A/N

And here I post another chapter, very VERY late, again... sorry readers! In this one, many sad memories for Fate-chan ^_^ I'm mean with her, don't you think? Anyhow, here's the next one you've waited so long for ^_^ (And successfully posted it before the end of the month! Just like I have promised!)

OH! I really thank you all for all the reviews! I may not answer them, but I read all of them with tears ' it moves me very much! Thanks fellas!

Well… I guess this one was longer than the one before… And I guess that I'll make others longer too… Well! I hope you'll like this!

Disclaimer: We're on a fan fiction website... Did you really think I own it? ... No I don't... Sorry...

Please be tolerant with my English

Thanks in advance for reading.

And it continues...

A/N

"What is a memory?"

Nanoha Takamachi

"It's something you have that keeps everything you've earned..."

Fate Testarossa

Episode 7: Excuses

November 1st

-Flashback – Fate's POV, home, 11 years ago...-

"Happy 4th birthday Alicia, Fate!" A man wished to me and to my sister; his face was dark due to the absence of lights in the room.

We were all sitting around a table with a cake on it. It had four candles for Alicia and me that our mother was setting up. I saw my sister smiled widely and I did the same. At this early age, we were one and the same. Thinking to eating to breathing... Everything we did was always the same. We blew the fire away together and the adults clapped their hands and whistled at us.

"You've made your wish already?" Our mother smiled at us and we nodded at the same time.

"What did you wish for my princesses?" The man asked and got a clap behind his head. "What was that for?" He turned to our mother as we all laughed.

"You don't ask what their wishes are, otherwise it won't come true." She slightly punished him.

As they cut the cake, I turned to my sister that had a huge grin on her face.

"Fate! What did you wish for?" She beamed at me.

"But onee-chan... We can't tell wishes..." I tried to explain her but was cut in the middle.

"It will be our secret! We're twins! It's normal to share things like this!" She smiled even more as she approached my ear. "I wished to have a dog!"

"Onee-chan! It's not cheap!" I feared for mother's reaction to it.

"Shush! Don't tell them!" She shushed at me. "What's yours?"

I slightly looked down for a moment before whispering to her: "To always be a happy family."

She looked at me without saying anything for a time before smiling brightly. "That's so cute! You sure make the more cute wishes in all worlds!"

I blushed as I received my piece of cake. "Thank you onee-chan..." She grinned at me.

"No problem Fate! You know I'll always be there for you!"

-Flashback – Fate's POV, home, 10 years ago...-

"Why are you going?!" My mother cried at the man at the front door. "Why are you leaving us?!"

I was at the end of the hallway with my sister that hugged me. Don't cry Fate... Don't cry! I tighter the embrace as we heard our mother cried louder.

My mother punched the man on his torso as he didn't say anything. "Why are you going?! Why aren't you staying! They don't need you! We need you!" She cried and cried as she punched him.

He stayed silent until our mother stopped sobbing. "They need me on the front field... You knew it Precia... We already talked about it. Why are you making a scene now..."

"Tresio! If it was only for me, I wouldn't beg you to stay! But our daughters! Do it for your daughters!" She yelled at him. "They need you more than the military!"

He didn't answer and walk to the door, never looking back.

"TRESIO!" Our mother fall on her knees. "NOOO!"

BZZZZZ-

-Fate's POV – Fate's house, 0430 hours…-

I yelled as I woke up in sweat. What the hell was that!? My body was so hot and all my covers were on the floor. That dream... My eyes flew over my bedroom to fall on my clock that was buzzing. I sighed and closed my eyes. Why did I dream of him? Why remind me now of them...? Of all time...

BZZZZZ-

I remembered then mother and Friday's long night. Why… Nanoha… She didn't like my drunk self that much uh? Would guess so… Stupide Hayate… My back ached. Mother…

"You know, Fate, you've got what you deserved."

Her voice… Hate. She hates me. Uh… life is cruel… Why isn't Alicia-onee-chan here? At my place… No… Not our precious Alicia… Father… Nothing would have happened if… I shook my head.

I flinched when I felt more pain from then. It hurts… A shiver ran through my skin when a sound was heard from the kitchen. Mother is up, I should too…

BZZZZZ-

I stopped the buzz as I stood. Well... I stretched my arms in the air. Another day to affront... I realized then something. I haven't seen them since the party... A long shiver passed through my back again. Nanoha is so going to kill me today...

