Midnight Knight

by xlheslydesux

Disclaimer: I don't own Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha or any of its characters.

Chapter 3

~~~~~Flashback~~~~~

7 years ago

The most beautiful place or thing inside the Garden of Time for her is the largest and oldest tree sitting on the center of the forest. It possesses an extra ordinary beauty that will mesmerize anyone or anything when they lay their eyes upon it. This night was a full moon, and during this time this tree shines magnificently and mysteriously as is saying "come and live free with me". This is her favorite and most special place. Also, this is the place where she met her very first and special friend and right now, she is waiting for that person to arrive.

They have met on the first night that she sneaked out of her house and they have been friends since then. It's been six months and every day has been the happiest days of Nanoha's life.

"Nanoha!"

Nanoha turn her head at the direction of the voice calling out to her and couldn't help but smile at the figure of a young and elegant girl approaching her.

"You are late!"

Nanoha said pursing her lips.

"I am so sorry. I went and asked the Liese twins to help me bake some biscuits so we can eat them together but they spent most of the baking time talking rather than actually baking so we finished up so late. I am really sorry. If you forgive me, I will let you eat all this cookies."

Fate said smirking while shaking the plastic bag full of star shaped cookies in her hands.

"Those cookies better taste better than my mother's or I will not forgive you."

Nanoha said tapping the space beside her with her right hand, gesturing for Fate to sit beside her. Fate immediately smiled and went to sit beside Nanoha. She handed the cookies to Nanoha and reached out and grasp Nanoha's left hand.

"Someone is real grumpy today."

Fate said caressing Nanoha's hand and squeezing it gently. Nanoha rest her head on Fate's shoulder and snuggled into her arms.

"It has been a long day for me."

Nanoha said.

"It is the same for me… but it is better now that you are here."

Fate murmurs while hugging Nanoha closer to her.

The two of them sat together in silence while Fate gives Nanoha a back rub, Fate learned from the time she spent with Nanoha, that this action always made the girl in her relax.

"Is everything okay? Did something happen for you to be in a bad mood other than me being late?

Fate asked.

Nanoha stayed silent but hugged Fate tighter while shaking her head. After a few seconds, she answered quietly.

"It is nothing… I just really missed my friend… I missed you."

The truth is, early that morning while everyone in her family is having breakfast, Nanoha who has always stayed in her room, woke up with an exploding pain in her chest. She screamed and her family burst into her room calming and asking her what is wrong. Her father drove her to the clinic while she lay in the back of the car with her head on her mother's lap. When they arrived the usual people who knew her condition checked and injected her with fluids that she doesn't even care to know about anymore. After a few hours of sweat and pain, she finally fell asleep. When she woke up, her parents are hovering beside her, their face reflecting their worries. They told her that she just had an episode, a term which she came to understand while growing up as a word that means unknown cause. She was born with a weak body and every now and then, often than not, she will have this episodes, and all the doctors they have seen told them that they couldn't detect or find any reasons for her body to act like this. Until her parents brought her to the Klairwind Private Clinic. Nanoha is still not aware of her real sickness, whether it is a sickness or not, but she knew her parents knows it now. She has seen their reaction when they talked to the doctor of the clinic the first day she was brought there. How their faces changed from disbelief to worry and dejection. A look that told her she has something no one should normally have.

Shamal-sensei, the doctor in the Klairwind Private Clinic, is really kind and good in her job. Nanoha has decided that that is the cased because before she met the kind doctor, every time she has this so called episodes, Nanoha will always endure days of pain in her bed having no choice but to just wait for it to end. But after meeting Shamal-sensei, the pain she experiences in these episodes will magically disappear after the dear doctor attach a small but weird machine to her arms. Just like this afternoon, that is why she was able to go out and see Fate.

"I missed you too."

Fate said.

"Now… we should eat those cookies while they are hot. I have a feeling we wouldn't be able chew them if it gets cold. And If I can say so myself, there is nothing than can beat the taste of your mother's desserts, even myself."

Giggling, Nanoha straightened up and open the plastic bag in her hands.

"Okay, you are forgiven. You know how weak I am to people who praise my parents."

Laughing, Fate got one piece out of the bag and flips it to her mouth.

"I will ask my mother to bake some sweets tomorrow so you can taste them again."

Nanoha said taking a bite for herself.

"Yatta! Now I am getting excited to see you again tomorrow. I wish I could meet your parents someday."

Fate said giving Nanoha a serious look.

Nanoha gave Fate a sad smile and silently wraps her arms around her.

"Someday Fate… Someday, I promise to introduce you to them."

"Do you think they will like me? Or will they get scared? Will they take you away from me if they found out what am I? Is that the reason why you don't want me to meet them?"

Fate asked with sadness and fear in her voice.

"No! That is not it! I am sure my parents will love and accept you. I know they will because they are the kindest and understanding people that I know. Do not worry, Okay?"

Nanoha said trying hard to take away Fate's fear.

"I am sorry. I am the reason why you are feeling this way, aren't I?"

Nanoha said pushing away from Fate. Fate sensing Nanoha's anxiety, immediately snaked her arms around the smaller girl and forcing her to stay close.

"No! No, it is not that… I… I just feel like you are hiding something from me. I know you aren't lying and I trust you but I have always known that you are carrying something so heavy inside your heart. I just want to know what it is."

Fate tilted Nanoha's face towards her and put their foreheads together.

"Meeting you is the most wonderful thing that happened in my life, Nanoha. That is why I have this urge to know everything about you and everyone in your life. I love you."

Upon hearing this, Nanoha's heart skipped a beat and her face turned really red.

"Does she know what she is doing to me?… to a human like me?… Does the meaning of "I love you" the same in our world? Or does she mean something else…"

Nanoha said in her mind.

When Nanoha didn't respond, Fate drew away a little and saw the cutest thing she ever saw in her life. Nanoha blushing and fidgeting under her gaze. And before she even knew it, she came closer and kisses Nanoha on the cheek. Nanoha's eyes grew so wide that Fate couldn't help but laugh.

"Come on… It is late and you need to go home before the sun rises."

Fate said standing up.

For a moment, Nanoha didn't understand what happened but when she finally realized it. She grew even redder than possible. With wobbling feet, she tried to stand up and grasp Fate's hand.

"Mou… you surprised me!"

Nanoha said hitting Fate on the shoulder. Fate only answered with a laugh. They walked together towards the boundary of the Garden of Time and the City. When they reached it, the just stood there and hold hands silently for a few more minutes before finally deciding to let go of each other.

"See you tomorrow."

Both of them said with a sad smile.

When she reached home, Nanoha was so focused on getting back to her room without making the tiniest sound that she didn't notice the two figures in the dark living room, silently watching over her.

"She is finally home."

Momoko whispered to her husband.

"Yeah. I just sensed Kyouya go back the moment she returned."

Shiro answered.

"She seems exhausted… but happy."

Momoko said with tears in her eyes. Even though it is dark, Shiro wiped it away from her wife's eyes and held her closed.

"They make each other happy. Precia informed me that Fate also changed a lot after she met Nanoha. They are born for each other, and even though we tried not to let them cross each other's path, fate still made a way for them to be together. I believe that now more than ever."

"Me too."

Momoko answered.

"But honestly, do they really think that we do not know about them sneaking out. Fate is not allowed to leave the Garden of Time and Nanoha is now allowed to go out during the night. What are they both thinking?"

Shiro said in exasperation.

Momoko laughed and rub her husband's back calming him.

"They are young… and still so innocent. I am sure they do not see and think of anything right now other than each other."

With a sigh, they both walked out of the living room and back their room.

