Disclaimer: I do not own MGLN but my girlfriend reckons she should!

Author's Notes: Thank you Lance58 and Derka for reviewing. Precia and Jail are indeed horrible. Unfortunately it will only get worse before it can get better…

Next chapter Nanoha and Fate finally meet :-) but before that here is chapter 9.

Enjoy!


Chapter 9

Fire

Nanoha's POV.

I am standing in the middle of a path. I turn to one side and follow it with my eyes. It leads to the city. I look in the opposite direction. The path here seems to go on forever. I can't make out the end. On either side of me are tall cherry blossom trees in full bloom with pink and white flowers. All is still when suddenly there is a big gust of wind. My auburn hair whips around wildly. I shield my eyes. The cherry blossom branches dance in the wind. The flowers release their petals at the mercy of the air current. The sky is littered with pink and white specks. I watch marvelling at the beauty in front of me when suddenly I notice that the petals are not petals any more but butterflies. They encircle me tickling my face with their soft wing flutters.

The pink and white butterflies then start moving all in one direction. At first they seem to be following the path away from the city. I walk amongst them not wanting to be left behind but then notice they have veered off the path. I hesitate. They seem to be going into a forest disappearing into its darkness. I am still standing on the path as the butterflies go past me in the hundreds. Is it alright to go off the beaten track? I may get lost though. What should I do? Do I follow them? What if I can't find my way back? Where are they going? Before I can make any decisions they are gone. I look around, they have vanished, every single one.

"Wait!" I shout. Too late. What is that noise? It is getting louder.

*WOAAH WOAAH WOAAH WOAAH WOAAH*

I wake up with a start, throw the covers off with a startled Yuuno on them and rush to switch off my alarm clock on the other side of my bedroom. I hate that alarm but at least it gets me out of bed. I hear angry chattering behind me. Oops Yuuno.

"I am so sorry Yuuno. I didn't mean to fling you off the bed. I swear I will remember one day. Nyahaha will you forgive me?" I pick him up and hold him close to me. He nuzzles into my neck. I guess I am forgiven.

"Right let's get ready for the day Yuuno." I place him back on my bed and make my way to the shower.

After having had my shower and gotten dressed I head into the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee. I change Yuuno's water, put some food for him in another bowl and place it next to the water bowl on the floor. Sneaky little thing is probably back in bed. It sure is tough being a ferret. I giggle to myself and sit at my little kitchen table with my cup of coffee in hand.

Elbows on the table I hold my cup with both hands enjoying the warmth and savouring the smell. I look around my little apartment. Two bedrooms, one bathroom and an open plan kitchen and lounge, perfect for me and should I have someone stay over or if I ever wanted to have a flatmate.

What did I dream of again? Ah yes of butterflies. It must be because of that particular conversation I had with Hayate a week ago. My phone rings. I pick it up and look at who it is. Speak of the devil. I answer it.

"Good morning Hayate." I answer as chirpy as I can.

"Hahaha it is almost lunch time."

"Which is still morning." Ha I am getting better with my witty comments. Go me!

"True, true. So I take it you only got up now?"

"Nyahahaha maybe."

"Hahaha can't be helped. Are you working today?"

"Nope, I did a double shift yesterday. My folks gave me today off."

"Nice. I finish work at three this afternoon. Want to meet up later on?"

"Aww did you miss me Hayate? Well I guess we haven't seen each other for like a week but yes I will definitely see you after work."

"Hahaha I need my Nanoha fix. Hey did you hear that the Golden Butterfly struck again?"

"The Golden what?"

"Nanoha don't you read the papers? You know the guy who commits crimes and leaves a gold spray painted butterfly as his calling card. Remember, he beat up a guy in front of his family a while back. He's the Golden Butterfly. It's what the papers have been calling him for a while now. Although to be honest it isn't very masculine nor dangerous sounding but makes sense. It'd be interesting to know why it's a gold butterfly though."

"It would be. So what he do this time?"

