Yaaay chapter 9 finally! I bet some of you are thinking "Thank goodness it isn't 4 months later like the last chapter." lolz I'm sorry about that, but RL just takes priority no? Well I hope all the weirdness I throw in this chapter makes up for it. Or actually...you guys might end up killing me more because of it XD Well, in either case, please enjoy~
Chapter 9
"Good morning, Takamachi-san" Linith greeted me at the door of the Testarossa residence "Precia is at the back waiting for you." she let me in
"Sorry for the disturbance" I answered as I took my shoes off carefully and placed them on the ground facing towards the door.
It has been over a week or so now since that evening I first spent the night here. Several days since I found out the connection between this family and my parents. Since then, I have been coming here at Precia Testarossa's request to do some morning training to refine my skill.
"I had heard from Fate that you have managed to throw her around a few times" the older woman's voice played through my mind "I had also heard from Alicia that your body may have some talent, but are utterly afraid when it comes to dealing with weaponry. That being said, I want you to come by here in the mornings before you go to school - don't worry, breakfast and everything else will be taken care of. You just need to come here with a prepared mind."
At first I didn't quite know what she was talking about, however I quickly found out what exactly she had intended. She began to "help me" by having me build up my endurance through the means of having me run around the entire back yard. Another method was to control my body's reflexes though sneaking up on me and throwing me to the ground whenever I wanted to do the same to her. Better yet, was when she wanted to watch me go white whenever she pulled a bladed weapon out. Frankly I think she was doing it more to enjoy herself than to help me, but I would never say that to her for fear of death.
"Good morning, Takamachi-san" Precia greeted me as I entered the dojo.
"Nanoha is fine, if you would please" I gave a lopsided grin
"Alright then, Nanoha" she stood up and beckoned me over to her "Are you ready to learn?"
"Hai!" I prepared myself.
"I want to ask you something, Nanoha" she said as she began to slowly draw a sword from its sheath, the morning light reflecting brilliantly from its blade
I found that I could not respond at all as my body began to lock up at the sight of the weapon.
"What do you think the most important thing in combat is?" she lowered the blade and stared directly into my eyes. I could tell that this was a serious question and one that I would have to answer properly if I were to leave this place alive.
"Hmm..." I looked down and thought, trying to avoid looking at the blade "Strength...and technique maybe?" I did my best not to sound too nervous with my answer before looking back at her
"Wrong!" she drew the blade above her head and slashed down at me
"Uaaaahh!" I jumped back as fast as I could to avoid getting killed, landing on my back with a dull thud. I was lucky that she was only toying around, had she been serious, no amount of speed would have saved my life.
"Its courage." she answered, pointing the blade at my throat. "Without courage, you cannot calmly observe your enemy's weaknesses." her eyes narrowed "Without courage, strength is meaningless." she pulled the sword back and replaced it in its sheath "Without courage...you will never be able to use the techniques you will learn."
"B-but..." I could still feel my entire body shaking "I...I don't have any courage..." I looked down, disappointed.
"If you don't have any then gain some through training." she pointed the end of the sheath towards me "All things are gained through training." she walked closer to me and extended her hand to pick me up "Remember this, Nanoha: Your training will never betray you."
"Hai..." I accepted her hand and stood up
"Now then...let's begin."
~xX*Xx~
"...ha"
"..noha"
"Nanoha...come on wake up" a voice slowly woke me from slumber.
"Wha...?" I slowly raised my head from my desk and tried to regain my senses
"Good morning, Nanoha" Fate smiled at me, causing my cheeks to burn once I realized where I was
"Uh...I...I..."
"You must have been really tired from mom's training huh?" she looked at me worriedly "Maybe I should ask her to take it easier on you?"
"No, no it's ok, Fate-chan" I stretched out like a cat on the desk before pulling myself upright.
When I had finally realized what time it was, I realized that I had slept through almost the entire day. The only thing that was left was the final homeroom of the day. My stomach growled a little bit, reminding me of the fact that I had slept through lunch as well.
"Would you like some food?" the blond offered my bento box
"Sure that would be nice" I yawned "I should have something in my stomach before I go to work today."
"All right then, ahhhhhn~" she held my chopsticks out in front of me
"F-Fate-chan?" I drew back, embarrassed
"Just pretend I'm Alicia" she leaned in to match my distance "Ahhn~"
"That's even more embarrassing!" I said subconsciously
She paused
"Interesting..." she grinned at me
"No! Its not what you think! I-amph" I leaned forward and she shoved the food piece in my mouth while I was talking.
