Disclaimer

I noticed something. I forgot to mention that this story is in fact slightly AU-ish in that the incident of Nanoha's injury takes place when she and Fate are 17. Sorry for causing any confusion since people have been telling me that Fate seemed to be acting too mature for her supposed age, hopefully this patches things up. Thanks to Hoppy-chan for pointing this out :3

Oh, and just a small note that biotransgrade is a word that I made up for the purpose of this story which in the language of Ash-ness means replication of biological (and hence genetic) material through magical transmutation using a sample for the basis. Theoretically speaking (lolzlz Ash-ian physics) this would then allow for the creation of clones, and is thus the reason why it is banned. Since clones are bad, mmkay? (Mmkay)

It was still snowing the next day. The same light flurry of powder colouring the world white, an identical image of simple monochrome without a single blemish. But today that picture was far from perfect, and so I am the one who is dying, dying from the pain searing inside of me. Because it was a picture without you.

That Day

Chapter II

By AshLikeSnow

We had heard it all last night. How you had been sent out along with Vita and a small contingent out past the wilderness, up to a newly discovered small ruinous city. It was routine practice from there on out; separate into small groups and investigate for Lost Logia or other artefacts which may be dangerous or important, while maintaining communication. It was just another mission. It was all by the books. It should have been. But it wasn't.

Pandemonium erupted.

Another officer must have been careless and had tripped an alarm, and some kind of security system was triggered; magical monsters spawned out of nothing, and robotic drones were summoned all over the city. It was an all-out fight against a horde of enemies with scrambled forces. A large number of officers died before realising what had happened.

You and Vita reacted instantly. Raising Heart and Graf Eisen were called out, and barrier jackets donned. Moving to intercept, you prioritised the rescue of the remaining forces while Vita concentrated on destroying the enemy. Each taking down the enemy one by one, your paths diverged, where you round up the other officers and attempted to get them back into formation and Vita entered into the thick of the fray.

After the initial shock and forces were regrouped, you had slowly started to regain control of the situation. The monsters weren't overwhelmingly difficult, but their numbers, as well as our own depleted forces made things just that much more difficult. You pushed yourself forward and took the lead in the attack, breaking through the front line, eventually reuniting in the middle of the horde with Vita, where she stood slightly bloodied but still defiant. Back to back, you both fought with renewed spirit, while the others supported you where they could.

It all came to an end towards late afternoon. All the monsters had disappeared upon defeat, and all the drones lay where they had been destroyed. It was snowing again, and many of the troops were weary. Volunteering to go out to scout around in case of more enemies, you moved off on your own, despite your own fatigue. We still don't know exactly what happened after.

Vita found you lying in the snow not long after, barely conscious and blood seeping out of your wounds. She had tried to contact you but no response, and had come to check on you. She noticed a drone lay nearby, half destroyed, but still trying to move, still with a raised claw drenched in blood. Vita snapped. She utterly destroyed it with her hammer.

Vita contacted headquarters immediately after, screaming for a doctor. Cradling you in her arms she cried, and waited for help. And that was how we found her.. and you.

Day 1: An Interminable Wait.

I sat dully in my seat. Tension permeated through the air as though it was solid. We had waited out the night and still the door had not opened.

I noticed that my eyes felt raw and gritty, and would sting every time I tried to blink. I realised then that I must have cried my eyes totally dry. I noticed too my bladder seemed to be giving out distress signals, but it hardly registered. A small ray of light peeped over the edge of the windowsill however, throwing light down the corridor and onto the right side of my face before it stabbed into my eyes. I winced.What was that doing there? Stirring slightly, I shaded my eyes and looked towards the window. A steady stream of light shone through a gap in the clouds. Sunlight. The Sun. The sun was rising. It was morning. This fact slowly registered in my brain, and it struck me. We had waited the whole night and you were still in there. My heart trembled yet again.

Deciding to try distract myself from that thought, I slowly took in my surroundings, as though seeing it for the first time, despite the number of hours spent there. The emergency ward was at the end of a long corridor, with two backless couches placed out, one directly in front of the emergency ward door, and the other beside it. Right beneath the windowsill, Vita sat with her knees drawn up to her face, and not looking at anyone, rocking out dry sobs sporadically. I noticed in a detached way that her dress was still bloody. She hadn't even bothered to clean herself up yet. Next to her was Hayate who had placed a comforting arm around her shoulders like Chrono had done for me. She seemed to have fallen asleep, though her face was still lined with worry. Signum was standing next to the window, a short distance away from them arms crossed and looking awake, though seemingly tired by the droop in her shoulders. She glanced at me then nodded, but said nothing. I turned away again.

On my left, Chrono was still there sitting on the bench with me, though no longer leaning on my shoulder, but back against the wall with eyes closed, sleeping or not I couldn't tell. Staring back to the front of me, the light highlighting 'Emergency' still had not faded from above the emergency ward door. My eyes lowered again, and moved to my left, to the opposite couch. Yuuno sat with elbows on his knees and hands palmed against his face. He looked to be grimacing. We were all so tired of waiting.

