Author's Note: I had many ideas of how I wanted to do things with this chapter, but it turned out rather well despite all my crazy ideas. Keep in mind that the pace will be quick, and development will happen swiftly, just a warning now. I don't know when I'll end this story, but I know how, and it will be absolutely wonderful. But until then I'll keep you in suspense, and let you find out for yourselves when the time comes.

Thank you for all the praise, I'm glad you're enjoying this story so much. I'll do my best to keep improving it as we go on. I'll also try to make the chapters longer as well. So until then, enjoy~!

The Red Strings Encompassing Fate's Flower

Keiko Yanagiri

Chapter 3: The Sickly Girl

A new day arrived, and with it, came a dreadful storm. My sister, Alicia Testarossa, and her boyfriend, Yuuno Scrya. They came together, early in the morning, just after breakfast, and much sooner than expected. Mother was shocked when she saw the boy, who to be honest, looked kind of fluffy – maybe the right word is nonthreatening - , like a ferret. I pretended to be surprised, since I already knew, as Alicia would call me all the time and not shut up about it.

Nevertheless Mother welcomed them both with a warm smile on her face, though she looked a little nervous. I figured that perhaps she was trying to make a good impression of our family, not that she really needed to; if Yuuno was with my sister, than he could handle anything.

I had school so I didn't really have time to bother with any pleasantries. I prepared and went out to meet Hayate who was coming up the street as I left the house. I waved and caught up to her, so she could save her breath.

I told her about Yuuno, since it would be better to crush her dreams now rather than later. At first she was quite dejected, but quickly recovered as I would expect from a ball of energy such as her. Of course, she wasn't over it, as she energetically talked about how much better she was for Alicia. I nodded every now and then, and managed to just let her do all the talking this time.

At the back of my mind, I had a feeling, and a memory popped up. It was Nanoha, and her smiling face. I was so distracted by it that I bumped into a passerby; that stopped Hayate for only about 5 seconds before she rambled again. And I was back into the far reaches of my mind.

I hope she shows up.

I went to the park at the arranged time, and sure enough, Nanoha was there, waiting for me with that wonderful smile.

"Fate-chan! I was worried that you wouldn't come."

"Me too." And we shared a laugh.

When I got close to her, I noticed something rather odd. It was surely my imagination, but her skin seemed to have even less color than yesterday. She was a bit paler, or so it looked. Nonetheless I ignored it and focused on her lips, which were moving.

"Fate-chan."

"Yes?" I only now tuned into things.

"You weren't listening?"

"Sorry." And it wasn't like I could tell her the reason, that I was so preoccupied with her appearance that I didn't notice. "What were you saying?"

"Mou," She pouted a little, it was cute. "I wanted to know . . . ." She trailed off, pondering things with a finger to her chin; also cute. "Ah! I wanted to know what kind of food you liked!" Before I could ask why, she reached down, under the swing, pulling up a small box. "I brought something, I thought we could eat it together." She revealed what was inside, some cookies and cake.

"Nanoha, this is a little . . . ." It wasn't that I didn't like such things, there was just so much.

"Nyahahaha, my family runs a bakery, so we always have extra."

"I see." She looked up at me, expecting something. Putting myself and her at ease, I grabbed one of the cookies, and took a bite; her eyes widened even more. "Its good." It wasn't a lie, though that didn't mean it was perfect, it was a little too sweet for my tastes. Even so, Nanoha's face brightened up.

"Thank goodness. Actually, I made the cookies. It was my first time, so I wasn't sure about the taste."

"Its a bit too sweet, but its really good." She blushed and giggled.

"I'll try again next time then, to make Fate-chan's perfect cookie." She winked, and now it was my turn to blush.

Afterward we finished the sweets and the time passed. We talked about various things, and I learned that Nanoha was actually a year younger than me, and was being home schooled, since her body was a little weak and her parents were overprotective.

After a while, she coughed lightly, and laughed about it.

