With only one page left in the book that needed to be filled, it was only a matter of time before they could prove the book really was fixed to the TSAB.

However there was one small problem. Someone was looking for the Wolkenritter and by proxy Hayate. Someone who was very well aware of where said girl was.

Chrono couldn't exactly be seen with the Wolkenritter without drawing attention, so they sent Nanoha and Fate instead, with Yuuno and Fate's familiar Aruf as back up.

Needless to say Nanoha was very relieved that most of the house could speak Japanese enough to be understood. Hayate was just glad to have friends her own age to talk to, even if she couldn't talk about hunting around them.

Nanoha didn't know what to think about being in America. But she could see that Hayate's dad really, really loved his daughter. And while her father had taken some time to adjust to having a mage for a daughter, he had accepted it with some grace.

Hayate herself reminded Nanoha strongly of Arisa with her love of fashion.

As for the Wolkenritter, Nanoha noticed they were content to keep their distance and keep an eye out for any trouble. The only ones who stayed inside were Zafira the wolf and Vita, the one who was usually designated as Hayate's personal bodyguard because people wouldn't look twice at two girls being around each other. Zafira might raise questions or complaints, but no one thought Vita was ever a threat. Not until she brought out her device, Graf Eisen at any rate.

She was a very subtle bodyguard.

Yuuno was no so discreetly looking at some of Bobby's books, as he was an archeologist and most of the books the older hunter had were pretty rare.

It wasn't until Bobby had enough and took the kid aside that Yuuno was finally allowed to read one. Only to become confused since he couldn't exactly read hieroglyphs. Fortunately Yuuno's bookish nature hit off with Bobby's, so the older man let him look through some of the other books. Yuuno was hooked, though he was highly confused as to what some of the creatures were.

"Well?" asked Chrono a few hours later. He had sent Nanoha and Fate in to see if they could get an unbiased read off of the Wolkenritter and their master.

And Nanoha had a history of connecting with people.

"Their master is kind. And her family is very loyal to her. None of the knights even tried to attack us or keep us at the house," said Nanoha.

"Family?"

"An uncle, father and grandfather. According to her, the Lieze twins were unaware that she had found her birth father in America, and that they were experienced enough to recognize what was wrong with the book without knowing what it was," said Fate.

"Her family is rather strange. I think they specialize in dealing with anything that targets humans. Their grandfather had several books on the subject, like how to take out ghosts of all things," said Yuuno.

"How so?" asked Chrono. This was starting to make a twisted sort of sense.

"While I was there, the grandfather let me look at his library. He has an extensive collection on things that are considered supernatural or paranormal. From what I saw, I think they hunt monsters for a living."

"Hayate said her family was full of Omnyouji," said Nanoha, having heard that comment.

"Omn-what?"

"Omnyouji. Professional hunters of anything that goes after humans. Really rare career choice, one that takes years of dedicated studying to be any good at. Basically they go after demons, oni and ghosts that trouble humanity," explained Nanoha.

"Wait, you said they hunt monsters right? That would explain why they haven't gone after any humans since the book woke up early. They wouldn't need to," said Yuuno.

"Quite a few things that aren't humanoid in origin have linker cores or magic. It's a small amount, but it's still present. It would take years though, and from what few reports we have of the Book it attacks it's owners if they don't fill it fast enough to suit the main programming," said Chrono.

There had been one master who took their time draining cores, and when they caught up to the man he had been paralyzed by the book itself from the program forcibly draining the man's core.

"Hayate did mention that she used to be unable to walk, but once the book was purged she was able to regain her legs," said Nanoha.

"Which means that originally things went like they always have when a master refuses to attack others for their cores. Exactly how did they purge the book?"

"Exorcism chant. Her uncle saw what was happening to her and recognized the signs, so they started teaching her Latin. Part of that was an exorcism chant they use to rid people of Youkai who take humans over by force," said Nanoha.

"Hang on... Her grandfather did hand me a rather odd book before we left. He said if we were really interested in what they did, this was a good place to start looking," said Yuuno.

It was a book almost entirely in Latin, which none of them were familiar with.

Yuuno went to the page that was bookmarked. Inside it was a very long chant of some sorts.

"Can any of you read that?" asked Chrono.

Everyone shook their head. No one could read it, not even Nanoha who just barely recognized the Romanji writing.

"So we have an unknown chant that can purge demons, a girl with a family full of Omnyouji, and a Lost Logia that could be just as much a victim as the people it killed. Have I missed anything?" asked Chrono.

"The last page might be filled soon," said Fate, "They wanted you to know that there was only one left so you didn't get angry for not warning you just in case."

Chrono appreciated the head's up.

"Now comes the tricky part. Keeping Admiral Graham in the dark," said Chrono.

Chrono didn't know or see the one of the Lieze twins in their animal form listening in. And Aruf hadn't paid any attention to them since Fate had yet to ask her to.

The moment Aria heard that the book was only one scant page before it was complete, she knew they had to act and act fast. If they didn't then they wouldn't have a chance of stopping the book once and for all, no matter how much they claimed that it had been fixed.

"Are you sure it was wise giving that kid the book?" asked Dean.

Bobby had handed the sandy blond kid, Yuuno, a copy of common exorcisms. It was highly unlikely the kid would be able to read it, but it would give Hayate a better chance to keep her new friends. She had gotten along scarily well with Nanoha and Fate, and Yuuno was absolutely enamored of Bobby's rare book collection, even if he could only read the Japanese ones. The kid was an absolute book worm.

