Of Assassins, Samurai, and Magic
A/N: And the next chapter is up! I've tried to keep everyone as close as possible to their characters in the anime though I'm sure there will be a few OOC moments. Comments and reviews are much appreciated.
For those of you who have left unsigned reviews, see my replies below:
kris-tim - Thanks for the review! :) I'm glad you enjoyed the chapter. ^^ Don't worry, you will see something about Hayate and Carim in later chapters. As for if Fate and Nanoha will figure out each other's ninja identities, you'll just have to wait and see. XD Thanks again.
unknown - Thanks for your review! You're very kind. ^^ I'm glad you like the story. At some point, when I eventually get my life back in order, I do hope to bump up the posting schedule to a weekly thing. For now however, it will be updated every two weeks. Until then, enjoy this chapter! ^^
3 - Thanks for the comment! As an author, it's always awesome to hear that the readers are enjoying the story. As for what happens between Fate and Nanoha after that, read on. ;) In terms of them not recognizing each other as ninjas, it's rather simple really. The last people they expect to see being ninjas is each other. So while they may have similarly (or in this case perfectly) coloured eyes to their best friends, everything else is completely covered up, leaving them unable to really recognize each other. Hehe. I'm sure they'll figure things out eventually... maybe... lol.
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: The characters and the worlds I write in do not belong to me. The stories that I write are intended for entertainment purposes. I do not make any money from them.
*** ~ Chapter 22: Have You Tried? ~ ***
"Kuso!"
A scroll of parchment slammed onto the floor.
"Taichou-"
"Dismissed Taii-san."
Fury filled blue eyes.
"H-hai…"
A salute.
Weeks had passed since that fateful encounter with the two legendary weapon wielders. Since that time, their appearances grew more and more frequent, clashes between the samurai, lesser assassins and them becoming a sort of a nightly ritual now. They had since been dubbed Stars and Lightning, as a means of identifying them based on their clan insignias. Though, with the increasing ferocity of the fights as of late, the two legendary weapon wielders had earned more fitting nicknames. The White Devil and the Thunder Reaper.
A growl.
Reports went flying.
No matter what Signum did, the White Devil and the Thunder Reaper always evaded her. The pink haired samurai couldn't tell if they were working together or were just coincidentally ending up in the same place at the same time. Whatever the case was, their intents were clear. They were after the Spirit Seeds. As was another clan, dubbed the Numbers, who recently came to light. Every night it became a three way battle between those forces, with the Samurai and the City Guard merely observers to the vicious fray. Signum was at her wits end on how to solve this now terrifying problem.
"KUSO!"
CRACK!
The Captain of the Samurai released a pained breath, ripping her bruised and bloodied fist from the crater she had made in her desk. Blue eyes narrowed, watching as liquid crimson ran down her fingers and splashed on the floor. Shamal would not be happy about this.
Closing her eyes and taking a deep breath to still the anger swirling within, Signum cradled her injured fist in her other hand, pushing open the door to her office with her shoulder. Striding down the large hallways of the imperial palace, Signum went in search of a familiar short haired blonde in green robes.
"Takamachi-san?"
Nanoha jumped at the sound of her name, whirling around to face the owner of the voice. "S-Signum-sama!"
Signum frowned at the hoarseness in the brunette's voice. Nanoha's usually melodic tone was now a scratchy rasp. Before Signum could ask Nanoha about it, the younger girl broke out in a coughing fit, a hand immediately clamped over her mouth to stifle it.
"Takamachi-san!" Injured hand forgotten, the Captain of the Samurai immediately reached out to Nanoha only to be stopped by Nanoha's dismissive wave as the worst of her coughing fit passed.
"I-I'm alright," Nanoha rasped, sucking in a sharp breath. "Just a cold."
Signum breathed in relief. It had been weeks since the messenger arrived at the palace informing Hayate of Nanoha's decision to decline her offer. Nanoha, of course, had not known Hayate was the Empress. For if she did, the reply may have turned out differently.
