I know! Its been way too long since I last updated this one,but I have been paying attention to my other story A Shinobi's Resolve since that is where my motivation is right now.
I'll try to update this one more often, but the motivation is where it is I'm afraid.
Anyway, back to the story!
Disclaimer: I don't own any of these franchises... If I did, I wouldn't have to be working at minimum wage.
Chapter 5: The Unpredictable Seventh Master pt. 3
"A truce?" asked Naruto with a raised brow.
"After today's incident, we have been exposed as Masters, correct? The Master at the school is vicious, and I would like to take care of that master before taking care of you." Rin placed her cup of tea down and continued.
"So why don't we look for that master together at school?" she finished.
"I'm not sure if I can trust you though as my ally, no matter how temporary it is." Naruto replied with a serious look, "You did just attack me out of the blue."
"I didn't say I was going to be your ally, I'm just arranging a truce until I destroy the force field at school." she shot back.
"So much for the enemy of my enemy, huh?" Naruto said with a roll of his eyes.
"Of course." she stated haughtily, but then she softened her features into a smile and said, "But for the duration of this truce I will help you... As long as you don't betray me."
"Look, if there is one thing you want to know about me, that is that I don't betray my comrades. Temporary or not." he shot back with steel in his eyes, making Rin widen her eyes in shock slightly at the fact that he considers her a comrade.
"But yeah, I'll agree to this. One less person after me, right?" Naruto said as he stood up and held out his hand, "I look forward to 'temporarily' working with you." he finished with a smile.
She avoided his gaze in an attempt to hide her small blush and said while assuming tsundere pose number two, "It might be for just a short while, but make yourself useful ok?"
Naruto just shook his head slightly and took her hand to affirm their truce and said with a teasing smile, "Yeah, I'll do my best, just try to keep up. We don't want you to get caught in another barrier right?"
Of course Naruto happened to forget he was holding the hand of a tsundere. Consequently, his hand was brought to the mercy of feminine fury.
"What was that... Emiya-kun?" she asked with a sickly sweet voice and dark smile.
"Nothing! I just got lucky when I captured you didn't I?" Naruto squeaked out.
"Good. That is what I thought you said." she let go of his hand with a satisfied look.
"So... You got your father's magic crest before he died?" she asked lightly.
"Yeah, it took some convincing, but I was able to do so. He didn't want me to be a magus, he always looked reluctant and sad whenever we trained. He also didn't speak for a while after we transferred his crest to me. He probably regretted doing that. I can tell it hurt him to see me in pain as he and an old contact of his that helped us carve it in." Naruto said in a somber tone remembering his adoptive father.
"I am surprised you are telling me all this, we are only in a temporary truce." she replied seriously.
"Heh, dad always did say that magecraft isn't something you should hide so desperately." Naruto said in reply with a soft smile.
"W-what? What does that mean! Did he seriously-"
"Of course he didn't mean proclaim your status as a magus and use magecraft openly, but be relaxed, don't be so tense about life, don't be bound by conventional rules."
"Shut up!" Rin exclaimed in anger.
Naruto just rose an eyebrow in confusion.
"You father was no magus! And neither is someone like you who was trained by him and uses guns!" she nearly shouted standing right in front of him.
"What the hell is your problem? Why are you so angry?" Naruto questioned in annoyance. She insulted him like it was nothing, she insulted his dead father like it was nothing. "Who are you to say any of that? You don't know our past, you have no right to judge whether I can be called a magus or not."
"That isn't that point! What I can't forgive is..." she then trailed off as if remembering something. "Sorry... Something came over me I guess."
"No. You are gonna tell me what worked you up so much that you insulted not only myself, but my deceased father. What can't you forgive Rin?" Naruto retorted firmly.
After a moment she turned to face him and said softly, "... To a magus, magecraft doesn't belong to oneself. It's the result passed along from parent to child, from generation to generation. It's the duty of the magus to pass it on to their child." She then looked up and said pointedly at Naruto, "But, your father... wanted to abandoned that duty. I... I can't forgive such a thing. Your father wanted to be a parent rather than a magus."