Flicker. Feeling something stir against my foot, I looked down, finally noticing Arf curled up against my leg. She had sat with me throughout the night as well, though I hadn't even noticed her. My heart twinged. Bending down, I softly scratched at her ears and she blinked up at me, the concern in her eyes apparent.

"I- I'm ok Arf, don't worry." I smiled as best I could "I'm a tough cookie remember? That's what she always sa- .." Even from that simple phrase I couldn't continue. An unbidden sob racked through me. Arf whined.

My own words reverberated in my head and cut into me. Memories played themselves out in my mind You were always the one who encouraged me, always the one who pushed me forward and always the one who took my hand. You were always my source of strength. What am I meant to do now? I fell back into a mindless stupor. My thoughts claimed me once again.

Not long after however, but infinitely long in my mind, the light to the'Emergency' sign flicked off, though unnoticed by the rest of us except Signum, who coughed and pointed to gain our attention. We all mentally slapped ourselves and stood up as one, anxiety ran thick amongst us. We waited.

The door finally opened, and Shamal stepped out and stopped, while fellow doctors and nurses walked on, all tired-looking and weary. She saw us all but said nothing, looking away slightly when my eyes searched hers. My heart missed a beat. I rushed up to her, along with Vita and Hayate. I tried to ask about you, but I was just wringing my hands and no words came out. I couldn't seem to work my voice. It was Hayate who finally asked.

"How is she?"

Sighing, Shamal answered her "She'd sustained a lot of damage, and it really took a lot out of her. On top of that we had to restore a large amount of lost blood and that always complicates things, even with the technology here on Mid-Childa. Ever since we were banned from biotransgrading even emergency patients blood, it's been difficult for these situations .." She looked around and noticed distraught faces, realising she hadn't said anything good yet. Sighing once more she explained further "I've mended her injuries, but to tell the truth, her situation is complicated. She may not awaken for a while."

With a slight tremble in his voice Yuuno spoke up and asked the question I'm sure we all wanted to know "How long are you referring to when you say a while?" He looked so concerned. We all were.

"I- I wouldn't be able to accurately tell you. Amongst other things she suffered from a lack of oxygen to her brain, and it basically shut itself down to utilise only the minimal functions to preserve itself, and it seems that she suffered from a brain haemorrhage as well. I had her brain scanned since Vita told me she received a blow to the head during the battle." A pained look leaked through her would-be-calm mask, and her hands had started to shake a little. Her façade was breaking.

Silence rang forth. An unbroken silent melody until I pierced it with the words I finally found I had "So she's in a coma?" A slow nod. "And you don't know when she'll wake up?" Another nod. "But you're sure she will?" A pause. No nod followed.

I looked pleadingly at her, and repeated the question. I was panicking now. She sternly avoided my eyes this time. Somone, I think Chrono, gripped my shoulder. "Shamal? Answer me please? She'll wake up won't she?" I was begging her. Anything to allay my fears.

She finally turned to me, but now with tears rimming her eyes, "I'm sorry Fate-chan, I really don't know. I-I tried my best but.." She let out a small sob and found herself enveloped protectively in Signum's arms and hushed with soft words and a kiss to the forehead.

I stared. The words simply refused to be comprehended. Over and over the same words repeated in my mind. I'm sorry Fate-chan.

Sorry? Sorry for what? You haven't even answe-

Then realisation struck me harder than any blow I've ever taken before. My mind reeled, and my vision swam. Hayate, Yuuno and Shamal were all looking at me, as though afraid. I'm sure Chrono would have been too if he could see my face. Vita simply sobbed.

The words come out haltingly but my heart was hammering, "You.. don't know?" Shamal sobbed louder. Signum turned to silence me with a look. I ignored her.

"What do you mean you don't know?" My breath was ragged. "You're a doctor aren't you?!" Arf was whining next to me, and Yuuno and Chrono both stepped forward, but I was beyond being contained.

"YOU TELL ME YOU'RE A DOCTOR AND YET YOU CAN'T EVEN HELP HER?! THE HELL KIND OF DOC-" I couldn't finish what I wanted to say. I don't know what I wanted to say. I couldn't even remember what I was doing or why I felt so angry.

"FATE?!" "FATE-CHAN!!"

Dim voices attempting to reach through muffled ears.

Everything faded to black.

Author's Note

Hehe. Second chapter written in one day. I don't think I've EVER written so much for a fictional piece before. I probably won't post this up till tomorrow though, just to give myself some time to edit it if need be, and to draw out the anticipation somewhat (for the whopping 5 of you probably lol). I hope that this chapter was found enjoyable, since I spent a fair amount of time trying to piece together some of the moods and emotions of each character. Also, I hope that you guys don't hate my poor Fate-chan, she's just really distressed at the moment and emotions are getting the best of her. Hope she feels better soon ;-; and I hope also that you'll be tuning in for my next chapter too :D. Till next time