What I'd Always Wanted

~0~

The last wish

~0~

Fate finally got over her surprise and with all the coldness she was capable of expressing, eyed Jail with hostility.

"I don't remember to have introduced myself."

The man laughed. "True," he said afterwards.

"But I know many things. More than you can even imagine." The man explained, walking around the young girl. "But right now, that's not important."

He suddenly stopped, turned on his heel and faced Fate, looking at her with a strange face.

"What really matter is, what are you going to choose?" He asked with enthusiasm and curiosity.

Fate was doubtful.

"Whoever you choose, you'll lose one or the other. Or will you sacrifice yourself instead? Oh, that would be very cruel. Would you leave them just like that? Without even saying goodbye?" Jail laughed again, amused.

"Would you leave them all that pain you're feeling right now?"

Hayate watched, a lump forming in her throat, not caused by the horrible things said by that madman, but because of Fate's expression, which told her that her thoughts weren't that far away from his.

"That's the things about wishes. For every thing you gain, you lose something else." Jail continued to torture Fate, wincing with his words.

The blonde looked down, hiding her face behind her bangs. Her whole body trembling slightly.

"Come on, Fate. Don't be angry. I'm just trying to help." Jail dared to say.

Fate challenged him with her eyes. Eyes filled with anger, teeth clenched feeling helpless.

Even from her hiding place, Hayate could notice Fate's emotions passing through her face. Her crimson eyes shining bright.

This situation had to end. Everything had to end.

"I can't," came the voice in a broken whisper. Hayate cringed hearing that plaintive tone in Fate's voice.

"I can't choose," she managed to say with a strange tone. The tears she had worked so hard to hold in, began to come out.

Hayate couldn't stop her own tears, seeing Fate so fragile. The brave and always strong Fate, the young girl who had quietly carried the weight of taking care of an unstable mother, who had always supported her disabled friend, who would barely blink when the other girls in her class made fun of her or provoked her, who had hidden her tears so many times, it was that same young girl who was now expressing her sorrow like never before.

The damn that held her feeling inside, had broken and the strength of those overflowing emotions was so pure that it was impossible not to feel empathy.

Fate loved the two of them too much. So she wasn't capable of deciding what to wish for.

Hayate swallowed, trying to get rid of the lump in her throat. How could she have ever doubted her friend? If she had ever felt jealousy, now she regretted it. She had never had a reason.

Fate had always been there for her, always. She couldn't imagine her life without her.

And Nanoha, she owned her life to Nanoha. Ever since they discovered their true selves. Nanoha had been a great friend. Kind, caring, optimistic. Like a more rational alter ego.

Hayate took a deep breath. It was time to do something for them both. Return the favor. Coming out of her hiding place, she raised her voice.

"Do it, Fate" she gave permission, she ordered.

Jail and Fate were startled and turned almost in unison to face the newcomer.


Hayate smiled sadly from her spot. Her clothes felt heavy and stuck to her body crumpling everywhere. Her hair, Nanoha's beautiful copper hair clung to her face. And a little puddle was slowly forming by her feet.

Her appearance was surely horrible, but she didn't care.

Fate, looking horrified, didn't move. Jail on the other hand, cocked his head and squinted. As soon as he recognized her, he smiled wide.

"Look who we have here. Welcome to the party." He invited her to come closer, but Hayate didn't move. She ignored the crazy man and fixed her eyes on Fate's.

"Save Nanoha," she told the blonde, who still kept in her hand the artifact capable of doing it.

"I don't care," she said when Fate shook her head. "Things will then be as they should have been. I've lived my dream, I'll leave in peace."

"No," Fate murmured still crying. "There has to be another way."

Hayate smiled. Her heart filling with love.

"Fate-chan, please," she begged. She was breaking her promise to Nanoha, but Nanoha would understand. And although Fate wasn't been very receptive at the moment, she would eventually realize that this was the right choice.

"Who's there?" they heard someone shout and footsteps approaching. Hayate recognized the voice belonging to the security guard almost at the same instant that the man appeared running and drawing his weapon.

"What's all this? What are you doing here?" he asked, eyes wide open, as he looked at the three figures standing in the room.

Jail approached the guard calmly, as if willing to talk and give an explanation. Suddenly he hit him with a metal gauntlet he wore on his hand.

Hayate was horrified seeing the guard fall to the ground, unconscious. Jail Scaglietti casually turned back to them, for him leaving a guard's body sprawled on the ground didn't seem to matter.

Turning his head to Fate, the man waited expectantly, "So, what's your answer?"

Fate blinked, wiping her tears and coming out of her stupor. She looked at Hayate, then opened her hand watching the glow of the jewel becoming stronger.

"Hayate…" she called her by her real name. "… I love you." She said.

Hayate realized that it was a farewell. She smiled sadly.

"Goodbye, Fate-chan." She whispered.

She let out one last tear. "Nanoha, forgive me."

The light became more intense. Hayate closed her eyes and thought of all her loved ones. Signum, Vita, Fate, Nanoha, Arisa, Suzuka and the Takamachi… she didn't want to forget any of them, Aria and Lotte, Grandpa Gil… those who had already left, would she see them again?

"Ahh," Fate let out an agonizing cry. A warm light filled the room, consuming everything and everyone in an instant.

~ ~0~ ~

She breathed deeply and smiled smelling Fate's scent nearby.

"Nanoha-san, Nanoha-san," She heard a voice calling her, but she was too comfortable cuddling in her friend's warmth to answer.

"Wake up, we're here," Fate whispered.

They were here? Here where? Nanoha's mind was confused.

"Nanoha," Fate's soft voice sounded clearer and closer. In the background, Nanoha heard the soundtrack of a song. She mumbled sleepily trying to sound coherent.

"Five more minutes," she said snuggling closer to the arm she was using as a pillow.

She heard a few whispers close by and decided she'd had enough sleep. She opened her eyes and rubbed them absently. She stopped herself from yawing and turned to face her blonde friend, her secret love. Fate was stiff and blinked when their eyes met.

