A/N: Alright, this is the official "build-up" chapter. We only have one left after this, and so all the events in this story will be resolved, and a new story in these lovable girls' lives can begin. As usual, forgive spelling mistakes and everything else that might be terrible. Also, Madoka Magica is insanely, deliciously, yurifically good, watch it, and look forward to some fanfics in the future. Anyway, enjoy the second last chapter, and wait in anticipation for the finale, which wont take too long.
- Kode-Dekka
"Yes.. if its 'that', I can make up for everything."
Natsume felt a sort of sentimental sensation go through her. "Mother, father, lets end this once and for all."
The one thing that could save Hayate, Natsume had it, and now it was time to use it.
"Watch me, Alisa, I..."
Lyrical Girls A's
XI
"You'll really let us do it!" I couldn't contain my joy in front of Fate, and Ms. Harlaown.
"Yes, I think its a splendid idea." The green-haired woman smiled deeply at us, and even more so at Fate. "I'm proud of both of you, its an honor to know such kind girls, it makes everything I've done worthwhile."
The two of us blushed, and Fate looked about ready to collapse, she really was cute. But, not forgetting our manners, we bowed. "Thank you very much, Sensei!"
"Oh my, I'm embarrassed." She giggled, and we raised our heads, smiling at each other hopefully. "So, shall we get started with the preparations?"
"Yes!"
"I'm glad you could come." Natsume greeted Signum, Shamal, Vita, and Zafira, the four of which just entered her room. Alisa waited outside, keeping an eye out for the girl's parents.
"What's this all about?" Natsume could feel the distrust coming from them. Its only natural, I did threaten the girl after all.
"What would you say if I told you that I could save that girl?" This only made Vita more suspicious, and she narrowed her eyes at her. "Don't get me wrong, I don't have any ulterior motives or anything, I really do want to save her."
"Why?" This came from Signum, "You have nothing to gain by helping us, especially since we attacked you." Natsume expected this question.
"I want to change. I'm a selfish, cruel, hateful, awful person. But there is someone who believes in me, someone who wont give up on me, even though I've hurt her so many times. If I can save Hayate, I feel like I can become someone who doesn't need to be looked at with pity or sympathy. If its for Alisa, I can atone for all my sins, and one day, I can become worthy of that girl's friendship. That's why, I'll save Hayate."
The four people who were once Natsume's enemies, seemed softer now. She couldn't help but show them a smile that would make an angel melt. "I'll give you the money for Hayate's operation. It may not look like it, but I'm quite wealthy. My real parents are both dead, and they left behind a sizable amount of money, which I will give to you."
They were shocked, and still cautious, though Shamal and Zafira seemed more trusting of her.
"How misleading." Signum said flatly. "I can feel it from you. You don't plan on just handing it over, what do you want from us?" Natsume smirked, the jig was up.
"You're right. I'll give you the money on two conditions: The first is that you stop mugging people, Hayate deserves better than that, and I'm sure she wouldn't be happy to know how you got that money." They suddenly looked guilty. Ah, it seems she found out already, oops... "Anyway, the second condition. Signum, when I'm released from here, I want you to fight me. If you can win, then I'll give you the money."
The two of them looked sharply at each other, both thinking the same thing.
"I accept your challenge."
"Good," Natsume's smirk only became more devilish. "Make sure you're ready, I wont go easy on you like last time." She pondered something, coming to a swift resolution. "We'll have our match in two weeks, be prepared, Signum."
Natsume dismissed them, and they left, probably off to prepare. Alisa came back in, a blush on her cheeks, a guilty look in her eyes. "You were listening, weren't you?"
"I-I didn't mean to or anything, its just..." Gently, Natsume eyed Alisa.
"Thank you, Alisa." The blond's blush became darker, and she was right about to say something, but a knock on the door interrupted them.
"Natsume-chan."
It was her parents, the people she has been dreading to see. "Alisa." She nodded.
"I'll see ya later." Alisa opened the door, and moved past the two adults, who seemed a bit bewildered.
