A/N I would like to start this chapter by issuing an apology. As one person noted, I might have gone overboard with all the extra A/Ns and unnecessary data in the last chapter. I am actually glad that was brought to my attention. Why? so I won't do them again! Or at least as much as before :p That's what reviews are for! They are for the betterment of the story, a chance to point out things to make them better. So please continue to lend me your support as I unfold this story. *bows* With that said...lets roll the next episode!
~~ Chapter 2 ~~
~La la la la la la-la~
The sound of a J-pop tune broke the silence of the early morning. I reached out to he general area of where the sound was coming from and tried to find the source, hoping to stop it before it either ran out of batteries or drove me insane. Eventually I managed to grasp the item in question and turn it off. I uncurled myself and stretched out as much as I could before pulling the covers off my head. My vision started to clear up as I looked straight ahead onto a large brown box.
"Oh yeah, that's right" I spoke to myself. "I fell asleep after unpacking the living room..."
I had just recently moved in two days ago and had been painstakingly working on trying to get the house into some kind of order. There were many boxes brought in and they filled up almost the entire living room. Although I wanted to just start tearing into them and unpacking everything, I decided to situate myself and place the boxes into designated areas. Why? I figured it would be easier to maneuver around the house if the boxes meant for certain rooms were in those said rooms. That being said, I spent almost all of yesterday just moving things to their proper places and barely managed to finish all the living room items.
"Might as well get up" I thought to myself "I have to go to my new school today."
I looked at the clock on my way to the bathroom. It was still early so I didn't have to rush and the feel of the cool water hitting my face was too refreshing to ignore. Maneuvering around the boxes in my room, I made my way to the kitchen where 2 boxes sat on the table waiting to be unpacked. I pulled out the small frying pan and dug around for the spatula in hopes of making myself a quick breakfast. I sighed deeply as I began to cook, memories of when my mother used to do this for me floating into my mind.
"She stood right here...in this very spot..."
This house...once belonged to my grandparents. My mother had taken care of it as best she could so that one day I could take it and make it my own. Who would have thought that the next time I would be in this house, I would be all alone. I sighed one more time as I finished cooking, I pulled my bento box over so I could put the extras in for lunch. Finally, after several minutes I was able to sit down and eat.
"Itadakimasu~~"
I pulled out my notebook while I ate and looked over my class schedule. Today will be my first day so it wasn't loaded--not that I cared anyway. I flipped through several pages and stopped when my eyes noticed a small note that I had added at the end of one page.
"So 3-A is my classroom" I thought while I continued to munch away "That's right, I have to go meet my homeroom teacher in the Student Council office"
I checked the clock again and noticed that it was getting close to the time I needed to leave. I quickly washed my plates and ran into my room to put my uniform on. One last look in the mirror of the bathroom after I brushed my teeth and it was a dash to the door. I turned around after putting on my shoes and was about to announce that I was leaving but...silence was all that was left of this once lively house. I sighed as I closed the door behind me, locking it and tossing the key into my bag as I pulled out my notebook.
"I guess I should head to school..."
~xX*Xx~
"Welcome..." a girl stood up from behind her desk as I walked into the Student Council office "My name is Lanster, Teana--the Student Council President, please have a seat."
"Takamachi, Nanoha." I bowed "pleasure to meet you. I walked over to her desk and sat down in front of her. She did the same after pouring two cups of tea and serving me one. I looked her over and noted to myself that she looked younger than me, she had to be.
"Yes, I'm a second year student" she said as if reading my mind "don't let that bother you. My job is to make sure you have a easy transition to our school; that being said if you have any problems, complaints, or concerns feel free to bring them up to me."
I just nodded in silence as I picked up the cup and took a sip.
"Now" she began again "I called you here for two reasons: the first being to meet your Homeroom teacher. The second being that I wanted to let you know I assigned you to someone."
"Assigned me?"
"Yes, since you are brand new to the school there will be many things you might not be accustomed to. Things that might be burdensome to you, things that might cause unforeseen circumstances for you, that's why I asked a member of your class to specifically look after you for a few days until you get the hang of things."
"I don't mean to be rude" I put the cup down "but I would prefer if no one bothered with me, besides--"
"Takamachi-san" she cut me off "this isn't up for debate."
I was about to respond back when we heard a knock on the door
"Come in" Lanster called
A woman with long blond hair and dark clothes walked in. She could have easily passed for a nun if she had a Rosary around her neck or something.
