Are We Destined?
By CleideJam
Chapter 7: The Lieutenant and The Captain
3rd POV
TSAB is a bureau that specializes in training soldiers that will protect the world from terrorists, enemies and mad scientists. An organization that composes of well-trained, brilliant and élite captains, generals and lieutenants that are meticulously picked and two of these leaders are Fate's long-time friends.
A woman with brown hair wearing circular eyeglasses swiftly walks towards a room where their division's leader is residing. She knocks on the door and receives a soft reply from their boss. Opening the door, she quickly recognizes the other person who is talking with her leader.
"Captain Signum?! S-Sorry for disturbing your conversation with the Lieutenant-General. I thought she doesn't have any guest for today" the brunette with eyeglasses quickly says and reaches for the door. But she is stop by a strong yet firm hand. The brunette gazes at the person who had stop her.
"Captain Signum? Is there a problem?" the brunette asks wondering why the stern and silent captain grabs her arm.
"It's alright, Shari. But you don't need to get out of this room without doing your purpose of entering it" the pink-haired and tall captain says as she pulls Shari towards a seat in front of their General-Lieutenant's desk.
"Captain…" Shari mumbles looking at the hand that is pulling her and a few streaks of blushes tints on her face.
Signum is just about to tell something when she hears a soft giggle. Looking at the owner of the giggles, Signum's emerald eyes sparkles with annoyance.
"Don't say it, General-Lieutenant Yagami" she voices out sternly but their leader just couldn't control it any further and she bursts out laughing.
"Ahahaha! I'm-Hahaha-sorry, Signum. Haha-it' just that I can't believe it! Really! How can a stoic, stern and stiff woman like you could easily capture the hearts of the pure maidens of our division?! What are you?! A walking human pheromone?! Haha!" the short-haired brunette also known to be their division's head and the youngest General-Lieutenant of TSAB is none other Hayate Yagami.
Signum deadpans at Hayate's statement and shakes her head in apology while the secretary who has fallen for Signum blushes even deeper.
"Hayate… choose carefully, you either shut up or I tell Carim that you are here" the captain warns her friend whom in return quickly shuts up.
Hayate stiffens at the mention of Carim's name. Just the thought of the blonde doctor already gives her the heartaches and the memory of what she saw in the hospital isn't doing her any good.
"Sorry" Signum apologizes realizing that she has touch something sensitive in Hayate.
"It's fine, Signum. Anyways, what can I do for you, Shari?" the brunette leader asks formally.
"Oh…right! I came to give you the mail that was delivered by a man named Yuuno Scrya" Shari sees the faces of the two women is in shock after she mentions the name.
However, Signum quickly recovers and takes the mail from Shari.
"Thank you, Shari. We will take care of this. You may go now" the captain who is second in command informs their secretary.
"A-ah… right. I'll go" the brunette stutters as she tries her best not to squeal just when Signum holds her hand. No longer wanting to embarrass herself in front of their division's two leaders, the brunette quickly gets out of the room with a look that gives shame to the tomatoes.
Just when Shari is gone…
"Ahahahaha! Really! Signum! Hahahahaha! You sneaky flirt!" Hayate says as she narrows her eyes at the pinkette.
"I am not a flirt, Hayate. And stop that. You are degrading the title as the General-Lieutenant" Signum informs as she takes a comfortable seat.
"Here" the captain hands the mail over Hayate.
"Yuuno… Scrya… Who would have thought that this guy who is such a bean sprout is the one who will be married first?" the brunette smirks remembering how her blonde friend, Fate, could easily defeat Yuuno with her eyes closed.
"Hayate, marriage is not the topic here. Just open the mail and read what it contains" Signum warns.
"Fine. I'll open this" Hayate tears the envelope and slowly slips off of it a white paper.
Hayate opens the paper revealing the seal of the Scrya fmily.
After scanning the letter, Hayate stares at the distant and unconsciously clenches her fist thus crumpling the paper. Signum recognizes the trait as a behavior of Hayate when she finds out something bad.
"What did he say?" the pinkette could no longer contain herself and asks for some information.
Hayate gazes at Signum.
