The Forgotten Sky

by xlheslydesux

Disclaimer: I don't own Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha or any of its characters.

Chapter 11

The sound of the ocean waves and the smell of the salty air are like a gentle touch that always calms her mind. The deep color blue that reflects the endless sky soothes her body and soul taking her heart where she needs to go. She was getting absorbed in these warm emotions when a voice called her out of her reverie.

"Nanoha!" the voice shouted.

She turned around and saw the other half of her soul.

"Fate-chan!" she called back.

Fate has laid down a blanket at the shore and was sitting down waiting for Nanoha. She was waving at her, motioning Nanoha to join her. They lay down the sandy beach and gaze at the sky. They stare at the clouds, breathing and absorbing everything together. Nanoha turns to face Fate and moves her hand to her chest, feeling the warmth and pulse of her body and heart. Fate move closer and held Nanoha against her body, holding her, protecting her.

This is what Nanoha longed to have ever since she was a kid. Someone to love her, care for her and someone to fill the void she had been carrying for the longest time inside her heart. She nuzzled Fate's neck wishing for time to stop forever while she dozed off to sleep.

A loud thunder woke her up and the earth beneath her shook in waves. Nanoha stood up and saw a fire crawling around the sea.

"Fate wake up! Something has happened, we need to – " Nanoha tried to say but when she turn around to see Fate, she wasn't there. "Fate?"

Another explosion brought a strong gust of wind almost blowing Nanoha away from where she stands. When she raises her head to see what's happening, the scene in front of her caught her breath.

A group of people was trap in a pool of fire, crying and begging for help. Above them, flying and observing, doing nothing was… Fate.

"Fate-chan what are you doing? Quickly save them!" Nanoha shouted.

"I don't want to. If I do, I will lose you, aren't I?" Fate said. All emotions drain from her face.

"What are you talking about Fate?! I'm fine, those people need you help!" Nanoha shouted more forcefully this time.

"Nanoha… why do you always choose others before me?" Fate said looking straight to her eyes.

Nanoha stood frozen from Fate's words. She doesn't understand what Fate is saying but in some deep part of her heart, she knew. She understands it completely. When she spoke, she almost didn't hear herself saying…

"I – I chose you Fate. I will always choose you."

"No, you didn't. You wouldn't." Fate said while shaking her head. "You will leave me again aren't you? You will choose them again."

"No… I – I love you Fate." Nanoha said in a low voice.

People screamed and were begging for someone to help them now. Not able to endure the shouting of the people anymore, Nanoha donned her barrier jacket and jumped into the sea to help them. When she has made sure each and everyone of the crowd is safe, she turned to see Fate walking away in the beach. She scrambled to her feet and ran after her.

"Fate-chan, wait up!" Nanoha shouted.

Fate didn't stop walking and continued to ignore Nanoha.

"Fate-chan wait! Why didn't help those people? Why are you walking away from me?" Nanoha said in between catching her breath. "Why are you leaving me?"

Fate stopped and turned to look at her with a blank expression on her face. Nanoha couldn't explain it but, the way her eyes looked at Nanoha, so distant and dark, stabbed her heart.

"You really are selfish aren't you?"

Fate said in a voice so cold Nanoha felt something grip her heart.

"You are the one who left. You are the one who chose others before me. Isn't it normal for me to leave you because of that?"

"Fate-chan… I…" Nanoha tried to speak.

"I don't need someone in my life who will hurt and leave me, and who will always choose someone else before me." Fate said before walking away.

Nanoha wanted to ran after Fate but she couldn't. What can she do? She did left Fate to try and save the universe alone. She hurt her… but she can't stop herself from wanting to be with her. She needs her but does Fate still need her? Will she still love her knowing at the end, she will hurt her again? Nanoha dropped to her knees and held herself. She tried to stop the trembling of her body but she could no longer control her emotions. She sat at the beach crying and watched Fate's footsteps be wash away by the waves.

Inside the Spaceship, Aegle

Nanoha POV

When I woke up, I'm a little disoriented. I'm in a small, white and clean room. It's dark but the light coming from the lamp shade is enough for me to see the whole room's exterior, and all is quiet.

"Am I in a hospital? A clinic?" I thought to myself.

