Author Note: Sorry for the long wait, the announcement of the new series finally lit a fire under my butt and here we are with a 14 chapter AU story. Much love to my beta buddies who still feed the NanoFate flame and helped with getting this finished after nearly four and a half years of toiling! You all know the drill, comment, follow and all that jazz, happy reading.

Chapter One

The road into Midoriya was still pretty solid from winter freezing but soon the spring rains would come, making them a quagmire. Normally Nanoha Takamachi wouldn't have attempted to come "home" so soon, but she was feeling reckless out of loneliness. Her few friends lived in her home town and she desperately wanted to see a welcoming face.

Three months on the road dealing with other merchants as she bought and traded her goods had been rough, with another month holed up in a spartan rented room in the capitol city of Mid Childa as she closed her remaining business concerns had nearly killed her. In Cranagan she was just one person in a sea of humanity. Never had she felt so alone and insignificant.

Now before the worst spring storms ruined her chances she was rushing home, hopeful she'd be in time to see the cherry blossoms. She had only another week's worth of travel on the rambling rural road but she could almost smell spring coming. She smiled at the thought of celebrating her birthday with her best friends and their families, then her smile faded a little as she also thought about the empty house waiting for her. The ache in her chest reminded her again of the loss of her own family.

She was about to pull off the road to set up camp when she saw two men come out of the brush in front of her. A spike of fear pierced her as she realized they were slowing down to bracket her between them. Knowing she had to get away or she'd likely be dead in the next few minutes, if she was lucky, or worse. Taking a deep breath she yanked her horse's head to the left and gave it a hard kick to start it running into the woods, forcing it into the overgrowth and the shrouded darkness.

There were yells of dismay and shouting behind her as the horse pushed its way through the brambles and low hanging branches. She could feel the sharp sticks tear at her clothes and flesh but didn't dare stop. Especially when she realized one of them had a mechanical crossbow. One dart struck near her head into a tree and she urged on her steed to put more distance between them.

When they came to an icy stream her horse reared back in panic and Nanoha had to hold on for dear life. Pushing the animal forward she could feel the water freeze her legs and worried that they might drown if the horse hesitated in the flowing water. Another bolt from the crossbow fired at her and went into the water. Screaming at the beast she was crying when they finally made it to the other bank.

Shivering they continued deeper into the woods but now the horse was lagging. They had come to a strange ruin in a clearing and Nanoha wondered if she should dismount and hide in one of the crumbling structures. Before she could decide a crossbow bolt struck her horse in the neck. In its death throes it reared up once more then fell heavily on its side. Her right leg trapped under the dying beast Nanoha could feel it snap under the weight and cried out in pain.

Whimpering she looked up to see the two red faced men, their looks of rage and malicious glee at now having her at their mercy almost made her sick. Then suddenly out of nowhere a root or a strange vine came out and battered both men away from her. Coiling then rising up like a cobra about to strike the thick cords tensed as if trying to decide which man to concentrate on. Now they were the ones crying in fear, knowledge of what these things were stunning them in place. More of the grayish ropes came out and both men were hoisted up in the air. Their clothes were ripped off and they began to scream for mercy. Before either man suffered any indignity they were thrown from the clearing. Their weapons and clothing abandoned where they lay as they would not dare to return.

When her "rescuers" came over to her Nanoha's brain finally kicked in, what was the saying her mother used to say? Out of the frying pan and into the fire. Tentacles, sweet heaven help her she was going to be raped to death. As they approached her she closed her eyes and prayed for the strength to die with at least a shred of dignity. Instead of being roughly yanked out from under the horse, the dead animal was removed from her, stripped of its gear before its carcass was thrown from the clearing just like the men. Free from the weight, Nanoha tried to scramble back but the pain of moving was too great and her body too fatigued from her earlier struggles. Curling into a ball to protect her damaged leg she wondered if playing dead would do her any good.

