Do you know those times when you're looking for something and you go around and around just to find it? When you already feel your head spinning and it hurts so much but still you don't stop because of what you're looking for? You go to all the places where it could be and back to every single place again because you're so damn desperate? That's what's happening to me now. I can't find Nanoha. Where is she? I need to talk to her! Maybe… I don't know… Maybe she thought that she frightened me. Well, she did but still… I could feel my legs begging me to stop but I can't and I won't. I ran a little bit faster. I'm already so far from the academy. I ran and ran and I ran past the river…

Read Me VII

I couldn't care less

I went a few steps back when I saw a figure by the river. Maybe that's her! Out of desperation I moved a little bit closer and stood by the railings before the stairs. I can't see properly. Think of anything… light… lightning! But I need one that's only enough to see the figure clearly. Incantations right… I took a deep breath. Here goes…

"Light that lies within me, give me diminutive radiance to see the one I seek. Enough for me and not for others. Light!"

Small orbs of light showed themselves close to the target and I looked closer. Brown locks… Nanoha! I made the lights disappear and went down the stairs fast but quietly and made my way quietly behind Nanoha.

"Hey." I breathed out.

Nanoha stood up and faced me. "I'm so sorry, Fate-chan." She tried to run away but I caught her hand and stopped her.

"I've been running all around just to find you, there's no way I'm gonna let you runaway again." I said sternly.

Nanoha pulled her hand out of my grasp harshly and turned to face. I could see tears traveling down her cheeks. "I'm running away because I need too! Because your blood is too strong! Whenever you're near, I could smell nothing but the sweetness of your blood! I'm a monster, Fate! What if a while ago you were with me and not Nanoha-san?! What if I was the one there? I would have bit you! I don't want to scare you! Nanoha-san has more control than I have. Right now, it's taking everything I have to keep myself from biting you! God, I could have drained your blood, Fate! I feed on other people's blood. I'm a Dhampir, Fate. I'm sorry."

After her outburst, Nanoha slid slowly to the ground and started to cry. I couldn't move. A dhampir… Nanoha is a dhampir. She's not a vampire. No matter how similar they are… She's not one of them. I slid beside her and hugged her. She flinched but I only tightened my arms around her shaking figure.

"Listen, Nanoha… I'm… I'm not scared. I was… shock. When I was a kid, a vampire almost killed me… My blood, it attracts them. I guess what happened today brought that up. I'm so sorry, Nanoha.—"

"Why are you—" Nanoha cut me off.

"I'm not yet through." I cut her off. "I want you to know that… I'm not scared of you. Your sorry for what? For being a Dhampir?" I scoffed. "Don't be. It's not a bad thing. It's what you are, Nanoha. Accept what you are. It's you. There's nothing much you could do about it. Believe me, there's something about myself that I don't like too." I finished gently.

Nanoha pulled away. "You're… something else?"

I smiled. "Yeah. Something like that."

She asked me, "What are you?"

I shook my head. "Not now. You're thirsty."

Nanoha's eyes widened and she moved back, away from me. "U-umm…"

I moved closer to her. "It's okay, Nanoha."

She moved away yet again. "B-but…"

I moved closer. "It's fine."

This time she didn't move. "How could you ask me to do something as… preposterous? You're putting yourself in danger."

She said that but I could see in her slate blue eyes that she really is thirsty. "I trust you."

She visibly stiffened. "Y-you do?"

I nodded and moved closer to her. I looked for something sharp around us and found a rock. I took it and cut myself with it. I hissed at the pain and cursed silently.

"F-Fate-chan!" Nanoha exclaimed and took my hand. Upon seeing or maybe smelling my blood, she took a sharp breath and her hand began to shake.

"Go ahead, Nanoha. I know you won't drain me." I urged gently.

Nanoha's eyes darkened and she took my hand closer to her mouth and stared at the blood dripping from the cut. I gasped when I felt her tongue graze the cut. She licked the blood first and then she sucked the blood. Nanoha stopped soon and licked her lips.

"Thank you, Fate-chan." Said the girl that's been occupying my mind sincerely.