"Rin..." Naruto trailed off unsure. 'She must be jealous to an extent, her father probably treated her like an apprentice or a tool rather than a daughter like she wanted.' Naruto deduced. He could see why his situation angered her if that was the case.
"Sorry. Saying this to you won't change anything."
"No, its fine. I think I understand and I know you will just get mad if I try to comfort you and show sympathy, so I won't. You are a better magus than me Rin." Naruto replied with a warm smile that made her blush and look away. But it turned into a goodnatured grin when he said, "But I am the better fighter!"
Naruto laughed at her indignant expression on her red face, but just as she was about to retort the grandfather clock chimed indicating the time.
Naruto calmed his laughter down and smiled to Rin, "Well, I better head on home."
She took in a calming breath herself and said professionally, "Then we'll exchange information regarding the search for this Master at school from now on. Let's meet at noon on the rooftop during lunch."
"Sounds good to me."
Rin then looked to her side and called out, "Archer."
The Greek warrior appeared to Rin's side. He has blue eyes and long dirty blond hair that flows down to the back of his thighs. Some of it frames his face resting on his shoulders. He wears archaic greek armor, which is essentially a tunic layered with hardened leather and plated with bronze, but he has armored greaves to go along with the ensemble. To finish it off he has greek sandals and his black bow behind his back with his quiver. He has an amiable smile on his face and seems very gentle and relaxed.
"We will be associates for a while so why don't you protect Emiya-kun on his way back? Don't attack him, okay?" Rin orders.
The Servant of the Archer-class, bowed and replied, "As you wish, Master."
XXX
"Ah, here is far enough, you didn't need to escort me anyway. I was fine on my own, but tell Rin thanks anyway, it's nice that she was so worried about me." Naruto finished jokingly.
"Yes, I was planning on doing so, but master's orders and all that. I'll make sure to tell her you said that in a teasing way as well, she gets flustered too easily." The Servant Archer replied in an easygoing manner. His gentle smile was still intact as well.
"Oh I hope you won't, if you do she will blow up on me tomorrow." Naruto shot back with a grin as well.
The Greek warrior chuckled, "I wish my students had your attitude. They always wanted glory, or some other selfish goal and if they had a just goal, they were too narrow-minded and it cost them. They may have become great heroes, but they always did have a moment of hubris that marred their accomplishments."
"And what exactly is my attitude?" Naruto asked. He took the praise for what it was worth, this Servant was a hero worthy enough to be recognized by the Grail, compliments like that... they are something special.
"From what I have seen and heard, you can be calm, peaceful, and even joking just a moment ago, but when pushed enough, you become fierce and unrelenting." Archer paused and said "You really live up to your namesake, 'Maelstrom'" he finished with his gentle smile still intact.
"I'll fight if I have to. I just want to end this stupid selfish war." Naruto missed the slight twitch in the man's smile.
"Without killing anyone, without sacrifices?" Archer prodded.
"I'm not so naive to think that none of that will happen. I have killed and sacrificed before. If it means that innocents will be kept out of the crossfire than I will gladly dirty my hands with blood." Naruto shot back with steel in his eyes.
"Fair enough... But I am curious, from what I gather, you didn't use a command spell to summon Saber in your fight against that Servant that was probably Rider. You may be stronger and more capable than most magus and Masters, but you can't match up to a Heroic Spirit. They have Noble Phantasms. So... Why did you not call on Saber?" asked Archer with genuine curiosity.
Naruto sighed before replying, "Would you believe me if I said I wasn't fighting full power?" at the raised eyebrow he got in response he continued, "You heroic spirits have you secret Noble Phantasms, I have my secrets as well. To me that fight was about gathering information. I didn't need Saber to do that."