Nanoha blushed remembering the kiss. She thought Fate must also feel somewhat embarrassed. Even so, that kiss had been… magical, so to speak.

With eyes full of tenderness, she watched her as if she had just been found out. "Fate-chan," she whispered her name. She kissed her cheek and smiled.

Fate's eyes widened. It was then that Nanoha distinguished Hayate sitting next to Fate, with wide eyes and her mouth hanging open.

It took her a few seconds to notice, not the amazed expressions in front of her, but the fact that Hayate was once again Hayate. She was back in her own body.

"Hayate-chan. You're yourself again. How did you do it?" she said excitedly, standing up in the process. Her legs responded again, she was also back in her original body, but she didn't have the chance to rejoice at the return of her motor skills. When she stood up the cable of her mp3 player headphones got stocked and roughly pulled her ears. "Ow," the girl automatically complained before realizing where she was.

The bus.

What was happening? Had she died and was dreaming? She remembered that bus, the trip to the museum.

Frowning, Nanoha turned to face the only girls left in the vehicle. They were looking at her weirdly.

"Takamachi, are you okay?" Hayate worried, feigning disinterest, watching her from behind Fate, carefully, warily.

Takamachi. Nanoha had never felt so hurt hearing her last name.

"I…" she muttered feeling lost. "My friends are waiting for me." she said gathering her things and hurrying out the bus.

Before leaving she directed one last look at the girls who had become her best friends. Hayate and Fate were looking at each other with a "what the hell was that?" face, completely surprised.

When jumping out of the vehicle completely confused, she spotted Suzuka and Arisa lively waving at her from the line of students. A strong sense of déjà vu left her even more stunned.

She walked slowly towards her friends, who immediately noticed Nanoha's stunned and upset expression.

She, in turn, was trying to understand her own memory. Her memories were so real, her emotions so vivid. They couldn't have been dreams. Something had happened. They were back at the start, the beginning of everything. But why? No one seemed to remember. It was the first time for everyone, but not for Nanoha.

"Nanoha?" Suzuka asked worried.

"What's wrong? Did those two do something to you?" Arisa muttered with hostility directing a furtive glance at Hayate and Fate, who were the last ones off the bus.

"Leave them alone," Nanoha defended them, surprising her friends.

At that moment their entrance tickets were being handed out and Nanoha used the distraction to enter the museum and give no explanation for her strange behavior.

~0~

"That was very weird," Hayate said after a long silence. The museum guide was explaining, at the front of the group, some anecdotes and giving dates, the two of them at the very back went unnoticed, ignored by their other classmates. Hayate, of course, was talking about their last encounter with her nemesis, the popular and perfect Nanoha Takamachi.

"She seemed like someone else," the disabled girl continued saying, shocked and worried. Frowning, she thought out loud. "Maybe she was faking… do you think it could be a trap?" She asked Fate, who was quieter than usual. The blonde made a face. "Honestly, I don't know what to think, Nanoha seemed very strange." She said.

She didn't tell Hayate about the warmth she had felt in her chest having her crush so close to her, asleep on her shoulder. Or about the tenderness she felt when Nanoha relaxed and seemed to fully trust, even if it was in her sleep, the protection that she could offer. When the girl, still half asleep, had looked at her and smiled, her heart had skipped a beat. Not even in her fantasies had she ever imagined the sweet sound of Nanoha's voice saying her name so fondly.

Fate felt her cheeks burn at the memory. Hayate, who had been watching her friend as she submerged in her memories, couldn't help smirking. "Trap or not, you got a kiss, didn't ya?" She winked.

The response was immediate, the rosy color in Fate's cheeks turned a deep red that spread across her face. "Hayate!" the blonde scolded.

~0~

Nanoha walked along her group in autopilot, she was certain that she was repeating the day her life had changed forever. But she still didn't understand why. The last thing she remembered was…

"And this gallery is dedicated to ancient civilizations still undocumented." Said the group guide. "And this room is the end of the tour, feel free to explore all the pieces and look at them carefully, since many of them are unique in the world. Do not touch anything. And ask any question you can think of." Smiled the man, giving the group permission to scatter around the museum as they pleased.

"Let's go see the…" Arisa's enthusiasm died on her lips when she turned and saw Nanoha standing behind her with a look of horror in her face.

"Nanoha," she immediately called her, trying to get her out of her trance.

Nanoha responded to the call by saying "Egyptian mummies," completing Arisa's request.

Arisa blinked in surprise, "Uh, yeah" she said dumbly, "How did you know?"

Nanoha smiled sadly. She couldn't tell them the truth.

Suzuka intervened, unconvinced by her friend's actions. "Nanoha, are you okay? You're acting very strange?" she was worried.

Nanoha let out a small laugh, which sounded somewhat forced. "And Suzuka wants to see the Greco-Roman sculptures, right?" She avoided answering.

This time it was Suzuka's turn to raise her eyebrows, surprised by the accuracy of Nanoha's words.

Arisa surprised, looked at Suzuka. "Is it true?"

"Yes, but…" Arisa interrupted her taking her hand. "If we hurry we can see both exhibitions." She said excitedly, forgetting about the brunette's amazing foresight. She started running, but this time they both stopped to face Nanoha, who seemed to have no intention of following them. "Nanoha, you coming?"

The girl grimaced. "I have to use the bathroom, go ahead I'll meet you there." she said trying to sound normal.

"Don't take too long," Suzuka said still unsure, Nanoha's attitude was very suspicious. Even so, she let herself be dragged away by a very energetic Arisa to the other galleries.

Nanoha saw them leave and sighed.

Quieting her inner turmoil, her expression hardened. There was something she had to do.


She walked pass the rusty weapons, the pieces of rock engravings, the costumes, completely ignoring them all. All these treasures were worthless to her.

She went straight to the object that had allowed her to touch heaven and get a taste of hell.