I smiled and closed my eyes. "You're not a moster… Not at all." I didn't think that it was going to be… energy draining.

[x][x][x]

"Ugh…" I opened my eyes slowly and closed it again. When did I get home? I opened my eyes again and looked around me. Unfamiliar desk. Unfamiliar carpet on the floor. I looked at the sheets covering me. Pink. I don't own pink sheets.

I blinked once. I blinked once more.

This is not my room! I stood up frantically. "Ugh!" I groaned out loud. The door opened and I saw Nanoha enter.

"You shouldn't get up so fast, you know." She said.

I sat down on the bed again. "Now, I know. Where am I?"

"My dorm. Sorry, you passed out last night and I don't know where you live."

I smiled. "It's okay. Thanks." I glanced at my right hand and saw the red cut.

"About that…" Nanoha stared at me uncomfortably. "I'm sorry. It will never happen again."

"Hush up, you. It's okay, right? I'm the one who offered you." I said and grinned at her.

"Still…" She insisted but closed her mouth when I looked at her sternly. "Brunch?"

I blinked. "Why? What time is it?"

"A little after eleven."

I bolted up again. "Classes!"

She tried to stifle a laugh. "Saturday, Fate-chan. Brunch?"

I blushed in embarrassment. Nice Fate. Very smooth in front of someone you lik—I don't freakin' like her! "S-sure."

This time, she did laugh loud. "Come, then."

I followed her as she continued laughing. "Mou."

Brunch was good. Nanoha can cook really well. We talked about stuffs. It's fun though there is one thing that's bothering me.

"Nanoha, why are you sitting far from me?" I asked. You see, I am on the table while Nanoha is behind the bar, which is far from the table.

"Umm… Fate-chan…" Nanoha looked down on the floor. I sighed and approached her. Nanoha saw me coming and took a step back. "No, Fate-chan."

I stopped. "Fine. Just… don't avoid me, okay?"

Nanoha nodded.

"I'll go now. I'll see you around." I announced while gathering my things.

Nanoha followed me to the door. "I'll walk you."

"No thanks. I can go by myself." With that, I smiled and ran off.

Another one with unwanted talents…

Just like me, I guess.

[x][x][x]

Suzuka

[x][x][x]

"Cappuccino, please." I ordered as the waitress stopped at my table.

I looked out the window and watched people walk by. I really don't have anything to do. Great, it's Sunday and I'm gonna spend it with nothing to do. The waitress gave me my cappuccino and I gave her a small smile and a thanks.

I stirred the liquid gently and tried to think about anything. Windows, people, girls, boys, cat, Goth girl's close contact with the guy ---

My eyes widened and a dark blush came to my face. The memories of last night that I had been trying so hard not to think about crashed down all at once.

Arisa moved closer, leaned in closer, closer as my face flushed and my eyes close…

I felt something rubbing against the bridge of my nose and I opened my eyes. "Wha?"

Arisa pulled back and smiled. "Dirt on your nose."

I stared at her dumbly and nodded. "Oh. Okay."

"Goodnight." She said and planted a kiss on my forehead.

Before I could even say goodbye, Arisa-chan was gone.

Oh god. That was so embarrassing! Good thing Arisa-chan didn't notice it. I guess what happened then was too much for me. I can't believe I'm having these kinds of feelings for Arisa-chan. We've just met and yet…

Her golden hair...

Her calming green eyes…

The cute, cute blush…

The sexy smirk…

What am I thinking?! I shook my head and finished my cappuccino. Anyway, I wonder what happened to Fate-chan and Nanoha-chan. Did Fate-chan found Nanoha-chan? Things are getting complicated… I left some bills on the table and went out of the café. I need to clear my mind.

[x][x][x]

Nanoha

[x][x][x]

I can't believe this. Fate-chan actually made me drink her blood. It was so sweet. Why would she trust me? Even after her vampire encounter years ago? I can't let myself hurt her. I need to learn how to control my blood lust. I need to learn how to control myself around Fate.

I need to talk to Arisa-chan.

I went out my room and knocked on the room beside mine.

I knocked again.

I knocked once more.

I sighed. Seriously, sleeping in again? It's Sunday, we should be going out! I fished the copy of Arisa-chan's key she gave me and opened the door.