Breathing shallowly and making as little noise as possible Nanoha hoped maybe she'd also be thrown away. It might make her leg injury worse but at least she'd live through the ordeal. Then cracking her eyes open she saw something insane. Half a dozen tentacles were setting up a campsite for her. Her bed roll laid out, a fire was built and then she could see them moving towards her. Confusion warred with terror and she squeaked out in panic as the tentacles began lightly touching her leg and skimmed over her body. After the gentle inspection they retracted back into the ruin. A few moments later they returned holding bandages and a splint which they dropped by the bedroll before coming over to Nanoha again.

With infinite care she was lifted over and placed on the now warm blankets then with terrifying precision they tore her pants along the seams to strip Nanoha of the fabric. Crying out at the quick movement and now exposed to the cold air she tried once more to move away from the tentacles. Before she could do so she was restrained, the tentacles felt stronger than iron but even in her panic she couldn't help noticing warm and gentle. Within a few short minutes Nanoha felt the creature set her leg which hurt like hell then placed some kind of cooling fluid on it which relieved most of the ache before wrapping it up securely.

Released from the hold Nanoha sat there stunned, her pain and fear had her on edge but the gentleness and, if she wasn't completely insane, timidness of the tentacles made her hope they weren't going to hurt her. After all, why waste time and effort healing someone if you only planned on killing them later. Yet, she'd never heard of a tentacle monster not immediately raping its prey as soon as it fell into its grasp. Warily watching the thick flexible cords wavering around her as if trying to communicate she was suddenly tapped on the forehead by the primary limb.

It was like someone had dropped magnesium into a fire, blinding light flooded her mind as she blinked hard trying to regain her focus. Eyes now dilated and a strange ringing in her ears she gripped her skull in hopes of stopping her world from spinning off its axis.

Gently a tentacle pushed her down onto the bed and tucked her in with the blankets. Slightly nauseous she swallowed back the bile in her throat. Each time the soft skin of the tentacles touched her she felt a conflict of emotions: fear and revulsion warring with peace and desire. She suspected it was the spores they were said to release which made humans their willing victims. Yet if that was the case, why wasn't the monster using this natural anesthesia to rob her of her mind?

Retracting again from her and rubbing against each other in worry the tentacles seemed to watch her then a really strange thing happened.

A soft timid voice spoke directly into her mind, "Um I'm sorry if I hurt you. I saw those men chasing you then you were injured so I sorta acted without thinking. I… I just wanted to help. Please don't be scared of me."

Nanoha swallowed hard before saying aloud, "Who… what?"

All but one tentacle had retreated back into the ruins and the one that remained "stood" before her, the triangular tip bent in such a way as to make a sorta face for her to look at.

Then the voice spoke again, "Hi, uh… My name is Fate."

The tentacle bobbed its "head" at her and then in a very endearing way tilted as it asked, "What's your name?"

Now one hundred percent sure she was hallucinating on spores or maybe the fall had left her with brain damage she responded in an almost manic voice, "I'm Nanoha Takamachi. It is very nice to meet you Fate, I'm very thankful that you're NOT planning on hurting me."

Closing her eyes she mentally tried to assess the situation but no matter what she did to try and calm herself she could only focus on the fact, she was now the guest of a tentacle monster. Mumbling a prayer she tried to patiently wait for death to claim her.

After a few tense moments passed the voice suddenly filled her mind again, "Miss Nanoha, please relax. I won't hurt you and nothing comes close to these ruins. You can rest easy, this is a safe place."

Opening her eyes again Nanoha saw the tentacle was a few feet away from her head "staring" at her. Another wave of nausea hit her as she felt her rational mind conflict with the weird calming aura the monster was emitting. Groaning she swallowed hard as she fought to hold her stomach contents. When she lost her battle she was surprised to see her body once more supported by tentacles and a basin under her head.