When I tried to move my hands and legs, they manage to respond but I couldn't move them much. I feel so weak and after a few moments, I felt my head and chest ache. I closed my eyes and tried to remember the past events leading to my current situation. The Holy Item… Jenell… and Fate… then suddenly it hit me. The dream, it's not just a dream. Tears started pouring out from my eyes and when I turned my head to try to stop it from flowing, I saw the most important thing in my life. Fate was asleep, sitting on a chair beside me and leaning on my bed. I reach out to her slowly using all of the little strength I have and caress her face.

"I am really selfish, aren't I?" I said in a whisper. "I would definitely do lots of things that will surely hurt you and yet here I am… happy… that you are with me. Even though I know that I will just hurt you, seeing you here beside me, steady my world."

I run my fingers through Fate's arms till I reached her hands on top of the bed. I grasp it and held it against my cheek, closing my eyes to absorb the way her hands feel...

"What should I do Fate? What can I do to avoid hurting you?"

"Love me."

I open my eyes and saw two burgundy eyes, one of the things I love most in the world, look at me with so much intensity.

"Don't ever stop loving me and it will be enough." Fate said tenderly but with seriousness, still leaning on the bed and not moving.

The way Fate said it overwhelmed me with so many emotions I could no longer contain my tears, sobbing, I let my tears flow unrestrained.

"Nanoha." Fate said her voice filled with concern and love.

She stood up, scoots beside me and held me against her. She tenderly rubs my arms, back and fort, in an effort to calm me while whispering soft and reassuring words.

"Everything is going to be alright." she murmurs against my hair.

I held her tighter as she wraps her arms around me. I lay my head on her chest and put my hand on top of her heart. She places her hand on top of my hand and kisses my temple. We stayed like that and remained silent for a long time.

"How are you feeling?" Fate asked when I finally stopped crying.

"Good. I'm fine." I answered snuggling close to her.

"Are you in pain? Headache? Are you feeling sick?" Fate continued to asked, her voice wrap in worry.

"I'm feel great, Fate. A little headache and soreness but I'm fine. Don't worry." I answered unconsciously rubbing her chest with my palm. An action so naturally to me, I didn't even notice doing.

"Okay. Good. Whatever Jenell gave you, it obviously made you better." Fate said finally relaxing a little.

I remembered my interaction with Jenell and felt that it wasn't the first time I talked to her. Something in my heart tells me that the Guardian has appeared in front of me before. Without even asking, I know that Jenell isn't with us.

"She wouldn't like to be around me. I don't know why but somehow she really hates me." I thought to myself.

"What is wrong?" Fate asked me when she felt me stir.

"No, it's nothing." I said not to worry her. I pushed myself up against her chest to look at her face when I asked. "Where are we?"

"In the medical bay inside the spaceship. You have been sleeping for five days straight since we left Altstadt." Fate answered.

"I see. Where are Vormund and the others?" I continued to ask.

"Somewhere inside this ship." Fate said nonchalantly.

I couldn't help but smile at her answer.

"So in other words, you don't know where they are." I said teasingly.

"Oh I know. I just don't want you to know so you won't think about them." Fate said while hugging me more tightly. "I want you to think of me, only me, for now."

I felt more than see that Fate wanted to say more but decided to stop herself. I wanted to ask her but decided against it and curled into her once again. I will give her this, if this is what she wants… and then I realized. I too have things to say to her and now is the right time to do it.

"Fate…" I said breaking the moment.

"Hm?" Fate answered while nuzzling my hair.

"We need to talk… about everything that has happened and I want to tell you something important." I said with a steady voice even though I feel my insides shattering.

I need to tell Fate my decision. I need her to understand so she won't get hurt anymore than I already had hurt her and will have. I was so focused on trying to sound strong that I didn't realize that my hand that Fate was holding was trembling. When I raise my head to look at her and continue what I'm saying… Fate leaned down and sealed the words in my mouth. It was a gentle kiss and I felt my body yield and meld into it.

"We can talk later. For now all I want and need is here in my arms. I don't want to know or hear about anything else." Fate said.

"Fate…"

Fate kisses me again but this time it wasn't a chaste kiss, but a kiss that is too sweet and tender, something that can only be given by someone who really cares about you. She gazes to my eyes and all I can see is love.

"For now, let me just hold you and not think of anything. I want to treasure this moment, like the many times we are together." Fate said as she lays me back on her chest.

The slow beat of her heart and the rise and fall of her chest soothed my heart and cradled me to sleep. I also want to treasure this moment, more than ever, because it might be the last.