"Arisa-chan~" I called out. No answer.

I went to her bedroom and saw her sleeping form on the bed.

I shook her gently. "Wake up."

I shook her again. "Come on, Arisa. It's noon already!"

"Wha?" Arisa opened her eyes groggily and sat up.

"It's noon. Wake up. I want to talk." I said.

Arisa-chan stood up and stretched. She stared at me and made her way to the bathroom. I could hear the water running in the bathroom as I fixed Arisa-chan's bed.

"Ne, you thirsty?" Her voice floated from the bathroom.

"Nope. Not in the mood." I declined her silent offer as I made my way to her kitchen and took out her cereals, a bowl, spoon and her milk and placed them on the table.

Arisa-chan walked to the kitchen and sat down. "Thanks."

I sat opposite her and watched her eat.

"So?"

"I took Fate-chan home last night." I confessed.

Arisa's face turned serious. "And?"

"I did not attack her or anything. Before that, she talked to me and made me drink her blood. She passed out and I didn't know where she lived. I… I need to learn how to control my urge, Arisa-chan." I said calmly.

"Can you stand near her without having the urge to attack her?" my blonde friend asked.

I pondered for a while before answering, "I don't know. While she was eating brunch yesterday at my room and in my kitchen I was standing by the bar."

Arisa-chan tried her best to stifle her laugh. "No joke?"

I glared at her. "No, pup."

She managed to contain her laughter and went to the sink to wash her dishes. "Some practice would do you good, Nanoha."

"Practice?"

"Yep, spend more time with her while resisting the blood lust until you become used to her super delicious scent."

I hummed in approval and we dropped the topic. "So, what's up with you and Suzuka-chan yesterday?"

Arisa-chan blushed darkly and shrugged. "Nothing."

"Yeah… Right… then why were you cross-dressing for her?" I asked teasingly.

"T-that was… I need to go under disguise to be able to come out of her dorm."

"Ah, fangirls."

She nodded.

"So was it a date?"

"She said that she didn't want her 'masterpiece' to go to waste so we spent the day with each other."

"Hmm… Like?" I asked with a grin.

Silence filled the air.

"Just shut up, Nanoha. Let's go out." Said a very flustered Arisa.

I laughed and laughed all the way to my room to get changed for our little escapade.

[x][x][x]

"So, where are we going?" I asked Arisa-chan.

She just shrugged. "Anywhere, I guess."

We continued to wander around and stopped in front of the Ice cream shop. We sat on the table outside and ordered our ice cream.

"Vanilla, please." I told the waitress.

Arisa looked at the menu and the waitress. "Strawberry, please."

The waitress nodded and went to get our orders.

"Hey, Arisa-chan… You're… you're okay, right?" I asked worriedly.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" She asked.

I stared at her green eyes. "I'm mean inside. You're fine right?"

She nodded. "It's sleeping. For a long time now, since the last time you saw it."

I smiled. "Then, it's good, right?"

The waitress came and placed our orders on our table.

"I think so." Arisa said.

I looked at her as she began devouring her treat. I sighed.

Still, evasive as ever.

I began eating my ice cream as well.

After a few minutes or so, the blonde werewolf spoke up. "I love strawberries."

I looked at her as she began eating the strawberry toppings of her ice cream.

"I know. You've told me a countless times already."

"Last time, I got a strawberry that's almost rotten."

I giggled at the face she made. "Poor you."

She stuck out her tongue.

Then, I remembered something horrible. "You know, last week I got some new supplies of blood."

Arisa looked at me inquisitively. The topic of blood while eating might be too much for others, but Arisa-chan is used to it. I inhaled and smelled something familiar… good and delicious. Fate-chan is somewhere here. I hope she's not headed here. "And?"

"The stupid doctor gave me one pack with male blood. I drank it accidentally and threw up." I said.

Arisa-chan made a face. "You never liked male's blood."

I nodded. "I hate it. It's horrible."

"How horrible?" She asked.

"Its like contaminated because of all the alcohol and drugs they consume. Even if the donor is clean, he's blood still tastes bad." I said. "At least women have cleaner blood."

