Author's Note: We're getting close now, only two more chapters after this. This chapter will probably also give you an idea of what kind of writer I am. But here's another clue from the great witch Bernkastel. "When they're alive, you can enjoy watching them struggle. When they're dead, you can enjoy tearing out their guts."

Anyway, enjoy the chapter and look forward the conclusion, which I'll try to do some time next week.

The Red Strings Encompassing Fate's Flower

Keiko Yanagiri

Chapter 7: Rumbling Hearts

Nanoha lengthy cold finally passed after another week, but it had taken its toll on her, so she was still a bit weak. Neglecting my studies, I spent as much time with her as possible; that didn't make Mother very happy, but she understood and knew I wouldn't budge on this matter.

When the two of us were together, we didn't do much more than the usual. To be honest, except for a little more physical closeness, nothing much had changed since we became lovers. Of course, that was fine by me, I just wanted her to save her strength and get better, even if it would only be for a little while.

We didn't talk about it, the fact that she was going to die in less than a year, and that it could happen at any time when her heart finally gave out. Whenever the subject came up, either she or I avoided it, as not to hurt one another with fears of the future. At some point, after numerous attempts at avoiding it, we just stopped bringing it up all together, and used what little time we had to enjoy the other's company.

One particular night, once Nanoha was feeling much better, things took a sudden shift. I was sleeping over again, and it was already late, but neither of us could sleep a wink.

"Hey Fate-chan."

"Yes Nanoha?"

The two of us were facing away from each other, but then Nanoha suddenly flipped over and grabbed me from behind. Her hair fell over my face, and I could smell the shampoo she'd used on it from the bath earlier.

"Fate-chan, lets kiss." My face flared up scarlet, but I was surprisingly calm, and turned over to face her, nodding.

We drew into each other, our lips touched lightly, and then more roughly a second later. Then we parted and came at each other with even more vigor, this time twisting our tongues together, though very gently for the time being. We'd never done this before, and it was surprisingly pleasant, and arousing; the sensation of which began to stir up a heat in my heart and between my legs.

This feeling was not new; many times, I had touched myself down there, wanting to relieved that heat, to cool it somehow. Sometimes I thought about Nanoha, other times my mind was blank. And now I wondered, as I was deeply kissing the girl I loved, whether or not she had done the same, and had she been thinking of me when she did.

The perverse desire in my heart manifested right now, and I reached over to Nanoha and softly touched the tip of her breasts. She made a sound, but didn't push me away, so I continued and cupped my whole hand around, and squeezed. The sound of her moaning became a little louder, it was making me excited.

My other hand took hold of her face and I pulled her closer to me, as if I was trying to consume her. Our breathing became heavier. In response I moved my hand from her breast to her leg, and then in between, feeling the wet spot on her pajamas.

"Ahnn!" We naturally pulled apart after she cried out.

"I-I'm sorry Nanoha!"

"Its okay Fate-chan. Its just . . . I've never done this, not even by myself. But if its you, then its fine."

The two of us blushed, and I nodded, touching her a little more, rubbing and poking. She moaned again, and through her voice I could hear the small tingles of pleasure that I had experienced on my own.

It continued like that for a few minutes, until she finally shivered and clung to me, gripping my body so tightly I though I'd break.

"Are you alright, Nanoha?" Her chest moved quickly up and down, she nodded and hugged me.

"It . . . felt good." I squeezed her, feeling her warmth. Somehow, I felt a bit unsatisfied myself, perhaps because I too wanted to be touched like that.

"Nanoha . . . ." I was so worried about asking her, thinking that maybe she was tired, but regardless I worked up the courage. "Do you . . . do you want to keep going?"

She was silent for a little while, but finally she looked me in the eyes.

"Okay."

We stripped, facing away from each other. We bathed separately, so this was the first time that we have been naked together, it was kind of embarrassing.

When we turned around I was stunned by her figure. Before I had been simply captivated, but now I was ensnared by my love for her.

"D-Don't stare at me like that Fate-chan . . . ."

"S-Sorry."

Not knowing what else to do, we climbed back into bed and held each other, feeling are naked skin against one another. It was a lot different than usual, but somehow, much more wonderful.

That night, it was the first time that we had sex. Consumed by desire and fear and longing, we held onto each other and took a new step together into an adulthood that couldn't last, no matter how much we both wanted it too.

I woke up, the light of the sun coming through Nanoha's window. I felt refreshed, but also a little sore. I remembered every detail of last night, every touch, kiss and ounce of joy and pleasure.

I blushed and held my face, finally feeling the full weight of what we'd done.

We had sex, Nanoha and I had sex!

Excitement crept up inside me all over again. I smiled and turned down to Nanoha.

Something wasn't right. Her skin was pale again, and she was covering in sweat, breathing so heavily in her sleep that you'd think that our night hadn't ended.

"Nanoha . . . ?" I lightly touched my hand to her forehead, it was burning up. And then, scared, I felt her chest, and her quick heart beat.

And then it came, the cry of pain from her lips. My eyes became wide as she suddenly thrashed and winced and cried even more. Shaking, all I could do was hold her and call her name.

"Nanoha!"