Mid-childa

It was late in the afternoon; the park is packed with children playing, friends talking and parents unwinding. Vivio was sitting on a bench observing everything and everyone spend an ordinary day in their life, so ordinary that most of them take for granted. Not far from where she sat, a mother and child are playing at the slide. The child keeps on waving to her mother every time she slides down and the smile on her mother's face never faded. Vivio couldn't her but smile at the nostalgic scene before her even though she felt a little pang of sadness in her heart.

"Vivio!" a voice called out.

"Einhart." Vivio answered back as she waives to the approaching figure.

"Sorry, I'm late. Did something happen? You look sad." Einhart said as she sits down beside Vivio.

"No, it's ok. I was just reminiscing about the past." Vivio said as she gazes at the family in the park.

"What about the past?" Einhart asked having a slight idea on what it's about.

"Mama and I used to play in this park when I was little. After we moved to our house, she will always make sure that she has a weekend off so we can play here." Vivio said with a smile on her face.

"You also do basic training together right? Ever since you were little." Einhart added.

"Yeah, but it is more like watching each other. She trains me sometimes but I can't really help her in her training. Mama's magic regimen is a little too advanced for me." Vivio said a little embarrassed.

"It can't be helped; she is older and stronger than us. I still remember our training camp with Nanoha and the others; it was fun and really hard." Einhart said shaking her head but with a smile.

"True, I remember being really sore when we got back." Vivio said smiling too.

"Yeah, but it is not everyday that you get to train under a renowned Armed Corps Instructor and fight with the best TSAB officers. It is an experience worth being hurt for." Einhart said.

The two laughed together and continued talking about the things they did in the past with the people they have met.

"I can't believe that so many things have happened in the short time that I have met you. I think those years overlap everything that happened to me in the past before I met you." Einhart said in astonishment.

"Since I met my mother, everyday has been fun and worth living. I was really lucky to have met her." Vivio said with sadness in her voice.

"Everything is going to be fine. It is Nanoha that we are talking about after all." Einhart said and held Vivio's hands. "They're returning soon right?"

"Yeah, Fate-mama said they are on their way back. Nanoha-mama is with them." Vivio said entwining their hands.

"I see. We should go now and prepare. We must make sure to show Nanoha how much you and all of us care about her so she won't leave ever again." Einhart said standing up.

"Yeah, you're right." Vivio said smiling.

"What time do we leave?" Einhart asked.

"After an hour, Shari said to meet up with her so we can all go together. Amy and the others are already there arranging things." Vivio answered.

Inside an underground palace, a laboratory full of equipments and advance technology stood quietly while a red orb inside a computer tube is patiently upgrading her system one by one. Not far from the red orb, a lone figure sat in front of a microscope, computer and documents scattered around all over her, with tubes and vials running and spinning inside different machines.

"Ah, my back hurts." Jenell said as she stretched in her chair. "Ugh! That's a very human-like comment, the thought of becoming one gives me goosebumps."

She looked at the far side of the room and talked to her only companion.

"How are things going Raising Heart?"

"Body Upgrades is 100% clear. System Upgrades 78%. Process on hold." Raising Heart responded.

"What do you mean on hold?" Jenell asked with her eyebrow raised.

When Raising Heart didn't respond, Jenell stood up and checked the data and commands in the system to see if something internal is slowing Raising Heart's progress. Even with all the new parts and upgrades, an advance intelligent device like Raising Heart should have been done by now. After a few minutes of checking the data, Jenell found the cause of the said delay. She drags a chair from a nearby table and put it in front of Raising Heart's tube.

"Would you like to tell me what you don't like about your upgrades?" Jenell asked while regarding the device with amusement in her eyes.

"None. All physical upgrades are in place and properly installed." Raising Heart answered in a mechanically voice that is so like it.

"O-kay… Then why does the system say that your system upgrade is on hold because of system incompatibility? I checked all the parts and upgrades myself so that's impossible and you agreed and checked everything before we started the system run. Mind to explain what's happening?" Jenell asked trying to remain calm.

This is not the first time they have had a problem regarding something that Jenell wanted to do. Raising Heart always stops or rejects any upgrades or installation that it doesn't like. Even if they did agree on something if the AI detects even a miniscule of something different, it will stop the system without any thought hence freezing the process or sometimes repeating it from the start. In the span of 5 days they have already tried 7 times doing the changes that Jenell wanted. Jenell originally planned to finish it in 2 days, 3 days maximum if problems occur but Raising Heart had other plans.

"All upgrades are in place and properly installed." Raising Heart said again.

