Story Title:
Bound by Regret

Genres/'Tags':
Mystery / Supernatural / Romance / Yuri / Alternate Universe / Ghost

Summary:
Walking home from school, Takamachi Nanoha sees a mysterious blonde girl in the park. Entranced by the girl's mysterious air, Nanoha walks up to her and asks her who she is. The response she gets is not quite what she expected: "Y-you can... see me?" ::AU & Nanofate::

Disclaimer:
I do not own Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha. Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha and all related trademarks are owned by Seven Arcs.

*~-[ Chapter #7: Coming Out ]-~*

Nanoha POV:
That night, I couldn't sleep. Fate-chan had fallen asleep about an hour ago but sleep just eluded me. I had made her a promise. I had promised I would help her. But the big question was… how?

It became clear that the thing keeping her stuck here on earth was the fact she never made up with her sister. But her sister was dead, so how would she ever be able to apologize? Letting my thoughts wander I realized something: if Fate-chan were able to apologize to Alicia, what would happen next? If the stories were true, and it was that regret keeping Fate-chan bound to earth, then would letting go of that regret mean Fate-chan would be able to go to the afterlife?

Time seemed to stop for a moment when that realization hit me.

A sigh slipped past my lips. It was this very moment I wished more than ever that I could've met Fate-chan when she was still alive. If she'd never been in that accident, she and I could have become friends at school.

Maybe even more… I jumped at my thought. I felt my heart rate increase. My eyes fell on Fate-chan's sleeping form. I remembered the first time I had seen her like that. She had looked so peaceful back then, but now, not so much. Back then, she wasn't plagued by the past. I supposed it was true, ignorance is bliss.

But one thing I was not ignorant of at this moment, was that my feelings for Fate-chan seemed to have gone past friendship. Frantically I tried to think back when that changed, when I didn't just want to be her friend.

The moment I saw her. I realized.

Back when I saw her in the park, as I was captivated by that other-worldly glow. Back then I realized she was beautiful. No, she was not just beautiful, she was gorgeous.

I don't want to let her go. I want us to stay together forever. For a fraction of a second I was glad I had no idea how to help her let go of her regrets. But that feeling was instantly followed up by a great feeling of guilt. How can I be so selfish?!

Exhaustion finally took over and I fell into a restless sleep.

*~-[ X ]-~*

The moment I awoke the next morning, my thoughts from the night before came back to me in an instant, making me feel guilty all over again.

Forcing myself to open my eyes I looked around for Fate. Relief came over me when I saw her, asleep and floating besides my bed.

As if she'd noticed I was watching her she mumbled and her eyes slowly fluttered open.

"Hello Fate-chan." I greeted softly. Despite the fact she fell asleep early and, for as far as I knew, had slept the entire night, she looked like a wreck.

I was not surprised.

She nodded in return, but said not a word.

That morning was spent in silence again. I got prepared for school while Fate-chan just followed me around in silence. I wanted to ask her what was wrong, but I didn't have to; I knew. I knew all about it and I felt so powerless since I had no idea how to help.

*~-[ X ]-~*

At school I didn't pay much of any attention, all my brain power being used to think of a game plan. But, the more I thought about it, the more I started to get a feeling of hopelessness.

At lunch break it was Suzuka-chan whom finally got me to snap out of my depressing thoughts.

"This Sunday we're going to visit Hayate-chan right?" she asked for confirmation. My eyes widened when I remembered we had indeed agreed to that after we'd heard she'd caught the flu.

"Nanoha-chan, you didn't forget did you?" Arisa-chan raised an eyebrow accusingly.

I started laughing nervously because in truth, with all the things going on with Fate-chan the past week I had indeed forgotten all about that.

"Mou Nanoha-chan, you've been out of it this whole first week of school. You know that if there's something wrong you can always talk to us right?" Arisa-chan said angrily. Suzuka-chan simply nodded to support Arisa-chan's words.

They were right, of course they were. But how does one explain they met the ghost of a girl that died in a gruesome way that would only be able to pass on by apologizing to her dead sister? Even thinking about it now, the whole thing sounded ludicrous.

Then again, they were my friends, I could trust them… right?