She stood in front of the seemingly harmless blue stone, its sign read that damn name. "Jewel Seed."

Nanoha stared at it for a long time. She owed so much to that smooth and dirty looking stone. But at the same time, the jewel had a debt with her as well.

For a few minutes, Nanoha studied the jewel in silence. The rest of the museum disappearing from her world.

She took a deep breath and released it slowly. This time she felt the dark presence approaching. She heard again that squeaky voice beside her. "Pretty, isn't it?"

The strange man with his creepy smile, had been watching her, she was sure of it. He had something to do with the jewel seed that was for sure.

She turned her head to pierce her gaze on the man's obsessive golden eyes.

"Looks aren't everything," she said. That was a lesson she had learned thoroughly.

The man suddenly stopped and his smiled faded for a moment. He must not be used to people answering him. The man looked at her intently, carefully scrutinizing her.

"But yes, it's pretty." Nanoha said trying to get rid of the man's uncomfortable presence.

Jail smiled again. "It's a very special jewel, you know?" he said as if it was big secret, but Nanoha ignored him.

"I know," she whispered, looking back at the object. During that whole time, the lost logia hadn't shone in the least, not once, not even a flicker. That worried her.

Jail frowned again. For him it must seem like a strange situation. "You do?" he asked curios.

Nanoha didn't look away from the seed. "I once… made wish." She said as if it had happened long ago.

The man gasped and his eyes sparkled with interest.

"Actually I still haven't made it yet, I suppose," the girl thought out loud, realizing that all this, her memories of Hayate, Fate, the discovery of her true self. None of that had happened yet.

The smiling face of the creepy man appeared in front of her, giggling. "You asked to have infinite wishes." He said playing a guessing game. "How interesting," he clapped his hands like a little kid watching his favorite circus act.

"Wishes are clever and delicate. Every wish has a price. Haven't I ever told you that before? I bet you repeat the same day you made your wish again and again, right?" Jail concluded giggling. "How many times have you come here already?" he asked. He was excited and continued to talk. "After getting a dream and making it come true, you no longer want it with the same intensity afterwards, so it's virtually impossible to get the jewel seed to react a second time. Believe me, I know from experience." The man patted Nanoha on the shoulder. She turned away from the crazy man as if his touch burned.

"Who are you?" Nanoha stared at the man. That bastard, if he had given her half of that information the first time…

"Relax, we're friends, right? My name is Jail Scaglietti and I've been the guardian of the lost logias ever since this world existed." He explained with one of his crooked smiles.

"Ahhh," Jail said watching Nanoha step back slightly. That man was completely insane, Nanoha couldn't help looking at him with some disgust, fear and pity.

"Don't look at me like that, I wasn't always like this you know? There was a time when I was very much like you. But like everyone, I made a bad choice with my wish and have been paying the price ever since." He said with some sanity. "During the first century I endured, but then I got tired. I tried to save people like you from making the mistake of wanting to change their destiny, but nobody listened. I asked, begged… after a while I found it was useless." He said with sorrow and anger, with disgust toward human nature. Suddenly, as if he had remembered something good, he smiled again. "But their payments to the jewels eased my suffering. Witnessing their mistakes, seeing how low they could fall, makes me feel better about my own fate."

Looking at Nanoha, he pointed out laughing. "I may have to live forever, but at least I don't have to always live the same day. Haha ha ha ha." He started laughing with joy.

The few students who still remained in the gallery started to leave, scared by the man's crazy laughter. Nanoha stood there, amazed by Jail's story. She felt compassion for the man and could almost understand why he had gone mad.

Jail's laughter slowly died down seeing the girl's response. "I don't understand," said the man. The girl looked at him with pity.

"You should be angry, or breaking down, I've spent years watching people's reactions, studying their emotions. Your wish… was I wrong?" Jail seemed confused.

"I did make a wish, but this," referring to her current situation, gesturing at the whole gallery. "is not my doing."

"Liar!" Jail accused, "you wouldn't remember if it wasn't your own wish."

Nanoha shook her head, she herself couldn't find an explanation for that small but crucial detail.

She had a feeling, feared and was almost completely certain, of knowing who had caused this time loop, but didn't dare to venture any further into her guesses.

She felt sick just thinking about it. But, what if it was true? Fate couldn't have done such thing. And Hayate? Why didn't she stop her? Or, was it she who encouraged Fate to enter the horrible game of the jewel seeds?

One way or another, they must have been very desperate to even try it. Then there was no other explanation. Nanoha had died. She couldn't remember it, but was sure of it.

For her it had been like falling asleep for a second and suddenly waking up in a strange remake of everything before the change.

Thinking carefully, she realized that indeed the wishes had a price. If Fate had wished to bring her back to life, they would've had many problems, not to mention the fact the she would still be inside Hayate's body and possible would have returned as a zombie. With horror, she reconsidered it, concentrating. She shivered.

If she had come back to this day, then everything would have to repeat. But now things were different.

Nanoha gathered all her courage and determination. This time things would be different. She would change things. She would save Hayate and protect Fate.

Suddenly a flicker of light made her and Jail turn astonished to look at the granting wishes stone.

"It reacted," muttered the lunatic guardian of the relic. "That's impossible."

Nanoha blinked, equally surprised and overwhelmed. She moved closer and looked at the jewel with hope.

"Why?" Jail was confused and angry.

For a long time, too long, Jail had controlled the relics that granted wishes. His sin had been to seek immortality, and his punishment had been exactly equal. Not particularly more cruel than others. It all depended on the wish granted. Jail had tried to persuade the unwary individuals who claimed the jewel seeds as theirs, but never succeeded and all of them paid for their greed. Finally their misfortunes became his hobby, a way to forget about his own pain. And at one point, a fun show to see. But even with all his experience, Jail had never seen such thing. Many times, those who had used the power, had wished to never have used it, but they had never gotten the option of going back to the past and not make their wish.

