Disclaimer: Do not own anything except the story and plot of it.

A/N: Sorry for the late update! College exams had just began last week, but here it is now! Chapter 12. Hope you like it, Reviews are accepted. ^_^ enjoy!

The Fallen

CleideJam

Chapter 12: Engagement

Normal POV

Today is Saturday, Nanoha, together with Suzuka and Arisa, had decided to visit their new friend Hayate. Unlike the Testarossa residence, the Yagami residence in Japan is as simple as a two-storey house with the simplest furnitures and rooms accommodating it. Inside the house only three beings live. Hayate Yagami, the mistress and the soon-to-be owner of her family's wealth, Shamal Yagami, Hayate's guardian, cousin and a preparing-to-be doctor and of course Zafira, Hayate's quiet puppy that looked like Fate's Arf except there's a difference in the fur's color and gender and attitude.

"Arisa-chan! Suzuka-chan! Gomen, I'm late again. Nyahahaha~" Nanoha said after running towards her two best friends. "Some things just never change, huh?" Arisa asked Suzuka sarcastically. "Well, don't you think its better that way?" Suzuka replied happily to Arisa who in return just gave a sigh of defeat making Suzuka chuckle.

Once Nanoha was with the other two they now faced the door into Hayate's humble abode. "Arisa-chan. Suzuka-chan." Nanoha called out. "What is it?" Arisa asked and, together with Suzuka, looked at Nanoha. Nanoha tilted her head to the side, "I'm just wondering…. When I was about to come here I thought that we will be entering a huge mansion just like those of the rich people's but Hayate's house is as simple as ours… why is that so?" Nanoha asked the two girls in front of her. "You see Nanoha-chan. Hayate's family wanted to ensure her security that is why they had built a normal house that would not catch the attention of any criminals. And that house is what they gave to let Hayate-chan live in" Suzuka explained and looked at Nanoha. "I see. That would explain why Hayate-chan decided to go to our school" Nanoha replied awe. Arisa tapped the little brunette's shoulder, "Heh-the Yagami family is a family of humble people. You can't expect them to boast their wealth unlike the Testarossa family whose house just shouted "I am owned by the most powerful and the most elite family" the Yagami's are just not like that" Arisa told to Nanoha imitating a deep voice when describing the house of the Testarossa family. Nanoha sweat dropped at Arisa's over acting, "ahehe….is Fate-chan's family really like that? But when I first saw Fate-chan, there was not even a clue that will show that she is that rich. I mean…the way that Fate-chan dresses herself, the way Fate-chan talks to a stranger like me and the way she….she…treats an unknown girl like me…Fate-chan was just a normal girl that needs someone to be with" Nanoha said, her voice getting lower and lower as she described her blonde friend. Nanoha blushed and is feeling an unexpected heat rising from her body to her head. "Ye-yeah. You do know that the way you said that was creepy. Anyways, that is the main reason why Fate-chan was called the "adopted child" in the entire ancestry of the Testarossa. if you will see and meet each member of their family, you wouldn't even think that Fate-chan belongs to that family except for the fact that they really do looked wealthy and the aura that they give is so powerful" Arisa said and stops realizing that she is spilling too much information to the brunette. Arisa coughed and gestured her hand at the door, "why don't you ring the bell now, Nanoha" Arisa offered smiling at Nanoha. "Uhn!" Nanoha excitedly replied and cheekily pressed the button.

After a long sound of a bell was heard and a few minutes had passed, the door of Hayate's house opened revealing a girl with long blonde hair top with a blue headband and wearing a pink flowered apron. Nanoha looked at the girl who opened the door; slate blue collided with baby blue. "Ca-Carim-chan?" Nanoha was surprised to see Carim in Hayate's house. "Nanoha, Arisa and Suzuka. Welcome, please come in" Carim offered with a smile and widely opened the door to let the trio to enter the house.

After Nanoha had entered, Suzuka followed then Arisa tailed. Before the two blonde's entered the living room, "housewife duties?" Arisa asked mockingly and eyeing the other blonde. "N-No! I…I…" Carim was unable to finish her sentence due to all the heat gathering in her head just thinking that she is now considered as a wife. Arisa smirked and slowly walked pass Carim but stops just when she was about to enter the living room, "Heh! Whatever. I thought you didn't liked the idea of an arranged marriage. Guess even you weren't able to resist the charm of a true Yagami" Arisa said with a grin plastered on her face.