I took a quick glance at Fate-chan; she had that faraway look in her eyes again. With all of the thinking I'd been doing I could only imagine the storm that had to be brewing in her head.

Weighing my options again, I decided against telling the truth. I felt bad about it; it wasn't like I didn't trust them but I wasn't sure just how to tell them. Then I remembered something.

"Suzuka-chan, do you remember a few days ago when you felt a presence?" I started.

Suzuka-chan nodded in response, probably unsure of where I was going, mentioning that.

"And you feel it right now right?" both Suzuka-chan and Arisa-chan's eyes widened.

"How did you-" Arisa-chan started but I quickly interrupted her.

"The truth is…" I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, gathering my courage.

*~-[ X ]-~*

Fate POV:
Arisa-chan and Suzuka-chan were staring at Nanoha incredulously. I wasn't surprised; she just told them she'd befriended a ghost. I was expecting them to either laugh at her or ask her if she felt alright.

"And where exactly is this ghost now?" Suzuka-chan asked. Okay, that I did not expect.

And it seems Nanoha didn't expect that kind of response either as she just pointed in my direction with a surprised look on her face.

Suzuka-chan faced my direction and for a moment it almost felt like she was actually looking at me.

"Pleased to meet you, my name is Tsukimura Suzuka." She introduced herself with a short bow before continuing. "I might not be able to see or hear you but I can feel your presence, as weird as that may sound."

I didn't know what to do or say, but I quickly realized it wouldn't matter much what I said or did, she wouldn't be able to tell what I was doing anyway.

"H-how can you be so calm about this?!" Arisa-chan yelled suddenly. "Nanoha-chan tells you there's a ghost there and your reaction is to introduce yourself?! Don't you think this is a little weird? I mean-"

"Arisa-chan," Suzuka-chan interjected, effectively shutting the blonde up immediately, "if Nanoha-chan says there is a ghost here I believe her. You can tell as well don't you? The presence here, exactly where Nanoha-chan said it is?"

Arisa-chan glanced down at the ground and sighed. "Yes…" she mumbled, "Yes, I can feel it too; it's exactly as you say. I just… find it a bit hard to accept."

"As do I." Suzuka-chan assured her. "But there is also no reason for me to deny it. I trust Nanoha-chan and I'm sure you do the same."

Both Arisa-chan and Suzuka-chan turned to Nanoha and smiled at her. I floated to behind Nanoha whom had a happy expression. A few tears trickled down her face.

"Thank you," she said to her friends, "I was afraid you wouldn't believe me."

"Heh, what're friends for right?" Arisa-chan smiled smugly.

"Oh hush you." Suzuka-chan lightly tapped Arisa-chan on the shoulder.

The three friends shared a laugh and I couldn't help but smile as well, my troubles forgotten for a moment.

*~-[ X ]-~*

That Saturday Nanoha and her friends happened to have no school that afternoon and so they had decided to get Hayate-chan, whom I still had to meet, a little get-well-soon gift.

I noticed both Arisa-chan and Suzuka-chan glancing in my direction more often, as if they were better able to sense where I was. It probably had to do something with the fact they now knew a bit more about me. In a sense it was nice to have more people acknowledge my existence, even if they couldn't exactly see or hear me.

"So what should we get Hayate-chan?" Nanoha asked, smiling as she did so.

The three friends all closed their eyes in thought.

"How about something that reflects her as a person?" I mumbled my thoughts out loud. I had no idea what kind of person this Yagami Hayate exactly was but I always liked the ideas of gifts reflecting the person receiving them.

"That might just work Fate-chan." Nanoha said, happy with my suggestion.

"Hm? What'd she say Nanoha-chan?" Arisa-chan asked, raising her eyebrow.

"Something reflecting Hayate-chan's personality." Nanoha replied. "I really like that idea!"

"Un, sounds like a plan." Suzuka-chan smiled. "Fate-chan certainly is a smart one."

I couldn't help but blush a bit at her compliment. "I-it's nothing…" I said, even if I knew she couldn't hear me.

"Yup," Nanoha winked, "she's very modest too."