This couldn't be happening. It wasn't possible, unless someone else makes the wish for you. Another person with the right spirit to be accepted by the jewel seed, who was willing to sacrifice their wish and pay their price in return. Who could possibly be so altruistic and selfless? So stupid?

Jail chuckled. Whoever that idiot was, they were surely paying their price right now.

The interesting thing now was to see what choice the girl would make with her second chance.

It was then that the relative silence was broken by a familiar sound approaching. Hayate didn't stop her chair until she was next to Nanoha.

Jail moved a few steps away from the girls, but watched them with suspicion.


"Hi" Hayate dryly greeted her nemesis. Looking at her, Hayate was surprised at the excitement shining in Nanoha's blue-violet eyes.

"Hi," the brunette replied with a slight smile.

"What are you plotting, Takamachi?" Hayate muttered under her breath, suspicious of the sudden change in treatment. Nanoha heard it anyway and again grimaced the same way she had done in the bus. Hayate was perplexed. It almost seemed like Nanoha actually cared about her. Hayate turned her face feeling uncomfortable. Suddenly she felt as if she had become the villain in the story, and didn't like it.

She decided to concentrate back on her goal, after all this time of studying and waiting, the jewel seed was finally in front of her. She raised her hand to touch it lovingly, she gave a damn about the museum regulations. It mattered in the least when her future depended on that tiny stone.

The jewel shone for a moment and Hayate's eyes widened. It was real, it wasn't just a tale, the jewel would grant her a wish. Her fingers were quick to try and grab the jewel.

Nanoha's fingers were faster.

"Hey," Hayate said. Almost immediately all her anger towards the most popular girl in her class, returned.

"What do you think you're doing?" she rebuked.

"Hayate-chan," Nanoha called softly, "I know what you're trying to do, but please listen to me first," she said.

The girl glanced at Nanoha carefully. There was something odd about her. She no longer had that haughty aura around her. She seemed sincere, but Hayate couldn't really trust her.

"How can you know what I want or intend to do?" she snapped with some venom. Envy running through her body.

Nanoha sighed wistfully. "Believe it or not, I know. I understand," she said and showed her the jewel between her forefinger and thumb. The jewel winked at them. "I also have a wish, you see?" she said. Hayate's expression fell. What was she planning?

Nanoha approached Hayate and bent down to be at the same level as the disabled girl. Hayate pressed herself against her chair in an attempt to get away from the closeness with the other girl, but Nanoha took her hand tenderly. "My wish is…" she gently placed the jewel seed in Hayate's palm. "… that yours comes true." She whispered, closing Hayate's hand.

Hayate's celestial orbs stared at their touching hands, not believing Nanoha's actions. Then her eyes fell on the girl in front of her. It was like seeing someone for the first time.

"Whatever you wish for, I'll support you, but first listen to me," Nanoha once again pleaded. "please."

Hayate, with her mouth still half opened, was silent for a few seconds. She could feel the warm touch of the jewel seed in her hand. She found no harm on making her destiny wait a little longer.

"Talk," she purred still overwhelmed by the situation.


Little by little, Nanoha explained everything to Hayate. Everything. The museum incident the first time, and its confusing result. Their lives as the other. Their growing friendship. Their relationship with Fate. Their day to day. The lies and secrets. Their accomplishments, their joys. The moments of sadness, of sorrow. The moments that they all shared. The declined in her health and her supposed death.

Hayate was silent and Nanoha stopped talking waiting for a reaction.

"Am I really going die?" she murmured. Nanoha's heart clenched. She remembered the feeling of uncertainty when it was she who had to face such fate. It was distressing and sad. But that feeling was more disconcerting realizing that in this new life, she could lose Hayate. Her friend.

"No," Nanoha denied it. "we have a second chance." She smiled with watery eyes and pointed to the jewel that Hayate held in her hand.

"This time, we'll do it right," the brunette told herself while the girl in the wheelchair blinked, absorbing that whole strange story. No matter how silly it might seem, it sounded so real, it couldn't be a lie.

"We're friend, Hayate-chan. This time I won't try to stop you from making your wish," she said, praying that the other girl believed her, listened to her. "I must confess that the first time it went wrong because of me. I got in the way and my wish got mixed with yours, and…"

"What exactly did you wish for?" Hayate interrupted with curiosity.

"I'm not sure, we were in the middle of a fight but I know that in that moment, I wanted to be like you," Nanoha confessed. Hayate's eyes widened in surprise. She understood that maybe her own wish got misinterpreted, wanting a healthy body. It was normal that Hayate envied Nanoha, strong, popular… but what did she have that could interest Nanoha.

Nanoha smiled at the other girl reading her expression, she understood Hayate much better now than before and understood her uncertainty. She regretted how foolish they had been to not see things as they were. Failing to understand their own weaknesses, but also their strengths.

"You're free, Hayate-chan. You're free to be honest and firm in your own person. And you have the love of many people who appreciate you. Deep bonds that are worth much more than all the gold in the world." She said.

For the umpteenth time, the handicapped girl blinked, surprised by Nanoha's new kindness towards her and by her mature way of talking. She really had changed. It wasn't just some joke.

Finally Hayate smiled at Nanoha and started giggling.

"Being me did you some good. You're wiser. Kind of scary." She joked, finally accepting Nanoha's new role as her ally.

After a few seconds of silence, Nanoha pointed at the seed timidly flickering between Hayate fingers. "What are you going to wish for?"

Hayate frowned. After the story she had just heard, it was clear that the wish cycle was very complicated.

"What if we share your body? We'll both get what we want. I get health and you get Fate. Everybody happy." She winked as she stuck the tip of her tongue out.

"Hayate-chan. This is serious," Nanoha rebuked. Only Hayate was capable of making a joke in a situation as delicate as the one they were in right now. "And no way." She scolded her seeing the twinkle in Hayate's eyes.