Archer chuckled once more before he turned to leave. Not without a few parting words however, "Saber sure is lucky to have a Master like you. I'm sure with both of your strengths you two will go far. I look forward to seeing the path you choose to take, Uzumaki Naruto."
With that the Greek Archer disappeared from Naruto's sight, leaving Naruto to contemplate the conversation as he headed home.
XXX
When Naruto came home to a quiet and empty house he knew he came home later than he should have. So he went to check on Saber. He found her resting in her futon. He was about to close the door, when she said calmly,
"Naruto, you were out very late."
Naruto sheepishly scratched the back of his head and said, "Yeah things came up at school that I will tell you about tomorrow morning. Sorry if I worried you."
Saber just replied softly, "Naruto, I'm glad you are unharmed."
Naruto smiled softly as she went back to sleep. He closed her door and decided he would sit on his porch in the backyard to meditate for a bit before going to sleep. However Archer's words were ringing in his head, 'What did he mean, "the path I choose to take"? Was he trying to warn me of something?'
Naruto decided he wasn't in the mood to meditate right now, so he decided to try his hand at sleeping. Maybe his past life would have an answer?
XXX
Unfortunately for Naruto, his past life had no advice for his situation. Instead he had a dreamless sleep for the first time in over a month. He was a little annoyed at the fact that when he wants to see a dream, it doesn't come. He even tried going back to sleep in the morning to see if he could trigger one, of course all he got in return was an irate Taiga reprimanding him on attempting to sleep in on a school day.
So we find Naruto at the breakfast table prepared once again by Sakura, grumbling to himself while he chewed on his food.
He was brought out of his annoyance by soft sounds of amazement coming from Sakura and Taiga.
"Sakura-chan, how many bowls has Saber-chan had so far?" questioned Taiga uneasily.
With an equally uneasy smile Sakura replied, "This is her fourth-"
She was interrupted by a bowl brought to her line of sight, she looked up to meet the stoic face of Saber who merely said, "Another, please."
Naruto stifled a chuckle at the look on Sakura's face before she snapped out of her amazement and said, "A-Ah! Right away!" She then proceeded to fill up another bowl for her.
While those two were occupied, Taiga whispered to Naruto, "Hey" once she got his attention she continued, "Did something happen yesterday?"
"Nothing really." Naruto answered flippantly before a smirk formed on his face and he continued, "By the way Taiga-nee, you should hurry up."
"Eh? It's barely past seven-"
Naruto interrupted her as his smirk grew, "No, while I am proud of you that you remembered the time, I meant something else..." he finished while gesturing to the table.
When Taiga followed his hand with a tick mark for his shot at her lack of time management, she gasped in horror. All of the plates and bowls of food were empty save for scraps!
She looked up to the culprit who had just placed down her chopsticks elegantly as she said stoically with a small bow, "Thank you for the meal."
Taiga lost it right then as she exclaimed in disbelief and sorrow, "AHH! MY NATTOU POT... all gone!"
Naruto of course was red in the face trying to restrain his laughter because Saber just ignored everything by standing up and saying, "Please, excuse me."
Meanwhile Taiga continued to sob, "How could she... I can't go on... My source of energy..."
Naruto ignored the sobbing to his right in favor of Sakura who questioned him, "What happened?"
Naruto just looked up at her and said with a smile that made Sakura blush slightly, "Well she was worried that I was out late last night and I didn't call her. She is my bodyguard. So she was just upset that her job could have been messed up in case I got hurt. I'm assuming that is what the cold shoulder is about."
"I see..." she replied with a contemplative look on her face.
In actuality, Saber had caught Naruto as he was going to the breakfast table earlier, and pulled him aside for a discussion.
"Like I said there was nothing I could do, she was constantly attacking me with her superior speed, and I'm sure if I had stopped to take a moment to focus and summon you, she would have taken that opportunity to strike me down. Plus, neither of us were going full power, she didn't use her Noble Phantasm, and I didn't go full out. We were both trying to gather information on the enemy in that fight." Naruto argued back.