"It's too bad we can't see or hear her." Arisa-chan said bluntly, arms crossed and a light frown on her face.

Everyone fell silent at that remark. Especially Nanoha seemed disappointed. From what I've been able to see ever since I met her, she was definitely one that loved having all her friends together with everyone enjoying themselves.

Suzuka-chan eventually broke the silence. "But, ever since you told us about her Nanoha-chan, I've been able to tell where she is, even if I can't see her. Who knows, we might be able to see her one day."

Nanoha's mood brightened significantly. "Yeah." She nodded.

*~-[ X ]-~*

The day passed by quite quickly as we went from shop to shop, looking around for both a gift for Hayate, as well as just generally looking around. The visits to the many clothes stores made me a bit self-conscious. I hadn't really thought about it but I've never changed clothes ever since I d- became a ghost. It's not like my clothes are getting dirty or anything. After all, I cannot come into physical contact with anything that would do so.

It was getting to me at one point. I mean, I was there but at the same time… I wasn't. Now, more than ever I cursed my own carelessness that had gotten me killed. If I just hadn't stood there like an idiot I would've still been alive! I could've become real friends with Nanoha. I could've done so much more that I can't do now…

My face must've betrayed my thoughts because I suddenly found Nanoha's worried face in front of me.

"Are you alright Fate-chan?" she asked, I couldn't help but smile; she was such a great person.

"Is she okay?" Suzuka-chan asked. She was also looking in my direction, as was Arisa-chan.

I took a deep breath. "I'm fine, just a little tired." I answered in an attempt to reassure them.

"She says she's just tired." Nanoha answered Suzuka-chan's question.

"Okay, but… If you're sad Fate-chan, please know that we'll do anything we can to cheer you up okay?"

I was slightly taken aback; how did she know I was sad?

"You're not very good at hiding your emotions are you?" Arisa-chan asked, though it was more statement than question.

"What do you mean Arisa-chan?" Nanoha asked the same question that was on my mind.

Arisa-chan scratched the back of her head lightly. "We might not be able to see her like you do Nanoha-chan and I can't quite explain it but it's as if she's radiating sadness right now. I guess I can understand; being a ghost probably isn't easy."

"Aww, my little Arisa-chan is so understanding." Suzuka-chan giggled.

"S-shut up!"

A soft giggled escaped me; their antics were just too funny.

"Ah, it seems like our little miss ghost is feeling a bit better." Suzuka-chan gave a wink in my direction and it was true, I was feeling better.

"Well, it's getting late so I think we should find something for Hayate-chan. We don't want to show up empty-handed when we go visit her tomorrow right?" Arisa-chan spoke up. Nanoha and Suzuka-chan agreed and we quickly went on our way again.

*~-[ X ]-~*

That evening Nanoha and I had just gotten into bed when she grabbed me by my arms. I was a bit shocked but let her lead my arms around her body.

"Fate-chan has been receiving a lot of hugs, so I thought maybe you could hold me this time?" Nanoha whispered softly. I caught a glimpse of her face and found her to be blushing.

Smiling I agreed and held her tight.

"Hmmm… you're warm Fate-chan."

I nodded in silence.

"I had fun today. This was the first time we actually hung out for fun rather than trying to find out about… you."

I nodded again, enjoying the warmth of the body I was holding. I was sure that, unlike the last few nights, which were filled with nightmares of when I was still alive, I would sleep well tonight.

"I'm sure tomorrow will be fun as well. Hayate-chan is a very… energetic person." Nanoha said sleepily.

I thought about that statement. The gift that the three friends eventually agreed to was a plush raccoon. If that really is a gift matching Hayate-chan's personality then I'm sure tomorrow is going to be quite an experience. I thought before I fell into a peaceful sleep.

*~-[ End of Chapter ]-~*

Author's Note: We're slowly but surely heading towards the end of this story. I'm not too sure how many more chapters it will take me but we're definitely getting close. In light of this I have opened up a poll on my profile so you can vote for my next story. Please check it out and vote, thanks for your time.

Please leave me a review telling me what you think; I love getting feedback and I don't mind people being critical. In fact, I welcome it!

*~-[ May we meet again, fare thee well! ]-~*