Nanoha's mouth twisted into a smirk. "Although, living with you in my head would have its good things, I would never feel lonely and would always have the best grades in class."

The girl with the power of the jewel in her hand raised her eyebrows seeing Nanoha had followed along with the joke. "Ahhh," she said thoughtfully. "then you don't mind that we share Fate as well. I bet that during intimate moments we would both come out winning. We would be the first threesome with two people in all history." She grinned mockingly.

"Hayate!" Nanoha was shocked, blushing like a tomato. The smallest girl laughed wholeheartedly and thus covering up the double-edged meaning of that joke, she was thankful Nanoha was too embarrassed to notice.


The two girls had momentarily forgotten about Jail, who was watching from a distance somewhat angry.

"Fate" He murmured the name of the third girl. Should he admire her or hate her? Her name even said it. She had achieved something impossible, a new situation. But Jail didn't dare to hope.

Humans always ended up making the same mistakes over and over again. He was convinced that history would repeat itself.

Then he realized that if Hayate didn't have any memories of her other life, in some strange way, they would be destined to make the same mistakes again. Nanoha and Hayate would change bodies, they would live the same events over and over again, making the same choices continually, suffering again and again the same outcome and then back to the start.

So then, Fate had condemned herself to suffer the same fraud over and over again, live the same lie, the same bitter disappointment. Her friend's betrayal, the horrible harsh conclusion where she had to choose between the two and always end up losing. Was it worth it? Why had she chosen that? Would she really rather suffer everything again and again then lose one of her friends? Repeating those weeks forever didn't make sense.

Or maybe there was something Jail didn't understand in that whole story. Whatever it was, Fate had decided to give her friends a liberation that would never come, and he would be there every time to witness their failure.

Seeing the hope in the eyes of Nanoha and Hayate, Jail couldn't help smiling again.

"What is your wish going to be?" he murmured, enjoying himself with the situation.


Hayate took a deep breath, this was her moment of truth. Her hand trembled slightly, but it wasn't due to her illness, the nerves were consuming her.

She had to be very careful with her wish, she only had one chance. Nanoha, with a serious face, nodded expectantly in front of her, giving her courage, putting a hand over her leg.

"I've been waiting for this moment for so long," Hayate confessed, "and now I can't even ask for what I want most."

Obviously, she was scared. It was normal. Nanoha was also scared.

Sighing, Hayate's shoulder sank. "Nanoha-chan, thank you." She said mournfully. She couldn't bring herself to say anything else. She understood that what Nanoha had done was proof of their friendship. If what she had told her was true, then she was sacrificing something very important to her. Now Nanoha was once again a stranger to Fate. She was giving up her love for the other girl to give her the chance to save her life.

Hayate smiled sadly. Even if they had to start from scratch, she had to be positive, Fate and Nanoha could still get together, right?

But, if she managed to walk again, even if she got a good health, would she be able to give up on Fate for Nanoha?

"Hayate, what are you waiting for? This is your big moment." Nanoha urged her, pulling her away from her thoughts.

Yes, it was a turning point in her life. She could do so many things. She couldn't waste this opportunity. Not everyone had the luck to get their greatest wish granted for real.

How many had done it before? How many had failed? Suddenly, something stopped her. Her eyes moved to find Jail's angry looking golden orbs watching her with a smile.

She felt a chill run down her back and a bad feeling took over her.

She wouldn't let that man affect her in such way. There had been so much suffering already, so much sacrifice.

Challenging the man, Hayate showed him the jewel seed that was turning brighter. She heard Nanoha swallow.

Jail Scaglietti's smile faded from his face as Hayate's lips moved uttering out loud her wish and the light consumed them all.

~ ~0~ ~

"Tsukimura, Suzuka" the name echoed through the speakers. Said young woman walked down the aisle between the two groups of chairs, went up the stage, received her certificate and, with an elegant bow, thanked everyone. As she was gracefully making her way back down, the principal was already calling the next student.

"Uma, Natsumi" a redhead walked nervously towards the stage. She stuttered her thanks and wanted to disappear when she saw her parents in the back of the auditorium jumping and waving at her while recording everything with their video camera.

"Umiko, Akane" the list continued solemnly. The graduation ceremony was coming to an end. Arisa Bannings smiled at Suzuka excited anticipating the next name.

"Yagami, Hayate"

The two girls held hands and turned their heads. Other students turned slightly, curious and solemn. No one was walking down the aisle.

More and more heads started to turn and a tense silence gripped the room.

They could almost hear the slow but strongly progressing steps. The small teenager was walking completely concentrated with the aid of two crutches. Her legs trembled, but she was able to stay standing and move them, awkwardly, but consciously. The path to the stage seen to go on forever, but no one was more stubborn than her and Hayate wanted to show everyone what she was capable of.

The school principal waited patiently for the girl to climb on the stage and when she did, she handed her her certificate with a broad smile.

There was a round of applause. Among the audience Hayate distinguished Shamal, who kept on blowing her nose and crying, excited. Signum looked at her proudly, Vita smiling at her side while still clinging to her chair nervously, afraid that Hayate might fall at any moment.

Arisa and Suzuka applauded happily, smiling and giving her encouragement.

Her eyes sparkled, remembering the time when graduation seemed like a distant and impossible thing. The time when everything seemed to be lost. It all felt like it had happened yesterday. But today she was here, graduating with honors, alive, happy and using both of her legs.

And it was all thanks to the love of her family, the moral and financial support of Suzuka and Arisa, and everyone's encouragements. Things had changed so much, so fast.

She started to make her way down the stairs, and once she was on the other side, away from everyone else, she lost her balance for a second tripping over a crutch. A figure jumped alarmed towards her, but stopped once she saw her getting her balance back. Hayate smiled at the blonde who stood still waiting for her to approach her, trusting her. Blue and crimson eyes met and a silent agreement was made at that instant. Hayate walked two steps without taking her eyes away from Fate. She waited patiently. One foot after the other, the steps were getting fasted and with more confidence. Suddenly, in a moment of happiness, a few meters away from Fate, Hayate let go of the crutches and started running roughly. The last jump seemed more like a half jump half stumble, but whatever it had been, Fate enveloped her in a hug letting out a soft laugh.

