I woke up this morning to find an unfamiliar jacket on my bed. I tried to recall what happened last night and then I remembered meeting someone. The owner of the now familiar jacket. It came to me that I didn't have her name. I pushed the thought away and got ready for school. I'll look for the owner some other time. Right now, I have to get to class.

Read Me IV

Control

The first half of the day went by fast. I met some new people over lunch. They all seem nice. I did not get what Arisa's talent is and Nanoha's too. Nanoha… I can't believe I was able to see her that fast. I was planning on looking for her after class. But… Why did she run away? Did I do something wrong? And there's something about her that doesn't feel right…she's different today from what she was last night…her voice…her eyes.., there's no point in thinking about her now. I went inside the coffee shop and ordered a strawberry smoothie. I was about to get a table when I heard someone call my name.

"Fate-chan!" I looked at where the voice was coming from and saw Suzuka waving at me.

I smiled and walked over to her table, "Hey, Suzuka."

"Would you like to join me?"

I sat on the opposite chair. "Sure, thanks."

She nibbled on a cookie and asked, "Haw was your day?"

I took a sip from my smoothie, "Boring. Yours?"

She laughed lightly and said, "Tiring but good."

"Umm… About Nanoha…" I muttered. Suzuka offered a cookie and I took it with a small thank you.

She leaned in closer, "What about her?"

I looked at her blue eyes and asked, "Did I… do something to upset her?"

"Let me guess, it's about what happened during lunch, right?"

I rolled my eyes. "You didn't guess. You read my mind."

She laughed lightly. "Anyway, it's about it, huh?"

I nodded. "I don't know what exactly happened. I met her last night at the park and we talked for a while and she walked me to my room. And now…"

Suzuka shook her head. "She's not mad at you. I'm sure of it." She smiled at me warmly and said, "Tell you what, tomorrow, at lunch, sit alone again. I'll make sure you and Nanoha-chan would be able to talk."

"Thanks, Suzuka." I said, and smiled back at her. She giggled and said goodbye as she still has work to do.

I finished my drink and went on my way home. I need to clear my head.

ArisaAfter all of my classes I went to my room to change into more comfortable clothes. I haven't seen Nanoha yet since lunch. I'll go to her room later after I cleaned up. I heard a soft buzzing sound coming from my room. I followed it and noticed that I have a new mail.

Meet me at the park tonight. I want to talk to you about something. -Suzuka

I wonder what it is. I shrugged and went into the bathroom to take a shower before I meet up with Suzuka. But before that I still need to drop by Nanoha's room. After getting dresses, I went out and knocked on Nanoha's door.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

After a few seconds Nanoha opened the door and let me in. "Hey, Arisa-chan."

I stepped inside and asked her, "So… How are you?"

We sat on the couch and after a few minutes she said, "Better…"

"So what happened?" I asked.

Nanoha looked at me nervously and I smiled at her. She seems to calm down a little. "I…got thirsty a while ago."

"Because of Fate?" I asked despite knowing the answer.

She nodded. "I don't know why, Arisa-chan…but her blood… it smells so good that I can't stop myself." I nodded and she continued. "Her blood smells like nothing I've ever encountered…the bloodlust… Oh, god. Arisa-chan what If I attack her?"

I rubbed her back to calm her down. "That won't happen. You won't do that."

Nanoha sniffed lightly. "Okay. I'll talk to her tomorrow and practice controlling this. I'm really sorry for what happened during lunch. That was rude of me."

I smiled. At least she is feeling better now. "So…" I looked at her eyes seriously and tilted my head so a part of my neck is clearly visible. "You need a drink?"

Nanoha looked at me for a while. She then shook her head. "Not now. Maybe later tonight?"

Ever since we were kids, I had always allowed Nanoha to take few sips from me. I'm okay with it since she knows when to stop and I trust that she won't drink too much than what is needed. "Okay. Just come by."

She nodded and smiled at me. "Okay. Thanks, Arisa-chan."

I hugged her and got up and walked to the door. "No problem. See you tonight."

I closed the door behind me and walked out of the dorms. I mailed Suzuka that I'm on my way. I wonder what she wants to talk about. I think it something important. I mad a turn to the right and I crossed the bridge. I scanned the park and saw Suzuka sitting on one of the benches. I pulled out my phone and dialed her number.

"Arisa-chan?"

"Hey, Suzuka."

"Where are you?"

"On my way."

"Faster. I'm freezing my butt out here already."

"Yeah, yeah." I walked to the nearest vending machine.

"So…" I looked at the list of drinks. "Coffee or chocolate?"

"What?" She asked. Her voice irritated.

