could only hope she understood her message somehow. So when Fate extended her pinky finger towards her, she was dumbfounded. "Fate?"
"I promise."
"Eh?"
"You asked me not to lose my life so earnestly, so I'm making a promise with you that I won't do anything reckless again."
Nanoha blinked.
"Well? I'm waiting."
Slowly, Nanoha brought her own pinky finger before intertwining them with Fate's, sealing their oath. "It's a promise."
Fate was grinning ear to ear and Nanoha found that she was feeling rather warm in the otherwise cold night. "Nanoha."
"Yes?"
"You see… I've long forgiven my mother. That's why I didn't mind if my life ends."
Nanoha stopped in her track. "What do you mean?"
"You'd think I'm angry at her for doing these things… but I'm not. She was mentally unstable. She loved Alicia very much, and her death must have taken a huge toll on both her physical and mental well-being. I guessed her only way out of that pain was insanity."
Nanoha was shocked to learn that, but nodded nonetheless. "I see… I'm sorry to hear that."
"I'll put a stop to it. It might be a little too late," Fate sighed. "But I'll make sure to stop her from hurting others anymore."
"It's never too late, Fate."
Sighing, Fate leaned snugly into Nanoha's warmth again. "Thank you, Nanoha."
They arrived at the sheriff's office in relative silence, but it was not a stifling one. Rather, Nanoha had felt relaxed when she was beside the blonde. She figured Fate's temperate nature was a sensible reason for her to be so at ease, and she could now understand why Vivio had taken such a quick liking to the newcomer.
"Ah, Nanoha," A familiar voice piped up upon her arrival, addressing her. It was the town's marshal, Hayate. "And a stranger who's leaning so dangerously close to my friend?"
"Hello, Hayate," Nanoha giggled. She gestured towards the aforementioned stranger she was supporting. "This is Fate. She pleaded to come with me to my night watch, even with her gut trying their very best to spill out of her."
Fate looked hurt. "I didn't plead for anything."
"You could have fooled me. You had puppy eyes and everything."
Hayate laughed heartily when the blonde grumbled. "Didn't think someone like you could appease Nanoha with puppy eyes, Fate Testarossa."
"So you've heard." Fate responded.
"I've got a telegram from the city," Hayate explained to the two women before her, pulling out a piece of paper from her back pocket, studying it. "Saying something about a ruthless ex-convict coming down here to settle some business and that we officers are to help you if you so needed."
"I don't think someone who packs such a formidable puppy eyes can be called ruthless, Hayate." Nanoha giggled. Fate shifted slightly in her hold, as if she was protesting.
"Truer words can never be spoken, Nanoha," Hayate replied, amused. She then turned towards Fate, who was still sporting a hurt puppy look. "Well? What are you really down here for?"
"Are you really willing to help me?"
"I do have the orders to help you. And considering that you're working for the government, we're pretty much fellow officials."
Fate contemplated the situation. "I really didn't want to involve so many people into this, as I'd rather settle it myself. Honestly though, there's no way I could take a whole gang by myself."
"You tried it anyway," Nanoha interjected playfully. Fate flashed her a discontent glare.
Hayate hummed, she was fast to catch on the whole state of affairs. "You wanted to take down your mother?"
Nodding, Fate pushed her body off of Nanoha whom let her go reluctantly. A small nod of thanks was given. It was a little awkward for Fate to discuss such a weighty matter while she's latched so tightly to the brunette.
"We would need a small army to reclaim that fortress back, are you aware of that?"
"I've been told you and your officers are a formidable one."
"Why, thank you. We will still need a solid plan for this, though."
"Of course," Fate nodded. "I'll think of something."
"Well then!" Hayate clapped her hands enthusiastically and made her way out of the office. "Now that's covered, let's get our night watch started. We'll have to dismiss Signum and Vita of theirs first, Nanoha."
"Right after you," Nanoha answered. "Fate, why don't you stay and watch over the town from here?"
"With pleasure." With that, Fate went out alongside them, before sitting at the bench outside of the office, overlooking the town.
When the day dawned bright and sunny, Nanoha and Hayate made their way back to the office, relieved that the night was a peaceful one. Upon arriving, they found Fate dozing off on the chair they had left her. She was nodding cutely in her sleep and Nanoha marvelled at the seemingly childlike woman. Up until then, she still had some difficulties thinking the woman as someone dangerous.