-Later – Fate's POV, school entrance…-

I was walking to school as I sighed. Why those dreams fill my nights and sometime days? Coming back all of the sudden… I sighed again: I was in front of my shoe locker. Mother ignored me since that morning… Another sigh. I looked at the clock. Since Nanoha wanted me on time at school, it's more difficult for me to focus-

THUD!

I felt a punch- or more like a kick, on my back, and I flew a few meters away. In mid-air, I somehow realized a spin and fell on my right knee and my left hand. It earned much applause from the other students. What the hell? I turned to see a crying – or angry, or the two – Hayate running for my skin. It's supposed to be Nanoha that wants me dead! Not Hayate! I swallowed a curse and run for my life in the hallway. When I was about to let myself get catch, I heard a loud noise behind me.

I turned to see a Hayate flat on the floor, still crying, not that angry anymore. "Fate…" It whispered. "Why did it happen…? How could it happen…? Why me…?" It wasn't saying anything that I could understand or could try to.

I knelled in front of Hayate when I was sure she wouldn't attack me anymore. "Hayate? What's the matter?" I calmly asked.

The brown hair girl frowned. "What's the matter?" She murmured as she sat. "You left us at the party Friday night! Where did you go? You didn't bear Nanoha's dark presence all week-end! And my camera-"

She was cut by Nanoha turning me to face her – getting me up in the process – her fingers penetrating my shoulders, preventing me from escape. If Hayate was scary before, then Nanoha was the devil itself.

"FATE! Where were you? What happen? Were you alright? You just disappeared then! Where were you again? AND you didn't explain a thing to me last time! I want answers! Now!" Nanoha didn't slow down and was really angry- no, really furious, I could sense it all through my skin, mostly around my shoulders.

I don't want to lie to them… I don't remember everything but enough to judge that they don't, but really don't want explanations. What should I do…? I sighed as I took Nanoha's hands in mine. Blue met burgundy. Anger met nervousness.

"I think I have returned home and that I was fine because I woke up Saturday morning without any clues of what really happen the night before. And I don't know what you want me to explain Nanoha…" I trailed off without problem, just like a pro would even if inside I was shaking badly.

Nanoha seemed to take it along, but not Hayate that was still frowning. I hope she won't ask any further… I sighed and Nanoha's eyes got brighter as if she just got an idea.

"That's right! Hayate-chan, you have filmed the whole night, right? You could show it to Fate-chan." Nanoha found a solution, to my bad.

Great. Just what I needed. Didn't think of that, crap… I swallowed hard; my worries were still unnoticed by the two others.

"Well, Nanoha-chan, I don't know if you'll believe me but my camera broke before I could take the film out of it…" Hayate was about to cry and Nanoha soon cheered her up while my shoulders relaxed.

Oh gosh, I don't want to think about what would happen if she… I'm lucky for that… I sighed again and Nanoha turned to look at me with a confuse expression on her face. So cute. I blinked three times. C-cute? Ok, stop right there Fate. Better stop now before it's too late. I turned around and started walking to my class. I could feel the intense gaze of Nanoha on my back, but I didn't care. Just walk normally and don't turn back. It was enough weird for you to double it, Fate.

Soon, Nanoha was walking next to me. We looked ahead, never glanced at the other and none talk. I don't know why it hurts… but it's better that way... I think...

-Later – Fate's POV, in class…-

The class went on but I was still lost in thoughts. Nanoha is… really kind- no, there is no word for. She always there for me… Though always seemed worried of something. I smiled inwardly. She's always sweet to me. I frowned at the thought. She reminded me of onee-chan... I closed my eyes. No... it's not that... Then what is this...?

-Flashback – Fate's POV, home, 9 years ago...-

Mother was silent in the kitchen. She just received a letter from a military that had come earlier. She hadn't opened it yet and Alicia-onee-chan and I were patiently waiting for this.

"Mother-" Onee-chan was cut by the sudden move of our mother.

She cut the paper and started to read aloud.

"Dear Precia Testarossa,

I am terribly afraid to announce to you and to your children that your husband, Tresio Testarossa, had gone missing over the mission for the past few months.

I had sent many researchers and many soldiers to find him, unsuccessfully, by the time from then to now. None came to bring good news.

It is useless for me to tell you that we had won the battle but I thank you to have sent him for this year, he was of great help.

Somebody of the military will bring in the few days after you got the letter Tresio's personnal objects.

I humbly wish you a good life and I am highly sorry about the loss, just as you.