"Takamachi-san" Lanster stood up and I followed suit "this is Gracia, Carim-sensei. She will be your homeroom instructor starting today"
"Nice to meet you" she bowed
"Likewise" I followed suit
"Its almost time for class" Lanster said looking towards the clock "Sensei, please take care of her"
We both left the office and started making our way to the classroom. Gracia-sensei stared at me the entire time, which sorta made me feel a little strange but I didn't want to offend her so I stayed quiet.
"As you heard from Lanster-san" she broke the silence "someone has been assigned to help you out for the next couple of days"
"Is she always that pushy?" I sighed "She didn't even listen to what I had to say"
"That's very much like her hehe. Dont worry Takamachi-san, shes just trying to look out for your well-being that's all. Besides I think you'll have to worry more about how the students will react"
"React?"
"Yeah, you are so cute they probably wont leave you alone" she smiled "but don't worry, the person assigned to you will shield you from all of them"
"Um, Gracia-sensei..."
"Carim"
"Eh?"
"Call me Carim-sensei if you would" she smiled
"Carim...sensei" I tested it out "Who is this person that's been 'assigned' to help me?" I sighed, half defeated.
"Dont worry she's reliable" she said as she stood in front of the door "I promise to make things easy for you. Now if you would please wait here for a moment" she said as she opened the door and walked in "Hai! Homeroom is starting!"
I heard the shuffling of chairs as everyone took their seats. I could also hear Carim-sensei talking about me to the class.
"As you all know there is a transfer student today. Shes a very smart, yet quiet individual so if possible I would like you not to pounce on her all at once. Inchou, you will be in charge to managing her until she settles in ok?"
"So the class president is the one I am assigned to" my mind deduced "I hope she doesn't bother me that much"
"Now would you please come in" Carim said with a slightly louder voice so I could hear her.
I opened the door and walked in. The class stared at me in silence as I made my way next to her and looked at them all. "Nice you meet you all" I said as best I could "I am Takamachi, Nanoha. Its a pleasure." I bowed and the class started going "ooooh~~" and began erupting into their own little pockets of conversation.
"They seem like a noisy bunch" I sighed to myself "I hope it wasn't a mistake coming here..."
I continued to scan the classroom and my eyes fell on a blond haired girl. For some reason she stood out, maybe because she was the only one that remained quiet and actually looked at me--check that, more like looked through me. For some reason her aura was different from the others, her burgundy eyes seemed to want to communicate something to me, but I just didn't seem to understand it. It almost looked as if she was relieved to see me--like she has been expecting me all along. I don't know, just something about her...seemed odd.
"That's enough!" Carim-sensei spoke up, dispelling the chaos "Now then Takamachi-san" she looked at me "Your seat is next to the Inchou." she pointed to the seat next to the blond.
I bowed and walked over to my seat, luckily it was next to the window. I placed my bag on my desk and sat down. Carim-sensei started going over all the homeroom matters while I uncaringly looked out the window. I could feel the vermilion eyes training on me, but I didn't care. I just wanted to be left alone, I didn't want to deal with other people when I already have more than enough to deal with myself. I figured if I ignored her, she would go away...or so I thought.
~xX*Xx~
The lunch bell finally rang and before I could stand up, there were classmates surrounding my desk.
"Um, Takamachi-san" one of them started "I was wanting to know what your interests were, you see I am from the drama club and I wanted to know if you were interested in seeing things over there"
"Eh..." I started to respond but was cut off
"Ah, no fair!" another chimed in "Takamachi-san" the girl grasped my hands "would you be interested in joining the newspaper club? You will hear all the news that happens around the school! Every little bit of the good, bad, and ugly things that people don't know about."
"If that is too much running around for you what about the photography club?" yet another classmate joined in "you would be a good model for us to show cute outfits and other things as well."
One after another, they launched their questions in rapid-fire succession. It was getting so noisy that I couldn't hear myself think much less try to voice my own opinion. I started to get agitated and was about to slam on my desk to make everyone stop so I can get some peace and quiet when...
"Everyone! Stand aside!" a voice towered above the rest. I looked up and saw that it belonged to the blond haired student that sat next to me. She glared at everyone much like how a mother would look at a misbehaving child. "Cant you all see that you are troubling her?" she grabbed my hand "If you have questions for her, do it in an orderly fashion, but right now" she pulled me up "let's have some lunch shall we?" she said as she started to drag me towards the door. I barely managed to grab my bento box as I was pulled away from the classroom, down the hallway, up the stairs, and on to the roof. "We should be safe here" she said as she leaned against the door "I am sorry I couldn't step in sooner, I had some things to turn in to the instructor."
I just nodded as I caught my breath from running.