"I was able to gather that she isn't very fond of her Master and that he is weak or not a very capable one. They are also behind the extremely unsubtle barrier surrounding the school." Naruto finished with an indignant pout.
Saber's eye merely twitched before she said, "Regardless, you should have summoned me, there would have been more that we could have done together, than alone. Even for this temporary cooperation with Rin, I wish you would have consulted me first."
"You are against it? Why?" questioned Naruto in confusion.
"No. Instead I support your decision since you will be able to gain knowledge you currently lack from Rin. However, Rin was originally an enemy we had to fight. You should be careful when coming in contact with her." she replied firmly.
"I know all that. Hell we fought earlier in the day, I know to be careful around her, that is why this is a temporary truce. But... she is a good person from what I can tell, she won't betray us until we both agree that the truce is over."
As Naruto finished Saber could only stare into his eyes as she tried to find anything wrong with his judgement. Instead she sighed and stood up to head to the breakfast table. It was so troublesome to have such an unorthodox Master.
"Sempai..." a gentle voice broke Naruto out of his reverie as he turned to face the source.
"Ah, the Archery Club isn't meeting up for a while, so I won't have morning practice during this time. So, if it's okay with you, we... can go to school together" asked Sakura as she played with the apron under the table nervously.
Naruto just smiled knowingly and replied, "Yeah, sounds like a plan Sakura-chan! Let's clean up the mess those two left for us and get going."
"Okay!" she answered with a more confident smile.
XXX
As Naruto and Sakura put on their shoes to leave, Naruto notices Sakura pause.
"Hmm? What's wrong Sakura-chan?"
"Umm..." she mumbles out as she points to the source.
Which happened to be Saber right behind Naruto. Naruto of course looks at Saber in a confused manner as she puts on her shoes.
"So you are gonna follow me all day?" Naruto asked tiredly.
"Of course. It is my duty to protect you, Naruto." she says in her normal stoic manner as she opens the door, only to open it to...
"Rin?" questioned Naruto.
She was in her normal school outfit as she looks slyly at everyone and says coolly, "I knew this would happen..."
"Not to be rude, but why are you here?" asked Naruto with a tick over his brow. He knows she is doing this to get under his skin.
"Tohsaka-sempai..." trailed off Sakura in a shocked tone.
"Ah, Sakura..." she mumbled out in surprise before she regained her composure and regarded her out of the corner of her eye, "Oh yeah, the archery club isn't meeting today.
"Why are you..." Sakura asked unsure of her intentions.
"Well I've decided to go to school with Emiya-kun starting today." she stated proudly as she strutted forward and finished by asking innocently, "You didn't hear about it?"
They both turned to Naruto as his eye began to twitch even more when he saw Rin wink at him and Sakura look at him sadly. But he decided to get a little revenge and say, "No Rin, I don't remember agreeing to that. Besides, I promised Sakura-chan I would walk with her to school." He grinned when he saw Rin's eye begin to twitch dangerously and Sakura light up with happiness.
"Emiya-kun..." Rin mumbled out darkly.
"I can meet up with you during lunch at noon right? Let's meet up of the roof."
Rin just muttered to herself angrily before she sighed and nodded, "I suppose that is fine, I'll see you later, Sakura, Emiya-kun."
"What are you doing?" came the voice of Saber as she was already out the door.
"Oi, Saber, give me a minute." demanded Naruto.
Rin just shook her head and sighed as she whispered to Naruto, "You should have predicted this would have happened when you came home last night. Consider matters more carefully." she finished as she walked out the door leaving him, Saber, and Sakura alone.
"Well?" questioned an impatient Saber.
"Saber, I know you want to go with me, but that is just asking for trouble to appear. Besides..." here he whispered to her as he leaned forward, "I can take of myself, and I promise if things get to the point where I can't handle it, I will summon you."
"Even though that is what you said last time?" she whispered back harshly.