Sincerely,

Colonel Ogami."

I didn't understand then the meaning of this. I looked at my sister for help and saw that she was crying. I took her by her sweater kindly to take her attention.

"Why are you so sad? When is dad coming home?" I didn't know what was happening and her yes.

She cried more and took me in a bear hug. I didn't get what happened but I started to cry with her. She clung to me as I clung to her. Everything was dizzy and fuzzy to my eyes, to my ears. Mother was crying too, but still not making a noise.

It was by then that I knew that never could I see dad again and that mother would change forever…

"-kun… rossa-kun… Testarossa-kun!"

-Fate's POV, in the middle of classroom…-

I opened an eye and saw a strangely familiar furious man glaring at me. As I regained consciences, I stood promptly. That caused me to nearly fall as I recognized him as my chemistry teacher. I glanced around to see every other classmate laughing at… Probably me… I looked over my shoulder to see Hayate's worried face and I growled inwardly.

"Testarossa-kun!" The angry teacher yelled at me as my attention got right back to him. "You seemed to sleep well in my classes hum?"

I gulped soundlessly.

"Detention. After class." He spun on his feet and went back to the board.

I sighed as I sat down. Waking up with him as first sight is somewhat… disturbing… I took my head in my left hand, sensing a coming headache. I also sensed a constant gaze on my back. Hayate… You're worrying for nothing you should be… I frowned at myself. That letter… If it had never come… I… I…

The bell rang and stopped me to finish my thought. The teacher said some unimportant things from the background as I let my head fall slowly on my arm already resting on the desk. A break well deserved was all I need to stop thinking…

However, my wishes were as quick fulfill as destroyed by a massive attack from the otaku that was my not-so-new-but-still-not-so-completely friend.

"Fate-chan! Fate-chan!" She jumped beside my desk as I put on another unreadable expression. "Whoa! What a head!" She laughed at me, or so I presumed she was. "Sleeping through his class is some extreme sport! And only getting off with a detention… You're really something Fate-chan!" She smiled brightly to me, showing me her canines, as if she was a sun herself and it bugged me a little – a lot.

"Detention…?" We heard a voice we all knew so well from behind the overexcited Hayate. "Fate-chan got… detention again…?"

A sudden worried Nanoha appeared and she was quiet and seemed somewhat sad… Nanoha! Why do you have the most unlucky timing? My mind was on alert and my body refused to say anything or to move at all.

And I think Hayate was having the same trouble as I saw a sweat drop formed on her forehead.

You just made her sadder Fate! Are you proud now? My little conscience told me inside. It's not her fault! Those dreams just keep reappearing all the time! My reason tried to explain. It is! She shouldn't sleep in class! And thus, no detention would be! I frowned. I agree… but Fate isn't responsible for that stupid teacher! I groaned and stood, stopping them to continue.

With that, I got a worried look from Nanoha and a surprised one from Hayate. Ugh… Why me…?

-Nanoha's POV, same place, same time…-

Why is Fate-chan angry…? Or annoyed from what it seems…? I didn't have time to question myself further. I needed answers from her, now.

"Why detention, Fate-chan…? You have promised me that…" I stopped in mid-sentence and bit my upper lip. "Explain this to me Fate-chan." I looked at her – her beautiful eyes that seemed full of sorrows. Sorrows…? Fate-chan… If only you would open up to me…

I noticed that she flinched. "I got asleep in class. I'm terribly sorry about this Nanoha." She faked a smile and my wish – no, my needs to push or punch her grew unsteady. "I'll try not to make the same mistake again." She walked over me and her smile slowly broke. "Otherwise, why did you come here for? Is something the matter?"

I blushed and played with my hair a little. How could I possibly tell her? "I… I…" This morning and now… "Fate-chan… I…" She only talks, feels, walks of past experiences that seem to bother her and to follow her… I frowned slightly as I lower my head. I'm so pathetic. I can't even form words for this…

When I heard Fate sighed, I raised up my head. "Fate-" I couldn't say anything else as I felt Fate's arms around me. Fate-chan's arms around me… Around me… Around me… Around- Fate-chan?! My head felt a little dizzy and my cheeks were burning. I swore I could hear my heart beating like a drum. And if I did, she did too.

-Hayate's POV, same place, same time…-

What a view I was seeing. Two handkerchiefs weren't enough to stop blood running from my nose. What a scene! It could so go wrong! I smiled and frowned. The camera on my phone wasn't enough to take pictures. If only my camera wasn't broke!

