This chapter may be a little short but I hope you guys will enjoy it.

* Same disclaimer as always *

It was now late into the night and a light appeared around a certain area. Out of the light stepped out five people and they were Nanoha, Fate, Hayate, Shiro and Hitoshi with Rein sitting on Hayate's shoulder. After the incident with Vivio, the group went back with the daily routine of training Shiro for better preparation against Ixia and his men. Just like before, nothing was going on so the gang went on as usual.

"Well, today's training went by pretty well. Since it is getting late, we should head out for the night." Nanoha told the group of friends leading them to agree.

However, one person did not agree and just as everyone was about to leave and go home for their respected dorms, Hitoshi walks ahead of the others but in a different direction of them. Confused, Fate asked. "Hitoshi where are you going?"

"Don't worry about me Fate. I just have something I have to do real quick. Shiro, I will be back soon."

The short haired man was about to ask Hitoshi himself where he was going but it was too late. He left the group. With that, Rein, Nanoha, Fate, Hayate and even Shiro all wished to know what was that about? "Hmm, he never left alone before after training." Shiro crossed his arms deep in thought.

"Maybe he had to go buy something? You know school stuff?" Rein inquired only for Shiro to shake his head not agreeing with what the mini unison device said. "No Rein. Can't be that because from what he told me, all he needed was some guitar strings and he got replacements along with some more pencils and papers."

"And even if he did, he would he mentioned it. But it has to be something." Fate also questioned with Nanoha cupping her chin. If it was not school items or even training then what could it be? The group was about to call it quits for the night until Hayate, with a heavy stare at the road where Hitoshi was rubs her hands and with that came a wicked chuckle. The group turns to look at the brunette who now looks like an evil genus.

"Guys I have an idea. If we don't know what Hitoshi is doing, why don't we follow him?"

"What do you mean Hayate?" Shiro questioned leaving the girl's shinning blue eyes to go on with her plan. This spelled bad news for Nanoha, Fate and Rein since they know Hayate well.

"What I mean is we sneak around and follow his trail. As long as we keep our distance, he will never know. We can be sneaky like ninjas and uncover the truth! Well what do you say guys? Pretty good plan huh?"

'Knew it.' Nanoha, Fate and Rein all said with a sigh in their minds at what Hayate just said. Being sneaky around Hitoshi would be a very very bad idea. Reason being that doing this was what broke the friendship between Shiro and Hitoshi in the first place. The young mage knew this and was about to protest. Just then, Rein points this out.

"Although...it would help us in finding out what Hitoshi is up to."

Hayate nods leading Nanoha to throw in her two cents. "Plus it would shed some light into where he is. Fate?"

"Hmm, all are valid points. The faster we learn, the more answers we get. All right I am in if you guys are as well." the blond smiles leading the girls, Hayate especially happy to start the plan. However, Shiro looked reluctant about the plan thinking that it was a risky idea. Hayate grins at the man and told him.

"Oh come on Shiro this will be great. Think about it. In a way, this could be prefect payback for you."

"I don't know Hayate." Shiro sighed leading Hayate to reply back still smiling. "If your own best friend was being this secretive then think of this as returning the favor. Come on Shiro or..."

Nanoha, Fate and Rein all looked on as Shiro is being whispered something in his ear and in an instant, he covers it and is blushing a hue of red.

"What the hell Hayate!? Why would you even... Ok ok fine I will go with you." Shiro yelled as Hayate pets Shiro's shoulder and walked with the others. As they walked, Rein asked her friend. "Hayate what did you tell him? Wait you didn't..."

Hayate only smiled like a casshire cat leading Nanoha and Fate to also find out what she said to get the sword mage to move. Sometimes, Hayate is helpful but other times she could be a huge trickster, especially if she finds your nickname and teases you with it.

By the gym, Hitoshi starts to walk inside the building in front of him and the door closed behind him. Unbeknownst to the long haired man, he was secretly followed. The answer came in the form of five heads who peaked out of a nearby pillar. The other head, Rein also peaked out with the four mages. The brunette grinning a bright smile.

"All right guys the coast is clear. Our target is in the gym. Now we have to do is go over there and explore. Let's move!"

"Aye aye Detective Hayate!" the mini unison device replied to the mistress of the night sky. With that, the two sneaks out allowing Nanoha, Fate and Shiro to follow, the latter of which was still wondering why he got dragged into this. Oh right, Hayate and what she said. He was groaning a bit about what Hayate said to him but tossed it aside for now and followed the others. When they reached their destination, the door was indeed closed.

Nanoha decides to put her ear in front of the closed door to see if she could hear anything from the other side. A few seconds pass, her eyes are narrowed as she whispers to the group who were waiting behind her. "I think I hear something."

"What is it?" Fate asked resulting in the auburn haired woman to respond back. "Well it is not much and I can't really make it out. But there are people on the other side. Just loud in there."