"Eat first. Talk later" she smiled at me, preparing another piece of food "Ahhhhn~"
"I give up..." I sighed at proceeded to embarrassingly get fed, with several classmates cheering her on.
~xX*Xx~
"I'll swing by your work later ok?" Fate waved at me from the hallway. She had cleaning duty to do, so she stayed behind for a bit.
"I'll see you later, Fate-chan" I waved back before heading down to the shoe lockers. "Ah Yuuno-san" I waved over to him "Waiting for, Fate-chan?"
"Yeah" he smiled at me and waved to his girlfriend before turning back to me "Heading home?"
"I'm actually going to work, maybe make a couple stops along the way. I'll see you around ok?"
"Take care, Nanoha-san"
I headed to the shoe lockers and started thinking about what I was going to do next.
"I do have time before I need to go to work. I am also sure Alicia-san is getting out of school soon." I slipped my shoes on and closed the locker door "I wonder how surprised she'll be when I go pick her up for once" I giggled to myself.
I made my way to the front gate and turned at the corner towards the other side of town. I decided to take a bus over most of the way so I could make it just in time for her to be leaving school. I pondered the entire time how I was going to surprise her when I suddenly showed up.
"This should be interesting" I thought to myself as I reached my stop and exited the bus. I began to see students with Alicia's school uniform heading towards me, indicating that school was out for them as well.
I began to head towards the front gate and noticed my target. I had planned on sneaking behind her and doing a little "Guess who!" joke. I hid behind the corner and prepared to pounce as I awaited my target.
"Guess who!" I jumped out of the corner when a long strain of blond hair popped from behind the gate.
"Nanoha?" Alicia's voice came from behind me "What are you doing?"
"Eh?" I looked at her before slowly releasing my hands looking at the blond haired girl whose eyes I had just covered suddenly "I'm so sorry!" I stepped back quickly and bowed several times "I thought you were Alicia-chan and I was going to surprise her and...and..."
"Nano-chan..." Yet another voice called, stunning me into silence. I had heard that voice before...although it was a little bit older now...I could never forget it.
I raised my head slowly and turned towards the owner of the voice.
"Nano-chan..." the voice repeated once I made eye-contact with the owner "it is you..."
My eyes widened to the size of saucers once recognition washed over me
"Suzuka...nee" my hands dropped to my sides as if drawn by some unseen force
"It has been such a long long time, Nano-chan" Suzuka smiled at me and stepped forward to embrace me.
My body responded and took a step back as if in fear. Memories of the past flooding into my mind. I slowly shook my head from side to side as she drew closer. I wanted to run, to escape...but my body wouldn't respond to my commands
"Hai, hai" she patted my head several times to calm me down, sensing the water forming in my eyes "You are still such the cry-baby, Nano-chan" she smiled
"Um..." the two ignored blonds looked at each other then at the situation "You two know each other?" they asked in unison.
"It is a long story" Suzuka smiled "Mind if we went somewhere else for now?"
~xX*Xx~
"So..." The blond that I had mistaken for Alicia earlier started "What is your relationship with Suzuka?" she looked at me almost as if I were stealing her property
"Now, now, Arisa-chan" Suzuka patted the blond's shoulder "be nice. Nano-chan has been my friend since we were kids." she looked over at me "Nano-chan this is Arisa-chan"
"Bannings, Arisa" she nodded to me
"T-Takamachi, Nanoha" I responded rather weakly. The fact that Suzuka called me her "friend" cut deep into me
"You need to learn to speak up." she sighed
"Be nice, Arisa-chan" Suzuka gave a disapproving glare
"So, what's the story?" Alicia came back with our drinks "How do you two know each other?"
"Well..." I started thinking "Suzuka-nee lived near me when we were kids." I looked at her and she smiled back "She was always watching over me, even though we were the same age. I just..."
"Dont tell me it was something as cliche as her being your first love" Arisa stated blankly
My eyes widened and a short gasp escaped my lips at the dead on strike.
"No way..." she stated after catching my reaction
"Nnnnn~ so that's how it was." Alicia teased me "How come you never told me about this, Suzuka"
"It is a long story" Suzuka smiled sadly "I am just so glad to see you again after all these years"
I didn't know what to do...I didn't know what to say. So I did the only thing I could do: remained silent
"Alright" Alicia spoke up, reading the atmosphere "to our happy little reunion!" she held up her glass
"Kanpai!" we all chimed in and began to drink.