"My…" I heard Suzuka's voice from behind. "If it isn't cute." She smiled softly as I gave her a thump up.

Alisa appeared too and looked slightly disturbed by the scene, if not angry by it. However, I didn't have time for them, Nanoha and Fate took priority by all mean!

I then looked around to see all the classmates watching. They seemed to agree with me as everyone looked at the scene before our very eyes. Some were envying them, others had no position and just looked and the rest were disgusted by it but never went away. Anyways, I got the best surrounds and the best couple! It was heaven on earth!

I smiled evilly as a soft and creepy laugh got out of me earning many fear gazes on me.

-Nanoha's POV, same place, same time…-

Fate was still hugging me tightly. W-w-w-w-what is h-h-happening? I couldn't help but wondered. She-she-she-she's h-h-h-hugging me! My mind was everything but calm.

And what looked as eternity was only mere seconds.

Fate finally pushed me but we were still in a half-hug as her burgundy eyes sought my entire soul, seeking I-didn't-know-what. "I am no good when others don't feel good. I am no good when friends are feeling down. I do not know what to do in those situations. I do not know why you are sad and still are unable to talk about it. But I know one thing."

Fate gazed even deeper within me as a not-so-bad shiver past through me.

"I do not like to see you like this." Fate said softly as I was about to faint again.

I fought eagerly a deeper blush as some tears fell down. I wanted to say everything and nothing came out but tears. Fate then frowned, not understanding my sudden state.

"Why are you crying? Is something the matter? Are you all right? Is something wrong? Have I said anything bad?" She quickly assaulted me with questions.

I tried to laugh it out but my voice broke before I could. "Fate-chan…" I sighed and looked down, smiling. "You idiot." Fate shifted unconsciously and I looked right into her beautiful sorrowful burgundy eyes. "You're really an idiot…" I whispered the last part.

So close, yet so far away… I saddened by the thought. I can touch you now, but you're nowhere near… Why can't I reach you? I sought answers but got nothing. Why the long face that tells and won't tell anything? I shook my head and smiled at her. At least, she worries about me. I'm somewhat really happy. I giggled.

"You don't understand Fate-chan. It's not you that should be worrying." I smiled sweetly to her. "It's me that is deadly worried about you." I searched for an emotion or anything else then sadness within her. "You seem always saddened by something; bothered by memories; lock and lost inside your mind, your heart…" My smile turned to a thin line and no expression was visible on her pretty face. "You never talk too… I know it well that you're not used and all… But… It can't help me to worry and I'm afraid that something might happen and… And that I- we have no clue about it…" I tightened the grip on her shirt while I lowered my head. "I don't want you to compress everything inside and all… I don't like this. I want to help you. And to support-"

"Nanoha." Fate interrupted me and I looked up to her to see her smiled warmly to me. "Thank you and I am sorry." I smiled and frowned at that.

"Why are you sorry?" I couldn't look away; I was hypnotized by her enchanted eyes.

"I made you worry over me and for that I am sorry." She simply told me.

"You don't need-"

THUD!

The noise made me jumped out of the magical trance and I turned around in Fate's arms to see Hayate kneeled on the floor with Alisa and Suzuka in the background. Since when… Alisa cut my thoughts when she came in front of me. I back stepped a little as she approached me with a stern expression. What on Earth is she thinking?

Hayate then started to cry aloud. "My… My… My…" She sniffed louder. "My batteries are dead!" I sweat dropped. "It's the end of the world!"

Alisa sighed. "Your world maybe. Nanoha, Fate. Don't mind her. She's still a little kid inside and…" She looked over our otaku friend. "Even on the outside" She grinned.

"Hey! I heard that!" Hayate got priestly on her feet glaring Alisa.

Our short blond hair friend shook her head in dismiss and return to Fate and me; looking at each of us for a time until: "Why are you two still hugging!?" She practically yelled and she massed her temples. "Stupid couple!"

I looked at Fate and she did the same. After we understood our friend, she pushed me away gently. I blushed madly and felt nervous. It's kind of colder… Ugh…Why is this happening to me? I never asked for anything like this…!

"W-we're not a c-couple!" I tried vainly to object. "W-what are you t-talking about?" I'm so dead… I glanced at Fate to see her transparent expression like if she was still lost in thoughts.