"Yeah, I get that already. The physical aspect, yes, but what about the system?" Jenell said with a frustrated tone.

"Rejecting one spell embedded in system." Raising Heart finally answered after a long pause.

"What spell?"

Jenell asked while checking the commands and data in the small monitor beside Raising Heart. When she found the spell that Raising Heart keeps on rejecting. She sighed and faces the device once again.

"You will need that spell when you return Raising Heart. The keeper will need it." Jenell said with a heavy serious tone.

"I don't agree." Raising Heart answered automatically.

"Yes, I kinda know that already." Jenell said. "That is why I was hoping you wouldn't detect it if I hide it inside a program inside another program. You are indeed a superb device to detect something that I intended to hide under a multiple layer." she thought to herself.

"Requesting for system upgrade to be reprogram. System rebooting." Raising Heart said.

"Stop! Don't reboot! If you do that it will take us another 27 hours to set-up everything." Jenell said hastily. "Look, I admit I was hoping to install it without you knowing and I apologize. But if you will just give me a minute to explain you might change your mind."

Raising Heart was silent for a long time that Jenell thought it was going to ignore her but after a while it finally consented.

"When an Item is sealed, the keeper will still need to feed it her magical energy. By doing that she can make sure that every Holy Item will remain stable and safe but as you already deduce it will be a great strain to her already damage body. The Royal Family of Al Hazard has a unique ability that lets them link and share their magical energy to the Items, that is why they became the owners and protectors of that world. Unfortunately this power will flow freely and uncontrolled. Using this spell you will have the ability to regulate or adjust how much energy the keeper will give out depending on her body condition or her situation." Jenell said wishing it is enough to convince the device.

"Reason accepted… Command rejected. Why is there a need to keep it from my Master?" Raising Heart responded.

"This is the reason I hate AI's, you guys make my life… interesting. Can't you just agree?" Jenell said laughing. "The important thing in purifying an Item is to shower it with the keepers' vast magical energy, if somehow the keeper failed to successfully purify the Item it will cause unpredictable problems or incidents. She knows that, that is why she lets the Items suck up all her power without controlling it. It is the only way to make sure that she succeeds. Do you really think that if we tell her about this spell she will use it? Do you think she will risk everything she cares for to save herself?" Jenell asked seriously.

"Are you telling me to risk all that is important to her in order to save her?" Raising Heart asked.

"No, I'm not but it is your job as her device to take care of her."

When Raising Heart didn't respond Jenell continued.

"I'm not telling you to lie to your master or to hide anything from her but you do understand the need of it right?"

"Does the seal you put on her not enough to save her?" Raising Heart finally answered after a beat.

"No, it isn't. The seal that I put on her will be broken once she learns how to use the Holy Items properly. I only put it on her to stop her from recklessly using an Item she doesn't know how to use correctly. Besides putting a seal on her is not a good idea because it will prevent her from purifying the Items, which is why Vormund unsealed the one he placed on her before. This spell will not prevent her from using magic; it will only stop her if she is on the verge of killing herself." Jenell said standing up. "W hen you activate the spell you don't have to worry about the risk of an Item going berserk because the keeper failed to purify it, Vormund and I will make sure that doesn't happen. I'm asking you to trust us, if not me, trust Vormund who had pledge to protect not just the keeper but also her happiness."

A long moment passed and Raising Heart was still not responding. Jenell out of other explanations tried to say something again but before she can say another word…

"System Upgrade: 79%. Process on-going." Raising Heart responded.

Jenell let out a big sigh and sat once again in front of her microscope. "Seriously, that made me so nervous. If Raising Heart didn't agree to allow the embedded spell in her program I won't have any other means to hide that one inside." she thought to herself.