We all sat together for several minutes, the other three catching up with old times, telling stories, and making jokes. I sat behind and tried my best to fit in with the conversations, but my mind always went back to what happened with Suzuka way back then. Alicia had to leave several minutes through the ordeal since she remembered she had some shopping to do for her home before she went to work.
"Oh crap!" I spoke up suddenly, startling the two remaining people
"What is it Nano-chan?" Suzuka asked rather worried.
"I forgot I have work today!" I downed my glass and took out a few yen coins "I have to go! I'll see you later ok?" I didn't even give them the chance to respond as I bolted out the door.
~xX*Xx~
"I'm here!" I called out into the cafe as I entered the door. I had to bend forward a little to catch my breath since I spent the last 7 minutes running.
"You made it in time" Raiser greeted me with a nod as he placed the stack of plates on the table. "Good job, Nanoha-chan."
"Oi!" Alicia called from the back room "Hurry up and get over here!"
"You might want to avoid the office though" a sly voice called from behind me causing me to jump forward in surprise
"Satashi!" I whirled around once I recognized the voice. I seemed to have spun a little faster than I intended and slammed into Raiser.
"Whoa!" he caught me and tried to steady me some "You shouldn't be moving that fast." he slowly stabilized me "You ok?"
"Y-yeah" I quickly released him and looked back at the grinning midget with the moving fox ears. "Now what about the office?"
"Ah yeah." Alavon answered from behind the counter "The mistress is having a hard time trying to figure out what to write on her next story, so shes in a...'mood' right now"
"Are you coming to help or not?" Alicia stepped out from the back room covered in dust and her hair disheveled "We have to get these done before the packages arrive!"
"What packages?" I tilted my head in confusion as I slowly made my way to the back room. I felt a chill go down my spine when i saw the grin on Satashi's face. I felt even MORE uncomfortable when Raiser wasn't saying anything.
"You'll see" Alavon gave a uneasy smile and turned back to her work.
Raiser and Satashi chose that time to escape and proceeded to be "busy" with their own manner of work.
"Ne, Alicia-chan" I couldn't help my curiosity. "What package?" I tied my hair back into a pony tail and started helping her sorting out all the different boxes.
"Ah, the Mistress ordered some extra uniforms for us to use" the blond responded absentmindedly, not even bothering to look at me as she searched for the location of the item she was supposed to be stocking.
"Do you know what is in it?" I began to get worried "The others don't seem to-achoo!" the dust in the area started to get to me.
"Bless you." she responded sparing me a glance to make sure i was ok "And no, I have no clue what it is. We'll just have to wait it out." she placed the last box in its place "There we go." she dusted her hands. "let's go take a break shall we?"
"Hey, Fate-chan!" a voice called from outside.
"Fate-chan?" I repeated, looking over at Alicia as if she would have an answer "What is she doing here?"
Alicia shook her head in silent response and followed me out of the storage area to see the rest of the crew busily chatting with Fate.
"Ah, Onee-chan. Nanoha." she greeted us "I came by to see how you two were doing." she smiled.
"I wish I were dead..." a gloomy voice came from the office door.
All of us turned our heads towards RB who was slowly coming out of the office with a dark and depressing aura around her. Raiser braced himself to be the one to try to settle things, Alavon prepared a few things of her own, and Satashi made the silent signal making an X with her arms and slowly moved to the back of the cafe to watch.
"What's wrong, Mistress?" I opened my mouth before anyone else could react to stop me. Big mistake.
It was then that RB run up to me and wrapped her arms around my neck and started wailing.
"Nanoha!" she started to sob on my shoulder "I cant think of anything to write for my next Shadowfire story~!" she continued to cry like a little kid that just lost their candy.
"Eh? Um...uh..." I started to look around for help. Satashi was in the corner using both hands to keep from laughing, Alavon was getting ready to take pictures, Alicia and Raiser shook their heads, which left Fate and myself in utter shock and unable to do anything. "I-its ok!" I tried to pat her head gently. "Wait a minute" I creased my brow and looked at her closely and sniffed the fragrance coming from her "Are you drunk?"