Hayate took it upon herself to tell Nanoha of the notorious life Fate had lived before during their watch; she and her sister were making uproars, good ones, Hayate had added, as the Testarossa Twin. Nanoha was astonished at the fact that Fate and Alicia was actually a rather honourable pair of bandit. This was due to their means of stealing from people who had too much and giving them to the poor. They never stole from people who needed their money more than they do, and they also never killed unnecessarily, only accepting assassination commissions for people who actually deserve to die. They had a huge bounty for their heads, bordering to about six hundred dollars for each of the twin sisters, placed by the riches they stole from, yet no one seemed to be interested in taking them. It was easy to say that even bounty hunters respected their objectives.
Needless to say, Nanoha was in disbelief over how respectable the group of bandits so many despise now was back then, but Hayate said that somewhere along the way, the Testarossa Gang changed their ways. If she remembered correctly, it was when the twins met their end, with Alicia slain in a gunfight and Fate getting detained by the sheriffs; that violence took over the mob.
'Precia Testarossa…' Nanoha mused, remembering what Fate had told her earlier. 'She was the one to change the pathways of the gang… She went insane…'
Hayate watched fondly as Nanoha closed her distance with Fate and smacked the blonde's cheeks playfully, waking her up. The blonde groggily opened her eyes before smiling when she sees the brunette and promptly went back to sleep. Nanoha pouted at the sight of Fate setting off to la-la-land again. She sighed and moved herself beside the sleeping blonde to carry her back home, giving her a meaningful look that clearly said, 'I knew I should've left you at home…'
Of course, the look was not received at all by the blonde, who had gone back to her precious sleep. Hayate helped her, grunting at the heavy weight that was the tall blonde, wondering how Nanoha had managed to place such a hefty dead weight on a horse when she found her bleeding out at the fortress. Guess she had taken the brunette woman too easily.
"Hey," Hayate poked Nanoha on her side once they had settled Fate on Nanoha's bed and out of the bedroom. "Be honest with me, what do you think of Fate?"
"…What do I think about her?"
Hayate nodded, her hands wild in gesture. "You know, with her past and all."
Nanoha let out a small noise of comprehension. "I don't think she's a bad person, Hayate."
"Are you going to help her as well?"
"Mm. If that's alright with you, of course."
"You sure?"
"Yes," Nanoha chuckled lightly. "Don't worry about me. This is what I wanted. I feel like… If I help her out, I'd finally be free."
Hayate crossed her arms. "Still having nightmares?"
"Hmm… they're not all that frequent anymore."
Patting Nanoha on the back, Hayate chirped. "It would be great if they're all gone though, huh?"
Nanoha nodded. "Yeah. Well, I'm going to sleep a bit, Hayate. I'll see you in the afternoon?"
"Right, see ya!"
The afternoon came eventually and all three residents of Nanoha's humble home were up and about. Nanoha and Vivio were cleaning, with the mother cleaning their lunch dishes and Vivio sweeping the floor. Both of them were also singing a duet on a folk song enthusiastically while Fate watched amusedly from where she was sitting, lifting her legs to allow Vivio to sweep down the chair she was sitting on. She had gratefully eaten Nanoha's scrumptious cooking with much gusto, surprising the cook greatly. After a few days spent barely eating anything due to the prickling and nauseating feeling from her torn stomach, Fate was pleased to finally get a proper appetite.
It helped that Nanoha's cooking was one of the very best Fate had the pleasure to try. She wolfed down the creamy chicken stew and the sweet cabbage salad within minutes. Vivio had watched in awe, noticing the delighted shine in her mother's eyes as she too, stared at the rapid pace of Fate's devouring her cooking. Nanoha was happy Fate was enjoying it so much, but she was also alarmed at the possibility of the blonde choking.
"I still can't believe you're the person that had your stomach trickling out of a small hole just a few days ago…" Her mother had said, and she had quickly gone to pat the blonde's back when she had indeed, choked. "Fate, eat slowly."
"S-sorry," Fate coughed. "Your cooking is really good, Nanoha. I could eat these all my life."
"You're welcome to," Nanoha smiled, blushing at the compliment. "If it helps keep you alive, I'll gladly cook for you anytime, Fate."
Fate had a look Nanoha could not quite decipher after that. "Fate?"