Hayate, and especially Signum, was disappointed with the answer, but the Empress urged Signum not to look badly upon Nanoha because of it. The youngest Takamachi had been through quite a lot lately, a fact that Signum knew all too well. The brunette didn't smile as often as she used to, often having a solemn expression when she thought people didn't see. So to see her now, in high spirits, Signum was happy. They could always propose to Nanoha again, once things had settled down a bit.
"Signum-sama!" Violet eyes went wide. "Your hand!"
Signum blinked. In her haste to ensure Nanoha's well being, she had reached out to the girl with her injured hand. A hand that was still stained crimson and dripping red. But before Signum could react, Nanoha latched onto the captain's wrist and dragged her inside the imperial infirmary.
This was one of the few days Nanoha took off, closing Midori-ya so she could visit Miyuki in the imperial palace. However, being sick at the moment (of which Nanoha blamed on that rainy night, two nights ago), Nanoha felt it best not to get too close to her comatosed sister in the event she passed on her ailment to Miyuki.
The brunette led Signum over to the closest bed to the door. "Sit," was all Nanoha said once releasing the Captain of the Samurai.
"Taka-"
"Signum-sama."
The pink haired samurai immediately complied, unconsciously noting how frightfully similar Nanoha was to Shamal in that tone of voice. It was rather… disturbing…
Satisfied Signum would not go anywhere, Nanoha wandered off to the side behind a curtained wall on the left side of the room. There was some scuffling noises and a splash before Nanoha reemerged from behind the white curtain with a basin of water and a towel draped over her shoulder. A few strips of clean bandages hung from her arm also.
Setting the basin of warm water next to Signum on the bed, Nanoha expertly tugged off Signum's gauntlet with surprising ease and deft hands. The samurai raised an eyebrow at that, Nanoha giggling at the expression. "Surprised?" she said in a soft, rough voice.
Signum nodded.
Nanoha smiled, turning her attention to Signum's injured hand. "Otou-san and Nii-san often came home injured after training with each other," Nanoha explained.
Signum bit her lip, silencing a hiss as Nanoha gently pulled out a couple of wood splinters from the torn flesh of her hand before cleaning it.
"Okaa-san used to scold them all the time," Nanoha continued, washing the samurai's wounds clean. "They would stumble into the house, one hanging off the other, looking absolutely horrid with bruises and welts all over."
A sad smile.
"But they always grinned, Otou-san proud of Nii-san's growth, and Nii-san happy to make Otou-san proud of him."
Signum watched silently as Nanoha, with the utmost gentle hands, began to wrap her hand with fresh strips of white.
"Growing up over the years with that going on, Okaa-san and I got pretty good at patching them up." A pause. "Only for them to beat themselves senseless all over again a day later," the brunette chuckled softly.
Nanoha sighed, her gaze focused on Signum's bandaged hand. While Signum couldn't see Nanoha's eyes, she knew the girl was fighting back tears.
"All done!"
Signum raised her hand to her face and flexed her fingers. A dull pain twinged through it as she did that, but the samurai didn't show it. The pinkette smiled at Nanoha, pleased with the tightness of the bandages. It wasn't too loose nor too tight. It was just right.
"Have you ever considered being a Kusushi, Takamachi-san?" Signum said, as Nanoha picked up the basin of red water to dispose of the liquid. "Shamal-san is always looking for capable Deshi to train."
Nanoha blushed. "Nyahahaha… I don't think I have the stomach to do anything more than that," she said, disappearing behind the white curtain wall once more. "I get a bit queasy just going to Tosatsunin-san for some meat."
Blue eyes wandered from the curtained wall over to the bed on the opposite end of the room. Brown locks of hair splayed over the pillow, closed eyelids hiding once vibrant green eyes. Signum clenched her jaw, anger swirling once more as she watched Takamachi Miyuki inhale and exhale ever so slightly. Shamal had done all that she could for the woman. But while all of the physical wounds would heal, that still didn't guarantee the older Takamachi would wake up.
"Care to tell me how you hurt yourself, Signum-sama?"