"You did it." Fate smiled putting her back down but still helping her stand. Hayate hugged Fate tightly and buried her face in her chest. She was intoxicated by the excitement and didn't want her friend to see her cry about something so childish. Fate sighed and smiled tenderly stroking her head.

Fate had been one of the main reasons, the first reason, that had made that miracle possible, even though the blonde didn't have the slightest idea of that fact. Hayate thought she would never be able to show how important the blonde was to her, as much as she tried.

Suddenly, Hayate felt Fate tense slightly and pulling away from her, she saw her gaze fixed on the other end of the room. Hayate followed the same direction and saw the Takamachi family.

Nanoha lowered her head with a slight blush on her cheeks, Fate turned her attention back to Hayate wearing a guilty expression. It was obvious that Nanoha had been watching them that whole time and Fate had caught her gaze.

Hayate sighed annoyed by her friends' attitudes.


After the ceremony, the five girls gathered at Midoriya to celebrate the great day's achievement. The Takamachi had organized a small private party for them. Signum was having a fun talk with the Takamachi men about something dealing with kendo. Vita was in heaven eating all the sweets cooked by Momoko. Lindy had showed up, dragging Precia along with her. Even though she was showing great improvement, Fate's mom still felt insecure if there was no one there to look over her. She was afraid of hurting Fate again or of ruining everything. Suzuka went along with her older sister. Arisa's parents were in an important meeting, but they had left their butler as a substitute. The girl didn't take that so well, but Suzuka knew how to calm her with a couple of words.

The atmosphere was cheerful, somewhat hectic, but it was definitely a happy moment for everyone gathered there.

Hayate sighed exhausted, lying down on her booth for a moment. She smiled. She had just graduated. It still felt strange.

"Hayate-chan, are you okay?" Suzuka whispered, worried.

Smiling Hayate waved her hand. "I'm fine, just tired." She admitted. Suzuka nodded and walked away to talk to her sister, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

The silence didn't last long.

"Hayate-chan," Nanoha's voice made her sit back up. The two girls looked at each other for a moment.

Nanoha smiled nervously.

"I'm glad you're here," she confessed quietly. Hayate knew that her words had a deeper meaning that Nanoha had intended to. Her voice betrayed her.

"I owe it to you and Fate. You both made it possible.' Hayate said. "And Arisa and Suzuka were very nice with me. When I start working I'll make sure to give them back all that money they lent me for the medicine."

Nanoha stared at her for a moment. "Why did you take such risk? You could have wished to be healed and you could have saved us some trouble." She scolded.

Hayate shrugged. She had done the right thing.


"I wish the relics lose their power and that no one else suffers because of their wishes." That had been her words back then, when she had her chance during the trip to the museum.

Jail had started screaming like crazy and a guard had to arrest him.

They hadn't seen him since.

Almost everyone there had witness the scene, amused.

Fate, scared by all the noise, had run to find Hayate right before the guards had done something about Jail, and had been on the receiving end of a long list of curses coming from the madman's mouth. According to him it was all her fault. Fate hadn't understood anything.

That day marked a change. Many changes. One of them, involving the two class loners and Nanoha and her friends. They started to talk, to understand, to get to know each other and forged a beautiful friendship.

Nanoha was the first one to start doing something about Hayate's health, surprising everyone. Talking with Dr. Ishida and Shamal, Nanoha managed to get, with a lot of insistence, that new and expensive medicine in record time.

There were no guarantees, but Nanoha didn't want to give up. She knew what the outcome would be if she did, and pushed every day so Hayate wouldn't give up either.

There had been a couple of disagreements, but luckily they hadn't turned into something mayor. Gradually they started to see some improvement. The disease was subsiding and Hayate stared a harder phase to rehabilitate her weak body.


"It was worth it." she smiled.

Nanoha sighed and smiled remembering all that had happened since.

"And by the way, Nanoha" Hayate started saying, "How are things going with Fate-chan?"

Nanoha choked and started to cough. "Hayate," she reproached her between coughs. Ironically, it was Fate who suddenly approached her worried. "Nanoha, are you okay? Do you want some water?"

Hayate smiled mischievously at Nanoha and raised her eyebrows suggestively. "Hayate, stop," Nanoha hissed softly.

To escape from her embarrassment, Nanoha excused herself. "I need to use the bathroom," and disappeared running.

"It seems that Nanoha is a bit unwell," Hayate said. Fate stared at the bathroom doors with a worried expression.

Hayate looked at her and smiled. Fate didn't know the truth of what had happened at the museum or about the short time they had shared at one point and that she had erased. It was unfair. To Fate, who being so in love with Nanoha as she was, didn't know that they could actually be something more than just friends. It was also unfair to Nanoha, who still have memories of Fate that were no longer true, she remembered a kiss that never happened, but that could happen if she wasn't so stubborn.

"Why don't you tell her how you feel Fate-chan? She feels the same way." She whispered. Fate turned her head so fast that it startled Hayate. "Did she tell you that?" the blonde asked.

Hayate blinked stupidly. "No, but it's so obvious that… Fate, are you really that dense?" Did someone really need to be dying so those two finally make a move?

"Fate-chan, remember our motto? Carpe Diem," she tried again, Fate nodded "then tell her," she encouraged.

"Tell who, what?" Arisa invited herself into the conversation carrying a plate with several slices of cake.

"Tell Nanoha how she feels about her, obviously," Suzuka added appearing by her side.

Fate's face flushed. Was it really that obvious?

"You still haven't told her?" Suzuka continued surprised. Arisa just stood there with her mouth hanging open, stunned by the subject and the ease with which Hayate and Suzuka were talking about it.

Fate felt cornered and fled, "I'm going to the bathroom."