Hayate regained her smile and walked over. "Arara… Alisa-chan, why pull them away? They look soooooo good together!" She grinned at me and I wanted to hide under a rock- no, I wanted to bury myself.

Suzuka then decided to interfere when she put her hand on Hayate's shoulder. "Hayate-chan, please, don't embarrass them any further."

At that, Fate raised an eyebrow while I found the floor very intriguing. "I am not embarrassed… Why should I?" Something inside me clenched. "I don't understand." It tightened even more and almost a tear got out, not that I would have known the reason anyhow.

"Don't worry about it Fate-chan." Our mother-kind Suzuka said to avoid more questions. "The second hour will start soon. Moreover, we have music class next Fate-chan, Alisa-chan. I suggest we go right away."

Fate nodded, took her books, smiled simply at me and followed them. I followed for my part Hayate to our next class: arithmetic. I only walked in silence for a time, with Hayate beside me. Hum... my mind is at peace... but why is there this ache in my heart?

"You really like Fate-chan, right?" Hayate grinned at me and I blinked.

What is she thinking this time...? "Of course I like her. She's my friend, just like you." I answered, slightly confused.

Hayate stopped and giggled softly. "My... If you propose to me like this, right now, right here, I don't know how to answer..." Hayate acted the shy girl. "But then you are only to Fate-chan, I shouldn't take you away from her..." She faked a tear and faked to wipe it.

And I just completely became paranoid. "W-w-what?! W-what are you t-talking about?! I-I didn't p-p-p... It's not true!" I blushed madly when I couldn't even pronounce the word. Why Nanoha are you always stuttering?

Hayate laughed and laughed at me and only stopped when we arrived to class.

The class started while I shut myself in my mind. Many things passed through it and mostly were about Fate. Why was she sad today? I remembered the scene of this morning. She said she didn't remember the party... We could explain it to her, but I don't want her to know if she doesn't want. I want her to be happy... I blushed. That reminds me of her hug... She felt so nice... I slapped my face. Nanoha! What the hell are you thinking about?! She's your friend!

I sighed.

"I want another one..." I spoke out loud again and all the classmates turned to face me. Oh crap... Not again?!

"Well Takamachi-san, if you really love homework, I have no problem to give you more. 91 to 93 and all numbers of those 3 pages. To all the class." The math teacher glared at us- mostly at me.

And everyone in class but Hayate too. Why is my mind so stupid?! I grumbled and felt ashamed. This is hell...

"Stupid mind..." I murmured at myself and the teacher appeared to have great ears as he turned abruptly to me and throw the chalk right on my forehead.

"'Stupid math' you said?!" He growled at me.

"No! I said 'stupid mind' not 'stupid math'!" I explained while massing my hurt skin.

"Stop it! Outside now! We will talk later, Takamachi-san!" He turned back to the board.

I suppressed a growl as Hayate looked worried as she saw me passed through the door, almost slamming it.

Ugh! Why god why! I wanted to punch my head in the wall. But I stopped myself before and sighed, defeated. It's just not my day... I frowned. Fate-chan...

-Fate's POV – in the school's grand hall, after school…-

I walked to the grand hall in silence- my mind in silence.

There weren't many students left but the ones that got detention. Like me. The grand hall that to be always over flood by people was then almost empty and quiet for a change. A couple was making out in a corner; a student was being bullied in another; a group of nerds were walking out, talking about some nerd stuff... And there was me, standing there for no particular reasons, just watching- just lost in thoughts of nothing in specific or that I could remember.

Until I felt a hand on my arm.

I turned around to see Suzuka and Alisa. "Can I do anything for you?" I asked politely to them, bowing slightly to greet them.

They looked at each other's and sighed before looking back at me.

"We're not customers Fate. You should say 'hey what's up' or something like that." Alisa grinned at me.

Suzuka smiled sweetly. "We're friends and thus we don't use or need formalities between us.

I stared blankly at them, considering their demand. "Alright. Then, what is up?"

Alisa laughed it out. "Are you going home right now?"

"No I have detention and I work after it." Why do they always want to walk home together? Is this suppose to have a certain meaning or be a necessarily? Or maybe it is a custom of some sort?

"That's too bad." Suzuka spoke slowly, almost as she wanted to make me feel sorrows or something. Not Suzuka. She's too kind for that.

"Fate-chan works tonight?" Nanoha's voice came from afar and I automatically turned my head over her.