Hayate was of course happy with the result. Now all they had to do was open the door and see what was going on with Hitoshi. The case was almost about to be solved. But then Shiro rubbed his left arm and spoke with a whisper. "Uhh girls I really don't think we should be here." The girls briefly turn around to hear the man out. "Well I mean we should just go back to our dorm rooms, forget this ever happened and continue with my training. Anna and Drav are still out there and we need to be ready. So can't we just leave Hitoshi alone?"

With what the man said, Rein pouts and flew over to Shiro and pats him on the shoulder with her tiny hand. "Shiro I think I can understand you. You are scared about what is over on the other side of that door right? Well it is too late for us to stop now. We have to keep going so we can reach the end of this. You know right?"

"Well...yeah but." Shiro spoke trying to think of a rebuttal. But the thing was he could not think of one. He wished to think of something however he was trapped as it were. Secretly, the swordmage wanted to know what his best friend is doing behind his back and doing this sneaking around and opening the door would clear the air thus solving the mystery. That nagging thought was still in his head and just when he was about to argue as best he could, the door opened with the act making the four turn.

Outside the door was revealed to be Hitoshii who just stared at the group. From behind him, it looked to be another group of men behind him including something else with them, but the long red haired man was blocking their view of what the things were. He crossed his arms and asked bluntly at the gang. "Guys what the hell are you doing here?"

"Oh us? Nothing just wondering how you were doing Hitoshi." Hayate now with a sheepish grin on her face spoke. "So how are things?"

Hitoshi continued to stare at the group and with a heavy sigh, asked again. "Not until you telling me what is up with you all sneaking around. Now fess up!"

"Well we were concerned about what you were doing so we snook behind you and followed." Fate spoke with a wry smile.

"Yeah, I hope you can understand Hitoshi." Nanoha agreed with her best friend allowing Hitoshi to look at Shiro's direction. He responded with a nervous nod. "It is true Hitoshi."

"Well fine then." Hitoshi mumbles while rubbing his head. "I guess there is no point in hiding it."

And with that, he moved away letting the group enter the gym and see what was inside. In the gym was a stage fitted with what looked to be drums, a brass blue guitar on the left and a red electric guitar on the right. In front of them was a stand with a microphone not plugged in yet. Finally the other people who were in the gym with Hitoshi were three boys, each setting up the rest of the equipment.

Hitoshi turned to the group of mages. "As you can see, I am a part of a band. A small college band to be honest."

From those words, everyone was shocked not knowing what to think about this. The girls had no indication that Hitoshi was good at playing music since he never mentioned it before. Well except Shiro who knew about the music paying since day one. But the band part was news to him. Fate decides to ask the short black haired man. "It is true, is it Shiro?"

"Well yeah it is. I knew about him playing a guitar since we are roommates but not so much the band." Shiro crossed his arms. He narrowed his eyes. "I have to admit, it surprised me too."

"But how did you became a part of a band and why Hitoshi?" Nanoha inquired.

"Oh that well that is easy. After a certain someone was 'busy' for a while," he glared at Shiro causing the young man to chuckle nervously while the girls also laughed in the same fashion. "I was just practicing my guitar to work on some songs. You know to clear my mind somewhat. Then, these guys heard me play and asked if I would join in since my friend was busy. I said yes and for the past few weeks, prior to Shiro being busy I have been practicing with them."

"Ah I see." the white mage cupped her chin and nodded. Then Hitoshi walked to his group of bandmates and introduced the mages to them. Afterwards, Hitoshi while grabbing his electric guitar, was asked by Hayate this question: "So, since you are in a band, what are you doing here?"

"We are about to practice for our first gig tomorrow."

"That would explain the equipment around here along with the stage. But what is the big gig you are planing?" the blond mage wondered.

One of the bandmates, the drummer decided to answer the woman. "The big gig is a concert our first one."

"It will our first one but the crowd will be huge. Everyone from the campus will be there." another bandmate spoke out loud.

Hitoshi grinned while staring at Shiro who was not happy with the look. "And because of that, I would want Shiro at least to show up along with you guys. It's going to be fun especially considering the fact that he has a lack of conversational skills."

Shiro blushed a bit and was about to rebuttal saying that he has grown up a bit when they were kids. However, before he could even say anything, Hayate beat him to the punch.

"Oh I am definitely going. A concert is a great idea to let loose and chill. Right Nanoha, Fate?"

The two women each share a nod, stating that they will go. With that said, they turn to look at Shiro and wondered what he would say. His response to whether or not he will go was answered. But the young man shuffled around a while, frantically looking for a way out and he warily smiled.

"Oh yeah a concert. You are wondering if I am going or not. Well, girls I would go except...I have to prepare to go and study for a big test within a few weeks. So good luck Hito..."

"HOLD IT!"

Shiro freezes and saw Nanoha, shaking her head, Fate, Hayate, Hitoshi and his bandmates with blank looks and Rein with a look of 'really' on her face. The white devil then precedes to walk to Shiro with an almost scary smile.