"She gets like this all the time" Raiser picked up the crying girl off me "Come on, sit down"
"But I need more materials!" she grabbed his collar and started to shake him
"500Y says that he calls for the frying pan first" Alicia put her money on the counter. "She should be used to being hit with it by now."
"You're on" Alavon placed her bet.
"Ah ha ha ha..." Fate sweat-dropped as she watched the bet before turning back to the scene.
"Calm down will you?" Raiser grabbed her shoulders to keep her from squirming "You had too much to drink since you couldn't think of anything!"
"No! No! Let me go!" RB started to flail around frantically much to everyone else's laughter.
"If you don't calm down..." Raiser started to get serious
"Here it comes!" Alicia and Alavon leaned forwards as if awaiting the next words that were going to come out of his mouth.
"PACKAGE FOR RADIANT BEAM!" a voice echoed from the door, effectively ruining the moment.
"Ah~ its finally here~!" Mistress staggered to her feet with Raiser's help and walked to the door in a wavy motion.
If I didn't know that she was drunk, it probably would have looked like she was possessed or something.
"Thanks for the delivery Kaijo." she patted his head lightly "Do come in~" she meandered back to the table carrying the box in her hands. "Now then...here it is" she slowly opened it and pulled out all the contents.
"What...is that?" I heard Fate ask the question on my mind.
"Oh this?" RB answered with a really weird smile on her face "These are tonight's outfits!"
I wouldn't have been too worried had she been sober, but seeing her saying that while swaying slightly really didn't sit right with me for some reason.
"Here Satashi" she threw a small bag "You wear this tonight"
One of the ears on the girl's headband (at least I think its a headband) moved as if reacting to her thoughts as she opened the small bag and pulled out its contents.
"Wait..you want me to wear THIS?" Satashi held up a round red hat with white bunnies on either side. "You cant be serious!"
"What? You were a former porn-star, this should be nothing!" Alicia teased, trying to keep herself from laughing.
Before Satashi could respond RB spoke up again, as if ignoring everyone else.
"Hai~ here you go Nanoha-chan" she threw me a bag.
I opened it and pulled out what looked like a white mini-skirt with a tail cape. A matching white blouse, stockings, and shoes came with it along with several red ribbons and gloves.
"Ummm?" I looked at the items then back to her.
"That's called a 'StrikerS' uniform" she smiled broadly at me "I know it will suit you well." she turned to the twins "Since you are here too Fate-chan I'd like to enlist your help tonight." she turned back to the box and started to shuffle through some more. "Ok which one of you is who?"
"Fate!" both answered in unison.
"No you're not!" one blond started
"Quit pretending!" the other replied "I'm Fate!"
"Enough!" RB put her hands to her ears like a child who didn't want to listen to anything else. "You, wear this" she handed one twin a bag "You, wear this" she handed the other bag. "Go change!" she pointed to the locker room and ordered all four of us to march.
"Quite the crew you've got here" Kaijo finally spoke again, scratching the back of his head in slight amusement.
"Sorry you had to see that. Its not usually this bad" Raiser offered a lopsided smile in apology, before turning to make sure that RB wasn't falling over.
"One more thing~!" RB pulled out a brown cowboy hat and tossed it to Alavon before handing her a leather whip. "Here you go."
"Mistress...what is this?" Alavon looked at the items rather oddly before turning her attention to Raiser whose grin was slowly getting bigger. "What?"
"You're an archaeologist right?"
"Yes..." she answered slowly "So what does...MISTRESS!" she raised her voice once the truth dawned on her.
"Kyaa~ Save me!" RB playfully pulled both males in front of her as a shield
"We're done!" Satashi announced as 3 of us exited the locker room.
"Oooh~" looking good! Kaijo whistled.
I walked out in a StrikerS uniform with my hair tied into twin tails and in my hand was a staff with a large red orb on top. Fate-chan came out with a similar looking outfit but was black with gold trim and a white cape draped from her shoulders, her hair also in similar twin tails. She held a staff just like mine but had more of an axe head to it with a golden orb inside. Satashi wore a short red almost Lolita looking dress and held a staff like we did, but looked more like a mallet on the end. I found it rather funny how she ended up with a red bunny hat
"Good, good." Mistress nodded in approval while looking us over "Where is the last person?"
"Onee-chan doesn't want to come out...ahahahaha~" Fate put her hand behind her head and sweat dropped
"Hmm~" RB's eyes narrowed as she smirked "so she got THAT outfit"
"What outfit?" Kaijo asked walking up next to her to get a better view.