Naruto just sighed. He didn't like using this ability. It was unfair and manipulative. Naruto doesn't like using such a manipulative technique on his close friends and family... But Saber is forcing his hand. So he decided to go with a proven method that has worked countless times for him with the females of the world. He took a deep breath, shadowed his eyes and suddenly looked up to Saber. Saber looked back at Naruto and her breath hitched in her throat.
Naruto currently had his blue eyes widened immensely and filled with unshed tears, his lips were quivering in a pitiful pout, as he clasped his hands together in a begging fashion and whimpered a drawn out, "Pleeeeeeeease?" With his whisker marks it seemed like this was a fox kit that you just kicked. Or a small cuddly lion to Saber. He even had the golden mane and whiskers to pull it off! Sakura had to turn away and bite her lip to stifle the squeal and glomp she desperately wanted to do.
Saber forced her eyes to turn away to preserve her royal pride and hide her small blush as she mumbled out a "Fine. But, make sure you come home before dark this time."
Instantly Naruto was back to normal causing both Saber and Sakura to sigh in relief. Naruto rushed to Saber's side and gave her a big hug lifting her in the air and said, "Thanks for trusting me Saber, I'll see you later!" he said as he broke the hug and left the house with a wave.
Sakura just bowed her goodbye and headed off after him.
Saber just stood in her spot transfixed, replaying the events over and over again. She finally snapped out of it and muttered to herself and walked to the dojo about stubborn and annoying Masters with a small smile on her face.
XXX
Naruto and Sakura were walking down the normal route they would take going to school. Sakura was a little nervous, but happy she was able to bring up the courage to ask her crush to walk with her to school. Now they could be alone... together... Sakura had to turn her head away to hide her growing blush from Naruto in case he looked her way as she tried to force it down.
Meanwhile, Naruto was relaxed on the outside, but really he was worried about how things are going in his partnership with Saber. She was disappointed and angry with him for breaking his promise. Naruto is supposed to be a man of his word. In the end, that is all anyone has left to go by, will you uphold your word. In his past life and his current one, he has always strived to keep his word. Now though...
Naruto just lightly shook his head to get rid of the negative thoughts and turned to Sakura, the walk was getting too quiet for his taste.
"So Sakura-chan," at attaining her attention he continued, "Sorry for having you make breakfast everyday lately." Naruto stated sheepishly scratching his cheek.
Sakura though just smiled gently and replied, "It's alright, I like cooking, I like cooking for you Sempai. It... makes me happy."
Naruto just said mock-exasperatedly, "Haaa... What am I gonna do with you Sakura-chan, what will our classmates think? We are acting like a married couple!" He finished with a hidden teasing smirk. It only grew wider at her blush and stuttering.
"T-T-TH-THAT, I-I-I-I-" she paused from her embarrassment when she heard a stifled chuckle threatening to burst. She found the source to be Naruto struggling to hold in his amusement.
Of course Sakura whined, "Sempai~"
"S-Sorry, sorry Sakura-chan. I just can't help it. You are just way too much fun to tease! You always look so cute when you blush and stutter like that." since he was walking ahead of her this time since she started to slow down from the embarrassment and shock of what he was saying he didn't see the growing effect of his words on her. She was blushing even harder than before.
"I mean I'm being serious! You keep cooking for me like that, I might just fall for you!" Naruto exclaimed.
That is when he heard a dull thud from behind him.
Naruto turned around to see a red-faced Sakura from the roots of her hair to her neck, with steam coming out of her ears as she processed Naruto's words. Her eyes were closed from fainting, but she kept muttering lowly with a wide goofy smile, "Sempai~... Naruto-sempai~... falling for me~."
Naruto just sweatdropped at the familiar scene from his past life. Sakura was pretty similar to Hinata. With a chuckle he picked her up bridal style and kept walking to school.
"I hope no rumors come of this..."
XXX
As Naruto left the school nurse's office, he had to roll his eyes at the whispering following him. It seems his entrance to school with him holding Sakura generated more than just a few conversations of gossip.