Nanoha gasped when Fate took her hands, the blonde's eyes were intensely staring into her own, a playful glint apparent in the stunning burgundy. "I'll gladly take your offer on that, Nanoha."
And Nanoha could not decide if the blonde was serious or not. She had looked on in amusement at the sight of her daughter and Fate fighting over the last piece of chicken. She decided not to ponder on it for too long and casually took the last piece, leaving both Fate and Vivio shrieking after it.
But she will found out much later that Fate was in fact, genuinely taking her offer.
Two weeks later, Nanoha was happy to hear from Shamal that Fate's gunshot wound had closed completely, and the blonde was in much better health. In fact, Fate had been active in aiding the local sheriff with their cases. She only rested for two days at her home before she got so ridiculously bored that she begged for Nanoha to allow her to go out so she could do something.
Nanoha also quickly found out that she was so absurdly weak at Fate's puppy eyes.
She could only ask Hayate to smack Fate across her face with her gun if she ever went overboard. To Nanoha's relief, her sheriff friend told her that Fate knew her limit and had been careful not to overwork herself.
The two of them, Hayate and Fate, became close pretty quick as they worked together. Though the real reason how they totally hit it off was that both of them were able to handle their alcohol incredibly well. Nevertheless, they still got intoxicated at one point. Fate had learned that it was a terribly bad idea to go against Nanoha's advice to not get drunk because she and Hayate had both spent their night outside of the comfort of their home, at the town's stable.
Anyway, those two had been discussing closely on their plan to seize control of the Testarossa Gang and Fort Vertway. Nanoha was present in these meetings sometimes, considering she was a crucial part of the plan as well. Here, she witnessed how sly the blonde was with her clever plans. At this point, both Fate and Nanoha were determined to never defy each other. The consequences were much too frightening.
Time passed, and the plan was also progressing well. Hayate's request of additional men and firearm was approved. Hayate and her deputies managed to apprehend a regular supplier who frequented the fortress to cooperate. A pair of bounty hunters and Fate's friends, Subaru and Teana who had joined them a short while after Fate started shaping her plan, had intelligence on the inside of the fortress, as well as an exact number of bandits that they would be up against.
The most surprising thing that happened during the plotting of Fort Vertway assault was a bandit had turned to their side. Nanoha was there in the sheriff's office when one of Hayate's deputies, Zafira brought in a woman with auburn hair who claimed to be part of the Testarossa Gang. Fate had quickly left the board she was scribbling on when she came into her view, and embraced her, much to the shock of the other occupants in the room.
The woman then introduced herself as Arf. She briefly informed the officers and Nanoha that she used to be Fate's lieutenant of some sort, and that she would aid them in their raid. An insider's assistance benefits the sheriff's force greatly. Fate and Arf spent quite a while together, whispering promises and gratefulness that they were both alive and well before the auburn haired woman had to leave, before she could risk being found out.
The time for them to move out arrived.
The plan was to surround the fort from both the north and south entrances. First attack would be at the north entrance, where the Testarossa Gang's supplier would drive in for the usual supplying, only that the supplies in the wagon were heavily armed officers instead of provisions. The back of the wagon was also installed with a Gatling gun, which was a type of rapid-fire weapon Nanoha never thought could have existed. Hayate had laughed madly when the military-issued gun arrived by the train, marvelling at the beauty, clasping it fondly with her whole body. She was saddened at the fact that she would not be the one to use it though. Needless to say, Nanoha also learned not to tease her friend too much.
While that group of officers lay waste and cause a major distraction at the north entrance where most of the bandits were located in their respective lodgings, Fate, Nanoha and Hayate alongside her trusted deputies would enter, effectively cutting off an escape route the bandits could take.
If everything would go smoothly, they'd win over the fortress without many casualties on their side. Fate could not promise zero casualties, so before the small army of an odd combination of sheriffs, bounty hunters, ex-convict and a housewife depart; she asked again if there were people who would like to withdraw. Nanoha felt concerned gaze on her and she smiled in reassurance.
Fate sized all the brave people in front of her, and seeing no one moved after her last warning, she bowed and let Hayate took over the command. They marched accordingly to the plan. A small group of officers filed in the wagon of the captured supplier, and another was on horseback, ready to gallop into the gunfight from behind the wagon, hidden in the hills.
Nanoha and her group were also on horseback. Hayate was at her right side, monitoring the progress of their plan through binoculars. They were several sentries posted along the tall wall, patrolling the area, but they could easily be taken out once they have their distraction.