And as if on cue, Hayate called out the two blonde's, "Hey! You guys! That's not the proper place to have a conversation you know. Come here already!" the short-haired brunette shouted just enough to be heard. Arisa turned her back away from Carim, "whoa. Your husband sure is bossy" Arisa commented gaining short chuckles from Carim. "Yeah. I've figured that out too, but she's not my HUSBAND! Anyways, you should go in there now. I still need to help Shamal with the kitchen duties" Carim said and after saying that she dashed her way into the kitchen. While Arisa went to the living room and sat on a couch beside Suzuka.

Once seated, Arisa looked at the still silent group. Everyone was looking at Hayate, who was smiling innocently. Arisa face palmed, Suzuka smiled but a smile not reaching even her eyes. Nanoha was just staring at the three of them. Arisa looked at Hayate, she was planning to break the ice however, Hayate took the initiative to do so. "Alright guys!" Hayate paused and gave everyone a welcoming smile, "So~~~ Why are you guys here?" Hayate asked as if that was the most normal thing to ask. A deep growl was heard, "Hayate…" the short-haired brunette heard and felt some daggers piercing through her when she looked at her blonde friend. Arisa on the other hand was preparing her balled fist when Suzuka covered it with her hands to help calm the blonde, "Suzuka…?" Arisa asked and was surprised by her friend's action. Suzuka just gave her a sweet smile that caused the blonde to look like a tomato.

Hayate and Nanoha looked at their two friends who were both emitting a lovey-dovey aura, "Ahhno… Arisa-chan. Suzuka-chan. I think it's better if we say to Hayate-chan the reason why we're here" the twin-tailed brunette, Nanoha, told to her two friends to get their attentions. "Yah! You two are getting all of the lovey-dovey moments" Hayate stated in a childish way. Arisa looked at Hayate, "Hey! What do you mean!? We're nothing like that!" the blonde shouted but contradicting to what she's saying is her action….Arisa is blushing. Then Suzuka faced Hayate, "Hayate-chan, have you forgotten what we've talked about yesterday?" the purple-haired girl asked nicely. Hayate replied with a slow nod and it seemed to have gotten Arisa angrier than earlier making the hold of Suzuka on the blonde's fist to be tighter. Suzuka continued to face Hayate, "I thought so. You see we had asked you to help Nanoha-chan to know more about Fate-chan. So you had decided to bring us all here" Suzuka explained nicely. "Ohh~~Gomen. Gomen" Hayate apologized in a very sheepish way.

"OW!" Hayate screamed. Everyone in the living room turned around to see what hit Hayate. "Carim?! What was that for?" Hayate whined. Behind her stood the long-haired blonde holding a ladle that just hit Hayate's head. "Hayate! You're a very bad host. First, you didn't open the door for them and now, you forgot that your friends are coming. Sometimes I just really wonder if you were really a Yagami" Carim said mockingly and pointed the ladle towards the short-haired brunette.

Hayate was about to counter what the blonde said when Nanoha interrupted, "ahhno…. Carim-chan, are you and Hayate-chan somewhat related?" with Nanoha's innocent question the room got silent.

Arisa was suppressing her laughter.

"oh….my…." was Suzuka's comment.

Both Hayate and Carim looked at one another and stared at each other.

Nanoha just blinked at the two of them.

Hayate breathe heavily then took hold of one of Carim's hands, "alright. Since you are a friend and is a very stubborn person, I will answer your question" Hayate said and looked at Carim and Carim gave her a small nod. Nanoha stared delightfully at Hayate. Hayate massages her temple, "you see Nanoha-chan," she now brushes the bridge of her nose, "Me and Carim-chan are engaged" Hayate said and raised her's and Carim's hands together, showing a silver engagement ring to the brunette.

Nanoha gasped and covered her mouth with her hands.

Suzuka sighed a sigh of relief.

And Arisa? The blonde filled the entire living room with her laughter.

Carim face palmed and instantly takes her hand away from Hayate's grasp and went into the kitchen.

After getting herself all together again, "Ha-HOW?" Nanoha asked still not believing what her fellow brunette had just said. Hayate scratches her cheeks, "well…." Hayate began to explain.

Flashback….

Hayate's POV

I went to Italy to have a party for my ninth birthday. We were preparing a very huge party, one for the adults and one for the kids. The party was held during the night so all I did was to roam around the mansion's garden that day.