He had left Sakura a note apologizing for teasing her too much, hoping she will be alright, and with a final bit of teasing, wrote at the bottom as an afterthought, "You look cute when you're sleeping."
Seriously it was addicting to tease Sakura.
But what was on his mind, was the barrier he felt as soon as he entered the school grounds. It was getting stronger, and it was still not very subtle. Whoever is the Master is a very vicious person, or just not very smart.
Really? Take out an entire school to fuel your Servant? The war was supposed to be discreet right?
The rest of the day flew by, and before Naruto knew it, it was time to meet up with Rin on the rooftop.
On the way up the stairs, he saw Sakura walking down the same flight.
"Oh, hey Sakura-chan! You look like you are feeling better!" Naruto said with a grin.
Sakura blushed lightly at her actions and fainting earlier in the morning and said, "T-thank you for taking care of me s-sempai." she found the hem of her skirt really interesting right then.
"Oh it's no problem, I always take care of my precious people! Well I'll see you later Sakura-chan." Naruto replied with a smile as he continued walking up the stairs.
Sakura though stood frozen in shock. 'P-precious p-people?' she repeated in her head.
She lightly shook her head as she snapped out of it, though as she continued down the stairs, she had a bright smile on her face for the rest of the day.
XXX
As Naruto opened the door to the rooftop, he looked around to see if Rin was there yet. After a few seconds he spotted her leaning against the fence with her arms crossed and eyes closed.
Naruto walked towards her and said nonchalantly, "Well this morning was messy wasn't it." he finished as he leaned against the fence next to her.
Rin's eyebrow began to twitch as she said, "I was trying to talk to you about our truce and you sent me away?"
Naruto just looked at her out of the corner of his eye and said, "Well what you were about to do to Sakura-chan wasn't gonna be nice, and I just prevented it. Besides... She~ asked~ first~." Naruto finished in a sing-song manner while waving his finger back and forth.
Rin huffed as Naruto continued with a grin, "And I know you were trying to pull that whole drama to get back at me for beating you last night."
Rin blushed angrily but coughed to get her composure back and said seriously, "I'll begin with the gravest issue first." Naruto dropped his grin and looked serious as well. "Earlier, the school was informed that they have found Ayako. She's alive, but no matter how much they called to her, she wouldn't respond. They diagnosed her as being in Toxic Shock in the hospital, but it is probably-"
"A Servant." Naruto interrupted gravely.
Rin nodded and continued, "A Master must have ordered the assault. And once this barrier is activated, it will dissolve and suckout the soul of every human inside the barrier; a very diabolical act. It's a plan to charge up the Servant using various means."
"Yeah, and the Servant is most likely the one I fought last night." Naruto said.
"Rider?" Rin questioned.
"From what you told me of the special traits of each servant, and what I can tell of her skills and blinding speed when she wants to use it, yeah. Of course we don't have any concrete evidence." Naruto answered.
"Of course. Anyway, all we can do is delay the activation of the barrier and possibly disrupt it completely."
"I guess so."
"The barrier is a high-level one created by a Servant, so destroying it should be extremely difficult, if not impossible. So we should focus on destroying the spell marks and delay the activation." Rin finished with a hand on her hip and a small smirk.
"It will be an endless cycle though, since they will just replace each other." Argued Naruto.
"I know, but it is all we can do right now." replied Rin with a frown.
"Well we can get started now."
"What do you mean? asked Rin.
"Well I can feel one right here." Naruto replied as he knelt down an exposed a spell mark a few feet away from them.
"It shouldn't be this easy..." muttered Rin as she knelt down as well and placed her hand on it.
She began to chant, "Execute medium-power disenchant" in German until the spell mark shattered and faded away.
"Well that is one. You seem to have a talent for finding these." Rin paused before looking up and smirking at Naruto, "It's getting interesting, no? Stay after school, okay Emiya-kun? We may be able to give this Master a scare."