"Vice…he's…gone" Hayate says her eyes becoming dull.
"…." Signum remains quiet letting herself to absorb the information that one of their division's best soldier was killed in a war against those heartless terrorists.
"Vice…" tears flows from Hayate's eyes and she feels guilty for her comrade's death.
"Hayate, this is not your fault. We both know that this is how are job goes. We enter a war and doesn't know when will we exit it…breathing…or not" the words gets out of Signum's mouth like a curse that is forbidden to be spoken.
"I know that, Signum. But what if you die next? What am I supposed to tell Shamal if her girlfriend dies next? Signum! What?" the brunette asks as she hides her face with her palms.
Signum walks behind the brunette.
"I won't die and so are you. We still have a mission to finish and after that we can finally return to them" the pinkette says as she rubs Hayate's back slowly.
"I just want this mission to end…" Hayate mumbles.
Meanwhile in Uminari city Fate and her fiancée Ginga are inside the blonde's car as Fate drives the purple-haired girl to her shop. Fate from time to time glances at the happy face of her fiancée.
"You seem to be so happy today, may I have the knowledge why?" she asks as she herself smiles. It seems Ginga's joyful side is influential.
"Mhmm! I'm just happy, Fate-san. Because…" Ginga pauses and lays her hand on top of Fate's hand that is resting on the clutch of her car. Just right on time, the traffic light beams a color of red.
Taking this chance, Fate faces the girl.
"Because?" the blonde asks as she sees something attractive in Ginga's eyes.
"Because I finally have you as my fiancée, Fate-san. Ever since the day that we met, you've already captured my attention but I do know that you are just doing this because of THAT condtion…" Ginga says with nostalgia and her gaze moves away from Fate. She removes her hand from the top of Fate's and faces the window.
"You know, even though this engagement is arranged I'm still happy that its with you. And I am doing my best to fall for you. Will you please wait for a little longer?" Fate says and turns Ginga's head towards her.
Surprised, Ginga's eyes widens at the close distance between them. The innocent girl shuts her eyes closed trying to use all of her self-control.
Fate kisses Ginga's forehead and returns to her wheel.
Still flushed, Ginga dumbly utters a soft "yes".
The morning of a certain Takamachi family begins with the usual jogging of the Shiro, Kyouya and Miyuki while Momoko and Nanoha prepares their breakfast for the day. The two brunettes of the family are having a light conversation about the things that had happened when Nanoha has been out in search of the person that Hayate has tasked Nanoha to look for.
"Nanoha dear, if I may ask, how is your search for Hayate's old friend going? Have you found this person?"Momoko asks her daughter as she meticulously beat eggs in a bowl. She has been worrying about her daughter's decision ever since her close friend Hayate disappeared leaving only a letter for her daughter.
"Umm… I found the person Hayate-chan wants me to meet, Okaa-san. It was actually Fate-chan! Can you believe it? The person who saved my life is the same person that will be the key to bring back my lost memories!" the younger brunette pauses her cooking as she faces her mother with an excited face and joyful aura. "Why have you asked about it, Okaa-san?" Nanoha adds as she returns her focus on the pancake she is cooking.
"Well… that is quite a news. Have you told anything to Fate-chan about this matter?" the matriarch asks in wonder.
"I…uhh…" Nanoha rubs the back of her neck in nervousness as some few streaks of red are displayed on her cheeks.
"You forgot to tell her, am I right?" the older brunette teases her daughter with a rare smirk on her face. Well, this doesn't bring any surprise to her though because she knows that when her daughter's mind has been carried off somewhere it is already a difficult task to bring it back unless one throws it back to her.
"Gomen, nyahahaha" Nanoha replies coyly feeling much more embarrass due to the fact that she forgets her main purpose of going into that tunnel and the fact that her mother is teasing her about it.
"It's fine, Nanoha. But make sure to tell her next time you see her, ok? And Nanoha…?" Momoko calls ut with a doubt.
"What is it, Okaa-san?" Nanoha takes the initiative to ask her mother what the older woman is thinking.
"Are you sure about this? I mean…are you sure that you want to remember your lost memories? Because regaining those could bring you into a state of trauma, dear…." The mother finally admits and her eyes become dull as she remembers some of her daughter's painful memory.