"Come on, just answer. Coffee or chocolate?"

"Chocolate, I guess."

I got two cans of hot chocolate and walked to her. "I'll see you soon."

"Okay." She hung up.

I walked over to her and made sure that she won't notice me. I stood behind her and pressed the warm drink on her right cheek.

"Ah!" She yelped and looked at me. "Mou, Arisa-chan."

I laughed and sat down beside her. "Here." I handed her one of the two cans.

"Thanks." She opened her can and took a sip.

"So, what is it?" I asked.

She looked at me seriously. "It's about Nanoha."

"What about her?"

"Please tell me about her. I read all of her thoughts and it bothers me."

I took a deep breath. "Listen carefully, okay?"

She nodded and I continued. "Nanoha always introduces herself as a half-vampire and a half-human but that's the outside of it. The truth is… Nanoha is a Dhampir."

Suzuka stared at me. "Dhampir?"

"Dhampir is the child of a vampire father and a human mother. Dhampirs have all the vampire powers and none of the weaknesses."

"Isn't that good?"

"No. Not at all. Dhampirs usually feels that they are not really vampires. In the vampire world, not all dhampirs are accepted. They also have differences with vampires."

"Like what?"

"Unlike true vampires, dhampirs can't turn into bats. They don't carry that ability. Dhampirs, too, lust for blood more than normal vampires do." I explained.

"So Nanoha's bloodlust…"

"Yes. Dhampirs, when the right time comes can only drink from one person. They call this person as their "bride". Right now, Nanoha doesn't have a bride yet and she drinks from other people every now and then." I explained further.

Suzuka nodded. "So that was what's bothering her." She stayed silent for a while. "Does Nanoha… umm…"

I figured out what she wanted to say. "Drink from me? Yes, she does."

She blushed. "And you're okay with it?"

I shrugged. "Yeah. Nanoha knows her limit."

We stayed silent for a while and just stared at the sky. After a few more minutes Suzuka spoke up.

"Tell me… are you really only a werewolf?" She asked.

I blinked at her question. Why would she ask that? Unless she knows about me being… "Yes." I answered.

She sighed. "Is that so…"

"Why?" I asked her.

She hesitated for a moment. "It's just that… I…"

Buzz… buzz…

We both jumped at the sound of the buzzing phone. It was Suzuka's phone.

"Yes? Now? Oh… yes, yes. Okay. Thanks."

"Who was that?" I asked as she stood up and straightened the folds on her skirt.

"Someone from our dormitory. They need me for something."

I stood up too. "Oh. Okay."

She smiled at me. "I'll go now. Thanks for your time." Then, she did something no one aside from Nanoha has ever tried. She hugged me.

She then whispered. "I'll see you tomorrow. Good night."

Before I could even respond to her actions, she was already running to her dorm. What the hell just happened? I shook my head and phased to my wolf form so I can go back to the dorms fast. Once phased, I run fast, savoring the feel of fresh hair on my face.

"Arisa-chan."

"Ugh…" I woke up at the sound of someone calling my voice. I reached for the lamp beside my bed and clicked it open.

"Nanoha?" I asked groggily.

"Yup, Arisa-chan." She looked at me in the eye. Her slate blue eyes turned a little bit darker.

I sat up properly and moved a little so that Nanoha can sit beside me. "Thirsty now?"

She nodded once. "A little bit. Yes."

I unbuttoned a few buttons at the top of my shirt until my neck is exposed. Having done this many times before, I already know the drill.

I moved my head to the side, "Drink up."

I could feel the bed shift as Nanoha positioned herself. "Itadakimasu"

Then I felt the familiar feeling of her fangs piercing my neck. The feeling isn't bad at all. You'll just feel light and a little tipsy.

"You know, you're blood is not super tasty anymore."

I resisted the urge to hit her. "Well, you drink it all the time."

I felt her take a deep breath, "Still. Not tasty." I then felt her push her fangs inside again.

"Then go get a bride already." I teased.

"Only if you'll find a master." She retorted back. I then felt her pull away completely and the feeling of being tipsy came to me.

"Thanks." I felt Nanoha move away and lay me down. "See you tomorrow." She closed the buttons and covered me with the bed sheet.

With that, I drifted off.

Suzuka

I still can't believe that Arisa-chan is only a werewolf. If she is a werewolf then why can't I read her? She's the only one that I can't read. Maybe she has nullification. I walked to the entrance of the building when I felt someone grab me and pull me towards them.

"Hey there, Suzuka." I shivered when I felt hot breath reach my ears and I heard fan girl squeals in the background. I turned my head and saw the grin of a familiar face but not quite the same person I was hoping for.