She nodded at my explanation.

My eyes widened when I saw someone making their way in this shop. She really is going here! Arisa-chan looked behind to see who I was staring at and smiled.

"Fate-chan!" she called out. Oh shit. "Over here!"

Fate-chan walked towards our table and smiled at me. "Hey Nanoha, Arisa."

Oh god… I can smell her blood… delicious. I gripped the chair tighter when she sat beside me.

"Here for Ice cream, Fate?" Asked Arisa.

"Yeah. There's nothing to do… It's boring." Fate said. The waitress from before cam and took her order.

I saw Arisa-chan doing something with her phone with a grin. I looked at her suspiciously and she stared back at me. Something vibrated onmy pocket and I took out my phone.

Payback time for calling me 'pup' this morning, little vampire. ~Arisa

I stared at Arisa. Oh no. She smirked and her phone rang. "Excuse me."

I stared at her the whole time as she stared back at me. I'm gonna kill this dog.

Arisa shut her phone and turned to Fate and me. "Sorry guys. Suzuka called and said she needed me for something. I'll leave you two together. Later fate, little vamp."

With one last annoying smirk she ran off.

I looked at Fate sheepishly and smiled. "Hey."

She smiled back and continued eating her treat. "Do you have any plans today, Nanoha?"

I shook my head.

She stopped eating and looked up at me. "Spend the day with me."

I thought of refusing but Arisa's words cam to my mind.

"Spend more time with her while resisting the blood lust until you become used to her super delicious scent."

I smiled at her and nodded. "Sure."

She smiled brightly and finished her treat immediately.

[x][x][x]

The day went by fast. Fate-chan took me to the arcade and we just played there all day. It was a little hard for me but whenever her scent is starting to get the better of me she would always grasp my hand say 'I trust you, Nanoha.'. I'm starting to feel calm around her. She can always make me feel calm. I don't know why but… she does that to me.

We're now sitting on the grass in a hill overlooking the river where she found me. For some odd reason, this place calms me. Right now, Fate's blood is not bothering me.

"What are you, Fate-chan?" I asked.

She smiled. "Lightning caster. Well, technically anything that connects to light. Electricity too."

"So you could… electrocute others?" I asked.

She nodded. "Yeah, pretty much."

We both laughed. As our laughter died down, the wind blew hard. I shivered lightly from the cold and felt strong arms wrap around my body. My breath hitched.

"F-Fate…" I stuttered. The delicious scent of her blood starting to get to me.

Fate-chan lifted up one hand and whispered an incantation.

A small fragment be given to me. To warm the beloved wrapped in my arms. I desire, fleeting warmth.

Suddenly, a small, warm light enveloped Fate and the extra warmth added to hers, warmed my body.

"Fate-chan…"

She pulled me closer. "It's okay, Nanoha."

"…But…"

"It's okay… I trust you…"

"Trust... you say…"

"Mm… Actually…I'm attracted to you…" she whispered.

"That is… Fate…this is…"

Fate-chan planted a small kiss on my temple. "Nanoha…"

"No… Fate-chan… I'm no good." I tried.

"Why?" She asked, her breath caressing my ear.

I tried to control myself… her blood… I want it.

"Cause I'm a dhampir…"

She kissed my ear lightly. "So…?"

No… this is… blood…control your…self, Nanoha. "Because I'm a monster."

"You're not…" Fate moved as so she was in front of me… "But if ever you are one…" laid me down… above me… then she whispered to me. "I couldn't care less."

Her last words broke the walls I built around me to separate me from her. "Fate…"

I flipped us over and I was hovering above her now… I can smell her scent too clearly…

"Bite me, Nanoha. Drink up."

I growled lightly. Delicious…

I dipped my head to her neck and once again, the addicting taste of her blood made its way in my mouth.

[x][x][x]

END OF CHAPTER VII

Thank you for all the reviews for the last chapter.

Oh, and for the reviews for "We are whatever you want us to be." & "Far Away."

I really appreciate it.

Sorry for taking this long for this chapter.

Next chapter will have many NanoFate!

:]

As always, reviews == most welcome.

~Fei