Mahou Shoujo Lyrical Nanoha Fan Fiction ❯ Ocean Jewel ❯ Why Are You Protecting Me? ( Chapter 2 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]

Disclaimer: I do not own Magical Girl Lyrical Nanoha Funimation does, nor do I make money from my stories. They are for entertainment purposes only, in agreement with Fair Use.
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Nanoha's POV

It's been three weeks and Suzuka and Arisa have finally let me off the porch and back onto the beach. Arisa was out swimming doing her usual laps and Suzuka was sunning herself. I kept looking out at the water hoping to catch a glimpse of her. I just never expected to see her walking towards me on land.

At first, I wasn't sure it was her until I saw her hair blow in the sea breeze. She also didn't look like she was too steady; she almost stumbled a couple of times. I got up and started walking towards her and the closer I got the faster my steps got, until I was running towards her.

When I got to her we collided she lost her balance and we went over backwards, with me on top of her. I buried my face in her neck; I couldn't believe she was actually here in my arms on land. I picked my head up and looked into her beautiful face with tears streaming down from my eyes.

"You're here! I didn't know if I was ever going to see you again."

"Is this normally how people greet each other on land? Because if it is, it's a very painful greeting."

"No it's not I was just so excited I couldn't contain myself. I'm sorry; did I hurt you?"

"No just the initial shock of you collided with me and then landing on my back with your weight on top of me. I am not used to gravity without being in the water."

"Here let me help you up."

I got up off from her and helped her to stand on her feet again, when Suzuka and Arisa showed up to find out what was going on.

"Suzuka and Arisa this is Fate we had met eight years ago at the beach where I almost drowned. And a few weeks ago she…" I couldn't believe I was actually at a loss for words.

"A few weeks ago I was around over by that cove and saw that she was in danger of drowning again. So I helped her up onto the beach when I saw the two of you coming I knew she didn't need my help anymore so I left. I've been worried so I came back, I was hoping you were still here and hadn't gone home yet."

"You left her like that in that condition! She was badly injured and you had the gall to try and come back after abandoning her like that!"

"Arisa I'm quite sure Fate had her reasons for leaving the way she did. I'm sure she had to get back to someone important and report on any situation she might've found."

I looked at Suzuka with a strange look on my face and then looked over at Fate she seemed to be staring right at Suzuka as if trying to read her. Then Fate looked over at Arisa and did the same thing. After some time Fate finally nodded her head at both of them, then bowed deeply apologizing for leaving me.

I wrapped my arm around Fate's and pulled it into my side, and then the four of us walked towards the canopy to get out of the sun. Suzuka pulled Arisa into the house saying that they were going to get us drinks and an extra chair. This gave Fate and I a chance to talk without someone eavesdropping.

"Why are you here Fate? What made you come back when you didn't the last time you saved me?"

"Well it wasn't a lie that I was worried about you because I am. What I didn't want to have to say was that the person I report to was just as worried and sent me here to protect you. I can stay on land as long as I can get into a pool of water every two days, that way I don't lose my ability to go home again."

"So you were worried about me. Wait you report to somebody and was sent here to protect me. Fate, why would you need to be here to protect me? Who are you protecting me from? I don't understand any of this."

Before Fate had, a chance to answer me Suzuka and Arisa came back with fresh lemonade and the promised extra chair. After passing out the drinks, everybody sat around in an awkward silence. I knew Fate wanted to answer the questions that I had asked but with these two strangers, she looked like she didn't know if she could answer them.

I came to a decision. I had known these two most of my life and I trusted them as much if not more than my own family. I looked between the three of them and I knew I had to tell Suzuka and Arisa what had happened three weeks ago. Maybe then, Arisa will stop looking daggers at poor Fate who seemed to be getting more and more uncomfortable in Arisa's presence.

"Fate, will you trust in my judgment?"

Fate looked at me with a questioning look and then I think she realized what I meant. She looked down at the sand and then finally back up at me and nodded her head yes. Then, I told my two best friends about what happened eight years ago and then what happened again three weeks ago. I didn't leave out any of the details that included the fact that Fate was a mermaid.

They sat there stunned; they almost look like two deer that were caught in a car's headlights. Then I saw Suzuka look over at Arisa and a look went between them. The next thing I know they're both looking at Fate and in unison they asked.