"Natsume, are you feeling better." Her new father came toward her, looking worried.
"I'm fine... Dad." His eyes widened, having been called 'dad' for the very first time since meeting Natsume.
"Oh Natsume-chan." Her mother came to their side as well, tears in her eyes. The warm feeling that had been spreading in Natsume's heart only expanded.
"Mom, Dad, could you listen for a little while. I have a request to make."
Over the next two weeks, everything got very hectic. Due to the fact that I was organizing a concert, I could no longer participate in the track team, not that I've been going to practice much anyway since this whole mess started.
It was a lot harder than I thought, I could attribute that to my popularity. Contrary to my wishes to have the Light Music Club do all the playing and singing, it seems that duty has been left to Fate and I, the singing part at least. Now I was in a panic, because I couldn't really sing. I've heard Fate before, I knew she would be fine, but I was a disaster waiting to happen.
And so, here I was, one week left until showtime, still training my voice and learning the songs.
"Waaah, what am I going to do, Fate-chan?"
"Don't worry Nanoha, you'll be fine. Come on, lets practice some more."
Fate did her best to keep me calm, but I was in high octane stress mode now. Nevertheless, I did as I was asked, and kept practicing. Hayate-chan... I thought of her, her smiling face as she hid her pain. I promise Hayate-chan, we'll save you, no matter what.
Its time... Natsume opened her eyes slowly, setting her sight on Signum and her family, who had just entered the Takuhito family dojo. The redhead rose to her feet, draped in a white gi. Signum was similarly dressed, and her eyes were as sharp as knives.
"Are you prepared, Signum?"
"Yes, I trust you are as well?"
Natsume allowed herself to smile, nodding. She pointed to a bench in the corner, a small check rested on top. "If you win, you'll have enough money for Hayate's operation, and then some." She dropped her arm, and moved to the center of the room, where Signum followed suit.
"Natsume!" Alisa came busting in suddenly, breathing heavily. "Sorry I'm late."
"Thank you for coming." Alisa, Vita, Shamal and Zafira took a seat on another bench and watched the two fighters meet each other. The two took a bow before backing away and taking a stance. "Are you scared, Signum? I'm sure you understand the difference in skill between us, its natural to be afraid." Signum made a rare smirk.
"I indeed understand the difference, but that doesn't matter, I have to win."
"Good. Show me then, show me your determination, show me the strength needed to overcome despair."
They spoke no more words, and circled each other. I'm getting excited, Natsume thought, her heart pumping with adrenaline. She was waiting for just the right moment to move, and show the taller girl what true despair is.
Just when everyone in the room was getting bored, things started at last. Finally, when Signum shifted her foot, and it touched the ground, Natsume moved.
"Arugg!" No one understood what happened, least of all Signum, who had suddenly been stuck in the chest. Like a flash of light, Natsume had closed the distance between them, giving her an open hand punch.
"This is true despair Signum, now show me that you can beat it." Swiftly, she hit her again, knocking the woman back a few steps, leaving her no time to recover as she was kicked harshly to the ground. "Come, get up already."
"How insulting..." Signum spat out, getting to her feet slowly. "You're still holding back." In response her words, Natsume appeared to disappear, dashing so fast that Signum could barely register it. And then, inches from her face, was Natsume's foot.
"I'm sorry, I said I wouldn't hold back; However, its hard to control my strength, and if I didn't, I probably would have broken a few of your ribs from that kick before." Signum couldn't disagree with that claim, as her body was already in a great amount of pain.
"Even so, this fight is meaningless if I don't beat you at full power."
"Indeed, so show me that you can." They backed away again, and then went at each other immediately. This time Signum was able to attack, but Natsume countered her effortlessly, not even breaking a sweat as she did so. "How boring." She exclaimed, giving Signum another strong kick, blowing her backward again. The woman doubled over, Natsume approached her, ready to end things. "I'm already tired of this, it looks like all your determination was just for show; I'm disappointed, Signum."