"No fun Fate-chan, you're making Nanoha-chan sad." Hayate's tease made Nanoha reddened for I-didn't-know-what reason, yet my mind didn't put much attention to it.

"Yes I work, and it does nothing to do with fun. It is necessary." I spoke before thinking over it and cursed myself when Hayate's and the other had lost their smile.

"Why would it be a necessary? You're still a student and all!" Hayate's burst made me uneasy.

I talked too much...I gulped out loud, but regained my posture as fast as when I answered before. "We are never sure of whatever the future reserves to us. That is all."

The quick thought explanation was mostly accepted by the girls, but Nanoha seemed to not trust my words. I tried to smile at her and succeed. She became red all of the sudden. Why does she always turn bright red? Is she sick? I hope not…

"Well, I will be going now." I started to make my exit to only be stopped by Hayate.

"We can wait for you, you know? Then go home all together."

The over exited friend of mine grabbed my arm and tried to make me cheer with her – or so I thought – in vain. I didn't move at all, just watching her with my sharp – and somewhat hard expression.

"Fate-chan...? Is something the matter…?" Nanoha asked me, her voice full of worries.

"Well, I am not going home after the detention, and so I can't walk with you." I spoke softly. I can't let them know… Can't let them wait for someone like me…

"You're not going home? Then where are you going?" Suzuka took the lead before the others, never raising or showing any emotion but kindness and compassion. Can she read minds? Of course not… What the hell was that Fate?

"I am going to work of course. I start right after. And I should be going in all truth. If you will excuse me." I bowed slightly to them and promptly walked away.

They didn't say anything and it was better that way. Being distant is the only option Fate… The only one… I sighed and looked up ahead of me with a determinate expression even if it hurt inside.

-Nanoha's POV – same place, same time…-

As I watched my walked away from us, a certain feeling in me hurt more than anything. My heart clenched and breathing became difficult. What is this…? It hurts… I was in pain and didn't understand at all.

"I don't get her." Alisa snorted loudly to catch everyone's attention

"She's shy; don't look down on her please." Her girlfriend tried to ease her, unsuccessfully.

"She's not shy! She's clearly avoiding us!"

I always been used to our friend's bluntness and all, but this accusation made me felt sick inside. Why…? Fate-chan…

"Maybe." Hayate's serious tone drew our gaze on her. "Well, she might be shy, or avoiding us, or even not thinking of us as friends at all." That hurt me hard. "I'm sorry Nanoha-chan, but it seems so by times." I shook my head and smiled lightly at her. "But there's something that we can do and only us can."

It caught my attention and as well for Suzuka and even Alisa, but she would never admit it.

"I had observed her ever since she had captured our little precious Nanoha-chan in her paws of beauty."

She smirked at me and I blushed hard. Why is she making things harder than they really are?

"Well, I came to a conclusion after many observations on her attitude with everyone she encounters. It's not that she has difficulties making friends, because she has no difficulty to talk to other for business. Also she's way too admired to make enemies. In short, it's not that. No. It's because she doesn't want to have some."

My eyes widened and I was about to cry. Alisa only growled, tapping her foot constantly on the floor. And Suzuka stayed quiet, contemplating something in her mind.

"But! This is where we can do something!" Hayate's serious voice intrigued us as we all approached her for a better listening. "But I don't know what is that something." She admitted, scratching a little her head with an apology smile.

We were dazed. She doesn't know? Why then make my hopes up…? I wanted badly to strangle my friend just now.

"You… don't know?! The hell did you say all that?!" Alisa let her anger out on Hayate.

She frowned. "I might not know right now. But I know what it will result!" She proudly said; her chin up.

"And?" I pressed her.

"If we do that something, she will be more willing to have friends; accept us more and even become a real friend if I can say it like that."

And before I could comprehend the information, I started to dance of joy with Suzuka. I'm so happy! It could work! No… I grinned. We will get to Fate-chan! It will work out for sure!

-Hayate's POV – same place, same time…-

I watched Nanoha danced and kicked myself in my mind. Why did I say all that…? I hope…

Alisa interrupted my thoughts. "Are you sure about that Hayate?"

I stayed quiet for a moment, gathering my thoughts in order. If I'm sure about this? Well, Alisa-chan, you should already know the answer. "No."

"Why the-" Alisa turned to me and started to yell, but shut herself when I glared at her.

"I didn't do it only to annoy you Alisa-chan." I calmly stated while looking over Nanoha. "I did it for her; to cheer her up. That's what friends do when they feel down right?"

