Author's note: Only Higher is meant to explore the relationships and developments before the anime takes place, essentially like a prequel. It's centered around Satsuki and Nonon's relationship, but will include other characters as well. This begins during their first year of middle school and will continue onwards. SPOILERS most likely, so please finish the anime before you read, or you might be sad! More chapters to come—thanks for reading! (:

The colon on her clock blinked rhythmically.

It was getting late, and the nagging feeling of worry crept up Nonon's neck, warm and prickly, as she absentmindedly chewed on the tip of her pen. She glanced at her window, seeing through the reflections. The moon was heavy tonight…

Where was she—?

As if on cue, a faint tup, tup, tup suddenly interrupted her anxiety. She saw the three small pink pebbles just as they fell away from the pane.

Her heart tightened, and she made her way swiftly down the stairs, hand skimming across the curved metal railing. Softly, as to not wake her parents, she unlocked the door, relief washing over her as she saw the familiar outline of Satsuki in the faint moonlight.

Neither of them spoke until they reached her room, the door clicking shut.

"Where were you?" It came out sounding more accusatory than she had anticipated. She blamed the warm, prickly feeling.

Satsuki set Bakuzan down on the bed with a small clink, but remained standing. "I've finally found someone worthy of joining us. Convincing him took a little more time than fighting him, but…" she trailed off.

"But?" Nonon prompted, eyebrows raised, arms crossed.

"I've asked him to be my shield."

Nonon couldn't help but jut her lip out. "Oh? Is he made out of metal or something? He already sounds like all brawn and no brain," she sniped.

Satsuki sat on the bed, fingers tracing the music note patterns on the sheets. "It's funny you should say that, Jakuzure. His family is rooted in ironworks, and his stature is towering, to say the least."

"Do I want to hear you go on about this potential new recruit?"

"Don't you?" Satsuki fixed her with a look, and they were silent for a few seconds. She then smiled ever so slightly. "Jealousy suits you."

The pink-haired girl made a face and moved the sword onto her desk, placing it over the school assignment that she had been working on. She pretended not to be careful with it in a small display of familiarity and petulance. "It wouldn't be any fun if we were both so unmoving, would it?"

Satsuki appeared to ignore the comment as she got up to take a nightgown out from Nonon's dresser, changing into it and putting her folded school uniform in its place. The silence continued to stretch as she settled herself under the covers, feeling the cotton warm to her body. It was somewhat of a relief to know that the Revocs corporation hadn't thought of putting the fibers into other textiles… yet. Her brow furrowed at the thought, cheeks flushing uncharacteristically with suppressed anger.

"Sorry…"

She felt the whisper against the back of her neck, and felt a body curled lightly around her own. "I know… things have changed. And things change us."

Satsuki blinked out of her reverie, and rolled over to face Nonon. "Yes," she replied, smoothing the girl's hair away from her face. "That is the reality of this world." Her eyes seemed distantly sad, gloved with resolve.

As usual, whenever Satsuki stayed over, she would already be long gone in the morning by the time everyone had even begun to wake. Always busy, always determined, Nonon mused to herself as she poured creamer into her tea from a cat-shaped pitcher. And leaving no traces unless deemed necessary.

She finished her breakfast and readied herself for school. Slinging her bag onto her shoulder, she locked the front door behind her, setting off.

Ah, Satsuki-chan.

One year earlier:

"Why don't you ever let me come with you?" she had pouted.

"It's dangerous," was the clipped answer from Satsuki, sounding final. "I don't want you to have to explain yourself to anyone or attract unwanted attention."

Nonon looked down, fiddling with the buttons on her blouse.

"Not when things aren't ready," the raven-haired girl conceded. "No one can know of my intentions except for a chosen few, or everything will be for nothing."

Nonon looked up, lips trembling a little despite her best efforts, unable to marshal any words to her command.

"Do you doubt my ability to defend myself, to bring others to their knees?" Satsuki asked, steel now ringing in her voice. "If you do not, then you will not question me in this."

Nonon felt a sting in her eyes. She burst out: "Do you think that death is beneath you?! I may not be the brightest, but at least I'm not naïve!"

This seemed to catch Satsuki off guard, but she recomposed her face, and let out a bark of a laugh. "My only fear would be to die before I see the fruition of my efforts. Death is not the enemy." She wiped away the tear that had trickled down Nonon's cheek with her thumb.

"In time, you will understand."

Now, she understood a little better. She was beginning to see how failure would be a bitter option for humanity. But how many did Satsuki plan on making privy to the cause? How would she be sure of their unwavering loyalty and ability to keep a tight lip? Nonon grit her teeth at the thought; she didn't worry as much as she used to, but...

I promised you almost eight years ago—I'll hold your hand, forever and ever.