"Come on out Alicia!" RB yelled into the locker room
"No! Its embarrassing!" the response came.
"Come out here this instant!" she crossed her arms
All of us stared at the hallway to the locker room as red eyes slowly peeked around the corner and looked back at us.
"Any time now!" she tapped her foot.
My eyes widened and my breath caught in my throat when Alicia finally came out in the open. She wore what looked like a black 1-peice swimsuit with a very short "skirt" that went all the way around at the waist held seemingly in place by a big red belt. She wore black stockings that went up to mid thigh and were also seemingly held up by smaller red belts. Another set of belts went around her chest and one more around her upper left arm. A black and red cape completed the ensemble while her hair was let loose.
"Onee-chan..." was all Fate-chan could say.
"Looking very good there" Satashi began to eye her and tease silently
"That looks...cute" Kaijo chose his words properly.
"..." I couldn't say anything, I was torn between admiration and laughter.
"Awww~" Alavon said as she started taking more and more pictures.
"Its embarrassing!" Alicia almost screamed, her face turning red enough to stop traffic. "Raiser! Say something!"
*Ahem* he cleared his throat "You know that does look good on you"
"RAISER!"
"What?" he raised his hands in defense "Its the opinion of a healthy male ok?"
"I'm so going to get you for this!" She turned her hand into a fist and tried to crush the air in it.
"Hai hai~!" The sobering RB clapped her hands a couple times to get everyone's attention. "We open in about 10 minutes. Get ready now!"
"Hai~"
A/N Well I am so sorry about the delay on this one (at least its not like 4 months like the last one right? XD) Some moron broke into my house, took my 40in plasma, took my hello kitty wiimote (I have NO idea why THAT was taken), my laptop, and several other things. Most of it was recovered, but the TV and the wii mote is still missing (I'm still mad about the wii mote btw grrr~) Anyway, another twist of fate has occurred. Dont worry, I find it better to just throw little tidbits here and there hehehe. Yes I will end up explaining everything about Nanoha and Suzuka in a future chapter...maybe *grins*
Well the green link is below! As always I appreciate your comments and thoughts. and to make up a little bit for the delay of the last one...I will present you a small present fufufu~
*BONUS*
"Nanoha?" Alicia called out to me as we took the trash out to finish the night.
Fate had left earlier that evening, due to a paper she had to finish writing for her science class.
"What is it?" I wiped my brow before turning to face her
"Was it true...about you and Suzuka I mean" she asked out of the blue
"What do you mean?" I tilted my head
"Was Suzuka really your first love?" she locked eyes with me
"Nyahaha~" I sweat-dropped "Umm how much more trash do we have to take out there-"
"Answer me..." her soft tone halted me like a wall.
"Yes...she was" I looked down as memories from back then flooded into my mind.
"What happened?" she asked the question I dreaded
"I..I.." I don't know what to do, I wanted to respond, yet at the same time I wanted to just forget. "I'm sorry..."
"Nanoha..."
"I'm sorry..."
"Nanoha" she called my name again, a little more firm
I stood in silence as I looked up at her. The moon behind her made her look really stunning and brought out the depths of her eyes. I wasn't quite sure what it was, but I could tell she wanted to state something serious.
"Go out with me."
"Excuse me?" I thought I heard something, but I had to make sure
"I don't want to be a replacement for Suzuka." she took a step towards me, causing me to instinctively step back "I want to be seen as my own person." she took another step, forcing me to back against the wall. "That's why..."
"W-what are you talking about, Alicia-chan" I tried to laugh out the situation, but found that I was the only one laughing.
"Nanoha..." she lowered her head slightly and almost whispered "I really like you..."
My eyes widened at the declaration. I was unsure of what to say...rather I was unable to think of anything to say. I honestly did have some feelings for the girl in front of me...but do I like her? Was this just admiration because she saved my life? Was the openness I have been giving to her the past few weeks been because of us being together everyday? Or was I truly in love with her? I don't know...how could I possibly know? But looking into the girl's eyes as she lifted her head again told me how serious she was.
She stepped closer to me, pinning me to the wall with no escape, her hair waving lightly in the wind "Go out with me, Takamachi Nanoha..."
Final AN: Yes, yes I know all I did was throw even more confusion into the fire, but all will be explained in due time...all in due time...maybe *grins* orz