"I guess its time for me to go."

"I'll walk you home." Even though it was only minutes away, I didn't want her to take any chances.

"Okay."

The two of us walked side by side, quietly, with no need for added conversation as we had already gotten out fill.

We came to the Midoriya Cafe. Nanoha turned into me, and we looked at each other. Goodbyes were awkward.

"Thank you for today, Fate-chan. It was fun."

"Yeah, I had fun too." As if anticipating what I wanted to say next, she smiled.

"I'll see you tomorrow, Fate-chan." I nodded and waved at her while she went inside, quietly, since she was sneaking around after all. She looked back at me once, and waved. And I noticed it again – and still thought nothing of it – that her face was pale. But she was soon gone, and there was no need to dwell on it. So I turned around and headed home.

"Ohoho, you were gone for a quite a while, Fate." Alicia was there was I came inside, having a drink with Yuuno and Mother, who turned to face me. "Don't tell me . . . you found yourself a boyfriend? I knew you had it in you, Sis." Mother's eyes went wide with shock, and she shuffled about needlessly.

"She's too young to be dating, she's only 14." I sighed a long sigh.

"Its not like that. I was meeting someone, but she's only a friend." This may have calmed Mother down, but Alicia's face twisted with an unpleasant grin.

"There are relationships like that, I guess." Again, Mother got riled up.

"I said it's not like that!" Ignoring my sister's snickering about my finally having reached "that age", I pushed past them and headed to my room.

I took comfort on my bed, warming myself under the covers. I thought about Nanoha, and what Alicia said, and even more stupid things.

Geez, stupid Alicia!

I was exhausted again, and just went to sleep. Stupid . . .

Nanoha did not show up the next day. She did not come the following day, or the day after either. Three days had passed, and I felt anxious, maybe even irritated.

Why hasn't she come? I thought, though it was useless and only made me feel even worse. Is she busy? I also considered the dark possibility that Nanoha didn't like me anymore, and was avoiding me. Of course I shook my head at the thought. We had just become friends, and I don't think I did anything to upset her.

Both Alicia and Hayate noticed my recent nervousness. Since I only told Alicia about Nanoha, the other girl was naturally confused, and thought that I was going through a certain thing that happened once a month. Again, Alicia suggested that I had a thing for Nanoha, which wasn't true, I just wanted to know the reason why she didn't come, that's all.

And then she suggested something else, that I go see her. It had crossed my mind a few times, but I didn't want to disturb her or her family with my stupidity. So I fumed for the rest of the day, worrying myself silly.

On the forth day, Alicia finally convinced me to go see Nanoha, though not without some teasing. It was the weekend, and still afternoon, though it would get dark soon.

When I got there, the bakery was still open, and looking into the window, I saw a woman that could only be described as gorgeous. I assumed that to be Nanoha's mother.

I entered the shop and got the generic welcome. I blushed in the presence of this woman, because she reminded me of my first impression of Nanoha; I was also quite nervous.

"Um . . . Ma'am . . . ."

"Can I help you?" She looked really kind, and it was getting harder to say what I wanted to say.

"Actually I'm here . . . here to see Nanoha."

Her eyes softened, and I don't know why, but they seemed sad.

"I'm sorry dear, but Nanoha is-"

"Mom." A voice interrupted her, and seconds later, Nanoha appeared, though she was stumbling, and struggled to stay on her feet. But still, she smiled at me like always. "Its okay, right Mom?"

"Fine," The woman agreed, "But only for a little bit." Nanoha's mom stood aside and I followed my friend into the back, to her room, where she laid down and covered herself up.

"I'm sorry that I couldn't meet you Fate-chan, I've been a little under the weather." I nodded and felt bad, not just for doubting her, but also for making her get up from bed.

"Is it all right for me to be here, Nanoha?"

"Hehe, of course."

So I stayed with her, but the entire time, I couldn't shake the feeling of uneasiness that was beginning to fill my heart.