Shifting slightly on her horse, Nanoha heaved an anxious breath. She felt a warm hand on her left shoulder then, and she held it appreciatively. She smiled and mouthed 'I'm okay' at the blonde woman beside her. Truthfully, Fate was the one who should be nervous, considering this battle was very important to her.
Hayate held out her arm when the wagon had entered the fortress, waiting for the signal that was the first gunshot to sound. A few seconds passed and a gunshot finally went off.
Hayate brought down her hand then, and the small group bolted from their hiding place, weapons aimed at the sentries who were caught off-guard from the continuous gunshot ringing from the other entrance of the fortress. They were quickly disposed of. Fate's deadly accuracy with her Evans Repeating rifle could never fail to take Nanoha by surprise. She had to agree that Fate was a much better shooter than her, much to Vivio's glee, a few days into their unusual partnership. Her young daughter had not stopped teasing her since.
The south entrance's door was wide opened, presumably by Arf. Nanoha and her companions filed in quickly, leaping from their horses and finding barricades to remain low. Gunshots from the other entrance were still apparent. They moved swiftly into the fortress and Hayate sent her deputies to track the stairs to the tall walls so they could aid the others at the north entrance once she made certain there were not many bandits on their side of the fight.
The three of them remained close, trekking deeper into the fortress. A cock of a gun was heard and the three women scrambled into cover when a single deafening roar from their assailant's rifle sounded. A group of bandits emerged from a corner room, shooting constant bullets into their hiding places. The rounds sent splinters flying and polluted the already stifling air with more dust.
A cocky voice barked for them to come out of their hiding and fight like a real man, though none of the three women heeded to his command. After all, they were no man. They fought safely, returning fire with poise that no men could be capable of. Hayate risked a peek: finding one of their enemies' head popped out of their hiding place and immediately shot three rounds. It hit its target and before the bandits could resume their firing, she ducked again.
Patience is the key. Fate had said once to Vivio when they were in one of their intensive shooting lessons. And Nanoha could only grin at that. These vermin know no patience. They were sloppy, wasting rounds after rounds of their shots to inanimate objects they were taking cover of and were generally foolish with their guns. The three women had effortlessly taken out the bandits once they were out of ammo.
They continued to move and before long, they ran into another group of bandits, who were hastily packing and discussing escape. Nanoha noticed the prominent auburn and violet heads in the group, Arf and Precia respectively. She glanced to her left to see Fate's face darkening. They were outnumbered, Hayate noted, but with proper tactics, they could outdo the bandits. Before she could think of something clever and transmit them to her comrades though, she noticed a glint of light to her right.
"Behind you! Nanoha!" Hayate shouted.
Fate saw them then. Silent as the grave, two men had their gun trained towards Nanoha. She shot them a little too late, as they had already let off a few rounds themselves. Gunshots started to echo from the group of bandits they ran into. They were found out but Fate did not have the time to worry about that. Her gaze was fixed to Nanoha and Hayate.
"Hayate's hit!" Nanoha cried, her voice barely audible among the gunshots resounding around them. Hayate had pulled Nanoha out of harm's way, but not unscathed. Hayate's upper back was torn, both the entrance on her back and the exit wound on her left shoulder were small; the damage was not fatal, Nanoha concluded, but it was still red and angry.
"Hang on!" Fate screamed back, reloading her rifle before going out of her cover to return fire. A few men were caught by her rounds, dropping lifelessly to the unforgiving ground, but she has yet to spot her mother anywhere. Arf was nowhere to be found as well. Once Nanoha had managed to staunch Hayate's wounds by applying direct pressure and making sure Hayate continue to do so, she immediately supported Fate with her steadfast shots. She took out one bandit, two, and then three, keeping her shots consistent but also mindful of how much ammo she had.
When Fate and Nanoha succeeded in shooting all of the brigands, there were no longer gunshots deafening them, Fate signalled for Nanoha to stay beside Hayate while she overlooked the situation. Nanoha looked at Hayate then, silently asking for permission to accompany Fate, and the smaller brunette gave her a smile, her chest was heaving up and down, breath controlled. "I'm fine. Go."
