The sixteen year old reddish-brown haired young woman hurried home, her heart racing joyfully. "I'm home!" Nanoha Takamachi called out, her long ponytail bouncing against her back as she hurried in, taking off her shoes at the door. "Welcome home," her sister Miyuki called, her short brown hair giving her a almost boyishly handsome look. "Is today the big day?" she asked. Nanoha blushed slightly, "Yes, we're meeting there later this evening." She walked over, giving her sister a concerned look, "Are mom and dad still okay with this?" Miyuki smiled back comfortingly, "Trust me, they're fine. It was really less of a surprise than when you revealed your magic to them." "All right," Nanoha turned and hurried up the stairs, "Then I'd better start getting ready." Part of Nanoha was tempted to dress in a variation on what she had first worn when they met, but she decided on something a bit more mature. She picked out a nice white skirt and matching jacket, wearing a rose shirt under that. After a moment's hesitation she picked up Raging Heart on it's special chain and hung it around her neck. She didn't expect to need it, but she wanted to be ready. "When should I tell them you'll be back?" Miyuki asked, smiling as Nanoha hurried back down stairs. Nanoha paused at the door as she slipped a set of dress shoes on. "Not till later," she said with a smile, "I'll phone if I'm really late." "Have fun," Miyuki nodded as Nanoha left. Quietly she murmured to herself, "Looks like my little sister is all grown up." Meanwhile, the nightclub Arisugawa's Locket was already jumping. A line up of young women waited , talking together and gathering together in the spring chill. Signum Needes looked cool and composed in a simple pants and jacket combo, her pink hair flowing down over her shoulders in a ponytail. Beside her Shamal smiled in her long dress, her blonde hair framing kind eyes as she talked to Ishida, the other woman casually standing close by. Not far away Hayate Yagami and Vita talked, both young women laughing softly. "I still find it hard to accept," Ishida admitted, "thought learning about the magic explained a great deal." She gave all of them a scolding look, "Like why medicine wouldn't help Hayate." "It's not all their fault," Hayate spoke up, her brown hair falling into her eyes, "they didn't know my illness was caused by the book." Shamal put her hand on Ishida's shoulder as she smiled warmly, "And if it hadn't been for that we'd never have met." Ishida blushed even as Vita rolled her eyes. "Mushy stuff," the little girl muttered, shaking her head as her red braid bounced. "Too bad Zafira can't come," she added. "I understand men are forbidden here," Signum noted coolly. Around her neck her sword amulet dangled, much like the ones her comrades Shamal and Vita had. "I'm looking forward to this," Hayate agreed, a smile teasing her lips. There was a interesting aura between her and her three knights, a sense of tenderness and caring. A redheaded woman stood by the door, checking Ids with a cheerful smile. Midori Sugiura nodded to the group of them, looking them over. She frowned at Hayate and Vita, "Can I see your Ids?" "I'm immortal," Vita muttered with a sigh, "and I'll get carded forever." Hayate nodded to Midori, "I'm underage, but I'm being escorted by my friends." Wryly she added, "I'm sure they have no intention of letting me drink." "You may be our master," Shamal noted with a smile, "but drinking is very bad for someone your age." "Exactly," Ishida agreed. "Welcome to Arisugawa's Locket," Alpha smiled, the green haired coffee shop owner having taken up greeting duties that day. Meanwhile, in a apartment in another part of Tokyo a blonde haired woman fretted as she turned in front of the mirror. "Does this look good, Bardiche?" Fate Testarossa Harlaown asked, looking as her black pants and jacket, all trimmed in gold. "You look fine, Sir," Bardiche answered with his usual formality, the triangle shaped device sitting on the dresser. "Yes, you do," the other woman's voice noted, her voice kind. Fate turned to see Lindy Harlaown looking at her with a slight smile, the green haired woman adding, "I came up to remind you it's nearly time to go." "Thank you, Mother" Fate said as she picked up Bardiche and put