"I should bring Saber then. I did promise-"
He was interrupted by Rin when she said, "Don't worry, I'm here, Archer is here in spiritual form, and you are strong yourself."
Naruto shook his head and said, "Regardless, one more couldn't hurt, and I'm a man of my word. I'll call her and tell her to come and be here once school ends."
Rin just sighed in reply but it turned into a squeak of indignation as she saw him pull out a cell phone.
"You aren't supposed to have phones in school!"
Naruto just deadpanned toward her and said, "So?"
Naruto dialed the number to his house ignoring Rin's spluttering and waited for Saber to answer.
He didn't have to wait long as he heard her stoic voice, "Hello?"
"Hey Saber! It's me!"
"Naruto? Is something wrong?!"
"No, no, no! Everything is fine!" he could tell she switched to her armor already.
"Look, I just need you to be here when school ends so you could help me and Rin with something. I thought it would be fair if you were here." he replied.
There was a silence before Naruto heard, "I see... What is it you require Master?"
Naruto groaned at that and answered, "We are gonna be destroying the spell marks around our school for the barrier that has been erected around it. We assume it is going to be used to suck out the souls of everyone within it to fuel the Servant responsible. I thought you would want in."
"Of course. It is the duty of a knight and king to defend the innocent and weak. I shall be there soon." she replied royally with pride but a hint of anger at barrier's purpose.
"Good, I'll see you then." with that he hung up his phone just in time for the bell to ring.
Rin sighed before saying as she began to leave, "Well let's head back to class. I'll see you after school."
Naruto just waved at her as he began to leave himself, "Yeah, see ya!"
XXX
As the sun began to set, we find Naruto and an impatient Rin walking toward Saber who was waiting at the gate of the school. She currently was in her civilian/public clothes, but like always, she is ready to switch to her armor and sword at the first sign of trouble.
"Hey, Saber!" called Naruto with a grin and a wave.
"Naruto." she nodded in return, "Shall we get started?"
"Right! Let's go!" exclaimed an enthusiastic Naruto causing Rin to shake her head amusedly and Saber to... keep walking stoically?
And after an hour of destroying spell marks in various locations, some more amusing than others like inside the boys bathroom or on the ceiling and an unintentional panty shot - thank God Rin or Saber didn't notice - they had destroyed all the spell marks they could find. The Master and the Servant would have to make new ones, wasting their time.
"So any others?" questioned Rin.
Naruto looked to Saber who shook her head and he replied, "None that me or Saber can detect."
"I see. Well, this should be enough. This person probably didn't expect this many spell marks to be destroyed in one day, so he'll definitely take some action." stated Rin.
"And that is when we strike." Saber cut in.
"That's right." affirmed Rin.
Then Rin gained a fairly predatory smirk on her face as she said, "Now, come on out. I will have you atone for the guilt of having me do all this hard work."
It was a smirk that sent chills down Naruto's spine. 'Scary~' Naruto whimpered in his mind. But he shook himself of his fear of feminine fury and brought out three drinks from his pack. "Here, both of you have a drink, it'll help you relax a bit" 'And hopefully get rid of that scary smirk on your face Rin.' he added in his mind.
"Hmph. You're pretty thoughtful, though you don't look it." she replied accepting the drink with a sly smile.
"Thank you, Naruto." nodded Saber in thanks.
Naruto just deadpanned toward Rin, "Why can't you praise me or at least thank me sincerely like Saber?"
"But... get me milk and tea if you are buying drinks next time. Anything else and my gratitude will lessen. Take note." she replied with the same sly smile.
Naruto just sighed as he leaned on the wall next to Saber who was vigilantly looking for trouble and sipping her drink. He then smiled though as he said, "Yeah, yeah, I got you. But..."
"What?" Rin asked.
"I was just thinking how all your fans would react if they saw their idol act the way she did right now. It would be a fun thing to see as everyone discovers your cunning side." he answered teasingly.