Signum did her best to steady herself, despite the overwhelming pain. This is for Hayate, I can't lose... Natsume was upon her now, and raised her leg, looking down on her with disinterested eyes. I... can't lose! "Hm?"
Natsume suddenly called off her attack and dodged backward to avoid a punch, though the hand throwing it was wavering. Signum prepared herself and charged Natsume, who grinned. "Looks like you're ready, good, come at me with all you got!" Again they exchanged attacks, but with the same result as before, and Signum was pushed back. She didn't give up though, and went at the girl with all her strength. "That's it, struggle, make it fun for me."
By now Signum was completely exhausted. Even then she didn't yield, and managed to finally break through Natsume's defenses. "!"
"Aaaaaaaaaah!" With all her might, Signum delivered her strongest punch, striking Natsume with a right hook.
Swaggering, Natsume held her cheek and backed away. Signum exhaled heavily, and was getting ready to continue attacking, but was stopped by the laughter of her opponent. Revealing her broad smile, Natsume giggled uncontrollably.
"Fantastic! I'm impressed, I never expected you to even be able to land a hit. It stings, but it feels wonderful too." Surprised, Signum wasn't ready at all for Natsume's counterattack, which came without warning. Even as she laughed, the redhead managed to give her opponent one last kick in the stomach. Signum crumpled to the floor, which prompted Shamal to come to her aid.
"Please, that's enough." Natsume nodded.
"I agree, it would be pointless to continue." Natsume turned her back to the woman and began walking toward Alisa, a frail and shaking hand gripped her clothing.
"W-Wait... I can... still fight..." Turning back and seeing Signum's state made Natsume look at her with pity.
"If you want to die, then go ahead and kill yourself, but don't ask me to stain my hands any further." Despite her words, Natsume smiled softly. "Its over, you've already done enough, there's no need for us to hurt each other any more like this. Alisa!" She called over to the girl, and motioned to the check, Alisa nodded and went to it, bringing it to the redhead, who took it gratefully. She knelt down to Signum and offered her not just an even broader smile, but the check as well. "Here."
"...Why..."
"Actually, I was planning on giving it to you from the beginning, this whole fight was just a ruse to test you." Hearing that, Vita couldn't hold back and slapped Natsume, who accepted it without resistance.
"Why the hell would you do something so cruel!" Natsume sighed.
"Someone who can't overcome adversity and despair with their own strength, isn't entitled to happiness. I wanted to test her resolve, I wanted to understand the feelings that would push someone to accept such a ridiculous challenge. More so than any of that, I wanted to see if fighting her, and understanding her feelings would show me a way to overcome my own despair. That's why..." Once again, Natsume pushed for Signum to accept the money. "Take this, save the person precious to you, show me how to overcome despair."
Hesitantly, Signum accepted it, and then barrels into Natsume, crying against her.
When everyone settled down, Natsume made the necessary arrangements so that the money could be used, and then sent the four members of Hayate's family on their way, leaving just her and Alisa alone.
"You're a little mean, but that was really nice of you to do that for them. Are you sure its okay?" Natsume scratched her head, smiling bashfully.
"That money was the last memento of my parents, besides my memories. Now that its gone, I think I can finally move on, and its all thanks to you."
"Eh! I-I didn't do anything." Natsume shook her head.
"If you didn't save me, if you didn't encourage me, I wouldn't have this chance to get over things, I would have been stuck in despair until the day I died. That's why..." All of a sudden, Natsume cupped both Alisa's cheeks, and kissed her gently on the lips. The blond's face exploded in red, and she pushed the girl away, who was equally embarrassed. "Thank you for saving me, Alisa."
"..." Alisa was frozen, and when she thawed, an angry growl escaped from her lips. "T-T-That was my first kiss, Natsumeeee!" She chased her friend, who ran as fast as her legs could carry her. "Natsume, come back here, give me my first kiss back!"
Even though Alisa was mad, and even though Natsume was now running for her life, the two of them wore the biggest smiles the people of the city have ever seen.