Joining Fate immediately in search of Precia and Arf, they took one careful step after another. Nothing but silence from the bodies lying around them. Nanoha looked behind barricades one could take cover from, up the stairs and along the walls. Nothing. She started to head back towards Fate and–
A gunshot resonated. Nanoha was fully conscious up until the second she hit the floor. Then, her vision blurred. A rifle's muzzle, poking out almost invisibly from a hole on the ground, there was a basement, looked more like a wicked grin to her more than anything, even with the smoke coming out of it.
"Nanoha!" She had heard Fate yell her name. It was a desperate cry. She wanted to reply, but she couldn't. Blood was filling her mouth, in the way of her frantic voice.
Fate rushed to Nanoha's side, her rifle spewing out rounds after rounds of ruthless bullets into the basement where the shot that had pierced through Nanoha's side. She emptied all of her rifle's rounds, hands trembling before she bent over and picked up Nanoha's shed revolver, emptying that as well. Hayate was beside Nanoha by the time Fate had drained all her ammo.
She opened the hatch of the basement, tears spilling out of her eyes at the sight that greeted her. Arf was on top of Precia, both lifeless with bullet wounds littered all over their bodies. Precia must have been planning to use Arf as a hostage to gain an upper hand on her, considering their positions. She jumped down into the small cellar, closing Arf's eyes gently, sending quiet apologies. Scrutinising her mother now, she found her thoughts to be frozen. She had nothing to say to her.
Fate could only hope she would not resort herself to insanity like her mother if she lost Nanoha this time.
"Fate," Hayate called for the blonde's attention. Fate was instantly besides the sheriff, taking in the damage on Nanoha's body and thanking whatever deities were out there when she saw the bullet wound closely. Hayate was already heaving a sigh of relief, guiding Fate's hands slowly to press the cloth covering the wound; her hand was already occupied with her own injury. "She'll be alright. The bullet shied away from her organs... She might be in shock, though."
"Hnn…" The brunette groaned blearily, surprising the other two women. She saw blonde tresses shading her from a bright light that was blinding her completely… Is that the moon? Nanoha did not know. She narrowed her eyes and her fuzzy sight became clearer by the seconds, until she could finally make out Fate's furrowed brows and glistening tears that were rapidly leaving her stained cheeks and dropping on her own face. It was cold. "H-hey… Don't cry, you silly oaf…"
"Nanoha…" Fate only continued to weep, bumping their heads together. They were no stopping her tears now. "Nanoha…"
"I'm here."
Hayate smiled at the sight of the two women before her. She had watched these two together for a while now. She could only refrain herself one too many times before she just had to push these two together in a closet so they could make out or something.
…Because gods she could no longer deal with the blatant sexual tension around them. She was actually planning to do just that once they were back safely–leave them in a small cupboard, lock it up, send Vivio away to Shamal, check it next morning to hopefully see them undressed or she would lock them up for another day.
Nanoha had her right hand placed on Fate's cheek, rubbing away the tears that still threatened to fall. Hayate waited, still smiling, waiting for it to happen. When the two remained still, snug in the headlock for a long time, Hayate finally erupted. "Would you two just kiss each other already?!"
Fate had her back straightened following Hayate's outburst and Nanoha only covered her face with her hand, both of them flustered and stammering.
"Oh, come on," Hayate muttered. "Don't tell me you haven't realized your feelings for each other… That's so boring."
An uncomfortable silence followed.
"No way. I hit the jackpot?"
Swift footsteps were heard then, and both Hayate and Fate pointed their revolvers to the direction it came from, only to find Teana and Subaru doing the same. Teana lowered her gun first, letting out a long breath before running back where she had emerged. "I found them! They're hurt!"
Hayate flashed both Nanoha and Fate a menacing look. "I'll be watching you."
Miraculously, the only casualty on their side was Arf. There were still some injuries among the officers, but only a small few were life-threatening and they had all emerged alive and well. Fate had asked the officials to bury Arf's body beside her sister's. When asked about her mother, she told them to bury her alongside her father's, whom she never had the chance to know.
Since Fate had come out of the gunfight unharmed, Hayate assigned her to overlook the scene. Officials were bustling in and out of the fortress, checking up with Fate on certain matters, carrying out bodies, confiscating weapons and other random movements Fate was not quite giving attention to. Her thoughts were full of Nanoha.
At first, she thought that her fondness of the kind woman was because she was so very similar to her deceased sister. Such as the way she carried herself and the strength Fate found in her spectacular violet eyes, unbecoming of her rather lithe body. She was a woman living in a man's world, just like her and her sister.