Seeing that her pancakes are all ready, the brunette turns of the stove and walks beside her quiet mother. Nanoha takes hold her mother's hands and she gazes at those similar blue eyes that she possesses.
"I know that it would be very hard and traumatic, Okaa-san. But my answer is a YES. I want to know, if not everything, even just the main point…the main reason I keep on having THOSE dreams" Nanoha says to her mother trying to ease the fear that the older one has. But she can't help to suddenly feel something empty inside of her as she remembers the dream that repeats every night of her life.
"Nanoha… if that is what you want then I am fine with it. I just hope that one day you'll be able to live a normal life…." Momoko hugs her daughter when she recognizes the tint of loneliness and emptiness in the eyes of her daughter.
"Thank you, Okaa-san… thank you…." The brunette gives her a final tight hug and lets go of her mother. Nanoha then proceeds to prepare the table for their breakfast.
But the younger brunette's body seems to be on autopilot because her head is filled of the few images that she can remember from the dream. A dream where she finds herself in their family's dojo with her standing beside her parents as they watch two blonde kids fighting. The brunette could not really see the faces of the two blonde but she could see a glowing aura outlining their bodies. Nanoha recognizes a shiny green aura on the short-haired blonde who is struggling to win against its opponent who is also a blonde although this one has a brighter shade of color hair and an attractive burgundy aura is protecting her. And at the end of the match, the one with the burgundy aura wins the friendly batte.
However, when Nanoha sees herself walking towards the figure, all the people around her would disappear thus leaving her all alone. And what's worst…her dream always ends where she gets hit by a very fast car and everything shuts down.
"…ha?..."
"….noha?..."
"Hey, Nanoha? Are you alright?" her mother's voice rings around her head and brings her back to the real world.
"W-what?" the brunette faces her mother who is now wearing a very concerned expression.
Momoko walks towards her daughter and grabs Nanoha's shoulders gently just like how a mother would.
"Are you alright, dear? Is there something bothering you?" the sorrowful voice of her mother brings Nanoha in a state of guilt.
"Of course I am, Okaa-san. I just remembered something, nyahaha. No need to worry" she assures her mother and continues to place the plates on the table.
Although she is worried sick, Momoko simply believes her daughter's answer. She doesn't want to force Nanoha into anything anymore but something still bothers Momoko.
"What will you do if you ever found out the truth between you and Fate-san, Nanoha?" she mentally asks as herself eyes glazes with guilt and sorrow. The mother seems to have not yet forgiven herself although Fate has already forgiven her. She realizes just how nice and understanding the blonde doctor is. She notices how lucky her friend, Ginga Nakajima is to have such an almost perfect fiancée.
"I'm sorry…." The mother unconsciously says which didn't go unnoticed to her daughter. However, even before Nanoha could ask her mother, the other members of their family have returned from their daily jogging. Momoko walks out of the kitchen to greet them leaving a dumbfounded Nanoha in the kitchen.
"How are you doing, Nanoha?" the gentle voice of Fate asks as she stands from her seat and begins examining the brunette's breathing with her stethoscope.
Nanoha stares at Fate Testarossa as if the blonde doctor is a celebrity and she is a paparazzi. And after analyzing everything she finds out how troublesome the doctor's long white suit is.
"Darn suit, it's covering Fate-chan's beautiful curv—Wait! What in the world am I saying?! I need to focus. Focus Takamachi! You came here to have your check up and ask Fate-chan about Hayate. Right. Just concentrate on that" she mentally slaps herself as her sparkling blue eyes land on Fate cleavage.
"Stupid eyes, stupid mind and stupid v-neck blouse of Fate-chan!" the brunette whines mentally as she shakes her head trying to erase the not-so-innocent images of the blonde doctor in her mind.
Noticing that Nanoha is spacing out and not answering her question, Fate gazes at the mother of her patient who is just sitting beside her daughter. Momoko gives an apologetic smile to Fate seeing that her daughter has been spacing out again.
"Nanoha? Fate-san is asking you something. Nanoha?" the older brunette shakes her daughter's shoulders trying to bring some sense into the younger one.
