"Fate-chan, do you really have to go? It's October, you might not make it before December, and I really want to spend Christmas with you." Nanoha attempted to get the blonde to stay home, but to no avail. The blonde was fully packed when she walked over to her wife "Hold out your left hand and close your eyes." Nanoha did as told when she felt magic gather around her ring finger "You can open them.". Nanoha opened her hand to see a yellow band around her ring finger with a string of magic tracing to Fate's ring finger " I promise to be home before Christmas." Fate smiled at Nanoha who smiled and kissed Fate... It was then they walked down to the front with Vivio who had been waiting down stairs "Have a safe trip Fate-mama!" she said happily. Nanoha gave a kiss goodbye and Fate left with a repeat of their promise "I'll be home before Christmas!".
----November
Nanoha stared at the Thanksgiving food but somehow wasn't as happy...Both Vivio and Nanoha were invited to the Yagami's, who all welcomed them with opened arms, but she still felt a void...The said void would always disappear when she looked to her ring though, magic was going strong despite the long distance. It's glow and the trace of Fate's Magic was always enough to remind her that Fate would come back.
----December 1st.
Nanoha was getting nervous but still managed to teach and do work just fine. No one picked up on her unease, or so she thought. Hayate was well aware, and had made a mental note to check in with the mission when she had the chance. The situation couldn't have been worse. The planet was snowing, hard, and the intermission was one of Hayate's worse fears for Nanoha. " Commander Hayate, Enforcer Harlaown has...Vanished." Hayate looked at him on disbelief "Explain to me." she replied as the man continued "No magic traces. Nothing. Gone, she went off by herself due to an unexplained attacked that managed to kill two of our men. We've been here waiting.". Hayate's blood ran cold. " The attack looks like a magical device though. Orders?" Hayate shook her head of the negative thoughts "Stay where you are. Wait for her to come back, I'll tell you when to return if she doesn't."
Seriously...What the hell are you are thinking Fate. Hayate thought, it was scary what this would do to Nanoha. Hayate leaned against her seat and decided against telling her in case the blonde came back.
----December 25th.
Christmas. Fate had lied. Nanoha felt tears brimming as time went by, she was happy and smiling for Vivio, their traditions went on as they exchanged presents and opened them...As soon as it was over and Vivio was in bed, Nanoha cried... It was the first time Fate couldn't keep her promise. Nanoha looked at her ring, it was then that the string's glow became faint and vanished in front of Nanoha's eyes. "Fate...!?" Nanoha shot up out of bed, the string of magic was gone and Nanoha's blood ran cold. The worse scenarios becoming reality as she quickly contacted Hayate who was too drunk to answer.
Nanoha couldn't sleep that night.
----December 27th
Nanoha requests to know of Fate's where abouts. She was informed that they had lost contact, the instructor donned her barrier jacket. The brunette is determined to find her wife, no isn't an answer to the trip. Hayate breaks and allows her to go on the one condition that Arf, Signum, and herself join the hunt.
----December 30th
The mages take off, Nanoha looking to her ring finger. She could almost feel the magic still coming off of it.
----January 5th
The team touches down and immediately begin the search, Nanoha doing wide area searches and putting all her magic into it. They had waisted enough time in her mind, the snowy terrain made it hard to fly through.
----January 7th
Fate was found at 5:33AM, Earth time, in a cave. Her arm was severed at her side, a bloody message read "Nanoha". The a was smeared. Arf broke down, her own life was to end soon. Fate had forced all of her magic into Arf, her familiar strived on the magic given by her master. Nanoha shut down at the sight. Her lover, the one who made her feel like she was special...The one who loved her, fought by her side, who she could depend on, who she cared for...Was gone.
----Febuary 4th
Nanoha's shut down, still no sign of recovering. Any mention of the blonde girl leaves her in tears. She can't enter their room without crying. The world has no color. Vivio was sent to live with the Yagami family, Nanoha doesn't trust herself with taking care of Vivio. It hurts to live. It hurts to breathe without Fate. Fate her other half, she feels empty.
----Febuary 20th
It's not getting easier. Nanoha isn't recovering and no signs of her doing so have surfaced. She hasn't eaten properly since the discovery. Wasting away in their bed, staring at the picture of her lover. Nanoha hasn't left their bed in weeks despite the room itself making her cry. Vivio asked about her, Hayate just shook her head. Living isn't getting any easier.
----March 21st
Vita broke through the door of the home. Barging to Nanoha, nothing could coax her out of bed. Yelling, gently moving, even trying to level. None of it worked. The brunette didn't respond to any of it. They examined Bardiche today, finally able to make him relent. Home videos, Fate trying to find ways to confess, Fate's diary, and her final message were found.
----April 1st
Nanoha was given the device, she looked through the videos. All 24 hours worth. Each video broke her more than the last. "Nanoha. I want to see you so much. Dying is terrifying. It's cold and I'm tired. Tell Vivio that I'm sorry. I'm sorry to you too Nanoha, you've made my life worth living. I wish I could spend more with you." Those words rung throughout Nanoha's head.
----April 3rd
Arf passed away today. The magic link between master and familiar finally dried. Nanoha could feel Fate's magic through the air. It got fainter through the day. Nanoha couldn't handle it, almost as if Fate herself was beckoning her to follow. Lindy's in shambles. Her daughter was gone. Her two daughters were gone. Teana finally felt as if Fate finally left magic-wise. Hayate is a mess. And Nanoha is broken.
----April 20th
Arf's funeral took place. Fate's still under examination. Nanoha looked like there was nothing left. Everyone spoke about Arf, but it came out as drones in Nanoha's ear. She could hardly feel Fate's magic anymore, it took Nanoha with it.
----May 1st
Fate's funeral took place. Nanoha felt all magic leave. She didn't attend the burrying. The reality that made itself known was now even more apparent. The brunette let herself be crushed under it.
----May 4th
Nanoha was found dead in her bed. Wearing Fate's cape as a cover and holding Fate's work blazer. Circumstances are unknown to outsiders, but Fate had come back. The blonde fixed Nanoha up and laid by her side as she left this world. Nanoha smiled, sure she was hallucinating. When she left, Fate disappeared once and for all.
----May 19th
Nanoha's funeral took place. The place was serene, the two were back together and happiness filled where sadness should have dominated.
