a/n : Yoo guys! So yeah, I have told you that I will make a serious fic, and seriously, I have made some, but it was never up to my taste.

So... forgive me because this got the same genre. Anyway, just... enjoy!

Warning(s) : AU, maybe OOC, hmm...that's all?

[everything except the setting and storyline doesn't belong to me]

A dark haired boy walked down the narrow street quietly. His gaze wildly shot to his sides before slowly turning his head to look behind him. Whimpering for a bit, he clenched his fists and fastened his steps.

Matou Shinji was not a popular type of person, nor was he a straight-A student. His features were normal, his athletic skills were below average, and he was not good at fights. Fully aware of that, he realized that he was going to face—maybe— the biggest horror of his life. He had spotted two men following him with unfriendly gestures ever since he left school. Their figure was familiar, for he was sure that they were the men whom he accidentally poured his drinks into the day before. Besides, everyone must have known that they were two of the best fighters of the town. Cold sweats began to flow down his back. What would he be?

As Shinji got nearer his apartment, the street got emptier. This only made Shinji gulped in fear.

"Oi, you," a rough voice called out. Shinji nearly jumped in surprise and shivered. Ignore it, he thought. Just pretend that you don't know that they were calling out to you. Just pretend that—

"Oi, stop! I was talking to you!"

Shinji only fastened his steps, adding degrees to the other two's annoyance. He was going to turn left and run as fast as he could, but no, two strong hands grabbed him from behind and tossed him to the rock walls. He gasped in pain—surprised—but a hand grabbed him by his collar. Two dark, hateful eyes looked down to him. "Why were you pretending to be deaf, bastard?"

Shinji nearly cried. "I-I am sorry, I-I thought y-you weren't calling m-me…"

"Bullshit!" shouted the other man. "Who the hell is walking in this street beside you and us?"

The black haired boy stuttered. "I-I…"

"Enough," the man cut his sentence. "Now surely you still remember what shameful thing you did to us earlier, right?"

Of course, Shinji just couldn't forget. "I am sorry… I… "

"Huh, what was that? You don't think that a simple sorry will be enough, do you?"

By the moment, a tear strolled down Shinji's cheek. What should he do? What could he do? What did they want? He didn't have any money. He lived alone in an apartment, and his parents would send him money once a month. He couldn't fight back either. He had only once choice : being beaten up for good. Not to mention that there would probably be no one to tend to his injuries.

Just when he was prepared to accept a painful hit, a female voice shouted out. "What are you doing?"

Three heads turned—one in surprise, one in annoyance, and one with hope—to the source of the voice. There stood a girl wearing their school's uniform. Her blonde hair was neatly tied back, her emerald eyes shone brightly. On her back was a wooden katana.

Shinji felt a flow of relief washed over him as he recognized who the woman was. "Miss Arturia…"

The woman standing there was no one but Arturia Pendragon, or better known as Saber.

"Two against one? That's cowardly of you," she stated firmly while casually walking to the bullies. The red haired man raised his eyebrows.

"What's this? Trying to be a hero?"

The gray haired man nodded in agreement. "Step out of it, o King of Swords," he said mockingly, before breaking into a series of laughter.

Saber clenched her fist. "Put him down."

The bullies snickered as they looked to each other. They could easily take down the chick.

"Fine, if this is what you asked for. But we won't hold back, even though you're a girl," he stated. The man dropped Shinji—who quickly clawed back, looking at the fight with horror. Will she be okay? Shinji had witnessed one of the national-champion's kendo matches, and he had to admit she was brilliant at it. However, katana against brutal fists… Could she handle it?

The woman inhaled quietly, putting her school bag down. She slowly pulled her prized katana and held it in a steady pose.

Without warning, the duo charged forward, aiming for her sides. Saber nimbly dodged the attacks, and stepping back, she hit their hands with two swift swings of her katana. The two groaned painfully while holding their injured palms.

Saber stood with a cold stare as they glared. The two exchanged glance and quickly, the red haired man blew a skillful punch—which was swiftly avoided by Saber. The gray haired man took the cue by a milisecond and aimed for her unprotected back. Almost late, she spun around and jabbed her katana into his open stomach. She took a step aside and swung her katana for a final blow.

The men collapsed with a loud thud.

"I think you've learnt your lessons," Saber stated shortly. She calmly sheathed her blade back to her back and picked up her bag. The two kept their piercy groan and glares towards her leaving figure.

Saber walked towards Shinji-who could only watch as the woman in front of her saved his life.

"You okay, boy?"

"Y-yes… Thanks very much, I don't know what would I be if you weren't there."

"No problem. These bastards need lesson."

Saber smiled brightly—which made Shinji's face abruptly warmed up. The boy excused himself and ran away.

"Gilgamesh-sama."

Gilgamesh looked up from the game he was playing, his eyes flashing annoyance. It wasn't exactly the fun part, but still, he hated being interrupted.

"What?"