But after a while, Fate now realized, she had taken the brunette as another person, as herself. She remembered how her apron fit her snugly when she cooked the heavenly chicken stew Fate fell in love with, the glimmer in her eyes whenever she praised her cooking, the puffed cheeks when she was teased for her shooting skills by her own daughter, the look of disbelief plastered on her face whenever Fate suggested crazy ideas that involved her risking reopening her injury that eventually developed to a defeated sigh, her habit of scratching this small spot behind her neck when she's confused, her mole behind her neck that she so often scratched, her unconditional love for her daughter, her giggles, her sleep talking, her motherly smile…
Fate was in love with these things, so deeply in love. She loved everything about Nanoha.
She wanted to see her.
"Weeeeeeell?" Hayate grinned.
"Hmm?" Nanoha responded, feigning ignorance.
"Oh, Nanoha. There's no escape." Hayate laughed merrily. The two brunettes were placed in Shamal's clinic, the doctor was too busy walking around and patching up everyone to give Nanoha and Hayate much attention. They were alone, for now, so Hayate decided to take up the chance. "You love her."
Nanoha was silent for a long while before she meekly nodded. "I do."
"What do you love about her?"
"Everything, Hayate… I love all of her. The way she talks, her voice… She sang with me once I taught her our town's folk song. And it's the most beautiful and calming singing I've ever heard… They way her eyes softens whenever she's around Vivio, spoiling her, warming her, loving her… Her serious side when she discusses her work with you, her childish and playful side that she shows over and over again, her ceaseless love for her sister, her forgiving her mother… Goodness, Hayate, what have I gotten myself into?"
Hayate cooed in happiness. "Go get 'er, tiger."
"Hayate!"
"What?"
"You need to stop. You're so embarrassing…"
"No worries, Nanoha. Your feelings are not one-way. If you give your love to her, she would give hers in return."
"Hayate," Nanoha grumbled. "You've been single all your life. What would you know?"
"Hey!" Hayate protested. "Even if I'm single, it doesn't mean I don't know anything about love."
Nanoha pinched her brows together. "I need some sleep..."
"You know she will leave, right?"
Looking at Hayate strangely, Nanoha lifted one of her brows.
"She'll leave, Nanoha." Hayate repeated her words. "She's only here to take down the Testarossa Gang. She has succeeded in that, and she will leave. She will go back to city, and continue her work as the governments' contract killer."
"I…"
"Yeah?"
"I don't want her to leave…"
"Well," Hayate shrugged. "Do something about it."
Easier said than done, Nanoha thought. She had spent around four days in the clinic, grumbling helplessly at Hayate's constant teasing during the first two. She was lucky the town's marshal had to be pulled out of her rest because there was too much that needed to be done. At such a time, Nanoha was thankful she was merely a single mother. Vivio visited her every day, and so did her townspeople. But she had not seen the blonde that was stirring her heart so exuberantly she wondered how she had still remained solid and not liquefied.
She had begged Shamal to release her earlier than she had intended. She seemed amused at the fact, and Nanoha decided Hayate should get some well-deserved beatings for spilling her secrets. Never mind the Gatling gun currently in her possession; she'd be dead before she could make it to the gun.
Walking through the town from the clinic, her eyes were wildly searching for a certain blonde head, but she had no such luck. She started heading towards her home, ready to spend her evening with her daughter when she caught a glimpse of the golden hair she had missed so much out of the corner of her eyes.
"Fate!" She shouted after her.
"Nanoha?" Nanoha could hear the panicked pitch in Fate's voice. Why was she unnerved upon seeing her?
Nanoha wanted to run towards Fate, but with her side pounding, she only walked slowly, grateful that Fate was also closing the distance between them. She held Nanoha gently once they meet, supporting her. And Nanoha giggled at how they had exchanged their role compared to a few weeks ago.
The brunette looked over Fate's shoulder, at her saddled black horse, her knapsacks and tent all fastened to the large animal. "You're leaving without even saying goodbye?"
"I–" Fate shook her head. "I can't see you."
"Why?"
"I'm sorry, Nanoha…" Fate's eyes went downcast, avoiding Nanoha's forlorn gaze.
"No… Why are you sorry? Fate? Fate, look at me," When the blonde still refused, Nanoha cupped her hand under Fate's strong jaw and lifted it, prompting Fate to look at her reluctantly. "Why didn't you come see me? You're avoiding me like I'm a plague."