~~~~~End of Flashback~~~~~

Present Time

Even without opening her eyes, Nanoha knew where she was. She feels the familiar softness of her pillow and the familiar smell of her room. She was dozing off to sleep again when she heard her door opened. Nanoha took a peek out of the corner of her eyes and saw Hayate looking straight at her with sadness and guilt? Not understand why her friend has this expression, Nanoha got up and regarded her friend seriously.

"Hey."

Nanoha greeted.

"Hey to you too."

Hayate answered back, finally smiling.

"I taught you would never wake up. I was starting to grow really old here."

Seeing the smile on her friends face lightened Nanoha's heart and she laugh.

"I told you I was getting a treatment from Shamal-sensei today, so it is obvious that I will sleep a long time afterwards. Why are you even here?"

Nanoha said while getting off her bed.

"Do not get up. Lie down and rest, you need it."

Hayate said urgently when she saw her friend get up.

"I am fine Hayate; I just received treatment so I feel good."

Nanoha said perplexed with her friend's behavior.

"I know… but still…"

Though she doesn't understand, Nanoha decided to heed her friend's words hearing the silent worry and urgency hidden in it. At the same time, Arf entered her room and walked slowly towards her.

"Hey girl. What is wrong?"

Nanoha asked when she saw that like her friend; het pet is also looking sad and guilty.

"What is wrong with the both them? I just received a treatment, so why are they both looking so worried."

Nanoha said in her mind. Nanoha petted Arf and tried to hug the dog but it wouldn't let her.

"What is wrong Arf? Do you hate me?"

Nanoha asked.

The big dog stiffened and as if to show her owner that that is not the case, Arf jump straight to Nanoha's body making Nanoha fall back to her bed with a thud.

"Argh! Okay! Okay, I know now that you don't hate nyahaha."

Nanoha rubs Arf's head and kissed her nose. When she drew back to looked at her pet she noticed something buried under her dog's ears. She sat up and took a look closer, that is when she realized that it is blood. Her pet's ears and some of her fur have small drops of blood over them.

Hayate saw Nanoha turned pale and froze when she noticed what caused it. She tried to open her mouth but no words came out, she realized that she came over Nanoha's house without any plan at all on what to say to her if what she thinks is going to happen happens. At the end she decided to go with their original plan, Fate's plan.

"Nano -."

"Fate!"

Nanoha shouted interrupting Hayate.