"Shiro, I know how important your studies are and I am proud of you for being so serious, but what if I told you that this is a mission: a very important mission. One that will help you a huge amount. And if you leave...you will never be stronger." She whispered that last part in secret. It was at that point, Shiro unfroze and said with a stoic voice. "Really? Well then why the hell not. I will go with you guys tomorrow."

From a light chuckle from Nanoha and the others, the group decides to go to the event.

It was the next day and apart from last night, which resulted in the group just watching Hitoshi practicing with the band nothing noteworthy happened. Same for the afternoon as like before it was quiet. Before long, night fell on the campus skies and Nanoha and the others all arrived inside the gym and if the sight of the equipment was enough to shock them then this was the cake. So many people were inside, other students, some adult professors hell even the higher level students were there though only a small number. Despite that, the area was packed and with the lights flashing around all over the place, each of different colors the concert was looking nicely.

"Wow, there are a lot of people here. Seems as if they weren't lying." Fate muttered looking at the size of people.

Nanoha agreed with her friend along with a shaken Shiro. Hayate however, could not be any happier. A grin was on her face and she hits Shiro's back almost like a certain friend of his. "Let's not stand around. We are here, we are supporting Hitoshi's band so let's party! Ready Shiro?"

The swordmage's response was a look to the ground, trying to avoid eye contact. But this plan was a bust when Nanoha pushed the man into the crowd of people slowly forming. The three aces all sighed at the same thing. He is still trying but just barely.

A few minutes passed and Hitoshi as well as his bandmates were setting up things on their end. The drummer was practicing, the other guitarist was playing with some strings along with Hitoshi and the leader was testing the mike to see if it was working. Once that checked out, he looked to the band and they were ready to rock the house.

"Hello everybody! Are you ready for excitement!?"

The crowd all screamed in anticipation. "All right then! Let's start this party out right!"

And so, the music began to play. From the sounds of each band instrument as well as the accompanying vocals in the song, the band sounded great. It even showed with the crowd for every people was indeed enjoying themselves. None more so then the mages from the bureau. Nanoha found herself moving to the beat of the song, Fate snapped her fingers humming to the lyrics and Hayate was bobbing her head and overall having a blast. Rein was even enjoying the music as she danced on the ground making sure not to hit any unsuspecting leg. While this would be a sight of oh my god Rein get in the bag, just this once Hayate decided to let the mini device have fun for once.

"This band sounds really good." Fate yelled over the nosy crowd leading Nanoha to smile and nod. "Yeah definitely. Hitoshi and his band seemed to have worked really hard. Maybe you, me or Hayate could sing for them someday."

Fate was lightly embarrassed by the comment. From there, the duo turned to see that Hayate was still in her fun mode and that everything checked out okay. However something was amiss and the blond was looking around, instantly finding out what was wrong. Nanoha did the same trying to find a certain sword mage. Fate was about to freak out until she heard a voice.

"Nanoha, Fate I am right here."

They turn and notice that the short haired man was indeed right there. Fate puts a hand over her chest, happy that he did not get lost again. Nanoha on the other hand motions Shiro to join them in the crowd.

"Come on Shiro join us. This is actually a lot of fun. Enjoy yourself."

"Thanks for that Nanoha but I don't think a party is for me." Shiro plays with the root of his hair as he said this. "I mean I am not that type of person. Maybe I should just go back to my dorm and call Hitoshi later."

Just then in a very bizarre move, Fate moves in front of Shiro, points at him and with a look of a mother enters mom mode tells him. "Shiro you really need to just loosen up. Nanoha has been training you for weeks near a month now. After a huge battle no two battles, I think we all deserve a break. Even you so just relax and have fun."

Shiro just looked at her and then to Nanoha and Hayate's direction in that the white devil nodded like a wise old woman and the brunette did the same. They really wanted him to relax and stop being so stiff as he once was. Embarrassingly, he chuckled a bit to himself and stared back at the others.

"Yeah you are right. We are here to have fun and support Hitoshi. Though I think Hayate already beat me to it from the looks of it." The two mages giggle as Hayate pouts at Shiro who also lightheartedly laughs a bit. He walks in the crowd with the rest of the crew and everyone went back to enjoying themselves only now with Shiro joining in. The young man slowly but surely starts to bob his head and with a smile he liked the music just as everyone else did.

The concert continues on without a hitch and the mages were able to grasp a peaceful and fun moment. If only for a little while.

Chapter done. Just a little thing to give Hitoshi some more context in what he was doing behind the screens prior to him knowing about the training and to give the other cast members the time to enjoy themselves. I had fun writing this and the chapter coming up. Once I release it, I will be done for this month so as always, if there are any issues I have made, please let me know and I will fix them as best as I can. Also, thank you guys for the supporting me and I will be you all next time.