Signum flinched slightly, as Nanoha suddenly appeared in front of her, their faces just inches apart. How the girl moved so quietly and quickly without Signum noticing was truly unfathomable. Signum glanced down at her bandaged hand, flexing her fingers again. Blue eyes darkened at the mere thought of Stars and Lightning.
"It is perhaps because of the White Devil and Thunder Reaper?"
Signum's head shot up. She gawked at Nanoha. "How-"
Nanoha giggled. "Everyone in the middle district can't stop talking about those two," she said.
"Of course."Signum's gaze fell back on her hand. A depression on the bed next to her caused the samurai to look to her right.
"Do you get into a lot of trouble because of them?" Nanoha tilted her head to the side, looking at Signum curiously.
Signum frowned. "It is my duty to ensure the safety of everyone in the city. Every moment they are out there, freely doing whatever they want, puts everyone at risk."
"Hmm…" Nanoha tapped her chin in thought. "Wouldn't they be good guys though?"
That comment caused Signum to raise an eyebrow at the brunette.
"I mean, they stop bad people from hurting others with the Spirit Seeds. So they can't be all that bad."
"And just what do they intend to do with those Spirit Seeds?" Signum questioned, knowing she wouldn't get the answer.
Nanoha shrugged. "I don't know," she admitted. "Have you tried talking to them about it?"
Signum looked at Nanoha incredulously. "Talking to them?"
Nanoha nodded.
"You think they would just stand there and talk to the Taichou of the Samurai?"
"Have you tried?" Violet eyes looked at Signum expectantly.
Signum's eyebrow twitched as she met Nanoha's intense stare. Nanoha blinked at her, waiting for a response. The pink haired captain looked away guiltily. "I haven't exactly tried that strategy yet,"she said quietly.
Nanoha smiled at Signum. "How would you know unless you ask?"
"Unfortunately Takamachi-san," Signum began with a resigned tone. "Not everyone is willing to talk things out like you are."
Nanoha hummed thoughtfully. "Well…" she said. "If talking doesn't work at the beginning, maybe you have to give them a reason to talk to you first."
"Is not keeping their lives worth enough?" Blue eyes met violet.
Nanoha laughed. "Silly Signum-sama," she said. "If I threatened to kill you, how talkative would you be?"
Signum grumbled. "Good point." The samurai hunched forward.
Violet eyes widened. Signum was pouting! It was so adorable!
Signum flinched as arms wrapped around her shoulders and squeezed gently. The pinkette stared at Nanoha, surprised at the hug.
"Cheer up Signum-sama," Nanoha said, that heart warming smile on her face. "Surely there are other ways to solve this. I know you'll find the answer. I believe in you."
A smile curled on Signum's lips, the samurai relaxing in the brunette's embrace. "Thank you Takamachi-san." Her eyes returned to her bandaged hand once again. "You're right. There must be another way to look at this and turn things around."
A pause.
"In fact…" Signum said in thought. "I believe Scrya-sama was working on something that held a lot of promise." Signum vaguely remembered seeing a request from the scholar amongst her reports, something about requesting Spirit Seeds for his research into neutralizing their power.
"Yunno-kun?"
Signum nodded. "He's studying what makes the Spirit Seeds produce magic," the samurai explained. Signum knew she shouldn't be telling Nanoha this, but she trusted the brunette and needed to talk about it to someone. Someone aside from Shamal that is. "He believes there is a way to neutralize their magic rendering them harmless."
Nanoha's eyes went wide. "Really?"
"In fact…" Signum murmured as she rose to her feet. Nanoha stood up with her. "He requested to meet with me about it."
The Captain of the Samurai turned to Nanoha. "I should seek him out immediately." Signum moved to leave, but paused and turned back to Nanoha. "You have been most helpful Takamachi-san."
To Nanoha's surprise, Signum hugged her. There was a renewed vigour in the samurai, that wasn't there originally.
"Thank you, Nanoha-san," Signum said with a smile after releasing the brunette.