"N-Nanoha-san?" I asked despite knowing what her answer is going to be.

"Yep." She nodded.

What's with her?

Who the hell is she?

Nanoha-sama is soooo cool.

Why is Nanoha-sama holding her like that?!

I cringed lightly at the thoughts of the fan girls. I turned to look at Nanoha-san and whispered, "Would you please let me go now? Umm… Your fans might kill me for this."

Nanoha-san looked at me and flashed a teasing grin. "Why should I? I like this position."

With that, she pulled me closer and I heard all the fan girls squeal. I was about to shout at Nanoha-san when I heard a small growl from behind us.

"Oh, hey pup." Nanoha-san greeted. Pup?

The puppy snarled at her and growled more fiercely.

Nanoha-san detached herself from me and turned to the puppy. "Okay, okay. No need to act like a jealous girlfriend."

I watched the puppy growl softly. "Nanoha-san, you're talking to a puppy?"

Nanoha-san laughed at my remark. "Why are you laughing?"

"Don't mind me." She said between laughs. I crouched down and lifted and held the puppy close to me. I looked at it more closely. Blonde fur, fluffy and… emerald-colored eyes. Then it came to me,

"Arisa-chan?!" I exclaimed.

Nanoha-san stopped laughing and answered, "Yes. Arisa can shift to puppy form too."

I looked at Puppy Arisa. She looked back at me. "Umm… Hi?" I tried.

Arisa puppy waved one paw at me.

"She can't talk like that." Nanoha-san said before flashing a smile to the fan girls and asking them to go to their classes because she doesn't want them to be late. Yeah, right. I can read her.

"Oh." I lifted puppy Arisa in front of me for a better view. "Would you hurt me in that form?"

She looked at me for a while. Probably thinking. Her thoughts… I still can't read her. Then, she shook her head.

"Okay…" I looked at her and after five seconds, I pulled her to me and cuddled her. "You're so cute. Arisa-chan! You're so soft too!"

Nanoha-san laughed at my outburst and I could feel Arisa-chan try to get away. I pulled her closer. "No, you're staying here."

I turned to look at Nanoha-san with pleading eyes. "Hey, Nanoha-san, can Arisa-chan stay with me for the whole day?"

Nanoha-san smiled at me. "Sure you can. Besides, I think Arisa likes it."

Arisa-chan growled at Nanoha-san but made no attempt to jump off of my arms even if she can. Nanoha-san placed her hand on puppy Arisa's head and ruffled her fur. "I'll leave you to Suzuka, pup. Don't cause too much trouble, okay?" She smiled at us and went on her way.

I made Arisa-chan face me and said, "Will go my first classes now, okay? Don't worry, I only have classes until after lunch."

Arisa-chan nodded. I pulled her close again and started walking, "After that, would you accompany me for the day?" I felt her nod. "Thanks."

The classes went by okay. Many people fawned over Arisa-chan and I know that she's already annoyed so I quickly took her away from them. "Hey Arisa-chan. Is there any place in particular that you want us to go to?"

She shook her head. Right now, Arisa-chan is walking beside me. We went pass the park and kept walking. Then I remembered a place where I used to go when I was a kid. I halted and crouched down to face Arisa-chan.

"Hey, do you mind if I take you to some place I used to go to? It's not that far from here." I asked.

She nodded and I lifted her up. I quickened my pace. I haven't been in this place for a long time now and I'm very excited to show this to Arisa-chan. I know that me and Arisa-chan just met a few days ago but I feel comfortable around her. It's as if I know her already. I decided to let go of my thoughts and I stopped. I looked at the place in front of me and I could feel Arisa-chan's head turn and look at it too.

"Still beautiful." I murmured.

Standing before me was a clear field with soft grass and big trees that give shade. This place, as far as I can remember, is where I'll always go whenever I'm thinking too much. Being back in this place made me happy. Arisa-chan jumped off my arms and ran towards the big tree.

"Arisa-chan! Wait for me!" I ran after her but when I got down the hill I can't see Arisa-chan.

I looked around frantically, "Arisa-chan!"

"Calm down, Suzuka." I looked at where the gentle voice came from and I found myself staring at a girl in a black mini skirt and white blouse. Her gentle smile directed at me and I can see tenderness in her eyes.

"Arisa-chan." I muttered breathlessly.

… and I knew that my heartbeat went a little faster.

AN: Sorry for the long delay. I needed to study for the exams.

Like always, Reviews are most welcome.

I want to thank EAnIL for giving me what I should call Nanoha.

Thanks to all the others who left a review.

--F