"It's everyone else's fault for being so gullible. Besides, hiding one's true identity is a great responsibility of a magus. I mean how would your fangirls feel if they saw what you really do." she finished turning the tables on him.
Naruto blanched a bit and nodded, "True, you got me there."
Things were silent for a moment with Saber continuing to be vigilant until Rin spoke up, "And I am the successor of the Tohsaka family. I need to be the flawless, elite student... Or else I won't be able to face my dead father in heaven."
"Heaven, huh?"
"He died when I was little. He lived for long enough... and died of natural causes, so I don't feel sad or anything. Because we are magi." she finished with a stoic look.
Naruto just took a sip of his own drink before scoffing and saying, "You are a pretty bad liar for all your acting skills. Anyone would feel sad if someone they knew passed away, more so if you are close to them or are family. Don't make excuses or cover things up by saying you are a magus."
Rin looked at Naruto before sighing and nodding, "You're right, so right, I can't refute it."
"We should go home soon."
"Yeah, come on Saber."
XXX
"See you tomorrow then." came from Rin
"Yeah, see ya Rin. Come on Saber." Naruto replied as he waved Saber over.
"Emiya-kun!" Naruto heard Rin call.
"Yeah?"
"Head home quickly, don't wander on the way home okay?" she said with a smile.
"Oh, you worrying about me now Rin? I'm touched!" Naruto replied teasingly with a hand over his heart dramatically.
"N-NO! W-we're partners now! So if you drop out without me knowing, then it'll ruin my plans! That is all!" she yelped indignantly.
"I see. It would ruin your plans to seduce me..." Naruto said with a sagely nod.
"A-AHHH! Y-you are impossible! BYE!" she left with a huff and a very embarrassed tsundere blush.
Naruto watched her leave with an amused smile as he turned to leave with Saber beside him.
"Master, why do you enjoy teasing her?" questioned Saber with a tilt of her head. Naruto absently thought it was cute.
"Meh, it's not just her. But, first off its fun, and second Rin is always uptight or dignified, people need to relax you know?"
Naruto though paused in his step, as did Saber. They both felt it. Someone made a show of their prana, flaring it. Seems the Master and Servant knew what they were doing and was just waiting for them to be alone. It was the same feeling as the other spell marks, only just much more potent. No words were said, the duo just nodded to each other as they went to investigate the source.
They found it coming from the Archery club room. To Naruto, it made sense. Ayako was supposed to be the President of the club and she was the first victim. So they entered the building and they both looked around the dark room for any sign of enemies. Saber had switched to her armor and sword and Naruto had his holster on with all his gear. His hands were hovering over his weapons, readying to draw them.
That is when Naruto saw it. On the far side of the room a massive spell mark that wasn't even hidden took up most of the wall.
"Saber cover me while I destroy it!"
"Yes!"
Naruto didn't flinch from the initial backlash but kept muttering the enchantments under his breath to destroy it. As he was about to finish, he stopped and Saber tensed readying her sword. He turned to face the new arrival and said, "Rider. I assume that is your class."
And she was there not even acknowledging the two for a moment in the doorway until she nodded to him. She respected him - despite his unorthodox tactics and driving her off in a fight - for the same reasons she should despise him. He was competent. Unlike her "Master".
"How are you doing Emiya?" came a very smug and arrogant voice.
Naruto just sighed, "Shinji, still a smug bitch I see."
Shinji's eye twitched before he regained his composure and said, "There is no need to fight, let's call off our servants-"
"You'll pardon me if I don't want to believe you, so no I think Saber will stay with me." Naruto interrupted firmly.
"That's fine," he stated rolling with the conversation, "We can all get acquainted, at my place." he asked with the same smug smirk.
Chapter End...
And there you go! It's been updated, A Shinobi's Resolve is next!
Not much action, I know, but I hope you all like it regardless!
See you all next time and please review!
Peace
Markus-Antonius