"Ah, that's right" she said as if it just hit her "I haven't introduced myself have I?" she stood there and took a deep breath as if trying to slow down her heartbeat. "My name is Testarossa, Fate" she held out her hand towards me "its a pleasure to meet you."
It might have been the angle of the sun, my tired eyes, or maybe just the way she introduced herself, but this girl standing before me...was beautiful. The light reflected perfectly from her golden hair, which was carried gently in the breeze that passed us on the roof. I reached out and took her hand "Takamachi...Nanoha" I responded slowly, unable to figure out what else to say.
"This isn't good" I thought to myself "I cant get caught in this situation again. I don't want to--"
"Shall we have some lunch?" she asked as she made her way to the bench.
"Thank you Testarossa-san" I straightened myself out "for rescuing me from our classmates, but I will be fine from here so you don't have to bother with me any longer."
"My mother's maid, Linith makes some really good meals." she spoke as if ignoring what I said "I would like to try making my own but unfortunately I am horrible at cooking hehehe"
"Are you even listening to me?"
"Yes" she looked at me seriously "but I think you could at least show the decency of having lunch with me no?" she smiled
"Alright" I sighed in defeat "I'll have lunch with you as a thanks for saving me back there. After this, we are even. Although Lanster-san asked you to look after me, I will spare you the trouble of having to worry about me. I would just like to be left alone."
"Ok" she accepted quickly. I looked at her with surprise on my face, I didn't expect her to just give up so easily. "but on the condition that if you are truly lost or need something you come to me first."
"Alright, alright..." I sighed again "as long as you and everyone else leaves me alone everything will be fine."
"So what do you like to do?" she asked as she started eating
I looked at her and was about to say "Didn't you understand what I just said?" but she responded right as I opened my mouth
"You're already here, we're already sitting down, and we're already eating. So why not just chitchat with me this one time? Those conditions don't take effect till after lunch anyway" she smiled
"Why are you doing this?" I glared up at her "Is it because Lanster-san asked you?"
"No..." she responded softly, looking down at her food "its because I want to..." the look in her eyes when she said that--it was the look of someone who had lost something irreplaceable--as if they were trying to deny that it was lost by fooling themselves into preoccupation. Almost as if...they were blaming themselves for what happened...
"I...see..." was all I could say. That look on her eyes made me start thinking. There are things you can recognize at a glance, and I already know there was something different about her just from the way she looked at me when I introduced myself this morning. Maybe that's what has been bothering me all along...because I vaguely sensed that she might be burdened with the same pain I am. But what should I do? Should I risk hurting myself all over again based on a feeling I am receiving from this girl? What if she just laughs at me? What if I get close to her and she decides to...No. I don't want to go through that again. It would be best if I just stayed away from her...for her sake as well as my own.
"Anyway have you settled in properly yet?" she broke the long silence between us "At home I mean"
"I still have a few boxes here and there, but I am almost done unpacking." I answered almost automatically
"I would offer to help you unpack but unfortunately I have my part time job to go to."
"Part time job?" my ears perked up. I was wanting to look for a job in the area just to have some pocket money. I didn't have problems with money, as a monthly allowance keeps being dropped into the account my parents left me. I figured one of my relatives or parent's friends or something felt sorry enough for me and decided to chip in a little. But if that's true...why didn't they take me in? why didn't they...*sigh* there's no point thinking about it now. "What do you do?"
"Eh?" she blushed a little and looked away. It was really cute, but I shook my head and tried to gain my composure "its embarrassing to say!" she shoved more food in her mouth to use as an excuse to dodge the question. "Why, are you looking for one?"
"Not really"
"Hmmmm~~" she looked at me in a teasing manner "but you looked so interested when I was talking about it" she grinned
I opened my mouth to respond when the warning bell ran signaling the end of lunch. I closed my empty bento box and stood up with an agitated look on my face. "Thank you very much for accompanying me. I hope I didn't waste more of your time than I needed to." I said in a half agitated half sarcastic tone "Now if you'll excuse me I am going back to class."
She smiled triumphantly as if it was her goal all this time to prod at me. I could have sworn I almost heard her chuckle as she packed her bento and stood up to follow me down the stairs. I took one last look behind me and floated back to the classroom.
~xX*Xx~
Finally...school is over. I began to pack up my bag as I prepared to leave. Testarossa stood next to my desk, as if wanting to say something to me. Of course I was ignoring her since I thought that we had an agreement of her leaving me alone after lunch. I stood up but found it difficult to leave the immediate vicinity of my desk as she stood there in front of me blocking my escape route.
"Is there something you needed?" I sighed finally.