"E-eh? Okaa-san, did you say something?" the brunette asks innocently and thankful that her mother brings her away from those BAD thoughts.
"I better stop these thoughts. I've never been like this before even Hayate-chan's dirty mind and stories wasn't able to influence me like this…but why is it that just seeing her…" the brunette gazes at the person standing in front of her and holding a piece of paper, "Just seeing Fate-chan makes me feel those butterflies that Hayate-chan always had when she had her crush on Gracia-san…hmm…" the brunette stops thinking as Fate begins open her mouth.
"Nanoha, you seem to be spacing out more often. Are you alright? Do you feel anything at all?" the blonde asks with concern. She just doesn't show it but her mind is full of worry for the brunette before her. However, even if the blonde tries to not show her concern, Nanoha still sees it..no. The brunette feels just how much the blonde doctor worries about her.
"Is it because I'm her patient? Maybe it is…" Nanoha asks herself in wonder why does the doctor show such concern and sadness in her burgundy eyes. And somehow, the thought that Fate is concern about her because she is just a patient brings that emptiness into her body.
"I'm alright, Fate-chan. I'm just thinking of many things, that's all" the brunette answers as she nervously laughs.
"If that's what it really is then I think you are doing fine. It seems though that your fragile body is slowly recovering from any exhaustion. Now, the only thing that I' going to remind you is to never overdo things, ok? We don't want you fainting again. There are just a few jobs that your heart can handle" Fate says as she writes down the medicines that the brunette must take and the things that she can't eat and do.
"I will, Fate-chan and thank you again…" the brunette coyly says as Fate pats her on the head.
"I told you, it's a part of my job, Nanoha. Now, here is the list of the things that you and your family need to know. Well that is all of it for today. So, any more questions?" the blonde asks nicely like a doctor would.
Nanoha and her mother stand from their seats. The mother waits for her daughter to say something but nothing came.
"I think I better buy these medicines downstairs. You stay here while I buy these items, Nanoha-chan" Momoko smiles sweetly as she grabs the paper from Nanoha's grasp. The action surprises the younger brunette and then she notices the glare that her mother is giving her.
"Oh no…I almost forgot that I need to talk to Fate-chan" the brunette remembers and nods her head to her mother as she sits back.
"I see then please do, Momoko-san. Nanoha can stay here while she wait for you" Fate says and smiles a nervous smile when she notices the smirk that has formed on Momoko's face.
"Why thank you, Fate-san. Please do TAKE CARE of my daughter" and with that the matriarch walks out of the room leaving a giggling Nanoha and a blushing Fate.
"What was that about?" Fate asks in wonder with her right eye twitching. She takes her sit and faces Nanoha. Her burgundy eyes watches the fidgety brunette in front of her.
"What's wrong with her?" Fate asks mentally seeing how awkward the atmosphere between them is.
"Nanoha…?" she tries to call her and quickly Nanoha flinches.
"This is it. I must tell ask her now" Nanoha raises her head and at that moment nervous and doubtful blue irises gaze at waiting burgundy ones.
"Fate-chan, I need to ask you something" her words escape her lips with a serious and firm tone. Fate tilts her head to the side in wonder. She then remembers a memory like this where Nanoha asked her to be a friend. She could still how nervous, fidgety and shaky the brunette is. She mentally smiles at the memory.
"Yes, Nanoha?" she replies with a smile and her head tilting to the side for a bit.
"Fate-chan is so cute and adorable! Kyaa! No! stop that please. I won't be able to ask you if you act like a very innocent and very adorable puppy!" the brunette's hand twitches trying to stop the urge to hug the blonde in front of her.
"A-ahno…Fate-chan…!" the brunette quickly opens her bag and after a few minutes of hunting, she finally shows Fate a sealed letter.
Fate watches in amusement as Nanoha shows to her a sealed letter which looks kind of familiar to the blonde doctor. Her hand takes the letter from Nanoha and studies its outside content. After realizing how the letter seems so familiar, a frown makes it way on Fate's face.
"Nanoha, is this…for me?" she asks already knowing the answer.