I was in the middle of the garden's maze when I heard soft whimpers. At first I thought it was nothing but when I got nearer and nearer towards the origin of the voice, the soft whimpers became cries. "Someone is crying?" I asked myself and ran around the maze to look for the owner of the cries. When I turned at one of the corners of the maze I saw a small figure that is sitting on the ground with the figure's head hidden behind its knees. The figure wore a dirtied cloak. I walked towards the figure and stop in front of it. I knelt down in front of the crying figure. I was not able to see the figure's face for half of it was covered by the cloak's hood. What I saw was the figure's long blonde hair and the tears that flowed on the figure's face. I did what my best friend had taught me whenever I see a crying person.

I reached my hand out to touch the figure's cheeks and wiped away the tears. The figure did not move away from my touch and somehow it all felt right. When the tears were all gone, I decided to take my hand away but during the process, I accidentally brought down her hood.

The figure was actually a girl that I think is in the same age as mine.

The girl does not look like a Japanese.

The girl seemed to have come from a fairy tale.

At that same moment….

I was able to meet a princess.

Long blonde hair top with a blue headband.

Creamy white skin, somehow pinkish due to her crying earlier, complemented with rosy cheeks and soft-looking lips.

And her eyes are what caught my eye and most of my attention.

Her eyes, a shiny shade of blue, looks so beautiful.

"Be…" I can't say it. The words are stuck in my throat. I was so mesmerized by her beauty. She's different from the others. She carries a very warm and caring aura. "Hey…is there something wrong?" she asked, her voice so soft and calm. I wasn't able to reply and her eyebrows furrowed, "you're beautiful…" I said unconsciously. The little princess was no longer shedding her tears instead; she pouted cutely and blushed like a tomato on my compliment.

I instantly took the little princess's hands and looked at her beautiful blue eyes, "Hayate, Yagami Hayate. That's my name, may I know yours?" I asked her still never letting go of my gaze on her eyes.

She was surprised by my gestures, "Carim Gracia. Nice meeting you, Hayate Ya-" the little princess paused. She had seemed to recognize my family name. "Stay away! The Yagami! You're a Yagami!" Carim shouted and again tears fell down from those beautiful blue irises. Her soul is crying. I moved nearer and tried to calm her down. I knew instantly that Carim was one of the innocent people that my family had hurt. My family, the Yagami, is a very powerful and elite family. I knew it so well, the dirty business, the corruption, the killings and the colonization of many families….I knew it all at a very young age.

I gritted my teeth at the thought of my family doing such things.

I hugged Carim tightly but she just pushed me away. She gave me a very disgusted look. But I just hugged her again and this time I didn't gave her a chance to get away. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry" I whispered to her ears softly. I thought and figured out a solution that Fate-chan had once taught me. "Alright! I'll do it!" I said determinedly. I held the little princess's chin and neared my face to her's. Her blue eyes widened seeing how close my face was to her face. "I'm sorry" I whispered for the last time and with that, I sealed Carim's and my first kiss.

End of Flashback.

Normal POV

"And that's how our engagement was decided!" Hayate ended happily. However, Nanoha is still bothered and confused, "wait. How does a simple kiss like that turned into an engagement?" Hayate looked at Nanoha, "well…" Hayate started and raised her index finger upwards and continued, "In the family of Gracia, whoever seals the first kiss of any member of their family will be their better half. For them, kissing is sacred and there was no such thing as accident for everything was destined to happen. So in short, our engagement was all Fate-chan's fault" Hayate explained cheerfully. "But you liked it" Arisa said bluntly. "Yup! I really do!" Hayate answered simply. "That wasn't even a question you idiot" Arisa said sternly.

Nanoha now looked at Hayate, "Hayate-chan. May I know what Fate-chan had told you for you to do the kiss?" Nanoha asked eagerly. Arisa leaned her back on the sofa and crossed her arms above her chest, "Yeah, you guys never explained that to the two of us" Arisa added.

Unknown to the four of them, when Nanoha asked the question, Carim was about to enter the living room to bring them some drinks when she heard the conversation. She herself doesn't know what Fate had told her fiancée. Therefore, she stops on her steps and wait for Hayate's answer.

