A.N.: Hope nothing is too confusing so far.
Orihime's right hand felt heavier with each day that passed, and although it had been explained to her that the seals could appear at any time before the war, she still felt as though it would spring up on her at any moment. It motivated her to begin her preparations early, clearing out a large space in her bedroom and spending long nights rereading the same texts in order to better familiarize herself with the ritual. As soon as she was warned the day was soon upon them, she drew the circle on her floor and watched the clock for midnight, when her circuits were at their finest.
The seals began to burn a little the closer her time came, and she quietly considered taking up the catalyst she'd been given.
"I'll leave it up to fate," she said to herself, straightening and shutting her eyes to begin the incantations. She had set up her thickest curtains and drawn them shut at every window in her apartment, soundproofed her walls with a spell to mask the noises that would surely come with the summoning, and cleared any breakable objects from their shelves. The impact would be great, that much was certain.
When her call was answered, the ground seemed to nearly shake her off her very feet. As she caught herself, she wondered if her barrier would hold.
Smoke lifted from the circle and at its center a tall figure rose to face her. He was dressed in all black, a lean man with strangely colored hair. He brushed himself off, dark brown eyes darting around the room before landing on her.
"Are you my master?" was the first thing he said.
.x.
"Well, I was hoping for the Saber class but I suppose you'll do," he murmured, waiting for the air to clear. It hissed and clouded his vision for a second, but he never took his eyes off the figure unfolding from the ground. "Archer."
A woman, which might have disappointed most but he could hardly deign to do the same; if she was here, it was for a reason. She was undeniably feminine, with long flowing locks that curled prettily at the ends. She had doe eyes and full lips and was dressed too girlish for his taste, and it all amounted to a deceptively innocent appearance.
"Tell me your name," he said once the room had settled. "I want to know what I'm working with."
"If you'd tell me yours first," she said in a terribly sweet voice, "I would be more than happy to."
He smiled.
.x.
"Why didn't you use the catalyst I gave you?" her teacher questioned, circling around her servant. He eyed them just as skeptically, arms folded tight against himself.
"Does it truly matter? The Saber class is the strongest, I thought this was good news," Orihime argued, stepping toward her servant. "It was most accidental, but I think luck is on our side."
"You were supposed to summon Lancer," her teacher sighed, forehead pinched. "This will certainly throw a wrench in things."
"Do you…not believe me capable?" Orihime asked, bringing her marked hand against her chest. "I can assure you he and I have come to an agreement, I have faith we are compatible."
Her servant looked between them, but thankfully remained silent.
"Of course I do," her teacher reassured with a sigh. "But the Saber class is absolutely the most coveted of them all, this will put you at unnecessary risk."
"I vowed to protect my master through any means necessary," her servant finally said, shoulders squared. "I will defend her to my dying breath."
"Honorable, just as a Saber should be," her teacher mused. "Very well, I'll leave her in your capable hands. But should harm come her way, I will hold you responsible."
"I would hope you would," he replied with a nod.
.x.
The training grounds was completely destroyed. The floor was cracked, practically rubble, and most of the trees in the area had been uprooted. Countless arrows, all glowing hot and bright, were scattered all around him, some even mere centimeters from piercing him. She landed light on her feet before him, not a speck of dirt to sully her pristine uniform. When she straightened, her eyes locked on his and he almost fell back a step.
"I'm impressed," he said, as he spoke the arrows began to dissolve before him. "Your prowess with a bow is remarkable enough, but your physical strength is extraordinary."
With a few incantations, he reverted the appearance of the training grounds back to how it'd been. She cast aside her weapon and bowed almost theatrically, long hair falling across her shoulders.
"I thank you, my master," she replied. "You flatter me."
"I fear we might make quite the pair," he continued, turning and gesturing her to follow him. "One has to wonder, if the Archer is this strong, what of the others?"
.x.
Yoruichi clutched at her wrist, back pressed to the wall of her basement and teeth grit tight enough to hurt. It was burning terribly, and the bruise that had appeared on her dark skin just days ago was beginning to look like something else entirely.
"No," she growled, scratching hard. "No."
But she could do nothing to stop it, even without a circle the Grail would find a way. And as welts began to form under the nail of her thumb, a light began to emit from the very walls around her. The drop of blood met the ground, and that was all the catalyst it needed.
The air swirled violently around her, whipped against her face and arms, and then shrunk in on itself, tighter and tighter until it was suddenly no more.
In its place, a small and lithe figure knelt in a respectful bow, head low.
"My master," they said, and Yoruichi felt her heart drop down to her feet.
.x.
A.U.: Yeah, I'm not gonna describe every summoning. Keeping some things a secret.
I'll update when I can, review please.