Vomiting from stress, pain and panic wasn't something she'd ever experienced before. After she'd calmed down a cool towel wiped her face and a cup of water was handed to her. Washing out her mouth she then drank which settled her stomach.

Breathing in long and deep, Nanoha asked, "Why are you being so kind to me?"

The tentacles retracted once more leaving Nanoha hunched over her cup, Fate's voice said sadly, "It's the right thing to do."

Forehead creasing Nanoha gave the tentacles a disbelieving look.

Wriggling with anxiety Fate replied, "Please don't think I'm like others of my kind that like to attack humans. All I want is a quiet life, that's why I came here."

Considering this Nanoha had to agree this ruin wasn't exactly on anyone's travel itinerary. She'd lived and traveled in this area all her life and never knew of its existence. If someone wanted to live as a hermit then there was no better place. Still the creature had to eat the occasional human, she couldn't be the only person to stumble upon the place.

In a detached voice Nanoha asked, "What happens when humans find this place?"

Shrugging Fate said, "I hide. Unless they try to enter my home I don't expose the fact that I'm here."

Scared to hear the answer to her next question but needing to know, "Have you ever eaten a human?"

The color drained from the tentacles as if disgusted by the idea before Fate said, "Eww. No. I don't eat humans!"

The idea of the "monster" being repulsed by the concept of eating humans made Nanoha snort out in laughter.

The noise made the tentacle looking at her droop dejectedly, "I know it's hard to believe but I've never really been able to eat most meats. Mama was sure I was going to starve to death after she began to wean me."

Then as if to prove her point a basket of produce was brought over to Nanoha, "My diet is made up of fruits and vegetables, and instead of suckling life-force out of humans or animals I tap into leylines with my roots to boost my magical core."

Thankful for the food, Nanoha took a bite out of an apple before saying, "I've never heard of a tentacle monster that doesn't eat humans."

Curling around a stone and resting her head on top Fate said, "My kind is normally highly carnivorous. But there are a few of us with an aversion to most meats, my aunt is like this too, she was the one who taught me how to find food."

Chewing her apple and considering the words Nanoha swallowed before commenting, "You sound like you're female and you mentioned having a mother and aunt. Does that mean you… um… wow I don't know how to ask this without being rude."

The tentacle rolled its tip a little on the rock then Fate said, "I'm female. My kind does have different sexes."

Clutching at her apple Nanoha couldn't help but ask, "Is that why you aren't rap… um…"

Withdrawing back to the doorway of her ruin the tentacle was barely visible in the fading light of day, "I would never force myself on someone like that."

Silence flooded between them as Nanoha felt embarrassment fill her. Fate had been nothing but kind to her so she shouldn't assume the worst about her intentions. Of course the creature said so herself, she was an anomaly amongst her kind, so it wasn't like she was wrong to be suspicious. Maybe just not being vocal about her biases would be best until she got to know her savior better.

Turning to look at the tentacle Nanoha called out, "Fate-san! Um please don't go. I… I'm sorry for my words and uh… I want to thank you for helping me."

Trying not to loom, Fate let her tentacles slither over to the sitting woman and gently patted her head before saying, "You're welcome, now rest. If you need anything just call out."

Nanoha smiled weakly at the retreating form watching it disappear into the darkness of one of the ruined buildings. Sighing she ate the rest of her apple and tried to reconcile all the things she'd been through that day in her head. In the end her exhaustion had her rolling over and falling into a restless sleep.

The nightmare that swallowed her had her tossing and turning. Before she could cause damage to her leg, strong arms held her securely.

There was a comforting hand rubbing her back as a voice calmed her, "Shhhh, It's alright. No one will hurt you. You're safe."

Tears ran down her face from sleeping eyes, she never fully woke up instead falling into a dreamless sleep cradled in a warm embrace. It had been such a long time, awake or dreaming, that she'd felt so safe. Resting her head on the arm holding her she clung to the limb like a child with their teddy bear.