The highschoolar in front of him had spiky, red-colored hair. He looked badly beaten up. Terrified, the boy stooped deeply, apologizing. "M-my apology, Gilgamesh-sama…" his eyes wildly gazed around.

Gilgamesh only clicked his tongue. "Okay. Who did it this time?" he asked nonchalantly.

He gulped. "I-It was… a girl from our school."

As if on cue, a spark of interest flared within his blood red eyes. "A girl?" he asked slowly. "And I thought you were our best fighter. Well, a mongrel is but a mongrel after all."

The boy blushed in embarrassment. Gulping, he mustered his courage and tried to defend himself. "She was a katana wielder, sir, and very skillful at that too; while I was unarmed."

Gilgamesh could not help not to smirk. "Hmm, what an interesting woman," he mumbled almost inaudibly. "So, what's your point?"

Being pierced by his leader's blood red gaze, the man once again stooped. "I… I request extra hands in order to seek revenge."

"Revenge?"

As the pair of blood red eyes sharply looked down at him, the man shrunk in fear. "Y-yes, he had attacked two of our fellows while they were unarmed and beaten them up quite badly. I think I—we will need more reinforcements if we want to take her down."

Gilgamesh only smiled amusedly; he crossed his arms and leaned back. The girl was indeed very interesting. Maybe he would finally find his match. It had been a while since he had a good fight—ever since that vulgar man he often had quarrel with decided to stop serving his challenge and start having family, life had become more boring for him.

"No need for that," he finally answered. The man only stared at him with questioning eyes. Gilgamesh stood up and stretched his stiff body before carefully, he took his prized weapon that was kept beside the sofa, untouched for a long time. A bamboo sword. He gripped its wooden handle, enjoying the feeling he had long missed.

"I'll take her down myself."

"Saabeer!"

Saber turned back. Calling out to her was a familiar black-haired female; smiling as confidently as always. Just a few steps behind her was a brown haired man who grinned at her sheepishly, followed by a purple-haired girl. The blonde woman smiled. "Morning, Rin, Shiro, Sakura."

Rin ran lightly, catching up to her female best friend. "So, are you ready for today's exam?"

Saber nodded firmly, a fire in her eyes.

"Of course. I've studied all the possible materials. How about you, Rin?"

Rin smiled confidently. "Me too, and I have did all the worksheet. I will not lose to you this time, Saber!"

"I won't lose to you too, Rin!"

Shiro laughed at the fiery tension emitted by his two female friends as the discussion continued. "They're just as passionate as ever."

Sakura nodded. "I am looking forward to who the winner this time will be."

Shiro shrugged. The two had been always so competitive to each other—seemingly ever since they first met. From who could run to the swings quicker, break the swimming records, to the whom can collect bigger number of stamps—and the most recent; and always; their studies. Among those competitions, the two had found a long-lasting, unbreakable bound of friendship. Shiro smiled, grateful at the thought.

"Shiro!"

Rin's shout brought Shiro back to reality Blinking, he found two passionate faces turning to him. "Y-yes?"

Saber looked at him intently. "We've placed a bet!"

Shiro furrowed his brows. With a big smile, Saber continued her statements. "Whoever wins this time will have you pay them a full-course meal at whichever restaurant they want!" Rin nodded.

Shiro blinked. "Wait, what? Why?" he shouted confusedly. His wallet wasn't a healthy one…

But the two woman only ignored him, continuing their discussions. Shiro gawked panickedly. "H-hey! I never agree—and anyway, why must I be the one to pay? Shouldn't it be the loser?"

Sakura laughed quietly and tapped Shiro on the back. "Now, now… Shiro-kun…"

They had just walked for a block when a tall, blonde man appeared out of nowhere. He was wearing a highschool uniform—although different than the one they were wearing—and he held a wooden katana. His blood red eyes shone with excitement. He grinned gleefully.

Shiro gulped as he realized who it was. That uniform… "He's… Gilgamesh."

Gilgamesh, the one rumored to be the strongest fighter of the district. The one having people following him in fear and admiration-even without him asking.

Saber was fully alerted, but kept her composure down. She continued walking forward as if nothing happened, her friends—although scared—followed close behind.

Gilgamesh frowned. So this woman was ignoring him—how dare she?

"You. Stop," he commanded before they could walk past him. The group stopped, tense air forming around them.

Saber was the first one to look straight into his eyes and spoke out. "What business do you possibly have with us?" she asked calmly.

Gilgamesh stared at her. This woman's got courage. "So I heard you've beaten down some of the mongrels from my place."

The group flinched. Mongrels?

"They were beating up a harmless student. I was only passing by."

Gilgamesh snickered. "I see."

"So… I guess up for revenge?" Saber clenched her fists, ready to pull out her wooden katana anytime. To her surprise, Gilgamesh shrugged.

"No," he answered. "Why would I take revenge for useless piece of craps?" he added, making Saber raising her brows.

Saber glanced at her watch. They've got some time left, but not too much. "What do you want then? We have school, you see."