"Lets go home together" she stated
"I thought we had a deal"
"We did, but I am breaking it. Now lets go."
She pulled my arm and started dragging me down the stairs and to the shoe lockers before I finally managed to break free when we past my section of the lockers. She kept going about 2 more isles down to her section and I had half a mind to escape. This girl just wont leave me alone for some reason and it was starting to get on my nerves. I put my normal shoes on and was about to make a dash for it when I ran into someone.
"Whoa!" the voice cried out
"I'm sorry!" I quickly apologized and got up about to take off again when--
"Stop her!" Testarossa's voice called out behind me
The next thing I knew my full momentum was suddenly brought to a halt as the hand of the person I ran into earlier grabbed my left wrist. My body instinctively reacted to the situation. I stomped my right foot on the ground and twisted my hips to give my right arm a swinging momentum as it surged forwards into the shoulder of the person who grabbed me. At the same time I broke the wrist lock on my left arm then grabbed his wrist firmly. My right hand, which connected with his shoulder, took a hold of it and with both arms I pulled him towards me and downward as I shot my right knee directly into his stomach. I didn't mean to do any of that...HONEST! I just...reacted. Before I knew what had happened, the body of this boy was laying on the ground trying to catch his breath.
"Yuuno-kun!" Testarossa ran over to him and started to look him over "Are you ok?! Hey! Wake up!" she started to panic.
"What happened?" a dark haired boy ran over to us "Fate, what is going on?" he asked "Yuuno! You ok?"
The blond boy who I just...reacted to (I swear I didn't mean it!) finally caught his breath and was groaning on the floor. Testarossa and this unknown boy picked him up and threw his arms around their shoulders to try to walk him to the infirmary.
"I'm sorry" I bowed. "I didn't know what happened, my body just reacted to what was going on. I didn't even realize what I was doing till it was over."
"No, I'm sorry it was all my fault." Testarossa spoke up "If I hadn't said anything none of this would have happened. I'm sorry Yuuno."
"Don't...mention...it" Yuuno said between breaths "that did...hurt though" he half laughed at me
"Let's take him to the infirmary" the dark haired boy spoke up
All four of us went to the infirmary under the gaze of several students, both those who witnessed the action and those who passed us along the hallway. I felt bad...I really did! I mean I just did all that to someone I didn't know! I hope they are going to be ok. We reached the doctor's office after a few minutes and Yuuno was looked over as we all waited outside. After several more minutes we were allowed to go back in.
"Alright you are fine" the school doctor spoke up "but whoever hit you knew exactly where to do it. Be glad you are still young and able to take such a hit hahaha." he looked at us "Make sure he gets some rest tonight. He'll be ok in the morning if he rests early tonight"
"Thanks very much Sensei" Testarossa bowed.
I walked over to Yuuno "I'm very sorry" I bowed once again "I didn't mean to do that"
"Well since its someone as pretty as you, I don't mind it so much haha" he tried to laugh it off
*whack* Testarossa's hand slapped the back of his head "Dont start getting any ideas now Yuuno-kun. She just transferred in so shes not available" she looks at the dark haired boy "Especially for you Onii-chan."
"I know, I know!" he waved his hands in front of him "I wouldn't even dream about it especially when I have someone else in mind."
"Anyway" Testarossa stood next to me "This is Scrya, Yuuno" she pointed to my...erm...attacker." my boyfriend. And this "she pointed to the other boy "is Harlaown, Crono. My best friend from back when we were kids."
Both boys bowed at me.
"And this dangerous little girl" she pointed at me with a large grin on her face "is..."
"Takamachi, Nanoha" I bowed to them "I'm sorry about what happened."
"I'm sorry I scared you" Scrya answered "remind me not to do that again" he touched his stomach
"I'm so sorry Scrya-san" I said once again
"Yuuno" he responded "you are a friend of Fate's right? So please call me Yuuno"
"Crono works for me as well" Harlaown spoke up
I nodded to them both as a gesture that I had acknowledged their requests. I looked at Testarossa with a slightly depressed look which she seemed to catch on to. She opened her mouth to say something but got interrupted.
"So tell me Yuuno" Crono tried to lighten the mood "how does it feel to get beat by a girl?"
"let me recover a little and I'll show you"
"Don't fight" Testarossa jumped in between them "or else I'll have Takamachi-san here take care of both of you" she smiled at me making me look down in embarrassment. She looked at the clock on the wall then over to me "Its getting late, we should go Takamachi-san"
"Eh?"
"Crono, please make sure Yuuno gets home safely...and doesn't get hit by another girl." she teased "I'll escort Takamachi-san home then head to work."
