Let's see what questions can be answered in this chapter. Ah, I must love you guys so much or something, to be working on this story so seriously this weekend. Normally I try for one update a weekend, otherwise I don't get very many views. But I can't help it, I want you guys to know what happens. So anyways, you'll hate me at the end. But it's okay, it'll be worth it. Oh yeah, changed the story description. Wonder if it sounds any better?

I knew it was only a matter of time before I spilled everything to them. I had known all along that eventually they would know what had happened all those years ago. And yet, I just kept pushing it back whenever I could. There had been plenty of opportunities, plenty of chances to spill. I just chickened out at the last second, or convinced myself that it wasn't the right time to say anything. But now, with Fate, Shamal, and Signum watching me expectantly, I knew I had to tell them. Fate said she'd never leave me, she said she'd be there for me. Somehow, that was all it took for me to be willing to tell her. I'd been waiting to hear those words; I just hadn't realized it before. Now the only question was would Fate still be willing to stay with me after she learned the truth? It's like they say, Ignorance is Bliss.

Unsweetened Dreams VII

By:

2takuya

It had taken a while, but Signum and Shamal had finally realized that Nanoha was crying. They didn't seem to notice, however, until the shaking in Nanoha's shoulders was obvious, and her hitching breath could be heard.

Fate had known that Nanoha was crying, and had been attempting to help the girl calm down by stroking her hair. The attempt was in vein though, and only succeeding in Nanoha struggling even harder against her tears.

Now Fate, Signum, and Shamal were all struggling to help Nanoha calm down. Although neither one were sure what they could do to help their friend.

Nanoha, for her part, wasn't even sad. In fact, her tears were more out of happiness than anything else. "Fate-chan," she whimpered quietly, sniffling and finally calming down a bit.

Signum and Shamal relaxed a little, Nanoha's tears seemed to be dying out, and she seemed a little calmer.

Fate smiled a little as blue eyes gazed up at her, the owners face tear streaked. "Yes Nanoha?" Fate asked quietly, her thumb brushing a stray tear off her friend's cheek.

But it seemed as though Nanoha had nothing of real importance to say, and instead returned her face to Fate's chest, seeking comfort against her friend and secret crush.

Fate seemed to realize this as well, and had no problems with Nanoha's decision. She continued stroking her friend's hair, wrapping her other arm around Nanoha as her friend slowly calmed down.

Signum seemed to think that enough time had passed, and spoke up, reminding Fate and Nanoha that both she and Shamal were still in the room.

"So, Nanoha, will you be willing to tell us?" Signum asked, succeeding in gaining the brunette's attention.

Nanoha once again stiffened, but was once again comforted by Fate. Slowly she found herself nodding. She had known this day was to come; she had only been pushing back the inevitable.

"I was six or seven at the time," Nanoha said quietly, her head still resting on Fate's chest, though now she had her head facing Signum and Shamal. And so the story began, almost as though it were a narration of a bit of Nanoha's life.

It had been a day almost like any other. Nanoha had gotten up in the morning, eaten breakfast, gotten dressed, and then headed off to school. The difference in the day lies within gym class. For that day was track day. All the students needed to run a mile around the track.

Normally, a mile was completed with no problem for Nanoha. But she hadn't been feeling well lately, and so she was worried that she might get sick.

Those worried disappeared as she neared the end of her mile. She had managed to run the track without any problems, and was almost done and would get a rest. Only, as she turned the bend, a wave of dizziness crashed over her like never before. Her head was sent reeling as everything around her seemed to tilt a complete ninety degrees. And then everything went black.

When her eyes fluttered open, her surrounding was different. The blue sky and the green grass were replaced by white. White walls and a white ceiling is what greeted Nanoha as she opened her eyes. A slow and steady beeping pounded into her ears, like a Taiko sounding on a hot summer festival day.

A glance around the room revealed white shades surrounding a window on one wall, a sliding door on another wall. Nanoha was currently lying in a bed that was covered with white sheets. No matter how you looked at it, it was a hospital.

The door sliding open drew Nanoha's attention to a few people walking into the room. Her mother and father, both seemingly frantic; relaxed when they saw that Nanoha was awake. Behind them walked in her pediatrician, Doctor Taichi.

Nanoha never did like her pediatrician. He just seemed like such a strange man, and whenever her Mom or Dad had to leave the room to sign something, his hands always lingered in the weirdest of places. He seemed to like touching her chest a lot, though she couldn't figure out why. It was as flat as any other six or seven year old.

She'd once told her parents about that, and that she didn't like him, but they just shook it off. "Nanoha, Doctor Taichi is a good man, he saves people's lives." Was what her mother had said before returning to cooking dinner.

But Nanoha didn't believe that, after all, the touching only grew more every time she visited. The worst time was when he had licked her ear.

"Are you feeling any better?" Her mother asked, worry in her voice, drawing Nanoha's attention back to the present.

Nanoha nodded slightly, a bashful grin on her face. "Sorry to make you worry, I just got a little dizzy while running is all."

Her mother and father breathed out a sigh of relief. Both of them had feared the worst when the school had called, saying that Nanoha had collapsed on the track.

"You're sure? If you're not feeling well, your mother or I can stay with you." Her father said, worry filling his eyes.

But Nanoha knew that wasn't a good idea. If they stayed then who would take care of Midori-ya?

So Nanoha put a smile on her face, easing her parent's worries. "No, I'm fine. You guys should get back to the shop."

Nanoha's parents seemed reluctant at first, but after a little more persuasion they were finally out the door, and Nanoha was left alone.

"Well, I'm glad you managed to get rid of them." A voice spoke, reminding Nanoha that Doctor Taichi had still been in the room. And she had just managed to convince her parents to leave, so now she was alone with this scary doctor!

Nanoha breathed in a shaky breath, squeezing her eyes shut tightly. "I- I just knew I was afraid of him, but I wasn't sure why," she said quietly, letting out a quiet sob. "A- And then he lifted me from the bed." Nanoha was finding it harder and harder to speak.

Signum, Shamal, and Fate were only hearing about it, she was reliving it while she spoke. All the scenes she had struggled to push from her mind were coming back to haunt her.

To their credit, Signum and Shamal were managing to stay quiet throughout Nanoha's story. Neither one interjected with comments or questions, nor did they make comments to Fate shifting Nanoha closer and pressing her lips in the brunette's hair.

Fate knew she needed to keep Nanoha calm. She had deducted that Nanoha had been raped, but she knew that retelling the story would be a challenge for her friend. Fate knew that she needed to provide a sort of anchor for Nanoha, just as Nanoha had done all those years ago for her, saving her from her own despair.

In case you couldn't figure it out, Fate's referring to Nanoha helping her during the Jewel Seed case. We all remember that, I hope. Anyways, please review! It makes my day to read your guys's reviews, and honestly, the only reason you got three updates this weekend was because people reviewed so much, and I got so many favorites and follows.