The List

It was another quiet day in the Takamachi house. Vivio was sitting in the living room reading some book she was assigned to read for her school book report and not looking at all too happy about. It could be because Nanoha made her read instead of going out and playing but that was besides the point. Fate was sitting at the kitchen table busily typing away at her laptop with a set of earphones in her ears cutting her off from all outside influence. Nanoha however was seated at the opposite end of the table leaning back in her chair with a magazine in her lap. As the thumbed through the pages in an effort to find something interesting or intelligent to read, which was a slim chance in a grocery store check out magazine, she stopped on a page and turned her gaze up to Fate. The blonde hadn't even noticed. Nanoha grinned and sat up straight. "Hey Fate check this out," she said holding up the article.

Fate ignored her and continued about her business. She was completely oblivious to everything but the J-pop song blaring in her head.

Nanoha reached up and pulled one of the earphones out. "Fate!"

"What is it Nanoha?"

"Look at this." She held up the magazine so Fate could read the page.

"Harsh Truth List? What is that?"

Nanoha smiled her dark blue eyes beaming. "It says that any healthy relationship should have conflict. If you can't name at least 10 things that you hate about your significant other then you don't know each other well enough. Wanna try it?"

Fate shook her head vigorously. "No because you'll just take it personally and get upset."

"Ok how's this? I'll lay a harsh truth on you first so you can do it to me without feeling bad."

"Well to start with you have nothing to pin on me. I'm wonderful remember?"

"Sometimes when you sweat a lot you smell like onions," Nanoha said bluntly.

Fate looked at her flabbergasted. "T-that's not even true! Did Hayate tell you to say that?"

"You see? That wasn't so hard. Now it's your turn."

Fate stared at Nanoha. After a few seconds she finally spoke. "Ok here's a harsh truth for you. You can sometimes be a bit of an airhead."

"I am not an airhead miss stereotypical dumb blonde!"

Fate leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms. "Your 10 year old daughter had to teach you how to use itunes."

Nanoha frowned. "That is an honest mistake!"

"Sure it is."

"Ok Miss Harlaown one other thing that drives me crazy about you is that you have to be so methodical and precise about everything!"

"Are you saying I'm anal Nanoha?"

"Hey, I calls em as I sees em. And you have to admit that you do act like that."

"Do not!"

"Fate you organize your pens by color and length!"

"It makes it easier to find a good one!"

"You just take a pen Fate!" Nanoha shouted. "There is no grave consequence for grabbing a pen that doesn't work! You just do it! If you want a pen, you just grab one! You don't worry that while reaching for a pen you're going to grab one that doesn't work which makes you sign some important document 3 seconds late and it gets authorized 3 seconds late which causes a small country to get vaporized!"

"That actually is a possibility," Fate said in a matter of fact way.

"But it's not likely! 9 times outta 10 you're gonna end up with a pen in your hand signing something that isn't all that important!"

"Ok fine! You wanna know something that bugs me about you Nanoha? You always pay in exact change!"

"So? You're just mad that I CAN do that! Why do you even care?"

Fate stood up abruptly. "And another thing! You always dot the eyes in your last name with little hearts!"

Nanoha stood up as well. "And?"

"Oh nothing it's cute…FOR A 10 YEAR OLD!"

"At least I'm not afraid of water!"

"I am not afraid of water Nanoha!" Fate screamed. "I just don't feel comfortable swimming in the ocean!"

"You're an S class mage! Grow up!"

"Oh yeah? Well it's partly your fault for taking me to see that I-max theater presentation of Shark Night! I still have nightmares about the damn things Nanoha! I can't sleep!"

"You said you could handle it! And that's another thing! If you don't think you should do something or eat something, JUST SAY NO!"

Fate's temper was starting to flare a little. "Then don't tempt me Nanoha!"

"Oh so it's my fault that you have no self control?"

"No but it was your fault that I got food poisoning at that restaurant!"

"You're just a lightweight," said Nanoha scoffing.

"At least I didn't dance topless on the bar at the New Year's Eve party," said Fate with a grin.

Nanoha's expression changed to one of horror. "YOU SAID NOTHING HAPPENED THAT NIGHT!"

"Well it did!" said Fate leaning closer to Nanoha's face.

"That's ok. I could get mad but I prefer to get even. You see I thought something happened that you didn't me about so I decided to make a preemptive strike on your ass! I spread word all around the office about what you sound like when you climax."

"You WHAT?"

"Those recruit girls found it especially funny."

Fate grabbed Nanoha by the shoulders. "You will take that back!"

Nanoha stared right into Fate's eyes. "I'd rather die in this kitchen!"

"THAT can be arranged!"

"Mama?"

Both of them turned to see Vivio standing behind them with a scared look on her face.

"Are you two fighting?" she asked.

"Oh I'm sorry baby." Nanoha walked over and picked her up. "We weren't fighting. Fate mama and I were just….getting some things out."

"Getting things out?" The look on her face showed that Vivio didn't understand.

Fate walked over and gave the little girl a kiss. "It's something grownups do honey. Sometimes we have to be honest with each other about stuff that's not easy to talk about. But we weren't fighting just blowing off some steam."

"You promise?" Vivio was looking at them expectantly.

"We promise," they both answered together. Giving her one last kiss, Nanoha put her down and she went back into the living room. Fate then gave Nanoha a little nudge getting her attention. "Did you really mean all of that stuff?"

"Of course not. I was kidding about all of that."

"Well I was too. You know your pros far outweigh your cons Nanoha."

"Well I was kidding about MOST of it," Nanoha said walking out of the kitchen giggling.

"Kidding about which things exactly?" Fate asked.

Nanoha didn't answer. She just laughed again.

"Hey Nanoha I'm not kidding! Hey!"

Sorry it's been so long since my last update guys I've been quite busy with other stuff. But rest assured that I have NOT abandoned any of my stories least of all this one. Look forward to many more updates soon.

And as always enjoy and please review!