"So how is Lindy doing?"

Fate sat up straight looking surprised at both of them, apparently who they had asked about was someone that Fate knew. "How do you know the Commodore? Who are you?"

"Well Suzuka it seems the cat is out of the bag it's time we might as well spill the beans."

"Too true, Arisa, too true. Well I guess we'll start back before we knew any of this was going on. Nanoha we had become your friends before we knew any of what we're about to tell you. You see shortly after you almost drowned the first time our parents told us that we needed to be near you at all times.

"We had no idea why at the time, but then a woman came with teal colored hair. She spoke to our parents saying things were getting worse not better. Then she turned to us and told us that we needed to protect you Nanoha, as you were a very important person, but we were not to treat you any differently than we would treat anyone else.

"Three years later, she came back with bad news. It would seem that there was a coup going on wherever it was that she was from, and from what we understood it had gone from bad to worse, and the woman that was in charge was a horrible dictator named Precia Testarossa.

"It was at that time that the two of us were given the charge of protecting you on land, and three individuals would protect you in the ocean. We were never told who they were going to be just that these three individuals would watch you, whenever you were near the ocean so that you would always be protected."

Fate nodded her head yes as if she knew part of this story, then it dawned on me that Fate has the same last name as the dictator. Are they related in some way?

"Chrono, Amy, and I were the ones that were appointed to keep an eye on her when she was at or near the ocean. I can see Nanoha that you're wondering who Precia Testarossa is as we both have the same last name. Unfortunately Precia Testarossa is my mother."

That was all that Fate was able to say before Arisa was on top of her hitting her down to the ground and it looked like she was about to pulverize her. Suzuka wasn't that far behind her and looked like she was ready to back her up in case Fate got away. I grabbed Arisa's forearm to prevent her from hurting Fate.

"The Commodore thought you might have a bad reaction when you heard my last name. She told me to tell you who the three Aces are, the first one is Nanoha she's the Ace of Aces, the second one is myself and I am the Ace of the Enforcers, and the third and final one is Hayate and she is the Ace of the Ground Forces. Together we are the Aces of Mid-Childa and guardians as well as protectors of the people."

"You're the Ace of the Enforcers; I bet you're just waiting to drag Nanoha back to your dictator mother."

"I am an enforcer under Commodore Lindy Harlaown. I do not take orders from my mother, I never have, and I never will. If I truly were working for her, it would be her minions and thugs coming up onto the beach to try and get to Nanoha. I would also be trying to fight you off to get my hands on her.

"Think Arisa, Suzuka if I was really here to hurt Nanoha; would I have saved her eight years ago or even three weeks ago? My loyalties lie with the Takamachi's now and forever."

Whatever it was that Fate had said made both Suzuka and Arisa relax, and eventually Arisa helped Fate stand back up. After a short while, Arisa as well is Suzuka both looked slightly embarrassed. This is new, as I have never known either one to be embarrassed about anything that they have said or done before especially when it came in defending me.

"I'm sorry I just reacted when I heard your last name, I didn't take into account that the Commodore could've sent you. Are you all right? I didn't hurt you did I?"

"It's all right I would have been suspicious of you had not reacted that way to my name. However, being knocked down to the ground twice within an hour leaves you a bit sore when you're not used to being out of the water. I'll be fine as long as nobody else knocks me down."

We all moved back over to the canopy Fate righted her chair and we all took our seats again. Now I had even more questions that were burning within me, not just the ones I asked Fate about earlier. All three of them were here to protect me, but why? I also wanted to know who the Takamachi's were.

"I have questions and it seems three of you need to answer them. First off, Fate I had asked you some questions before Suzuka and Arisa came back out. Do you remember them?"

"You asked’ why would you need to be here to protect me? Who are you protecting me from?’ Did I remember the questions correctly Nanoha?"

"Yes I think you got them word for word."

"Hmmm, I suppose I should start from the beginning as I don't know how much you all know. This is going to be kind of a long story so I hope everybody is comfortable.

"This all started about 30 years ago when the Emperor was still looking forward to marrying off his children. Our country was in good standings with its fellow countries and neighbors. The eldest son was married to a princess from Belka; the second son was married to a princess further away so he moved there and ended up becoming their King. The third son was told that he could marry for love as he was not in line for the throne, and he had his eye on a young Duchess name is Momoko. Soon they were wed and a year after their wedding their first of three children was born everyone was happy.