Hayate rolled her eyes, that excuse was really outdated. Even so, she smiled when the blonde disappeared behind the bathroom doors.

~0~

Just as Fate walked inside the bathroom, the door of one of the stalls opened hitting Fate square on the nose. "Ouch,' she groaned.

"Oh God!" Nanoha said surprised and guiltily, "I'm so sorry Fate-chan. I didn't see you."

Fate covered her nose with her hands as a tear escaped from the corner of her eyes. "It's ok," was all she managed to say.

"Let me see," Nanoha said worried and Fate couldn't resist. Her nose was red and bleeding. Nanoha winced.

"I'm fine, it's was an accident. Don't worry." Fate wanted to downplay it, recovering her ability to speak. However Nanoha was already quickly wetting a handkerchief.

She wiped away the blood and held Fate's nose gently as the bleeding stopped. Fate stood very still while Nanoha held her face steady to keep the pressure. Some time passed and Fate couldn't help looking down at Nanoha, concentrated in her current task as nurse.

For a moment, Nanoha remembered that other time, the other that never existed, when she had healed the cut on Fate's lip.

Fate saw the strange and melancholic glint in Nanoha's eyes. One that she could sometimes see across the girl's face, as if she was remembering a nice childhood memory.

With a small smile, the brunette removed the handkerchief and was glad to see that Fate's nose was no longer bleeding.

"Thanks," Fate whispered not wanting to break the silence that enveloped them.

"Mm," Nanoha said absently. Fate took that opportunity to ask, "What are you thinking about?"

Somewhat lost in thought, Nanoha wasn't entirely conscious when she replied. "About that other time," she murmured looking at Fate's face, at her beautiful lips. She ran a finger over them, in the place where she remembered the wound, "you had a split lip."

Fate looked at her strangely, a bit confused at first, then she squinted and studied the brunette carefully. "What other time?" she asked.

Nanoha blinked awakening from her daze. When she realized what she was doing and how close she was to Fate, she moved away quickly.

Somewhat embarrassed she apologized, "Sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

But the blonde, despite the goosebumps she got when Nanoha touched her lip and got so close to her, steeled herself and didn't budge. This was her chance to find out what memories saddened Nanoha so much at times, what secrets she kept along with Hayate.

She grabbed her by the shoulder to keep her from running. "What other time?" she repeated, this time with a demanding tone. She was sure that Nanoha hand never nursed her. She would remember it. Boy, if she would remember it.

The other girl turned away, what could she answer? She was cornered. The first time she and Hayate had kept secrets from Fate, the result had been devastating. She didn't want to relieve a moment like that. But when Nanoha's life restarted thanks to Fate, when she was reborn in that bus, everything turned complicated once again. She tried to correct her mistakes, she befriended Fate from scratch, with Hayate's help. And it had worked, but the closer they got, the more trust she gained from Fate, the harder it was to tell her the truth. Always looking for the right time to tell her about their incredible story, which she would surely think was crazy, but that time never seemed to come. Finally, they had reached a point where their relationship was so intense that Nanoha decided to never tell her the truth. She had even convinced Hayate of it. Right now that was the best decision, right? It would be much easier that way. After all, those things never really existed, but as much as she tried to burry those experiences in the depths of her heart, the memories were so strong and especial that sometimes they re-emerged even stronger than before whenever a gesture, situation or thing reminded her of them.

"Nanoha," Fate begged, she didn't understand what could be so terrible that her brave friend was so afraid to tell.

Nanoha lowered her head and stared at the floor. She didn't dare to speak. "You wouldn't believe me," she said in a small voice.

Fate raised her eyebrows.

After staring at each other for some time, Nanoha realized that Fate wouldn't budge this time. But, would she be able to let go of that hidden part? She had resigned herself to try and forget and rather focused on protecting those memories like a precious treasure. Keeping a flicker of hope that it would happen again.

With some fear she chewed her bottom lip, thinking about the possible consequences of what she was about to do.

The brunette took a deep breath, filling her lungs, she slowly released it and faced the ruby-eyed girl with determination.

"Alright," she agreed. She had to trust that Fate would understand. "Remember the day of the trip to the museum? Well everything started when…"

~0~

Hayate, Suzuka and Arisa kept a watchful eye on the bathroom door.

"They're taking too long," Suzuka said, not sure if she should start to worry or not.

"They might be consummating their love," Hayate said laughing. She eventually had accepted her role in that bizarre love triangle. She loved Fate and shared a deep bond with Nanoha. She wished them both happiness and that's why she let them be. Although sometimes she got annoyed by the fact that despite her getting out of their way and even more importantly, supporting them, neither dared to take the next step.

"You mean they're…" Arisa blinked wide eyed and red as a tomato.

The three girls turned their alert gaze to the door, when suddenly Miyuki stepped right in their field of vision. She was heading straight towards the bathroom.

"Noooooooo!" they all shouted in unison startling Nanoha's sister and stopping her three feet away from the door.

"What?!" she relaxed again, straightening her glasses, which had twisted when she jumped. When she saw the girls sitting at the table, she counted, looked around the room and when she realized who was missing, she smiled. "Oh," she said knowingly.

~0~

Fate didn't interrupt her at any moment, she listened to her from the beginning to the end of the outrageous story. Even when they reached the last part and Nanoha started to cry, vividly recalling the events and her speech became incoherent at times.

When she finished there was silence. Nanoha understood that assimilating and accepting everything was difficult. Would Fate believe her? Yes or no, how would she react?

Gathering some strength, Nanoha looked up, since at some point during the story she had looked away searching for something to look at that wasn't Fate's face. The crimson-eyed girl was looking at her in a very interesting way, slightly tilting her head. Finally, taking a step forward she moved closer to her and, to Nanoha surprise, raised a hand and placed it on her cheek.

Nanoha let out a small gasp, then she had to remind her heart that it had work to do and to start beating again, since her mind hand gone blank for a moment when Fate's thumb started to stroke her cheek gently, wiping her tears away.