"You said they wanted to know how we fixed that book. So I gave them a spare copy of the same book the exorcism we used was in. Not my problem if none of them can read Latin," said Bobby gruffly.

Sam snorted in amusement.

"That Yuuno kid had better keep his paws off my little girl," said Dean.

Hayate couldn't help it, she got an uncontrollable case of the giggles. The three hunters turned to look at her.

"What's so funny?"

"It's just... you said 'paws' right?" she said giggling the entire time.

"Yeah?"

"Yuuno can turn into a ferret. Kinda like that teacher from the book series uncle Sammy introduced me to," said Hayate.

Sammy blinked.

"He's an animagus?"

She nodded.

"Nanoha mentioned it. She said that the first time she met Yuuno, he was a ferret. She didn't even know he was a real boy until Chrono first showed up and Yuuno switched back."

"I still stand by what I said. He better keep his paws off," said Dean, though there was a hint of amusement in the statement now.

Hayate was finishing up her homework in the kitchen when she heard something crash into glass. Vita went to investigate while Zafira stayed with Hayate. That was when she heard Vita's scream.

Hayate went to run outside to check on Vita when someone grabbed her from behind. Zafira was taken out next, with a spell.

Signum and Shamal were out getting groceries, despite the fact that neither were allowed in the kitchen for a very good reason.

They couldn't cook to save their life.

By the time they returned, Hayate, Vita and Zafira were gone, and there was evidence of a struggle. They immediately called Dean and the others before they contacted the Arthra up in orbit.

Only to hear silence on the other end. Something big was going on and they were afraid for their Master.

The first Nanoha and Fate knew something was wrong was when they failed to get a hold of Amy on the ship. Then they received a distress call from Signum in America.

Hayate, Zafira and Vita were missing and there were multiple signs that someone had grabbed them in the house.

All of it added to one conclusion. Whoever had targeted Hayate before was making their final move...and they were willing to go as far as they had to.

Good thing Nanoha and Fate had their devices upgraded when they had the chance.

The first sensation she felt was wet. Wherever she was was near the water. The next was the pain. She was not in a very pleasant position and her arms hurt.

Opening her eyes, she found herself in Uminari. Again.

Why did the cats keep bringing her here?

Then she heard the startled shout.

"Hayate-chan?!"

It was Nanoha! Hayate opened her eyes to see the red head in what Reinforce whispered was a barrier jacket...the armor mages used to protect themselves. It looked like a parody of a school uniform. Fate's looked like some sort of twisted gymnast's uniform with cape and split skirt.

Hayate could vaguely hear Nanoha demanding an explanation as to why they kidnapped Hayate and had hurt Vita. Right now she felt like she had gone several painful rounds of therapy.

Zafira tried to speak to her, but the telepathy was blocked somehow.

Hayate...the cats are trying to put you in a deep freeze the moment the book is complete. They don't believe us when we say that the demon responsible is gone.

How can we convince them that they're wrong?

I don't know if we can. And I overheard one of them say that the same cannon used to take out the Book the last time it rampaged was aimed at this city ready to fire. The minute it's complete they won't hesitate to shoot it.

If we can't convince them, then can we disrupt the cannon? Or at least knock these two out?

That would be tricky, but doable. But it would require something I had hoped to avoid.

What?

If we do this, then I would have to return to my true owner. At least until things cool down. I could leave most of my programming behind, but I would turn into an Intelligent Device and most of the core programs that make this book a Unison Device would have to be put into a new AI unit.

If that happened, what would happen to you?

I would be completely dependent on that man to do anything. But we would both live through this. I have no idea what effect it would have on the Wolkenritter though.

Then we have to take a chance. I don't think these people are playing around.

Very well. Then we will have to do this properly now before they realize what is about to happen. I don't want to be completed by stealing the cores of the Knights like all the other times. Hayate Yagami-Winchester, do you accept me and all my power ?

Hayate thought it was an odd question, but answered anyway.

Of course I accept your power Reinforce. I know you would never do anything to hurt me.

Do you trust me?

Always.

Hayate could feel something happening, and apparently so did the cats. One of them actually yelped as the book seemed to burn in her hands.

Are you willing to let me take control?

We are one and the same Reinforce. I won't let them continue the legacy that the demon caused.

The book itself seemed to burn, pages turning into a miniature fireball inside Aria's hands. She had to drop it before it burned her.

The pendant on the front glowed with an internal light.

Hayate felt the pain in her arms go away as something else took hold. She didn't fight it, because she felt the warmth of Reinforce all around her. She also felt something take note of what was happening and felt a force judging her. Analyzing her for something only it knew.

Whatever that force was seemed pleased with what it found, because the next thing she heard was Reinforce speaking through her and for once not in the strange almost Germanic language that the Belkans seemed to favor so much.

Instead it was a language she had only heard once, but never understood. It had been when Reinforce had spoken to Loki, who she said was really the arch angel Gabriel.

Accessing the Host. Access granted. Preparing to Set Up.

She could feel her arms lift up into the sky.

"Wind of Blessings, come to thine aid

Voice of Hope, speak through this Vessel

I am one who sings among the Almighty

I am she who calls the Host to battle

Gather to unto me the Angelic Host

Horn of the Messenger,

Reinforce

Stand By Ready!"