"Well…that is actually from my best friend, Hayate Yagami. I think you know her, Fate-chan. One day, Hayate-chan and her cousin suddenly disappeared without a hint of where she could be and the only things she left are two sealed letters. One is for me and the other one is for you, Fate..err… Testarossa" the brunette explains in a serious tone finally seeing that the doctor's expression changes into a strict one.
Fate's eyebrows crunch together as she stares at the sealed letter that she is holding. Her blonde hair bounces along as she gazes straight into Nanoha's eyes.
"What did the letter for you contained, Nanoha?" Fate asks as if she is a detective. Certainly, she doesn't know what the letter is for. She has just met up with Hayate just last week and now her sneaky and mischievous friend seems to have another surprise for her.
"Well…in that letter…Hayate-chan told me how I will be able to get my answers…" Nanoha's gaze travels down feeling that it is better to look at the glossy tile floor than the beautiful blonde doctor.
Fate sighs, she thinks she knows what her raccoon of a friend is trying to do and where this conversation with Nanoha is going. She leans her back on the soft leathered chair as she rubs her temples. And once again, the blonde sighs.
Nanoha flinches as she recognizes the sighs of the blonde doctor. Truth be told, she doesn't really want to trouble Fate but it seems that the blonde is the only person who could lead her to the answers for her questions.
"Gomen Ne…Fate-chan. I really don't want to burden you with this but-" the brunette suddenly takes hold of Fate's free hand that is resting on the table. Fate watch with surprise eyes the girl before her, "But I really need you. I think that you are the only one who could lead me to where or what are the answers to my questions. So please. Please help me" the brunette pleads with her head low and her eyes gazing at the floor.
"Nanoha…" Fate feels a tug on her heart when she sees the sadness and emptiness that the one she loves is feeling. Fate removes Nanoha's hand from her free hand as she leans towards her table and her chin rests on the palm of her hand.
"Tell me, Nanoha. What are your questions that are needed to be answered?" Fate asks seriously as she eyes the now surprised brunette.
"Does that mean you'll help me?" the brunette asks in half wonder and half hopeful voice.
"That depends on the questions you'll ask me, Nanoha" Fate replies as she hide the sealed letter into her drawer.
"I see…actually…there's only one question I want to know the answer…" Nanoha pauses as she gazes at Fate's blazing burgundy eyes.
"And that would be?" Fate leaves the statement hanging for Nanoha to continue.
"I want to know the meaning of the dream that I kept on having ever since… I lost my memories of a person…." Nanoha states as she shuts her eyes close and tries her best to get even the slightest hint of what this person looks like.
"And who is this person?" Fate continues to question the brunette as if she doesn't know what Nanoha is talking about.
"This person is… is… is…" Nanoha sighs and opens up her eyes again. "I don't know…even a hint of what he or she looks like… I don't know" Nanoha admits gloomily.
"Then, if I may ask, what do you think is this person's relationship to you?" Fate urges the brunette to continue talking. She is hoping that somehow, even if it is just a bit of hope, Nanoha will remember… her.
Nanoha bows her head down as she mentally shakes her head as if she'll be able to get the answer in that way but nothing appears on her mind.
"Sorry… I also don't know…." The brunette replies as destiny slowly tells her that she could never ever remember this person. But as if a glimpse of light shines at the end of a tunnel, Nanoha remembers the dream that she always had and the two blonde's present in that dream.
"Fate-chan, I have to tell you something…" Nanoha says trying to capture the interest of the blonde doctor. But what she didn't know is that Fate's attention is always on her.
"And what is that, Nanoha?" the blonde replies assuring Nanoha that she'll be listening to her.
Nanoha sighs feeling relieved that Fate is willing to listen to her. She leans on the chair as she readies herself to tell Fate all about the dream.
"Ever since I lost my memory of this person I kept on having a dream every night. This dream repeats itself like it's a destroyed plaque. It's a dream where I'll find my little version standing inside our dojo between my parents as we watch two blonde's fighting. I think they are of the same age as me. The fight is nothing but friendly. The two blondes have auras surrounding their bodies, one of green and the other of red. And always, the one with the red aura would win. And when that blonde with the red aura wins, I would feel giddy, excited and happy for an unknown reason" Nanoha ends and a smile creeps onto her face as she remembers the feeling every time that the blonde with red aura wins against the blonde with green aura.