it in a inner pocket of her jacket. Lindy walked over to put a comforting hand on her shoulder as she said, "You really don't need to be nervous, Fate." Fate gave her adopted mother a sad smile, "After Nanoha got hurt, I realized I needed to let her know how I feel." She sighed, "But this is our first date...." Lindy surprised her with a hug, then let her go. "She loves you," she told Fate firmly, "it'll be all right." Fate blushed then she hugged Lindy back. "Thank you," she said then turned to the door, "and I'd better get going." "Good luck," Lindy called as Fate activated Bardiche and soared off into the evening sky. Nanoha smiled as she hurried up to the bar, coming up behind another of her friends. Suzuka Tsukimura turned, her purple hair shining as she hugged Nanaho and said, "I thought you'd never get here." "Sorry," Nanaho chuckled, "I tried to hurry but I didn't want to use magic to get here." She looked a bit nervous, "Is Fate here?" Suzuka looked up, her eyes widening, "I think that's her now." Shimmering gold wings glowed on Fate's boots as she descended from the sky, her expression rather sheepish. "Sorry," she said as she landed, the wings disappearing and Bardiche's scythe mode reverting to a amulet. "I thought we weren't going to use magic," Nanoha scolded even as she rushed to hug Fate close to her. Fate let her arms wrap around Nanoha, holding her close tenderly even as she felt the love she carried for her well up. "Sorry," she repeated with a lopsided smile. Suzuka laughed softly as she said, "You two are making a scene." She smiled as she gently added, "Can we please head inside?" "Lets," Nanoha agreed, keeping a arm around Fate. Within the bar women chatted and danced happily, swaying to the pounding beat of the music. Off to one side the library was filled with people reading and talking, while up at the bar women vied for the attention of the bartenders and posed prettily for each other. Hitomi smiled as the brown haired part time waitress lead the three to the table their friends were at. "I hope you'll have a good time," she said warmly, "just signal a waitress if you need anything." "Thank you," Fate nodded happily. "Suzuka," Hayate cried as she looked up happily, getting up to draw the other woman close. They kissed a bit shyly under the other's gazes, then Suzuka drew her close, kissing her a bit more eagerly. "I've missed you," Suzuka sighed happily as they finally parted. Hayate blushed a bit, her gaze tender and loving. "I'm sorry my work has been keeping me away," she apologized as they all sat down. Suzuka put her hand over Hayate's, squeezing it softly. "I understand, Hayate, believe me," she said softly. "It's hard to believe this started from a few library meetings," Signum noted as they greeted their friends. "Thanks for saving us a table," Nanoha said, sitting down beside Fate on one end, the couple of Shamal and Ishida, Vita and Signum then Hayate and Suzuka. They talked happily and ate eagerly, drinking cautiously and taking turns to get up and go out on the dance floor. Shamal and Ishida swayed together gracefully while Suzuka and Hayate danced more energetically. Surprisingly Signum was approached by several ladies and danced, even as Vita scowled in her seat. "More food?" Mahoro asked, the black haired android dressed in a typical black and white maid's uniform. "Drink refills?" "Not for me," Nanoha said as she got up, offering Fate her hand. Fate got up, the two walking out to the dance floor. "Nanoha," Fate murmured as they slow danced. She swallowed, summoning her courage, "I've wanted to sat this to you for a long time... I love you." Nanoha let her head rest on Fate's shoulder, "I've loved you almost as long as I've known you, fate." "Will you.... be with me? Forever?" Fate asked as she looked down at Nanoha. "Always," Nanoha agreed, kissing her again, tenderly. To be continued! The Staff: Midori Sugiura is from Mai Hime, Mahoro is from Mahororomantic and Alpha is from Yokohama Kaidashi Kikou. Our Cast this Episode: Nanoha, Fate, Lindy, Miyuki, Signum Needes, Shamal, Ishida, Hayate Yagami, Vita and Suzuka Tsukimura are all from Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha A's.
Back to Arisugawa's Locket Index - Back to Crossovers Shoujo-Ai Fanfiction