"Umm… sure?" Nanoha watched Signum almost skip out of the infirmary, a definite spring in the samurai's step.
"Signum-sama?" Shamal almost collided with the swordswoman in the doorway, having returned from the storage room with fresh herbs in her hands.
"Shamal-san." Passing the blonde attendant, Signum paused in her steps for a second to lean in and kiss Shamal on the forehead.
Shamal's face went scarlet at the samurai's open affection, Shamal completely flabbergasted as she watched Signum's back disappear around the corner. Nanoha did a double take at the scene, before bursting into a fit of giggles.
"What…" Shamal shook her head, the blush still present on her cheeks. She turned to Nanoha. "What was that all about?"
The brunette could only shrug her shoulders.
OMAKE
"Fate-chan?"
The blonde in question jumped a foot into the air with a squeak. Nanoha couldn't but giggle at this. The brunette had just stopped by the Harlaown residence to ask Lindy about what tea worked best in fighting a sore throat. It had a been a few days since her throat went sore, and nothing she did seemed to make it feel any better. Seeing as she was already here, Nanoha figured she may as well visit her best friend. Over the past few weeks, both of them had barely seen much of each other. Fate, because of a week long cold and her ever busy schedule, and Nanoha because... well... she'd be busy with things on top of cooking at the Midori-ya. Things which resulted in her current predicament.
"N-N-Nanoha!" Fate exclaimed in utter surprise, quickly turning from the window to face her best friend. Her hand hid behind her back, hiding her golden magatama jewelled bracelet. She had been conversing with Bardiche about what district they'd be patrolling tonight and was completely taken off guard to hear someone call out to her. "W-what are you doing here?"
It had been weeks since Fate last saw Nanoha. Since that unexpected, though not unpleasant, surprise involving walking in on a half naked Nanoha, Fate couldn't bring herself to face the brunette. For the days that followed, all Fate could think about was the smooth skin of Nanoha's back and what the rest of her would have looked like unclothed. Fate felt like such a pervert, thinking such thoughts about her best friend. Any mention of the youngest Takamachi would incite her overactive imagination.
At one point, it got so bad, Fate pretended to catch a week long cold just to avoid meeting Nanoha face to face. Who knows what would have happened if she ran into Nanoha during that time. After that, Fate busied herself whenever she could, with whatever she could, no matter how menial the task. Any mention of Nanoha instantly caused her to blush like an overripe tomato, the first few times causing those around her deep concern as they feared she was getting sick again. Fate waved them off each time, telling them that she was fine, but she still had yet to stop that reaction from happening anytime she thought of the youngest Takamachi. And now, the source of her affliction was face to face with her.
Nanoha's eyebrows raised in surprise, Fate seeming more flustered and flushed that usual. "I was just getting some tea from Lindy-san for my sore throat," the brunette explained. "I think I may have picked up what you had last week." A giggle. Then a frown. "Are you alright? You look a bit red. Are you still sick?"
Nanoha moved to put her hand on Fate's forehead, genuinely concerned about her friend, but Fate's hand intercepted hers and stopped it.
"I-I'm fine," Fate said, trying to regain her normally calm composure. She was anything but calm right now though. Her heart beat erratically in her chest, the ever familiar heat of a blush rising to her cheeks. She was starting to sweat too, having no clue on how to get herself out of this situation.
"Y-you just surprised me is all."
"You sure?" Nanoha frowned more. Fate was shaking ever so slightly, even she could feel it with the blonde's hand still around her wrist. "You don't look so good." With her free hand, Nanoha touched Fate's cheek, not liking how warm her friend was feeling.
The moment Nanoha's hand touched her cheek, Fate's eyes glazed over, the flaxen haired girl relishing in the feel of Nanoha's soft skin against her face. Her thoughts wandered to that fateful night once again, in her inner eye Fate looking up and down Nanoha's smooth flesh. Gods, she was such a pervert.
"Fate-chan?" Fate went slack under her touch, greatly alarming Nanoha. "Fate-chan?" she said again when Fate didn't respond to her first shake.