"I'm sorry," Fate whispered and hugged her tightly again her body.

"I'm sorry you had to go through all that. That you have to carry those memories all by yourself. I would give anything to remember everything and know what to say to comfort you." She confessed in a whisper.

Nanoha sobbed and held on to Fate as if her life depended on it. It was Nanoha's turn to apologize.

"I'm sorry I lied to you, Fate-chan. I didn't want to. I'm so sorry I lied. Before and now." She was ashamed.

She sobbed exhausted by all her emotions.

"I was so afraid of losing you if I told you the truth. So afraid that you would hate me…"

Fate pulled away suddenly, almost offended by the very thought of it. "I could never hate you, Nanoha. I love you." She blurted out.

Nanoha blinked in surprise at the statement. Fate froze processing what had just come out of her mouth.

Time stopped.

Nanoha blinked again. Had her ear deceived her? Had Hayate been right all along? They weren't just jokes to put her on the spot.

"Fate-chan…?"

Now it was Fate's turn to look away, embarrassed and shy, fearful and nervous.

Nanoha understood and her chest filled with tenderness. She smiled and took Fate's hand to get her attention and let her know that everything was alright.

"Me too," she whispered bravely and with all the love that she was capable of expressing.

Fate turned and looked at her dazed. "Really?"

"Really," Nanoha reassured her with a smile.

"Are you sure?" Fate asked again uncertain.

"Yes," Nanoha replied with a smile.

"…?" Fate's next question died in her lips when Nanoha exasperated, took the initiative and silenced Fate with a kiss.

~0~

The bathroom door opened and Nanoha and Fate came out together. Hayate quickly realized something had happened. There was something different. A twinkle in their eyes, an expression on their faces, a bright aura around them. Besides the fact that anybody would have noticed them walking hand in hand. Although that wasn't really something new, it was though that their fingers were intertwined.

"Finally," Hayate smiled slyly.

When the two girls stopped staring at each other like two teenagers drunk with love, they were very surprised to see that everyone was watching them attentively and in silence.

Hayate couldn't hold back anymore and laughed. She wasn't the only one.

Mortified, it wasn't necessary for the two lovebirds to say anything because the congratulations started flying around the room.

Suddenly it was not only graduation that they were celebrating at their little party.

~0~

"I've never been so embarrassed before. I wish I could erase that moment of my life," Nanoha snorted, still being tortured by the image of her entire family lovingly making jokes at her expenses…

"Don't say that," Fate said after some thought. The experience had been equally traumatic for the blonde, if her still flushed cheeks were any indicator of it.

The two had fled into the garden to find some peace. The party had moved to the Takamachi residence and as time passed and the sun went down, the event had turned into a sleepover.

Nanoha looked at Fate and smiled sadly. If she had learned anything from Hayate and Fate, it was that no moment in their lives was insignificant. Neither good, nor bad. They all deserved to be remembered.

"You're right," she nodded.

They were both sitting on the back porch, the first starts already visible in the sky.

"We should focus on creating good moments that are worth remembering."

Fate put a shy hand over Nanoha's naked knee, her fingers brushing her thigh. She brought her face close to Nanoha's, but stopped a few inches away. Neither could believe the great stop they had taken. Nanoha's heart raced, Fate's sweet face was so close she could feel her breath tickling her lips. She closed her eyes, relaxed and waited.

But Fate didn't move. Nanoha opened one eye shyly, she glanced at Fate. Was she still doubtful?

She put her hand over Fate's to encourage her, and closed her eyes again. This time, her girlfriend answered and clasped their lips together. For a few seconds they focused on showing the love they felt for each other through the gesture. Although it soon turned into something more when the kiss became more sensual.

When they pulled apart, their smiles were tender and loving.

"Come here,' Fate said to Nanoha making room between her legs. The brunette, in a daze sat in front of Fate and let her wrapped her arms around her. While Nanoha leaned against the blonde's chest, Fate rested her chin on Nanoha's shoulder. The two sighed happily.

The starts shone beautifully that night.

"Oh," Fate suddenly said, "A shooting star! Nanoha, quick make a wish." She said, pointing to a white star already disappearing.

Nanoha giggled, mainly because of Fate's innocence with which she had spoken. And also, because of the irony of shooting starts.

"I don't need a wish," she smiled, "I already have what I'd always wanted," she said giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.

Fate grimaced, "That was so corny" she joked. Nanoha giggled.

Yes it was, but it was true.

-THE END-


T/N: So we finally reached the end of this story, I can't actually believe that it took me a little over a year to finish it, that sure was long even though it didn't feel like it. I really want to thank all of you guys for sticking with me this whole time, I hope you liked how everything ended, i personally loved it, especially that last part, although i feel like some things were left unexplained, but oh well, I guess they weren't really that important. I also want to thank all of those who always took the time to review, your words were always encouraging and I appreciated them a lot. Now, moving to other things...

I'm going to start working on another story right away (well not like right away but more like in a week or so). I'm still not entirely sure which story is going to be since I have two to choose from. One of them was a request and the other is one of my personal choice, both are relatively short, for more details go to my profile page and check them out, they're the first two under Probable Future Stories, if you guys have any preferences let me know and I might just listen to you. Also I was thinking about re-checking my old stories, mainly "Addicted To You" and "It's Her and I", I'm almost completely sure I've gotten better at translating since I first did them so I want to read them again and see if I can make them better, I'll let you know when I'm done with that in case you want to read them again as well.

I was also thinking about starting to work outside of NanoFate, I mean I really love it and all but change is always good and there's some other really good pairings out there that I would really like to work with, so if any of you have any suggestions or requests, let me know, I'll be happy to check them out.

Anyway, thanks a lot to all of you and also a huge thanks to the original author Alba1, for letting me translate this amazing story. Thanks again and you're free to leave any last comments if you want, see you soon ;)