Before Shiro and Momoko's first child was born, the eldest son's wife died tragically in an accident. They still had not had any children as it was rumored she was barren. The Emperor decided that his son needed a good woman by his side and as their relations with one of the neighboring countries has been a bit rocky; the two rulers signed a peace treaty promising the two heirs would be wed.

From what I understand, it was a grand ceremony and shortly after their wedding and honeymoon, they announced she was with child. Soon after my sister Alicia was born, but then tragedy struck again this time it was the Prince who had a tragic end. My mother Precia was a grieving widow and the Emperor gave her as much support as she needed.

The Emperor doted on his grandchildren as now he had three, a grandson, and two granddaughters. However, his health took a turn for the worse just before my mother married Earl Testarossa. At this time, both Momoko and my mother were both pregnant with Nanoha and me. In addition, as my mother was no longer married to the next in line the only other one to take the throne was Nanoha's father Shiro.

This never sat well with my mother as she felt that her firstborn daughter gave her the right to succeed the throne. Our grandfather was able to see us born but soon after passed on. Your father took the Imperial throne as was his right, but a few short years later my mother decided to start a coup. Claiming that she was the true rightful heir as my sister Alicia was the true bloodline of the firstborn son.

She gained followers very quickly and soon all five of you had to flee for safety. Lindy Harlaown took you Nanoha to a family here on land, knowing that you were safest here instead of in the oceans. Over time, my mother with the help from my sister Alicia has found all of them except for you Nanoha, your parents, brother, and sister are in my mother's dungeon and she's waiting for the right time to dispose of them, but she wants all of you. She will settle for nothing less than total control.

When she has it, her plans are to take over the other countries that are our neighbors. Once she has total domination of the oceans her next plan is to come to land and take it over as well. When my mother is done, she plans to be the Empress of the entire planet.

I hope this answers some of your questions both asked as well as unasked. To put it simply Nanoha, my mother Precia Testarossa plans on a full and total domination and you are the only one preventing her from carrying out her plans. We your protectors must keep you safe at all costs, even if the cost is our lives for there is a greater purpose, keeping you safe and free."

After Fate stopped talking, it was so quiet even the ocean seemed to be hushed down almost afraid to be too loud. Her story was a lot of information that I had to try to digest. I still had one more question for her that had not been answered with her story.

"I don't know if you actually answered this question or not with the story, but I would like to know who the Takamachi's are, you said that your loyalties lie with them now and forever, but who are the Takamachi's and why are you loyal to them and not your own family?"

"I'm sorry Nanoha the name of the Imperial family is the Takamachi's, that is your birth name not Yamada. And why am I loyal to them over my mother and sister, that's easy."

Fate stood up and turned around and in the fading light we could see her back, there were faint marks as well is old scars as if somebody had been beating Fate most of her life.

"When my mother is displeased with me for failing on missions or when she just is displeased with me my punishment is usually a beating or a whipping. How could I be loyal to someone who takes pleasure in torturing me for things I have no control over?"

I stood up and walked up behind Fate slipping my arms around her waist I laid my cheek against the back of her neck and held her, trying to give her as much comfort as I could at the moment. No one should have to go through this pain no matter who it is.

"I think" Suzuka breaking the silence of the moment. "That we should all go inside as it is almost suppertime. This would give us all a chance to collect ourselves and absorbed what we've all learned. I don't know about Arisa but I know that I didn't know most of that story. I am quite sure that it's a lot for the three of us to take in all at once. So shall we go inside and have supper."

I didn't want to let go of Fate but I knew I was going to have to, to go into the beach house, so reluctantly I slid my arms out from around her, but before I removed my face from her neck I kissed the base of her neck and then stepped away.

Taking Fate's hand we walk into the house, I give her a quick tour and quickly realize that within a few days she'll have to sleep on the couch. As my parents will be visiting for the weekend. Although now I guess they're my adoptive parents or would, they be my guardians instead. Well no matter who they are, I still love them as my parents, and I always will.

