Blood Calls To Blood

Epilogue

Vivio's first thought was relief.

Einhart Stratos looked nothing like Fate-mama…or more precisely, nothing like Fate-chan.

The memory of her empty outstretched hand and those haunting red eyes still throbbed painfully in Vivio's chest. However, Einhart had purple-blue eyes. She was completely different from Fate-chan.

But a few moments later, Vivio realized that she was wrong. Vivio was smiling on the outside, but that was just to hide how shaken up her insides suddenly felt as she shook hands with the silvery-haired girl.

Something about her…

Each blow they exchanged during their match exhilarated Vivio, and terrified her at the same time.

I don't want to fight her!

But yet she wanted it so much as well, and Vivio couldn't understand why.

Who was this girl? Why did she want to fight Vivio so much?

Vivio couldn't understand her…the anxiety pounded loudly inside her heart, echoing in her hesitant punches. Why were they fighting? Did…did Einhart want to prove something? Vivio struck back, uncertain.

"Thank you very much," Einhart said suddenly, turning around and walking away with a flat expression in her eyes, "for the match."

"Um!" Vivio dropped her fists and stepped forward bewilderedly. "I'm sorry, did I do something to offend you?"

"Not at all."

"Then…um…was I too weak?"

"No," Einhart said over her shoulder. "It's more than enough if playing around is your hobby."

No…I wasn't playing around!

I…

I'm afraid…

I'm afraid that…I'll misunderstand your feelings.

Vivio…had misunderstood Fate-chan's feelings.

Where she had thought that other Fate had wanted peace, Fate-chan had wanted victory. And when Vivio had thought that Fate wanted friendship, in the end, Fate-chan had… A mistake like that can't ever be undone. Vivio didn't want to ever have to go through that again.

But Nanoha-mama always said that if she fell down, Vivio had to get up by herself.

She had to get up again. Always get up, and keep going.

Instead of guessing…maybe Vivio should try to listen instead of try to understand this new, quiet friend of hers.

"Wait!"

Instead of helplessly watching, Vivio was going to learn what Einhart Stratos really wanted. And maybe…maybe Vivio could help her find what she was looking for?

What it is that Einhart is seeking…I shall do my best to help her.

Yes, that was in Vivio's power to do.

Author's Note: And so I fixed it…somewhat ^_^. Quotes were taken from ViVid. I decided to post the epilogue right away because I love you guys ^_-, and also because I didn't want to get tons of angry reviews for breaking Vivio in the last chapter!

Chrono's bridge crew member Birkin Zetec is named for the Ford Zetec, an engine brand.

Thanks to DezoPenguin and RadiantBeam for helping me during my roadblocks while writing. And everyone should thank the persistent folks on Animesuki for this, since they wouldn't let me off the hook until I wrote an epilogue to fix Vivio! =P

Thanks for reading the product of my twisted mind! =D

**X**

Special Epilogue for spawnofthejudge and RadiantBeam:

"This…is really unusual."

"All the paperwork is not in order, sir?"

"No, but…" A sigh. "We usually don't get new recruits without a referral or a transfer order. And considering your family background…"

"I am permitted to apply for this unit without referral or parental permission, sir."

"Yes, I know…but why?"

"Because I can be an asset to this unit, sir. I…I'm compelled, sir, to do my best to serve, no matter what it takes. I owe it to…to people in my past."

A pause.

Then a thunk of an approval seal echoed in the silence.

"Welcome to the NSIS, Vivio Takamachi."