Even without opening her eyes, Nanoha knew that Fate was no longer beside her. Her hands automatically searched across the rumpled sheets, looking for the warmth that slays her demons and felt an ache when she found nothing. Nanoha forced herself to get up. Her eyes sweeping around the room appreciating it for the first time. She saw projector pens flashing flowers at the corner of the room, pictures of Fate and Vivio on top of the table beside her bed and a glass of water near it. When she reached out to get the glass of water, she saw something on her left hand. It's the same one that she left that day before her life changed to what it is now.

~~~~~Flashback~~~~~

3 Months and 15 days ago

Nanoha was curl up on the couch beside Fate, resting her head against her shoulder.

"Nanoha, do you want to go to bed?" Fate asked while stroking Nanoha's hair.

"I don't want to go to bed. I want to stay here with you for a while, it's been so long since I got you all to myself and you're going on a new mission tomorrow right?" Nanoha said nuzzling Fate's neck.

"Yeah, I'll be leaving in the evening. We can sleep here if you want." Fate said.

Fate looked around the place she rarely comes home to. They have been living together for four years now in this house. A place she and Nanoha bought together when Nanoha decided to adopt Vivio.

"I think we may need a bigger sofa if we make a habit of sleeping here." Fate said as she stretched her arm.

"Or a ring." Nanoha said.

Fate's gaze met Nanoha's and she smiled.

Nanoha's smile warmed Fate from inside and she couldn't help herself but laugh.

"I'm serious!" Nanoha hit Fate lightly on the shoulder and said. "Don't you have honorable intentions toward me, Enforcer?"

Fate drew Nanoha closer, breathing deeply her favorite scent. Nanoha's scent.

"Hmmm… let me see." Fate said playfully.

"We've been dating for nine years now… We already have the jobs that we dreamed of and Vivio is finally old enough to take care of herself. What are you waiting for?" Nanoha asked nervously.

"I'm rarely home. My job is complicated and hard for you and Vivio. I want to make sure I am what you want." Fate said caressing Nanoha's face.

"And if I decide I don't want you anymore, you would let me go?" Nanoha asked with a serious tone.

Fate's body went rigid and her hands tightened involuntarily into Nanoha's body.

"No." Fate said

Nanoha wrapped her arms around Fate's waist and erasing the gap between them.

"I'm glad." Nanoha said sweetly. "So there's nothing stopping you anymore right?"

Fate cupped Nanoha's face and kissed her. She licked across her lips, nibbling, teasing. Her tongue stroked deep into her mouth, licking, tasting and drinking her in as Nanoha made soft pleas for more.

"Yeah. Nothing will stop me from having you to myself." Fate said breathlessly.

"Ask me Fate. Ask me to marry you." Nanoha whispered, her head tilted back and her eyes closed.

With a deep sigh, Fate stood up and dropped to one knee on their living room.

"Nanoha Takamachi, would you do me the great honor of becoming my wife?"

Tears filled Nanoha's eyes and her lips quivered.

"Oh, Fate… my Fate."

Fate reached into her pocket and removed a ring box.

Nanoha's eyes widened.

"You had that with you the whole time?"

Fate smiled.

"Ooh!"

Nanoha stomped her foot, then stood up and turned on her heel and left Fate. Laughing, Fate chased after her, unwilling ever to let her go.

~~~~~End of Flashback~~~~~

Present

Nanoha touched the round diamond, adorned with red small stones in a platinum ring on her finger and smiled at the memory.

"Is something funny?" Fate asked.

She was leaning on the opened door and was watching Nanoha with tender eyes. Nanoha's heart fluttered in happiness at the sight of the person who had changed her whole life. Nanoha reached out her right hand and Fate grasp it while sitting beside her.

"I was just remembering something." Nanoha said.

"Looks like a happy one, for you to smile like that." Fate said as she kiss Nanoha's forehead. "How are you feeling? We are docking in a few hours."

"Docking? We are home already?" Nanoha asked surprised on how excited she is.

"Well, we are not exactly going home yet." Fate said slowly.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Nanoha asked confused.

"You will see when we arrived." Fate said winking as she stands up.

"Wait a minute Fate. Where's Raising Heart?" Nanoha asked stopping Fate from standing.

Other than her ring, she also noticed that Oroitz and the other Holy Items are still around her wrist but she can't find Raising Heart anywhere. Fate took a while before answering that Nanoha thought something happened to her beloved device. When Fate saw Nanoha's face go pale, she understood that her fiancée thought the worst.

"Nanoha nothing happen to Raising Heart, don't worry." Fate said hurriedly.

"O-Okay." Nanoha said as she calm herself. "So? Where is Raising Heart?"

Knowing that it will not be easy, Fate took a deep breath and tried to think of something that will delay the inevitable. A fact that she knows will not be accepted easily by a proud mage like Nanoha.

A/N: I am so sorry for the super late update. This past year was a very busy time for me and guess what; I'm finally done with college. Yatta!... I will be busy till May processing the requirements that I need before going on a job hunt and because of my upcoming board exam but I will try and update as much as I can, I do want to finish this story… Feel free to leave some comments or suggestions. Thank you... :)