That's when I think it dawned on me exactly what Fate was telling me, I am the daughter of an Emperor of a mermaid kingdom. However, why do my legs still stay the same instead of turning into a tale like Fate's do? I guess that was going to have to be a question asked for another time as we were both called to the dining room for supper.

After we ate we all got comfortable in our night clothing, then we decided to play a game as Fate didn't know how to play it was actually kind of fun teaching her how to play, Old Maid which was one of my favorite games growing up as a child. We figured that the rules were simple enough that Fate should catch on quickly. Unfortunately, for Fate at every turn it seemed she ended up being the Old Maid.

As it was getting late and we were all exhausted from today's events, we all headed for bed. Fate said that she would just start sleeping on a couch and that way by the time my parents got there, she would be used to it.

You're probably wondering why Fate is going to have to sleep on the couch when the beach house is huge. Well the beach house was only set up for us three girls and my parents for one weekend. The other rooms were never set up which means there are no bedrooms available for her to stay in.

After settling into bed, I expected to drift off to sleep, but instead I tossed and turned. Everything that happened today, no make that over the past few weeks, even years is now going through my head. I'm questioning who I am and where I came from. I'm also a bit worried on how Fate's doing on her first night not only sleeping on the couch but out of the ocean.

After tossing and turning for three hours I finally get up and make my way downstairs, I first checked up on Fate to see if she's all right, seeing that she's sleeping I make my way out onto the porch and sit down on the loveseat swing. Staring out at the ocean, I wonder will I ever see my real parents or even my brother and sister.

I don't know how long I'd been out on the front porch swinging back and forth lost in my thoughts. When I heard the door open I looked expecting either Suzuka, or Arisa to come out, but I was very happy to see that it was Fate, who had come out to see me. I stopped the swing long enough for her to sit down next to me, when she was seated and comfortable I started swinging once more.

We were both silent for quite a while, I kept looking at her out of the corner of my eye wondering about this young woman who was sitting next to me, when she finally decided to break the silence.

"I know you've had to take in a lot of information all at once, I'm sorry you had to find out this way. I know Lindy was planning to tell you herself when the time was right. It's just that things have been too dangerous to even consider letting you know about, your past as well is who you are.

I just wanted you to know that you're family, and others that you don't even know love and care about you very much. When the time is right, you will be reunited with your birth family. Until that time I will stay by your side and protect you, even if I have to give up my ability to go back home, I will do what I must my Princess."

I had a catch in my throat and was unable to say anything to her, so I put my head on her shoulder closed my eyes and let the tears rolled down. She took her arm, put it around me, and held me close. It feels like I've always known her my entire life, even though I know we've only met briefly over time.

The morning seagulls were screaming and squawking greeting the new day. The next thing I knew I could hear her heartbeat against my ear and as I slowly opened my eyes, I took in my surroundings. It seems we had fallen asleep and I was cradled in Fate's arms with her head resting on top of mine. As I continued to take in my surroundings, I realized that my left hand had found its way to her right breast and was cupping it.

I carefully and slowly move my hand away and as I watched, I could see her nipple get harder than when it was underneath my hand. Slowly Fate started stirring awake and very slowly and carefully I pulled out of her arms, even though I never wanted to leave them ever again. How could I feel this way towards someone I barely knew?

"Don't go… I mean did you sleep all right last night Nanoha?"

"Yes, I slept very soundly thank you Fate."

"Good I was hoping you would have a good night's rest."

The door opens and outcomes Suzuka and Arisa. "There you two are we were wondering if you two eloped on us or not. Breakfast will be done shortly you two might want to get dressed. We were also talked about going into town and doing little bit of shopping, and it would seem Fate probably would need a few more bits of clothing than what she has. So this would be a good opportunity for her to get what she needs before your parents get here."

"Sounds like a good idea Suzuka." No matter what happens I know I have friends and family that love me and with them I can do anything.

Authors Notes: This gives you a bit of background on what happened with Nanoha and why she has a different last name. I know some of you are wondering where I got the last name of Yamada from. When I was in high school, our neighbors had a foreign exchange student and she was from Japan, and that was her last name Himeko, Yamada. We became friends, but lost touch over time.

Reviews, reviews, reviews, please give me reviews. Did I mention that I want reviews, please?

Well I hope everybody enjoyed the read until the next update.

In Love & Light,

Zona Rose @};-