Alisa frowned. "True… but if it doesn't work?"

"Then it will be that." Alisa glared at me. "At least we would have done something, have tried and eventually, we will gain something– anything from it." I guess it won't be easy; it's about Fate-chan after all. "On the other side, if it works, then Nanoha and all of us will be happy."

Alisa calmed. "I guess you're right…" She grinned at me. "For once."

I pouted. "I'm always right! Stop talking nonsense Alisa-chan." I shouted enough loud to catch our other friends' attention.

Alisa playfully shoved me. "Tsk, you're the one talking nonsense!"

I snorted, faking a snob. This is getting fun. "Tsk, tsk, tsk… You don't get it…" I turned on my feet, kneeling and looking up with my arms pleading something. "I am God!" I got up and sighed. "Of course I'm always right!" I heard Nanoha's laugh and felt proud.

The blond that was my friend growled and then smiled. "You're truly manly for a girl- oh I'm sorry, for a god Hayate!"

I lost my smiled and was beginning to be annoyed until something great hit me. You're going down Alisa-chan! "Talk about yourself. You're supposed to be the man in your relationship, yet Suzuka-chan had shown more manhood then you ever did!" I smirked, the devil on my shoulder.

Alisa was shocked, angry, hurt, saddened- but mostly, she wanted to kill me right then, right there. Nanoha in the back looked embarrassed. My? It's NOT even your turn my sweet little Nanoha-chan. I grinned. Suzuka was a mystery herself; she blushed lightly and gave me a stern and dark look.

And Alisa's anger erupted on me. "Hayate! You… you… you stupid IDIOT! You-! You-!"

She turned around abruptly and walked away with Suzuka on her heels, trying to sooth her.

"Hayate-chan… Don't you think you went too far…?" A worried Nanoha quietly asked.

"Well… No, sorry. It's for their own good." Nanoha looked at me as if I was an alien. "You're too young to understand little girl." I petted her head and received a pout.

They need to talk about themselves and figures things out. They never talked because Alisa-chan's too stubborn anyway. I laughed at Nanoha.

"You… You're still… here?" Fate's voice came from behind us.

-Fate's POV – same place, same time…-

I saw Nanoha smiled brightly at me. "Fate-chan!"

"Nanoha… Hayate…" A sigh came out. "Why are you two still here?" I saw Nanoha shivered. I hope it is not a cold…

"Isn't it obvious?" Hayate caught my attention back on her. "We were waiting for you!"

I stayed quiet. They were smiling and I was lost. Why don't they understand that I do not want them to be hurt by me…? If they stay, or if I stay, it will only bring troubles… I am cursed… I sighed. Hayate looked persistent and wouldn't give up anytime soon. Nanoha begun to have tears… Tears?! What! Is she alright?! I made her sad again! I knew I was being… I shook my head to them.

"I am sorry Nanoha…. Please do not cry…" I sighed in defeat. "Alright, I will walk with you… but only to the bus stop."

Nanoha beamed of over joy as Hayate took one of Nanoha's arm and mine to playfully walk with giant steps. I looked at them with amaze. They really… I couldn't hold a giggle and even let myself laughed louder than normal.

"Why's the laugh?" Nanoha asked with a glint of happiness in her eyes.

"Well… I have two friends that are really strange, crazy, but nevertheless amazing."

Nanoha reddened more and murmured thanks. Hayate smirked.

"If you're willing to stay with us more often, then you'll become just like us! Right Nanoha-chan?"

I stayed silent and didn't answer. What could I answer anyway…? I am really not sure about that Hayate… Nanoha looked worried when I wasn't saying anything. I am really a bad friend…

"I… I guess…" There was nothing else I could say.

But the harm was done. An awkward silence begun and it stayed until we reached destination; the bus stop. We walked to the bench and sat on it. The heavy air around us was unbearable, but I snuggled myself to it, as if it was making me feel better.

"Do you live near?" Hayate then cut the fog. "We live on this street..."

I took my time to answer, like if they would stop talking to me by this doing.

"I guess I live near." I finally said when I saw the bus arrived.

Nanoha smiled. "Then, where do-"

I stood. "I am sorry but I will be late for work." I walked to the opened door of the bus.

"We understand." Hayate cut Nanoha that was about to talk back. "Have a nice evening Fate-chan. We will see you tomorrow."

I nodded and as the door closed behind me, the door of my heart was shut down again, and only a single tear followed suit.