"I saw Fate! She was with me earlier!"

Nanoha said standing up and grabbing Hayate on the shoulder so hard. So hard that if Hayate was a human, she would have been really hurt.

"Who? What are you talking about Nanoha?"

Hayate said with determination.

"Fate! My Fate! I saw her fighting someone or something and then… I got hurt…"

Nanoha said trailing off… She suddenly put her hands all over her body, checking for her injuries and the blood on her clothes. This made her realized that she is now wearing a different set from the ones she had put on when she left their house. And that is when the cloud in her mind and heart, the cloud that she had always carried within her ever since she first woke up without her memories, faded away and returned the pieces of her soul that was taken away from her that crucial night.

"Why am I alive? I was in the Garden of Time with Fate and Arf…We came there because Fate said she was gonna show and give me something... That is when those guys arrived and hurt Fate… No… They didn't just hurt her… They killed her… Fate was lying on the ground with blood all over her… She wasn't moving at all… I was so lost and scared that is why I decided to… Because her life is more important than mine… But why am I here?... Did Fate save me?... She did, didn't she… That is why I am still alive?"

Nanoha continued to talk and talk… not noticing the look on Hayate's face and on Arf's eyes. When Hayate noticed that Nanoha is beginning to panic, she approached her and hugs her.

"Nanoha, calmed down. You are having an attack, you should stop thinking and go back to sleep."

"No, I am not! My memories, they are coming back. Hayate my lost memories are coming back!"

Nanoha shouted while trying to free herself from her friend's tight embrace.

"No, they are not. You are just confused, you have just received a treatment your mind is just playing tricks with you."

Hayate insisted.

"What are you talking about, Hayate? I am telling you that I saw Fate! I remember her."

Nanoha said finally able to push away from Hayate.

"No, you don't. She is just a dream. A pigment of your imagination, something that you created because you are lonely. Nanoha, just listen to me and go back to sleep. Tomorrow, when you wake up you will be able to think clearly and calmly."

Hayate continued talking and Nanoha just stared at her friend not believing what she is hearing. Hayate have always listened and belived everything she said from the moment they have met. She has always supported Nanoha and gave her courage but something is different now. She just can't pinpoint what it is.

"I met Signum's master today, she is a nice girl and the same age as you. She has short brown hair and she really like reading books. You too will definitely be good friends. I will as her to come with me sometime so she can meet you. You will love Hayate."

Nanoha grabbed her head as it pounded with the new memory that suddenly came to her.

"You're Hayate."

Nanoha said not asking but stating.

"Huh?"

Hayate asked. She is the one confused now.

"You are Hayate!"

Nanoha repeated.

"Y – yes I am. Do you know any other Hayate here in the city?"

Hayate said not knowing why her friends focused changed to her but she is somehow glad.

Nanoha drop to the floor and laugh. She laughed so hard that tears started flowing out her eyes. She tried to wipe them off but they just kept on flowing.

Hayate and Arf looked at each other and decided to approach Nanoha. But before they even made a step forward Nanoha raised her head and look at them. The expression that they saw made the both of them to low away. Nanoha's face was full of pain and sadness.

Minutes past and nobody tried to move from their spot… and then Nanoha started crying. Hayate let her friend cry her pain as she also sat on the floor. When she thought that Nanoha stop crying, she will hear another set of sobs. This continued almost an hour and Hayate couldn't take it anymore. She decided she needs to stop this pain already. Her master might not like what she will do but she doesn't care anymore. She will not let the pain and agony that her friends have suffered for years to continue any longer.

"Nanoha, about Fate -."

"Stop! I… I don't want to hear it right now… I am too tired, Hayate. I just want to clear my mind and rest."

Nanoha slowly stood up and walked towards her bed.

"But Nanoha, I just want to say that Fate is -."

"I said stop! Stop already, Hayate… I know what you are going to say so just drop it. Okay. Just leave me alone for a while. Go home, Hayate. Everything is going to be alright."

"You don't -."

"Please! Please just go… I can't take it anymore… please… I am begging you."

Nanoha said starting to cry again.

Hayate wanted to stubbornly continue but when she heard Nanoha's voice tremble, her resolved melt like snow. She decided to leave the room and let Nanoha calm down first. Her friend needed also, now that she finally decided to tell her the whole truth. She called Arf, and they both walked out of Nanoha's door but not her life. They will not leave her life because they finally will enter again.

A/N: Hi guys, as promised I have posted a new chapter! I know some of you thought that I would not honor my promise, but here it is, I honored it hehehe. Though I have updated, it is a little short compared to the past chapters. You will have to forgive me for that, I wanted to make it longer but I just don't have the time... so… sorry… This chapter might have lots of errors and typos but just bear with it. I have no time to proof read so I immediately uploaded it upon finishing. Next, I will try and update "The Forgotten Sky" next month… and maybe this story too… but I am not promising okay hehehe… But I promised to update them from time to time, I will not let them be unfinished forever. I swear! Feel free to leave some comments or suggestions. Thank you… :)