Author's Note: Hey its been a while, hasn't it? This took so long because I had to move and readjust myself to living back home. Anyway this will be the final chapter, mostly because I took too long of a break and all my ideas and enthusiasm kind of disappeared in that span of time. Since this is the last chapter, things will be moving very quickly, so please don't be too surprised! That's about all I have to say. I'm not sure what I'll do after this; I kind of want to write a short story, so that will probably take up a lot of time. Nevertheless, I do have some ideas of my next Nanoha project, so expect something in the future, be it a one shot or a full story. Last thing; please remember, this is not a harsh or sorrowful story. Thanks for reading.

The Red Strings Encompassing Fate's Flower

Keiko Yanagiri

Final Chapter: Goodnight, My Love

Everything was coming down, the entire world was crumbling before my eyes, and I could do nothing to stop the destruction. Nanoha's life, which was already fragile, had begun to diminish even more. She wasn't going to die yet, but the end was coming soon, we all realized this.

I should have known, I should have realized it, that Nanoha's current state was my fault. If it wasn't for me, she probably would have lived longer, without my presence to excite and deteriorate her broken heart. Only now did I realize, that it would have been better if we'd never met. At the very least, she could have extended her life for just a little longer if I wasn't there to destroy it. That is what I was thinking at the moment.

Right now, Nanoha was asleep, and wouldn't wake for a while. The doctors were examining her, and during that time, Momoko and I remained in the hospital lobby, where she comforted me, or at least tried to. I felt like that was backwards, I was supposed to be the one giving her comfort. This only shows what a child I am. From the beginning, Momoko was prepared to accept this cursed fate, and had already steeled her heart for this moment. And yet I couldn't stop my tears, even though I told myself to be strong.

Mother eventually showed up as well, taking over for Momoko while she went to check the status of her daughter. The time passed slowly, painfully so, and I had to wonder if it was even passing at all.

When Momoko returned, her face was grim and cold. She called me over and I listened to her explain everything. Nanoha didn't have much longer, maybe a few months at best, because of unforeseen complications with her heart. All we could do now was watch her parish, slowly, in excruciating pain. With this realization, time suddenly started to flow again.

When Nanoha woke up I was the first one by her bedside, and the only one since Momoko had some things to take care of.

"Good morning, Fate-chan." She said, causally, even though she should already know how serious this situation is.

"Nanoha . . . ." It was all I could get out, that sad, sorrowful mention of her name. I collapsed on her, taking hold of her and unloading my tears onto her chest.

"Fate-chan, its all right." She stroked my hair, and the sensation of her fingers only made it more painful for me. "I'm sorry." She took my face in her hands and forced me to look at her. "This isn't your fault, you know that, don't you?"

"But . . . but . . . ."

"I've lived my entire life waiting to die, a life without happiness. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me, you gave this short life meaning. That's why, please don't cry; I'm happy right now."

"Nanoha . . . ." She pierced through my heart with those words, and in a single moment, cleansed the darkness consuming me.

We kissed, it was soft and simple. And when I looked at her again, I felt like we had become one, and could sense the joy within her. And for the first time since she collapsed, I smiled.

A month later, even though it seemed like she might recover, Nanoha's condition began to worsen. With each day that passed her body became weaker, and the pain in her chest increased. It became so bad that she had to be on medication most of the time in order to keep her from losing her mind.

With nothing else to do, I stayed by her side and watched over her, even though it hurt so much to see her like this. To pass the time, we talked about everything except her impending death. But sometimes we also just remained quiet and leaned against each other, still as dolls. All the while I remained ever conscious of the fact that she was getting weaker with each day.

On the second month Nanoha collapsed while trying to get out of bed. I had only stepped out for a minute, and yet I came back to find her body on the floor.

She was still alive, but at this point could go at any time. They had to give her even more medication now, in order to keep her relaxed, so that she wouldn't try something so foolish again.

The third month came, and even the doctors were surprised that she'd lasted this long, but asked us not to get our hopes up, and that this was likely just a temporary recovery as her body fights to remain alive.

In the middle of the fourth month, Nanoha said something to me.

"Fate-chan, listen . . . ." Her voice was shaky and soft, like a whisper, or the wind. "Its almost time." The old me would have cried when I heard this, but in these four months, I've had time to prepare myself.

I reached for her hand and she let me take it.

"Nanoha, what am I . . . ."

What am I supposed to do when you're gone?

Her hand squeezed mine, she smiled, and I smiled back.

"Fate-chan, I want you to do something for me."

"What is it? I'll do anything for you." She giggled and looked out the window, toward the setting sun.

"Can you take me up to the roof, I'd like to see the sunset." My eyes widened, and I crushed her hand.

"Nanoha . . . ."

"Please, Fate-chan?" Her eyes pleaded with me. She was so cruel, she knew I couldn't resist her, even if it meant killing her.

"Okay. I'll be right back."

She nodded and I left the room, taking out my cell phone and calling Momoko. I explained to her what was going on, and she was going to rush over here, and told me not to do anything foolish. But I'd already made up my mind.

"I'm sorry, Momoko-san." And I hung up, going back into the room to see Nanoha smiling face.

It was still cold outside, I helped her up and put my coat on her. Carefully I supported her body and we slipped out of the room, and sneaked around until we found the entrance to the roof.

Climbing the stairs, I felt her body shake and heard her breathing becoming heavy. Still I pushed on, and took her with me.

When I opened the door a blast of cold air hit us, and I shielded Nanoha from it, taking all of it on my back. Afterward I took her hand and guided her along to the edge of the roof, where a chain link fence stood between us, and the ground below.

"Is this all right?" She nodded and we sat down, and held each other for warmth as we looked into the sky and out into the landscape.

"Its beautiful." Nanoha said, her eyes shinning. "I've never seen such a wonderful sunset." I took my arm and placed it around her.

"Yeah." My body was cold, but feeling Nanoha next to me, it was one of the warmest sensations I've ever experienced.

And we stayed like that, for all eternity. As the sun started to descend even more, I felt her body become still.

"Fate-chan . . . ." Her voice was almost inaudible. "Thank you for being with me. I love you."

"I love you too, Nanoha." I said in response, holding her even more tightly.

"Thank you." She leaned against me, her head touching my shoulder. "I'm a little tired, can I close my eyes now?"

"Yeah." I said, and a tear slipped down my face.

"Goodnight, Fate-chan." I titled my head, so that it would touch hers.

"Goodnight, Nanoha."

She nodded and closed her eyes. I felt her body push even harder against me, shaking some more, and then becoming still once again.

The door opened behind us, with a some nurses and Momoko coming in a panic.

"Shhhh." I held a finger to my lips, and as my tears poured out of me, I looked down at Nanoha. Our hands were clasped together. And then I looked at her face, and saw the most angelic and incredible smile, one I wouldn't forget for the rest of my life.

As the other approached from behind, slowly, cautiously, still not knowing what was happening, I closed my eyes and listened to the sound of the skies. And in my heart, I heard Nanoha's voice. And in response, I said something to her heart as well.

"Goodnight and sweet dreams, my love."