The second call of her name seemed to do the trick, Fate snapping out of stupor. Realizing what she was doing, the blonde straightened up immediately and cleared her throat. "I-I'm sorry, Nanoha. What were you saying?" Fate felt so light headed right now. If she didn't figure out a way to escape soon, she'd either faint or have a nose bleed. Or both.
Fate's unsteady voice was the last straw. "Alright!" Nanoha declared. "Back to bed with you missy!"
"W-what?" Burgundy eyes widened in shock as Nanoha took a hold of her wrist and started to drag her towards her futon. "N-Nanoha! I'm fine! Really!"
Nanoha was not convinced. "You don't have to act strong in front of me Fate-chan," she chided the blonde. "If you weren't feeling well, you should have stayed in bed." Fighting this sore throat over the past few days, on top of other things, Nanoha knew how draining being sick could be. As chipper as she appeared right now, the brunette was feeling rather tired. Knowing Fate, the blonde was probably doing the same thing and the last thing Nanoha wanted was for Fate to collapse.
"But Nanoha!" Fate protested. Her mind was in overdrive now. The mention of bed, Nanoha holding onto her wrist and dragging her towards it, Fate's over active imagination was going nuts. Fate started to pull back, trying to break free of Nanoha's hold. "I'm fine! I'm not sick anymore!" The blonde stumbled slightly, for some reason, the floors seemingly slicker than usual.
Nanoha yanked Fate behind her harder, hearing none of that. "Fate-"
"Nano-AH!" Fate lost her footing due to Nanoha's yank and tumbled forward into her best friend.
At the sound of yelps and something crashing to the ground upstairs, Harlaown Lindy immediately abandoned her tea and rushed up to Fate's room. "Fate! Nanoha! Is everything-" The teal haired woman stilled.
Upon opening the door to her adopted daughter's room, Lindy was greeted with an interesting sight. A very flushed Fate lay sprawled on her back, half on her futon with Nanoha lying on top of her. Unbeknownst to the two girls, Lindy had cleaned the floors of the entire house, leaving them not only sparkling clean but a bit slippery with polish as well.
An all knowing grin stretched across Lindy's face, the older Harlaown relishing the look of horror on Fate's face. Nanoha looked rather embarrassed.
"My apologies," Lindy said looking anything but apologetic. "I'll leave you two alone. Carrry on." With one last glance to the fallen pair, Lindy closed the door to Fate's bedroom and walked down the stairs humming happily.
Fate wanted to die.
"Nyahaha..." came Nanoha's signature laugh. "Sorry Fate-chan," the brunette said. "I'm a bit clumsy today it seems."
Nanoha's head was cushioned against Fate's chest, directly between her breasts. And while she had every opportunity to get off of the blonde, the youngest Takamachi couldn't quite bring herself to do that just yet. Nanoha's eyes slowly closed, the brunette relishing in the warmth and softness of her best friend, the steady beating of Fate's heart quickly lulling her to sleep.
Fate swallowed thickly. "I-it's alright Nanoha," Fate said, still red as ever. "I'm was a bit clumsy too."
Silence.
"Nanoha?" Fate looked down at the brunette.
A smile.
Nanoha had already fallen asleep.
A/N: A few of you were wondering what happened after the end of chapter 21, where Fate snuck a peek at Nanoha. We'll here's your answer. XD This may or may not have happened. Lol.
As for Fate's ninja nickname, I was trying to come up with something as cool as Nanoha's, but this was the best I could do. ^^;;;
For those of you unfamiliar with the non-English words, I have translated them below.
Okaa-san/Kaa-san = Mother
Otou-san/Tou-san = Father
Onii-san/Nii-san = Big Brother
Hai = Yes
Kuso = Damnit
Taii = Lieutenant
Kusushi = Doctor
Deshi = Apprentice/Pupil
Tosatsunin = Butcher
For an explanation of Japanese honorifics (eg. [name]-sama), please check out: http:/en[dot]wikipedia[dot]org/wiki/Japanese_honorifics