Fate is speechless. Saying that she is surprised is an understatement. After hearing the dream that the brunette is always having, her heart, once again, beats so fast as if she had just run a ten kilometer marathon, something that only Nanoha can do to her.
She could completely picture Nanoha's dream in her mind because that dream is a part of their past. During her training under Shiro, Fate meets a co-blonde named Yuuno Scrya. The guy bears emerald-green eyes and knowledge that even surpasses Fate's. Competitiveness is always present everywhere that is why it is no longer a surprise if the two of them, meaning Fate and Yuuno, always have a fight. However, if Yuuno is smarter than her then Fate is stronger than the bookworm. She would always win against him no matter what but at the end the two of them will just laugh it off as if it is nothing. And every time that Fate wins, Nanoha will always congratulate her with that warm and loving smile, something that Fate always craves to see.
A bittersweet smile tugs at Fate's lips after remembering that past.
A past that might be lost forever.
"Nanoha, I think the blonde with the red aura is the person you are looking for. I think you better get some information from your father to whom this blonde person is" Fate advises as she looks at Nanoha.
"Maybe you're right, Fate-chan but…what if this person is dead or maybe untraceable? That could only mean…" all doubts and hesitations flashes in Nanoha's eyes at that moment but even before she could speak those out a warm hand is already holding her trembling ones.
She gazes at the owner of the hand and she can't help but smile and blush at the contact.
"That won't happen, Nanoha. Hayate entrusted you to me and so I will do everything that I can to help you…" Fate says with her tone determined and her eyes burning.
"Fate-chan…" Nanoha is ready to hug the blonde doctor then and there when the door to Fate's office opens getting the attentions of the two occupants.
Burning rubies and questioning sapphires stares at the person who opens the door.
"Fate-oh…sorry. Am I interrupting something?" Ginga asks when she sees that there is another person in Fate's office.
Fate quickly stands and walks towards Ginga while Nanoha watches at how Ginga, a friend of hers and her family, seems to be close to the blonde doctor.
"You didn't, Ginga. I'm sorry, Nanoha's check-up for today has just ended so and I was not able to keep track of the time" Fate explains as she gives a half hug to her fiancée. Ginga in return accepts the hug and nods her head at Fate to tell that she understands.
The closeness of the two bugs Nanoha for an unknown reason and to ease herself she stands up and greets the purple-haired girl.
"Hello, Ginga-san. I didn't know that you know Fate-chan" Nanoha says as if wanting to know the reason Fate is so close to Ginga.
"Oh my, Nanoha-san. Please do forgive me. I forgot to introduce to you Dr. Fate Testarossa-Harlaown…" Ginga introduces as she hugs Fate tighter. The blonde in return just watches at how the brunette will react.
"She is my fiancée, Nanoha-san" Ginga ends with a smile on her face. Nanoha's gaze travels towards Fate and the blonde nods her head to confirm what Ginga has said.
Nanoha doesn't know why but feels that her entire world is slowly falling.
The feeling of emptiness has returned.
The sad and sorrowful emotion arrived.
And a new hole in her heart has been made.
"O-oh…congratulations, Ginga-san and Fate-chan! That was a surprise but the two of you really looked good together" Nanoha comments as she looks at Ginga who beams at her comment. Nanoha looks at her wrist watch noticing that it is already lunch time.
"I better go. The café will be filled of customers since lunch has arrived. Thanks for your help, Fate-chan and Good day to you, Ginga-san. I'll be going then" Nanoha quickly but calmly bids her goodbye. She needs to get out of there as soon as possible. She doesn't know why but just them being together and THAT close is irritating her to an extent.
Meanwhile, Fate notices a glaze of something when she looks at Nanoha's eyes.
"Something between sadness and anger" the blonde notes in her mind.
A/N: Yes. I am cruel to Nanoha but I can't help it. Fate always ends up the one who is jealous and hurt in other stories that is why I think it's pay back time! Just joking!