Using her thumb and index finger, Hayate scratches her chin in a thinking manner, "well, Fate-chan told me once that…" the short-haired brunette paused. She looks at the amethyst eyes of Nanoha…she then realized that Carim's blue eyes are the most beautiful. "If you think that you're a knight and you saw a crying princess, the only thing you've got to do to bring the princess's smile back is to destroy the curse with a kiss" Hayate said proudly and smiled cheekily. There was silence in the living room. "Ehh?! Fate is really a weirdo huh" Arisa commented proudly but Suzuka punched her lightly, "ow! What was that for, Suzuka?" Arisa asked looking at Suzuka. "Arisa-chan is not romantic unlike Fate-chan!" Suzuka whined and puffed her cheeks. Arisa looked away blushing, "of course I am! Just not on Fate's level" Arisa replied and whispered the last part but was still heard by everyone inside the room. Hayate and Nanoha laughed at the other two's actions.

Carim smiled at the thought of what Fate had told Hayate, "thank you, Fate-san" she said to no one but the wind.

At that moment, the blonde girl wearing a pink apron with her long-sleeves folded above her elbow entered the living room, "drinks, anyone?" Carim offered. Everyone gathered around the newcomer to get a glass of cola or fruit juice. Then Carim walked towards Hayate who is smiling sheepishly while sitting on her wheelchair, "here" Carim handed a cup of milk tea to Hayate. "Thanks" Hayate replied and smiled happily at Carim. Carim blushed at the cuteness of Hayate at that moment, however the mood of their atmosphere was destroyed when, "were you listening?" Hayate asked with a tint of mocking in her voice. Carim jerked up at Hayate's question, "why does Hayate always figures out what I am doing?" Carim thought. "Bingo!" Hayate congratulated herself in her mind for never missing a thing that her fiancée does.

The chattering of the three visitors were paused when, "WHACK!" and they all looked at the origin of the noise.

"Ow! Carim~that hurts!" Hayate whined. Carim hit her hard on the head using the tray that she had at that very moment. "Shut it Hayate" with that, Carim sat on the sofa and drank her homemade milk tea that Hayate loves so much. Still rubbing her bump on the head, Hayate looked at the other three occupants of the room who were drinking happily. Then the three occupants looked at Hayate, "what?" Hayate asked her three friends that looked at her suspiciously.

Arisa brought her glass down on the table, "you know, even though the two of you are not yet married…" Arisa paused. Suzuka then smiled at Hayate and Carim's direction, "the two of you looked like a newly Wed!" the purple-haired proclaimed and squealed. Nanoha nodded at the thought of it and the engaged couple blushed and looked away from each other.

Then something passed by on Nanoha's mind.

"Fate-chan belongs to an elite family too. Is she already engaged too?" Nanoha asked herself.

"What is this pain…?" she then touches the fabric above her left chest where her heart is placed.

The same time in Europe, a certain blonde kept on sneezing, "whoa. Are you alright, Fate-san?" a girl with her orange hair tied in a twin-tail asked the blonde. "Ahh….yeah. Some allergies I guess?" Fate replied to reassure the younger girl. "Anyways, what are you looking at, Tia?" Fate asked the orange-headed girl.

Teana, every time that there'll be a break from their training, is looking at her wallet. Fate tried to peek over the girl's shoulders, "ohh~~Subaru?" Fate asked. Teana blushed, "ahh….uhn. I'm just wondering what she is doing. Before we left, what I last heard is that Hayate-san will be enrolling Subaru in the same school as her" Teana replied still looking at the picture of a small girl with a short dark-blue hair. The blonde taps the shoulders of the orange-head, "oh…you miss her, don't you?" Fate asked. "Fate-san…!...well….yes, she's important to me after all" Teana replied honestly but still shyly. Fate stood up from the bench of the cafeteria, "well! She's waiting for your return. So, we better work hard to make those people waiting for us very proud" Fate said and smiled at the younger girl. "Uhn!" Teana replied happily and ran towards the studio where she is training.

Fate was left at the cafeteria, after finishing her glass of milk, "someone's waiting…" she murmured to herself. Then images of a certain twin-tailed and stubborn brunette exploded in her mind. Fate clenched the fabric over her chest tightly, "Nanoha…..why am I hurting like this….whenever I think of you…" Fate said and leaned on the wall still clenching her shirt and gazed at the ceiling thinking of her friend….

Is she really just a friend?...

A/N: and that's the end of chapter 12. So, you liked it? hated it? anything else you want to say about it? just review it! . I really missed working and updating and especially reading your reviews fellows!

Peek News from the next chapter: another character will appear in the lives of Fate and Nanoha…?