"Alright see you later Fate" the two boys said simultaneously as Testarossa grabbed my arm and pulled me outside towards the school gate.
"Testarossa-san..."
"Fate"
"Eh?"
"F-a-t-e" she turned around to face me "we're friends now aren't we?" she tilted her head
I sighed in defeat "Fate...-san" I started "I can manage myself from here, you don't have to walk me home."
"How about I just walk you as far as my work then?" she compromised
I sighed once more. I know I am not going to lose this girl that easily so I just nodded in agreement. We started walking towards the general direction of my house and she followed me casually as if we had the same destination. The entire time she was playing 20 questions. *sigh* Why is she so curious? Why cant she understand that I just want to be left alone? Cant she understand the little hints I am giving? I don't want to be hurt again so please...I'm begging you...just leave me alone. But fate could be cruel sometimes...I meant Fate fate, not the one walking next to me, although I am sure she could be cruel sometimes as well.
"Where did you learn how to do that?"
"Do what?" I responded
"Those moves you used to knock Yuuno down" she laughed softly "that was really cool"
"I was forced to learn them out of necessity"
"Necessity?" she looked at me
"Its nothing..."
"So you must like sports then"
"No, I'm not very athletic at all" I responded "I just learned a little bit of that just in case of emergency situations--"
"Like when someone randomly grabs your wrist to get your attention?" she teased
"Mou...!" I glared at her and she just laughed it off.
"I used to learn those kinds of things as well when I was younger..." she looked up at the sky "but I decided to quit."
"Why?" I looked over mildly interested
"What kind of jobs do you like to do?" she asked clearly avoiding my question.
"Why are you barraging me with so many questions?"
"I just want to get to know you better." she smiled "Besides, if you told me what kind of work you liked I could find one for you."
At this point I just gave up. No matter what I did, this girl was stuck on me. I might as well try to make her happy and she might leave me alone. "I'm interested in baking things, cooking, and making sweets."
"So like a bakery or a cafe is what you are interested in"
"Yes"
"I see" she started pondering, probably racking her brain for nearby stores that could use people
"Are you sure your work is this way?" I asked her as we both turned the last corner and stopped in front of my house.
"Hm? Oh, no it was a bit further back. I just wanted to know where you lived that's all" she smiled "its not that far from my house" she pointed down the street "I live maybe two blocks over."
"So you tricked me" I glared
"Yup" she nodded smiling
"Anyway" I sighed "I'll see you at school tomorrow...Fate-san"
"Take care Takamachi-san" she waved and started heading back up the street towards her work.
I walked up to my door then stopped. I turned around and ran back to my gate.
"Nanoha!" I called over to her
She turned around and looked at me
"Call me...Nanoha..." I looked down a little embarrassed "What the hell am I doing?!" I screamed at myself "Why am I getting so friendly with her already?! *argh!*"
She smiled at me and bowed slightly, but never taking her eyes off me "Take care then...Nanoha"
I could have sworn my heart skipped a beat when she called my name. I stood there and watched her turn around and continue on up the street. I stood and watched till she was out of sight before slowly walking back to my house and closing the door. I leaned against it and had to remind myself to breathe as I replayed that scene over and over again in my mind. I removed my shoes and dropped my bag on the floor as I ran upstairs into my bedroom and crashed on my bed. I didn't bother changing from my uniform as I laid there, recollecting the events of the day.
"That girl is a strange one" I thought "Testarossa, Fate...could she also be..." those were the last words that came through my exhausted mind. My eyes grew heavy and my body limp as the warmth and security of my own bed enveloped me and allowed me to release the tensions of the day through much wanted sleep...
A/N Note to self: Approach Nanoha from the FRONT where she wont go crazy on me on accident. Hehehe. Well I am pretty sure that by now you all realized this was Nanoha's chapter. I honestly don't know what else to say other than "That had to hurt". The green link is below once again! Please press it and let me know the good, bad, ughleh of this chapter. Oh right! In case you guys were wondering why I was using "Testarossa" instead of "Fate" for some parts, was to try and show the level of relationships from Nanoha's POV. During most of the time she wasn't even close friends with Fate, she didn't even know Yuuno until Fate called his name, and didn't know anything about Crono until he was introduced. I hope that makes sense to you guys o.O if not please tell me and I will clarify next chapter. Your reviews mean a lot...seriously. It not only shows support, but also allows me to understand things that you guys see--which I, 90% of the time, don't see. Thank you in advance for all the support and I hope you would continue to do so as I forge ahead and unfold this story. *bows*