"Nanoha…" Fate's soft voice had started to break. She pulled the brunette into a tight embrace then, but still mindful of Nanoha's injury. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry…"
"Fate…" Nanoha placed her hands on the small of Fate's back, rubbing it fondly. "What is it?"
"I'm sorry… I fell in love with you…"
Nanoha could feel her cheek reddened and she was glad they were hugging each other. So at least would not be able to see her all flustered. When Fate was trying to pull out of the embrace, Nanoha held her back. "You silly oaf…"
"Please let me go… Nanoha?"
"I don't want you to leave!" Nanoha cried. "I love you too, you big idiot."
"Wha–"
"Don't go…" Nanoha murmured, burying her face into Fate's chest, dampening the blonde's vest as she was already tearing up. "Stay… Eat more of my cooking… Take care of Vivio… Teach her how to shoot… Hunt with me… Anything… Just, don't leave."
"Nanoha," Fate started, tears were also threatening to fall from her eyes. "I'm a murderer. I've killed more people than you could guess. My hands are not meant for love. It's for killing. There's no way I could, I could… stay… Nanoha, you lost your family because of me!"
"Liar… Your hands… They're warm." Nanoha hiccupped. "Fate, you're the most kind-hearted person I know. It would… It would make me so happy if you become part of my family. I believe that… That even my parents would want me to move on from their deaths. I've seen you with Vivio, Fate… She–she loves you. I love you. You have nowhere to go, right? Then, stay…"
"Nanoha…"
"Please… Stay…"
"I can't, I have to go back to the city. If I don't, they will do ungodly things to you. They will find out that you've stopped me. They always will," Shaking her head, Fate continued, slipping out of their hug. "I can't have that happen to you, Nanoha. If they hurt you, I'm afraid I'd go insane. You should have seen me! When you were shot, I lost it!"
Nanoha reached for Fate desperately, but the blonde had already taken off running. "No… Fate!"
Mounting her dark horse hurriedly, Fate tugged the reins and turned it towards the town's entrance, before a gunshot stopped her.
"Not so fast!"
Nanoha looked to her side, surprised, to see her sheriff friend closing in. Behind her, her deputy officer Signum had her revolver aimed towards the sky. A warning shot. What were they planning? To her horror, Signum then levelled the gun towards Fate.
"Fate Testarossa," Hayate said with a voice full of authority. "Please dismount from your horse immediately."
Fate followed the marshal's order without question.
Hayate pulled out a piece of paper from her pocket and smoothed the wrinkles out. She had stuffed it in a hurry. She coughed before reading the letter, "Under the jurisdiction of the Central Government's Highest Order, your contract as a Commissioned Officer has been terminated. Your offences have been duly expunged for your constant and excellent efforts in carrying out the law. You are to be expected to report at the East Government's main office in the shortest time possible for your next allocation."
It was too much for both Nanoha and Fate to take. The two of them were believably silent. The East Government…
"Well," Hayate grinned sheepishly before turning on her heels and leaving her two friends. "That's that."
"Testarossa," Signum commanded before following her chief. "Report yourself in Chief Hayate's office in ten."
Once the two officers were out of sight, Nanoha made her move. Fate was still frozen in her track. That… That was it? She's free from the ever looming threat of the Central Government? She no longer had to worry about the well-being of people around her? She did not need to distance herself from people she holds dear anymore? She no longer needed to kill unnecessarily? It all seemed too good to be true.
Her hand was taken tenderly by someone, and she noticed Nanoha had gathered her hand in hers. She looked at the woman she had become so fond of in such a short span of time, at the tears glistening in her dazzling violet eyes, at the reassured smile on her lips…
Oh, her lips…
"Na–Nanoha…" Fate managed, closing the space between their quivering lips. "Is it okay?"
And Nanoha laughed helplessly, the sight of the writhing gunslinger was amusing to her. "Go ahead, love."
Nanoha's joyous laugh tickled Fate's ear and she leaned forward and kissed her, slowly, reverently. And Nanoha's wound no longer hurt; her body moulding so perfectly onto Fate's. Nanoha was thankful at how gentle the blonde was well into the kiss but she decided this herself–she gave into it, gave all to it. It was a moment's passion that ruled their body over their mind, though they still knew then, how much they wanted each other.
Epilogue–yay or nay?