"He burnt a house down last week. Thankfully no one was home but the house was turned to ash. The police suspect that the victims know the meaning of the butterfly but are unwilling to talk. They think it's some kind of organisation. The crimes and the victims are so varied that they can only speculate at this point although it has been going on for almost a decade. Of course it could also be that the cops are not giving the media all the info. So far no one has died but I have a feeling that it won't be long. It feels like it's escalating." Hayate seemed to be deep in thought. She has always been fascinated by this case.

"I hope the cops catch them before it goes that far. Hey speaking of butterflies I had the weirdest dream involving them. My mind is seeing butterflies everywhere nyahahaha."

"Haha go butterflies! Crap, breaks over, got to get back to work. You will have to tell me your dream when we meet up this afternoon. See you later Nanoha."

"Bye bye Hayate, don't make anyone cry."

"Aw that's no fun."

I hang up the phone and smile. She probably will make someone cry. Although I know Hayate's secret. She is a huge softie at heart. Hmmm maybe I can watch some anime before I go meet Hayate.

I walk over to my massive anime collection when I hear loud banging and talking outside my apartment. Seems like large heavy items are being carried across the hallway. Maybe someone is finally moving in across from me. That would be nice. It can get kind of creepy on this floor sometimes.

I make my way to the door and open it. The first thing I notice is a petite brunette with her back to me directing these guys carrying what seems to be a sofa into the apartment across from mine. The brunette helps them manoeuvre the sofa through the small door. I am about to help out when I notice a small tattoo on her exposed hip where her shirt has ridden up. I have seen this tattoo before but where? Think Nanoha, think. Ah now I remember, it was the guy working at that shop Hayate took me to a while ago. I know it is rude to stare but I take this opportunity to get a better look at it. It is an intricate tattoo of a butterfly with writing underneath that says 'To Serve and Obey' and what I assume must be the butterflies name in Latin. I am definitely seeing butterflies everywhere. There must be a conspiracy nyahaha.

"I like your tattoo." I say aloud to her. Said brunette turns around and looks at me confused.

"Your tattoo." I point to her waist. "It's beautiful." At that she self consciously pulls her shirt back down to cover it. She seems worried but quickly regains her composure.

"Thank you."

"I saw someone with the same one in town. Does it mean something in particular? Oh I'm sorry that is incredibly insensitive of me. Please don't feel obligated to answer that. I seem to have misplaced my manners. Hi I am Nanoha your neighbour." I extend my hand to her. She hesitates but then grips it firmly replying with a smile on her face.

"My name is Linith and no this tattoo doesn't mean anything. I got it slapped on me one horribly intoxicated night at a cheap parlour hahaha which is probably why you have noticed them around. Unfortunately it costs too much to remove." She seems a little tense as she says this but it could be due to my sudden presence.

"I am sorry I hope I didn't offend you?" Way to make a first impression.

"Not at all, you just took me by surprise. It's nice to meet you new neighbour."

"It will be nice having company on this floor." I say as I watch more furniture being brought in.

"My niece and I are very lucky to find this place. It is very cute and exactly what we need."

"Your niece?"

"Yes, her name is Fate. She is getting familiar with the surrounding area. She is around your age so I hope you will both get along. You see we have moved here from the country for a change of scenery."

"I look forward to meeting her. Can I help with anything?"

"Thank you but it's okay, I have these strapping young men to do all the hard work for me hahaha."

"Okay but please let me know if there is anything you need. I am just across the hall."

"Thank you Nanoha, you are very kind. I have a feeling our stay here will be good." She says with a hint of something in her eyes. They seem to glow almost as if a fire has been ignited behind them. Is it determination or defiance? I am not sure.

"I will leave you to settle in then." I say and re-enter my apartment. I am looking forward to meeting Fate. Fate… what an unusual name. I like it! I hope we can become friends. Speaking of friends I look at my watch and notice I still have some time before I'm meeting Hayate. I can squeeze in a couple of episodes of anime. I walk back to my collection. Now the next problem is choosing what to watch…

To be continued…