Gilgamesh pouted. Surely school is an insignificant matter comparing to what he was saying next. There could be nothing too wrong with a day or two off from school. "I'm giving you the honor to have a duel with me."

Silence lasted for a few seconds.

Saber clenched her katana's handle, starting to get annoyed. "We don't have time for that now."

Gilgamesh smirked. Saber, 16 years old. A national kendo championship winner, and was also the captain of her highschool's kendo club albeit being a first year. If the woman's as good as how he heard her to be, she wouldn't get hurt only from what he's going to do next. "Well, make some then!"

No one in the group anticipated what Gilgamesh was doing next—except Saber, maybe. He charged forward, katana in his hand. Saber's reflex—fortunately—managed her to pull out her katana in time, blocking his blow. "Now, now… A fight early in the morning? Definitely not a good way to start your day, Mr. Blonde," Saber stated as her blade whimpered at the pressure.

"It's good to fight while you and your opponent are in the highest state," Gilgamesh replied. "And I'm Gilgamesh, woman. Not Mr. Blonde."

Gilgamesh pulled back before launching quick, deadly blows, which were skillfully blocked by Saber. Along the fights, the group had taken a few steps back, still shocked and unsure about what to do.

"Don't you have anything better to do? School, for example?" Saber shouted along their blade contacts. Gilgamesh snorted.

"I have no urgent need for such useless craps!" he replied, slashing his katana to Saber's side. Saber quickly turned and blocked, before charging an attack.

"You can't say that when your future depends on your scores, can you?"

A look of disgust appeared on his façade. "Why should I worry for such trivial things?"

Saber gritted her teeth as the battle carried on. The blockheaded bastard was very persistent. She had to do something—they didn't have much time left before the gate was closed…

Just as she was worrying, a figure flashed past her—and before knowing it, Rin was there, blocking the space between the two blonde duelist, stretching her arms. Saber and Gilgamesh stopped their blades just in time—Saber would never hurt her own friend, while Gilgamesh… he didn't have the hobby to hit harmless girls.

Rin merely flinched as the two stopped. Calming down her pounding chest—albeit appearing very calm and composed at the moment, she was actually quite afraid if the blade had hit her earlier—she spoke out. "You two, please listen to me."

Shocked, Saber and Gilgamesh remained staring silently. "Please stop this fight all at once."

"First of all, Gilgamesh, we're sorry if we have offended you in one way or another. But surely, we can postpone this… duel later, as we don't have any time for that now," she stated, unstopping.

"We have only 10 minutes before the gate closes, and today we have a very important exam," she added, before silently looking at the blonde haired man who towered in front of her.

An intense, awkward silence occurred. Gilgamesh was the first to break the ice by shrugging. "Fine, Missy," he said shortly. "You should've told me earlier that you have exam."

It is true that school was deemed unimportant for Gilgamesh; however, he understood that interfering an exam could be unacceptable for some who enjoys beating the exam.

"I have said that we have no time."

"For school, that is. Not exam. I could have let you go sooner."

"Why you…" Saber gritted her teeth. This man wouldn't just go and apologize although he was obviously the one at fault. She glared as he shrugged and turned away.

"Afterschool. 4 pm, at the South Park. I will be waiting," Gilgamesh shouted—or more like commanded—without turning back.

"Why should I do as you say?" Saber shouted back, irritated. Rin held her shoulder and shaked her head, calming her down.

Gilgamesh, hearing his opponent's shout, smirked and turned his head slightly.

"Of course, you'll regret it, Saber."

The next heartpounding 10 minutes were mostly spent running. Saber was up front, followed by Rin, then Shiro and Sakura. There were only about 50 meters left—they could already see the beautiful gate ahead—when the gatekeeper decided to slide the iron gate close.

"No, no!"

"Wait!"

"Stop!"

"Please!"

As if it was slow motion, the metal collided, and the key clacked.

"No, no…. noo!" Saber shouted, her outstretched hand ten inches far from the closed gate. The group cursed as they tried catching up their breath. Rin looked to the gatekeeper, pleading.

"Sir, please… we were a step away!"

"Unfortunately, I can't do that," the gatekeeper replied firmly.

Shiro gasped. "B-but the exam…"

"Late is late."

Depressed, the four groaned loudly.

a/n : Okay...I apologize if this had some errors and such... if you wanna do a beta-read and correct it, I will do as you point out as fast as I could. I typed this one in a flash this afternoon... so...

I hope you enjoyed it. Nevermind Gilgamesh's confusing mind, well, it is Gilgamesh afterall. He's got a clever and wise character, although in his own way. That's about what I can say about his actions in this chapter ^^

(EDIT) I did a stupidity. Again. I was trying to write a normal disclaimer but ended up messing with my mind and writing "This fic is not mine." Seriously, why would I even post it if it's not mine? =="" I am sorry for my clumsiness..

Review, please! I don't hate building critiques and comments, so go ahead, and I'll be smiling all day :)

~Aisu